TechSpot Holiday Gift Guide 2008
Techspot :: Thursday, November 27, 2008
Only a few weeks now stand between you and that fateful morning of December 25th, but there’s still plenty of time to purchase and wrap your list of gifts. But perhaps you don’t even have a list yet! Well, if that’s the case and you have a family of tech-fiends, our buying guide might just be your savior.
The TechSpot holiday gift guide is not your standard catalog-esque gift guide but one directed toward those special silicon lovers. So, fathers, brothers, husbands and sons rejoice as you spread the word about this thoughtfully compiled list of technology toys, utilities and gadgets. Perhaps it will pay off this Christmas and you won’t be disappointed by that lovely pair of handwoven socks from your aunt.
Top Ten Best Black Friday Deals
Digital Trends :: Thursday, November 27, 2008
“It takes some pretty spectacular deals to pry Americans out of their recliners late every Turkey Day and send them out into blistering cold parking lots to camp for hours, but retailers have it figured it out with Black Friday. And if you’re looking to score a big-screen TV for half of what it normally runs for, get a printer bundled with your camera for free, or pick up an MP3 player for the cost of a cup of coffee, you’ll be out there too. With the economy forcing consumers to pinch their pennies even more this year, and retailers trying even harder to open those cautiously held wallets, the deals are ripe for the picking. Here are a few of our favorite picks for this year.”
TR’s Christmas 2008 system guide
Tech Report :: Wednesday, November 26, 2008
We cleverly side-stepped Intel’s Core i7 offensive in our previous guide by focusing on cheaper systems. Now that the Core i7 is out, we’ve revised our guide with higher-end configs that use the new hardware. And, of course, price fluctuations have given us an opportunity to freshen up our other builds. Read on to see the systems we recommend for $500, $800, $1,200, $1,600, and almost $4,000.
What NOT To Give This Techy Gift Giving Season
PC Stats :: Friday, November 21, 2008
“It’s Christmas time and PCSTATS is feeling generous. So for the holidays I’ve prepared a short guide on what types of gifts to consider for the technology-challenged…. basically three tips to heed so you don’t end up being a personal tech support help line after the holidays.”
Eagle iNeo I-NA303USUE 3.5″/5.25″ SATA to USB/eSATA docking station with enclosure
Dragonsteel Mods :: Friday, November 21, 2008
Hard drive enclosures come in many shapes and sizes, and they can be a very useful gadget for taking large amounts of data with you if need be. Today for review I’ve got another portable hard drive enclosure, but this on is a bit different, it features a dock that fits into your 5.25” bay. You insert the enclosure into the dock, transfer your data, then just pop the enclosure back out and away you go. It’s a nice idea that I find very useful and convenient. So read one to learn more…
Vantec AeroFlow FX 92 CPU Cooler Reviewed
Dragonsteel Mods :: Friday, November 21, 2008
Ok, a few days ago I took a look at the Vantec AeroFlow FX120, today I’ve got the little brother to that cooler, the AeroFlow FX 92. How does it compare to the larger version? Read on to find out…
Ewoo HandMusic
Dragonsteel Mods :: Friday, November 21, 2008
As a reviewer, I get to play with some cool tech gadgets and every once in awhile, something unique and exciting comes my way. Today I will look at one of these products. Ewoo, the makers of the eFizz Travel, have the released HandMusic. This is an accessory for the iPod and is really distinctive. The HandMusic is a remote control and docking station plus a whole lot more. It allows the user control of the iPod from virtually anywhere within your home. Ewoo uses a 2.4 Ghz radio link allowing the remote to function from up to 500 feet away. The remote features a 1.8” TFT LCD display that lets the user control their iPod/iPhone from a distance with an interface that is very similar to the iPod’s. Let’s take a closer look at the HandMusic…..
Nyko Charge Base 2 for the PS3
Dragonsteel Mods :: Friday, November 21, 2008
One of the best features of the latest next gen consoles is that the controllers are wireless. This also means that these controllers are now battery powered. Of course, you can always use rechargeable batteries. Luckily, Sony actually went one step better and created a controller with a built in rechargeable battery. To charge these controllers, they use a mini USB port for available power. So to get the DualShock 3 or Sixaxis controller juiced up, you need to hook it up to a USB on a PC or on the PS3 itself. Having cables hanging off your PS3 is unsightly and can get in the way. Now, there is an easier way to charge up two PS3 controllers at once. Nyko, the makers of the excellent Wii Charge Station recharger, has released the Charge Base 2 for the PS3. This charging station is AC powered and is compact so it can be stored easily. Let’s take a closer look…..
Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-W170 Point-and-Shoot Camera
PC World :: Friday, November 21, 2008
Fun features abound in this wide-angle Sony point-and-shoot camera, but images come out a bit soft.
Targus Chill Mat for Mac
PC World :: Friday, November 21, 2008
If you spend a lot of time Web surfing on the couch — or on the patio, or in bed, or anywhere else where there’s no tabletop…
Concert Vault for IPhone
PC World :: Friday, November 21, 2008
Want to listen to Pink Floyd’s May 9, 1977 performance from Oakland, Calif., while waiting for your flight at the airport? Or…
Sonos Multi-Room Music System 2.7
PC World :: Friday, November 21, 2008
Read enough reviews and you understand that part of a reviewer’s job is to present an unemotional — even detached –…
Contribute CS4
PC World :: Friday, November 21, 2008
Adobe Contribute CS4 allows Web site content contributors (writers, editors, artists, and other non-technical folk) to easily…
The Social Gaming Guide
PC World :: Friday, November 21, 2008
Want to play a quick online game and maybe make a new friend in the process? Discover fantastic shooting games, multiplayer desktop tower defense, and other cool casual games–all in your browser.
Hands on With Optoma’s Pocket Pico Projector
PC World :: Friday, November 21, 2008
Optoma’s impressive Pico Projector really fits in your hand–it’s the same size as a cell phone.
Smart Phone OS Smackdown
PC World :: Friday, November 21, 2008
The ‘smart’ in smart phones comes from the software they run. Which operating system–iPhone, Android, BlackBerry, Windows Mobile, or Symbian–packs the most power, usability, and potential?
Gateway MC7803u All-Purpose Laptop
PC World :: Friday, November 21, 2008
Gateway’s MC7803u laptop promises entertainment features–but while the price is right, some aspects of its performance aren’t.
HP HDX16: All-Purpose Multimedia
PC World :: Friday, November 21, 2008
This machine brings desktop replacement performance and features to the all-purpose class–and does it well.
Cyberlink DVD Suite 7 Ultra Disc-Burning Software
PC World :: Friday, November 21, 2008
Cyberlink’s burning suite is easier to use and almost as powerful as the competing offerings from Nero and Roxio.
Classics for IPhone
PC World :: Friday, November 21, 2008
Look, there is simply no way e-books will ever replace traditional books, printed on paper and bound in cloth. There is…
Scosche Passport
PC World :: Friday, November 21, 2008
Although all recent iPods, and both iPhone models, require a USB connection to sync with your computer, until this year’s…
Review: Pentax Optio A40
PC World :: Friday, November 21, 2008
This 12-megapixel compact point and shoot digicam has a number of interesting features that are supposed to make easy work of difficult shots.
Adobe Soundbooth CS4
PC World :: Friday, November 21, 2008
Like its predecessor, Adobe’s audio editing application, Soundbooth CS4, is a compromise. Although it includes more advanced…
Adobe Illustrator CS4 Graphics Software
PC World :: Friday, November 21, 2008
Support for multiple-page documents (at last) and lots of improvements make this a worthy upgrade.
Optoma Pico Pocket Projector
PC World :: Friday, November 21, 2008
Optoma’s diminutive projector makes a great traveling companion, despite somewhat fuzzy image projection.
TeleNav Shotgun Connected GPS Device
PC World :: Friday, November 21, 2008
The Shotgun’s GPS features are reasonably good, but the optional (and pricey) connected service really shines.
Falcon Northwest Mach V
PC World :: Friday, November 21, 2008
If you can afford it, the Mach V packs in the latest technologies–including Intel’s new Core i7 processor–for the pinnacle of powerful PC performance.
Fieldrunners for IPhone
PC World :: Friday, November 21, 2008
The concept of a “tower defense” game isn’t particularly new: It’s where you build defensive structures to prevent successive…
Panasonic HDC-HS100 HD Camcorder
PC World :: Friday, November 21, 2008
This Panasonic high-def camcorder offers great usability and control, but its image quality is merely decent.
JVC Everio GZ-HD40 HD Camcorder
PC World :: Friday, November 21, 2008
The big hard drive of JVC’s GZ-HD40 is offset by the camcorder’s big price–and its simply adequate performance.
Samsung YP-S2 (Pebble) MP3 Player
PC World :: Friday, November 21, 2008
This MP3 player packs lots of advanced features into a minimalist design, but its sound quality is a bit disappointing.
Pantech C610 Cell Phone from AT&T
PC World :: Friday, November 21, 2008
This low-cost 3G phone is not bad if you can live with the small keypad and display screens.
The Mobile Office, Part 1
PC World :: Friday, November 21, 2008
Netbooks like the Lenovo IdeaPad S10 let you slip your office into a small bag–if you don’t mind making some compromises.
Gammatech Durabook D15TS All-Purpose Laptop
PC World :: Friday, November 21, 2008
A good performer, the semiruggedized D15TS laptop is a reasonable choice for secure indoor and outdoor use.
Westinghouse Digital TX-52F480S 52-Inch LCD HDTV
PC World :: Friday, November 21, 2008
The Westinghouse Digital TX-52F480S attractively displays images and has a few nice touches, but it doesn’t match the better TVs in its price range.
Hitachi P50X902 50-Inch LCD HDTV
PC World :: Friday, November 21, 2008
Cool features can’t compensate for the Hitachi P50X902’s high price and disappointing picture.
LG Electronics 50PG30 50-Inch Plasma HDTV
PC World :: Friday, November 21, 2008
Though inexpensive for its screen size, the LG 50PG30 plasma HDTV lacks features and image punch.
Sharp LC-52D85U 52-Inch LCD HDTV
PC World :: Friday, November 21, 2008
The Sharp LC-52D85U offers good images but fewer features than some competing TVs.
LG Electronics 52LG70 52-Inch LCD HDTV
PC World :: Friday, November 21, 2008
The LG 52LG70 is a no-frills LCD HDTV that produces good-looking images
Samsung PN50A760 50-Inch LCD HDTV
PC World :: Friday, November 21, 2008
The Samsung PN50A760 offers top-notch image quality, plus the best extras and great sound.
Fujifilm Finepix F60fd
PC World :: Friday, November 21, 2008
Fujifilm’s new point-and-shoot steps beyond detecting just faces.
New MacBook Pro Boot Camp Gaming Benchmarks
PC World :: Friday, November 21, 2008
As expected, the new MacBook Pro’s 9600M GT video processor does slightly better than expected boosting the system’s real-world game performance.
Canon Pixma MP620 Inkjet Multifunction Printer
PC World :: Friday, November 21, 2008
For home or school, the Pixma MP620 inkjet MFP offers impressive features and connectivity for a low price.
Epson Artisan 800 Inkjet Multifunction Printer
PC World :: Friday, November 21, 2008
The Artisan 800 inkjet MFP gives you plenty of features and capabilities, but it needs special paper for the best results.
Brother MFC-5890CN Inkjet Multifunction Printer
PC World :: Friday, November 21, 2008
Small offices will like the Brother MFC-5890CN’s versatility and its cheap inks; however, it’s pretty slow at printing.
Brother MFC-790CW Inkjet Multifunction Printer
PC World :: Friday, November 21, 2008
The Brother MFC-790CW multifunction packs some interesting features into a small space, but is too slow at printing basic tasks.
Lexmark X4650 Inkjet Multifunction Printer
PC World :: Friday, November 21, 2008
High ink costs and slow graphics output make the Lexmark X4650 pale next to like-priced, better-featured models.
Vizio SV470XVT 47-Inch HDTV
PC World :: Friday, November 21, 2008
A low price and appealing image quality make this Vizio model a standout.
RIM BlackBerry Pearl Flip 8220 Smart Phone
PC World :: Friday, November 21, 2008
BlackBerry users finally get a good-looking clamshell, but the keyboard and other features fall short.
Flip MinoHD Pocket Camcorder
PC World :: Friday, November 21, 2008
The MinoHD brings high-definition video to the world of minicamcorders, and does a good job of it.
Samsung LN46A650 46-Inch LCD HDTV
PC World :: Friday, November 21, 2008
The Samsung LN46A650 delivers great image quality and is packed with features.
Panasonic TH-46PZ800U 46-Inch Plasma HDTV
PC World :: Friday, November 21, 2008
The Panasonic TH-46PZ800U plasma HDTV offers stellar audio and middle-of-the-pack video in an attractive chassis.
LG Electronics 42LGX 42-Inch LCD HDTV
PC World :: Friday, November 21, 2008
LG’s 42LGX is a middle-of-the-road HDTV that carries a very high price.
Vizio SV420XVT 42-Inch HDTV
PC World :: Friday, November 21, 2008
The SV420XVT delivers great image quality at a great price, but its design lacks finesse.
LG Electronics 42PG25 42-Inch Plasma HDTV
PC World :: Friday, November 21, 2008
The LG 42PG25 is reasonably priced, full-featured, and easy to use, but its image quality is only middle-of-the road.
Toshiba 42XV545U 42-Inch LCD HDTV
PC World :: Friday, November 21, 2008
A high price and limited capabilities make this model less appealing, despite its good picture.
Navigon 2200T GPS Device
PC World :: Friday, November 21, 2008
The 2200T is a basic GPS device, but Navigon sweetens the deal with lifetime traffic service at a bargain-basement price.
Garmin Nuvi 265T GPS Device
PC World :: Friday, November 21, 2008
The Nuvi 265T packs in the features–so many that its 3.5-inch screen feels small.
ASUS GeForce EN9800GT Matrix
Techgage :: Friday, November 21, 2008
Picking out a new graphics card is easier to do now than ever, as there seems to be a model to cover every single price-range, and not just from one single GPU manufacturer, either. Today’s card is one that represents the ~$125 price spot and is designed as a step-up from the 9600 GT, with ASUS applying their usual TLC to help add even more appeal.
ASUS P6T Deluxe OC Palm Edition
Techgage :: Friday, November 21, 2008
Need a solid motherboard offering for that brand-new Core i7 processor? ASUS’ first “mainstream” X58 board proves to be a true winner, offering a feature-packed and well-thought-out design, support for both CrossFireX and SLI, plentiful accessories and overclocking potential to keep even the most hardcore enthusiast pleased.
Cooler Master HAF 932 Full-Tower
Techgage :: Friday, November 21, 2008
Finding an affordable chassis that’s both large and feature-packed can be a little difficult, butCooler Master’s latest HAF 932 delivers on all accounts, and the goods don’t stop there. This steel full-tower features huge interior space, great ease-of-installation, many bundled fans, hardcore design… all on top of having a price tag that’s easy to stomach.
Holiday Preview: Laptop and PC Buying Guide
Digital Trends :: Thursday, November 20, 2008
“With processor, graphics and storage technologies rushing ahead at breakneck speed, this year’s holiday shoppers will have more tech on tap for less money than they could have dreamed a year ago. Ultra-premium hardware that used to be reserved for dream systems, like solid-state drives, has plummeted in price, and computers that started as inexpensive toys, like netbooks, have sprouted more and more features, turning into real, viable PCs. Here are a few unique systems to make sure to check out on store shelves.”
Smooth Creations Hellcat Core i7 965 EE Gaming System
Tweak Town :: Monday, November 17, 2008
“The mad scientists at Smooth Creations took Core i7 to a new level, one that only a few will try to achieve and even fewer will succeed. The Smooth Creations Hellcat comes from the factory clocked at an amazing 4.0 GHz, yet doesn’t have a problem with stability thanks to a who’s who list of Danger Den products. The madness doesn’t stop there; the dual 4870 X2 cards running in CrossfireX mode are water cooled as well and we can thank Danger Den for that. But the real congratulations go to Smooth Creations for putting together such a beast and having it ready for launch day. Don’t call this just another liquid cooled system; the Hellcat is lubricated on the fat of unbaptized children.
As you already know, today is the day Core i7 and its counterpart, X58 get released into the market. Core i7 is already a big hit with enthusiasts even though so few already have a system. I have been told by some of the shops who accepted preorders that Core i7 parts are the hottest ticket in town and they expect to sell quite a few units today. One way to ensure an early i7 system is to go with a custom system builder.”
OCZ Neural Impulse Actuator Review
Hardware Secrets :: Monday, November 17, 2008
“Neural implants have always been a cyberpunk fiction staple. They either grant the user special abilities or turn them into near cyborgs. We’re not there yet, but for what is worth OCZ is trying to make that future a little less distant (and fictional) with the Neural Impulse Actuator, or NIA for short. It’s a control system that interprets your brain waves and tracks facial muscle tensions into game input, making it possible to control by thought the actions of a virtual gunman during a game of Counterstrike, for instance. The idea behind the concept is to increase reaction time up to 60% by eliminating the time it takes the command from your brain to reach the hand over the mouse. We are about to see if it delivers, but first let’s take a look onto the device itself.”
PC Buying Guide – November 2008
TechSpot :: Wednesday, November 12, 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. TechSpot’s buying guides provide an in-depth list of today’s best hardware, ranging between three unique and yet typical budgets.
TuneClone Audio Converter Software
Dragonsteel Mods :: Wednesday, November 12, 2008
iTunes has invaded pretty much all musical use on the computer anymore, people who don’t really know much about computers hear about iTunes and assume that’s what they’re supposed to use for their music on their computers. Case in point, a friend of mine does not own an iPod, but yet he and his girlfriend used iTunes to transfer all of his music over to his computer and it’s kinda stuck there now. Well he’ll be the first to admit that he really doesn’t know much about computers at all, so seeing as iTunes was so popular that’s what they decided to use for his music, of course they didn’t ask me anything at all. They transferred over many, many songs, and of course his mp3 player, a Sandisk, can’t play them so he was stuck with what to do next. So he called me for help, mind you though, most of his music isn’t copy protected/copy righted etc, he’s actually a world renowned Waltz or Ballroom Dance instructor, so he’s got tons of music he uses for that kind of stuff, and once they spent the hours to put it in his computer via iTunes he was basically stuck, it was either re-do it all through another program, buy an iPod or figure out another way to get his music to his Sandisk player converted to Mp3 format. So there are a few free versions out there that will help my friend out, but I needed something that was easy to use, very easy to use and I found TuneClone, which is very easy to use so that’s what I’ve got for review today. TuneClone is a program to convert you iTunes or other music services music over to mp3 format, quickly and easily. It essentially creates a virtual CDRW drive on your computer and virtually burns the CD from the main program, iTunes of other and then TuneClone automatically rips it to mp3 format for you, so in a few easy steps you’ve got music that is easily transferred and played on any device. So read on to check it out….
PC Add-A-Fan Model 120
Dragonsteel Mods :: Wednesday, November 12, 2008
At Dragonsteelmods, we like to build our own PCs and overclock them. A byproduct of overclocking is increased heat production within the case. This is where proper cooling is at a premium. Sometimes the case chosen may not provide proper airflow and the best spot for a fan is in the middle of an open area in the case. What if you could mount a fan in this location? Well, now you can! A company called Functional Product Design now makes the PC Add-A-Fan Model 120. This system allows the creation of a metal lattice for adding additional fans to your PC. Basically it is an erector set for your PC. Let’s take a closer look and add some fans!
DataTraveler (DT400) 400 16GB
Dragonsteel Mods :: Wednesday, November 12, 2008
USB drives have become ubiquitous. They are the modern day equivalent of the floppy disk from the early nineties. Everyone and their mother has one or two thumb drives at this point, or in my case more like ten to twenty. I still remember getting my first 8MB USB drive from Newegg. That seemed impressive back in the day. Now, we are seeing USB thumb drives in the 16GB range and higher. Of course, as the storage size of these drives increases, the price goes up exponentially. Right now the sweet spot in terms of price is the 16GB range. Today we will look at the Kingston DT (Data Traveler) 400. This is one of the latest offerings from Kingston and features MiGoSync Software, SecureTraveler2 and enhanced Ready Boost Capability. Lets get started…….
Vantec AeroFlow FX 120 CPU Cooler Reviewed
Dragonsteel Mods :: Wednesday, November 12, 2008
So I’ve got another CPU Cooler for review today for you, this time it’s the Vantec AeroFlow 120. The AeroFlow 120 features a 120mm fan, direct heatpipe touch technology and provides decent cooling performance . It seems well made and looks pretty cool as well, so read on to see how it compares to the others I’ve got…
Wi-Fi in the Sky
PC World :: Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Surfing the Web while jetting coast to coast is the only way to fly.
Olympus Stylus 1050 SW Point-and-Shoot Camera
PC World :: Wednesday, November 12, 2008
The tough little Stylus 1050 SW point-and-shoot snaps top-notch photos.
HTC Fuze Smart Phone
PC World :: Wednesday, November 12, 2008
The slick HTC Fuze has a visually stunning interface and a variety of features, but its performance is hit-and-miss.
Mirror’s Edge Review: A Wild Streak of Brave New Gaming
PC World :: Wednesday, November 12, 2008
It’s a first-person shooter minus the shooter, a bold new direction from the creators of the bestselling Battlefield series that turns the genre on its head.
Gears of War 2 Review: Dizzying, Breathless, Relentless
PC World :: Wednesday, November 12, 2008
The sequel to 2006’s Gears of War for the Xbox 360 offers a harrowing, ultimately satisfying campaign along with several thrilling new multiplayer modes.
DigiYumi: Commercial Wars
PC World :: Wednesday, November 12, 2008
A review of Microsoft’s commercial advertisements ‘I’m a PC’.
The Best New War Games
PC World :: Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Ready to become an armchair general? This week, get a tour of several virtual warfronts. We’ll help you pick the right battlegrounds for the holidays.
Archos 5 (60 GB)
PC World :: Wednesday, November 12, 2008
The Archos 5 sports an elegant design and a gorgeous display, but you have to pay extra for some of its coolest features.
HP Compaq 6530b All-Purpose Laptop
PC World :: Wednesday, November 12, 2008
This business-friendly laptop is a great road-ready presentation tool, but it could benefit from a better screen.
Canon SD880 IS Digital Elph
PC World :: Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Superb design, excellent picture quality, and a wide-angle lens make the SD880 IS a divine travel companion.
Asus N10Jc Mini-notebook
PC World :: Wednesday, November 12, 2008
The N10Jc is a fantastic choice for mobile workers, but its relatively high price puts it out of reach for many.
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T700
PC World :: Wednesday, November 12, 2008
With great image-sharing options, 4GB of internal memory, and fun extras, this pricey camera is a great option for the design-conscious.
Software for Your Tool Box From Hassle-Free PC
PC World :: Wednesday, November 12, 2008
PC World blogger Rick Broida tries out freebies that let you remote-control a PC, cut ads from recorded shows, and equalize the audio in MP3s.
Intel Core i7 – Choosing the Best Memory Kit
Techgage :: Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Can’t decide on the right memory kit to pick up with your brand-new Core i7 PC upon release? This article was designed for you. We aren’t comparing brands here, but are rather comparing densities and frequencies against each other to see if there’s any point at all in purchasing a higher-end kit. You might just be surprised at our results.
NEXT 2008 coverage
DV Hardware :: Monday, November 10, 2008
On Saturday DV Hardware went to Brussels, the capital of Belgium, to check out NEXT, a new expo of gaming, electronics & IT. NEXT is the successor of Gamepower Expo, the latter event changed name, became bigger, moved from Ghent to Brussels and broadened its view from gaming to gaming & consumer technology to appeal to more people. NEXT took place on November 8-9 in Hall 11 and 12 of Brussels Expo – good for about 20,000m² of show floor.
ASUS Eee Top ET1602 Reviewed
IT Reviewed :: Monday, November 10, 2008
“Whereas stylish and compact all-in-one PCs, such as Apple’s iMac, cost the same as a small townhouse in London, ASUS’s Eee Top ET1602 is a snip at £449. Sporting a cracking design, bright and clear touchscreen display, along with an energy-efficient Atom processor and Windows XP, the Eee Top ET1602 would make for a great family PC. The screen is a bit on the small side – which makes you feel like you’re using a laptop – but the added interactivity of touchscreen brings a fun element to casual computing. You can forget about running the latest 3D games, however, along with any dreams you might have harboured about upgrading in the near future because the Eee Top ET1602 is pretty much a closed system. As long as you don’t use strenuous tasks, the Eee Top ET1602 is a great value system.”
iBuyPower Australia FragBox SFF PC
Tweak Town :: Wednesday, November 05, 2008
“The thing is, there’s something cool about having a 30″ monitor powered by this tiny machine. Most of the things I find myself buying these days are because I want them, not need them. A Micro-ATX system would sit nicely in that category. The problem is that for so long there has never really been the components out there to really build a system that could power such a large monitor. But this has changed a few months ago thanks to two companies; the first was Lian Li who brought out a Micro-ATX case that was small, but not too small. What it allowed you to do was have a small footprint whilst still holding the goods.
The other company was DFI; the release of the LANParty Jr board based on the P45 chipset brought the biggest smile to my face. Talking to the guys down at IBuyPower Australia, it was only a matter of time before the two pieces of equipment found themselves merged together. The time has come and that time is today. This is one machine that you will find yourself getting excited about. Upon powering the machine up, I felt like a kid in a candy store…with all the windows open and a hurricane coming through. But we will get into that a bit later.”
Seeking The Best Performance per Watt for Folding@Home
Hardware Secrets :: Tuesday, November 04, 2008
“We got so excited in participating in the Folding@Home project that we built as many high performance systems we could running both the SMP and GPU clients. We were very happy with the results until we received our first electricity bill: our energy consumption more than doubled – and we haven’t even had our systems running 24/7 for 30 days! Since we still wanted to contribute as much as we can to Folding@Home, we decided to go in a quest to find out if there is a way to score lots of points at Folding@Home and, at the same time, not going bankrupt. We got all video cards we had available here in our lab to see which one provided the best performance/consumption ratio. Check it out.”
A tour of a Gigabyte factory
Tech Report :: Tuesday, November 04, 2008
What better way to understand how a motherboard is created than seeing it for yourself? Read on as we tour Gigabyte’s Nan-Ping production facility and watch a motherboard being made.
Mod of the Month – October 2008
Bit-Tech Modding :: Tuesday, November 04, 2008
Another month has rolled on through, and we’re back with the newest installment of the bit-tech Mod of the Month. Which mod gets the treat, and which gets a ghoulish trick? Read, vote, and tell us your thoughts!
Apple Core Duo by Cyprio
Bit-Tech Modding :: Tuesday, November 04, 2008
It’s been over a year in the making, but what can only be described as the G5 mod to which all others can be compared to is now finally complete! It’s time to take a look at what Apple only wished it designed…
Far Cry 2 PS3 by Butterkneter
Bit-Tech Modding :: Tuesday, November 04, 2008
Pro-modder Butterkneter delivers a simply stunning slice of African savannah with his Far Cry 2 themed PS3, featuring everything from giant ants, to a human skull! With fantastic attention to detail and brilliant craftsmanship, you’ve got to see this mod to believe it!
Gelid Silent Spirit CPU Cooler Reviewed
Dragonsteel Mods :: Tuesday, November 04, 2008
Gelid Solutions has sent me over the Silent Spirit CPU cooler for review, it’s their first foray into the CPU cooling game and it looks to be a decent performer overall. The Silent Spirit is a small cooler that’s meant to keep things cool and quiet at the same time, the cooler features four copper heatpipes with an angled heatsink design so it should fit in just about any case and configuration. How does it compare to the others out there? Read on to find out…
Kingwin EZ-Dock 2.5″/3.5″ SATA hard Drive Docking Station
Dragonsteel Mods :: Tuesday, November 04, 2008
If you’re anything like me, and you’re probably not, but if you’re any kind of geek you’ve got several hard drives floating around your house or office and figuring out what’s on them can be a pain as you’ve got to open up your case and install the drive or use an external HDD enclosure. Kingwin has sent me over a very useful product for those of us that have many bare hard drives floating around, it’s the EZ-Dock and it can actually accept either 3.5” or 2.5” hard drives and you can then connect them to your PC via USB cable or even eSATA to make the transfers a bit faster.
eFizz Travel
Dragonsteel Mods :: Tuesday, November 04, 2008
In the current market, there are plenty of speaker options for the iPod. Joining this crowded field is Ewoo, a Swiss company that has teamed up with Cabasse, a well-regarded European Speaker manufacturer known for their high fidelity speakers for the past fifty years. Ewoo has released three new products for the iPod market. Today we will look at one of these exciting selections – the eFizz Travel. This portable stereo speaker system is the little brother of the eFizz iPod Stereo speaker. It is designed to be portable and rechargeable, thus allowing maximum listening freedom. Since it incorporates the speaker skills of Cabasse, this mobile system is designed to compete with the high models from companies such as Bose and Klipsch. Today we will look and listen at the newest portable iPod speaker solution. Let’s get started……
Sunbeam Core-Contact Freezer CPU Cooler
Dragonsteel Mods :: Tuesday, November 04, 2008
There’s a huge selection of CPU coolers available on the market today, and choosing one can be confusing at best. The latest trend in CPU coolers is direct heatpipe cooling where the heatpipes contact directly onto the top of the CPU cooler. This system seems to work well, and with some cooler it does provide a better cooling solution. We haven’t taken a look at any CPU coolers in a while, so today I’ve got the Sunbeam Core Contact Freezer CPU Cooler for review. As the name suggests, the heatpipes are in direct contact with the top of your CPU to supposedly provide good cooling performance. The Core Contact Freezer is a lightweight cooler that appears well made and offers up some decent performance numbers when compared to other on the market today, so continue on to learn more about this cooler…
V-MODA Vibe Duo Reviewed
Dragonsteel Mods :: Tuesday, November 04, 2008
Headphones can dramatically affect a listener’s musical experience. A great pair can make music an auditory pleasure, while a bad pair can make the source material sound like it is being played underwater. Finding the right pair is not always easy and the best way to test headphones is to listen to them for your self. Today we will look at the latest release from a fairly new entrant in the headphone market – V-MODA. This company focuses on the styling of the headphone, while retaining a high quality acoustic experience. The V-MODA Vibe Duo is the latest in the ear model from V-MODA and is designed to work with the iPhone. In addition to acting as a headphone, V-MODA can function as a headset in conjunction with the iPhone or other similar device. Let’s take a closer look.…
Casio Exilim EX-Z150 Point-and-Shoot Camera
PC World :: Tuesday, November 04, 2008
This cute Casio point-and-shoot camera is easy to use, but suffers from shutter lag and limited focusing abilities.
Samsung S3 Slim Music Player
PC World :: Tuesday, November 04, 2008
The Samsung S3 is a low-price music player with high-quality sound and design.
Rock Band vs. Guitar Hero, Round 2
PC World :: Tuesday, November 04, 2008
With Rock Band 2 and now Guitar Hero World Tour now on store shelves, it’s high time for a music videogame jam session. What should you buy?
Fallout 3 Review: Incredible Roleplaying Game, Lousy Ending
PC World :: Tuesday, November 04, 2008
If you want to enjoy the best bits of Bethesda’s dazzlingly desolate Fallout 3, just resign yourself to not quite finishing it.
Fujitsu LifeBook T1010
PC World :: Tuesday, November 04, 2008
An all-around solid performer in basic day-to-day use, the Fujitsu T1010 won’t turn heads, but it’ll get the job done.
Sony VGN-NR485 All-Purpose Laptop
PC World :: Tuesday, November 04, 2008
This Intel-equipped bargain laptop’s shallow keystroke might put off some people, but the overall package is terrific.
Toshiba Satellite Pro L300D-EZ1001V All-Purpose Laptop
PC World :: Tuesday, November 04, 2008
Cheapness shows through in places, but this $649 laptop with sweet-sounding audio is not a bad buy overall.
RIM BlackBerry Bold 9000
PC World :: Tuesday, November 04, 2008
The BlackBerry Bold sports a revamped design and interface, but it falls short in other areas.
Beta Watch
PC World :: Tuesday, November 04, 2008
The beta sites this month include an online alternative to PowerPoint, a guide to Web video, and a birdwatcher’s haven.
Hands On with Microsoft’s New Xbox Experience, Part Two
PC World :: Tuesday, November 04, 2008
Microsoft’s extreme console makeover for the Xbox 360 arrives on November 19th, and it’s already a huge improvement.
What I’ve Learned Writing ‘Gadget Freak’
PC World :: Tuesday, November 04, 2008
The best gadgets are both simple and elegant, and they change your life in ways you don’t expect.
Lenovo ThinkPad SL400
PC World :: Tuesday, November 04, 2008
This entry-level ThinkPad offers features and software that used to be limited to higher-end ThinkPads.
Hands On with Microsoft’s New Xbox Experience, Part One
PC World :: Tuesday, November 04, 2008
Microsoft’s extreme console makeover for the Xbox 360 arrives on November 19th, and it’s already a huge improvement.
HP’s Mini 1000: A New Netbook
PC World :: Tuesday, November 04, 2008
HP’s second-generation mini-notebook falls in the middle of the current netbook pack due to performance tests.
HP Pavilion Elite a6560t Value Desktop PC
PC World :: Tuesday, November 04, 2008
This is a nice value system with good mainstream performance and a TV tuner.
Acer Veritron L460 Value Compact Desktop PC
PC World :: Tuesday, November 04, 2008
Tiny but powerful, this PC is perfect for small workspaces and kiosks.
Gateway GT5692 Value Desktop PC
PC World :: Tuesday, November 04, 2008
This triple-core Phenom system is a solid buy for SOHO users on a budget.
Dell Inspiron 518 Value Desktop PC
PC World :: Tuesday, November 04, 2008
If excellent everyday performance on a budget is your desire, this PC is a good choice.
15 Tools to Make Your PC a Multimedia Powerhouse
PC World :: Tuesday, November 04, 2008
Enjoy your video and audio collections to the fullest with the help of these free and low-cost downloads.
Cowon A3 (30GB) Portable Video Player
PC World :: Tuesday, November 04, 2008
If you can get past its bulky design and unintuitive controls, the Cowon A3 shines as a portable video player.
Canon Selphy ES3 Snapshot Printer
PC World :: Tuesday, November 04, 2008
The Selphy ES3’s fun factor is negated by its problems with speed, print quality, and consumables costs.
Sony Picture Station Digital Photo Printer DPP-FP95
PC World :: Tuesday, November 04, 2008
Speed and versatility can’t make up for disappointing photo quality–especially at this price.
VZ Navigator Cell Phone GPS
PC World :: Tuesday, November 04, 2008
Verizon’s GPS has an excellent display, easy-to-use navigation controls, and accurate traffic reports–but no extras or frills.
Sprint Navigation Cell Phone GPS
PC World :: Tuesday, November 04, 2008
Sprint Navigation gives accurate turn-by-turn directions, but the interface isn’t as user-friendly as that of Verizon or AT&T’s applications.
AT&T Navigator Cell Phone GPS
PC World :: Tuesday, November 04, 2008
AT&T Navigator has more useful features than other cell phone GPS apps, including weather and scheduled commuter traffic alerts.
Cell Phone GPS App Smackdown
PC World :: Tuesday, November 04, 2008
We put GPS navigation applications from AT&T, Sprint, and Verizon Wireless to the test on BlackBerry Curves. All did fine, but AT&T was the winner.
Canon Selphy CP770 Snapshot Printer
PC World :: Tuesday, November 04, 2008
Choose this model only if its looks mean more to you than its overall performance, which is merely adequate.
Panasonic HDC-HS9 High-Definition Camcorder
PC World :: Tuesday, November 04, 2008
This AVCHD camcorder’s lackluster performance is only partially offset by a low price.
Sony Handycam HDR-SR12 High-Definition Camcorder
PC World :: Tuesday, November 04, 2008
The Handycam HDR-SR12 can record over a dozen hours of great-looking AVCHD video onto its 120GB hard drive, but it comes at a hefty price.
Canon Vixia HF10 High-Definition Camcorder
PC World :: Tuesday, November 04, 2008
This compact camcorder combines sharp AVCHD video, flash memory, easy and flexible operation, and a reasonable price.
Camcorders: High-Def, No Tape
PC World :: Tuesday, November 04, 2008
Small, light HD camcorders that don’t need miniDV tapes are nearly the norm, but are they ready for marquee status? We look at five flash, hard-drive, and SD Card camcorders and see how they stack up against a top miniDV camera.
DXG DXG-566V Camcorder
PC World :: Tuesday, November 04, 2008
The bargain-priced DXG-566V records poor-quality high-def video and mediocre stills.
Canon Vixia HV30 HD Camcorder
PC World :: Tuesday, November 04, 2008
The HV30 records high-quality HD video to old-fashioned tape.
Samsung SC-HMX20C High-Definition Camcorder
PC World :: Tuesday, November 04, 2008
Flash-based camcorder has a cool design and records high-definition video of reasonable quality.
LG Lotus (for Sprint) Cell Phone
PC World :: Tuesday, November 04, 2008
The Lotus has a striking design, but an unattractive price.
The Nintendo DS’s Dirty Little ‘Secret’
PC World :: Tuesday, November 04, 2008
Over 70 million Nintendo DS portables sit in gamers’ hands. It’s an awesome success, with tons of great games–but what is it that Nintendo doesn’t want you to know about the best-selling handheld?
Acer Aspire 8920 Desktop Replacement Laptop
PC World :: Tuesday, November 04, 2008
This big, beautiful consumer laptop’s 18.4-inch screen could be brighter, but speed and other features make up for that.
Micro Express JFL9290 All-Purpose Laptop
PC World :: Tuesday, November 04, 2008
Despite the JFL9290’s lackluster design, its blazing record-setting speed grabs headlines.
Toshiba Satellite A305-S6864 All-Purpose Laptop
PC World :: Tuesday, November 04, 2008
Budget minders will like this sleek laptop with good built-in speakers. But make sure that an outlet is close by.
HP Photosmart A536 Compact Photo Printer
PC World :: Tuesday, November 04, 2008
This model produces decent, basic snapshot printing for bargain-minded or entry-level users.
Low-Cost Laptops in the Spotlight
PC World :: Tuesday, November 04, 2008
Five reasonably powerful portables from Acer, Dell, and HP are available for under $700.
Fable II is Peter Molyneux’s Smartest Game Yet
PC World :: Tuesday, November 04, 2008
Lionhead’s whimsical and deeply beautiful adventure for the Xbox 360 is a masterful rehabilitation of the role-playing genre.
A Disk Checker, a Finance Planner, and a Puzzle
PC World :: Tuesday, November 04, 2008
Keep your hard drive healthy, plan a happy financial ending, and play a bouncy game.
Five Reasons to Try Adobe Photoshop Lightroom
PC World :: Tuesday, November 04, 2008
Explore the first photo editor that feels like it was designed by a photographer.
Intel Core i7 Performance Preview
Techgage :: Tuesday, November 04, 2008
With Core i7’s launch due in just a few weeks, there’s no better time than right now to take a hard look at its performance, which is what we’re taking care of today. In addition to our usual performance comparisons with last-gen CPUs, we’re also taking an in-depth look at both QPI and HyperThreading performance, and some of our results may surprise you.
XFX GeForce GTX 260 Black Edition
Techgage :: Tuesday, November 04, 2008
No matter your need for graphics power, the choice of GPUs right now is fantastic. Where high-end gamers are concerned, two popular options are the HD 4870 1GB and the GTX 260/216. We’re taking a look at XFX’s latest release of the latter, which features such an impressive factory overclock, it manages to keep up to the GTX 280.
Gigabyte EP45-UD3P
Techgage :: Tuesday, November 04, 2008
Looking to build a new machine on a budget? Then look no further than choosing Gigabyte’s EP45-UD3P as your choice for motherboard. It may not offer a lot in the area of bling, but it includes a solid design, lots of connectivity (including 8 USB and S-ATA), fantastic overclocking potential and best of all, it comes in at an average price of $115.
SilverStone FT01 Mid-Tower
Techgage :: Tuesday, November 04, 2008
SilverStone has become well-known over the years for producing top-quality products, and the FT01 further reinstates that fact. Although the chassis is a bit pricier than others, it’s well-deserved. Obvious R&D went into this one, and not only does it offer superb airflow and the lack of a single sharp edge, it’s also one of the quietest chassis’ we’ve used in a while.
Smooth Creations Smoothbook Slice
Techgage :: Tuesday, November 04, 2008
The choice in netbooks used to be slim, but that’s far from being the case today. With all the competition, companies have to be creative in how they design their product, and in the case of Smooth Creation’s Smoothbook Slice, how they differentiate themselves is in the look. So if you ever wanted a netbook with a very unique paint job that defines who you are, read on.
NuForce Icon-1 Amplifier and S-1 Speakers
Techgage :: Tuesday, November 04, 2008
NuForce isn’t the first company to bring high-end audio to the desktop, but their first complete PC audio system blends trendsetting aesthetics and audiophile-quality performance to form one of the most intriguing new PC audio systems we’ve yet seen. Do the Icon-1 and S-1 provide a little slice of audiophilia on your desktop?
ASUS P6T Deluxe OC Palm Edition Preview
Techgage :: Tuesday, November 04, 2008
Intel’s first Core i7 CPUs are set to launch next month, and already, related product is hitting our labs. The most notable is ASUS’ first mainstream X58 board, the P6T Deluxe. Key features include a 16+2 power phase design, SLI and CrossFireX support (up to three GPUs), support for SAS hard drives, and an external device to aide in overclocking.
ASUS EN9800GTX+ 512MB Dark Knight
Techgage :: Tuesday, November 04, 2008
Need a new mid-range GPU for under $200? NVIDIA’s 9800 GTX+ is a good model to keep in mind, and ASUS’ Dark Knight card in particular proves to be one well-worth considering. The card offers great gaming performance for the cash, even handling certain games at 2560×1600 with ease, has a sweet-looking cooler, and best of all, is priced-right.
Gigabyte EP45-EXTREME
Techgage :: Tuesday, November 04, 2008
Intel’s P45 chipset proves to be one of the best mainstream offerings ever created, and Gigabyte put it to good use on their EP45-EXTREME. The board offers sweet cooling ability (which the help of a lot of copper), amazing overclocking potential (500MHz stable with a Quad!) and fantastic power efficiency – all at a good price.
Dell Studio Hybrid Small Form Factor Desktop
Hot Hardware :: Sunday, November 02, 2008
Two perpetually, almost fad-like and recurring themes for computing technology in 2008 are low power, environmentally friendly products as well as tiny, small form-factor or ultra-portable machines. Power consumption and size — it has become undeniably hip and cool to offer products that cater to the new carbon footprint and mechanical footprint-minded consumer. If you didn’t know better, it almost seems like the introduction of Asus’ Eee PC started the craze back in Q4 of ’07 but clearly, at least small form-factor system have been around for many years.
Some of you will remember Shuttle’s line of wildly popular barebones XPCs which became an underground hit with many in the DYI crowd looking to build Home Theater setups or fully capable and portable LAN boxes. Shuttle hit the scenes with this system over six years ago, if you can believe that, and they’ve been growing in popularity ever since with the recent small form-factor/eco-friendly frenzy breathing even more life into the market niche’. And you know SFF (small form-factor) systems have arrived when the “big guns” like Dell set their sights on this competitive arena.
Dell’s marketing team had their collective thinking caps on for the brand naming of their new line of Studio Hybrid SFF desktops. While the machine is comprised of traditional electronics and is powered by standard AC current, the term “Hybrid” conjures up efficiencies in power consumption along with perhaps a physical profile that slices cleanly through the air. Click the link below and check it out…