Comments on: My Favorite Gadgets of 2008 http://the-gadgeteer.com/2008/12/31/my-favorite-gadgets-of-2008/ Gadget reviews and news by Julie Strietelmeier and friends since 1997 Sun, 08 Nov 2009 06:27:19 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc hourly 1 By: Julie http://the-gadgeteer.com/2008/12/31/my-favorite-gadgets-of-2008/comment-page-1/#comment-28842 Julie Sat, 03 Jan 2009 16:25:38 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=11259#comment-28842 Barbara: I've ordered the new HP mini 1000 netbook to review. Can't wait to try it out. I'm hope I like the keyboard layout better than the Wind. Barbara:
I’ve ordered the new HP mini 1000 netbook to review. Can’t wait to try it out. I’m hope I like the keyboard layout better than the Wind.

]]> By: barbarabaker http://the-gadgeteer.com/2008/12/31/my-favorite-gadgets-of-2008/comment-page-1/#comment-28827 barbarabaker Sat, 03 Jan 2009 05:36:59 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=11259#comment-28827 I loved your review on the HP 2133 Mini-Note PC Review and still want one so bad...shoot, I actually want to try any netbook, but the HP 2133 sounds the most tempting!!! I loved your review on the HP 2133 Mini-Note PC Review and still want one so bad…shoot, I actually want to try any netbook, but the HP 2133 sounds the most tempting!!!

]]> By: Jerry http://the-gadgeteer.com/2008/12/31/my-favorite-gadgets-of-2008/comment-page-1/#comment-28777 Jerry Thu, 01 Jan 2009 17:33:00 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=11259#comment-28777 Nice selections... :) I bought a Nikon D40 in 2007, the appeal of a DSLR for me is the "no lag" shutter. I found myself losing a nice photograph or two due to the shutter lag in P&S cameras. The D40 is pretty small for a DSLR. Nice selections… :)

I bought a Nikon D40 in 2007, the appeal of a DSLR for me is the “no lag” shutter. I found myself losing a nice photograph or two due to the shutter lag in P&S cameras. The D40 is pretty small for a DSLR.

]]> By: Julie http://the-gadgeteer.com/2008/12/31/my-favorite-gadgets-of-2008/comment-page-1/#comment-28774 Julie Thu, 01 Jan 2009 16:26:47 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=11259#comment-28774 Rob: I'd love it if you reviewed the Roku :) So please do :) John: The Canon 5D looks like a great DSLR. As far as your question of worth, that really depends on what you plan to use the camera for. There's no question that DSLRs take fantastic pictures. Better than much cheaper point and shoot digital cameras. But, if you're not going to print the pictures very often, I'm not so sure I would want to spend that much on a camera and lenses. Dave: I really thought hard about buying a Macbook Air these past few days. But I decided to wait and see what happens at MacWorld. Mark: Nice collection of gear you have! :) Rob:
I’d love it if you reviewed the Roku :) So please do :)

John:
The Canon 5D looks like a great DSLR. As far as your question of worth, that really depends on what you plan to use the camera for. There’s no question that DSLRs take fantastic pictures. Better than much cheaper point and shoot digital cameras. But, if you’re not going to print the pictures very often, I’m not so sure I would want to spend that much on a camera and lenses.

Dave:
I really thought hard about buying a Macbook Air these past few days. But I decided to wait and see what happens at MacWorld.

Mark:
Nice collection of gear you have! :)

]]> By: Mark http://the-gadgeteer.com/2008/12/31/my-favorite-gadgets-of-2008/comment-page-1/#comment-28771 Mark Thu, 01 Jan 2009 13:58:45 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=11259#comment-28771 OK, now it's my turn. My favorite gear for 2008: 1) SFBags Waterfield Cargo Bag (small): has become my daily bag. Nearly indestructible with paraglider buckle in front, it carries my OQO Model 02, Acer Aspire One netbook (and AC adapter) and a host of other small items and cables. 2) Acer Aspire One netbook: 1 GB RAM, 120 GB HD, 8.9" screen, decent keyboard and CHEAP! I use it as my multimedia machine in school, as the Toshiba powerhouse I had bought for that purpose stuttered video so badly as to be useless. 3) HTC Touch Pro (Verizon): Verizon crippled this significantly, but with the addition of Kinoma Play, I gained back a lot of media functionality. Verizon will be coming out with an unlocker for the GPS (or so they say) sometime in the next 5 months. 4) Garmin Colorado 400T: a horribly buggy and laggy handheld GPS that FINALLY allowed me completely paperless geocaching. During a storm chasing trip this spring, it allowed me to find many finds on the fly that otherwise would have never happened. 5) OQO Model 02: OK, I bought it in 2007, but it still remains my favorite computer gadget. 6) Korg Kaosillator: This yellow plastic wonder is a miracle of music-making. 7) Korg KP3: This dynamic effects machine is so intuitive to use and it creates organic effects without much thought involved. 8) Korg R3: The big brother to the microKorg, this thing has full-sized keys and full-sized sound. OK, now it’s my turn. My favorite gear for 2008:

1) SFBags Waterfield Cargo Bag (small): has become my daily bag. Nearly indestructible with paraglider buckle in front, it carries my OQO Model 02, Acer Aspire One netbook (and AC adapter) and a host of other small items and cables.

2) Acer Aspire One netbook: 1 GB RAM, 120 GB HD, 8.9″ screen, decent keyboard and CHEAP! I use it as my multimedia machine in school, as the Toshiba powerhouse I had bought for that purpose stuttered video so badly as to be useless.

3) HTC Touch Pro (Verizon): Verizon crippled this significantly, but with the addition of Kinoma Play, I gained back a lot of media functionality. Verizon will be coming out with an unlocker for the GPS (or so they say) sometime in the next 5 months.

4) Garmin Colorado 400T: a horribly buggy and laggy handheld GPS that FINALLY allowed me completely paperless geocaching. During a storm chasing trip this spring, it allowed me to find many finds on the fly that otherwise would have never happened.

5) OQO Model 02: OK, I bought it in 2007, but it still remains my favorite computer gadget.

6) Korg Kaosillator: This yellow plastic wonder is a miracle of music-making.

7) Korg KP3: This dynamic effects machine is so intuitive to use and it creates organic effects without much thought involved.

8) Korg R3: The big brother to the microKorg, this thing has full-sized keys and full-sized sound.

]]> By: Dave Rees http://the-gadgeteer.com/2008/12/31/my-favorite-gadgets-of-2008/comment-page-1/#comment-28770 Dave Rees Thu, 01 Jan 2009 13:37:30 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=11259#comment-28770 Macbook Air -- I dragged my feet a long time before buying a MBAir (worried it was not enough bang for the buck and lacked horsepower). But I have had zero buyers regret. I take it with me everywhere and do all my gadget reviews on it. iPod Touch 2nd gen -- I agree with Rob on this one. The new Touch (in combination with all of the great applications/games) is a great PDA. I use mine daily to listen to music, watch movies, and play a game or two. <a href="http://the-gadgeteer.com/2008/11/10/sony_8gb_micro_vault_tiny_usb_flash_drive_review/" rel="nofollow">Sony 8gb Micro Vault Tiny USB Flash Drive</a> -- I carry this micro thumb drive with me everywhere I go. Very pocketable (but incredibly loseable). <a href="http://the-gadgeteer.com/2008/10/28/buffalo_technologies_drivestation_hd_ceu2_external_hard_drive_review/" rel="nofollow">Buffalo Technologies DriveStation HD-CEU2 External Hard Drive</a> -- This is a great external hard drive. It is nearly silent and does an outstanding job backing up all of my critical data. <a href="http://the-gadgeteer.com/2008/11/18/altec_lansing_inmotion_im9_quick_look_video_review/" rel="nofollow">Altec Lansing InMotion iM9</a> -- I use these great sounding, rugged iPod speakers all over the house, garage, and yard. I'm hoping that 2009 brings a load of new gadgets that are worthy of a tech-adrenaline-rush. Macbook Air — I dragged my feet a long time before buying a MBAir (worried it was not enough bang for the buck and lacked horsepower). But I have had zero buyers regret. I take it with me everywhere and do all my gadget reviews on it.

iPod Touch 2nd gen — I agree with Rob on this one. The new Touch (in combination with all of the great applications/games) is a great PDA. I use mine daily to listen to music, watch movies, and play a game or two.

Sony 8gb Micro Vault Tiny USB Flash Drive — I carry this micro thumb drive with me everywhere I go. Very pocketable (but incredibly loseable).

Buffalo Technologies DriveStation HD-CEU2 External Hard Drive — This is a great external hard drive. It is nearly silent and does an outstanding job backing up all of my critical data.

Altec Lansing InMotion iM9 — I use these great sounding, rugged iPod speakers all over the house, garage, and yard.

I’m hoping that 2009 brings a load of new gadgets that are worthy of a tech-adrenaline-rush.

]]> By: John http://the-gadgeteer.com/2008/12/31/my-favorite-gadgets-of-2008/comment-page-1/#comment-28768 John Thu, 01 Jan 2009 12:59:53 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=11259#comment-28768 My favorite gadget is the new Canon DSLR 5D, which is a hd recorder as well. However, it is pricey. I am trying to determie if worth the cost. Do you think DSLR cameras are worth the price? I found this site http://www.dslrcamerareviews.com that gives some info on them. Just trying to decide whether to buy a DSLR or point and shoot. Thanks for any advice. My favorite gadget is the new Canon DSLR 5D, which is a hd recorder as well. However, it is pricey. I am trying to determie if worth the cost. Do you think DSLR cameras are worth the price? I found this site http://www.dslrcamerareviews.com that gives some info on them. Just trying to decide whether to buy a DSLR or point and shoot. Thanks for any advice.

]]> By: Rob http://the-gadgeteer.com/2008/12/31/my-favorite-gadgets-of-2008/comment-page-1/#comment-28764 Rob Thu, 01 Jan 2009 06:13:21 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=11259#comment-28764 My favorite gadgets of the year: <i>Slacker G2 portable</i> -- XM radio changed for the worse, I unsubscribed, and replaced it with a Slacker. Great concept, great service... <i>Roku Netflix player</i> -- Netflix streaming is all over the place now, but the Roku box is a super-simple standalone way to get access to it. Review coming soon, I think. <i>iPod Touch 2nd gen</i> -- Apple finally has a PDA again. It's not the Newton, but it's quite nice. Wish they had one with a lot more storage though, so I could replace my regular iPod entirely. That's about all I can think of off the top of my head... I don't go through nearly as many gadgets in a year as Julie does :) My favorite gadgets of the year:

Slacker G2 portable — XM radio changed for the worse, I unsubscribed, and replaced it with a Slacker. Great concept, great service…

Roku Netflix player — Netflix streaming is all over the place now, but the Roku box is a super-simple standalone way to get access to it. Review coming soon, I think.

iPod Touch 2nd gen — Apple finally has a PDA again. It’s not the Newton, but it’s quite nice. Wish they had one with a lot more storage though, so I could replace my regular iPod entirely.

That’s about all I can think of off the top of my head… I don’t go through nearly as many gadgets in a year as Julie does :)

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