While Josh put together a little guide explaining how you can afford an iPad for as little as $7 a day, I think there’s a more important question worth asking: is it worth it? Being a bargain hunter by nature, for me, any purchase over $100 deserves a serious analysis and justification of the cost. As you may have spotted in our morning’s review round-up, the iPad hasn’t been getting the accolades the iPhone brought. However, one thing that everyone seems to approve of is the price.

There are 6 different models available- the cost varies depending on the SSD size and whether or not 3G functionality is included. Depending on your configuration, the iPad device can cost between $499 and $829. However, if you’re opting for a model with 3G capabilities, you’ll need to sign up for a separate data plan through the oh-so-unreliable AT&T service. An unlimited monthly plan runs for $29.99 and a 250 MB one is $14.99. Either way you look at it, getting a 3G model means adding a recurring yearly cost of $359.88 or $179.88.

Since the iPad is meant to be an Internet ready device, opting for a 3G experience makes a lot of sense. However, this changes the pricing scheme a little: if you get the base 16GB 3G model with the 250 MB plan, your iPad will cost you $808.88 for your first year (opting for unlimited data increases the price to a little under $1000). While Steve Jobs was eager to announce the low price for the cheapest model, in reality, most buyers will end up spending significantly more.

So the real question is, does the iPad justify this high price? The price make sense on some level. However, the $130 difference between the 3G and non-3G models is a little hard to swallow, especially as consumers will be limited to AT&T as the service provider. Even though the iPad is unlocked, the only alternative carrier, T-mobile, won’t be able to provide a 3G experience. However, the main issue that I think will prevent the device from going mainstream is its actual functionality. You can read the nice laundry list of complaints our friends at Gizmodo put together, but here’s the real problem: the iPad doesn’t fill any consumer need.

Jobs tried to market the iPad in a third category between smartphones and laptops, however, it doesn’t really fit anywhere. It’s fails to appeal to eBook fans who can choose the cheaper Kindle and enjoy an e-ink experience, avoiding having to read on a LCD screen. There’s a reason that digital books aren’t widely read on computers, even portable ones. The iPad isn’t a replacement to netbooks either- it can only run one application at a time and lacks key features such as an optical drive or USB port. It can’t even be compared to a smartphone because there’s no calling capabilities or camera!

As noted by The Onion, the iPad is essentially a large version of the iPod Touch. At the event, Jobs hinted that’s there’s a large market for the product, i.e. anyone who’s owned an iPhone, but it’s unlikely that those folks will want to splurge for an iPad. It doesn’t add any significant features. More so, knowing the iPad’s actual price point, consumers can snag a better equipped netbook for a lower price. The iPad is nothing magical- while it’s a neat device, it’s certainly not revolutionizing tablets or the way people use computers.

Determining the iPad’s Value is a post by Bogdan Semida from Notebooks.com.

It looks like the day that many in tech community have been patiently waiting for is finally upon us. Apple sent out press invitations last week to a special event, inviting reporters and bloggers to “come see our latest creation.” Though it’s possible that Steve Jobs will throw a curveball and surprise all of us, there’s general agreement that the creation mentioned is the fabled and hyped Apple Tablet!

Apple is holding the special event at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts Theater in San Francisco. Understandably, it’s invitational only. There’s no additional information about the unconfirmed tablet device and most online reports are based on rumors, guesses, and unidentified sources. For example, FoxNews claims that the tablet will only be part of the main focus and the event will involve a new iPhone and software updates as well. Nonetheless, one thing is certain. The folks at Cupertino have cooked up something big again and are ready to revolutionize the world. Godspeed to them!

Special Apple Event Confirmed for January 27th, 2010 is a post by Bogdan Semida from Notebooks.com.

For the next few months, I’m visiting London and am spending a semester exploring the United Kingdom as part of my college’s study abroad program. I spent the last few days settling in and getting adjusted to the rather gloomy weather and small food portions. I also made a little vlog to share highlights from my time in Great Britain. I won’t bore you with details though; I’m writing to talk about my experiences while using my notebook abroad. I discovered a couple of tips which will make time away from the US easier, at least technology-wise.

As most travelers know, many countries have their own take on the electrical outlet. In my opinion, England’s is easily one of the funkiest:

I thought I came prepared for the problem. I bought a UK converter that plugs into the wall and provides a familiar US-style outlet. However, since my computer charger (shown below) has 3 prongs, I purchased an additional 3-prong to 2-prong electrical adapter. I expected that I’d be able to combine the two and charge my notebook without any issues. Boy was I wrong!

When I plugged my computer charger into my Frankenstein creation, it started to spark and made scary electrical noises. Needless to say, my notebook wasn’t getting the proper amount of electricity and didn’t get charged. I got pretty worried at this point but fortunately, a classmate was able to show an extremely simple solution. It turned out that my UK converter was actually capable of powering my 3-pronged charger. Since it didn’t have a hole for the 3rd prong, all I’d have to do is turn it upside down, like so:Using this method, I was able to get my computer charged without having to buy any additional gizmos. If you’re having trouble understanding the above setup, see if the picture below helps:Armed with this knowledge, I did a little playing around and learned something else important. I brought a bunch of tech equipment with me to the UK, some of which (i.e. my external hard drive) refused to charge even when properly plugged in. I also happened to bring a surge protector along, in hopes of avoiding buying any more UK converters. When I plugged my surge protector in using the technique shown above, it worked perfectly. In fact, I think it created an environment which provided the same amount of voltage the plugs back home do- my external hard drive and all the other “faulty” devices were able to be charged when plugged in to the surge protector!

I hope these two tips help someone make their trip to the UK less stressful. I’ll be keeping you updated in case I find out anything else that’s useful!

London Travel Tips is a post by Bogdan Semida from Notebooks.com.

Being a student has its benefits- you get to buy Windows 7 for an extremely discounted price, get cashback through special programs, and get in on exclusive deals. What about the Average Joe who isn’t in college? Surely, there’s some way they can save on their purchases too, right? Today I’m covering a cashback program that’s available for everyone and can help you make your next technology purchase just a little cheaper.

Ebates.com is an online site which offers cashback on practically any purchase you make. Sites ranging from popular online retailers such as Macys.com to the auction sites such as eBay all offer an incentive for you to shop through the Ebates program. Though the cashback amounts aren’t always the highest, usually ranging from 2% to 15%, every little bit helps. Ebates also runs a daily promotion called the Ebates Daily Double through which a retailer is selected and the cashback amount for that retailer is doubled for 24 hours! For example, today’s Daily Double merchant is Dell.com, this increases the cashback amount to 4% from 2%! Additionally, Ebates has an up-to-date listing for each retailer, profiling coupon codes and special offers you can use to maximize your savings.

Ebates.com is extremely easy to use- once logged in, go the retailer’s page on the site, and click “Shop Now.” Your purchase will automatically be tracked and your cashback can be posted in as little 24 hours. Payments are made every few months via PayPal or check. Ebates is currently providing an extra incentive to join now. You’ll be given a free $5 starting bonus which can be redeemed as soon as you make a purchase through one of their links!

Ebates: The Inclusive Cashback Program is a post by Bogdan Semida from Notebooks.com.

Though some Nyko accessories have always struck me as impractical, I was particularly excited by their latest announcement from CES. Soon Nyko will release the Wand+, a Wii controller with the snazzy Wii Motion Plus technology already built-in! Wii Motion Plus allows a better and more precise control experience and really enhances gameplay in some of the newer titles. Unfortunately, it’s an extra add-on and costs about $20. Though I consider myself a pretty dedicated gamer, I still haven’t purchased the Wii Motion Plus accessory because I can’t really justify the cost.

Nyko’s Wand+ controller offers a great solution for people like me. The Wand+ is due in March and will cost around $39.99. The product itself is already a Wii controller, meaning that I’m essentially getting the Wii Motion Plus upgrade for free! You can check out some hands-on photos with the Wand+ via Engadget.

CES: Nyko + Wii = A Better Wiimote is a post by Bogdan Semida from Notebooks.com.

Sony is jumping on the touchscreen bandwagon- earlier today at CES, the company introduced the dash, a funky 7-inch tablet created for instant Internet access. The device appears to run mainly on widget applications, meaning that users will be able to customize it to do what they like but will have somewhat limited functionality. The dash uses Chumby OS and is probably very similar to the Chumby One device.  Pricing for the dash is a dollar short of $200. It’ll be available later this year around April.

While the idea of a lightweight gadget that provides easy Internet access sounds appealing, many people already have similar capabilities on their smartphones and may be unwilling to buy an additional product solely for the larger screen. More so, sources imply that the dash won’t be portable; Engadget reports that there’s no battery meaning you’ll always need to keep it connected to a power outlet! This sounds like a serious issue Sony’s Internet Viewer will face: why buy a dash when you can get a decent netbook for only about $100 more?

We’ll have to see what happens with the dash and how it does when Apple’s promised materializes. You can check out the full of the press release about the product at Sony’s website.

CES: Sony’s dash-ing Personal Internet Viewer is a post by Bogdan Semida from Notebooks.com.

Amazon.com is ending the year with a collection of special deals to help you start 2010 right. Though there are savings on all of Amazon’s different products, it’s worth highlighting that only some of the discounts are actual real money savers.

Keep an eye out for several more posts pointing out the real deals in different categories. This one will provide updates on good video game deals. If you find another good video game deal you’d like to share or notice that something listed here is no longer available, please leave a comment.

Video Games Deals

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Assassin’s Creed II: $40.00

Available on both the PS3 and the Xbox 360

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Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2: $39.99

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Dragon Age: Origins: $39.99

Available on both the PS3 and the Xbox 360

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Left 4 Dead 2: $39.99

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Prototype: $39.99

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Tekken 6: $34.98

Available on both the PS3 and the Xbox 360

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Wii Sports Resort: $39.00

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The Legend of Zelda- Spirit Tracks: $25.00

Amazon.com’s Year End Sale Highlights: Video Games is a post by Bogdan Semida from Notebooks.com.

The Playstation 3 is sure to be one of the hottest gifts this holiday season. The console’s new slim design and price cut make it a great present to brighten anyone’s day. However, a $300 price tag ensures the PS3 is still pricey and not something everyone can afford. However, just because Sony’s losing money on every PS3 sold, doesn’t mean you need to break your wallet. You can score one for cheaper if you buy from Sears.com using Bing Cashback!

If you’re unfamiliar with the Bing Cashback Program, it’s pretty straightforward. You access online shopping sites through Bing’s search advertisements and earn cashback on your purchases. For example, in order to get cashback on your purchase of a PS3 from Sears, click this link.

You should see something similar to the page below. Click on the advertisement (circled) which mention Sears.com and has the Bing cashback logo next to it. If the above search doesn’t bring up the 20% cashback link, try searching Bing for the word kenmore. I’ve heard reports that it’s another 20% Sears Cashback keyword.

When you’re redirected to the Sears website, find the PS3 by searching for it and add it your cart. You should see the following appear on the right of your page:

Make sure that the 20% Bing Cashback link is visible! Otherwise, you won’t be eligible to get $60 back and will be paying full price for the PS3! Before you confirm and place your order, double-check that this box is properly filled in and visible:

You can save some extra money on shipping by arranging for pick-up at one of you local Sears stores. Just select pick-up before you add the PS3 to your cart! If you’re looking to purchase something else from Sears, such as a Wii, you can still enjoy the 20% cashback if you follow the above instructions!

$240 Playstation 3 from Sears.com is a post by Bogdan Semida from Notebooks.com.

Incipio is easily one of the best case-makers on the market. They offer a wide variety of stylish  products to protect your mobile devices from harm. Incipio’s site is running a special holiday promotion for all their white colored items, offering a 50% discount if you enter the coupon code SNOWDAY before checking out!

This can be a great opportunity to save on a present to an iPhone owner or power user. For example, you buy this snazzy feather iPhone case for $10.00! If you choose economy shipping, there’s no extra charge. You can also snag an additional $5.00 discount of your total purchase, provided it’s more than $30, if you pay using Google Checkout!

50% Off Incipio White Colored Items is a post by Bogdan Semida from Notebooks.com.

College students with a .edu e-mail address can enjoy some extra savings on their holiday shopping this season! Edhance, a student discount platform, lets students who register for an account get cashback on purchases from select retailers.

Though the cashback program has a focus on local stores, there’s a large number of online shopping websites which have partnered with Edhance. There are even some sellers which have avoided other cashback program’s like Microsoft’s Bing Cashback! Some discounts that stick out are savings of up to 25% off purchases at ToshibaDirect and cashback from the Apple Store! You can check out the full list of deals here.

The program is relatively new but has a lot of promise. You can sign up for a free account using your .edu e-mail address. Apparently, students without a .edu account can still sign up but there’s some extra verification involved. When you make an account, you’ll be required to provide a credit card to help track your purchases. Cashback you earn will be issued to the credit card you added once you have earned $25.

If you’re a student looking to upgrade to the new Windows 7 operating system, check out our write-up on Microsoft’s $29.99 student pricing. Don’t all these savings make you want to go back to college?

Exclusive Cashback Program for Students is a post by Bogdan Semida from Notebooks.com.