PC Buying Guide – June 2008
Tech Spot :: Friday, June 27, 2008
Whether you are a first time builder seeking guidance or a seasoned enthusiast lacking the time it takes to compare the seemingly endless pit of hardware available, we’ve got you covered. Our buying guides provide an in-depth list of today’s best hardware, ranging between three unique and yet typical budgets.
Microsoft TechEd 2008 Developer Week
Techware Labs :: Monday, June 23, 2008
Today, Michael Lynch and Dan Shannon take a look at the Microsoft TechEd 2008 conference – Developer’s Week. After a Key Note by Bill Gates, free t-shirts, and even flying monkeys, could this conference get any better?
Dawn of the Megazooms
PC World :: Monday, June 23, 2008
For many, a powerful optical zoom may be more valuable than a mountain of megapixels. These advanced point-and-shoot cameras pull in a tight shot from very far away.
First Look at Mint.com’s Investment Beta
PC World :: Monday, June 23, 2008
Today I got into the investment account private beta at Mint.com. Here’s what I found.
Computex 2008 – The Roundup
Techgage :: Monday, June 23, 2008
In our last Computex article, I am taking a look at a slew of products from a few different companies that had a lot to offer, such as OCZ, Thermaltake, ECS, Gigabyte, Foxconn and others. Included is a look at numerous motherboards, video cards and even some power supplies.
Take Control of Your PC
PC World :: Monday, June 23, 2008
Seize command of your desktop, train your Firefox tabs, and tour the stars.
Incredible Shrinking Laptops
PC World :: Monday, June 23, 2008
Pint-size mini-notebooks are set to make a big splash.
ASUS U6E 12.1″ Notebook
Techgage :: Monday, June 23, 2008
Mobile computing doesn’t have to be boring – the U6E from ASUS proves that. Within its 12-inch frame is some of the best styling around and very competent hardware, along with a full-sized keyboard, fingerprint reader and four USB ports. Does this small notebook win big time?
Get Your Free Music Online
PC World :: Monday, June 23, 2008
Here’s a roundup of free and legal music sites you may not know about, plus some art projects for the summer.
HDT Cooler Shootout!
Icrontic :: Monday, June 23, 2008
Mike puts two new “Heatpipe Direct Touch” heatsinks through their paces in the Icrontic labs. Two different approaches to the technology will be compared and then ranked against the other eleven heatsinks we’ve tested to date.
For RoadRunner Internet Users: A Quick Cheat Sheet
PC Mechanic :: Monday, June 23, 2008
If you’re using Time Warner Cable, Brighthouse or Insight internet service, you most likely are using RoadRunner. At times it may be difficult to find basic information, such as “How do I create an e-mail address?” or “What’s the newsgroup server address?” or the like. This mini cheat sheet will get you to the info you want […]
Solve Wireless Lag and Disconnects on XP
Icrontic :: Monday, June 23, 2008
A long-standing flaw in the Windows XP Wireless Zero Configuration (WZC) WiFi client causes frequent disconnects and periods of high latency. Figure out how to tackle one of XP’s oldest problems!
Nikon D60 Digital SLR Camera
PC World :: Monday, June 23, 2008
Inexpensive entry-level digital SLR camera offers advanced features and great image quality.
Digital Photo Tip: Location, Location, Location
PC Mechanic :: Monday, June 23, 2008
You can be the worst photographer armed with the cheapest digital camera and still get great shots if you’re willing to seek out subjects that look interesting. Here’s a few examples of what I’m talking about. (click any image for larger size) This is the prop car from Back to the Future, taken at Universal Studios in Orlando […]
How Much Money Can You Make Online?
PC Mechanic :: Monday, June 23, 2008
Making money on the Internet, to many people, conjures up images of the gold rush. You put up a website and out pours money. This was, no doubt, the image conjured up in the 90’s with the dot-com boom. Today, this attitude has evolved into one of skepticism with a little dose of confusion mixed in. […]
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H50 Digital Camera
PC World :: Monday, June 23, 2008
Its Carl Zeiss telephoto lens and manual features are strong, but the focus-lock is erratic, and startup is slow.
Kingwin Revolution RVT-9225 CPU Cooler Review
Dragonsteel Mods :: Monday, June 23, 2008
Kingwin has been around for quite while making many products from cases and accessories to CPUcoolers and power supplies and they've got a good reputation overall for making quality products. They may have been around for a while but they're new to us at DragonSteelMods, this will be our first review of their products, actually it will be three of them, they've sent me three of their newest CPU coolers for review and today will be the first of those three reviews. On the review block today I've got the Kingwin Revolution RVT-9225 CPU Cooler, it utilizes what Kingwin calls H.D.T, or Heat Pipe-Direct Touch cooling technology. H.D.T is just a fancy term really, the cooler does not have a base as other coolers do, the heat pipes directly touch your CPU to provide maximum heat transfer efficiency. In my time with this cooler I tested in on both C2D and C2Q processors and found that it performs very well, its performance rivals that of many of the top coolers on the market today. So read on to learn more about this great little CPU cooler…
Samsung Instinct PDA Phone
PC World :: Monday, June 23, 2008
At $130 with a two-year contract, the Instinct is a good handset and a great deal. But this iPhone look-alike is unlikely to slay Apple’s upcoming 3G handset.
OCZ OCZ600SXS 600W StealthXStream Power Supply Review
Dragonsteel Mods :: Monday, June 23, 2008
I recently took a look at a Foxconn motherboard that I used for a recent system build, I also needed a reliable power supply for it as well and choose an OCZ 600Watt StealthXStream PSU. I choose this PSU for two main reasons, quality and efficiency, since I know and trust OCZ products it was one of my first choices, but since the system would be running 24/7 at full load I was also looking for a way to possibly save a little money. So I choose this particular power supply because of the known quality, the fact that it is 'green' and also because it was relatively inexpensive compared to the others that were available at time of purchase. I've had this power supply installed for almost two months now running 24 hours per day, 7 days a week at almost 100% load all the time and have not had one problem. Even at 100% load in conditions that are not the greatest, this power supply has remained stable and quiet working to keep the system up and running.
Casual Friday: Metal Gear Solid 4 vs. The Movies, Spore, and More
PC World :: Monday, June 23, 2008
It’s time to go see summer blockbusters on the big screen–or to play them on your PS3.
Firefox 3 Web Browser
PC World :: Monday, June 23, 2008
New features and improved performance make Firefox 3 the Web browser to beat.
Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 LP Review
Dragonsteel Mods :: Monday, June 23, 2008
Arctic Cooling ( Freezer 7 LP CPU cooler, it's very small, and virtually silent. The Freezer 7 LP is aimed at the media center or HTPC crowd with silence and compact size as it's main features, but how does it perform? Read on to see how it compares to other CPU coolers when tested on C2D and C2Q processors…
5 Reasons to Ditch Your Cable Box or Satellite Dish
PC World :: Monday, June 23, 2008
Why spend $50 to $100 a month for video entertainment when there’s so much good, free stuff on the Web? Good-bye, couch potato, and hello, mouse potato.
The Mini-Laptops of Summer
PC World :: Monday, June 23, 2008
You’re not the only one losing weight for beach season. The latest and least expensive breed of slimmed-down mobile PC–the mini-laptop–is ready for summer travel.
First Look: Nvidia GeForce GTX 200 Series
PC World :: Monday, June 23, 2008
Nvidia unveils a pair of fast new GeForce graphics processors that tackle a CPU’s job.
ASUS at Computex 2008
Techgage :: Monday, June 23, 2008
One of the dominating companies at Computex was ASUS, and because of the sheer amount of products on display, we’ve decided to dedicate an article to the most interesting ones. Included inside is a look at their new motherboards, audio cards, Eee PC accessories and much more.
Silver 1.5 inch Digital Photo Keychain
Dragonsteel Mods :: Monday, June 23, 2008
Digital Photo Keychain ( from Wholesale Keychains (. It's got a 1.5 inch display that has a 128×128 pixel resolution and it can hold up to 43 pictures and even includes software built into it to transfer and crop your pictures easily. It can make a great gift, or even a nice give away for a company to show off their products and for a few dollars more they'll even engrave it for you to make it more personal.
Acer Aspire One Mini-Notebook (Preview)
PC World :: Monday, June 23, 2008
A hands-on peek at the next big mini-notebook.
How To Balance Your Checkbook With GnuCash
PC Mechanic :: Monday, June 23, 2008
A few weeks ago, I wrote about GnuCash being available on Windows which now means the open source accounting product is available for the vast majority of computer users. I then followed up this a with a guide on how to get started using it for your small business, but what about if you just […]
Creative Vado Pocket Video Cam
PC World :: Monday, June 23, 2008
The $100 Vado pocket camcorder lets you shoot and upload YouTube clips with ease. Just don’t expect great video quality.
HP SimpleSave Photo Backup Software
PC World :: Monday, June 23, 2008
This software-and-disc package is a drop-dead simple way to protect priceless photos and videos.
Is There A Software Upgrade For Your GM Car Or Truck?
PC Mechanic :: Monday, June 23, 2008
Oh sure, we all know about updates for computers. Updates for Windows, updates for OS X, updates for Linux and so on. But how about a software upgrade for your car or truck? General Motors cars have had PCMs (Powertrain Control Modules) for a very long time. In fact, the first GM car to get it was […]
Casio Exilim Pro EX-F1 Digital Camera
PC World :: Monday, June 23, 2008
This model shoots full-resolution bursts at up to 60 frames per second.
Casual Friday: Stream Crysis on an Eee PC
PC World :: Monday, June 23, 2008
You can play your PCs games wherever and whenever you want–even on an underpowered mini-laptop–thanks to streaming (and one day, cloud computing).
How-To: Make A Quick Weather Checker (Firefox)
PC Mechanic :: Monday, June 23, 2008
Using Weather.com: 1. Go to www.weather.com. 2. Right-click inside the “Local weather” field and select “Add a keyword for this search” 3. Enter the name as “weather.com search” and keyword as “w”, then click the “Add” button. 4. Type “w” followed by your ZIP code in the location bar then press Enter. Ta-da! Fast weather.com report. Using Weather Underground: 1. Go […]
14 Vital Internet Tools
PC World :: Monday, June 23, 2008
These downloads, mostly free, will help you optimize your communications with others, improve security, and generally improve your online life.
What Is The Future of Yahoo?
PC Mechanic :: Monday, June 23, 2008
There has been enough disappointment to go around when it comes to Yahoo of late. When Yahoo refused the buy-out offer from Microsoft, there was upset. When they subsequently turned around and inked an agreement to run Google ads on Yahoo, it irked shareholders and confused tech pundits. It seems like a complete sell-out […]
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ18K Digital Camera
PC World :: Monday, June 23, 2008
Decently priced megazoom is a great learning tool for point-and-shoot graduates.
Fujifilm FinePix S8100fd Digital Camera
PC World :: Monday, June 23, 2008
This lightweight model has a zoom lens that plays well at both wide-angle and telephoto extremes.
TAO 1.4 inch LCD Digital Photo Keychain Review
Dragonsteel Mods :: Monday, June 23, 2008
Digital Photo Keychain ( from our friends at Wholesale Keychain (, it's called the TAO and it features a 1.4 inch Lcd screen, large memory capacity, and even an included AC adapter to make charging the battery easier.
Livescribe Pulse Smartpen
PC World :: Monday, June 23, 2008
Pen with digital capabilities is a truly innovative and fun way to take notes and record audio.
Top Digital SLR Cameras for Summertime Shooting
PC World :: Monday, June 23, 2008
New designs make digital SLR cameras more accessible than ever.
Another Rootkit Test Utility
PC Mechanic :: Monday, June 23, 2008
There are many security tools out there which test for rootkits in your Windows system, so today I’m going to point you to another one: Sysinternal’s RootkitRevealer. Like all the great Sysinternal tools, this free utility does not require any installation. Just accept the license agreement and start your system scan. To ensure accuracy, it is […]
Canon EOS Digital Rebel XSi Digital SLR Camera
PC World :: Monday, June 23, 2008
Powerful and versatile entry-level digital SLR camera offers terrific image quality.
Free Remote Connection Software
PC Mechanic :: Monday, June 23, 2008
When it comes to remote connection (either attended or unattended), there are several choices you have: Terminal Services (for Windows users), VNC, commercial services, etc. just to name a few. If you do not have something in place already, take a look at TeamViewer. This free service (for non-commercial use) allows you to both share your […]
Olympus SP-570 UZ Digital Camera
PC World :: Monday, June 23, 2008
The king of the high-zoom cameras offers sharp long-distance pics and quality ergonomics.
Sony Alpha DSLR-A300 Digital SLR Camera
PC World :: Monday, June 23, 2008
The A300’s versatile, real-time Live View LCD eases the transition from point-and-shoot to digital SLR.
Links to Reviews for June 19-22
PC Mechanic :: Monday, June 23, 2008
Google Android Preview “Google’s Android platform isn’t a life-like robot that most people would assume it to be on first hearing the name. Instead, what you get is something that may change the current mobile phone landscape that we’re all too familiar with. Here’s a sneak preview of what to expect.” Intel’s Desktop CPU Roadmap “We have once […]
Canon PowerShot S5 IS Digital Camera
PC World :: Monday, June 23, 2008
An articulable LCD, great image stabilization, and top-quality photos add up to a great megazoom.
‘Get Smart’ Phones You Can Actually Get
PC World :: Monday, June 23, 2008
Once a joke, belt phones, pen phones, and wristwatch phones are now a reality.
Computex 2008 Booth Babes
Tech ARP :: Friday, June 13, 2008
Trade fairs like Computex Taipei are no longer merely about companies showing off the best and latest products in booths and hotel suites. They are becoming more like fashion shows, with companies employing models to show off their products. Some companies even have their models parade up and down catwalks with their latest products.
Perhaps they are trying to equate their products with the beauty of the models. Whatever it is, it is a great opportunity for us, photographers, to capture the beauty of these models. So here we present the best of the models at Computex Taipei 2008!
The Fabulous Computex 2008 Booth Babes
Techware Labs :: Friday, June 13, 2008
No Computex would be complete without a look at the booth babes of the show. This year we bring you an expansive gallery of all the booth babes we could fit into the camera lens. Be sure to check out our sexy gallery and then vote for your favorite booth babe and help her hit the front page.
OCZ Neural Impulse Actuator
Lost Circuits :: Friday, June 13, 2008
Brain Computer Interfaces are the trend of the year. After almost one year of development, OCZTechnology’s Neural Impulse Actuator is finally shipping. We have some of the inside scoop on the nia relating to the hardware and software development, as well as some glimpses at the more advanced possibilities of the device. At the end, we have some benchmarks – well, rather some pretty good scores in Unreal Tournament 3 to show that the nia can do a bit more than simply levitating obsolete computer hardware.
What’s New & Cool @ OCZ Technology
Tech ARP :: Friday, June 13, 2008
“The coolest OCZ product on demonstration was, of course, their Neuro Pulse Activator. It was revealed at CeBIT back in March ’07 but only went into mass production a year later in March ’08. The OCZ team set up a demonstration in their suite and Jessica kindly showed me how it worked. Believe it or not, she’s the best player in their team!”
Computex 2008 Amazing Video’s
Techware Labs :: Friday, June 13, 2008
Foxconn goes big literally, while the girls from the PMS Gaming clan get a taste of what its like on the wrong end of a rocket. Corsair gets frosty with LN2 in the Hyatt suite, and we check out the Antec skeleton and speak to its creator and give you a front row seat for MSI’s sexy girls. See all the amazing video’s at TechwareLabs.
From Apple: Go Refurb, Save A Buck Or Two
PC Mech :: Thursday, June 12, 2008
“Is a new Mac too expensive? Not to worry, you can always go refurb (or as Apple puts it: “Apple Certified Refurbished Mac”).”
Computex Taipei 2008 Booth Babes
Tweak Town :: Tuesday, June 10, 2008
We are taking a break out from our live news coverage of Computex Taipei 2008 to touch on something that has become expected from us around this time every year. We had better not mention any names of the people that repeatedly ask us each year.
If you haven’t figured it out yet, we’re talking about the beautiful booth babes that occupy the Computex computer trade show halls here in Taipei, and now Nangang as of this year. We are already at Day 3 and as we walk around from meeting to meeting we snapped up plenty of photos of the girls working the show floor to help promote the many products and services on display.
COMPUTEX Taipei 2008 – Spreading its WINGs and Showing Off its GreenIT Thumb
Futurelooks :: Tuesday, June 10, 2008
To kick off what will surely be a great week filled with some of the world’s greatest technological innovations, Futurelooks attended the opening press conference for COMPUTEX Taipei 2008. Boasting that it is the world’s leading ICT procurement platform, COMPUTEX has quickly grown to become one of the most talked about events on the computer trade show circuit. In fact, as you may recall from our primer and preview, COMPUTEX is the second largest computer expo in the world.
Options Multiply for Small-Business Broadband
PC World :: Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Competition among broadband providers for small-business customers pushes speeds up and prices down.
Gelid GC1 Thermal Compound
Dragonsteel Mods :: Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Gelid Solutions, ( established in 2008 as a thermal solutions provider, their first product is GC1 Thermal Compound. I received a pre-production sample for testing about a month ago actually, but yesterday their website finally went live so today I've got the review for you. How does this newcomer stand up to the competition? I've put it up against names like OCZ, Noctua and Arctic Cooling to see how the GC1 does in comparison testing. So read on to see how it performed…
New ASUS Eee PC Models Arrive for 2008
Techgage :: Tuesday, June 10, 2008
At Computex 2008, ASUS has just introduced three new models into its Eee PC lineup of sub-notebook PCs, all three infused with Intel’s Atom CPU technology, as well as two with larger displays. We’ve got all the details you want right here.
MSI P6N SLI Platinum NF650i SLI Motherboard
Dragonsteel Mods :: Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Motherboards are pretty much the main component in any computer system, most people either build their system around it or the CPU, and we've got so many choices it can get confusing at times. One of the things I do is PC-Based CCTV Security Systems, and some have been installed for a few years, so there comes a time to upgrade them as parts fail, running 24/7 is hard on components. I've noticed a trend though with newer motherboards, they seem to be eliminating IDE connections on them and it's getting harder to find basic motherboards that can support four IDE devices, so I have to settle on getting more higher end ones to have the support I need. When upgrading this system I had to find one that was compatible with my current hardware, especially the three 400 gig hard drives and one DVD/RW. I searched and searched and finally settled on one that I thought would work fine for my needs. Since, when I build these systems, I test them throughly with standard benchmarks etc, I figure why let all of that testing go to waste, why not make a review out of it… Today for review I've got an MSI P6N SLI Platinum Motherboard, it's packed with tons of features that you'll see on most higher end motherboards, including eSATA, 8-Channel Audio, 1333FSB Support and SLI support as well. My only complaints about this board would have to be that SLI only runs at 8X, and you have to use a card to switch between SLI and NON-SLI configurations, this can be a real pain. So continue on as I put the MSI P6N NF650i motherboard up against the competition…
Pure Digital Flip Mino Camcorder
PC World :: Tuesday, June 10, 2008
When it comes to YouTube-friendly pocket camcorders, the Mino is king, but for a price.
Dell UltraSharp 2408WFP 24-Inch Wide-Screen LCD Monitor
PC World :: Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Dell assembles a winning combination of good performance and great specifications including a memory card reader and display port connection.
Top Five 22-Inch Wide-Screen LCD Monitors
PC World :: Tuesday, June 10, 2008
This category of wide-screen LCDs is growing rapidly due to falling prices and the prevalence of high-quality models. Ratings and rankings can change quickly, so check back frequently for chart updates.
Asus MK241H 24-Inch Wide-Screen LCD Monitor
PC World :: Tuesday, June 10, 2008
This decent but unimpressive display seems unlikely to get the average buyer’s pulse racing.
Top 5 23-Inch and 24-Inch Wide-Screen Monitors
PC World :: Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Big, beautiful LCD monitors let you spread out your work and get down to business. Ratings and rankings can change due to pricing and technology changes, so check back frequently for the latest info.
How To: Upload Photos and Video From Your Cell Phone
PC Mechanic :: Tuesday, June 10, 2008
One of the “in” things to do online these days is lifestreaming. Lifestreaming is where you have an online record of your daily activities. You might use Twitter to share random thoughts throughout the day. You might snap photos or take videos and put them online. You’ll write blog posts. You’ll update your statuses in […]
Xobni Outlook Add-On
PC World :: Tuesday, June 10, 2008
This free application is a must-have for anyone who lives in Outlook.
What Brand Has The Best Mobility?
PC Mechanic :: Tuesday, June 10, 2008
There are more than a few people out there that put their entire lives (more or less) into their mobile device, i.e. a smartphone. Mobile users are all about accessibility, as in “I want to do everything on my smartphone that I can do on my computer.” And when they say everything, they mean everything. The […]
Digital Stream DTX9900 Digital to Analog Converter Box
Dragonsteel Mods :: Tuesday, June 10, 2008
So I don't have cable, I haven't had it for about 7 years now, why you might ask? Well for one I got tired of rates just going up all the time with no explanation, when I dropped my cable and cable internet I was paying a little over $100 per month for something I really didn't even use. The internet was a joke, sure it was fast at times, but it was very inconsistent. I also had numerous problems with even having internet, 10 to 15 days out of every month the internet was out for a few hours per day, and of course there was nothing they could do about it. I've since switched to Verizon DSL and have never had an outage, except of course when the power goes out, the speed is consistent and I'm very happy with it. Anyway, as for having cable TV, well that again was hit or miss when it was even on, I was paying for digital cable etc and had 200 and some channels with really nothing on them, at least nothing that I was interested in. I've got three kids and most of the time when the TV is on it's tuned to PBS or we're watching one of our numerous DVDs or VHS tapes, yes I still have VHS tapes, many in fact. I figured why pay for something I don't use, so I dropped it altogether and got a decent antenna, it works fine to get over the air signals and I get the main channels. Next year of course there will be no more analog TV so I'm one of those people that have to get the DTV converter box, and since I got them I figured why not review them as I'm sure I'm not the only one out there without cable or satellite TV. Today I'm taking a look at the Digital Stream DTX9900 Digital to Analog Converter Box, it's very small, inexpensive and seems to get the job done. You've got many choices out there now when it comes to DTV converter boxes if you need one, which one should you get? I've got two different ones actually for review, two different brands with varying features between them, so continue on to learn more about the Digital Stream DTX9900 DTV Converter Box, and be sure to check back in a few days for my review of a Zenith branded converter box…
Samsung SyncMaster 2493HM 24-Inch Wide-Screen LCD Monitor
PC World :: Tuesday, June 10, 2008
This display brings together good image quality, a multitude of connection options, and top-notch design.
USB 2.0 4 Port KVM Auto Switch
Dragonsteel Mods :: Tuesday, June 10, 2008
USBFever (have an affordable solution that supports up to four PCs at once. The USB 2.0 4 Port KVM Auto Switch is an economical option for those who in need of a KVM that can handle a more expansive computing setup. Let’s check out this product and see if it is the solution for ones multi-computing needs…
Reallusion Crazy Talk 5.0
Techgage :: Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Have you ever wanted to create a small animated clip for a special email or for your blog page? Do you believe it is over your head? Reallusion may have your answer, and we have your look at their product, Crazy Talk 5.0.
GnuCash Business How To Guide
PC Mechanic :: Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Last week I wrote about GnuCash having a Windows release. While this is great news, If you want to try it then you might have some questions on how to actually start using it for your small business. If that is your conundrum then take a look at this page titled “GNU Cash Business Quick Start […]
Gateway FHD2400 24-Inch Wide-Screen LCD Monitor
PC World :: Tuesday, June 10, 2008
This full-featured monitor offers loads of input and adjustment options–and for $50 extra, you can get great speakers, too.
Top-Rated Advanced Digital Cameras
PC World :: Tuesday, June 10, 2008
These cameras typically offer more manual controls, higher optical zooms and more features than point-and-shoot models. Ratings and rankings can change due to pricing and technology changes so check back frequently for the latest info.
NEC MultiSync LCD225WNXM-BK 22-Inch Wide-Screen LCD Monitor
PC World :: Tuesday, June 10, 2008
This display has lots of ports, delivered good image quality, is fully adjustable, and carries an average price.
Casual Friday: Spy Games, Spy Gear
PC World :: Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Get re-Bourne in a video game, enjoy some free online espionage, and check out sneaky gadgets to play gunshoe–or to avoid prying eyes during the work day.
Using The Windows Live Mail Client – Part 1 of 5
PC Mechanic :: Tuesday, June 10, 2008
In this small mini-series of videos I explain how to use the Windows Live Mail client that includes setting up with POP, IMAP, Gmail and of course Windows Live accounts like MSN, Hotmail and so on. This is video 1 of 5. The other parts will be posted soon.
Lenovo L220x Wide-Screen 22-Inch Monitor
PC World :: Tuesday, June 10, 2008
This super-high-resolution monitor displays great images, but it lacks extras such as speakers and a sleek design.
The Best 46- and 47-Inch HDTVs
PC World :: Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Our tests found that the priciest 46- and 47-inch HDTV sets did not offer the best picture quality.
Lenovo’s Bright Idea: The IdeaPad U110
PC World :: Tuesday, June 10, 2008
A high-styled ultraportable Air competitor steps from the ThinkPad’s shadow.
More MP3 Players Will Be Getting Wi-Fi
PC Mechanic :: Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Sandisk recently acquired MusicGremin, a company who makes wi-fi enabled MP3 players. For those that ask “Does that mean you can share music between players wirelessly?” Yes. Microsoft has had this feature available on their Zune model. And for those that ask “Isn’t sharing stealing?” Not in the way this is done. The music is delivered via […]
Radio News Bytes: June 7 2008
PC Mechanic :: Tuesday, June 10, 2008
For anybody not aware, PCMech is based out of Tampa Bay, Florida. While PCMech is and always will be geographically independent, the fact that we’re based out of the Tampa area means that anything that I’m involved with locally happens in Tampa. Duh. Well, my new gig is on the radio. PCMech is now bringing the […]
Linux Mint 5 Now Available
PC Mechanic :: Tuesday, June 10, 2008
As regular regulars know, Linux Mint is my abso-frickin’-lute favorite of the *nix distributions out there. Why? I call it “The Ubuntu that should have been.” Linux people who deem themselves “power users” absolutely hate it because it’s too easy. But everyone else trying *nix for the first time loves it. Linux Mint 5 is out […]
HP w2207h 22-Inch Wide-Screen LCD Monitor
PC World :: Tuesday, June 10, 2008
This reasonably priced, full-featured LCD monitor has good physical adjustments and offers great image quality.
SmartyPig: Savings Site With Strings Attached
PC World :: Tuesday, June 10, 2008
SmartyPig automates transfers to a savings account to help you fund a big-ticket goal–and it might help you encourage pals to chip in.
Make Gmail Better Using GreaseMonkey
PC Mechanic :: Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Web-based email is the future and it is now. We live in a world now where access to email from wherever you are is pretty important. Putting your email in the cloud (the Internet) is the best way to do that. I am a big fan of Gmail. Rich bailed on Gmail because he thought they […]
WMS 200 Video Wi-Fi Projector Adapter
PC World :: Tuesday, June 10, 2008
The WMS 200 Video wirelessly delivers presentations and video clips, but its documentation and its Windows Vista support are lacking.
The 10 Funniest Apple-Ad Parodies
PC World :: Tuesday, June 10, 2008
From 1984 to the famous manila folder, Apple’s TV ads have been ripe targets for satirists and rival companies. Here are 10 of the best take-offs.
Kodak ESP 3 All-in-One Inkjet Multifunction Printer
PC World :: Tuesday, June 10, 2008
A student or home user can get an adequate printer plus a few more features in this low-cost multifunction unit.
Another Uninstaller Tool
PC Mechanic :: Tuesday, June 10, 2008
I have posted about several uninstall programs and utilities in the past, so why stop now? Uninstalling a Windows program typically removes only the files which were installed during the original install process, and worse yet, sometimes not at all (the infamous “broken” Add/Remove program entry). To help remedy this, another tool you might want to […]
Is Steve Jobs Having Health Problems?
PC Mechanic :: Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Steve Jobs did his “Stevenote” speech at the Worldwide Developers Conference. Every online tech publication in the known world has been echoing news of the new Iphone. Yes, there was a new Iphone release. It includes 3G support, a GPS, and the new Iphone 2.0 software which will allow for third-party apps. But, let’s talk […]
Redfly Mobile Companion
PC World :: Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Redfly offers a unique, handy way to expand the capabilities of your smart phone.
Corsair Dominator 4GB PC2-8500 Review
Icrontic :: Tuesday, June 10, 2008
With the cost of DDR2 kits falling sharply, 4GB kits are becoming very accessible to the masses. Today we take a look at one of Corsair’s higher end Dominator kits, the TWIN2X4096-8500C5DF.
DeLorme Street Atlas USA 2009 Mapping Software
PC World :: Tuesday, June 10, 2008
This package offers desktop mapping tools at a bargain price, but it’s no substitute for a good GPS device.
HTC Touch Dual Smart Phone
PC World :: Tuesday, June 10, 2008
The Touch Dual’s slight changes make it a good–but pricey–BlackBerry Pearl competitor.
Samsung 245T 24-Inch Wide-Screen LCD Monitor
PC World :: Tuesday, June 10, 2008
This fully adjustable monitor has many inputs and good image quality–along with a hefty price tag.
Krusell Orbit with Multidapt / Swivelkit and CarHoldickit
Dragonsteel Mods :: Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Krusell (, and I'll be honest, when I first got this case I didn't like it, but first impressions aren't always the best judge of a product like this. I've used this case everyday for the last three plus weeks and I've grown to love it, it offers excellent protection for my phone, accessibility to all of the functions and buttons, it's very well made, and it looks great. It's all of the things that you should look for in a case for your phone and then some. Krusell also sent me their CarHoldickit as well to go with it, the CarHoldickit is part of their Multidapt system of holders where you can take the phone from your belt, the clip stays on your belt, and you can attach your phone elsewhere like your car dashboard as with the CarHoldickit. The Multidapt system offers many other types of clips as well, and depending on your lifestyle you can choose on or more that best fits your needs. As I said in the beginning I didn't like this case, but now after using it I really do like it very much for everything it has to offer…
Westinghouse L2410NM 24-Inch Wide-Screen LCD Monitor
PC World :: Tuesday, June 10, 2008
This monitor produced fantastic images and is nicely designed, but it lacks the adjustability options of some competiting models.
Stay Connected With Remote-Access Software
PC World :: Tuesday, June 10, 2008
These four services can help you retrieve your PC’s precious documents and programs, or allow you to share your PC’s functions with others.
Asus Unveils Atom-Powered Eee Box Desktop
Hot Hardware :: Wednesday, June 04, 2008
Asus has released details at Computex today, regarding their upcoming Eee Box mini-desktop follow-on to the Eee PC. The Eee Box is based on a low-power Intel Atom processor and configurations with 512MB, 1GB, or 2GB of RAM will be available. Although the actual dimensions are posted, it’s the image from ASUS’ booth that really gives a sense of scale. In the image, the Eee Box is standing next to a paperback book. These systems will feature Linux and Windows operating system installations that are very similar to the Eee PC mini-notebooks. Pricing is said to be in-line with the Eee PC cost model as well. A 2GB model with a 160GB hard drive, for example, will cost only $299.
Samsung BD-P1400 Blu-ray Disc Player
PC World :: Wednesday, June 04, 2008
This Blu-ray player is inexpensive, but its image quality and features disappoint.
Are Forums Dead?
PC Mechanic :: Wednesday, June 04, 2008
Every time a “new” method of communication comes about on the internet that has any functionality to do with threaded discussions (key phrase there), it is in essence a forum. Twitter does act like a forum at times. How? You can reply to someone’s “tweet”. Other Twitter users can reply to your tweet. This is technically […]
Philips BDP7200/37 Blu-ray Disc Player
PC World :: Wednesday, June 04, 2008
BonusView Blu-ray player has great image and sound quality.
Desktop Hard Drives Shrink
PC World :: Wednesday, June 04, 2008
Though 3.5-inch hard drives have long been standard in dektop PCs, manufacturers are moving toward 2.5-inch drives.
Beta Watch: From Wikipedia to Your Inbox to Prognostication
PC World :: Wednesday, June 04, 2008
Powerset provides a useful gateway to Wikipedia; Zenbe creates a new box for your inbox; and HubDub lets you win virtual dollars for your news prescience.
From Dell: Yes, You Can Still Get XP On A New Box
PC Mechanic :: Wednesday, June 04, 2008
If you were thinking of buying a new Dell PC but Vista makes you want to crawl under the bed, go into fetal position and suck your thumb, you can cancel those plans because Dell does have a few boxes that you can have delivered brandy-new with XP instead of Vista. There are 4 boxes. Two […]
Mod of the Month – May 2008
Bit-Tech Modding :: Wednesday, June 04, 2008
The April showers have passed, so it’s time to see if the month of May has brought us any great growth of excellent mods. Today, we’ve got another five of the best and brightest of our forums to compete in May’s Mod of the Month. The prize? More work! Read on to find out why…
First Look: Adobe’s Acrobat.com Document Collaboration Service
PC World :: Wednesday, June 04, 2008
The free beta version of Acrobat.com provides a good mix of services to help businesses share and collaborate on documents, with chat and conferencing features as well.
Panasonic DMP-BD30 Blu-ray Disc Player
PC World :: Wednesday, June 04, 2008
BonusView Blu-ray player responds speedily, but that doesn’t make up for disappointing image and sound.
“Secret” Ultra-Low-Cost Verizon Wireless Plans
PC Mechanic :: Wednesday, June 04, 2008
Today I called Verizon to find out what my cancellation fee would be (I was thinking of switching carriers) and was told it would be $155 if I canceled. Ouch. The sales representative then asked me why I wanted to cancel. I told him cost was a concern and I didn’t feel I was getting my money’s […]
Lenovo L220X 22″ Widescreen LCD Monitor
Techgage :: Wednesday, June 04, 2008
Lenovo tests the waters in the LCD market with a product that we’ve been waiting quite some time for — a 22" LCD monitor that offers a 1920 x 1200 native resolution. But is its resolution alone enough reason for you to give it the nod?
Firefox Internet Speed Tester Extension
PC Mechanic :: Wednesday, June 04, 2008
If you are looking to test the actual speed of your Internet connection, the traditional way is to use a standard Internet speed tester, such as the Speakeasy Speed Test. An alternate way Firefox users might want to explore is the Bandwidth Tester extension. The difference between the two is explained rather well on the Bandwidth […]
The Reflection HTPC by Wolverine
Bit-Tech Modding :: Wednesday, June 04, 2008
All has been quiet on the Wolverine front for a couple months now. But is that because our crazy Swede has been taking a break? Of course not! Magnus is back with another top end mod, this time with a pretty mirror finish…
Popcorn Hour A-100 Media Streamer
PC World :: Wednesday, June 04, 2008
Economical and featured-filled media streamer has a relatively rudimentary interface.
The New High-Def Streaming Tools
PC World :: Wednesday, June 04, 2008
A growing range of video-streaming products can expand the content you see on your HDTV. Here’s a guide to what’s available.
Metered Bandwidth = Bad Idea
PC Mechanic :: Wednesday, June 04, 2008
Time-Warner is testing out a new ISP pricing schema in Beaumont TX whereas people would be given a monthly data usage cap between 5 and 40GB. Anything over that amount and the customer is charged $1 per GB. This has “bad idea” written all over it because it restricts customers as to what they can do […]
Traveling With a MacBook Air, Part 1
PC World :: Wednesday, June 04, 2008
What’s it like to take Apple’s sexy new ultraportable on a cross-country business trip?
Intel 4-Series Chipsets: G43, G45, P45
Techgage :: Wednesday, June 04, 2008
Intel’s next-generation chipset offerings in the mid-range and enterprise-level markets have arrived in the form of three mid-range offerings in Intel’s 4-Series of chipsets, including two with integrated graphics. In this article, we’ll lay out the differences, and help you understand your new options.
Sony PlayStation 3 (40GB; as Blu-ray Disc Player)
PC World :: Wednesday, June 04, 2008
Game console system doubles as a great Blu-ray Disc player, too.
Acrobat 9 Aims to Reinvent PDFs
PC World :: Wednesday, June 04, 2008
A first look at Adobe’s revamped Acrobat, featuring file grouping, document comparison, and a trio of capable versions.
Federated Identity How-To (Windows Live Domains or Google Apps)
PC Mechanic :: Wednesday, June 04, 2008
Note: This is a seriously techy article – but very useful to those that need this type of information. Question: What is a federated identity? Answer: Wikipedia describes it as “the process of a user’s authentication across multiple IT systems or even organizations.” The layman’s answer: It’s the thing that allows you to use your domain e-mail login […]
HP Officejet J6480 All-in-One Inkjet Multifunction Printer
PC World :: Wednesday, June 04, 2008
A raft of features makes this multifunction printer tempting, despite its middling performance and a few design flaws.
New ASUS Eee PC Models Arrive for 2008
Techgage :: Wednesday, June 04, 2008
At Computex 2008, ASUS has just introduced three new models into its Eee PC lineup of sub-notebook PCs, all three infused with Intel’s Atom CPU technology, as well as two with larger displays. We’ve got all the details you want right here.
Splitting The Atom: NVIDIA Tegra
Techgage :: Wednesday, June 04, 2008
NVIDIA took the opportunity at Computex to announce a brand-new chip series: Tegra. This high-performance/low power ‘system on a chip’ is set out to take on Intel’s Atom, and if all of NVIDIA’s claims are spot-on, everyone is going to want to have the chip in their mobile device once available.
Neat Receipts: Manage Business Cards and Receipts
PC World :: Wednesday, June 04, 2008
Here’s a handy little scanner for business cards and receipts, plus some games for your brain.
Lexmark X9575 Professional Inkjet Multifunction Printer
PC World :: Wednesday, June 04, 2008
Though this multifunction printer is well equipped for a small or home office, its ink costs restrict it to lower-volume use.
Microsoft TV: Too True to Be Funny!
PC World :: Wednesday, June 04, 2008
Two incompetent window installers. Scads of irate customers. Thank heavens it’s fiction!
Casual Friday: Conan Fights Four Free MMOs
PC World :: Wednesday, June 04, 2008
Who needs World of Warcraft? Discover a couple of free online games that are worth your time, and one regular MMO–Age of Conan–that’s worth your money.
Latest Blu-ray Players Add Bonus Features
PC World :: Wednesday, June 04, 2008
Philip’s unit shoots to the top thanks to its balance of price and impressive image quality. Sony’s PS3 remains a strong runner-up.
Handset Hands-On: The LG Electronics Vu
PC World :: Wednesday, June 04, 2008
How does the LG Electronics Vu stack up against the Apple iPhone? Our cell phone columnist finds out.
ASUS P5Q Deluxe – P45 Is Off to a Great Start
Techgage :: Wednesday, June 04, 2008
Intel’s P45 is due out next month, but the boards are already rolling in. Our first look is at ASUS’ P5Q Deluxe, a DDR2 offering that’s feature-packed and comes in at a great price. Features include a layman’s RAID tool, updated Splashtop, lots of connectivity, a great layout and more.
Dell 968w Inkjet Multifunction Printer
PC World :: Wednesday, June 04, 2008
A light-volume small or home office could appreciate this multifunction printer’s Wi-Fi and tolerate a few shortcomings.
ASUS Xonar DX 7.1 Sound Card
Techgage :: Wednesday, June 04, 2008
ASUS finally antes up to the bang-for-the-buck table with a value-priced product in their Xonar family of performance audio cards. It’s got a solid feature set, and debuts with ASUS’ new DS3D GX 2.0 environmental DSP, but does it break new ground in the price/performance department?
Traveling With a MacBook Air, Part 2
PC World :: Wednesday, June 04, 2008
Apple’s much-hyped ultra-thin laptop can be an ideal traveling companion–but it’s not for everyone.
Now Playing: High-Def Movies
PC World :: Wednesday, June 04, 2008
Whether you choose a Blu-ray Disc player or opt to access your video from the Web, here are the best options for watching high-definition movies on your TV.
The Icrontic-style Team Fortress 2 Ultimate Pyro guide
Icrontic :: Wednesday, June 04, 2008
Greg “fatcat” Jones gives us his thoughts on becoming the ultimate Pyro in Team Fortress 2.
The 10 Most Annoying Habits of Technology Companies
PC World :: Wednesday, June 04, 2008
Fed up with rebate hassles, nagging software, and skimpy support? So are we! The everyday practices of hardware, software, and Web firms can drive their customers bonkers. Here’s how to fight back.
Asus Eee PC 900 Mini-Notebook
PC World :: Wednesday, June 04, 2008
This $549 mini-notebook is one of the first Windows laptops to offer a multitouch pad.
Alienware Area 51 m15x Power Laptop
PC World :: Wednesday, June 04, 2008
One of the most powerful laptops yet invaded the PC World Test Center–and provided unearthly performance.
Paglo Taps Community Expertise for Managing PCs and Networks
PC World :: Wednesday, June 04, 2008
Highly customizable beta service lets you monitor systems, receive problem alerts, and more.
LG W2452T 24-Inch Wide-Screen LCD Display
PC World :: Wednesday, June 04, 2008
Attractive industrial design doesn?t make up for this model?s lack of basic features.
Canon Pixma MX7600 Inkjet Multifunction Printer
PC World :: Wednesday, June 04, 2008
If you can afford it, this fast, full-featured multifunction inkjet printer will suit any small business or home office.
MediaGate MG-450HD
PC World :: Wednesday, June 04, 2008
Reasonably priced media streamer has good file support but a poor user interface and remote.
V7 D24W33 24-Inch Wide-Screen LCD Display
PC World :: Wednesday, June 04, 2008
Despite a bevy of features and a low price, but this monitor fails to impress, due to indifferent image quality.
Sharp BD-HP20U Blu-ray Disc Player
PC World :: Wednesday, June 04, 2008
This Blu-ray player delivers video that looks and sounds great.
Pioneer Elite BDP-95FD Blu-ray Disc Player
PC World :: Wednesday, June 04, 2008
This Blu-ray player’s built-in media server doesn’t justify its high price.
Links to Reviews for June 1-3
PC Mechanic :: Wednesday, June 04, 2008
ASUS P5Q Motherboards “The ASUS P5Q Deluxe motherboard will be available in the first week of June, together with the P5Q Pro and the P5Q motherboards. The other models, the P5Q3 Deluxe, the P5QC and P5Q Premium, will be launched later. Here’s the breakdown of their features and prices.” Dell UltraSharp 2408WFP “While most early adopters and Gen […]
Firefox 3 Hogs Memory Like Crazy
PC Mechanic :: Wednesday, June 04, 2008
When Mozilla released Firefox 3 as a public release candidate, it was supposed to fix a bunch of memory leaks and use less memory. In fact, it reads: Memory usage: Several new technologies work together to reduce the amount of memory used by Firefox 3 over a web browsing session. Memory cycles are broken and collected […]
From Apple: Go Refurb, Save A Buck Or Two
PC Mechanic :: Wednesday, June 04, 2008
Is a new Mac too expensive? Not to worry, you can always go refurb (or as Apple puts it: “Apple Certified Refurbished Mac”). You can see all the current offers from Apple here. Here’s the listings that stood out to me as the best values: Refurbished iMac 20-inch 2.0GHz Intel Core 2 DuoPrice: $949 The 20-inch is a decent […]
Desktop Linux Face-Off: Ubuntu 8.04 vs. Fedora 9
PC World :: Wednesday, June 04, 2008
New versions of two of the world?s biggest Linux distributions have hit the street. How do they match up?
Inside a Classic: The TRS-80 Model 100
PC World :: Wednesday, June 04, 2008
Instant-on, with a comfortable keyboard and 20 hours of battery life: Little wonder this Radio Shack model is one of the most popular portables of all time. We offer a look at the guts of this featherweight champion.
Mvix MX-780HD Media Streamer
PC World :: Wednesday, June 04, 2008
Capable media streamer is marred by interface issues and lack of Web video services.
From NewEgg: Good Deals On “Barebones” PCs
PC Mechanic :: Wednesday, June 04, 2008
Barebones PCs are computers that takes a good chunk of the build process out. The box comes delivered completely assembled but you must put in your own supported processor, RAM, hard drive and possibly video card (some have built-in video on-board.) If you’re looking for a box that has absolutely no “influence” from Microsoft, Apple or […]
Ladies of Channel Expo
XS Reviews :: Tuesday, June 03, 2008
“In the second of my Channel Expo articles, I decided to address something that most of us love very much; the ladies. Even today, the computing industry is still mainly dominated by men, so it’s always nice to see female stand attendants, and even the eye candy models that some companies hire for such events. So, here we have, XSR’s “Ladies, of Channel Expo.”
Does The Mac Need AntiVirus?
PC Mech :: Monday, June 02, 2008
“It is common knowledge that Windows is barraged with virus attack after virus attack. Windows users, even the newbies, know they need some security on their systems. Mac owners, though, are left in a bit of a conundrum. We care about security, but we don’t really know what we need.”
AlienWare vs. Predator : ACER hunting DELL
Tweak PC :: Sunday, June 01, 2008
ryone knows the gaming-PCs from AlienWare, they are quite expensive but also selling good. Right now there is another well-known company offering PCs for gamer: ACER. And the name of the PCs: Predator.
QNAP NVR-1012 Network Surveillance System Review
Hardware Canucks :: Sunday, June 01, 2008
The market for Internet Protocol (IP) based cameras has literally exploded with the advent of cheap, readily available home networks and inexpensive yet relatively good cameras. The one problem that has plagued numerous IP camera setups is the fact that they have the interoperability skills of a psychotic maniac. This is where QNAP enters the equation with their user-friendly NVR-1012 system.