The TR Podcast 19: Android is open, Microsoft is confusing, and the Tech Share has shipped!
In which we catch up on some stuff...
by Jordan Drake — 12:06 PM on October 3, 2008

Date: Oct 4, 2008
Time: 1:09:56

Hosted by Jordan Drake
Co-Hosts: Scott Wasson, Geoff Gasior, Cyril Kowaliski, Adam Eiberger
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Show notes
This episode catches up on several major tech and TR-related topics. We start the show by introducing our marketing manager extraordinaire, Adam Eiberger. He talks about his work here at TR then teams up with Scott to cover the latest TR Tech Share news. If you haven't been following TR's latest philanthropic endeavors, you'll enjoy hearing about the cool things we're doing in Uganda! Continuing down the road of vocal tech reporting, our editors answer listener mail, talk about Google's Android platform, discuss one of the latest case reviews, and more.

Send in listener mail, and we'll answer on the podcast. - jdrake@techreport.com

Listener mail:

Fast mobile hard drives? (0:24:31) - from Chris:

"Two years ago I purchased a Dell D420 Latitude laptop. I love everything about it, except the super slow hard drive – it's a 4200RPM ATA/100. 1.8” form factor. I've been told it's the same type that goes into the iPods!

"I've been poking around for a new HDD online, however there is an apparent lack of 1.8" drives. I can find a couple of Samsung 5400 RPM drives, but I can't find anywhere to purchase them in Canada (where I live) or the U.S. A few 1.8" SSDs do exist, however they are way out of my price range (and I can only find them on ebay ripped from Mac Airs). So my question boils down to this:

"a) Given that I'm looking at ATA-100 drives, is the increase from 4200RPM to 5400RPM going to be noticeable for real day activities, such as boot times, etc?
"b) Do you guys have wind of any cheaper 1.8" ATA-100 SSDs coming to market? It seems that all the new drives are SATA or SATA2.
"c) Is the move SSD even worthwhile if one is using ATA-100?"

Tech discussion:

    The Tech Share bundle ships out (0:02:56)- Read more

    Our editors discuss Google Android (0:28:50)- Read more

    Phase 2 of Microsoft's newest ad campaign commences? (0:36:55)- Read more

    Rosewill's Conqueror enclosure (0:57:29)- Read more

That's all, folks! Check back on October 11 for the next TR podcast.

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