Technology | WindowsTalk.org

Apr

Electronic Overload: Is it Time to Get Disconnected?

by Guest Post

Whether you are in the coffee shop, on the bus, or in the park, there is no doubt that someone nearby is online. iPods, cell phones, PSPs, the Wii, video games, Pinterest, television, Facebook, Twitter, etc. have all become part of our daily lives. In fact, many of us consider ourselves “addicted” to these devices.

It’s difficult to put a specific time limit on how much is too much. I think most of us know when we are overdoing it. We get up and check our Facebook, yahoo, and GMAIL accounts. We turn on our cell phones while walking the dog in the morning. We take the bus and play games on our PSPs or I-Pods. We “follow” people throughout the day on Twitter. We come home and sit in front of the television or computer. We continue to check emails, cell phone calls, texts, and SKYPE. We play on Facebook and Pinterest. Basically, we are always connected.

Many of us believe it’s necessary to always be connected. We may be needed on vacation; we have to be accessible by phone and email. How will we be able to keep up with the daily happenings of our 714 friends on Facebook if we are not connected? Following stars on Twitter is essential to our existence. We have to play on our blackberries so we don’t get bored.

You get the point. However, these are all falsities that have become norms. Being connected 24 hours a day is not necessary. It is likely doing you and everyone else more harm than good. So, the question arises, how much is too much?

To determine if you are spending too much time being connected, ask yourself the following questions. Am I physically active? Do I get enough sleep? Am I being mentally challenged? Am I hiding behind my computer saying things I normally would not? Is my being connected interfering with me getting other things done in my life (e.g., laundry, food shopping, etc.)? Do I feel the constant need to be connected, check my email, my Facebook account, etc.? Do I mindlessly eat when playing or studying? Am I enjoying nature and the nice weather?

Simply by answering these few questions will help provide you with insight regarding your connectedness. Be honest with yourself. If you are too connected, it’s time to take action. The question then becomes how to get disconnected; tips will be forthcoming.

Juliana is a freelance writer and craft enthusiast. She has been known to make some beautiful candle favors for weddings when she takes time out for herself from her technology-filled life.

Categories General, Technology
Comments (31)

Apr

Coffee Makers and Technology: What the Future Holds for Java Addicts

by Bethany Ramos

Have you ever taken a good hard look at the trusty Mr. Coffee maker you use day in and day out? While it may seem like a simple device that does its job by brewing cup after cup of delicious, hot coffee, it’s actually the byproduct of the influence of technology in the coffee industry over the past two centuries.

Most of us are thanking our lucky stars for the use of technology when it comes to brewing coffee. It means we can now have our morning brew faster, fresher, and more flavorful than ever before. Yes, we have definitely come a long way from brewing coffee grounds in a sock over a campfire like the cowboys used to do, and we have technology to thank for it…

Coffee Technology: Where Did It All Begin?

The first major technological innovation in the coffee world was the invention of the first espresso machine in France in 1822. By the time that 1933 rolled around, the first automatic espresso machine had been manufactured by Dr. Illy, the founder of the Illy brand of Italian gourmet espresso. A model closer to what we know as a modern-day espresso machine was created by Achilles Gaggia in 1946, yet the first pump driven espresso machine wasn’t introduced until 1960.

When it comes to coffee, vacuum brewers and percolators were used throughout the 1800s, but it wasn’t until 1963 when Bunn made the first commercial drip brew coffee maker available for household use. Mr. Coffee hit its peak in popularity when it was introduced to the market in 1972.

The Best of the Best in Coffee Technology

While we still use the basic models of espresso machines and drip brew coffee makers today, coffee technology has made leaps and bounds. Standard espresso machines are now souped up with all the bells and whistles so that you can brew barista quality espresso drinks like lattes and cappuccinos with the touch of a button.

That’s right - a super automatic espresso machine will brew a customized beverage of your choice using a one touch brewing system; you can also customize and save several personalized beverages per machine, depending upon the model.

If you’re looking for convenience, the Keurig single cup brewer takes the cake. This brewing system uses pod brewing technology to brew a single cup of coffee in under 60 seconds, with a wide variety of K Cup flavors available to brew coffee or tea.

When it comes to the future of coffee technology today, caffeine addicts can rejoice. Technological advancements are making coffee more portable than ever with devices like the Handpresso portable espresso maker for espresso on the go, or a mobile coffee maker that can be built into your vehicle.

Oh, and don’t forget about the latest and greatest Sirena espresso machine available at Starbucks, designed by none other than BMW. For only $599, you can take home a top-of-the-line espresso machine that will purr like a luxury sports car every time you brew…

Categories General, Technology
Comments (13)

Apr

5 Best iPhone Apps for the Business Professional

by Guest Post

Business men and women everywhere use their iPhone to keep up with their daily tasks, however finding the best apps to help them can be somewhat of a daunting task.

The iPhone has become a great companion for business people, but many are still not taking full advantage of everything their smartphone has to offer. If you’re a business person and are currently using your iPhone to check your e-mail and make phone calls, you should know that there are a few great apps out there that can help you extend your smartphone’s functionality and make it work for you.

A lot of people are using their iPhone in a whole range of different ways and you could be one of them, if you install these five great apps for the business professional.

Scanner Pro

Ever wanted to make a copy of a document when there’s no copier in sight? Scanner Pro is there for you in these situations and it can turn your iPhone into a portable scanner. The Scanner Pro app will help you make copies of any important document in just a few seconds.

After you’ve scanned a document, you can choose to save it as PDF so you can attach to an e-mail and even password-protect it for enhanced security.

Encamp

If you need to manage your projects easily you can choose the mobile version of the popular BaseCamp software. Encamp uses the BaseCamp API to help you organize all your projects with the aid of an easy-to-use platform, which becomes even more useful when you use it with 3G instead of WiFi.

Flight Track Pro

Everyone knows that a business person travels a lot, so an app like Flight Track Pro can become very useful in these situations. You will get all your flight details on your iPhone screen and live details about delays and possible alternative flights to your destinations.

The Flight Track Pro app is an incredibly powerful tool and you’ll never miss your flight again if you use this one.

Analytics App

In case you’re a website owner or blogger and want to know everything about what’s going on with your site when you’re away, the Analytics app for iPhone will keep you posted with everything you need to know.

This one is Google mobile version of the Analytics platform and will still be able to offer 50 different variations of reporting directly to your iPhone.

iTerminal

Need a quick way to use your credit card securely from your iPhone?

iTerminal seems to be the perfect app for the job and will allow you to make or receive payments in just a few seconds. You will have to pay for this one on a monthly basis, but I guess you won’t mind that if you know your credit card information is secured and there’s no chance that anyone could get a hold of your details.

There will also be a small charge to your account every time you use it but the good news is that you can set up a central merchant account and use it from multiple devices anytime you want.

These are just five very useful apps for any business person that will make your life a whole lot easier and help you out with daily tasks, even when you’re away from your office.

Marty loves to write about technology and new gadgets on his blog. Find out more about the latest Apple products by subscribing to the news feed.

Categories Technology
Comments (11)

Apr

Tablet Computers vs eReader

by Guest Post

eReaders and tablet computers: the question is, with the broad range of features available in a tablet computer, do eReaders still provide features that make it worth the expense?

eReaders Have Evolved

eReaders like the Amazon Kindle or the Barnes and Noble Nook have a really great concept. You can buy a book or get copies of classics for a discount or even free. Dependant on the reader or app you are using, you can flip through a book, highlight, bookmark, look up the word in a dictionary or have a selection read to you. It has also boomed the self publishing world and more books are being published this year electronically, than are being released in print form.

When they first came out you were limited in features, but since then eReaders with a higher price tag can also check email, surf the net or play a game, the question is then, with the price of tablet computers going down and the price of more user friendly readers going up, is it worth the money?

Tablets are Evolving Faster

Three years ago, tech geeks like me knew the tablets were coming, but even we had no idea they would morph into the everything-in-one machines they have become. You can’t even sit in the Doctor’s office without seeing someone passing the time on an iPad or tablet computer like the Android Evo Tablet.

Here you have a touchscreen computer that lets you play interactive games and with the click of your finger in a package the size of a folded piece of notebook paper. The problem for eReaders is that all you have to do is download an eReader app and you can do everything with the app you could do if you had a reader. Plus it still does everything your laptop does.

If it’s not broke…

Tablet style computers really make buying an eReader unnecessary. It’s the same kind of idea as filling your kitchen with all of those gadgets that do just one thing. A great example would be the perfect pancake: a pan basically good for only one thing- making a pancake. With a skillet you can fry just about anything including pancakes. That is the phenomenon we have here. An eReader is only good for buying and reading books from that store, while the tablets do all of that and everything else. Why pay more money for something you just don’t need?

The author of this article, Lucas Jenkins, contributes pages such as this one about ceiling tiles to his blog http://affordablehomeremodelingideas.com on a regular basis.

Categories General, Technology
Comments (12)

Mar

Common Problems in Older Computers

by Guest Post

By Matthew D. Hartin
Computers have been around for a long time and newer models are coming out almost every day. While many people are taking the opportunity to upgrade their systems, some try to get by with older computers. If you have an older computer or you’re thinking about buying one used, there are a few potential problems that you could run into.

Outdated Operating System

One of the biggest problems that you may come across is an outdated operating system. The operating system is the software that allows you to interact with your computer and run other software programs. If the operating system that you have is outdated, it makes it difficult to do many different things on your computer. For example, when you try to install a new software program on your computer, it may not be able to be installed because it’s not compatible with your operating system. This might limit what you can do with your computer because it will not be able to use newer software programs or plugins.

Slow Running

Another problem that many people run into when using old computers is that they are very slow. Many of the older computers that were made, the random access memory is not very high, which can make the computer operate slowly. This means that when you try to open a software program or a webpage, it might take a long time to open. This can make everything you do on the computer take longer than it should.

Not Enough Memory

Many of the older computers that were manufactured had small hard drives installed on them. Newer computers tend to have bigger hard drives, which allow you to store more information on your computer. If you buy an old computer that has a small hard drive, it may be very difficult to store many large files. For example, if you need to save movies or a bunch of songs on the computer, you may not be able to. This problem can be addressed by purchasing a stand-alone hard drive for your computer, but this will cost a little bit extra to make it work.

Viruses and Malware

Many older computers that have been used for many years start to slow down and have problems because they pick up viruses and malware along the way. When your computer has malware and viruses, it may not function as it should. Many of the older computers cannot be protected from viruses and malware as easily as newer computers because they do not have constant security updates. If the computer is using an old, outdated operating system, it may be more susceptible to viruses because the operating system may not be supported. If you want an operating system that has regular security updates issued for it, you’ll have to get one of the operating systems that are newer on the market.

Considerations

Older computers may be able to save you money, but you may have to put up with an inferior performance compared to newer models. Security issues could cause problems along the way and lead to files or folders being compromised at some point. As long as you can deal with these problems, old computers may be able to work for your application.

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Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Matthew_D._Hartin
http://EzineArticles.com/?Common-Problems-in-Older-Computers&id=6968409

Categories Technology, The Desktop Experience
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Mar

How Windows Phone Could Become the Best Choice for Business

by Guest Post

Samsung Focus™ Windows Smartphone

Ever since Apple released iPhone Exchange ActiveSync in 2008, the company’s mobile devices have become more business friendly with each release. And while Microsoft hasn’t exactly blazed new trails with Windows Phone’s business capabilities, Windows Phone 8 may soon change that.

Industry sources now say that Windows Phone 8, which isn’t available yet, will offer features that cater to the business community. If the reports are accurate, the next Blackberry your company issues you might not be a RIM device at all. It might be a Windows Phone.

Better encryption

Advanced encryption functionality is one thing keeping Windows Phone 7 out of the hands of many professionals.

The finance and healthcare verticals, in particular, deal with large amounts of sensitive data that require sophisticated encryption for privacy and security reasons. Although iOS has come a long way in this respect, it looks like Windows Phone 8 will be nipping at its heals.

Microsoft’s new phones should offer the level of encryption these industries require – a clear sign that the company is looking to capture market share in the business sphere. Specifically, Windows Phone 8 will add native BitLocker encryption, which is the same robust encryption found on the latest Windows desktop releases.

From Zune to cloud

After announcing the demise of all Zune hardware last October, it should come as no surprise that Microsoft will phase out its Zune app as a syncing tool.

Like its competitors in the mobile space, the company will introduce a cloud ecosystem (think iCloud, but Windows-ish). This move should satisfy both business and consumer users who are already moving more data to the cloud.

Desktop integration

One of developers’ biggest gripes about Windows Phone is the lack of enterprise integration between its own mobile infrastructure and desktop computers running MS Windows – a problem that makes the platform exceedingly cumbersome for app creation.

With Windows 8, developers will get to recreate an identical user experience between the desktop version of Windows 8 and the Windows Phone environment. This change will make using Windows 8 for business a much more intuitive and streamlined process.

For developers, it also means gaining the ability to recycle code when creating apps for Windows 8′s desktop and mobile platforms. iOS developers already work this way, but it wasn’t something Windows Phone developers could enjoy until now.

Exchange management

Windows Phone 8 will also feature more streamlined management of Microsoft’s Exchange and System Center.

A likely boon for business users, this functionality should make it easier to automatically configure devices, use advanced encryption features, and perform a number of tasks associated with Exchange.

DataSmart features for business?

OK, this one isn’t a sure thing. But some industry sources speculate that a new Windows Phone 8 feature called DataSmart will be available at both the consumer and enterprise levels.

DataSmart lets you actively track and manage data usage to avoid sticker shock when your bill arrives. For businesses, this could be an opportunity to cut expenses by controlling data use on company-owned mobile devices.

While it remains to be seen whether features like these will help Windows Phone 8 break into the business sphere, the mobile brain trust at Microsoft is definitely making a go at it.

Adam Green is a freelance copywriter who champions enterprise fraud management. If the new Windows Phone is as cool as the critics say it is, he may just become the first person to snatch one up.

Categories General, Hardware, Microsoft, Technology
Comments (17)

Mar

Speed Up Transactions With E-Signatures

by Guest Post

E-signatures have provided a tremendous boost for businesses both big and small in recent years, giving them the ability to execute global transactions more easily than ever before. The enactment of the ESIGN Act has further increased the popularity of e-signatures in recent years, but why should you use e-signatures and e-contracts in your business? The following highlights a few of the benefits.

What E-Signature Software Is About
E-signature software is a type of software used to apply digital signatures to electronic documents. E-signatures come in a variety of forms, and can be as simple as a sound or picture that verifies the identity of the signing party. E-signature are usually encrypted and are designed to be tamper-proof to provide more security to the signer’s authentication. Some software providers allow for multiple signers, which can be very helpful when the party involved has multiple parties handling a transaction. After a document a document is created and sent out, the software allows the parties involved to easily monitor the status of the transaction.

How E-Signatures Help Make Transactions Smoother
Millions of businesses have implemented e-signatures and e-transactions in recent years for a variety of reasons. One reason is the increased speed of electronic transactions. E-signatures and e-contracts allow transactions to be executed in minutes, even if the parties involved are on opposite sides of the globe. This is obviously preferable to conventional paper transactions where it can take days, or even weeks or months for a contract to reach a signer, and even more time for the signed contract to return to the sender.
Electronic transactions are usually saved on a cloud-based system, making the documents more accessible. Cloud storage makes record-keeping and file access much easier. Electronic transactions also eliminate the need for paper, which helps the environment, allows for a more organized office environment, and cuts costs. The increased security and verifiable proof of authentication associated with electronic signatures also help businesses attract new customers, and the inherent convenience of electronic transactions helps to further attract consumers.
E-signatures and e-contracts can be a helpful addition to any business looking to expand its market, go paperless, or simplify record-keeping. If you have been looking to increase your own business’s efficiency, electronic signatures are for you.

Mr. Moore is an expert in online technologies, including web applications, cloud computing, and electronic signature. His articles on innovative products and new technology including those on digital signature have been published on leading online sites.

Categories Software, Technology
Comments (14)

Mar

Tablets and Laptops to watch in 2012

by Ethan Simmons

While 2011 was the year when touchscreen tablet computers finally exploded onto the scene, 2012 will be the year when tablets and laptops go head to head for the hearts of consumers. Already, much talk and practice has been had with tablets as a business tool to replace laptops while the normal consumer like a student or a family may easily consider a tablet before a laptop. The following tablets and laptops will be the models to watch in 2012 as they may be the final straw to tip the scales or at least offer users a good time trying it out.

Tablets to watch in 2012

Tablets have a bigger advantage over laptops in that the market is still not saturated enough for new innovations. Tablet users still have no clear idea as to what will be the defining factor for that make or break decision in buying a tablet, as such there are a whole lot more choices. Because of this the tablet list is significantly larger with a number of models still not out for consumer consumption just yet. This list includes the:

Apple iPad3
Asus Eee Pad Transformer Prime TF201
OLPC XO 3.0
Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.7
Sony Tablet P

Apple’s iPad3 – Future Contender

While not officially released just yet (Note: it has been released since this article was written – ED) the Apple iPad3 is going to set the standard even higher than when the iPad2 came out. While most information about when it will be released (most say it will be in Q1 of 2012) is still rumor at this point the iPad3 will probably use a Quad-core processor with better graphics. Like the iPad2 and iPad before it the iPad3 will likely outperform the iPad2 by several times. The sub-par camera on the iPad2 will probably be replaced with the 8MP camera from the iPhone 4S and repositioned on the iPad3. Apart from this the only other things to expect are a thinner, lighter and longer lasting tablet, which won’t really be a surprise but will still be very much welcome. The specifications for the iPad3 would include:

a Quad-core processor
an 8MP rear-facing camera
better graphics
slimmer and lighter design

Asus Eee Pad Transformer Prime TF201 – Performance beast

This tablet is currently the one to beat as it not only comes with an NVIDIA Tegra 3 quad-core processor, it also features an 8MP camera with auto-focus and LED flash along with a Super IPS+ panel. Running on Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, the ASUS Eee Pad Transformer Prime TF201 also transforms into laptop through its mobile dock, which also extends the battery life by up to 18 hours. In terms of features alone, this tablet beats out everything and anything currently on the tablet market, including the current market leader which is the Apple iPad2. What is notable here is that on top of offering much better 3D graphics and a quad-core processor capable of equalizing with a laptop, is the fact that Asus have also added in a fifth processor to handle background processes, enabling even better battery life. The specifications for the Asus Eee Pad Transformer Prime TF201 would include:

an NVIDIA Tegra 3 quad-core processor
an 8MP camera with auto-focus and LED flash
a Super IPS+ screen
Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich OS
better 3D graphics
fifth sub-processor (500MHz) for background processes

OLPC XO 3.0 – Tough and Cheap

While this touchscreen tablet from the UN sponsored One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) program offers rather mediocre specifications with its Marvell Armada PXA618 guts, 512MB of RAM and 4GB internal storage, it is being offered for just $100. Unlike other tablets, the OLPC XO 3.0 is tough, with a textured, rubberized, waterproof back and a glass display. It should be able to handle rugged third world conditions better than its consumer level compatriots. Its rather bright neon-green color may make it less suitable for the all-black business user but it can handle a much wider range of DC power inputs so you can plug in a hand crank or solar charger if there isn’t a power socket handy. Connection-wise it offers the basics with a USB, microUSB, audio in/out and sensor input port and will run on either Android or OLPC’s own Sugar OS. The notable specifications for the OLPC XO 3.0 would be:

a Marvel Armada PXA618 processor
512MB RAM
4GB flash memory storage
$100 price tag
Rubberized waterproof casing
hand crank + solar panel charger

Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.7 – Display Master

Smaller, slimmer and above all, packing in the brightest, most awesome 7.7” Super AMOLED Plus display around, this tablet will put all other tablet screens, laptops and some HDTVs to shame. Specification-wise it isn’t entirely a slouch either with a 1.4GHz dual-core processor, 1GB of RAM, up to 64GB of ROM and the option to expand 32GB further via microSD flash memory. It also does very well in terms of wireless connections, allowing for Wi-Fi twice as fast as the competition and dual band wireless connectivity. Specifications of note for the Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.7 would be:

its 7.7” Super AMOLED Plus display
a 1.4GHz dual-core processor
1GB RAM
64GB internal storage + up to 32GB microSD
faster wi-fi

Sony Tablet P – Dual-screen form factor

This isn’t the first time someone has come up with a dual display touchscreen tablet (the Toshiba Libretto comes to mind) but it is from Sony, manufacturers that are known to be just as big perfectionists as Steve Jobs. As such, it is worth noting that a lot of work has been put into the design of the dual 5.5” LCD touchscreens. Sony has used its TruBlack LCD technology for blacker blacks and whiter whites while the 1GHz processor and 1GB worth of RAM is just enough to propel this tablet down the line. While it won’t beat out other performance tablets, it will turn heads with the dual-screen and since it is a Sony product it is rated usable with Sony’s playstation gaming platform. Specifications for the Sony Tablet P include:

a 1GHz processor
1GB RAM
two 5.5” TruBlack LCD screens
Gaming compatibility

Laptops to watch in 2012

As the more mature market, the Laptop market is understandably saturated and has less innovation as compared to the tablet market. As such the list of laptops to watch in 2012 is rather small. These include the:

15” MacBook Air
Lenovo Yoga
HP Envy Spectre

15” MacBook Air – Ultimate ultrabook

While the new smaller screen MacBook Air has already been released, the 15” MacBook Air laptops are going to take over the Ultrabook laptop market. This is because, on top of being as slim as ever and packing in some powerful Intel Sandy Bridge processors, the 15” screen will offer more screen real estate without being too bulky. Like the other Apple product above, release dates point to the first quarter of 2012 with 17-inch models also being considered for the upcoming roll-out. Specifications-wise the 15” MacBook will probably feature:

Intel 2nd Generation Core i5 and i7 processors
Intel Thunderbolt technology
SSD internal storage
Multi-touch trackpad
long-lasting battery life
ultra-thin design

Lenovo Yoga – Bend Backwards Convertible

Convertible Laptops that convert into touch screen tablets are not new but what makes this laptop different is that it will bend over backwards to please. Previous convertibles have used a swivel hinge that have almost always broken off or got damaged very quickly. The Lenovo Yoga uses special hinges that allow you to flip the touchscreen over backwards. When in this mode the physical keyboard is automatically turned off, so you can lay this convertible down without worrying about pressing the keys. Since it is going to run on Windows 8 it isn’t available just yet, however, other possible specifications for the Lenovo Yoga include:

17mm thick
13.3” IPS panel touchscreen display
Windows 8
Intel Ivy Bridge processors
Samsung SSD

HP Envy Spectre – Classy and Glassy

This 14” screen laptop may be on the edge in terms of Ultrabook size range with its 13.3” chassis but it brings to the table a design almost entirely devoted to glass. This includes an awesome ultra-thin design with tough, scratch-resistant glass used for both the casing, screen, bezels and trackpad. While this also means that it is also the ultimate smudge magnet, it offers looks that you won’t find on any other laptop in the market. It isn’t a slouch performance-wise either as it will pack in Intel 2nd Generation Core i5 and i7 ULV processors, up to 256GB SSD, up to 8GB of DDR3 memory, USB 3.0 support and beats audio. Full specifications for the HP Envy Spectre include:

12.88″Wx8.7″Dx0.79″H
under 4 lbs weight
up to 9.5 hours battery life
14″ diagonal HD+ Radiance LED backlit display
13.3″ chassis
128GB or 256GB mSATA solid-state drive
Intel Core i5 and i7 ULV Processors
4GB or 8GB of DDR3
Mini DisplayPort
1 USB 3.0 port
Beats Audio system (2 speakers and subwoofer)
External jogger dial
Integrated HP Wireless Audio

This article is brought to you by Ethan Simmons, a senior contributor at Honest-Laptop-Reviews.Com

Categories Hardware, Reviews, Technology
Comments (15)

Mar

5 Windows Tablets you Should Look at if You Don’t Want to go With ARM

by Guest Post

Tablets are the new mainstay in personal computing, and ARM is definitely the leader when it comes to providing the processors for the platform. Thanks to that, mobile operating systems like iOS and Android are now more powerful than ever and can do a lot of tasks that were originally only possible on laptops and desktops.

But ARM processors still have a lot of drawbacks and limitations – they may be very energy efficient, but they’re a lot slower than their x86 counterparts, and of course, it’s impossible to run any of the “normal” programs and software that you have on your laptop. That’s where x86 tablets come in – with Intel Atom processors, they can do pretty much everything a good laptop can, with the added benefit of an ultra-portable form factor and a longer battery life.

Most of these tablets are powered by Microsoft’s Windows OS, and the latest Windows 8 looks like it will be a killer OS, capable of competing with Android and iOS while still being able to run all of your favorite x86 apps. If you want a tablet that will run all the software you need for work and play, a Windows tablet is definitely worth a look. Here are the top models on the market at the moment:

Acer Iconia Tab W500. The Iconia Tab W500 is one of the best competitors to the Asus Transformer Prime and iPad 2 (the most popular tablets on the market at the moment), and it’s in a league of its own when it comes to hardware specs. The W500 is almost as thin and light as its Android counterpart, the A500, and it features enough hardware power to run any Windows apps and even some of the older games (Half Life 2 and Star Wars Empire at War will work fine, for example). The biggest features are the Ethernet jack and keyboard dock, which turns it into the only x86 ultraportable you’ll ever need.

Dell Latitude ST. Dell’s Latitude ST is super light for what it carries inside at only 816 grams, and with Intel’s newest Atom processor, 2 GB of RAM, 128 GB SSD and a 10.1 inch display, it lets you do everything you could do on your laptop without problems. While the Latitude ST is intended as a business product (with an accordingly high price), the standard features of a consumer tablet are still there, including Wifi N, Bluetooth, GPS, USB and HDMI out ports, SD card slot and two cameras for video calls and photos/HD video recording.

Samsung Series 7 Slate.Samsung takes a slightly different approach with the Series 7 Slate, marketing it as a universal computer from the get-go, which can be used to replace your tablet, laptop and desktop at the same time. To that end, the slate features a 11.6 inch display, Core i5-2467M ULV dual core processor with Intel’s HD 3000 graphics adapter, 4 GB of RAM, 128 GB SSD and a slew of expansion options that will make other tablet envious, including a special dock and a wireless keyboard. The Series 7 Slate is remarkably thin for its specs at only 13 mm, although the all metal body makes it a bit heavy overall.

HP Slate 2. HP’s Slate 2 is the successor to the popular HP Slate 500, and it brings a few improvements to the table that will undoubtedly make the buyers happy. The slate has an 8 inch display with 1024×600 pixels resolution, and is pretty compact for a Windows tablet, while still carrying all the features a business user would need. There’s an Intel Atom Z670 running inside the device, coupled with 2 GB of RAM and a 128 GB SSD. The price of the HP Slate 2 is quite a lot lower than the other devices on the list at $699, which makes it a great choice for those who want a Windows tablet.

Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga.The IdeaPad Yoga is the biggest, heaviest and most expensive Windows tablet on this list, but I had to list it because of its unique features. It’s a true desktop/laptop replacement Ultrabook tablet hybrid, and while that sounds like a mouthful, it accurately describes the device. The Yoga has an awesome 13.3 inch, 1600×900 pixels display, and is a convertible Ultrabook – it has a normal laptop design, except its two hinges rotate a whole 180 degrees to turn it into a big tablet. The hardware specs are also impressive: the IdeaPad Yoga has all the ports and expansion features of an Ultrabook, along with a Core i7 processor, 4 GB of RAM and a 128 GB SSD in its base configuration. It’s the ultimate all-in-one computer if you’re willing to sacrifice a bit of portability.

There aren’t that many x86 tablets on the market at the moment, but their number will definitely increase when Windows 8 is finally out this summer. The above five-o is worth a look, though, if you want something that you can actually use for productive work wherever you go.

Raja is a Guest Blogger Who Writes About Web Development, Web Hosting Reviews, Technology, Software, SEO, & Dedicated Hosting Reviews.

Categories Microsoft, Technology
Comments (24)

Mar

What You Should Know Before Buying a Tablet PC

by Guest Post

Ever since the tablet market doors were flung open by Apple, the tablet PC has become the most desirable tool-slash-accessory of the last few years. Competitors had witnessed the success of iPad and iPad accessories, hence coming out with their own tablet PCs to compete with Apple. Yes, tablets have arrived and they are looking good. With a sleek, keyboard-free design, tablets offer handy, portable computing and connectivity. It is one of the coolest gadgets to come out and it is safe to say that this is one tool that is on many people’s want list. However, is it the right gadget for you? Here is a guide on what you should know before buying a tablet PC.

Screen size
The type, quality and size of the screen is an important consideration for tablet PCs. Size will matter, particularly if you have large fingers and intend to do a lot of typing. However, keep in mind that the larger the screen, the larger the overall size of the tablet and the less portable it becomes. If you are going for portability, look for a good compromise between screen size and functionality. Tablet PC screens range from 5 inches to 10.1 inches, so there is plenty to choose from.
Resolution
Keep in mind that tablet PCs are not created equal, so some may offer better displays than others. Image quality matters particularly if you want to maximize your experience for reading, playing video games, surfing and watching movies. Resolution is expressed in the number of pixels for every square inch of screen. The higher this amount, the better the picture quality.
Getting touchy
Another key consideration to keep in mind is the tablet PC’s responsiveness to touch. Nothing is more frustrating than using a tablet and not getting the type of response you want, when and where you want it.
Lighting vs. Glare
If you are checking the merits of a tablet PC inside a store, remember that you are viewing its screen in even lighting. It may look good but it may not perform as well in low lighting or bright sunlight. Try to check it under different lighting conditions. If it performs consistently, then it is probably the right choice for you.
Connectivity
Connectivity is a crucial function of the tablet PC and should not be taken for granted. Most tablets have built-in Wi-Fi but make sure to choose one that can accommodate your surfing habits. This is especially important if you like uploading, downloading and viewing media-streaming files, which are resource heavy.
Bluetooth is also a good feature to have, especially if you prefer wireless transfer of data. It will also allow you to use a Bluetooth keyboard or headset if you choose.
If you like to travel or want Internet access from anywhere, consider 3G connection. Some of the leading tablet manufacturers have partnered with telecommunications companies, so it is possible to get connected from anywhere there is a signal. You will have to pay for the plan, though and some telecom companies may require a contract with a lock-in period.
Storage
If there is one thing that has to be big in a tablet PC, it has to be storage. This is especially important for users who do heavy duty storing and saving. More storage means more cost but you could upgrade memory with a removable memory card to make more room.
Apps and Operating Systems
Tablets often come with an onboard operating system that allows you to use software. Many of these are packaged with great apps that enhance and extend the functionality of the tablet. The good news is that there is an app for virtually anything you can think of to satisfy professional and recreational interests.

Anything else that one should know before buying a tablet PC? Tell us in the comments.

This article is written by Peter Lee who blogs at Computer How To Guide, a blog featuring computer how-tos, tips and tricks, gadgets, security and various computers and technology related topics.

Categories Hardware, Technology
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