The world’s thinnest tablet in the “mini” category, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S2, runs Android 5.0 (Lollipop) OS and has a 2048 x 1536 screen resolution. Its Quad 1.9GHz Intel processor and 32 GB Flash Memory makes it a capable machine for browsing the internet and for running apps from the Google Play Store.

The AMOLED display delivers the vibrant, lifelike colors with deep contrast and rich display that consumers have come to expect from Samsung’s flagship line of portable electronics. The Galaxy S2’s rear-facing 8-megapixel camera takes reasonably good pictures, although your phone likely has a better camera. Its battery life also leaves something to be desired. The battery lasts six hours on average.

The Galaxy’s most attractive feature is, of course, its svelte figure. At .22,” it is even thinner than the iPad Air 2. Other perks such as Samsung’s exclusive Smart Switch software and fingerprint scanning round out the tablet.

Samsung also offers a 9.7” edition of the Galaxy Tab S2.

The Thinnest Tablet Running Windows: Toshiba dynaPad

While the Android OS is fine for entertainment purposes, you will want a tablet with Windows OS if you intend to do serious work on your tablet. Think of the Galaxy Tab as an over-sized smartphone and of the dynaPad as an undersized laptop.

The dynaPad packs much more impressive hardware in its extra .05” of thickness. It runs the powerful Intel Atom CPU and has 4GB of RAM and 65GB of internal storage. Engadget writes:

“The 1.28-pound tablet feels at once luxuriously light and reassuringly well-built. The secret ingredient is a carbon fiber frame that’s coated in a soft, rubbery paint that makes the device easier to grip than a big-screen tablet ought to be. It also helps that the device has a mix of rounded corners and flat, slightly chamfered edges.”

It has Gorilla glass screen, which is resistant to scratches and cracks, and a sturdy carbon-fiber frame. The dynaPad’s durability is a great asset for an ultrathin tablet, because it doesn’t require a bulky case for protection.

The dynaPad is now available for pre-order and will be sold online and in Windows stores later this month.

The post The Thinnest Tablet appeared first on Reactual.

The Details

Paper is on the way out, but it isn’t gone yet. Offices around the world are full of documents produced before the digital age, filled with boxes full of memos and important documents. Scanning and uploading these documents doesn’t need to intimidating. Whether you have a basement full of files or just want to upload paper receipts to help balance your budget, a portable scanner is your best bet.

A good portable scanner is a fraction of the price of a big Xerox machine. Plus, they go places your printer can’t. They can scan up to a dozen documents at the same time and send them directly to your PC as searchable PDFs. As always, assess your needs before you decide what is best for you. We’ve assessed the field and found the best portable scanners available in 2016.

The Best Overall Portable Scanner of 2016: Doxie Go Wi-Fi

This fully portable scanner is light enough to carry in a backpack, but powerful enough to serve as your full-time desktop scanner. The flagship of Doxie‘s respected line of portable scanners, it is Wi-Fi enable so you can go from paper to PC or Mac in seconds without the use of any wires or cables.

Unlike some wireless scanners, the Doxie Go Wi-Fi is truly portable. It is less than a foot long and and about 2 inches tall, so it fits a piece of  standard computer paper but not much more. Barely heavier than a pound, it can go in an archivists backpack or legal aid’s tote-bag without feeling like a burden.

But the real magic of this product is the technology and utility. You can scan everything from business cards to receipts. It scans up to 10 pages of loaded A4 paper at a time. While you can instantly transmit the scanned document to your PC or Apple device (including Mac, iPhone, and iPad), it holds up to 1,800 scans at a time, and more if you put in an SD card. That means you can upload scans without a computer present, which means you can leave your laptop at home and scan away. Most people will never need this storage, but ask anyone who has had to scan an archive before and they will be extremely thankful for this functionality.

What is useful for everyone is ABBYY OCR technology that recognizes text in your scanned PDFs. That means you can search your documents for keywords or files, saving you the trouble of tracking down that one purchase or memo. Doxie Go Wi-Fi is also compatible with Evernote, OneNote, and Dropbox, which makes organizing your documents even easier. One downside is that it does not have duplex, or dual-sided, scanning.

The Best Dual-Sided Portable Scanner: Fujitsu ScanSnap S1300i

If you have filing cabinets full of double-sided documents that need to be digitized save yourself a ton of hassle by investing in a dual-sided scanner. Fujitsu’s ScanSnap S1300i Deluxe is the perfect tool for the job, though is a bit on the bulky side for a portable scanner.

This well-built machine weighs in at nearly 5 pounds, but justifies the extra weight with diverse functionality and quality scanning. You can scan in color, grayscale, or monochrome at a clip of 12 double sided pages per minute. It doesn’t matter if you are scanning medical files, receipts, or handwritten notes. The ScanSnap has auto size and color detection, cropping out empty room for the perfect quality and size scan. ABBYY FineReader lets you  create automatically searchable PDFs on PC or Mac.

The ScanSnap can be recharged with via USB or AC Adapter, so it works everywhere your laptop does. You also get a wide array of cloud options. It can upload documents to Evernote, Google Docs, Salesforce, SharePointOnline, One Drive, and more.

The Best Handheld Scanner: MSRM iScan Wand

In the library and need to scan a page for your research paper? The handheld MSRM iScan Wand is your best friend. This battery-powered device is perfect for scholars and artists who need to get up to 900x900dpi reproduction of photos, textbooks, or whatever.

The lightweight device weighs a bit more than half of a pound and is charged by USB. It is about the size of a rolled up magazine, so you can fit it in your purse or bag easily. Like the other products on this list, it scans into a searchable PDF or to cloud technology. Because it is handheld, it isn’t ideal for scanning huge quantities of documents, since each needs to be done individually. But the high image quality, ease of use, and portability make it a precision tool to take on the road.

The MSRM iScan Wand is available on Amazon for about $55.

The post The Best Portable Scanners of 2016 appeared first on Reactual.

The Details

Even die-hard traditional book readers have to admit that an e-reader has advantages over analog books in certain situations. Nothing quite replicates the feel and smell of an old paper book while curled up at home on a rainy autumn day. But try reading a cumbersome door-stopper like Infinite Jest while sitting poolside without your arms withering and the pages flapping in the wind. Or if you are going on a backpacking trip for a few months you can bring thousands of books with you instead of just two or three.

The latest iteration of e-readers replicate the look of a book. Unlike backlit tablets they are easy on the eyes and perfect for reading outdoors. Online marketplaces have gotten much better over the years, giving you access to millions of choices anywhere there is wifi. They are also lightweight and comfortable to hold, easy to keep in hand on long plane rides or days at the beach.

There are a few important factors to weigh when choosing which E-Reader is right for you. Backpackers and travelers want to opt for options with the longest battery life, as they will last the longest in between charges. Beach bums want a model that is waterproof and can stand up to the brightest sun. Read below to find out the best e-readers you should go for.

Best Overall E-Reader: Kindle Voyage

The Kindle Voyage tops the list in all of the categories that make up a great E-Reader. First, there’s the lightweight design, weighing in at a breezy .4lbs. Then there is the screen, a 6″ display using E-Ink Carta to replicate the look of a printed book page in an impressive 300-ppi display. It doesn’t strain the eyes in the way an LED or LCD tablet will, which means that you can stay up late in to the night trying to power through the final chapters in your A Song Of Ice And Fire marathon.

What sets the Voyage apart from other high-end competitors is an adaptive brightness that automatically adjusts to ambient light. So whether you are reading in a dim coffee shop or out by the pool, your Kindle’s screen will adapt to make the experience as easy on the eyes as possible. This is thanks to a built-in lighting system that uses 6 bulbs as opposed to the 4 used in many other e-readers.

The design is also lightweight and thin. It features a thin bezel and sleek look, with a feature called Page Press that lets you change pages without even lifting your finger. You really can’t ask for much more than that.

Finally, the Kindle Voyage comes with 4GB memory which is perfect to store you entire digital collection of books and more. Amazon’s reading collection is the broadest and subscription services give you access to more books than anything else on the market.

Best Water Proof E-Reader: Kobo Aura H20

For a durable Reactual-approved e-reader that can survive the elements, go for the Kobo Aura H20. As the name suggests, this is a waterproof and dustproof device that can be taken with whether you are heading out on a cruise or to the desert. It even has an IP67 certified rating, meaning it is resistant to splashes and small-particle ingress.

It has a large 6.8″ screen, one of the largest of any e-reader, and it reads just like the printed page of a book, thanks to ClarityScreen+ technology. The screen is a beautiful high-definition that presents your books in wonderful quality. At 265dpi, the resolution is a bit worse than that of competitors like Nook and Kindle, but most readers would not even be able to notice the difference.

There is a great deal of customization and fun features in the interface. The ComfortLight feature redirects light away from your eyes and on to the screen, reducing glare and giving you enough light to read. Other nice features include 24 font sizes and the ability to highlight and save, as well an integrated dictionary.

The device has 4GB of storage and can offers a great deal of variety in terms of formatting. It plays files including Epub, PDF, Mobi, and CBZ, which is an advantage over Kindle and its proprietary restrictions.

One more huge advantage of the H20 is a 2 month battery life that far exceeds its competition. One great weakness is a lackluster online store with a clunky UI that causes headaches when looking for appropriate titles.

Best Value E-Reader: Kindle Paperwhite

Get an 8 hour battery life and a HD resolution screen for an affordable price with the Kindle Paperwhite.

Previous iterations of the Kindle Paperwhite were a bit lacking in resolution and crispness, but the latest one sports an impressive 300ppi, which matches the flagship model the Voyage. It also has a vibrant and pronounced differences between black and white which leads to a satisfying reading experience. The screen is bright enough to to eliminate glare in direct sunlight and there are 4 LED lights for night reading.

There are less features than on the Voyage like microSD slots, and the device is heavier than others on the market. At the lowest price point it does show you advertising, which is a major turn-off for some readers. An upgrade can take the ads off entirely, which lets you enjoy the Amazon bookstore through WiFi.

The relatively plain Kindle Paperwhite can’t compete with the more expensive Kindle Voyage’s design. At nearly half a pound, it is a little on the heavy side, and like other Kindles there’s no microSD slot. However, with 4GB of internal storage there’s enough space to store thousands of books, making this one of the best e-readers around.[/cs_text][/cs_column][/cs_row][/cs_section][/cs_content]

The post The Best E-Readers of 2016 appeared first on Reactual.

• The GermGuardian AC482522 is the best portable air filter available
• One of the air filters doctors recommend most, the Honeywell True HEPA Air Purifier is the best air filter for allergies
• The Holmes Desktop Purifier is the best value portable air filter

The Details

A portable air filter is a device that is used to purify the air in a room of impurities and pollutants. Air filter statistics from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have shown that the air inside your home can be five to ten times dirtier than the air outside, and Americans spend an average of 90% of their lives indoors.

Portable air filters are intended to target specific contaminants, decreasing the levels in which they are detected in the room. In order to do this, the air is passed through one of more filters to remove dust, lint, germs and other pollutants. In a stationary (non-portable) purifier, the filter is inserted into the air return vents in a home. These materials include foam, fiberglass, cotton and synthetic fibers. A portable air filter is more versatile, and the same materials and methods are used in many of the best portable filters.

Some of the most popular air filter types are HEPA air purifiers, air filters that use activated carbon filters and others that use charged media filters. When purchasing a portable air filter with HEPA technology, it is important to look for one with a genuine HEPA filter, or “true” HEPA filter. Some may be advertised as “HEPA-like,” but these do not meet the high standards of a true HEPA filter.

Here are three of the best portable air filters on the market today.

The Best Overall Portable Air Filter: Germ Guardian AC4825

The GermGuardian AC482522 is just 22” in height and weighs a tiny 7 pounds, making it easily transportable from room to room. It features three fan speeds, is ultra-quiet and is best suited for medium sized rooms. The CADR rating is 100+, meaning it can clean more than 100 cubic feet of air in one minute.

This tower-like product from Guardian Technologies is the best available portable air filter on the market. The AC4825 uses three different filters that screen out almost all undesirable particles from the air by using multiple filters and systems.

First, the pre-filter uses activated carbon to remove odors and gases from the home. It also captures larger pieces of dust and pollen. The second filter is a True HEPA system that removes pet dander, dust mites, mold spores and pollen. True HEPA filters must meet strict guidelines to be classified as such. Therefore, you can be assured that the HEPA system in the GermGuardian filters out almost 100% of airborne particles as small as 0.3 microns. Lastly, the air is passed through short range UV light, also known as UV-C. This UV light is effective in killing germs and viruses such as E. coli and streptococcus.

The Best Portable Air Filter For Allergies: Honeywell Air Purifier

The post The Best Portable Air Filter appeared first on Reactual.

Note that you won’t find a new Apple laptop for under $500. If you want a new Mac laptop — the least expensive option is to purchase a Apple MacBook Air MC506LL/A, which was released in 2010, and currently sells for $849 at Amazon.

The Best Apple Laptops Under $500

Let’s take a look at the used Apple laptops you can get for under $500.

When buying a used or refurbished laptop, pay attention to the seller’s rating and return policy. In most cases you’ll want to avoid “newly launched” sellers, or sellers with ratings under 90%. When your used laptop arrives, you’ll know pretty soon if it works as advertised. If it doesn’t, you’ll want to be able to return the machine within 30 days. I’d also try to find a buyer who mentions that the laptop has a battery that “still holds a charge”. Many laptop batteries need to be replaced after 4-5 years. If you do find the battery unacceptable, it’s possible to buy a replacement Macbook batteries separately for about $40.

Apple MacBook MB403LL/A ($470-$500)

For just under $500, the best Macbook you can buy is an Apple MacBook MB403LL/A. This Macbook came out in Late 2008, and it has 2.6 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor and a 13.3 inch screen. Although it was released 4 years ago, this is a perfectly acceptable laptop for 2012. It can run Apple’s latest operating system, OS X 10.7 “Lion”. I’d advise you to try to get this Macbook with 2 GB of memory installed — there’s not much price difference between a 1GB and 2GB machine, but the extra memory makes a difference.

The Apple MacBook MB403LL/A is available on Amazon for about $500.

Apple G4 iBook M9627LL/A  ($250-$300)

If you really looking to save some money, you can get an Apple G4 iBook for under $300. These machines came out between 2003 and 2004. They have 1.33 gHZ processors and can run the OS X 10.5 “Leopard” operating system. While they are not speedy by today’s standards, these laptops work fine for web browsing and running other applications, though watching videos online can be frustrating. But overall, a quality computer from Apple.

The Apple G4 iBook is available from Amazon for $250-$300.

Apple G4 Powerbook M9110LL ($470-$500)

If you’re looking for laptop with a 17″ screen, you can get a used Powerbook  G4 M9110LL for under $500. Note, however that this machine was released in 2003, and only has an 1.33-GHz PowerPC G4 processor. The  MacBook mention above is an faster Intel processor and more memory for the same price.

The post How To Find Apple Laptops Under $500 appeared first on Reactual.

Dwolla

Also worth checking out is Dwolla, an online payment service with much lower fees than PayPal (though not completely free like Amazon Payments). The only time you’ll be charged for using Dwolla is when you receive money, where there is a flat fee of 25¢ per transaction. Dwolla is integrated into many common platforms; the company just announced its service can facilitate transactions between connections on LinkedIn, and Facebook and Twitter integration is already in place. You can also use Dwolla via apps for Android, iOS, and Windows Phone 7.

Amazon Payments

Web giant Amazon operates a service similar to PayPal with one important difference: the fees are much more reasonable. For example, it doesn’t cost anything to send or receive money. You can see the full list of fees here. Amazon Payments allows you to request and send money online or via mobile phone. Withdrawals are permitted on balances above $10, and you can add funds to your account through your bank or credit card. A handful of online retailers accept Amazon Payments.

PayDivvy & WePay

For collecting group payments, consider Paydivvy and WePay. Both services allow you to request money from multiple parties and pool the funds to pay a bill. Paydivvy is free as long as you keep all transactions linked directly to and from a bank account; adding a credit card to the mix will trigger fees.

Finally, if you need a versatile way to collect credit card payments, you should take a look at Square. Upon signing up for a free account, you’ll receive a free credit card reader in the mail. Download the no-cost app for iPhone, iPad, or Android and you are ready to go. The diminutive card reader plugs into the headphone jack of your device, and each swipe results in a 2.75% fee (entering a card number manually costs more).

The post The Best Alternatives To PayPal appeared first on Reactual.

• If you want the best energy capacity (2550 mAh) — get the Eneloop Pro
• If you want maximum recharge capacity (2100 times) — get the 4th Generation Panasonic Eneloops

Overall, the best rechargeable AA battery is the Eneloop Pro. They have a high energy capacity (2500 mAh), and they perform better than similar high-capacity AAs. They can only be charged 500 times (versus 2100 times for regular Eneloops). But most people will never charge their batteries that many times. For example, if you charged your batteries twice a week consistently, it would take 5 years to reach 500 charges.

Sanyo Eneloop

Top Review Sources:

• Consumer Reports: Recommended
• Doc’s Charger and Battery Reviews: “Good performance for a 2000 mAh rated battery, and fantastic shelf life for a Ni-MH”
• Amazon: 4.5/5.0 (1,600+ reviews)

Eneloops are currently the top rated rechargeable AAs, and we have found them to perform well.  We should also mention Imedion batteries, which are similar to Eneloops but rated at 2400 mAh (this stands for milli Amp hour, and indicates a battery’s energy storage capacity). Eneloops, by comparison, have a lower rated capacity — 2000 mAh (or 1980 mAh according to my informal tests).

You’ll find the Sanyo eneloop AA four pack ($11) on Amazon. You can also buy an eneloop AA four pack with included recharger ($18) as well as an eneloop AA eight pack ($20).

Eneloop Pros

The Eneloop Pro is a high-capacity version of the regular Eneloop cell. The Eneloop Pro has a capacity of 2500 mAh –this is 500 mAh more than the regular Eneloops. Their only potential downside is that they can be charged 500 times — not 2100 times like the regular Eneloops. However, on average most people will charge their batteries about 100-200 times over a 5 year period.

Eneloop Pro batteries are available on Amazon.

Energizer Ultimate

Pros:

• Great for high-drain devices and maximum runtime
• Fantastic shelf life

Cons:

• Not rechargeable

Top Review Sources:

• Consumer Reports: Recommended
• Amazon: 4.5/5.0 (150+ reviews)
• CHOICE Online (Australia): “The ENERGIZER e2 Lithium was by far the top performer in our test”

The Energizer Ultimate is a disposable battery meant for high-drain devices and long periods of time away from another power source. It is the successor to the similar Energizer e2. Like the e2, the Ultimate is a lithium battery. One of lithium’s advantages over other types of batteries is a longer runtime. The Ultimate AA is a 3000 mAh battery that operates at about 1.7 volts; it is able to energize a high-drain device (such as a powerful camera) for a longer period of time than most other batteries. If you have a gadget that needs the higher voltage, or if you need a battery that will last in a high-drain device for as long as possible, lithium is a great option. Another lithium advantage is its 10+ year shelf life, making it a good backup battery to have around for emergencies. Lithium batteries also operate in sub-freezing temperatures, unlike alkaline disposables.

The Energizer Ultimate four pack ($5) is available on Amazon. Also for sale is an eight pack ($15).

Duracell CopperTop

Pros:

• Low initial cost
• Long shelf life

Cons:

• Not long-term cost-effective

Top Review Sources:

• Amazon: 4.5/5.0 (125+ reviews)
• PC Magazine: Longest runtime in flashlight test (of seven batteries tested)
• CandlePowerForums.com Alkaline Battery Shoot Out: 4^th place (of 19 batteries tested for watt-hours)

Duracell CopperTop batteries use alkaline technology to deliver reliable performance at a low cost per battery. While rechargeable batteries will save you money in the long run, disposable alkalines like the CopperTop have advantages such as lower initial cost and longer shelf life (7+ years). CopperTops are not suited for high-drain devices; they won’t last as long as NiMH or lithium batteries. However, if you use batteries very infrequently or need a long-lasting, inexpensive solution for a smoke detector or rarely-used remote control, the CopperTop offers a compelling price/performance balance.

The Duracell CopperTop 20 pack is for sale on Amazon.

See also our extensive review of rechargeable batteries and chargers on MetaEfficient.

The post The Top Rated AA Batteries appeared first on Reactual.

Kruptos 2 Professional ($15)

Pros:

• Easy to use
• Can mask file names
• Includes secure deletion and self-extracting file creator tools

Cons:

• Limited functionality without payment

Top Review Sources:

• CNET: 5.0/5.0 “Kruptos 2, with all its features, is what every user needing simple file encryption desires”
• PC Advisor: “Simple and effective file and folder encryption at an excellent price point”
• Download.com User Reviews: 4.0/5.0 (130+ reviews)

Kruptos 2 Professional provides an easy way to password protect any number of files, with the option of masking even the file names themselves. Part of what makes Kruptos 2 Professional easy to use is its tight integration with Windows; right-click a file and you are only one more click away from encrypting it. You can also drag and drop files and folders onto the Kruptos user interface in order to encrypt them. After decrypting a file for editing, Kruptos will automatically re-encrypt it upon close. The program uses the 256-bit Blowfish algorithm to encrypt files. Kruptos also includes a secure file deletion tool, self-extracting file creator, and the ability to encrypt a USB flash drive.

Kruptos 2 Professional is available for purchase on the manufacturer’s website.

MEO (Free)

Pros:

• Free
• Interface is as simple as it gets
• Tiny installation footprint

Cons:

• Advertisements
• Email encryption isn’t as straightforward as file encryption

Top Review Sources:

• CNET: 4.0/5.0 “As far as free file encryption programs go, this is one of the better ones we’ve seen”
• Softpedia User Reviews: 3.8/5.0 (25+ reviews)
• Download.com User Reviews: 4.5/5.0 (5+ reviews)

MEO has a bare-bones interface that puts those new to the encryption game at ease. Encryption and decryption are simple processes that take only a couple of clicks, either from the MEO interface or from a Windows context menu. MEO allows you to create self-extracting encrypted folders. The program provides the option to encrypt an email, though novices may find MEO’s method of doing this hard to follow. The product’s main demerit is its advertising; MEO will prompt you to install additional software during installation (though you can opt out). MEO employs the Triple DES 256-bit algorithm.

MEO can be downloaded directly from the publisher.

AxCrypt (Free)

Pros:

• Free
• Fully integrated into Windows
• Includes file shredder and self-extracting file creator

Cons:

• No support for 256-bit encryption

Top Review Sources:

• CNET: 5.0/5.0 “AxCrypt is both powerful and easy to use, and we think that it’s a great way to keep files secure for users of all experience levels”
• Lifehacker: One of the “Five Best File Encryption Tools”
• PC World: “A simple, free way to encrypt individual files”

Axantum’s AxCrypt provides a free and easy way to deploy AES-128 encryption on your PC. Fully integrated with Windows, AxCrypt is operated exclusively via the context menu—there is no other user interface. The program supports the creation of self-extracting files, plus includes a file shredder for secure deletion. You can set a passcode on encrypted files, or you can create a key file. A key file is typically stored on removable media such as a USB flash drive. When you insert the drive into the computer, it will allow decryption. AxCrypt’s online help file is thorough and quite useful for both new and experienced users.

You can download AxCrypt from the publisher’s site.

SafeBit ($40)

Pros:

• Easy-to-use interface
• Strong, flexible encryption

Cons:

• Cost
• Only one encryption algorithm

Top Review Sources:

• Softpedia: 4.5/5.0 “Very Good”
• digZIP: “SafeBit Disk Encryption is uncomplicated software with an attractive interface that securely converts files unnoticed”
• rbytes User Rating: 3.5/5.0

NeoByte Solutions’ SafeBit employs an intuitive, clean interface, helping make file encryption tasks go quickly and smoothly. Advanced users will appreciate the plethora of customization options. To encrypt your data, SafeBit requires you to create a password-protected virtual drive (called a “safe”). You may create as many safes as you’d like. Users are able to save their passwords on external memory—such as a flash drive—to create a key they can use to unlock and lock their safes. The program operates transparently, encrypting your files automatically as you work within a virtual drive. In the process, SafeBit will not drag down the speed and responsiveness of your system. SafeBit makes use of a single encryption algorithm: AES-256. AES-256 is an effective algorithm, but some reviewers express disappointment in it being the only one offered, given the cost of the program. SafeBit includes a virtual keyboard as a safeguard against keyloggers. The help files are robust, and allow a beginner to get up and running quickly.

You can purchase SafeBit on the official website.

The post Top Rated File Encryption Software For PCs appeared first on Reactual.