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Image Courtesy Sony

Sony has already announced some new Fit 15E and Fit 15 laptops to be available in the coming months to replace a number of laptop models. One of the ranges it is replacing is the Sony VAIO E which was meant to be a relatively affordable option for those wanting a full featured laptop. Many may look at the existing VAIO E laptops as a source for some bargain hunting as most companies and retailers will drop prices to reduce inventory on soon to be discontinued products. Is the 15-inch version of Sony’s laptop a true bargain or does it not stack up with the existing competition even when pricing is taken into account? Find out in my review of the Sony VAIO SVE1513RCXB laptop.

• Sony VAIO SVE1513RCXB 15.6-inch Laptop Review

Crosby, Toews, and Weber can’t play every shift.

So when it’s time to roll out the third and fourth line, or when injuries create a lot of ice time for the seventh defenseman, who do you want on your bench?

With the 2014 Winter Olympics one year away, that’s the real question facing Canada.

Assuming the NHL agrees to participate – and the signs look good – Team Canada has many tough choices to make.

Those questions aren’t at the top of the roster. You could list eight or ten names that just about everyone in the country will agree on.

The competition for jobs is in the lower range of the depth chart.

That’s where names like Eberle, Hall, Seguin, Getzlaf, Lucic, Letang, Boyle, and Fleury will generate much debate in the months ahead.

Here’s out first crack at the projected 2014 Team Canada Olympic roster.

See also: The Olympic Hockey Guide

Photo: Is Logan Couture good enough to play for Canada in 2014? He just might be. (Bruce Bennett/Getty Images).

Image Courtesy Toshiba

Toshiba’s Satellite S series is their mid-range general purpose laptop. It doesn’t offer the same level of multimedia performance as their Qosmio lineup or performance as their P series but certainly has more than the L or C budget models. After Windows 8 was released, the company did a mild refresh of their laptops to keep things fresh and competitive. Of course every company wants to have a bit of an edge by offering something slightly different than their competition. What has Toshiba done to make their 17-inch laptop stand out from others in the junst under $1000 price range? Find out in my review of the Toshiba Satellite S875-S7376 laptop.

• Toshiba Satellite S875-S7376 17.3-inch Laptop Review

Image Courtesy Sony

Sony was once known as one of the premium brands when it came to portable computers but they have been softening this position by offering more and more affordable systems. The Sony VAIO E is their mid-range offering that tried to balance features and price to give a good all-around laptop. Does their 17-inch laptop still offer a good level of features for its price tag of under $1000 or does it not quite stack up to the competition? Find out in my review of the Sony VAIO SVE1712ACXB laptop.

• Sony VAIO SVE1712ACXB 17.3-inch Laptop Review

It’s February — and you know what that means — it’s time to turn to business planning in our Twelve Months of Entrepreneurship for 2013!

Not that it doesn’t pain me a little bit. You see, I had occasion to write my first business plan for a competition over the summer. And I waited to till the eleventh hour to complete my financial projects and market analysis. But I also learned a lot.

It’s easy to be intimidated by the business planning process. It forces you to lay out your assumptions, and then find a set of concrete facts to back them up. It’s a process of trial and error for sure.

So this month, look out for a more solid game plan for crafting your business plan: why it’s important, how you can break it down into more manageable tasks, and of course, advice from those who’ve done ti successfully.

I want to help take away any obstacles that might be keeping you from writing your business plan, and so first up, I’ve taken a look at the most common reasons entrepreneurs avoid those business plans. In the coming weeks, we’ll delve into the nitty gritty of actually writing that plan.

I’d love to hear from you! Have you written a business plan, and what did you learn? What questions do you have about the business planning process? Let me know in the comments — and look forward to a month of fresh resources on this important topic.

Read: Reasons Why Entrepreneurs Avoid the Business Planning Process

I took TaxSlayer online tax software for a quick spin yesterday and I was pleasantly surprised at how easy it was to use. Why the surpise? Because the Free Edition has many helpful features, and TaxSlayer Classic and Premium Editions are so affordably priced compared to some of the online tax software competition.

Get the details, read TaxSlayer Versions, Features and Prices.

Image: TaxSlayer.com Website

• Top 5 Tax Software Reviews
• How to Choose Income Tax Preparation Software

Image Courtesy MSI Computer Corp

MSI’s gaming laptop probably looks familiar to anyone who has shopped various boutique gaming PC makers. The reason is that MSI is one of the leading companies to produce whitebox systems that resellers can purchase and customize to sell under their own brand name. With MSI systems available from a number of companies, how do they make their version of the system stand out from the competition? Find out in my review of the MSI GT70 0ND-444US gaming laptop.

• MSI GT70 0ND-444US 17.3-inch Laptop Review

It’s finally happened: Amazing Race Canada is accepting applications!

Since early December, when a Canadian version Amazing Race was announced,  hundreds of fans have logged onto About.com looking for information about the new show and how to join in the competition.

Now I can finally point you to a guide to the application process and wish you all the best of luck applying to get on the show.

The main things you need to know are that applicants must be Canadian citizens and 19-years-old by April 1st, 2013. The application deadline is currently February 28, 2013.

Good Luck!

Are you going to apply?

Photo © CTV.