Notebooks / Accessories

When you think about it, a ThinkPad netbook would be overkill. Why design a mini-notebook with a durable chassis and great keyboard if it’s slow as molasses? That’s the logic behind the ThinkPad X100e, an AMD-powered ultraportable ($569 as tested) that has enough pep to be one’s primary PC. We love the full-size keyboard on this 3.2-pound machine, as well the loud speakers and clear webcam. We especially like that you can order this little number in red at no extra cost. Too bad the X100e achieves below-average battery life and gets pretty hot on the bottom. Should you buy this laptop or just save up for an Intel-powered ThinkPad Edge or X200? Check out the full review here.

Dell has created yet another stylish business notebook in the Vostro V13. Like the Latitude Z600, it will make workers on the move feel important. Sporting a remarkably thin 0.7-inch profile, the V13 has a durable and stylish anodized aluminum casing and zinc hinges. But sacrifices have been made in the name of aesthetics. We can live with just two USB ports, but a little over 4 hours of battery life on a system that’s meant to be carried around will be too short for many. At $991 (for our configuration), this ultraportable will definitely have some reaching for the less sexy but more powerful Vostro 3000 series, but decide for yourself after reading our full review.

The coolest, cutest, craziest and most useful accessories we’ve seen around the web this week.

Jeweled Phoenix Necklace/USB Drive: A nice blend of fashion, tech, and usefulness, this necklace that doubles as a drive is something I could see people wearing. Comes in 2GB, 4GB, and 8GB versions costing $22 – $36 each. [via Chip Chick]
#USBDrives #Jewelry #GeekChic #Accessories

Quirky Cloak iPad Case: Yes, there are a ton of iPad accessories already. After all, you can’t get yours until at least April 3rd, so why not soothe your jitters by snagging something for the “magical” device in the mean time? I like these cases because they’ll keep the screen relatively safe and hold the iPad in portrait or landscape. Order now and get one for just $36. [via Geeky Gadgets]
#iPad #iPadCase #Accessories

Spiderpodium: Need a versatile podium for your mobile gadget? Then check out this eight-legged wonder. Arachnophobes may get a bit creeped out, but the multiple legs and grips will keep your toy in place to take better self portraits, watch movies, or keep an eye on Google Maps while biking. Okay, maybe that last one is a bit dangerous, but you’ll come up with something safer. Pre-oder it now for around $23 (15 pounds). [via Chip Chicks]
#Dock #Tripod #MobileGadget #SmartPhone #iPhone #iPod #MP3 Player #Accessories

App Icon Magnets: iPhone lovers will be drawn to these fridge magnets (sorry, I couldn’t resist). The 18 piece set comes in an iPhone-shaped blister pack and will look great on metal surfaces that do not include delicate electronics with memory inside. So no sticking them to your Palm pre in a desperate attempt to feel cooler.
#Accessories #Magnets #iPhone

Sporting distinct, classy names, Women in Business’ spring line of laptop bags are professional and pragmatic. Express yourself with the Vanity, the Liberator, the Thoroughbred, or the HerBackpack, all of which are available through Women in Business’ website.

The Vanity Bag

With sensitivity to both laptop protection and appearance, the Vanity Bag stands out as the best of the lot. The Expresso model features a quilted matte leather brown exterior lined with green nylon. Also available in shiny patent leather red or black, each tote is divided into four compartments.

Read the rest of this entry »

Urban Collector has some new accessories up for pre-order that should make my nerdy heart go pitter-patter. After all, I’m a life-long Trek lover and Wolverine is one of my top 5 favorite X-Men. But I don’t know that I could deal with these themed keyboards because they’re just a bit overwhelming. I mean, look at this:

I’m not even sure I could type on that. Even though my fingers naturally know where each letter is, I’m sure I’d be easily distracted. Plus, the one of the Enterprise looks like it’s coming right for us! which is not conductive to getting work done. Perhaps they would make good gifts for science fiction or comic book writers.

Or maybe not.

Fans can also get matching mice if they’re so inclined. The keyboards (termed Keyscapers) cost $46, the mice cost $27.

Hat Tip: Chip Chick

HP strikes again with the EliteBook 2540p, a 12-inch ultraportable built for drops, spills, and getting work done fast. It’s practically ideal for well-heeled road warriors. (There are still some of you left, right?) In our full review, this ULV Core i7 notebook proved to be a speedster, and the six-cell battery lasts nearly 7 hours on a charge. We even got 45 frames per second on World of Warcraft. The built-in optical drive—a rarity on notebooks this small—is a plus, as is the bundled security and productivity software. If you can handle the price (not to mention a small The storage device that holds your OS, programs, and data.
Learn Morehard drive), the 2540p is one of the best business-grade ultraportables you can buy. But be sure to read our full review to make sure this business system has everything you’re looking for.

If you want to commit two years of your life to a small, low-powered netbook for a hefty price, look no further. The Dell Inspiron Mini 10 is coming to T-Mobile with webConnect – the first to take advantage of T-Mobile’s 3G network. If you’d like more details about the Inspiron Mini, check out our review and impressions of the netbook.

TmoNews says the gadget is set for a March 24th release at under $200. If you’ve been agonizing over a new, subsidized and 3G capable netbook, this is probably your best bet. So just hold out for a few more days.

During the cold winter months (that we’re thankfully leaving behind) it can be hard for those of us who have capacitive touchscreen devices. Unless you have a set of fancy gloves, you have to expose your fingers to the frigid air in order to do anything with the iPhone or Droid or JooJoo you whip out of your pocket all the time. Okay, maybe that last one is a stretch. Still, a solution must be found.

You could go the meat stylus route as some in South Korea have, but that just seems… gross. Pogo came out with a stylus that worked for capacitive screens aimed at iPhone users a few months ago. While we like their offerings (full hands-on coming soon), these styli are best suited for pushing icons, scrolling screens, and getting at that tiny link text in the browser. What if you need something with a bit more precision for writing or drawing?

Dagi seems to have the answer, if the video below from HGGadgets is to be believed. Hector Gomez gave both products a try and found that the Dagi did writing in the journal better on the Lenovo Ideapad S10-3t than the Pogo. Looks like something we’ll have to try for ourselves!

In what situations would you need or use a capacitive stylus? Is it just for the freezing winter or would you welcome it for everyday use? What products and scenarios would you like us to test both styli? Click here to see HGGadgets test them both.

MSI is about to start a new round of  the “How Should We Define Netbooks?” debate with its new Wind U230 machines. The company is calling the 12-inch replacements for the  Wind U210 netbooks, but they have awfully ultraportable-ish leanings.

To start, they have 12.1-inch screens — not unheard of for netbooks, but rarer than the more typical 10-inch LCD. Then there’s 2GB of RAM, Windows 7 Home Premium (instead of Starter), and, oh yeah, the dual-core processor inside. Not a dual-core Atom as we saw on the Eee PC 1201N, but an AMD chip coupled with an ATI Radeon HD 3200 Graphics chips are responsible for processing all images sent to your computer?s display.
Learn Moregraphics card.

I can hear fights breaking out already. “Netbook!” “Notebook!” “Dessert Topping!” “Floor Wax!”

Read the rest of this entry »

Today’s featured deal is a 14-inch Dell Inspiron 14 (1464) for the sweet price of $499 with this coupon from LogicBUY.  This preconfigured system comes in Obsidian Black, but it’s also available in Ice Blue and Promise Pink for $40 more. This Intel Core i3 model of the Inspiron 14 is usually $654. Plus, the deal includes free shipping.

The full specs on the Dell Inspiron 14 (1464): Intel Core i3-330M processor, 4GB DDR3 RAM, 250GB 5400RPM The storage device that holds your OS, programs, and data.
Learn Morehard drive, Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit, 8X Dual Layer DVD+/-R drive, 802.11g wireless, 1.3MP webcam, and a 6-cell battery.

Dell Inspiron 14 (1464) 14-inch Core i3 laptop for $499 via LogicBuy.