With only one week left until the biggest gift exchange of the year, stores are packed with shoppers, lines are out the door, and some folks are still trying to think about what the ‘perfect’ gift would look like.  You may not know what to get the cute geek in your life, and if you do, it may be out of stock.  Sucks to be a procrastinator doesn’t it? But don’t worry – because retailers like Amazon.com are letting you procrasinate a little more, by giving you FREE 1 day shipping until the 21st, to ensure your gifts arrive in time.

If you’re still not sure about what to get, we’ve put together a another list of items your cute geek may enjoy!

The first item on our list is the Samsung Galaxy Tab. An 8.9 inch android powered tablet that is super thin, super fast and super fun to play with. It’s small form factor makes it great for using as an eBook reader (nook and Kindle apps available in Android market or you can borrow books from your local library), great for browsing the web and checking email. Its high definition screen also makes it great for watching videos. The forward facing camera makes it ideal for Skype (don’t forget to download their lateest version) and the back camera with flash takes fantastic pictures.

The Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9 is available at Best Buy and BestBuy.com for $449.

The next Item on the list is something reviewed by our Spanish site, CuteGeek en Espanol. It is the Pantech Pocket Android powered smart phone for at&t wireless. The Pantech Pocket has a huge 4” 1280x720p display and is probably the chubbiest smart phone on the market – but that’s alright, because we still love it!

The Pocket features a 5 MP camera, which does both still pictures and HD video. It also runs on the at&t 4G network which is the fastest network at&t has to offer. Provided you have a tethering account you can also use the Pocket as a wireless hotspot which you can connect up to 5 devices too.

The Pantech Pocket will run you $49.99 with a 2 year contract from the at&t store. It’s not an iPhone but we think it’s just as fun as the iPhone for a lot less in price.

Next on the list will keep your cute geek’s hands warm when she uses her Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9 or Pantech pocket outside this winter. As you know if you wear gloves you can’t really interact with a touchscreen, but with the NuTouch Gloves you can. The gloves have special material on the finger tips that allows for you to touch away on any touchscreen with out giving your finger tips frost bite.

The NuTouch Gloves are normally $19.99 but are on sale now (unsure until when) for just $11.99. For more info on that deal click here.

Next on the list is the HP Wi-Fi Touch Mouse X7000. It’s a wireless mouse that does not use up ANY of your USB ports. Michael Reyes at HardwareGeeks.com has used one and loves it, Gisselle our Spanish writer loves hers as well. I am a little sad that I have yet to try one, but it is okay – I’ll hold them true to their word and will still encourage folks to get it for their loved ones. 

The X7000 is available from HP Shopping for $47.99 for a limited time, it typically costs $59.99.

Finally we have the Canon PowerShot A3300 a 16 Mega Pixel digital camera. What girl doesn’t need a camera?

This camera is gorgeous and very easy to use, It’s great for those of us with shaky hands as it has image stabilization, and with its 5x optical zoom you can get pretty close to the action. It also has 20x digital zoom but we know digital zoom isn’t that great on any camera.
The A3300 is available at best buy right now for just $98.88.

Happy Holidays (again)!

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Thanks – my 401k probably went down another 9% this week because of you two.  How is the tech world supposed to move forward with this uncertainty of what next i-gadget is coming out, or if they will continue being cool.

And HP – damnit HP.  Can you not do such a good job at confusing the heck out of the world…

HP TouchPad…cute…not so great web OS, but still sexy…$499…and then $99…

Come onnnn…why not send a memo to your top fans, like me…now I can’t buy one anymore and I even though I signed up for the ‘please pick meeeeeeee’ website, for those that are still interested, I’m still not hopeful. I bet I was potential HP TouchPad buyer #29485723542394.

Should I stop envisioning what other coolness you’ll create? Bluetooth mouse was the thing I wanted for my new mini…but um, is that the end of an era of beautiful designs, affordable toys that instantly add value in your life use and just overall great products that last forever?

Some cool facts about HP that I didn’t know prior to this week is:
Their consumer pc business is worth over $40+ Billion
If Fortune were to rank them, as a solo company, they would be a Fortune 60 company
They have the largest supply chain in the world
They can create 2 pcs per second and they sell in over 170 countries

(impressive right? Also very reassuring…)

It means is that there are a lot of options – and like we saw with Lenovo, IBM didn’t lose it…they just transitioned their great reputation to folks that weren’t colorblind…

Oh yea – Jobs, enjoy life.  I haven’t i-fied my life, but thanks for inspiring us with your Stanford speech.  I really hope you enjoy life – I think you’ve worked hard enough, and am not sure if you should play hard, but hey, why not?  – just enjoy the fruits of your labor, you deserve it.

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HP is seeking 100 people interested in participating in an ink challenge. To participate you must be willing to complete various activities alone or with your family.

HP will give you a free printer, ink and paper, which you will get to keep after the challenge. HP wants to measure the quality and durability of their inks in the challenge.

If you’re interested in participating email HPInkChallange@hp.com with basic contact information and they will follow up with you with more details.

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Once again, HP and Project Runway have teamed together further uniting fashion design and technology. While watching the season premier of Project Runway last night you probably noticed each designer was given a HP EliteBook Tablet PC notebook , loaded with a second-generation Intel® Core i7™ processor, to create this seasons winning looks. HP will be assisting the designers throughout season 9 by also providing products such as HP TouchSmart desktop PCs, HP video cameras and the HP Veer. A $50,000 technology suite by HP and Intel will also be part of the winner’s prize package.
As a graphic and web designer I am excited to see all the ways the contestants will be able to utilize these products from HP to be able to do everything from creating designs for challenges to keeping in touch with their families throughout the competition. Many of the contestants already raved about their love of the EliteBook and how it can cut development time in half because of its ease of use.

Fans can even enter the On the Runway Sketching Challenge, a drawing contest, which the HP and Intel Brand Boutique will announce at www.mylifetime.com/hp.

Be sure to catch the next episode of Project Runway Thursday at 9pm ET/PT on Lifetime Television.

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…to Miami and a bunch of other major cities that is.

On March 2nd, the Lebron James Family Foundation & HP announced they would contribute to the intelligence of our nation’s future by providing them with the technology to help them achieve success. 1,000 computers will be donated to 59 Boys & Girls Clubs across America – Miami, New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Cleveland, Connecticut and of course, Akron, OH – his hometown & the location of my last project.

This isn’t the first time Lebron invests in education, last year he blessed after-school programs in Akron with 1,000 HP computers. Stories like this are what really make me smile – seeing someone literally not forget about the ‘little people’ even after he’s made it big.

“Our goal is to empower young people and having access to state-of-the-art computers and technology ensures that children will have the tools they need to achieve success”, said Lebron, and I agree with him 110%. Students will be able to do their homework on the PCs, learn about tech, develop the skills they need to compete, and prepare for the world of work.

“We’re delighted that our technology will help Boys & Girls Clubs members pursue their passions and learn necessary skills that will allow them to succeed in a more connected and collaborative world,” said Satjiv Chahil, advisor, Global Market Development, Personal Systems Group, HP.

(I should’ve posted this sooner – but I forgot…better late than never and today is the perfect day!)

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The end of the year is around the corner and before we get there we have to give a little thanks, and also a bunch of gifts. Don’t worry – if there’s no cash there is always advice, hugs and smiles to give. Everyone can use a little bit of those sprinkled in their lives. The CuteGeeks have worked together to bring you some gift ideas for your loved ones. We have our top ten gifts, along with our top 3 stocking stuffers.

Our ‘brother’ site also worked on a gift guide so if you’re interested in reading what HardwareGeek recommends-definitely take a peek. We have marked gifts with (Double Geek) if they appear in both guides – just an fyi.

Happy Holidays – we hope you enjoy

10. Blinged out HP USB – HP c335w
This may sound like a cruel joke – but I’ll try to get you to see why this would be a beautiful gift. Let’s say you’ve been dating someone for a while – a cute geek…and they’re always on the go, and need some external storage – either to store stuff or to easily transfer files between two computers – instead of buying her those pair of diamond earrings, buy her HP’s latest gold metal body, blinged out (it’s really just a crystal-but looks just as nice) USB. It comes in a nice box and while I would be pretty pissed if I received one (a blank one that is) I would totally melt if it contained pictures, songs, or anything that the gift-giver and I shared. It’s all about being creative and making your loved ones feel special – here’s your chance. Go for it!
It was actually kind of hard to find online, or on the HP website, but I found it on this site - the 16 GB USB is about $41.

9. Logitech’s Wireless Solar Keyboard K750 & Microsoft’s Arc Touch Mouse
Logitech created a beautiful wireless keyboard to complement anyone’s home office
or work office. The best part about it is its energy saving bonus – it’s solar powered! No wires, no charging, no drama! It can last up to 3 months without any light.

Microsoft’s sexy mouse, as I like to call it, is the latest in comfortable and portable mousing. I’m not even sure if that makes sense but the point is this mouse can lie completely flat, or bend in a shape to fit your hand. I loved the way it felt and could really see how it would complement anyone’s office, whether at home or on the road. Due to its portability, Microsoft has equipped this sexy lil’ thang with the best technology so you can use it on any surface – no ands, ifs or buts. You can even scroll faster thanks to its touch scroll strip (the first of its kind).

These two items would be a good gift to give someone that is into saving space, or optimizing their work area. The keyboard is priced at $79.99 and the mouse is priced at $69.95 – but don’t forget to take advantage of holiday savings.

8. Digital Picture Frame
The worst part about gifts is that sometimes people take them back, or you just want to give it back for whatever reason – the best part about memories is that they’re in your head, and no one can take those away. Your experiences are yours and yours only – that is why I love when someone gives me an experience as a gift, or maybe even capture a picture from that experience. A digital frame is an ideal gift to give someone that is into pictures, or someone you want to constantly remind about ______ – you fill in the blank. You can do so much with a frame, but again, here is an opportunity to personalize it and add pictures that you know will melt your cutegeek’s heart. There are a lot of frames out there, and we only reviewed one – but this is Zenia’s favorite pick – Insignia’s 8” LCD Digital Frame.
7. A Smart Phone
If you’re loved one is still using a vintage phone (anything other than a smart phone) it’s time to update her. Smart phones provide a lot of value to your life – from optimized texting, to email accessibility, to pictures on the go – it adds value, it all depends on how you use them though. This year we saw a plethora of smart phones hit the market and here are some of my top pics:

6. Fitbit
The Although it’s tiny size – the Fitbit is the perfect gift for anyone who is active or who wants to become more active in their lives. It looks like a Bluetooth device, if you look at it very quickly, but it’s more of a massive, cool looking paper clip. The best way to describe the Fitbit is to say it is a very advanced pedometer. You wear it by clipping it anywhere on your body, preferably around your torso, because it captures the data better. It senses your movement, similar to the way a Wii remote does. It measures the amounts of steps you take, transforms it into distance, gets your sleep quality and lets you know how you’ve been performing. It also has a ‘Tamagachi’-like flower, that grows the more active you are, so if there is a day that you just don’t get out and walk, your flower will show its discontent as it withers before your eyes.

$99 gets you the device and online access to a bunch of graphs and charts. An additional $49 gets you more features, some of them being the ability to create 12 week workout plans and it allows you to compare yourself to people in your demographic.
The Fitbit is available here .

5. External Hard Drives
If you’re cutegeek is into media – music, pictures, videos, etc – there’s a good chance they’re either using up too much of their computers memory, or that their computer is running really slow from all of the files. Why not purchase them an external hard drive – to ensure they don’t lose their important data, all the while keeping their computer up to date with only the necessary items they need. One of my favorite hard drives is HP’s Simple Save. These hard drives are for the non-techie (although anyone can use them). They either back up all of your files, or allow you to designate which folders it should search in. it also automatically backs up and looks for new changes, or changed files, if attached to the device. It is very simple to use and affordable.

Another favorite is Seagate’s FreeAgent Go.

HardwareGeeks provides a good opinion in their gift guide HardwareGeek’s Holiday Gift Guide – they recommend a media hub.

4. iPad (Double Geek)
While the hype around Apple’s iPad caused some of us to cringe – I mean, it got A LOT of attention, it’s worth it. The iPad came at a perfect time where we have so many awesome gadget options to choose from that it said – don’t worry, we’ll make it easier for you. The iPad can be your computer on the go – comparable to a netbook because of its size. It can be your eBook Reader – with color pages. It’s like your iPhone, iTouch, i-Anything w/ Apps – you have the huge selection of applications available to pretty much do anything and everything in your life (remember = ‘there’s an app for that’…well there is, and an iPad brings them to your fingertips.) My favorite aspect about the iPad is its look. The iPad is one sexy beast of a toy. It’s sleek, chic, sexy – everything and the accessories make it even nicer. I envision myself wearing all black, shadow eye makeup, red heels, or maybe fishnet stockings and knee-high boots and then BAM – iPad in hand. Ugh – I’ve been yearning for one after having been surrounded by them in the airports, in Starbucks, everywhere.

3. Canon PowerShot Elph (varying models are out there – I can guarantee they are all wonderful, buy what your budget permits – you will not be disappointed)
The Canon PowerShot Elph (SD780-is the one I own) is my favorite gadget. While I have their 12 megapixel camera, their latest camera is 14. The camera takes pristine images, captures HD video, allows you to forget about its settings if you put it on auto-mode (it has built in ‘smart’ technology so it figures out the ideal setting). It is a compact camera so it’ll fit in a purse (even if it’s a small clutch) or in your pocket. I’ve taken my camera ziplining with me, over Costa Rica’s wilderness (I have the video to prove – email me if you want the link). I’ve taken pictures on top of mountains, on the beach, in the sunset, etc. Most of the pictures on my posts have also been taken with them. It definitely makes life look a little better.
Available at most major retailers (Best Buy, Amazon, etc.) with pricing starting above $150 – the latest model is available at Walmart for only $179.

2. We-Vibe
The We-Vibe is an adult toy that can be used by all parties in the relationship. It is a small device that can fit anywhere, and be seen without causing any awkward moments because most people won’t know what it is. It is very comfortable to wear, use, clean and store. It is made from the best stuff on Earth (no, not like Snapple) but the materials are green, so if you’re into buying things like that – woohoo! To read more about it – click here.
Available at multiple retailers – but the best deal on the web (with free shipping) is here – via Amazon.com.

*drumroll please*

1. Microsoft’s Kinect (Double Geek)

Some of the games we suggest are Dance Central (think karaoke for your body-they say “shake everything…except a controller. Because now…You are the controller”-awesome), Fitness Evolved (great way to learn how to workout – I say learn because it will tell you how well you are doing and will show you how to improve). I’ve used the Kinect a couple of times and can ensure a great gaming experience – you will definitely burn a couple of calories while playing any games.

Thanks for checking this out –stay tuned to some giveaways on our site…

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Growing up one of my most enjoyable experiences when hanging out with my dad was going to the bank with him. I loved going because he would tell me what to press and I would touch the screen and make his selections. I felt powerful. Here I was, a something-year old kid, helping my dad, the man who made all the money, make decisions. I won’t lie – the touch factor of my dad’s bank gave me one of my first feelings of power, and it wasn’t until I started thinking about our fascination with touch that it hit me.

We live in a world where more of us are touchy-feely, than we’d like to admit. Even if it’s not touchy-feely in the sense where we go around hugging around, its definitely touchy-feely in the tech sense where we want to touch and feel our decisions being put into action.

I am one of the few that have not gone blackberry ball crazy – or one who has not morphed into an iPhone fanatic (yes – they are fanatics). My first smart phone was an HTC phone. I’m a Windows kinda gal, sorry. I love being able to navigate through my phone by the tap of one of my freshly manicured nails, or through the handling of my oh-so-easy-to-lose stylus.

Why is it that we almost NEED to touch everything?? Are we not receiving enough love and attention from our parents as children?

I was doomed from the moment I started playing with HP’s TouchSmart – doomed in the most positive way. I stated touching EVERYTHING – from my non-touch screen car radio, to my brothers non-touch screen BlackBerry (circa 2007 – duh!). Although I didn’t break any nails during my trial-&-test-everything-to-see-if-it-responds-to-my-touch era, I did manage to make some great friends (I kid, I kid)…

I asked one of my well esteemed childhood friends, who is also a psychotherapist (Emily Rentas), if there was any psychological explanation for our fascination with texting, and trying to obtain the latest gadgets with touch capability and she broke it down for me in more terms and ways than I imagined. I’ll try to summarize…bear with me…

First off, if you think about babies and young children, they oftentimes acquire some sort of object that secures them that provides them with that security they seek when they’re alone, away from their parents, etc…those things are called transitional objects. As adults, we’ve evolved from needing a physical ‘security’ blanket, to depending on this gadgets that provide just that – that security we seek, without really knowing we seek it.

Think about why some of us feel ‘naked’ when we leave home without our phones…really? Are we naked? Would we have felt naked 10+ years ago without our pagers? (Remember those?)

The need to have a transitional object usually occurs when we’re infants and the sad reality that we are not attached to our mothers, or whoever brings the world to us, is made real. When infants realize they are not dependent to their moms, and that they in fact will need to be independent, they seek comfort in these items. As adults I see the same thing occurring. I believe the desire to have power or comfort at times of distress, even if only through a blanket – the one blanket that never leaves your side, has perfectly translated into our obsession with gadgets. Touch-screen-‘anythings’ gives us that power and subtle power that we sometimes seek when the world does not know we’re under some sort of distress.

What situations drive you to pull out your cell phone (is it even called that anymore), start texting or even your iPod to shuffle through some songs??

Think about it…

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Have you woken up and thanked the Tech Gods for saving you during this holiday and possibly every future holiday season?

No?

Well why the heck not?

You no longer have to buy the fabulous women in your life jewelry. Haven’t you heard that the latest fad is tech?! Diamonds aren’t cool anymore (I am soooo kidding-they always will be)…but a girl’s best-friend CAN be her handy dandy Windows Phone 7, or HP’s new Palm Pre 2…

Tech gadgets?! – YEAAA!

Women are using gadgets and their wonderful cases and complements as accessories nowadays. Nerds are in, geeks are even more in…so help your lady out and get her the latest fun toys out there. In the end – girls just wanna have fun (while of course still looking absolutely fab in the process)!

Blinged out phones, phones that replace their iPods, iPods that replace their TVs/radios, shower radios, beautiful purses for their laptops, iPads, netbooks, the Slate!!!, underwater cameras for your next vacation, Microsoft’s Kinect, etc…

The options are endless – your dream of having a cute geek as a girlfriend may come true…just hold tight and wait for the gift-giving season to start. Buy her some tech and watch the dream come to life, right before your eyes.

Here are my personal thanks…

(I <3 Google Guys)

(Bill Gates)

(Bill Hewlett & David Packard – the makers of my first PC ever!)

(Michael Dell)

(Steve Ballmer)

(Last, but absolutely not least…the GREAT Steve Jobs)

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HHHEEELLLLOOOO Cute Geekers! (and non-Cute Geekers, too)

I am Zenia Duran and I was graciously invited by mama cutegeeker to come on board on this amazing project of increasing the volume of the female’s voice in the tech world. I love being a female and I love technology, therefore, I just couldn’t resist so here I am.

I’ve been waiting for the perfect time, and way, to introduce myself and found my inspiration … I even came up with a title:
                      Big People Changing Small People’s Lives
                    

                      “What the world needs now is love, sweet love
                      It’s the only thing that there’s just too little of…”
                                          -Dionne Warwick, ”What the World Needs Now is Love”

She’s celebrating 50 years in show business and songstress Dionne Warwick has sang many love songs during her career but today she was able to show a lot of love. With the help of Hewlett Packard, Warwick donated a technology lab to her alma mater currently known as the Dionne Warwick Institute of Economics and Entrepreneurship, located in East Orange, NJ. I was given the opportunity by Jim Christensen, Director of HP Media Relations, to witness the ribbon-cutting ceremony and the smiles of elementary students light up.

HP and its partners Adobe, Atomic Learning and Microsoft collaborated with Warwick to donate the following products to the school: HP Compaq 6000 Pro All-in-One Business PCs, HP Mini 100e Education Edition netbook PCs, HP TouchSmart 9100 Business PCs, HP camcorders, Adobe Digital School Collection, Atomic Learning Professional Development courses for teachers, Microsoft Office 2010. To the surprise of the administration, teachers, students and Mrs. Warwick herself, HP customized the HP Mini 100e Education Edition netbook PCs by embossing the school’s name and logo on each one. Students, along with their teachers, filled the cafeteria with applause and screams of excitement and appreciation in welcoming their personalized gifts.

Being a teacher myself, I was moved to see that big people have not forgotten about the little ones. I always was a fan of Hewlett Packard (own a HP Printer and Laptop), but they got an extra gold star from me when I saw their high executives spend one-on-one time with the kids.

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As back to school is upon us once again, I know many folks are going to be on the market for new supplies and gear. When I needed my own printer to take to college with me, I lucked out in that when I bought a laptop, the back to school special at the electronics retailer I hit up got me my little Canon printer for free! However, if you’re on the market to actually pay cash money for a machine, I reviewed a unit from HP that I wanted to share.

The HP Officejet 4500 Wireless All-in-One is certainly a mouthful. Here are some key things to know: it is in fact, a true all in one device– it can print, scan, copy, and fax. It is modeled with an upper tray paper feed and a regular one, which makes it look a lot more like a “professional” printer than a regular home model. It has wireless capabilities, so you can hook it up to your home network and send documents to print without beng hardwired, which to me is always a plus. It’s quite pretty, aesthetically. Finally, it only costs about $95, depending on where you purchase it (that quote came from Amazon).  For the price, even if some of the “all-in-one” functionality were broken, you’d have a solid printer purchase!

However, I must remain unbiased by a good deal and tell you everything I know regardless. Setup was, while relatively painless, not the most intuitive. For example, the machine did not prompt me to connect to my network or key in my password when I turned on the wireless function. Likewise, it doesn’t come with a manual, (instead you have to download it from the web), so it was pure troubleshooting that landed me in the sub-sub-sub menu where I could connect it to my  home network to print wirelessly.

Additionally, for whatever reason, and maybe my unit was a lemon, the bottom paper feed tray was off in some way, causing the display to continually tell me I needed to load paper, no matter how many sheets I already had in there and fiddled with, shifting them left and right and up and down trying to convince the printer that it did, in fact, have paper in it already.

Officejet 4500 results are (disappointingly) on the right

The actual print quality of documents is solid. Pictures, however, is a whole different story. I printed the same picture from two different HP printers, this Officejet and a Photosmart, and the Photosmart came out considerably and very obviously better. I was surprised at just how great the delta was. Next to the dedicated photo printer, the Officejet did a terrible job! The colors were washed out and the picture looked like it was done in stripes.

All in all, I loved the look of the printer, and the solid feeling keypad. I appreciated the clarity of the choices you can make while you’re using it– the display shows you that you’re in “Color Copy” mode, and you can use the side arrows to move into “Black & White Copy” mode, for example. I think the price is right. However, I did not like the weird “no paper loaded” glitch that my printer had, as well as the photo print quality.

I thought the initial setup could have been smoother, at least in regards to coaching the user through the first setup of his wireless network. Finally, weirdly enough, it takes forever to “shut down.” (Which is apparently what is happening in the background when you press the Power button to turn it off.) Given my experience with it, I would still question whether this was the right printer for me. However, given the collection of comparable printers in the same price neighborhood, this all-in-one can still be a pretty appealing purchase.

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A little over two weeks ago HP sent me an AIO 200 PC to check out and when I got it I was super excited! I would of posted about getting it sooner but I was busy with finals. But schools over and now I have more time to play. So this post is just to let you know I received it and will have a review on it soon.

The AIO stands for All-in-One, which means the computer and monitor are combined and what’s even cooler is that its thin and doesn’t take up a lot of room. It fits perfectly in any corner. The keyboard and mouse are also wireless so you can put them away in a drawer if you aren’t using them. I am sorta using the AIO 200 as a PC/TV and watch movies on it using NetFlix and the HP MediaSmart software.

So when I got it I did what Michael from HardwareGeeks.com suggested I do and take some pictures. So I did, and they are below. I will have a full review on the AIO 200 soon and from the pictures I think you will see which is my favorite feature. If you can’t tell its the WEBCAMING!

Again check back soon for the full review.

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I love shopping. I don’t think I can ever get enough of it, and as the world of technology is allowing me to ‘hustle’ the system more and more, and making sales for accessible to me – I doubt my career in shopping will end anytime soon…

I received an amazing email today from HP – one of the many companies going all out on their Memorial Day weekend sales and I just had to share it with all of you…first of all – understand that this is one of the best weekends to shop…it is…especially if you know someone in the armed forces – some places give you an extra 10& or 15% with valid ID.

HP is having a huge Memory Day sale event with savings up to 50%. There are notebooks starting at $429, and up to $850 in savings on the HP Touchsmart and if you need a printer you can save up to 44% on those but supplies are limited.

I have been yearning for HP’s TM2 ever since I saw it at a press event a few months ago, and I may just do it this weekend.

To take advantage of the Memorial Day Savings visit their HP Direct site.

Lastly – if you’re shopping online to beat the crowds – don’t forget to visit RetailMeNot.com – they almost always have great coupons.

Have a wonderful and safe holiday weekend everyone

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Last Friday I had the opportunity to check out HP’s latest and greatest endeavor in NYC.

As many of you already know the upcoming Sex and the City 2 movie showcased many of HP’s hottest products – the TouchSmart, Vivienne Tam edition mini, (my favorite) TM2, plus others.

HP is exhibiting these products during the month of May, on Thursday and Fridays between noon and 5pm, at the J&R Store on 15 Park Row (by Wall St). If you’re interested in learning more about the products that will be seen in the movie or just want to walk down their cool Sex and the city runway, then head on down and check them out.

They have some cool giveaways (tshirts, usb drives and tickets to the movie) and your picture on the catwalk is just waiting for your special appearance! Go on and strut your stuff the way the ladies of SATC would want you to!

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Project Runway – Lifetime’s hit TV show hosted by Heidi Klum – had a nice surprise tonight. Tonight contestants were challenged with creating fabrics using HP’s TouchSmart PC. The challenge was a first of its kind and was complemented with the divine presence of the oh-so-beautiful Vivienne Tam – who works closely with HP and their beautifully designed minis (I want oneeeeeeeee). She also uses HP’s TouchSmart PC when designing her own fashion line.

Having used HP’s TouchSmart last summer, I can say that it definitely allows you to ‘do’ more in every single sense imaginable. You can squeeze, slide, pinch, fling – pretty much anything and everything. Imagine how much you could do if you tried creating your own clothes?? The patterns designed by the contestants were the basis behind their looks tonight.

Tonight’s episode was a wonderful reminder for us cute geeks, the audience watching the show and the readers on this site that technology is becoming more and more important in our everyday lives. What was once a luxury in some homes, is now a necessity, especially in industries and jobs whose processes are made more efficient.

Technology is all around us – embrace it…good fashion (however you define that) should be all around us – lets make it happen!

Check out HP & Project Runways pics and also a clip from tonight’s show!

If you liked tonight’s show, or want your opinion to be heard – it can be! Go to ProjectRunway.com/HP for your chance to enter your top three designers that will showcase their talent at NY’s Fashion Week…if your top three designers make it, you will be entered to win a premium HP Envy 15 notebook PC with the new smart 2010 Intel® Core™ processor.

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Today I woke up with some great news for all you fashionista’s and butterfly lovers out there. HP announced today at New York’s Spring Fashion week the new HP Mini 210 Vivienne Tam Edition. Below is the press release and don’t forget ladies to reserve your HP Mini 210 Vivienne Tam Edition!!!

PALO ALTO, Calif., March 4, 2010 – HP and world-renowned designer Vivienne Tam today announced availability of the latest in “digital clutch” chic – the HP Mini 210 Vivienne Tam Edition – that made its runway design debut at New York Fashion Week as part of Tam’s spring 2010 collection. Fashion-forward women around the globe can reserve theirs now at www.hp.com/viviennetam.

Combining Tam’s stunning “Butterfly Lovers” design with premium PC technology, the HP Mini 210 Vivienne Tam Edition is poised to become the next “must-have” accessory. Starting at 2.6 pounds and less than 1-inch thin, it easily fits into purses or bags.

“As a fashion designer I have always found inspiration in bringing contrasting worlds together,” said world-renowned designer Vivienne Tam. “I use computers in every aspect of my life so it seemed natural to marry fashion and technology. Together with HP, we created this movement of fashionable tech accessories with the second edition digital clutch.”

HP has been at the forefront of fusing fashion and technology since unveiling the HP Mini Vivienne Tam “digital clutch” netbook on the catwalk of Tam’s 2008 fashion show at New York Fashion Week in Bryant Park. Models walked down the runway in that show with the peony-adorned computer in hand, a first on an American runway.

Reflecting Tam’s spring 2010 collection, the notebook design is inspired by the classic Chinese love story, “Butterfly Lovers.” Integrated directly into the laptop’s lid using HP Imprint technology, the design is as durable as it is stunning. The HP Mini 210 Vivienne Tam Edition also comes with a “butterfly lovers” desktop theme that includes an animated butterfly start menu, custom Vivienne Tam icons and three wallpapers to coordinate with the design.

Coordinated accessories further complement the Vivienne Tam Mini, including a matching micro-fiber suede sleeve and optional butterfly-lovers wireless mouse or Monster-branded in-ear headphones.

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I went to the Plastiki press event in Sausalito last Friday. I was truly intrigued by their initiative to sail a boat made with recycled plastic bottles and how they would power their technology so we could track them on their journey to Sydney using  HP products.  The room was jam packed with media internationally plus local San Francisco press. Mayor Gavin Newsom walked on stage and introduced the crew lead by David de Rothschild’s vision.

Below is a picture of the crew and the mayor of San Francisco getting recognized for their ecological/ environmental efforts.

Though we talk mostly about technology on cutegeek I wanted to highlight some ecological information learned from the press conference. As you all may know 72% of our planet is water but did you know that there is a Great Pacific Garbage Patch that is twice the size of Texas in our ocean (and approximately 1000 miles off the California coast). That is the size of almost a continent! Seriously?! Furthermore approximately 80% of the rubbish found in the ocean is plastic. My jaw dropped as I had no idea why we had done this to our planet (note: I recycle daily and since living in San Francisco I do not buy bottled water). Also for all those San Francisco tax payers, you should know that after not buying plastic bags and bottles over the past year we saved tax payers close to 1 million dollars. 

At the press event I attended, adventure Ecology founder/ environmentalist David de Rothschild unvelied the Plastiki. It’s a 60ft catamaran made from approximately 12,500 reclaimed plastic bottles and srPET: a fully recyclable material (quoted from the press kit). The crew is awaiting anxiously for their window of opportunity (due to poor weather in the Bay area) to embark on an adventure taking them 11,000 nautical miles across the Pacific Ocean from San Francisco to Sydney. They will also post daily (as long as they get signals) their adventure on the high seas on their website and also using their twitter plus other social media. Below is a picture of the crew taking a quick photo op with 2 kids (that will not be on the Plastiki). I also have a youtube of the Plastiki here; the sound quality is not so great due to the high winds and rain (you gotta love San Francisco winters).

 I realize I need to elaborate on what HP technology the crew will be using while on their voyage to Sidney (San Francisco’s sister city). The crew members will be using the HP Elitebook 2530p, HP Probook 5310m, HP Pocket and Personal Drive, and HP Ipaq 910c business messenger. My first question is how they will be able to post especially in areas when their is no coverage. They are using satellite technology from Fleetbroadband by Inmarsat which apparently is the first maritime communications service to provide broadband data and voice (through a compact antenna on a global basis). From what I understand they will be using solar panels and the windmill to keep the systems powered.

I actually had the chance to get on the Plastiki while in the bay. At first I thought I was pretty cool to experience this till several developments happened…It was raining (and hard), winds were high and I had to first take a zodiac (a little inflatable boat with a motor) out to the boat just to get onboard. What the heck did I sign myself up for?!  While I sang to myself the Gilligan’s island “A three hour tour,” I was wondering seriously my life insurance should have been up’d. I was freaking out; besides the rain the winds were high and let’s face it I had some girly flats that slipped all over the place. When we got to the boat I stood there in amazement but also scared (probably should’ve considered the weather…if I had known it was going to rain cats and dogs).

On the Plastiki I feared for my life as I am not so great on small boats (my jetski and I never got along). I actually started to look for an Ark and animals lining up 2 by 2 as the rain picked up. After getting onboard I had a nice gentleman (that realized I am no sailor) help me and let me grab on to him for dear life (lucky guy since he must have been 20 years older then I). When I first got on the boat I had the chance (again shaking in fear) to check out the 2 bikes onboard that they will use to power the boat through the pacific if there are low winds.

I had the opportunity to check out the cabin and I had my first question…um where is the bathroom for the crew? Since I was freaking out due to the weather I didn’t ask much but I am still curious where is the bathroom for the crew? Per my photo’s there are (obviously) limited beds and cabin space which makes me assume that they will be taking shifts to make this expedition happen. They had a nice mini navigation/technology desk with the  HP notebooks and the kitchen though small was admiral as I know on this boat they have small storage. Below are some pictures from the cabin. For anyone who was on the Plastiki with me and also the crew thank you for dealing with a sea sick cutegeek. I admire the crew because after being on the boat in a storm their journey and passion is AMAZING (plus BOLD).

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 This year was my first year at Macworld  as a cutegeek blogger and of course Apple didn’t even have a booth…however that didn’t stop the masses to attend the show. When I first told my friends I was going I got the immediate question; “Why are you going since Apple won’t be there?” Another friend sarcastically said “What is MacWorld without Apple…just World?” I had no idea what to expect after all my pals banter…What was MacWorld without Apple?  And where is Mr. Job’s?

My questions were answered as soon as I walked into the masses…Software, Games, and Accessories!

Anytime you walk into these shows it’s sensory overload. Each booth trying to be louder or more hip to the competing booths. What was I thinking trying to accomplish 6 meetings plus 10 booth visits in one day?!  As I walked into the Moscone Convention Center I saw the long lines and thought “Damn I am so smooth for registering early and picking up my badge early,” and breezed on past all those suckers.

My first meeting was with Atlona Technologies  where I met with Marketing Manager, Joshua (don’t we look great in this photo?).

 Atlona  is a Silicon Valley company that provides solutions typically missing in most AV systems and their product line consists of switchers, cabling, extenders, converters, and spliters/amplifyers. The product I checked out and thought was the coolest was the HDAiR which is based on UWB technology that allows users to extend high resolution content up to 30ft away. The HDAir acts as an external video card, which allows you to connect to VGA or HDMI monitors and HD TVs. The HDAir also has dual video (HDMI and VGA) and dual Audio (HDMI-Audio and 1/4″ mini stereo) outputs.  I hope to test this out in the near future though sadly my condo is not 30 feet wide/long.

Next I saw this AWESOME booth by efilliate/Bone which specilizes in an assortment of Mac accessories that I thought were perfect for Mac users and females. The item that caught my eye was the Bone collection flash drives that were encased in a soft one-piece removable water-resistant silicone shell shaped like either cute animals, doggy bones, mammals, or I believe dinosaurs. What I found interesting is that even though they were a fashionable USB key/ flash drive they remain durable per the PR manager. Apparently you do not have to worry about these breaking regardless of how frequently they are used. Aren’t they so cute?!

 After that I went to iFrogz  to pick up some CS40s head phones to test out for cutegeek (stay tuned for a review). iFrogz specializes in Apple iPod™, MP3 player, and digital media accessories. I use to be an earbuds girl till I accidentially punctured my ear drum so I was ready to embrace trying out some headphones. I loved that all the styles came in different colors plus a cord that I have yet to tangle…yet that is. I also tested out some other iFrogz  styles of headphones at the booth and decided I liked the DJ Style headphones the best (the inner hip hop girl in me).

My next stop was Western Digital where I met a female executive who knew her stuff about external portable storage and backing up your Macs/ PCs. I just love it when I run into fellow female geeks (stay tuned for a Brilliant Women of Technology interview). She explained all the external portable storage products after which I decided I liked the bold blue Passport Elite the best. The Passport Elite is a ultra-portable drive and features automatic, continuous backup, an illuminated capacity gauge, and a USB dock. You can also get cases for these so they remain shock proof but not in as many colors.  I also thought the Passport Essential  was awesome with 1 TB of storage; while I have no idea if I could find a TB worth of files having the option is nice.

She next showed me the WD TV Live HD Media Player that allows you to connect to sites like YouTube, Flickr, Live365 or stream content from your home network which you can then view on the HD TV.  The WD TV Live HD  Media Player also has full-HD 1080p video playback and navigation, can play a variety of file formats, access media files on your home network, and its WiFi ready. I was intrigued by this product and hope to test it out in the near future.

Two products that caught my eye especially after working from home was made from Fujitsu.  They had 2 scanners they demo’d for me one portable (ScanSnap s1300) and one for your desktop (ScanSnap S1500M). I have been under the belief a scanner is a scanner; anytime you make a copy of anything their is always room for error (hence why I will never be cloned). HOWEVER these little scanners from Fujitsu actually may have solved one of my biggest pet peeves of scanning; the crocked scan. As I watched the demo I was amazed; you can put the page or receipts in the scanner at any direction and it auto formats it to the correct page setup (landscape or portrait) and makes it completely straight.

The most amusing part of the show was of course the Q&A with Kevin Smith; he was hilarious BUT I think some of the questions were even more outragious. For an hour he got hit on by 2 gay guys and this girl asked for a hug (see youtube here)…Strangely not much was said about technology besides the fact that anyone can now make/edit films due to the vast array of inexpensive recording technology and social media. Unfortunately I had to leave early to make it to my next meeting but when I was walking out I noticed the room was jam packed!

After laughing my ass off at Kevin Smith’s Q&A I had a meeting with HP. I know most people are wondering…HUH? HP at MacWorld but indeed their printing and imaging department was in full effect and showcasing some new printers along with 6 new HP applications that you can use on your iphone. I met with another female executive who I also hope to interview for Brilliant Women in Technology.  

The printer that stood out to me was for the Officejet 4500 Wireless AIO  and priced inexpensively (in this economy we all need it). It can print anything from broshures to pictures plus it scans and fax plus it prints borderless.  I am anxious to test this out as I have reviewed a few HP printers and have never been disapointed.

Well this wraps up the first part of my day so stay tuned for Macworld Recap- Part 2 and also more product reviews from cutegeek!

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I am quite the loyal gal; in fact it took me years to bow down to HP products after bleeding the Dell blue  for so long.  My first gaming system back in the 80′s was the first Nintendo (yeah I saved the princess in Mario brother’s, ran my ass off on Track and Field, and vastly improved my shooting aim from Duck hunt). 

I had played  Wii Sports  a year ago plus again at my cousins place recently and for the first time ever I got over 150 on bowling (now I am up to 200), kicked booty on virtual tennis and can box anyone out of my virtual boxing ring. After realizing I rock at the game I made it a goal to get it at some point.  After 1.5 years of owning a PS3 I got a Wii as a second gaming console. It has become quite the addiction.

In fact I got a the Wii console (retail around 199.00) with the Wii sports, Wii Play and Wii fit plus. 

I know…I know…a little late to be posting about a Wii but I realize that some folks are like me and just owned one but itched for another gaming console.

 As most of you know the Wii console comes with the Wii console, one Wii Remote Controller, One Nun-chuck, Wii Sports, Sensor Bar, Standard Composite Cable, and Power Cord. We also bought the second nun-chuck where is the fun in playing by yourself? 

 Wii fit plus comes packaged with the Wii Balance Board accessory. You can choose for several different types of work outs for instance yoga, aerobic, strength, balance games, and training. Within those categories you can choose from a variety of different work outs like Kung Fu, skateboarding, running (my favorite), hula hoop and many more. At first I tried to trick it and half way do the work outs. It truly can tell when you aren’t doing it right or not going as fast. For 45mins of Wii fit plus I burned a little over 200 calories so I am not sure this will be daily thing but if I ever don’t want to leave my condo (usually because its raining) but need a work out this game is for me. The retail is is around 99.00.

Lastly we also got Wii Play which has a shooting gallery and Mii-matching game, billiards, air hockey, tank battles, table tennis rally, Mii poses and a cow-riding race. One has to wonder if you ever need to leave this house. I haven’t played much with Wii Play as I got bored pretty quickly.  I’ll just stick with my Wii sports and Wii fit plus.

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Check out what I had to say – get ready to laugh a lil’…

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Hi CuteGeeks!

We are starting the new year off strong and hope you all are too! We want to introduce our first brilliant woman in technology – Ann Finnie. I met Ann Finnie through blogging, and since then she has truly become an inspiration. She is an amazing woman, who loves her job and her passion can be seen in everything that she does. She is the Worldwide Public Relations Manager for Consumer PCs and Office of the CTO, in the Personal Systems Group, for HP – and we are honored to have her featured as one of our Brilliant Women in Technology! Check out her interview!

-Can you tell us a little about yourself and your background?

I was born and raised in the heart of Silicon Valley, Sunnyvale, CA. Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak actually went to my high school, although they’re a bit older than me so I didn’t know them at that time. In fact, we’ve had several successful graduates from my high school (Homestead High School in Cupertino). Danny Gordon (think Gordon-Biersch beer) was in the marching band at the same time as me. He played the trombone and I played the trumpet.

I attended De Anza College and I graduated from the school of business at San Jose State.

-How did you get started in technology, or at your current position?

I grew up around technology. Not only because of where I lived but also because my dad was a software engineer. Before I was born, when my dad was in the Air Force he was sent to Philadelphia to work with Grace Hopper (the mother of COBOL) and while he was working with her he wrote the first compiler for the electronic computer in 1951 on the Univac 1, serial number 1. Two of my sisters followed in his footsteps and became software engineers…and one of them married a software engineer. Technology had me surrounded!

I started working as a temporary employee at HP twenty years ago, in March of 1989. I had just spent about five months touring Europe with my best friend and it was time to get back to work, so I went to a temp agency and they placed me at HP as an administrative assistant. I got lucky and the department I was working for hired me as a permanent full-time employee in May of that year.

Several years later I happened to be sitting next to a PR manager and he was staffing up his team, so I asked him if there was room for me – and that’s how I began my career in Public Relations.

-Describe a “normal” day in your life.

The thing about PR is that there’s never a dull moment and things can change pretty quickly. Even the best laid plans can be disrupted depending on what’s being reported in the news. But a “normal” work day would be sprinkled with meetings like strategy and planning for PR announcements, initiatives, and events; press briefings, responding to press inquiries, and weekly meetings such as my manager’s staff meeting and my own staff meetings. And all the while, I’m trying to tweet, update my Facebook status, and keep up with technology news. I do my fair share of business travel, and much of my time is spent on the phone and on my HP notebook!

-What’s your favorite aspect of working in technology?

My favorite thing is how quickly things change, and I love knowing about all the cool products and technologies before they hit the market. I also like the surprises we discover in the way people use technology. Take the HP TouchSmart PC, for example. We wanted to make a PC that was simple and fun to use, and we were so successful that we’ve discovered that it’s making a significant difference in the lives of children with special needs. Check out these heartwarming video clips and you’ll get the idea of why I love technology and what I do:

http://www.nba.com/heat/video/2009/03/25/wade_stolzenberg_feature_heatv.heat/index.html

http://boss.streamos.com/wmedia/nba/footage/dwade_and_mikey.asx

-What have been some of your challenges you faced, and how did you tackle or overcome them?

I think one of my biggest challenges in the beginning of my career was that I never had any formal training in PR (I studied the human resources discipline in college). When I joined the PR team I had really good instincts, but I’ve also been lucky enough to work with some great managers and colleagues along the way who have been priceless to me in learning the trade.

To overcome challenges I think that you have to be willing to take risks and try new ways of reaching your target audience. I’m very fortunate to be in high-tech PR because I get exposed to new tools pretty early on in the development phase. It’s fun to test these things out, but there can be associated costs that don’t always give the best return on your investment. Live and learn, right? Most of the time I get lucky!

-Have you ever felt like you needed to hide your femininity or that fact that you were a female?

Never.

-What advice do you have for females interested in getting into your field?

If you’re a college student, definitely get a summer internship in PR as early as possible to get exposure to the PR practice and see if it’s the right career for you. And if you’re trying to break into the field I think the best place to start is a PR agency. You can get a ton of exposure to different types of PR at an agency (including technology PR) and you can learn from the ground up. From there you can decide if you love working on a variety of accounts or if you want to move over to the corporate world.

-What’s one gadget you can’t live without?

I’ve lived without computers, cell phones, voicemail and answering machines (see how quickly technology changes?!), but I would have to say that my notebook is the most important gadget and something I don’t want to live without. It’s my encyclopedia, it’s my rolodex, it’s what I use to stay connected to the world and my friends, it’s a source of entertainment, and it’s my life. As we say at HP, the computer is personal again – and it truly is for me!

-Do you have a personal ‘mantra’ or certain words you live by?

I have a couple of favorites…

You don’t get if you don’t ask. (I’m not sure who said that but for me there’s no risk in asking!)

And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make. – Paul McCartney

-And lastly, what drives you?

What drives me: making connections, networking, introducing people to other people to help them connect their dots, and just helping people. I hope to always be doing something that matters.

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1. Coming Soon: Brilliant Women in Technology
2. Technology & Fashion FINALLY Meet
3. Optical Technology Developer Sets Sights on Q4 Launch of V-Screen for PSP®

I’ve been asked why I give so many kudos to HP about their stuff and one of the main reasons is because they actually go out of their way, and are extremely flexible about showing you the ‘ins and the outs’ of all of their products. They’re really great people to work with (& hang out with – check out the pic below).

(HP Superstars, Mike (from HardwareGeeks.com) & Myself)

(I found a new love interest…)

Impressive items on their product list are always expected but this time around I found so many different uses for their innovations that I have to spend some time on each.

Keep checking CuteGeek.com to read some of their products – more info. to come soon.

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Hello CuteGeek readers this is my first post and I’m excited that it includes a video of me! I was able to check out the DreamScreen from HP a new wireless media streamer that will stream short videos, music and let you view pictures on your network or stored on your device. It’s a mix between a clock radio, digital picture frame and computer! Check out my video below.

The screen is available in 10.2 and 13.3 inches for $249 and $299 respectfully and they will be available this fall.

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I have been a fan of Dr. Dre since I was 10 years old and I had to post this press release from HP  about the Envy 13 that has Beat’s by Dr. Dre. 

I didn’t get a chance to review the Envy 13  but in the near future I hope to! See press release  below from HP.

 HP today redefines the premium notebook PC experience with the introduction of the HP ENVY sub-brand, which offers customers precision-crafted, high-performance models featuring HP Metal Etching and concierge service and support.

The new HP ENVY 13 boasts the brightest display in its class, and the HP ENVY 15 is the company’s fastest consumer notebook PC ever.

“HP ENVY includes the latest in materials and technology inside and out and pushes the technological and performance boundaries of what can be done in sleek, powerful and lightweight notebook PCs,” said Ted Clark, senior vice president and general manager, Notebook Global Business Unit, Personal Systems Group, HP. “Discerning consumers will get a premium experience and performance.”

With HP ENVY, the focus is on designing an entire premium experience to satisfy the most demanding customers – from the products to the packaging to the service and support.

Breakthrough HP Metal Etching on the lid and palmrest of the ENVY 15, and on the palmrest of the ENVY 13, subtly signals luxury. The combination of materials provides exceptional mobility and a compelling metal look and feel, while using energy-responsible manufacturing methods.

The HP ENVY line – building upon the Voodoo ENVY legacy – includes leading-edge components optimized to yield power and performance. To offer consumers the best audio experience available on a notebook PC, HP partnered with Beats™ by Dr. Dre™ to develop a unique, high-performance audio software solution. Available exclusively on the HP Envy, Beats Audio offers users playing music or audio through headphones or external speakers the optimal sound experience – the way the artist intended it.

The lightweight heavyweight: ENVY 13

The ENVY 13 balances style and substance. Carefully crafted details inside and out will satisfy the cravings of demanding mobile customers.

The HP Radiance display is twice as bright as other notebook displays in its class – 410 nit (a measurement of display brightness) – and provides an exceptional movie and photo experience, even in high ambient light conditions. With 82 percent color gamut (versus standard 45-60 percent), photos appear richer with amazing color depth. Additionally, with fast 8-millisecond response time, customers can view movies with TV-like performance.

The ENVY 13’s strong performance is delivered in a small frame – less than an inch thin and weighing 3.74 pounds.⁽¹⁾ The exterior’s aluminum and magnesium construction provides durability in a sleek design. An etched-metal palmrest further sets the PC apart from others, and a VGA webcam⁽³⁾ optimized for low light also is included.

HP placed the same focus on design into its optional Slim Fit Extended-Life Notebook Battery. Taking the form of a “slice,” it preserves the sleek look of the ENVY 13 while giving users up to 18 hours of battery life with the extended-life battery.⁽²⁾ The standard battery is user-replaceable.

ATI Switchable Graphics technology dynamically switches between ATI Mobility Radeon™ HD 4330 discrete graphics and the Intel® integrated graphics processor for either high-powered graphics processing or low power consumption for long battery life without booting the notebook. The Intel Core™ 2 Duo processor provides the power of dual processor cores while delivering extended battery life when the notebook is unplugged.

Designed with the most demanding mobile user in mind, the ENVY 13 notebook’s premium AC adapter is small and light. It draws minimal power, has built-in surge protection and includes a rubberized strap that keeps the cables organized and the adapter from slipping off a slick surface. An optional HP USB Ethernet Adapter also is available.

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Yeah yeah I know this isn’t a new product but I love my HP Ipaq 910 Business Messenger!  Actually after seeing my friend throw a fit the entire weekend and threatening to throw a phone out the window (will not mention brand but its apparently everything but a phone);  I sat there content with my phone.  Yes my phone may have minor problems like its not loud enough over my hip hop music and that may be a user error.  Also, call me crazy but I kinda like listening to my ringer and tend to miss calls while looking at my phone dancing along to the ring tone.  I also do this in my condo’s elevators and have a good idea that security is cracking up at me. 

Here is the deal, I love buttons and I love touch screen; to dial with no buttons is just something my fingers cannot understand. Also this pocket PC has 3G wireless technology.  Plus I love that the screen is 2.46-inch transmissive TFT 65,000 color 320 x 240 pixel touch panel display with LED backlight.  Furthermore Window’s Mobile 6.1 plus all other software included is great and I can tweet and facebook so much faster!  Did I mention I have 4 different email accounts set up on my phone…that truly makes life convenient.  The camera on the phone to me is impressive with 3 Megapixel, CMOS sensor, auto focus, and 4X digital zoom.

In a land of your butt is calling I have to say to check this phone out…its perfect for those like me that need buttons and a touch screen but also locks. Its light and small but also has very clean lines!

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I received the HP Photosmart A826  and frankly I was curious; it was so light weight…what could it be?!  Taa- Daa!  A PRINTER!!!  Now photo printers are like Christmas to me b/c I love taking pics and making cards. 

When I unboxed the product (see super cheesy unboxing*) I immediately starting singing “Meet George Jetson…dododododododo…his boy Elroy…daughter Judy.”  The product seemed very futuristic with nice lines and a 7 inch TOUCH SCREEN!  I am in love with touch screens so anything with this feature makes me happy!

Installation was pretty quick, in fact I just plugged it in at first not using my PC but my SD card.  I first printed a photo; it came out flawless (it can print Black: up to 1200 x 1200 dpi, Color: Up to 4800 x 1200 dpi). Who needs to go to the store when you have it right there in your own home; was my initial reaction!

I then used the creative feature; you can make a text caption on any photo in several different colors and fonts.  Other features include red eye removal, personlize greeting cards (with 200 border/ design choices) plus slim/enhance images. All of this was within the printer interface itself; not even using a PC! Thats right kids, no PC needed to edit and create your photos! I admit I had fun with it!

This product is made to preview, personalize and print photos…and I had fun doing so! Also it doubles as a slide show. My one complaint is that its a tad bulky…though very cool to look at and play with I had a hard time displaying this product in my home.   Its so cute but in a small condo with Texas sized furniture, I could not find a place to display it.

This product is perfect for someone like my sister in law who scrapbooks or like my Aunt Cathy who was born with a camera her hand!  It prints up to 150 photo’s per ink cartridge.  Also I think this printer is PERFECT for kids; the design is attractive and cool all at the same time!  This product was so easy to use my dog had to try it out…

I think this printer is a bargain at 199.00 especially for not needing a PC to edit and create. Cheers to you HP! 

*Note: I made an error in the youtube video about the OS. The printer can support Microsoft Windows Vista, Microsoft Windows Vista (64-bit), Microsoft Windows XP,Microsoft Windows XP x64, Microsoft Windows 2000, Mac OS X, and Linux.

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As everyone knows who reads this blog (um anyone?!) my PC has been on the decline as posted this week. Well yesterday after pounding away for my day job my PC froze. Now this happens about 5 times a day but this time after several reboots alas it’s on its last leg. As of now my pc is running as though it’s a turtle on muscle relaxers…and I am now regretting my little minor fit I threw at CES but we can’t go back in time!

All of my friends are telling me to get an Apple Mac; small problem I have never even used an Apple unless the Oregon trail game counts from elementary school in the mid 80′s. So I am wondering how much time will I spend looking at it baffled and confused. I then have had several folks reccommend HP DV2 which is also cool but I work more then 10 hours on my PC and I am blind (try 100 x 100 vision) so I need something bigger then 13 inches and smaller then 15 inches. Ironically only one person has told me to get a Dell or a Lenovo; with so many different brands out there the most reccommended are Apple and HP.

Basically I am still clueless on what to get…HELP geeks and cutegeeks!  So EVERYONE Vote by clicking on the Vote button!

I am a hot mess without my PC:-(

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It all started at CES this year. There I am in front of the hotel after 3 days of CES boondoggles and I had this jerk of a bell hop making me wait an hour for a car that I clearly could see was not being used.

So after being told I should just walk my tootsies down the 3 mile strip; I blew up on him.

Unbelievable! I mean I was in 4 inch heals and seriously what happened to the customer is always right?! So after an hour of waiting plus a theatrical display of dissatisfaction…I threw my tote down. Accident #1!

This then busted my battery open and leaving a nice gaping hole. Accident #2!

Since it was just aesthetic damages I have been still using it BUT NOW I think I have managed to almost crash the hard drive. Accident #3!

I have always been hard on consumer goods; in fact I can always find a way to break something (mostly by accident). BUT DAMN! I managed to bust my PC after only having it less than 9 months!

So now I am on a mission and I need everyone’s participation. Calling all cute geeks and fans let me know what you think I should get.

Below is a list of what I think are critical for a mobile small business owner:
15 inches or less (I want more screen and less bezel as I am blind as a bat; so larger than 12 inches)
Optical Drive
SD Slot
Pro Duo Slot
Light in weight
Durable (Can I find something I can’t scratch?)
Windows OS
Touch pad (I cannot deal with point sticks!)
3 or more USB plugs
Long lasting battery
Camera
Personalization
No glossy screen

I don’t think I am asking for much…am I? Tell me what NB I should get!

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As the Editor in Chief, I was tasked with reading over all of our product reviews that were eligible for our Editor’s Choice Award, and I had to pick a winner.

Only one product per month is eligible to win our Editor’s Choice award. Only two products were eligible this month, the Sony Webbie HD camera, and the HP Mini Vivienne Tam Edition (after all we are a new site).

After about a week of contemplating which product should win our March 2009 Editor’s Choice Award I came to a decision. The decision wasn’t as easy as I had hoped because both products are amazing products, I will most likely end up purchasing both, but only one could be chosen so the award goes to….drumroll in your head…HP’s Mini 1000 VT Edition!

I chose the Mini VT edition because it’s cute, stylish, easy to use and always seemed to strike up a conversation where ever I took it. I loved my time with it, and people I know who have seen it and read our review have purchased one or are about to purchase one. I miss it dearly, especially when I want to blog on the go…

Congrats HP – you have won our first Editor’s Choice Award!

March 2009

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New Jersey shoppers are in for a month long treat, according to the latest collaboration to hit the news. HP and TEEN VOGUE have teamed up to combine the latest fashions trends, styles and technology at its TEEN VOGUE Haute Spot concept store.

The industry has finally realized that technology has now become one of the hottest accessories women wear. Similar to the description (in the press release) regarding the choice of technology chosen by HP, women have also fused fashion, form and function in their daily lives. The collaboration will work towards using fashion-forward technology as a driver in their store.

HP is hooking up the store with TouchSmart PCs to bring you one touch closer to watching past episodes of The Hills, to allow you to upload and print pictures from http://hphauteshot.com, and to allow you to mess around with the computers.  They are incorporating the latest and greatest digital clutch, the Mini 1000 Vivienne Tam edition in the store, alongside the Pavilion dv2 entertainment notebook PC.

As a leader of sexy, cutting edge technology, HP appears to be a great candidate to drive the customers of this store towards the fusion of technology and fashion. Technology has grown from being just a fuzzy ‘gray’ area (to me) to now being an area that complements my style – not only my style of fashion, but also my style of living. No one wants an ugly bulky gadget to lug around in their purses – duh!

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I have toted the wonderful HP mini VT edition Netbook for the last month or so and in the month it has probably traveled more than most Americans. It ventured to Dallas, to Puerto Rico, back to Dallas, to Orlando, back to Dallas, then back to NYC, back to Dallas one more time, and the last stop was NYC before heading back to the lovely offices of HP’s PR firm.

It sat in my apartment for 2 weeks before I actually unboxed it, and this wasn’t because I didn’t want to play with it – it was because I was out for the count with the flu and bronchitis. Looking back I should’ve taken advantage of it, because I was literally in bed for those two full weeks, but then again who would’ve watched all that reality television on VH1.

The day before I headed back to work, at around 2 am, I finally decided to open it, I wanted to take it on the road and check out everything it offers. Needless to say, the unboxing was fairly quick, and I managed to get about an hour of sleep before my 4:30 am wake up call (thanks Mami). The mini and I were inseparable once I started using it.

Instead of telling you – I decided to show you what I mean by “inseparable”:

Unboxing at 2 am
I unboxed the laptop before my first business trip back to Dallas. I opened the box pretty quickly but I probably spent an hour or so, messing around with the netbook, setting up the wireless and using my phone to tether.

In the airport – 6 am
As soon as I managed to get past security on Monday morning, I found one of my coworkers and started showing off HP’s mini. She couldn’t believe it was a laptop, but I quickly turned it on and showed her how it worked. I asked her to take some pics – so check it out. This was the mini’s first trip with its latest user.

Hanging with family in Dallas – evening
Later that evening, I went to visit some family in Dallas and my absolutely adorable one year old cousin, Mikaylah Korina Diaz, fell in love with the mini. Once you see the pictures you’ll understand why I couldn’t deny this princess to play with the mini. As soon as I told Mike about the pics, he worried about her possibly drooling on it, but she in fact was using it as if she were a big girl. If you asked me, I think HP got themselves a little model (cough, cough). The pics are beyond ‘awwwws’ and ‘oooohs’ – see for yourself. 

Lunchtime! – noon
I grabbed the same coworker, Natasha Timmons, my unofficial photographer and we went to lunch together with the mini. I used it as a clutch and heads were turning where ever we went. Luckily for us, it was a wonderful spring day in Dallas, so it was in the 70s. I was able to hang out outside and use the mini for a while. I also brought it inside a Quiznos and read the NY Daily News as I munched on some nachos…It was a great lunch data – and no I didn’t get the keyboard dirty (and even if I did, its extremely easy to clean, all you need is a damp cloth, preferably lint free).

Puerto Rico – using it all weekend
I previously mentioned that the weekend of CuteGeek.com’s launch, I was in Puerto Rico. I used the mini throughout the whole day but I managed to actually get pictures on Saturday night, the night before the launch. I was chatting with Mike, tying up loose ends until I left to party at the San Juan Hotel. My friends and I decided to have some fun w/ the PC, so watch us showoff it’s ‘clutch like appeal’, it’s small size, my friend Isabel exhibiting it as if she’s a model on the Price is Right, and they even managed to get some action shots of me possibly dancing with it…

Florida
On one of its other trips, the mini joined us on a road trip to Tampa from Orlando, to watch Britney Spears in concert. We posted the video that we took, and here’s another that shows us having fun on the road. As we sang, I checked the concert’s status because it got delayed.

Matching w/ the mini – 7 am
I promise I did not do this on purpose – well no, I lie. I did, but I didn’t buy this dress because of the mini. I purchased this dress long before I had the mini in my possession – but see for yourself, how much of a fashion statement the VT Edition mini can make – I apologize for the ‘myspace shots’. I took the pictures before I went to work early one morning….

I used the HP mini for my everyday activities which include – searching the web, reading news, checking the weather, uploading tons of pictures and videos, posting tons of pictures and videos on myspace.com, facebook.com & youtube.com, emails, chatting, webcaming, viewing videos, listening to music, blogging and online shopping.

I used it at work, at home, in the airport, in the car, on the plane, at lunch, at dinners, outside – everywhere!

The computer was so easy to use. It was actually a huge relief to me because I have been using my work computer for personal use for too long. It was great to have such a light laptop to use. I wasn’t bogged down with work email, so I found the mini to be an extremely pleasant buddy to always have around. I have been lugging both of my laptops around and during my breaks, I whip out the mini and check personal emails, go on facebook.com – you know, the usual.

The best part was being able to do work on the plane and by work, I mean update my blogs (this one and my personal one) and also to organize my pictures. HP had great timing when they sent me the mini because the website launched March 2nd – during my Puerto Rico trip. I actually went to participate in the World’s Best 10k and wasn’t exactly online during the 8 pm launch, but as soon as I got to my hotel, I was online chatting with Mike. The night before, I was on the mini sending Mike the latest updates to the site and it really, really, truly came in handy. On Sunday evening, I took the mini w/ me to dinner at an Outback Steakhouse and at first I got weird stares – I bet they were thinking I was crazy in my running gear, to be on a laptop at dinner, but sometimes a geeks gotta do what a geeks gotta do. I had my friends yelling when we saw the site! I was ecstatic!

I used the computer a lot, and like I’ve already mentioned, I travel a lot and am often on social networking sites – updating the world on my life. Besides that I know this wonderful mini would be ideal for a bunch of different groups.

I tried brainstorming to identify its potential users so here goes my attempt at marketing. The HP mini 1000 (all editions) would be ideal for users that are looking for something lightweight, yet durable. Despite it’s size the mini does not feel like something that can easily break – I haven’t given it to Nina yet to pass her durability test, but I’m sure it’s as durable as the rest in its class. It’s on the spot wireless access makes it extremely easy to hook up to networks or to use the internet from a cell phone (like me). Men and women can both use the mini because there are not many changes to the keyboard, in regards to its size. The number 1 key on the upper left hand corner is a tad bit smaller but come on, the world goes on. The mouse pad is different and takes some time to get accustomed to, but it is also not that big of a deal. The keyboard is usually the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about small laptops and how uncomfortable it will be to type on them, so let me emphasize that this is not an issue w/ this Netbook. I’m 5’8, have the hands of a basketball player and had no issue transitioning to this laptop from my regular 14.1 screen sized one.

The mini literally fits ANYWHERE. It’s tiny! I carried it in my hand, in my arms like a clutch, in my computer bag, a dozen purses and it always, always, always fit – comfortably at that! I used the webcam a couple of times, and the one thing I missed, from my personal PC was the light that shines on my keyboard – I sometimes used it in bed and I wish the keyboard had it. The brightness of the screen was perfect, it wasn’t dull like some notebooks are when they are on battery power.

So far, I’ve showed you this netbook can be used by many people – moms on the go (so that they can use the mini as their baby sleeps – it would easily fit in a diaper bag), athletes that prefer not lugging around more weight on their shoulders, trendsetters (it’s hot – as Paris Hilton as that may sound, the mini is freakin’ super hot and is an attention grabber – no lie!), media tycoons (not your typical CEOs, but the ones that take tons of pics and videos, the SD drive comes in handy), people with desktops could own this as a complement to their system, men can use this as well – the red design is pretty fem, but it also comes in plain black, lastly, I think a child would benefit from it. Its light, small, has great sound (I listened to music a lot!) – I could picture a child on the Cartoon Network’s website playing whatever games they have. So that was a quick brainstorm – I pretty much think everyone needs to have one of these laptops. I may have missed a couple of groups of people, but trust me it wasn’t on purpose. I was just thinking of the people around me, and how they could each use it.

I would recommend the HP mini to the users identified above and also to those looking for a system that will go together with another personal computer. The way I understand the purpose of a netbook, is that it is meant to complement another system. It is not a gaming laptop, or a laptop that can hold large amounts of data. The power and memory are limited, which is why it is so lightweight and smaller in size. Despite its memory, HP has already created external harddrives and also a CD/DVD drive. Users can use it as their one functional PC but you may have to lug around the extras. It does not have an ethernet port, but if you have Bluetooth set up on your phone (and the Phone as Modem feature that some providers have) then you can quickly get online. It has a quick button that turns on the wireless as well.

Saturday night was the last night I used the mini and here’s how it made my life easier. I used my personal laptop to participate in a podcast with Ninalicious, and I used the mini to chat and finalize my Saturday night’s plans. I was on aim, used my webcam, and streamed music from Pandora.com after getting off the podcast – it made the ‘getting glammed up’ experience a lot cooler and I think I even convinced my mejorcita (bestest gal pal in the world) to buy one. We all want one…I’m serious.

To sum it up, the HP mini 1000 VT Edition is a remarkable – here’s why:

HP’s mini 1000 VT Edition is being awarded the Diamond Award for the month of March because of all the awesomeness that it oozed in my life. It was a pleasure taking it around the country, using it every chance I got, and actually explaining to others how it worked. It gained a lot of exposure by just hanging out on my desk at work because it is one sexy piece of thang. I even think it helped me get some extra attention – so hey – I can’t get mad at that!

As a 5 Star Diamond Winner the HP Mini 1000 Vivienne Tam Edition, is eligible for our Editors Choice award for the month of March 2009.

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I (Radiris) was on my way to the Britney Spears concert in Tampa, FL you know the one where she complained about her wardrobe, and while on the road I was using HP mini VT Edition. Check out the video we shot below.

“I need a new camera – I want an HD one!

If you’re wondering who’s on my left, that’s Nailea, my honorary niece.

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From left to right, Carol, Jemelis and me. Can you tell which of us is holding a netbook?

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I recently received my first product to review and I am super stoked! I was not sure what I would get first so getting this product was like Christmas all over again!

SOOO…What was in this magical brown box?!

As my eyes lit up to see what the new product was and it’s a…drum roll please…

HP Photosmart Premium Fax All-in-One (AIO) …heck yeah!!!!

I started with the un-boxing using the handy HP starter guide and continued my new journey by pulling out all the goods. This printer for an AIO is very sleek and sexy, in fact I also have it set up in my living room b/c it looks like a great consumer good; not too bulky or boxy! One thing to note HP was nice enough to include a 2 prong power cord with an external ground wire. Most new homes have 3 prongs, but I live in San Francisco where the buildings are old and also my husband doesn’t have 3 prong plugs extension cords.

The printer is wireless and Bluetooth enabled which is awesome especially if you run a small business from home! Another cool thing to point out is that it’s not shipped with a USB cord, but this is because this printer can be set up via Ethernet, or wireless (802.11n) connection, USB cable is not required! Hooray to not having more cords to trip over! I swear, half of my day I spend doing The Matrix moves around my condo to get around all the cords. Thank you HP!

The HP Photosmart Premium Fax All-in-One has so many features and options but one of the newest and most intriguing to me is that its DLNA Certified printer, and allows users to connect, share and print wirelessly from a PLAYSTATION 3. I use my PS3 not just for gaming, but for photos so this is awesome. The HP AIO also is Energy Star approved, living in California I can use all the savings I can get; environment and income wise!

After I removed all the packaging around the accessories and put it together I started the product set up process. The set up process was pretty easy and straight forward. I did, however, use the guide of course; in minutes I had set up the printer on our wireless router. I have been able to successfully print wirelessly from my HP 910 IPAQ, a Palm Centro, my notebook, our home desktop and PS3. AND BTW There is no limit to how many wireless or Bluetooth devices you have connected to the printer at the same time. This instantly made me think “hmmm what else can I connect to it?”

Complete set up at home may have been an 45mins to an hour at most to connect, print and play around with everything (I did make some mac and cheese while it had the 10 minute initial boot; a girl has to eat!). The software was super quick to install and ease of use was great. A simple reminder though, if you do the easy install you will get Yahoo! tool bar directly downloaded onto your internet browser, in order to avoid this you will have to go through advance set up options.

The scanner has a 50 paper feed and it did an amazing job; I digitalize documents for clients and this was a dream. One thing to note is that when scanning wireless your play station needs to be off. Another great feature to point out is that it does double sided scanning wirelessly via the paper feed. I also did some photo scanning plus document scanning in bed and ease of use was pretty simple. I could see the scanning and photo capabilities to be perfect for a business owner, a soccer moms, women on the go or someone especially who scrapbooks. One thing you have to give this printer credit for is that for an ink jet is it prints faster than most ink jets I worked with and also the ink dries so quickly!

In Fact, I printed 50 pictures at once and they all came out great and not smugged. I also tried velum paper and worked as well. I also printed from my SD card and the picture was of great quality and next test was my Sony Duo card and again great photo. Then I did the ultimate test of one of my highest resolution photos and the picture was flawless. Next test, how will it do printing on a CD? OH AMAZING! It was so easy to use the CD feeder and I created the image within 15mins. You can also print from USB and CF or of course from any other devices with wireless and Bluetooth.

Unfortunately I do not have a phone jack active at my house (I know, I know, I am working on it!!) so I was unable to test out the fax function. There was only one tiny issue when I unboxed it, the machine was not shipped with a telephone cable but it will have it included when it hits retail stores. The HP team quickly sent me a cable via FedEx and apologized. Talk about some service!

All in all I love the HP Photosmart Premium Fax AIO printer and for the price point of $299.00 (available at HPDirect) I may be waiting at a local PC store when it opens the day of launch. It made running my business from home not only more productive but now I truly do not want to return it! If you looking for a sexy machine with AIO features this printer is perfect for you.

This Printer gets 5 Cutegeek hearts! “there was instant love between the printer and I” I want I want.

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While reviewing the HP Mini Vivienne Tam Edition, my cousin Mikaylah fell in love with it, I thought I would share some pictures of Mikaylah and the Mini before posting the review next week.

Enjoy!

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