Showing posts with label Buying. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Buying. Show all posts

4.9.12

What To Look For When Buying A Pink Digital Camera

AppId is over the quota

Buying a pink digital camera has become extremely popular over the last few years. The color may have been used to distinguish a particular product from its black or gray competitors. Now pink is often seen in digital hardware design and is considered a fashion statement. Some people find these color cameras to be a refreshing departure from the normal look.

Exploring quality pink digital cameras

Pink cameras may be cool; however they have to be functional. You can find cameras in a variety of models from different companies such as Canon or Nikon. Choose a camera with at least seven megapixels in order to print sharp, clear pictures. Your camera should have a preview screen that is large enough to help you compose your picture quickly. Most digital cameras now allow for quality video recording in HD.

Choosing your pink digital camera

Remember, choosing a pink camera does not mean sacrificing quality. There's quite a list of companies selling pink cameras such as Nikon, Panasonic, Canon, Kodak and more. They make terrific gifts for birthdays and holidays and can be found at reasonable prices. You may be able to search the Internet and get a fantastic deal for under $100. Avoid buying any digital camera under five megapixels because the quality of the print output will be poor.

You'll be able to get quite a few full-featured models; the Canon PowerShot, the Olympus E PM 1, the Sony Cybershot, the Kodak EasyShare; these are just a few models available in bright, vibrant pink shades. Many of these brands have pink digital cameras with 12 megapixels to 16 megapixels and 4X to 8X optical image stabilized Zoom lenses. You can find great looking cameras with a multitude of advanced features at an affordable price.

Choose a large, clear LCD screen

Most of the leading brands offer pink cameras with big, beautiful LCD screens that allow for easy viewing when setting up your shot. Many have high resolution screens that come with an anti-reflective, scratch resistance material, to avoid constant wear and tear. A large screen means that you can see your scene clearly and allow you to frame and shoot quickly.

Most functions become available on menus from the LCD screen. That means you'll be scrolling through several levels of options from the LCD screen. Choose a camera with a 2.7 inch screen for easy viewing.

The great thing about pink cameras is the availability of quality products that offer exceptional prints and videos. Some even offer HD video output and even 3D pictures. Take some time to several different models; look at the features and evaluate the benefits that appeal to your needs. Consider the style as well of the functions that you find most useful in a digital camera.

The pink digital camera allows you to collect and store memories in style. These stylish products can help you to take excellent pictures while showing off your individuality. Don't forget to look into the accessories for your camera while you shop.


View the original article here

27.3.12

Basic Tips When Buying a Tablet Computer

What is a tablet pc? The tablet computer has different types of features and designs that depend on the brand or manufacturer. This tablet has a large similarity with laptops and netbooks. The tablet computer manufacturers, especially some Android tablet and Samsung tablet, have chosen the best and elite features of netbooks and laptops that can be considered as portable. Other manufacturers followed suit, and these days, you can find all sorts and styles of these tablet PCs.

Size

The portable computer can be considered as the smallest computer ever made. It has the entertainment and productivity that you want. In some situation, due to the tablet's demand to the public it can be the cause of your death. Snatchers, goons and other bad person can grab your tablet computer. That's why you need to have a very handy small size tablet pc which can be put on your bag for life's safety.

Weight

Some models of Android tablet and Samsung tablet has a light of weight which can be handy and very comfortable to use. A heavyweight tablet computer has a high tendency to be unconsciously dropped. Some of the heavyweight tablet pc has made of low-quality specs and parts. That's why they can be easily damaged.

Productivity and Liability

When buying a tablet pc, you must consider the liability of the product. You must choose a tablet with a wide variety of features so that you will not regret in buying it. You must also consider the model, brand and released of the product. Most of the first released models cannot adopt the latest and most advanced features, software, program and operating system. Choosing the latest model will cost too much if compared to the cost of first released models but there is a large difference between the performance and liability of the product.

Choose a large capacity of memory so that you can have numerous types of games and entertainment. Most of the brands of the tablet pc have their own program and site for downloading applications. That's why some of the brand of the tablet computer cannot accept the software, applications and programs that came from the other brand.

Quality

Before you buy the tablet pc, it could be good if you read the user reviews from other consumer about the model of the tablet computer that you want to buy first. The easiest way to do that is by read the consumer reviews at the bottom of the product page on Amazon.com.

Khai Akmal is a successful writer and businessman. He is devoted to helping people improve their productivity. If you like to learn more about tablet pc, please feel free to read his blog. Latest post is about Samsung tablet. He also has more information about tablet computer here: More Tablet PC Info.


View the original article here

5.3.12

Buying a Printer: Common Sense Questions?

When looking for a printer, just use your common sense. Many questions that you have can probably be answered by a store salesperson or representative at a store like Best Buy or Staples. If you do all of your shopping online, you can still go to a brick and mortar store and get your questions answered. You can also go to a printer review site or do research online.

Since you have found this article, presumably you are in the research phase of buying a printer. So in that case, here are a few questions you can ask yourself before pulling the trigger on that printer you are looking for.

What am I looking for?

Ok, be more specific here. List your needs. Are you just looking for a simple machine that just prints in black ink? Are you looking for something more fancy? Is printing speed a concern? Do you work in an office or is this just for your home use? These, and more, are questions you need to ask yourself.

How often will I use the printer?

If you are in a busy office, then you might need a hardy workhorse. If you just need it in your home and don't print that often, a cheap inkjet might just as well do the trick. It all really depends on your own situation and specifically, what you are looking for.

What will I use the printer for?

What I mean here is: do you need it for faxing? Copying? Scanning? Color Printing? Photo Printing? If you need all of these multi-functions, than you might as well go for an all in one printer. Canon makes a great PIXMA series which include great photo printing. Which leads me to the next point.

Do I have any brand loyalty?

Some people prefer different brands. Some like HP Printers. Some folks like Brother Printers. Some prefer Canon. Dell, Samsung, and Sony all make printers. The list goes on. If you have a favorite brand, or even a dislike for a brand, then this information obviously will help you make a decision. See, I told you this was common sense. But you'd be surprised how many people don't take care when they go and buy a printer.

What is my price range?

Printers can range in price from the cheapy $20 range to several thousand dollars. What's your budget? How much are you looking to spend. Remember the old adage, "you get what you pay for." This is generally the case, but not always.

Beware of the toners

Remember to also see what the cost per printed page is. To calculate the cost per printed page, find the cost of the toner, and how many pages the toner last for. For example, if a 1,000 page toner cost $10, then the cost per printed page would be 1 cent. This is a crude example. But you get the idea. Beware of printers that have low toner life, and that only take expensive toner cartridges. Try to find printers whose cartridges are reliable and cheap. Many consumers overlook this part.

In Closing

When choosing the right printers, you really need to get specific in what needs and concerns you have. There are so many printers out there that I would be shocked if you didn't find one that fits your own specific needs and price range. These questions are common sense, but don't forget to ask them so that you don't end up with buyer's remorse. Sometimes it is indeed better to buy an excellent all in one printer for your office instead of a mediocre printer, fax machine, and copier. Sometimes it's cheaper too. If your office print volume is not that high, then maybe a cheap laser printer is the way to go. Also, don't forget to watch out for those toners.

Ryan Johnson has worked in the printer and technology for years. He is a writer and review of printers. You can see his review of the Brother MFC 9970CDW printer here.


View the original article here

3.2.12

Points to Keep in Mind While Buying a Laptop

When it comes to buying a laptop there are innumerable choices. With the ever changing technology and various brands competing against each other the decision to buy a laptop is not easy. Whether you are looking for a stylish laptop, a laptop for professional usage or for gaming or multimedia and designing purpose; you need to take a look at what are your personal requirements. So, it is essential to know what is available within your price range. You need to keep a few points in mind while buying a laptop.

The most important factor is portability. You need to know the size, the casing and the robustness of the system. These are essential in determining its tenacity and whether it will be okay if you are travelling frequently. The other thing that you need to keep in mind is battery life. You need to know how powerful the battery is in providing backup time.

Generally speaking there are three common factors that should help you choose the right kind of laptop for your personal usage:

Screen Size: First you need to check the screen size of the laptop that you intend to buy. It is the most essential part of a laptop upon which the entire display of graphics and other visuals are dependent. You should not to be eluded by the word HD. It is not essential that laptops that have an HD display screen actually offers a good quality of visuals. There are other things that you need to keep in mind, like screen resolution and screen surface. If the screen is shiny then it will reflect more light and the display will be rather poor. You must instead go for a matte finish, good contrast and brightness.

Processing Power: Another most important aspect that you need to take note of is the processor. This is the brain of the laptop and a good processor means a good processing speed. In order to distinguish a good processor you need to carry out thorough research. Also need to pay attention to what exactly you require for your own purpose. Whether you require it for gaming purposes or just checking out social media websites it all depends upon the usage and requirement. If you only wish to surf internet and check mails then 1GHz is enough to support your requirement.

Memory: Another most essential point to remember is the memory capacity of your laptop. Here you need to know that memory is dependent upon the Windows version. The better the Windows version, higher is the memory required to support it.

Keeping all the above points in mind will definitely help you take the right decision while buying a suitable laptop. If you are concerned more about which brand to choose from and whether the features offered by a said brand are worth the money, then seeking advice from computer support providers will help in making the right choice.

As a senior tech support engineer at Qresolve.com Brandon Malcolm Smith has been offering online tech support to global customers for issues related to laptops, desktops, Mac and devices including iPods, tablets, iPhones and more. Moreover he is an avid writer of articles and blogs that are aimed to help Internet users. His area of interests include computer support, tech support, emerging technologies and awareness on tech support scams.


View the original article here

2.2.12

Best 7 Inch Tablet: What To Look For When Buying

Since first introduced by Apple, the slate tablets have been using the 10" form factor, a convenient dimension place right between small laptops and smartphones. The thing is that after a while, a category of users voiced their concerns that a 10inch tablet is too big for mobile purposes, so a smaller form factor needs to be introduced.

The first manufacturer to oblige was Samsung, who actually offered for sale the 7 inch Samsung Galaxy TAB. This is how 7 inch tablets started to increase in consumer interest, and right now they're almost evenly spread as their bigger brothers.

The best 7 inch tablets have started to match in specs the bigger models so expect this year to continue this trend, with more and more models brought to market. Also expect more accessories, peripherals and cases for them to be offered. Specs will increase (speed, battery life, resolution and storage), while the lower price remains one of the strong points of 7 inch tablets.

Now let's see what are the things you should look for when picking the right 7 inch tablet for you:

Screen resolution: you want something with at least 1024 x 600 px, or even higher as Retina display models make it to market
Processor speed: pick at least a 1Ghz dual core model, but be aware that quad-core 7 inch tablet models are right around the corner (Asus Memo series)
Internal storage: stay away from 8 GB models and pick one with at least 16 GB of internal storage and the possibility to increase the quantity by adding microSD cards. Files and apps are getting bigger and bigger, so you have to be prepared for the future
Android version: you shouldn't get something lower than 3.2 Honeycomb, and check the manufacturer website if it has the intention to update to Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich. This OS is able to take full advantage of the hardware features of your 7" tablet
Android Market access: the best Android apps are available in the Google Marketplace, so ensure your device fully supports that
Ports: pick something that comes with an USB port (host function) and HDMI out, so you can output videos and games easily to a big screen TV.

You've seen I've only mentioned Android; that's because for now Apple has no plans for 7 inch tablets and the Blackberry Playbook still lacks in terms of apps (a lot actually). That's why the best 7 inch tablets are powered by Android at the moment.

John writes for AllTouchTablet, a niche tablet site that deals with 7 inch, 10 inch and 12 inch models, but you'll find sufficient info about other intermediate tablet formats. Just use the navigation bar or the search box to find what you're looking for.


View the original article here

1.2.12

Buying an Ebook Reader - What to Look For

Although the cost of buying an ebook reader has fallen over the last twelve months it is still worth time to study the market before buying one. These days there are even alternatives such as smart phones or iPads. However, if you are a serious bookworm an electronic reader is the nearest thing to a real book. It replicates real paper look by the use of e-ink which makes it similar to reading the printed page rather than a computer screen.

A dedicated ebook reader just serves that one main purpose unlike smart phones and iPads and this makes them easy to use. Readers have simple forward and backward page turning controls and is around the size of a standard paperback. Most do have a few extra features such as dictionary definitions, note taking and the ability to buy and download ebooks directly to the device.

Although the black and white e-ink is used by the majority of devices it is possible to get versions that come with coloured screens. If colour is important to you then just be aware that it will use more battery power and is not always as easy to read in sun light as the e-ink readers.

Most ebook readers are reliant on one source for their ebooks, for instance if you buy a Kindle you will have to get your ebooks from Amazon and if you have the Nook you will have to go to Barnes and Noble. There is little variation in the size of the various ebook reader screens; they are mainly around 6 inches in size. If you need a larger screen then there is the option of buying an I Pad with its 10 inch screen although this will be much more expensive.

Although a lot has been said about the storage space on readers they can all store at least 1500 books which should be enough for most people. Although the external size of readers may vary, for instance some will fit into your pocket, most are more traditionally the size of a paperback and easy to carry around.

The more features you require from an ebook reader the higher the price will be. Currently it is possible to buy readers from around $60 and the basic Kindle is priced at $89. You can pay up to about $180 for the more sophisticated ebook readers but in what is becoming a very competitive market you can expect further price reductions plus additional features in the coming year.

To learn more about ereaders and ereader books and to read reviews of the latest ebook readers visit http://www.ebookreader-review.com/


View the original article here

17.1.12

Reminders Before Buying Computers Online

AppId is over the quota

Shopping on the Internet has become an everyday thing. These days, you can buy almost anything. Even the very equipment that you use browse shopping sites can be purchased online. Buying computers online has become convenient for many people. One major reason is because you can research about the brand and model you wish to buy. You can even check feedback from people who own the unit that you're looking at.

But before you take out your credit card and order anything from the Web, here are some steps you might want to take to make sure that you are, indeed, getting a good deal.

Have you checked the warranty of the equipment you're thinking of buying? Even if you'll be buying one from a top brand, you always need to make sure that the PC you're buying is under warranty. You need to be sure that the procedure to claim the warranty is convenient enough for you, in case something unfortunate happens to your PC.

The ideal scenario would be for you to call customer service and someone will just check up or pick up your PC from your home or office. You only need to wait for them to repair it right in front of you or after a few days. If the equipment needs to be shipped back to the vendor or to the designated service center, you need to check if the shipping charges will have to be shouldered by you or by the vendor/service center.

Similarly, read the policy regarding return or exchange. Anything can happen during the time your order is being shipped. This is not to discourage you from ordering online. But what you just need to do is make sure that your vendor will cover everything in case some not-so-pleasant things happen to your shipment and that you don't need to pay any additional fees in that kind of situation.

Once you've read terms and conditions, call the vendor's customer assistance line if you need to clarify something. If any question or concern comes to your mind, contact them immediately before registering or ordering the product.

You also need to ask yourself if you're really getting the best deal possible with that particular vendor you're planning to buy from. Check forums and see if people mention other vendors or sites that offer bigger discounts and better service. You can also try price comparison sites, if you wish. These sites usually list all the available brands and models of whatever type of PC that you're looking for. Here, you'll be able to compare not just prices, but also the selling points of each model.

The beauty of buying computers online is that you don't need to exert much effort in getting the information you need to get your ideal purchase. So take advantage of this benefit. Do your research first and get yourself the best possible Internet deal.

Buying computers online? Visit Get Price to see the prices of the PC that you've been looking for from different vendors. Get Price is your easiest and fastest way to find the best deal on the Web.


View the original article here

Buying Computers - Know What You Need

AppId is over the quota

When buying a desktop or a notebook PC, you shouldn't decide mainly based on the price. You shouldn't just choose among the cheap computers in the market. Even if you've got a limited budget, you need to know which machine will help you best in your job, school, or whatever purpose you need it. Because in the long run, if you bought a PC that lacks in the functions that you require, you most probably will spend more, anyway.

So, to start with, you should determine how you'll use your PC. Ask yourself why you're thinking of buying a computer. With the wide range of PCs these days, you really need to know what you need and want before you shop. You can't simply walk into a store or browse online and just look for the one with the lowest price.

If you'll use it for work, think of what tasks do you do everyday. If you're into financial businesses, you might chance upon a PC with pre-installed software that you can use for your specific jobs. With that, you can already save some dollars.

If you'll be using it for leisure gaming at home, you should buy one that has all the power needed to properly display the graphics of the latest games. You should also look for one that comes with smooth and clear audio to give you a totally satisfying gaming experience. Otherwise, you might end up wanting the kind of PC that your gamer friend was able to get and to upgrade yours later on while spending more than you should have.

Knowing what you need or want in a computer will save you also from falling into sweet talking by any salesman. You can't blame the salesman for pushing you to buy the more expensive stuff. It's his job to make his company earn bigger profit. But if you already have in mind the type of equipment that will really be of use to you, you'll most probably be safe from most types of sales talk.

If someone's trying to talk you into buying a particular computer, think first if you're really going to use all the features that person is talking about. If you're just into doing documents and Excel sheets, then stick to having a standard MS Office pack. You wouldn't need any mind-blowing graphics capability, so just skip it. Focus on what will be really of use to you.

So, instead of looking for cheap computers, look for one that will serve your purpose - whether it's for work, leisure, or school. Keep in mind what you'll be using the computer for and stick to it. You'll discover that you'll get your money's worth more in this manner.

Don't settle for cheap computers. Find a reasonably priced PC that will do the job for you. Visit Get Price to get a list of quality desktop and notebook PCs at competitive prices.


View the original article here

12.1.12

Buying New Or Refurbished Computers

Having spent a couple of decades in the IT business very often customers will inquire as to the overall quality of a new computer versus refurbished. Let me attempt to answer this so we can put the myths, biases and preconceived notions to rest.

Let's first explore what constitutes a refurbished computer,

A refurbished computer is defined as a system which has been previously shipped/sold to someone and then returned. That's it. No mystery. Simply a returned computer. The larger question should be but why was it returned? Definition of a refurbished computer,

Refurbished Equipment is not necessarily used equipment. Certain manufacturers and dealers have quality standards that will not be compromised. If an item is returned but appears to be in working order, or has a minor problem that can be corrected easily, the item will be refurbished and sold at a discount. Most companies will guarantee the item as if it was new.

Why are computers reclassified as refurbished?

Computers which are shipped, sold and returned are re-certified and considered refurbished because more often than not there was a problem, an inoperable component or customer has changed their mind and returned the item.

Why would I ever want a refurbished computer?

From listening to my customers I have discovered there is an unfair bias and a general misunderstanding toward refurbished computers.

Generally people believe these refurbished computers to be lesser quality than that of their new counterpart. Not always the case. A refurbished item can be returned for any reason including frivolous and fickle customer returns. Perhaps the buyer did not like the color or simply changed their mind so they box it up and return it. Under no circumstance is a retailer allowed to simply repackage a customer return and sell it as a new item. So you can see how this could be a bargain for the savvy consumer. They could pick up this deal for at least a 20% reduction from the original price

The primary reason to consider refurbished computers is because of the reduced cost. Companies cannot resell a returned computer as new even when the part which was faulty has been fixed

Let's look at the benefits of buying refurbished, off lease and or used products,

· Discount pricing

· Quality in some cases for refurbished product is better than that of new because it's inspected prior to leaving the manufacturer and then again it is checked when returned

· The environmental implications..If you are environmentally conscious your help goes far in to recycle and being more environmentally friendly.

Things to look out for when buying refurbished,

· The price should be at least 20% lower than the original price as a new unit

· Verify your warranty. Generally speaking you should get a year warranty

· Is this true refurbished and not off lease product

There are other ways to reduce the amount you pay for your technology other than to buy refurbished. Off lease systems are generally a good savings however you may be paying for last years technology but the good news is you should really get a bargain and perhaps its possible you do not need all of the bells and whistles associated with today's newest technology

At least with refurbished product you're getting the newer technology at significantly reduced pricing. There is leading technology and what I call bleeding technology. Bleeding technology is paying the premium price for the most recent technology.

Keep in mind discounting on refurbished product does not only apply to computers but rather all electronics. Think about it before making your next electronics purchase.

Chris Alexander is owner of http://www.new2usedcomputers.com/ which began officially in 1998 although the owner operator has been working with many facets involving IT for over 20 years. The purpose of our company is to provide exceptional service and deliver to our customers quality workmanship which sets your business apart from the competition.


View the original article here

7 Tips on Buying a Laptop

Introduction to Buying a Laptop Computer

Picking a laptop can be confusing at times. On one hand, you would want to go for the killer ergonomics but on the other, you would want practicality. Same as everything in life, when you have many choices, it will be difficult to choose the best and most probably it will involved more than 7 simple steps listed below.

What to look for

When you are near to buying a laptop stage, you will likely hear some good and bad stories about certain brands. Those stories are based on individual preference and level of expectation. While some bad stories may be true, not all users will have the same problem using the same laptop. There's no such thing as bad or perfect manufacturer. Below is a listing to consider when buying a laptop.

Battery Life

For me, this is the most important aspect to consider when I'm considering which laptop is the best. I may be considered as a road warrior, so, battery life means productivity to me. Take notice that most manufacturers will indicate a longer battery life but this may be the lowest possible settings like the processor is not running on full speed. Ensure what the standard battery usage life when using the laptop in full power modes.

Warranty

Warranty is another important factor to consider when buying a laptop. How many months is offered by the manufacturer? How about International warranty? The warranty offered covers hardware and software? Type of warranty - on site pick up or send in warranty? How much does it costs for extended warranty? This may not be an issue for all users but it's worth taking some effort to find out.

Ergonomics

Despite some manufacturers priced their laptop very low prices, you get what you paid for. Nicer, slimmer laptops often costs more. Try to choose a laptop with an overall score on comfort, design, size, performance and etc.

Screen Size

There are many type of laptop screen available on the market right now. The latest introduction is LED (Light-emitting diode) screen followed by the ever popular LCD (Liquid Crystal Display). LED screen is sharper and supposed to lasts longer than LCD but the price is higher compares to conventional laptop with LCD screens. Next to look out for is screen size. There are many type of sizes available, from as small as 10" to as large as 16" or more. Choose a size which you are comfortable using and serve your needs. If you are like me, a road warrior, I would never go for screen size bigger than 14" and nothing smaller than 12". If you want portability but at the same time working long hours from one location, you can choose bigger screens.

Hard drive

Hard drives have and always will be an important factor to think about. Imagine you have less than 10 gigabyte in your hard drive and more data is coming your way to store. Even external hard drive is a chore sometimes because you need time to transfer your data. If you are a heavy user for pictures, video and other materials that requires big storage, choosing a 500 gigabyte hard drive may not be a luxury item anymore. Always get the maximum size hard drive.

Speakers

If you are into presentations and meetings most of the time, it will be wise to choose a laptop with the loudest built-in speakers. Most of the time, using external speakers is messy with cables and not to mention the extra weight you have to carry with you all the time.

Size / Weight:

Not all laptops with the same screen size and type has the same weight. Shop around for the lightest weight with the battery installed. Larger displays, bulky laptop casings and other integrated components will contribute to the weight of a laptop.

And the winner is...the Future!

Always choose the best laptop that suits your need according to your budget. You would not want to buy something that can only lasts you for 2 years. Consider components like processors, graphic card and optical drive are difficult to upgrade. Desktop computers are way easier to upgrade but lacks of portability. It is important to plan ahead with laptops and to plan to buy another in the future.

http://www.computer-rentals.org/ offers a wide range of rental & refurbished computer equipments. Pick up our FREE Ebook "Money Saving Ideas for Business Owners" by commenting on our blog


View the original article here

9.1.12

Kindle Fire Vs iPad: What You Need to Know When Buying a Tablet Computer

AppId is over the quota

Many people shopping for tablet computers today are likely to end up having to make a choice between the iPad and the Kindle Fire. This is what necessitates the Kindle Fire vs. iPad comparison. The iPad, as many of us already know, is a product of Apple Inc., whereas the Kindle Fire is a product of Amazon. When most of us hear the word 'Kindle', image of an EBook reader instantly comes to mind. Thus, before embarking on the comparison, we need to clarify that the Kindle Fire, unlike earlier versions of the Kindle, is a full-fledged tablet computer designed along the same lines as the iPad. When we attempt to compare the two devices, we are not comparing oranges to apples, as both devices are designed and marketed as full-fledged tablet computers.

Having dealt with the background information, we can now venture into the actual comparison. We will be comparing the two devices in terms of their prices, their storage capacities, their computing speeds, and their software running capabilities.

Pricing Comparisons
The Kindle Fire is sold at a substantially lower price than the iPad. It is hard to quote specific figures, as these are bound to change from time to time. As far as its "official announcement" in late 2011, the tablet was to be retailed at a price, which is less than half the price of iPad 2. Amazon, promoter of the Kindle tablet, has been in pains to explain that it is in fact selling the device at a lower price than what it costs to manufacture it! Apparently, Amazon's game plan is to make money selling content for the tablet, as opposed to selling the device itself. Thus, if pricing was the only consideration in the Kindle Fire vs. iPad comparison, Kindle tablet would emerge as the best and cheapest device.

Storage Capacities
People who opt for the iPad get to choose between the 16 GB, 32 GB, and 64 GB versions. All those are than Kindle Fire's only choice of 8 GB of storage. In simple terms, even the smallest version of the iPad offers more space for applications and content (at 16 GB) than the Kindle Fire (at 8GB). To be fair, many people will find the 8 GB storage offered by the Kindle tablet more than adequate for their needs.

Computing speeds
Both the iPad and the Kindle Fire are powered by a 1.0 GHz processor. Both come with 512 MB of memory. As far as computing speeds go, there is really no comparison to be made, but it is worth noting that differences in software implementation between the two devices make minor differences in actual computing speeds.

Software Running Capabilities
Whereas the iPad is powered by Apple's iOS operating system, Amazon Kindle tablet is powered by the open source Android operating system. This has several implications. For one, unless they "jailbreak" the devices, users of the iPad end up having to use costly apps available in the official Apple app-store. On the other hand, Kindle tablet users have access to numerous free apps developed to be used on the well-supported Android platform.

As our Kindle Fire vs. iPad comparison reveals, the choice between two devices is not one to be made by tossing a coin. You should first have a clear understanding of your needs and select the device that caters them best.

For more information about Amazon Fire tablet and an in-depth comparison visit our site Kindle Fire vs iPad.


View the original article here

3.1.12

The Dos And Don'ts Of Buying An MP3 Player

AppId is over the quota

In this write up, I'm going to outline some general guidelines to absolutely think about when you're looking to invest in an MP3 player. I think these guidelines will greatly enhance your chances of being very happy with the player you choose. To start with, you want to ensure that the player incorporates a flash drive, not a spinning hard drive.

Spinning hard drives are absolute no, nos when it comes to purchasing portable MP3 players. They use up a lot more of your battery power, producing smaller life spans, not only for the immediate future, but they'll also cause the battery to lose its ability to hold a charge over the long term. Spinning hard drives definitely are a poor deal, and will cause you to have to buy a new MP3 player before you know it.

Also, flash drives are much more proficient, mostly offering you 24 hours of playback, if not longer as they barely use any battery power at all since they're static and don't spin. I've had my Sandisk Sansa for 4 years and it still works the same way it did right out of the box. I cannot say that for previous spinning hard drive, players I've had in the past. Lets just say, that all of them went bad within 6 months to a year as they would simply lose their ability to maintain a charge. Get a flash drive unit, and you'll hold onto that thing forever. They're awesome.

Next, you want to make sure the player you choose to pick has an extra SD slot for adding additional memory, specifically if you have a big selection of music, or download music a lot. You may not think you'll need to have that much space to begin with. However, I would definitely place my bets on going with the "better safe than sorry" option because you'll be shocked at how fast your music collection will develop. Having the extra SD card slot will ensure that you can expand your memory size to suit your expanding music and or video collection since most MP3 players accommodate video these days.

Also, a great complimentary feature, although, not as crucial as the others, would be for it to include an FM radio built into it, which can also record from the radio. Have you ever listened to a song on the radio and wished you could record it right then and there? With that kind of feature, you can do just that. My personal MP3 player is able to do that and I love it.

Next, make sure the back has screws in it that can be taken out for whatever reason. You never know. You might get a unit that has a bad battery, or you might go on a lengthy road trip, and want to switch the internal battery. Whatever the case, it's normally a very good idea to have an MP3 player that can be unscrewed an opened from the back.

Last, but definitely not least, ensure you can test the player before you buy it, so you can test to see if it's uncomplicated to navigate, and that you'll be confident with using it. It seems insignificant, but get an MP3 player that's hard to use, and you'll be shouting cuss words every time you have to use it.

Find more hot MP3 player info and more at nfohot.com.


View the original article here

16.12.11

On-Ear Headphones Buying Guide

AppId is over the quota

If you are part of the generation that carried around portable CD and cassette players, then you are probably familiar with on-ear headphones. As opposed to in-ear headphones (earphones), on-ear headphones are neither inserted into the ear canal nor positioned anywhere inside the ear. Rather, they rest on top of the wearer's ears. Foam padding is typically wrapped around the speakers and an adjustable plastic or metal band is attached to the speakers to ensure a good fit and maximum comfort. Some boast plastic clips that go around the ear instead of adjustable bands. Other models also skip the foam padding and instead offer modified speakers.

While one benefit of on-ear headphones that many users have testified to is their stellar sound quality (in comparison to earphones), their bulkiness is a factor that deems them less portable than earphones. One would be hard-pressed to stick these headphones in their pockets or purses. Most models do not allow for the headphones to be collapsed or folded. This makes earphones a stronger preference in situations where the headphones need to be transported from one place to another. Because the majority of on-ear headphones cannot be securely fastened to one's head, this presents a problem if one wishes to use their headphones for rough physical activities such as working out or going for a run.

Nonetheless, on-ear headphones are the preferred choice for many buyers. They range in price from $5 to $300. With regard to hearing damage, which can be caused by excessively high sound levels, on-ear headphones would be a suitable option for people whose ears are sensitive or who wish to err on the side of caution.

What are some good brands of on-ear headphones? While Bose, Grado, JLab Audio, JVC, Klipsch, Koss, Maxell and Monster are some of the most noteworthy brands out in the market, my personal recommendations would have to be the Sennheisier PX100 Lightweight Collapsible Headphones and the Beats by Dr. Dre Solo Headphones with ControlTalk.

Priced at $59.99, the Sennheiser PX100 Lightweight Collapsible Headphones are worth every dollar. As the name states, they are collapsible, meaning that unlike other headphones of this type, they can be easily stored for travelling or in your purse if you are planning to hit the gym after work. They also come with a hard carrying case. The quality that the speakers offer is such that all types of music will sound natural to one's ears when it is played. Lastly, the Sennheiser PX100 Lightweight Collapsible Headphones are also extremely lightweight and no bother to carry around. No wonder they boast a 4.5 review on Amazon.

Before you pick up your next set of headphones, it may be a good idea to check out a Headphone Review or two. Please visit http://www.headphonereview.org/ where you'll find some of the best headphones at the best prices.


View the original article here

12.12.11

A Few Reasons Why Buying a Tablet Isn't a Bad Decision

AppId is over the quota

Tablets are the new fad in today's technology-saturated environment. It breaks new ground in portability, offering computing power to the user anywhere, as one can carry it wherever he is. As with all things, though, there are disadvantages to these as well; which are frequently cited by critics everywhere. Even some customers act cynical, believing that one might as well make do with a perfectly good laptop instead of a tablet, assigning this new piece of technology to the dustbin of new-age technological crap. This article shows a few reasons why an investment in a tablet can be a good one for a customer, one that is not a complete waste of money.
Portability: This is what comes to mind when anyone hears of a tablet, and this is it's main advantage. A Tablet is more portable than a laptop or a netbook. It is like a computer, put into a plastic slate. It is so light and thin that you can carry it anywhere! You can tuck it under your arm and take it to your classes, place it in your kitchen, employ it in your meetings, or use it for your bedtime web surfing. You can pretty much use it anywhere. It is that convenient. Conventional PCs and laptops do not offer that kind of portability and convenience for the user.
User Friendliness: There is a reason why the iPad is so famous among the elders of our society. This is because it is very user-friendly. The conventional layout of a PC, with all it's taskbars and file hierarchies, seemed way too complex for a layman to come to know easily. Tablets employ the touch-screen system, and have a software which is a lot simpler, rendering the operation of one relatively intuitive. So much so, that there was news about a baby being able to, at least somewhat, operate a tablet. That's how easy these are to use.
Usage of longer duration: The payoff of having lower computer power than the conventional options is that the power consumption becomes low, and battery time goes high. This may not mean much to the home users but for office employees or managers, this is absolute gold. It means never having to worry about power issues, let's say, in a presentation.
Book Reading: It makes for a great ebook reader, allowing you to download books available online and then reading them conveniently on a slate-like computer; which, you have to admit, feels a lot better than just sitting on your chair for n hours and reading it off a laptop or a desktop. A tablet can become your whole library, one that you can take wherever you go.

If you are interested in winning an iPad, then please visit: user friendly and computer portability.


View the original article here

7.12.11

Buying A New Computer? Here's Your Plan For Installing Programs - Old And New

Error in deserializing body of reply message for operation 'Translate'. The maximum string content length quota (8192) has been exceeded while reading XML data. This quota may be increased by changing the MaxStringContentLength property on the XmlDictionaryReaderQuotas object used when creating the XML reader. Line 1, position 8869.

So, you finally decided it was time to upgrade your computing experience. You've done the legwork, searched the best sales websites and found the perfect match of "bang for your buck" that will suit your needs. Good for you!

Now you are faced with the daunting task of installing, configuring, and essentially breathing life into your new computer. You are going to have to name your new baby, tell it how to find its way around your network neighborhood, decide which of those pre-installed applications you will actually keep and use, then get your printers and email working again. Those programs you were using on your old PC, they all require your attention, too. You have some work to do.

You might be surprised to find that you cannot simply transfer your programs from your old computer to the new by doing a backup and restore of the data from the old hard drive. It simply does not work that way. Here is another potential surprise for you; the programs you were running on Windows XP may require an update when you move to Windows 7. It is very likely that you now have a 64 bit operating system, where you had a 32 bit operating system on your old computer. To take advantage of that new computing power, you'll want to carefully choose the software you install. That same advice goes for printer drivers and other peripheral device software you will download to get things working.

Your first question should be; "What programs do I have, which versions, and what serial numbers will I need to register them again, where this is required?" This is a job for Belarc Advisor, available from belarc.com. Go to that website, find the free download, get it and run it. It will produce a comprehensive report on everything about your computer, including software installed and license keys for all licensed products. A whole other article could be written about how to use this information, but for the purpose at hand, it is ideal for giving you what you need to proceed. You'll need those license keys later, specifically for Microsoft Office.

Now that you know what programs you had, you have a baseline to help you decide what you need to install on the new computer. You may not want or need everything you had and this may present an opportunity to create a leaner computing environment for yourself. The point of this exercise is to determine which programs you will install, which of those require serial numbers, which require updates, and which ones are completely unnecessary. Later, we will discuss how to get all of those free things, like Adobe Reader, Flash, JAVA, and like items, with an excellent online utility named, Ninite.

Let's walk through these things one at a time. We will look at printers and email first, as they present the best example of how downloads are often better than CD installations. Then, we'll move on to the programs you may have on discs, like Microsoft Office, etc., where saving money by not buying the upgrade is an option. Finally, we will cover the free installations mentioned above.

Assuming you have some name brand printer, like HP, Brother, or Epson; you can simply go to their website (usually support dot manufacturer name dot com - e.g., support.hp.com) and download the correct driver for your model. Just be sure to pay attention to get the correct OS version, likely to be Windows 7 - 64 bit for your new PC.

Email is more of an "it depends" situation. If you are using an online email service, such as Gmail, or Yahoo, or even AOL, your needs are simple. AOL software installation is optional. For the other services, you simply log in to whatever website you were using and carry on. AOL users may want to take this opportunity to change email services, or go ahead and download the latest AOL version and install it on your new computer. If none of these online services provides for your current email needs, you have more work to do. Given that email configuration is not the purpose of this article; you will have to work out those details with your service provider.

If you are using software like Mozilla Thunderbird (free), or Microsoft Office Outlook (part of the MS Office suite), or some other email client software, you will either download that latest version and install it, or reload your MS Office from the CD's you have on hand. This is where that serial number from Belarc Advisor will be helpful, as you'll need your license key for the MS Office installation. This may be a good time to consider purchasing the latest version of MS Office to go with your new computer. In most cases, the programs you need to make your printers work and get your email up and running are available as downloads from their respective makers.

You may have several programs on discs that you need to run on your new computer. At the risk of being redundant, you should check for updates or compatibility before you simply load and install from CD. New Windows 7 computers will run older, 32 bit versions of software, but if you have the option to upgrade, now would be the time to do so. You already know how to pop in the CD and run the installer, so go ahead and do that. You may want to know that there are two directories for program files on your new computer. One is called "Program Files" and one is called, "Program Files (x86)". You may have guessed that the first one holds the newer programs and the other one holds the old 32 bit programs. This information may be useful later, when you need to know where things are.

Now that you have your printers, email, and old programs up and running, you are good to go, right? As soon as you launch one of your programs that used to have data in it, you'll realize you may not be finished with this task. Assuming you have access to the data from your old hard drive, you will have to pull over some folders that contain that missing data. There is a directory on your old drive called Application Data and in it will be other folders, some of which contain the information you'll need. One example would be MS Office, where Word might have some auto text information and where Outlook should have all of your old email, contacts and calendar in a file. You could simply copy that entire Application Data folder onto your new hard drive and then pick the appropriate directory for each of the imports you must do to get your data back in order.

There is a website that will help you to get all of the free stuff you already use, like Adobe Reader, Flash, JAVA, etc. Just go to Ninite.com and click on each of the programs you want to install. Download the Ninite installer and let that utility do the rest of the work for you. Keep that little installer file, as you can use it later to get the latest version of each of the programs you've chosen to install. Details are on the Ninite website, so no further explanation will be given here. Be advised that if your computer came with some anti-virus software pre-installed, you should not install other versions of anti-virus software, as this may create a conflict on your new computer.

To summarize; transferring your programs requires careful consideration and planning. There are a few places where you'll find stumbling blocks, so make sure you have access to your old data files before you get started. You may also need serial numbers or CD keys for programs you plan to reinstall from disc. Along with your program installations, you should plan for the configuration of your printers and email accounts. There are a couple of free utility websites you can use to download utilities to assist with planning and execution; namely, Belarc and Ninite. Armed with this knowledge and with all considerations complete, you are now ready to tackle this task. Experience has shown that a new computer set up project may take as little as two hours or an entire day, depending on the complexity of your needs. With proper planning and execution, you'll have your new computer running all of your programs and you'll feel a sense of pride that goes along with mission accomplished!

Brian Rouley has been providing compassionate care to people using computers for nearly three decades. He is currently the VP of Operations at Rouzell Enterprises, Inc., and the author of numerous articles on how to get things done with your computer. You can learn more about Rouzell by going to Rouzell dot com Brian also teaches computer classes in classroom settings or as a private tutor in clients' homes.

Rouzell Enterprises, Inc. is a California Corporation doing business as MouseHelp and covering the Coachella Valley with support for computer users at all levels of experience.


View the original article here

28.11.11

Buying Second Hand Electronics

As much as we would like to have brand new computers and electronics equipment sometimes we cannot afford something new. So this leads us to look into used or refurbished second hand items. Most of the time these second hand used items are just as good as their brand new counterparts and in most cases run just as well. The selection of these items can run from the most recent models to the utmost vintage of gadgets.

Where can you find such recession busting bargains? It is not as difficult as it might sound. You can check any number of sites online from eBay to Craigslist. These two listing sites have many listings of used electronics for sale. From laptops to personal computer to flat screen televisions; you can find just about anything you want in these places. The prices are usually good but you have to be careful, sometimes what you see is not what you get. Always make sure you buy from someone who has a good history of being a stand up merchant. You are unable to test an item online to see if it works or not so you do need to take them at their word. This is trust and that can be hard to do online. When you have the luxury of seeing and holding a second hand electronic device you can check it out for yourself.

Then you have your offline sources such as remodeled or refurbished electronics. These always run at a discount or cheaper than their new model. Always make sure the selling price is a cut from the actual retail price, after all if you're paying close to retail for electronics then why not buy the new unused item and if you could do that then you wouldn't be here. Second, always check to make sure if there is a return window for you to bring the item back if something is wrong with it. In most cases you can do this when you buy a refurbished item from a bigger department store chain.

However, buying second hand electronics is not just for the most frugal of the wallet, there is a huge interest in vintage collectors. People collect all manner of things electronics from home computers to classic video game consoles. There is something for everyone on the second hand market but you need to remember to be careful when buying these things.


View the original article here