Computer Shopper articles from May 2007

Computer Shopper archives from May 2007

Editor's note.
May 1, 2007... IT'S NOT EVERY DAY THAT YOU CAN get 9 trillion of anything for free, but today you can. In our annual top 50 downloads roundup, "The Best Free Software" (p. 58), you'll find a Solitaire game that serves up an incomprehensible 9 trillion...

AMD debuts integrated graphics developed by its ATI division.(ATI Technologies launched new chipset)(Brief article)
May 1, 2007... ADVANCED MICRO Devices' acquisition of ATI Technologies is bearing fruit. The merged company recently announced the AMD 690 chipset--the first product from AMD to feature a graphics processor from its ATI division integrated into a chipset...

nVidia.(plans to ship DirectX 10.0 graphics cards)(Brief article)
May 1, 2007... nVidia has confirmed its plans to ship DirectX 10 graphics solutions for laptops in time for the launch of Intel's upcoming Santa Rosa platform--also known as Centrino Pro--which is expected to launch this month. The graphics company's 8800...

CRTs continue to hold market share.(cathode-ray tubes)(Brief article)
May 1, 2007... Despite a decline, televisions based on cathode-ray tubes (CRTs) still make up a big chunk of the market, mostly because of their attractive prices. At the end of 2006, CRTs accounted for 46 percent of all televisions shipped to North American...

Limited PC-buying options for XP holdouts.(Microsoft Windows XP systems)(Brief article)
May 1, 2007... DESPITE EXPERTS cautioning that it's too early to switch to Microsoft's Windows Vista OS, many PC shoppers have no choice. The PC industry has shifted almost everything it sells to consumers--and some businesses--over to Vista, both in stores...

More companies follow eco trend in 2007.(Green technology plans)(Brief article)
May 1, 2007... MORE TECH companies are greening up their acts, reducing waste, and lessening the negative impact on the environment with new products and manufacturing processes. Hewlett-Packard announced that its redesigned printer-cartridge packaging...

New DRM designed for mobile devices.(digital-rights management software)(Brief article)
May 1, 2007... Microsoft has launched a new digital-rights-management (DRM) system, PlayReady, which will allow the use of commercial content on different devices for a single fee. In a nutshell, PlayReady will allow you to share protected pieces of content...

Small wonder.(NEW PRODUCTS PCs)
May 1, 2007... You don't quite need a magnifying glass to see Acer's AcerPower 2000 desktop, but it's borderline. At 8 inches tall and less than 2.5 inches wide, the AcerPower is about the size of a thick hardcover novel. But with an Intel Core 2 Duo...

Thinking of mayhem.(NEW PRODUCTS PCs)
May 1, 2007... You won't have to worry about pandemonium breaking out if you're equipped with the ABS Mayhem Blackhawk notebook, which has everything you'll need to stay cool and collected. In addition to the 14.1-inch wide-screen monitor and full-size 88-key...

Wild one.(NEW PRODUCTS PCs)
May 1, 2007... If you need to compute in environments more physically punishing than a seven-city road trip, Twinhead's rugged $1,499 D14RY notebook might be the way to go. Its magnesium-alloy case is 20 times stronger than ABS plastic, and it has an...

Take it to extremes.(PowerSpec Extreme X450, game consoles)(Brief article)
May 1, 2007... Looking for a powerful gaming system? The $4,399 PowerSpec Extreme X450 was designed to take full advantage of Windows Vista's extensive graphics capabilities. With an Intel Core 2 Extreme QX6700 quad-core processor, two DirectX 10-compatible...

Business compact.(Lenovo ThinkCentre A55, desktop computer)(Brief article)
May 1, 2007... Lenovo's $579 ThinkCentre A55 Small Form Factor desktop targets users looking for a respectable business machine that fits small nooks--and small budgets. With a base configuration of a 3.06GHz Intel Celeron D 347 processor, 512MB of RAM,...

Take off.(Shuttle Computer launched desktop computer)(Brief article)
May 1, 2007... Shuttle has added another member to its P2 desktop family, this one even faster and more decked-out than its predecessors. The $1,599 Shuttle XPC P2 3900 shares the same streamlined, modest-size chassis as its other P2 siblings, but it features...

Shuttle XPC 1337 SDXI: hot looks meet hot performance.(desktop computer)(Product/service evaluation)
May 1, 2007... MUCH OF THE APPEAL of the Shuttle XPC 1337 SDXI is literally painted over the case. Realistic-looking flames decorate the PC's 8.7x8.6x12.8-inch case, Saitek Eclipse keyboard, and Razer Copperhead mouse, nicely complementing the sleek design...

Dell XPS M1710 (Blu-ray edition): venerable gaming laptop packs more power, lags on design.(laptop computer)(Product/service evaluation)
May 1, 2007... DELL'S XPS M1710 remains one of the best (and one of the priciest) gaming notebooks on the market, thanks to its upgraded component options--which include more-powerful graphics, an over-clockable CPU, and a double-layer Blu-ray optical drive....

Velocity Micro CineMagix Grand Theater: full-featured, complete digital media experience.(computer entertainment system)(Product/service evaluation)
May 1, 2007... WE STILL CONSIDER the current concept of a home theater PC flawed, even with all the newVista-supported features in this desktop. Until a better solution presents itself, however, Velocity Micro's CineMagix Grand Theater is one we'd recommend....

Polywell PolyCenter MCE430M2: a decent midrange PC--for the media center.(desktop computer)(Product/service evaluation)
May 1, 2007... THE POLYWELL POLYCENTER MCE430M2 is an attractive stereo-component-style computer that features tons of hard drive storage and good overall performance--but some poor configuration decisions keep it from being an optimal choice as a living-room...

iBuypower Gamer FS-X: clever-looking desktop stalls slightly at takeoff.(desktop computers)(Product/service evaluation)
May 1, 2007... WE'VE LONG admired Microsoft's Flight Simulator, but we never imagined it would inspire a desktop quite like the $3,450 iBuypower Gamer FS-X. We loved the elaborate applique of images from Flight Simulator X on our test unit's case, as...

eMachines T5224: respectable budget performer takes no risks.(desktop computer)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
May 1, 2007... IF YOU'RE LOOKING for an affordable Windows Vista PC, eMachines' $579.99 T5224 will do the job. But, given its older dual-core Intel Pentium D 820 processor, you can find a more appealing configuration for a similar price elsewhere. (Note: By...

HP Pavilion DV9000z: multimedia laptop can't handle gaming.(Product/service evaluation)
May 1, 2007... WITH ITS IMPRESSIVE feature set, gorgeous screen, and generous assemblage of high-end components, the HP Pavilion DVg000z packs plenty of Turion punch for mainstream tasks and multimedia chores (including high-definition movie watching), but...

Toshiba Portege R400-$4931: stylish tablet lacks performance, battery life.(laptop computer)(Product/service evaluation)
May 1, 2007... THE $3,499 TOSHIBA PORTEGE R400-$4931 is one of the sexiest business laptops we've seen, but considering its high price, we were a bit disappointed in its limited performance and subpar battery fife. If you can get past these shortcomings,...

Sony VAIO VGN-N170G/W: budget laptop offers good performance, bad battery life.(laptop computer)(Product/service evaluation)
May 1, 2007... THE SONY VAIO VGN-N170G/W offers a stylish design and good application performance for just a fraction less than its Core 2 Duo-based competitors, but this budget notebook is hampered by poor battery life. The midsize, 6.7-pound...

Gateway NX570X: affordable mainstream laptop is a solid performer.(Product/service evaluation)
May 1, 2007... A SOLID MAINSTREAM NOTEBOOK, the Gateway NXB70X delivers an attractive, midsize case and a nice mix of capable parts. It's affordable, too--our review unit cost $1,226--provided you don't pile on the configuration options. At 6.5 pounds,...

Asus P5B Premium Vista Edition: a useful, fun foundation for Vista PCs.(motherboards)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
May 1, 2007... THE ASUS P5B PREMIUM VISTA EDITION (PVE) takes the popular PSB motherboard for Intel processors and adds new hardware to show off some of the features added in Windows Vista. By far the coolest addition is the ScreenDuo, a USB-connected LCD...

CoolIT Eliminator: high-caliber cooling--but not for every desktop.(cooling systems)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
May 1, 2007... COMPARED WITH THE MAMMOTH LIQUID-cooling systems of just a few years ago, the $199 CoolIT Eliminator is a miniature miracle. Employing both a fluid heat exchanger and three thermoelectric coolers, it's a self-contained, closed-loop system that...

Samsung SyncMaster 226BW: a roomy wide-screen at an affordable price.(display devices)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
May 1, 2007... AT $429.99, the Samsung SyncMaster 226BW is a reasonable value for a 22-inch monitor. If you don't mind some minor performance issues and the lack of extra features, it makes a fine big-screen budget display. The 226BW is stylish, with a...

Dell 2707WFP: color issues and steep price detract from an elegant display.(Flat panel display)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
May 1, 2007... DELL'S 2707WFP has good specs, such as a high contrast ratio, and it's extremely bright, with vivid picture quality. But at $1,399, this 27-inch beauty demands a high price--and has some image flaws. On the plus side, the 2707WFP is easy...

Brother MFC-845cw: a color multifunction printer that does it all well.(multifunction printer)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
May 1, 2007... IF YOU CAN FORGIVE its somewhat sluggish performance, the $249.99 MFC-845cw--an affordable machine that combines a color inkjet printer, a scanner, a fax machine, a copier, a card reader, an answering machine, and a cordless phone into one--may...

Samsung CLP-300: color laser is small, but features are limited.(color laser printer)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
May 1, 2007... THE $299 SAMSUNG CLP-300 color laser printer is diminutive in both size and price. It may be the world's smallest color laser, but, as a result, it has its limitations. Because of the printer's compactness-measuring 15.4x13.5x 10.4 inches...

Buffalo Wireless-N Nfiniti Dual Band Router and Access Point: create a wireless network for any standard.(Wireless routers)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
May 1, 2007... THE BUFFALO WIRELESS-N NFINITI DUAL Band Router and Access Point provides connectivity to all of your 802.11 devices regardless of which standard (802.11a, b, or g) they currently use. The router also supports the 802.11 "Draft N"...

Belkin wi-fi phone for Skype: make Skype calls without a PC.(wireless telephone)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
May 1, 2007... BELKIN'S WI-FI PHONE for Skype performs well as a Skype accessory. It lets you log in to the Skype Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) service sans PC to make free calls to other Skype users or fee-based ones to landline and mobile-phone...

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W35: point-and-shoot doesn't sacrifice quality.(digital camera)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
May 1, 2007... FOR A BUDGET CAMERA, the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W35 is an admirable choice. With satisfying performance and good picture quality, this under-$200 shooter would fit well in the pocket of anyone looking for a reliable, inexpensive camera. The...

Canon PowerShot A550: budget camera delivers on performance.(digital camera)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
May 1, 2007... CANON'S POWERSHOT A550 doesn't offer any unique features to make it stand out from the pack, but the $199.99 camera delivers just what a budget model needs to succeed: generally speedy performance and solid image quality. First off, the...

Palm Treo 150: capable Treo is not as well-equipped as the competition.(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
May 1, 2007... THE PALM TREO 750 includes some premium features and offers good usability, but other smartphones deliver more for your money. (It's available through Cingular for $399.99 when purchased alongside a two-year service plan.) Thanks to its...

Samsung SCH-u740: unique dual-hinge flip phone is feature-loaded.(wireless telephone)(Product/service evaluation)
May 1, 2007... WITH ITS one-of-a-kind design, QWERTY keyboard, and impressive feature set, the Samsung SCH-u740 is one of the best handsets Verizon users can buy. It's available for $149.99 when purchased with a two-year service agreement. At 3.8x2x0.6...

Corel Painter X: digital painting on steroids.(paint software)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
May 1, 2007... [check] EDITORS' CHOICE WHEN YOU THOUGHT Painter couldn't get any better, Corel has released Painter X ($419, or $219 for the upgrade), replete with innovative extras, performance enhancements, and tools that both facilitate artwork...

Steganos Security Suite 2007: comprehensive peace of mind for PC security.(network security software)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
May 1, 2007... WE WERE IMPRESSED by the 2006 version of Steganos Security Suite, and the 2007 incarnation, still priced at $69.95, brings some noteworthy improvements to the package. Basically unchanged is the core suite Of programs that lets you secure...

Photobot: handsome hands-off image editing, with just a few quirks.(graphics utility)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
May 1, 2007... WHEN WE FIRST HEARD of Tribeca Labs' $29.95 Photobot, we were intrigued but skeptical. A photo editor that fixes digital images automatically? We don't even have to open the file? How well could it really work? Pretty well, it turns out. ...

CA Anti-Virus 2007: a low-profile preventative antivirus solution.(antivirus software)(Product/service evaluation)
May 1, 2007... "UNOBTRUSIVE" is not a word we usually associate with antivirus software, but the $49.99 CA Anti-Virus 2007 goes out of its way to remain as discreet as possible, while not skimping on efficiency. It's a virus fighter to watch. CA...

Top 5 budget desktops: these well-configured PCs define desktop savings.(desktop computers)(Product/service evaluation)
May 1, 2007... 1 ZT Cisnet A7122 www.ztgroup.com $499 (as tested) Editors' Rating (8.5) [check] SPECS * 2.2GHz Athlon 64 3500+ * 1GB DDR memory * 160GB hard drive * Double-layer DVD [+ or -] RW drive * Integrated...

Top 5 desktop-replacement laptops: ditch your desktop PC in favor of one of these powerful portables.(laptop computers)(Product/service evaluation)
May 1, 2007... 1 Hypersonic Aviator FX7* www.hypersonic-pc.com $4,046 (as tested) Editors' Rating (8.5) [check] SPECS * 2.6GHz Athlon 64 FX-60 * 2GB DDR memory * Two 100GB hard drives * Two double-layer DVD[+ or -]RW drives...

Top 5 input devices: enter data in style and comfort with these well-designed peripherals.(Product/service evaluation)
May 1, 2007... 1 Logitech VX Revolution www.logitech.com $79.99 Editors' Rating (9.0) [check] Specs * Cordless laser mouse * USB interface Bottom Line Notebook and desktop users alike will love the VX Revolution cordless laser...

Top 5 ultracompact cameras: pocketable point-and-shooters for casual photographers on the go.(Canon PowerShot SD600)(Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TIO)(Canon PowerShot SD600)(Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T50)(Casio Exilim EX-Z850)(Product/service evaluation)
May 1, 2007... 1 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TIO www.sonystyle.com $349.95 Editors' Rating (7.8) SPECS * 7.2 megapixels * 3x optical zoom * 2.5-inch LCD * Memory Stick Duo, Pro Duo card BOTTOM LINE Available in four colors,...

Top 5 personal productivity apps: this essential software will optimize your computing experience.(Product/service evaluation)
May 1, 2007... 1 GoToMyPC 5 www.gotomypc.com $19.95 per month Editors' Rating (8.0) [check] System Requirements * Windows 95, 98, 2000, or XP * Mac OS 8.6 or later Bottom Line GoToMyPC 5 is an excellent solution for working...

The best free software: 50 of our favorite downloads.(Buyers guide)
May 1, 2007... YOU WON'T FIND the very latest useful software in the aisles of the nearest computer chain store. In fact, that may be the last place you'll find some really great programs, because many are not for sale. Instead, the publishers have made them...

Vista on the go and on budget: you don't have to spend a lot to get a vista-capable laptop.
May 1, 2007... YOU WANT A LAPTOP that packs the power to run Vista, but you don't want to pay a lot for it. The good news: You don't have to. When Vista was first released, we thought its hardware demands would be so high that it would be impossible to...

10 Fast fixes for wi-fi problems: essential troubleshooting tips for setting up, securing, and using your wireless network.
May 1, 2007... [1] I cannot connect to my router. How do I resolve this? This is a wide-open problem with an almost limitless range of causes and solutions, but here are several actions that might do the trick. First, make sure your router is configured...

10 ways to shop smart online.
May 1, 2007... 1. AN ENCRYPTION PRESCRIPTION Before you submit any private information, be sure that the data will be encrypted and transmitted over a secure connection. Both your browser and the shopping site's server should support industry standards...

Computer cues.(barebones laptop computers)(Column)
May 1, 2007... MIX MY OWN LAPTOP? Do you know of any companies that sell barebones laptops--just the case and screen? BEN SANDINE One place to start is Asus (usa.asus.com), which offers several consumer-oriented bare-bones models in its ASMobile...

Build your own external hard drive: have an old internal hard drive gathering dust? Turn it into a speedy external drive in five simple steps.(HELP AND HOW-TO: WEEKEND PROJECT)(Column)
May 1, 2007... AN INTERNAL HARD DRIVE is a terrible thing to waste. If you've got one sitting on a shelf (or about to land there after a system upgrade), it's easy to give that old drive new life. In just a few steps, you can slip the castoff into an...

Direct (X) to you.(BUILD YOUR OWN: NEW PRODUCTS FOR BUILDING A CUSTOM PC)
May 1, 2007... Gear up for Vista, Aero, and next-generation gaming with Gigabyte's $299 GV-NX88S320H-B-RH. This 320MB PCI Express (PCIe) card is built around the GeForce 8800 GTS graphics processor. Expect support for DirectX 10, plus a passel of leading-edge...

Aqua AC/DC.(BUILD YOUR OWN: NEW PRODUCTS FOR BUILDING A CUSTOM PC)
May 1, 2007... Building a PC with gargantuan power needs--multiple graphics cards, a bank of hard drives, and more? The Koolance PSU-1200ATX-12S is a high-end 1,200-watt power supply that's liquid-cooled and ready to serve. All of its internal components...

A fan with flair.(BUILD YOUR OWN: NEW PRODUCTS FOR BUILDING A CUSTOM PC)
May 1, 2007... Add pizzazz to your PC with the $24.99 Bluegears b-Cool 120, designed to mount in a high-visibility spot in your transparent or windowed case. This quiet-running 120mm fan, lit by blue LEDs, projects the current case temperature and fan speed...

Green your machine.(BUILD YOUR OWN: NEW PRODUCTS FOR BUILDING A CUSTOM PC)
May 1, 2007... PC builders can do their bit to conserve energy--and cash--with the Antec Earth-Watts 500-watt power supply. This $99.95 ATX12V 2.2-compliant supply supports the 80 Plus standard (www.80plus.org), which mandates above-average operating...

Righteous readout.(BUILD YOUR OWN: NEW PRODUCTS FOR BUILDING A CUSTOM PC)
May 1, 2007... Snazz up your home-brewed home theater PC (HTPC) with SilverStonetek's $109.99 MFPS1. Available with a black or silver bezel, this LCD panel fits into any 5.25-inch drive bay, and displays media-file info and more on the front of your HTPC...

Ventilation sensation.(BUILD YOUR OWN: NEW PRODUCTS FOR BUILDING A CUSTOM PC)
May 1, 2007... A seven-bay ATX midtower that diverges from the ATX standard's case-ventilation guidelines, the $149 Silentium T2 Pro case is designed for quiet running and maximum cooling. Hard drives and fans are mounted with vibration-absorption hardware,...

Midrange deskstops ($750 to $1,499).(NEED TO KNOW)(Product/service evaluation)
May 1, 2007... PROCESSOR Don't choose an underpowered processor, but look at CPUs one or two steps down from the fastest for the power you need at a good price. A dual-core processor will help ensure solid Windows Vista and multitasking performance. ...

Inkjet printers.(Buyers guide)
May 1, 2007... 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...

Performance graphics cards ($299 and higher).(NEED TO KNOW)(Product/service evaluation)
May 1, 2007... 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 an avid garner itching to frag...

Internal DVD burners.(digital videodisks)(Buyers guide)
May 1, 2007... FORMAT Most of today's DVD burners can write to both DVD-R/DVD-RW and DVD+R/DVD+RW discs, which gives you greater flexibility when purchasing. Some drives also record to less-common (and more expensive) DVD-RAM discs or high-density Blu-ray...

The right wide-screen flat-panel monitor.(HELP AND HOW-TO: BUYING BASICS: HOW TO BUY)(Buyers guide)
May 1, 2007... Wide-screen LCDs have a 16-to-9 aspect ratio that affords plenty of horizontal screen space, making them perfect for watching DVDs, or viewing multiple documents or Web pages at once. And prices on these space-saving displays are on the...