Cobra Nav One 4500 Mobile GPS Navigation System with Traffic

Average customer rating:

A product with a lot of flaws

nice if it works

Cobra 4500

Cobra Nav One

Worth It's Weight In GOLD! Great Product!

Cobra Nav One 4500 Mobile GPS Navigation System with Traffic

Manufacturer: Cobra
ProductGroup: CE
Binding: Electronics

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Product Features:

Fully integrated portable GPS navigation system with real-time traffic receiver for avoiding accidents and congestion

Receives up-to-the-minute traffic updates and automatically suggests alternate routes

Preloaded street-level U.S. and Canada maps with over 7.6 million points of interest

5-inch, sunlight-readable, color touch-screen display; turn-by-turn directions with voice guidance

Includes free 3-month subscription to traffic service; 1-year warranty

ASIN: B000ATU8M6

Product Description

Includes: 12 V power supply with cigarette lighter plug, windshield suction cup mounting bracket, & external RDS/TMC traffic receiver Cobra NAV ONE 4500 Mobile Navigation System - The amazing technology behind the GPS navigation system just got a lot better with the NAV ONE 4500. This GPS navigation system features real-time traffic information! With an optional subscription (90 day trial included), you can receive up-to-date traffic information to help you avoid congested roads. You get color-coded speeds and traffic incidents, rerouting around congestion, constantly updating ETA times, and more! It's also easy and convenient to use. You can easily take it from vehicle to vehicle - Just plug 'n go! Personalized Route Preferences - mark roads you prefer or want to avoid iA.S.A.P. (Intelligent Accelerated Satellite Acquisition Protocol) - technology for faster acquisition & uninterrupted satellite signal reception in urban canyons & dense foliage North America Street Level Detail Map - 48 contiguous United States plus Hawaii & Canada on board the hard disk drive - all unlocked and ready to use / 3D Terrain Maps Easy Map Access - no need to load CD or download map from PC Trip Data - includes odometer, trip timers, speedometers & more SmartPower - shuts off power to the unit when the ignition is turned off Navigation Text/Voice Languages In Unit - English, Spanish, & French Map and Software updates available from Cobra.com

Amazon.com Product Description

Enjoy traffic relief while commuting to work or taking a road trip with the Cobra Nav One 4500, the first fully integrated portable navigation system with real-time traffic updates. The plug-and-play GPS navigator features a matchbook-sized traffic receiver that offers up-to-the-minute information on traffic accidents, congested roads, and construction zones in 48 major metropolitan areas across the U.S. As the unit receives the traffic data--which transmits via an FM radio feed from Tele Atlas N.V. and Clear Channel's Total Traffic Network--it processes the information and automatically suggests alternate routes, letting the driver detour around the worst snarls and enjoy a stress-free commute. It's the perfect unit for frustrated commuters and other folks who spend much of their day in the car.

The Nav One 4500 offers more than just traffic updates, however. It also comes preloaded with searchable North American street-level detail maps and more than 7.6 million points of interest--more than any other portable device. The points of interest are organized into nine general categories, including amusement, automotive, medical, and travel, and then further sorted into approximately 200 subcategories. Drivers can also customize the route preferences to make traveling easier. Don't want to deal with stoplight-heavy streets or particularly curvy roadways? Simply program the Nav One 4500 to meet your criteria and it'll find the best route for your needs.

Once you've chosen the destination, the Nav One 4500 provides turn-by-turn directions and voice guidance on its 5-inch color touch-screen display. The screen produces up to twice the brightness of other units in daylight mode, making it easy to read even in the mid-day sun. It also offers 3-D views for easier navigation, along with 14 levels of map zoom and exclusive terrain display, making it simple for the directionally challenged to find their way.

Additional features include an address book that holds up to 1,000 addresses in 20 customizable folders; multi-stop routing for drivers with complex itineraries; proprietary iASAP technology that provides for faster satellite acquisition and uninterrupted navigation in urban canyons and dense foliage; and a traffic antenna that attaches easily to the Nav One 4500 mount and moves with the unit from vehicle to vehicle. The Nav One 4500, which mounts conveniently on your dash, comes with a free three-month subscription for the traffic service, which afterward costs $59.95 per year.

What's in the Box
Nav One 4500 receiver and display, traffic receiver, mount, traffic antenna, user's manual.

Customer Reviews:

A product with a lot of flaws.......2007-08-24

This is my first GPS system so I did a lot of research online before I went ahead purchase it in March 2007. I wanted a large screen one and traffic system. 4500 seems to be the perfect match.

Pro: large screen, real-time traffic system saved me many times, and reasonable routing suggestions. I don't have the rerouting adaptation problem as the other reviewers and if I get into a side road, it'll recalculate immediately. Maybe they fixed it in the most current software batch. Their customer service is superb.

Cons: I had this unit for 5 months and have to return it now. As many reviewers said, this unit has slower routing calculation and I didn't realize it would be a problem until I was driving on a highway waiting for the exit.

Even though I have the most current database batch, I would see some not-so-new highways disappeared suddenly during the drive. It would come back eventually but it doesn't feel good to see yourself driving on a blank space for several miles, especially if you travel to a unknown place at night.

Road side of a destination seems to be wrong 80% of the time. We all know after 1 month of usage to ignore the final destination instruction.

After 2 months, the address book, all travel location information, and user settings were wiped out automatically and I have to reset everything. After it happened so many times, I called Cobra and they gave me another software patch. It seemed to fix the problem.

When used in big cities with a lot of traffics, its routing instruction can be so wrong. It usually gives me the worst routing suggestion, i.e. chose the busiest road, or a longer route, or use local highways with a lot of construction going on instead of an interstate highways that are much less congested, etc. This unit's routing logic seems to work better with mid-size to small-size towns.

The mounting is cumbersome. After taking it off and putting it back on whenever I have to park somewhere, the V12 cord connected to the car broke. I had to call the customer service and they sent me another cord immediately. Did I mention that their customer service is very good?

The final flaw which makes me wanted to return it is, one day the beautiful female voice was gone. Never come back again.

I feel sorry to have to put a bad review on a product. I hope it would help others to avoid the frustrations I have gone through.

nice if it works.......2007-06-20

I got the unit for Christmas, attracted to the good display, but leery of the reliability, both due to other's reviews. I have no serious references to other GPS units, aside from one in an ACRUA MDX that was built into the console, and was very impressive. My 4500 is away to be repaired now, they say for about 3 weeks, with very little use when it worked. I was careful with it as was possible and used it only on major highway trips.

I don't understand how, say an Acura, can have GPS that can sit out in cold and extreme heat, and survives daily driving, and the 4500 Nav One breaks while being treated like delicate china. I also bought every accessory that SHOULD have come with it for the price.

I hate to give bad reviews, but I have to say, if you need a GPS you can count on, this model is high risk. I would want to know this if I was considering buying it. The software can be a little bugged. I got stuck in some loop (it refused to lock in one zoom level) while on the road and eventually had to shut it down and reset to defaults. No idea why. It's sometimes not very precise and a little sluggish in real time rerouting, which can be frequent, as the unit gets lost for no apparent reason while cruising down an Interstate.

It does look nice, and has many great features when it works. That said, I had higher hopes for a portable GPS that really isn't portable, unless you have a portable power source. It was missed on my last road trip when it quit working, and will be missed while in the shop. For me the unit is more a toy than a tool fortunately, because as a needed tool, I would not highly recommend it.
update: Only took about ten days and got a new replacement for the crashed one. The new Nav ONE seems to perform better than the defective one did, meaning it doesn't get "lost" and recalculate for no clear reason, as before.

Cobra 4500.......2007-05-12

The unit is very large and bulky. It does have a very large viewable map which is nice. The unit I had worked about 1 week then would not power up. I am completely dissapointed with this brand and unit and am trying another one.

Cobra Nav One.......2007-02-19

I am very pleased with this GPS unit. I was alittle worried after reading some of the reviews, but am very happy that I still ordered it.

The graphics are by far one of the best. It has very detailed graphics, unlike many of the other brands that have a more cartoon look to them. The graphics are compariable to what you would find in a in-dash unit. It is very user friendly, and easy to navigate. The unit does weigh a bit, but have not had any problems with the suction cup as I read about. As long as the window is clean it works great. I have even drove over some really bumpy roads and the unit has not come loose.

For the money and what you get this is a terrific unit, and would highly recommend it.

Worth It's Weight In GOLD! Great Product!.......2007-02-07

The Cobra Nav One has got everything that I could want in a Car Navigation System! It has a big, beautiful screen that doesn't ever block my vision, and it is by far the easiest electronic device I have ever used. Right out of the package, just plug it in and about three button presses later you are ready to go wherever you want. Some people knock it for not having an internal battery, but who really needs to carry their bulky navigation system around with them in their pocket (with their, wallet, cell phone, organizer, etc.) and have it barking out directions from their pants?!?!

The displays are so easy to read, and everything is customizable. There are a LOT of little preferences that you can play with to make it just right for you. Probably the best feature about this nav system is the 7.6 MILLION POINTS OF INTEREST! It may seem excessive for some, but trust me you will love it and need it, especially if you have to be in a small town for a while. I moved to a small town in NC, and within the first two days my Cobra found a Wal-Mart, dry-cleaners, mechanics, elementary schools, malls, banks, churches, and much more. I don't even make my own decisions anymore. I just ask "Cobra" what restaurants are nearby, and I have my pick from about 50 in a 10 mile radius. Plus there are SO MANY CATEGORIES! It's not just where are all the restaurants nearby. It gives you options for American, Chinese, Mexican, Italian, (the list goes on...) and then gives you the PHONE NUMBER of every single POI. I regularly call the place to see if they're open before I go, or to make a reservation. And there is a Go Home button that gets you back home from anywhere with the touch of a button.

I haven't even started on the sturdy (yet easily removable) mounting hardware, traffic receiver, multiple routes, or 3D and Terrain maps yet, but trust me it's got all that and more. The only negative point that I can make is that sometimes it tells me that my destination is on the left side of the street when it is actually on the right. Also, I left it in my car outside on a frosty night in January and when I came out in the morning it told me that its temperature was too low to operate, but it started as soon as I got the car warm. I still think that it is the best nav system on the market and not too expensive either. BOTTOM LINE: Get the COBRA NAV ONE 4500!!! You won't be disappointed!

Cobra GPSM 3080 Nav One Mobile Navigation System

Average customer rating:

Cobra GPSM 3080 Nav One Mobile Navigation System

Manufacturer: Cobra
ProductGroup: CE
Binding: Electronics

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Product Features:

Plug-'n'-go portable vehicle navigation system with built-in mapping database
Automatic navigation with turn-by-turn directions and multilingual voice guidance
Street-level detail map features 48 contiguous U.S. states, Hawaii, and major Canadian metropolitan areas
2 million points of interest; no CDs or downloads necessary; includes altimeter and compass
5.2-inch high-resolution ultra-bright color display

ASIN: B00068VB40

Product Description

Plug-n-go portable vehicle navigation system with built-in mapping databaseAutomatic navigation with turn-by-turn directions and multilingual voice guidanceStreet-level detail map features 48 contiguous U.S. states Hawaii and major Canadian metropolitan areas2 million points of interest; no CDs or downloads necessary; includes altimeter and compass5.2-inch high-resolution ultra-bright color display

Product Description

MODEL- I250 VENDOR- CANON COMPUTER SYSTEMS FEATURES- i250 Color Bubble Jet Printer The Canon i250 Color Bubble Jet Printer delivers crisp text, no- hassle printing and high-quality photos from the Web - all at an exceptional value. It achieves up to 12 ppm in black and up to 9 ppm in color while delivering a maximum resolution of 4800 x 1200 color dpi. Canons advanced MicroFine Droplet Technology uses a revolutionary nozzle system that ejects microscopic, prescribed- volume droplets with remarkable accuracy for smoother, virtually grain-free images. The i250 printers stylish, compact design fits nicely into any home office or work area, especially if space is limited. The i250 printer offers excellent performance in a compact design. Your printed letters, reports and e-mails will look sharp and bold, with text that is well defined and black, not muddy or gray, because of the pigment-based black ink. Lets talk speed: its approximately 5-second-per-page monochrome text speed is incredibly fast and you can produce a quality color photo of family or friends in just minutes. The i250 printer is faster and more convenient than a trip to the local photo mini-lab. The i250 printer includes Canon exclusive Easy-PhotoPrint software that makes it simple to more faithfully reproduce digitally captured colors. Printer driver settings are automatically adjusted for the paper type selected to optimize print quality. Print quality of digital images is improved by reducing "Photo Nois

Amazon.com Product Description

The Canon i250 Color Bubble Jet Printer delivers crisp text, no-hassle printing and high-quality photos from the Web--all at an exceptional value. You've heard "no hassle" in regard to web printing, but Canon's specially developed Easy Webprint software makes it a reality. Functioning as a toolbar in Microsoft IE, it automatically scales and smoothes pages to fit your paper properly, and allows you to format multiple pages as a single, multi-column page.

Whether you're printing from the web or your own system, your documents, letters and reports will have clean, truly black text thanks to rich pigment-based inks; with speeds up to 12 pages per minute, the i250 handily keeps pace with the needs of your home office or family. When it comes to printing photos, you may decide that professional processing is a thing of the past-a maximum resolution of 4,800 x 1,200 dpi and MicroFine Droplet Technology combine for virtually grain-free images ready for framing or sending to friends in less than two minutes. Color images print at up to 9 pages per minute.

The i250 printer's compact design fits nicely into limited work spaces; with a weight of just 3.75 lbs, you'll hardly know it's there. A full software package is included to make photo printing easy manageable, and the two ink cartridges are included in the box. USB connectivity means just one cord is necessary, but you'll need to supply it yourself. Canon provides a one-year warranty with Instant Exchange service.

Customer Reviews:

Awsome Printer.......2006-12-08

Cheap Ink, Great Quality Prints, Perfect for side small projects or children. Quiet affordable and everyting you need...Great Product.

Great Printer for a Great Price!.......2006-11-29

When I originally bought this printer 3 years ago, I believe it was a much better price that it is now. This is a great everyday printer. I used this printer throughout college to print out projects and a lot of paper. It never failed me once. It is very simple to use and the best thing is that the ink (both black and color) is extremely cheap - especially if you buy it online. Black will run you around $6 and color ink is about $12. Both a really good deal and they last you a decent amount of time. Generally, this is a really good printer, but I am not sure if it is worth this new price.

you don't always get what you pay for.......2006-03-13

After using this printer for almost two years, I am sadly disappointed in the fact that the color cartridge has only worked for the first 6 months. Since then, I have been unable to get the color option to work.
The black cartridge works great but for almost 50.00, I expected a bit more

No Frills Printer that will save you a LOT of money.......2004-09-23

I purchased this bubble jet as a second family printer mainly for documents, and letters and have been extremely impressed.
It's fairly compact, very easy to install and use and has already more than paid for itself.
The average cost of a replacement black cartridge is around $3 online for multi packs of 5 and I have purchased multi packs of color cartridges also online at under $5 each including shipping! Compared with many other top brands that cost up to $35 per cartridge - that's a big big saving. As I said this is a "no frills" printer, but actually has very clear reproduction onto photo paper in high color using the idiot proof "Easy Photo" software provided. The Maintenance window allows you to do many functions including resetting the cartridges for low ink warning after installing new ones, a quiet mode for night printing, and many other functions. Another gem is the "Easy-Web" print feature that allows you to capture web pages for printing on standard paper without losing information on the edges, as you would using the regular print function from Windows. The only minor complaint I have is that being a bubble jet, high quality print in both BW and color can take a little while to dry, but other than this - it's a wonderful budget package, with a well known and respected name. If you're into CAD or high quality photo reproduction, imaging and such like then this is not for you - but if you print a lot of draft quality documents, and have a family especially who churn out pages of printed matter per day, this will serve you well, and save you a LOT of money. I've had mine for over 6 months and it is in daily use with NO problems to date. Highly recommended.

A great little printer at a value price.......2004-07-02

At its value price point, perhaps you can't expect perfection from the Canon i250,(...) I find very few reasons to complain.

First off, the quality of printing was surprising for a standard, 4 ink printer, even on digital photos. For photo prints, does it perform as well as, say, an HP Photosmart 7960 with its 8 inks (which is over 4x the cost)? Of course it doesn't. But for routine use, even on the occasional photo, it's really not bad.

When in its normal printing mode, it's not a speed demon, but it does perform reasonably well, and is typical of printers in its class.

On the up side, consumables for this printer are remarkably affordable, providing somewhat of a disincentive to pursue refill kits. They also seem to have a fair and reasonable number of prints per cartridge change. But if you do choose to refill, I've found the print cartridges in the i250 refill easily and effectively, free of print-counter chips (so popular in Epson's printers these days) that are such a pain.

And speaking of Epson, recent Epson inkjets I've used will end-up with clogged print nozzles if the printer sits unused even for only a couple of days. Not so here; I've gone weeks between prints, and it fires-up and works perfectly each time.

Also a plus is the printer's compact size. While you still need to allow space for paper movement, when not in use, the top folds down and it's small, shoebox size let's you put it most anywhere.

Truly, at this price, almost anyone can afford one, and it'd be money well spent in my book.

Average customer rating:
Ink Cartridge BCI-24 for S200, S300, S330; i250, i320, i350, & Others, Color (CNM6882A003)

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For Canon Printers

BCI-24 for S200/S300/S330; I320/I450/I470D/i475D.

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Item #: CNM6882A003. Replacement Ink Cartridge for Canon Printers
Dependable Canon cartridges are the perfect partners for your Bubble Jet printer
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Average customer rating:

Don't Believe The Hype!

Super Quiet - Super Fast - Super System

After almost a year with this machine...

Extremely Fast

Powerful and quiet

Apple Power Mac G5 Desktop M9457LL/A (Dual 2.5-GHz Power PC G5, 512 MB RAM, 160 GB Hard Drive, SuperDrive)

Manufacturer: Apple Computer
ProductGroup: Personal Computer
Binding: Personal Computers

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Product Description

The creative class needs superior tools to produce designs, music, high-definition video or the next scientific breakthrough. The new Power Mac G5 line spans as far as you require. Its dual 64-bit G5 processors, room for up to 8GB of main memory, 8X SuperDrive and ultrahigh-bandwidth system architecture will give you more results than systems costing twice as much.

Customer Reviews:

Don't Believe The Hype!.......2005-07-23

Please don't buy this computer. I did. I was a 'switcher' and spent a small fortune on it and the 30" monitor and lots of upgrades like RAM and HD. I have an Apple G4 powerbook that is wonderful though let me say!
But this DP 2.5 G5 is a dog, a very expensive dog. It has never worked properly from day one. The dealer i bought it off is useless. Apple Australia don't care one bit. It took 6 weeks to fix a broken ethernet port!
I wanted a really good computer and did a lot of research. So i went top of the line and got this new G5 power mac. I wished i hadn't. I don't know that much about computers, i would say my knowledge is moderate, but i don't want to know a lot - it is meant to just work and make things easier, not harder. This computer does not. You will see lots and lots and lots og glowing reports from apple and apple sources. Don't believe the hype. I have had to reinstall the OS twice and it still doesn't work properly. Every apple software upgrade creates a new problem.
Ready for this - for all of apples claims about stability and 'built on unix' marketing puffery, my xp pro at work would be 20x more stable. Seriously. And IMHO with some experience of these guys, i would never never never get an apple in a corporate/working enviroment. Great for home, my powerbook is fabulous, but they just don't have the customer commitment for a work enviroment. Not a clue.
The list of problems could go on and on and i have thought long and hard about posting, but i use these posts and appreciate honest feedback.

Super Quiet - Super Fast - Super System.......2005-05-08

This computer is so quiet, you have to check it to see if it is still running. I am an daily Photoshop user since 1987, and a loyal Mac user since 1984 (I've worked for Apple, IBM and Motorola). This system is so fast, it will keep up with everything you can throw at it in Photoshop CS2 - no delays - just instant filtering. The last Photoshop job I did (resizing and filtering 96 photos), I could really see the time saved using this computer - about 30% over my older G4 - which spells productivity. I ordered this system as a reconditioned unit for $2299 from the Apple Store with free shipping (53 lbs), and got a free upgrade from the 160G to 250G Hard Disk and Tiger DVD in the box - both were unexpected, plus a full warranty just like a new system. The system appears to be brand new, probably an open box or returned system. I added 2G more RAM for $200 for 2.5G total. Some reviewers have been critical about the lack of ports on the G5 systems (if that is all they can find at fault), but if you need more ports, you can easily add in a 3 USB 2.0/2 Firewire PCI card from IOGear for only $38, or a 4 port USB 2.0 PCI card for about $20 - so stop whining about ports. The rear Firewire 800 port really screams with my LaCie Firewire Backup Drive, which is another reason to upgrade to the G5. Unlike the new 2.7GHz system (only 8% faster for $3000), the 2.5GHz system comes with one ADC and one DVI port on the 9600XT video card, plus a DVI to VGA adapter in the box. The new G5 systems don't support ADC without having to buy a $99 DVI-ADC adapter, which is messy to hook up, requiring a power supply. One more reason for buying the older 2.5GHz model if you own an older ADC LCD display (clear plastic model). Overall, I am very impressed with this 2.5GHz MP system, and can see this system lasting many years. XBench speed score is a fast 252.

After almost a year with this machine..........2005-04-27

I've been a Mac user for nearly 20 years. In May of 2004 I upgraded from a 450 MHz G4 (512 MB RAM) to a dual 2.0 GHz G5 (1GB RAM, two 250 GB hard drives). The machine I bought was defective-all nine fans were going full blast all the time. The operating system and software worked fine, but the tower was intolerably loud (it really sounds like a car the way the fans fire up). I spent about 45 minutes on the phone with Apple tech support. The fellow I spoke to was helpful and friendly until he misguided me about pressing a tiny button in the innards of the machine too many times (it's been a year, I don't remember what exactly this little button resets). He instantly became accusatory, telling me I didn't follow his direction and refused to discuss it. He basically told me my computer was hosed and that I may have voided the warranty; I should bring it in to be serviced and not turn it on again. The guy really turned into a jerk. I suppose he was just trying to cover his ass.

I turned the machine back on and it ran just as before. Fine, but loud. I took my machine to the Apple Store in San Francisco for diagnosis, and they confirmed there was a "thermal" problem. I was a part-time student at the time, bought the machine through school and though it was eligible for replacement, I couldn't exchange it directly through the Apple Store. Fortunately, in the time it took Apple and my school to acknowledge that I had a defective computer Apple announced the dual 2.5 GHz, so I was given the option of a partial refund, since the dual 2.0 GHz had gone down in price, or a free upgrade to the dual 2.5 GHz. I went for top-of-the line in the first place (with a 23" Cinema Display HD) with the idea that I wouldn't be buying another computer for a good number of years. I had to wait about four months for the dual 2.5 GHz after they were announced (they let me keep the defective one in the meantime), but it was definitely worth the wait. And this is exactly what anyone should expect after dropping $5,000 + (with the display and software).

The dual 2.5 GHz runs amazingly quiet (when it really needs to think, the fans fire up, but they typically aren't audible for long). The increase in speed (for me) was amazing. The applications I use most often are: FileMaker Developer 7 , Omni Graffle 3, Virtual PC 7 (for testing), Dreamweaver MX 2004 along with Apple's standard mail, text and web browser apps. I'm also increasingly using Final Cut Pro HD, which I think you'd only really want to run on a machine this fast. With the occasional exception of Excel, I don't have a need for Microsoft apps.

The G5 is on nearly 100% of the time, since I sometimes need to access it remotely, and yes, it's crashed a few times, but this is really quite rare. Tip: I've found the best way to tell if a Mac has crashed or is just frozen is to set the clock in the menu bar to display the time with seconds. If the clock has stopped ticking altogether, it's a good indicator that the system has crashed. Otherwise, it's just frozen, so tricking around with it (force-quitting applications or putting it to sleep and waking it back up), tend to bring it back to life. Again, this sort of behavior is rare and, as such, acceptable for me.

For PC users considering a G5, I have this to say: I've always been a Mac user, and I've always, always complained when I've had to use a PC. I'm not snobby about it; I'm just accustomed to very well-designed and integrated products (I drive a Porsche 993, and I'm as passionate about its design, especially its clever temperature controls and cruise control). That said, using VPC (Virtual PC) on my G5 has really given me a different perspective on Windows. I actually LIKE using Windows...as long as it's on my G5. This is largely because of my Apple keyboard and the 23" display, which just make for a better Windows experience. You can run VPC to take over your whole display, or run it within a window as if it were any other app on your Mac. I have a Microsoft 5-button, scrolling optical mouse that I've had for over 5 years (it's great). Right-clicking works without installing any drivers, in both Mac OS X and Virtual PC. I use Windows 2000 Pro, and my colleagues would be surprised to hear I'm actually looking forward to upgrading to XP. Windows isn't as zippy as running it on a top-of-the-line PC, I suppose, and it hangs here and there, but for my purposes it works perfectly. I don't think it's a great idea to run Windows in VPC as your "primary" OS, but for seasoned Windows folks who are looking to make a transition to the Mac and still want to jump back to familiar territory, I'd certainly recommend this hardware/software combo. VPC (to which I've dedicated 512K, or half of my G5's physical RAM) can be a memory hog, slowing everything down on my Mac, so if you plan to use it regularly, I'd recommend more than 1GB RAM. A couple of cool things about VPC: You can run multiple Windows OS's at the same time (I've seen, but not experienced this). You can "pause" a Windows OS so it doesn't hog memory. You can also "save" a Windows state when you quit VPC, so that when you start it up, everything is right where you left it. After too many frustrating visits to my dad's to"fix" his Windows problems, the Mac should be a compelling option for PC users. Virtual PC on this machine makes it especially so.

Bottom line: An excellent system. Advice: If you can, buy directly from an Apple Store; they're far more willing to offer support than if you buy elsewhere and bring your issues in to the store. If you buy an Apple product elsewhere to save money or support a local vendor, know that that can become a support barrier Apple will hide behind (I wish, like Bose, they'd just support their damn products wherever you purchase...it was a hassle for me). Also, don't expect, but do LOOK for problems right away, within the first two weeks. Apple is notorious for not admitting there's something wrong even when it's a known issue (like the fans on the first machine I ordered), and even then they're very reluctant to replace a product outright unless you hound them. It's easy enough to find other people with similar problems in forums and such. I'm a little bitter about my customer support experience, but in the end they got it right. I think the majority of real Apple customers don't have to experience this. I bought 3-year AppleCare, and so far, fortunately, have not had the cause to use it. I believe Apple should stand behind its products without having to purchase additional support, but Murphy's Law guided my judgment there. In any case, I'd highly recommend this machine to anyone who is considering it.

Extremely Fast.......2005-03-11

This now has become my all-time favorite system. It has dual 2.5GHz processor which adds up to 5.0GHz which no other Intel computer can compete with. 512 MB of RAM and up to 8GB which is the most I have ever seen! 160GB and up to 2x250GB which is 500GB which can save so many things. It has a DVD-R Drive which can of course burn DVDs. I love the applications on the Mac OS X v10.3 Panther and I think it beats Microsoft Windows XP Professional Edition. Here are the specifications for the Apple Power Mac G5

Processor | PowerPC G5 Dual
Optical Disc Drive | DVD-RW / CDRW Combo
Hard Drive (GB) | 160
Memory - Processing RAM included | 512MB
Memory - Processing RAM Maximum | 8GB
Memory - Video RAM | 128MB Dedicated
Connection - USB Front | 3
Connection - USB Rear | 2
Connection - IEEE1394 Firewire Front | 1
Connection - IEEE1394 Firewire Rear | 2
Connection - DVI HDMI Digital Display | 1
Connection - Sound | In/Out
Expansion - PCI | 3 Available
Connection - RJ11 | Yes
Connection - RJ45 | Yes
Connection - Video | Out
Expansion - Drive Bay Internal | 1 Available
Operating System | Apple Macintosh OS X
Ethernet Capable | Included
Software | Pre-Installed by Manufacturer
Wireless Capable | Optional
Manufacturer's Warranty - Hardware | 1 Year
Manufacturer's Warranty - Software | 1 Year

Source: www.jr.com

You should no doubt look into this computer system but if you don't want so much power (5.0GHz of it) you can go with the dual 1.8GHz processor which might suite you well.

Powerful and quiet.......2004-11-06

I love this machine. It is supremely powerful, but what makes me love it is its good manners: elegant and silent. If i have a window open in my office (on a very quiet street), I cannot even tell when the computer is on, it is that quiet. Turning it on and off at the monitor is simple and calming, the whole experience of working with it and OSX can enhance your serenity. This is especially valuable when using programs like DVD Studio Pro and FCP, not to mention photoshop. I am very pleased with this computer, and recommend it to anyone.

Product Description

With the Sure Shot 90u series you're always ready to capture whatever life throws at you. The 2.3x Zoom Lens lets you move in for all the best angles. To keep everything sharp and bright, there's Canon's advanced technology. Everything's easy. So you can relax and shoot.

Amazon.com Product Description

A smoothly designed point and shoot that doesn't lack in important features, the Canon Sure Shot 90u is easy to use and can adjust to most situations to capture clear photos. The 2.3x zoom (38 to 90 millimeters) provides a wide range of options in snapping your subject. The autofocus system uses 3 sensors to create a sharp and clear image, even when the subject is in motion or off-center. The 90u has several shooting modes such as automatic, action, night scene, portrait, and close-up mode.

Film loading, advance, and rewind are fully automatic for easy operation, and you can even rewind mid-roll as well. The flash can be set to automatic, fill, off, or red-eye reduction. Use the exposure compensation to help show subjects out in under or over lit situations. The 10-second self-timer is useful for self-portraits or group shots. You can also imprint the date onto your photos for record-keeping. This camera kit also includes a wrist strap, soft compact case, one 3-volt lithium battery (CR2), and one 24-exposure roll of 35mm film.

Customer Reviews:

Probably the best point-and-shoot film camera [4 1/2 Stars].......2005-04-14

I got this camera two weeks ago as a gift. Almost exactly what I wanted: lightweight and small enough to fit my pocket. The plusses are:

1. Superb picture quality for both indoor and outdoor photos.

2. Advanced features that are only available on SLRs. These are ACTION mode (keeps moving subjects in focus), REAL-TIME modes (shutter releases immediately when the button is pressed) and manual exposure correction +/- 1.5 f-stops.

3. Three AF modes: 3-point AF, center point AF, and servo AF.

The Sure Shot 90u, as far as photo quality and camera features go, is effectively a pocket-sized SLR. So why not award 5 stars? My reasons are:

1. No weatherproofing. I also take photos at pool parties and the beach. Sure, a waterproof disposable would do, but I want high-quality photos!

2. The instruction manual is way too brief! Although it does an excellent job in showing how to operate the camera, it does not give any technical information. Also, there are no illustrative photos, e.g., photos to illustrate the effect of the red-eye reduction lamp.

3. A max shutter speed of (1/1000)s would be great!

4. The battery cover seems easily breakable.

5. The lens is slow: f/4.7. It is better than the f/5.6 on most cameras of this type, but not good enough. Why not f/2.8 like on the PowerShot A95?

6. A night light (like INDIGLO on Timex watches) for the LCD display would come in handy for night use.

This camera is superb and is a must-have for anyone who wants high-quality SLR-like photos without the bulk of an SLR and the skill of a professional or an advanced amateur. (The only serious gripe is the lack of weatherproofing.) Get this camera. Enough said!!!

No major flaws, but not recommended........2005-02-03

The 90u is a decent camera. It is very light, but with that being said, it also feels very cheap. The buttons and controls also feel cheap. The camera does what it is supposed to do - just like what any other point and shoot camera would do. However, at this price, I feel there are cameras out there with higher build quality, lens quality, and feel. No major flaws, but not recommended.

Don't buy this camera........2004-12-30

Bought this camera in August /September(for a gift). Didn't use it for a month and a half.I couldn't get camera to work. Called Canon, wouldn't replace it, kept getting a flashing "H" Got no warranty, Canon said it was a "diaognostic malfunction" No satification at all. Very unhappy about this purchase

Bad choice - camera leaks light & Canon won't fix it.......2004-12-13

I bought a Canon Sure Shot at a local camera shop and discovered in a few months that it had a light leak, which caused all my prints to be overexposed in one corner. Canon took it back for warranty repair, held onto it for several months, then returned it. Thinking it was fixed, I didn't bother verifying the repair within one year of the original purchase. It turns out that Canon did nothing to repair it, and Canon now refuses to do the repair that it should have done in the first place because the original one year warranty has expired. I'll never buy another Canon and advise others to consider both the lack of quality and service I've experienced.

Wonderful Film Camera.......2004-08-12

I researched about film camera's before I bought this. I always read great reviews and I've always been a strong proponent of Canon products. Canon sureshot 90u did not disappoint me. It has an amazing zoom and picture clarity is great. It also has Auto/manual mode with Auto/always on flash.
The camera body is stylish and sleek. The pictures came out great both in matte and shiny finish. I also tried taking pictures in day/night/dusk outdoor and indoor. All the pictures were good, though I have to say that outdoor pictures came out better. Overall, it is a very good camera. If you thinking about buying any other cheap film camera, dont do that. Buy this camera and I'm sure you wont be disappointed.

CANON Sure Shot 90 35mm Compact Camera with Date Kit

Average customer rating:

CANON Sure Shot 90 35mm Compact Camera with Date Kit

Manufacturer: Canon
ProductGroup: Photography
Binding: Electronics

Film Cameras | Used Photo & Camera | Specialty Stores | Camera & Photo Features | Electronics

All Film Cameras | Film Cameras | Camera & Photo | Categories | Electronics

Point-and-Shoot Digital Cameras | Digital Cameras | Camera & Photo | Categories | Electronics
Product Features:

Includes - Sure Shot 90u Date Body / Wrist Strap / Warranty Card / Instruction Manual
Lens - 38-90mm f/4.7 - 10.5
Autofocus Type - 5-zone, 3-point Passive Autofocus (selects 3 points from 5) / Center 1-point AF - Yes (via Custom Function)
Focusing Range - Standard - 2 ft to infinity / Macro Mode - 1.5 ft/0.45m to infinity
Viewfinder - Real-image type, 84% coverage

ASIN: B000696OHI

Product Description

Canon SureShot 90 35mm Compact Camera with Date Imprint - With the Sure Shot 90u you're always ready to capture whatever life throws at you. The 2.3x zoom lens lets you move in for all the best angles. To keep everything sharp and bright, there's Canon's advanced technology. Everything's easy. So you can relax and shoot. No Dioptric Adjustment Exposure Control - Program AE Built-in Flash - Type / Modes - Zoom Light Guide/6-mode / Recycling Time - Approx. 6 seconds / Flash Operating Range (ISO 100) - W - 2- 12.5 ft/0.6-3.8m T - 2-6 ft/0.6-2m Dial Types (Modes) - Mode Button (Auto, Action, Night-scene, Portrait, Close-up, Real-time Release) Film Speed Setting - ISO 25-3200 set automatically Film Loading / Advance / Rewind - Fully automatic, mid-roll rewind Dimensions (W x H x D) - 4.2 x 2.3 x 1.7 inch / Weighs 6.5 ounce without battery and film

Electronics:

Electronics

Electronics