Guy Low Price Electronic: 16 Jan 2010

Saturday 16 January 2010

Laptop Accessories - laptop stand, laptop holder

Laptop tested: MacBook Pro unibody 15.4" (late 2008 model).

Laptop tested: MacBook Pro unibody 17" (early 2009 model).

Normally I'm not a fan of lapdesks. Most of the time they look ghastly, take up way too much room, and have those annoying "peas" in the material that rests on your legs. At first, they're fine, until you wiggle around a bit, the peas get pushed off to the side, and your legs end up against the faux wood. Not fun.

Enter Logitech's Comfort Lapdesk. I was given this as a gift, so I figured it wouldn't hurt to give the lapdesk one last try. The results? Awesome. I love it. And I'm surprised I do.

Why am I so surprised?

1.) It's comfortable on your lap, even lying in bed.

2.) The underside is made of an airy mesh, so it never warms up at all, but remains quite firm on your legs. Not too firm, as I sit in my shorts writing this in bed. Very cushy but sturdy.

3.) It's very light, so the added weight of the lapdesk with my laptop on it is not intrusive.

4.) It tilts forward a little so that it's at a "perfect" angle to type on.

5.) It does actually stand up by itself on its edge, so you can stick it next to your bed without having it slide over and disappear under the bed/sofa etc. Very convenient!

My laptop isn't running too hot sitting on it, and I can't comment on the number of layers Logitech says the top part features, but supposedly it's a 4-layer, heat-shielding design. I can say my laptop isn't running too warm, and while the top of the lapdesk is a little warm, it's nothing unusual.

So, are there any complaints? Well, my only concern with the desk is that it IS white, and the top part FEELS like if you slam it around at all, it will likely pick up a myriad of scratches. Mine came with a few out of the box, though I'm sure it wouldn't have taken me long to do it myself. If Logitech had gone the whole hog and made the top part aluminum, boy would this thing be killer...

Just bear in mind, with my 15.4" MacBook Pro, there's no room for a mouse on the side, though I prefer this, as it means the actual lapdesk is smaller and easier to handle. This lapdesk is designed for 15.4" laptops, though it can handle smaller systems of course. I think a 17" MacBook Pro "might" be pushing it. (EDIT: works just fine with a 17"!)

As it is, it serves its purpose very well, and is without doubt the most comfortable lapdesk I've ever used. I was more concerned with how usable the base is on my legs rather than how astonishingly it removes heat. It does the former excellently, and the latter quite well.

Great job, Logitech.

4.5/5

**EDIT June 17, 2009**

I can report I'm having no trouble with my new 17" unibody MacBook Pro on this lapdesk. I love it! :-)

Some people have reported their laptops slipping of this lapdesk. I've had no such issue with either of my unibody MacBook Pros.

**EDIT August 18, 2010**

Still loving this lapdesk, and it hasn't bowed or shown any noticeable additional wear and tear. Still 100% worth the money! Logitech Comfort Lapdesk (white/grey)

I was thinking about getting two based off of the positive reviews, but I'm glad that I didn't.

Overall the Lapdesk feels great; the size and angle is just right. But sadly I was surprised to find that both my Macbook and my Macbook Pro slides right off the Lapdesk if it tilts horizontally ever so slightly.

All the rubber feet for both the notebooks are still there, but they just don't create enough friction to keep it from sliding off. It has gotten to point that I'm considering adding velcro to connect the notebook to the Lapdesk... but that just makes me feel silly.

I hesitated after all of the comments on how slippery it was. Mine just arrived today, and just want to note that Logitech may be listening. The lapdesk arrived with four white rubber feet, along with a layout template to stick them onto the top surface of the lapdesk.

That said, I tried it without the feet with my 17" Dell studio, and it really seemed to stick just fine (possibly because my laptop comes with 6 rubber feet).

As for the comfort, I have mixed feelings. It's very lightweight, which is great, and I like the shape, but for me the padding on the back ridge is a bit too stiff and uncomfortable. Given that the design shifts most of the weight there, I would have hoped for thicker padding, so I only give it an "OK" for comfort. To be fair, my laptop is on the heavy side, so YMMV.

I've had this for a few months now.

The positive.

The size is great; it's just big enough.

It stands on it's side and takes less room on the floor or something.

It insulates you from the heat from the computer.

The negative.

It's plastic. My laptop's feet aren't the only thing that touch the surface anymore as the surface has curved a little bit so now the middle of the laptop touches it. This makes the laptop slide off since the nonslip rubber feet aren't all touching the surface at the same time.

My advice:

Get something that has a solid wood surface as that won't warp.

After just a few days of using the Logitech Lapdesk, we love it, and just ordered a second one. The Macbook Pro 17 fits on it perfectly, as if it was made specifically for it, and while my girlfriend uses a much smaller laptop she is equally happy with it.

It seems to work best when sitting normally, and is comfortable even on bare leg. Because of the "lip" bends away from the board's surface, it even works passably while sitting "indian style," and works surprisingly well when not on your lap at all! As I write this, I have the lapdesk and laptop next to me on the couch.

I haven't noticed any scratches on the smooth whiteboard-like surface, but it does seem to be an electrostatic magnet for lint and dust, which fortunately wipes away easily. The surface doesn't feel tacky, but holds the laptop well in normal use. The laptop will slide if you increase the angle too much beyond normal, but it hasn't been an issue.

Not only is it useful, but it's stylish. I haven't used any competing lapdesks to compare, but I would buy this again. - Laptop Desk - Laptop Holder - Laptop Accessories - Laptop Stand'

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Cpu Cooler - core i7, am3

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Although large and heavy, it runs several degrees C cooler than the heatsink/fan delivered with the Intel Quad Core CPU. Running Core Temp, all 4 cores run under 40 C where as the Intel factory provided system was running 44 and higher at idle temps and 65 C + under load, which is what prompted me to purchase a larger heatsink.

I rarely hear the fan spin up faster and never see temps over 45 C even while running gaming applications.

CON: It is large and may require a little caution when installing depending on how your power wiring in your PC is setup. I had to tie one power wire to the case to keep it from touching the heatsink. Also it's own power wire for the fan needs a little care when installing. It can be pulled to tight and interfere with the fan.

Install was simple but does require you remove the motherboard as there is a back plate you must install to support the weight. It does not use the horrible push pin locking system that the factory setup does. Zalman CNPS9900LED Ultra Quiet CPU Cooler

OMG! I can't OC my Phenom from 3.0ghz to 3.8ghz with the stock cpu cooler without reaching 75'C-80'C (its true!)Then I bought this thing and added Arctic Silver 5 as my thermal paste. WHHHOOOAAA!!! Im 3.8ghz now with 57'C-60'C at 100% stress test. Isn't that lovely! Guys Highly recommended for the oc's, it work for me!

This was the easiest to install CPU cooler I have done. An AMD install should take about five minutes to do though it includes brackets for various intel chips as well. Check the Zalman site for animated installation instructions as the paper instructions are difficult to follow (though for an AMD install they are hardly needed). There is a lot of room in my case with plenty of space between the cooler and the graphics card and ram modules. I see a lot of complaints about the copper fins being fragile but mine came with a hard plastic shell around the fins that I left on until I had it secured to the mother-board. I then carefully cut through the shell and had no problem with bent fins or cut hands. The blue led has a subtle glow which is nice. CPU was running at 39 degrees celsius which is fantastic! I'm glad I made this purchase for my new build. Specs below to help out anyone with the same mobo or other wondering if it will fit:

Cooler Master HAF 932 High Air Flow ATX Full Tower Case Black - (RC-932-KKN1-GP)

Gigabyte Socket AM3/AMD 880G/Hybrid CrossFireX/SATA3&USB3.0/A&V&GbE/ATX Motherboard GA-880GA-UD3H

AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition Deneb 3.2GHz Socket AM3 125W Quad-Core Processor HDZ955FBGMBOX

Zalman CNPS9900LED Ultra Quiet CPU Cooler

Sapphire Radeon HD 5770 1 GB DDR5 2DVI/HDMI/DisplayPort PCI-Express Video Card 100283-3L

Corsair CMPSU-650HX 650w HX Series 80 Plus Bronze Certified Power Supply

Crucial RealSSD C300 CTFDDAC064MAG-1G1 2.5" 64GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)

G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-4GBRL

I am running a core i7 940 and was previously using the Intel stock cooler.

Performance:

I have the fan set to be controlled by the motherboard. When kicking off something like prime 95 you will instantly hear the fan kick up. At normal speeds the fan is pretty silent though. I also do not hear the fan spin up when playing games so the noise of the fan at full throttle doesn't really bother me since I rarely do anything except video encoding that would kick the fan up like prime 95 causes it to.

Temps:

Ambient temps 77-80 F (25 - ~27 Celsius) The basement tends to get warm during the summer.

The ranges are largely due to differences between the 4 cores.

Idle

Stock cooler: 47-51 Celsius

Zalman 9900: 35-40 Celsius

Gaming (Specifically tried World of Warcraft and Borderlands)

Stock cooler: 59-67 Celsius

Zalman 9900: 47-52 Celsius

Full load using Prime 95

Stock cooler: 90-95 Celsius

Zalman 9900: 60-63 Celsius

The full load I found very impressive also I am pleased with gaming temps being around the level it previously idled at.

Construction:

Fairly sturdy structure. The fins are incredibly thin which is excellent for airflow but you must be careful as I could easily see someone cutting themselves on them. The bottom contact surface looked very flat and had a mirror finish. I read reviews of peoples fans causing a rattling noise, but this was not the case for me at any speed. It is big, but due to its circular structure it fits well in my case and I did not have to remove my side 120mm fan that blows on the video card/north bridge area.

Installation:

To install I had to take the motherboard out which wasn't too much trouble since I have a full tower with tons of space. The only really annoying part was screwing the heatsink into the bracket. The one side of copper fins is wider than the other and the screws are unfortunately placed in a difficult to reach spot because of the fins. My advice would be to use a screwdriver with a long slim neck and even then you will be at an angle.

Summary: I would fully recommend this CPU cooler. The installation is what caused me to drop it to 4 stars and also the fact that there are better coolers on the market. For me though the performance was everything I hoped for and looks slick to boot.

Wow, this is awesome. It's brought my idling temp down from about 45°C to around 30°C, and the temp when playing games hasn't gotten more than around 45°C. I do have a case with very good airflow however.

Speaking of cases, if you don't have a big one, then try a smaller one of Zalman's coolers. This thing is preeeeeeeettyyy big.

I love this thing; it keeps everything super cool and it has a blue LED :D.

I would definitely recommend this cooler. Zalman FTW - Am3 - Cpu Cooler - Cooling - Core I7'

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Low Back Pain - back pain relief, relief from low back pain

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I am a 62 year old male and have been using Spine-Worx for years, since back when it was called Spine Align. Not only does it help to maintain my spine in alignment between chiropractic adjustments, I find that I don't need to see the chiropractor anywhere nearly as often as I once did. In fact, I haven't been to my chiropractor for months, and I used to go at least once a week. By using Spine-Worx, I've stopped chest pains, numbness in my fingers, headaches, pain in my hip from an on-the-job injury, pain in my knee and ankle, and there are probably others that I can't think of right now. Anything that a chiropractor is helpful for regarding the spine, this device can provide assistance. (It will not rotate the ilia; it only helps the spinal vertebrae.) While it can't diagnose an individual's particular problem as a chiropractor can (such as a rotated ilium), it gives general assistance to every vertebra in the back. While it has been said that it cannot adjust the neck (cervical spine), in adjusting the rest of the spine, it helps in getting the neck to straighten itself out. In addition, I've found that, when I've already gotten movement to the other parts of my spine, by raising my hips and lower back off the Spine Worx while keeping my shoulders and neck on the Spine Worx, I have indeed gotten my neck to pop back into alignment. The more time I spend on it, the better the results I get. I can't say enough for this item.

If you are accustomed to chiropractic care, you should not have any trouble with this. If you've never had your spine aligned, you might be in for a surprise when your vertebra pops back in line. Also, the longer your spine has been misaligned, the more discomfort you may feel as the device straightens your spine out to be as it was meant to be. For these times, I recommend using the Spine Worx after a hot shower or hot bath so the muscles will be most relaxed and not tight, in hopes that they won't be tight and try to pull the vertebra back out of alignment again. Discomfort might be the sensation of pulling along the spine of the muscles that are attached to the individual vertebra that is suddenly in a new position, and related sensations. I feel that, if you stick with it, using it the recommended 15 minutes per day, you will feel better and have better health.

In any case, it's certainly worth a try. I have three of them, one for the car (I get extra pressure by pushing against the steering wheel for adjusting the thorax), one for the house, and a spare in case something happens to the others: I don't ever want to be without my Spine-Worx! Spine-Worx Back Realignment Device

I'm almost 50yo with lower back pain. The pain is caused by slight misalignment, compression, and pinched nerves (standard lower back pain). Care must be exercised to place the spinal column in the correct position. If you get the spine aligned properly, you then must find a way to force your muscles to relax and allow the device to do it's job. This is uncomfortable at first so that makes it harder to relax the muscles. Once the muscles finally relaxed, I could feel the spine realigning and it felt good. I rated 4 stars primarily dues to the difficulty in centering the spine on it although, in all fairness, I don't know how they could have designed it differently. Bottom line: If the dog ate it, I'd buy another.

Mark H

I ordered this out of desperation after a slipped disc kept me bent over and in constant pain for two weeks. I have too high a deductible to run to the doctor for everything so this was my last chance before undergoing expensive tests and treatment. It worked like a charm and got my spine back in alignment. I felt a few pops and then relief. I find 6 or 8 minutes all that is needed and only when I feel back strain. I did not experience anything negative and had no trouble at all finding the right position. The Spine Worx comes with explicit instructions on how to align yourself and the proper way to get up after treatment. I can see where there could be trouble if you fail to follow these instructions. I used this in combination with the Homedic's Shiatsu massage chair and have been completely pain free for about two months now. This was pain muscle relaxers and pain killers couldn't touch!! I highly recommend this product if you are willing to follow the recommended guidelines.

As a 50 y/o male who has suffered from back pain since a teen, I know how back related issues discount our quality of life. I have been and I remain a Chiropractic patient but found the time & expense needed for relief long and pricy, so I thought I'd try the Spine-Worx Back Realignment Device and am delighted with the results!

I use my Spine-Worx Device daily and three to five times on the weekend.

My back is "S" shaped (from left to right) and with the Spine-Worx, I get closer to an "I" with every treatment.

Word of advice; there will be discomfort, especially when you first begin. Follow the directions exactly and if desired, place a soft, fluffy, lush folded towel over the device and reduce the recommended time. Then, as comfort allows, gradualy, shorten your towels thickness and stretch your time.

Listen to relaxing, meditative music, permit your body to release all tension. Then, when your time is complete, be quiet, be gentle and proceed slowly getting up. This allows your muscles to become acquainted to its new, invigorated position.

I highly recommend this product and wish I would have used it long before now.

I am back on Amazon tonight to order another one of these for my husband so we don't fight over the one we have! I was having severe hip/back spasms since last August and trips to two different chiropractors weren't helping, so I ordered this thinking perhaps it is worth a try since I was getting desperate having a 16 month old toddler to lift, etc. The day this arrived my back gave out and I dropped to my knees. I have no idea why, I was only standing still, but it aggrivated my herniated disk. With this combined with the hip spasms I couldn't put any weight on my right hip at all and started using an old pair of crutches, but even that was painful. It was a true godsend that this came when it did. The next day I decided I would try this device even though I thought it could make things worse, but I knew as it was I could barely move and so to me it was worth any possible risk. So I tried it. A few disks moved in my mid back immediately. I only was on it a few seconds because the muscles in my low back certainly weren't going to relax much just then. But with only those few seconds when I got back up I was amazed that I could bear weight on my right hip. Cool! A couple hours later I spent a few more seconds on this device and again about every couple hours through the day. By 3:00 pm I was walking without the crutches (originally tried it at 10 am) and by 5pm I was picking up and carrying my 23lb toddler!! I could hardly believe it. I had been in so much pain for so many months. It still was sore, but not painful. It took a few days for the muscle soreness to go away, but the spasms stopped and my herniated disk stopped bothering. I can still hardly believe it. It took about a week for me to be able to lay all the way down on it and sometimes it takes some time now for my back to fully relax, but now whenever I get a spasm and can't stand up straight I just use this for a minute or so and I can move without pain again. Maybe this just works really well with my particular problem (not sure what that is, but I have a rotated hip that is finally starting to resolve with doing Egoscue e-cises too - see the book Pain Free or Pain Free for Women by Pete Egoscue for details -- really awsome books!), but I just know it has done absolute wonders for me. My husband loves it too and uses it every day. Before I had to hire someone to come in and help me take care of my baby because of my back and now that isn't an issue. It is wonderful! I would recommend if your back hurts when getting on this to only use it for a few seconds at first. I still don't use it for more than a minute because I don't feel my back is ready for more yet. And be careful to get up the way they recommend (rolling to your side, waiting, moving up to your knees, waiting, then get up). It seems to just be made of rubber and plastic, but to me it is invaluable. My many thanks to the man who developed it and the people who make and sell it. - Back Pain Relief - Spineworx - Spine - Relief From Low Back Pain'

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Ge Reveal

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After buying my 5 year old an Easy Bake for Christmas and realizing it didn't have a light bulb in it and suffering the reprecutions of my child's disappointment, I immediately hopped on Amazon and shipped these overnight. And all I can say is the Easy Bake cooks great. GE 48690 100-Watt A19 Reveal Bulbs, 4-Pack

So I needed to scrap together a light set up from whatever I could find at the local hardware store to make a couple portraits. Picked these up because they were "Full Spectrum." I was a bit worried at first because the lights were on the warm side compared to true daylight (light temperature is somewhere around 3000K, I used 3300k for warmer skin tones). When combined with a dimmer switch, they tend to go more yellow at lower intensities but I assume this is the same for all incadescent lamps. When I reviewed the photos, these lights really do, as advertised, make colors "pop." These lights provide good color saturation and contrast compared to normal incandescent lights and even compared to my flash unit.

As an every day light, I prefer flourescents for energy efficiency. But as an incandescent, I see how these could be pleasant once your eyes adjust to the light warmth in the color. If you are looking for a "full spectrum" flourescent, they do exist, just a bit hard to find at your local hardware store.

While not true "daylight," these lights do help bring out colors and are what I would use if I used incandescent lights.

Daylight ~5600k

Incandescent ~2700k

GE Reveal ~3000k

I've used GE Reveal bulbs almost everywhere in my home for several years now. I love the way they bring out and enhance colors and mood. The only major drawback to these, is the EXTREMELY short lifespan. It is not untypical for bulbs to last barely a month or two with infrequent usage. Sadly other 'normal' incandescents will last years with the same amount of usage.

Suspecting an issue with bulb life but not having any proof, I loaded a two-light fixture with one Reveal and one standard GE incandescent. Sure enough, the Reveal lasted barely 1/4 of the time of the standard incandescent. This wouldn't be so much a problem if the bulbs were affordable, but of course the fetch a premium price. So I'm paying double (or more) the money, and get 1/4 the life of a normal bulb. Simply not worth it in the final analysis. I am now slowly switching back to standard incandescents as I blow through the final stock of my Reveals.

I have to give this product 2 of 4 stars, simply for the lifespan issue. Sad, unfortunately.

I've always liked the light that the Reveal's put out. However, the durability is quite mixed. Of the 8 we got, 2 blew out in a very short time (just 2 weeks), while others were fine. Regardless, I will miss the ease of use and affordability of these bulbs when CFL's come to the forefront in 2012. Better stock up now!

Folks: Be warned, purchased four reveal light bulbs from these folks--and although the box arrived securely packaged only two of the bulbs worked at all. Two were "dead" right out of the package. Wrote an e-mail of inquiry about what, if any, remedies were available---and have never received a response.

I found this advertising somewhat misleading. I was thinking there were 4 packages of lightbulbs, but you only get 4 lightbulbs total, like one ordinary package of lightbulbs. To call it a "four-pack" is misleading, as most packages of lightbulbs contain four lightbulbs. Apart from that, they do give a very nice light and I am happy with that. It is noticeably nicer than light from ordinary lightbulbs, it gives things a nice kind of warm glow. I see the price has been reduced. $1.97 is reasonable for 4 of these as they are better than ordinary bulbs. I paid $4 something which was too much.

This is only 4 bulbs total. I saw another reviewer mention that but I figured that they were just mistaken. When Amazon listed the total price immediately followed by the price per PACK (not "bulb"), it can lead you to think that this is for a 4 pack of 4 bulbs each. Shame on you Amazon. I'll take my business elsewhere, like the big box stores, where they're half the cost.'

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Portable Hard Drive Case - external hard drive, case logic

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The case is well designed and made. The outer material feels durable, the inner shell soft and well padded. The overall case is well formed and seams look carefully done.

I bought this to be used with the Western Digital Passport II (black) WDXMSxxxx drives (5.1"x3.1"x0.6") and the case is a tad too big for it. The drive has a little too much wiggle room despite the elastic strap inside. I imagine the case will be better fitted for slightly bigger drives, e.g. Seagate's ST9xxxxx1U2-RK. Case Logic Compact Portable Hard Drive Case (Black)

I got this case in the blue color with a contrasting bright yellow interior. The material is all-around high-quality, and the case offers excellent protection for my external hard drive(s).

Since this is a universal drive case it cannot be a perfect fit for every portable hard drive out there. I own several different-size drives and here is how they fit:

- First generation WD Passport (silver colored, blueish rubberized bottom, Western Digital 80 GB Passport 2.5-inch External Hard Drive) fits perfectly. I suspect that this case was originally made for these drives.

- Newer WD Passport (various colors, non-rubberized bottom, WD Passport Portable WDXMSB1600 - Hard drive - 160 GB - external - 2.5" - Hi-Speed USB - 5400 rpm - buffer: 2 MB - metallic red): The case is too long and too wide, but because of the elasticized strap the drive still fits ok provided you don't stretch the strap by putting in thicker items before using it with this type of drive.

- Seagate FreeAgent Go (Seagate FreeAgent Go 160 GB USB External Hard Drive ST901603FGA1E1-RK: The drive is a tiny bit wide. On the other hand, because it is such a snug fit width-wise, the drive also doesn't slide around in the case. And the case still can be zipped shut with this drive.

If one doesn't have cables etc. to store in the accessory pocket in the other half of the case, this pocket can double as storage space for another drive, the case still zips shut, even with two of the largest of the above-mentioned drives in it.

I recommend this case to anyone looking for high-quality protection for portable hard drives and other electronics, such as PDAs or MP3 players.

I purchased this case for my Lacie Rugged Hard Drive LaCie 500 GB 7200 rpm Rugged All-Terrain FireWire 800/ FireWire 400/USB 2.0 Portable Hard Drive 301900 and it's great! It fits the drive perfectly and protects it well. I shoot video and often edit on location, so I end up dragging my drive through the worst of conditions, but it's survived like a champ and this case has definitely helped.

PS - It always makes my day to know that people find these reviews helpful. So, please vote (the "Was this review helpful to you: Yes or No" buttons) and leave a comment if you'd like, even if it's just to say, "Hi!" I respond to all comments so feel free to ask a question about the product. Also, when you leave a comment, I will go to your reviews and pay you the same courtesy.

Small External HD Case Black I bought this case to protect my Western Digital 250 GB portable USB hard drive, as I move the drive around a lot between home and work. I'm using the hard drive to back up my iTunes music collection, so I want to take care of it, hence I purchased this Case Logic case. The case is easy to use. When you open it up, you'll find two compartments (one on each side). One has an elastic strap that snuggly holds your hard drive in position. The other compartment has a mesh flap which acts like a pocket, so you can have a space to put a USB cable and maybe a flash drive or two in a pinch. As the case is small, it isn't really designed such that you can leave the hard drive in the case during operation. There isn't enough room for the connector to fit when it is placed in the drive, without the cable putting undue stress on the connector (not a good idea - duh!). In any event, the hard drive produces some heat during operation, so you probably wouldn't want to leave it in the case anyway. My only two complaints or observations are that a real hand strap could have been provided instead of the rubber thingy for carrying the drive more safely to and from a car, and that there isn't really a lot of padding in the sides of the case. I still wouldn't want to drop the hard drive while in the case onto concrete. Maybe from 3 feet onto carpet would be survivable. I guess I expected it to be lined with some styrofoam (I won't tell Al Gore) to provide more protection. Still, it does provide a nice place to keep your hard drive and cable together, without them getting all scratched up.

This is my second Case-Logic case for a portable hard drive, (original case is 1-1/2 years old and shows no wear). This PHDC-1 case fits the Seagate 1TB Go Portable drive like a glove. The sizes are misleading on the various sites. The PHDC-1 inside dims are: 3.5 wide X 5.25 long X 1.5 thick. Like another reviewed stated, it's a bit snug on the width, but no worries.

The case is made of a soft, yet rigid, material which fits the Seagate ST9160821U2-RK External 160GB Hard Drive like a glove. The elastic band helps hold the drive in place while the case is being opened and closed. There is a net inside for holding the USB cable as well. The zipper opens and closes nicely allowing the entire case to open and lie flat. So far, I've purchased three drives and cases for storing digital photographs and have been pleased with both products.

I got this for the Seagate 500 GB USB 2.0 Portable External Hard Drive ST905004EXA101-RK (Black). It fits snugly and has enough room for the USB cable & probably couple of more cables/accessories. This is a great product not only for someone who is looking to carry the portable HDD but also to keep it in a protective place at home and don't have to fear about the HDD collecting dust or any other accidental breakage. I highly recommend this product ! - External Hard Drive - Carrying Case - Case Logic - Hard Drive Case'

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Electronic Games - electronic games, gaming

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This limited edition book is surprisingly well put together. I haven't had a chance to look through it in its entirety, but the hard cover is extremely good looking, especially with Duke Nukem's nuclear logo on the front! Also, this isn't really mentioned on the Amazon page, but this book includes about 100 pages of art, history, and behind-the-scenes information on Duke Nukem Forever! This was unexpected and an especially worthy addition to the book considering its price! Duke Nukem Forever Limited Edition

For a while I had begun to think that guides were useless and that if I needed some help with a game I could go on the internet to get some help, but this guide changed all that, now this is a limited edition with an additional art book in the back. What I can tell you is the guide is very very helpful for the game as well, the maps are detailed and the info helps quite a bit. The hardcover is very nice as well.

Amazon: This was to be shipped with my other order but it got shipped the same time as my other book/guide & packed

very well together, would of been better if all of the items ordered were shipped together/same place to save U money.

Glad I bought my items from Amazon, saved a bit on MSRP & free shipping "two thumbs up !"

Now to the book, this is much better than what others were stating, the book gets 5 Stars IMO,

(where the game may lack a bit), I hate to cheat and look at a guide til I'm fished w/the game, so I must wait to

finish the game and see what I've missed, the pages I scrolled through looks very well balanced & well made so far

and can't wait to read it from page to page.

I played the original a long time a go it seems. This version is still there. 90's style graphics and playability make this for me not a good purchase. Sorry to all the people who put time and effort into reviving this game. But, some where you went wrong. - Gaming - Electronic Games'

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Red Hard Cover For Samsung Galaxy S Phon... - samsung galaxy hard case, red hard cover for samsung galax

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Case is made of thin plastic with a matte finish. It does look rubberized, and even kind of feels rubberized, but it clearly is not. It didn't fit my phone. None of this really mattered, as shipper sent it in a plain bubble envelope and it arrived cracked.

Also, please note that (as of the time of this review) the only positive reviews were posted by accounts that have only given five-star reviews to cheap phone cases. Red Rubberized Hard Cover Crystal Case for Samsung Vibrant/Galaxy S T959

I actually ordered this as part of a package deal that offered a screen protector and two cases--I ordered a jewel blue rubberized hard cover case, and a red rubberized hard cover case. Both cases were by the same manufacturer, but came (I believe) from different suppliers.

One case (the red one) took longer to arrive than the other, and when it did arrive, the craftsmanship was beyond shoddy. Ugly, silver seams, flashing on the edges, a cover that doesn't snap together flush and leaves gaps in the seams. Just a poor product overall.

Thankfully, the other case I ordered is very nice; it fits flush, looks beautiful, and seems quite sturdy.

In the end, I'm not sure if this speaks to the supplier's quality control, or the manufacturer's. The two cases were the same make of case, just in different colors. One came out beautiful, the other just ugly and shoddy. The shoddy one will suffice as a backup in case something happens to my primary, but if it were my only case, I'd be really angry. Beware if you buy this item...you might get a great cover, and you might get a very poor one.

This was a replacement case for a more expensive rubber cover I ordered that didn't work very well with the side buttons. I openend this case up and thought it was too cheap and thin but now that I've used it for a week or two I really like it. Great price, for a good cover. The other covers I bought (2) will sit in the drawer and I'll use this one. The color is pretty cool too.

I may be a little bit harsh in my rating here, only because my newer case is amazing. But this is actually a really good case for most uses. The one problem I had was that it was bulky. I had to take the case off every time I wore jeans because it'd be uncomfortable to take in and out of my pocket. This constant removal and replacement eventually led to a crack in the bottom, above the mic hole, so I had to replace it.

So if you wear very loose fitting clothes, this case is perfect! If not, keep in mind that the Vibrant is a very large phone, it's only manageable because it's thin. This case will take that away and make it even larger. Otherwise, it is very protective and looks great on the Vibrant, especially if you have a red launcher theme (sorry touchwiz users :P) - Red Hard Cover For Samsung Galax - Samsung Galaxy Hard Case'

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Corded Rotary Tools - corded rotary tools, rotary tool

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I bought this Dremel. I used it. Then, I promptly returned it. I instead went with Proxxon 38481 IB/E Professional Rotary Tool.

The Proxxon is far superior in almost every way. If you look at the spec sheets, you might think the Dremel would have the advantage. After all, the Dremel boasts a 175 watt motor and continuous variable speeds from 5,000-35,000 RPM whereas the Proxxon only has a 100 Watt motor and continuous variable speeds from 5,000-20,000 RPM.

However, the Dremel is loud and whiny. [Noise is the manifestation of vibration.] The Proxxon is quiet and smooth, with virtually no vibration. Further, the Proxxon delivers consistent torque. The Dremel buckles a bit under heavy loads. It isn't consistent.

The Proxxon uses triple reinforced steel collets to minimize play. The Dremel uses a keyless chuck. [If you prefer a keyless chuck, Proxxon offers an attachment for roughly $10.]

The Proxxon is ergonomically designed and there is no question how you are supposed to hold it. Further, the instruction manual shows the correct position. The Dremel is awkward and hard to hold.

The Proxxon is made of diecast alumnium, fiberglass and rubber and is manufactured in Germany. It weighs over a pound. I don't know where Dremel is made, but it feels cheap.

As for accessories... Dremel comes with far more accessories, but Dremel accessories are not overly expensive. Further, the majority of accessories are cheap and unnecessary. Buy the right accessory for the right job and you'll be fine. No real need for 85 different kinds of sanding wheels [just my opinion]

I couldn't imagine anyone trying both and actually preferring Dremel. I don't see how that is possible. Dremel 4000-2/30 120-Volt Variable Speed Rotary Tool Kit

I was very excited for the release of this product and bought it the day it hit the shelf. If you worked with the 400xp like I did, this is definitely a power surge machine, like going from a ford taurus to a ford mustang. After about a week of using it though, the machine was already not operating as new. The on and off switch was not clicking the same, and the machine "extremely" overheated when challenged with a difficult task. I had to put it down for about 20 mins it was so hot.

IN CONCLUSION: Too powerful for light use and day to day jobs. Flimsy parts (switch, and screw), and a very awkward holding position. When you pick up the machine you almost have to try to figure out what;s the right way to hold it.

I purchased this Dremel for a small project and as an "upgrade" from my previous Dremel which is out on loan and still working just fine after 8-9 years. I was using this new unit for at most one minute and the motor completely died. At first I figured the circuit blew, but was surprised to realize that the tool itself quit after how reliable my older model has been. I'm returning this tool to the store and will just wait to get my old one back.

My knock-off rotary tool died, so I decided to get a real Dremel. After a couple of light-use projects, the 4000 just stopped. Since I purchased it from a big-box store and lost the receipt, I lost the will to even mess with a getting it repaired. The brushes were clean and no burning motor smell was detected, so I'm guessing the fancy rpm dial pooped out. The good news is that the no-frills Dremel 300 my good wife just bought me fits in the 4000's case.

I"ve been using dremel tools for years and love them. The 4000 is light weight comfortable and easy to use. On off switch and speed controles are in great locations. With the choice of attachments drilling, sanding, cutting and so many more! The uses for this cool tool are endless. The dremel 4000 makes my projects fun and easy. The 4000 maked all the repairs I've put off so easy to complete. I've been looking for more things to fix.

This unit is really great, just like my friend told me. This unit will improve

my electric guitar building business for some fine detailed work that I have not been able to do till now. Thanks to the Dremel 4000,Flex-Shaft,Work Station

and the attachments !!!

I've been using Dremel tools for years and love them. I got a 2nd drill just to have one set up and ready to go with the flexshaft extension on it. I recently got the router type TRIO. Haven't used it much yet... it looks sturdy. I suspect I will get something reciprocal in the near future. I always loved to do everything by hand, but I'm getting older now and like saving the time & energy.

Outstanding! I use at least one Dremel tool in my shop each day. Each new attachment and new tool are an upgrade to old reliables with the Dremel name, I hope to try out the new Multi-Max cordless soon. - Corded Rotary Tools - Hobby Tool - Rotary Tool - Crafting'

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Tab

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I felt like a popular 60's actor while searching for these Tabs, sorta like a Tab Hunter. Tabs are the ticket for my photography binder so I can divide the pictures into various subject categories. They are also great for my binders of teaching worksheets,again for easy separation of individual topics.

As for the tabs, they work just fine. The page dividers have little plastic pockets in which one can insert little, white topic tabs. These are quite tiny and require one to write tiny letters or use abbreviations. The dividers themselves are prepunced for a three ring binder and the edges are reinforced for longer life.

I do wish the pages were made of heavier stock. They are no heavier than the sheets of printer paper sitting in front of me at the moment.

For the money and the convenience of home delivery, these aren't a bad deal. C-Line Colored Tab Paper Index Dividers, Multi-color, 8-Tabs, Fits Standard 3-Ring Binder (05380)

They're just like the dividers you get at a office supply store but they were waaaay cheaper. I got mine from a 3rd party but shipped through amazon for like $.80. I see that the price went up and that makes me sad.

I always come back to C-link colored tab paper for all of my knitting and crochet patterns that I keep in notebooks. I have a vision problem and the colored tabs make it easy to focus on the section I want.

I've had a hard time finding index tabs like this with eight tabs instead of five, so I was happy to find them here on Amazon. They are nice and sturdy, and have worked great so far.

Just be warned that these aren't the types of tabs that you can feed through your printer; the white tabs come in a small strip that you have to write on.

I paid the $2.50 price for them, but feel that they are worth it.'

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Video Games - racing, mario kart

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It seems just like yesterday when the original Mario Kart made its debut on the SNES in 1992. The game was a hit back then, and it isn't difficult to understand why. A racing game that emphasizes on sabotaging your opponents with weapons like banana skins, flying shells and lightning bolts was almost unheard of then, and to do so with your favorite Nintendo characters was, quite simply, pure bliss. Not surprisingly, the game captured the hearts of many gamers then.

Fast forward to the year 2005. Fans of the series have seen a few sequels through the years, but the DS version of Mario Kart was greeted with much more anticipation than its predecessors. The main reason, obviously, is the game's inclusion of integrated online play. For the first time in Mario Kart's history, gamers can now take on players from all over the world as long as they're using a wireless router that is supported by Nintendo. The game also allows up to eight players to multiplay in close proximity with only one copy of the cartridge, which essentially means that a gamer who decides not to buy the game can still perform a download play and race against a friend who owns a cartridge.

Of course, to enjoy the other features in Mario Kart DS, you'll still have to purchase the game, especially when you're interested in taking on the single-player campaign. As with previous instalments, Mario Kart DS has a grand prix mode, which comprises of four races each that are span across eight different competitions. This means a total of 32 tracks for your racing pleasure. 16 of these tracks are brand new, but the rest consists of classic ones from previous renditions of Mario Kart. These include the Moo Moo Farm from N64, Peach Circuit from the GBA and even the original Mario Circuit from the SNES. These will no doubt bring much joy for Mario Kart fans.

Yet, even in the presence of the classic tracks, the newer tracks do not pale in comparison. The innovative minds at Nintendo have once again developed a series of circuits that are visually stunning, mildly challenging and always entertaining. You'll get to race through a pinball machine, a clock and even an airship fortress! The combination of both old and new tracks is indeed a masterstroke that allows you to engage new challenges, as well as indulge in some nostalgia.

Mario Kart DS also has a mission mode that requires you to perform a series of tasks within a certain time limit. These include collecting a designated number of coins, passing through a series of numbered gates in sequence, and even hitting specified enemies with specified weapons. The missions are divided into "worlds", and each world various stages. Completing all stages in a world will unlock a "boss fight", which could involve winning in a race against the boss, or even to knock him out from a platform. Defeating a boss unlocks the next world, up to a maximum of six worlds and a total of 54 missions. Obviously, the missions get tougher as the game progresses, but they aren't exactly impossible to complete. Gamers who enjoy more than merely racing should find the mission mode in Mario Kart DS a fun and captivating feature.

The other modes in the single player campaign include a VS challenge and a battle mode. The VS challenge basically pits you against seven CPU-controlled racers in a never-ending series of races. This is the perfect training ground for learning the techniques of the game. The battle mode consists of a balloon battle and a shine runners game. The balloon battle requires you to burst the balloons of your opponents, while the shine runners game requires you grab as many shines as possible. These two mini-games are quite forgettable when played alone, so it's recommended that you engage them with a friend or two. Bursting balloons has never been so much fun.

A Mario Kart game is never complete without an array of usable weapons against your fellow racers. In Mario Kart DS, the arsenal gets even better with the inclusion of some new items. One of these new weapons is the Bob-omb, which causes an explosion. If used accurately, the Bob-omb's impact on an opponent is tremendous, as it drastically slows down his or her progress. The Bullet Bill is another new item that is extremely cool. Using it will turn you into a flying bullet. You'll find yourself bursting forward with much speed, knocking over anyone who dares stand in your way, and most importantly, covering a lot of ground. The Blooper, one of Mario's nastiest enemies, is the third new addition. It'll squirt ink onto your opponent's windscreen, causing a temporary loss of vision. The range of old and new items more than complement each other, and you'll no doubt find great usage with them as you progress.

The controls of Mario Kart DS are extremely simple, making it a game that anyone could pick up and play without much hassle. Of course, learning more techniques are useful when you intend to go online for some real challenge, and the game does give you a repertoire of skills to master. One of them is turbo drifting, which requires you to drift, and then quickly press the left and right button on your D-pad to cause your tires to catch fire. Releasing the drift immediately after that will result in a temporary burst of speed. This technique is extremely useful in chasing a seemingly loss cause.

The real meat of the game, obviously, is the online feature. Once you get connected, you'll be able to search for players who're also online at the same time. It may take a while for you to get a full quota of four players, but the game works with one or two opponents as well. You'll have to race through a standard Grand Prix in an online game. You'll also get to vote on which track you want to race, so that you can at least gain an upper hand by (hopefully) getting a track that you're familiar with. It's also advisable for you to practise on the various tracks before proceeding, since you won't want to finish last all the time!

As mentioned earlier, you can also play with fellow friends with the use of only one cartridge, but the player who doesn't have a cartridge will, by default, be using Shy Guy as a character. The player only needs to turn on his DS when another player hosts the game, and he should be able to "download" the game into his DS for a quick race. As with online play, it takes a while for the connection to be established, but my experience with multiplaying has found no lag at all during the gameplay, which is definitely great. Beware, however, when you send a bolt of lightning towards your friend - regular attempts at this could possibly lead to a loss of friendship at the end of the races!

If you're a fan of Nintendo-style graphics, Mario Kart DS will not disappoint you. The game retains the usual awesome graphics from the past, and provides a great sense of details even for a supposedly "cartoony" presentation. The DS' dual screen also comes in handy here, as you can watch the action on the top screen, while still referring to the touch screen for a real-time map. The map is especially useful for dodging attacks from behind. The audios are also highly enjoyable, combining great music and sound effects seamlessly. Somehow, the sound of "vroom vroom" seems to blend perfectly to the lively, catchy tunes in the background. If only prime time radio is that good.

In summary, Mario Kart DS is everything you can expect from a Mario Kart game, and perhaps just a little more. The inclusion of online play makes the experience a little better, but even if you've no access to it, the single player campaign should still be good enough to keep you going back for more. Just remember to change your underpants. Mario Kart DS - Racing - Mario Kart - Video Games - Mario'

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