Review And Buy

Introducing the 13-inch MacBook Pro. The state-of-the-art dual-core Intel i5 processor delivers up to 2x faster performance (over the previous generation of MacBook Pro). New Thunderbolt technology lets you connect high-performance peripherals and high-resolution displays to a single port, and transfer files at lightning speeds. And with the built-in FaceTime HD camera, you can make astonishingly crisp HD video calls.

With the revolutionary Thunderbolt technology, you’ll be able to achieve bi-directional channels with transfer speeds to peripherals like external hard drives and servers up to an amazing 10 Gbps–while also connecting to a DisplayPort-compatible high-resolution display.

As with previous models, the MacBook Pro features a precision unibody enclosure crafted from a single block of aluminum, creating a thin and light mobile computing workhorse (less than 1 inch thin and just 4.5 pounds) that’s also highly durable. And it includes a 13.3-inch, LED-backlit glass display as well as a glass trackpad that doesn’t include a button (for larger tracking area) that features Apple’s Multi-Touch technology. You’ll also get up to 7 hours of battery life while on the go.

This version of the 13.3-inch MacBook Pro (model MD313LL/A) features a second-generation 2.4 GHz Core i5 dual-core processor, 500 GB hard drive, and 4 GB of installed RAM. Other features include integrated Intel HD Graphics 3000 graphics, ultra-fast Wireless-N Wi-Fi networking, Bluetooth connectivity, an SDXC card slot, two USB 2.0 ports, and a FireWire 800 port.

Key Specifications

13.3-inch LED-backlit glossy widescreen display with edge-to-edge, uninterrupted glass (1280 x 800-pixel resolution).
2.4 GHz Intel Core i5 dual-core processor with 3 MB shared L3 cache for excellent multitasking.
Intel HD Graphics 3000 with 384 MB of DDR3 SDRAM shared with main memory.
500 GB Serial ATA hard drive (5400 RPM)
4 GB installed RAM (1333 MHz DDR3; supports up to 8 GB)
8x slot-loading SuperDrive with double-layer DVD support (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)
Built-in FaceTime HD camera for video chatting
Wi-Fi wireless networking (based on 802.11n specification; 802.11a/b/g compatible)
Gigabit Ethernet wired networking (10/100/1000)
Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR (Enhanced Data Rate) for connecting with peripherals such as keyboards, mice and cell phones
Two USB 2.0 ports, one FireWire 800 port
SDXC card slot
Thunderbolt port with native Mini DisplayPort output plus support for DVI, VGA, dual-link DVI, and HDMI (requires adapters, sold separately)
Multi-Touch trackpad for precise cursor control with support for inertial scrolling, pinch, rotate, swipe, three-finger swipe, four-finger swipe, tap, double-tap, and drag capabilities
Full-size backlit keyboard
Stereo speakers with subwoofers
Dimensions: 12.78 x 8.94 x 0.95 inches (WxDxH)
Weight: 4.5 pounds
Up to 7 hours of battery life
Meets Energy Star 5.0 requirements
Rated EPEAT Gold

Smartphone apps to spice up your Valentine’s Day. CNN’s Fredricka Whitfield reports.

The Sony Ericsson Xperia Active is water, dust and scratch resistant Android Phone. Mesauring 55 x 92 x 16.5mm dimensions, the Xperia Active is a social networking integrated phone runs on Android 2.3 OS. The handset sports a 3-inch Capacitive touchscreen display, a 5MP camera with digital zoom for HD video recording and playback, FM Radio, 512MB RAM, 320MB internal memory and up to 32GB external memory support to store your favorite multimedia stuff. It comes with two covers. You can go back to black in the outback, or show off with sophisticated white at work. The phone kit includes a stereo headset with attachable ear hooks and an arm case and wrist strap to keep your phone close. There’s also a Micro USB cable for managing your media and a 2G memory card for all your entertainment. Whether you’re calling a taxi in the rain or calling a friend poolside, the touch screen is fully functioning even when your fingers are wet. Mud battered bike rides, dusty trails or an accidental meeting with a puddle. You phone can handle any conditions in any weather. Reality Display with Mobile BRAVIA Engine: Enhanced contrast. Richer colors. The Reality Display with Mobile BRAVIA Engine makes the 3″ screen sharp and crisp.

Perfect for those chilly days in the home or at the office, this ceramic heater features easy manual controls, three settings, and an adjustable thermostat for personalized comfort. Wait for the heater to warm up before turning the thermostat knob from low to high. The second control knob allows for selecting a 1500-watt high setting (5118 BTUs), a 900-watt low setting (3070 BTUs), and a fan-only option, which produces general, no-heat air circulation. Other highlights include a self-regulating ceramic element, quiet operation, and automatic overheat protection for safety. The unit’s smaller size ensures effective, consistent heating without getting in the way, while its convenient carrying handle makes it simple to transport from the floor to the table or room to room. The heater grill can be cleaned with the vacuum brush attachment of a vacuum cleaner, which will remove lint and dirt from the inside of the heater. Clean the body of the heater with a soft cloth as needed. The UL-listed ceramic heater measures 7-2/5 by 6-3/5 by 10 inches and carries a three-year warranty.