The Kindle has stood as the favorite in the e-reader arena for some time now. Hitting the market before the Nook, it was one of the first devices to exist solely for the reading of electronic books, and made a sizable impression in the market. Lightweight and portable, with battery life lasting a staggering amount of time, the Kindle offered up a great way to take an electronic library on the go. Factor in how the device was tied to Amazon’s burgeoning online book empire, the availability of texts was an excellent addition to a serious reader’s gadgets.

The Nook, on the other hand, is the challenger in this fight. Barnes & Noble’s gadget offers up some features that improve upon the ideas found in the Kindle, and advantage it gained by being the latter of the two devices to be released onto the market. The Nook features a touch-screen instead of the bulky Kindle keyboard, and also enables the user to “lend” a book to another Nook user for up to two weeks. The better-looking of the two gadgets, the Nook is somewhat troubled by its slower loading speed and shorter battery life.

In the end, which device you choose really should depend on what books you’re planning on reading. Try perusing their respective e-book libraries (available at each company’s website) for titles you’re interested in reading. If one of the websites offers up a better selection of titles that suits your interest (and this primarily relates to less common titles), then by all means go with that gadget.  However, it might be worth holding out just a bit longer before picking up a new e-reader. It’s likely that Amazon will release a new gadget within the  next year or so, and tablet computers currently pose a big market threat to these gadgets.

Image Source: flickr.com/photos/43602175@N06/4069260433

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Bitdefender Total Security 2010

While it doesn’t have the same name recognition as other anti-virus softwares, Bitdefender Total Security 2010 edition offers one of the most comprehensive protection plans available on the market.  In addition to traditional protection methods, such as scheduling regular scans and quarantining malicious files, Bitdefender scans email, downloads, and even instant messages in real-time providing up-to-the-minute defense against computer viruses. For the 2010 edition, scans were made less intrusive and the program size was diminished, allowing it to smoothly run in the background of other operations.  Additionally, Bitdefender has a highly-customizable automation options, allowing everyone from the computer-savvy to the electronically illiterate to compute with security.

Norton AntiVirus 2010

Developed by longtime industry leader Symantec, Norton has become synonymous with anti-virus protection and with good reason.  The program offers frequent comprehensive updates against the latest security threats and capably runs full-system scans.  New for 2010 is the introduction of the SONAR2 system, which updates against breaking threats, viruses, and trojan horses in realtime, so long as an Internet connection is present.  The latest version of Norton has been engineered for speed, with a streamlined interface giving you a comprehensive look at your computer security with easy-to-navigate menus.  An additional feature, essential for computers racked with viruses and worms, Norton Bootable Recovery offers a final wall of protection on important files, enabling you to salvage what’s on your hard drive even if the rest of the computer is shot.

Webroot Antivirus Spy Sweeper

Our final program is great for those who are most unfamiliar with the inner workings of their computer.  Webroot is by far the most user-friendly program on this list, with everything from installation to the monitoring of files and scans designed to be streamlined and efficient.  Like any solid anti-virus program, Webroot minimizes it’s computer lode while other applications are running, while still keeping a constant protection running in the background. Webroot excels in hunting down spyware and even warns the user when a website begins downloading illicit programs unannounced.  With a full year of help support included in the retail package, this can be a great program for family members who need human interaction to conquer tough problems.

Image Source: flickr.com/photos/sanjayaprime/3490081105/

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In the line of Deskjet printers, there’s a variety of features and functionality that can change whether or not a printer is for you. The Deskjet D2680, at first glance, appears sparse in terms of its features. Unlike other HP desktop units, it doesn’t offer the capabilities of a scanner or a copier. If it appears to be a Spartan option for a printer, that’s with good reason: the Deskjet D2680 does one thing: printing. And it does it quite well.

Listed at around $60, this is one of the most affordable printers on the market. And it boasts a variety of specifications that make it a capable entry into the world of consumer printers.  A simple, 3-button configuration allows you to turn the printer on and off, resume paused print jobs, and cancel those already in process. It’s compatible with HP high-capacity ink cartridges, meaning you get more mileage before needing replacements.

HP makes note of the minimal environmental impact of the Deskjet 2680, and while it likely won’t impact consumer use of the machine, it’s still nice to see a major company making a “green” machine. This Deskjet is EnergyStar qualified, using 40% less energy than it’s predecessor while turned off or in “sleep” mode. The unit itself is built out of recycled plastic, along with it’s ink cartridges.

If you’re strapped for cash, this printer does a great job at just that: printing. With 28 pages per minute in black ink and 21 pages per minute in color, it’s a great printer for college students and those with limited finances. And, just to show you how much love HP has for it’s printer line-up, here’s a 20th Anniversary video commemorating the Deskjet printer series straight from HP themselves! (Click continue reading to see.)

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Ableton Live, Version 8

Ableton is the go-to for all sorts of professional electronic musicians (and with good reason). Its intuitive design and structure makes it easy to do all sorts of MIDI programming. What is MIDI, you ask? MIDI signals function like on/off switches. They have a designated velocity and duration, but other than that, they have no assigned sound to them. A program like Ableton Live allows you to allocated MIDI instruments anything you program into your computer. This allows for a great deal of experimentation, as you can change drum sounds on the fly, swap out one synthesizer for another, and easily work with your tracks in a live setting. It has a pretty steep price tag for the full version; seek out Ableton Live LE instead, which has the same interface, with fewer instruments to choose.

M-Audio Keystudio 49

While it’s certainly possible to program Ableton via mouse only, it’s also an enormous headache. Save yourself some time by picking up one of M-Audio’s affordable and excellent Keystudios. The number afterwards refers to the number of keys, so if you more in the market for beats, look for the 25 instead. These keyboards plug directly into your computer’s USB port and work easily with Ableton without any drivers to install. It’s simply a matter of plugging the keyboard in and turning it on, and suddenly you’ll have an easy way to program MIDI into your computer.

Korg MicroKorg Synth

While your programmed beats and synths will make up the body of your dance tunes, it’s nice to have something else you can play along with. The Korg MicroKorg is one of the best and most affordable synthesizers on the market, used by professional and amateur musicians alike. With a host of pre-programmed effects, this compact synth has a variety of changeable parameters, enabling you to manipulate the sound of the instrument at the turn of a knob. Want a killer lead line? Use the MicroKorg.  Need some ambient electronics in the background? Trust the MicroKorg.  It will be your friend.

In short: lay down beats in Ableton with your M-Audio Keystudio, then jam out on your MicroKorg. Can’t go wrong.

Image Source: flickr.com/photos/tylrdotorg/3446289795/

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Nonetheless, Apple seems to have kicked off a race to the tablet market, with many companies struggling to get on board as quickly as possible. Today, we’ll take a brief look at other tablets that should be available soon as well as some alternatives that are available right now.

HP Slate

For the time being, the only real gadget on the horizon that could be labeled as an “iPad killer” would have to be the HP Slate, which comes bearing the Microsoft logo. The Slate has a number of features that could improve upon the iPad’s weaknesses. For example, the iPad lacks Adobe Flash support, a serious detriment to multimedia. The Slate comes with a USD 2.0 port, making it more versatile for use with peripheries. Finally, the Slate is slated (pun intended, unfortunately) to run about $550, giving it a competitive price resting in the middle of the various iPad configurations. Sadly, you’ll have to wait a bit longer to get your hands on one, it’s not set to come out til summer.

Google/HTC Cooperative Effort

Sadly for the time being, this can only go down as a rumor, but it’s a highly likely rumor nonetheless. Google and HTC have had a close working relationship in the past, putting out such devices as the Droid smartphone. HTC remains one of the best manufacturers of personal electronics, and the idea of a tablet computer running the Android operating system would provide a great alternative to Windows or Apple models. Such a tablet would be free from the restrictions of the Apple App store and other Apple features that cripple the flexibility of their devices.

Asus Eee PC T91

We featured this netbook last week, and it remains a great choice for those looking for flexible on-the-go computing. In many ways, tablet computers are attempting to fill a place in the market already occupied by the under-appreciated netbooks. This Asus model also has an innovative screen that can rotate into a tablet-like position, enabling it to be operated via touch. While it’s a bit bulkier than the iPad will be, this is not without good reason: it has a full keyboard, something other tablets don’t have.

Image Source: flickr.com/photos/ndevi

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T-Mobile Sidekick LX
This phone is the epitome of style over substance. Its flashy design and attractive touchscreen make it initially appealing, but several design flaws plague the Sidekick. First of all, the structural integrity of the design is a bit suspect, as the screen’s two-axis flip motion can break easily if the phone is subject to any sort of abuse. While the phone sports a full QWERTY keyboard, which can make texting a breeze, the buttons on this particular smartphone are packed together, difficult for anyone with larger hands (or anyone without the fine-tuned motor skills needed to operate a QWERTY keyboard successfully). You’re best off looking for an alternative, such as the T-Mobile Dash, which boasts a great interface based out of Windows Mobile.

Blackberry 8300
As a whole, the Blackberry line of smartphones are quite good, with many features available on a variety of networks. If you’re looking for a device with great business capabilities, web integration, and email, a Blackberry can be a great choice. However, not all Blackberries are created equal, and some, like the 8300, fall flat next to their siblings. The Blackberry 8300, in some regards, is a lesser version of other Blackberry phones, meaning that the interface and keypad aren’t as sturdy and up-to-date. For perhaps the best experience with a Blackberry, check out the Blackberry Storm, which boasts some great unique features.

Nokia Surge 6790
Our final smartphone to avoid also looks like it could be a winner. But, alas, looks are also deceiving, once again. The Nokia Surge has a slim black design and a slide-out keypad, making it one of the better-looking smartphones. The device boasts some great synchronization with Gmail, Yahoo, and Windows Live, even if its operating system is a bit dates compared to competitors. However, there are some puzzling design flaws that make using the Nokia Surge downright frustrating. It’s impossible to dial a number without sliding open the keypad, a flaw that becomes more and more upsetting the longer you have the phone. Also, the small and slightly off-center screen can be hard to squint at in dark environments, as the brightness is lacking. For a similar, but better, alternative, check out the Samsung Jack.

Image Source: flickr.com/photos/gibbons/34338447

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As a dedicated PC user, it took a while to get used to the Mac interface, so let me first describe the experience that Snow Leopard offers the user. Instead of a start menu, arranged in the lower right like with all Windows machines, the Mac operates out of the “dock” system, which provides a toolbar at the base of the computer screen. Built-into this toolbar are a host of Mac programs, including heavily used programs like iTunes to the relatively less involved Time Machine. The Mac pre-installed programs offer a host of features intended to give you an intuitive user experience. Some, however, are better than others. It took a downloadable update to prevent iTunes from having brief skips during song playback, and the arrangement of photos in iPhoto doesn’t translate into an intuitive filing system for other use, but the features that come on such programs will be exciting and fun to play around with.

Seeing as I used my PC version of Microsoft Office quite heavily, I decided to see how the Mac version of these Microsoft programs translated into a PC-dominated computer world. The results took some getting used to, but for the most part, both versions of Office are workable and the files can easily be shared, so long as you remember to save in the correct format. The major annoyance comes in the lack of similar toolbar structure between versions. While editing a cell in Excel for the Mac, for example, the formula does not appear at the top of the screen, making it sometimes difficult to know exactly what edits are being made to the numbers. While this takes some getting used to, the program functions much the same, although some features in the PC version, such as statistical analysis, are not available in their Mac counterparts.

There are some great benefits to switching over, however. The battery life in a normal charging of the Mac far exceeds my PC counterpart. Whereas I often felt that my PC laptop was bound to my desk, my Macbook Pro is capable of following me for a shift at work followed by a trip to class, all in one charge. This creates for an addicting relationship between my computer and myself, a relationship that expands to other parts of the device. The intuitive mouse pad on the Macbook Pro makes it all-but-impossible to switch back to a normal PC mouse system, making for great usage of the control scheme.

This, I should say, is the primary difference that I have experienced. Much as the iPod changed the way I listened to music, the Macbook Pro has changed the way I use a laptop computer. There is, dare i say it, an emotional connection between myself and the computer. The ease with which I switch between programs, working on everything from e-mails to accounting homework simultaneously, makes the Macbook Pro a remarkable upgrade in terms of computing. While the steep price tag (the 15″ unit I used runs about $1800) can be hard to justify at first, once the learning curve and transition is complete, it makes for a remarkably engaging unit. In the long run, it will be the computer’s longevity that makes for the final say, as a Mac laptop runs far more expensive than a PC counterpart.

Image Source: flickr.com/photos/lifeisaprayer/3346288138 

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Kodak Easy Share C180
Kodak’s line of digital cameras have had their ups and downs in the past, but their latest batch of easy-to-use models have, for the most part, been winners. The premise of the EasyShare series is that by pressing the red “share” button, you can send the image to an online account where you have immediate access to it. It’s a nifty idea, but this camera has other features that make it worth checking out. Face recognition technology and 10.2 megapixel image quality makes for great shots, especially when there’s ample lighting. The EasyShare C180 can also take videos, and it has a 3x optical zoom. Granted, most of the features have been trimmed down from more expensive EasyShare cameras, but that is to be expected in a model like this. The biggest drawback with this camera (and with most inexpensive cameras in general) is that photos tend to be dark and blurry in limited lighting. This camera is available through Smarter for $79.39.

Samsung SL40
As I’ve researched this article, I’ve discovered that many of the cameras within this price range (at least the ones that are worth anyone’s time) have a lot of the same features. This can be both a positive and a negative. Your opportunity cost for picking one over another is relatively small, but it can be hard to find features that differentiate something like the Samsung SL40 from the Kodak EasyShare C180. Both cameras sport 10.2 megapixels, 3x optical zoom, and similar digital technology like face recognition and image stabilization. However, the EasyShare comes in several unique colors, such as metallic teal. The choice remains yours. A good strategy would be to see the cameras you’re looking at in person at a department store. As is often the difficulty with buying items over the internet, it’s hard to know exactly what a product is like before you hold it in your hands. This camera is available through Smarter for $79.99.

GE A1050
General Electric isn’t usually thought of as a maker of digital cameras, and that’s perhaps why this model is such as steal. Without the brand name recognition, the price surely must have gone down because the A1050 sports some great features for its modest price tag. It has a compact 25mm body, with 10.1 megapixels for image quality. With face recognition and image stability, the unit also sports an excellent 5x optical zoom, giving it great versatility for long and close-range shots. The good news is, for any of these cameras, you’re going to have a great entry-level unit that can take lots of great photos, so be sure to pick one that appeals to you in terms of its size, color, and any other personal preferences. This camera is available through Smarter for $77.

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Mass Effect for the Xbox 360 (Rated M for Mature).
This science fiction action game is getting a sequel next week, but that doesn’t mean that the original isn’t still entertaining. Mass Effect combines numerous gaming elements into an engaging complete package. The game has exciting shooting action, space exploration, and a deep involved storyline that is determined largely by the player’s actions. If you’re a role-playing fan, this title will offer hours of action on many diverse and hostile planets. It’s also a great example of how to find games for under $20. If a sequel has come out recently, or is in the works, the original title will often be available for significantly less than its successor. Just because a game is older doesn’t mean it’s less fun to play. After all, other titles like BioShock and Assassin’s Creed thrilled audiences to the point they triggered sequels!

MLB: The Bigs for the Playstation 3 (Rated E for Everyone).
With sports games, there sometimes are minimal improvements from year to year. A classic example is the storied Madden NFL franchise from EA sports. The games look and feel very similar to each other in consecutive years. If you can live without up-to-date rosters, older sports games are often inexpensive compared to their newer brethren. Or, as is the case with MLB: The Bigs, look for sports games that are slightly outside the normal scope of sports titles. Here, the developers took a steroids-be-damned approach to the game, with fast-paced and accessible pitching and batting, oftentimes with bursts of fire errupting from the bats and balls. The result is a game that remains engaging compared to other, simulation type baseball games. For similar alternative sporting games, check out Blitz: The League or Tony Hawk’s Proving Ground.

Lego Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures for the Nintendo Wii (Rated E for Everyone).
While it may seem like a bizarre combination of ideas, the Lego video game series has had some great titles, with the familiar Lego characters enacting all types of familiar adventures in their block-constructed world. The original Lego Indiana Jones title is made less expensive by having a successful sequel out on the market, but this old-school title is a lot of fun for all ages. The quirky level designs and bright colors make this a great game for kids, but gamers of any age will appreciate the recreation of the classic Indiana Jones films. A final great tip is to look for undiscovered, quirky games like this Lego title. These more “underground” games oftentimes fall in price before titles from larger publishers. Other great games like this are Viva Pinata! and titles from the Katamari Damacy series.

Image Source: flickr.com/photos/zoologist/38678855

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Digital picture frames are some of my favorite electronic gadgets. A good model will be able to display may great photos, cycling through the images in a continually pleasant process. However, as with most electronics, not all units are made equal, and as you plan to purchase one of the frames, getting an idea of what sort of features they offer can make for the best possible display of your digital photo collection.

First and foremost, like any other device with a screen, digital picture frames have varying resolutions. While which resolution you choose should have a lot to do with the number of megapixels in your camera, many low-end models have very poor resolutions, some as low as 480 x 324. These low resolution models won’t display pictures clearly, and the images will appear boxy and pixelated. As a rule of thumb, you’ll at least want a resolution of 640 x 480, but searching for higher resolution models will be worth your time and your money.

Also important is the aspect ratio of the screen. Just like with televisions, different models have slightly different aspect ratios, so if you’re looking to avoid black bars on the edges of your pictures, some research into the aspect ratio of considered frames can be very helpful. Most digital cameras shoot photos with an aspect ratio of 4:3, so a frame with this ratio will be filled with the entire image. Other frames are available in 15:9 ratios, which are similar to the framing of a widescreen television. If your 4:3 images are to be displayed in a 15:9 screen, pieces of the top and bottom of the photo will be cropped out for a better fit. However, its possible you’ll appreciate the widescreen format of the frame, and many high-end screens offer this aspect ratio.In the end, it’s a matter of choice.

Finally, there are a number of extra features offered on some of the high end picture frames. These allow the frames to go above and beyond simply displaying pictures. Some higher end frames offer wi-fi connections, which enable them to stream Internet radio, effectively setting your picture slideshow to music. Other frames enable you to e-mail photos to the frame itself, potentially trimming down on the time required to get images onto the unit. However, along with these features can come confusing menu structures, making it difficult for casual gadget users to get the frames to behave accordingly. When purchasing a frame, remember who will be the primary user, and try to get a unit that is compatible with their needs!

Pictured is the Sony DPFD80 8″ picture frame, a great middle-of-the road unit for only $149.98 at Smarter.

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