TheMacFeed » Mac Accessories

Review: Brother MFC-9320CW

Glenn — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 11:00:17 +0000

Given the choice between form and function, I generally choose function unless the case is extreme. I have used quite a few printers since the beginning of the year. I tried out two of HP’s top models: the OfficeJet 8500 and the Photosmart Premium Fax. There were things that I really liked about each of these printers, hence why I decided to try them. But in the end, I needed increased functionality over form. Fortunately, after finally selling my Photosmart Premium Fax in a huff of disappointment, Brother agreed to let me try one of their most popular color laser all-in-ones. Ladies and gentlemen, let me tell you from experience: The difference is incredible. Click the jump to read more.Differences

Now, before you start thinking that I am a hater of HP in general, please understand that there are critical differences between the HP printers that I tried and the Brother printer. This section of the review is just for those of you that would criticize me for directly comparing an inkjet printer to a laser printer. Think of it as a disclaimer. One of the primary differences is the fact that HP’s offerings were of the inkjet variety, whereas this Brother printer is an LED/Laser based unit. The brother printer is also designed as an industry-grade printer, whereas HP’s printer is really intended for the home user. However, even granting these differences, I believe brother’s printer is the superior choice.

What’s In The Box?

The (extremely large and heavy) shipping box is packed very securely, with everything you need to get started, including all of the necessary cables (something which certain companies leave out for separate purchase, unfortunately). It also comes with a software disc for PC and Mac that makes installation easier, as well as including software that helps make the most of the OCR capabilities of the unit, as well as it’s advanced print and fax settings. A substantially large manual is also included, to help familiarize you with some of the more complex features available to the printer.

Setup

The Brother MFC-9320 was a breeze to set up, and an instruction sheet is included to fill you in. However, I found that it was as simple as unpacking and un-taping the printer, shaking the toner cartridges side to even the toner out, opening the sealed toner cartridges. and sliding them right in to the printer. Turning on the printer then generates a calibration print to ensure that everything is working right. From this point, it’s a simple matter of plugging the printer into the computer and installing the software (if desired.) I found that my Mac already had a driver for it, and the included software merely added extra features and functionality.

Features

This printer is extremely feature rich. In addition to it’s stated specs (which, in comparison to the HP Photosmart Premium, leave it looking like a slightly slower and much heavier, although decidedly more feature-loaded printer), it also has some subtle features. One such feature is the Secure Function Luck built in to the web interface, that let’s you set limits to what specified users can do on the machine, including printing limits. You can even lock certain users or groups of users from using the printer at all. There are a lot of similarly subtle features hidden throughout this printer’s various interfaces, and it seems like the longer I use it, the more useful it becomes.

There is one feature it lacks compared to the HP model, however, and that feature is bluetooth functionality. However, I have found that its excellent network performance more than makes up for it’s failure to perform in this category.

Performance

Despite having lesser specs in the speed dimension compared to the HP Photosmart Premium Fax, the printer is nevertheless quite snappy. I found that in most cases, printing a 20-page document resulted in the document being complete (or within 15 seconds of completion) by the time it takes me to walk to the printer to retrieve my document (usually 15-20 seconds), making the speed comparison irrelevant for anyone short of a novelist (or large office with many users.) The printer is fast enough to satisfy the needs of most user groups.

The scanner is also fast and accurate, capable of scanning directly over the network, to a USB drive, and directly via USB. This is more than I can say for HP’s scanning functionality, which never did work correctly over the network, due to their poor implementation of Snow Leopard support (among other factors).

The print quality of both printers is very high, although I have found that images look sharper, crisper, and more professional from the Brother printer, as the HP tended to over-saturate detailed images with far too much ink, leaving the paper almost soggy.

It may be noted that this printer is not for everyone, however. The resolution of the prints is not as high, meaning that studio-quality photos just are not going to come out of this thing. However, for most home and business use, this printer will be more than sufficient.

Value

At $500 retail, this might seem like a steep price point. However, all is not as it seems. In order to really determine the value of this printer in comparison to the HP model, we must take a look at a few lesser-known details about each.

First is real-world price. The Brother can be obtained via the internet for as little as $400, whereas the HP model can be obtained for as low as 134. This brings the difference in price up to $266. But what does that $266 really get you? A number of things.

A much more stable, solid machine construction.
The ability to print up to 1000 full-color pages right out of the box (compared to around 100 pages with HP’s included starter cartridges)
Less frequent replacement of ink/toner.
A larger paper tray (250 pages versus 125).
A heap of extra features, including control locks, function locks, automatic emailing of reports, and a complete set of print logs and usage reports constantly updated on the printer’s built-in web server.
Your ink will not dry out over time.

Now, to compare the cost of ink/toner. A standard set of ink cartridges purchased from HP will cost you $49 (for a photo black cartridge, a combo pack of color cartridges, plus a standard black cartridge). The HP printer comes with a “starter” set of cartridges with much less yield, so you’ll need to keep a set of spares on hand shortly after beginning to use the printer. This $49 gets you a maximum of 250 pages (300 if you print in strictly color), although real-world usage WILL vary, especially when dealing with photos. It takes three of these replacements, plus the included starter cartridges, to add up to Brother’s 1000-page starter toner set. That accounts for $150 of the cost difference right off the bat.

In addition, Brother’s toner cartridges cost around $50 each on Amazon, totaling a $200 bill of sale (or thereabout) when replacing all of them. However, figuring that the black cartridge gets you 2200 pages, and each color cartridge gets you 1400 pages, it actually turns out to be cheaper than the refills for HP’s Photosmart Premium Fax in the long run. Even more so when you figure that laser printers use less toner on images than inkjets do, and that the ink doesn’t “naturally” deplete over time with non-use. Combine that with the fact that you have to replace cartridges much less often, which saves your time, and you find that the Brother printer is easily an equal or greater monetary value than the HP Photosmart Premium Fax.

Conclusion

After using one of HP’s top inkjets for a few months, and then switching to one of Brother’s top laser printers, I have to conclude that I highly prefer the Brother offering – it offers an equal or better monetary value, a much more substantial feature set, a stronger, better built device, and a multifunction device that requires less overall maintenance. In light of the MFC-9320’s strong performance, solid value for the money, and impossibly durable build, I award it 4.5 out of 5 stars. To read more about the MFC-9320, or to purchase one at full retail from the manufacturer, please visit Brother’s product page on the web.

Review: SMK-Link VP3610

Charlie — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 17:27:02 +0000

It’s hard to believe I’ve been at TheMacFeed for over a year now. Anyways, my first review on this site was of the Logitech Alto Connect USB Stand, a discontinued product at the time. Logitech hasn’t done anything to get the things back to market, which is a shame. The idea was to take two concepts: a notebook stand and a USB hub. Combining them into one package was a logical ideal and helped to deal with everyone’s problem of desk clutter. However, even being sold in the Apple Retail Stores with a name like Logitech couldn’t keep the Alto Connect alive. Fortunately, there’s a new USB stand on the market thanks to SMK-Link of Camarillo, CA.

Out of the Box
It’s called the SMK-Link VP3610. I’ll compare it to the Logitech towards the end, but there is a lot of similarities and a lot of differences. The VP3610 is a single piece design that implements a combination of plastics throughout. In addition, to being a USB stand, it also features speakers. Included in the box is the stand itself, a power cable, a USB cable and an 1/8 inch audio cable. There’s no software required, even for the speakers which Mac OS X recognizes as USB Audio Device.

Design
The contrast of tinted black plastic and the hard matte plastic is interesting. It’s significantly lower than the Logitech, more in line with the height of the Rain Design iLap. The front features two bumpers(?) to keep the notebook in place. The speakers rest on the sides of the stand pointing outwards. Towards the back, the center is hollow, I presume for aesthetics as well as cooling purposes. The corner on the right side features an on/off switch, while the opposite corner houses the volume control. The back has three USB out ports, the A/C input, 1/8th inch audio in and out and the USB cable.

Cooling
I’m still a firm believer that the best way to keep your notebook cooled is to just be smart about things. Don’t render video with your notebook sitting on a fuzzy blanket. Keep the back vents open and don’t leave your computer roasting on the beach. There are so many variables that go into why my MacBook Pro gets hot, so it’s rather difficult to tell how much of a job products like the SMK-Link are doing, but I can say with certainty it’s not making it any warmer. There are quite a few theories regarding what is the proper way to keep your notebook cooled with the use of external options, I have had zero luck with fans and find that the best way is just to keep the notebook elevated on the back. In that regards, SMK-Link’s Notebook USB Audio Station its job. With the stand my MacBook Pro’s fans, which occasionally go on, never went on.

Typing
My largest gripe with the Logitech Alto Connect was that it essentially rendered your computer’s keyboard useless given how high-up it placed the notebook. Furthermore, the angle made it so that it was utterly uncomfortable. SMK-Link provides a comfortable typing expereince, as well as a slightly elevated monitor height making the overall expereince much more comfortable.

Speakers

As you’ve likely noticed by now, the tilt here is accomplished by propping your machine up on a pair of 8-watt speakers, giving you an elevated view as well as an improved level of audio quality (we’re assuming, anyway). – Engadget

Assumptions are bad. The speakers are awful. The combination of close to zero bass combined with an overall disappointing clarity make these essentially unusable. While they are noticeably louder than my 17″ MacBook Pro’s speakers, they aren’t going to blow any 2.1 system in volume and quality won’t be a competition. It’s unclear to me if having the audio in/out is actually something useful. The audio quality through there is pretty bad, leading me to just use the standard audio out when not using an external amp.

Versus the Alto Connect
Let’s see…

Cooling – Draw
Typing – SMK
Style – Logitech
Speakers – Draw?
Usability – SMK
USB Ports – Logitech (SMK has three, Logitech has three on back, one in front)

…In the end, it really is a toss-up. If you are going to use a keyboard and mouse and are looking for the height and ports, the Logitech. If you want to still be able to type, SMK. Tiebreaking becomes a further problem. I paid $60 for the Logitech Alto Connect from the Apple Store. It’s no longer being sold there as it’s been discontinued. It can be found for around half the price, but the availability has to be a concern.

Overall
For me, when it comes to the SMK-Link versus the Alto Connect, it’s easy… the SMK-Link wins pretty easily, as I find the Logitech impossible to use sans external keyboard. It’s odd, my main alternative is a combination of Blue Lounge’s Coolfeet and a USB hub. While that alternative is no where near as stylish, it’s rather functional. I gave the Alto Connect 4 1/2 stars in the first review I did at TheMacFeed and despite preferring the SMK-Link, the audio quality prevents me from doing the same. You can purchase the SMK-Link VP3610 from your local Apple Retail Store for $60 or from Provantage for $44.

TheMacFeed Reviews: AViiQ™

Glenn — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 15:46:06 +0000

Laptops stands are great – I frequently use a laptop stand to hold my laptop at a more ergonomic angle when using it on my lap or my desk. I, like many others, have found it highly uncomfortable to use a laptop in it’s “natural” position for extended periods of time. However, this tends to pose a problem to those that are on the move – it can be difficult to fit a laptop stand in your backpack, briefcase or carrying bag. Today’s product is called the AViiQ Portable Laptop Stand, and it poses a fantastic solution to that problem. Find out more after the jump.

What Is AViiQ™?AViiQ is the first truly portable laptop stand that I am aware of. It’s extremely light weight, takes up a very small amount of space, and is extremely easy to set up and begin using immediately. It comes in stylish packaging that’s almost as attractive as the device itself. But you may be wondering how the makers of AViiQ managed to fit a full laptop stand into a package this small. That’s the real genius of this product’s designed, and it works like this:It folds! The makers of Aviiq have found a strong, yet flexible material to place between their aluminum sheets to allow them to fold in amazing ways. First, the product unfolds into a flat sheet, and then the two pack pieces bend back into the main body, creating a pyramid of strength for your laptop to sit on.

Durability

Sure, the AViiQ looks lice, with it’s shiny aluminum exterior and sleek form factor, how how does it hold up? In my experience with the product, I’ve found that so long as you are using the device for what it is intended, namely, holding your laptop, the AViiQ is durable enough for the job and then some – Despite it’s looks, it’s actually really strong, and they use an aluminum of appropriate thickness for the task at hand.

Conclusion

The AViiQ is by far the most innovative laptop stand I have ever seen. It combines strength, appealing design, and extreme levels of portability all in one tiny package, and does so without missing a beat. For it’s quality, durability, and extremely unique place among it’s peers, we award the AViiQ Laptop Stand a rare FIVE OUT OF FIVE rating. To learn more about the product, or to purchase your own AViiQ Portable Laptop Stand ($79) visit AViiQ Products on the web.

Review: Cardette Ultra

Daniel — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 22:43:45 +0000

Older MacBooks and Macs do not have DS slots built in, in-fact most do not. Until last week, I was on the hunt for a perfect media card reader and after receiving Moshi’s Cardette Ultra, I might have found it.

Design

The Cardette Ultra is the definition of Moshi design, it is slim, sleek, and portable. The top slides open to allow the USB wire to be hidden inside as well as labels hidden to name each port. The size of the Cardette is just about that of a deck of cards, which, to me, is perfect.

Features

This is a media card reader, nothing more, nothing less, well except the two built in USB ports, but besides that it’s the same. It can read: all series of CompactFlash (CF) and MicroDrive, all series of Memory Stick (MS,MS Duo, MS PRO Duo), M2, MultiMediaCard (MMC),SecureDigital (SD), micro SD / TF, eXtremeDigital (xD-Picture), and SecureDigital High Capacity (SDHC). As for performance, there is no lag in loading images of my camera’s SD card nor any when loading a flash drive leaving you nothing besides a flawless experience.

Competition

The “Ultra” must mean expensive as this is a pricy media card reader at $35 when you can get them on NewEgg, Buy.com, and a lot more places for a little over $10, just look on Google. Maybe is is the aluminum design, maybe not.

Conclusion

The design of the Cardette Ultra is what sets it apart, the features are what makes it a success. I do believe the Cardette Ultra is a great product, but you have to be able to deal with the price. If you are willing to throw out the $35, by all means, but if not, there a plenty other great readers out there for less. To purchase or learn more about Moshi’s Cardette Ultra, you can view its page on Moshi’s website here.

USB Power

If you were wondering what the USB ports will work with, this might help:

The integrated USB 2.0 hub can supply up to 300 mA of power, which is sufficient for powering most USB peripherals such as flash drives, MP3 players, mouse, keyboard and PC cameras. Separate power may be required for devices such as external hard drives or DVD drives when attached to Cardette.

Review: Level 8 Atlas

Charlie — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 18:55:53 +0000

We seem to really love backpacks, don’t we? Level 8 is one of those brands that we’ve heard of a couple times over as someone to check out. In fact, a couple of readers asked specifically for us to review the bag and so Level 8 was kind enough to send over their Atlas bag. Over the past couple weeks (while we mourn the loss of our BBP Industries Bag) we’ve spent sometime moving on, hoping to find true love once again in a different backpack. And while we aren’t sure we’ve learned everything about the Atlas bag (or that we ever will) – we think we are ready to tell the world what we think.

Introducing Level 8
Like another company we’re slightly familiar with, Level 8 is based around Apple products and their consumers. The bags are designed to fit specifically Apple products, which is always a nice thing in our books. The goals are highlighted in their 8 Points, but we don’t really need the lengthy explanation, words are just words; we prefer to watch how things function.

Out of the Box
Once again, no company has really spiced up the whole box thing when it comes to backpacks. You get the bag and the packaging that is in the bag. You also get a tag with a sample of the incredible three-dimensional EVA foam that is used to secure your notebook. That’s about it. Once again we extend a challenge at TheMacFeed for the next backpack maker to include some surprises in the packaging.

Design
It looks like a laptop bag, which isn’t necessarly a plus in our books. It’s a three pocket design (one dedicated laptop, one main and one smaller pocket. In addition, there are two zippered pockets to store bottles on each side and an iPod/iPhone pocket featuring a cable hole on top. It’s a charcoal and black combo with some grey piping. Level 8 keeps their presence in low-profile with a small logo on the front and simple text logos on the zipper. And how could we forget the inside of the zippers which hide a small 8 as well. The most striking exterior feature is the unique handle system. Not only are there two handles (one in the middle of the bag and one closer to the back), but the one in the middle is rather unique looking. It’s a combination of steel(?) wire, cotton, hard rubber, rubber tubing and some metal. The industrial look sets itself apart from what is otherwise a fairly typical notebook bag.

Storage
The easiest way to describe it is: tons of storage. There are two main storage pockets and then hidden corners all over the bag that allow for further storage. The first is hidden in the TSA Approved pocket (more on that later) in the former of a simple sleeve that we presume wouldn’t lead to any more TSA violations. In addition, if you aren’t going on a plane, this pocket provides plenty of extra storage. The largest pocket features an ample size combined with tons of pockets and compartments. Two padded pockets on top can squeeze a MagSafe adaptor (or other cables, below them two mesh pockets allow for even more storage. Opposite those four pockets, a large zippered mesh pocket extends half the wall and easily capable of storing our twenty foot ethernet cable.

The front most pocket can squeeze a notebook, but it’s tight. It does feature the normal business card pockets, cellphone holder and storage for pens. In addition, a larger zippered pocket allows for storage of envelopes and other smaller items. The two side pockets are identical. Both are zippered pockets that incorporate mesh for storage and can fit most size bottles, although closing them becomes a challenge. By far our favorite pocket is the top pocked, designed for storing iPods and other devices, it is padded with a velcro slot. In addition, the bag features a waterproof cord system that allows you to run the wires out the side. We found it ideal for storing the 18 pairs of headphones we seem to carry around daily, but perhaps that’s just us.

Protecting Your Notebook
It’s pretty impressive. Level 8 incorporates what they call “three-dimensional EVA foam” in the notebook pocket. On looks alone, it’s the most intense padding we’ve seen. The aborbant material secures your notebook firmly within the pocket. On the outside of the pocket a more traditional padding is used. The combination is the most impressive we’ve seen and we’d be hard pressed to say that any other bag we’ve tested offers more protection.

Love for the TSA
We’ve previously reviewed the Brenthaven BP-XF which is most notable first for its size and secondly for the feature to help travelers. It’s called being “TSA Checkpoint Friendly” and the premise is that the bag can split in half so that the notebook is isolated from anything else, meaning you don’t have to remove your notebook from the bag ideally saving time. You simply have to unzip the pocket and lie the bag flat on the scanner. We haven’t tested this feature with the Atlas, but there’s little reason why we doubt this would save time.

Comfort
There’s tons of padding on the back of the bag and in the shoulder straps. It’s not the largest bad we’ve reviewed, but it’s up there. The padding helps the weight to be decreased and makes the size of the bag significantly more manageable. Everyone’s back is different and so it’s hard to really say how comfortable it will be on your back, but we found that the Atlas was fine for us.

In the End
While this and our beloved Industries bag from BBP are very different, we find this to be our preference for those that desire more space then what the BBP has to offer. We prefer the comfort and looks of the BBP bag, but the protection, storage and TSA feature of the Atlas bag are things the BBP can’t match. Remember, we gave the Industries backpack the title of best backpack we’ve reviewed (and it’s a long list) and we definitely have to rethink that rating post Atlas. The Level 8 Atlas is available in all U.S. Apple Stores and by phone directly from Level 8 for $99.99.

Review: Equinux TubeStick Hybrid

Glenn — Sun, 04 Jul 2010 01:12:56 +0000

I am the only Apple user in a household of 5 computer users. Due to this fact, I am forced to maintain knowledge in both the Windows and OS X side of computing – a fact grants me a somewhat unique perspective in discussing various hardware and software features and accessories available on either platform. Our main television is controlled by Windows Media Center – a technology that, despite my allegiance to the Mac, does seem like a brilliant venture. Unfortunately, there is precious little Mac-native hardware and software that provides for this same functionality on an OS X based computer.

There have been answers to this concern – Apple has made it easier for viewing media on a television via excellent content management software such as iTunes and Front Row – but these solutions always lack a critical feature – the ability to interface with your Cable box, Antenna, or Satellite box, and still interface with your HDTV in a pleasant. viewable manner. Third parties have developed hardware and software solutions to help compensate for this lack. Today, we will review one such solution: the TubeStick Hybrid by Equinux. Review after the break.

What is the TubeStick Hybrid?The TubeStick Hybrid is USB device designed to interface with various types of television signals, including OTA antennas, digital and analog cable, and so forth. In addition, the device has the capability of displaying signals from a variety of video-outputting products, such as DVD and Blu-Ray players, game consoles, and DVR’s. It’s intended to be both compact and portable.

The Good

There are a lot of things that I really liked about the TubeStick Hybrid – it’s extremely easy to set up, it works well for most purposes, and it’s stylish enough to leave on your desk. I tested the device under a variety of conditions, and got mostly good results. The device is capable of handling antenna signals well, although the included antenna did not work well for me (mostly due to my location). It also flawlessly handles my digital cable – even the channel switching.

The Bad

Although the TubeStick hybrid does generally perform well, there are a few problems that prevent it from fulfilling it’s ultimate purpose – to create a Mac media center. One major problem is that for satellite television and certain forms of digital cable, the TubeStick Hybrid is not capable of changing the channel for you – this makes the built-in recording feature an annoyance for people on the go – they would have to change the channel to their desired recording channel and hope it worked.

Additionally, while the TubeStick Hybrid does include an intelligent program guide for the Mac, it lacks an interface that works well with an HDTV. Personally, I am eagerly awaiting a solution that can plug into an inexpensive Mac Mini, interface with my satellite television, Blu-Ray player, and act as a DVR – all while using a single remote. While solutions like this are available on Windows-based home theatre PC’s, there really isn’t a feasible solution that I know of for a Mac.

The Ugly

While I do appreciate the fact that the included TheTube software is capable of producing a high-quality recording of any source input device it is compatible with, I was left concerned about the fact that it insists on recording in a proprietary video format, and requires the use of The Tube to convert it to the commonly accepted standard – h.264. Although, admittedly, I do love the fact that it will automatically create iPod and iPhone-ready files and import them into iTunes for me with the correct labeling.

Conclusion

I really liked the TubeStick Hybrid, however, it’s limitations (most of which aren’t it’s own fault) prevent it from being truly useful. While the TubeStick Hybrid does do everything that it claims to do, and with a style and cool-factor that are hard to shake a cross glance at, it seems that there still has yet to be a really solid Mac-based response to Windows Media Center and the abilities it brings to the playing field. Fir it’s merits, however, I proudly award the Tube Stick Hybrid a score of 4/5. For more information, or to purchase the TubeStick Hybrid ($129), visit Equinux 0n the web.

Review: Twelve South’s iPad & MacBook BookArc

Daniel — Sat, 26 Jun 2010 20:04:01 +0000

When the “magical and revolutionary iPad” was released, there were two very popular accessories that accompanied it; Apple’s iPad Dock and the iPad Case. The disappointing and unannounced part? They do not work together. Now, the people over at Twelve South have created a stand that accommodates Apple’s iPad with and without a case as well as another stand for the MacBook line which also can accommodate cases. My only question is: why didn’t Apple think of this?

It Blends

The design of the BookArc line is practically identical, the only difference is the size of the arc itself (iPad version being much smaller than the MacBook for obvious reasons). The BookArc is made up of “heavy gauge steel” which keeps it strong, padded legs which allow it to grip, and scratch free silicone inserts to ensure a perfect fit for the device (3 for the MacBook version to fit most models and cases & 2 for the iPad version).

Uses: MacBook

With the BookArc, an external monitor, a mouse, and a keyboard any MacBook can easily be turned into a desktop computer which can free up desk-space and increase the machine’s overall performance, not to mention it just looks great. Lets go back to the performance statement, according to Twelve South:

When your MacBook is running closed in the BookArc, your machine will automatically dedicate 100% of its video memory to the external display – instead of splitting it with the internal display. You’ll enjoy a noticeable speed increase when working in Photoshop, Aperture, iPhoto and other graphics-intensive applications.

Uses: iPad

With the BookArc for iPad, you can easily turn your iPad into a beautiful typing computer with a bluetooth keyboard, in-fact I think they were made for each other based on how well they blend. When would you need an external keyboard? Though the iPad’s onscreen keyboard is great to type on, it is not practical to type an essay using it. With the BookArc and a keyboard, it just makes sense.

Packaging

I normally do not mention a products packaging but I am making an exception for the BookArc. The way the boxed the BookArc is very Apple-like with the nice simple design and the great looking box. This just serves as another way you know you are getting quality products with Twelve South.

Conclusion

The BookArc is an amazing product that is made to last, and we cant help but to love it and recommend it. The BookArc for iPad costs $39.99 and the BookArc for MacBook is $49.99 from Twelve South’s Online Store (Here), the Apple Store, and Best Buy (MacBook Version Only).

Review: Pelican Storm iM2370

Glenn — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 01:09:48 +0000

Choosing the right laptop case is an extremely important decision – it can make all of the difference in the security, protection, and portability of your laptop. Recently, Pelican kindly agreed to allow us to test one of their extremely tough offerings – and not only is it tough, it’s also secure, and has plenty of storage for the things you’ll need. Our thoughts on the case after the jump.

First Glance

From the very first moment I unpacked this case, it screamed toughness. It’s constructed of a thick high-impact plastic, and is fully sealed from both air and moisture by a formed gasket. While being tough, however, it still manages to nestle my MacBook Pro very comfortably, while having enough room to store discs, magazines, hard drives, and essential accessories for your computer.

How Tough is Tough?

I performed a variety of tests on this device to test it’s durability. First, performed a drop test, in which I dropped the case from a 5 foot height three separate times. Each time, the case survived, unscathed, with barely noticeable scuffing. So, it ’s indeed extremely durable.

The second test I performed was a dust infiltration test – I placed the device in a bag of flour, and shook the bag vigorously. I then opened the bag, washed off the outside of the case, and then checked to see whether any flour got inside. Unsurprisingly (to me at least), the device performed perfectly, and no flour reached the inside.

The third and final test was a dunk test. I completely immersed the case in my bathtub at home, and pushed it to the bottom, so it was completely covered. I held it for 5 minutes and checked – no moisture. Unsatisfied, I made a trip t the local pool, tied weights to the case, and sunk it in the 10-foot section. After 20 minutes, I checked it out. Once again, no moisture managed to get inside the case.

The Soft Side

So, now we know that the Pelican Storm case is extremely tough, but the question remains as to whether it is shock resistant and supportive on the inside. The top and bottom padding is constructed of a semi-soft foam. The foam is soft enough to be very cushioning, but also firm enough to absorb shock, so in that sense, it is indeed very supportive. I also greatly appreciated the fact that it comes with a built-in organizer to hold documents, discs, and gadgets.

As for fit, the case is adjustable. It comes with foam inserts that you can tear out to create a snug fir for your laptop. By removing all of the side pieces and one piece from the top, I was able to create a perfect and firm fit for my Macbook Pro. Further, the case is designed such that when you open your laptop inside of the case, it elevates your laptop screen for easy viewing, and your keyboard for easy typing. As far as the width, a 15″ Macbook Pro is the very widest machine that the case can support.

Security

This case is also extremely secure. It includes a lock mechanism which is operated by a small key, and does lock very securely. In addition, the case is designed to be airport friendly, and meets necessary TSA guidelines for carry-on usage. It also fits nicely under an airline seat.

ConclusionI strongly feel that this is one of the most durable cases on the market, but be aware that the durability does come at a cost – size and weight. At nearly 6 pounds alone, this is not a light option. It’s also not small by any means. But if you are in a toughness-testing industry, such as construction, or the military, this may be just the option for you. For more information on the Pelican Storm iM2370, or to purchase (quotes are given on the website, average price is around $125), please visit Pelican’s product page on the web.

Review: Moshi HDMI to Mini Display

Daniel — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 00:10:37 +0000

Secondary displays are a must for those of us who use laptops as a main computer, and since Apple is not a huge fan of VGA or DVI adapters, we have to grab an additional wire to connect them. At the Apple Store, these will easily set you back $30, and the quality of video can sometimes be less than ideal. Thankfully, the people at Moshi have created a product that wont necessarily be cheaper – costing up to $35 – but will definitely deliver superior image quality compared to Apple’s equivalent.

To be honest, I am nowhere close to a video expert and I am not sure of the technical differences between VGA and HDMI, but I do feel that using HDMI is clearer, and better to use in just about every way — or is that my inner self believing that after paying so much on a HDMI cable? Whatever the reason, It just seems better.

Now, due to curiosity, I did do some research on the real difference between VGA and HDMI and I stumbled upon an old Yahoo Answers page and according to a user there…

The term Video Graphics Array (VGA) refers either to an analog computer display standard, the 15-pin D-subminiature VGA connector, first marketed in 1987 by IBM, or the 640×480 resolution itself. While this resolution has been superseded in the computer market, it is becoming a popular resolution on mobile devices.

The High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) is a licensable audio/video connector interface for transmitting uncompressed, encrypted digital streams. HDMI connects DRM-enforcing digital audio/video sources, such as a set-top box, a Blu-ray Disc player, a PC running Windows Vista, a video game console, or an AV receiver, to a compatible digital audio device and/or video monitor, such as a digital television (DTV). HDMI began to appear in 2006 on prosumer HDTV camcorders and high-end digital still cameras.

In addition, I contacted the guys behind Moshi’s adapter and they told me the following:

By definition, HD supports a resolution of 1920×1080, while the VGA standard is 640×480. I’m not an engineer or even very technical, but my understanding is that the VGA has to translate the digital signal causing a loss of quality making the picture fuzzier as well. The HDMI does not need to translate the signal. It is a direct digital to digital connection, so there is no loss in quality.

Conclusion

Between the Yahoo Answers page, my personal opinion, and Moshi’s response, I believe that HDMI is the way to go, especially if you plan on using a large display. You do need to check if your television has an HDMI port. There are two models available, a $29 version which supports video only, and a $35 one that supports both video and audio (audio only works on newer Macs, see Moshi’s website for more info on that). To order, and to learn more on these adapters, you can visit Moshi’s website located here.

Review: Moshi ClearGaurd

Daniel — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 00:05:21 +0000

Keyboard protectors tend to be pretty popular among Mac owners – more so than those other people at-least. Previously, we have reviewed iSkin’s ProTouch Keyboard Protector which to us was quite good. After that review’s release, we had a comment mentioning how Moshi’s ClearGaurd was better. Now that we have finally gotten our hands on Moshi’s keyboard protector, we are happy to say, he was right.

Usability

Keyboard protectors are one of those things that some people like and some people don’t. I have found that I am not a huge fan of them, yet, Moshi’s ClearGaurd hasn’t fazed me. In-fact, I actually like it. Why? Because it is thin, more so than iSkin’s, meaning it is less resistant and feels more like the keyboard did without the cover on it. For me, that is already a win.

Protection

There is no difference in protection when comparing Moshi’s ClearGaurd and iSkin’s ProTouch. (You can say they are both completely different though, Moshi’s is created with thermoplastic urethane while iSkin’s silicone) By using a keyboard protector, you are able to prevent dirt and dust from getting trapped underneath your keyboard as well as anything that may be on your hands. Best of all, after it gets a little dirty, you can simply take it off and put it under the faucet until it is good as new.

Very Clear

Since we have been comparing this to iSkins, we might also ad that Moshi’s ClearGaurd is noticeably clearer than iSkins clear model allowing the backlight to shine through better and making the skin near invisible which to us is a selling point.

Conclusion

And it is a winner! This skin is nearly completely transparent, barely noticeable, and well priced ($25, same as the clear iSkin). I do not see a reason not to get one of these and protect your investment. In the end, I fully recommend Moshi’s Cleargaurd over iSkin’s ProTouch covers and recommend you order one for yourself at Moshi’s website located here.

Charlie’s Warning

“I learned the hard way how important it is to buy a microfiber cloth (like Radtech’s Screensavrz) when using a keyboard cover. The oils that sit on top of the keyboard cover stained one of my screens and I have since learned my lesson. The stains first became unremovable after eight or nine months of use – but I now never let my screen get closed without the Screensavrz. In the end, this is the one product I won’t let my MacBook Pro go without it and recommend it for any notebook”

Also See: iSkin ProTouch Review