http://bensbargains.net/reviews/rss/ Where ghetto dogs come for the lowdown on deals en-us Copyright (C) BensBargains.net Unless you've been living under a rock for the past couple weeks, it's hard to read the news without seeing a mention of Apple's brand-new iPhone 4. Released in the U.S. on June 24th, Apple sold about 1.7 million units of the device in about 3 days. The iPhone 4 is the fourth generation of the iPhone which started with the first iPhone in 2007, followed by the 3G and 3GS in the following years. Click on to read my full impressions. [Read Full Review]]]> http://bensbargains.net/deal/apple-iphone-4-146997/?referrer=rss http://bensbargains.net/deal/apple-iphone-4-146997/ Thu, 08 Jul 2010 13:00:01 -0700 The HP 311, released late last year, was one of the first netbooks featuring the new NVidia ION graphics card with the GeForce 9400M chipset. I had read numerous reviews of the card with surprising claims for an onboard GPU. I was in the market for something very portable to take on the road without sacrificing power, so I chose the most powerful configuration available to see just how robust this netbook could be. Click to find out if it lived up to its hype. [Read Full Review]]]> http://bensbargains.net/deal/hp-311-intel-atom-nvidia-ion-11-netbook-143966/?referrer=rss http://bensbargains.net/deal/hp-311-intel-atom-nvidia-ion-11-netbook-143966/ Wed, 23 Jun 2010 13:00:02 -0700 Following up on the very popular WD TV Live, Western Digital rolled out the WD TV Live Plus last week — a revision that looks identical to the previous version in size, shape and form factor. While the transition from their first generation player to the WD TV Live was a giant leap into network connectivity for their expansive list of file support, the transition to the WD TV Live Plus doesn't feel as accomplished in comparison. Click on to read my full impressions of the player. [Read Full Review]]]> http://bensbargains.net/deal/western-digital-wd-tv-live-plus-media-player-144179/?referrer=rss http://bensbargains.net/deal/western-digital-wd-tv-live-plus-media-player-144179/ Wed, 16 Jun 2010 13:00:01 -0700 Earlier this year, Sony revamped their 16.4" VAIO F series notebooks with Intel's brand-spanking-new Core i7 mobile processors. Since I was in the market for a good all-around laptop, I decided to custom build a VAIO VPC-F1190X of my own. I knew the hyper-threading-enabled quad-core processor would deliver blazing fast performance, but what I really wanted to find out was if this laptop could shine as a full-fledged desktop replacement. Click on to read my impressions. [Read Full Review]]]> http://bensbargains.net/deal/sony-vaio-vpc-f1190xcto-16-4-notebook-143258/?referrer=rss http://bensbargains.net/deal/sony-vaio-vpc-f1190xcto-16-4-notebook-143258/ Wed, 09 Jun 2010 14:00:01 -0700 Move over T1i, the Canon EOS Rebel T2i is here to take the mantle as Canon's newest flagship entry-level DSLR. The T2i boasts an 18 megapixel sensor, 1.04 million pixel 3:2 LCD screen, as well as a 63-zone metering sensor and improved movie functionality -- features borrowed from its big brother, the Canon 7D. Add to the mix some full-featured HD video recording, and I knew I had to take the plunge and check it out. [Read Full Review]]]> http://bensbargains.net/deal/canon-eos-rebel-t2i-142394/?referrer=rss http://bensbargains.net/deal/canon-eos-rebel-t2i-142394/ Wed, 02 Jun 2010 13:00:02 -0700 The Aspire One 8.9" was Acer's first foray into the very crowded netbook market. Netbooks are popular because of their small size, light weight, and low cost. The Aspire One was aimed to undercut the current offerings by other manufacturers, particularly the base models with an 8GB SSD and Linux. My test model was a 160GB HDD with Windows XP, more conventional than its spartan brethren but a nice setup for users wanting a larger hard drive and familiar OS. [Read Full Review]]]> http://bensbargains.net/deal/acer-aspire-one-8-9--127677/?referrer=rss http://bensbargains.net/deal/acer-aspire-one-8-9--127677/ Wed, 17 Feb 2010 13:00:03 -0800 Two years after the introduction of its Bamboo line of entry-level pen tablets, Wacom has released redesigned followups now featuring multitouch functionality. Although it was by no means a mouse replacement, I was satisfied with the original Bamboo pen tablet. So I took the Bamboo Pen and Touch Tablet for a spin to see if the new touch capabilities were a game-changer or if it was more of the same old, same old. [Read Full Review]]]> http://bensbargains.net/deal/wacom-bamboo-pen-and-touch-tablet-125746/?referrer=rss http://bensbargains.net/deal/wacom-bamboo-pen-and-touch-tablet-125746/ Wed, 23 Dec 2009 13:00:00 -0800 It's been a while since my last cell phone review, which was a Motorola RAZR2, and since then I've decided to get the Apple iPhone 3GS (16GB). I've had my share of smartphones, including Symbian and Windows Mobile devices and they've mostly disappointed me. The main problem that I have with Symbian and Windows Mobile – and this is something that I see in nearly all versions of it, including 6.5 – is lag. From the menus to the programs themselves, they all seem to suffer from lag. So I switched over to the Apple camp in hopes that it would help revive my faith in smartphones. So does it? Read on for my full review. [Read Full Review]]]> http://bensbargains.net/deal/apple-iphone-16gb-smart-phone-124762/?referrer=rss http://bensbargains.net/deal/apple-iphone-16gb-smart-phone-124762/ Wed, 16 Dec 2009 13:00:00 -0800 A popular trend in computing and portable devices in particular is multi-touch input. While it lacks the "wow" factor of a glove-controlled computer interface like in "Minority Report," multi-touch has proven to be an appealing alternative, and Windows 7's improved support for it is evidence the technology is here to stay. The selling point of the 12.1" HP TouchSmart tx2z convertible tablet PC is its multi-touch display, a feature present in just-released or soon-to-released offerings from Acer, Dell, Toshiba, and possibly Apple if rumors of its cloaked-in-secrecy tablet are to be believed. The tx2z series already has a built-in niche audience, but will mainstream users want to pay its premium price? [Read Full Review]]]> http://bensbargains.net/deal/hp-touchsmart-tx2z-12-1-multi-touch-tablet-notebook-121949/?referrer=rss http://bensbargains.net/deal/hp-touchsmart-tx2z-12-1-multi-touch-tablet-notebook-121949/ Wed, 09 Dec 2009 13:00:00 -0800 The original Jawbone Bluetooth headset from Aliph was a high-end device that enjoyed mass appeal due to its amazing Noise Assassin technology, and the Jawbone 2 managed to improve upon it by offering everything in a smaller sleeker package. Now we have the Jawbone Prime, which is the third iteration of this series of Bluetooth headsets and touts improved Noise Assassin technology – specifically in the area of wind noise. Like its predecessors, the Prime is a high-end headset with a price tag to match. Click through to see if the high price is justified. [Read Full Review]]]> http://bensbargains.net/deal/jawbone-prime-wireless-bluetooth-headset-121757/?referrer=rss http://bensbargains.net/deal/jawbone-prime-wireless-bluetooth-headset-121757/ Wed, 02 Dec 2009 15:25:11 -0800 LCD monitor prices seem to be on a downward trend right now, with some 28" monitors reaching as low as the $200 range. Combine that with the fact that many monitors are starting to include HDCP compatibility and you've got a reason to go shopping for a new monitor. Ultimately, what I ended up with was the Samsung Touch of Color T260HD 25.5" Widescreen LCD Monitor. While not quite as big as the giant 28" or 30" monitors recently posted, the Samsung T260HD offers much more connectivity options than most other panels out there. Read on for the juicy details. [Read Full Review]]]> http://bensbargains.net/deal/samsung-touch-of-color-t260hd-26-widescreen-lcd-hdtv-monitor-116038/?referrer=rss http://bensbargains.net/deal/samsung-touch-of-color-t260hd-26-widescreen-lcd-hdtv-monitor-116038/ Mon, 05 Oct 2009 14:00:00 -0700 The Inspiron Mini 9 is Dell's first product to address the burgeoning netbook market. The attraction of netbooks is due to a combination of factors including portability, usability, and price. Whereas the Mini 9 was originally priced at $349, we've recently seen refurbished versions for as low as $178. With prices as affordable as that, I had to give the Mini a spin. [Read Full Review]]]> http://bensbargains.net/deal/dell-inspiron-mini-9-netbook-93108/?referrer=rss http://bensbargains.net/deal/dell-inspiron-mini-9-netbook-93108/ Thu, 12 Feb 2009 11:48:17 -0800 The keyboard is the main input device that we use to interact with our computers. Unfortunately, it is also the first place computer makers look to cut costs. If you're using a stock keyboard from Dell, HP... or - god forbid eMachines, you're probably not typing much. I've been using the Logitech DiNovo Bluetooth keyboard for a few years, but I recently came across a new premium line of keyboards called the Das Keyboard. Read on for my take on this re-invented keyboard. [Read Full Review]]]> http://bensbargains.net/deal/das-keyboard-mechanical-keyboard-92472/?referrer=rss http://bensbargains.net/deal/das-keyboard-mechanical-keyboard-92472/ Thu, 05 Feb 2009 14:32:50 -0800 The time has come for all you holdouts to start buying up what you need to build your system for the new year. I just glanced through our exclusive PC Builder and was frankly amazed at what you can put together using today's deals, mostly from NewEgg.com. Everything below is $335 total after rebates, just add Memory/CPU/Motherboard/Video.

Acer X193Wb Black 19" 5ms Widescreen LCD Monitor = $100

Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 ST31500341AS 1.5TB Hard Drive = $130

Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case = $60

Thermaltake Purepower W0100RU 500W ATX 12V 2.0 Power Supply = $15

Logitech VX Revolution Black 8 Buttons Tilt Wheel Mouse = $10

Asus Black 20x DVD+/-RW/-RAM Writer = $20]]> http://bensbargains.net/deal/now-is-the-time-to-build-your-holiday-pc-85176/?referrer=rss http://bensbargains.net/deal/now-is-the-time-to-build-your-holiday-pc-85176/ Wed, 26 Nov 2008 15:25:53 -0800 I recently had the opportunity to make a 5+ hour drive from San Francisco down to Santa Barbara. An obvious necessity during extended driving sessions down the California coast is music, and plenty of it. Therefore, I had my trusty iPod in tow pumping tunes on my slammed ride. But there was something special supplying the power to keep the iPod battery topped off - The MySoldius Universal Solar Charger. [Read Full Review]]]> http://bensbargains.net/deal/mysoldius-universal-solar-charger-81699/?referrer=rss http://bensbargains.net/deal/mysoldius-universal-solar-charger-81699/ Thu, 23 Oct 2008 14:28:41 -0700 There is a delicate balance between size and function when it comes to notebook mice. They are getting smaller and smaller as more people are using their computers on-the-go. Newton Peripherals decided to push the envelope and developed a mouse that will fit into a notebook computer's ExpressCard/54 slot. Did they go too far or does the ExpressCard form factor fit the bill? Click through to find out. [Read Full Review]]]> http://bensbargains.net/deal/mogo-x54-presenter-mouse-expresscard-78690/?referrer=rss http://bensbargains.net/deal/mogo-x54-presenter-mouse-expresscard-78690/ Thu, 16 Oct 2008 14:35:50 -0700 Dell has recently revamped their Latitude line of business laptops, releasing them under the "E-Series" name. Here we take a look at the portable productivity targeted laptop, the Latitude E5400. We're trying to find out if this is going to be the computer that your company buys to deploy to the grunts such as yourself. Let's take a look. [Read Full Review]]]> http://bensbargains.net/deal/dell-latitude-e5400-14-1-business-laptop-dell-80401/?referrer=rss http://bensbargains.net/deal/dell-latitude-e5400-14-1-business-laptop-dell-80401/ Thu, 09 Oct 2008 15:02:46 -0700 When you want to share USB devices connected to a particular computer, you usually have to set up sharing on that computer and leave it powered on so that other computers on the network can access those devices. With the Belkin F5L009 Network USB Hub, that is no longer an issue. You can connect your USB peripherals to the hub and connect the hub to your existing wired or wireless network to share those devices. It all sounds good on paper, but does it really meet our expectations? Click through to find out. [Read Full Review]]]> http://bensbargains.net/deal/belkin-5-port-network-usb-hub-78688/?referrer=rss http://bensbargains.net/deal/belkin-5-port-network-usb-hub-78688/ Thu, 25 Sep 2008 12:30:05 -0700 The Logitech diNovo Edge is a bluetooth keyboard that aims to be both useful and stylish. It is Logitech's latest installment in the diNovo lineup, which began years ago with the diNovo Cordless Desktop. Will the Edge edge out its older siblings, or will it fall short of our expectations? Click through to find out. [Read Full Review]]]> http://bensbargains.net/deal/logitech-dinovo-edge-usb-bluetooth-keyboard-77521/?referrer=rss http://bensbargains.net/deal/logitech-dinovo-edge-usb-bluetooth-keyboard-77521/ Thu, 11 Sep 2008 14:59:19 -0700 The Dell Studio Hybrid has arrived on the scene at a time when energy efficiency has become a topic of national concern. According to Dell, the Studio Hybrid is "Designed to fit into your environment while protecting the environment." The Hybrid is Dell's smallest desktop, and it is available with customizable sleeves including one made out of natural bamboo. Click on through to see our close up take of the Dell Studio Hybrid PC. [Read Full Review]]]> http://bensbargains.net/deal/dell-studio-hybrid-76909/?referrer=rss http://bensbargains.net/deal/dell-studio-hybrid-76909/ Thu, 04 Sep 2008 14:30:22 -0700