Portfolio

These articles are unfortunately off-line at the moment following the acquisition of ComputerShopper.com by PCMag.com, but I hope my blurbs give you an idea of what was involved. It’s an honor to be associated with these publications.

January 25, 2016 – Barnes & Noble GlowLight Nook Plus – ComputerShopper.com – After a two-year hiatus, B&N launches a worthy e-reader competitor—light, waterproof, and sturdy—that’s a boon to B&N’s faithful, if not a Kindle killer.

December 18, 2015 – Amazon Fire HD 10 – ComputerShopper.com – With the Fire HD 10, Amazon breaks out its biggest tablet, aiming for the heart of the mainstream and—mostly—hitting it. It’s a decent media-consumption choice for Amazon’s faithful.

December 7, 2015 – Apple iPad Pro – ComputerShopper.com – Apple may be playing catch-up, issuing its first oversize tablet, but the iPad Pro cuts no corners: It’s a fittingly luxurious take on the form.

November 30, 2015 – Amazon Fire HD 8 – ComputerShopper.com – Though far from the most powerful, highest-resolution slate on the market, the HD 8 is a serviceable, fairly priced tablet for Amazon fans and Prime subscribers.

November 13, 2015 – Amazon Fire – ComputerShopper.com – Though far from top-notch hardware, Amazon’s $49.99 Fire 2015 tablet is a stunning value for first-time tableteers, kids, and Amazon Prime members. It’s a slam-dunk for the holidays or gifting.

October 21, 2015 – Lenovo Yoga Tab 3 8 – ComputerShopper.com – Lenovo’s 8-inch “Lollipop”-Android version of the Yoga Tab 3 scales back on its predecessor’s specs and achieves a lower price, longer battery life, and some surprises.

July 27, 2015 – Kobo Glo HD – ComputerShopper.com – The Glo HD competes well with Amazon’s latest Kindle Paperwhite and the top-of-the-line Voyage, in terms of price and specs. It’s your best alterna-reader if you’re not committed to the Amazon ecosystem.

May 28, 2015 – Amazon Kindle Voyage – ComputerShopper.com – Amazon’s top-of-the-line e-reader, the Kindle Voyage, is gorgeous. With an auto-adjusting light, page-turn controls, and a flat, tablet-like surface, it’s hindered only by its price.

May 7, 2015 – Lenovo Yoga Tablet 2 (10-Inch, Windows) – ComputerShopper.com – This Yoga tablet is a compelling alternative to iPads for those wedded to Windows for light productivity use. The built-in kickstand, lean design, and included keyboard make it aesthetically tops.

March 31, 2015 – Lenovo Yoga Tablet 2 (8-Inch Windows) – ComputerShopper.com – The 8-inch, Windows-based Yoga Tablet 2 not only has a sharper screen and faster processor, it has an AnyPen display that lets you use a pencil or metal object as a stylus. Add the Yoga’s innovative kickstand spine, and you’ve got a winner.

March 3, 2015 – Lenovo Yoga Tablet 2 (13-inch Windows) – ComputerShopper.com – The Lenovo Yoga Tablet 2 (13-inch Windows) pairs a roomy, high-res Windows tablet with a detachable keyboard at a nice price. But we had trouble getting the two pieces to sustain a connection, and at this display size, the “laplet” form factor flops.

February 2, 2015 – Lenovo Yoga Tablet 2 (10-Inch, Android) – ComputerShopper.com – The Yoga Tablet 2 makes incremental improvements on the original, not revolutionary ones. But with a sharper screen, a faster processor, and an innovative kickstand—not to mention one of the swankiest bodies in the business—the sequel succeeds.

January 13, 2015 – Amazon Fire HD 6 – ComputerShopper.com – If you’re comfortable with a 6-inch display, the Fire HD 6 delivers a high-quality tablet at a sweet price, especially for Amazon Prime members. But at a size closer to phablet than tablet, the screen’s small for a non-smartphone.

December 10, 2014 – Amazon Fire HD 6 Kids Edition – ComputerShopper.com – This mini-tablet packs kid-friendly add-ons: a chunky bumper, no-questions-asked replacement, and access to lots of child-ready content. It’s a decent deal for families, provided the display is big enough and you’re an Amazon regular.

November 12, 2014 – Amazon Fire HD 7 – ComputerShopper.com – The Fire HD 7 is a handy mobile window into the Amazon content you own, with a good display, fine audio, and a peppy feel for the money. It’s built for Prime-loving Amazonians who put movies, music, and reading above gaming, video-shooting, and selfies.

October 8, 2014 – Kobo Aura H2O – ComputerShopper.com – Pricier than Amazon’s Kindle Paperwhite, the H2O packs a larger, sharper display—and it’s waterproof. Serious e-readers will like it for reading in the bath or at the beach, but know that it’s a premium-price device, with full-color Android tablets right on its heels.

July 18, 2014 – 2014 Guide: The Best E-Readers for School – ComputerShopper.com – Should you get an e-reader—or a tablet—for school? E-readers are cheap (and distraction-free). Here’s how to see if a Kindle or a Nook is right for you.

November 26, 2013 – Amazon Kindle Fire HDX (7-Inch) – ComputerShopper.com – The 7-inch Kindle Fire HDX is a family-friendly, entry-level tablet with a nice, high-def screen and plenty of speed for the price. The hardware’s great, but how well it will fit you (or your family) depends on how big an Amazon devotee you are.

October 15, 2013 – Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (2013, Wi-Fi) – ComputerShopper.com – Today’s top-choice e-reader, the 2013 Paperwhite refines last year’s winning hardware, backed by the strongest and most perk-packed e-book ecosystem out there.

September 24, 2013 – Kobo Aura – ComputerShopper.com – The Aura costs $30 to $50 more than its main competitors. In terms of design, software, and build, it justifies the pricing, but it’s squeezed by cheaper E Ink readers on one side and color tablets on the other.

September 16, 2013 – Toshiba Satellite P55-A5200 – ComputerShopper.com – With a vibrant 15.6-inch 1080p display and a DVD drive, the Toshiba Satellite P55-A5200 would have been a slam dunk in the days before touch-enabled displays. But lacking touch and weighing almost twice as much as ultrabooks, the P55 may be overpriced at $649.

July 29, 2013 – 2013 Guide: The Best E-Readers for School – ComputerShopper.com – E-readers and students make an affordable match, but which model to pick for class? We’ve tested ’em all.

February 26, 2013 – Kobo Mini – ComputerShopper.com – Enchantingly petite at first glance and grip, the Kobo Mini is the cheapest ticket to Kobo’s content ecosystem. But its main selling point—its small display—may be its biggest hur1dle.

February 6, 2013 – HP EliteBook Folio 9470m – ComputerShopper.com – HP extends its EliteBook line with a solid ultrabook. The 9470m is sleek and light, with a removable battery and plenty of ports. Windows 8 is an option, but without a touch screen, execs may prefer to stick with Win 7.

December 19, 2012 – Kobo Glo – ComputerShopper.com – The Kobo Glo is smaller, lighter, and brighter than the Kindle Paperwhite and its competitors. It’s a compelling e-reader for those seeking ePub support and an alternative to Amazon’s walled garden of content.

December 4, 2012 – Apple iPad Mini (16GB, Wi-Fi) – ComputerShopper.com – Apple’s baby iPad rivals the best 7-inch tablets with its slightly larger-than-the-pack screen and barely-there profile, but it’s a good value only for those already invested in Apple’s ecosystem.

November 27, 2012 – Dell XPS 14 (2012 Ultrabook Version) – ComputerShopper.com – At 4.6 pounds, it’s heavy for an ultrabook, but the XPS 14 packs top-notch processing and all-day battery life in a case that’s as strong as it is good-looking.

November 20, 2012 – Amazon Kindle (With Special Offers, 2012 Version) – ComputerShopper.com – The cheapest major-bookstore e-reader, the 2012 basic Kindle is a serviceable model for the budget-strapped, but it lacks a physical keyboard or touch-sensitive display, so typing and searching on it is awkward.

October 29, 2012 – Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (Wi-Fi) – ComputerShopper.com – The Kindle Paperwhite, with its built-in lighting, near-white background, and high resolution, is today’s best Kindle—and the best monochrome e-reader, period. At $119 and $139, the Wi-Fi models justify stopping short of buying a $199 tablet.

October 22, 2012 – Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (3G) – ComputerShopper.com – The Kindle Paperwhite, with its built-in lighting, near-white background, and high resolution, is today’s best Kindle—and perhaps the best monochrome e-reader, period. But we’re not convinced the extra $60 to $80 for the 3G version (versus the Wi-Fi only) is worth it for those who have Wi-Fi access.

October 2, 2012 – Acer Aspire V5 171-6867 – ComputerShopper.com – As light as an ultrabook and as powerful as a notebook, this 11.6-inch Aspire gives students and professionals a solid, general-purpose mobile solution at $550. Its battery life and plain appearance won’t wow you, though.

September 6, 2012 – Lenovo IdeaPad Y580 – ComputerShopper.com – The IdeaPad Y580 is an admirably fast 15-inch laptop built for entertainment as well as work or school. It’s a bit bulky for commutes, but a good deal at around $1,200.

July 31, 2012 – Barnes & Noble Nook Simple Touch With GlowLight – ComputerShopper.com – This e-reader makes E Ink readable in the dark. It’s our pick for those not wedded to Amazon or who want access to ePub content from libraries and e-book sellers. (Note, though, that good 7-inch color tablets are getting close in price.)

July 17, 2012 – Idolian IdolPad Plus – ComputerShopper.com – If money’s tight, the under-$100 IdolPad Plus is a serviceable 7-inch Android tablet. It’s adequate for e-reading, music, and light Web browsing, but curb your expectations–performance gets sacrificed on the altar of price.

December 23, 2011 – Amazon Kindle Touch (Wi-Fi, With Special Offers) – ComputerShopper.com – Though last to the touch-input e-reader party, Amazon delivered a winner with the Kindle Touch. It gets our nod for sleek design, as well as its MP3-playback, text-to-speech, and Web-browsing functions. (Not to mention Amazon’s awesome content ecosystem.)

November 23, 2011 – Amazon Kindle 2011 (With Special Offers) – ComputerShopper.com – The cheapest on-ramp to Amazon’s vast pool of content, this $79 Kindle is a light, well-made device for the money. To save a few bucks versus the competition, though, you’ll have to tolerate this e-reader’s awkward onscreen keyboard, lack of touch input, and ads.

November 21, 2011 – Sony Reader Wi-Fi PRS-T1 – ComputerShopper.com – The PRS-T1, priced more competitively than previous Sony e-readers, is a genuine alternative to the Kindle and Nook families, given its light-but-sturdy build, extensive reading controls, and audio/Web functions.

November 18, 2011 – Barnes & Noble Nook Simple Touch (Late 2011) – ComputerShopper.com – The Nook Simple Touch is a more-than-worthy competitor to Amazon’s 2011 Kindle Touch. It’s a good e-reader for those not wedded to Amazon or who want access to the wide ePub content available from public libraries and e-book sellers.

February 10, 2011 – WikiReader – ComputerShopper.com – The WikiReader might appeal to a limited demographic—such as users in developing areas without consistent Net access—but it’s too pricey for what it is, and marred by readability and usability issues.

December 23, 2010 – Barnes & Noble NOOKcolor – ComputerShopper.com – Although it’s Wi-Fi only and lacks an Apple-style app market, the NOOKcolor is a solid choice for readers who want to go a bit beyond the Kindle and into iPad territory for a lot less money.

December 1, 2010 – Sony Reader Touch Edition PRS-650 – ComputerShopper.com – A full-screen touch display makes navigating this e-reader easy. It’s a good fit for shoppers who appreciate its build quality and don’t mind its lack of wireless, but let’s be clear: You’re paying more for a slimmer feature set.

December 2, 2010 – Sony Reader Pocket Edition PRS-350 – ComputerShopper.com – Those who value a rugged, small-as-possible e-reader with a lean feature set (and won’t miss wireless connectivity) might consider this pricey model a viable alternative to a Kindle or Nook.