Grundig Eton Ego 4000 Plus Portable CD / MP3 Player with Built-In Removable Speakers
Average Customer Review:
Electronics
list price: $179.99
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Editorial Review

Whether you're looking for a stylish portable alarm clock radio or anMP3-capable CD player to accompany you on the road, Grundig'sEtón Ego 4000 Plus may be calling your name. The compact unituses Grundig's proprietary detachable speaker docking system, which letsyou remove the speakers from the exterior of the folding lid andposition them apart, like your home speakers. Or, you can leave thespeakers attached and play the unit like a small boombox. In any case,Grundig also provides a pair of lightweight street-style stereoheadphones to bypass the speakers altogether for private listening.

The Etón Ego 4000 Plus plays not just audio CDs, but recordableCDs filled with MP3 files, too, with ID3 tag capability (for artist andtitle display) and the benefit of 40-second shock protection (or anamazing 120 seconds for MP3). Bass boost and a selection of five presetequalization curves help you tailor the sound to your personalpreference, and you can listen in various random or repeat modes orprogram up to 20 CD/MP3 CD tracks to play in sequence.

The player's fold-up top section puts a backlit LCD in clear view,especially handy when using the built-in alarm and/or calendar features.The clock offers a date indicator, 12-hour time mode, dual alarms (withsnooze), and local/world time. You or your partner can wake to theradio, a CD, or a buzzer. For power, use four AA batteries or the unit'sAC power adapter (both included).

Choose from 15-, 30-, and 60-minute sleep settings, or rely on autopower off to shut the player down at the end of a disc. The FM/AM radiocomes with 30 station presets (20 FM, 10 AM), auto scanning, andantennas.

Grundig's design-driven Etón line of portable-audio offers agraceful combination of form and function. Unique product design is thebasis for all models, as well as functionality above and beyond otherproducts in the same category. With features that satisfy high-tech,style-conscious listeners, Etón products have an added flare thatwill attract people seeking distinctive portable audio.

What's in the Box
CD unit, speakers, headphones, carrying case, an AC power adapter, fourAA batteries, and a user's manual. ... Read more

Features

• Portable CD-radio with MP3/ID3 tag compatibility, 40/120-second anti-skip (PCM/MP3), and detachable stereo speakers
• 30 FM/AM station presets, includes FM and AM antennas
• World/local time settings, dual alarms and snooze button; wake to radio, CD, or buzzer
• 5 EQ presets, bass boost, auto power-off, and 20-track CD programming; 15-, 30-, and 60-minute sleep timer
• Includes 4 AA batteries, an AC power adapter, and stereo headphones

Reviews (11)

Liked it until it broke
I used this product for a year and a half and was very happy with it.Batteries lasted 6-8 hours.The speakers aren't boom box quality but for the size the sound are plenty big for a hotel room and much better than a standard hotel clock radio.

However, last week it just stopped playing the CDs.Looks like a motor problem as it looks like the disc is trying to spin but can't quite make it.I should say that it has taken a lot of use the past few months on several camping trips so it has been exposed to direct sun, humidity etc.But I had hoped it would have lasted longer.

I'm going to switch to a hard drive MP3 player since the mechanics of CDs can be delicate.

I HATE IT
I hate this contraption and I stupidly let 30 days pass before I realized how much I hate it. Now I start every morning with a "boy I hate this thing."Why? well here are few reasons why: You cannot read the numbers unless you are within 18" and to get a backlight you must depress "any button"---not a bad idea but horribly executed.The backlight lasts four seconds--way too fast in the night and "any button" is a lie because you can't press "stop" nor the "on" for radio or cd without starting a whole other process which you then, in the dark, have to figure out how to terminate.The cd player spends more time "reading" your cd than it does playing it.The "tuner/band" button is very sensitive and lord knows what you will wake up to, the screech of a not tuned in AM station happens way too often.The worst of it all was I called Eton to tell them how much I hated it, just thought they might want to know. I had a friendly conversation with a very nice receptionist who assured me they wanted me to be happy and would do something, but first she wanted me to talk to the engineer/designer.So I waited a week for him to return my call and he was quite rude saying if there is nothing wrong with it (everything is wrong, but they don't count that) there is nothing they can do.He offered to trade mine for a different one just the same and I said "why bother."It was a classic story of "I made it so it is by definition without errors--now leave me alone,just buy it and be thrilled with my brilliant design.

Many CDs skip, most CD-Rs skip; short battery life
I also received this as a Christmas gift. We quickly found out about the short battery life in Paris. Fortunately I had a 240/50-to-110/60 AC/DC adapter. Also, it is very bad at playing CD-Rs that I have created and which play fine on a 1995 model Magnavox portable CD player (!). It has less trouble with regular pre-recorded CDs. ... Read more

Asin: B00008V6TI
Subjects:  1. ego4000, ego 4000, etonego, eton 4000    2. etoncd4000, personal radio, mp-3; ego4000plus    3. mp3/cd, mp3 with cd, portable stereo    4. travel stereo, travel speakers, cd with mp3    5. clock, travel, portable, alarm    6. Portable Compact Disc Player (Personal CD)    7. Portable Shortwave Radio (Personal)    8. Portable AMFM Radio (Personal AM-FM)    9. Clock Radio (Radios)    10. Accessories (Accessory)    11. Portable Audio    12. MP3 MP 3 Player    13. CD (Compact Disc) Players combo (combination)    14. MP3 Player (MP 3)    15. Portable Clock (Clocks)   

Farberware Cook's View 14-Piece Cookware Set
Average Customer Review:
Kitchen
list price: $79.99 -- our price: $49.99
(price subject to change: see help)
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Editorial Review

This budget-priced cookware set is perfect for college students or young couples who are setting up a first kitchen. The 14-piece set has everything necessary for the basic meals attempted by entry-level cooks (pasta and sauce, eggs, and anything pre-packaged). The pans in the set include four covered saucepans in 1-, 1-1/2-, 2-, and 4-1/2-quart sizes and two nonstick skillets in 9- and 10-1/2-inch sizes. The pans are accompanied by four kitchen tools: a slotted spatula, a ladle, a slotted spoon, and a pasta fork.

Made of aluminum, which is an excellent conductor of heat, these pans warm up through the bottoms and sides for even cooking. A nonstick coating on the interior and exterior of the pan reduces the need to cook with extra fats and makes cleanup fast and easy. Pans have durable, riveted phenolic handles that stay cool on the stovetop and see-through glass lids for keeping an eye on supper as it cooks. All Cook’s View cookware is oven-safe up to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and is dishwasher-safe. --Cristina Vaamonde

What's in the Box
1-quart saucepan with lid, 1-1/2-quart saucepan with lid, 2-quart saucepan with lid, 4-1/2-quart saucepan with lid, 9-inch skillet, 10-1/2-inch skillet, slotted spatula, ladle, slotted spoon, pasta fork ... Read more

Features

• Oven-safe up to 350 degrees F; dishwasher-safe
• Includes 1-, 1-1/2-, 2-, and 4-1/2-quart covered saucepans; 9- and 10-1/2-inch skillets; four tools
• Aluminum construction with nonstick coating on interior and exterior
• Riveted phenolic handles and knobs
• See-through glass lids

Reviews (23)

Worst cookware I have ever had!
This is the first time I have written a review on anything but after using these pans I felt I had to let people know how horrible they are. I have bought most of my cookware from Wal-mart, the cheap ones, because I couldn't afford to buy expensive stuff. I thought these would be similar to what I had bought in the past, not the best but useable. Definately not true! I have had them aprox. 2 mo. and have only used them a few times when I need non-stick. (I have cast iron cookware too but don't use them for anything with a tomato base) I have had to go back to the old non-stick cookware (or at least the ones I didn't throw out). The pans I threw out after 3 yrs were in better shape than these are now.The old ones were Farberware also and cheap at Walmart, that is why I ordered these, but they are difinately not the same quality. The coating on these peel off even when not being used. I take them out of the cabinet to use and there are black flakes in the bottom from the coating falling off! My husband says they look like the coating is just paint that is peeling off. I agree.
You may be thinking it has something to do with a dishwasherbut it doens't. I don't own one, these are washed by had with soap, water and soft dish cloth.
the cheapest set at Wal-mart is better quality than these, I promise.
I love Amazon and I hate to write a bad review about a product they sell but I felt I had no choice with this one! Of course it is not their fault.

Excellent for the price!
Definitely not commercial quality, but hey, for the price they are excellent. For everyday cooking, this set is great. I see so many reviews bashing this set, but for the low cost it is much more than you can expect buying the cheapo set from WalMart!

Great for Average Cooks
Pros: Performs as advertised.Exceeds expectations.Non-stick
surfaces have held up well after a month of heavy daily use, including occasional overcooking (read burning) of foods, and top and bottom rack automatic dishwashing.

Cons (very minor): Depth of 9-inch skillet with glass lid barely holds ingredients of some recipes, e.g., Hamburger Helper Stroganoff.Use the dutch oven or larger skillet to avoid spillovers.Glass lids should be used gently as their bare metal edges may scratch the pots.

A glass cover for the 10.5-inch skillet would have been nice. ... Read more

Asin: B00008CM5L
Subjects:  1. (Faberware)    2. (Farberwear)    3. (Farber Ware)   

PalmOne Tungsten T Handheld
Average Customer Review:
Electronics
list price: $349.99
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Editorial Review

The Tungsten T is Palm's most compact device yet. But don't be fooled by its diminutive size. Inside, the new Texas Instruments OMAP1510 processor (an enhanced ARM-based processor) gives you the performance you need to organize your work and your life. Stay productive when you're on the go with access to your essential Word, Excel, and PowerPoint-compatible files. Built-in Bluetooth technology allows you to access e-mail and connect to the Internet with the use of a Bluetooth-compatible mobile phone. On top of all this, the Tungsten T handheld has a new color screen, a built-in voice recorder, a five-way navigator button for one-hand operation, plus dual expansion for adding functionality so your Tungsten T handheld grows with you.

Display
The Palm Tungsten T features high resolution on its 320 x 320 pixel backlit color display, which can display more than 65,000 colors.

Expansion
The Tungsten uses MultiMediaCard and Secure Digital expansion cards, which instantly add software applications, additional memory, large databases, and more without taking up built-in memory space.

Operating System
The Tungsten is powered by Palm OS 5, which provides higher performance, enhanced multimedia features, support for Bluetooth connectivity, and enterprise-class security.

Extra Software
Along with the standard Palm software, you'll receive a Software Essentials CD-ROM containing Acrobat Reader, ArcSoft PhotoBase Palm Edition, BlueBoard, BlueChat, Copytalk, Dialer, DataViz Documents to Go 5.0 Professional Edition, Handmark, Palm Reader, Palm WAP Browser, Palm Web Browser Pro, Phone Link Updater, powerOne Personal, SMS, and VersaMail 2.0.

Compatibility
The Palm Tungsten T is compatible with PCs running Windows 95, 98, NT 4.0, 2000, Me, and XP, and with Macs running Mac OS 9 or Mac OS X 10.1.2 or later.

In the Box
Palm Tungsten T handheld, stylus, protective cover, USB HotSync cradle, power supply, installation CD-ROM with PDF user's manuals, Software Essentials CD-ROM, and Read this First document. ... Read more

Features

• What's in the box: Palm Tungsten T handheld, stylus, protective cover, USB HotSync cradle, power supply (120 VAC), installation CD with user manuals, Software Essentials CD
• Reflective TFT color screen with brightness control and support for more than 65,000 colors
• ARM-based Texas Instrument OMAP1510 processor
• Integrated Bluetooth Radio and Antenna
• Secure Digital/MultiMediaCard Expansion Slot

Reviews (86)

Nice, But Longevity Not Good
I use this primarily with my ACT! database.Have never even come close to using the maximum memory even with hundreds of contacts and extensive notes.It has served me well for about 2 years; however now the standard plastic screen cover is hard to read through and the machine "resets" itself or locks up requiring a manual "reset" about once per week.For the purchase price I would have expected a much better life to it.

Annoying digitization problem
Although I was happy initially with my Tungsten T, I am no longer happy because it needs to be redigitized several times a day.I am a teacher and use it for a lot of data entry, calculation, and organizing and it is time consuming and aggravating to have to double-check all the time to ensure that the correct item is going in the correct field.I was dismayed to discover within these reviews that this is a glitch that is endemic to all model T's.I am even more upset to discover that it eventually just breaks!At the price I paid, I expected to get several years of use out of it.I am hesitant to replace a defective product with a product from the same company, especially if Palm is not backing up their product with a meaningful solution (as is reported elsewhere in these reviews).

Worked well for a while
Initially I loved my Tungsten T, but after 6 months, the touch screen began requiring repeated recalibration.This has become progressively worse, to the point that recalibrating or repeatedly soft rebooting does not help and the T has died.This all occurred after the warranty period, and the online knowledge base and phone support have been worse than useless.After reading customer feedback here, it appears that several other people have experienced the same problems with the T and the same frustration with Palm support.I'm now shopping for a (non-Palm) replacement.I would strongly discourage anyone from buying what appears to be a flawed product from annon-supportive company. ... Read more

Asin: B000071A7U
Subjects:  1. Personal Digital Assistant (PDA, Electronic Organizer)    2. Palm Connected    3. Handheld (Hand Held)   

Cook's Illustrated
Average Customer Review:
Magazine
list price: $35.70 -- our price: $26.95
(price subject to change: see help)
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Features

• Magazine Subscription

Reviews (46)

A great magazine even for the culinarily-challenged
"Cook's Illustrated" serves as a mentor to me and others who refused to learn the art and science of cookery in the kitchens of their loved ones.I did take a home economics class in high school, but my main memory of it is my teacher's repeated iteration of "Oh mercy, Elaine.Mercy."It took a long diet of college jello and Spanish Rice, and then a marriage in which neither of us fathomed the mysteries of the kitchen to get me interested in the art of cooking for myself and others.

Most of the other magazines in the culinary market don't seem to cater to the cooking-challenged.For instance, the seemingly simple instruction "beat enough sugar into the meringue to stiffen it" caused me to set the oven on fire.I added cups and cups of sugar to my three egg whites and the darn meringue finally got grainy, which I figured was the equivalent of 'stiff.'Not so.Once enough heat was applied, the meringue flooded over the sides of the pie plate and set the oven ablaze.It was not easy explaining my culinary mishap to a sceptical fireman.

My inadvertent attempt at incendiarism wouldn't have happened if I had been following a recipe in "Cook's Illustrated."Here the recipes are lovingly detailed, and there diagrams on 'simple' techniques such as How to Slice an Onion.Most of you probably learned about such matters at your mother's knee, but I was more interested in Astronomy than Onions back in the good old days when someone cooked for me.As a consequence, I've been slicing onions incorrectly until the December 2004 "Cook's Illustrated" hit the newstand.

The contributors to this magazine test their recipes multiple times, varying the ingredients, using different cooking utensils, until they get what they consider to be the perfect outcome.For instance, in the article on "Balsamic Braised Chicken," John Olson writes:"At that point, I stopped my tests with the high-end vinegar.Simmering such a vinegar might well be considered high crime in Italy.All the time and effort expended to create its subtle flavor balance would be wasted, as boiling destroys it. (This is not a problem with the cheap stuff.)"

"Cook's Illustrated" recipes are adventures into a mysterious art, as well as producers of wonderful dishes.The editors don't accept advertisements, so you can trust their ingredient and product recommendations.If you are a fan of the show, "America's Test Kitchen" on public television, then you'll definitely love the magazine that details this program's favorite recipes.Also check out their website at cooksillustrated.com for eleven years worth of recipes.

The Best Cooking Magazine out there
Some people don't care why the food came out great or why it came out horrible.I do, and that's why I love this magazine.I enjoy reading what the author/cook went through to arrive at the printed recipe. I also enjoy the colorful covers and the back page with beautiful drawings of a "topic" food, such as a variety of tomotoes, hams, etc.Great magazine.However, I'm not crazy about their website.

Great down-home cooking mag
Any magazine that doesn't except advertisements seems to be a step ahead of those that do. This is the case for Cooks Illustrated. Some of the recipes this family loves are: Best Beef Chili, Ground Beef Tacos, Glazed Carrots (although I prefer the recipe in the Northern Exposure cookbook), Maple-Glazed Pork Roast, and many of the pastas. The drawbacks I've found for this magazine are that sometimes the spices are a bit powerful. This is usually true for the chicken sauces. They have one in which they recommend 40 garlic cloves to be cooked with the chicken breasts. This is just too many cloves and leaves one feeling like they just bit into a head of garlic. I suppose that being these people work in a test kitchen all day it takes a lot of spice to activate their taste buds. Being one has to alter some of the ingredients for any recipe this is not a huge burden, it just takes awhile to get used to. I also don't like the fact that they always use no-boil noodles for their lasagna. I hate these noodles. They never turn out as good as boil noodles and it only takes 10 minutes to boil them. When you're taking two hours out of your day to make Lasagna Bolognese an extra 10 minutes for good noodles shouldn't be too much extra work. I've also found that the baking recipes aren't the greatest. I've tried the chocolate chip cookies and they are too thick. My three year old didn't even like them. The New York cheesecake was ok, but that's it...just ok. However, aside from these minor quibbles a lot of the recipes are fantastic for making dinner. It's one of the few mags where you can grab a recipe out of it and know it's going to be edible... and possibly exceptionally good. The quick tips section is also a joy to read. I also enjoy their equipment reviews (although The Cooks Catalogue is a must have for this). They used to have cookbook reviews where they tested recipes in different cookbooks and printed the results. They seem to have withdrawn this section, which is too bad because I really enjoyed it. It gave one an idea of what cookbooks to stay away from and which ones were really good. I especially liked how they would mention if it was for an average cook or an advanced cook based on whether or not the cook listed exact recipes or just gave a general idea of what to use and let the reader come up with their own measurements. Overall, if I could have only one cooking magazine this would be it. It has many great things going for it. I also subscribe to Intermezzo for the "fancier" recipes. ... Read more

Asin: B000069YW9
Sales Rank: 63
Subjects:  1. Food & Gourmet   

Game Boy Advance SP - Platinum
Average Customer Review:
Video Game (23 March, 2003)
list price: $99.99 -- our price: $99.99
(price subject to change: see help)
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Editorial Review

Early Adopters Pick: March 2003. As theworld's smallest video-game platform, the Game Boy Advance SP is also the first to use a built-in rechargeable battery.

Many decried the original Game Boy Advance's reflective LCD screen and its reliance on external light sources. The Game Boy Advance SP's main feature--optional backlighting--fixes this complaint nicely, but it's the wealth of other features that makes this system so surprisingly good.

At first look, you might think the SP is a sleek travel alarm clock. When closed, it's just as tall and deep as the original GBA, but only half as wide. Due to its clamshell design, the screen is always protected from everyday scratches. A small button in the center of the console turns on the backlighting element for use in low-light situations, like in a moving car.

The SP comes with a well-designed power adapter that recharges a built-in battery; its prongs fold in for easier storage. Our informal tests found that it takes about four hours to fully charge (you can even play it while it's plugged in and charging), and the battery lasts about 11 hours with the backlighting constantly on--your results may vary. Using the backlighting less often will conserve battery power.

Withseparately soldcables, you can connect the Game Boy Advance SP to other GBAsfor multiplayer gaming (above) or to theNintendo GameCube(below) to access secret levels, exchange data, or use other specialfeatures that vary from game to game.

The quality of the backlighting is very good. It's bright and clear when looking directly at it, but degraded from other angles. This is only a problem for friends who are watching the screen from over your shoulder.

But size, power, and affordability do not come without trade offs. There's no headphone jack here, though Nintendo promises an adapter. The system isn't very loud at its highest volume, and the sound can be turned down to socially acceptable levels. The L and R shoulder buttons are a fraction of the size they were on the GBA, and thus are harder to hit. Also, the reduced size of the SP is slightly less comfortable for adult hands than the GBA, but perhaps more comfortable for smaller hands. The cartridge port placement on the lower part of the console is fine for GBA games, since they are flush with the console body, but older Game Boy Color carts will stick out in a way that takes some getting used to.

Open it up and the hinge will seek out a preferred, pre-set angle (about 150 degrees), though you can open it a bit wider or narrower for your own comfort. The hinge stands up well to lateral pressure, and over all, the SP seems just as rugged as its predecessor--which has proven to be very rugged, indeed. --Porter B. Hall

Unit Specifications

• CPU: 32-Bit ARM with embedded memory
• Memory: 32 KB with 96 KB VRAM (in CPU), 256 KB WRAM (external of CPU)
• Screen: 2.9-inch reflective TFT color LCD
• Display Size: 1.6 by 2.4 inches (40.8 by 61.2 mm)
• Resolution: 240 x 160 pixels in a wide-screen aspect ratio
• Colors: 511 simultaneous colors from a palette of 32,768
• Software: Fully compatible with Game Boy and Game Boy Color game paks
• Light Source: Front light integrated with LCD
• Size (closed): 3.3 by 3.23 by .96 inch
• Weight: Approximately 5 ounces
• Power Supply: Rechargeable lithium-ion battery
• Battery Life: 10 hours continuous play with light on; 18 hours with light off; 3 hours recharging

... Read more

Features

• CPU: 32-bit RISC-CPU with embedded memory.
• Screen: 2.9" Reflective TFT Color LCD
• Display Size: 1.61" x 2.41"
• Resolution: 240 x 160 pixels
• Color: Simultaneously display more than 32,000 colors.

Reviews (426)

WORTH BUYING???????
The GameBoy SP has it's ups and downs. I like that the price droped to $79.95 or whatever it was. There is one thing I hate about the SP, there arnt that many good games for the thing. There are some I like, like Mario and Metrod. Another thing is that it's not that different frome the GBA. I LOVE THE LIGHT, I DON'T KNOW HOW I LIVED WITH NO LIGHT ON THE GBA. I once bought the GBA SP at GameSpot and I loved it, it kept me happy for a long time but it got boring and I sold it back to GameSpot. But if your into the GBA's and that other Nintendo stuff ye'll love the GBA SP.

Perfect Travel Buddy
Can't complain about the price since I bought the original Gameboy over 10 years ago for close to the same amount.

Pros:
Small dimensions...you can fit it anywhere (pocket, purse, etc.)
Very light weight
Folding design protects the screen from scratches/damage
Able to revive/play my original Gameboy games
Rechargable battery lets you save money on buying batteries
Rechargable battery actually lasts quite a while
Given a light on/off option to save batteries
Lots of really useful accessories in the market--best one I purchased is the AC/DC/Car Adapter
Lights indicate "fully charged" and "low battery"

PERFECT for traveling!

Cons:
Didn't come with a game
Ports in the rear are unprotected (uncovered)
A little too smooth design...makes it slippery
Games are expensive (typical...3-4 games = game console)
Headphone jack should have been a given (Why the adapter?)
Original adapter should have been dual voltage (after all, the GBA is designed for travelling, isn't it?)

Wishful thinking:
Protective rubber around it for shock-proofing and better grip
Adjustable light levels

Much Better Than Gameboy Color!
It's great that they keep improving gameboys! Last year i saved up my money and bought a gameboy, and boy have they improved! If u buy one the screen is lights up, better quality, and smaller games! I highly reccomend it! :) ... Read more

Asin: B000087H7T
Subjects:  1. Video Games    2. Nintendo Game Boy Advance (Gameboy)    3. GBA    4. Consoles   

Come Away with Me
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (26 February, 2002)
list price: $18.98 -- our price: $13.49
(price subject to change: see help)
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Editorial Review

It is not just the timbre of Norah Jones's voice that is mature beyond her 22 years. Her assured phrasing and precise time are more often found in older singers as well. She is instantly recognizable, blending shades of Billie Holiday and Nina Simone without sounding like anyone but herself. Any way you slice it, she is a singer to be reckoned with. Her readings of the Hank Williams classic "Cold Cold Heart" and Hoagy Carmichael's "The Nearness of You" alone are worth the price of the CD. Jones's own material, while not bad, pales a bit next to such masterpieces. They might have fared better had she and producer Arif Mardin opted for some livelier arrangements, taking better advantage of brilliant sidemen such as Bill Frisell, Kevin Breit, and Brian Blade; or if the tunes had simply been given less laconic performances. Jones has all the tools; what will come with experience and some careful listening to artists like J.J. Cale and Shirley Horn is the knack of remaining low-key without sounding sleepy--sometimes less is not, in fact, more. --Michael Ross ... Read more

Reviews (1312)

Excellent CD!
This is an excellent disc. If you like this, you should also listen to Katie Melua's CD "Call Off the Search".

(Mood Music)Put on some N. Jones and light a candle.
This kind of music is made for sentualists- (not of the higher order though).
Norah's voice is just like Diana Krall's, mono and one dementional; just the kind of recipe for listeners who believe they have good taste.
Norah will probibly keep making the same kind of albums for the rest of her life, but at least her presence will satisfy the need for this kind of music.

oh sooo mellow, baby
Norah got like 7 someodd emmys for this album, and she and the producers earned it. nothing like it. OK, she reminds me of a white Nina Simone. sultry, soft, sexy, and - well - mellow. love it. i play this CD at work and everyone loves it. in fact if there is a day that all the customers are being poopy - we put the CD on to calm every one down, and yes, it works!!good for fussy husbands too (sorry, hunk man, the love of my life!) ... Read more

Asin: B00005YW4H
Subjects:  1. Pop    2. Rock   

Olympus Camedia C-4000 4MP Digital Camera w/ 3x Optical Zoom
Average Customer Review:
Electronics
list price: $599.99
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Editorial Review

With exposure options ranging from automatic to manual control, as well as six innovative scene program modes, it's easy to customize the Olympus C-4000 digital camera for any shot you line up. The C-4000 features a 4-megapixel CCD sensor, a 3x optical zoom lens, and expandability via SmartMedia cards.

Optics and Resolution
Featuring a CCD sensor with 4 million effective pixels, the C-4000 can capture digital images up to 2,288 x 1,712 pixels for 11-by-14-inch prints and beyond. The C-4000 features an Olympus aspherical glass lens (6.5-19.5mm, or 32-96mm equivalent in 35mm photography) that's designed exclusively for digital photography and provides vibrant color and sharp detail. It features an aperture range of f2.8 to f11.

Shoot both wide-angle and close-up shots easily with the 10x total zoom lens (3x optical and 3.3x digital). Use the macro mode to shoot a flower from a distance of 8 inches, or use supermacro mode to shoot a dewdrop on a petal from just 1 inch away.

Storage and Transfer
The 16 MB SmartMedia memory card supplied with the C-4000 can store 16 images at the default high-quality setting (2,288 x 1,712 pixels). You can save images as either a TIFF or a JPEG. We recommend purchasing an additional high-capacity memory card.

Movie Mode
In movie mode, the C-4000 produces digital videos in two formats--320 x 240 and 160 x 120 pixels--for QuickTime movies at 15 frames per second. You can shoot movies up to 2 minutes in length.

The limited resolution of your movies guarantees that this feature won't replace your camcorder, but it's perfect for when you just want to capture a quick movie and e-mail it to a friend or relative.

More Features
The advanced manual controls let you take the picture you envision. Or choose full-auto mode for point-and-shoot simplicity. The C-4000 also includes six scene modes, including portrait, self-portrait, sport, landscape, landscape-portrait, and night scene. There are even four customizable "my modes" for instant access to your favorite combinations of camera settings. The new virtual-dial interface provides quick, easy, and intuitive access to all shooting modes, including the six scene modes.

For extra-large prints, choose the optimum image enlargement mode to increase image size to the equivalent of 7.6 million pixels (3,200 x 2,400). And with 3:2 aspect modes, you can print photos in traditional 35mm format. Olympus's noise-reduction technology helps prevent the image noise that could otherwise appear in longer exposures taken in low light. The C-4000's USB autoconnect enables you to connect to your PC automatically--no driver software is required to transfer photos to most computers

Power
The camera is powered by two CR-V3 lithium-ion battery packs (included). We recommend getting a set or two of rechargeable nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) batteries (you'll need a total of four AA NiMH batteries to power the camera) and a charger. A digital camera will kill a set of alkaline batteries extremely quickly, especially if you're using the camera's LCD display, so they aren't recommended except in a pinch.

Size
The C-4000 measures 4.3 by 3.0 by 2.8 inches and 10.5 ounces (without battery).

Contents
This package includes the Olympus C-4000 digital camera, a 16 MB SmartMedia card, AV and USB cables, two CR-V3 lithium-ion battery packs (model LB-01), carrying strap, lens cap and retainer cord, Camedia Master software CD-ROM, drivers for Mac and Windows, and a printed instruction manual. ... Read more

Features

• 4.0 megapixel sensor captures 2,288 x 1,712 images for prints at 11 x 14 inches and beyond
• 3x optical plus 3.3xdigital zoom lens (for 10x total) with autofocus
• Stores photos on 16 MB SmartMedia card--16 images at high-quality setting
• Movie mode captures up to 2 minutes of video with no audio; connects to Macs and PCs via USB port
• Includes 2 CR-V3 lithium-ion batteries (model LB-01); also accepts NiMH rechargeable batteries

Reviews (78)

Best 4 Megapixel Camera In The World.
I have it. Believe me. The only thing that isn't that great is that it uses Smartmedia cards that really suck. Otherwise it's great. Just get a 128MB Smartmedia card with it and you're set.

Great for Portraits and Close Ups!
I first want to say that I am a total novice. I probably have used about 1/10 of the features of this camera, and even then it's been great!I took some pictures of my daughter that would rival a professional photographer's headshots. I then printed them in black and white, 8 x 10, and they were superb!I did some of our two cats as well, and they, too, were excellent!I especially like the option of no flash. More often than not, I will choose this feature over flash indoors because the warm tones are amazing. The flash pictures can be cold in comparison.If you want to operate on a budget, here's what you can do:1) Get a printer where you can easily figure out how to refill the black cartridges (color can be more difficult and the results unpredictable- who wants muddy skintones?)Check out atlanticinkjet.com. Then you can print black and whites at home, and go to your local Wal-Mart, CVS, etc. to get reprints and edits done easily without the hassle of worrying about replacing your color cartridges.2)Get a Smart Media reader. They are relatively inexpensive, and they give you another option for quickly creating CDs that you can also bring to Wal-Mart rather than risking transporting your SmartMedia card and losing it or damaging it.3) Use rechargeable NiMh batteries. They are cheap - about $7 for 4 of them. You will probably need at least 3 to 4 sets of 4. The chargers are also cheap.3)Don't get conned into buying any package deals with lenses, etc.(this isn't an issue with buying from Amazon, but it can be with many Internet camera stores).You will pay a reasonable price for the camera, but a hefty price for the accessories. I know because it happened to me!So since I am a true novice with this camera, and still experiencing great results, I can recommend this camera. My one concern, however, and that may be a power issue, is that sometimes the camera initially shuts itself on and off. I also hope that the few times that I have forgotten to remove the lens cap have not been damaging to the lens. I am going to take the suggestion of several other positive users and use the adapter and UV filter which of course were bundled with all the over-priced accessories that I received. So, have fun, and enjoy getting to know this camera!And take lots of people pictures with no flash. Be aware that some will be blurry because you have to stay really still as does the subject, however, it will be worth it! Here is your accessory list:
1) Printer will easily refillable inkjet cartridges (Lexmark Z55 works great for black refill); 2) SmartMedia or card reader for more than one type of memory card; 3) 3 to 4 sets of 4 NiMh batteries -readily available at Wal-Mart and you should be able to use them to replace AA batteries in other electronic devices; 4) Digital Camera bag - you might get lucky and find it at Wal-Mart or similar store with many accessories included; 5) battery charger for 4 NiMh batteries - also cheap at Wal-Mart; 6) 46mm conversion lens adapter - mine is Sakar Digital for Olympic 2000/2020/3000/3030 models; 7) set of 46 mm filters including UV filter to fit on lens adapter-I have Digital Optics Super High Resolution Multi-Coated; 8) Lens Cleaner and Wipe Cloth; 9) AC Adapter - I purchased switching universal power supply and set it to 6.5V at laptopsforless.com for about $20 - you might need this if you run out of rechargeables and you don't have AA batteries on hand, or if you are connecting using the USB cable and don't want to waste your batteries.10) 4 - 128 mb SmartMedia cards - each should store about 200 or so photos of good quality - they can be found at very different prices, so check around.Also, since it appears that newer cameras aren't sold with SmartMedia cards, you might want to purchase a few just for future use so they'll be readily available. I also have two lenses that were included with the fabulously expensive camera package. I haven't used them much, so I can't recommend them, but I'll try to update this review.

Have fun taking pictures!

Great Great Great
I've owned this camera now for over two years and it's done the job over and over again.Chance are if you're looking at this listing at this late date since release, you're not an early adopter of technology, and you're likely looking for something that does the job well, and this definitely fits the bill.

When I bought the camera back in the day it was in anticipation of a 7-day wilderness hike I was embarking on during which I would have no access to power for charging the batteries.The fact that this model uses AA batteries makes it an attractive choice for those away from power sources for extended periods of time.In fact, I made it through almost the whole seven days without power on one charge of my Panasonic batteries that I bought separately.I then slapped in flashlight batteries for the rest of the trip to get me home.As for all digital cameras, I'd suggest going with rechargables rather than repurchasing lithiums.

Yes, this thing is bulky compared to others out there.I bought a LowePro camera bag to go along with it to hold all the camera-related stuff in one place.It's big, but no bigger than a comparable 35mm SLR and this camera gives you almost the amount of flexibility with its manual features and exposure control.I've used the camera with success in instances where speedy automatic performance was required especially wildlife and candid people snapshots.I've equally been satisfied with the planned landscape, nightime, and "artsy" shots as well.I even had good success getting funky images at a "glow-in-the-dark bowling" party.

Other reviewers have touched on the fact that this camera has a lens cap which is an oddity in the digital camera realm, but was a required design feature given that it had to work with add-on lenses and filters.I haven't tried purchasing additional optics, but with this camera, it's an option as are external flashes.On the lens cap issue, I've found flipping off the lens cap is now second nature and doesn't detract from my enjoyment of the camera.

I like the menuing control to access the image functions which is similar across all Olympus cameras, and after my experience with this camera, I'd be inclined to stick with Olympus in the future.The newer C-7000 Zoom camera at 7MP and 5x optical zoom seems to be a their newer version of this camera for those looking for the latest and greatest.For those instead looking at something tried and true and more within their budget, this is the way to go, and I've often seen this C-4000 Zoom heavily discounted on the Net and elsewhere.If you're interested in more than just point-and-shoot, you can't go wrong with this. ... Read more

Asin: B00006F2MW
Subjects:  1. Digital Camera (Cameras)    2. Photograph (Photography)   

Libbey Carolina 7-Piece Iced Tea Set
Average Customer Review:
Kitchen
list price: $40.00
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

Serve up iced beverages year-round with this stylish pitcherand six-glass set from Libbey. The pitcher has a pleasant oval bell toit and a wide mouth for easy filling and washing. The comfortable,strong glass handle widens at the bottom and sits low on the body ofthe vessel, so even a full pitcher doesn't feel out of control.Attractively fluted, the ice-catching spout lets you keep iced tea orlemonade chilled without causing a splash when you pour. Each glassfeatures a weighted stem atop a 2-7/8-inch foot. They have acomfortable lip, a generous mouth, and a 16-ounce capacity.Dishwasher-safe, the set makes for easy cleanup after a long gardenparty. --Emily Bedard ... Read more

Features

• Attractive belled design
• 90-ounce serving pitcher
• Ice-catcher spout
• Six 16-ounce footed iced tea glasses
• Dishwasher safe

Reviews (9)

Very Beautiful for the Cost
This set is very nice and the price is even better. I bought one for a gift and ended up buying one for myself. Great gift to give for a great price.

Good set for the price!
Nice and elegant, good size glasses also, able to pour a 12 ounce can into one.Seems a bit delicate, hope you don't have young kids at home.I did buy a set for myself and a set as a gift for a friend though.

The pitcher started showing cracks by the handle after adding ice to hot liquid.

Nice set for the money
I am basically happy with this set, but it has one drawback. One of the reasons I ordered it was for the 16 ounce glasses. It's hard to find goblets this size. My husband poured a 12 ounce can of coke in one and it's basically full. He could barely fit any ice in it. But it's still a very attractive iced-tea set for a very low price. ... Read more

Asin: B00005MG3E
Subjects:  1. Bar Glasses    2. Casual Glasses    3. Glassware    4. (Glass Ware)    5. Barware    6. (Bar Ware)    7. Bartending    8. Drinkware    9. (Drink Ware)    10. Glassware Sets    11. Glasses    12. Kitchen    13. Dining   

Sonicare Elite 7500 Power Toothbrush
Average Customer Review:
Health and Beauty (19 March, 2003)
list price: $139.99 -- our price: $114.67
(price subject to change: see help)
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

Powered with next-generation sonic technology, the two-speed Elite 7500 cleans teeth with dentist precision. A tapered brush head with extra-soft, contour-fit bristles sits atop a slim, angled neck--improving reach to hard-to-brush areas. Two speeds let the user choose between high for maximum brushing power, and low for a more gentle touch on gums, tongue, and sensitive spots. The 7500 features the Smartimer, which shuts the brush off automatically after two minutes, as well as the Quadpacer interval timer, which beeps every 30 seconds, allotting each quadrant of the mouth equal brushing time. The 7500 includes one Elite series brush head, a charger base with deluxe recharge gauge, a deluxe travel case, and a luxury brush holder. A two-year warranty covers the charger and ergonomically designed Elite handle against defects. --Ann Bieri ... Read more

Features

• Includes charger base, deluxe travel case, and luxury brush holder
• Sonicare brush cleans with next-generation sonic technology
• Features dual speed control and deluxe recharge gauge
• Elite handle with 1 Elite Series brush head
• 2-minute Smartimer and 30-second Quadpacer interval timer

Reviews (73)

Best Electronic Toothbrush
Take cae of your teeth and gums with this elecronic toothbrush.The new design with the angled head makes brushing your teeth easier.Also, the new smaller brush design is better.After using this for a few months, your dentist and/or periodontist will be able to tell the difference.When the "pockets" in your gums around the teeth are measured, you will be amazed at the improvement.Highly recommended, and worth every penny.

Cloddish replacements
Be careful because you will waste time and money ordering replacement heads.You won't be able to tell what kind of toothbrush you have, because Philips doesn't indicate it on the toothbrush, so you have to guess when you reorder.Philips wins on this, but you lose.

Lasts about a year, then croaks.
I bought this EXPENSIVE toothbrush and the wife and I used it for just over a year (past the warranty) and we enjoyed it. I think it did a good job. Then it died...

Well, that must have just been a fluke unit. So I bought another one. After about one year, it died...

What the?

I see that most of the reviews here are glowing. I liken it to those who bought Jaguars before the quality improved and claimed they loved their cars despite how poorly made they were. They were just soooo expensive, who wanted to admit they weren't worth the money?

Sonicare products are junk. Face it, they're only designed to do one thing: brush teeth. They have very little mechanical to them, yet they go bust after roughly one year's use.

I am typing this on a Macintosh computer. It works for years. I drive a Ford Escape. It works for years. I grind coffee beans several times a day with a Krups. It works for years. I have cheap Japanese steak knives that I bought 30 years ago. They still cut meat and haven't come apart in the dishwasher. They still work.

But spend $100 bucks on a toothbrush that lasts just past the warranty? They got me twice. They won't get me again.

Currently using a Braun electric. Does just as good a job for farrrr less money. ... Read more

Asin: B00008BFXK
Subjects:  1. Travel Accessories    2. Oral Care    3. Home    4. Bath    5. Bath Coordinates    6. (Bathrooms)   

Remington HS-500 Full-Size Paraffin Spa Body Works Kit for Hands and Feet
Average Customer Review:
Health and Beauty
list price: $49.99
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

Give yourself a home-spa spoiling with this paraffin kit. Stiff joints,tired muscles, and chapped skin will all appreciate the warm, moisturizingeffects of a paraffin treatment. The kit includes a full size warming unit(large enough to hold feet up to a women's size 10), four pounds oflavender-chamomile aromatherapy paraffin wax, two insulated cotton mitts, twoinsulated cotton booties, terry cloth wrap, and body brush. The instructions arethorough, and the kit is relatively easy to use, but time consuming: the waxtakes roughly 90 minutes to melt. Once it has melted, however, just gently dipyour hands, feet, or elbows into the paraffin, then wrap in a protective plasticcover (180 liners are included--enough to last for dozens of treatments) andslip into the mitts, booties, or terry cloth wrap and enjoy the warmmoisturizing and calming aromatherapy. Replacement wax and liners can beordered. Full two-year warranty. --Ariel Meadow Stallings ... Read more

Features

• Replacement wax and liners can be ordered; two-year warranty
• Full-size unit for both hands and feet
• Includes 4 pounds lavender-chamomile aromatherapy wax
• Comes with two insulated cotton mits and two insulated cotton booties
• Includes 180 protective liners, terry cloth wrap, and body brush

Reviews (12)

BUY THIS-you won't be sorry!
Since moving to Japan almost four years ago, my feet have been getting progressively more dry. Even pedicures and slathering with lotion didn't soften them anymore.This paraffin spa was a miracle cure for my dry, cracked feet. The wax it comes with smells great, too, and is very calming.

Oh my gosh...real luxury
I'm becoming addicted to this wonderful spa. My friends and I have used it regularly and we have the softest hands around. I use it for my feet too and I especially appreciate the brush and towell included for putting the wax on my knees. It smells so good and feels so good. I love it!

Love it!
My husband bought me this for Valentine's and it's great!The lavender scented wax is wonderful and soothing to the muscles as well as the mind.I'm not bothered about not having a timer or a temp. adjustment (if it gets too hot for you, unplug it!).The whole contradicting model number thing is a bit puzzling, though...you get the 200 model with all the 500's accessories (booties, extra liners, brush, terry wrap).However; Amazon.com's website and the box the unit came in show exactly what you get, so I was not surprised.All in all, a great product at a great price. ... Read more

Asin: B00005B700
Subjects:  1. Personal Care    2. Skin Care    3. Spa    4. Paraffin Baths   

Q-tips Cotton Swabs - 1,500ct. (Two - 750ct. Boxes)
Average Customer Review:
Health and Beauty
list price: $7.99 -- our price: $6.49
(price subject to change: see help)
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Features

• 1500-count
• 50% more soft cotton at the tip than any other swab
• 100% cotton is soft, safe, and pure
• Special adhesive to hold cotton firmly to stick
• Firm stick gives gently under pressure

Reviews (5)

Like the size
Our family uses a great deal of Q-Tips every day. I also take some to the health club so ordering an item with 1500 Q-tips will enable me to not run out for a while.

Q-tips galore!
I can't believe how many Q-tips I received for this price.I'll have enough Q-tips till the next millenium! :)

The Best Swab ever
Q-Tips swabs are the best!Other swabs seem to unravel but not Q-Tips.They are great for a myriad of uses besides cleaning the ears which is why I love that it comes in a 1500ct.We use them to help detail our cars, clean computer keyboards, make-up application, painting, and whole slew of other uses.Thanks for stocking Q-tips! ... Read more

Asin: B00008WM5V
Sales Rank: 449
Subjects:  1. Personal Care    2. Skin Care    3. Spa