SLJ’s Jeff Hastings test drives the integrated ebook/database platform Mackin VIA.
Ebook toolkit: SLJ Reviews Follett’s Ereader Suite
By on May 14, 2012 4 Comments
Jeff Hastings considers building a Follett ebook collection now that the company has released apps that let patrons read from among their 132,000 K–12 titles, online or off, on iPads and Android 3.0+ tablets.
SLJ Reviews: The IPEVO Point 2 View USB Document Camera
By on April 18, 2012 Leave a Comment
Not every educator needs an expensive, feature-packed document camera. Those wanting just the basics can do it on the cheap with the IPEVO Point 2 View USB model.
SLJ Reviews Casio’s Short-Throw, Lampless Projector
By on March 12, 2012 1 Comment
As anyone who works with digital projectors knows, replacing those metal-halide projection lamps can get way pricey. So Jeff Hastings tried out the alternative, Casio’s lampless model, the XJ-ST155.
Kindle Fire vs. Nook Tablet: An educator weighs the pros and cons
By on February 9, 2012 4 Comments
Which is the better color touch-screen device? Jeff Hastings stages a tablet shoot-out in his video review.
Meet the Chromebook: Is the Samsung Google OS laptop fit for school?
By on January 3, 2012 3 Comments
With school-friendly features, including all-day battery life and a lease-to-own option, the Samsung Series 5 holds potential for 1-1 computing. Jeff Hastings runs down the considerations for deploying Chromebooks in a K-12 setting.
SLJ Reviews the Lenovo IdeaPad U300s Ultrabook
By on December 12, 2011 Leave a Comment
Make way for the Ultrabooks. Jeff Hastings, School Library Journal’s Test Drive columnist, examines one iteration of the next category of computer, the Lenovo IdeaPad U300s.
School Library Journal Reviews the Nook Simple Touch and the Kobo eReader Touch
By on November 2, 2011 1 Comment
SLJ’s take on the Nook Simple Touch and the Kobo eReader Touch. The touchscreen ereaders are much simpler, sleeker, and just plain better than their predecessors, writes Jeff Hastings.
SLJ Reviews the Toshiba Thrive
By on October 14, 2011 1 Comment
It’s estimated that about 80 percent of tablet computers sold to date have been iPads. But have you noticed how many non-Apple tablets are suddenly out there competing for a piece of the action? Take the Toshiba Thrive, for example. It’s a 10-inch (10.1″ diagonal measure) tablet with a 1280 x 800 WXGA widescreen, multitouch [...]
