Computer Shopper articles from April 2008

Computer Shopper archives from April 2008

Letter from the editor.(Editorial)
April 1, 2008... THOUGH APPLE'S MAC DESKTOPS have recently been gaining market share on their PC brethren, one of the advantages PCs still have is the relative ease with which many of them can be upgraded. For instance, the only thing Apple makes easy to...

Alienware, NEC throw curve to PC displays.(TRENDS: UPCOMING TECHNOLOGIES AND PRODUCTS)(Brief article)
April 1, 2008... CURVED COMPUTER displays sound like something out of a science-fiction movie, but a 42-inch curved monitor has recently been spotted in the real world. Both Alienware and NEC Display Solutions showed off the display, manufactured by Ostendo...

Dell.(TRENDSPOTTING)(Brief article)
April 1, 2008... Setting up a storefront is one good way to show off your products--just ask Apple. But that philosophy hasn't worked well for some technology companies, Gateway tried and failed, closing 188 stores back in 2004. Earlier this year, Palm...

Solid State drives offer reliability at a cost.(TRENDS: UPCOMING TECHNOLOGIES AND PRODUCTS)(Brief article)
April 1, 2008... ALTHOUGH NOT READY to completely steal the thunder from traditional hard disk drives, solid state drives (SSDs) are offering a more reliable--if far more expensive--alternative. A solid state drive, which uses nonvolatile flash memory,...

Book it: Amazon.com acquires audible.(TRENDS: TECH NEWS)
April 1, 2008... IT WASN'T always about high-definition television sets, clothing, beauty products, and sporting gear for Amazon.com. The giant Web-retail pioneer began its online venture as a bookseller that rapidly grew to include almost everything and the...

Guinness gets game with new reference book.(TRENDS: TECH NEWS)(Guinness World Records: Gamer's Edition 2008)(Brief article)(Book review)
April 1, 2008... WHILE PEOPLE know Guinness as a brand of beer, the name is also synonymous with world records. From the biggest of everything to the weirdest human achievements (the world's longest fingernails record tends to be a favorite), the Guinness World...

VIA pumps up its new processor's power.(TRENDS: TECH NEWS)(Brief article)
April 1, 2008... VIA Technologies is best known for its low-power, low-performance processors used in tiny PCs and mobile devices. But it hopes to take on Intel's beefier offerings with its new 64-bit Isaiah x86 Processor Architecture, which the company claims...

Low-cost and Linux.(NEWS PRODUCTS: PCs)(Brief article)
April 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Looking for a desktop that can handle e-mail, Web surfing, and writing, but don't want to spend upwards of $1,000 on a system? Or even upwards of $500? Shuttle's new KPC, retailing for a scant $199, uses the...

Set your vector.(NEWS PRODUCTS: PCs)(Brief article)
April 1, 2008... Intel's Penryn CPUs have made it easier than ever to build a powerful, energy-efficient desktop without needing to spend a lot of money. Velocity Micro has done just that with the $1,399 Vector Z20, which is based on the 2.66GHz QX9450...

Into orbit.(NEWS PRODUCTS: PCs)(Brief article)
April 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Toshiba's gaming notebook series has gotten a major update: Penryn processors. In addition to Intel's new 45-nanometer CPUs, the Satellite X205 sports dual nVidia GeForce 8600M GT graphics cards set up in Scalable...

Game graphics and glam.(NEWS PRODUCTS: PCs)(Falcon Northwest's FragBook DRX )(Brief article)
April 1, 2008... Enthusiast gaming notebooks don't come cheap, and Falcon Northwest's FragBook DRX is no exception--it'll set you back at least $4,200. But if you need top gaming performance to take on the road, you've got it here: When fully outfitted, the DRX...

High-def, low cost.(NEWS PRODUCTS: PCs)(Gateway GM5664)(Brief article)
April 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Gateway is bringing the detail and the excitement of high-definition to its retail line of desktops with the home entertainment-focused GM5664. Starting at just $1,149.99, this system comes equipped with a...

Dell's midrange marvel.(NEWS PRODUCTS: PCs)(Brief article)
April 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The latest major manufacturer to enter the mainstream gaming market is Dell, which has expanded its popular enthusiast line into the more-affordable realm with the XPS 630. Though priced only around $1,199, it shares...

Apple Mac Pro: powerful, professional Apple--now with eight cores.(EDITORS' CHOICE)(Product/service evaluation)
April 1, 2008... EDITORS' CHOICE IT'S GETTING HARDER to remember a time when Apple's base configurations were underpowered and overpriced compared with their Windows-based rivals. While the latest iteration of the Mac Pro isn't a bargain, it's...

ATI Radeon HD 3870 X2: dual-GPU graphics card blows away the competition.(REVIEWS: THE LATEST HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE PRODUCTS)(Product/service evaluation)
April 1, 2008... THE ATI RADEON HD 3870 X2 is exactly what its name implies: two Radeon HD 3870s on a single board. This allows AMD to offer hassle-free performance comparable to what you get from a CrossFire or Scalable Link Interface (SLI) system, making the...

Shuttle XPC G5 3300G: media PC (nearly) ready for HD.(REVIEWS: DESKTOPS)(Product/service evaluation)
April 1, 2008... THE XPC G5 3300G is everything we've come to expect from Shuttle: small and pretty, with a dash of awe thrown in for good measure. While our review unit may not have been perfect, the number of options available makes it a compact, configurable...

Alienware Area-51 ALX CrossFire: astronomically expensive gaming box not at the top of its class.(REVIEWS: DESKTOPS)(Product/service evaluation)
April 1, 2008... ALIENWARE'S NEW Area-51 ALX CrossFire shows that the manufacturer is continuing its fine tradition of impeccably assembled, distinctively designed desktops utilizing the latest technology, and you receive a stunning number of extras for your...

Gateway FX7020: inexpensive gaming for the whole family.(REVIEWS: DESKTOPS)(Product/service evaluation)
April 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] QUAD-CORE TECHNOLOGY and advances in video cards have upped the ante for performance in gaming figs. Now we're starting to see a price renaissance as well. When you don't need to shell out thousands of dollars to get...

Cyberpower Gamer Ultra CF 3870: mainstream gaming with room for the future.(REVIEWS: DESKTOPS)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
April 1, 2008... THE $999 CyberPower Gamer Ultra CF 3870 delivers decent performance for garners on a budget--and just enough extras to make you choose this "boutique" PC over a big-name entry like the similarly priced (and similar-performing) Gateway FX7020...

Gateway P-171XL FX edition: gaming laptop offers top performance for the price.(REVIEWS: LAPTOPS)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
April 1, 2008... EDITORS' CHOICE THE FLAGSHIP OF Gateway's new FX family of premium notebooks (which start at $1,349), the $2,999 P-171XL delivers where it counts most to high-end buyers: performance. In terms of design, the 10-pound P-171XL isn't as...

HP Pavilion TX200z: consumer tablet sports more-responsive screen.(REVIEWS: LAPTOPS)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
April 1, 2008... A PORTABLE COMPANION that serves as a notebook or a tablet, the HP's consumer-oriented Pavilion TX2000z might win you over to the pen-driven lifestyle. Even though the 4.5-pound TX2000z is lightweight for a notebook, as a tablet, it can...

Acer Aspire 7520-5115: budget laptop is not fast, but has perks.(REVIEWS: LAPTOPS)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
April 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] FOR USERS WHO DON'T demand high-end performance and cutting-edge multimedia, the big, desktop-friendly Acer Aspire 7520-5115 offers considerable bang for the buck. As you might expect, the 7.8-pound Aspire 7520-5115...

MSI GX600 TurboBook: for the price, this gamer delivers.(REVIEWS: LAPTOPS)(Product/service evaluation)
April 1, 2008... THE $1,599 MSI GX600 TURBOBOOK offers respectable gaming performance and easy overclocking for an affordable price, but its mediocre battery life will keep you tethered to your wall socket. With its glossy, flame-decal-covered exterior, the...

Hiper Media Chassis HMC-2K53A-A3: a slim wonder of a chassis for your home theater.(REVIEWS: COMPONENTS)(Product/service evaluation)
April 1, 2008... THE MEDIA CHASSIS HMC-2K53A-A3, from component maker High Performance Group, is a super-slim case-and-motherboard combo that hides a lot of integrated functionality under its low-riding hood. When you consider what comes built in, its steep...

Asus Xonar D2X: an excellent sound card bundled with imperfect software.(REVIEWS: COMPONENTS)(Product/service evaluation)
April 1, 2008... THE ASUS XONAR D2X is a full-featured, PCI Express 7.1-channel sound card with excellent quality audio playback, and an extensive and useful software bundle. It isn't perfect, but the $179 Xonar D2X offers Creative serious competition in the...

ATI Radeon HD 3450: low-priced performance for nongamers.(REVIEWS: COMPONENTS)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
April 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] AMD'S ENTRY-LEVEL ATI Radeon HD 3450 graphics card is an amazing deal for those looking to juice up their PC's video-playback performance and quality. For just $49, you get support for HD video playback, high desktop...

ATI Radeon HD 3650: good graphics for less than $100.(REVIEWS: COMPONENTS)(Product/service evaluation)
April 1, 2008... AMD'S NEW ATI Radeon HD 3650 is a solid choice for those looking for an inexpensive graphics card that offers good all-around performance. Though its 3D performance is relatively slow, its excellent video-playback quality, support for multiple...

D-Link DNS-323: build your own NAS.(REVIEWS: PERIPHERALS)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
April 1, 2008... D-LINK'S COMPACT DNS-323 is an easy-to-use network-attached-storage (NAS) enclosure with a variety of features and a low $219.99 price tag. The unit supports two 3.5-inch Serial ATA (SATA) drives (not included) and lets you configure them in...

Kensington Portable Power Pack: extra juice to keep devices on the go.(REVIEWS: PERIPHERALS)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
April 1, 2008... THE $59.99 KENSINGTON Portable Power Pack offers a handy way to keep your portable USB gear going. The Power Pack is light and thin enough to fit inside a pocket. On one end, you'll find two USB connectors--one mini and one full-size. The unit...

Logitech diNovo Mini: a keyboard that's truly designed for the living room.(REVIEWS: PERIPHERALS)(Product/service evaluation)
April 1, 2008... EDITORS' CHOICE THE TRANSITION FROM the office to the living room has been a tough one for keyboards. Despite their media-centric shortcut keys and playback control buttons, full-size desktop keyboards make poor couch companions for...

Lenovo ThinkVision L220x Wide: a business monitor that works well at home.(REVIEWS: DISPLAYS)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
April 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] THE 22-INCH THINKVISION L220x Wide from Lenovo is a stiff-looking, business-centric monitor, but it offers very good performance, plus full 1080p resolution. For what you get, its $499.99 price tag is more than...

HP w2408h: flexible display with HDMI connector.(REVIEWS: DISPLAYS)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
April 1, 2008... HEWLETT-PACKARD'S high-definition-ready w2408h 24-inch display has a glossy screen to enhance color perception and an amazing articulated arm that does things no ordinary pedestal could accomplish. At $499.99, it's also a good deal for a...

DYMO DiscPainter: dedicated disc printer is simple to use, but costly.(REVIEWS: PRINTERS)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
April 1, 2008... THE DYMO DISCPAINTER is a $279.95 dedicated CD/DVD printer that can print photos and text directly onto blank media at up to 1,200-dot-per-inch (dpi) resolution. This one-trick pony is pricey for casual home use, but its high-quality printing...

Brother QL-570: label printer is handy, but too niche for casual use.(REVIEWS: PRINTERS)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
April 1, 2008... DESIGNED WITH small-business users in mind, the compact Brother QL-570 label printer is ideal for those who frequently ship packages, and it performs very well. However, at $99.99, it is too niche of a product for most users. The QL-570...

Canon PowerShot SD 950 IS Digital ELPH: a high-resolution camera that's plagued by slow performance.(REVIEWS: CAMERAS)(Product/service evaluation)
April 1, 2008... THE POWERSHOT SD950 IS sits at the top of Canon's ELPH line of digital cameras. It will undoubtedly appeal to users looking for a high-megapixel point-and-shoot camera that allows for larger prints. But the higher-density sensor in the SD950...

HP iPAQ 310 Travel Companion: portable GPS device is not ready for prime-time.(REVIEWS: CONSUMER TECH)(Product/service evaluation)
April 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] THE $399.99 HP iPAQ 310 Travel Companion comes with a nice screen and loads of features, but with all its drawbacks--particularly the unreliable route calculation--we're not sure you'll want to take it behind the...

iSkin Cerulean F1 + TX: stereo Bluetooth headset has too many flaws.(REVIEWS: CONSUMER TECH)(Product/service evaluation)
April 1, 2008... THE $189.99 iSkin Cerulean F1 + TX stereo Bluetooth headset has got the right look, but its uncomfortable fit--plus a handful of other design and performance issues--take away the luster. The package comes with the Cerulean F1 wireless...

Exposure 2: add character to your sterile digital shots.(REVIEWS: SOFTWARE)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
April 1, 2008... MANY OF THE CHARACTERISTIC imperfections that lent a certain quality to traditional photos are gone with today's digital snaps. Alien Skin's Exposure 2, an add-on for Adobe Photoshop, can easily return the look of film and slide photos to your...

CorelDraw Graphics Suite X4: new functionality allows more efficient work, alone or in a group.(REVIEWS: CONSUMER TECH)(Product/service evaluation)
April 1, 2008... CORELDRAW GRAPHICS SUITE X4, the latest update to the stalwart illustration and image-editing package, focuses on improving productivity, adding a handful of useful new tools, and enhancing many of the existing features. As always, Corel...

Top 5 gaming desktops: get your frag on with these powerful, top-of-the-line gaming machines.
April 1, 2008... 1 Cyberpower Gamer Infinity SLI 8800 www.cyberpowerpc.com $3,158 (as tested) Editors' Rating: 8.8 ([check]) Specs * 3GHz Core 2 Extreme QX9650 (overclocked to 3.8GHz) * 4GB DDR2 memory * Two 150GB hard...

Top 5 midsize laptops: these wide-screen laptops hit the sweet spot on size, features, and price.
April 1, 2008... 1 Asus G15 * usa.asus.com $1,699 Editors' Rating: 8.0 Specs * 2.2GHz Core 2 Duo T7500 * 2GB DDR2 memory * 160GB hard drive * Double-layer DVD [+ or -] RW * 15A-inch TFT * nVidia GeForce Go...

Top 5 multifunction ink jet printers: print, scan, and copy with these all-in-one models.
April 1, 2008... 1 Canon Pixma MX700 usa.canon.com $199.99 Editors' Rating: 8.7 ([check]) Specs * 4,800x1,200dpi maximum resolution * Maximum rated print speed: 46 seconds (4x6-inch color photo); 30ppm (monochrome); 20ppm...

Top 5 input devices: interface with your PC using these well-designed peripherals.
April 1, 2008... 1 Logitech MX Air www.logitech.com $149.99 Editors' Rating: 8.2 Specs * Mouse alternative * USB interface Bottom Line Is it a mouse or a remote control? It's both, actually. The MX Air works as a...

Top 5 personal productivity apps: this essential software will optimize your computing experience.
April 1, 2008... 1 Winstep Xtreme www.winstep.net $39.90 Editors' Rating: 8.2 System Requirements * Windows 95 or later Bottom Line Many desktop-enhancement programs are complex all-in-one packages that require knowledge of...

How to install (nearly) everything: our guide can help you install almost any new hardware in your PC, whether it's RAM, drives, graphics cards, or more. We even show you how to place your old PC's components into a new case.(Cover story)
April 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] IF YOU'RE NOT READY to drop some serious money on a new system, upgrading your current PC can bring the performance boost you need to extend the life of your desktop for another couple of years. We've put together...

Premiere gear: from super-thin flat-panel televisions to next-generation ultraportable PCs, these innovative gadgets define cutting-edge technology. Here's a first look at the freshest tech on the market.(Buyers guide)
April 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Crystal-Clear LCD If you want a monitor that makes a statement, the Dell Crystal provides one with its sleek glass-and-metal design. The 4-millimeter glass bezel surrounding the LCD panel is completely...

Plan of tax: waited until the last minute to do your taxes? These four tax-prep software packages will get you filed quickly and easily.(Product/service evaluation)
April 1, 2008... CompleteTax Editors' Rating: (6.0) out of 10 Pros: Comprehensive tax features; free e-filing included; live online chat support; no installation required Cons: Mediocre help system, organization, and tools; no way to file multiple...

Penguin power: don't do Windows? Not up to taking a bite out of Apple? With Linux, you can set up a computer that does all that PCs or Macs do--for a lot less.
April 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Will your next computer be a Mac or a PC? Who says it has to be either? * Though Microsoft and Apple all but control the computer operating-system market, they're not the only options out there. If you're willing to...

No country for old joysticks.(COMPUTER CURES)(Brief article)
April 1, 2008... I built my own PC for video editing. Later, not being much of a garner, I installed a flight simulator. But when I went to plug in my old joystick, there was nowhere to plug it in. My old PC's sound card had a 15-pin port, and I hadn't given it...

Noise patrol.(COMPUTER CURES)
April 1, 2008... I'm having trouble pinpointing an internal noise that interferes with several audio programs I use. Turning the programs on and off a number of times stops the noise. Each time I restart, the noise changes to a different pitch, volume, and...

File, interrupted.(COMPUTER CURES)(Brief article)
April 1, 2008... I was downloading a file, but the process was interrupted. Now I have an incomplete downloaded file I cannot delete. When I try, a window pops up that says "Cannot delete file: It is being used by another person or program. Close any programs...

MP3s on DVD: oh my!(COMPUTER CURES)
April 1, 2008... I would like to transfer MP3s to recordable DVDs for storage and playback. What's the best way to do this, and how can I make them play on a DVD player connected to my TV surround system, and on my car stereo? JOHN JANA Recordable...

Restore point-less?(COMPUTER CURES)(Brief article)
April 1, 2008... When I originally installed Windows XP, I created a restore point after installing all drivers and updates. After a while, the PC created newer restore points and deleted my original install restore point. Could I back up this restore point so...

Tip of the month: e-archive your personal papers.(HELP & HOW-TO: TIPS AND TRICKS TO MAKE TECH EASIER)(Brief article)
April 1, 2008... I scan all my important documents (such as copies of my Social Security card, passport, U.S. citizenship certificates, and county tax bills) and upload them onto PBase (www.pbase.com), then secure it with a key. PBase costs me an annual fee,...

Create an ergonomic workstation: sore back? Tired eyes? Your ergonomically unsound workstation could be the culprit. Here's how to make it better.(HELP & HOW-TO: WEEKEND PROJECT)
April 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] REMEMBER ALL THOSE TIMES your mother told you to stop slouching? Turns out that was good advice, especially if you spend a lot of time in front of a PC. (And these days, who doesn't?) But a bad back isn't your only...

Chip away at heat troubles.(Build Your Own: NEW PRODUCTS FOR BUILDING A CUSTOM PC)(Coolink's ChipChilla)(Brief article)
April 1, 2008... A motherboard's northbridge and southbridge chipsets are the Rodney Dangerfields of your PC--usually forced to settle for passive heat sinks for cooling, they get no respect. But if you push your motherboard to the limit, consider Coolink's...

Rheobus now boarding ...(Build Your Own: NEW PRODUCTS FOR BUILDING A CUSTOM PC)(Sunbeamtech's Rheobus Extreme)(Brief article)
April 1, 2008... If you've got hordes of fans--inside your PC's case, that is--Sunbeamtech's $34.99 Rheobus Extreme can help you keep them from disturbing your peace. This 5.25-inch drive-bay device regulates up to six cooling fans via knobs on its gloss-black...

Little box, big sound.(Build Your Own: NEW PRODUCTS FOR BUILDING A CUSTOM PC)(Kama Bay Amp )(Brief article)
April 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Boost the audio from your PC--without a full-size A/V receiver intervening--with the $48 Kama Bay Amp from Scythe U.S.A. This mini-amplifier can reside apart from your PC or occupy a 5.25-inch drive bay. The...

Robocase.(HELP & HOW-TO: BUILD YOUR OWN)(Win GunDam computer case)(Brief article)
April 1, 2008... In Win's GunDam case delivers well more than your daily allowance of giant-robot chic. Though this $139 enclosure stands out because of the vaguely intimidating, stoic look of its aluminum front panel, it's also an object lesson in thoughtful...

Data valet for laptop drives.(HELP & HOW-TO: BUILD YOUR OWN)(CMS Products' USB 2.0 Data Transfer Kit)(Brief article)
April 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] "DIY" and "laptop upgrade" are two terms seldom seen together, but the pair makes nice in the USB 2.0 Data Transfer Kit from CMS Products. This $49 ensemble eases copying your laptop's overstuffed hard drive over to...

Liquid luxury.(HELP & HOW-TO: BUILD YOUR OWN)(CoolIT Systems' Freezone Elite)(Brief article)
April 1, 2008... If a standard PC water-cooling system is a splash in the local city pool, the Freezone Elite from CoolIT Systems is a Hawaiian beach vacation. This deluxe CPU-cooling system costs as much as a budget PC--$449.99--but its array of features is a...

Ultraportable laptops (less than 4 pounds).(TECHMARKET: THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO SMART TECHNOLOGY SHOPPING)(Buyers guide)
April 1, 2008... NEED TO KNOW PROCESSOR Intel's Ultra Low Voltage (ULV) Core Solo and Core Duo CPUs deliver the longest battery life. For maximum power, opt for a Core 2 Duo CPU. These are your best choices for powering Microsoft's Windows Vista OS. ...

Desktop memory.(TECHMARKET: THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO SMART TECHNOLOGY SHOPPING)(Buyers guide)
April 1, 2008... NEED TO KNOW RAM AMOUNT The more memory you have, the better your PC will handle running multiple applications at once. If you still have Windows XP, you can get away with 512MB, but 1GB is the minimum for any version of Windows Vista--and...

Budget & midrange 3D-graphics cards ($299 and lower).(TECHMARKET: THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO SMART TECHNOLOGY SHOPPING)(Buyers guide)
April 1, 2008... NEED TO KNOW MEMORY When it comes to graphics memory, you can never have too much, especially if you're a hard-core gamer. More RAM means better performance, improved 3D texturing, and higher display resolutions. If you're an avid gamer...

Ultracompact digital cameras (under 5 ounces).(TECHMARKET: THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO SMART TECHNOLOGY SHOPPING)(Buyers guide)
April 1, 2008... NEED TO KNOW RESOLUTION The quality of digital photos is measured primarily by the number of pixels a camera's image sensor can capture. A 6-megapixel camera, therefore, should capture more image detail than a 5-megapixel model. Still,...

The best recently reviewed ultracompact cameras.(TECHMARKET: THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO SMART TECHNOLOGY SHOPPING)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
April 1, 2008... Casio Exilim EX-S880 * $249.99 * Editors' Rating: 8.0 With the Exilim EX-S880, Casio is aiming squarely at YouTube users, offering features that let you easily shoot and upload clips to the uber-popular video site. Canon PowerShot...

The right Wi-Fi router.(HELP & HOW TO: BUYING BASICS: HOW TO BUY)(Buyers guide)
April 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] If your home network is still connected by a humbled mess of cables, it's time to cut the cords and create a high-speed wireless network by adding a Wi-Fi router. Here's what you need to know to pick the best device...