Computer Shopper articles from October 2007

Computer Shopper archives from October 2007

New wireless USB chip may (finally) spur product launches.(TRENDS: UPCOMING TECHNOLOGIES AND PRODUCTS)(Brief article)
October 1, 2007... LOTS OF UNDERGROUND buzz was circulating at CES 2007 this past January about Wireless USB, an emerging technology that allegedly could do anything from wirelessly connect your printer and PC to high-tech stunts like over-the-airwaves...

Trendspotting.(TRENDS: UPCOMING TECHNOLOGIES AND PRODUCTS)(Virgin America to give broadband Ethernet access to airline passengers)(Brief article)
October 1, 2007... Hot meals and blankets may be a thing of the past when it comes to flying in coach, but, in the very near future, some airlines will let you surf the Web on planes. Although it hasn't announced a set date, upstart Virgin America--which started...

A new player enters the Gaming-PC arena, promising hand-built machines.(TRENDS: UPCOMING TECHNOLOGIES AND PRODUCTS)(Brief article)
October 1, 2007... Promising performance PCs "without the hype and without the fat," a new company called Ultra Gaming PC (www.ultragamingpc.com) is launching itself into the competitive world of high-price, high-performance custom-built computers. Garrett...

Apple's Mac OS X Leopard poised to impress.(TRENDS: TECH NEWS)(Brief article)
October 1, 2007... APPLE IS SET to let another cat out of the bag: this time, Leopard, the code name for version 10.5 of the Mac OS X operating system. The $129 operating system will have 300 new features, but CEO Steve Jobs demonstrated just a few during his...

Upscale audio/video receivers go Wi-Fi.(TRENDS: TECH NEWS)(Brief article)
October 1, 2007... HOME NETWORKING isn't limited to just computers anymore. With media streaming touted as one of the benefits of high-speed 802.11n wireless networking, traditional A/V-equipment makers have started to build wireless capabilities into their...

Dell is keen on green computing.(TRENDS: TECH NEWS)(Brief article)
October 1, 2007... As green computing takes root, Dell is expanding a program to help consumers easily recycle old PCs. The computer maker is partnering with Goodwill Industries to let users drop off old PCs of any brand at Goodwill centers in six states. ...

Right off the tree.(NEW PRODUCTS PCs)(guide to new iMac computers powered by Intel Core 2 Duo processor)(Buyers guide)(Brief article)
October 1, 2007... New product releases from Apple are always a thrill, and the newest iMac is no exception. A slimmer profile, with 20- or 24-inch wide-screen displays encased in aluminum and glass, gives the new iMac line a strikingly updated exterior look, as...

Vroom, vroom.(NEW PRODUCTS: PCs)(Asus Lamborghini VX2S notebook)(Buyers guide)
October 1, 2007... Have your heart set on a hot European sports car, but can't afford six figures for your wheels? Now you can! Well, sort of. The Asus Lamborghini VX2S notebook combines the power of an Intel Core 2 Duo Santa Rosa processor and nVidia GeForce...

One size fits small.(NEW PRODUCTS: PCs)(Fujitsu LifeBook U810 )(Buyers guide)(Brief article)
October 1, 2007... Tired of lugging around a big laptop, but need more functionality than an ultramobile PC can offer? The Fujitsu LifeBook U810 has you covered. It's the size (1.3x6.7x5.2 inches) and weight (1.5 pounds) of an ultramobile, but you can write on it...

When I'm 64.(NEW PRODUCTS: PCs)(Commodore Gaming computers)(Buyers guide)(Brief article)
October 1, 2007... If you followed personal computers in the 1980s, you knew about the Commodore 64. And if you were a garner back then, you're probably pretty nostalgic about it. Now, a new generation raised on more than 64K of RAM has Commodore Gaming machines...

Get your HDTV to go.(NEW PRODUCTS: PCs)(Toshiba Qosmio G45-AV680)(Buyers guide)(Brief article)
October 1, 2007... High-definition television (HDTV) freaks will flip for the Toshiba Qosmio G45-AV680 and its HD DVD-R drive. Throw in a 17-inch display with a 1,920x1,200 native resolution, and you have full 1080p capability for viewing HD content anywhere you...

Weight watcher.(NEW PRODUCTS: PCs)(HP Compaq DC7800 Ultra Slim Desktop PC)(Buyers guide)(Brief article)
October 1, 2007... Short on space in your home office? The HP Compaq DC7800 Ultra Slim Desktop PC (shown at top, above) could be a fitting desktop choice. With streamlined cable-management features and a footprint 46 percent smaller than the average tower, it'll...

HP Blackbird 002 with Voodoo DNA: the gaming desktop redefined.(REVIEWS: THE LATEST HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE PRODUCTS)(Product/service evaluation)
October 1, 2007... [EDITORS' CHOICE] THE FIRST from-the-ground-up collaboration between HP and VoodooPC (which HP bought last year), the HP Blackbird 002 with Voodoo DNA delivers incomparable style without being gaudy, and is free of the too-obvious flash...

HP MediaSmart Server: a simple, yet robust, way to manage and share all your content.(REVIEWS: THE LATEST HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE PRODUCTS)(Product/service evaluation)
October 1, 2007... IF YOU'VE ALWAYS THOUGHT the term "home server" laughably oxymoronic, it's time to reconsider. Microsoft has developed an operating system for consumer servers that can handle automated backups, file sharing, remote access, and more....

Dell Vostro 200: a business desktop with all the support you need.(REVIEWS: DESKTOPS)(Product/service evaluation)
October 1, 2007... IN FUNCTIONALITY as well as looks, the DellVostro 200 is basic-black: It's unobtrusive, it's unassuming, and it goes with everything. Part of Dell's new line of PCs designed for small businesses of up to 25 people, it's just what you need if...

iBuypower Mage 550-SLI: a decked-out back-to-school gaming desktop.(REVIEWS: DESKTOP)(Product/service evaluation)
October 1, 2007... A DESKTOP LIKE THE $999 iBuypower Mage 550-SLI is a good compromise for students (who crave speed and style) and parents (who want to spend less than a grand). It's a fine PC for everyday use, and it can even take on a game or two, as...

Gateway DX430S: a stylish but sluggish mainstream PC.(REVIEWS: DESKTOPS)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
October 1, 2007... THE SHINY GRAY-AND-BLACK CASE of the Gateway DX430S isn't lacking in style--but when it comes to value for money, we found this PC somewhat less attractive. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Our $978.99 test configuration was powered by a 2GHz...

Polywell Poly P503: a stuffed gaming desktop at a reasonable price.(REVIEWS: DESKTOPS)(Product/service evaluation)
October 1, 2007... [EDITORS' CHOICE] THE $4,199 POLYWELL POLY P503 has all of the performance accoutrements a gaming machine should: a screaming CPU (a 2.93GHz Intel Core 2 Extreme QX6850), a hefty helping of RAM (2GB of cutting-edge DDR3), and a top-grade...

Alienware Area-51 m9750: SLI-equipped gaming notebook is the top dog--for now.(REVIEWS: LAPTOPS)(Product/service evaluation)
October 1, 2007... FOR HARD-CORE GAMERS who want to ditch their desktops--and have $4,488 to spare--the Alienware Area-51 m9750 is one of the best mobile gaming options out there. But before you spend a small fortune, we recommend waiting until the next...

Samsung Q1 Ultra UMPC: Ultralight PC falls short on performance.(REVIEWS: LAPTOPS)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
October 1, 2007... FOR FREQUENT TRAVELERS who need full PC functionality but don't want to carry a laptop, the $1,199 Samsung Q1 Ultra UMPC is an option to consider--albeit not a very good one. Clad in a shiny, eye-catching black casing, the compact...

Gateway M-150X: good-looking laptop is a so-so performer.(REVIEWS: LAPTOPS)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
October 1, 2007... GATEWAY'S MIDRANGE M-150X notebook incorporates a fresh, contemporary look and some fancy features, but its middling performance and a few design miscues hold it back. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Our $1,049 test unit came clad in a...

Dell Inspiron 1420: colorful Inspiron is well-equipped for the price.(REVIEWS: LAPTOPS)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
October 1, 2007... A FRESHLY BAKED ENTRY in Dell's bread-and-butter consumer-laptop line, the 5.4-pound Inspiron 1420 hits the mainstream sweet spot in features, price, and performance. Models in the 1420 line start at under $800; our well-equipped test unit came...

LG GGW-H10N Super Multi Blue: Blu-ray burning--for those with money to burn.(REVIEWS: COMPONENTS)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
October 1, 2007... ONE OF THE FIRST hybrid high-definition PC optical drives to hit the market, LG's $1,199 Super Multi Blue lets you read and record Blu-ray media, as well as read HD DVD discs. As is usually the case with first-generation products, you'll have...

In Win Mt. Jade BK623: a compact--and quirky--entertainment-PC case.(REVIEWS: COMPONENTS)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
October 1, 2007... IN WIN'S $60 MT. JADE BK623 PC case is an able choice for building a budget entertainment PC that needs to fit in a very small space, such as a stereo-component shelf in your home media cabinet. Its limitations, however, are major enough that...

Dell UltraSharp 2407WFP-HC: a high-end display worth its price.(REVIEWS: PERIPHERALS)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
October 1, 2007... [EDITORS' CHOICE] FOR $679, the 24-inch Dell UltraSharp 2407WFP-HC not only delivers convenient features such as USB ports, a nine-format memory-card reader, and a flexible stand, but also excellent image quality and performance with a...

Kodak EasyShare EX811 digital picture frame: a frame that plays more than photos.(REVIEWS: PERIPHERALS)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
October 1, 2007... THE $229.95 Kodak EasyShare EX811 is one of the few digital picture frames worth owning. It's a first-rate frame that gives you unique access to the digital photos, videos, and music stored on your PC and peripherals. To get started,...

LaCie Ethernet Big Disk (1TB): versatile network storage for PCs and Macs.(REVIEWS: PERIPHERALS)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
October 1, 2007... THE VERSATILE $299.99 LaCie Ethernet Big Disk delivers 1 terabyte (1TB) of storage as either a NAS device or a standard external hard drive. It's housed in an attractive, solid aluminum-alloy case designed to dissipate heat. Setup is a...

TrekStor DataStation Maxi T.uch (250GB): external hard drive adds versatility via card reader and USB ports.(REVIEWS: PERIPHERALS)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
October 1, 2007... TREKSTOR'S DataStation Maxi T.uch is a USB 2.0 external hard drive that sets itself apart from basic external drives with its built-in nine-format flash-memory-card reader and two-port USB 2.0 hub. Our test unit, built around a...

Lexmark X4550: print, copy, scan over Wi-Fi.(REVIEWS: PERIPHERALS)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
October 1, 2007... WITH ITS BUILT-IN 802.11g Wi-Fi connectivity, the $129 Lexmark X4550 all-in-one can print, copy, scan, and even transfer images from memory cards to multiple PCs, all without using a cable. (At least, once you've set it up: After configuring...

Das Keyboard II: only touch typists need apply.(REVIEWS: PERIPHERALS)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
October 1, 2007... FORGET FLASHING LIGHTS, dozens of configurable buttons, and wireless connectivity. If you're after the ultimate keyboard, you'll want the Das Keyboard II, a rare input device on which the keys are unmarked--no letters, numbers, or punctuation...

Microsoft Student with Encarta Premium 2008: a reference library on DVD.(REVIEWS: SOFTWARE)(Product/service evaluation)
October 1, 2007... IT'S AMAZING HOW TIMES CHANGE. When we were growing up, our parents had to pry us away from the computer to do our homework. Now, staying at the computer is the best way to get almost anything done. Kids today have study advantages unmatched by...

Norton Save & Restore 2.0: easy-to-use--but costly--backup software.(REVIEWS: SOFTWARE)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
October 1, 2007... NORTON SAVE & RESTORE 2.0 takes most of the pain out of setting up a backup plan by automating much of the process. Upon installation, a wizard steps you through creating your initial backup routine. In fact, the only decision you have to...

System Shield 3: good malware tools lack utility-suite power.(REVIEWS: SOFTWARE)(Product/service evaluation)
October 1, 2007... IOLO'S SYSTEM SHIELD 3 comprises several security modules that you can purchase separately, or as part of the System Mechanic Professional 7 utility package. It provides antivirus and firewall features, vulnerability and spyware tests, and...

EverNote Plus 2.1: supercharged note-taking and retrieval.(REVIEWS: SOFTWARE)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
October 1, 2007... WITH LIGHT MEMORY requirements, considerable configurability, and excellent documentation, the $49.95 EverNote Plus 2.1 lets you take, organize, search, and retrieve notes with ease. You can define two kinds of notes: standard text, or ink...

Top 5 gaming desktops: annihilate the enemy with these top-of-the-line machines.(Product/service evaluation)
October 1, 2007... 1 Velocity Raptor DCX * www.velocitymicro.com $4,045 (as tested) Editors' Rating 8.7 [check] Specs ** 2.4GHz Core 2 Extreme QX6600 (overclocked to 3GHz:] ** 2GB DDR2 memory ** 400GB hard drive; 150GB hard drive (10,000rpm] ...

Top 5 budget laptops: these diverse portables combine performance, features, and affordability.(Product/service evaluation)
October 1, 2007... 1 HP Pavilion DV6000z * www.hp.com $804.99 (as tested) Editors' Rating 8.5 [check] Specs ** 1.8GHz Turion 64 X2 TL-56 ** 1GB DDR2 memory ** 120GB hard drive ** DVD [+ or -] RW ** nVidia GeForce Go 7200 graphics...

Top 5 compact cameras: these point-and-shooters will please casual photographers on the go.(Product/service evaluation)
October 1, 2007... 1 Canon Power-Shot SD 850 IS usa.canon.com $399.95 Editors' Rating 8.0 Specs ** 8.3 megapixels ** 4x optical zoom ** 2.5-inch LCD ** 5.8 ounces ** SD/MMC memory card Bottom Line The top-performing Canon...

Low-cost high-value PCs: find out just how much computer $500 will buy these days.(Product/service evaluation)
October 1, 2007... NOT TOO LONG AGO, YOU HAD TO PAY AT LEAST $1,500 FOR MOST ANY FUNCTIONAL COMPUTER. BUT A CAPABLE SYSTEM FOR $500? FORGET ABOUT IT! EVEN TODAY, SOME PEOPLE STILL BELIEVE THAT A GREAT DESKTOP REQUIRES A GREAT TRUST FUND. Is this true? We didn't...

Build a $250 PC (that doesn't suck): we put together a capable budget desktop with dirt-cheap off-the-shelf components. you can, too.
October 1, 2007... WHEN WE REVIEW budget computers, a phrase we commonly throw around is "just the basics." We use it to denote a PC that can handle e-mail and instant messaging, Web surfing, average productivity tasks (such as word processing, spreadsheet...

Pick a card: whether you're a hard-core gamer or a budget Vista user, one of these eight new graphics cards is the right one for you.(Product/service evaluation)
October 1, 2007... JUST AS PC-PROCESSOR options have dwindled to chips made by either AMD or Intel, so too has the graphics-card industry been whittled down to two major players: ATI (now owned by AMD) and nVidia. So when each company refreshes its video-card...

Is cheap ink a good deal? Inkjet refill kits and third-party replacement cartridges cost less than buying ink from your printer maker. But do they really deliver value?(Product/service evaluation)
October 1, 2007... The ink runs out in your inkjet printer, and a replacement cartridge from the manufacturer costs $40. Ouch! Do you really need to spend that much? Maybe not, if you consider these alternatives. You could buy an inexpensive refill kit and...

Pain-free panes.(COMPUTER CURES)(Brief article)
October 1, 2007... Is there multipane-view software--similar to Switcher (for Vista)--that works with Windows XP? ROBERT J. STEINYS Switcher, which you can download from computershopper.download.com, is a handy bit of freeware that instantly arranges...

Blowing not air (part 1).(COMPUTER CURES)(PC fans)(Brief article)
October 1, 2007... About the cooling fan (usually in the front of a desktop), I have a simple question: Should the fan be moving air into or out of the case? RICHARD G. SMITH It depends on the case design, but with most current tower cases, the front fan...

Blowing hot air (part 2).(COMPUTER CURES)(PC fans)(Brief article)
October 1, 2007... I'm looking at two virtually identical PC fans. One has fins pointing upwards, the other has fins pointing down. Can I use either type of fan, or will one damage my CPU? GIRISH MODI At the risk of sounding like a broken record, once...

Optical artistry.(COMPUTER CURES)(Brief article)
October 1, 2007... Can you suggest a software tool I can use to create those pictures (not sure what they're called) that are made up of a bunch of little images? Say, for instance, you have a picture of the American flag, but if you look at it up close, it's...

Memory recorder.(COMPUTER CURES)
October 1, 2007... I have some old VHS tapes and film that I would like to convert to DVD. What's the best way to do this? GARY CASSIDY VHS-to-DVD conversion is definitely doable for a PC hobbyist, and the equipment is inexpensive. Companies such as ADS Tech...

Tip of the month: rein in XP's start menu.(HELP & HOW-TO: TIPS AND TRICKS TO MAKE TECH EASIER)(Letter to the editor)
October 1, 2007... In the August 2007 issue, you advised a user whose XP menu was overflowing his screen to convert the whole menu into one scrolling column. I had the same problem some time ago, and I used two measures to ease the crunch while maintaining the...

Edit and share your summer vacation footage: make your home movies come alive the digital way.(HELP & HOW-TO: WEEKEND PROJECT)
October 1, 2007... IN THIS DIGITAL AGE, boring, unedited home videos should be banned. Your family and friends don't want to snooze through the real-rime footage you shot exploring that Civil War battlefield this summer Face it--even you don't want to watch it,...

Choice copper.(Build Your Own: NEW PRODUCTS FOR BUILDING A CUSTOM PC)(Spire 101 heat sink/fan)(Brief article)
October 1, 2007... Have it both ways with the Spire 101 heat sink/fan. Not only can you use this CPU cooler with an Intel LGA 775 or AMD K8 processor, but it can also operate in either active (fan-cooled) or passive (heat-sink-only) mode. (The latter is...

Got a screw loose?(Build Your Own: NEW PRODUCTS FOR BUILDING A CUSTOM PC)(Brief article)
October 1, 2007... PC-building enthusiasts, be ready for a desktop pit stop anytime with Stanley's 4-in-1 Bi-Material Pocket Driver. Keep this inexpensive ($2.50) screwdriver on hand--its two dual-headed bits can take on most regular and Phillips screws used in...

Computershopper.com's Hot Mods contest winner.(Build Your Own: NEW PRODUCTS FOR BUILDING A CUSTOM PC)
October 1, 2007... WE RECEIVED a number of great PC-modding entries for ComputerShopper.com's first Hot Mods contest, which the Computer Shopper editorial staff judged on a combination of originality and craftsmanship. Congratulations to Don Soules, whose "Atlas"...

Space case.(Build Your Own: NEW PRODUCTS FOR BUILDING A CUSTOM PC)(Apevia's X-Telstar)(Buyers guide)(Brief article)
October 1, 2007... Apevia's X-Telstar can play a starring role in your next PC build. This slick enclosure, which supports ATX and MicroATX motherboards, comes in a choice of five colors (black, silver, blue, green, and red) and a variety of configurations that...

Power a pair.(Build Your Own: NEW PRODUCTS FOR BUILDING A CUSTOM PC)(Silencer 750 Quad CrossFire)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
October 1, 2007... PC Power & Cooling (now part of OCZ) cuts through the noise with the Silencer 750 Quad CrossFire, a CrossFire-certified power supply with four PCI Express connectors. Designed for near-silent operation while powering multiple power-hog graphics...

Cool goo.(Build Your Own: NEW PRODUCTS FOR BUILDING A CUSTOM PC)( MX-2 Thermal Paste)(Brief article)
October 1, 2007... Almost as important as the heat sink on your CPU or GPU is what comes between them. Arctic Cooling says its MX-2 Thermal Paste has high thermal conductivity--and, just as important, no electrical conductivity, which means it won't create...

Small-form-factor desktops.(TECHMARKET: THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO SMART TECHNOLOGY SHOPPING)
October 1, 2007... NEED TO KNOW PROCESSOR Choose your CPU according to the tasks you need the PC to handle. Frequent multitaskers should go with a dual-core CPU. Generally, the smaller the case, the less powerful the processor it can handle. MEMORY Get...

Home and small-office laser printers.(TECHMARKET: THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO SMART TECHNOLOGY SHOPPING)(Product/service evaluation)
October 1, 2007... NEED TO KNOW RESOLUTION Print resolution refers to the maximum number of dots per inch (dpi) a printer creates, measured both horizontally and vertically. For example, a 600x600dpi laser printer lays down a 1-inch square comprising 600...

Mainstream flat-panel displays (17 to 19 inches).(TECHMARKET: THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO SMART TECHNOLOGY SHOPPING)(Product/service evaluation)
October 1, 2007... NEED TO KNOW ASPECT RATIO The standard proportion of width to height for a computer monitor is 4-to-3, although most new monitors are shifting to the wider format of 16-to-9, designed for viewing movies or high-definition television...

The right external hard drive.(HELP & HOW-TO: BUYING BASICS: HOW TO BUY)(Product/service evaluation)
October 1, 2007... An external hard drive is the easiest way to add extra storage to your computer, without the fuss of opening up your PC's case. But not all external drives are created equal. Here's what you need to consider when shopping for one. ...