Computer Shopper articles from May 2008

Computer Shopper archives from May 2008

Letter from the editor.(Editorial)(Product/service evaluation)
May 1, 2008... ONCE YOU'VE HAD A PC for a certain amount of time, your system can get bogged down. Whether it's unwanted programs opening on startup, duplicate files strewn throughout your hard drive, or gaps in your Registry file caused by scattered data,...

AMD, nVidia bring hybrid graphics to desktops, laptops.(TRENDS: UPCOMING TECHNOLOGIES AND PRODUCTS)(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... BUYING A NEW PC and want more than integrated graphics can deliver? You'll soon have new options that will boost your computer's graphics--while still giving you an energy-efficient system. Leading graphics-processing manufacturers AMD and...

How much paper do we waste?(STATS)(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... 8 million tons The amount of paper Americans produced in 2004. By 2010, the number will reach an estimated 396 million tons worldwide. 90% The amount of paper in the U.S. that contains no recycled material 1,410 sheets ...

Toshiba buries HD DVD in format graveyard.(TRENDS: UPCOMING TECHNOLOGIES AND PRODUCTS)(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... THE HISTORY of technology is filled with format wars. Memorable and not-so-memorable battles include VHS versus Betamax, Digital Audio Tape versus Digital Compact Cassette versus MiniDisc, LaserDisc versus Video High Density, and DVD Audio...

Polaroid instant cams take their last shots.(TRENDS: TECH NEWS)(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... IN TODAY'S WORLD, where almost every cell phone comes with a built-in camera, there is a new definition of instant photos. As a result, an instant-photo institution is looking to redefine itself. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Polaroid has...

Google gears goes on the move.(TRENDS: TECH NEWS)(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... GOOGLE GEARS will now be available to a select set of mobile devices. According to a blog post from Google Mobile Team Product Manager Charles Wiles, the open-source beta software--which allows offline users access to Web applications...

The latest sports craze: videogaming.(TRENDS: TECH NEWS)(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... You may not think of videogaming as a sport, especially when it's compared to traditional athletic activities like baseball or football. No physical strength is involved, unless you consider clicking a mouse or punching a few keys a workout....

Budget traveler.(NEW PRODUCTS: PCs)(Everex's gBook VA1500V)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Everex's new budget notebook, the gBook VA1500V, sports a 15.4-inch screen, runs a 1.5GHz VIA C7-M processor, and comes with 512MB of DDR2 memory, a 60GB hard drive, and a DVD-ROM/CD-RW combo optical drive. It weighs...

Wolfdale FTW!(NEW PRODUCTS: PCs)(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] If you hear "Counter-Terrorists Win" in your sleep from time to time, then Falcon Northwest's new FragBox configurations might just be fight for your next Counter-Strike LAN party. This small-form-factor PC can hide...

Thinking green.(NEW PRODUCTS: PCs)(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... Lenovo's small-form-factor ThinkCentre M57 and M57p Eco desktops won't be remembered for setting any benchmarks, but their $699 starting price, energy efficiency, and quiet operation make them worth a second glance. They're the first desktops...

Gamer firepower.(NEW PRODUCTS: PCs)(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... Gamers with an eye on performance--and playing crippling games like Crysis at high resolutions--might want to check out iBuypower's Gamer Fire 580. This desktop uses two dual-GPU ATI Radeon HD 3870 X2s to bring out its full, screaming...

Splash and substance.(NEW PRODUCTS: PCs)(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Sony has updated previously released VAIO notebooks with snazzy custom graphic designs, but the new Graphic Splash Expression Collection version of its VGN-FZ4000 ups the ante. It comes in three cover colors (pink,...

Mini notebooks are here to stay.(NEW PRODUCTS: PCs)(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Our hunch is that the recent success of Asus' Eee PC is driving the new market toward miniaturization, and HP is demonstrating its willingness to ride along with the 2133 Mini-Note PC. The package might be...

Clever driving companion.(NEW PRODUCTS: GEAR)(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] In order to offer drivers the best directions and most efficient route planning, the TomTom GO 930 GPS incorporates the company's new IQ Routes technology, which takes into account every factor that might influence...

Exotic sound.(NEW PRODUCTS: GEAR)(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... Boxy speakers don't exactly make a fashion statement, but the pyramid-shaped subwoofer and unique triangular satellites in Edifier's E3350 2.1 speaker set are sure to turn heads. Thankfully, these $99 speakers were designed to sound as good as...

Little laser.(NEW PRODUCTS: GEAR)(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Sick of sacrificing desk space to a beastly printer? Check out the $129.99 LaserJet P1005. HP's compact laser takes up about the same width as a 15.4-inch notebook, and it's no slowpoke, either: This black-and-white...

Home theater-worthy hard drive.(NEW PRODUCTS: GEAR)(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... LaCie's LaCinema Premier is no ordinary backup drive. In addition to a serious amount of external storage for your Mac or Windows PC, the LaCinema--available in beefy 500GB ($249.99), 750GB ($349.99), and 1TB ($499.99) capacities--comes with...

A photog's best friend.(NEW PRODUCTS: GEAR)(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Technically, Fujifilm's FinePix S100FS isn't a digital single-lens-reflex (dSLR) camera, but it certainly has the look and feel of a high-end dSLR--without the high price. Though this $799.95 camera doesn't use...

Intergalactic USB drive.(NEW PRODUCTS: GEAR)(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATIONS OMITTED] Let the force be with you--or, at least, with your data. Mimoco's Mimobot Star Wars Series 2 USB drives are designed to look like four characters from the famous sci-fi trilogy: Luke, Princess Leia, Han Solo, and...

Apple MacBook Air: slender laptop excludes some features, ports.(REVIEWS: THE LATEST HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE PRODUCTS)(Product/service evaluation)
May 1, 2008... THE APPLE MACBOOK AIR is a fairly priced, decently powerful ultraportable with a killer design that will turn heads in any airport, coffeehouse, or library. Depending on your computing needs and priorities on the road, however, this notebook's...

Asus EN9600GT: great high-resolution gaming at a low price.(REVIEWS: THE LATEST HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE PRODUCTS)(Product/service evaluation)
May 1, 2008... [EDITORS' CHOICE] THE $189 ASUS EN9600GT is one of the first graphics cards to use nVidia's new GeForce 9600 GT chipset. In previous generations, midrange GeForce cards were best suited for garners who didn't mind turning down the details...

Sony VAIO VGC-LT29U: an all-in-one as beautiful as it is functional.(REVIEWS: DESKTOPS)(Product/service evaluation)
May 1, 2008... IT'S THE RARE SYSTEM that passes through the Computer Shopper offices and attracts attention from everyone who sees it. The last time we can remember this happening was with the HP Blackbird 002, a gaming desktop of uncommonly unique (and...

Sony VAIO VGX-TP25E/B: no-compromises HD entertainment PC.(REVIEWS: DESKTOPS)(Product/service evaluation)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] THE ONE THING THAT STANDS OUT about Sony's VAIO VGX-TP25E/B entertainment PC is that it's stylish. Forget tower: This one is black, circular, and only 10.6 inches in diameter and 3.6 inches tall. As configured, it...

HP Pavilion Slimline S3330f PC: excellent media components in a stylish chassis.(REVIEWS: DESKTOPS)(Product/service evaluation)
May 1, 2008... EDITORS' CHOICE [CHECK] LATEST ITERATION of HP's super-compact Pavilion Slimline desktop PC is sleek, loaded with entertainment features, and at $949, is much more affordable than typical entertainment PCs. With this system, what you see...

Dell XPS 630: outstanding midrange gaming, with a price to match.(REVIEWS: DESKTOPS)(Product/service evaluation)
May 1, 2008... IT WAS JUST A MATTER OF TIME before Dell jumped on the trend toward mainstream gaming machines--and its first effort is a winner. The XPS 630 is the best example we've yet seen of an everyday, affordable desktop that also excels at gaming,...

iBuypower gamer mage 855: capable mainstream gaming box boasts a killer graphics card.(REVIEWS: DESKTOPS)(Product/service evaluation)
May 1, 2008... CUTTING-EDGE COMPONENTS don't always guarantee powerhouse performance. If they did, its 1GB ATI Radeon HD 3870 X2 graphics card would make iBuypower's new Garner Mage 855 a triumphant must-have. But that innovative dual-graphics-processing-unit...

Toshiba Qosmio G45-AV690: media-centric notebook is best in its class.(REVIEWS: LAPTOPS)(Product/service evaluation)
May 1, 2008... WITH THE QOSMIO G45-AV690, Toshiba has added a faster processor and digital-cable capabilities to its top-of-the-line multimedia-notebook bundle. At $3,199, it's definitely pricey, but as the hub of your digital existence, it doesn't get much...

Asus U6S: stylish ultraportable has too many flaws.(REVIEWS: LAPTOPS)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... THOUGH SLIM AND STYLISH ENOUGH to impress in the boardroom, the $1,799 Asus U6S disappoints on the road. Weighing just under 4 pounds, the U6S pushes the definition of "ultraportable" to the limit. Though Asus gets points for trying to...

Acer Extensa 4620-6194: budget business laptop is a so-so performer.(REVIEWS: LAPTOPS)(Product/service evaluation)
May 1, 2008... THE $729 ACER EXTENSA 4260-6194 provides adequate performance for a budget-priced, business-minded machine, but don't expect to get more than what you pay for. Like most business laptops, the Extensa 4260 is a clunky affair, with its boxy...

NVS Carbon: customizable laptop costs more than most.(REVIEWS: LAPTOPS)(Product/service evaluation)
May 1, 2008... IF YOU WANT a fully customized notebook--from the hardware to the software to the paint on the lid--the NVS Carbon may be your ticket. But personalization doesn't come cheap. NVSpc starts with machines sourced from large OEM manufacturers,...

Sony BDU-X10S: cheap Blu-ray reader for your PC.(REVIEWS: COMPONENTS)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] NOW THAT HD DVD has thrown in the towel, consumers can feel confident that their Blu-ray drives won't suffer the same fate as Betamax players did back in the 1980s. Enter Sony's BDU-X10S Blu-ray Disc-ROM (BD-ROM)...

In win allure: a minitower PC case-with feminine flair.(REVIEWS: COMPONENTS)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... WHAT COULD SHOW how much you really care better than a crystal-encrusted desktop-PC case adorned with flowers, custom-built for your significant other? If your answer is "Nothing!" then you need to get In Win's Allure, and get building. ...

CMS ABS-Secure Encrypted Backup System: portable drive offers security, but it's slow.(REVIEWS: PERIPHERALS)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... THE $245 ABS-SECURE ENCRYPTED BACKUP SYSTEM from CMS uses on-the-fly 256-bit encryption to protect your data from being accessed by anyone who doesn't have the proper password, plus it's small enough to take with you on the road. Still, we wish...

Creative Gigaworks T40: Speakers deliver bass punch without a subwoofer.(REVIEWS: PERIPHERALS)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... Creative's $149.99 GIGAWORKS T40 redefines what small speaker systems are capable of. This two-speaker setup lacks a dedicated subwoofer, yet delivers room-filling sound that can please garners, moviegoers, and music fans alike. Each of...

Razer Mako 2.1 advanced Desktop Audio System: stylish speakers project solid sound.(REVIEWS: PERIPHERALS)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] CO-DEVELOPED BY RAZER AND THX, the pricey $399.99 Mako 2.1 Advanced Desktop Audio System is Razer's first foray into the audio world. That doesn't make these mushroom-shaped speakers a rookie package, however:...

Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin: a pricey system that elevates the iPod.(REVIEWS: PERIPHERALS)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... THE BOWERS & WILKINS ZEPPELIN is a showpiece as much as it is a high-performance iPod speaker. The Zeppelin is capable of cranking out music loud and clear, providing some of the best audio quality you're going to find in this category. And at...

Fantom Drives G-Force MegaDisk NAS MDN1000: NAG drive works as DHCP and iTunes server.(REVIEWS: PERIPHERALS)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... THE MDN1000 in Micronet's Fantom Drives G-Force MegaDisk line of network-attached-storage (NAS) devices delivers 1TB of storage at a reasonable $349.95 price. While its transfer speeds are merely average, this versatile drive offers a variety...

LCDs with a brand new view: LED-backlit displays offer more accurate color reproduction.(REVIEWS: DISPLAYS)(Liquid Crystal Displays)(Product/service evaluation)
May 1, 2008... UNLIKE COLD CATHODE fluorescent lamps (CCFLs),which provide the light that shines through the pixels of traditional LCD panels, LEDs produce a purer white light, and with larger displays the LEDs can be spread out in a grid behind the display...

Brother MFC-685CW: an all-in-one with mixed results.(REVIEWS: PRINTERS)(Product/service evaluation)
May 1, 2008... BROTHER'S $199.99 MFC-685CW all-in-one inkjet printer boasts color document and photo printing, scanner/copier/fax functionality (with built-in automatic document feeder), and USB, Ethernet, and wireless connections, all in a relatively compact...

Samsung CLP-610ND: affordable color laser with built-in duplexing.(REVIEWS: PRINTERS)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... AT $399.99, THE CLP-610ND from Samsung is an attractive bargain. It's relatively fast for a low-end color laser, and it comes with a built-in duplex feature for automatically printing on both sides of the paper. You can also expand the onboard...

Kodak EasyShare Z812 IS: a super-zoom with much to like for the price.(REVIEWS: DIGITAL CAMERAS)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... THE $279.95 EASYSHARE Z812 IS from Kodak is a prosumer-oriented super-zoom digital camera that, with a few drawbacks, offers a lot of bang for the buck. The Z812 takes its design cues from larger digital single-lens-reflex cameras, and its...

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T2: compact camera loaded with flash memory.(REVIEWS: DIGITAL CAMERAS)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... THE $349.99 SONY CYBER-SHOT DSC-T2 packs a lot of memory into a body about the size of a card deck. This 8-mega-pixel compact point-and-shoot offers a seemingly endless number of features, including a 3x internal optical zoom lens, 4GB of...

Nokia N810: Linux-based mobile Internet device has some flaws.(REVIEWS: CONSUMER TECH)(Product/service evaluation)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] THANKS TO ITS CUSTOMIZABLE Linux-based OS and robust Web browser, the $479.99 Nokia N810 offers one of the best mobile Internet experiences you can buy, but business users will be miffed by its lack of productivity...

Creative Aurvana X-Fi noise-canceling headphones: Bose rivals rock, but fall short on design.(REVIEWS: CONSUMER TECH)(Product/service evaluation)
May 1, 2008... CREATIVE'S ANSWER TO THE Bose QuietComfort series of noise-canceling headphones, the $299.99 Aurvana X-Fi delivers excellent sound quality--but it's crippled by design problems. Listening was indeed a pleasure, as the Aurvana X-Fi delivered...

Cambridge SoundWorks i765: pricey iPod speaker system is feature-loaded.(REVIEWS: CONSUMER TECH)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... THE SMALL-YET-POWERFUL $499.99 Cambridge SoundWorks i765 cranks out surprisingly good audio from a wide array of sources. It's expensive, but you're paying for one of the best iPod-enabled sound systems available. The i765 can charge and...

Logitech Harmony One: a device to banish all other remote controls, for good.(REVIEWS: CONSUMER TECH)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... WELL-LIT KEYS, a bright color touch screen, and a sleek ergonomic design are just some of the highlights of Logitech's new Harmony One. Although $249.99 is a lot of money for a remote control, the advances justify the price. The remote...

Hard Disk Manager 2008 suite: strong drive utility package is not ideal for novices.(REVIEWS: SOFTWARE)(Product/service evaluation)
May 1, 2008... WHILE IT ISN'T COMPLETE, Paragon Software's Hard Disk Manager offers a lot for $49.95. You'll find more backup, defragmentation, and maintenance options in other programs, but Hard Disk Manager has most of the features you're likely to need, in...

IBM Lotus Symphony beta 4: free, full-featured office suite.(REVIEWS: SOFTWARE)(Product/service evaluation)
May 1, 2008... FOR SAVVY USERS seeking a no-cost alternative to Microsoft Office, the go-to choice has long been open-source suite OpenOffice.org. Now IBM presents a second option: Lotus Symphony. Stocked with similar workday essentials, but much easier to...

Top 5 space-saving desktops: get powerful components and features packed into compact designs.
May 1, 2008... 1 Alienware Hangar 18 HD Entertainment Center www.alienware.com $3,103 (as tested:) Editors' Rating: (8.6) [check] Specs * 2.4GHz Athlon X2 4600+ * 2GB DDR2 memory * Two iTB hard drives *...

Top 5 budget laptops: these diverse portables combine performance, features, and affordability.
May 1, 2008... 1 Asus Eee PC 4G www.asus.com $399 (as tested) Editors' Rating: (8.0) Specs * 900MHz Celeron CPU * 512MB DDR2 memory * 4GB solid-state drive * No optical drive * Integrated graphics * 7-inch...

Top 5 smartphones: brainy devices that do much more than your average mobile handset.
May 1, 2008... 1 AT&T Tilt www.att.com $399.99 (with two-year service agreement) Editors' Rating: (8.3) Specs * GSM network * Carrier: AT&T * Windows Mobile 60S * 128MB RAM * 2.8-inch, 320x240-pixel display ...

Top 5 point-and-shoot cameras: compact and easy to use, they're a good choice for casual photographers.
May 1, 2008... 1 Canon PowerShot SD870 IS usa.canon.com $349.99 Editors' Rating: (8.5) [check] Specs * 8 megapixels * 3-inch LED * 5.5 ounces * SD/SDHC memory card Bottom Line The PowerShot SD870 IS is one...

Top 5 external hard drives: store and back up files with one of these versatile drives.
May 1, 2008... 1 Maxtor OneTouch 4 Mini www.maxtorsolutions.com $149.99 Editors' Rating: (7.8) Specs * 160GB capacity * 5,400rpm spin rate * 8MB cache * USB 2.0 * Windows XP or Vista; Mac OS X 10.4.7 or later ...

25 free downloads you need now: try these great apps to help you speed up your system, clean up your hard drive, and more--all without spending a single penny.(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... In years past, we've offered a feature on 50 free downloads, but don't think we're giving you only 50 percent of the value of previous editions. * Listing 50 downloads required us to do things like naming three or four different poor-man's...

Start me up: we love any program that can help speed up boot times, because--let's face it--we use Windows. Here are a few apps that can make system loads a little less sluggish.(25 Free Downloads You Need Now)(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... TweakNow RegCleaner Standard 3.0.1 A bloated Windows Registry file can cause slow boot-up times and sluggish performance, but manually monkeying with your PC's Registry can wreak havoc on your system. TweakNow RegCleaner Standard quickly...

Tweak tools: if you're attempting something like overclocking your PC, you need to know what's going on inside your computer's case. Here are utilities that can give you a system snapshot, and a couple more that will improve everyday performance.(25 Free Downloads You Need Now)
May 1, 2008... CPU-Z 1.43 A tweaker's godsend, CPU-Z can tell you everything about your PC's core components, from basic specs like processor name and RAM amount to overclocking essentials such as clock multiplier and voltage settings. If you want to...

File under: essential: getting control of the countless files on your computer can be a frustrating chore that never seems to end. These apps will make taming them a little bit easier.(25 Free Downloads You Need Now)
May 1, 2008... Vunet Find Vista's improved desktop search function is an upgrade over those in previous versions of Windows, but it won't help if you're running XP or an earlier incarnation. For those who are Vista-less, there's Vunet Find, which...

Doing it all: these two packages include multiple pieces of free software that can protect, clean up, or otherwise improve your system.(25 Free Downloads You Need Now)(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... UBCD4Win 3.12 If you want a Swiss Army knife of system utilities that you can burn to a bootable CD, UBCD4Win is loaded with everything, from Internet security apps like Spybot Search and Destroy to file utilities and Registry programs to...

Drive time: you always hear about how your processor or amount of RAM will impact your system's speed, but a fragmented, overstuffed hard drive can be a drag on performance as well. Give your disk a little TLC with these drive-related utilities.(25 Free Downloads You Need Now)
May 1, 2008... WinDirStat 1.1.2 One way to figure out what's been eating your hard drive space is to determine which file types you have the most of. WinDirStat scans your drive and displays each file type in a different color to show you how your disk...

Productivity boosters: now that you've reenergized your PC with the other downloads, here are a handful of apps that will make your daily computing life more efficient.(25 Free Downloads You Need Now)(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... PDF SpeedUp 1.32 PDF files are a great way to send documents to anyone on the Internet, but Adobe has created a bit of a monster with its browser-crashing Acrobat Reader software. PDF SpeedUp eliminates some of the annoying bottlenecks...

The power of the pen: with their sharp, responsive screens and enhanced feature sets, these tablet PCs offer plenty of reasons to give pen-based computing a try.(Product/service evaluation)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] REMEMBER WHEN TABLETS seemed all but dead? Mired in Microsoft's lackluster XP Tablet Edition OS and derided for their inaccurate handwriting recognition and touchy screens, pen- based portables didn't enjoy much...

The fine print: get inked with the fight printer for your needs.(Product/service evaluation)
May 1, 2008... In a perfect world, you'd have one printer that does everything under the sun. But, unfortunately, the world doesn't work that way. Printers come in a sometimes-dizzying variety of models. Should you get an inkier or laser printer? Do you need...

Computer cures John A. Burek.(HELP & HOW-TO: TIPS AND TRICKS TO MAKE TECH EASIER)
May 1, 2008... RANK AND SERIAL NUMBER Currently we have a Serial ATA (SATA) hard drive connected to the SATA1 port on the motherboard. We want to install another SATA hard drive. Does it have to be hooked up to SATA2, or can it be hooked up to the SATA4...

Tip of the month: slide scanning redux.(HELP & HOW-TO: TIPS AND TRICKS TO MAKE TECH EASIER)
May 1, 2008... Just read March's letter "35mm Slide Avalanche!" (p. 81). I, too, have more than 2,000 family slides mildewing in my basement to digitize. My research, like yours, found one of the best slide scanners to be Nikon's Coolscan 5000 ED, but reviews...

Child-proof your PC: keep your PC safe from your kids--and your kids safe from Internet threats.(HELP & HOW-TO: WEEKEND PROJECT)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] KIDS AND COMPUTERS go together like milk and cookies--expensive, complex, fragile cookies. Before you let your little ones loose on the PC, consider taking some steps to safeguard your settings, data, and even CDs....

Clear case of technolust.(Build Your Own: NEW PRODUCTS FOR BUILDING A CUSTOM PC)(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... Show off your PC-building handiwork with the $79.99 Acrylic HTPC from Sunbeamtech. A fun project for serious DIY builders, this case comes packed flat in kit form--you assemble it screw by screw, panel by panel. The end result is a stunning,...

Ready for raid.(Build Your Own: NEW PRODUCTS FOR BUILDING A CUSTOM PC)(KF-3000-BK Internal Hot-Swap Rack )(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... Equip your tower PC with major-league-capacity Serial ATA (SATA) storage with the help of the KF-3000-BK Internal Hot-Swap Rack from Kingwin. This drive-bay device has three slots for SATA hard drives but occupies only two 5.25-inch...

Twice the TV.(Build Your Own: NEW PRODUCTS FOR BUILDING A CUSTOM PC)(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... Do you do your best multitasking when you're sitting in front of the television? Then you'll admire the WinTV-HVR-2250 from Hauppauge Digital. This $129 TV-tuner card features both analog and digital tuners, letting you watch and record two...

I'm looking through you, PCU.(HELP & HOW-TO: BUILD YOUR OWN)(Logisys Quiet 550W 12CM LED Acrylic Power Supply )(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... I'm looking through you, PCU...with apologies to The Beatles. An eye-catching complement to a windowed PC case (or a pure-acrylic one, such as the Sunbeam on p. 91), the $49.99 Logisys Quiet 550W 12CM LED Acrylic Power Supply has transparent...

Beyond the limits of memory.(HELP & HOW-TO: BUILD YOUR OWN)(Koolance RAM-35 water-cooling modules )(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] We're more than a little apprehensive of pushing our PCs so far that we'd need to water-cool our memory modules, but Koolance has you (or at least your memory) covered, if you dare. Its $29.99 RAM-35 water-cooling...

Off-size silence.(HELP & HOW-TO BUILD YOUR OWN)(Noctua's 92mm NF-B9)(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... Replacing your PC's stock case fans with low-noise models is a good first step toward tamping down running noise. That's easy enough if your PC's case uses 80mm or 120mm fans, but if it requires the less-common 92mm variety, your choices have...

Dynami-cube.(HELP & HOW-TO: BUILD YOUR OWN)(AeroCool's Micro-ATX cube case )(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... It's hip to be (nearly) square with the $89.99 M-40 case from AeroCool. This compact Micro-ATX cube case measures 9.2xll.6x13.8 inches and provides a surprising number of drive bays for its size: one 3.5-inch and two 5.25-inch externals, plus...

Piping cool.(HELP & HOW-TO: BUILD YOUR OWN)(Scythe USA's Zipang )(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Can one CPU cooler really fit all? Scythe U.S.A.'s Zipang makes a credible attempt at it. Supporting a laundry list of CPU types (Intel LGA775 and Socket 478, as well as AMD AM2+, AM2, and Socket 754/939/940), this...

Green giant.(HELP & HOW-TO: BUILD YOUR OWN)(Hiper's HPU-4M780)(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... The green-energy trend has made PC-component makers more cognizant than ever of power-consumption concerns--even makers of monster-wattage power supplies. Claiming 85 percent or greater efficiency (and coming in a recycled-materials box),...

The right midrange desktop.(HELP & HOW-TO: BUYING BASICS HOW TO BUY)(Buyers guide)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] If you think you'll be doing a little bit of everything, a midrange PC is the way to go. Here's how to find a model with enough power to keep you computing long into the future--without emptying your bank account....

The right graphics card.(HELPS & HOW-TO: BUYING BASICS HOW TO BUY)(Buyers guide)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Whether you want to play the latest 3D games, improve high-def video playback, or just enjoy Windows Vista in all its visual glory, a new graphics card could be the perfect upgrade. Here's what you need to know to...

Tech terms.(geek//:speak)(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... DIGITIZER: Used in tablet PCs to translate magnetic field. The electromagnetic field detects the stylus' motion and converts it to data points, which then display the "writing" or interact with software, (For more about tablet PCs, see "The...

What is the registry.(geek//:speak)(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... On Windows-based computers, the Registry is a database that contains information and settings for all the system's hardware, software, and users. It's divided into keys (where information is stored), values (what the information is), and hives...