Computer Shopper articles from October 2003

Computer Shopper archives from October 2003

Of mothers & motherboards.(from the editor in chief)
October 1, 2003... Perusing the stories we've put together for this issue, I'm reminded of how much I'm like my mother. It's because of her I can't bear the thought of throwing away anything that might have a smidgen of utility left in it. While her biggest vice...

Big boys need big rigs.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
October 1, 2003... Your story on systems for students ("Straight-A Systems," August, p. 102) featured some awfully weak setups for high-school and college students, I'm a junior in high school, and since I was 10 years old I've known more about computers--inside...

PCs and politics don't mix.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
October 1, 2003... I am disappointed to learn that you hate the president of the United States and the Republican Party so much that you can't write a technology opinion column without taking potshots at them. I am referring to Rik Fairlie's column "How to...

Tips are tops.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
October 1, 2003... I just received my first issue of Computer Shopper, and what a great start it is! The tips you compiled for the July issue have already helped me solve some troubling PC issues. I would have paid a year's subscription just for the advice on how...

Hello, oven? Have dinner ready at eight.(Trends)
October 1, 2003... The "house of the future," a Jetsons-like residence with electronic devices automatically controlling the household, may finally be entering the mainstream. Retail computer chain CompUSA (www.compusa. com) is creating "digital living...

The web gets friendlier.(Trends)
October 1, 2003... To update an old saying, a stranger's just a friend you haven't met on the Net yet. That's the idea behind a growing crop of services designed to connect people for friendships, social activities, and even business networking. Although they can...

Commodore 64 fans face fees.(Trends)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... Devotees of the best-selling computer ever will soon have to pay for access to resources for it. No, we're not talking about a Dell or even an IBM PC. According to Guinness World Records, the world's best-selling computer ever is still the...

With sub-$1,000 models slated, will tablet PCs go mainstream?(Trends)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... Tablet PC makers are trying to move tablets beyond the corporate world into the hands of consumers. At press time, China's TDV Vison (www.tdvvison.com) was planning to market two Tablet PCs in Europe, North America, and China for less than...

Digital divide: how men and women use digital images.(Trends)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... Women Men Print their digital images 71% 61% Add photos to a digital album 50% 59% Use a digital image as computer wallpaper 47% ...

E-checks and [bank] balances.(Trends)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... More and more online retailers are accepting electronic checks as an alternative to credit cards, third parry payment services, and bank debit cards, and Wal-Mart Stores (www.walmart.com) is the latest retailer to widen Web-payment options. ...

High tech goes flex.(Trends)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... Squeezing, twisting, and folding are some ways you may interact with your next handheld computer. A team of researchers at Sony's Interaction Lab in Tokyo is looking at bending as a way of interfacing with credit-card-size computers. "WIMP...

Wi-Fi security goes to the 'dogs'.(Trends)
October 1, 2003... A strange two-wheeled creature was skimming through the halls of the Alexis Park hotel in Las Vegas during the recent DefCon hacker convention. Its mission: to sniff out network vulnerabilities. Created by two members of a loose association...

New battery technology keeps going and going.(Trends)
October 1, 2003... Your next notebook may have an unusual accessory--a gas tank. Fuel-cell batteries that convert common gases to electricity promise extra-long life for notebooks and other portable devices. They're expected to hit the market next year, and...

Xbox faces hack attack.(Trends)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... A group of Xbox security researchers (read: hackers) say they've found a way to run Linux on the Xbox game console without a so-called mod chip and will go public with the technique if Microsoft won't talk to them about releasing an official...

Copyright challenged.(Trends)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... Percentage of Internet music downloaders who do not care about copyright violations. Year 2000 61% Year 2003 67% News that the record industry has recently begun suing individual online file swappers for copyright...

Sony CLIE PEG-UX50.(The Ultimate Pocket Pal)(Brief Article)(Product/Service Evaluation)
October 1, 2003... Extraordinary organizer: Sony's latest handheld creation, the $699 CLIE PEG-UX50, squeezes an unheard-of amount of capability into an incredibly pocket-friendly package. This highly customizable power PDA is so much more than just your...

Outta-sight sound.(Gear)(Brief Article)(Product/Service Evaluation)
October 1, 2003... Aesthetes and audiophiles alike will appreciate Harman Multimedia's $399.95 JBL Encounter 5.1 surround-sound speaker system. Complete with four snowy-white, 50-watt, pod-like satellites that emit blue light, this system looks as good as it...

On-the-move music.(Gear)(Brief Article)(Product/Service Evaluation)
October 1, 2003... Effortlessly tote your tunes with Gateway's new $129.99 128MB Digital Music Player, the company's first foray into portable digital audio. This 1.5-ounce device has an ultracompact key-chain-drive design with a three-line backlit display and a...

Ditch the clicks.(Gear)(Brief Article)(Product/Service Evaluation)
October 1, 2003... Revamping the traditional mouse-to-PC relationship, FingerWorks promises to revolutionize the way you interact with your PC. The company's $159 ZeroForce iGesture Pad functions as both a standard mouse and a touch pad. This innovative input...

MD to PC, easily.(Gear)(Brief Article)(Product/Service Evaluation)
October 1, 2003... Bridge the musical divide between PC and MiniDisc with Xitel's $69.95 USB MD-Port I/O. This nifty gadget lets you record audio from your PC--be it streaming, MP3, or CD--to your MiniDisc player. Better still, the device transfers music in the...

Pack this rat.(Gear)(Brief Article)(Product/Service Evaluation)
October 1, 2003... Love your laptop, but hate its temperamental touch pad or pointing stick? Iogear's $29.95 USB Optical Mini Mouse 800 is right up your alley. This pint-size 1.6-ounce device is smaller than your typical mouse, so it packs easily in a laptop bag....

Cool circulation control.(Gear)(Brief Article)(Product/Service Evaluation)
October 1, 2003... Cooler Master's $45 Aerogate II thermal controller looks more like a car stereo than a PC component. This slick gizmo slips into a Free 5.25-inch bay on your system case and directs up to four fans. With a cool blue backlight and customizable...

Computer vendors sell the PC but rent the operating system: think you own the version of Windows XP that came with the expensive system you just bought? Think again.(Opinions)
October 1, 2003... YOU JUST MAXED OUT YOUR credit card for a beefy new PC loaded with all the right hardware components and the Windows XP operating system. But did you really buy the operating system? That's open for debate. A reader wrote recently to...

DVD-copying application is frightening movie moguls: scary movie-burning software has motion-picture execs quaking in their cushioned velour seats.(Opinions)
October 1, 2003... THANKS TO THE POWER OF peer-to peer (P2P) networks, you've lately been reading a lot about how a bunch of termites, better known as the general public, are munching away at the music industry's profits, and how there seems little anybody--even...

The information superhighway is on the road to destruction: it can't be long before a devastating virus has the power to bring down the Internet. We need a new plan--and fast.(Opinions)
October 1, 2003... IN THE EARLY DAYS OF THE INternet boom, more than a few pundits predicted all sorts of disastrous consequences of such rapid growth. Collapse from sheer size was one of the most dire. This never happened, as peer-to-peer and other end-to end...

The top 25: computer shopper editors handpick this month's best desktops, notebooks, LCDs, optical drives, and software.(top 25)
October 1, 2003... MAINSTREAM DESKTOPS PRODUCT PRICE SPECS Gateway 500 Series $1,969 2.6GHz Pentium 4; 512MB DDR; 80GB www.gateway.com hard drive; DVD-R, CD-RW; 17-inch ...

Muscle machine fuses speed, ample features: Gateway 700XL.(Desktops)(Product/Service Evaluation)
October 1, 2003... ANYONE LOOKING TO INVEST IN A PERFORMANCE PC with the latest desktop technology may want to hoof it to their nearest Gateway Country store for a look at the new 700XL models. We've seen better standard warranties, and Gateway's online...

PC is short in stature, but long on features: Monarch Hornet.(Desktops)(Product/Service Evaluation)
October 1, 2003... MONARCH COMPUTER SYSTEMS' FULL-FEATURED and ably performing Hornet is a pleasing diversion from the behemoth custom systems we're accustomed to seeing. Still, working inside the system can get tricky, and it's very loud. The $1,850 Hornet...

Low-cost media-savvy PC leaves room to expand: WinBook PowerSpec 9340.(Desktops)(Product/Service Evaluation)
October 1, 2003... HOPING TO EXTEND ITS SUCCESSES WITH HIGH-performance notebooks to the desktop arena, WinBook Computer has introduced the PowerSpec 9340, a reasonably priced power-user's system with a particular knack for multimedia. The $1,499 (without...

Great gamer on the go can't play full-time PC: Falcon FragBox.(Desktops)(Product/Service Evaluation)
October 1, 2003... FALCON NORTHWEST'S 14-POUND FRAGBOX MAY BE perfect for LAN parties, but it's too limited to use as your primary system. If you're stuck on size, look at a more robust PC, such as the Polywell MiniQ Qbox, reviewed in this month's "PC...

Strong features, warranty boost a fair-priced PC: Dell Dimension 2400.(Desktops)(Product/Service Evaluation)
October 1, 2003... STRADDLING THE LINE BEtween budget and midrange, the Dell Dimension 2400 won't have you nurturing dreams of multimedia power. Still, the $907 system we configured offers acceptable application performance and enough features--including a year...

Solid, swift workhorse with extreme endurance: IBM ThinkPad R40.(Mobile)(Product/Service Evaluation)
October 1, 2003... c/net Editor's Choice THE MIDPRICED, MAINSTREAM IBM THINKPAD R40 notebook is getting a major revamp that gives the notebook a big blast of power, stretches its battery life enough to accomodate your workday routine, and expands...

A champion performer for well-lined pockets: Velocity Micro NoteMagix B50.(Mobile)(Product/Service Evaluation)
October 1, 2003... IF STUDIO EXECS NEEDED A NOTEBOOK FOR THE Fast and the Furious, they might have looked at Velocity Micro's NoteMagix B50. This $2,780 notebook is all about speed. Like a tricked our race car, the top-of-the-line system that we tested came...

Heavy system delivers lightweight performance: Sharp Actius RD10.(Mobile)(Product/Service Evaluation)
October 1, 2003... NEED A NEW NOTEBOOK AND A GOOD UPPER body workout? You can fulfill both of these needs with the $1,899 Sharp Actius RD10. This portly desktop replacement will definitely up your calorie output if you're strong enough to lug it around. The...

Wi-Fi, big screen yield a tablet to take along: Motion M1300.(Mobile)(Product/Service Evaluation)
October 1, 2003... LIKE PEANUT BUTTER AND CHOCOLATE, MOTION Computing's $2,248 M1300 deliciously combines Intel's Centrino technology with a Tablet PC. The slate style M1300 we tested was a true Centrino, featuring Intel's 900MHz Pentium M processor (soon a...

Heavyweight punch, marathon stamina: Dell Inspiron 5150.(Mobile)(Product/Service Evaluation)
October 1, 2003... c/net Editor's Choice DELL'S $1,867 INSPIRON 5150 EXCELS AT JUST ABOUT any task, from extended movie viewing to all-night work sessions. As long as this heavyweight stays close to home, it will please even the most finicky laptop users....

A lean, mean roadster with a bottomless tank: Polywell PolyNote 3000N.(Mobile)(Product/Service Evaluation)
October 1, 2003... POLYWELL COMPUTERS, KNOWN MORE FOR ITS desktop gaming PCs than notebooks, has entered the mobile arena with the $1,499 PolyNote 3000N, an excellent performer troubled by ergonomics. The all-silver case is reminiscent of Apple Computer's...

Pocket-rocket PDA is small and fast: HP iPAQ Pocket PC H1940.(Mobile)(Brief Article)(Product/Service Evaluation)
October 1, 2003... c/net Editor's Choice IF YOU OWN HEWLETT-PACKARD'S iPaq Pocket PC h1910, its successor's arrival may make you utter a curse or two. That's because the iPaq h1940 is faster and includes an updated OS, plus several other advances. ...

A good-looking phone with attractive features: Samsung SCH-A530.(Mobile)(Brief Article)(Product/Service Evaluation)
October 1, 2003... VERIZON WIRELESS ISN'T KNOWN for its sexy cell phones. With Samsung Electronics America's stylish SCH-a530, however, the carrier is determined to alter its image. The compact, platinum-colored $199.99 SCH-a530 sports a 256-color external...

Wi-Fi and storage for laptops, PDAs: SanDisk Connect Plus 128MB + Wi-Fi CompactFlash.(Mobile)(Brief Article)(Product/Service Evaluation)
October 1, 2003... Bring your aging Pocket PC or laptop into the 802.11b Wi-Fi era with SanDisk's Connect Plus 128MB + Wi-Fi CompactFlash card ($129). Made up of two separate, attachable parts--a CompactFlash-card Wi-Fi modem and a PC Card adapter--the...

A 5-megapixel shooter stacked with features: Canon PowerShot G5.(Mobile)(Product/Service Evaluation)
October 1, 2003... c/net Editor's Choice APART FROM ITS BLACK FINISH, Canon U.S.A.'s $899 PowerShot G5 offers nearly identical features to the winning silver 4-megapixel PowerShot G3. Throw in the G5's improved performance and generally great image quality...

Easy on the wallet, hard on the ears: X10 Lola Wireless VGA Music System.(Mobile)(Brief Article)(Product/Service Evaluation)
October 1, 2003... At only $99.99 for the transmitter, a universal remote control, and one receiver unit, X10's Lola Wireless VGA Music System is by far the least-expensive digital audio receiver (DAR) with TV-based music navigation we've tested. It'll do a...

Sony DRU510A.(Burners for All Standards)(Product/Service Evaluation)
October 1, 2003... SONY DRU510A EDITORS' RATING 8.0 PROS: Excellent overall performance; robust software bundle CONS: Consulting documentation; sparse design; no audio cable c/net Editor's Choice Sony just won't cut the competition a break....

TDK INDI DVD 440N.(Burners for All Standards)(Product/Service Evaluation)
October 1, 2003... EDITORS' RATING 7.9 PROS: Easy setup; excellent movie-burning performance CONS: No audio cable; sparse design; exceedingly slow CD-RW writing TDK's Indi DVD 440N is a competent multiformat drive that makes its mark in the movie...

Pricey all-in-one is a cut above the ordinary: Canon Multipass MP730.(Hardware)(Product/Service Evaluation)
October 1, 2003... CANON U.S.A.'S MULTIPASS MP730 IS A PHOTO-friendly multifunction unit that packs some bonus features such as an automatic document feeder (ADF) and a built-in flash-card reader. Still, image quality varied with paper selection, and at $399, the...

LCD has lots of frills but lacks image quality: BenQ FP591.(Hardware)(Product/Service Evaluation)
October 1, 2003... AT $429, BENQ AMERICA'S 15-INCH FP591 IS RELAtively expensive. And although it's got unusual extras such as an optional TV tuner and a flash-card reader, the LCD's design isn't functional, and its image quality is mediocre. The FP591's...

Midrange graphics card with something extra: eVGA.com e-GeForce FX 5600 Ultra.(Hardware)(Product/Service Evaluation)
October 1, 2003... THE EVGA.COM E-GEFORCE FX 5600 ULTRA IS MORE than just a midrange graphics card--it's also a capable analog video-capture device. The $249 card's graphics performance is strong overall, although you'll push it to its limits when playing...

Power-line networker is swift but stocky: Linksys instant Powerline USB adapter PlusB10 Version 2.(Home Networking)(Product/Service Evaluation)
October 1, 2003... LINKSYS' INSTANT POWERLINE USB ADAPTER PLUSB10 Version 2 may look like a large AC/DC power adapter, but it's actually a convenient way of connecting your PC to a power line network through a USB connection. Nevertheless, take a good look at...

PDF app eases the path to file conversion: Adobe Acrobat 6.0.(Software)(Product/Service Evaluation)
October 1, 2003... c/net Editor's Choice ADOBE ACROBAT 6.0 ($299 FOR THE STANDARD VERsion, $449 for Professional) is one of those rare programs that includes something for almost everyone. Users will appreciate the ability to create Portable Document Format...

Paint without getting your hands dirty: Corel Painter 8.(Software)(Product/Service Evaluation)
October 1, 2003... c/net Editor's Choice COREL PAINTER 8 IS FOR ILLUSTRATORS WHO WANT to create original art in digital oils, pastels, and watercolors. With a completely revamped interface and its lowest price ever ($299 for the full version, $149 upgrade),...

Firewall lets you make your own security rules: ZoneAlarm Pro 4.(Software)(Product/Service Evaluation)
October 1, 2003... c/net Editor's Choice THE PREVIOUS EDITION OF ZONEALARM PRO caused system instability and blue screens of death for some users, but we think that the $49.95 version 4 will entice these disgruntled customers back into the fold. ZoneAlarm...

Forget TiVo-turn your PC into an inexpensive PVR: Snapstream Personal Video Station 3.0.(Software)(Product/Service Evaluation)
October 1, 2003... PERSONAL VIDEO RECORDERS (PVRs) SUCH AS TIVO are a hot TV-product trend. These devices allow you to schedule recordings, as well as pause and replay live broadcasts. If you don't want to shell out for a PVR box or a Media Center PC, however,...

Video editor delivers power at a fast clip: Ulead MediaStudio Pro 7.(Software)(Product/Service Evaluation)
October 1, 2003... THE $495 ($475 DOWNLOAD) MEDIASTUDIO PRO 7, A significant upgrade of Ulead Systems' prosumer video-editing suite, brings improved editing functionality and faster performance for real-time previews and on-the-fly conversions. It also delivers...

Remote-access software helps the help desks: PCAnywhere 11.0.(Software)(Product/Service Evaluation)
October 1, 2003... c/net Editor's Choice FOR SMALL AND MEDIUM-SIZE BUSINESSES LOOKING to boost the efficiency of their technical support desks, Symantec's $199.95 PCAnywhere 11.0 will be cost-effective. If you're an individual user, however, you won't find...

Sometimes it's arrrrrd to play a pirate: Port Royale.(Games)(Brief Article)(Product/Service Evaluation)
October 1, 2003... PORT ROYALE IMMERSES YOU IN THE beautiful, dangerous waters of the 16th-and 17th-century Caribbean. You might become captivated by this game of trading, profiteering, and piracy on the high seas--if you can navigate its treacherous learning...

This 'rock' isn't quite ready to roll: Will Rock.(Games)(Brief Article)(Product/Service Evaluation)
October 1, 2003... WILL ROCK TRIES TO RECAPTURE the magic of Croteam's hit budget shooter Serious Sam. It gets the broad strokes right, but many of the details that made Sam great are missing. The paper-thin plot casts you as archaeologist will Rock, whose...

Aim and fire without the wire: Logitech Freedom 2.4 Cordless Joystick.(Games)(Brief Article)(Product/Service Evaluation)
October 1, 2003... Logitech has significant street cred as a gaming-peripheral maker, and its $69.95 Freedom 2.4 Cordless Joystick cements that reputation with its wireless connectivity and all-you-could-ask-for control set. The Freedom's solid...

Board decisions: upgrading your motherboard isn't as hard as you might think. Here's what you need to know before you buy and install a new mainboard. Plus: reviews of the latest models.(Motherboards)(Buyers Guide)
October 1, 2003... Replacing your motherboard may be the most radical surgery you can perform on a PC, but it's not nearly as daunting as it was just a few years ago. Today's motherboard manufacturers make the job as easy as possible with foolproof keyed...

PC matchmaker: need help picking your perfect PC companion? One of these 16 sexy models is sure to satisfy your digital desires.(The Right PC For You)(Buyers Guide)
October 1, 2003... IF YOU'RE TIRED OF CRUISING THE ONLINE PC meat markets and sick of waiting for unattainable salespeople in the same old haunts, have we got the guide for you. With more than 20 years of experience in the computer matchmaking business, we know...

Can you trust your PC? Tech-industry players say they are taking measures to boost your online security. Are they out to enhance your computing experience, or enrich their coffers?(Security In The 21st Century)
October 1, 2003... Chances are, you're being watched--or you will be soon. Powerful groups are taking a keen interest in what you do with your computer, and they've all got their own agendas, which they're cloaking in the mantle of security. Businesses want...

Optimal optimizers: want to boost system performance without buying expensive new hardware? These four utilities are designed to keep Windows running clean and fast.(System Tweakers)(Product/Service Evaluation)
October 1, 2003... IN A PERFECT WORLD, COOKIES WOULD BE A health food, the government would pay you taxes, and computers would run like finely tuned automobiles fresh from the factory. Of course, cookies have fat and calories, you pay the government, and...

The Hard Edge: outsmarting inkjet cartridges; Timex's new speedpass wristwatch; and forget Microsoft--is the IBM the Borg?(Alice & Bill)
October 1, 2003... JUST DAYS AFTER HEWLETT-Packard dropped inkjet pricing to another all-time low--this time to $39 a Dutch consumer group launched the first official inkjet boycott. The 650,000-member Consumentenbond organization urged the boycott of all Epson...

Rev up your system clock: overclocking is not for the faint of heart, but if you're willing to take risks, here's how to gain the speed.(Tune-Up)
October 1, 2003... OVER THE PAST SIX YEARS, INTEL'S desktop processors have grown from 300MHz to 3GHz, and AMD's Athlon 64 (at press time, scheduled for release in September) will double the amount of data a CPU can grab in a single clock cycle, from 32 bits to...

One OS is plenty.(computer cures)
October 1, 2003... After experiencing some problems with my new PC, the manufacturer's tech-support rep had me reformat the hard drive and reinstall Windows XP from scratch. Now when I start the system, a dual-boot text screen appears, offering a choice between...

Keeping your PC turned on.(computer cures)
October 1, 2003... Every so often, my computer shuts off with no warning and then turns back on 5 or 10 seconds later. It often repeats this cycle four or five more times. Sometimes if I jostle the computer after it's turned itself off, it will turn on again. How...

More pixels, less picture?(computer cures)
October 1, 2003... I want to replace my old laptop but need help choosing the display. The model I'm considering comes with an XGA TFT, but I can upgrade to a UXGA TFT for an additional $100. Clarity of display is important to me, but what's the difference...

Give boring screens the boot.(computer cures)
October 1, 2003... How do I replace the Windows boot splash screen? Jolon Sabo Windows 98 makes it easy to change bootup and shutdown splash screens. Simply create a 256-color image in bitmap format with a 320x400-pixel resolution. (To get the correct...

The low-res lowdown.(computer cures)
October 1, 2003... My son did something to adjust my monitor's resolution, and I can't get it to change. The icons look oversize and the colors are off What happened? And can I fix it myself? It sounds like your son changed the display driver to the generic...

Help! My printer is possessed.(computer cures)
October 1, 2003... After booting up my Windows 98 based PC, my HP inkjet ejects a blank page. Several minutes later, the printer outputs another page--this time, with an unknown character on it. I had a scanner connected between the computer and the printer, but...

Locating lost downloads.(tip of the month)
October 1, 2003... Have you ever downloaded a file and forgotten where you saved it? Or maybe I should ask how many times you've downloaded a file and couldn't find it afterward? Our tipster this month, from Nigeria, has uncovered an ingenious way to track down...

A valuable lesson in wireless home networking: a New York City teacher becomes the pupil for a primer in shopping for inexpensive Wi-Fi hardware.(Buying Advisor)
October 1, 2003... AS A COMPUTER TEACHER IN a New York City intermediate school, Christian Sanchez's day job keeps him wired. But for after school, Sanchez is seeking a bargain on a wireless home networking setup. He wants the freedom to roam his rooms with his...

Tech shopping.(Web buyer: site reviews for online shopping)
October 1, 2003... askergoworks.com Ergo Works wants to turn your plain old desk into a healthy workspace. The selection of keyboard trays, monitor risers, and ergonomic seating will make computing more comfortable. Check out the kid-friendly seating,...

MagazinePriceSearch.com.(site Of The month)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... "Final notice! This is your last issue!" These gentle threats are all too familiar to magazine subscribers--it's time to renew again. Whether you want to start a new subscription or are heeding the call to renew an old favorite,...

Memory.(Site Reviews)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... buymemory.com The Memory Place's attractive site sells only name-brand RAM and flash memory. The 20-year-old company provides a lifetime replacement warranty, and the Current Market Conditions page explains trends and fluctuations in...

Monitors.(Site Reviews)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... flatlcdmonitors.com Looking for a 15-inch pivoting LCD monitor? Or a 17-incher with an integrated USB hub? Do you crave integrated speakers or RCA input? The Advanced Search tool at Flat LCD Monitors will show you the screens that fit your...

Direct PC vendors.(Site Reviews)
October 1, 2003... abspc.com Expect gaming, multimedia, and business PCs aplenty at ABS Computer Technologies. The company offers a choice of Intel or AMD processors, a three-year parts and lifetime labor warranty, and toll-free technical support. Every...

PC resources.(Site Reviews)
October 1, 2003... bbb.org The Better Business Bureau fosters honest relationships between businesses and shoppers. If you have a problem with a merchant, you can file an online complaint, and the organization will help to resolve the issue as an impartial...

Tech toys.(Site Reviews)
October 1, 2003... hobby-lobby.com Take your pick of radio-controlled helicopters, boats, and gliders at Hobby Lobby, which also sells radios and accessories. A page dedicated to beginners recommends planes that are easy to get off the ground. ...

Software sites.(Site Reviews)
October 1, 2003... atomicpark.com AtomicPark is the bomb. The site's entire selection of business and productivity apps includes free shipping. Plus, you won't find any restocking tees. bigclearance.com Boasting "current-version software at...

How to buy the right digital camcorder.(buying basics)
October 1, 2003... WHETHER YOU'RE A PARENT OBSESSED with capturing your child's every important milestone or a budding Steven Spielberg, there's a digital video [DV] camcorder for you. For well under $1,000, you can grab a handheld DV camera with fine image...