The general thought usually is that macs don’t get viruses.  Myth or truth?  Myth!  Macs can get and send viruses, but they are just less susceptible at doing so than PCs.  Why?  Mac OS 10 has some heavy security built into it that prevents many malicious code from attacking the computer.  However, the operating system does not have so much security built into it to prevent sending viruses.  Also, macs are more prone to receiving viruses from another mac than a Windows computer. 

So, if in a heavy mac environment, it makes sense to install the new Norton Antivirus 11 for Macintosh to protect the whole mac network.  The Norton Antivirus software is an automatic process where it updates and scans for viruses periodically on its own.  So, after you install it, you are in good hands.   It will block viruses and let you know if there is a potentially malicious file.  If you only have one mac, it is usually safe to assume you will be virus-free, but not 100%.

One thing to note is that you will probably need to call in a specialist, like New York Computer Help, to remove a virus.  If you are infected, it is typically through a bad code or worm and manual removal is required.  So, before you get to a precarious situation, it is better to be safe than sorry.

Dell’s Latitude XT has just reached the market.  Dell hopes to compete with Lenovo and HP in the tablet laptop market.  For those unfamiliar with the tablets, it is a touch screen laptop that you can use your finger or a laptop pen to draw, sketch, and navigate.  It allows you to write notes and convert them to Microsoft Word. 

Dell has taken over a year on experimenting the best way to design this tablet.  They’ve come up with 2 types: One has an outdoor screen which is heavier and made for those in the field.  The other has a thin LED backlight and is very light at 3.57 lbs.  The lighter, business model is thinner and easy to carry.  HP and Lenovo offers a standard plastic pen to navigate on the screen while Dell offers a ballpoint-tip pen and a felt-tip pen.  This choice can help make the computer user comfortable based on his or her preference.  The keyboard is flat and glossy, enabling it to be sturdy for wear and tear.  The power adapter is finally small and light, making it ultraportable.  The tablet can change to landscape quickly as other tablets.  It has a 12.1″ screen, 40GB or 80GB hard drive, bluetooth, wireless, Core 2 Solo 1.06GHZ processor, and 1 - 3GB RAM.

Overall, the $2,499 Dell, a partner with New York Computer Help, is now a competitor in the tablet market for its small size, light weight, and comfortable touch.

The next contender has stepped up for the iPod: the Zune 80 by Microsoft.  iRiver and other competitors have failed.  Can the Zune match up?  Let’s start with the packaging.  When opening the package for the Zune 80, it’s like opening a holiday present with wrapping paper, glossy film, and a soft, velvet bag.  The mp3 player itself is a sleek black device that is easy to walk around with. 

Now, on for the specs.  The Zune 80 has a 3.2 inch screen, FM radio, video, good audio quality, and get this: it has an unlimited music subscription service.  It also has wi-fi syncing and sharing which is not offered on the iPhone or new iPod Touch.  For the negatives, its battery life is weaker than the iPod; it requires its own computer software, and doesn’t offer TV or movie downloads.  This 80GB mp3 player is a noteworthy competitor to the iPod and may be purchased for app. $250.

If you thought laptops were getting smaller, you will have to sit down when you see the new computer pen!  That’s right - it is a computer located in a pen which is the size of a cigar.  This pen is geared towards young students, but may also be used by adults and gadget-lovers.  The pen is called the Fly Fusion Pentop. 

The Pentop has a camera, speaker, and memory chip so it can display on a computer what your wrote down on paper.  It can even convert your chickenscratch script into text on the computer.  The memory chip may also give you an answer to any math equation you write down on the paper.  Obviously, this feature should be used in practice only so this would be automatic grounds for detension during a test! :)  The pen can also translate written words into foreign languages.  I’m not sure how extensive the pen’s vocabulary is, but if this feature works well, we can see a lot of people snatching these handy pens.  This translation feature would be very useful when traveling or just learning a new language.  The pen also plays games and music.

Different software may be purchased to extend the brain of the pen.  For instance, the Pentop may assist in writing techniques, Journals, Algebra, Multiplication, Music, French, Spanish, and adventure games for logic sharpening.  Of course, computer software may be purchased that serves the same purpose; however, this trendy pen may act as a different, cool way to keep children’s short attention spans tuned in for learning.

BitTorrent is a file sharing, peer-to-peer (P2P), website similar to Kazaa, Limewire, and Bearshare.  This site shares music, movies, TV shows, pictures, and video games.  Basically, anything you’d like to download is offered on BitTorrent.  Currently, all of the files are free.  The same folks who download files are usually those who also share the content for others thereby giving the site its peer-to-peer identification.  Many computer users are tapping into BitTorrent, in fact, the BitTorrent CTO, Eric Klinker, estimates that the site takes up more than half of the Internet traffic.

You can sign up to BitTorrent by logging in, downloading a BitTorrent client, and away you go.  You can share and download files.  Just about anything is available.  Old Superman movies, new movies that have been bootlegged from the theatres, new music DVDs, sometimes screenplays, and more.  The concern here is twofold: ethics and security.  The moral point here is by downloading free content, the folks who authored and created these works are being cheated.  Well, most people feel that if so many people are doing it, it must be okay.  That is implied as true because the Internet is still governed as a laissez-fare approach, expecting computer users to treat those as they would expect to be treated.  Does the golden rule work?  Not with the greed factor here! 

Is there anything to stop greedy computer users from downloading smurfloads of free files from BitTorrent?  Yes, spyware!  With free downloads, come spyware and possibly viruses.  Why?  Because when you start sharing and downloading files, your computer is an open portal to the website.  So, others may share files to you that contain malicious code or just merely look to infect your computer by finding you via the BitTorrent network.  Our advice is if you really want to be involved in the BitTorrent downloading, make sure your computer is heavily protected with anti-spyware and anti-virus software.  And make a good back up of your files before taking the leap.

Whether you’re mobile, need a light computer to move around, Asus’ Eee PC 4G provides a great solution at a reasonable price.  The Eee was first created internationally for children to play with.  It weighs just 2 lbs, has a 7″ display, holds 512MB RAM, built-in wireless, camera, and 4GB of storage. 

This tiny laptop is perfect for the following uses:

• access the Internet anywhere
• writing, editing, drawing, scheduling
• easy plug-in for projector presentations
• convenient replacement for a notepad
• nice starter laptop for children

The best part about this little laptop is it costs only $399 and is now available via the Asus website, and will be soon available at Costco.

The smartphones with Windows operating systems have not been so popular.  This is due to the Treos and Blackberries taking the market by storm, and well, because they typically make better phones.

This time, this Windows Smartphone called Shadow has jumped to the top of the smartphone class.  Its interface and ease of clicking buttons and navigational tools makes it a phone to check out.  It basically looks like a typical cell phone until you start clicking around and seeing navigational buttons appear.  The Shadow contains a jog wheel (iPod-like) that is easy to use and won’t make your thumb sore.

This smartphone is full of features:  e-mail, calendar, 2.0 megapixel camera, drop-down keyboard, notes, media player, a nice graphical display for images, supports up to 4GB storage, and plays music.  The audio is not crystal clear, but it is difficult attaining iPod-like sound on a phone.

Ubuntu is a version of Linux.  In case you don’t know what this is, it is an alternative operating system to Windows and Mac.  Ubuntu’s new 7.10 version, Gutsy Gibbon, will be released this Thursday.  Ubuntu is open source, meaning that it is free and open to the community offering fixes and updates that everyone can us.

Is Ubuntu for you?  Here are some advantages of using Ubuntu so you can decide for yourself:

- It’s free!

- You will receive the latest updates every 6 weeks

- Free security software for at least 18 months

- Built-in PDF creator

- Advanced support for multiple monitors

- It’s typically virus and spyware-free like macs

The only downside (or upside based on how you look at it) is any support is usually found by going on forums since there is no familiar Dell-support style help.  But, if you feel up to the task or just frustrated with Microsoft, Ubuntu’s Gutsy Gibbon might be for you!

Whether you’re a road warrior, traveler, or occasional vacationer, being able to print on the fly for pictures and important documents is a nice feature to have.  If you don’t have a printer on-hand, that means having to look for a Kinkos, Staples, or foreign print shop to have someone else print out your files.  Not being prepared for printing could be a frustrating experience.

Below are the 3 recommended portable printers:

1.  Canon Pixma iP90: At 4 lbs and half the size of a laptop, and prints 8 x 11 & 4 x 6 color prints and pics, it’s the clear winner.  A $100 battery will allow you to print without power cables or you may purchase an $80 bluetooth adapter for connectivity.  Price tag: $250

2.  HP DeskJet 450wbt:  A little bigger and heavier than the Canon, this printer is already equipped with bluetooth, battery-power, and infrared.  It prints out good photos, but below-average documents.  Price tag: $345

3.  Brother mPrint MW-140BT: If you need to print from a Palm or Pocket PC, this is the printer for you.  The only drawback is this printer cannot print normal documents via a computer.  Price tag: $399.95

The Canon is our choice to go with due to its versatility, quality, and affordability.

Apple has taken almost 4 years to produce the new Microsoft Office 2008 for Mac, but the release date is finally out: 1/15/08.  Of course, the announced release date is never accurate.  The product usually arrives a good 3-6 months after the release date because final tweaks and lagging production.  Also, the release date is typically announced prematurely to ease investors and the public’s concerns about when the product is finally coming out.

Should you buy it?  For more bells and whistles, yes.  However, a resounding “no” if you have an old version of Office and can’t decide if you should finally buy Office 2004 for Mac or the new Office 2008.  You may easily upgrade from Office 2004 to 2008 so there is no sense waiting 2 versions.  The full version is $399.95 and the upgrade from 2004 is $239.95.  So, you can save a few bucks with the upgrade if you currently have 2004.

What is different about Office 2008 for Mac?  Really, it’s all about easy access.  There are more previews and less clicking to get to options.  For instance, Elements Gallery allows quick clicking to formatting options in applications.  Also, Document Elements automates normal tasks, such as adding headers and footers. 

Publishing Layout View allows formatting and layouts become easier.  You can create professional graphics, bullets, charts, 3D effects, and other cool add-ins within documents.  You’ve seen some of these graphics before, but these graphics are improved with a professional gloss to them.

Overall, the 2008 version is similar to when the 2004 version came out: New tricks and new options to play with.  Is it worth it?  Yes, for its ease of accessing options.  We don’t recommend getting it right away as new gliches and issues will most likely need to be patched up first.