iMac 27" with my wireless keyboard, magic mouse and magic Trackpad

Finally got myself a decent computer from the recent PC Show 2011 (9 June to 12 June 2011). In fact, I got myself the ultimate all-in-one desktop computer and I am using it to compose this entry you are seeing now.

This Apple iMac 27-Inch is the mid 2011 model that comes with the following configuration:

• 27-inch LED-backlit glossy widescreen TFT display (resolution: 2560 by 1440 pixels)
• 2.7GHz quad-core Intel Core i5 with 6MB on-chip shared L3 cache
• 8GB (two 4GB) of 1333MHz DDR3 memory (upgradable to 16GB although some have pushed it successfully to 32GB)
• 1TB (7200 rpm) harddrive  (upgradable to 2TB or 256GB SSD)
• AMD Radeon HD 6770M graphics processor with 512MB DDR5 memory
• Two Thunderbolt ports
• One FireWire 800 port
• Four USB 2.0 ports
• SDXC card slot

Check out the Apple iMac page.

Interested to get a iMac 27-inch? Check out the Apple iMac 27-Inch Desktop deals on Amazon.

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If you work in an organization with no image capturing equipment policy, look here! The HTC Touch2 non-camera phone was released recently, adding itself to the list of non-camera smart phones (Nokia E51, Sony Ericsson G700, HTC Snap, Gigabyte Gsmart S1200, etc).

But is the HTC Touch2 non-camera the phone you are waiting for? Or you are hoping that Apple releases iPhone non-camera? Well, while you are waiting for Steve Job to announce it (if iPhone non-camera even exists) and you don’t mind a WinMo (Windows Mobile) phone, probably you can give the HTC Touch2 a try.

Bought the HTC Touch2 non-camera just a while back and been using it for perhaps 2 weeks or so. Let me jot down my review of this phone.

Key Features

• 2.8″ 65K-color QVGA display
• Windows Mobile 6.5 Professional OS with TouchFLO
• Qualcomm MSM7225 528MHz CPU and 256MB RAM
• Quad-band GSM support
• 3G with HSDPA 7.2Mbps
• Wi-Fi connectivity
• Built-in GPS receiver with A-GPS support
• Stereo FM radio with RDS
• microSD card slot
• Touch-sensitive zoom bar
• Standard miniUSB port and Bluetooth v2.1 with A2DP
• Standard 3.5mm audio jack
• Opera 9.5 web browser
• YouTube client, Facebook integration

Some not so good points

• Low-end display resolution
• No accelerometer sensor
• Poor screen sunlight legibility
• No handwriting recognition

With the Apple iPad releasing in a couple of hours in Singapore. Telcos are dishing out iPad data plans to complement the iPad WiFi + 3G model. Users save the hassle of cutting their regular SIM card into microSIM.

M1 is offering iPad data plans with speed up to 7.2Mbps. A speed I have never obtained during my 2 years of M1 7.2Mbps data plan subscription. Even with 7.2Mbps capable devices, the speed pales in comparison with my old Singtel 2Mbps Mobile on Broadband service! For my case, it seems like M1 is tagging a speed which it is not obtainable, be it in the day or at night, in the west or in the east, in the north or in the south of Singapore. Must as well M1 say Mobile Broadband speed up to 1000Mbps right?

So M1 iPad data plan? Think again. Think carefully before signing on the dotted line.

The volume buttons on the ipod touch got a little bit cranky after 9 months of usage. The volume simply refuses to go down despite me pressing very hard on it.Being a diligent customer, I checked my warranty status – valid. Next, I surfed around Apple’s website, hoping to find the contact numbers / addresses of service centers in Singapore – none.I was like stunned for a moment, how come there aren’t Apple Service Centers listed on its website?

Decided to check on Google. It appears that there aren’t Apple Service Centers in Singapore. There are only Apple Authorized Service Centers in Singapore. Apparently Apple outsourced  the servicing.

There are several Apple Authorized Service Centers but I decided to go to eServ @ Wheelock Place after reading several rave reviews and strong recommendations of eServ. Dropped my ipod touch on the 15th and got it back on 19th. Not exactly fast as they got to request for the replacement from Apple.

The service personnel are very friendly. At least they smile. Not like other service centers personnel who shows you a grumpy face (e.g. N*k*a). In fact I was surprised when the staff automatically approached me and ask if I was there for collection! He took over the collection slip and processed it even though he has knocked off (it seems). Cos after processing my collection, he went off.

Some pictures of my new (refurbished) iPod Touch 2nd Generation 16GB.

Plastic wrapper covering the entire iPod Touch

Yeah. Even the chrome back is covered

Time to upgrade my iPod Touch to 3.1.2 and restore all those applications!

The GadgetShieldz full body protector for my iPod Touch 2G arrived this morning. The delivery guy can’t find the doorbells and was glad that he called my cellphone.

I used to use Zagg Invisible Shield but I can’t get the retailers to do 1-to-1 exchange. Poof, there goes the USD$25. Just a piece of warning, don’t trust those Zagg Invisible Shield sellers unless they give you a black and white stating that they will process the warranty on your behalf.

The package from GadgetShieldz is simple. It doesn’t come in a box like the Zagg. GadgetShieldz doesn’t come with the squeegee, shield spray and lint cloth.

The package from GadgetShieldz

Inside the letter is your order details and the product. Since it is meant for my iPod Touch 2G, there are 2 pieces of shieldz – one for the front and one for the back.

2 piece of shieldz for the iPod Touch 2G

After snapping these pictures, it is time to start work! Hopefully the sticking process won’t take too long this time round. Prepared the soapy water mixture, unpacked Christmas present from Kwee Boon for the lint cloth and screen cleaner.

1 hour later, it’s completed!

It comes with a small protector for the Home button too

Like the way it wrap around corners. It is similar to BodyGuardz. Zagg Invisible Shield sucks at corners

Guess I will just leave the iPod Touch at home today if I am going out. According to instructions, it is best to let it sit for 24 hours so that it adhere better to the device.

Hope it won’t turn yellowish / brownish like the Zagg Invisible Shield.

After spending 1+ hours on the iPhone, I finally managed to:

• disassemble the iPhone 3G
• take apart the screen assembly
• pry the damaged LCD screen from the frame
• stick the new OEM LCD screen onto the frame
• attach all the ribbon cables onto the board
• fix back the iPhone

Cost: $50 for the LCD, 2 man-hour for the “operation”

Now my sis got a iPhone with fixed LCD!