Computer Shopper articles from April 2004

Computer Shopper archives from April 2004

Do-it-all desktops.(Editorial)
April 1, 2004... Those of us shoehorned into undersize New York apartments have long had good reason to champion space-saving all-in-one PCs. For instance, I have a Gateway Profile 4 desktop that not only neatly tucks the PC components behind a 17-inch LCD, but...

Building your own PC: priceless.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
April 1, 2004... I enjoyed your article for beginning do-it-yourselfers ("The D-I-Y Desktop Challenge," March, p. 82), in which you compared the cost of building a PC with that of buying a new one. But it would have been even better had you compared oranges...

Circle the wagons.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
April 1, 2004... Gerald Eichler's suggestion for solving the spam problem ("The Hard Edge," February, p. 130) already exists. Real-time blackhole lists (RBLs), such as SpamCop, do exactly what he suggests: They block anything coining from domains identified as...

Why pay a mover?(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
April 1, 2004... Bill O'Brien's Tune-Up article on migrating old files to a new PC ("New System, Old Files," January, p. 140) is way off-target and suggests users spend $60 for a software package from Detto. O'Brien should know that any new computer these days...

Consumer-electronics firms wooing women buyers.(Trends)
April 1, 2004... Traditionally, women have been all but ignored by consumer electronics (CE) makers, even though recent research shows they outspend men when it comes to electronic gadgets. But CE manufacturers and retailers are beginning to take notice of...

Another rip at CD copy protection.(Trends)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Macrovision has released a new generation of its antipiracy technology, which it hopes will make copy protected music CDs more attractive to consumers and record labels. Content owners such as record labels would be able to set the usage...

Giving new meaning to 'autofocus'.(Trends)(Motorola smart camera)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... The automobile of tomorrow will truly be watching out for you--video cameras located inside your car may make driving safer. Motorola is working on a "smart camera," a system made up of a camera, a video-analysis computer, and a screen in...

When WiMax?(Trends)(Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... An emerging wide-area wireless broadband technology known as WiMax shows promise as a "last mile" solution for bringing high speed Internet access into homes, but it's still a few years away from general availability, according to an Intel...

Desktops in decline.(Trends)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Corporate Workers' Computing-Technology Use by 2006 Traditional desktop 45% Notebook or tablet PC 40% Thin-client or other information appliances 15% Note: Table made from line graph. The days of every...

Downloading music history.(Trends)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Can't find that Iroquois dance music you were searching for on iTunes? No folk songs about Nebraska on Napster? Not to worry, the Smithsonian Institution (www.si.edu) has adopted a pay-per-down-load model as a new opportunity to generate...

Search social.(Trends)(Eurecster search engine)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Take a pinch of Google and a dash of Friendster, and--voila!--you've got the makings of Eurekster (www.eurekster.com), a new internet search engine that combines traditional search engine technology with online social networking. Eurekster...

Giving bootup the boot.(Trends)(Intervideo InstantOn Digital Video Display Playback software)
April 1, 2004... In its race to become a living-room digital entertainment hub, the PC has one distinct disadvantage compared with consumer-electronics devices: bootup time. Want to access the DVD player on your computer? You'll have to wait a couple of minutes...

Can you yell 'fire' in a crowded online theater?(online games)
April 1, 2004... While real-world court rooms still regularly debate First Amendment issues, players of massively multiplayer online games (MMOGs) are just beginning to encounter thorny issues regarding freedom of speech and press online. Peter Ludlow, a...

E-spending spree: average annual spending per online buyer by 2008.(Trends)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Though still a small percentage of all retail sales, online spending will continue to post impressive increases this year and beyond, according to a new report. Jupiter Research forecasts a 24 percent increase in online sales in 2004, reaching...

Another memory-card format?!(Trends)(Universal Transportable Memory Association Flash Internal Semiconductor Hard drive stick )(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Think too many flash-memory-card formats exist already? Well, think again. In February, a consortium of consumer-electronics manufacturers unveiled a format for memory cards that are smaller than SD cards, which are themselves the size of...

Time for the future.(Gear)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Sunnto n3 Tempus digit: Strap the latest in wearable computing to your wrist. A truly state-of-the-art chronograph, the n3 from Finnish sports-watch manufacturer Suunto will set you back a steep $299. The n3, however, is no ordinary...

Celebrate your moments.(Gear)(Epson's Photo Viewer P-1000)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... 1 View, store, and enjoy your digital images with Epson's Photo Viewer P-1000. This handy $599 device features a 3.8-inch TFT screen displaying 262,144 colors. Plus, it holds a large 10GB hard drive and a Rash-media slot. Like a high-tech...

Directions to follow.(Gear)(Bluetooth GPS Receiver)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... 2 Give the gift of GPS to your laptop or Pocket PE with the Bluetooth GPS Receiver from Belkin. This $299.99 gadget uses Bluetooth technology to wirelessly communicate with similarly equipped computers and PDAs running Windows. Once...

Lock and key.(Gear)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... 3 Gain absolute command over how your children use the family PE. With the $59.99 ControlKeg parental-control device from Griffin Technologies, you can limit when and how long users access the Internet and what applications are strictly...

Step up to bluetooth.(Gear)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... 4 Now the benefits of Bluetooth hands-free technology are within the reach of all. Cardo Systems' Universal Adapter and cordless Allways Headset allow you to upgrade your Bluetooth-lacking handset for unencumbered operation. The $164.99...

Traveler friendly.(Gear)(Targus Elite TR301 Commuter Case)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... 5 The new $99 Targus Elite TR301 Commuter Case is designed to help get your laptop through airport security faster, safely, and with a bit of style. Featuring Targus' patented SafePort Air Cushion System, shock-absorbing strap, and...

Camera ready.(Gear)(Panasonic SV-AS10)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... 6 Be prepared to capture the events of your life. Whether it's a surprise birthday party or your child's first steps, the $299.95 Panasonie SV-AS10 B-Snap multimedia camera is ready to shoot. At just 2.1 ounces, it's small enough to carry...

Computer vendor to customer: no new PC, no refund, so sue us: for four years, one customer has been battling Gateway over a PC he claims never worked properly.(opinions)
April 1, 2004... WE GET QUITE A BIT OF e mail from readers complaining about the quality of service and support provided by PC vendors. But one message stood out this month because of the epic length of time and effort the reader spent trying to resolve the...

Plasma or LCD television? Six flat-panel pointers: want to go flat, but having trouble choosing the perfect set? Get the best picture with these tips.(opinions)
April 1, 2004... I RECENTLY RECEIVED THIS E-MAIL from a pal looking for some friendly tech advice: Random question, O Tech Guru: I'm looking for a new TV; what are your thoughts on plasma versus LCD? I moved to a loft and can get a decent-size tube but...

The Internet proposed, and the media disposed; presidential candidate Howard Dean was a pioneer of grassroots e-activism. Let's hope history recalls more than the scream.(opinions)
April 1, 2004... THE HEART-STOPPING FREE-fall of candidate Howard Dean after a promotional surge unlike anything American politics has seen in decades resulted in a lot of second guessing and finger-pointing. Dean was the darling of the Internet crowd, and...

The top 25: Computer Shopper editors handpick this month's best desktops, notebooks, scanners, DVD burners, and music services.(Illustration)
April 1, 2004... The Top 25 Computer Shopper editors handpick this month's best desktops, notebooks, scanners, DVD burners, and music services. MEDIA CENTER DESKTOPS PRODUCT PRICE SPECS HP Media Center PC $2,319 ...

Off-the-charts performer puts the hurt on your wallet: Falcon northwest Mach v 3.4 extreme edition.(Product/Service Evaluation)
April 1, 2004... IF PERFORMANCE IS WHAT YOU crave, the $4,839 Falcon Northwest Mach V 3.4 Extreme Edition is worth every penny. Clocked at 3.4GHz, the follow-up to the fast Pentium 4 Extreme Edition chip Intel released last year is even more of a speed demon....

Gamer scores points for price/power punch: cyberpower gamer ultra 8500 SE.(Product/Service Evaluation)
April 1, 2004... GEARED TOWARD GAMERS AND COLLEGE STUdents who crave power, the $1,150 Cyberpower Gamer Ultra 8500 SE delivers sturdy performance in an expand able package. The case is colorfully lit, but the system is more than just a hollow showpiece....

Latest, fastest Athlon 64 powers performance PC: Polywell Poly 900F.(Product/Service Evaluation)
April 1, 2004... THE POLYWELL POLY 900VF'S HEADLINE FEATURE IS its 2.2GHz Athlon 64 3400+, AMD's latest and fastest mainstream 64-bit processor. Bur this PC also packs state-of-the-art components for a super price of $1,999. The 900VF couples a pair of...

PC's versatile design suits corporate environs: HP Compaq Business Desktop D530.(Product/Service Evaluation)
April 1, 2004... THE DESIGN AND ACCESSORY BUNDLE OF HEWLETT-Packard's $1,760 Compaq Business Desktop d530 cater deftly to call centers and customer-service operations. Although the d530 lacks the horsepower for games or high-end software, it's backed by one of...

Performance over pizzazz for gaming PC/TV combo: Elite PC Titan 64.(Product/Service Evaluation)
April 1, 2004... WITH THE $2,999 TITAN 64, ELITE PC FLOUTS THE boutique PC trend, ignoring neon tubes, flashing LEDs, and clear panels in favor of basic black. This high-end system is more about performance, packing a top-end Athlon CPU and a high capacity hard...

Big laptop's 3D display adds new dimension to computing: Sharp Actius RD3D.(Product/Service Evaluation)
April 1, 2004... A GRAPHICS POWERHOUSE, Sharp Electronics' $2,999 Actius RD3D delivers the first mainstream 3D screen in a notebook. If you're looking for the best, brightest, and most advanced screen around, look no further, but be ready to lug around a...

Desktop-level performer is married to the outlet: Eurocom D470V ImpressaV.
April 1, 2004... CANADA-BASED EUROCOM'S D470V IMPRESSAV incorporates virtually all the capabilities of a high-end desktop PC in a compact foldable slab. This $3,131 heavyweight isn't exactly a grab-and-go portable, but it's loaded with all the features and...

Big features bundled in an ultraportable design: IBM Thinkpad x31 (2672RHU).(International Business Machines Corp)
April 1, 2004... WE TRIED HARD TO FIND A CRACK IN THE IBM ThinkPad X31's armor, but this ultraportable is virtually flawless. True, the design is old-school ThinkPad--black and boxy--but the laptop is both functional and versatile. Coming with almost every...

Portable multimedia PC cuts many corners: Sony VAIO FRV37.(Personal Computer)
April 1, 2004... THE $1,599 SONY VAIO FRV37'S MAINSTREAM DESIGN is nice enough, but the portable has too many trade-offs to keep pace with the best mainstream notebooks. Our test model came to us decently configured with a 2.8GHz Pentium 4 processor, 512MB...

Fast, secure roadster ready to go for miles: HP Compaq Business Notebook NC6000.(Hewlett-Packard )
April 1, 2004... HEWLETT-PACKARD'S $2,068 COMPAQ BUSINESS Notebook NC6000 thin and-light is a worthy contender for your dollars, especially if you deal with sensitive data. 'Fast and easy to carry, the NC6000 is one solid and stylish worn machine. Designed...

Budget handheld goes soft on features: Sony CLIE PEG-TJ25.
April 1, 2004... ATTRACTIVELY DESIGNED, SONY ELECTRONICS' $199.99 CLIE PEG-TJ25 runs the latest Palm operating system and has a high-resolution color display. Disappointing software and features, however, make it a less than ideal choice. Housed in an...

Entertain yourself while on the move: RCA Lyra A/V Jukebox RD2780.
April 1, 2004... THE RCA LYRA A/V JUKEBOX RD2780 LETS YOU ENjoy music and movies wherever you go. Although its design is slicker than that of competing products, the $399 RD2780 offers few extras and won't load as many types of video files. Weighing 10.5...

Professional earbuds, at an amateur price: Shure E3C.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Shure's $179 E3c in-ear headphones are available to the public, thanks to a bit of trickle-down technology. Originally designed for onstage musicians, the E3c weighs less than an ounce and comes with a sturdy storage pouch. To ensure the...

Tiny flash player rocks all day long: Jens of Sweden MP-110.(Product/Service Evaluation)
April 1, 2004... AN UPDATE TO THE MP-100, THE $199.95 256MB MP-110 digital audio player from Jens of Sweden keeps its predecessor's ultracompact size, light carriage, and robust features while adding better looks and a cleaner, more solid feel. Open up the...

Smartphone puts outlook in hands and pockets: Motorola MPX200.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... AT $339.99 (WITH A TWO-YEAR contract), Motorola's MPx200 is one of the most affordable Windows Mobile-based smartphones debuting this year. Weighing 3.8 ounces, this black-and royal-blue device is attractive and compact. it comes with 32MB...

Stylish vertical scanner needs to polish its images: HP Scanjet 4670.(Hewlett-Packard)
April 1, 2004... NO DOUBT ABOUT IT, YOU CAN SEE RIGHT through Hewlett-Packard's new vertical flatbed scanner, but that's not a bad thing. The $199.99 Scanjet 4670 See Thru Vertical Scanner's unique design is the ultimate in desktop style, though it could stand...

Stellar photo scans, sparse editing tools: Epson Perfection 1670 Photo.
April 1, 2004... GIVEN ITS USER-FRIENDLY OPERATION, RANGE OF features, and high-quality photo scans, Epson America's $129 Perfection 1670 Photo offers good value tot its price. But this scanner is best for those who already have a good image enhancement...

Burner's versatility justifies steep price: IBM Multi-Burner plus.
April 1, 2004... DELIVERING SUPERIOR PERFORMANCE IN EVERY major DVD- and CD-recording format, IBM's $249 Multi-Burner Plus offers an outstanding combination of flexibility, value, and performance. It also represents a major upgrade to IBM's original...

Sleek LCD looks great from every angle: Samsung Syncmaster 173P.(Liquid Crystal Displays)
April 1, 2004... THE SAMSUNG SYNCMASTER 173P'S STYLISH MATTE silver and glossy-white plastic makes the monitor finger print-resistant; it also makes it look like an Apple iMac's cousin. At $630, though, it's rather expensive for a 17 inch LCD. The display...

Robot Webcam turns heads: Logitech QuickCam Orbit.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Don't be surprised if Logitech's $129.95 QuickCam Orbit stops people in their tracks. The device's unusual design includes a thin, 9-inch extension that separates the Webcam's lens from the base and resembles a robot arm. This impression is...

Impressive features for a budget digicam: HP Photosmart 635.(Hewlett-Packard)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... LOOKING FOR DECENT, LOW-COST snapshots? Hewlett-Packard's $149.99 2-megapixel Photosmart 635 digital camera isn't the greatest performer, but its 2.8x zoom lens and myriad settings deliver a reasonable deal. For an entry-level snapshooter,...

A stylish 17-inch CRT in an LCD world: HP Compaq FS7550.(Liquid Crystal Displays)(Hewlett-Packard )(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... IT'S NOT EASY TO SPIFF UP A CRT WITH today's stiff flat-panel competition, so we tip our hats to Hewlett-Packard for trying. The $209.99 Compaq FS7550 features stylish carbon and silver plastics, a cool curved bezel, and the ability to swivel...

Double-channel bonding yields one fast router: Netgear WGT264 108MBPS Wireless Firewall Router.
April 1, 2004... THE $127.99 NETGEAR WGT624 108MBPS WIREless Firewall Router is an example of the advantages and disadvantages of bleeding-edge technology. It offers nearly double the throughput of standard 802.11g devices, increased range, and support for...

Revamped router boosts speed, features: D-Link Airplus Xtreme G DI-624.(Product/Service Evaluation)
April 1, 2004... WHEN WE FIRST REVIEWED THE D-LINK AIRPLUS Xtreme G DI-624 router a year ago, we were unimpressed. That's changed. The new $79 DI-624 is half the size and twice as fast. It also comes with an improved setup guide and stronger security features,...

Get the whole Works for a bargain price: Microsoft Works Suite 2004.
April 1, 2004... MICROSOFT'S $99.99 WORKS SUITE 2004 IS A BLEND of the old and new. The old is Works 7.0--Microsoft's all-in-one utility that includes a spreadsheet, database, calendar, and other productivity apps--and Word 2002, both of which were in Works...

The best program to make April 15 less taxing: TurboTax Deluxe for Tax Year 2003.
April 1, 2004... INTUIT'S TURBOTAX IS THE CHIEF ACCOUNTANT OF tax software, and for good reason. Its comprehensive interview steps you through the labyrinth of tax preparation, and it does a superior job of demystifying arcane terms and forms only an IRS paper...

Jack-of-all-trades utility suite is master of none: SystemSuite 5.
April 1, 2004... TODAY'S COMPUTING ALL BUT MANDATES OWNING utilities that protect against hackers and viruses, stop spam and pop-ups, and repair and optimize sluggish systems. V Communications" $59.95 SystemSuite 5 promises to do all that and more, but...

PC-file mover leaves some boxes behind: Intellimover.(Detto Technologies)(Product/Service Evaluation)
April 1, 2004... MOVING IS ALWAYS A HASSLE, WHETHER IT'S from one house to another, or from an old PC to a new one. Detto Technologies' $59.95 IntelliMover won't box your dishes or load a truck, but it will copy much from your current computer to its shiny new...

Not quite at the top for burning discs: Pinnacle InstantCD/DVD 8.(Product/Service Evaluation)
April 1, 2004... PINNACLE SYSTEMS' $79.99 INSTANTCD/DVD 8 features a greatly improved interface and new tools for watching videos and organizing music libraries. It hasn't yet overtaken Ahead Software's Nero 6 Ultra Edition as our CD-and DVD burning suite of...

Video editor is no gamble for your DV projects: Sony Vegas+DVD.(Product/Service Evaluation)
April 1, 2004... SONY PICTURES DIGITAL'S VEGAS IS ALREADY A strong competitor in the prosumer video editing arena. But version 4.0, the cornerstone of the $899.96 Vegas+ DVD bundle (which also includes the DVD Architect authoring tool and a Dolby Digital AC3...

Railroad sim lets you do the locomotion: Trainz railroad simulator 2004.(Brief Article)(Product/Service Evaluation)
April 1, 2004... THE ORIGINAL TRAINZ THRILLED railroad enthusiasts, letting them build the virtual railroads of their dreams. Still, its focus was more on simulating model railroading than real-world railroads. With Trainz Railroad Simulator 2004, Trainz fans'...

A horror epic sure to make your skin crawl: Silent Hill 3.(Brief Article)(Product/Service Evaluation)
April 1, 2004... KONAMI'S SILENT HILL SERIES IS known for two things: creepy atmosphere and underdeveloped stories. Silent Hill 3 continues both traditions with a survival horror adventure long on eeriness, if short on sense. The game opens with teen...

Gaming pointer has real kick: Belkin Nostromo N30 GameMouse.(Product/Service Evaluation)
April 1, 2004... Belkin's Nosromo n30 GameMouse could help you simultaneously sharpen your firing skills and feel the action. This $39.99 force-feed-back mouse offers precise control despite its atypical ergonomics. Shorter in length than your average...

All-in-wonders: these six all-in-one PCs fit anywhere--and deliver innovative entertainment options.(All-In-One PCs)(Product/Service Evaluation)
April 1, 2004... Introduction by Mitt Jones PCs have come a long way from their clunky, industrial-beige beginnings, but even today's comparatively stylish systems often occupy far more desktop space than many users would like. Enter all-in-one PCs. These...

Spring into gear: these 35 new products will keep gadget hounds happy at least until winter.(New Gadgets)(Product/Service Evaluation)
April 1, 2004... Introduction by Sean Portnoy FOR TECH TYPES, ALONG WITH SPRING FEVER COMES GEAR LUST. SO as a public service to those who crave the latest tech toys, we bring you 35 new (or soon forthcoming) pieces of gear to keep your eyes, ears, and...

Color your world: the latest batch of inkjets delivers more than just vibrant colors. Among these 17 models are printers with card readers, ports, and LCD screens for PC-free printing.(Inkjet Printers)(Product/Service Evaluation)
April 1, 2004... INTRODUCTION BY MARY BEHR When Michael Rex wants to check the color of his fire engines, race cars, and gorillas, the author and illustrator of more than 20 children's books turns to his Epson Stylus inkjet printer. After hand drawing his...

Outstanding input: looking for a relatively inexpensive way to spruce up your PC? Consider one of these 26 keyboards, mice, trackballs, and game controllers.(Input Devices)(Product/Service Evaluation)
April 1, 2004... Chances are, the keyboard and mouse that shipped with your PC are, at their best, passable, and at their worst, cheap and perfunctory. So we scoured the world of input devices to bring you 26 of the finest keyboards, mice, and other input...

Spam be gone: spam, spam, and more spam. If that's what your e-mail in-box looks like these days, one of these seven filters can work magic.(Antispasm Programs)(Product/Service Evaluation)
April 1, 2004... TAKE ANY 10 MESSAGES FROM YOUR IN-BOX, AND ODDS ARE that five will be spam. According to U.K. security firm MessageLabs, more than half of corporate e mail consists of ads for pills, porn, and other questionable pursuits. And the Can-Spam Act...

The hard edge; our 12th annual April fools' edition, wherein ignorance is bliss, but foolishness is up for grabs.(help & how-to)(SpamCop.net)
April 1, 2004... THERE ARE THOSE WHO'D SAY computing in general is foolishness. After all, it restricts your contact with others, destroys your personal-interaction skills, and can lead to terrible personal hygiene. Be that as it may and it may mean nothing to...

Port ability: bring your FireWire and USB 2.0 ports up front for easier access.(Tune-Up)
April 1, 2004... The more you rely on your PC for digital still and video imaging and other multimedia fun, the more likely you are to suitor from serious I/O aggravation. Even new PCs typically lack the FireWire connector most digital camcorders use, and many...

Booting troubleshooting.(computer cures)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Suddenly, my PC stopped booting properly. I'm running Windows 98 SE, which will only load if I run a complete ScanDisk first (including surface scan), which can take up to 2 hours to complete. If I boot from a floppy disk, my boot drive does...

Apple serial indigestible to PCs?(computer cures)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... Is there a way to connect my old Apple Personal LaserWriter LS to a PC? Or will its round DIN8 serial connection only work with AppleTalk? Chip Riedmann The good news is that you can connect the DIN8 port to a standard PC serial...

Help, my system stinks!(computer cures)
April 1, 2004... I have an unusual problem. My PC started emitting a horrible odor after just a few months of use. It smells like an electrical fire, and the odor has all but permeated my home. It seems as though the odor is coming from the power supply. The...

The name game.(computer cures)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... The top-left-corner icon on the desktop of my Windows 98 system used to be named "My Computer." Now it's simply called "4." The icon is the correct one and still opens My Computer, but the label has somehow changed. How can I fix it? ...

Nonacrobatic browser.(computer cures)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... I can't get PDF files to open in Internet Explorer 6. I use Windows XP, and I've downloaded the latest version (6) of Adobe Acrobat Reader. I have all the Windows XP updates. How can I fix this? Van Buskirk Try opening Acrobat Reader...

Sorting it all out.(computer cures)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... I'm looking for a program--preferably freeware or low-cost shareware--that will help me sort text. I want to be able to sort a file on any given position in a word, such as last letter or next-to-last character. Do you know if such software...

Don't start with me!(tip of the month)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... After you've used your computer for a year or two and have installed, removed, upgraded, and replaced various programs, you may find the Tool Tray at the bottom of the Windows Taskbar filled with a bunch of curious icons. This mess of apps may...

A crackerjack camcorder at a sweet price: our advisee has $400 to spend on his first camcorder. We lock in the right low-cost MiniDV model for his needs.(Buying Advisor)(Buyers Guide)
April 1, 2004... LOOKING TO BUY HIS FIRST camcorder, Paolo Zuccolo is sure of one thing: It can't cost much. "Call me cheap, but I don't like the idea of spending more on a camcorder than I did on my TV!" insists Zuccolo, of Norfolk, Va. "My maximum budget...

Tech shopping.(Web buyer: the best sites for online shopping)(Buyers Guide)
April 1, 2004... abtelectronics.com Consumer-electronics retailer Abt Electronics has been in business for a whopping 67 years. The bountiful inventory includes home theater gadgetry, automotive electronics, and appliances. allstarshop.com Set...

exactchoice.com.(site of the month)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2004... COMPUTER SHOPPER APRIL If you know exactly what you want in a PC, then why is choosing one so difficult? With so many models on the market, each with countless configuration possibilities, trying to make a solid and satisfying...

Printer ink.(Web buyer: the best sites for online shopping)(Brief Article)(Buyers Guide)
April 1, 2004... carrotink.com Don't waste your time rooting around for printer ink. Carrot Ink sells new inkjet cartridges, laser toner, remanufactured cartridges, and refill kits for printers from a dozen manufacturers You'll also get fiat-rate shipping...

Cables.(Web buyer: the best sites for online shopping)(Brief Article)(Buyers Guide)
April 1, 2004... www.cablemax.com In addition to an ample assortment of computer and networking cables--which the company manufactures itself--CableMax sells surge-protection devices, expansion cards, electronic tools, and test equipment. ...

Direct PC vendors.(Web buyer: the best sites for online shopping)(Buyers Guide)
April 1, 2004... abspc.com Expect gaming, multimedia, and business PCs aplenty at ABS Computer Technologies. The company offers a choice of Intel or AMD processors, a three-year parts and lifetime labor warranty, and toll-free technical support. Every...

PC resources.(Web buyer: the best sites for online shopping)(Buyers Guide)
April 1, 2004... bbb.org The Better Business Bureau fosters honest relationships between businesses and shoppers. If you have a problem with a merchant, you can file an online complaint, and the organization will help to resolve the issue as an impartial...

Technical-support services.(Web buyer: the best sites for online shopping)
April 1, 2004... answers.google.com Type your question and decide how much you're willing to pay for the answer, then hundreds of Google Answers researchers can take a crack at it. You pay only when you're satisfied with the response. The site's computer...

Software sites.(Web buyer: the best sites for online shopping)(Buyers Guide)
April 1, 2004... buypcsoft.com Buypcsoft.com sells Windows software in categories from business management to voice recognition. It's an efficient site with a good selection of big-name applications. cws.internet.com For Windows downloads without...

How to buy the right hard drive MP3 player.(buying basics)
April 1, 2004... Flash-memory-based portable MP3 players may be good for the gym, but if you want to carry a significant portion of your music collection with you, you'll need to pony up some more money and buy a hard-drive-based player (some of which can store...