Tablet Reviews

ASUS U32U-ES21 Ultra-Portable 13.3-Inch Review

Katie G — Fri, 20 Jul 2012 18:51:22 +0000

When it comes to the world of ultrabooks there are a wide variety of options for you to choose from. Some of them are the ultra-expensive top of the line models that will get you what you need, and probably a lot more than that when all is said and done, or you can look at lower end models that will help you to save a few dollars. The question is, how do you know which one is right for you?

Well, the best thing that you can do is to take a look at what your current needs are, based on what you have right now and where it is lacking for your needs with your current devices, and then you look at models and make your decision. While only you can say what you need, and what you want, looking at the specs on models is something we can do together.

Today we are going to take a look at the ASUS U32U-ES21 Ultra-Portable 13.3-Inch and see if it is right for you.

Let’s being with the price. This model will only set you back about $429.99, plus tax and shipping, and in terms of ultrabooks, so if you are strapped for cash you should definitely think about this model. Lets take a look at those specs.

This system comes equipped with a AMD E Series Dual Core E 450 Processor 1.65GB that is supported by 4GB DIMM RAM. The hard drive has 320GB of storage for your needs. The screen is a little small, at 13.3-Inch Screen, but it does come with a USB 3.0 port for speed. The operating system is Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit for a low learning curve.

So is the ASUS U32U-ES21 Ultra-Portable 13.3-Inch right for you? Only you can say for sure, but this value priced model is worth a look.

Best Apps for Ultrabooks: Work Edition

Katie G — Wed, 11 Jul 2012 16:17:35 +0000

When it comes to getting the best apps for your ultrabooks there are a lot of choices for you to choose from. Well, the first thing we should do is define best for what? Since most people who want to play with their ultrabook are probably going to have some ideas in mind, we are going to talk about apps for work instead of apps for play. So, today lets take a look at some of the best apps for getting down to work on your ultrabook. In order to make things work for ultrabooks with every OS we are going to focus on web based tools that can be used with any computer.

An Office Suite

One of the best office suites that you can use on the web is Zoho Office. It has a wide range of tools that you can use to do everything from the basics of an office suite, manage your calender, run a CRM project, manage new recruits and generate reports. A bonus is that the system is set up to be compatible with both MS Office and Google Apps, so if you need to work with different computers then you can do so easily enough. The system also has a mobile version, so if you need to tap into your documents on your tablet or your smart phone you won’t miss a beat.

Image Editor

Pixlr is a great choice for editing your images online. You can crop, add effects and make your photos look cool in a lot of different ways. If you want to be able to use images in your work, as many bloggers, desktop publishers and web designers will want to, then you will be happy with this tool. If you want an offline version it is also in the App Store for Mac and Android.

Now you can get to work.

Acer Aspire One AO722-0473 vs. HP Mini 210-4150NR,

Katie G — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 16:58:16 +0000

Choosing a new netbook is more than just shopping around. You are making fairly costly purchase that is going to stay with you for quite some time. That means that you need to spend some time doing solid head-to-head comparisons with your technology so, lets take a look at two of your best competitors so that you can make a technology decision. The two machines that are going to duke it out for a place in your wallet and your home are the Acer Aspire One AO722-0473 and the HP Mini 210-4150NR.

Lets begin by talking about the specs on the Acer Aspire One AO722-0473. For $347.81 you will get the following:

* The new look of the Acer Aspire One AO722 is sure to turn heads. The glossy cover features a unique “water ripples” pattern. * The AMD Dual-Core Processor C-60 with HD Internet Technology enriches what you see, share and create so your digital life is more vibrant. * The AO722 boasts great HD resolution and ATI Radeon HD 6290 Graphics with 256MB of dedicated system memory to deliver the performance you need. * Access your email and browse your favorite websites wherever you are with integrated 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi CERTIFIED network connection and fast Ethernet LAN. * Windows 7 Home Premium makes the things you do every day easier and with Office Starter 2010.

Now let take a peep at what you will get from the HP Mini 210-4150NR, for a cost of $324.99. The official specs include:

* Intel Atom N2600 1.6 GHz 1 MB * 1 GB SDRAM * 320 GB 5400 rpm Hard Drive Solid-State Drive * 10.1-Inch Screen * Windows 7 Starter

So, which one should you buy? For the money the HP Mini 210-4150NR is a better choice for someone who wants to work wit their netbook and the Acer Aspire One AO722-0473 is better for play.

Best Netbooks for Media Lovers

Katie G — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 17:16:18 +0000

If you are in search of a netbook for a media lover then you are in the right place. That is why today we are going to take a look at the top 10 netbooks for the download hound, or HD maniac. Each entry will be followed by the official specs so that you can make sure that they meet your needs.

ASUS Eee PC 1015PN-PU17-BK 10.1-Inch Netbook (Black)

* Intel Atom Dual Core N550 * Nvidia Ion2 Dedicated Graphics; HDMI and VGA Out; 3 USB 2.0 ports * 1GB DDR3 RAM, 1 SODIMM Slot, 2GB Max; 250GB SATA Hard Drive (5400RPM) + 500GB Free Web Storage * 10.1-Inch 1024X600 WSVGA Matte Finish LED Display; 802.11 b/g/n; Bluetooth 3.0; Chiclet Keyboard * 9.5 Hours of Battery Life; Windows 7 Starter Operating System (32 bit); 0.3MP Webcam

ASUS Eee PC 1015PEM-PU17-BK 10.1-Inch Netbook (Black)

* Intel Atom Dual Core N550 * 1GB DDR3 RAM, 1 SODIMM Slot, 2GB Max * 250GB SATA Hard Drive (5400RPM) * 10.1-Inch 1024X600 WSVGA Matte Finish LED Display, Intel GMA 3150 graphics * 13 Hours of Battery Life; Windows 7 Starter Operating System (32 bit); 0.3MP Webcam

Asus Eee PC 1001P-MU17-BK 10.1-Inch Intel Atom Netbook Computer (Black)

* 1.66GHz Intel N450 Atom Processor (512KB L2 Cache) * 1 GB DDR2 SODIMM memory, Max Capacity upto 2 GB * 10.1″ WSVGA (1024×600) WideScreen matte LCD w/ LED-backlit * Integrated Graphics Controller * 160 GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive

ASUS Eee PC Seashell 1215N-PU17-BK 12.1-Inch Netbook with 6 Hours of Battery Life – Black

* Intel Atom D525 dual-core processor (1.8 GHz) * 2GB DDR3, 1 x SODIMM slot (expandable to 4GB) * 250GB SATA Hard Drive (5400RPM); No Optical Drive * 12.1-inch LED-Backlit WXGA display (1366 x 768) * Windows 7 Home Premium

Sony VAIO VPC-W211AX/T 10-Inch Netbook (Brown)

* 1.66GHz Intel N450 Atom Processor * 1GB DDR2 667MHz Memory; Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 3150 * 250GB SATA Hard Drive (5400RPM); Bluetooth Technology; Wireless 802.11 b/g/n * 10.1″ LED (1366×768) Display; Integrated MOTION EYE Camera & Microphone * Microsoft Windows 7 Starter (32-bit); *Up to 8 Hours of Battery Life

Now you can compare and find the media netbook of your dreams.

7" Android 2.2 Tablet WIFI+3G Review

Katie G — Wed, 29 Jun 2011 16:12:19 +0000

Buying a tablet is a lot like any other purchase. There are a lot of top of the line models that while they have a lot of swagger, have a lot of bells and whistles are not all that useful for most users on a day to day basis. Then there are middle of the road models, which are great for a wide variety of end users. Then there are the most basic models in the heap. While they may not be right for a lot of users they do have their place. The Black 7″ Android 2.2 Tablet is a model that falls into that category. It is a great option for users with basics needs. Don’t understand? Let’s think about this model. Lets say you have a child who wants a mobile device. You do not want to get them a smart phone because of the costs of a monthly contract, and the inherent risks. You simply cannot afford to buy them a notebook PC, which after shelling out several hundred dollars for could easily be damaged by a child. That is not a good investment. This brings you to a Wi-Fi enabled tablet and that seems like a workable plan. Since they will not have an Internet connection in their pocket you do not need to worry about having a hard time supervising what is going on with your child’s Internet access. You can simply peek over the shoulder. You don’t have to worry about adding on an extra monthly bill and if you buy an inexpensive model you will not have a large one time cost. Your child can have a basic device and you will not have an empty wallet. The Black 7″ Android 2.2 Tablet has a basic processor and a modest amount of memory to its name. For business users this would be a problem but for home use, web based games and other light tasks this is just right. The screen has been reported by some users to be a little bit picky. It needs to be touched relatively hard in order to register in some cases. With children however this is not a bad thing. Most of them tend to abuse their technology and press the screens harder than they need to anyway, so in this case that becomes less of a detriment and more of a safety feature. A device with a more sensitive screen would be confused by that type of input. On the whole this tablet, which will cost you about $100 to buy, is a bargain in the right hands. If you are looking for a good gift for a technologically inclined child then you will want to consider the Black 7″ Android 2.2 Tablet strongly. It is a good choice at a fair price. If you are looking for something that is a bit more intense then you may want to consider looking at our tablet comparisons page. It offers a wide variety of models and you are sure to find one that meets your needs.

Amazon Tablet Coming in August

Katie G — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 14:55:10 +0000

We all know that Amazon is working on a shiny new tablet of its own and now we know that it is likely to be available to the public in August or September of this year. Speculation has been flying around that it will either be a lot like one of Amazon’s break away hits with a similar form factor, The Kindle or its next generation counterpart, the Kindle 3G, that features some interesting new features. Sadly, what the device is like is not really the issue. A device can be perfectly serviceable but if it is not as good as the similarly priced competition it is not going to go very for. Especially when you consider that Amazon is coming into the game late when you compare it to its major competitors. To that end, lets take a look at what the Amazon tablet may look like if it does what a smart company would do at this point: Take the best of all of its competitors devices to make a machine that will wow consumers and break in with a splash. The iPad 2 The Apple iPad 2 does graphics very, very well. There is just no getting around it. If you want to be in one of the top spots you are going to need to meet or exceed the screen resolution that iPad users are getting for their media. The Motorola Xoom The Motorola Xoom has gotten attention because of two things; its support for the adobe flash standard and a near limitless capacity for memory upgrades. Unlike other tablets that can not handle more than an extra 32 GB tablet having a device with loads of upgrade capacity, and multiple types of external memory supported would be a great way to appeal to the business set. A Great App Marketplace Amazon is in luck its App Store already has loads of apps for work and gaming including popular titles such as Angry Birds and Plants vs. Zombies. The use of this is almost guaranteed.

Will there ever be an iPad Killer?

Katie G — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 02:27:15 +0000

It seems like each and every time a new high end tablet comes out people begin the same tiresome discussion. Everyone has their own point-of-view on the debate as to whether or not this new tablet is going to be an iPad killer and they have absolutely no compunction about expounding on it at sometimes ridiculous lengths. So, since this merry-go-round does not seem to be on the outs anytime in the near future lets just answer the real question that is on everyone’s mind: will there ever be an iPad killer? Lets be honest, based on the history that Apple has shown with other mobile devices the odds are that the iPad is not going to be going anywhere any time soon. The system has risen to a top ranking in the sales of tablets and while others may go up and down in any single fiscal quarter it still remains one of the most talked about, and definitely one of the most compared to tablets on the market. Lets look at some of the options that have been compared to the iPad. The Motorola Xoom is the first comparison. The first iPad may have had a shot of having its biggest rival, the Motorola Xoom into a serious contender. Many reviewers it as better with the addition of Flash, but the iPad 2 made its debut and the systems were uneven again. The Xoom is still a great option, but it just can’t seem to take down apple. The next contender is the Samsung Galaxy Tab, but it has significantly smaller built in memory that the iPad so it cannot keep its spot as an iPad killer. The final chance is the Acer Iconia Tab A500-10S16u and with its great resolution it has a shot, until you look at the rest of the specs. When you go back to the memory you will find that you are in the same place that you were with the Galaxy Tab. So, will there ever be an iPad killer? Probably not, but there really does not need to be one. To be honest you do not have to be concerned with whether or not your tablet is better than the iPad, you should be worried about whether or not the tablet you are looking at is the right one for your needs. If you are happy with what you have then that is what really matters.

ViewSonic ViewPad 7 Tablet Review

Katie G — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 18:28:45 +0000

Sometimes when you buy a piece of new technology you need to get the top of the line model. Sometimes all of those features and the enhancements are really necessary. Other times they are just bells and whistles that keep you distracted long enough to suck up your cash. Then a few weeks or months into the process you find out that you really did not need those extra features, since you do not really use them anyway. You find out that the truth is that you could have been quite happy with a less expensive and less advanced model that met your needs without busting your budget. That is where a tablet such as the ViewSonic ViewPad 7 Tablet comes into play for just under $300. This line was announced with great fanfare and anticipation (http://www.tablet-reviews.com/viewsonic-debut-tablet-pcs-ifa-2010-viewpad-7-android-tablet-windowsandroid-viewpad-10/) in 2010, and it turned out to live up to the hype. Tablets in the ViewPad series generally offer consumers a solid product at a price that is a third of the iPad, which is good news for those of you who want to get your hands onto a tablet PC of your very own without spending too much of your discretionary income on this one purchase. Lets start with the screen. The ViewSonic ViewPad has a seven inch screen, which is a solid screen size with a resolution of 800×480 which is not exactly high-definition but it is a good screen quality for both your work presentations and streaming video services in standard definition. Though, some users have tested it with HD media and found that it can run the media without any flickering or stuttering of the media playback. You just won’t see it in high definition. Some users have reported some issues with charging the device. After a while the cord gets loose and may have to be wedged into place in order to keep a decent connection and remain charging. You just have to keep an eye on your device for any signs of this problem. Users who have contacted the company about this issue have had good luck with getting the company to replace the cord. The processor, a Qualcomm MSM7227, is strong enough to give you what you want, and it works with the Android OS, which gives you access to a wide variety of apps from the Android Market. The memory is less than 1GB, so expect to buy some expandable memory to go with your system if you actually want to use any of those apps or store documents for more than just today’s needs. Since this is fairly common with budget models it is not a big deal. The system boasts six hours of battery life, which is good news for those of you who do not plan on using your machine for the whole workday. For most users it will be enough to do what you need to for day-to-day work and play needs. Just be aware that on your longer days you should have the charging cord on hand. On the whole the ViewSonic ViewPad 7 is a great budget friendly option for users who do not need the bragging rights of a higher end model. If it is not the one for you, check out our tablet comparison page to find what you need.

A Comparison of Wireless Plan Costs for The Samsung Galaxy Tab?

Katie G — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 15:29:20 +0000

If you are interested in the Samsung Galaxy Tab then you have a lot to think about. It is not that the Galaxy Tab is a bad device to buy because our Samsung Galaxy review, was solid, but like many tablets you need to consider the service that will be backing it up. Unlike a lot of other tablets that can have their own data plans, the Galaxy tab is not tied to one specific carrier. You can get your Samsung Galaxy Tab set up for most of the major wireless carriers including: Sprint, Verizon Wireless, and even AT&T, but you may be wondering what exactly is the difference between them. To begin with price, at least if you plan to buy your brand new tablet PC on Amazon, can be very different. The Sprint version will clock in at about $300 as will the Verizon. The T-mobile version clocks in at $435 but the king of cost will be with AT&T with a $659 price tag. Now, lets talk about your data plan payments and how much that will set you back each month. Assuming that you want the unlimited plans you will be spending roughly this amount: – Verizon: $119 per month – AT&T : $114 per month – Sprint : $99 per month – T-Mobile: $89 per month That being said, if you are all about the budget and you plan to have your tablet for the long term then you may want to stick with the T-mobile model. You will spend a bit more in the initial outlay for the tablet but you will make it up in two years time. Then the costs will be well worth the difference in rates. Other than that, these tablets are fairly identical. You can get the same memory spaces from each carrier without too much fuss. Of course, there is the coverage area to consider. The success or failure of your network will vary wildly depending on which carrier you are talking about and where you live. Best to ask your friends and associates about their cell phone coverage before you commit. That way, you get current and hyper local information. Of course, if you want to have a Samsung Galaxy Tab without the data plan you can buy the Wi-Fi model. This will allow you to work and play where you want, while only connecting to the web while you are connected to the Internet in a Wi-Fi zone. For most city dwellers this will not be a big problem since free Wi-Fi is everywhere. For anyone who does not want a long term commitment and does not need to be in constant contact this can be a great option to have your tablet and your budget too. If the Galaxy Tab is not for you have no fear. Just check out our tablet comparison page to find the model that will make you happy. After all if you are going to make the investment you should get what you want.

Xplore Releases Rugged Tablets in Europe

Katie G — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 03:48:38 +0000

Recently Xplore Technologies Corp. recently announced the release of a line of rugged tablets designed for a variety of different industries. The five tablets in the new line, dubbed the iX104C5 line, are being released to the European market this week, but they have created a renewed interest in rugged tablets that can work in a variety of different environments without being damaged by the harsh environments that they travel in, or a particularly clumsy end user. While the vast majority of the tablets listed in the system are designed to work in a variety of specific job roles, from military applications to clean rooms. Of course, if you want a tough tablet that has been field-tested then you don’t have to get it from Xplore. There are a wide variety of real world tough tablet PCs that you can get your hands on right now. Today, we are going to look at two of the best options for your rough tablet PC needs. Your Best Budget Option – The Motion F5 Rugged Tablet PC The Motion F5 Rugged Tablet PC is one of the better budget friendly options for a tough PC. Coming in at about $950 the machine is ultra portable and has a tough outer shell. You may not be too used to the sticker shock of a system that is designed to be this sturdy but this is a great price. Just be aware that it is not listed as waterproof so keep that in mind as you use it. Best Luxurious Option – TDS Trimble Yuma Waterproof Rugged Tablet Handheld If you are in search of a rugged tablet that is waterproof then you should take a look at the TDS Trimble Yuma Waterproof Rugged Tablet. It is a significantly more expensive machine, coming in at roughly $3900, but it also has some of the really nice features that you want in a tablet, such as dual camera, built in GPS and Bluetooth compatibility. The hard drive comes in at a solid 32 GB, which while admittedly not large it can be expanded with either of the two USB ports. There you have it. Two of the best choices that you have in the world of rugged tablet PCs that you can get your hands on right now without any of the stress of waiting.