Computer Shopper articles from August 2005

Computer Shopper archives from August 2005

The PC is the greatest.(systems management tips)(Editorial)
August 1, 2005... THE PC IS THE GREATEST personal-productivity device ever to land on a desktop--if you know how to harness its maximum potential And that's what our feature "75 PC Tips & Tricks" (p. 79) is all about. Like most of our readers, I know my way...

Sky-high-definition TV.(LETTERS)(Letter to the Editor)
August 1, 2005... Although I bought an HD-ready television about three years ago, I still don't have HD because of the lack of programming. Comcast may be recruiting Best Buy and Circuit City to sell for them ("Viewers Need Clearer Picture on HDTV," June, p....

PSP shuns Windows 98.(LETTERS)(Letter to the Editor)
August 1, 2005... Your review of the Sony PlayStation Portable (June, p. 50) missed an important fact: The PSP does not have backward-compatibility support for Windows 98 out of the box. The PSP is the first USB device I've bought that came without a Windows 98...

More pans, please!(LETTERS)(Letter to the Editor)
August 1, 2005... When I was in school, some students flunked, some excelled. Not so with your reviews. Every product receives a good review with minor caveats. Is your policy not to publish bad reviews, or has every single product remarkably shown no flaws?...

Intel, AOpen to offer a rival to Apple's Mac Mini.(TRENDS: UPCOMING TECHNOLOGIES AND PRODUCTS)(AOPEN introduced Mini PC MP-915 based on ATX Pentium M i915Ga-HFS of Intel Corp.)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... AOPEN has unveiled an Intel-based competitor to the Apple Mac Mini desktop, at press time called the Mini PC MP-915. At 2x5.9x5.9 inches, the Mini PC is slightly smaller than the 2x6.5x6.5 Mac Mini, and it has a similar white-and-silver...

Trendspotting.(TRENDS: UPCOMING TECHNOLOGIES AND PRODUCTS)(Current Analysis market research)(growing sales of laptops)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... This past May marked the first time notebooks outsold desktops in the United States over the course of a full month. Analysts with research firm Current Analysis say laptop sales jumped to 53.3 percent of the total PC retail market in May....

VoIP still on hold?(TRENDS: UPCOMING TECHNOLOGIES AND PRODUCTS)(survey of readers on voice over internet protocol usage)(Brief Article)(Illustration)
August 1, 2005... Have you switched, or are you planning to switch, to a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) service? Have switched to VoIP 5.7% Planning to switch to VoIP 10% Not planning to switch 77.7% What's VoIP? ...

Dell to offer 'Lexus' line of premium PCs.(TRENDS: UPCOMING TECHNOLOGIES AND PRODUCTS)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... Dell has announced a new premium PC brand targeted at high-end home customers. The No. 1 PC maker says the brand, not yet named at press time, is slated to debut this fall. It would include both desktops and notebooks priced between $1,200...

Scammers get more sophisticated at Phishing.(TRENDS: TECH NEWS)(people solud not use their e-mail addresses as their login name to avoid identity theft)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... SPAMMERS and phishers are learning more about potential victims to better hone their attacks. Phishing is a prevalent type of online fraud that attempts to steal sensitive information such as user names, passwords, and credit-card numbers....

Study finds users fast-forwarding PVR growth.(In-Stat survey of households)(personal video recorder)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... THE NUMBER of households subscribing to personal video recorder (PVR) services has grown to 9.2 million, up about 155 percent from a year ago, according to a new study from market-research firm In-Stat. In May 2004, only 3.6 million households...

How will Microsoft Sweeten Office 12?(TRENDS: TECH NEWS)(Microsoft Office 12.0 software suite)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... While Microsoft is still not discussing most of the features it will add with Office 12, the company is promising to have the productivity-software suite ready by the second half of next year. Microsoft has revealed a few specific features...

Calling all pixels.(GEAR: NEW PRODUCTS)
August 1, 2005... Merging the characteristics of a full-fledged digital camera and an advanced mobile phone, the $499.99 Samsung MM-A800 for Sprint PCS features a 2-megapixel charge-coupled-device sensor for snapping images that look sharp (by camera-phone...

Hassle-free headphones.(GEAR: NEW PRODUCTS)
August 1, 2005... Want a wireless way to listen to music and other stereo audio residing on your PC? Check out Motorola's Bluetooth Stereo Headset HT820 and Bluetooth USB PC Adapter PC850, which outfit your PC with modern technology for cord-free listening. The...

Light weight.(GEAR: NEW PRODUCTS)
August 1, 2005... Not just for nerds, Mitsubishi's $799 PocketProjector is remarkably small and easy to carry. The 14-ounce device practically fits in your palm, and can project SVGA images on walls under dim-light conditions. It's great for presentations on...

Tough sack.(GEAR: NEW PRODUCTS)
August 1, 2005... No ordinary knapsack, the $89.99 Targus Global Executive Backpack is a state-of-the-art tool for high-tech travelers. The air-cushioned case weighs 3.2 pounds, is protected by a scratch-resistant lining and weather-thwarting bottom, and has...

Hold everything.(GEAR: NEW PRODUCTS)
August 1, 2005... Back up your data properly with the Netgear Storage Central SC101. Costing $129.99, the Storage Central chassis has space for two 3.5-inch IDE hard drives and connects to routers and network switches via its 10/100 Ethernet port. The Storage...

Cellular navigation.(GEAR: NEW PRODUCTS)
August 1, 2005... ALK's $349 CoPilot Live Smartphone software package and pocket-size Bluetooth receiver transforms a Windows Mobile-based cell phone into a highly portable navigation platform. Shown here with the $249.99 Audiovox SMT5600, this Global...

Velocity micro ProMagix DCX: dual-core CPU yields design powerhouse.(Pentium IV based computers)(Product/Service Evaluation)
August 1, 2005... VELOCITY MICRO has put together a digital design powerhouse. The $4,644 ProMagix DCX and its 3.2GHz Intel Pentium Extreme Edition 840 dual-core processor delivered the fastest application performance to date--especially during digital content...

PalmOne LifeDrive: the first handheld with a built-in hard drive.(Brief Article)(Product/Service Evaluation)
August 1, 2005... AIMING TO DELIVER productivity and entertainment in one slick device, the PalmOne LifeDrive is the first handheld with an integrated hard drive, giving users 4GB of storage space. Although the PDA performs well, its $499 price may limit its...

Dell Dimension XPS Gen 5: Media Center and gamer in one box.(Pentium IV based computers)(Brief Article)(Product/Service Evaluation)
August 1, 2005... DELL'S DIMENSION XPS Gen 5 doesn't have the design polish or the components competing boutique-PC builders offer, such as 10,000rpm hard drives or a Scalable Link Interface (SLI) motherboard for dual-graphics-card support, but it does pack...

Falcon Northwest Talon: slick SLI garner at a reasonable price.(Pentium based computers)(Product/Service Evaluation)
August 1, 2005... THE MOST AFFORDABLE PC we've seen to date with dual-graphics-card Scalable Link Interface (SLI) support, the Falcon Northwest Talon is a good fit if you seek an expandable platform for gaming or midlevel graphics tasks. The case is more...

Cyberpower Gamer Infinity 9900 Pro: pricey processor proves potent.(Brief Article)(Product/Service Evaluation)
August 1, 2005... CYBERPOWER'S Gamer Infinity 9900 Pro does everything from e-mail and word processing to image editing and digital entertainment. For $2,965, you get a highly competent gaming PC with lots of advanced components, including Intel's high-end...

MPC ClientPro 365: lack of speed hurts overall good package.(Pentium IV based computers)(Brief Article)(Product/Service Evaluation)
August 1, 2005... THE MPC ClientPro 365 is a no-frills desktop in a compact, low-profile chassis. With a surprisingly sharp analog 17-inch LCD included, our $1,399 test system is a good deal, but its performance leaves something to be desired. Built around...

Dell Dimension 5100C.(Pentium IV based computers)(Brief Article)(Product/Service Evaluation)
August 1, 2005... FIRST TAKE Dell's refresh of most of its Dimension desktop line brings to an end its drab, gray-on-grayer, no-nonsense design, and the small-form-factor (SFF) Dimension 5100C is among the beneficiaries. It replaces the 4700C, shrinking the...

Lenovo ThinkPad X41: longevity in a tiny package.(laptop computers)(Brief Article)(Product/Service Evaluation)
August 1, 2005... AFTER RECENTLY PURCHASING IBM's PC division, Lenovo continues the long line of ThinkPad X notebooks with the ThinkPad X41. It delivers a strong combination of portability, performance, battery life, and features. Our $2,299 X41 test model...

HP Compaq NX9600: desktop replacement needs a speed boost.
August 1, 2005... THE HP COMPAQ NX9600 is a well-designed desktop-replacement notebook, but it lags behind the competition on performance. Although its 3.6GHz desktop Pentium 4 560 processor is theoretically fast, the NX9600 has 1GB of fairly slow 400MHz...

Dell Latitude X1: Svelte ultraportable has executive appeal.(laptop computers)(Brief Article)(Product/Service Evaluation)
August 1, 2005... THE DELL LATITUDE X1 is a sleek ultraportable that serves up the power business users demand. The X1 weighs just 2.5 pounds, or 3.1 pounds with its AC adapter. The keyboard is barely big enough to type on. It's easy enough to manipulate...

Sony VAIO VGN-T350P: a wireless pioneer for those who travel far and wide.(Product/Service Evaluation)
August 1, 2005... IF YOU'RE a hard-core road warrior who must remain in frequent contact with the office at any cost, then you're a prime candidate for the $2,299 Sony VAIO VGN-T350P. Though it's expensive, this ultraportable delivers extremely long battery life...

MPC TransPort T2300: pricey traveler for business or pleasure.(Brief Article)(Product/Service Evaluation)
August 1, 2005... MPC'S TRANSPORT T2300 is a costly but versatile laptop that well-heeled travelers will appreciate. It combines solid performance with extra security and remains light enough for long hauls. We tested a $2,510 model that arrived with a...

LaCie d2 Extreme with Triple Interface: slick hard drive delivers ample capacity, fast performance.(Brief Article)(Product/Service Evaluation)
August 1, 2005... TEXT FILES and spreadsheets may not take up much space, but all those digital images and music files sure do. If your hard drive's getting a little crowded, LaCie's d2 Hard Drive Extreme with Triple Interface (in 160GB, 200GB, or 250GB...

Logitech MX518: pinpoint accuracy for those who hate to lose.(Mice (Computer peripherals))(Brief Article)(Product/Service Evaluation)
August 1, 2005... FORGET FAST processors and pricey graphics cards--if you're looking for a gaming upgrade, you need Logitech's MX518 Gaming-Grade Optical Mouse. Whether you're homing in on an enemy or surfing the Web, this $49.99 mouse is a must Outfitted...

Sony DRX-800UL.(Brief Article)(Buyers Guide)
August 1, 2005... FIRST TAKE Sony is renowned for designing stylish devices with premium price tags, and its DRX-800UL is no exception. This external DVD drive offers plenty of power in a sleek, compact case built to complement today's most distinguished...

AG Neovo M-17: stylish LCD offers mediocre performance.(Liquid crystal displays)(Brief Article)(Product/Service Evaluation)
August 1, 2005... WITH ITS MAC-LIKE STYLING and stunning looks, AG Neovo's $329 M-17 is a sturdy LCD for anyone in a design-conscious setting. Though it offers inconsistent image quality and a rigid design, the M-17 is adequate for most daily tasks. The...

HP L1940: flexible LCD proves unstable.(Liquid crystal displays)(Brief Article)(Product/Service Evaluation)
August 1, 2005... WHAT WE LIKE the most about HP's 19-inch L1940 is also what we dislike: its adjustability. The L1940 is so flexible, it borders on unstable. Nevertheless, its image quality, especially with text, is good, making this $499 LCD worth a look. ...

HP Deskjet 6840: budget inkjet doubles as photo lab.(inkjet printers)(Brief Article)(Product/Service Evaluation)
August 1, 2005... FAMILIES, home offices, and organizations on a tight budget will appreciate the HP Deskjet 6840. This $179.99 inkjet delivers reliable print quality, fast photo-print speeds, and built-in Wi-Fi and Ethernet capability. Beneath its...

Canon ImageClass MF5750: multifunction laser offers all the basics.(laser printers)(Brief Article)(Product/Service Evaluation)
August 1, 2005... CANON'S IMAGECLASS MF5750 is a machine geared for home offices, combining a 600-dot-per-inch (dpi) monochrome laser printer with a 1,200dpi gray-scale and color scanner. The $399 MF5750 features a 50-page automatic document feeder, along...

Fujifilm Digital Mobile Printer MP-70.(Brief Article)(Product/Service Evaluation)
August 1, 2005... FIRST TAKE Now that most cell phones are equipped with built-in cameras, there remains one question: What to do with those pictures once you've taken them? E-mailing the impromptu shots still costs you a pretty dollar, and most phones...

Garmin iQue M5: GPS-capable PDA is impressive but pricey.(Pocket PC)(Brief Article)(Product/Service Evaluation)
August 1, 2005... FEATURING HIGHLY CAPABLE navigation software and maps, Garmin's iQue M5 is a powerful hybrid Pocket PC with built-in GPS hardware. Its performance is outstanding, but, at $749.99, the MS costs significantly more than other GPS-equipped PDAs....

Hawking HWC54D Hi-Gain Wireless-G CardBus Adapter: extends Wi-Fi range, but saps battery life.(Brief Article)(Product/Service Evaluation)
August 1, 2005... HAWKING'S HWC54D Hi-Gain Wireless-G CardBus Adapter optimizes weak wireless network signals to boost your laptop's Wi-Fi range. The $59 PC Card incorporates a high-gain antenna that swivels. This makes the HWC54D heavier than other Wi-Fi...

Samsung SGH-p777: a slick slider cell that's media-savvy.(Brief Article)(Product/Service Evaluation)
August 1, 2005... SAMSUNG'S $299.99 SGH-p777 is an impressive phone that's well-configured for multimedia tasks. Overall, this advanced handset is a stylish device with significant extras. Its design is attractive, but at 3.6x1.8x0.8 inches and 3.8 ounces,...

Pentax *ist DS: compact dSLR with great features.(digital single-lens-reflex camera from Pentax Imaging)(Brief Article)(Product/Service Evaluation)
August 1, 2005... A COMPACT DESIGN, flexible power sources, and a strong feature set make the 6.1-megapixel Pentax *ist DS a digital single-lens-reflex (dSLR) camera for the on-the-move photo enthusiast. The first thing you notice about this camera, apart...

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-P200: better battery life than image quality.(digital camera)(Brief Article)(Product/Service Evaluation)
August 1, 2005... THE $399.95 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-P200 is one of the most compact 7-megapixel digicams available, offering good performance, outstanding battery life, and adequate photo quality. The DSC-P200 provides only a barebones roster of features...

Casio QV-R62: a choice camera for novice snapshooters.(Brief Article)(Product/Service Evaluation)
August 1, 2005... THE $299.99 Casio QV-R62 is a 6-megapixel digicam that's easy to use and a good choice for snapshooters who want a little more than just the basic point-and-shoot. Newbies will love the QV-R62's 23 Best Shot scene modes, especially because...

Panasonic PV-GS250: proving that three color chips are better than one.(Brief Article)(Product/Service Evaluation)
August 1, 2005... EDITORS' CHOICE THE PANASONIC PV-GS250 is a great choice for an amateur videographer with serious aspirations or just a discerning eye. This $999.95 cam is part of Panasonic's second generation of three-chip consumer camcorders....

Canon ZR300: affordable shooter lacks some extras.(Brief Article)(Product/Service Evaluation)
August 1, 2005... LOOKING FOR hassle-free moviemaking? The $499 Canon ZR300 is a point-and-shoot camcorder that delivers pleasing color and commendable battery life for a reasonable price. The ZR300 features a big 22x optical zoom, and it also caters to...

Sony DCR-HC90 Handycam: camcorder shines in low lighting.(camcorders)(Brief Article)(Product/Service Evaluation)
August 1, 2005... THE $999.99 Sony DCR-HC90 MiniDV Handycam positively shines when the lights are low, and it offers amenities such as a 2.7-inch wide-screen LCD. What's more, it snaps 3.3-megapixel still photos and has the pocket-friendly proportions of an...

iRiver PMC-120: Portable Media Center lacks Zen.(Brief Article)(Product/Service Evaluation)
August 1, 2005... THE $499.99 iRiver PMC-120 is one of just three portable devices that run Microsoft's Windows Mobile-based Portable Media Center (PMC) operating system, which lets you play and display music, video, and pictures with ease. While better than...

Sirius Starmate: tiny satellite-radio receiver.(Brief Article)(Product/Service Evaluation)
August 1, 2005... IF YOU'RE LOOKING for a compact plug-and-play receiver for Sirius Satellite Radio programming, the company's Starmate is easy to shuttle between home and car. For $99.99 the device comes with a car kit, and you can also purchase it with a home...

Sony NW-E105: shows up iPod Shuffle.(Brief Article)(Product/Service Evaluation)
August 1, 2005... BUDGET-CONSCIOUS music fans who want more than what the Apple iPod Shuffle has to offer--an LCD screen, for instance--will be pleased with Sony's $99.95 Psyc Network Walkman NW-E105 512MB flash-memory player. The circular NW-E105 may not...

Logitech Harmony 880: impressive remote unites your home theater devices.(remote control)(Brief Article)(Product/Service Evaluation)
August 1, 2005... THE LOGITECH HARMONY 880 Advanced Universal Remote is the first Harmony remote to feature a color screen and a built-in rechargeable battery with a docking station. The $249.99 remote also performs just as well as previous Harmony models we've...

Panasonic DMR-ES10K: DVD recorder works best with DVD-RAM discs.(Brief Article)(Product/Service Evaluation)
August 1, 2005... PANASONIC'S new entry-level DVD recorder, the $199.95 DMR-ES10K, delivers sharp recordings even in its 4-hour LP mode, and its compatibility with DVD-RAM discs gives you plenty of features typical of a hard drive, including chasing playback...

DIY PC Maintenance: tune up that sluggish system with these diagnostic-tool suites.(Product/Service Evaluation)
August 1, 2005... IF YOU'RE LIKE MOST people, you install and uninstall software or save and delete images, media files, and e-mail many times over the life of your PC. All that activity can cause Windows to slow down, burdened by broken shortcuts, leftover...

Microsoft Windows XP Professional x64 Edition: 64-bit OS is not for the faint of heart.(Brief Article)(Product/Service Evaluation)
August 1, 2005... WITH THE RELEASE of Windows XP Professional x64 Edition, Microsoft takes a big first step toward a 64-bit world. The rollout will be slow, though, because little software is available in 64-bit versions and many hardware devices don't yet have...

Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger: Mac lovers should pounce on this solid upgrade.(operating system (software))(Brief Article)(Product/Service Evaluation)
August 1, 2005... ANOTHER BIG-CAT NAME, another solid OS: Apple's Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger brings several useful new features and enhancements, making it a worthwhile purchase for those who skipped 10.3 Panther or have waited until Tiger's release to purchase Apple...

Ulead PhotoImpact 10: delightful, inexpensive image editing.(image processing software)(Brief Article)(Product/Service Evaluation)
August 1, 2005... ULEAD PHOTOIMPACT 10 is a terrific basic image editor. With version 10, Ulead has added a broad range of handy new features, making this program a steal at $89.99. For starters, Ulead has added photo frames, 17 new effects filters (Pen and...

Microsoft Works Suite 2005: well-integrated apps for home basics.(Brief Article)(Product/Service Evaluation)
August 1, 2005... WITH THE $99.95 Works Suite 2005, Microsoft packages its popular software alongside Works 8.0, an entry-level productivity app. The suite spans five CDs and includes Word 2002, Works 8.0, Picture It Premium 10, Encarta Encyclopedia Standard...

Bias SoundSoap 2: wash digital audio clean.(Brief Article)(Product/Service Evaluation)
August 1, 2005... BIAS SOUNDSOAP 2, compatible with both Windows and Mac, precisely isolates and eliminates noise problems in digital audio files, such as clicks, pops, electrical hum, rumble, and background hiss. The $99 SoundSoap isn't foolproof, and mastering...

Top 25: this month's best desktops, notebooks, 17-inch LCD monitors, graphics cards, and music-download services.(Illustration)
August 1, 2005... Top 25 This month's best desktops, notebooks, 17-inch LCD monitors, graphics cards, and music-download services. PRODUCT PRICE SPECS/REQUIREMENTS PERFORMANCE DESKTOPS >> Top-of-the-line machines that...

75 PC tips & tricks: our insider secrets will help you master your PC and all its applications.(Cover Story)
August 1, 2005... YOUR PROCESSOR'S SWIFT, your RAM's abundant, and your hard drive's regularly reformatted. Don't stop there. We've got lots of ways to boost your PC productivity. From 10-second shortcuts for everyday tasks to performance-enhancing tweaks, we...

Space savers: these nine barely-there boxes squeeze into the tightest of places without skimping on power.(Product/Service Evaluation)
August 1, 2005... NOT EVERYONE HAS ROOM for a full-size desktop PC. And even those with enough space may prefer to ditch a typical tower monolith in favor of a more petite chassis. The development of smaller, faster, cooler-operating components not only...

The broadband bells: we dial up nine VoIP services to see which digital phone provider can best replace your landline.(Product/Service Evaluation)
August 1, 2005... Replacing your analog phone service with a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) provider is no longer just for the early adopters. According to research firm IDC, VoIP subscribers in the United States will rise to 3 million this year, and by...

A screen worth saving.(using of screensavers decreases the battery life of laptops)(Liquid crystal displays)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... I understand the need for a screensaver on a CRT monitor, but I don't understand why you would need one on a notebook's flat panel. Should you use a screensaver on an LCD? HENRY POH Screensavers were originally developed to avoid...

The mod squad.(information about computer cases)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... I want to install some Mini-ITX motherboards into nontraditional computer boxes: a Lost in Space Jupiter 2 toy, an OS/2 Warp version 4 box, and a TI-99/4A computer case. I have most of the parts, but I need lights to show hard drive activity, a...

Poky packets.(file transfer using 100baseT standard)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... It takes about three minutes to transfer a 620MB video file from one computer to another over my wired Ethernet LAN using standard TCP/IP. I calculate that to be only about 3.5Mbps. These PCs run Windows XP, and all of my hubs, roarers, and...

Notebook doesn't know Jack.(COMPUTER CURES)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... I read John Woram's Weekend Project about digitizing LPs for burning to CD ("Vinyl Resurrection," May, p. 104). All the information was great, except for one important omission: What about those of us with laptops that don't have a line-in...

A viable video solution.(COMPUTER CURES)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... I have a lot of video stored on my hard drive and would like to know: What is the most efficient video format, in terms of quality per megabyte of storage? YANG ZHO Asking which compression format gives you the best quality per...

PC identity crisis.(COMPUTER CURES)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... I have a computer running Windows XP Home Edition that I want to give to my son. He's an adult and wants to be named as the registered owner. How do I change the original owner's name? ALBIN S. WILSON This information is stored in the...

Tip of the month: Smarter media.(COMPUTER CURES)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... Many of us are now on our second--maybe even third--digital camera. And the chances are great that the new camera uses a different type of memory card than the old one. So, what to do with those old cards? This month's tipster has a handy...

Immerse yourself in 7.1 sound: upgrade your sound card and speakers for a mind-blowing audio experience.
August 1, 2005... YOUR AVERAGE 5.1--CHANNEL audio setup may sound great, but today's 7.1 technology pushes immersive sound even further. The two additional channels better produce sounds that travel from front to rear or pan side-to-side behind your head. ...

Add a Mac to your Windows network: turn your PC-based setup into an Apple-friendly zone.
August 1, 2005... IF THE MAC AND THE PC are the yin and yang of the tech universe, then these two seeming opposites should be able to coexist harmoniously. We found feng shui by adding a Mac to our combination Ethernet/ Wi-Fi home network, which consisted of...

Wi-Fi for the rest of us: a dial-up devotee wants to share Net access among several PCs wirelessly.
August 1, 2005... DESPITE THE EYE-BLINK downloads of DSL and cable broadband, dial-up Net access isn't dead yet. It's still showing plenty of pep, if not as much as another, much newer kind of connectivity--Wi-Fi. And John Taylor, this month's Advisee, is...

Just say no to rebates.(Editorial)
August 1, 2005... AS A CONSUMER ADVOCATE, I'm accustomed to doling out free advice--only this time, I was the one who was in need of assistance. A while back I wrote a column on the difficulties readers experience receiving rebate checks from retailers and...

Midrange desktops ($750 to $1,499).(TECHMARKET: THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO SMART TECHNOLOGY SHOPPING)(Buyers Guide)
August 1, 2005... NEED TO KNOW PROCESSOR Don't choose an underpowered processor, but look at CPUs one or two steps down from the fastest for the power you need at a good price. Upgrade: Expect to spend $90 for every 200MHz-increment upgrade of Intel 3GHz...

Thin-and-light notebooks (4 to 7 pounds).(TECHMARKET: THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO SMART TECHNOLOGY SHOPPING)(Buyers Guide)
August 1, 2005... NEED TO KNOW PROCESSOR Look for a model powered by Intel's Pentium M processor, which provides good battery life, strong performance, and cool running temperatures. Save a little by opting for lower clock speeds, such as 1.6GHz. Upgrade:...

Inkjet printers.(TECHMARKET: THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO SMART TECHNOLOGY SHOPPING)(Buyers Guide)
August 1, 2005... NEED TO KNOW RESOLUTION Resolution figures refer to the maximum number of horizontal and vertical dots a printer can lay down within a 1-inch-square space. In theory, a higher-resolution printer can produce more-detailed text and images,...

External hard drives.(TECHMARKET: THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO SMART TECHNOLOGY SHOPPING)(Buyers Guide)
August 1, 2005... NEED TO KNOW FORM FACTOR External hard drives come in all shapes and sizes, and most can even be rested vertically to save space on your desk. Some externals are small enough to fit inside your shirt pocket, but these tend to be more...

Digital cameras (4- to 5-megapixel).(TECHMARKET: THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO SMART TECHNOLOGY SHOPPING)(Buyers Guide)
August 1, 2005... 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 5-megapixel camera, therefore, should capture more image detail than a 4-megapixel model. Still,...

Warranties & service plans for desktops & notebooks.(Illustration)
August 1, 2005... NEED TO KNOW TERM Major vendors such as Dell and Gateway are trying to set the benchmark for support at 90 days, but no PC owner should settle for a warranty that short. If you're looking at a term shorter than one year, consider an...

Tech products.(Buyers Guide)
August 1, 2005... acortech.com Inexpensive PC accessories abound at Acortech. com. We found 17-inch LCD monitors for under $300, flash drives for under $20, optical mice for less than $5, and other low-cost goodies for certified tech geeks. ...

Mobile and travel accessories.(Brief Article)(Buyers Guide)
August 1, 2005... garmin.com Garmin specializes in Global Positioning System CGPS) receivers. Check out its StreetPilot units, which add color-screened moving-map navigation to any vehicle. The Purchase Assistant will help you choose the right model for...

Sites for audio enthusiasts.(WEB BUYER: THE BEST SITES FOR ONLINE SHOPPING)(Brief Article)(Buyers Guide)
August 1, 2005... abtelectronics.com If you salivate at the thought of a 400-disc CD changer or a thumping surround-sound speaker system, check out Abt Electronics. In business for 69 years, this site has everything an audiophile could want, including amps,...

Direct PC vendors.(Buyers Guide)
August 1, 2005... 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. Visit the...

Software.(Buyers Guide)
August 1, 2005... atomicpark.com AtomicPark.com's entire selection of business and productivity apps includes free shipping. Plus, you'll never pay a restocking fee. The new Direct Downloads section lets you use new software in minutes, not days....

VoIP resources.(voice over internet protocol)(Brief Article)(Buyers Guide)
August 1, 2005... www.fcc.gov/voip The Federal Communications Commission's Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) page explains the technology and its hardware requirements in plain English. Also look for the downloadable fact sheet and news about federal...