Sun
LifeBook A1110, Fujitsu
EVOLTA battery, Panasonic
SPA5200 digital, portable speakers, Philips
1. MacBook lineup, Apple, starting at $1,200
The latest generation of MacBooks have new features, plus new pricing. Although the white 13-inch MacBook is $1,200, the rest of the lineup ranges from $1,399 to $1,749 for the 13-inch version. The entry-level 13-inch MacBook has a new aluminum frame, high performance 3-D graphics and LED-backlit displays which deliver features of the MacBook Pro for considerably less money, even though it’s by no means an economy model, particularly at a time when the free-falling global economy has consumers putting the brakes on spending. If you’re not worried about where the next paycheque is coming from, it’s a notebook of choice. www.apple.com.
2. LifeBook A1110, Fujitsu, $855
If you can’t go those extra bucks for a MacBook, you can opt instead for an interchangeable coloured computer lid for your laptop with Fujitsu’s new LifeBook A1110. Three different lids can switch your look from green mod to butterflies in pink or a Victorian blue print. Under the lid is a 15.4-inch high-contrast crystal view LCD with a built-in camera and digital microphone for photos, videos and teleconferencing. The green labyrinth design ships with the A1110, with the other two lids available at $22 each. www.fujitsu.ca.
3. EVOLTA battery, Panasonic, from $5
Nothing can stop a gadget flat like dead batteries and Panasonic is trumpeting its new EVOLTA AA as the world’s longest-lasting AA alkaline battery in more devices. Apparently these little batteries, which made the Guinness World Records, powered a digital camera through 272 shots, a 30-per-cent hike over Panasonic’s current alkaline plus batteries that lasted for 209 shots. An FM radio played up to 14 hours longer and a remote-controlled car went 14 kilometres farther on the new batteries compared to its performance with Panasonic’s earlier batteries. No word on how long it keeps the Energizer bunny going. www.panasonic.ca.
4. SPA5200 digital, portable speakers, Philips, $60
Hook these compact speakers to your notebook computer via their single USB cable and step up your portable sound. The speakers have their own travel pouch and work with Windows 2000, XP, Vista and Mac OS operating systems. www.philips.com.
© The Vancouver Sun 2008