Popmonkeys - Gadgets, Computers, Tech and More!

It’s time to buy a digital camera.  My old Canon SD600 Powershot is ready to retire.  Actually, it goes to my parents.  I considered a Digital SLR, one of those professional awesome cameras, but I think it’s a little too much for me.  I still maintain that point and shoot cameras are pretty good for me.

The Canon SD 790IS probably the camera I’m going to buy.  It is small, takes good pictures, and has an Image Stabilization system.  I have shaky hands.  Canon makes incredibly good little point and shoot cameras.  They take good pictures and fairly inexpensive.  You can probably find a decent model for under $200 or a feature-packed model for under $300.

The Asus Eee PC 1000H comes with an 80 GB Seagae Momentus Drive that spins at 5400RPM.  That’s okay, but if you’re willing to put in a little elbow grease, you can have a faster computer with more storage. This require advance computer skills because you’ll be changing hardware and re-installing Windows.

So here’s part 1.  Let’s go shopping.

You have several brands to choose from, Western Digital, Seagate, Toshiba, Fujitsu, and etc.

I’m not a real fan of Seagate drives.  I had an external drive that failed on me.  More about that in another post.  I would choose the Western Digital Scorpio Black WD1600BEKT 160GB 7200 RPM drive.  It’s currently $79.99 with Free Shipping at Newegg.com.

The current Seagate Momentus Hard Drive in the Asus Eee PC 1000H run pretty warm already.  With the Western Digital, expect it to be a little bit warmer, but nothing to be concerned with.  In my opinion, the benefit of the additional speed out weighs the additional heat produced.

For $80 bucks, it’s well worth it.  Now, you can splurge and get a Solid State Drive.  The price starts at $300 for a 64GB model and goes way up from there.  Go with the WD drive.

Stay tuned for Part 2, how to install.

Click here for the WD product page at Newegg.com.

If you are looking for a little more than a netbook but refuse to pay more, check out this deal at Newegg.com.  In my opinion, I’m not a big fan of the celeron processor, but at these prices, I’ll make an exception. For less than $500, you have a bigger screen and a CPU that is faster than the Intel Atom powering most netbooks.

Here are the specs:

Intel Celeron M 530 (1.73 GHz)
Windows Vista Home Basic
15.4″ WXGA 1280×800
1GB DDR2
120 GB Hard Drive
DVD ROM drive
Integrated Graphics
Up to 2 hours and 42 minutes of Battery Life
Wireless B/G Connectivity
10/100 Mbps
2 USB ports
About 6 pounds

Newegg.com price - $469.99 + $17.20 Shipping

Right off the bat, you need to modify your new Asus Eee PC 1000H.  Trust me, these are two very welcomed and easy mods.  Well, only one of them is necessary, but the other is considered “nice to have.”

The Asus Eee PC 1000H comes with a meager 1 GB of memory.  I’m not sure why, but memory is cheap.  The bare minimum now is 2GB.  If you haven’t upgraded the memory and looking to buy, look at this deal from Buy.com.  Please note that the 1000H only has one memory slot and the maximum you can install is 2GB.  This is similar to the MSI Wind.

Crucial 2GB DDR2 PC2-5300 667MHz SO-DIMM for $19.99 after Mail In rebate with Free Shipping.

The other thing you need to purchase is a SDHC memory card.  It’s not necessary, but nice to have.  Since I carry my files with me, I always use a 8gb SDHC flash memory card to transport the files.  Why not a USB thumb drive?  Battery.  The USB drive sucks battery life more than an SDHC card.  A card that I consider cheap, fast, and good (the trifecta) is the Kingston Class 6 8GB SDHC card.

Kingston 8GB Secure Digital High Capacity (SDHC) Card - Class 6 for only $27.24 and Free Shipping at Buy.com

Today was a big tech day.

T-Mobile G1
T-Mobile and Google launched the first Android based smartphone called the G1 (HTC Dream).  People are already labelling it the Apple iPhone killer.  The one big thing this phone has over the legendary iPhone is a keyboard.  I’m in the market for a new phone too.  I might have to consider the G1 when that time comes.

Of course, Google decked this little device out with some of their most popular applications, gmail (push), maps, compass, youtube, cal, and more.  It is available for pre order and could be at your door on October 22, 2008 at the earliest.  Oh yea, the price is $179 with a 2 year contract.  $399 for the month to month optional and unlockable after 3 months of use on T-mobile.
Click here for more info.

Sony Vaio TT

Sony also announched their new Vaio TT line, an ultra-portable laptop.  It’s a little bigger than the standard netbook but packs more features, like a Blu-ray drive.

The 11.1 inch display utilizes Sony’s XBRITE-DualView Technology.  What does that mean?  It makes the display nice and bright for all those high-definition blu-ray movies.  You can outfit a unit with HDMI output, 256GB SSD Hard Drive, up to 4 GB of memory in a little, 1 inch thick package weighing 2.87 pounds.

The blu-ray variation of the TT will go for about $2750.  OUCH!!!.  Click here for more info.

As you may have read already, I am a big fan of netbooks, specifically the Asus Eee PC 1000H.  It perfectly balances mobility and productivity.  The form factor and the weight of the unit allows you to pack it along without being much of a burden.  As for productivity, the 10 inch screen offers usable resolution (1024×600) and enough real estate to work with a couple of windows.  The keyboard is comfortable to type on.  I would recommend getting a wireless mouse for extended use.

Prior to buying this, I read that Asus claimed a battery life of 7.5 hours.  Well according to my experience, on a full charge, I can get away with a little over 6 hours.  That’s a big difference, but if you think about it, 6 hours is really good.  I use a Lenovo Thinkpad X61 at work and get about 5 hours with the extended battery.  Battery life is extermely important for mobility.  Nobody likes having to plug in after a couple of hours.

The Asus Eee PC 1000H is available now at Newegg.com for $449.   Click here to go to the Asus Eee PC 1000H product page at Newegg.com.

Currently sold out on Amazon.com

With so much hardware that goes in a computer, you sometimes forget about the important things around your computer that can cause damage and/or data loss.  Power spikes and surges are not common, but when it happens, it can do significant damage to your PC or any other electronics, like an expensive LCD TV.

A UPS, not the shipping people, is recommended for computers.  If there is data, you should plug the machine in to a UPS, Uninterruptible Power Supply.  It’s basically a glorified surge protector that provides continuous power, via battery, so that you can save your data and properly shut down.  It also helps smooth out the electricity that is used to power your machine.  Electricity comes in like waves on the beach.  Sometimes it more and sometimes it’s less than what you need to keep your PC running.  Also, when a brownout occurs, your PC is completely fine thanks to the battery power from a UPS.

For $50, you can protect your investment.  My recommendation and the one I own is the APC BE550VA.  Click here or the picture for the product page on Amazon.com.  The capacity of this unit is more than enough for home users.  It has 8 outlets available as well as phone line surge protection.  A surge can happen on a phone/DSL line, travel through the DSL modem, then passed to your PC via RJ-45/networking cable.

Surge Protection

For your other electronics, i.e. entertainment center, I would invest in a heavy duty surge protector.  Replacing an expensive LCD TV from a surge is adding salt to a wound.  To prevent that, look for a surge protector with 1000+ Joules protection and Max Spike protection.  For the entertainment center, I use a Belkin Conceal Surge Protector to conceal all the wires.  Click here or the picture for the product page on Amazon.com.

Or, you can this Belkin 12 outlet surge protector.  Click here to go to the Amazon product page.

It looks like I paid the early adopter tax when I purchased the Asus Eee PC 1000H.  I paid $550, which is $100 less than when it was first introduced.  Now Asus dropped the price again to $449.  It’s in stock and available at Newegg.com.

A friend was recently checking out my Asus Eee PC 1000H.  He mentioned that Acer had a $400 8.9 inch netbook of their own.  Now, that really doesn’t make me want to ditch my Eee PC and go for the Acer.  I’m thoroughly impressed with the Eee PC and plan on keeping it.  But to be fair, I figured I would review the it.

Specs:
Intel Atom N270 / 1.6 GHz RAM
1 GB (installed) / 1.5 GB (max) - DDR2 533 MHz 1 slot open
Card Reader
120 GB Hard Drive
8.9″ TFT 1024 x 600 ( WSVGA ) - CrystalBrite
Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g
Intergrated Webcam
Windows XP
$420

It seems that all netbooks are very similar in hardware, except when it comes to screen and keyboard size.  The keyboard size is probably more important than the screen.  Typing on a small cramp keyboard can lead to discomfort.  And that’s where the Asus Eee PC 1000H wins.  The Acer Aspire One suffers from the same small keyboard found on the original Eee PC 701.  It is really hard to type on and mashing multiple keys at once happens all the time.

If you really only had $400 to spend on a laptop, I would look for a full size, 15.4 inch lower model with a big keyboard when they go on sale at your neighborhood electronic store .  Yes, it’s bulky, but your fingers and wrists will thank you.  If you can spend a little more, get the 10 inch model such as the Asus Eee PC 1000H or the MSI Wind.

Happy Computing.

-Monkey

I wanted to get a better case for my Asus Eee PC 1000H because the included Asus case was too loose.  I can feel the Eee moving around quite a bit in there.

Then there’s the scratching potential of the case.  The opening of the case gets a little tight and there’s too much risk of scratching the glossy piano black finish.

I consulted the Eee forum, http://www.eeeuser.com, to read what other’s are doing for their Eee PC.  And sure enough, there were a few people talking about a $20 DVD player case from Target that gets the job done.  First of all, the color of the bag will do a great job in fooling people on its content.  The bag itself is the Denali Structured DVD Bag from Target for $20,  http://www.target.com/Denali-Structured-DVD-Bag/dp/B000OUTWS2.  Yes, it’s dark green on the outside and orange on the inside.  But I’m not concerned about the appearance here.

It even has a front pocket for your power brick and other accessories.  There’s not much room here because it was designed to hold DVDs.

The inside of the main compartment is nicely padded to absorb all the bump while traveling.

People were saying that this bag is a perfect fit for the Eee PC 1000H model.  And yes, it’s true.  It’s a perfect fit.  It was as if they designed this bag for the Eee.  It sits snug inside and feels well protected.

Oh yea, it even comes with convenient handles like a real laptop case.

-Monkey

It’s been a couple of weeks of owning the Asus Eee PC 1000H and I have nothing but good things to say.

Here’s 5 reasons to own this little netbook.

1.  Bigger Keyboard and Screen is awesome and usable compared to the first Eee PC.

2.  6 hours of computing from the 6 cell battery.

3.  Intel Atom CPU runs quiet, cool, and zippy.  Diablo 2 is no problem.

4.  Easy upgrade.  Memory, hard drive, and wireless card is all located on the bottom panel.

5.  Multi-touch trackpad.  Use two fingers to scroll.

No cons yet.

Asus Eee PC 1000H - Memory Upgrade Problem

After installing the 2 GB memory in the Asus Eee PC 1000H, I booted it up to discover that the system is only registering 1 GB.  This was very discouraging considering this was an easy upgrade.  The first thing I suspected was a faulty stick of memory. But after searching online, I found my answer.

I restarted the system.

As soon as the “Windows is now shutting screen” goes away, start pressing F2 rapidly and repeatedly until you access the BIOS.  If you booted into Windows, you weren’t quick enough and need to start over.

As soon as you get into the BIOS, look at the System Memory to confirm that the BIOS is registering 2 GB of memory.  If it does, you done, exit out, and boot into XP.

If you are still showing 1 GB, you have a problem with the memory module or the computer.

with another Asus Eee PC 1000H.  The unit that you see in previous posts had a defective F key. Typing with a broken keyboard was a pain.

The plastic clips holding down the keys had broken off on the F key.  I knew that getting this unit replaced by the reseller was tough.  They made it really difficult for me to exchange it.  I didn’t want to return it, but exchange for a new unit.  In the end, they replaced it after an hour of back and forth.

Next time, I’ll by it from Buy.com where the customer comes first.  It is instock now for $549.99 with Free Shipping.

The Asus Eee PC 1000H came with 1GB of memory pre-installed.  With today’s memory hungry applications, 2 GB is better for smooth computing.  SInce 2 GB is the maximum amount you can install in the Asus Eee PC 1000H.  I went with a Corsair 2GB module I bought at Fry’s for $25 after rebate.  The Asus Eee PC 1000H can use any memory module 200 Pin So-dimm DDR2 PC5300 667 MHz.  The system will adjust to the right speed if you install a faster module.

Here’s what you need to get this done.

• Small Philips Screwdriver
• The 2 GB Memory Module
• Asus Eee PC 1000H
• 10 Minutes
• Difficulty - Easy

Here’s what you do.

Step 1 - Remove Battery - Just a safety precaution

Step 2 - Unscrew the two screws on the back cover nearest to the battery.

Step 3 - Remove Back Cover.  Carefully pry the cover off.  It’s held in place by plastic clips attaced to the edge of the back cover.  Your Eee PC 1000H should look like the picture below.  With the MSI Wind, you have to remove the whole plastic shell of the computer to access these parts.  Asus cleverly placed the two items, memory and hard drive, that most people will upgrade right under a very accessible cover.

Step 4 - Remove the memory module.  Like most laptops, the module is held in place by two metal clips (red arrows) on two sides of the module.  Carefully and slowly pull the metal clips away from the module.  You just have to pry it out a little bit, maybe 2 mm, and the module will pop up.

Step 5 - Remove the memory module.

Step 6 - Insert new memory module at a 45 degree angle and press down until the two metal clips snaps around the module.  Check to make sure the module is secure.  Replace cover and you’re done.

I picked up my new Asus Eee PC 1000H today.  I’ll just show the unboxing pictures.  Full review to coming soon.

Open box

Asus Eee PC 1000H Unit out of box.

Asus Eee PC 1000H Neoprene Cover

Power brick and battery

Battery and Screen Wipe

The Asus Eee PC 1000H in the flesh.

Finally

End

After using my Asus Eee PC 701 4G, I’m in the market for a new bigger UMPC or netbook.  Netbook is the new term to describe these miniature portable laptops.

Since last writing about my quest for a new netbook, MSI has increased the price of the MSI WIND to $550, the same price as the Asus Eee PC 1000.  They are virtually the same little netbook. I decided on getting the Asus only because it was available and the battery lasted a little longer than the MSI Wind.  7.5 hours claimed, more like 6 hours in reality.  Review coming soon.

Asus Eee PC 1000H - $549.99 for the 6 cell battery.

VS.

MSI Wind $499 at Newegg.com.

$549 for the Wind with the 6 cell battery.

I just purchased the Asus Eee PC 1000H.  Review and pics coming soon.

1.  Mozilla Firefox.

Internet Explorer is the default web browser installed on every Windows machine.  I hate it.  I don’t use it at all because it has so many security issues and it’s slow.  Instead, Mozilla Firefox 3 is a great free alternative to IE.  It has security issues too, but far less than IE.  It’s also faster when surfing the web.

Get Firefox

2.  Comodo Firewall

Firewalls are another essential security software you must have.  It acts like a bouncer between your computer and everyone else on the internet.  Infected machines often have viruses or worms that need to go online.  A firewall can prevent them from dialing their mother ship as well as stop the mother ship from dialing in.  Comodo is a great free firewall that is relative small and light compared to Zone Alarm.  Sure, Windows has a “built-in” firewall, but again, I don’t like it.

Get Comodo Free Firewall

3.  AVG - Anti Virus

Continuing the security theme, you will also need some sort of anti-virus program scanning and looking out for your computer.  There’s always Norton, but that’s so old and bulky.  It completely takes over your system.  If you have installed it, try uninstalling it.  You’ll have a difficult time removing it completely.  Instead, try the free Anti-virus program from AVG.  You get basic virus protection as well as email scan, link scan and other useful features for, that’s right, free.

Get AVG

4.  CD Burner XP

Does your new PC come with one of those fancy shmancy DVD burners?  It should.  It’s standard and if you didn’t get one, go back and demand it.  Well, for those that have them, what program do you use to create your CD/DVDs?  Well CD Burner XP is a nice lightweight program that can tackle disc creation like those other programs you have to purchase.

Get CD Burner XP

5.  Spyware Blaster

Now that you have all that security software and Firefox configured the way you like it, you might want to check out Spyware Blaster.  Basically it prevents spyware from installing on your machine from a malcious website you might have visited.  Of course, there are many options available to you when you’re talking about spyware.  Other than Spyware Blaster, you might want to look into Lavasoft Adaware (Download.com Link) and Spybot Search and Destroy.  Of course, these 3 options are free.

Get Spyware Blaster

More Free Software later.

The Sony Vaio FW139E/H is a laptop with some interesting specs.  First things first, it’s $1100 with Free Shipping at Newegg.com.  What makes this laptop special is the high definition 16.4 inch widescreen (1600×900).  That 16:9 aspect ratio for all your widescreen movies.  So this laptop is a perfect desktop replacement.  At 6.4 pounds, it can be portable, but not recommended.  This is definitely the laptop for movie buffs that travel a lot.  It’s also good for everyday home use.  It packs enough power to tackle whatever you throw at it and a roomy 250GB hard drive for lots of storage.

Specs:

Intel Core 2 Duo P8400 2.26 GHz
3GB DDR2 Memory
250GB Hard Drive  5400 RPM
DVD R/RW Drive
ATI Mobility Radeon HD 3470 256MB
16.4 inch Widescreen 1600×900
Windows Vista Home Premium
Wireless 802.11b/g
Bluetooth
VGA Port
HDMI port
1.3MP Webcam
Dimensions: 15.1″ x 10.3″ x 1.14-1.46″

If you’re like me, I’m not an iPod Fan.  I’m not sure what it is, but I always look elsewhere for my portable audio needs.  I also don’t like how the iPod goes obsolete so quickly.  There’s a new iPod every couple of months.

So I always turn to Creative to deliver functional players with outstanding sound quality.  Meet the Creative Zen.

Pros:

• Thin and Lightweight
• Built in FM Turner
• 30 hour audio playback
• SDHC expandable Memory Slot
• Video Playback
• Photo viewer

Cons:

• Dust and fingerprint magnet
• No included case

These come in 2, 4, 8, 16, and 32GB varieties.  Prices range from $70 for the 2GB to over $200 for the 32GB model.  The 8 GB is my recommendation for most people.  You can always add a cheap SDHC card if you need more space.  The 8GB is currently $115 with Free Shipping at Newegg.com.

I never had the intention of reviewing the IdeaPad from Lenovo.   Reason is that I would always recommend a ThinkPad.  When I met my college buddy for lunch today, he was carrying one of these around.

Specs:

Intel Pentium Dual Core T2390 (1.86GHz)
3GB DDR2 Memory
160GB Hard drive
DL DVD Burner
15.4″ WXGA Screen (1280×800)
6.4 lbs.
4 hours battery life
Wifi, 10/100 LAN, 56K Modem
6-in-1 Card reader
Windows Vista Home Premium

Price at Newegg.com is $599.99 after $50 Mail in Rebate (Expire 10/2008), with Free Shipping.  You really can’t beat this price for such a quality laptop.  It definitely has more style than the more conservative and business-like ThinkPad.

This particular laptop is good for light use.  The processor is on the slow side but is more than adequate for web browsing, emailing, Microsoft Office, and other light use.  Don’t expect to edit photos on this machine.  You’ll need something with more power.

For $799.99 after $100 Mail in rebate and free shipping, you get the exact same notebook with a Intel Core 2 Duo T5750 (2.0 GHz) CPU, 250 GB Hard Drive, .  This has more muscle for all your picture and video needs.  The Lenovo IdeaPad Y510-5132U is available here.

-Monkey