I've had to experience the "joys" of what is being called "Ransomware" twice now on client PC's. Allow me to give you a little info, and some tips if you happen to come across this frustration-inducing malware.
Windows computers - especially those with poor virus protection, and out-of-date Windows Updates - are particularly vulnerable to being hijacked. It appears that the software comes in through an exploit of an Internet Explorer flaw with ActiveX.
The first time I saw one of these, it masqueraded as an "FBI notification". It claimed that the FBI had monitored the client viewing illegal content, and had "locked" their computer until they paid a fine. The fine was to be $200 paid via a specific pre-paid credit card available at a local retail outlet. The more recent one acted as if it was an anti-virus program, claiming that all executable functions of the computer - especially those that would disable/remove it - were infected, and made incapable of running. This one offered to remove the "virus" for about $100.
Here's how they work: Your computer is taken hostage, and not allowed to run properly, in some cases not at all. You are informed that you must pay X amount of money in order to have access back. If you pay, the ransomware will remove itself from your computer, freeing it up, and going away, possibly as if it had never been there before. It is possible that some residuals may remain to attempt to fleece you for something else down the line. In the end, you are out money, bad guys (often in another country) have your money, and your computer is no safer.
The first infection, I was able to point out to the client that he did right by mentioning it. The notice was obviously false, as what he was purported to have engaged in is not handled by the FBI. However, Law Enforcement of the appropriate branch would have visited with a search warrant, confiscated the evidence, and any fines would have been imposed by a judge & jury. The malware he had contracted was particularly clever, in that it studies the IP address of the infected computer, and recommends retail outlets where one can obtain the preferred card to pay the "fine".
The more recent one, was compiled on top of four other viruses. While I effectively used Norton to remove the other viruses, I learned that the computer was still infected. In this case, the client had the XP Defender, in its most recent incarnation. While many of these can be removed through startup in Safe Mode, I found that in this case, Safe Mode was ineffective. XP Defender would also run, in safe mode. It would render programs like Task Manager, MS Config, Regedit and the command prompt inoperable there, as well. As neither Norton nor Avast would see this on external, nor run as a primary drive, it became more of a frustration.
Both cases, a very simple solution worked. At the moment, I am hesitant to write what that solution is, but I am willing to share it via email. No, this is not a trade secret. However, it's better to not give the bad guys the answer outright. Please use the Contact Form on the website if you would like to know the simple workaround for these ransomware infestations.
Never pay some scumbag cybercriminal to "unlock" an infected computer!
Friday, December 28, 2012
Wednesday, December 26, 2012
This Space For Rent
That's right. If you have a product that you would like reviewed, please provide me with a sample, and I will run it through a variety of reasonable stress tests, and give my conclusion of it, right here.
Products I have, physically, reviewed (for this blog) include the Samsung HMX-F80 digital camcorder, the Motorola Photon Q phone through Sprint,and the Corsair Hydro H60. I've also reviewed some household appliances - Foreman Grill, other clamshell type cookers, Kitchenaid mixer, and the Presto Pressure Canner. Yes, a few of these were combined with my gift countdown. I have also served as a Beta Tester for IBM software for several years.
I am open to reviewing hardware, software, and in some cases, appliances. Please contact me directly though the webpage, and we can discuss the finer points.
Products I have, physically, reviewed (for this blog) include the Samsung HMX-F80 digital camcorder, the Motorola Photon Q phone through Sprint,and the Corsair Hydro H60. I've also reviewed some household appliances - Foreman Grill, other clamshell type cookers, Kitchenaid mixer, and the Presto Pressure Canner. Yes, a few of these were combined with my gift countdown. I have also served as a Beta Tester for IBM software for several years.
I am open to reviewing hardware, software, and in some cases, appliances. Please contact me directly though the webpage, and we can discuss the finer points.
Tuesday, December 25, 2012
26 Days Of Christmas - #1
Today, let's look at something very simple, low-tech, and cost free. Peace and quiet, time for self & personal reflection.
Whether or not you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, another holiday - or none at all; it's hard to to have experienced the season. There are the lights, the music, the commercials, the news stories. Likely there's been a child that you've heard of that's wanted the Holy Grail of the year, and maybe you've had to keep your eye out for things for someone else. Plus there are a lot of stresses around this time of the year in our personal, family, business, economic, political, spiritual etc lives that can distract us from what the season is about.
Many people participate in charitable events, or acts, around this time of the year. It may be giving some change to the Salvation Army bell ringers, or dropping off a gift or two for Toys For Tots, volunteering in a shelter, spending time with people who need it, or in some other way giving of yourself. These are incredible gifts. I recently enjoyed a morning in a bakery with my siblings, preparing cookies for sale to support a home for disabled children and adults.
Amidst all the hustle and bustle, though, it's important to take some time for yourself. Kind of like in The Shining, "All work and no play makes jack a dull boy". This doesn't mean that you have to take a personal spa day, or such, but give yourself a break from the routine, by yourself, or with the family or friends. Take sometime for quiet reflection, or enjoy the sights and sounds of the season without being in a rush. There are so many things you can do. The therapeutic benefits are noticeable, and you don't have to do much.
I hope y'all have enjoyed my "Christmas Countdown" this year. I've enjoyed putting this together. Keep an eye on the site in the future for other ideas, promotions, reviews, etc. I wish you all a Merry Christmas. Regardless of whether or not you celebrate it, may you enjoy the day!
Whether or not you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, another holiday - or none at all; it's hard to to have experienced the season. There are the lights, the music, the commercials, the news stories. Likely there's been a child that you've heard of that's wanted the Holy Grail of the year, and maybe you've had to keep your eye out for things for someone else. Plus there are a lot of stresses around this time of the year in our personal, family, business, economic, political, spiritual etc lives that can distract us from what the season is about.
Many people participate in charitable events, or acts, around this time of the year. It may be giving some change to the Salvation Army bell ringers, or dropping off a gift or two for Toys For Tots, volunteering in a shelter, spending time with people who need it, or in some other way giving of yourself. These are incredible gifts. I recently enjoyed a morning in a bakery with my siblings, preparing cookies for sale to support a home for disabled children and adults.
Amidst all the hustle and bustle, though, it's important to take some time for yourself. Kind of like in The Shining, "All work and no play makes jack a dull boy". This doesn't mean that you have to take a personal spa day, or such, but give yourself a break from the routine, by yourself, or with the family or friends. Take sometime for quiet reflection, or enjoy the sights and sounds of the season without being in a rush. There are so many things you can do. The therapeutic benefits are noticeable, and you don't have to do much.
I hope y'all have enjoyed my "Christmas Countdown" this year. I've enjoyed putting this together. Keep an eye on the site in the future for other ideas, promotions, reviews, etc. I wish you all a Merry Christmas. Regardless of whether or not you celebrate it, may you enjoy the day!
Monday, December 24, 2012
26 Days Of Christmas - #2: Cords!
Today is a very simple gift idea for yourself or others. By now, we're probably all putting the finishing touches on our season, and may not really be going out to buy (or ordering) anything more.
I bring this up, though, that there are a number of our wonderful electronic devices - iPods, mp3 players, cell phones, cameras, etc that take an assortment of different cables to charge them - or connect them to our computers. Sometimes these cables can get lost, damaged, or stop working.
Our different devices have an assortment of different types of connectors. There are the proprietary connectors on Apple products, and Sony mp3 players, then there are the more standard - like micro & miniUSB that are used for cell phones, digital cameras and such.
Cords can be picked up at stores like Best Buy, Target, Walmart, and Walgreens, or found online. Often times, if you aren't in a pinch, it's a much better deal to pick them up online. I've found that sites like geeks.com and 3B Tech will usually blow the doors off the retail outlets on prices.
In general, it's a good idea to know the specific device, as well as the specific type of cord, and have at least one extra on hand. For phones, I like to have a few, just so I can charge them up from many locations in the house.
I hope you have been enjoying my gift countdown, check back tomorrow for the last one of this season!
I bring this up, though, that there are a number of our wonderful electronic devices - iPods, mp3 players, cell phones, cameras, etc that take an assortment of different cables to charge them - or connect them to our computers. Sometimes these cables can get lost, damaged, or stop working.
Our different devices have an assortment of different types of connectors. There are the proprietary connectors on Apple products, and Sony mp3 players, then there are the more standard - like micro & miniUSB that are used for cell phones, digital cameras and such.
Cords can be picked up at stores like Best Buy, Target, Walmart, and Walgreens, or found online. Often times, if you aren't in a pinch, it's a much better deal to pick them up online. I've found that sites like geeks.com and 3B Tech will usually blow the doors off the retail outlets on prices.
In general, it's a good idea to know the specific device, as well as the specific type of cord, and have at least one extra on hand. For phones, I like to have a few, just so I can charge them up from many locations in the house.
I hope you have been enjoying my gift countdown, check back tomorrow for the last one of this season!
Sunday, December 23, 2012
26 Days Of Christmas - #3: The Presto 16 Qt Pressure Canner
Today's gift idea is somewhat fitting around this time of the year. Today I'm going to talk about pressure canners - in particular, the Presto 16 Qt Pressure Canner:
I picked up one of these about a year ago. I did some research before hand, though. For me, I make a fair amount in the kitchen, and was looking for alternatives to freezing things. I heard about "canning" and looked into it. I found there were a few things one needed to get - jars, lids, rings, tools. But most important was a pressure canner, vs canning via hot water bath.
To give a quick description here, there are two types of canning, pressure and hot water. With pressure canning, water is heated to temperatures above the normal boiling point, due to the change of pressure. In an open air container, water will convert to steam and leave when its boiling point is reached. In the higher pressure environment, the boiling point is raised, allowing for temperatures to be reached which will kill the bacteria that may cause botulism or other illnesses.
I picked mine up at Walmart for about $65, along with a case of jars. and a kit with a jar lifter, magnetic lid lifter, and jar funnel. I'd go back to get more jars later on. I read through the directions, and had no problems with the first batch.
I continue to do some tried & true recipes, as well as experimenting with some others. There are some advantages here. Jars can be reused . Rings can be reused - lids can't, except Tattlers. Food stays fresh longer, without having to be frozen. Meats, vegetables, soups, stews, etc can be stored for later, allowing you to save money and cut down on waste.
It does take a bit, maybe 2 hours per batch, to can, but the end results can be well worth it. While one of these may be a nice gift for someone in your life, you can use one, yourself, to make a number of gifts for others. Some may make jams, jellies, soups, etc to give as gifts.
A few handy tips. Don't use commercial jars (pasta sauce, jelly, etc) in one of these, or it will shatter. Ball, Kerr, and similar jars that are specifically designed for canning are the only ones that can be guaranteed to work in the high pressure environment. Also, the lids have a special seal, which can not be guaranteed past one use. While it may look fine, and may even seem to make a seal, you can't be sure that there aren't very small gaps in the seal which could allow in bacteria. It's much better to either buy several packs of lids, or to invest in reusable canning lids like these. One may look at the initial price, and think it's high, but that's a one-time cost.
The Presto pressure canner can also double as a pressure cooker. They are available from retailers like Walmart and Target, as well as online through sites like Amazon. Prices are still in the $65-70 range. Jars may be only available seasonally, or may be available year-round, depending on your store. There are also other manufacturers, as well as larger sized canners. Take a look and find what suits your (or your recipient's) needs and budget.
Personally, I'm glad I got this, and wish I had years before.
Check back tomorrow for #2 on the gift countdown!
To give a quick description here, there are two types of canning, pressure and hot water. With pressure canning, water is heated to temperatures above the normal boiling point, due to the change of pressure. In an open air container, water will convert to steam and leave when its boiling point is reached. In the higher pressure environment, the boiling point is raised, allowing for temperatures to be reached which will kill the bacteria that may cause botulism or other illnesses.
I picked mine up at Walmart for about $65, along with a case of jars. and a kit with a jar lifter, magnetic lid lifter, and jar funnel. I'd go back to get more jars later on. I read through the directions, and had no problems with the first batch.
It does take a bit, maybe 2 hours per batch, to can, but the end results can be well worth it. While one of these may be a nice gift for someone in your life, you can use one, yourself, to make a number of gifts for others. Some may make jams, jellies, soups, etc to give as gifts.
A few handy tips. Don't use commercial jars (pasta sauce, jelly, etc) in one of these, or it will shatter. Ball, Kerr, and similar jars that are specifically designed for canning are the only ones that can be guaranteed to work in the high pressure environment. Also, the lids have a special seal, which can not be guaranteed past one use. While it may look fine, and may even seem to make a seal, you can't be sure that there aren't very small gaps in the seal which could allow in bacteria. It's much better to either buy several packs of lids, or to invest in reusable canning lids like these. One may look at the initial price, and think it's high, but that's a one-time cost.
The Presto pressure canner can also double as a pressure cooker. They are available from retailers like Walmart and Target, as well as online through sites like Amazon. Prices are still in the $65-70 range. Jars may be only available seasonally, or may be available year-round, depending on your store. There are also other manufacturers, as well as larger sized canners. Take a look and find what suits your (or your recipient's) needs and budget.
Personally, I'm glad I got this, and wish I had years before.
Check back tomorrow for #2 on the gift countdown!
Saturday, December 22, 2012
26 Days Of Christmas - #4: Digital Photo Frame
Today's gift idea is another "type", vs specific product. Today, we're going to look at the digital photo frame. The first time I saw one of these, one of my relatives was putting together one for my grandparents. Everyone submitted their pictures to my aunt, and they put everything together on a flash drive, set it up and gave it to them. This was a great gift, as it would cycle through all kinds of fun memories, plus, pictures could be added to it down the line. We would end up making one of these for my other grandmother not long afterward.
There are many different brands to choose from, from store-specific ones (Dynex and Insignia with Best Buy) to stand alone brands such as Polaroid, Pandigital and Sony, to economy brands like Curtis, Axion and Coby. There are also a number of different screen sizes available, from keychain siized to 10"+.
Keychain frames are nice, and portable, but are limited on storage, generally, to a fixed amount. Generally the screen will be about an inch, or so, and the resolution may be poor. Prices may vary, but these tend to be fairly inexpensive, and sometimes may even be "giveaways" or "novelties".
The more common frames are in the 7-10" range. Prices vary from about $20 to over $100. This Sony frame, for instance, with 2GB internal storage, multiformat mediacard reader, and video playback capability is currently $169.99 at Best Buy. Screen size, quality, resolution, and features will help determine the price of the photo frame.
The "right one" will vary by your budget and desires. Most will have, at the very least, a USB port to connect a flash drive, and one (or several) slots for media card(s).
These make great gifts for parents and grandparents. Sure, you can give Grandma the school pictures of your kids. But, with one of these Grandma can cycle through a slideshow of so many more! These are also good for offices, allowing for many pictures to be viewed in a minimal space. They're also great for family events. Whether a happy gathering, like a wedding or a reunion, or something unfortunate, like a wake or memorial, these allow for a great display of fold memories.
If you're looking for a good gift idea,a digital frame may be worth, at least, looking into. You can even "pre-load" it with your own assortment of pictures, to personalize it for the recipient!
Check back tomorrow for another gift idea!
There are many different brands to choose from, from store-specific ones (Dynex and Insignia with Best Buy) to stand alone brands such as Polaroid, Pandigital and Sony, to economy brands like Curtis, Axion and Coby. There are also a number of different screen sizes available, from keychain siized to 10"+.
Keychain frames are nice, and portable, but are limited on storage, generally, to a fixed amount. Generally the screen will be about an inch, or so, and the resolution may be poor. Prices may vary, but these tend to be fairly inexpensive, and sometimes may even be "giveaways" or "novelties".
The more common frames are in the 7-10" range. Prices vary from about $20 to over $100. This Sony frame, for instance, with 2GB internal storage, multiformat mediacard reader, and video playback capability is currently $169.99 at Best Buy. Screen size, quality, resolution, and features will help determine the price of the photo frame.
The "right one" will vary by your budget and desires. Most will have, at the very least, a USB port to connect a flash drive, and one (or several) slots for media card(s).
These make great gifts for parents and grandparents. Sure, you can give Grandma the school pictures of your kids. But, with one of these Grandma can cycle through a slideshow of so many more! These are also good for offices, allowing for many pictures to be viewed in a minimal space. They're also great for family events. Whether a happy gathering, like a wedding or a reunion, or something unfortunate, like a wake or memorial, these allow for a great display of fold memories.
If you're looking for a good gift idea,a digital frame may be worth, at least, looking into. You can even "pre-load" it with your own assortment of pictures, to personalize it for the recipient!
Check back tomorrow for another gift idea!
Friday, December 21, 2012
26 Days Of Christmas - #5: "Clamshell Cooking"
Today, I'm going to look at a couple different, but similar products. A few days ago, we took at look at one of the best selling "As Seen On TV" products - The George Foreman Grill. Today, we're going to look at a few of the products out there that use a similar cooking style to create an assortment of different meals or snacks. There's a certain "fun factor" along with these that can be an advantage to parents, or party hosts. Today, I'll look at a few in particular, though this is not an exclusive list. One thing in common with everything on this list - they should not be cleaned with abrasive cleaners or cloths, to prevent chipping off of the nonstick cooking surfaces (which can lead to uneven cooking or the harboring of bacteria). These can all be purchased at stores like Target, Walmart, Bed, Bath and Beyond, as well as online through sites like Amazon.
The Sandwich Maker:
The Waffle Maker:
The Panini Press:
The Quesadilla Maker:
There are several brand names that can be found for these, and they show up at various retail and etail locations. This is a very simple, cooking iron. There are no controls, switches or buttons. When it's plugged in, it is on. The surfaces are round, to accommodate tortillas, with raised sections to mark your finished quesadillas for cutting into segments. Cooking time is a couple of minutes. This can be good for party snacks, appetizers, dinners, etc. There are a number of recipes which you can use. My sister got me one of these for a gift about 8 years ago. I can say that it was worth it. Right now, it's in the kitchen, while some of the other gizmos are put up in the basement. Prices can vary from about $15 and up.
The Sandwich Maker:
Much like the Quesadilla Maker, the "sandwich maker" comes in assorted brandings like Toastmaster, Hamilton Beach, Oster, etc. Prices for these also vary, with basic models selling for between $5-10 (depending on sales). More expensive models may have removable or interchangeable plates for cleaning or cooking variety. These provide a quick way to make a grilled cheese sandwich, without getting out all the pans. These can be great for parents to make a quick hot lunch for kids (or themselves). The sandwich maker can make two sandwiches simultaneously, and is designed to press the bread for easy diagonal cutting.
There are a large variety of waffle irons available. Price, size, capacity, and features vary. Like the Sandwich Maker, the basic models can cost about $5-10 (sale depending) or more. More expensive models may offer the ability to flip the waffle while cooking, have removable/interchangeable plates, larger capacity, etc. The "basic" models are nearly identical to the basic sandwich makers. They can cook two waffles side-by-side in just minutes. This can be good for making fairly quick hot breakfasts, without using a lot of space.
The Panini Press:
There are a few different types of these available, to take advantage of the popular panini sandwiches. Prices on these tend to start at about $25 and up from brands like Hamilton Beach and Cuisinart (to name a couple). These distinguish themselves from the Sandwich Maker in a few ways. They don't have the compartments, so they can use a variety of different bread types or sizes, allowing for a greater variety in sandwich creation. The lever arm presses the sandwich down tighter than can be manually achieved through the other makers (based on the physics of the lever). These can be good for lunches, dinners, parties, etc, and make for a great gift idea.
There are also a number of other niche product makers that utilize the same style. Many of these can be found both online and in retail stores.
Convenience factor? Generally these are going to make the cooking process faster, as using the two plates to cook both sides simultaneously will speed up the process tremendously. Also, it will cut down on cleanup, a bit, as you won't have to scrub pans. It should be mentioned that it's best to clean these up quickly after use, as food can harden to the surface. These appliances can be stored in a cabinet or shelf until needed, and many have a flat spine, allowing for vertical storage to minimize space used.
Economical Value? This will depend on your use. Our quesadilla maker has earned its keep over and over. However, if it's not going to be used, then perhaps the $10 Donut Maker or $15 Fortune Cookie Maker may not be the best use of your money.
There's some fun and use to be had from these small appliances, and they can make for a good gift.
Check back tomorrow for the next gift idea!
26 Days Of Christmas - #6: Water Cooler (for geeks)
Those thinking I'm about to chat about Ice Mountain or another brand of beverage dispenser... guess again. Today, I'm going to talk about water cooling for your PC. My main recommendation, today, is from Corsair. It's the H60 Hydro Series liquid cooler. I'm also going to touch, briefly on Corsair's H100 cooler, as well as the new Cooler Master Seidon 120M.
Ok, what's with this, why is it so special, and why would you want/need it? Glad you asked, let me tell you about it. All modern CPU's generate heat. Heat can have negative effects on your hardware. Take a look at this video:
Note that after the heat sink is removed, the temperatures run up over 74 degrees Celsius. This has the potential to damage your CPU, as well as motherboard and anything else attached. There are plenty of videos on YouTube showing the destruction of uncooled CPUs.
Most CPU's come with a stock heat sink & fan. Some OEM processors come by themselves, requiring you to purchase your own cooling. Stock may be good for some needs, but a gamer or overclocker may need more. Heavy users may need more as well. Overclocking, for those unaware, is the act of manually modifying your CPU's frequency and voltage through the motherboard's BIOS, to gain faster speeds from it.
Water cooling use to be more "complicated" and pricey, and used by real enthusiasts. Nowadays, there are retail liquid cooling solutions to fit many budgets. Corsair's H60 Hydro Series is just one of those. Corsair has long been a reputable component manufacturer. On my server, I use two of these coolers on my pair of Xeon processors. Initially I was using a pair of SNK-P0037P passive heat sinks. They did a modest job, but really were not up to the task of handling what I would do. According to lm-sensors, right now, with the 2 H60's the highest temperature on any of my cores is 27 Celsius. With the passives, I had much higher temperatures, causing me to have to shut down for a bit to cool off.
Here's a bit about the H60. Everything is self-contained. Means you only need to buy one part. It includes the plate, which mounts against the CPU, the hoses, which are connected to the radiator & fan. To take advantage of these, you will need at least 1 (assuming single processor computer) 120mm fan mounting position, as well as two fan headers on the motherboard. Many lower end boards may only have one onboard fan header. The cooler can be adapted to fit most processors from either Intel or AMD through the included connectors. Therefore the only things you will need (besides your computer and this) will be a philips head screwdriver, some thermal grease (helps distribute cooling evenly along the border between processor & heat sink), and an anti-static wrist strap (recommended to reduce chance of static damage).
As I mentioned, I'm running a pair of these currently. I've had no thermal issues since they were installed. I've rarely seen any of my CPU cores top 30 Celsius, either. Your results may vary, as I have a fairly unique machine.
Corsair has other models in the Hydro Series, the top of the line being the H100. The H100, requires two side-by-side 120mmmounting positions on the case for each cooler. The H60 has a listing price of about $80 from Corsair directly, while the H100 lists for about $120. However, I have seen them through other retailers for less. I picked up mine for $49 each last spring. I have seen them for $39.99 on sale recently, and they can be picked up in-store at places like Best Buy or Tiger Direct.
I recently saw Cooler Master released their all-in-one liquid cooler - the Seidon 120M This looks to be comparable with the Corsairs. They posted a video of this one going through some overclocking tests, to show its capabilities:
Economy value? If you (or the recipient) has everything in place to install one of these, then it can be a great deal, especially on sale. Heat can cause a shortening on the lifetime of your equipment, so, any cooling can help. It may not seem "worth it" if one needs to replace the board and/or case to make use of this, but if a new system is being built, then the added investment in cooling will pay off in a longer lifetime of your gear.
Personally, I am quite happy with the H60. I think that it is good for most needs, though there are some "better" ones in the series if you need a little bit more. It's a good value, especially down the line.
Check back later for another gift idea!
Ok, what's with this, why is it so special, and why would you want/need it? Glad you asked, let me tell you about it. All modern CPU's generate heat. Heat can have negative effects on your hardware. Take a look at this video:
Note that after the heat sink is removed, the temperatures run up over 74 degrees Celsius. This has the potential to damage your CPU, as well as motherboard and anything else attached. There are plenty of videos on YouTube showing the destruction of uncooled CPUs.
Most CPU's come with a stock heat sink & fan. Some OEM processors come by themselves, requiring you to purchase your own cooling. Stock may be good for some needs, but a gamer or overclocker may need more. Heavy users may need more as well. Overclocking, for those unaware, is the act of manually modifying your CPU's frequency and voltage through the motherboard's BIOS, to gain faster speeds from it.
Water cooling use to be more "complicated" and pricey, and used by real enthusiasts. Nowadays, there are retail liquid cooling solutions to fit many budgets. Corsair's H60 Hydro Series is just one of those. Corsair has long been a reputable component manufacturer. On my server, I use two of these coolers on my pair of Xeon processors. Initially I was using a pair of SNK-P0037P passive heat sinks. They did a modest job, but really were not up to the task of handling what I would do. According to lm-sensors, right now, with the 2 H60's the highest temperature on any of my cores is 27 Celsius. With the passives, I had much higher temperatures, causing me to have to shut down for a bit to cool off.
Here's a bit about the H60. Everything is self-contained. Means you only need to buy one part. It includes the plate, which mounts against the CPU, the hoses, which are connected to the radiator & fan. To take advantage of these, you will need at least 1 (assuming single processor computer) 120mm fan mounting position, as well as two fan headers on the motherboard. Many lower end boards may only have one onboard fan header. The cooler can be adapted to fit most processors from either Intel or AMD through the included connectors. Therefore the only things you will need (besides your computer and this) will be a philips head screwdriver, some thermal grease (helps distribute cooling evenly along the border between processor & heat sink), and an anti-static wrist strap (recommended to reduce chance of static damage).
As I mentioned, I'm running a pair of these currently. I've had no thermal issues since they were installed. I've rarely seen any of my CPU cores top 30 Celsius, either. Your results may vary, as I have a fairly unique machine.
Corsair has other models in the Hydro Series, the top of the line being the H100. The H100, requires two side-by-side 120mmmounting positions on the case for each cooler. The H60 has a listing price of about $80 from Corsair directly, while the H100 lists for about $120. However, I have seen them through other retailers for less. I picked up mine for $49 each last spring. I have seen them for $39.99 on sale recently, and they can be picked up in-store at places like Best Buy or Tiger Direct.
I recently saw Cooler Master released their all-in-one liquid cooler - the Seidon 120M This looks to be comparable with the Corsairs. They posted a video of this one going through some overclocking tests, to show its capabilities:
Economy value? If you (or the recipient) has everything in place to install one of these, then it can be a great deal, especially on sale. Heat can cause a shortening on the lifetime of your equipment, so, any cooling can help. It may not seem "worth it" if one needs to replace the board and/or case to make use of this, but if a new system is being built, then the added investment in cooling will pay off in a longer lifetime of your gear.
Personally, I am quite happy with the H60. I think that it is good for most needs, though there are some "better" ones in the series if you need a little bit more. It's a good value, especially down the line.
Check back later for another gift idea!
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
26 Days Of Christmas - #7: Samsung HMX F80 Camcorder
Today's gift idea is a bit mixed in with a product review. Today I'm talking about the Samsung HMX F80 digital camcorder.
I picked up this one back in June Currently, it has a price of about $149.99 (Samsung, Best Buy 12/19/2012) That's $50 off the MSRP, and about $30 less than what I ended up paying for mine.
While one might be able to record video from their smart phone, capacity is limited, as well as quality, in some cases. Let's not forget about the battery drain on your device. The smart phone may be fine to catch "YouTube moments" and quick things, but if you want to get a good recording of something important, it's better to have a quality product on your hands.
From the box, the HMX F80 (which comes in either black or silver) advertises a 2.7" opening LCD screen, 52x optical zoom, true color with CMOS, HD movie recording and HDMI output. This camcorder records to SD cards, so the capacity is only limited by the size and number of cards. The battery life is about an hour to an hour and a half, At the time I purchased mine, it was a very new device, and replacement batteries were not easily available. However replacement battery packs are now more readily available.
I used this one weekend during a family reunion. Environments filmed ranged from inside a hotel to out on Lake Michigan on a very sunny day. Sometimes autofocus to a little bit to figure out what it was doing, but for the most part, video, and the attached audio came out great. I got some good segments with my great aunts talking, as well as some of the other fun going on. (I do enjoy those family reunions.)
Not long after, I had the chance to use this to film a concert for area band Crusader, when they headlined a show at Ye Olde Town Inn. Those who know YOTI, know that it's pretty cozy where the bands play. The lighting was lower than at the reunion, but the show recorded well. The only thing that would have made this better, would be if I were able to record the audio straight from the board.
SD cards can be removed, and placed into a computer. The camera also has both a mini-USB and micro-HDMI output. The USB also acts as a charger for the battery. The HDMI port allows you to play your recent footage on your HDTV.
I've had a couple of other good opportunities to use this since, and can say that I'm pretty impressed with it. There are, certainly, plenty of "better" models on the market, and there will continue to be plenty released. However, this one, in my view, hits the sweet spot between features and price nicely. I was a bit surprised to have as much packed into the price I paid.
Economical value? From personal experience, I say this one is a winner on that front. It can handle most situations, and provides great quality, which Samsung is known for. With the sale price, it's an even better bargain.
You will definitely want to pick up some accessories. The camera includes one battery, a mini-USB cable to USB cable (connect this to your PC, or any USB outlet, a mini-USB to RCA cable (connect your camera to the RCA (audio L/R & video) ports on a TV or other device,, a USB to 120V adapter (plug your USB devices into a standard US AC outlet), and software to edit your recorded material on your computer. It's a good idea to get at least one spare battery. This battery charges fairly quickly (especially when new). We used the USB adapter in the car, as well as a DC to USB converter in a car without the USB jack. A micro-HDMI cable is also a good idea to pick up. I picked one up from Newegg for about $5. It's probably a good idea to have a good case, and several SD cards too. Currently, I'm using 16GB Kingston cards.
If you're looking at a good camera to record your family (or other0 moments, then I'd recommend taking a good look at the Samsung HMX-F80.
Thanks for having a look today, and I'll have another gift idea for you tomorrow (Day #6)!
While one might be able to record video from their smart phone, capacity is limited, as well as quality, in some cases. Let's not forget about the battery drain on your device. The smart phone may be fine to catch "YouTube moments" and quick things, but if you want to get a good recording of something important, it's better to have a quality product on your hands.
From the box, the HMX F80 (which comes in either black or silver) advertises a 2.7" opening LCD screen, 52x optical zoom, true color with CMOS, HD movie recording and HDMI output. This camcorder records to SD cards, so the capacity is only limited by the size and number of cards. The battery life is about an hour to an hour and a half, At the time I purchased mine, it was a very new device, and replacement batteries were not easily available. However replacement battery packs are now more readily available.
I used this one weekend during a family reunion. Environments filmed ranged from inside a hotel to out on Lake Michigan on a very sunny day. Sometimes autofocus to a little bit to figure out what it was doing, but for the most part, video, and the attached audio came out great. I got some good segments with my great aunts talking, as well as some of the other fun going on. (I do enjoy those family reunions.)
Not long after, I had the chance to use this to film a concert for area band Crusader, when they headlined a show at Ye Olde Town Inn. Those who know YOTI, know that it's pretty cozy where the bands play. The lighting was lower than at the reunion, but the show recorded well. The only thing that would have made this better, would be if I were able to record the audio straight from the board.
SD cards can be removed, and placed into a computer. The camera also has both a mini-USB and micro-HDMI output. The USB also acts as a charger for the battery. The HDMI port allows you to play your recent footage on your HDTV.
I've had a couple of other good opportunities to use this since, and can say that I'm pretty impressed with it. There are, certainly, plenty of "better" models on the market, and there will continue to be plenty released. However, this one, in my view, hits the sweet spot between features and price nicely. I was a bit surprised to have as much packed into the price I paid.
Economical value? From personal experience, I say this one is a winner on that front. It can handle most situations, and provides great quality, which Samsung is known for. With the sale price, it's an even better bargain.
You will definitely want to pick up some accessories. The camera includes one battery, a mini-USB cable to USB cable (connect this to your PC, or any USB outlet, a mini-USB to RCA cable (connect your camera to the RCA (audio L/R & video) ports on a TV or other device,, a USB to 120V adapter (plug your USB devices into a standard US AC outlet), and software to edit your recorded material on your computer. It's a good idea to get at least one spare battery. This battery charges fairly quickly (especially when new). We used the USB adapter in the car, as well as a DC to USB converter in a car without the USB jack. A micro-HDMI cable is also a good idea to pick up. I picked one up from Newegg for about $5. It's probably a good idea to have a good case, and several SD cards too. Currently, I'm using 16GB Kingston cards.
If you're looking at a good camera to record your family (or other0 moments, then I'd recommend taking a good look at the Samsung HMX-F80.
Thanks for having a look today, and I'll have another gift idea for you tomorrow (Day #6)!
26 Days Of Christmas - #8: The Gift Card
Gift cards? Yes, gift cards. Sometimes this is the best way to go, and can be an all-purpose gift idea for anyone, anytime of the year.
There are several ways to get gift cards, along with several places. I'm going to look at these briefly, as there really is little to really explain. There are many types of gift cards. Some are good for food, some for shopping, some for just about anything.
When we look at dining, you have a lot of national or regional establishments which sell gift cards. Some of these, like McDonalds or Subway, are good at these specific restaurants. Others, like Red Lobster and Olive Garden are good at the face location, as well as other members of the Darden Restaurant family. This can be applied to other "family" chains. Especially during this time of the year, some restaurants, like Weber Grill offer promotions incremental gift card purchases earn the buyer bonus cards. In the case of Weber Grill, every $100 in gift cards earns the buyer a $25 bonus card. Gift cards can be purchased in-store, online, or through third parties. Third parties, however, may charge an activation fee, and may not honor promotions for bonus cards. Giving a gift card to one of these eateries will allow the recipient to enjoy your gift at a time that is convenient to them.
Another type of popular gift card is the store-specific card. You may know someone who loves Best Buy, Target, Walmart, the dollar store, Macy's, etc. Some are even purchasable for online retailers like Amazon. With a gift card, you don't really have to worry about size, shape, color, style... You just need to find a good way to present it. Like the restaurant gift cards, retail gift cards may be purchased in-store, online, or through third parties. Similarly, third party retailers may charge an "activation fee". Also, some will be useful for purchases in-store, or both in-store or online. Some may be useful only at a specific store, while some may be usable at any store within the "family". Old Navy, Gap, and Banana Republic work this way.
The last type of gift card I'd like to touch on here, today, is the Visa/Mastercard/American Express gift card. These come pre-loaded with a set amount of money. They can be purchased or ordered from many places, though retailers may charge an activation fee for them. Some can be personalized, others just have a generic message or logo on them. These allow for some of the greatest flexibility. They allow for the recipient to spend them anywhere that type of card is accepted. This is perhaps the most versatile gift.
Economic factor? This all depends on how much you are willing or able to spend. The value is definitely there, when promotional opportunities can be siezed.
Check back for more gift ideas when we get down to #7!
There are several ways to get gift cards, along with several places. I'm going to look at these briefly, as there really is little to really explain. There are many types of gift cards. Some are good for food, some for shopping, some for just about anything.
When we look at dining, you have a lot of national or regional establishments which sell gift cards. Some of these, like McDonalds or Subway, are good at these specific restaurants. Others, like Red Lobster and Olive Garden are good at the face location, as well as other members of the Darden Restaurant family. This can be applied to other "family" chains. Especially during this time of the year, some restaurants, like Weber Grill offer promotions incremental gift card purchases earn the buyer bonus cards. In the case of Weber Grill, every $100 in gift cards earns the buyer a $25 bonus card. Gift cards can be purchased in-store, online, or through third parties. Third parties, however, may charge an activation fee, and may not honor promotions for bonus cards. Giving a gift card to one of these eateries will allow the recipient to enjoy your gift at a time that is convenient to them.
Another type of popular gift card is the store-specific card. You may know someone who loves Best Buy, Target, Walmart, the dollar store, Macy's, etc. Some are even purchasable for online retailers like Amazon. With a gift card, you don't really have to worry about size, shape, color, style... You just need to find a good way to present it. Like the restaurant gift cards, retail gift cards may be purchased in-store, online, or through third parties. Similarly, third party retailers may charge an "activation fee". Also, some will be useful for purchases in-store, or both in-store or online. Some may be useful only at a specific store, while some may be usable at any store within the "family". Old Navy, Gap, and Banana Republic work this way.
The last type of gift card I'd like to touch on here, today, is the Visa/Mastercard/American Express gift card. These come pre-loaded with a set amount of money. They can be purchased or ordered from many places, though retailers may charge an activation fee for them. Some can be personalized, others just have a generic message or logo on them. These allow for some of the greatest flexibility. They allow for the recipient to spend them anywhere that type of card is accepted. This is perhaps the most versatile gift.
Economic factor? This all depends on how much you are willing or able to spend. The value is definitely there, when promotional opportunities can be siezed.
Check back for more gift ideas when we get down to #7!
Monday, December 17, 2012
26 Days Of Christmas - #9: The Kitchenaid Mixer
'Tis the season to.... make goodies? Yeah, that sounds good to me too. Unfortunately I didn't really get the "baking gene". My sister got that, and she uses that gift to its full capacity, I think! Check out her site to order something good, or have her custom make your next cake, cupcakes or other goodies!
Desserts By McDermott
I first learned about the Kitchenaid Mixer from her. I'm not sure when she got her first one, but she made good use out of it. This will be something not for everyone. For me, I used my hand mixer so infrequently that I don't know when it actually died, and once it did, I never replaced it. But... if you, or someone you know is into baking, the Kitchenaid Mixer may be the right product for you.
At this time of the year, people make a lot of cookies, cupcakes, and other goodies that can take hours of time in the kitchen. We got one a few years ago, and it has really made prep work on some of the goodies faster. Say what you will about doing things "the old fashioned way", but there's an advantage of being able to do more, faster, and spend more time with the family than standing over a mixing bowl for hours.
There are several versions, that range in price from about $170 (refurbished) up. For that, they're a bit on the pricey side. However, for the features, and the quality that goes into them, they are a good value that can be of a great advantage to your kitchen.
One can find these in local retailers such as Target, Walmart, or Bed, Bath and Beyond, as well as online. There are a number of available accessories, and replacement parts available as well. Kitchenaid has a good reputation for quality products.
There are alternative versions, that come with a lower price tag, though some of these may be lacking in the craftsmanship or features of the Kitchenaid model.
Economical value? This will depend a lot on your usage. For someone who may occasionally turn a roll of refrigerated cookie dough into cookies, it's probably not a good investment, though for someone who makes a lot of treats - seasonally or year round - this may make up for its cost in time saved fairly quickly.
So, if you, or someone you know has that baking gene, check this one out!
Check back again tomorrow for our next gift idea!
Desserts By McDermott
I first learned about the Kitchenaid Mixer from her. I'm not sure when she got her first one, but she made good use out of it. This will be something not for everyone. For me, I used my hand mixer so infrequently that I don't know when it actually died, and once it did, I never replaced it. But... if you, or someone you know is into baking, the Kitchenaid Mixer may be the right product for you.
At this time of the year, people make a lot of cookies, cupcakes, and other goodies that can take hours of time in the kitchen. We got one a few years ago, and it has really made prep work on some of the goodies faster. Say what you will about doing things "the old fashioned way", but there's an advantage of being able to do more, faster, and spend more time with the family than standing over a mixing bowl for hours.
There are several versions, that range in price from about $170 (refurbished) up. For that, they're a bit on the pricey side. However, for the features, and the quality that goes into them, they are a good value that can be of a great advantage to your kitchen.
One can find these in local retailers such as Target, Walmart, or Bed, Bath and Beyond, as well as online. There are a number of available accessories, and replacement parts available as well. Kitchenaid has a good reputation for quality products.
There are alternative versions, that come with a lower price tag, though some of these may be lacking in the craftsmanship or features of the Kitchenaid model.
Economical value? This will depend a lot on your usage. For someone who may occasionally turn a roll of refrigerated cookie dough into cookies, it's probably not a good investment, though for someone who makes a lot of treats - seasonally or year round - this may make up for its cost in time saved fairly quickly.
So, if you, or someone you know has that baking gene, check this one out!
Check back again tomorrow for our next gift idea!
26 Days Of Christmas - Day #10: Portable Storage
Today I'm going to give one more "category" idea. Today we're going to look at portable data storage.
In the old days, you'd carry around a floppy disk that was actually ... floppy. Floppies turned to "hard" floppies (3.5" 1.44MB disks). Blank CD's, DVD's, Flash Drives, Media Careds.... We've got all kinds of storage to choose from, and some people need more than others. I'll give you a bit of a buying guide to help you make some choices for yourself - or others.
For those who are uncertain, yes, "floppies" are long obsolete. In fact, many computers and motherboards no longer have the controllers to install a floppy drive. For those that still have some data on old floppies, there are external USB drives , but most likely you won't have to go this route. I'll also mention tape backups here. This is something that most people won't have to deal with,
Floppies gave rise to the CD ROM . CD's came in two (basic) formats WORM (Write Once Read Many) or rewritable. Some can be reused, others cannot. CDs have a storage capacity of about 700MB. DVDs came out with similar types, though they also added a "dual layer" disc, getting 4.7 or 9.4GB respectively.
Memory cards and flash drives would come about, increasing over time in size and quality. MP3 players, PDA's, digital cameras, and such took advantage of these little cards for additional storage. Unlike a CD, files could be added and removed at will. Over time, prices would come down as newer and "bigger" ones were released. The USB flash drives became great for transporting files, programs, and information in a small package. Students could bring projects and assignments, maybe even storing a semester - or 4 years worth, depending on major - of projects and assignments. Business people could bring presentations without taking a lot of equipment around. Computer techs could bring all of their needed programs in a nice convenient package.
Nowadays, some of the formats are not used quite as often, and some have pretty much gone obsolete. CompactFlash, for instance, had been a staple of digital cameras for a long time, but has since been surpassed by the smaller SD cards, which allow for a smaller, lighter device, and can still store gigabytes of data. Today I'm going to examine CD, DVD, BD, SD, MicroSD, and USB flash drives.
The CDR (or CDRW, if you'd like to re-use them for something other than coasters or decorations) has been around for quite a while. Data capacity hasn't really changed, and there is a fixed amount of information one can put on the discs. Depending on song length, 15-20 songs in audio format; depending on compression, a couple hundred songs in mp3 format; mediocre quality video in VCD format; one movie in 700MB(ish) .avi format; a whole bunch of documents; or photo collections. Most computers have at least the capability of writing to this format, while possibly being able to play more. Blank CDs are fairly inexpensive these days. A spindle of 50 can be purchased for under $15, and even under $10 with periodic sales. They're useful for small archiving projects, or making up audio CDs.
The DVDR comes in several flavors. Purchasers will need to pay attention to the type and limitations of their burner to know specifically which kind they need to purchase. There are DVD+R, DVD-R, DVDRAM, DVD+RW, DVD-RW, etc. The basic 4.7GB DVDR can easily hold a playable movie, or several movies in .avi format (for backup purposes or home movies). They can also hold a significantly greater amount of data than a CDR (nearly 7x the capacity). 9.4GB Dual Layer DVD's will hold twice as much. DVD+R tend to be a little more expensive, but DVD-R discs trend to be a bit more than CDs. Periodically they can be found on the same sales, same prices, but with twice as many CDs as DVDs for the price. This deal from Tiger Direct is a pretty good one, though, with 200 DVD-R discs for under $50 - if you need that many, of course.
Blu-ray technology is relatively new upon us, and we now have the ability to burn data discs on Blu-ray media. Blu-ray media is still significantly more expensive than DVD, though. For instance this spindle of 15 discs is going for about $83 shipped. For the price, though, the storage capacity is significant. A dual layer blu-ray disc can hold about 50GB of data. That could easily be used to backup - in highest quality - your entire CD collection. These are good for archiving information to a much smaller location that will be safe, so long as not physically damaged. The price of media should continue to fall, as they become more commonplace on the market.
As we move on to media cards, we have two main ones to focus on today. The MicroSD, and SD (Secure Digital) card. Without getting into the mechanicals, the big difference is physical size, and to a lesser degree storage capacity. MicroSD cards are often used in smartphones and for tablets. They can be adapted to run in full size SD card readers by means of an adapter. These adapters resemble the SD card, but with a spot on the "top" into which your microSD card is inserted. The small size allows for the use is smaller devices, while still providing adequate storage capacity. Currently the storage capacity is 32GB, which can sell for as low as $24, though online - or in-store - sales may bring them cheaper on any given day.
The larger "regular" SD card is about the size of a postage stamp, and current capacities have them capable of holding about 64GB of data. These are used in cameras and camcorders, and other portable devices. They are one of the most common type on the market, and included in many notebook & netbook designs. Smaller microSD cards may be read in these readers through a special adapter (see above) which will fit into these slots. 32GB cards can go for about $20, or more, again periodic sales may yield lower prices at some online or retail stores. 4GB cards can be found on sale for about $5, if you watch local fliers.
The last thing to look at is the USB Flash Drive. There is a lot of flexibility with these, both in size and shape. They can be sold as basic as a "stick" with a USB connector on them. There are small (capacity) ones available for a couple bucks. Currently there is a 128GB drive available, but the $123.04 price tag is significantly steeper than the $33.98 price tag of a 64GB drive. (Source, Pricewatch.com 1:45 12/17/2012) More common 4, 8 & 16 GB drives are available for much less. Because the region on which data is stored is fairly small, manufacturers have been able to have some fun with the creation of themed flash drives. They have been camoflaged in jewelry, shaped as toys, or even as characters from popular programs or games - like these Angry Birds themed flash drives. This has allowed for a bit of fun, along with storage capacity.
Whether you're buying for yourself, maybe to get a new camera card to take family pictures, or looking for accessories to go with a gift, storage media is useful and practical.
Hope you enjoyed this, check back for the next gift idea!
In the old days, you'd carry around a floppy disk that was actually ... floppy. Floppies turned to "hard" floppies (3.5" 1.44MB disks). Blank CD's, DVD's, Flash Drives, Media Careds.... We've got all kinds of storage to choose from, and some people need more than others. I'll give you a bit of a buying guide to help you make some choices for yourself - or others.
For those who are uncertain, yes, "floppies" are long obsolete. In fact, many computers and motherboards no longer have the controllers to install a floppy drive. For those that still have some data on old floppies, there are external USB drives , but most likely you won't have to go this route. I'll also mention tape backups here. This is something that most people won't have to deal with,
Floppies gave rise to the CD ROM . CD's came in two (basic) formats WORM (Write Once Read Many) or rewritable. Some can be reused, others cannot. CDs have a storage capacity of about 700MB. DVDs came out with similar types, though they also added a "dual layer" disc, getting 4.7 or 9.4GB respectively.
Memory cards and flash drives would come about, increasing over time in size and quality. MP3 players, PDA's, digital cameras, and such took advantage of these little cards for additional storage. Unlike a CD, files could be added and removed at will. Over time, prices would come down as newer and "bigger" ones were released. The USB flash drives became great for transporting files, programs, and information in a small package. Students could bring projects and assignments, maybe even storing a semester - or 4 years worth, depending on major - of projects and assignments. Business people could bring presentations without taking a lot of equipment around. Computer techs could bring all of their needed programs in a nice convenient package.
Nowadays, some of the formats are not used quite as often, and some have pretty much gone obsolete. CompactFlash, for instance, had been a staple of digital cameras for a long time, but has since been surpassed by the smaller SD cards, which allow for a smaller, lighter device, and can still store gigabytes of data. Today I'm going to examine CD, DVD, BD, SD, MicroSD, and USB flash drives.
The CDR (or CDRW, if you'd like to re-use them for something other than coasters or decorations) has been around for quite a while. Data capacity hasn't really changed, and there is a fixed amount of information one can put on the discs. Depending on song length, 15-20 songs in audio format; depending on compression, a couple hundred songs in mp3 format; mediocre quality video in VCD format; one movie in 700MB(ish) .avi format; a whole bunch of documents; or photo collections. Most computers have at least the capability of writing to this format, while possibly being able to play more. Blank CDs are fairly inexpensive these days. A spindle of 50 can be purchased for under $15, and even under $10 with periodic sales. They're useful for small archiving projects, or making up audio CDs.
The DVDR comes in several flavors. Purchasers will need to pay attention to the type and limitations of their burner to know specifically which kind they need to purchase. There are DVD+R, DVD-R, DVDRAM, DVD+RW, DVD-RW, etc. The basic 4.7GB DVDR can easily hold a playable movie, or several movies in .avi format (for backup purposes or home movies). They can also hold a significantly greater amount of data than a CDR (nearly 7x the capacity). 9.4GB Dual Layer DVD's will hold twice as much. DVD+R tend to be a little more expensive, but DVD-R discs trend to be a bit more than CDs. Periodically they can be found on the same sales, same prices, but with twice as many CDs as DVDs for the price. This deal from Tiger Direct is a pretty good one, though, with 200 DVD-R discs for under $50 - if you need that many, of course.
Blu-ray technology is relatively new upon us, and we now have the ability to burn data discs on Blu-ray media. Blu-ray media is still significantly more expensive than DVD, though. For instance this spindle of 15 discs is going for about $83 shipped. For the price, though, the storage capacity is significant. A dual layer blu-ray disc can hold about 50GB of data. That could easily be used to backup - in highest quality - your entire CD collection. These are good for archiving information to a much smaller location that will be safe, so long as not physically damaged. The price of media should continue to fall, as they become more commonplace on the market.
As we move on to media cards, we have two main ones to focus on today. The MicroSD, and SD (Secure Digital) card. Without getting into the mechanicals, the big difference is physical size, and to a lesser degree storage capacity. MicroSD cards are often used in smartphones and for tablets. They can be adapted to run in full size SD card readers by means of an adapter. These adapters resemble the SD card, but with a spot on the "top" into which your microSD card is inserted. The small size allows for the use is smaller devices, while still providing adequate storage capacity. Currently the storage capacity is 32GB, which can sell for as low as $24, though online - or in-store - sales may bring them cheaper on any given day.
The larger "regular" SD card is about the size of a postage stamp, and current capacities have them capable of holding about 64GB of data. These are used in cameras and camcorders, and other portable devices. They are one of the most common type on the market, and included in many notebook & netbook designs. Smaller microSD cards may be read in these readers through a special adapter (see above) which will fit into these slots. 32GB cards can go for about $20, or more, again periodic sales may yield lower prices at some online or retail stores. 4GB cards can be found on sale for about $5, if you watch local fliers.
The last thing to look at is the USB Flash Drive. There is a lot of flexibility with these, both in size and shape. They can be sold as basic as a "stick" with a USB connector on them. There are small (capacity) ones available for a couple bucks. Currently there is a 128GB drive available, but the $123.04 price tag is significantly steeper than the $33.98 price tag of a 64GB drive. (Source, Pricewatch.com 1:45 12/17/2012) More common 4, 8 & 16 GB drives are available for much less. Because the region on which data is stored is fairly small, manufacturers have been able to have some fun with the creation of themed flash drives. They have been camoflaged in jewelry, shaped as toys, or even as characters from popular programs or games - like these Angry Birds themed flash drives. This has allowed for a bit of fun, along with storage capacity.
Whether you're buying for yourself, maybe to get a new camera card to take family pictures, or looking for accessories to go with a gift, storage media is useful and practical.
Hope you enjoyed this, check back for the next gift idea!
Sunday, December 16, 2012
26 Days Of Christmas - #11 - The Tablet
In keeping with the "theme of the week", I'm looking at another category of gift ideas: Tablets.
There are several devices which fit into this category. While some will say that the iPad was the first, in 2010, that's far from correct. Apple did put together a real popular device at that time, though. There are several devices which fit into this category, and different price ranges in which they fit. You'll need to make a decision based on budget, brand and features. Follow along and you should be able to choose wisely.
If looking for a tablet, there are a few styles, types, operating systems, and manufacturers. Let's start with about the most simple, the eReader/eBook. These can be fairly simple contraptions, or can get quite complicated. One of the earlier popular ones was the Amazon Kindle, though the Barnes & Noble Nook, Sony eReader, and others would join in the market. In the most simple form, the eReader is a tablet that stores assorted text forms (proprietary and/or open source) for perusing at one's leisure. Some have a fixed amount of storage capacity, while others allow for the addition of more storage through media cards. Some of these will connect directly to the internet, via wifi, to purchase or borrow books or subscription services, while others must have their content transferred from a computer.
An interesting note about eReaders. While there is a power switch/button, the device is technically "off" even with words on the screen. This is a mechanical technicality. It may not be worth it to push the issue on a flight, but, technically some of the basic eReaders are read in "off" position. This is not so with many of the newer or more complex devices, though.
I'd like to take a look at the iPad here, as next. Apple introduced the first iPad in 2010. It has since taken up a large share of the market. Advertising, product placement, "the Kleenex effect", and the fact that they were alone on the market for a while before competitors showed up have helped them. Apple releases a "new" version about every six months, with the iPad 4 as the current model, and speculation on the iPad 5 being due out in the early summer 2013. In addition, not long ago, the iPad Mini was introduced as a smaller alternative. Both versions are available as either a wifi only model, or paired with a cellular plan. The iPad line of products come with 16, 32, or 64 GB of storage space. Buyers need to be prepared, though, as the iPad is not expandable, short of a soldering iron and a voided warranty. There are plenty of apps available through the iTunes store - both free and paid. In addition, there are a number of special accessories designed for each type/model iPad. Apple's proprietary system can be seen in the accessories, as well, as they are unique to Apple, and some are not interchangeable with other products. The iPad line has been consistently popular, with a fixed price point for each unit.
The biggest competitor to the iPad would be Google's Android. Unlike iPad, running on the Mac iOS, the Android operating system is run on many different devices. There are a lot of differences - hardware, software, and accessory - between Android and iOS based devices. First, we'll look at the hardware. While there is but one (real) iPad, Toshiba, Dell, Asus, Motorola, Acer, and several others make top end 10 inch tablets. In addition, there a number of "economy line" tablets, made by companies like Velocity. Some of the newer eReader devices (Kindle Fire, Nook, Pandigital, for instance) also run on the Android operating system. Some of the "cheaper" tablets will be more limited in software and operating system updates. Storage is one thing that the Android devices have an advantage. While they have a base capacity in which they are shipped, but may use expansion cards for additional storage. Like iPads, while most tablets will have wifi capability, some will also be paired with cellular providers, to allow connectivity anywhere within range of a cellular tower. Unlike Apple, "mini" tablets have been around for some time. the Dell Streak and Samsung Nexus were some of the first Android tablets available, using the smaller screen size. Because of the wide range of brands, there is a wider range of accessories available, as well. Plus there are a lot of "universal" accessories, like microHDMI cables or microUSB cables, which can be used on devices from any manufacturer (with the same port). Android devices make use of the Google Play store for app purchases.
A new player on the market is the Windows Surface. Microsoft entered into the market in a big way two months ago. Several things happened with the Surface. Microsoft now has a competing tablet, with their operating system. The Surface has a similar price point similar to that of the iPad, except that it has twice the capacity at each level than a similarly priced iPad. Bundling with the keypad, the 32GB Surface is the same price as a 32GB iPad with no accessories. Microsoft also launched their Surface tablets with Microsoft Office, the only tablet line on the market to have installed a full version of productivity software. Microsoft is making quite a statement, launching this, with their brand new Windows 8 operating system.
What Should You Look At/For?:
My personal recommendation is to look at your wants, needs, and budget. Costs should take into account warranties, accessories, extra storage, and replacement. Yes, replacement is important. Some older (or lesser) devices may be outdated sooner than others. Do you need the full spread of Microsoft Office? Do you intend mostly to read books from Amazon? Do you have use a lot of content from iTunes? Are you looking for something midsized that you can use anywhere? Assuming that money is not an issue in this, the answers to the questions I gave would be, respectively, Surface, Kindle Fire, iPad, Samsung Galaxy/Nexus (depending on cell provider). Would you like to play YouTube videos on your HDTV? Then you'll want an HDMI port on your device. Do you have data on miniSD cards? In that case, a card reader will be very important for your device.
TIPS:
Some shops will sell refurbished models. These will offer the device for a reduced price from normal. You may want to pay attention to warranty options if you go this route (manufacturer and shop).
When Apple releases a new iPad, the previous series tends to drop $100 per increment. This could be a good cost-saver if having the "newest" thing there isn't as important as having an iPad branded tablet.
Android tablets have a limited OS upgrade life. When Honeycomb, Ice Cream Sandwich, Jellybean, etc are released, some of the older devices will not be supported under the new OS. While they will still work, they will be behind newer tablets after some point.
"You get what you pay for" may be applicable to tablets. "Economy line" tablets may not be as reliable, nor be supported as long as more expensive units. They also will be lacking in memory, on-board storage, They also will not likely have all of the features that you may want.
You may be able to get a discount on your device by buying it paired to your wireless provider. Be warned though that this generally will include a data plan, which may have additional costs, or may not be included with your regular shared plan. Connectivity will depend on location of towers. Roaming and other data use charges may be extra.
Some "special purpose" devices may have some limitations, coinciding with their price.
Hopefully this gives you a bit of an idea of what's out there, and what may be worth picking up - for yourself, or those on your shopping list.
Check back again for more gift ideas!
There are several devices which fit into this category. While some will say that the iPad was the first, in 2010, that's far from correct. Apple did put together a real popular device at that time, though. There are several devices which fit into this category, and different price ranges in which they fit. You'll need to make a decision based on budget, brand and features. Follow along and you should be able to choose wisely.
If looking for a tablet, there are a few styles, types, operating systems, and manufacturers. Let's start with about the most simple, the eReader/eBook. These can be fairly simple contraptions, or can get quite complicated. One of the earlier popular ones was the Amazon Kindle, though the Barnes & Noble Nook, Sony eReader, and others would join in the market. In the most simple form, the eReader is a tablet that stores assorted text forms (proprietary and/or open source) for perusing at one's leisure. Some have a fixed amount of storage capacity, while others allow for the addition of more storage through media cards. Some of these will connect directly to the internet, via wifi, to purchase or borrow books or subscription services, while others must have their content transferred from a computer.
An interesting note about eReaders. While there is a power switch/button, the device is technically "off" even with words on the screen. This is a mechanical technicality. It may not be worth it to push the issue on a flight, but, technically some of the basic eReaders are read in "off" position. This is not so with many of the newer or more complex devices, though.
I'd like to take a look at the iPad here, as next. Apple introduced the first iPad in 2010. It has since taken up a large share of the market. Advertising, product placement, "the Kleenex effect", and the fact that they were alone on the market for a while before competitors showed up have helped them. Apple releases a "new" version about every six months, with the iPad 4 as the current model, and speculation on the iPad 5 being due out in the early summer 2013. In addition, not long ago, the iPad Mini was introduced as a smaller alternative. Both versions are available as either a wifi only model, or paired with a cellular plan. The iPad line of products come with 16, 32, or 64 GB of storage space. Buyers need to be prepared, though, as the iPad is not expandable, short of a soldering iron and a voided warranty. There are plenty of apps available through the iTunes store - both free and paid. In addition, there are a number of special accessories designed for each type/model iPad. Apple's proprietary system can be seen in the accessories, as well, as they are unique to Apple, and some are not interchangeable with other products. The iPad line has been consistently popular, with a fixed price point for each unit.
The biggest competitor to the iPad would be Google's Android. Unlike iPad, running on the Mac iOS, the Android operating system is run on many different devices. There are a lot of differences - hardware, software, and accessory - between Android and iOS based devices. First, we'll look at the hardware. While there is but one (real) iPad, Toshiba, Dell, Asus, Motorola, Acer, and several others make top end 10 inch tablets. In addition, there a number of "economy line" tablets, made by companies like Velocity. Some of the newer eReader devices (Kindle Fire, Nook, Pandigital, for instance) also run on the Android operating system. Some of the "cheaper" tablets will be more limited in software and operating system updates. Storage is one thing that the Android devices have an advantage. While they have a base capacity in which they are shipped, but may use expansion cards for additional storage. Like iPads, while most tablets will have wifi capability, some will also be paired with cellular providers, to allow connectivity anywhere within range of a cellular tower. Unlike Apple, "mini" tablets have been around for some time. the Dell Streak and Samsung Nexus were some of the first Android tablets available, using the smaller screen size. Because of the wide range of brands, there is a wider range of accessories available, as well. Plus there are a lot of "universal" accessories, like microHDMI cables or microUSB cables, which can be used on devices from any manufacturer (with the same port). Android devices make use of the Google Play store for app purchases.
A new player on the market is the Windows Surface. Microsoft entered into the market in a big way two months ago. Several things happened with the Surface. Microsoft now has a competing tablet, with their operating system. The Surface has a similar price point similar to that of the iPad, except that it has twice the capacity at each level than a similarly priced iPad. Bundling with the keypad, the 32GB Surface is the same price as a 32GB iPad with no accessories. Microsoft also launched their Surface tablets with Microsoft Office, the only tablet line on the market to have installed a full version of productivity software. Microsoft is making quite a statement, launching this, with their brand new Windows 8 operating system.
What Should You Look At/For?:
My personal recommendation is to look at your wants, needs, and budget. Costs should take into account warranties, accessories, extra storage, and replacement. Yes, replacement is important. Some older (or lesser) devices may be outdated sooner than others. Do you need the full spread of Microsoft Office? Do you intend mostly to read books from Amazon? Do you have use a lot of content from iTunes? Are you looking for something midsized that you can use anywhere? Assuming that money is not an issue in this, the answers to the questions I gave would be, respectively, Surface, Kindle Fire, iPad, Samsung Galaxy/Nexus (depending on cell provider). Would you like to play YouTube videos on your HDTV? Then you'll want an HDMI port on your device. Do you have data on miniSD cards? In that case, a card reader will be very important for your device.
TIPS:
Some shops will sell refurbished models. These will offer the device for a reduced price from normal. You may want to pay attention to warranty options if you go this route (manufacturer and shop).
When Apple releases a new iPad, the previous series tends to drop $100 per increment. This could be a good cost-saver if having the "newest" thing there isn't as important as having an iPad branded tablet.
Android tablets have a limited OS upgrade life. When Honeycomb, Ice Cream Sandwich, Jellybean, etc are released, some of the older devices will not be supported under the new OS. While they will still work, they will be behind newer tablets after some point.
"You get what you pay for" may be applicable to tablets. "Economy line" tablets may not be as reliable, nor be supported as long as more expensive units. They also will be lacking in memory, on-board storage, They also will not likely have all of the features that you may want.
You may be able to get a discount on your device by buying it paired to your wireless provider. Be warned though that this generally will include a data plan, which may have additional costs, or may not be included with your regular shared plan. Connectivity will depend on location of towers. Roaming and other data use charges may be extra.
Some "special purpose" devices may have some limitations, coinciding with their price.
Hopefully this gives you a bit of an idea of what's out there, and what may be worth picking up - for yourself, or those on your shopping list.
Check back again for more gift ideas!
Sorry For The Downtime
For those who have been following, I am one day behind on the countdown. This will be fixed shortly.
Yesterday, we took the opportunity for a volunteer opportunity helping out at a residential facility for the handicapped. Later in the evening there was a Christmas party at my parents' house.
Apologies to anyone who was waiting on the updates!
Yesterday, we took the opportunity for a volunteer opportunity helping out at a residential facility for the handicapped. Later in the evening there was a Christmas party at my parents' house.
Apologies to anyone who was waiting on the updates!
Friday, December 14, 2012
26 Days of Christmas - #12: Laptop Guide
Today, we're going to look at another category of gift ideas: The laptop.
This is another broad category of items. I could really pick a lot of winners here. I could probably run through half of a month's worth of ideas or suggestions just on individual laptop models. But, I'd much rather bring you enough information so that you, the informed consumer, can pick out the best machine for you - or that special person in your life.
Let's start off with some basic categories. As an FYI, we will not be touching on tablets here. For argument's sake, the Microsoft Surface counts as a "tablet", but ultrabooks and convertible notebooks will classify in the laptop category. Today, we'll look at netbooks, notebooks, ultrabooks, and Chromebooks. We'll also look at manufacturers, processors, storage, memory and extra features.
The Netbook:
The first thing we're going to look at is a not-so-new take on the portable computer. Netbooks were designed to be light, portable, and connectible. Netbooks tend to utilize smaller screens, allowing for a smaller body. In general, the smaller size limits the number of internal components. Netbooks tend not to have optical drives (CD/DVD or other "cupholders") There are two basic types of netbooks. The bulk of the netbooks are independent. Users can buy them pretty much anywhere. They can be used about anywhere, but can only access the internet where there is a wifi (or wired) connection available. The other type are mated to a wireless provider (like your cell phone company). These ones can be used anywhere with wifi, or anywhere within range of a cellular tower. Netbooks tend to use somewhat less powerful CPU's. These little computers aren't intended to be huge workhorses, and the decreased power consumption from the processors (such as the Intel Atom) help to increase battery life, reduce overheating, and are adequate for most moderate use and web browsing. People who purchase one through their cellular provider will very likely receive a reduced price for the device, but are also likely to have to pay for a special data plan for the device, which may be in addition to your current plan.
The Chromebook:
A recent release, along a similar line as netbooks is the Google Chromebook. Recently, I did a compare/contrast of two of the current "best" Chromebooks on the market. These are not the only two devices out there that make use of the Chrome operating system, but at present they are the two at the current top of the pile. Chromebooks use the small size of a tablet or netbook, along with the functionality of an integrated, fold-out keyboard. Like the netbook, the Chromebook does not include an optical drive. However, the Chromebooks are designed to be lighter and thinner than a netbook. The Chromebooks use the Google Chrome operating system, which will be a bit of a change for those used to Windows, Mac, or a flavor of Linux. While some Chromebooks, lack in internal storage, they also allow the user to have a certain amount of "free" storage on the cloud server. Chromebooks appear to come at around or under netbooks, and have a slight advantage over some tablets, depending on one's perspective. My local Best Buy has active display units set up for the Chromebooks to allow potential buyers to see what it's about. Personally, I have these on my "interested in" list, as at the moment, I can't justify adding it to my "must have" list. However, if Samsung or Acer were so inclined, I'd be glad to demo and give a first-hand review of their products!
The Macbook:
I would generally consider this as a sub-category of "laptop" or "notebook", but it uses a different operating system, and there are several sizes available. I realize that I've written a few pieces that may seem critical of Apple's products. Personally, the combination of the OS, price tag, and lack of ability to customize, works against my purchasing one. However, I also acknowledge that Apple does tend to make a popular, product, in some slick packaging, that generally work well out of the box with little need for maintenance. The Macbook series of laptops are like that. They come in several sizes, powers, and features. Once you buy, though, there's very little that can be changed though. This is fine for some users though. Like I said with the Chromebooks, Macbooks utilize a different OS - in this case the Mac OS. Macbooks have a nice aesthetic to them. They're designed to be thin and light. With them, comes a higher pricetag, though, and service and support tend to be kept "in house", or out of the user's hands.
The Toughbook:
This is just to make mention of something that's available. Panasonic makes the Toughbook , a laptop that is designed with ruggedness in mind. While some models are lighter than others, they are all designed to handle shocks, bumps, jostles, etc. In order to reduce the number of moving parts that can go wrong, and minimize dust getting into the case, heat is dissipated through the case, and the use of lower power consumption CPU's. The Toughbook does have several niche markets, but may not be ideal for everyday users, due to the price - they tend to run over $1,500.
The Notebook/Laptop:
This is the "meat and potatoes", if you will, of this category. Here you'll find everything from the lower end Sempron/Celeron powered eMachines to the >$1,000 i7 powered gaming rigs, and everything in between. A little further down, we'll talk about CPU's and RAM in a bit more detail. The important part here is that there is quite a range in power, capability, and price. One's needs really need to be considered here before making the investment. This laptop may have a good price, but if the owner is a gamer, the Celeron processor lacks the power and cache of some of Intel's better products. If your purpose is surfing, light writing, and the like, it may be fine. However, if you are planning more CPU intensive activity, then it's advisable to look elsewhere. Generally, you'll find a range between about 13"-17" class screens for these computers. You'll find that the larger they are, the more likely they will include the numeric keypad, although some mid-size units will pack that into the keyboard area.
The Ultrabook:
This is a fairly new class of portable computer. In 2011, utilizing low power CPU's, and solid state drives, Intel created a smaller, thinner, lighter notebook, which may compare to Chromebooks or Netbooks. These tended to come with a higher price tag, as their construction and size were different. Since the release of Windows 8, though, the ultrabook class has been defined as a convertible device. Per Intel's site: "A laptop when you need it, a tablet when you want it", as in this commercial. between their newness, and everything they pack in, the new ultrabooks tend to come with a steeper price tag. However, for one who is able to take full advantage of them, this may very well be all that they need to own.
Enjoy the day, and check back tomorrow for another gift idea.
This is another broad category of items. I could really pick a lot of winners here. I could probably run through half of a month's worth of ideas or suggestions just on individual laptop models. But, I'd much rather bring you enough information so that you, the informed consumer, can pick out the best machine for you - or that special person in your life.
Let's start off with some basic categories. As an FYI, we will not be touching on tablets here. For argument's sake, the Microsoft Surface counts as a "tablet", but ultrabooks and convertible notebooks will classify in the laptop category. Today, we'll look at netbooks, notebooks, ultrabooks, and Chromebooks. We'll also look at manufacturers, processors, storage, memory and extra features.
The Netbook:
The first thing we're going to look at is a not-so-new take on the portable computer. Netbooks were designed to be light, portable, and connectible. Netbooks tend to utilize smaller screens, allowing for a smaller body. In general, the smaller size limits the number of internal components. Netbooks tend not to have optical drives (CD/DVD or other "cupholders") There are two basic types of netbooks. The bulk of the netbooks are independent. Users can buy them pretty much anywhere. They can be used about anywhere, but can only access the internet where there is a wifi (or wired) connection available. The other type are mated to a wireless provider (like your cell phone company). These ones can be used anywhere with wifi, or anywhere within range of a cellular tower. Netbooks tend to use somewhat less powerful CPU's. These little computers aren't intended to be huge workhorses, and the decreased power consumption from the processors (such as the Intel Atom) help to increase battery life, reduce overheating, and are adequate for most moderate use and web browsing. People who purchase one through their cellular provider will very likely receive a reduced price for the device, but are also likely to have to pay for a special data plan for the device, which may be in addition to your current plan.
The Chromebook:
A recent release, along a similar line as netbooks is the Google Chromebook. Recently, I did a compare/contrast of two of the current "best" Chromebooks on the market. These are not the only two devices out there that make use of the Chrome operating system, but at present they are the two at the current top of the pile. Chromebooks use the small size of a tablet or netbook, along with the functionality of an integrated, fold-out keyboard. Like the netbook, the Chromebook does not include an optical drive. However, the Chromebooks are designed to be lighter and thinner than a netbook. The Chromebooks use the Google Chrome operating system, which will be a bit of a change for those used to Windows, Mac, or a flavor of Linux. While some Chromebooks, lack in internal storage, they also allow the user to have a certain amount of "free" storage on the cloud server. Chromebooks appear to come at around or under netbooks, and have a slight advantage over some tablets, depending on one's perspective. My local Best Buy has active display units set up for the Chromebooks to allow potential buyers to see what it's about. Personally, I have these on my "interested in" list, as at the moment, I can't justify adding it to my "must have" list. However, if Samsung or Acer were so inclined, I'd be glad to demo and give a first-hand review of their products!
The Macbook:
I would generally consider this as a sub-category of "laptop" or "notebook", but it uses a different operating system, and there are several sizes available. I realize that I've written a few pieces that may seem critical of Apple's products. Personally, the combination of the OS, price tag, and lack of ability to customize, works against my purchasing one. However, I also acknowledge that Apple does tend to make a popular, product, in some slick packaging, that generally work well out of the box with little need for maintenance. The Macbook series of laptops are like that. They come in several sizes, powers, and features. Once you buy, though, there's very little that can be changed though. This is fine for some users though. Like I said with the Chromebooks, Macbooks utilize a different OS - in this case the Mac OS. Macbooks have a nice aesthetic to them. They're designed to be thin and light. With them, comes a higher pricetag, though, and service and support tend to be kept "in house", or out of the user's hands.
The Toughbook:
This is just to make mention of something that's available. Panasonic makes the Toughbook , a laptop that is designed with ruggedness in mind. While some models are lighter than others, they are all designed to handle shocks, bumps, jostles, etc. In order to reduce the number of moving parts that can go wrong, and minimize dust getting into the case, heat is dissipated through the case, and the use of lower power consumption CPU's. The Toughbook does have several niche markets, but may not be ideal for everyday users, due to the price - they tend to run over $1,500.
The Notebook/Laptop:
This is the "meat and potatoes", if you will, of this category. Here you'll find everything from the lower end Sempron/Celeron powered eMachines to the >$1,000 i7 powered gaming rigs, and everything in between. A little further down, we'll talk about CPU's and RAM in a bit more detail. The important part here is that there is quite a range in power, capability, and price. One's needs really need to be considered here before making the investment. This laptop may have a good price, but if the owner is a gamer, the Celeron processor lacks the power and cache of some of Intel's better products. If your purpose is surfing, light writing, and the like, it may be fine. However, if you are planning more CPU intensive activity, then it's advisable to look elsewhere. Generally, you'll find a range between about 13"-17" class screens for these computers. You'll find that the larger they are, the more likely they will include the numeric keypad, although some mid-size units will pack that into the keyboard area.
The Ultrabook:
This is a fairly new class of portable computer. In 2011, utilizing low power CPU's, and solid state drives, Intel created a smaller, thinner, lighter notebook, which may compare to Chromebooks or Netbooks. These tended to come with a higher price tag, as their construction and size were different. Since the release of Windows 8, though, the ultrabook class has been defined as a convertible device. Per Intel's site: "A laptop when you need it, a tablet when you want it", as in this commercial. between their newness, and everything they pack in, the new ultrabooks tend to come with a steeper price tag. However, for one who is able to take full advantage of them, this may very well be all that they need to own.
Features
Time to take a look at what's inside whichever portable computer you plan to purchase. I will not dwell on network ability too much in this section. Most, if not all portables have some wifi capacity, and some are even leaning toward that to the exclusion of wired ethernet ports. Here we will look at screens, hard drives, RAM, and CPU's,
The CPU: Probably the most critical component of the system, sometimes referred to as "the brain". One day I got a shipment of processors in the mail, and in my best Return of the Living Dead impression said "Brains!" The CPU essentially tells how fast your machine can or will go In a desktop, the CPU can be considered a variable - easily swapped, upgraded, etc. In a portable, though, they're not as easy for the end user to replace, so they're more of a constant. The two leaders in CPU production are Intel and AMD. They continually put out new and better processors, so whatever you buy, unfortunately will be obsolete soon (if not by the time you pay for it). The good news is that that's not really a bad thing. The important part about buying isn't "is it the latest thing off the truck", but "Will it do what I need it to do?" In general, the lower priced units will have the more economy-line processors installed. With Intel, there is Celeron, with AMD, Sempron and E-series. In my personal opinion, these should be avoided by anyone who makes some serious use out of their laptop. For those who boot up once in a while, check email, maybe read a news article or such, it's fine. Otherwise, eventually, you'll hit the "This thing's too slow" point well before you should. My quick-n-dirty guide to choosing processors:
First, if you have an AMD/Intel preference, look to that category. If you're flexible, look at both. "Number of cores" translates in non-tech as "This one device behaves as if it were n devices" where n is a number between two and 8 presently on the common market. Many cores have two "threads", which will double the apparent value. So, a "six core Intel i7 CPU" may behave like twelve CPU's. Speed will be given in either MHz or GHz. For the most part, you'll find new units within the 2GHz to 4GHz range. The unit Hertz refers to a cycle, so the higher the number, the faster the cycle, which translates to the faster it will work. This number combined with the number of cores will help determine how much you can get out of it. Remember, though, it's much harder (and more expensive) to try to upgrade this aspect, so you want to get something that will last you a good time.
Storage: Some folks confuse storage space with "memory" (see below). The hard drive (HDD) is where most of your data will be stored (aside from removable media). There are three common types on the laptop market today, IDE, SATA, and Solid State. Yes, there's some overlap here. IDE are really on their way out, and I only mention them, as refurbished computers may use them. They use a slower connection, and had more of a limit on storage size. SATA (or Serial ATA) are much faster, and don't suffer from the same fragile pins that IDE did. These also take advantage of spinning magnetic platters that store information. The third type, Solid State also use the SATA connectors, but have no spinning parts, and are much faster. However, they do come with a higher price tag than SATA drives. While prices have continued to drop on SSD's, they're still considerably higher, in direct comparison, for the storage they can provide vs SATA drives. Regardless of which type you're getting, though, you want to make sure that it will be able to meet your needs. While some laptops have space for a second drive to be installed, others only have one bay, which means that a drive upgrade will necessitate a data transfer or reformat.
Memory: This one is often mistaken for drive space. This is one of the easiest components of a computer to upgrade. All you need is a screwdriver and clean hands. Well, of course you have to know what kind to buy, and the limitations of your computer. Most current RAM is DDR3, although DDR2 is still fairly common. These are not interchangeable! Within the DDR families, there are also speeds (PC2 5300, for instance) The faster the speed, the faster the RAM will perform, although it will be limited by either the slowest piece in the board, or the limits of the motherboard itself. For instance, a PC2 3200, will work fine (but slow) in a 5300 capable board, but the 5300 will be capped at 3200 if the roles were reversed. 32 bit operating systems also don't recognize greater than 4GB of RAM. This means that, a board with 16GB of DDR3 will only show (just under) 4GB, if running a 32 bit OS.
What does that memory do? The memory allows you to do more simultaneously. My summary of CPU/HDD/RAM is "How fast it runs, How much it holds, and how much it can do at once". With this later one, we get into how much multitasking you will be able to perform - and what. With less RAM, your computer will start getting sluggish when more programs are opened. As a helpful tip, it's a good idea to cleanup your Startup, because installed programs tend to run from boot, which uses RAM on programs you may not be using at the time. How much is "enough"? These days, I would suggest starting with 4GB, but that amount will vary by your use.
Screen: How big do you need/want? This one may end up being left to your preference. For some the 10" screens on netbooks are adequate, others enjoy the 13" screens or the larger 17" screens. Do you want one of with a touchscreen? There are a line of portables out that have taken advantage of touchscreen ability that was available in Windows 7, and is now a more significant part of Windows 8. For those who are gamers, the faster refresh rates may be important to consider. Most retailers will have displays up, so you can play around with them a bit, and see what "feels right" to you.
Features: Here's where I'm going to lump "everything else" briefly.
Do you need an optical drive? If so what kind? DVDRW? Blu-ray?
How many USB ports do you need? USB 2? USB 3?
How much graphics memory do you need, or what type of card?
Do you need HDMI output?
What about media card readers?
These are a few of the features that vary from product to product, Some may be more important than others to the end user.
Operating System: The most common OS on the market is Microsoft Windows (currently Windows 7 or Windows 8). 64 bit is more of the standard these days, though 32 bit is still around. However, there are alternatives. As noted above, Chromebooks use the Google Chrome operating system, while Macbooks will use the Mac OS. In addition, there are a number of alternatives out there with Linux.
Hey Linux users, here's a little secret they won't tell you in the stores. Part of the price of that laptop is the OS. You can buy a laptop without buying Windows. If you intend to install Linux on your computer, then follow these steps. Purchase your computer. Turn it on. Decline the Windows EULA. Contact the manufacturer for your refund. Different manufacturers have different refund policies for their products. It can be a bit time consuming, and you may not get back much, but it can be done.
Wrapup
I hope this gave you some good ideas where to start if and when considering some type of portable computer. There's not "right for everyone" model, but looking at all the variables, one can find the "right for you" one.
Enjoy the day, and check back tomorrow for another gift idea.
Thursday, December 13, 2012
26 Days Of Christmas - Day #13: Gaming
I'm sensing a theme for this week. Today, we're looking at yet another category of gifts: Console Game Systems:
First, I'd like to lead off with the latest thing to be on everyone's wish list
Wait, where have I been, hiding under a rock?
On a serious note, with regard to console systems, Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo are the big players these days. Nintendo has the Wii, and new Wii U, while Microsoft has the XBox 360 (with modifications along with hardware & software advances), and Sony has the Playstation 3 (likewise with updated versions to meet changing technology.
Games have come along way from the old Pong, Atari, and Intellivision days. Graphics capabilities have become far better from both a hardware and software perspective, allowing much more advanced - and realist appearing - gaming ability.
Today, I'm going to look at some of what's out there, what to expect, and what kind of options you have. As a matter of disclosure here, I am not a big "gamer", and do not own any of these newer systems. My goal here is to give folks an idea of what to look for, not to say who is the best. So, if I don't focus enough on someone's favorite point of one system, it's not a slight against them, or the system.
Let's start with Nintendo. In 2006, Nintendo introduced the Wii, which would become the hot retail item that Christmas season (and then some). I worked retail back then, and believe me, there was such a demand for the Wii, and its accessories, that they generally didn't last a half hour out of the box. Many times they never even made it into the lockup before they were sold. The Wii was different. In addition to just using your fingers and thumbs on the joystick (now complex controllers), Nintendo had motion sensitive games. You could bowl, pitch, bat, etc with your controllers. This added some degree of exercise to your gaming, which was a changeup from only moving the fingers, and maybe getting up for a snack or bathroom break. Games were developed to take advantage of this, and "workout games" were also big sellers - along with the accessories that went with them.
Last month, Nintendo introduced the Wii U, the newest name on the console gaming circuit - and the only "real" new release among the big players. The Wii U comes in a "basic" and "delux" version (indicated by the white or black color respectively). The basic has 8GB of onboard storage, while the delux has 32G. The Wii U also is now able to take advantage of 1080p resolution televisions. A neat feature of the Wii U is the screen built into the controller. This allows for more versatility in gaming, without having to switch screens. While some accessories from the original Wii will work with the Wii U, it appears that Gamecube games will no longer be compatible.
If we look at Sony, they have their Playstation 3, with several variations, as their flagship gaming console. For over 6 years, the PS3 has been out and evolving. Prices have come down, features have increased, and many titles and online content have been released. The PS3 includes a blu-ray player, and a sizable enough hard drive that it makes for a decent media server. Sony has had a bit of an advantage, because of production reasons. Sony has long been a reliable manufacturer of CD, DVD and Blu-ray players. They would incorporate this in their gaming systems, allowing for them to "serve double duty". Having a Playstation 2 meant that you also had a Sony DVD player, as well. Likewise for the PS3, Sony has been able to take advantage of their other products to make the PS3 a very versatile device - outside of its intended purpose. Back to that, though, the PS3 has the "typical" controllers for most games, but has also taken advantage of the motion sensitive games, and has specific controllers to make use of that.
Microsoft got into the gaming world with the XBox. A year before Sony or Nintendo, Microsoft released the XBox 360 in 2005. Like the PS3, the XBox has undergone minor changes over the 7 years of its existence. Software and hardware changes have been made, and motion based games have also become available. Microsoft had taken advantage of having an established gaming community courtesy of most games essentially being tied to their Windows operating system. Migrating to the console world, gamers could play some of their computer favorites on newer and bigger screens. Doom may have been cool on a 14" CRT in the 1990's, but wait till you catch Call of Duty: Black Ops II on a 60" HDTV!
If you're just looking for something fairly inexpensive to clown around with, there are also the Gamecube, Playstation 2 and XBox (along with older systems) that can be picked up for fairly cheap. Be warned though, that most of these are no longer made or supported, so, buyer beware, especially from eBay or Craigslist, as it may cost more money than you think.
Many titles are available for all three major consoles. Some, like Mario, are proprietary to Nintendo. Also, all of these allow for the option of networking to receive online content and downloads. Microsoft has tied their XBox 360 with the XBox Live, Sony has the Playstation Network. Nintendo was a late joiner to this, as the original Wii had limited network ability, the Wii U has the Nintendo Network. These networks allow for multiplayer games, user created content, collaboration, etc.
In my opinion, Nintendo seems to be playing a bit of catchup, on one hand, however they do seem to be more family oriented in content. Mario, and the characters from that universe, have been a staple of Nintendo for decades. Parents may find assorted Mario or Sonic adventures more suitable for family or child play than Grand Theft Auto, Medal of Honor, Resident Evil, etc. However all of the systems have a wide assortment of "family friendly" content available, as well as sports, and the games for the older or more .... let's just call them the "guys who like shoot 'em up and gore games".
I can't tell exactly what you should get, but I hope the basics I've shown here can help make some choices a bit easier. In the different base descriptions, I've put links to the manufacturers, as well as some Wikipedia pages, for further reference. I can't tell you what is the "best value". That's something you'd have to determine for yourself. Look at the following factors: What do you have? What do you want? Who will play it? Do you need suitable content or controls? How much do you wish to spend? What will it connect to? Parents of 10 year olds will probably look at this differently than a 30 year old bachelor, or a 20 year old college student. Try to find the sweet spot between needs and budget, and happy gaming to you, or those you buy for!
Check back tomorrow for another gift idea!
First, I'd like to lead off with the latest thing to be on everyone's wish list
Wait, where have I been, hiding under a rock?
On a serious note, with regard to console systems, Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo are the big players these days. Nintendo has the Wii, and new Wii U, while Microsoft has the XBox 360 (with modifications along with hardware & software advances), and Sony has the Playstation 3 (likewise with updated versions to meet changing technology.
Games have come along way from the old Pong, Atari, and Intellivision days. Graphics capabilities have become far better from both a hardware and software perspective, allowing much more advanced - and realist appearing - gaming ability.
Today, I'm going to look at some of what's out there, what to expect, and what kind of options you have. As a matter of disclosure here, I am not a big "gamer", and do not own any of these newer systems. My goal here is to give folks an idea of what to look for, not to say who is the best. So, if I don't focus enough on someone's favorite point of one system, it's not a slight against them, or the system.
Let's start with Nintendo. In 2006, Nintendo introduced the Wii, which would become the hot retail item that Christmas season (and then some). I worked retail back then, and believe me, there was such a demand for the Wii, and its accessories, that they generally didn't last a half hour out of the box. Many times they never even made it into the lockup before they were sold. The Wii was different. In addition to just using your fingers and thumbs on the joystick (now complex controllers), Nintendo had motion sensitive games. You could bowl, pitch, bat, etc with your controllers. This added some degree of exercise to your gaming, which was a changeup from only moving the fingers, and maybe getting up for a snack or bathroom break. Games were developed to take advantage of this, and "workout games" were also big sellers - along with the accessories that went with them.
Last month, Nintendo introduced the Wii U, the newest name on the console gaming circuit - and the only "real" new release among the big players. The Wii U comes in a "basic" and "delux" version (indicated by the white or black color respectively). The basic has 8GB of onboard storage, while the delux has 32G. The Wii U also is now able to take advantage of 1080p resolution televisions. A neat feature of the Wii U is the screen built into the controller. This allows for more versatility in gaming, without having to switch screens. While some accessories from the original Wii will work with the Wii U, it appears that Gamecube games will no longer be compatible.
If we look at Sony, they have their Playstation 3, with several variations, as their flagship gaming console. For over 6 years, the PS3 has been out and evolving. Prices have come down, features have increased, and many titles and online content have been released. The PS3 includes a blu-ray player, and a sizable enough hard drive that it makes for a decent media server. Sony has had a bit of an advantage, because of production reasons. Sony has long been a reliable manufacturer of CD, DVD and Blu-ray players. They would incorporate this in their gaming systems, allowing for them to "serve double duty". Having a Playstation 2 meant that you also had a Sony DVD player, as well. Likewise for the PS3, Sony has been able to take advantage of their other products to make the PS3 a very versatile device - outside of its intended purpose. Back to that, though, the PS3 has the "typical" controllers for most games, but has also taken advantage of the motion sensitive games, and has specific controllers to make use of that.
Microsoft got into the gaming world with the XBox. A year before Sony or Nintendo, Microsoft released the XBox 360 in 2005. Like the PS3, the XBox has undergone minor changes over the 7 years of its existence. Software and hardware changes have been made, and motion based games have also become available. Microsoft had taken advantage of having an established gaming community courtesy of most games essentially being tied to their Windows operating system. Migrating to the console world, gamers could play some of their computer favorites on newer and bigger screens. Doom may have been cool on a 14" CRT in the 1990's, but wait till you catch Call of Duty: Black Ops II on a 60" HDTV!
If you're just looking for something fairly inexpensive to clown around with, there are also the Gamecube, Playstation 2 and XBox (along with older systems) that can be picked up for fairly cheap. Be warned though, that most of these are no longer made or supported, so, buyer beware, especially from eBay or Craigslist, as it may cost more money than you think.
Many titles are available for all three major consoles. Some, like Mario, are proprietary to Nintendo. Also, all of these allow for the option of networking to receive online content and downloads. Microsoft has tied their XBox 360 with the XBox Live, Sony has the Playstation Network. Nintendo was a late joiner to this, as the original Wii had limited network ability, the Wii U has the Nintendo Network. These networks allow for multiplayer games, user created content, collaboration, etc.
In my opinion, Nintendo seems to be playing a bit of catchup, on one hand, however they do seem to be more family oriented in content. Mario, and the characters from that universe, have been a staple of Nintendo for decades. Parents may find assorted Mario or Sonic adventures more suitable for family or child play than Grand Theft Auto, Medal of Honor, Resident Evil, etc. However all of the systems have a wide assortment of "family friendly" content available, as well as sports, and the games for the older or more .... let's just call them the "guys who like shoot 'em up and gore games".
I can't tell exactly what you should get, but I hope the basics I've shown here can help make some choices a bit easier. In the different base descriptions, I've put links to the manufacturers, as well as some Wikipedia pages, for further reference. I can't tell you what is the "best value". That's something you'd have to determine for yourself. Look at the following factors: What do you have? What do you want? Who will play it? Do you need suitable content or controls? How much do you wish to spend? What will it connect to? Parents of 10 year olds will probably look at this differently than a 30 year old bachelor, or a 20 year old college student. Try to find the sweet spot between needs and budget, and happy gaming to you, or those you buy for!
Check back tomorrow for another gift idea!
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