Computer Shopper articles from December 2008

Computer Shopper archives from December 2008

Editor's note.(Editorial)
December 1, 2008... QUIZ THE LATE GREAT baseball pitcher Dan Quisenberry--was a sometimes poet and an always-quotable wisecracker. He once remarked to a reporter, "I've seen the future, and it's just like today--only longer." Quiz's quote may have the...

Correction.(Correction notice)
December 1, 2008... Due to an editing error in our October 2008 issue, we listed an incorrect price for the ZT Systems Affinity 7225Xi on p. 47, The correct price is $749.99.

HP Pavilion HDX18 Entertainment Notebook PC: big-screen laptop is a luggable media center.(REVIEWS: THE LATEST HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE PRODUCTS)(Product/service evaluation)
December 1, 2008... HP'S NEWEST HDX is all about design. While the original dual-hinged Pavilion HDX Entertainment Notebook PC was innovative, it wasn't exactly mobile. The HDX18, however, still serves up major-league bragging rights; we just wish movie playback...

Intel X-25M SATA solid-state drive: superfast, rugged storage comes at a price.(REVIEWS: THE LATEST HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE PRODUCTS)(Product/service evaluation)
December 1, 2008... [EDITOR'S CHOICE] SOLID-STATE STORAGE may eventually spell doom for traditional, spinning-platter hard drives, and Intel's release of new, mainstream solid-state drives (SSDs) like the X-25M certainly supports that forecast, though initial...

Alienware Area-51 ALX: outstanding performance comes at a high price.(REVIEWS: DESKTOPS)(Product/service evaluation)
December 1, 2008... ONCE AGAIN, Alienware has put together a formidable gaming rig with the Area-51 ALX. Top-shelf components, a beautiful case design, and lots of neat extras are all part of the Alienware experience. Unfortunately, so is the exorbitant $7,980...

iBuypower Gamer Haf 9SE: a credible gaming experience at an enviable price.(REVIEWS: DESKTOPS)(Product/service evaluation)
December 1, 2008... EDITORS' CHOICE IF THE INEVITABLE TRUTH about gaming PCs is that they'll always be big, hulking, glow-in-the-dark towers, then maybe we can at least debunk the rumor that they'll also always be too expensive for you to own. iBuypower's...

Toshiba Qosmio G55-Q802: good value, but not the speed demon we hoped for.(REVIEWS: LAPTOPS)(Product/service evaluation)
December 1, 2008... THE QOSMIO G55-Q802 offers a crisp 18.4-inch display, hand-gesture technology, a robust sound system, and lots of storage. It even upconverts your standard-definition DVDs, so you can watch them in high definition on your HDTV. But the system's...

Lenovo ThinkPad W700: an innovative powerhouse workstation.(REVIEWS: LAPTOPS)(Product/service evaluation)
December 1, 2008... EDITORS' CHOICE THOSE WHO NEED to rely on a Windows-based notebook for video editing and other processor-intensive tasks will find just what they need in the Lenovo ThinkPad W700. This portable workstation combines power and innovation to...

Dell Inspiron Mini 9: Dell's debut netbook is stylish but a step behind.(REVIEWS: LAPTOPS)(Product/service evaluation)
December 1, 2008... THE NETBOOK CATEGORY of laptops didn't even exist until about a year ago, but it's already grown surprisingly cutthroat. Major manufacturers don't want to be cut out of the action that companies such as Acer (with its Aspire One), MSI (with the...

MSI GX720: gaming and Blu-ray for less than $2,000.(REVIEWS: LAPTOPS)(Product/service evaluation)
December 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] THE MSI GX720 is a midlevel gaming notebook With some cool features. We just wish the DX10 performance were more enticing. Weighing 7 pounds, the chassis has a black-and-red color scheme that continues to the...

Fujitsu LifeBook T1010: affordable tablet with a large display.(REVIEWS: LAPTOPS)(Product/service evaluation)
December 1, 2008... AT JUST $1,399, Fujitsu's LifeBook T1010 convertible sports a 13.3-inch display, but its Penryn CPU and subpar tablet functionality are just mediocre. Clad in a glossy silver chassis with a subtle pattern of vertical columns, the T1010 is...

ATI Radeon HD 4670: play the hottest games, even on the tightest budget.(REVIEWS: COMPONENTS)(Product/service evaluation)
December 1, 2008... ATI'S RADEON HD 4670 is a full-featured, compact graphics card that offers last year's midrange performance at an extremely low price. For around $80, you can play even the latest games at medium resolutions, watch DVD and HD video, and run...

Microsoft SideWinder X6 keyboard: a gaming keyboard that will please macro fiends.(REVIEWS: PERIPHERALS)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... MICROSOFT ISN'T A NAME often associated with gaming keyboards, but its SideWinder X6 might just put the company in the spotlight. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The X6 incorporates a unique number pad that can be moved to the right or left...

Andrea Electronics Pureaudio USB-SA: improved audio in a flash-drive form factor.(REVIEW: PERIPHERALS)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... IF YOU ARE UNHAPPY with your PC's onboard audio, your best bet is to install a dedicated internal sound card. But if there's no room inside your case or you're using a laptop, that's not an option. The $45 Andrea Electronics Pureaudio USB-SA...

Lenovo ThinkVision L2440P: eco-friendly big screen's quality is a gray area.(REVIEWS: DISPLAYS)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... LENOVO'S 24-INCH wide-screenThinkVision L2440P offers capable all-around performance, low power consumption, and a wealth of eco-friendly features that make it a great option for users more concerned about their carbon footprint than ultimate...

LG Flatron L227WTG: 22-incher is a gloss leader.(REVIEWS: DISPLAYS)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... ALTHOUGH the LG Flatron L227WTG is a bit expensive for a 22-inch wide-screen monitor, it's a solid choice for gaming and video, thanks to its vivid color reproduction and high resolution. But its glossy screen may not appeal to people who work...

Kodak EasyShare M1033: simple digicam shoots video in HD.(REVIEWS: DIGITAL CAMERAS)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] THE $179.95 KODAK EASYSHARE M1033 is a simple, easy-to-use ultracompact camera with an attractive price. It isn't packed with superfluous features, nor is it particularly fast, but for the price, this model offers a...

Nikon D60: great starter camera for dSLR newbies.(REVIEWS: DIGITAL CAMERAS)(Product/service evaluation)
December 1, 2008... THE NIKON D60, the company's latest entry-level digital single-lens-reflex (dSLR), has the same 10.2-megapixel sensor resolution, sturdy construction, excellent help system for beginners, and novice-friendly features as the venerable D40x. ...

Apple iPod Nano (fourth generation): one step back is two steps forward for Apple's new Nano.(REVIEWS: CONSUMER TECH)(Product/service evaluation)
December 1, 2008... ALTHOUGH THE TOUCH was the star of Apple's iPod event in September, it was the Nano that received the most extensive overhaul. The squat, wide-screen-friendly form factor has been ditched in favor of a familiar tall-and-slender look. To keep...

Adobe Photoshop Elements 7: powerful photo editor and organizer gets even better.(REVIEWS: SOFTWARE)(Product/service evaluation)
December 1, 2008... [EDITORS' CHOICE] THOUGH MUCH LESS EXPENSIVE than its Photoshop CS4 big brother, Adobe Photoshop Elements 7 isn't as much a stripped-down version as it is one that's optimized for casual and hobbyist photographers. Though it omits much of...

Kaspersky Internet Security 2009: comprehensive suite allows detailed control.(REVIEW: SOFTWARE)(Product/service evaluation)
December 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] NO OTHER SECURITY package offers quite the pleasures and annoyances of Kaspersky Internet Security 2009. It couples a great interface and performance with a slow, cumbersome installation and real-time protection that...

Norton Internet Security 2009: faster, less intrusive security.(REVIEWS: SOFTWARE)(Product/service evaluation)
December 1, 2008... [EDITORS' CHOICE] SECURITY PROGRAMS can be a bitter pill to swallow. They protect our systems, but they also slow down other applications, interrupt us with confusing alerts, and hide their inner workings behind a cloak of secrecy. Norton...

Top 5 point-and-shoot cameras: these compact, easy-to-use models will please casual photographers.
December 1, 2008... 1 Canon PowerShot SD870 IS usa.canon.com $279.99 Editors' Rating: (8.5) [check] Specs * 8 megapixels * 3-inch LCD * 5.5 ounces * SD/SDHC memory card * 3.8x optical zoom Bottom Line ...

Top 5 budget laptops: wallet-friendly portables that capably handle everyday tasks.
December 1, 2008... 1 Asus Eee PC 1000H usa.asus.com $549 Editors' Rating: (9.0) [check] Specs * 1.6GHz Atom N270 * 1GB DDR2 memory * 80GB hard drive * Integrated graphics * 10-inch LED * 3.2 pounds *...

2009 the ultimate PC buying guide: everything you need to know before buying your next laptop or desktop in the New Year.(SPECIAL REPORT)(Cover story)
December 1, 2008... As the '00s roll ever closer to the '10s, buying a new computer becomes equal parts easier and tougher. Constantly declining hardware prices, coupled with always-improving technology, mean that every time that ball drops on Times Square, you...

25 great tech gifts under $150.(Buyers guide)
December 1, 2008... One thing's for certain this holiday season: With all the economic turmoil, the big holiday spending splurge is shaping up to be just a small splash. As a result, shopping smarter--not spending more--is the answer. But that's okay: Giving an...

PC-builder bliss.(Buyers guide)
December 1, 2008... Everybody knows one: an inveterate tinkerer who builds his or her own PCs, upgrades and fixes computers for friends and family, and has a desk strewn with PC parts. (Maybe that tinkerer is you.) These five gifts will please that...

Solid-state of the union: solid-state drives are fast, reliable--and really expensive. Are they worth it? We put eight to the rest.(Product/service evaluation)
December 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The mobile-tech industry is hailing solid-state drives (SSDs) as the future of storage. The drives have no moving parts, so they can't "crash" like typical hard drives with spinning platters. They also make no noise,...

The invisible RAM.(COMPUTER CURES)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... My computer has four memory slots and accepts up to 4GB of DDR 266/333/400 RAM. I currently have four 512MB sticks installed (for a total of 2GB). I want to install the full 4GB, but the tech guy at my computer store tells me that Windows XP...

It just won't quit!(COMPUTER CURES)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... Lately, every time I try to shut down my PC, the system gets stuck at a window with the heading "SSMMGR.EXE" and the message "Ending Program... Please Wait." In that window, I need to click the button labeled "End Program" to get the PC to...

Diagnosis: dead DVDs.(COMPUTER CURES)
December 1, 2008... I've been using DVDs to back up my data, but recently I was given a box of DVD-Rs to use and I've had nothing but problems. When I put one into my USB writer (LG GSA-2166d), it spins up and recognizes that I have inserted a blank disc, but when...

My sometimes screen.(COMPUTER CURES)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... I have been using my Dell 8400 and Windows XP as my system for a number of years, and during that time my CRT monitor came on without a hitch. I would turn off the monitor when not in use. Recently, however, I turned on the monitor and...

That's an IE opener!(COMPUTER CURES)(Internet Explorer)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... I need some quick help using Internet Explorer. Rather than go through dozens of listings on the IE Favorites tab looking for the right link, I place shortcuts on my Windows desktop for the top Web sites I visit. Problem is, if I already have...

Tip of the month: a Vista networking wake-up call.(COMPUTER CURES)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... I'm in college, and a lot of my peers don't yet have a firm grasp of Windows Vista, so I'm often called on for networking problems. One of the most common things I see is people not figuring out how to get their network connections working....

Protect your new computer: preserve your tech investment with these five easy steps.(HELP & HOW-TO: WEEKEND PROJECT)
December 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] GETTING A NEW COMPUTER is always exciting, and setting it up and trying it out can be a real thrill. But devoting just a few hours that first day to some simple precautions, and installing a few key software...

Spreading joy.(Build Your Own: NEW PRODUCTS FOR BUILDING A CUSTOM PC)(Thermaltake's RamOrb fan )(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Memory-module heat spreaders are a prosaic lot, but Thermaltake spices up this product category with the RamOrb. An aluminum sleeve that fits over a RAM module, the $25 RamOrb carries away heat via its copper...

Tiny Atomic desktop.(Build Your Own: NEW PRODUCTS FOR BUILDING A CUSTOM PC)(Shuttle X27)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... The Atom processor isn't just for netbooks anymore. The diminutive Shuttle X27 barebones desktop kit isn't much bigger than your average external hard drive, and at $189 it's got a small price to match its size. It comes equipped with a...

Super-spacious storage.(Build Your Own: NEW PRODUCTS FOR BUILDING A CUSTOM PC)(Seagate Barracuda 7200.11)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] If you need the maximum amount of storage space in your small PC case, Seagate has you covered with its cavernous 1.5-terabyte Barracuda 7200.11 desktop drive. Spinning its four platters at 7,200rpm, the drive can...

Big fan of yours.(Build Your Own: NEW PRODUCTS FOR BUILDING A CUSTOM PC)(AeroCool's AeroRacer Pro case)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... With case fans, bigger is usually better, because larger fans push more air while spinning slowly--and slow-spinning fans mean less noise from your machine. The $109.99 AeroRacer Pro case from AeroCool. US sports the biggest case fan we've ever...

Cavernous and quiet.(Build Your Own: NEW PRODUCTS FOR BUILDING A CUSTOM PC)(NZXT's Whisper gaming case )(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... The $139.99 Whisper gaming case from NZXT keeps components quiet with 10mm-thick noise-dampening foam on its walls and ceiling, a padded power-supply holder, and rubber grommets for silencing drive vibration. With six 5.25-inch tool-less drive...

PC-tweaker's paradise.(Build Your Own: NEW PRODUCTS FOR BUILDING A CUSTOM PC)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Gigabyte's $270 EP45T-Extreme motherboard packs more features and ports than some motherboards costing $I00 more. Compatible with multicore Intel processors that employ up to a 1,600MHz front-side bus, and supporting...

What is a ... solid-state drive?(geek//:speak)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... An up-and-coming PC-storage alternative, solid--state drives (SSDs) differ radically from traditional hard drives, which store your data on magnetized, rapidly rotating circular platters. SSDs are based on flash memory, and they start up and...