Ralph Ainsley

Ralph's answer: The biggest difference is the screen. The new iPad has a much higher-resolution screen, which means sharper text and better-looking images and video. If you move your face close to your computer screen and look carefully, you will see the little square pixels that make up the image. Apple's so-called "retina displays" pack more pixels into each inch than your eye can actually detect. So the image is really seamless and convincing. No matter how close you squint, you can't see pixels. Text is perfectly crisp and pictures look great. The iPhone 4 has such a screen and it's really impressive to see the difference with previous iPhones.

A better screen is very important. I always tell people that the best way to upgrade their computer is to get a larger, higher-resolution monitor. The screen is the thing you spend all your time looking at. It's not some memory chip or microprocessor that's buried deep inside the device which you will never really experience first hand. The difference between a "retina" display and the iPad 2's display is not just visible, it's obvious and dramatic. The new iPad will be the best-looking computer display you've ever seen, by a mile.

In addition, the new iPad has a faster processor, a better camera, and is capable of 4G cellular connectivity. That means that if you are willing to pay for an AT&T or Verizon monthly plan, you can get blazing fast network service on the go. Of course, you can go without that and just use WiFi where available.

The new iPad also has almost twice as large a battery as the iPad 2. This doesn't translate to twice as much battery time, however. The new screen requires more power. But you should expect a good 8-10 hours of usable life. The larger battery did add slightly to the thickness and weight of the iPad. However, it's really a tiny difference and you won't notice it unless you've been holding an iPad 2 for hours per day.

I would of course suggest getting the version 3 model if you can possibly afford it. The upgrades to the screen and processor will keep this tablet cutting-edge for some time into the future. It's up to you whether you want to get an AT&T / Verizon contract. But if you plan to, having access to 4G is a game-changing speed upgrade.

On the other hand if you are struggling to afford an iPad at all, then the new discount on the iPad 2 is quite attractive. You can now get a brand new iPad 2 for as little as $399. The new v3 iPads start at $499. That's a 20% difference.

In the end I think it does come down to money. If you are really on a tight budget, then you can get an iPad 2 at an incredibly good price now (not to mention looking on eBay for used models that people want to sell so they can buy a v3).

If price is not a major consideration, and you can afford a wireless plan, the new iPad does offer compelling upgrades.

Good luck with your decision, Ellen! Be sure to let us know which way you go!

Ralph's answer: A couple of Nikon's Coolpix cameras have really strong zoom factors, and they're still easy to use. Not small though. A couple of my friends who still have a modicum of style like Casio's compact cameras. They're slim and stylish and easy to use.

Ralph's answer: It's more than a one-person job for sure, even for smaller TVs like 27". If you have 3 people to do it together and are handy with tools, you can probably figure it out. However the weight of the TV is pretty substantial so if you are screwing it into a wall, be SURE you understand how to find studs. If you just sink screws into drywall, they might seem stable but fall out and bring your TV crashing down. If you are not handy with tools or don't know what "studs" are, then hire installers :) Best of luck with the new TV!

Ralph's answer: How reliable is an iPhone when exposed to sunlight, and probably in need of additional equipment or holders to stabilize it while driving in a way that you can still even see the iPhone? Granted, I can't say this for every smartphone, the Android phone provides step-by-step directions for a really good deal. It really just depends on what smartphone you have; as stated above, some of the Samsung smartphones resist sun pretty well.

However, I still recommend having a GPS in any case. For one, it's less cumbersome to use and set up, and secondly, it's practical. I use the TomTom GO 740 Live GPS, and I basically never get lost; the directions generated are so clear and easy to follow, and the pre-loaded map sets adjust very well to changes of direction. I have a hard time saying the same thing for the smartphones I have used. Plus, having inherent access to google POIs is just awesome.

And in the event that you want to use a smartphone on the road for something, having a GPS means you don't have to sacrifice any capabilities, and most likely, you're keeping it safe from that sun during the day.

Ralph's answer: If you're a multitasker like me, invest in a PS3 so you can get your dosage of gaming, storage, AND clean Blu-Ray playback. You'll kill over two birds with one stone that way.