Articles by Judie Lipsett Stanford

Huawei P20 Review: You’ll Want It if You Can Find It

I’ll start this review by saying that the Huawei P20 isn’t going to be as simple to buy as most other current phones in the United States, and that’s a shame. You can’t just walk into AT&T or Verizon and get one with an easy payment plan, and let’s be real, that’s going to turn the typical cellphone buyer off.



Huawei MediaPad M5 (WiFi version) Is Now Available for Purchase!

Easily one of the best portable tablets I have ever used or reviewed, the Huawei MediaPad M5 (WiFi version) is now available for purchase. Whether you are looking for the 8.4″ version I reviewed, the 10.8″, or the 10.8″ MediaPad M5 Pro, you’ll be able to get yours from Amazon or NewEgg for $319, $359 and $449 respectively.


Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga Convertible Laptop (2018 20LD0015US) Review

Describe your perfect laptop. What would you want? Light enough to carry every day? A brilliant and large display packed into a compact body? Powerful enough to run every program? Something with plenty of built-in ports? Long battery life? The ability to be used as a tablet? The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga (2018 20LD0015US) checks every box.


BlackBerry KEY2 Updates an Instant Classic

If you prefer the feel of physical keys under your thumbs when you’re tapping out emails or posting on Instagram, you’re going to love the BlackBerry KEY2. Sleeker and with dual-lens optics, the BlackBerry KEY2 is a welcome update to last year’s KEYone.




LG V35 ThinQ Is the Consolation Prize for AT&T Customers

If the LG G7 ThinQ got you all excited when it was announced, but the “Verizon-only” made the AT&T customer in you sad, you’ll be glad to know that you’ll soon be able to get your hands on something similar. Of course, similar does not equal same, but the AT&T LG V35 ThinQ is very close.


Ergo Impact LeanRite Elite Is the Standing Desk Chair Everyone Needs

I bought an L-shaped bamboo-topped standing desk last year. With grand illusions of doing all of my work while standing, I also bought the large Topo Mat to help with fatigue … but after 10 minutes of standing still, my back starts hurting, and I’m back in my chair — gah! And then I got the Ergo Impact LeanRite Elite.


The Alcatel 3V Is One Slick Under-$150 Smartphone

If you think that you need to pay big bucks to get a great phone, Alcatel begs to differ. Just under $150 will get you a smartphone that offers a TCL custom-built 2K display, dual rear cameras, biometric security, and more. No contracts, no monthly payment plans, just a really great phone for cheap — that’s the Alcatel 3V!


Udoq400: The Aluminum Docking Station That Is Worthy of Your Desk

If you have less than three things that require USB charging sitting on your desk, then I’m impressed with your minimalism! My electronics tend to sit in a “charging pile”; it’s neither pretty nor visually efficient. Now that I have the udoq400, there is no more charging pile; I can see and use my devices as they charge.


Anyone Can Be a Brew Master with the PicoU — Even You!

If you read my review series on the PicoBrew S, then you probably thought that being able to brew beer on your kitchen counter was pretty cool — but that price tag, though! $799 is a lot to invest if you’re just a hobby brewer, but now Pico has come out with a sub-$200 solution for everyone, the Pico U.







Oneadaptr FLIP Family: Brilliantly Compact World Travel USB Chargers

  If you travel overseas, power strips and adapters are necessary. Since most of the devices we travel with anymore can be charged via USB cable, you can save a lot of room by packing a multi-port USB charger and a couple of standalone adapters. Oneadaptr FLIP makes that huge British 3-prong adapter slim and packable.



Misen 10″ Skillet: The Perfect Pan for Your Kitchen Arsenal

A good stainless skillet, one with either a copper or aluminum core, can last a lifetime. Stainless steel is non-reactive, meaning that you can cook anything in it, and it keeps its shine forever. I was sent the Misen 10″ skillet to try; Misen skillets are made of 5-ply stainless with an aluminum core for better heat conductivity and retention.


Gear Diary’s 2018 Mother’s Day Gift Guide

Mother’s Day is coming up sooner than you think, and if you’ve been racking your brain for some great gifts that think outside of the jewelry, flowers, and candy box, we’ve got you covered. Whether you need to stick to a budget or the sky’s the limit, there is something for everyone.