Switched http://www.switched.com Switched http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.switched.com/media/feedlogo.gif Switched http://www.switched.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Gift Guide: Litl Webbook]]>http://www.switched.com/2009/11/04/gift-guide-litl-webbook/http://www.switched.com/2009/11/04/gift-guide-litl-webbook/http://www.switched.com/2009/11/04/gift-guide-litl-webbook/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Litl Webbook (Novice, Under $1,000)

Think of the Litl Webbook ($699) as the anti-PC. Sure, the 1.6 GHZ Atom processor and 1-gigabyte (GB) of RAM comes standard with most netbooks, but that's where the similarities end. For starters, the user interface strips away the menus, icons and folders typically found in Windows and Mac OSX, letting you view photos, online videos and update your Facebook status directly from main screen. A flexible hinge design gives you the option of using the Litl like a standard notebook with the chiclet-style keyboard or swinging the screen over, propping it like an easel, and navigating by moving a dial on the remote, so you can focus on say, perfecting that recipe you found online instead.

SwitchedGift Guide: Litl Webbook originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 04 Nov 2009 18:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>easyhgghgg-1000hgg-novicelitlwebbooknetbooksWed, 04 Nov 2009 18:26:00 EST<![CDATA[Gift Guide: Sony Vaio X]]>http://www.switched.com/2009/11/03/gift-guide-sony-vaio-x-notebook/http://www.switched.com/2009/11/03/gift-guide-sony-vaio-x-notebook/http://www.switched.com/2009/11/03/gift-guide-sony-vaio-x-notebook/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Sony Vaio X (Gadget Head, Under $2500
While seemingly every other company out there is scrambling to put out their latest low-power, low-feature, low-cost netbook, Sony opted instead to pull out all the stops for its newest Vaio X, a full-featured sub-notebook that also happens to be insanely, runway model tiny, thin and light. Like not much thicker than an iPhone (.55 inches to be exact) and just 1.6 pounds (we eat heavier sandwiches than that). And yet, somehow Sony still crammed it full of the essentials: an 11.1-inch LCD, with two USB ports, Ethernet, VGA, SD slot and built-in Verizon mobile wireless, as well as 2-gigabytes (GB) of RAM, and up to 128 GB SSD hard drive and running Windows 7 to boot. These are all premium specs, and not bad for a $1,300 price tag, especially considering it comes with an external long-life battery that lasts about 14 hours, and has a durable carbon-fiber case and scratch-resistant screen. So it's tough but tiny, built for the road but also pretty sexy -- consider it the biker chick of sub-notebooks.

SwitchedGift Guide: Sony Vaio X originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 03 Nov 2009 18:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>hgghgg-2500hgg-gadgetheadnetbooknetbookssonysony vaio xSonyVaioXvaiowindows7Tue, 03 Nov 2009 18:12:00 EST<![CDATA[Gift Guide: HP Beats Laptop]]>http://www.switched.com/2009/11/01/gift-guide-hp-beats-laptop/http://www.switched.com/2009/11/01/gift-guide-hp-beats-laptop/http://www.switched.com/2009/11/01/gift-guide-hp-beats-laptop/#commentsFiled under: , ,


HP Beats Laptop (Media Hound, Under $2,500)

It's rare that a PC laptop makes even Mac owners look twice, but look twice at the above photo. See? The 15-inch black-and-red stunna -- essentially an HP Envy with a Beats by Dr. Dre veneer -- has a lot in common with the MacBook Pro, actually: the chiclet keyboard, the buttonless, multitouch trackpad, the slim, bezel-etched design, even the $2,299 (and up) price tag. But it's the 1.6GHz Intel Core i7-720QM processor, ATI Mobility Radeon graphics card, networking-optimized Windows 7, and great screen that make this a multimedia powerhouse ideal for playing music, movies, and pictures while on the go or at home. Yes, the 'Beats' brand may be mostly a marketing gimmick, but it does mean that the system also comes with a pair of Beats Solo by Dr. Dre headphones ($199 on their own), an audio interface with two stereo outputs and ultra-loud output level, which makes it good for producing or performing music live. For those who produce their own music -- or trendsetters who want a distinctive-looking PC -- the $2,229 Beats Laptop is tough to beat.

SwitchedGift Guide: HP Beats Laptop originally appeared on Switched on Sun, 01 Nov 2009 13:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>beatsbeatsbydrdrehgghgg-2500hgg-mediahoundhphpenvystyleSun, 01 Nov 2009 13:23:00 EST<![CDATA[Acer Launches Multi-touch Laptop, Updates Timeline Series]]>http://www.switched.com/2009/10/14/acer-launches-slew-of-windows-7-laptops/http://www.switched.com/2009/10/14/acer-launches-slew-of-windows-7-laptops/http://www.switched.com/2009/10/14/acer-launches-slew-of-windows-7-laptops/#commentsFiled under: ,

Acer Launches Slew of Windows 7 Equipped Laptops
Acer has always played second fiddle to the bigger boys here in the U.S. like Dell, Apple, and HP. It's not that Acer doesn't make quality PCs, it's just that it lacks the visibility and marketing muscle of its larger competitors. That said, Acer has seen increasing success thanks to its Aspire One netbook, which, along with the Eee, helped kick off the craze for tiny, low-power laptops. Hoping to capitalize on that popularity boost, Acer is launching a slew of new hardware for the consumer.

First up, Acer is launching the AS5738PG-6306 (pictured left), a 15.6-inch notebook multimedia powerhouse with a multi-touch screen and a mouthful of a name. This PC packs Windows 7 Home Premium (64-bit, of course), has a LED back-lit high def screen (16:9 widescreen), 4 gigabytes of RAM, a Core 2 Duo Processor, a dedicated ATI graphics card, and even an HDMI port for connecting to a TV. A 320 GB hard drive and DVD burner
round out the wallet-friendly $799 package.

Continue reading Acer Launches Multi-touch Laptop, Updates Timeline Series

SwitchedAcer Launches Multi-touch Laptop, Updates Timeline Series originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 14 Oct 2009 04:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>acerlaptopmulti touchmulti-touchMultiTouchtopWed, 14 Oct 2009 04:31:00 EST<![CDATA[Nokia Gets Into the Computer Business With the Booklet 3G Netbook]]>http://www.switched.com/2009/10/13/nokia-gets-into-the-computer-business-with-the-booklet-3g-netboo/http://www.switched.com/2009/10/13/nokia-gets-into-the-computer-business-with-the-booklet-3g-netboo/http://www.switched.com/2009/10/13/nokia-gets-into-the-computer-business-with-the-booklet-3g-netboo/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Well, yesterday Dyson broke out of its vacuum cleaner shell by releasing its first fan, and today Nokia is doing the same thing by releasing its first laptop. Coming out in November for $299 (with a two-year AT&T contract and $60 per month data plan), the Nokia Booklet 3G is actually a Windows 7-enabled netbook that incorporates some of the cell phone giant's mobile know-how into its feature set.

The Booklet 3G resembles many another netbook in its use of a budget-mobile-optimized Intel Atom1.6 GHz processor and in its pint-sized dimensions and weight (less than 2.76 pounds). However, it adds a few extra features more often seen on mobile phones than on computers. These extras include 12-hour battery life (presumably offline rather than continuously online, though we couldn't get a clear answer from Nokia), built-in A-GPS (with Nokia maps software), 3G mobile broadband capability, and no fan (so it's quiet). It also has three USB ports, an HDMI port (for playing HD video on a bigger screen), and one port that serves as both a headphone and mic jack. Windows 7 (out October 22nd) is quick to start up, making it a perfect fit for this device, which is meant to be an always-on, always-connected kind of a laptop -- much like an enlarged smartphone.

Continue reading Nokia Gets Into the Computer Business With the Booklet 3G Netbook

SwitchedNokia Gets Into the Computer Business With the Booklet 3G Netbook originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 13 Oct 2009 14:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3GATTbooklet3gbreaking newsBreakingNewsnetbooknetbooksnewproductsnokiatopTue, 13 Oct 2009 14:45:00 EST<![CDATA[If the Nintendo DS and a Laptop Had a Kid, It Would Look Like This...]]>http://www.switched.com/2009/10/08/if-the-nintendo-ds-and-a-laptop-had-a-kid-it-would-look-like-th/http://www.switched.com/2009/10/08/if-the-nintendo-ds-and-a-laptop-had-a-kid-it-would-look-like-th/http://www.switched.com/2009/10/08/if-the-nintendo-ds-and-a-laptop-had-a-kid-it-would-look-like-th/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

If the Nintendo DS and a random laptop hooked up, the Sharp Mebius would be their love child. The unique-looking netbook features two different LCD screens, the main one being 10.1-inches, and the second being 4-inches and doubling as a visually-enabled trackpad-cum-touchscreen. The 'trackpad' screen is the world's first optical sensor LCD, which essentially means it stays bright and can handle more than two fingers to perform functions (take that, iPhone!). This sensor-enabled trackpad can be used to control the laptop (zoom in on docs, for example), edit photos, play music, crunch numbers (with a touch-sensitive calculator), flip through e-books, and more.

The Mebius came out back in May in Japan, but we were so impressed with it in person here at Tokyo's annual CEATEC consumer electronics show that we had to take a closer look, which you'll see in the above video. By the way, the Mebius is available at Japanese import site Dynamism for $999, complete with English-language Windows (and free tech support).

SwitchedIf the Nintendo DS and a Laptop Had a Kid, It Would Look Like This... originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 08 Oct 2009 22:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biginjapanceatecceatec2009eventsfeaturesjapanmebiusnetbooknetbookssharptopThu, 08 Oct 2009 22:31:00 EST<![CDATA[5 Essential Tips to Keep Your PC Safe]]>http://www.switched.com/2009/10/05/5-essential-tips-to-keep-your-pc-safe/http://www.switched.com/2009/10/05/5-essential-tips-to-keep-your-pc-safe/http://www.switched.com/2009/10/05/5-essential-tips-to-keep-your-pc-safe/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

One of the most important things everyone -- even Mac users -- needs to do with a computer is to make sure it is as secure from viruses, phishing scams, and other 'net threats as possible. No matter how often you practice safe browsing habits or think twice before clicking on a random link in your e-mail, you'd be surprised how often even the most cautious of folks can be caught off guard, which is why you need to have some basic security measures in place to protect you (and your computer), should something slip past. We've boiled it down to five basic steps that everyone -- even the computer and 'Net-threat-savvy -- should take to make sure that their PC and personal data are safe.

Continue reading 5 Essential Tips to Keep Your PC Safe

Switched5 Essential Tips to Keep Your PC Safe originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 05 Oct 2009 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>featuressafetysecurityspywaretopvirusMon, 05 Oct 2009 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Retro Logos From the Early Days of Computing]]>http://www.switched.com/2009/09/28/retro-logos-from-the-early-days-of-computing/http://www.switched.com/2009/09/28/retro-logos-from-the-early-days-of-computing/http://www.switched.com/2009/09/28/retro-logos-from-the-early-days-of-computing/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



Last week, we showed you the biggest exhibitions we saw at the Vintage Computer Festival East 2009. Still, we also became mildly obsessed with all the logos we saw on those retro PCs. So, we asked our photographer, Matthew McMullen Smith, to shoot some close-ups of as many retro logos (and vintage fonts) as he could find on the various restored computers that were on display.

If you're a retro PC or design enthusiast, or are just feeling nostalgic, then take a look at these bygone beauties -- from the '60s to the early '80s.

Gallery: Retro Computer Logos

SwitchedRetro Logos From the Early Days of Computing originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 28 Sep 2009 13:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>designeventsfeaturesretroretrotechtopvcfvcf2009vcfeast2009vintagevintagecomputersMon, 28 Sep 2009 13:19:00 EST<![CDATA[Vintage Computers Get the 'Classic Car' Treatment at VCF East 6.0]]>http://www.switched.com/2009/09/24/vintage-computers-get-the-classic-car-treatment-at-vcf-east-6/http://www.switched.com/2009/09/24/vintage-computers-get-the-classic-car-treatment-at-vcf-east-6/http://www.switched.com/2009/09/24/vintage-computers-get-the-classic-car-treatment-at-vcf-east-6/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


We trekked down to the New Jersey shore a couple of weeks ago to attend the Vintage Computer Festival East 6.0, an annual gathering of serious computer enthusiasts who prepare and exhibit working, restored computers from '50s, '60s, '70s and very early '80s ("essentially nothing later than a 186," says festival organizer Evan Koblentz). The festival is run by the Mid-Atlantic Retro Computing Hobbyists (MARCH) and took place at the InfoAge Science Center, a former secret military wireless radio and radar research center in Wall Township, New Jersey. Nowadays, the site houses many museums, including the MARCH Computer Museum, which is open every Sunday from 1-4pm.

As for the festival itself, it was a friendly cross between a classic cars festival and a science fair, with amateur computer restorers blowing our minds with working examples from computing history's hall of fame. Check out our slide show below with some of our favorite highlights, and be sure to check back for a couple of other slide shows featuring these same computers, from slightly different angles -- there was just so much to see!

Gallery: Vintage Computer Festival

Sony SMC-70Altair 8800bMITS 1440 Electronic CalculatorMITS 1440Tape Delay Machine


Related Links:

Classic Computer Keyboards Revisited
Retro Logos From the Early Days of Computing

SwitchedVintage Computers Get the 'Classic Car' Treatment at VCF East 6.0 originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 24 Sep 2009 16:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eventsfeaturesretroretrocomputingretrotechtopvcfvintagevintagecomputersThu, 24 Sep 2009 16:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Apple's Latest Update: Mac OS X v10.5.8 -- What's in It for You?]]>http://www.switched.com/2009/08/07/apples-latest-update-mac-os-x-v10-5-8-whats-in-it-for-you/http://www.switched.com/2009/08/07/apples-latest-update-mac-os-x-v10-5-8-whats-in-it-for-you/http://www.switched.com/2009/08/07/apples-latest-update-mac-os-x-v10-5-8-whats-in-it-for-you/#commentsFiled under: ,

Apple Releases Mac OS X v10.5.8, What's In It for You?If you're a Mac user, you have a little updating to do. To tide us over until Snow Leopard, the next major version of the Macintosh operating system, Apple earlier this week released an update with the exciting name "v10.5.8." Here's what it holds in store for you:
  • A new version of Safari, version 4.0.2, fixes some security holes and also allows better searching of browser history.
  • Bluetooth compatibility is said to be improved, meaning external devices should connect more quickly and stay connected more reliably.
  • If you've noticed extremely slow boot times, they may be fixed with this update.
  • Some issues connecting to AirPort wireless networks have been fixed.
  • Support for RAW file formats has been extended, meaning greater compatibility with high-end digital cameras.
  • A suite of miscellaneous security fixes.
Should you update? We'd say so. Apple updates tend to be fairly reliable, and while this one doesn't include anything ground-breaking, it does have a number of minor improvements that should make for a more seamless computing experience. And it's free, of course, so that helps, too. Just the same, it wouldn't hurt to back up anything important before you click on the 'Software Update' option in the Apple menu. [From: Apple Support]

SwitchedApple's Latest Update: Mac OS X v10.5.8 -- What's in It for You? originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 07 Aug 2009 15:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>applemacmac os xMacOsXos xos x 10os x 10.5.8OsXOsX10OsX10.5.8topupdatesFri, 07 Aug 2009 15:43:00 EST<![CDATA[Crook Reaches Through Window to Swipe Laptop From Man's Lap]]>http://www.switched.com/2009/07/10/fearless-crook-swipes-victims-computer-from-his-lap/http://www.switched.com/2009/07/10/fearless-crook-swipes-victims-computer-from-his-lap/http://www.switched.com/2009/07/10/fearless-crook-swipes-victims-computer-from-his-lap/#commentsFiled under: ,


Several weeks ago, brazen thieves stole 31 computer monitors from a Canadian man's driveway as he was preparing to load them for transport. In Minneapolis on the 4th of July, an even more audacious (or inebriated) would-be bandit reached through local resident Jesse Phoutthaphaphone's window and stole his laptop, directly out of the shocked Phoutthaphaphone's hands.

According to local NBC affiliate KARE 11, the victim, who had been checking out his MySpace page dressed only in his skivvies, bolted from the house and chased the thief into a nearby resident's garage. With the neighbor's help, the thief was overpowered, but, alas, the laptop hit the ground and shattered during the battle. The two men did manage to subdue the culprit until police arrived, though.

Continue reading Crook Reaches Through Window to Swipe Laptop From Man's Lap

SwitchedCrook Reaches Through Window to Swipe Laptop From Man's Lap originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 10 Jul 2009 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>crimelaptoptheftthieftopFri, 10 Jul 2009 14:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Is the Viliv S5 UMPC Worth the Hype?]]>http://www.switched.com/2009/05/18/is-the-viliv-s5-umpc-worth-the-hype/http://www.switched.com/2009/05/18/is-the-viliv-s5-umpc-worth-the-hype/http://www.switched.com/2009/05/18/is-the-viliv-s5-umpc-worth-the-hype/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


Welcome to another edition of Hype Check, where we give much-anticipated new gadgets or services a test drive and tell you whether or not they live up to the hype. Today, we set our critical eyes on the Viliv S5.

What it is: The Viliv S5 is a handheld UMPC -- ultra mobile PC -- that runs Windows XP and has specs comparable to that of most current netbooks, but also includes a touch screen and GPS.

Why it's different: UMPCs have been around for a few years now, but almost all of them have failed to capture mainstream success due to high prices, sluggish performance, and/or wretched battery life. The Viliv S5, on the other hand, costs $599, runs XP like a champ, and has six hours of battery life (200 hours on standby) -- all in a sleek black chassis that fits comfortably in the hand.

Continue reading Is the Viliv S5 UMPC Worth the Hype?

SwitchedIs the Viliv S5 UMPC Worth the Hype? originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 18 May 2009 10:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>featureshypechecktopMon, 18 May 2009 10:26:00 EST<![CDATA[Our Daily Deal: Viliv S5 UMPC With Free Accessories (First 400 Buyers)]]>http://www.switched.com/2009/05/14/our-daily-deal-viliv-s5-umpc-with-free-accessories-first-400-b/http://www.switched.com/2009/05/14/our-daily-deal-viliv-s5-umpc-with-free-accessories-first-400-b/http://www.switched.com/2009/05/14/our-daily-deal-viliv-s5-umpc-with-free-accessories-first-400-b/#commentsFiled under: ,



You usually have to pay for the privilege of owning a sought-after new gadget within a month of its release, but the Viliv S5 UMPC (Ultra-Mobile PC) -- a white-hot handheld Windows XP computer that sold out in less than a day when it debuted in Korea last month -- is being offered for pre-sale at Dynamism.com for just $599, starting at 1pm today.

The real deal is this, though: If you're one of the first 400 buyers, you'll get a free second battery, leather case, and car kit thrown in.

Continue reading Our Daily Deal: Viliv S5 UMPC With Free Accessories (First 400 Buyers)

SwitchedOur Daily Deal: Viliv S5 UMPC With Free Accessories (First 400 Buyers) originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 14 May 2009 12:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fathersdayourdailydealtopThu, 14 May 2009 12:51:00 EST<![CDATA[Acer Unveils Slim Timeline Laptop, Plus Desktops, Netbooks, and Nettops]]>http://www.switched.com/2009/04/08/acer-launches-new-laptops-desktops-and-netbooks/http://www.switched.com/2009/04/08/acer-launches-new-laptops-desktops-and-netbooks/http://www.switched.com/2009/04/08/acer-launches-new-laptops-desktops-and-netbooks/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



We rolled over to the Liberty Science Center in New Jersey last night for Acer's computer announcement extravaganza. The PC manufacturer announced brand new netbooks, laptops, and desktop lines under its eMachines, Gateway, and Acer brands. Considering the loads of new computer models flashing onto the giant IMAX screen overhead, all intercut with short IMAX clips driven by techno versions of Barber's 'Adagio for Strings,' it took us a while to get a hold on the sheer number of announcements. Improved battery life and affordability seem to have been the trends guiding last night's announcements. We've combed through the announcements, and here's a quick rundown of the big releases.

Continue reading Acer Unveils Slim Timeline Laptop, Plus Desktops, Netbooks, and Nettops

SwitchedAcer Unveils Slim Timeline Laptop, Plus Desktops, Netbooks, and Nettops originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 08 Apr 2009 11:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aceraspire oneAspireOnebreaking newsBreakingNewsemachinesgatewaynetbooknew productsNewProductsupcomingWed, 08 Apr 2009 11:32:00 EST<![CDATA[Most Heinous Custom Netbook, Ever]]>http://www.switched.com/2009/03/25/most-heinous-custom-netbook-ever/http://www.switched.com/2009/03/25/most-heinous-custom-netbook-ever/http://www.switched.com/2009/03/25/most-heinous-custom-netbook-ever/#commentsFiled under: ,


If the Acer Aspire One netbook above makes you feel uncomfortable, even angry, then you're probably not a Japanese school-girl. Hell, even if you are we hope you have the good sense not to paste stuffed animals, taffeta, and frills to your Atom-based netbook. That's what UMPCs are for.

SwitchedMost Heinous Custom Netbook, Ever originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 25 Mar 2009 11:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aceraspire oneAspireOnecustomfashiongirlsjapannetbooknetbookspinkrosesteddy bearTeddyBearuglyWed, 25 Mar 2009 11:23:00 EST<![CDATA[Which Netbook Is for You?]]>http://www.switched.com/2009/03/19/which-netbook-is-for-you/http://www.switched.com/2009/03/19/which-netbook-is-for-you/http://www.switched.com/2009/03/19/which-netbook-is-for-you/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



The bad economy may well have been the best thing for a new type of notebook computer known as the netbook. You may have heard that term bandied about the Web's tech pages over the past few months, but you might not know what it means. Essentially, a netbook is a low-cost (between $250 and $900), ultra-small-size (anywhere from 7-to-11-inch screens), and lightweight (2-3-pounds, typically) mini-laptop that pretty much every major computer manufacturer (and a few not so major) have started releasing on the marketplace.

Though they're able to handle a lot of the tasks of traditional laptops -- thanks to the inexpensive-but-powerful Atom processor found inside many of them-- netbooks are mainly designed for Web surfing, word processing, e-mailing, music, uploading photos and streaming media -- mainly leisurely tasks that don't involve any high-def DVDs or graphics-hungry computer games.

Netbooks typically run Windows XP, Vista, or Linux. In general, XP and Linux are preferred as they are less resource-hungry and run more smoothly on netbooks, giving them fast boot-up times.

Keyboards are often slightly smaller than average, which can be a dealbreaker for those who need a work laptop. Regardless, if you absolutely must get a new portable PC this year and you don't have much of a budget, investing in a netbook may well be the solution.

We spent the past few weeks trying out some of the most popular netbooks on the market and picked our favorites, narrowing them down by price, features, and user type. You can see our picks in the following pages, along with a video and image gallery at the end. Take a look by clicking on 'Next' below.

SwitchedWhich Netbook Is for You? originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 19 Mar 2009 23:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>affordablefeaturesnetbooknetbooksThu, 19 Mar 2009 23:48:00 EST<![CDATA[Report: Office Depot Employees Altering Computer Price Tags]]>http://www.switched.com/2009/03/17/report-office-depot-employees-altering-computer-price-tags/http://www.switched.com/2009/03/17/report-office-depot-employees-altering-computer-price-tags/http://www.switched.com/2009/03/17/report-office-depot-employees-altering-computer-price-tags/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



Wow. Things at Office Depot appear to be worse than we could have possibly thought. In fact, the alleged apparent systematic misleading of customers makes the shenanigans at BestBuy look quite tame by comparison.

Laptop Mag has published a follow up to its initial report of employees being encouraged to lie to customers at Office Depot. It turns out that salespeople at other Office Depot locations across the country are telling Laptop that the the same dishonesty is being encouraged at their stores. Even worse, the lying goes beyond mere fibs about laptop stock -- employees have reported Photoshopping and digitally altering price tags, as well as including the price of extended warranties and protection plans in the cost of clearance items. For example, if a $500 laptop were on sale for $450 and the employees needed to push an $80 extended warranty, the store would list the laptop at $500 and claim to be offering the $80 warranty for only $30.

View Poll



We'd like to say we're shocked, but it has become increasingly clear that dishonesty and unethical behavior (while not "officially" endorsed) are simply standard corporate policy at some major retail chains. We may not be shocked, but we are certainly appalled.

Continue reading Report: Office Depot Employees Altering Computer Price Tags

SwitchedReport: Office Depot Employees Altering Computer Price Tags originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 17 Mar 2009 15:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>businesscustomer serviceCustomerServicedishonestyethicslaptopmaglieslyingoffice depotOfficeDepotretailshoppingtopTue, 17 Mar 2009 15:57:00 EST<![CDATA[Hands-On with the World's Cheapest Laptops]]>http://www.switched.com/2009/03/17/hands-on-with-the-worlds-cheapest-laptops/http://www.switched.com/2009/03/17/hands-on-with-the-worlds-cheapest-laptops/http://www.switched.com/2009/03/17/hands-on-with-the-worlds-cheapest-laptops/#commentsFiled under: , ,


We were ready to fall in love with the Impulse NPX-9000 as soon as we heard the words "World's Cheapest Laptop," but now that we've got a review sample in our hands, the bloom might be off this rose -- especially since the $199 wholesale price isn't even as cheap as the Dell Mini 9 on sale.

On the other hand, there's something just delightfully janky about our Windows XP-powered unit, now labeled the TNX-9500 -- it beeped continuously for several minutes when we first turned it on, the 1GHz no-name processor seems less willing to run Internet Explorer than Richard Stallman on a bad day, and it took us several minutes to figure out that a loud howling sound was being produced by the always-on microphone feeding back through the speakers. Yet for some reason we were all smiles the whole time -- what can we say, we're suckers for cheap.

Hopefully Impulse will stake a bolder claim to the title of "world's cheapest laptop" when production ramps up, since prices are expected to fall, but this particular unit actually can't get any cheaper for you -- we'll be giving it away soon. Check some shots in the gallery at Engadget!

SwitchedHands-On with the World's Cheapest Laptops originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 17 Mar 2009 12:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>carapellifeaturedimpulsenetbooknpx 900npx-9000Npx900tnx 9500tnx-9500Tnx9500worlds cheapest laptopWorldsCheapestLaptopTue, 17 Mar 2009 12:21:00 EST<![CDATA[Most Speed-Up-Your-PC Programs Are Bogus]]>http://www.switched.com/2009/03/16/most-speed-up-your-pc-programs-are-bogus/http://www.switched.com/2009/03/16/most-speed-up-your-pc-programs-are-bogus/http://www.switched.com/2009/03/16/most-speed-up-your-pc-programs-are-bogus/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


Surely you've seen the annoying ads on television or flashing banner graphics on your favorite sites advertising applications guaranteed to take your slow-as-molasses computer and make it run like new again? Hopefully you've never taken the plunge and clicked or installed, but Slate's Farhad Manjoo did. Out of curiosity, he installed My Faster PC just to see what it would do to his computer. As it turns out, it didn't really do a thing -- other than milk him for $30.

That program, and the dozens of others like it, pledge to clean up supposed detritus left behind by months or years of computing. Sadly, My Faster PC relies largely on tools that are already on your computer, like Microsoft's disk defragmenter, which re-arranges things on your computer's hard drive to speed it up. It's automatically enabled in Vista (here's how to adjust it) and you can get to it in XP by going to "My Computer," right-clicking on your hard drive (C: or D:), clicking "Properties," clicking "Tools," and then clicking "Defragment Now."

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Continue reading Most Speed-Up-Your-PC Programs Are Bogus

SwitchedMost Speed-Up-Your-PC Programs Are Bogus originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 16 Mar 2009 15:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ccleanercomputersdefragmentdefragmentingmy faster pcMyFasterPcperformanceregistrytopupgradeswindowsMon, 16 Mar 2009 15:47:00 EST<![CDATA[Our Daily Deal: 4GB Laptop Memory for $28.99]]>http://www.switched.com/2009/03/13/our-daily-deal-4gb-laptop-memory-for-28-99/http://www.switched.com/2009/03/13/our-daily-deal-4gb-laptop-memory-for-28-99/http://www.switched.com/2009/03/13/our-daily-deal-4gb-laptop-memory-for-28-99/#commentsFiled under: , ,


The folks over at TechDealDigger are letting us know about some of the best deals they find on gadgets every day, so we're going to pass that information on to you. After all, in these tough economic times, every little bit counts. We may not be buying Swarovski-covered iPods any time soon, but everyone needs essentials like a computer, so take a look at what the online deals site sent us today.

Maybe you can't afford to cough up the cash for a brand new laptop, but you can greatly boost its performance with a cheap and simple memory upgrade. Memory is generally inexpensive, but we haven't seen any cheaper memory than this 4GB deal from Amazon. The catch? First, you'll have to send in for a rebate to get the price down to $28.99 (you'll pay $43.99 up front) and it's not exactly the latest or greatest tech: The 800Mhz DDR2 RAM from OCZ is a generation old, but that means that it will still work with most laptops (check with your manufacturer first). Regardless, you'll be hard pressed to notice the performance difference between this and the newer DDR3 -- unless you're doing a lot of gaming or video editing.

Watch this space every day for new tech deals. [From: TechDealDigger]

SwitchedOur Daily Deal: 4GB Laptop Memory for $28.99 originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 13 Mar 2009 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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