Tech Gadgets R Us

HP Pavilion dv5t Review

cbstogner01 — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 02:22:27 +0000

The world revolves around changes. The principle you have been holding on to may not be anymore applicable the next day. The clothes you are wearing now may no longer be fashionable next season. The technology you are using now may already be dated a year from now. That is why it is important for us to embrace change especially if it is for the better. This is especially true when you think about technology.

Human efficiency has been boosted by technological advancements in the past years. What used to be just simple machines have now become more complicated but certainly more reliable. Manufacturers of mobile phones, MP3 players, cameras, and computers come out with new designs or upgrades every so often to satisfy their customers. Each upgrade offers better features or slicker designs than the previous one. Hewlett-Packard is no different as it has always produced impressive computers, laptops and notebooks. The latest offering of HP is the HP Pavilion dv5t which was released to the market last Aug. 18.

This product boasts of a beautiful marriage between aesthetics and functionality. It has a liquid metallic look to it called the Imprint 2 Finish. This is an upgrade from the older Imprint Finish because other laptops and notebooks have already come up with designs that look like it was copied from the HP style. The whole color scheme is a beautiful mixture of black onyx and silver. You can almost mirror yourself from just looking at the surfaces, even in the palmrest! The lights indicating whatever you are doing are also strategically placed in different parts of the laptop, even as the HP logo on the back of the display turns on when you are using the laptop. There is no denying that this notebook is stylish.

Do not mistake it for a flimsy product though as it is an erroneous misconception. The HP Pavilion dv5t is actually durable, more durable than other laptops and notebooks with the similar price as it has. The palmrest and the back of the display are not easily scratched. The HP Pavilion dv5t also employs of the WSXGA+ technology which means having 42% more resolution compared to other 15.4” laptops and notebooks. This notebook has a 1680 x 1050 resolution that allows you to view more in your screen than other laptops of its size would. The Infinity display of the screen also makes the notebook look more polished. The colors are also more effervescent and the pictures are clearer. You can barely see the pixel grids. The speakers, which are from Altec Lansing, are also impressive. They are louder and clearer than other notebooks.

They also produce better sound quality. The HP Pavilion dv5t, as a notebook, is very quiet though. It does not produce annoying sounds when working. The fan is also not the loud type. The touchpad of the HP Pavilion dv5t is also very glossy, while the keyboards are very manageable as you can go around without looking at it. Overall, this notebook does not disappoint. Its stylishness and functionality go well together and it definitely gives value to your money.

Microsoft 80GB Zune

cbstogner01 — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 02:20:56 +0000

The iPod may be the leading electronic device among the techies but coming to a close second is the latest offering of Microsoft. It is said that the Microsoft Zune will become the biggest competitor of the iPod. Now with a new and hip design, higher memory capacity, wireless sync, podcast support and a much larger screen, the Zune is on its way to the top. The new 80GB Zune has become slimmer with triple the capacity of its older brother. Now, it has become easier for it to fit in the pocket. Yet despite its size, its whopping 3.2 inches LCD screen leaves the iPod’s 2.5 inch screen tad a few steps behind. Also, the screen is now made out of glass, not the conventional plastic, making it more sophisticated and scratch-resistant. Another breakthrough that can be found in the Zune is called the Zune Pad, which is best described by combining a standard four-direction navigation key pad and a touch pad. Because of the presence of the Zune Pad, navigation not only has become quicker but also easier as well. Apart from all the features of the previously launched Zune, the 80GB Zune now has the capability to support podcasts and Wi-Fi networks. Zune users can even transfer videos and music with each other. If that isn’t enough to convince you of the versatility of the Zune, then check out its price and you will see that its value goes beyond more than what it is worth, making it the best iPod alternative there is today.

Kodak Zi6

cbstogner01 — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 02:20:07 +0000

The Kodak Zi6 will fit the needs of the budget-conscious populace. It is technically a high definition camcorder which records video at 30fps and 60fps with a 1,280×720 resolution. However, the technicality stops there because the camera has still a long way to go with creating an image.

The camcorder has a high resolution and has a 2.4-inch LCD which makes it bigger than its competitors. Its size is not what you could call huge because it can fit into pockets, but if you prefer a supercompact camcorder, then there are others which are worth the look aside from the Zi6.

Instead of a rechargeable lithium ion battery, Kodak opted to put two rechargeable AA nickel hydride batteries and charger with the Zi6. The great thing about this battery issue is that alkaline batteries are readily available so if it gets busted, then there will be no problem looking for a replacement. The downside is that you won’t be able to charge the battery with the built-in USB connector.

A clever innovation of the Zi6 is that the button for the USB connector is actually a tiny mirror which allows you to record yourself. There is also a switch that enables you to toggle between macro focus and standard distances. Memory is not that big with the Zi6 with only 30MB available for storage, however, Kodak has provided an expansion slot for SD cards.

On the overall, the functionality of the Zi6 is average with its counterparts. And it is designed to attract the youth with its funky design and other features such as editing and hassle-free uploading to YouTube.

iRiver 2GB Clix

cbstogner01 — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 02:19:00 +0000

The recent launch of the iRiver 2GB Clix has held many iRiver lovers on their seat. Although this improved version of the iRiver is not so different from its predecessor, it is still an outstanding piece in its self.
The new iRiver 2GB Clix is noticeably wider, shorter and thinner. Even with the size improvement, iRiver stuck to its 2.2-inch screen. Though this fact is disappointing to many, the quality of its screen and the graphics displayed is still of outstanding quality.

Just like the original iRiver, the D-click interface is a much loved feature in its 2GB edition. Navigating menus by pressing the sides of the screen is still very impressive to most users. It has easy to locate buttons and is generally pleasing to the eyes.

Not only is the Clix pretty, it is also packed with functionality. It has a voice recorder, an FM tuner, calendar, alarm clock, and supports Flash games. You can even stimulate your vision while listening to music because the Clix is capable of viewing text, JPEG photos, and slide shows. What the Clix lack is wireless connectivity and line-in recording but is not really important if you would only need the Clix for its basic use.

The Clix supports MP3, OGG, and WMA files as well as DRM-protected songs. Anything you can ask for musically can be found in the Clix and it even supports MPEG-4 and WMV9 video. Sound quality is at its best with the Clix.

With iRiver, you know you will have fast and quick downloads and response time because they have put much effort into creating iRiver Clix. Imagine having 24 hour audio playback or 5 hour video playback, where else would you get such a deal?

Canon Vixia HF100

cbstogner01 — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 02:17:17 +0000

Canon has been a brand associated with great cameras and from its portals come the new Vixia HF100. Although the camera is not the first of its kind, it has the potential to be one of the best ones when compared to its counterparts. The camera is sturdy, sleek and has a matte-gray finish.

Vixia HF100 is a petite camera which just weighs 15 ounces and can easily fit into a large jacket pocket. However, because of its size it does not have a large built-in memory. Yet even with its size, Canon did not sacrifice usability since the camera’s controls are very easy to use. Even the 2.7 inch LCD does its job of clearly showing the scene to be photographed.

Video can be recorded with the camera at a maximum of 17 Mbps with its lowest rate at 5Mbps. At its lowest, the camera’s memory can hold up to 6 hours and 5 minutes of video. With a larger memory card, higher quality movies can be stored.

The lens of the camera has a longer reach compared to other cameras with a 12x zoom. Apart from this, everything else is similar to the rest of Canon’s models. Video features include exposure modes, variable zoom, automatic flash, windscreen filter, and progressive modes. For its still camera mode, features like flash and exposure bracketing can be found in the camera.

For its price, the Vixia HF100 will serve its worth. Although it can really be tempting to get a cheaper model, you will not go wrong with the HF100 if you think it will really meet your needs.