I think you’ll agree that computers are now a part of just about every family’s lifestyle (not to mention our business lives…). It has been fascinating to watch the rapid evolution of computers over the years.  Remember the first computer you bought for your home?  Chances are it was a huge desktop PC with a large CPU, and awkwardly heavy CRT display.  Today that early PC is a digital dinosaur, and, arguably, the idea of a big CPU for a “desktop” PC is perhaps on its way to extinction as well.

Lap It Up…

When laptop PC’s first hit the market we were enamored by their portability, but we wanted them to have the same power and capabilities as our workhorse desktops… and soon they were just as fast and capable, with powerful, yet power friendly microprocessors, great graphic and media capabilities, sharp, wide screens, and hard drives with the same capacity as their desk-trodden counterparts.  Indeed the laptop could be a primary PC, but you might not want to carry it with you everywhere (if you value your shoulder).  For many, that big, bulky (but capable) laptop became our main PC, spending more time on our desks than our laps.

Casting (out) the Net(book)

Recognizing the consumer’s desire for “smaller and lighter,” notebooks evolved from the laptop, and then the netbook evolved from the notebook pc.  Small, light and inexpensive, the netbook was one step forward in portability, but two steps backward in power and function.  The shrunken keyboards could be a challenge, along with the small screens and general lack of “oomph” when it comes to speed and pure processing prowess.  A netbook has its place in a pinch, but it is unlikely to ever become a “main” computer.

Enter The Ultrabook!

The desire for small, light, powerful and portable is now being addressed by the many Ultrabooks hitting the market, driven by an Intel reference design.  As I mentioned in an earlier post in which I unboxed the Asus Zenbook UX31E, Ultrabooks are thin, sleek and light.  Most weigh less than 3 pounds, and the Asus Zenbook that Intel sent me is 9mm thick in the back, sloping down to 3mm in the front.  It is an eye-catching brushed aluminum package… and with “instant on” and solid battery life it is a computer you truly can (and will want to) take with you everywhere.  It is a full featured portable computer that fits into any lifestyle and a laptop that is just as comfortable on your lap on the couch as it is on your desk.  The Asus Zenbook is an impressive example of the Ultrabook category and at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show (CES) there are expected to be some exciting Ultrabook announcements from a number of manufacturers. (Stay tuned – I’ll be at CES and look forward to telling you more about the Ultrabooks, gadgets and other geek goodies on display in Las Vegas).

The Ultrabook Dads Geek Out On Video

When Intel sent @HighTechDad and I the Asus Zenbooks to review, we wanted to do something a little different.  Any reviewer can tell you the specs of a device.  We wanted to have some fun and give you a good perspective on the Asus Ultrabook at the same time. While we each made our own video, they are actually closely tied together and I hope you’ll take the time to watch them both for the full UltrabookDads treatment.  And please, let us know what you think!

Can’t see the video? Click this link: http://youtu.be/GqM3l3n-B3I

And here is the companion video from @HighTechDad:

Can’t see the video? Click this link: http://youtu.be/AhP6XdglaVs

Michael and I have enjoyed using and talking about the Ultrabook and having the chance to be “UltrabookDads.”  We held a Google Hangout and a fun live Twitter Chat, and one lucky Twittizen, @BadMofo33, was the random winner of an Ultrabook Intel provided as a giveaway.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this inside look inside Ultrabooks, sponsored by Intel.  Which Ultrabook features are most appealing to you?

Jeff Sass is the proud dad of ZEO (Zach, 23, Ethan, 21 and Olivia, 20).  He is also a seasoned entertainment and technology exec and active social media enthusiast.  You can see more of Jeff’s writing at Sassholes! and Social Networking Rehab and you can listen to Jeff on the Cast of Dads  and Wunderkind! podcasts.

Disclosure:  In accordance with the FTC Guidelines and WOMMA Code of Ethics, I am disclosing that I have a material connection because I received a gift or sample of a product for consideration and/or am being otherwise compensated by Intel in preparing to create this content. I was/am not expected to return this item or gift after my review period. My opinions about Intel, Asus, and Ultrabooks are entirely my own and not those of Intel, Asus or any other party.

You can read the the Official Rules, which you should, but here is a summary of the giveaway -

• Begins December 21, 2011 at 12:00:01 a.m. U.S. Pacific Time (“PST”)
• Ends December 23, 2011 at 11:59:59 p.m U.S. Pacific Time (“PST”)
• U.S. Residents Only
• 18 years and older
• Must have a non-private Twitter account
• You must send a Tweet with the hashtag (#) – “#UltrabookDads”
• Read the rest of the Official Rules

So it’s simple.  Between now and Friday at Midnight PST, just send a Tweet with the hashtag #UltrabookDads and you’ll be part of a random drawing for the Ultrabook.

Now, while all you need to have in your tweet is the #UltrabookDads hashtag, we might as well make it interesting for the folks who will see your tweet, so feel free to add some thoughts about what you find exciting or appealing about the concept of an Ultrabook – a thin, light, highly portable and equally powerful laptop with instant on, long battery life, and some serious sex appeal in the looks department.  How would an Ultrabook impact your computing lifestyle?

To share some of our new-found insights and information about Ultrabooks Michael and I will host a couple of informal online get-togethers, which we promise to be ultra fun and put a geek dad spin on some great new technology.  (For a taste of our style  just check out the Cast of Dads podcast.)

We will be doing both a Hangout on Google+ and a live Twitter Chat.   These are just for fun and information.  You don’t have to participate in either to be eligible for the giveaway, but if you want to get our first impressions of the Asus Zenbook Ultrabook we have been playing with, the hangout and chat will be a great opportunity.

Here is the schedule for the Hangout and Twitter Chat:

Google+ Hangout: Thursday, December 22 at 10pm EST / 7pm PST
Twitter Chat: Friday December 23 at 10pm EST / 7pm PST

We’ll be talking Ultrabooks, etc. for about an hour each night and we hope you can stop by!  In any event, feel free to follow me (@sass) or Michael (@HighTechDad) for updates and don’t forget to send a tweet with #UltrabookDads before Midnight Friday if you want a chance to get your own Ultrabook!

Happy Holidays!

UPDATE:  The winner of the Ultrabook Giveaway was @BadMofo33.  Congrats!

Jeff Sass is the proud dad of ZEO (Zach, 23, Ethan, 21 and Olivia, 20).  He is also a seasoned entertainment and technology exec and active social media enthusiast.  You can see more of Jeff’s writing at Sassholes!and Social Networking Rehab and you can listen to Jeff on the Cast of Dads  and Wunderkind! podcasts.

Disclosure:  In accordance with the FTC Guidelines and WOMMA Code of Ethics, I am disclosing that I have a material connection because I received a gift or sample of a product for consideration and/or am being otherwise compensated by Intel in preparing to create this content. I was/am not expected to return this item or gift after my review period. My opinions about Intel, Asus, and Ultrabooks are entirely my own and not those of Intel, Asus or any other party.

(Note: this is a sponsored post, but the words and opinions are all mine.)

It is fitting that Asus calls their new Ultrabook line “Zenbooks.”  Just one look and you can see that it is a device that exudes a sense of calm and balance, purity and power.   An early entrant in the Intel Ultrabook category, the Zenbook is thin and sleek, capable and fast.  It is the Ying and Yang of portable computing: thin and light enough to take with you everywhere, yet powerful and feature rich enough to function as a primary computer.  Actually, that is the essence of the Intel Ultrabook spec – to pack a full-featured computer in an elegantly thin package, supported by long battery life, best-in-class security, and the convenience of “instant on” (giving the boot to lengthy boot times), all at a reasonable price point.

Intel Inside

As long-time Dadomatic readers know, I have been an Intel Advisor and have written here about interesting technology and insights I have gleaned from attending various events and having the opportunity to peek inside Intel.  Now I am looking forward to bringing you more information about the ultra slick new category of Ultrabooks that Intel is the driving force behind.  Intel has provided me with an ASUS Zenbook, as well as an opportunity for one of you to get an Ultrabook through a Twitter give-away.  I am working hand in hand (or Ultrabook to Ultrabook) with one of my Intel Advisor and Cast of Dads cohorts, Michael Sheehan (also known as HighTechDad.)  If you want to learn more about Ultrabooks (and have a chance to get your hands on one) please follow me (@sass) and Michael (@hightechdad) on Twitter, and keep an eye out for our tweets with the hashtag #UltrabookDads.  Michael and I will also be collaborating on some fun video reviews of the Ultrabook, so please stay tuned.

The Wow Factor

As the geek dad in my family, my kids are always waiting to see what new computing gadget or gizmo I will be bringing home.  It has been fascinating to watch over the years as the “wow factor” of gadgets has shifted to the point where the design, look and feel of a device is almost as important as its function and capabilities.  It wasn’t too long ago when all we cared about was what a computer could do. Now, as we bring our computers with us to meetings, family gatherings, parks, coffee shops and airports, we also care about how our computers look and feel. That’s the world our kids are growing up in.  For them, what their computers look and feel like will be just as important as the “kicks” they wear.  When I look at the Ultrabook as compared to the first laptop I ever had, the advancements, inside and out, are mind boggling.  I can only imagine what ultra amazing computers my kids have to look forward to.  With style, design and performance in mind, Ultrabooks definitely win on the wow factor, and seem to deliver on the promise of taking portable computing into the future.

What’s Next?

I look forward to spending some time with the Asus Zenbook Ultrabook and then sharing my thoughts with you.  Meanwhile, here are a few shots from my “unboxing” of the Asus Zenbook:

Can’t see the video? Click HERE.

Jeff Sass is the proud dad of ZEO (Zach, 23, Ethan, 21 and Olivia, 20).  He is also a seasoned entertainment and technology exec and active social media enthusiast.  You can see more of Jeff’s writing at Sassholes! and Social Networking Rehab and you can listen to Jeff on the Cast of Dads  and Wunderkind! podcasts.

Disclosure:  In accordance with the FTC Guidelines and WOMMA Code of Ethics, I am disclosing that I have a material connection because I received a gift or sample of a product for consideration and/or am being otherwise compensated by Intel in preparing to create this content. I was/am not expected to return this item or gift after my review period. My opinions about Intel, Asus, and Ultrabooks are entirely my own and not those of Intel, Asus or any other party.

Photo Credit: © Robert Spriggs – Fotolia.com

Macaroni & Cheese Stuffed Turkey by Chef Zach Sass

The Cast of Dads got together to talk turkey (or in my case, Tofurkey) in the 47th episode of our (almost) weekly gabfest.  As always, we are hard pressed to stay on any one topic for too long, and we run the gamut from Thanksgiving dinners to toddler vandalism to kids pooping in the dryer.  Yes, there is no topic too small or too cheesy for the Cast of Dads to tackle.  Enjoy!

You can CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO CAST OF DADS EPISODE 47.

Topics discussed in this episode include:

• Tofurky OR Real Turkey
• Mac N’ Cheese stuffed turkey breast
• Hangover burgers and Krispy Kreme burgers
• The garbage plate
• Wonder if The Egg Council will sponsor us
• Jeff’s dog eats a neighbor’s chicken
• Rules in Texas?
• Movember raises a LOT of money
• Stache-tacular
• Michael Shaves Off His Mo
• Norelco Christmas Ad
• Where is Gillette?
• BCS Bowl Season
• NFL coming down to the wire
• Babble’s Top Dad Group Blogs
• Brad’s son goes mad
• Kids turning 13
• The fun of embarrassing our kids
• “Music is a lot like your under wear drawer.”
• Getting ready for the holidays
• A deuce in the dryer?

If you have been enjoying the Cast of Dads podcast, please tell your friends about the show and have them subscribe to either our direct feed or via iTunes. Also, please leave us a review in iTunes!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Cast of Dads is a group of podcasting and blogging dads who gather to gab about fatherhood. The cast of dads includes C.C. Chapman, Jeffrey Sass, Max Kalehoff, Michael Sheehan, and Brad Powell, who collectively represent 13 kids from the youngest of babies to full grown adults. Each of them brings a unique perspective to being a father.

Jeff Sass is the proud dad of ZEO (Zach, 23, Ethan, 21 and Olivia, 20).  He is also a seasoned entertainment and technology exec and active social media enthusiast.  You can see more of Jeff’s writing at Sassholes! and Social Networking Rehab and you can listen to Jeff on the Cast of Dads  and Wunderkind! podcasts.

Take a listen.  Deuce in the Dryer

Topics discussed on this episode:

• Tofurky OR Real Turkey
• Mac N’ Cheese stuffed turkey breast
• Hangover burgers and Krispy Kreme burgers
• The garbage plate
• Wonder if The Egg Council will sponsor us
• Jeff’s dog eats a neighbor’s chicken
• Rules in Texas?
• Movember raises a LOT of money
• Stache-tacular
• Michael Shaves Off His Mo
• Norelco Christmas Ad
• Where is Gillette?
• BCS Bowl Season
• NFL coming down to the wire
• Babble’s Top Dad Group Blogs
• Brad’s son goes mad
• Kids turning 13
• The fun of embarrassing our kids
• “Music is a lot like your under wear drawer.”
• Getting ready for the holidays
• A deuce in the dryer?

Don’t forget to tell your friends about the show and have them subscribe to either our direct feed or via iTunes. Also, please leave us a review in iTunes!

Cast of Dads is a group of podcasting and blogging dads who gather to gab about fatherhood. The cast of dads includes C.C. Chapman, Jeffrey Sass, Max Kalehoff, Michael Sheehan, and Brad Powell, who collectively represent 13 kids from the youngest of babies to full grown adults. Each of them brings a unique perspective to being a father.

In case you are not already a faithful subscriber, I also do a parenting podcast with a great group of friends who are all dads.

The show is called Cast of Dads and we try to get together every couple of weeks to talk about any topics that are on our minds. Since our kids range in age from just walking all the way up to out of college, we’ve got a variety of opinions about everything.

This is the first show since Thanksgiving and of course we talked about what we ate, football and how our kids are doing.

Episode 47: Deuce in the Dryer

As with every episode, we provide show notes with links to all the topics we discuss on each episode. Enjoy!

• Tofurky OR Real Turkey
• Mac N’ Cheese stuffed turkey breast
• Hangover burgers and Krispy Kreme burgers
• The garbage plate
• Wonder if The Egg Council will sponsor us
• Jeff’s dog eats a neighbor’s chicken
• Rules in Texas?
• Movember raises a LOT of money
• Stache-tacular
• Michael Shaves Off His Mo
• Norelco Christmas Ad
• Where is Gillette?
• BCS Bowl Season
• NFL coming down to the wire
• Babble’s Top Dad Group Blogs
• Brad’s son goes mad
• Kids turning 13
• The fun of embarrassing our kids
• “Music is a lot like your under wear drawer.”
• Getting ready for the holidays
• A deuce in the dryer?

Don’t forget to tell your friends about the show and have them subscribe to either our direct feed or via iTunes. Also, please leave us a review in iTunes!

Cast of Dads is a group of podcasting and blogging dads who gather to gab about fatherhood. The cast of dads includes C.C. Chapman, Jeffrey Sass, Max Kalehoff, Michael Sheehan, and Brad Powell, who collectively represent 13 kids from the youngest of babies to full grown adults. Each of them brings a unique perspective to being a father.

Related posts:

1. Cast of Dads 31: Silent But Deadly
2. Cast of Dads: Are You Listening?
3. Digital Dads TV – Cars and Crawfish

Take a listen:

COD#46

Topics discussed on this episode:

• The importance of Movember
• Goatees are for wimps
• It takes balls to grow a mustache
• Thanksgiving plans
• Penn State Reactions
• ProudToBeAPennStater.com
• The Occupy Movement
• The Daily Show covers Occupy Oakland riot
• Teaching kids about Occupy
• Capers on baked potatoes?
• The comedy of Rick Perry
• Bad Lip Reading
• Herman Cain BLR
• Incognito web surfing
• Christmas Shopping
• Marking up the Sears catalog
• US Post Office
• How smart junk mailers are getting
• The future of libraries

Don’t forget to tell your friends about the show and have them subscribe to either our direct feed or via iTunes. Also, please leave us a review in iTunes!

Cast of Dads is a group of podcasting and blogging dads who gather to gab about fatherhood. The cast of dads includes C.C. Chapman, Jeffrey Sass, Max Kalehoff, Michael Sheehan, and Brad Powell, who collectively represent 13 kids from the youngest of babies to full grown adults. Each of them brings a unique perspective to being a father.

November is Movember and thus there is an abundance of facial hair around the Cast of Dads.  Please consider supporting the cause and donating to Max, Brad, Michael or C.C.‘s efforts to raise money and awareness to fight cancer in men.

As the holidays are already approaching it is exciting to see that we are fast approaching our 50th episode of the Cast of Dads podcast.  What should we do special for show 50?  Let us know your thoughts…

Meanwhile, in episode 46 we touch on some current events and then some…

You can CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO CAST OF DADS EPISODE 46.

Topics discussed in this episode include:

• The importance of Movember
• Goatees are for wimps
• It takes balls to grow a mustache
• Thanksgiving plans
• Penn State Reactions
• ProudToBeAPennStater.com
• The Occupy Movement
• The Daily Show covers Occupy Oakland riot
• Teaching kids about Occupy
• Capers on baked potatoes?
• The comedy of Rick Perry
• Bad Lip Reading
• Herman Cain BLR
• Incognito web surfing
• Christmas Shopping
• Marking up the Sears catalog
• US Post Office
• How smart junk mailers are getting
• The future of libraries

If you have been enjoying the Cast of Dads, please tell your friends about the show and have them subscribe to either our direct feed or via iTunes.  Also, please leave us a review in iTunes!

Cast of Dads is a group of podcasting and blogging dads who gather to gab about fatherhood. The cast of dads includes C.C. Chapman, Jeffrey Sass, Max Kalehoff, Michael Sheehan, and Brad Powell, who collectively represent 13 kids from the youngest of babies to full grown adults. Each of them brings a unique perspective to being a father.

Jeff Sass is the proud dad of ZEO (Zach, 23, Ethan, 21 and Olivia, 20).  He is also a seasoned entertainment and technology exec and active social media enthusiast.  You can see more of Jeff’s writing at Sassholes! and Social Networking Rehab and you can listen to Jeff on the Cast of Dads  and Wunderkind! podcasts.

Chips anyone?

As part of the “Intel Advisors” program, my fellow Cast of Dads co-host Michael Sheehan (@hightechdad) and I were the lone males at the recent “Upgrade Your Life” experience at Intel‘s Santa Clara headquarters.  Surrounded by a bevy of talented women entrepreneurs and bloggers we were treated to an inspiring peek inside Intel and in particular, a deeper look at some ways technology is impacting our environment, our health and our education — in essence, how technology is impacting our lives and the lives of our families. I attended this event last year as well, where, among other things, I was introduced to the Intel Reader, a fascinating product to help the visually impaired.  There was a lot of great information and learning at this year’s event as well and I look forward to sharing more details here.  Meanwhile there is a good overview at the Intel Inside Scoop blog, and below is a short video recap Michael and I recorded in the lobby.

Jeff Sass is the proud dad of ZEO (Zach, 23, Ethan, 21 and Olivia, 19).  He is also a seasoned entertainment and technology exec and active social media enthusiast.  You can see more of Jeff’s writing at Sassholes! and Social Networking Rehab and you can listen to Jeff on the Cast of Dads podcast.

Disclosure: I am part of the “Intel Advisor” program and am compensated and/or receive other value from Intel to attend events on their behalf.  Intel covered my travel, accommodations and expenses for my trip to Santa Clara for the Upgrade Your Life event.

I grew up in South Carolina rooting for the Gamecocks and had to wait 4 decades for the GameCocks to win the big one.  Actually only three teams that I care deeply about have taken home all the marbles; Texas Football in 2005 and the GameCocks Baseball 2010 and 2011.

The fact that Walker and I watched the past 2 Gamecock victories together made it even sweeter.  Rooting on the LongHorns and Gamecocks has become a special father and son activity for the 2 of us and we are hungry for another title.  Football season starts in 56 days!

I do a little GameCock gloating on this weeks Cast of Dads podcast, as well as share some of the inappropriate bumper stickers “Cock” fans put on their cars.

Take a listen.

http://www.castofdads.com/

Go Cocks!

Gamecocks to Bull Horns

Happy 4th of July Weekend!

We hope that you and your family find the time to get out side, throw something on the grill and enjoy a few frosty beverages. We know that is what we’ll all be doing now that we got this episode out before everyone hits the beaches!

Stay Safe! Stay Frosty!

Topics discussed on this episode:

• Congrats to Steve our Dell Inspiron Duo winner!
• Boston Bruins win the Stanley Cup
• South Carolina Gamecocks win back to back championships
• Who was Lord Stanley?
• Riots can be fun?
• What did we do for Father’s Day?
• Tony Price
• July 4th Plans
• Bacon Explosion
• Fireworks, Punks & Car Bombs
• Google+
• C.C. goes to Forward with Ford
• Drag racing
• Michael tries out the Lincoln MKT
• Brad misses wood paneling on the outside of cars
• Bull horns for cars?

Don’t forget to tell your friends about the show and have them subscribe to either our direct feed or via iTunes. Also, please leave us a review in iTunes!

Cast of Dads is a group of podcasting and blogging dads who gather to gab about fatherhood. The cast of dads includes C.C. Chapman, Jeffrey Sass, Max Kalehoff, Michael Sheehan, and Brad Powell, who collectively represent 13 kids from the youngest of babies to full grown adults. Each of them brings a unique perspective to being a father.