Laptop Review: HP ZBook 17.3" - Core i7 4700MQ - 24GB Ram - 1TB Solid State

Let's just say my work laptop is a beast. Okay. It's more than a beast. It's brutal. This computer is by far the best setup I've ever used and I'm wondering if it can get any better than this. The i7-4700MQ is simply great. 24GB of ram? DUH. 1TB SSD? Completely necessary. Unfortunately I don't game on this computer but it's wonderful for say... word docs? internet? youtube? Being a computer I keep at work I mostly do work on it so it's being highly unutilized but the stability of this computer is unmatched. In my line of work I don't have time for hangs and lagging so this may be a bit overpowered yet I'm not complaining. You can pick up a ZBook fairly similar to this for under $2,500 but upgrading the ram and to a ssd with cost you. Those upgrades are not really necessary though. Unless you're insane then they're completely necessary. So do it. Now.

2012 Chevy Volt Review

This last week I've had the opportunity to drive and get fairly comfortable with a 2012 Chevy Volt and all I can say is this is a sweet car. My normal commute is around 100 miles round trip. This car can almost make the trip to work completely on a charge and when its plugged in all day at work will be pretty much completely charged for the ride home. It's very rare for this car to burn more than a half gallon round trip. One thing I've noticed is that traffic becomes your friend. Normally I would avoid any and all traffic no matter what but now it's saving me money. Getting past the obvious electric advantages, the interior of this vehicle is beautiful. Very stylish and comfortable. Technology wise it's making an attempt to be state of the art but isn't anything amazing. My father has had some difficulty getting used to the controls but that's a generational difference. Aside from the technology, interior and fuel economy, this car handles like a professional go cart, very tight suspension and entertaining drive style. In the end this car can be purchased used for around $20,000 if you wait for a good opportunity, patience is key. Overall, fantastic cheap electric vehicle. Go check one out for yourself.

Acer Aspire R7: An affordable Starter in the Convertible World

Just recently I took a chance on a refurbished Acer Aspire R7 convertible laptop found in a newegg deal and I have to say this laptop is extremely underrated. The biggest complaint from most people is the location of the trackpad but all I have to say is WIRELESS MOUSE. I bought this computer with the intention of never using the trackpad which completely eliminated the issue from the beginning anyway. This computer has pretty good specs for a computer that cost $560... Besides having the specs, the design quality is the most impressive aspect. It's beautiful. It's durable. It feels great. I really considered getting a surface 2 but when I came upon this deal I figured why not have a keyboard, adequate memory, and a big screen for $300 less. Check this beast out if you're looking for something new.

Operating System	Windows 8.1
Processor Manufacturer	Intel
Processor Type	Core i5
Processor Model	i5-4200U
Processor Speed	1.60 GHz
Processor Core	Dual-core (2 Core)
Standard Memory	8 GB
Maximum Memory	16 GB
Memory Technology	DDR3L SDRAM
Memory Card Reader	Yes
Memory Card Supported	Secure Digital (SD) Card
Hard Drive Capacity	1 TB
Hard Drive Interface	Serial ATA
Screen Size	15.6"
Display Screen Type	Active Matrix TFT Color LCD
Screen Mode	Full HD
Screen Resolution	1920 x 1080
Backlight Technology	LED
Touchscreen	Yes
Multi-touch Screen	Yes
Graphics Controller Manufacturer	Intel
Graphics Controller Model	HD 4400
Graphics Memory Technology	DDR3 SDRAM
Wireless LAN Standard	IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n
Bluetooth Standard	Bluetooth 4.0 + HS
Webcam	Yes
Microphone	Yes
HDMI	Yes
Number of USB 2.0 Ports	1
Number of USB 3.0 Ports	2
Operating System Architecture	64-bit
Battery Capacity	3560 mAh
Maximum Battery Run Time	6.50 Hour
Weight (Approximate)	5.29 lb

Microsoft Surface 2: Will Windows Finally Make a Jump Into the Tablet World?

When Microsoft released the first version of the surface it was overpriced, lacked battery life and the rt model lacked complete functionality. The first surface pro had great potential but just couldn't complete with the cheaper windows 8 competitors. This newest surface 2 will have 75% improved battery performance, a newly designed hinge(the old one wasn't bad) and an updated processor. If they release another rt model it must be cheap to go after the big dogs but everyone is keeping an eye on the surface 2 pro model. This model will be running full Windows 8.1 OS and will be an incredible tablet if they can get their pricing right. Once this is released I'd check it out if you're in the market for a complete tablet experience.

Apple Iphone 5c and 5s: A Step Behind the Rest

Well the Apple keynote was today and to everyone's expectations nothing very impressive was presented. The newest, top of the line Iphone 5s is already outdated when looking at it's competition. Improving their processor and adding a sensor for unlocking isn't very new but they're banking on the sheeple to fall into place as usual. The Iphone 5c on the other hand is a very good move by Apple. By offering a cheaper model with the current operating system they can attract people who weren't willing to shell out the dough for their usually expensive new device. If you're looking for a cheap phone that is easy to use go with the 5c and if you don't like it you can always sell it for an Android or Windows Phone. Good luck!

Nokia Lumia 1020: Prediction

The world has yet to see the Windows Phone come out of it's shell. Even though this platform isn't taken very seriously, the release of the Nokia Lumia 1020 might just be its coming out party. A phone with a 41 megapixel camera (38 mp actual) will attract many people from the Android and ios systems. I think that this phone will make a name for the Windows Phone and once people see how elegant this operating system is they'll become the voice necessary for future sales. Check this bad boy out! 

Nokia Lumia 920: Full Review

Well, I've been using the Nokia Lumia 920 for a few months now and here are some features that I find extremely impressive and others that make me wonder why Nokia went the way they did.

The Good: 
Battery life - The battery life on this phone is quite good. Many of the initial reviews said they were having problems with consistent charge but i listen to music roughly 1-3 hours a day through my Bluetooth headphones and am pretty heavy on messaging and data. This phone can hold a solid 2 day charge on moderate usage days and 3 days on light usage. Very good battery performance 9/10

Reception/Data Speed - 4G LTE is the way to go.... It's blistering fast.... I've been doing a few speed tests throughout the month in different locations around the city of Chicago and this phone/At&t's network are giving me fantastic speeds consistently. 10/10

External Speakers - This thing is loud, it's loud but it's also very clear. I have never heard a phone that can get as loud as the 920 and still sound good. 10/10

Processor/Screen/Design - I think that this phone is very well designed, it can easily handle being dropped, and its all that you could ask hardware-wise but I'll get to the camera a little later... 7/10

The Bad:
Disclaimer: When I say bad I just mean that I've had some slight issue I'm not saying these things are a deal breaker.
Camera - I have noticed that the camera is very picky when it comes to taking close ups, as well as, when there is movement. Taking pictures of playful kittens running around is almost impossible. In order to take a picture of something a few inches away you MUST change the camera settings to close up mode and even then its a crapshoot. That being said, this camera is very capable of taking beautiful pictures and I think its worth the hassle of taking a couple more pictures to getting that perfect shot. 6/10

Outer casing - The feel of this phone is very nice and comfortable, but i have noticed that if your hand become fairly dry the phone has the tendency to slide right out if you're not careful. Also, don't ever plan on setting it on a non grip surface that's on an angle, IT WILL SLIDE. 6/10

OVERALL
This is a great phone, the best I've ever had. If you're looking for a nice device that can do anything you would want a smartphone to do this is the way to go.

Nokia Lumia 920: First Impressions

I've finally upgraded from my Samsung Focus to a Nokia Lumia 920 and IT ROCKS MY SOCKS. I've been using it for about 3 weeks now and all is can say its a beast. This device is extremely zippy and the battery life is phenomenal. My typical daily use it fairly heavy and this phone will hold charge for at least 2 days, I've gone 3 with still battery left. The windows phone experience has vastly improved since the first gen phones and I'm very happy with the current experience. I feel it's still too early to have a complete assessment of this device but as of now this is looking like the phone to have.

Microsoft Surface / Windows 8 RT

This last week I was able to get my hands on the new Microsoft Surface for a bit and boy was I impressed. Being a Microsoft fan I had pretty high expectations for their new tablet and I wasn't disappointed. Their design is quite economical and gives a feel of productivity. The RT version of windows 8 was complete and function quite smoothly, but I will say that I'm disappointed that it cannot run typical programs, though I completely understand there direction for a simple, smooth, responsive, workhorse tablet. If you want the tablet that will have the entire Windows 8 features you'll unfortunately have to wait for the Surface Pro that will have an Intel i5, which should provide enough speed for any user. The only thing holding me back from purchasing a Surface right this moment is that Microsoft will most likely drop the price once the Pro model is released so just wait a couple months you impatient bastards! Anyway, this tablet has a strong productivity vibe so if you're looking for a tablet that can edit documents, play games, and get work done with might just be the device for you. Check it out!

This picture shows the Surface with its attachable keyboard, it uses magnets for a secure connection, no plugs. Also notice the back stand which is built into the tablet. Check out the commercial and an official review courtesy of Engadget.

Asus Transformer TF101 32gb

This summer I picked up and Asus Transformer TF101 with the docking station and I have to say that this is a very nice tablet for the money. I bought it primarily for taking notes, reading pdf's, browsing and portability and it surpassed all my expectations and then some. This tablets runs the latest version of Android and has incredible battery life (10 hours on tablet and 8 more hours with the docking station, 18 hours total). I find it almost impossible to kill the battery on this beast. If you're looking for an affordable tablet took no further and check out the transformer series from Asus.

Logitech VX Nano Laser Wireless Mouse

I have been using this wireless mouse for over 4 years and this is by far the best mouse I have owned. The battery life is fantastic being that I use this mouse everyday and I change the batteries maybe once a year. The USB receiver is incredibly small and takes up almost no space. I have dropped this mouse, accidently, many times from heights that I were certain would leave the mouse out of commission yet it has never failed me. This mouse this quite handy and I definitely recommend. 

Windows 8 Developer Preview VS Consumer Preview

I've been using the developers preview for a few months and I finally upgraded to the consumer preview. I have to say that I am quite impressed. There are a few more functions that have been added yet it still has the same familiar feel of the developers preview. My overall boot time has increased slightly yet overall performance and "smoothness" has greatly improved. I'm getting even more excited for the release of the official Windows 8 platform and recommend you check out the consumer preview for a test run.

Nokia Lumia 900

So are you looking for the ultimate Windows phone? Well look no further, because you can get the Nokia Lumia 900 for $99 or FREE if you are an At&t customer. This phone boasts a 4.3 inch AMOLED screen, 8MP primary camera, 1MP front-facing camera, 1.4 GHz processor, 16GB storage and excellent battery life. Comparing this to other Windows Phones this is definitely one of my top picks and I just might pick one up for myself. Check this phone out and you will not be disappointed!

The New Apple iPad (iPad HD/3)

Today Apple unveiled its newest iPad and it will be available to purchase on March 17, 2012. This new iPad boasts a 1536 x 2048 pixel resolution, double that of the iPad 2. It also has improved battery life, 4g data compatibility, better cameras and a faster processor. In comparison to the iPad 2 this device will definitely outperform its predecessor but only if you're willing to dish out the hefty price tag. The starting price is still the same as the iPad 2: $499 for 16 gigabytes of memory, $599 for 32GB and $699 for 64GB but Apple will be cutting the 16 GB iPad 2 by $100 to $399. If you're in the market for a tablet device you should check out Apples latest creation and see what you think.

Motorola Droid RAZR and the Motorola MOTOACTV

The Droid RAZR by Motorola is the future of smartphones and has the features to back it up. This phone has a dual-core 1.2GHz processor, an 8MP primary camera with a 1.3MP front facing camera, a huge 4.3-in. Super AMOLED Advanced qHD screen, and 16gb of internal memory with a 16gb microsd installed expandable to 32gb giving this phone a potential 48gb of memory! With a super slim design, light weight, 4G LTE network and ANDROID platform this is a great phone to have. In my opinion the only negative would be the price tag, which is $300. This device also can connect wirelessly to a device that truly impressed me. The Motorola MOTOACTV.

The little device is the future of wrist technology, so it only makes sense that I link them together. I have always been a fan of Motorola's products and this "smartwatch", as I call it, has impressive functionality. This is the dream of anyone who runs or works out and can store your music, monitor your heart rate, and also track your location giving accurate running distances.  

Samsung Galaxy S II

If you're looking for the next generation of smartphone look no further. This is one of the thinnest, lightest, and fastest smartphones on the market and is turning a lot of heads. The Samsung Galaxy S II 4G boasts a huge 4.3 super AMOLED plus display, an 8MP camera with a 2MP front facing camera, a dual core processor, Bluetooth 3.0, optional 16gb or 32gb of memory(32gb expandable), and many more features that put it in the front of the pack. This is the definition of computing on the go.

Xbox 360 v. PlayStation 3

The great debate.... What's better, the Xbox 360 or the PlayStation 3? It's a very simple answer, If you're a casual gamer, like me, go with the PlayStation 3, but if your life revolves around gaming then the Xbox 360 is a must. The reason is that hardware-wise the PlayStation is superior with an integrated blue-ray player and it also has a free online multiplayer network, which is very convenient. In my personal opinion the Xbox 360 has a few good games that are only available for their system but the majority of popular games are available for both, giving the PS3 the upper-hand but the Xbox 360 requires you to pay to play online which is a deal breaker for me. The Xbox 360 gives a better overall online experience with little to zero lag while the PS3 suffers from occasional lost connections and some lag when the severs are being bombarded with players. In all honesty both systems are great for playing games and will provide hours upon hours of entertainment, but it all comes down to how much you want to play and what you want to use it for.

Apple Iphone 4s

The Apple Iphone 4s. If you thought the Iphone 4 was impressive just add steroids and you'll have Apple's newest smartphone. This phone has a powerful Dual-core A5 processor, a built-in assistant called Siri, an 

8 MP camera with improved HD video recording and a new battery that suggests a longer talk time. From the people I've talked to everyone loves Siri as it is quite helpful and has a well designed interface. The only problem is that Apple is notorious for introducing a new product every few months so I would wait of the Iphone 5 to come out, but if you're looking for an easy to use device today and don't plan on upgrading anytime soon this might be the phone from you. This phone is available for At&t, Sprint and Verizon.

Motorola s805 Bluetooth Headphones Review

A few months back I decided it was time for a new pair of Bluetooth headphones and after 2 months of searching and weighing all pros/cons of many different brands I figured I'd stay with my Motorola roots and get a set of s805's. I have been using the s305's for a few years now and even though the s805 are a different headset type(s305 where on ear behind the head) I was so impressed I had to try Motorola's updated Bluetooth model. As soon as I opened the package I was surprised by their size. These headphones are BIG, but not in a bad way and they're aren't very heavy either. Functionality is quite nice with the ability to skip tracks, pause/play, adjust volume, take calls and they also have a connector to hard wire them in case the battery gets low. I've only listened to them for around 10 hours so far and as of now I would recommend them for anyone who likes the Bluetooth convinces and long battery life. Sound wise they have good highs and mids but the bass is a bit limited. Compared to the s305s it's a huge upgrade as they have basically no bass but compared to some Bose Triports the s805 are lacking. My music taste doesn't usually focus on bass intensive music but the s805's can handle good quality base tracks just fine. I sampled a little Young Jeezy just for fun and I was actually impressed as there was no distortion but if you want some headphones and will bass-you-to-death these aren't for you(in my opinion the Bose Triports have overpowering bass but everyone has their own opinion). Overall I picked these up for $47 shipped and give them a 8.5/10. Definately recommend.

Windows Phone 7.5 update MANGO

The Windows Phone started off with a simple OS to begin with that was fast, smooth and had little to no hiccups. Their newest update 7.5(code named Mango)  is nothing less than incredible. There are a ton of new features that I have been finding than are quite impressive. Microsoft has made hands free texting very simple and accurate, which is nice if you have a Bluetooth headset because you don't even have to take the phone out of your pocket to read (hear), reply and send text messages. In my experience battery life has been unaffected and heavy multitasking hasn't affected performance. This update quite good and if you have a Windows Phone I highly recommend updating.