I may have missed the chance to meet Tord Boontje, the designer of this amazingly beautiful HP Mini, but I sure am not missing out on the usability and portability of this HP designer netbook.

As compared to the previous HP Mini by Vivienne Tam, which I got a chance to review, this is even better! I love the intrigue design and the 3D surface, otherwise known as HP Imprint 3D.

After my experience with my previous white macbook, I am quite afraid of using another white notebook. But this is just too tempting to resists. Thanks to the invitation to the HP regional launch held some time back at Sentosa, and thanks to Daniel Tsou, I get to add this sleek netbook to the collection at work.

The HP Mini is a good companion for our lady team mates to bring around for presentation and meetings. The VGA slot makes this HP Mini not so mini with secondary screen or a projector. I can visualize myself pitching to clients with this.

This HP Mini also comes with the HP Instant Web feature. Don’t need to wait for the slow Windows XP (mine’s on XP, the ones in market come with Windows 7) to boot up. Check your email, access to IM, the web, your favorite photos and music right from the Instant Web startup. And what I love about this, is the instant startup the moment I switched on the Mini. Great for on the on surfing and email checking.

Now my fingers have gotten quite used to the keyboard on the Mini. Yes, I’m typing this on the HP Mini! Don’t envy me. Hurhur!

Don’t you just love this elegant HP Mini by Studio Tord Boontje? :P

Meet me and I’ll show you! It’s beautiful!

In my very first post of Claud talks Gadgets in 2009, I mentioned about the sleek and sexy PC that fits into your pocket. After 4 months, finally I got my hands on the red Vaio P. No, it didn’t fit into my tight pocket, literately and financially speaking, but it fits very well into my small bring-around-everywhere-I-go bag. It feels weightless!

Here’s what the Vaio P I received for trial came with.

In this post, I will be talking about the little things which I liked and disliked about the Vaio P. If you’re looking for a detailed review on the features and stuff, head on over to Tech 65 blog, Daniel has got a very well written post there! Really! If you’re considering buying the P, go read it first!

Right, let’s move on to the little thing about the P which I liked – the power adapter! What?!?!?! Yes! I really loves how Sony has looked into the details they designed on this little block that many would have not bothered. I’m focusing on this because, even Sony website itself didn’t mention about the beauty of it! How can?! Let’s take a look at this amazing power adapter and why it caught my attention.

Here’s one part of it…

And here’s how it looks like when attached to the Vaio P…

See how small it is? In fact, if you don’t need the connectivity to external monitor or network, the power block is just half the size!

Let’s take a look at the back of this additional adapter.

When cable is tugged when not in use.

When using it.

See how detail it is? The cable is kept hidden at the bottom of the adapter and when you need to use it, there’s even a catch to secure it. With this extra removable adapter, you can now do your presentation on a projector or connect it to your office network with the LAN cable. Perfect for the executives who wants a light weight carry around PC that is stylish yet functional.

And the thing that irritated me when I was using the P, was the little red dot.

Seriously, after 2 weeks with it, I still cannot master the skill of using that little red dot to navigate! I’ve been a trackpad person for 2 years. But recently I got addicted to mousing instead. More on that in another post.

Here are some close up shots of the Vaio P to end of this short and not-so-informative review. Seriously, you should go check out Tech 65′s post on the Vaio P!

The switches and connection buttons.

The comfortable to type on keyboard.

The inputs.

Webcam – motion eye. (Kinda weird at the side. But good for those with better right profile!)

The behind… that black thinggy is the battery.

Its been long long ago since I did a ezine for Claud talks Gadgets. Running an ezine on a personal blog is really not easy! If you’re doing it too, I’m sure you know the pain. I really must salute to Sheylara for her weekly Gamer Girl Friday!

This year, with a big shift of my responsibilities and involvement in social media, I think I would have to make a big shift too for my blogging habits. Perhaps I should find another person name Claud to take over this column here. Anyone willing to do it? The only requirement is to be able to take photos, write and review gadgets like the original Claud if not better than Claud! If you think you can, write to me now! Till I find this person, I’ll have to do it on my own.

So for my first issue of CtG in 2009, I’m going to touch on three (latest and not so new) products that are here in Singapore.

In this issue…

1. Review of the Samsung Pixon phone
2. The sleek and sexy PC that fits into your pocket!
3. DRM-free music from Sony Playnow

Review of the Samsung Pixon phone

The Samsung Pixon is a 8.0mp camera phone which (to me) is a combination of the Samsung F480 and Samsung Innov8 phones which I’d reviewed previously.

Quick note about the Pixon… 8.0mp auto focus camera which gives sharp and nice colored photos, 3.2inch full touch screen that’s big enough for photos and videos viewing, 3G, has GPRS that works well with google maps during my trial, comes with bluetooth, radio, mp3 player and all the usual features.

The Samsung Pixon (aka M8800) is suitable for those who wants a good quality camera on a touchscreen phone. Samsung has got Nick Turpin to photograph his life with the Pixon and Nick has created fantastic photos with it. You can find the photos here. But if you’ve noticed, all of his shots were with good lighting or outdoor during the day. One thing that I would really like to see is for Samsung to integrate a better flash for their phones.

Camera function and screen on Pixon

Another nifty feature I like is the mirror with the use of the front camera. You can call out this feature from the widget bar.

This is useful for quick check if you’ve got something stuck on your teeth without having anyone suspect you’re checking yourself out. But this works only when you’re under good lighting. Like the one of myself below…

Few more shots of the Samsung Pixon phone and features…

Overall, I like the Pixon phone. But still loves my Innov8 more. Perhaps I’m just still not buying in the idea of a touchscreen phone yet. But my boyfriend loves the phone thou. After trying it out himself, he’s including it into his to-considering-getting phone. On his list includes iPhone, Blackberry Storm and Pixon. Hmmm… wonders if there’ll be chance to review the BB Storm. Any one has any idea if its coming to Singapore?

Back up to content

The sleek and sexy PC – Vaio P

Alright, this next beauty is one that’s for the fashion cautious and has got spare cash to spend. The sleek and sexy Sony Vaio P. My first thought (before I saw the price) was, “Omg! I want to own this! It’s too beautiful! And it comes with a good sized keyboard!” But when I saw the price tag, my bubble was burst immediately. Price starting from SGD1299, you will get this sexy accessory which you can bring around and will never have to be ashamed to strut it out wherever you are.

Daniel from Tech65 has a very good description and thoughts of the Vaio P. Too good that I shall not add more to it. So please head over to Tech65′s blog for more ya? And here’s some shots of the real thing I snapped with my Innov8 at the launch.

Back up to content

Sony launches DRM-free music on Playnow

Good news for all Sony Ericsson phone users! You can now buy DRM-free music from PlayNow kiosk available in Asia (including Singapore of course!). This is the world’s first of its kind content delivery service that lets mobile entertainment lovers download full-length movies and TV series, also available are games and thousands of DRM-free music tracks directly to your Sony Ericsson mobile phones!

Few things I noted during the demonstration at the launch which I though would be useful for you:

• All SE phones can be connected to the kiosks.
• Micro SD and M2 cardslots are available on the kiosk too.
• DRM-free music can be downloaded and used on any other devices.
• Videos and games can only be used on the phone with the key that’s being sent to the phone number entered during purchase and stored on the phone. (i.e. only that phone with the key can play the videos and games)
• The transfer speed is very fast even for huge files.

These PlayNow kiosks can be found at the following locations:

• Junction 8, #02-28
• AMK Hub, #B2-16
• Tiong Bahru Plaza, #01-53
• Admiralty MRT station, #02-K8
• Boon Lay MRT station, #01-29
• Bukit Batok MRT station, #01-05
• Paya Lebar MRT station, #01-04

Back up to content

So that’s the end of my first CtG in 2009. There are much more CtG coming… I just need to find time to do it! So if you are willing to help, would love to have you onboard the CtG team! I’m driven purely by passion! So you’ve got to be passionate too! No money needed to join nor will there ever be money for your editorial work here thou. If you’re fine with that, contact me!

It’s been awhile since my last Claud talks Gadgets where I reviewed the Lenovo U330. And for this issue, I’ll be sharing my personal experience with the small, cute and steady Lenovo S10. (Which I featured in CtG Vol2.) Before I begin, please help do something for me?

Do you like this skin on the Lenovo S10?

If you do, please please please help vote for me!

Lenovo is having a contest – Express Your Ideas from 1 Nov to 28 Nov 2008. The best designed skin will win a S10! So please help VOTE FOR ME. Go to the contest website, on the top navigation click on Vote Now than go to Page 2 and you’ll find my submission there – Floral Expression by Claudia Lim! Yes! That’s the one! Click on it and vote for me k? Thank you so very the much!

Of course, if you’re keen, do take part in the contest too. But vote for me first k?

Alright, now, let’s get to what’s good and not so good about the Lenovo S10 IdeaPad…

See how small it is! It fits perfectly into my Taggar bag.

If you’re planning to use the S10 for more than 2.5 hours, you’ll need to bring a slightly bigger bag to keep the charger too. The unit I got comes with the standard 3-cell battery and the lifespan with mobile broadband connection in use lasts me around 2.5 hours. Not that bad if you are using it while on the go and not for the entire day for work or play. Although the power adapter is much smaller than the usual size, but if only it comes as compact as the power block for my macbook…

The inside of Lenovo S10

Let’s take a look at the ports available on the S10…

There’s also an in-built webcam on the Lenovo S10. I did a short video with it and the quality is not bad too. This video was taken with my lights off in the room, with only the morning sun coming in from outside my window. Only added in the title, music and credit to make the mute video more complete.

Lastly, I would like to touch on the special button on the S10 (and many of the Lenovo machines too).

The Lenovo OneKey Rescue System Button
(The orange U-turn-like button)

Lenovo OneKey Recovery is an easy-to-use application that can be used to back up the data on your system partition and then easily restored when required. You can create a backup of an entire system partition, saving it in your local hard disk. You can also back up your data to a CD, DVD or other removable disk too.

If you need to recover your system, you can use the OneKey Rescue System to help you detect and remove viruses, and recover Windows system and data. (However it’s still recommended that you have your own virus protection installed.)

You can press the OneKey Rescue System key to activate the system when your PC is turned off. Within this you can restore your system to the original factory status or to a previously created backup. You may also transfer critical data or files to other storage devices from this system. So you’ll not have to worry about losing those important files and data!

Overall, I enjoyed my experience with the Lenovo S10. I don’t mind carrying it everywhere I go. The machine and the messy cables fit in my black bag and I still have plenty of rooms for more stuff. This will be a great companion for long distance traveling on the bus or train.

Well, if you ask if I’ll ever buy one for myself, I’ll probably not. I’m the kind of person who prefers working, playing and sharing from one machine (even if it means heavier bag and tired arms and shoulders from carrying the heavy machine everywhere). And after experiencing both mac and windows, and having encountered numerous crashing on the windows, I would still probably get a mac if I were to upgrade my machine.

That’s all for this issue of Claud talks Gadgets. Coming up next in Claud talks Gadgets, I’ll be reviewing the Sony Ericsson W595 (with 2 pairs of concert ticket to give away!) and my experience with the Sony Ericsson Xperia X1 too! Stay tune!

Click here to view photos taken with Nikon D40