February 14, 10 by Daniel Foster
Aperture 3 [$189.99] is Apple’s latest incarnation of its popular photo editing software. The new version has a number of cool features. If you geotag your photos, now you can explore them by location. Want to find a model from a particular shoot? The software now has the ability to bring up all the photos in your collection with a particular face.
Of course, all the old features of Aperture are still there. The software is great for both professionals and seasoned amateurs. If you have Aperture 2, you can also buy an Apple Aperture 3 upgrade [$94.99] for a much lower price.
Available Now | Amazon.com [$189.99]
Aperture 3 Upgrade | Amazon.com [$94.99]
February 14, 10 by Daniel Foster
If you’re looking for an easy way to make the perfect cup of coffee, the Aerobie Aeropress [$25.95] fits the bill. In fact, it is our brew method of choice here at PC Fastlane.
The Aeropress is a hybrid of the popular French press and can make American-style coffee or espresso. While it takes a bit more work to make a cup o’ Joe than a conventional coffee maker, it is faster and results in a rich, smooth cup of coffee fit for kings.
At less than the price of a dinner for two, why not give it a try? The only way to get better coffee than this is buy a $1,000 espresso machine.
Buy | Amazon.com [$25.95]
February 13, 10 by Daniel Foster
If you’re looking for an ergonomic trackball mouse, the Logitech Trackman [$27.97] is reliable and affordable. Unlike prior models, the Trackman uses an optical sensor instead of mechanical parts to track motion, meaning this mouse won’t wear out after heavy use and eliminating the need to clean it.
The Logitech Trackman is compatible with both PC and Mac and plugs in via your computers’ USB or PS/2 port. This product has been on the market for a long time and is well regarded for its ability to reduce wrist strain.
Buy | Amazon.com [$27.97]
February 13, 10 by Daniel Foster
The SanDisk Sansa Clip+ 8 GB MP3 player [$57.95] proves you don’t need an iPod to enjoy music. At nearly a third of the price of its well-known competitor, the Clip+ holds the same capacity as the base iPod Nano (2000 songs), but also features an FM radio and a long battery life of 15 hours.
My favorite thing about the Sansa Clip+ is that it is very small and lightweight– not much bigger than an iPod Shuffle. It can be clipped onto any item of clothing and is expandable via SD/SDHC card. It’s sturdiness and low-price makes it great for working out or other situations where electronics are more likely to get damaged.
Buy | Amazon.com [$57.95]
February 13, 10 by Daniel Foster
Not everyone needs studio-quality sound. Available at a price everyone can afford, the Logitech S120 speakers [$11.99] are an excellent budget sound solution.
Thankfully, sacrificing price does not mean sacrificing quality. The Logitech S120 will handle all the sound needs of an average computer user, including music, movies, and games. Out of all the speakers I’ve tried, these offer the best bang for the buck. And they’re small and decent-looking to boot.
Buy | Amazon.com [$11.99]
February 13, 10 by Daniel Foster
If you’re looking for a good all-around camera, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 [$239.00] might be for you. Features include a 10.1 MP sensor, HD video capture, 12x image stabilized zoom, and a large vibrant LCD screen.
Though not as well known as Nikon or Canon, Panasonic makes a superb digital camera. Take the Lumix DMC-ZS3 on your next vacation, bring it with you on-the-go, or take family photos.
Buy | Amazon.com [$239.00]
February 13, 10 by Daniel Foster
The Garmin Forerunner 305 GPS [$159.95] is the perfect watch for anyone involved in outdoor sports or hiking. It not only features a highly precise GPS, but also boasts a heart rate monitor.
Because it includes GPS, the Garmin Forerunner 305 is great for running and biking. It can calculate distance traveled and with the included cradle and software, can sync work out data to your computer and analyze your performance. Priced to compete with other digital watches without these neat features, this Garmin is a great value for the money.
Buy | Amazon.com [$159.95]
January 31, 10 by Daniel Foster
The Milwaukee 2300-20 M-Spector Digital Inspection Camera [$99.00] is a neat little gadget for seeing in hard-to-reach places. Featuring a flexible three-foot arm with a camera and a hand-held screen, this little bugger will go in all sorts of places you normally wouldn’t be able to get a view of– pipes, under an engine, inside a wall, etc.
It’s amazing how fast technology has changed. Ten years ago, something like the Milwaukee M-Spector would have been unavailable. It’s a neat and interesting gift that has very useful applications.
Buy | Amazon.com [$99.99]
January 31, 10 by Daniel Foster
The Canon PowerShot A480 [$79.00] is a great value for the money. Feauturing a 10 MP sensor, 3.3x optical zoom, and large 2.5″ LCD, it’s low price doesn’t make you sacrifice on features.
Unlike many other point-and-shoots, the PowerShot A480 uses two AA batteries instead of an expensive custom battery. This means finding a battery on-the-go will always be easy. This digital camera is perfect for the kids as a first camera. Or take it on a trip to replace that $500 camera you’re afraid of losing. No matter what the intended use is, Canon never disappoints. Also, don’t forget to buy an SD card for storage!
Buy | Amazon.com [$79.00]
January 31, 10 by Daniel Foster
Bananagrams [$12.15] is an inexpensive and fun game similar to Scrabble. Players choose randomly from the included 144 word tiles and race to see who can make the most words in the least amount of time.
I’ve always been a fan of board games, but Bananagrams is one of my favorites because it’s so easy to travel with. It’s great for long car trips or on the plane.
Buy | Amazon.com [$12.15]
