Flashback to 1984. Ms. Pac-Man had struck a blow for women’s rights and a young Joe Piscopo taught us all how to laugh. A young, cocksure Steve Jobs stepped into the spotlight to introduce a machine destined to revolutionize the personal computer. The Macintosh (128k) was born and home computing was never the same again.

Flash forward to 2012—the Macintosh and Apple brands have become such a ubiquitous part of our lives and culture that it’s hard to imagine just how “mind blowing” the Mac was back then.

Mouse

The mouse pointer had been around since the 1960s, but the Mac brought the mouse out from relative obscurity and into the mainstream. Whereas early home computers relied heavily on text-based UIs and command prompts, the Mac’s graphical UI was a perfect match for the mouse. Rather than memorizing long, complicated commands, the mouse blew minds by allowing you to interact with the computer by simply pointing and clicking.

Graphical UI

Until the Macintosh, unless you had an incredibly rare and expensive machine, the world of computing was a very bland text-based experience. The Mac changed everything with its affordable graphical user interface. It’s hard to overstate just how revolutionary this shift was at the time. Nearly all the conventions of modern GUIs in home computing like “desktops,” “trash bins” and file “folders” owe their roots to that first mind-blowing Macintosh’s GUI.

What You See Is What You Get (WYSIWYG) Word Processing and Printing

Before the Macintosh changed the game with its GUI, word processing and document production on home computers was a much more abstract affair. All the characteristics of your document had to be coded on the page with markup language more reminiscent of today’s HTML than what you would imagine from a modern word processor. MacWrite and MacDraw blew minds by allowing users to actually see what their documents would actually look like on-screen as you were working on them.

The Idea that a computer can be used for non-serious games and home applications

Home computing has infiltrated so many aspects of our day-to-day lives that it’s hard to believe there was a time when computers were considered so important that they were to be reserved only the most serious of uses like business and research. The Macintosh blew minds by daring to make computing fun for the masses. Its compliment of fun, useful programs, flashy graphics and a simple to understand UI, took the stuffy, business-only, no-fun model of early home computing and shattered it—ushering in home computing as we know it today.

Sleek Design

In early home computers, design and style were afterthoughts to function. To put it kindly, most early machines were clunky, ugly, space hogs. The Macintosh changed everything with a sleek, compact, design that seemed years ahead of the competition. The Mac wasn’t just some ugly pile of components to hide away in some office cubicle or back room—the Mac was an attention getter, status symbol, and so much more.

Sources:

http://www.aresluna.org/attached/computerhistory/articles/macintoshbytereview
http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/mac_classic/specs/mac_128k.html
http://www.larrysworld.com/2009/01/21/larry-magids-1984-la-times-review-of-original-mac/

This is one product category that has tons of nondescript entrants, and for the most part, they all do the trick more or less, and that’s to wipe your gadget’s screen. Kimberly-Clark decided to try something a little different – make them dry, disposable and inexpensive.

The KIMTECH Touchscreen Cleaning Wipe are made especially for touchscreens, which we all seem to be adopting at a rapid rate. I tried out a sample and wasn’t disappointed. These come 10 to a pack, and while dry, they are soft, and had no fear of using it to wipe the screen on my iPad or smartphone.

It got rid of my fingerprints and smudges. Now if you have the kind of grime that has built up over weeks, you may need a liquid cleaner, but if you’re good about keeping your screens clean, the KIMTECHs should usually do the trick.

A 10-pack is only $3 and you can get them in dollar-stores and at Amazon; actually, Amazon has a 2-pack (so 20 wipes) for $5. Even at $3 for a 10-pack, it’s a good deal, and that way you can have a wipe everywhere you need it – in the car, in your bag, on your desk at home and in the office, with some to spare.

(Disclaimer: Gizmos for Geeks received a complimentary review copy of this product.)

December is finally upon us, the Thanksgiving turkey is all gone and the festive shopping season is in full swing. This Christmas, you probably have quite a few gadgets on your wish list, and your family, friends and kids will have lots of ideas about what they’d like to find under the tree.

Looking for a few different options to fill their stockings? Here are a few less common choices to mention to Santa before the big day rolls around.

Hanss Acoustics T-30 Turntable

Digital downloads undoubtedly rule the roost, but there are still plenty of audiophiles who buy vinyl, and many of them wouldn’t dream of listening to music on anything but. Unlike the VCR, the humble record player hasn’t yet been left in the dark ages. The Hanss T-30 features a 10kg (yes, 10 kilogram) magnetic platter which floats above the base for friction-free, smooth playback, and the six silicone belts sit on opposite sides and wrap around the platter for stability.

The T-30 also has fittings for two tone arms of your choice, and the feet are magnetically cushioned to prevent vibration. This modern take on the humble Dansette will set you back a cool $4,600: that’s enough to buy a pro stereo set up. If you’re serious about sound, you may well think it’s worth the money.

Lomography Lomokino Movie Camera

Camcorder manufacturers may be eager to push us into the realms of 3D and HD this Christmas, but Lomography see the market from a different angle. Their new Lomokino movie camera is as revolutionary as it is retro. The camera uses a full roll of 35mm film to record silent movies that hark back to the golden age of 8mm home video. Processing your film isn’t exactly cheap, but as hobbyist movie-making goes, this is one camera that doesn’t require several thousand dollars to get started. The camera itself will only set you back $79, and the optional Kinoscope viewer clocks in at an additional $99.

UP Plus 3D Printer

No time to shop at Christmas? Soon you may not have to. 3D printing technology is slowly becoming more affordable – although realistically we’re still a few years away from 3D printing in the home. An entry-level 3D printer like the UP Plus will set you back around $2,500 and will print monotone ABS plastic only. For a new way to cook Christmas dinner, consider an Essential Dynamics 3D food printer, complete with multi-coloured, multi-flavoured gel ink – it’s a snip at just $1,000. Printers that create working circuit boards are already gaining pace, so it may not be too long before we’re printing upgrades for our smartphones.

Raspberry Pi Computer

Photo courtesy of Paul Downey / Wikipedia

The Raspberry PI is a $25 computer designed to hook kids into programming – a skill which many no longer have any reason to learn. The idea is to fill a skills gap, get kids into computer science and prepare them for programming jobs in later life. The computer features a 700MHz processor, 128MB of RAM and runs Linux from an SD card. Of course, your rugrats may prefer to play with the box.

Asus Transformer Prime Tablet

Wait – what? Where’s the iPad 2? There’s no denying that Apple’s premium gadget still holds the top spot in many Christmas wish lists, but the lack of a physical keyboard is always going to be a problem for anything more than media consumption. And once you’ve tried to move the cursor in a document by clumsily jabbing the screen with your fingers, you’ll have two reasons not to take it into the office. Alternatives include the EEE Pad Slider, which has a slinky keyboard tucked away in the base, or the ASUS Transformer Prime.

The specs are impressive: the Transformer Prime packs a quad-core processor, Android 4.0, an 8 megapixel camera and 12 hours of battery life, all wrapped up in a slinky case topped off with Gorilla Glass – plus that all-important physical keyboard. If you’re already set on owning an iOS device, or you don’t have any desire to use Android, it’s likely a keyboard and trackpad won’t be enough to sway you because the Asus Transformer Prime certainly isn’t cheap. But if you’re looking for something versatile to replace your laptop, this could well be the tablet for you.

Now that memory cards are no longer the tiny, pricey luxury enjoyed by the few, manufacturers are looking for new ways to differentiate themselves from the rest of the pack. Samsung thinks it has found a way – create SD-type cards that are supposedly waterproof, shock and shatterproof and magnetic proof.

I took an 8GB microSDHC card for a spin, and really only cared about one test in particular – whether or not it’s water proof. In case you’re wondering, I figured that the risk from magnetism-caused data loss was pretty low, and as for being able to survive being run over by a car, if I’m in a situation where I pull out my memory card and it gets run over by a car soon after, I’m doing something wrong and have more to worry about than the survival of my SD card.

So my test was pretty straightforward – I loaded up the card with a bunch of data – photos, files, etc., then I dunked it in a cup of water and let it sit for an hour, which I thought was more than enough time for water saturation. Incidentally, this card is supposed to handle up to 24 hours in sea water which has to be more damaging than mere fresh water.

I let the card sit overnight to dry out after yanking it out of the water. (No, I didn’t expect to just plug it back in and get it working!)

And what do you know? My data was still there. I’m usually wary of things advertised as waterproof or worse, water-resistant, so it was nice to see something like this work well.

These Samsung SDHC cards come in sizes 2, 4, 8, 16 and 32GB. The 2 and 4GB models are class 4 devices; the 8 and 16GB can be found in either class 6 or class 10 models; and the 32GB is a class 10.

One other very nice feature is the that it comes with a microSD adapter and a clear plastic case. You can find these cards at Amazon and lots of other retailers starting at under $13.

Our thanks to MemoryCardZoo.com for the review sample.

(Disclaimer: Gizmos for Geeks received a complimentary review copy of this product.)

With ever-changing technological trends and innovations, making decisions about your next computing device can be a tremendous challenge. You want it to run the essential programs you know and love with ease and grace, but you also don’t want to pay hundreds more for a device that can actually handle much more than the tasks you routinely give it.

We wrote this guide to help you figure out exactly how to do that. Read on.

Then there’s the form factor to consider, which is getting all the more complicated these days. Desktop, laptop, netbook, tablet, or smartphone? Granted you’ll probably have an inherent idea of which type of device you would to use, but you are usually stuck between two possible choices of devices and then three or more choices in terms of weight and dimensions. With all the options you will face when choosing modern day computer devices, you will need to be more informed than ever on the size and specifications of your computing needs.

Narrowing the Purpose of Your New Device

One of the biggest troubles with choosing a new computing device is that you are faced with limitless options that can all serve a variety of purposes. Some of the features you see will appear very appealing, but are they really features you are looking for in a new computer? This is why it is best to make a list of uses for your new computer before even browsing for what types of computers are available.

The list should include the following:
1. Specific programs you will need to use – Perhaps Microsoft Office, Adobe Creative Suite, or various demanding games. Without the right software that you prefer, your new computing device is pretty much useless.

2. How much and what type of traveling you intend to do with the device – This is probably the most important consideration to judge. Will you carry it in your bag every day, on weekends, bring it on planes, carry it easily by hand, fit in your pocket or will it pretty much be on one desk most of the time? Be realistic and practical with this consideration; think constantly why you would need to have it on-hand and whether you would take advantage of its on-hand availability.

3. Operating Systems you prefer – This also largely effects what programs you can use as well. While Microsoft Office and Adobe Creative Suite will work on Windows and Mac, they can sometimes be complicated to work on certain distros of linux, so do your research here. More importantly, choose an operating system that you are comfortable using and can navigate intuitively.

4. Hardware Functions of the Device – If you plan on doing a lot of photo-editing on the device, consider getting a device with an internal card-reader. If you want to do a lot of video chats, consider getting one with a built-in webcam. Remember that you can get external USB peripherals that serve these purposes, but this comes at the cost of mobility as you would have to carry around these peripherals to use them on-hand. Also, remember that not all devices come with a keyboard (tablets, I’m looking at you), so keep this as a consideration if you intend to do a lot of writing on the device.

5. Screen Size – While this technically falls under the category just above, I think screen size deserves its own category. Sure it’s a hardware function. But screen size will determine how easily you can read and navigate on the device, and to an extent, it also dictates multitasking capabilities. Screen size is often the key factor that dictates the size and portability of a device, so bear this in mind when considering screen size.

Deciding Form and Size of the Device

This will probably be the hardest decision you will have to make, and most of it will come down to how strictly you measured portability in your list of considerations for your device. For instance, if you restricted your portability demands to having the device fit in your pocket, you are pretty much asking for a smartphone. Granted, there are many dual-screen smartphones in the works (and a couple available) that will give you a bit more functionality from the added screen size while not sacrificing the form and size of the device.

Even if you have a strict idea of what type of device you will need based on your traveling needs, you will find quite a bit of variation between the same class of devices. For example, let’s say you want a device that you can easily carry in your hand everywhere, like a moleskin notebook. The most ideal solution mobility-wise is a tablet. But the size of the tablet could range from 7-11 inches. The weight could fluctuate as well. Not to mention, many netbooks are being built with more tablet components, allowing them to be smaller (without the need for fans for a hot processor, etc.) if you are looking for a portable device with a keyboard.

Also, many tablets are now coming the keyboard attachments that you can purchase (consider that part of the price of the device though). Docking capabilities will likely become a huge shift if the momentum of tablet computing continues. This way you will always have a portable computer on you that you can carry like a notebook (or even in your pocket) that you can then dock if you need more features such as a keyboard or card reader or media port or what have you.

The best solution to coming to terms with these variations in size and form is to go to an electronics store and experiment with typing, navigating, holding, and carrying all the devices you can find. Note the dimensions of the devices that you think favor your needs of portability. While may electronic stores chain down their devices to prevent theft, ask a representative if you can handle a device without a cord, just so you can experience walking around with it and using it while standing and sitting.

Bottom Line

The biggest decision that you will make for your next computing device will likely be between two things:
Portability:

• Size of device.


• How long it runs on battery.


• Has its own network data plan (not always a necessity, but can be for some).

• Runs the programs you need.


• Has a big enough screen to navigate quickly.


• Has built-in features or ports to external features.

As technological innovations continue, this flexibility between portability and usability will become more seamless. Already, portable devices are becoming incredibly feature reach and dockable, thus slowly bridging the gap between, say, a smartphone and a laptop.

It’s summer 2011 and the battle for the king of tablets just got even more heated.  As announced back in February, HP has released their webOS based TouchPad tablet, bringing the popular underdog mobile OS platform to the tablet world.  This is great news for Pre and webOS fans everywhere as the platform gets a shot at making a comeback (although is it a comeback if you never technically left?).

HP TouchPad for webOS Fans

For the webOS loyalist, HP is offering a nice incentive to push along some early adopters for this newly released tablet.  Through the month of July, owners of a Palm Pre, Pre Plus, Pixi, and Pixi Plus gets a $50 rebate on the 32GB model of the HP TouchPad.  If you’re one of these owners in the U.S. and Canada, you’ve probably already received the email instruction on how to get your rebate.

The new TouchPad has slightly more attractive specs than most of the current generation tablets on the market.  Sporting a dual-core 1.2Ghz Snapdragon, the TouchPad comes equipped with a faster processor and a healthy 1GB of system RAM.  Beyond the beefy CPU, the TouchPad’s other highlights are HP’s Beat Audio namesake and the quality speakers that comes with the unit.  By far from most reviewers and user impressions, the TouchPad has one of the best external speakers in the tablet market.

Of course, beyond the hardware side of things, you get the beloved webOS 3.0, a great mobile OS solution with a cult-like following.  The popular card view of multitasking ability is of course built into the TouchPad.  Swiping from program to program works well and seamless, and whenever a new notification or additional windows appear for a program, they “stack” into the card slot, giving you easy ability to organize and multitask.

If you’re a Facebook fanboy/girl, you’ll appreciate the dedicated custom Facebook app built by HP/Palm (with guiding hand and approval from Facebook).  This app is by far much better than those you’ll find in most mobile phones/tablets currently out in the market, the panels are intuitive to browse and status updates are easy to read and stream with.  All in all, a good alternative for those who’s looking for something different than an iPad.

Lenovo Y470 Gaming Laptop

The very popular Lenovo’s Y470 gaming laptop is on sale this week at the lowest price we’ve seen yet. One of the best perk in this 14-inch laptop is the surprisingly beefy GPU, in the form of the GeForce GT 550M.  The 550M comes with DDR3 video RAM with memory speed clocking in at 900 Mhz, core clock at 740 Mhz, and the shader core blazes along at 1.4 Ghz.

All-in-all, with the fast mid-range GT 550M and selections from the 2nd Gen i3 to i7 processor, the Y470 can power through any modern games without a sweat.  Crysis 2 at 720p settings can chug along just fine at high details setting and other similar graphically intensive games such as Bad Company 2.

Other perks from modern GPUs such as this is superb video hardware decode support via Nvidia’s PureVideo HD, letting your CPU off the hook so you can continue to multitask while multiple 1080p clips are streaming in the background. If you’re gamer and you’re looking for a relatively portable laptop (weighs in at 4.85 lb) that  can keep up with the software, the Y470 is a decent choice with its respectable configurations and options.

Computer Monitor Deals:

Hanns-G 27.5-inch LCD Monitor

This extremely popular Hanns-G 28″ class monitor is on a big sale at Newegg, being a very popular model among the cost conscious computer buyers that wants a big screen at a budget price.  With well over 200 positive reviews from buyers, this Hanns-G monitor has been dropping in price from its previous levels of around $300 to now at around $230.  Amazing price for a full 1920 x 1080 resolution monitor with fast response rate and a decent panel.

Asus 21.-5-inch 2ms Response Rate LCD Monitor

If size isn’t your concern and all you’re looking for is a decent monitor with full HD resolution at a good price, this Asus 21.-5inch can also be a great fit.  One of the most popular Asus model out there, you’ll find it for around $140 after rebate these days.  While it doesn’t have a gimmicky LED-backlit marketing, you still get a great panel with very high contrast ratio and great color output (for the price).

This Week’s Apps Deals:

Battle Zone 3D King of the Hill for iOS

Here’s a pretty rare deal.  The Battle Zone tank game usually goes for a steep $5.99 (funny how if an app cost more than 99 cents we all get so riled up), but you can snag it now for free at a limited time at the iTunes store.  The game looks to have okay review thus far, especially consider its previous price tag!

SUDOKU for iOS

Sudoku fans rejoice!  This latest iOS game joins the already crowded field of Sodoku apps.  But this particular version is light weight, easy to navigate, and its friendly and clean design makes playing the game a breeze.  Best of all, this Sodoku game is currently FREE for a limited time!

It is becoming increasingly common for people to use their laptops in bed when they telecommute. When asked why they bring their laptops in bed, people have a variety of reasons. Some will say, “I’m lazy.” Others simply prefer to lie down while watching their favorite movies online. Still, even more say that they bring their laptops to bed with them because it’s much more comfortable than sitting at a desk.

When doing this, it’s important to make sure that you bring your laptop to bed easily and aren’t harming your laptop, or possibly harming yourself. 

Some laptops are easier to bring to bed than others:

• For fans of large laptops, the best way to bring a laptop to your bed is to lay down on your stomach with your laptop in front of you. Large, heavy laptops often are very uncomfortable to keep in your lap, but are often the best for watching movies or gaming.
• For typing and work purposes, choosing a petite netbook will often prove to be a much less expensive (and easier to keep on your lap) option. Small netbooks are light enough to keep on your laps with ease, small enough let you move around without too much hassle, and functional enough to do your work without too many problems.

One of the best tips for keeping a laptop computer in your bed is to have an electrical socket nearby, and also to have WiFi. Having to run a cable to your bed is not only annoying, but also limits your movement. WiFi is just easier. Another favorite tip of bedroom laptop enthusiasts is to have a small amount of soda or snacks near your night stand if you have to work straight through dinner.

There are several risks that people take when bringing their laptops into their bed. When surrounded by warm fabrics which absorb (and reflect back) heat, computers are more likely to overheat. Keeping a lap desk in your bed reduces the chance of having your laptop overheat because of your sheets. Another thing that often “chokes” a laptop is dust that sometimes gathers in a bedroom. This too, can cause a laptop to quickly overheat. It’s important to clean your laptop’s insides (or better yet, get a professional to do it) to keep it running smoothly.

It’s also a smart idea to remember to protect yourself from the heat that laptops give off. When left on for long periods of time, every laptop will begin to get very hot to the touch, especially on the bottom of the laptop. Keep your lap protected; don’t put your laptop directly on bare skin. People have gotten burns this way.

Overall, bringing a laptop computer to bed is a trend that is on the rise, and it’s easy to see why. With a couple of tweaks, you can make a laptop workstation, or just enjoy a movie while you lay down to rest.

So I got an interesting little gadget recently, what the vendor calls a fingertip USB mouse. Ok, so perhaps it’s not fingertip, but just finger. Take a look at the photo – that little black contraption has a piece of velcro wrapped around the user’s middle finger.

So how does it work? Actually, does it work? Yes it does. But it’s not for everyone. I found that I just didn’t have enough control with my finger to prevent the mouse from shaking constantly, or being able to keep my finger down enough to allow the laser to ‘catch’ and get mouse movement on my screen.

The mouse has its scroll wheel and buttons on the side that you would operate with your thumb. While really light, it’s not nothing, and you really notice it when you type a lot. Needless to say, I didn’t wear it while typing this review. I try to be a predominantly keyboard user where possible anyway, so this wouldn’t be a hardware switch that I would gravitate to.

This really does require practice time, but could be fairly useful in tight spaces – think airplanes. The fingertip optical mouse costs a mere $4.80 from one of the many little computer/gadget e-commerce sites springing up out of China.

(Disclaimer: Gizmos for Geeks received a complimentary review copy of this product.)

We’ve been talking about tablets in great detail since about 2008, and 2010 saw the release of the first iPad – the release that sparked off the tablet generation. Apart from that, it’s easy to forget exactly how long tablets have been around. We saw the Samsung Q1 in 2006 even, but was there anything before that? You bet there was! The picture below details the history of tablets since the first proper tablet – the Z88 released in 1987! Enjoy.

Courtesy of Android Tablet Fanatic