Mike's Quarter - technology and cool gadgets blog

Kindle 3 covers – best leather cases for Kindle 3 reader

Mike — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 14:02:14 +0000

With the Kindle 3, Amazon managed to put together an amazing device, perhaps the best ebook digital reader available right now on the market. The new Kindle is not a revolution, but an evolution of the previous generation. Its producers managed to make it better than before by adding a couple of interesting features, redesigning it and making it more affordable.

You can read more about this reader in my Kindle 3 review post, also here on this site. We’re not going to get into too many details about the device in this post, because we’re going to talk about Kindle 3 covers, cases and protection accessories.

Proper protection is a must for your Kindle 3

First, you should know that, if you were a Kindle reader owner before and owned a case for the first or the second generation, you won’t be able to use those on the 3rd generation. Since this one is now redesigned and both thinner and more compact than before, those covers will be loose for the new device.

So, you will need some proper Kindle 3 covers. Of course, the best picks are those Kindle 3 leather cases, which are stylish enough to match the fancy looks of the reader and also allow decent protection. However, if you plan using it in rougher conditions, like when traveling into the wild or during trips, you might want something tougher: perhaps a silicone casing, a neoprene sleeve or even some waterproof Kindle 3 covers, great when going to the pool or at the beach.

Below you’ll find a couple of details about all these protection accessories, with recommendations on the best options available in stores these days.

Leather Kindle 3 covers and cases

Like I’ve said, leather cases should be your first choice. This is in fact what I had on my old Kindle (the first generation) and what I plan getting for this 3rd version, which I absolutely love and plan to buy.

Official Kindle 3 leather cover

There are a couple of different options for high quality leather cases for the Kindle 3. Of course, most of you will go for the official Kindle 3 case, sold by Amazon together with the product. Notice however than it doesn’t come included with the reader, you will have to pay extra for it.

Pebble-granined leather Official Amazon Kindle 3 cover

This one is made from pebble-grain leather and is available in 7 different colors. It perfectly firs the device and it’s very easy to attach the Kindle reader and the cover together. As you can see in the pictures, this case is a leather folio, with a flippable front screen cover that folds on the back when you want to use the device. Interior is padded with a smoother material to keep the device safe from scratches and i particularly like the grip on that grained leather.

What’s also cool with this case is that you can get it with an integrated and retractable night-light, which connects to the Kindle and drains its power for it. An accessory you’ll absolutely need if you plan reading during the night or in poorer light conditions, although I’m not sure on its impact on autonomy.

The case itself sells for $34.99 , which ain’t cheap, but considering the quality, is a fair price. More details are available via this link, along with more pics and reviews from buyers.

If you want the version with that integrated night-light, it sells for $59.99. That’s pricey, but i know from my experience with my old Kindle that a night-light accessory is very useful, as you can read without having to have the light ON in the room. For instance, you can read while in bed with your better half, while he/she sleeps and without bothering it.

You can see this combo in action via this link, and also get more details, pics and the option to buy it.

And the option with a built-in light

Other leather cases

The new Kindle 3 Cole Haan case ain't as good as before, although kept its amazing design

At the moment there aren’t any other leather covers for the Kindle 3 worth mentioning available on the market, as this product is yet so new. However, for the previous generation there were some amazing products, including leather folios with stands, so I expect those to become available for the new Kindle as well.

What really bothers me is that one of the best covers for the previous device, the one made by Cole Haan, is not so great on its new version.

Quality is the same and the leather used for it looks and feel amazing. However, the new cover is somewhat floppy and just too big for the Kindle 3. Looks like producers didn’t actually consider the reduced size of the new reader when designing it. You can find more about the case via this link, but the common believe of reviewers is that, while the Cole Haan for Kindle 3 looks good, is just not worth paying $99 for it (which is nearly 3 time more expensive than the standard case).

For other options, just look for updates of this post in the next weeks.

Kindle 3 sleeves and envelopes

While those leather covers above do look stylish, they don’t actually provide the protection the device would need when traveling. Thus, I do recommend also getting a tougher Kindle 3 sleeve and that’s exactly what we have here. Like in the case above, there aren’t too many to choose from yet, but there are a couple of impressive versions, based on features, build quality and reviews scored with those whom already bought them.

Timbuk2 nylon envelope

This is a very simple case, an envelope that holds snug you Kindle 3 in place, protecting it from scratches and shocks when traveling. Exterior is made from nylon, hence reliable and easy to clean, while the interior is padded with a smooth material to prevent any damage to your gadget.

Since this is an envelope, it will only protect the Kindle when not using it, as you’ll have to get it out when you plan to read or something. But that’s how it was a designed: a solid sleeve, not too big and not to bulky, that could hold properly the device inside. Thus, you can feel safe trow it inside your bag when going to school or to work, your Kindle will be completely safe inside this Timbuk2 envelope.

It’s cool that you can get it in a couple of different colors and is quite affordable, at $25 with Shipping Included. More details, reviews and the option to buy it, via this link.

Timbuk2 Kindle 3 envelope

Belkin Kindle 3 Grip Sleeve

Belkin Grip Sleeve

This is a reliable sleeve from Belkin, one of the biggest producers of cases and accessories for electronic devices. And that kind of says it all.

Made from neoprene and silicone, this one is even better at keeping the Kindle Safe from shocks and drops than the one before. The gadget is kept inside safely by the zipper enclosure and interior is covered with a softer lining to keep away any potential scratches.Also, this sleeve comes with a harder and textured area on the exterior, that allows better grip.

Like the envelope above, it goes for around $25 and is available in a couple of different colors.

And that’s about it with the available Sleeves right now, but more will be added in further updates.

Other Kindle 3 cases

There are some other interesting covers for the Kindle 3 that can’t really be part of the categories above.

For instance, LeSportsac has a nice case, for those looking for more funky protection accessories, with weird designs. In terms of design, they are in fact identical to the official Kindle casing, with the same folio layout. However, exterior is not made from leather, but from more durable nylon, easier to clean. Prices are around $35 and you can see more details via this link.

LeSportsac nylon Kindle Cover with stylish designs

Also, if you’re looking for a way to protect the display on your Kindle, there are some cheap and overall good quality screen protectors, like this pack from BoxWave, that goes for only 3 bucks a piece.

I’m also looking to add some waterproof covers like I promised, but there aren’t any available yet. Plus some rougher silicone bodies for everyday use. Those and others will come in further updates, as I reckon they should get in stores in the next weeks.

Final words

Don’t know what you think, but I for one consider proper protection a must for every electronic device i own. In this case, the Kindle might not be very expensive, but still, why not keep it safe and in proper condition? Especially since a good case will only cost you around 30-40 bucks?

Right now I’m leaning towards that official Burgundy Red leather cover with integrated night-light. It is quite expensive, but based on the reviews available at Amazon’s site, all from those who already own one, seems like a good investment. I might change my mind in time though, as other Kindle 3 covers enter the market.

Like most my posts, this is not a top, but a list of products i consider worthy, based on my experience with them, features and mainly reviews from regular users like me and you, who bought them and posted their opinions online. Prices and availability might vary in time, so be sure to check those links on each accessory for up to date details at the moment you’re reading this post.

Now, stay tuned for updates, and as always, comments and feedback is greatly appreciated, so don’t hesitate to share your views via the form below.

Kindle 3 review – cheaper and better ebook digital reader

Mike — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 10:51:30 +0000

The Kindle was not the first ebook digital reader to enter the market, but was the one that revolutionized this segment of electronics and is even today the most popular such device on the market. Backed by great quality and a huge content library from Amazon, this is indeed a very nice gadget. And it now reached the 3rd generation, as Amazon recently launched the new Kindle 3 digital reader.

In the rows below I’ve put together a Kindle 3 review, speaking about most aspects you should know about the new device, including its good parts, but most importantly its bad points. First, let’s see a couple of things on specs for the 3rd generation Kindle:

Display: 6 inch , e-ink , 600 x 800 px resolution at 167 ppi, 16-level gray scale
size: 7.5 x 4.8 x 0.335 inch
weight: 8.5 ounces (Wi-Fi version) , 8.7 ounces (3G version)
storage: 4GB – only around 3.2 GB available for content (3500 books)
battery life on stand-by: ~1 month – fully charges in around 4.5 hours
Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g connectivity and HSDPA 3G modem (only for 3G version)
supports: Kindle (AZW), TXT, PDF, MP3 natively; HTML, DOC, JPEG, GIF, PNG, BMP through conversion
3.5 mm audio jack, stereo speakers, text to speech, accelerometer (for automatic portrait/landscape change)

Kindle 3 digital reader - improved features, looks and prices

Now, if you’re familiar with the previous generation, you’ll see that not much has changed in terms of specs. There are tweaks that make the new version better, but it is true that the Kindle 3 is not a revolutionary product, but a welcomed evolution from its predecessors.

Looks, design and ergonomics

More compact and lighter

When compared to the second generation, the new Kindle 3 is more compact and way lighter. It managed to keep the same display and the QWERTY keyboard while being 20% smaller and 15% lighter, and that’s something every one of you will enjoy. It is also now smaller than the Nook as well and way more thinner, plus 25% lighter. So there’s no doubt Amazon managed to make the Kindle 3 an easier to carry around device.

In terms of design, you’ll notice the cooler shape, with smooth edges and round corners. You’ll also notice that you can now get the Kindle in a Graphite finish, besides the standard White one available before.

Keyboard is still present and keys are a tad smaller, which makes it even more cramped and difficult to use for those with bigger fingers. For the rest of you, should be just fine. I can say I have medium sized hands and can use this keyboard without a problem. Side buttons for turning pages are now smaller too, which i particularly like, but once again, for those guys with big fingers might be unpleasant. Still, all of us will enjoy the fact that buttons and keys are now quieter and they don’t clank when pressed as before.

Display

On a first look, you’ll say this is the same screen as on the previous generation, but that’s not true. Although size and resolution remained the same, this display on the Kindle 3 comes with 50% increased contrast. This translates in crisper content and more intense gray shades, making letters darker and easier to read.

Better Contrast

The screen still uses e-ink technology so it’s great for reading in direct light, where content does not wash out like on LCD display. You will need a light source during the night and Amazon provides a cool LED night-light that tucks into the case when not used. The bad part is that neither the case or the lamp are offered by default and will cost you around 60 bucks for both.

Inside and features

There are a couple of improvements in terms of features for the 3rd generation Kindle.

First, we now get twice as much memory: 4 GB. However, only around 3 GB of those are usable for content, which is enough for a couple of thousands of books. Still, if you decide to load some music and photos on your Kindle, you’ll easily run out of space, and there’s no option to extend it (an SD card-slot would have been nice).

There’s also a new battery on the Kindle 3. Charges in around 5 hours and can last you up to 1 month with wireless OFF or a couple of weeks with it ON. However, it’s not replaceable, so in time (years) it will loose some of its power and you won’t have any solution to change it with a new one.

And speaking of wireless, as an addition to previous generations, this Kindle now brings Wi-Fi 802.11g/g connectivity. There will be two versions available, a cheaper one with only Wi-Fi, and a more expensive one with Wi-Fi and that 3G, usable to download books on the fly, for free, in up to 100 countries in the world.

Content support

With so many types of content available online, this is one of the most important aspects of an ebook-reader. And is where the Kindle still has problems in front of its competition.

the perfect reading device

You get native support for TXT, PDF, MP3 files and you can add HTML, DOC, JPEG, GIF, PNG, BMP files through conversion (will require installing a free software on your PC/Mac, attaching the Kindle via USB and convert those files). And of course, there’s Amazon proprietary AZW format, used for all content bought from the Kindle Store and with a bunch of restrictions.

You should know that content in the Amazon Kindle Stores comes with perhaps the best prices available online. However, you won’t be able to lend your books to friends or use that content on other machines except for Kindles or a computer with the Kindle for PC app installed. The good part is the Kindle for PC is free and works on Macs/PCs and all these new Android powered touch screen tablets available these days. And even on Blackberries and the iPad. So you can use your Kindle content on all these.

Still, the Nook allows you to lend content to friends for up to 2 weeks (for free) and both the Nook and the Sony Reader come with support for Google’s ePUB files, which are available online, most of them for free. The Kindle on the other hand lacks those.

So as a conclusion to this problem, if you already have a collection of content from other sources, you might have problems using it on Kindle. If you don’t you can buy it from Amazon in time and then be able to use it on the Kindle readers and all those devices that support Kindle for PC.

There are some other cool features I should mention: you get text to speech, you have the option to play music in background while reading your books and pages turn faster and smoother on the new generation than before. Plus, there’s a new browser, and together with that Wi-Fi connectivity option, should make the Kindle 3 better for browsing static content.

Prices and availability

Here’s another aspect where the older Kindle suffered in front of the competition: prices. Since Nook enter the market, Barnes&Noble’s aggressive pricing policies made their device cheaper than the Kindle 2. But that changes with the new Kindle: there are in fact two different versions now:

Kindle 3 Wi-Fi , which sells for $139, with Free Shipping within US borders
Kindle 3 Wi-Fi+3G , which goes for $189, also with Free Shipping

What’s also cool is that you can now order the Kindle 3 internationally and Amazon will ship it to your door, regardless of the country. However, there will be some delivery costs added, based on where you’re living.

Night-light case - the perfect Kindle 3 cover

There are also a bunch of accessories for the Kindle you should consider. Out of them, the most important are the Kindle 3 Covers, I’m going to details more about them in a further post, but you can take a look of some of the best options here. Also, that night-light is a must have, and you can get it together with the official Amazon Kindle 3 case for $59.99 (Free Shipping in US).

Pros and Cons

Before we draw conclusions, let’s see a summary of the pros and cons for the new generations Kindle.

The pros:

way better prices
thinner and lighter
better display with improved contrast
twice as big storage space
Wi-Fi connectivity, next to existing 3G
new web browser
battery life is excellent
buttons were redesigned, are more ergonomic and quieter when pressed
available in Graphite and White
comes with text-to-speech and can play music in background

The cons:

still no support for ePUB books and you still can’t lend books to others
no SD card to increase storage space
battery is not replaceable
those of you with big fingers will find the new keyboard and side buttons cramped

Conclusions

Like I’ve said before, the new Kindle 3 is not a revolution, but an evolution. Amazon positions it as a device specially designed for reading, in order to delimit from the iPad and similar such touch screen tablet gadgets entering the market these days. And while those are more versatile, for strictly reading, you can’t beat digital readers. And the new Kindle 3, with its improvements, is the best of such devices, although it has those problems with content support, mentioned above.

What’s even cooler is its price: only $139 for the Wi-Fi version, that’s a bargain. And that’s in fact the version I’ve ordered and I would advice you too to get, unless you really want to be able to download content wherever you are. But with hotspots available all around, I just don’t see the point to pay those 40 bucks extra, I’d better spend them on a proper case and other accessories.

Also read this post for a comparison between the Kindle, Nook and Sony Reader . And don’t hesitate to comment, your feedback will as always, be greatly appreciated.

New iPod Touch 4G (4th generation) released – better than ever

Mike — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 08:31:17 +0000

I’m a big fan of the iPod Touch, which i consider the best portable multimedia buddy on the market (and is not just me, but millions of others around the world). However, i was kind of disappointed with the latest generations, as I felt they didn’t bring too many new stuff. So disappointed that I in fact give up my iPod Touch for the Zune HD. However, now Apple launched the new generation, iPod Touch 4G, and I’m 99% sure this is a device I will buy. Why? Because it brings so many new features and is so much better than the 3rd gen, and also then any other similar devices on the market.

There are in fact lots of changes. On the outside, they aren’t that easy to spot. However, Apple made the new Touch even slimmer as it now measures 4.4 x 2.3 x 0.28 inches , while the previous generation was 15% thicker, with 0.33 inches in height. The 4th generation iPod Touch is also lighter, as it now weighs 3.56 ounces (half an ounce lighter than before).

Besides that, everything is the same, including front-side design, buttons and connectors placement on the sides, which means you should be able to use all the accessories you had on the older devices, but for cases. Because the new device is slimmer, it won’t fit snug in the older covers, plus it now comes with cameras and those lacked appropriate openings for those. See my post on iPod Touch Cases for a collection of the best such protection accessories for the new player.

iPod Touch 4G - slimmer, lighter and better looking

In terms of looks, the new iPod Touch 4G is great as before, as you can see in all the pics here on this post.

However, the real changes are on the inside, and there are tons of them:

the screen is as big as before (3.5 inches), however it comes with the 4 time increased resolution: 960 x 640 px . It’s in fact the same Retina Display from the iPhone 4 and it provides amazing image quality (because pixels are so small, everything will look smoother, every animation, every icon, every application )
there’s faster hardware, based on the Apple A4 processor also found on the 4th generation iPhone, so everything will be snappier on the new Touch, improving your experience with the device
there’s new software, the iOS 4.1, which enables new applications and features – for instance you get FaceTime for video calls (this is not a phone, but you can use it for calls vua Wi-Fi or video calls on Skype,etc)
there are two cameras: a front-facing VGA one for FaceTime and a rear-facing one for regular shots and videos. It can actually shoot 720p 30 fps clips, but still pictures are only capped at 960 x 720 p (so a measly 0.7 camera is back there)
you get the new 3-axis gyroscope for better gaming experience
you get 40 hours of audio playtime and up to 7 of video
you get tens of different language packs for the UI and menus, plus localized keyboards and dictionaries

All in all, you can say that the iPod Touch 4 is an iPhone 4, only slimmer, lighter and without the actual phone part. Besides those, platform, display, software and features are nearly identical, but the iPhone doar bring a proper 5 MPx rear-camera, while the one of this iPod Touch is more like a joke and a potential deal breaker for some. Still, it’s better than before, when there wasn’t any.

Mew apps and better gaming experience on the iPod Touch 4

In terms of prices, the new iPod Touch 4G players will be offered in 3 different versions: 16 GB – $229 , 32 GB – $299 and 64 GB – $399 . Click this link for more details and reviews on each. You should also expect some discounts, but not too soon as this is a fresh product, but perhaps as winter sales period gets closer (best deals should be available around Cyber Monday 2010). You should notice that the prices aren’t bigger than before, for the 3rd generation iPod Touch, and that’s a great thing, considering the many improvements this series brings over.

Like I’ve said in the beginning, I’m actually impressed by the iPod Touch 4G. Better hardware, display, software and autonomy are the things I really appreciate, while those cameras add-ons aren’t bad either. So bad news for my Zune HD, your matchmaker just arrived and it kind of kicked your a*s .

LED vs. LCD vs. Plasma TV . Which one is the best for me?

Mike — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 13:26:49 +0000

The TV industry has nowadays been split up into the LCD vs. Plasma enthusiasts with arguments on both sides. Although each technology has its downsides and strong points one can see that when targeting a certain environment a particular TV technology is best suited.

LCD vs Plasma VS LED tvs

The LED technology should first be taken into view since it is just an enhancement of LCD TVs. The Liquid Crystal Displays as they are called on their full name consist of a matrix of small crystals which when excited with the help of an electric current turn at a certain angle to produce colors. They produce better quality HD video output than Plasma and the ones LED backlit manage to achieve more natural coloring than the older but still widely sold simple LCD with fluorescent back lighting.

Moreover, the Plasma TVs is made out of cells which contain rare gases such as neon that when applied a certain amount of electricity to them light up producing a certain color. From this fact the black produced by this type of TVs is much better than the one from a LCD display although they have a big downside when creating white images and this is when the TV sucks most current. As to test a Plasma television before buying it one should always run a “all white” test with some sound on the background as to see if the extra current does not affect speaker output in any way which in normal situations should not happen.

From a quality point of view there is not much difference between products, for both tend to have the same life length which has been attested in standalone tests and by manufacturers. Color accuracy on the other hand depends on lighting as Plasma TVs have a more natural look in normal to low lighting rooms while LCD and LED displays offer better color richness in bright light situations. The big downside for LCD is on the viewing angle issue which for many is a definite choosing criteria as they have a room arrangement which implies higher viewing angles.

All in all, both these television building technologies are somewhat similar in terms of what they offer when compared to their downsides but if one has a certain arrangement which favors the use of LCD/LED or Plasma he/she should first turn to that type of TV before considering some other type.

Which is the best USB docking station?

Mike — Sun, 22 Aug 2010 13:23:46 +0000

USB Docking stations - such versatile solutions

Many people would like to combine their desktop computer and mobile solution as to have a simple way of organizing data without having to painstakingly synchronize devices and a great way to get rid of that small notebook screen at home is the USB docking station. This simple solution connects via a single cable to the laptop as to allow you to get rid of the multitude of cables connecting each device to the computer.

To start with, these accessories have a widespread use among the computer world since they are easy to use and allow portability of data but there are some aspects such as the fact that a mobile computer does not have the power of a desktop PC yet which bothers many. Overlooking this, when one aims at using a multitude of laptops on the docking station portability is what should spring first into mind. The Toshiba Dynadock V is a good example of such a device which is built around interacting with as many devices as possible since one only needs a Windows compatible PC to get things going in an instant.

Having an extra hard drive at home in a docking station sounds like a good idea for many as it can extend the working environment to a home one where one can store movies, music and much more. Here is where the Thermaltake BlacX steps in with its 3.5” and 2.5” hard drive compatibility and hot swap possibility which makes it ideal for the dynamic person aiming to have everything ready and working just a single USB cable away.

The HP QuickDock 2.0 Docking Station is another option when it comes to a docking station which offers both charging options for the laptop and access to all peripherals but it somehow lacks the universality offered by the before-mentioned Toshiba dock. This makes it a good product when it comes to the overall specs it has to offer for HP laptops since it is especially designed for this line of products and better fits them but the compatibility list is kind of short.

All in all, the best USB docking station depends on the needs of the buyer but if one aims at getting one which is universal and features all the things one can expect from a docking station then the perfect product will surely be the Toshiba Dynadock V docking station.

Behind the USB to RS232 converter

Mike — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 13:22:30 +0000

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As we strive every day to keep up with the technological advances we find some times when one has to take a step back as to manage to get things done and this is the case of the RS232 connection. While some older devices still feature this type of connection the modern laptops and desktop computers have opted for the obvious multi-connection and speed advantages of the USB but how does one connect the USB with RS232?

To begin with, adapting the USB to RS232 connection is not that simple as it sounds. Under the hood of this small adapter one can find a special circuit which translates the USB signals and boosts up the voltage. The USB works on just 5 volts while RS232 needs around 12V to operate correctly and thus a simple wire to wire connection between the two will not work.

Furthermore, special software is always needed for this converter which can at times be a downside even for people running the driver-full Windows 7. Having to carry a driver CD with you all the time may not seem as a big thing but with the RS232 serial connection growing older by the day one can see the fact that it is a matter of time until manufacturers will stop producing drivers for the latest operating system.

The converter comes in a wide variety of shapes and sizes as to suit the needs of everybody. One can get it in a cable form which is best for many situations since it gives the user the possibility of directly hooking it up to the peripheral device so that there will be no other interconnections as to produce signal interference and have other compatibility issues. There is also the slim USB stick like converter which fits better when one has a laptop or a netbook for it is a sleek design which favors design over a fixed connection.

All in all, the USB to RS232 is one of the best alternatives as to still use old hardware but one has to remember that cheap converters or even the most expensive and well engineered ones have problems when interacting with certain devices. This is sometimes not due to the converter but more to the fact that some hardware is just not compatible with the modern USB connection so testing this with a borrowed converter could be a good alternative to buying something that one will not be able to use.

Flat screen TV stands and wall mounts

Mike — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 13:11:27 +0000

Getting a wide screen TV is part of the problem but having to place that big screen in a room is the other, but happily manufacturers have plotted out one or more solutions for it. Although choosing between a TV stand and a wall mount is the decision of the buyer, knowing firsthand some details about either option is a good thing.

For starters, any type of mount or support for the flat screen TV should be sturdy and feel firm as it will probably be responsible in case of a $500+ broken television set when it fails. Materials such as steel or aluminum are a must, at least when talking about the wall mount, for they are flexible and long lasting from one side and from the other they do not break as they grow old. Also, in the case of a factory flaw inside the mount, they do not break apart like plastic does, but rather twist and turn thus shielding the TV from a brutal drop.

Stand or a wall-mount system for your Flatscreen TV?

In the case of the TV stand one can choose from a wide variety of small tables or special thin desks which allow storage to be an extra feature here. For the ones which are really pretentious about their media collection the trend is to buy a whole multimedia style closet in which one will fit the flat screen TV along with DVD players, CD and DVD collection or any other type of device which fits into this category.

Compatibility of the stand or mount with the TV is a must, but harder for one is to get a stand that will naturally fit inside the room. Interior designers state it is advised to choose a design which can fit into any interior such as a black and steel one or something which has many pieces of glass, although this doesn’t generally mean a fancy stand. Oak or cherry tree furniture is also a good way to get compatibility with the room even if it is not quite the most modern design in the world but for the ones which want something classic as to fit the modern flat screen TV this could be the solution.

In conclusion, flat screen TV stands and wall mounts offer a good way of integrating the TV inside a room without so much effort and giving it the stable support it needs so the only problem the buyer will have to tackle is the stand color as to match the room.

Wheeled laptop bag – the smart way of carrying your notebook

Mike — Sat, 14 Aug 2010 13:01:13 +0000

So much easier to carry your laptop with a wheeled bag

All the laptop owners out there know that carrying 3 kilograms of so of computer along with the charger and extra hardware is not easy, especially when it is for a long time. Even if the laptop backpack offers better weight distribution than an average bag, it is still nothing compared to a wheeled laptop bag. Skeptics have stated that there is no product with only strong points but is this so also in the case of this type of bag?

To begin with, the wheeled laptop bag is a product which in general targets the people who travel a lot with their computers. With just a pull of the leaver one can transform the shoulder bag in a roller baggage that can be carried almost everywhere, but with less than half the effort and virtually no shoulder fatigue. Before skipping to particular products, one can just note as disadvantages of this particular bag the fact that there are places where it cannot be used, for example on the grounds where the pavement is not designed for rollers. Also, there’s the easy possibility of getting dirty from the rollers when switching to shoulder carry mode.

One of the first products and the simplest to start choosing from is the Kensington 62348 Contour Roller, a two wheel model which has a drag-it approach to the problem. It comes with though corners and a lot of extra protection for the device while at the same time keeping it light and compact as for the user not transform it into the desired carrying position in seconds. The spacing is also well thought on this product with extra compartments for files, pencils and accessories as not to scratch the device in case they are all placed together.

The next product to get in the spotlight is the Samsonite Spinner Mobile Office, a 4 wheel go everywhere bag which features bigger and more spacious compartments than the before-mentioned one. This allows it to be more agile when one has to travel through small spaces or when standing in a line and also involves more foam protection for both shock and stabbing with sharp objects.

Different types of bags: the Kensington (right) or the Samsonite (right) presented in this post

To conclude, the wheeled laptop bag is a great way of making ones traveling lighter and easier and with the extra carrying space one can fit, as the name from the Samsonite product suggests, a whole mobile office inside it without ever noticing the extra weight.

Best gaming keyboards – is there such a thing?

Mike — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 12:42:54 +0000

Gaming is for many just a past time, but for some of you out there, it became a passion, a hobby or a job, so the tools utilized in this case should be the best ones you can find on the market. Besides the mouse used for interacting with the gaming environments, the experienced gamer also needs a keyboard that will not only help him by making things simpler and more comfortable, but also by creating a relaxed gaming mood.

Gaming Keyboards - Logitech g19 and Razer Lycosa - some of the best choices

For starters, as technology evolves we see more and more features wrapped inside gaming keyboards, in order to take them closer to the needs of the players. They have custom colors, programmable keys or even an LCD as to easily see notifications and info which makes it easier for the player to focus on the game more and less on the things which he uses to interact with the gaming environment. As a result, many professional gamers have strict preferences when it comes to the “tools” they use and when it comes to picking some names, many of them choose the Logitech G19 or the Razer Lycosa as finalists.

The Raser Lycosa is a mid range affordable keyboard which offers everything one needs at the low price of only $80. It comes with an interesting blue backlighting and the possibility of lighting up the WASD keys, as to keep everything under control in a game which needs these keys. Many of the buttons of it have macro capabilities with fully programmable functions that ensure extremely fast responses from software. The rubber finish gives the user more control and does not let the hand slip but many do not like this, since it tends to make the hand sweat more when placed in the same spot for a long time.

On the other hand, the Logitech G19 is a product which spikes $200 in retail stores and besides the custom backlighting, has a unique feature: an embedded LCD display. This little addition offers precious info directly on the keyboard, thus keeping the screen clean for the gamer to see more of the game and less of the info, but one has to have a fast eye to switch from screen to keyboard and back when gaming.

All in all, the various gaming keyboards on the market offer similar features, just organized differently from product to product. So, choosing the best one is more a subjective matter which depends from gamer to gamer.

Old to new: the PS2 to USB converter

Mike — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 12:52:46 +0000

The ongoing advances in technology and way of connecting peripherals to the computer means that even the cables going into our computers have to change from time to time and this is also the case of the PS2 cables, which have gone a little old with time. Many old mice for example have a PS2 connection, but what happens when one wants to connect them to the shiny new computer which has only USB ports?

To begin with, the PS2 to USB convertor offers the possibility of hooking up a peripheral which has PS2 connection with a USB port. They come as slim little device but the vast majority of them on the market are simple adapters which change the plug shape to match the outlet. This works fine for some devices, but for most of them, one needs a converter, a special integrated circuit inside the adaptor which also transforms the signal from one type to another.

USB to PS2 or PS2 to USB adapters - cheap and useful

Furthermore, the advantage of easily connecting the desired device to the computer could in an instant be overturned by this subtle difference between a converter and an adaptor. Double checking the type of plug and specifications is a good advice also for the USB to PS2 converters which make the transitions from new device to old computer if one does not want to go back to the store with an adaptor which is not recognized by the computers’ software.

Moreover, connecting with a PS2 to USB converter an old keyboard to a small computing device such as a netbook is not advised since the old hardware used to pull a lot of current out of the computer as compared to today’s gadgets. This gives the netbook hardware a lot of strain as to cope with the extra current and could in some cases end up in a burned USB port in good cases and for the unlucky of you out there even a broken netbook so asking a specialist in the field would be a tip to remember in this case.

All in all, the PS2 to USB converter and the mirror of it are great ways to connect hardware from different generations as long as one considers the limitations of this kind of connection as well as the fact that there are modern keyboards and mice which have a large number of buttons that cannot be recognized by the PS2 connection.

Mike's Quarter - technology and cool gadgets blog

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