The Preferred Ultrabook

T

HE super-slim design of the Lenovo IdeaPad U310, coming in just under 3 pounds, looks even more cool in these three color schemes: graphite gray, aqua blue or cherry blossom pink. With its unique loop at the nicely rounded edges, it’s so easy to open. First thing you see is how nice the keyboard looks and how comfortable it is to type. The big glass touchpad makes it easier to scroll and zoom.

In the rare occasion when Windows fails you, Lenovo One Key Recovery is an app that backs up your data. Just press the OneKey Rescue System button on the side to restore the system. You can also restore the system from Windows through the OneKey Recovery software.

Make high definition video calls with the webcam suite called the Lenovo YouCam. Furthermore this 1.0M HD camera can also be used for secure login with facial recognition, through the Lenovo VeriFace biometric software. How cool is that!

The 13-inch widescreen display is very nice, the keyboard is elegant and over all well-designed, the power button shines with an LED light. The O/S is Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit. This highly portable laptop starts at $699.

For Active Photographers

T

HE best most utilitarian camera vest I’ve found is the PhoTOGS Vest from Tiffen. This
all-cotton black or stonewashed neutral-tone garment is the perfect choice for the professional lensman working with stills or video.

The 18 pockets are particularly useful: some with zipper closures, a couple of huge back pockets, one front pocket displays a removable plastic press pass/ID holder, pen/pencil pockets, even two
hand-warmer pockets. Tiffen thinks of everything.

The shoulders are quilted and the collar is padded. It has a double-pull zipper and size adjustment tabs. Machine washable. $154.99 at www.tiffen.com.

www.innovaart.com

For Photography And Art

W

HEN planning your photo exhibit, run don’t walk to B&H or Adorama to check out the exceptional paper produced by Innova Art.

For nine years this company has developed a range of coated papers and canvas specifically for photographers and artists in the digital market. They are available at Adorama, B&H and Amazon.

The papers, made from cotton linters, alpha cellulose, or a mixture, are fully archival, and acid and lignin free. Their high quality fiber-based fine art photo paper, the FibaPrint Warm Cotton Gloss, IFA-45, is outstanding. See more at www.innovaart.com.

The Berkshire Museum Camera Club in Pittsfield, Mass., just concluded a 75^th anniversary exhibition by 32 photographers, all printed entirely on Innova fine art paper. Larry Fink’s retrospective this summer at the Andalusian Centre for Photography in Almeria, in Spain’s province of Seville, utilized FibaPrint Warm Cotton Gloss for most of his 150 images.

I

T’S wise to have the right clothes and gadgets when you’re on the way to foreign lands for business or adventure. Get Magellan’s latest catalog by calling 1-800-962-4943 or visiting www.magellans.com. These are some of the essential travel items you will find useful, if not essential.

MEN’S TRENCH Magellan’s promises that drizzle or downpour you’ll stay dry as a bone with this waterproof trench coat. With its taped seams, detachable drawstring hood, adjustable button-tab cuffs and two deep hand warmer pockets, this single-breasted coat will keep you warm as well as dry. What’s more, it tucks into its own carrying pouch. ME025, black or bark, $69.99.

DIGITAL LUGGAGE SCALE How do you know you’re over the limit with your suitcase? Avoid paying unnecessary overweight penalty with this handy scale. The backlit screen shows you the exact weight in Pounds and kilograms. It has a 100lb/44kg capacity, but who packs that heavy in one bag? The device stores the weight temporarily so you can put the bag down to read the number. KT330, black or red, $25.

CLIMATE CONTROL GATHERED CREW Fiber technology insulates this shirt from both heat and cold tom keep the lady comfortable in any weather. Wrinkle resistant and machine washable. It even has a hidden zippered security pocket. WK127, blush, white or seaglass, $49.

WOMEN’S RAIN LOGIC TRENCH An Ex-Officio product, this coat combines waterproof and windproof protection with sealed seams and lightweight laminated stretch nylon. The coast has adjustable drawstring hood that’s removable, two-way front zipper, microfleece lined collar, two front pockets with waterproof zippers, an internal pocket system for electronic devices. The WE038 trench is 35 inches long, available in stone or black, at $219.

FOLDING NOISE CANCELLING HEADPHONES Block out unwanted sounds like airplane engine drone, not to mention your seat mate’s snoring and snorting, with these Able Planet headphones. The over-the-ear cups are nicely cushioned. They fold for easy packing. Comes with two AAA batteries. IF166, specially reduced from $109.50 to $69.50.

MEN’S STORM LOGIC JACKET Don’t like that puffball look? Then this jacket from ExOfficio is your choice. It’s made of water repellant polyester to keep you warm without the bulk. It has a cinch cord on the bottom hem to seal out cold air. Inside are multiple pockets to carry your documents, glasses, keys, phone and iPod. Roll the jacket into its back waist pocket and you have a comfy compact pillow. Cool! ME030, black, ensign or brick, $165.

Must Haves

i

LUV The company makes a variety of cases for different Apple and Android devices. I especially love the stylish CEOFolio tht will dress up your iPad and make you look like a smart hardworking executive with your mobile office. You have ample pocket slots for business cards, credit cards, ID and such. As I also like to jot on paper, this case has a large slot for an A5 note pad plus holders for pen, pencil and ePen stylus. (They think of everything.) Use the stand to prop up your iPad to view websites and presentations. Available for $79.99 at www.iluv.com.

OTTER BOX Now that you have the latest iPhone 5 you’re looking for protective gear. Otter has you covered with attractive cases that come in four flavors: Defender Series boasts a rubber outer protective case that withstands rugged handling, a hooked clip for tight hold, a built-in membrane that prevents scratches to the screen, $49.95; Commuter Series for stylish protection, with doors and tabs that block dirt, lint and dust, $34.95; Reflex Series with air cushions in the corners to absorb impact force, $34.95; and the Prefix Series with rubber outer layer and polycarbonate inner structure, $24.95.

BEST OF TOY FAIR

Sidekix introduces a new line of plush toys at Toy Fair 13 on Feb. 10-13 at the Javits Center in New York. They’re based on the characters from Animal Jam, national Geographic’s online interactive animal world that teaches kids, ages 5-11, about endangered species and nature. With Sidekix, kids can kick them, play catch, or clip them to hang on a belt bag. There’s even a zippered pouch for money or bike lock key.