Which Windows 8 Tablet is Right for You?

For years, the iPad has dominated the tablet market. However, some are hoping that could change with the introduction of several new tablets running the Windows 8 operating system. A number of these new tablets running the latest Windows OS have been receiving positive reviews, making it a good time to buy a Windows 8 tablet for anyone who has waited for the release of a quality competitor for the iPad.

Samsung Ativ Smart PC Pro

Samsung ATIV

Like many of the new tablets arriving on the market, this tablet can function just like a laptop with the addition of peripherals like an external keyboard and a stand. The Samsung Ativ Smart PC Pro runs on a Core i5 processor, and is known for high performance but criticized for its short battery life when compared with tablets running with Atom processors. The Ativ tablet also runs with 4 GB of RAM and comes equipped with 256 GB hard drive storage.

 

  • High-performance Core i5 processor
  • 4 GB RAM
  • 256 GB hard drive

Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga

Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga

Lenovo is well-known for making cutting edge equipment that is fun for those who love technology. The IdeaPad Yoga is Lenovo’s latest release, and critics have billed it an “ultrabook” tablet. Users can employ the IdeaPad Yoga as a standard thin notebook or fold it up like a tablet, and they can also stand it up or angle it like a tent. This convertible tablet runs on a respectable 8 GB ram and offers a 256 GB hard drive for internal storage.

  • Called an ultrabook tablet because it converts from one to the other
  • 8 GB RAM
  • 256 GB hard drive

Asus Vivo

Asus Vivo

The Asus Vivo also acts as both a tablet or laptop, depending on what the user prefers. The Vivo can be set on a docking station that contains a keyboard and touchpad, effectively making it like a laptop.

The Vivo has earned commendations for its battery life, mainly because it comes with an extra battery in the keyboard section. One downside, however, is that the keyboard must be attached for it to work, thereby making the Vivo less portable and tablet-like. The Asus Vivo runs on a Atom processor and 2 GB RAM.

  • Keyboard docking with extra battery
  • 2 GB RAM
  • Atom processor

Windows 8 Tablet Repair

Just as with many other mobile technological devices that have arrived on the market in recent years, the new Windows 8 tablets can become damaged if they are dropped, stepped on or otherwise meet with an accident. Should that happen, the tablet should be well-packaged and sent to a professional repair facility like iFixYouri that has experience in all kinds of tablet repair.

iPhone vs. Man: Unbelievable iPhone Destruction Videos

Perhaps you’re buying a new iPhone.  Or perhaps your iPhone just stopped working.  Or perhaps you were just trying to access your favorite app, and the device wouldn’t open it, again, and when you try open Safari to see what the problem is, the browser just won’t load, you just can’t take it anymore

So you decide to destroy your iPhone.

The rash solution is to throw it against a wall in frustration.  Or drop it from your 15th storey apartment.  Or smash it with a hammer.  But there are as many ways to wreak havoc on your iPhone as there are reasons for doing it.  Let’s explore some methods, so you can decide how you’ll end the life of your (once) prized possession!

Quick Household Methods to Destroy Your iPhone

When you just need to get the job done.

iPhone vs. Truck

iPhone vs. Blender

iPhone vs. Boiling Water

iPhone vs. Drill

Creative Methods to Render Your iPhone Irreparable

Imaginative solutions to destroy an imaginative device.

iPhone vs. Giant Magnifying Glass

iPhone vs. Microwave Robot

Hi Tech Punishiment for an iPhone Behaving Badly

When you’ve got toys that are more powerful than the iPhone itself, why not use them against the little weeny device?

iPhone vs. Extreme Heat

iPhone vs. Lasers

Don’t Try This At Home… Unless You’re Mad

Safety first.  New phone second.

iPhone vs. Hand Gun

iPhone vs. Angle Grinder

Who Doesn’t Love a Montage?

It Takes a Lickin’…

Testing the durability of a consumer product with entertaining methods isn’t a new phenomenon. Timex, the titan of watch manufacturers, popularized the slogan “It takes a licking and keeps on ticking”.  Check out some of the vintage ads where they tested their claims.

While the iPhone does, at times, have the ability to continue functioning after it has been drilled or dropped in water, it is a pretty sensitive electronic device that can fail when it is simply knocked off of a coffee table, or dropped into a toilet.

Unless the phone has been obliterated, most of the common damage sustained by an iPhone can be repaired.  What could be more convenient than sending your damaged device from anywhere in the States to the professional repair team at iFixYouri, who specialize in iPhone repair, and getting your baby shipped back to your hands like new?

Besides, it’s more fun to destroy a working iPhone…

 

Warranty Options for the iPhone 5

For those with a warranty on their iPhone 5 that doesn’t have extensive coverage, or a warranty that has expired, or no warranty at all, getting repairs from iFixYouri will help the smartphone owner save high repair costs, or save the device from joining a pile of e-waste.

In addition to the benefits of reduced repair costs, a good warranty can offer piece of mind.   Therefore, it is important to get the best warranty and protection plan for an iPhone 5 that provides coverage for repairs, breakage, and also replacement if it is stolen or lost. Here are a few of the best plans available today. Here are some warranty options for the iPhone 5.

AppleCare+

This plan costs $99 for two years, and coverage includes support and hardware issues. The plan is quite popular and available from retailers and directly from Apple as well. The recently updated version of the plan includes two damage claims due to accidents. This means your phone will be replaced if it is broken due to any reason for a fee of $49.

The AppleCare+ plan can be purchased within 30 days of purchase of the iPhone 5. However, when you do not purchase the plan along with a new phone, it will require inspection and an appointment at the Genius Bar.  This plan does not cover theft or loss; hence, it is not a comprehensive protection plan.

SquareTrade

The plans from SquareTrade are similar to Apple’s extended warranty plans for the iPhone 5. This plan costs $99 for two years, and $129 for three years. If you sell your iPhone 5 in that period, you can transfer the plan to the new user. The plan includes four replacements or repairs, and there is a same-day service option. Coverage is for any kind of damage, and claims require a deductible of $50. You can also pay for repairs out of pocket at the Apple Store and have it reimbursed; however, the plan does not cover theft or loss.

Protect your Bubble

This plan costs $143.99 for a one-time annual fee, and $7.99 per month if you prefer monthly payments. Apart from repairs and replacement, it also covers theft and loss; however, there is $100 deductible.

The best value of an iPhone 5 warranty seems to be plans from AppleCare+ and SquareTrade; however, if you need theft and loss coverage, Protect your Bubble is a good option. Remember that the third option is to not get a warranty at all — iPhone 5 repairs are often much cheaper if you get them yourself!

Where to Watch Out for iPhone Damage in the Home

Have you ever wondered which locations in the home iPhone users are most likely to damage, crack or break their smartphones? SquareTrade, a gadget warranty website, recently conducted a study revealing that

  • 21 percent of all iPhone damage related to the home occurs in the kitchen
  • 18 percent of incidents occurs in the living room
  • 16 percent in the bathroom
  • 10 percent in the bedroom
  • 8 percent in the driveway

In September, SquareTrade released information indicating that Americans have lost $5.7 billion dollars to iPhone damage just since 2007. Since the website sells extended warranties for electronic gadgets of all kinds, including the iPhone, it makes sense it would promote the notion that owners often lose money because they frequently damage their iPhones and accidents are not rare but rather common occurrences.

Since iPhones are damaged so easily, the iPhone repair industry is booming.  However, when it comes to getting your damaged iPhone back in the condition you had it when it was first bought, you’ll need to consider professional services, not just the local electronics repair shop.  iFixYouri uses top-of-the-line replacement parts and utilizes a safe, static-free environment for iPhone repair.

Beware the Kitchen

If you are among those people who have accidentally microwaved, baked or boiled your iPhone while cooking your dinner, you probably have no problem agreeing with SquareTrade’s assessment that the kitchen is a dangerous location for electronic devices, especially cell phones.

Studies show that three-quarters of all smart phone users carry them into the bathroom and I am actually quite shocked that more iPhones have not found their way into the toilet. A Plaxo study in 2011 cited that 19 percent of all iPhones have been submerged in toilet water, while SquareTrade’s survey determined 9% of iPhone users have faced that issue at home.

The bottom line is you need to be careful when using your iPhone in the home. You would be wise to purchase a screen protector and case and avoid cooking on the stove while attempting to play Angry Birds at the same time. This dangerous combination will result in nothing but bad news for your dinner, your game play and your phone.

Sony Halts Xperia Tablet S Sales Due To Defect

Yikes! Sony is halting sales over their newest tablet, the Xperia Tablet S, after an issue with the water resistant device surfaced.

It turned out that the device had a manufacturing defect: a gap on the rear display panel where water can easily flow in and cause damage to its interior components.

A Sony spokeswoman once said in an email that Sony is committed to providing high quality products and strives to provide a high level of customer satisfaction. Unfortunately, their newest tablet that was released in September fails to meet their “splash proof” feature and, as as result, Sony has ordered all retail outlets to stop selling the Xperia Table S immediately. Sony will be replacing their devices in stock with products that meets their stringent standards.

In a press release, Sony stated that they will provide assistance in terms of repairs for free for all of those existing Xperia Tablet S owners.  However, any other repairs required for issues not related to water damage are going to require professional assistance, like iFixYouri’s tablet repair services.  Whatever happened to your tablet in terms of damage, the experts at iFixYouri have seen it and fixed it.

Is the Tablet Gone for Good?

Sony is expected to resume selling the tablet in mid November.

The Tablet S was revealed at the IFA trade show held in August and made its way to US stores on September 7, which was then followed by its global release in various countries in Asia and in Europe.

The Xperia Tablet S comes in a variety of storage capacities:

  • the 16GB model with a $399 price tag
  • the 32GB model for $499
  • the 64GB model with a $599 asking price.

The tablet runs the Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich OS and sports the following specs: a 1.4GHZ quad core processor, the NVIDIA Tegra 3, a 9.4 inch 1,280 by 800 touch screen, 8 megapixel rear camera and a 1 megapixel front facing camera.

According to Reuters, Sony has shipped around 100,000 of the device and yet has purportedly stated that it will not create a significant impact on the company’s earnings.

The defect does not pose any safety concerns, however customers are warned to stay away from splash zones whenever using the device.

Need an iPhone Case? Consider These Top Choices

If you want to protect your iPhone from damage (and keep it looking clean and new), you will have to get yourself a decent iPhone case. iPhone cases are available online or in stores and they come in an array of different colors, styles and designs.  With the various cases available online, the million dollar question is, which one is the best?

OtterBox Defender iPhone Case

If you are looking for a case that can handle tough conditions, the OtterBox Defender should be your first choice. It comes with a screen protector, polycarbonate shell and a rubber outer layer which acts as a shock absorber. Therefore, when you accidentally drop your phone, the rubber outer layer absorbs the impact and ensures that your phone is not damaged. It also comes with rubber plugs which protect the ports. The only downside with this case is that it is a bit bulky; however, that is a small price to pay for the safety of your iPhone.

 

OtterBox Commuter Case

Otterbox Commuter

It might not be as rugged as the Defender but it offers great protection for your iPhone. As it was the case with the Defender, the Commuter has rubber plugs which keep the dust out of the headphone jack as well as the iPhone dock connector. It comes with a built-in screen protector which protects your screen from scratches and keeps it looking sleek and new.

 

Cygnett Vector

Cygnett Vector

Sleek, textured, stylish and affordable are some of the words that can be used to describe the Cygnett Vector 3D iPhone case. It is easy to grip, impact resistant and has a built-in screen protector. If you are looking for a cheap yet effective case, look no further than Cygnett Vector.

 

 

Belkin View iPhone Case

Belkin View

The new iPhone 5 is stylish, sleek and very gorgeous, therefore, you can be forgiven for not wanting to cover it with a case. The Belkin View case was made for people who like to show off their stylish new phones. It offers great protection without compromising the stylish look of your phone. The back of the case is made of polycarbonate and it is transparent. The side edging is impact resistant. You can choose from the array of colors at your disposal.

 

Grove Bamboo Case

Grove Bamboo

It might be a bit expensive but its style and design justifies its price. The new Grove Bamboo case features intricate designs which make your phone look stylish and gorgeous. Unlike other rubber cases, this case does not succumb to scratches and scuffs. The best thing about it is that you can customize the design to suit your personality.

While cases protect your iPhone from accidental damage, there are some cases when the iPhone case won’t do you any good. For instance, if you accidentally drop your phone in a pool, the case will not protect your iPhone from water damage. The technicians at iFixYouri have the expertise required to fix your iPhone. Bring it to one of our locations or send it to us and let us repair your iPhone.

Do You Need Kindle Fire Repair?

kindle-fire-repair-ifixyouriThe Kindle Fire is a tablet that provides many of the same features as its competitors, with a level of connectivity with Amazon that cannot be beaten.  Also like the competition, it is also susceptible to damage.  Fortunately, there is hope for Kindle Fire repair with iFixYouri.

For instance, if your Kindle Fire’s screen is shattered, or if the touch response digitizer is unresponsive or erratic, or if the device was dropped into a puddle, it can likely be fixed by expert technicians.

Reasons You May Need to Repair your Kindle Fire

Listed below are a few possible ways to damage a Kindle Fire.

The Casing

If you own a Kindle Fire, you already know that it is not the sturdiest piece of machinery. Like all tablets, it has to balance form and function. If you drop your Kindle Fire, you have a very strong chance of causing damage.

As always, a protective case is always recommended for mobile devices, but even a case can’t guarantee protection from damage.  Remember, although cosmetic damage may only appear to be superficial, the device’s operation may have been affected.

The Screen

The Kindle Fire has a slick screen, and the new HD model is even better. Not surprisingly, it is also quite fragile. All it takes is one drop to shatter the screen, and a bit of bad luck can render the device virtually useless. Fortunately, you can get the screen repaired or replaced if you do damage it.

Internal Damage

Whether the device has been soaked in water, left in hot temperatures for days on end, or suffered any variety of unfortunate accidents, the Kindle Fire can suffer internal damage like any other tablet on the market. You might be amazed, though, what can be done to get the machine back up and running.

There are dozens of problems possible, but there is a possible repair option for almost every issue. This means that you can potentially avoid buying a brand new machine, as well as avoid having to lose everything that you have saved on your current model.

The Bottom Line Regarding Kindle Fire Repair

The Kindle Fire is a great machine that can break as easily as any tablet on the market. If you are willing to stick with your current machine and get it repaired, though, it may be able to be as good as new. The investment for a repair is quite low compared to the price of a new Fire, and it will help you to keep using the same tablet of which you may have grown fond.

How iPod Water Damage Can Dampen Spirits

ipod-water-damage-ifixyouriAfter downloading hundreds of albums and thousands of songs onto their portable MP3 player, iPod users do their best to protect their music player. Sadly, life is fast moving, mistakes are made, and iPod water damage is quite common.

It is not unheard of for someone to be listening to his or her new Avett Brothers album while using the restroom, and so, when they stand to leave, the iPod gets bumped and splashes in the toilet. People panic in a situation like that and immediately assume the worst. However, iPod water damage does not have to signal the end for the well-made MP3 player – iPod repair is also common.

Most Common Causes of iPod Water Damage

Owners of iPods, beware of the most common ways these devices are subjected to water damage:

  1. The iPod is dropped in a pool, toilet, or sink.
  2. While walking outdoors, unexpected rainfall soaks a person and the iPod is not protected.
  3. Someone spills a beverage.

What To Do About Your iPod Water Damage

It’s easy to think that a damaged iPod might just be for the trash, but the owner of a device that has undergone such a calamity has options. You might be able to get the device fixed, depending on:

  • how wet the device gets
  • whether it was totally submersed
  • how long it was saturated
  • the type of liquid

Personal Action Steps for iPod Water Damage:

  • Do not press any buttons.
  • Place the iPod under a bright light, display screen face-up, and let dry for 2 to 3 hours.
  • Fill a bowl with dry, uncooked white rice. Place the iPod in the rice, screen face down, and leave for 2 to 3 days.
  • After 2 to 3 days, remove iPod from rice bowl and plug the device into a charger. The display should light and read, “Do Not Disconnect.”

In the Event that Damage Requires Services:

Most iPod owners have media from multiple sources on the MP3 player. Because it is difficult to retrieve all of those media sources, most owners will gladly send an iPod for professional repair. However, it is best to avoid sending the device to a third party that is not proven.

To Evaluate a Third Party Repair Technician:

  • Do not choose the cheapest service, as these repairmen will likely cut corners.
  • Do not send the device to the highest priced contractors either. The service should reflect a fair cost, never far beyond the total price of a similar and new device.

Since an iPod is a delicate device, owners with a damaged iPod need to find a trustworthy technician to do the work, such as iFixYouri. Wait to buy a new iPod, and do not try online remedies that suggest self-repair requiring the device to be dismantled. A trustworthy repair service is the best option and well worth any iPod owner’s time and money.

Smartphone, Tablet and Computer Repairs and News