Computer Shopper articles from August 2006

Computer Shopper archives from August 2006

Editor's note.
August 1, 2006... I'VE WRITTEN HERE BEFORE about the affliction I inherited from my parents, which keeps me from getting rid of anything that might be of possible value "someday." For my morn, it's plastic containers; for me, it's old computers and computer...

No love for Linux?(LETTERS)(Letter to the editor)
August 1, 2006... I have been a frequent Computer Shopper reader for more than 20 years. I noticed that the hardware and software products you feature in the latest issue are almost exclusively for Windows users. I switched to Linux about five years ago, and...

Apple's support is solid.(LETTERS)(Letter to the editor)
August 1, 2006... I disagree with your response to the reader inquiring about refurbished Apple products ("Ask the Editors," July, p. 84). You stated that while Apple's refurbished PCs offer great savings, "the downside is that these computers often come with...

Beware the bargain case.(LETTERS)(Letter to the editor)
August 1, 2006... You should have discussed issues other than physical appearance when explaining your choice of case in "Build a Bargain" (June, p. 64). I recently purchased a so-called "bargain" case for the same price ($32.99) as the one used in your article....

AMD's 2007 PC chips promise to put four cores to the floor.(TRENDS: UPCOMING TECHNOLOGIES AND PRODUCTS)(Advanced Micro Devices Inc.)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... ADVANCED MICRO Devices will come out with a new chip architecture next year, and it's not deviating from the basic formula that has helped it take market share away from Intel. The new architecture, currently dubbed Next Generation...

Royal Philips Electronics.(TRENDSPOTTING)
August 1, 2006... Royal Philips Electronics recently showcased advances in 3D displays that won't require viewers to wear those goofy glasses. The displays are based on the company's WOWvx technology, which addresses many of the issues surrounding 3D...

Samsung's new drive boots in a flash.(TRENDS: UPCOMING TECHNOLOGIES AND PRODUCTS)(Samsung Electronics Company Ltd.'s hybrid drives)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... Samsung has launched a hybrid hard drive that includes a flash-memory chip that stores data and applications for faster bootups. The drive should also extend battery life for notebook PCs. The company is currently offering the drive in its...

Dell goes shopping at upscale malls.(TRENDS: TECH NEWS)(opening two stores)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... DELL IS OPENING two physical stores this year--without any inventory on hand. The first was slated to open in July in Dallas' North-Park Center, while the second is planned for the Palisades Center in West Nyack, N.Y. Instead of direct...

PCs found guilty of too much trial software.(TRENDS: TECH NEWS)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... IF YOUR NEW PC is running slower than the old one it replaced, it might be weighed down with several applications destined to gather dust on the desktop. New PCs increasingly come cluttered with preinstalled software--in some cases, the...

New service delivers photo prints via e-mail.(TRENDS: TECH NEWS)(by Presto Services )(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... If all you want to do is see pictures of the grandkids, a new startup thinks it has a service for you. Launching this fall, Presto Services will provide Hewlett-Packard photo printers to its customers and hook them up to an online service...

Zoom ring.(GEAR: NEW PRODUCTS)
August 1, 2006... Better than your average camera phone, the Nokia N93 has a built-in 3.2-megapixel shooter with features galore, including a Carl Zeiss 3x optical zoom lens and a swiveling 2.4-inch color display that acts as a viewfinder. The N93 also...

Small drive, big storage.(GEAR: NEW PRODUCTS)
August 1, 2006... The highest-capacity external hard drive available, Seagate's $B59 7B0GB Pushbutton Back-up Hard Drive squeezes lots of storage into a tiny footprint. The sleekly designed unit offers 16MB of cache, along with USB 2.0 and FireWire 400 ports. It...

Network noir.(GEAR: NEW PRODUCTS)
August 1, 2006... Based on the draft version of the forthcoming 802.11n wireless networking standard, Belkin's $149.99 N1 Wireless Router uses multiple input, multiple output (MIMO) technology to send and receive data at speeds up to 300Mbps. The glossy...

Metal mouse.(GEAR: NEW PRODUCTS)
August 1, 2006... The $119 Zspire Bluetooth Mouse has a funky geometric shape sure to turn heads. Crafted from metal and metal alloys, its solid construction allows for increased precision and control. The wireless mouse works with any Bluetooth-enabled Mac or...

Total control.(GEAR: NEW PRODUCTS)
August 1, 2006... Channel surfing just got more sophisticated with the $299 Thomson Acoustic Research Wi-Q Universal Remote Control. The device uses built-in Wi-Fi to retrieve broadcast, cable, and satellite program guides from the Web. before displaying that...

XP in hand.(GEAR: NEW PRODUCTS)
August 1, 2006... Sony's $1,799 VAIO UX180P is one highly portable PC. Weighing just 1.2 pounds, the powerful handheld computer, which runs Windows XP Professional, features a 1.2GHz processor, S12MB of RAM, and a 30GB hard drive. For data entry, the 4.5-inch...

Shuttle XPC M2000: hot-looking Viiv Media Center is ready for prime time.(REVIEWS: THE LATEST HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE PRODUCTS)(Product/service evaluation)
August 1, 2006... COMPARED WITH Shuttle's standard toaster-size PCs, the M2000, with its stereo-component design, begs for inclusion in home theaters. We expected more-powerful parts considering our test unit's $2,199 price, but this well-designed Media Center...

Canon PowerShot S3 IS: a well-desiqned megazoom camera for photo enthusiasts.(REVIEWS: THE LATEST HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE PRODUCTS)(Product/service evaluation)
August 1, 2006... A VERY well-executed megazoom camera, the $499.99 Canon PowerShot S3 IS reminds you why dSLRs still have competition for photo enthusiasts' hearts. Building on the success of its S2 IS predecessor, Canon bumps up the S3's resolution from 5...

Cyberpower Gamer Ultra X1900 XT: CrossFire rig is a respectable SLI alternative.(REVIEWS: DESKTOPS)(Product/service evaluation)
August 1, 2006... CYBERPOWER'S online configuration tool for the Gamer Ultra X1900 XT offers more options than almost any we've seen, with dozens of chassis and color choices. Our $3,499 review unit paired two ATI Radeon X1900 XT-series graphics cards with...

iBuypower Value Ultra: student-friendly PC lives up to its moniker.(REVIEWS: DESKTOPS)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... TRUE TO ITS NAME, the $999 iBuypower Value Ultra delivers excellent value for your money, whether you need a computer for your college-bound teenager or a second PC to convert that now-vacant bedroom into a home office. If customization...

eMachines T6532: budget model gives you more than most.(REVIEWS: DESKTOPS)(Product/service evaluation)
August 1, 2006... ALTHOUGH most competing budget PCs offer similar features, few companies give you more value for your money than eMachines. Deal-seekers looking for a general-use PC will be pleased with the $579.99 T6532, a nonconfigurable but competent...

Gateway E-2600S SB: a business PC small in size, price.(REVIEWS: DESKTOPS)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... GATEWAY'S E-2600S SB offers platform-stability and management apps for small and medium-size businesses. Despite a base price of $579, we weren't stuck with low- end components. Useful extras, such as an LCD and Microsoft Office 2003, however,...

AOpen MiniPC Duo MP945-V: tiny PC big on performance, little on extras.(REVIEWS: DESKTOPS)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... THE MAC MINI Core Duo has inspired a few copycat systems, such as the AOpen MiniPC Duo MP945-V. The two systems share almost identical specs, as well. AOpen's $899 clone has double the RAM but costs about $100 more than a similarly configured...

Eurocom M590K Emperor: hail to the first 19-inch-screen laptop with SLI.(REVIEWS: NOTEBOOKS)(Product/service evaluation)
August 1, 2006... THE LAPTOP EQUIVALENT of a Cadillac Escalade, Eurocom's M590K Emperor is the first notebook we've laid hands on to pack both a 19-inch LCD and two graphics chips. But is this monstrous machine worth its titanic price? Unless you're a...

Dell Latitude D520: moderately configured laptop is all business.(REVIEWS: NOTEBOOKS)(Product/service evaluation)
August 1, 2006... IT WON'T WOW YOU with flashy features, but the Dell Latitude D520 has a satisfying combination of speed, battery life, and price that will keep business users with modest demands content. Like the Latitude D620 (its thinner and lighter...

HP Compaq Presario V3000: budget notebook doesn't skimp on performance.(REVIEWS: NOTEBOOKS)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... HEWLETT-PACKARD'S competitively priced Compaq Presario V3000 looks ready to rock, thanks to a complete makeover. The V3000's new high-gloss dark gray finish is a departure from its previous demure facade. Internally, HP ups the processor...

Apple MacBook: iBook replacement can hold its own against PC competition.(REVIEWS: NOTEBOOKS)
August 1, 2006... WITH ITS NEW MacBook, Apple has replaced the iBook with a well-designed laptop that significantly narrows the value gap with the PC competition. The MacBook line comprises three different models, all using Intel's Core Duo processors. A...

nVidia GeForce 7900 GTX: speedy graphics card won't disappoint.(REVIEWS: COMPONENTS)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... NVIDIA'S new flagship graphics card, the GeForce 7900 GTX, offers better performance at a lower price than the 7800 GTX board it replaces. (The company doesn't sell graphics cards to consumers, but third-party boards using the GPU cost around...

Maxtor OneTouch III Mini Edition: portable drive packs speed and utilities.(REVIEWS: COMPONENTS)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... THOUGH SMALL, Maxtor's OneTouch III Mini Edition isn't light on features. The new 7.2-ounce member of the Maxtor family of external drives comes with helpful preinstalled software and enough storage space to satisfy most users' needs. ...

Sony DVDirect VRD-MC1.(FIRST TAKE)(DVD recorder)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... Not only can Sony's latest external DVD burner connect directly to cameras and camcorders, but it'll even read memory cards. But at $259.99, is this drive worth the price of admission? Upside." The VRD-MC1 has two things you won't find on...

Samsung SyncMaster 204B: a business LCD suitable for the home.(REVIEWS: DISPLAYS)(liquid crystal display)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... ALTHOUGH intended for business use, the Samsung SyncMaster 204B's impressive DVD performance and corporate-chic styling make it a viable option for the home, too. At $349.99, the 204B has all the adjustability features you would want in a...

Philips Brilliance 230WP7: high-price big screen exhibits style, performance.(REVIEWS: DISPLAYS)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... IT COSTS MORE than the competition, but the Philips Brilliance 230WP7 delivers fine big-screen performance. Still, for $999, we wish the 23-inch LCD included more features. Tested at its native resolution of 1,920x1,200, the 230WP7...

LaCie 120: costly 20-inch display is a great performer.(REVIEWS: DISPLAYS)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... WELL-KNOWN for its high-end LCDs, LaCie now enters the mainstream market with the pricey 120. Though this $719 monitor doesn't break any boundaries in design, it knocks out the competition with its excellent performance. Tested at its...

Planon DocuPen RC800: scanning on the go made easy.(EDITORS' CHOICE)(handheld colour scanner)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... [EDITORS' CHOICE] IF YOU NEED a compact mobile scanner, Planon's $299.99 DocuPen RC800 should be at the top of your list. The company's previous model, the R700, was riddled with problems, but the RC800, though pricey, addresses every one...

Epson Stylus CX4800: budget MFP stalls on print speeds.(REVIEWS: PRINTERS/SCANNERS)(multifunction device)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... EPSON'S $129.99 Stylus CX4800 has more useful features than we're used to seeing in a budget multifunction printer-though text-printing speed isn't one of them. Points in the CX4800's favor include separate ink cartridges for each color, a...

HP Laser Jet 1018.(FIRST TAKE)(monochrome printer)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... Thanks to an aggressive market, laser-printer prices have been in rapid decline. The latest salvo in the budget wars: HP's new monochrome printer, the $129.99 Laser Jet 1018. Upside: There's no denying this pint-size printer's main...

Draft Dodging: the first Draft N routers don't live up to the 802.11n hype.(REVIEWS: HOME NETWORKING)(Netgear WNR834B RangeMax Next Router)(Linksys WRT300N)(Product/service evaluation)
August 1, 2006... WE'VE WAITED a long time for 802.11n, the next-generation wireless networking standard, to be officially ratified. So long, in fact, that several networking companies are releasing products based on the Draft N version of the specification,...

Samsung SGH-P300: credit-card-size phone is an able performer.(REVIEWS: MOBILE PRODUCTS)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... THE $499.99 SAMSUNG SGH-P300 may not be for everyone, but its powerful features, admirable performance, and credit-card-size form factor make it appealing. (No carriers sell the phone, but you can buy unlocked--non-carrier-specific--versions...

Jabra BT160: bluetooth headset catches eye and ear.(REVIEWS: MOBILE PRODUCTS)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... JABRA'S BTI60 Bluetooth headset offers decent audio quality and a secure fit, and its eye-catching faceplates set it apart from competing models. Weighing just 0.5 ounce, the $59 BT160 has a slender oval design and a flexible ear loop that...

Palm Treo 700p.(FIRST TAKE)(smart phone)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... The Treo 700p is the latest smartphone based on the Palm OS platform. The list price is $649.99, but it's available for less if bought with a service contract from Sprint or Verizon. Upside: Designed much like its Windows OS-based cousin,...

Samsung GX-1S: beginner-friendly dSLR is a photo copy.(REVIEWS: DIGITAL CAMERAS)(digital single-lens reflex camera)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... FOR ITS FIRST foray into the world of digital single-lens reflex (dSLR) cameras, Samsung has produced a virtual clone of the 6-megapixel Pentax *ist DS2. Though Samsung has changed an icon or two here and there, the $799.99 GX-1S otherwise...

Fujifilm FinePix V10: tiny shooter packs a big LCD.(REVIEWS: DIGITAL CAMERAS)(liquid crystal display)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... THE 5.1-MEGAPIXEL Fujifilm FineFix Vl0 separates itself from the pint-size pack with a 3-inch LCD, high-ISO photo quality, and a svelte design. The $349 V10 measures just 2.5x3.3x1 inches and weighs 6.1 ounces (including media and...

Kodak EasyShare V610: two lenses--plus Bluetooth--in a compact camera.(REVIEWS: DIGITAL CAMERAS)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... WITH THE 6.1-megapixel EasyShare V610, Kodak delivers the power of 10x optical zoom in a compact package. How? The $449.95 V610 offers two lenses that zoom internally: a 38mm-to-114mm and a second 130mm-to-380mm. Geared for snapshooters,...

Iriver Clix: unique, feature-filled flash player improves on predecessor.(EDITORS' CHOICE)(mp3 players)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... [EDITOR'S CHOICE] IRIVER'S $199.99 Clix is a superbly designed flash-memory player that's competitively priced for its feature set. The 2GB device is essentially an improved version of its predecessor, the Iriver U10. Measuring...

Samsung YP-U2: a tiny, budget-friendly flash device.(REVIEWS: DIGITAL AUDIO)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... THE BASIC Samsung YP-U2 has an ample selection of features for the price. The flash memory player is available in 512MB ($69.99) and 1GB ($109.99) capacities. Measuring 3.4x1x0.5 inches and weighing just an ounce, the tiny YP-U2 features a...

Creative Digital Wireless Headphones CB2530: wireless headphones suffer from a tin ear.(REVIEWS: DIGITAL AUDIO)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... IF YOU'RE serious about music quality, Creative's $149.99 Digital Wireless Headphones CB2530 aren't for you. In our tests, the sound quality of this Bluetooth set was underwhelming. The headphones never got very loud, and the sound...

Toshiba HD-A1: HD-DVD player comes with caveats.(REVIEWS: DIGITAL LIVING)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... THE $499.99 Toshiba HD-A1 is an affordable first-generation HD-DVD player that produces an impressive high-definition (HD) image. Only home theater enthusiasts are likely to be willing to swallow its long list of early-adopter caveats, however....

Panasonic TH-42PX60U: plasma produces a pleasing picture.(REVIEWS: DIGITAL LIVING)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... PANASONIC'S TH-42PX60U produces images demonstrably superior to those of most 42-inch plasma high-definition televisions (HDTVs), and it does so at a relatively affordable $2,499. The panel's native resolution of 1,024x768 isn't high...

Sony KDL-32S2000: an impressive LCD HDTV--but priced on the high side.(REVIEWS: DIGITAL LIVING)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... THE SONY KDL-32S2000's impressive image quality and slick styling make it a viable high-definition television (HDTV) option, but lots of better values are available, considering the 32-inch LCD's $1,699 price. The set has a native...

Steganos Security Suite 2006: disk-encryption pack gets very beefed up.(EDITORS' CHOICE)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... EDITORS' CHOICE WITH ITS 2006 edition, Steganos Security Suite has taken a major leap forward. It no longer lags behind competition such as ZoneAlarm Internet Security Suite in providing cookie control or ad blocking, and features such as...

PhatPad 3.0: instant note-taking on your PDA.(REVIEWS: SOFTWARE)(personal digital assistants)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... WHEN YOU'RE USING a PDA to take notes, sometimes words alone don't cut it--you might need to combine text and drawings when illustrating a concept. PhatWare's PhatPad 3.0 comes to the rescue, letting you combine text and sketches, and include...

GoodSync 3.4: powerful sync utility has one frustratinq flaw.(REVIEWS: SOFTWARE)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... IF YOU'RE TIRED of copying files between multiple computers and backup drives, you probably yearn for a utility that synchronizes folders for you automatically. GoodSync was designed for that very purpose--it works with removable devices, such...

Mozy: no-fuss backup for essential files.(REVIEWS: SOFTWARE)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... MOST OF US don't back up our digital files, no matter how often we're reminded to. Mozy could change this by making the backup process less of a chore. While the free 2GB version won't save the contents of an entire PC, it's likely roomy enough...

WinZip 10.0 Pro: capable, user-friendly file compression.(REVIEWS: SOFTWARE)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... VERSION 10.0 of WinZip's venerable file-compression app retains its predecessor's clean interface and industry-standard encryption capabilities, while adding extensive compression and automated-backup options. It also provides useful, if...

Babylon 6: look it up--in 17 languages.(REVIEWS: DOWNLOADS)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... TIRED OF THE WEIRD, stilted results from online translation tools? Babylon 6 is an exceptional alternative. The program covers 17 languages and offers a huge number of add-ons--and using it is a snap. You can look up words or phrases from any...

OpenOffice.org 2: a solid--and free--alternative to Microsoft Office.(REVIEWS: DOWNLOADS)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... AN INCREASINGLY credible rival to Microsoft Office, the multiplatform OpenOffice.org 2 includes apps for creating documents, spreadsheets, presentations, diagrams, and databases. The interface is similar to Microsoft Office's, and even...

Propaganda 1.2.1: podcast creation for newbies.(REVIEWS: DOWNLOADS)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... A SIMPLE WAY to get your voice heard online, Propaganda offers easy-to-use start-to-finish production of podcasts. The first thing you'll notice is the gorgeous iTunes-esque interface. The Propaganda screen is divided into three panes: one...

Top 25: this month's best desktops, notebooks, Wi-Fi routers, headphones, and home PC software.(Buyers guide)(Table)
August 1, 2006... Top 25 This month's best desktops, notebooks, Wi-Fi routers, headphones, and home PC software. PERFORMANCE DESKTOPS >> These top-of-the-line machines pack plenty of computing power. PRODUCT PRICE ...

Thrifty tech for students: go to the head of the class with these affordable essentials for students and deal hunters alike.(Buyers guide)
August 1, 2006... The price of college tuition might be skyrocketing, but the cost of technology is a little more down to earth--if you know where to look and what to buy, that is. That's where we come in. We've identified five types of products that...

Power parts: rejuvenate your PC--or build one from scratch--with our all-inclusive guide to choosing upgrade components.
August 1, 2006... YOU HEAR IT ALL THE TIME. Today's budget PCs are fast enough for most daily computing tasks. Still, it's hard to resist the allure of a faster, more powerful computer. The prospect of speeding up your PC makes it easy to justify paying for the...

iProductivity: the iPod can do a lot more than play music and video. These apps will make you "think different" about your favorite player.
August 1, 2006... APPLE'S INCREDIBLY POPULAR IPOD has long been known for its multimedia talents--first music, then photos, and now video. Less well-known, however, is the legion of ingenious third-party programmers who design apps to extend the iPod's...

Desperately seeking double-layer.(rewritable DVD)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... Is double-layer 8.5GB rewritable DVD media available yet, or is it only write-once media that comes in double-layer format? ERICK WU Only write-once double-layer media is available at this point, though it is available in both DVD+R...

Drive diversification.(drive management for operating system, documents and temporary files )(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... What's the best way to move the My Documents folder to a different partition or drive? I'm using Windows XP and would prefer to keep my C: drive for the operating system, and store all my documents and temporary files on a different drive. ...

Possible print freeze.(inkjet printer)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... My mother has a summer home that isn't winterized. She wants to keep a printer there to use with her laptop, but she doesn't want to have to drag the printer back and forth each year. I don't think an inkjet printer is a good idea, since it...

Computer identity crisis.(Windows Registry Editor is the utility for change the Registry information)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... I have a PC running Windows XP Home Edition that I want to give to my son. He 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 Windows Registry, and...

Help, crazy cursors!(mouse cursor problem when using Microsoft Windows XP Professional operating system)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... My wife and I have older systems running Windows XP Professional, and both machines have the same problem. The cursor just starts jumping all over the place, all on its own. I try to point it at something, and suddenly it shows up somewhere...

Dig deep for my documents.(File maintenance utilities, when using windows operating system)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... In the April 2006 edition of "Computer Cures" (p. 92), you discussed printing a directory listing using the Command Prompt in Windows. I tried those instructions but ran into a problem when I tried to print the contents of the My Documents...

Double feature.(COMPUTER CURES)
August 1, 2006... What do I need to project a movie from one DVD player onto two projectors that will display on two separate screens. JON-PAUL MAURIN You need a video splitter, which takes the signal from the single source--the DVD player, in this...

Tip of the month: flash to the rescue.(flash drive used for to get better performance from an older system)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... You probably have at least one retired laptop or desktop lying around somewhere. It doesn't have the horsepower to run the latest applications, but it can still handle simple word processing or e-mail. This month's tipster has a simple way to...

Optical addition: install a speedy new DVD burner in five easy steps.
August 1, 2006... EVERY MODERN PC should have a DVD burner. Just a few years ago, DVD writers were premium peripherals, but their prices have zone the way of all things tech--that is, way down. Now, for $100 or less, an internal burner can give your computer the...

Optimize your blog: improve your blog's look and increase your traffic.
August 1, 2006... THE WEB IS ALREADY HOME to more than 100 million blogs--and, according to the Pew Internet & American Life Project, a new one is created every 5.8 seconds. Clearly, the hard part isn't creating the blog itself. That's easy enough with a service...

Budget desktops ($749 and less).(NEED TO KNOW)(Buyers guide)
August 1, 2006... PROCESSOR You'll pay a premium for the fastest processor, so go with a CPU several cycles behind the top clock speed. It will save you money, yet still yield a PC plenty fast for everyday tasks. Upgrade: Expect to spend $50 for every...

Budget notebooks (less than $1,000).(NEED TO KNOW)(Buyers guide)
August 1, 2006... PROCESSOR Most budget notebooks ship with a low-powered Intel Celeron or AMD Sempron processor. If you're lucky, you'll find a notebook running a robust Intel Pentium M, Core Solo, or Core Duo. These mobile chips have a full 2MB of cache and...

Inkjet printers.(NEED TO KNOW)(Buyers guide)
August 1, 2006... 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, but manufacturers...

Ultracompact digital cameras (under 5 ounces).(Casio Exilim Zoom EX-Z850)(Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T30)(Canon PowerShot SD600)(Product/service evaluation)
August 1, 2006... 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, whether you choose a...

Smartphones.(NEED TO KNOW)(Buyers guide)
August 1, 2006... SIZE AND CAPABILITY Smartphones come in a wide range of shapes and sizes but can be divided into three major styles based on primary function. Large, PDA-like handsets tend to be powerful organizers first and cell phones second. Sleeker models...

USB flash drives.(NEED TO KNOW)(Buyers guide)
August 1, 2006... STORAGE While they can't hold as much data as most portable hard drives, smaller, pocket-friendly USB flash drives are ideal for shuttling files back and forth between PCs. Storage capacities typically range from 128MB to 4GB. FEATURES To...

Warranties and service plans for desktops and notebooks.
August 1, 2006... TERM Major vendors such as Lenovo 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 extended service plan....

amazon.com.(TECH PRODUCTS)
August 1, 2006... Amazon.com is an unparalleled superstore with a massive inventory equaled only by its special features, such as personalized product recommendations and mobile access. The Early Adopter Products pages show what's fresh in electronics, video...

askergoworks.com.(TECH PRODUCTS)
August 1, 2006... Ergo Works wants to turn your desk into a healthier workspace. Its selection of keyboard trays, monitor risers, and ergonomic seating can make computing more comfortable. Check out the kid-friendly chairs, keyboards, and mice.

www.batterybarn.com.(TECH PRODUCTS)
August 1, 2006... You'll get a charge from the selection at Battery Barn, which includes batteries for cordless phones, digital cameras, camcorders, and other power-hungry portable gadgets. The site also stocks hard-to-find batteries for tools and electric...

bestbuy.com.(TECH PRODUCTS)
August 1, 2006... Our readers voted Best Buy their favorite place to buy consumer electronics. The selection in each department is comprehensive and impressive. The best part? You can have your gadget delivered, or readied for pickup at a nearby store.

bits.com.(TECH PRODUCTS)
August 1, 2006... Take a byte of Bits.com, which has low prices on a modest selection of computer peripherals, MP3 players, and software. The company offers a 30-day return policy and $5 flat-rate shipping.

blackbox.com.(TECH PRODUCTS)
August 1, 2006... Get connected! Specializing in network products, Black Box can get you wired with its extensive catalog of storage, cabling, and surge-protection products, plus many other connectivity accessories.