Toyota Prius: Simply the Best Car?

(Credit: Toyota)

I just finished reading the test drive report of the 2008 Toyota Prius at Edmunds.com. After living with a 2008 Prius for half a year now, I can say that this report is spot on. Here's part of what Edmunds.com editor James Riswick has to say:

"Well, the simple answer is that the Prius is actually quite good. Given its superb interior packaging, ample features list and unbeatable fuel economy, the Prius was designed to be the epitome of practical, head-over-heart automotive choices. Its driving experience will never excite and its styling is hardly what most folks would deem attractive, yet for those who view cars as simple transportation devices, it's easy to recommend the Prius."

Most people who ask about my Prius seem surprised when I tell them that it's a car that really doesn't make any compromises. Some folks actually have a hard time believing that a car with a combined EPA rating of 46 mpg (my average for the first six months has been just over 52 mpg) is roomy enough inside to be classified as a midsize sedan and rides smoothly enough to be called "almost Lincoln-like." When people hear the name Prius, they typically lump it into the same category as infamous fuel sippers like the Geo Metro or smart fortwo, which they don't realize are considerably smaller and have lower EPA ratings than the Prius (the smart car even requires premium gasoline). The Prius is also a really fun car to drive (albeit not in a top-down, hair-on-fire, Corvette sort of way), as it becomes almost an obsession to try to squeeze just a few more miles per gallon out of its Hybrid Synergy Drive.

So is the Prius simply the best car available? That's an impossible question to answer, as it depends upon your transportation requirements, driving habits, and personal preference. I would venture to say, however, that the combination of utility, comfort, and economy available in the Prius really is tough to beat.

Review: Canon PIXMA MX850 All-in-One

Simply the Best... Home Office All-in-One
Canon PIXMA MX850


(Credit: Canon USA)

Strengths: Outstanding text quality, built-in duplexing and automatic document feeder, two paper trays, Mac (Leopard) compatibility

Weaknesses: Big and heavy, networking/sharing support could be improved, photo quality not fantastic

I purchased the MX850 as a replacement for a similar HP Photosmart 3310 that I had been using for several years with my Mac and Windows PCs. I was generally satisfied with the HP; it included built-in wireless networking and had outstanding photo quality. After upgrading to OS X 10.5 Leopard, however, the HP model was rendered useless for anything other than basic printing on my iMac, even with drivers updated for Leopard. I was very happy, therefore, to find that Canon's MX850 works flawlessly with my iMac running Leopard.

The first thing you notice about the MX850 is its size; it's considerably larger and heavier than my HP multifunction printer. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, but you'll want to take note of the dimensions and make sure you have room for this device before purchasing. This is likely due to the added functionality Canon has squeezed into the device. It includes an auto duplexer, automatic document feeder, and two paper trays (one at bottom front and one on the back). If you frequently scan multi-page documents, print double-sided materials, or switch between two types/sources of paper, then this machine will undoubtedly prove very convenient.

Printer output is very good, with a few caveats. Everyday printing is very speedy, and the text output of the MX850 is fantastic, giving some laser printers a run for their money. There is one caveat pertaining to duplex printing which causes duplex-printed text documents to appear dark gray instead of black. In order to reduce bleeding through on double-sided documents, the printer uses only colored inks (no black) for double-sided printing. If you prefer to print most of your documents using black ink only (which I would recommend in order to conserve the expensive colored inks), know that you won't be able to do so when printing in duplex mode. Unfortunately, the photo quality of the MX850 is not as outstanding as the text quality. It produces nice-looking (even frame-worthy) prints on photo paper, but you won't mistake them for professional prints. This is the one area where the Photosmart beats the MX850 hands-down.

The other features of this device also work very well. Scan quality is very good, and the automatic document feeder makes it very easy to scan multiple-page documents. Fax capabilities are built in as well, and I was pleased to note the inclusion of speed dial and a standard telephone-style number pad for inputting numbers.

The MX850 also includes network connectivity in the form of an ethernet port, but it would have been nice to see built-in WiFi networking included as well. Even though Canon includes fully-featured drivers for both Windows and Mac OS X, it's not possible to attach the device to a Mac and share it with Windows PCs (I was able to use Bonjour printer sharing and a generic driver to allow my Windows PCs to print to the device, but you don't have the ability to scan or to set or use any advanced device functions such as the duplexer or print quality settings).

The MX850 is clearly designed with a home office environment in mind, as its advanced document-handling abilities and unexceptional photo quality suggest. If you're looking for a full-time photo printer, then you should look elsewhere; but if your scanning and printing needs routinely call for excellent text quality, convenient duplexing, scanning multipage documents, and the flexibility offered by two paper trays, then the MX850 will fit the bill perfectly.

Tip: Finding the Best Deals Online

Simply the Best... Prices!
Where to find great deals on the Web

Another question that I get frequently is a variation of "Where can I find the best price on product X?" The Internet is a fantastic tool for bargain shopping in two respects. First, online retailers almost always offer prices that are significantly lower than brick-and-mortar retail stores such as Wal-Mart or Best Buy (even more so because most online retailers offer free shipping and don't assess sales taxes). Second, the vast amount of information available online makes researching products (which is why you're here, right?) and comparison shopping far easier than it's ever been before. Let's look at comparison shopping first.

When it comes to comparison shopping on the web, there are two web addresses you should remember: Pricegrabber.com (the destination of the "Find the best deal on.." links at the end of each of my reviews) and Shopping.com. A search for product name or model number on either site will return a list of online vendors offering the product and the prices, shipping fees, and taxes (if applicable) that each assesses. Most of the time, you'll find that it's the same selection of retailers that offer the best value (personally, I'm a frequent satisfied customer of Buy.com, Newegg.com, and Amazon.com). When comparison shopping, don't forget to consider the cost of shipping. Free shipping offers can considerably reduce the total amount of a purchase, and it usually doesn't result in a longer wait for your order. Case in point: Buy.com's free shipping saved me almost $50 on the Canon printer we recently purchased, and the printer arrived the next day (ordered at 7:30 a.m. Tuesday and delivered at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday). You can't beat that!

As far as research is concerned, I find that Cnet and PC Magazine provide consistently thorough and accurate expert reviews, but it's always a good idea to check user reviews (found on any of the retail sites mentioned above) before purchasing. Sometimes, a product tests well in a lab, but quality and useage issues creep up over the months (and sometimes years) that consumers use it on a daily basis.

To sum up, if you research expert and consumer reviews of a product and use a shopping tool like Pricegrabber to find the best price, you really can't go wrong.

Updates!

I've finally gotten around to updating the blog! Okay, so starting is probably a better verb than updating, since today's reviews of the Logitech Harmony Remote and diNovo Mini home theater keyboard are my first ones ever. I'm constantly fielding questions from family and friends about my recommendations for the latest and greatest tech gadgets, so my plan is for this blog to be an easy way to pass on these recommendations to them and to anyone else out there in the "series of tubes" who may be interested.

I have several other reviews and topics in the queue, including the new Canon MX850 multifunction printer and a great new vehicle solution for the iPhone and iPod. Please, if you have a question, comment, or a product that you would like to see addressed or reviewed next, click below to leave a comment and let me know!

Review: Logitech diNovo Mini

Simply the Best... Home Theater Keyboard
Logitech diNovo Mini


(Credit: Logitech)

Strengths: integrated cursor, keyboard, and media center controls; living room-friendly clamshell design; excellent battery life; PS3 compatibility

Weaknesses: frustrating touchpad control; dirt and fingerprint magnet; no Xbox 360 or Wii compatibility

The idea of a personal computer as the center of a home theater system has been around for quite some time (anyone remember Gateway 2000's gargantuan Destination line of PCs from 1996?). Although systems with Windows' built-in Media Center software have been around for several years now, it's only recently that the home theater PC (HTPC) has begun to increase in popularity with the advent sleek and slim hardware that is designed to comfortably fit into the A/V rack under your HDTV.

When we recently purchased our family's first HTPC, an HP Slimline model with a built-in ATSC tuner and Blu-Ray/HD-DVD combo drive, my first order of business was to locate a keyboard & mouse that would be comfortable to use in my living room on a regular basis. I was frustrated to find only a few devices designed specifically to be used with HTPC systems, and none of those seemed adequate for the task. Keyboard & mouse combo sets didn't make a great deal of sense, as the arm of a chair or sofa isn't the ideal location for a mouse pad. Of course, there was the option of a gyroscopic mouse, but those devices tend to be notoriously expensive and tiring to use for extended periods of time. I was able to find one or two devices that integrated keyboards and a touchpad or trackball, but the sheer size of these units made their use in the living room less than ideal. Just when it seemed as if I'd have to settle for one of these options, Logitech released the diNovo Mini Keyboard.

The diNovo Mini integrates keyboard and mouse functionality into a compact package; it features a palm-sized keyboard and a built-in touchpad that serves double duty as a directional pad. The fist thing one notices about the Mini is its size: measuring 6 inches long, 3.5 inches wide, and 1 inch thick, the device is roughly the size of a really thin video game controller. Indeed, an Xbox 360 controller is both wider and considerably thicker than the Mini. The Mini includes a translucent black clamshell cover that closes when the device is not in use, which allows the unit to stylishly sit on a coffee table without taking up a lot of real estate or drawing much attention to itself--one thing that no other HTPC keyboard combo has yet managed to accomplish.

The Mini includes a full QWERTY keyboard and is designed to be used for two-thumb typing, much like a BlackBerry. The device is comfortably held in both hands, and typing isn't too slow after spending some time getting used to it. The Mini's keyboard is effective for quick tasks such as typing an email, web address, instant message, or username and password, but you wouldn't want to use it for any serious text input or document editing. Logitech has managed to squeeze almost complete keyboard functionality into the Mini; the only thing missing are the function keys, which are replaced by dedicated media playback and volume controls. Of course, there isn't a number pad on the Mini either, but how many people are going to be editing Excel spreadsheets on an HTPC?

For cursor control, the Mini includes a touchpad that is designed to be operated with the thumb of your right hand, which Logitech terms the ClickPad. It also includes a mode switch which enables the touchpad to function as a directional pad, allowing easy navigation when browsing Windows' Media Center software. The touchpad works, but it takes some patience to use and to master. Moving the cursor across the desktop is fairly easy, but precise control is difficult. Clicking on an icon in Windows' quick launch bar can be a frustrating experience, not to mention attempting to use the cursor to select a line of text. Likewise, the ClickPad can also behave erratically when operating in its directional pad mode. During testing, I found that the it would sometimes fail to respond to repeated downward presses. Granted, the diNovo Mini and its ClickPad are incredibly small, but I would expect that a more responsive touchpad could have been used.

The Mini is a Bluetooth device, and the package includes a Bluetooth transmitter that can be plugged into any free USB port on your PC (the Mini can also be used with other Bluetooth hubs or PCs with built-in Bluetooth radios, but I did not test this feature). Installation is simple and straightforward: insert and charge the battery, plug the USB dongle into your PC, and install the included software. After installation, I did encounter a problem with my PC not recognizing the Mini after I rebooted, but after following the troubleshooting suggestions in the manual and resetting the Mini (by removing and reinserting the battery) it has provided weeks of trouble-free operation.

The Mini includes a rechargeable battery and an AC adapter, which plugs directly into the back of the unit. The Logitech software included with the device monitors the battery status and also allows users to fine-tune the sensitivity of the touchpad and the behavior of the cursor. Battery life is outstanding; I use the Mini on a daily basis, and it operates for up to six weeks before requiring a recharge.

As an added feature, the diNovo Mini is compatible with Sony's PlayStation 3 console, which makes the device all the more versatile. To enable PS3 functionality, however, you are required to remove the battery cover and switch the Mini from PC to PS3 mode, which could grow tiresome if you would like to frequently use it to control both devices. It would have been nice if Logitech placed this switch in a more accessible location. Unfortunately, the Mini is not compatible with Microsoft's Xbox 360 console or Nintendo's Wii (which isn't surprising, as the these consoles don't include Bluetooth), but the cross-platform compatibility would have been a nice feature to have.

Aside from sometimes frustrating touchpad control and the lack of console support outside of the PS3, my only other complaint with the Mini is how quickly and visibly its smooth surface collects dirt and fingerprints. Thankfully, Logitech includes a cleaning cloth in the box, but you'll want to make sure that you wash your hands before using this keyboard.

Overall, I am very satisfied with my purchase of the Logitech diNovo Mini. It allows me to effectively control my HTPC from the comfort of my sofa without having to struggle with a separate, full-size keyboard and mouse. Is this the perfect input device? No, but it is currently the best HTPC input device on the market. Period. If you have an HTPC in your living room and you're looking for a good keyboard, look no further than the Logitech diNovo Mini.

Find the best deal on a Logitech diNovo Mini for your HTPC.

Review: Logitech Harmony Remote

Simply the Best... Universal Remote Control
Logitech Harmony Advanced Universal Remote for Xbox 360


(Credit: Casey Henry)

NOTE: Although this is a review of the Harmony Remote for Xbox 360, my assessment of it as Simply the Best applies to Logitech's line of Harmony remotes in general. Other Harmony models may be better suited to your individual home theater setup.

Pros: Easy to use, easy to program, supports Xbox 360 out-of-the-box

Cons: Some of the usual Harmony buttons are missing, small number pad takes some getting used to, expensive

As soon as I heard about this remote, I knew I had to have one. As someone who is excited about the Media Center Extender abilities of the Xbox 360 (because I've been looking for a way to enjoy my multiple gigabytes of digital music, movies, and photos via my home theater system), I was thrilled to find out that I'd be able to use a Harmony remote to control the 360.

I really need say only one thing about this remote (or any other Harmony remote, for that matter): once you've used this device for a week or two, you'll wonder how you ever got along without one. Sure, I've got small gripes about the Harmony 360. Because of the added Xbox 360 compatibility, some of the buttons usually present on other Harmony remotes (such as Sound, Picture, Page Up/Down, and dedicated Activity buttons) have been replaced by the YXAB buttons necessary to emulate the Xbox 360 controller's inputs. Additionally, the number pad feels as if it's been squished into the bottom of the remote; the number buttons are extremely small and very tightly packed together, and I've already inadvertently switched to the wrong channel several times. And then there's the price: an MSRP of $130 initially seems a bit high for a remote. However, I firmly believe--and I don't say this lightly--that this remote is worth every penny of its price tag. Ultimately, these gripes are very minor drawbacks to one of the best universal remote controllers ever.

The biggest draw of the Harmony remote--and what sets it apart from most of the other universal remotes available today--is its simplicity. Whereas other universal remotes have a dizzying array of buttons and modes for individually controlling every component of a home theater system, the Harmony keeps things simple by operating a home theater the way it should be operated: by understanding and executing the activities that the user wishes to experience. When I want to use my DVD player, for example, I simply press the large Activities button at the top of the Harmony remote, which then displays all of the available activities on the backlit, easy-to-read screen. I then press the button next to "Watch DVD," at which time the remote turns on my television, A/V receiver, and DVD player and sets each to the appropriate input.

What's even better is that the remote's "Smart State Technology" is cognizant of the power status (on/off) and current input setting (video 1/2/3/etc) of all of my devices, so that I always get to do what I want when I press that Activity button. And even when something isn't quite right (perhaps an input is incorrectly set and I see a picture but hear no sound--which occasionally happens), the remote's Help button guides the user through a step-by-step troubleshooting procedure that even the most technologically impaired can use, by asking questions such as "Is the stereo receiver on?" or "Is the stereo receiver set to the Video 1 input?" As soon as you press the "no" button, the remote then changes the input of the stereo receiver and asks, "Did that fix the problem?" Because of this activity-based functionality and intuitive help system, my wife can operate our fairly complex home theater system like a pro, even though she doesn't have the first clue as to how each component is connected to all of the others. For those of you who have friends and family who are "technologically challenged" (and you know that we all do), this is the perfect gift.

The remote's setup couldn't be any easier, either. Programming the remote is accomplished using Logitech's web-based software and a mini-USB cable (included in the box). You simply input the brand and model number of each of the components you desire to control with the Harmony, and the software automatically configures all of the buttons and settings, in addition to suggesting which "Activities" (such as Watch TV, Play Xbox, Watch a DVD, Listen to CDs, Play Radio, etc) it can setup for you on the remote. After initial setup, the software allows you to add and remove devices, activities, and even individual button functions, so if one feature is working exactly as you'd planned you can manually "teach" the Harmony a specific command from that device's own remote and program it to a specific button. I, for instance, wanted my Harmony's "back" button to jump to the previous channel on my DirecTV receiver, so adding the new command was as simple as pointing my DirecTV remote at my Harmony, telling the web-based software to learn a new command, and then pressing the "back" button on my original DirecTV remote. Voila!

The design, styling, and fit-and-finish of the Harmony 360 remote are top-notch. Even though I prefer the TiVo-esque design and button layout of my old Harmony 688, the 360 remote is nice; and it's definitely sleeker and sexier-looking than the 688 (or just about any other Harmony remote, for that matter). It also has a nice, solid, and substantial feel to it; it doesn't feel as if it's simply made of flimsy, brittle plastics. Bottom line: if you're home theater control scheme includes three or more remotes scattered around your living room, then go buy a Harmony Remote now--you'll thank me later. Truly, the greatest products and technologies are those that are so successful that we can't imagine how we ever got along without them (the Web, anyone?), and this remote definitely falls into this category.

Find the best deal on a Harmony Remote for Xbox 360.