Computer Shopper (October 2006) 9781580606042, 1580606040

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20 USEFUL NEW SITES FOR WORK & PLAY

COMPUTERSHOPPER.COM

THE MOST COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE TO TODAY’S TECHNOLOGY

THE SMALLEST DESKTOPS EVER!

28

ADD-ONS FOR LAPTOPS

HOW TO GET THE RIGHT INKJET PRINTER DELL’S WINNING GAMER PC UPGRADE! INSTALL A NEW POWER SUPPLY UNIT READ & MANAGE YOUR BLOG & WEB NEWS

5 Powerful New Computers Packed Into Slick, Space-Saving Designs

FOR ALL YOUR TECH PRODUCTS & GEAR!

BLU-RAY DVD PLAYER: BUY NOW OR WAIT?

iPODS

& MORE

U.S. $5.99 | CANADA $6.99

NEW S CT PRODU E! INSID

120 SHOPPING SPOTS

OCTOBER 2006 | DISPLAY UNTIL OCT. 9, 2006

343

INTEL TOPS AMD IN THE CPU RACE

Talk about brilliant. USB is the most prolific and successful peripheral lets PCs and certified USB products talk to each other. Instantly. Reliably. darn thing in. That, and the wisdom to look for any of the certified USB printers, joysticks and more. Now, you could just grab any old peripheral that wouldn’t be your brightest move. Look for certified USB products at

connection in the history of computing. It’s the industry standard that Effortlessly. And all that’s required of you is the dexterity to plug the logos on the products you buy. Things like digital cameras, MP3 players, PDAs, off the shelf and hope for the best. But technically speaking, your local retailer.

Information provided by the USB Implementers Forum www.usb.org

Media Blitz. See the new monster of multimedia at dell.com/XPS410. Hate to wait? The new XPS 410 is just your speed. When that moment of inspiration hits, you want a PC with the power to capture it. The XPS 410 with Intel® Core™2 Duo Processors has all the speed you need. So you can race through rich multimedia and create more than ever before. The whisper-quiet XPS 410 also has a massive hard drive for your music, photos and memories, and exclusive optional Dell™ DataSafe™ technology to protect them all. Personalized XPS service, support and peace of mind are all included. The hot-looking, cool-running new XPS 410 is the fast track to fun. The only question is, can you keep up? XPS 410 systems start at $990.

The XPS 410 is ready to fly. Are you? Store photos, download music and create other multimedia content 34.9% better with the XPS 410 configured with the Intel® Core™2 Duo Processor E6600 (2.40GHz) versus one with the comparatively priced Pentium® D Processor 960*.

NEW XPS™ 410 Processor: OS: Display: Memory: Hard Drive: CD/DVD Drive:

1490

$

Intel® Core™2 Duo Processor E6300 (1.86GHz) Genuine Windows® XP Media Center Edition 2005 – Windows Vista™ Capable (Premium Ready)* 20.1" UltraSharp™ Widescreen Flat Panel 1GB Dual Channel* DDR2 SDRAM 250GB* Hard Drive with DataSafe (Secured Storage and Data Recovery) DVD-ROM; CD/DVD Burner* (2nd Bay)

Price includes specs above.

E-Value™ Code: 08212-D50914Y

*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. 34.9% PERFORMANCE BENCHMARK DISCLOSURE: Based on the SysMark 2004 Content Creation benchmark tests performed by Dell Labs in June 2006 on the XPS 410/Dimension 9200: Processors as Specified, Dual Channel DDR2 667 2x 512 MB memory, Windows XP Pro SP2 OS, NV 7900 GTX graphics card, 2x 250GB HD Raid 0, onboard audio (no Audio Card). Actual performance will vary based on configuration, usage and manufacturing variability. HARD DRIVE: For hard drives, GB means 1 billion bytes and TB equals 1 trillion bytes; actual capacity varies with preloaded material and operating environment and will be less. On Dimension, XPS, and Inspiron systems, for Norton Ghost 10 and Dell DataSafe users, up to 25% of the stated hard drive capacity may be utilized by your system as dedicated backup space. DUAL CHANNEL MEMORY: Dual channel memory requires 2 each of the same capacity memory DIMMs. DVD BURNER: Discs burned with this drive may not be compatible with some existing drives and players; using DVD+R media provides maximum compatibility. WINDOWS VISTA CAPABLE: Based on currently available information from Microsoft. Requirements subject to change. Since the operating system and drivers are not final at this time, Windows Vista has not been tested on all user configurations.

Dell recommends Windows® XP Media Center Edition.

Shown with Dell™ 5650 Surround Sound Speakers with Subwoofer – add for $70.

Ready to build your dream machine? Call 1-800-247-4799 or visit

dell.com/XPS410 (for hearing/speech impaired: 1-877-DELL-TTY toll-free). Please visit http://www.microsoft.com/technet/windowsvista/evaluate/hardware/vistarpc.mspx for more information. WINDOWS VISTA PREMIUM READY: Based on currently available information from Microsoft. Requirements subject to change. Since the operating system and drivers are not final at this time, Windows Vista has not been tested on all user configurations. Only systems with sufficient graphics and memory will meet Microsoft’s requirements for running the Premium interface. Those which meet only minimum requirements for the Vista Capable designation will not provide the full benefits of Premium. Please visit http://www.microsoft.com/technet/windowsvista/evaluate/hardware/vistarpc.mspx for more information. 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. 1604

AMD Performance PCs The World’s Best Gaming Processor! Built to get the most from online gaming and brings the next generation of 64-bit games to life.

Introducing The Systemax

Complete Gamer System

The Systemax Lightning Gamer Illusion meets Reality. The SLI inspired Systemax Lightning breaks the barriers of reality powered by the new AMD Athlon™ 64 FX-62 Socket AM2 processor with HyperTransport™ featuring Dual Core Technology! Welcome to the world of Cinematic Computing; combining intense graphics, virtual worlds, high-resolution video and sophisticated artificial intelligence to provide a computing experience that looks and feels like an extension of reality.

Systemax Warhawk

Systemax Hellcat

Systemax Lightning

Fully Customizable Built To Order SLI Ready Gamer

Fully Customizable Built To Order SLI Ready Gamer

Fully Customizable Built To Order SLI Ready Gamer

• AMD Athlon™ 64 Processor 3500+ • Microsoft® Windows® XP Professional • BFG GeForce 7900GT OC 256MB Video Card • 1GB PC3200 Memory • 250GB SATA Hard Drive • 16x Dual Layer DVD Burner • CDRW/DVD Combo Drive • Integrated 7.1 Channel Audio • Integrated Gigabit Network Adapter • Saitek Eclipse Gaming Keyboard • Razer Copperhead Gaming Mouse

• AMD Athlon™ 64 X2 Dual-Core Processor 4800+ • BFG GeForce 7900GT OC 256MB Video Card • 1GB PC3200 Memory • 250GB SATA Hard Drive • 16x Dual Layer DVD Burner • CDRW/DVD Combo Drive • Sound Blaster X-Fi XtremeMusic Sound Card • Integrated Gigabit Network Adapter • Saitek Eclipse Gaming Keyboard • Razer Copperhead Gaming Mouse

• AMD Athlon™ 64 FX-62 Socket AM2 Dual-Core Processor with HyperTransport™ • Microsoft® Windows® XP Professional • (2) BFG GeForce 7900GTX 512MB SLI Video • 1GB PC6400 DDR2 Memory • (2) 74GB SATA 10,000RPM Raptors RAID 0 • 250GB SATA Hard Drive • 16x Dual Layer DVD Burner • CDRW/DVD Combo • 9 in 1 Media Reader • Integrated Gigabit Network Adapter • Saitek Eclipse Keyboard/Razer Copperhead Mouse

$1299.99

$1799.99

Item # BTO 038532

Available At

Athlon

Item # BTO 038530

TigerDirect.com 888-237-6699

$3399.99

Item # BTO 038580 Service Code

MCSM 1006

Copyright 2005, Systemax, Inc. All rights reserved. All trademarks are property of their respective owners.

Systemax recommends Microsoft® Windows® XP Professional

Ascent

The AMD Athlon™ 64 X2 Dual-Core processor has demonstrated increased performance over single-core processors and the closest competitive processors.

Athlon

Systemax Ascent Series Systemax Ascent HA3200

Systemax Ascent BA3500

Systemax Ascent BAX3800

• AMD Athlon™ 64 Processor 3200+ • Microsoft® Windows® XP Home • 512MB PC3200 Memory • 160GB SATA Hard Drive • 16x Dual Layer DVD Burner • Systemax Keyboard & Mouse

• AMD Athlon™ 64 Processor 3500+ • Microsoft® Windows® XP Professional • 1GB PC3200 Memory • 160GB SATA Hard Drive • 16x Dual Layer DVD Burner • Systemax Keyboard & Mouse

• AMD Athlon™ 64 X2 Dual Core Processor 3800+ • Microsoft® Windows® XP Professional •1GB PC4200 DDR2 • 250GB SATA Hard Drive • 16x Dual Layer DVD Burner • ATI X300 128MB Video • Systemax Keyboard & Mouse

$499.99 Item # SYXS-DC-989338

$599.99 Item # SYXS-DB-989339

$699.99 Item # BTO 989341

Athlon

Neotach

Athlon

Assembled and Supported in the USA Every Systemax PC and Notebook is Assembled, Serviced and Supported by our own team — right here in America. You can expect the best value — and the best service. Plus, any of our notebooks and desktops are fully customizable. Systemax’s impressive new Neotach 3400 laptop offers a sleek, masterful design, lots of power and speed, plus an abundance of great features.

Systemax Neotach 3400 Ready To Ship Pre-Configured Notebook • AMD Turion™ 64 MT-34 • Microsoft® Windows® XP Home • 256MB PC2700 Memory • 40GB Hard Drive • DVD/CD Combo Drive • 13” WXGA • 4.2lbs

$799.99

Item # BTO 038576

Need Help? No problem!...Call for 24-Hour Live Expert Advice from Digital Specialists!

, CONTENTS

22 Top-six picks: The latest must-have gadgets and gear

OCTOBER 2006 VOLUME 26 NUMBER 10 ISSUE 319

DESKTOPS

24 26 26 28 28 28

Dell XPS 700 Velocity Micro Vector GX Campus Edition Cyberpower Back to School Super Value Maingear X-Cube Polywell Poly 430AM2 Shuttle XPC P2 2700

32

NOTEBOOKS

30 30 32 32

Fujitsu LifeBook Q2010 Micro Express EL80 Alienware Aurora m9700 Panasonic ToughBook 74 COMPONENTS

66

34 34 34 38 38 38

PRINTERS

SPACE-SAVING DESKTOPS

66

Go Micro Whether you’re short on space or simply value style, the latest ultracompact desktop PCs are undeniably cool—and often feature potent parts such as dual-core CPUs and roomy hard drives. We tested five of the latest to find out which deserves your precious desk space.

40 40

Trick Out Your Tech Sure, you might love your laptop or iPod as it is—but how about accessories that make working with a good thing better? Our collection of must-have add-ons will have you rockin’, recording, and recharging with your high-tech companions more smoothly than ever. NEXT-GENERATION WEB SERVICES

88

Brave New Web Brokering peace between IM services, keeping you fit, selling off your old CDs, helping you research real estate: The latest generation of online services, awash in new technologies and improved functionality, are the best yet. Our guide takes you to 20 of our favorite “Web 2.0” sites on today’s Net.

Page 88

Page 34

Page 134

Page 66 Page 75

Page 106

34 Intel aims to snatch the CPU performance crown from AMD with its new Core 2 Extreme X6800. Find out which processor rules.

46

MOBILE PRODUCTS

46 46

RIM BlackBerry 7130c Navman iCN 750 DIGITAL CAMERAS

48 48 48

Casio Exilim EX-Z1000 Kodak EasyShare C643 Sony Alpha DSLR-A100 DIGITAL AUDIO

50 50 50

Archos 104 Bose QuietComfort 3 Creative Zen V Plus DIGITAL LIVING

25 54 54 54 56

Page 25 Page 24

Belkin N1 Wireless Router Panasonic HD-PLC Ethernet Adapter Starter Pack

Samsung BD-P1000 HP LC3760N Samsung HL-S5687W Sony STR-DG800 SOFTWARE

Page 125

Page 100

Dell 1815dn Lexmark X342n Laser All-in-One HOME NETWORKING

42 42

28 MUST-HAVE ACCESSORIES

75

38

ATI Theater 650 Pro Intel Core 2 Extreme X6800 Plextor PX-SP08U Shock Proof Portable Hard Drive Iomega StorCenter Wireless Network Storage 1TB Logitech MX Revolution Cordless Laser Mouse nVidia GeForce 7950 GX2

56 58 58 58

48

Altiris Software Virtualization Solution CyberLink PowerDVD 7 Max Eudora 7 Ovation PodMediaCreator 54 TOP 25

62

The best mainstream PCs, thin-and-light laptops, digital SLR cameras, input devices, and music-download services.

computershopper.com October 2006

9

Intel Logo, Intel Core, Intel Inside, Intel Inside Logo, Intel SpeedStep, Intel Viiv, Itanium, Itanium Inside, Pentium, Pentium Inside, Xeon and Xeon Inside are trademarks or registered trademarks of Intel Corporation or its subsidiaries in the United States and other countries.

1 888 XPC 1818

Great things come in small packages Shuttle XPC X100 This 2-inch slim desktop out performs tower desktop computers, minus the bulk. Watch a movie, listen to your music, play games, surf the internet. Featuring the Intel® Core 2 Duo™ Processor, with built-in wireless connectivity and Media Card Reader, a slot loading disc drive, and more. Working and playing in style never looked so good, until now. See for yourself.

www.shuttle.com

ind select XPCs at > BestBuy

PC Made Modern

Help & How-To

106

COMPUTER CURES

95

One reader wants to upgrade his BIOS, another wants to install multiple hard drives, and another wants to evade prying online eyes. Our tech-help guru has useful advice for them all.

TechMarket

WEEKEND PROJECT

COMPLETE PRODUCT MARKETPLACE GUIDE

100 Power Up With a New PSU If your desktop doesn’t perk up when you hit the power button—or acts unstable after you’ve added new, watthungry components—you might need to replace your power-supply unit (PSU). We’ll show you how in just a few easy steps. 106 RSS to the Rescue Internet addicts, rejoice! With the help of an RSS reader, you can keep current with all of your favorite Web sites and blogs. Find out how to get started.

109 114 116 118 120 122

Performance Desktops Budget Notebooks Budget Graphics Cards External Hard Drives Home and Small-Office Laser Printers Mainstream LCDs

Web Buyer

121

THE BEST SITES FOR ONLINE SHOPPING

125 125 126 128 128 130

BUYING BASICS

134 How to Buy the Right Inkjet Printer

Tech Products Flat-Panel Displays and Televisions Batteries and Power Direct PC Vendors Software Price-Comparison Sites

Also in This Issue TRENDS

19

Microsoft hatches a portable music player to rival Apple’s iPod. Plus, HP develops a new, minuscule memory card, and ATO creates a sleeve that enables iPods to display high-definition video. GEAR

22

• Altec Lansing M602 • Antec Fusion • Logitech QuickCam Ultra Vision • Motorola Portable Power P790 • Sony Mylo • Titan Infinity Power

12 12 131 133

Editor’s Note Letters Spotlight Ad Index

22

DEPARTMENTS

22

OCTOBER 2006 VOLUME 26 NUMBER 10 ISSUE 319 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, 460 Park Ave. S., New York, NY 10016-7942. 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.

computershopper.com October 2006

11

EDITOR’S NOTE JANICE CHEN I needed a compact computer was because I lived in a tiny Manhattan apartment in which space was at a premium. But after moving to the ’burbs last year, where I now have plenty of elbow room, I’m discovering that a space-saving

I USED TO THINK THE ONLY REASON

PC design is more attractive than ever. My home PC of choice in the city had been a desktop-replacement notebook, but now I’m looking to add both kitchen and living-room computers. For these rooms, the low cost and flexible ergonomics of small-form-factor desktop PCs are quite appealing. Happily, a number of very cool options are on the market today. Our roundup of space-saving desktops, “Go Micro” (p. 66), highlights five models priced from $770 to a maximum of just $1,099. Sleek designs range from the super-minimalist Apple Mac Mini to the low-profile Shuttle XPC X100, which looks more like a consumerelectronics device than a PC. And as petite as they are, these systems are no slouches when it comes to performance—four came tricked out with dual-core processors, and all were loaded with 1GB of DDR2 SDRAM. Desktop PCs aren’t the only good things coming in diminu-

LETTERS PRAISE FOR “POWER PARTS” I’m writing to express my appreciation for the “Power Parts” feature from the August issue (p. 72). I subscribe to Computer Shopper and other PC magazines to stay abreast of evolving technology concepts and buzzwords. I also build my own desktops, and this article really hit the sweet spot. Keep ’em coming! Robert Griswold

DELL STORES ARE A DUMB IDEA I read in your August issue that Dell plans to open retail stores without any inventory in stock (“Dell Goes Shopping at Upscale Malls,” p. 16). What an incredible concept: You go to a mall, find a Dell store, find the PC you want, tell the salesperson, “I’ll take this one,” only to be told that they don’t

tive packages these days. Accessorizing your tech gear with a few small add-ons can result in a large boost to productivity and fun. You already have the latest laptop or the sweetest MP3 player—couple it with the right accessory, and you can quadruple your satisfaction. Turn to “Trick Out Your Tech” (p. 75) to find 28 ways to gussy up your gear. Whether it’s a security system for your notebook, a docking station for your iPod, or a backup device for your cell phone, you’re sure to find a handful of must-have companions for all your tech. You’ve probably heard the term “Web 2.0” bandied about. Everyone is talking about it, and numerous blogs are dedicated to chronicling Web 2.0 as a business trend, a social phenomenon, the next-generation bubble—you name it. But what does any of that really mean to an end user? To answer the question, we’ve picked 20 of the best Web 2.0 sites to show you what they can do for you. Turn to “Brave New Web” (p. 88) and find a CD-bartering site, a new tool for clipping and sharing snippets of other Web sites, a family-oriented social-networking site, and much more. [email protected]

D WIN!

have it there. In reality, you use an in-store terminal to order your PC online and then wait weeks to receive it. For this “convenience,” you pay the same price, taxes, and delivery charges that you would when ordering a Dell from the comfort of your own home. If I go to the mall to buy a PC, I want to take the thing home with me. Otherwise, why bother? Jim Penrose

EXTRA ANTIVIRUS ADVICE I enjoy reading the antivirus-software recommendations in Computer Shopper, but I want to pass on some information I haven’t seen published in your magazine. I recently discovered that my ISP (my local cable company) offers

A Toshiba Gigabeat S60 Portable Media Player Go to computershopper.com/survey. See sweepstakes rules on p. 99. McAfee antivirus, firewall, and privacy software to its subscribers at no cost. I feel this is worth mentioning so that other readers can investigate getting free protection. Before switching to McAfee, I used Grisoft’s AVG. I’ve been happy with both products, but I think McAfee, with its built-in firewall, has the advantage. Patti Conley

We want to hear from you. Letters, Computer Shopper 460 Park Ave. South, 9th Fl. New York, NY 10016 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.

12

October 2006 computershopper.com

WHEN YOU HAVE SUPERIOR TECHNOLOGY AND THE BEST WARRANTY, YOU HAVE PEACE OF MIND. Relax. Reliability is here with the new line of LG flat screen LCD monitors. Backed by a 3-year QuickSwap warranty program, our monitors feature ultra-fast response times, high-contrast ratios, and LG's award-winning picture enhancing chip _ the . Combine that with LG's established reputation for quality and dependability, and you'll have customers that can work worry-free. Visit LGsuperseller.com to find out more.

Brilliant As…Reliable As…Innovative as LG.

Widescreen series

Professional series

Corporate series

Specifications are subject to change without notice. ©2006 LG Electronics, Inc. Englewood Cliffs, NJ. LG Design and Life's Good are trademarks of LG Electronics, Inc.

www.LGusa.com

www.LGsuperseller.com

Whatever happened to singing along with your favorite bands?

If you’re still keeping your car stereo tuned to the traffic channel, it’s time you installed Google Maps on your phone and turned the music back on. A free download, Google Maps is the quick and easy way to see traffic conditions along your route.

google.com/gmm

See traffic delays – and don’t cause them. Do not use the application while driving. © Copyright 2006. All rights reserved. Google and the Google logo are registered trademarks of Google Inc.

Information brought to you by the USB Implementers Forum

Coming Next Month

EDITOR IN CHIEF EDITOR MANAGING EDITOR ART DIRECTOR SENIOR EDITOR SENIOR ASSOCIATE EDITOR

THE TOP 100 PRODUCTS OF THE YEAR Our annual guide to the best in tech showcases our favorite PCs, peripherals, gadgets, software, and consumer electronics for 2006. With the holidays approaching, it’s also a handy shopping tool for the tech lovers on your list.

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

CNET REVIEWS EXECUTIVE EDITORS

SECTION EDITOR SENIOR EDITORS

SENIOR ASSOCIATE EDITORS ASSOCIATE EDITORS

ASSISTANT EDITORS

THE BEST ONLINE PRICECOMPARISON SITES The easiest way to save money when you shop the Web is to compare prices before you buy— but you’ll need the best pricing engine to get the best deal. We’ll take a look at the major players and pick a winner.

Janice J. Chen

LABS MANAGER ASSISTANT LABS MANAGER TESTING ANALYST ASSOCIATE TESTING ANALYST LAB TECHNICIANS INVENTORY COORDINATOR PHOTO DIRECTOR PRODUCER PRODUCTION ASSISTANT

PUBLISHER

Scott Ard, David Carnoy, John Morris, Mike Ricciuti, Lindsey Turrentine Matthew Elliott Wayne Cunningham, John P. Falcone, Kent German, Lori Grunin, David Katzmaier, James Kim, Phil Ryan, Robert Vamosi Dan Ackerman, Rich Brown, Bonnie Cha, Michelle Thatcher Jasmine France, Nicole Lee, Kevin Massy, Elsa Wenzel, Felisa Yang Will Greenwald, David Rudden Daniel A. Begun Eric Franklin Dong Ngo Matthew Fitzgerald Michael Degnan, Matthew Wood Pedro Burgos Jody L. Gianni Neal Okin Dino Salee

Colleen Daly

A DV E RT I S I N G S A L E S EAST COAST SALES MANAGER

Steven Goodman

NORTHEAST

NEXT-GENERATION DVD Confused about the differences between Blu-ray and HD-DVD? Our guide will break down the jargon, explain the latest developments in the high-definitionformat wars, and tell you which DVD players to keep an eye on.

IL, IN, MA, ME, MI, MN, MO, OH, NH, RI, VT, WI, REGIONAL SALES MANAGER

SOUTHEAST

AL, AR, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, KY, LA, MD, MS, NC, NJ, NY, PA, SC, TN, TX, VA, WV REGIONAL SALES MANAGER

Justin Schiller (917) 326-8704

NORTHWEST

CA ZIP

codes 94000-94356+, ID, MT, NV, OR, UT, WA, WY, Canada Gabriel Rogol (650) 270-4961 A C C O U N T E X E C U T I V E Aida Rodriguez (708) 836-1231

REGIONAL SALES MANAGER

SOUTHWEST

codes 90000-93599, AZ, CO, IA, KS, ND, NE, NM, OK, SD R E G I O N A L S A L E S M A N A G E R Eric Farmer (310) 376-5878 A C C O U N T E X E C U T I V E Aida Rodriguez (708) 836-1231

CA ZIP

ACCOUNT COORDINATOR (EAST COAST)

UPGRADE YOUR HARD DRIVE Whether you’re installing a second drive or setting up a new boot drive, find out how to add storage with minimal fuss.

Canada Nancy Roscoe (917) 326-8720

ACCOUNT COORDINATOR (WEST COAST)

V P, M A R K E T I N G GM, ONLINE PUBLISHING

Elizabeth Jang (917) 326-8726 Jess Follansbee (917) 326-8722

Josh London

MARKETING SENIOR MARKETING MANAGER TECHNICAL PRODUCER CIRCULATION DIRECTOR DIRECTOR, SINGLE-COPY SALES

V P, B U S I N E S S O P E R AT I O N S

Elizabeth Hill Dan O’Brien Frank Ruiz Mark Peterson

Martha Sybert

PRODUCTION SENIOR PRODUCTION MANAGER LAYOUT ADMINISTRATOR ELECTRONIC PREPRESS SPECIALIST ACCOUNTANT/FINANCIAL ANALYST OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR

Jane M. Hazel Randall McCall Deborah Jarski Francia Wilson Adriana Melendez

SX 2 M E D I A L A B S PRESIDENT AND CEO CHIEF STRATEGY OFFICER CHAIRMAN

On Newsstands October 10 16 October 2006

computershopper.com

David Sills Elizabeth Roberts Barry Schwimmer

Computer Shopper, 460 Park Ave. South, 9th Fl., New York, NY 10016 Sales Info: 800-999-7467, Editorial: 917-326-8700, Fax: 212-481-0920 Customer Service: 877-214-7390, Subscription Inquiries: 800-274-6384

HP recommends Windows XP Professional ®

Outperform. Outprotect. The 17" widescreen HP Compaq nx9420 Business Notebook with Intel® Centrino® Duo Mobile Technology and integrated fingerprint reader helps secure your business—anywhere. It offers desktop power and stunning high-end graphics, without the desk. To start protecting, call 1-800-799-MYHP. Find a reseller at hp.com/go/reseller, or visit hp.com/go/nx9420. Starting at $1,399.

© 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. Dual-Core is a new technology designed to improve performance of certain software products. Check with software provider to determine suitability. Not all customers or software applications will necessarily benefit from use of this technology. 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.

TRENDS UPCOMING TECHNOLOGIES AND PRODUCTS

Microsoft to Challenge iPod With New Zune Music Player, Software AFTER YEARS of attempts to defeat the iPod/iTunes juggernaut through various partners, Microsoft plans to go up against Apple with an independent line of digital entertainment devices. Microsoft says it will launch music software and players under the Zune brand—with its first product available this year—but has provided few details. The initial device, which will use a hard drive to store music, will feature built-in Wi-Fi capabilities, according to Microsoft. Chris Stephenson, general manager of marketing for the company, tells Billboard that other Zune devices, including a video player, are in the works. Stephenson also lends some credence to speculation that the company’s player will use wireless connectivity so users can share music with other Zune devices. “We see a great oppor-

Voice Troubles Percentage of Calls VoIP Users Deemed Low-Quality

2005

15 percent 2006

20 percent

tunity to bring together technology and community, and to allow consumers to explore and discover music together,” he says. Microsoft is apparently still figuring out how the wireless sharing will

vices, including computers, phones, and the Xbox 360. Until now, Microsoft has largely relied on partners to manufacture the players and software that use its Windows Media digital rights technology, as well as tie

work. In the Billboard interview, Stephenson says the company is looking at several different options, including downloading music directly to a device, as well as sampling music from nearby devices. Zune-branded devices are only part of Microsoft’s strategy, however, and Stephenson says Microsoft’s broader vision includes people playing and discovering music from a variety of de-

them into the Windows Media Player software built into the Windows OS. One of the big questions surrounding Zune is whether any Microsoft music service will work with all the thirdparty players available. Also unclear is whether rival music services, such as Napster, RealNetworks’ Rhapsody, and Urge, will work with Microsoft’s upcoming player. —Ina Fried and Daniel Terdiman

News.com

20 HP’s Memory Spot Device Could Be Boon for Marketers 20 Does Wi-Fi Security Matter? 20 Add-On Brings HD Video to iPod 22 Gear

• TRENDSPOTTING

It’s hard resisting the temptation to take a whack at your laptop when it isn’t working right, but Nathan Harrington, an IBM programmer, has devised a way to knock on your notebook to make it do what you want. Harrington’s technique uses the Linux OS and shock-protecting accelerometers embedded into many Lenovo (previously IBM) and Apple laptop hard drives. An application called KnockAge allows you to tap out codes to control system commands. Coders can also use a Perl script to program their own commands. More information is available at www-128.ibm.com/ developerworks/linux/ library/l-knockage.html. —Sean Portnoy

Magnetic RAM Looks to Attract Device Makers Freescale Semiconductor has won the race to get a magnetic form of computer memory to market, but the RAM’s high cost could keep it from appearing in machines and devices in the near future. The company recently released its MR2A16A chip, which it says is the first commercial Magnetoresistive Random Access Memory (MRAM) device. In MRAM, a tiny magnetic field is created inside a memory cell on a chip. The computer then measures the electrical resistance, exhibited by the magnetic field at any given moment, to determine whether the cell

should be read as a “1” or a “0,” the binary building blocks of data. MRAM is faster than most types of computer memory, consumes little power, and can hold data even after the computer is turned off. Proponents say it could eventually replace both flash memory and DRAM. Freescale’s MR2A16A chips aren’t cheap, however. The 4-megabit MRAM part now shipping costs $25. By comparison, a device maker buying DRAM can get 512MB for about the same News.com price. —Michael Kanellos

Source: Brix Networks

computershopper.com October 2006

19

TRENDS TECH NEWS

HP’s Memory Spot Puts Video, Audio Anywhere Does Wi-Fi HEWLETT-PACKARD Laboratories has managed to squeeze a computer onto a sticker smaller than a grain of rice. Memory Spot, a technology devised by HP’s research division, is a tiny self-contained data-storage device, complete with a built-in antenna and processor. You can attach the chip to practically anything, allowing you to supplement a document or photo with relevant digital information, including video or audio recordings. The technology aims to augment real-world items such as products, menus, flyers, and brochures. While a DVD case may contain blurbs and stills from a movie, for instance, a Memory Spot could allow producers to include previews and full reviews, says Howard

Taub, vice president of HP Labs. Plus, the data can be erased and rewritten several times, which means hospital wristbands outfitted with

HP Memory Spot

Memory Spots could contain complete and current patient records. “We have built a device that allows us to bridge the physical and digital world,”

Taub says. “We have made hundreds of these chips. The questions now are the business questions: ‘How much will they cost? Where will they be used?’” The tags won’t come out— if they do get released commercially—for a couple of years, and estimates place costs between 10 and 50 cents each, Taub says. But consumers should get a good amount of memory for their money, he asserts. Prototype chips now hold between 256 kilobits and 4 megabits of flash memory, and these chips were made with the relatively old 180-nanometer manufacturing process. “There is no reason you can’t go smaller [in size] and see higher capacities,” Taub says. —Michael Kanellos

News.com

High-Definition Video Add-On Coming to iPod THIS FALL, the Advanced Technology Office (ATO) plans to introduce an accessory that will turn any Apple iPod, whether it’s video-capable or not, into a portable high-definition (HD) video player. The as-yet-unnamed device is essentially a sleeve, with a built-in LCD screen, that slips around an iPod. It will sell for between $199 and $250 and handle MPEG-4, DivX, HD.264, and other video formats. The battery on the device will last about five hours, according to John Scott, the startup’s CEO. The company launched its first iPod video sleeve, the iSee 360, earlier this year, and is selling it at Best Buy, Wal-Mart, and other retail stores. While the past couple of

20

generations of iPods use USB 2.0 inputs, plugging into the USB 2.0 slots of different iPod models is difficult due to their slight physical differences. ATO has also had to tailor its product for compati-

ATO iSee

bility with standard-size iPods and iPod Nanos. The iSee also partitions storage within the iPod, creating an area for regular iPod content, plus another for content you wish to view

October 2006 computershopper.com

with the iSee. By splitting the hard drive or memory, the iSee lets consumers store video clips not encoded with Apple’s copyright-protection software. Scott, like most of the other employees at

ATO, originally worked at Apple, and produces the product under a license from the company. ATO has enlisted Philips to make some of the chips for the iSee. —M.K.

News.com

Security Matter?

A large percentage of Wi-Fi networks are “horribly insecure,” according to researchers at Indiana University. But some experts argue that an unsecured network is not necessarily a bad thing, as long as the devices on them are secure. In a study of almost 2,500 access points in Indianapolis, presented at the Workshop on the Economics of Information Security at the University of Cambridge, researchers found that 46 percent ran without any form of encryption. Also, most of the secured networks used routers with security settings that had been preinstalled by the vendor, rather than having been activated by the end user. “People just really don’t care about Wi-Fi security, and open Wi-Fi at home is a nice big target,” says Matthew Hottell, lecturer in informatics at Indiana University. Bruce Schneier, a security expert, argues, however, that as long as people’s devices are secure, having a secured network is unnecessary. “I have a completely open Wi-Fi network,” Schneier tells ZDNet UK. “Firstly, I don’t care if my neighbors are using my network. Secondly, I’ve protected my computers. Thirdly, it’s polite. When people come over they can use it.” —Tom Espiner

News.com

GEAR NEW PRODUCTS BY ERIN KANDEL

The great communicator Sony’s $350 Mylo is a master multitasker. The 5.3-ounce device features a microphone and speaker for making mobile Skype calls, plus built-in 802.11b/g Wi-Fi connectivity and an Opera Web browser. For easy instant messaging, the 2.4-inch color screen slides up to reveal a full-size QWERTY keyboard. The Mylo can also store music, photos, and MPEG-4 video in its 1GB of flash memory. Sony rates the battery life at an impressive 30 hours per charge. Sony Electronics, www.sonystyle.com

Juice on the loose

Crystal-clear cam The $129.99 Logitech QuickCam Ultra Vision may be bigger than your average Webcam, but it packs more than enough features to justify its size. The chrome-plated camera has a 1.3-megapixel sensor that, when combined with the unit’s glass lens, allows for sharp, bright video capture, even in low-light environments. The camera can also record in widescreen format and has a built-in mic, so you don’t need to pair it with a geeky headset. Logitech, www.logitech.com

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No electricity? No problem. Charge up your mobile devices with the wire-free Motorola Portable Power P790. With the same slick, rounded-corners design as Motorola’s Pebl handset, this $49.99 rechargeable battery pack can power your cell phone for one or two full charges, or your Bluetooth headset for more than 10. Plus, because the P790 plugs into any standard miniUSB port, you can use it to charge any other compatible device that needs power in a pinch. Motorola, www.motorola.com

Rockin’ iPod box Not only does the $199.95 Altec Lansing M602 rock the house, this elegant speaker also looks great in any room. The integrated dock fits all iPods (except the Shuffle), and you can connect other players with the included cable. Feel like switching from music to movies? The M602 has a composite-video output so you can connect it to your television. The wireless remote lets you control functions such as volume, bass, and treble from across the room. Altec Lansing, www.alteclansing.com

Cool fusion Build a Media Center PC that’s fit for your living room with the $219 Antec Fusion case. The stylish enclosure’s brushed-aluminum front bezel is adorned with a high-contrast vacuum-fluorescent display and a volume knob that works with Windows Media Center applications. On the inside, the Fusion’s unique threechamber design helps dissipate heat and keeps noise from the included 430-watt power supply and two 120mm fans from interrupting your home theater experience. Antec, www.antec.com

Power perfection To keep your PC running quiet and cool, Titan’s Infinity Power power supply has two internal fans that automatically adjust speed to regulate temperature and help prevent your internal components from overheating. The supply supports Scalable Link Interface (SLI) and comes in three colors—black, gold, and silver—and four wattages, ranging from 400 ($99.99) to 550 ($139.99). All models come in a sturdy metal case that doubles as a storage compartment for your PC accessories. Titan Computer, www.titan-cd.com

computershopper.com October 2006

23

REVIEWS THE LATEST HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE PRODUCTS

Dell XPS 700 Intel’s latest CPU finally pushes XPS line to gaming excellence DELL’S Core 2 Duo-based XPS 700 performance desktop revitalizes the company’s line of boutique-class PCs, as it goes up against the likes EDITORS’ RATING 8.1 of Falcon Northwest and Velocity Micro. 0 BETTER >> 10 It’s not perfect, but PROS Striking new case design; clean the PC wins Dell interior; configurable with Intel’s new some gaming-desktop Core 2 Duo, Core 2 Extreme CPUs; nVidia credibility. At press chipset boosts performance time, however, Intel’s CONS A few design issues; Core 2 Duo Core 2 chips were in in short supply short supply. SPECS 2.9GHz Core 2 Extreme X6800; Dell definitely put 2GB DDR2; two 320GB hard drives; dousignificant thought ble-layer DVD±RW; DVD-ROM; no monitor; two nVidia GeForce 7900 GTX graphinto the XPS 700’s ics cards (512MB); Windows XP Media design. Besides the Center Edition 2005 case’s jet-engine Dell, 800-915-3355 appearance, touches www.dell.com like LEDs that light up Direct Price $4,005 the various ports and

What’s the Deal? While Dell had no trouble dominating when it came to performance/gaming notebooks, it hasn’t had the same luck breaking into the gaming-desktop space, in part because of its allegiance to Intel. That partnership is finally paying off, however, with the release of Intel’s Core 2 Duo CPUs and Dell’s XPS 700. What it’s for: Gaming, but with this much power, also general home and office tasks, as well as editing, managing, and using digital media content. Who it’s for: Those looking for a top-notch gaming rig or performance PC with Media Center abilities. Businesses can use it to tackle heavy number crunching, productivity applications, and intensive graphics work. What’s included: A one-year parts-and-labor warranty with exclusive XPS 24/7 toll-free phone support, a Saitek Eclipse backlit gaming keyboard, Logitech’s G5 gaming mouse, Dell AS501 stereo speakers, and a Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi XtremeMusic sound card. Extra essentials: Games and software. The bottom line: Dell’s XPS 700 lives up to our expectations and delivers a polished, powerful, cutting-edge gaming PC. We still have a few quibbles, but none is a deal killer. Dell can now hold its head high in the gamingenthusiast market.

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October 2006 computershopper.com

drive-panel buttons, along with an easy-to-remove side panel, certainly set the XPS 700 apart from the rest of Dell’s desktops. Inside, cables are neatly routed for better airflow and unencumbered access to empty bays. The XPS 700 isn’t without a few design flaws, however. Its aluminum-clad chassis is a true beast, taller than most current desktops and weighing about 57 pounds. We didn’t like the plastic hardware on the front panel, either; the drive-bay and front-port covers felt flimsy. And with no reset button or power-supply kill switch, your only option for a hard shutdown is the annoying power nub. Our $4,005 review unit came fully loaded, featuring a 2.9GHz Core 2 Extreme X6800 CPU, 2GB of 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM, and two 512MB nVidia GeForce 7900 GTX cards. What really stood out, aside from the CPU, was the XPS 700’s motherboard, which breaks from Dell’s tradition of matching Intel chips to Intel motherboard chipsets. Our test unit used an nVidia chipset, which helped make the XPS 700 the fastest desktop we’ve tested to date on application performance. The PC also delivered excellent frame rates on our gaming tests. —Rich Brown The XPS 700’s spacious interior leaves plenty of room for airflow and access to empty bays.

CNET.com

in this section

Samsung BD-P1000

26 DESKTOPS

Blu-ray DVD player will appeal to well-heeled early adopters

Velocity Micro Vector GX Campus Edition Cyberpower Back to School

THE FIRST CONSUMER UNIT to play Blu-ray high-definition DVDs, the costly Samsung BD-P1000 will appeal to you only if you’re willing to risk $999.99 on a first-generation player in the middle of a

EDITORS’ RATING 0

6.6

BETTER >>

10

PROS Plays Blu-ray discs in true HD; 1080p output via HDMI; upscales standard DVDs to HD CONS Twice as expensive as Toshiba’s HD-A1 HD-DVD player; video quality at times less impressive than HD-DVD’s; some operational bugs Samsung Electronics America, 800-726-7864 www.samsung.com

Mfr. Est. Price $999.99 format war. Nonetheless, its impressive image quality can certainly make a highend high-definition television (HDTV) shine. The BD-P1000 steps out in the wake of Toshiba coming to market with its far cheaper HD-A1 player, which supports the other high-definition DVD format, HD-DVD. With no device capable of handling both formats yet, early adopters are

tos and play MP3 files from 10 types of flash media. The BD-P1000’s connections include a High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) output, a component-video output, and an S-Video and composite-video output. You’ll need to use the component-video or HDMI output to view the high-definition resolutions that show Blu-ray content to best advantage. The player can deliver 1080p video via its HDMI output, unlike current HD-DVD players, which support 1080i video. As expected, the BD-P1000 produced an excellent picture via HDMI and component-video outputs with Blu-ray discs. That said, we weren’t as impressed by the video quality of the first wave of Bluray titles as we were by their HD-DVD counterparts—perhaps due to their use of MPEG-2 compression instead of MPEG4. With normal DVDs, the BD-P1000 did a fine job upconverting them for display at 1080p HDMI, engaging 2-to- 3 pull-down quickly, while smoothing out jagged lines and preserving original detail. Like Toshiba’s HD-DVD player, however,

Super Value Maingear X-Cube Polywell Poly 430AM2 Shuttle XPC P2 2700 30 NOTEBOOKS Fujitsu LifeBook Q2010 Micro Express EL80 Alienware Aurora m9700 Panasonic ToughBook 74 34 COMPONENTS Iomega StorCenter Wireless Network Storage 1TB Logitech MX Revolution Cordless Laser Mouse nVidia GeForce 7950 GX2 ATI Theater 650 Pro Intel Core 2 Extreme X6800 Plextor PX-SP08U Shock Proof Portable Hard Drive 40 PRINTERS Dell 1815dn Lexmark X342n Laser All-in-One 42 HOME NETWORKING Belkin N1 Wireless Router Panasonic HD-PLC Ethernet Adapter Starter Pack 46 MOBILE PRODUCTS RIM BlackBerry 7130c Navman iCN 750 48 DIGITAL CAMERAS Casio Exilim EX-Z1000 Kodak EasyShare C643 Sony Alpha DSLR-A100

left to pick a format and hope it doesn’t slip into obsolescence. Either format will deliver better audio and video quality than standard DVDs, and should outperform broadcast HDTV sources. Both have potential for moreinteractive features and more-advanced menu systems than traditional DVDs, including improved versions of standard surround soundtracks such as Dolby True HD, Dolby Digital Plus, and DTS-HD. One of the cooler features of the BDP1000 (as well as of HD-DVD units) is the pop-up menu, which overlays the action without pausing it, so you can browse scenes and special features while the movie continues to play. The player also features two card readers on the front panel, enabling it to display digital pho-

Samsung’s unit wasn’t immune to a few operational quirks. Its load times were relatively slow, although faster than the Toshiba player’s. Also, we noted a few strange playback bugs. The most irksome: The BD-P1000 sometimes spit back Blu-ray discs that had previously played perfectly well, requiring us to reload the discs until they eventually worked. —David Katzmaier

CNET.com

50 DIGITAL AUDIO Archos 104 Bose QuietComfort 3 Creative Zen V Plus 54 DIGITAL LIVING HP LC3760N Samsung HL-S5687W Sony STR-DG800 56 SOFTWARE Altiris Software Virtualization Solution

The BD-P1000, the first consumer Blu-ray DVD player to hit the market, delivers 1080p high-definition output via its HDMI connector.

CyberLink PowerDVD 7 Max Eudora 7 Ovation PodMediaCreator

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

computershopper.com October 2006

25

REVIEWS DESKTOPS

Velocity Micro Vector GX Campus Edition Near-perfect budget system is as capable as it is attractive AT $999 for a full configuration—complete with a 17-inch AOpen LCD and three-piece speakers—Velocity Micro’s Vector GX Campus Edition offers strong performance compared with similarly priced pre-Core 2 Duo systems. It features the lowest-end processor in the Intel Core 2 Duo lineup: the 1.86GHz Core 2 Duo E6300. Further, the PC is backed by 1GB of DDR2 SDRAM, a 250GB hard drive, and a 256MB nVidia GeForce 7600 GS 3D-graphics EDITORS’ RATING 8.0 card. That’s a lot of computer 0 BETTER >> 10 at a budget price. In fact, the PROS Excellent price for the only thing missing is a meperformance; highly upgradable dia-card reader, and that’s available as a $25 add-on. CONS Media-card reader costs In our tests, the E6300 extra processor was a solid perSPECS 1.86GHz Core 2 Duo former, competing favorably E6300; 1GB DDR2; 250GB hard with its AMD competition. drive; double-layer DVD±RW; DVD-ROM; 17-inch AOpen LCD; This configuration will tackle nVidia GeForce 7600 GS graphics schoolwork, Web browsing, (256MB); Windows XP Home light gaming, and common Edition digital-media tasks without Velocity Micro, 800-303-7866 problems. It will also run www.velocitymicro.com Windows Vista with the Aero Direct Price $999 effects turned on, according

to Microsoft’s Vista system requirements. If you decide to add more components, whether before or after your purchase, you’ll find room for upgrades, including three empty standard PCI slots, as well as three x1 PCI Express slots. Velocity Micro’s build quality doesn’t disappoint, either, with looks that help the PC stand out from the bargain-system pack. The Vector GX comes standard with one year of partsand-labor coverage. We especially like the company’s comprehensive online support, which is among the best in the industry: It’s easy to navigate CNET.com and clearly written. —Rich Brown

Cyberpower Back to School Super Value Dual-core CPU makes budget PC worth buying CYBERPOWER offers a wide variety of both preconfigured and totally customizable PCs. The company’s aptly named Back to School Super Value model ushers in a new era of budget PCs by serving up a dual-core processor. Our test model came in a somewhat inelegant case, but the PC’s easy-to-swallow $599 price makes this design quibble seem minor. Thanks to Cyberpower’s seemingly limitless configuration options, you can choose among a wide variety of cases, though most look like the default Raidmax case we got. Inside is room for two additional RAM sticks, two extra hard drives, and a whopping four additional optical drives. The case also has two 3.5-inch drive bays, one occupied by a media-card reader. Expansion should be easy with two vacant x1 PCI Express slots and three empty standard PCI slots. The PC fea-

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October 2006 computershopper.com

EDITORS’ RATING 0

BETTER >>

7.6 10

PROS Dual-core CPU at a low tures seven USB 2.0 ports price; copious upgrade options; split between front and three-year standard warranty back, but no FireWire ports. CONS Unattractive case; no (A FireWire PCI card is a $19 FireWire port; minimal online add-on.) support resources One of the few SPECS 2GHz Athlon 64 X2 nonconfigurable 3800+; 1GB DDR2; 250GB hard parts is the CPU: a drive; double-layer DVD±RW; no 2GHz Athlon 64 X2 monitor; nVidia GeForce 7300 GS graphics (256MB); Windows XP 3800+. It’s an excelHome Edition lent choice for generCyberpower, 800-707-0393 al academic work, as www.cyberpowerpc.com well as gaming and multimedia, and it Direct Price $599 performed well across the board in our tests. With the PC’s budget nVidia graphics card, however, newer 3D games weren’t playable at a resolution of 1,024x768. If you plan to do any gaming, upgrade to one of the 20 more-powerful cards offered. Because the Back to School is a budget PC, few extras come bundled, but a three-year warranty with free lifetime labor and phone support is included. Cyberpower’s online support is CNET.com limited, however. —Dan Ackerman

Gateway recommends Windows® XP Tablet PC Edition.

YOU’RE FLEXIBLE. SHOULDN’T YOUR TECHNOLOGY BE TOO? Gateway Notebooks Take School and Business Use to New Heights

YOU STUDY HARD AND WORK HARD. Shouldn’t your notebook be up to the task? Gateway has a solution for you. From lightweight ultraportable systems to powerful desktop replacements we have what you need. Looking for a new twist from your notebook? Get the Intel® Centrino® Duo Mobile Technology powered Gateway convertible notebook. The system combines the functionality of a performance notebook with the flexibility of an easy-to-use tablet with Genuine Windows® XP Tablet PC Edition and standard Genuine Windows® XP basic across all notebooks for anytime, everywhere use.

Gateway has the solutions you need for productivity, utility and virtually anything else. Get into a Gateway today call 866-730-7511 or visit Gateway.com All offers valid in the US only and are subject to change without notice or obligation. May not be available through all sales channels. Prices exclude shipping and handling. Applicable taxes extra. ©2006 Gateway, Inc. All rights reserved. Gateway Terms and Conditions of Sale apply. Trademarks used herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of Gateway, Inc. in the United States and other countries. Celeron, Celeron Inside, Centrino, Centrino Logo, Core Inside, Intel, Intel Logo, Intel Core, Intel Inside, Intel Inside Logo, Intel SpeedStep, Intel Viiv, Itanium, Itanium Inside, Pentium, Pentium Inside, Xeon and Xeon Inside are trademarks or registered trademarks of Intel Corporation or its subsidiaries in the United States and other countries. Performance may vary. See www.intel.com for additional information. Microsoft and Microsoft XP are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. See important Microsoft activation requirements at gateway.com/ms-req. Not responsible for typographical errors. Ad code: 129275

computershopper.com/reviews

REVIEWS DESKTOPS

Maingear X-Cube Great gaming desktop for on-the-road fragging THE X-CUBE features the same strong craftsmanship we’re accustomed to from Maingear, as well as an excellent feature set, all in a compact, luggable, and striking small-form-factor (SFF) case. Our $3,172 review unit arrived coated in Speed Yellow custom EDITORS’ RATING 7.9 paint, a $300 option. (Other 0 BETTER >> 10 color choices are available, in addition to the two noPROS Great-looking inside and out; strong gaming performance; cost options of black and silthree-year standard warranty ver.) Inside, Maingear outfitted the X-Cube with an CONS Pricey; no expansion room; little online support assortment of blue LEDs attached to a handful of SPECS 2.2GHz Athlon 64 X2 strategically placed cooling 4400+; 2GB DDR2; 500GB hard drive; double-layer DVD±RW; no fans. The internals also feamonitor; nVidia GeForce 7950 ture the attention to detail GX2 graphics (1GB); Ageia PhysX that we like to see in premicard; Windows XP Professional um-price PCs, such as neatly Maingear, 908-624-9050 bound and routed cables www.maingear.com that allow for easy access to Direct Price $3,172 the components and maxi-

mum airflow. AMD’s latest AM2-family CPU, the Athlon 64 X2 4400+, is at the heart of the little box, which provides improved power efficiency— particularly important in an SFF case. Plus, nVidia’s dualGPU GeForce 7950 GX2 graphics card delivers performance approaching that of a pair of GeForce 7900 GTX cards. And to boost gameplay further, an Ageia PhysX processing card(a $300 option) was included as well. The PC’s performance was where it should be—statistically tied with similarly configured systems—and its 3D performance was outstanding. Maingear bundles a strong accessories package, including the Logitech G5 Laser Mouse and Saitek’s light-up Eclipse gaming keyboard, plus the games Tomb Raider: Legend and Ghost Recon: Advanced Warfighter. Maingear also provides three years of partsand-labor warranty coverage with toll-free phone CNET.com support, but online support is skimpy. —Rich Brown

Shuttle XPC P2 2700

Polywell Poly 430AM2

A power-packed little Media Center

Midrange PC offers respectable config, speed

WITH THE XPC P2 2700, Shuttle offers few configuration choices, but you do get a strong-performing small-form-factor (SFF) PC at a better price than competitors such as Falcon Northwest. The P2 2700 is a bit big compared with the SFF PCs in our roundup “Go Micro.” (See the Features section.) Its size allows for some expansion, however, such as adding a media-card reader, an item not standard on this box. 7.2 Our $2,392 configuration inEDITORS’ RATING cluded an AM2-chipset-based 0 BETTER >> 10 Athlon 64 X2 4800+ CPU, PROS Aggressive pricing; uses 2GB of DDR2 memory, and a latest AMD platform; speedy 10,000rpm hard drive. (At press time, Shuttle noted the topCONS Larger than other SFFs; media-card reader costs extra shelf CPU choice would be an Athlon 64 FX-62 instead.) The SPECS 2.4GHz Athlon 64 X2 X2 4800+ competes well 4800+; 2GB DDR2; 150GB hard drive; double-layer DVD±RW; no against the latest chips from monitor; nVidia GeForce 7900 Intel, and while it didn’t set GTX graphics (512MB); Windows any records on our tests, it’s XP Media Center Edition 2005 fast enough for just about any Shuttle Computer, 888-972-1818 mainstream demand. —R.B.

THE POLYWELL Poly 430AM2 EDITORS’ RATING 6.9 won’t win any design awards, and, at $1,350 (including a 190 BETTER >> 10 inch LCD monitor and sixPROS Dual-core Socket AM2 piece speakers), our test unit processor; component-video cost more than other budgetoutputs; plenty of hard drive space minded PCs of late. For the additional investment, however, CONS Plain-looking; only you get decent components, empty PCI slot is inaccessible including a dual-core CPU, a SPECS 2.2GHz Athlon 64 X2 midrange nVidia graphics 4200+; 1GB DDR2; two 160GB hard drives; double-layer card, and 320GB of storage. DVD±RW; 19-inch LCD; nVidia Built on a MicroATX mothGeForce 7600 GS graphics erboard, this well-outfitted (256MB); Windows XP Home desktop doesn’t have much Edition room for expansion, however. Polywell Computers For instance, the only open 800-900-5836 PCI slot is blocked by a small www.polywell.com daughtercard with compoDirect Price $1,350 nent-video outputs for use with the GeForce 7600 GS graphics card. Still, the 430AM2 is full of first-rate parts that made app performance snappy in our tests, especially for routine tasks. It’s also more than adequate as an entrylevel 3D-gaming CNET.com PC. —Dan Ackerman

us.shuttle.com

Direct Price $2,392

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October 2006 computershopper.com

REVIEWS NOTEBOOKS

Fujitsu LifeBook Q2010 A poweful ultraportable slim in size, not price THE DIMINUTIVE FUJITSU LifeBook Q2010 is small enough to use in even the most cramped coach seat—but, considering its price in our tested configuration ($3,498), anyone who can afford it is probably flying EDITORS’ RATING 7.9 first-class. This slender 0 BETTER >> 10 ultraportable will PROS Highly portable; powermake even Apple’s sleek ful for an ultraportable; wideMacBook self-conscious—it screen display; fingerprint weighs 2.2 pounds and is just reader 0.8 inch thick. Despite its peCONS Terrible battery life with tite size, it includes a 12.1standard battery; expensive; inch wide-screen display with cramped keyboard; optical drive resides in optional dock; no a highly usable 1,280x800 WWAN option resolution. SPECS 1.2GHz Core Solo The keyboard is small, U1400; 1GB DDR2; 80GB hard which is most apparent in the drive; double-layer DVD±RW (in few keys Fujitsu chose to dock); 12.1-inch TFT; Windows make half-size (notably, the XP Professional period key). The Q2010 has Fujitsu Computer Systems four programmable applica800-385-4878 tion-launch buttons, and us.fujitsu.com a fingerprint reader resides Direct Price $3,498 between the two mouse

buttons. As with most ultraportables, Fujitsu had to make some sacrifices to keep the Q2010’s size down. In this case, the Q2010 lacks an onboard optical drive, an Ethernet jack, or video-out ports. These features instead reside on the Q2010’s docking station. The portable does have a good bit built in, though: 802.11a/b/g wireless, two USB 2.0 ports, a FireWire port, a CardBus card slot, an SD-card reader, audio ins and outs, and dual microphones. An integrated wireless wide-area network (WWAN) option is conspicuously absent. Our top-end unit came with a 1.2GHz Intel Core Solo U1400 processor, 1GB of RAM, and an 80GB hard drive. The price also includes an additional high-capacity 7-hour battery, a $299 docking station, and three-year parts-and-labor warranty. Pitted against other ultraportables, the Q2010 performed well. It got trounced, however, on our battery tests, lasting a paltry 1 hour and 40 minutes with the CNET.com standard three-cell battery. —Andrew Gruen

Micro Express EL80 Weak performance overshadows impressive specs DESPITE ITS IMPRESSIVE spec list, which includes a fast Intel Core Duo processor and a discrete nVidia graphics processor, the Micro Express EL80 failed to impress us. This 7-pound laptop ($1,848 in our test configuration) suffers from one too many flaws. For starters, the EL80’s 15.4-inch wide-aspect screen is too glossy for its own good; it’s prone to glare and reflections in every environment except a theater-dark room. Its keyboard, though fullsize, is too loud and flexes even under light pressure. On the plus side, our unit featured a fingerprint reader, as well as media and quick-launch buttons that, because of their raised design, give the laptop a retro-chic appeal reminiscent of a late-’70s stereo. Due to its large case, the EL80

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EDITORS’ RATING 0

BETTER >>

5.4 10

has room for FireWire, VGA, PROS Great battery life; S-Video, and three USB 2.0 attractive retro styling; fingerprint ports, as well as a microreader phone jack and a headCONS Screen is too reflective; phone jack that supports flimsy, noisy keyboard; mediocre S/PDIF output. The laptop performance includes both a PC Card slot SPECS 2.16GHz Core Duo and an ExpressCard slot, in T2600; 2GB DDR2; 80GB hard addition to a four-format drive; double-layer DVD±RW; 15.4-inch TFT; Windows XP Home card reader. Networking opEdition tions include Ethernet, moMicro Express, 800-989-9900 dem, and 802.11a/b/g Wi-Fi. www.microexpress.net A double-layer DVD burner and one-year warranty Direct Price $1,848 round out the feature set. The EL80 we reviewed featured a 2.16GHz Core Duo T2600 processor, a healthy 2GB of RAM, and a speedy 7,200rpm 80GB hard drive. Even so, the machine couldn’t keep up with competing notebooks, scoring an anemic 161 on our BAPCo MobileMark 2005 benchmark tests. The upside is that the EL80 gives you plenty of computing time while roaming (6 hours and 3 minutes, CNET.com according to our battery tests). —Michelle Thatcher

Good news for anyone with an unusual attachment to their desktop. DataTraveler II Plus – Edition lets you take it with you anywhere. Love your computer? Then you’ll adore Kingston’s DataTraveler® II Plus – Migo Edition USB Flash drive. More than storage, it lets you work the way you want to on multiple PCs using your desktop’s Microsoft Outlook® email contents and Microsoft Internet Explorer settings, favorites, cookies and history, plus files, folders and icons. And it synchronizes files when you return to your beloved computer. It’s one of the many innovative Flash memory solutions you can rely on from Kingston®, the world’s independent memory leader. For details, visit kingston.com/migocs or contact one of our partners. COMMITTED TO

M E M O RY

Please note: Some of the listed capacity is used for formatting and other functions and thus is not available for data storage. For more information, please consult Kingston’s Flash Memory Guide at kingston.com/Flash_Memory_Guide. ©2006 Kingston Technology Company, Inc. 17600 Newhope Street, Fountain Valley, CA 92708 USA. All rights reserved. All trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

REVIEWS NOTEBOOKS

Alienware Aurora m9700 Desktop replacement doubles up on components ALIENWARE’S AURORA m9700 isn’t your typical notebook. It packs two graphics cards, two hard drives, a TV tuner, and a 17inch wide-screen display. Though its performance is very good, it failed to set records. Still, mobile gamers with deep pockets won’t be EDITORS’ RATING 7.9 disappointed. Weighing 9.4 0 BETTER >> 10 pounds, this desktopPROS SLI graphics provide replacement system has a solid frame rates; lots of drive display that features space; TV tuner; roomy, comfort1,920x1,200 (WUXGA) resoluable keyboard with keypad; includes mouse, remote tion. It makes movies and games shine, but the surface CONS No dual-core-CPU option; performance good but not smudges and is prone to best-in-class; too-slick touch pad; glare. Its full-size keyboard is glare-prone screen comfortable, with room for a SPECS 2.5GHz Turion 64 MLkeypad and wide wrist rest. 44; 2GB DDR2; two 100GB hard The touch pad, however, has a drives; double-layer DVD±RW; glossy finish that makes accu17-inch TFT; Windows XP Media rate mousing tricky. Partly Center Edition 2005 making up for it, Alienware Alienware, 800-254-3692 bundles Logitech’s G5 Laser www.alienware.com Mouse. Our $3,869 review unit Direct Price $3,869 also included Microsoft Win-

dows Media Center Edition and a Media Center remote. Under the m9700’s colossal hood are two 256MB nVidia GeForce Go 7900 GS GPUs in a Scalable Link Interface (SLI) configuration, as well as twin 100GB hard drives. Our m9700 was based on AMD’s Turion 64 ML-44 processor; Alienware doesn’t offer options for dualcore chips (yet). On the BAPCo SYSmark 2004 benchmark test, the m9700 trailed Intel Core Duo-based systems by as much as 19 percent. Likewise, on our F.E.A.R. 3D-gaming test, the m9700 finished behind single-card 7900 GTX-based notebooks. In addition to the standard ports, the m9700 has three audio ports for front, center, and rear surround-sound channels. Video ports include VGA, DVI, S-Video (in and out), and coax; for networking, you get modem and Gigabit Ethernet jacks, plus integrated Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. Alienware backs the m9700 with a one-year warranty (onsite service included) and 24/7 toll-free CNET.com phone support. —Matthew Elliott

Panasonic ToughBook 74

EDITORS’ RATING

Rugged notebook is long-lasting but pricey

0

BETTER >>

6.9 10

PROS Ruggedized case; protecWITH THE TOUGHBOOK 74, Panasonic has created a toughas-nails consumer notebook that can withstand a bit more than ordinary, day-to-day punishment. But given the size and price penalties exacted by making it ruggedized, we recommend it only for business users whose laptops must withstand abuse. The $2,999 ToughBook has a magnesium-alloy shell that protects a standard-aspect 13.3-inch screen. The display, which performed well indoors and out, offers touch-screen functionality and comes with a stylus. It’s not a Tablet PC-style implementation, though, so you have to reach over the keyboard to touch the screen. The spillresistant keyboard is wide and comfortable to use. The overall package, at 6 pounds, is portable enough for semifrequent travel, despite the 1.8-pound AC adapter. In our informal tests, we dropped the ToughBook several times onto a desk from about two feet, and we also spilled hot coffee onto the keyboard. It kept on running, and it still booted even after we dropped it onto cement.

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October 2006 computershopper.com

tive covers on ports; exceptional The selection of ports and battery life; long warranty with slots is standard fare; you lifetime phone support also get an ExpressCard slot CONS Expensive; bulky; heavy and an SD-card slot. For conAC adapter; awkward implemennectivity, Panasonic provides tation of touch screen a Gigabit Ethernet jack and SPECS 1.83GHz Core Duo 802.11a/b/g wireless. All of T2400; 512MB DDR2; 80GB hard the ports are protected by drive; DVD±RW; 13.3-inch TFT; thick, sturdy plastic flaps. Windows XP Professional Plus, Panasonic backs the Panasonic Computer Solutions laptop with a three-year 800-662-3537 warranty and lifetime www.panasonic.com phone support. Direct Price $2,999 Our test configuration included a 1.83GHz Core Duo T2400 processor coupled with 512MB of RAM, an 80GB hard drive mounted for shock resistance, a DVD burner, and integrated Intel graphics. These middle-of-the-road components produced a mediocre score of 231 on our BAPCo MobileMark 2005 benchmark test. Battery-test results were far more impressive: The ToughBook endured for a well-aboveaverage 7 hours and 18 CNET.com minutes. —Michelle Thatcher

Get HDTV for your PC. Bragging rights included with every purchase.

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Your PC is about to become your own personal entertainment center. With ATI’s TV Wonder™ 650 PCI, you can watch, record and pause HDTV on your PC. And because it’s over a free-to-air signal, there’s no monthly fee. Add the ability to watch cable TV, listen to FM radio, or author and burn your own DVD and you’ll have a complete media station on your PC.TV Wonder™ 200 PCI is also available as a media upgrade to your PC. Get your TV Wonder™ 650 PCI at your local Best Buy ® or CompUSA® today! For more information visit www.ati.com. Copyright 2006, ATI Technologies, Inc. All rights reserved. ATI, All-in-Wonder, Avivo, Radeon and the ATI logo are trademarks of ATI Technologies Inc. All other company and/or product names are registered trademarks of their respective owners. Features pricing availability, specifications may vary by product and subject to change.

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PVR (Personal Video Recorder)

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REVIEWS COMPONENTS

Intel Core 2 Extreme X6800 Hail the new king of desktop CPUs THE ATHLON 64 FX has worn the desktop-CPU crown for over a year, but AMD’s pride and joy has finally met its match: Intel’s 2.93GHz Core 2 Extreme X6800. This new CPU surpasses the AMD chip on all of our benchmark tests. The $999 X6800 sits at the top of Intel’s new Core 2 Duo family. In addition to the broad improvements delivered by the Core 2 architecture, the Core 2 Extreme has 4MB of unified L2 cache. In our tests, the X6800 didn’t so much as wince. EDITORS’ RATING 8.7 Its nearest competitor, AMD’s 0 BETTER >> 10 2.6GHz Athlon 64 FX-62, came PROS Fastest desktop CPU on within 5 percent of the X6800 the market; unlocked clock multion our iTunes, multitasking, plier enables overclocking and Microsoft Office tests. On our Half-Life 2 and Adobe CONS Gamers seeking a dualgraphics-card setup must choose Photoshop CS2 tests, however, between an Intel motherboard the AMD chip fell behind by as for ATI’s CrossFire or an nVidia much as 28 percent. board for SLI cards The X6800 features more Intel, 408-765-8080 than just groundbreaking www.intel.com performance. The CPU has a Mfr. Est. Price $999 thermal design power (TDP)

rating of 65 watts, which allows for its use in smaller-profile PCs. (By comparison, Intel’s Pentium D 900 was rated between 95 and 130 watts.) Plus, Intel made upgrading easy: Core 2 Duo chips can use the Socket LGA775 interface found on many current Intel motherboards. And the X6800 is the only Core 2 chip whose clock multiplier comes unlocked—this means you can overclock it right out of the box. If you want to run the new CPU and a dual-graphics-card configuration, you’ll need to choose between two options. Intel’s 975 chipsets support ATI’s CrossFire dual-card technology; if you want to run a Scalable Link Interface (SLI) configuration, however, you’ll need a motherboard from CNET.com nVidia’s nForce 500 Series for Intel.—Rich Brown

ATI Theater 650 Pro

Plextor PX-SP08U Shock Proof Portable Hard Drive

TV-tuner chip offers better video processing ATI’S NEW video-processing chip, the Theater 650 Pro, offers TV-on-your-PC fans a serious boost in image quality. TV-tuner cards featuring the new chip are available from manufacturers such as MSI Computer and Sapphire Technology for approximately $100 to $150. ATI sent us a reference board that we hooked up (via a PCI slot) to a Media Center PC. In our tests, the 650 Pro was the best TV-tuner hardware we’ve seen, featuring a new video decoder along with several picture-quality tweaks. Some of the highlights include support for NTSC, digital EDITORS’ RATING 7.5 television via ATSC, and hardware MPEG-2 encoding. 0 BETTER >> 10 ATI claims the 650 Pro will be PROS Best-quality TV-tuner compatible with Windows Vista, output we’ve seen; supports though CableCard (essentially, a NTSC, ATSC; supports Media small cable-box decoder that Center, other PC DVR apps will be built into PCs starting CONS Still poorer quality than next year) will eventually rea standard cable signal; Cableplace your TV-tuner card. The Card will make other TV tuners obsolete next year 650 Pro is also compatible with Media Center alternatives such ATI Technologies, 888-974-6728 as CyberLink’s PowerCinema www.ati.com and SnapStream Media’s Mfr. Est. Price $100 to 150 Beyond TV. (for cards from third-party —Dan Ackerman

CNET.com

manufacturers)

Resilient drive lacks only backup software PLEXTOR’S PX-SP08U Shock EDITORS’ RATING 7.8 Proof Portable Hard Drive has everything you could want 0 BETTER >> 10 from a compact external hard PROS Lightweight yet rugged; drive—except backup softbus-powered; requires no ware. That simple addition drivers; speedy read/write performance would’ve made this $169 product a knockout. CONS No backup software The 80GB drive comes Plextor, 510-440-2000 housed in a rugged yet elewww.plextor.com gant aluminum case protected Direct Price $169 by a silicon bumper that absorbs shocks should you drop it. We also like that the unit needs only one cord (the included USB cable), which it uses both to transfer data and draw power from the host computer. Also, the drive requires no driver software for setup. In our tests, the drive took only 16 minutes to write our 5GB test folder containing files of mixed types. For a 5,200rpm low-profile hard drive, this rate of throughput is very impressive. Even more so: The drive took a little over eight minutes to read back that same folder, which is about two minutes faster than many of the 7,200rpm hard drives CNET.com we’ve tested. —Dong Van Ngo SECTION CONTINUES ON PAGE 38

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October 2006 computershopper.com

CURB RECORDS HAS A MUSIC CATALOG THAT SPANS

43 YEARS. DELL HELPS KEEP IT SAFE, SECURE,

AND LIKE ANY GREAT MUSIC COLLECTION, ALPHABETIZED.

Curb Records counts on Dell servers, storage and firewalls to protect their catalog of 43 years’ worth of music recordings – including the latest from Tim McGraw, LeAnn Rimes, Wynonna, Jo Dee Messina and Hank Williams Jr. But that’s not the only reason they have a Dell network. There’s also the necessity of constant e-mail communication with sales reps, radio stations, distribution companies, artists, street teams, and consumers. It’s all part of the storytelling a record label has to do to get the word out about upcoming albums. Because it turns out that recording a song is only the first step in a long journey that ends, for more than a few Curb Records recording artists, at the top of the charts. That’s the direct path to growth. That’s pure Dell.

POWEREDGE™ 2900 TOWER SERVER†

POWEREDGE™ 1950 RACK SERVER†

POWEREDGE™ 2950 RACK SERVER†

$1799

$1799

$1899

Lease as low as $48/mo., (48 pmts.*) E-VALUE Code: 08436-pe2900-min

Lease as low as $48/mo., (48 pmts.*) E-VALUE Code: 08436-pe1950-min

Lease as low as $51/mo., (48 pmts.*) E-VALUE Code: 08436-pe2950-min

High-Performance, Massive Storage, Tower Server

Rack-Dense, High-Performance 1U Server

Rack-Dense, Flexible 2U Server

• Dual-Core Intel® Xeon® Processor 5050 (2x2MB Cache, 3GHz, 667MHz FSB) • Upgradable to Dual-Core Intel® Xeon® Processor 5160 (4MB Cache, 3GHz, 1333MHz FSB) • 1GB ECC DDR2 SDRAM (Up to 48GB) • 73GB* (10,000 RPM) SAS, 3.5-inch Hard Drive (Up to 3TB*) • Dual Embedded Broadcom NetXtreme II-5708 Gigabit* NICs • 3-Yr Basic Enterprise Support (Next Business Day On-Site Service* M-F 8am-6pm, Hardware Warranty Support) • Systems Purchased with Microsoft® Windows® Server 2003 R2, Standard Edition Operating System, starting at $2598

• Dual-Core Intel® Xeon® Processor 5050 (2x2MB Cache, 3GHz, 667MHz FSB) • Upgradable to Dual-Core Intel® Xeon® Processor 5160 (4MB Cache, 3GHz, 1333MHz FSB) • 1GB ECC DDR2 SDRAM (Up to 32GB) • 73GB* (10,000 RPM) SAS 3.5-inch Hard Drive (Up to 600GB*) • Up to 4 73GB* (10,000 RPM) SAS 2.5-inch Hard Drives • Dual Embedded Broadcom NetXtreme II-5708 Gigabit* NICs • 3-Yr Basic Enterprise Support (Next Business Day On-Site Service* M-F 8am-6pm, Hardware Warranty Support) • Systems Purchased with Microsoft® Windows® Server 2003 R2, Standard Edition Operating System, starting at $2598

• Dual-Core Intel® Xeon® Processor 5050 (2x2MB Cache, 3GHz, 667MHz FSB) • Upgradable to Dual-Core Intel® Xeon® Processor 5160 (4MB Cache, 3GHz, 1333MHz FSB) • 1GB ECC DDR2 SDRAM (Up to 32GB) • 73GB* (10,000 RPM) SAS 3.5-inch Hard Drive (Up to 1.8TB*) • Dual Embedded Broadcom NetXtreme II-5708 Gigabit* NICs • 3-Yr Basic Enterprise Support (Next Business Day On-Site Service* M-F 8am-6pm, Hardware Warranty Support) • Systems Purchased with Microsoft® Windows® Server 2003 R2, Standard Edition Operating System, starting at $2698

†

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.

INTRODUCING THE NEXT GENERATION OF DELL ENTERPRISE SERVERS. Designed to help reduce complexity and management costs, they’re effortless to install, access, manage, and service. They’re Dell’s new industry-standard servers, featuring Dell’s latest customer-driven features: • Programmable LCD server front for quick customized issue diagnosis • Color-coding, tool-less chassis, and cable management for easy set-up and maintenance • New dual-core processors for 152% increased processor performance* over the previous genertion • Small hard drives and cables help reduce power consumption • Common design layouts and system management for fast configuration • 100% customization – every Dell server is built to order • Maximize your uptime with Dell’s extensive service offerings • For more information on the 9th Generation of PowerEdge servers, go to dell.com/nextgen

DELL™ POWERVAULT ™ 110T † LTO-3 TAPE DRIVE Automated, high-capacity back-up and recovery data solution with WORM protection for enterprise and departmental servers and

POWERCONNECT ™ 3424P POWEROVER-ETHERNET GIGABIT SWITCH Robust 24-Port Managed fast Ethernet switch delivering industry-standard technology that integrates data, voice, and power on standard Ethernet infrastructure.

Network Attached storage.

$4249

$999

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

INTRODUCING DELLCONNECT ™ – DON’T BRING YOUR PC TO THE SHOP. BRING THE SHOP TO YOUR PC. DellConnect is a revolutionary online access tool that makes it easier than ever to resolve technical issues without the hassle of disconnecting your system to bring it in for service. This simple online access tool is designed to enable a Dell service technician to troubleshoot your computer, via a broadband connection, and to diagnose and help solve problems. It’s all under your supervision, so you control what they see, where they go, and what they do. DellConnect™ is a remote support feature designed to further enhance your computing experience. For more information, visit dell.com/smb/DellConnect

Elevate your business at

dell.com/shopper9

call 877.417.DELL toll free

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. 48-Month 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 Drives: For hard drives, GB means 1 billion bytes and TB equals 1 trillion bytes; actual capacity varies with preloaded material and operating environment and will be less. On Dimension, XPS, and Inspiron systems, for Norton Ghost 10 and Dell DataSafe users, up to 25% of the stated hard drive capacity may be utilized by your system as dedicated backup space. Processor Performance: Based on the SPECjbb2005 benchmark test performed by Dell Labs in December 2005 and April-May 2006 on a PE1950 with two dual core Intel Xeon 5160 (3.0GHz Woodcrest) processors , 8GB 667MHz FBD memory, 1x SATA 80GB/7.2K rpm HDD, and Windows Server 2003 Enterprise x64 Edition OS as compared to a PE2850 with two dual core Intel Xeon 2.8GHz (Paxville) processors, 8GB 400MHz DDR2 memory, 1x SCSI 36GB/15K rpm HDD, and Windows Server 2003 Standard Edition, SP1 OS. Actual performance will vary based on configuration, usage and manufacturing variability. Trademarks/Copyright Notices: Dell, the stylized E logo, DellConnect, E-Value, PowerEdge, PowerConnect, and PowerVault are trademarks of Dell Inc. Intel, Intel logo, Intel Inside, Intel Inside logo, Pentium, Pentium lnside, Xeon and Xeon Inside are trademarks or registered trademarks of Intel Corporation or its subsidiaries in the United States and other countries. ©2006 Dell Inc. All rights reserved.

REVIEWS COMPONENTS

Logitech MX Revolution Cordless Laser Mouse Wireless mouse gets a secondary scroll wheel WITH THE $99.99 MX Revolution, Logitech has redesigned the wireless mouse, giving it a one-touch search button and a 0 BETTER >> 10 secondary side-mounted scroll wheel. PROS Secondary scroll wheel The extra scroll wheel is buried magnifies screen contents easily; within the Revolution’s cavernous one-button Internet searches; thumb rest; a simple nudge forward or free-spin mode for scrolling down lengthy documents back allows you to zoom in or out on the contents of your screen. Also, with CONS Location of secondary the included SetPoint software, you scroll wheel takes getting used to can program the secondary scroll Logitech, 800-231-7717 wheel to launch Logitech’s Quick Flip www.logitech.com app, which lets you maneuver beDirect Price $99.99 tween open programs. The concealed nature of the new scroll wheel takes some getting used to, but the wheel does provide resistance against inadvertent nudges. Meanwhile, clicking on the Revolution’s primary scroll wheel toggles between your usual click-to-click mode and a rapid free-spin mode (great for scrolling through long documents). A small raised button below the primary scroll wheel performs Internet searches on highlighted words, using the search engine of your choice. —Louis Ramirez

EDITORS’ RATING

nVidia GeForce 7950 GX2 Dual-GPU card with SLI-like speeds NVIDIA’S GEFORCE 7950 GX2 should be a PC gamer’s dream. For approximately $600 to $650, cards based on this dual-GPU chipset deliver nearly the same performance as two GeForce 7900 GTX cards at little more than half the cost. And because nVidia crammed two graphics processors onto a single card, it occupies only half as much space. The one sticking point, however, is Windows Vista, or, more specifically, DirectX 10. Microsoft has stated that Vista will support DirectX 9 software and hardware, but that the OS will ship with DirectX 10. That means in roughly five months your $600 investment won’t support the latest and greatest 3D EDITORS’ RATING 8.0 features. 0 BETTER >> 10 All of which is too PROS Compact design; bad, because the 7950 comparatively affordable; fast; GX2 is fast. It has a quad SLI support; reasonable 600MHz GPU clock power demands speed, plus 512MB of CONS DirectX 10 cards will 500MHz DDR3 RAM for make this card less relevant each GPU. It scored soon; ATI remains leader in 3D 8,560 on our 3DMark image quality 2005 benchmark test. nVidia By comparison, our www.nvidia.com two 512MB ATI Radeon List Price $600 to $650 X1900 XT cards ($950 (for cards from third-party combined), scored manufacturers) 9,010. Sure, ATI wins, but from a dollars-versus-performance point of view, the 7950 GX2 is the better deal. In addition, thanks to its all-in-one, dual-3D-chip design, the 7950 GX2 eliminates the hassle of having to rig two cards together using either nVidia’s internal Scalable Link Interface (SLI) connector or ATI’s external CrossFire dongle. Furthermore, the 7950 GX2 requires only a single connection to a 400-watt (or greater) power supply. The 7950 GX2 is quad-capable, but nVidia is readying drivers and making sure retail motherboards are up to snuff before CNET.com flipping the DIY switch. —Rich Brown

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October 2006 computershopper.com

7.0

Iomega StorCenter Wireless Network Storage 1TB Massive network storage at a reasonable price PRICED AT $799.99, Iomega’s StorCenter EDITORS’ RATING 7.3 Wireless Network Storage 1TB is a 1-ter0 BETTER >> 10 abyte network-attached drive array that will have you sharing everything from PROS Speedy performer; offers printers to high-definition video pronto. wireless connectivity; several RAID configuration options The StorCenter includes a Gigabit Ethernet port, two USB 2.0 ports, and two CONS Can’t swap out drives; screw-on antennas for wireless setup. A noisy fan; some stumbles using fan keeps things cool, though we found it Iomega’s Discovery Tool utility particularly noisy. Iomega, 888-516-8467 Although we encountered some probwww.iomega.com lems with Iomega’s Discovery Tool (locatDirect Price $799.99 ed on the included CD), the software is supposed to scan and identify the StorCenter drives on your network. It also lets you arrange the StorCenter’s four 7,200rpm drives in a RAID 0 (striping), RAID 5 (striping with parity), or RAID 0+1 (mirroring and striping) array. Note that the drives are not user-replaceable. We tested the StorCenter at its default setting of RAID 0 over an Ethernet connection, and it wrote our 5GB test folder in just 19 minutes. It read back the same folder in 17 minutes CNET.com and 32 seconds. —Felisa Yang

REVIEWS PRINTERS

Multifunction Lasers Lock Horns Two network-ready MFPs battle for the budget crown KEEPING A SEPARATE fax, printer, and scanner can quickly become a drain on your budget. With well-known brands such as Dell and Lexmark turning out affordable laser multifunction printers (MFPs), however, more companies can now afford to ditch a multitude of machines for just one money-saving jackof-all-trades to serve a small workgroup. Both Dell’s 1815dn and Lexmark’s X342n are perfect examples of capable all-inone printers that won’t torch your budget, cramming in lots of features for a relatively low price. In our tests, the 1815dn outperformed the slightly costlier X342n in several important categories, making it our pick for small offices looking to save a few extra dollars.

graphics at 20ppm. It scanned color and gray-scale documents at 4ppm and aced our copy test, spitting out copies at 12ppm. The 1815dn also excelled in our print-quality tests. Grayscale scans, however, looked average, and our color scans appeared washed-out. Also, with both gray-scale and color scans, the scanner couldn’t capture details in either shadows or highlights.

LEXMARK X342N LASER ALL-IN-ONE

Like the Dell 1815dn, Lexmark’s $399 X342n crams print, fax, copy, and scan functions into a reasonably compact unit. Unlike the Dell entry, the X342n doesn’t include a built-in duplexer or Mac support, nor can it print or DELL 1815DN scan from a flash drive. Dell’s $349 1815dn is an inexpensive monochrome-laser allBut this monoin-one that works equally well in a home office or for a small chrome laser workgroup. The PC- and Mac-friendly printer can scan, fax, printer edges and make copies. It’s also loaded with premium features, out the 1815dn such as a built-in duplexer and an Ethernet port. in other ways. For a machine that does so much, the 1815dn is reasonFor starters, it ably compact. It houses a 250comes with a sheet paper tray (an high-yield 6,000additional 250page toner carsheet tray is a tridge. And $99.99 option) while it has no and comes duplexing capawith an autobility—not even as matic docuan option—the networkment feeder ready X342n can hold a maximum of 800 (ADF). The adsheets of paper (it comes with a 250-sheet tray and can accept an justable ADF acoptional $199 550-sheet tray), versus Dell’s 500-sheet ceiling. commodates up The X342n’s control panel, however, frustrated us. Despite a to 50 pages for wealth of buttons and a two-line LCD, its options are more limitbatch scanning, ed than the Dell’s, and the printer automatically boots you out of copying, or faxing, the menu after you make a change. On the upside, the X342n and it also serves as the comes with a 50-sheet ADF. machine’s automatic duplexer, a feature not found in the In our speed tests, the X342n fell just behind the 1815dn in rival Lexmark X342N. every category except copying, where it clocked 13ppm. Like A control panel and two-line text LCD reside up front. The Dell’s MFP, the X342n printed gray-scale graphics faster control panel gives you access to a multitude of features. You (18ppm) than it printed black text (17ppm). can set paper size, reduce or enlarge copied images, autofit In output quality, the X342n edged out the 1815dn in printing or clone copies, and so forth. gray-scale graphics, and it handled shadows, highlights, and Unlike Lexmark, which includes a 6,000-page toner details better. At larger point sizes (6 points and up), the X342n cartridge, Dell provides only Product Summary printed black text well, but a 3,000-page cartridge with Dell 1815dn Lexmark X342n Laser All-in-One smaller text was spindly the 1815dn. If you upgrade EDITORS’ RATING 7.5 6.7 and unevenly spaced. to Dell’s 5,000-page cartridge, PROS Built-in duplexer; network-ready; Network-ready; handles gray-scale, In our gray-scale and you can reduce your textsupports Windows, Mac; speedy color scans decently; good graycolor scan tests, the printing cost to about 1.6 black text, gray-scale graphics scale graphics printing; affordable X342n showed better cents per page. CONS Washed-out color scans; detail Frustrating feature menu; no handling of highlights Performance is a strong lacking in gray-scale, color scans duplexing; poor printing of tiny fonts and shadows than the point. The 1815dn printed COMPANY Dell Lexmark International Dell model. —Felisa Yang black text at roughly its rated 800-999-3355 800-539-6275 www.dell.com www.lexmark.com engine speed of 18 pages per CNET.com DIRECT PRICE $349 $399 minute (ppm) and gray-scale

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October 2006 computershopper.com

Think of it as a vault for your data.

Simple, fast, and incredibly secure.

your data is your most important valuable. why not give it the protection it deserves? The USR8700 Network Attached Storage appliance supports four Serial ATA hard drives. • Install business-class RAID storage (0, 1, 5, 10) • Back-up software for complete PC restore • Gigabit connectivity for fast network connections • Integrated File and FTP Server • Integrated Print Server for sharing USB printers • Two-year warranty + 800-support

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computershopper.com/reviews

REVIEWS HOME NETWORKING

Belkin N1 Wireless Router A solid Draft N device, but still needs work WITH ITS INTUITIVE status icons, up-to-date security options, and stellar support, the $149.99 Belkin N1 Wireless Router is on the path to 802.11n wireless networking stardom, but, like other Draft N devices, its performance fails to impress. Like the Linksys WRT300N and Netgear WNR834B routers we reviewed in our August issue, the N1 uses the Draft N spec of the upcoming 802.11n Wi-Fi standard, which could be ratified early in 2007. Belkin’s router offers a mixed 802.11b/g/n mode instead of single-mode operation, however. This discrepancy makes direct performance comparisons impossible, although the N1 did trounce the Linksys and EDITORS’ RATING 7.8 Netgear Draft N routers in 0 BETTER >> 10 our mixed-mode and longPROS Good mixed-mode perforrange (in mixed mode) mance; impressive network-status throughput tests. Nonethedisplay; full range of security opless, we remained undertions; excellent support, including whelmed by the N1’s overall lifetime warranty performance, which was CONS Performance falls below nowhere near the 300Mbps anticipated 802.11n standard maximum throughput the Belkin, 800-223-5546 802.11n standard promises. www.belkin.com The N1 impressed in othDirect Price $149.99 er ways, however. Belkin

has given its Pre-N router design a makeover, replacing the slate-gray plastic with a slick silver-and-black exterior. Better still, Belkin replaced the standard LED lights with a top-mounted network-status display, which gives you a better handle on your network via icons representing each network element. The router has all the standard wireless security options, including Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) and Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) encryption, stateful packet inspection (SPI) and network address translation (NAT) firewalls, and Media Access Control (MAC) address filtering. The N1 comes with a lifetime warranty, along CNET.com with 24/7 toll-free phone support. —Felisa Yang

Panasonic HD-PLC Ethernet Adapter Starter Pack Power-line kit offers a solid, but wired, alternative to Wi-Fi networking REMEMBER HOW “power-line networking” let you establish a wired home network via everyday electrical outlets? The first generation of products fizzled out when they couldn’t offer data-transfer rates approaching wireless-network speeds. Now, Panasonic is ushering in a new generation of power-line-networking equipment with the HD-PLC Ethernet Adapter Starter Pack, which offers sufficient throughput and enough convenience to be a valid alternative to a home wireless network. Panasonic’s $199.95 kit comes with two adapters. (Additional adapters will set you back a hefty $129.95 apiece.) Each adapter can network up to eight clients, however, which helps keep the cost down. You will also need a router (not included) to connect to one of the adapters, but Panasonic, inexplicably,

EDITORS’ RATING 6.8 doesn’t include an Ethernet cable. You then plug in the 0 BETTER >> 10 second adapter anywhere PROS Provides networking via you wish to access your electrical outlets; simple setup; denetwork. cent performance; fewer security concerns than wireless networks Security over a wired home network isn’t as big CONS Ethernet cables not ina concern as on a wireless cluded; additional adapters are expensive; limited phone-support one, but the HD-PLC still hours has some security feaPanasonic, 800-405-0652 tures, including 128-bit www.panasonic.com data encryption. In our throughput tests, Direct Price $199.95 the adapters clocked in at 35.4Mbps. While this is well under Panasonic’s advertised theoretical maximum rate of 190Mbps, it’s still much faster than a standard broadband connection, making it more than sufficient for surfing the Web. The adapters should also be able to transmit high-definition video content. Panasonic covers the HD-PLC adapters with a one-year warranty. Toll-free phone support is available CNET.com weekdays from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (ET). —F.Y. SECTION CONTINUES ON PAGE 46

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October 2006 computershopper.com

CYBERPOWER RECOMMENDS WINDOWS® XP MEDIA CENTER EDITION

GAMER INFINITY SLI GT ®

®

- NVIDIA nForce 570 SLI Chipset MB with Dual 16X PCI Express & Dual Core Technology - GENUINE Windows® XP

Media Center Edition 2005 with SP 2 - Corsair 512MB PC6400 DDR2 800 Dual Channel Memory - 250GB 7200RPM SATA-II 3.0Gb/s 8MB Cache Hard Drive - (2) NVIDIA® Geforce® 7600 GS 256MB DDR. 16X PCI Express Over 80% Performance Gain Over a Single Graphics Card Solution - LG 16x DVD+-RW Drive & 16X DVD-ROM - Intel® High Definition 7.1 Surround Sound

$ 1069 -

600 Watt Subwoofer Speaker System Logitech Deluxe 104 Keyboard Microsoft® Optical intelli Explorer Mouse Turbo X-Cruiser Case 420Watt with See Through Windows - Free 802.11G Wireless PCI Network Adaptor - 3 Year Limited Warranty + Lifetime Toll Free 24/7 Techsupport - Add 19” Viewsonic VA902B Xtreme 8ms Gaming LCD Display $229

GAMER INFINITY SLI ULTRA - NVIDIA® nForce® 570 SLI Chipset MB with Dual 16X PCI Express & Dual Core Technology - GENUINE Windows® XP

Media Center Edition 2005 with SP 2 - Corsair 1024MB PC6400 DDR2 800 Dual Channel Memory - 300GB 7200RPM SATA-II 3.0Gb/s 16MB Cache Hard Drive - (2) NVIDIA® Geforce® 7900 GT 256MB DDR3. 16X PCI Express Over 80% Performance Gain Over a Single Graphics Card Solution - LG 16x DVD+-RW Drive & 16X DVD-ROM - Intel® High Definition 7.1 Surround Sound

Media Center Edition 2005 with SP 2 -

1024MB DDR-II PC4200 533 Memory 80GB SATA150 Hard Drive Mobile ATI® X1600 Pro 256MB Video 15.4” WXGA TFT Display 1280X800 Pixels

™

$ 1449 $ 1215 $ 1115 $ 1069

$ 1489 - Creative Cambridge Inspire P7800 7.1 Surround Sound System - Logitech Deluxe 104 Keyboard - Microsoft® Optical intelli Explorer Mouse - Aluminum Nzxt Zero Full Tower Case 420Watt w/ MOD “See Through Windows” - Free 802.11G Wireless PCI Network Adaptor - 3 Year Limited Warranty + Lifetime Toll Free 24/7 Techsupport - Add 19” Viewsonic VA902B Xtreme 8ms Gaming LCD Display $229

GAMER XPLORER X5-6800 - Intel® Centrino® Duo Mobile Technology • Intel® Core™ Duo Processor • Intel® PRO Wireless 3945A/ B/ G Networking • Intel® 945GM Chipset - GENUINE Windows® XP

Intel Core 2 Duo Processor E6700 (4MB Cache, 2.67Ghz, 1066Mhz FSB) Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor E6600 (4MB Cache, 2.40Ghz, 1066Mhz FSB) Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor E6400 (4MB Cache, 2.13Ghz, 1066Mhz FSB) Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor E6300 (4MB Cache, 1.86Ghz, 1066Mhz FSB) ®

- 8X DVD+-RW Drive - 10/100/1000 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 - 6 Hours Battery Life; Free Carrying Case - Weight only 6.39 Lbs - 6 Custom Colors to Choose From - 1 Year Limited Warranty + Lifetime Toll Free 24/7 Techsupport

Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor E6700 (4MB Cache, 2.67Ghz, 1066Mhz FSB) Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor E6600 (4MB Cache, 2.40Ghz, 1066Mhz FSB) Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor E6400 (4MB Cache, 2.13Ghz, 1066Mhz FSB) Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor E6300 (4MB Cache, 1.86Ghz, 1066Mhz FSB)

$ 1869 $ 1635 $ 1535 $ 1489

$ 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

TOLL TOLL FREE FREE 800. 800. 707. 707. 0393 0393 or or WWW.CYBERPOWERPC.COM WWW.CYBERPOWERPC.COM Intel®, Intel® logo, Intel Inside®, Intel Inside® logo, Intel® Core™ 2 Duo, Intel® Core™ Duo, 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.

GAMER ULTRA 7500 SE ®

®

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

Media Center Edition 2005 with SP 2 - Corsair 1024MB PC6400 DDR2 800 Dual Channel Memory - 250GB 7200RPM SATA-II 3.0Gb/s 8MB Cache Hard Drive - NVIDIA® GeForce® 7300 LE 256MB DDR3, 16X PCI Express w/ TV-Out - 19” Viewsonic Q9B LCD Display - LG 16X DVD+-RW Drive & 16X DVD-ROM - NVIDIA® nForce4 7.1 3-D Surround Sound - Logitech X530 5.1 Subwoofer Sperakers - 6-in-1 Digital Media Reader

$ - Logitech Office 104 Keyboard - Logitech Optical Wheel Mouse - Turbo X-Cruiser Case 420Watt with See Through Windows - 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 3800+ Processor AMD Athlon™ 64 3800+ Processor AMD Athlon™ 64 3500+ Processor

GAMER ULTRA CROSSFIRE 9000 ®

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Media Center Edition 2005 with SP 2 - Corsair 1024MB PC6400 DDR2 800 Dual Channel Memory - 250GB 7200RPM SATA-II 3.0Gb/s 8MB Cache Hard Drive - (2) ATI® Radeon™ X1600 Pro 256MB 16X PCI-Express Video Card w/ TV-Out & DVI Powered by PowerColor Running in CrossFire Mode - LG 16X DVD+-RW Drive & 16X DVD-ROM - 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 CoolerMaster Aquagate Mini Liquid Cooling System 6 Cool Custom Colors to Choose From Free 802.11G Wireless PCI Network Adaptor 3 Year Limited Warranty + Lifetime Toll Free 24/7 Techsupport Add 19” Viewsonic VA902B Xtreme 8ms Gaming LCD Display $229

$ AMD Athlon™ 64 X2 5000+ Processor AMD Athlon™ 64 X2 4600+ Processor AMD Athlon™ 64 X2 4200+ Processor AMD Athlon™ 64 X2 3800+ Processor AMD Athlon™ 64 3800+ Processor AMD Athlon™ 64 3500+ Processor

GAMER ULTRA 9900 PRO - NVIDIA® nForce® 570 SLI Chipset MB with Dual 16X PCI Express - GENUINE Windows® XP

Media Center Edition 2005 with SP 2 - Corsair 1024MB PC6400 DDR2 800 Dual Channel Memory - 250GB 7200RPM SATA-II 3.0Gb/s 8MB Cache Hard Drive - NVIDIA® GeForce® 7600 GT 256MB DDR3, 16X PCI Express w/ TV-Out - 19” Viewsonic Q9B LCD Display - LG 16X DVD+-RW Drive & 16X DVD-ROM - NVIDIA® nForce4 7.1 3-D Surround Sound

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

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 3800+ Processor AMD Athlon™ 64 3800+ Processor

Media Center Edition 2005 with SP 2 -

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

• • • •

1759 1179 1116 1059 1029 989 975

999 $ $ $ $ $ $

1219 1149 1095 1065 1019 999

-

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 1 Year Limited Warranty + Lifetime Toll Free 24/7 Techsupport

-

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 PCMCIA Type II Slot 1 Firewire IEEE 1394 & 4 USB 2.0 Ports 5 Custom Colors to Choose From Weight only 6.39 Lbs, Free Carrying Case 1 Year Limited Warranty + Lifetime Toll Free 24/7 Techsupport

$ $ $ $ $ $

1999 1419 1355 1299 1275 1229

$ 1189 $ $ AMD Turion™ 64 Mobile Technology MT-40 $ AMD Turion™ 64 Mobile Technology MT-37 $ AMD Turion™ 64 Mobile Technology MT-34 $

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GAMER XPLORER-64 9500 - AMD Turion™ 64 Mobile Technology -AMD PowerNow! Technology -HyperTransport Technology -Enhanced Virus Protection Technology - GENUINE Windows® XP

$ $ $ $ $ $ $

$ 1229 - 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 - CoolerMaster Aquagate Mini Liquid Cooling System - 6 Cool Custom Colors to Choose From - Free 802.11G Wireless PCI Network Adaptor - 3 Year Limited Warranty + Lifetime Toll Free 24/7 Techsupport

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

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1325 1279 1249 1199 1189

$ 1355 $ 1395 $ 1365 AMD Turion™ 64 Mobile Technology MT-34 $ 1355

AMD Turion™ 64 Mobile Technology MT-40 AMD Turion™ 64 Mobile Technology MT-37

The world’s ultimate processor for PC enthusiasts. Discover the true potential of your PC. Break the speed limit. Enhanced Virus Protection, enabled by Microsoft® Windows® XP SP2. Cool ‘n’ Quiet technology means whisper quiet operation and significantly reduced power consumption.

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.

CYBERPOWER RECOMMENDS WINDOWS® XP MEDIA CENTER EDITION

GAMER ULTRA SLI BASIC NVIDIA® nForce4 7.1 3-D Surround Sound 600Watt Subwoofer System Logitech Keyboard & Optical Wheel Mouse Media Center Edition 2005 with SP 2 Nzxt® X-Nemesis Tower Case 425Watt Corsair 512MB PC6400 DDR2 800 Memory with MOD See Through Windows 250GB 7200RPM SATA-II 3.0Gb/s - CoolerMaster Aquagate Mini 8MB Cache Hard Drive Liquid Cooling System (2) NVIDIA® GeForce® 7300 GS 256MB - 3 Year Limited Warranty DDR, 16X PCI Express w/ TV-Out, + Lifetime Toll Free 24/7 Techsupport Over 80% Performance Gain Over - Add 19” Viewsonic VA902B Xtreme a Single Graphics Card Solution 8ms Gaming LCD Display $229 LG 16X DVD+-RW Drive

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

-

$ -

AMD Athlon™ 64 X2 5000+ Processor AMD Athlon™ 64 X2 4600+ Processor AMD Athlon™ 64 X2 4200+ Processor AMD Athlon™ 64 X2 3800+ Processor AMD Athlon™ 64 3800+ Processor AMD Athlon™ 64 3500+ Processor

GAMER ULTRA SLI ELITE ®

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- NVIDIA nForce 570 SLI Chipset MB with Dual 16X PCI Express - GENUINE Windows® XP

Media Center Edition 2005 with SP 2 - Corsair 1024MB PC6400 DDR2 800 Dual Channel Memory - 250GB 7200RPM SATA-II 3.0Gb/s 8MB Cache Hard Drive - (2) NVIDIA® GeForce® 7600 GS 256MB DDR3, Over 80% Performance Gain Over a Single Graphics Card Solution - LG 16X DVD+-RW Drive & 16X DVD-ROM - 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 CoolerMaster Aquagate Mini Liquid Cooling System 6 Cool Custom Colors to Choose From Free 802.11G Wireless PCI Network Adaptor 3 Year Limited Warranty + Lifetime Toll Free 24/7 Techsupport Add 19” Viewsonic VA902B Xtreme 8ms Gaming LCD Display $229

AMD Athlon™ 64 X2 5000+ Processor AMD Athlon™ 64 X2 4600+ Processor AMD Athlon™ 64 X2 4200+ Processor AMD Athlon™ 64 X2 3800+ Processor AMD Athlon™ 64 3800+ Processor AMD Athlon™ 64 3500+ Processor

GAMER ULTRA SLI PRO - Creative Cambridge Inspire P7800 7.1 Surround Sound System - Logitech Office 104 Keyboard Media Center Edition 2005 with SP 2 - Microsoft® Optical intelli Explorer Mouse Corsair 2048MB PC6400 DDR2 800 - Asus Vento 3600 Xtreme Gaming Case Dual Channel Memory with 500Watt Power Supply 300GB 7200RPM SATA-II 3.0Gb/s - CoolerMaster Aquagate Mini 16MB Cache Hard Drive Liquid Cooling System (2) NVIDIA® GeForce® 7900 GT 256MB - Free 802.11G Wireless PCI Network Adaptor DDR3, 16X PCI Express, 30% Performance Gain Over a Single Graphics Card Solution - 3 Year Limited Warranty + Lifetime Toll Free 24/7 Techsupport LG 16X DVD+-RW Drive & 16X DVD-ROM NVIDIA® nForce4 7.1 3-D Surround Sound

AMD Athlon™ 64 FX-62 Processor

-

AMD Athlon™ 64 X2 4200+ Processor

-

-

$ $ $ $ $ $

899 839 785 759 715 699

899 $ $ $ $ $ $

1099 1045 989 959 915 899

$ 1559

- NVIDIA® nForce® 570 SLI Chipset MB with Dual 16X PCI Express - GENUINE Windows® XP

-

699

AMD Athlon™ 64 X2 5000+ Processor AMD Athlon™ 64 X2 4600+ Processor AMD Athlon™ 64 X2 3800+ Processor

$ $ $ $ $

2295 1715 1645 1589 1559

• Run all your gadgets quickly, seamlessly and simultaneously. • Run all your applications at the same time with increased performance. • AMD PowerNow!™ technology for longer battery life. • Enjoy superb video playback, edit videos on the fly and deliver super-fast graphics performance - all while on the go.

TOLL TOLL FREE FREE 800. 800. 707. 707. 0393 0393 or or WWW.CYBERPOWERPC.COM WWW.CYBERPOWERPC.COM

REVIEWS MOBILE PRODUCTS

RIM BlackBerry 7130c Well-designed smartphone delivers advanced connectivity

✓

THE RIM BLACKBERRY 7130c is an excellent phone and e-mail device for consumers and professionals alike. It’s also one of the best-designed BlackBerrys we’ve seen to date. It’s available through Cingular for $249.99 (before rebate, with a two-year contract). Measuring 4.5x2.1x0.7 inches and weighing an incredibly light 4.2 ounces, the compact 7130c is comfortable to hold up to your ear for conversations. The device’s 2.25-inch screen EDITORS’ RATING 8.3 displays 65,000 colors at an 0 BETTER >> 10 adequate 240x260-pixel PROS Sleek, compact form resolution. The screen is also factor; solid feature set includes equipped with light-sensing Bluetooth, EDGE support, speaktechnology that automatically erphone; can deliver e-mail in real adjusts the backlight dependtime; excellent call quality ing on your environment. CONS SureType technology Instead of a full QWERTY takes some getting used to; no keyboard, the 7130c has a onboard IM client condensed but comfortable Research in Motion keyboard with SureType tech519-888-7465 www.rim.com nology, which guesses the word you’re typing after you Direct Price $249.99 (before input the first few letters. The a $50 rebate, with a two-year Cingular service contract) technology works well, but it EDITORS’ CHOICE

Navman iCN 750 Unique GPS navigator includes built-in camera

takes some getting used to. Powered by a speedy Intel processor, the 7130c comes with 64MB of flash memory, 16MB of SDRAM, and EDGE support, plus integrated Bluetooth and speakerphone for handsfree calls. The device is compatible with Microsoft Exchange, IBM Lotus Domino, and Novell Groupwise servers, so business users can receive their corporate e-mail in real time. You can also access up to 10 POP3/IMAP accounts, but you don’t get an onboard instant-messaging (IM) client. As for attachments, the 7130c can open and view Word and Excel documents, PDFs, and image files. Call quality was excellent in our tests. Voices sounded clear, and turning on the speakerphone diminished quality only slightly. As for battery life, the phone is rated for 18 days of standby time, and we managed to CNET.com squeeze out 5 hours of talk time. —Bonnie Cha

EDITORS’ RATING 0

7.0

BETTER >>

10

PROS Sharp 4-inch display; THE $799.95 Navman iCN 750 is an innovative, if costly, GPS navigation system with a first-class feature: a built-in camera that lets you create and save your favorite destination points, complete with pictures. Measuring 5.4x3x1.2 inches, the iCN 750 is easily portable for multivehicle use, but at 10.6 ounces, it’s not the best choice for use on foot. The unit’s 4-inch touch screen is responsive and features a sharp 480x272-pixel resolution, but we had a hard time viewing it in bright sunlight. While its controls were easy to use, the iCN 750’s interface

46

October 2006 computershopper.com

integrated 1.3-megapixel camera wasn’t always intuitive. creates photo-based POI; The main menus were preloaded with North American straightforward, but navimaps; accurate driving directions gating the submenus took CONS Sluggish performance; some trial and error. Also, interface not always intuitive; the onscreen keyboard felt screen hard to see in bright sun; expensive a little cramped. The iCN 750 comes preNavman, 919-376-1000 www.navman.com loaded with maps of North America, plus a comprehenDirect Price $799.95 sive database of major points of interest (POI). We liked the ability to find nearby gas stations or parking garages quickly via the unit’s shortcut keys on the front panel. The real draw, though, is the integrated 1.3-megapixel camera for cataloging personal POI coordinates, so you can easily get directions the next time you plan to visit the destination. It’s a unique feature that was easy to master and worked as advertised. In our tests, the unit was a bit slow to draw up route calculations, and we noticed some lag when we switched between functions or tried to use the camera. Still, the iCN 750 provided us with precise driving directions CNET.com and accurately tracked our position. —B.C.

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1X/2X Minimum 210X Minimum 3Download speeds limited to 53Kbps. Upload speeds are less. Actual data speeds will vary depending on line conditions 4Total HD accessible capacity may vary depending on operating environment. ©2006 by ProStar Computers, Inc. All rights reserved. Intel, the Intel logo, Centrino and the Centrino logo, Intel Core and Core Inside, are trademarks or registered trademarks of Intel Corporation or its subsidiaries in the United States and other countries. All other companies and product names are trademarks of their respective companies. Dealer price is not subject to 30 days money back guarantee program. Opened software and shipping charges are non-refundable. 30-day money back guarantee does not include return freight or shipping and handling charge. Not responsible for photo or typographical errors. Price and terms subject to change without notice. Depending on the options you choose, your notebook may or may not resemble systems shown above. 1

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REVIEWS DIGITAL CAMERAS

Kodak EasyShare C643 Budget camera skimps on image quality DESPITE ITS low price, 6.1-megapixel resolution, and 2.4-inch LCD, the Kodak EasyShare C643 delivers mediocre im0 BETTER >> 10 ages that should make you hesitate bePROS Adequate performance; fore buying. The $199.95 camera also large LCD for its class; includes feels cheaply built, though it does offer optical viewfinder an optical viewfinder. CONS Noisy, fringe-plagued The C643 is a decent performer. After images; feels cheaply built a speedy 2.7-second wake-up time, shotEastman Kodak, 800-235-6325 to-shot and shutter-lag times were typiwww.kodak.com cal for its budget class. But in burst Direct Price $199.95 mode, the camera can fire off only three-shot bursts, albeit at a speedy rate of 2.2 frames per second. In our test images, color reproduction and exposure were the camera’s strengths. But the low-quality 3x zoom lens produced serious purple fringing along the edges of high-contrast objects. Also, colored auras appeared along almost every dark object with a light background. Image noise was another problem: We noticed splotches and grain at ISO 80, and our ISO 400 test shot resembled a watercolor painting.

EDITORS’ RATING

Sony Alpha DSLR-A100 Feature-packed 10.2-megapixel dSLR THE ALPHA DSLR-A100, Sony’s first digital singlelens-reflex (dSLR) camera, marks the company’s foray into the big leagues of digital still imaging. After Sony purchased Konica Minolta’s digital-camera division, Sony appears to have spiffed up Konica’s Maxxum 5D with a 10.2-megapixel charge-coupleddevice (CCD) sensor, some new convenience features, and an updated version of Konica’s CCD-shift image stabilization. The result? Another worthy competitor in the sub-$1,000 dSLR market. You can purchase the DSLR-A100 with just the body ($899.95) or in a kit with the body and an 18mm-to-70mm lens EDITORS’ RATING 7.5 ($999.95). Because the Alpha system uses the 0 BETTER >> 10 same lens mount as PROS 10.2-megapixel resoluKonica’s old Maxxum tion; in-camera image stabilizadSLRs did, most tion; eye-start autofocus Maxxum AF lenses CONS ISO tops out at ISO and third-party AF1600; eye-start autofocus drains mount lenses will battery faster work with the DSLRSony Electronics, 877-865-7669 A100. www.sonystyle.com Maxxum dSLRs preDirect Price $899.95 (body viously made a splash only); $999.95 (kit) by integrating image stabilization into the body of the camera instead of in individual lenses. (Sony claims to have updated the technology.) The DSLR-A100 also inherits a system that shakes dust off the image sensor whenever you turn on the camera. The company has also added a sensor that triggers the autofocus whenever you place your face up to the viewfinder. It tends to drain the battery more quickly, however. While it’s not the fastest camera out there, the DSLR-A100 and in particular its laudable autofocus system performed well in our tests. Its image quality also impressed us; our test photos showed plenty of detail and well-saturated colors. The camera’s highest supported ISO setting is 1600, however, whereas most dSLRs extend their CNET.com range to ISO 3200. —Philip Ryan

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October 2006 computershopper.com

—Will Greenwald

6.2

CNET.com

Casio Exilim EX-Z1000 Tiny shooter delivers mediocre images A 10.1-MEGAPIXEL ultracompact cam, EDITORS’ RATING 7.0 the $399.99 Casio Exilim EX-Z1000 lacks an optical viewfinder and manual0 BETTER >> 10 exposure controls, but it offers a 16-to-9 PROS 10.1-megapixel resolution; wide-screen shooting option, a roomy tiny, lightweight; quick power-on; 2.8-inch LCD, and an intuitive interface. simple interface Slightly larger than a business card CONS Overprocessed images; and less than an inch thick, the camera poor low-light shots; sluggish weighs just 6 ounces with a battery and shot-to-shot times memory card. It includes Casio’s AntiCasio U.S.A., 800-836-8580 Shake DSP electronic image-stabilizawww.casiousa.com tion system to reduce image blur from Direct Price $399.99 its 3x optical zoom lens. Despite a very responsive shutter, the EX-Z1000 stalls a bit too long between shots. After a quick 1.8 seconds from power-on to first shot, it took 3.5 seconds between every additional shot in bright light, and 5.1 seconds with the onboard flash enabled. The EX-Z1000 produced attractive images of well-lit subjects, but it tended to overprocess its photos, resulting in compression artifacts and soft details. Low-light shots also disappointed, with fuzzy details and too CNET.com much noise. —W.G.

Area-51 ® m5750

HIGH PERFORMANCE SYSTEMS

computershopper.com/reviews

REVIEWS DIGITAL AUDIO

Creative Zen V Plus Tiny, feature-loaded flash player is a top performer

✓

THE CUTE, pocket-friendly Creative Zen V Plus is feature-packed and an impressive performer, making it an excellent option if you’re looking for a lower-capacity solid-state MP3 player. You can pick up the 1GB model for $129.99, the 2GB for $169.99, or the 4GB for $229.99. Measuring 2.6x1.5x0.5 inches and weighing 1.6 ounces, the player has a compact design and smooth, rounded edges that make it a pleasure to hold. Available in white or black with a choice of three color accents (depending on capacity), the EDITORS’ RATING 8.3 V Plus features a vivid 1.50 BETTER >> 10 inch organic-light-emittingPROS Cute, pocketable; disdiode (OLED) display viewplay viewable at any angle; FM able from any angle, though radio; line-in recording; excellent it’s tough to read in bright sound quality, battery life sunlight. We liked the playCONS Tiny, cheap-feeling joyer’s dedicated volume rocker stick; bright sunlight overexposand combined power/hold es screen; not a USB host switch, but the joystick is too Creative Labs, 800-998-1000 small for easy navigation us.creative.com and feels cheaply made. Direct Price $129.99 (1GB); The tiny V Plus is jammed $169.99 (2GB); $229.99 (4GB) with features, including pho-

to and video playback, an FM tuner/recorder, a voice recorder, and line-in recording. The device can also sync tasks and contacts from Microsoft Outlook. As for music files, the V Plus supports MP3, WAV, Audible, and subscription WMA audio files, as well as JPEG photos and AVI video. (You need to transcode other video formats using the included ToolBox software.) We only wish the player worked as a USB host for digital cameras as well. The V Plus is a splendid performer. Audio sounded clear and loud, while photos and video looked good, if small, on the bright color screen. Battery life was also impressive, lasting CNET.com more than 20 hours in our tests. —Jasmine France

Bose QuietComfort 3

Archos 104

EDITORS’ CHOICE

Standard-setting headphones aren’t cheap

A dated but able mini-hard-drive player

THEY’RE COSTLY, but Bose’s $349 QuietComfort 3 (QC3) headphones have set the standard for premium noise-canceling headsets. The QC3 model is significantly smaller than Bose’s still-available $299 QuietComfort 2 (QC2), and it features an on-ear (supra-aural) rather than an over-the-ear (circumaural) design. Its luxuriously soft leather pads employ cushy memory foam that conforms to your ears nicely. The QC3 has noise-canceling circuitry built into the headphones themselves. Plus, they fold flat to fit in the included carrying case. Unlike its predecessors, the QC3 uses a lithium-ion battery that lasts about 20 hours per charge. (A travel charger is included.) Note, though, that EDITORS’ RATING 8.0 when the battery dies, so does the music—not just the noisecancellation feature. On the “quiet” part of the equation, the headphones reduced airplane noise to a hush. Audio sounded full, with richer bass than previous Bose models. Overall, though, the sound is not as detailed and clean as from the QC2. —David Carnoy

50

CNET.com

0

BETTER >>

10

PROS Compact design; comfortable earpieces; rechargeable battery; full sound; effective noise cancellation; folds flat CONS Expensive; music stops when battery runs out Bose, 800-444-2673 www.bose.com

Direct Price $349

October 2006 computershopper.com

THE $159.99 Archos 104 is fine for buyers looking for a basic, inexpensive digital audio player and photo viewer, but its technology and feature set make it feel EDITORS’ RATING 6.0 a little behind the times. Available in black, gray, or 0 BETTER >> 10 pink, the 4GB player’s smooth PROS Easy to use; inexpenbody is comfortable to hold, sive; can play subscription and it features well-designed tracks; high-quality sound controls and an attractive CONS Few extra features; 1.5-inch organic-light-emittingcan’t browse photos while listendiode (OLED) color display. ing to music; less durable than a Compatibility with Macs is a flash-memory player plus, as is the Archos 104’s abilArchos, 303-962-3350 ity to play subscription tracks www.archos.com from services such as Urge. Direct Price $159.99 Battery life was passable, lasting 12 hours in our tests. In terms of design and features, though, we noted a few drawbacks. You can’t browse photos while listening to music, and Archos doesn’t provide any extras, such as an FM tuner or voice recording. Also, the small hard drive inside the player makes it less durable than a flash-memory model. Nonetheless, the Archos 104 is no slouch when it comes to sound quality: It pumped out rich, clear CNET.com tunes in our tests. —J.F.

REVIEWS DIGITAL LIVING

HP LC3760N LCD HDTV displays mixed performance AT $1,899, Hewlett-Packard’s LCD-based LC3760N high-definition television (HDTV) outclasses most budget LCD sets 0 BETTER >> 10 with its solid black levels and extensive PROS Produces better-thanconnectivity, but it doesn’t have the most average black levels for an LCD; accurate color we’ve seen. solid connectivity The 37-inch display’s native resoluCONS Poor color decoding; tion of 1,366x768 is enough to resolve lacks picture-in-picture every detail of 720p HD sources. It Hewlett-Packard, 888-999-4747 includes an ATSC tuner for receiving www.hp.com over-the-air HD broadcasts, but its Direct Price $1,899 feature set is otherwise slim. (There’s no picture-in-picture function, for instance.) Connectivity is more comprehensive, with two High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) ports, two component-video inputs, and an optical digital-audio output among the options. The panel lacks a dedicated VGA-style computer input, however. The overall video performance of the LC3760N leaves something to be desired, especially with its poor color decoding. It still trumps many LCD HDTVs out there, however, and can produce deep, convincing black tones thanks to its CNET.com backlight. —Kevin Miller

EDITORS’ RATING

Samsung HL-S5687W An impressive 1080p DLP set WITH A SLICK DESIGN, well-rounded features, and solid performance, the Samsung HL-S5687W is a top choice for those seeking a 1080p high-definition television (HDTV) at a reasonable price for its screen size. The $3,199 display is a 56-inch rear-projection set using digital-light-processing (DLP) technology. It supports a resolution of 1,920x1,080 (1080p). It includes an ATSC tuner for receiving over-the-air HD signals, though the set lacks a CableCard slot. Samsung also omits a picture-inpicture function. You EDITORS’ RATING 7.8 do get lots of options 0 BETTER >> 10 for customizing the PROS Inexpensive for a 1080p picture, however, inHDTV; deep blacks; excellent cluding five colorshadow detail; ample connectivitemperature presets, a ty, picture-customizing tools noise-reduction feaCONS Occasional rainbow ture, and a film mode effect; color decoding accentuthat engages 2-to-3 ates reds; no picture-in-picture pull-down detection. feature, CableCard slot Connectivity is likeSamsung Electronics America wise ample. Two High800-726-7864 Definition Multimedia www.samsung.com Interface (HDMI) ports Mfr. Est. Price $3,199 can accept 1080p signals from sources such as Blu-ray players (like Samsung’s BD-P1000, reviewed at the beginning of this section). The display also has two component-video inputs, a VGA-style PC input, two A/V inputs with SVideo, an optical digital audio output, and a USB port. In most of our performance tests, the HLS5687W delivered commendable black levels and plenty of detail, with few artifacts or extra video noise. As with all DLPs we’ve seen, however, the set introduced a rainbow effect—trails of colors when adjacent areas of very dark and very light material move quickly—in a few areas. In addition, the unit evinces a noticeable CNET.com red push. —David Katzmaier

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October 2006 computershopper.com

6.3

Sony STR-DG800 A/V receiver is a feature-filled bargain AN IMPRESSIVE spread of features, inEDITORS’ RATING 7.0 cluding High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) switching and XM Satellite 0 BETTER >> 10 Radio capability, makes Sony’s STRPROS Impressive surround DG800 A/V receiver a bargain at $399.99. sound; HDMI switching; XM SatelThe unit, which offers seven channels lite Radio compatibility at 100 watts apiece, supplies connectivity CONS Video inputs can’t be highlighted by three HDMI ports (two inconverted to HDMI output; perforput and one output). Other inputs include mance with music could be better two component-video, three S-Video, six Sony Electronics, 877-865-7669 digital audio, and one optical. (The STRwww.sonystyle.com DG800 will not convert your analog video Direct Price $399.99 sources to the HDMI output, however.) To receive XM programming, you’ll need an optional XM Connect-and-Play antenna, as well as a $12.95-per-month XM Radio subscription. The 7.1-channel receiver features a full selection of Dolby and DTS surround modes, including Dolby Digital EX, Dolby Pro Logic IIx, DTSES, and DTS Neo:6. Its audio output for home theater was exciting, but music performance was less impressive. Bass definition was excellent, but quieter music wasn’t as smooth and clear as we would have liked. —Steve Guttenberg

CNET.com

REVIEWS SOFTWARE

Altiris Software Virtualization Solution Install software without fear of conflicts ALTIRIS SOFTWARE VIRTUALIZATION SOLUTION (SVS) is a free program that creates virtualized installations of files and Registry entries. Because the changes are virtual, you can instantly delete programs without leaving Registry keys—or any of their possible conflicts—behind. Although using SVS is as easy as installing it, it employs concepts and a technical vocabulary that take time to learn—and in leaving out a help file, Altiris doesn’t make acclimating to SVS any easier. You do get an excellent PDF manual, but you EDITORS’ RATING 7.5 have to open the downloaded ZIP file to access it. Clicking 0 BETTER >> 10 the “?” icon to identify terms PROS Removes need for in SVS screens does nothing. lengthy, potentially messy software uninstalls; solves conflictOnce you negotiate the ing Registry issues between learning curve, however, SVS programs; excellent PDF manual is pretty transparent. You CONS No help system; comcreate a layer using the Adplex controls; cannot virtualize min program, then capture a virus checkers, OS patches, program’s files and Registry dedicated-driver apps entries—along with any conAltiris, 801-226-8500 figurable options you care to www.altiris.com create—without having to Price Free worry about conflicts.

CyberLink PowerDVD 7 Max Full-featured video player with a few minor quirks LOADING AND RUNNING a DVD on your PC is easy, but if you want more control over your video—color, sound configuration, aspect ratios—you’ll want a dedicated DVD-viewer program, such as CyberLink’s $59.95 PowerDVD 7 Max. Although we found version 7 awkward to use at times, it won us over with its many well-implemented features. Right away, we blanched at the animated ad on the left side of the configuration screen, hawking upgrades and other CyberLink products. Also, some features were cumbersome to use, given the limited number of controls available in full-screen docked mode. For example, to switch audio-equalizer presets, you have to click

56

October 2006 computershopper.com

We installed several apps through SVS, including a few that were already installed on the same PC. SVS ignored preexisting settings in each instance, just as it should have. We also noticed no performance degradation with any of the virtualized programs, even with notorious RAM or CPU gluttons. On a network, the virtualizer provides instant client access to programs without the hassles of individual installs and uninstalls. Plus, SVS could be very useful for trying out software on a stand-alone computer. Note, however, that SVS cannot virtualize virus checkers, OS patches, or dedicateddriver apps (such as a client firewall). —Barry Brenesal

EDITORS’ RATING 0

BETTER >>

7.8 10

PROS Excellent video, audio back to Windowed mode, choices; strong multiple-format undock the toolbar, use a support; handy utilities for notebook users hotkey to bring up the A/V Options Pad, select Equalizer CONS Needless interface Presets, click the one you switching to get full features; animated ads on configuration want, and then click to rescreen turn to full-screen viewing. These annoyances pale in CyberLink www.cyberlink.com comparison to the app’s Direct Price $59.95 shining performance, however. We were impressed with its extensive support for various audio and video formats, its ability to shift content with a 4-to-3 aspect ratio to fill displays with 16-to-9 aspect ratios, and the effective deinterlacing mode, but it was the little extras that stood out. Along with some excellent image-enhancing tools, you get features such as Say-It-Again, which loops a recent piece of dialog with a single click, an onscreen battery meter for notebook users, and See-It-All, which increases film speed slightly if battery power is low. —B.B.

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REVIEWS SOFTWARE

Eudora 7 Mail-management, searching functions one-up Outlook IF YOU WANT to manage your e-mail better, Eudora 7’s simple, clean interface and highly capable search engine make it worth the $49. Version 7 of Qualcomm’s popular desktop email application includes the comprehensive X1 search tool, which has more features than Outlook 2003’s search function—a boon if you manage large amounts of e-mail. Granted, Qualcomm left Mac users out in the cold, its “live” technical support leads to voice mail, and the BossWatch feature, which flags e-mails that require tactful replies, won’t add value for most users. But its online EDITORS’ RATING 7.3 and downloadable help resources have been spiffed up, 0 BETTER >> 10 and corporate users can benPROS Time-saving X1 search efit from its IMAP improvefeature; clean layout; free ments, along with a new Sversions available with or withMIME addition that expands out ads the ability to encrypt mail CONS Not Mac-compatible; and verify digital signatures. hard-to-reach live support After downloading the Eudora, 800-238-3672 16.4MB program, you choose www.eudora.com among three modes of Direct Price $49 (full version); operation: Paid, Sponsored, $39 (upgrade) and Light. The Paid mode in-

cludes SpamWatch and other goodies from Eudora 6, as well as X1’s Indexed Search, the BossWatch feature, live technical support, and a year of upgrades. These features are missing from the two stripped-down free versions: Sponsored, which has unobtrusive onscreen ads, and Light, which is ad-free but leaves out even more features. Paying users have a range of support options. Downloadable PDF documentation includes a 500-page user guide, a basic quick-start guide with handy shortcut keys, and a newfeatures guide. Phone support is available between 11 a.m. and 8 p.m. (ET) on weekdays. Our support call went straight to voice mail, but within 20 minutes, we received a helpful callback. For the first year, paying users get six free calls; CNET.com each call costs $35 thereafter. —Laurie Bouck

PodMediaCreator

Ovation

Easy editing of video, music, photos for iPods

Instantly give better presentations

AVANQUEST’S $29.95 PodMediaCreator (PMC) is an affordable one-stop method for painlessly editing and creating video, audio, and digital-image projects for your iPod—or simply just for sharing them on a PC. Those new to media-file editing will appreciate the straightforward interface, which gives you quick access to your files. Creating projects is a drag-anddrop process, and the editing tools will be sufficient for most users. Plus, you get instant previews of your creations. PMC supports a decent number of file types, but not Apple’s AAC audio format. EDITORS’ RATING 8.0 Also, PMC doesn’t work with the Mac OS; its func0 BETTER >> 10 tions are covered by ApPROS Simple interface; instant ple’s iLife ’06, which alpreview; one-click transfer to ready tackles video, audio, iPod/iTunes and image editing. CONS No AAC support; no Mac When you’re done, click OS version the Transfer to iPod button, Avanquest Publishing U.S.A. and PMC drops the finished 800-325-0834 project onto a connected www.avanquestusa.com iPod or into your iTunes Direct Price $29.95 Library. —Joshua Goldman

SERIOUS MAGIC’S $99.95 EDITORS’ RATING 7.5 Ovation spices up dreary Microsoft PowerPoint presen0 BETTER >> 10 tations while also making PROS Easy to use, navigate; you a better presenter. real-time effects; useful presentaOvation works hand in tion-timing features hand with PowerPoint. Once CONS Not all changes can be you’ve imported an existing made within Ovation; must be used presentation (a one-click with PowerPoint process), you can apply one Serious Magic, 916-985-8000 of dozens of PowerLooks, or www.seriousmagic.com professional-looking Direct Price $99.95 themes. Merely click on one to get a real-time look at the changes. You can’t make all changes in Ovation, however. For example, to adjust any text, you have to export the presentation to PowerPoint to make the changes. The same goes for rearranging the order of your slides. The app also has an excellent toolset for helping you give better presentations, such as a countdown clock and individual slide timers so you don’t spend too much time on one slide. —J.G.

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October 2006 computershopper.com

Top25

This month’s best desktops, notebooks, prosumer digital SLR cameras, input devices, and music-download services.

MAINSTREAM DESKTOPS

>> Well-configured PCs that won’t empty your wallet.

PRODUCT

PRICE

SPECS/REQUIREMENTS

WinBook Jiv Mini www.winbook.com

$1,099

1.66GHz Core Duo T2300; 1GB DDR2; 100GB The Jiv Mini packs in an impressive array of features, in-cluding a DVD burner, a HDD; double-layer DVD±RW; integrated graphics flash-card reader, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and a built-in TV tuner. (See p. 72.)

EDITOR’S TAKE

RATING

8.0

Apple Mac Mini Core Duo www.apple.com

$799

1.66GHz Core Duo T2300; 512MB DDR2; 80GB HDD; double-layer DVD±RW; integrated graphics

Apple packs a Core Duo processor and media-specific features into the Mac Mini’s tiny case for an inexpensive, entertainment-room computer. (See p. 68.)

7.5

iBuypower Value Ultra www.ibuypower.com

$1,133

2.2GHz Athlon 64 3500+; 1GB DDR; 200GB HDD; double-layer DVD±RW; GeForce 7600 GT

Similar cookie-cutter PCs from big vendors cost less, but this config’s graphics power, plus the customization options available from iBuypower, more than justify the price.

7.4

Shuttle XPC G5 1100h us.shuttle.com

$1,219

2GHz Pentium M 760; 1GB DDR; 200GB HDD; DVD/CD-RW combo; GeForce 6600

Powered by a mobile Pentium M processor, Shuttle’s toaster-size system is a stylish, nearsilent midrange PC that’s a good fit for the design-conscious and space-constrained.

7.2

Gateway DX310X www.gateway.com

$1,068

3GHz Pentium D 930; 1GB DDR2; 250GB HDD; DVD/CD-RW combo; GeForce 6600

Gateway’s midrange DX310X covers a lot of ground, combining a TV tuner and the Media Center OS with a decent graphics card and room for expansion down the road.

6.7

THIN-AND-LIGHT NOTEBOOKS

>> Laptops that let you take performance on the road.

Lenovo ThinkPad T60* www.lenovo.com

$1,639

1.83Hz Core Duo T2400; 1GB DDR2; 100GB HDD; double-layer DVD±RW; 15-inch TFT

You can find less-expensive models out there, but the T60 delivers a sturdy design, solid connectivity, long battery life, and top performance to satisfy business users.

7.8

HP Pavilion DV5000z www.hp.com

$1,305

2.2GHz Turion 64 ML-40; 1GB DDR; 120GB HDD; double-layer DVD±RW; 15.4-inch TFT

The DV5000z is a well-designed, versatile multimedia laptop that starts at a highly affordable price. At 6.5 pounds, however, it’s a bit too hefty for regular travel.

7.6

HP Pavilion DV1000t www.hp.com

$1,345

2GHz Core Duo T2500; 1GB DDR; 100GB HDD; double-layer DVD±RW; 14-inch TFT

When configured with Intel’s Core Duo processor, the DV1000t adds cutting-edge power to its strong combination of multimedia capabilities and portable design.

7.5

Dell XPS M1210 www.dell.com

$2,610

2.16GHz Core Duo T2600; 1GB DDR; 80GB HDD; double-layer DVD±RW; 12.1-inch TFT

Our test unit wasn’t cheap, but at its base-model price (around $1,200), the M1210 will appeal to users who want a compact but full-featured Media Center notebook.

7.3

Apple MacBook www.apple.com

$1,299

2GHz Core Duo T2500; 512MB DDR; 60GB HDD; DVD±RW; 13.3-inch TFT

With the MacBook, Apple corrects a handful of the iBook’s shortcomings, hits a reasonable price point, and makes a great compromise between comfort and portability.

7.2

PROSUMER DIGITAL SLR CAMERAS

>> Quality digicams that strike a balance between features and price.

Canon EOS Digital Rebel XT usa.canon.com

$999.99* 8 megapixels; 1.8-inch LCD; CompactFlash

Designed for amateur dSLR photographers, the small, lightweight EOS Digital Rebel XT delivers the responsiveness and image quality you’d expect from a semipro model.

8.0

Olympus Evolt E-330 www.olympusamerica.com

$999.99* 7.5 megapixels; 2.5-inch LCD; CompactFlash, Microdrive, xD-Picture Card

Feature-packed and solidly built, the Evolt E-330 is an excellent midrange dSLR that has unique live scene viewing on its large LCD. Its controls take time to master.

7.7

Nikon D70s www.nikonusa.com

$999.99* 6.1 megapixels; 2-inch LCD; CompactFlash, Microdrive

Nikon’s 6-megapixel model retains the solid design, impressive performance, and image quality we liked in the original D70, while repairing a few shortcomings.

7.6

Olympus Evolt E-500 www.olympusamerica.com

$799.99* 8 megapixels; 2.5-inch LCD; CompactFlash, Microdrive, xD-Picture Card

This compact, easy-to-use digital SLR model offers great picture quality and a broad feature set for its class, including Olympus’ signature dust-reduction system.

7.4

Pentax *ist DL www.pentaximaging.com

$549.95* 6.1 megapixels; 2.5-inch LCD; SD

The svelte *ist DL is a logical choice for budget-minded enthusiasts looking to upgrade to a digital SLR, but it’s not ideal for shooting action or running on full auto.

7.2

INPUT DEVICES

>> Well-designed peripherals for entering data in style and comfort.

Logitech MX 518 Gaming- $49.99 Corded mouse; USB interface; 1,600dpi Grade Mouse logitech.com optical sensor Logitech G5 Laser Mouse www.logitech.com

$69.99 Corded mouse; USB interface; 2,000dpi laser sensor

Logitech G7 Laser Cord$99.99 Cordless mouse; USB interface; 2,000dpi less Mouse www.logitech.com laser sensor Belkin MediaPilot www.belkin.com

$99.99 Wireless keyboard-and-mouse combo; USB interface; built-in mouse control

Microsoft Wireless Laser $99.95 Wireless keyboard-and-mouse combo; USB Desktop 6000 microsoft.com interface; laser mouse sensor

MUSIC-DOWNLOAD SERVICES

The MX 518’s adjustable sensitivity, customizable buttons, and comfortable grip are sure to please right-handed gamers. Lefties will have to look elsewhere, though.

8.7

Outfitted with a swift 2,000dpi laser sensor, the G5 was built for right-handed gamers, but its customizable buttons and top-notch performance will satisfy everyday users, too.

8.0

Logitech’s G7 is a top-performing cordless option for the gaming set, but those who don’t mind being chained to their PCs should consider a less-expensive mouse.

8.0

The MediaPilot combines keyboard, mouse, and universal remote into one versatile, rechargeable device. Just be sure you have space for its docking station.

7.3

A well-designed keyboard-and-mouse set, the stylish Wireless Laser Desktop 6000 offers plenty of useful features, but it loses some points for its cheap, lightweight feel.

7.0

>> One-stop online music shops deliver digital tunes in a snap.

Apple iTunes Music Store 99 cents 3 million-plus song library; secure AAC www.itunes.com per song format; Mac-, PC-compatible

Thanks to its simple interface, vast library, and integration with the iTunes jukebox, the iTunes Music Store is the best one-stop shop for digital music—and video, too.

8.0

MSN Music music.msn.com

99 cents 1 million-plus song library; secure WMA per song** format; PC-compatible

MSN Music has a loyal following thanks to its high-quality music files and integration with Windows Media Player 10. Its library has less songs than other services, though.

8.0

MTV Urge www.urge.com

99 cents 2 million-plus song library; secure WMA per song** format; PC-compatible

The new kid on the online-music block, MTV’s Urge is easy to use, visually appealing, and chock-full of content—plus, it’s integrated into the new Windows Media Player 11.

8.0

Rhapsody www.rhapsody.com

99 cents 1.5 million-plus song library; secure WMA, per song** secure AAC formats; PC-compatible

Rhapsody continues to impress with its latest version, which offers a subscription service for WMA-compatible players and a free jukebox that plays secure AAC files.

8.0

Napster www.napster.com

99 cents 2 million-plus song library; secure WMA per song** format; PC-compatible

Cheaper subscription plans are out there, but Napster’s features and interface are tough to beat. Users can now stream songs in the Napster catalog up to five times for free.

7.8

= Editors’ Choice

* = Price is for camera body only.

** = Monthly subscription plans also available.

RATINGS FROM

CNET.com

computershopper.com October 2006

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New space-saving desktops are irresistibly attractive and affordable. Is going compact right for you?

Go Micro EDITED BY JOSHUA GOLDMAN

WITH MORE PEOPLE LOOKING for simple, space-saving computing solutions, the laptop industry has boomed in the past couple of years. But the inflexible ergonomics and high cost of notebooks don’t fit everyone’s needs. If you want something compact but also adjustable and affordable, today’s breed of mini-PCs are the way to go. Surprisingly, these petite packages deliver a remarkable amount of processing performance, which enables them to tackle everyday desktop duties. All the PCs we looked at came loaded with 1GB of DDR2 SDRAM and Intel’s excellent mobile CPUs. Four of the five (the HP Pavilion Slimline being the exception) were powered by dualcore processors, providing great multitasking capabilities while still operating at relatively cool temperatures. (The reduced heat dissipation required means little, if any, fan noise.) Hard drive space was also respectable con-

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October 2006 computershopper.com

sidering the sizes of these systems. The AOpen MiniPC Duo MP945-V and Apple Mac Mini Core Duo had the least (80GB), though the Mac Mini can be configured with up to 120GB. The WinBook Jiv Mini used a 100GB drive, and both the Shuttle XPC X100 and the HP Pavilion Slimline s7500y came with 250GB drives. While mini-PCs offer much to like, keep a few factors in mind. First, this type of PC is typically not designed to be upgradable after purchase, so make sure you have ample RAM and hard drive capacity before you click to buy. Also, if you don’t have a keyboard or mouse, you’ll want to grab those, too—only the HP Pavilion Slimline offered these peripherals standard. And if you think a mini-PC might make a decent LAN-party gaming rig, think again. The Shuttle XPC X100 comes closest, thanks to its ATI Mobility X1400 discrete graphics card, but the

integrated Intel GMA graphics controllers in the other PCs would go down fast in a hard-core frag fest. Check out the sidebar “D-I-Y SFF” for suggestions on building your own small-form-factor PC that can handle 3D gaming. Finally, while the HP Pavilion Slimline and WinBook Jiv Mini come with built-in TV tuners (a truly amazing inclusion for the ultrasmall Jiv), the entertainment capabilities of these systems are most appropriate for desktop monitors 20 inches or smaller. The integrated graphics employed by most of these PCs cannot drive larger displays at their full resolution, and the PCIcard TV tuners won’t deliver the best picture quality. Offering so much computer in so little space, the five mini-PCs that follow are all worthy of a spot on your desk. Read on to see which best suits your needs.

computershopper.com/roundups

AOpen MiniPC Duo MP945-V Editors’ Rating: 7.0 out of 10 Pros: Highly compact; multiple video-output options; built-in Wi-Fi Cons: Only two USB ports; minimal bundled software; no remote control; no internal TV-tuner option APPLE’S positively petite Mac Mini Core Duo (reviewed next) has won the affection of many and inspired several copycat systems—including the AOpen MiniPC Duo MP945-V. AOpen has offered Mac Mini clones before, but this

one is the first to use Intel’s Core Duo processor, yielding specs very similar to Apple’s little white box. The two models, which both sell for $899, are almost identical in configuration, although Apple offers superior software. Nonetheless, the AOpen MiniPC Duo is a solid option if you’re looking for a Windows Media Center experience in a MacMini-size box but prefer to avoid the complexity and expense of setting up a dual-boot system using Boot Camp (which also requires purchasing a copy

of Windows XP). The silver-and-blue case measures just 6.5 inches square and 2.3 inches high. The top is slightly bowed, not flat like the Mac Mini’s, and the front panel has a power button/indicator light, along with an eject button for the slot-fed double-layer DVD±RW burner. Besides a standard DVI connection on the back (AOpen includes a DVI-toVGA adapter), you’ll also find what AOpen calls a Multi-TV output, which is a dongle connection with S-Video, composite-video, and component-video outs. Three audio jacks provide standard mic-in, line-in, and line-out connections, with one jack doubling as a digital-audio out. The case has only two USB 2.0 ports on the rear panel and no PS/2 connectors, so once you plug in a USB mouse and keyboard, you’ll be out of jacks for peripherals—and adding a USB hub to

computershopper.com October 2006

67

such a tiny PC undermines its aesthetic appeal. You do get a single rear FireWire jack, however. Thanks to its 1.66GHz Core Duo T2300 CPU (identical to the processor in the Mac Mini Core Duo), the MiniPC Duo turned in impressive scores for an ultrasmall PC, hitting 189 on BAPCo SYSmark 2004. Bundled software is slim com-

AOpen MiniPC Duo MP945-V

pared with the Mac Mini’s bundle. AOpen offers only a few media apps, such as CyberLink’s PowerDVD. Also, it lacks a remote for controlling the Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 OS. Thanks to the included DVI-to-VGAand-DVI adapter, however, you can power two monitors at once, and the system includes integrated Wi-Fi.

Apple Mac Mini Core Duo Editors’ Rating: 7.5 out of 10 Pros: Inexpensive; can run Windows via Boot Camp; substantial software bundle; built-in Wi-Fi, Bluetooth

you’ll find four USB 2.0 ports, an EtherHP Pavilion Slimline s7500y net connector, digital and analog audio Editors’ Rating: 7.5 out of 10 I/O jacks, and a DVI port bundled with Pros: Highly configurable; well-priced; no several adapters (DVI-to-S-Video/comexternal power brick; built-in TV tuner, Wi-Fi posite-video, DVI-to-HDMI). The back Cons: Older, single-core CPU; a little large for also hosts a single FireWire port. Ina mini-PC side, integrated 802.11g Wi-Fi and BlueTHE HP PAVILION Slimline s7500y is tooth 2.0+EDR come standard for easy the largest of the mini-desktops here, wireless networking. measuring 9.8x4.4x13.1 inches. The upThe Mini Core Duo is a quiet opside of this bulkier size is that the erator, with a design that Slimline is the most configurable sysstays cool without a tem in the roundup, with prices that noisy fan. The case start at $649 and range to $1,299. Our isn’t a sealed box, $768.99 test unit was the least-expenbut it’s not made for sive model here and came stocked with easy upgrades. You plenty of good components, including a can add RAM and big 250GB hard drive, a LightScribeboost the hard drive size equipped double-layer DVD±RW burnwhen configuring the machine at er, and 1GB of memory. purchase. If you need to add memory The Slimline resembles a shrunken later, however, we recommend visiting full-size tower that, while attractive, an Apple Store or Apple repair shop for doesn’t approach the stylishness of assistance. Application Performance: BAPCo SYSmark 2004 Under the hood is a nice selection of hardware. The 1.66GHz AOpen MiniPC 189 Duo MP945-V dual-core Core Duo T2300 CPU Apple Mac and 1GB of DDR2 memory 178 Mini Core Duo proved able on our BAPCo SYSHP Pavilion mark 2004 benchmark test, 148 Slimline s7500y achieving a score of 178. The Shuttle quality of DVD and video output 191 XPC X100 to a television was poor, howevWinBook er, due to the integrated Intel 190 Jiv Mini GMA 950 graphics. 0 50 100 150 200 250 Like every Mac, the Mini Core Overall Rating Duo comes with a media-rich software bundle, anchored by Apple’s Shuttle’s offering or the sheer smalliLife ’06 suite, which includes iTunes, ness of the other three models. HP does iPhoto, iMovie HD, iDVD, GarageBand, offer something unique, however: and iWeb (the newest member). You SkinIt (www.skinit.com) vinyl skins also get Front Row, Apple’s graphical that let you personalize the Slimline’s interface for browsing videos, music case with a variety of patterns, entertracks, DVDs, and photos from the tainment brands, or sports-team logos. comfort of the couch using the bundled Behind a drop-down door on the remote. Note, however, that many front panel is the LightScribe DVD

Cons: Few upgrade options; no internal TV-tuner option LONG UPBRAIDED for its high prices on computers that didn’t stack up against its Windows-based competitors, Apple struck back hard with the potent, well-priced ($899 as tested), and absolutely minuscule Mac Mini Core Duo. The switch to Intel processors introduced not only more power but also lower operating temperatures and the ability to run both Windows and the Mac OS with the help of Apple’s Boot Camp software. The squat shape (a 6.5-inch square that’s 2 inches high and weighs 2.9 pounds) is small enough to fit anywhere and Apple third-party apps need to use portable enough to disconnect Mac Mini Rosetta, Apple’s built-in translaand take with you. The front feaCore Duo tion software, to work with the tures a slot for the double-layer new Intel processors. In our tests, DVD±RW drive and a barely perceptible Rosetta appeared to slow overall infrared receiver for use with the inperformance. cluded Apple remote. Around back,

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October 2006 computershopper.com

burner, which can etch gray-scale text, photos, and preformatted CD-label art directly onto specially coated discs. Also on front you’ll find a multiformat memory-card reader, along with a single USB 2.0 port and a headphone jack. Around back are four more USB 2.0 ports, a FireWire port, an Ethernet jack, and connectors for 7.1-channel sound, as well as a coaxial digital-audio out, PS/2 ports, and a VGA-monitor output. Unlike with most mini-PCs, you can access the interior of the Slimline for upgrades. Depending on how you configure your machine, you might have a

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Graphics Module with 512MB 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 512MB DDR3 NVIDIA® GeForce™ Go 7900 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 4600+ – 512MB 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

$ 3249

$ 2699

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.

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computershopper.com/roundups

PCI slot open for expansion. (Our system, which included a $60 standard-definition TV-tuner card and a $29 802.11g wireless network adapter, had none.) On the upside, HP shoehorned the power supply inside the case, which obviates the need for a bulky external HP Pavilion power brick. Slimline s7500y The first time we looked at the Slimline, its only processor option was a low-end Celeron M. Since then, HP has added Pentium M choices, including the 1.7GHz Pentium M 735A that powered our review unit. It’s not a dual-core chip, so it can’t handle multitasking as well as the Core Duo chips in the other systems here. Still, the Slimline hit a respectable 148 on our BAPCo SYSmark 2004 benchmark test. Picture quality for live and recorded programming was also good. HP includes a keyboard, a mouse, and a Media Center remote. A good deal of software also comes bundled, including HP PhotoSmart Premier, Sonic’s RecordNow for CD/DVD burning, and InterVideo’s WinDVD 5 player.

D-I-Y SFF The biggest problem with small-formfactor (SFF) computers is the limited space for internal components. That, coupled with heat buildup from running performance parts in a compact box, means PC builders are less likely to use high-end

AOpen Cube Mini

components. As usual, the best way to improve upon vendor offerings is to build your own SFF desktop. If you’re just looking to build a tiny system for basic tasks, we recommend the AOpen Cube Mini ($279.99, usa.aopen.com). The Apple-like design is nice, and the Mini has a good selection of ports and internal component connections. But because this bare-bones PC uses an Intel Socket 479 motherboard, you can drop in a Celeron M or Pentium M CPU that

Shuttle XPC X100 Editors’ Rating: 8.0 out of 10 Pros: Beautiful design; solid construction; built-in Wi-Fi; good graphics performance Cons: Scant bundled software; no internal TV-tuner option; limited configuration options SHUTTLE’S $999 XPC X100 is the newest box here—so new we started our review looking at a silver preproduction unit and finished by testing the black production model. Because Shuttle is a pioneer in small-formfactor PCs, we were a little surprised the company took this long to offer a mini-PC. But the X100 was certainly worth the wait. The X100, which measures 2.1x11.8x8.3 inches, is the secondlargest PC in this roundup; it also feels surprisingly solid. And while the AOpen, Apple, and WinBook models are

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October 2006 computershopper.com

Shuttle XPC SN26P

all light enough to toss into a backpack, Shuttle’s is a bit too heavy for that. The X100’s angular, low-profile design makes a strong, stylish statement, though, whether it’s reclining horizontally or oriented vertically in its included stand. The front is uncluttered, with only a power button, a single USB 2.0 port, a slot for the double-layer

requires less cooling. And that makes for quieter operation. Shuttle (us.shuttle.com) is undoubtedly the champion of SFF desktops. If you need proof, check out its bare-bones $536.99 XPC SN26P. In a box measuring 12.8x8.7x8.3 inches, the company has engineered space for two nVidia graphics cards set in a Scalable Link Interface (SLI) configuration. This model also supports up to 2GB of memory, an AMD Socket 939 processor (including the FX and X2 lines), two hard drives, and an optical drive. Want even more say about what goes in your box? You’ll find many SFF cases on the market that fit Mi-

Ultra MicroFly croATX motherboards. One of our favorites is the $99.99 MicroFly from Ultra (www.ultraproducts. com). Its removable hard drive cage and motherboard tray make assembly fairly easy. You also get room for two hard drives, two external 5.25-inch drives, and one 3.5-inch drive. Around back, you’ll find space for four PCI or PCI Express cards. Plus, the case takes a full-size ATX power supply, and can be purchased with or without one of Ultra’s own 400watt units. —J.G.

DVD±RW drive, and a media-card reader tucked above a blue power/activity light. Spin the PC around, and you’re staring at a FireWire port and four USB 2.0 ports for peripherals, an Ethernet jack for networking, S-Video-out and DVI ports for video, 7.1-channel digital and analog audio outs, and mic and line-in

jacks. Our unit also had a built-in 802.11a/b/g Wi-Fi adapter (a $34 addon). The only thing missing is a TV tuner; Shuttle sells an external USB tuner as a $95 option. Of the compact systems we reviewed, the X100 delivered the best components. It was powered by the same 1.66GHz Core Duo processor used by the AOpen, Apple, and WinBook computers, along with 1GB of DDR2 RAM. But Shuttle, like HP, included a roomy 250GB hard drive. This combination matched the performance of the AOpen and WinBook models, delivering a BAPCo SYSmark 2004 score of 191. The X100 took the lead in graphics capability, with an ATI Mobility Radeon X1400 graphics card that’s a definite improvement over the integrated Intel GMA solutions of the other systems here. It won’t stand up to hard-core 3D gaming, but images and DVD playback were noticeably crisper and had better detail. Shuttle offers a few configuration options, including two other processors, up to 2GB RAM, and

hard drive capacShuttle XPC ities as large as 400GB. X100 Also, the company includes some starter software: Trend Micro’s PC-cillin, Adobe Acrobat Reader 7, and Phoenix Recovery Pro.

Feature Comparison

WinBook Jiv Mini Editors’ Rating: 8.0 out of 10 Pros: Incredibly small, considering feature set; built-in TV tuner, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth Cons: Fixed configuration; short on software ABOUT THE SIZE of a typical hardback novel, the $1,099 WinBook Jiv Mini is the smallest full-featured Media Center PC we’ve seen. Like the rest of the PCs here, its tiny design means you’ll sacrifice future expandability, but if you’re looking for a low-profile PC to bring Media Center functionality to your home entertainment system, the Jiv Mini delivers the goods. Weighing a mere 2.6 pounds and measuring 7.8x1.7x9.1 inches, the Jiv Mini’s all-black case will blend nicely with your entertainment components or disappear on a desk. The case can lie horizontally, or it can stand vertically in an included base. You’ll find only a power button on its minimal front panel—all connectors and ports are conveniently located along the sides, where they are easy to reach. On the left is a coaxial TV connector for the integrated TV tuner, which did a good job of rendering our cable signal and recorded TV programs. Next to the TV input are modem and Ethernet ports, plus jacks supporting the integrated 5.1-channel audio controller. Also present are DVI and S-Video outputs, two USB ports, and an AC power jack. The right side features a slot-loading double-layer DVD±RW drive molded into the side, joined by another USB port, a FireWire port, and a memorycard reader. The right side is also home

to a sensor for the included Media Center Edition remote and an indicator for the built-in wireless 802.11a/b/g radio. The case is sealed, so prying it open to add new hardware is not an option. At least WinBook went with a 100GB hard drive, affording you more storage than the AOpen and Apple systems. You can connect to peripherals wirelessly via the integrated Bluetooth adapter, too. The Jiv Mini doesn’t come standard with an input device, but our review unit arrived with a wireless Microsoft Remote Keyboard for Windows MCE, which will set you back another $80 or so. This keyboard-andmouse combo takes some getting used to, but once you do, it’s quite handy. WinBook The Jiv Mini packed the faJiv Mini miliar 1.66GHz Core Duo T2300 CPU and 1GB DDR2 RAM, and its BAPCo SYSmark 2004 test result, 190, was statistically identical to that of the AOpen and Shuttle PCs. The diminutive motherboard is based on Intel’s 945GT chipset, with video provided by Intel’s integrated GMA 950 controller. WinBook includes little software: NTI’s CD & DVD Maker, plus a trial version of Norton Internet Security 2006. Reviews by Dan Ackerman, John Delaney, Troy Dreier, and J.G.

CNET.com

AOpen MiniPC Duo MP945-V

Apple Mac Mini Core Duo

HP Pavilion Slimline s7500y

Shuttle XPC X100

WinBook Jiv Mini

7.0

7.5

7.5

8.0

8.0

1.66GHz Core Duo T2300 1GB DDR2 Integrated Intel GMA 900 80GB Double-layer DVD±RW None/none Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 One year

1.66GHz Core Duo T2300 1GB DDR2 Integrated Intel GMA 950 80GB Double-layer DVD±RW None/none Mac OS X 10.4 One year

1.7GHz Pentium M 735A 1GB DDR2 Integrated Intel GMA 900 250GB Double-layer DVD±RW None/none Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 One year

1.66GHz Core Duo T2300 1GB DDR2 ATI Mobility Radeon X1400 250GB Double-layer DVD±RW None/none Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 One year

1.66GHz Core Duo T2300 1GB DDR2 Integrated Intel GMA 950 100GB Double-layer DVD±RW None/none Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 One year

COMPANY

AOpen America 408-232-1200 usa.aopen.com

Apple Computer 800-692-7753 www.apple.com

Hewlett-Packard 800-752-0900 www.hp.com

Shuttle Computer 888-972-1818 us.shuttle.com

WinBook Computer 800-254-7806 www.winbook.com

DIRECT PRICE

$899

$899

$768.99 (before $50 mail-in rebate)

$999

$1,099

EDITORS’ RATING CONFIGURATION Processor System Memory Graphics Hard Drive Optical Drive Monitor/Speakers Operating System

Parts/Labor Warranty

72

October 2006 computershopper.com

XTREME GEAR RECOMMENDS WINDOWS®® XP AMD Athlon™ 64 X2 Processor Ultimate Smart Dual-Core Power and Performance – Get More Done in Less Time.

MADE TO DO MORE IN LESS TIME • Run all your gadgets quickly, seamlessly and simultaneously. • Run all your applications at the same time with increased performance. • Can handle anything you throw at it.

AMD Turion™ 64 Mobile Technology Smart 64-bit Performance with Longer Battery Life. MADE FOR FULL PERFORMANCE COMPUTING ON THE MOVE • AMD PowerNow!™ technology for longer battery life. • Enjoy superb video playback, edit videos on the fly and deliver super-fast graphics performance - all while on the go.

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CoolerMaster Mini Aquagate Liquid Cooling System Genuine Windows® XP Home Edition w/ SP 2 NVIDIA® nForce® 570 SLI Dual 16X PCI-E Mainboard Corsair 2048MB PC6400 DDR-2 800 Dual Channel 300GB 7200RPM SATA-II 3.0Gb/s 16mb Cache HD Dual (2) NVIDIA® 7900 GT 512MB 16X PCI-Express Video Sony 16X-DVD ROM Drive 16X DVD+-RW with Lightscribe Technology 7.1 nForce 3D Audio Logitech X530 5.1 Subwoofer Speakers Gigabit Network Card PCI 802.11G 54 Mbps Wirless Network Card X-Smilodon Case 500Watt Power 1 Year Limited Warranty + Lifetime Toll Free 24/7 Techsupport

AMD Athlon™ 64 X2 5000+ Processor. . . . $

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CoolerMaster Mini Aquagate Liquid Cooling System Genuine Windows® XP Home Edition w/ SP 2 NVIDIA® nForce® 570 SLI Dual 16X PCI-E Mainboard Corsair 1024MB PC6400 DDR-2 800 Dual Channel 250GB 7200RPM SATA-II 3.0Gb/s 8mb Cache HD NVIDIA® 7600 GS 512MB 16X PCI-Express Video Sony 16X DVD+-RW Drive Sony 16X-DVD ROM Drive 7.1 nForce 3D Audio Logitech S100 Stereo Speakers Gigabit Network Card PCI 802.11G 54 Mbps Wirless Network Card X-Tsunami Case 420Watt Power 1 Year Limited Warranty + Lifetime Toll Free 24/7 Techsupport

AMD Athlon™ 64 X2 3800+ Processor. . . . . $

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^ AMD Turion™ 64 Mobile Technology MT-34 - AMD PowerNow! Technology - HyperTransport Technology - Enhanced Virus Protection Technology ^ Genuine Windows® XP Home Edition w/ SP 2 ^ 15.4” WXGA Wide-Screen TFT Display 1280x800 Pixels ^ Corsair 1024MB DDR400 Dual Channel ^ 100GB 5400RPM SuperSlim Notebook Drive ^ Mobile ATI® X1600 Pro 16X PCI-Express 256MB Video ^ 8X DVD+-RW Drive ^ 802.11G 54Mbps Wireless Network 10/100 NIC and 56k V.92 Modem ^ 6 Custom Colors to Choose From ^ 1 Year Limited Warranty + Lifetime Toll Free 24/7 Techsupport ^ Free Shipping

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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. XtremeGear is not responsible for any typographical and photographic errors. Copyright © 2006 XtremeGear. All rights reserved.

1299

TRICKOUTYOURTECH GET THE MOST FROM YOUR LAPTOP AND GADGETS WITH THESE 28 MULTITALENTED ACCESSORIES.

You’ve got the latest notebook, and you’re carrying the best MP3 player. Sure, they’re great on their own, but couple them with the right accessories, and suddenly you’ve got the best-dressed—and most capable—tech on the block. From a wireless Bluetooth headset for your phone to a solar-powered charger for your digital camera, here are some of the latest ways to gussy up your gear.

BY LES SHU

iPod Add-Ons JBL RADIAL

Thanks to its sculptured design, the $299.95 Radial can make your iPod a striking centerpiece for your living room. Better yet, the Radial’s onepiece speaker delivers the kind of audio you’d expect to hear from a multispeaker setup. Connect it to a television, and it will automatically send your iPod’s photos and video directly to your tube. The remote control has a 20-foot range and lets you change tracks, browse through music, and adjust settings. Harman International Industries, www.jbl.com

computershopper.com October 2006

75

M

LOGITECH VX REVOLUTION CORDLESS LASER MOUSE It’s not often we get excited about a new mouse, but leave it to Logitech to set our hearts (and hands) aflutter. The new $79.99 VX Revolution Cordless Laser Mouse has a new-and-improved scroll wheel that can spin continuously to allow for faster scrolling in documents, spreadsheets, and Web pages. Logitech has also added a zoom feature that magnifies text and photos and a search button that lets you highlight a word and see results from a search engine. The VX Revolution runs on a single AA battery and uses a 2.4GHz dongle that snaps back into the mouse for tidy storage. Logitech, www.logitech.com

M COOLER MASTER NOTEPAL P1

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MAXTOR ONETOUCH III MINI EDITION

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Looking for a lightweight way to handle the heavyweight chore of backing up your laptop’s data? Weighing just 8 ounces, the Maxtor OneTouch III Mini Edition USB hard drive comes in 60GB ($129.95) and 100GB ($179.95) capacities. It features Maxtor’s OneTouch backup solution, which lets you back up data with the push of a button. Plus, you can schedule the drive to automatically back up your laptop at specified times. For business users, the drive uses two levels of security (software and firmware) to encrypt your files in case of theft. Maxtor, www.maxtor.com

Today’s mobile processors run relatively cool, but they’re still capable of generating a lot of heat. If you put your laptop through long hours of work or play, keep it cool by placing it on top of the $39.99 NotePal P1. As light as it is portable, the NotePal uses a silent fan to provide ventilation to your hard-working notebook. It draws power from your portable via a USB connection, and it provides two additional USB ports for your other devices. The NotePal’s size accommodates most notebooks, including ones with wide-screen displays. Cooler Master, www.coolermaster-usa.com

AQUAPAC SETI CASE (not pictured) Whether you’re lounging by the pool or sailing in the tropics, Aquapac’s line of waterproof cases will protect your gear against the elements. Available for laptops, PDAs, MP3 players, cell phones, and digital cameras, Aquapacs create a watertight seal using a patented locking system and are guaranteed to keep your gadgets safe and dry. The $60 Seti laptop case even includes foam padding to cushion your machine when you’re on the go. It’s submersible up to 15 feet, should your laptop take an accidental plunge into a pool. Aquapac International, www.aquapac.info

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PHILIPS SPC900NC Philips is taking videoconferencing to new heights with its $99 SPC900NC. This USB camera uses Philips’ Pixel Plus technology to deliver the sharpest video chat possible—and it takes still photos at 1.3 megapixels—yet it’s small and clips easily onto your notebook’s screen. The SVGA-quality cam is designed to work seamlessly with AOL Instant Messenger, Windows Live Messenger, and Yahoo Messenger, delivering video at 90 frames per second. It also features face-tracking technology that ensures your face remains front and center in the image. Plus, the built-in mic eliminates the need for a headset. Philips, www.philips.com

Turn your number-crunching notebook into an off-road dream machine with one of these travel-friendly accessories.

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VERIZON WIRELESS V620 WWAN CARD Finding an open hot spot isn’t always easy, especially when you’re on the road. Enter Verizon’s $249 Wireless V620 Wide Area Network (WWAN) Card. This PC Card works with Verizon’s Evolution Data Optimized (EV-DO) network, letting you browse the Internet without tethering you to a Wi-Fi signal. The V620 lets you browse at speeds of up to 700Kbps with bursts of 2Mbps. It requires you to sign up with Verizon’s BroadbandAccess plan ($59.99 a month), which is currently available in more than 181 metropolitan areas. Verizon Wireless, www.verizonwireless.com

BOSE QUIETCOMFORT 3

TRANSCEND JETFLASH 210 FINGERPRINT USB FLASH DRIVE

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We know—you’ve seen one USB drive, you’ve seen them all. But this one merits a closer look because, in addition to its wallet-friendly price, it features a built-in fingerprint scanner that protects your data. Available in 1GB ($54) and 2GB ($82) capacities, the drive also includes software for adjusting the size of its two partitions and for storing passwords and screen names. Transcend Information, www.transcendusa.com M

VOYETRA TURTLE BEACH AUDIO ADVANTAGE ROADIE Your laptop may pack the fastest processor, but when it comes to audio, it’s hard to overlook the wimpy sound—so give it an audio upgrade with the $79.95 Audio Advantage Roadie. This USB-interface audio device brings multichannel sound, as well as digital recording and playback, straight to your notebook. Analog and digital outputs let you connect your laptop to any pair of speakers. Using the built-in stereo mics (one on each side of the box), you can also record audio; later, you can edit it with the included software. Voyetra Turtle Beach, www.turtlebeach.com

Whether you’re trying to drown out airplane drone or a screeching brat in the next room, Bose’s $349 QuietComfort 3 headphones will do the job while pumping out your favorite tunes. Like the set’s much-heralded predecessor, the QuietComfort 2, this one uses Bose’s noisecanceling technology to block unwanted background noise while enhancing the music from your laptop or music player. Plus, it’s smaller, lighter, and more comfortable to wear than the QuietComfort 2. The rechargeable lithium-ion battery runs up to 20 hours on a full charge, and Bose bundles a protective carrying case. (See our full review on p. 50.) Bose, www.bose.com

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PLUSTEK OPTICSLIM M12 PLUS (not pictured) If you need color scanning on the go, forget Kinko’s and use the OpticSlim M12 Plus instead. The $179 portable scanner comes in handy for scanning color documents and business cards. Powered via your notebook’s USB port, it has no heavy power brick to lug along. Its software lets you turn scanned documents into PDFs, convert text for editing, tweak photos, and convert documents into Microsoft Word-readable format. The scanner is compact and weighs less than a pound. Plustek, www.plustek.com

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Impressive. NP 9890V

Take your game to the next level. Sager notebooks offer unrivaled gaming performance. Loaded with the latest components, our notebooks let you access today’s business and gaming software with ease. Call Sager today to order your custom gaming computer.

NP 9890V

NP 5760V

FEATURES

FEATURES

– nVIDIA GeForce Go 7900 GTX PCI-Express Graphics Module with 512MB DDR3 Memory delivering the power and technology you need to tear through the hottest games. ®

™

– nVIDIA® GeForce™ Go 7900 GTX PCI-Express™

– Hardware RAID boosts HDD Speed with RAID 0 or mirror backup your data with RAID 1 Fault-Tolerance.

Graphics Module with 512MB DDR3 Memory delivers best-in-class performance and high-definition video for gaming and multimedia applications. – Premium technology is yours with the new Intel® Centrino® Duo Mobile Technology. Have breakthrough performance to run more demanding applications simultaneously with new Intel® Core™ 2 Duo processor. – 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) – 512MB 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™ 2 Duo Processor T7200 (4MB L2 Cache, 2.0GHz, 667MHz FSB) ■ Intel® PRO/Wireless 3945ABG LAN 802.11a/b/g – 512MB DDR3 NVIDIA® GeForce™ Go 7900 GTX PCI-Express™ Graphics – 1GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz – 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

$ 2599

$ 2399

– 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.

NP 5760V

™

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

sagernotebook.com

Sager Delivers the Latest In Laptop Technology.

NP 9890C

NP 5750V

NP 6630C

NP 5460C

FEATURES

FEATURES

FEATURES

FEATURES

– Premium technology is yours with the new

– Dual channel DDR2 System Memory

– nVIDIA GeForce Go 7800 GTX PCI-Express

– ATI MOBILITY RADEON X1600 PCI-Express

Graphics Module with 256MB DDR3 Memory delivering the power and technology you need to tear through the hottest games.

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

®

™

™

™

®

™

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

capable, providing the best match for new Intel® mobile processor. – Integrated Digital Video Camera makes

– 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.

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

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

OPTIONS

OPTIONS

OPTIONS

OPTIONS

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

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

– Bluetooth Module – Port Replicator

– Port Replicator – Charger Box

SPECIFICATIONS

SPECIFICATIONS

SPECIFICATIONS

SPECIFICATIONS

– 17.0" Wide Viewing Angles WSXGA+ 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 7800 GTX PCI-Express™ Graphics – 512MB DDR2 SDRAM at 533MHz – 40.0GB 5400RPM Serial ATA 150 Hard Drive – 8X DVD2 / 24x10x24 CD-RW3 Combo Drive – Full sized 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" WXGA Active Matrix Display – Intel® Centrino® Duo Mobile Technology ■ Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor T7200 (4MB L2 Cache, 2.0GHz, 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 667MHz – 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" WXGA Active Matrix Display with Super Clear Glare type Screen – Intel® Centrino® Duo Mobile Technology ■ Intel® Core™ Duo Processor T2300E (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 667MHz – 40.0GB 5400RPM Serial ATA 150 Hard Drive – 8X DVD2 / 24x10x24 CD-RW3 Combo Drive – Built-In 1.3M High-Resolution Video Camera – Built-In 4-in-1 Card Reader (MS/MS Pro/SD/MMC) – 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® Celeron® M Processor 410 (1MB L2 Cache, 1.46GHz, 533MHz FSB) – Share Memory Architecture up to 128MB – Integrated Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator 950 – 512MB DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz – 40.0GB 5400RPM Serial ATA 150 Hard Drive – 8X DVD2 / 24x10x24 CD-RW3 Combo Drive – Integrated Wireless LAN 802.11 b/g – 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

$2099

$1599

$1049

$ 799

– 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.

video chat and video conferencing easy. – New Express Card 34/54 Slot providing next

generation functionality and connectivity.

Dealer/VAR, Government and Corporate pricing are available. Please call for details.

Call us toll free at:

800.669.1624

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. Celeron, Celeron Inside, Centrino, Centrino Logo, Core Inside, Intel, Intel Logo, Intel Core, Intel Inside, Intel Inside Logo, Intel Viiv, Intel vPro, Itanium, Itanium Inside, Pentium, Pentium Inside, Xeon, and Xeon Inside 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.

Apple’s pioneering player was just the start of the digital-music revolution. From speakers to recorders, learn how to pump up the volume, iPod-style.

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BELKIN TUNETALK STEREO FOR IPOD WITH VIDEO

GRIFFIN TUNECENTER

Make your iPod the star of your home theater with Griffin’s TuneCenter. The $149.99 docking station connects to a television or stereo receiver using S-Video or composite cables. You can then send video, photos, or music from your iPod. It can even display song info directly on your television. An Ethernet jack and 802.11b Wi-Fi allow the dock to tap into your home network to stream audio or play Internet radio. Plus, you can navigate your iPod from the couch using the included remote control. Griffin Technology, www.griffintechnology.com

TARGUS REMOTETUNES TX (not pictured) Too lazy to walk to your iPod Nano to play your songs? Use this remote control to activate it from afar. The $79.99 RemoteTunes works as a radio-frequency remote and an FM transmitter. From as much as 100 feet away, you can turn your iPod Nano on or off, adjust the volume, skip tracks, create playlists, or randomize playback. The FM transmitter also lets you listen to your tunes in the car, and you can easily access your iPod through the remote without having to fumble with the actual player. Targus Group International, www.targus.com

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KENSINGTON RDS FM TRANSMITTER/ CAR CHARGER FOR IPOD FM transmitters are a dime a dozen, which is why Kensington added extra functionality to its RDS FM Transmitter. In addition to transmitting tunes, the $89.99 unit beams song-title and artist info from your iPod to any Radio Data System-compatible car stereo. The transmitter has three station presets, so you won’t have to scan for an open FM channel. It also pulls double duty by charging your iPod through a car’s power port while transmitting. The unit works with any iPod that has a dock connector (barring third-generation models). Kensington Computer Products Group, us.kensington.com

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A little-known fact about the iPod is that, with a little help, it can record audio. The TuneTalk Stereo accessory (available in black or white) attaches to your iPod’s dock connector and uses two built-in microphones to record audio in stereo. (A 3.5mm jack lets you use an external microphone for higher-quality audio when recording live music, interviews, or podcasts.) Perfect for lectures, the $69.99 TuneTalk Stereo uses the iPod’s software to handle recordings, and you can easily transfer the recorded files to your PC for editing. Belkin, www.belkin.com

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iPOD ADD-ONs

October 2006 computershopper.com

LOGITECH AUDIOSTATION EXPRESS The AudioStation Express works just as well outdoors as indoors. Designed for iPods with a dock connector, the $99.99 speakers run on AA batteries or can plug directly into an outlet. (When connected to an outlet, the AudioStation can also charge your iPod.) The video-out jack lets you display photos and video on a television, and the included protective case makes the speakers perfect for use in a hotel room or at a campsite. Don’t have an iPod? An auxiliary jack lets you connect any MP3 player or other audio source. A remote control handles basic functions such as volume adjustment and song forwarding. Logitech, www.logitech.com

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JABRA BT325S

AWS BACKUP-PAL

We’re fans of accessories that do double duty, and Jabra’s $89 BT325s is one of our favorites. The earbuds work with both your MP3 player and your Bluetooth phone. Connect the corded earbuds to your MP3 player, then pair it with your phone; when a call comes in, the BT325s will automatically switch over to your phone, allowing you to take the call. The BT325s has a tiny clip-on module that acts as the microphone. Its 3.5mm jack connects to MP3 players as well as laptops and portable gaming systems. Jabra, www.jabra.com

PLANTRONICS VOYAGER 510-USB

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Losing your phone is aggravating, but losing the contact data stored on it is the real nightmare. The hockey-puck-shaped Backup-Pal saves your phone’s address book, allowing you to restore all of your contacts to a new phone easily. It connects to most phones through USB, infrared, or phone-specific tips. Once you hit the orange Backup button, Backup-Pal goes to work—no need for a PC. The Backup-Pal is also handy if you upgrade to a new phone, eliminating the need to transfer all of your contacts manually. The unit costs $39.99 for phones with serial ports and $49.99 for phones with USB ports. Advanced Wireless Solutions, www.backup-pal.com

Users of Skype, or of Internet telephony services from Yahoo or AOL, now have a Bluetooth headset to call their own. The $199 Voyager 510-USB includes a wireless headset and USB Bluetooth adapter that connects to your laptop and works seamlessly with VoIP softphones. The headset’s noise-canceling microphone keeps outside rackets at bay and can also be paired with Bluetooth phones, easily switching between incoming calls on your laptop or cell phone. The headset delivers six hours of talk time on a single charge. Plantronics, www.plantronics.com

U.S. MODULAR STIK & STOR (not pictured) Because today’s cell phones can be home to photos, custom ringtones, and even digital audio files, you’ll want additional storage. We recommend Stik & Stor, a small flash-memory module that plugs into any phone with a TransFlash or MicroSD slot. With storage capacities up to 8GB ($199), it allows you to carry additional videos, images, ringtones, and music. The included software lets you sync files between your phone and PC. U.S. Modular, www.usmodular.com

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VONAGE V-PHONE Turn any Windows PC into a Vonage-ready call center with the $39.99 VPhone. This compact drive plugs into your PC’s USB port and automatically launches Vonage’s SoftPhone PC software for making and receiving VoIP calls. (A broadband connection is required.) The V-Phone comes with its own phone number (existing customers will have to open a new account) and includes an earbud-style headset/mic that plugs directly into the drive’s 2.5mm jack. When your call is complete, simply unplug the drive, and no record of your call is left on the host PC. Ideal for traveling, it’s small enough to hook on to your key ring and stow in your pocket. Vonage, www.vonage.com

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October 2006 computershopper.com

Tap into new methods of making and receiving phone calls with these modern-day calling accessories.

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 revolutionar y dual core performance with Intel ® Centrino ® Duo Mobile Technology. Built-in wireless connectivity and a swiveling 1.3 megapixel webcam puts you wherever the action is.

W5F – Stylish Ultraportable • Intel® Centrino® Duo Mobile Technology • Microsoft® Windows® XP Home • 12” Ultrabright Widescreen Display • 512 MB DDR2 • 100 GB Hard Drive • 4x Super Multi DVD-RW DL • 1.3 Megapixel Swivel Camera

W2J – Personal Multimedia Center • Intel® Centrino® Duo Mobile Technology • Microsoft® Windows® Media Center 2005 • 17” Ultrabright Widescreen Display • 1024 MB DDR2 • 100 GB Hard Drive • ATI MOBILITY™ RADEON™ X1600 256 MB • 8x Dual Layer Slot-Loading DVD-RW

W3J – Performance in Style • Intel® Centrino® Duo Mobile Technology • Microsoft® Windows® XP Pro • 14” Ultrabright Widescreen Display • 1024 MB DDR2 • 100 GB Hard Drive • ATI MOBILITY™ RADEON™ X1600 256 MB • 8x Super Multi DVD-RW DL

A6Jc – Value and Performance • Intel® Centrino® Duo Mobile Technology • Microsoft® Windows® XP Pro • 15.4” Ultrabright Display • 1024 MB DDR2 • 100 GB Hard Drive • NVIDIA GeForce Go 7300 128 MB • 8x Dual Layer DVD-RW

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u s a .a s u s .c o m/shopper

NewEgg NewEgg.com 800.390.1119

PC Club PCclub.com 888.972.2582

ZipZoomFly ZipZoomFly.com 510.739.1890

© 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.

THE CASE FOR SECURITY

Don’t let a stranger walk away with your gear— thwart would-be thieves with these security devices.

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TARGUS DESKTOP SECURITY LOCK FOR IPOD

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DATADOTS PERSONAL I.D. KIT

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You spent $400 on your new iPod— might as well spend another $29 to secure it. The Desktop Security Lock for iPod uses a galvanized-steel cable to prevent your iPod from becoming someone else’s bundle of joy. To secure your iPod, you attach a three-digit combination lock on the end of the cable to the iPod’s dock connector. If you use your iPod in areas of heavy traffic or often leave it unattended, this is a great way to lock it down. Targus Group International, www.targus.com

DataDots won’t prevent your laptop from being stolen in the first place, but should it turn up in one piece, they could help law enforcement reunite you with it. The $24.95 kit lets you tag your notebook by “painting” on tiny dots etched with a unique computer-generated code visible only under high magnification. You can brush these dots onto expensive gadgets such as MP3 players and digital cameras. You upload the codes to a national database accessible by law-enforcement agencies, so if your equipment turns up at a police station, it can be returned to you in one piece. DataDot Technology U.S.A., home.datadotusa.com

KENSINGTON MICROSAVER DS NOTEBOOK LOCK When it comes to tech theft, notebooks are a prime target. The $54.99 MicroSaver DS is a simple way to lock down your notebook, no matter where you are. The lock is made with three layers of steel: a carbon-steel core, an aircraftgrade steel cable, and an external steel sheath. The system works with security-lock slots found in notebooks as well as printers and monitors, and is guaranteed to be impenetrable. Kensington Computer Products Group, us.kensington.com

POWER TO THE PORTABLES Extend your gadgets’ running times with APC’s $69.99 Mobile Power Pack. The slim, pianoblack battery adds as much as 50 hours of power to a digital audio player such as the iPod Nano or up to 10 hours of talk time to a smartphone. Because it uses lithium-polymer cells, the battery can store and generate more power than traditional lithiumion. The battery charges your device via a standard USB port—just remember to bring your own cables. American Power Conversion, www.apc.com

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APC POWER READY MESSENGER BAG WITH UNIVERSAL POWER ADAPTER Laptop bags are a dime a dozen, but the $39.99 Power Ready Messenger Bag rises above the rest by letting you charge laptops and gadgets without removing them from your bag. Use the bag in conjunction with the Universal Power Adapter ($99.99), and you can re-juice three devices simultaneously via a cable-management system—your gear stays in the bag while the adapter is plugged into an outlet. American Power Conversion, www.apc.com

October 2006 computershopper.com

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APC MOBILE POWER PACK (not pictured)

TURBO CHARGE (not pictured) If you’re the type of person who forgets to recharge your cell phone, the $29.95 Turbo Charge is a quick, easy way to keep it juiced while you’re on the go. The thumb-size charger uses a single AA battery to provide an estimated two hours of talk time and 40 hours of standby time. To conserve power and avoid damage, it regulates the amount it sends to the phone. Once the battery dies, you can

On the road or at home, revitalize your gadgets with these take-anywhere chargers simply replace it with another AA battery. One cell-

phonespecific cable of your choice is included; you can buy ones to fit other phones for $2.95 each. Turbo Charge, www.turbocellcharge.com

M BRUNTON

SOLARROLL 14 Can’t find an electrical outlet? Let the sun recharge your gear. Designed for outdoorsy travelers, the 12-volt SolarRoll 14 can pull in enough solar power to charge a cell phone, laptop, or video camera. Give it enough sunlight, and the $399 device will run most low-voltage gadgets. Best of all, the waterproof solar panel rolls up for storage when the sun stops shining. Brunton, www.brunton.com

BraveNewWeb BY RICK BROIDA

An explosion of fun and practical new “Web 2.0” sites proves that innovation is just warming up on the Internet. Like a teenager hitting a growth spurt, the Web is changing fast. In recent months, new and innovative services such as Flickr (www.flickr.com), MySpace (www.myspace.com), and YouTube (www.youtube.com) have captured national attention, leading many observers to suggest we’re witnessing a renaissance of sorts. A second dot-com boom. Web 2.0. So what makes a site or service “Web 2.0”? While a specific set of criteria doesn’t exist, most of these next-generation sites and services offer new technological tricks (see the sidebar, “AJAX, MashUps Remake the Web”), an emphasis on community and user-generated content, or a combination of both. Plus, many of the services are free, and only a few try to sell you premium-service upgrades. We picked 20 of the best sites that have been tagged “Web 2.0.” Every single one answers a need, offers help, presents some practical value, or at least provides a good dose of fun—quite a contrast from the original dot-com wave, when the Web was awash with unoriginal, ill-conceived, or often pointless services. (Remember Flooz?) Whatever the motivation behind these great sites, we’ve never been happier to be online. Clipmarks • www.clipmarks.com Ever wish you could “clip” a piece of a Web page the way you’d tear an article from a magazine? Clipmarks lets you do exactly that, then tag, store, organ-

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ize, and share your clips. The site’s simple toolbar is available for both Firefox and Internet Explorer; once it’s installed, click the Clip icon on the toolbar, then mouse over the area of the page you wish to clip. Clicking on the toolbar again allows you to name, tag, and save that clip. Clipmarks is better than bookmarking because it saves only the data you want, not the entire page. Students, researchers, and even online shoppers are sure to find it invaluable. Dropcash • www.dropcash.com Fundraisers can be essential for schools and charities—or even families with outrageous medical bills. Whatever your goal, Dropcash helps you organize and manage your fundraiser. Just fill in some details about your campaign, specify your monetary goal, and then e-mail the newly created Dropcash link to friends, family members, and other potential contributors. You’ll need a PayPal account (www.paypal. com; free to set up) to receive funds, and donors will need their own ac-

Clipmarks

NOW IN BETA! counts to contribute, as well. Although Dropcash, which is still in beta, is somewhat rudimentary, it definitely makes online fundraising a cinch. 43 Things • www.43things.com Often, the first step to accomplishing a goal is putting it down on paper—or, in this case, the virtual paper of a Web site. 43 Things lets you list your goals (up to, well, 43 of them), share your progress, solicit advice and encouragement from others trying to accomplish the same goals, and browse other aspirations. Not only is the site a fascinating anthropological study—“meet Johnny Depp,” “start a vineyard,” and “use the word ‘brouhaha’ more” were among the goals we spotted—it’s also a fine method of self-motivation.

computershopper.com/roundups

and Grouper (www.grouper.com)? It’s all in the software. Bucking the trend toward Web-based interfaces, Imeem relies on slick client-side software (available for Windows and Mac) that makes for the relatively simple sharing of messages, files, photos, music, and videos. It also offers “meems,” online bulletin boards devoted to any topic of interest. Imeem is a fun, addictive online experience not to be missed.

Goowy

Gliffy • www.gliffy.com Sure, you could shell out big bucks for Microsoft Visio—or you could use Gliffy for all your diagramming needs. This impressive Web-based tool lets you build flowcharts, floor plans, network diagrams, or just about any type of drafting you need. You can add colors, drop shadows, and even gradient fills to your shapes, while collaborating on drawings with other users. At press time, the site planned to offer a limited set of features for free, with the full version available by subscription. Either way, Gliffy is decidedly spiffy.

provides a Web-based operating environment, reminiscent of Linux, with e-mail, 1GB of file storage, instant messaging, games, contact and calendar management, and “minis”—small applets that provide at-a-glance access to to-do lists, Really Simple Syndication (RSS) feeds, search engines, and more. True to its name, Goowy wraps all this in an attractive, icon-driven interface.

Google Page Creator • pages.google.com Want to slap together a Web site but don’t know the first thing about Web authoring? Google Page Creator is your answer. If you can operate a word processor, you can design a basic site. We do mean basic, though. Creator isn’t for blogging or sharing photos with family members—it’s for creating bare-bones Web pages containing text, images, and links. Just choose one of several dozen attractive designs and start typing. Creator is blissfully easy to use, making it ideal for children, novice users, or anyone who wants to establish a Web presence in a hurry.

It’s a polished, impressive service, and while we can’t imagine anyone abandoning Windows or the Mac OS for it, it definitely proves the viability of a Webbased operating system.

Goowy • www.goowy.com Goowy (the phonetic of GUI, or graphical user interface) blurs the lines between Web browser and desktop. It

Imeem • www.imeem.com What separates Imeem from moreestablished online communities such as Friendster (www.friendster. com)

Lala

JotSpot Family Site • familysite.jot.com Social-networking sites abound online, but, as its name suggests, JotSpot Family Site is one of the few that cater specifically to families. Free and easy to use, the service enables families to share not only files and photos, but also calendars (ideal for remembering birthdays and planning events), recipes, and blogs. You can use JotSpot to build a family directory, add entries to a family tree, map relatives’ addresses, and even take family polls. Signing up entitles you to a simple familyname.jot.com URL. Plus, you don’t need to download anything: The Webbased interface is so simple even technophobic relatives will manage. Lala • www.lala.com You know that box of CDs collecting dust in your basement? Why not trade them for new discs you actually want? That’s the idea behind Lala, which charges just $1, plus a flat shipping charge of 75 cents, for every CD you receive. The service makes it a snap to build a “have list” and “want list.” You have to ship CDs in order to receive CDs, however, and if no one wants your discs, you’ll never get anything in return. We listed 25 fairly mainstream discs and didn’t get a single nibble for over two weeks. Hopefully, as more people join Lala (which is very polished, given its beta status), we’ll be able to make more-productive use of this very promising service. Meebo • www.meebo.com How do you send instant messages when you’re sitting at a PC not your own? Meebo solves it handily, allowing you to chat with your AIM, Gtalk, ICQ, Jabber, MSN, or Yahoo buddies using just

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AJAX, MASH-UPs REMAKE THE WEB If you’re wondering how Web browsers have suddenly become so advanced they can host Microsoft Word-caliber word processors (Zoho Writer), glitzy diagramming applications (Gliffy), and even a desktop-like user interface (Goowy), the answer lies in the reemergence of a set of programming tools collectively known as AJAX. Short for “Asynchronous JavaScript and XML,” the AJAX framework enables Web developers to create applications that are more software-like. For instance, instead of having to refresh a page every time it’s revised, AJAX enables users to make live, real-time changes to parts of a site—for instance, dragging and dropping a window or changing font sizes. From Clipmarks to Zillow, AJAX is behind many of the sites we’ve spotlighted here, as well as a growing number of compelling Web services. Another intriguing Web development is the mashup—a site or Webbased application that mixes content from multiple sources, resulting in an entirely new service. For example, many developers have embraced the publicly accessible Google Maps application programming interface (API) to create custom services such as Golf Bonk (www.golfbonk.com), which lets you search for golf courses in your area and see the results on a Google Map. Then we have the photo-hosting and -sharing service Flickr, which has been the basis for dozens of mash-ups. Spell with Flickr (www.metaatem.net/ words), for instance, lets you type in a word, then have that word spelled out in letters pulled from different Flickr photos. You can also check out Captioner (www. shadydentist.com/captioner), which lets you add comic-bookstyle speech balloons to any online or Flickr photo. What’s next for the Web? No one knows for sure, but if the likes of AJAX and mash-ups are any indication, we’ll have no shortage of new tools and creative ideas.

a Web browser—no software to install or firewall issues to work around. You don’t even have to register with Meebo. Just choose a service, enter your username and password, and presto—you have your Buddy List, chat windows, and support for group chats. If you do sign up for a free account, you’ll be able to sign into all your services at once, save preferences, and store your conversations in chat logs. Though still in alpha at press time, Meebo is already poised to make that pesky instant-message client software a thing of the past. Mozy • www.mozy.com Everyone knows backing up data is essential, but few actually bother. With Mozy, however, backups are almost too easy. You get a free 2GB account and a wizard-driven utility that automatically scans your hard drive for data it thinks you’ll want to back up (Word documents, digital photos, MP3s, and the like). You can also make custom selections in Expert mode. From there, Mozy will perform an onCaptioner line backup while your computer is idle (or at scheduled times) and later make incremental backups as your files change. The app also encrypts files before transferring them so everything stays secure. Need more space? A 30GB account costs a reasonable $4.95 per month or $54.45 annually. Pandora • www.pandora.com Pandora acts like your personal DJ. Just name an artist you like, and this free In-

Pandora

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ternet radio service instantly starts streaming music. You’ll hear not only from your selected artist, but also from others with a similar sound. It’s a great way to discover new music, and Pandora is uncannily accurate in suggesting songs with comparable musical qualities. As you listen, you can rate each song with a thumbs up or thumbs down so Pandora can better tailor the station to your preferences. Of course, you also have the option of buying songs and albums from Amazon.com or Apple’s iTunes Music Store. A recently added bookmark feature lets you replay your favorite songs later on. This is one Pandora’s box you’ll be glad you opened. PeerTrainer • www.peertrainer.com Few goals in life are harder to achieve than weight loss. PeerTrainer helps you get fit and trim by logging your meals and workouts, while connecting you with a peer group. The latter, according to the site, is the key, because most people have the knowledge they need to get healthy but lack the motivation, followthrough, and accountability others can provide. You can join a group with up to three other members or a team with unlimited participants. PeerTrainer gives you a personal blog, tips on diet and fitness, and access to community forums for sharing advice, recipes, and support. Shadows • www.shadows.com Del.icio.us may have popularized the idea of managing your bookmarks online, but Shadows does it one better. It works on the same basic premise—tag, store, organize, and share your bookmarks—but with a much spiffier interface and more-compelling community features. After registering, you can download the Shadows toolbar for Firefox or Internet Explorer, or just create “bookmarklets” in your browser. You can

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also import bookmarks, though the service inexplicably makes all these setup tools difficult to find. Once you have everything configured, however, you’ll wonder how you lived without Shadows. Sportsvite • www.sportsvite.com Looking for a pick-up game of softball? How about a sparring partner to hone your kickboxing skills with? Or even just a friendly poker game? Sportsvite connects you with players and teams in your area. Just sign up for a free account,

Sportsvite

list the sports you like, then search for nearby competition. You can also set up games of your own, recruit players and manage teams, invite friends to join the site, and much more. The only downside: If few people in your area have signed up, you won’t find many games or competitors. Of course, if you don’t sign up, other teams and players won’t be able to find you, either.

Windows Live Local gives you maps (both road and satellite), virtual pushpins to mark out routes, driving directions, business addresses and phone numbers, and even traffic conditions. Cooler still, Live Local offers 3D bird’s-eye views of most major cities. We especially like the “call for free” option that appears with business listings: Just click the Zillow link, then enter your phone number. In a minute, your phone will ring, and you’ll be connected with the business you’re interested in. Yahoo Answers • answers.yahoo.com What’s the best cure for dandruff? What’s a good vacation spot for families with young kids? How tall is the Sears Tower? Whatever your question, Yahoo promises answers. The site enables everyday users to share information, advice, and opinions. If you’re curious about something, just type your question, assign it to a category, and wait for answers to start rolling in. In

Ta-da List • www.tadalist.com Still scrawling your to-do lists on scraps of paper? Why not put them on the Web, where you can manage multiple lists, share them with friends or family members, and even Yahoo Answers track them via RSS? That’s the the meantime, you can browse other idea behind Ta-da List, a free Web-hostquestions, and, if they’re still open to ed service that lets you whip up private comments, add your two cents. Quesor public lists of any kind: chores, fations range from the personal to the vorite movies, business ideas, wines professional, the esoteric to the oddyou’ve tried and liked, and so on. And ball. The somewhat annoying points you’ll love the satisfaction that comes system requires you to answer at least from ticking off completed tasks. Ta-da! the occasional question if you want to post your own, but that doesn’t tarnish Windows Live Local • local.live.com the appeal of this entertaining and Slicker than Google’s generally similar often informative site. Maps service (Google Local), Microsoft’s

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Zillow • www.zillow.com A fascinating research tool—and a mildly frightening invasion of privacy—Zillow serves up meticulous details about your house, including its age, number of bedrooms, square footage, estimated value, and even what you paid for it. The site also graphs market-value changes over time, displays the values and recent sale prices of other homes in the area, and (unsurprisingly) offers loans. It’s invaluable information if you’re looking to sell your home, buy a new one, or scout out a neighborhood before a move. Just keep in mind that anyone can look up details about any house—yours included. This real-estate voyeurism can be fun and enlightening, but the shutters swing both ways. Zoho Writer www.zohowriter.com At first blush, a Web-based word processor might seem little more than a novelty. But Zoho Writer is an unequivocally practical tool, because it lets you work from just about anywhere and saves you from having to schlep documents from one PC to another. Its simple, attractive interface provides a full range of editing tools, including bullets and numbering, a choice of fonts, support for embedded links and images, and spellcheck. Documents can be imported, shared, collaborated on, published to your blog, and exported to several file formats, including Microsoft Word’s DOC format. Online help is curiously lacking, as we discovered when trying to find the inexplicably buried print function, but otherwise Zoho Writer (currently in beta) is an undisputed winner.

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

100 Weekend Project: Install a New Power Supply 106 Weekend Project: Set Up an RSS Reader

COMPUTER CURES ALFRED POOR BUY A BIOS UPGRADE? I just purchased a new hard drive for an old machine that has an Award Modular BIOS from 2001. I’ve been told that I need to pay $49.99 for a BIOS upgrade. Isn’t this available for free online? N i c h o l a s C o n way I’m missing some information here, but I think I can make some safe assumptions. First, the new hard drive has a large capacity. Next, the reason you’re probably writing is because the PC fails to see the full capacity of the drive. If the drive has a capacity of more than 137GB, it’s likely that you’re not seeing the full capacity of the drive. To access all the space, your PC needs to support 48-bit Large Block Addressing (LBA). You can achieve this by installing a piece of software known as a Dynamic Drive Overlay, but I don’t recommend this, as it can cause headaches if you run into problems with the drive. Large-drive support built into the system’s Basic Input/Output System, or BIOS, is a better solution, which is likely why you’ve received the recommendation for a BIOS upgrade. Check with your PC manufacturer; some companies offer free upgrades, while others charge for them. An alternative approach is to buy an IDE adapter card with the BIOS extension included on the card. The card may cost less than the charge for your system BIOS upgrade. Once you have the BIOS in order, you’ll need a driver if you’re running Windows 98, Me, or an early version of XP. (If you’re running XP Service Pack 1 or later, you won’t need any extra drivers.) If you’ve purchased the IDE card, it should include the required drivers. You can find more information on hard drive capacity limitations on the support sites of the major drive manu-

facturers. For example, Seagate has some helpful information at www. seagate.com/support/kb/disc/capacity/ index.html. SOMEBODY’S WATCHING ME I think someone is using an infrared or wireless device to detect computers in the area, just to snoop on what I’m doing online. How can I prevent this? J o s e f To w e r s Infrared (IR) and wireless connections are indeed doors into your computer, but you have to leave them open for

The chance of someone monitoring your online activities through your infrared or wireless connections is remote, but it’s not difficult to protect yourself.

and select Disable. If you need to use your wireless connection, make sure that you have file and print sharing turned off. For Windows XP, follow the previous instructions, but right-click and choose Properties instead of Disable. On the General tab, clear the checkbox for File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks, then enable the Windows Firewall on the Advanced tab. THREE DRIVES, ONE SWITCH I have three large hard drives, and each runs a different operating system. I want a hardware solution that will allow me to choose any one of the three drives at startup. Right now, I go inside my system and switch the power connectors from one drive to another before I boot the system, which isn’t exactly convenient. The drives are totally independent of one another—when I’m using one, the others are without power. Do you know of a switch I could use? Lester Brooks

them to be exploited. The chance of someone monitoring your online activities through either one is remote, but it’s not difficult to protect yourself. If you’re feeling ambitious, you can creThe easiest way to defend your PC is ate your own drive-selector switch. Get to turn off these connections. Every a rotary switch from RadioShack or laptop is different when it comes to some other electrical supply store, and changing connection configurations; wire the power leads so that power is consult your system documentation provided to only one drive at a time. for the details. You can also disable IR Be sure to get one that has “break beconnectivity simply by placing a piece fore make” contacts, which means that of black tape over the receiver. only one drive can be powered at a You can turn off your wireless contime. Also, make sure the PC’s power nection within Winis off before you switch drives, or else dows XP. Go to Start you risk losing data and damaging W > My Network Places. WW the drives. Choose “View network If you’d rather purFor more tips and buying advice, visit the Computer connections” in the chase a selector switch, Shopper Forums: Network Tasks list, a Google search will computershopper.com/ right-click on your turn up commercial forums wireless connection, switches for around

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HELP & HOW-TO COMPUTER CURES

GONE IN A FLASH! I removed a flash drive from the USB port before my PC was completely turned off, and now the drive is prompting me to reformat. Can the data be recovered, or should I just go ahead and reformat, so I can save new data on it? Ariel Dufour You don’t need to turn off a computer before inserting or removing a USB flash drive, but be aware that it does take time for data to transfer to it. The most likely cause of your problem: The drive was yanked while data was still being written to it. (If the indicator light on the drive is flashing, don’t remove the drive from the USB port— wait until the flashing stops.) If the files were simply deleted, recovery could be easy using an undelete utility. But it seems like in this case your data directory might have been damaged—the recommendation to format the drive is a good indication of that. You might be able to recover the data using a sector editor, but unless the data is text and readily identifiable, you’ll have a hard time piecing together the file fragments. Unless the data is

TIP OF THE MONTH: CHECK THE POWER FIRST In troubleshooting your PC, it’s best to follow Occam’s razor, the principle that states you should assume the simplest cause for a problem until you can prove something else is responsible. The difficult part is that some PC symptoms are caused by seemingly unrelated problems. This month’s tipster points out a hidden troublemaker that many of us might miss.

When I work on a misbehaving PC, one of the first steps I take is to check the power supply. Testers are easy to use and can be found at electronics-supply stores for around $15. Simply disconnect the power to the case, unplug the large power connector from the motherboard, and plug it into

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extremely valuable, I recommend you simply format and start over. Worthwhile advice: Never rely on a single USB flash drive—or any single drive, for that matter—to store the only copy of a critical file. DOUBLE-DISPLAY DILEMMA My previous laptop suddenly started detecting a second monitor at bootup, so I would have to go to Device Manager and delete the additional display. I was never able to figure out how to fix the problem, so I replaced the notebook. Now my new laptop has started to do the same thing. I’ve tried reinstalling Windows, and even that doesn’t help. How can I fix this? J o e To r r e s I suspect that your laptop detecting a second monitor doesn’t affect performance, so you could probably ignore it. I think I can explain the behavior of both notebooks, however. Most notebooks are equipped with both an LCD and a VGA-compatible display port; the latter lets you connect a separate display or a projector. By default, laptops ship with the external display port turned off, and you typically use a key combination to toggle through three states: LCD only, external display only, and both displays. It’s possible you may have mistakenly selected “both displays,” so the system sees two

the tester, then plug the power back in. A row of LEDs will indicate the condition of the power supply. A weak power supply can cause slow performance, erratic operation, and damage to other components. I’ve encountered bad power supplies in PCs that were almost new. This quick, easy test can prevent time wasted checking for viruses and other false causes. L e e M at h e w s

graphics adapters at bootup. Toggling the setting back to “LCD only” should do the trick. Check the notebook’s manual or the manufacturer’s Web site for further instructions. CD MYSTERY I recently bought a new Windows XP PC to replace my Windows 98 SE system. I copied all my data files from my old PC to CD to move them to the new system. When I placed the CDs in the new PC, they show up as empty. I put them back in the old system, and the files are all there. A friend told me that the old system uses FAT32 and the new one uses NTFS, and that’s why it’s not working. Is this true? And how can I get around it? Monique Neue Your friend’s assessment is off-base because CDs use neither FAT32 or NTFS— those designations refer only to hard drive data storage. I think the problem is much simpler. Whether you’re using CD-Rs or CDRWs, to make the data accessible to other computers, you need to “finalize” the discs, which means saving the data directory so that other computers can read the files. (Check your CD-writing utility for details on how to properly burn a disc.) Once you finalize the discs, you should be able to read them on the destination system.

This is an excellent suggestion. I also keep a simple power-outlet tester handy when troubleshooting. It quickly determines if an outlet is wired properly and has a reliable ground. Because it only takes a couple of minutes to test the outlet and the PC’s power supply, I recommend always including these as initial troubleshooting steps—even if you don’t suspect power as the culprit. You could discover a problem that’s the reason for other symptoms.

Send us your favorite tip, and you could receive a tipster’s prize package. “Alfred Poor’s Computer Cures,” Computer Shopper, 460 Park Ave. South, 9th Fl., New York, NY 10016 [email protected] Please include your name. Due to the number of letters we receive, we cannot provide personal replies, nor return any enclosures.

Illustration by Todd Betterley

$100. Another alternative is a removable hard drive docking bay, which lets you slide drives in and out of your PC case easily.

HELP & HOW-TO

WEEKEND PROJECT Rejuvenate your PC and accommodate new components with a power-supply upgrade.

Power Up With A New PSU BY BILL O’BRIEN

The power-supply unit (PSU) is not your PC’s most glamorous feature. But it’s clearly essential—without a PSU, all your high-end components would be just a pile of parts. And because today’s components demand more watts than ever before, it’s essential to get a powerful PSU. We’ve put together a point-by-point guide to help you determine whether you need a new PSU and if so, the right way to install it.

LET’S FACE IT:

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1

Why you might need a new PSU

Consider the three basic reasons you might want to replace your power supply: You’re not getting any power, your computer is performing unreliably, or you’re adding a new motherboard or components that require more power or new connectors. It will be obvious if you’re not getting power: You press your PC’s power button, and no lights flash. Another indicator is that the power-supply unit’s fan isn’t spinning. (If it is, and your computer still won’t power on, your problems are elsewhere.) Of course, before you start disassembling your PC, make sure that the wall outlet or surge protector it’s plugged into is working and that the switch on the back of the PSU is in the On position. Unreliable performance is harder to diagnose. Symptoms could include hard drive errors, system freeze-ups, or the dreaded blue screen of death on bootup or in the middle of saving an important file. Although your troubleshooting path will likely begin with reloading Windows and then replacing components one at a time, erratic PC behavior can be a portent of a PSU heading south. Finally, if you’re upgrading your PC, you may also need to update your PSU. A new motherboard, for instance, may require a 24-pin main power connector rather than a 20-pin, or an eight-pin 12-volt connector instead of the four-pin version your old motherboard employed. You might be adding a PCI Express graphics card that requires its own power connector, or you could find out that your new Serial ATA (SATA) hard drives require power cables different from the standard white four-pin Molex connectors you have now. While you may be sorely tempted to fix the problem using power-adapter cables, don’t. The new power requirements of the devices you’re installing might well drain your PSU or even burn it out, damaging the components in the process.

2

Consider compatibility and quality

Today’s most common power-supply design is the Advanced Technology Extended (ATX) form factor. That means its size, shape, and complement of cables conform to the Intel ATX specification, which is employed by most modern desktops. Some MicroATX cases (and certain cases from some of the major computer manufacturers) accept different, sometimes proprietary, power-supply designs. Before you order a new PSU, double-check with your PC maker’s support staff to ensure that your current case can support the new PSU. You could also Google the model number of the PSU you plan to install (as well as the one you’re removing) to determine whether it’s a standard ATX model. The second caveat should be obvious but often isn’t. Although you can buy a 400-watt (or even greater) power supply for $19.99, you shouldn’t expect it to work reliably or for very long. With PSUs, you really do get what you pay for. Expect to spend $60 or more, depending on the power rating you choose and additional features such as support for modular cables.

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For this project, we upgraded our PC’s generic 300-watt PSU to Cooler Master’s iGreen Power 600-watt unit (www. coolermaster.com). For $149.99, it provides plenty of juice, and it’s certified to power nVidia’s Scalable Link Interface (SLI) multi-GPU solution. Bonus: It’s ecologically friendly, meeting the requirements for the Energy Star and Blue Angel labels.

3

Remove the old PSU

You’ll need only basic tools to remove and replace your power supply: a Phillips screwdriver with a No. 2 head (preferably magnetic), a pair of diagonal cutters, and several small or medium-size cable ties. Unplug all of the cables attached to the back panel of your computer, then move it to a work area with adequate room to lay it down. Before you remove the back-panel cables, especially the power cord, toggle the PSU’s power switch to Off. This will cycle down any auxiliary/standby power (for memory, LAN, and the like).

When you connect your new PSU’s cables to your components, pay attention to how the connectors are keyed. If a connector doesn’t go in easily, don’t force it.

volt power connectors. Tip: Make sure the PSU’s motherboard and 12-volt power connectors are oriented correctly so their clips engage the ledges on the sides of the motherboard’s sockets. The connectors are keyed and will fit only one way—do not force them. SATA hard drive power connectors are also keyed, but not as clearly as the older four-pin Molex connectors. Observe the correct orientation and, we repeat, do not force them. They should simply slip on.

5 Once you’ve disconnected all of the power cables from your components and motherboard, unscrew the PSU from the case. Support it with your free hand so it doesn’t fall.

Remove the side panel, and carefully disconnect all of the power connectors from the components. You can loosen optical and hard drive connectors by gently jiggling them from side to side. Both the 20- or 24-pin motherboard power connector and the four- or eight-pin 12-volt connector have clips on one side that you must depress while pulling the connector away from the motherboard. Finally, unscrew the four screws on the back of the case while holding the power supply in place, then remove the PSU. Tip: Typically only a small ledge inside the case supports the PSU. If you improperly remove all four screws, odds are good the unit will plunge into the case, damaging the motherboard. To prevent this, remove the two bottom screws first, support the PSU with your hand from inside the case, and then remove the top two screws.

Complete the final touches

Tie-wrap all of the cables neatly out of the way, then clip off any cable-tie excess with your diagonal cutters. This will make the inside of your case look more attractive (and that’s important if you have a clear side panel). What’s more, neatly routed cables allow for better airflow through the case to help prevent overheating your PC. Tip: When you’re done, visually inspect all of the cabling to make sure it’s not touching any heat sinks or cooling-fan blades. It’s better to A few well-placed cable ties will check for this now than make your case’s interior tidy and increase airflow to cool your to encounter the smell of components more efficiently. melting insulation later.

6

Power it up

While connecting your new PSU, it’s possible you knocked components loose from their motherboard slots. Before you close the case, make certain RAM, graphics cards, and other parts are properly seated. Then reattach the side panel, place the computer in its original location, re-install all the Install the new PSU back-panel cables you removed, and power up. If you’ve done Inserting the new PSU is straightforeverything correctly, all you’ve got to do now is take advantage ward. Again, be sure to support it with of all that fresh power. your hand from inside the case until WWW Tip: Plug in the power cord last. at least the top two screws are in Looking for other ways to Before you do, make sure that the place. pep up your PC? Check out PSU’s power switch is set to Off, and Reconnect all of the power connec“New Life for an Old PC”: computershopper.com/ only put it into the On position after tors required for your motherboard and the installed easypcupgrades you’ve connected the power cord. components, starting with the motherboard and 12-

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HELP & HOW-TO

WEEKEND PROJECT Stay on top of the latest Web news and blogs with a dedicated RSS reader.

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An RSS client (also known as a news aggregator) is a small application that fetches Web feeds, or Web-site summaries, and delivers them straight to your desktop, along with links to the full stories. You can subscribe to as many RSS feeds as you like (most popular sites support them) and the one-time subscription process is both quick and free. For instance, sports fans can subscribe to The New York Times’ sports page, then use their RSS clients to read the latest Times sports headlines. All the feeds are organized in the RSS client, so you don’t need to open a Web browser. Dozens of free and commercial clients are available. Some, like KlipFolio (www.klipfolio.com), rely on an Outlook-style layout to present hundreds of text-based headlines at a time, whereas others, like BitsCast (www.bitscast.com), expand on that concept by supporting playback of podcasts and video. For our project, we chose FeedDemon ($29.95, www. newsgator.com), which, in addition to being easy to set up, also provides a good selection of starter RSS feeds and supports automatic podcast downloads. As an added bonus, it integrates with NewsGator Online, a free Webbased aggregator that lets you view your RSS feeds from any Web browser.

RSS to the Rescue BY DENNY ATKIN

with your favorite blogs and Web sites is a timeconsuming proposition. Sure, you could hunt down fresh content by visiting each site individually, but we suggest a simpler, faster way. It’s called Really Simple Syndication (RSS). You’ll need an RSS client, which automatically checks Web sites for new content and delivers updates straight to your desktop in the form of headlines and summaries. Here’s how to get an RSS client to scan your favorite sites for you.

FeedDemon can keep you up to speed on your favorite Web sites and blogs, such as our very own ShopTalk.

KEEPING CURRENT

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October 2006 computershopper.com

Pick a client

Illustration by David Flaherty

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Set up your client

After downloading FeedDemon, your first step will be to create a NewsGator Online account. Choose between a free or premium subscription ($19.95 per year), and proceed through the wizard. When you arrive at the Subscriptions page, click “I’m new at this, so recommend some feeds” to find some starter feeds. On the next screen, click None to prevent your client from downloading dozens of sample feeds. After clicking None, look through the sample folders and check only the feeds that interest you. On the next screen, check “Synchronize all of my feeds” (this syncs your FeedDemon settings online with NewsGator), then click Finish to complete the setup wizard. The first time you launch FeedDemon, you’ll see the feeds to which you subscribed. When you click on a feed, you’ll find an

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option to read new posts in their entirety, as excerpts, or as headlines. Unless you’ve subscribed to more than 20 or 30 feeds, you may find it easier to list all of your feeds in one view, rather than breaking them down into individual folders. To do this, click the View menu, point to Views, and click Feed View to display your feeds in a single list, or Unread Feed View to show just the feeds with new items. Now click the Update All Feeds icon on the upper left corner to have FeedDemon search for new posts on your selected Web sites and blogs. Tip: Opting for NewsGator’s Premium subscription gets you added features like the ability to access and read your feeds from your PDA/cell phone and the ability to post feed headlines straight to your blog.

FeedDemon lets you search for feeds based on the topics you select. You can then save those feeds as part of your subscriptions.

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Find the feeds you want

click Next. You’ll see a list of matching feeds. Click on any feed, then click the Preview button to sample the site’s most recent posts. If you want to add the feed to your subscriptions, highlight the feed and click Next to subscribe. If you don’t find any you like, click the Back button and modify your search term.

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Watch for favorite topics

If you’re interested in a topic but don’t want to limit yourself to specific feeds, you can create a keyword search feed, which uses search engines to scour the Web for feed entries that match the words you enter. In FeedDemon, click the Subscribe button, click “I want to create a keyword search feed,” and then click Next. Enter a search keyword or phrase, and choose a search engine. Experiment with the different engines until you find the one that works best. Click Next, enter a title for your search, and choose a folder in which to store it. Finally, click Finish, and your custom news feed is ready to read. You can also keep an eye out for specific words mentioned in your existing feeds. For example, if you’re buying a new MP3 player and have subscribed to a few gadget feeds, you can create a Watch using the brand name of the MP3 player you’re considering (Apple iPod, for example). FeedDemon will then keep track of any posts that contain the words “Apple iPod.” To do this, click on the drop-down arrow located next to the Subscribe button, and choose New Watch. Give your Watch a descriptive title, then enter your search terms. A Watch folder will be created, containing posts from all of your feeds that contain the selected keywords.

RSS-feed links are typically found on a Web site’s home page as small orange boxes marked “RSS” or “XML.” If you left-click one of these boxes, it will display a line of indecipherable code on your browser. You’ll want to copy and paste the URL of the feed to FeedDemon. First, launch FeedDemon and your Web browser. From your browser, click on the RSS feed you want to add. You should now see a page with HTML code. Select the URL after the word “,” then switch to FeedDemon and click the Subscribe button located on the upper left corner. Select “I’ll enter the address Creating a Watch in FeedDemon will search incoming feeds of the feed or Web site,” and click the Next button. The following for words or phrases you specify. screen will have the link from Internet Explorer displayed in the URL box. If it’s not there, simply paste the URL. (If you’re using Firefox, follow the same steps, but rather than left-clicking on the File away the keepers RSS link, right-click on it and choose Copy Link Location.) Like most RSS readers, FeedDemon will delete Click the Preview button to ensure that the feed is working corthe oldest feed entries to make room for new rectly, then click Next. Finally, choose a folder in which to place ones. But what about that great how-to, that hiyour feed and click Finish. Your new feed is ready to go. Repeat larious anecdote, or that juicy rumor you want this process for all feeds you want your aggregator to include. to keep? Just drop them into FeedDemon’s You can also search for feeds based on a particular subject. In News Bins for future reference. FeedDemon, click To create a News Bin, click the arrow next to the Subscribe the Subscribe butbutton and choose New News Bin. Give your bin a name and ton and choose “I WWW click OK. Your News Bins folder want to find new should now contain your newly For tips on maintaining your feeds about a specreated bin. When you see a feed own blog, check out cific topic.” Now enentry you want to keep, just drag “Optimize Your Blog”: RSS-feed links, like the one shown here, are typically found near the computershopper.com/ ter a term, such as and drop the headline to the bin bottom of a site’s home page. optimizeblog “Xbox 360,” and of your choice.

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