I like'em both! Depends on your call to action. Is the Mac pic an affiliate link? There's no optin, so if you want the focus to be on twitter and the rss signup, go with the smaller pic.
Why don't you just utilize both by building the option into the admin/options area of the blog so you can choose either one depending on your focus.
Nice clean layout by the way.

I prefer the first one

The mac pic isn't an affiliate link, it's just a pic (there's not a lot of iPad 2 pics out right now )

What's an optin? Do you mean one of those email signup popups?

Oh, and they option to switch is already built into the backend. I just don't want to be switching the look on my visitors all the time.

First look good, but looks better if you put 2-3 pictures in slideshow.

First 1 is better .

For my taste, the first is more impressive. But the truth is that everything depends on what are your intentions with this blog.

I would have go on the first one.

Definitely the first one. Far more professional looking without the menu messing up the beauty. The first impression your users should have of your site is very important, and it doesn't require a menu .
Once they start observing your content(scrolling down), they'll see the menu, and use it if they need it.

i like the first one

For the home page, use the first one. It is so eye popping and pleasing... it just really grabs you and tells you what the website is about.

Really clean look. Great stuff.

You could put the RSS feed button at the top.

I assume that you are using Wordpress. Therefore, be sure to use a plugin that automatically converts your site to a mobile friendly site - a lot of your visitors and users will be using smartphones.

I assume that the blog isn't just about the iPad 2, but about techy stuff for college kids... and that your website is a review. So the picture on the home page will change over time featuring the latest gadgets...

Again, if this is the layout of the landing page, then I personally recommend using the first option.

My thoughts.

Mike D.