There are so many different types of laptops on the market today, how do you choose the one that will satisfy your needs? Some laptops have larger screens or more memory and some are just thinner than the rest. How do you decide which one will work for you?

Dell or Macbook or Sony Vaio

I am a Dell guy, I am not going to lie. Every since I have been purchasing Dell computers, I have had little issues and I like that I can customize every aspect of the purchase. That takes care of the brand, but what about the specs? I, personally, like to have a reasonably larger screen because I am always doing more than one thing at a time, even on a laptop. If I am able to open up a couple of windows, or programs, and see everything at a glance, that is perfect for me.

I also know that to have many processes running at one time, you need a RAM boost. I like to hit up the 2GB range minimum and then always make sure that I am able to upgrade to at least double that for the future. Hard drive size really isn’t that important for my laptop as I save all my important files on a desktop and then I just up the GB’s until the cows come home. That way, as long as I have enough space on my laptop to get programs running and save minor items, 100GB or so is plenty.

That is pretty much all I look at. There are random other things like graphics cards, processors or motherboards that I could fit into my customization, but those things aren’t as important to me as they are in my main computer. So for that, I just skip and go with what is recommended by Dell.

Do you shop for your laptop by brand, hit up the best prices, or search out a complete customization?  Maybe you do all of the above and that’s what you like!

**The reasons I give in this post are based on things that I think are important when owning one or the other, you opinions may vary from mine and that is fine, let me know about them in the comments section!**

Flat screen televisions are popping up all over the place and the prices are coming down faster than Tiger’s ex-wife with a 9 iron.  You cannot get enough information about flat panel tv’s with all of the brands, cable options, contrast ratios, sizes, colors and HD-ness.  It sure makes it hard to come up with a conclusion that will make your family happy for years to come.  We know that the new televisions are NOT going to last as long as the old 2-ton console tv’s we are used to, but I really wanted to weigh in on the reasons I would choose a flat panel tv over an HD projector for my first HD experience.

Reasons I Like a Flat Panel Television Over a Projector

1. I feel like I have more options, at a better price when it comes to picture quality with a flat panel tv.  With a projector, no matter the brand, there are a ton of outside influences on the quality of picture and overall experience.
   The projector is effected by setup.  You have to know the right viewing distance, surface to project on and lighting in the room to get the best optimal experience.
2. With a flat panel tv you really need less room to enjoy the experience.  The whole purpose of the flat panel is to take up less room.  Now, if you are a lucky person that picked up the Mitsubishi 82″, then your room might have to be a bit larger than normal.  But if you are like most, your averaged size living room will do just fine with a 40″-55″ television.
   With a projector, if you want to see a 100+ inch screen (which is awesome by the way) you are going to need plenty of room just for that.  This means the possibility of using up one whole room in the house, or a section of your basement just for home theater purposes.  This can get a bit pricey in that you are either customizing a room or losing space in your home, such as additional bedroom or den.
3. The setting up of additional equipment can be a bit easier with a flat panel.  Most Blu Ray disc players, xBox360′s, cable boxes or surround sound is located right under the TV.  With a projector, it is typically setup behind you and all the above listed equipment is setup there too.  Now, try changing the settings with your remote.  Of course, you’ll have to reach behind you to do so.  That makes things less enjoyable in my opinion.

I know there aren’t as many people, average people, that have a projector setup, but there are some that went that route because they have the extra room.  Even still, I think that for your money (now) you can get a much better overall theater type high definition experience going with a quality flat panel television.  When you finally win the lottery or somehow can afford to purchase another television, maybe take a look at some of the HD projectors as an option.

As far as being the first time you upgrade from your 27″ squealing box tv, I would upgrade right to an easy-to-use flat panel that you can find just about anywhere.

ESPN has always been a leader in the sports world when it comes to all the sports you can pack onto one channel.  Take that note and add the fact that the network is going to be the first to go 3 dimensions.  That is right, ESPN is going 3D in June 2010.

The network is going to show a minimum of 85 live sports events during the first year and the first one is going to be a FIFA World Cup match South Africa vs Mexico.  There are plenty of other events, but the ones announced so far include 2011 BCS National Championship Game, college basketball, football, 25 World Cup matches and the Summer XGames!

I personally think that watching sports in 3D might be a little hard on the brain at first.  But once the headache is all worked out, it would be quite an experience.  ESPN has been testing the technology for about 2 years now and the CEO of the Consumer Electronics Association is claiming this as the “turning point for 3-D”.

ESPN will be the first to offer this experience and this rockets them to the forefront of the next big advance for TV viewing.  (Source: ESPN)

Search, cell phones, RSS feeds, code, documents, blogs, Gmail, picture editing, 3d drawing, plus 100′s of applications for everything you can think of.  Do you think that Google is taking over the world?  As one that is very good at getting around the web, checking out the newest apps and gadgets, I think that Google has a very tight hold…..oh whatever they want.

Today I read that Google is checking into creating their own cell phone.  Can you believe this?  A couple years ago I was excited to hear that Google might hook us up with free wireless internet (called TiSP) and now they have come so far in other places.  Right now the free in home wireless internet is in BETA and you can see 8 signs it’s coming right here.

So, the main news this morning was about the Google Phone.  The phone, called the “Nexus One” has many questions around it, but the main one is who is going to buy it and can Google top other models selling on the web like hot cakes?

Apparently, there will be an option for an unlocked phone, as well as, a phone that is hooked with T-Mobile and their network.  At least you have the option right away, unlike some phones that have come out recently.  Of course, Google can pay for this type of thing through advertising.  Google has mastered the technique of getting ads to people in the smallest spaces on the web.  If they can do this with the phone, Google will stand to make millions more serving ads to it’s phone users.

Critics say the system could fail like the “free PC’s” system that was unvailed a couple years ago.  Users got a free PC with ads displaying and that kept the cost to the manufacturer to a minimum.  The PC’s failed because the speeds were slow and users complained the ads being served took up valuable PC resources.  Can this happen to Google too?

In my opinion Google will not let this happen and has the knowledge, technology and money to make sure of that.  That doesn’t mean Google will not fail at it, but they have a very low % of failure based on the resources available.

Just announced, Xbox is adding new features on the next mandatory update coming up November 17th, 2009.  As soon as you turn your system on the update will occur so make sure you do that as soon as you can.  Why, you ask?  Because the updates are awesome and well worth it.  Let me explain.

New Updates for Xbox November 17 Include

Connect with Facebook – we all know that it was only a matter of time before Xbox would finally join up with Facebook to allow users to connect to friends, share photos or status updates and even excellent gaming moments right from your TV.

Twitter your kill count – now you will be able to keep all of your friends updated via Twitter right from your Xbox.  Why even have a computer?  The Xbox updates are extremely timely since all of the social networking done these days is done from just about anywhere BUT your computer.  Log on to see your friends posts, reply to tweets or send your mood across the whole Twitter network after some noob just flash bombed your ass from behind.

Get custom music with Last.FM – explore over 3.5 million songs in the Last.FM library, right from your Xbox.  Gold members are able to “love”, “ban” or skip songs in an attempt to create the best radio station ever.  You are the DJ and now you can listen to ALL of your favorite songs right from the best gaming and entertainment console on the planet!

Watch HD 1080p Videos from Zune – Now you are going to flip!  Zune brings you the highest quality HD videos to your Xbox download free and with NO delay!  Watch the TV shows and movies you want in streaming 1080p and 5.1 surround sound.  The “instant on” streams of high quality good-ness will blow your mind and don’t forget your high speed broadband, HDMI cables and HDTV capable television for this option.

Xbox is really starting to come alive.  What other features could Microsoft possibly add that would make the overall experience better?

Since we all know that you are on Twitter just like everyone else, I thought I would put up a list of the 5 reasons to use the Twitter application known as, TweetDeck.  I have been a member of Twitter for about 2 years now and, at first, really didn’t understand the whole concept, but now that many have found ways to profit from the service, more and more apps are coming out to make the possibility of making money even more real.

Enter TweetDeck

TweetDeck is one of those applications.  Simplifying your Twitter driven lifestyle one update at a time.  Here are the 5 reason I think you should be using TweetDeck.

#1 More Accounts

Supports multiple accounts, including Facebook. With one simple click you can have all of your accounts updated right in front of you.

#2 Added Visibility

You can add columns for search terms, mentions of a member, or just your friends feed.  Keeping an eye on trends?  Add a search column within the application and it will update each time the search terms are used.  This will allow you to keep an eye on topics of interest and possibly give you the chance to add like mind users.

#3 Quiet in the Background

Runs on your desktop, in the background, and you can tweet or search without even logging into the Twitter.com site.

#4 Time Saver

Allows you to keep in touch with MORE people, much FASTER and more EFFICIENTLY.

#5 The Cost

It’s FREE for LIFE!

The reasons might be quite simple, but they are my top 5 reasons for using TweetDeck.  One drawback I did find was not downloading it much sooner in my Twitter career.  Do you have any tips to add to this list?  Please send them to @consumrtechblog or leave a comment below!

If you thought that your xBox was the sweetest thing on the block because of some hack or upgrade, think again.  Xbox just annouced they have banned 1 million plus LIVE accounts because of modified consoles.
In a statment from Wednesday, xBox says:

“All consumers should know that piracy is illegal and that modifying their Xbox 360 console violates the Xbox Live terms of use, will void their warranty and result in a ban from Xbox Live,” Microsoft said in a statement Wednesday.

Apparently, most of the gamers have modified their consoles, or downloaded games illegally from file sharing websites.  File sharing websites have been quite popular lately and with the brains of many people working together, consoles and games can be hacked to play on the xBox console.  The simple fact that you bought a new xbox case isn’t going to get your banned.  It’s really more about the gamers that have taken it a step further to download and play retail copies of games, they did not purchase.

Don’t get me wrong, there are some pretty cool xBox mods out there, but most of them should be cosmetic.  In some cases, gamers have upgraded the hard drive to a larger one because it will hold more media, but in fact, that console might be blacklisted and will not work online from that point.

Some stores are seeing an increase in xBox’s that have been traded in, purchased and then returned again because “they do not work”.  When in fact, the console has been blacklisted and there is nothing anyone can do with it from that point forward.

Taken directly from the Microsoft Terms of 9/2008:

“Terms of Use” agreement, as of September 2008, Microsoft says that players are to use “only authorized software and hardware to access the Service,” and that they agree that their software and hardware “have not been modified in any unauthorized way … and that we have the right to send data, applications or other content to any software or hardware that you are using to access the Service for the express purpose of detecting an unauthorized modification.”

In addition, “any attempt to disassemble, decompile, create derivative works of, reverse engineer, modify, further sublicense, distribute, or use for other purposes the Service, any game, application, or other content available or accessible through the Service, or any hardware or software associated with the Service or with an original Xbox or Xbox 360 console is strictly prohibited and may result in cancellation of your account and/or your ability to access the Service, and the pursuit of other legal remedies by Microsoft.”

I think that is quite clear and there isn’t any need to guess as to what is not accepted. Of course, some people can twist words and take the policy their own way, but I think that if you read it carefully, you should be able to see what is not accepted by Microsoft!

So, Amazon has the Kindle and now Barnes & Noble has the nook. A wireless ebook reader that is strikingly similar to the Kindle. I went to barnesandnoble.com to check this thing out and I wanted to put some of the features here today. Since I do not plan to buy this item, I will just post what information I see on the site.

First, let’s take a look at the appearance

I must say that it really does look a lot like the Kindle by Amazon, but then I realized, how much different does it HAVE to look? It’s a slim item about the size of a book (7.7″ x 4.9″ x 0.5″ to be exact), that is lightweight (11.2 ounces) and super easy to handle. I guess the appearance could resemble a book in more ways than one, but since it is a technology toy, I expect a sleek look at best.

Wireless

Apparently the download time is in the seconds. The Nook is hook to free wireless via AT&T and that is a 3G network, so in my opinion is most likely a fair estimate. With a color touch-screen that is 3.5″ wide allows for one touch control and navigation. Swiping your finger across the screen will “flip” through your library of full-color book covers.

The display is easy on your eyes in the sun or inside your home and you can adjust the font size for easier ready and to keep the headaches to a minimum.

Storage

The Nook comes with 2GB, or about 1500 books worth, of storage and can be expanded via microSD slot. These days you can get SD cards up to 16GB, so that would be an additional 17,500 books!

Audio

Audio is supplied by a built-in mono speaker and since the Nook serves as an MP3 player, you can listen to audio books as well. Universal 3.5mm stereo headphone jack is included.

Battery

The Nook uses such little battery juice, you can actually read for about 10 days before having to recharge. And that only takes a cool 3.5 hours from wall outlets. Now if you have the wireless in the ON position you won’t be able to go quite as long, but let’s just say that if you were trapped in a cave with your Nook, you could at least read for 7 days before the battery dies out.

Update from Amazon.com:  Apparently there is a coupon worth $80 off ContourHD – HD Helmet Camera by VholdR at Amazon.com right now!  Just enter coupon code: CONTOURH when you check out and you will save $80 instantly!

You are going to flip your lid with this super compact 1080p HD helmet camera!  This camera is the world’s FIRST HD Helmet Camera and is ideal for any person that loves to shoot and share videos of their extreme lifestyle.

The ContourHD is small, light and easily attaches to your helmet, goggles or equipment without any wires.  There is ONE button that starts recording and the same button stops it.  The ContourHD comes in 1080p HD and can record in HD or smooth High Action SD.  Weighing in at only 4 ounces, you won’t even feel the camera attached to your helmet while you scale a tall rock ledge or cruise down a mountain trail on your bike.

Product Description
ContourHD is the World’s First High Definition Wearable Camcorder and with the introduction of ContourHD1080p, it’s also the first to shoot and share 1080p video. While ContourHD is ideal for the everyday outdoor enthusiast and ContourHD1080p is a professional camera, both models combine amazing video clarity, a wide angle lens (135°), single button simplicity, and a click to share online experience.

Perfected for outdoor use, ContourHD’s all-in-one design means you can record hours of HD video without any tapes, wires, or separate recorders; instead record all of your adventures to a removable microSD memory card (compatible up to 16GB). Its light but armored aluminum body (4 ounces) lets users capture video in any weather conditions. ContourHD’s TRail™ Mounts seamlessly attach the camera to the body, helmet, goggles, and/or a vehicle for hands-free recording.

Put HD video on your head and share it online in seconds!

The VholdR Community

There are plenty of adventure sports enthusiasts out there and now more of them are logging what they are doing exactly, in brilliant HD.  The point of view videos make it easy to show others what you are doing on your way down the ski hill, climbing or hiking in the mountains or just cruising in your favorite weekend sailboat!

You can share your videos with others or check out some of the amazing locations discovered by happy ContourHD customers.  With easy to use software you can click to import, tag and share your videos from the ContourHD to VholdR.com.  Share further with Twitter and Facebook, right from the site.

Your adventurous friends are going to want to buy this product as soon as they see the high quality images it produces!

Additional Information from VholdR.com

How does it work?
ContourHD is an all-in-one wearable camcorder that records HD video to a removable microSD memory card, and it also includes Mac/Windows software so you can share your adventures online. Its use couldn’t be simpler—even with a pair of gloves on. Slide the single record switch forward to record and then slide it back to stop. The TRailTM Mount System slides and locks the camera onto a series of mounts so you can wear ContourHD on your goggles, helmet, handlebars, and/or a vehicle. Its wide angle lens, two lasers, and 180° rotating lens are designed to make video easy to capture from inside the action.

Where I work, there is a lot of people touching the LCD monitors that we use. Some are smart and use their fingers, while others, are not so smart and insist on using things like pens or markers to touch the screen. I know, it’s tough to watch. Most of the time the screen will not mark up, but there is always an instance that creates a pen, or marker, line on the screen itself.

If you have the same thing, you might be wondering how to remove the mark from your LCD monitor.

How To Remove Pen, or marker, From Your LCD Monitor

I noticed I small mark near the bottom of an LCD screen and originally thought it might be a scratch of some sort. Upon further investigation, I saw that it was in fact a short mark from a pen. When I rubbed it with my finger, it DID not come off so I was left wondering what I could use to remove it.

I searched the web today to see what other people suggested, because I wanted to see if what worked for me, was mentioned, so far, it was not. Some of the suggestions included:

• Using rubbing alcohol and a Q-tip
• Glass cleaner and a microfiber cloth
• Hand soap or dishwasher soap on damp cloth
• Hairspray and cloth

It seems that all of those suggestions worked fine, but none of them mentioned the tip that I have for you today. I grabbed a pencil with a new eraser and GENTLY “erased” the mark on the LCD screen. Please make sure that it is a NEW eraser as to not scratch your screen with any metal part of the pencil. Also make sure not to add too much pressure to the screen in the process. It did not take that much pressure for me to eliminate the pen mark.

Have you ever had to remove a mark on your LCD? Tell us your story below.