Computer Shopper articles from November 2008

Computer Shopper archives from November 2008

Widget Channel aims to further bridge gap between TV, web.(TRENDS: UPCOMING TECHNOLOGIES AND PRODUCTS)
November 1, 2008... A NEW SERVICE will a now viewers to bring some of the conveniences of the Web to their televisions. The Widget Channel, a joint venture between Intel and Yahoo, aims to further close the gap between the Web and television by offering...

Google takes on Microsoft (again) with new browser.(TRENDS: UPCOMING TECHNOLOGIES AND PRODUCTS)
November 1, 2008... BESIDES WEB ADVERTISING, Microsoft might have a new reason to fear Google. The Internet search giant recently unveiled its own Web browser, Chrome. Chrome is completely open source, running on a newly developed JavaScript engine called V8...

Zoho unites three programs for online file-management system.(TRENDS: TECH NEWS)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... A NEW FREE ONLINE file-management system from Zoho unites its documents, spreadsheets, and presentation applications in one place--and is poised to be a competitor to Google Docs. Zoho Docs brings together Zoho Writer, a word processor;...

New report shows Blu-ray sales on the rise.(TRENDS: TECH NEWS)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... THE UNITED STATES is making a smooth transition to Blu-my, according to a recent report by Futuresource, a U.K.-based consulting firm. Despite initial reports by the NPD Group indicating slower-than-expected growth, high-definition Blu-ray...

Intel releases eco server processors.(TRENDS: TECH NEWS)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... Intel recently added four new multicore Xeon chips--including one that consumes as little as 50 watts of power, or 12.5 watts per core--to its list of high-performance, energy-efficient processors. The CPUs, based on Intel's 45-nanometer...

1080p tendencies.(NEW PRODUCTS: PCs)(Sony VAIO LV High-Definition PC/TV )(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] All-in-ones that combine the crystal clarity of Blu-ray movies and a screen large enough to view them in all their glory have been rare--until now. The Sony VAIO LV High-Definition PC/TV has the Blu-ray drive you...

Honor bound.(NEW PRODUCTS: PCs)(iBuypower's Garner Paladin 998)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] High-powered gaming PCs don't always have to be stratospherically priced, iBuypower's Garner Paladin 998, for example, costs $1,999--relatively low for a gaming desktop--but is loaded with valuable components such as...

Lucky number 9.(NEW PRODUCTS: PCs)(Dell Inspiron 9 Mini)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] If you don't need a bulky laptop--and you don't want to pay a bulky price--for surfing the Web, checking e-mail, or chatting over instant messages, a netbook is the way to go. Now, Dell has entered the market with...

Ready, aim, shoot.(NEW PRODUCTS: PCs)(Asus's bamboo-encased laptops )(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Asus's Bamboo series of bamboo-encased laptops turned heads when the company showed off concept models earlier this year. Now, Asus aims to help you do the same by making the units commercially available. Models come...

Air today, gone tomorrow.(NEW PRODUCTS: PCs)(Samsung X360)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... It takes a lot of courage to enter the realm of upscale, ultrathin notebooks, but Samsung is taking the risk with its new X360. Weighing in at 2.8 pounds and measuring only 1.2 inches at its thickest point, the $2,200 X360 is physically...

Good thing, small package.(NEW PRODUCTS: PCs)(Shuttle's X27)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... Shuttle's desktops don't hog much space even at full size, but if you really need to maximize every inch, consider the company's new X27. Measuring a mere 2.75x7.3x9.8 inches (HWD), it's small enough to fit under a sheet of paper. Because it's...

Pig sounds.(NEW PRODUCTS: GEAR)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... It's easy to dismiss the iPig ($139.99) as another weird iPod dock/speaker system, but this unit packs four speakers, a subwoofer, and 25 watts of sound for your iPod. (An additional auxiliary jack lets you connect it to other audio sources.)...

Electronic green thumb.(NEWS PRODUCTS: GEAR)(PlantSense EasyBloom Plant Sensor )(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... If you've ever wondered why you kill more plants than you grow, the innovative PlantSense EasyBloom Plant Sensor ($59.95) may prove it wasn't entirely your fault. Place the USB-based device into the soil around your plant, and it'll monitor the...

Endless movie library.(NEWS PRODUCTS: GEAR)(LG BD300 Blu-ray player )(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The BD300 Blu-ray player from LG ensures that you will never run out of movies to watch. Besides playing your DVD and Blu-ray discs, the BD300 can stream movies and TV shows from Netflix--simply call up a dedicated...

Super shooter.(NEWS PRODUCTS: GEAR)(Nikon Coolpix P6000 )(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... The Nikon Coolpix P6000 ($499.95) camera has the features and performance to satisfy those who want the power of a digital single-lens-reflex (dSLR), yet it retains some of the qualities including a large LCD and optical image stabilization--of...

Mouse catcher.(NEWS PRODUCTS: GEAR)(Logitech's V550 Nano Cordless Mouse for Notebooks )(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] With Logitech's V550 Nano Cordless Mouse for Notebooks ($59.99), you'll never again have to wonder where your mouse is. That's because the mouse physically attaches to a removable adhesive dock on the lid of your...

Media extension.(NEWS PRODUCTS: GEAR)(Kodak Theatre HD Player )(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... Kodak enters the home theatre arena with its Theatre HD Player ($299), a set-top box that lets you access media files from your PCs, network-attached-storage drives, and flash drives and cards--as well as the Internet--for playback on an HDTV....

Asus Eee PC 1000H: king-size netbook is a comfortable winner.(REVIEWS: THE LATEST HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE PRODUCTS)(Product/service evaluation)
November 1, 2008... [EDITORS CHOICE] ASUS LAUNCHED the "netbook" category with its popular Eee PC 4G, which was quickly eclipsed by offerings from competitors such as Acer, HP, and MSI. Now, Asus has fired back with the Eee PC 1000H, a bigger, more powerful...

Olympus E-3: the best FourThirds camera faces tough rivals.(REVIEWS: THE LATEST HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE PRODUCTS)(Product/service evaluation)
November 1, 2008... THE OLYMPUS E-3 is a very good camera, but tough competition makes it difficult to recommend it unequivocally. The E-3 represents the top of the line in the Four Thirds System, which was created by Olympus and Kodak for digital...

HP Compaq dc5850: solid business machine has strong support plan.(REVIEWS: DESKTOPS)(Product/service evaluation)
November 1, 2008... THE COMPAQ DC5850, HP's latest foray into business-oriented minimalism, should give you a leg up on your work without tearing a hole in your bottom line. Our $1,063 test unit came sans monitor but was outfitted with a 2.66GHz Athlon 5000B...

Acer Aspire X1200: energy-efficient, compact PC is no media-center master.(REVIEWS: DESKTOPS)(Product/service evaluation)
November 1, 2008... DESPITE ITS DIMINUTIVE DIMENSIONS (10.6x4x14.4 inches, HWD), Acer's $449.99 Aspire X1200 is conventional in looks and behavior. Its solid-black metal case, silver trim (most visible on the power button), and gloss-black front panel give this...

Shuttle KPC K4800: Linux cube is a box of value.(REVIEWS: DESKTOPS)(Product/service evaluation)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] IF YOU SPEND MOST of your time reading and composing e-mails and Word documents or surfing the Web, chances are you'll wind up paying for horsepower you'll never tap into. Enter the Shuttle KPC K4800, a low-cost,...

iBuypower Gamer Fire 294: impressive 3D gaming for a compressed price.(REVIEWS: DESKTOPS)(Product/service evaluation)
November 1, 2008... BASED ON COMPONENTS that adhere to the AMD Game platform initiative, which helps consumers choose good gaming computers with a minimum of fuss, iBuypower's Gamer Fire 294 offers solid 3D performance for garners on a budget. For $1,299, you get...

HP Compaq 6730b: costly biz machine brings the battery life.(REVIEWS: LAPTOPS)(Product/service evaluation)
November 1, 2008... NO ONE WILL MISTAKE the $1,387 HP Compaq 6730b for anything other than what it is--a button-down business notebook--but it runs circles around lower-end models. As suitable as it may be for suit-wearing travelers, however, the 6730b seems...

Lenovo ThinkPad SL400: sturdy performer has a stellar screen.(REVIEWS: LAPTOPS)(Product/service evaluation)
November 1, 2008... LENOVO'S $1,163 THINKPAD SL400 is a well-priced thin-and-light business system that has the sturdy feel (and bulky design) of a midsize. With its smudge-resistant black finish and glossy cover, the SL400's design is pure corporate. The...

Acer aspire one: netbook is one step behind the competition.(REVIEWS: LAPTOPS)(Product/service evaluation)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] THOSE WHO HAVEN'T YET TRIED OUT A NETBOOK--the new category of cheap ultraportable laptops that have quickly followed on the heels of the Asus Eee PC's runaway success--may need only a few minutes with a model like...

Fujitsu LifeBook A6210: versatile traveler for work and play.(REVIEWS: LAPTOPS)(Product/service evaluation)
November 1, 2008... EDITORS' CHOICE IF YOU NEED A NOTEBOOK suitable for both business and pleasure, the Fujitsu LifeBook A6210 merits serious attention. It has all the performance and features a business user could want, plus multimedia features for life...

HP Pavilion dv5t: entertainment looker flaunts media features.(REVIEWS: LAPTOPS)(Product/service evaluation)
November 1, 2008... WHO SAYS TRAVEL has to be boring? HP aims to make it as entertaining as possible with the Pavilion dvSt, a notebook built as much for games, music, and movies as for everyday computing. Glam and glossy, the 5.8-pound dv5t features a shiny...

Chieftec CH-05: tool-less case makes your build easy.(REVIEWS: COMPONENTS)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] DECENT IN BOTH APPEARANCE and functionality, the biggest thing Chieftec's $129.95 CH-05 case lacks is excitement. Measuring 18x8x21.3 inches (HWD), and clad in mostly silver with black accents, the CH-05 is...

Raidmax IceCube: spacious chassis has limited cooling potential.(REVIEWS: COMPONENTS)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... IF YOU'VE BUILT A FEW PCs over the years and are intrigued by small-form-factor (SFF) systems, you'll find the Raidmax IceCube an excellent starter kit. Measuring 9x12x17 inches (HWD), the IceCube is much larger than a typical SFF chassis....

Asus EAH4870X2: the best single-card graphics performance available.(REVIEWS: COMPONENTS)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... EDITORS' CHOICE ASUS EAH4870X2 is a powerhouse video card that uses ATI's new Radeon HD 4870 X2 design, which places two top-of-the-line 4870 GPU chips on a single board, backed by a whopping 2GB of video memory. The 4870 X2 puts ATI back...

Gigabyte MA790GP-DS4H: a feature-loaded motherboard for AMD media machines.(REVIEWS: COMPONENTS)(Product/service evaluation)
November 1, 2008... ONE OF THE FIRST MOTHERBOARDS to feature AMD's new 790GX chipset, the Gigabyte MA790GP-DS4H is one of those rare jack-of-all-trades devices that offer good performance for a wide range of users. This Socket AM2+ board can accommodate CPUs...

Netgear Wireless N Upgrade Kit (WNEB3100): the easiest way yet to upgrade to dual-band Draft N.(REVIEWS: HOME NETWORKING)(Product/service evaluation)
November 1, 2008... [EDITORS' CHOICE] YOU'RE CURRENTLY RUNNING an 802.11b/g network and want to make the switch to the faster 5GHz Draft 802.11n standard without starting from scratch, the Netgear Wireless N Upgrade Kit (WNEB3100) is an easy way to make...

Buffalo MiniStation DataVault: encryption drive is rugged, speedy.(REVIEWS: PERIPHERALS)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] BUFFALO'S MINISTATION DATAVAULT looks unassuming on the outside, but inside you'll find a hard drive that offers government-grade 128-bit Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) encryption with shock absorption, making it...

Maxtor Black Armor: affordable storage for sensitive data.(REVIEWS: PERIPHERALS)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... WITH A SLEEK EXTERIOR that's straight out of a spy movie--plus a name to match--the Maxtor Black Armor portable hard drive from Seagate offers government-grade encryption for people with sensitive files. Although enterprise and government users...

Samsung SyncMaster 305T: excellent big screen is best connected to a PC.(REVIEWS: DISPLAYS)(Product/service evaluation)
November 1, 2008... THE SAMSUNG 305T is a top-quality 30-inch monitor with crisp graphics, excellent color reproduction, and a very fast refresh rate. Though it lacks the multiple inputs and other extras of some high-end displays, it's an excellent choice if...

ViewSonic VX1962wm: glamorous display has some performance blemishes.(REVIEWS: DISPLAYS)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... WITH ITS PEDESTAL-LIKE STAND and curvy accents, the ViewSonic VX1962wm 19-inch wide-screen LCD is a svelte monitor that eschews the boxy rectangle shape favored by most manufacturers. Despite a few performance quirks, the $295 VX1962wm will...

HP Photosmart A636 Compact Photo Printer: intuitive printer produces high-quality prints.(REVIEWS: PRINTERS)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] IF YOU'RE LOOKING for a quick and easy way to print 4x6 and 5x7 snapshots, it doesn't get much easier than HP's new Photosmart A636 photo printer--but it does get quicker. This compact printer has a large 4.8-inch...

Brother MFC-6490CW: an excellent printer with a small price tag.(REVIEWS: PRINTERS)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... BROTHER'S NEWEST all-in-one inkjet is a wunderkind of sorts that delivers on the promise of a single machine that can accomplish any printing task with excellent results. It's even network-ready for both wireless and wired installations, and at...

Nikon Coolpix S210: well-rounded design, but sluggish shooting.(REVIEWS: DIGITAL CAMERAS)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... THE NIKON COOLPIX $210 ($179.95) is a sleek and stylish camera that's easy to hold, but its slow performance may turn off anyone who isn't a casual user. The good-looking 8-megapixel $210 is Nikon's thinnest model, but the $210's small...

Casio Exilim EX-Z200: easy-to-use shooter is feature-rich.(REVIEWS: DIGITAL CAMERAS)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... THE $299.99 10-megapixel Casio Exilim EX-Z200 is the company's first camera to feature a 28mm lens, capable of taking wide-angle photos. Its many consumer-friendly features make it a perfect camera for beginners, and YouTube users will love how...

Audio-Technica QuietPoint ATH-ANC3: serious no-noise sound-at an affordable price.(REVIEWS: CONSUMER TECH)(Product/service evaluation)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] PROFESSIONAL AUDIO EQUIPMENT maker Audio-Technica's first consumer line of QuietPoint headsets, the ATH-ANC3 (5169), earns high marks for quality and value. The ATH-ANC3 earbuds are compact and stylish, and an...

Etymotic Hf2 Headset + Earphones: excellent for calls, not so good for music.(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... ETYMOTIC RESEARCH'S $179 Hf2 Headset + Earphones is billed as a high-fidelity, hands-free premium accessory for the iPod and both versions of the iPhone, as well as other music players and cell phones that accept a 3.5mm head phone jack. ...

GoLive2 Stix 200: motion-sensing controller isn't ready for prime time.(REVIEWS: GAMING)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... GOLIVE2'S STIX 200 ($49.99 for a starter kit) is a motion-sensing wireless controller that can easily be mistaken for Nintendo's Wii Remote. Unfortunately, the design is the only thing they have in common--the Stix has some major functionality...

LeapFrog Leapster2: portable gaming console balances fun and learning.(REVIEWS: GAMING)(Product/service evaluation)
November 1, 2008... THE LEAPSTER2 is the latest handheld learning system from LeapFrog. This cute, portable player features a small touch screen with a stylus and is compatible with games for older Leapster models. The new version lets you keep tabs on your...

Sony Vegas Movie Studio 9.0 Platinum Edition: video editor hits the jackpot for power and usability.(REVIEWS: SOFTWARE)(Product/service evaluation)
November 1, 2008... [EDITORS' CHOICE] VEGAS MOVIE STUDIO is the consumer version of Sony Creative Software's highly regarded Vegas professional video-editing application. Missing are several advanced features--including the ability to use more than two video...

Corel VideoStudio Pro X2: easy video editor supports formats galore.(REVIEWS: SOFTWARE)(Product/service evaluation)
November 1, 2008... AFTER PURCHASING SOFTWARE developer Ulead, Corel released the latest version of that company's marquee video-editing software. With an even more extensive feature set than earlier versions and a less-restrictive user interface, Corel...

System Mechanic 8: strong utility suite merely stays the course.(REVIEWS: SOFTWARE)(Product/service evaluation)
November 1, 2008... SYSTEM MECHANIC 8 IS among the most full-featured PC utilities available, delivering PC analysis and cleanup tools, spyware protection, file wiping, and much more. Although there isn't enough new in the $49.95 version 8 to justify an upgrade...

Top 5 gaming desktops: go for broke with these unstoppable powerhouses.
November 1, 2008... 1 Cyberpower Gamer Infinity SLI 8800 www.cyberpowerpc.com $2,979 (as tested) Editors' Rating: (8.8) [check] Specs * Overclocked 3.8GHz Core 2 Extreme QX9650 * 4GB DDR2 memory * Two 150GB hard drives (RAID...

Top 5 performance graphics cards: take your PC's visuals to the max with these powerhouse boards.(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... 1 Asus ENGTX280 www.asus.com $499.99 Editors' Rating: (9.4) [check] Specs * 1GB DDR3 memory * 3-Way SLI support * Two DVI ports, component-video/S-Video connector Bottom Line Offering a serious...

Top 5 DVD- and video-editing programs: these apps make burning DVDs and working with video a snap.
November 1, 2008... 1 Sony Vegas Pro 8 sonycreativesoftware.com $599.95 (boxed version); $549.95 (download) Editors' Rating: (8.2) System Requirements * 1GHz or faster CPU * 1GB RAM * 200MB hard drive space * Windows XP...

The 100 best in tech 2008: Computer Shopper picks the top hardware, software, & services of the year.(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... By the Editors of Computer Shopper One hundred is one loaded number. Think Franklin Delano Roosevelt: His First Hundred Days spawned the New Deal. Or Napoleon: His Hundred Days culminated with Waterloo. But Computer Shopper's Top 100? Ours...

Desktops: these eight systems define PC perfection.(The 100 Best in Tech 2008)(Buyers guide)
November 1, 2008... BEST BUDGET PC HP Pavilion a6560f Gone are the days when you shelled out a few hundred bucks for a desktop and got something with also-ran performance and features. Today's inexpensive systems can come with the works, and no PC proved...

Notebooks: lean, luxurious and little: these portables can do it all.(The 100 Best in Tech 2008)(Buyers guide)
November 1, 2008... Best-Designed Notebook Apple MacBook Air Apple's theatrical premiere of the MacBook Air left many jaws on the floor, but it didn't take long for the counter-buzz to sink in. And while the criticisms of the Air were certainly valid--no...

Mobile: these devices keep you connected, productive, and entertained.(The 100 Best in Tech 2008)(Buyers guide)
November 1, 2008... BEST PORTABLE HARD DRIVE Seagate FreeAgent Go Seagate's FreeAgent Go impressed us enough to make it the category winner last year, and it's back for an encore. This year, Seagate redesigned the Go with a sleeker, thinner exterior and...

Hardware: peripherals and parts that make perfect computing complements.(The 100 Best in Tech 2008)(Buyers guide)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATIONS OMITTED] Best Mainstream Processor Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 It took a while for Intel's innovative 45-nanometer manufacturing technology to descend from the pricing stratosphere, but now that it has, you can get your...

Software: 17 ways to make computing easier--and more fun.(The 100 Best in Tech 2008)(Buyers guide)
November 1, 2008... BEST OFFICE SUITE OpenOffice.org 2.4 Microsoft was still riding on Office 2007, and Corel came out with a new WordPerfect Office Suite. But once again, we were most wowed by this free, open-source alternative, which in its latest...

Internet services: these online tools are the best the web has to offer.(The 100 Best in Tech 2008)
November 1, 2008... BEST SEARCH ENGINE Google Lots of companies have tried to take down Google, but so far, no one has been able to match the search giant's sparkling blend of stark usability and blinding complexity. We do like the new notebook feature...

Home theater: the best A/V equipment for your living room.(The 100 Best in Tech 2008)(Buyers guide)
November 1, 2008... BEST 1080P LCD HDTV Samsung LN52A650 When the LN52A650 was released, everyone took note of its unique design characteristics (dark red accents along the edges) and high price. But on deeper inspection, the LN52A650 also showed itself...

The Netbook.(Product of the Year: 2008'S MOST MEMORABLE PIECE OF TECHNOLOGY)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Not every year sees the creation of a whole new category of computer. But 2008 did, and it's one that will revolutionize the technology landscape in 2009--and for years to come. Netbooks--budget ultra-portables--have...

Draft 802.11n.(Technology of the Year)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... Although the Draft 802.11n wireless networking protocol isn't expected to be ratified until 2009 (currently, it's version 2.0), the market has already been inundated with products from nearly every networking manufacturer. Even new...

Get your game on, on the go: these gaming laptops give you the power you need to play any game you want, anywhere you go.(Product/service evaluation)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Every year, there appear to be fewer and fewer differences--in terms of capability, at least--between laptops and desktops. Until recently, we never took notebooks seriously as gaming platforms; their smaller size...

Road-ready gear: traveling with your tech doesn't have to be a hassle. These essential tools will help you create a mobile office--wherever you are.(Buyers guide)
November 1, 2008... Whether you're moving by plane, train, or automobile, travel these days can be fraught with frustrations. Long security lines, runway traffic jams, and other hassles make flying these clays a chore before you even get off the ground. And ground...

Having a blast with media center.(COMPUTER CURES)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... I have an HP Pavilion Media Center TV PC. I connected the cable from my DISH Network box to the cable input on the computer. The auto-install detects everything and installs it--up to a point. It keeps stopping and displays a message that it...

Spin meister.(COMPUTER CURES)
November 1, 2008... I would like to hook a turntable with its own preamp into a Gateway GM5091E Media Center desktop. The turntable doesn't have a USB connector, just RCA plugs. The computer has line-out and line-in ports open, along with center/subwoofer and...

Socket to me.(COMPUTER CURES)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... I have a Pentium 4 Socket 478 PC and wanted to get a new motherboard. I found this board (MSI 945GM3-F LGA775 Intel 945G Micro ATX); it has a different socket type but says it supports Pentium 4. Should I be looking at the socket type, or at...

6-to-4, out the door.(COMPUTER CURES)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... In Device Manager, I have a pop-up yellow flag on "Microsoft 6-to-4 Adapter." Could you tell me: What is this, and do I need it? I've been getting blue screens lately and was wondering if it had anything to do with it. STEVE GASPER, VIA...

Rhapsody in Blu-ray.(COMPUTER CURES)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... I know that upgrading a laptop's optical drive is not the easiest task, but I recently noticed that a few companies now sell external drives that play high-definition movies. I have a Dell laptop with a 1080p screen and want to upgrade my drive...

Tip of the month: slide "scanning" ... for free!(COMPUTER CURES)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... Regarding your May Tip of the Month on copying slides ("Computer Cures," May 2008, p. 87, www. computershopper.com/howto/ computer-cures-200803), I want to share how I copied mine. I borrowed a good slide projector (Kodak Carousel) and...

Replace your laptop's hard drive: swap in a healthy, roomy new drive in five easy steps.(HELP & HOW-TO: WEEKEND PROJECT)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] NOT LONG AGO, replacing your laptop's hard drive meant packing up the system and shipping it back to its maker, or dropping it off with a local repair shop. Either way, you'd have to live without your computing...

Serious spin control.(Build Your Own: NEW PRODUCTS FOR BUILDING A CUSTOM PC)(AeroCool.US's Modern-V)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Snazz up your new PC build's case--and keep fan noise down--with AeroCool.US's Modern-V. This drive-bay device occupies two 5.25-inch bays with a big, attractive LCD readout that displays temperature and fan-speed...

Blaze of glory.(Build Your Own: NEW PRODUCTS FOR BUILDING A CUSTOM PC)(Spire's SilverBlaze Video Graphics Array Cooler)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... Pushing an Nvidia-based graphics card to the limit? Keep one eye on your temperature readout and the other on Spire's SilverBlaze Video Graphics Array Cooler. An add-on cooling device for most recent-model GeForce cards, the SilverBlaze mounts...

Temple of Nvidia.(Build Your Own: NEW PRODUCTS FOR BUILDING A CUSTOM PC)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] If you're building a big-league Nvidia-based gaming rig and want everyone to know it, the TJ10 Nvidia Edition is the "display case" du jour to get. This aluminum-bodied case is certified for up to three-card Scalable...

Big aluminum.(HELP & HOW-TO: BUILD YOUR OWN)(Zalman GSI000 )(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... The GSI000 midrange gaming case from Zalman is ogle-worthy if you're assembling a full-featured tower of power. The aluminum-exterior ATX case comes with black or silver side panels, but most of this imposing enclosure's beauty is inside. Three...

Strong, silent type.(HELP & HOW-TO: BUILD YOUR OWN)(Fusion 550R )(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... The 550-watt Fusion 550R power-supply unit (PSU) from Arctic Cooling brings a whole basket of "silent" and "efficient" to the PC-build party. With a dual-12-volt-rail design, a soft-mounted 80mm fan engineered for low noise, and an 82 percent...

Driving ranger.(HELP & HOW-TO: BUILD YOUR OWN)(Scythe Hard Disk Stabilizer x4)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... Want to install more internal hard drives than your case can currently handle? Check out the Hard Disk Stabilizer x4 from Scythe. This frame kit helps you convert three adjacent 5.25-inch drive bays into four 3.S-inch hard drive bays. It also...

The right Multifunction printer.(HELP & HOW-TO: BUYING BASICS HOW TO BUY)(Buyers guide)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Multifunction printers [MFPs) combine a copier, a scanner, a printer-and, sometimes, a fax machine-into one device, making them ideal for a home office or a small business. Here's how to find the right one for you....

What are ... anti-aliasing & anisotropic filtering?(geek//:speak)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... If you play 3D games on a desktop like the iBuypower Garner Fire 294 (see p. 24) or on a laptop like those in this month's gaming-portable roundup (see p. 76), you've probably seen these terms in tile graphics settings. Sure, you know you can...