Xbrand XB-1002 360 Height Adjustable Laptop Stand with USB 2.0 Hub Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Having a laptop, I wanted to be able to use the laptop as a desktop in a spare room in my house, but still be able to quickly take the laptop without having to fiddle with a lot of plugs. This X-Brand stand showed a lot of promise, so I gave it a try.

The stand has a four-port USB 2.0 hub built into it. You place it on your desk where you would normally place a display or LCD panel. You plug a USB keyboard, mouse, and any other USB devices you may have (printer, scanner, USB hub) into the stand. At that point, it's ready to go. You simply place your laptop onto it, and plug the stand's USB connector into your laptop's USB port. All of the devices plugged into the stand are then connected to your laptop, giving you a full-sized keyboard, a mouse, and whatever else you have plugged into the USB ports. The stand angles your laptop so that while you cannot use your laptop's keyboard (which is why you plug in a full-sized keyboard), the laptop's display isn't as far back as it would be if you laid it down flat and placed a keyboard in front of it. The display is also raised a bit higher and is closer to eye-level. The end result is that with a single plug, you transform your laptop into a very workable and convenient desktop.

There are some drawbacks to this device. If you have a laptop with a front-mounted CD/DVD drive, it will become inaccessible since the front of your laptop rests on the front lip of the X-Brand stand. Also, this particular stand does not have audio capabilities, meaning that you'll still hear sound out of your laptop's speakers. If you choose this model, I would recommend getting an iMic audio adapter. It's a tiny USB audio device that has an analog input and output. While designed for a Macintosh, it's recognized and fully supported by Windows XP and Vista. With an iMic (or anything similar) plugged into the X-Brand stand, and a full, amplified PC speaker system plugged into the iMic, when your laptop is hooked up, you have full audio capabilities from powered speakers, just like any desktop.

There is a model above this one that has more features. The higher-end X-
Brand stand has a built-in ethernet adapter and audio controller (similar to the iMic). This stand can have powered speakers plugged into it, and be hooked up to your network. When a laptop is placed onto it, you have instant network capabilities and full, powered audio. While this is nice, the majority of laptops have wireless capability and do not need a USB-based ethernet connection. The only flaw I found with that particular X-Brand model was that there was a problem with the audio jack on it, and the left speaker did not work. The sound from the right-speaker did appear to be of low quality, sounding a bit garbled and with some static. I do not know if that was indicative of the defective audio jack (since the left speaker did not work), or of the USB audio chip within the stand. If you already have wireless capabilities on your laptop, and have a wireless network, it'll be more cost-effective to just buy an iMic and this particular model X-Brand stand that only has the USB hub, rather than buying the higher-end model with USB, ethernet, and audio.

All in all, I find the X-Brand USB notebook stand to be well worth the money. It lets me use my laptop like a desktop, yet in a way where it's easy to grab my laptop when I'm on the go.

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Product Description:
Xbrand 360 Height Adjustable Laptop Stand with USB 2.0 Hub - Notebook stand with 4 ports USB hub

Marketing Description

The Universal Docking Stand simplifies cable connections while dynamically raising laptop display to improve your comfort, workspace & style.PRODUCT FEATURES:Quickly transforms laptop into a desktop to improve your comfort workspace & style;Ideal docking alternative in wireless networking environments;Universal - works will all laptops running 98SE, ME, 2000, XP, XP Pro, Vista and even Apple Macs, PowerBooks and iBooks;Superior value & features - includes USB ports for docking, improved comfort via proper screen height positioning, desk space savings, enhanced laptop cooling, 360o swivel ... for 50% less than a typical port replicator or docking station;Its just plain cool - stunning, award winning design functions as good as it looks;Comes with 2 ft Hi-Speed USB 2.0 cable.

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Video Display Converter Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This is the Griffin model that's selling for almost twice this much on Apple's website. It is capable of carrying audio over HDMI from my 13" Macbook Pro 2010 model. Seems like a strong converter. I have no fear of it bending and tearing over time. Everything looks and sounds great.

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Product Description:
VIDEO DISPLAY CONVERTER

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Dymo LabelWriter Twin Turbo (69115) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I got this labeler for use in a small office, primarily for file folder and address labels. Text quality - at a mere 300 dpi - is hardly gorgeous, but adequate for labeling needs. Labels are smear-proof, and I have never had a problem with printed labels darkening from exposure to hot mailing equipment, copy machines, or the like.

The Twin Turbo is essentially two 400 Turbo units in one chassis. By including two printers in one unit, DYMO has more than doubled the utility of the printer for me. This unit replaces an older LabelWriter which saw little use due to the hassle of changing out (and thereby wasting) label rolls. The TT allows you to pick from the left or right printer roll from either the application or the print dialogue box, and it remembers which side you specified for a particular label size.

Although a true full-speed USB 2.0 device, the TT is plenty fast connected to a USB 1.1 interface. The cable is included. (Why can't all printers do that?!)

The Macintosh OS X (only - sorry, no Classic!) software is ported directly from the Windows version. Not surprisingly, it is therefore a little bit kludgy and inelegant, but usable with only a very modest learning curve. Users of prior versions of the Dymo software may, like me, miss some options like full justification, and find other commands, options, and preferences have gotten buried in obscure corners of the application. The included clip art library is lame, and setting up a good looking label takes some trial and error. Nevertheless, once you have configured your standard labels you'll never again have to hassle with sheet labels, and shooting out a single label or 100 at a time is almost one-click easy.

The drivers work flawlessly, and the installer automatically launches the Add a Printer utility. The Mac software appears to be PPC only right now; I advise checking the Dymo website if you want or need a Universal Binary version for an Intel-based Mac. By default, the application installs at root level and requires an administrator password to install.

The majority of the support documentation is included as a PDF launchable from within the DYMO Label application. Again, the manual is Windows-centric, but usable for the Mac version.

The biggest drawback is the unit lacks an On/Off switch, and does not automatically go into a sleep state like most modern printers. What this means for the user is the unit's two rather annoyingly bright blue LED ready lights are constantly lit. I find this distracting and had to place the machine out of my line of sight. At least the unit does play nicely with Mac 'deep sleep' mode on a G4 PowerMac. The power cord comes in two sections totaling a good 10' (with a smallish adapter brick in the middle) so at least you can place the unit practically anywhere.

Finally, I advise shopping around. I was able to find this unit for under $150 shipped, and that easily beat the cost of buying two of the DYMO (non-Turbo) 400s.

Pros:
*Included USB cable and long power cord
*Macintosh Driver works well
* Decent value for money, dual printers add utility

Cons:
*Lacks on/off switch
*Somewhat marginal print quality
*Application interface lacks polish, no Universal Binary support (yet)

Click Here to see more reviews about: Dymo LabelWriter Twin Turbo (69115)

Product Description:
Gives you two times the label printing options by holding two rolls of labels. Perfect for those who use different labels on a frequent basis or need to print a batch of labels, fast and easy. This tiny printer fits anywhere on your desk, and makes labels for envelopes, packages, files, name badges and more in seconds from your PC or Mac via USB Connection. Prints over 40 styles and sizes of paper labels. Supports DYMO Stamps, the easy way to print postage from your computer. Included label software integrates easily with most software applications. Up to 55 labels/minute.

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Griffin 1092-XPRSD AirBase/Desktop Stand for Airport Express Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I would have given 5 stars but was very annoyed when the cable kept falling out of its attachment. I found a way to twist it around the chrome bit that sticks out the back.However, the signal seems to be so much better as the room my Power Mac G5 is in sits down the hall and around a corner. The airport extreme sits high on a cabinet in the room of the Mac and really didn't work well with itunes giving a signal to my home stereos system, now it is a joy to hear all my itunes so far away uninterrupted. I'm always impressed with Griffin, but disappointed the cable was loose.

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Product Description:
The AirBase's industrial design merits more than being plugged into a wall socket and hidden away. The AirBase makes an elegant artistic statement that compels you to display it on the desk, shelf or entertainment center. The Griffin AirBase increases effective range and signal efficiency for your network and AirTunes by raising the base station up into the room.

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Macally PebbleWireless Portable Wireless Laser Mouse for Mac & PC Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I like the way it looks and it also works well. It does not have a long range but works all right if your PC is in the same room or in the next. Its laser precision I found better than Logitech Laser bluetooth mouse which did not work so well on the surface of my wood table with uneven grain.

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Product Description:
USB Wireless Laser Mouse

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Western Digital My Book Studio 320 GB USB 2.0/FireWire 400/800/eSATA Desktop External Hard Drive WDH1Q3200N Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I purchased this drive to back up files on my 2.33GhZ 17" Apple laptop. It worked perfectly right out of the box. Plus it looks great. I'm using the SuperDuper freeware utility to back up my files.

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Product Description:
Speed is what you need for video, music and photo editing. High-speed interfaces make this quiet & cool drive an ideal solution for creative professionals. Compatible with Time Machine. 5 yr warranty.

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2GB Kit (2 x 1GB) DDR PC2700 Unbuffered Non-ECC 184-PIN DIMM - CT2KIT12864Z335 Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I have been using this memory for a couple of months now - no problems - in case there is still any debate about 2GB RAM being supported in emac, the answer is yes (at least it is in this 1.42 superdrive model), 2GB RAM is recognized in the system profiler - received order in 3 business days - i purchased this RAM on July 12th, 2007 for $128.63 which i thought was a bargain - today, Sept. 19th, 2007, the price is $115.19 - if you don't have to have it right away, you might want to wait and see how much it goes down - i purchased mine directly from this page from Crucial Tech. - they are a well respected company that is known for standing behind it's products.

Click Here to see more reviews about: 2GB Kit (2 x 1GB) DDR PC2700 Unbuffered Non-ECC 184-PIN DIMM - CT2KIT12864Z335

Product Description:
Every day, you rely on your computer to make your life easier. A Crucial DRAM upgrade can help your system run faster, and it's one of the easiest, most affordable ways to improve system performance. Reap the benefits doing everything from everyday system tasks to mission-critical applications.For over 12 years, Crucial has been recognized as a leader in DRAM upgrades. Our products help people achieve greater system performance through improved productivity, reliability, and speed.As part of one of the world's largest DRAM manufacturers—Micron Technology—our long tenure of engineering and manufacturing expertise allow us to build high-quality, system-specific memory solutions for customers.We back our products by guaranteeing system compatibility, limited lifetime warranties, and outstanding service and support. At Crucial, we're the Memory Experts.

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FUJITSU Mobile MJA2320BH - Hard drive - 320 GB - internal - 2.5" - SATA-300 - 5400 rpm - buffer: 8 MB Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I bought this hard drive to replace the 80gb one which was failing in my MacBook.I read the Amazon reviews of the 250gb version which were generally very positive and decided to go for the slightly bigger 320.

It was delivered quickly, works well, and was easy to install.My MacBook is now working perfectly thanks to this new hard drive and Snow Leopard.Highly recommended!

Click Here to see more reviews about: FUJITSU Mobile MJA2320BH - Hard drive - 320 GB - internal - 2.5 - SATA-300 - 5400 rpm - buffer: 8 MB

Product Description:
8MB FDB

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Kanex iAdapt MDPHDMIV2 HDMI V2 - Mini DisplayPort to HDMI Adapter with Audio Support Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This Kanex V2 adapter works as advertised.If you own a recent model MacBook Pro, this adapter will transmit BOTH video AND sound. I own the 15" i5 MacBook Pro and I can get both video and sound.

It's important for people who buy this to make sure that they set the System Preferences so that their video and sound work on their TVs.

First for Video, make sure you choose the the setting you want under ->System Preferences->Displays->Duplicate.I use this so that my TV will display exactly what's on my MacBook Pro.You can keep this unchecked if you want your TV to be an extension to your MacBook Pro.Just drag that second image of the screen meant to be your TV around until you have it the way you like.

Second, for the sound you have to make sure you choose the sound to transmit through the HDMI to your TV instead of through your Macbook Pro speakers.To do that go under ->System Preferences->Sound->Output->Your TV

That should do it!You will now have both video AND sound.

This device is a tiny little lightweight box which measures2" x 1.25" x .5" and the length including the box is 7.25".Remember, you'll have to get your own male to male HDMI cable to use with this because it doesn't come with one.

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Product Description:
The Kanex iAdapt HDMI V2 is a single HDMI output solution that brings audio and 1080p video from the new mid 2010 MacBooks and MacBook Pros and all 21.5-inch and 27-inch iMac desktop computers to your HDTV. You can now enjoy Hulu, Netflix, iTunes movies or surf the web right from your couch.

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Intel 80 GB X25M Mainstream SATA II Solid-State Drive (SSD) Retail Package SSDSA2MH080G2R5 Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I also have a G1 version of this drive and it's literally life-changing (I use the SSD drive in my work laptop). It's amazingly fast!!! If you notice your laptop or desktop to be accessing your harddisk a lot of time then you will see tremendous speed performance with this drive. It's the best performance upgrade you can have in your laptop.

In terms of the drive's life expectancy, the main factor is the amount of writes you do to the drive. On a normal daily-laptop-work usage then the drive will last >15 years. You can actually calculate this since the number of write cycles is tracked in the drive via the S.M.A.R.T attributes. So you can calculate when the drive will gonna die. Intel did a wonderful job in write amplification and wear-levelling algorithm. Thus, it will be obsolete before it reaches the maximum rated write cycles.

If you are a techie, then check out the following links:

Detailed intel spec sheet on the drives:
http://www.intel.com/design/flash/nand/mainstream/index.htm

All you need to know about ssd drives (31-page anandtech thesis):
http://www.anandtech.com/storage/showdoc.aspx?i=3531&p=1

X25M Gen2 review:
http://techreport.com/articles.x/17269/1

Click Here to see more reviews about: Intel 80 GB X25M Mainstream SATA II Solid-State Drive (SSD) Retail Package SSDSA2MH080G2R5

Product Description:
The future of computer storage is here! The Intel X25-M Mainstream SATA II Solid State Drive (Retail) provides faster disk performance and greater durability than traditional hard drives. Since it stores data using NAND flash memory instead of spinning platters, the X25-M will never keep you waiting for disks to spin up. For further convenience, there are no moving parts to worry about breaking down.
X25-M Solid State Drive (Retail) features:

80 GB of solid state storage.
No moving parts for better reliability and performance.
Silent operation.
Lower battery consumption than traditional drives.

With no moving parts, the X25-M Solid State Drive provides silent and reliable storage. View larger.

The Intel SSD Toolbox lets you easily optimize the performance of your drive. View larger. A New Kind of Storage for Faster Data Access
The X25-M is a SATA II hard drive with a capacity of 80 GB. Additionally, it's in a 2.5-inch form factor that will work anywhere a regular 2.5-inch hard drive does, such as in notebook computers and external enclosures.


But don't think that the X25-M is any old drive. Instead of using spinning platters like traditional hard drives, the X25-M is a Solid State Drive (SSD), and it uses flash memory for storage, giving you dramatically faster data access. If you need more disk space, the X25-M also comes in a 160 GB version.


Performs Faster than Other Solid State Drives
Intel has been making memory chips for decades, and the company's experience is clearly displayed with the X25-M drive, which uses Intel's Multi-Level Cell (MLC) NAND Flash Memory. This delivers better performance than other SSDs, thanks to an advanced architecture and technologies such as Native Command Queuing, which enables up to 32 simultaneous operations. The result is sustained sequential read speeds of up to 250 MBps, sustained sequential write speeds of up to 70 MBps, and a read latency of just 85 microseconds.


And thanks to the drive's SATA interface that offers data throughput of up to 3.0 Gbps, you can take advantage of all that speed. What all this means for you is that applications launch instantaneously, files copy in less time, and your overall productivity is increased.


Optimize Performance with the Intel SSD Toolbox
Intel offers the Intel SSD Toolbox with Intel SSD Optimizer, so you can easily optimize and manage the performance of your drive. Simply download the Intel SSD Toolbox and you'll get a powerful set of management, information, and diagnostic tools to help you maintain performance at "fresh out-of-the-box" levels. The Intel SSD Toolbox with Intel SSD Optimizer is specially designed to run on Microsoft Windows 7, and it also works with Microsoft Windows Vista and XP.


Higher Reliability and Silent Operation
Compared to traditional hard drives, the X25-M is both faster and more durable. Because it doesn't have spinning disks or writing heads, there are fewer parts to fail. It is also less susceptible to vibration and shock and is completely silent. Providing superb reliability, the X25-M is rated at 1.2 million hours mean time before failure (MTBF).


Lower Power Consumption is Good for the Environment
The X25-M also consumes far less power than traditional drives, which saves you money and makes this drive an environmentally friendly choice. The drive is certified RoHS compliant for its use of non-hazardous materials. Additionally, when it's installed in a laptop, the X25-M will give you better battery life, which means you can work longer on cross-country plane trips.


The Intel X25-M Mainstream SATA II Solid State Drive supports Self-Monitoring, Analysis, and Reporting Technology (SMART) commands, as well as additional SSD monitoring.


The X25-M is backed by a three-year limited warranty.


What's in the Box
Intel X25-M Solid State Drive (SSD), manual, sticker and 3.5" desktop drive bay adapter, screws and installation guide.

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Logitech Cordless Desktop S 530 Laser for Mac ( 967664-0403 ) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I bought my first Mac (an iMac, all very swish), about two weeks ago. I got over most of the initial oddities of the Mac and came to appreciate very much its overall strength and superior quality to any PC I'd ever owned (and I always owned good ones).The only lasting problem I had was the horribly annoying (for PC users) keyboard and mouse (I had the Mac bluetooth/wireless mighty mouse and keyboard . . . high end stuff for Mac).Traditional Mac users who've never used anything else, simply don't understand the ease of use which comes with most higher end PC mouse/keyboard combos.Though I tried very hard, I found the Mac keyboard and especially the mighty mouse to be simply too focussed on form and not enough on function.In particular, for the mouse, the right click function is just not good enough for ex-PC users, it's really not good enough for Mac in general, given the rest of their quality, but many avid Mac people will have difficulty in accepting this.I don't think it's a matter of preference, either, it's really just a matter of ergonomics and basic physics.Enter, then, the Logitech s530, the product that enabled me to finally find happiness and satisfaction with my iMac.Above all, it works really, really well in terms of system function, which is extended with lots of useful features (Mac addicts will say "I don't know why anyone would use these features, why not just learn six thousand different key combinations instead?!" to which I reply: why not use a single button with a nice little icon on it?!), and very very nice in terms of ergonomics. I bought the bluetooth mac mouse/keyboard with my iMac.I shouldn't have wasted the money.I should have bought this product FIRST and just chuckedwhatever combo came standard.We live and learn, but I hope mine helps yours.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Logitech Cordless Desktop S 530 Laser for Mac ( 967664-0403 )

Product Description:
Designed specifically for your Mac, the Cordless Desktop S 530 Laser for Mac has a stylish white and silver design that perfectly matches both consumer and pro Macs. The ultra-flat profile and built-in palm rest bring an amazing level of comfort. Dedicated one-touch controls for iTunes and iPhoto give you instant access to your music and photos. Programmable keys launch Safari, Mail, Spotlight, or any other application with a single press. The sculpted high-performance cordless laser mouse delivers exceptional comfort and enables pixel-precise photo editing. Longer battery life provides up to 6 months or more of standard use.

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Apple MacBook Pro MB134LL/A 15.4-inch Laptop (2.5 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo Processor, 2 GB RAM, 250 GB Hard Drive, DVD/CD SuperDrive) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)In March 2008, I decided it was time to upgrade from a G4-based laptop to one of the new Intel models. I deliberated back and forth whether the lower priced MacBook would be sufficient or whether to pay the premium for the "Pro" model. Ultimately, I decided upon the MacBook Pro for these reasons.

Construction quality
The aluminum case of the MacBook Pro reminds me of a product made by the Swiss. The build quality is outstanding for a mass-produced device. It feels very substantial, and all the pieces fit together nearly seamlessly. The MacBook's case, however, is made from a high-grade plastic rather than metal. It's nice ... but I found the front edge of the MacBook's case a bit sharp on my wrists as I typed.

Ports
Compared with the MacBook, the MacBook Pro provides an additional USB port plus Firewire 800. The latter is desirable for people who work with video and external drives that have Firewire 800 connectors. The ExpressCard slot is useful for future expansion and services such as wireless broadband (EVDO).

Keyboard
Keyboard experiences are subjective; but I find the keyboard on the MacBook Pro the most comfortable of any laptop I've ever used. It feels solid and responsive. Plus, its backlighting is helpful when typing in dark environments.

Dedicated video
Unlike the MacBook that shares system memory for video (integrated graphics), the MacBook Pro has a dedicated video processor. This is beneficial for driving large external displays and running graphics-intensive applications.

Is the MacBook Pro worth the $700 price differential over a MacBook? That depends on whether you are a general home computer user (i.e., e-mail, web browsing, iTunes, word processing) or someone who uses their laptop for more advanced purposes. My user profile is more in the second category. Also, since I intend to keep this computer for three years, I figure that the premium breaks down to about $233 each year. This seems reasonable to me for something I use every day.

In view of the additional quality and benefits that the MacBook Pro offers, I think its higher price brings with it commensurate value. It's hard to imagine even finicky laptop users being disappointed with the MacBook Pro.

P.S. -- There are two 15-inch MacBook Pro models. I bought the 2.4 gHz "entry level" model. It is the better value. I do not feel the 2.5 gHz MacBook Pro is worth the extra $500.

Also, people who care to add system memory (beyond the stock 2 gigabytes supplied by Apple) ought to purchase it from a third-party vendor and install it themselves. It is a simple process.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Apple MacBook Pro MB134LL/A 15.4-inch Laptop (2.5 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo Processor, 2 GB RAM, 250 GB Hard Drive, DVD/CD SuperDrive)

Product Description:
Stylishly and intelligently designed for mobile professionals, Apple's MacBook Pro now includes Apple's Multi-Touch technology (which debuted with the MacBook Air), allowing you to pinch, swipe, or rotate to enlarge text, advance through photos, or adjust an image. And it gets a serious speed bump from Intel's latest 2.5 GHz 45-nanometer Penryn series Core 2 Duo processor (with 6 MB L2 cache), which also helps to reduce power requirements and save on battery life. This model (MB134LL/A ) also has a mercury-free, power-efficient LED-backlit display measuring 15.4 inches and a state-of-the art NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT video card with 512 MB of GDDR3 video RAM.


The 15-inch MacBook Pro offers a mercury-free, power-efficient LED-backlit display with an antiglare finish that's perfect for color-minded professionals. Meticulously designed and encased in sleek and sturdy aluminum, the MacBook Pro measures just 1 inch thin and weighs 5.4 pounds. Your hands have room to spread out on the full-size keyboard with crisp, responsive keys, and the MacBook Pro has a built-in ambient light sensor that adjusts the keyboard and display brightness so it's easy to work in low-light settings. Other standard Apple "extras" includes a built-in iSight video camera and Apple's magnetically connected MagSafe power adapter, which safely disconnects when under strain.
It's pre-loaded with Apple's Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard operating system, which enables easy backup of your most important data via Time Machine, a redesigned desktop that helps eliminate clutter. It also comes with the iLife '08 suite of applications--including iPhoto, iMovie, Garageband, and iTunes--and the newest version of the fast-loading Safari web browser. Other hardware features include a 250 GB hard drive, 2 GB of installed RAM (which can be upgraded to 4 GB), an 8x combo Superdrive (for burning dual-layer DVDs as well as CDs), built-in Gigabit Ethernet for high-speed networking, Bluetooth 2.1+EDR (Enhanced Data Rate), FireWire 400 and 800 ports, DVI video output, and an ExpressCard/34 expansion card slot for expansion solutions such as 3G wireless networking.
Apple Innovations
The MacBook Pro is the culmination of years of refining hardware and software design to an integrated art, and Apple's Multi-Touch technology is just the latest innovation to be added to it. The advanced trackpad now allows you to flip through photos, enlarge text, and adjust an image using just your fingers. It also comes with a MagSafe power adapter connector, which offers a magnetic connection instead of a physical one. So, if you happen to trip over a power cord, you won't send MacBook Pro flying off a table or desk--the cord simply disconnects, without damage to either the cord or the system.


The magnetically connected MagSafe power adapter breaks cleanly away, without damage to either the cord or the MacBook Pro. The MacBook Pro has battery life that rivals most notebooks in its class. If you'd like to make that battery last even longer, Mac OS X has a few tricks up its sleeve. Go to System Preferences, click Energy Saver, and change battery optimization from Normal to Better Battery Life. Or tell MacBook Pro to reduce its screen brightness and give yourself a little more time untethered.
Intel Core 2 Duo Processor
Experience improved energy efficiency, expanded wireless connectivity, and amazing battery life with the 45nm Penryn series Intel Core 2 Duo T9300 processor, which has a 2.50 GHz processor speed, super-fast 800 MHz front-side bus (FSB), and a super-sized 6 MB L2 cache. (An L2, or secondary, cache temporarily stores data; and a larger L2 cache can help speed up your system's performance. The FSB carries data between the CPU and RAM, and a faster front-side bus will deliver better overall performance.)
The new hafnium-infused circuitry--which reduces electrical current leakage in transistors--conserves even more energy, giving you more time away from the wall outlet. With a whopping 6 MB of shared L2 cache, data and instructions can be kept close to the two processor cores, greatly increasing performance and allowing the entire system to work more efficiently. And, because the processor cores share the L2 cache, either can use the entire amount if the other happens to be idle.


Your hands have room to spread out on the full-size keyboard with crisp, responsive keys. Hard Drive and Memory
The 250 GB Serial-ATA (SATA) hard drive (5400 RPM) quickens the pace with a higher speed transfer of data--akin to FireWire and USB 2.0. The 2 GB of PC5300 DDR2 RAM (two SO-DIMMs of 1024 MB) have an industry-leading 667 MHz speed, and the RAM capacity can be increased to 4 GB.
Wireless Connectivity
The built-in 802.11n wireless networking provides up to five times the performance and twice the range of 802.11g, but it's also backward-compatible with 802.11a/b/g routers, enabling you to communicate with the a wide variety of Wi-Fi resources. It works seamlessly with the new AirPort Extreme with 802.11n. Use the built-in Bluetooth wireless technology to connect to your PDA or cell phone, synchronize addresses, or download pictures from your cell phone. You can also use a wireless headset for iChat audio chats and VoIP calls as well as quickly share files with a colleague.
Display and Graphics
The 15.4-inch widescreen TFT display offers a native resolution of 1440 x 900 pixels and an antiglare widescreen display that's perfect for color-minded professionals. The display is backlit by light emitting diodes (LEDs), which gives it a lighter weight and more power efficiency than the cold cathode fluorescent lamps (CCFLs) which most notebooks employ. It's also better for the environment, thanks to its new mercury-free display.
Video and graphics are powered by the NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT card, which is boosted by 512 MB of GDDR3 SDRAM. GDDR3 (Graphics Double Data Rate, version 3) is a graphics card-specific memory technology that's better able to deliver fluid frame rates for even the most advanced games and applications. The GeForce 8600M GT brings a new level of realism to the MacBook Pro with its 16-lane PCI Express architecture, 16x full screen anti-aliasing, 128-bit High Dynamic Range rendering, and a texture fill rate of up to 8.2 billion per second.
Video Conferencing with Built-in iSight
Artfully placed in the display bezel is an iSight camera, which enables easy video conferencing as well as allows you to snap pictures of yourself and create video podcasts. Using the iChat AV application, video conferencing is integrated into your iChat buddy list, so initiating a video conference is a breeze. iChat also lets you hold audio chats with up to 10 people and provides high-quality audio compression and full-duplex sound so conversation can flow naturally. For video podcasting, you can record a short clip using the iSight camera, then use iWeb to create a video blog entry or post your GarageBand-recorded podcast.


Connect to your network, a desktop monitor and all your peripherals with two USB 2.0, one FireWire 400, one FireWire 800, one DVI video output, and one Gigabit Ethernet. Other Features

Two USB 2.0 ports, one FireWire 400, one FireWire 800, ExpressCard/34 slot
DVI output port; VGA output using included DVI to VGA adapter
8x slot-loading SuperDrive with the following write speeds: 8x DVD

Kingston Technology 2 GB Kit (2x1 GB) Memory for Select Apple Desktops Dual Channel Kit 400 MHz (PC 3200) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM KTA-G5400/2G Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I've bought various Kingston ram sticks for well over 10 years, not once have I had a problem.I've had a wide array of Macs, they all love(d) Kingston ram!Easy installation (the flyer's in the packing), great price.Don't hesitate to buy this brand.

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Product Description:
Kingston is the industry leader in pc memory. Our line of system specific memory is memory designed, manufactured and tested to the specifications of each particular brand name computer system. Included in package is two 1gb modules of 400mhz ddr desktop memory.

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Certified Pre-Owned iMac G5/2.1 GHz, 1.5 GB of RAM, 250 GB internal drive, internal SuperDrive, no modem installed, includes keyboard and mouse, Airport Extreme and Bluetooth installed, 20" TFT display with built-in iSight, OS CD is not included, OS 10.4.11 installed Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)The Power PC G5 iMac series were/ are great computers. Like all Macs, their operating systems (from 10.3 to 10.4 for the G5 series) are very user friendly and naturally resistant to most computer viruses. They are solid performers, rarely crash and have a service life of 5-6 times that of PCs from a similar vintage. I'm still running my G5 iMac 4+ years after I bought it, and it works as well and as flawlessly as the first day I turned it on. The on-screen presentation and dock functioning are great, as are the customizable widgets that put a wealth of information updates at your fingertips (literally at the click of the center or right mouse button), and yes, that is customizable too (like almost everything else on the Mac).

As far as software goes, Macs are unparalleled with creative and artistic programs, especially when it comes to the learning curve and picking up new editing/ creating skills. They come with "iLife" pre-loaded, and this offers all that most users need to edit and manage their digital music, picture and video libraries. Do you have an aspiring home-video producer in your house? Then Mac's and iLife are the best place to start. And when you're ready for full-featured, professional music, image and video production, Apple has a full line of software ready to go. You'll likely be able to find programs like "Production Suite" and "Final Cut Pro" at serious discounts for these older G5 iMacs. Even in standard user applications like word processing, spreadsheets, and audio/video presentations, Apple has come a long way with its "iWork" line and (at least in my opinion) puts Microsoft Office Suite to shame. Within iWork, users get "Pages," "Keynote," and "Numbers," each of which rivals "MS Word," "PowerPoint" and "Excel" respectively. The documents, presentations and rough databases are superior and easier to learn than anything I've encountered in Microsoft's Office Suite. Numbers takes some getting used to, but once you are there, its quality and vibrancy make it worth the effort. My only complaint with the G5 series computers is that some of them don't run OS 10.5 (Leopard) very well.

Bottom line: I used to be a PC guy. Then I bought a Mac and haven't looked back. Yes, Macs are pricier, but just as in everything else in life: you get what you pay for. The G5 series iMac is a fine machine, and their resale value holds better than any thing in the PC world.

-CL

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Want to buy Certified Pre-Owned iMac G5/2.1 GHz, 1.5 GB of RAM, 250 GB internal drive, internal SuperDrive, no modem installed, includes keyboard and mouse, Airport Extreme and Bluetooth installed, 20 TFT display with built-in iSight, OS CD is not included, OS 10.4.11 installed at other amazon sites? Click the corresponding icon below: