Gadgets Blog » Microsoft

It’s quite possible that my interest in gadgets is genetic. My father, despite growing up in a world entirely devoid of computers, has become quite competent with them, and is fueled by an interest in what makes them tick. Growing up, we took apart desktops, learned how to run programs in MS Dos and upgraded monitors together. Lately he’s taken a great affinity to handhelds, and I must say, his prowess with his old Blackberry likely rivaled users far his junior. And while the Blackberry held a special place in his heart for a good long while, such a love compares naught to his love of his new Motorola Droid smartphone.

It’s more than just the device itself: it’s the implementation of perhaps the most important newcomer to the world of computing: Google’s Android OS. Google, a company displaying mastery of cloud computing, delved into territory previously occupied by titans Apple and Microsoft (and yes, there are other operating systems like Linux and Ubuntu out there for people who enjoy being pretentious about this sort of thing). Android operates bearing all the trademarks of a Google product: compatibility, ease of use, and an intuitive design plan with virtually limitless applications.

While announcements of a Google Tablet bearing the Android OS are exciting, this is really the tip of the iceberg for what Android is capable of doing to the electronics market. And with that in mind, a showdown seems brewing in the electronics world between differing schools of thought for the future of personel electronics. Microsoft represents an older era of computing. Windows still makes up the vast majority of the market share on operating systems, and while their iteration of Windows 7 has proven to be successful (and a huge improvement from Vista), Windows Mobile still lags behind other mobile operating systems in ease of use and compatibility.

It’s perhaps the greatest battle of them all: Mac vs. PC. With so many people weighing in on each side, I hardly doubt my opinion will change anyone’s mind, but this week’s Gadget of the Week allows me to give my own personal testimonial, demonstrating both the positives and negatives of a PC-to-Mac transfer. This week, we’ll take a closer look at the Macbook Pro, one of the most prevalent gadgets in the world of electronics, and hopefully you’ll come to understand whether or not it’s for you.

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.

Today we’re looking at some great gadgets available at some great prices, which should be a great asset to anyone feeling the post-Holiday crunch. This time of year can be excellent for a smart shopper, as there are plenty of deals to go around. Companies are trying to clear off their shelves for new products, but here at Smarter we have some great items and even better deals.

Great Deals on Game Controllers!
For an avid video gamer, the controller can make all the difference. For the major consoles, there can be a bit of a decision to make, as Nintendo, Sony, and Microsoft all have their own official controllers available, whereas third party developers oftentimes have units for significantly less. Alternative game controllers oftentimes boast features that can give huge boosts to the gaming experience. If you’re a PC or Playstation 3 racing fanatic, the Logitech G 25 Force Feedback Wheel provides one of the most realistic driving experiences available at a reasonable price for such a high-end steering wheel. Other great deals include the Thrustmaster Wireless Pad for the Playstation 3. It features a more naturally contoured fit to the hand that is very similar to the Xbox 360 controller. Also, the rubber grips function great during marathon gaming sessions and are a great cure for sweaty palms. If you prefer to stick with brand-name controllers, Nintendo offers a “Classic Controller” for the Wii that has the same shape and button scheme as the classic Super Nintendo controllers, which can be great for games where the Wii Numchuck isn’t a good fit for game play.

Great Deals on Dell Computer Hardware!
One great advantage of owning a PC desktop is the ease with which the hardware components can be upgraded. Instead of throwing down close to $1000 for a brand new machine, it’s straightforward to purchase and install new parts, such as video cards, sound cards, and memory. This extends the longevity of the computer, without the need for an entirely new model. Here at Smarter, we have some great deals right now on Dell hardware, which means it could be the perfect time to upgrade your machine. A Dell memory module is a great way to boost the RAM, giving increased computer speed and performance, while a Dell heatsink and fan can ensure the performance of your CPU, especially important if you opt to overclock your machine. If you’re in the market for a new PC, I strongly recommend looking into available upgrades first! You can save a lot of money by choosing to upgrade your current desktop instead of replacing it.