There is a lot of competition between the two devices and that is a great thing. Companies are battling over who has the fastest, the lightest and the most desirable features. It is very cool to see what comes out next. Each time a company outshines the other a better product is available to you and me.

So how do you choose between an Android device and an Apple device? It really depends on you. Lets look each of them.

iPad

An iPad runs on a very restrictive operating system. Each app must be approved. That can be a good thing because it means each app is created to be more secure, fast and compatible with your device. It can also be a bit bothersome because Apple has a lot of restrictions on what you can use and how you customize your device.

The newer iPad has some great hardware inside and out. It’s thinner and lighter than the previous design. A multi-core processor improves response and multi-tasking.

The iPad is a simple to use device with a range of features designed to be used in a controlled environment. You can browse the web, watch movies, read books, video chat and it has iTunes. You may find it too simple or you may fall in love because it is simple.

Android

The newer Android tablets are available from a variety of companies. Some of the top tablets are the Motorola Xoom and Samsung Galaxy Tab.  There are many older versions still available in stores but for the best experience go for the newer tablets.

One of the great things about Android is the freedom. You can play mp3, mov, avi, flash, and the list goes on. The app market is full of free apps for everything you want to do and you are unrestricted.  If you are used to an Apple device you may find it a bit overwhelming with all of your new choices. Some people prefer a device that makes all there decisions for them, but with Android you are in charge.

The Honeycomb OS on the newer tablets offers a greater multi-tasking environment and a user friendly interface. We were very impressed by the responsiveness of these devices. The multi-core processor and extra memory allow you do more than ever.

If you are a PC user you will find the Android easier to use. You can browse your files with ease from your device or even plug it into your PC and access your files. With no restrictions you will find a greater diversity and availability of apps. You are not forced into using anything. You can change your browser, your media player and you can take your media from most other devices to and from your Android.

So, which one is better?

If you ask me, choose the one that best fits your needs. If you like to explore, tinker, load apps like crazy, multi-task, and enjoy the freedom to do what you want with the device you paid big bucks for, choose the Android. The iPad is for everyone else.

• Remanufactured and refilled ink and toner cartridges are less expensive than a brand new one and they are 100% guaranteed to work.
• Both reusing and recycling keeps cartridges out of landfills. Each year millions of tons are dumped in US landfills. Once there they release toxins and hazardous waste materials into the environment.
• Reusing cartridges means a significant reduction in both energy and resources.

Even if you are not going to use your cartridge again please dispose of it properly. We will be happy to recycle your used and unused ink and toner cartridges. Together we can help keep our planet green.

You need to be aware of the many different types of scams and how to spot them if you want to avoid being scammed online.  There are so many ways you can be scammed.  You may be looking for a job, checking your email, searching for a date or simply just buying a toothbrush and later find out you’ve been fooled into giving out your money and/or personal information to someone with the worst intentions.

Being a victim of a scam can be one of the worst feelings of personal violation you can experience.  This is especially true if you lose a lot of money, take a major hit to your credit score, or  your very private information is publicly exposed.

Know the scam.

• Phishing -  Many phishing sites and emails will present a link to a known site along with some clever way of getting you to click on it.  When you click this link you will go somewhere other than the site you intend to and may not even know it.  A lot of scammers will use these tricks to get you to feel like you are on a site you know.  This is potentially dangerous if the site imitates a banking website.
• Auction Fraud – Sites like Ebay and Craigslist are common targets for auction scams.  The scammer will try to sell you a knock-off or just never send you the product.  Read the ads carefully and check the sellers ratings.  You can help protect yourself by using  Paypal and/or credit cards with online fraud protection.  Never use a debit card!
• Job Postings – Yes. There is no end to the creativity of a scammer.  You can’t even look for a job without running into scams.  Online job postings are filled with work-at-home scams. Most of these “jobs” require you to buy something to become part of the “secret money making club”.  The truth is, you will lose your investment and will later realize you’ve wasted your time.
• Lottery or other winning notifications – Be careful not to get too excited to learn that you’ve won something.  I have personally received many emails stating I’ve won a free iPod or the European lottery.  The email then states I have to pay shipping on the iPod or pay the taxes in advance for the lottery.  If you haven’t even entered in a contest, chances are you didn’t win in one.  If you legitimately are a winner, why would you have to pay to receive your winnings?
• Dating websites – Some scammers will pretend to be a hot sexy date.  You may spend weeks sending emails back and forth.  Eventually they want to meet but can’t afford to make the trip from Sweden or some other distant place.  You wire the money and wait for them to show.  Oops, you’ve been scammed.  Nobody ever shows.  In other cases you may be meeting a gold digger that will only show interest when you are spending lots of money on them.  Eventually you will go broke and they will disappear.

Spot the Scam

• Misspelled words – Many scammers are foreign and couldn’t spell the word fraudulent to save their life.
• Asking for money – Be wary of anyone asking you for money.
• Unexpected winning – Like I said earlier, If you didn’t enter a contest, chances are you didn’t win one.
• Banks asking for your information – Your bank will never contact you to ask you for your password, bank numbers, or personal information.  You almost always exchange any of that information in person.
• Too good to be true – We have all heard the saying.  Get rich quick offers,  $600 Electronics for $20, you get the idea. It is too good to be true.
• Re-directions to other websites or pop-ups – If you click on a link and end up going somewhere else, you may have clicked a phishing link.  If you experience pop-ups on a website that normally doesn’t have them or things look a bit different, look at the address bar to see that you are in the right place.

Stay safe online. Be careful with your sensitive information.

Links:

• RipoffReport.com – http://www.ripoffreport.com/ – Scams, Frauds, Reviews And Consumer Complaints
• The Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) – http://www.ic3.gov/default.aspx
• Federal Trade Commission Scam Watch – http://ftc.gov/multimedia/video/scam-watch.shtm
• FBI New Scams & Warnings – http://www.fbi.gov/scams-safety/e-scams

As you shop for a new computer keep in mind that a great price is not always a great deal.  A lot of stores will sell a new model with old technology inside.  What I mean by this is a store will put a $300 price tag on a really nice looking laptop, but if you look at the specs you will see things like a single core processor, DDR/DDR2 Ram instead of DDR3, or a small or slow hard drive.  Some of you know what I am talking about and for some this may seem a little foreign.  I will go into further detail throughout this article.

Lets talk a little about some of the components inside a computer and why each is important.

Memory (Ram)
There are many types of ram.  The latest is the DDR3 memory.  They are designed to be faster and more efficient.  You will see many new computers with DDR2 memory.  You might even find a few with DDR, especially in used computers.  There are limitations with the older style ram.  They are slower and can utilize less data.  As technology and software evolves the need for faster and larger memory modules increases.  You will do just fine with DDR2, but honestly, if you’re buying new you are going to want to invest in the best that you can find. Get the DDR3′s

Video Card
Your video card or video adapter renders the display on your computer.  Some are more advanced than others.  A gamer, graphics designer, or video producer will need the high-end video card.  Most new desktop computers will have the video integrated into the motherboard and have an expansion slot to upgrade later.  With a laptop you get what you get.  A lot of new laptops come with a decent video processor.  If you need the higher end graphics, look for computers that emphasize great graphics and video performance or purchase a desktop with an expansion slot and put in a high-end card.

Hard Drive (HDD)
Hard drive speed is important.  Most new computers offer a 5400 RPM hard drive.  Look for the 7200 RPM.  You will notice the difference in performance.  In some laptops you find hard drives with free fall sensors.  A free fall sensor is a must have for a laptop user.  Eventually you will drop your laptop.  The sensor will do a lot to protect your hard drive from damage in a fall.  As for size, most new computers come with large hard drives.  I think most people will do fine with 320 GB or larger.  If you need the extra space go with a Terabyte hard drive.  You can also buy an external hard drive for more space or you can add one internally in most desktops and some laptops.

Processor (CPU)
It really frustrates me to see a person buy a new computer with a single core processor.  Better processors have been out long enough.  I wish they would stop making/selling single core processors.  They can barely keep up with the newer operating systems and software.  Too often I see someone so excited to buy that new computer and after they load all of their software it is as slow as their old computer.  Stay away from single core!  Dual core processors and higher are faster,  smarter and more efficient.  You will have less lag and a very noticeable performance advantage.  Some new computers have triple, quad and even eight core processors.

Most netbooks and other lightweight computing devices will have a single core processor.  They also will have a limited operating system that is designed for the lack of hardware performance.  These devices are not intended for power users.

Price
I know price is not a component but it is just as important.  There are many different ways to get a great deal.  If you look around enough you will find the same computer for different prices.  I have seen hundreds of dollars of a difference in price on the same computers.  Always compare prices.

Refurbished, returned, and scratch and dent computers can be found very cheap and usually with the same warranties as the shelf computers.  You can find these online at places like Dell.com or throughout the listings on Best Buy or other websites.  There is nothing wrong with these computers but most people tend to stay away from them because they are think that a shelf computer is better.  They are the same.  All of them are inspected and any hardware faults are corrected before they are sold.  I have recommended a lot refurbished computers to a lot of customers and they work just fine.  Some people used the money they saved to add more ram or upgrade to a better video card.

Seasonal sales are a great time to find a good computer.  Again, always look past the price tag and into the specs.  Seasonal sales are a great time for manufacturers to clean house and make room for the next product.  They will try anything to sell the old to make room for the new.

Brands
You should not base your choice on any specific brand.  Instead look at what you are getting on the inside.  Yes, some brands look cooler, but what isn’t cool is spending a lot of money unnecessarily.

Picking out a computer can be a little intimidating at first, but if you take your time and look around you will find a good one.  If you need help, take the time to stop by your local computer tech shop and ask for help.  I know a lot of techs who will sit down with you and go through the sales ads and listings to help you find the right PC.

How do you know when you should choose to repair your old computer?
If your old computer is less than 2 years old, the hardware is in decent condition and your costs are below $100, it may be worth it.  You may want to even upgrade your ram and/or replace that CD burner with a DVD burner, bringing your total to around $150 to $200.  I see a lot of laptops that are in great condition other than a failed hard drive or cracked screen.  You can have the hard drive or the screen replaced usually for around $150 at a shop.  It’s even cheaper if you find the right deal online for parts and fix it yourself.  Some people buy the parts online and bring them to a shop for a small labor charge.

How do you know when it’s time to buy a new PC?
If your computer is older than three years, the operating system is older than the two latest editions and you’ve been thinking about upgrading, a new PC may be right for you.  If your repair bill is going to be more than half the cost of a new computer and your computer is a few years old, you may want to go with the new PC.  Nobody wants to spend the extra cash, but if you pay $300 now and another $200 in six months you will be kicking yourself for spending the cash.

Whether you buy a new PC or get your current PC repaired, make sure you get a great deal.  I always say, “Support your local small business.” You will spend less money and you will have more personalized service.  Call around and talk to your local computer shops.  If they treat you right by answering your questions and make you feel comfortable, give them your business.  It is also a good idea to ask your friends and family who they recommend.

If you are unsure about your computer, or you have anything to add please feel free to comment below.