Consumer Product Review

The Apple MacBook  is the latest laptop from Cupertino, serving as the “budget” model in the lineup. While far more expensive than a comparable Windows laptop, it retains Apple’s quality and attention to detail which many feel justifies the premium price. In fact, it does this so well that it will be hard for most users to justify paying more to get an Air and Pro model.

Unlike the MacBook Pro,  the Macbook still uses a plastic case. However, it has similar seamless enclosure, all but eliminating flex while providing fewer places for a spilled drink to reach the electronics. The new MacBook also gets the Pro’s Lithium-Polymer battery that Apple claims will last seven hours on a single charge. Unfortunately, this means the battery isn’t replaceable by the user, but the stated life for this battery is about five years, so for most people this will be a non-issue.

Those migrating from Windows will be pleased to find that Apple has finally added a way to right-click, but not in the way you’d expect. The MacBook gets Apple’s new glass multitouch trackpad has no buttons, instead relying on taps and movements with multiple fingers for input. Tapping with two fingers right clicks, dragging two fingers scrolls, and dragging four fingers switches between applications.

The MacBook, 13″ MacBook Pro,  and MacBook Air all share similar components. Opting to spend an additional £100 for the base-line MacBook Pro gets you an aluminum case, slightly reduced weight, and Firewire and SD memory card ports, but it also comes a smaller hard drive. The Air may be thinner and nearly a kilo lighter, but it also costs £550 more with a slower processor. Unless you must have a larger screen or a smaller overall size, there is little reason to spend the extra money.

Prices start at £799.00 including VAT for an Intel 2.26Ghz Core 2 Duo processor, 2GB of RAM, and 250GB hard drive. There is only one model available, and the option list is short, offering only increased RAM and hard disk space, along with a few accessories. Unlike the other Apple laptops there’s no solid state drive option to help keep costs low.

The new Apple MacBook  may not be able to match Windows machines when it comes to price, but it retains the features that people feel justify the expense of an Apple product. Features once exclusive to more expensive models such as the multitouch trackpad and Lithium-Polymer battery make it the sensible choice in Apple’s lineup.

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If you have purchased goods that are damaged or faulty, you should know that you are protected by the law in the United Kingdom.

The Sales of Goods Act of 1979 provides you with rights regarding the goods that your purchase. You have the legal right to expect purchased items to be of “satisfactory” quality. If there is some fault in the goods that could render them unfit for their purpose, or detract from the appearance, safety and longevity of the item, you have the right to bring the item back to the retailer. If the goods must be assembled, then they must include assembly instructions, and all items must match those used in samples, displays and demonstrations.

If you find something wrong with an item, you must take recourse against the retailer and not the manufacturer. Even if you have used goods for some time, you still may be able to bring the items back. The law specifies that you are permitted a “reasonable” amount of time to use the goods before determining whether or not they are satisfactory. In some cases, this can mean up to a few months or more.

The retailer can offer to repair the goods in which case they must make such repairs within a reasonable time frame. Also, there should be no cost to you for the repair. They can also choose to replace the item with another of satisfactory quality, or they can choose to refund your money.

Even if you find a fault with goods after the “reasonable” time period has expired, you still have courses of action that you can take. For example, if you discover the problem within six months, and the fault is not due to actions on your part after the sale such as wear and tear, and misuse, you can still get the item repaired or replaced. The burden falls on the retailer to prove that the fault occurred only after the sale took place.

Retailers may refuse to refund, repair or replace your goods unless you can show them proof of purchase. You do not need your till receipt to document your purchase. You can also use your credit card or bank statement in such cases.

In instances were more than six months have elapsed before you find a fault with your goods, you still may be able to get something from the retailer. In many cases, shops will want to maintain good customer relations, and they will be willing to compromise if you can prove the item was faulty when purchased.

If you are dealing with goods purchased at auctions, second-hand sales, etc., you still have the same rights as when dealing with retail establishments. However, there will be a difference in terms of the definition of “satisfactory quality” when dealing with such goods. You may forfeit your rights under the law though if you know of the defect before the purchase or the fault is a simple one that can easily be corrected.

Technorati Tags: Consumer Advice, Consumer Information, Returning Damaged Goods (UK)

Choosing the Right Mobile Phone Contract

Buying a mobile phone nowadays seems more difficult than what it was five, ten, or even fifteen years ago. Yes, mobile phones bring about a degree of simplicity to our lives, but it is the choosing how we want to simplify that is so difficult. Read more

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Buying a mobile phone nowadays seems more difficult than what it was five, ten, or even fifteen years ago. Yes, mobile phones bring about a degree of simplicity to our lives, but it is the choosing how we want to simplify that is so difficult. You must choose both the mobile phone that will make life easier for you and the rate plan that will work best for your needs. If you do not choose correctly in the beginning, you must settle with your decision until your mobile phone contract expires or, if your mobile phone company allows for early upgrading, you can upgrade your mobile phone and start a new contract within a few months before your original contract’s expiration.

So how do you choose the mobile phone contract that will accommodate all of your needs for the entire contract period? The following steps will help you make the right decision:

• First, you need an idea of how many minutes you may use each month. If you’re not sure, it is always better to start out with a plan that has more minutes than what you need rather than not enough minutes. Usually, depending on your network, you are allowed to change your rate plan to one with fewer minutes without affecting your contract. You can do this as long as the change takes place within a certain period of time after the start of the contract.

• Do you intend on text messaging? If you do, then you will want to choose a text messaging package as a part of your contract. If you are not sure how many you will use, purchase the lowest package, but know that you can remove this feature if you find that you use it so little that pay-per-use is cheaper. If you find that you use it more than you thought, you will need to upgrade to more messages per month.

• Once you have determined what you need, you will need to compare the networks that provide service for your geographic area. Look at the minutes they offer and how the prices differ for minute plans that are comparable to one another. You will also need to evaluate coverage areas to see which has the best coverage for you.

• After you have narrowed it down the networks you are interested in, look at the other features that are available and make sure you are allowed to add and remove these features as needed. These features may include picture messaging, mobile Internet, mobile television, phone insurance, and much more.

• When choosing a phone, make sure you evaluate the features each offers and compare these features. If you need a mobile phone with Office Mobile on it, then you can narrow your search down to phones that have Office Mobile. If you need a smart phone with a 5 megapixel camera, then you can narrow your search down to smart phones with 5 megapixel cameras. From here, you can then look at the remaining choices and choose which one fits within your budget.

The main reason in which you want to ensure you choose the right contract is the fact that your mobile phone is usually sold to you at a discount price. If you sign a two year contract with your mobile phone network, you may receive a £500 phone for free. If you were to buy that same phone without the contract, you would have to pay the entire £500. Once you sign the contract, you must use the same phone throughout the entire agreement unless you are willing to pay hundreds of pounds on a new one that is comparable.

With that said, you should be able to choose the right mobile phone contract, as well as the right mobile phone to meet or exceed your needs.

Technorati Tags: Choosing The Right Mobile Phone Contract, Consumer Advice, Consumer Information, Price Comparison

The JVC GCFM1A Picsio Pocket Camcorder , JVC’s offering to the miniature digital camcorder scene, does everything the best cameras already do and more. It would appear that JVC held back while companies like Creative, Kodak, RCA, Sony rushed to fill the market created by Pure Digital’s revolutionary Flip micro-camcorder. The GC-FM1 is a solid piece of hardware, capable of 1080p video in 4x digital zoom as well as 8MP still shots. It saves video as .MOV files in MPEG-4, AVC, and H.254 formats. Computer upload is via HDMI cables, AV out, and USB, and the PICSIO charges via USB to the computer. SD and SDHC memory cards are compatible with the JVC GC-FM1, though the camcorder is not packaged with them.

Available in Black Ice, Blue Steel and Purple Passion, with geometric patterns reminiscent of holograms and wavy chrome accents around the edges, the GC-FM1 is the perfect choice for someone who wants a stylish, solid, inexpensive digital camcorder that makes it easy to transmit video from real life to the Internet or directly to the television via HDMI. At 97mm x 53mm x 17mm, and weighing only 95 grams, the GC-FM1 is easier to transport than many cell phones or digital cameras, barely making a bulge in your pocket.

In addition, the JVC GCFM1A Picsio  offers a 2-inch LCD screen for instant viewing, making it intrinsically useful to the budding videographer who wants to be able to take instant video whenever the inspiration hits him or her. Built-in video stabilization helps keep videos looking professional and watchable. This little dynamo may look candy-coated, but the tech it offers is undeniable. While it has nothing that isn’t also available in the other digital camcorders, the overall style and seamless integration of each element in the GC-FM1 shows that JVC did its research. Its competitors’ products had their successes and difficulties, and then consciously, purposely, JVC put together a product utilizing everything that worked, discarding everything that didn’t, all within a unique, impulse-buyable style. Looking at the holographic surface, one can’t help but want to touch it.

The interface is easy to navigate, without any complicated menus to scroll through. Every function the camera has is accessible by buttons, for switching between still and video mode, to scrolling through the index of files stored in the camera, to zooming in and out, to a function button for starting and stopping videos, playing videos back, or anything else. Visually, the face resembles an iPod, with its effortless, intuitive design and stylish wow-factor. People are already talking about how it’s the next step in miniature video camcorder technology. Offered just in time to garner excitement before Christmas, the JVC GCFM1A Picsio  is sure to be a staple on many lists this 2009 holiday season. 

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