Month: November 2005

PowerBook and iBook take Apple to the top spot

This year s best rated laptops seem to have one thing in common. They are all called Apples. They have taken this honor from several leading computing and electronics magazines, and the trends in sales seem to suggest that consumers are feeling the same warm way about them, too.

Laptops such as the PowerBook and iBook have helped Apple stand tall among the other major players in the computing world, such as Dell, IBM, Compaq, and HP. In 2004 alone, Apple announced that it had an overall net income growth of 300 percent. That equaled a profit of $295 million in the last quarter. If you own Apple stock, that must make you smile.

Single computer model sales show the same trend. For instance, the iPod desktop version disappeared off the shelves at the rate of 4.5 million per year. The iMac tripled its sales. It share of the international market may still be lagging behind, though. Dell still has top honors with 18 percent of the world market. HP comes in a close second with 16 percent. And in a distant third, IBM brings in 6 percent of the share. Still, Apple is getting the press lately that could put a dent in those figures.

Using inexpensive sunglasses

Inexpensive glasses can be just as technologically advanced, comfortable, and good looking as the three-digit-dollar brands. They can come with lightweight polycarbonate materials so they are barely noticeable once they re on your face. They can also come with special attachments to loop the glasses around your ears, so no matter how hard you hack at the ball, those glasses won t come off.

More importantly for your eyes health, the best golf sunglasses come with lenses that block 100 percent of the deadly ultraviolet rays from the sun. Look for glasses that block both UVA and UVB. The higher the nanometer rating, the better.

That way, you will have to worry less about cataracts or other eye conditions later in life. You ll have more cash in your pocket to purchase balls, equipment, green fees, and, of course, frosty beverages from the drink cart girls. And you ll look good doing it, too.