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Back to school tech guide
Sep 01, 2010 (CNET.com - McClatchy-Tribune News Service via COMTEX) --
Forget about pencils and rulers, this is the tech your student really needs to head back to school.
Compare reviews: http://reviews.cnet.com/2710-32205_7-705-1
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Sony PlayStation 3 Slim
_ CNET rating: 4 stars out of 5 (Excellent)
_ The good: More affordable $299 price; slimmer, more compact design with quieter operation; all games in high-definition; easy-to-use interface; doubles as a Blu-ray and upscaling DVD player; built-in Wi-Fi; 120GB hard drive; HDMI output with 1080p support; no external power supply; built-in Web browser; free online gaming service.
_ The bad: Lacks backward support for PS2 games; no infrared port means non-Bluetooth universal remotes aren't compatible; online gaming, media, and commerce options still aren't as fully developed as Xbox Live, though they're getting better.
_ The cost: $359.99
_ The bottom line: With a smaller design, more energy-efficient operation, lower price tag, and built-in Blu-ray and multimedia capabilities, the PS3 Slim delivers a compelling package for an affordable price.
_ Full review: http://reviews.cnet.com/2710-32205_7-705.html
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Apple iPad (16GB)
_ CNET rating: 4 stars out of 5 (Excellent)
_ The good: In an act of aggressive tech convergence, Apple has consolidated your Netbook, e-reader, gaming device, photo frame, and iPod into an elegant, affordable supergadget. Features such as Bluetooth, 802.11n Wi-Fi, movie rentals, 10 hours of battery life, optional 3G wireless, and the most-celebrated App Store on the planet have us pretty worked up.
_ The bad: The iPad's large size is as much a hindrance as it is an advantage. As a jack-of-all-trades and a master of few, the iPad can't entirely mimic many of the specialized products it seeks to replace. The iPad's limited multitasking capabilities and lack of integrated video camera, Flash support, and HD video output already have us pining for next year's model.
_ The cost: $499
_ The bottom line: The Apple iPad is the first affordable tablet computer worth owning, but it won't (yet) replace your laptop.
_ Full review: http://reviews.cnet.com/2710-32205_7-705-2.html
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Barnes & Noble Nook (3G/Wi-Fi)
_ CNET rating: 4 stars out of 5 (Excellent)
_ The good: Large library with tens of thousands of e-books, as well as newspapers and magazines; built-in free wireless data network (no PC needed), plus Wi-Fi connectivity; separate capacitive color touch-screen pad for navigation, and a virtual keyboard for notes and annotations; 2GB of internal memory (capable of storing 1,500 electronic books) as well as an expansion microSD slot for additional memory; font style and size are adjustable; displays image files and plays MP3 music files; compatible with Windows and Mac machines; battery is removable and user replaceable; allows free, in-store browsing of full-text books while within Barnes & Noble stores; users can lend certain e-books for up to 14 days free of charge; ePub format compatibility lets you read free Google Books and loaner e-books from your local library; built-in basic web browser works slightly better than Kindle's.
_ The bad: Though performance has been significantly improved with firmware upgrades, the device could still be zippier; no protective carrying case included; color LCD appears to have a significant impact on battery life; in-store reading and loaning capabilities come with notable limits and caveats; no support for Word or text files; some bugs in software; no ability to download books when outside the U.S., even when on Wi-Fi.
_ The cost: $199 - $224.95
_ The bottom line: The Nook's extra features make it a worthy and enticing alternative to the Kindle, especially now that Barnes & Noble has worked out many of the device's early kinks with a series of firmware upgrades.
_ Full review: http://reviews.cnet.com/2710-32205_7-705-3.html
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HTC Droid Incredible (Verizon Wireless)
_ CNET rating: 4 stars out of 5 (Excellent)
_ The good: The HTC Droid Incredible is blazingly fast, thanks to Verizon's 3G network. HTC Sense enhances the features of Android 2.1, and the smartphone features an 8-megapixel camera and 8GB of internal memory. Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, and 3G are all onboard.
_ The bad: You can't use voice and data at the same time. The multimedia experience is adequate but still behind the competition.
_ The cost: $199.99 - $599.99
_ The bottom line: With its polished design and user interface and blazing fast speeds, the HTC Droid Incredible takes pole position as Verizon's top smartphone and is now the Android device to beat.
_ Full review: http://reviews.cnet.com/2710-32205_7-705-4.html
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Audioengine 5 (black)
_ CNET rating: 4 stars out of 5 (Excellent)
_ The good: The powered Audioengine 5 speakers deliver phenomenal sound and offer simple, attractive styling. They feature two audio inputs and two integrated charging options (one USB port, one AC plug). Speaker wire connections mean that you can optimize stereo separation.
_ The bad: The speakers aren't cheap, and many will find them to be too large and bulky compared with PC speakers. There's no remote control, and no way to toggle between inputs.
_ The cost: $325
_ The bottom line: You'd be hard-pressed to find a pair of powered stereo speakers at this price point that sounds better--and offer more flexibility--than the Audioengine 5s.
_ Full review: http://reviews.cnet.com/2710-32205_7-705-5.html
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The following CNET staff contributed to this story: Executive Editor David Carnoy, Senior Editor Bonnie Cha, Senior Editor Donald Bell, Senior Editor John Falcone, Executive Editor Lindsey Turrentine, Senior Features Editor Laura K. Cucullu. For more reviews of personal technology products, please visit www.cnet.com.
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(c) 2010, CNET Networks, Inc., a CBS Company. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.
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