GeekSugar

The Hard Shell of Pinkness

GeekSugar — Mon, 12 May 2008 04:30:01 PDT

If you're like me and think Colorware is pretty adorable but balk (and by balk I mean loudly declaring "Aw, hell no!") at the prices, then I have a great alternative. InCase has been making its hard case for a while now - and now the hard case comes in pink! It not only protects your MacBook like a case when you're toting it around, but you can use the computer when it's on too, so the white MacBook really does becomes your blank canvas!

I think it's just as cute as Colorware, and it's only 50 bucks. Incase seems pretty in favor of pink gadget accessories lately, but I think the hard case is the cutest. Don't fear the pink.

View 3 Photos ›

Best Black Friday Deals Roundup

Kristy Korcz — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 11:08:53 PST

It's hard to believe that we're halfway through November already, but it's true. Not only is it time to start thinking about your guest list for Thanksgiving dinner, but also your Black Friday shopping list. Get a head start on your planning by checking out these Black Friday ads that are already posted online for your browsing pleasure.

Amazon

Motorola phones will be on sale for just a penny. Some of the available models include Droid Razr 4G, BlackBerry Torch 4G, HTC Inspire 4G, HTC Rhyme, Samsung Focus Flash 4G, and more. This sale is available now through 11:59 p.m. Monday, Nov. 28.
Verizon and Sprint customers are eligible for some extras. If they activate a mobile hotspot data plan on their hotspot-capable smartphone, they will also receive a $100 Amazon gift card.

Apple

Apple's sales will take effect on Friday, Nov. 25 at physical locations and online.

Get $101 off MacBook Airs, Pros, and iMacs. The 11-inch MacBook Air will be on sale for just $898!
Save up to $41 on iPods, including iPod Touch and Nano
iPads (first and second generation models) will be discounted up to $61.
Accessories for Macs, iPods, and iPads will be discounted as well.

Best Buy

Stores will be opening at 12 a.m. on Black Friday. Get a closer look at the Best Buy Black Friday ad here.

An insane deal, the Sharp 42-Inch LCD 1080p TV is only $200. Better get in line early for that one.
Capture precious moments with the Canon Power Shot ELPH 300HS Digital Camera for $150.
Alternatively, you can grab the Kodak PlayFull 1080p HD Camcorder for just $70.
Insane prices on DVDs - just $1 and up.
Or, grab Blu-rays starting at $5 and up.

GameStop

Stores will be opening at 12 a.m. on Black Friday.

Trade in your old DSi XL and get a 3DS bundle (that includes the system and a game) for $100.
The black Wii bundle, which includes Super Mario Bros. Wii and the official Super Mario Galaxy soundtrack, will be selling out at $150.
There's also a Xbox Kinect Bundle, which includes 250GB Xbox 360, Kinect, wireless controller, three-month Xbox Live membership, and two games for $300.

Kmart

If you're looking for a camcorder to capture family moments, snatch up the Sony Compact Camcorder with 60x Optical Zoom, which is on sale for $170.
Listen to your tunes on the cheap with Maxell Color Earbuds that are going for $2.50 a pair.
I love the Samsung PL120 DualView digital camera for self-portraits and videos, and on Black Friday, you can get one for yourself for just $99.
Looking for an affordable tablet that will let you surf the Internet on the fly? The Archos 8GB 101 Internet Tablet will be priced at just $219 on Black Friday.

Office Depot

The 17-inch HP g7 laptop is going for $350, but if you buy any HP laptop you can also get the HP Touchpad for $149.
The "tech bundle" from Office Depot offers a laptop sleeve, wireless mouse, and 500GB hard drive for $80.
8GB SanDisk SD cards are only $9 each.
All M-Edge Kindle accessories and cases are buy one get one free.
All tablets are on sale during the Black Friday sale. The BlackBerry Playbook is only $200, while the Lenovo IdeaPad is $300.
The Canon Power Shot A22 14.1MP digital camera is $90 and comes with a free 4GB SD card.

Sam's Club

Stores will be open starting at 5 a.m. on Black Friday and will include a complimentary egg sandwich breakfast for members!

It could be better, but for the price of this Samsung 51-Inch Class 720p 600Hz Plasma HDTV ($498), it's a nice upgrade for someone with a smaller screen.
If you don't already have one, the Sony PS3 160GB Bundle is going for $239.
Or, get a Nintendo Wii Limited Edition Blue Console for only $99.
Need a laptop? The HP Pavilion 17.3-Inch Notebook is $499.
And though model numbers haven't been released, select 4G Android Smartphones are going for just $1.

Target

Stores open at midnight on Black Friday.

Get your game on with the PS3 gaming bundle, that comes with a 160GB PS3 Slim, two games (including Little Big Planet 2 and a 30 day PlayStation Plus membership for $199.
The Acer 10.1-inch netbook is $72 off and priced at $157 on Black Friday.
Get a Westinghouse 47-inch 1080p LCD HDTV for $298. That's $250 off the regular price of $550!
Select video games start at $5 a piece and DVDs starting at just $2.
Other gaming bundles include the Kinect sensor bundle (Kinect, two games and two game downloads) for $99, and a 3DS bundle (red 3DS and a copy of Super Mario 3D Land) for $180.

Walmart

Walmart's Black Friday ad is available to view online. Electronics will be going on sale starting at 12 a.m. on Black Friday, while toys and other departments will be open for shopping at 10 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day.

Get your hands on an LG Blu-ray Player for movie-watching fun for just $49.
Or, if you're in need of some sweet sounds to go along with your flicks, the Philips WiFi Blu-ray Home Theatre is going for $178.
Upgrade your movie-watching experience with the Samsung 51-Inch Plasma TV, priced at $498.
Keep the fun coming with DVDs starting at just $2 and up.

HP Folio 13: Will Get the Job Done (Stylishly)

Kristy Korcz — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 09:46:11 PST

HP announced its entry into the ultrabook space, the HP Folio 13, this morning, and it's quite fetching with its cool brushed metal casing. Coming in at only 18mm thin, weighing 3.3 pounds, and stocked with a 13.3-inch HD Briteview display and 128GB hard drive, the Folio 13 also boasts rapid start and boot times and a whopping nine hours of battery life.

There are plenty of ports on the Folio 13 as well (unlike the thinner MacBook Air): USB 3.0, USB 2.0, Ethernet, HDMI, and an SD card reader. A backlit keyboard helps you work in low-light conditions (like on a plane perhaps?), while HP's CoolSense technology keeps the machine running at lower temps so you don't burn your legs. Bonus - there's a feature called TPM Embedded Security that protects the data found in your emails and info on your hard drive from hackers, thieves, and prying eyes, which will make the Folio 13 an easy choice for business types.

As for the price, $900 undercuts most of the ultrabook competition, and while it's not as sleek-looking as the MacBook Air or Asus Zenbook UX31, it's a nice all-around slim and light laptop for all your work and personal needs. Expect the HP Folio 13 to hit on Dec. 7.

Space Invaders Take Over Your iDevices

Kristy Korcz — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 12:02:35 PDT

Fact: you love Space Invaders today as much as you did when you were a kid. But now, your gaming has gone to the next level with your fancy PS3, Xbox, or portable tablet. Game on your iPad instead of an arcade these days? Then take a trip down memory lane with the Space Invaders iPad, iPhone, and MacBook cases from Case Scenario. Starting at around $42 for an iPhone case and ranging all the way up to $85 for an iPad case (coming in hardcover book or hard-shell models), you can take the memory of your favorite retro childhood game with you wherever you go, and keep your iDevice protected from the dangers of your tote bag.

Though these cases evoke flashbacks of your days in the pizza parlor arcade, Case Scenario has made sure that these designs are more on the grown-up side, so you won't be shamed out of your office when you whip out your tablet. In fact, I'm sure your officemates will be quite jealous.

Get a closer look at each design in the slideshow!

Extend the Life of Your Computer With These Care Tips

Kristy Korcz — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 04:31:26 PDT

If your laptop is still in working order, you probably don't need to spring for that brand-new MacBook Air this season before you head back to class. Nonetheless, the start of a new school year (or just Fall in general) is a good time to spruce up your trusty laptop and get it ready for the long nights of studying ahead. Here, a few tips on how to get your machine in tip-top shape before the first bell rings, and how to care for a brand new investment so it serves you well for the next four years.

Clean it Up

Giving your laptop (or desktop) a thorough cleaning is essential to extending its life. Back up any data you may already have stored (on an external hard drive or portable flash drive), organize your desktop icons, empty your computer's trash on a regular basis, and clear out any programs you don't use. This will help free up space and keep you on the fast track to productivity.

Practice proper shut-down habits

Shutting down all open programs, and putting your laptop to sleep instead of just closing the lid will help your computer stay cool and safe while in transport.

Protect your investment

If you're going to be lugging a laptop around campus, make sure it's protected in a padded case!

See the rest of my tips after the jump.

New MacBook Pros Coming Within Weeks?

Kristy Korcz — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 13:53:11 PST

According to sources, Apple's line of MacBook Pros will be getting a refresh in the coming weeks. New features include a larger glass trackpad, and two hard drives (one SSD dedicated to the OS only), as well as coming in a half pound lighter than previous versions.

Now, the dual hard drives may be a bit confusing at first, but when you think about Apple's push for "instant on" (coming with its latest MacBook Air line, iPads, and iPhones), this dedicated SSD may allow the laptop to boot and wake up from sleep faster than ever before. Also notable: there are said to be five different SKU numbers, which indicate there will be several models to choose from. As you may have guessed, nothing has been confirmed by Apple at this time, but if you're in the market for a new MacBook Pro, you may want to hold off on buying for a few more weeks just in case!

New Device, New TSA Rules

GeekSugar — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 03:47:32 PDT

Good news, iPad owners. In most cases, you won't have to remove your iPad from your bag when going through security checkpoints in airports. According to the TSA, there are several reasons for the allowance: since iPads are much thinner than traditional laptops, they're easier to see on the scanner. Plus, those toting an iPad are less likely to have a ton of accessories like external hard drives, additional wires, and other accessories that can complicate screenings.

Of course, the TSA does reserve the right to ask you to remove the device, but they say they'll be communicating the new iPad policy to all screeners immediately. Here's hoping the security agents recognize the new gadgets right away . . . remember the MacBook Air airport security debacle in 2008?