HP Pavilion DM3-1030US 13.3-Inch Silver Laptop - Up to 6 Hours of Battery Life (Windows 7 Home Premium) Review

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(More customer reviews)This is a beautiful machine. Check it out -- 4.2 lbs, 1" thick, Magnesium case, 7200 rpm HDD, spectacular HD display, 4 GB memory, 320 GB Hard Drive, Iconic keyboard Windows 7, 4 USB ports, HDMI port, great WiFi,etc. etc. All for under $600! It's astonishing. One begins to wonder what truck they steal these off of. Yes, my title is correct, "Macbook Killer." Look at the two machines side by side -- they are pretty much the same thing. Yes, the Macbook Pro has a backlit keyboard, ok. But the DM3 has an HDMI port, which means I can attach it to my HDTV and play Neflix or Itunes movies, or youtube, etc. in High Definition. Sure, it has no optical drive, but folks, cd's and dvd's are becoming old technology, and being replaced by thumb/jump drives. Even software will be coming on these. Actually, the DM3 weighs almsot a pound less than a Macbook by eliminating the optical drive, and the advantages of using an external drive are many. Keyboards are almost identical, case is a toss up, display's are similar, windows 7 vs. Snow Leopard has its plusses and minuses going both ways. Yes, the Macbook is more powerful for high intensity graphics, but if you are using your computer as most people do, you will not notice the difference. But the knockout comes at checkout: It is less than 1/2 the price of a similarly configured 13" Macbook Pro!
It is so far superior to any netbook that there is no comparison there. Yes, it's not perfect. It does re-charge slowly, and the trackpad takes some getting used to. But it has so many fantastic features, when you factor in the price, it is the best value out there in ultraportable computing.
I have been using portable computers since the mid-eighties when they were 25 pounds with tiny monochrome screens floppy drives and cost $3000. Now for under $600, they are 1/6th the weight, yet 100 times as fast with 3000 times the storage and much more functionality. Think about how amazing this is! You will love this little machine.

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For those who want full PC performance optimized for mobility, the HP Pavilion dm3 Entertainment series delivers in a surprisingly affordable, minimalist design. Its top and palm rest covers are made of brushed aluminum in Modern Argento gray, while its bottom casing is a magnesium alloy. The metal casing helps ensure maximum durability at minimal weight. The clean design is accentuated by an iconic keyboard. Powered by the latest ultra-low-voltage processor and mobile graphics technologies, it delivers optimal mobile performance to support your on-the-go lifestyle.Get up to 6 hours of life for extended use with the standard battery.Break free with the performance you need in a design you\'ll love (without the designer price tag).Set yourself apart with an ultra-thin design in colorized brushed aluminum.Get greater durability with lightweight aluminum-magnesium casing. Experience full-screen views of HD TV and movies with the 16:9 13.3-Inch diagonal display.Enjoy your photos and videos on HD TVs with the HDMI port (cable sold separately). Chat face to face with the HP Webcam and add fun special effects. Relax with extra protection from file loss due to drops with HP ProtectSmart. Enjoy easy access to your favorite entertainment with HP MediaSmart.

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HP Pavilion DM3-1130US 13.3-Inch Laptop (Silver) Review

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(More customer reviews)The HP Pavilion dm3 1130us (AMD CPU & ATI GPU model) is a good compromise between the portability of a netbook and the functionality of a full sized laptop. Technically in the "Ultra-portable/Thin & Light" category, I would say it is a netbook on steroids. I was looking for a portable computing solution but didn't want a small keyboard or a hard-to-read/small screen. It had to have a small form factor, yet have a more powerful processor and graphics than traditional netbooks. I use it mainly for office work, web surfing, video streaming, music listening and light gaming.
Most of the specs are readily available on Amazon, but you can get a more in-depth overview by going to HP's site and looking up the dm3z line in their Ultra-Portable category. The 1130 is essentially a later production run of the 1030, which is still available on Amazon as of this writing.
Back to what I was looking for;
Basically, I wanted a MacBook but only had about five hundred bucks to spend. I'm a Mac user normally but could not see paying so much for a laptop. I searched high & low and weighed several other options. In this laptop segment and at this price point, it is all about compromise and what you want as an end user. In this end, the 1130us was the best fit for me. I was able to find it on sale for under five hundred on the OfficeMax site and then found a [...] dollar rebate. I used that saving to buy a [...] , and so far that is working perfectly too. I was a little leery about getting an HP since they don't have the best reliability reputation, but I would expect more problem reports from a company that sells so many computers. My mother-in-law has a 3 year old Pavilion that still runs like new.
What I like about it:
1. It's fast, faster than I expected. Initial set-up was a snap. The 1.6GHz AMD Athon Neo X2 dual-core processor and ATI Mobility Radeon HD3200 graphics see to that. Perhaps not the best combo for intense Photoshop sessions or cutting edge 3D gaming, but I have several apps and browser windows open at once with no system slowdowns. Online video from various sources streams just fine and I've played a number of games (including Star Wars Battlefront) with no issues. The AMD cpu and ATI gpu combo uses more wattage than the Intel option, but I think you would sacrifice computing power for battery life if you went the Pentium or Core Duo route.
1b. 7200 RPM 320GB Hard Drive. Did I say it was fast? And spacious.
2. The screen. It is glossy, but not as bad as some and it is nice and bright. 13.3" w/ a 1366x768 widescreen resolution means things are a bit smaller than on a standard desktop monitor, but everything is nice and crisp and the colors are good. It seems much bigger. HD content looks great on it and the viewing angle isn't bad. I had a stuck pixel, but it went away. The lid opens about 135 degrees back so you can easily work with it on your lap. It has a nice firm hinge so there are no worries of it falling one way or the other.
3. Wi-Fi draft N. I've only had fast and excellent connectivity so far. Having bluetooth is nice too, but I've yet to use it.
4. Windows 7, not a cobbled Started Edition. Coming from OSX, I have to say I'm growing more and more impressed with the latest Windows OS. It seems to have more intricacies than with OSX, but I'm getting used to it and have to say the user interface is top notch. Before this, I've used XP and am so glad that Microsoft has finally refined their product. Connect a device for the first time and either the drivers are already there or they download automatically. Nice. Lots of eye candy too.
5. Touch pad. Some reviewers pan it, but I find it works well for me after a slight learning curve. Sure, it is the only fingerprint magnet on an otherwise lovely case, but I like the feel of the shiny chrome finish and find the multi-finger gestures useful. The "mouse-buttons" could be a little easier to depress, but that is a small quibble, just tap the pad. It is also very customizable to your specific needs. The 1030us touch pad had some wake-from-sleep issues, but that was fixed in the latest BIOS. I also use a [...] but have no problems adjusting to the touch pad if I leave mouse at the office.
6. 4 USB, 5-in1 card reader, 1 VGA, and 1 HDMI port. Connectivity ahoy!
7. Full sized keyboard. It took a little adjustment, but I like the quiet, island style keys. When in the proper position, I can type just as fast as with my desktop's keyboard. I measured it, and it is slightly LARGER than my G5's primary keyboard area!
8. The case. This is one sturdy feeling case with little or no flex that I can detect. You can hold it by a corner without fear. I love that it isn't a finger print magnet like so many others out there. The brushed aluminum finish is very attractive and gives it a high-end appearance.
9. It came with 4GB DDR2 ram, expandable to 8GB. With the 64bit OS, I could do this, but see no need to at the present time.
10. Cool. Even after all day use the air blowing out of the rear side exhaust vent is only slightly warm. The front wrist rests can get a little warm, but never uncomfortable (at least to me).
11. Quiet. If a completely silent room you can hear the faint breath of the fan, but otherwise it and the spinning hard drive are unnoticeable.
12. Well packaged. There are no disks included, but the manual and documentation are pretty clear.
13. Price. Find this on sale and you've got yourself one heck of a deal!What's not so great about it:
1. It is about 13" wide and weights about nearly 5 pounds with the battery inserted. For me that's no big deal but if you plan to lug your laptop around a lot, you may want to look at something smaller and lighter. It is only one inch thick so it slides easily into most bags.
2. Speakers. You know going in that they won't be that great, but I still couldn't help being a little disappointed. However, I tweaked the sound settings and get decent output now, though not very loud. It does the job though. Use earphones. I connected it to my speakers with a subwoofer and Pandora radio sounds terrific!
3. Battery life. I get about 4 hours of constant general use life out of it. Another reviewer stated he was able to play the entire Fellowship of the Ring movie before it went into hibernation, but I have not tested that. The good news is that 4 hours is still decent, and the power cord isn't too cumbersome. If you need an all-day, cord-free laptop/netbook, look elsewhere.
4. Some bloatware. Being new to Windows I researched what to do when you first get a computer. One of the most common recommendations is to remove the manufacturer installed software. I got rid of the MS Office trial and Norton. I'll still playing around with the suite of HP software. I may keep some, but will probably ditch a good bit of it. However, some users may like the included software. Even with it, the 1130us is a speedy customer.
5. No optical drive, but I knew that and won't need one every day. The Samsung will also be useful for my other computers.
6. No OS restore disk. I know, there is no optical drive and there is a recovery partition, but it still would have been nice.
7. Possible fit and finish issues. I just noticed a very slight gap along the top right front edge where the wrist wrest meets the side paneling. Pressing down on it does reveal a little flex. Not enough to return it, but it is worth keeping an eye on and could be cause for concern. It is too early to tell. (see my product photos)I have not used the Quickweb feature, but Windows 7 boots up (after some re-configuration) in less than a minute so I'm not sure I'd need it. I've also not yet used the HDMI out port or webcam. I plan to test both soon and have heard that the webcam is good in low light. I've only been using the 1130us for a little over a week so I can't speak to its long-term reliability, but so far so good. I'll post an update if I have anything new to add.
So, is the dm3 1130us the right model for you? If you are not a 3D gamer and want a nice looking, sturdy, portable laptop without most of the limitations of a netbook, then the answer could be "yes". Of course, technology is changing rapidly and in a few months the next latest and greatest will be out. But if you need something now, and want a lot of oomph at a great value, then the dm3 1130us could be your best bet. It exceeds my expectations at a price point other laptops couldn't match, so that is why I'm giving it 5 (4 1/2 actually) stars.
UPDATE-March 30, 2011: It is over a year later and I'm still loving this little machine. No major issues. Yes, the left palm rest can get a bit warm, but I've never had it become uncomfortably so. It still does everything I need it to with little fuss.

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For those who want full PC performance optimized for mobility, the HP Pavilion dm3 Entertainment series delivers in a surprisingly affordable, minimalist design.

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Wacom Graphire Bluetooth 6 x 8-Inch Tablet Review

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(More customer reviews)This is the first Wacom tablet that I know of to "cut the cord." The Graphire Bluetooth 6x8 provides unparalleled fun and utility to any user with a Bluetooth-equipped computer. I bought mine for two reasons: I have a Bluetooth-capable Thinkpad T43 so I didn't need a cable, and I'm developing some repetitive stress disorder, so using a pen is appealing.
This model is just the right size if you want good precision control in Photoshop (or Photoshop Elements 3.0, included) and Premiere, and is about the size of most laptops, so it's easy to take along. The clear pen stand holds the pen handy, and fits into the top notch. Complaints about the pen's use for regular computing are reasonable, as it's not really suited for "point and click" computing. It's a pen. The included mouse takes over, but purchasers should be aware that this is NOT a Bluetooth mouse! The mouse and pen are battery-free, and work only with the tablet.
If the included pen feels light and insubstantial, chalk it up to being a portable tablet solution. Fortunately, the Graphire4 pen (available separately in blue, white, and silver) works with this tablet. Price for the Graphire4 pen starts at $30 depending on where you buy it. Likewise, Wacom sells a pen leash, carrying case (the Intuos3 6x8 carrying case), replacement nibs and extra stands, should you need some.
The run time of the included LiPoly battery is claimed to reach 25 hours on a charge, and I've clocked close to that. Connection is simple, but you should know that if you connect it to ONE computer, if you take it to use with ANOTHER computer, you have to perform the initial connection routine with the first computer again later. Takes all of about a minute or two.
The tablet has a removable clear frame so you can customize it with your own photos. The CD includes sample JPEG backing sheets, and blank templates in JPEG and Photoshop .PSD format, so you can easily create your own custom tablet decoration in any illustration program, and drop your art into the Photoshop template. The included PDF manual is superb.
You have to bear in mind that if you're not buying an Intuos3, you're buying one of Wacom's entry level, consumer tablets - don't expect a Aston Martin when you're paying Acura prices. In all, if you want to invest a little bit in your digital art capabilities, not deal with USB or serial connection, then this tablet is a very good entry level addition. See my photos for further illustration of the Graphire Bluetooth in action.
_______________
2009 Update:
In practical use, I found that from time to time there's an appreciable delay in the response of this tablet. Enough so that it could be quite annoying in Photoshop, so I resorted to using wireless (or wired) mouses. I've also found from time to time, the cursor onscreen starts to wander by itself, react unpredictably from my stylus movement, and I have to turn the tablet off and then on again to re-connect. In ordinary computing, this can be annoying. In Photoshop, it became outright disruptive. I can't lower my rating with this review, but I would now downgrade this product to THREE (3) STARS. Wacom should stick with wired tablets.

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If you're a designer or artist who demands greater control over your digital work than is possible with a mouse, or a computer user who suffers from repetitive strain injuries, the Wacom Graphire Bluetooth 6x8 Tablet is here to save the day. With the alternate use of the extraordinarily accurate pen -- about the same size as an average ballpoint pen -- and mouse with three programmable buttons, you'll never be forced to rely solely on your mouse again. You'll greatly enhance your accuracy and significantly reduce the strain on your wrists.The Wacom Graphire Tablet will also allow you to expand your creativity in leaps and bounds. Whether you're a professional designer or an aspiring artist, you'll be able to exact incredible control over your manipulation and editing of digital photos. Compatible with any software that your mouse works with, and both PC and Macintosh compatible, the Wacom Graphire Tablet works up to 30 feet away -- wirelessly from your computer. Draw, paint, create artwork for CDs/DVDs, sign your name, and annotate documents in Adobe Acrobat or Microsoft PowerPoint -- whatever you can do with your standard mouse, you can do with far greater accuracy and creativity on the tablet. You can even write directly in Microsoft Office XP and with Apple Inkwell. With both the Wacom pen and mouse, you'll have the right tool for any task.With this Tablet, along with the free included copy of Adobe Photoshop Elements 3 and Color Efex Pro 2 GE software by nik multimedia, you'll be able to enhance your digital photos like never before. When it's time to try your hand at some free-hand drawing, the Graphire pen and the amazing capabilities of Painter Essentials 2 by Corel (also included) will be waiting for you. The Graphire pen is pressure-sensitive so you can control the amount of a software tool's effect by varying how firmly you press the pen tip to the tablet. Because every point on the tablet has a matching point on the screen, and featuring 512 levels of pressure-sensitivity for natural brush control, the pen couldn't be any easier to use. When you move it over the tablet, the cursor moves in precisely the same way on the screen, giving you unprecedented accuracy.The Graphire Cordless Mouse features cordless, battery-free technology, which means it's 100 percent hassle-free. The scrolling finger wheel allows for easy navigation and also functions as a third programmable button. With no ball to gum up, you'll always be ensured of smooth, accurate tracking.An included rechargeable Lithium Polymer tablet battery gives you up to 25 hours between charges, and a universal power adapter permits simultaneous tablet charging and comfortable use. Included with the tablet are Adobe Photoshop Elements 3, Painter Essentials 2 by Corel, and Color Efex Pro 2 GE from nik multimedia.What's in the Box Pen tablet, pen, pen stand, mouse, rechargeable tablet battery, universal power adapter, driver software, user manual, and software on CD-ROM.

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Toshiba Satellite M645-S4080 14.0-Inch LED Laptop ( Fusion X2 Finish in Charcoal) Review

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(More customer reviews)pros
+ backlit keyboard
+ amazing speakers (like, best I've heard on a laptop, amazing (though my new xps 14 is at least equal to these)
+ circular scrolling is extremely effective
+ high resolution hdmi out
+ nice slot loading dvd drive
+ FN keys accessible from the screen with the mouse
+ boots very quickly if you enable it
cons
-extraordinarily loud fan
* fan turns on at a high power level even when laptop is idle
-keyboard keys occasionally (often) fail
-extremely limited viewing angles
Update: I've since purchased a dell xps 14, and It has the gt420m that this was originally advertised as having. Having tested both the 420 far outperforms the 330 in real-world testing.

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Toshiba Satellite M645: Easy Portability with 14-Inch HD Screen
Combining great portability, generous battery life and modern style in a slim, eco-smart package, the Toshiba Satellite M645-S4080 is sized to travel while providing powerful computing resources for all of your needs--work, learning and play. The 14-inch LED-backlit display offers HD TruBrite technology for optimal image clarity, widescreen aspect ratio for watching letterboxed movies and extra desktop working space, and native 720p high-definition resolution for watching downloaded HD video.
Made for mobility, this Toshiba M645 features a 14-inch high-definition screen and weighs 5.4 pounds (see larger image).

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Bamboo Fun (Small) Black Tablet with Pen, Mouse & Graphics Software Review

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(More customer reviews)Wacom has brought this technology a long way. Many shopping for Wacom tablets probably have owned similar products in the past. This product is more affordable than the higher end Intuos3 models, yet powerful enough for many pros.
For me, the small size is perfect. The "medium" sized tablet is suited for hard core graphics people who need to work at the pixel level for large images. Those using this for the mouse also may prefer the medium size. However, most users will find the small size probably fits their needs. Either way, the tablet maps to your screen size for any of these models.
This unit comes in a variety of colors and configurations. I prefer the look of the black tablet, but there are silver, white and blue ones also.
Bamboo Fun (Medium) Silver Tablet with Pen, Mouse & Graphics Software
Bamboo Fun (Medium) Black Tablet with Pen, Mouse & Graphics Software
Bamboo Fun (Medium) Blue Tablet with Pen, Mouse & Graphics SoftwareUpon plugging in the device, the mouse worked immediately! The pen also works as a mouse or as a pen/brush for drawing applications.
The mouse is nice because it allows you to free up a USB port if you're using a USB mouse. Power users will need more from a mouse though. If you're anything like me, you prefer a mouse with many more options than this one provides.
Installing the drivers and software allows you to access the settings and tools that make this device versatile and customizable. The Bamboo software also allows you to customize the buttons. Left-handers will greatly appreciate this! Be prepared to spend some time tweaking this unit to your likes.
The software included with this device is a nice to have. Many people who buy this will already have or need full blown Adobe Photoshop. Adobe Elements gives you everything casual users need. The Corel application is nice to play with. But other than a few "macro" type functions I have yet to find anything I can't already do with Adobe. Perhaps newer users may find the Corel product more user-friendly.
Pros
+ USB connection
+ Works on XP and Vista almost plug and play - before software installation
+ Nice customizable software
+ Nice bundled applications - Adobe Elements and Corel Draw
+ No additional power adapter needed
+ Traditional or pen mouse for casual users
+ Small size is perfect for users not using the mouse
Cons
- The scrolling zoom function does not work uniformly on all applications
- The mouse with this model will not suffice for power users
- Default settings require a lot of adjusting for graphics editing
- The tablet would have been ideal with several additional USB ports
Overall, the graphic artist or visual junkie NEEDS one of these. If you are a casual user, it is worth getting one on sale. The small model with pen only will meet most users' needs.
Enjoy.


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Now there's a simple, easy, and fun way to harness your creativity. Bamboo Fun makes your computer your canvas, allowing you to freely express yourself by simply touching the pen tip to the tablet. Touch up digital photos, draw by hand, create artwork and paintings, and even write in your own handwriting.Bamboo Fun includes full editions of valuable creative software to help get your creative juices flowing. Edit photos with Adobe Photoshop Elements, create artwork with Corel Painter Essentials, and apply photo effects with Nik Color Efex Pro. Bamboo Fun is available in a variety of colors and sizes. FEATURES: Works with new handwriting recognition, inking and pen features in Windows Vista (all editions but Home Basic) and Apple operating systems (OS X)Supports widescreen displays and has a textured work surface for a natural pen-on-paper feelHigh resolution and report rate for outstanding accuracyPrecise control and 512 levels of pressure sensitivity on the pen and eraserQuick access to user-defined shortcuts with four Express KeysEasy scrolling and zooming with finger-sensitive Touch RingPatented, battery-free pen with customizable buttons for comfort and reliabilityDetachable USB cable unplugs from your computer and your tablet for easy storage and transportErgonomic design provides a comfortable supplement to mouse and keyboard inputIncludes one year warrantyFree US-based technical support

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Wacom Intuos3 4 x 6-Inch Wide Format Pen Tablet (PTZ431W) Review

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(More customer reviews)I bought a Graphire4 4x5 tablet first thinking it would be enough for me... It was ok, but then I got a chance to play with an Intuos3 tablet and decided to return it.
Intuos3 gives you a much nicer feeling when you're drawing, just as if you were on paper, not plastic. Resolution is much higher, I'm getting very accurate results. Of course, using a tablet takes getting used to and might not be for everybody.
The pen is very comfortable to hold and comes with a bunch of replacement tips, including a softer-than-normal and a harder-than-normal tips (1 each).
The mouse is actually quite usable on this tablet as opposed to graphire4.
Long USB cord makes it possible to take the tablet off the table and onto your lap.
Overall, a fantastic tool for anybody who needs a better way to control their drawing/photo retouching.
For those, who say it is rather small - true, but the next one up is $100 more expensive. It gets the job done and works great for wide screen monitors without sacrificing horizontal resolution. I guess, for people who paint a much bigger tablet is in order, but this one should be quite enough for photo manipulations.
I only wish Wacom included some kind of handwriting recognition software for free with it, though they offer 20% discount on EverNote products (check out ritePen - it is amazing) as well as other product discounts


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The Wacom Intuos3 Platinum 4" x 6" Graphics Tablet with Pentools for PC & Mac (USB) gives you the power to quickly and professionally edit photos and create digital artwork by turning on the full power of Adobe Photoshop, Corel Painter, and over 100 other leading software applications. Intuos pen tablets use Wacom's Penabled technology to give you the natural feel and superior performance of Wacom's patented cordless and battery-free tablet technology. You'll find that using an Intuos pen, mouse, and tablet gives you more control, comfort, and productivity. Alternating between the comfortable Grip Pen and the ergonomic five-button Intuos3 mouse reduces repetitive motion. It's an easy and natural way to work.FEATURESUsing a Pen Tablet is EasyIt's easy to use a pen tablet because every point on the tablet has a matching point on the screen. When you move your pen over the tablet the cursor moves in precisely the same way on the screen. Where you touch your pen tip to the tablet is where you click.Pressure SensitivityThe Intuos3 Grip Pen gives you the power of pressure-sensitive control. Pressure sensitivity lets you control your software tools by changing how hard you press the pen tip to the tablet surface. Using pressure sensitivity you can dynamically control things like brush size, opacity, and more.Intuos3 TabletIt's Ergonomic design with a sloping, contoured palm rest provides for comfort, and the 8' cable allows you to kick back while you work. The multiple cord positions also provides for greater workspace flexibility.Intuos3 Grip PenThe Grip pen provides 1024 levels of tip and eraser pressure sensitivity for precise control, and tilt sensitivity for even more control. The cushioned, contoured grip with programmable DuoSwitch improves productivity while maintaning comfort. The patented cordless, battery-free technology gives the grip pen a natural feel and superior performance. an included multi-position pen stand

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DigiPro WP8060 8-Inch x6-Inch USB Graphics Tablet with Cordless Pen (Silver) Review

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(More customer reviews)I have been using this tablet for two years now, which I originally bought on ebay. It is beginning to get worn out and may need replacement, so I'm assuming a 2-3 year average life span on this product because I do use it rather often.
This was the first tablet I ever owned; purchased because of the low price, and it has been just fine for me. I use it on a laptop with Windows XP and Photoshop7 and despite a few quirks and occasional minor glitches it functions just fine. I had no trouble with drivers or software.
In using the product I've discovered a few quirks in working with it.
* Pressure sensitivity only works if the device is plugged in before the program you wish to use is started.
* Cannot start the computer with the device plugged in, must plug in after start up is complete.
* Pressure sensitivity can stop if the tablet is left plugged in but unused for too long, although I have not experienced this for a few months now.
* Recently, occasionally the tablet will stop recognizing the pen while working on something, but a quick tap to the keyboard will fix this. May just be a result of being old.
As this is the only tablet I have ever used I cannot compare it to more expensive brands, but I find that it works just fine for me. I use it exclusively for drawing on Photoshop7. Writing functions in Microsoft Word seem to work, but I have only tried once or twice.

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Paint, draw, write, sign, and sketch all your documents and applications! This Drawing Tablet comes equipped with a pressure sensitive stylus pen and a wireless mouse, giving you the right tools for any task! The tablet features a 8 X 6-inch working area with a pen holder and indicator and a built-in USB cable. The stylus pen has 512 levels of pressure sensitivity and is compatible with most graphic software such as Painter, Adobe Photoshop.

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Wacom Intuos3 Five-button Mouse - mouse ( ZC100 ) Review

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(More customer reviews)Built to last? Are you kidding me? Not only is the bottom a felt material that will deteriorate and pill up on you, but the buttons are not very robust and mine stopped registering clicks after about a year of moderate use. No, this is a case of engineered obsolesence at the hands of our Chinese brethren. It's a complete rip off at even thirty bucks much less what they are asking here. But, when functioning it manages reasonably well...and what ar eyour other options?

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Item #: ZC100. The newly designed cordless, batteryless and ballfree Intuos3 mouse is a perfect replacement for the standard mouse on your computer. Thanks to its higher resolution of 5, 080 lines per inch it will beat most regular computer mice easily when it comes to precision and accurate handling.The five programmable buttons are ambidextrously arranged, so left- and right-handed people can use the mouse equally. This is also true for the "thumb buttons" located on the side of the mouse body. The rotating finger wheel emulates the Microsoft IntelliMouse standard that enables you to scroll with the Intuos3 mouse right out of the box.The Intuos3 5-button mouse is the perfect completion of the Intuos3 input device system. Product Description: Wacom Intuos3 Five-button Mouse - mouseDevice Type: MouseDimensions (WxDxH): 2.3 in x 4.5 in x 1.5 inWeight: 0.2 lbsConnectivity Technology: WirelessMovement Detection Technology: OpticalButtons Qty: 5Movement Resolution: 5080 lpiFeatures: Programmable buttons, scrolling wheel Customers also search for: Discount Wacom Intuos3 Five-button Mouse - Mouse, Buy Wacom Intuos3 Five-button Mouse - Mouse, Wholesale Wacom Intuos3 Five-button Mouse - Mouse, 0753218995322, Mouse and Pointing Devices

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HP Pavilion dv6-3010us 15.6-Inch Laptop Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I saw this model at one of the Office Superstores (it was WAAAY cheaper)...not sure if I am able to say the name but it's the one that sponsors the arena where the Lakers play. Overall, this is a great computer. I purchased it as a replacement to a 5 year old Dell XPS notebook. I already own a quad-core version of this notebook (HP DV6) and was so impressed with the performance, quietness, and coolness, I bought this one too! (It's not for me.) The aspects of this computer that I like the most: it's thin, light, quiet, doesn't get too hot, the graphics, the LCD screen (LED backlit), and the 7200rpm hard drive. My only gripe with this model is that the touchpad is picky. I had to go into the touchpad properties and turn on/off a few features.
Oh, and another plus, press F11 when the system starts up and do a "minimal" system restore. It wipes out a huge majority of HP bloatware! After I did that, the computer beat my expectations! I highly recommend this to any user who is looking for a good, mid-range laptop that is good for HD-quality video, light gaming, and powerful with productivity applications. (ex. MS Office, Adobe, iTunes, etc.)
The battery issue in a previous post didn't happen to me. However, I will say that two of the USB ports are very tight...but I have yet to break anything...
I've owned HP computers in the past and this is my first one since 2002. I'm glad I switched back.


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Now there's a notebook PC made for the way you play. In fact, the HP Pavilion dv6 comes with software that lets you start playing right out of the box. With amazing graphics, audio, and video, plus a wide array of options, the HP Pavilion dv6 Entertainment series notebook delivers power and performance to match your fast-paced lifestyle. Exclusive HP MediaSmart software gives you instant access to the music and movies you love. Immerse yourself in videos, games and 3D graphics on the high-definition 15.6" diagonal HP BrightView LED display. Look your best in any light with the HP TrueVision Webcam and sound great with integrated dual-array digital microphones for improved noise reduction. With the large hard drive, you can store volumes of data, movies, and music.

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Wacom Intuos3 6 x 8-Inch Pen Tablet Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I spend about 10 hours a day working in Photoshop, Illustrator, Flash, and other design related programs including 3D Studio Max. I've been using a Wacom tablet for about six years now, and I love it. It would be impossible for me to create the designs and illustrations that I do without my Wacom. As an artist and designer, I used traditional mediums for years, and then spent another couple of years trying to figure out how to use a mouse in a way that would permit me to create quality images and designs on the computer quickly and in a way that resembled traditional methods. The Wacom tablet has been my solution and the solution of dozens of my colleagues. I use the old Intuos at home, and I use the Intuos 3 at work. The new Intuos features a USB connection that permits hot-swappable, on-the-go design. Also, the new Intuos pens are much more comfortable to hold that the old plastic pens because of the rubber coated grip. The tip on the pen seem much more "springy" and responsive. The pressure sensitivity is amazing and allows me the complete control over the virtual medium that I am handling (airbrush, pencil, ink, paint, etc). Photoshop, Illustrator, and Flash are all designed to work with the pressure sensitive pens, and the level of control is amazing. Photoshop's new custom brush palette, combined with the Wacom tablet, permit me to create custom brushes to simulate the appearance of color pencil, pastels, and chalk in such a realistic manner that it's difficult to discern what is real and what is digital. Both of the tablets I own have the 6x8 drawing surface, which I find to be an adequate size for me to accomplish all of my design-work and illustrations. It also is a convenient size to fit into my laptop bag (outer dimensions are about 10"x13"). I absolutely love my Wacom, and I'm ashamed that I didn't place a review for this superior product before now. Several of my coworkers and friends have purchased less expensive versions from competitors, but have regretted the purchase and have switched to Wacom. I was helping a coworker select a Wacom tablet for her desk this morning (as a replacement for another brand) when I decided to write this review for the Wacom tablet. Bottom line for the Wacom 6x8: convenient size, excellent pressure sensitivity, durable construction, excellent value for the price. I would consider this a must-have for any serious digital illustrator or designer.

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For the serious photographer, designer, and artist Intuos3 gives you the power to quickly and professionally edit photos and create digital artwork by turning on the full power of Adobe Photoshop, Corel Painter, and over 100 other leading software applications.Intuos3 tablets now put ExpressKeys and Touch Strips right at your fingertips for convenient keyboard shortcuts, scrolling, zooming, brush size control, and more. Wacom's Penabled technology gives you the natural feel and superior performance of Wacom's patented cordless and battery-free tablet technology.You'll find that using an Intuos pen, mouse, and tablet gives you more control, comfort, and productivity. Alternating between the comfortable Grip Pen and the ergonomic five-button Intuos3 mouse reduces repetitive motion. It's an easy and natural way to work.

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Wacom Intuos3 SE 9x12 - Special Edition Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This was my first purchase of a tablet and I have to say, this unit really does the job. It's simple to learn, easy to use and in general makes any art project faster and more fun. Photoshop and Corel Painter X are the perfect combination. I also use Toon Boom, which is for animations (2D) and it works beautifully with this tablet as well.
On thing to remember, the 9x12 is a large unit, so it takes up a reasonable amount of space on your desktop.
Overall, I would highly recommend this product for anyone. Those new to tablets, or even art in general as well as professionals. Using a computer for orginal artwork, always felt a bit off. But now, I feel creative again. It allows me to feel in control of the brush strokes I make, and that...is a wonderful feeling!

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The Intuos3 9 x 12 provides working professionals with a working area of over 108 square inches. Large tablet active area provides greater cursor control, is well suited for use with large monitors, and provides ample room for expressive brush strokes. With a cool new look and valuable accessories, the Intuos3 SE promises to bring the work of digital content creation to a new level of enjoyment for the serious designer, photographer, and artist. Turn on the full power of Adobe Photoshop, Corel Painter, and over 100 other leading software applications. Intuos pen tablet use Wacom professional pen technology to give you the natural feel and superior performance of our patented, cordless and battery-free technology. Intuos3 tablets run on both PCs and Macs.Intuos3 Driver - Tablet driver software allows you to create universal settings for your pen and tablet or alter your settings by application for maximum productivity. An intuitive interface gives you detailed control so you can work exactly the way you want, personalize the way your pen feels, access your favorite keystroke combinations or optimize your work environment with flexible mapping Pressure Levels -1,024 Resolution -5,080 lpi Maximum data rate -200 pps Accuracy -+- 0.01 Tilt range -+- 60Approximate Unit Dimensions -17.3 x 13.4 x 0.6

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Toshiba Satellite C655D-S5134 15.6-Inch Laptop (Black) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)We tested a variety of Toshiba Satellites - and it's very confusing, because there are so many model numbers that are so similar.
We highly recommend the Toshiba Satellite, just not this model (C655-S5134). The problem is, it's using one of the SLOWEST processors on the market today. It's roughly 10-year-old technology.
To make matters even more confusing, after testing a dozen different Toshibas, we actually bought another Satellite C655 model (the C655-S5048) for the same price. It's almost identical in every respect, except the processor on our model (AMD P320) has a clock speed of 1,261. The clock speed on the C655-S5143 has a clock speed of (get this)... 350! That's nearly 1/4th the speed!
This was all very confusing to us, but here's the "short cut" - when you're shopping around for laptops, write down the name of the processor, and look it up at: CPUbenchmark-net
You will see some ridiculous inconsistencies, and you will be an informed consumer. Just poke around on Amazon for a few minutes - you will find plenty of Toshiba laptops for under $400, with processor speeds over 800-1,000 (which should be considered the bare minimum).
Don't think for a second that a faster processor will cost more. We also reviewed some of the more expensive Satellites ($599-$699) and found slow processors in that price class as well! And this is consistent with pretty much all computer manufacturers - the problem is that Intel, AMD, etc., invest a lot of money in marketing, and consumers demand chips they don't know anything about. But you can be a more informed consumer, and feel really good about your purchase.
Here are some general comments about the C655-series Toshiba Satellites:
PRO:
-Keyboard is an excellent size, and numeric keypad on the side is excellent for us. We use it all the time.
-Screen is fantastic - love it, no complaints. (I would not recommend the Toshiba models with the Trubrite screen - models with the TruBrite cost a minimum of $100 more & it picks up lots of glare/reflections.)
-Stays very cool (even when playing videos), and the fan rarely kicks on.
-It's light weight & durable. My 12-month old will pound on the keys occasionally, and it holds up just fine.
-Comes with built-in antivirus software. I recommend also installing Avira, and every computer/laptop you own should be running Hostsman.
-The battery isn't shabby, although this model has a slightly cheaper battery than the one I bought. The battery on the C655-S5048 lasts at least an hour longer.CON:
-No built-in camera or mic.
-Sound is not great. Most people assume it's cheap speakers, but it's not. Speakers are fine - but the sound driver itself is the problem for some reason. You can uninstall the driver & have Windows install a generic driver that will boost your sound levels by 50% (easier said than done in Windows 7).
-We have some general complaints against Windows 7, not Toshiba's fault (a discussion for another day). The biggest problem is, with the 64-bit version of Windows 7, we could not port any of our software from our previous Satellite to our new one.
Bottom Line: (1) Don't buy this model - it's a very nice laptop, but the speed is too slow. (2) You don't have to be a techie to be an informed consumer. It only takes 5 seconds to look up the speed on the site provided above (again, 800-1,000 should be considered the absolute minimum). (3) Unless you need a super-computer for specialized programming, you should be able to find a Toshiba Satellite with a great processor & all the amenities you need for under $400, right here on Amazon.
Please don't get frustrated in your search - I give this laptop 5-stars except for the speed. This is a good brand (Satellite) and a good price (under $400). But there are at least 5 other models that are 3-4x faster for the same price. If you're looking at this product, reading this review, you are definitely on the right track. Hope this helps, and enjoy your new laptop!

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Toshiba Satellite C655D: Affordable Mobile Computing
A nicely affordable, easy-to-use PC for basic productivity at home or in the office, the Toshiba Satellite C655D (model C655D-S5134) gives families, students or small and home-based businesses the essential power and workspace to study, tackle budgets with a handy 10-key pad, keep up on Facebook and Twitter, or simply do more at their desk.
Black Trax Texture.

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