Computer^News^FAQ

Chromebook Pixel

2013-02-24T16:07:00.002+02:00

The new Ultrabookurile compete with the best of Apple products.
Google released new Chromebooks, which has a 12.85 inch touch screen resolution of 2560 x 1700 !!:D , which means a density of 239 ppi. "This is the best ever made on a laptop screen," says Linus Upson, Google's vice president. The display has Gorilla Glass, so it is scratch resistant.

Inside we find an Intel Core i5 processor with a frequency of 1.8 GHz and a memory of 4 GB DDRIII RAM. When it comes to storage memory, here we see a surprise. The laptop has a storage space of 32 GB or 64 GB.

Google comes with an account of 1 TB cloud, you can access high-speed LTE receiver.

Although we do not know the release date, we know that the price starts from U.S. $ 1299 for 32 GB version and 1449 for LTE + 64 GB version.

Nexus 7

2012-06-25T23:48:00.000+03:00

Framed at a price less than $ 200, Nexus 7 promises to be a force to be feared tablet market, able to compete against weight names like Fire Amazon Kindle or Apple iPad, attacking with a report unbeatable quality / price.

According to the latest rumors, Nexus 7 tablet hides a surprisingly powerful hardware with quad-core chip Tegra series 3, operating at 1.3 GHz. The configuration also includes a GeForce GPU with 12 cores running and 1 GB RAM for the operating system and applications.

Google prepares Nexus Tablet in two versions, the 8GB and 16GB internal memory. What is not known if the configuration within a memory card slot, allowing expansion of storage capacity.

In case of simple design and good taste is accommodated a 7 inch screen, based on a quality IPS matrix, with viewing angles up to 178 ° and resolution 1280x800 pixels.

Nexus 7 tablet offers a 1.2 MP front camera, WiFi N network card, NFC connectivity for electronic payments and a battery rated for approximately 9:00 mobility.

The operating system is delivered Android Jelly Bean , but the version number is not known at this time. Probably the first version of Jelly Bean will start under the name Android 4.1, is actually an update to current version Ice Cream Sandwich Sandwich and not a major revision for the Android platform.

After launch, Google will provide Nexus 7 tablet at a price of $ 199 for version with 8 GB internal memory, that is $ 249 for 16 GB edition.

More information will surely learn more than just a few days, on the occasion of Google I / O, the tablet Nexus 7 will be officially presented.

New Sony Vaio S 13 "

2012-06-24T14:21:00.000+03:00

Sony VAIO 13 "is a model for the title of" good at all "fits perfectly. We say this because, on one hand is a notebook with screen 13 "(as in this way a relatively compact model), which has an average processor which offers higher performance than integrated graphics. On the other hand he has a reasonable weight, and the facilities are very well covered, coming quite enough ports (2 x USB 3.0, 1 x USB 2.0, one VGA, one HDMI) with two card readers, fingerprint reader, 3G modem and an optical drive. Basically achieve a reasonable use any field, from the business to the entertainment.

The chassis is similar to that of previous generations in that general elements over the past generation, but the model is now as certain elements of the second generation in particular on how the area bounded by the keyboard's restpad.Sony took chassis and modified with the user, and apparently at the suggestion of customers, integrating such a unit instead of a slot with tray, placing such a fingerprint reader at the top, above the keyboard, in a place that is relatively accessible but not uncomfortable (as applicable to many other models on the market). A novelty is that now the touchpad is very wide, much wider than previous generations. Unisurface touchpad is made of a hard plastic and find it easier to use than others of its kind. The keyboard is very well thought out, well positioned and arranged and a backlight.

The screen is as I mentioned at the outset, one of 13 ". It has a resolution of 1366x768, providing good color when viewed from the front and pretty good when viewed from the side. Vertical but viewing angles are not too high.

The configuration we tested included a Core i5 3210 (two cores, four threads, 2.5GHz), 6GB RAM, a 500GB hard drive, a GeForce GT GPU 640m LE (lowest Kepler) and the level performance is about average, the points provided in PCMark 2154 7 suggesting that.Certainly an SSD would be done more to obtain higher performance but perhaps that Sony wanted to keep costs under control. If an SSD would be integrated most likely it would be 128 GB (otherwise the notebook price would be up too much) but then you would have lost a lot of storage capacity. However, as a personal opinion, I have worked more on the latter option.

Among the items you've found, are the new standby system that stores memory contents on a flash memory cache, and proves to be very fast and also in terms of consumer econmic.

Possibility of connection and an additional battery (via a connector located under the laptop), thus increase the autonomy of your notebook.

In the cooling system is very important is the system load. When working on a laptop High Performance (as an aside, and the present model has a dedicated button Speed-Stamina) and working hard system, noise is disturbed, but in sleep mode noise is reasonable.

Probably this will be one of the main models of Sony notebook market, because he doese , as I said, reasonably satisfy almost all segments.

http://www.chip.ro/stiri/18957-review-noul-sony-vaio-s-de-13

CyanogenMod 9, available for Galaxy S III

2012-06-20T15:55:00.001+03:00

The most popular unofficial Android distribution, CyanogenMod 9, is now available for Android S3 in beta, with daily updates.

CyanogenMod 9 offers a version close to the core, Android 4.0, replacing the Samsung TouchWiz interface and offers advanced optimization options.

Daily updates for Android beta CyanogenMod9 S3 are tested by public and more rapid improvement of the system, SCEI SlashGear.

Yet, in the absence of the final version of CyanogenMod 9, users who try risk free Android version affect hardware Galaxy S3 .

But those who are willing to take the risk to try the beta version of CyanogenMod 9 can download the necessary software for the forum XDA-Developers.com root.

All about the new Microsoft Surface tablets, Windows and Windows 8 Pro RT

2012-06-20T15:51:00.003+03:00

Microsoft can join the manufacturers of tablets with 2 gadgets that will hit the market in November to three months after Windows 8. IT giant is trying to get stronger in the relevant segments of the market , with a tablet running Windows 8 UI only with Metro, Microsoft Surface RT, and a tablet running Windows 8 Pro, Surface Pro, which allows the use of desktop applications.

An important detail is that the two tablets Surface will be launched with two special cases: Touch Cover with a thickness of 3mm, a case with the role of Cover Type tasatura and stand and a thickness of 5mm, which includes a trackpad .

Microsoft Surface for Windows RT

Microsoft Windows Tablet RT, which will only run Windows applications Metro Store, will include Metro version of the suite of applications Microsoft Office for free, writes CNET .

RT Surface Specifications:

Windows RT
Nvidia ARM CPU
Thickness: 9.3 mm
Weight: 676g
Display: 10.6 inch HD ClearType
Battery: 31.5 watt-hour
Ports: USB 2.0, microSD, micro HD video, 2x2 MIMO antennas
Storage: 32GB or 64GB
2 rooms "HD", a front and a back

Microsoft Surface for Windows 8 Pro

Even if the two tablets look almost identical, inside is very different. Microsoft Surface Pro running full version of the operating system Windows 8 , which basically transforms into a touch screen ultrabook. The tablet includes a magnetic stylus that remains attached to the housing.

Specifications Surface Pro:

Windows 8
Ivy Bridge CPU Intel Core 3rd generation
Thickness: 13.5 mm
Weight: 903g
Display: ClearType "Full HD" of 10.6 inches
Battery: 31.5 watt-hour
Ports: USB 3.0, microSDXC, Mini DisplayPort for video
Storage: 64GB or 128GB
2 rooms "HD", a front and a back

Microsoft Surface vs. iPad

Comparison between Microsoft Surface and other tablets can be difficult since the company chose not to submit complete specifications, write TheVerge . Microsoft seems to adopt the Apple model to focus on end user experience without too many figures portray.

Retina Display screen without having the iPad tablet Microsoft Surface could become a strong competitor to Apple tablet, especially in version Surface Pro .

You can choose between a tablet with a simple operating system and restrictive and a tablet PC that offers a practical experience, consumers could abandon the iPad.

Microsoft Surface vs. Android and Windows 8

Asus Transformer Pad is probably the most similar product already launched Android, but Microsoft could be just the advantage of operating system more complex.

Microsoft Tablet battling and competition from other Windows 8 tablets Asus Tablet 600, Acer Iconia W510 and prototypes created by Toshiba, HP, Dell and Lenovo. One thing is now clear: Windows 8 tablets manufacturers are not too happy with Microsoft competition.

The most important detail that Microsoft Surface is omitted from the presentation is price. For many buyers, specifications and functionality can be properly judged only in relation to price .

The only detail that Microsoft unveiled on pricing is that it will be "competitive" with the suggestion that as a Surface ultrabook Pro will cost.

Do you think Microsoft could dethrone tablets new rule iPad?

5 Reasons Why Microsoft Surface could beat iPad

2012-06-20T15:40:00.000+03:00

With the launch of Microsoft Surface tablets, many IT analysts have concluded that iPad has finally a competitor. Even though Microsoft has not yet announced the price of the tablet, Surface enthusiasm is high and seems founded.

View 5 Reasons Why Microsoft Surface could beat the iPad, according to CNN .

1. Size and thickness

Excellent design competition iPad tablets made to look stumpy.Microsoft has opted for a size of 10.6 inches, slightly larger than Apple tablet, but one key to the success of Microsoft Surface is thick.

RT surface has a thickness one-tenth of a millimeter less than the new iPad, so users will be satisfied.

Surface Pro is thick but significantly higher for those considered acceptable but a new Windows tablet touchscreen ultrabook.

2. Keyboards for tablet

Microsoft has decided to offer consumers what Apple has refused from the beginning: compact keyboard which facilitates its use.

With a thickness of only 3mm, Touch Cover offers integrated tactile keyboard case that can be used as stand, all available in colors: black, red, blue and pink.

Cover type is 5mm thick, but it also offers an integrated trackpad that allows practical use of Tablet Surface Microsoft Windows 8 Pro the desktop.

3. USB ports

Apple stubbornness not to give customers what they wanted from the beginning, a USB port for simple connection to any other gadget, is a big problem for the iPad.

Even if users have to provide solutions and Wi-Fi cloud for the iPad, many users may prefer the two USB ports on the Microsoft Surface, which can easily connect external drives, printers and even cameras.

Surface RT offers USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 Surface Pro.

4. Performance

Tablets have been so far a hybrid between laptops and smartphones, but Microsoft is trying to get as close to the specifications of the Surface ultrabook Pro.

Intel Core i5, Tablet Microsoft Windows 8 Pro will offer up to 128GB of storage space, another advantage in the fight against iPad, remained with the maximum of 64GB.

5. Xbox SmartGlass

SmartGlass system, presented by Microsoft at E3, will link any tablet, Android or even iPad console Xbox games for an interactive experience.

If Microsoft Xbox SmartGlass optimized for Surface and offers new features, users may go one step forward in integrating the use of media, the television, game console, tablet and smartphone fully interact and play different roles.

Apple really got scared of Microsoft Surface?

Even though Apple has seen over the years as Microsoft tries to copy its products, but fail - not too many were found to prefer an iPod Zune before - the company was ready for Surface tablets.

The same day the presentation of Microsoft Surface , Apple released a new television commercial for the new iPad, with the slogan "Do It All.”

You think Apple's iPad launch new advertising is a business decision or a common sign that Apple is afraid of success really Microsoft Surface?

Asus PA248Q

2012-06-18T22:19:00.001+03:00

A year ago, Asus launched the first series Proart monitor. PA246Q modelwas an excellent tool for those who wanted a maximum image quality.Created graphics and video editing, it came with all known connectors and a host of advanced editors. It is time to make you acquainted with his successor, Asus PA248Q and see what the Taiwanese manufacturer wants to impress us this time.

Construction

Professionals have high demands when it comes to building a monitor.Freedom of movement is the key concept here. Like the previous Asus PA248 is characterized by a well-knit housing, which used a black plastic quality. leg allows adjusting the height of 10 cm and pivot 120-degrees. Also, the screen can be rotated 90 degrees, for those times when you want to see the whole web page without scrolling to do.

Asus's menu buttons PA248 are located on the right side of the screen.From the previous model, the manufacturer has prepared us a pleasant surprise. A small joystick now allows a more comfortable navigation through menus. rear panel connectors includes almost all popular video jacks. In addition, we have a USB 3.0 type B jack, which is provided a cable box. It allows connection to computer USB 3.0 hub with four ports on the left side.

Here mention must be made. Asus PA246 has two USB 2.0 ports and a card reader SD / MS / xD. I appreciated the introduction of the PA248 USB 3.0 standard, but not eliminate card reader. Gazette is the target audience and photos, which can very accurately view images and to process them. Most are always handy mobile card reader, but it was easier to remove the card from the camera and insert it directly into the monitor?

Asus is no cost savings by omitting some cables in the package. PA248 comes with a VGA cable, a DVI and a DisplayPort cable, USB 3.0 along with the mentioned. The monitor weighs 0.8 kg less than its predecessor and we shall see why.

Specifications

· Size: 24 "

· Resolution: 1920x1200

· Matrix: IPS

· Dot pitch: 0.270 mm

· Brightness: 300 cd / m

· Real contrast / Dynamic: 1,000:1 / 80.000.000:1

· Viewing angles: 178/178 (horizontal / vertical)

· Response Time: 6 ms GTG

· Colors: 16.7 million

· Video Connections: HDMI, DVI, VGA, DisplayPort

· HDCP Compliant: Yes

· Other connectors: USB 3.0, 2 x Audio

· Speakers: -

· Consumption: 75 W max

· Accessories: Cables

· Dimensions: 557 x 416 x 235 mm

· Weight: 6.4 kg

Another panel

At first contact with the monitor, I was hard for me to realize any difference to the model tested last year. Change a monitor with a TN matrix IPS matrix and the difference was huge from the start. Image quality perceived by a trained eye, is very good because Asus does not get any PA248Q factory model without calibration . The proof sheet is below that says that delta E, or the difference between the transmitted color video card and the display is less than five units. It is accepted industry standard for professional monitors.

Unfortunately for a user who wants an upgrade PA246Q, the present model is not recommended. subtle differences that we observed with the naked eye were confirmed by comparing data sheets PA248 and PA246's Asus. Model launched last year came with P-IPS matrix 10-bit. The present is an 8-bit matrix. The difference observed in the number of colors displayed.In addition, the brightness decreased from 400 cd / m² to 300 cd / sqm.Measured contrast is better but the new model, reaching 745:1.

As a pre-calibrated monitor, I found it odd that Asus PA248 has a cool touch of color. Initially I thought it was because of LED lighting. This has the advantage of reduced consumption and reduce the thickness monitor. In fact, blue and green requires slight adjustments in Normal mode. The menu offers six-channel color adjustment (R, G, B, C, M, Y) Those interested in fidelity color reproduction should know that PA248 covers only 72% of NTSC spectrum, from 102% to as PA246 boasted.

Response time

It is clear that Asus PA248 is a monitor for games, but even a designer can enjoy a movie or a game from time to time. The 6 ms specified by the manufacturer are not found in tests. With the AMA on and adjusting the Free Trace function values than an average of 11 ms. It is decent for a weekend player or lover of action movies, the ghosting is pretty low.

Angles of vision

At a P-IPS panel monitor with Asus PA246 was the degradation of color and contrast was hardly noticeable in extreme angles. In this case, it can be seen, but can not say it is disturbing. With better contrast than the previous model, black is deeper and LED lighting makes the bleeding is difficult to see.

Quick Fit Grid

This position I appreciated it and we find the PA246Q PA248Q Asus. The screen can be displayed, regardless of video source, grid with centimeters or inches. Those who wish to fit an A4 page to receive a box full size. The same classifications are possible and different kinds of photos and documents.

Conclusion

If you look strange figure above, this monitor is for you. Asus PA248Q is a professional monitor, for users who have very high demands on image quality and ergonomics chapters. A regular user will hardly find it useful to acuperirea sRGB 100% or 90 degrees rotation of the screen.

From the previous model, we found that PA248 is thinner and lighter. Can not compete with the consumer today, but no longer has a 4cm thick frame.Switching to USB 3.0 hub was considered but had not removed the card reader.

The main difference between PA248 and PA246 is unfortunately given matrix. The front of the monitor type is P-IPS. It may be of type E-IPS or H-IPS. Image quality remains high standards, while the monitor is calibrated at the factory, but retains a slight advantage PA246.

Pluses and minuses:

[+] high quality image [+] foot MFD [+] graduations on the screen frame and screen [+] advanced adjustments professional segment [+] top video connectivity [-] panel less powerful than the model previous

Apple MacBook Pro 2012

2012-06-17T23:07:00.000+03:00

Apple today introduced a new generation of MacBook Pro laptops with a new design based on ultra-thin case, and retina display with stunning resolution: 2880 x 1800 pixels.

The new MacBook Pros will be sold alongside the current edition, which received new hardware features, but remained in the old design, dating from 2008. The new handheld will have a thickness of 1.8 inches and will use Intel quad-core generation utlimă plus Kepler 650m nVidia GPUs with up to 1GB of dedicated video memory. Hardware features also include 8GB RAM standard and SSD starting at 256GB and can reach up to three times that.

Facilities are particularly impressive as processors and video cards are not ultra-low voltage variants such as those of MacBook Air. Portable optical drive gives up in favor of larger batteries, the capacity specified by the manufacturer at 7:00.

Impressive beyond all else, the display, which offers four times more pixels than the previous version of MacBook Pro 15. Resolution is more than double the standard FullHD, being on time without rival portable market. Overall, the design has remained quite similar to the previous edition, only much thinner. Ethernet port is gone, instead of being implemented Thunderbolt ports. For the first time ever Mac platform, Apple will offer two USB 3.0 ports. Available ports include a new first, a standard HDMI port. SD card reader and a new magnetic power port connectivity complete list on new MacBook Pros.

Computers will be available at a price of $ 2,199 in the U.S. market starting today, will be available soon in Europe, at a price most likely located around the amount of 2,000 euros. Full details on the Apple site .

Canon 5D Mark III

2012-03-04T00:58:00.000+02:00

At last the replacement to theCanon EOS 5D MKII is here and it's called the Canon EOS 5D MKIII. After months and months of rumour and speculation, we finally have the full specification.

As there has been so much discussion perhaps the biggest surprise is that the 5D Mark III's specification seems so familiar and there are no really major revelations.

Nevertheless those who have been contemplating investing in an EOS 1DXnow have reason to rethink their prospective purchase and perhaps save themselves a bob or two.

Sensor

One difference between the EOS-1DX and the 5DMKIII is the sensor, the 5D has a higher pixel count with 22.3 million pixels. It also has just one Digic 5+ processor rather than two, which in combination with its 8 channel readout means that it has top continuous shooting speed of 6fps.

This is half the rate of Canon's top-end camera and it may disappoint those hoping for something in the region of 8fps or more. It's a big jump from the 3.9fps of the 5DMKII though and the burst depth is an impressive 8 raw images or over 16,000 JPEGs (when a UDMA 7 card I used).

The fact that the pixel count doesn't compete a little more closely with the Nikon D800's 36Mp and is only a little higher than the 21.1Mp of the Mark II may also disappoint a few Canon users, but as with the 1DX, Canon may have opted to go down this route to ensure cleaner results in low light and at higher sensitivities. Time and testing will tell.

Looking on the bright side, it also means that the files are smaller and quicker to download and adjust.

Autofocus

The EOS 5D Mark III has the same 61-point wide-area AF system as the flagship EOS-1D X. This is a big improvement on the 5D Mark II which has 9 user selectable AF points and 6 assist points, giving a total of 15.

Of these 61 points, 41 are cross-type and five are dual cross-type points, which is good news for accuracy. The customisable AF pre-sets introduced in the EOS-1D X are also available, which Canon claims helps when shooting more challenging subjects – something we look forward to testing.

It doesn't offer the f/8 sensitivity of Nikon's latest system though, it only extends to f/5.6, which restricts the use of teleconverters.

Metering

Predictably, Canon has upgraded the metering system to it's iFCL metering. If this performs in the same way as it does in other Canon cameras, existing 5D Mark II users may find it takes a little getting used to as it reacts in a similar way to centreweighted metering and puts greater emphasis on the subject under the active AF point.

In some situations this is a blessing, but with exceptionally dark or light main subjects the results may not be the same as the 5D MK II would produce in its evaluative metering mode.

Video

Its video capability was one of the big successes of the EOS 5D Mark II and Canon hasn't changed much of its specification for the Mark III version, but there are some significant improvements. Firstly there's the introduction of a live view/movie switch on the rear like on the EOS 7D to speed up movie activation.

There's also a headphone socket for monitoring the stereo audio which can be adjusted in the same way as on the EOS-1DX.

HDR

Until now Canon hasn't had an SLR with in-camera HDR recording, but the 5D MKIII is capable of recording and merging three shots to produce a high dynamic range image. It will be interesting to see whether the company has opted for a blend or a more dramatic look. We are hoping for subtlety with the ability to adjust for stronger effects.

Build and ergonomics

It's great to see that Canon has upgraded the weatherproofing for the new camera. Photographers that invest nearly £3000 in a camera expect it to be able to withstand some exposure to the elements.

We are also pleased that Canon has given the 5D Mark III the same 3in 1,040,000-dot LCD as the 1DX. This screen provides a sharp, clear view and although we have yet to test it outdoors, the fact there is no gap between the LCD and the glass cover should mean that reflections are kept to a minimum.

Given the 5D's reputation as video camera, it's a shame that Canon wasn't bold enough to give the Mark III version an articulating screen. Perhaps the hinge is considered too much of a weak point, or maybe Canon is saving that for the 4K capable camera it announced was in development back in November last year.

In recognition of some of its new features Canon has given the EOS 5D Mark III a Creative Photo button. This enables users to select Picture Styles, capture multiple exposures and access the HDR shooting mode. For enthusiastic chimpers, pressing the Creative Photo button in playback mode displays two images side-by-side to allow photographers to view, magnify and compare the quality of different exposures mid-shoot – that could make the journey home from a shoot much more productive.

Conclusion

On paper the EOS 5D Mark III seems like a very capable camera, but we can't help feeling a little disappointed that Canon hasn't added any major wow factors. Although the upgrades from the EOS 5D Mark II are very significant, this camera has seemed a little out of step ever since the EOS 7D was introduced way back in September 2009.

On the whole the upgrades for the 5D Mark III are fairly predictable; for example introducing the iFCL metering system which has been spreading throughout the EOS range and adding the new AF system from the EOS-1DX.

However, because we have seen many of the systems and features before it's easy to lose sight of the fact that the 5D Mark III offers much of the technology of Canon's flagship camera in a more affordable package.

Install Windows 7 From a USB Flash Drive

2012-02-06T20:21:00.004+02:00

Ok so the first thing you are going to want to do is get the Windows 7 ISO. Microsoft is no longer offering it from their website, but there are sure a lot of other places you can get it at. Also if you have a Windows 7 DVD this guide will work with it as well. After you have the Windows 7 ISO you need to mount either burn it to a DVD or mount it. I had the ISO already so I just decided to mount it using Daemon Tools. Once it is mounted make sure you remember the drive letter.

Next we want to prepare our flash drive. The Windows 7 ISO is about 2.5GB so you will need a flash drive at least 4GB in size for 32 bit / 8GB in size for 64 bit. Once you have your flash drive plug it into your computer and also make sure you remember the drive number. Now open up command prompt and type: diskpart

This will open up a new command window. No if you are like me you have many USB drives and card readers connected so you want to list your drives so you know what drive your connected USB drive is. To do that type: list disk

This will list all of your connected drives or card reader drives. Now identify your flash drive, for us it is drive 13.

Now select the drive by typing: select disk 13 Now run the following commands…

clean
create partition primary
select partition 1
active
format fs=fat32
assign
exit

Now what we did there was create a primary partition on the flash drive, make it the active partition, and format it with the FAT32 file system. Simple enough right?

Now we have to copy the files from the Windows 7 ISO or DVD. So either put the DVD in the drive or mount the image you have. As I said before make sure you know the drive letters of your flash drive and of the DVD drive you are using. Now open command prompt back up and type in this:

xcopy j:*.* /s/e/f r:

Now in this sequence the J: drive is our mounted DVD drive and R: is our flash drive. The drive letters will vary for you of course. One you type the command in and press enter you will see all of the files being copied, just wait till it is completed and you will have a bootable Windows 7 flash drive!

There is one more thing you are going to have to do to get this to work. You are going to need to go into the BIOS of your laptop and make the first bootable device the USB drive

Not only is this method convenient (carrying a flash drive is better than a DVD), it is much, much faster than installing from a DVD. This guide not only works with Windows 7 but will also work for Vista as well. Hope this guide has made installing a new operating system easier, stay tuned for more Windows 7 related articles.

Canon G1 X

2012-01-11T15:11:00.001+02:00

While the 14.3MP CMOS sensor, 4x optical zoom, raw shooting and Full HD video recording and other impressive specifications of the Canon PowerShot G1 X sound great, we were a little concerned at how big this compact camera would be.

As you can see from the images and video below, the Canon PowerShot G1 X sits comfortably in the hands and has the familiar styling of earlier Canon PowerShot G series compact cameras such as the Canon PowerShot G12 and Canon PowerShot G11.

Although it is a little bulkier and heavier than the G12, the G1 X is still very much a compact camera.

The slightly angular, rubberised finger grip provides good purchase, but the weight associated with the the f/2.8-5.8 lens means that the camera is more comfortable to hold two-handed rather than one-handed.

Like the Canon G12, the new Canon G1 X features plenty of manual control to suit enthusiast photographers.

In a change from the control arrangement of the Canon G12, the exposure compensation dial of the G1 X sits under the exposure mode dial on the top-plate. On the G12, this space is occupied by the sensitivity (ISO) control.

Sensitivity is set on the Canon PowerShot G1 X via the up option on the navigation pad on the back of the camera. This change may have been forced by the G1 X's larger number of ISO settings - Canon's engineers would struggle to fit them all on one dial.

The space this change creates on the left side of the Canon G1 X (as you hold the camera) has been taken up by the pop-up flash, whereas the G12 has a fixed unit.

With 920,000 dots, the 3-inch PureColor II vari-angle LCD screen on the Canon G1 X is a noticeble improvement on the 2.8-inch, 416,000 dot device of the G12. Images appear bright and sharp on this tiltable display.

The optical viewfinder (OVF) is also large enough to be usable, although the lens barrel can be seen in the bottom-left corner.

We used the Canon G1 X in fairly low light conditions, but the autofocus (AF) system performed pretty well, focusing quickly on subjects with strong contrast. With low contrast subjects there was a quick back and forwards adjustment before the subject was made sharp, but this is hardly unusual with a contrast detection system.

Sensor

Featuring the largest sensor ever sensor to be found in a Canon compact, the 4:3 aspect, 14.3 million pixel CMOS sensor is similar in height to the APS-C sensors used in some DSLR models. It also has the same pixel size and structure as the company's entry level EOS 600D, meaning that capturing low-light images should be improved, and photographers will be able to achieve shallower depth of field effects.

Digic 5 processor

Only featured on a handful of Canon cameras so far, including the Powershot S100, Canon EOS 1DX and Canon Powershot SX40, the Digic 5 processor is Canon's latest high-speed processor, which helps to deliver high-speed shooting and keep noise down at high ISO shooting.

Lens

Canon has drawn from its rich heritage of lens production to design the lens for the G1 X, utilising UA elements and precision glass moulding. It's a 4x optical zoom, which in 35mm terms equates to 28mm-112mm. The 6 blade aperture, combined with that large sensor, means that background blur should be relatively easy to achieve.

Full manual control

The G Series of cameras are designed with pros and serious photographers who mind, those who want a decent carry everywhere camera that offers the same type of flexibility as their more advanced cameras. The G1 X carries on that tradition, and is fitted with dials for controlling key functions such as exposure compensation.

Raw image capture

Another plus point for high-end premium compact cameras is their ability to capture images in raw so that they can be processed later. Again, the G1 X includes raw image capture, while the camera comes supplied with Canon's own Digital Photo Professional software for editing images.

Video recording

It's pretty much a given these days, but the G1 X comes with full HD video recording at 24fps. Not only that, but the optical zoom can also be used while filming, and stereo sound is also captured.

Sensitivity range

The ISO range on the G1 X is the widest found on any Canon compact, stretching up to an impressive 12800. Canon promises that the combination of Digic 5 and of course that large sensor means that low-light images should show an impressive level of noise control, which is one of the things we're most looking forward to testing in the future.

Intelligent features

Within the lens, a 4-stop optical Image Stabiliser has been included, which allows the use of shutter speeds up to four stops slower than possible without the IS. Also included is Canon's Intelligent IS which has the ability to analyse focal length, focal distance and type of camera movement in order to apply the best type of Image Stabiliser from a range which includes Macro and Panning modes.

Screen

Canon's articulating screens on several of its cameras, including the G12 and some of its EOS DSLRs have proved immensely popular, and here it is again on the G1 X. It's A 3 inch PureColor 920k dot UU VA LCD screen, which is joined by an optical viewfinder with dioptre adjuster. It's fair to say that in the past the EVFs on board the Canon G series have been a little disappointing, so it will be interesting to see if Canon has made any improvements in this respect.

Priced at almost £700 in the UK or around $799 in the US, the Canon G1 X is an expensive compact camera, and there are several DSLR kits available for less money. The Canon EOS 600D, for example, can be bought with the 18-55mm IS II lens for £550. However, compact cameras are used in a different way to DSLRs, and are often taken out when a larger camera is impractical.

It is also worth noting that the RRP of the 14.3MP Canon PowerShot G1 X is cheaper than the full cost of the popular Fuji X100, which can be found on offer for around £750.

As its pixels are the same size as the Canon EOS 600D's, Canon G1 X users shouldn't be making too much of a compromise when they decide to travel light.

Sony Reader PRS-T1 Wi-Fi

2012-01-10T17:29:00.000+02:00

The Sony Reader PRS-T1 Wi-Fi is a light and thin ebook reader that doesn't quite measure up to the competition. If the only two specifications you care about are the weight (167 grams) or the thickness (9.5mm) then this might be your best option. However, if you care about an accessible interface, extra features beyond the basic book store, and a reasonable (slightly higher) price, the Kindle 4 is a better bet.

Available in red, black, or white, the Reader is a stylish and svelte ebook reader that felt comfortable during several long ebook reading sessions. You can borrow books from your local library, download free Google Books selections (including many Dickens classics), and play music files.

The direct competitor is the Amazon Kindle 4, which costs £89. That reader, at 170 grams, weighs about the same. Both devices have a similar 167ppi 16-level greyscale screen. The one slight difference is that the Kindle has about 2GB of space for books; the Reader has only 1.3GB.

The Sony Reader presents most UI options clearly – there are buttons to find your downloaded books, access the newspaper portal, and browse a Web site. The unfortunate downside to the E-Ink Pearl screen technology is that the Reader tends to flicker too much – about the same as the Kindle 4, but not nearly as much as the upcoming Kindle Touch (which has no UK release date confirmed yet).

While Amazon has done an excellent job of linking your book reading to your book buying, there is a similar streamlined approach with the Reader, but it's a bit less useable. You can search for books easily and buy them on the device

There's a logical flow for book ownership. For example, the Sony Reader for PC or Mac software runs as a desktop app where you can also buy and read books. (Sorry, Linux users are out of luck.) There's an Android app, and a reader app for Sony tablets. There's no iPhone or iPad app for Sony books, and for the desktop you have to use the app since there is no Web version.

The Reader has a few interesting UI features. One is that you can hold down on any word to see a dictionary look-up, and the device supports 12 languages. As a touch reader, you can also swipe to the left or right to turn pages, and pinch to zoom in on a Web page or newspaper article.

Sony offers about 2 million books in their ebook store, and we found most best-sellers. Some titles, like the recent Steve Jobs bio, were the same price in the Sony store as the Kindle store. However, some ebooks, likeInheritance by Christopher Paolini, were conspicuously missing from the Sony store.

The Sony Reader is exceptionally light, and the basic book reading options are powerful enough. The extra features were a bit wonky, and the screen flicker became a serious problem during our testing. For £129, the Sony Reader PRS-T1 is a good buy if you prefer a light and thin dedicated ebook reader. That's still £40 more than the Kindle 4, so the Reader has some stiff competition in the ebook market.

In the box, Sony provides a USB cable and a stylus pen

Sony does not specifically state which processor is used in the Reader, but our guess is that it's a low-power 800Mhz processor that is designed more for flipping through pages of text than graphics. There's a weird pause when you flip to a new page in the browser (even on a 12Mbps connection), and you'll notice quite a bit of screen flicker even for simple tastes like logging into the Sony ebook store.

Modern ebooks like the Sony Reader offer features well beyond ebook reading. The Reader lets you load up music on its paltry 1.3GB of internal storage. (You can add an microSD card up to 32GB.) You can download magazines and newspapers, browse the Web, and even check out ePub books from your local library. The unfortunate reality is that most of these features do not work nearly as smoothly as they do on a tablet, and the screen is not suited for anything but books.

The Reader provides only 16 levels of grey at 600 x 800 pixels. The screen measures six inches, and the device fits comfortably in one hand. It's so extremely light that it feels more like holding a smartphone than an ebook reader. A dull black shell and a light grey screen fade into the background as you read – the non-descript styling is a selling point for those who want to get lost in Crichton-land.

There are five buttons below the screen for forward and back, home, return, and menu. Icons along the top of the screen show any current downloads on the left, wireless signal strength (the Reader connects over Wi-Fi only, not 3G) and the battery level or whether you are charging. The Reader lasts for about one month on a charge, but that stat erodes quickly if you play music while you read.

Oddly, Sony includes a stylus pen you can use for more accurate typing, and there's a large clip you can use to attach the pen…to something, but not the Reader itself.

Like every other recent ebook reader, the Sony Reader uses E-Ink Pearl second-gen screen technology, aka the one distinguishing characteristic for readers like the Amazon Kindle 4 and the Barnes & Noble Nook compared to modern tablets like the Apple iPad 2. You buy an ereader if you only want to read books; you buy a tablet if you want to read books and do just about anything else.

The two stand-out specs on the Sony Reader are the light weight and the thin design. As a sleek ebook reader, the Reader stands its own against the Kindle 4 just fine. However, many of the extra features for borrowing books from the library, loading Google Books, and browsing the Web are hard to use. They pale in comparison with the quick touch access of any Android tablet.

Screen flicker became such a problem that we decided to avoid some features after testing them out. For example, at chip.com, we wanted to check a review but the images tended to flicker.

We played music files in the background, but worried that we were chewing up battery power too fast. You can load pictures on the Reader, and we did, but the greyscale screen was not well suited to photos. As an image loaded, the screen would flicker in and out – hampering the overall experience.

The Sony Reader also supports music playback, but there are no external speakers, so you have to use a headphone or connect the device to external speakers. The processor should have been fast enough for basic Web browsing, reading books, and viewing photos but the screen tech caused too much flicker to make those features seem like they were working fast and made them less useable.

We liked

Entry-level ebook readers like the Sony Reader provide one basic function: reading books. As such, this light and thin model is well suited to book lovers. The Reader is just a hair lighter than the Amazon Kindle 4.

The Wi-Fi connection stayed consistent and worked properly. We had no trouble ordering and downloading books, and the Web sites we visited generaly appeared quickly (even if the photos flickered annoying). The headphone jack worked well for listening to music.

There's a microSD slot you can use for adding microSD cards up to 32GB each. The Reader lets you load PDF files, music, and photos but won't play video files. The device lasts for a month on one charge; buttons below the screen were easy to use. The device feels durable and looks stylish.

We disliked

The E-Ink Pearl technology is superb for reading books and long battery life, but on the Sony Reader the screen flickered more than we would like. When there are options like the Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9, with a tremendously clear and bright color screen, the Reader's flicker becomes even more of a negative.

The UI for the Reader is clear enough, but the extra features are hampered by screen flicker. Sure, you can call up a Web site easily on the browser, or check out books from a local library, but when the screen flicks to black after every click, you start to prefer an Android tablet quickly.

At times, the Sony Reader did not appear to be registering some finger presses; in reality, typing worked fine and was accurate, but there are no haptics to give a sensation of touch, and we at least felt the screen input felt imprecise even as we learned to trust that the touches were registering.

To read books on your PC, you have to download and install a desktop app – there is no Web app. The long-lasting battery life is great, but the charge does not last as long if you play music files. There is no 3G connection for impulse purchases when you are not near a Wi-Fi hotspot.

Verdict

The Sony Reader PRS-T1 is about the same weight as the much cheaper Amazon Kindle. We found that, for basic book reading, the Reader is a good option because the only time you'll notice any screen flicker is when you access the extra features such as the web browser

Pricing of ebooks matches what you will find in the Kindle store.

But if you venture away from basic reading, the Amazon Kindle is a better choice - it is just as light, cheaper, and offers a wider selection of books. Also, the Kindle offers more storage space for books - about 2GB compared to the Reader's 1.3GB.

Nikon D4

2012-01-08T12:34:00.000+02:00

The Nikon D4, 16MP full-frame professional DSLRis capable of shooting at 10 frames per second with full autofocus. In addition to a host of ergonomic improvements, the D4 also sees the expansion of its video capabilities, to the extent that Nikon is describing it as a 'multi-media DSLR.' The cameras gains an Ethernet port, a 91,000 pixel metering sensor and an uprated AF sensor that can work in lower light and with smaller aperture lenses. Its sensitivity range can be expanded to the equivalent of ISO 204,800 and adds illuminated controls to make it easier to work in the low-light situations in which such a setting becomes useful. The D4 also becomes the first camera to make use of the XQD memory card format.

With the onslaught of CES launches still several days away, the big news today is the D4, Nikon's brand new full-frame digital SLR camera. The 16.2 megapixel DSLR offers 1080/30p video capture, an extended ISO range of 100 to 204,800, a 91,000-pixel 3D color matrix meter and a top high-speed shooting option of 11 frames-per-second. And with the D3 first hitting stores nearly five years ago, this FX-mount successor was long overdue. Earlier today, Nikon held its D4 launch event in Asia, previewing the camera before a group of journalists in Hong Kong. We were on hand for a first look at the massive $6,000 pro body, and were quite pleased with what we saw. Jump past the break for our impressions..

In what seems to be a move consistent throughout the industry, the D4's body is strikingly similar to its half-decade-old predecessor. There's no edgy new design to speak of, and all of the controls are exactly where you'd expect them to be. That's not to say Nikon didn't make a few tweaks, however. First, there's a full set of vertical controls for firing the camera and adjusting key settings without awkwardly reaching around the body to access the buttons up top -- an improvement that's sure to be appreciated by portrait and wedding shooters. The main shutter release was also moved slightly forward, for a more natural feel, and a dedicated movie capture button was added. There's also a new pair of joystick-like controls for navigating menus and moving around an image while zoomed in during playback. Overall, the additional controls improve upon the interface without introducing clutter -- an advantage granted by the generous body size.

A larger body also means more room for ports, and the D4 has plenty. To the left of the 3.2-inch, 921k-dot LCD you'll find a proprietary connector for the TW-5A plug-in WiFi adapter that can be used to network cameras wireless and even fire them remotely, using the built-in web server. Below that is a full-size Ethernet jack, if you'd prefer to go the wired route. There's also a remote connector, microphone input jack (!), headphone jack, mini-USB and an HDMI port, which can be used both for video playback and piping out an uncompressed live preview feed, for capturing raw video using a external device. There are also two memory card slots available -- one CompactFlash and one XQD, for use with the high-speed next-gen format announced last month. All the main multipurpose controls are just to the left of the memory card slots, while secondary buttons can be found below and to the left of the LCD -- essential controls are now backlit, making them possible to find in the dark.

Nikon D4 Key Specifications

§ 16.1 megapixel FX format CMOS sensor

§ ISO range from 100-12,800, expandable from 50-204,800

§ 10 fps with full AF/ AE or 11 fps with AF locked

§ Magnesium alloy body sealed to resist the elements

§ Accepts CF and new XQD memory card format

§ 91,000 pixel 3D Matrix Metering system

§ 15 cross type points, with nine points that work with lens speeds of f/8 and below

§ Advanced video features

§ Uncompressed HDMI out

§ Mic and audio jacks

§ Full 1080p in FX, DX and 2.7X crop modes

§ Full manual control of Exposure

Apple Mac Mini 2011 Hard Drive & RAM Upgrade

2012-01-01T13:25:00.000+02:00

First Boot

Starting with a blank hard drive is easy on the 2011 Mac Mini. Hold down Command-R to boot into Lion Recovery which allows you to format the drives and download Lion over the Internet.

TRIM Support in Lion

For optimal SSD performance, enable TRIM support within OS X Lion.

SafeGuard Disk Encryption for Mac 5.5

2011-12-31T20:37:00.000+02:00

Sophos SafeGuard Disk Encryption for Mac offers full-disk encryption (FDE) for the Mac, with protection at boot time from unauthorized access. FDE scrambles the entire contents of a disk drive, rendering it ostensibly unrecoverable without access to the long encryption key used, or a shorter account passphrase that unlocks that key.

FDE makes your data secure when someone gains unauthorized physical access to it while your computer is shut down. If a computer with an FDE-protected drive is booted and running, the data is still susceptible to various forms of extraction using forensic tools, even if there's a password lock enabled in OS X. But when the computer is shut down, it's as close to Fort Knox as one could hope.

With Lion, you have the option to use the built-in FileVault 2 FDE that replaces the directory-only encryption provided in the original FileVault system introduced in OS X 10.3 Panther. FileVault 2 works quite well, is integrated into system accounts and system boot time, and relies on AppleCare support as an optional backstop to help with extreme cases in which an account password fails or is forgotten and a separate emergency recovery key has been lost.

SafeGuard, compatible with Lion in version 5.5, has to scale a mountain to convince users to purchase a feature that's otherwise built into the OS. A third-party encryption tool has to do the job right, but also have features or options that set it apart from FileVault 2. (SafeGuard provides a separate installer for Mac OS X 10.5 and 10.6. If you upgrade from Snow Leopard to Lion, it is vitally important to follow Sophos's instructions. An upcoming SafeGuard 6.0 release will work on 10.5 through 10.7, however, according to Sophos.)

Sophos requires that you create unique accounts, separate from Mac OS X, including at least one administrative account.

SafeGuard doesn't quite get there. There are enough rough edges and confusing bits that don't place it anywhere near the ease with which Apple enables FileVault 2, which make SafeGuard hard to recommend highly. Sophos could sand down the interface and documentation friction, while adding a couple of compelling features. However, SafeGuard is a good choice for anyone who prefers not to rely on Apple for their encryption needs for whatever reason.

Using SafeGuard

Sophos relies on its own user accounts set up as User and Admin categories, which means extra account management instead of using Mac OS X authentication. This is clearly required because at startup time SafeGuard has to rely only on what its own system can manage—it can't access Mac OS X or accounts. We can’t ding the product for that, but it's more complicated than Apple's integrated ability.

You set up at least one Admin account to start encrypting the drive with a single click. There's an option to use Fast Mode, which has no explanation in the program or documentation as to what "fast" means. I had to query the company, which explained that with Fast Mode disabled, disk encryption takes a back seat to whatever the user is doing. In Fast Mode, encryption consumes all available computational power, which might slow down other activities.

Admin accounts can enable and disable encryption on partitions, and create and delete regular users. A User can log in at startup. User accounts can be backed up with a third form of account, Recovery, which are one-time use logins assigned to specific User accounts, and which are meant to help in case you forget or lose the password for a User account.

Sophos could provide a more sensible handholding walkthrough here. It should have the option of an assistant that guides you through creating an Admin user, and gives you the opportunity to create a regular User and one or more Recovery accounts. Instead, I had to stumble through the documentation to figure out the precise relationship.

Any FDE system needs to offer tools to help you when things go awry, as normal disk utilities won't work. Sophos includes options in its program's Users tab in a gear pop-up menu, but they're rather hard to parse there and in longer explanations in the documentation. I sorted it out, but I don't expect that even an advanced user will find the explanation straightforward.

Sophos has three recovery options, but it's really two ways to make bootable media, with a third menu item to export your encryption and authentication data. You can either create a generic bootable image without your login bits (which lets you separately attach your authentication data), or you can create one that's bootable and has the necessary credentials for the specific computer from which the disk was exported.

What Sophos doesn't explain is that you need to take the disk image and create a bootable volume from it. This is trivial in Disk Utility. Drag the disk image into Disk Utility, where it shows up in the bottom of the list at left. Insert some kind of media, such as a USB thumb drive, that you're willing to erase one or more partitions of. Select the disk image icon, and then drag the partition of the drive you're using into the Destination field. Click Restore. This creates an EFI-formatted bootable drive you can select at startup time by holding down the Option key. Would that these instructions (with some screen captures and more detail) were in the manual.

Sophos has its own EFI-based boot process that lets you enter a user or administrator account to start up Mac OS X. Only the keyboard works; mice and trackpads are unavailable.

I tested booting from a recovery image and performing various recovery operations, and they worked just fine. As with the rest of SafeGuard, the actual function is there masked by an unpolished interface. You can decrypt a drive quite simply, too. While logged in as an administrator, click Decrypt.

Limitations

SafeGuard also warns you in the documentation against backing up certain files in Time Machine, but doesn't provide a tool to exclude those automatically. SafeGuard can't encrypt external drives. And it requires the use of the keyboard in its boot manager, which makes it feel a bit more like using a newer PC BIOS than a Mac. Ostensibly, they didn't want to include mouse and trackpad drivers.

SafeGuard makes it simple to encrypt or decrypt an entire drive.

The only compelling reason to choose SafeGuard over FileVault 2 relates to boot-drive partitions. FileVault 2 only works on a Mac OS X's boot volume in which the Lion Recovery partition is installed and working. You cannot use a custom partition scheme, and users have reported all sorts of problems if they've messed with Lion partitions. SafeGuard doesn't have this problem. You can encrypt any number of partitions on the boot drive, and a Lion Recovery partition isn't a requirement.

McAfee Internet Security for Mac 2012

2011-12-31T20:24:00.001+02:00

Mac OS X users are notably resistant to the ploys of anti-virus, anti-malware, and security-monitoring software offered for our platform. “What—me worry?” could be our motto, as well as, “Not paying for that!” Over the long haul, that attitude has served us well, but the nature and diversity of risks has increased, and is likely to get worse.

McAfee Internet Security tries to address the virus, malware, and Trojan Horse issue directly, but also includes a robust, configurable firewall along with a Firefox plug-in that vets and reports on search result links. Despite my many years without such software installed, I’m strongly tempted to continue to use the package after testing because it’s a multipronged and easy-to-manage extra layer that doesn’t seem to slow my computer down one bit, while providing useful information and the right degree of control to block remote access.

The fundamental problem with a tool that prevents the execution of malicious software has been that the damage is usually done by the rapid spread of such attacks before the protective program has been updated. McAfee, like other anti-virus software makers, is constantly monitoring and testing for new vectors and writing defenses against them, and pushes out responses to discoveries in the wild quite rapidly. The software is set to pull down updates every four hours, too.

Protect yourself

McAfee Internet Security warns you about malware. Even if you click Open, it quarantines MacDefender instead of launching it.

Given that only a handful of Trojans and viruses have appeared in recent years for the Mac, and that they are laughable in their ability for users with any degree of proper caution to avoid, this part of the security suite might seem useless. But I’ll argue it is not.

First, it prevents you from passing on Windows viruses that may be sent as attachments that you then guilelessly hand off to friends, relatives, or colleagues using an unpatched version of Windows. (This is also useful when copying files back and forth between a virtual Windows machine or a Boot Camp volume.) Second, you can recommend this software to those who might not have the instinct to stay away from unknown software or attachments. A relative might appreciate having this software installed to prevent them from making a bad choice due to their lack of computer knowledge—especially if they try to install Trojans masquerading as legitimate files. Third, if someone else uses your computer without the same care you have, you’re protected there, too, against old threats and new ones. True, Apple has built virus defenses into Snow Leopard and Lion that are regularly updated. Consider McAfee a more explicit second line of defense.

I tested McAfee’s virus protection against the very few known Trojan horses and other exploits that have been discovered, such as MacDefender. McAfee refused to let me launch or uncompress the archives containing the malicious files, and put them into a Quarantine area to make it simple to review them in a list and then delete them. I tried sending myself a virus via email, and McAfee prevented that from downloading as well. The software can defang the malicious part of infected files, but all the files I tested were entirely comprised of malware.

The McAfee software has three more active components, however, that can protect you if a Trojan appears before they’ve detected and issued a fix, as well as to help you identify malicious Web sites you should avoid. These components let you review programs before allowing them to launch, use a firewall to prevent intrusions (useful to prevent unintended access to file sharing, even), and a Firefox extension that brands the safety of search engine results.

With Application Protection enabled, whenever a previously unused software program (or one that hasn't been given unlimited permission) launches, you're prompted to choose whether to let the program access the network or not, or prevent its launch entirely.

An Application Protection component, configured via the program’s preferences, monitors software when it launches, and puts itself in the way with a pop-up prompt. You choose whether to launch with or without network access provided to the program, and allow the program to be launched once (just when you approve it) or always thereafter. Or you can deny a launch altogether. You can modify choices for individual programs or background processes later through preferences.

Such controls generally prevent software that you didn’t intentionally install from being able to run and take over your Internet connection. Of course, this can’t protect against exploits that use techniques to gain root access to your Mac, and install software that runs beneath the user interface’s service. Apple has patched many such holes, although there is little evidence that such attacks were made from Web sites or via email.

Firewall and Firefox

The firewall is simpler than many full-featured programs, and I appreciate that. For most people, being able to click a few buttons is better than an ocean of pulldown menus and configurations. I particularly like that you can shut down all incoming or outgoing traffic or both with a couple of clicks without having to disable your network interface. You can create custom rules—only certain kinds of traffic may originate from your computer to specific addresses, or block all but a handful of services from receiving signals from the outside world. You can also define trusted networks.

Firewalls have the benefit of keeping normal services you may have switched on, like VNC-based screen-sharing (a somewhat insecure option in the Screen Sharing service in the Sharing system preferences), from being accessible or crackable when you’re on an open network, such as at a coffeeshop.

If you use Firefox, McAfee’s Site Advisor add-on is a big help in examining search results on Google and other engines. It’s more tightly integrated with Yahoo (where it disables dangerous links entirely), but works just fine with others. When you perform a search, the advisor tags each result with a green, yellow, red, or question mark icon. McAfee constantly spiders Web sites looking for malware and other problems, and rates sites accordingly. A McAfee seal of approval appears on ecommerce sites that the firm separately evaluates.

The Site Adviser plug-in for Firefox adds icons to search results URLs to warn you of sites McAfee has found have might cause you trouble.

It’s a hard sell to tell someone who has had no problems and expects none to pony up hard-earned cash for a product that seems unnecessary. But I find the prophylactic effects of McAfee Internet Security aren’t as interesting as the amount of information and control the software provides over the routine function of your system and network connections.

[Glenn Fleishman was first attacked by computer viruses in the 1980s, but he got better. He is the author of Take Control of Your 802.11n AirPort Network, updated for Lion.]

How to use Siri without annoying people

2011-12-31T20:07:00.001+02:00

Apple iPhone 4S users can easily annoy people around them by talking to their handset when using the built-in assistant feature known as Siri.

The nuisance can be even more of a problem than listening to someone have a regular phone conversation. That’s because when using Siri, you often need to speak unnaturally—adding punctuation, for example, when sending messages.

The New York Times recently highlighted a slew of examples of people engaging in annoying behavior using the 4S.

But fear not. You can enjoy Siri and practice good etiquette at the same time. Here are five tips.

Hold the phone up to your ear: While YouTube is littered with people playing around with Siri using speakerphone, they do it because of recording for video. In real life, you don’t need to use the speaker to talk to Siri.

Use the standard 10-foot rule: Don’t talk to your phone if you’re within 10 feet of strangers in a quieter locale such as a restaurant or standing in line. This is the same for a regular cell phone conversation. Obviously, if you’re in Grand Central Station nobody’s going to care what you’re doing. Once you sit down in the train, however, it’s a different story.

Be mindful of your audience when playing around with Siri The 10-foot rule flies out the window if you’re in the company of friends who want to hear what your awesome new phone can do, or hear some of its funny quips. Ask it how much wood a wood chuck could chuck, for example, and it’ll respond, “42 cords of wood, to be exact. Everyone knows that.” So, yes, Siri can be fun. Maybe just don’t play around like this while alone in your cube at work to the distraction of co-workers.

When in public, tap it if you can: If there’s a chance your conversation with your machine is going to perturb someone, let your fingers do the walking instead. The voice assistant feature is optional and you can do everything you need without actually using it.

Don’t be a showoff: Even Bluetooth headset users still get pegged for trying to be lofty when communicating hands free in a shopping aisle, when they could use their phone in the usual way like everybody else.

iPod Touch is stuck on the Apple logo

2011-12-31T19:51:00.000+02:00

1: PLUG YOUR IPOD INTO YOUR COMPUTER!!!

2: HOLD THE "HOLD" AND THE "MENU" BUTTON UNTIL THE TOUCH'S SCREEN GOES BLACK AND SHOWS THE APPLE LOGO AGAIN THEN RELEASE THE BUTTONS!!!

3: WAIT ABOUT 5-15 MINUTES!!!

4: YOUR COMPUTER WILL MAKE A "CHIME" SOUND AND THEN THE IPOD WILL SHOW THE LOCKED SCREEN WITH THE BATTERY LOGO...

This works every time for me when my ipod crashes, the screen is stuck on the apple logo or if the screen goes white...

Ivy Macs rumored to Launch April 8

2011-12-31T19:42:00.000+02:00

Earlier this month, leaked information suggested that Intel's next-generation mobile Ivy Bridge processors would debut in May, with a few models perhaps becoming available in April. The mobile Ivy Bridge processors are expected to be used in Apple's MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, and Mac mini lines.

A new report from Digitimes indicates, however, that the first Ivy Bridge processors may launch as early as April 8th, with both the mobile processors and desktop processors such as those used in the iMac debuting around the same timeframe.

Desktop CPUs to be unveiled include quad-core Core i7-3770K, 3770, 3770S, 3770T, and Core i5-3570, 3550 and 3450, with prices ranging from US$184-332. Additionally, the Core i5-3470T will be available in May priced at US$184.

Notebook CPUs Core i7-3920Qm, 3820QM and 3720QM will be released in April priced at US$1,096, US$568 and US$378, respectively. Other models including Core i5-3520M, 3360M, 3320M and ultrabook CPUs Core i7-3667U and Core i5-3427U will be unveiled later.

While the report also appears to confuse chipsets being released at the same time with the processors themselves, information on specific processor models does help offer some picture of what Apple might be able to accomplish in terms of updated machines.

The 3820QM and 3720QM processors in particular appear to be the natural successors to Apple's current processor options in the high-end 15" and 17" MacBook Pro models. Apple's upgrade route in many other cases is less clear given the company's propensity to use custom-produced chips and a limited first wave of Ivy Bridge processors. The Core i7-3667U and Core i5-3427U processors appear to be the only processors in the initial wave of Ivy Bridge processors to meet the thermal design requirements for the MacBook Air, with those processors apparently set for the later May debut.

Apple has been rumored to be launching a new 15" MacBook Pro with "Retina" display technology in the second quarter of 2012, matching the Ivy Bridge launch timeline. A new 15" MacBook Air has also been rumored alongside an update for the rest of the line in the first quarter of 2012. But with the appropriate Ivy Bridge processors apparently not debuting until May, it is unclear how Apple would meet this timeline.

Facebook Timeline

2011-12-31T19:29:00.000+02:00

Facebook's Timeline feature is now available worldwide, allowing users to tell their entire life stories through the social network.

Facebook announced Timeline in September, but rolled the feature out slowly. If you're just getting Timeline now, or want to speed up the switch from your existing profile, here's what you need to know.

What are Timelines?

Timelines are Facebook's attempt to tell the story of your life, based on your social networking activity. Presented in reverse chronological order, your Timeline shows status updates, photos, life events, and new friends.

Timelines also summarize your activity from Facebook apps. For instance, if you've allowed Spotify to automatically tell Facebook what songs you're listening to, a summary of your tastes in music will appear in the Timeline. Or if you've been using Nike+ GPS, your friends will be able to see where you've been running.

How to tweak Timeline information

Of course, some Facebook activity is best forgotten. To remove a status update, photo, or other activity from your Timeline, float your cursor over the top-right corner of the update, click the pencil icon, then select "Hide from Timeline."

Adding information to the Timeline is also pretty simple. Just hover your cursor over the line down the center of the page, so it turns into a "+" icon, then click on the kind of update you want to add. You can add events all the way back to your birth, making for a complete life story.

If you really like something that's on your Timeline, you can blow it up into a feature-size post by hovering over the update and clicking the star icon.

Controlling who sees what

Your existing privacy settings will still apply in your Timeline. For example, if only friends can see photos in which you've been tagged, no one else will see those photos on your Timeline. And if you've hidden a status update from a specific user, that person won't see the update on your Timeline page. Use Facebook's privacy settings page to make adjustments. You can also adjust privacy for anything you've posted, such as status updates and photos, by clicking on the gear icon near the top of the update.

To see what your Timeline looks like to the public or to specific users, click the gear icon on the top-right side of the page (next to the Activity Log button), then select View As.

How to get Timelines

Head to Facebook's Introducing Timeline page, and click Get It Now to activate the feature. Or, you can wait to see an announcement for Timelines at the top of your profile page.

Once you make the switch, Facebook will generate a Timeline on its own, but won't immediately publish it. You'll have seven days to make adjustments—say, to remove references to jobs you hated or significant others you'd rather forget. After that, there's no going back to the old profile.

Buying guide: Macs (2011)

2011-12-31T19:22:00.000+02:00

Planning to buy a new Mac for someone on your holiday shopping list? Such a thoughtful and generous gift is going to make someone very, very happy.

Now comes the hard part: Which Mac should you buy? That's where we come in. We've tested every standard-configuration Mac model currently in Apple's lineup, and we know each model inside and out. We're happy to help you make a decision.

This buying guide explains all the Mac models available and how they've changed from their predecessors. To read the full review for each Mac, click on the “Read our complete review” links. You can also get more details on how each Mac did in our benchmark tests. And we’ve provided links to help you find the best prices.

MacBook Air

The MacBook Air has become Apple's marquee laptop. Its thin, lightweight design makes it an ideal portable computer, and you no longer have to accept the features compromises that older MacBook Air models required.

The 2011 MacBook Air line uses Intel dual-core Core i5 processors, a vast improvement over the Core 2 Duo processors used in previous models we found the 2011 MacBook Air models are at least 1.5 times as fast as last year's 11-inch MacBook Air with a 1.4GHz Core 2 Duo processor. With some older games, however, the current models may suffer a hit in graphics performance.

The 2011 models' key new feature is the Thunderbolt port. Past MacBook Air models had only USB 2.0 connectivity; Thunderbolt gives the 2011 MacBook Air a high-speed connector, and widens the range of peripherals you can use. You can either get the proper adapters to connect FireWire, eSATA, USB 3.0, or other devices to the Thunderbolt port, or you can get Apple's Thunderbolt Display, which serves as a connectivity dock for the laptop.

When Apple discontinued the MacBook in July, the company thrust the MacBook Air into a new role. Apple's lowest-priced laptop is now the 11-inch 1.6GHz Core i5 MacBook Air () with 64GB of flash storage. (You may be able to find a refurbished MacBook at the online Apple Store, if you really want one.)

Configurations: There are four MacBook Airs: two 11-inch models and two 13-inch models. All come with flash storage and Intel HD Graphics 3000.

The entry-level 11-inch MacBook Air has a 1.6GHz Core i5 processor, 2GB of RAM, and 64GB of flash storage for $999.The other 11-inch MacBook Air has the same processor, 4GB of RAM, and 128GB of flash storage for $1199.Both 11-inch models feature a high-resolution LED backlit glossy display with a 1366-by-768-native resolution.

The only difference between the two 13-inch MacBook Air models is the amount of flash storage. Both 13-inch models feature a 1.7GHz Core i5 processor, but the $1299 13-inch MacBook Air has 128GB of flash storage, while the $1599 13-inch MacBook Air has 256GB.

Performance: The MacBook Air is quite capable of handling everyday tasks, such as emailing, Web browsing, using office applications, and more. You can even use it for editing short videos, and working with JPEGs from your iPhone or point-and-shoot camera.

The 11-inch MacBook Air is the slowest Mac in Apple’s lineup, but it's no slouch. It’s much faster than last year’s 13-inch MacBook Air. Also, the 11-inch MacBook Air, thanks to its flash storage, is about as fast overall as the $1199 13-inch MacBook Pro with a dual-core 2.4GHz Core i5 processor and a 5400-rpm 500GB hard drive. The 2011 13-inch MacBook Air is about 28 percent faster overall than the last year's 13-inch MacBook Air.

buying advice: Previous MacBook Air generations were thought of as niche laptops. But now, the 2011 MacBook Air is the ideal laptop for most Mac users. It's a great combination of performance and portability.

MacBook Pro

The MacBook Pro was actually updated twice in 2011. The first update was in February, and the most recent MacBook Pro line was released in October. The MacBook Pro continues to sport the aluminum unibody design that was introduced in 2008, but it has more features and processing power than the MacBook Air. Consider the MacBook Pro a possible replacement for an older desktop Mac.

The current models feature Core i5 and Core i7 processors that are slightly faster than the models released in February. The speed differences are bigger if you compare the current MacBook Pro line to the models released in 2010; most notably, the 2010 13-inch MacBook Pros used slower Core 2 Duo processors. The new 13-inch MacBook Pros still use only an integrated graphics processor, the Intel HD Graphics 3000. The 15- and 17-inch MacBook Pros have both the integrated Intel HD Graphics 3000 and a discrete graphics chip.

Configurations: There are five standard configurations of the MacBook Pro.

The entry-level 13-inch MacBook Pro, with a dual-core 2.4GHz Core i5 processor, 4GB of RAM, and a 500GB hard drive, costs $1199. The 13-inch MacBook Pro with a dual-core 2.8GHz Core i7 processor, 4GB of RAM, and a 750GB hard drive costs $1499.

There are two 15-inch models. For $1799, you get a quad-core 2.2GHz Core i7 processor, a 500GB hard drive, and a 512MB AMD Radeon HD 6750M discrete graphics chip along with the integrated Intel graphics.The next model up (at $1999) has a quad-core 2.4GHz Core i7 processor, a 750GB hard drive, and a 1GB AMD Radeon HD 6770M discrete graphics chip along with the integrated Intel graphics.

The 17-inch MacBook Pro is the same as the $1999 15-inch model but with a larger screen. It has a quad-core 2.4GHz Core i7 processor, a 750GB hard drive, a 1GB AMD Radeon HD 6770M discrete graphics chip, and the integrated Intel graphics. It costs $2499.

The 15- and 17-inch MacBook Pros are the only laptops in Apple’s lineup that offer a high-resolution antiglare screen option. It costs an extra $150 for the 15-inch MacBook Pro, and an extra $50 for the 17-inch MacBook Pro.

Performance: The $1999 15-inch MacBook Pro 2.4GHz Core i7 was the fastest laptop in ourSpeedmark 7 testing. The $1199, 13-inch 2.4GHz Core i5 MacBook Pro offers performance that’s similar to that of the $999 11-inch MacBook Air with a 1.6GHz Core i5 processor and 64GB of flash storage, but the MacBook Pro has features the MacBook Air lacks, including FireWire 800 and a bigger screen.

buying advice: The MacBook Pro combines the performance of a desktop computer with the portability of a laptop. If you want the fastest MacBook Pro, the 15-inch 2.4GHz Core i7 MacBook Pro is the one to get. If you primarily want a device for travel and are trying to decide between a MacBook Air and a 13-inch MacBook Pro, go for the MacBook Air, unless you really need the processing power for heavy-duty tasks or you want a computer with FireWire built in.

Mac mini

Designwise, the 2011 Mac mini hasn't changed much compared with its predecessor. It's still a small aluminum square that sits modestly on your desk.

The change that does stand out—and may influence your buying decision—is that the Mac mini no longer has a SuperDrive. If you want to burn music CDs or DVDs, or read data from an optical disc, you need to get an external optical burner, which costs $60 to $100. If you absolutely want an internal SuperDrive in your Mac, opt for a laptop or an iMac.

The 2011 Mac mini has a Thunderbolt port, which replaces the Mini DisplayPort in the older model. The Mac mini also has an HDMI port, a FireWire 800 port, four USB 2.0 ports, a gigabit ethernet port, an SDXC Card slot, and analog/optical-digital audio input and output minijacks. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are built-in.

Configurations: The $599 Mac mini has a dual-core 2.3GHz Core i5 processor, 2GB of RAM, a 500GB hard drive, and Intel HD Graphics 3000 integrated graphics. The $799 Mac mini has a dual-core 2.5GHz Core i5 processor, 4GB of RAM, a 500GB hard drive, and AMD Radeon HD 6630M discrete graphics. You supply your own keyboard, mouse, and display.

Performance: In 2010, Apple released only one nonserver Mac mini model, which had a 2.4GHz Core 2 Duo processor, 2GB of RAM, a 320GB hard drive, and Nvidia GeForce 320M integrated graphics. The 2011 Mac minis are significantly faster than the older model: The $599 Mac mini is 32 percent faster, and the $799 Mac mini is 61 percent faster.

The Mac minis still lag signifcantly behind the iMacs, but for general-purpose use and editing of moderate-size videos, the Mac mini will do fine.

buying advice: The Mac mini continues to be a nice, affordable computer for new Mac users and shoppers on a budget. It has enough power for everyone except professionals who demand top performance. Be sure to shop around for an external disc burner if you really need an optical drive.

iMac

Apple hasn't changed the design of its aluminum all-in-one desktop computer for a few years now, because it's a design that works. It elegantly fits the components and display into an iconic form.

The company updated the line in May with new processors and graphics chips. The iMacs are available with 21.5- and 27-inch widescreen 16:9 displays.

The iMac comes with Apple’s Wireless Keyboard and Magic Mouse, but if you order online from the Apple Store, you can switch the keyboard to a wired version with a numeric keypad, and switch the mouse to an Apple Mouse or a Magic Trackpad, for no extra fee. You can opt for both a Magic Mouse and a Magic Trackpad for $69.

All iMacs come standard with 4GB of RAM, a SuperDrive, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, gigabit ethernet, a FaceTime HD camera, four USB 2.0 ports, a FireWire 800 port, an SDXC Card slot, audio in and out jacks, and built-in speakers. A Thunderbolt port is also included.

Configurations: There are two 21.5-inch iMacs. The first 21.5-inch iMac has a quad-core 2.5GHz Core i5 processor, a 500GB hard drive, and a 512MB AMD Radeon HD 6750M graphics card for $1199. The second 21.5-inch iMac has a quad-core 2.7GHz Core i5 processor, a 1TB hard drive, and a 512MB AMD Radeon HD 6770M graphics card for $1499. Each 21.5-inch iMac has one Thunderbolt port.

There are two 27-inch iMacs. The 27-inch model with a quad-core 2.7GHz Core i5 processor, a 1TB hard drive, and a 512MB AMD Radeon HD 6770M graphics card costs $1699. Then there’s a 27-inch iMac with a quad-core 3.1GHz Core i5 processor, a 1TB hard drive, and a 1GB AMD Radeon HD 6970M graphics card; it costs $1999. Each of the 27-inch iMacs comes with two Thunderbolt ports.

Performance: The four 2011 iMacs are considerably faster than the systems they replace. The $1199 21.5-inch iMac was nearly 24 percent faster overall than last year’s entry-level 21.5-inch iMac, which had a dual-core 3.06GHz Core i3 processor. The $1699 27-inch iMac was 25 percent faster overall than last year's 27-inch iMac with a dual-core 3.2GHz Core i3 processor. The $1999 27-inch iMac was 16 percent faster than the previous high-end standard-configuration iMac: a 27-inch quad-core 2.8GHz Core i5 model.

If you exclude the $4999 12-core Mac Pro, the $1999 iMac ranks as the fastest standard-configuration Mac. In fact, all of the iMacs except for the $1199 model compete very well on performance when compared to the Mac Pro.

buying advice: The $1199 21.5-inch 2.5GHz Core i5 iMac offers the most bang for the buck. If you want top performance, then go for the $1999 27-inch 3.1GHz Core i5 iMac. In fact, if you want a computer for heavy-duty processing work, consider an iMac over a Mac Pro. The only difference between the $1499 iMac and the $1699 iMac is screen size; they have the same components.

Oh, the Mac Pro. Apple hasn't updated this workstation since August 2010. Rumor has it that Apple may stop making the tower Mac. But for now, it's still available, and it's still a solid computer for the most demanding users.

The entry-level Mac Pro features a quad-core processor, while the top configuration has 12 processing cores. In between is a Mac Pro model with eight processing cores. All the standard-configuration models feature a 1TB ATI Radeon HD 5770 graphics card, a 1TB hard drive, four hard-drive bays, four PCI Express expansion card slots, four FireWire 800 ports, five USB 2.0 ports, two independent gigabit ethernet ports, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and audio in/out jacks. The Mac Pro is the only Mac that is not equipped with Thunderbolt.

Configurations: The first Mac Pro has a quad-core 2.8GHz Xeon Nehalem processor and 3GB of RAM. It costs $2499. The second Mac Pro has two quad-core 2.4GHz Xeon Westmere processors and 6GB of RAM for $3499. The third Mac Pro model has two six-core 2.66GHz Xeon Westmere processors (for a total of 12 cores) and 6GB of RAM for $4999.

The Mac Pro has a ton of build-to-order options. You can add more RAM—up to the 16GB limit for each Mac Pro. Apple fills only one of the four hard-drive bays with the standard configurations, but gives you the option to add more hard drives or solid-state drives, and even to configure them as a RAID. You can also add a second SuperDrive and upgrade the graphics card. A complete list of options is available on the Mac Pro technical specifications webpage.

Performance: The Mac Pros excel when running software that takes avantage of multiple processing cores, such as high-end video-editing programs, 3D graphics applications, image editors, professional audio software, and so on.

But with general, everyday tasks (emailing, Web browsing, and running office applications), the Mac Pro performs on a par with the iMac. In our benchmarking tests, the $1999 27-inch iMac with a quad-core 3.1GHz Core i5 processor actually outpaced both the $2499 and the $3499 Mac Pros overall; however, when running applications designed to use multiple cores, those two Mac Pros were faster than the $1999 iMac.

buying advice: The Mac Pro is ideal for the most demanding user, one who uses high-end applications and wants hardware expandability. Yes, the machines are expensive, but they're well worth it for professionals, and they’ll still be very usable four or five years from now. If you don’t need expandability but still need speed, consider a 27-inch iMac with a quad-core 3.1GHz Core i5 processor

Asus Eee Pad Transformer Prime

2011-11-22T17:39:00.001+02:00

Let's face it: there's a lot of me-too design in tablets, which is why Asus's various Eee Pads are so much fun: what's not to like about a tablet that magically becomes a laptop?

The new Asus Eee Pad Transformer Prime takes things further and turns into a truck.

OK, that's not strictly true, but it's still one of the most exciting Android tablets around.

Here's what you need to know about the new Asus tablet.

The Asus Eee Pad Transformer Prime specifications are tasty

The Transformer Prime processor is a quad-core Tegra 3, making its first appearance in a tablet, and its 12-core GeForce GPU should deliver impressive graphics performance.

There's 1GB of RAM, 32GB or 64GB of storage and a very bright IPS display, twin cameras (8MP and 1.2MP), 12 hours of battery life and six more with the optional dock, MicroSD and micro HDMI ports, and the dock adds USB2.0 and an SD card slot. The Transformer Prime also has GPS and a built-in gyroscope.

poza

The Asus Eee Pad Transformer Prime display is very bright

The Transformer Prime screen is a 10.1-inch, 1280x800 IPS panel with a very wide 178-degree viewing angle, and it has a "Super IPS" mode that boosts brightness to a retina-popping 600 nits (most tablets are 300-400 nits).

Asus tells us that means a better outdoor viewing experience, and also claims that the touchscreen is much more responsive than before: the firm says input lag has been halved.

The Asus Eee Pad Transformer Prime design is impressive

In its tablet incarnation the Asus Transformer Prime is just 8.3mm thick and weighs 586g, which means it's marginally thinner and lighter than an iPad 2. The aluminium case comes in two colours - grey and gold - and the dock adds a full-size keyboard and trackpad, as well as an extra battery.

The screen and case have also been treated with an hydro-oleophobic coating to reduce fingerprint smudges.

The Asus Eee Pad Transformer Prime software is Android

The Transformer Prime operating system will be Android 3.2 Honeycomb, but it will be upgradeable to Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich via an over-the-air firmware update. Asus will also provide a selection of apps including Asus WebStorage, MyCloud and Asus Sync. SuperNote and Polaris Office will be pre-installed.

The Asus Eee Pad Transformer Prime camera is pretty nifty

The main 8-megapixel camera is impressive: it boasts an F2.4 aperture for decent low light performance, an LED flash, 1080p HD video recording and image noise reduction.

The Asus Eee Pad Transformer Prime price isn't too scary

As with the previous Eee Pad Transformer, the Transformer Prime is priced to sell: the US price will be $499 for the 32GB model and $599 for the 64GB, while the dock will be an additional $149.

Nikon D800 Rumors

2011-11-22T17:26:00.001+02:00

Supposed pictures of the upcoming Nikon D800 have been leaked to NikonRumors, and show the camera is slightly smaller than its predecessor, the Nikon D700.

The D800 has been anticipated for release from Nikon for several months, with several rumours circulating that the recent floods in Thailand have pushed back the official announcement date.

Specs have been emerging from the upcoming camera for several months now, with the new pictures revealing little that wasn't already known. A 36 million pixel sensor is thought to be on board, along with 4fps continuous shooting and full HD video recording in 30p.

If reports are to believed, the Nikon D800 has been extremely unlucky in coming to the market, first affected by the Japanese earthquake and recently affected by the Thailand floods.

Nikon has one of its key factories in the affected area of Thailand, and has suffered profit losses as a result of the damage caused.

Key specs

Other specs of the D800 include a larger display, dual Compact Flash and SD card memory slots, an autofocus system identical to the D3 and D700 and a sensitivity range of 100-6400, expandable down to ISO 50 and up to ISO HI-2 at 25,600.

Smaller and lighter than D700,Resolution: 7360×4912 (36MP),CF+SD memory card slots,Slightly larger display,Excellent video quality, better than D3s ,Video modes: 1080p/30/25/24 and 720p/60/30/25/24 ,AF identical to D3/D700

Some reports have also suggested that there will be two versions of the D800, one with the anti-aliasing filter removed. It seems likely however that even if this were true, they would share the same body construction and shape.

Keep following for more news on the upcoming Nikon D800 as it emerges.

Asus Zenbook UX31

2011-11-12T18:24:00.001+02:00

The Asus Zenbook UX31 is one of the first laptops to conform to Intel's Ultrabook specification.

And, right away, we'll tell you - it stands toe-to-toe with Apple's MacBook Air in the fight for the title of best luxury ultraportable.

The 13-inch Zenbook is fantastic to look at. When closed, the wedge-shaped laptop measures 17mm at its thickest point and a mere 3mm at its thinnest.

The aluminium silver lid boasts a distinctive concentric circle design that catches and reflects the surrounding light. Befitting the name, the Zenbook's simple, sleek finish gives it a premium look that keeps getting better as soon as you lift the lid.

The design ethic is in evidence earlier than that, though - it's a lovely experience as you open the box while Asus has also included a mini Display Port to D-Sub adapter and a USB to Ethernet lead as well. Both are housed in their own little pouch. Better still, you even get a bespoke sleeve for your Zenbook in the box.

The same thinking even stretches to the Intel Core and Windows 7 stickers. We wonder who it was that proposed they were silver and black - Intel? Asus? - but whoever did has made a difference.

The outward elegance of the Zenbook UX31 has certainly been matched by power on the inside. There are currently two different versions available, our test model has the Core i7 2677M Processor while there's also a Core i5 2467M Processor variant.

Our test version was running Windows 7 Home Premium, though the Asus spec sheet seems to suggest that Professional is also available should that be a requirement for you.

For those looking for a smaller laptop, there's an 11.6-inch UX21 version that costs £849. We'll be reviewing that separately as soon as we can get our hands on one.

You'll get 4GB or RAM with all 13-inch models, as well as a 128 or 256GB solid state drive (SSD). Our review model had a 128GB drive under the hood and, as we were using it a lot, we managed to fill most of that with apps and files in no time. This is a performance machine and you may find yourself wanting the larger capacity.

The isolation-style keyboard is front and centre inside the Zenbook with no additional clutter from the likes of hotkeys, volume controls, numeric keypads or even separate mouse buttons.

As the chassis is so thin, there's very little depth to each key. It must be said that, at first, this can be of-putting, especially if you're used to hammering out your emails – but before long typing on the Zenbook becomes second nature.

We did find the directional arrows and the enter key to be a little on the small side, but not enough to interfere with extended typing sessions.

There's also no backlight to the keyboard - as the MacBook Air and other competitors such as the Samsung 9 Series have this. A shame it's missing here.

Alongside the keyboard, Asus has included a large, central touchpad. We had doubts about the inbuilt buttons and lack of a textured surface at first, but these were soon laid to rest.

The response is swift and because of the larger size, it is possible to use your thumb on the touchpad without moving your hands from the typing position. Occasionally you might brush the touchpad when typing but this is a rare occurrence.

However, we really don't like the mouse buttons. The touch isn't very definite, while it can be quite hard to do selections or multiple presses. Things could be a lot better here.

Another noteworthy feature of the Zenbook is the external speaker running across the base of the 13.3-inch, 1,600 x 900 16:9 Super-TFT screen. Developed by Bang & Olufsen and called ICEpower, the speaker is monitored by in-built Asus techcalled SonicMaster to keepthe balance even.

The Zenbook will hit a reassuringly loud volume without disintegrating into either a tinny treble or a fuzzy bass. It sounded impressive both in our expansive office and at home in a fully furnished room.

For the record, there's also a 0.3 megapixel webcam for video conferencing or Skype.

The Zenbook weighs in at 1.4kg, exactly the same as the 13.1-inch Macbook Air. It's hardly noticeable when carried around for the day and, because of the svelte design; it won't take up too much space in your bag.

Thankfully Asus hasn't filled the Zenbook with too much add-on software, but there is an annoying Live Update engine that keeps on popping up messages from the taskbar, while there's also a battery life gadget (actually useful but it remains in your taskbar), as well as backup tools and a webcam app.

We're sure there are some people that think it's nice to have this kind of stuff, but we're not among them. Moreover, much of the software is simply unnecessary.

And then there's the graphics that appear when you turn the volume up, change the brightness or switch the power mode. To be honest, they're horribly ugly and we're simply not impressed.

It's a shame the same attention that was paid to the external design wasn't paid to the add-ons within the OS.

Cinebench 10: 8726
3D Mark '06: 3623
Battery Eater '05: 253 mins

Both processors in the 13-inch are from Intel's second-generation Sandy Bridge family and mean the Zenbook can easily handle multi-tasking, varioius demanding apps and multiple displays using the Sandy Bridge chips' in-built HD 3000 graphics capabilities.

However. the lack of non-dedicated graphics from AMD or Nvidia does hit the Zenbook in the performance pocket - hence our relatively modest 3D Mark score.

We felt the display wasn't the best - dark colours and especially blacks seem a little washed out - but definition is good. We also found the viewing angle wasn't great for watching video and working alongside others.

Speed, clearly, is the focus of the ultrabook range and the Zenbook is no slouch. The instant-on feature means you can be up and running in just two seconds from sleep mode and standby time will hit two weeks on a single charge.

The Core i7 unit featured here performs brilliantly and it was able to handle multiple browsers, Outlook and Word 2010, Spotify, FileZilla and image editing apps all concurrently. You really find you can do what you want, when you want.

There were a couple of times when we found this wasn't the case - several times when switching power states suddenly (like unplugging the charger) meant that the whole system seemed to struggle to adapt - browsing became slow and we had to let the system calm completely down. Also we found that using more intensive apps could make things hang - handling a load of images inside Microsoft Publisher, for example.

Even with heavy use during our testing, the Zenbook's battery lasted for an impressive 253 minutes. And when the battery does dip below 5 per cent, the Zenbook will automatically save any files in progress to avoid you losing all your work when the machine shuts down.

The battery can seem like it's draining reasonably quickly when doing any tasks on high performance but on power saving mode this thing is positively frugal, going for around six hours if you're careful. Asus quotes seven, but you'll have to barely use it to get that. So we're not at the all-day battery life scenario yet, but we're getting closer.

The slim design means physical connectivity isn't as abundant as regular laptops, but there's still enough here to satisfy most users.

Asus has included two USB ports, one of which is USB 3.0 as well as an SD card slot plus a mini HDMI and mini DislayPort for connecting the ultrabok to an external TV or monitor. The Zenbook also has 802.11n Wi-Fi and cutting edge Bluetooth 4.0 wireless connectivity.

Good value?

Although the 13.3-inch Zenbook will set you back from £999, that;s still £100 less than the cheapest 13.3-inch Macbook Air.

Similarly, Asus has matched Apple with pricing for the 11.6-inch model which, like the smaller Macbook Air comes in at £849. Considering the technology and the form factor, a starting price point of under a thousand pounds is good value for money - especially when you consider other such ultraportables have cost as much as £1,500 in the past.

Overall we were very impressed with the Asus Zenbook. Neither power nor portability has been sacrificed in pursuit of the other and features that traditionally suffer, such as audio quality and battery life, have not been neglected.

Battery life, especially, isn't the worry it usually is with the Zenbook, but you need to make sure it's in the right power state - running on high performance means that the system flies - but it comes at a cost. For most purposes, running in power saving mode is more than enough.

We liked

There's so much to like about this laptop. It's a real PC ultraportable - the design is fantastic and it goes like stink.

Beautiful design can only come into its own when there's performance to match.And it's all here in spades.

The instant sleep and resume is exactly what you want in a laptop like this, and you'll find yourself quickly adapting to never shutting down. Unless, that is. Windows wants to install updates!

We disliked

There's surprisingly little we disliked about the Zenbook, but it must be said that the trackpad buttons grate especially. They are truly awful and mean that a mouse is recommended for serious work.

The keyboard takes a bit of getting used to and isn't as good as many - however, you quickly get to know it and it's not too much of an issue. The lack of a backlight is also a problem.

Graphics performance could be better but we realise that's slightly unrealistic for a machine of this type - we also weren't huge fans of the display.

Finally, you could say the design - though fantastic - is rather derivative. Still, unless you're a real design freak, you'll almost certainly find that you're not that fussed.

Verdict

While price may preclude some from purchasing the Zenbook, we have no problem in recommending it as one of the best ultraportables we've seen.

It's certainly a match for the impressive MacBook Air - and a real tonic to those who have wanted a performanceWindowsultraportable at a price point that doesn't require a remortgage. Yes, it's expensive. But it's so worth it.

How to update your iPhone or iPad software over the air (OTA)

2011-11-12T10:51:00.001+02:00

Curious how to update to iOS 5.0.1 — or any future iOS update — over-the-air (OTA) directly on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch? Yes, Apple finally pulled the big switch in the cloud and you can go from one software version to the next, OTA and in-place faster than any iTunes restore past. We’ll show you how, after the break!

Initiating an OTA update for iOS is really easy. You might see a red notification badge on your Settings app to alert you to an update, or get a popup notification telling you it’s ready to install, but you can always check on your own, at any time.

Launch the Settings app
Tap General
Tap Software Update
If there’s nothing new, you’ll be told just so. Otherwise, you’ll be presented with all the details about the update.
Tap Download and Install
Agree to the Terms and Conditions
IMPORTANT! If you’re low on juice, make sure you plug in! You don’t want your battery to die mid-update!
Watch the progress bar! (This part depends on the speed and quality of connection. Don’t be alarmed if it takes a long time, speeds up or slows down, or appears to jump around — be patient.)
Once it’s finished downloading, you’ll be prompted to instal (and restart) your device. If you don’t explicitly hit Later or Install within a few seconds, it will install on your behalf.
Agree to the Terms and Conditions yet again.
Apple will verify the install.
That’s it!

Not only does iOS 5 update OTA, it updates in place using bit-differential (delta) files, so you should get a faster, much more efficient process. For example, there’s no need to restore from backup afterwards or re-download your stuff.