Computer Shopper (July 2006)

Citation preview

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FIXES FOR COMMON TECH PROBLEMS

WI-FI STORAGE MADE EASY

TOP MP3 PLAYERS COMPUTERSHOPPER.COM

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THE MOST COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE TO TODAY’S TECHNOLOGY

HOW DURABLE IS YOUR LAPTOP?

WE TESTED NEW MODELS— ONLY ONE SURVIVED DROPS, SPLASHES, HEAT, & COLD

AMS C W E N COOL W AS $119 AS LO

SHOT P A N 11 S ERS PRINT

U.S. $4.99 | CANADA $5.99

66 +

JULY 2006 | DISPLAY UNTIL JULY 10, 2006

MERA A C L A DIGIT ERGUIDE SUP

800.520.0498 ©1999-2006 Hypersonic PC Systems/SDI Inc. All Rights Reserved.

✱ CONTENTS

132 Think the iPod Nano is the best flash-based MP3 player? Perhaps it’s time to think different.

JULY 2006 VOLUME 26 NUMBER 7 ISSUE 316

DESKTOPS

20 22 22 22 24 24

Overdrive Gemini.SLI Apple Mac Mini Core Duo Gateway FX510XL Shuttle XPC X100 HP Pavilion s7320n Slimline Lenovo 3000 J105 NOTEBOOKS

21 26 26 28 28

64

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Dell XPS M1710 Dell Latitude D620 Lenovo 3000 N100 HP Compaq NX9420 Toshiba Satellite P105-S921 COMPONENTS

30 30 32 32 32

Features NOTEBOOK TORTURE TEST

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Drop, Chill, Bake, and Spill Will toasting your notebook in a hot car or knocking it off your desk spell R.I.P.? We dished out the hurt to four major-maker thin-and-light laptops, splashing, freezing, baking, and dropping them—a lot—to identify the survivors.

DISPLAYS

34 34 34

Camera Panorama We brought out the wide-angle lens for our annual digicam extravaganza. Whether you’re buying your first digital model or are ready to upgrade, see our giant guide for snapshots of 66 of the latest shooters. Smile!

Canon Pixma iP6600D Epson Stylus Photo R2400 HP Photosmart Pro B9180 MOBILE PRODUCTS

73

40 40 40

LG F9200 RIM BlackBerry 8700g Tekkeon EZTalker Digital

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DIGITAL CAMCORDERS

42 42 42

TECH-HELP TOP 20

84

Dell UltraSharp 2007WFP Envision EN2028 HP VS17 PRINTERS

38 38 38

DIGITAL-CAMERA SUPERGUIDE

73

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ATI Radeon X1800 GTO nVidia GeForce 7600 GT Creative Fatal1ty 1010 Mouse ECS 945G-M3 (1.0b) Maxtor OneTouch III Mini Edition

Panasonic PV-GS300 Sanyo Xacti VPC-HD1 Sony DCR-DVD505 DVD Handycam DIGITAL AUDIO

Ask the Editors Help is just a page turn away. Speed up your boot time, halt browser hijacks, untangle wireless woes: Our expert editors tackle 20 of the most common—and most challenging—tech questions they get.

49 49 49

Peony Media Bluetooth Headphone Pioneer Inno SanDisk Sansa e200 DIGITAL LIVING

50 50 84

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Dell W3706MC Logitech Harmony 550 Advanced Universal Remote Roku SoundBridge Radio

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SOFTWARE

52 Page 84

Page 96

52 54 54 54 57

Page 132

Page 64

Page 73

30 Hankering for an affordable graphics card that performs like a pro? We look at two new contenders from ATI and nVidia—and tell you which is the better buy.

57 57

Norton SystemWorks 2006 Premier Corel Painter Essentials 3 EmailTreo Registry Mechanic 5.2 SiteAdvisor Ashampoo Burning Studio 6 Fresh UI 7.5 Spytech SpyAgent 5 TOP 25

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The best Media Center desktops, budget notebooks, inkjet printers, networkstorage drives, and imaging software.

computershopper.com July 2006

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Help & How-To COMPUTER CURES

93

Our help guru doles out advice on preserving old photos, assigning keyboard shortcuts, and fixing a laptop display. Plus, learn an easy way to bypass Windows’ password screen.

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WEEKEND PROJECT

Shared Storage Made Simple Add communal storage space to all the computers on your home network with a single network-attached hard drive. It’s easy to set one up—our primer steers you around the obstacles. 100 Photo-Flub Fixers Is your hard drive packed with digital pictures you’ve shot that just aren’t quite right? Learn shooting techniques that eliminate common photo flaws, and make your digital images as perfect as can be— before you even hit the shutter.

TechMarket

96

BUYING BASICS

132 How to Buy the Right Flash-Based MP3 Player

COMPLETE PRODUCT MARKETPLACE GUIDE

105 Performance Desktops 107 Ultraportable Notebooks 110 Home and Small-Office Laser Printers

114 External Hard Drives 116 17-Inch LCDs 120 Portable Digital Audio and Video Players (Hard Drive-Based)

Web Buyer THE BEST SITES FOR ONLINE SHOPPING

123 123 124 125 125 126

Tech Products Digital Cameras and Accessories Cases and Mods Direct PC Vendors Software VoIP Services and Resources

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Also in This Issue TRENDS

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New “802.11n draft” wireless-networking products may not be living up to the hype. Plus, Seagate releases 750GB hard drives, and a new company is adding Wi-Fi to memory cards. GEAR

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• Altec Lansing XT2 • Cooler Master Real Power 550W SLI • LaCie Little Big Disk • Memorex FlashDiscs • Sony Ericsson W810i Walkman • Thermaltake Tai-Chi M2

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DEPARTMENTS

8 8 127 131

Editor’s Note Letters Spotlight Ad Index

JULY 2006 VOLUME 26 NUMBER 7 ISSUE 316 Computer Shopper (ISSN 0886-0556) is published monthly, for $24.97 per year in the U.S. and $54.97 per year outside the U.S., by SX2 Media Labs, LLC, 28 E. 28th St., New York, NY 100167942. Periodicals Mail postage paid at New York, NY, and additional mailing offices. Publications Mail Agreement No. 40009221. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Computer Shopper, P.O. Box 52565, Boulder, CO 80322-2565. Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to PO Box 503, RPO West Beaver Creek, Richmond Hill, ON L4B 4R6. Portions of Computer Shopper are published under license from CNET Networks, Inc., San Francisco, CA, USA. Editorial items appearing in Computer Shopper that were originally published on www.cnet.com, www.download.com, or www.news.com are the copyright property of CNET Networks, Inc., or its suppliers. Copyright © 2006 CNET Networks, Inc. All rights reserved. “CNET” is a trademark of CNET Networks, Inc. All other content Copyright©2006 SX2 Media Labs, LLC. All rights reserved. Permission to use Computer Shopper content is granted on a case-by-case basis. SX2 Media Labs welcomes requests. Please direct inquiries to [email protected]. You may also make phone requests by contacting Reprint Management Services at 717-399-1900. “Computer Shopper” is a trademark of SX2 Media Labs, LLC. PRINTED IN THE U.S.A.

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EDITOR’S NOTE JANICE CHEN have all involved notebooks. There was the time someone kneeled on my closed computer and cracked the LCD, the time I spilled hot coffee all over my laptop (and lap), and the time my hastily re-stashed ultraportable fell out of my MY WORST COMPUTER CATASTROPHES

carry-on as I dashed through airport security. I learned from those experiences not only to be more careful, but also to choose my mobile PCs wisely. Though some companies specialize in ruggedized notebooks, unless you work in a harsh daily environment, a mainstream laptop is probably more practical and affordable. To determine which standard-fare notebooks are sturdy, we put out a call to major manufacturers, inviting them to participate in our notebook torture test. Four courageous candidates stepped up to the plate: Dell, Gateway, Hewlett-Packard, and Toshiba. Turn to “Drop, Chill, Bake, and Spill” (p. 64) to find out which model survived extreme heat, bitter cold, a three-foot drop, and our water-torture test. If you’re having computer troubles of a different sort, don’t miss our “Ask the Editors” feature on p. 84. Our editors tackled

LETTERS DON’T KNOCK APPLE SUPPORT In reviewing the Apple iBook G4 in your May issue, your reviewer reported that “Apple offers only the bare minimum in service and support” (p. 38). For a diehard Windows user, this sounds like justification to avoid any Apple product. Yet your review fails to mention the AppleCare extended support package, plus Apple’s extensive support and discussion forums. The truth is Apple excels at supporting its product lines, and you’d be hard-pressed to find a Mac owner who’d tell you otherwise. Cheryl Klerkx

LINUX: NOT JUST FOR GEEKS! I was glad to see a cover story focusing on building an inexpensive home PC (“Build a Bargain,” June, p. 64). But I believe you mislead readers by dismissing Linux as “not a start-from-scratch operating system for the average user.” Linux is easier to install

20 of your toughest tech conundrums, ranging from hardware-compatibility issues to software snafus. If you’re lucky, the biggest tech dilemma you’re facing is which shiny new gadget to buy. Digital cameras are at the top of many a summer shopping list, so we’ve put together our annual camera superguide, starting on p. 73. We cover 66 new models, ranging from budget cameras for as little as $119, to enthusiast-level digital SLRs that do it all. Plus, we look at 11 new photo printers. Finally, if you haven’t paid a visit to our Web site recently (computershopper.com), now is a great time. We’ve added message boards and a new blog. Written by our editors, the blog, ShopTalk (computershoppermag.com/shoptalk), is the place to find up-to-the-minute news on the products you’re most interested in. Whether it’s a cool new desktop PC or component, a cutting-edge gadget, or industry news, we’ll report it here first. And the Computer Shopper forums (computershoppermag.com/ forums) are message boards where you can meet up and discuss everything tech-related with fellow readers. Come to trade shopping tips or to find new ways to get the most out of your technology products. [email protected]

D WIN!

and maintain than Windows, and it’s much more configurable. A Linux package manager can update a whole system or add software easily, and you can install the same OS on as many computers as you like. Plus, a Linux system is immune to almost all viruses. It’s time to re-evaluate the knee-jerk assertion that Linux is only for geeks. Eric Went

RETHINKING YOUR NEW GPU In “New Life for an Old PC” (May, p. 102), Levy Vargas claims that when upgrading your PC’s graphics card, you should look for a GPU with a faster core and twice as much RAM. To determine whether the GPU is faster, however, I suggest looking at both the clock speed and the number of pixel pipes. Also, while RAM helps with higher resolutions, it does not increase performance considerably. Instead of opt-

A $300 Best Buy gift card Go to computershopper.com/survey. See sweepstakes rules on p. 130. ing for lots of RAM, upgraders should go for a card with more memory bandwidth. Brian Love The benefit of doubling your video memory depends on the card you’re replacing. Going from a 64MB card to a 128MB card, or from a 128MB card to a 256MB one, can make a noticeable performance difference today. Upgrading from 256MB to 512MB, however, won’t speed today’s games much—though it should help your card better handle tomorrow’s more-demanding games. —Ed.

We want to hear from you. Letters, Computer Shopper 28 E. 28th St., 10th Fl. New York, NY 10016-7922 E - M A I L : [email protected] Letters may be edited for length and clarity, and may be published in any medium. WRITE:

For subscription service questions, address changes, or to order: Please contact us at www.service.cshopper.com (customer service) or www.subscribe.cshopper.com (to order); Phone: US and Canada (800) 274-6384, elsewhere (902) 563-4752; Mail: Computer Shopper, P.O. Box 52565, Boulder, CO 80322-2565 (please include mailing label, as it contains information that will expedite processing); Fax: (303) 604-0518; E-mail (please include your full name and the address at which you subscribe; do not send attachments): [email protected]. Subscriptions: The one-year (12-issue) rate is $24.97. Outside the US add $30 per year for surface mail, US funds only. Please allow 3-6 weeks to receive your first issue as well as for any changes to take place on an existing subscription. Back issues: $8 each in the US, $12 each elsewhere (subject to availability). Prepayment is required. Make checks payable to Computer Shopper. Mail requests to: Back Issues, Computer Shopper, P.O. Box 52565, Boulder, CO 80322-2565. Mailing list: We sometimes make our customer lists available to third parties that may interest you. If you do not wish to receive their mailings, please write us at: Computer Shopper, P.O. Box 52565, Boulder, CO 80322-2565.

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July 2006 computershopper.com

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BACK-TO-SCHOOL BUYING GUIDE Whether you're returning to campus or just looking for an excuse to upgrade, our guide will get you back into the digital daily grind with a full selection of affordable desktops, notebooks, and hardware for students and smart shoppers alike.

STAFF EDITOR ASSISTANT EDITOR COPY CHIEF/ASST. MANAGING EDITOR COPY EDITOR ASSOCIATE ART DIRECTOR PRINCIPAL PHOTOGRAPHER

Rik Fairlie Wendy Sheehan Chris Phillips Sean Portnoy Joshua Goldman Louis Ramirez Erin Kandel John A. Burek Jasmin Malik Chua Todd Betterley Chris Gould

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DO MORE WITH YOUR IPOD That omnipresent pocket media player can do much more than play Eminem tracks and screen sitcoms. We'll show you how to “think different” when it comes to getting the most from your iPod.

Janice J. Chen

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POWER PARTS Sluggish system need a boost? Lightning-fast CPUs, blazing graphics cards, huge hard drives, and much more—don’t miss our primer on shopping for the components your power-deprived PC craves.

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Dell recommends Windows® XP Media Center Edition

Take multimedia to uncharted territory with this potent system. NEW XPS 700 Special Edition Formula Red Desktop starting at $2490, Jet Black Desktop starting at $2390 Shown with the crème de la crème 30" Dell™ UltraSharp™ Widescreen Flat Panel Display – add for $2199.

PRICING/AVAILABILITY: Prices, specifications, availability and terms of offers may change without notice. Taxes, fees, shipping, handling and any applicable restocking charges are extra and vary. Offers may be combined with other select offers or discounts. Valid for U.S. Dell Home Systems Co. new purchases only. Dell cannot be responsible for pricing or other errors, and reserves the right to cancel orders arising from such errors. TRADEMARKS/COPYRIGHT NOTICES: Intel, Intel logo, Intel Inside, Intel Inside logo, Celeron, Celeron Inside, Centrino, the Centrino logo, Intel Core, Core Inside, Pentium, and Pentium Inside are trademarks or registered trademarks of Intel Corporation or its subsidiaries in the United States and other countries. All other registered trademarks or trademarks are property of their respective owners. Microsoft and Windows are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. ©2006 Dell Inc. All rights reserved.

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supersonic. Introducing the fully customizable XPS ™ 700. Get a 360° tour of this revolutionary new system at dell.com/fulltilt. The new XPS 700 desktop combines brains, a bold forward-leaning design and blazing speed to deliver a truly dynamic desktop. Equipped with a burly Intel® Pentium® D Processor 930 with Dual-Core Technology, optional twin NVIDIA® graphics cards and revolutionary AGEIA™ PhysX™ technology, this workhorse is a multimedia maniac’s dream machine. It’s also the most configurable and expandable desktop we’ve ever made. Plus, all XPS products come with the support of a specially trained tech support squad. The XPS 700. It’s the total package.

Want an up close and personal view of the brains and brawn?

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For hearing/speech impaired: 1-877-DELL-TTY (toll-free)

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© Buffalo Technology (USA), Inc. Buffalo Technology, Buffalo logo, LinkStation and TeraStation are either trademarks or registered trademarks of Buffalo Technology (Buffalo Inc.). The names and logos of other companies mentioned herein belong to their respective owners.

HD-H0.6TGL/R5

TRENDS

16 Seagate Releases 750GB Internal, External Hard Drives 16 Memory Card to Bring Wi-Fi to Digital Cameras 16 New Display-Interface Standard Looks to Replace DVI 18 Gear

UPCOMING TECHNOLOGIES AND PRODUCTS

Early Tests Dispute Performance Claims of Draft-802.11n Products TWO DIFFERENT groups testing new wireless products based on a draft standard of next-generation Wi-Fi technology are cautioning consumers against buying prestandard gear. The Farpoint Group and the technology trade publication eWeek have released the results of tests on new products using draft versions of the 802.11n standard. While eWeek’s assessment was not nearly as negative as the Farpoint Group’s, both groups concurred that it was still too

Digital Decisions More people today than in 2002 say the Web has helped them...

Help another person cope with a major illness

54 percent

Pursue career training

50 percent

Make major investment/ financial decisions

45 percent

Look for a new place to live

43 percent

Decide on schools/ colleges for themselves or their children

42 percent

Help themselves cope with a major illness

40 percent Buy a car

23 percent Switch jobs

14 percent

soon for consumers to buy products using 802.11n. The 802.11n standard, which should be finalized early next year, will allow notebook users to

Linksys WRT300N Wireless-N Broadband Router

connect to wireless access points at speeds much faster than what’s currently available with 802.11g technology. The 802.11n standard will use multiple input, multiple output (MIMO) technology, which is expected to improve range and throughput. In testing, however, the Farpoint Group found that the Linksys SRX400, which uses Airgo’s third-generation MIMO technology (and is not compli-

ant with the draft version of 802.11n), offered better throughput at longer distances than products from Buffalo Technology and Netgear that used draft802.11n. The report also indicated that the “draftcompliant” products didn’t connect at faster speeds or across greater distances than existing 802.11g products. At the same time, eWeek tested Linksys’ new WRT300N Wireless-N Broadband Router and the WPC300N Wireless-N Notebook Adapter. It found that while Linksys’ draft802.11n gear was the fastest wireless equipment the magazine had tested to date at short distances, its performance at a 50-foot range was disappointing. (Check our August issue to see how Linksys’ and Netgear’s draft-802.11n products do in our reviews.) —Marguerite Reardon

News.com

• TRENDSPOTTING

Researchers at the University of Toronto have developed painton lasers that could help create smaller computer chips once they reach maximum density using traditional manufacturing methods. At some point in the future, chips will be so dense and fast that their copper interconnects won’t be able to function properly. The Toronto researchers’ solution to that problem is nanoparticles, suspended in a paint-like liquid, that are able to transmit data through infrared light the laser produces. The paint-on laser can be created by dipping glass into the liquid, which is dryable with a hairdryer. —Sean Portnoy

Researcher to Create 10-Gigapixel Photo Michael Cohen, a scientist with Microsoft Research, is trying to create a photo this summer that will contain 10 billion pixels, that’s 10 gigapixels, not megapixels. He’s already done 4-gigapixel shots of downtown Seattle. Cohen’s work, dubbed Big Panoramas, seeks to marry Internet mapping and high-resolution photography. The technique involves taking several hundred pictures with a standard digital camera, stitching the photos together, and then

compensating for changes in the position of the sun, the movement of clouds, and other environmental factors during the time it takes to capture all the shots. It took more than 800 photos and an hour and a half to shoot the pictures for one of Cohen’s 4-gigapixel photos. The variations in light and exposure conditions during that time period, however, are neutralized so the entire image appears to have been captured in a single News.com moment. —Michael Kanellos

Source: Pew Internet & American Life Project

computershopper.com July 2006

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TRENDS TECH NEWS

Seagate Unleashes 750GB Hard Drives rapidly evolving hard drive SEAGATE is one step closer business, it reflects the sucto the terabyte hard drive cess Seagate has had over its with new drives that hold 750GB—a record, according to the company. The company has started to ship its Barracuda 7200.10 line of 3.5-inch internal hard drives, along with an external 750GB Pushbutton Back-up Hard Drive. Both drives feature platters that store magnetic bits in a vertical orientation using perpendicular-recording technology, which allows more information to be stored in a given space on the platter. The internal Seagate 750GB Pushbutton drive costs $590, while Back-Up Hard Drive the external one recompetitors in bringing tails for $559. perpendicular-recording Although the 750GB record technology to market. While isn’t likely to last long in the

relatively few of Seagate’s drives incorporate the technology, the company has released drives, including 2.5-inch notebook models, using perpendicular recording regularly of late. A 750GB drive could hold the same amount of data as 750 pickup trucks loaded with books, or the amount of data contained in books produced from 37,500 trees, according to the 2003 How Much Information study from the University of California at Berkeley. Still, demand for storage is expected to grow with the proliferation of high definition television. —Michael Kanellos

News.com

Memory Card to Bring Wi-Fi to Digital Cameras WHILE digital cameras with wireless networking capabilities are not new to companies such as Canon, Kodak, and Nikon, startup firm EyeFi wants to add Wi-Fi to cameras via another method—media cards. The company is developing an SD flash-memory card that also features builtin 802.11 connectivity (b/g). With the card installed in an SD-compatible digital camera, a user could wirelessly transmit images to a PC hard drive or wirelessly print images via a network printer. While Wi-Fi SD cards have been available for PDAs for a few years, digital cameras haven’t been able to read the cards

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because cameras are not designed to take advantage of their dual functionality (Wi-Fi and storage), according to Ziv Gillat, Eye-Fi’s vice president of marketing. Gillat says his company’s card is recognized by a camera only as a storage device, with the card using its wireless features

July 2006 computershopper.com

“behind the camera’s back.” “By taking this approach, we can work, in theory, with any camera that already exists, or as new cameras are brought to market,” Gillat said in an e-mail interview. “This approach allows [consumers] to pick their camera based on features, size, price, and brand, then enable the camera with Wi-Fi functionality.” Eye-Fi plans to release a beta version of the SD card later this year. (Pricing has yet to be determined.) The company also plans to release a Wi-Fi-enabled CompactFlash card by the second half of 2007. —Sean Portnoy

New DisplayStandard Plugs In DisplayPort, a new standard poised to replace Digital Visual Interface (DVI) connections on PC displays, has been approved by the Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA), an organization that includes Dell, HewlettPackard, Lenovo, nVidia, and Philips as members. According to VESA, DisplayPort is superior to DVI for several reasons, including having a smaller connector and the ability to stream digital audio and video simultaneously over the same cable. It also provides optional copy protection for displaying high-definition (HD) content, an ability DVI lacks. While being promoted as an interface primarily for PC displays and notebooks, DisplayPort can also be used in HD televisions (HDTVs), where it would compete with the High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) standard. (HDMI is now showing up on most new large-screen HDTVs.) VESA claims the new standard has advantages over HDMI, which can also send digital audio and video over a single cable and offer optional copy protection of HD source material. DisplayPort has more data bandwidth than HDMI does, and it can scale up in resolution and color depth when new display technologies emerge. —S.P.

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Vivid As…Brilliant As…Innovative as LG. Specifications are subject to change without notice. Screen image simulated. See dealer for warranty details. ©2006 LG Electronics, Inc. Englewood Cliffs, NJ. LG Design, Life’s Good, and FLATRON are trademarks of LG Electronics, Inc.

www.LGusa.com

GEAR NEW PRODUCTS BY ERIN KANDEL

Power station Cooler Master’s $119 Real Power 550W SLI not only pumps 550 watts of juice into power-hungry dualgraphics-card Scalable Link Interface (SLI) PCs, but it also keeps noise levels low, thanks to a silent, bluebacklit fan. The Real Power also features a nifty power-consumption meter that fits into a free 3.5-inch drive bay. Cooler Master, www.coolermaster-usa.com

The beat walks on A true media maven, the feature-packed Sony Ericsson W810i Walkman cell phone can play MP3 audio files, record MPEG-4 video clips, and snap pictures with its 2-megapixel camera. Bundled with a 512MB Memory Stick Pro Duo card and stereo headphones, this satin-black cell has a sharp, 1.9-inch color screen and dedicated buttons that can pull up music menus in a snap. The list price for the W810i is $499.95. Carrier information was not available at press time. Sony Ericsson, www.sonyericsson.com

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July 2006 computershopper.com

Mighty mouse pad Discerning gamers will go for Thermaltake’s $34.99 Tai-Chi M2, a sleek pad designed to maximize mouse performance. Bonded to a sheet of durable, high-density aluminum alloy, the M2’s processed PVC surface ensures a high level of precision and control, while silicon beads underneath keep the pad in place during game play. The M2 works with any optical or ball mouse, and comes with a padded carrying pouch for travel. Thermaltake Technology, www.thermaltakeusa.com

Xtreme sound Altec Lansing’s $149.95 XT2 portable laptop speakers pump up the volume on notebook audio. The two stylish, lightweight speakers have full-range micro-drivers that deliver big sound and booming bass. Thanks to fold-away stands and retractable cords, the small sound system fits easily into the included carrying case. Also, you can use the XT2’s built-in microphone to make VoIP calls on the go. Altec Lansing Technologies, www.alteclansing.com

Big in little Shareable storage Share and swap files on the cheap with Memorex’s FlashDiscs. More spacious than floppies, but less expensive than most USB thumb drives, these colorful plastic discs come with 16MB of reusable storage and are compatible with both PCs and Macs via their USB connection. Plus, FlashDiscs are sold in packs of three ($19.99), so you can share them with your coworkers, classmates, friends, and family. Memorex Products, www.memorex.com

Take more gigabytes on the go with LaCie’s $399.99 Little Big Disk portable hard drive. This 160GB drive is small, silent, and FireWire-buspowered, so you don’t need to lug around an AC adapter. Encased in a sturdy aluminum body, it supports RAID 0 and has a USB 2.0 port, a FireWire 400 port, and two superfast FireWire 800 ports. (It’s also available in 200GB and 320GB capacities.) LaCie, www.lacie.com

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REVIEWS THE LATEST HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE PRODUCTS

Overdrive Gemini.SLI Overclocking yields top performer OVERDRIVE’S Gemini.SLI is an expertly tweaked PC with performance that rivals that of similar systems with higherend components. Equipped with a midrange 2GHz AMD Athlon 64 X2 4400+ processor, our quiet $4,000 test unit kept up with Falcon EDITORS’ RATING 7.1 Northwest’s Mach V and other sys0 BETTER >> 10 tems running PROS Aggressive overclocking propels AMD’s flagship midrange parts to high-end performance; Athlon 64 FX-60 immaculately assembled case; quiet CPU. Despite that CONS Insignificant savings compared impressive techniwith competing high-end systems cal feat and the SPECS 2GHz Athlon 64 X2 4400+; 1GB PC’s three-year DDR; 150GB and 250GB hard drives; douwarranty, we have ble-layer DVD±RW; no monitor; two reservations about nVidia GeForce 7900 GT graphics cards the Gemini.SLI. (256MB); Windows XP Professional Unlike most PC Overdrive PC, 866-410-9958 companies, Overdrive www.overdrivepc.com digs deep into the Direct Price $4,000 minutiae of BIOS settings and other overlooked areas of desktop design, often resulting in category-leading performance. The Gemini.SLI isn’t the fastest PC we’ve seen, but it comes awfully close.

What’s the Deal? With the Gemini.SLI, Overdrive PC once again proves it can overclock a PC better than anyone in the business, pushing a midrange Athlon 64 X2 4400+ to perform at the same level as the top-of-the-line Athlon FX-60. What it’s for: 3D gaming or CPU-intensive tasks. Who it’s for: Gamers and power users who don’t mind paying a little extra to get a lot more power inside a beautiful box. With this much number-crunching power, day traders and graphic artists will be delighted; average business users may find it overkill, however. What’s included: A three-year parts-and-labor warranty with toll-free phone support and free repair shipping; Norton AntiVirus 2005; a Creative Labs Sound Blaster Audigy SE sound card. Extra essentials: A monitor; 7.1-channel speakers; a keyboard and mouse; games. The bottom line: Overdrive’s HyperClocking techniques push the Gemini.SLI beyond its clock-speed potential, but it’s still too expensive, considering it lacks a few high-end staple parts.

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Its BAPCo SYSmark 2004 overall score of 303 was second only to the overclocked Mach V’s 306. The PC’s 3D-gaming results were less impressive but plenty fast nonetheless. The two 256MB nVidia GeForce 7900 GT cards delivered 96.1 frames per second (fps) on our demanding Half-Life 2 test at 1,600x1,200. (The two FX-60-based PCs from Falcon Northwest and Velocity Micro posted 109.1fps and 106.3fps, respectively.) While those systems beat the Overdrive, their WWW configurations cost at least Interested in vendors that $1,000 more. build custom rigs? Although that savings Check out our roundup of sounds impressive, don’t get boutique builders at computershopper.com/ too excited. Our Gemini.SLI handcraftedpcs test model had a relatively spare component list that needs bulking up—it came with just one optical drive, no mouse or keyboard, and an aging Sound Blaster Audigy SE sound card. When we configured a Gemini.SLI and Velocity Micro’s Raptor 64 with nearly identical specs—the only difference being the CPU and motherboard— the Gemini.SLI, equipped with an overclocked Athlon 64 X2 4400+, came up to $4,343, while the Velocity Micro system with an Athlon 64 FX60 racked up $4,375. Not exactly the price savings we’d hoped. The Gemini.SLI has one of the tidiest interiors we’ve seen. With only a few fans spinning, it runs mighty quiet, too.

—Rich Brown

CNET.com

in this section

Dell XPS M1710 Say hello to the fastest laptop on the planet

✓

WHEN DELL created the XPS M1710, the company aimed high and made no compromises. Crafted out of magnesium alloy, this hulking machine is fitted with the best components that (a lot of) money can buy, such as a fast 2.16GHz Intel Core Duo T2600 processor and nVidia’s new 512MB GeForce Go 7900 GTX GPU. At 8.8 pounds, the XPS M1710 is a lot of machine, but, EDITORS’ CHOICE

EDITORS’ RATING 0

8.2

BETTER >>

10

PROS Best-in-class gaming performance; top-shelf processor, graphics engine; attractive illuminated case; solid multimedia features; full assortment of ports, connections CONS Expensive; display should be brighter SPECS 2.16GHz Core Duo T2600; 2GB DDR2; 100GB hard drive; double-layer DVD±RW; 17-inch TFT; Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 Dell, 800-999-3355 www.dell.com

Direct Price $3,875 make no mistake, it packs in all the extras you could possibly want—even an illuminated chassis and a built-in subwoofer. Our $3,875 test unit came configured with Intel’s top-of-the line Core Duo processor, 2GB of fast 666MHz DDR2 SDRAM, a 100GB hard drive spinning at 7,200rpm, and the aforementioned GPU. With all that power, it’s no surprise the M1710 notched 72 frames per second (fps)

in our F.E.A.R. benchmark tests and 107.9fps in our Doom 3 tests. Its BAPCo SYSmark 2004 scores were equally impressive, dusting every notebook score we’ve ever recorded. Hard-core gamers, take note: This is hands-down the best notebook for mobile gaming we’ve tested to date. We were also impressed by the M1710’s battery life of 2 hours and 34 minutes, which is decent for a desktop replacement. The M1710 also features Dell’s MediaDirect software, which lets you play CDs and DVDs without booting up your system. The laptop isn’t perfect, though. Although the unit runs Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005, you don’t get a TV tuner, which is a shame because its 17-inch wide-screen display has a superfine 1,900x1,200 (WUXGA) native resolution. We think the screen could have been brighter, too. You’ll find no shortage of connectivity on the M1710: headphone and microphone jacks, VGA and DVI outputs, an S-Video output, a four-pin FireWire port, and six USB 2.0 ports. Also onboard are an ExpressCard slot, a five-format media-card reader, a double-layer DVD±RW drive, and built-in 802.11a/b/g Wi-Fi connectivity. Dell covers the M1710 with an industrystandard one-year warranty, which provides parts-and-labor coverage with mailin service. The company also offers a special tech-support number exclusively for XPS owners, staffed by reps who can assist with the latest games and technologies. —Justin Jaffe

CNET.com

From its illuminated chassis to its top-shelf components, the XPS M1710 has all the fundamentals—and extras— you could possibly want.

22 DESKTOPS Apple Mac Mini Core Duo Gateway FX510XL Shuttle XPC X100 HP Pavilion s7320n Slimline Lenovo 3000 J105 26 NOTEBOOKS Dell Latitude D620 Lenovo 3000 N100 HP Compaq NX9420 Toshiba Satellite P105-S921 30 COMPONENTS ATI Radeon X1800 GTO nVidia GeForce 7600 GT Creative Fatal1ty 1010 Mouse ECS 945G-M3 (1.0b) Maxtor OneTouch III Mini Edition 34 DISPLAYS Dell UltraSharp 2007WFP Envision EN2028 HP VS17 38 PRINTERS Canon Pixma iP6600D Epson Stylus Photo R2400 HP Photosmart Pro B9180 40 MOBILE PRODUCTS LG F9200 RIM BlackBerry 8700g Tekkeon EZTalker Digital 42 DIGITAL CAMCORDERS Panasonic PV-GS300 Sanyo Xacti VPC-HD1 Sony DCR-DVD505 DVD Handycam 49 DIGITAL AUDIO Peony Media Bluetooth Headphone Pioneer Inno SanDisk Sansa e200 50 DIGITAL LIVING Dell W3706MC Logitech Harmony 550 Advanced Universal Remote Roku SoundBridge Radio 52 SOFTWARE Norton SystemWorks 2006 Premier Corel Painter Essentials 3 EmailTreo Registry Mechanic 5.2 SiteAdvisor Ashampoo Burning Studio 6 Fresh UI 7.5 Spytech SpyAgent 5

For details on how we test the hardware we review, visit computershopper.com/ HowWeTest.

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computershopper.com/reviews

REVIEWS DESKTOPS

Gateway FX510XL A good-deal power PC, despite upgrade hurdles FOR $3,881, our FX510XL review unit is a good example of Gateway’s large-vendor muscle. You get a powerful desktop, an outstanding 21-inch wide-screen LCD monitor, and decent-sounding Logitech Z-5300e EDITORS’ RATING 6.6 5.1 speakers, all for a compet0 BETTER >> 10 itive price. What you PROS Competitive price; terabyte of don’t get, though, is the hard drive space; wide-screen 21-inch LCD handcrafted touch of smaller PC shops. We CONS Lacks the configurability of a true gaming system; messy case interior; can live without an autest system featured single SLI-capable tomotive paint job on nVidia card on CrossFire motherboard, the case, but a tidy intewhich won’t support SLI rior is worth paying for, SPECS 3.73GHz Pentium Extreme Ediand it’s missing here. tion 965; 2GB DDR2; two 500GB hard A high-end PC aimed drives; double-layer DVD±RW; DVDat digital-media enthuROM; 21-inch Gateway LCD; nVidia GeForce 7800 GTX graphics (256MB); siasts and gamers, the TV tuner; Windows XP Media Center FX510XL is loaded with Edition 2005 a compelling compoGateway, 888-888-2075 nent lineup headlined www.gateway.com by a full terabyte of storDirect Price $3,881 age. It also comes with

Apple Mac Mini Core Duo Intel-based Mini is a decent home theater PC MEDIA LOVERS will rejoice at the Apple Mac Mini Core Duo. It includes extras such as a remote control, flexible video and audio ports, and an improved ability to share media with other computers across a network. A media-rich software bundle, including Apple’s from-thecouch interface software Front Row, comes standard. Note, however, that many thirdEDITORS’ RATING 7.5 party apps need to use Rosetta, Apple’s translation 0 BETTER >> 10 software, to work with the PROS Inexpensive; easy new Intel processors. In our to connect to an entertainment tests, Rosetta slowed overall system; attractive software performance. bundle As for the Mini’s benchCONS Poor TV-image processmark-test scores, our expectaing; sluggish performance with tions were low given the $899 non-native software price, but the system showed SPECS 1.66GHz Core Duo; 1GB a marked improvement over DDR2; 80GB hard drive; doublelayer DVD±RW; no monitor; inteits high-end predecessor. DVD grated Intel graphics; Mac OS X and high-definition video, 10.4 however, showed poor image Apple Computer, 800-692-7753 quality when output to a www.apple.com television.

Direct Price $899

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—Troy Dreier

July 2006 computershopper.com

CNET.com

Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005, Creative’s Sound Blaster X-Fi audio card, and a TV-tuner card. Despite these fancy features, you’ll be disappointed to find cables snaking everywhere inside, complicating future upgrades. On BAPCo’s SYSmark 2004 test suite, the FX510XL turned in a blistering overall score of 265. The situation gets a bit more complicated for the PC’s 3D performance. Our test unit came with a single 256MB nVidia GeForce 7800 GTX graphics card, and it’s fast, as its 100.4 frames per second on our 1,024x768 Doom 3 test will attest. Note, though, that the motherboard supports ATI’s dual-graphics-card CrossFire technology, and an additional $829 would net you a two-card ATI Radeon X1900 XT configuration for a boost in graphics performance. The nVidia card Gateway provided supports nVidia’s own two-card technology, Scalable Link Interface (SLI), but the motherboard Gateway used does not. This left us wondering why Gateway sells the nVidia card with this system at all, as opposed to a comparaCNET.com ble single ATI card. —Asa Somers

Shuttle XPC X100 FIRST

Long regarded as the originator of the small-form-

TAKE factor PC, Shuttle joins the ultra-tiny-desktop fray—tussling with the likes of Apple’s Mac Mini and AOpen’s MiniPC—with its barely there XPC X100. Upside: The angular design may look like an old-school 5.25-inch floppy drive, but the X100 is a full PC with a slot for a double-layer DVD burner. Specs include Intel’s exceptional mobile CPUs, up to 2GB of DDR2 RAM, up to 500GB of storage, built-in Wi-Fi, and a surprisingly comprehensive array of ports, including five USB 2.0 and one FireWire, as well as an S/PDIF output and a media-card reader. Downside: With a PC this small, forget about internal expansion. An ATI Radeon X1400 graphics chip is a fixed component, nixing any chances of using the X100 as a totable 3Dgaming powerhouse. Also, considering the low-end processor is a Celeron M, the starting price of $699 seems somewhat high. Outlook: Fully loaded, the X100 will make for one dynamite little desktop. Even in its most minimal configuration, however, this deliciously petite PC should be a solid Windows solution for those with limited needs, space, and means. —Joshua Goldman p Shuttle Computer, 888-972-1818, sys.us.shuttle.com Direct Price $699 to $1,299 (depending on configuration)

HP recommends Windows XP Professional ®

Vault-like security, wherever the road takes you. The HP Compaq nc2400 Business Notebook with Intel® Centrino® Mobile Technology. Starting at 2.8 pounds, this ultralight notebook helps secure your work three ways: with a fingerprint sensor, Smart Card reader and embedded security chip. And it’s all backed by our unrivaled HP Total Care services, for every stage of your computer’s life. Visit hp.com/personal, call 1-800-799-MYHP or visit your local reseller. Starting at $1,649.

© Copyright 2006 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. The information contained herein is subject to change without notice. Prices may vary. Simulated images. Wireless access point and Internet service sold separately. Intel, the Intel logo, the Centrino logo, and Centrino, are trademarks or registered trademarks of Intel Corporation or its subsidiaries in the United States and other countries. Microsoft and Windows are U.S. registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.

REVIEWS DESKTOPS

HP Pavilion s7320n Slimline A stylish and able budget performer THE PAVILION s7320n Slimline delivers impressive goods in an attractive package at an approachable $549.99 (before a $50 rebate). The catch: You can’t customize or expand the system. The s7320n’s configuration is about as fixed as you’ll find, but budget buyers won’t outgrow the system too EDITORS’ RATING 6.5 quickly, thanks to the relative0 BETTER >> 10 ly robust feature set. PROS Very affordable; compact True to its name, the design; quiet operation; Lights7320n is compact, about the Scribe DVD burner; roomy hard size of a large college dictiondrive; Media Center OS ary. The tiny size is possible, CONS System cannot be in part, because HP used a upgraded/customized; roller-ball notebook processor, the mouse 1.6GHz Celeron M 380, which SPECS 1.6GHz Celeron M 380; runs more efficiently than a 1GB DDR2; 200GB hard drive; desktop chip. The CPU is the double-layer DVD±RW; no monitor; integrated Intel graphics; only mobile-specific compoWindows XP Media Center nent HP used, but the compaEdition 2005 ny nonetheless managed to fit Hewlett-Packard, 888-999-4747 the power supply inside the www.hp.com compact box instead of opting Direct Price $549.99 (before for an external brick. $50 rebate) In our tests, the s7320n

kept up with budget competitors, though it scored an unremarkable 128 on BAPCo SYSMark 2004. On our multimedia tests, the PC turned in decidedly average scores, as well. Overall, this PC is good for those with basic needs or is perfect as a secondary desktop. (Note: Our exact test configuration, while still available at retail at press time, was updated to the $729.99 s7420n, which includes a much faster 1.7GHz Pentium M 735A CPU. The lower-end $579.99 s7410n is closer to what we tested, with a 1.7GHz Celeron M 390 processor; performance will be approximately the same.) The s7320n ships with an Internet keyboard, which features Web-specific buttons and media controls, and a dated PS/2 roller-ball mouse. HP didn’t skimp on software, bundling Microsoft Works 8, Quicken 2006, and Microsoft Money 2006, as well as a suite of multimedia applications, alongside the media-management features of the Windows CNET.com XP Media Center OS. —Matthew Elliott

Lenovo 3000 J105

EDITORS’ RATING

Business smarts with low overhead

0

AIMED AT BUSINESSES with 25 or fewer employees, the Lenovo 3000 J105, part of the company’s 3000 J-series of PCs, trades impressive specs for a low price and a well-rounded support package. The higher-end models in the series, including this $808 test system, will fill the bill for light office tasks, e-mailing, and Web browsing, while the Lenovo Care package provides peace of mind for your business operations. At the time of this writing, the 3000 J-series includes 17 base desktop-PC configurations, split almost evenly among Intel and AMD CPUs. The systems are fixed configurations; options involve adding peripherals, accessories, and software. Systems are priced

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July 2006 computershopper.com

BETTER >>

5.6 10

PROS Affordably priced; decent suite of system utilities/restore

as low as $349, though at this tools price you’d be getting a quesCONS No DVD-burner option; tionable combination of a lacks PCIe support Sempron 3000+ CPU and SPECS 2.2GHz Athlon 64 256MB of RAM. Our review 3200+; 512MB DDR; 80GB hard unit hit a BAPCo SYSmark drive; DVD-ROM/CD-RW combo; 2004 rating of 156—plenty of 17-inch Lenovo LCD; integrated Via/S3 graphics; Windows XP performance for office tasks. Professional Two USB 2.0 ports and a floppy drive are located on Lenovo, 800-692-7753 www.lenovo.com the front, with four additional USB 2.0 ports around Direct Price $808 back. Notably absent, even from the upgrade options, however, are FireWire ports and a DVD burner; your only optical-drive possibility is the stock DVD-ROM/CD-RW combo drive. A Via/S3 UniChrome Pro chipset handles graphics duties, employing 64MB of shared system memory. If you decide to add a discrete graphics card, it’ll need to be AGP; PCI Express (PCIe) cards aren’t supported. The big plus for businesses is the Lenovo Care suite, which provides quick links to multimedia applications, backup software, one-button system recovery, and WebCNET.com based service and support. —John R. Delaney

REVIEWS NOTEBOOKS

Dell Latitude D620 Business system has the right connections THANKS to its excellent wireless features, Dell’s Latitude D620 will keep you connected wherever you roam. Add its fast mobile performance, extensive array of security options, and 2GHz dual-core processor, and you have the makings of a solid business laptop for any corporate setting. Our $2,099 EDITORS’ RATING 6.9 test unit came with 0 BETTER >> 10 1GB of RAM, an 80GB PROS Fast performance; excelhard drive, a double-layer lent security, wireless-connectiviDVD burner, and an nVidia ty features; reinforced case; Quadro NVS 120M graphics shock-protected hard drive chip with 256MB of dedicatCONS Mediocre battery life; ed VRAM. optional fingerprint sensor reSomewhat chunky for a duces mouse-button size; lacklusthin-and-light (5 pounds), ter speakers; no built-in mediacard reader the notebook is clad in a magnesium-alloy frame and SPECS 2GHz Core Duo T2500; comes with a shock-pro1GB DDR2; 80GB hard drive; double-layer DVD±RW; 14.1-inch TFT; tected hard drive. Its bright Windows XP Professional 14.1-inch wide-screen display has a native resolution Dell, 800-388-8542 www.dell.com of 1,280x800 (WXGA). Wireless functionality is Direct Price $2,099

the D620’s forte, with features such as built-in 802.11a/b/g Wi-Fi connectivity, a handy Wi-Fi finder, Bluetooth + Enhanced Data Rate (EDR) capability, and an Evolution Data Optimized (EV-DO) wireless area network (WAN) card. You don’t get multimedia features such as a media-card reader or high-quality speakers; instead, Dell emphasizes security, with features including a SmartCard slot (a card might authenticate user ID, ease online purchases, or encrypt sensitive info), a Trusted Platform Module chip, and an optional fingerprint sensor. Note that the sensor decreases the size of the mouse buttons, as it’s wedged between them. The D620 scored 247 on our BAPCo MobileMark 2002 benchmark test, proving it has ample horsepower for everyday business needs. It failed to match Dell’s claims of a 7-hour battery life, however, expiring after just 4 hours. Dell covers the D620 with a three-year warranty that includes next-business-day onsite service and CNET.com toll-free 24/7 tech support. —Stephanie Bruzzese

Lenovo 3000 N100 Affordable laptop doesn’t skimp on performance

EDITORS’ RATING 0

LENOVO’S 3000 N100 is one of the few laptops to give you top value for your money. Its battery life may be average, and its one-year warranty paltry for a business system, but you likely won’t find a better system for the price. Our $1,399 test unit was built around a 1.83GHz Intel Core Duo processor, 512MB of DDR2 SDRAM, a low-end nVidia GeForce Go 7300 graphics chipset, and an 80GB hard drive. (Lenovo now offers a 100GB hard drive in this configuration for the same price.) The 15.4-inch wide-screen display had a crisp native resolution of 1,680x1,050. Some design gotchas were prominent, however. The stereo speakers delivered awful, tinny sound, and the notebook’s keys, though responsive, felt cramped at times. Also, the touch pad is small, with too-stiff

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July 2006 computershopper.com

BETTER >>

6.7 10

PROS Good components for buttons. (Above the keyprice; competent performance; board are three external wide-screen display with fine volume controls; a fourth resolution; robust help/systembutton summons the management utility Lenovo Care systemCONS One-year warranty; unremanagement utility.) markable battery life; touch pad Connectivity was better. and its buttons poorly designed; In addition to the standard tinny speakers items, the N100 offers a SPECS 1.83GHz Core Duo; four-format media-card 512MB DDR2; 80GB hard drive; reader, built-in 802.11a/b/g double-layer DVD±RW; 15.4-inch Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth supTFT; Windows XP Professional port. Our unit also came Lenovo, 866-458-4465 with a double-layer DVD www.lenovo.com burner. And although the Direct Price $1,399 N100 lacks the multiple security features of some competing notebooks, it does have a fingerprint reader. The N100 turned in competent scores on our benchmark tests, performing as well as similarly configured dual-core-CPU systems. Battery life was slightly more than three hours in our drain tests—not bad, though not CNET.com the best we’ve seen. —Justin Jaffe

computershopper.com/reviews

REVIEWS NOTEBOOKS

HP Compaq NX9420 A powerful machine for the corporate crowd YOU’LL FIND no shortage of 17-inch wide-screen laptops on the market, but only Hewlett-Packard’s Compaq NX9420 is designed with large businesses in mind. The NX9420 is pricier than HP’s consumer notebooks, but it’s also more powerful, thanks to its dual-core processor. Our $2,399 test unit was EDITORS’ RATING 7.5 configured 0 BETTER >> 10 with high-end PROS 17-inch wide-screen discomponents such as a play; big keyboard with separate 2.16GHz Intel Core Duo number pad; solid performance, processor, 1GB of DDR2 battery life; full range of security RAM, ATI Mobility Radeon features X1600 graphics, and a douCONS Small hard drive; no exble-layer DVD burner with ternal touch-pad on/off button; LightScribe labeling techtouch pad is tiny nology. With such a strong SPECS 2.16GHz Core Duo; 1GB component lineup, it’s no DDR2; 80GB hard drive; doublesurprise the NX9420 blazed layer DVD±RW; 17-inch TFT; through our benchmark Windows XP Professional tests. It did well on our batHewlett-Packard, 888-999-4747 tery-drain test, too, lasting a www.hp.com very respectable 4 hours Direct Price $2,399 and 8 minutes. Our main

grumble was with the system’s anemic 80GB hard drive. With its staid looks, it’s obvious the NX9420 was meant for the corporate crowd. Still, it has a respectable pair of speakers, and its keyboard, which comes with a separate number pad, is comfortable to type on. The touch pad, however, is too small and lacks an external on/off switch. In terms of connectivity, the NX9420 has everything a business user could need, including four USB 2.0 ports, built-in 802.11a/b/g Wi-Fi, and optional Bluetooth support. (We wish the laptop included built-in cellular-data-service capabilities, however.) The PC is equipped with a full array of security features, including a fingerprint reader, a Trusted Platform Module chip, and Absolute Software’s Computrace LoJack software for laptops. HP backs the NX9420 with a three-year CNET.com warranty and 24/7 toll-free support. —Justin Jaffe

Toshiba Satellite P105-S921 A solid gaming system at an affordable price

EDITORS’ RATING 0

HARD-CORE gamers who desire best-of-breed hardware, but don’t have the sky-high budget to match, should seriously consider Toshiba’s Satellite P105-S921. Built around a 1.83GHz Intel Core Duo T2400 processor, the notebook may not be the fastest around, but its gaming pedigree is obvious—LEDs emanate an ice-blue glow below the speakers and inside the vents when you boot up. Our $1,999 review unit came with 1GB of memory, a 160GB Serial ATA hard drive, and nVidia GeForce Go 7900 GS graphics with 256MB of VRAM. The LCD is a roomy 17-inch wide-screen with a native resolution of 1,440x900. The resolution could have been higher, but the screen is reasonably bright. The P105-S921 features a full set of A/V controls, along with a volume wheel for the accompanying pair of Harman Kardon speakers, which produced low but well-balanced sound. You also get an ExpressCard

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BETTER >>

8.2 10

slot, built-in 802.11a/b/g PROS Reasonably priced; strong gaming performance; cool Wi-Fi connectivity, and a illuminated case; bright display; double-layer DVD burner complete set of A/V controls The laptop has a full-size CONS Display resolution could keyboard and a 10-key nube higher; low speaker volume; meric keypad. The mouse small mouse buttons, touch pad; buttons and the touch pad can’t turn off touch pad felt cramped, however, and SPECS 1.83GHz Core Duo you don’t get a button to T2400; 1GB DDR2; 160GB hard turn off the touch pad. We drive; double-layer DVD±RW; did appreciate the built-in 17-inch TFT; Windows XP fingerprint reader, a rare Professional feature in a gaming laptop. Toshiba America, 800-316-0920 The P105-S921 delivered www.toshibadirect.com strong multimedia and Direct Price $1,999 gaming performance, scoring 85.7 frames per second (fps) at a high-quality setting on our Doom 3 test. It also racked up a respectable 196 on our BAPCo SYSmark 2004 benchmark test. Battery life, at just over two hours, was average. Toshiba backs the P105-S921 with an industrytypical one-year warranty that includes CNET.com return-to-depot service. —Michelle Thatcher

REVIEWS COMPONENTS

Midrange-Graphics Matchup ATI and nVidia spar with new value-price gaming cards WHILE ATI AND NVIDIA have always competed vigorously for the championship title among high-end graphics cards, the companies have shifted some attention to the midrange arena with two upcoming releases: ATI’s Radeon X1800 GTO and nVidia’s GeForce 7600 GT. The rivalry, however, remains every bit as fierce. Who wins this round? Our initial testing gives nVidia an edge over ATI, but read on to find out more about our first impressions of both cards.

ATI RADEON X1800 GTO FIRST

ATI’s Radeon X1800 GTO claims to offer

TAKE solid midrange power at a competitive $249 price. Upside: Like most of ATI’s cards, the Radeon X1800 GTO only takes up a single x16 PCI Express slot, though it requires a discrete connection to your PC’s power supply. You can configure two X1800-based cards in a dual-card setup using ATI’s CrossFire platform (with caveats—see below). Downside: We’ll need to conduct further tests before we make our final judgment, but, as our F.E.A.R.-based gaming benchmark tests demonstrate, the ATI Radeon Radeon X1800 GTO offers little added value over X1800 GTO nVidia’s GeForce 7600 GT. It scored 49.3 frames per second (fps) at 1,024x768 resolution—a mere 9 percent performance increase over the cheaper GeForce 7600 GT’s 45.3 fps. Also, to install a second card alongside the Radeon X1800 GTO in a CrossFire configuration, you’ll need to buy the 256MB Radeon X1800 CrossFire Edition, which sells for around $419. That’s a total of $668 for the two cards, versus less than $400 for a pair of GeForce 7600 GT-based cards you could employ on a motherboard supporting nVidia’s Scalable Link Interface (SLI) technology. Outlook: We like the way the midrange market seems to be heating up, but we wish ATI’s contender would do more to further growth in this area. Find out in our forthcoming review if the Radeon X1800 GTO makes a better second impression. ATI Technologies, 888-974-6728, www.ati.com Direct Price $249

Unlike ATI, nVidia doesn’t sell cards based on its graphics processing units under its own brand. Cards based on the 7600 GT chipset, from third-party manufacturers, sold for an average of $179 at press time. Upside: Based on preliminary tests, the PCI Express-based GeForce 7600 GT is a better value than ATI’s Radeon X1800 GTO. It’s cheaper, it’s easier to install, and, thanks to a 90nanometer manufacturing process, it has a faster core clock speed (560MHz, versus the Radeon’s 500MHz). Plus, unlike the X1800 GTO, it doesn’t require a direct connection to your PC’s power supply. Downside: Our cursory examination of the GeForce 7600 GT has turned up little to complain about. Traditionally, nVidia’s cards have done well with games based on the Doom 3 engine, such as Quake 4 and the upcoming Enemy Territory: Quake Wars, but they have lagged behind ATI’s cards on DirectX 9-based games such as F.E.A.R. (and pretty much everything else). Still, although the 7600 GT came in second to the ATI card on our F.E.A.R. benchmark, it was by such a narrow margin that we think nVidia may be catching up. Outlook: The GeForce 7600 GT provides a vastly improved gaming experience over its popular predecessor, the GeForce 6600 GT. We expect the new card will do equally well, if not better. nVidia, 408-486-2000, www.nvidia.com List Price $179 (average selling price of thirdparty 7600 GT cards) —Rich Brown

NVIDIA GEFORCE 7600 GT FIRST

When it comes to price/performance

TAKE ratio, nVidia’s GeForce 7600 GT has the edge over ATI’s Radeon X1800 GTO. The ATI card barely squeaked by the nVidia on our initial benchmark tests, and it costs significantly more.

30

July 2006 computershopper.com

nVidia GeForce 7600 GT

CNET.com

REVIEWS COMPONENTS

Creative Fatal1ty 1010 Mouse Adjustable mouse appeals to gaming fanatics NAMED AFTER infamous gamer Johnathan “Fatal1ty” Wendel, Creative’s $49.99 Fatal1ty 1010 Mouse offers a 0 BETTER >> 10 great set of features for aspiring PROS Interchangeable weights; cyberathletes. responsive tracking; color-changing light on sensitivity switch The piano-black mouse has a glossy shell, curved matte-finish buttons, CONS Stiff thumb button; and smooth rubber sides. Its most hypersensitive third-finger button; short cord notable feature is its swappable-weight system, which lets you customize Creative Technology 800-998-1000 the mouse’s heft; Creative provides us.creative.com 3.5-, 11-, and 26-gram weight modules. Also, a switch lets you shuttle among Direct Price $49.99 400-dot-per-inch (dpi), 800dpi, and 1,600dpi sensitivity settings. We especially liked how the switch changed color depending on the setting. In our tests, we noted no lag or tracking errors, but we did find the thumb button a little stiff. Also, of the mouse’s five programmable buttons, the third-finger button was so sensitive we often accidentally clicked it. In addition, the mouse’s 5-foot USB cord was too short and somewhat reCNET.com stricting. —Will Greenwald

EDITORS’ RATING

ECS 945G-M3 (1.0b) Viiv-ready mobo hits the right notes ANYONE WISHING to build a compact hometheater PC should consider ECS’s $89.99 945G-M3 (1.0b). While we aren’t overly keen on Intel’s Viivtechnology marketing push, the Viiv platform guarantees the presence of a handful of important digitalentertainment components. Here, ECS packed them onto a relatively inexpensive MicroATX motherboard. Based on Intel’s EDITORS’ RATING 7.0 945G Express/ICH7DH chipsets, the 945G-M3 0 BETTER >> 10 mixes in all the key PROS Meets Intel Viiv specs; hardware ingredients excellent manual; color-coded required for building a pin headers Viiv-compliant PC. The CONS Limited to 2GB RAM; integrated Intel GMA no digital audio outputs 950 graphics can proSPECS MicroATX; LGA775 vide high-definition CPU socket; Intel 945G, ICH7DH video (up to 1080i). chipsets; two dual-channel The built-in audio DDR2 slots (2GB maximum); pumps out clean 8.1one IDE, four SATA connectors; 8.1-channel audio; one PCIe x16, channel surround one PCIe x1, two PCI slots; sound (there’s no rearGigabit LAN port panel digital audio out, Elitegroup Computer Systems however), and a Gigabit 510-226-7333 LAN port allows for www.ecsusa.com fast networking. Plus, Mfr. Est. Price $89.99 the board is optimized for use with Pentium D CPUs and supports dualchannel DDR2 memory up to 667MHz. The board caps memory at 2GB of RAM, however. You do get an x16 PCI Express (PCIe) slot for adding a graphics card, along with an x1 PCIe slot, but with just two PCI slots and everything packed tightly together, you’ll have to be picky with your add-on cards. Back-panel I/O support is ample, with four USB 2.0 ports, a FireWire port, and legacy connections. Internal connections and headers include four Serial ATA, one FireWire, two USB 2.0 (supporting four ports), one S/PDIF out, and one IDE. Overall, we found the 945G-M3 very easy to work with. ECS color-mapped the motherboard, matching cables to pin headers, and the included guide is well-written and thorough—perfect for a newbie builder. —Joshua Goldman

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July 2006 computershopper.com

6.7

Maxtor OneTouch III Mini Edition FIRST

It may not be the flashiest portable hard drive around, but Max-

TAKE tor’s 60GB OneTouch III Mini Edition is certainly one of the most affordable. Bundled with a comprehensive software suite, the $149 pocket-size Mini shows promise. Upside: Like its larger siblings, the USB-powered Mini includes Maxtor’s automated OneTouch backup software. As a bonus, it comes with apps designed to encrypt and synchronize the data on your drive. For frequent travelers, Maxtor includes DriveLock, embedded firmware that blocks outside users from accessing the contents of your drive, even if they remove the Mini from its casing and attach the bare drive to a desktop. If you want to safeguard individual files, a provided application can password-protect specific documents. Also, Maxtor bundles a system-rollback feature that lets you restore your OS should it get infected with adware or spyware. Downside: Maxtor doesn’t offer a FireWire-interface option for the drive. It isn’t Mac-compatible, either. Also, capacity is limited: The Mini comes only in smallish 60GB and 100GB ($199) flavors. Outlook: Compact and lightweight (7.2 ounces), the Mini appears to get most things right. Complemented by its software bundle and low price, it should be an appealing choice among portable drives. —Louis Ramirez p Maxtor, 800-282-9867, www.maxtor.com Direct Price $149 (60GB); $199 (100GB)

computershopper.com/reviews

REVIEWS DISPLAYS

Dell UltraSharp 2007WFP 20-inch wide-screen provides cheap thrills AT $529, DELL’S UltraSharp 2007WFP proves you don’t have to splurge to get a big LCD. This 20-inch wide-screen display is attractive, performs well, and handles video like a pro. With all the flexibility you could possibly want, the 2007WFP pivots, tilts, and swivels, in addition to telescoping about 3.5 inches. All adjustments are easy to make, although we noticed some wobbling when pivoting or swiveling the monitor. Connectivity includes analog and digital inputs, one upstream and two downstream USB 2.0 ports, an audio jack for connecting an optional pair of Dell speakers, and EDITORS’ RATING 7.8 both composite and S-Video 0 BETTER >> 10 inputs for connecting a DVD PROS Excellent image quality; player or camcorder. attractive price; HDTV-compatiTested at its native resoble wide screen; compositelution of 1,680x1,050, the video, S-Video inputs 2007WFP delivered excellent CONS Hard-to-navigate overall performance. The onscreen menu; base slightly display’s gray scales particuunstable during adjustments larly impressed us, showing Dell, 800-999-3355 a wide range of very light www.dell.com and very dark grays with Direct Price $529 only hints of pink. Color

screens showed slight compression in reds and blues but were vivid overall. Screen uniformity was also very good, and the viewing angle was excellent. Despite the display’s slow 16-millisecond pixel-response rate, DVD and gaming performance was smooth and detailed. When we connected the 2007WFP to a highdefinition television (HDTV) signal, the picture was clear and startlingly vivid. Not everything is perfect, however. The display’s onscreen menu (OSM) is somewhat confusing. Whereas most OSMs are vertical, the 2007FPW’s is horizontal. Also, it lacks a dedicated exit button, which means you have to shuffle through CNET.com menu options just to get out. —Kristina Blachere

Envision EN2028

HP VS17

Bland LCD falls flat despite attractive price THE NO-FRILLS Envision EN2028, as basic a 20-inch LCD as you’ll find, delivers average performance and modest adjustability. Although it’s attractively priced at $549, you can find better options. With its sober, uninspiring design, the EN2028 should fit in at most corporate offices. It lacks a swivel function, however, and you’ll need to use both arms to raise the display its full 3-inch range. Along its cramped back, you’ll find both analog and digital inputs. In our tests, the EN2028 delivered solid results rendering text and gray-scale images. Colors also looked vivid, but color scales were marred by pink tints in EDITORS’ RATING 5.8 greens and brown tints in grays. Image-adjustment options were 0 BETTER >> 10 a bit scanty, though they were PROS Good gray-scale perforrelatively easy to make using mance; reasonable price; analog, the onscreen menu. (We were digital interfaces tripped up, however, trying to CONS Limited adjustment exit submenus.) The monitor’s poky 12-millisecond response time made for mediocre performance with games and DVD playback—both tests showed aliasing and CNET.com ghosting. —K.B.

34

options; mediocre gaming, DVD playback; some color inaccuracy Envision Monitors 888-838-6388 www.envisiondisplay.com

Mfr. Est. Price $549

July 2006 computershopper.com

Budget panel offers decent speakers, little else WE WANTED to like the HP EDITORS’ RATING 5.6 VS17. Despite its average performance, the 17-inch LCD 0 BETTER >> 10 scored points for its low $230 PROS Affordable; built-in price, attractive design, and speakers, headphone jack; decent-sounding speakers. dedicated volume buttons The analog-only display came CONS Analog input only; up short, however, with its mediocre performance; few paltry one-year limited warergonomic adjustments; short warranty ranty and few ergonomic adjustments. Hewlett-Packard, 888-999-4747 www.hp.com The VS17 has a clean front bezel with a pair of 2-watt Direct Price $230 speakers built in. You also get a headphone jack and dedicated volume buttons. Another two buttons enable you to navigate the display’s onscreen menu, but not to exit it directly. In terms of adjustability, the display doesn’t swivel or pivot. You can’t change its height, either, which is fixed 2 inches above the desktop. While sharpness proved to be the VS17’s forte, its colors weren’t as vibrant as we’d have liked. Screen uniformity was also an issue, with light leaks along the edges and a noticeable difference between the top and bottom of the panel. —Jeffrey Fuchs

CNET.com

Superior Power & Gaming Technology

Sager brings you unparalleled gaming performance. Through AMD64* Technology Leadership, these processors offer Enhanced Virus Protection as well as energy saving features like Cool’n’Quiet™ Technology. Contact Sager today to begin your Superior experience. NP 5950V

NP 9750V

FEATURES

FEATURES

– nVIDIA SLI GPUs deliver heart-pounding

– Empowerment! The AMD Athlon™ 64 X2

®

™

graphics performance and mind-blowing gaming experiences. Combining two nVIDIA® GeForce™ Go 7800 GTX graphics modules in a single notebook allows you to essentially double your graphics performance. – AMD Turion™ 64 Mobile Technology is

made for mobility. Bring digital media to life whether you’re editing photos, downloading video or playing games. Stay connected wherever you go with longer battery life.

NP 5950V

– The 19" widescreen display redefines the

visual experience of mobile computing, maximizing the viewing range for the highest visual satisfaction.

NP 9750V

Dual-Core Processor enables you to do more in less time by delivering exceptional multi-tasking capabilities and increased performance on digital media. – nVIDIA® GeForce™ Go 7900 GTX PCI-Express™

Graphics Module with 256MB DDR3 Memory delivering the power and technology you need to tear through the hottest games. – Dual Optical Device bays and Dual Hard

Disk Capability allow this system to be customized with 2 CD-ROM devices and 2 Hard Drives coexisting for maximum storage capacity.

OPTIONS

OPTIONS

– Bluetooth Module – TV Tuner Module with Remote

– 802.11g and Bluetooth Combo Module – TV Tuner Module with Remote

SPECIFICATIONS

SPECIFICATIONS

– 19.0" Wide Viewing Angles WSXGA+ Active Matrix Display with Super Clear Glare Type Screen – AMD Turion™ 64 Mobile Technology ML-44 – Dual 256MB DDR3 NVIDIA® GeForce™ Go 7800 GTX PCI-Express™ Graphics with SLI™ Technology enabled – 1GB DDR SDRAM at 400MHz – 80.0GB 5400RPM Serial ATA 150 Hard Drive – 8X DVD±R/RW 1/4X +DL Multi Drive – Full Sized Keyboard with Numeric Keypad – Integrated Super Wireless LAN 802.11 a/b/g – Built-In 1.3M High-Resolution Video Camera – SRS WOW™ 3D Sound Technology – Built-In 4-in-1 Card Reader – Microsoft® Windows® XP Home Edition

– 17.0" Wide Viewing Angles WUXGA Active Matrix Display with Super Clear Glare Type Screen – AMD Athlon™ 64 X2 Dual-Core Processor 4200+ – 256MB DDR3 NVIDIA® GeForce™ Go 7900 GTX PCI-Express™ Graphics – 1GB DDR SDRAM at 400MHz – 80.0GB 5400RPM Serial ATA 150 Hard Drive – 8X DVD±R/RW 1/4X +DL Multi Drive – Full Size Keyboard with Numeric Keypad – Hardware Raid 0,1 Function – Dual Optical Device bays and Dual Hard Disk capability allow this system to be customized with 2 CD-ROM devices and 2 Hard Drives coexisting – Integrated Wireless LAN 802.11 b/g – Built-In 1.3M High-Resolution Video Camera – Built-In 7-in-1 Card Reader – Microsoft® Windows® XP Home Edition

$ 3199

$ 2899

Dealer/VAR, Government and Corporate pricing are available. Please call for details. Sager One Year Limited Warranty Policy: 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee. If the equipment does not work as promised, or if you are not fully satisfied, we will issue a full refund upon the return of all original equipment. 1-Year Parts and Labor Limited Warranty. Lifetime Toll-Free Technical Support. Sager One Year Limited Warranty Policy Applies to End Users in the United States of America only. Extended Warranty Available: Check out this comprehensive package of service/support. Business Leasing Available: Get your dream notebook with low monthly payments! Sager Corporate Offices 18005 Cortney Court, City of Industry, California 91748 Tel: 626.964.8682, Fax: 626.964.2381 Hours: Monday-Friday 7:30a.m. 6p.m.(PST) American Express, VISA, MasterCard & Discover Credit Cards Accepted - No Surcharge. Cashiers Checks Welcomed. ©2006 by Midern Computer, Inc. All rights reserved. AMD, the AMD Arrow logo, AMD Athlon, and combinations thereof, and Cool’n’Quiet are trademarks of Advanced MicroDevices, Inc. All company and/or product names mentioned herein are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of their respective companies. The DVD upgrade-kit for Sager Notebooks is licensed through the CLEVO Company. All color LCD Display screens are simulated for artistic purposes. Prices and specifications are subject to change without notice. Opened software and shipping charges are non-refundable. 30-Day money back guarantee does not include freight or shipping and handling charge. Notes: 1,2,3: DVD±R/RW, DVD-ROM, and CD-RW drives list a variable read rate. DVD-R/RW and CD-RW write and re-write speeds vary and list only the maximum possible speed. Actual DVD-R/RW, DVD-ROM, CD-RW speeds will vary and are often less than the maximum possible speed. 4: Maximum Transmission speed of up to 53Kps when downloading and 33.6Kps when uploading data. Actual speeds may vary depending on line conditions and current FCC restrictions. 5: The Module Video Card feature is designed to work with current technology. Future video card designs may be incompatible or require manufacturer modification of the unit for compatibility. This model number indicates relative software performance amoung this AMD processor family.

*

For up-to-the-minute pricing and to order online, 24 hours a day:

Call us toll free at:

sagernotebook.com

800.669.1624

POWERED BY DELL

UNTIL NOW, THE ONLY THING HARDER THAN

COMPETING IN THE IRONMAN TRIATHLON WAS BEING A FAN.

Seamlessly delivering coverage of the 17-hour endurance event that is the Ironman Triathlon to 1.5 million online fans isn’t exactly easy. But with a little help from Dell, it’s still a cakewalk compared to what the athletes go through. Over the course of a 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike ride, and 26.2-mile run in remote Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, Dell helps Ironman webcast everything from live video footage to timing data on individual athletes. Which means Dell servers have to pass an endurance test of their own: transmitting 11.9 terabytes of data while managing huge traffic spikes on ironman.com. From start to finish, Ironman isn’t just one of the most exciting sporting events on the web. It’s also a grueling test of the outer limits of human – and computing – endurance.

POWEREDGE™ 2850† RACK SERVER

$1849

Lease as low as $49/mo., (48 pmts.*) E-VALUE Code: 07881-pe2850-min Small Business Pricing

High-Speed 2U Rack Server – Optional Dual-Core Processing on Select Configurations • Intel® Xeon® Processor (2.80GHz, 2MB Cache, 800MHz FSB) • Upgradable to Dual-Core Intel® Xeon® Processor featuring dual-core processing (2.80GHz, 2x2MB L2 Cache, 800MHz FSB) • 1GB ECC DDR2 SDRAM (Up to 12GB) • 73GB* (10,000 RPM) Ultra320 SCSI Hard Drive (Up to 1.8TB*) • 24X IDE CD-ROM • Dual Embedded Intel® PRO Gigabit* NICs • 3-Yr Basic Enterprise Support (Next Business Day On-Site Service* M-F 8am-6pm, Hardware Warranty Support) • System including Microsoft® Windows® Server 2003 R2, Standard Edition Operating System, starting at $2648 †

POWEREDGE™ 1855† BLADE SERVER

POWEREDGE™ 830 TOWER SERVER

Lease as low as $47/mo., (48 pmts.*) $1749 per $749 blade E-VALUE Code: 07881-pe1855-bsapp Small Business Pricing

Optional Dual-Core Processing on Select Configurations Blade Server Configuration Per Blade: • Intel® Xeon® Processor (2.80GHz, 2MB Cache, 800MHz FSB) • Upgradable to Dual-Core Intel® Xeon® Processor featuring dual-core processing (2.80GHz, 2x2MB L2 Cache, 800MHz FSB) • 1GB ECC DDR2 SDRAM (Up to 12GB) • 36GB* (15,000 RPM) Ultra320 SCSI Hot-Swap Hard Drive (Up to 600GB*) • 3-Yr Basic Enterprise Support (Next Business Day On-Site Service* M-F 8am-6pm, Hardware Warranty Support) • Requires PowerEdge™ 1855 Enclosure for operation; not included. PowerEdge™ 1855 Enclosures start at $2999.

Lease as low as $20/mo., (48 pmts.*) E-VALUE Code: 07881-pe830sapp Small Business Pricing

1P Value Tower Server – Optional Dual-Core Processing on Select Configurations • Intel® Celeron® D Processor 331 (2.66GHz, 256KB Cache, 533MHz FSB) • Upgradable to Intel ® Pentium ® D Processor 950 featuring dual-core processing (3.40GHz, 2x2MB L2 Cache, 800MHz FSB) • 512MB ECC DDR2 SDRAM (Up to 8GB) • 80GB* (7200 RPM) SATA Hard Drive (Up to 1.2TB*) • 48X CD-ROM, 680MB, INT • Embedded Broadcom Gigabit* NIC • 3-Yr Basic Enterprise Support (Next Business Day On-Site Service* M-F 8am-6pm, Hardware Warranty Support)

These devices have not been approved by the Federal Communications Commission for use in a residential environment. These devices are not, and may not be, offered for sale or lease, or sold or leased for use in a residential environment until the approval of the FCC has been obtained.

THE TOTAL ENTERPRISE SOLUTION. Reliable. Expandable. Scalable. And just plain “able.” Dell™ PowerEdge™ servers with Intel® Xeon® Processors provide unique answers for businesses of all sizes. Especially when working in tandem with network support products like PowerVault™ storage, PowerConnect™ switches† and Dell’s OpenManage™ Systems Management software. Together, they offer flexible, highperformance technology, security, and the power to run critical apps. Sounds like just the edge you’re looking for.

Best SMB Switch – InfoWorld 2006 Technology of the Year Award Dell PowerConnect 3424P Delivers an array of enterprise-class features in a tidy package

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POWERCONNECT ™ 3424P POWEROVER-ETHERNET GIGABIT SWITCH†

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Robust 24-Port Managed fast Ethernet switch delivering industry-standard technology that integrates data, voice, and power on standard Ethernet infrastructure.

$4549

$999

The Service & Support Professionals Association (SSPA), the leading organization for IT support professionals, has awarded Dell Enterprise Services its 2005 STAR Award for service excellence in the category of mission-critical support.

CREATE A CUSTOMIZED I.T. INFRASTRUCTURE WITH DELL’S CUSTOM NETWORK ASSESSMENT FOR INSTALLATION & IMPLEMENTATION. Dell-certified IT Professionals can assess and evaluate your current network infrastructure and business requirements and help develop a comprehensive optimization plan for your exact needs. So whether you’re upgrading an existing network or installing a new one, Dell can recommend and deploy the optimal mix of hardware, software and services you’re looking for. Call and find out what Dell can do for your business. Chances are it’s a lot more than you think. Visit dell.com/smb/DellOnCall for more details.

Learn more and share your success story at dell.com/shopper

call 800.759.9783 Call: M-F 7a-8p Sat 8a-5p, CT *Pricing/Availability: Pricing, specifications, availability, and terms of offer may change without notice. Taxes, fees, shipping, handling and any applicable restocking charges, other than free shipping offer, if applicable, are extra and vary. Offers may be combined with other select offers or discounts. U.S. Dell Small Business new purchases only. Items leased will be subject to applicable end-of-lease options or requirements. Dell cannot be responsible for pricing or other errors, and reserves the right to cancel orders arising from such errors. On-Site Service: Service may be provided by third-party. Technician will be dispatched, if necessary, following phone-based troubleshooting. Subject to parts availability, geographical restrictions and terms of service contract. Service timing dependent upon time of day call placed to Dell. U.S. only. Leasing: Monthly payment based on 48-month Fair Market Value (“FMV”) QuickLease and does not include taxes, fees, shipping and handling charges. Your monthly payment may vary, depending on your creditworthiness. QuickLease arranged by Dell Financial Services L.P. (“DFS”), an independent entity, to qualified Small Business customers. Minimum transaction size of $500 required. At the end of the FMV QuickLease, you can: purchase the equipment for the then FMV, renew the lease or return the equipment to DFS. Please contact your DFS representative for further details. All terms subject to credit approval and availability, and are subject to change without notice. Gigabit Ethernet: This term does not connote actual operating speed of 1GB/sec. For high-speed transmission, connection to a Gigabit Ethernet server and network infrastructure is required. Hard Drive: For hard drives, GB means 1 billion bytes; actual capacity varies with preloaded material and operating environment and will be less. Trademarks/Copyright Notices: Dell, the stylized E logo, E-Value, Dimension, Inspiron, Latitude, OptiPlex, PowerEdge, Dell Precision, PowerConnect, PowerVault CompleteCare, ExpressCharge, Tri-Metal and UltraSharp are trademarks of Dell Inc. Intel, Intel logo, Intel Inside, Intel Inside logo, Pentium, Pentium lnside, Celeron, Celeron Inside, Xeon and Xeon Inside are trademarks or registered trademarks of Intel Corporation or its subsidiaries in the United States and other countries. Digital Light Processing, DLP, the DLP logo and the DLP medallion are trademarks of Texas Instruments. Microsoft and Windows are trademarks or registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. Ironman and M-dot are registered trademarks of World Triathlon Corporation, used here by permission. ©2006 Dell Inc. All rights reserved.

REVIEWS PRINTERS

Epson Stylus Photo R2400 Pricey inkjet yields outstanding prints

Canon Pixma iP6600D Photo-ready printer with extras IDEAL FOR snap-happy shutterbugs, the $199.99 Pixma iP6600D delivers good photo output with lots of photo-friendly extras. Subpar text output and slow operation, however, make this 9,600x2,400-dot-per-inch printer more suitable for the home than the office. At first glance, the iP6600D’s top panel is a maze of buttons and lights. Here you’ll find the printer’s 3.5inch LCD, which you can adjust to any convenient viewing angle, along with a four-way cursor-control pad (surrounding a central OK button) for EDITORS’ RATING 7.0 navigating menus and 0 BETTER >> 10 browsing photos. You PROS Solid photo quality; also get an infrared built-in duplexing; 3.5-inch LCD sensor, a PictBridge port, and two slots that CONS Mediocre text quality; slow operation accept all common digital-camera memoryCanon U.S.A., 800-652-2666 usa.canon.com card formats. Although text isn’t Direct Price $199.99 one of the printer’s strengths—in our tests, ink bleeding made text look fuzzy—the unit’s automatic duplexing is a valuable feature for home users who want to print on both sides of a sheet. Six separate ink tanks make printing more economical, but you can expect to pay almost $86 for a full set of refills. The printer’s overall color-output quality was excellent, although reds tended to be oversaturated, which, while quite pleasing for photos of ripe tomatoes, made subjects that required more subtlety appear garish. In informal testing, the iP6600D produced a 4x6-inch photo in about 45 seconds, an 8x10-inch print in just under two minutes, and monochrome text at roughly four pages per minute. Canon claims its ChromaLife 100 inks will resist fading for 30 years when used with CNET.com Canon paper. —David D. Busch

38

July 2006 computershopper.com

✓

EPSON’S Stylus Photo R2400 isn’t for everyone. It’s a space hog, and, at $849.99, it’s quite 0 BETTER >> 10 expensive for an inkjet printer. But if PROS Outstanding print your images mean everything to you, quality; long-life prints; flexible paper handling this model’s flexible paper handling and long-life, color-accurate prints make it CONS Expensive; large footworth the splurge. print; black-cartridge swapping The R2400 employs nine ink carEpson America, 800-873-7766 tridges and prints at a maximum www.epson.com resolution of 5,760x1,440 dots per Direct Price $849.99 inch. The ink carrier requires you to physically swap the matte- and photo-black cartridges depending on what you’re printing, however. With cartridges costing around $14 each, Epson estimates 8x10-inch prints work out to about 94 cents each. Our test results suggest the prints are worth the cost. Both color and monochrome prints render beautifully. Colors look vivid and punchy when appropriate, and skin tones and sky/grass colors appear fairly accurate. Print speeds were adequate, if not exactly speedy. Unsurprisingly, they take a significant hit when you bump up the resolution. The R2400 can churn out a 6x10-inch print in Photo mode in 1 minute and 34 seconds, versus just over 4 minutes in CNET.com Best Photo mode. —Lori Grunin

EDITORS’ RATING

8.1

EDITORS’ CHOICE

HP Photosmart Pro B9180 Photo Printer FIRST

Hewlett-Packard is counting on its $699.99 Photosmart Pro

TAKE B9180, which uses a new set of eight pigment-based Vivera inks, to please hard-core photo hobbyists and others who need top photo-printing performance and giant prints up to 13x19 inches. Upside: This wide-carriage inkjet employs a gray-ink tank and five basic photo primaries (cyan, magenta, yellow, Mphoto, and Cphoto), along with photo and matte blacks. Unlike other models, the B9180 can use both black tanks simultaneously for a deeper tone. According to HP, the inks use a resin-encapsulation technique that combines with an electrostatic charge to produce smoother, more evenly dispersed droplets. The printhead performs continuous nozzle checks and can clean nozzles individually, minimizing ink waste. Downside: HP claims a zippy rate of 1.5 minutes for a 13x19-inch photo and 10 seconds for a 4x6-inch one. Those times are for Draft mode, however. In Best mode, a 13x19-inch print takes closer to 6 minutes. Also, the sample prints we saw from a preproduction unit showed some gloss deficit in the blacks, an issue that plagued the first generation of Epson’s Ultrachrome inks, too. Outlook: With its new ink set, the B9180 looks to be a colorful product to test, at the very least. —L.G. p Hewlett-Packard, 877-801-7183, www.hp.com Direct Price $699.99

CNET.com

Make Make itit Perfect. Perfect.

Make Make itit ProStar. ProStar.

PR PR5988C 5988C

PR PR9068 9068CC

+ +GlassView ■ 19.0" 19.0" WSXGA WSXGA GlassViewDisplay Display featuring featuringSuper-Wide Super-Wide Viewing Viewing Angles Angles ™ ™ ■ AMD AMD Turion Turion 6464 Mobile Mobile Technology Technology ML-44 ML-44 ■ ® ® ™ ™ ■ Dual Dual256MB 256MBDDR3 DDR3nVIDIA nVIDIA GeForce GeForce ™ ™ ■ GoGo7800 7800GTX GTXPCI-Express PCI-Express Graphics Graphics ™ ™ with withSLISLI Technology TechnologyEnabled Enabled ■ ■ 512MB 512MBDDR DDRSDRAM SDRAMat at400MHz 400MHz 4 4 ■ ■ 80GB 80GB 5400RPM 5400RPM Serial Serial ATA150 ATA150 Hard Hard Drive Drive 1 1 ± R/RW ± R/RWDual ■ ■ 8X8X DVD DVD DualLayer LayerDrive Drive ■ Full Full Sized Sized Keyboard Keyboard with with Numeric Numeric Keypad Keypad ■ ■ ■ Integrated Integrated Wireless WirelessLAN LAN802.11 802.11b/gb/g ■ ■ Built-In Built-In1.3M 1.3MDigital Digital Video VideoCamera Camera ™ ™ ■ SRS SRS WOW WOW 3D3DSound Sound Technology Technology ■ Built-In Built-In4-in-1 4-in-1Card CardReader Reader 3 3 ■ Built-In Built-In56K 56K V.90 V.90Modem Modem ■ and and10/100/1000 10/100/1000Ethernet Ethernet ® ® ® ® ■ Microsoft Microsoft Windows Windows XPXPHome HomeEdition Edition ■

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PR PR5724C 5724C

■ ■ 17.0" 17.0" WUXGA WUXGAGlassView GlassViewDisplay Display featuring featuringSuper-Wide Super-Wide Viewing Viewing Angles Angles ™ ™ ■ ■ AMD AMD Athlon Athlon 6464X2X2Dual-Core Dual-Core ++ Processor Processor4200 4200 ® ® ™ ™ ■ 256MB 256MBDDR3 DDR3nVIDIA nVIDIA GeForce GeForce ™ ™ GoGo7900 7900GTX GTXPCI-Express PCI-Express Graphics Graphics ■ 512MB 512MBDDR DDRSDRAM SDRAMat at400MHz 400MHz 4 4 ■ ■ 80GB 80GB 5400RPM 5400RPM Serial Serial ATA150 ATA150 Hard Hard Drive Drive 1 1 ± R/RW ± R/RWDual ■ 8X8X DVD DVD DualLayer LayerDrive Drive ■ Full Full Sized Sized Keyboard Keyboard with with Numeric Numeric Keypad Keypad ■ ■ Hardware HardwareRaid Raid0,10,1Function Function ■ ■ Dual DualOptical OpticalDevice DeviceBays Baysand andDual Dual Hard Hard Disk Disk Drives Drives – Have – Have 2 CD/DVD-ROM 2 CD/DVD-ROM ■ ■ Devices Devicesand and2 Hard 2 HardDrives Drivesat atthethe same sametime time ■ Integrated Integrated Wireless WirelessLAN LAN802.11 802.11b/gb/g ■ Front FrontPanel Panel Audio AudioDJDJwith with ■ Separate SeparatePower PowerSwitch Switch ■ Built-In Built-In1.3M 1.3MDigital Digital Video VideoCamera Camera ■ ■ Built-In Built-In7-in-1 7-in-1Card CardReader Reader 3 3 ■ ■ Built-In Built-In56K 56K V.90 V.90Modem Modem ■ and and10/100/1000 10/100/1000Ethernet Ethernet ® ® ® ® ■ Microsoft Microsoft Windows Windows XPXPHome HomeEdition Edition ■

17.0" 17.0" WUXGA WUXGAGlassView GlassViewDisplay Display featuring featuringSuper-Wide Super-Wide Viewing Viewing Angles Angles ® ® ® ® ■ Intel Intel Centrino Centrino Duo Duo Mobile Mobile Technology Technology ® ® ™ ™ – Intel – Intel Core Core Duo Duo Processor Processor T2300 T2300 (2MB (2MB L2L2 Cache, Cache, 1.66GHz, 1.66GHz, 677MHz 677MHz FSB) FSB) ® ® – Intel – Intel PRO/Wireless PRO/Wireless3945ABG 3945ABGLAN LAN 802.11a/b/g 802.11a/b/g ® ® ™ ™ ■ 256MB 256MBDDR3 DDR3nVIDIA nVIDIA GeForce GeForce GoGo7900 7900GTX GTXPCI-Express™ PCI-Express™Graphics Graphics ■ 512MB 512MBDual DualChannel ChannelDDR2 DDR2 SDRAM SDRAMat at533MHz 533MHz 4 4 ■ 80GB 80GB 5400RPM 5400RPM Serial Serial ATA150 ATA150 Hard Hard Drive Drive 1 1 ± R/RW ± R/RWDual ■ 8X8X DVD DVD DualLayer LayerDrive Drive ■ Modular ModularOptical OpticalDevice DeviceBay Baydesign design allows allowsforforcustomization customization– –choose choose from froma CD/DVD-ROM a CD/DVD-ROMororananoptional optional 2nd 2ndHard HardDrive Drive ■ Front FrontPanel Panel Audio AudioDJDJwith with Separate SeparatePower PowerSwitch Switch ■ Built-In Built-In1.3M 1.3MDigital Digital Video VideoCamera Camera ■ Built-In Built-In4-in-1 4-in-1Card CardReader Reader 3 3 ■ Built-In Built-In56K 56K V.90 V.90Modem Modem and and10/100/1000 10/100/1000Ethernet Ethernet ® ® ® ® ■ Microsoft Microsoft Windows Windows XPXPHome HomeEdition Edition

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1 2 3 3 4 4 1X/2X 1X/2X Minimum Minimum 10X210X Minimum Minimum Download Download speeds speeds limited limited to 53Kbps. to 53Kbps. Upload Upload speeds speeds are are less.less. Actual Actual datadata speeds speeds will will varyvary depending depending on line on line conditions conditions Total Total HD accessible HD accessible capacity capacity maymay varyvary depending depending on operating on operating environment. environment. ©2006 ©2006 by by ProStar ProStar Computers, Computers, Inc. Inc. All rights All rights reserved. reserved. Intel,Intel, IntelIntel logo,logo, IntelIntel Inside, Inside, IntelIntel Inside Inside logo,logo, IntelIntel Centrino, Centrino, IntelIntel Centrino Centrino logo,logo, Celeron Celeron andand Pentium Pentium are are trademarks trademarks or registered or registered trademarks trademarks of Intel of Intel Corporation Corporation or itsorsubsidiaries its subsidiaries in the in the United United States States andand otherother countries. countries. AMD,AMD, the the AMDAMD Arrow Arrow logo,logo, AMDAMD Athlon Athlon andand combinations combinations thereof, thereof, are are trademarks trademarks of Advanced of Advanced MicroMicro Devices, Devices, Inc. Inc. All other All other companies companies andand product product names names are are trademarks trademarks of their of their respective respective companies. companies. Dealer Dealer priceprice is not is not subject subject to 30to days 30 days money money backback guarantee guarantee program. program. Opened Opened software software andand shipping shipping charges charges are are non-refundable. non-refundable. 30-day 30-day money money backback guarantee guarantee doesdoes not not include include return return freight freight or shipping or shipping andand handling handling charge. charge. Not Not responsible responsible for photo for photo or typographical or typographical errors. errors. PricePrice andand terms terms subject subject to change to change without without notice. notice. Depending Depending on the on the options options you you choose, choose, youryour notebook notebook maymay or may or may not not resemble resemble systems systems shown shown above. above. 1

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REVIEWS MOBILE PRODUCTS

RIM BlackBerry 8700g Next-gen smartphone is consumer-friendly T-MOBILE SUBSCRIBERS will find the RIM BlackBerry 8700g a robust, user-friendly messaging device and cell phone. (It costs $349.99 when purchased along with a two-year service plan, and before a $50 mail-in rebate.) At 4.3x2.7x0.7 inches and 4.7 ounces, the 8700g is sleeker and more compact than other BlackBerry models. The phone’s gorgeous 2.5-inch, 320x240 (QVGA) screen displays up to 65,000 hues and features a lightsensing technology that auEDITORS’ RATING 8.0 tomatically adjusts for your 0 BETTER >> 10 environment. Below the display, you’ll PROS Easy e-mail setup; supports popular IM clients; EDGEfind a full 35-button QWERTY enabled; full QWERTY keyboard keyboard, along with a soft center key you can program CONS Keyboard is slippery, to launch any application. cheap-feeling; problems displaying PDF files The keyboard is fairly spacious, but we didn’t like the Research in Motion 519-888-7465 keys’ cheap, slippery feel. www.rim.com The 8700g features a 312MHz Intel PXA901 procesDirect Price $349.99 (with a two-year service plan, before sor, 16MB of SDRAM, onboard $50 mail-in rebate) Bluetooth 2.0, and a speaker-

phone. The quad-band phone also supports TMobile’s EDGE network and can synchronize with several different corporate server platforms. Plus, the new e-mail utility makes it easy to access up to 10 POP3 or IMAP4 accounts. The 8700g supports popular instant-messaging (IM) apps from AOL, MSN, and Yahoo, in addition to RIM’s proprietary IM client. For work on the road, the phone’s attachment viewer can handle several popular file formats, including Microsoft Word and Excel. (PDF files gave our device some problems, however.) Overall, call quality was good, with clear conversations and adequate volume levels. RIM rates the standby time at up to 16 days, and the device lasted for a solid CNET.com 7 hours of talk time in our tests. —Bonnie Cha

LG F9200

Tekkeon EZTalker Digital

A text-friendly phone with a flawed keyboard THE LG F9200 is a nicely priced, feature-loaded cell phone that’s great for sending text messages, though its keyboard is flawed. It’s available to Cingular customers for $199.99 (when bought with a two-year service plan, and before a $50 rebate). The attractively designed F9200 is a bit bulky, due to the full QWERTY keyboard hidden behind its front face. Having a slide-out keyboard is a plus, but we were disappointed with the flat, small keys and tricky controls. Below the phone’s bright, 1.75-inch color display are navigation controls, as well as a dial pad with a curved, angled layout. Although we were able to dial by touch, the pad’s odd shape sometimes had us secondEDITORS’ RATING 7.3 guessing which key we pressed. 0 BETTER >> 10 Despite an array of photoPROS Slide-out QWERTY taking options, the F9200 has only a 1.3-megapixel VGA camera built-in, mediocre by camera-phone standards. The phone lacks a memory-card slot for expanded image storage. In our tests, the F9200 performed well, with loud, clear calls and an impressive 8 hours of talk time. —Nicole Lee

40

CNET.com

keyboard; attractive design; bright, colorful display

CONS Unintuitive keyboard buttons; difficult to dial by feel; limited memory; low-res camera LG Electronics, 800-793-8896 www.lgusa.com

Direct Price $199.99 (with a new two-year service agreement, before $50 rebate)

July 2006 computershopper.com

Quality headset has a few awkward features TEKKEON’S $119.95 EZTalker EDITORS’ RATING 7.3 Digital is a power-user Bluetooth headset that offers excel0 BETTER >> 10 lent performance, though some PROS Great performance; features are a bit tricky to use. small display with Caller ID; comCompact and lightweight, fortable fit; full range of features the 0.9-ounce EZTalker Digital CONS Features could be more fits comfortably in your ear. (Its intuitive; awkward-looking monstrous ear hook looks awkTekkeon, 888-787-5888 ward, however.) Though the www.tekkeon.com headset’s controls are small, Direct Price $119.95 they’re easy to find and use. A tiny organic-light-emitting-diode (OLED) screen displays Caller ID info, a battery meter, and the volume level. The EZTalker Digital can handle voice dialing, call reject, call transfer, and call waiting. You can also scroll through your last 15 received numbers and, with some phones, access your phone book to make new calls. One nitpick: The numbers aren’t displayed alphabetically, but from newest to oldest. We had no problem pairing the headset with Bluetooth-enabled cell phones, and sound quality was good. As for battery life, the EZTalker Digital promises 5 hours of talk time; in our tests, it delivered 4.5 days of standby CNET.com time. —Kent German

computershopper.com/reviews

REVIEWS DIGITAL CAMCORDERS

Panasonic PV-GS300 Three-CCD videocam makes manual control tricky OFFERING SUPERB VIDEO quality under a wide variety of lighting conditions, Panasonic’s $699.95 PV-GS300 is an excel0 BETTER >> 10 lent choice if you typically shoot in autoPROS Excellent video quality; matic mode. Advanced users may find its optical image stabilization; 2.7-inch wide-screen LCD limited options and awkwardly situated manual settings frustrating, however. CONS Limited manual options; This MiniDV camera’s primary apawkward joystick control peal is its trio of charge-coupled-dePanasonic, 800-211-7262 vice (CCD) chips, which allow it to capwww.panasonic.com ture sharper images and richer colors Direct Price $699.95 than single-CCD cameras do. In fact, image noise became intrusive only in dim light. The PV-GS300 also includes a 2.7-inch wide-screen LCD, optical image stabilization for its 10x optical zoom, and an SD/MultiMediaCard (MMC) slot for storing still images on a memory card. One downside: Most control adjustments require you to navigate the onscreen menus with a small joystick. The menus themselves were easy to understand, but changing settings proved CNET.com tedious. —Denny Atkin

EDITORS’ RATING

Sanyo Xacti VPC-HD1 High-definition video for under $800 THE SANYO XACTI VPC-HD1 has several innovative features: It records and outputs progressive-scan, high-definition video at 720p; it incorporates a dazzling 2.2-inch organic-light-emitting-diode (OLED) screen; and it squeezes a 10x optical zoom lens, with electronic image stabilization, into a palm-size device. Slow focus and mediocre photos and videos mar this $799.99 videocam’s achievements, however. At 4.7x3.1x1.4 inches and 8.3 ounces, the VPC-HD1 is slightly larger and heavier than Sanyo’s previous palm-size camcorders, but it still fits comfortably into a coat pocket or purse. EDITORS’ RATING 7.0 The small five-way joystick (for navigating 0 BETTER >> 10 the menus) is hard to PROS Records 720p high-defmaneuver, however. inition video; palm-size; rotating On the other hand, OLED screen; 10x optical zoom the OLED screen is one CONS Mediocre video, of the best we’ve seen still-image quality; awkward on a digital camera or joystick; sluggish focusing camcorder, in part beSanyo Fisher, 818-998-7322 cause OLED pixels selfwww.sanyodigital.com illuminate to provide Direct Price $799.99 more-uniform brightness than most LCDs can. The screen rotates 285 degrees, making self-portrait, overhead, and low-angle shots easy. You can capture MPEG-4 video in a 1,280x720 widescreen format or standard 640x480, the latter with the option of using a smooth 60-frame-per-second mode. The videocam can also capture 5.1-megapixel still images, but our test photos had a smeary, overprocessed look. The device records to SD/MultiMediaCard (MMC) media, though Sanyo doesn’t include a memory card. Considering the VPC-HD1’s small size, video quality is quite good in bright light, so long as the camera or subject move only minimally. Add movement or decrease the light, however, and video quality becomes more erratic. We also noted poor dynamic range and a serious amount of colCNET.com ored fringing. —David English

6.6

Sony DCR-DVD505 DVD Handycam A top-notch DVD camcorder EDITORS’ RATING 7.5 FULL-FEATURED but bulky, the $1,099 0 BETTER >> 10 Sony DCR-DVD505 DVD Handycam camcorder rivals its MiniDV competiPROS Better-than-average video tors in most areas, while offering the quality; large LCD; high-quality still images for a videocam convenience of direct-to-disc recording. The DCR-DVD505 records video to CONS Zoom only 10x; poor battery life; slightly grainy low-light 3-inch write-once DVD±R or rewritable video DVD±RW discs; the latter allow for some basic editing. The camera saves still imSony Electronics, 877-865-7669 www.sonystyle.com ages to Memory Stick Duo media. The lens has an unimpressive 10x optical Direct Price $1,099 zoom, but the 3.5-inch wide-screen LCD is generously sized. The unit isn’t prone to the sluggish performance common in early-generation DVD camcorders. The included battery endures for only 40 minutes of recording time under typical conditions, however. Our test footage’s sharpness and detail rivaled those of some prosumer single-image-sensor MiniDV cameras, with very good resolution overall. Video looked noticeably grainy in dim conditions, but less so than that of many competing cameras that employ a single image sensor. Still-photo quality was excellent for a camcorder, especially considering the DCR-DVD505 interpolates 4-megapixel images from its 2.1-megapixel sensor. —D.A.

CNET.com SECTION CONTINUES ON PAGE 49

42

July 2006 computershopper.com

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8X DVD+-RW Drive 10/100 Network Card & 56K V.92 Modem 3-in-1 Built-in Media Reader 1 PCMCIA Type II Slot 1 Firewire IEEE 1394 & 3 USB 2.0 Ports 3 Hours Battery Life; Free Carrying Case Weight only 6.39 Lbs 5 Custom Colors to Choose From 1 Year Limited Warranty + Lifetime Toll Free 24/7 Techsupport

$ 1229 Intel Core Duo Processor T2600 (2MB L2 Cache, 2.16Ghz, 677 Mhz FSB)

$ 1425

Intel® Core® Duo Processor T2500 (2MB L2 Cache, 2.0Ghz, 677 Mhz FSB)

$ 1285

Intel® Core® Duo Processor T2400 (2MB L2 Cache, 1.83Ghz, 677 Mhz FSB)

$ 1229

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$ 1245 Intel® Core® Duo Processor T2600 (2MB L2 Cache, 2.16Ghz, 677 Mhz FSB)

$ 1435

Intel® Core® Duo Processor T2500 (2MB L2 Cache, 2.0Ghz, 677 Mhz FSB)

$ 1299

Intel® Core® Duo Processor T2400 (2MB L2 Cache, 1.83Ghz, 677 Mhz FSB)

$ 1245

$ 1555 Intel® Pentium® M Processor 780 (2MB L2 Cache, 2.26Ghz, 533 Mhz FSB) Intel® Pentium® M Processor 770 (2MB L2 Cache, 2.13Ghz, 533 Mhz FSB) Intel® Pentium® M Processor 760 (2MB L2 Cache, 2.0Ghz, 533 Mhz FSB) Intel® Pentium® M Processor 750 (2MB L2 Cache, 1.86Ghz, 533 Mhz FSB) Intel® Pentium® M Processor 740 (2MB L2 Cache, 1.73Ghz, 533 Mhz FSB)

$ 2029 $ 1799 $ 1665 $ 1599 $ 1555

Intel®, Intel® logo, Intel Inside®, Intel Inside® logo, Intel® Centrino™, Intel® Centrino™ logo, Celeron®, Intel® Xeon™, Intel® SpeedStep®, Itanium®, Pentium®, and Pentium® III Xeon™ are trademarks or registered trademarks of Intel® Corporation or its subsidiaries in the United States and other countries. All prices are subject to change without notice or obligation. CyberPower is not responsible for any typographical and photographic errors. Copyright © 2006 CyberPower. All rights reserved.

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LG 16X DVD-ROM Drive NVIDIA® nForce4 7.1 3-D Surround Sound 600Watt Subwoofer System Logitech Office 104 Keyboard Logitech Optical Wheel Mouse Aluminum CoolerMaster Praetorian 730 Midtower Case 420Watt - Xtreme Liquid Cooling System - Free 802.11G Wireless PCI Network Adaptor - 3 Year Limited Warranty + Lifetime Toll Free 24/7 Techsupport

- NVIDIA nForce™4 SLI Chipset MB with Dual 16X PCI Express - GENUINE Windows® XP

Media Center Edition 2005 with SP 2 - Corsair 1024MB DDR2 667 Dual Channel Memory - 250GB 7200RPM SATA-II 3.0Gb/s 8MB Cache Hard Drive - NVIDIA® GeForce™ 7600GT 256MB DDR3, 16X PCI Express w/ TV-Out - 19” Viewsonic Q9B LCD Display - LG 16X DVD+-RW Drive - LG 16X DVD-ROM Drive

AMD Athlon™ 64 X2 5000+ Processor AMD Athlon™ 64 X2 4400+ Processor AMD Athlon™ 64 X2 4200+ Processor AMD Athlon™ 64 X2 4000+ Processor AMD Athlon™ 64 X2 3800+ Processor AMD Athlon™ 64 3500+ Processor

Media Center Edition 2005 with SP 2 -

1024MB PC3200 DDR400 Memory 60GB Ultra ATA100 Hard Drive Mobile ATI® X1600 256MB Video 15.4” WXGA Wide-Screen TFT Display 1280x800 Pixels - 8X DVD+-RW Drive

- NVIDIA nForce4 7.1 3-D Surround Sound - Creative Cambridge Inspire P7800 7.1 Surround Sound System - Logitech Office 104 Keyboard - Microsoft® Optical intelli Explorer Mouse - Aluminum CoolerMaster Praetorian 730 Midtower Case 420Watt - Xtreme Liquid Cooling System - Free 802.11G Wireless PCI Network Adaptor - 3 Year Limited Warranty + Lifetime Toll Free 24/7 Techsupport

AMD Athlon™ 64 FX-62 Processor AMD Athlon™ 64 X2 5000+ Processor AMD Athlon™ 64 X2 4400+ Processor AMD Athlon™ 64 X2 4200+ Processor AMD Athlon™ 64 X2 4000+ Processor AMD Athlon™ 64 X2 3800+ Processor

Media Center Edition 2005 with SP 2 -

2048MB PC3200 DDR400 Memory 100GB Ultra ATA100 Hard Drive Mobile ATI® X1600 256MB Video Card 15.4” WXGA Wide-Screen TFT Display 1280x800 Pixels - 8X DVD+-RW Drive

$ $ $ $ $ $

1519 1295 1195 1159 1129 1015

-

10/100 Network Card & 56K V.92 Modem Wireless 802.11G 54Mbps Networking 3-in-1 Built-in Media Reader 1 PCMCIA Type II Slot 1 Firewire IEEE 1394 & 4 USB 2.0 Ports Weight only 6.39 Lbs; Free Carrying Case 5 Custom Colors to Choose From 1 Year Limited Warranty + Lifetime Toll Free 24/7 Techsupport

-

10/100 Network Card & 56K V.92 Modem Wireless 802.11G 54Mbps Networking 3-in-1 Built-in Media Reader 1 Firewire IEEE 1394 & 4 USB 2.0 Ports Weight only 6.39 Lbs; Free Carrying Case 5 Custom Colors to Choose From 1 Year Limited Warranty + Lifetime Toll Free 24/7 Techsupport

$ $ $ $ $ $

2155 1745 1525 1425 1389 1365

$ 1215 $ $ AMD Turion™ 64 Mobile Technology MT-34 $ AMD Turion™ 64 Mobile Technology MT-32 $

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1019 935 835 769 649 619

$ 1365 ®

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$ $ $ $ $ $

$ 1015

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619

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$ 1339 $ $ AMD Turion™ 64 Mobile Technology MT-34 $ AMD Turion™ 64 Mobile Technology MT-32 $

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• Go beyond just keeping up. Set the pace. • Multi-tasking with extreme performance. • Outstanding 32- and 64-bit processing. AMD®, the AMD® Arrow logo, AMD® Athlon™, and combinations thereof are trademarks of Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. All prices are subject to change without notice or obligation. CyberPower is not responsible for any typographical and photographic errors. Copyright © 2006 CyberPower. All rights reserved.

1419 1385 1355 1339

CYBERPOWER RECOMMENDS WINDOWS® XP

GAMER ULTRA SLI BASIC - NVIDIA® nForce™4 SLI Chipset MB with Dual 16X PCI Express - GENUINE Windows® XP

Media Center Edition 2005 with SP 2 - Corsair 512MB PC3200 DDR400 Memory - 250GB 7200RPM SATA-II 3.0Gb/s 8MB Cache Hard Drive - (2) NVIDIA® GeForce™ 7600GS 256MB DDR3, 16X PCI Express w/ TV-Out, Over 80% of performance gain over a single graphics card solution

$ -

LG 16X DVD+-RW Drive NVIDIA® nForce4 7.1 3-D Surround Sound 600Watt Subwoofer System Logitech Office 104 Keyboard Logitech Optical Wheel Mouse Nzxt® X-Nemesis Tower Case 425Watt w/ MOD “See Through Windows” - Xtreme Liquid Cooling System - 3 Year Limited Warranty + Lifetime Toll Free 24/7 Techsupport

AMD Athlon™ 64 FX-60 Processor AMD Athlon™ 64 X2 4600+ Processor AMD Athlon™ 64 X2 4400+ Processor AMD Athlon™ 64 X2 4200+ Processor AMD Athlon™ 64 X2 3800+ Processor AMD Athlon™ 64 3500+ Processor AMD Athlon™ 64 3200+ Processor

GAMER ULTRA SLI ELITE - NVIDIA® nForce™4 SLI Chipset MB with Dual 16X PCI Express - GENUINE Windows® XP

Media Center Edition 2005 with SP 2 - Corsair 1024MB DDR2 667 Dual Channel Memory - 250GB 7200RPM SATA-II 3.0Gb/s 8MB Cache Hard Drive - (2) NVIDIA® GeForce™ 7600GS 512MB DDR3, Over 80% performance gain over a single graphics card solution - LG 16X DVD+-RW Drive - LG 16X DVD-ROM Drive

$ -

NVIDIA® nForce4 7.1 3-D Surround Sound 600Watt Subwoofer System Logitech Office 104 Keyboard Logitech Optical Wheel Mouse Turbo X-Cruiser Case 420Watt with See Through Windows 6 Cool Custom Colors to Choose From Xtreme Liquid Cooling System Free 802.11G Wireless PCI Network Adaptor 3 Year Limited Warranty + Lifetime Toll Free 24/7 Techsupport

AMD Athlon™ 64 X2 4800+ Processor AMD Athlon™ 64 X2 4400+ Processor AMD Athlon™ 64 X2 4200+ Processor AMD Athlon™ 64 X2 4000+ Processor AMD Athlon™ 64 X2 3800+ Processor AMD Athlon™ 64 3500+ Processor AMD Athlon™ 64 3200+ Processor

GAMER ULTRA SLI PRO ®

- NVIDIA nForce™4 SLI Chipset MB with Dual 16X PCI Express - GENUINE Windows® XP

Media Center Edition 2005 with SP 2 - Corsair 2048MB DDR2 667 Dual Channel Memory - 300GB 7200RPM SATA-II 3.0Gb/s 16MB Cache Hard Drive - (2) NVIDIA® GeForce™ 7900GT 256MB DDR3 16X PCI Express, 30% performance gain over a single graphics card solution - LG 16X DVD+-RW Drive - LG 16X DVD-ROM

825 $ $ $ $ $ $ $

1559 1225 1135 1039 975 855 825

965 $ $ $ $ $ $ $

1455 1279 1179 1145 1119 999 965

$ 1629 - NVIDIA nForce4 7.1 3-D Surround Sound - Creative Cambridge Inspire P7800 7.1 Surround Sound System - Logitech Office 104 Keyboard - Microsoft® Optical intelli Explorer Mouse - Asus Vento 3600 Xtreme Gaming Case w/ 500Watt Power Supply - Xtreme Liquid Cooling System - Free 802.11G Wireless PCI Network Adaptor - 3 Year Limited Warranty + Lifetime Toll Free 24/7 Techsupport ®

AMD Athlon™ 64 FX-62 Processor AMD Athlon™ 64 X2 5000+ Processor AMD Athlon™ 64 X2 4600+ Processor AMD Athlon™ 64 X2 4200+ Processor AMD Athlon™ 64 X2 4000+ Processor AMD Athlon™ 64 X2 3800+ Processor

$ $ $ $ $ $

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CYBERPOWER RECOMMENDS WINDOWS® XP

GAMER XPLORER-64 8700 - AMD Turion™ 64 Mobile Technology -AMD PowerNow! Technology -HyperTransport Technology -Enhanced Virus Protection Technology - GENUINE Windows® XP

Media Center Edition 2005 with SP 2 - 512MB PC3200 DDR400 Memory - 40GB Ultra ATA100 Hard Drive - Mobile ATI® X700 16X PCI-Express 128MB Video Card - 15.4” WXGA Wide-Screen TFT Display 1280x800 Pixels

-

8X DVD+-RW Drive 10/100 Network Card & 56K V.92 Modem Wireless 802.11G 54Mbps Networking 3-in-1 Built-in Media Reader 1 Firewire IEEE 1394 & 4 USB 2.0 Ports Weight only 6.39 Lbs 6 Custom Colors to Choose From 1 Year Limited Warranty + Lifetime Toll Free 24/7 Techsupport

$ 1129 AMD Turion™ 64 Mobile Technology ML-44 AMD Turion™ 64 Mobile Technology ML-42 AMD Turion™ 64 Mobile Technology MT-40 AMD Turion™ 64 Mobile Technology MT-37 AMD Turion™ 64 Mobile Technology MT-34 AMD Turion™ 64 Mobile Technology MT-32

GAMER XPLORER-64 9700 - AMD Turion™ 64 Mobile Technology -AMD PowerNow! Technology -HyperTransport Technology -Enhanced Virus Protection Technology - GENUINE Windows® XP

Media Center Edition 2005 with SP 2 - 1024MB PC3200 DDR400 Memory - 80GB Ultra ATA100 Hard Drive - Mobile ATI® X700 16X PCI-Express 128MB Video Card - 15.4” WXGA Wide-Screen TFT Display 1280x800 Pixels

-

8X DVD+-RW Drive 10/100 Network Card & 56K V.92 Modem Wireless 802.11G 54Mbps Networking 3-in-1 Built-in Media Reader 1 Firewire IEEE 1394 & 4 USB 2.0 Ports Weight only 6.39 Lbs 6 Custom Colors to Choose From 1 Year Limited Warranty + Lifetime Toll Free 24/7 Techsupport

Media Center Edition 2005 with SP 2 - 1024MB PC3200 DDR400 Memory - 80GB Ultra ATA100 Hard Drive - NVIDIA® GeForce Go 7800GTX 256MB DDR3 16X PCI-Express Video Card - 17” WSXGA TFT Display 1680x1050 Pixels - 8X DVD+-RW Drive - 10/100 Network Card & 56K V.92 Modem - Wireless 802.11G 54Mbps Networking - 7-in-1 Built-in Media Reader

- 1 Firewire IEEE 1394 & 4 USB 2.0 Ports - Weight only 8.5 Lbs - 1 Year Limited Warranty + Lifetime Toll Free 24/7 Techsupport

1329 1239 1199 1169 1139 1129

$ 1189 AMD Turion™ 64 Mobile Technology ML-44 AMD Turion™ 64 Mobile Technology ML-42 AMD Turion™ 64 Mobile Technology MT-40 AMD Turion™ 64 Mobile Technology MT-37 AMD Turion™ 64 Mobile Technology MT-34 AMD Turion™ 64 Mobile Technology MT-32

GAMER XPLORER-64 ULTRA - GENUINE Windows® XP

$ $ $ $ $ $

$ $ $ $ $ $

1389 1299 1259 1225 1199 1189

$ 2399 AMD Athlon™ 64 FX-60 Processor AMD Athlon™ 64 X2 4600+ Processor AMD Athlon™ 64 X2 4400+ Processor AMD Athlon™ 64 X2 4200+ Processor AMD Athlon™ 64 X2 3800+ Processor AMD Athlon™ 64 3500+ Processor AMD Athlon™ 64 3200+ Processor

$ $ $ $ $ $ $

3379 2819 2725 2619 2555 2435 2399

TOLL TOLL FREE FREE 800. 800. 707. 707. 0393 0393 or or WWW.CYBERPOWERPC.COM WWW.CYBERPOWERPC.COM AMD®, the AMD® Arrow logo, AMD® Athlon™, and combinations thereof are trademarks of Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. All prices are subject to change without notice or obligation. CyberPower is not responsible for any typographical and photographic errors. Copyright © 2006 CyberPower. All rights reserved.

REVIEWS DIGITAL AUDIO

Pioneer Inno The most portable satellite-radio receiver yet THE $399.99 PIONEER Inno lets you enjoy both live XM Satellite Radio programming and your own music tracks on the go, but it lacks adequate battery life and storage space. (To use the Inno as a radio receiver, you’ll need to subscribe to XM’s service for $12.95 per month.) Measuring 2.2x3.7x0.6 inches and weighing 4.5 ounces, the Inno is far slimmer than other XM portable receivers. Its front features a 1.7-inch color screen, blue-backlit buttons, and a navigational pad. A short, fat antenna protrudes from the EDITORS’ RATING 7.7 upper-left corner. 0 BETTER >> 10 The interface keeps the device’s many features simPROS Plays XM Satellite Radio content, MP3s, WMAs; compact; ple and orderly. You can save easy-to-learn interface; can any song you hear on XM to record any XM song live the Inno’s small, nonexpandCONS Short battery life; can’t able 1GB of storage, even if skip backward in playlists, pause that song is in midstream. live streams You can also browse through Pioneer Electronics saved songs and build 800-746-6337 playlists, but you can’t skip www.pioneerelectronics.com backward in your song list or Direct Price $399.99 pause a live stream.

The Inno holds 25 hours of XM content and about eight hours of MP3 and WMA tracks. (It can be repartitioned to hold just XM content, too.) The Inno can play rights-protected WMA songs purchased à la carte from online stores, but it can’t play tracks from subscription services. (To use the player with your Windows PC, you’ll need to load the included XM + Napster software.) The Inno also comes with a home dock, a belt clip, earphones with a built-in satellite antenna, and a replaceable battery. In our tests, we got consistently excellent indoor and outdoor reception. Battery life was less impressive, however—while playing XM radio, the Inno lasted CNET.com only 5 hours. —Troy Dreier

Peony Bluetooth MP3 Headphone

SanDisk Sansa e200

A flawed MP3 player/headset combo AN MP3 PLAYER and Bluetooth headset in one, the $129 Peony Bluetooth MP3 Headphone has numerous features and just as many flaws. The device has a built-in FM tuner and can play MP3 and WMA tracks, though not secure WMA files. It ships with no internal memory and one meager 64MB SD/MultiMediaCard (MMC) flash-memory card. As an MP3 player, the headphones sounded good, with strong bass and a clear midEDITORS’ RATING 4.3 range. As a mobile headset, however, the device is hin0 BETTER >> 10 dered by limited cell-phone PROS Bluetooth headset with compatibility. Also, because built-in MP3 player, FM tuner; we couldn’t get the headset to decent sound with strong bass connect via Bluetooth to our CONS No internal memory; PC, we were unable to test its PC-streaming performance. The battery lasted 10 hours for audio playback but fell to 6 hours when Bluetooth was simultaneously active. File transfers via USB 1.1 were glacially slow. —Nathaniel Wilkins

meager-capacity bundled memory card; slow file transfers; incompatible with secure WMA files; limited cell-phone compatibility; wouldn’t connect to PC via Bluetooth Peony Media, 800-417-7415 www.peonymedia.com

CNET.com Direct Price $129

High-capacity flash player has features galore THE STURDY, compact SanDisk Sansa e200 flash-memory EDITORS’ RATING 8.0 player offers copious features 0 BETTER >> 10 for a reasonable price. The dePROS Compact; durable; vice comes in 2GB ($179.99) loaded with features; displays and 4GB ($229.99) capacities, as photos, video; long-life, userwell as a 6GB version ($279.99) replaceable battery that’s currently the highestCONS Finger-tiring scroll capacity flash player available. wheel, buttons; requires softThe e200 features a 1.8-inch ware to upload photos/video; color screen for displaying phoexpansion slot limited to cards tos and video. The player’s with music files blue-backlit dial and control SanDisk, 408-542-0500 buttons are easy to operate, but www.sandisk.com they can tire out your fingers Direct Price $179.99 (2GB); with constant use. $229.99 (4GB); $279.99 (6GB) File support includes MP3 and WMA audio tracks, including Windows Media DRM 10 files from online subscription services. To get photos and video on the player, you’ll need to use the included conversion software. Extras include an FM tuner/recorder and a MicroSD card slot that is usable only with cards containing music files. In our tests, sound quality was excellent overall, and the player’s user-replaceable battery lasted for an impressive 22.5 hours CNET.com of music playback. —James Kim

computershopper.com July 2006

49

REVIEWS DIGITAL LIVING

Logitech Harmony 550 Advanced Universal Remote Sleek remote ably handles your A/V setup THE PC-programmable Logitech Harmony 550 Advanced Universal Remote offers a sleek design and impressive features. 0 BETTER >> 10 The $149.99 remote crams lots of butPROS Sleek design; backlit tons onto its modest frame, including a LCD; useful Activities function numeric keypad, a four-way directional CONS No rechargeable pad, and playback transport controls. The batteries; mushy buttons button layout is a pleasure to use, though Logitech, 800-231-7717 we’re not fans of the mushy www.logitech.com rubber buttons. One feature Direct Price $149.99 highlight is the backlit LCD, even though it eats up battery life and Logitech doesn’t bundle rechargeable batteries. A handy Activities function allows the remote to trigger different components simultaneously. For example, you can activate your television, receiver, DVD player, and speakers all at once. You set up Activities (and specify devices to control) via a computeror Web-based interface. The remote can host profiles for up to 12 home-theater devices—plenty for any one entertainment center. And as long as you have the company name and model number of the device, the software should be able to cull CNET.com the commands for your product. —David Rudden

EDITORS’ RATING

Dell W3706MC Pricey but slick 37-inch LCD HDTV THE Dell W3706MC offers a slick-looking, versatile design with detachable speakers, an excellent input bay that includes two High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) inputs, and better-than-average image quality for an LCD set. At $1,999, this 37-inch high-definition television (HDTV) is on the pricey side, however, and its black levels can’t compete with those plasmas produce. Like most flat-panel LCD HDTVs on the market, the W3706MC has a native resolution of 1,366x768 pixels, enough to display every detail of 720p HDTV sources. The feature package is solid, with desirable convenience features EDITORS’ RATING 6.9 such as picture-in-picture (PIP), as well as a 0 BETTER >> 10 built-in ATSC tuner for PROS Excellent color decodoff-air HDTV channel ing; comprehensive connectivity, reception. All five of including two HDMI inputs; the set’s aspect-ratio detachable speakers choices are usable with CONS Relatively expensive; both HD and standardunimpressive black-level perfordefinition sources. mance; no backlight control We were pleasantly Dell, 800-999-3355 surprised by the www.dell.com W3706MC’s perforDirect Price $1,999 mance. Color is fairly accurate overall. Color decoding was impressive, with no red push, although the primary colors didn’t come as close to the specification as some LCDs we’ve tested recently. Color temperature was also accurate out of the box, resulting in fairly neutral grays when we selected the Normal mode. Although the set’s video processing does support the critical 2-to-3 pull-down function, we did notice a bit more noise than usual here. Its inability to achieve a convincing level of black is the W3706MC’s biggest weakness, however. This is no great surprise, though, because weak black levels are a shortcoming of most LCD flat panels. Also, we missed having an adjustable backlight—dark scenes lacked the depth and richness of some LCD panels CNET.com with this feature. —Kevin Miller

50

July 2006 computershopper.com

7.4

Roku SoundBridge Radio Sweet tabletop radio is also a wireless audio streamer THE ROKU SoundBridge Radio successEDITORS’ RATING 7.7 fully combines a high-end AM/FM clock radio with an 802.11b-based wireless digi0 BETTER >> 10 tal audio receiver. We’d have liked to see a PROS Combines wireless audio few extra features included, however, streaming, AM/FM radio; decentconsidering the $399.99 price. quality sound; impressive audioThe device lets you listen to Internet rastreaming performance dio without the need to turn on a PC, but CONS No audio inputs, Ethernet if you want to stream tracks from your jack; can’t play files purchased from iTunes Music Store computer’s hard drive, you’ll need to run a compatible audio-server app such as Roku, 888-600-7658 iTunes, Musicmatch Jukebox, or Windows www.rokulabs.com Media Connect. The SoundBridge Radio Direct Price $399.99 plays MP3s, WMAs, and protected WMAs, and offers integration with Rhapsody’s streaming-audio service. It can’t play protected AAC files purchased from iTunes Music Store, however. It might not put your home stereo to shame, but the device sounds good for a tabletop clock radio, and its wireless audio streaming delivers largely dropout-free performance. Less impressively, it lacks an Ethernet jack, or any audio inputs for hooking up an iPod or other portable music player. —Nathaniel Wilkins

CNET.com

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DIGITAL CAMERAS OLYMPUS E-500

CANON

• 6.0 MegaPixels • 4x Optical Zoom

• 8.0 MegaPixels • 2.5” LCD

28999 NEW! DSC-H2 . . . . . . .304.99

$

• 20x Optical Zoom • 100x Digital Zoom • 2.5” LCD Screen

45999

Special! E-1 . . . . . . . .524.99 NEW! E-330 . . . . . . . .429.99 NEW! FE-150 . . . . . . . .CALL NEW! FE-160 . . . . . . . .CALL NEW! SP310 . . . . . . . . .209.99 NEW! SP320 . . . . . . . . .219.99 NEW! SP350 . . . . . . . . .254.99 NEW! SP500 . . . . . . . . .234.99 NEW! SP700 . . . . . . . . .244.99 NEW! STYLUS 720W . . .284.99 NEW! STYLUS 810 . . . . .CALL

NEW! DSC-H5 . . . . . . .379.99 DSC-M1 . . . . . . . . . . . .289.99 NEW! DSC-M2 . . . . . .349.99 NEW! DSC-N1 . . . . . . .364.99 NEW! DSC-P200 . . . . .224.99 NEW! DSC-R1 . . . . . . .659.99 NEW! DSC-S600 . . . . .159.99 DSC-T5 . . . . . . . . . . . .249.99 DSC-T7 . . . . . . . . . . . .249.99 NEW! DSC-T10 . . . . . . .CALL DSC-W5 . . . . . . . . . . .179.99 Special! DSC-W7 . . . .224.99 NEW! DSC-W30 . . . . .189.99 NEW! DSC-W50 . . . . .214.99 NEW! DSC-W70 . . . . .254.99 NEW! DSC-W100 . . . .289.99

PENTAX *ist DL

FUJI FinePix Z2

239

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40999

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CANON EOS 30D

NEW!

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NEW!

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NEW! Finepix E900 . . .289.99 NEW! Finepix F11 . . . .254.99 NEW! Finepix F30 . . . .289.99 NEW! Finepix F470 . . .209.99 NEW! Finepix F600 . . .189.99 NEW! Finepix F650 . . .259.99 Finepix S3 . . . . . . . . .1129.99 Finepix S9000 . . . . . . .429.99 NEW! Finepix V10 . . . .254.99

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106999

$

NIKON D50 • 6.1 MegaPixels • 2.0” LCD

38999

EOS 1D II N . . . . . . . .3019.99 EOS 1DS II . . . . . . . .5919.99 NEW! EOS 5D . . . . . .2219.99 EOS 20D . . . . . . . . . . .929.99 Special! EOS 20D KIT1009.99 Special! Dig Rebel XT 579.99 Special! Dig Rebel XTKIT 649.99 NEW! PS A430 . . . . . .134.99 NEW! PS A530 . . . . . .169.99 NEW! PS A540 . . . . . .229.99 NEW! PS A620 . . . . . .259.99 NEW! PS A700 . . . . . .269.99 PS S2IS . . . . . . . . . . . .289.99 NEW! Powershot S3IS 379.99 NEW! Powershot S80 .349.99 NEW! PS SD430 . . . . .369.99 NEW! PS SD450 . . . . .224.99 NEW! PS SD550 . . . . .284.99 NEW! PS SD600 . . . . .269.99 NEW! PS SD630 . . . . .299.99 NEW! PS SD700 IS . . .379.99

$

MINOLTA DIMAGE-Z6

$

• 8.0 MegaPixels • 7x Optical Zoom

DCS-PRO SLR C/N . .2219.99 Easyshare V550 . . . . .204.99

23499

$

Dimage A200 . . . . . . . .409.99 Dimage X1 . . . . . . . . . .214.99 Dimage X60 . . . . . . . . .174.99 Dimage Z10 . . . . . . . . .119.99 Maxxum 5D . . . . . . . . .499.99 Maxxum 7D . . . . . . . . . .679.99

SE HABLA ESPANOL!

DIGITAL VIDEO

SONY DSC-T9 $

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NEW! Coolpix L2 . . . . .179.99 NEW! Coolpix L3 . . . . .144.99 NEW! Coolpix L4 . . . . .104.99 NEW! Coolpix P2 . . . .189.99 NEW! Coolpix P3 . . . .299.99 NEW! Coolpix P4 . . . .284.99 NEW! Coolpix S3 . . . .209.99 NEW! Coolpix S4 . . . .269.99 NEW! Coolpix S5 . . . .249.99 NEW! Coolpix S6 . . . .299.99 D2HS . . . . . . . . . . . . .2219.99 D2X . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3019.99 NEW! D200 . . . . . . . .1319.99 D50 Kit . . . . . . . . . . . . .479.99 D70S . . . . . . . . . . . . . .584.99 D70S Kit . . . . . . . . . . .764.99

KODAK Easyshare V570 • 5.0 MegaPixels • 5x Optical Zoom

28999

PANASONIC DMC-FZ30 • 5.0 MegaPixels • 12x Optical Zoom

39999

$

NEW! DMC-TZ1 . . . . .249.99

DC-10 . . . . . . . . . . . . .379.99 DC-20 . . . . . . . . . . . . .429.99 NEW! DC-40 . . . . . . . . .CALL Elura 80 . . . . . . . . . . . .284.99 NEW! Elura 100 . . . . .289.99 Special! XL-2 . . . . . .2979.99 NEW! XL-H1 . . . . . . .7199.99 Optura 50 . . . . . . . . . . .384.99 Optura 400 . . . . . . . . . .379.99 ZR300 . . . . . . . . . . . . .274.99 NEW! ZR500 . . . . . . . .224.99 NEW! ZR600 . . . . . . . .259.99 NEW! ZR700 . . . . . . . .289.99

GL-2

151999

$

NEW! Optura 600 . . . .659.99 NEW! Optura S1 . . . . .459.99

SONY

DCR-DVD405

NEW!

• 1.0 MegaPixels • 10x Optical Zoom

56999

$

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. .379.99 . .409.99 . . .CALL . .479.99 . . .CALL . .709.99

GZ-MG37

NEW!

• 32x Optical Zoom • 800x Digital Zoom

75999

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NEW! GZ-MG21 . . . . .459.99 NEW! GZ-MG27 . . . . .659.99

NEW!NEW! GZ-MG60 . . . . . .CALL

GZ-MG70 . . . . . . . . . . .589.99 NEW! GZ-MG77 . . . . .829.99

PANASONIC

PV-GS500

• 3.1 MegaPixels • 12x Optical Zoom

62999

$

NEW! PV-GS29 . . . . . .204.99 PV-GS35 . . . . . . . . . . .329.99 NEW! PV-GS39 . . . . . .264.99 NEW! PV-GS59 . . . . . .284.99 NEW! PV-GS180 . . . . .449.99 NEW! PV-GS300 . . . . .484.99

DCR-DVD-92 . . . . . . .379.99 NEW! DCR-HC26 . . . .279.99 NEW! DCR-HC36 . . . .294.99 NEW! DCR-HC46 . . . .359.99 NEW! DCR-HC96 . . . .539.99 DCR-PC55 . . . . . . . . . .389.99 DCR-PC1000 . . . . . . .669.99 Special! DCR-SR100 .679.99 Special! DCR-VX2100 1869.99 Special! DSR-PD170 2219.99 NEW! HDR-FX1 . . . .2419.99 NEW! HDR-HC1 . . . .1069.99 NEW! HDR-HC3 . . . .1129.99 NEW! HVR-A1 . . . . .1589.99 NEW! HVR-Z1 . . . . .3719.99 NEW! GR-D350 . . . . . .254.99 NEW! GR-DF470 . . . . . .CALL GR-DF550 . . . . . . . . . .289.99 NEW! GR-X5 . . . . . . . .839.99 GY-DV5000 . . . . . . . .3619.99 NEW! GY-DV5100 . . .3719.99 NEW! GY-HD100U . .3769.99 NEW! GZ-MC500 . . . .769.99 GZ-MG20 . . . . . . . . . . .409.99 GZ-MG30 . . . . . . . . . . .449.99 GZ-MG50 . . . . . . . . . . .509.99 JY-HD10U . . . . . . . . .1599.99 Special! AG-DVC200 .3489.99 AG-DVC7 . . . . . . . . . . .739.99 AG-DVC30 . . . . . . . . .1119.99 AG-DVC60 . . . . . . . . .1689.99 NEW! AG-DVX100B . .2189.99 NEW! AG-HVX200 . . .4189.99 NEW! SD-RS100 . . . . .729.99 NEW! SD-RS300 . . . . .759.99 NEW! VDR-D100 . . . . .359.99 NEW! VDR-D200 . . . . .414.99 NEW! VDR-D250 . . . . .579.99 NEW! VDR-D300 . . . . .609.99 NEW! VDR-M45 . . . . . .CALL Special! VDR-M95 . . .499.99

DIGITAL SCANNERS Nikon Super Coolscan LS-5000 NEW! • Digital Ice Technology

• 4000 DPI • 4.2 Dynamic Range

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Minolta Dimage Elite Scan S5400 .479.99

Nikon NEW! CoolScan LS-50 .449.99 NEW! CoolScan LS-9000 . .1649.99

DIGITAL PRINTERS Epson Stylus 2200P • 6 Color Small Archival Links • PC or Mac

99 $499 Stylus 1280 . . . . . . . . .279.99

Olympus NEW! P440 . . . . . . . . .279.99

Canon NEW! I9900 . . . . . . . . .379.99

Company policy: To order use VISA, Mastercard, Discover, American Express or Diners Club. COD Orders are welcome, or mail in bank, cashier or certified check. For personal checks and money orders, please allow 2 weeks from the date we deposit the check. 14 days for return or exchange (video & digital 7 days) with prior authorization only (call customer service for return authorization number). All returns are subject to a minimum 5% restocking fee and must include packaging and printed material in original, unaltered condition. Quantities are limited. Shipping & handling are non-refundable. * Prices may reflect mail-in rebate. Prestige Camera items may carry USA, International or Prestige Camera warranty. Not responsible for typographical errors. Thank you and enjoy your order! CS506

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computershopper.com/reviews

REVIEWS SOFTWARE

Norton SystemWorks 2006 Premier Top-selling PC-maintenance suite needs an overhaul SYMANTEC HAS TRIED, for the past two years, to buttress its outdated hard-drive-tools package, Norton SystemWorks, by bundling it with Norton Ghost, an excellent backup and recovery tool. The inclusion of Ghost in the $99.99 Premier edition of SystemWorks is what sets it apart from the $69.99 standard edition. But although the old Norton core utilities are still great, several tools are in need of an update. Even the app’s main menu appears to have been collecting dust for a few years. Installation is simple, except it requires sevEDITORS’ RATING 6.7 eral components to be in0 BETTER >> 10 stalled separately. Some of the PROS Excellent backup/ windows appear cramped, and recovery tool; effective core the main menu and System utilities Optimizer will only appear as CONS Inconsistent interface; full-size screens at 640x480 lacks tools competitors possess; resolution. The interface is inno Windows 98/Me support consistent, too, with subcateSymantec, 888-810-9896 gories of major utilities somewww.symantec.com times listed under their parent Direct Price $99.99 categories to the left of the (download or boxed) main menu, and sometimes to

Corel Painter Essentials 3 An inexpensive introduction to digital painting COREL PAINTER ESSENTIALS 3 is a remastered, introductory version of Corel’s powerhouse natural-media drawing program, Painter IX. The $69 download (or $79 for the boxed version) is a cost-effective way of exploring the world of digital art. We should add, however, that digital painting really requires a pressure-sensitive tablet, such as those offered by Wacom. The program doesn’t work well with a standard mouse, which cannot respond to pressure or tilt. Because it’s aimed at beginners, the program ships with an abundance of hand-holding tools. The Welcome screen provides easy access to files, tutorials, and a stunning art gallery featuring experts in the field. Essentials ships with 10 excellent training videos (another 10 are available for download after you register) plus assorted tutorials, context-sensi-

52

July 2006 computershopper.com

the right. Several tools lag behind those of rival programs. SystemWorks’ Speed Disk defragmenter, for instance, although effective, is no match for the Disk Defragmentation tool of Iolo Technologies’ System Mechanic, which lets you selectively defragment individual files (rather than just drives) and store multiple optimization profiles. SystemWorks hasn’t evolved with the times, either, offering nothing that equals System Mechanic’s Memory Defragmenter and Web Optimization Wizard, or the Zip Wizard archive-management tools in Avanquest’s SystemSuite. In terms of support, the help systems for Ghost and CheckIt Diagnostics (SystemWorks’ one-click system scan) are adequate, but others are less so, to varying degrees. Symantec offers live 24/7 phone support, but at the wallet-puncturing price of $29.95 per incident. A final grouse: Unlike the 2005 version, the current SystemWorks doesn’t support Windows 98 or Me. —Barry Brenesal

EDITORS’ RATING 0

BETTER >>

8.0 10

PROS Plenty of tutorials, tive tips, and interface help. context-sensitive help; good tool Once you’ve settled in, the selection; terrific cloning features fun begins. Just grab a tool— CONS Only five levels of undo; choose from can’t create custom brushes brush, pencil, Corel, 800-772-6735 pen, or chalk— www.corel.com and begin Direct Price $79 (boxed); drawing. Or $69 (download) you can take advantage of Essential’s autopainting or semiautomated cloning capabilities. In addition to its array of brush options, Essentials has a variety of other effects, such as paper textures, patterns, and gradients. You’ll also get the famous Image Hose, which squirts images (such as leaves and rocks) onto the page. It’s too bad that all of Essential’s brushes are fixed—you can’t adjust them as you can in Painter IX. Also, the paltry five levels of undo is a limit beginners may find restrictive. On the plus side, novice digital artists won’t be swamped by the bewildering array of choices available in the high-end version. —Susan Glinert

REVIEWS SOFTWARE

EmailTreo Easy, affordable push e-mail for the Treo

Registry Mechanic 5.2 Strong Registry-maintenance app REGISTRY MECHANIC 5.2 by PC Tools scans and fixes errors in your Windows Registry the same way features in competing products (such as WinDoctor in Symantec’s Norton SystemWorks, and Fix Registry Problems in Iolo’s System Mechanic Professional) do, but it invariably finds more problems to correct. Stick with either of the competing packages if you already own one of them, but strongly consider Mechanic if you don’t. At $29.95 (boxed or download), Mechanic removes obsolete and inaccurate Registry entries, potentially increasing your system’s stability and performance. EDITORS’ RATING 8.0 The interface is quite standard: 0 BETTER >> 10 main option tabs on PROS Strong error-searching the left, with subalgorithms; saves, restores its categories in the own Registry backups center. CustomizCONS Can’t scroll through error able features we list with mouse wheel; can’t sort like include scanerrors by priority ning paths, an IgPC Tools nore List for speciwww.pctools.com fying keys the Direct Price $29.95 per year program should by(download or boxed) pass, and savable custom scans. Mechanic’s only method of sorting errors, however, is by scan section, which we found unwieldy. (Also, you can’t sort items by priority.) Another minor quibble: We weren’t able to use our mouse’s scroll wheel to run through the list of scanned errors. On the two PCs we used for testing, Mechanic found twice as many errors as WinDoctor uncovered, and three times as many as System Mechanic. Because our results matched up on both hard drives, we chalk this up to Mechanic’s more rigorous algorithms. A more conservative approach has its merits, too, but Mechanic does save all Registry changes to disk, and restoring a recent Registry backup was both quick and easy. —Barry Brenesal

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July 2006 computershopper.com

YOU CAN SET UP “push” e-mail service EDITORS’ RATING 7.0 right from your Treo smartphone handset, without your IT department’s help, by 0 BETTER >> 10 pairing Everyone.net’s ChatterEmail client PROS Inexpensive; easy to use; with its EmailTreo service. robust mail client EmailTreo, which works with Treo 600s CONS Requires new e-mail and 650s (Treo 700w support is limited) address delivers synchronized push e-mail that Everyone.net is affordable and simple to use. Service is www.emailtreo.com free for the first six months, and $9.95 Price Free for six months; every six months thereafter (plus a $39 plus $9.95 every six one-time $39 software charge). months thereafter Pricing doesn’t include a cellular data plan, however. The mail client is a snap to install. We downloaded the app to a connected Treo and set up an account in minutes. In our tests, we received e-mail almost instantly. ChatterEmail’s interface is intuitive and robust, offering more features than most would ever use. You can also check e-mail using Everyone.net’s Web client or other mail apps. A downside is that EmailTreo requires you use an @emailtreo.com address; you can forward existing accounts, however. —Rik Fairlie

SiteAdvisor Browser plug-in sinks spyware SITEADVISOR, a free browser plug-in, aims to keep your PC clean of spyware by providing clear, visible warnings for sites known to be spyware carriers. Installation is simple and straightforward. A script on SiteAdvisor’s Web site detects which browser you’re using (Internet Explorer and Firefox are currently supported) and offers the correct download. Once the plug-in is installed, a small SiteAdvisor button appears at the bottom of your browser. It changes color from green to yellow for sites it deems questionable, and to red for sites you should avoid. (For more detailed information, EDITORS’ RATING 7.3 simply click on SiteAdvisor’s pulldown menu and select View Site De0 BETTER >> 10 tails.) Continue to exercise caution, PROS Easy to use; informative however, as not all sites have been spyware warnings; unintrusive tested. SiteAdvisor’s handiest feature is how CONS Not all Web sites have been tested; ratings sometimes it overlays its ratings atop the Google, slow to display on search-result MSN, and Yahoo search-result pages, pages even though ratings were occasionally SiteAdvisor slow to display. —Bruce Stewart www.siteadvisor.com

Price Free

CNET.com

Lenovo recommends Windows® XP Professional

The new ultraportable ThinkPad® X60 has features no business leader should do without. Select models feature integrated Verizon Wireless WAN1 — your own portable wireless Internet, anywhere within the Verizon Wireless BroadbandAccess Coverage Area, a fullsized keyboard,2 and 7.8-hour battery life.3 Take the pressure off your back and put it on your competition with the ThinkPad X60 and the Lenovo PC lineup.

ThinkPad X60

ThinkPad Z60m Widescreen

distinctive innovations

distinctive innovations

ThinkVantage™ Client Security13 – Strong security as a standard feature

ThinkPad Productivity Center – ThinkPad help at your fingertips

system features

system features

Intel® Centrino® Duo Mobile Technology

Intel® Centrino® Mobile Technology

Intel® Core™ Duo Processor T23004 Intel® Pro/Wireless 3495ABG5

Intel® Pentium® M Processor 740 (1.70 Ghz) Intel® Pro/Wireless 2915ABG

Genuine Windows® XP Professional6

Genuine Windows® XP Professional

12.1" XGA TFT (1024x768)

15.4" WXGA Widescreen (1280x800)

Travel Weight 3.15 lbs7

512MB memory, 60GB Hard Drive, 3 USB

512MB8 memory, 60GB9 Hard Drive

4-1 Media Reader

Integrated Fingerprint Reader

DVD-R Drive

TopSeller Model

TopSeller Model

$

1499*

$

PN 170947U

1349

PN 2529E6U

Option

Option

ThinkPad Leather Carrying Case10

ThinkPad T60/Z60m 9 Cell Li-Ion Battery

99 PN 10K0209

$

$

Upgrade to 2 yrs Onsite Repair11

Upgrade to 3 yr Onsite Repair 9X5 next day

179 PN 40Y6797

299 PN 2529R8U

$

ThinkPad X60 notebook available with

132 PN 41C9257

$

Intel® Centrino® Duo Mobile Technology

ThinkPad T60

ThinkPad T60

ThinkCentre A52 Tower

ThinkCentre A52 Tower

distinctive innovations

distinctive innovations

distinctive innovations

distinctive innovations

ThinkVantage Client Security – Strong security as a standard feature

ThinkPad Productivity Center – ThinkPad help at your fingertips

Rescue and Recovery™ – One-button recovery and restore solution

Rescue and Recovery™ – One-button recovery and restore solution

system features

system features

system features

system features

Intel® Centrino® Duo Mobile Technology

Intel® Centrino® Duo Mobile Technology

Intel® Celeron® D Processor 331 (2.66 GHz)

Intel® Pentium® 4 Processor 521 (2.80 GHz)

Genuine Windows® XP Professional

Genuine Windows® XP Professional

®

™

®

Intel Core Duo Processor T2300 Intel® Pro/Wireless 3495ABG

™

Intel Core Duo Processor T2400 Intel® Pro/Wireless 3495ABG

Genuine Windows® XP Professional

Genuine Windows® XP Professional

256MB memory

512MB memory

14.1" XGA Display (1024x768)

15" XGA Display (1024x768)

40GB Hard Drive, CD-ROM

80GB Hard Drive, CD-RW/DVD Drive

512MB memory, D-RW/DVD Drive

512MB memory, D-RW/DVD Drive

6 USB 2.0 ports (2 Frontside)

6 USB 2.0 Ports (2 Frontside)

60GB Hard Drive, 2 USB

80GB Hard Drive, ATI x1300 Graphics

TopSeller Model

TopSeller Model

Travel Weight 4.5 lbs and only 1" thin12

Travel Weight 4.5 lbs and only 1" thin

TopSeller Model

TopSeller Model

$

1349

PN 1953D6U

$

1599

PN 2623DAU

Option

Option

Maxtor One Touch II 200 GB USB 2.0 Hard Drive

ThinkPad Advanced Mini Dock

175 PN 41A4274

$

To shop or locate your local reseller

219 PN 250410U

$

$

479

PN 8288A2U

Option

PN 828841U

Option

L171 ThinkVision® Flat Panel Monitor

299 PN 9417AB1

$

$

System Purchase

Regular Price

279 with

649

$

Lexmark Z735 InkJet USB 2.0 with cable

50 PN 40Y8446

$

Call 1 866 426-6401 Go to lenovo.com/newthinkpad/m546

Availability: All offers subject to availability. Lenovo reserves the right to alter product offerings and specifications at any time without notice. Lenovo is not responsible for photographic or typographic errors. *Pricing: prices do not include tax, shipping and handling, or any recycling fees and are subject to change without notice. [Price includes applicable discounts.] Reseller prices may vary. Warranty Information: For a copy of applicable product warranties, write to: Warranty Information, P.O. Box 12195, RTP, NC 27709, Attn: Dept. ZPYA/B676. Lenovo makes no representation or warranty regarding third-party products or services. Footnotes: (1) Activating Verizon Wireless Service: Lenovo customers will be contacted after purchase to activate service; requires separate agreement with Verizon Wireless and is subject to the Customer Agreement, Calling Plan and credit approval. Service and airtime charges will apply; $175 early termination fee. Verizon Wireless, not Lenovo, is solely responsible for service. Service not available in all areas; purchaser is responsible for verifying that service is available for the intended location before purchasing a computer equipped with WAN card. Network details, coverage limitations and maps at http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/mobileoptions/broadband/serviceavailability.jsp?opener=b2b. (2) Full-size keyboard: As defined by ISO/IEC 15412. (3) Battery: These model numbers achieved Battery Rundown Time of at least the time shown during testing. A description of the testing is available at lenovo.com/pc/ww/thinkpad/batterylife. Battery life (and recharge times) will vary based on many factors including screen brightness, applications, features, power management, battery conditioning and other customer preferences. (4) Mobile Processors: Power management reduces processor speed when in battery mode. (5) Wireless 11a, 11b and 11g: is based on IEEE 802.11a, 802.11b and 802.11g, respectively. An adapter with 11a/b, 11 b/g or 11a/b/g can communicate on either/any of these listed formats respectively; the actual connection will be based on the access point to which it connects. (6) Included Software: may differ from its retail version (if available), and may not include user manuals or all program functionality. License agreements may apply. (7) Travel Weight: includes battery and optional travel bezel instead of standard optical drive in Ultrabay bay, if applicable; weight may vary due to vendor components, manufacturing process and options. (8) Memory: For PCs without a separate video card, memory supports both system and video. Accessible system memory is up to 64 MB less than the amount stated, depending on video mode. (9) Hard drive: GB=billion bytes [TB=trillion bytes]. Accessible capacity is less; up to 4 GB is service partition. (10) Certain IBM and ThinkPad logo products: are not manufactured, warranted or supported by IBM or Lenovo; IBM and Lenovo logos and trademarks used under license. Contact Lenovo for details. (11) Limited warranty: support unrelated to a warranty issue may be subject to additional charges. (12) Thinness: may vary at certain points on the system. (13) Client Security Solution: preloaded on select models; requires software download. Trademarks: the following are trademarks of Lenovo: Lenovo and the Lenovo Logo, ThinkPad and ThinkCentre, UltraConnect, Access Connections, Rescue and Recovery, ThinkPad Port Replicator II, Active Protection System, ThinkPad dock, ThinkVantage and ThinkVision. IBM and the IBM logo are registered trademarks of IBM and are used under license. Microsoft and Windows are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. Celeron, Celeron Inside, Centrino, Core Inside, Intel, Intel Core, Intel Inside, Intel SpeedStep, Intel Viiv, Intel Xeon, Itanium, Itanium Inside, Pentium, Pentium Inside, the Centrino logo, the Intel logo and the Intel Inside logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Intel Corporation or its subsidiaries in the United States and other countries. Other company, product and service names may be trademarks or service marks of other companies. ©2006 Lenovo. All rights reserved. Visit www.lenovo.com/safecomputing periodically for the latest information on safe and effective computing.

REVIEWS DOWNLOADS

Ashampoo Burning Studio 6 Easy-to-use, robust disc-burning app WITH THE COST of CD and DVD media so low, and inexpensive burners easy to come by, optical discs are now the preferred means of backing up, sharing, and transporting data. The good-looking, easy-to-use Ashampoo Burning Studio 6 comes with all the tools most users will need to create audio, data, and video CDs and DVDs. It doesn’t have all the advanced features you’d find in huge disc-burning suites such as Nero, but average users won’t miss them. Installation was brief and easy, and doesn’t occupy much hard drive space—just under DOWNLOAD.COM EDITORS’ RATING 10MB. The intuitive, step-bystep interface keeps you moving in the right direction. PROS Attractive, easy-toTo set up a burn session, follow interface; broad range of simply drag and drop files tools; robust backup/restore into a playlist-style window. features A handy, omnipresent gauge CONS Only rips audio CDs to at the bottom of the window WAV, WMA lets you know how much free Ashampoo space is available on a disc www.ashampoo.com you’re assembling. Price Free to try; $29.99 Burning Studio’s backup (full version) and restore features are the

new version’s biggest innovations. The latest version supports huge-capacity Blu-ray DVD discs and allows you to back up and restore data. Along with being able to split archives automatically across multiple discs (disc spanning), you can create compressed backup archives protected by passwords and Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) encryption. Plus, it’s easy to restore archive contents to their original locations. Other features let you burn disc images, erase media, and make copies. Though you can rip audio CDs only to WAV or WMA files, you can make audio CDs from FLAC, MP3, OGG, WAV, or WMA source files. The program supports burning to the DVD-Video, Video CD (VCD), and Download.com Super Video CD (SVCD) formats, as well.

Fresh UI 7.5

Spytech SpyAgent 5

Free Windows tweaker for intrepid users

A vigilant computer-surveillance app

ALTHOUGH Fresh UI can tweak and optimize dozens of Windows interface and system features, it’s not a program for beginners. Some of its features could use better descriptions, for instance, and a few well-placed wizards would greatly simplify some of the more involved tasks. With the software’s simple system backup, however, you can test all its tweaking tools fearlessly. Some of the things you can do: Add new items to any right-click menu, dictate what launches at startup, and swap mouse-button functions. You can also password-protect DOWNLOAD.COM EDITORS’ RATING your settings. Plus, the latest version of Fresh UI includes several security features to PROS Free; easy access to safeguard your system. Don’t Windows interface settings; mistake this app for sometweaks are reversible thing that merely lets you CONS Some options poorly change the look of Winexplained; no wizard-based tools dows—this is a solid set of Freshdevices.com innovative tools strictly for www.freshdevices.com tinkering under the hood.

SPYTECH’S SpyAgent 5 is an DOWNLOAD.COM EDITORS’ RATING almost-perfect solution for keeping an eye on a PC’s activities while you’re away from it. PROS Comprehensive tracking The program records keycapabilities; handy scheduling feature strokes, IM conversations, Web sites visited, e-mail transfers, CONS Brief trial period files accessed, windows Spytech Software and Design opened, and applications www.spytech-web.com launched. In addition, you can Price Free to try; $69.95 schedule your computer to (full version) lock down at a specific time, and you can block specific Web sites, programs, and chat clients. You can view logs directly from within the application, or have them sent to you via e-mail or uploaded to an FTP site. A Stealthmode option requires users to enter a master password to access settings. You also can’t stop SpyAgent with the Windows Task Manger—it isn’t visible there or in the Registry. The trial is limited to just 30 minutes of monitoring, which may not be long enough to get a feel for the comprehensiveness of the app’s tools.

★★★★★

★★★★★

Price Free

Download.com

★★★★★

Download.com

Download these applications and more at www.computershopper.com/download.

computershopper.com July 2006

57

Top25

This month’s best desktops, notebooks, inkjet printers, network-attached storage, and digital-imaging software.

>> Slick PCs that add brains to your home entertainment system.

MEDIA-CENTER DESKTOPS PRODUCT

PRICE

SPECS/REQUIREMENTS

EDITOR’S TAKE

RATING

WinBook PowerSpec MCE 410* www.winbook.com

$849.99

3GHz Pentium 4 530; 512MB DDR; 160GB HDD; Radeon X300 LS

We love this PC’s rack-mount case, excellent specs, and bargain price. Pair it with WinBook’s $899.99 30-inch LCD for a sweet sub-$2,000 Media Center.

✓8.2

Creature Scylla S301 www.creaturehtpc.com

$4,000

2.4GHz Athlon 64 3800+; 1GB DDR; 120GB, four 250GB HDDs; GeForce 7800 GTX

The Scylla’s lofty price buys you more than just a powerful Media Center PC. It also doubles as a multimedia server and fully loaded 3D-gaming rig.

7.5

Dell XPS 400 (Viiv) www.dell.com

$2,189

3.2GHz Pentium D 940; 1GB DDR; two 250GB HDDs; GeForce 6800

Based on Intel’s Viiv technology platform, the XPS 400 is a nicely appointed multimedia PC with a dual-core CPU, dual TV tuners, dual hard drives, and decent graphics.

7.4

Dell XPS 600* www.dell.com

$3,023

2.8GHz Pentium D 820; 1GB DDR2; 160GB HDD; two GeForce 7800 GTXs

Equipped with two SLI graphics cards, the XPS 600 not only functions as a powerful home theater system, it also plows through games and demanding consumer apps.

7.4

Niveus Denali Edition www.niveusmedia.com

$4,799

2.8GHz Pentium D 820; 1GB DDR2; 500GB HDD; GeForce 6600 GT

The Denali Edition is designed exclusively for home theater operation. It’s not exactly cheap, but A/V enthusiasts will appreciate its unique case and solid construction.

7.3

AFFORDABLE NOTEBOOKS

>> These well-equipped laptops are easy on the wallet.

HP Pavilion DV4000 Series* www.hp.com

$1,214

1.8GHz Pentium M 745A; 1GB DDR2; 80GB HDD; DVD/CD-RW combo; 15.4-inch TFT

Don’t want an enormous desktop replacement, but long for solid entertainment features and performance? The affordable, well-designed DV4000 delivers.

7.6

Apple iBook G4* www.apple.com

$999

1.33GHz PowerPC G4; 512MB DDR; 40GB HDD; DVD/CD-RW combo; 12.1-inch TFT

A good choice for novices seeking a capable entry-level laptop, the 12-inch iBook G4 offers a well-designed case, long battery life, and great software for a reasonable price.

7.0

HP Pavilion DV8000 Series www.hp.com

$1,414

2.2GHz Turion 64 ML-40; 1GB DDR; 100GB HDD; DVD±RW; 17-inch TFT

Slimmer and narrower than its predecessor, HP’s revamped desktop replacement offers a pleasing design, a basic set of multimedia features, and decent performance.

7.0

Toshiba Satellite M65S821 www.toshiba.com

$1,499

1.73GHz Pentium M 740; 512MB DDR; 120GB HDD; DVD±RW; 17-inch TFT

The copper-colored M65 strikes a nice balance between multimedia features, performance, and battery life—all at a fair price.

6.8

HP Pavilion DV1000 Series* www.hp.com

$1,009

1.7GHz Pentium M 735A; 512MB DDR; 80GB The DV1000 is a sensibly priced system for students, families, and small-business HDD; DVD/CD-RW combo; 14-inch TFT owners for both work and play.

INKJET PRINTERS

>> Capable inkjets that provide sharp color output.

Epson Stylus Photo R2400 www.epson.com

$849.99

5,760x1,400dpi max. resolution; 101 sec. (11x14 color photo); USB 2.0

The best in desktop photo printing. Designed with pro photographers and enthusiasts in mind, this Stylus produces long-life, color-accurate prints. (See p. 38.)

✓8.1

HP Photosmart 475 GoGo www.hp.com

$249.99

4,800x1,200dpi max. resolution; 95 sec. (4x6 color photo); USB 2.0

This lunchbox-size portable printer is easy to operate and comes with a host of extras, including a multiformat card reader, a 2.5-inch color LCD, and a handheld remote control.

7.6

Canon Pixma iP4200 usa.canon.com

$99.99

9,600x2,400dpi max. resolution; 29ppm (text); 51 sec. (4x6 color photo); USB 2.0

Autoduplexing, multiple input options, and acceptable photo and text quality make this printer a good choice for home and small-office users who don’t mind slower print speeds.

7.5

HP Photosmart 8250 www.hp.com

$179.99

4,800x1,200dpi max. resolution; 32ppm (text); 14 sec. (4x6 color photo); USB 2.0

Although it functions serviceably as a speedy text printer (especially with the optional duplexing attachment), the Photosmart 8250’s real strength is as a personal photo lab.

7.5

Canon Pixma iP6600D usa.canon.com

$199.99

9,600x2,400dpi max. resolution; 46 sec. (4x6 color photo); USB 2.0

A top choice for digital-camera users, with its versatile features and good photo quality. Slow operation and mediocre text output are downers, though. (See p. 38.)

7.0

NETWORK-ATTACHED STORAGE

>> Save and share files among networked PCs with one of these NAS drives.

Maxtor Shared Storage Drive www.maxtor.com

$399.95

300GB; 7,200rpm; two USB 2.0 ports; 16MB cache; 3.7 lbs.

Though it lacks Gigabit Ethernet, Maxtor’s consumer NAS drive has an attractive design, good performance, easy setup, loads of features, and useful software.

7.3

Buffalo TeraStation NAS www.buffalotech.com

$649.99

640GB; 7,200rpm; four USB 2.0 ports; 2MB cache; 16.1 lbs.

If you need tons of shared storage space for your home or small-business network, Buffalo’s TeraStation NAS, with its excellent Memeo backup software, is a top choice.

7.0

Iomega StorCenter Pro 200D www.iomega.com

$1,299

320GB; 7,200rpm; four USB 2.0 ports; 8MB cache; 17.4 lbs.

Perfect for small- to medium-size businesses, this drive runs Windows Storage Server 2003 and comes in a variety of configurations. Setup can be tricky, though.

7.0

WD Essential NetCenter www.wdc.com

$259.99

250GB; 7,200rpm; two USB 2.0 ports; 8MB cache; 6 lbs.

A solid shared storage device at a fair price, the NetCenter NAS drive is a good pick for the average SOHO user. Novices will appreciate its easy setup and installation.

6.8

Iomega StorCenter Pro NAS 100d www.iomega.com

$374.99

250GB; 7,200rpm; two USB 2.0 ports; 8MB cache; 2.7 lbs.

This affordable NAS drive can plug into your PC’s Ethernet port or your router, and double as a media server. Caveat: It lags behind rival drives in performance.

6.3

DIGITAL-IMAGING SOFTWARE Adobe Photoshop Elements 4.0 www.adobe.com

>> Use these apps to manipulate and manage your digital images.

$99.99

800MHz CPU; 256MB RAM; 900MB hard drive space; Windows 2000 or XP

Equipped with a chic interface and a fantastic toolbox, Elements is the best choice for digital photographers who want to organize and share their photo collections.

✓8.1 ✓8.0

Adobe Photoshop CS2 www.adobe.com

$649

320MB RAM; 650MB hard drive space; Windows 2000 or XP

When it comes to professional image editing, Photoshop is the standard and the industry leader—but this feature-rich application is not for amateurs.

Corel Paint Shop Pro X www.corel.com

$99

500MHz CPU; 256MB RAM; 500MB hard drive space; Windows 2000 or XP

Far easier to master than Photoshop, Paint Shop Pro features a sophisticated image editor, a useful photo organizer, and a new task-oriented interface.

7.8

Apple Aperture www.apple.com

$499.99

1.8GHz PowerPC G5; 1GB RAM; 5GB hard drive space; Mac OS X 10.4.3 or later

This imaging workflow app for Mac users makes life easier for photographers who need to sort through lots of images quickly and efficiently. Requires fast hardware, though.

7.7

Microsoft Digital Image Suite 2006 microsoft.com

$99.95

700MHz CPU; 256MB RAM; 400MB hard drive space; Windows 98 or later

A slick application trio designed specifically for sorting, labeling, editing, and sharing digital photos, Microsoft’s imaging suite is feature-rich and a snap to master.

7.5

✓= Editors’ Choice 58

6.7

* = Configuration changed from original review.

July 2006 computershopper.com

RATINGS FROM

CNET.com

DROP, CHILL, BAKE, & SPILL

FOUR LAPTOPS CHECKED IN FOR OUR TORTURE TESTS. ONLY ONE CHECKED OUT.

WHEN YOUR LAPTOP CRASHES TO THE FLOOR, the first thing likely to flash through your mind is a vision of the wallet-wounding repair bill. Next up: all that data you just lost. Laptops lead risky lives, fraught with potential peril compared with the sedentary ones of desktops. After all, desktops don’t fear falling to the floor—most are already resting there— and few worry about having coffee sloshed on them or being left out in the rain. Nor do they dread summertime stints in the back seat of an overheated car or freezing in the trunk during winter. For laptops, however, these punishments are real possibilities. People who work in harsh environments can enlist special ruggedized notebooks from Durabook, Itronix, and Panasonic

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(see the sidebar “Tougher Stuff”), but for everyday use in an office or a hotel room, these well-padded, pricey models are overkill. A better bet is a mainstream notebook that’s not only fast and affordable but also reasonably sturdy. We investigated the durability of mainstream notebooks by forgoing our standard benchmark tests and substituting a gauntlet of durability tests designed to simulate typical laptop mishaps. We froze the notebooks, sprayed them with water, baked them, and then dropped them from the height of a typical desk. (See “Rating Rugged: How We Tested” for the details.) We notified the major notebook manufacturers of our torture tests and asked them to submit one of their latest thin-and-light note-

July 2006 computershopper.com

books. Four courageous companies stepped forth: Dell sent us its Latitude D620, Gateway its NX560X, Hewlett-Packard its Compaq NC6420, and Toshiba its Tecra M5-S433. All four notebooks demonstrated power and the ability to take punishment. Inside their magnesium-alloy chassis were Intel Core Duo dual-core processors running at speeds from 1.66GHz to 2GHz. And, unlike their tank-tough ruggedized cousins, these models were feature-laden, with three of the four outfitted with large wide-screen displays. TOUGH GUYS Keep in mind that this type of testing does not yield scientific results. With a sample size of a single notebook from each manufacturer, we

can’t draw solid statistical inferences from our data. Nonetheless, we were duly impressed with all the notebooks. Not so long ago, a similar array of tests would have taken half these laptops out of action early on. These tough guys, however, brushed off our initial tests with little or no breakage. So, to push the notebooks to the limit, we added a second drop test, increasing the difficulty to what we called “MIL-SPEC-Lite”: a 36-inch drop onto plywood over concrete (a plunge none of the vendors expected the notebooks to survive). That, at last, produced some damage. Naming an overall winner is difficult. The Gateway NX560X is

BY RICH MALLOY clearly the bargain of the pack, with its low price and roomy 15.4-inch display. The Dell Latitude D620 offers the richest assortment of features. The notebooks from HP and Toshiba, however, are not far behind, with their own respective checklists of goodies. Durability, too, was fairly equal until we completed our last test, the 36-inch drop. When the dust settled, Toshiba’s laptop was the only one still fully operational (or at least the closest to being so), making it our durability champ. Note, however, that all our contenders continued to boot up, and the data on their hard drives remained intact. That’s something we would not have seen just a few years ago.

computershopper.com July 2006

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computershopper.com/roundups

Dell Latitude D620 Pros: Fast processor; large complement of memory; wireless WAN adapter Cons: Relatively long drying time needed after water test A LIGHTWEIGHT, feature-packed notebook for business users, the D620 combines an enormous amount of power and features. You can also customize the configuration through one of the most extensive menus of notebook options on the market. Our $2,099 test unit was richly appointed, powered by a beefy 2GHz Intel Core Duo T2500 processor—the fastest CPU in this roundup—and backed by 1GB of 533MHz DDR2 memory. Despite weighing only 5 pounds, our D620 crammed in a ton of features. Its 14.1-inch wide-screen display is a pleasure to view. The wireless LAN adapter supports 802.11a/b/g environments, and Dell’s Wi-Fi Catcher module notifies you of nearby wireless LANs even when the computer is off. (We had some trouble getting Wi-Fi Catcher to work, though.) The inclusion of both a pointing stick and a touch pad gives you a choice of pointing Dell Latitude D620

devices. Special security features include a fingerprint reader and a SmartCard slot. An integrated Evolution Data Optimized (EV-DO) card enables you to access e-mail and the Internet via the Verizon Wireless cellular network; a card for Cingular service is also an option. Dell claims it destroys an average of 300 prototypes in shock and fatigue testing before a new model ships. For a brief moment in our initial durability tests, we thought our test unit would join that unlucky bunch. The D620 survived our cold and heat tests, but after our water test, the only sign of life we saw was a brief glimpse of the power LED. This was surprising, considering the keyboard is sealed. After a little more drying time (about 12 hours total), the notebook sprang to life as if

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nothing had happened. The lesson: Don’t expect your laptop to start immediately after a spill. Our first round of drop tests didn’t faze the D620, thanks to its steelhinged, all-magnesium-alloy chassis and some protective features buried inside the notebook. The hard drive, for instance, is protected by Dell’s Strike Zone cushioning to absorb shock from a drop. In our second drop test (the 36-

RATING RUGGED: HOW WE TESTED Our durability tests were designed to simulate four common physical stresses a typical notebook might experience: falling off a desk or table, being doused with liquid, and exposure to both extreme heat and cold. After each test, the notebooks were tested and graded according to the damage they exhibited, if any. WATER TEST We simulated the damage that might occur if we left the notebook near an open window during a rainstorm by spraying 50ml of water (about 1.5 ounces) onto the keyboard. Although this sounds like a small amount, it completely soaked every key and much of the wrist rest. We drained off the water and mopped the notebook dry with paper towels, then let it dry further for 8 hours before booting. HEAT TEST We put the notebooks into a temperature-controlled oven for one hour at 150 degrees Fahrenheit. This test was designed to simulate leaving a notebook in a car on a hot summer day. COLD TEST This test simulated leaving the laptop in a car on a frigid winter night. Each notebook was chilled to 0 degrees Fahrenheit for one hour, and the notebook was then allowed to warm to room temperature before being powered up. DROP TESTS We strapped each notebook into our guillotine-style drop-test machine and let it fall onto a concrete floor covered with typical office-grade carpet backed by padding. The drop height was 29 inches, the standard height for office desks. Our test machine ensured that each notebook hit the floor in exactly the same spine-down orientation. For the second part of this test, we removed the padding and repeated the drop. Then, to really push the limits of durability, we advanced to a “MIL-SPECLite” test: a 36-inch drop onto plywood over concrete. None of the systems were rated to survive such a drop.

inch fall), however, the D620’s display backlight went dark, though we could see a faint image on the screen, and the notebook was still usable with an external display. The important thing is that the D620 completely retained its hard drive data, as did the other three notebooks, after this harsh drop. Our D620 came with a three-year warranty (including next-business-day onsite service) and an extensive list of optional programs. For small additional fees, buyers can add onsite setup help, a policy covering accidental damage, and accelerated access to phone support.

Gateway NX560X Pros: Lowest price in group; largest screen; comfortable keyboard; DVD burner; good port assortment Cons: Large; relatively heavy; no toll-free support THE NX560X wide-screen notebook is one of Gateway’s first to incorporate Intel’s Core Duo processor. Given Gateway’s target buyers—consumers—it’s not surprising that the NX560X is the most affordable laptop in this roundup. At $1,380 in our test configuration, it costs over $300 less than the next most expensive unit. What is surprising, though, is that it doesn’t sacrifice much in terms of power or features. The first thing you’ll notice is its LCD, a large 15.4-inch wide-aspect display. Inside the case is a Core Duo T2300 CPU running at 1.66GHz—the slowest in this roundup, but only slightly. This chip is coupled with a fairly standard 512MB of 533MHz DDR2 memory. Our test unit ran Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition Gateway NX560X

2005 instead of the costlier Windows XP Professional used by the other notebooks. We were surprised to see two higher-end options in our model: a double-layer DVD±RW drive and an Intel Pro/Wireless Wi-Fi module compatible with 802.11a/b/g networks. Sweetening the wireless package further, Gateway also included a Blue-

Feature Comparison Dell Latitude D620 CONFIGURATION Processor System Memory Graphics

Hard Drive Optical Drive Display Size Display Resolution Wireless Connectivity

Operating System Weight (Pounds)* Dimensions (HWD, In.) Standard Warranty (Parts and Labor)

2GHz Core Duo T2500 1GB DDR2 (533MHz) nVidia Quadro NVS 110M TurboCache (64MB) 80GB (5,400rpm) DVD-ROM/CD-RW combo 14.1-inch TFT 1,280x800 (WXGA) Dell Wireless 1490 802.11a/b/g; Bluetooth; Dell Wireless 5500 WAN Windows XP Professional 5.0 1.2x13.2x9.3 Three years

COMPANY

Dell 800-388-8542 www.dell.com

DIRECT PRICE

$2,099

* = without power adapter

HP Compaq NC6420

Toshiba Tecra M5-S433

✔ ✔ ✔

✔ ✔ ✔ ✔

✔ ✔ ✔ ✔

✖

✖

✖

tooth transceiver. The laptop has plenty of ports, too, including four USB 2.0 and one FireWire, as well as a multiformat memory-card slot. Though not massive enough to qualify as a desktop replacement, the NX560X, at 6.3 pounds, is significantly larger and heavier than the other notebooks here. Its screen resolution of 1,280x800 matched those of the Dell Latitude D620 and HP Compaq NC6420, but its wide-screen display offered larger, easier-to-read text. Another benefit of this big display: Gateway was able to accommodate a generously sized keyboard. Before our durability tests, we were a bit apprehensive about the NX560X. Its huge keyboard seemed to offer a betterthan-average chance for water to seep inside, and we wondered how the large LCD would fare in our drop tests. The laptop breezed through the first four tests—but then we executed the final, higher drop test. The display’s backlighting failed, just like the Dell notebook’s did, with the notebook remaining usable if connected to an external display. The standard configuration of the NX560X includes a one-year parts-andlabor warranty with no onsite service. You get one year of toll-call (not tollfree) tech support by phone. A wide range of warranty options is available, however, including an accidental-damage protection plan that covers failures due to impact, spilled liquids, and power surges (the last when the laptop is protected by an operational surge suppressor).

The NC6420’s dimensions are similar to those of the 1.66GHz Core Duo T2300 1.83GHz Core Duo T2400 1.83GHz Core Duo T2400 Dell Latitude D620. 512MB DDR2 (533MHz) 1GB DDR2 (667MHz) 512MB DDR2 (667MHz) Intel Graphics Media ATI Mobility Radeon X1300 nVidia Quadro NVS 110M This makes for a Accelerator 950 (128MB) TurboCache (128MB) nicely sized, rela60GB (5,400rpm) 60GB (5,400rpm) 100GB (5,400rpm) tively lightweight Double-layer DVD±RW DVD-ROM/CD-RW combo Double-layer DVD±RW laptop (approxi15.4-inch TFT 14.1-inch TFT 14.1-inch TFT mately 5.1 pounds) 1,280x800 (WXGA) 1,280x800 (WXGA) 1,024x768 (XGA) Intel Pro/Wireless Intel Pro/Wireless Intel Pro/Wireless with a well-propor802.11a/b/g; Bluetooth 802.11a/b/g; Bluetooth; 802.11a/b/g tioned keyboard HP EV2200 WAN and dual pointing Windows XP MCE 2005 Windows XP Professional Windows XP Professional devices (a touch 6.3 5.1 5.2 1.4x14.1x10.4 1.3x13x9.4 1.4x12.4x10.3 pad and a pointing One year Three years (one year on Three years stick). Turning on battery) the wireless-LAN Gateway Hewlett-Packard Toshiba America receiver was as 800-369-1409 800-888-9909 800-316-0920 easy as pressing a www.gateway.com www.hp.com www.toshibadirect.com button above the $1,380 $1,699 $1,799 keyboard, which actually controls all three wireless transceivers (Wi-Fi, HP Compaq NC6420 Bluetooth, and wireless WAN, the last for Pros: Wireless WAN included; relatively small, light; handy buttons for wireless/presentations wireless broadband Internet access via Verizon Wireless’ cellular service). A PreCons: Optical drive opened during drop tests; sentation button enables you to activate Information, power buttons easily confused the external display connector; the comSOME MANUFACTURERS hesitated to puter determines the optimum resolution send us a notebook for our durability for you. The NC6420 also has tests—after all, who a few security features: a finwants their product gerprint reader, a SmartCard destroyed? HP, however, slot, and a Trusted Platform was more than happy Module (TPM) security chip. to participate: The One complaint: The handy Compaq NC6420 busiInformation button above ness notebook that arthe keyboard is easy to rived at our door was confuse with the one of the very first off power button. the production line. Durability feaOur $1,699 test unit tures include HP’s Mobile arrived with a fairly strong HP Compaq Data Protection System 3D, Core Duo T2400 clocked at 1.83GHz, NC6420 which uses motion detecpaired with 1GB of 667MHz DDR2 RAM. tion to protect hard drive data from shock The wide-screen 14.1-inch display has an and vibration, as well as a magnesium impressive resolution of 1,280x800, display enclosure and a reinforced base. matching the screens in Dell’s and GateThe NC6420 sailed through our first way’s offerings. four durability tests. In DURABILITY RATINGS fact, it was so eager to Dell Latitude Gateway HP Compaq Toshiba Tecra show off after the waD620 NX560X NC6420 M5-S433 ter test that it started Water Test up prematurely while we were wiping its Heat Test power button dry. In Cold Test our first drop test, the impact jarred the reStandard Drop Test lease button for the (29 Inches) optical-drive drawer, MIL-SPEC-Lite Drop Test (36 Inches) which popped out ✖ = Serious damage KEY ✔ = Survived test = Mild damage or about half an inch. We unscathed or complications complications simply pushed the Gateway NX560X

✔ ✔ ✔ ✔

computershopper.com July 2006

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drawer back in, with no complications. A much more serious problem resulted from our fifth test, the brutal MIL-SPECLite drop. Same result as with the Dell and Gateway units: The display’s backlight didn’t survive, though the notebook was still usable with an external display. The standard warranty for the NC6420 is three years, with a one-year limited warranty on the battery. Warranty options include onsite service, accidental-damage protection, post-warranty support, and service while traveling outside the United States.

Toshiba Tecra M5-S433 Pros: Fairly compact, lightweight; large hard drive; double-layer DVD burner; Presentation button Cons: Display isn’t a wide-screen; no Bluetooth THE $1,799 Tecra M5-S433 is a compact, full-featured notebook. Like the others in this roundup, it’s built on Intel’s Core Duo dual-core CPU, in this case, the 1.83GHz T2400. And, like the Gateway notebook, it’s matched with 512MB of DDR2 memory, but here running at 667MHz. The M5-S433 distinguishes itself with its storage components: a 100GB hard drive and a double-layer DVD burner. The display, which measured a decent-size 14.1 inches, was the only one in this roundup to use the traditional 4-to-3 aspect ratio (rather than a wide-screen variant). Without a wide-screen display, this model was among the smallest in this group, though it was minutely heavier than the HP Compaq NC6420. Like the Dell and HP notebooks, the Toshiba model has dual pointing devices. A handy Presentation button lies above the keyboard. The keyboard is marred by one design quirk: The all-important Delete key has been shifted down to the lower right, which takes some getting used to. The M5-S433 offers some interesting goodies, including an S-Video port, a small FireWire connector, and an SD memory-card slot. For security, our test unit included a fingerprint Toshiba reader. Unlike the other Tecra notebooks in this group, M5-S433 it lacked a Bluetooth transceiver, though it’s a $40 option. Toshiba bundled a number of interesting utilities, such as its ConfigFree wired-

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Tougher Stuff The notebooks we tested from Dell, tooth, and GPS features. Plus, it conGateway, Hewlett-Packard, and Toshiverts into a tablet for situations where ba provide fair protection from temtyping just isn’t an option. perature swings, occasional bumps, or small accidental Itronix Hummer Laptop spills. Some environments, Itronix is not new to ruggedized though, are just too exmobile tech, but a recent partnertreme for these laptops. ship with Hummer has resulted Ruggedized notein, well, the Hummer Laptop books are a step up in (www.hummerlaptops.com). protection against acciThe pairing is a natural fit and Itronix Hummer dents and the elements, meets MIL-SPEC-810F vibraLaptop while still offering solid tion and temperature stanspecs. Here are three of our favorites. dards. The Hummer units, which start at $2,988, can be loaded with a range Panasonic Toughbook 18 of wireless features; they also offer Panasonic’s Toughbook line of notethe flexibility to upgrade to new radios books is loaded with rugged and down the road. semirugged laptops built to perform under harsh conditions. Twinhead Durabook N15RI The most rugged, including the The $1,309 N15RI (usa. Toughbook 18 (around $3,500, twinhead.com) has a semidepending on configuration), rugged body that makes it look are designed to survive more like a typical consumer MIL-STD-810F tests. notebook than a tank, but that (See www.panasonic. doesn’t make it a weakling. com/business/toughbook/ The components are encased in Twinhead df_test.asp for details.) magnesium alloy, with rubberDurabook N15R1 The Toughbook 18 offers ized vibration protection for the outstanding wireless functionality— hard drive and LCD. Spill-resistant you can make simultaneous use of its membranes shield the keyboard, wireless-WAN, wireless-LAN, Bluespeakers, touch pad, and LCD. and wireless-connectivity suite, which enables you to more easily control network connections. (It provides feedback on network conditions, allows for profile switching, and eases simple file transfers and sharing on a local network.) Also, because the Tecra notebooks are part of Toshiba’s business line, they come with the company’s EasyGuard Protect & Fix features. These include a spill-resistant keyboard, interior shock absorption, motion detection, and a magnesium-alloy case. Given those features, it wasn’t surprising that our durability tests presented no major problems for the Tecra. We did notice one unusual phenomenon after the first drop test: The wire-

less-LAN transceiver no longer responded. It turned out that the impact had jarred the little front-panel antenna switch into the off position. All we had to do was push the switch back on. The M5-S433 was the only notebook to survive the 36-inch plunge with its display intact. We noticed two minor problems, however, after this test. First, when we shut down the notebook, its fan kept running at full blast until we held the power button for 4 seconds. Second, the wired-LAN connector stopped working. Because the notebook was equipped with a wireless-LAN adapter that kept working, we considered this damage relatively minor. Our test unit came with a three-year limited warranty on parts and service. Three years of onsite service costs an additional $169, and Toshiba’s SystemGuard repair or replacement service ($199) covers damage caused by spills, drops, and other accidents.

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– nVIDIA GeForce Go 7900 GTX PCI-Express Graphics Module with 256MB DDR3 Memory delivering the power and technology you need to tear through the hottest games. ®

™

– Dual Optical Device bays and Dual Hard Disk Capability allow this system to be customized with 2 CD-ROM devices and 2 Hard Drives coexisting for maximum storage capacity. – Hardware RAID boosts HDD Speed with RAID 0 or mirror backup your data with RAID 1 Fault-Tolerance.

NP 5760V

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– nVIDIA® GeForce™ Go 7900 GTX PCI-Express™ Graphics Module with 256MB DDR3 Memory delivers best-in-class performance and high-definition video for gaming and multimedia applications. – The front panel Audio DJ CD player control with separate power switch lets you play your favorite music CD or MP3 while on the go. – Modular Bay design maximizes customization capability allowing the CD-ROM device to be interchange with 2nd Hard Disk Drive.

OPTIONS

OPTIONS

– 802.11g and Bluetooth Combo Module – TV Tuner Module with Remote

– Bluetooth Module – TV Tuner Module with Remote – Second Hard Drive Module

SPECIFICATIONS

SPECIFICATIONS

– 17.0" Wide Viewing Angles WUXGA Active Matrix Display with Super Clear Glare Type Screen – Intel® Pentium® 4 Processor 630 with HT Technology (2MB L2 cache, 3.0GHz, 800MHz FSB) – 256MB DDR3 NVIDIA® GeForce™ Go 7900 GTX PCI-Express™ Graphics – 1GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 533MHz – 80.0GB 5400RPM Serial ATA 150 Hard Drive – 8X DVD±R/RW 1/4X +DL Multi Drive – Full Size Keyboard with Numeric Keypad – Hardware Raid 0,1 Function – Dual Optical Device Bays and Dual Hard Disk capability allow this system to be customized with 2 CD-ROM devices and 2 Hard Drives coexisting – Integrated Wireless LAN 802.11 b/g – Built-In 1.3M High-Resolution Video Camera – Microsoft® Windows® XP Home Edition

– 17.0" Wide Viewing Angles WUXGA Active Matrix Display with Super Clear Glare Type Screen – Intel® Centrino® Duo Mobile Technology ■ Intel® Core™ Duo Processor T2300 (2MB L2 Cache, 1.66GHz, 667MHz FSB) ■ Intel® PRO/Wireless 3945ABG LAN 802.11a/b/g – 256MB DDR3 NVIDIA® GeForce™ Go 7900 GTX PCI-Express™ Graphics – 1GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 533MHz – 80.0GB 5400RPM Serial ATA 150 Hard Drive – 8X DVD±R/RW 1/4X +DL Multi Drive – Modular Optical Device Bay design allows CD-ROM Device to be exchanged with optional 2nd Hard Drive – Front Panel Audio DJ with Separate Power Switch – Built-In 1.3M High-Resolution Video Camera – Built-In 4-in-1 Card Reader (MS/MS Pro/SD/MMC) – Microsoft® Windows® XP Home Edition

$ 2699

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FEATURES

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– Premium technology is yours with the new

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– ATI MOBILITY RADEON X1600 PCI-Express

– ATI MOBILITY RADEON X700 PCI-Express

Graphics with up to 512MB HyperMemory™ brings your 3D gaming and multimedia applications to new levels of realism.

Graphics with 256MB DDR Memory delivers cutting-edge performance for 3D gaming and multimedia applications.

™

®

™

™

®

™

Intel® Centrino® Duo Mobile Technology. Have breakthrough performance to run more demanding applications simultaneously.

Intel® Centrino® Duo Mobile Technology. Have breakthrough performance to run more demanding applications simultaneously.

– The front panel Audio DJ CD player control with separate power switch lets you play your favorite music CD or MP3 while on the go.

– The front panel Audio DJ CD player control with separate power switch lets you play your favorite music CD or MP3 while on the go.

– Dual Channel DDR2 System Memory capable, providing the best match for new Intel® Core™ Duo Processor.

– Dual Channel DDR2 System Memory capable, providing the best match for new Intel® Core™ Duo Processor.

– Modular Bay design maximizes customization capability allowing the CD-ROM device to be interchange with 2nd Hard Disk Drive.

– Modular Bay design allows for maximum customization capability enabling CD-ROM device to be interchanged with 2nd Hard Disk Drive or 2nd Battery pack.

– New Express Card 34/54 Slot providing next generation functionality and connectivity.

– New Express Card 34/54 Slot providing next generation functionality and connectivity.

OPTIONS

OPTIONS

OPTIONS

OPTIONS

– Bluetooth Module – TV Tuner Module with Remote – Second Hard Drive Module

– Bluetooth Module – TV Tuner Module with Remote – Second Hard Drive Module

– Port Replicator – Charger Box

– Port Replicator – Charger Box

SPECIFICATIONS

SPECIFICATIONS

SPECIFICATIONS

SPECIFICATIONS

– 17.0" Wide Viewing Angles WUXGA Active Matrix Display – Intel® Centrino® Duo Mobile Technology ■ Intel® Core™ Duo Processor T2300 (2MB L2 Cache, 1.66GHz, 667MHz FSB) ■ Intel® PRO/Wireless 3945ABG LAN 802.11a/b/g – 128MB DDR ATI MOBILITY™ RADEON® X1600 PCI-Express™ Graphics (Up to 512MB HyperMemory™) – 1GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 533MHz – 80.0GB 5400RPM Serial ATA 150 Hard Drive – 8X DVD±R/RW 1/4X +DL Multi Drive – Modular Optical Device Bay design allows CD-ROM Device to be exchanged with optional 2nd Hard Drive – Front Panel Audio DJ with Separate Power Switch – Built-In 1.3M High-Resolution Video Camera – Built-In 4-in-1 Card Reader (MS/MS Pro/SD/MMC) – Microsoft® Windows® XP Home Edition

– 15.4" WSXGA+ Active Matrix Display – Intel® Centrino® Mobile Technology ■ Intel® Pentium® M Processor 730 (2MB L2 Cache, 1.6GHz, 533MHz FSB) ■ Intel® PRO/Wireless 2915ABG LAN 802.11a/b/g – 256MB DDR ATI MOBILITY™ RADEON® X700 PCI-Express™ Graphics – 1GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 533MHz – 40.0GB 5400RPM Serial ATA 150 Hard Drive – 8X DVD±R/RW 1/4X +DL Multi Drive – Modular Optical Device Bay design allows CD-ROM Device to be exchanged with optional 2nd Battery or 2nd Hard Drive – Front Panel Audio DJ with Separate Power Switch – Built-In 1.3M High-Resolution Video Camera – Built-In 4-in-1 Card Reader (MS/MS Pro/SD/MMC) – Microsoft® Windows® XP Home Edition

– 15.0" XGA Active Matrix Display – Intel® Centrino® Duo Mobile Technology ■ Intel® Core™ Duo Processor T2300 (2MB L2 Cache, 1.66GHz, 667MHz FSB) ■ Intel® PRO/Wireless 3945ABG LAN 802.11a/b/g – Share Memory Architecture up to 128MB – Integrated Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator 950 – 512MB DDR2 SDRAM at 533MHz – 40.0GB 5400RPM Serial ATA 150 Hard Drive – 8X DVD2 / 24x10x24 CD-RW3 Combo Drive – Built-In Digital Video Camera – Built-In 4-in-1 Card Reader (MS/MS Pro/SD/MMC) – 3 Hot-Keys for E-Mail, Web Browser and Application – 3 USB 2.0 Ports – Virtual 8 Channel External Speaker Output – 3D Surround Sound (S/PDIF output for DVD) – Microsoft® Windows® XP Home Edition

– 14.0" WXGA Active Matrix Display with Super Clear Glare Type Screen – Intel® Centrino® Duo Mobile Technology ■ Intel® Core™ Duo Processor T2300 (2MB L2 Cache, 1.66GHz, 667MHz FSB) ■ Intel® PRO/Wireless 3945ABG LAN 802.11a/b/g – Share Memory Architecture up to 128MB – Integrated Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator 950 – 512MB DDR2 SDRAM at 533MHz – 40.0GB 5400RPM Serial ATA 150 Hard Drive – 8X DVD2 / 24x10x24 CD-RW3 Combo Drive – Built-In Digital Video Camera – Built-In 4-in-1 Card Reader (MS/MS Pro/SD/MMC) – 3 Hot-Keys for E-Mail, Web Browser and Application – 3 USB 2.0 Ports – Virtual 8 Channel External Speaker Output – Microsoft® Windows® XP Home Edition

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Sager One Year Limited Warranty Policy: 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee. If the equipment does not work as promised, or if you are not fully satisfied, we will issue a full refund upon the return of all original equipment. 1-Year Parts and Labor Limited Warranty. Lifetime Toll-Free Technical Support. Sager One Year Limited Warranty Policy Applies to End Users in the United States of America only. Extended Warranty Available: Check out this comprehensive package of service/support. Business Leasing Available: Get your dream notebook with low monthly payments! Sager Corporate Offices 18005 Cortney Court, City of Industry, California 91748 Tel: 626.964.8682, Fax: 626.964.2381 Hours: Monday-Friday 7:30a.m. - 6p.m. (PST) American Express, VISA, MasterCard & Discover Credit Cards Accepted - No Surcharge. Cashiers Checks Welcomed. ©2006 by Midern Computer, Inc. All rights reserved. Intel, the Intel logo, Pentium, the Centrino logo, and Centrino, are trademarks or registered trademarks of Intel Corporation or its subsidiaries in the United States and other countries. All company and/or product names mentioned herein are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of their respective companies. The DVD upgrade-kit for Sager Notebooks is licensed through the CLEVO Company. All color LCD Display screens are simulated for artistic purposes. Prices and specifications are subject to change without notice. Opened software and shipping charges are non-refundable. 30-Day money back guarantee does not include freight or shipping and handling charge. Notes: 1,2,3: DVD±R/RW, DVD-ROM, and CD-RW drives list a variable read rate. DVD-R/RW and CD-RW write and re-write speeds vary and list only the maximum possible speed. Actual DVD-R/RW, DVD-ROM, CD-RW speeds will vary and are often less than the maximum possible speed. 4: Maximum Transmission speed of up to 53Kps when downloading and 33.6Kps when uploading data. Actual speeds may vary depending on line conditions and current FCC restrictions. 5: The Module Video Card feature is designed to work with current technology. Future video card designs may be incompatible or require manufacturer modification of the unit for compatibility.

REVOLUTIONARY KODAK RETINA DUAL LENS TECHNOLOGY PRODUCES THE WORLD’S SMALLEST 10X OPTICAL ZOOM DIGITAL CAMERA Two lenses = one tiny package. That’s the premise behind the new, pocket-sized Kodak EasyShare V610 dual lens digital camera featuring Kodak Retina dual lens technology. Dual lenses work together to eliminate a bulky extending lens. It’s the world’s smallest 10x optical zoom digital camera. The innovative V610 offers a remarkable array of features, including embedded Bluetooth® wireless technology that enables you to instantly share or print real Kodak pictures with friends. You can also show them on the large, 2.8-inch high resolution wide angle display. The V610 lets you shoot image-stabilized TV-quality video at 30fps VGA resolution using MPEG-4 compression, which means your video uses less memory, and the video won’t shake even if your hands do. The 6.1 megapixel V610 can create stunning quality prints up to 30" by 40", so you can create poster-sized prints. Besides the high resolution CCD, features such as Kodak Perfect Touch technology which allows one-touch picture fix and anti-blur technology make for remarkable image quality. There’s also the clarity and sharpness provided by the two professional-quality Schneider-Kreuznach C-Variogon lenses.

Kodak EasyShare photo printer 500

For an ultra wide-angle and zoom lens digital camera

Printing your images from virtually any digital camera has never been easier. With Kodak EasyShare photo printer 500 you can print waterproof, stainresistant real Kodak pictures in seconds for as little as 29 cents each.*

The pocket-sized Kodak EasyShare V570 dual lens digital camera offers two cameras in one with the ability to take ultra wide-angle shots (23mm equivalent) and still capture close-ups with its 5x optical zoom range.

Always choose Kodak memory cards.

To learn more about Kodak’s dual lens digital cameras, visit kodak.com

*Based on PH160 Color Cartridge + Paper Kit purchase of $46.99 or less (where available). © Eastman Kodak Company, 2006. Kodak, Retina, Perfect Touch and EasyShare are trademarks of Eastman Kodak Company. The Bluetooth trademark is owned by the Bluetooth SIG, Inc. Schneider-Kreuznach and C-Variogon are trademarks of Jos. Schneider Optische Werke GmbH used under license by Eastman Kodak Company. Simulated screen Images.

Few technologies have been snapped up by the masses as quickly as digital photography has. Just a few years ago, digital cameras were early-adopter novelties; today they are so pervasive that many users are now updating their lowmegapixel starter cameras. Whether you’re ready to graduate to a more advanced model or you’re joining the digitalimaging revolution for the first time, this overview of the latest cameras will help match a model to your needs. Before you start shopping, however, take note of a few trends we’re seeing in cameras this year. The megapixel war may not be over, but it’s certainly been downgraded to a skirmish. With many entry-level cameras featuring 5 megapixels of resolution, consumers can produce quality prints even from budget models. While 10-megapixel consumer cams are now available, 5- or 6-megapixel shooters should ably serve the needs of most casual photographers. More cameras now come with 10x or 12x optical zoom lenses, but long zoom reaches increase the likelihood of blurry images due to hand shaking. Camera manufacturers have responded by adding image-stabilization or antishake technologies to bigzoom models—and, sometimes, even to cameras with only 3x zooms. Also, digital single lens reflex (dSLR) cameras have become one of the hottest segments of the market. These models support interchangeable lenses,

CAMERA PANORAMA FIND THE PIXEL-PERFECT MODEL WITH OUR WIDEANGLE LOOK AT 66 OF THE LATEST DIGITAL CAMERAS. EDITED BY SEAN PORTNOY

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which provide advanced users maximum shooting flexibility. They also have sensors larger than those of other digital cameras, yielding sharper images. Prices for dSLRs are plummeting, with some creeping toward $500. A couple of new models even let you frame shots via their LCD screens, rather than only through the viewfinder. Consider these trends as you check out the following snapshot of the latest digital cameras. We’ve organized this guide by type of camera: budget point-and-shoots, compact snapshooters, capable midrange models, and more-advanced dSLRs. We’ve also included information on 11 photo printers that deliver lab-quality 4x6-inch prints when you want them, where you want them. Plus, for help taking great shots after you buy a camera (or correcting flawed shots you’ve already taken), turn to “Photo-Flub Fixers” on p. 100.

Casio Exilim EX-Z60

Kodak EasyShare C643

Samsung Digimax A503

74

BUDGET CAMERAS PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT CANON POWERSHOT A530

Mode dial lets you perfect your settings.

The 5-megapixel Canon PowerShot A530 is a solid budget camera with a few limitations, which its $229.99 price might suggest. One is its 1.8-inch LCD, which is smaller than many budget cams’ displays and has a low resolution of just 77,000 pixels. The tiny LCD does leave enough room, however, for an optical viewfinder on the body and a relatively comfortable button layout. Also, the camera’s 4x optical zoom is a little longer than the average budget camera’s. Besides a useful selection of lengthy 2.8 seconds common scene presets, such as Low between nonflash Light, Portrait, and Sports, the A530 inshots, however, cludes Canon’s Color Swap and Color Ac4x zoom is longer than and a full 6 seconds cent modes. These allow you to isolate a lenses on between shots specific color in each shot; you can then other budget with flash. Continueither choose to change the color, or mainmodels. ous shooting also tain it while converting the rest of the proved surprisingly image to monochrome. The camera can slow, averaging about 1.8fps. also record VGA movies at 30 frames per Photo quality was better, second (fps). Editors’ Rating: 6.8 out of 10 although not problem-free. At Speed is the Key Specs: 5 megapixels; 4x optical low ISO-sensitivity settings, the A530’s Achilles’ zoom; SD/MMC; 1.8-inch LCD camera produced very strong heel. Startup time images, with accurate colors and was 2.1 seconds in Canon U.S.A., 800-652-2666 exposure, little noise, and a low our tests—typical usa.canon.com incidence of chromatic aberrafor cameras in this Mfr. Est. Price $229.99 tion. Noise became quite apparclass—and shutter ent by ISO 400, however. Beyond that setlag was a brisk 0.5 second in good light. ting, photos were practically The lag increased to a full second with the CNET.com unusable. —Will Greenwald lights turned low. The camera requires a PRODUCT

PRICE

SPECS

EDITOR’S TAKE

Casio Exilim EX-Z60 www.casio.com

$249.99

6 megapixels; 3x zoom; SD/MMC; 2.5-inch LCD

One of its 33 scene modes optimizes images for posting on eBay; antishake technology helps eliminate blurry photos.

Fujifilm FinePix A400 www.fujifilm.com

$149

4.1 megapixels; 3x zoom; xD-Picture Card; 1.8-inch LCD

Low resolution and lackluster video capture—10fps at 320x240— put it behind competing models with more features at this price.

HP Photosmart E327 www.hp.com

$119.99

5 megapixels; no optical zoom; SD/MMC; 1.8-inch LCD

Small LCD and lack of optical zoom mean the only thing to recommend it is the bargain price.

Kodak EasyShare C533 www.kodak.com

$179.95

5 megapixels; 3x zoom; SD/MMC; 1.8-inch LCD

LCD is on the small side, and video capture is fairly anemic: 640x480 at only 11fps, or 320x240 at 20fps.

Kodak EasyShare C643 www.kodak.com

$229.95

6.1 megapixels; 3x zoom; SD/MMC; 2.4-inch LCD

Upgrades C533’s feature set with higher resolution, bigger LCD, double the internal memory, and 640x480 video capture at 30fps.

Nikon Coolpix L3 www.nikonusa.com

$199.95

5.1 megapixels; 3x zoom; SD/MMC; 2-inch LCD

Includes Coolpix features like in-camera red-eye correction, Face Priority autofocus, Best Shot Selector, and blurry-photo warning.

Olympus FE-130 www.olympusamerica.com

$179.95

5.1 megapixels; 3x zoom; xD-Picture Card; 2-inch LCD

Comes with a built-in help guide, 22 scene modes, digital image stabilization, and a macro mode. Movies shoot at only 15fps.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LS2S www.panasonic.com

$199.95

5 megapixels; 3x zoom; SD/MMC; 2-inch LCD

Features include image stabilization, wide-screen shooting mode, and a burst mode. Video capture is limited to 320x240, however.

Pentax Optio E10 www.pentaximaging.com

$199.99

6 megapixels; 3x zoom; SD/MMC; 2.4-inch LCD

A high megapixel count and bigger-than-average LCD for the price, but movie clips are limited to 320x240 and 20fps.

Samsung Digimax A503 www.samsungcamerausa.com

$139.99

5.2 megapixels; no optical zoom; SD/MMC; 2-inch LCD

Offers in-camera editing, 32MB of internal memory, and a low price, but lacks movie-recording function and an optical zoom lens.

Samsung Digimax S600 www.samsungcamerausa.com

$229.99

6.1 megapixels; 3x zoom; SD/MMC; 2.4-inch LCD

Decent feature set for the price, including an Auto Macro mode for shooting close up and a movie-stabilization feature for video.

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W50 www.sonystyle.com

$249.95

6 megapixels; 3x zoom; Memory Extremely lightweight (4.7-ounce) camera features 32MB of internal Stick Duo/Pro Duo; 2.5-inch LCD memory and sensitivity settings up to ISO 1000.

July 2006 computershopper.com

Two lenses maximize shooting versatility.

COMPACT CAMERAS PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT KODAK EASYSHARE V570 180-degree Kodak’s stylish 5-megapixel image, even if EasyShare V570 pairs an ultrawide your alignment 23mm (35mm-equivalent) fixedisn’t perfect. focal-length lens with a separate Movie makers 39mm-to-117mm 3x zoom lens for will love the maximum shooting versatility in a V570’s compact package. 640x480-pixel, The V570’s sleek, chrome-accent30-frame-pered black body weighs only 5 ounces second movie and looks sharp from any angle. Becapabilities with cause of the camera’s awkwardly pobuilt-in digital sitioned controls, however, you’ll image stabilization. The camera need to use both hands to compose also comes with Kodak’s Photo images comfortably. You don’t get Frame Dock 2 for uploading photos, an optical viewfinder, but the camrecharging your battery, and creating era’s big, 2.5-inch LCD (with and viewing slide shows. 230,000 pixels) is sharp and bright With the exception of shutter lag, enough to use outdoors in direct which was minimal, most of the camsunlight. era’s performance The ultrawide lens figures were unremakes the camera’s Editors’ Rating: 7.2 out of 10 markable for its panorama feature a Key Specs: 5 megapixels; 3x zoom; class. The camera blast to use. When all SD/MMC; 2.5-inch LCD had a better handle three shots are exEastman Kodak, 888-368-6600 on image quality, posed, the camera auwww.kodak.com however, and we tomatically assembles Direct Price $399.95 liked the way colors the photos into one

Canon PowerShot SD30

Fujifilm FinePix V10

Nikon Coolpix S4

Olympus Stylus 720 SW

76

looked in our test photos. Blues and reds were brilliant and fully saturated, and flesh tones had only a slight reddish cast. Also, the camera’s preflash eliminated most— but not all—red-eye. A couple of downsides: Both lenses produced purple fringing and a touch of blooming. We also noted limited dynamic range, which resulted in easily blown highlights, toodark shadows, and an abundance of JPEG artifacts. —David D. Busch

CNET.com

PRODUCT

PRICE

SPECS*

EDITOR’S TAKE

Canon PowerShot A700 usa.canon.com

$349.99

6 megapixels; 6x zoom; SD/MMC; 2.5-inch LCD; 7.1 ounces

Features a wide-screen mode. Can shoot 60fps video clips at QVGA resolution; also has an in-camera Face Brightener retouching tool.

Canon PowerShot SD30 usa.canon.com

$399.99

5 megapixels; 2.4x zoom; SD/MMC; 1.8-inch LCD; 3.7 ounces

A tiny camera with a tiny LCD and a tiny optical zoom. Comes in four different colors and includes a docking station.

Canon PowerShot SD430 usa.canon.com

$499.99

5 megapixels; 3x zoom; SD/MMC; 2-inch LCD; 4.6 ounces

Built-in Wi-Fi capability not only lets you transfer photos to a PC wirelessly, but also allows you to control the camera via your PC.

Casio Exilim EX-S600 exilim.casio.com

$349.99

6 megapixels; 3x zoom; SD/MMC; 2.2-inch LCD; 4.1 ounces

Available in three colors. Stylish and easy to use, with good moviecapture capabilities, but mediocre photos limit its appeal.

Casio Exilim EX-Z1000 exilim.casio.com

$399

10.1 megapixels; 3x zoom; SD/MMC; 2.8-inch LCD; 4.9 ounces

Highest resolution available in an ultracompact camera, along with a relatively roomy LCD.

Fujifilm FinePix V10 www.fujifilm.com

$349

5.1 megapixels; 3.4x zoom; xD-Picture Roughly the size of an Altoids tin, it packs a big LCD that lets you Card; 3-inch LCD; 5.5 ounces view 30 shots at once. It even comes with four built-in games.

Fujifilm FinePix F30 www.fujifilm.com

$399

6.3 megapixels; 3x zoom; xD-Picture Card; 2.5-inch LCD; 5.5 ounces

Offers a Picture Stabilization mode to reduce the effects of camera shake. Also, a new i-Flash system is included for improved flash performance.

HP Photosmart R927 www.hp.com

$399.99

8.2 megapixels; 3x zoom; SD/MMC; 3-inch LCD; 5.9 ounces

Highlights include a nicely sized LCD, high megapixel resolution, incamera red-eye reduction, and a panorama mode.

Kodak EasyShare One www.kodak.com

$399.95

4 megapixels; 3x zoom; SD/MMC; 3-inch LCD; 7.9 ounces

Built-in Wi-Fi allows for wireless printing of photos and the ability to send shots directly to the Web—but the interface and photo quality are poor.

Kodak EasyShare V610 www.kodak.com

$449

6.1 megapixels; 10x zoom; SD/MMC; 2.8-inch LCD; 5.6 ounces

Has dual nonprotruding zoom lenses, antiblur technology, and built-in Bluetooth connectivity to let you wirelessly transfer photos to cell phones.

Nikon Coolpix S4 www.nikonusa.com

$399.95

6 megapixels; 10x zoom; SD/MMC; 2.5-inch LCD; 7.2 ounces

Resurrects the company’s swivel-lens design and adds red-eye removal and face-recognition technology, but the unit lacks many manual controls.

Nikon Coolpix P3 www.nikonusa.com

$449.95

8.1 megapixels; 3.5x zoom; SD/MMC; 2.5-inch LCD; 5.9 ounces

Built-in Wi-Fi, as well as a two-setting Vibration Reduction system and a Blur Warning mode to alert you to potentially blurry shots.

Nikon Coolpix S6 www.nikonusa.com

$449.95

6 megapixels; 3x zoom; SD/MMC; 3-inch LCD; 4.9 ounces

Offers built-in Wi-Fi for wireless transfer and printing of images, along with an on-camera slide-show function with music. Classy wave-shape design.

Olympus Stylus 720 SW www.olympusamerica.com

$399.99

7.1 megapixels; 3x zoom; xD-Picture Card; 2.5-inch LCD; 5.3 ounces

Rugged, waterproof design means it can survive a 5-foot fall or submersion in up to 10 feet of water. Includes 28 scene modes.

Olympus Stylus 810 www.olympusamerica.com

$429.99

8 megapixels; 3x zoom; xD-Picture Card; 2.5-inch LCD; 5.1 ounces

Features digital image stabilization, 24 shooting modes, and Bright Capture technology that promises better low-light shooting. All-weather case.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ5 www.panasonic.com

$279.95

6 megapixels; 6x zoom; SD/MMC; 2.5-inch LCD; 6.6 ounces

Better-than-average zoom reach. Features optical image stabilization, sensitivity settings up to ISO 1600, and a wide-screen shooting mode.

* = Weight factors in camera body only (no media or batteries)

July 2006 computershopper.com

computershopper.com/roundups

COMPACT CAMERAS (Continued)

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX01

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T30

PRODUCT

PRICE

SPECS*

EDITOR’S TAKE

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX01 www.panasonic.com

$349.95

6 megapixels; 3.6x zoom; SD/MMC; 2.5-inch LCD; 4.6 ounces

Smaller zoom range than the DMC-LZ5’s, but its lens starts at 28mm, allowing for wider-angle shooting. Also offers optical image stabilization.

Pentax Optio W10 www.pentaximaging.com

$299.95

6 megapixels; 3x zoom; SD/MMC; 2.5-inch LCD; 4.9 ounces

Ready for the outdoors: waterproof to depths of up to 5 feet for 30 minutes at a time; dust-resistant housing is available in silver, brown, or green.

Pentax Optio A10 www.pentaximaging.com

$349.95

8 megapixels; 3x zoom; SD/MMC; 2.5-inch LCD; 4.4 ounces

One of the only digital cameras that supports recording to the DivX video format. Its image-stabilization feature works both for stills and when shooting video.

Samsung Digimax i6 $299.99 www.samsungcamerausa.com

6 megapixels; 3x zoom; SD/MMC; 2.5-inch LCD; 4.6 ounces

Wave-shape ultracompact doubles as a multimedia player; includes software that converts MP3, WMV, and other file formats to play back on the device.

Samsung Digimax L60 $299.99 www.samsungcamerausa.com

6 megapixels; 3x zoom; SD/MMC; 2.4-inch LCD; 4.4 ounces

Advanced video-capture features include zoom operation while shooting video, a movie-stabilization function, and in-camera video editing.

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W100 www.sonystyle.com

$349.95

8.1 megapixels; 3x zoom; Memory Stick Though on the heavier side for a compact, it offers superior resolution, sensitivity Duo/Pro Duo; 2.5-inch LCD; 5.9 ounces settings up to ISO 1250, and manual exposure controls.

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T30 www.sonystyle.com

$499.95

7.2 megapixels; 3x zoom; Memory Stick Sony’s latest ultraslim model bumps up the resolution and LCD size while Duo/Pro Duo; 3-inch LCD; 4.9 ounces adding an optical image-stabilization function and ISO settings up to 1000. * = Weight factors in camera body only (no media or batteries)

MIDRANGE CAMERAS

12x zoom lens employs optical image stabilization.

PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT PANASONIC LUMIX DMC-FZ7K With its powerful 12x (36mm-to432mm, 35mm-equivalent) optically stabilized lens, manual controls, extensive selection of scene modes, and VGAmovie-capture modes, the 6-megapixel Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ7K will appeal to a range of photographers. Enthusiasts who crave high-end features will appreciate the $399.95 DMCFZ7K’s manual exposure controls, with shutter speeds ranging from 8 seconds three different aspect ratios (4-to-3, to 1/2,000 second, or 60 seconds to 3-to-2, and 16-to-9) that are also avail1/2,000 second in full manual mode. able in the camera’s movie mode. The Color-bias tweaking is available for 16-to-9 movies even have a resolution everything but auto white balance. You of 848x480, so they won’t have to also get adjustments for contrast, squeeze into letterboxed VGA sharpness, and satura(640x480). tion, along with multiple Editors’ Rating: 7.2 out of 10 The camera’s Key Specs: 6 megapixels; 12x zoom; metering modes. overall performance SD/MMC; 2.5-inch LCD Besides shooting in was respectable. It Panasonic, 800-405-0652 JPEG and TIFF formats especially shined in www.panasonic.com (RAW is unavailable), all three of its burst Direct Price $399.95 the DMC-FZ7K offers modes (high, low,

Fujifilm FinePix S9000

—Theano Nikitas

CNET.com

PRODUCT

PRICE

SPECS

EDITOR’S TAKE

Canon PowerShot S3 IS usa.canon.com

$499.99

6 megapixels; 12x zoom; SD/MMC; 2-inch LCD

Has a long-reach optical zoom lens and image stabilization. Plus, you can snap still images while you’re recording video footage.

$549.99

8 megapixels; 3.6x zoom; SD/MMC; 2.5-inch LCD

A fun little camera that packs a wallop in terms of photo quality, performance, and both automatic and manual features. A standout.

Casio Exilim Pro EX-P505 exilim.casio.com

$349.99

5 megapixels; 5x zoom; SD/MMC; 2-inch LCD

A poor low-light shooter, but a decent-reach zoom for its size and useful video-capture features make for a good all-purpose cam.

Fujifilm FinePix S5200 www.fujifilm.com

$399.95

5.1 megapixels; 10x zoom; xD-Picture Card; 1.8-inch LCD

A well-designed, well-built camera with above-average performance, though it’s bulky and lacks image stabilization for its long zoom.

Fujifilm FinePix E900 www.fujifilm.com

$499.95

9 megapixels; 4x zoom; xD-Picture Card; 2-inch LCD

Features high resolution, along with full manual controls, in a fairly compact package, but LCD is a bit small.

Fujifilm FinePix S9000 www.fujifilm.com

$699.95

9 megapixels; 10.7x zoom; xD-Picture Card; 1.8-inch LCD

Though it has a lot of dSLR-like features, including an electronic viewfinder and a zoom ring, image quality isn’t up to the same standards.

Kodak EasyShare Z650 www.kodak.com

$349.95

6.1 megapixels; 10x zoom; SD/MMC; 2-inch LCD

Includes red-eye reduction, a histogram, and in-camera cropping, but its LCD is undersized and its video-capture ability underwhelming.

Canon PowerShot S80 usa.canon.com

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

and unlimited), delivering between 1.3 frames per second (fps) and 3.1fps. Shutter lag was minimal in bright light but slightly more noticeable in dim light, even with the camera’s autofocus-assist lamp. Our test shots were quite good, with even exposures and accurate colors. The DMC-FZ7K’s lens produced reasonably sharp images throughout the focal range, although the left side tended to be a little softer than the rest. The DMC-FZ7K also includes Panasonic’s High Sensitivity mode, which adds ISO 800 and ISO 1600 to the camera’s range. We noted enough noise to obscure small details in shots taken as low as ISO 80, however, a problem that, unsurprisingly, became worse at the higher sensitivities.

✓

✓= Editors’ Choice

MIDRANGE CAMERAS CONTINUE ON PAGE 78

computershopper.com July 2006

77

MIDRANGE CAMERAS (Continued)

Kodak EasyShare Z612

Olympus SP-500 UZ

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-M2

PRODUCT

PRICE

SPECS

EDITOR’S TAKE

Kodak EasyShare P850 www.kodak.com

$399.95

5.1 megapixels; 12x zoom; SD/MMC; 2.5-inch LCD

Image stabilization, a speedy burst mode, and an amazing array of other features—but mediocre photo quality reduces its appeal.

Kodak EasyShare Z612 www.kodak.com

$399.95

6.1 megapixels; 12x zoom; SD/MMC; 2.5-inch LCD

Provides bigger zoom and LCD than the Z650 does, along with 30fps video capture at VGA resolution. Zoom also works while you shoot video.

Kodak EasyShare P880 www.kodak.com

$549.95

8 megapixels; 5.8x zoom; SD/MMC; 2.5-inch LCD

User-friendly, with a wide-angle zoom lens. Its RAW-file capturing ability is close to useless, however, and its photo quality is merely pedestrian.

Olympus SP-350 www.olympusamerica.com

$349.99

8 megapixels; 3x zoom; xD-Picture Card; 2.5-inch LCD

Packed with powerful manual features and offers RAW-file capture, but its performance and photo quality lag behind the competition’s.

Olympus SP-500 UZ www.olympusamerica.com

$349.99

6 megapixels; 10x zoom; xD-Picture Card; 2.5-inch LCD

Offers 27 shooting modes, an electronic viewfinder, and the ability to accept accessory lenses.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ30 www.panasonic.com

$649.95

8 megapixels; 12x zoom; SD/MMC; 2-inch LCD

While its image quality is not completely top-notch, this megazoom model offers effective image stabilization and solid performance.

Samsung Digimax L85 www.samsungcamerausa.com

$499.99

8 megapixels; 5x zoom; SD/MMC; 2.5-inch LCD

The first camera with an HDMI interface, enabling you to display images in high quality on an HDTV.

Samsung Digimax Pro815 www.samsungcamerausa.com

$849.99

8 megapixels; 15x zoom; CompactFlash, Microdrive; 3.5-inch LCD

Unprecedented zoom and LCD size, along with a second, top-mounted LCD for waist-level shooting. Lacks image stabilization, however.

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H5 www.sonystyle.com

$499.95

7.2 megapixels; 12x zoom; Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo; 3-inch LCD

Big LCD, optical-image stabilization, and sensitivity settings up to ISO 1000. Available in silver or black.

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-M2 www.sonystyle.com

$499.95

5.1 megapixels; 3x zoom; Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo; 2.5-inch LCD

A hybrid device with a rotating LCD. Takes quality stills and MPEG-4 videos, but its compact form resulted in some awkward design trade-offs.

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-R1 www.sonystyle.com

$999.95

10.3 megapixels; 5x zoom; Compact- This pricey, feature-packed alternative to a dSLR has a rotating LCD Flash, Memory Stick, Memory Stick and full manual controls. Delivers excellent image quality. Pro, Microdrive; 2-inch LCD

DIGITAL SLR CAMERAS PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT OLYMPUS EVOLT E-330

First dSLR that lets you compose shots on an LCD.

Most digital single lens reflex cameras (dSLRs) only let you view images on their LCDs after you’ve taken the shots. Not so with Olympus’ Evolt E-330, the first dSLR to allow you to compose your pictures via its 2.5-inch LCD. Beyond that, the 7.5-megapixel camera is a feature-packed, solidly built model. The E-330’s HyperCrystal LCD is bright, with a sufficiently high resolution for judging image sharpness. Plus, its ability to tilt makes viewing shots in direct capability enables sunlight possible. you to try shooting The LCD’s Live View mode has the from odd angles that you couldn’t downside of not achieving an accuusing the viewfinder. rate preview of scene Shooting perforEditors’ Rating: 7.7 out of 10 exposure, however. mance was acceptKey Specs: 7.5 megapixels; CompactScenes that looked able but not stellar. correctly exposed on Flash, Microdrive, xD-Picture Card; The E-330’s 1.7-sec2.5-inch LCD the LCD turned out ond wake-up time is so underexposed particularly sluggish Olympus America, 888-553-4448 they appeared black. www.olympusamerica.com for a dSLR. Its shotMfr. Est. Price $999.99 (body); On the other hand, to-shot performance $1,099 (kit) the display’s tilting was slightly better,

whether it was taking JPEG, TIFF, or RAW shots. In continuousshooting mode, the camera maintained a rate of 3 frames per second (fps) for considerably more than 100 JPEG frames, but only managed 2.1fps for four continuous shots when taking full-size files. The E-330 yielded sharp, detailed images that produced excellent prints as large as 13x19 inches. Overall, the camera maintained a relatively low noise profile across all ISO settings, especially up to ISO 400. But our test photos revealed a tendency to underexpose. Also, the f3.5-to-f5.6, 14mm-to-45mm (28mm-to-90mm-equivalent) lens the kit version comes with is far less impressive than Olympus’ more expensive, but superior, f2.8-to-f3.5, 14mm-to-54mm (28mm-to-108mmequivalent) lens. —Lori Grunin

CNET.com

DIGITAL SLR CAMERAS CONTINUE ON PAGE 80

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DIGITAL SLR CAMERAS (Continued) PRODUCT

PRICE

Canon EOS Digital Rebel XT usa.canon.com

Nikon D70s

Samsung Digimax GX-1S

✓

SPECS

EDITOR’S TAKE

8 megapixels; CompactFlash, Microdrive; 1.8-inch LCD

A top pick for a consumer dSLR, it’s small and lightweight, but still delivers responsiveness and image quality you’d expect from a semipro model.

$1,399 (body); $1,499 (kit)

8.2 megapixels; CompactFlash, If you need a semipro model instead, this worthy successor to the 20D ups Microdrive; 2.5-inch LCD the LCD size and adds a real spot meter. Battery life remains mediocre.

Nikon D50 www.nikonusa.com

$579.95 (body)

6.1 megapixels; SD/MMC; 2-inch LCD

Nikon D70s www.nikonusa.com

$899.95 (body); $1,199 (kit)

6.1 megapixels; CompactFlash, The D50’s big brother is designed for more seasoned shooters, offering Microdrive; 2-inch LCD customization options, quick operation, solid battery life, and great images.

Olympus Evolt E-500 www.olympusamerica.com

$799.99 (one-lens kit); 8 megapixels; CompactFlash, $899.99 (two-lens kit) Microdrive, xD-Picture Card; 2.5-inch LCD

Compact and easy to use, with a broad feature set and solid image quality, though its unique dust-reduction system slows wake-up time.

Pentax K110D www.pentaximaging.com

$599 (kit)

6 megapixels; SD/MMC; 2.5-inch LCD

Replaces Pentax’s *ist DL as the company’s low-cost dSLR entry. Includes 11-point selectable autofocus, rather than the *ist DL’s three-point autofocus.

Pentax K100D www.pentaximaging.com

$699 (kit)

6 megapixels; SD/MMC; 2.5-inch LCD

Adds antishake technology to the K110D feature set.

Samsung Digimax GX-1L $699.99 (kit) www.samsungcamerausa.com

6.1 megapixels; SD/MMC; 2.5-inch LCD

Offers an Auto Picture mode that chooses best shooting mode depending on subject. Compatible with many Pentax dSLR lenses.

Samsung Digimax GX-1S $799.99 (kit) www.samsungcamerausa.com

6.1 megapixels; SD/MMC; 2.5-inch LCD

Beginners will appreciate its automatic features, but advanced users may not like that manual features are buried in the menu system.

Canon EOS 30D usa.canon.com

Canon EOS Digital Rebel XT

(body); ✓ $899 $999 (kit)

Nikon helps newbies with seven scene modes, including a Child mode, while offering strong performance, a great burst mode, and excellent image quality.

✓= Editors’ Choice

Snapshot Printers

PRODUCT

PRICE

SPECS

EDITOR’S TAKE

Canon Selphy CP710 usa.canon.com

$149.99

Dye sublimation; 4x8-inch max. paper; 300x300dpi max. resolution

Features a small footprint, inexpensive operation, and decent print quality, but LCD size is only 1.5 inches. No built-in editing tools.

Once you have your new digital camera, you’ll want a photo printer that can output your best shots. These compact printers make it easy to print photolab-quality 4x6-inch snapshots without leaving home.

Canon Selphy DS810 usa.canon.com

$149.99

Inkjet; 4x6-inch max. paper; 4,800x1,200dpi max. resolution

Though it's quick, has a 2.5-inch LCD, and offers low-cost prints, print quality is disappointing. No battery-power option, either.

Epson PictureMate Deluxe Viewer Edition www.epson.com

$199.99

Inkjet; 4x6-inch max. paper; 5,760x1,440dpi max. resolution

Though a bit slow, it provides sharp, colorful prints. Has a 2.4-inch LCD and a nifty handle for travel; battery pack is a $69.99 option.

HP Photosmart 385 www.hp.com

$179.99

Inkjet; 4x12-inch max. paper; 4,800x1,200dpi max. resolution

Includes a 2.5-inch LCD and a panorama mode to create 4x12-inch images.

HP Photosmart 475 www.hp.com

$249.99

Inkjet; 4x12-inch max. paper; 4,800x1,200dpi max. resolution

Similar feature set to that of the 385, but comes with a 1.5GB hard drive to store images. Output quality is good, but not great.

Kodak EasyShare Printer Dock Plus Series 3 www.kodak.com

$179.95

Dye sublimation; 4x6-inch max. paper; 300x300dpi max. resolution

Built-in Bluetooth lets you print wirelessly from mobile devices. Also performs battery recharging and one-button image transfer to PCs.

Kodak EasyShare Photo Printer 500 www.kodak.com

$199.95

Dye sublimation; 4x6-inch max. paper; 300x300dpi max. resolution

Also has built-in Bluetooth, as well as a 3.5-inch LCD. Supports Kodak's optional Wi-Fi adapter for printing wirelessly over a network.

Lexmark P450 www.lexmark.com

$199.99

Inkjet; 4x6-inch max. paper; 4,800x1,200dpi max. resolution

Large footprint due to a built-in CD burner that lets you archive your photos while you print them. Burner doesn't support CD-RW media.

Olympus P-11 www.olympusamerica.com

$149.99

Dye sublimation; 4x6-inch max. paper; 310x310dpi max. resolution

Olympus claims it can output a 4x6 print in roughly 30 seconds. This tall unit lacks an LCD.

Samsung SPP-2040 www.samsung.com

$159.99

Dye sublimation; 4x6-inch max. paper; 300x300dpi max. resolution

Offers a 2-inch LCD, good print speeds, and fine output quality.

Sony DPP-FP50 www.sonystyle.com

$99.95

Dye sublimation; 4x6-inch max. paper; 300x300dpi max. resolution

No LCD for previewing pics, though it can connect to a TV to show images. Needs an optional adapter to read xD-Picture Card media.

Epson PictureMate Deluxe Viewer Edition

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Kodak EasyShare Photo Printer 500

Olympus P-11

800.819.6661 Audiovox FPE1505DV 15" TFT LCD TV with built-in DVD . . . . . . .$349

Audiovox D1708ES 7" Portable DVD System w/ Extra 7" Screen . . . . . .$187

Fujitsu LifeBook T4020 Tablet PC (FPCM10661) . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$1,478

Fujitsu LifeBook S7020 Notebook (FPCM42413) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$1,744

Garmin StreetPilot C320 . . . . . . .$299 Garmin StreetPilot C330 . . . . . . .$399 Garmin StreetPilot C340 . . . . . . .$475 Garmin Rino 530 . . . . . . . . . . . . .$375

Garmin StreetPilot 2720 . . . . . . . .$683 Garmin StreetPilot 2730 . . . . . . . .$822 Garmin StreetPilot 7200 . . . . . .$1,027 Garmin StreetPilot 7500 . . . . . .$1,205

Lowrance iWay 350C . . . . . . . . . .$364

Lowrance iWay 500C . . . . . . . . . . .$572

Logitech Harmony 880 Advanced Universal Remote . . . . . . . . . . . . .$142

Logitech Harmony 890 Advanced Universal Remote . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$241

Magellan RoadMate 360 AFTER $50 MAIL-IN REBATE . . . .$329

Magellan RoadMate 860 . . . . . . . .$549

Magellan eXplorist XL AFTER $50 MAIL-IN REBATE . . . .$226

Magellan eXplorist 600 AFTER $50 MAIL-IN REBATE . . . . .$217

Microtrack 24/96 Recorder . . . . .$320

Triggerfinger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$160

Please visit our website or call for the most up to date lowest prices. Capresso Impressa E8 Super Automatic Espresso Machine . . . . . . . . . . . .$950

Pentax Optio T10 . . . . . . . . . .$285.80 Pentax Optio A10 . . . . . . . . . .$267.90

TomTom Go 510 . . . . . . . . . . . . .$499

Wusthof . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lowest Price Henckels . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lowest Price Kershaw . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lowest Price

Capresso MT500 Plus 10 Cup Coffeemaker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$175

Cuisinart DGB-600BC Grind and Brew, Brushed Chrome . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$118

Cuisinart DLC-2011 Prep 11 Plus 11-Cup Food Processor White . . .$147

Pentax *ist DL with Lens Kit . . . . .$438

HD280 PRO Professional Stereo Headphones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$70 HD580 Stereo Headphones . . . . .$130 HD600 Stereo Headphones . . . . .$287

RS 130 Wireless Headphones . . .$102 RS140 Wireless Headphones . . . .$122 PX200 Portable Headphones . . . . .$35

TomTom Go 910 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$699

S50 Syspack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .CALL Sportster Reply Jam Pack . . . . . .CALL

Delphi S10113 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$128 Pioneer Inno . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$369 Samsung Helix . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .CALL

Whistler XTR-520 Radar Detector . . .$99

Whistler XTR-560 Radar Detector . . .$69

Price and availability subject to change without notice.

Having issues with your PC or electronic devices? Our troublesolving editors take on 20 of your toughest problems. HARDWARE HELP VISTA-FRIENDLY HARDWARE I’m in the market for a new PC, but I would like to know what the new Windows Vista requirements will be before I commit to a purchase. The release of Microsoft’s latest operating system is still months away, but if you’re in the market for a new PC, making sure it will run Windows Vista is a smart idea. Not only will it save you money on making upgrades later, but it’s also a surefire way of future-proofing your purchase. The tricky part, however, is that Microsoft has yet to finalize the requirements for Vista and is planning several versions of the OS. You can find some helpful suggestions online (www.

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BY THE STAFF OF COMPUTER SHOPPER

microsoft.com/technet/windowsvista/ evaluate/hardware/vistahardware. mspx), but, for the most part, details are still vague and subject to change. At the most basic level, to run a full-featured version of Vista, you should look for a PC that features a 64-bit processor paired with a current chipset, a bare minimum of 512MB of memory (though we recommend you get at least 1GB), and a DirectX 9class graphics card (or an open x16 PCI Express slot for a future graphics upgrade). D-I-Y NAS I have a 250GB external hard drive connected to my PC and recently bought a new PC for my living room. I The Linksys NSLU2 have a wireless-netenables you to wirelessly share work setup and any external hard wanted to know if it drive among would be possible to networked PCs. share my 250GB hard drive between both systems. You can, but you’ll need a network storage adapter such as the Linksys Network Storage Link NSLU2 to plug into your router first. You can then

plug your hard drive into the network storage adapter and access the files from the hard drive on any computer, wired or wireless, on your network. Note, however, that the NSLU2 requires you to format the hard drive you want to network the first time you connect it to the unit. For those who don’t already own an external drive, the easiest answer to sharing storage is to purchase a networkattached-storage (NAS) drive. NAS drives plug directly into an Ethernet port on your wireless router, letting you share files over your network. Many NAS drives have USB ports, so you can easily expand your networked storage by plugging in additional USB hard drives. (See “Shared Storage Made Simple,” in the Help and How-To section, for a primer on hooking up an NAS drive to your network.) MEMORY NAME GAME I’d like to upgrade the RAM in my PC from 512MB to 1GB, but I don’t know who makes the best memory. Is there a difference between name-brand and generic RAM?

Illustrations by David Flaherty

ASK THE EDITORS

have instructions on how to adjust the ing—not all do. Also, make sure your channel of your wireless network. PC has a powerful cooling solution that If the signal is still weak, you might can handle the extra heat your overwant to invest in a repeater. You would clocked processor, graphics card, or place the repeater in a spot where your other parts will generate. Otherwise, wireless signal is weak, and it would reyou run the risk of your PC overheatbroadcast the signal to extend its reach. ing. Likewise, you’ll want to make sure Another solution would be to replace the overclocked component has your current router with a multiple inenough power or voltage running to it; put, multiple output (MIMO) router. the power level can be MIMO models promise better throughtweaked in your put at longer ranges than 802.11b/g PC’s BIOS. Be devices can handle. Note, though, that warned, howwhile MIMO models may be advertised ever, that as “802.11n Draft” or “Pre-N” routers, too much they may not be compatible with the power can final 802.11n spec, which should be fifry the nalized early next year and will define componext-generation wireless networking. nent. If you can wait a few months, products Indeed, guaranteed to support 802.11n will be overclocking available then. The new 802.11n gear is in general is HIDDEN HARD DRIVE expected to reach throughput speeds often a trial-andMy Maxtor external hard drive Access your motherboard’s exceeding 300Mbps. error process in which isn’t being recognized by my BIOS settings to you’ll likely be working withPC. It’s connected via USB 2.0, overclock your PC. LEFTOVER APPLES out documentation and with but it won’t show up as a drive I’m in the market for a new Mac notebook, the sole guidance of sometimes-iffy Inletter. All of my music is stored on the drive, but I can’t afford Apple’s prices. I was ternet info—so don’t overclock any part so I can’t afford to lose it. What can I do? thinking of buying a refurbished model. Is you can’t afford to lose. Keep in mind, this something you’d recommend? What too, that overclocking a component alFirst, try unplugging your drive from should I look out for? most always automatically voids the the power outlet for a few seconds, manufacturer’s warranty. then connecting it again. If that doesn’t Many new laptops come with a cuswork, and you have access to a secondtomer-satisfaction policy that says a WIDEN WI-FI ary PC or laptop, try connecting your buyer can return the computer for alIs there anything I can buy or do to indrive to it using a different USB cable. most any reason after a short trial pericrease my wireless network’s signal? If it’s still not being recognized, go to od. Companies such as Apple resell Maxtor’s site (www.maxtor.com) and systems that have been returned under If you can, try relocating your equipseek out PowerMax, a free utility that these policies, usually at 20 percent off ment to a wider, more open area, or lets you run various tests on your drive the original price. Though these savmount it on the wall, if your router until it identifies the problem. ings are great, the came with brackets. If If it looks like you have a problem downside is that your router is confined with your drive, download QueTek’s these computers ofto a particular part $45 File Scavenger 3 (www.quetek. ten come with only of your residence, com), which lets you recover files from a 90-day warranty— keep it away from corrupted volumes. nine months shy of metallic objects or the one-year indussteel shelving/ OVERCLOCK WITH CARE We’ve heard more good try-standard covercabinets—they can What is overclocking, and what do I need experiences with refurbished age on new laptops. interfere with the netto know before I overclock my system? systems than bad. If money From our readers, work signal. Likewise, is really tight and you don’t we’ve heard more cordless phones can When you overclock parts of your PC, mind taking a chance, go good experiences also reduce your range you make those components run faster for a refurbished PC from a with refurbished if they’re operating than they’re intended to—for instance, reputable reseller. systems than bad. alongside other 2.4GHz setting your 2GHz processor to run at That said, we would devices. (Cordless phones 2.6GHz. This bump in speed can probe wary of buying a used notebook you that rely on a 5.8GHz frequency shouldvide better performance, but some critwould find, say, on Craigslist. If money n’t interfere with an 802.11b/g wireless ical precautions are necessary to avoid is really tight and you don’t mind taksignal). Another possibility: Change damaging your components. ing a chance, go for a refurbished sysyour router’s channel to help extend For starters, make sure your mothertem from a reputable reseller. If possicoverage. Your router’s manual should board explicitly supports overclockWhen it comes to memory, the brand you buy may not matter as much as you think it does. As long as the memory module’s specs match your motherboard’s requirements, you should be fine. Generics are generic for a reason, however. They may not necessarily be manufactured to the same standards as the name brands are. If you want to save some dough, go with generic, but be sure the seller offers an acceptable warranty and return policy in case the RAM doesn’t work with your machine. If you can afford to pay a little extra for the name brand, however, we suggest doing so—as long as you stick with the brands recommended by your computer’s manufacturer.

Refurbs: Worth the Risk?

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ble, however, pay the extra money for a new model, to guarantee the longer warranty and that the laptop won’t have any nicks or scratches from the previous owner. CPU SHOWDOWN I’m a gamer, and I want to know who makes the better processor: AMD or Intel? The processor—commonly referred to as the central processing unit or CPU— is the brains of your computer and the most important chip you’ll find inside. Both AMD and Intel make a variety, each with individual upsides and downsides. For desktops, we recommend AMD’s Athlon 64 FX CPU for the best gaming performance. If you’re an Intel fan, however, you can’t go wrong with the company’s dual-core Pentium D and Extreme Edition chips, which essentially pack the punch of two processors in one. Most games aren’t written to take advantage of dualcore technology, but some game developers are slowly exploiting AMD’s Athlon 64 FX the benefits of delivers unbeatable dual-core technolperformance for ogy and Hyperdemanding gamers. Threading by releasing patches for their titles. You should also take into account your system’s other components, such as RAM, hard drive size and speed, and graphics card. Together, all of these contribute to your system’s gaming performance. In particular, an up-todate graphics card will enhance the performance of today’s complex 3D games. THE WAY TO DUAL DISPLAYS How can I tell if my graphics card supports a dual-monitor setup? Also, do I need a special card to connect a large, wide-screen LCD? Whether it’s for work or play, a dualmonitor setup can make you more productive. With two monitors, you can clone screens, span the screens to create a single wide screen, or simply have

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lect the name of your two large programs networked printer. The running simultanedownside of this setup ously—each on is that your desktop PC its own screen. must be booted up for Several things Go with a plasma if you you to print from either are worth noting, want a big screen for a of your laptops. however. To support reasonable price; get an LCD a dual-monitor setif you need a smaller-size TV GUIDE up, you’ll need a set. If you want the biggest I’d like to upgrade my dual-output graphscreen for the least money, home theater with a new ics card, which can a rear-projection HDTV may flat-panel television, but cost from $60 to be your best bet. with so many choices hundreds of dollars. available, I’m not sure Also, depending on which one to get. the manufacturer, you’ll have to shell out twice for moniIf you’re looking for the type of hightor cables, if they’re not included. definition television (HDTV) that you can Dual-output cards usually let you conmount on a wall, then your choice is benect one monitor via a Digital Visual tween a plasma screen and an LCD flat Interface (DVI) connection and the othpanel. Plasmas’ advantages are that they er via a VGA port. A few cards, such as tend to reproduce black levels better than Matrox’s TripleHead2Go, can support LCDs and are cheaper for larger-size sets as many as three LCDs. (42 inches and above). LCD image quality On the other hand, if you’re has greatly improved, however, and you planning on buying a bigcan find LCDs at smaller screen sizes for screen LCD for your computuse in less-spacious rooms. Go with a er, make sure your graphics plasma, such as the $1,699 Vizio P42 card can drive the screen’s HDTV, if you want a big screen for a reahigh resolution. Also, some sonable price; because plasmas aren’t big LCDs, like Dell’s Ultraavailable smaller than 37 inches, get an Sharp 3007WFP, require a LCD if you need a smaller-size set. graphics card with a dualAnother option is a thin rear-projeclink DVI connector, which tion HDTV (often referred to as a miyour card may not have. crodisplay). These are far svelter than their CRT WIRELESS PRINTING ancestors but I have a wireless network at sizable enough home that consists of a deskthat they can’t top and two laptops. I would be wall-mountlike to print wirelessly from ed. LCD-based the notebooks straight to my models are the printer, which is connected most popular, to my desktop. How can I do but sets using this? digital-light-projection (DLP) techIf your wireless router has a nology are growing in built-in print server, simply popularity due to their connect the printer directly to Vizio’s $1,699 42-inch near-plasma image the router, and all of your netplasma provides plenty of screen for quality. If you want the worked computers will have your buck. biggest screen for the access to it. Alternatively, you least money, and you don’t mind putcan purchase a print server, as long as ting your HDTV on a stand, a microdisyour printer is compatible with one. play may be your best bet. Otherwise, go to your desktop’s Control Panel and select Printers and Other HIGH-DEF DECISIONS Hardware > Printers and Faxes. Here, What are the best connections to use when you can choose to share your printer. hooking up something to an HDTV or receivThen, follow the same steps on each of er? I just got an Xbox 360 and want to make your laptops, but when you get to the sure I’m getting the best picture possible. last step, select Add a Printer and se-

HDTV: Plasma or LCD Screen?

When connecting DVD players, cable boxes, or game consoles (such as an Xbox 360) that have only analog ports to your high-definition set, always choose component-video (red, green, and blue) over composite-video (red, white, and yellow) connections. Component-video outputs offer superior resolution and color reproduction. For even better results, opt for a HighDefinition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) connection, if your device and HDTV both have HDMI ports. HDMI carries the video and audio signals over one cable, digitally. Up-converting DVD players—units that can convert a standard-definition DVD to near-highdefinition quality—rely on HDMI connections. As for audio, we always make a point of using digital connections (optical and coaxial) with our receiver whenever possible. The cables may be more expensive, but they provide better clarity and sound than their analog (RCA) counterparts.

mend Spycatcher Express 2006 4.4.6 (computershopper.com/download), which can root out the offending spyware and also prevent further spyware from installing itself on your PC. We update our installation of this utility regularly. Its biggest plus is that it protects both Internet Explorer and Firefox from browser hijacks. HOW TO BE SAFE How do I run my PC in Safe mode, and why should I?

for viruses, and perform other maintenance operations. To exit Safe mode, simply restart your PC. INSTANT STARTUP My friend just bought a new PC that boots up at lightning speeds. My PC is fairly new, but it takes forever to boot. I’ve noticed 20 or more apps loading each time I boot, some of which I don’t even use. Is there a way I can get rid of them? Also, how can I tell if they’re of any use?

A PC that starts up sluggishly is frustratSafe mode is an ing. Fortunately, getting alternative way of rid of unwanted programs booting up Windows, isn’t so hard, although it does usually used for require some careful tweaking. troubleshooting Using the System ConTo begin, go to My Computer, purposes—for exfiguration utility, you can determine which and click down to C:/Documents ample, if you reapps launch at startup. and Settings/All Users/Start cently installed a Menu/ Programs/Startup. Remove any new device or application, and, a few unnecessary shortcuts you find in this days down the road, your PC starts actfolder, and your next startup should ing up. Because your PC doesn’t load be faster. device drivers when you boot up in SOFTWARE SOLUTIONS If you want to see a complete list of Safe mode, you can use it to determine your PC’s startup items, you’ll need to whether a newly installed driver is SPYWARE STOPPER do some tweaking using the System causing Windows to malfunction. My browser’s home page no longer defaults Configuration utility. To begin, go to As a result, many people run to the site I chose, but instead takes me to a Start > Run, their PCs in Safe mode when try- WWW search engine I’ve never heard of. What can and type ing to solve pesky system-related I do to prevent this? For more answers to your msconfig. problems. hardware and software Next, click To boot up in Safe mode, continuSpyware is the likely culprit. You have problems, check out computershopper.com/cures. on the Startously tap the F8 key while starting two possible solutions to your problem. up tab to disyour computer. You should see a The first involves a quick tweak to your play a list of programs that launch black screen displaying the Windows Adbrowser, but it’s only a shortwhen you turn on your PC. By looking vanced Menu Opterm answer. The secat the command path, you can tell, tions. Using your ond involves installing more or less, the type of program keyboard’s arrow some freeware. you’re looking at. You might, for inkeys, select Safe In Internet Explorstance, recognize an instant-messagmode, then hit Ener, go to Tools > Intering app that you use for chatting, or ter. Your computer net Options. At the It can happen to even the most see your media player on the list. will now boot up General tab, type the vigilant: Spyware hijacks your Uncheck any items that you know in Safe mode and URL you’d like to use Web browser’s home page. To don’t need to run when you boot up. the words “Safe as your home page in get your browser back on track, You may be itching to hit Disable All, Mode” will appear the Address field. Once download an app like Spycatchbut you’d be wise to do more research at the corners of you’re done, click Apply er Express 2006 4.4.6. This before altering anything in a system your screen. If and OK. If you’re using free software will track down folder or that looks mysterious. your desktop Mozilla Firefox, go to and remove the offending spylooks abnormally Tools > Options, click ware, and safeguard your PC UNWANTED VISITOR colored (and it on the General icon, against future attacks. There’s a file on my desktop that won’t probably will), it’s type in the URL you delete. How can I get rid of it? because your PC want as your home page, displays only 16 colors at 640x480 (VGA) and hit OK. Either way, though, your One quick solution: Reboot your comresolution when in Safe mode. PC is still vulnerable to future homeputer, then try deleting the file. By reOnce you’re in Safe mode, you can page hijacks. booting, you’re quitting any programs check your system for problems, scan For always-on protection, we recom-

Reclaim a Hijacked Home Page

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change your mind lator applications assoer. To begin, launch ciated with the file, iTunes, and log on to which should free your account. Click on up the file for deleyour account name tion. If that doesn’t You can get solid PC protec(upper-right-hand work, try booting up in tion from free applications. corner), then select Safe mode (see the earZone Labs’ ZoneAlarm fireView Account. iTunes lier question about wall will hide your computwill ask for your passSafe mode) and deleter’s ports from would-be word again. Type that ing the file. hackers. For adware and spyin, and hit Enter. You If you’re still having ware protection, try Lavawill now see a wintrouble, we recomsoft’s excellent Ad-Aware SE dow displaying your mend installing a Personal. And Trend Micro’s account information. small freeware app CWShredder keeps CoolWebClick Deauthorize called Unlocker. Search hijackers off your All to start with a (You can find it at browser. clean slate. computershopper. Don’t make com/download.) Once a habit of relying on the Deauyou’ve installed it, right-click on the thorize All option, however. file you want to delete, then select UnApple lets you use this locker from the menu options. Unlocktrick only once a year. er will display all processes associated with the file. You can then choose to PATH TO RECOVERY end the processes and delete the file. Why should I create restore points with Windows’ ITUNES SPEED BUMP System Restore function? I just bought a new laptop, but none of my purchased iTunes music plays on it because it Restore points are used by says I’ve already authorized five computers. Windows to undo How do I deauthorize my other computers? Lavasoft’s system changes and Ad-Aware SE return your computTo prevent illegal file sharing, Apple Personal is one of the Internet’s er to a healthier, earimplemented a five-computer listening best adwarelier state if it runs limit on all songs purchased through catching apps. into severe trouble. the iTunes Music Store. Once you’ve To create one, go to Start menu > Help reached that limit, you must deauthoand Support. Under “Pick a task,” select rize a computer before you can play the option “Undo changes to your comyour music on another PC. The simple puter with System Restore.” In the followsolution: Go into the iTunes ing window, click on the “Create a reapplication, and, under store point” radio button, and hit the Advanced tab, Next. In the “Restore point deselect Deauthoscription” area, type in a rize Computer. name for the restore point, This will prethen click Create. vent you from To restore your system, playing any launch System Restore, music bought then select “Restore my from the computer to an earlier iTunes store on time.” After clicking Next, that computer. you’ll see a window listing all If you’ve simyour restore points by date and ply lost track of A System Restore name. Click one, and you’re on your which PCs are point can return your way to reverting your system to an authorized and PC to a time when it earlier, trouble-free state. which are not, was operating smoothly. Apple offers a SAFETY NETS Deauthorize All option. Be warned, howWhat are the best antivirus and firewall ever, that this option will force you to programs? manually re-authorize any PC if you

The Free Route to PC Safety

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If you’re looking for an integrated suite that can handle all of your security needs, we recommend Zone Labs’ $49.95 ZoneAlarm Internet Security Suite 6 (www.zonelabs.com), which offers a powerful firewall, along with virus, spyware, and spam killers. You can get solid protection from free applications, as well, though they won’t offer you the convenience of a single, unified interface. Zone Labs’ free ZoneAlarm firewall will hide your computer’s ports from would-be hackers and is easy to use and monitor. For virus protection, try Grisoft’s AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition; to protect against adware and spyware, we recommend Lavasoft’s excellent Ad-Aware SE Personal and the aforementioned Spycatcher Express 2006. Finally, Trend Micro’s CWShredder is a tiny app that prevents CoolWebSearch hijackers from taking control of your browser. (Find all of these utilities at computershopper. com/download.) MAKING THE SWITCH I have a Windows XP PC with a ton of important files, but I’m buying a new Intelbased iMac soon. How can I transfer all my files to my new Mac before getting rid of my old PC? Depending on the number and size of your files, you could burn a handful of CDs or DVDs and transfer over your data using optical media. Just burn the files you want to take from your old PC onto a disc, then copy them over to your new iMac. That way, you’ll also have an instant backup of them should anything go wrong. If you have lots of larger files, such as video clips, you could network your old PC and your iMac together with Thursby Software’s Dave (www.thursby.com). Version 6, available now, is free to try, but it costs $119 if you end up keeping your old PC and using both systems on the same network.

HELP &HOW-TO TIPS AND TRICKS TO MAKE TECH EASIER

96 Weekend Project: Set Up NetworkAttached Storage 100 Weekend Project: Fix Common Photo Problems

COMPUTER CURES ALFRED POOR SWAP IN A FLASH I’ve used several different brands of USB flash drives, and I find that the drives are not “hot swappable” as most USB devices are supposed to be. I’ve found out the hard way that simply pulling a drive out of a USB port is a good way to ruin your day. Why can’t you hot-swap USB drives? M e r v Wa i t s You can hot-swap these thumb drives, provided you follow some simple precautions. This type of device contains solid-state memory; if you interrupt the write process while data is being recorded, you can lose some or all of the data stored on the drive. Most USB drives have an indicator light that glows steadily when the drive is connected and ready. The light will often blink during data transfers, so never remove the drive when it is doing so. Also, don’t rely on the Windows messages to know when a transfer is complete; the writes might be buffered and still be in progress when the Windows file-transfer window closes. This is no different than writing to a floppy or any other removable-storage device. The safest approach is to use the Safely Remove Hardware feature in the XP Tool Tray; it won’t let you remove a USB storage device if it is busy writing a file. Also remember that as convenient as USB flash drives may be, they can malfunction and lose data without warning. Make sure you have backup copies of any important files you commit to them. MEMORIES IMMORTALIZED I recently discovered a trove of old blackand-white family photos that should be preserved. Everything I read seems to discuss printing digital photos on color printers. I never see anything about blackand-white film photographs, however. I

presume I can scan them and print the digital images, but I don’t know what equipment to use. G a r y S t e wa r t The same hardware and software that work for editing and printing color photos should work just as well for blackand-white ones. You can buy a capable scanner for less than $100 these days, and any inkjet that prints decent color photos should be able to create excellent black-and-white prints as well, using the same photo paper. A simple, inexpensive photo-editing program can help enhance or repair the images. I also encourage you to write down whatever you know about each picture, and store that information with the

USB flash drives can malfunction and lose data. Make sure you have backup copies of any important files you commit to them.

These folders and their contents are the result of Windows updates, and they contain the information required to reverse their installation. If your system has been running properly since you’ve installed the last update, it’s unlikely you’ll ever need to uninstall these updates. You probably can delete them safely, though you might want to hold on to the most recent ones, just in case. I recommend, however, that you leave them alone. I have 66 of these folders on my PC, and they take up only 50MB of hard drive space. At one time, that would have seemed like lots of wasted space, but now that I can buy a new 200GB hard drive for about 30 cents per gigabyte, my opinion has changed. Those 66 folders are taking up storage worth just 1.5 cents, so it’s not worth the time or energy to remove them. They’re not doing any harm, and it can only cause you trouble (even though that’s unlikely) if you delete them, so just leave them alone.

A WIDTH WITHIN REASON I’m running Windows XP Home Edition using the XP-style Start menu. Until recently, all my program folders were displayed in three columns that fit the screen, and I was able to see each folder entry. Recently, each of the three columns widths has increased, LET ’EM BE and I’m only able to see half of the third column on the screen. I haven’t changed any of Thanks for the April Tip of the Month about the desktop settings. My screen resolution identifying all the programs running on my has always been 800x600 pixels. If I inPC. I was able to clear out a crease it to 1,024x768, the columns fit, but lot of useless stuff, but I the print is too small. also have hundreds of WWW Can you help? folders inside my Windows For more tips and buying folder with names like Michael Giacoppi advice, sign up for the “$NtuninstallB896358$.” Computer Shopper Extra newsletter at What are these, and can I Even if you haven’t computershopper.com/ get rid of them safely? changed any of your newsletter. desktop settings, it’s D a l e Wo o s l e y image file. Include the names of the people in the photo, along with the date and location, if possible. Context clues can help future generations identify time, people, and places more easily.

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HELP & HOW-TO COMPUTER CURES possible you may have inadvertently changed the system font size through a separate utility. Right-click on an empty space on the Windows Desktop, and choose Properties. Choose the Appearance tab, and make sure that the “Font size” setting is Normal. The column width of the Start Programs menu columns is determined by the longest program or folder name displayed in any of the columns, so it’s possible you have recently installed a new program with a name that’s longer than any previous program or folder. If this is the cause, the fix is simple. Just shorten the program or folder name (right-click on the item in the Start menu and choose Rename), and your column widths should be restored. HARDWARE, UNHINGED My laptop’s display has broken off at the hinge, but the screen still works. Can it be repaired? Dipanjan Mitra You’re lucky the screen still works—the LCD is often the most expensive component to replace in a notebook. Plenty of companies specialize in notebook repair, and I expect the fix won’t be prohibitively expensive. Don’t attempt to make this

repair on your own, however. Laptop assembly is complex and idiosyncratic, and it can be extremely difficult to get all the pieces to go back in their proper places. FAILURE TO LAUNCH I have a problem with Windows 2000 that’s driving me crazy. I assigned Alt+X as a keyboard shortcut for a particular program, but the app won’t start when I use that shortcut. This key combo worked fine in Windows NT. Can you help? Ken Slotkowski Your chosen key combo won’t work because it doesn’t include the Ctrl key. In both Windows 2000 and XP, you can create keyboard shortcuts for any program in the Start menu, or for those that have a shortcut on the Windows Desktop. Unlike in other versions of Windows, however, the shortcut must be a combination of Ctrl, Alt, and a third key. The last key can be a letter, a number, or a punctuation mark. (You can’t add the Shift key to the combination.) Note that Windows shortcuts always take precedence, so if a program uses the same key combo internally, that shortcut won’t work in the program. Windows will intercept it and launch the program associated with that shortcut.

TIP OF THE MONTH: SIDESTEP WINDOWS’ PASSWORDS—SIMPLY In the April edition of “Computer Cures,” I recommended using Microsoft’s TweakUI to set Windows to log in without requiring a username or password. TweakUI is free, but Microsoft provides no support for it, and a few readers have reported problems with the utility. This month’s tipster has a better way to bypass the Windows password screen.

The easiest way to automatically log in to Windows is to choose Start > Run, then type control userpasswords2 in the Run command box. This opens the User Accounts window. Uncheck the box that says “Users must enter a user name and password to use this computer.” Choose the Apply button, and you will be prompted for your name and

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password to be automatically logged in at startup. Chris Gandrud

DIAL-UP FOR DSL? I’m shopping for a new PC, and the one I have my eye on doesn’t come with a modem. Will I need a modem if I use a DSL connection to access the Internet? Sheldon Horowitz Even though a DSL connection uses your phone line, you don’t need a standard telephone modem for your computer. Instead, you just need an Ethernet or USB connection to use the service. A modem converts digital information into analog sounds at the sending computer, and then back from analog sounds to digital data at the receiving end. A standard modem uses the same frequencies used for voice transmissions on phone lines, which is why you hear a screech when you pick up a phone on a line that a modem is already using. DSL relies on higher frequencies to transmit and receive data, so it requires a different type of modem. Your DSL provider will give or sell you a DSL modem with your service, and the device will connect to your PC via Ethernet or USB. An Ethernet connection is preferable, because it will allow you to connect a router so you can share the Internet service with more than one computer.

This is a quick and easy way to get to the same result, without TweakUI. Almost all the changes that you can make with TweakUI can be made some other way within Windows, but like the User Accounts window, it may not be obvious where to make the changes. Thanks for pointing out a quick way to the right spot. Keep in mind, though, that doing this effectively unlocks your computer, leaving you without protection from prying eyes and fingers when you’re away from your PC. This isn’t a problem for most people, however, and the convenience of moving quickly from power switch to a readyfor-action PC is worth the trade-off.

Send us your favorite tip, and you could receive a tipster’s prize package. “Alfred Poor’s Computer Cures,” Computer Shopper, 28 E. 28th St., 10th Fl., New York, NY 10016-7942 [email protected] Please include your name. Due to the number of letters we receive, we cannot provide personal replies, nor return any enclosures.

HELP & HOW-TO

WEEKEND PROJECT Installing a network drive doesn’t require a Ph.D. Here’s how to get one running.

Shared Data Made Simple BY JOHN WORAM

1

Install the NAS hardware

Physically installing an NAS drive is easy. Just plug the drive’s power line into an AC outlet, connect the drive to your router via an RJ-45 Ethernet cable, and power it on. Although you may be tempted to install the drive’s software immediately after turning it on, we recommend first Our NAS drive (extreme right) joined spending a few two PCs and a network printer that were already connected to our router. minutes on a quick Other computers joined the network system check. via Wi-Fi.

2 NETWORK-ATTACHED-STORAGE (NAS)

drives—central storage drives for your entire network—make it easy to expand your storage space. Still, many users dread the thought of tweaking their networks. To save you from frustration, we added an NAS drive to a test network setup. We employed four networked Windows PCs (one running Windows 98, three running Windows XP), one Mac (running OS X 10.4.5), an old HP LaserJet network printer, an SMC Barricade SMC7004VWBR router, and, finally, our NAS drive, LaCie’s $229 Ethernet Disk Mini (250GB). 96

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Check your existing IP addresses

Every device on your network has an Internet Protocol (IP) address, a series of numbers that identify the machines. IP addresses are written in “dotted quad” format—four sets of numbers separated by periods (192.168.2.100, for example). Your router, which assigns those numbers as needed using Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP), will give your NAS drive an address as soon as you install the drive’s software. Sometimes, however, the router will accidentally duplicate an existing address, so it’s a good idea to prepare a list of current IP addresses before installing any NAS software to help resolve any IP-address conflicts that arise. You can easily fetch a list of all the addresses on your network using your Web browser, but you’ll need to find your router’s address first. To check your router’s IP address, click Start > Run, type cmd (or command) in the Open box, and click OK. Then, at the command prompt, type nslookup, press Enter, and jot down the number displayed on the Address line. To display the IP addresses of your networked PCs and other devices, turn each one on, open your browser, and type http:// followed by your router’s IP address. A router-configuration-utility window will then appear.

We checked the router’s DHCP Client Log for the IP and MAC addresses of each computer and our printer before we started installing the NAS drive.

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The interface will vary depending on the router manufacturer, but it should only take a few steps to call up your IP addresses. For our SMC Barricade, we clicked a Status link in the utility window. This Our SMC Barricade router included four wired ports and 802.11b wirebrought up a frame less support. called “DHCP Client Log”; the IP addresses, along with Media Access Control (MAC) addresses and device names, appeared in a subframe. The first three segments of each IP address should match the same segments of your router’s IP address. The last segment, however, will be different for each device (for example, .100, .101, and so on). Your network printer’s IP and MAC addresses should also appear, although the printer’s name may be missing, depending on how old the printer is. (Ours, a discontinued LaserJet 4, wasn’t listed.) If no printer information appears, your router may need a firmware upgrade. You may want to put this off, however, in the interest of getting the NAS drive up and running first. If so, just print a self-test page (from the printer’s front panel, not from your PC), which should display the printer’s IP address, along with other configuration details. Add that address to your list.

3

Install the NAS software

Now that you have your IP addresses, you can install the NAS drive’s software. Insert the installation CD and follow the prompts, which will vary from one drive manufacturer to another. With ZoneAlarm’s firewall running in the background, we were tipped off about a Security Alert—something was trying to install itself at 192.168.2.105. We recognized this as our printer’s IP address, but decided to deal with that problem after the software installation. After the NAS software finished installing, our first order of business was to resolve our IPaddress conflict, in which both our printer and NAS drive were During our installation of the NAS softcompeting for ware, a ZoneAlarm Security Alert warned us of a potential IP-address conflict. the same IP

address. We fixed this by changing the printer’s IP address to 192.168.2.106 via our printer’s front panel. (This process varies by model, so you’ll need to dig out your printer’s manual to do this.) Alternatively, you can change the NAS drive’s IP address by using the software utility provided with the drive.

4

Post-installation configuration

Our next step was to change the NAS drive’s default workgroup name to our workgroup name. (Keeping a consistent workgroup name throughout the network makes it easier to browse your network.) To change the workgroup name, you’ll have to access LaCie’s Web Administration page by typing the drive’s IP address or http://EDmini into your Web browser. Make sure to double-check the workgroup name after making any subsequent configuration changes, as some utilities have a habit of reverting it to “WORKGROUP” without being asked. In Windows Explorer, we then clicked on the Search icon, selected Computers from the resulting column, and entered the drive name to verify that it would show up on our network and that installation was a success. When we found the drive, we opened the Explorer Tools The LaCie Configuration tab displays menu, selected details about the NAS configuration. the Map Network Drive option, and assigned the letter “S” (for “Storage”). After doing that, drive S: showed up in our regular Windows Explorer windows. Depending on the operating systems the PCs in your network are running, at this point you might be done. Because we had a Windows 98 PC and a Mac in our network, however, we had two more steps. Unlike our Windows XP systems, our Windows 98 PC required extra configuring before it could access the NAS drive. Finding the drive in our Network Neighborhood window was no problem, but gaining access to it was another story. After many unsuccessful attempts to open a folder on the NAS drive, we discovered a note in the drive’s user guide pertaining to Windows 98: “[Y]ou will need to create a user on the [NAS drive] with the same username and password as your login for Windows.” So we went back to LaCie’s Web Administration page to create a username and password that matched our Windows 98 PC. We were then able to access the folder on the NAS drive and map it to a drive letter on the Windows 98 system.

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Finally, on our Mac, the LaCie drive showed up automatically in our workgroup, and we had no problems accessing the drive— we simply used the same username and password we had created to gain access via the Windows 98 PC. The Network configuration button opens a window where you can configure adFor any non-XP dress information manually, if needed. computer (Mac or PC) accessing the drive, you’ll need to provide a username and password before gaining access to the shared drive. The NAS drive was now available to all of the computers on our network, ready to be used for extra storage and backup.

Using the Map Network Drive option, we designated the letter “S” to our NAS drive.

5

Managing network resources

Once your NAS drive is up and running, and you right-click a folder on the drive, you may notice something’s missing—the Context menu’s Sharing and Security option. This means the drive doesn’t support password protection, and anything on the drive can be accessed by anyone on the network. Our LaCie drive didn’t support password protection at the time we wrote this story, but the company expects to have updated software with this feature available as a free download by the time you read this. If password protection is important to you, make sure the NAS drive you’re buying offers the feature. If you’re interested in an NAS solution for the future but simply need an external hard drive today, consider an NAS drive with a USB port, such as the LaCie Ethernet Disk Mini. This way, you can use the USB interface now, then switch over to the network interface when you’re ready to create your wireless network.

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HELP & HOW-TO

WEEKEND PROJECT

1

10 digital-picture pitfalls and how to avoid them

It’s a complete blur

This photo has all the attributes of a great family moment. The white balance is warm, but we’ve come to expect that from candlelit ambience. Unfortunately, nothing in the shot is in focus, either because the camera set the shutter speed too slow or because it couldn’t autofocus in the low light. CAN IT BE SAVED? No. If a photo is this severely out of focus, no amount of sharpening can save it. HOW TO AVOID: Use the flash. For dimly lit indoor snapshots, it can make the difference between a hit and a miss. Use a tripod. Slow shutter speeds result in naturally softer photos, no matter how steady your hands are. Focus manually. If your camera supports it, bypass the autofocus entirely. Use a scene mode. For special lighting such as this, don’t leave your camera on Auto. Check your manual for modes designed to shoot low-light scenes.

Photo-Flub Fixers BY LORI GRUNIN

2 shot you snagged looked great on your camera’s LCD, but you loaded it up on your PC only to discover it’s too blurry to even make out the faces. By remembering a few simple rules, however, you can increase your odds of shooting photos that impress rather than distress. Remedy these 10 common snapshooting mistakes by following our handy tips.

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Illustration by David Flaherty

THAT ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME

Demon eyes

The expression on the kid’s face is mesmerizing and definitely makes the shot a photo-album candidate. Unfortunately, it’s marred by that demondeer-in-the-headlights look that plagues flash photos taken with compact cameras. Light-eyed folks are especially susceptible to red-eye. CAN IT BE SAVED? Maybe. Many consumer image-editing apps include automatic red-eye removal, but results can be mixed, especially for blue eyes and the eyes of animals. HOW TO AVOID: Lighten your surroundings. Allow enough extra light so your subject’s pupils contract before the flash goes off. Use your camera’s red-eye-reduction mode. The burst of light before the flash will (hopefully) make the subject’s pupils contract. Change your angle. Don’t shoot someone’s face deadon. Moving off to a slight angle should decrease the intensity of red-eye. Dial down the flash. If your camera supports flash exposure compensation, cut back on the intensity. It won’t eliminate red-eye, but it should decrease the vividness.

computershopper.com/howto

3

Off color

This fun photo captures a spontaneous moment, and, probably more important, is a pretty good picture of each of the girls. We doubt their true flesh tones are quite so pink, however. This is an egregious example of incorrect white balance— mostly, it’s too yellow, orange, or blue. CAN IT BE SAVED? Yes. Generally, color casts are easy to correct, especially if they’re strong in one of the primaries (cyan, yellow, magenta, red, green, or blue). HOW TO AVOID: Keep white balance set to Auto. Ironically, this is one case where exerting too much control can backfire on you. Most cameras have decent automatic white-balance performance. Use manual white balance sparingly, and always set it back to auto after you’re finished. Since you usually use manual white balance in extreme circumstances that the automatic mode and presets can’t handle, forgetting to reset it can result in some seriously odd color casts in subsequent photos.

4

So far away

5

Don’t stand so close to me

6

Backlight bugaboo

There’s nothing like crawling right up to a baby’s face to get one of those classic giant-head shots. Unless you’re trying to be artsy or experimental, however, the face should be in focus. Here, the photographer got a little too close, closer than the camera was able to focus. CAN IT BE SAVED? No. Objects that are out of focus remain out of focus. HOW TO AVOID: Take a step back, if possible. Or crawl backward, in this case. Switch to macro mode. Macro mode is designed to focus this closely. Turn off the automatic focuspoint selection. While this feature, found on newer cameras, seems to produce better overall sharpness, the technology occasionally fails to choose the right subject. The old prefocusand-reframe technique—lock focus on the face, then reframe the scene—works just as well or better in these situations.

Strong light behind this happy couple fooled the This group shot is one of those special-occasion camera’s light metering, and the moment has photos that can never be re-created. In this case, been blacked out. the photographer is too far away. The on-camera CAN IT BE SAVED? Sort of. You can bring up the flash is clearly not strong enough to reach the exposure in the midtones, which makes the scene, and he or she should have moved closer couple visible, but not without exposing a lot of and filled the frame. image noise. CAN IT BE SAVED? Sort of. If the original resolution is high enough, you can always crop. The exposure can also be HOW TO AVOID: changed after the fact, but that usually results in ugly low-light Use fill flash. image noise. Force your flash on to illuminate HOW TO AVOID: Get closer. If moving close enough to fill the your subjects’ frame doesn’t help, get creative—for instance, get really close faces. One of the and treat it like a panorama, shooting the group in smaller drawbacks to this subsets with multiple shots from left to right. approach is that it Know your camera. In this situation, it really pays to memousually blows out rize a few specs—namely, the distance your flash can throw the brighter areas in the scene. and how Use exposure compensation. Bump up the exposure by about much of the a stop—more if necessary—to fool your camera into thinking scene your the scene is darker than it is. The drawback here is that it viewfinder will lighten the entire scene, which will render the bright shows. WWW areas as overly bright. Then, Use spot or center-weighted respect For tips on getting great metering. These metering the first printouts of your digicam images, check out modes weight the light on the and over“Picture-Perfect Prints” at subject more heavily than the compensate computershopper.com/ light on other areas in the for the perfectprints. scene. second.

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Use a backlight scene mode. This mode generally sets the camera to automatically use one or more of the previous methods. Ask the subjects to move. If there’s no reason for them to be in front of a bright light source, pick a better spot.

7

Too flashy

This reunion photo isn’t great art, but the sentimental value makes it priceless for someone. Unfortunately, with the backlighting, the white walls, the white tablecloth, the silvery hair, and the shiny glasses, the flash proved to be a little too intense for the grandma on the right. This is usually the result of a default setting with an overly aggressive fill flash. CAN IT BE SAVED? Nope. Once you’ve blown out the twinkle in grandma’s eye, no amount of retouching can get it back. HOW TO AVOID: Slow your shutter speed and turn off the flash. Since your subjects aren’t speeding off somewhere and you have all those white surfaces, you should be able to get a good exposure without the flash. Use flash compensation. Not all snapshot cameras have it, but if your camera allows you to dial back the intensity of the flash, do so.

8

Persistent flashbacks

Here’s your typical night party scene with a typical problem. It’s amazing—though not surprising—how often these flash reflections pop up. Mostly they occur because you don’t really think about them until you see the photos, and, by then, the moment has passed. CAN IT BE SAVED? Maybe. But it would take some seriously tedious image-editing work. HOW TO AVOID: Pay attention to your surroundings. The only foolproof way to avoid reflections is to refrain from shooting facing any reflective surfaces. Dial back the flash intensity. Doing so won’t eliminate the problem, but it might make the reflection a little less overpowering and a little easier to retouch later.

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Use a diffuser or bounce flash. For a snapshot camera, you can fashion a diffuser by affixing some translucent paper over the flash. Or, if your camera supports it, get an add-on flash unit that tilts upward so that the light bounces off nearby surfaces before hitting the subject.

9

Supernova surprise

A good rule of thumb for snapshots: Whatever you’re shooting is what should stand out in the photo. In this case, it shouldn’t be the light from the big ol’ lamp on the side. Given all the other lit-up objects in the scene, the photographer probably either didn’t have to or didn’t want to use flash. A darker photo with all the bright lights out of the frame would have been better. CAN IT BE SAVED? Maybe, with some serious masking. The light is too intrusive for a quick crop. HOW TO AVOID: Turn off the light, or move the lamp. This solution assumes that the light is in the scene by accident and that it’s not being used as additional illumination for the shot. Move the lamp, and bump up your ISO speed. By increasing the light sensitivity to ISO 200 or higher, you’d get a similar exposure without the intrusive lamp.

10

In the dark

This poor dog’s long-suffering expression is irresistible—definitely a keeper. The photo is underexposed just enough to qualify as too dark, however; unless you zoom in closely, you can’t see the pleasedon’t-let-the-other-dogs-see-me-likethis look in the dog’s eyes. CAN IT BE SAVED? Probably. Because it’s not severely underexposed, you could make some midtone adjustments with software that will bring out the detail of the dog’s expression while limiting image noise. HOW TO AVOID: Use a tripod and a slower shutter speed. If this shot were a candid, obviously this wouldn’t be possible. But if the subject’s sitting patiently, drag out the tripod. Use flash. With the flash turned on but dialed back, you could illuminate the dog more without brightening the tree. Use a Night Portrait scene mode. This mode is designed to keep the background looking dark and twinkly, while ensuring the subject is properly CNET.com exposed.

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TECHMARKET THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO SMART TECHNOLOGY SHOPPING

105 Performance Desktops 107 Ultraportable Notebooks 110 Home and Small-Office Laser Printers 114 External Hard Drives 116 17-Inch LCDs 120 Portable Digital Audio and Video Players (Hard Drive-Based)

NEED TO KNOW

PERFORMANCE DESKTOPS ($1,500 AND HIGHER) PROCESSOR Power users need the best. Go with a top-notch Intel or AMD processor, such as the AMD Athlon 64 FX or X2 series, or Intel’s Pentium D 800 or 900 series. You’ll have maximum power and the best protection possible from system extinction. MEMORY Start with 1GB, and make sure your motherboard supports 2GB or even 4GB. Upgrade: Each additional 512MB of DDR memory will cost roughly $50. GRAPHICS Make sure you’re running a high-end card with a minimum of 128MB of memory. If you’ve got deep pockets, go with a dual-card Scalable Link Interface (SLI) system. HARD DRIVE Start with two drives in a RAID Level 0 array for quick file access and fast application launching. For bulk storage, get a third drive of 120GB or larger. Upgrade: Each additional 80GB of storage will cost about $40. OPTICAL DRIVES What’s better than one DVD±RW? Two—but that’s complete overkill. Stick with one DVD burner, and then either a CD-RW or DVD-ROM for a second

Model

Base Price*

Processor

Next

drive. Upgrade: A second DVD±RW drive will month: Budget cost about $40 more than a CD-RW. Desktops CASE Performance PCs need space for both components and cooling, so get a full tower. Make sure airflow is adequate and there’s room for growth. Also, look for up-front USB, FireWire, and audio inputs for easy access. A multiformat memory-card reader may be an option, too. SOUND AND SPEAKERS Definitely go for a dedicated sound card. Included speakers should take full advantage of the sound card’s abilities. Most top cards support immersive 7.1-channel surround sound; whether you want seven or eight speakers is your call. MONITOR Though they’re still around, CRTs are disappearing, thanks to better, cheaper LCD technology. For gaming and video playback with LCDs, the lower the pixel-response time, the smoother the picture. Look for a rating of 16 milliseconds (ms) or less for average users; gamers will want nothing higher than 6ms. —Joshua Goldman, Associate Editor

RAM Graphics

Hard Drive Optical Drive(s) Monitor Editor’s Take

Contact Info

ABS COMPUTER TECHNOLOGIES

$1,599

3GHz Pentium 4 630

1GB

Two nVidia GeForce 6600 GT (SLI)

160GB

DVD±RW (double layer)

None

Not bad for an entry-level SLI rig. And if you’d rather go with an AMD CPU, ABS is prepared to strike a similar deal.

www.abspc.com 800-876-8088

Aurora 7500

$1,789

2.4GHz Athlon 64 3800+

1GB

nVidia GeForce 7900 GT

160GB

DVD-ROM

None

SLI-ready, but packs just one GPU; a bit pricey for a rather unremarkable setup. Good service-and-support options.

www.alienware.com 800-254-3692

Aurora Area-51 ALX

$4,769

3.4GHz Pentium D 950

1GB

Two nVidia GeForce 7900 GT (SLI)

250GB

DVD±RW (double layer)

None

For the deep-pocketed gamer who wants everything and more—encased in a giant alien head.

Ultimate X8

ALIENWARE

APPLE COMPUTER

iMac Core Duo

$1,699

2GHz Core Duo T2500

512MB ATI Radeon X1600

250GB

DVD±RW (double layer)

20-inch LCD

Apple has really made the new iMac worth the price; the 10-foot GUI and remote give you couch control of your media.

Power Mac G5

$1,999

Two 2GHz PowerPC G5

512MB nVidia GeForce 6600

160GB

DVD±RW (double layer)

None

Apple has made the move from anemic base configurations to viable desktop solutions. Nice software package, too.

$3,300

2.4GHz Athlon 64 3800+

1GB

nVidia GeForce 7800 GTX

80GB, four 250GB

DVD±RW (double layer)

None

High-end media system or fully loaded 3D-gaming machine? You decide. Doesn’t run on MCE 2005, though.

www.creaturehtpc.com 407-330-1016

Gamer Ultra SLI Pro

$1,745

2GHz Athlon 64 X2 3800+

2GB

Two nVidia GeForce 7900 GT

250GB

DVD±RW (double layer), DVD-ROM

None

We love the crazy-looking Asus case this system is configured with, but if you don’t, there are 13 other options to choose from.

www.cyberpowerpc.com 800-707-0393

Gamer Ultra X1900 XT

$2,285

2GHz Athlon 64 X2 3800+

2GB

ATI Radeon 250GB X1900 XTX, ATI Radeon X1900 CrossFire Edition

DVD±RW (double layer), DVD-ROM

None

nVidia’s SLI multi-GPU solution might flip frames faster, but ATI’s CrossFire technology is tough to beat on image quality.

Gamer Ultra SLI Quad

$4,999 2.6GHz Athlon 64 FX-60

2GB

Four nVidia GeForce 7900 (four-card SLI)

Two 74GB

DVD±RW (double layer), DVD-ROM

None

We’re not sure who needs this much graphics power, but one thing’s for sure: It’ll keep you in the game for a long time.

$1,899

1GB

nVidia GeForce 6800

160GB

DVD-ROM, CD-RW

19-inch LCD

This Dell should provide adequate power for 3D gaming at all but the highest graphics settings. The real bonus is the 19-inch LCD.

CREATURE HTPC

Scylla S301

www.apple.com 800-692-7753

`

CYBERPOWER

DELL

XPS 600

3GHz Pentium D 930

www.dell.com 800-999-3355

* = Base price reflects vendor’s default configuration. Most models are configurable. Prices are subject to change. See computershopper.com for full reviews of products in boldface.

computershopper.com July 2006

105

TECHMARKET PERFORMANCE DESKTOPS ($1,500 AND HIGHER) Base Price* Processor

Model

RAM Graphics

Hard Drive Optical Drive(s) Monitor

Editor’s Take

Contact Info www.falcon-nw.com 888-325-2661

FALCON NORTHWEST

FragBox 2

$1,792

2.4GHz Athlon 64 3800+

1GB

nVidia GeForce 7600 GT

80GB

DVD-ROM

None

Great form factor for on-the-go gaming, though you’ll pay a premium for the small, totable case.

Mach V Budget AMD

$2,086 2.2GHz Athlon 64 3500+

1GB

nVidia GeForce 7600 GT

80GB

DVD-ROM

None

Weak specs for the price. On the upside, a hefty power supply and an SLI mainboard offer room to grow.

1GB

Two nVidia GeForce 7800 GTX

Two 74GB DVD±RW (10,000rpm), (double layer) 500GB

None

The Cyclone’s as fast as it looks, thanks to www.hypersonic-pc.com its overclocked, top-level CPU, two graphics 800-520-0498 cards, and dual 10,000rpm hard drives.

$1,999 3.2GHz Pentium 4 640

1GB

Two nVidia GeForce 7800 GT

200GB

DVD±RW (double layer), DVD-ROM

None

Don’t expect the service excesses of other gaming-PC makers; do expect top-shelf components at rock-bottom prices.

www.ibuypower.com 888-462-3899

$4,799 3GHz Pentium D 820

1GB

nVidia GeForce 6600 GT

500GB

DVD±RW (double layer)

None

The Denali’s fanless cooling means noise from this Media Center won’t drown out your digital entertainment.

www.niveusmedia.com 866-258-2929

$4,706 2.8GHz Athlon FX-57

1GB

Two nVidia GeForce 7900 GTX

150GB DVD±RW (10,000rpm) (double layer)

None

This base assembly packs some decent gaming performance. Bump up the CPU and GPUs, and it’ll be unstoppable.

www.overdrivepc.com 866-410-9958

HYPERSONIC PC SYSTEMS

✓ Cyclone OCX LE

$4,212 2.8GHz Athlon FX-57

IBUYPOWER COMPUTER

Gamer XP [SLI]

NIVEUSMEDIA

Media Center Denali Edition OVERDRIVE PC

✓ Torque.SLI

SHUTTLE COMPUTER

XPC M 1000

$1,899 1.73GHz Pentium M 740

512MB nVidia GeForce 6600 LE

250GB

DVD±RW (double layer)

None

Shuttle strays from its typical little boxes in www.shuttle.com adding this sleek, component-style Media 888-972-1818 Center to its mix. Perfect for the living room.

XPC P 2600g

$2,199 2GHz Athlon 64 4000+

1GB

Two nVidia GeForce 7900 GT

200GB

DVD/CD-RW combo

None

Is it really possible to get an SLI config into a toaster-size case without it overheating? Shuttle says yes.

1GB

ATI Mobility Radeon X700

250GB

DVD±RW (double layer)

20-inch LCD

If you’re in the market for an all-in-one PC with complete MCE 2005 functionality, look no further than this attractive model.

www.sonystyle.com 888-936-7669

nVidia GeForce 7900 GT

200GB

DVD±RW (double layer), DVD/CD-RW combo

None

This DualX is SLI-ready, but it’ll cost you another $345 to get the second nVidia graphics card.

www.velocitymicro.com 800-303-7866

SONY ELECTRONICS

VAIO VGC-VA10G

$1,999 3GHz Pentium 4 630

VELOCITY MICRO

Gamer’s Edge DualX

$1,795

2GHz Athlon 64 X2 3800+

1GB

ProMagix A/V/D

$1,915

3GHz Pentium 4 630

512MB nVidia GeForce 7600 GS

120GB, DVD±RW 74GB (double layer), (10,000rpm) DVD/CD-RW combo

None

The A/V/D stands for audio, video, and digital creation—tasks this PC is definitely ready to handle. We’d like to see at least 1GB of RAM in the base config, though.

Raptor 64 DualX

$3,995 2.6GHz Athlon 64 FX-60

1GB

Two 74GB DVD±RW (10,000rpm) (double layer), DVD-ROM

None

This PC is fully loaded and up for almost anything. A big third hard drive for mass storage would really round out this setup.

Two nVidia GeForce 7900 GT

VOODOO COMPUTERS

Hexx

$1,619

2.2GHz Athlon 64 3500+

512MB nVidia GeForce 6600 GT

80GB

DVD-ROM

None

Unless you simply must have the Voodoo name, you can find much better deals, such as Velocity Micro’s Gamer’s Edge.

Rage Media Center

$2,715

2.2GHz Athlon 64 3500+

1GB

nVidia GeForce 6600 GT

250GB

DVD-ROM

None

Case doesn’t make it living-room-friendly, but it does have the power to handle Media Center tasks.

Eden

$3,939 1.8GHz Turion 64 ML-34

2GB

nVidia GeForce 7900 GT

80GB

DVD±RW (double layer)

None

We like Voodoo’s custom cabling and attention to detail—though you’ll pay a bundle for it.

Omen

$5,148 3.7GHz 512MB nVidia Pentium 4 Quadro FX Extreme Edition 540

80GB

DVD-ROM

None

Extreme Edition CPU exhibited poor performance-to-price ratio in our tests. We’d opt for another processor.

A7048

$1,699 2.2GHz Athlon 64 X2 4200+

1GB

nVidia GeForce 6800

250GB

DVD±RW (double layer), DVD-ROM

None

This PC will make a good gaming rig, but if digital video and image work is more your thing, this setup’s an excellent fit.

A7072

$2,139

2GB

nVidia GeForce 7800 GTX

Two 250GB

DVD±RW (double layer), DVD-ROM

19-inch LCD

Quite the package for the money, including massive storage space. Will handle gaming or most anything else.

www.voodoopc.com 888-708-6636

ZT GROUP

2.4GHz Athlon 64 4000+

* = Base price reflects vendor’s default configuration. Most models are configurable. Prices are subject to change.

✓= Editors’ Choice

106

See computershopper.com for full reviews of products in boldface.

July 2006 computershopper.com

www.ztgroup.com 866-984-7687

NEED TO KNOW

ULTRAPORTABLE NOTEBOOKS (LESS THAN 4 POUNDS) PROCESSOR Intel’s Ultra Low Voltage (ULV) Pentium M processors deliver the longest battery life. Save money by choosing a CPU speed a few notches below the fastest. MEMORY Because an ultraportable’s system RAM often does double duty as its graphics memory, get at least 512MB. Upgrade: Each additional 256MB of DDR memory will cost roughly $50. HARD DRIVE Since you probably won’t be storing large game files or editing video on an ultraportable, a 40GB or 60GB drive should be adequate. Upgrade: Each additional 20GB of storage will cost about $50. OPTICAL DRIVES Ultraportables often forgo optical drives to reduce weight and size. Some models do include internal

Model

Base Price*

Processor

RAM

Hard Drive

Optical Drive

Next DVD-ROM/CD-RW combo drives; a few allow you month: to swap the optical drive for an extra battery. Budget CASE Look for a model with a case that’s durable, Notebooks preferably one molded in metal alloy. Also pay close attention to the size and quality of the keyboard. WIRELESS CONNECTIVITY Most notebooks ship with a choice of 802.11b or 802.11b/g internal Wi-Fi radios. 802.11b technology, which has a rated data throughput of 11Mbps, is fine for ordinary use. SCREEN Ultraportables’ screen sizes typically range from 10.4 to 12.1 inches; opt for a model with the largest possible screen. Also, note that some ultraportables are available with wide-format screens. —Louis Ramirez, Staff Editor

Display

Wireless

Weight

Editor’s Take

Find Out More

DELL

Latitude D410

$1,379

1.73GHz Pentium M 740

512MB

40GB

CD-ROM (external)

12.1 inches

802.11b/g

3.8 lbs.

Speedy and lightweight, with a solid configwww.dell.com uration, long battery life, and integrated data- 800-999-3355 security features.

Latitude X1

$1,528

1.1GHz Pentium M 733

512MB

30GB

CD-ROM (external)

12.1 inches

802.11b/g

2.5 lbs.

A totable, sleek machine made for road warriors. Powerful enough for business apps on the go.

8.9 inches

802.11b/g

2.2 lbs.

This extremely small, 2-pound tablet is less powerful (and less expensive) than Toshiba’s similar-size Libretto.

FUJITSU COMPUTER SYSTEMS

LifeBook P1500D

$1,449

1.2GHz ULV Pentium M 720

256MB

30GB

None

www.fujitsu.com 800-831-3183

LifeBook P7000D

$1,649

1.2GHz ULV Pentium M 720

256MB

30GB

DVD/CD-RW 10.6 inches 802.11a/b/g 3 lbs. combo

Pint-size, and includes a nice blend of capable parts, including an internal combo drive.

LifeBook B6000D

$1,699

1.2GHz ULV Pentium M 720

512MB

40GB

None

12.1 inches

802.11a/b/g 3.3 lbs.

Tiny touch-screen model is equipped with adequate memory and a decent-size hard drive. No optical drive, though.

$1,549

1.86GHz Pentium M 750

512MB

60GB

None

12.1 inches

802.11b/g

Straddles the line between ultraportable and www.hp.com thin-and-light; powerful parts for a nice price. 888-999-4747

$1,499

1.66GHz Core Duo T2300

512MB

60GB

None

12.1 inches

802.11a/b/g 3.2 lbs.

First ultraportable with Intel’s Core Duo CPU is an impressive performer with plenty of features and great battery life.

$1,699

1.6GHz ULV Pentium M 778

512MB

60GB

None

12.1 inches

802.11b/g

3.5 lbs.

Balance of portability, performance, and security features makes this Tablet PC one of the best convertibles on the market.

10.4 inches 802.11b/g

2 lbs.

Moderately priced, with a size that rivals a PDA’s; plenty of RAM, but marred by a small hard drive and a weak processor.

HEWLETT-PACKARD

Compaq NC4200

3.9 lbs.

LENOVO

✓ ThinkPad X Series ThinkPad X Series Tablet

www.lenovo.com 888-746-7426

SHARP ELECTRONICS

Actius MM20

$1,299

1GHz Efficeon TM8600

512MB

20GB

None

www.sharpusa.com 800-237-4277

Actius MP30

$1,399

1.6GHz Efficeon TM8800

512MB

40GB

DVD/CD-RW 10.4 inches 802.11b/g combo

2.8 lbs.

A good deal, considering the small size, respectable array of components, and internal optical drive.

M4000 WideNote

$1,799

1.73GHz Pentium M 740

512MB

80GB

DVD/CD-RW 13.3 inches 802.11b/g combo

3.8 lbs.

Features a wide-screen display, roomy hard drive, and comfortable keyboard. Lacks business-level security features.

1.2GHz ULV Pentium M 720

512MB

80GB

DVD±RW 11.1 inches (double layer)

802.11b/g

2.8 lbs.

Delivers features, connectivity, and performance in a small, well-designed package, but less-costly alternatives are out there.

www.sonystyle.com 877-865-7669

www.toshiba.com 800-316-0920

SONY ELECTRONICS

✓ VAIO TX Series

$2,299

TOSHIBA AMERICA

Libretto U105

$1,799

1.2GHz ULV Pentium M 720

512MB

60GB

None

7.2 inches

802.11b/g

2.1 lbs.

A 2-pound wonder that’s deceptively powerful. Tiny screen and keys can be difficult to use for long stretches.

Portégé R200

$1,899

1.2GHz ULV Pentium M 753

512MB

60GB

None

12.1 inches

802.11b/g

2.7 lbs.

Expensive, but featherweight, ultrathin, and attractively styled. Has a fingerprint reader; lacks an optical drive.

See computershopper.com for full reviews of products in boldface.

✓= Editors’ Choice

* = Base price reflects vendor’s default configuration. Most models are configurable. Prices are subject to change.

computershopper.com July 2006

107

NEED TO KNOW

HOME AND SMALL-OFFICE LASER PRINTERS COLOR OR MONOCHROME With a few color laser models priced under $500, some small businesses might find a color model worth the splurge to add some extra pop to their printed materials. For the most part, however, monochrome lasers are a far better value for home users and small businesses. RESOLUTION Print resolution refers to the maximum number of dots per inch (dpi) a printer creates, measured both horizontally and vertically. For example, a 600x600dpi laser printer lays down a 1-inch square comprising 600 dots across by 600 dots down. A resolution of 600dpi is more than adequate for most textprinting tasks. If you’re printing more-demanding jobs— newsletters, for instance—consider models that print at 1,200dpi or even 2,400dpi resolution.

Model

Price

SPEED This spec measures how many pages per minute (ppm) a printer pumps out. Today’s laser printers should deliver more than 10ppm of text, with slightly slower speeds for a mixture of text and graphics. Most color lasers do four separate passes on color printouts, so expect much slower speeds. (Actual print speeds are slower than rated speeds.) CONNECTIVITY All printers have either a USB 1.1 interface or the newer, faster USB 2.0. Don’t worry too much if your system doesn’t have USB 2.0—the two standards get along just fine, and USB 1.1 is fast enough for printing. Workgroup printers also support printing over a network using a standard Ethernet cable with an RJ-45 connector. For even better mobility, many models support wireless printing, using Wi-Fi access points with built-in print servers. —Louis Ramirez, Staff Editor

Rated TextMonochrome/ Maximum Print Speed Color Resolution Memory (Mono/Color) Compatibility Editor's Take

Find Out More

BROTHER INTERNATIONAL

HL-2040

$119.99

Monochrome

2,400x600dpi 8MB

20ppm

PC, Mac

Speedy monochrome model fits tight budgets and cramped workspaces.

www.brother-usa.com 800-276-7746

HL-5140

$199.99 Monochrome

2,400x600dpi 16MB

21ppm

PC, Mac

Fast and network-upgradable; memory is expandable to 144MB.

HL-5170DN

$299.99 Monochrome

2,400x600dpi 32MB

21ppm

PC, Mac

Network-ready, with built-in duplexer and expandable paper-input capacity.

HL-6050DW

$599.99 Monochrome

1,200x1,200dpi 32MB

25ppm

PC, Mac

Offers 802.11b/g networking and faster print speed than HL-5170DN.

Laser Printer 1110

$99

Monochrome

600x600dpi

17ppm

PC

Low price; great for students and home users. Only 2MB of RAM, however.

Laser Printer 1710

$199

Monochrome

1,200x1,200dpi 16MB

27ppm

PC, Mac

Can take an optional 550-sheet drawer, for an office-friendly 800-sheet total capacity.

MFP Laser 1600n

$399

Monochrome

600x600dpi

32MB

22ppm

PC

Impressive print and scan quality from all-in-one; includes Ethernet interface.

Laser 5100cn

$999

Monochrome, color

600x600dpi

128MB

35ppm/25ppm

PC, Mac

Good performance, fast print speeds; can handle heavy network use.

LaserJet 1020

$179.99 Monochrome

600x600dpi

2MB

15ppm

PC

Only 2MB of RAM; not ideal for intense graphics printing.

LaserJet 1022

$199.99 Monochrome

1,200x1,200dpi 8MB

19ppm

PC, Mac

Quick, high-quality prints, but noisy and lacks duplex-printing functionality.

LaserJet 1022n

$299.99 Monochrome

1,200x1,200dpi 8MB

19ppm

PC, Mac

Similar to the 1022, but $100 extra buys you Ethernet networking.

LaserJet 1160

$329.99 Monochrome

600x600dpi

16MB

20ppm

PC, Mac

Excellent text printing, but lacks a built-in duplexer and expandability.

Color LaserJet 2600n

$399.99 Monochrome, color

600x600dpi

16MB

8ppm/8ppm

PC, Mac

Oven-shaped model takes on big print jobs thanks to its memory and powerful processor.

LaserJet 1320n

$499.99 Monochrome

1,200x1,200dpi 16MB

22ppm

PC, Mac

Quality printing, swift speeds, two-sided printing, and network-ready.

LaserJet 1320tn

$599.99 Monochrome

1,200x1,200dpi 16MB

22ppm

PC, Mac

$100 upgrade from 1320n brings built-in wireless networking to the mix.

Color LaserJet 3800

$799.99 Monochrome, color

600x600dpi

22ppm/22ppm

PC, Mac

Backed by toll-free, 24/7 tech support; two-sided printing and networking optional.

Infoprint 1512

$399.99 Monochrome

1,200x1,200dpi 32MB

30ppm

PC, Mac

Sleek black design makes it a nice choice for style-conscious offices.

Infoprint Color 1534

$699.99 Monochrome, color

1,200x600dpi 128MB

20ppm/20ppm

PC, Mac

Secure-print feature lets you hold queued documents until a safety PIN is entered.

17ppm

PC

Entry-level black-and-white laser has nice price, printer.konicaminolta.net but $30 more ups the resolution and speed. 800-705-2001

DELL

2MB

www.dell.com 800-915-3355

HEWLETT-PACKARD

96MB

www.hp.com 888-999-4747

IBM

www.ibm.com 800-358-6661

KONICA MINOLTA PRINTING SOLUTIONS U.S.A.

PagePro 1400W $119.99

Monochrome

1,200x600dpi 8MB

See computershopper.com for full reviews of products in boldface.

110

July 2006 computershopper.com

TECHMARKET HOME AND SMALL-OFFICE LASER PRINTERS

Model

Price

Monochrome/ Maximum Color Resolution

Rated TextPrint Speed Memory (Mono/Color) Compatibility Editor's Take

Find Out More

KONICA MINOLTA PRINTING SOLUTIONS U.S.A.

PagePro 1350W

$149.99 Monochrome

1,200x1,200dpi 8MB

21ppm

PC

Inexpensive, compact laser offers impressive text quality and speed.

Magicolor 2400W

$399

Monochrome, color

1,200x600dpi 32MB

20ppm/5ppm

PC

An inexpensive color laser that’s easy to use and great for space-constrained environments.

Magicolor 2430 DL

$499

Monochrome, color

2,400x600dpi 32MB

20ppm/5ppm

PC

Text looks fine, but color prints are only so-so; PictBridge printing requires extra RAM.

printer.konicaminolta.net 800-705-2001

LEXMARK INTERNATIONAL

E240

$199

Monochrome

600x600dpi

16MB

27ppm

PC, Mac

Lexmark’s entry-level laser is rated just 3ppm slower than its pricier step-up model.

E340

$399

Monochrome

1,200x1,200dpi 32MB

30ppm

PC, Mac

Features a two-line text LCD; upgradable to 160MB of memory.

C522n

$499

Monochrome, color

1,200x1,200dpi 128MB

20ppm/20ppm

PC, Mac

Features a whopping 128MB of RAM; expandable to 640MB for complex print jobs.

E342n

$499

Monochrome

1,200x1,200dpi 32MB

30ppm

PC, Mac

Network-ready printer shares similar looks and specs with IBM’s Infoprint 1512.

T640

$699

Monochrome

1,200x1,200dpi 64MB

35ppm

PC, Mac

Fast and business-friendly, with low print costs. Highly expandable.

www.lexmark.com 800-539-6275

OKI DATA AMERICA

B4100

$167.99

Monochrome

1,200x600dpi 8MB

19ppm

PC

Compact model serves up a decent print speed for the price.

B4250

$240.99 Monochrome

1,200x600dpi 16MB

23ppm

PC

Doubles the B4100’s internal memory, which boosts print speed.

B4350

$314.99 Monochrome

1,200x600dpi 16MB

23ppm

PC, Mac

Specs similar to B4250’s, with optional networking and PostScript support.

C5400

$944.99 Monochrome, color

1,200x600dpi 64MB

24ppm/16ppm

PC, Mac (optional)

Color laser has nice features, but for the price, we think duplexing should be included.

www.okidata.com 800-654-3282

SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS AMERICA

NEW

NEW

ML-2010

$129.99 Monochrome

1,200x600dpi 8MB

22ppm

PC, Mac

Compact footprint makes it a good choice for tight spaces. Nice price.

www.samsung.com 800-726-7864

ML-2250

$179.99 Monochrome

1,200x1,200dpi 16MB

22ppm

PC

Step-up from the ML-2010 has twice the memory but the same rated print speed.

ML-2251N

$289

Monochrome

1,200x1,200dpi 16MB

22ppm

PC

A space-saving laser that’s ideal for small workgroups.

CLP-300

$299

Monochrome, color

2,400x600dpi 32MB

17ppm/4ppm

PC, Mac

Compact color laser holds just 150 sheets; uses toner bottles, not clunky cartridges.

CLP-510N

$359.99 Monochrome, color

1,200x1,200dpi 64MB

25ppm/6ppm

PC, Mac

Color, networking, and a duplexer for $360? This one is a keeper.

CLP-600N

$499

Monochrome, color

2,400x600dpi 32MB

21ppm/21ppm

PC, Mac

Samsung’s NO NOIS print engine promises whisper-quiet performance.

Phaser 3150

$349

Monochrome

600x600dpi

32MB

22ppm

PC

Features fit-to-page printing, as well as poster www.office.xerox.com printing for larger projects. 888-247-5107

Phaser 3500

$549

Monochrome

1,200x1,200dpi 32MB

35ppm

PC, Mac

Office laser is too large for tight spaces, but it’s faster than the 3150; duplexing optional.

Phaser 4500

$899

Monochrome

1,200x1,200dpi 48MB

36ppm

PC, Mac

Fast print speeds and ample paper capacity, but Ethernet is optional.

Phaser 8500/N $899

Monochrome, color

600x600dpi

24ppm/24ppm

PC, Mac

A fast, capable printer for small businesses; Ethernet optional.

XEROX

128MB

THE BEST RECENTLY REVIEWED HOME AND SMALL-OFFICE LASER PRINTERS Dell MFP Laser 1600n • $399 • Editors’ Rating: 7.5 Capable of holding its own in both single-user and small-office environments, the affordable 1600n is bound to please most buyers. Samsung ML-2250 • $179.99 • Editors’ Rating: 7.4 The ML-2250 prints fast enough for a small workgroup, and it matches its top-notch text with solid gray-scale graphics. HP LaserJet 1160 • $329.99 • Editors’ Rating: 7.1 Although it lacks a built-in duplexer, the 1160 delivers excellent text quality. It’s compatible with both PCs and Macs.

Dell MFP Laser 1600n

computershopper.com July 2006

111

NEED TO KNOW

EXTERNAL HARD DRIVES FORM FACTOR External hard drives come in all shapes and sizes, and most can even be rested vertically to save space on your desk. Some externals are small enough to fit inside your shirt pocket, but these tend to be more expensive and offer less storage space than more conventional drives. Still, sheer portability makes them a great choice for shuttling data between home and the office. CONNECTIVITY Typically, external drives connect via USB 2.0 or FireWire, and some offer dual interfaces, giving you the option to connect either way. If you have a network setup, you can opt for a network-attached-storage (NAS) drive. NAS drives provide an easy, relatively inexpensive way to add storage to your network. Some are as basic as a hard drive with an Ethernet port; others provide extra USB and FireWire ports that allow you to daisy-chain additional

drives to increase your overall network storage space. If you have a wireless network, you can opt for a Wi-Fi NAS drive that combines storage space with a wireless access point. SPEED The speed at which a hard drive spins, measured in revolutions per minute (rpm), is directly related to how fast it can retrieve data. In an external drive, your best bet is 7,200rpm. BUFFER Look for a drive with an 8MB buffer, rather than a 2MB buffer. The larger buffer enables the drive to deliver data more quickly and can noticeably enhance performance. SOFTWARE Many hard drives come with backup and recovery software to ease the archiving of files on your PC. Instead of purchasing a bare-bones drive, check each drive’s software bundle for the best drive/software combo to suit your personal backup needs. —Louis Ramirez, Staff Editor

Price

Capacity

Buffer Memory

Spin Rate

Interface

Weight

Editor's Take

Find Out More

120GB EZ Bus DT

$129

120GB

8MB

7,200rpm

USB 2.0

2.2 lbs.

More storage than the SATA drive below, but with a USB 2.0 interface.

www.apricorn.com 800-458-5448

80GB EZ Bus DTS SATA

$139

80GB

8MB

7,200rpm

Serial ATA

2.2 lbs.

Sleek aluminum design. Uses external Serial ATA interface; SATA PCI card is included.

200GB EZ Bus DTC

$179

200GB

8MB

7,200rpm

FireWire, USB 2.0

2.2 lbs.

Supports two interfaces and a variety of synchronizing options.

100GB EZ Bus USB 2.0 Portable

$229

100GB

2MB

4,200rpm

USB 2.0

6 oz.

Extremely totable, this bus-powered drive comes with a nylon travel pouch.

Model APRICORN

BUFFALO TECHNOLOGY

DriveStation USB 2.0 External

$139.99

160GB

2MB

7,200rpm

USB 2.0

3.2 lbs.

Will satisfy users looking for an inexpensive, quick, no-nonsense backup solution.

MiniStation Shock Resistant Portable 80GB

$159.99

80GB

2MB

5,400rpm

USB 2.0

6.7 oz.

Rugged drive has a shock-absorbent case, along with a sleek design.

Gigabit LinkStation Network Storage Center

$349.99

300GB

2MB

7,200rpm

USB 2.0, Ethernet

3.1 lbs.

Excellent networking and file-sharing features, plus great backup software from Memeo.

HDD 40GB USB 2.0/ FireWire Portable

$111.95

40GB

2MB

4,200rpm

FireWire, USB 2.0

7.7 oz.

Low storage capacity—you’re paying mostly for its pocket-size portability.

HDD 160GB USB 2.0 Desktop

$129.95

160GB

2MB

7,200rpm

USB 2.0

2.6 lbs.

A good choice whether you’re expanding a PC’s storage space or just backing up.

HDD 40GB Mini USB 2.0

$199.95

40GB

2MB

4,200rpm

USB 2.0

3.5 oz.

Hardly bigger than a pack of smokes, but can stow images galore or hundreds of hours of music.

HDD 250GB USB 2.0/FireWire External

$199.95

250GB

2MB

7,200rpm

FireWire, USB 2.0

2.6 lbs.

We like the dual high-speed ports, but at this price, the buffer memory could use an upgrade.

MiniMax 160GB USB/FireWire

$199.95

160GB

2MB

7,200rpm

FireWire, USB 2.0

2.3 lbs.

Designed to complement the über-attractive Mac Mini, this drive screams style.

StorCenter Network Hard Drive 250GB

$289.95

250GB

8MB

7,200rpm

USB 2.0, Ethernet

2.2 lbs.

Network-attached drive provides Gigabit Ethernet connectivity.

HDD 400GB Triple Interface

$359.95

400GB

8MB

7,200rpm

FireWire 400/ 800, USB 2.0

2.6 lbs.

LaCie’s Big Disk has similar specs and offers an extra 100GB for only $20 more.

Brick Mobile Hard Drive 40GB

$119.99

40GB

2MB

5,400rpm

FireWire, USB 2.0

7.9 oz.

Stackable, Lego-esque drive adds personality and color to your desktop.

GlobeTrotter 2.0

$139.99

40GB

2MB

5,400rpm

USB 2.0

6.4 oz.

Includes Mandriva Linux Limited Edition 2005, specially designed to run from the drive.

Porsche Hard Drive 250GB

$159

250GB

8MB

7,200rpm

FireWire

2 lbs.

Light, fast, and spacious—the one Porsche you can actually afford.

d2 Hard Drive Serial ATA 160GB

$179

160GB

8MB

7,200rpm

Serial ATA

3.3 lbs.

Newer SATA drive promises extreme speed; SATA PCI card comes bundled.

Brick Desktop Hard Drive 300GB

$199.99

300GB

8MB

7,200rpm

USB 2.0

2.2 lbs.

Same design as the Brick Mobile, but bigger and with more storage space.

www.buffalotech.com 800-456-9799

IOMEGA

www.iomega.com 888-516-8467

LACIE

NEW

See computershopper.com for full reviews of products in boldface.

114

July 2006 computershopper.com

www.lacie.com 503-844-4500

TECHMARKET EXTERNAL HARD DRIVES Price

Capacity

Buffer Memory

Spin Rate

Interface

Weight

Editor's Take

Find Out More

d2 Hard Drive Extreme With Triple Interface

$219

250GB

8MB

7,200rpm

FireWire 400/ 800, USB 2.0

3.3 lbs.

Plug-and-play drive is quiet, built like a tank, and supports three interfaces.

www.lacie.com 503-844-4500

Ethernet Disk Mini 250GB

$229

250GB

8MB

7,200rpm

USB 2.0, Ethernet

3.3 lbs.

Easy-to-use network storage for homes and small offices.

Silverscreen 80GB

$249

80GB

8MB

5,400rpm

USB 2.0

9.5 oz.

Portable; features handy A/V outputs and remote control for viewing multimedia files.

Porsche Mobile Hard Drive 100GB

$249.99

100GB

8MB

5,400rpm

FireWire, USB 2.0

6.4 oz.

Ultrasmall; can be shared easily among Mac and PC users.

SAFE Mobile Hard Drive with Encryption 80GB

$269.99

80GB

8MB

5,400rpm

USB 2.0

8.1 oz.

Features a biometric strip for encrypting sensitive data.

Rugged All-Terrain Hard Drive 120GB

$299.99

120GB

8MB

5,400rpm

FireWire 400/ 800, USB 2.0

8.8 oz.

With its scratch-resistant aluminum shell and rubber bumper, it can take some abuse.

Big Disk With Triple Interface 500GB

$379

500GB

8MB

7,200rpm

FireWire 400/ 800, USB 2.0

5.5 lbs.

Its stylish design, tons of storage space, and triple interface make it a winner.

Little Big Disk 160GB

$399.99

160GB

16MB

5,400rpm

FireWire 400/ 800, USB 2.0

1.4 lbs.

Good-looking, compact, and fanless—but also overpriced.

OneTouch III Mini Edition

$149.95

60GB

8MB

5,400rpm

USB 2.0

7.2 oz.

Well-designed, with respectable features that include encryption software. (See p. 32.)

OneTouch II 300GB FireWire 800/USB

$279.95

300GB

16MB

7,200rpm

FireWire 400/ 800, USB 2.0

3.1 lbs.

Equipped with three high-speed interfaces; anodized-aluminum case adds a touch of style.

OneTouch II Small Business Edition

$399.95

200GB

8MB

7,200rpm

USB 2.0

3.1 lbs.

DriveLock feature password-protects files in case the drive is lost or stolen.

OneTouch III Turbo Edition

$499.95

600GB

16MB

7,200rpm

FireWire 400/ 800, USB 2.0

5.8 lbs.

Speedy operation and a snap to set up; also, backup software comes bundled.

Shared Storage Plus Drive

$499.95

500GB

16MB

7,200rpm

Two USB 2.0, Ethernet

3.7 lbs.

One-touch backup and automatic file syncing/ sorting are part of an impressive feature set.

Model LACIE

NEW

NEW

MAXTOR NEW

www.maxtor.com 800-262-9867

SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY

5GB USB 2.0 Pocket Hard Drive

$99.99

5GB

2MB

3,600rpm

USB 2.0

2.2 oz.

Portable, with an unusual hockey-puck design. Extendable USB cable is built-in.

3.5-Inch External Hard Drive 160GB

$129.99

160GB

2MB

7,200rpm

USB 2.0

2.6 lbs.

The ugly duckling of hard drives—not the best choice for the design-conscious.

100GB Portable External Hard Drive

$189.99

100GB

8MB

5,400rpm

USB 2.0

10.3 oz.

Durable, ultralight, PDA-size drive is ideal for frequent fliers.

400GB Pushbutton Backup

$289.99

400GB

8MB

7,200rpm

FireWire, USB 2.0

2.6 lbs.

BounceBack Express allows for fast and simple backups.

SimpleDrive Mini 1-Inch External USB Hard Drive

$99.99

4GB

2MB

4,400rpm

USB 2.0

1.6 oz.

A decent little drive, but we prefer Seagate’s larger-capacity Pocket Hard Drive.

80GB SimpleDrive Portable

$169.99

80GB

8MB

5,400rpm

USB 2.0

1.5 lbs.

Compact and travel-friendly, but overpriced considering limited features and capacity.

SimpleShare Office Storage Server

$299.99

250GB

8MB

7,200rpm

USB 2.0, Ethernet

2.5 lbs.

Network-attached-storage solution comes at a premium price.

400GB SimpleDrive Deluxe External

$329.99

400GB

8MB

7,200rpm

FireWire, USB 2.0

2 lbs.

Massive storage space at an equally hefty price.

Passport Pocket USB Drive

$99.99

6GB

2MB

3,600rpm

USB 2.0

1.6 oz.

Similar in design to the SimpleDrive Mini, but 2GB more space for the same price.

Dual-Option Backup USB 2.0 External

$124.99

120GB

2MB

7,200rpm

USB 2.0

2.9 lbs.

Handy dual-option feature lets you set ondemand or automatic backups.

Passport Portable USB Drive

$149.99

80GB

2MB

5,400rpm

USB 2.0

9.8 oz.

Highly compact; draws power from USB, eliminating the need to carry a power cord.

160GB Dual-Option Combo External Drive

$169.99

160GB

8MB

7,200rpm

FireWire, USB 2.0

3.1 lbs.

Lets you choose between two backup methods: auto or instant.

Extreme Lighted Combo Drive

$219.99

250GB

8MB

7,200rpm

FireWire, USB 2.0

3.1 lbs.

Features an attractive light-up exterior, plus dual interfaces.

Dual-Option Media Center

$259.99

320GB

8MB

7,200rpm

FireWire, USB 2.0

3 lbs.

Multimedia junkies will appreciate this roomy drive and its eight-format card reader.

NetCenter Network Drive 250GB

$259.99

250GB

8MB

7,200rpm

USB 2.0, Ethernet

6 lbs.

Easy to set up; USB ports let you attach printers and additional drives.

My Book Premium Edition

$329.99

500GB

16MB

7,200rpm

FireWire, USB 2.0

2.9 lbs.

A beautiful fanless design, with a light meter that shows activity and remaining capacity.

www.seagate.com 877-271-3285

SIMPLETECH

www.simpletech.com 800-367-7330

WESTERN DIGITAL

www.wdc.com 949-672-7000

computershopper.com July 2006

115

NEED TO KNOW

17-INCH FLAT-PANEL DISPLAYS ASPECT RATIO The standard proportion of width to height for a computer monitor is 4-to-3, although some monitors that double as televisions have a wider format of 16-to-9, designed for viewing movies or high-definition television (HDTV) in wide-screen format. RESOLUTION Higher resolution yields better image quality. Most 17-inch flat panels are 1,280x1,024. Make sure you are comfortable with an LCD’s native resolution before you buy it. CONTRAST RATIO A contrast ratio of at least 400-to-1 will provide a more dynamically detailed image. The ratio is measured in varying ways, however, so rely on such figures cautiously. PIXEL-RESPONSE RATE This measure refers to how quickly a pixel can change colors and is cited in milliseconds (ms). Lower numbers mean you’ll tend to see less ghosting or streaking in movies and games. Most panels have response rates of 16ms or less; gamers and video

Price

Contrast

Typical Brightness

$209

700-to-1

300cd/m2

T705

$299.99

500-to-1

FP71G

$319

FP71E FP71V+

Model

PixelResponse Time

buffs should look for response rates of 8ms or less. LUMINANCE Luminance, or brightness, is expressed in nits, or candelas per square meter (cd/m2). A measurement of 250cd/m2 is suitable for most productivity tasks; a higher level of nits is better for viewing television and movies. DIGITAL VERSUS ANALOG CONNECTIONS LCDs must convert analog signals before they can be displayed. A graphics card with Digital Visual Interface (DVI) connectivity can send the signal straight to the display in digital format— no conversion required. Most LCDs come with an analog input, some have both, and a few are digital-only. A digital connection is best. VIEWING ANGLE Brightness and image colors shift if you view an LCD off-center. Make your own observations, if at all possible, of the panel you’re considering, and remember that viewing-angle issues become increasingly critical as panel size increases. —Louis Ramirez, Staff Editor

Interface

Editor’s Take

Find Out More

6ms

Analog, digital

The third-fastest LCD here has a sleek design and high contrast ratio.

www.benq.com 866-700-2367

250cd/m2

12ms

Analog

Specs aren’t great for the price; poor viewing angles (140 and 130 degrees).

450-to-1

260cd/m2

12ms

Analog, digital

Features a thin bezel, along with analog and digital inputs; doesn’t swivel or pivot.

$349

400-to-1

300cd/m2

12ms

Analog, digital

Sleekly styled and has speakers built-in, but adjustability options are limited.

$359.99

500-to-1

400cd/m2

8ms

Analog, digital

Offers higher-than-average brightness and a quick 8ms response time.

E176FP

$249

450-to-1

300cd/m2

12ms

Analog

Affordable panel doesn’t do digital, but ideal as a second display in a dual-LCD setup.

UltraSharp 1707FP

$279

600-to-1

300cd/m2

8ms

Analog, digital

With its attractive design, ample adjustability, and great image quality, this LCD is a bargain.

FlexScan P1700

$379

700-to-1

300cd/m2

8ms

Analog

Pricey for an analog display; we suggest spending $20 more for the FlexScan M1700.

FlexScan M1700

$399

700-to-1

300cd/m2

8ms

Analog, digital

Features built-in speakers and a quick pixelresponse time; comes media-ready.

FlexScan L568

$549

1,500-to-1

250cd/m2

25ms

Analog, digital

Generous contrast ratio should provide solid image quality, but response time is poor.

BENQ AMERICA NEW FP73G

DELL

www.dell.com 800-999-3355

EIZO NANAO

www.eizo.com 800-800-5202

ENVISION MONITORS

EN7600

$259.99

500-to-1

300cd/m2

12ms

Analog

A value-price, above-average performer with an attractive design.

EN7220

$279.99

450-to-1

300cd/m2

16ms

Analog

A strong-performing and highly adjustable unit. Designed with built-in pen cups and photo clips.

EN7450

$309.99

500-to-1

300cd/m2

8ms

Analog, digital

With its frosty-white bezel, this 1,280x1,024 LCD makes a nice companion for a Mac Mini.

$299.99

700-to-1

300cd/m2

8ms

Analog, digital

Despite its conservative looks, could easily take on gameplay and DVD playback.

www.gateway.com 800-555-2076 www.hp.com 888-999-4747

www.envisiondisplay.com 888-838-6388

GATEWAY

FPD1775A

HEWLETT-PACKARD

L1706

$249

500-to-1

300cd/m2

12ms

Analog

Great for the office, but lack of adjustability and inputs limits its use at home.

L1740

$279

500-to-1

300cd/m2

13ms

Analog, digital

Midprice model features the quickest response time in HP’s 17-inch-LCD lineup.

L1755

$299

1,000-to-1

250cd/m2

25ms

Analog, digital

Ultrahigh contrast ratio comes at the cost of a slow response time.

VS17

$299.99

450-to-1

250cd/m2

16ms

Analog

Integrated speakers help save space, but the L1740 offers digital connectivity.

See computershopper.com for full reviews of products in boldface.

116

July 2006 computershopper.com

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Comprehensive buying guides that demystify specs and jargon, arming readers with the information they need to make a purchase. In-depth reviews that empower readers with the detail they crave to quickly compare products. Gear Envy highlights the slickest gadgets sure to inspire desire from any gizmo lover. Insider Secrets dish up helpful tips from industry experts on how to get the most from technology. Ask the Editors delivers useful advice in a Q&A format

ACT NOW! Go to www.neodata.com/digitalliving

TECHMARKET 17-INCH FLAT-PANEL DISPLAYS PixelResponse Time

Interface

Editor’s Take

Find Out More www.lenovo.com 866-458-4465

Price

Contrast

Typical Brightness

ThinkVision L171

$299

500-to-1

270cd/m2

25ms

Analog

Business-only LCD gets demerits for its slow response time and analog-only connectivity.

ThinkVision L170p

$329

700-to-1

300cd/m2

16ms

Analog, digital

A winning combination of image quality and price, but DVI cable not included.

Flatron L1750B

$299

700-to-1

300cd/m2

8ms

Analog, digital

Ultrathin bezel makes it great for tiling multiple displays; also tilts/swivels. Fast response rate.

Flatron L1781Q

$499

500-to-1

250cd/m2

8ms

Analog, digital

Sharp looks and a slim profile come at a high price. Quick response rate.

Flatron M1710A

$499

500-to-1

250cd/m2

8ms

Analog

Its TV tuner, speakers, and variety of A/V inputs make this a great media display.

Model LENOVO

LG ELECTRONICS

us.lge.com 800-243-0000

NEC DISPLAY SOLUTIONS

MultiSync 1740CX

$279.99

500-to-1

270cd/m2

8ms

Analog

The ultrathin bezel makes it suitable for tiling next to another display.

MultiSync 70GX2

$299.99

700-to-1

400cd/m2

8ms

Analog

Slightly better specs than the MultiSync 1740CX, but still no DVI connection.

MultiSync LCD1735NXM

$349.99

450-to-1

250cd/m2

16ms

Analog, digital

A slower response time and lower contrast ratio than the MultiSync 70GX2.

MultiSync LCD1770GX-BK

$349.99

500-to-1

400cd/m2

8ms

Analog, digital

Midprice LCD should be great for gaming and DVD viewing, thanks to its fast response time.

MultiSync LCD1770NX

$354.99

500-to-1

250cd/m2

12ms

Analog, digital

Middling image quality overshadows a nice array of features and solid adjustability options.

MultiSync LCD1770NXM

$379.99

500-to-1

250cd/m2

12ms

Analog, digital

In addition to a built-in USB 2.0 hub, this panel also features front-firing speakers.

$359.99

500-to-1

300cd/m2

8ms

Analog, digital

Highly adjustable; offers impressive gaming and DVD performance.

www.planar.com 866-752-6271

740N

$269

600-to-1

300cd/m2

8ms

Analog

Samsung’s most affordable LCD offers impressive specs but no DVI interface.

www.samsung.com 800-726-7864

SyncMaster 710MP

$349.99

600-to-1

300cd/m2

8ms

Analog

TV-tuner-equipped LCD is enhanced by the addition of S-Video and composite inputs.

SyncMaster 713BM

$369.99

700-to-1

300cd/m2

8ms

Analog, digital

Slim, attractive design; a better choice than the 710MP if you don’t need the TV functionality.

SyncMaster 740T

$379

1,500-to-1

280cd/m2

25ms

Analog, digital

Ultrathin bezel; height-adjustable, and can tilt and pivot. Extremely high contrast ratio.

SyncMaster 740BF

$399

700-to-1

300cd/m2

2ms

Analog, digital

Superfast pixel-response rate; successfully blends value and performance.

X7G Naga V

$229.99

500-to-1

300cd/m2

8ms

Analog

Limited by its horizontal/vertical viewing angles of 150 and 140 degrees; no DVI connection.

X7G Komodo IV

$309.99

450-to-1

300cd/m2

16ms

Analog

Features stereo speakers, but better options are available for the price.

430-to-1

250cd/m2

20ms

Analog

Dull design is coupled with painfully slow response time; look elsewhere.

www.sharpusa.com 800-237-4277 www.sonystyle.com 877-865-7669

www.necdisplay.com 888-632-6487

PLANAR SYSTEMS

PX 1710M SAMSUNG

SCEPTRE

www.sceptre.com 800-788-2878

SHARP ELECTRONICS

LL-171A

$479

SONY ELECTRONICS

SDM-HS75/B

$349.99

500-to-1

250cd/m2

16ms

Analog

This wall-mountable screen is feature-poor for the price.

SDM-HS75P/B

$359.99

600-to-1

400cd/m2

8ms

Analog, digital

Classic Sony design; fast response time and XBrite technology make this a sweet deal.

MFM-HT75W

$599.99

800-to-1

450cd/m2

16ms

Analog, digital

Attractive wide-screen panel, with a TV tuner and picture-in-picture; good image quality.

VE710s

$315

450-to-1

300cd/m2

16ms

Analog

Brighter than many analog-only displays, and only 2.2 inches thick.

VX724

$365

500-to-1

300cd/m2

3ms

Analog, digital

Features a lightning-fast 3ms response time. Gamers will flip for this display.

VP171s

$409

500-to-1

300cd/m2

8ms

Analog, digital

HD-capable, but sorely lacks componentvideo inputs to make it a true media display.

VIEWSONIC

See computershopper.com for full reviews of products in boldface.

118

July 2006 computershopper.com

www.viewsonic.com 800-888-8583

NEED TO KNOW

PORTABLE DIGITAL AUDIO AND VIDEO PLAYERS (HARD DRIVE-BASED) STORAGE Smaller “micro” hard drive players range from 2.5GB to 6GB in capacity, while larger units can feature anywhere from 20GB to 100GB, good for thousands of songs and hours of video. AUDIO FORMATS In the audio realm, players will support native MP3 playback but diverge in supporting other file formats. Apple’s popular iPod is the only player that supports secure AAC tracks from its iTunes Music Store; other players may support nonsecure AAC files ripped via iTunes software. Many players, but not iPods, will play nonsecure Windows Media Audio (WMA) files; most, but not all, of these will also handle secure WMAs purchased from online stores such as Musicmatch and Napster. Fewer devices support Microsoft’s new Windows Media DRM 10—a digital-rights-management technology formerly code-named Janus—but those that do will work with music-subscription services like Napster To Go. Many newer devices come with color screens and can show digi-

tal images, as well as play audio files. VIDEO FORMATS Personal video players (PVPs) can also store and display digital video files; some models run Microsoft’s Portable Media Center OS. Most of these devices can play back video compressed in MPEG-4 format, though several PVPs support additional video codecs, such as AVI, DivX, and WMV. BATTERY Hard drive players generally have proprietary rechargeable batteries. Expect anywhere from 4 to 30 hours of playback per charge, depending on the model. If you’re viewing digital images or video, your device’s battery will drain faster than if it were just playing back audio. FM TUNER/VOICE RECORDER If you want to get rid of your Walkman once and for all, look for a player that comes with FM-radio capability. Some models also have voice-recording capabilities, letting you record notes or interviews with a built-in microphone. —Erin Kandel, Assistant Editor

Base Price

Audio Rated File Types Battery FM Capacity Supported Life Interface Weight Tuner

Editor’s Take

Find Out More

$299; $399

30GB; 60GB

MP3, WAV, AIFF, AAC

20 hours FireWire, USB 2.0

4.8 oz.; 5.5 oz.

No

Thinner, lighter, and sexier than previous iPods. Plus, it plays video on its sharp 2.5-inch color screen.

www.apple.com 800-676-2775

Gmini XS100

$139.95

4GB

MP3, WMA, WAV

14 hours

USB 2.0

2.8 oz.

No

Not packed with extras, but this small, stylish unit plays protected WMA and Windows Media DRM 10 files.

www.archos.com 303-962-3350

Gmini 402 Camcorder

$299.95 20GB

MP3, WMA, WAV

10 hours

USB 2.0

6.6 oz.

No

Media juggernaut has a built-in camera and videocam, along with support for Mophun-engine games.

$449.95; 30GB; $549.95 100GB

MP3, WMA, WAV

4.5 to 15 hours

USB 2.0

9 oz.; 11 oz.

No

Capable video player can record directly from television and autosync with Windows Media Player 10.

Pocket Media Assistant PMA 400

$499.99 30GB

MP3, WMA, WAV

10 hours

USB 2.0

9.9 oz.

No

Much more than a portable video player; features PDA functions, a touch screen, and built-in Wi-Fi.

AV700

$499.95; 40GB; $599.95 100GB

MP3, WMA, WAV

4 to USB 2.0 30 hours

20.8 oz. No

Big PVP plays MPEG-4, DivX, AVI, and protected WMA files; 7-inch screen is bigger and brighter than most, but the resolution is low for its size.

$249

MP3, WMA, OGG, WAV

14 hours

USB 2.0

5.1 oz.

No

A stripped-down version of the X5. Lacks a color screen and can’t display photos or videos, yet price is high.

$249.99 4GB

MP3, WMA, OGG, WAV, ASF

20 hours USB 2.0

2.1 oz.

Yes

Feature-filled yet compact, the iAudio 6 performs well, but its touch-sensitive interface can be frustrating to use.

iAudio X5

$279.99; 20GB; $299.99; 30GB; $399.99 60GB

MP3, WMA, OGG, WAV

14 hours

USB 2.0

6.4 oz.

Yes

Miniature PVP supports DivX, MPEG-4, and WMV files, and has FM/voice/line-in recording. It would be an iPod killer, if not for poor music browsing and design missteps.

A2

$379.99; 20GB; $419.99 30GB

MP3, WMA, OGG, WAV, ASF,

10 to 18 hours

USB 2.0

10.5 oz.

Yes

A sleek PVP with a bright wide-screen color LCD, plus full multimedia-recording and -playback capabilities. Doesn’t support subscription music tracks, though.

$149.99; 5GB; $179.99 6GB

MP3, WMA, WAV

12 hours

USB 2.0

3.8 oz.

Yes

If you can live without a color screen and photo viewer, this capable mini hard drive player won’t disappoint.

$179.99; 4GB; $229.99 8GB

MP3, WMA, WAV

12 to 15 hours

USB 2.0

3.8 oz.

Yes

A top mini hard drive player, with a full feature set, highquality audio, and a bright, colorful OLED screen.

Zen Neeon

$199.99 5GB

MP3, WMA, WAV

16 hours

USB 2.0

2.7 oz.

Yes

Lightweight, with long-life battery, but pricey considering lack of a color LCD. The 5GB Zen Micro is a better buy.

Zen Sleek Photo

$199.99 20GB

MP3, WMA, WAV

19 hours

USB 2.0

5.8 oz.

Yes

Good-sounding, feature-heavy device displays photos and plays subscription music files. No video playback, though.

$299.99 30GB

MP3, WMA, WAV

4 to 14 hours

USB 2.0

5.7 oz.

Yes

Dazzling, DRM-friendly player gives the iPod a run for its money.

$399.99 30GB

MP3, WMA, WAV

4.5 to 10 hours

USB 2.0

8.4 oz.

Yes

Slim, classy-looking PVP has a sharp 3.7-inch color screen and lots of multimedia features. Battery life is disappointing, however, especially for a Creative unit.

Model APPLE COMPUTER

✓ iPod

ARCHOS

✓ AV500

COWON AMERICA

iAudio M5 NEW iAudio 6

20GB

www.cowonamerica.com 888-453-8283

CREATIVE TECHNOLOGY

Zen Micro

✓ Zen MicroPhoto

✓ Zen Vision:M Zen Vision

✓= Editors’ Choice 120

See computershopper.com for full reviews of products in boldface.

July 2006 computershopper.com

www.creative.com 800-998-1000

TECHMARKET PORTABLE DIGITAL AUDIO AND VIDEO PLAYERS (HARD DRIVE-BASED) Base Price

Audio Rated File Types Battery FM Capacity Supported Life Interface Weight Tuner

$199.95

4GB

MP3, WMA, WAV

18 hours

USB 2.0

6 oz.

$229; $279; $329

40GB; 60GB; 80GB

MP3, WMA, WAV, OGG, ASF

22 hours USB 2.0

$199.99; 2.5GB; $249.99 5GB

MP3, WMA

10 hours

H10

$229.99; 5GB; $279.99 6GB

MP3, WMA, ASF

12 hours

H10 (20GB)

$299.99 20GB

PMC-120

$499.99 20GB

Model

Editor’s Take

Find Out More

Yes

Full-featured player with a photo-capable LCD, an FM tuner, and a voice recorder. No protected-WMA support, though.

www.digmind.com

9 oz.

Yes

Lots of storage for a great price, but as heavy as most first-generation hard drive digital-audio players.

USB 2.0

2.8 oz.

Yes

Modest-looking and easy to navigate, but plagued by poor battery life and occasional treble distortion.

www.rave-mp.com 877-772-8367

USB 2.0

3 oz.; 3.8 oz.

Yes

Available in four colors and packed with features such as a photo display, but comes up a bit short in battery life.

www.iriveramerica.com 800-399-1799

MP3, WMA, ASF

20 hours USB 2.0

5.8 oz.

Yes

Only a little heftier than the original H10, the 20GB version gives you a lot more storage for music and photos.

MP3, WMA, WAV, ASF

14 hours

USB 2.0

9.6 oz.

No

Portable Media Center player is a tad heavier than Creative’s Zen Vision; no native support for DivX or MPEG-4.

$249.99; 20GB; $349.99 40GB

MP3, WMA, WAV, OGG, ASF

16 hours

USB 2.0

5.6 oz.; 6.1 oz.

Yes

A sleek, solid player with clever navigation and several recording options, but doesn’t support protected WMA files.

$599

5GB

MP3, WMA, ASF

2.5 hours USB 2.0

5.1 oz.

No

Portable video player has a built-in cable-TV tuner and an www.ovideon.com OLED screen. Expensive, though, and poor battery life. 630-236-9917

GoGear HDD1630

$199.99 6GB

MP3, WMA, WAV

18 hours

USB 2.0

3.8 oz.

Yes

Attractively designed and nicely priced, but processor isn’t usa.philips.com always up to speed; decent bundled earbuds. 877-835-1838

GoGear HDD6330

$279.99 30GB

MP3, WMA, WAV

15 hours

USB 2.0

5.3 oz.

Yes

Roomier model has same sleek form factor and feature set as the HDD1630; additional line-in recording.

RCA Lyra 2763

$179.99

5GB

MP3, WMA

8 hours

USB 2.0

3 oz.

No

More spacious, less costly than the 2762. Has a plugin transmitter that streams MP3s through your car radio.

RCA Lyra 2762

$199.99 4GB

MP3, WMA

8 hours

USB 2.0

3 oz.

No

Lackluster, overpriced mini hard drive player distinguished only by its support for Windows Media DRM 10.

RCA Lyra 2765

$229

5GB

MP3, WMA

8 hours

USB 2.0

3 oz.

No

Displays photos, but doesn’t have an FM tuner or recording features. Includes Sennheiser headphones.

$399

30GB

MP3, WMA

4 to 8 hours

USB 2.0

8.3 oz.

No

Now with a roomier hard drive, this multimedia device can record from DVDs or cable/satellite/broadcast television.

$399.99 20GB

MP3, WMA

4 hours

USB 2.0

10.5 oz.

No

RCA’s first PVP is starting to show its age. Offers fewer extra features and less video compatibility than the X3030.

Gigabeat MEG-F10

$249.99 10GB

MP3, WMA, WAV

16 hours

USB 2.0

5.8 oz.

No

Color screen for viewing photos, Windows Media DRM 10 www.toshiba.com support for Napster To Go, and an included docking cradle. 800-316-0920

Gigabeat MEG-F60

$379.99 60GB

MP3, WMA, WAV

16 hours

USB 2.0

5.8 oz.

No

Despite its large capacity, this stylish silver unit weighs less than 6 ounces and features a 2.2-inch screen.

MP3, WMA

10 hours

USB 2.0

3.2 oz.

Optional Offers direct MP3 line-in encoding, as well as a 64,000-color screen for viewing photos.

DIGITAL MIND NEW DMC Messenger

DMC Xclef 500

GOVIDEO

Rave-MP Style Arc5.0 IRIVER AMERICA

MPIO NORTH AMERICA

HD300

www.mpioamerica.com 866-367-6746

OVIDEON

Aviah

PHILIPS ELECTRONICS

THOMSON

NEW RCA Lyra X3030

RCA Lyra 2780

www.rca.com 877-326-6601

TOSHIBA AMERICA

TRULY ELECTRONICS

Pic ‘N Roll HD900

$249

5GB

www.truly.net 626-284-3033

THE BEST RECENTLY REVIEWED PORTABLE DIGITAL AUDIO AND VIDEO PLAYERS (HARD DRIVE-BASED)

✓

Creative Zen Vision:M • $299.99 • Editors’ Rating: 8.0 Creative’s latest PVP has a better screen and more features than Apple’s video-enabled iPod. Plus, the WMA-friendly player is compatible with most online music stores and subscription services. Archos Gmini 402 Camcorder • $299.95 • Editors’ Rating: 8.0 This portable multimedia powerhouse looks even more attractive now that Archos has added a VGA camcorder and a still camera to its long list of music and video features. Cowon A2 • $379.99 (20GB); $419.99 (30GB) • Editors’ Rating: 7.7 An all-encompassing PVP, the A2 features excellent audio and video playback, as well as solid battery life. We only wish it supported subscription-based music tracks.

Cowon A2

computershopper.com July 2006

121

WEB BUYER THE BEST SITES FOR ONLINE SHOPPING • BY KEVIN SAVETZ

>>TECH PRODUCTS amazon.com Amazon.com is an unparalleled superstore with a massive inventory equaled only by its special features, such as personalized product recommendations and mobile access. The Early Adopter Products pages show what’s fresh in electronics, video games, and DVDs.

askergoworks.com Ergo Works wants to turn your desk into a healthier workspace. Its selection of keyboard trays, monitor risers, and ergonomic seating can make computing more comfortable. Check out the kid-friendly chairs, keyboards, and mice.

www.batterybarn.com You’ll get a charge from the selection at Battery Barn, which includes batteries for cordless phones, digital cameras, camcorders, and other power-hungry portable gadgets. The site also stocks hard-tofind batteries for tools and electric razors. Orders of more than $25 ship free.

bestbuy.com Our readers voted Best Buy their favorite place to buy consumer electronics. The selection in each department is comprehensive and impressive. The best part? You can have your gadget delivered or readied for pickup at a nearby store.

cablestogo.com The mammoth selection at Cables To Go includes esoteric system-specific cables, as well as PDA, cell-phone, and audio/video connectors. Check out the rounded cables for improved internal PC cooling.

ccrane.com In business for nearly 30 years, the C. Crane Company specializes in radios, light, and scientific gadgets. The catalog includes shortwave and scanning radios, home weather stations, and a variety of LED flashlights—educational, techie fun.

cdw.com In addition to a wide selection of hardware and peripherals, CDW offers an Outlet section where you’ll find deals on clearance merchandise and customer returns. Click the Mac Warehouse tab to reveal a medley of Apple hardware and peripherals.

circuitcity.com Plug in to Circuit City, where you can choose from a quarter-million movies, video games, and CDs. The inventory also includes digital cameras, televisions, and PDAs. Have your products delivered, or pick them up in a Circuit City store.

computers.ebay.com

Take a byte of Bits.com, which has low prices on a modest selection of computer peripherals, MP3 players, and software. The company offers a 30-day return policy and $5 flat-rate shipping.

Illustrations by Bill Rieser

blackbox.com

DIGITAL CAMERAS AND ACCESSORIES

Stocked with hard drives, motherboards, and CPUs, Caplink Technology is a system builder’s dream come true. The site also offers an enticing mix of digital music players, GPS receivers, and other gadgetry, with free shipping on most items.

The well-organized CompUSA rounds out the usual selection of PC hardware, peripherals, and accessories with areas devoted to home electronics and wireless gadgets. Set your own price on PCs at CompUSA’s auction site.

bits.com

Tech Products Digital Cameras and Accessories Cases and Mods Direct PC Vendors Software VoIP Services and Resources

caplinktech.com

compusa.com

Sony Bravia KDL-V40XBR1 from Best Buy

123 123 124 125 125 126

eBay is an unparalleled auction site and a unique shopping experience. Shoppers can set their own prices on components, including new and used PCs, software, tech books, and vintage computers.

computers4sure.com Computers4Sure comprises 21 departments well-stocked with a broad spectrum of products, including networking gear, LCD monitors, and storage. Free ground shipping is available for many products.

c-source.com

Get connected! Specializing in network products, Black Box can get you wired with its extensive catalog of storage, cabling, and surge-protection products, plus many other connectivity accessories.

The catalog at 15-year-old CompSource is chocka-block with PC products—more than 200,000 in all. Check out the Best Sellers lists to find customers’ favorite products in 17 categories, including desktops, notebooks, and other peripherals.

buy.com

dalco.com

Buy.com’s vast million-product inventory includes computer hardware, software, electronics, video games, books, music, and DVDs. Sister site BuyMusic.com delivers music downloads starting at 79 cents a song.

Dalco Electronics stocks everything from motherboards to monitors. Bargain hunters will want to start with the specials found on the home page, which change regularly—but watch out for the 20 percent restocking fee.

buydig.com

dbuys.com

At BuyDig.com, you’ll find a multitude of tech toys, such as MP3 players, digital cameras, scanners, PDAs, DVD players, and video-capture devices. Accessory orders of more than $50 ship free.

Dbuys.com shoppers get to choose from a firstrate selection of home theater products, including DVD players/recorders and all-in-one surroundsound systems. Shipping is free on many items, such as big-screen televisions.

beachcamera.com Focus on Beach Camera for a clear picture of your digital-camera options. The site has a full complement of cameras, camcorders, memory, and accessories. Optional kits bundle flash memory, camera cases, and other essential add-ons. bhphotovideo.com In business for more than 30 years, B&H Photo-Video-Pro Audio sells digital and film cameras, home entertainment products, and professional audio equipment. Real-time online assistants will answer your questions before you buy. dealcam.com Get the best possible price on a new digital camera or videocamera with Dealcam’s price-comparison tool. If you haven’t yet decided on a particular model, the site will help you choose by highlighting the leastexpensive cameras and the ones featuring the most megapixels per dollar. focuscamera.com Zooming in on cameras since 1966, Focus Camera sells consumer and professional optical products, including cameras, camcorders, and telescopes. Unique categories of product include waterproof digital cameras, binocular/camera hybrids, and collectible digital cameras. photosolve.com Photosolve specializes in products to extend your digital camera and improve your photos. The inventory includes lens adapters, zoom extenders, panorama imaging equipment, and spotting scopes. tristatecomputer.com TriState Camera, Video, and Computers stocks a plethora of digital and analog cameras, digital video cameras, and accessories. The selection of film scanners will help you convert old photos to the digital realm. willoughbys.com Willoughby’s has been selling cameras since the McKinley administration—the digital ones for not quite as long. If you’re upgrading, the company offers a trade-in program, but you need to bring your old camera to the store in New York City.

computershopper.com July 2006

123

WEB BUYER SHOPPING SITES

CASES AND MODS

ets. Every purchase is backed by a 60-day return policy.

hard drives, motherboards, CPUs, optical-storage add-ons, and consumer electronics.

ecost.com

outpost.com

Look to eCost.com for deals on PC components, software, electronics, and DVDs. You’ll be enticed by short-lived but sweet deals in the Bargain Countdown area.

Shoppers at Fry’s Outpost.com enjoy an ample catalog of hardware, software, cameras, and video games. Notable features include the Power Search function, special deals, and a 30-day money-back guarantee on most products.

www.flash-memory-store.com casecooler.com Case Cooler has the gear to make your PC look great and run cool. LED and ultraviolet-light kits will make your case shine, and a variety of fans and thermal products will prevent your machine from overheating, even when the CPU is overclocked. casedepot.com Case Depot sells dozens of PC cases. The selection includes aluminum, minitower, file-server, slimline, and rack-mount cases. You can order a case preloaded with your choice of power supply, fans, temperature monitors, and other components. case-mod.com The hardware at Case-Mod.com includes enclosures from 25 manufacturers, coldcathode case-lighting kits, and cooling products. The Mini-ITX-compatible cases are a good bet for building a slim PC for your home theater or any other spot where space is tight. www.circotech.com If a beautiful PC case stops you in your tracks, you’ll stop cold after seeing Circo Technology’s large inventory of attractive, functional, and colorful cases. Juice up your case with the site’s selection of highoutput and redundant power supplies. quietpcusa.com QuietPC U.S.A. sells computer cases and fans designed to keep PC noise to an absolute minimum. They’re perfect for recording studios but wouldn’t be out of place in any workplace where silence is golden. The company also sells add-ons that can make your current PC case whisper-quiet. xoxide.com Xoxide’s selection of cases from more than 20 manufacturers ranges from the sophisticated to the freakish. Use the Advanced Case Search tool to find cases with the color, material, window, or size that you prefer.

dealsonic.com Does picking though scores of under-$20 PC parts sound like a blast? Then DealSonic.com is the place to go. The store’s Top Sellers and Clearance areas have plenty of cheap components and accessories for system builders.

digitalfotoclub.com Digital Foto Discount Club has a vast selection of digital cameras, camcorders, PDAs, and digital audio gadgetry, and is well-rated by its customers at sites such as PriceGrabber.com. Check out the Top 10 Best-Sellers in the various product categories.

ebags.com Ease your aching back with a new, rolling laptop bag. eBags sells a diverse assortment of computer bags and cases for your portable digital gadg-

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July 2006 computershopper.com

FlashMemoryStore.com specializes in removable media. The company sells CompactFlash and SmartMedia cards, Memory Sticks, card-reader accessories, and external hard drives. All products come with a 30-day satisfaction guarantee and a lifetime warranty.

geeks.com

overstock.com Try not to be overwhelmed by the selection at Overstock.com. This discount shopping site sells practically anything you can think of, including new and reconditioned computers, peripherals, cameras, audio devices, and video gear. Plus, you’ll find software, DVDs, and video games in the Media department.

pcconnection.com

With no doubts about the tech-savvy of its customers, Geeks.com is a fun-to-browse tech site that’s perfect for people piecing together a PC or looking for a geeky project. Check out the new and refurbished computer gear, such as cheap optical drives, and gadgets like a wearable TV watch.

PC Connection can connect you to a world of PCs, peripherals, and software. Use the Rebate Center to find products with cash-back deals, or visit sister site MacConnection (www.macconnection.com) for Mac OS wares.

geekstuff4u.com

pcmall.com

Looking for something different? GeekStuff4U. com specializes in high-tech gadgets from Japan. The selection includes hard-to-find and downright weird products like an iPod movie recorder and sushi-shaped USB memory keys.

Catering to businesses of all sizes as well as consumers, PC Mall’s catalog includes more than 100,000 products, with hot deals on notebooks, LCD monitors, and digital media. Sister site MacMall (www.macmall.com) is devoted to Apple hardware and software.

insight.com Insight delivers IT products for businesses, including networking hardware, projectors, and servers. The stellar Narrow Your Results feature and comparison tools will help you find the best product.

kvm-switches-online.com Let your monitor, keyboard, and mouse share more than one PC. KVM Switches Online is dedicated to keyboard/video/mouse switches for every type of hardware. You’ll also find video splitters and rackmountable LCDs.

laptoptravel.com

styluscentral.com Use your mobile device in style. Stylus Central has a large selection of PDA styli, cases, and chargers, plus a complete line of iPod accessories. Have your initials engraved on many items for free.

techonweb.com TechOnWeb.com’s low prices and fast shipping on a wide array of tech products keep the site in the good graces of its customers. The unusual “quote desk” lets you ask for a better deal when purchasing three or more of the same item.

If you tote a computer wherever you go, take a trip to Laptop Travel, a site that specializes in portable-computing and international-travel gear. The site stocks cases, electrical adapters, modem converters, mobile desks, and security accessories.

the3dshop.com

memorysuppliers.com

thegpsstore.com

MemorySuppliers.com’s customer-friendly policies include $4.95 flat-rate shipping, a 30-day money-back guarantee with free return shipping, and lifetime warranties on memory and hard drives. The Upgrade Guides explain how to install RAM and troubleshoot common memory problems.

You may not know where you’re going, but you’ll know where you are right now with the help of a global positioning system (GPS) receiver. The GPS Store sells GPS units for the car, hiking excursions, and aviation, plus accessories and software.

The 3-D Shop sells graphics cards for home, professional, and high-end-workstation users, including dozens of choices from 3Dlabs, ATI, Leadtek, Matrox, and PNY Technologies.

mostlyprinters.com You’ll find new and refurbished printers from Brother, Canon, Lexmark, Samsung, and other manufacturers at MostlyPrinters.com. Plus, the site offers a price-matching policy and free shipping on every order.

mydigitaldiscount.com If you use a digital camera, PDA, or MP3 player, visit MyDigitalDiscount.com for memory cards, card readers, and other accessories. You’ll also find a generous selection of USB drives, optical media, and portable storage hardware.

neutronexpress.com You may get a charge from the dense nucleus of PC peripherals and networking hardware at NeutronExpress.com. Visit the Specialty sections for PC components, low-profile peripherals, and PC security products.

newegg.com Newegg.com is a nest of good stuff for do-ityourself PC upgraders. The selection focuses on

Magellan RoadMate 700 from The GPS Store

tigerdirect.com For deals and discounts, visit TigerDirect. This sizable catalog includes low-cost PC components, PDAs, and office equipment. Geeks on a budget can find desktop PCs for as little as $250 and laptops for under $500.

WEB BUYER SHOPPING SITES unityelectronics.com

gateway.com

Check out Unity Electronics’ impressive selection of PC peripherals, including hard drives, optical drives, and networking products. The site is also well-stocked with cables and batteries, as well as parts for handhelds.

One of the biggest players in online computer sales, Gateway has an enormous and informative site that sells custom-built desktops and notebooks.

usedlaptops.com

At this site, choose among Hewlett-Packard and Compaq desktop and notebook computers, plus networking accessories, printers, handhelds, and digital cameras.

UsedLaptops.com, in the business for 10 years, sells name-brand portable PCs for as little as $220. Browse among its inventory of more than 1,100 notebooks by price, manufacturer, or features—a perfect way to weed out machines that don’t meet your specifications.

yesmicro.com Emphasizing customer service and low prices, YesMicro.com sells 60,000 hardware, peripheral, and PC-accessory products. The site’s Top Hard Drives and Top Monitors lists are right on the home page, making locating the most-popular peripherals a snap.

hpshopping.com

hypersonic-pc.com Need computing power that’s faster than fast? Go hypersonic. Visit Hypersonic PC for gaming systems, workstations, and laptops outfitted with the latest high-performance peripherals. Enthusiast options include 3D-graphics optimization and case customization.

ibuypower.com

There’s a zone for whatever you need at Zones: the home page for hardware and software, the Mac Zone for Apple stuff, the Creative Pro page for graphics pros, and the Zones Clearance section for special buys.

iBuypower can power up your workspace with a 64-bit PC for less than $500. Even the company’s least-expensive PCs include large hard drives, dedicated graphics cards, desktop speakers, and other essentials. All products are backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee.

zunafish.com

idotpc.com

Zunafish facilitates trades of used video games, DVDs, CDs, and books. Post your used items, then propose and execute one-for-one trades with others, all for $1 per trade. Use the My Zunafish page to monitor your trade offers.

Find a customized desktop, an economical bare-bones PC, or a personalized laptop at iDotpc.com. Menus allow you to create the PC that’s right for you, letting you specify the processor, memory, optical drive, and other necessities.

zones.com

>> DIRECT PC VENDORS abspc.com Expect gaming, multimedia, and business PCs aplenty at ABS Computer Technologies. The company offers a choice of Intel or AMD processors, a three-year parts and lifetime labor warranty, and tollfree technical support. Visit the Outlet Store for shortlived specials.

alienware.com Alienware can custom-build your dream game machine—desktop or laptop. Each is available with out-of-this-world cases in a rainbow of colors. Buyers get a personalized owner’s manual and tollfree technical support any time of the day or night.

lenovo.com Lenovo sells IBM’s former lines of ThinkCentre desktops, ThinkPad laptops, and ThinkVision monitors. Configure built-to-order PCs, and choose among accessories such as memory and printers.

maingear.com MainGear specializes in premium PCs with advanced specs for gamers and other power users. The selection includes sleek-looking and colorful desktops, space-saving X-Cube machines, and powerful laptops.

MainGear Prelude 64

72-hour repair-turnaround guarantee and free lifetime tech support.

shopprostar.com Each computer in ProStar Computer’s line of notebook PCs is backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee, a speedy-repair promise, and free tech support.

sonystyle.com/vaio Sony Style is a sleek-looking site selling Sony’s line of VAIO desktops and notebooks, plus digital cameras, displays, and storage devices.

store.apple.com The Apple Store’s well-designed site lets you custom-configure any Macintosh and offers a wide array of Mac-compatible software and accessories. For frequent (or compulsive) customers, the one-click-ordering feature makes purchases extra-simple.

toshibadirect.com The custom-configured notebooks and Tablet PCs at Toshiba Direct range from budget models to the unique Qosmio laptops, which combine PC, TV, DVD, and audio features.

us.fujitsu.com/shop Fujitsu’s site focuses on portable computing, including notebook PCs and pen-based tablet computers. Each computer has several warranty options.

velocitymicro.com Looking for a 64-bit processor to push your games to the limit? They’re in Velocity Micro’s Gamer’s Edge and Raptor models. The customconfiguration menus offer a mind-boggling array of component choices.

viciouspc.com Creating “hardware for the hard-core,” Vicious PC sells desktops with clear cases, high-output ventilation, easy-access sliding rails, and frontaccessible USB ports. Washable air filters mean your computer’s innards will remain dust-free.

voodoopc.com Nobody else can do the voodoo that they do so well. VoodooPC specializes in high-end PCs for gamers, with a choice of Intel or 64-bit AMD processors. Take your pick among tower systems, laptops, and portables—all thoroughly customizable, of course.

buympc.com

winbook.com

MPC Computers sells desktops, notebooks, and servers. You can custom-configure a high-performance TransPort notebook, tuned to your specifications, for business, multimedia, or gaming.

WinBook Computer sells laptops and desktops with a 30-day money-back guarantee, a one-year warranty, and free tech support. Ironically, some of the best deals,“Web specials,” can only be ordered by phone.

cyberpowersystem.com Power up with a customized Intel or AMD system from Cyberpower. The selection includes 64-bit machines, gamers’ dream systems, Media Centers, and budget PCs for everyday use.

dell.com Dell’s electronic storefront has always led the way in ease of use. The site is jam-packed with detailed information that makes it a snap to match a machine to your needs. Each system is configurable to the nth degree, and you can get quick access to online support customized for your PC.

falcon-nw.com Once you get your talons on a Falcon Northwest PC, you won’t want to let go. The heavyweight desktops and totable FragBox computers include the hardware you want, the way-cool look you crave, and the personalized system-rescue discs you may need one day.

www.ztgroup.com monarchcomputer.com Monarch Computer Systems creates built-toorder desktops, workstations, and servers. Configure the computer you want, then lock in the price for up to a week. If you’re building a PC, check out the PC Parts section for components and peripherals.

overdrivepc.com Sleek, overclocked PCs for gamers and professionals highlight Overdrive PC’s offerings. Each computer includes a quiet cooling system, free antivirus software, and no-cost shipping.

sagernotebook.com Specializing in notebook computers, Sager offers a variety of options, from budget machines to speedy multimedia units. Service includes a

ZT Group builds and sells desktop and notebook computers for every type of user. The selection includes PCs for gaming, media, home offices, and businesses, with your choice of AMD or Intel processors.

>> SOFTWARE atomicpark.com Free shipping is available for AtomicPark.com’s entire selection of business and productivity apps. Plus, you’ll never pay a restocking fee. The new Direct Downloads section lets you use new software in minutes, not days.

bigclearance.com Offering current-version software at clearance prices, the big selection at BigClearance.com includes wares from Microsoft, Macromedia, Corel, and others.

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WEB BUYER SHOPPING SITES

VOIP SERVICES AND RESOURCES

buycheapsoftware.com The name says it all. Buycheapsoftware.com’s selection consists primarily of business and utility apps. The company offers flat-rate $5 shipping on small orders and free shipping on orders over $200.

buypcsoft.com Buypcsoft.com sells Windows and Mac software in categories from business management to virus prevention. It’s an efficient site with a good selection of big-name applications.

directory.fsf.org www.fcc.gov/voip The Federal Communications Commission’s VOIP page explains the technology and hardware requirements in plain English. A downloadable fact sheet and news about federal rulings regarding VoIP are also provided. packet8.net Packet8 provides VOIP packages for homes and businesses; all plans include unlimited incoming and outgoing calls to the United States and Canada. Videophone hardware allows you to see the person you’re talking with, even if he or she doesn’t have a PC. skype.com The popular Skype software lets you talk to other Skype users, anywhere in the world, for free. It even works across different operating systems. Skype’s optional SkypeOut service lets you affordably place calls to regular phone lines from your PC. testyourvoip.com Before you sign up for a VOIP service, make sure you have enough bandwidth for the service to work properly. TestYourVoIP.com is a free Web-based tool that will tell you if your Internet connection has enough capacity for voice calls.

The Free Software Foundation’s Free Software Directory catalogs no-cost, useful apps that run with Linux and other free operating systems. Browse by category, or check out the newest additions to the directory, which are listed front and center.

distrowatch.com Keep up-to-date with the latest Linux and FreeBSD distributions with DistroWatch. You’ll find news about free operating systems and links to the most popular distros in categories including multimedia, beginner-friendly, and live CDs.

download.com CNET Download.com will help you find shareware and free software, linking to thousands of programs for PC, Mac, and mobile devices. Well-written newsletters and down-to-earth reviews help you find the perfect program.

driverguide.com With more than 100,000 downloadable drivers for every conceivable piece of computer hardware and operating system, Driver Guide is indispensable when you’re repairing a malfunctioning system or piecing together a PC from spare parts.

filebot.org Buy software, download it, and use it right away with FileBot. The site sells a wide variety of audio software, system utilities, business apps, and games. Free trial versions are available for many titles.

freewarefiles.com voip-info.org The Wiki-based voip-info.org delivers extensive information about everything related to Internet voice services. Start with the VoIP Service Providers list, which catalogs residential and business providers in the United States and around the world. voipreview.org VoipReview.org will help you find an Internet phone service that meets your exacting criteria. You’ll find customer reviews of 10 providers and a helpful FAQ to answer your VoIP questions. voipuser.org VoIP User is a consumer information guide devoted to Internet telephony. You’ll find router and phone reviews, client software to download, and a busy discussion forum. Click the Top List link to see the most popular articles on the site. vonage.com Vonage’s Internet voice service lets you place unlimited calls to the United States and Canada for $24.99 a month. The plan includes voice mail, three-way calling, call waiting, and other useful features.

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FreewareFiles.com is an index to free downloadable software for Windows. Articles and tutorials deliver advice on free software and computer maintenance.

freewarepro.com Freeware Pro finds free software and organizes it into categories such as home office, Web authoring, and games. Begin with the Recommended Downloads list to load up your PC with the best no-cost wares.

jumbo.com Jumbo is a fitting name for this monstrous file archive, featuring shareware, freeware, and commercial-software demos for PC, Mac, and Linux.

utilities, and more—all with flat-rate shipping. Try the programs in the Specials section for as little as $7.

oldversion.com Sometimes the latest version of software isn’t the greatest version—bloat and feature creep can ruin a great program. OldVersion.com is a nifty archive of previous versions of applications, including Internet clients, utilities, and media players.

palmgear.com Palm OS users will appreciate the large selection of free and commercial programs downloadable from PalmGear.com. Check out the list of “essential” apps, then sign up to get software news and tips.

retrosoftware.com Retro Software specializes in software from major publishers, including Adobe and Corel, but with a twist. If you don’t need the latest version of an application, you can purchase a generation-old version at a significant discount—or, buy really old versions for really low prices.

serverfiles.com ServerFiles.com is a directory of software for network administrators and IT professionals. The selection includes network-security, collaboration, and server applications.

simtel.net For shareware and freeware downloads for Windows, look to Simtel.net. The home page lets you jump right in with its lists of the newest and most-popular software releases.

snapfiles.com Download shareware and freeware in a snap with SnapFiles. This site will point you to the latest software releases and Weekly Top 20 titles. Users’ ratings and reviews show which software is worth checking out.

software-blowouts.com Software Blowouts is home to oodles of inexpensive Windows and Mac OS software, with flatrate shipping. Peruse the Blowouts page for education, entertainment, and utility titles, many for just $9.95.

softwareoutlet.com Plug in to SoftwareOutlet.com, a veritable virtual bargain bin. You’ll find dirt-cheap applications and hardware accessories. Browse older software from defunct companies, plus modern titles.

store.purplus.net Purplus Software is a well-regarded seller of software for business, graphics, and music. The site offers free shipping on orders of $45 or more.

tronixweb.com

#9 Software is stocked with applications in nine categories, ranging from games to business applications. The company provides free shipping on orders of more than $99.

When it’s playtime, head to Tronix, a site specializing in software, hardware, and accessories for PlayStation Portable (PSP), PlayStation 2, Xbox 360, and other console video-game platforms. Scope out and preorder upcoming games in the Coming Soon section.

nonags.com

tucows.com

Nonags offers software that’s useful, tested, and (as the name suggests) won’t nag you to pay. Basic access to the site is free, but a subscription to the Plus version adds MP3 downloads and “best of” software links.

Tucows is an incredible library of freeware and shareware for Windows, Mac, and Linux. This recently redesigned site makes it easy to find the newest, most-popular, or top-rated software.

nothingbutsoftware.com

Emphasizing low prices and great customer service, VioSoftware.com sells applications from Adobe, Macromedia, Microsoft, and other big-name publishers. Shipping is always free.

9software.com

You’ll make much ado about Nothing But Software. This collection of apps includes games, educational titles, graphics programs,

viosoftware.com

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Buffalo Technology ..................www.buffalotech.com/cs-nas ............................14 Buyeretail ..................................www.buyeretail.net.............................................81 CDW Corporation.....................cdw.com ......................................................108, 109 Crucial Technology ..................www.crucial.com/computershopper ................89 Cyberpower, Inc .......................www.cyberpowerpc.com.............................44 - 48 Dell.............................................dell.com/fulltilt ..............................................12, 13 Dell.............................................dell.com/shopper...........................................36, 37 eCost ..........................................ecost.com....................................................112, 113 HP ...............................................hp.com/personal..................................................23 Hypersonic PC ..........................www.hypersonicpc.com ...........................Cov. 2, 1 iBUYPOWER ..............................www.ibuypower.com...................................59 - 61 InFocus ......................................www.infocus.com/workbig ..................................9 Kingston ....................................kingston.com/u3dl ..............................................41 Kodak.........................................kodak.com ............................................................72

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LG Electronics ...........................www.lgusa.com ...................................................17 Mushkin Enhanced..................www.mushkin.com .............................................31 Newegg.com .............................newegg.com..............................................69, 79, 98 PC Tools Software.....................www.pctools.com ................................................53 Polywell .....................................www.polywell.com/us/business......................119 Prestige Camera .......................www.prestigecamera.com .................................51 Prostar Computer.....................shopprostar.com..................................................39 Sager ..........................................sagernotebook.com .................................35, 70, 71 Softwaremedia.com ................www.softwaremedia.com ................................103 Systemax...................................www.tigerdirect.com.........................................2, 3 Systemax...................................www.tigerdirect.com/systemax ..................Cov. 4 Thermaltake .............................radioshack.com ...................................................99

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ThinkPad ...................................lenovo.com/newthinkpad/m546 .................55, 56 TigerDirect.com........................www.tigerdirect.com/impact.............................43 Trandscend USA.......................www.transcendusa.com.....................................29 Trend Micro...............................www.trendmicro.com/worryfree.........................4 USB Implementers Forum ......www.usb.org.........................................................11 U.S. Robotics .............................www.usr.com/talknow........................................25 Vantec........................................vantecusa.com/product-storage.html ..............87 Visionman.................................www.visionman.com ........................................104 Xtreme Gear..............................www.buyxg.com ..................................................91

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Zalman ......................................www.zalmanusa.com .........................................33 Zipzoomfly.com .......................www.zipzoomfly.com....................................75, 95 ZT Group ...................................ztgroup.com/go/computershopper ...............6, 27 All advertising is subject to Publisher’s approval and acceptance without recourse. The advertising herein that is typeset and/or designed by Computer Shopper is the property of Computer Shopper and not that of the advertiser. The advertiser has purchased the right of reproduction in Computer Shopper only and does not have the right to reproduce the ad in any other place of publication. We are not responsible for mistakes, misprints, or typographical errors and will not issue credits of any kind for such errors. Advertisers and their agencies assume responsibility for the condition of the contents of advertising printed, and agree to indemnify the Publisher of Computer Shopper for any and all claims and expenses arising therefrom. Computer Shopper standards suggest to the advertiser that statements concerning shipping and handling charges, warranties, and money- or no money-back guarantees should be stated in all forms of advertising within Computer Shopper. The opinions expressed in the articles, columns, and ads are those of the writer and not necessarily those of Computer Shopper. Computer Shopper, 28 E. 28th St., New York, NY 10016-7922 Sales Info: 800-999-7467 Editorial: 646-472-3900, Fax: 646-472-3995 Customer Service: 877-214-7390

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HELP & HOW-TO

BUYING BASICS HOW TO BUY

The Right Flash-Based MP3 Player BY ERIN KANDEL SHOPPING SPECS

MEMORY Most flash players come with at least 256MB of onboard memory, with 1GB being a popular sweet spot between capacity and cost. Get as much memory as you can afford, especially if you’re considering a tiny unit that’s not expandable with removable flashmemory cards.

DISPLAY If you want a tiny player but don’t want to play your audio blindly, consider a model with a small text-only screen that displays artist and track info. Higher-end flash players come with larger color LCDs that can display digital images, and a few even support video playback.

FM TUNER/RECORDER Addicted to NPR? Look for a model that integrates an FM tuner. Some models even let you record radio programming or feature a built-in microphone for recording voice notes.

SanDisk Sansa e270

BATTERY

If you don’t need to carry your entire music library with you, a flash-memory MP3 player can deliver skip-free audio while fitting comfortably in your pocket. Here’s what you need to know to choose the right one.

Some flash players accept ordinary alkaline cells and can last up to a whopping 50 hours without a battery swap. For players with a proprietary rechargeable battery, expect anywhere from 6 to 15 hours of playback per charge, depending on the model.

3 GREAT BUYS GOOD iRiver U10 512MB (www.iriveramerica.com, $199.99) A top choice for feature-hungry MP3/ WMA aficionados, this tiny TV-shaped player is easy to use and packed with features, including an FM tuner, a voice recorder, and SRS Wow audio effects. Photos and videos look sharp, if small, on its bright color screen, and battery life is an incredible 30 hours for music playback.

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BETTER Apple iPod Nano (1GB) (www.apple.com, $149) For design flair and simplicity, the Nano is the player to beat. This groundbreaking device squeezes a photo-capable color screen and up to 4GB of flash memory into its sleek, thin frame. Like all iPods, it works seamlessly with iTunes and the iTunes Music Store, which has the world’s largest selection of downloadable tunes.

BEST SanDisk Sansa e270 (6GB) (www.sandisk.com, $279.99) The highest-capacity flash player currently on the market, the slender, featureloaded Sansa has a scratch-resistant body, an FM tuner, and a photo- and video-capable 1.8-inch color screen. The player supports MP3 and protected WMA files, including tracks from online subscription services. (See review on p. 49.)

ASUS Recommends Microsoft® Windows® XP

Get entertained and unconstrained Fun is unpredictable. Never miss a beat with ASUS’ stylish, thin and light W5F. The W5F exhibits revolutionary dual core performance with Intel® Centrino® Duo Technology. Built-in wireless connectivity and a 1.3 megapixel webcam puts you wherever the action is.

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• Intel® Centrino® Duo Mobile Technology • 12” Ultrabright Widescreen Display • 512 MB DDR2 SDRAM • 100 GB 5400 RPM Hard Drive • 4x Super Multi DVD-RW DL • 1.3 Megapixel Swivel Camera • Microsoft® Windows® XP Home

• Intel® Centrino® Duo Mobile Technology • 17” Ultrabright Widescreen Display • 1024 MB DDR2 SDRAM • 100 GB 5400 RPM Hard Drive • ATI MOBILITY™ RADEON™ X1600 256 MB • 8x Dual Layer Slot-Loading DVD-RW • Microsoft® Windows® Media Center 2005

• Intel® Centrino® Duo Mobile Technology • 15.4” Ultrabright Display • 1024 MB DDR2 SDRAM • 100 GB 5400 RPM Hard Drive • NVIDIA GeForce Go 7300 128 MB • 8x Dual Layer DVD-RW • Microsoft® Windows® XP Pro

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© Copyright 2006 ASUS Computer International. All Rights Reserved. ASUS is a registered trademark of ASUSTek Computer Inc. Intel, the Intel logo, the Centrino logo, and Centrino, are trademarks or registered trademarks of Intel Corporation or its subsidiaries in the United States and other countries. Microsoft and Windows are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.