Computer Shopper articles from August 2008

Computer Shopper archives from August 2008

Back to school.(ONLINE: THIS MONTH @ ComputerShopper.com)
August 1, 2008... Yes, it's that time of year again, and Computer Shopper is here to help you plan for your back-to-school tech needs. In our online back-to-school guide, we'll take a look at topics such as essential classroom tech, a parent's guide to buying a...

The latest in technoiogy news.(ONLINE: THIS MONTH @ ComputerShopper.com)
August 1, 2008... Check out the latest technology news from our partner sites around the Internet. Our News section covers everything from product announcements to cool new Web sites to first-hand reporting of special events. See it all at...

Make your voice heard.(ONLINE: THIS MONTH @ ComputerShopper.com)
August 1, 2008... ComputerShopper.com has launched a new online forum focusing on the best tech deals from around the Web. Have you seen a bargain during your online surfing? Let us know! Also new are forums concentrating on PC building, as well as a lounge...

Where to find free software.(ONLINE: THIS MONTH @ ComputerShopper.com)
August 1, 2008... Our Downloads Center serves up thousands of apps: essential utilities, virus stoppers, photo-editing software, and much more. Better yet, most are free. Shopper readers can get 'em at computershopper.com/downloads

Computer Shopper in your in-box.(ONLINE: THIS MONTH @ ComputerShopper.com)
August 1, 2008... Sign up for our eight monthly newsletters, and get ali of the best of Computer Shopper delivered right to your e-mail address. Get connected at computershopper.com/newsletter

All the news that's fit to blog.(ONLINE: THIS MONTH @ ComputerShopper.com)
August 1, 2008... Computer Shopper editors post candid takes on new tech products, services, and happenings daily. Bookmark our blog at computershopper.com/shoptalk

Editor's note.(Editorial)
August 1, 2008... IF YOU'VE FILLED UP YOUR CAR AT THE pump or boarded a plane recently, you don't need us to tell you that prices for everyday goods and services have risen significantly. Whether it's fuel or food, consumers are finding themselves spending a bit...

Asus, ATI unveil external mobile graphics modules.(TRENDS: UPCOMING TECHNOLOGIES AND PRODUCTS)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... LAPTOP GAMERS dissatisfied with the performance of mobile graphics cards will soon have a new option thanks to Asus and ATI: external units that house one or more graphics cards and that can be plugged into a notebook. [ILLUSTRATION...

How much do we spend on ink?(STATS)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... 6 billion The amount, in dollars, that consumers spend in ink every year 42% Percentage of HP's $2.63 billion total operating profit derived from its ink business in late 2007 30% Percentage of money parents spend on ink...

nVidia's Tegra mobile processor to compete with Intel atom.(TRENDS: UPCOMING TECHNOLOGIES AND PRODUCTS)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... NVIDIA IS ENTERING the race to bring a more PC-like experience to mobile computing. The graphics company claims its new processor, the Tegra 650, is the world's first single-chip processor capable of providing rich multimedia features on...

Cable companies test bandwidth access limits.(TRENDS: TECH NEWS)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... COMCAST HAS RECENTLY begun testing a new way to deal with shrinking bandwidth: slowing usage, during peak times, for the heaviest Internet users. The tests will be first conducted in Chambersburg, Pa., and Warrenton, Va., and later in...

The end may be near for TV set-top boxes.(TRENDS: TECH NEWS)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... FUTURE SONY televisions with built-in cable capabilities may spell the beginning of the end for set-top cable boxes. The electronics giant and the National Cable and Telecommunications Association recently struck a deal that will allow home...

Intel, SanDisk introduce cheaper SSDs.(TRENDS: TECH NEWS)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... In the laptop market, solid-state drives (SSD} been available have primarily able as costly options for ultraportables like the Apple MacBook Air or the Lenovo ThinkPad X300. Now, Intel and SanDisk are looking to bring the components downstream...

Computing the breeze.(NEW PRODUCTS: PCs)(MSI Wind )(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Budget ultraportables have been booming this year, and now it's MSI's turn to get in on the action. The MSI Wind is a business notebook available for both Linux ($399) and Windows ($499). You get mostly the same...

Ready for attack.(NEW PRODUCTS: PCs)(Acer's Predator )(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... Think Acer is just known for its budget systems? Think again. The company's new Predator will be the flagship system in its new Aspire G line of gaming desktops and notebooks. Pricing wasn't available at press time, though the specs and the...

Mini Avenger.(NEW PRODUCTS: PCs)(Hypersonic's Avenger AG2)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... If you're looking for a notebook that doesn't sacrifice performance for the sake of portability, check out Hypersonic's Avenger AG2. It's small--the display measures only 12.1 inches--but it packs a big punch with the latest Intel Core 2 Duo...

Personal touch.(NEW PRODUCTS: PCs)(touch-screen computers)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] HP is aiming to revolutionize touch-screen computing once again with the TouchSmart IQS00 series, its expansion of the living-room-friendly TouchSmart line. The eye-catching all-in-one units, which start at $1,299,...

Slim, fast.(NEW PRODUCTS: PCs)(Toshiba's Portege R500-S5007V )(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... At just 2.5 pounds, Toshiba's sleek new Portege R500-S5007V won't weigh you down on the road. But this 12.1-inch notebook is no lightweight: Powered by a 1.33GHz Core 2 Duo processor, it has 2GB of RAM and a 128GB solid-state drive for safe and...

Shuttle blasts off again.(NEW PRODUCTS: PCs)(Korporate Perfect Cube desktops from Shuttle Computer Group)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... Shuttle launched its KPC (short for Korporate Perfect Cube) line of cheap, Linux-powered small-form-factor desktops earlier this year, and the new KPC K58 offers more of the same. This time, however, the unit is shipping with a new Intel Atom...

Stone player.(NEW PRODUCTS: GEAR)(Samsung S2 Pebble music player)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... Striking in its simplicity, the $39.99 Samsung S2 Pebble music player looks like a rounded, polished stone--and a colorful one at that. Available in five colors, the 1GB device offers MP3, WMA, and OGG file playback and includes support for a...

Retro cans.(NEW PRODUCTS: GEAR)(Boosted Stiloso )(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... Your cell phone may be fashion forward, but the $52 Boosted Stiloso headset looks decidedly last century with its tan leather headband and shiny, bulbous ear cups. We dig the vintage styling, especially when it's accompanied with useful...

Triangular speaker.(NEW PRODUCTS: GEAR)(from Bang & Olufsen)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] While other manufacturers chum out rectangular and cylindrical speakers, Bang & Olufsen has gone for a completely different shape: the triangle. Once it's mounted under a flat-screen television, the BeoLab 10 uses...

Color drive.(NEW PRODUCTS: GEAR)(Signature Mini Portable USB 2.0)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... Making a good-looking hard drive is no easy feat, but SimpleTech has pulled it off with its Signature Mini Portable USB 2.0 series of bite-size external drives. Designed by Italian sports-car maker Pininfarina, the drives are available in seven...

Bjorn bag.(NEW PRODUCTS: GEAR)(Laptop Backpack)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Made from lightweight neoprene and breathable air mesh, BuiltNY's ultraslim Laptop Backpack comes in two sizes (medium and large) and three colors, including this funky wood-grain pattern. The main compartment of...

Geo phone.(NEW PRODUCTS: GEAR)(clamshell phone)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... The Sony Ericsson Z555 has diamonds, and lots of them. The $179.99 clamshell phone will draw you in with its striking geometric design, but it's more than just a pretty face. The handset comes with a rich feature set that includes the company's...

Acer Aspire 8920G: 18.4-inch laptop will turn heads with its stellar display.(REVIEWS: THE LATEST HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE PRODUCTS)(Product/service evaluation)
August 1, 2008... THE $2,599 ACER ASPIRE 8920G is a snappy-looking desktop-replacement notebook that features one of the nicest displays we've seen. Its high-end Penryn processor will handle anything you throw at it, although serious gamers will likely require...

Intel Core 2 Duo E8400: excellent midrange CPU primed for overclocking.(REVIEWS: THE LATEST HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE PRODUCTS)(Product/service evaluation)
August 1, 2008... WHEN A NEW $999 quad-core processor hits the market and sets benchmark records, it's front-page news, but it's just as exciting when you get first-rate performance for a fifth of that price. With a clock speed of 3GHz, 6MB of L2 cache, SSE 4.1...

Gateway FX541XT: moderately powerful desktop is also an earful.(REVIEWS: DESKTOPS)(Product/service evaluation)
August 1, 2008... GATEWAY'S FX541XT has much in common with its predecessor, the FX540XT: While it's a fine performer with DX9 titles, it's best avoided if you're playing DX10 games at high resolutions. Still, the FX541XT has a great component lineup, even if it...

iBuypower Gamer Paladin 795-CX: a powerful gaming investment--for today only.(REVIEWS: DESKTOPS)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... IBUYPOWER'S GAMER PALADIN 795-CX is the first system we've tested that uses two dual-GPU ATI Radeon HD 3870 X2 cards in a CrossFireX configuration, which means it's powered by the equivalent of four high-caliber graphics chips. We expected it...

Dell Vostro 410: performance-oriented, service-rich desktop.(REVIEWS: DESKTOPS)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] WE CAN APPRECIATE Dell wanting to devote one of its product lines to small- or home-business users, but let's face it: Sometimes you need power at work, too. And with the $1,508 performance-oriented Vostro 410, Dell...

Alienware Area-51 7500: outer-space style at a down-to-earth price.(REVIEWS: DESKTOPS)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... THE NEW VERSION of Alienware's Area-51 7500 desktop, which rings in at a "mere" $1,499, isn't just a good deal by the high (and expensive) standards of Alienware--it's a good deal, period. Admittedly, you don't get every perk you do with...

Dell Vostro 1310: a solid business laptop for frequent travelers.(REVIEWS: LAPTOPS)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... DELL'S $1,416 VOSTRO 1310 offers a business-friendly mix of features, dedicated tech support, and handy utilities--with no preloaded trialware. We just wish it were a touch more portable. Built around a 13.3-inch screen, the 4.8-pound Vostro...

Asus Eee PC 900: budget model has bigger screen, higher price than predecessor.(REVIEWS: LAPTOPS)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... THE ASUS EEE PC 900 offers a larger screen and more storage space than its predecessor, the Eee PC 4G, but you'll have to pay more for a few of the same trade-offs. At first blush, the Eee PC 900 looks identical to the 4G. It features the...

Toshiba Satellite A305-S6845: midrange laptop is ready to game.(REVIEWS: LAPTOPS)(Product/service evaluation)
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] IF PORTABILITY ISN'T KEY, the $1,399 Toshiba Satellite A305-S6845 is a jack-of-all-trades laptop that can accommodate mainstream users' needs. It can even handle gaming, thanks to ATI's latest mobile GPU. The...

Gateway M-1626: budget model looks good, but performance lags.(REVIEWS: LAPTOPS)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... THE $849.99 GATEWAY M-1626 offers a sleek design and good features for a low price, but performance issues put it behind other notebooks in its class. The retail-only M-1626 looks rather dapper with its metallic case and 15.4-inch glossy...

Asus U2E: tiny system is slow but stylish.(REVIEWS: LAPTOPS)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... A FASHION-FORWARD ULTRAPORTABLE with middling performance, the $1,999 Asus U2E is a real head-turner. It's a great choice--as long as speed is not your primary concern. Measuring just 10.9x 7.6x1 inches--including a built-in optical drive...

Fujitsu LifeBook P8010: ultraportable doesn't stand out from the crowd.(REVIEWS: LAPTOPS)(Product/service evaluation)
August 1, 2008... FUJITSU'S $2,009 LIFEBOOK P8010 ultraportable laptop delivers many nice features, as well as solid performance at a competitive price, but ultimately, it offers nothing to make it a premier machine. Weighing in at 2.9 pounds, the P8010...

In Win Metal Suit GD: full-featured midtower is tool-less and sound-less.(REVIEWS: COMPONENTS)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] IN WIN'S $135 METAL SUIT GD is an impressive midtower chassis that supports both ATX and MicroATX form factors while offering features usually found on cases that cost much more. Aside from a removable aluminum...

CoolIT Pure: quiet-running cooler good for midrange rigs.(REVIEWS: COMPONENTS)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... COOLIT'S $134.99 PURE CPU COOLER is a pre-assembled, all-in-one liquid cooling kit that bolts onto your case and CPU in a few steps, making it a relatively easy way to upgrade your rig's cooling system. But while it's quiet and rather...

Antec Mini P180: compact foundation for a powerful, expansive system.(REVIEWS: COMPONENTS)(Product/service evaluation)
August 1, 2008... ANTEC'S $129 MINI P180 is a stylish case that's a perfect start for building a quiet, compact computer that doesn't sacrifice expandability. Though it's designed to accommodate small MicroATX motherboards, it still has plenty of room for...

Shuttle XPC Prima SX48P2 Deluxe: bare-bones unit is loaded with functionality and connectivity.(REVIEWS: COMPONENTS)(Product/service evaluation)
August 1, 2008... THE SHUTTLE XPC PRIMA SX48P2 DELUXE'S support for the latest component technology and its above-average integrated extras make it a bare bones that's a solid starting platform for anything but an entertainment or gaming PC. The small,...

HP Media Vault MV2120: a great drive with a few small issues.(REVIEWS: NETWORKING)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] THE HP MEDIA VAULT MV2120 is a multitasking network-attached-storage (NAS) drive that offers a wide range of storage, backup, and file-sharing options for networked PCs. It's easy to use, but we ran into several...

Netgear HD/Gaming 5GHz Wireless-N Networking Kit: upgrade your network to Wireless N easily.(EDITOR'S CHOICE)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... NETGEAR'S PRICEY $199.99 HD/Gaming 5GHz Wireless-N Networking Kit (WNDEB111) is a unique product, indeed. It includes two 5GHz Draft 802.11n access points/bridges--one plugs in to your existing router and serves as an access point, while the...

Logitech Squeezebox Duet: getting music off your PC just got easier.(REVIEWS: PERIPHERALS)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] THE $399.99 LOGITECH SQUEEZEBOX DUET system is a relatively affordable unit that utilizes wireless 80211b/g Wi-Fi or wired Ethernet networking to stream music--from your PC or the Internet--over your home network....

Microsoft Wireless Laser Mouse 7000: sleek, configurable, and rechargeable.(REVIEWS: PERIPHERALS)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... WITH ITS $69.95 WIRELESS LASER MOUSE 7000, Microsoft is out to show us that a mouse can be both an artistic statement and a decent pointing device. The rechargeable 7000 has a fittingly futuristic look that makes it fight at home when...

Samsung SyncMaster T220HD: monitor moonlights as television.(EDITOR'S CHOICE)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... [EDITORS' CHOICE] THE ELEGANT $449 SAMSUNG SYNCMASTER T220HD is a monitor that doubles as a television. Besides DVI and VGA connectors, this 22-inch LCD has two HDMI ports, component-video and coaxial inputs, and a built-in ATSC TV tuner. It is...

Asus MK241H: good for gaming and fast-motion video.(REVIEWS: DISPLAYS)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... ALTHOUGH IT LACKS the multiple audio/video ports or TV tuner that would make it a true multimedia marvel, Asus' $539 MK241H delivers very good performance as a monitor. With a resolution of 1,920xl,200, the MK241H can handle 1080p...

Epson Stylus C120: fast text printer also delivers beautiful color prints.(REVIEWS: PRINTERS)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ALTHOUGH IT LACKS ETHERNET and Wi-Fi connectivity, you don't get a memory-card reader or USB cable, the Epson Stylus C120's impressive text print speeds and high-quality photo prints make it a solid choice for home...

HP Color Laser Jet CM1312: a multifunction laser for any printing occasion.(REVIEWS: PRINTERS)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... HP's latest color laser multifunction printer, the $499.99 Color LaserJet CM1312, can handle almost any job your home or small office tosses its way, including printing faxing, scanning, and copying. It can't connect wirelessly to a network or...

Shooting in high definition: digital camcorders: despite trade-offs, these latest HD camcorders deliver good-quality video.(REVIEWS: DIGITAL CAMCORDERS)(Product/service evaluation)
August 1, 2008... WHILE THEY STILL COST a premium when compared with standard-definition camcorders, high-definition (I-ID) models have now reached price points (around $1,000 or less) that make them more affordable to the masses. But HD camcorders come in...

Dream Pinball 3D: pinball game leaves much to be desired.(REVIEWS: GAMING)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... VIDEO GAME REPRESENTATIONS of arcade pinball are based usually on accurate ball physics and interesting table design. Unfortunately, the $19.99 Dream Pinball 3D excels at neither of these areas, but there are just enough features to keep us...

Belkin Nostromo n52te: a gamepad that stands out among the rest.(REVIEWS: GAMING)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... FOR SOME GAMERS, a gaming keypad (or gamepad) like the $69.99 Belkin Nostromo n52te is an invaluable tool. It offers only the keys you want and places them all in close proximity, so you don't have to reach across the entire key board to access...

Plantronics Calisto Pro: headset system juggles multiple phone lines.(REVIEWS: CONSUMER TECH)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... WITH ITS SIMPLE DESIGN and excellent sound quality, Plantronics's $279.95 Calisto Pro Bluetooth headset and cordless-phone combo lets you seamlessly switch between landline, cellular, and VoIP calls without getting caught up in a mess of...

RIM BlackBerry Pearl 8120 (T-Mobile): Smartphone packs Wi-Fi into a small package.(REVIEWS: CONSUMER TECH)(Product/service evaluation)
August 1, 2008... IT'S NOT IDEAL FOR WEB BROWSING, but T-Mobile's version of the BlackBerry Pearl 8120 is a champion cell phone and messaging device. Plus, it lets you make "free" Wi-Fi calls, so it may save you money over time. Slim, lightweight, and...

Adobe Acrobat 9: tons of new PDF features, but do you need them all?(REVIEWS: SOFTWARE)(Product/service evaluation)
August 1, 2008... WITH ITS LATEST RELEASE of the PDF viewer, writer, and editor Acrobat--the ninth--Adobe is showing that while the software is not yet suffering the most severe symptoms of feature bloat, it's begun coughing regularly. Those who want to...

Programming languages: how well do two software packages help you learn a foreign language--without leaving your desk.(REVIEWS: SOFTWARE)(Product/service evaluation)
August 1, 2008... IF YOU'VE BEEN TO COLLEGE, chances are you had to learn a foreign language, spending a couple of years conjugating unruly verbs, and becoming a basket case about cases. But how much do you remember? Or do you wish you could learn something...

Microsoft takes to the skies: plus, five great freeware utilities to improve your computing life.(REVIEWS: DOWNLOADS)
August 1, 2008... FREE SOFTWARE isn't usually what comes to mind when you think about Microsoft, but the Redmond campus does produce some useful freebies in its spare time. Its most notable recent download is WorldWide Telescope, which joins Google Sky in...

Top 5 alternative-brand desktops: these five models prove quality PCs don't just come from the big guys.
August 1, 2008... 1 Cyberpower Gamer Infinity SLI 8800 www.cyberpowerpc.com $3,185 (as tested) Editors' Rating: 8.8 [check] Specs ** 3GHz Core 2 Extreme QX9650 (overdocked to 3.SGHz) ** 4GB DDR2 memory * 500GB hard drive; two...

Top 5 thin-and light laptops: these capable portables let you take performance on the road.(Product/service evaluation)
August 1, 2008... 1 Fujitsu LifeBook $6510 * www.fujitsu.com $2,169 Cas tested) Editors' Rating:(8.4) [check] Specs ** 2.4GHz Core 2 Duo T7700 ** 4GB DDR2 memory ** 120GB hard drive ** Double-layer DVD [+ or -] RW...

Top 5 PC cases: build a killer system with these solid enclosures.
August 1, 2008... 1 Cooler Master Cosmos 1000 Extended ATX www.coolermaster.com $199 Editors' Rating: (9.1)[check] Specs * 23.5x10.5x24.7 inches * Five 5.25-inch drive bays, six 3.5-inch drive bays Bottom Line ...

Top 5 headphones: keep your tunes pumping loud and clear with these sweet-sounding choices.(Product/service evaluation)
August 1, 2008... 1 Shure SE530 Sound Isolating Earphones www.shure.com $499.99 Editors' Rating: (8.7) Specs * Wired earbuds * 1.5-foot cord * In-line volume control Bottom Line Frequent fliers will be...

Top 5 digital image creation & editing programs: perfect your photos and create new images with these apps.(Product/service evaluation)
August 1, 2008... 1 Adobe Photoshop CS3 Extended www.adobe.com $999 Editors' Rating: (9.0) [check] System Requirements * Pentium 4 or faster processor (PC); PowerPC G4/G5 or multicore processor [Mac] * 512MB RAM; 64MB video...

The budget beat: need a computer, but don't have a truckload of cash to fork over? Don't worry: Many manufacturers offer desktop configurations for $750 or less that can meet your needs--whatever they may be. Here's a look at five inexpensive systems and what they can do for you.(Cover story)(Product/service evaluation)
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] GREAT FOR GAMING Cyberpower Gamer Infinity 1000 Editors' Rating: 7.9 out of 10 Pros: Appealing design; good gaming performance Cons: Pedestrian CPU; limited expansion capabilities PUTTING...

How to shop for a laptop: not sure which notebook is right for you? Our buying advice will get you on your way to portable-computing glory.(Product/service evaluation)
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Since the notebook market exploded in popularity, shoppers now have a greater variety of laptops to choose from than ever before. But when you don't know the difference between an ultraportable and a desktop...

Gamer's delight.(gaming peripherals)
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] GAMING PERIPHERALS tend to span the spectrum from the hokey to the absurd. From old-school, arcade-style joysticks to controllers with built-in fans, companies are constantly coming up with creative (and expensive)...

Mothering instinct.(COMPUTER CURES)(Gateway laptop)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... I want to upgrade my five-year-old Gateway laptop, including motherboard. Is this cost-effective? CECIL WILLIAMS Alas, no. Laptop motherboards are very particular to specific laptop models. Unlike with standard desktop motherboards...

Power pointers.(COMPUTER CURES)(PowerPoint Viewer 97)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... I had PowerPoint Viewer 97 installed okay, but very recently I uninstalled it and installed PowerPoint 2007 instead. I can't seem to associate the new program with PPS files to open them. Can you help? COPDOC, VIA THE COMPUTER SHOPPER ...

Speedy drive-through(put).(COMPUTER CURES)(to upgrade Serial ATA )
August 1, 2008... I need to upgrade my 23GB 10,000rpm Serial ATA (SATA) drive to a larger drive. I bought it when these drives first came out. I recently read that the new SATA drives cannot be swapped out for the early ones, without adding a PCI card. Can...

Fine tuning tips.(COMPUTER CURES)(TV tuner)
August 1, 2008... I expect to be purchasing a new desktop soon and am considering getting a TV tuner bundled in. I also have thought about buying the digital-video-recorder (DVR) service offered through my cable-TV provider. Do you have tips and/or things to...

A stretch for infrared.(COMPUTER CURES)(Media Center PC)
August 1, 2008... I recently purchased a new HP PC equipped with Media Center. I have a question about extending the infrared (IR) wire connection to the TV set-top box--the box in a different room than my PC. How far will the signal travel, and what kind of...

Up-front advice.(COMPUTER CURES)(audio ports)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... I just recently constructed a new system, and it's running beautifully, except for the front audio ports. Neither one will recognize any device plugged into it, and neither will produce sound. I thought that maybe I had improperly connected...

Tip of the month: e-lock XP.(HELP & HOW-TO: TIPS AND TRICKS TO MAKE TECH EASIER)(Windows XP via a flash drive)
August 1, 2008... There comes a point when you just don't want to remember any more passwords, but you don't want to compromise security, either. Biometric devices are still pricey, but a cheaper alternative might help: I usually log in to Windows XP via a flash...

Upload your videos to YouTube.(HELP & HOW-TO: WEEKEND PROJECT)
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] UNLESS YOU'VE BEEN LIVING IN A CAVE, you probably know aboutYouTube (www. youtube.com). It's a great way to view movie trailers, music performances, celebrity foot-age, and clips of your friends, among other things....

Aggressive passive.(Build Your Own: NEW PRODUCTS FOR BUILDING A CUSTOM PC)(CPU coolers)
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The name must be tongue-in-cheek: Few CPU coolers are less "hyper" than Cooler Master's Hyper Z600. That's because this is a rare passive CPU cooler, built to cool a processor without the services of a dedicated fan...

ThreeForce cooler.(Build Your Own: NEW PRODUCTS FOR BUILDING A CUSTOM PC)(Product/service evaluation)
August 1, 2008... Tweakers driven to cranking their graphics well past posted speed limits will perk up at Arctic Cooling's Accelero Xtreme 9800. This third-party cooler fastens onto nVidia's new-kid GePorce 9800 GTX-based graphics cards, replacing the stock...

Towering achievement.(Build Your Own: NEW PRODUCTS FOR BUILDING A CUSTOM PC)(Antec Twelve Hundred)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Power users and game fanatics can orchestrate a serious dream PC with the $209.95 Antec Twelve Hundred, an imposing enthusiast ATX case. With a dozen drive bays, a fully perforated front for massive airflow, and the...

Rammed at top speed.(HELP & HOW-TO: BUILD YOUR OWN: NEW PRODUCTS FOR BUILDING A CUSTOM PC)(Product/service evaluation)
August 1, 2008... Half the fun of overclocking hardware is doing it yourself, so why deny yourself the pleasure? Because with Corsair's Dominator DDP3 2000MHz 4GB RAM kit, you're guaranteed extreme overclocking performance in RAM modules engineered for...

DIY micro machine.(HELP & HOW-TO: BUILD YOUR OWN: NEW PRODUCTS FOR BUILDING A CUSTOM PC)(Artigo Pico-ITX Builder Kit)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Just how small can a small-form-factor Windows PC get? VIA may have reached the practical limit. With the $299.99 Artigo Pico-ITX Builder Kit, you can assemble a truly minuscule Windows XP/2000 or Linux-based PC,...

Speedy stor-o-saurus.(HELP & HOW-TO: BUILD YOUR OWN: NEW PRODUCTS FOR BUILDING A CUSTOM PC)(Western Digital's Raptor line)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... The 10,000rpm hard drive--headlined by Western Digital's Raptor line--has long been the silver-platter standard for extreme-performance consumer hard drives. WD's next evolutionary step, the VelociRaptor, is a 300GB drive--the highest current...

The right tablet PC.(HELP & HOW-TO: BUYING BASICS: HOW TO BUY)(Buyers guide)
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Tablet PCs are convertible laptop computers that let you type and write on a touch-screen display. If you want to be able to draw or take notes using a stylus, give pen-based computing a try. Here's how to pick the...

The right motherboard.(HELP & HOW-TO: BUYING BASICS: HOW TO BUY)(Buyers guide)
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The motherboard is the foundation on which your PC is built, housing your processor, memory, graphics card, and more. Here's how to buy one that can accommodate all the components you want. SHOPPING SPECS ...

Close up: ports.(geek//:speak)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... Want a better idea of what you can do with your new laptop? Check out our laptop buying guide on page 73. Here's a look at some of the data and communication and data ports you'll find. DATA USB [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The...