Long ago, there was a time when 64 KB memory architecture was king and when analog computers were hailed as the premiere of the league. Innovations, however, remain endless in this industry. The Apple iPad is simply the culmination of a group of genius’ that took the ARM architecture and infused it with the SoC (system on chip) technique to deliver an experience that is new, exciting, and undeniably fresh. With a strong suite of products to fit anyone and everyone, and incredible developer support of tools and new innovation each and every day, the Apple iPad 64 GB shows us that it is okay to no longer need our laptops. The compendium of laptop dwellers no longer have to feel boiling heat on the steeps of their laps to feel like they accomplished something. The Apple iPad 64 GB is a device that is simply unheralded in both applicability, design, and most of all usability.

The Apple iPad 64 GB has an enigmatic yet brilliant design that makes us wonder why this did not happen sooner from Apple. In its simplicity, the crux substance design comes to the thin elegance and the brilliant innovation of the oleophobic coated LED-backlit IPS screen. The screen is 9.7 inches measured diagonally and measures smaller than a magazine while only weighing 1.5 pounds and .5 inches thin.  The Wi-Fi + 3G model comes a little thicker than the Wi-Fi only models but remains just as thin and less burdensome. The curve of the brushed steel on the back allows the device to comfortably sit in your hands without feeling too glacé. For recycling enthusiasts, and for unaware people across the world, most screens use heavier alkali metal bases to form the thin film between the monitor and the lighting or the LCD. Some of these screens can contain polivynl chloride, Mercury, Arsenic, or even B Flame Retardants that can be hazardous to the environment. Apple is not only taking initiative to the productivity of the screen itself for consumers, but furthering the stance to not pollute the environment in cases where the screens need to be replaced and disposed. The Apple iPad’s design shows any and everyone that simplicity in appearance outdoes the limiting factor to the purchasing things based on appearance, and shifts the focus to the real productivity of the core Operating System.

The substance of the core operating system revolves around the new A4 microcontroller innovation and begins the journey for enthusiasts worldwide. The A4 45-nm chip inside the Apple iPad 64 GB was custom-designed by Apple engineers to be tremendously powerful yet extremely power efficient. The performance is undoubtedly fast. While we wanted to see the Cortex A9-MP Core being utilized in terms of the possibilities of speed, the technology tradeoff undoubtedly seems to relate to the reality of battery life. The Cortex A8 ARM specific architecture at just a single core shows the magnitude of the Package on Package (PoP) design that has been heralded worldwide by engineers since Q4 2009, all of which makes Apple iPad 64 GB Wi-Fi + 3G fantastic for everything from productivity apps to games and far beyond the expectations of a glorified tablet.

The Apple iPad reveals the onset of a new era from the beginning of the shooting-stars background and the inception of the Apple logo on startup. The touch based controls are fluid and easy to use. Universal to all applications, the controls remain static and feel just as dynamic as the discovery of multi-touch based interfaces itself. Safari, Apples moniker for their browser, controls with the sliding of fingers to and away from each other for zooming in and zooming out chronically. The exceptionally coherent overlay of the design rests on the suite of applications possible. The default applications includes: Contacts, Calendar, Browser, iTunes, Mail, Photos, iPod, Notes, Maps, YouTube, and most importantly unlimited possibilities through developer supported App Store. The Multi-Touch screen on Apple iPad is based on the same as that on the iPhone. The technology has been completely reengineered for the larger Apple iPad surface, making it precise and responsive. So whether you are deleting an e-mail, looking at photos, or searching through the internet with Safari, the Apple iPad 64 GB Wi-Fi + 3G takes you there with incredible accuracy.

Any system starts with the basics, but few make the basics work well.  The default set of applications for the Apple iPad 64 GB provides an extensive array of easy to use tools that make use of an incredible powerhouse. Mail is incredibly exciting with the sent sounds of breezes and the pings of receiving mail. If connected to the Microsoft Exchange Server 2010, you can choose to either update both sent mails to the server and the Apple iPad itself in the same folder as the server default, or create a separate folder just for Apple iPad sent mails that are also updated to the server.  iTunes allows purchases of albums on the go either from 3Gor wireless. There is no waiting and any purchases are later transferred over to iTunes and can easily be backed up. iTune offers a way to back up your iTunes library, playlists, and iTunes Store purchases (including Applications purchased from the App Store) using the Back Up to Disc feature saves your media to a blank disc (CD or DVD) and once backed up, iTunes can use your backup disc to automatically restore your iTunes library and device. Maps is relatively straightforward, however, there have been some offset problems experienced in terms of the Skyhook services for Wi-Fi capability finder. The suite of application stretch onto the notables, but in particular one we are fond of that is not included as the basic toolset is the iBooks application. The application creates a beautiful shelf layout with book titles and supports not just protected E-Publications, but also unprotected E-Publications and purchasing books from the Bookstore is easy and simply stunning that needs to be experienced by anyone that will go out today and pick up an Apple iPad 64 GB Wi-Fi + 3G.

The battery life of the Apple iPad 64 GB Wi-Fi + 3G is incredible no matter what anyone does and remains to be very efficient unlike a similarly thin Macbook Air. While the Apple engineers took the same lithium-polymer battery technology they developed for Mac notebook computers and applied it to the Apple iPad 64 GB Wi-Fi + 3G, they were sure not to make the dangerous mistake of going with the Macbook Air design. With the Screen Sleep/Wake feature with the top button, battery is hardly used even if the device is technically still powered on. We did a series of battery stretch tests to see just how well the battery handles on load and idle sleep capacity. We left the battery untouched while doing nothing, and while constantly looping music at Apple Lossless. Noticeably, the iPad lasted literally more than 24 hours with depleting less than ¼ of the power indicator. On load while browsing videos constantly and having music play with the screen set to full brightness, the iPad lasted more than 14 hours in our tests, 4 hours more than Apple’s own humble results. Keep in mind, that these results an battery life depends on device settings, usage, and many other factors. Battery tests are conducted using specific iPad units and as such actual results may vary.

In terms of the core Wi-Fi capability and the 3G bands, the iPad performs exceptionally for a few things. The 3G capability of the iPad in a 4G evolving world is interesting to ponder, but phone usage will always remain with the iPhone and further mobile-only devices. The 3G channel method access supports IMT-DS air interface CDMA primarily in UMTS and GSM/EDGE on the typical quadband support from 810 to 1900 MHz. Wi-Fi has N capability (47Mbps+). We had a chance to test this out and for the most part achieved an optimal speed of 30 Mbps using a HD speed test, but the speeds for Wi-Fi definitely seemed a bit erratic and problematic at times, which can definitely be a detriment to a product that bases itself on these types of connections.

The primary concern anyone with an iPad has is which accessory to buy when it comes to screen protection. The answer? None.  The fact of the matter is that Apple has built this screen and product, like all products, to be resistant to hairline scratches. In order to make a scratch to begin with, people need to apply a strong enough force to breach the coating to begin. The best accessory any Apple iPad owner can buy for themselves is the Apple iPad Case. The brushed metallic back seems to be more prone to scratching due to the dock connector port and the weirdly offset connector port at the bottom of the iPad which is shifted to the left a bit and hence making an easier fit difficult. With soft microfiber interior and reinforced panels to provide structure, the iPad Case is the perfect way to carry around your iPad. The Apple iPad Case also acts as a stand that holds iPad at an ideal angle for watching videos and slideshows or for typing on the onscreen keyboard. After prolonged use the case might tend to fall down, but a simple flattening of the base while the iPad is in use should alleviate the issue.

The Apple iPad is revolutionary, innovative in application, contemporary futuristic by design, and undeniably subversive to being glorious. Even though the Apple iPad comes with its shares of little issues and quirks with Wi-Fi, Mail Settings, and dock port placement, it remains a stunning stroke of ingenuity and illustrious design. We can continue to speak about the vast array of applications that further make the iPad incredible, but that is beside the point. The central focus being that anyone and everyone remotely interested in the iPad should get one and experience their own reason for why the iPad is incredible.

For those of us who like to take our Xbox 360 to our friend’s house or other social gatherings, Madcatz has made a wonderful carrier for the Xbox 360. Finding a way to transport consoles around has always been a challenge. To have the complete security of your $400.00 console, Madcatz has created an amazing transport system that is durable, dependable and moreover incredible.

The Xbox 360 Messenger Bag simply solves all the transport problems you need. The design of the bag is quite simple. It has a main pocket with a primary middle pocket holder for the Xbox 360. At the bottom of the main pocket, there is a padded divider which folds up allowing you to store your AV cables, power pack and power Cord. Once the power cords are stored the divider folds down and acts as a padded floor for your Xbox 360 to rest on. In terms of space, the MadCatz review accessory is simply incredible with the additional seperate holsters to the side which fit an enormous amount of stuff such as 4 entire Xbox 360 games in total.

Once your 360 is situated inside the main pocket, the extra padding in the pocket allows for extra protection for your console. The middle pocket is capable of holding up to 4 360 controllers. The provided one mesh-zipped pocket that are located in front of the middle pocket followed by 2 mesh pockets on each side of the bag are great for storing extra cables you might have.

In terms of simple and effective carrying, the Madcatz Xbox 360 Transport Bag is a must-have for anyone looking to secure their Xbox 360 during travel and international/domestic flights. Just make sure to take it out during customs and security checks while treating it at a laptop. The comfort of the bag auspiciously carries the Xbox 360 so much that it often makes us forgetful we are even carrying anything.

A keyboard is something that often gets overlooked. Day by day, people continue to use their PCs for hardcore reasons or soft-core ones, while completely ignoring the true need: a comfortable and finally revolutionary keyboard that provides great support. The Microsoft Wireless Keyboard 6000 abates the serious acerbic strokes caused by low-end keyboards that are far from few. By providing a sleek ergonomic design, intuitive controls, and increased productivity, the Microsoft Wireless Keyboard 6000 exemplifies a perfect value for every dollar spent on a keyboard. This keyboard is the one to get if seeking a new keyboard in the vast wilderness of the technological ocean.

The ergonomic design is simply exquisite taste on part of Microsoft. The Comfort Curve keyboard fits to the layout of the frame very easily, and accents the overall black tone of the side layer. The most apparent design influence comes from the Windows Aero, a dynamic Windows Vista 3D display system for OS windows. The translucent border has excellent elegance that complements the actual keys of the keyboard. There is an interesting six degree curve, which shows that the smallest effect has a huge consequence; It is conducive of perfect hand balance while making sure the wrists do not experience hyperextension thanks to the “soft touch” wrist pad.

Actual wireless functions run off a 2.4GHz wireless transceiver that picks up frequency for a 30-foot wireless range, which is incredibly nice to have for a keyboard, and mostly an additional feature as most only feature around 15-foot radius space. The battery life indicator implemented on the keyboard itself is helpful, and instinctive that displays two colors: Green indicates good to go, and Red indicates new source of power (2 AA Batteries) are needed.

Productivity is rampant with the Microsoft Wireless Keyboard 6000. The keyboard comes implemented with simple yet easy One-Touch buttons in order to access anything. Copy/Paste functions, or “My Favorites” Keys to program a key to your most used files, folders, or a website. Simply push and hold a key to assign it and you are being productive under 2 seconds. All of these exclude the hotkeys alone which also aid to make productivity fast and efficient.

There is very little else to say about the Microsoft Wireless Keyboard 6000. The product speaks for itself from the sleek red cover it came with, to the amazing design, and the very easy and customizable experience in the use of this device. Searching for a new keyboard? Search no further. This is definitely one that is worth the money spent.

Microsoft’s Explorer Mouse is simply the best mouse you can get right now on the market. It is stunning, vibrant, and innovative through the core features that Microsoft implements in their new line of Hardware Anywhere products. The Explorer Mouse  gives you flexibility, by way of its proprietary BlueTrack sensor.

The Explorer Mouse is one of two products released  from Microsoft using an internally developed sensor technology called BlueTrack. The accuracy is beyond that of a laser mice with the wide-area projection of optical mice, BlueTrack gives you the ability to use the Explorer Mouse on the reflective and rough-textured surfaces that would give other kinds of mice trouble. The Explorer Mouse comes with the typical standard features that are pellucid of the higher-end spectrum.  The mouse works on a wireless 2.4GHz connection, and comes packaged with a USB receiver that snaps into the bottom of the mouse itself for travel. The installation of the mouse itself is very easy, despite the actual complexity of the mouse and works extremely well.

The only issues with the mouse are the typical and perspicuous scroll wheel itself. The scrollwheel is incredibly apt, but unfortunately it does not base the wheel scrolls in terms of increments and as a result poses a slight problem to perfection.

All other things aside, one of the best features of this mouse is thankfully the sleek design. We can applaud the contemporary style that makes the mouse not only amazing to use, but also very efficient at displaying the amount of flexibility it contains with an ergonomic design. The chrome highlights are enticing and the mouse itself serves to offer extremely comfortable use.

The Microsoft Explorer Mouse is undeniably one of the best mouse on the market, despite some other mice that come paired with a dpi toggle. In reality, the dpi toggle is just a plus but that is not what makes a mouse a product. What makes a great product is the amount of confidence you have in that it performs as well as the happy people on the box will have you believe. The Microsoft Explorer Mouse is simply a great investment.

Back when we did our review on the Crossfire 4870’s, we were left utterly impressed by the sheer amount of productivity and results that provided for an effulgence of gaming pleasure over even the latest of the Nvidia offering of the GTX 280’s and GTX 260’s with value of power and price. It seems AMD is setting the barriers this generation, and trying to cross them over and over again. With the introduction of the HD 4850 1GB and HD 4870 1GB, AMD had amped up the offering for the initial consumer price point models. Now, they’ve just broken their own barrier with the latest innovation of the ATI Radeon HD 4870 X2 series. As the first consumer graphics card with 2 GB of memory, and the first card to implement a 512bit GDDR5 memory architecture through the inordinate amount of pixel pipelines, the ATI Radeon HD 4870 X2 graphics card stoically dominates the competition in a whole new level for the enthusiast gamers.

We wanted to make something people can love, and feel secure with. – Dirk Meyer, President, AMD: Commenting to WhatIfGaming on the HD 4870 X2 card.