GeekSugar

Back-to-School Deals of the Week

GeekSugar — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 03:47:02 PDT

Gearing up for the Fall semester can be expensive, especially if you're buying your supplies at full price. Plus, between dorm life, computers, and other essentials, your long list of must haves can get pretty overwhelming. Thankfully, I'll be sussing out the best deals on some great back-to-school supplies for you every week through the month of August. First up, a few laptop deals you don't want to miss, and some accessories you may not be able to walk away from.

How-To: Clean Your Computer Monitor

GeekSugar — Thu, 20 May 2010 03:47:09 PDT

Since 60 percent of you have more than one computer monitor, you should take the time to keep them fresh and clean to enjoy for years to come. However, cleaning your screens isn't as simple as grabbing your household cleaner and giving them a scrub. LCD screens and computer monitors are particularly fragile, and since they can get so expensive, you'll want to take extra care to make sure you're cleaning them properly.

I have a few tips on how to keep your monitors squeaky clean and healthy after the break.

I Would Have Used This Four Times Already Today

GeekSugar — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 01:47:03 PST

Sometimes the simplest accessories solve the biggest problems. Take this useful gadget: the i360 iMac Turntable. It's a simple rotating turntable affixed to the bottom of your iMac or Apple monitor that allows you to easily swivel the monitor from side to side. They're made to match your computer in white or aluminum, and most models even feature a tiny built-in picture frame for an added touch of personality.

I swivel my screen to the right at least three times a day to share something I'm looking at, which usually involves making sure I don't knock the monitor over or disturb whatever else is sitting on my desk. Priced around $40 depending on which model you choose, this is an inexpensive and smart solution!

How Many Computer Monitors Do You Use?

GeekSugar — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 15:43:29 PDT

I'm a busy gal, and most of the time find myself working wherever I can - on the couch, on the train, anywhere I can find a WiFi signal. But when I'm at the office, I like to not only use my laptop monitor, but hook it up to my cinema display and double my desktop real estate. When I'm at home? It's a single screen for me.

I do notice a big difference in productivity when I have more than one monitor. I typically use my laptop screen for emails and IMs while my cinema is used for blogs and writing up posts. However, one of my friends is an animator and uses three screens daily. Needless to say, he's got a huge desk. What about you - are you a single-screen gal, or do you make the most of your desk space and use multiple monitors? How many monitors do you use?

iCovers Protect Your Precious Monitor

GeekSugar — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 04:00:00 PDT

As pathetic as it is, I think of my computer as an extension of me, in that I want to keep it safe from bumps and bruises like any good mom. I take the time to select a comfortably padded bag or sleeve for my laptop, so shouldn't I want to protect it at home? Acme makes soft, sleek, and extremely attractive iCovers, not only for laptop screens, but Apple cinema displays and monitors. I actually hunted for something like this a year or so ago for my monitors and couldn't find it, so I sewed it. Maybe someday I'll be brave enough to post my instructions, but all I can say is that they don't look near as pretty as the iCovers.

Prices range from about $30 to $80, and they even take custom orders.

View 5 Photos ›

CES 2008: The Alienware Curved Monitor For Video Game Fanatics

GeekSugar — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 09:00:30 PST

All I gotta say is try privacy scarfing this bad boy! Gizmodo was first on the scene to capture this ginormous LED curved monitor by Alienware at CES. With a screen resolution of 2880 x 990 and a supersized DLP display, I can't help but assume this massive ~~television~~, I mean monitor, is going to cause some serious eye damage. The Alienware curved monitor is reportedly going to be available later this year. No word on pricing just yet.

Source

How To: Get Your iPad Ready For Resale

Kristy Korcz — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 11:48:28 PST

If the rumors are true, the iPad 3 should be announced in March. If you're ready to upgrade from your first-gen iPad or iPad 2, now's the time to start thinking about selling. But before you post a listing on Craigslist or eBay, get all your ducks in a row first. Here's a few tips on how to prep your gadget for resale, and get top dollar for your efforts.

Back up your data and do a clean sweep - First thing's first - make sure you connect your iPad to iTunes and back up all of your data. You'll be able to sync it with your new iPad after you bring it home. And just like a computer, before you sell your old tablet, you'll want to wipe it clean of any sensitive information, apps, and contact lists. Erasing all of your content and settings (go to Settings > General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings) is great, but go ahead and perform a full restore in iTunes as well.
Polish the exterior - Cleaning your old iPad is kind of like cleaning your LCD monitor - you don't want to use any harsh chemicals or, even more damaging, water. Using a tried-and-tested cleaner like iKlear ($30) will ensure you won't damage your iPad's sensitive bits. Use the included microfiber cloth (or one of your own) and shine that baby up.

To see the rest of my list, including tips on how to get your gadget sold quickly online, just keep reading.

Earn More Money By Changing Up Your Office Space

LearnVest — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 00:15:07 PST

We're thrilled to present this smart LearnVest story here on Savvy!

Most of us spend about 40 hours per week at work - in other words, the majority of our waking hours.

And nearly all of those hours are spent sitting at our desks. It’s a definite problem - and not just because we’re missing happy hour or quality couch time at home.

There’s no shortage of discouraging research pointing out the evils of a sedentary lifestyle and claiming that sitting will actually shorten our lives.

But, conversely, making a few tweaks to the way you sit - and the space you sit in - all day has been proven to make you a happier, healthier worker, busy earning your killer salary.

And, scientists say, the happier you are, the more you tend to earn.

In an effort to make the time spent at our desks as productive (and as profitable) as possible, we’ve combed the research for the easiest, most effective tips to soothe your mind and body when trapped in a cubicle . . . or corner office.

Just follow these four steps.

1. Make It Comfy

When we say “comfy,” we mean “ergonomic.” It’s an unfriendly word for a friendly concept: basically it means “intended to provide optimum comfort and to avoid stress or injury.” Friendly, right? Besides, an awkward workspace can lead to major health issues, including disorders in your joints or tendons, so a little tweaking of your cubicle can go a long way for your well-being. Line up your body correctly by following these two principles:

Your feet should be flat on the floor and your elbows should be even with your desk. This can be achieved either through adjustable chairs or - if chairs are a hot commodity at your office - a combination of step stools and pillows.

Read on for more tips.

6 Ways to Sit Less Every Day

Health — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 04:03:42 PST

We are pumped to share one of our favorite stories from Health.com here on our site.

By Sarah Kehoe

Need help being less sedentary? Here are the best ways to sit less and move more, from easiest to hardest.

Pace on the phone
Invest in a two-way speakerphone, a superlong phone-to-ear cord, or a quality headset so you can be more mobile while you chat.

Even if you simply stand while on the phone, you'll naturally shift from leg to leg.

Health.com: Little Ways to Lose Big Pounds

Putter after eating
Or take a quick walk postmeals. The fat levels in your bloodstream are highest after eating, and simply moving around afterward increases the activity of lipoprotein lipase, which spurs your metabolism.

Opt for bar seats at restaurants
Sit on the front third of the bar stool. Spread your feet just wider than hip distance, so they're supporting a fair bit of your weight, and gently roll your hips forward, arching your back slightly.

This position is called "perching" - it maintains an S-shape in your spine and distributes your weight more evenly.

Health.com: 20 Ways to Torch 200 Calories

Leave the seat at home
Whether you're going to a concert, tailgate, or park, don't bring a chair.

You'll find that if you don't have one, you stand the whole time or naturally move back and forth between your blanket and standing, says Marc Hamilton, PhD, a microbiologist at the Pennington Biomedical Research Center.

More suggestions for giving up the chair after the break.

Blue Mic Introduces Mobile Recorder's BFF: Spark Digital

Kristy Korcz — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 09:13:00 PST

If you're a podcaster on the go, you'll dig Blue Mic's latest offering: the Spark Digital ($200). It's the first studio-quality audio microphone built for the iPad. Price seem a little steep for an iPad mic? The good news is you can hook Spark Digital up to your computer as well with both USB and iPad connection cables. The condenser mic is great for all kinds of situations - from recording instruments to vocals - and features a headphone-out port so you can monitor your levels during recording sessions.

This sleek mic comes with a desk stand, USB and iPad cables, along with a six-month SoundCloud Pro account.