2

Hewlett-Packard has a newfound affinity for Android.

After announcing the Slate 7 in February, HP announced Tuesday that it is adding a second Android tablet, the SlateBook x2.

The SlateBook takes its well-received Envy x2 design and loads Android 4.2.2 and Nvidia's brand-new Tegra 4 chip inside a sleek 10.1-inch tablet that can double as a laptop.

An Android laptop, mind you, not a Chromebook.

"With an advanced magnetic hinge design and dual battery system -- one battery in the base and one in the tablet -- users can easily switch from notebook to tablet … Read more

If nothing else, HP's second try at an Android tablet is a bit more promising than its first. The SlateBook x2 has a 10.1-inch, 1,920x1,200 resolution screen and ships with Android 4.2.2. It will be one of the first tablets to house Nvidia's Tegra 4 processor when it debuts in August for $480.

Design-wise, the SlateBook x2 looks not unlike HP's Windows 8 tablet, the Envy x2, with power and volume buttons located on the back, near the left and right edges. However, instead of brushed aluminum, the SlateBook features a plastic … Read more

At least one Microsoft executive believes that Apple designs are good enough to cite as a yardstick.

After revealing that Windows Blue would officially be called 8.1 at the JP Morgan Technology, Media, and Telecom Conference on Tuesday, Microsoft Chief Marketing Officer Tami Reller moved on to the topic of tablets, convertibles, and detachables.

"The HP envy x2 is a classic example of a beautiful detachable. When the tablet and base are together it looks like a MacBook Air competitor," she said.

How good is the Envy x2's design? "This 11-inch ultraportable laptop is cute, … Read more

For those who want a scanning program that adds features over those of native Mac applications, VueScan for Mac does just that--and it performed well in our tests.

VueScan for Mac comes with a free trial version that limits the scanners available for use. The full version costs $39.95 to unlock. The download completed as quickly as expected via a high-speed connection. A user guide was available as a link to the developer's Web site, which was a helpful feature. Support for updates also appeared to be available. The main menu had a dated design, but was functional. … Read more

Frequent chat users may want a way to quickly add photos and emoticons to their writing. Webmemes for Safari for Mac is a basic application that allows images to be added to social networks, but ultimately is not varied enough for long term use and doesn't work quite as intended.

Webmemes for Safari for Mac is available as a free add-on, but despite its name the download would not read with Safari in our tests. Using a different browser did allow the add-on to be installed, which completed without any user interaction required. There were no instructions, but the … Read more

Need a quick and easy way to convert an image or multiple images to another format? Pixillion Free JPEG Converter does this job quickly and without any issues. This software comes with an easy-to-use interface and supports a variety of the most popular image formats.

Pixillion Free JPEG Converter downloads as an exe file. The installation is rather easy. After accepting the user agreement you will be asked to install some additional software and extras, including a toolbar, which you will probably want to avoid. The program comes as an unlicensed trial version with an option to upgrade to a … Read more

Having to rename a bunch of files manually every time can be labor-intensive. With NameChanger for Mac, users can now rename their files quickly and easily in just a snap. While not too complicated for inexperienced users, this app will keep advanced users more than satisfied with the level of customization offered.

To install NameChanger for Mac you just have to drop the app into the Applications folder. Upon startup this application will greet you with a clean, tidy, and easy-to-navigate user interface. While the app has only one, pretty basic function, it is very useful. It replaces the original … Read more

When working in a dark environment, some users may find their screen to be too bright even when the brightness is already on the lowest setting. With Screen Shades for Mac, users will now be able to fine-tune their Mac's brightness even more.

Screen Shades for Mac is very basic freeware. The app is small in size and the installation only took a few seconds to complete. Upon launching the app, a menu will pop up, allowing the user to turn on the effect, which will add a tint and darken the screen of their Mac. Right below the … Read more

Users who perform menu operations multiple times may want to automate them to save time in the future. Shortcuts for Mac, despite its overly complicated menu, has many options for creating hot keys and shortcuts.

Shortcuts for Mac downloaded and installed, easily. Instructions were available with the program in the form of a readme file with the installer--a great addition because the program is very difficult to use. It is also unclear if technical support is available. The user must choose whether to open the regular version or a 32-bit option. This choice could be confusing to a number of … Read more