On this Turn The Table Tuesday Leo buys another new computer. So what else is new?

Tuesday, May 18^th, 2010, Netcast 1092 

I guess Leo flips a coin every other month to see if he’ll buy another new phone, or another new computer. On this TTTT the coin landed on “computer” and he bought the new MacBook Pro 15 (G2T). Of course Leo didn’t buy the barebones version but pretty much upgraded everything. It’s available with a range of processor speeds (dual core, 2.4 - 2.66 GHz) and several hard drive capacities. Surprisingly Leo didn’t opt for a solid-state drive. RAM is available up to 8 GB but Leo just went to 4 GB. 4 GB more was expensive, like an additional $200! He also upgraded the display to a high-res version with 1680 x 1050 pixels. I assume you’re going to listen to the Netcast because I may have not remembered all of these specs correctly. Leo of course loves the unibody enclosure even though it means you can’t replace the battery. (Well maybe you can, but it won’t be easy! Even Leo admitted that opening a laptop is tricky because everything is really jammed inside.) The Apple Mag-Safe power socket has been redesigned on this laptop to fit in better with the lines of the aluminum case. Leo likes the keyboard which if I recall correctly is backlit. I can’t remember the total price paid when Leo finished adding just about everything Apple offers, but I believe it was close to $3,000. No use "price shopping". There are no discounts on Apple Products. Maybe a buck or two off here or there, but no big discounts.

 http://www.apple.com/macbookpro/specs.html 

Hear this Netcast: www.twit.tv/dgw1092

World’s Mightiest Screwdriver!

Monday, May 17^th, 2010 Netcast 1091 

L to R: Shown with no arms extender, then one arm, then two.My T Driver has two has two stainless steel flip-out folding arms that help deliver five times more torque than a traditional screwdriver. To prove it, at the National Hardware show, they had one hooked to a torque meter. I got to turn a screw both with and without the flip-out arms extended. It works! I was able to get about four times more torque with the folding arms extended. (See link to video below)  The My T Driver is also a ratcheting screwdriver for even more power. And don’t worry about breaking this tool. The company says its powerful lever-action design withstands up to 300 inch-lbs. of torque. With the ability to use any type of screw or ratchet attachment, this new device can drive any type of screw or socket into tough surfaces. It comes with three reversible multi-head bits and a reversible shaft for small spaces. It has three blade lengths (standard, compact and stubby), six versatile tips for home or job-site applications, a socket head adapter to tighten bolts without reaching for a ratchet set, and a ratchet dial with forward, reverse and lock positions. It’s equal to 24 different screwdrivers. The “My T Driver” retails for $19.95 plus shipping and handling. But wait there’s more! Price includes a “My T Light” LED attachment so you can see clearly in dark areas. Although it’s not available right now, it should be available by Father’s Day.

www.melcodirect.com 

Hear this Netcast: www.twit.tv/dgw1091

The Giz Wiz using MightyTDriver at the Hardware Show: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nr4TovkjVm4

How much was a really top-end cassette deck back in 1975? Read on.

Friday, May 14th, 2010, Netcast 1090

It was 1975 and I see an ad for the Marantz 5120 Stereo Cassette Deck in one of the audio magazines. Not only is this machine a beauty, but it has a ton of lights, and two volume level meters –left & right channel - that also light up. But wait there's more. Each one has an LED  peak overload indicator! (They're so new the ad has to explain that LED stands for special "Light Emiting Diodes.")To add to the professional look, the side panels are walnut wood veneer. Other top-of-the-line features include: Dolby NR, Bias/Eq Selector, Limiter (in case you didn’t feel like riding the volume controls yourself  / Left and Right Mic inputs with volume sliders / Left and Right Line Audio inputs, Master Level / and state-of-the-art Ferrite Heads. There was a "panpot system" for mixing mic and music too.  It even had servo control for total shut off. Cheap tape machines back then would not disengage the heads when you shut the machine off. You had to make sure you pushed "stop" before turning off the power. That could deform the tape where it touched the recording/playback heads, not a good thing. The cost of this beauty some 35 years ago was $330! But it was a Marantz, which was really about as high tech as you could get in the consumer market. Leo recalls buying the same unit so you know it must have been top notch!

Hear this Netcast: www.twit.com/dgw1090

A neater, easier way to charge three devices at one time.

Thursday, May 13^th, 2010 Netcast 1089  

This is a new way to charge three gizmos at the same time. The IDAPT I3 charging station works for just about all your portable devices and eliminates the pain of finding and switching around AC adapters. This neatly organized power dock charges up to three of your devices simultaneously.  What’s nice about it is that there are no messy wires dangling everywhere. The only cable you'll see is the one running from the IDAPT platform to your wall outlet and that’s at the back of the unit. The charging station comes with a variety of interchangeable tips — you plug in the three that you use most often. To release & change any of the interchangeable tips is easy. Just push down to the two silver tabs at the base and it pops out. I have my IDAPT I3 set up for charging my cell phone, my MP3 player and my mini camcorder. The included tips cover a wide range of smartphones, mobile phones, GPS units, point-and shoot cameras, and more. Additional tips are available separately, including one that can charge rechargeable AA batteries. I recommend using a bit of care when plugging and unplugging your device since your gizmo will be suspended over the IDAPT via the charging port. It’s not a big worry, just something to be careful of. I had no problems charging my devices. If you go to the company’s website you can see a list of the tips the unit ships with and the optional tips that are available. There is also a two device charging IDAPT, but who has only two devices to charge? UPDATE:  I just spoke to Matt Shumate at IDAPT’s PR agency and got the lowdown on the rechargeable battery tip. Here it is:

IDAPT i3 does not have a rechargeable battery tip as one of the 6 tips in the pre-packaged order.  If you customize the IDAPT online to include 4 tips for the same price as getting 6 of the most popular tips you can choose to get a battery tip.  Battery tips are available for sale as are all other extra tips at

www.idaptweb.com  and amazon: direct link: http://tinyurl.com/29h7pso

To my mind the way to go would be to order the exact four tips you want instead getting the six that are prepackaged. But you can decide for yourself after checking out both websites above and comparing prices. The 2 device IDAPT I2 is under $40, and the three device version IDAPT I3 is under $50. There are available in black, silver and red.

Hear this Netcast: www.twit.tv/dgw1089

What’s the computer gadget most non-tech folks fear the most?

Wednesday, May 12^th, Netcast 1088  

If you answered “the router”, you are correct. Belkin did some research and found folks often keep old routers because they’re afraid they won’t be able to set up a new one. Well help is here. Belkin made a giant step forward in removing the fear of setting up a new or replacement router with their four new wireless N models. Not only are they designed for easy set up, they have a built in self-healing app that automatically detects and resolves network problems. It even runs routine maintenance scans to give you the clearest wireless channel.  Each cable in the box is labeled and the routers are shipped with network names & passwords. Don’t worry – that info is printed on a tag stuck to the side of the router and there a place to hide under the router if you wish. You can change them when & if you want. Instead of a maze of blinking lights, there’s just one. And if it doesn’t glow green when it’s supposed to, there’s a 24-hour toll free number to help you find out what’s wrong. I use Verizon DSL and they’re known for not making things easy. I had one of the very first of the new routers and I did have to upgrade the software. After I did that, it set up my Verizon modem/router easily. These Share, Play, and Play Max Routers have a Print Genie app that lets you wirelessly print from any computer on the network in your home. Memory Safe automatically backs up your photos and files to an external hard drive (sold separately).  With their Advanced Dual-Band N technology (well they have to call it something catchy) you can use Mover to play your music library on smart devices, like the Xbox or PS3. Another app, the Daily DJ serves up daily-personalized playlists to match your mood. The top model in the line is the Play Max Wireless Router and it retails for under $130. (MSRP) You pick the router you need based on what you want to do with it.  Belkin has models that start at under $50. All of them have pre-configured wireless security which removes another scary part of set-up. MAC and PC compatible. You can check out all the features of the four new routers at the company website. 

http://www.belkin.com/networking/ 

Hear this Netcast: www.twit.tv/dgw1088