Top

SanDisk Sansa M240 1 GB MP3 Player

November 30, 2007

While browsing around on Amazon.com today I found a neat little gadget. The SanDisk Sansa M240 is a very cool little MP3 player. Not only does it play MP3’s it also has a FM receiver in it so you can listen to the radio.

It’s very small. The M240 only weighs about 1.5 ounces! It only takes one AAA battery to operate this thing. Thats right I said one, which is the majority of it’s weight. But don’t worry. The battery will give you up to 19 hours of continuous playback.

Some of the features include FM radio and voice recording, a back lit LCD screen that displays ID3 tag information, supports multiple file formats and full compatibility with most subscription services. Also, the M240’s 1 GB memory holds 16 hours of MP3 and 32 hours of WMA audio.

We are impressed with this little guy. We think this would make a nice Christmas gift if you are on a budget or a very nice stocking stuffer. If you have a business friend/family member that are always in meetings they will appreciate the voice recording function.

I love neat little gadgets like this. Amazon even dropped the price so now you can save $40 bucks!

Here is the link below if you are interested. Enjoy.

SanDisk Sansa M240 1 GB MP3 Player

$34.99

Apple 80 GB iPod Classic MP3 Player Review and Price Guide

November 29, 2007

The iPod 80GB Classic is still one of the best selling MP3/Video players on the market and might possibly be the best selling MP3/Video player to ever hit the shelves. This is based on the MP3 player that made MP3 players popular!

This media player is not just another MP3 player. It will also play videos. It seems lately you can find MP3 player enabled cell phones, GPS devices, etc. But, if you want a seperate MP3/Video player with 80 freaking gigs of space,  then the iPod Classic will work for you!

The iPod Classic is not hard to operate. With a few straight forward controls you will be able to take your music on the go with you within a few minutes.

It also comes with headphones so you wont have any added expense.  Also battery life is good with 5 hours for video and 30 hours for music. Also included is a search by spelling feature that will allow you to search through your music. This is especially handy if you have a lot of music loaded on your iPod.

Conclusion

If you want an MP3 Player that is not complicated and wont break your checking account then go with the iPod Classic. It has plenty of space to hold all of your favorite tunes and it looks nice and sleek. If you are in the market for a MP3 player you can not go wrong with the iPod Classic.

Price Comparison

Store
Best Price
Buy It
$244.99 Buy It Now
$237.49
Buy It Now
$234.99 Buy It Now
$249.99
Buy It Now
$244.00 Buy It Now

1
1

Garmin Nuvi 650 Personal Travel Assistant GPS Review and Price Comparison

November 28, 2007

The Garmin Nuvi 650 GPS is one of the top sellers this year for hand held GPS devices. It has a great wide screen display which is normally only found in the higher end, more expensive GPS devices. But many people who are looking for a wide screen display are not necessarily interested in all of the advanced features you commonly find in higher end GPS devices. Thats where the Garmin Nuvi 650 comes in.

The Nuvi 650 comes with Text to Speech which is wonderful when you are in dense traffic areas and don’t have time to glance down at the screen. You can simply have the Garmin Nuvi 650 read the street names to you. Also included is an MP3 player. While I’m not sure exactly why they would include an MP3 player in a mid range GPS, someone will find it useful. You will commonly find that with most Text to Speech GPS devices they will also include a MP3 player.

The Nuvi 650 does not have what most people come to expect in a wide screen GPS device. It does not include hands free BlueTooth calling, a FM transmitter or a traffic receiver although there is one available. So it’s not as feature rich as some of the higher end wide screen GPS devices but, it’s not as expensive either.

Conclusion

Overall the Garmin Nuvi 650 gives you an option of having a wide screen GPS without all of the bells and whistles you will likely never even use. The great thing is, it’s not tough on your wallet either. With the Nuvi 650 you are getting a great quality GPS, wide screen display and text to speech for only a few bills. This is a nice GPS device, one of the top sellers this year and it will continue to be a hit.

Price Comparison

Store
Best Price
Buy It
$402.97 Buy It Now
$386.35
Buy It Now
$400.36 Buy It Now
$449.99
Buy It Now

1
1


Western Digital WDXMS2500TN Passport Portable 250GB External Hard Drive

November 26, 2007

The Western Digital Portable 250GB Hard Drive is a nice little gadget for taking large data on the go or simply backing up your laptop or PC hard drive. Having an external storage device is almost essential today and provides a valuable way to backup your important things or to provide more disk space to an already full system.

First off let me say, I am a big fan of Western Digital hard drives. They are all I use. Why? Because most of their drives come with a 3 year warranty which in the hard drive industry is usually only 1 year. That means I get 3 times better warranty coverage than most of the hard drive manufacturers.

Also, I have only had one Western Digital drive die on me in the 15 years that I have been in the computer industry. It was mainly my fault because I did not provide the drive adequate cooling and crammed it between two other devices outside of the case design. That spells trouble. I called their warranty claims department, got an RMA number and returned it. To my surprise my new hard drive was back to me within a week. Not bad.

My experience with other manufacturers such as Quantum, Seagate, and Maxtor have not been so good. I have had many failed hard drives in the past. Although these manufactures are good and drives will fail, it is just my experience or just my good luck with Western Digital that keeps me buying only their drives.

Features

  • It is Smart powered which means you don’t need an external power source. The USB connection will take care of the power for you.
  • Ultra Light - It weighs only a few ounces.
  • Easy to Transport - Fit’s in your hand. Easily fits in your pocket or purse.
  • No CD to install - it automatically installs the first time you plug it in.
  • More Space - 250GB Capacity means you can take more with you.

Conclusion

This drive is an excellent choice if you are looking for an external hard drive. It has tons of space, it’s very reliable and is backed by a 3 year warranty. Also, the nice black housing looks really great on your desk! In our opinion, this is one of the better external hard drive solutions on the market and would be a wise purchase if you don’t already have one.

Price Comparison

$139.99

$195.96

$146.99

$149.00

1

Canon PowerShot A570IS 7.1MP Digital Camera Best Price Guide and Review

November 23, 2007

Looking for a compact camera that gives you plenty of value for your money? Then look no further than the Canon PowerShot A570 IS. This camera seems to be a nice pick. It even runs on AA batteries so if you run out of juice you don’t have to wait for the batteries to recharge. You can always pick up some new ones in a crunch.

This camera seems like a great bargain so lets take a deeper look to make sure that looks are not deceiving in this case.

The first thing you notice about this camera is the 4x optical zoom. Usually you can only find a 3x zoom in a compact camera. Then there is the optical image stabilizer technology built into this camera. Thats not usually found in a compact with this kind of price tag. Ah, but wait, there is more.

Some of the features include manual exposure controls, optical image stabilization, flash output control, a high-resolution 2.5-inch LCD, 7.1-megapixel CCD, supports ISO 1600 and High ISO Auto to help with image blur and lowlight situations, includes a Print/Share button for easy direct printing and downloading and finally the DIGIC III image processor has improved face detection technology which enhances red-eye correction. Overall, the feature list on this compact camera is impressive. But how is the image quality?

You can rest assured that this little camera will be able to capture enough detail for photo-quality 15 x 20-inch prints. There is a little bit of noise at higher ISO levels but then again, you are talking a sub $200 camera. You are getting image stabilization and 7.1 mega pixels that bring a great amount of clarity to this camera.

Conclusion

Overall, the Canon PowerShot A570 IS is a solid compact camera that offers a lot of value for your money. Although we were a bit disappointed with it’s noise at high ISO setting you will still be hard pressed to find a compact camera with all of these features, at a price like this.

Price Comparison - Canon PowerShot A570 IS

1

$152.99

$179.99

$171.99

$166 - $199

1


Toshiba HD-A3 1080i HD DVD Player HDA3 Review and Price Guide

November 21, 2007

The Toshiba HD-A3 high definition DVD player is an inexpensive way to enjoy the clarity of HD movies at home without breaking your bank account.

Yes, it only goes up to 1080i resolution. Well, if you have a 1080i TV then you are all set. Even so, your budget may not allow for a 1080p DVD player. If you are set on 1080p resolution don’t go for the Toshiba HD-A30 1080p DVD player. The quality in 1080p is so poor you would be better off buying the HD-A3 and having some change left over.

This is a perfect entry level high definition DVD player. If you have been wanting to get into the HD DVD’s then this will be a great start. Plus, with the exception of the HD-A30, Toshiba always makes great DVD players. I still own two Toshiba DVD players. I think the quality of parts and assembly is top notch and that makes for a great appliance even years down the road.

Price Comparison

$169.99

$279.98

$199.99

$299.99

Pure Digital Flip Video Camera Ultra Series Camcorder 60 Min Best Price and Review

November 20, 2007

The Flip Video Ultra Camcorder by Pure Digital is a force to be reckoned with in the lower end video recorders. It’s very lightweight design and slim profile make this a favorite among portable video recording devices.

So, how does this little video recorder perform when put to the test? With it’s 2GB capacity you get around 60 minutes of video recording time. Not too shabby for something so small. A total of 60 minutes does not sound like much but you are usually not constantly recording and should do the trick unless you are a huge video nut.

The Flip Video Ultra has a 1.5 inch LCD screen, a built in microphone and a zoom lens. It also has a built in TV out port and a USB port so you can plug in to your nearest PC and download the videos you have just recorded. Also, it stores the videos in either MPEG 4 or AVI format so it is compatible with importing into your favorite video editing software.

The Bad

There is not much to say here other than there is no SD/MMC card expansion slot which kind of stinks. That would be a nice addition to see in the next generation of the Flip Video devices.

Conclusion

This model has been greatly improved over the previous generation. With it’s improved video quality, slimmer design and upgraded software, the Pure Digital Flip Video Ultra is gaining great momentum in the lower end digital recorders category and becoming very popular for a reason. This is a nice and cheap way to record digital video without killing your wallet.

Price Comparison

$149.99

$146.77

$169.99

$159 - $219


The 5 Biggest Mistakes People Make When Buying a High Definition TV

November 16, 2007

Buying a high-definition TV is complicated. You may hear many technical terms and it can get confusing. Even so, you need to make sure you understand what you are buying before you buy it right? Because if you don’t, you will end up disappointed, frustrated or with a bad case of buyers remorse. And of course, you don’t want that. You just want a nice TV!

So, let me show you the common mistakes buyers make when purchasing a high-definition TV so that you will not make the same mistakes.

1.) Which Picture Looks The Best

This is the most common mistake people make. They go to the store, find the TV with the best picture and purchase it. Plain and simple. Well, it’s usually not so simple when they get home and they find out that it does not have enough connections to hook up all of their entertainment devices. Or is not compatible with what they have.

Soon, they are either going through the hassle of taking the TV back or buying new equipment so that it will work with their new TV. That is a unplanned expense that could be avoided with a little research. This leads me to my next mistake.

2.) DVD, VHS, PS3, GBA, PVR

All of these devices listed above are something that will hook up to your TV. Knowing how many devices you will need to connect to your TV and how they will need to be connected is key. Make sure you identify what connection type the device uses.

Here is a helpful example:

If you have a cable with a yellow end on it then you have what is commonly called composite or RCA connections. This is pretty much on every device on the planet I think. DVD players, PVR’s, VHS players, etc.

If you have 3 wires green, blue, red then you have what is called component video. This is found on DVD players and PVR’s mostly.

If you have a cable that comes in your house from the cable company, that type of wire connection it is also called a coax connection. It is also found on DVD players, VHS and PVR’s.

If you have a connection with 24 pins in it you probably have a DVI connection. This is mostly found in 1080i HD Receivers, TV’s and DVD players.

If you have a connection that looks like a USB port but bigger then you have a HDMI connection. This is the most common high definition connection seen on most current devices.

Don’t forget, not only should you document how many connections you will need your TV to accept but you will also need to write down which type of connections your new TV will need.

3.) Letting a Salesperson Decide for You

Many people trust the opinion of a salesperson when making large purchases. You would assume the would know more than you. I mean, they sell the things right? Actually, if you think about it, with the many different models and brands that they have to keep up with, how could they really be an expert in anything? Plus, they usually make a commission off of your sale. Most of them don’t even care if you like it or not, they just want to make the sale.

Then you get it home, and find, it’s not all it’s cracked up to be. Or maybe they are trying to clear out old stock and sold you last years model.

Research is key. Trusting a salesperson with your purchase could burn you in the long run. A few moment invested online searching through reviews and consumer reports could save you from making a huge mistake.

4.) Don’t Buy a No-Name Brand TV

Just because it is cheap does not mean you are getting a good deal. In fact the rule of thumb is you get what you pay for usually. Now, I’m not saying that a good deal can’t be found, thats part of what comparison shopping is all about. But, if you have never heard of the company before there is probably good reason.

Your sales person may try to tell you that they are all manufactured in the same plant and that they just rename them. Sometimes this is true. Sometimes it is not.

Remember you don’t have to make a purchase right that second. Take a pen and paper with you to the store. Write down the models and brands that you liked which also had enough hookups for your current devices, and go home and research them. Find the best one out of the bunch and get that one.

Plus, you may find a better deal online anyway. I mean, you have already seen the TV so you can comparison shop online. However, use caution. Only buy from a retailer that you have heard of like Best Buy or Circuit City. If something went wrong with your TV you don’t want to try and return it or get it fixed through Joe’s TV Shack.

5.) Poor Budgeting for Peripherals

It’s just like the “batteries not included” label on an flashlight package. It does not come with everything you need to get going right out of the box and neither does your TV.

You may need DVI or HDMI cables for your devices. You would not think cables could be very expensive but start pricing them now. They will add up very quickly. Especially high quality cables.

You may also need a TV stand or wall mount. You may want better sound to expand your high-definition experience and want to purchase a home theater system. Also, if you want to have your cable or satellite signal in high definition then you will need to add additonal costs per month to your cable bill. Whatever you need plan ahead. If not you could soon be spending way more than you initially bargained for just to get your TV and devices functional again.

I hope this has been informative and has helped you. Please contact us with any feedback you may have.

iRobot Roomba Discovery 4210 Robot Vacuum Cleaner Review and Lowest Price

November 15, 2007

The iRobot Roomba Discovery 4210 is a cool little robot that adjusts to any floor surface in your home. Just imagine never having to worry about vacuuming the floor again! Let’s face it, most people don’t like vacuuming. It’s a chore. We would much rather be doing something else like watching TV, surfing the net, watching the paint peel on something, etc.

So, you hear about this little robot and think you can make your vacuuming worries disappear? Not exactly. In fact, it may be more work than you think.

It is not a mindless device that you never have to touch. You have to interact with this robot. It doesn’t empty the trash bin itself, it doesn’t start itself, it doesn’t charge itself unless you buy the drive-on home base feature, and it will sometimes need it’s brushes cleaned.

It is a hands free vacuuming machine that gives you time to do other things. It does pick up dirt just like a regular old vacuum cleaner, and it will be a nice addition to your home.

Some of the features include dirt detection and convenient infra-red cliff sensors, adjusts to any floor surface, 2-hour continuous cleaning, edge-cleaning side brush, virtual wall for confining to designated area, rechargeable APS battery, and comes with a 1 year warranty. I almost forgot to mention. It also comes with a 3-hour charger, 2 virtual walls, 2 air filters, and remote control.

Conclusion

This is a neat way to vacuum your floors. However, don’t expect to never have to hassle with this thing. The same maintenance applies with this as does with any vacuum cleaner. Other than that you literally don’t have to be home to have your floors cleaned. It really will free up your time and is especially nice for the elderly and those who are disabled. This is a great device that gives you back more of your time or, if you are not physically able to push a vacuum cleaner, will lend the helping hand you need. Plus, it’s a great conversation starter. Highly recommended.

Price Comparison

$129 - $207 $249.99 $279.99 $299.99

Apple MacBook Pro MA895LL/A 15″ Notebook PC 2007 Edition - Review and Where to Buy

November 14, 2007

I recently discovered something called a MacBook Pro. I had heard it was fast, sleek, power packed with tons of features like only Apple could provide. Get this, someone actually told me that I would trade in my PC laptop after checking this MacBook Pro out. So what did I find? Did I trade in my PC?

Well, I did find a power packed laptop only 1 inch thick when closed. Sure, this thing has a ton of features like, 2.2 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor with 4 MB shared L2 cache, 2 GB RAM 677 MHz DDR2 SD-RAM (PC2-5300), a 120 GB Serial ATA hard drive, a slot load 8x Super Drive, 1 FireWire 400 port, 1 FireWire 800 port, 2 USB 2.0 ports, an ExpressCard / 34 slot, a DVI output with VGA support, a built-in 10/100/1000BASE-T Gigabit Ethernet adapter, built in 54 Mbps AirPort Extreme 802.11n wireless adapter, built-in Bluetooth 2.0+EDR, an NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT graphics processor and a 15.4 inch widescreen display capable of 1440 by 900 resolution, just to name a few. But really, even with all of these features, would I want to trade in my PC for this thing?

Well, it’s not that I was not tempted. I mean, this thing has it all. Coupled with simplicity and ease of use of OS X, not to mention no more blue screens, and it offered a promise of stability, simplicity and reliability that no PC has offered me so far. It’s an awesome platform. Not perfect but so close. And with all of the Windows Vista problems too, who would want to go PC?

So, I traded my PC in right? No. Here is why. With all of the great and wonderful features, I have been using PC’s for over 15 years. I have never used an Apple for more than about 5 hours throughout my lifetime so I don’t know a lot about them. I love them. I just don’t know what I’m doing. So, there would be a learning curve.

Secondly, I have my PC’s customized with all of these apps that I love and use so often. I would have to tinker with trying to get them working on OS X. No Thanks.

Then, there is the price. Yes you are getting more for your money and a compatible PC notebook would cost the same or more, I understand that, but still I would be paying that much for something I know little about. So, in essence, paying for frustration. No thanks.

Conclusion

I was very impressed and with the video editing projects I have coming up I have been seriously looking into getting an Apple. I will not trade my PC in for one though but would love to have one of these MacBook Pro’s sitting right beside my PC. I mean come on. It is a sweet laptop. So fast, so smooth, so fine. It’s like a recently waxed Ferrari. I love this laptop and all it is capable of and highly recommend it if you are in the market.

Price Comparison

$1,849 - $1,999

$1,849.00

$1,994.00

$1,999.99

Next Page »

Bottom