Apple iMac Desktop with 17" M8935LL/A (1.0-GHz PowerPC G4, 256 MB RAM, 80 GB Hard Drive, DVD-RW/CD-RW Drive)
Average Customer Review:
Personal Computers

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Editorial Review

The new iMac dazzles with its brilliant 17-inch widescreen flat-panel display that adjusts its height or angle with just a touch. But what’s more amazing is its compact base now packs powerful new features like a speedy 1 GHz G4 processor, more extreme nVidia graphics, a faster DVD-burning SuperDrive--and new advanced wireless options.

Inside the new 17-inch iMac, you get the 1 GHz PowerPC G4 with Velocity Engine, 256 MB of PC2100 266 MHz DDR main memory (expandable to 1 GB), GeForce4 MX graphics with 64 MB of DDR graphics memory, and an Ultra ATA/100 80 GB hard disk spinning at 7,200 rpm. You also get AirPort Extreme and Bluetooth wireless capability, and the best-of-breed digital lifestyle applications that have convinced so many PC users to switch to the Mac platform.

The iMac with SuperDrive (DVD-R/CD-RW) lets you burn your own movies and photos on a DVD disc that plays in almost any standard DVD player. Even better, the SuperDrive now burns DVDs at 4x speed, twice as fast as before. And of course you can pop in your DVD movies and watch them in widescreen letterbox format on the brilliant LCD display of your 17-inch iMac.

Pop the new AirPort Extreme Card into your 17-inch iMac and you’re ready for wireless networking from anywhere in your home or dorm--up to 150 feet from an AirPort Extreme Base Station.

The iMac comes with Apple Pro speakers that handle 18 watts of undistorted digital sound. It also features an internal speaker, internal tripath digital amplifier, Apple Pro speaker jack, headphone jack, and an audio line-in jack that lets you use it as a sound-editing studio. The bottom line is that you get to enjoy an incredible aural experience. ... Read more

Reviews (22)

Really Great!
Not only is it great looking... it works great too!Painless switch from Windows...Haven't needed to purchase any addition software becuase the bundled software does everything...And it is super cool looking!

Praise from a new mac convert
It's been a little over a month since I bought this machine, and I'm only kicking myself for having kept my feet in the Gatesian concrete for so long before. The machine itself is brilliant in its design, look, and efficiency. I picked it up at an apple store in NYC, and didn't ask for any upgrades since I wanted to take it right home from there. However, I would recommend those who can spend $50 more to opt for 512MB of RAM rather than the standard 256, although it runs quite well on the latter. The graphics, for which apple is so famous, are everything they're cracked up to be and then some. The mac browser, on which I'm writing now, safari, is a cut above IE for speed, design, and interface. What truly distinguises the mac, however, is how it does more with small packages: OS X is about half the size of windows xp, and runs more efficiently and with more ease and sensitivity to what users really want to do with a computer. I've spent some 15 years with my head under the hood of Mr. Gates' dirty windows, and although I learned a ton of information and made myself look pretty smart at work in the process, it was dreary constantly having to work around or fix the bugs that the skinny billionaire could have easily taken out himself before he sold me his OS. For windows users who are looking at this with the same question in their minds as I had: "is it worth it, after all these years, moving to a completely new platform" the answer is yes, it is more than worth it, if you're willing to make a few comparatively minor sacrifices. Obviously, (unless you want to keep a windows PC on the side) software will have to be replaced or trashed--don't worry, the proprietary productivity software sold with these macs, called appleworks (which I believe is a reworking of the old Clarisworks), is extremely functional and versatile, and the way windows software is constantly being ramped up, a gradual transition won't be that much of an additional expense, in exchange for the beauties of working on a platform like OS X. One caveat about hardware, however: you will have to consider the possibility of replacing your peripherals: I had to set aside my HP Officejet R40 and buy a comparable all-in-one device that's compatible with the mac and uses USB cables rather than the parallel port (it was only $200, so it's not a back-breaker). If you can handle those passing challenges, you are not likely to look back ever again to the PC: the imac in particular, is a stroke of design genius, and OS X is the only computing environment I can ever claim to have actually enjoyed looking at and working with. Finally, if you're what they call a "power user" (i.e., you like to have the fastest and most loaded machine on the market when you buy), you may wish to wait for the vaunted G5 to appear (I think they're actually taking orders for it now). But the 1GHz G4 is a powerful enough machine to do everything that a PC is capable of, with as much speed and far more grace and balance than any PC I've owned can claim. And if the $2,000 price tag of an imac is rather too much for you, consider the emac, which starts at well under a thousand but uses the old CRT. In any event, you won't go wrong with the mac, and if you're like me, you'll only be wondering what took you so long.

Nearly Perfect...
I have had this computer for nearly 6 months (since March) and I have been very happy with it.I have added additional memory and have recently expanded the hard drive with the addition of an external 160 gig 7200 rpm drive.

I mainly use the computer for general office work (ie letters, spreadsheets, etc).But since I got the computer I have been editing video using IMovie and creating DVDs using IDVD.The ILife software is very nice and I have generally been pleased with it.The ease of use of the ILife software really makes the computer shine IMHO.ITunes, IPhoto, IMovie and IDVD make it possible for the average user to import and use the digital media that far outstrips the average PC.Things I struggled with on my Dell using windows 98, are easy with the Mac.Other people more technically savy than I can most likley do the same sorts of things I can, but average windows users are usually impressed that I can do things like make movies, etc...

This is not to say this is perfect, but it seems to be much closer to perfection than windows based machines.

Unlike one other reviewer, I have not had any hardware problems with my computer, nor have my parents (my father has a 17" powerbook and my mother has a 17" Ibook like mine). ... Read more

Asin: B00008GT9Y
Subjects:  1. Desktops (Desk Tops)    2. Desktop Computers    3. Apple    4. (Mac)    5. (Macintosh)   

Apple 30 GB 3rd Generation iPod M8948LL/A
Average Customer Review:
Electronics (02 May, 2003)

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Features

• Features redesigned and backlit navigation; includes wired remote control, remodeled headphones, and carrying case with belt clip
• Discontinued by manufacturer, replaced by model #M9245LL/A
• Mac and Windows compatible; FireWire and USB 2.0 interface for fastest digital transfer available
• Included docking station makes charging and synching easy
• More than 8 hour battery life on a 3 hour charge (1-hour fast charge to 80% capacity)

Reviews (105)

Good Until You Need Support
I had this device for a little bit over a year, and I like most people didn't opt for the extended warranty.In short, it died as soon as the warranty expired.It's the way hardware is and I'm fine with that, but Apple's support wanted to charge me $250 to have it repaired/replaced.That is almost the same amount as a new one, and certainly more than most of their competitors.When it worked, it was great; a device I truly enjoyed, but once it starts having issues, you better look for another device; Apple wont be of much help you.

not so bad
not so bad, good amount of memory, fair battery, decent sound.overall a-okay.problems: battery (not replaceable) & loses charge overtime.Go here for a free 20Gb ipod:
http://www.tech4free.com/default.aspx?ref=117793

Poor compatability for all the hype
While the iPod is great for the amount of music you can store on it, Apple has done a poor job with creating a product that lasts.The battery life is minimal (less than 4 hours and I've had it for less than a year), and it costs you $99 to send your product to Apple to have a new battery installed!I'm told you can change the battery for cheaper yourself, but it nullifies the warranty (and on such an expensive electronic, that is not too prudent).The program Apple supplies to be able to add music to your iPod (iTunes) is also full of poorly-chosen options.It comes with an auto-sync option, which at first sounds appealing, but later proves to be more trouble than it's worth.Having attempted to clear my library in the program, iTunes proceeded to delete all my music & recordings from my computer (many of which I cannot replace).If I were to try to sync my iPod to my computer at this point, the auto-sync feature would replace all my playlists with empty ones.After calling Apple, I found out that there is a 10-15 SECOND window in which I MAY be able to turn-off the auto-sync prior to losing all my iPod files.If, however, I am too slow, or my computer doesn't respond fast enough, I lose everything on the iPod as well.
After all that hassle, the good points of the iPod are it's portability (small size) and it's capacity to hold a lot of music/recordings.I hear there are also some calendar and address book features avaliable to Mac users, but not to PC users. ... Read more

Asin: B00009J5W0
Sales Rank: 6919
Subjects:  1. MP3 Player (MP 3)    2. Gigabyte    3. 10GB    4. 10 GB    5. Portable Audio    6. MP3 MP 3 Player    7. Jukebox    8. Apple    9. (Mac)    10. (Macintosh)   

HP iPAQ 5455 Pocket PC
Average Customer Review:
Electronics
list price: $699.99
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Editorial Review

Early Adopters Pick: December 2002. The first and only Pocket PC handheld PDA with integrated wireless LAN (802.11b), Bluetooth technology, and biometric fingerprint security.

The powerful HP iPAQ H5455 Pocket PC features a 400 MHz Intel XScale processor, 64 MB RAM, 48 MB flash ROM, and a Secure Digital memory slot for additional memory. Its display is a color transflective TFT LCD, 3.78-inch, low-power, 16-bit touch screen, capable of displaying more than 65,000 colors with 240 x 320 resolution and .24 mm dot pitch.

The H5455 is a ready-to-go wireless solution with universal remote control and Bluetooth technology capability, along with cool applications such as WEB, instant messaging, MP3, and online games. It's also compatible with popular Microsoft applications such as Outlook, Word, and Excel.

Programs installed on the Pocket PC include: Microsoft Windows CE, Calendar, Contacts, Tasks, Voice Recorder, Notes, Pocket Word, Pocket Excel, Pocket Internet Explorer, Windows Media Player 8 (for playing MP3 files), Calculator, Solitaire, Inbox (for e-mail), Microsoft Reader (for reading eBooks), File Explorer, MSN Messenger, Terminal Services Client, VPN Client, Infrared Beaming, Clock, Align Screen, Infrared Beaming Memory, Volume Control, iPAQ Task Manager, iPAQ File Store, iPAQ Backup, and iPAQ Image Viewer.

The iPAQ H5455 comes with a slim removable battery, a USB synchronization cable, an AC adapter, a charging adapter (tethered to the AC adapter), a quick-start user's guide, and an HP iPAQ Pocket PC companion CD-ROM (with Microsoft Outlook 2000, ActiveSync 3.5, add-on applications, and reference guide).

The H5455 comes with a one-year limited warranty.

What's in the box

• HP iPAQ Pocket PC
• Slim Removable Battery
• Protective Cover Pack
• Universal Cradle for either Universal Serial Bus (USB) or serial connection
• Extra Stylus
• AC Adapter
• Charging Adapter (tethered to the AC Adapter)
• USB synchronization cable
• Quick-start user's guide
• HP iPAQ Pocket PC companion CD-ROM (with Microsoft Outlook 2000, ActiveSync 3.5, add-on applications, and reference guide)

... Read more

Features

• What's in the box: HP iPAQ Pocket PC, Slim Removable Battery, Protective Cover Pack, Universal Cradle, Extra Stylus, AC and Charging Adapter, USB cable, user's guide, HP iPAQ Pocket PC companion CD-ROM
• Dazzling Transflective TFT color liquid crystal display
• Removable/rechargeable 1250 mAh Lithium Polymer battery
• Secure Digital memory card slot for transferring and storing music, picture and more
• Integrated Wireless LAN 802.11b, Bluetooth, biometric fingerprint reader

Reviews (40)

sounds like good features but lots of problems
I bought this product 2 years back. But frankly speaking I haven't used all of its features. within a few days of buying the battery was losing power for no reason at all and the customer support replaced a new battery. But later the unit started resetting on its own. during this process none of the other buttons are functional and it is a forced reset losing all the information. Now since i am out of warranty i am expected to get it repaired for a fee. we will end up spending more than its original price for the maintenance. i never even had the chance to use all of its features till now because of all the reasons. i don't think its worth spending more on the unit.

iPAQ 5455 Review - cool features but poor battery life
The iPAQ 5455 seemlessly integrates with MS Outlook on one computer but has issues with syncing up to a second PC.User selection for data overwrite is limited (handheld overwrite PC or PC overwrite handheld data).Overall features are really neat, some stuff included is kinda useless for the average electronics gizmo but the battery life is horrible.If you're planning to go out of town for a couple of days, you'll need a charger (get 2 - one for the rental car and one for the hotel room).Extended life battery is recommended as is an extended service plan if one is offered to you at time of purchase.I had to have mine sent back and 2 other people in my office also had to during their first few weeks of use.The convenience offered by the available features outweighs the annoyances of losing data due to the battery dying.

Good Value/Powerful Pocket PC
These guys who are palm lovers just have a hard time switching to the Pocket PC!I am a switcher.The transition was tough at first back a couple of years ago.The Palm OS is surely faster and more user friendly but has much less to offer.This IPAQ is a powerful one and the screen quality, handwritting recognition and wifi options are unmatched by any Palm device.I have not found much use yet for the Bluetooth and the security features are good but I don't know that I need them.Still, what a great tool for word processing, spreadsheets, web surfing and more.Lighten up Palm boy! ... Read more

Asin: B00007B6RX
Subjects:  1. Personal Digital Assistant (PDA, Electronic Organizer)    2. Pocket PC (PCs)    3. Hewlett-Packard (Hewlett, Packard, HP)    4. Handheld (Hand Held)    5. Compaq    6. Portable Audio    7. MP3 MP 3 Player    8. Casio    9. Hewlett-Packard    10. (HP)    11. (Hewlet Packart)    12. Hewlett Packard (Hewlett-Packard)   

Navman GPS 3420 for iPAQ H3600, H3700 & H3800 series pocket PCs
Average Customer Review:
Electronics
list price: $464.95
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Features

• Vocal & visual turn-by-turn directions to get you to your destination
• Back-on-Track gets you headed in the right direction when off course
• Intuitive user interface
• Portable design for in-vehicle and hand-held operation

Reviews (5)

Don't waste your hard earned cash.
I have been using the Navman 3420 coupled to an Ipaq 3850 for over 1 year and am constantly disappointed by its performance.

1)Maps are full of errors, old, and there have NO updates during the time I have owned this product.Even my own street is misnamed in the software.

2)When traveling across country, there is no way to program waypoints or to select one's own routing.This is terrible and really a pain.I mean this is why you want to buy a GPS unit right?When you follow the routing selected by the software, be prepared for a wild ride anywhere...maybe even through a corn field, no kidding it tried to route me through a corn field!

3)If you would like to load several maps on one of the larger compact flash cards and navigate through 5 or more states, GOOD LUCK! You will need an Ipaq with more than the 64mb of sdram found on the 3850(understand sdram on an Ipaq is not upgradeable).They say you will need 7 to 10% of the map area used on the compact flash card in sdram.So if you try to use a 512mb card for example (loaded with maps) then you will need approximately 50mb of sdram?Almost impossible on a 64mb machine as it will use sometimes upwards of 18mb just to run on its own without Navman's SmartST Professional software.

4)The 3420 does not have an external antenna input.Why is this important?Try using the unit in a large city with tall buildings without one.When you really need it - it will loose the satellite fix.

Do not waste your money on this device.Wait for a later generation product that is much more refined.Go to Walmart and buy a road atlas for $5 until then.

WASTE OF MONEY
Very unreliable. Clumsy user interface. Couple of times I had to pull over and wait for the stupid thing to lock on the sattelites. Often needs a PDA reset. Imagine having to reset your PDA , start the program again and enter the destination again while driving in traffic.

Good product, If you can get it to work.
I was running the NAVMAN GPS on a iPAQ 3955. To make this short, after doing a "Hard" reset and applying the latest Soft-Paq I could get it to work 1 out of 10 times.

Another mistake I made was buying a SanDisk 512mb CF card so I could store the program and maps (You'll get about 1/4 of the US on the card.)You can't install the program to the CF card as it will not function and the program (4.3mb installed) definitely slowed down my machine.

Just so you know I sent it back to Amazon and was refunded. ... Read more

Asin: B000077DEF
Sales Rank: 68426
Subjects:  1. Personal Digital Assistant (PDA, Electronic Organizer)    2. Pocket PC (PCs)    3. Hewlett-Packard (Hewlett, Packard, HP)    4. Handheld (Hand Held)    5. Compaq   

Sony DSCU20 Cyber-shot 2MP Digital Camera (Silver)+B2
Average Customer Review:
Electronics
list price: $299.99
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Editorial Review

Sony has now made capturing spontaneous moments even easier with the diminutive Cyber-shot DSC-U20. Measuring a mere 3.38 by 1.19 by 1.63 inches and weighing just 4 ounces, you can comfortably carry the ultracompact DSC-U20 in your pocket, your purse, or around your neck. Capturing spontaneity is a snap, thanks to its state-of-the-art technology and ease of use. And with its 2-megapixel resolution, you can enlarge photo prints up to 8 by 10 inches.

Optics and Resolution
The DSC-U20 features a 2-megapixel progressive-scan Super HAD CCD sensor--bumped up from the 1.3 megapixels of its sibling, the DSC-U10--which captures images up to 1,600 x 1,200 pixels. The DSC-U20 offers a fixed-focus 5mm f2.8 lens (or a 33mm equivalent in a 35mm camera) that has no optical or digital zoom capability. It features a three-area multipoint autofocus and four-step manual focus with automacro.

Storage and Transfer
Images are stored on Memory Sticks, and an 8 MB card is included, which will store approximately 15 images. Images can be downloaded to either a Mac or PC via USB storage-class connectivity, which means it can be connected to any USB-based Windows Me/2000/XP and Mac OS 8.6 or later computer without installing any software.

Movie Mode
In addition to taking still photos, the DSC-U20 can also record MPEG movie clips without audio of up to 15 seconds. 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

• Fast start-up time and convenient slide-open lens cover
• One-inch, 64 K pixel transflective LCD viewfinder with battery indicator
• Built-in flash with through-the-lens (TTL) preflash metering and red-eye reduction
• VGA burst mode captures up to five 640 x 480 frames at 2 frames per second
• Selectable soft snap, illumination snap, and nature scene modes
• Selectable sepia, solarize, black and white, and negative art modes

Power, Size, and Contents
The camera is powered by two rechargeable NiMH AAA batteries (included). It measures 3.38 by 1.19 by 1.63 inches and weighs 4 ounces. This package includes the Cyber-shot DSC-U20 digital camera, 8 MB Memory Stick, rechargeable NiMH batteries (model NH-AAA-DI), battery charger (model BC-CS1 NiMH), USB and AV cables, neck strap, and CD-ROM with Pixela ImageMixer for Sony v1.0 imaging software and USB drivers for Windows and Mac. ... Read more

Features

• Powered by two rechargeable NiMH AAA batteries (included)
• 2.0 megapixel CCD sensor captures images up to 1,600 x 1,200 pixels for prints up to 8 x 10 inches
• Ultracompact body, weighs just 4 ounces
• Includes 8 MB Memory Stick
• Connects with PCs and Macs via USB port

Reviews (41)

Major fun camera
I have had it for about a year. It is my constant companion. We ditched 35mm in favor of this baby. Results are not perfect, but for the size & price, it's wonderful. And don't forget that it uses AAA batteries!

Having said all that, I am hoping to get a DSC P92 before our next family vacation...

Tough, small, great shots
I took this to Iraq in order to have a camera I could keep with me at all times.For 6 months I lugged it around wherever I went.Despite the lack of a zoom, it took great shots, and with a large (128MB) memory stick, I was able to store many pictures and download them when I had the opportunity.Just what I was looking for!

TOOK A LICKIN & KEPT ON CLICKIN!
Though I've not had experience with this U-20, I can comment on its predecessor, the U-10, which is a 1.3 megapixel version of this camera.

When our son in law was deployed to Iraq in Feb. 2003, I wanted to send a digital camera with him. It needed to be very small and lightweight, but also needed to withstand the rigors of life in a fox hole.The Sony Cybershot DCS U-10 really came through!When he returned 8 months later the camerahad been dropped many times and had a lot of scratches and dents.It was very dusty and gritty and even the memory card inside felt gritty. I was afraid the data on the memory card wouldn't be readable.But also, the little Sony had takin a lickin and kept on clickin! The pictures were very very good for a 1.3 megapixel.The photos taken inside the tents were a tad dark because the flash only goes about 6 feet, but overall they were good. The photos taken outside were wonderful.If I had to send another camera off to the Iraqi desert, I'd stick with the Sony and choose another Cybershot U.It may have its limitations but it was perfect for the need we had. ... Read more

Asin: B00007E8YT
Subjects:  1. Digital Camera (Cameras)    2. Photograph (Photography)