Saying decisively that a certain product is "the best" can really vary year by year as styles change and models get updated, become obsolete or are discontinued. But major companies also have reputations to consider.
Ranking the reputations of manufacturers is subjective and can vary based on individual preferences, specific categories, and customer experiences. The reputation of manufacturers can be influenced by factors such as quality, craftsmanship, design, durability, customer service, and value for money. While it is a difficult process to provide an all-encompassing ranking, here are several well-regarded manufacturers with a stellar reputation:
Samsung: Samsung is widely regarded as having the most reputable brand
known for its wide range of tablets, including the Galaxy Tab series.
They offer tablets in various sizes and configurations, catering to
different user needs. Samsung tablets are recognized for their vibrant
displays, solid performance, and features such as S Pen compatibility
and DeX mode.
Apple: Apple is a reputable and influential brand in the tablet market.
Their iPad lineup, including the iPad Pro, iPad Air, and iPad mini, has
set industry standards for design, performance, and user experience.
Apple's tablets are known for their high-quality displays, powerful
processors, extensive app ecosystem, and seamless integration with other
Apple devices.
Microsoft: Microsoft's Surface lineup has gained a strong reputation, particularly in the 2-in-1 tablet category. The Surface Pro and Surface Go tablets are highly regarded for their premium build quality, productivity-focused features, and seamless integration with Windows software. Microsoft tablets often appeal to professionals and creative users due to their versatility and compatibility with accessories like the Surface Pen and Type Cover.
Lenovo: Lenovo offers a range of tablets, including both Android-based and Windows-based devices. Their Yoga Tab and ThinkPad tablet series have gained recognition for their unique designs, long battery life, and solid performance. Lenovo tablets often provide a good balance between affordability and features.
Amazon: Amazon's Fire tablets have gained popularity for their affordable price points and integration with Amazon's services. While they may not have the same level of high-end features as other brands, Amazon tablets are known for their budget-friendly options, access to a vast library of digital content, and user-friendly interface.
Huawei: Huawei has made strides in the tablet market with its MatePad series. They offer tablets with sleek designs, vibrant displays, and solid performance. Huawei tablets often appeal to users looking for a good balance between features and value for money.
Google: Google's Pixel Slate and Pixel C tablets have gained a moderate reputation for their clean software experience and integration with Google's ecosystem. However, Google's presence in the tablet market has been relatively limited compared to other manufacturers.
Asus: Asus offers a variety of tablets, including their ZenPad and Transformer Pad series. While they may not have as high of a brand reputation as some other manufacturers, Asus tablets are appreciated for their affordability, decent performance, and features like expandable storage.
Saying decisively that a certain product is "the best" can really vary year by year as styles change and models get updated, become obsolete or are discontinued. But major companies also have reputations to consider.
Ranking the reputations of manufacturers is subjective and can vary based on individual preferences, specific categories, and customer experiences. The reputation of manufacturers can be influenced by factors such as quality, craftsmanship, design, durability, customer service, and value for money. While it is a difficult process to provide an all-encompassing ranking, here are several well-regarded manufacturers with a stellar reputation:
HP (Hewlett-Packard): HP is a well-known and trusted brand in the laptop
market. They offer a diverse range of laptops catering to different
user needs, from budget-friendly options to high-performance machines.
HP laptops are recognized for their solid performance and innovative
features.
Dell: Dell has established a solid reputation by offering a wide range of laptops, including consumer and business-oriented models. They are known for their reliability, durability, and excellent customer service.
Apple: Apple consistently ranks highly in terms of reputation due to its
focus on premium design, user experience, and quality craftsmanship.
Their MacBook lineup is renowned for its sleekness, performance, and
integration with other Apple devices.
Lenovo: Lenovo has gained a strong reputation through its ThinkPad series, which is highly regarded for its exceptional build quality, durability, and renowned keyboards. Lenovo laptops are popular among business professionals and students alike.
Asus: Asus has made significant strides in recent years and has gained a favorable reputation for its laptops. They offer a wide variety of models that cater to different user requirements, including gaming laptops that have gained popularity for their performance and value for money.
Acer: Acer has built a reputation for providing affordable laptops that offer good value for the price. While they may not be as high-end as some other brands, Acer laptops are known for their decent performance, budget-friendly options, and extensive product range.
Microsoft: Microsoft has made a name for itself in the laptop market with its Surface lineup. These devices are highly regarded for their premium build quality, innovative design, and integration with Microsoft's software ecosystem.
MSI: MSI primarily focuses on gaming laptops and has gained a reputation among gamers for their high-performance machines. Their laptops often feature powerful hardware configurations and cutting-edge graphics capabilities.
Saying decisively that a certain product is "the best" can really vary year by year as styles change and models get updated, become obsolete or are discontinued. But major companies also have reputations to consider.
Ranking the reputations of manufacturers is subjective and can vary based on individual preferences, specific categories, and customer experiences. The reputation of manufacturers can be influenced by factors such as quality, craftsmanship, design, durability, customer service, and value for money. While it is a difficult process to provide an all-encompassing ranking, here are several well-regarded manufacturers with a stellar reputation:
HP: HP (Hewlett-Packard) is widely recognized for its diverse lineup of
desktop computers suitable for different needs and budgets. HP computers
often receive positive reviews for their sleek design, powerful performance, reliability, and
value for money. They are known for their wide availability and strong
presence in both consumer and business markets.
Dell: Dell is a well-established brand that offers a wide range of desktop computers, including consumer-oriented models and powerful workstations. Dell computers often receive positive feedback for their reliable performance, build quality, and customizable options. They are appreciated for their strong customer support and after-sales service.
Apple: Apple is recognized for its quality desktop
computers, particularly the iMac and Mac Pro. Apple computers often
receive positive reviews for their design, performance,
user-friendly operating system (macOS), and integration with other Apple
devices. They are known for their strong focus on design aesthetics and
innovation in areas such as display technology and performance
optimization.
Lenovo: Lenovo is a reputable brand known for its reliable and durable desktop computers. Lenovo computers often receive positive feedback for their build quality, performance, and robustness. They are appreciated for their focus on innovation and features designed for productivity, such as ergonomic designs and enterprise-level security options.
Acer: Acer offers a range of desktop computers that cater to different price points and user requirements. Acer computers often receive positive reviews for their affordability, performance, and availability of options for casual users and gamers alike. They are recognized for providing a balance between value and features.
ASUS: ASUS is known for its desktop computers, particularly those designed for gaming enthusiasts. ASUS computers often receive positive feedback for their high-performance components, advanced cooling systems, and customizable features. They are appreciated for their focus on gaming-centric design elements and optimization.
Saying decisively that a certain product is "the best" can really vary year by year as styles change and models get updated, become obsolete or are discontinued. But major companies also have reputations to consider.
Ranking the reputations of manufacturers is subjective and can vary based on individual preferences, specific categories, and customer experiences. The reputation of manufacturers can be influenced by factors such as quality, craftsmanship, design, durability, customer service, and value for money. While it is a difficult process to provide an all-encompassing ranking, here are several well-regarded manufacturers with a stellar reputation:
Epson: Epson is widely regarded as a reputable brand in the inkjet printer market. Epson printers often receive positive reviews for their excellent print quality, vibrant colors, and reliable performance. They are known for their advanced printing technologies, such as PrecisionCore printhead technology, and a wide range of models catering to different printing needs.
Canon: Canon is recognized for producing a variety of inkjet printers that offer a good balance between print quality, features, and affordability. Canon printers often receive positive feedback for their sharp text printing, accurate color reproduction, and user-friendly interfaces. They are appreciated for their versatility in handling different paper sizes and types.
HP (Hewlett-Packard): HP is a well-established brand in the printer market, offering a range of inkjet printers for home and office use. HP printers often receive positive reviews for their reliability, ease of use, and fast printing speeds. They are known for their wide availability, compatibility with various operating systems, and strong customer support.
Brother: Brother is known for producing inkjet printers that offer a good balance between affordability and performance. Brother printers often receive positive feedback for their reliable printing, wireless connectivity options, and user-friendly interfaces. They are recognized for their focus on productivity features, such as automatic duplex printing and high paper capacity.
Xerox: Xerox offers a range of inkjet printers designed for small to medium-sized businesses. Xerox printers often receive positive reviews for their high-quality prints, fast printing speeds, and advanced features for document management. They are appreciated for their durability and robustness, making them suitable for demanding office environments.
Lexmark: Lexmark is recognized for its inkjet printers that offer reliable performance and competitive print quality. Lexmark printers often receive positive feedback for their durability, ease of use, and compatibility with various operating systems. They are known for their focus on business printing needs, including features such as wireless connectivity and document security.
You may have heard of directional couplers but not really known what is meant by the term. This is true for most people, so it is nothing to really be alarmed about. Here is a basic breakdown of everything you need to know about directional couplers.
Essentially, the couplers are circuits consisting of four-ports where a single port is completely isolated from the input port. By consisting of these attributes, they are defined as networks of passive reciprocity. Each of the four ports is matched to the other three and the circuit is completely lossless.
There are several ways in which the realization of the directional coupler applications can be solidified. These ways include coaxial, stripline, wavelength, and microstrip. They can be used in this way to sample the signal. This sampling technique can include both the wave reflections and the actual incident itself. The couplers also generally work by using the individual properties distributed by microwave circuits. This property of coupling tends to exclusively work within a distance of a quarter-wavelength or in portions of multiple quarter-wavelengths of the device doing the distribution.
The four ports of the directional coupler each have individual names and attributes. The first port is known as the through port. This port is where the signal of incidence mainly exists. The second port is known as the coupled port. This port is where a portion of the input signal will appear and represent itself in the form of decibels, in most cases. The third port is called the isolated port which is where the signal will be terminated. The fourth port, obviously, is called the input. This port is where the signal originates. In some instances, the end user may choose to reverse the direction of the signal so that it actually exits through the input port but this is not a common occurrence.
So the video below is by YouTube user Rick Beato - who has purchased a lot of Apple products over the years. Feel free to listen to his rant about why he thinks old Apple products are actually better than new Apple products.
Why I despise all Apple products: Overrated, Overpriced, Incompatible Garbage
By C. M.
To me Apple products were NEVER good, and it was never for a lack of using them.
My high school used Apple computers. They always had errors.
My university used Apple computers. They were annoyingly slow and had compatibility problems.
Several work places over the years used Apple computers. They were very slow to work with. Doing what is normally a simple task would take forever on a Mac.
My wife has an Apple computer and 2 iPhones. Both of which I find annoyingly slow to use due to bad software design.
And I hated these horrible computers the whole time.
So when iPods, iPhones and iPads eventually came out, I was none too impressed because it was always the same problems.
Apple was not compatible with anything else - often including other Apple products.
They were slower to use.
Could not be modified or personalized as easily.
More errors.
Even simple things like using the phone to call people was sometimes beyond products like the iPhone 4 because of design faults.
And to top it all off, Apple products are notoriously overpriced and overrated. eg. You could get equivalent products from other manufacturers (Hewlett Packard for computers, Samsung for cellphones) which had better prices, better reviews, and less problems.
And innovation? Basically non-existent.
True, the iPhone and iPad were the first mass market smartphones and tablets which won popularity - but they were not the first products of this kind. They were actually ripped off from older products that were less popular, but had been innovative ahead of their time.
All Apple did was take innovative products, make a few tiny improvements, slap the Apple logo on it, and then market it.
And to be clear, most of Apple's operating expenses is actually marketing.
They spend very little on innovation.
Their software designs have become increasingly sloppy (as pointed out in the video at the top).
They don't even manufacture their own parts - they farm that out to Samsung and other companies and then hire intermediate factories to assemble the final product.
This is why the new iPhone X is now $999... and yet really doesn't anything new to brag about. It is basically identical to the iPhone 8 with a few minor tweaks.
The biggest change is actually just the price tag.
So look at the huge price jump between the iPhone 8 and the X. It is an extra $300 USD.
So what has changed...?
Slightly Bigger Screen Size, Resolution and Ratio
iPhone X - 5.8-inch 18.5:9 True Tone OLED, 2436 x 1125 pixels (458 ppi), 82.9% screen-to-body ratio
iPhone 8 - 4.7-inch 16:9 True Tone LCD, 1334 x 750 pixels (326 ppi), 65.6% screen-to-body ratio
Size and Weighs More
iPhone X - 143.6 x 70.9 x 7.7 mm (5.65 x 2.79 x 0.30 in) and 174g (6.14 oz)
iPhone 8 - 138.4 x 67.3 x 7.3 mm (5.45 x 2.65 x 0.29 in) and 148g (5.22 oz)
Lightning Port
iPhone X - Lightning Port compatibility problems.
iPhone 8 - Lightning Port compatibility problems.
Chipset
iPhone X - Apple A11 ‘Bionic’ chipset: Six Core CPU, Six Core GPU, producing 2.5 GHz, M11 motion coprocessor, 3GB RAM
iPhone 8 - Apple A11 ‘Bionic’ chipset: Six Core CPU, Six Core GPU, producing 2.5 GHz, M11 motion coprocessor, 2GB RAM
Release Date
iPhone X - November 3rd 2017. (2 weeks to go...)
iPhone 8 - September 22nd 2017. (Almost 1 month ago...)
Price and GB Space
iPhone X - 64GB ($999), 256GB ($1,149)
iPhone 8 - 64GB ($699), 256GB ($849)
Trust me, when getting a new cellphone it is worth it to have the extra space. So only morons would buy the 64 GB version.
But ultimately you are paying an extra $300 for ... what? Slightly better screen resolution and size? I suppose if you cannot afford a TV set and you watch movies on your cellphone all the time, it might be worth it...
Meanwhile those of us with brains just go and buy a TV set.
eg. Canadians can currently get a Samsung 50" 4K UHD HDR LED Tizen Smart TV for $799.99 CDN at Best Buy. (Sale ends November 2nd 2017.)
And then just Netflix and Chill.
Is an extra tiny bit of screen size really important to you that you have to pay an extra $300?
Because if it is, just go buy a tablet - or a mini tablet even. They are getting really cheap...
Asides from price the biggest new thing on the iPhone X is that it has a retinal eye scanner, making it more difficult for thieves to open your phone - or making it more difficult for your husband/wife/boyfriend/girlfriend to check if you are cheating on them.
Meanwhile, just for argument's sake... lets see what Samsung is coming out with.
The Samsung Galaxy S8 (already on the market) is:
The exact same screen size as the iPhone X. (So evidently the iPhone X is copying Samsung.)
64 GB in the base model (same thing), but you can get up to 256 GB.
4 GB RAM (that is 1 extra GB of RAM more than the iPhone X, and double what the iPhone 8 offers).
2960 x 1440 pixels (570 ppi), 18.5:9 ratio (same ratio, but with an extra 112 ppi than the iPhone X)
Chipset x8 - Exynos 8895 Octa - EMEA Qualcomm MSM8998 Snapdragon 835 (so 8 chips instead of 6 in the iPhone 8 or X) producing 4x2.35 GHz Kryo.
Micro USB port - compatible with pretty much everything on the market (except Apple phones obviously).
Li-Ion 3000 mAh battery. (The iPhone X only has a 2,715 mAh battery.)
And that is the current model that has been available since March 2017. 8 months ago.
So clearly the Samsung S8 is already superior to the iPhone X. More pixels per inch, more RAM, more compatibility, and more battery life. The CPU speeds are comparable.
But above I said "lets see what Samsung is coming out with."
Meaning the future. Not what Samsung released 8 months ago. What we really should be talking about is the...
Samsung S9
Samsung Galaxy S9
Featuring a retinal scanner - again, so people can cheat on their significant others - but also with the options for facial recognition and fingerprint scanning.
Probable release date? February 26th or March 2018.
Snapdragon 845 processor - with 30% more power efficiency than the 835, which increases battery life.
Boost modem speed by 20% so you can download files from the internet that much faster.
Base price expected to be $1,049.99. Expect closer to $1,199.99 for the 256 GB version.
A lot of the details of what the S9 will have are unknown at this time.
But what we do know is several things.
It will probably be more expensive than the iPhone X.
It will be better than the iPhone X (seeing as the S8 is already better).
It will provide faster internet.
Significantly longer battery life - which will be a huge step forward.
And therein lies the problem with the whole Apple Vs Samsung rivalry. They are always trying to one up each other, but Samsung is increasingly winning.
Just look at the iPhone 8 / X for example. The S8 came out back in March 2017 and it took Apple 7 months to come out with the iPhone 8 (a clearly inferior product) and then they are rushing to market the iPhone X before Christmas (which is also still an inferior product, just not as bad as the 8).
So why should anyone buy somebody an inferior product as a Christmas gift?
Or better yet, why not wait? Just wait for the S9 to come out in February/March 2018 and then get it as a birthday gift or whatever instead. Because it will clearly be a superior product.
Which explains why Samsung will be able to charge an extra $50 USD for it.
During the post we explained how most of the iPhone was made by other companies, like Samsung. The actual cost of the components to make it was a mere $178 USD.
So a good question now is, what does the components of an iPhone X or Samsung S9 actually cost?
It is an important question, but I am willing to bet it is less than $200 USD for both. They just jack up the price and sell it for $999 or $1200.
Which makes you realize that most of what they are doing is marketing. Marketing and claims about how wonderful their product is.
It makes me wonder what would happen if someone came out with a No Name Brand cellphone.
Spend zero on marketing, but design it, use Android as an operating system, and then sell it for a mere $333. Less than one third the price of an iPhone X or a Samsung S9, but with all the power, performance, screeen resolution, etc.
And don't sell it in Best Buy or electronics stores... sell it in grocery stores. Which means every time people go to buy food they see a sleekly designed smartphone that is affordable and does everything you expect a smartphone to do. A seemingly basic model that has comparable performance.
It would not be a status symbol like Apple or Samsung have become. It would be a phone that works, is inexpensive, and there is no fuss about company rivalry or status.
I am typing this product review at the beach on my tablet while my phone is charging thanks to three things.
1. The Hello Nomad USB Chargecard - which is a credit card shaped USB cord that fits nicely in my wallet.
2. The I/O Magic battery pack - which once charged provides roughly twice the battery juice of my cellphone battery.
3. And the portable wifi hotspot from my phone, which grants my tablet internet access.
Which means I can go on a 3-day vacation and charge my phone using these two handy devices and still have plenty of juice by the time I return on the 3rd night. (I am basing this on my normal battery consumption per day, which is about 66% of a full battery per day.)
I purchased the I/O Magic battery pack months ago and have been meaning to do a review on the topic. It works, it is handy when I am going to be using my phone often on a particular day. It does exactly what it is supposed to do and having three times the battery charge is very handy for vacations.
When I purchased it it also came with a 2nd battery charger, so if I take both batteries I can go on a 5 day vacation and really not have to worry at all about my battery power.
Hello Nomad Chargekey
The Hello Nomad USB Chargecard also came with a Chargekey, which attaches to your keychain - which I misplaced and recently found again last night. I really should stick it on a keychain so I don't lose it again. Anyway, the Hello Nomad USB Chargecard is simply a tiny USB cord in the shape of a credit card. It can be used to charge your phone or other USB device whenever plugged into any USB power source - like the battery packs mentioned above.
Together these two products make it really easy to charge my phone. The Chargecard alone is handy because then I just need to find a power source and it takes up very little space in my wallet.
But in combination, they are handy little things to have on me for vacations, work, events, etc.
Sometimes I forget to charge my phone and they end up saving a lot of time too since I can just grab the battery pack and I already know I have the Chargecard in my wallet so I don't need to go searching for a cord to take with me. Very handy.
If you are the type of person who uses their phone a lot - and it runs low regularly - then these are two devices you will find very handy. I use both devices regularly.
UPDATE, July 2015
Earlier this week the Chargecard from Nomad broke. I have been using the product for almost a year now, regularly, and keeping it in my wallet for whenever I need it. The part that broke was the plastic around the Mini USB. It just snapped unexpectedly.
I have contacted Nomad to report the defect and to see if it is possible to get a replacement. Hopefully they will be willing to snail mail me a replacement Chargecard.
Had it for 7.75 years. Would have been 8 years in February.
Made the change because I was moving into a new apartment and frankly, Rogers wasn't giving the best quality service.
See all previous complaints about Rogers internet crashing, going down, etc.
Don't get me wrong, most of the time Rogers worked perfectly. And it was fast. I give Rogers internet 5 stars for the speed I was getting with respect to downloads and so forth.
But "most of the time" doesn't cut it when I need my internet to be working constantly for work reasons.
And then there was the customer service... which was a combination of computer system and whatever poor saps work in the customer service department. I feel sorry for them, I really do. That is a horrible job.
Big corporation customer service is often less than stellar. I give Rogers customer service 2.5 stars out of 5.
There are other factors too that I didn't like.
Hidden fees on my bills that come out later.
The email spam / snail mail they send customers.
Their insistence on trying to get everyone to sign a contract for a year or more for service.
Overall I give Rogers 3 stars out of 5. Fast, but not reliable and very annoying.
So who am I replacing Rogers with?
Bell.
Which I have tried before and it was "okay". 3.5 stars out of 5 if I recollect correctly. Marginally better than Rogers.
It does make me wish there was more internet companies wooing Canadians than just Rogers and Bell. Or rather, more internet companies with lots of speed and GOOD or decent prices.
For example TekSavvy is a newer company that sells internet connections via dialup, cable, and DSL.
They advertise their prices as being competitive. And it sounds good on paper, but the prices in the commercials and advertising is for their BASIC rate.
Meaning if you want more speed, more bandwidth, etc... well then you need to pay extra. They also charge you extra for the cable activation fee if you don't purchase a modem from them. (And if you don't like their service, they don't take back the modem and refund the difference.)
Cost of the modem? Between $99 and $120, depending on the type you purchase. If you don't buy the modem then they rent it to you. So you end up paying for it either way.
If you go over on bandwidth they charge 50 cents for every GB over.
So TekSavvy is just as much a money grubber as Rogers and Bell.
One of these days a new company is going to come along, offer internet service for a fair price - set a really high limit on the bandwidth, and have 100% uptime. At which point nobody will complain about the customer service because they won't need any customer service. It will just WORK the way it is meant to.
And then maybe Rogers and Bell will start taking the quality of their service seriously.
UPDATE!
Rogers is overcharging me on my final bill. No surprise there. Booooo Rogers! Boo!
If you Google various combinations of "screen of death" you get some interesting results as to which products people complain about the most when it comes to their computers / devices failing to work / load properly.
102 million for iphone blue screen of death
70.2 million for android black screen of death
58.9 million for apple white screen of death
54.7 million for windows blue screen of death
34.3 million for windows 7 blue screen of death
26 million for windows 8 blue screen of death
16.4 million for android black screen of death
6.76 million for windows me blue screen of death
5.48 million for linux screen of death
3.13 million for mac white screen of death
1.56 million for windows xp blue screen of death
546,000 for windows 3.11 blue screen of death
276,000 for windows 3.1 blue screen of death
Feel free to do your own research into this topic. Draw your own conclusions as to which operating systems are the most reliable / best for your computer / phone needs.
Please note that some products have larger market shares, and yet have less complaints about them.
Today I purchased a Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 - and before you jump to conclusions let me first start by saying the following.
I HATE TABLETS.
They don't have a keyboard.
The touchscreens get annoying after awhile.
You have to learn a whole new operating system.
You have to be more careful with them than laptops - which in comparison don't need screen protectors, etc.
In general I consider tablets to be annoying gadgets which are flashy and really meant for show...
Which is exactly why I bought one, for meeting website design / SEO clients who want to know that the person they are hiring to design their website / do their search engine optimization knows what they are doing.
My old notepad computer, a Toshiba, still works just fine, but I find it has become a nuisance during business meetings because the battery wears down faster and sometimes I end up using my Samsung Galaxy S2 smartphone by the end of the meeting.
With the tablet on a full charge it lasts for 5+ hours - so unless it is a really long business meeting I should be just fine.
And it is flashy and serves its purpose for snagging new clients. The Toshiba notepad meanwhile will stay at home where I can use it when I feel like watching TV and typing at the same time. It at least has a proper keyboard.
Now I could - and I am very tempted to do so - get a bluetooth keyboard that is compatible with my tablet. I will think about it at least.
Now why did I choose the Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 you might wonder?
Well, I wanted an Android tablet because they are more reliable software wise. iPads have a lot of software compatibility problems, so anything made by Apple was automatically useless. The last thing I want to do is have a business meeting and my client wants to share a file with me and they can't show me the file because the iPad isn't compatible.
When it comes to Android tablets I could basically take my pick of companies.
I could have got a Sony instead - and indeed BestBuy had a sale on Sony products today, but the Samsung caught my eye because I have had such a good relationship with my smartphone so far that I felt some brand loyalty there.
I could have gotten a much smaller 7" model too, but I opted for 10.1" tablet because when showing websites to clients during a business meeting size really does matter.
Beyond that the Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 had everything I wanted in a tablet - and at this point in the whole tablet market they're all pretty much on even footing. They're all roughly the same speed, have the same stuff on them and offer the same services.
So it really comes down to which brand do you trust when conducting business meetings on your tablet? I trusted Samsung, and there just happened to be a 10.1" Samsung tablet on sale today so it all worked out nicely.
In the past I also have pondered getting a HP tablet - because Hewlett Packard is another brand I trust. But there was no sale on HP tablets and I didn't see any I truly fancied.
So $74.98 for both. The colour ink at both locations is the same, but the black ink is cheaper at Best Buy.
HOWEVER!
$69.96 seems like a lot for two ink cartridges...
Especially when you can buy a brand new printer (with ink cartridges) for less - possibly even the same brand name as the ink you are seeking to purchase.
For example... Future Shop currently has an Epson printer for sale for $49.99. So you'd save about $20 + tax just by buying a new printer.
Ahem...
Or go to Best Buy... lots of sales to choose from. You can even get free shipping from either Best Buy or Future Shop if you order online.
If you pay attention to SALES regularly you can find cheap printers that are compatible with your current printer - and buy them just for the cheaper ink.
Now you might wonder WHY would I want to keep my current printer? Well in truth my current printer isn't that old - 1.5 years roughly - and it (Canon Pixma MX300) still works perfectly. Plus it is a scanner, fax machine and photocopier - so it has other uses compared to generic ink printers.
Although I must admit some of the Canon printers are wireless - which makes it tempting to have two printers available.
Also another complaint... the BestBuy.ca and FutureShop.ca websites are rather slow today. Appalling from companies that are supposed to be reputable.
But it all comes back to the idiocy that printer ink is more expensive than a new printer.
Firefox (my internet browser of choice) has crashed on me over 5 times today.
So far.
I think I need to restart my computer, but I am not sure if its the computer's fault - you see Firefox has been crashing a lot on me during the past week.
Very annoying when I am working on something.
I prefer Firefox over Internet Explorer, Chrome and other internet browsers... but if it keeps doing this I am going to need to try reinstalling it and see if that fixes the problem.
If that doesn't work I may need to try a different browser for awhile until Firefox sorts out whatever bugs they have in the system.
It doesn't even give me an error message. It just randomly shuts down without warning.
Firefox has a bad reputation for crashing a lot (see the image above). Its because of all the plugins.
Now the thing is I haven't added any new plugins recently. Its the same plugins I always use and I rarely get crashes except for the last week - and especially today. So what gives?
By Stas Holodnak, Ukrainian writer in Brooklyn, New York.
It’s not that you have to wait in line it’s how you spend your time waiting.
At first I planned for a Netbook to do my writing on the go. Keyboard, long battery life and reasonable price were the enticing factors. I checked out a Netbook on display inside the Staples store on 6th Avenue and 42nd Street in Manhattan. It exuded heat like Arizona desert on the hot summer day while a nearby HP Touch Pad, a tablet similar to the iPad but with more functions, felt only slightly warmer than room temperature. The price tag for the Touch Pad screamed $99 but hastily handwritten text in small letters below whispered sold out.
After Hewlett Packard announced the fire sale of discontinued Touch Pads, $99 apiece, the TouchPad rush commenced on the web and its surroundings. I decided for once not to miss out on the bonanza. My next stop was Office Depot down the block. “Do you sell tablets?” I asked two Office Depot employees, the tall, muscular men leisurely conversing in the empty store. Unsure what I was inquiring about computers or medicine one of them said reluctantly - “Check downstairs” - a vague reply worthy of my vague question. Instead I went to Best Buy located on 5th Avenue and 44th street. “If you want $99 HP tablet, come tomorrow at 9 AM,” the Best Buy employee assured me, “Best Buy will have 250 of them.”
9:30 AM the next morning I was there, eager as a boy scout on a treasure hunt. The line spanned about 300 feet, from the Best Buy’s front door to the corner of the block. Most people in the line looked young (below 40) and relaxed. They were peering into their smart phones and simultaneously talking to people next to them. It looked like a friendly meeting of like minded people preferring for some reason to stand in line instead of a circle. Words like Android, WebOS and WiFi were passed along like salt and pepper at a dinner table. People here owned more than enough of computer equipment. Some of them hoped to make a quick dollar but most, it seemed to me, came to buy something that was slated to become an instant antic.
Waiting in line I could not take my mind away from the diminishing supply of the Touch Pads but soon the serenity of the crowd overtook me. With a friendly smile I was passing along words like Facebook, Ubuntu and Open Source. I befriended a young man, a Help Desk team leader at the MBC who arrived here at 7:30 AM. He was seventh in line when the store opened. He got his first TouchPad and now was back in the line hoping for one more catch.
Tourists glanced at us and some stopped to inquire what was happening. A tourist with an Israeli accent would not believe that anything with the plug would sell for less than 100 dollars. “99 dollars, 99 dollars,” he repeated in disbelieve. “Join us friend, Empire State building will not run away,” I felt like saying to him.
My biggest surprise was how efficiently the Best Buy people were managing the waiting line. Patrons could get into the store without waiting but the path to the coveted TouchPad led exclusively through our line. The Best Buy man at the door let people from the waiting line inside the store in groups of five. “Go to the man in the yellow shirt." He guided aspiring TouchPad owners in the commanding voice, “Don’t deviate.” Someone tried offering a bribe for the TouchPad to a Best Buy employee who flatly declined. Another employee stopped a teenager who tried to cut into my group of five. The group of five’s idea was a stroke of the Best Buy genius. You may swallow an offense if someone cuts in line in front of you, but the party of five together as a group will not tolerate a 6th intruder.
I ended up spending over $200. I bought more memory (you always end up spending more on memory), a wireless keyboard and the docking station for the Touchpad. Still it was a good deal considering it costs HP more than $300 to make one.
At work colleagues looked at my TouchPad with envy. Rapid mouse clickers they ordered TouchPads from different websites. As of now they are still waiting for vendors’ assurances to ship a discounted TouchPad.
It is the 21st century but at times there is no alternative to a good old legwork.
Editor's Note: Its unclear why HP discontinued the TouchPad. Some people believe its due to patent lawsuits from Samsung and/or Apple (Apple doesn't actually build many of its products, much of the important work is outsourced to Samsung). A superior product washed down the drain by greedy lawyers.
The $99 pricetag is evidently meant to spit in the eye of Apple.
TECHNOLOGY - And its a clear winner! The Blackberry PlayBook has more stuff, more webcams, is smaller, more lightweight and the number of apps available is EXPLODING outwards.
The Apple iPad is yesterday's news... so much so that Apple is scrambling to come out with the iPad 2 so that they can try and take some steam out of the lines of people going to buy the Blackberry Playbook.
But here's a prediction...
I think the iPad 2 will be a flop. People are still getting used to the first iPad and the people that would have bought an iPad 2 will be made up mostly of Apple fans (and already have the 1st iPad...)... so why would they buy the iPad 2 unless they have money to waste?
On the contrary the Blackberry PlayBook is for people who want something which is COMPATIBLE with their smartphones, their computers and so forth.
The Apple iPad isn't compatible with pretty much anything. Its a stand alone. A pain really.
Therefore, and this is purely my speculation based on past experience with computer and cellphone sales, that Apple will continue to be a minority because of their self-segregation and lack of compatibility with software and hardware platforms.
So it won't matter if Apple comes out with the iPad 2, the iPad 3, the iPad 4, etc... they're still going to be a minority for as long as they're only preaching to their own choir.
Speaking for myself I want a product that is compatible with the other things I use. Otherwise its just useless and annoying.
TECHNOLOGY - I just spent over an hour trying to use Windows Voice Recognition software on my Toshiba notepad. It was horrible, as you will see from the text below. It didn't seem to matter how many clearly I enunciated my voice, it still could not write down what I wanted properly.
Clearly voice recognition software has a long way to go.
I thought it might be a way to make blogs easier, just talking to the computer in a clear voice and let it do the typing, but apparently even my clearest speaking voice is too difficult for the computer to understand.
I wanted to try and write this blog post using the voice recognition software, but it was too difficult and I got an headache. (I recommend Advil or Ibuprofen.)
At several points I even swore at the computer and told it was wrong, but even those epithets wasn't correct. Maybe someday the software will be better, but not yet.
Consider the following a bit of 'failed voice recognition poetry'...
"All glen Ellen and you hear me all I think that is wrong. The way at the above long island online one I've
A lone figure entered
On the line and all I am writing you age alive at anchor and camp
All I am a liking the throat To an hour To enter key rough and cover your enter For
IN right thing to
Ole annual lighting Your citizen after the lawn and garden machine after For
All I am writing the weary of being a recognition voice recognition of where of where of where I live off when the water ridge road conditions of where In And
Recognition are lower
All one wall of the recognition withdrawn commission vowed not
Let an issue and the wearer with a vision of where a event of an all I have been better and I live"
TECHNOLOGY - I bought a Toshiba Notebook computer yesterday. According to the numbers on the box it is a NB250. It looks exactly like the photos shown below.
Now while I have used laptops and notebook computers before for work and play, I have never actually owned one of my own before.
I was tempted to buy one when I was living in South Korea (they were relatively cheap there and comparable to desktop prices) and I regret not going the laptop route because it would have saved me luggage space when I eventually brought the computer back to Canada.
But now that I finally have a notebook computer (and its just the right size too, small and super easy to fit inside a bag, but not so small that I am typing with my thumbs or something silly like that) it means I will finally be able to take a computer with me when I go traveling.
Technically I bought it for my website design business and I will be claiming it as a business expense on my income taxes. The idea is to have a nice portable computer which I can have with me when I meet clients.
And the price did not break my budget. $285 + tax. I also bought a wireless optical mouse to go with it because I prefer to work with a mouse. That is going on my business expenses too.
However I am kind of kicking myself today because I could have entered a contest (and possibly won) a Toshiba Notebook anyway. Its a Lenzr photography contest sponsored by a designer swimwear company, ERP software, and a beauty school. Not that it really matters who sponsors it, I just thought it was interesting that I could have entered the photography contest and assuming I won I could have got the Toshiba Notebook for free.
Or at very least got some interesting photography out of the competition process.
Canon Cameras
I am a big fan of Canon cameras. I have 4 of them now. I have 5 cameras total, the 5th is a Polaroid (which I cannot find film for any more). I have been very happy with the quality of Canon.
My first Canon camera was a simple point and click. I give it 4 stars.
The second was a digital camera, a PowerShot A20 (which is so old its considered obsolete but still works amazingly well). I bought it in 2001 and later took it with me to South Korea in 2003-04 and again in 2005. I did not replace it until 2010. 5 stars.
My third I bought in South Korea, a manual Canon Rebel SLR. I even bought an extra lens to go with it. The quality of the shots I got off that camera was amazing. (Also, while I am at it, I recommend the Kodak Photo Shops in South Korea for developing. The quality over there is amazing.) 5 stars.
And my new digital camera is a Canon PowerShot A480, purchased in 2010 for a fraction of what I paid for its grandfather in 2001. And unlike its grandfather it can also shoot video and has a lot more options, more pixels, etc. 5 stars.
Which brings me back to the Toshiba Notebook NB250. It comes with a webcam on it. I have never owned a webcam before. I am struggling to figure out what to do with it. Maybe do live podcasts or videos of myself for YouTube. Dunno yet.
Windows7 Starter
One thing is bothering me however... how do I change the desktop background image on it? Normally that is an easy thing to do, but Windows7 Starter does not seem to allow it. It makes me tempted to download and install the Google Chrome OS when it becomes available for notebook computers because the inability to customize some of the settings on Windows7 Starter is super annoying.
The rest of the computer is fine. I was playing games on it and watching movies on it last night to test it out. Works great for everything else. Its just those freaking Windows7 Starter jerk computer programmers who said 'Hey, lets be even bigger jerks by not letting people customize their own computers and then they will download Google Chrome OS when it comes out?!'
Morons. They are just shooting themselves in the foot. I can't wait to try out the Google Chrome OS.
Otherwise I am sure there is a program out there that I can download and which will allow me to customize my desktop somehow. I will find it!
TECHNOLOGY - Okay, I know it is only the beta version, but it is complete crap. It keeps freezing the page, I have to restart it constantly, when I click on certain buttons it has lots of lag time...
And in order to make this blog post I had to use Firefox instead.
I've been using Internet Explorer 7 for the past 8 months roughly, and when I decided to update the software I was given two options... Internet Explorer 8... or I could try Internet Explorer 9 beta... But because IE9b is so crappy I am going to have to install IE8 anyway and see if that one at least works properly.
So yeah, if anyone out there is thinking about trying out the beta version of IE9, DON'T EVEN BOTHER!
