lgpOnTheMove

Accessory Corner - LG 34UM95 Monitor

In what is again another debut here at lgpOnTheMove, I am happy to present my very first monitor review. While it has become common for notebook users to attach a second screen to their machines, the LG 34UM95 is anything but your typical LCD display, much less something that can simply be labeled as an accessory.

Boasting an ultra-wide 21:9 aspect ratio and a monster resolution of 3440x1440 plastered across a 34 inch diagonal, this monitor promises a viewing experience that even desktop users will drool over, never mind that you can also enjoy it connected to your notebook. Does this display stand a chance among the slew of 4K panels being dumped onto the market in 2014? I believe it does.

Notebook audio is one of those things today that you either take for granted or hate entirely. It's a rare find to get your hands on a modern notebook with an audio experience worthy of mention - a far cry from the concerted efforts manufacturers were making just a short few years ago, my old-school 5-speaker Toshiba Qosmio X305 being the prime example.

Of course, plugging in a high-end set of cans has been the classic workaround for sub-par notebook speakers. Except that there will be instances when doing so is either not an option, or simply not suitable. The solution? Get external speakers, and the Gigaworks T40 Series II 2.0 units from Creative may just be the best piece of equipment you have yet to plug in to your notebook! Do these speakers satisfy the audiophile in me? Read on for my thoughts.

Wireless keyboards are great devices to use with desktops, but even more so with notebooks. Many users will already know what I'm talking about, especially for notebooks that have small keyboards, a cramped layout, or you simply need something for extended use.

For those of us that yearn for a backlit keyboard or a proper number pad, yet are stuck with a notebook with an inferior keyboard, this can also be a serious reason to look to an external solution. The Logitech K800 is a full-size wireless backlit keyboard that's a great accessory for notebooks, netbooks and even for certain tablets.

After close to 5 months of waiting, I've finally been able to get my hands on a Surface Pro 2 slate. Microsoft's refresh to the original Surface Pro pushes the bar to the extreme when it comes to combining performance, productivity and battery life. It's also again the most expensive slate money can buy.

Readers familiar with my review of the original Surface Pro will no-doubt remember that it left me wanting more - something understandable given the nature of a first generation device. But has Microsoft corrected the numerous flaws I observed, and does the Surface Pro 2 earn an award here at lgpOnTheMove? Should you be interested in the Surface Pro 2? Read on for the full details.

My excursion to CES 2014 last month left me feeling positive about where the notebook is heading. This despite what the big-name tech press have been blasting for years concerning the death of the PC. If anything, most indications point to a mobile bubble that is going to burst within the next 12-24 months. Bad news for tablets? You know I'm not putting my eggs in that basket. Good news for notebooks? Definitely.

With the Christmas and New Years Eve festivities all but forgotten, I am once again back in the Las Vegas limelight covering the geek mecca known as the Consumer Electronics Show. As in years past, it was an awesome opportunity to do some great networking, check out all the newest hot gadgets of 2014, and get a serious dose of fun.

I was pleased this time around to see some very impressive notebooks from more than one manufacturer, among a slew of other great products and accessories. This year definitely holds a lot of interesting stuff to hit consumers hands, some of which I know I'll be taking a closer look at.

Yep, it's Christmas, and with temps in LA at 85 degrees on December 25th, Santa Claus may be hanging out at the beach today after doing his rounds - hooray for winter!

But in the true Christmas spirit, I would like to wish all my readers here at lgpOnTheMove a very Merry Christmas and a fun-filled happy holidays. And if it's a brand-new notebook sitting under that tree running Windows 7, you may have just saved yourself too.

Stay tuned for more great notebook news and reviews for 2014!

The Best of 2013

This year has been a very different one compared to all others I've covered here on lgpOnTheMove. The notebook landscape has changed dramatically, not only due to hardware and software advances, but from the onslaught of devices from other product categories. This was to be expected given hardware first seen in 2012, and should continue into 2014 as well.

While I haven't managed to personally look at even a fraction of what manufacturers have teased consumers with this year, I can pretty much lay down my recommendations based on what I've researched and read up on over these last 12 months. Let's take a look at the changes that have taken place this year, along with some of the newest gadgets worthy of mention.