Friday, August 26, 2011

IPad2 Review

With the release of Apple’s Ipad2 and it’s arrival to Ireland I thought it timely to revisit this device to see what changes Apple have made. The Ipad and Iphone have both had a dramatic effect on the traditional computer and phone makers and you can expect to see many competitors to both between now and Christmas. This article is aimed to clear some of the misconceptions regarding the Ipad2.

The Ipad2
Sleeker, faster, better graphics, lighter, thinner, and sporting two cameras the Ipad2 is a formidable piece of technology.  The laptop/notebook manufacturers do not even come close and this device is out on it’s own at what it does. The screen quality is outstanding and if you’ve used a touch screen phone then the ipad will seem second nature to you. I do have several problems with the ipad2 but these relate more to the misconceptions about the machine rather than the machine itself.
The problem with the Ipad2 is that it just is too limited for the typical computer user and thus it is not a replacement for a traditional computer. Apple does not providing usb ports on the device. This means you can’t hook up your camera, printer, usb key or backup drive directly to the ipad. Having said that it does feature bluetooth so it should be possible to connect to some devices but this is hardly sufficient. My experience with working with wireless and bluetooth enabled printers has not been good.

The Price
Entry level models start at $479 which is about the price of a fairly decent laptop. The entry level model has wifi only so you can’t use it browse when out and about unless you can find a free wireless hotspot (most cafĂ©’s are providing this service now.). This is not really a limitation but I expect many people would be surprised by this.

Who does it Suit?
If you want a sleek portable device for internet browsing and email then this device is for you. 
If you do decide to buy one make sure you buy a solid protective case for it and please don’t drop it! (Not recommended for teens who fall asleep with the laptop on the bed!)

If You can't see the above video then click here To see a Youtube review of the device

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

I Just Won One Million Sterling With My PC.

I might well consider retiring based on the latest email to land in my inbox informing me I’ve won the yahoo lottery and am now the beneficiary of one million sterling. Wow! And the amazing thing is I didn’t even enter the lottery. All I have to do is supply my bank account details, together with my address and interestingly the also want a copy of my passport and driving license. The address is an English one so I guess if I didn’t know better what could I lose by replying?  
The answer: My identity and probably every last penny I own.

This latest offer comes on top of the two I received recently: one telling me I won the Coco Cola Olympics 2012 lottery and the other one telling me a long lost cousin might have left me money. This is just a sample of the scams currently circulating the internet and replying or engaging with them can cost you a fortune. Below I’ve outlined some of the more prevalent scams. In all cases the advice is not to engage in any way with the scammers.


Scam No 1. Fake Calls From Microsoft or Anti-virus Company.
This particular scam begins with a telephone call from an individual telling you that Microsoft or some other company has detected a problem with your computer. The scammer will try to scare you and perhaps may suggest you are virus infected, your computer has been hacked, or some other problem which in may cases leads people to follow the scammers instructions.

Fact: Neither Microsoft nor any other anti-virus or software company will ever contact you by phone to tell you that you are virus infected or have been hacked.

Action: If you receive one of these calls simply hang up the phone. Do not engage with the scammer. Remember he does this for a living and is well used to conning people.

Scam No 2. Free Anti-virus /System Checks On The Internet.
This is probably the most lucrative scam out there and I’ve seen cases of people conned out of 80 euro, and more  by these people. It begins with you downloading so called free anti-virus or free system health checks and ends with fake messages telling you your machine is virus infected, hacked, cracked and just about to explode!

Action: Call me (preferably!) or another professional computer technician and get expert help or you’ll end up with a disabled machine.