Apple iBook Notebook 12.1" M8758LL/A (800-MHz PowerPC G3, 128 MB RAM, 30 GB Hard Drive, CD-ROM Drive)
by Apple Computer
Average Customer Review:
Personal Computers
list price: $999.99
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

Weighing in at a respectable 4.9 pounds and featuring an 800 MHz PowerPC G3 processor, a 30 GB hard drive, and 128 MB of RAM (expandable to 640 MB)--plus AirPort wireless networking and FireWire, USB, and Ethernet ports--the iBook connects to hundreds of peripherals designed to fit your life.

This system features a brilliant 12.1-inch TFT XGA active-matrix display and razor-sharp 1,024 x 768 resolution. It's the perfect place for doing everything from working on spreadsheets to displaying your movies and digital pictures in millions of colors. (Incidentally, the iBook display scales down beautifully, again with millions of colors, for special games and applications optimized for 800 x 600 or 640 x 480 resolutions.)

Included is a CD-ROM drive for playing games and music CDs. The 800 MHz iBook ships with a 30 GB hard drive that provides exceptional storage space. In addition, this system comes with the ATI Mobility Radeon 7500 graphics accelerator with 32 MB of DDR SDRAM and AGP 2x support for gorgeous 3-D graphics.

The iBook also comes loaded with Mac OS X, iMovie, iTunes, AppleWorks, Internet Explorer, Outlook Express, Netscape Communicator, Adobe Acrobat Reader, FAXstf, AOL Instant Messenger (preview), WORLD BOOK Max OSX Edition, Quicken 2003, Sound Studio, and Otto Matic game software. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Absolutely Wonderful...
This is my first ever Apple notebook computer and I must say I am terribly pleased. At first I was worried about not having a G4 processor in it, but after recieving my G3 800 iBook and running osX and a few games I must say, I can barely ever discern a difference between this and my imac G4.

I ordered 256mb of ram with my iBook because this speeds it up significantly. You probably wouldnt notice many differences until you try to run more than one application at a time, then you start to feel a little sluggish.

This computer is great, I was worried that maybe it was one of the crappy logic board ibooks but nope, the serial number is far newer than the ones that are at risk for bad logic Boards.

And finally the look of the ibook is seriously cool. I can't wait to go to borders and study for awhile. While everyone else has the same colored gateway laptops plugged into the wall power that borders provides I can cruise with my trusty awesome looking ibook on battery. Also, the power adapter is small, and the thing about people saying the keyboard feels like plastic I disagree with, it is kinda ... hmm, hard to explain, but definitely a plus in my book. Im used to the hard cruching key boards and this one is much less crunchy.

Also, the 12 inch size is simply the best size for a laptop. Anythin bigger and portability almost seems like a hassle rather than a joy.

Awesome computer. Dont forget to pick up that extra 256 mb of ram to get it up to 384mb making it much smoother.. actually, completely smooth... Heaven on earth lol.

Absolutely spectacular!
First thing I should mention: I bought this laptop at a spectacular sale price. I paid $729 for this machine with 640mb of RAM (maxed out) and an Airport card with it. I highly recommend that you do max it out. I played with the 128mb version of this in Compusa and I noticed it to be significantly slower. When maxed out, this machine will run significantly faster than my 1.67Ghz Windows XP desktop in any task you will throw at it. On top of that, the Mac OS is far superior to anything ever put out by Microsoft. It's stable, easy to use, it just works. I have OS X Panther on this and I highly recommend it. I could never live without Expose, Apples far superior answer to the PC bar at the bottom. For those who are not familiar with it, this new feature in Panther will allow you to push F9 on the keyboard and show every window that is open. It will show exactly what is happening in that window at the moment, meaning that if I were to have a video running on it, the video would play on the tiny window as I look for the window I want. I click the window and it goes back to normal, only with that window on top. VERY USEFUL.
Besides that, this machine is very well designed. The ports are on the side, no more reaching behind to plug it in. Its got a thick layer of plastic casing, yet is just over an inch thick. The 12 inch screen is amoung the clearest I've ever seen, and is suprisingly easy to use. The speakers are just okay, but you don't buy a laptop for speakers anyway. The snow colored design is absolutly beautiful, and is a nice plus. The screen is on a solid bar, not one of those flimsy PC hinges. This is the most solidly built, yet lightest, thinnest, most compact laptops I've ever owned or used. I have had several PC laptops before this one, and this is, by far, the best machine I have ever owned.
By the way, the battery life on this machine is, to sum it up in one word, unbelievable. I can get about 4 hours of battery life while watching VIDEOS on this, surfing the web I can get upwards of four and a half or more! The low power consumption of the G3 processor makes this an ultra-portable machine.
For those who are considering switching. Don't be discouraged by the OS right away. It is something you will need to get used to, but after a few days you will never know how you ever lived without it. I now go back to my PC and just absolutly despise it every second I use it. I have now gotten used to the Mac and enjoy it more than I ever did with my PC. You know what they say, once you've gone Mac, you don't ever go back.

Well, to sum it up, this machine is perfect. I have yet to come across any sort of flaw whatsoever. Mac has thought this thing through, their attention to detail is amazing. Everything down to the little hook that comes out just as you close the lid to lock it shut has been designed perfectly. This isn't something that has just been scrapped together by Dell or something, this is a powerful piece of computing genius that has been designed for people out to make the intelligent choice for their computing needs. If you're stupid, go the ways of the PC world and conform to the ways of Bill Gates If you're smart, buy a Mac, you won't regret it. I guarantee!

Good battery
My girlfriend and I bought this computer for college for her and we both use it. Excellent Purchase

Pro- Great battery life (we've gotten 7-8 house using wireless and www/word/email
Pretty sturdy, not as much as my clamshell ibook but better than other laptops I've seen
Great display, clear and bright
Fast ENOUGH...

Con- Have had to repair it once for the display that stopped working, although the local repair center fixed it in 3 days and was covered under warranty

Would recommend that you buy applecare extended though. ... Read more

Asin: B00009APD1
Subjects:  1. Notebooks (Note Books)    2. Notebook Computers    3. Laptops (Lap Tops)    4. Apple    5. (Mac)    6. (Macintosh)   

Fire and Ice Thermos Grill by Char-Broil
by Char-Broil
Average Customer Review:
Lawn & Patio
list price: $249.99
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Features

• Dimensions: 34 by 19 by 28.5 inches; weighs 66.5 pounds
• Go-anywhere, cook-anything grill/cooler combo
• Hydraulic lift raises the grill to a comfortable 32-inch cooking level
• 312-square-inch total cooking surface
• 10-gallon insulated cooler has plenty of room for cold drinks

Reviews (44)

Tailgaters - this is your grill!
I ordered this grill once I saw the price drop to $$$$ with free shipping (and the bbq tools bonus). I purchased it mainly for tailgating since I have a nice Webber for home use.

Setup
The grill was VERY easy to set up initially (it comes assembled, except for the wheels which were easy to attach). The side trays (2 of them) slide on and off easily. The gas canister (not included) attaches in two simple steps.

Use
The grill goes up and down by use of a foot pedal. It doesn't go down as easy as it goes up, but this could be me getting use to it. You light the grill through the use of a "sparker" button. You can also light it with a match and an extension wand. The side trays also hold the tools that come included (tongs, spatula, and grill scraper). The grill portion is about 2/3 of the entire grill with the flat griddle taking up the final 1/3. Grease dips along a channel into a collection jug.

Cooler
The top slides off for access. There are cup holders in the top of the lid (not very useful though). There is a drain plus in the side at the bottom. The cooler kept ice for over 24 hours in 90 plus degree heat. It held a bottle of wine, six beers, two steaks, two medium tupperware containers, and six bottles of water - with space left over. There is a bottle opener on the side of the grill.

Clean up
The tools that come with the grill are plastic (because of the non-stick nature of the cooking surface). The grill top itself comes off and can be cleaned in the sink (the back of it is unfinnished so I would not put it in the DW). The grease jug cleans easily as well.

Downside
(1) In windy conditions (like a parking lot for tailgaiting) you could have a tough time lighting the grill. There are holes in the back of the grill itself, bring the wind in. I turned the grill out of the direct wind and it lit well.

(2) Heat - now this could be the temp gauge, but it never showed the grill getting hot enough to cook (it shows three levels - warming, cooking, and too hot). It was always on the high-end of warming. Now the food coooked fine (two thick steaks and some roast potatoes), and this could be me getting used to the grill, but I wanted to mention it.

(3) Weight of the grill. With a full cooler the grill is heavy. It has two side handles (and a pulling strap), but it was tough getting it in and out of the back of our minivan.

Overall - I love this grill. We went to the Springsteen concert the other night and had a half dozen people come up and ask us about it - someone thought it cost $$$$. The guys across from us had the same grill without the cooler and were jealous of the cooler.

Great cooler, okay grill
I bought the fire and ice grill from amazon and had the same delay in shipping problems and damages that other people refered to, nothing I wasn't expecting. I also saw one at walmart that was dented during shipping. I'm sure I'll put a few dents in it myself, so who cares.

The cooler is top-notch! Unlike most coolers, if you want to get something out of it, you don't have to take everything off of the top because it slides back to open instead of tilting up. We brought the cooler to the beach because of the big tires and someone figured out how great a feature that is. They also thought it looked great!

My grill doesn't get that hot, I'm not sure if it is defective, but it is an issue. I'll recomend it still because no one else has really said anything about the heating and I think it is just mine.

Now you're cooking!
We bought the grill for 128 dollars to take camping at Dave Matthews this summer. I logged on today and it's up to 150 now. Ouch! It's very worth it though. It's very classy and compact. I love the grilling size and I'm looking forward to having this baby at the concert.

Only downfall is the shipping. This isn't shipped UPS. It's shipped from some company called Eagle and they don't deliver on the weekends because their contract with Amazon doesn't let them. Most people work M-F and they only deliver M-F 8-5. Not everyone is available during that time. It took us two weeks to even get our grill because of this.

Other then that I'm thrilled and would suggest this grill to anyone. ... Read more

Asin: B00007J2WD
Sales Rank: 8
Subjects:  1. Apartment Patio    2. Home    3. Grilling    4. Barbecue    5. (BBQ)    6. Camping    7. Portable Grills    8. (Tailgating)    9. (Tail-gating)   

Ultimate Family Trike
by Radio Flyer
Average Customer Review:
Toy

US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

This combination tricycle/stroller offers an excellent solution for ambivalent preschoolers who want to pedal one moment and be pushed along the next. As with all Radio Flyer rides, the Voyager is built to last, with a durable steel frame and heavy-duty treaded tires. The trike’s unique feature is its steering and pedal lock that allows kids to either pedal or just sit back and let parents do all the work. For parents’ ease of use, the Voyager has a comfortable stroller-style push bar that adjusts to four different positions, and a snap-on snack tray that holds two drinks and a set of keys. A removable nylon backpack with a waterproof interior is attached to the stroller with velcro, and provides just enough space to carry diaper bag necessities. Kids will love the ringing bell and bucket on the back of trike. Parents will love the adjustable seat and safe turning radius that helps to prevents the trike from tipping. --Cristina Vaamonde ... Read more

Reviews (22)

Great Idea - Bad Design
I saw this in the store and it was exactly what I was looking for in a trike for my son. Brought it home, assembled it, and within a week the steering mecanism broke - basically my son wanted to steer one way and my wife wanted to go in a another, battle ensued and the wheel went in one direction and the handlebar went in another. Keep in mind a 2 1/2 year old stuggled and won against his mother. Tore it apart and found that a cheap plastic ring around on the frame connected it with the cables and the plastic ring got stripped in the tug-o-war. Only way to fix is to replace frame!! Manufacturer offered no assistance - a total loss for the purpose it was purchased for.

Not what we expected!
We bought this for our son when he was 18 months old! The Stroller option lasted all but 3 months and snapped! We are not even able to get any replacement or a way to fix it! To use as a trike it is not all that convenient either! The wheel has some kind of system that will let the pedals go freely and when my son tries to pedal backwards, nothing will happen. It is not easy to explain to a 2 and a half year old that if we wants to back up he needs to get off the bike and turn the bike around! I would not recommend it, it is expensive and does not hold what it seems to promise!

We like our trike
We bought this trike for my daughter for x-mas. She has been on it several times in our neighborhood and the local park. We haven't had the cable snap nor had any problems in steering it. My daughter is slowly getting the idea of pedaling but still needs help when steering. I would definitely recommend this trike to a parent with a toddler learning to ride. ... Read more

Asin: B00005BRH9
Subjects:  1. Preschool    2. Push and Pull Toys    3. Ride-Ons    4. Outdoor Play    5. Baby and Infant    6. Toddler    7. Wagons   

Electronic Swing Groover II Golf Coach & Analyzer
Average Customer Review:
Misc.
list price: $119.99
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Features

• Vivid white alignment stripe helps visualize correct swing plane
• Choose English or metric display
• Keep track of best shot distance and average shot dispersion
• Keep track of average club head speed and best club head speed
• Adjustable ball height lets you tee it up or hit from the fairway

Reviews (3)

This product is a waste.
I don't recall ever being quite as disappointed with a product as I am with the Swing Groover II. Last night I went to the driving range to check some yardages of my clubs, just so I could verify the accuracy of the Swing Groover.

I was hitting my 5-iron between 180-190 yards most of the time, occasionally hitting 200. My 7-iron was flying about 165 yards. Tonight, I just finished setting up the Swing Groover. My first few swings with a 5-iron produced readings of 133 yards. I warmed up a little more and started hitting the 7-iron. These swings produced readings of 121 yards, with an average of 121.

This product is designed to indicate swing speed and yardage hit. The yardage is off by about 50 yards, but believe it or not, I think the swing speed indicator is probably pretty accurate. With the 5-iron, it was indicating a little over 70 mph. I've had my speed tested before with the driver and it registered a little over 100 mph, so this number of 71-73 with the 5-iron sounds reasonable.

I'm not sure if I just got a defective machine or what exactly the problem is, but I'm very disappointed. I'm very inclined to think I just wasted $150.

My suggestion is to keep looking for other products, because this one is horribly inaccurate.

More accurate than you think...
A common experience when someone uses an electronic device to measure their club head speed for the first time is denial that their speed is, in reality, that low... While people like to believe they are cranking along at 100+ mph, the reality is unless you have a very well timed swing, you aren't.

This device does just that. I've had my club head speed measured before by other more expensive devices, and it was just as reported by this device. Just as low. ;-)

However, after a few one hour sessions with this goodie, I had slowed down my swing, improved my consistency, perfected my timing and added 30 mph and two club lengths to my shots. Yes, it works...(and I now do have 100+ mph club head speed)

I gave it four stars because it's not bulletproof. It is best suited for someone who already swings a club well, and is looking to fine tune the specifics of their swing, and is in search of some detailed feedback for those minute adjustments.

If you are just starting, can't hit consistently, have a tendency to top the ball, and all that, then this device isn't for you. I doubt it would survive the punishment you would deliver to it.

If however, you are looking for that last bit of polish to tune up your swing, get more consistency and controlled power, then this is a good place to look.

For less than the cost of a few lessons, I was able to systematically work through the last pieces of my swing and really take my golf swing to the next level.

I've never struck a ball as well as after having trained with this device.

P.S. If your store won't take back an actual defective item, try shopping at better stores... ;-)

Not Accurate
This item is not accurate at all. I have complained to the company and no response. I told the company that it was off at least 50% and their only response was to try a different battery and if that didn't work try to return it to Target. Not impressed with the product or company. Ed Swanson ... Read more

Asin: B00006K022
Sales Rank: 10608
Subjects:  1. Sports    2. Sporting Goods    3. Golf    4. Gifts   

iRobot Roomba Pro Intelligent Floorvac Robotic Vacuum
by iRobot
Average Customer Review:
Kitchen (15 October, 2003)
list price: $229.99
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

An intelligent vacuum that uses robotic technology to deliver barefoot-clean floors in-between more thorough cleanings, iRobot’s Roomba Pro follows in the footsteps of the original model (the first automatic vacuum available in the U.S.). But it also adds some great new features, including Spot Clean. Selecting this option sets the Roomba Pro spiraling around a small area up to three feet wide, great for cleaning up dry spills or extra dirt. Thirteen inches in diameter and lighter than your average bowling ball, this innovative vacuum will roam a room devouring dust, dirt, pet hair, and tidbits left behind from everyday living.

Setting up the Roomba Pro for its first sashay through the living room is fairly easy. First, the battery needs charging for at least 12 hours before its maiden voyage; simply plug the AC adapter into any outlet and it will shut off automatically when fully charged. After that, the indicator light’s different colors will show the battery’s charge status. The Roomba Pro can clean two to three medium sized rooms on one charge, approximately 60 to 90 minutes, depending on floor surface. Although it may look more like a Frisbee than a vacuum, the Roomba Pro cleans carpet, wood, linoleum, and tile, transitioning smoothly between those surfaces. It even senses and avoids stairs, and glides easily under beds.

Next, remove any clothing, papers, cords, and fragile items from the floor. You may choose to set up one or both of the fist-sized Virtual Wall units, which emit a beam to redirect the Roomba Pro, keeping it out of unwanted areas. Set the Roomba Pro in the center of the room, and press the green power button to turn it on. Then select the corresponding button for a small (10 by 12 feet), medium (14 by 16 feet), or large (15 by 20 feet) room. The Roomba Pro plays a few musical notes of greeting, then begins moving.

When the Roomba Pro starts cleaning, it travels around the floor in a spiral pattern. When its non-marring bumper touches a wall, the Roomba Pro follows the wall for a short time, then crosses the room in straight lines. It repeats this pattern until its cleaning time has elapsed, providing maximum cleaning coverage.

The Roomba Pro’s breakthrough three-stage cleaning system uses side brushes, two main counter-rotating brushes, and a high-efficiency squeegee to pick up everything from fine to large particles. The particle bin removes for emptying. The unit comes with an easy-to-follow manual and two replacement filters. Additional Virtual Wall units, battery packs, and a rapid charger can be purchased separately. Two D batteries (not included) are required for each Virtual Wall. The Roomba Pro is covered by a 180-day parts and labor warranty. --Rhonda Langdon ... Read more

Features

• Measures 13 by 3-1/4 inches
• Automatically vacuums floors without supervision
• Transitions between low-to-medium-pile carpet, hardwoods, tile, and linoleum
• 3-stage system cleans wall edges, under furniture, and concentrated spots
• Includes 2 virtual walls to keep Roomba contained; 1 rechargeable battery

Reviews (50)

Should have bought one sooner! Should have bought two!
Two words: It works. I think what I like best is how it keeps the wood floors "barefoot clean". It also does carpets well and since it has a beater bar also leaves that "vacuumed" look in the form of tracks on the carpet, although they are random patterns reminiscent of a Pollack painting.

At first it won't save you any time, because you'll spend a lot of time just watching it work because it's fun. After a while though you'll get a big kick out of turning it on and leaving the house and then finding the job done when you get back.

A couple of tips:

1. Buy an extra battery and definitely the quick charger. This way you can have one charging while the other is in the robot, vacuuming away.

2. Learn to prepare the rooms. You'll have to watch the robot the first time it does each room or area, just to get a feel for where to put the virtual walls and how to move the furniture around.

3. At a minimum, buy the pro model with the "spot" mode. You'll use it a lot.

4. You'll need to deep vacuum your carpets at least once every two weeks.

That's it. It is worth every penny. I will probably buy another one for the upstairs.

Is it possible to have FUN vacuuming??????
Short and sweet, It works, it's fun and it's limitations are easy to work around.

1. Buy the pro instead of the basic to get the extra virtual wall unit.

2. Buy the rapid charger so that you can do several areas per day

3. Clean out the dirt cups after each area...takes only 2-3 min

4. Not for use with shag carpets

5. Not for use in REALLY filthy areas (Like the work area in my basement unless you pick up the visible piles of sawdust, doghair blown in leaves, etc.) It's not that the unit won't work...it's just that the dirt cups are not big enough to hold it all. I use the shop vac to pick up the big stuff and the Roomba goes after the rest. In the other parts of the house...the Roomba works alone.

6. It REALLY works well along the edges of walls and cabinets and it is great with doghair.

Roomba works for me
Before i start my review let me explain how my house is set up. i live in a one bedroom apt with one cat and no rugs. i have been using the roomba now for about 3 weeks and i do have to say over all i am very impressed with it. it does however require a little bit of maintenance to keep it up and running in prime condition but nothing to complicated. and i do highly suggest getting the rapid charger you will need it because the battery doesnt really last long enough to get the whole house done on one charge. i cant really say how well it would work in a house with more then one pet or even with rugs....but for a single guy its worth it ... Read more

Asin: B0000AHROM
Subjects:  1. Vacuum Cleaners    2. Carpet Sweepers    3. Floor Care    4. Cleaning Supplies    5. (Vacs)    6. Upright Vacuums    7. (Vaccums)    8. (Vacumes)    9. (Vacums)    10. Handheld Vacuums    11. Hand Vacs    12. Housewares   

Because the three platters in this set stack or stand on theirown they provide plenty of options for serving hors d'oeuvres, sweets,or fruit or for creating a dramatic centerpiece. Each platter has itsown pedestal attached so the three can be arrayed singly or incombinations. Their clean lines coordinate with any dinnerware. Made ofdurable pressed glass, the platters measure 13, 10, and 8 inches indiameter, and when stacked, they are 12-3/4 inches high. They aredishwasher-safe. --Fred Brack ... Read more

Features

• 13-, 10-, 8-inch-diameter tiers; 12-3/4 inches high stacked
• Serves food in style as one, two, or three stackable tiers
• Flexibility also provides options for creating centerpiece
• Clean lines coordinate with any dinnerware
• Made of durable pressed glass; dishwasher-safe

Asin: B0000630O2
Subjects:  1. Serveware    2. (Serve Ware)    3. Serving    4. Trays & Platters   

Calphalon Commercial Hard-Anodized 6-1/2-Quart Saucepot with Pasta Insert
by Calphalon
Average Customer Review:
Kitchen
list price: $221.00
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

If you've ever suffered a steam burn draining your spaghetti through a colander, you'll appreciate this three-piece pasta set. A 6-quart insert sits inside the saucepan, so when your pasta is appropriately al dente, just lift the insert for instant drainage. The 6-1/2-quart saucepan has a pure aluminum core for fast heat conductivity so the water will boil faster. Because aluminum can dent, warp, or discolor easily, a hard-anodized coating protects the saucepan and increases its durability. The lid is also hard anodized, which means the oxide film of aluminum has been thickened to protect the pan. The insert is stainless steel, so it won't react to food and will retain its shape through a lifetime of use. The set includes a collector's edition recipe card to get you started on your pasta-cooking adventures. While most metal utensils are safe with anodized surfaces, avoid sharp tools, such as knives. For optimum longevity, this set should be hand washed. --Laura Cuthbert ... Read more

Features

• Lifetime warranty
• Set contains 6-1/2-quart saucepan, 6-quart insert, and lid
• Set cooks and drains pasta, corn, or shellfish easily
• Aluminum core for excellent heat conductivity
• Pot and lid are hard anodized for durability

Reviews (16)

A lifesaver in the kitchen!
One of the best things about this pasta set was being able to throw away my plastic colander. This was worth its weight in gold from the day I brought this home. Pasta cooks very nicely in this combination, as does steamed vegetables. It's particularly helpful when boiling crab legs- much easier to simply lift out the insert than to take all those pesky legs and put them in a colander. This is also great for making pot roasts that could be made in a stockpot or crockpot- the strainer makes it very easy to separate the stock for making gravy. So many uses, so little time!

Calphalon Commercial Pasta Pentola Set--Great Buy
This Calphalon Commercial Hard-Anodized 6 1/2-Quart Saucepot with Pasta Insert and Lid is a "pasta pentola set" from the newer line of Calphalon's Hard Anodized cookware. Because the handles of this saucepot, pasta insert, and lid are made from stainless steel, they stay cool to the touch. The pasta insert is made from heavy duty 18/10 stainless steel.

I have found that the cooking times for different kinds of pasta are consistent when I cook them with this pot and insert, so I can set my kitchen timer for a minute or so before the time I need for al dente. When the pasta is done, I remove the insert, let the water drain off into the pan, and put the cooked pasta into a large bowl and sauce it.

The sauce pan can be used to make large quanties of sauce, stew, chili, or soup. It heats up to a medium-high setting in a short amount of time. The Commercial hard anodized finish is almost nonstick. I don't use any pan cooking spray on these hard anodized pans because it causes a sticky residue to be built up. I hand wash my Calphalon pots and pans and use Bon Ami or Dormond cleaner for any stains or discoloration.

All of the Calphalon "Collector's Edition" "specials" are great buys, and this pasta pentola set is perfect for a couple or a small family to add to their collection of quality cookware.

Perfect for corn or pasta
I love this for boiling corn or pasta. It doesn't have the nonstick surface like the 2 1/2 quart saucepan, but I bought this for easy draining and it gets the job done well. ... Read more

Asin: B00005AWC9
Subjects:  1. (Cook Ware)    2. Multipots    3. Pasta Pentolas    4. (Multi-Pots)    5. (Calphlon)    6. (Calaphon)    7. Calphalon    8. Commercial    9. Hard Anodized    10. Saucepot    11. 6-1/2-Quart    12. Cookware    13. Saucepans    14. (Sauce Pans)   

Woodstock Zenergy Chime - Trio Percussion Instrument
by Woodstock Percussion
Average Customer Review:
Lawn & Patio
list price: $19.99 -- our price: $19.99
(price subject to change: see help)
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

Tapped gently with the rubber-tipped mallet, this three-tone chime emits a soothing "voice" that relaxes and reenergizes. Useful for meditation and healing rituals, the chime can be struck in front of the body, then moved from one side of the head to the other for asurround-sound experience. Three polished aluminum rods of different lengths are fastened to a smooth, cherry-finished hardwood base that measures approximately 8 by 3 inches, small enough to keep on a desk or by the bed. Musician Gary Kvistad founded Woodstock Chimes in 1979, and today the family-owned company produces a wide range of handcrafted, precision-tuned chimes. A one-year warranty covers the chime against defects, and all tuned Woodstock Chimes come with a lifetime tuning guarantee. --Ann Bieri ... Read more

Features

• Precision-tuned
• Handcrafted 3-tone chime relaxes and re-energizes
• 3 aluminum rods on a wooden base
• Includes rubber-tipped wooden striking mallet
• Gentle chiming works perfectly for meditation

Reviews (1)

Meditate and concentrate
The precision tuned chimes provide a pleasant concentration point. This well-made chime is a nice conversation piece, as well as a musical instrument (limited) and a meditation chime. Sounds great together or individually. Strike one, two or all bars to provide a pleasant tone to focus on. ... Read more

Asin: B0000775FZ
Subjects:  1. Outlet   

Cuisinart Nonstick Stainless-Steel Large Roaster with Cover
by Cuisinart
Average Customer Review:
Kitchen
list price: $100.00
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

Large enough to roast two Cornish game hens, cook a rump roastwith all the trimmings, or hold up to an 18-pound turkey, this15-by-11-inch roaster is a staple for holiday or family dinners. Partof Cuisinart's Nonstick Stainless line of cookware, this roaster isconstructed of mirror-finish 18/10 stainless steel with a layer ofaluminum encapsulated in the bottom for quick and even heating. Thedurable Xylan Plus nonstick cooking surface in the pan's interiorprevents foods from sticking and helps make cleanup easy. Wide handleson either side of the roaster are secured with stainless-steel rivetsand provide a steady grip so you can easily lift heavy roasts. Thedomed lid offers additional height for cooking larger roasts or turkeysand seals tightly onto the pan to keep meat juicy and flavorful. Aunique steam vent in the lid pops up to let excess steam escape,ensuring that roasts come out perfectly cooked every time. Includedwith the pan is a sturdy lift-out roasting rack, which allows forproper drainage and circulation of heat during cooking. This cookwareis dishwasher-safe and oven-safe up to 550 degrees F. It is covered bya lifetime limited warranty. --Cristina Vaamonde ... Read more

Features

• Dishwasher safe; oven safe to 550 F lifetime limited warranty
• 15-by-11-inch roaster fits up to 18-pound turkey
• 18/10 stainless steel with aluminum sandwich bottom for even heating
• Xylan Plus nonstick cooking surface in interior
• Domed lid with pop-up steam vent; lift-out roasting rack

Reviews (12)

A great roaster with poor advertising!
First I would like to say that this roaster is very high quality. After receiving this as a wedding present, we immediately used it on a roast beef dinner and it performed well. The handles are comfortable, the fit and finish of the pan is very high quality, and the design and features are all excellent. Using the roasting rack provided resulted in a lot of beef juices left in the bottom of the pan. With a bit of stovetop thickening (which the brochure said was possible with this pan), the juices made a wonderful gravy. The non-stick qualities of the bottom were excellent. I hand washed the pan in about a minute with NO stuck-on food in the bottom!

My only complaint with this pan is in how it is marketed. Cuisinart makes both a "Large" and an "Extra-Large" roasting pan. Since the "Large" pan is supposed to be able to handle an 18 pound turkey, I chose this one. Now that I have it, I kind of wish that I had gone with the bigger "Extra-Large" roaster because I doubt that an 18 pound bird is going to fit into the smaller pan without touching the sides all the way around. Amazingly, the "Large" pan (15"x11") boasts enough capacity for an 18 pound turkey, but the "Extra Large" pan (18"x13") claims that it is perfect for roasting chicken! I think that the product descriptions must have been switched or something...

I have no doubt that I will be using my pan a great deal and be very happy with its performance. Since Thanksgiving only comes once a year, I will only regret not getting the bigger pan at that time!

pretty darn good!
I needed a roaster but found none with a cover in two major stores so decided to order online. I found this quickly here on amazon, and the price is pretty darn good!
I read all the reviews and own this item for 3 weeks, and used it 4 times. Here's how I think it sizes up:
DRAWBACKS:
1-the only drawback I read about was that the rack rusts, and this is very true. I decided to buy the item anyway, as I really needed a roasting pan and didn't think I needed the rack. It is very dangerous to eat rust so I am surprised and disappointed in Cuisinart for this. The rust does wash right off, and I still do use the rack. I'd just recommend removing it promptly after cooking.
2-i did not see anyone mention that the handles are connected to the non stick bottom and POKE THROUGH TO THE INSIDE. This is a design that I avoid when buying any pot/pan because it makes it harder or impossible to clean. It is so far no problem to clean.

I love this pan as do the other reviewers. The size is perfect (I roast two large, whole chickens with lotsa veggies around) the non-stick works great, the weight is great, and heats VERY evenly. The cover is domed which is perfect for roasting as you start out with a big buncha meat which shrinks as it cooks.

I would, despite the drawbacks, buy this again, and if I ever need a bigger one for a turkey I'll be getting the larger sized one for sure.

Scratch and Dent
Unit just arrived and it seems to be a nice roaster with the exception of 3, sharp dents on the inside of the lid that extrude to bumps on the outside of the lid.

No wonder these are going for such a good price. Apparently they are scratch and dent stock that should be listed as such. I'm not up for the task of the return and replace process. ... Read more

Asin: B00006FX97
Subjects:  1. Cookware    2. (Cook Ware)    3. Roasting Pans    4. Roasters    5. Roasts   

Perfect Pancake
Average Customer Review:
Kitchen
list price: $14.99
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Reviews (68)

Great for 1/2 people, pass if you're feeding a family
My sister got me this because I love pancakes. The first time I used it I didn't spray anything on the pan and the pancake stuck and I had to manually flip it with a spatula. So, after that I just sprayed a little pam on it and had no problems. The no drip batter dispenser is amazing! I use it for making pancakes, cupcakes, waffles, anything where the potential for drippage is there! Overall, I am happy with the perfect pancake, but if you are feeding a family, this may not be for you. But if you are feeding 1 or 2 people it's great. Thr pancakes are big so I usually don't eat more than 2!

How many do you want to buy? Or start cooking early!
You can only make one at a time!! This is clearly not made for a family. What was I thinking?? I end up using my griddle in addition to this little piece of useless junk.

The secret to success with the Perfect Pancake
All you people who aren't having success with this nifty little pan, either slinging batter all over the kitchen or having problems with sticking should read this. It's not because the top and bottom don't seal tightly together, it's because you are not using it correctly. If you use this simple technique it does indeed make perfect pancakes every time. Here's how... First, pre-treat both sides of the pan with a little Pam or cooking oil. Let it warm up at medium heat on a burner that's no bigger than the pan. Pour in the batter and cook the pancake with the lid open for about 4 minutes or until the edges are light brown and bubbles appear then close the lid. Now for the critical part...don't just lift the pan and twirl - if you do the laws of physics take over and batter will definitely sling out. In one fluid motion, quickly raise the pan upwards about 2 feet and make sort of a U shaped arc with it as you flip it over and bring it back down. Then stop it abruptly and the pancake will drop to the other side. No slinging batter, no pancake stuck upside down. Return the pan to the burner for about 1 minute or so and you have a prefect pancake. Shape, color, texture all perfect. By doing it this way, you apply a little centrifugal force on the batter which keeps it in place as you flip the pan. The force of gravity keeps it from sticking when you stop it. Practice the technique a few times before preheating the pan if you are unsure. On the downside, it is cheaply made and I too had to get a new acorn nut to fix the hinge. If not for that, I'd have given it 5 stars. ... Read more

Asin: B000065DPC
Sales Rank: 33022
Subjects:  1. Specialty Cookware    2. (Cook Ware)    3. Clearance    4. Gifts    5. Kitchen    6. Cookware    7. Small Appliances   

What's in the Box
32-ounce Kenya press, battery-powered turbo frother, two glass cups, two 8-3/4-inch-long stirring spoons, plastic coffee measuring spoon. ... Read more

Features

• Replacement parts available
• Dishwasher-safe
• 6-piece French press gift set for the coffee lover
• 8-cup coffee press, 2 glass cups, 2 spoons
• 1 turbo milk whip for making cappuccinos and lattes

Asin: B0000D9NF7
Subjects:  1. French Presses    2. Coffee Presses    3. Gift Sets   

Gaggia Baby Espresso Machine
by Gaggia
Average Customer Review:


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Features

• The only machine at this price point with a "three way solenoid valve."
• Highest wattage system available at 1425 watts for quick heat up and recovery.
• Chrome-plated brass commercial style portafilter for the best quality espresso.
• High power 17.5 bar pump.
• Turbo Frother milk frothing wand for perfect froth every time.

Reviews (1)

Great little machine...AMAZING ESPRESSO
If you are interested in a small espresso machine, that is relatively inexpensive, and can produce amazing quality coffee, this is for you. It has push buttons to turn it on, to turn the pump on, and to turn the steamer on. This machine produces better quality coffee than Jura Capresso's S9. All semi automatcs, no matter how cheap, can produce amazing quality espresso that beats out any super automatic machine. This machine in particular is small but produces wonderful quality. This machine can also be equipped with Gaggia's ESE Pod filter basket which allows you to use Illy pods to make making espresso even easier. Although it is a wonderful machine that is well built, it does have a few bad aspects - the water reservoir is too small, you have a wait time between brewing and steaming (same for many super automatics) and the machine isn't exactly beautiful. Although it isn't beautiful, it is small, which is unusual in espresso machines. Overall this is a great machine, and if you are interested in good espresso that only takes around 5 minutes and a machine that will last a good 10 years, go with a Gaggia. This particular model is very similar to the Gaggia Classic, which is about 100 bucks more, and just has bigger everything. It can make wonderful espresso with ease and is VERY reliable. GREAT BUY! ... Read more

Asin: B0000DIWTX
Sales Rank: 73788

Casio EV-570 Handheld Portable TV
by Casio
Average Customer Review:
Electronics
list price: $149.99 -- our price: $99.94
(price subject to change: see help)
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Editorial Review

Take your TV on the go with the Casio EV-570 portable TV. Catch the big game or your favorite show when you can't be at home to watch. The EV-570 features a glare-resistant 2.5-inch liquid crystal display (LCD) color screen and runs for up to 2 hours on AAA batteries.

Watch any broadcast channel on the VHF or UHF dial with the built-in antenna. Optional connections allow you to hook the TV up to cable or to boost your reception with an external antenna (not included). You can also connect the unit to an external video component, such as a DVD player or VCR with an optional A/V cord (not included).

The EV-570 features a built-in speaker, as well as an earphone jack. The channel tuning keys are on the front of the unit. Volume and brightness controls are included on the side. The TV can be powered by your choice of 4 AAA batteries or a AC or car adapter (not included). Without batteries, the EV-570 weighs less than a pound.

What's in the Box
Handheld TV, owner's manual. ... Read more

Features

• 2.5-inch high-resolution LCD screen; measures 8.5 x 7 x 1.4 inches (W x H x D)
• Weighs less than 1pound without batteries
• Runs up to 2 hours on 4 AAA batteries, optional AC/DC connections
• Optional inputs for cable and A/V components
• Built-in mono speaker and earphone jack

Reviews (13)

Good for traveling
One of my habbit is to wacth TV,so i got one of Casio EV570,the picture so clear,now i dont have to rush home to wacth my favorite show.

Fabs
Use rechargeable NiMH batteries. The TV does drain batteries fast, but the picture and sound are great. Reception is good where you have strong broadcast signals. Otherwise, it could get grainy. But still fun to have when traveling.

Good TV for its size
I take a lot of road trips so I decided to get this handheld TV. All I have to say is wow; I was up in New Hampshire over the weekend and this TV picked up more channels, while in the car, than the TV we had in our place that had rabbit ears. The only problems I encountered were that I was watching a football game and I couldn't see the score because the screen was too small. Also the battery life is no more than just over 2 hours, but I bought rechargeable batteries and a charger which gets rid of that problem. Anyway I would definetly recommend this TV to anyone who wants to watch a TV when they aren't close to one. ... Read more

Asin: B00005T3SM
Subjects:  1. Television (Televisions, TV, T.V., TVs)    2. Handheld (Hand-held)   

What's in the Box
TV, pedestal stand, remote control, remote batteries, user's manual, and registration information. ... Read more

Features

• 50-inch widescreen high-definition plasma display with DVI and dual component-video inputs; 47.4 x 28.5 x 3.1 inches (W x H x D)
• 1,366 x 768 pixel resolution; 16:9 aspect ratio matches DVD movies and HDTV broadcasts (when used with optional DTV receiver)
• Extraordinary 900:1 contrast ratio, high 800 cd/m2 brightness; includes RGB PC input
• NTSC dual-tuner, split-screen PIP lets you watch two programs simultaneously
• 10 watts per channel speaker outputs (for use with optional matching speakers, model PSN5030)

Asin: B0000ARC2T
Subjects:  1. hpn, 5039, 50 inch, big screen, hd-tv    2. high definition, television, flatscreen    3. hd, hpn-5039, hnp5039, hpn539    4. hd-ready, hpn509    5. enroute   

HP PhotoSmart 945 5.3MP Digital Camera w/ 8x Optical Zoom
by Hewlett Packard
Average Customer Review:
Electronics
list price: $449.99 -- our price: Too Low To Display
(price subject to change: see help)
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

The HP PhotoSmart 945, featuring an 8x optical zoom lens and a 7x digital zoom (for 56x total), is one of the most affordable "big zoom, big megapixel" digital cameras on the market. Geared for the advanced amateur, it features a 5.3-megapixel resolution, advanced photo features, and a wide variety of manual controls. But it also has such automatic features as an on-camera wizard for getting the best shot, direct printing, and HP's Instant Share.

Optics and Resolution
With its 5.3-megapixel resolution, you can snap bright, detailed images with the PhotoSmart 945 that can be enlarged to poster size. It features two resolution options: 2608 x 1952 (5 MP) and 1296 x 976 (1 MP). The Fuji Photo lens has an 8x optical zoom that's coupled with a 7x digital zoom for a 56x total zoom. It has a focal range of 7.6-61mm (35 mm equivalent: 37-300mm).

Movie Mode
In addition to taking still photos, the PhotoSmart 945 can also record up to 60-second movie clips with sound at a 288 x 208 pixel resolution. The QuickTime Motion JPEG format offers a limited resolution, which is great for capturing a short movie that can be e-mailed to friends and family, but is no replacement for a true camcorder.

More Features
The 945 also includes HP's new, exclusive Adaptive Lighting technology, which balances brightness relationships between bright and dark areas in a photo, preserving gentle contrasts but compressing harsh contrasts. With clear and easy to use "low", "high" and "off" settings, the camera automatically balances shots by lightening specific areas within a photograph.

HP's on-camera help allows you to access quick and clear guidance on how to take the best picture with the HP PhotoSmart 945 digital camera's wide ranging functions. In addition, its enhanced manual controls allow concurrent photos to be taken through "burst" mode without having to wait for the camera to prepare before each shot. Other available creative controls include aperture, ISO, shutter speed, exposure, white balance, color and sharpness

With HP's Instant Share feature, you can customize your camera with e-mail aliases and distribution lists of your family and friends. For each picture, you can designate up to 14 destinations, including e-mail addresses, compatible printers, and more.

Other features include:

• Large 2-inch LCD monitor
• Built-in flash with auto, on, off, night, and red-eye reduction modes
• Print photos directly to select HP PhotoSmart printers and all-in-one devices via include USB cable

Optional Camera Dock
The PhotoSmart 945 is also compatible with the HP PhotoSmart 8881digital camera dock, which enables you to easily transfer images to your PC or charge a set of included rechargeable batteries. Cutting down on desktop clutter, this convenient remote-controlled device enables you to easily transfer image files to your PC, print photos, or even view images on TV--all in one easy step

Storage and Transfer
The PhotoSmart 945 is compatible with Secure Digital (SD) MultiMedia (MMC) memory cards; a 32 MB SD card is included. When shooting in Best mode (2608 x 1952), you can store 11 images on the included memory card. Images can be downloaded to either a Mac or PC via USB 1.1, which means the camera can be connected to any USB-based Windows Me/2000/XP and Mac OS 8.6 or later computer without installing any software.

Power and Size
The camera is powered by 4 AA batteries (alkalines included, rechargeables recommended). It measures 4.84 by 3.35 by 3.35 inches and weighs 13.7 ounces excluding the batteries or 15.7 ounces when loaded with batteries.

What's In The Box
This package includes the HP PhotoSmart 945 digital camera, 32 MB SD memory card, neck strap, 4 AA alkaline batteries, USB cable for camera to PC, USB cable for camera to printer, and dock insert for use with optional HP PhotoSmart 8881 Camera Dock. It also comes with a CD-ROM featuring HP Photo & Imaging software for Microsoft Windows and Macintosh and ArcSoft Funhouse. ... Read more

Features

• 5.3 megapixel sensor captures enough image information to make photo-quality 11x17-inch prints
• 8x optical zoom and 7x digital zoom
• Large 2-inch LCD screen; Direct photo printing allows you to attach directly to an HP Photosmart printer or select HP all-in-one to print photos
• Store images on Secure Digital (SD) memory card (32 MB card included)
• Powered by 4 AA batteries (alkalines included, NiMH or photo-lithium recommended)

Reviews (24)

Great Camera, Great Features
Great camera with great features. The sepia and BW features are cool. Also, the zoom is really useful. When doing the digital zoom, make sure to use a tri-pod or put the camera on a stable device as it can be blurry. The 5.3 MP makes the images really clean and clear. I also bought the docking station and the HP photo smart printer. Great accessories. You will need much more than the 32 MB memory card. I bought a 256 MB and it gives me 90 or so photos at the top resolution. That plenty for me, but if you plan on going on a 2 week vacation, you may want the bigger one.

Overall I highly recommend this quality HP product.

Sadly, mine was defective.
I purchased the 945 as an upgrade to the 620 that I already owned. I figured it would make sense to utilize the same docking station and SD media given my limited budget. The camera arrived, included photo-lithium batteries, docking station adapter, 32MB SD card and various cables and straps. It fired right up and the first thing that struck me was the amount of time it took all the "auto" features to settle down (on the order of 2-3 seconds). I took a photo of some stuff on my desk (oddly enough, an HP printer). The picture quality looked excellent, even on the large lcd display.
That was the last picture for this camera. The "live picture" mode stopped working, and all that was visible on the lcd was slowly flashing screens of dim color. The menus and such continued to act normally. I read the manual, which called out a diagnostic mode whereby the I/O, displays, ram, SD card, etc can be tested. Sure enough, the "live display" portion of the test failed. I've lost some faith in HP.
I returned the camera to Amazon whose return system couldn't be much easier. I will invest in a brand other than HP. I'm looking at Kodak DX series....

MP and Battery Life issues
Having already purchased a HP 3.2 MP camera and being completely happy with it, the 945 looked like a perfect upgrade.
For the most part I liked the camera however when my concern for the battery life became an issue (I couldn't shoot 25 Best pictures and I did try different batteries)I began to look at other settings which would require less drain on the batteries. It was at this point that I realized there are no options. At 5MP your files are huge 2.25 to 3MB which is fine sometimes when you want large files but if you don't you then have to go down to 1MP. That's quite a drop, who shoots in 1MP if they don't have to anymore. As for other options, you can change the compression but then your picture quality suffers because the original resolution stays the same. As far as I am concerned this is too big of an issue to ignore. I returned the HP945 yesterday and am very disappointed that HP would put out a camera that would be so limiting in this respect. ... Read more

Asin: B0000C8WLU
Subjects:  1. Digital Camera (Cameras)    2. Photograph (Photography)    3. Hewlett Packard (Hewlett-Packard)    4. Hewlett-Packard    5. (HP)    6. (Hewlet Packart)