Computer Shopper articles from June 2005

Computer Shopper archives from June 2005

PC manufacturers love a good gamer.(EDITOR'S NOTE)
June 1, 2005... PC MANUFACTURERS LOVE A GOOD GAMER. For most consumers, a budget PC is fast enough for day-to-day tasks, but to hard-core garners, there's no such thing as fast enough. To get blistering frame rates with maximum detail at the highest...

Apples and oranges.(LETTERS)(Letter to the Editor)
June 1, 2005... Troy Dreier's reviews of the latest Mac offerings (April, Mac Mini, p. 26, and iBook G4, p. 30) demonstrate the problem with Windows-centric publications covering Apple products. It's not bias--the reviews are fair--but a failure to recognize...

The unfortunate economics of consolidation.(LETTERS)(Letter to the Editor)
June 1, 2005... You quoted SBC's chairman citing the potential to offer bundled services, including television, due to its newest round of investment in fiber optics ("SBC Looks to Be Master of the U-verse," April, p. 14). Curiously, he did not mention...

You're holding the perfect laptop.(LETTERS)(Letter to the Editor)
June 1, 2005... I happened to pick up your March issue and have never gotten more for my money. While trying to find a new notebook, I learned so much and was able to make an informed choice. Too bad I'll never find the laptop as perfect as Computer...

Will Microsoft be able to Lasso users into Longhorn?(forecast)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... LONGHORN has already survived several major delays, intense scrutiny from the tech industry, and a radical redesign of its features. But the toughest test for Microsoft's next release of Windows is still to come: Will anyone buy it? Even...

Trendspotting.(Lincoln West Studio, Pez Candy, agreement)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... If one gadget maker's plans come to fruition, music lovers of all kinds will soon be able to mix their passions for beats and sweets. Under a recently granted licensing agreement with Pez Candy, gadget-design company Lincoln West Studio is...

Cell phones to tune in to radio.(new service from MSpot)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... Startup MSpot hopes to take on the fledgling satellite-radio industry with a new service that delivers streaming news, talk, and music programming to mobile phones. MSpot, initially targeting Sprint's PCS Vision mobile-phone service,...

Peripheral vision.(TRENDS: UPCOMING TECHNOLOGIES AND PRODUCTS)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... The Top Five Peripherals/ Components Computer Shopper Readers Plan To Buy This Year: 1&2 Hard drive, RAM (tied for first) 3 Graphics card 4 Monitor 5 Digital camera

Coming soon: laptops with a soft touch.(TRENDS: TECH NEWS)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... "RICHLY APPOINTED with leather, chrome, and wood"--that may sound like a sales pitch for a family station wag-on, but those will be some of the options for laptop cases if a unit of Dow Chemical gets it way. Inclosia Solutions has...

Viewers need clearer picture on HDTV.(TRENDS: TECH NEWS)(high-definition television)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... THE SHARP picture quality that wows you on that expensive high-definition television (HDTV) in the electronics store isn't necessarily what you'll see once you get the set into your living room. In some cases, retailers run video into the...

Sony Pictures casting for an iTunes for movies.(TRENDS: TECH NEWS)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... Sony Pictures Digital Entertainment is trying to develop and own the next iTunes--but for films. "We want to set business models, pricing models, distribution models like [Apple Computer CEO Steve] Jobs did for music, but for the film...

Wake-up tunes.(GEAR: NEW PRODUCTS)
June 1, 2005... Although it will serve you well as a speaker for your iPod (or other digital music player), the $149.99 Philips Personal Sound System PSS110 is much more audio-endowed. It comes with 256MB of onboard RAM and plays MP3 and WMA files you transfer...

Megalight satellite.(GEAR: NEW PRODUCTS)
June 1, 2005... Take your satellite radio everywhere using the $349 XAct Rego XTR5 Plug & Play Satellite Radio Receiver. Ultraportable at just 9.6 ounces, the Rego receives Sirius Satellite broadcasts on the go and records up to 4 hours of programming to...

Solar sack.(GEAR: NEW PRODUCTS)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... Don't be caught out of power and in the lurch. Next time you go mobile, grab the $129 Eclipse Solar Flare messenger bag from Innovus Designs. This electronically advanced satchel has a 12-volt solar-cell-powered charger to provide juice for a...

E-tee TV.(GEAR: NEW PRODUCTS)
June 1, 2005... XavixGolf lets you turn your television into a tool for fun, relaxation, and even light exercise. The $79.99 virtual-golf game allows players to swing through a lifelike 9- or 18-hole course using an electronic tee device and a wireless club...

Photo bank.(GEAR: NEW PRODUCTS)
June 1, 2005... You'll always have plenty of photo storage on hand with Transcend's $368 Digital Album. The palm-size device features a 2.5-inch color screen, a 20GB hard drive, and a multiformat memory-card reader for easy image transfers in the field. The...

Extend your network.(GEAR: NEW PRODUCTS)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... Netgear's $149 WPN824 RangeMax wireless router is designed around the Wi-Fi industry's newly emerging multiple-input, multiple-output (MIMO) technology, which the company claims will significantly boost signal strength and coverage. The...

Sony VAIO V TV-PC VGC-V520G: big-screen all-in-one computing and entertainment for tight spaces.(Product/Service Evaluation)
June 1, 2005... SONY'S $2,699 VAIO V TV-PC VGC-V520G is a space-age, all-in-one multimedia PC that combines desktop power with a truly glorious 20-inch 1,280x768-pixel wide-screen LCD. It suffers from a few design problems, but none of them is a deal breaker....

Dell Inspiron XPS Gen 2: blazingly fast 3D for mobile gaming.
June 1, 2005... EDITORS' CHOICE ALTHOUGH it's expensive, the $2,955 Dell Inspiron XPS Gen 2 is the fastest and slimmest portable gaming machine we've tested so far. The original XPS was a true Pentium 4 gaming machine (hot, heavy, and with almost no...

Gateway 9310XL: midrange PC for 64-bit computing.
June 1, 2005... THE $2,479 GATEWAY 9310XL features Intel's new 3.2GHz Pentium 4 640 CPU, which has support for 64-bit computing and 2MB of L2 cache. It's a strong chip choice if you want to get ready for Microsoft's Longhorn OS and the ensuing 64-bit...

Sony VAIO VGC-RB38G: bulky but loaded Media Center PC.(Brief Article)(Product/Service Evaluation)
June 1, 2005... SONY'S $1,399 VAIO VGC-RB38G with Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 has a can-do design and enough software for any PC chore. The system's complete configuration offsets the lack of customization options and the surprisingly little room for...

ZT Pro Gaming PC X6647.(Brief Article)(Product/Service Evaluation)
June 1, 2005... FIRST TAKE We like "extreme" things--especially in our desktops. So when ZT Group offered up the new 3.73GHz Intel Pentium 4 Extreme Edition processor in its Pro Gaming PC X6647, we couldn't resist. Upside: This thing's got power, and...

PC Club Enpower Edge EN-ED1: fully loaded and ready for anything.(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... PC CLUB'S ENPOWER EDGE EN-ED1 represents the company's t highest-end Intel desktop. We found our $3,699 test system to be a solid performer, thanks to the company's fine component choices. Anchoring our configuration were a 3.8GHz Pentium 4...

Alienware Bot: extraordinary maker churns out ordinary PC.(Brief Article)(Product/Service Evaluation)
June 1, 2005... ALIENWARE'S PCs traditionally command high prices in exchange for top-tier component Wththe b the company targets budget-conscious buyers who still want thatAlienware cachet. Prices start at just $663, though our configuration cost nearly...

Monarch Hornet Pro XMS Limited Edition.(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... FIRST TAKE Small form factor [SF[L'] gaming systems aren't the rarity they once were. Monarch, however, would like to take you back to the days when powerful LAN-party boxes were scarce, with its $3,186 Hornet Pro XMS Limited Edition. ...

Dell Latitude D810: corporate powerhouse doesn't die fast.(Brief Article)(Product/Service Evaluation)
June 1, 2005... DELIVERING EXCELLENT performance and battery life, the Dell Latitude DB10 is a smart choice for businesses in search of a well-rounded desktop replacement. The $2,347 test unit we reviewed carried a robust 2GHz Pentium M 760 Sonoma CPU,...

Sony VAIO T250/L: long-lasting ultraportable packs hefty punch.(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... THOUGH SOME may find it too tiny, the elegant and portable $2,199 Sony VAIO T250/L has plenty of power for business and light home-computing needs. The T250/L arrived outfitted with a satisfying array of components, including a 1.2GHz...

Gateway M210X: average parts yield surprising speed.(Brief Article)(Product/Service Evaluation)
June 1, 2005... THE REASONABLY PRICED Gateway M210X delivers solid performance in a portable, widescreen package, but its insufficient battery life is a disappointment. The $1,437 M210X we tested arrived with a (non-Sonoma) 1.6GHz Pentium M 725 processor,...

HP Compaq NC6230: business speedster lacks longevity.(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... THE WELL-DESIGNED HP Compaq NC6230 delivers strong performance but shorter battery life than we'd expect. Our 4.8-pound, $1,990 test machine came with a fine array of components, including a 2GHz Pentium M 760 Sonoma CPU, 512MB of RAM, ATI...

Sharp Actius AL3DU.(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... FIRST TAKE Sharp goes down the lonely road of innovation again with the release of the Actius AL3DU, a next-generation update to its unusual 3D-screened Actius RD3D model. Upside: In addition to the advanced 3D display with the new...

Creative Sound Blaster Audigy 4 Pro: tricked-out card provides impressive audio.(Brief Article)(Product/Service Evaluation)
June 1, 2005... THOUGH IT'S PRICEY, Creative's $299.99 Sound Blaster Audigy 4 Pro sound card is suitable for hard-core gamers, PC-theater aficionados, and audio hobbyists who spare no expense to maximize their PC's audio quality. Highlights include...

Saitek Eclipse: gloomy results from illuminated keyboard.(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... SAITEK'S $59 Eclipse is a nicely styled keyboard, but despite its illuminated keys, its readability in dimlight conditions was disappointing. Clad in black with metallic-gray keys, the Eclipse handsomely complements most modern PCs. Setup...

NEC ND-3500A: double-layer burner's performance is mixed.(Brief Article)(Product/Service Evaluation)
June 1, 2005... NEC'S $75 ND-3500A double-layer DVD burner has two faces--literally and figuratively. For starters, it ships with either a black or a beige faceplate. In addition, it offers respectable speeds in some areas but not others. The drive...

Envision EN7220, Sharp LL-172G-B: two 17-inch LCDs that play opposites.(Product/Service Evaluation)
June 1, 2005... It's hard to imagine why Envision accessorized its $299 EN7220 LCD with pen cups and photo clips, but it could be to divert attention from its inelegant design. Appearance aside, however, the 17-inch EN7220 is capable, highly adjustable, and...

Samsung SyncMaster 930MP.(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... FIRST TAKE Samsung's $649 SyncMaster 93MP is packed with multimedia options that make it much more than just a PC monitor. With its eye-catching silver bezel, this LCD monitor/TV combo will dominate your desktop. Upside: Offering...

Canon Pixma iP90 Photo Printer: print on the go--for a price.(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... EVER PRINTED on an airplane? What about from a cell phone? With Canon's $249.99 Pixma JP90 Photo Printer, you can--but only after you purchase some pricey extras. This 4-pound inkjet turns out full-size documents and 4x6 photos, yet it's...

Dell color laser printer 5100cn, HP color LaserJet 3550: inexpensive color lasers vie for your wallet's attention.
June 1, 2005... Designed for a small office, Dell's boxy gray behemoth measures 18.2x16.8x22.9 inches (HWD) and weighs 84 pounds. But the $999 5100cn's network capability, speed, affordable printing costs, and breadth of features make up for its girth. It...

Linksys Wireless-G broadband router with SRX (WRT54GX): MIMO router trails competition.(Brief Article)(Product/Service Evaluation)
June 1, 2005... THE $199 LINKSYS WRT54GX is one of a growing number of products equipped with a new technology called multiple-in, multiple-out (MIMO). MIMO is expected to be part of 802.11n, the specification scheduled to replace 802.11g next year. But the...

3Com OfficeConnect Travel Router: go wireless in your hotel room.(Brief Article)(Product/Service Evaluation)
June 1, 2005... YOU CAN USE THE $89.99 3Com OfficeConnect Travel Router to convert hotel-room broadband into a Wi-Fi signal and work wherever in your room you want. Plus, at about the size of a deck of cards, it won't take up much space in your luggage....

Netgear wall-plugged wireless range extender kit (WGXB102): extend networks via AC lines.(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... NETGEAR'S $149.99 WGXB102 wireless-extender kit lets you improve the range of your wireless network using your existing power lines. You connect the XE102, a HomePlug/ Ethernet adapter, to your router and plug it into the wall. You then...

Sony PlayStation Portable: coveted gadget for advanced games and video.(Product/Service Evaluation)
June 1, 2005... EDITOR'S CHOICE SONY'S $249.99 PlayStation Portable (PSP) delivers a PlayStation 2-like gaming experience to a handheld platform--and at a relatively reasonable price. Weighing about 9.9 ounces, including its removable battery, and...

Cingular Ogo: Spartan IM machine impaired by dull screen.(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... DESIGNED STRICTLY for unlimited domestic text messaging, instant messaging, and e-mail on AOL, MSN, and Yahoo, the Ogo from Cingular doesn't include any phone capabilities, Web-surfing features, or even a camera. The price of the device is...

Swatch Paparazzi: intelligent timepiece delivers data stylishly.(Brief Article)(Product/Service Evaluation)
June 1, 2005... THE $150 Swatch Paparazzi is a perfect wristwatch for users who desire entertainment-oriented information on the go. Water-resistant to 100 meters, the plastic Paparazzi is light, thin, and comfortable. Plus, you can choose among seven...

Konica Minolta DiMage A200: enthusiast model needs to speed things up.(Brief Article)(Product/Service Evaluation)
June 1, 2005... THE $799 Konica Minolta DiMage A200 takes the basic formula of its older stablemate, the DiMage A2, and scales it back somewhat. The A2's remarkable electronic viewfinder is gone, and the new model's performance is noticeably less impressive....

HP Photosmart R707: image flaws offset useful features.(Brief Article)(Product/Service Evaluation)
June 1, 2005... HP'S $249.99 5.1-megapixel Photosmart R707, with its 3x zoom, offers few manual exposure controls, though it provides several handy functions. HP's unique help system provides abundant text explanations on using different features and...

Pentax OptioMX4: photo/video hybrid excels at neither.(Brief Article)(Product/Service Evaluation)
June 1, 2005... LIKE ITS 3.2-megapixel predecessor, the OptioMX, Pentax's $299.95 4-megapixel OptioMX4 is a hybrid photo/ video camera with a 10x optical zoom. The OptioMX4's 1.8-inch LCD screen rotates 210 degrees vertically and 180 degrees horizontally,...

Olympus M:robe 500i: iPod Photo competitor lacks focus.(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... CAMERA MAKER OLYMPUS has joined the MP3 fray with the genre-bending $499.99 M:robe 500i, which features a 20GB hard drive for audio files and digital images, a built-in 1.2-megapixel digital camera, and a vibrant, touch-sensitive 3.7-inch VGA...

Delphi XM SkyFi2: improved portable receiver for XM satellite radio.(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... DELPHI'S $119.99 XM SkyFi2 satellite radio is smaller, cheaper, and more capable than its predecessor. Still, to hear anything, you'll need to purchase a car or home adapter kit, or one of two boom-box attachments, along with a $12.95-per-month...

iRiver H10: a colorful, photo-friendly hard drive player.(Brief Article)(Product/Service Evaluation)
June 1, 2005... THE $279.99 H10 is the first miniature hard drive player from iRiver to be widely available, and it's a ringer. This 5GB model outclasses the competition with a built-in FM tuner, a voice recorder, a photo-friendly color screen, and a removable...

Panasonic TH-42PHD7UY: a superior plasma picture.(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... PANASONIC'S LATEST 42-inch high-resolution industrial plasma panel, the $4,795 TH-42PHD7UY, has a picture that's head and shoulders above the company's consumer 42-incher and demonstrably better than virtually all of the 42-inch competition....

Pioneer HTZ-740DV: real or virtual surround sound--your choice.(Brief Article)(Product/Service Evaluation)
June 1, 2005... WITH PIONEER'S radically new $700 HTZ-740DV home-theater-in-a-box (HTIB), you can either get virtual surround sound from the tallboy speakers flanking a tiny center speaker, or detach the skinny towers' top-mounted miniature satellites and...

Sony RDR-VX500: a versatile dubmaster.(Brief Article)(Product/Service Evaluation)
June 1, 2005... THE $499.95 Sony RDR-VX500, an easy-to-use VCR/DVD combo recorder, does a fine job of transferring VHS tapes to DVD, delivers excellent video quality, and features a FireWire input for making pristine recordings from a digital camcorder. ...

CyberLink PowerProducer 3 Deluxe: strong DVD authoring, despite a few shortcomings.(Brief Article)(Product/Service Evaluation)
June 1, 2005... THE BEGINNER-FRIENDLY CyberLink PowerProducer 3 Deluxe lets you turn a mountain of camcorder tapes and digital photos into DVDs to be enjoyed almost anywhere. This $69.95 DVD-authoring program is straightforward to install, use, and configure....

SageTV 2.2: flexible, affordable Media-Center-like app.(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... FREY TECHNOLOGIES' $79.95 SageTV 2.2 software lets you watch, pause, and record TV programs on your PC, but it's also a single interface for accessing pictures, viewing DVDs, and playing music files stored on a PC. We tested the program as part...

QuickBooks Online Edition: portable small-business accounting.(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... BOOKKEEPING CAN BE a logistical nightmare for today's small businesses. Intuit's QuickBooks Online Edition aims to answer the challenge with the convenience of around-the-clock accounting from any Windows PC connected to the Internet. The...

MyWebEx PC: free remote access for PCs.(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... KNOWN FOR ITS corporate Web meeting solutions, WebEx is targeting individual PC users with an intriguing offer: powerful, secure, remote desktop access for free. Simply go to the MyWebEx PC Web site (www.mywebexpc.com) and create an account to...

Ulead VideoStudio 9.(Brief Article)(Product/Service Evaluation)
June 1, 2005... FIRST TAKE Finding a consumer-oriented app for editing digital video CDV'J is easy. But finding one simple enough for beginners that's not too pared-down for hobbyists as well--that's trickier. Ulead's $99.95 VideoStudio 9 looks to hit...

Verizon VoiceWing: a decent, but expensive, VoIP option.(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... NOT CONTENT TO SIT BY and watch while Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) upstarts erode its phone business, Verizon has entered the fray with VoiceWing, a residential service sold both as an add-on for existing Verizon DSL users and as a...

Napster 3.0: new services boost music site's appeal.(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... ALTHOUGH NAPSTER 3.0 barely resembles its outlaw ancestor, it impressively includes more than 1 million songs, available for 99 cents each, with entire albums from $6.95. A $9.95-per-month standard service gives you un limited downloads for use...

Virgin Digital: a basic, solid music service.(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... ONE OF THE newest sources for digital music is Virgin Digital, which offers both a 99-cent-per-download music store (Digital Megastore) and a $7.99-per-month subscription-based component (Digital Music Club), as well as free streaming radio...

Top 25: this month's best desktops, notebooks, digital cameras, input devices, and games.(Illustration)(Buyers Guide)
June 1, 2005... Top 25 This month's best desktops, notebooks, digital cameras, input devices, and games PRODUCT PRICE SPECS/REQUIREMENTS UNDERDOG DESKTOPS >> Five solid PCs that provide an alternative to the name...

Double-barrel gamers: find out which of these five PCs makes the most of nVidia's innovative new dual-graphics solution.(Product/Service Evaluation)
June 1, 2005... IF ONE GRAPHICS ENGINE IN A PC is good, wouldn't two be even better? That's the thinking behind nVidia's Scalable Link Interface (SLI) technology. SLI lets you harness the power of two graphics cards in a single PC. Now for the caveat: The...

The wider world of Wi-Fi: connected computers are just the start. Check out all the other things you can do with a wireless network.(Buyers Guide)
June 1, 2005... REMEMBER WHAT LIFE WAS LIKE BEFORE WI-FI? Back then, installing a network involved running wires throughout your home. Now, we can surf the Net on our laptops from the living-room sofa without a treacherous line of cable slung across the room....

Xtend your iPod: get the most out of your favorite music player with these accessories and tips.
June 1, 2005... ALTHOUGH DOZENS of digital music players are on the market, sometimes it feels like there's only one. The Apple iPod has captured our imagination like no other device, due partly to its sleek look and fantastically easy controls. Walk through...

Screen stretcher needed.(Liquid crystal displays)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... My new monitor came with documentation stating that the optimal resolution is 1,280x1,024 pixels. When my display is set to this resolution, I'm unable to view my windows' minimize, restore, and close buttons. I don't have this problem at lower...

Bypassing a password.(COMPUTER CURES)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... I lost my password for Microsoft Internet Explorer's Content Advisor feature, and now I can't access the Internet. Is there an easy way to fix this? LOREN RABER You can find utilities on the Web that can help with this. Another option...

Multiple motherboard connections?(COMPUTER CURES)(tips)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... I have a motherboard that has both Serial and Parallel ATA connectors for hard drives. Can I use them both at the same time? EDWARD NEWMAN The best answer to this question is found in your motherboard's documentation, but there isn't...

Port support.(COMPUTER CURES)(tips)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... Is there any way to find out which device is using a serial C0M port? When I try to connect my mobile phone to my unused COM1 port, the software says it is in use. As far as I know, none of my peripherals is using that port. SIMON CHAMBERS...

Virtual memory in a flash?(COMPUTER CURES)(tips)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... Is it a good idea to store the Windows page file on a flash device? Wouldn't this boost performance, because Windows wouldn't have to access the hard drive for paging? YANG ZHOU Interesting question. The short answer is "no," but the...

CRT gone soft?(monitor)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... I have a four-year-old CRT monitor. I've noticed that the image is a little blurry and less sharp near the screen edges. The display shows a little improvement after it has warmed up, but the image is never perfect except in the middle of the...

Tip of the month: worry-free wireless.(COMPUTER CURES)(McAfee Associates Inc. develops security scanning service)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... Wireless networks make it easy to connect computers without running wires all over the house. Hot spots in coffee shops, hotels, and airports make it as fast and easy to check e-mail as it is to check voice mail. But there's a dark side to this...

Get the power to play: install a blazing graphics card--and the power source to run it.(WEEKEND PROJECT: HARDWARE)
June 1, 2005... OUTFITTING YOUR TRUSTY PC with a high-end 3D-graphics card should always be on your short list of upgrade projects. But sometimes that upgrade necessitates a second one. Many of today's powerful graphics cards require serious juice to keep them...

Sharing made simple: access files and printers from any PC your network.(WEEKEND PROJECT: SOFTWARE)
June 1, 2005... NOW THAT YOU HAVE a computer for nearly every room, can a printer for every PC be far behind? Though sharing broadband is the primary purpose of a home network, sharing files and printers is equally useful. Even if you have more than one...

Through the catacombs of memory: the advisor untangles a RAM-buying mystery.(BUYING ADVISOR)
June 1, 2005... TOM MARLOW NEEDED a RAM relationship counselor. He wedded his 20th-century PC to 21st-century broadband, but the marriage started off rocky: The DSL-install software scorned the measly 64MB of memory in his 1999-vintage Dell desktop. "I'd...

Is your hardware spying on you?(CONSUMER ALERT)(usage of BackWeb Lite by computer hardware industry)
June 1, 2005... THAT NEW PIECE of hardware you just connected may have surreptitiously installed a little unwanted extra. That's what Richard J. Hucker discovered when he started up his new 120GB Western Digital drive. "It was detected by Spybot--Search &...

Budget desktops ($749 and less).(TECHMARKET: THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO SMART TECHNOLOGY SHOPPING)(Illustration)(Buyers Guide)
June 1, 2005... NEED TO KNOW 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...

Desktop-replacement notebooks.(TECHMARKET: THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO SMART TECHNOLOGY SHOPPING)(Buyers Guide)
June 1, 2005... NEED TO KNOW PROCESSOR When choosing a CPU, configure your system with a robust processor such as Intel's desktop Pentium 4 with Hyper-Threading technology, a fast Pentium M, or AMD's 64-bit Athlon 64. Upgrade: Expect to pay about $50 for...

3D-graphics cards.(TECHMARKET: THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO SMART TECHNOLOGY SHOPPING)(Illustration)(Buyers Guide)
June 1, 2005... NEED TO KNOW MEMORY When it comes to graphics memory, you can never have too much, especially if you're a hard-core garner. More RAM means better performance, improved 3D texturing, and higher display resolutions. If you're not an avid...

DVD burners.(TECHMARKET: THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO SMART TECHNOLOGY SHOPPING)(Buyers Guide)
June 1, 2005... NEED TO KNOW INTERNAL OR EXTERNAL If you don't mind opening your PC's case, you'll save a sizable chunk of change purchasing an internal drive that you install in an empty 5.25-inch drive bay. You also gain the speed advantage of...

Digital cameras (3.2-megapixel and under).(TECHMARKET: THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO SMART TECHNOLOGY SHOPPING)(Buyers Guide)
June 1, 2005... NEED TO KNOW RESOLUTION The quality of digital photos is primarily measured in the number of pixels a camera's image sensor can capture. Consider a 2-megapixel camera if you're mostly planning to send pictures via e-mail and don't need...

Plasma televisions.(TECHMARKET: THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO SMART TECHNOLOGY SHOPPING)(Buyers Guide)
June 1, 2005... NEED TO KNOW HD RECEPTION Plasma sets advertised as HD-ready require an external source of HD signals, such as a cable/satellite set-top box, as opposed to a set with a built-in HD tuner, which can receive local HD programming over the...

Tech products.(WEB BUYER: THE BEST SITES FOR ONLINE SHOPPING)
June 1, 2005... allstarshop.com When you wish upon Allstarshop.com, you'll find low prices on a shimmering collection of graphics cards, motherboards, and peripherals. The company provides free shipping on many items and plenty of information about each...

Budget PCs.(WEB BUYER: THE BEST SITES FOR ONLINE SHOPPING)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... cpusolutions.com The starter PCs at CPU Solutions can bring speedy computing to homes and offices with any budget. As little as $350 can get you a 64-bit Sempron system with your choice of motherboard, RAM, and other components. ...

Storage.(WEB BUYER: THE BEST SITES FOR ONLINE SHOPPING)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... crucial.com Crucial Technology's catalog of flash-memory products encompasses memory cards in a variety of formats, including CompactFlash, Memory Stick, MiniSD, and SD, along with high-speed USB flash drives and card readers. ...