Computer Shopper Apr 2006

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CAN DO FOR YOU
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 wouldnt be your brightest move. Look for certified USB products at
Information provided by the USB Implementers Forum
www.usb.org
connection in the history of computing. Its the industry standard that
Effortlessly. And all thats 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.
computershopper.com April 2006 7

DESKTOPS
26 Velocity Micro Gamers
Edge DualX
28 HP Pavilion a1250n
28 Cisnet NASCAR PC
30 ABS Ultimate M5 Vortex
30 Alienware Aurora 3500
30 Maingear Prelude 64
NOTEBOOKS
32 Acer TravelMate 8200
32 Dell Inspiron 710m
34 Alienware Aurora m7700
34 Toshiba Tecra S3
34 WinBook X610
COMPONENTS
36 LaCie Slim DVDRW Drive With LightScribe
36 Logitech MX610 Laser Cordless Mouse
36 Microsoft Wireless Laser Desktop 6000
DISPLAYS
27 Dell UltraSharp 3007WFP
40 Envision EN9600
40 Gateway FPD2185W
40 HP LP2065
PRINTERS
42 Canon Selphy DS810
42 HP Officejet 5610 All-in-One
42 Samsung CLP-300
MOBILE PRODUCTS
44 Palm Treo 700w Smartphone
44 HP iPaq HX2790
DIGITAL CAMERAS
48 Fujifilm FinePix S5200
48 Olympus SP-350
48 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T9
DIGITAL AUDIO
52 JBL On Stage II
52 JVC HA-NC100 Noise
Canceling Headphones
52 Philips 30GB GoGear
HDD6330 Jukebox
DIGITAL LIVING
54 Panasonic DMR-ES20
54 Samsung HL-R6768W
54 Sony Bravia KDL-V40XBR1
SOFTWARE
56 H&R Block TaxCut
Premium 2005
56 TurboTax Premier 2005
59 LimeWire Basic
59 Macromedia Studio 8
59 Roxio Easy Media Creator 8
60 File Scavenger 3
60 Focus MP3 Recorder Pro 3.1.1
60 InAlbum 2.5 Deluxe Edition
TOP 25
62 The best alternative-brand desktops,
desktop-replacement notebooks, LCD televisions,
input devices, and music-download services.
130 51 high-resolution digital
cameras priced as low as $299.
36
42
27 Dells big and bright
UltraSharp 3007WFP
adds panorama to your
PC. And if its stunning
performance doesnt
grab your attention, its
low price certainly will.
28
Features
BEYOND-HOT HARDWARE
64 This Years Gear
Feed your craving for new gear and gadgets!
Satellite radios, high-definition DVD players,
monster graphics cards, and much more:
These 25 hot items will be this summers most
coveted new hardware.
ALTERNATIVE-BRAND LAPTOPS
75 Smaller Brands, Bigger Deals
Dell and Toshiba arent the only names in
the notebook-PC worldbut can laptops from lesser-known
makers compete with the big boys? To find out, we test five
compelling notebooks from vendors you may have
overlooked.
RATING PC HELP
80 Tech-Support Report
As PC makers have moved their support
centers overseas, consumer complaints
about service quality have skyrocketed. The
Shopper team goes undercover and snoops
around the help lines of seven major ven-
dorsfind out how each ranked.
54
48
Page 75
Page 64
CONTENTS APRI L 2006 VOLUME 26 NUMBER 4 I SSUE 313
75
80
64
52
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P
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Page 80
Page 96
Page 28
Learn more at www.buffalotech.com/cs-seamless
*Based on LinkStation Multimedia Home Server 300 GB, model HS-D300GL. Values used for videos, photos, files and mp3s are approximates based on typical length,
compression and resolutions.
Buffalo Technology (USA), Inc. Buffalo Technology and Buffalo Technology logo are registered trademarks of Buffalo Technology (USA), Inc. The names and logos of
other companies mentioned herein belong to their respective owners.
Store Photos, Music and Videos
Access Files from Multiple Computers
Share Digital Files Easily Over your Network
Stream Media to Any DLNA Compatible Player
New! Designed to DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance
) guidelines, LinkStation
Multimedia Home Server and TeraStation Home Server series offer affordable
network attached storage (NAS) solutions for sharing digital media over your
network. With built-in media server software, Buffalo Home Servers
automatically find and access all DLNA-based devices on your network for
instant streaming of stored videos, images or music. Enjoy the freedom
of seamless multimedia sharing with Buffalo Home Server Solutions!
Store.
Access.
Share.
Stream.
Seamless Sharing.
272,000
Photos*
75,000
Songs*
333 Hours
of Video*
Thousands
of Files
HS-D300GL/HS-D400GL
HS-D1.0TGL/R5
TechMarket
COMPLETE PRODUCT MARKETPLACE GUIDE
115 Midrange Desktops
118 Budget Notebooks
123 Home and Small-Office Laser Printers
126 17-Inch Flat-Panel Displays
130 Digital Cameras (6-Megapixel
and Higher)
134 Portable Digital Audio Players
(Flash Memory)
Web Buyer
THE BEST SITES FOR ONLINE SHOPPING
137 Tech Products
137 Speakers and Sound Cards
138 Cables and Wires
140 Direct PC Vendors
141 Tech-Support Services
141 Software
Computer Shopper (ISSN0886-0556) 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, 28E. 28th St., NewYork, NY10016-7942. Periodicals Mail postage paid at NewYork, NY, and addition-
al 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, ONL4B4R6. Portions of Computer Shopper are published under license fromCNETNetworks, 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.comare 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 Copyright2006 SX2 Media Labs, LLC. All rights
reserved. Permission to use Computer Shopper content is granted on a case-by-case basis. SX2Media Labs welcomes requests. Please direct inquiries to computershopper@reprintbuyer.com. You may also make phone requests by contacting Reprint Management
Services at 717-399-1900. Computer Shopper is a trademarks of SX2 Media Labs LLC. PRINTEDINTHE U.S.A.
135
Help & How-To
COMPUTER CURES
91 PC cures galore! Bypass Windows pesky login
screen, tame XPs taskbar, and use your cell
phone as a laptop modem. Plus, see a nifty tip for
identifying every program and process on your
PC. By Alfred Poor
WEEKEND PROJECT
94 Laptop Lockdown
The world is a dangerous place for portable PCs.
Go on defense: Learn how to physically protect
your notebook from thieves and encrypt your
valuable data just in case theyre successful.
96 Rx for Aging Eyes
Time takes a toll on your eyesightand so can
staring at a PC screen. Give your hard-working
peepers relief with our tips for adjusting and
magnifying your display image.
CONSUMER ALERT
98 How to Tell When a Seller Is Faking It
eBays right to serve as a marketplace for coun-
terfeit goods will face another legal challenge
later this year. In the meantime, know how to
protect yourself. By Nancy Lang-Feldman
BUYING BASICS
146 How to Buy the Right Plasma Television
Also in This Issue
TRENDS
19 Customized laptops join the PC-modding craze.
Plus, virtual assets from online games become a
new tax frontier, and the static is clearing for TV
service on cell phones.
GEAR
22 APC Universal Plug Adapter
Cowon A2
iSkin eVo 3
Kodak EasyShare V570
Motorola Q
Razer Tarantula
Gaming Keyboard
DEPARTMENTS
10 Editors Note
10 Letters
142 Spotlight
145 Ad Index
22
22
96
10 April 2006 computershopper.com
EDITORS NOTE JANICE CHEN
than 2,500 tech exhibitors this year, its no surprise
that tons of new gadgets are cropping up this spring.
To get a taste of the electronics with the most
promise, turn to This Years Gear (p. 64). Weve
rounded up 25 of the most inno-
vative gadgets, peripherals,
and PC upgrades hitting
store shelves in 2006. Youll
find everything from Skype-ready
hardware that enables you to make
free and easy IP phone calls to new portable music players
from Creative and Pioneer that turn up the volume by adding
video and XM Satellite Radio, respectively.
Among the most-important purchases youre likely to make
this year, a new laptop would rank close to the top. Thoroughly re-
searching the options will help ensure you make a smart pur-
chase, but if youre looking for the best deal,
dont bypass brands just because you havent
heard of them before. Our notebook roundup,
Smaller Brands, Bigger Deals (p. 75), takes a
close look at models from five lesser-known lap-
top makers: ABS, Asus, Cyberpower, Sager, and
Twinhead. All their laptops were well-configured and well-priced,
but some companies got the overall package just right, while oth-
ers skimped on critical features such as construction quality and
tech support. Read on to find out which notebook vendors are
putting together hits and which have created misses.
Lesser-known companies arent the only ones that may cut
corners with tech support, however. As PC prices contin-
ue to drop, quality of service often does, too. Ser-
vice and support can be the most difficult feature
to evaluate when reviewing a tech product, yet
for many its one of the most crucial. To find out which PC ven-
dors offer the most helpful tech support, we made support calls
to seven of the biggest desktop and laptop manufacturers, with-
out revealing our Computer Shopper affiliation. Turn to Tech-Sup-
port Report (p. 80) to see which vendors got the best grades and
which need to do remedial work. janice.chen@cnet.com
SOME BELI EVE THAT in the spring, a persons fancy turns
to thoughts of love. Among our readers, however, geek
lust is a bit more prevalent. Thats because many of
the high-tech products announced at the Consumer
Electronics Show (CES) in January are finally hitting the
market now. And considering that CES attracted more
LETTERS
THE ART OF RECYCLING
I enjoyed the article Give or Go Green
in the February issue (p. 83). Another idea
for recycling old tech products is creating
computer art. I made a shadow box out
of parts from an old PC I was going to
tossit looks great mounted on the wall
next to my desk. James Dowdy
HELLO? EBAY?
After reading Nancy Lang-Feldmans col-
umn about contacting online retailers
(Whom to Call When Things Go Wrong,
February, p. 115), I was hoping you could
help me get in touch with eBay. A few
months ago, I was scammed out of mer-
chandise by an eBay seller. So far, the com-
pany has been great about responding to
e-mails, but I would prefer to speak to a
real person. Is there a number I can call?
Don Greenberg
If you cant
locate a cus-
tomer-service
number on a companys Web site, you can
often find a corporate number on the Better
Business Bureaus site (www.bbb.org). We
found this one for eBay: (408) 376-7400. Ed.
DONT FORGET VIDEO EDITING!
I was disappointed that you didnt include
video-editing software in your 20th An-
nual Shoppers Choice Awards (February,
p. 59). That type of application has driven
all my hardware purchases over the last
15 years, and I was hoping to see what
tools other readers liked. Be sure to add it
to your ballot next year. Jim Schwabe
SPEEDY STARTUP STEP MISSING
John Woram wrote a terrific article about
improving bootup speeds (Kick-Start
Your Bootup, February, p. 92), but he left
out one major point. In step 3, he recom-
mends scrolling through the list of start-
up applications to see if you recognize
anything that shouldnt be there. If I
was able to quickly discern a program
that shouldnt be there, I probably didnt
need the advice of this article to begin
with. He should have given solid guide-
lines on which applications should be
removed. Kirke Schnoor
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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
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A Creative Zen Vision:M
Digital Media Player
Go to computershopper.com/survey.
See sweepstakes rules on p. 119.
D
WIN!
We want to hear from you.
WRI TE: Letters, Computer Shopper
28 E. 28th St., 10th Fl.
New York, NY 10016-7922
E- MAI L: cs_feedback@cnet.com
Letters may be edited for length and clarity,
and may be published in any medium.
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contact: Your local reseller
EDI TOR I N CHI EF Janice J. Chen

EDI TOR Rik Fairlie
MANAGI NG EDI TOR Wendy Sheehan
ART DI RECTOR Chris Phillips
EXECUTI VE EDI TOR Nancy Lang-Feldman
SENI OR EDI TOR Sean Portnoy
ASSOCI ATE EDI TOR Joshua Goldman
STAFF EDI TORS Brian Bennett, Louis Ramirez
EDI TORI AL ASSI STANT Erin Kandel
EDI TORI AL BUSI NESS COORDI NATOR/ ASST. TO EI C Ursula Morris
COPY CHI EF/ ASST. MANAGI NG EDI TOR John A. Burek
SENI OR COPY EDI TOR Brian T. Horowitz
COPY EDI TOR Jasmin Malik Chua
ASSOCI ATE ART DI RECTOR Todd Betterley
PRI NCI PAL PHOTOGRAPHER Chris Gould
CNET REVI EWS
EDI TORS David Carnoy, Matthew Elliott, Allen Fear, Lindsey Turrentine
MANAGI NG EDI TOR Julie Wildhaber
SENI OR EDI TORS Aimee Baldridge, Wayne Cunningham, John P. Falcone,
Kent German, Lori Grunin, Justin Jaffe, David Katzmaier,
James Kim, Robert Vamosi
SENI OR ASSOCI ATE EDI TORS Dan Ackerman, Rich Brown, Bonnie Cha
ASSOCI ATE EDI TORS Jasmine France, Nicole Lee, Michelle Thatcher,
Elsa Wenzel, Felisa Yang
ASSI STANT EDI TORS Will Greenwald, Lara Luepke, David Rudden
LABS MANAGER Daniel A. Begun
ASSI STANT LABS MANAGER Eric Franklin
PROJECT LEADERS David Gussman, Dong Ngo
ASSOCI ATE PROJECT LEADER Matthew Fitzgerald
LAB TECHNI CI ANS Michael Degnan, Matthew Wood
I NVENTORY COORDI NATORS Pedro Burgos, Corey Terrill
PHOTO DI RECTOR Jody L. Gianni
PRODUCER Neal Okin
PRODUCTI ON ASSI STANT Dino Salee
VP, PUBLI SHER David Cleary
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REGI ONAL SALES MANAGER Justin Schiller (646) 472-3841
EAST COAST NEW BUSI NESS DEVELOPMENT Eliza Dudelzak (646) 472-3981
NORTHWEST
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REGI ONAL SALES MANAGER Gabriel Rogol (415) 344-2504
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ACCOUNT COORDI NATOR (EAST COAST) Elizabeth Jang (646) 472-3941
ACCOUNT COORDI NATOR (WEST COAST) Francia McCormack (646) 472-3889
MARKETI NG
ASSOCI ATE VP, MARKETI NG Josh London
SENI OR MARKETI NG MANAGER Elizabeth Hill
RESEARCH MANAGER Lynn Klein
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TECHNI CAL PRODUCER Dan OBrien
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PRODUCTI ON
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Coming
Next Month
TOP 50 DOWNLOADS
Our annual software blitz show-
cases the best spyware killers,
media organizers, games, anti-
virus apps, and more. Best of
all, theyre all free.
TOP SHOPPING SITES
Every month, we tell you which
products are worth buying, but
that's only half the story. Here
are the best places to score
deals on peripherals, gadgets,
software, and more.
REVIVE YOUR AGING PC
That dusty old desktop may
only need an upgrade or two
to give it a second chance.
Before you send it to the
recycling heap, check out our
steps for bringing an aging
warrior back to the battlefront.
VIIV MEDIA CENTER PCs
Intel's new digital entertainment
platform, Viiv, promises a new
kind of media-centric PC. We
take a look at some of the first
systems to incorporate the
chips. Does one belong in your
living room?
Find out.
On Newsstands
April 11th
2006 LG Electronics U.S.A., Inc. Englewood Cliffs, NJ. LG Design, Lifes Good, FLATRON, and f-ENGINE are Trademarks of LG Electronics, Inc.
150 TIMES FASTER THAN THE BLINK OF AN EYE.
1600:1
Ultra-High
Contrast Ratio
Introducing the new 70 Series LCD FLATRON
Monitor from LG.

Ultra-fast response time challenges any CRT. 1600:1 Ultra-high contrast ratio for vivid color display.
Travels easily, light-weight (12lbs), thin (0.5in), and folds down to an impressive 2.7 inches.
The FLATRON f-ENGINE
brings together another dimension to all your games. See colors in a

whole new way. The future is brighter than ever.
Brilliant As...Stunning As...Innovative As LG.
www.LGusa.com
1. Toshiba EasyGuard technology comprises a number of features some of which may or may not be available on a particular Toshiba notebook depending on the model selected. See www.easyguard.toshiba.com for
detailed information. 2. Toshibas shock absorption technology provides higher impact protection for your system as compared to Toshiba systems without similar shock protection features based on Toshibas drop tests.
Toshibas standard limited warranty terms and limitations apply. Visit www.warranty.toshiba.com for details. ConfigFree, libretto, Portg, Satellite and Tecra are registered trademarks and EasyGuard and Qosmio are
trademarks of Toshiba America Information Systems, Inc. and/or Toshiba Corporation. Intel, the Intel logo, Intel Inside, the Intel Inside logo, Celeron, Intel Centrino, the Intel Centrino logo and Pentium are trademarks or
Toshiba recommends Windows XP Tablet PC Edition.
Tecra M4 Tablet PC
Combines high-performance notebook
technology with tablet functionality.
Intel Centrino Mobile Technology
Genuine Microsoft Windows XP Tablet PC Edition 2005
Toshiba EasyGuard enhancements
1
for increased
mobile security, system integrity, network
connectivity and overall ease of use.
Starting at $1,699
Satellite
Smart notebooks for every budget.
Starting at $949
libretto
Power of a desktop in the palm of your hand.
Starting at $1,799
Qosmio
4-in-1 personal entertainment center.

Starting at $1,699
Tecra
The reliability business demands.
Starting at $999
Portg
Thin, light and powerful.
Starting at $1,599
ToshibaByDesign.com/M4
1.800.TOSHIBA
Innovation by design.
registered trademarks of Intel Corporation or its subsidiaries in the United States and other countries. Microsoft and Windows are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.
Wi-Fi is a registered certification mark of the Wi-Fi Alliance. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. While Toshiba has made every effort at the time of publication to ensure the accuracy of the
information provided herein, product specifications, configurations, prices, system/component/options availability are all subject to change without notice. Toshiba is not liable for pricing, typographical or photography
errors. Prices listed are based on products listed at ToshibaDirect.com at time of publication printing. Reseller/Retailer pricing/products may vary. 2006 Toshiba America Information Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.
Where can innovation take you?
ToshibaByDesign.com/M4
The ability to adapt to your surroundings is a key component of
success. The Tecra M4 Tablet PC brings together state-of-the-art
notebook technology with innovative tablet functionality to become
Toshibas most advanced notebook yet. It works around you,
instead of the other way around. Thats innovation 360.
The power of versatility.
Patented Diversity Antenna
Improves wireless signal reception by
strategically placing a dual-band Wi-Fi
antenna in the notebook display.
Toshiba Trusted Platform Module (TPM)
Chip embedded on motherboard helps protect your data
with NSA-level encryption.
ConfigFree Software
Simplifies finding and connecting to networks
and allows collaboration between connected
users and workgroups.
High-Resolution
Video Display
14" diagonal SXGA+ display offers an
extended viewable range and more
vivid visuals plus, the polycarbonate
protective surface offers an authentic
pen and paper experience.
HDD Protection Design
1
Shock-absorbing materials and integrated
3D accelerometer helps safeguard your
hard drive from falls, impacts or vibrations.
1
1
2
3D accelerometer help safeguard your
JUST AS Alienware, Voodoo
Computers, and other bou-
tique PC makers have success-
fully tapped the market for
boldly colored desktops, a few
computer companiesand
several accessory makers and
customization specialists
have figured out that custom-
look laptops can be potent
style statements.
Dells XPS M170 notebook
(www.dell.com) features a
flashy case design complete
with lights, and the company
now sells notebook covers that
add color or collegiate logos
to its products. Hewlett-
Packards LiveStrong
model (www.hp.com/go/
livestrong) features Lance
Armstrongs signature yellow
band, in one of the companys
few nods to personalization.
And last fall, chip maker Intel
(www.intel.com) showed off a
line of concept laptops that
featured Ultrasuede fabric on
their casings.
Custom designs are still
relatively new to the main-
stream PC industry. As a re-
sult, tech-savvy individuals
looking for something differ-
ent tend to produce their
own creations, a practice
known as case modding.
Skyn (www.skynmobile.
com) offers one way to mod
a notebook, making colorful
plastic covers that can be
reused on multiple laptops.
But if youre looking for the
ultimate in customization,
some companies can pro-
vide shiny paint jobs.
An Oregon company called
Smooth Creations (www.
smoothcreations.com) is tak-
ing its expertise at painting
flashy designs on cars to the
PC world. About five years ago,
the company started painting
desktop cases for individuals
and PC-enthusiast compa-
nies such as Alienware and
Hypersonic PC, and about
a year and a half ago, it
expanded into laptops,
according to Chris Eddie,
the companys client-
services manager.
Customers can choose
from several different
metallic paint jobs
or order special effects
like color-shifting paint.
Another high-tech
painter, Colorware (www.
colorwarepc.com), special-
izes in adding color to Ap-
ples iBooks, iMacs, and
iPods. The company is look-
ing into expanding its
offerings to Dell laptops, a
representative says.
Tom Krazit, News.com
Stylish Customized Laptops
Join PC Modding Craze
TRENDSPOTTING
TRENDS
20 Picture on Cell-Phone TV
Is Getting Clearer
20 Seagate Turns Notebook
Hard Drives on Their Sides
20 Can the IRS Tax Online Gamers
Virtual Assets?
22 Gear
UPCOMI NG TECHNOLOGI ES AND PRODUCTS
Dell to Bundle Google Apps With New PCs?
Dell and Google are evaluating a partnership
in which the Google Toolbar, Google Desktop
Search, and a Google-designed Dell home
page could be included on new Dell PCs.
The browser, not the desktop, has become
the most sought-after piece of real estate on
new PCs for third-party tech companies, ac-
cording to Roger Kay, president of Endpoint
Technologies Associates. In the past, PC
companies sold space to the highest bidder
for preloaded icons on their boxes desktops,
but users simply ignored icons they didnt
wish to use, or used cleanup programs to re-
move all icons from their desktops or start
menus, according to Kay.
Just about every PC user whos connected
to the Internet fires up a browser at least once
a day, however, and browser toolbars that
contain useful utilities such as Googles search
engine will grab a users attention, Kay says.
Google already has partnerships with PC
makers such as Apple Computer, Gateway,
Hewlett-Packard, Sony, and Toshiba to dis-
tribute the Google Toolbar. T.K., News.com
The Price Is Right
A 99-cent price for a
digital song download is...
Source: Ipsos
Too
expensive
19%
Fair
52%
A
bargain
19%
Not sure
10%
IBM has produced
chips based on the
evolving 802.15.3c
wireless specification
that will be capable of
passing high-defini-
tion files and other
content at distances
up to roughly 30 feet.
Current samples of
the chip move data at
more than 600Mbps,
says Brian Gaucher, a
research staff mem-
ber at IBM. That rate
is already faster than
that of Universal
Wideband (UWB)
chips, which can
transfer data at
480Mbps at about 10
feet. (UWB is a power-
ful wireless technolo-
gy rivaling Bluetooth
and infrared.)
The eventual result
could be a living room
without cables con-
necting the DVD
player, television, and
stereo.
Michael Kanellos, News.com
A Smooth Creations
custom paint job
AFTER A lackluster start,
mobile television is generat-
ing buzz again. Electronics
makers, wireless operators,
and cell-phone-technology
firms are betting big money
that consumers on the go
will soon clamor for televi-
sions they can tote in purses
and pockets.
The gulf between the idea
and the reality of mobile
television still presents a few
challenges to the consumer,
however. Before TV fans can
watch live NBA games or
CNN broadcasts on their cell
phones, they have to find
providers that actually offer
mobile-TV service, as well
as track down one of the
few video-enabled phones
currently available.
The industry has steadily
improved image quality, and
companies such as MobiTV,
which provides the mobile-
TV service for cell-phone
operators Cingular and
Sprint, are now transmitting
data at about 15 to 20 frames
per second (fps), according
to Jason Taylor, a MobiTV
spokesman. In comparison,
broadcast television trans-
mits data at about 30fps.
MobiTV offers more than
30 channels, including live
and on-demand content.
Sprint customers pay $9.99 a
month for MobiTV; Cingular
MobiTV subscribers pay
$10 a month for unlimited
viewing of 25 channels, but
they must also sign up for
a data package.
Data-delivery rates will
soar once carriers move to
high-speed networks, says
Taylor. He points out, for in-
stance, that MobiTVs video
content is broadcast quality
when running over Sprints
wireless high-speed data
service, called Evolution-Data
Optimized (EV-DO).
Cell-phone makers are
hurrying new video-enabled
phones to market. Samsung
and Sanyo already offer such
phones, and Palms Treo 650
and 700w smartphones are
also video-ready.
Greg Sandoval, News.com
TRENDS TECH NEWS
SEAGATE Technology, the
worlds largest hard drive
manufacturer, is shipping
its first notebook drive
based on perpendicular-
recording technology, a shift
that increases capacity by
25 percent.
The Momentus 5400.3, a
2.5-inch-diameter hard drive
shown off last year, is de-
signed for notebooks
and holds 160GB of
data, the equivalent
of 40,000 songs or
nearly three hours of
high-definition video. The
$325 drive relies on perpen-
dicular recording, in which
the bits stand vertically in-
stead of lying flat, increasing
the amount of data a single
platter can host.
The drive makes 5,400
revolutions per minute. Sea-
gate will later release drives
that spin at slower rates for
reduced energy consump-
tion and cost, as well as
faster-spinning models for
quicker data retrieval. The
company will also bring per-
pendicular recording to its
3.5-inch-diameter drives,
used in PCs and digital video
recorders, and its 1-inch-di-
ameter drives, employed in
MP3 players and phones.
Competitors such as Hi-
tachi and Toshiba have al-
ready come out with or plan
to release perpendicular-
recording drives for their
target markets. Drive
makers hit on the
idea of perpendi-
cular recording
a few years
ago, but
only now
is the tech-
nology starting
to appear in mass-
manufactured products.
Michael Kanellos, News.com
Turning Notebook Hard Drives on Their Sides
Picture on Cell-Phone TV Is Getting Clearer
Can the IRS
Tax Online
Gamers
Virtual Assets?
One April 15 in the near
future, online gamers may
wonder how much they owe
in taxes for virtual in-game
assets such as weapons,
character skins, and clothing.
Today, virtual goods from
World of Warcraft, Star Wars
Galaxies, and other multi-
player online games are traf-
ficked online for real dollars,
and exchanges such as eBay
set their fair market value.
As a result, millions of
gamers are collectively hold-
ing on to tens or even hun-
dreds of millions of dollars
worth of these digital assets
at any one time. Some say
the Internal Revenue Service
cant ignore these items for-
ever, which raises the thorny
question of whether these
frequently bartered goods
can be deemed taxable be-
fore they are sold for real-
world money.
From the standpoint of
economic theory...theres no
fundamental distinction be-
tween selling euros and buy-
ing magic wands, says Ted
Castronova, an expert on vir-
tual economies and an associ-
ate professor of telecommuni-
cations at Indiana University.
Still, this isnt something
gamers or publishers should
worry too much about, ac-
cording to Joseph Bankman,
a professor at Stanford Law
School.
I think the common-sense
answer is the IRS wouldnt
and shouldnt go after folks
until they sell the assets,
Bankman says. The com-
mon-sense reason for this
is that, for most folks, the
assets represent enjoyment
valuewhat we call imputed
incomethats not taxed.
Daniel Terdiman, News.com
Seagate
Momentus
5400.3
Double shot
The $399 Kodak EasyShare
V570 digital camera is less than
an inch thick and features a
sharp 5-megapixel resolution.
What sets it apart, however, is
its unique dual-lens construc-
tion. The V570 is equipped with
both a 3x optical zoom lens and
a wide-angle (23mm-equiva-
lent) lens for maximum photo-
graphic flexibility. Plus, the
slickly designed EasyShare Pho-
to Frame Dock 2, included,
makes recharges and photo
transfers easy. Eastman Kodak,
www.kodak.com
GEAR NEW PRODUCTS
BY BRIAN BENNETT
The Great Q-mmunicator
Motorola plans to overthrow the reigning smart-
phone king, the Palm Treo, with its new Q mobile
handset. Running Microsofts latest Windows
Mobile operating system (version 5.0), the Q has
a backlit QWERTY keypad and a 1.3-megapixel
camera, yet remains remarkably thin. Pricing
and carrier info had not been set at press time.
Motorola, www.motorola.com
Video on hand
Sleek and trim, Cowons
$449 A2 portable video
player is a sight worth see-
ing. The A2 natively han-
dles AVI, DivX, WMV, and
XviD video files, as well as
MP3, OGG, WAV, and WMA
audio. Still-image display
(from BMP, JPEG, and PNG
files) is supported, and you
can also use the player to
record video directly from
televisions, DVD players,
and cable boxes. Cowon
America, www.jetaudio.com
A
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i
e
n
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e

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.

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r
v
e
d
.
Global power
Be ready to charge your devices in any country your
travels take you. Weighing just 2.5 ounces and small
enough to pack as an afterthought, the $19.99 APC
Universal Plug Adapter can be quickly configured to
jack into power outlets worldwide. American Power
Conversion, www.apc.com
Deadly strokes
Accent your gaming rig with the $99 Razer Tarantula
Gaming Keyboard. Known for its killer line of gaming
mice, Razer has outfitted the Tarantula with features
that will get gamers drooling, including fully program-
mable, backlit keys. Plus, headphone and microphone
jacks keep players from having to rummage around
the backs of their PCs. Razer, www.razerzone.com
Case closed
Safeguard your shiny video-capable iPod with the
$34.99 eVo 3 case from iSkin. Available in six colors
and crafted from silicone, the eVo 3 guards against
moisture and the occasional drop. Completely en-
closing the iPod, the case even protects the delicate
Click Wheel and screen, while still letting you use
them. iSkin, www.iskin.com
All offers available from HP Direct and participating resellers. Prices shown are HP Direct prices, are subject to change and do not include applicable state and local sales tax or shipping to recipients destination. Reseller prices may vary. Photography may not accurately
represent exact configurations priced. Associated values represent HP published list price. 1. Lease products are available through Hewlett-Packard Financial Services Company (HPFSC) or one of its affiliates to qualified commercial customers in the U.S. and are subject to
credit approval and execution of standard HPFSC documentation. Offer valid on all transactions greater than $349 through 4/30/06. Other fees and restrictions may apply; please visit www.hp.com/go/HPfinancialservices. HPFSC reserves the right to change or cancel this
program at any time without notice. 2. Instant savings and mail-in-rebate offers are valid through 4/30/06 on qualifying HP Compaq nc6140 and nx6110 notebooks, HP Compaq dc7600 Desktops, HP ProLiant ml110 G3 Servers, HP Compaq tc4200 Tablet PCs, HP Color
LaserJet 2600n Printers and HP xw4300 Workstations from HP Direct and participating HP resellers. 3. Timing based on Powersave start. 4. Intels numbering is not a measurement of higher performance. 6. Wireless access point is required and is not included. Wireless
Internet use requires separately purchased Internet service contract. Availability of public wireless access points limited. 7. For hard drives, GB=Billion bytes. Actual available capacity is less. 9. 24X DVD/CD-RW Combo Drive data transfer rates may vary as follows: for recording
to CD-R media, for writing to CD-RW media, for reading CD media, max transfer rate may be up to 3600 Kbps; for reading DVD media, may be up to 10,800 Kbps. Actual transfer rates may vary depending on media quality. 10. 24X Max CD-ROM Drive data transfer rates up
to 3600 Kbps. 11. 48X, 32X CD-RW Drive data transfer rates may vary as follows: for recording to CD-R media, the max transfer rate may be up to 7200 Kbps (use 48X discs for best performance); for writing to CD-RW media, the max transfer rate may be up to 4800 Kbps
(use 32X high-speed media discs for best performance); for reading CD media, the max transfer rate may be up to 7200 Kbps. Actual transfer rates may vary depending on media quality. 12. One-year limited warranty for parts, labor and next-business-day support. 13. Three-
year limited warranty for parts, labor and next-business-day support. 14. Four-year limited warranty for parts, labor and next-business-day support. 15. Service levels and response times for HP Care Packs may vary depending on your geographic location. Restrictions and
limitations apply. For details, visit www.hp.com/go/carepack. 16. Wireless use requires separately purchased service contract. BroadbandAccess is available to more than 140 million people in 171 major metropolitan areas and 68 primary airports. Access limited to coverage
area of Verizon Wireless. Check with Verizon Wireless for availability and coverage in your area. Verizon Wireless BroadbandAccess offers download speeds of 400 to 700 Kbps. National Access provides download speeds of 60 to 80 Kbps. BroadbandAccess speeds are based
on Verizon Wireless network tests with 5MB FTP data files without compression; National Access speeds are based on Verizon Wireless network tests with 101KB FTP data files. 17. The hyperthreading feature is a new technology designed to improve performance of multi-
threaded software products; please contact your software provider to determine software compatibility. Not all customers or software applications will benefit from the use of hyperthreading. Go to http://www.intel.com/info/hyperthreading for more information, including which
processors support HT Technology. Microsoft and Windows are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. Celeron, Celeron Inside, Centrino, Core Inside, Intel, Intel Core, Intel Inside, Intel SpeedStep, Intel Viiv, Intel Xeon, Itanium,
Itanium Inside, Pentium, Pentium Inside, the Centrino Logo, the Intel Logo and the Intel Inside Logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Intel Corporation or its subsidiaries in the United States and other countries. 2006 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
HP recommends Windows
XP Professional.
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Microsoft Windows XP Professional
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6,16
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7
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7
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HP COLOR LASERJET 2600n
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HP ImageREt 2400 technology for
excellent print quality
Up to 8 ppm for color or black & white
First page out in under 21 seconds
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from just one door
$768
Lease for as low as
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control and exibility
One-year next-business-day on-site
limited warranty
12,15
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day hardware support, add $119
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simple backup solution, add $699
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sold separately.
64 3700+), plenty of RAM, dual
DVD drives, and a spacious hard drive. The only misstep is the in-
clusion of a floppy drive instead of a media-card reader. Never-
theless, this has no effect on performance, which was generally
excellent, hitting 200 on BAPCo SYSmark 2004 and 74 frames per
second on our 1,600x1,200 Half-Life 2 test.
Extras include a better-than-average Philips 170S6 17-inch
LCD, a customized Creative Multimedia Keyboard, and the 5.1-
channel Creative Inspire P5800 speaker system. Although the lat-
ter is an entry-level set, it delivers 5.1-channel surround sound.
Kudos to Velocity Micro for providing a solid application
bundle, too. You get Corel WordPerfect Office 11, the game
Far Cry, and Uleads Digital Creation Suite, which consists of
five solid applications that handle photo, video, and DVD
chores. Rick Broida
THE DUAL in the Gamers Edge DualX refers to a pair of graph-
ics cards. Velocity Micro offers configurations of the DualX start-
ing at $1,470, but the $1,999 model we tested came with just one
card. Its a good one, though (a 256MB nVidia GeForce 7800 GT),
and the PC leaves room for a second card in case you aspire to a
Scalable Link Interface (SLI) setup in the future.
Housed in a royal-blue midtower case, the DualX has a
matching blue LED cooling fan visible through a front
grill. Speaking
of cooling,
youll find
seven case fans inside,
not including the one
in the power supply. As
a result, the DualX runs
loud. The case itself is
surprisingly spacious,
with plenty of room for
expansion despite all
the fans.
Feature-wise, the
DualX delivers, with a
speedy processor
(AMDs 2.2GHz Athlon
Whats the Deal?
Velocity Micro continues to impress us with its system
builds. This DualX comes in at a reasonable $1,999
including speakers and a 17-inch LCDand gives you all
the power youll need for serious 3D gaming.
What its for: Gaming, but with this component mix,
also general home and office tasks, as well as editing,
managing, and using digital media. Businesses will find
it fit for productivity applications and graphics work.
Who its for: Those looking for a respectable gaming
rig or an above-average home PC at a reasonable price.
Whats included: One year of parts-and-labor coverage,
with toll-free phone support; a customized Creative
Multimedia Keyboard; a Creative Inspire P5800 5.1-
channel speaker system; a Philips 170S6 17-inch LCD;
and a software bundle that includes Corel WordPerfect
Office 11 and the game Far Cry.
Extra essentials: More games.
The bottom line: With crisp performance and expert
construction, the Gamers Edge DualX is a near-perfect
gaming PC at a good-value price.
REVIEWS THE LATEST HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE PRODUCTS
Speedy; dual DVD drives;
5.1-channel speaker system; impressive
software bundle
No media-card reader; fan noise
2.2GHz Athlon 64 3700+; 1GB
DDR; 200GB hard drive; double-layer
DVDRW; DVD-ROM; 17-inch Philips
LCD; nVidia GeForce 7800 GT graphics
(256MB); Windows XP Home Edition
Velocity Micro, 800-303-7866
www.velocitymicro.com
Direct Price $1,999
SPECS
CONS
PROS
EDITORS RATING
0 B E T T E R > > 10
7.7
Velocity Micro Gamers Edge DualX
A near-perfect, affordable gaming PC
Velocity Micros tight cable routing makes access to compo-
nents easy, and theres plenty of room for expansion.
AS A LARGE-SCREEN computer monitor,
Dells $2,199 UltraSharp 3007WFP is a
bargain hunters dream come true. Its
several hundred dollars cheaper than
its competitors, yet it offers more
adjustability and better features. Dell
should have added video inputs and bet-
ter DVD playback to make this 30-inch
LCD a true media display, however.
At first glance, youll find little to dis-
like about the 3007WFP. Its narrow black
bezel is capped with silver bars along the
top and bottom edges, and a heavy Y-
shaped metal stand features a brushed-
silver coating that gives the design a
retro look. Although the unit cant rotate
between portrait and landscape mode,
we were impressed with its flexibility,
especially considering its large size.
The 3007WFP has only a digital input,
and it requires a top-of-the-line (dual-
link DVI-D) graphics card to support its
2,560x1,600 (WQXGA) resolution. On the
back, youll find a 12-volt audio jack for
connecting Dells optional 10-watt Sound
Bar speakers ($29); also present are one
upstream and four downstream USB 2.0
ports for connecting peripherals and
powering the two built-in media-card
slots. Sorely lacking, though, are com-
posite-video or S-Video inputs for hook-
ing up an external video device.
The 3007WFP impressed us with its
performance in our barrage of DisplayMate
tests. Text looked sharp at all sizes, and
contrast was excellent. The screen was also
uniform throughout testing, with none of
the bright edges or swaths of brightness we
usually see across a dark screen.
Despite the monitors 11-millisecond re-
sponse time, DVD-playback performance
was poor. We noted lots of digital noise and
ghosting, which reduced the sharpness of
the picture, making images look blurry and
soft-focused. Given the 3007WFPs size, we
suspect many consumers would use this
screen for watching DVDs, which makes the
ghosting and digital noise all the more
problematic. Most games dont support the
monitors WQXGA resolution, but when we
tested World of Warcraft on it, colors looked
vibrant, and we didnt notice ghosting.
Kristina Blachere
Dell UltraSharp 3007WFP
Impressive 30-inch LCD redefines the meaning of value
in this section
Bright image; crisp text, even at tiniest
font sizes; attractive design; inexpensive for its
size; built-in card reader
Lacks composite-video, S-Video inputs;
ghosting during DVD playback
Dell, 800-999-3355
www.dell.com
Direct Price $2,199
CONS
PROS
EDITORS RATING
0 B E T T E R > > 10
7.6
For details on how we test the hardware
we review, visit computershopper.com/
HowWeTest.
28 DESKTOPS
HP Pavilion a1250n
Cisnet NASCAR PC
ABS Ultimate M5 Vortex
Alienware Aurora 3500
Maingear Prelude 64
32 NOTEBOOKS
Acer TravelMate 8200
Dell Inspiron 710m
Alienware Aurora m7700
Toshiba Tecra S3
WinBook X610
36 COMPONENTS
LaCie Slim DVDRW Drive
With LightScribe
Logitech MX610 Laser
Cordless Mouse
Microsoft Wireless Laser
Desktop 6000
40 DISPLAYS
Envision EN9600
Gateway FPD2185W
HP LP2065
42 PRINTERS
Canon Selphy DS810
HP Officejet 5610 All-in-One
Samsung CLP-300
44 MOBILE PRODUCTS
Palm Treo 700w Smartphone
HP iPaq HX2790
48 DIGITAL CAMERAS
Fujifilm FinePix S5200
Olympus SP-350
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T9
52 DIGITAL AUDIO
JBL On Stage II
JVC HA-NC100 Noise Canceling
Headphones
Philips 30GB GoGear HDD6330
Jukebox
54 DIGITAL LIVING
Panasonic DMR-ES20
Samsung HL-R6768W
Sony Bravia KDL-V40XBR1
56 SOFTWARE
H&R Block TaxCut Premium
2005
TurboTax Premier 2005
LimeWire Basic
Macromedia Studio 8
Roxio Easy Media Creator 8
File Scavenger 3
Focus MP3 Recorder Pro 3.1.1
InAlbum 2.5 Deluxe Edition
As a computer
monitor, the
3007WFP is an
outstanding per-
former, but its
lack of video
inputs limits its
appeal as a multi-
media display.
AT $899 (without a monitor), the HP Pavilion a1250n is one of the
least-expensive dual-core PCs youll find. The a1250n is a fixed
configuration running Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005,
but its low price means you wont get a couple of important
Media Center standards,
namely a TV tuner
and a remote
control.
The com-
puter comes housed in a sil-
ver midtower case with
glossy-white, hinged optical-
drive covers that, though
stylish, are flimsy. Hidden
behind a white sliding front
panel are USB, FireWire, and
audio ports. (Youll find more
of each around back, as well.)
Overall, the a1250n presents
an attractive, clean appear-
ance, if not quite that of a
true living-room PC.
The a1250n is powered by
AMDs entry-level 3800+
dual-core CPU,
which provides sig-
nificant muscle for
its price rangethe
PC scored an im-
pressive 208 on our
BAPCo SYSmark
2004 benchmark test.
Gaming enthusiasts,
however, will be dis-
appointed with the integrated ATI Radeon Xpress 200 graphics,
although the chipset will suffice for older, less-demanding 3D
games. If you need more 3D pep, the motherboard has an
empty PCI Express x16 slot for a discrete graphics card.
If youre considering adding a TV-tuner card, also invest in a
sound card, because the integrated audio controller does not
provide optical outputs. For expansion, youll find empty slots
inside the tool-free chassis to add two PCI cards. The case lacks
room for a second hard drive, however, so weigh carefully
whether the 250GB standard drive is big enough for your needs.
HP provides a generous software bundle, including its own
Image Zone Plus software, which lets you edit and organize
photos, plus the Microsoft Works 8 productivity suite.
John R. Delaney
REVIEWS DESKTOPS
CISNET, the retail arm of online PC vendor ZT Group, ex-
tends its desktop line with a fully branded NASCAR PC. From
the power button to a custom Windows theme, racing ele-
ments are thoroughly integrated. Designed with entry-level
home users in mind, the $848.99 NASCAR PC delivers decid-
edly midrange performance, but its components are capable
for the price.
Although Cisnet offers the PC in only one design, the case
impresses with its automotive paint job and side panels em-
blazoned with a racing scene. A NASCAR logo and checkered
flags are silk-screened onto the front panel, as well as on
each of the bundled pe-
ripherals: the corded opti-
cal mouse and keyboard,
17-inch LCD, and stereo
speakers. Note, though,
that the LCDs picture qual-
ity is subpar. Also, while
novice PC users likely
wont be doing much inte-
rior tweaking, inside the
case is somewhat messy
and difficult to work in.
The PCs desktop is clut-
tered with NASCAR special
offers, which might irritate
some, but the extraslike a 30-day trial to TrackPass, a real-
time, in-race status reportwill appeal to racing fans.
The NASCAR PC performed as expected, scoring a mediocre
148 on our BAPCo SYSmark 2004 benchmark test. Overall gam-
ing performance with the integrated graphics chipset was not
goodon our 1,024x768 Half-Life 2 test, it managed only an
unplayable 10.4 frames per second. The graphics will suffice for
less-demanding games at lower resolutions, however, and a
PCI Express slot gives you an upgrade path. Asa Somers
Cisnet NASCAR PC
Themed desktop has lots for racing fans to like
Tastefully done NASCAR
branding; decent components for
the price; PCI Express slot for
graphics upgrade
Integrated graphics;
desktop loaded with trial offers;
poor-quality LCD; sloppy internal
cabling
2GHz Athlon 64 3200+;
512MB DDR; 160GB hard drive;
double-layer DVDRW; 17-inch
Cisnet LCD; ATI integrated graph-
ics; Windows XP Home Edition
Cisnet, 888-984-8899
www.cisnetpc.com
Direct Price $848.99
SPECS
CONS
PROS
EDITORS RATING
0 B E T T E R > > 10
6.0
Superior performance
for the price; PCI Express x16 slot
for graphics upgrade; versatile
software bundle
Integrated graphics,
audio; Media Center OS, but no
TV tuner, remote control
2GHz Athlon 64 X2
3800+; 1GB DDR; 250GB hard
drive; double-layer DVDRW;
DVD-ROM; no monitor; ATI
integrated graphics; Windows
XP Media Center Edition 2005;
Microsoft Works 8
Hewlett-Packard, 888-999-4747
www.hp.com
Direct Price $899
SPECS
CONS
PROS
EDITORS RATING
0 B E T T E R > > 10
7.5
HP Pavilion a1250n
Remarkable performance for the price
*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 Kingstons Digital Media Guide at kingston.com/Digital_Media_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.
C O M M I T T E D T O M E M O R Y
Your library of photos, music, videoclips and data is constantly growing. If
youre storing it on multiple Flash drives or even CDs and DVDs, you need to
move up to a 2-GB* Kingston
DataTraveler
. It offers high capacity without

the high price, and its one of a wide range of Flash memory solutions from
Kingston, the worlds independent memory leader. Plus it comes with a
ve-year warranty and free, 24/7 tech support, so youll sleep better at night.
For more product information, visit kingston.com/dt
To order, contact one of our partners.
Outgrown your data storage?
Move up to a 2-GB DataTraveler Flash drive.
REVIEWS DESKTOPS
Alienware Aurora 3500
Speedy performance, disappointing peripherals
ALIENWARES entry-level Aurora 3500 is
a competent, if somewhat unexciting,
gaming PC. Our $2,019 review unit includ-
ed components that delivered high-end
performance, including a 256MB nVidia
GeForce 7800 GT graphics card and a sin-
gle-core AMD Athlon 64 CPU. Alienware,
however, bundled an LCD with fuzzy pic-
ture quality, as well as barely competent
three-piece speakers.
Despite its relatively small footprint,
the PC is extremely expandable. Its neat
and roomy inside, with space for extra
drives, RAM sticks, and expansion cards
including a second graphics-card slot for
a Scalable Link Interface (SLI) setup. Out-
side, the case features a whopping 10 USB
2.0 ports,
along with two FireWire ports.
Performance was better than average,
with the PC pulling in a decent 197 on our
BAPCo SYSmark 2004 test and hitting 74.5
frames per second on our Half-Life 2 test at
1,600x1,200. R.B.
CONSIDERING its dual-core AMD
processor, 2GB of RAM, and high-end, if
older, graphics card, the ABS Ultimate
M5 Vortex should have been one of the
fastest PCs in its class. It would have
performed better in our tests, however,
had ABS allotted less of our test con-
figurations $1,999 price to the RAM
and speakers, and more to its graphics.
The PC comes with a cool case,
a decent LCD (the 17-inch Acer
AL1711FB), killer speakers (Logitechs
Z-2300), and even some games, includ-
ing Half-Life 2. The Vortex put up
respectable performance numbers
(196 on BAPCo SYSmark 2004 and 48
frames per second on our 1,600x1,200
Half-Life 2 test).
Our main
reasons for not recommending this PC,
however, are its lack of a dual-graphics-
card upgrade patha Scalable Link
Interface (SLI) configuration isnt possi-
bleand the noisy drone of its five
case fans. R.B.
MAINGEARS Prelude 64 makes a strong case for
choosing two midrange graphics cards over one high-
end card if you seek top performance with games that
use the Doom 3 engine. More games use a 3D engine
similar to Half-Life 2s, however, and the Prelude 64s
lower frame rates on that test, combined with its rela-
tively slow CPU, mean this $1,999 configuration needs
tweaking.
We have no complaints about the construction of this
PC. Its expertly built, runs quietly, and has generous ex-
pansion space and room to work. The tower seems
rugged enough to withstand a grenade blast. The case
has a pair of front-mounted USB 2.0 ports, but it lacks
front-panel head-
phone and micro-
phone jacks, so
youd have to rum-
mage around back
to connect a gaming
headset.
Maingears inclu-
sion of two 256MB
nVidia GeForce 6800
GS graphics cards
wasnt necessarily a
bad choice, but it
does mean youll
need to scrap both
cards to improve
performance. The
Prelude 64s score of
66.9 frames per second (fps) on our 1,600x1,200-resolu-
tion Half-Life 2 test is certainly playablethis configu-
ration is certainly not a slouch. Doom 3 performance
was outstanding, however, hitting 70.5fps at the same
resolution and a blazing 121.5fps at 1,024x768.
The no-frills BenQ FP71G 17-inch LCD lacks a DVI
input, but it has a fast 8-millisecond response time;
the latter is crucial for smooth, streak-free gaming.
Also bundled are Logitechs adequate X-230 2.1
speakers and some worthwhile softwareComput-
er Associates eTrust Antivirus, the OEM version of
Neros disc-creation suite, and InterVideos WinDVD
suite of photo- and DVD-creation appsbut no
games. Rick Broida
Maingear Prelude 64
One highly configurable gaming PC
ABS Ultimate M5 Vortex
Older GPU, lack of SLI support mar overall package
Above-average performer;
abundant expansion room, includ-
ing slot for second graphics card;
10 USB ports
Entry-level speakers;
fuzzy LCD
2.4GHz Athlon 64
17-inch AOC LCD; nVidia GeForce
7800 GT graphics (256MB);
Windows XP Home Edition
Alienware, 800-254-3692
www.alienware.com
Direct Price $2,019
SPECS
CONS
PROS
EDITORS RATING
0 B E T T E R > > 10
7.1
Stellar Doom 3 perfor-
mance; game-friendly LCD;
lots of expansion room; quiet
No games included;
no front-panel audio jacks; just-
playable Half-Life 2 performance
2GHz Athlon 64 3200+;
1GB DDR; 500GB hard drive;
double-layer DVDRW; 17-inch
BenQ LCD; two nVidia GeForce
6800 GS graphics cards (256MB);
Maingear, 888-624-6432
www.maingear.com
Direct Price $1,999
SPECS
CONS
PROS
EDITORS RATING
0 B E T T E R > > 10
7.0
Unique case; high-
quality speakers; comes with
games, including Half-Life 2
Noisy; below-average
performance; no SLI option;
older graphics card
2.4GHz Athlon 64
17-inch Acer LCD; nVidia GeForce
6800 GT graphics (256MB);
ABS Computer Technologies
800-926-8088
www.abs.com
Direct Price $1,999
SPECS
CONS
PROS
EDITORS RATING
0 B E T T E R > > 10
6.0
THE $2,499 Acer TravelMate 8200, running Intels new Core
Duo processor, delivered swift performance in our tests, but its
battery life was brief.
The 8200 comes equipped with impressive components,
including a 2GHz Core Duo T2500 processor, 2GB of scorching
667MHz RAM, and a double-layer DVD burner. ATIs new
Mobility Radeon X1600 graphics chip, backed by 256MB of
dedicated GDDR3 memory, powered the crisp 15.4-inch
display, a wide-screen LCD with a native resolution
of 1,680x1,050. In addition, the hard drive is large
(120GB), fast
(5,400rpm), and
protected by antishock
technology.
The notebooks tough
carbon-fiber case measures
a reasonable 1x14.3x10.7
inches, and its 6.6-pound
weight is about average
for a midsize laptop. The
broad, comfortable keyboard
features an ergonomic curve
and has a wide touch pad
below it.
Intel de-
signed its new
dual-processor
chips to be
powerful multi-
taskers on stan-
dard applica-
tions without
sacrificing bat-
tery life. In our
tests, the 8200 par-
tially delivered on this
promise, scoring a whop-
ping 268 on BAPCo Mobile-
Mark 2005 and an impressive 33.9 frames per second (fps) on
our Doom 3 test. It lasted an unexceptional 3 hours and 20
minutes on our battery-endurance test, however.
The 8200 has a full complement of connections, including
four USB 2.0 ports, a Gigabit Ethernet jack, a FireWire port, and
a five-format memory-card reader. Plus, it integrates both
802.11a/b/g Wi-Fi and Bluetooth radios.
With its one-year warranty, Acer keeps costs down, but the
company provides around-the-clock toll-free phone support
during the warranty period. Stephanie Bruzzese
REVIEWS NOTEBOOKS
WHILE THE $1,649 Dell Inspiron 710m has what basic users
need in a portable package, the laptops older components may
not satisfy your need for the cutting edge.
Considering the price, we expected more high-end fea-
tures than our test unit delivered.
The 2GHz Pentium
M 755 Dothan
processor and In-
tel 855 chipset are
two generations
behind the latest
Intel 945 chipset,
and its 512MB of
memory runs at a
slow 333MHz. (The
current maximum is
533MHz.) You get
some modern accou-
trements, though, such
as a double-layer DVD burn-
er and a large 80GB hard drive
spinning at a respectable 5,400rpm.
Measuring 1.2x11.6x9.2 inches and weighing 4.5 pounds
(with a high-capacity battery installed), the 710m is quite
totable. A 12.1-inch wide-
screen display, featuring a
fine native resolution of
1,280x800 and a light-reflec-
tive coating, produces
bright, crisp images. Most of
the notebooks keys are big
enough for comfortable typ-
ing, though the comma and
period buttons are too
small. The touch pad is ex-
ceptionally large, however,
and the two mouse buttons
are of decent proportions.
Connections include a Type II PC Card slot, an SD-card
reader, and a four-pin FireWire port, but only two
USB 2.0 ports and no built-in Wi-Fi radio.
Despite its outmoded configuration, the
710m notched a decent 211 score on our
BAPCo MobileMark 2005 benchmark test. Even better, it
endured for a long 5 hours and 7 minutes on a charge in our
battery-life test.
Dell ships the 710m with a one-year warranty that includes
mail-in service and 24/7 toll-free tech support. S.B.
Dell Inspiron 710m
Modestly equipped thin-and-light is a decent performer
Lightweight, portable;
large touch pad; wide-aspect
display; long-life battery
Unimpressive compo-
nents; no built-in Wi-Fi radio; only
two USB 2.0 ports; tiny comma,
period keys
2GHz Pentium M 755;
double-layer DVDRW; 12.1-inch
TFT; Windows XP Home Edition
Dell, 800-999-3355
www.dell.com
Direct Price $1,649
SPECS
CONS
PROS
EDITORS RATING
0 B E T T E R > > 10
6.4
Fast performance; latest
components; ample connections
Mediocre battery life
2GHz Core Duo T2500;
2GB DDR; 120GB hard drive;
TFT; Windows XP Professional
Acer, 800-733-2237
www.acer.com/us
Mfr. Est. Price $2,499
SPECS
CONS
PROS
EDITORS RATING
0 B E T T E R > > 10
7.7
Acer TravelMate 8200
Outstanding computing power, but limited battery life
Toshiba Tecra S3
Tight security but slow, short-lived
TOSHIBAS TECRA S3 is a durable business laptop
equipped with security features, but it falls short
on performance and battery life.
Our modestly configured $1,507 test ma-
chine featured a 15-inch standard-as-
pect display with a native resolution of
1,024x768.
Clad in resilient magnesium, the notebook weighs a man-
ageable 6.2 pounds (7.2 pounds with its AC adapter). Both a
pointing stick and a touch
pad complement the spa-
cious, waterproof keyboard.
For extra security, you get a
fingerprint reader and an em-
bedded Trusted Platform
Module (TPM) chip that stores
digital keys and passwords.
The S3 recorded a sluggish
BAPCo MobileMark 2005
score of 155 and lasted a
mere 2 hours and 35 minutes
on our battery testboth
poor showings.
Toshiba covers the S3 with
a one-year warranty, which
includes 24/7 toll-free phone
support. B.N.
WINBOOKS $1,399 X610 is a decent ultraportable for the
budget-conscious, but dont plan on straying too far from a
power socket with this laptop.
Our test unit featured a mix of midrange components, in-
cluding a 1.6GHz Pentium M 725 processor, 512MB of 400MHz
RAM, and an 80GB hard drive spinning at a slow 4,200rpm.
The laptops
12.1-inch XGA
display
features
a standard,
not wide-screen,
aspect ratio and is pow-
ered by an integrated Intel
graphics chip. You also get a
double-layer DVD burner.
Weighing a light 3.4
pounds and measuring
1.3x10.8x9.2 inches, the X610
has a sophisticated, black-
and-charcoal case thats a
tad bigger than your average
ultraportables. Still, the
notebook remains com-
pact despite its ade-
quately sized keyboard.
(Only the Ctrl, Shift, and
arrow keys were too small
to use comfortably.) We
didnt like the touch pad,
which didnt track smooth-
ly enough for our taste.
The notebooks impres-
sive connectivity assortment
includes an 802.11a/b/g Wi-Fi
radio, three USB 2.0 ports, a
FireWire port, and a three-format
flash-card reader that supports the
Memory Stick, MultiMediaCard, and SD-card formats.
Performance-wise, the X610 is up to basic productivity tasks,
though its low BAPCo MobileMark 2005 score of 162 may dis-
concert more-demanding users. Worse, the X610s battery
lasted only 2 hours and 6 minutes before expiring.
WinBook backs the X610 with a one-year warranty, which
includes toll-free phone support, but the lines are open only
weekdays from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. (ET). Brian Nadel
REVIEWS NOTEBOOKS
WinBook X610
Snazzy ultraportable lacks power, longevity
Low price; attractive
design; double-layer DVD burner
Short battery life; lack-
luster performance; display isnt
wide-screen
1.6GHz Pentium M 725;
TFT; Windows XP Professional
WinBook Computer
800-651-4519
www.winbook.com
Direct Price $1,399
SPECS
CONS
PROS
EDITORS RATING
0 B E T T E R > > 10
5.7
Sturdy construction;
fingerprint scanner, TPM
storage
Subpar performance;
short battery life; modest specs
1.73GHz Pentium M
740; 256MB DDR; 40GB hard
drive; DVD-ROM/CD-RW com-
bo; 15-inch TFT; Windows XP
Professional
Toshiba America
800-316-0920
www.toshiba.com
Direct Price $1,507
SPECS
CONS
PROS
EDITORS RATING
0 B E T T E R > > 10
5.1
Alienware Aurora m7700
Long known for its powerful gaming desktops and
notebooks, Alienware raises the bar for portable
performance with the Aurora m7700 laptop.
Upside: The m7700s impressive configuration options include
AMDs latest desktop dual-core CPUs and nVidia GeForce Go
7800 GTX graphics, the latter with 256MB of dedicated GDDR3
RAM. Alienware also equips the machine with a huge 17-inch
wide-screen display in 1,920x1,200 or 1,440x900 resolutions,
and hard drives ranging in size from 40GB to a vast 240GB (two
120GB drives). You can configure two hard drives in a RAID Level
0 or Level 1 setup.
Downside: The muscular laptop costs a
steep $2,150 in its base configuration and
close to a budget-busting $5,000 if you
opt for every high-end component. Also,
tipping the scales anywhere from 10 to
12 pounds, this rig is hefty, so traveling
far with it will be a challenge.
Outlook: In our lab tests, desktops using AMDs Athlon 64
dual-core CPUs decisively outperformed machines running In-
tels dual-core processors, so CPU performance here is prom-
ising. We expect similar results from the GeForce Go 7800
GTX, the most graphically robust 3D-graphics chip weve
tested for notebooks. We cant help but wonder just how fast
the m7700 will be. Brian Bennett
p
Alienware, 800-254-3692, www.alienware.com
Direct Price $2,150 (base price)
FIRST
TAKE
REVIEWS COMPONENTS
Logitech MX610 Laser Cordless
Mouse
Ergonomic mouse keeps track of e-mail, IMs
PERFECT FOR multitaskers and in-
stant-message (IM) addicts alike, Log-
itechs $59.99 MX610 Laser Cordless
Mouse uniquely alerts you to incoming
e-mail and IMs.
Youll need to install Logitechs in-
cluded SetPoint software to take advan-
tage of the features, but the software is
easy to use and lets you select your
preferred IM and e-mail clients.
Designed for right-handed users, the
MX610 is comfortable and ergonomically
shaped so your hand rests upright
though a larger model would have been nice for those of us with bigger
hands. Two volume buttons, a mute button, and the e-mail and IM buttons
are lined up on top of the mouse.
The MX610 responded to our movements and clicks with-
out any problems, and we didnt experience any loss of sig-
nal or errors in tracking. The mouses lights promptly
alerted us of incoming IMs, but only when another user
initiated a new conversation. The e-mail-notification
light occasionally did not work. Elsa Wenzel
LaCie Slim DVDRW Drive With
LightScribe
Portable drive is lightweight but slow
AT JUST 12 OUNCES, LaCies F.A. Porsche-designed Slim DVDRW Drive
With LightScribe is a marvel of mobility. Though slower than its desktop
counterparts, this $189 external drives portability cant be beat.
Equipped with a USB 2.0 interface, the drive comes with a tiny AC adapter
and a cable to draw power from a notebook. You also get software for the dri-
ves LightScribe feature, which lets you burn an image onto a discs label sur-
face after the data has been written. The technology is expensive, however,
with the discs costing as much as a dollar extra each. Also, the process is te-
diously slow, taking nearly 16 minutes to
burn a simple design.
Compared with other, bigger external
drives, the Slim isnt a speed demon. It
writes single-layer DVDs at 8x and dou-
ble-layer discs at a mere 2.4x. Another
downside: LaCies one-year warranty is
somewhat deficient. Brian Nadel
Microsoft Wireless Laser
Desktop 6000
Combo offers unique magnifying features
AS A KEYBOARD-AND-MOUSE bundle, Microsofts
stylish-looking Wireless Laser Desktop 6000 abounds
with features. Its also relatively inexpensive at
$99.95, but we dislike its cheaply constructed feel.
The wireless keyboard and mouse each run on two
AA batteries (included). To take full advantage of the
Desktop 6000, you have to install the latest versions of
Microsofts Intelli-
Type and Intelli-
Point software with
the included CD.
Your work isnt over
thenboth key-
board and mouse
still need to be con-
figured via separate
interfaces.
Like most wire-
less keyboards, the
Desktop 6000 fea-
tures a set of me-
dia-player control
buttons. The key-
boards curved design enables faster, more-comfort-
able typing. If you enjoy the sound of clacking keys,
however, look elsewhere: This keyboard keeps noise
to a minimum. Along its left are five preprogrammed
quick-launch keys with functions you can easily reas-
sign. You also get a Zoom Slider, which changes the
size of text or images, depending on the application.
Though it works surprisingly well, the slider itself
feels flimsy.
The five-button mouse uses Microsofts high-defi-
nition laser for precise control. Tapping its mag-
nifying button opens a box around your point-
er, enlarging everything inside. (Moving the
cursor also moves the box.) On the downside, the
mouse feels poorly made, with spongy left and right
buttons that dont always respond. Joshua Goldman
Provides alerts for new
IM, e-mail messages; ergonomic
design; responsive
Small for those with large
hands; didnt alert when new IMs
were received in an existing chat
Logitech, 800-231-7717
www.logitech.com
Direct Price $59.99
CONS
PROS
EDITORS RATING
0 B E T T E R > > 10
7.8
Good-looking; curved
keyboard for faster, more-com-
fortable typing; programmable
quick-launch keys; handy Zoom
Slider, magnification features
Separate interfaces for
configuring mouse, keyboard;
mushy mouse buttons; overall
cheap feel
Microsoft, 800-642-7676
www.microsoft.com
Direct Price $99.95
CONS
PROS
EDITORS RATING
0 B E T T E R > > 10
7.0
Features LightScribe
labeling; supports double-layer
DVDs; reads/writes most disc
types; draws power from USB
bus; slim, attractive package
Short warranty; slow,
especially during LightScribe
burning; LightScribe discs are
expensive
LaCie, 503-844-4500
www.lacie.com
Direct Price $189
CONS
PROS
EDITORS RATING
0 B E T T E R > > 10
6.8
SECTI ON CONTI NUES ON PAGE 40
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lem, the second rep didnt ask for our per-
sonal data, model information, or PC seri-
al number. After we described the prob-
lem, he asked, What do you think it is?
We responded that we werent sure but
suspected it might be adware or spyware.
We dont provide support for spyware
here, he immediately pointed out. When
pressed further, he said, If you have spy-
ware on your machine, the only way we
can help you fix it is to reinstall
the operating system. After we
asked if we could do anything
less drastic, he said no in a
tone that suggested he didnt
really care.
Undeterred, we called once
more and got another rep who
was based in Atlanta. He sug-
gested an adware-killing app.
What do you call that thing?
he wondered. Spybot! Spy-
botSearch & Destroy, thats it.
Download it and run it on your
machine.
When we asked for other solutions, he
recommended downloading a Registry-
repair app or trying Windows System Re-
store to roll back the machine. If that
doesnt work, youll probably have to rein-
stall the OS, he concluded.
We asked him why the pop-ups said
something like Windows Messenger,
and he explained that Windows Mes-
senger is a part of the OS. He then asked
if we were running Service Pack 2 (yes)
and whether a firewall was enabled
(yes). Our answers would indicate the
Messenger Service could only have been
enabled had we done so intentionally
in SP2, its disabled by defaultbut he
didnt mention that.
Based on our experiences, Lenovo
needs to spend some serious time prepar-
ing its support reps to follow standard
procedures and to have a better grasp of
technical information. Rik Fairlie
Sony Electronics
Pros: Rep eventually solved our problems
Cons: Solutions could have been more complete
AS WITH MANY of the PC
makers we called, Sonys
tech support left us with
mixed impressions.
Though the rep we spoke
with was reasonably
knowledgeable and courte-
ous, his information was
not as precise as it should have been.
After a couple of minutes on hold, we
got through to a live rep who spoke per-
fect English with a very slight accent. He
took some registration info, then told us
our VAIO notebook was out of warranty.
He said we could save the $19.95 per-
incident fee by seeking help on the Web
site, but we told him wed pay the $19.95,
and he recorded our credit-card info.
The reps first solution to our graphics
problem was to
use Windows
System Restore
to revert to an
earlier boot
state. He told us
wed have to re-
install any pro-
grams installed
after that time,
but that our
data would be
safe. Though do-
ing this would
solve the problem, we pressed him for al-
ternatives, just to see if hed hit on the
missing driver. Thats when he said the
problem could lie with the video display
adapters. He had us check the Device
Manager to see if the driver was missing,
and, because it was, he directed us to
Sonys support site to obtain the driver.
After we reinstalled the driver, he advised
checking Display Properties and adjusting
the resolution to our desired setting.
Sonys rep was also correct in identify-
ing our Messenger Service pop-ups as
spyware-related, but he merely suggested
we install a spyware-removal
app. He didnt recommend a
particular one and seemed ea-
ger to rush us off the phone
perhaps because we were enti-
tled to only one problem per
$19.95. Like the HP rep,
he also said we could put the
system into Safe mode and dis-
able some startup items, but he
didnt elaborate on which ones.
He also failed to ask whether
wed installed Windows XP SP2,
and he didnt suggest disabling
Messenger Service.
Though Sonys rep ultimately arrived at
the same answers as most of the other
companies support reps, he seemed anx-
ious to get us off the phone and failed to
instruct on the proper removal of the
Messenger Service feature.
Nancy Lang-Feldman
Toshiba America
Pros: Rep quickly solved both our problems;
we werent charged an out-of-warranty fee
Cons: Call center was located in Istanbul
LIKE LENOVO, Toshiba is
a major player in the
notebook market. Toshi-
ba offered us far more
impressive support,
however.
Both the information-
desk operator and the sup-
port rep were based in Istanbul, Turkey,
but each spoke English fluently and clear-
ly. The operator noted the warranty for
our Satellite notebook had expired a cou-
ple of weeks earlier but agreed to forward
the call to tech support. Likewise, the sup-
port rep mentioned in passing a charge of
$35 for the post-warranty call, but she
never asked for a credit-card number.
Our support rep solved both problems
with relative ease. For the video problem,
she first suggested changing the graphics-
card resolution via the Display Properties
window. She rightly noted that if the
graphics-card driver was not installed, the
resolution choices would be grayed-out.
She then directed us to download the ex-
act driver for our system from Toshibas
support site.
As for our problem with pop-up ads ap-
pearing in a Messenger Service window,
she correctly surmised it was spyware.
She then asked if we had Windows XP SP2
installed, explaining that SP2 disables
Messenger Service by default. Because we
said we didnt have SP2 installed, she rec-
ommended disabling
Messenger Service via
the Computer Manage-
ment window.
She also recom-
mended spyware-fight-
ing software, especially
if wed already clicked
OK on any of the pop-
ups instead of just
closing them. She
recommended down-
loading Windows
AntiSpyware from
Microsofts Web site
(www.microsoft.com).
In all, Toshiba provided the smoothest
experience of the companies we contact-
ed. The quality gap between Toshibas and
Lenovos support may be worth consider-
ing if youre choosing between the two
companies laptops. Brian T. Horowitz
B
A
THOUGH OUR SONY
REPRESENTATIVE
WAS KNOWLEDGE-
ABLE, HIS INFOR-
MATION WAS NOT
AS PRECISE AS IT
SHOULD HAVE
BEEN. PLUS, HE
SEEMED EAGER
TO RUSH US OFF
THE PHONE.
TOSHIBA
PROVIDED THE
SMOOTHEST
EXPERIENCE OF
ALL THE COM-
PANIES WE CON-
TACTEDEVEN
THOUGH ITS
CALL CENTER
WAS LOCATED
IN ISTANBUL,
TURKEY.
CONTI NUED FROM PAGE 84
HELP&HOW-TO TI PS AND TRI CKS TO MAKE TECH EASI ER
94 Hardware
Weekend Project
96 Software
Weekend Project
98 Consumer Alert
LOSE THAT LOGIN SCREEN
How can I get rid of the Log on to Windows
screen? Im the only person who uses my
computer, so I dont need to key in a pass-
wordall I have to do is hit Return. Id love
to skip this unnecessary step.
Tom French
The easiest solution is to download Tweak
UI from Microsoft at www.microsoft.com/
windowsxp/downloads/powertoys/
xppowertoys.mspx. This unsupported
utility has a number of useful features,
including the ability to tell Windows to
bypass the login screen at startup.
ICON HIDE AND SEEK
After adding too many Quick Launch icons,
Windows XP has doubled the width of the
launch bar at the bottom of my screen. Is
there any way to avoid this?
Bi ll Brutzman
Simply grab the right-hand edge of the
Quick Launch area and drag it to the left.
Some of the icons will disappear under
the edge as you move it, leaving a >>
symbol. Click on this symbol to reveal a
pop-up list of all the hidden Quick Launch
program icons.
REMOTE ACCESS MADE EASY
I have a wired local area network in my
office, and Ive just added DSL service to my
own PC there. I want a software company
to be able to remotely support one of my
office applications, but Im having trouble
connecting the local network to the broad-
band connection. I tried adding a wireless
connection between my computer and one
of the networked PCs, but I cant get both
networks connected at the same time. How
can I fix this?
Bi ll Ki rber
Install a router with a firewall and a wire-
less access point (AP) on the office net-
work. This will afford any computer on
the office network access to the Inter-
neteither wired or wirelessas well
as to the office application. One major ad-
vantage of this approach is that you wont
need to have any one specific PC powered
on to get access.
Be sure to use the security features on
the wireless AP to prevent unauthorized
users from connecting to the network.
Youll have to tweak the firewall so the
software company can access the net-
work for maintenance purposes; their
support personnel should be able to
provide the correct configuration settings.
FUTUREPROOF YOUR PHOTOS
I have CDs with family photos edited in
Adobe PhotoDeluxe Business Edition, but
Ive changed computers, and my new image
software is Microsoft Photo Editor. The old
photos are PDD files; opening them is slow,
and I cant send them to others. Is there a
way to reformat them?
Dave Bi lodeau
A number of shareware utilities will
convert PDD to a format compatible with
Microsoft Photo Editor. Id recommend us-
ing the TIFF format if you want the best
quality. Using JPEG would save space, but
JPEG is a lossy compression format. JPEG
files would be easier to send via e-mail
and faster to open, but youll see some
loss of image quality.
This problem brings up a larger issue.
As software evolves and operating sys-
tems change, be careful about managing
your archived data. I have a number of
programs with old financial data that will
not run on the current version of Win-
dows. The only way to access this data is
to keep an older PC running original DOS
software. That computer can also read the
5.25-inch floppies the data is stored on.
PHONE AS MODEM?
Is it possible to use my cell phone as a mo-
dem to connect to the Internet on my laptop?
If not, how can I access the Internet wireless-
ly without my home phone line or TV cable?
Alan Brady
Many cell phones can be used as note-
book modems, which means you can
establish an Internet connection using
your laptop (or other computer) through
them. Some phones rely on a simple
data cable that typically connects to a
USB port on your computer; others use
Bluetooth to connect to the notebook.
You should check with your wireless
service provider to find out the capabili-
ties of your specific cell phone and of
the wireless service.
Note that cell phones are not intend-
ed for use as data devices, however. You
may have some difficulty creating and
maintaining a connection, especially if
youre moving around. Also, the rate
structures of cell-phone services arent
always favorable for data use; a single
e-mail session can eat up a lot of min-
utes. Finally, you may be limited to fairly
slow connections, around 60Kbps to
80Kbps, which is similar to a standard
landline dial-up modem connection.
Youre better off finding a Wi-Fi hotspot
for wireless surfing on the gohotspots
are all over the place these days.
Many cell phones can be used as
notebook modems, but they are
not intended for extensive use as
data devices a single e-mail
session can eat up a lot of minutes.
COMPUTER CURES ALFRED POOR
DRIVING A HARD DRIVE BARGAIN
I recently bought an old server for next to
nothing, hoping to scavenge some useful
hardware. I was pleasantly surprised to
find three Ultra320 SCSI drives, two 147GB
Seagate 10,000rpm Cheetah drives, and one
300GB Maxtor Atlas 10,000rpm drive. The
drive connectors looked a little strange to me,
and after some research I found out theyre
Single Connector Attachment (SCA) SCSI
all-in-one connectors.
Im having a hard time figuring out how to
make use of the drives outside the server. Ive
never used SCSI devices because theyve been
too expensive. Is there an inexpensive way to
get these drives to work?
Kevi n Youngblood
SCSI is a different type of hard drive inter-
face than the standard IDE/ATA used in
most desktop PCs. One reason for the
higher cost of SCSI drives is that the SCSI
chain actually sets up its own data net-
work, and each drive carries considerable
intelligence onboard. The situation is
complicated further in this case because
you have SCA drives. These are designed
for RAID arrays in servers, not single-user
desktop systems.
You can get these drives to work in
your computer, but it will take some in-
vestment and effort. You need to provide a
SCSI interface for your PC, an adapter for
the drives, and termination for the SCSI
chain. These are all part of the original
server configuration and are not found in
typical desktops. Expect to spend up to
$100 for the SCSI adapter, $10 to $15 each
for SCA adapters, and a bit more for a
SCSI cable and a terminator. Id recom-
mend finding a single vendor who will
sell you everything you need and give you
support to help get it working. Search for
SCSI and SCA online, and youll find
some equipment suppliers who should be
able to help you put these drives to work.
That said, with 160GB ATA drives sell-
ing for as little as $60 these days, you may
be able to buy three of them for what
youll end up paying to get these server
drives working (not to mention the time
and effort you may have to spend if your
SCSI adventure doesnt go smoothly).
Also, these older drives may not perform
as well as the newer drives. Depending
on how much youre willing to spend to
make good on your initial investment of
next to nothing, you may be better off
simply buying new drives.
PRINTING THE OLD WAY
What is the most efficient way to print
directory listings from Windows XP?
Carl Bernofsky
This question comes up periodically, and
whenever I answer it, I get a flood of mail
from readers sharing their favorite utility
for this task. So let me start by directing
you toward freeware or shareware sites,
where youll find some worthy candidates.
Having said that, Ill add that the best
way is still the old way. Open a Command
Prompt window (Start > Programs >
Accessories > Command Prompt), and use
the trusty old DIR command to show a list
of directory contents. To navigate to the
folder you want to list, first type the letter
of the drive the folder resides on, followed
by a colon (for example, C:), and hit Enter.
Then, use the change directory (cd) com-
mand to drill down to the desired folder.
Type cd, a space, a backslash (\), and then
the folder path of your target folder (for
instance, cd \My Documents\Word Files).
Hit Enter; after that, typing DIR and hit-
ting Enter again will show a list of the
folders contents.
Printing the list requires extra steps, be-
cause you cant send output to a printer
directly from Windows XPs Command
Prompt. I use the following command:
DIR > dir.txt
You can use any filename in place of
dir.txt, if you prefer. This command cre-
ates a text file you can open in Notepad to
print; its saved in the same folder you re-
quested a listing of. You can even import
the file into Word or Excel to manipulate
the data first. (Note: The DIR command
has many optional switches. Type DIR /?
and press Enter to see all the choices.)
HELP & HOW-TO COMPUTER CURES
TIP OF THE MONTH:
IDENTIFYING YOUR APPS
When something goes wrong with your
PC, one of the diagnostic steps is to close
all unnecessary applications. Sure, its
easy to press Ctrl+Alt+Del to open Task
Manager, which shows all the current
applications and processes, but what
each process does isnt always clear.
How do you know which ones you can
shut down safely? This months tipster
has a resource that can help.
Do you know the purpose of every pro-
gram running on your PC? If youre
having problems with your system, check
Task Manager to see if any processes are
running that shouldnt be. AnswersThat-
Work.com (www.answersthatwork.
com/Tasklist_pages/tasklist.htm)
gives descriptions of hundreds of pro-
grams youll find in your Startup folder
or in the Run keys of your Registry. Each
entry is accompanied by a description
explaining whether or not you need it.
Don Labri ola
This is indeed a helpful site, though
its not exactly comprehensive, de-
spite its long list of entries. (A num-
ber of processes running on my PC
arent listed.) But its a good start,
and it covers the basics, including
legitimate Windows processes, plus
many illegitimate ones caused by
viruses and other malware. A Google
search should help you nail down
any remaining unidentifiable ones.
Send us your favorite tip, and you could receive a tipsters prize package.
Alfred Poors Computer Cures, Computer Shopper, 28 E. 28th St., 10th Fl., New York, NY 10016-7942
computer_cures@cnet.com
Please include your name. Due to the number of letters we receive, we cannot provide personal replies,
nor return any enclosures.
Dont be a target
Awareness of your surroundings, along with some
street savvy, can go a long way toward keeping your
notebook out of thieving hands. Besides being ex-
tremely alluring to light fingers, notebooks are also
quickly and easily concealed under coats and in
bags. Its never a good idea to leave your laptop unat-
tended in a public space, but be especially on guard in distrac-
tion-rich environments such as airport security lines, com-
muter trains, and hotel lobbies.
Portables can disappear in a flash, so keep your eyes on
them at all times. Sophisticated thieves operate in teams, often
using one person to confuse and distract the potential victim
while another makes off with the goods. Be wary of strangers
asking for long, detailed directions or even of disarmingly
attractive women and men.
While traveling, dont leave your laptop unattended in your
hotel room for an extended period, and if you keep your note-
book in your car, stow it out of sight. Finally, avoid using bags
that are easily recognizable as laptop bags. Instead, opt for a
stealthier, stylish messenger bag with a laptop compartment.
Check out bag companies such as Brooklyn Industries (www.
brooklynindustries.com), Chrome (www.chromebags.com),
Crumpler (www.crumplerbags.com), and Manhattan Portage
(www.manhattanportage.com).
Tip: When sitting in a restaurant, in a caf, or at a hotel bar,
keep your laptop bag directly below your feet or against your
leg. Better yet, wrap its strap around the leg of your chair.
Keep it on a short leash
Sometimes its necessary to leave your note-
book unattended for short periods. The easiest
way to deter laptop snatchers, at least in envi-
ronments such as offices or libraries, is to se-
cure your laptop with a tough lock-and-cable
combo.
Belkins $12.99 Notebook Security Lock (www.belkin.com)
is an inexpensive option. It may not discourage seasoned
1
2
I F YOU VE RECENTLY purchased your
first notebook, youve probably
already discovered the freedom of
using it in places your old desktop
could never go. But keep in mind
that along with this new computing
mobility comes greatly increased
risk. Laptop computers, like most
portable electronics, are highly cov-
eted by thieves, especially because
the data they contain can be worth
more than the hardware itself.
No security measure is 100 per-
cent effective, but following these
four prudent steps can minimize
your risk of getting ripped off. Well
also fill you in on some products that
could foil would-be laptop pilferers.
Defend your laptop
and its datafrom theft
HELP & HOW-TO
WEEKEND PROJECT HARDWARE
Attach the combination-lock end of the Armor Combo Cable
to your notebooks security slot.
Laptop
Lockdown
BY BRIAN BENNETT
criminals armed with industrial-strength wire-cutters, but it
will make opportunistic pilferers hesitate. For greater peace
of mind, we went with Targus new DEFCON CL Armor Com-
bo Cable Lock (www.targus.com). This $54.99 device is a 6.5-
foot steel cable with a combination lock on one side and a
loop on the other. What makes it a security standout is the
cable, which is wrapped in steel rings designed to thwart
wire-cutters.
To install the lock, first settle on a four-digit numerical
combination. Then, wrap the Armor Combo Cable around a
nearby immovable object, such as a file-cabinet handle or a
desk leg. Push the lock section through the loop end of the
cable, then connect the combination-lock end of the Cable
Lock to your laptops security slot. (Most notebooks have
one.) Depending on the size of your notebooks slot, you may
have to use the supplied spacers to adjust the fit.
Tip: Write down your combination sequence and store it in a
safe, handy place, in case you forget it.
Enable a motion detector
If physical countermeasures arent enough, you
can go a step further by adding the $49.99
DEFCON 1 Ultra. Also from Targus, its a mobile,
battery-operated motion detector that creates
a disturbing racket if someone tries to hijack
your valuables.
Resembling a cross between an old-style walkie-talkie and
a combination lock, the DEFCON 1 Ultra features a four-digit
numerical combination selector and a retractable cable. Like
with the Armor Combo Cable Lock, you first set the Ultra
with a four-digit combination you create. Next, unlock the
device by entering your combo sequence, depress the trigger
on the side to release the security cable, and then snake it
around the Armor Combo Cable you attached in Step 2. The
tip of the DEFCON 1 Ultras cable should plug directly into its
Cable Lock Port; if inserted properly, you should hear a click.
To activate the motion sensor, first select the devices sen-
sitivity level (Level 1 for low or Level 2 for high). Next, press
and hold the Activate Motion Alarm button on the front of
the Ultra until the unit beeps twice, then release it. The Ul-
tras status light will flash to indicate that the motion sensor
is armed. In this mode, the device will chirp, then sound an
alarm, if its picked up or detects movement in the area.
Tip: After youve locked your device, remember to give the
dials a spin to conceal the correct numbers.
Install a hardware key
Your actual laptop is only part of whats at
risk. Serious laptop-crime rings operate in two
divisions: one snags the hardware, the other
sifts through the data for anything valuable,
such as credit-card numbers or online-banking
information.
If thieves make off with your notebook, your use of com-
plex passwords could reduce the odds of them cracking your
data. That said, pairing a complicated password with a piece
of security hardware makes it much harder for criminals to
access your data. To that end, we opted for Griffin Technolo-
gies SecuriKey ($129.99, www.securikey.com). Featuring
myriad security options, the SecuriKey is a USB dongle that
works with included software to safeguard your information.
We like how it logs you off Windows the instant you remove
the key. Plus, the included software encrypts your hard
drives contents in real time, linking the decryption of your
data to your unique hardware key.
Installing the SecuriKey is relatively straightforward. First,
load the software and follow the setup instructions careful-
lyimproper setup could get you locked out. The installation
wizard will prompt you for your Windows username. Youll
then be asked to install the SecuriKey on every USB port on
your laptop, which involves laboriously plugging and unplug-
ging the device until the automatic Windows hardware-
detection function is satisfied. Finally, shut down and reboot
your computer. Now, removing the SecuriKey causes your
laptop to lock up in seconds. Only by reinserting it into a USB
port and typing your Windows password will you be able to
access your laptop again.
Tip: Another approach: Use one of the many random-
password generators available online, such as the Quicky
Password Generator (www.quickysoftware.com), to create a
software key thats difficult to guess.
Locking your laptop with both a USB security key and a
complex password will help guard its data.
3
After setting your combination, unlock the motion detector,
then loop its cable around the Armor Cable.
4
Tweak your display settings
By now youve probably replaced your bulky CRT
with a nice flicker-free LCD. Thats a step in the
right direction, but LCDs have a downside: An LCD
looks best at its native resolution, and if you dont
use that resolution, the image wont be quite as
sharp. If your LCDs icons and text are simply too
small for your eyes at its native resolution, however, running
the display at a lower resolution still may be a better alterna-
tive. To adjust your resolution, right-click on the desktop and
select Properties. On the Settings tab, move the slider to the
left to reduce the resolution.
To boost the size of your cursor, icons, text, and scroll bars,
try Windows Accessibility wizard (Start > All Programs >
Accessories > Accessibility). Proceed through the wizard and
adjust the size of items on your screen for easier viewing.
Windows XPs Accessibility Options applet offers even more
ways to tweak your settings. Double-click on the applet in the
Windows Control Panel. (If youre in Category View, youll have
one extra click here: Choose the first option under Pick a
task.) If you check the box labeled Use High Contrast on
the Display tab and click Apply, Windows turns the back-
ground black and text white. If you then click the Settings
button, you can select a different color scheme and opt for
large or extra-large type. High Contrast Black and High Con-
trast White are the best choices for reducing eyestrain.
To make all the items on your screen larger, right-click the
desktop and select Properties > Appearance. Under Font
size, select Large Fonts or Extra Large Fonts to make text
bigger. Then, click the Effects button, and check Use large
icons to boost the size of desktop icons.
Tip: To increase the text size in any application, hold down
Ctrl, and roll your mouses scroll wheel up. This shortcut
serves the same purpose as using View > Text Size in Inter-
net Explorer or changing the zoom percentage in a Microsoft
Office application.
1
If youre starting to get nose
prints on your monitor, it may
be time for a few adjustments.
Rx for
Aging Eyes
HELP & HOW-TO
WEEKEND PROJECT SOFTWARE
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YOU MAY STI LL BE 18 AT HEART, but
that prescription for corrective
lensesand your squinting at the
computer screengives you away.
Sure, you could just keep inching
your monitor closer and leaning
forward in your chair, but that caus-
es other problems, including eye-
strain and sore neck and shoulder
muscles. Fortunately, better solu-
tions are at hand, some in the form
of third-party apps and others built
right into Windows XP. Follow these
steps, and youll think your monitor
got biggeror your eyes younger.
Using Windows built-in Accessibility wizard, you can enlarge
the icons and text on your screen.
Use Microsoft Magnifier
For some, increasing the size of individual ele-
ments onscreen may not be enough. Windows
also has a feature called Microsoft Magnifier,
which offers a magnified view at the top of
your screen.
To launch Magnifier, select Start > Programs
> Accessories > Accessibility > Magnifier. The top section of
your screen will display a magnified view of the area around
your mouse or cursor. The Magnifier Settings dialog box lets
you adjust the magnification from 1x to 9x. When youve fin-
ished adjusting the settings, just minimize the dialog box.
You can close Magnifier by right-clicking its minimized icon
and selecting Close. For faster access to the program, right-
click on the Magnifier app and create a shortcut.
Install a screen-magnification
program
If you need more flexibility than what Windows
offers and are willing to spend the cash, try
Freedom Scientifics $345 Magic Screen Magnifi-
cation (www.freedomscientific.com). Like Mi-
crosoft Magnifier, Magics default magnification
setting is 2x, but with Magic you can go up to 16x. To turn
magnification on or off, click the big M icon. When you exit
Magic, your Win-
dows settings are
reinstated.
Magic offers
five modes: Dy-
namic Lens, Full,
Lens, Overlay,
and Split. The
most beneficial
are Full mode,
which lets you
read a full magni-
fied screen, and
Dynamic Lens,
which works like
a magnifying
glass to highlight text, icons, and the like.
If you often have trouble finding the cursor, the Mouse En-
hancements feature lets you make the pointer arrow bigger
or embellish its appearance. And if you want to try a color
combination that provides better contrast, left-click the Col-
or Enhancements button (the rainbow arrow), then right-
click it and select Magnified Color. Play with the Invert
Brightness and Invert Colors settings to find the combination
that works best for you.
Use a screen reader
If you prefer using text-to-speech programs, you
can use Windows XPs Narrator feature, also part of
the Accessibility applet (Start > Programs > Acces-
sories > Accessibility > Narrator). We couldnt get
Narrator to function as promised, however. In fact,
when you open the applet, a disclaimer window
appears, suggesting that those with visual impairments acquire
a screen reader with higher functionality.
When we launched the program, it immediately began reading
the contents of its own dialog box, but that was about the only
thing it did right. It would occasionally read the contents of an
e-mail, but we couldnt get it to read the text of a Word docu-
ment. When it did read the contents of a Web page, it read the
elements out of order, for example skipping to sidebars and ads
before reading a New York Times article.
For a reader that actually works, youll have to spend some
money. Magic also comes in a version called Magic Screen Magni-
fication With Speech ($545). To listen to a document in Magic,
click the Speech button, then press Caps Lock+spacebar. To
pause, simply press Ctrl. As with Microsofts Narrator, we tested
Magics speech functionality by reading an article online. Magics
speech-to-text technology was clearer, faster, and better than
Narrators. The program got most words right, though it couldnt
pronounce certain abbreviations, such as Mr. and Ms., opting
to spell them out instead.
Unlike Narrator, Magic lets you set the application to highlight
each word as its read. It, too, occasionally reads columns out of
order in multiple-column documents, but you can prevent this
by pressing Caps Lock+C.
If you cant see the screen at all or have tunnel vision (no pe-
ripheral sight), you can try a dedicated screen-reading program
such as Freedom Scientifics Jaws for Windows ($895 Standard;
$1,095 Professional). Unlike Narrator and Magic, Jaws is interac-
tive and helps you navigate the entire Windows environment
without sight.
3
4
Magics color-enhancement settings let
you search for a scheme that causes less
eyestrain.
Microsoft Magnifier lets you magnify text up to nine times
its original size.
When you click Magics speech icon, the program reads the
contents of your screen.
2
HELP & HOW-TO
jewelry, Jacqui Rogers had purchased a fake brooch from an
eBay seller, and, after doing some digging, uncovered a ring of
counterfeiters operating out of Rhode Island.
My aim is to get the district attorney to file charges, she says.
eBay protected these sellers for nine months, and I would like to
see everybody go down. Rogers says she contacted her states
district attorney, but at this writing had not received a reply.
eBay is not concerned. The worlds largest online marketplace,
whose revenue rose 39 percent to more than $4.5 billion last year,
notes that three previous legal attempts to hold the company
liable for the actions of third-party sellers on its site failed.
eBay clearly profits from the sale of counterfeit goods on its
site, but spokesman Hani Durzy claims the company isnt inter-
ested in this money. We have absolutely no desire to profit from
the sale of counterfeit goods, he insists. We refund the listing
fees to the seller if an item is pulled from the site [because of
rights violations]. If a transaction takes place, theres a fee, but
through the buyer-protection program, PayPal will pay up to
$1,000, and eBay will pay up to $200. We end up paying out a lot
more than whats taken in fees.
But the only way a listing can be
pulled is if a trademark, copyright, or
intellectual-property-rights holder
files a claimand reimbursement
via the buyer-protection program
is at eBays discretion.
[eBay will do] everything it can
to make things whole again,
Durzy says. But the company will
take action against the seller only
if it deems it necessary. We talk to
the buyer, talk to the seller, and
make a determination. If a buyer
used PayPal, we instruct the buyer to
file a PayPal buyer-protection claim.
Though Durzy acknowledges that
counterfeit goods are sold via eBay, he insists the practice is not
sanctioned. If its illegal to do off eBay, its illegal to do on eBay,
he says. The question is how can we identify if something is real
or fake? Were under no legal obligation to. We only have a legal
responsibility if its reported to us by the rights owner.
eBays business model will face another court challenge later
this year. Tiffany & Co. has filed suit against the company, con-
tending it facilitates and profits from the sale of tens of thou-
sands of pieces of counterfeit Tiffany merchandise, and that an
overwhelming majority of the Tiffany items on eBay are fakes.
eBay maintains its Tiffanys responsibility to protect its rights,
not eBays. Every time they say somethings violat-
ed Tiffanys copyrights, weve pulled the listing off
the site, Durzy insists. Were going to fight this
claim because we think its completely without
merit. If what companies such as Tiffany are asking
for is the complete disallowance of their brand names from the
site, were not going to do that. If you own it, it is your legal right
to sell it.
Robert Alpert, an attorney with Ladas & Parry LLP, a New
York City firm specializing in intellectual-property law, ex-
pects eBay will incur some liability. If you know counterfeit
sales are going on, you cant
just turn a blind eye to it, he
says, referring to prior case
law. Courts have imposed lia-
bility on flea markets. A loss
to Tiffany would open up eBay
to liability on a broad range of products on its site, says
Alpert, and that liability could be enormous.
Many trademark holders are watching this case, says
Alpert, noting that the court may issue an injunction against
eBay, meaning it could no longer accept listings for Tiffany
merchandise.
eBay, like any defendant, will be aware this is a precedent, he
says. This could then pave the way for future litigation.
In the meantime, buyers should take steps to
avoid becoming a counterfeiters next victim:
Make sure the seller has feedback, and that its
overwhelmingly positive. If there is any negative
feedback, read it, and think twice before buying
from that person. But keep in mind positive feed-
back is no guarantee. Rogers group notes the
Rhode Island ring exchanges positive feedback
among themselves to boost their seller ratings.
Dont pay by wire transfer. If the sellers not
legit, you can kiss your funds goodbye.
Know the item youre buying. Com-
mon sense dictates youre not going to
get a $5,000 antique for $50, notes Durzy. If you
have any questions for the seller, ask.
At the end of the day, the buyer has to make
the decision not to do stupid things, says Durzy. Know the
seller, know the item, and pay safely. If you think youve been
taken, file a claim with eBay or PayPal (or both).
Of course, eBay isnt the only venue where counterfeit mer-
chandise is sold. But its ubiquity, combined with the anonymity
of the Internet and eBays lack of policing, makes the worlds
biggest online marketplace lucrative territory for counterfeiters.
Bid carefully.
Nancy Lang-Feldman is executive editor of Computer Shopper.
Contact her at nancy.feldman@cnet.com.
A FEW MONTHS BACK, a retiree from Oregon organ-
ized a group of fellow eBay users in an effort to stop
counterfeiters from peddling their wares on the
online auction site. A collector of antique costume
At the end of the day,
the buyer has to make
the decision not to do
stupid things.
How to Tell if a Seller Is Faking It
CONSUMER ALERTNANCY LANG-FELDMAN
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= Base price reflects vendors default configuration. Most models are configurable. Prices are subject to change.
See computershopper.com for full reviews of products in boldface.
MIDRANGE DESKTOPS ($750 TO $1,499)
PROCESSOR Dont choose an underpowered processor,
but look at CPUs one or two steps down from the fastest
for the power you need at a good price. Upgrade: Expect to
spend $90 for every 200MHz-increment upgrade of Intel
3GHz and faster processors.
MEMORY512MB of memory is standard, but if you can
afford 1GB, go for it. Otherwise, make the 512MB a single
DIMM; youll then have more flexibility to add memory
later. Upgrade: Each additional 256MB of DDR memory will
cost roughly $50.
GRAPHICS Look for a discrete graphics card with at least
128MB of memory. If you plan to do video editing or 3D gam-
ing, go with 256MB of memory. Upgrade: A premium graph-
ics card costs about $220 more than integrated graphics.
HARD DRIVE Opt for two hard drives of at least 80GB
apiece, configured in a RAID Level 1 array to ensure your
data is always backed up. Upgrade: Each additional 40GB
of storage will cost about $36.
OPTICAL DRIVES Opt for a DVDRW as
your first choice. Two drives are better than
one, though, so go with a fast CD-RW or
DVD-ROM for the second.
CASE Be certain the case offers adequate expansion room.
Also, look for a few front-panel ports and audio jacks.
Upgrade: A robust power supply (400 watts and higher) will
add $50 or more to the price.
SOUND Integrated sound is common, and superior to what
youll find in budget desktops. A dedicated sound card,
however, is still a better choice. Upgrade: A quality sound
card will cost about $70 more than onboard audio.
MONITOR A CRT delivers more viewing space for a few hun-
dred dollars less than similar-size LCDs. But its hard to deny
the appeal of an attractive, space-saving LCD, so the choice
may hinge on your budget and space constraints. Upgrade:
17-inch LCD monitors start as low as $250.
Joshua Goldman, Desktop Editor
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Base Hard Optical
Model Price* Processor RAM Graphics Drive Drive(s) Monitor Editors Take Find Out More
ABS COMPUTER TECHNOLOGIES
Ultimate M5-64 $1,149 1.8GHz 1GB nVidia 80GB DVD-ROM None CPU is low-end, but its a 939-pin chip, so www.abspc.com
Athlon 64 GeForce upgrading later is an option. Case leaves 800-685-3471
3000+ 6600 GT room to grow, too.
APPLE COMPUTER
iMac MA199LL $1,299 1.83GHz 512MB ATI Radeon 160GB DVDRW 17-inch Apples partnership with Intel has resulted www.apple.com
Core Duo X1600 (double layer) LCD in a speedier iMac with dual-core CPUs. 800-692-7753
Plus, you get a ton of apps.
CYBERPOWER
Gamer Ultra $979 2GHz 1GB nVidia 160GB DVDRW 17-inch A deal that seems almost too good to be www.cyberpowerpc.com
7500 SE Athlon 64 GeForce (double layer), LCD true. Plus, $80 buys extra peace of mind: 800-707-0393
3200+ 6600 DVD-ROM three years of onsite service.
Gamer Ultra $1,165 2.2GHz 1GB Two nVidia 200GB DVDRW None Dual graphics cards and a solid midrange
SLI Elite Athlon 64 GeForce (double layer), processor add up to a choice gaming rig
3500+ 6800 XT DVD-ROM for beginners.
Gamer Infinity $1,179 2.8GHz 512MB Two ATI 200GB DVDRW None This is a great build for less than $1,200,
Crossfire Elite Pentium D Radeon (double layer), featuring ATIs answer to nVidias
920 X1600 XT DVD-ROM multi-GPU video solution.
DELL
Dimension E310 $599 2.8GHz 256MB Integrated 80GB DVD-ROM 17-inch The E might stand for entertainment, www.dell.com
Pentium 4 LCD but this configuration isnt strong enough 800-999-3355
521 to provide you with much fun.
Dimension E510 $799 3GHz 256MB ATI Radeon 80GB DVD/CD-RW 19-inch A reasonable price for this midsize box,
Pentium 4 X300 SE combo LCD considering it comes with a 19-inch LCD.
630 A small amount of RAM, though.
XPS400 $969 2.8GHz 512MB ATI Radeon 80GB DVD-ROM, 19-inch Comes with special XPS-only tech support
Pentium D X300 SE CD-RW LCD a 19-inch LCD, free shipping, and a
820 15-month security-suite subscription.
XPS200 $999 2.8GHz 512MB Integrated 80GB DVD/CD-RW 19-inch Were impressed with this tiny PCs ability
Pentium D combo LCD to host a dual-core CPU, as well as a
820 broad range of other components.
GATEWAY
E-4500 Series $849 3GHz 512MB Integrated 40GB DVD/CD-RW None This business PC is prepared to tackle www.gateway.com
Pentium 4 combo daily office tasks, but youll find better 800-369-1409
630 deals here, like the Dell Dimension E510.
Profile 5.5 $1,199 2.8GHz 512MB Integrated 80GB DVD/CD-RW 17-inch This all-in-one seems underpowered for
Pentium 4 combo LCD the money, and future upgrade options
521 are limited.
TECHMARKET THE COMPLETE GUI DE TO SMART TECHNOLOGY SHOPPI NG
115 Midrange Desktops
118 Budget Notebooks
123 Home and Small-Office
Laser Printers
126 17-Inch Flat-Panel Displays
130 Digital Cameras
(6-Megapixel and Higher)
134 Portable Digital Audio Players
(Flash Memory)
Next
month:
Media-Center
Desktops
*
GATEWAY
FX400X $1,399 2.8GHz 1GB nVidia 500GB DVDRW 17-inch Premium line of performance desktops. www.gateway.com
Pentium D GeForce (two (double layer) LCD Lots of stuff here to like for the price, 800-369-1409
920 6600 250GB) including dual-core processors.
HEWLETT-PACKARD
Pavilion d4100e $849 2.2GHz 512MB nVidia 80GB DVDRW None A sound packageand if youre looking www.hp.com
Athlon 64 GeForce for more of anything, youll find plenty of 888-999-4747
3400+ 6200SE configuration choices on HPs Web site.
Pavilion d4100y $949 2.8GHz 512MB nVidia 80GB DVDRW None While were all for discrete graphics, this
Series Pentium D GeForce card steals from system memory just like
920 6200SE integrated graphics do.
IBUYPOWER
Back To School $929 2GHz 1GB ATI Radeon 250GB DVDRW None Even if youre not headed back to school, www.ibuypower.com
64 Athlon 64 X800 GTO (double layer) this desktop has the specs to get the basics 888-462-3899
3200+ done at an outstanding price.
Gamer EX $1,125 3.2GHz 1GB nVidia 200GB DVDRW None An excellent component set for midrange
Pentium 4 GeForce (double layer), performance. Plan to expand? Upgrade
640 6800 GS DVD-ROM to a better power supply.
Gamer-SLI $1,489 2GHz 1GB Two nVidia 300GB DVDRW None While this combo isnt bad, we recommend
Athlon 64 GeForce (double layer), swapping one of the graphics cards to
3200+ 7800 GT DVD-ROM boost the CPU.
LENOVO
ThinkCentre $859 2.66GHz 256MB Integrated 40GB CD-ROM None A compact gem for serious business. www.lenovo.com
M51 Celeron D Its specs arent the heartiest, but the soft- 866-968-4465
331 ware package is a bonus.
ThinkCentre $999 3GHz 512MB Integrated 40GB DVD-ROM None Enterprise-ready, small, and easily serviced,
S51 Pentium 4 but costly considering the feature set.
530
POLYWELL COMPUTERS
Poly 939N4-SLI2- $899 2GHz 512MB nVidia 120GB DVDRW None As is, a well-priced everyday PC, but its www.polywell.com
3000 Athlon 64 GeForce (double layer) Socket 939, SLI-ready motherboard 800-999-1278
3000+ 6600 allows for easy CPU and GPU upgrades.
MiniBox 939NP $1,275 2GHz 1GB nVidia 250GB DVDRW 17-inch A fairly small box with ample power, this
Athlon 64 GeForce (double layer) LCD luggable Media Center lets you take your
X2 3800+ 6150 entertainment with you.
SONY ELECTRONICS
VAIO $1,099 2.8GHz 1GB Integrated 250GB DVDRW None Although a bit big, a stealthy black Media www.sonystyle.com
VGC-RB60G Pentium D (double layer) Center that wont look out of place in a 877-865-7669
920 living room. New Intel dual-core CPU, too.
VAIO $1,379 3GHz 1GB ATI Radeon 320GB DVDRW None Low-end graphics card is this PCs only
VGC-RC210G Pentium D X300 (double layer), weakness. Advanced cooling keeps
930 DVD-ROM operation near-silent.
SYSTEMAX
Ascent $999.99 2.4GHz 1GB Integrated 200GB DVDRW 17-inch Not configurable, but a lot of good stuff www.systemaxpc.com
SYXS-DC-988860 Athlon 64 (double layer) LCD here, including the LCDand youll find an 888-845-6225
3400+ open AGP slot for GPU upgrades.
Warhawk AMD $1,400 2.2GHz 1GB nVidia 250GB DVDRW None A big gaming desktop with respectable
Athlon 64 GeForce (double layer), components. Serious gamers will want
3500+ 6600 GT DVD/CD-RW more graphics power than this midrange
combo card can offer.
VELOCITY MICRO
Vision GX $799 2.4GHz 512MB Integrated 120GB DVDRW None This might not be the best deal here, but www.velocitymicro.com
Athlon 64 (double layer) its not bad, giving you everything you 800-303-7866
3700+ need to ably handle routine tasks.
Vector PCX $889 3GHz 512MB Integrated 80GB DVD-ROM None Velocity Micro offers some serious desktop
Pentium 4 performance, but price is too high for this
630 minimal configuration.
Gamers Edge 1000 $999 2.2GHz 512MB nVidia 120GB DVD/CD-RW None You lose a little processing strength from
Athlon 64 GeForce combo the Vision GX, but you gain in graphics.
3500+ 6600 Plus, it uses Velocitys simple, clean case.
Vision 64 $1,195 2.2GHz 512MB nVidia 120GB DVDRW None An Athlon CPU and hearty specs provide
Athlon 64 GeForce (double layer), decent protection against short-term
3500+ 6600 CD-RW obsolescence.
ProMagix PCX $1,295 3.2GHz 512MB nVidia 120GB DVDRW None Able Pentium CPU and a solid mix of parts
Pentium 4 GeForce (double layer), make for a good midrange buy.
640 6600 CD-RW
ZT GROUP
Performance $942 3.2GHz 512MB Integrated 160GB DVDRW, None The specs are run-of-the-mill, but ZT is www.ztgroup.com
X6545 Pentium 4 CD-RW smart enough to cover it all with a three- 866-984-7687
540 year warranty; $143 adds onsite service.
A5360 $1,092 2.4GHz 256MB nVidia 160GB DVDRW, None Passable midrange specs with a three-year
Athlon 64 GeForce CD-RW warranty. Doubling the memory costs
3400+ FX 5200 just $12.
TECHMARKET MIDRANGE DESKTOPS ($750 TO $1,499)
Base Hard Optical
Model Price* Processor RAM Graphics Drive Drive(s) Monitor Editors Take Find Out More
*
BUDGET NOTEBOOKS (LESS THAN $1,000)
PROCESSOR Most budget notebooks ship with a low-pow-
ered Intel Celeron or AMD Sempron processor. If youre lucky,
youll find a notebook running a robust Intel Pentium M.
These mobile chips have a full 2MB of cache and advanced
power-management features. Upgrade: Expect to pay rough-
ly $100 for every 100MHz-increment upgrade for Pentium M
processors.
MEMORYInadequate memory can drastically reduce overall
performance, so dont be frugal. Shoot for 512MB if you can.
Upgrade: Each additional 256MB of DDR SDRAM will cost
roughly $60.
GRAPHICS Low-cost laptops will disappoint gamers, be-
cause most lack discrete 3D chips. A few manufacturers may
offer notebooks with aging dedicated chips from ATI or
nVidia, however, and this may be enough to handle older
game titles.
HARD DRIVE A 40GB or 60GB drive may be plenty of space
for casual users, but if you have a large digital music collec-
tion, play lots of advanced games, or edit digital video, opt
for 80GB or more. Upgrade: Each additional
20GB of storage should cost about $30.
OPTICAL DRIVES Strive for a multiformat
(DVDRW) DVD burner, which writes to both
plus- and minus-format DVD media. If you have no
need or desire to burn DVDs, a DVD-ROM/CD-RW com-
bo drive, which burns only CDs, will suffice. Upgrade:
Expect to pay about $100 to upgrade to a DVDRW from
a combo drive.
WIRELESS CONNECTIVITYIntegrated 802.11 wireless
networking (Wi-Fi) is an essential feature. Many budget
notebooks ship with 802.11b/g internal Wi-Fi radios. With
rated data throughput of 54Mbps, 802.11g technology is all
you need for ordinary use.
MONITOR Unless youre on a tight budget or looking for
optimum portability, search for a wide-screen 15-inch-or-
larger TFT. Whether youll be watching DVDs or merely view-
ing multiple documents at once, more screen space is always
better. Brian Bennett, Notebooks Editor
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ACER AMERICA
Aspire $899.99 1.6GHz 512MB Integrated 80GB DVDRW 15.4 inches 802.11b/g 6.2 lbs. An above-average value with a great mix us.acer.com
AS1641WLMi Pentium M (double-layer) of parts. The only weakness: lowly 800-571-2237
725 integrated graphics.
Aspire $899.99 1.5GHz 512MB Integrated 80GB DVDRW 17 inches 802.11b/g 7.9 lbs. A bit pricey for these specs. Heavy, and
AS9503WSMi Celeron M wont be terribly fast, but features a big
340 display, a DVD burner, and Wi-Fi.
Aspire $999.99 1.6GHz 512MB Integrated 80GB DVDRW 15 inches 802.11b/g 6.2 lbs. For under a grand, includes a DVD burner
AS5002WLMi Turion 64 and a wide-screen display. The 64-bit
ML-30 CPU is a plus.
APPLE COMPUTER
iBook G4 $999 1.33GHz 512MB ATI Mobility 40GB DVD/CD-RW 12 inches 802.11b/g 4.9 lbs. A recent update to the iBook line, www.apple.com
PowerPC G4 Radeon 9550 combo with better graphics and a faster CPU 800-692-7753
a solid deal for $999.
AVERATEC
4100Series $949.99 1.6GHz 512MB Integrated 80GB DVDRW 13.3 inches 802.11b/g 4.7 lbs. Not bad, considering the 64-bit CPU and www.averatec.com
Turion 64 other choice components. Design is 877-462-3462
MT-30 compact and student-friendly.
CYBERPOWER
Xplorer $949 1.73GHz 256MB Integrated 40GB DVD/CD-RW 12.1 inches None 4.1 lbs. A ho-hum configuration, though www.cyberpowerpc.com
U3-1000 Pentium M combo powered by a zippy Pentium M CPU; 800-707-0393
740 lightweight.
DELL
Inspiron B120 $599 1.4GHz 512MB Integrated 40GB DVD/CD-RW 14.1 inches 802.11b/g 6.4 lbs. The B in B120stands for basicwhich www.dell.com
Celeron M combo accurately describes the level of computing 800-999-3355
360 this inexpensive model delivers.
Inspiron B130 $699 1.4GHz 512MB Integrated 40GB DVD/CD-RW 15.4 inches 802.11b/g 6.7 lbs. Same basic configuration as the B120,
Celeron M combo though Dell provides a bigger LCD for the
360 additional $100.
Latitude D510 $799 1.4GHz 256MB Integrated 40GB CD-ROM 14.1 inches 802.11b/g 5.2 lbs. Backed by a generous three-year
Celeron M warranty; solidly built and suitable for
360 modest business tasks.
Inspiron 600m $849 1.4GHz 256MB Integrated 40GB DVD/CD-RW 14.1 inches 802.11b/g 5.3 lbs. Relatively light and compact for an
Celeron M combo inexpensive laptop, but a seriously
360 underpowered component mix.
Inspiron 6000 $894 1.7GHz 512MB Integrated 40GB DVD/CD-RW 15.4 inches 802.11b/g 6.6 lbs. Slim, and packs a potent Pentium M
Pentium M combo CPU and a decent amount of RAM. The
735 wide screen is an added enticement.
XPSM140 $899 1.86GHz 512MB Integrated 60GB DVDRW 14.1 inches 802.11b/g 5.4 lbs. A thin-and-light machine with excellent
Pentium M (double layer) parts, plus robust multimedia features
750 thanks to its Media Center OS.
Next
month:
Desktop-
Replacement
Notebooks
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Model Price* Processor RAM Graphics Drive Drive Display Wireless Weight Editors Take Find Out More
TECHMARKET BUDGET NOTEBOOKS (LESS THAN $1,000)
GATEWAY
NX200S $749.99 1.4GHz 256MB Integrated 40GB DVD/CD-RW 14 inches None 5.3 lbs. Thin and compact, with a high-contrast www.gateway.com
Celeron M combo wide-screen display. Just dont expect 800-369-1409
360 fast performance.
NX500S $799.99 1.4GHz 256MB Integrated 40GB DVD/CD-RW 15.4 inches 802.11b/g 6 lbs. Midsize models weak parts are offset
Celeron M combo by sturdy construction and an attractive
360 wide-screen display.
M325X $999.99 1.6GHz 512MB Integrated 40GB DVD/CD-RW 15 inches 802.11b/g 5.6 lbs. Lacks a fancy wide screen, but you get
Pentium M combo a speedy CPU and ample RAM; fine
725A for undemanding work.
HEWLETT-PACKARD
Compaq $699 1.6GHz 256MB ATI Radeon 40GB DVD-ROM 15 inches None 6.6 lbs. Low price nets a pared-down laptop www.hp.com
Presario Sempron Xpress that lacks a CD burner and Wi-Fi. Does 888-999-4747
M2000Z 2800+ 200M have discrete graphics, however.
Pavilion $729 1.5GHz 256MB Integrated 40GB DVD-ROM 15 inches None 6.6 lbs. Easy on your wallet, but the weak specs
ZE2000t Celeron M and lack of a wide-screen display are
370 disappointing.
Pavilion $749 1.4GHz 256MB Integrated 40GB DVD-ROM 14 inches None 5.3 lbs. Not much in the way of advanced
DV1000 Celeron M electronics, but relatively light and has
360 a wide-screen display.
Compaq $799 1.4GHz 256MB Integrated 40GB DVD-ROM 15.4 inches 802.11b/g 6.4 lbs. Bare-bones laptop with a wide-screen
Presario Celeron M LCD and a comfortable keyboard.
V4000 360 Downside: No disc burner.
Pavilion $849 1.4GHz 256MB Integrated 40GB DVD/CD-RW 15.4 inches 802.11b/g 6.4 lbs. Slick styling makes this media-centric,
DV4000 Celeron M combo wide-screen machine attractive, but
360 its parts suggest sluggish performance.
IBUYPOWER
Battalion 101 $994 1.73GHz 256MB Integrated 40GB DVD/CD-RW 12.1 inches None 4.1 lbs. Lightweight and packs a speedy www.ibuypower.com
Slim-Series Pentium M combo Pentium M processor; a Wi-Fi chip is 888-462-3899
740 noticeably absent, however.
LENOVO
ThinkPad R $899 1.6GHz 256MB Integrated 40GB DVD/CD-RW 15 inches 802.11b/g 6.6 lbs. For this low price, you get an advanced www.lenovo.com
Series Pentium M combo mobile CPU; otherwise, middling specs. 866-458-4465
725
TOSHIBA AMERICA
Satellite $949.99 1.6GHz 512MB ATI Mobility 80GB DVDRW 15.4 inches 802.11b/g 6.1 lbs. Sleek chassis measures a trim 1.1 www.toshiba.com
M45-S169 Celeron M Radeon (double-layer) inches thick. Attractively styled and 800-316-0920
380 X200M moderately powered.
Satellite $979 1.73GHz 256MB Integrated 40GB DVD/CD-RW 15 inches 802.11b/g 5.9 lbs. Processor, though peppy, is held back
L20-S310TD Pentium M combo by a sluggish configuration. Chassis is
730 attractive and well-designed.
Tecra $999 1.5GHz 256MB Integrated 40GB DVD/CD-RW 14 inches 802.11b/g 5 lbs. A staid-looking machine that targets
A5-S116 Celeron M combo business travelers; wide-screen LCD is
370 great for watching movies while airborne.
WINBOOK COMPUTER
A210 $599 1.6GHz 256MB Integrated 40GB DVD/CD-RW 15 inches None 6.2 lbs. Inexpensive, but wont impress users www.winbook.com
Sempron combo seeking swift performance; display is 800-254-7806
2800+ standard-aspect.
X505 $798 1.3GHz 256MB Integrated 40GB DVD/CD-RW 12.1 inches None 4.6 lbs. Targets undemanding, budget-conscious
Celeron M combo buyers who need a light laptop thats
350 easy to carry.
C226 $999 1.5GHz 512MB Integrated 60GB DVDRW 14.1 inches 802.11b/g 5.5 lbs. A surprisingly robust feature set with
Pentium M (double layer) lots to like, but at the pricey end of the
715 budget category.
W515 $999.99 1.6GHz 512MB Integrated 80GB DVDRW 15.4 inches 802.11a/b/g 6.4 lbs. Squeaking in just under a grand, a richly
Pentium M configured laptop that even comes with a
725 multiformat DVD burner.
THE BEST RECENTLY REVIEWED BUDGET NOTEBOOKS
Dell XPS M140 $1,637 (as tested) Editors Rating:
A portable Media Center laptop, the XPS M140 offers a worthy set of multi-
media and entertainment features, plus great performance and battery life.
HP Pavilion DV4000 $1,374 (as tested) Editors Rating:
Affordable and well-designed, the DV4000 packs a nice mix of high-end parts.
An included remote allows for playing CDs and DVDs without booting up.
Apple iBook G4 $1,199 (as tested) Editors Rating:
Apples reasonably priced 12-inch iBook G4 is long-lived and features great
software, making it a stylish, yet reliable, entry-level laptop.
7.0
7.7
7.6
Dell XPS
M140
*
Rated Text-
Monochrome/ Maximum Print Speed
Model Price Color Resolution Memory (Mono/Color) Compatibility Editor's Take Find Out More
BROTHER INTERNATIONAL
HL-2040 $119.99 Monochrome 2,400x600dpi 8MB 20ppm PC, Mac Speedy monochrome model fits tight budgets www.brother-usa.com
and cramped workspaces. 800-276-7746
HL-5140 $199.99 Monochrome 2,400x600dpi 16MB 21ppm PC, Mac Fast and network-upgradable; memory is
expandable to 144MB.
HL-5170DN $299.99 Monochrome 2,400x600dpi 32MB 21ppm PC, Mac Network-ready, with built-in duplexer and
expandable paper-input capacity.
HL-6050DW $649.99 Monochrome 1,200x1,200dpi 32MB 25ppm PC, Mac Offers 802.11b/g networking and a faster print
speedthanHL-5170DN.
DELL
Laser 1100 $99 Monochrome 600x600dpi 2MB 15ppm PC Lowprice; great for home use and for www.dell.com
students. Only 2MBof RAM, however. 800-915-3355
Laser Printer $199 Monochrome 1,200x1,200dpi 16MB 27ppm PC, Mac Optional 550-sheet drawer results in
1710 an office-friendly 800-sheet total capacity.
MFPLaser $399 Monochrome 600x600dpi 32MB 22ppm PC Impressive print and scan quality fromthis
1600n all-in-one; includes Ethernet interface.
Laser 5100cn $999 Monochrome, 600x600dpi 128MB 35ppm/25ppm PC, Mac Good performance, fast print speeds; can
color handle heavy network use.
HEWLETT-PACKARD
LaserJet 1020 $179.99 Monochrome 600x600dpi 2MB 15ppm PC Only 2MBof RAM; not ideal for intense www.hp.com
graphics printing. 888-999-4747
LaserJet 1022 $199.99 Monochrome 1,200x1,200dpi 8MB 19ppm PC, Mac Quick, high-quality prints, but noisy and
lacks duplex-printing functionality.
LaserJet 1022n $299.99 Monochrome 1,200x1,200dpi 8MB 19ppm PC, Mac Similar to the 1022, but $100extra buys
you Ethernet networking.
LaserJet 1160 $329.99 Monochrome 600x600dpi 16MB 20ppm PC, Mac Excellent text printing, but lacks a built-in
duplexer and expandability.
LaserJet 1320n $499.99 Monochrome 1,200x1,200dpi 16MB 22ppm PC, Mac Quality printing, swift speeds, two-sided-
output capability, andnetwork-ready.
Color LaserJet $599.99 Monochrome, 600x600dpi 64MB 20ppm/4ppm PC, Mac Great print quality marred by sparse features
2550n color and slowcolor-printing speeds.
LaserJet 1320tn $599.99 Monochrome 1,200x1,200dpi 16MB 22ppm PC, Mac $100upgrade from1320n brings built-in
wireless networking to the mix.
Color LaserJet $799.99 Monochrome, 600x600dpi 96MB 22ppm/22ppm PC, Mac Backed by toll-free, 24/7tech support; net-
3800 color working and two-sided printing optional.
IBM
Infoprint 1512 $399.99 Monochrome 1,200x1,200dpi 32MB 30ppm PC, Mac Sleek black design makes it a nice choice www.ibm.com
for style-conscious offices. 800-358-6661
Infoprint Color $699.99 Monochrome, 1,200x600dpi 128MB 20ppm/20ppm PC, Mac Secure-print feature lets you hold queued
1534 color documents until a safety PINis entered.
KONICA MINOLTA PRINTING SOLUTIONS U.S.A.
PagePro1350W $149.99 Monochrome 1,200x1,200dpi 8MB 21ppm PC Inexpensive, compact laser offers impressive www.konicaminolta.com
text quality and speed. 800-705-2001
HOME AND SMALL-OFFICE LASER PRINTERS
COLOR OR MONOCHROME With a few color laser mod-
els priced under $1,000, some small businesses might
find a color model worth the splurge to add some extra
pop to their printed materials. For the most part, howev-
er, monochrome lasers are a far better value for home
users and small businesses.
RESOLUTION Print resolution refers to the maximum
number of dots per inch (dpi) a printer creates, mea-
sured both horizontally and vertically. For example, a
600x600dpi laser printer lays down a 1-inch square
comprising 600 dots across by 600 dots down. A reso-
lution of 600dpi is more than adequate for most text-
printing tasks. If youre printing more-demanding jobs
newsletters, for instanceconsider models that print at
1,200dpi or even 2,400dpi resolution.
SPEED This spec measures how many pages per minute
(ppm) a printer pumps out. Todays laser printers should de-
liver more than 10ppm of text, with slightly slower speeds
for a mixture of text and graphics. Most color lasers do four
separate passes on color printouts, so expect much slower
speeds. (Actual print speeds are slower than rated speeds.)
CONNECTIVITY All printers have either a USB 1.1 interface
or the newer, faster USB 2.0. Dont worry too much if your
system doesnt have USB 2.0the two standards get along
just fine, and USB 1.1 is fast enough for printing. Workgroup
printers also support printing over a network using a stan-
dard Ethernet cable with an RJ-45 connector. For even bet-
ter mobility, many models support wireless printing, using
Wi-Fi access points with built-in print servers.
Louis Ramirez, Hardware Editor
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KONICA MINOLTA PRINTING SOLUTIONS U.S.A.
PagePro1250E $299 Monochrome 1,200x1,200dpi 16MB 17ppm PC, Mac Solid print speed and quality for a home or www.konicaminolta.com
one-person office; decent price. 800-705-2001
Magicolor $399 Monochrome, 1,200x600dpi 32MB 20ppm/5ppm PC An inexpensive color laser thats easy to use
2400W color and great for space-constrained environments.
Magicolor $499 Monochrome, 2,400x600dpi 32MB 20ppm/5ppm PC Text is fine, but color prints are only so-so;
2430DL color PictBridge printing requires extra RAM.
LEXMARK INTERNATIONAL
E240 $199 Monochrome 600x600dpi 16MB 27ppm PC, Mac Lexmarks entry-level laser is rated just 3ppm www.lexmark.com
slower than its pricier step-up model. 800-539-6275
E340 $399 Monochrome 1,200x1,200dpi 32MB 30ppm PC, Mac Features a two-line text LCDand can be
upgraded to 160MBof memory.
C510 $499 Monochrome, 2,400x2,400dpi 64MB 30ppm/8ppm PC, Mac Fast color and mono printing, plus true
color PostScript and PCLemulation.
E342n $499 Monochrome 1,200x1,200dpi 32MB 30ppm PC, Mac Network-ready printer has looks and specs
similar to those of IBMs Infoprint 1512.
T640 $699 Monochrome 1,200x1,200dpi 64MB 35ppm PC, Mac Fast and business-friendly, with lowprint
costs. Highly expandable.
OKI DATA AMERICA
B4100 $167.99 Monochrome 1,200x600dpi 8MB 19ppm PC Compact model serves up a decent print www.okidata.com
speed for the price. 800-654-3282
B4250 $240.99 Monochrome 1,200x600dpi 16MB 23ppm PC Doubles the B4100s internal memory,
which boosts print speed.
B4350 $314.99 Monochrome 1,200x600dpi 16MB 23ppm PC, Mac Specs similar to B4250s, with optional
networking and PostScript support.
SAMSUNG
ML-2010 $129.99 Monochrome 1,200x600dpi 8MB 22ppm PC, Mac Compact footprint makes it a good choice for www.samsung.com
tight spaces. Nice price. 800-726-7864
ML-2250 $229.99 Monochrome 1,200x1,200dpi 16MB 22ppm PC Step-up fromthe ML-2010has twice the
memory but the same rated print speed.
ML-2251N $289 Monochrome 1,200x1,200dpi 16MB 22ppm PC Aspace-saving laser thats ideal for small
workgroups.
CLP-300 $299 Monochrome, 2,400x600dpi 32MB 17ppm/4ppm PC, Mac Truly tiny color laser only holds 150sheets; uses
color toner bottles rather than clunky cartridges.
CLP-510N $359.99 Monochrome, 1,200x1,200dpi 64MB 25ppm/6ppm PC, Mac Color, networking, and a duplexer for $360?
color This one is a keeper.
CLP-600N $499 Monochrome, 2,400x600dpi 32MB 21ppm/21ppm PC, Mac Samsungs NONOISprint engine promises
color whisper-quiet performance.
XEROX
Phaser 3150 $349 Monochrome 600x600dpi 32MB 22ppm PC Features fit-to-page printing, as well as www.office.xerox.com
poster printing for larger projects. 888-247-5107
Phaser 3500 $549 Monochrome 1,200x1,200dpi 32MB 35ppm PC, Mac Office laser is too large for tight spaces, but
its faster than the 3150; duplexing optional.
Phaser 4500 $899 Monochrome 1,200x1,200dpi 48MB 36ppm PC, Mac Fast print speeds and ample paper capacity,
but Ethernet is optional.
Phaser 8500/N $899 Monochrome, 600x600dpi 128MB 24ppm/24ppm PC, Mac Afast, capable printer for small businesses;
color Ethernet optional.
Rated Text-
Monochrome/ Maximum Print Speed
Model Price Color Resolution Memory (Mono/Color) Compatibility Editor's Take Find Out More
THE BEST RECENTLY REVIEWED HOME AND SMALL-OFFICE LASER PRINTERS
Dell 5100cn $999 Editors Rating:
Dells middle-of-the-road color laser can tackle heavy network use, but
dont expect this larger-than-life printer to fit in a small home office.
Lexmark T640 $699 Editors Rating:
Fast and highly expandable, the T640 is one of the easiest-to-use and
most feature-packed laser printers for a growing office.
HP LaserJet 1022 $199.99 Editors Rating:
Sturdy good looks and quality prints help this budget laser appeal to
students and home businesses alike.
6.3
7.7
7.5
TECHMARKET HOME AND SMALL-OFFICE LASER PRINTERS
Dell 5100cn
NEW
NEW
17-INCH FLAT-PANEL DISPLAYS
ASPECT RATIOThe standard proportion of width to height
for a computer monitor is 4-to-3, although some monitors
that double as televisions have a wider format of 16-to-9,
designed for viewing movies or high-definition television
(HDTV) in wide-screen format.
RESOLUTIONHigher resolution yields better image quality.
Most 17-inch flat panels are 1,280x1,024. Make sure you are
comfortable with an LCDs native resolution before you buy it.
CONTRAST RATIO A contrast ratio of at least 400-to-1
will provide a more dynamically detailed image. The ratio
is measured in varying ways, however, so rely on such
figures cautiously.
PIXEL-RESPONSE RATE This measure refers to how
quickly a pixel can change colors and is cited in millisec-
onds (ms). Lower numbers mean youll tend to see less
ghosting or streaking in movies and games. Most panels
have response rates of 16ms or less; gamers and video
buffs should look for response rates of 8ms or less.
LUMINANCE Luminance, or brightness, is expressed in nits,
or candelas per square meter (cd/m
2
). A measurement of
250cd/m
2
is suitable for most productivity tasks; a higher
level of nits is better for viewing television and movies.
DIGITAL VERSUS ANALOG CONNECTIONS LCDs must
convert analog signals before they can be displayed. A
graphics card with Digital Visual Interface (DVI) connectivity
can send the signal straight to the display in digital format
no conversion required. Most LCDs come with an analog
input, some have both, and a few are digital-only. A digital
connection is best.
VIEWING ANGLE Brightness and image colors shift if you
view an LCD off-center. Make your own observations, if at all
possible, of the panel youre considering, and remember that
viewing-angle issues become increasingly critical as panel
size increases. Louis Ramirez, Hardware Editor
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Pixel-
Typical Response
Model Price Contrast Brightness Time Interface Editors Take Find Out More
BENQ AMERICA
FP737s-D $329 450-to-1 260cd/m
2
16ms Analog, Somewhat pricey for a display this size, but we www.benq.com
digital like its dual analog and digital connections. 866-700-2367
FP71G+S $339 500-to-1 250cd/m
2
8ms Analog, Offers a fast pixel-response rate; luminance
digital (brightness) is on the low end, however.
FP71E $349 400-to-1 300cd/m
2
12ms Analog, Sleekly styled and has speakers built-in, but
digital has only limited adjustability options.
FP71V+ $359.99 500-to-1 400cd/m
2
8ms Analog, Offers higher-than-average brightness and a
digital quick 8ms response time.
FP785 $409 600-to-1 250cd/m
2
25ms Analog, Features a nifty base that folds into a handle for
digital convenient portability.
DELL
E176FP $289 450-to-1 300cd/m
2
12ms Analog Affordable panel doesnt do digital but can www.dell.com
be used as a second display. 800-999-3355
UltraSharp $325 500-to-1 300cd/m
2
12ms Analog, Respectable 12ms response time should
1704FPt digital eliminate image-ghosting problems.
EIZO NANAO
FlexScan $379 700-to-1 300cd/m
2
8ms Analog On the pricey side for an analog display; we www.eizo.com
P1700 suggest spending $20 more on the M1700. 800-800-5202
FlexScan $399 700-to-1 300cd/m
2
8ms Analog, Features built-in speakers and a quick response
M1700 digital time; this LCD is media-ready.
FlexScan $549 1,500-to-1 250cd/m
2
25ms Analog, Generous contrast ratio should provide solid
L568 digital image quality, but its response time is poor.
ENVISION MONITORS
EN7410 $269 450-to-1 270cd/m
2
16ms Analog No-frills VGA-only LCD is fine for basic computing www.envisiondisplay.com
tasks. Mediocre image quality. 888-838-6388
EN7600 $269 500-to-1 300cd/m
2
12ms Analog A value-price, above-average performer with an
attractive design.
GATEWAY
FPD1765 $279.99 450-to-1 250cd/m
2
16ms Analog, Bare-bones value LCD is a good choice for www.gateway.com
digital undemanding users on a tight budget. 800-555-2076
HEWLETT-PACKARD
L1706 $319 500-to-1 300cd/m
2
12ms Analog Great for the office, but its lack of adjustability www.hp.com
and inputs limits its use at home. 888-999-4747
VS17 $329.99 450-to-1 250cd/m
2
16ms Analog Integrated speakers help save space, but the
L1740 offers digital connectivity.
L1740 $349 500-to-1 300cd/m
2
13ms Analog, Midprice model features the quickest response
digital time in HPs 17-inch-LCD lineup.
L1755 $399 1,000-to-1 250cd/m
2
25ms Analog, Ultrahigh contrast ratio comes at the cost of a
digital slow response time.
LENOVO
ThinkVision $319 500-to-1 270cd/m
2
25ms Analog Business-only LCD gets demerits for its slow www.lenovo.com
L171 response time and analog-only connection. 866-458-4465
2
8ms Analog, Points for flexibility, but image quality doesnt
L171p digital match that of similarly priced LCDs.
2
16ms Analog Space-saving display comes with integrated
L170m stereo speakers.
NEW
NEW
LG ELECTRONICS
Flatron L1750B $299 700-to-1 300cd/m
2
8ms Analog, Ultrathin bezel makes it great for tiling multiple us.lge.com
digital displays; also tilts/swivels. Fast response rate. 800-243-0000
Flatron L1780Q $349 500-to-1 250cd/m
2
8ms Analog, Sharp looks and a slim profile come at a respectable
digital price. Quick response rate.
NEC DISPLAY SOLUTIONS
AccuSync $284.99 450-to-1 250cd/m
2
16ms Analog Nice specs for the price, but monitor lacks a DVI www.necdisplay.com
LCD72V port. 888-632-6487
MultiSync $329.99 600-to-1 250cd/m
2
8ms Analog, Sleek looks and ease of use are marred by so-so
LCD1770VX digital performance.
2
16ms Analog, Slower response time, lesser contrast ratio than
LCD1735NXM digital the LCD1770VX.
2
12ms Analog, Middling image quality overshadows a nice array
LCD1770NX digital of features and solid adjustability options.
2
12ms Analog, In addition to a built-in USB 2.0 hub, features
LCD1770NXM digital front-firing speakers.
2
8ms Analog, Midprice LCD should be great for gaming and
LCD1770GX digital DVD watching, thanks to its fast response time.
PLANAR SYSTEMS
PX1710M $359.99 500-to-1 300cd/m
2
8ms Analog, Highly adjustable; offers impressive gaming and www.planar.com
digital DVD performance. 866-752-6271
SAMSUNG
740N $269 600-to-1 300cd/m
2
8ms Analog Samsungs most affordable LCD offers www.samsung.com
impressive specs but no DVI interface. 800-726-7864
SyncMaster $299 700-to-1 300cd/m
2
2ms Analog, Superfast pixel-response rate; blends value
740BF digital with performance.
SyncMaster $299.99 600-to-1 300cd/m
2
8ms Analog TV-tuner-equipped LCD is enhanced by the
710MP addition of S-Video and composite inputs.
SyncMaster $389 700-to-1 300cd/m
2
8ms Analog, Slim, attractive design; a better choice than the
713BM digital 710MP if you dont need the TV functionality.
SyncMaster $389 1,500-to-1 280cd/m
2
25ms Analog, Ultrathin bezel; height-adjustable, with tilt and
740T digital pivot. Extremely high contrast ratio.
SCEPTRE TECHNOLOGIES
X7G Naga V $229.99 500-to-1 300cd/m
2
8ms Analog Limited by its horizontal/vertical viewing angles www.sceptre.com
of 150 and 140 degrees; lacks DVI connection. 800-788-2878
X7G Komodo IV $309.99 450-to-1 300cd/m
2
16ms Analog Features stereo speakers, but better options are
available for the money.
SHARP ELECTRONICS
LL-173C $279 500-to-1 250cd/m
2
12ms Analog Business-black LCD delivers average performance www.sharpusa.com
for a corporate display. 800-237-4277
LL-171A $479 430-to-1 250cd/m
2
20ms Analog Dull design is coupled with painfully slow
response timelook elsewhere.
SONY ELECTRONICS
SDM-HS75/B $349.99 500-to-1 250cd/m
2
16ms Analog This wall-mountable screen is feature-poor for www.sonystyle.com
the price. 877-865-7669
SDM-HS75P/B $399.99 600-to-1 400cd/m
2
8ms Analog, Classic Sony design; fast response time and
digital XBrite technology make this a sweet deal.
MFM-HT75W $599.99 800-to-1 450cd/m
2
16ms Analog, Attractive wide-screen panel with built-in TV tuner
digital and picture-in-picture offers good image quality.
VIEWSONIC
VE710s $315 450-to-1 300cd/m
2
16ms Analog Brighter than many analog-only displays, and www.viewsonic.com
only 2.2 inches thick. 800-888-8583
VX724 $365 500-to-1 300cd/m
2
3ms Analog, Features a lightning-fast 3ms response time
digital gamers will rejoice.
VP171s $409 500-to-1 300cd/m
2
8ms Analog, HD-capable, but lacks component inputs to make
digital it a true media display.
Pixel-
Typical Response
Model Price Contrast Brightness Time Interface Editors Take Find Out More
THE BEST RECENTLY REVIEWED 17-INCH FLAT-PANEL DISPLAYS
Envision EN7600 $269 Editors Rating:
Despite its low price, this well-designed LCD can hold its own with other A-list
displays that cost significantly more.
NEC MultiSync LCD1770VX $329.99 Editors Rating:
Youll be hard-pressed to find another 17-inch monitor that can match the
MultiSyncs clean appearance, adjustability, and ease of use.
Sharp LL-173C $279 Editors Rating:
Though its intended for business use, the LL-173Cs 12ms response time
delivers a streak-free video experience.
6.0
6.2
6.1
Envision
EN7600
TECHMARKET 17-INCH FLAT-PANEL DISPLAYS
6.1 Effective Megapixel CCD Offers Clear and Sharp Resolution
3D Color Matrix Metering Produces Vivid Color Reproduction
3fps Continuous Shooting for Up to 144 Consecutive Shots*
Near-instant Power-up Enables You to Shoot After a Mere 0.2 Second
Refined 5-Area AF System With New All-area Search
Large 2.0 Inch LCD Monitor Visible Even In Bright Sunlight
7 Digital Vari-Programs Optimize Camera Settings
Creative Lighting System and iTTL Make Taking Pictures With a Nikon
SB-600 or SB-800 Speedlight as Easy as Turning On the Flash
Remote Cord Support
Nikon, Inc. Limited Warranty
2006 Nikon Inc. * www.nikonusa.com
S
= Editors Choice See computershopper.com for full reviews of products in boldface. * = dSLR camera; zoom limit dependent on lens mounted
DIGITAL CAMERAS (6-MEGAPIXEL AND HIGHER)
RESOLUTION The quality of digital photos is measured pri-
marily by the number of pixels a cameras image sensor can
capture. An 8-megapixel camera, for example, should capture
more image detail than a 6-megapixel model can. Only an in-
credibly discerning eye, however, would be able to distinguish
between the two cameras images, especially if the prints are
4x6-inch snapshots. Because 6-megapixel images are more
than adequate for most users, consider higher-megapixel
models only if you need maximum resolution.
LENS The ability of a digital cameras lens to magnify far-
away action (that is, its optical zoom) is measured in x. Look
for a model with at least a 3x optical zoommore if you of-
ten need to catch distant action. In fact, some high-end cam-
eras have 10x lenses, many with image-stabilization technol-
ogy designed to reduce shakiness caused by users trying to
hold the long lens steady during shooting. Serious shooters
will want to look at cameras that support interchangeable
lenses (such as digital single-lens-reflex, or dSLR, models),
enabling you to use compatible telephoto and wide-angle
lenses instead of relying on a fixed lens.
STORAGE MEDIUM Most digital cameras use wafer-thin flash-
memory cards such as CompactFlash, SD/MultiMediaCard,
Olympus xD-Picture Card, or Sonys Memory Stick. Because
high-end cameras can shoot large RAW- or TIFF-file images and
come with small-capacity cards (or no cards at all), choose a
256MB or larger memory card. If you already have a PDA or a
flash-based MP3 player, consider cameras that use the same
storage format so you can share cards between devices.
VIDEO RECORDING Many, but not all, high-end digicams
can record short video clips, and most will record as long as
your storage will allow. Models that can record at 30 frames
per second (fps) can produce decent VGA-quality (640x480-
pixel) video shorts, but some models can also shoot SVGA
footage at 15fps. Sean Portnoy, Hardware Editor
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Resolution Optical Included Storage Battery
Model Price (Megapixels) Zoom Memory Type Type Weight Editors Take Find Out More
CANON U.S.A.
PowerShot A620 $399.99 7.1 4x 32MB SD/MMC AA 8.3oz. Packs full manual controls and a solid list of scene modes into usa.canon.com
an easy-to-use camera that will meet the needs of newbies. 800-652-2666
PowerShot SD550 $449 7.1 3x 32MB SD/MMC Proprietary 6oz. Combines formand function more elegantly than any point-and-
shoot weve tested. Best startuptime inits class.
PowerShot S80 $549.99 8 3.6x 32MB SD/MMC Proprietary 7.9oz. Has a 2.5-inch LCDand the DIGICII processor for improved
performance; can capture XGA-quality movies at 15fps.
PowerShot G6 $599.99 7.1 4x 32MB CompactFlash Proprietary 13.4oz. Apowerful, enthusiast-oriented feature set and solid photo
quality, but performance lags behind the competitions.
PowerShot Pro1 $699.99 8.3 7x 64MB CompactFlash Proprietary 1.2lbs. Great images and a top-notch lens offset mixed performance,
as well as some poorly implemented features.
EOSDigital $899(body 8 None* None CompactFlash Proprietary 1.1 lbs. Small and lightweight, designed for amateur dSLRownersbut
Rebel XT only); $999 offers the responsiveness and image quality of a semipro model.
(with lens)
CASIO
ExilimEX-Z110 $229.99 6 3x 8.7MB SD/MMC AA 4.8oz. Offers a broad range of features; performance is mixed, and www.casio.com
(internal) image quality falls a little short. 800-836-8580
ExilimEX-Z120 $299.99 7.2 3x 8.3MB SD/MMC AA 4.9oz. Adds a megapixel of resolution and a fewextra scene modes
(internal) to the EX-Z110feature set.
ExilimZ750 $399.99 7.2 3x 8.3MB SD/MMC Proprietary 4.5oz. Marries formand function with a great design and satisfying
(internal) manual controls, while offering solid image quality.
EX-P700ExilimPro $549.99 7.2 4x 8.9MB SD/MMC Proprietary 7.9oz. Surprisingly pocketable design houses an extensive feature set.
(internal) Captures pleasing images, though lags slightly in performance.
EASTMAN KODAK
EasyShare Z760 $299.95 6.1 3x 32MB SD/MMC Proprietary 7.7oz. Delivers a 2.2-inch LCDand numerous manual controls; can www.kodak.com
(internal) record up to 80minutes of QuickTime video. 800-235-6325
EasyShareP880 $599.95 8 5.8x 32MB SD/MMC Proprietary 1.1 lbs. Kodaks entry into the prosumer market offers RAW-file support,
(internal) a hotshoe flash connector, and on-camera video editing.
FUJI PHOTO FILM U.S.A.
FinePixF10 $299 6.3 3x 16MB xD-Picture Proprietary 5.5oz. Features usable ISO800/1,600settings and a versatile 2.5- www.fujifilm.com
Card inch LCD, though image quality shows some fringing problems. 800-659-3854
FinePixE900 $399.95 9 4x 16MB xD-Picture AA 7.1 oz. Despite high resolution in a compact design, this model is
Card saddled with a mediocre lens.
FinePixS9000 $499.95 9 10.7x 16MB xD-Picture AA 1.4lbs. Offers many dSLRfeatures and solid performance, but not-quite-
Card dSLRimage quality.
HEWLETT-PACKARD
R717 $269.99 6.2 3x 32MB SD/MMC CP1 or 6.3oz. Well-conceived design, plus easy-to-master controls and menus, www.hp.com
(internal) proprietary but loses points for subpar performance and a weak flash. 800-282-6672
KONICA MINOLTA PHOTO IMAGING U.S.A.
DiMageX1 $349 8 3x 32MB SD/MMC Proprietary 4.8oz. The latest in the companys series of supercompacts squeezes kmpi.konicaminolta.us
high resolution and a folded zoomlens into an ultrathin package. 800-285-6422
DiMageZ6 $399.95 6 12x 16MB SD/MMC AA 12oz. Has a massive zoomlens, coupled with the companys proprietary
antishake systemto prevent image blurring.
DiMageA200 $899 8 7x None CompactFlash, Proprietary 1.1 lbs. Antishake technology, a rotating LCD, and SVGAvideo support
SD/MMC set this one apart fromthe pack, though shot-to-shot times can lag.
Maxxum7D $1,549 6.1 None* None CompactFlash, Proprietary 1.7lbs. The companys dSLRdebut; supports many Minolta lenses, and
Microdrive, features an antishake system.
SD/MMC
See computershopper.com for full reviews of products in boldface. * = dSLR camera; zoom limit dependent on lens mounted
NIKON
CoolpixL1 $329.95 6.2 5x 10MB SD/MMC AA 6.3oz. Afairly standard point-and-shoot camera with a fewabove- www.nikonusa.com
(internal) average features, including a 2.5-inch LCDand improved menus. 800-645-6687
Coolpix 7600 $329.95 7.1 3x 14MB SD/MMC AA 5.1 oz. Offers beginner-friendly features like Face-Priority autofocus,
(internal) in-camera red-eye removal, and built-in help.
Coolpix S3 $379.95 6 3x 12MB SD/MMC Proprietary 4.2oz. First model in the ultraslimSseries to come in black. Video
(internal) capture maxes out at 15fps.
Coolpix7900 $399.95 7.1 3x 14MB SD/MMC CP1 or 5.3oz. Agreat-looking compact with some unique features and solid
(internal) Proprietary image quality. Slowshot-to-shot times with flash, however.
CoolpixS4 $399.95 6 10x 13.5MB SD/MMC AA 7.2oz. Slickly designed, with a big zoomon a swivel mount, it also
(internal) has a 2.5-inch LCDand 16shooting presets for newbies.
CoolpixP1 $549.95 8 3.5x 32MB SD/MMC Proprietary 6oz. One of the first cameras to include built-in Wi-Fi for wireless
(internal) image transfer and PictBridge printing.
D50 $799.95 6.1 None* None SD/MMC Proprietary 1 lb. One of the best entry-level dSLRs provides strong performance,
excellent image quality, and simple modes for beginners.
Coolpix8400 $899.95 8 3.5x None CompactFlash, Proprietary 1.1 lbs. Features one of the widest-angle lenses found in a fixed-lens
Microdrive digicam. Note, though: Exhibits distortion at wide-angle settings.
Coolpix8800 $999.95 8 10x None CompactFlash, Proprietary 1.3lbs. The 8400s heftier sibling offers an amazing zoomlens and an
Microdrive ultrafast burst mode, though image quality is spotty.
D70s $1,299 6.1 None* None CompactFlash, Proprietary 1.3lbs. Afine-tune of the popular D70dSLRincludes a beefier battery
Microdrive and bigger LCD, while keeping impressive performance, images.
OLYMPUS AMERICA
FE-120 $229.99 6 3x 14MB xD-Picture AA 4.9oz. Novice shooters will appreciate the built-in help guide, 19scene www.olympusamerica.com
(internal), Card modes, and in-camera frame and border options. 888-553-4448
32MB
Stylus 600 $299.99 6 3x 7.9MB xD-Picture Proprietary 4.5oz. Like the FE-120, comes with built-in help, but adds a
(internal) Card bigger (2.5-inch) LCDand seven more shooting modes.
SP-500UZ $379.99 6 5x 10MB xD-Picture AA 10.1 oz. Highlights include a beefy zoomlens, a 2.5-inch LCD, and
(internal) Card an electronic viewfinder, plus support for accessory lenses.
SP-350 $399.99 8 3x 25MB xD-Picture AAor 6.9oz. Superb image quality, and simple modes for beginners.
(internal) Card CR-V3 Offers 30shooting presets, plus manual settings to play with.
C-7070WideZoom $449.99 7.1 4x 32MB CompactFlash, Proprietary 13.5oz. Excellent macro capabilities and battery life, along with plenty
xD-Picture Card of manual controls, but undistinguished image quality.
C-7000Zoom $599.99 7.1 5x 32MB xD-Picture Proprietary 7.1 oz. Mixed performance and artifacts in compressed photos hold
Card back this shooter. Has a full set of manual controls.
Evolt E-300 $799.99 8 None* 64MB CompactFlash, Proprietary 1.3lbs. Not the most stylishdSLR, it compensates withunsurpassed
(internal) Microdrive build quality, snappy performance, and top resolution for its class.
Evolt E-500 $799(body 8 None* CompactFlash, Proprietary 15.3oz. dSLRgives both amateurs and experienced users a wealth of
only); $899 Microdrive, shooting options; features proprietary sensor cleaning.
(with lens) xD-Picture Card
PANASONIC
LumixDMC-FX9 $399.95 6 3x 16MB SD/MMC Proprietary 4.8oz. Beautifully built pocket camis fine for slow-shutter shooting, www.panasonic.com
but images showflaws. 800-405-0652
LumixDMC-FZ30 $699.95 8 12x 32MB SD/MMC Proprietary 1.6lb. Though we did experience some image imperfections, this
camprovides stiff competition for other megazoommodels.
PENTAX IMAGING
Optio M10 $229.95 6 3x 22MB SD/MMC AA 5.8oz. Well-rounded snapshooter with all the basics you need, at a www.pentaximaging.com
(internal) very reasonable price. 800-877-0155
Optio W10 $299.95 6 3x 10.5MB SD/MMC Proprietary 5.5oz. Specs similar to the M10s, but designed to be water- and dust-
(internal) resistant.
Optio T10 $349.95 6 3x 12MB SD/MMC Proprietary 5.5oz. Still a pretty basic point-and-shoot compact, except for the
(internal) touch-screen LCDfor accessing menu options.
*ist DL $549(body 6.1 None* None SD/MMC AAor 1 lb. One of the most portable dSLRs on the market; will appeal to
only); $599 CR-V3 Pentax lens owners or those who want to use alkaline batteries.
(with lens)
SAMSUNG
Digimax V800 $409.99 8.1 3x 20MB SD/MMC Proprietary 5.7oz. Features a movie-clip stabilizer that keeps recorded footage www.samsung.com
(internal) steady, along with a number of in-camera video-editing functions. 800-726-7864
DigimaxPro815 $849.99 8 15x 64MB CompactFlash Proprietary 1.9lbs. Whopping 15x optical zoom, generous wide-angle focal length,
and huge 3.5-inch LCD, though no optical image stabilization.
SONY ELECTRONICS
Cyber-shot $299.95 7.2 3x 32MB Memory Stick, Proprietary 5oz. Decent performance, superior battery life, and a compact www.sonystyle.com
DSC-P200 Memory Stick design, but limited manual controls and minimal features. 800-222-7669
Pro
Cyber-shot $299.95 7.2 3x 32MB Memory Stick, Proprietary 8.9oz. Afairly responsive camera with solid automatic settings
DSC-W7 (internal) Memory Stick and respectable image quality, if fewmanual controls.
Pro
Cyber-shot $449.95 6 3x 58MB Memory Stick Proprietary 5.8oz. Abeautiful, highly pocketable model thats fast and easy
DSC-T9 (internal) Duo, Memory to use; delivers solid image quality.
Stick Pro Duo
Cyber-shot $499.95 8.1 3x 26MB Memory Stick Proprietary 6.8oz. Pocket Albumsoftware and 3-inch touch screen enable image
DSC-N1 (internal) Duo, Memory display and editing in an otherwise standard camera.
Stick Pro Duo
Cyber-shot $999.95 10.3 5x None CompactFlash, Proprietary 2.2lbs. Arotating LCDscreen, plenty of manual controls, a sharp lens,
DSC-R1 Memory Stick, and ultrahigh resolution make this a viable dSLRcompetitor.
Memory Stick
Pro, Microdrive
Resolution Optical Included Storage Battery
Model Price (Megapixels) Zoom Memory Type Type Weight Editors Take Find Out More
TECHMARKET DIGITAL CAMERA (6-MEGAPIXEL AND HIGHER)
NEW
NEW
NEW
= Editors Choice See computershopper.com for full reviews of products in boldface.
PORTABLE DIGITAL AUDIO PLAYERS (FLASH MEMORY)
STORAGE Flash players store digital music in internal
flash memory, or on removable flash-memory cards in
formats such as SD/MultiMediaCard, rather than on a
portable hard drive. While they cant hold as many songs
as their hard-drive-based brethren can, flash players have
no moving parts, so they wont skip during playback.
Storage capacities range from 128MB to 4GB.
FILE FORMATS SUPPORTED Players will support na-
tive MP3 playback but diverge in supporting other file
formats. Apples iPod Shuffle and iPod Nano are the only
flash players that support secure AAC tracks from Ap-
ples iTunes Music Store; other players may support non-
secure AAC files ripped via iTunes software. Many players
will play nonsecure Windows Media Audio (WMA) files;
most, but not all, of these units will also handle secure
WMAs purchased from online stores such as Musicmatch
and Napster. Fewer devices support Microsofts new Win-
dows Media Digital Rights Management (DRM), but
those that do will work with music subscription services
like Napster To Go. Some flash players have color screens
and can display digital images, as well as play audio files.
A few even support video playback.
BATTERY Many flash models use AA or AAA alkaline
batteries, and some can run upward of 50 hours without
needing a replacement cell. For players with a proprietary
rechargeable battery, expect anywhere from 6 to 15 hours
of playback per charge, depending on the model. If youre
viewing digital images, your devices battery will drain
faster than if youre just listening to audio.
FM TUNER/VOICE RECORDER If you want to get rid of
your Walkman once and for all, look for a player that
comes with an FM radio. Some models also have voice-
recording capabilities, enabling you to record notes or in-
terviews with a built-in microphone. Players with line-in
jacks allow direct recording from other audio devices.
Erin Kandel, Editorial Assistant
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Audio-File Battery FM
Model Price Capacity Support Life Interface Weight Tuner Editors Take Find Out More
APPLE COMPUTER
iPodShuffle $69/$99 512MB/1GB MP3, AAC, WAV, 12hours USB2.0 0.8oz. No Apples first flash playerstylish, simple to use, and www.apple.com
Audible affordable. If only it had an LCDand longer battery life. 800-676-2775
iPodNano $149/$199/ 1GB/2GB/4GB MP3, AAC, WAV, 14hours USB2.0 1.5oz. No Gorgeous, superslimdevice features a bright color screen
$249 Audible and up to 4GBof flash memory.
COWON AMERICA
iAudio5 $99/$109/ 256MB/512MB/ MP3, WMA, 20hours USB2.0 1.2oz. Yes Stellar sound quality and cool features are over- www.cowonamerica.com
$149/$249 1GB/2GB WAV, ASF, OGG shadowed by clunky controls and a tricky interface. 888-453-8283
iAudioU2 $99/$109/ 256MB/512MB/ MP3, WMA, 20hours USB2.0 1.2oz. Yes Packs great sound quality, an FMradio, and line-in
$159/$249 1GB/2GB WAV, ASF, OGG recording into a tiny package. Alittle on the pricey side.
iAudioG2 $129.99 1GB MP3, WMA, 40hours USB1.1 1.3oz. No This players ease of use, terrific audio quality, and decent
WAV, ASF, OGG price overcome its lack of USB2.0connectivity.
iAudioU3 $189.99/ 1GB/2GB MP3, WMA, 20hours USB2.0 1.1 oz. Yes Petite PVPplays video on its tiny color screen; high
$269.99 WAV, ASF, OGG, price and lack of DRMsupport are hard to swallow,
FLAC however.
CREATIVE TECHNOLOGY
MuVoMicro $49.99/ 256MB/512MB/ MP3, WMA, 15hours USB2.0 2.2oz. Yes Colorful, feature-packed player offers impressive sound us.creative.com
N200 $69.99/ 1GB WMA(DRM) quality and includes an LCD, plus FMtuning and line-in 800-998-1000
$109.99 recording.
MuVoTXFM $69.99/ 128MB/256MB/ MP3, WMA, 18hours USB2.0 1.5oz. Yes Digital tunes and FMradio sound top-notch on this
$79.99/ 512MB/1GB WMA(DRM), tiny device. Doubles as a USBthumb drive.
$119.99/ Audible
$149.99
ZenNano $109.99/ 512MB/1GB MP3, WMA, 18hours USB2.0 2.2oz. Yes Same design characteristics and features as the MuVo
Plus $139.99 WMA(DRM), Micro, but at a higher price. Comes in two additional
Audible colors: gray and purple.
IRIVER AMERICA
T30Series $99.99/ 512MB/1GB MP3, WMA, 24hours USB2.0 1 oz. No Astripped-down version of the T10, it lacks extras www.iriveramerica.com
$149.99 WMA(DRM), such as an FMtuner, but supports subscription-based 800-399-1799
ASF, OGG music.
T10Series $149.99/ 512MB/1GB MP3, WMA, 45hours USB2.0 1.7oz. Yes The first flash-based players to support subscription-
$199.99 WMA(DRM), based music. Offers basic picture support and lengthy
ASF, OGG battery life, but marred by design flaws.
U10 $199.99/ 512MB/1GB MP3, WMA, 28hours USB2.0 2.5oz. Yes Easy to use and packed with audio features; plays
$249.99 WMA(DRM), MPEG-4video on its miniature screen.
ASF, OGG
MOBIBLU AMERICA
DAH-1500i $99.99/ 512MB/1GB MP3, WMA, 10hours USB2.0 0.6oz. Yes Tiny, cube-shaped device is a design marvel with a nice www.mobibluamerica.com
$129.99 WMA(DRM) price. Features abound, but battery life is unimpressive. 888-283-2580
= Editors Choice See computershopper.com for full reviews of products in boldface.
MSI COMPUTER
MegaPlayer 521 $99.99 512MB MP3, WMA, 18hours USB2.0 2.1 oz. Yes Gymenthusiasts will appreciate the stopwatch, pedometer, www.msicomputer.com
WAV and calorie counter. No protected WMAsupport, though. 626-913-0828
OREGON SCIENTIFIC
MP120 $99.95/ 256MB/512MB/ MP3, WMA 10hours USB2.0 1.9oz. Yes Floatable, waterproof player is marred by stiff controls and www.oregonscientific.com
$119.95/ 1GB low-quality earbuds. 949-608-2848
$159.95
PHILIPS ELECTRONICS
ActivePSA232 $199.95 512MB MP3, WMA, 15hours USB2.0 2.2oz. Yes Expensive, fitness-oriented player includes a talking stop- usa.philips.com
WMA(DRM) watch and an armband. Battery life is a bit weak. 877-835-1838
SAMSUNG
Yepp $99.99/ 256MB/512MB/ MP3, WMA, 42hours USB2.0 1.6oz. Yes Durable player has a highly readable LCDfor its tiny size. www.samsung.com
YP-MT6 $129.99/ 1GB WMA(DRM), Superior battery life and solid sound quality seal the deal. 800-726-7864
$179.99 ASF, OGG
Yepp $149.99 512MB MP3, WMA, 10hours USB2.0 1.3oz. Yes Standout features include a color screen, a text viewer,
YP-T7X WMA(DRM), and photo-display capabilities.
ASF
YP-Z5 $199/$249 2GB/4GB MP3, WMA, 24hours USB2.0 1.6oz. No Ultrathin rival to iPod Nano features a 1.8-inch LCDfor
WMA(DRM), displaying photos and albumart, but no FMtuner or
OGG voice recorder.
YP-D1 $249/$299 1GB/2GB MP3, WMA, 20hours USB2.0 1.9oz. Yes Cell-phone-shaped player boasts a bevy of features,
WMA(DRM) including a 2-megapixel camera with a 4x zoomlens.
SANDISK
Sansae100 $79.99/ 512MB/1GB MP3, WMA, 17hours USB2.0 1.8oz. Yes Packed with features and an expansion slot, but marred www.sandisk.com
Series $119.99 WMA(DRM), by poor sound quality. Supports protected WMAand 408-542-0500
Audible Audible files.
Sansam200 $79.99/ 512MB/1GB/ MP3, WMA, 19hours USB2.0 1.3oz. Yes Plastic body feels flimsy, but this budget player is feature-
Series $119.99/ 2GB WMA(DRM), loaded. Plus, its compatible with audiobooks and
$159.99 Audible subscription-based music.
SONY ELECTRONICS
Psyc Network $79.95/ 256MB/512MB/ MP3, ATRAC3 70hours USB2.0 0.9oz. No No FMtuner, recordingoptions, or native WMA-file www.sonystyle.com
WalkmanCirc $89.95/ 1GB support, but the lowprice and 70-hour battery life remain 877-865-7669
E100Series $119.95 impressive.
WalkmanBean $109.95/ 512MB/1GB MP3, ATRAC3 50hours USB2.0 1.6oz. Yes The cute shape cant overcome this half-baked players
NW-300Series $139.95 poor controls, awkward interface, and hissy playback.
WalkmanCore $129.95/ 512MB/1GB MP3, ATRAC3 50hours USB2.0 1.6oz. Yes As with all Sony flash players, having to use proprietary
NW-E500Series $159.95 SonicStage software to load your tunes is a downer.
THOMSON RCA
Lyra 2315 $129.99 512MB MP3, WMA, 20hours USB2.0 1.3oz. Yes Comes with an SD/MMCexpansion slot, a belt clip, and a www.rca.com
WMA(DRM), voice recorder. Supports Audible and secure WMAfiles. 877-326-6601
Audible
TRANSCEND INFORMATION
T.Sonic 310 $68.40/ 512MB/1GB MP3, WMA 18 hours USB 2.0 1 oz. No An iPod Shuffle competitor with a colorful, retro design. www.transcendusa.com
$103 Can double as a USB drive, but has no LCD or DRM 714-921-2000
support.
T.Sonic 630 $101/$133 512MB/1GB MP3, WMA, 14 hours USB 2.0 1 oz. Yes Compact, affordable player offers voice recording and
WAV an FM tuner; still no support for protected WMA files.
TRULY ELECTRONICS MANUFACTURING
Pic NRoll $179 1GB MP3, WMA, 12hours USB2.0 2.1 oz. Yes Compact, photo-friendly player is ruined by poor syncing www.truly.net
MP313X WMA(DRM) software and a subpar music-organization structure. 626-284-3033
TECHMARKET PORTABLE DIGITAL AUDIO PLAYERS (FLASH MEMORY)
Rated
Audio-File Battery FM
Model Price Capacity Support Life Interface Weight Tuner Editors Take Find Out More
THE BEST RECENTLY REVIEWED PORTABLE DIGITAL AUDIO PLAYERS (FLASH MEMORY)
Apple iPod Nano $149 to $249 Editors Rating:
The groundbreaking iPod Nano packs up to 4GB of flash memory and a
bright, photo-capable color screen into a sleek, impossibly thin frame.
Iriver U10 $199.99 to $249.99 Editors Rating:
Superbly designed and easy to use, this tiny TV-shaped player has a ton of
features, including a photo- and video-friendly color screen.
Cowon iAudio G2 $129.99 Editors Rating:
It lacks USB 2.0 connectivity, but the chunky iAudio G2 still delivers
excellent sound quality alongside audio-enhancement options and line-in
recording.
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> 1000s of product reviews
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library of back issues
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The most comprehensive guide to todays technology.
Visit us online. Get more of what you love.
www.computershopper.com
>>TECH PRODUCTS
acortech.com
Inexpensive PC accessories abound at Acortech.com.
We found 17-inch LCD monitors for under $300, flash
drives for under $20, optical mice for less than $5,
and other low-cost goodies for certified tech geeks.
amazon.com
Amazon.com is an unparalleled superstore with a
massive inventory equaled only by its special fea-
tures, such as personalized product recommenda-
tions and mobile access. The Early Adopter
Products pages show whats fresh in electronics,
video games, and DVDs.
bestbuy.com
Our readers voted Best Buy their favorite place to buy
consumer electronics. The selection in each depart-
ment is comprehensive and impressive. The best part?
You can have your gadget delivered or ready for pickup
at a nearby store.
buy.com
Buy.coms vast million-product inventory includes
computer hardware, software, electronics, video
games, books, music, and DVDs. Sister site
BuyMusic.com delivers music downloads starting at
79 cents a song.
buyxg.com
XtremeGear caters to PC enthusiasts with its lines
of Gaming Elite desktops and Action notebooks. If
youd rather build your own system, check out the
companys sleek cases, powerful upgrade cards, and
other essentials.
www.cablemax.com
In addition to a substantial variety of computer and
networking cables, which the company manufac-
tures itself, CableMax sells surge-protection
devices, add-on PC cards, electronics tools, and test
equipment.
cambridgesoundworks.com
Cambridge SoundWorks stocks home audio and
home theater products that will please everyone
from the budget-minded to the serious audio
buff. The site provides a 45-day price-protection
guarantee and a 45-day satisfaction promise on
most items.
cdw.com
In addition to a wide selection of hardware and periph-
erals, CDWoffers an Outlet section where youll find
deals on clearance merchandise and customer returns.
Click the Mac Warehouse tab to reveal a medley of
Apple hardware and peripherals.
circuitcity.com
Plug in to Circuit City, where you can choose from a
quarter million movies, video games, and CDs. The
inventory also includes digital cameras, televisions,
and PDAs. Have your products delivered, or pick them
up in a Circuit City store.
compusa.com
The well-organized CompUSA rounds out the usual
selection of PC hardware, peripherals, and accessories
with areas devoted to home electronics and wireless
gadgets. Set your own price on PCs at CompUSAs
auction site.
computers.ebay.com
eBay is an unparalleled auction site and a unique
shopping experience. Shoppers can set their
own prices on components, including new and
used PCs, software, tech books, and vintage
computers.
computersecurity.com
Make sure your computer and data stay right where
they belong. Computer Security Products PC-
protection gear includes steel cables, stealth track-
ing/recovery software, and disk-drive locks.
computers4sure.com
At Computers4Sure, youll find 21 departments
well-stocked with a broad spectrum of products,
including networking gear, PDAs, and scanners.
cpusolutions.com
CPU Solutions will entice you with inexpensive
computer components and upgrade kits. The site
offers several complete desktop computers for
under $500, plus PC kits for under $300.
crucial.com
One of the largest providers of memory upgrades
on the Web, Crucial Technology offers RAM for
15,000 computers, along with a lifetime warranty.
Crucial also sells speedy USB drives and seven
types of flash storage media.
crutchfield.com
In business for 30 years, Crutchfield assembles an
impressive catalog of camcorders, digital cameras,
and audio/video products for your home and car. If
sound is more important than looks, tune to the
Scratch & Dent section for deals.
databazaar.com
Visit Databazaar.com for inkjet and toner car-
tridges, specialty paper, backup tapes, flash memo-
ry, and cables. All orders ship free.
directron.com
Directron.com has the stuff tinkerers dream of.
The massive selection of PC gear includes cases,
storage, mods, lighting, motherboards, and more.
Plus, orders earn you the right to pick through the
Free Stuff bin.
ecost.com
Look to eCost.com for deals on PC components,
software, electronics, and DVDs. Youll be enticed
by short-lived but sweet deals in the Bargain
Countdown area.
etronics.com
Etronics.com is a techies dream: a megastore
offering satellite radio, home-office gadgets, and
appliances. Youll also find barbeques and pens in
the sites diverse catalogwith a 30-day satisfac-
tion guarantee on everything.
SPEAKERS AND
SOUND CARDS
harmankardon.com
Harman Kardon builds high-end computer
speakers that look as beautiful as they
sound. Check out Soundsticks II, a sweet-
looking, transparent three-piece speaker
system for your PC, or the Bridge iPod
Docking Station, which can connect your
iPod to an A/V receiver.
logitech.com
If movies and games are your thing, Log-
itechs line of PC speakers will be a sound
investment. Pump up the volume with an
affordable surround-sound setup, or in-
dulge in an impressive 5.1-channel THX-
certified system.
mdmm.com
Mad Dog Multimedias sound cards range
from the under-$20 Prowler 4.1 to the
home-theater-quality Entertainer 7.1, which
delivers 24-bit digital signal processing for
less than $60.
onlinestore.siig.com
Siig manufactures and sells a variety of PC
peripherals, including PCI sound cards for
the budget-minded. The Wireless Audio
Link transmits audio from your portable
music player or computer to any FM radio.
turtlebeach.com
Voyetra Turtle Beach builds and sells
high-quality, low-cost PCI and USB sound
cards, plus noise-canceling headphones to
shut out the outside world. Audio upgrades
arent limited to desktops, however. The
Audio Advantage Roadie can also improve
the sound output of most portable PCs.
us.creative.com/shop
Heres where Creative Technology sells its
line of PC speakers and Sound Blaster au-
dio cards. Even budget shoppers will find a
7.1-channel speaker system at a price theyll
approve of. Audio fanatics will drool over
the X-Fi Elite Pro, the companys most ad-
vanced audio card.
zzounds.com
The Audio Interfaces section at zZounds
Music has an impressive array of PCI, USB,
PC Card, and FireWire sound cards, as well
as other audio add-ons to entice audio
buffs and electronic musicians.
WEB BUYER THE BEST SI TES FOR ONLI NE SHOPPI NG BY KEVI N SAVETZ
137 Tech Products
137 Speakers and Sound Cards
138 Cables and Wires
140 Direct PC Vendors
141 Tech-Support Services
141 Software
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Epson PictureMate Express Edition
from Buy.com
ewaggle.com
Yes, eWaggle.com has a silly name. It also has
good deals on all types of PC peripherals, including
monitors, external hard drives, and networking
cardsall with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Look for the tiny truck icon, which means youll get
free shipping on that product.
frozencpu.com
Focused on PC cooling and case modifications,
FrozenCPU.com will delight PC builders and over-
clockers. The catalog of freakishly cool accessories
includes transparent PC power supplies, LED-
illuminated fans, and modified cases.
geeks.com
With no qualms about the tech-savvy of its cus-
tomers, Geeks.com is a fun-to-browse tech site
thats perfect for people piecing together a PC or
looking for a geeky project. Check out the new
and refurbished computer gear, such as cheap
optical drives, and gadgets like a wearable TV
watch.
geekstuff4u.com
Looking for something different? GeekStuff4U.
com specializes in high-tech gadgets from Japan.
The selection includes hard-to-find and downright
weird products like an iPod movie recorder and
sushi-shaped USB memory keys.
insight.com
Insight delivers IT products for businesses, including
networking hardware, projectors, and servers. The
stellar Narrow Your Results feature and comparison
tools will help you find the best product.
jdr.com
JDR Microdevices sells a decent selection of PC hard-
ware and accessories at reasonable prices. In the
Electronics section, youll find electronic components
and kits, integrated circuits, and technical reference
books.
jr.com
Televisions, MP3 players, office products, and appli-
ances abound at J&R Music and Computer World.
Read the Product Guides for tips on buying and using
audio and video gear, computers, digital cameras, and
more.
kvm-switches-online.com
Let your monitor, keyboard, and mouse share more
than one PC. KVM Switches Online is dedicated
to keyboard/video/mouse switches for every type of
hardware. Youll also find video splitters and rack-
mountable LCDs.
laptoptravel.com
If you tote a computer wherever you go, take a trip
to Laptop Travel, a site that specializes in
portable-computing and international-travel gear.
The site stocks cases, electrical adapters, modem
converters, mobile desks, and security accessories.
lik-sang.com
So you think youve seen every possible gaming
peripheral? You havent been to Lik-Sang.com, which
imports video-game accessories from around the
world. Discover hard-to-find imported games, mod
kits for game consoles, and unusual controllers.
memorysuppliers.com
MemorySuppliers.coms customer-friendly poli-
cies include $4.95 flat-rate shipping, a 30-day
money-back guarantee with free return shipping,
and lifetime warranties on memory and hard drives.
The Upgrade Guides explain how to install RAM and
troubleshoot common memory problems.
mwave.com
Mwave.coms friendly site sells a multitude of PC hard-
ware products. The Top Ten Sellers and New Products
pages link to hot items. Check the Refurbished section
for deals on as-is, refurbished hardware.
neutronexpress.com
You may get a charge from the dense nucleus
of PC peripherals and networking hardware at
NeutronExpress.com. Visit the Specialty sec-
tions for PC components, low-profile peripherals,
and PC security products.
newegg.com
Newegg.com is a nest of good stuff for do-it-
yourself PC upgraders. The selection focuses on
hard drives, motherboards, CPUs, optical-storage
add-ons, and consumer electronics.
onecall.com
Choosy gadget shoppers will find a wide assortment
of camcorders, digital cameras, and speakers at
OneCall. Free three-day shipping is available for many
items.
outpost.com
Shoppers at Frys Outpost.comenjoy an ample cata-
log of hardware, software, cameras, and video games.
Notable features include the Power Search function,
special deals, and a 30-day money-back guarantee on
most products.
pcconnection.com
PC Connection can connect you to a world of PCs,
peripherals, and software. Use the Rebate Center to
find products with cash-back deals, or visit sister site
MacConnection (www.macconnection.com) for Mac
OS wares.
www.pcliquidator.com
At PC Liquidator, the inventory is inexpensive and
ever-changing. You might choose an older Pentium
4 motherboard for $24.99 or a 4GB hard drive for
$14.99. Check the Dollar Bin for ultracheap software
and parts.
pcmall.com
Catering to businesses of all sizes as well as
consumers, PC Malls catalog includes more than
100,000 products, with hot deals on notebooks, LCD
monitors, and digital media. Sister site MacMall
(www.macmall.com) is devoted to Apple hardware
and software.
pdasmart.com
Is your broken PDA out of warranty? PDASmart.com
offers do-it-yourself repair kits, as well as mail-in
repair and upgrade services for many PDAs and iPods.
Look for extended-life batteries, replacement LCD
screens, and bezels.
radioshack.com
RadioShack stocks a variety of phones, cables,
digital-audio players, and PC peripherals. Get free
shipping on orders of at least $50.
cableorganizer.com
Visit CableOrganizer.comto corral that
unruly mess of cables snaking from the
back of your computer or stereo system.
The site stocks wire ducts, cord clips, ca-
ble sleeves, and other tools for taming
wild wires.
cablesnmor.com
Get wired! Cables N Mor promises
same-day shipping on its stock of PC,
audio/video, and network cables, all
backed by a lifetime warranty. The
mor includes satellite/cable-TV
gear, switch boxes, and network test
equipment.
cablestogo.com
The mammoth selection at Cables To Go
includes esoteric system-specific cables,
PDA and cell-phone cables, and rounded
cables for improved internal PC cooling.
Use the configurator to create cables for
your special needs, or consult the connec-
tor guide for help identifying a strange
cable or port.
cablewholesale.com
CableWholesale.comsells computer ca-
bles, network cables and hubs, switch
boxes, and more. Thanks to the sites
clear, detailed pictures and comprehensive
specs, you can be sure youre getting the
right cable or connector for the job.
computercablestore.com
Besides your standard PC cables,
ComputerCableStore.com sells a vari-
ety of hard-to-find but useful cables,
including USB cable extenders and
Ethernet cables rated for outdoor use.
Helpful guides show how to make Cat-5e
and Cat-6e Ethernet cables from bulk
spools.
gocables.com
Go crazy at GoCables.com, a site that
specializes in Cat-5 and Cat-6 cables. You
can buy them ready-made or in custom
lengths, colors, and wiring types. Youll
also find fiber-optic, Fibre Channel, and
other types of computer cables, both
common and obscure.
store.a2zcable.com
The only thing that rivals the selection
at A2Z Cables is the sites abundance
of technical info. Shop for audio/video
wiring, Mac cables, and special cables for
game consoles. Plus, check out pictures
of connectors and details about wiring
standards.
WEB BUYER SHOPPING SITES
CABLES AND WIRES
Panasonic Lumix
DMC-FZ30 from
OneCall
Restaurant Pro Express software for Windows $ 795
Replace your Cash Register with Restaurant Pro Express in any type of restaurant. With over 1,000 of the most desired
restaurant point of sale features, Restaurant Pro Express will help you compete in a difficult restaurant environment
by controlling your costs, reducing errors, increasing efficiency, increasing your profits and increasing your sales.
Restaurant Pro Express provides faster checkout, table seating, split checks, tip tracking, unlimited menu items and
modifiers, and THE FASTEST, MOST EFFICIENT WAY TO SERVICE YOUR CUSTOMERS.
Specializing in Point of Sale since 1985
More Profit! More Sales! More Customers!
Save Time, Reduce Theft, Speed Checkout, Increase Accuracy,
Reduce Costs, Make Better Business Decisions by Computerizing your Restaurant
1-800-PC-AMERICA
WWW.PCAMERICA.COM
Receipt Printers $299
Epson, Star, Ithaca, Citizen
Credit & Debit Card Processing $349
PC Charge
Credit Card Readers, Pin Pads, Signature Pads $179
Unitech, MagTek, Verifone, Topaz, HHP
Gift Cards and Loyalty Cards
Touch Screen Monitors $499
ELO Flat Panel, CRT
Pole Displays $289
Logic Controls
CALL TOLL FREE: 1-800-722-6374 PH: 845-920-0800 FX: 845-920-0880
PC America, 1 Blue Hill Plaza, Second Floor, Box 1546, Pearl River, NY 10965
Cash Drawers $189
MMF, Indiana, APG, Logic Controls
DEALERS WANTED!
Join our dealer program. Its FREE.
Its the fastest way to make
money...AND we make it EASY.
For More Info Call Toll Free!
1-800-722-6374
FREE DEMO!!
Table-Side Ordering- $499
Symbol, HP Palm
Fine Dining, Table Service
Quick Service, Fast Food
Delivery, Takeout, Drive-Thru
Cafeterias, Hotels, Gift Shops & Retail Stores
Rated # 1 for Ease of Use
Rated # 1 for Restaurant Features
Single or multi-user
One restaurant or multiple restaurants
Credit card authorization in 2-3 seconds
Gift Cards & Loyalty Cards
Track your inventory and customers
Detailed Sales Reports
Rated # 1 in Customer Service
FAST and EASY order-taking
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$
7
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The #1 Rated Restaurant Point of Sale
Point of Sale System for Restaurants
All-In-One Terminals $1899
Posiflex, IBM
www.shop.teleadapt.com
The global travel products at Teleadapt include
regional phone and power converters, along with
portable surge suppressors to keep your hardware
safe even on questionable foreign power grids.
store.palm.com
This is where Palm sells its popular Tungsten and
Treo PDAs, plus software, accessories, and replace-
ment parts. Visit the Factory Outlet for deals on
blemished and open-box units.
superwarehouse.com
Super Warehouse stocks printers, monitors, stor-
age, scanners, and digital cameras. The sites selec-
tion of printers is particularly large, including plot-
ters, dot-matrix, and other printers for special
needs.
tigerdirect.com
For deals and discounts, visit TigerDirect. This
sizable catalog includes low-cost PC components,
PDAs, and office equipment. Geeks on a budget can
find desktop PCs for as little as $250 and laptops for
under $500.
tristatecomputer.com
TriState Camera stocks a plethora of digital and ana-
log cameras, plasma televisions, computer peripherals,
and necessities for home or office.
tweeter.com
Tweeter offers a large selection of portable music
players and digital-imaging devices, as well as plenty
of home audio and video products. Take advantage of
free shipping on most products.
usbstuff.com
Need gadgets to fill those empty USB ports? USB
Stuff has it all, including digital cameras, CD-RW
drives, printers, and input devices. Check out the
USB microscopes, GPS receivers, and other remark-
able peripherals.
usedhandhelds.com
UsedHandhelds.com is a marketplace dedicated
to pre-owned Pocket PC, Palm, and other PDAs,
with plenty of information on the differences
between older models. The company also buys used
Windows Mobile, Windows CE, and Pocket PC
handhelds.
zones.com
Theres a zone for whatever you need at Zones: the
home page for hardware and software, the Mac Zone
for Apple stuff, the Creative Pro page for graphics
pros, and the Zones Clearance section for special buys.
>> DIRECT
PC VENDORS
abspc.com
Expect gaming, multimedia, and business PCs
aplenty at ABS Computer Technologies. The com-
pany offers a choice of Intel or AMD processors, a
three-year parts and lifetime labor warranty, and toll-
free technical support. Visit the Outlet Store for short-
lived specials.
alienware.com
Alienware can custom-build your dream game
machinedesktop or laptop. Each is available with
out-of-this-world cases in a rainbow of colors.
Buyers get a personalized owners manual and toll-
free technical support any time of the day or night.
buympc.com
MPC Computers sells desktops, notebooks, and
servers. You can custom-configure a high-perfor-
mance Millennia desktop, tuned to your specifications,
for business, multimedia, or gaming.
cyberpowersystem.com
Power up with a customized Intel or AMD system
from Cyberpower. The selection includes 64-bit
machines, gamers dream systems, Media Centers,
and budget PCs for everyday use.
dell.com
Dells electronic storefront has always led the
way in ease of use. The site is jam-packed with
detailed information that makes it a snap to
match a machine to your needs. Each system is
configurable to the nth degree, and you can get
quick access to online support customized for
your PC.
falcon-nw.com
Once you get your talons on a Falcon Northwest
PC, you wont want to let go. The heavyweight desk-
tops and totable FragBox computers include the
hardware you want, the way-cool look you crave, and
the personalized system-rescue discs you may one
day need.
gateway.com
One of the biggest players in online computer
sales, Gateway has an enormous and inform-
ative site that sells custom-built desktops and
notebooks.
hpshopping.com
At this site, choose among Hewlett-Packard
and Compaq desktop and notebook computers, plus
networking accessories, printers, handhelds, and
digital cameras.
hypersonic-pc.com
Need computing power thats faster than fast? Go
hypersonic. Visit Hypersonic PC for gaming
systems, workstations, and laptops outfitted with the
latest high-performance peripherals. Enthusiast
options include 3D-graphics optimization and case
customization.
ibuypower.com
iBuypower can power up your workspace with a
64-bit PC for less than $500. Even the companys
least-expensive PCs include large hard drives, dedicat-
ed graphics cards, desktop speakers, and other essen-
tials. All products are backed by a 30-day money-back
guarantee.
idotpc.com
Find a customized desktop, an economical bare-bones
PC, or a personalized laptop at iDotpc.com. Menus
allow you to create the PC thats right for you, letting
you specify the processor, memory, optical drive, and
other necessities.
lenovo.com/think
Lenovo sells IBMs former lines of ThinkCentre
desktops, ThinkPad laptops, and ThinkVision
monitors. Configure built-to-order PCs, and
choose among accessories such as memory and
printers.
maingear.com
MainGear specializes in premium PCs with
advanced specs for gamers and other power
users. The selection includes sleek-looking and
colorful desktops, space-saving X-Cube machines,
and powerful laptops.
monarchcomputer.com
Monarch Computer Systems creates build-to-
order desktops, workstations, and servers.
Configure the computer you want, then lock in the
price for up to a week. If youre building a PC,
check out the PC Parts section for components
and peripherals.
overdrivepc.com
Sleek, overclocked PCs for gamers and professionals
highlight Overdrive PCs offerings. Each computer
includes a quiet cooling system, free antivirus soft-
ware, and no-cost shipping.
sagernotebook.com
Specializing in notebook computers, Sager offers
a variety of options, from budget machines to
speedy multimedia units. Service includes a 72-
hour repair-turnaround guarantee and free lifetime
tech support.
shopprostar.com
Each computer in ProStar Computers line of note-
book PCs is backed by a 30-day money-back guaran-
tee, a speedy-repair promise, and free tech support.
sonystyle.com/vaio
Sony Style is a sleek-looking site selling Sonys
line of VAIO desktops and notebooks, plus digital
cameras, displays, and storage devices.
starfishtech.com
Starfish Technologies offers PCs with plenty of cus-
tomization options, plus motherboards, sound cards,
and other components for do-it-yourself PC architects.
store.apple.com
The Apple Stores well-designed site lets you
custom-configure any Macintosh and offers a
wide array of Mac-compatible software and
accessories. For frequent (or compulsive) cus-
tomers, the one-click-ordering feature makes
purchases extra simple.
toshibadirect.com
The custom-configured notebooks and Tablet PCs
at Toshiba Direct range from budget models to the
unique Qosmio laptops, which combine PC, TV,
DVD, and audio features.
us.fujitsu.com/shop
Fujitsus site focuses on portable computing,
including notebook PCs and pen-based tablet
computers. Each computer has several
warranty options.
velocitymicro.com
Looking for a 64-bit processor to push your
games to the limit? Theyre in Velocity Micros
Gamers Edge and Raptor models. The custom-
configuration menus offer a mind-boggling array
of component choices.
viciouspc.com
Creating hardware for the hard-core, Vicious PC
sells desktops with clear cases, high-output ventila-
tion, easy-access sliding rails, and front-accessible
USB ports. Washable air filters mean your comput-
ers innards will remain dust-free.
voodoopc.com
Nobody else can do the voodoo that they do so
well. VoodooPC specializes in high-end PCs for
gamers, with a choice of Intel or 64-bit AMD
processors. Take your pick among tower systems,
laptops, and portablesall thoroughly customiz-
able, of course.
winbook.com
WinBook Computer sells laptops and desktops
with a 30-day money-back guarantee, a one-year
Gateway
FX400XL
warranty, and free tech support. Ironically, some
of the best deals,Web specials, can only be
ordered by phone.
www.ztgroup.com
ZT Group builds and sells desktop and notebook
computers for every type of user. The selection
includes PCs for gaming, media, home offices,
and businesses, with your choice of AMD or Intel
processors.
>> SOFTWARE
atomicpark.com
Free shipping is available for AtomicPark.coms
entire selection of business and productivity apps.
Plus, youll never pay a restocking fee. The new
Direct Downloads section lets you use new software
in minutes, not days.
bigclearance.com
Offering current-version software at clearance
prices, the big selection at BigClearance.com
includes wares from Microsoft, Macromedia,
Corel, and others.
buycheapsoftware.com
The name says it all. Buycheapsoftware.coms
selection consists primarily of business and utility
apps. The company offers flat-rate $5 shipping
on small orders and free shipping on orders over
$200.
buypcsoft.com
Buypcsoft.com sells Windows software in cate-
gories from business management to virus preven-
tion. Its an efficient site with a good selection of
big-name applications.
download.com
CNET Download.com will help you find shareware
and free software, linking to thousands of pro-
grams for PC, Mac, and mobile devices. Well-writ-
ten newsletters and down-to-earth reviews help
you find the perfect program.
driverguide.com
With more than 100,000 downloadable drivers for
every conceivable piece of computer hardware and
operating system, Driver Guide is indispensable
when youre repairing a malfunctioning system or
piecing together a PC from spare parts.
ebgames.com
EBgames.com is a gamers paradise, selling new
and pre-owned titles for PCs and every game con-
sole under the sun. Check the Hot Deals list for
short-lived discounts.
freewarefiles.com
FreewareFiles.comis an index to free downloadable
software for Windows. Articles and tutorials deliver
advice on free software and computer maintenance.
gamehippo.com
GameHippo.com provides more than a thousand
absolutely free downloadable PC games. Youll
find descriptions, ratings, and easy-to-read icons
that show whether a game supports multiple
players, a network, and so on. Check the Top 20
Rated Games to discover other players favorites.
gamespot.com
With game news, reviews, and cheat codes,
GameSpot is a one-stop shop for PC and console
gamers. Downloadable previews and a price-
comparison tool will help you get good deals on
games youll love.
gamestop.com
GameStop.com is an elegant site that specializes
in new and used games for consoles and PCs.
Recent price drops, top sellers, and just arrived
products are highlighted, so youll always know
the score.
jumbo.com
Jumbo is a fitting name for this monstrous file
archive, featuring shareware, freeware, and com-
mercial-software demos for PC, Mac, and Linux.
9software.com
#9 Software is stocked with applications in nine
categories, ranging from games to business appli-
cations. The company provides free shipping on
orders of more than $99.
999software.com
Every program at Just999, including a huge mix of
entertainment and educational titles, costs $9.99. A
number of themed $29.99 bundles deliver four
applications in various categories, such as games
and learning. Shipping costs a flat $5, no matter the
size of your order.
nonags.com
Nonags offers software thats useful, tested, and
(as the name suggests) wont nag you to pay.
Basic access to the site is free, but a subscription
to the Plus version adds MP3 downloads and best
of software links.
nothingbutsoftware.com
Youll make much ado about Nothing But Soft-
ware. This collection of apps includes games, edu-
cational titles, graphics programs, utilities, and
moreall with flat-rate shipping. Try the programs
in the Specials section for as little as $7.
palmgear.com
Palm OS users will appreciate the large selection of
free and commercial programs downloadable from
PalmGear.com. Check out the list of essential
apps, then sign up to get software news and tips.
pdfstore.com
The PDF Store specializes in software for creating
content. Shop for applications that produce Portable
Document Format (PDF) files, e-books, and printed
materials.
serverfiles.com
ServerFiles.com is a directory of software for net-
work administrators and IT professionals. The
selection includes network-security, collaboration,
and server applications.
software-blowouts.com
Software Blowouts is home to oodles of inexpensive
Windows and Mac OS software, with flat-rate ship-
ping. Peruse the Blowouts page for education, enter-
tainment, and utility titles, many for just $9.95.
softwarecheaper.com
Software Cheaper is a funky little bargain basement
that sells Windows and Macintosh software, most for
less than $6. Every order gets you a pick from the Free
Software page. Domestic U.S. shipping is always free.
softwarediner.com
Youll want to feast on the software selection at
SoftwareDiner.com, which focuses on low-cost
applications and utilities for home and small-
business users. Youll save money but only receive a
CD; manuals and boxes arent included.
softwareoutlet.com
Plug in to SoftwareOutlet.com, a veritable virtual
bargain bin. Youll find dirt-cheap applications and
hardware accessories. Browse older software from
defunct companies, plus modern titles.
store.purplus.net
Purplus Software is a well-regarded seller of soft-
ware for business, graphics, and music. The site
offers free shipping on orders over $45.
tucows.com
Tucows is an incredible library of freeware and share-
ware for Windows, Mac, and Linux. This recently
designed site makes it easy to find the newest, most
popular, or top-rated software.
viosoftware.com
Emphasizing low prices and great customer service,
VioSoftware.comsells applications from Adobe,
Macromedia, Microsoft, and other big-name publish-
ers. Shipping is always free.
answers.google.com
Type in your question, decide how much
youre willing to pay for the answer, then
wait for one of hundreds of Google An-
swers researchers to take a crack at it. You
pay only when youre satisfied with the
response. The sites computer categories
include hardware, mobile connections,
software, and security.
askdrtech.com
When you need computer help, Ask Dr.
Tech could be just what the doctor or-
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computerhope.com
Computer Hope is a handy source for self-
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tions, as well as a helpful tech glossary.
Best of all, the site maintains a list of tech-
nical-support contacts for hundreds of
computer companies.
computing.net
Answers to your questions about Win-
dows, Linux, office software, security,
and dozens of other topics await in
Computing.Nets friendly and free support
forums.
experts-exchange.com
Experts Exchange is packed with knowl-
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Need expert helpnow? Call the Geek
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PC Pinpoints online diagnosis and repair
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1 & 1 ................................................www.1and1.com....................................................99 - 114
ABS..................................................www.abs.com............................................................72, 73
Alienware ......................................www.alienware.com/fast...............................................43
AOpen.............................................www.aopen.com.............................................................79
Asus ................................................usa.asus.com/shopper.............................................Cov. 3
Ateck Computers, Inc. ..................www.ateck.com...............................................................85
Beach Camera ...............................www.beachcamera.com...........................................82, 83
BenQ................................................www.benq.us/2006/cs ....................................................35
BFG Tech.........................................www.bfgtech.com/future.............................................125
Buffalo Technology .......................www.buffalotech.com/cs-seamless ...............................8
CDW Corporation..........................cdw.com.................................................................120, 121
Crucial Technology.......................www.crucial.com/computershopper ...........................74
Cyberpower, Inc............................www.cyberpowerpc.com........................................37 - 39
eCost ...............................................ecost.com...................................................................86, 87
Fujitsu ............................................www.shopfujitsu.com/lifebookt4000...........................33
Gateway..........................................gateway.com..........................................................Cov. 2, 1
HP....................................................hp.com/go/mag5.......................................................24, 25
iBUYPOWER ...................................www.ibuypower.com................................................46, 47
InFocus...........................................www.infocus.com/workbig ...........................................21
Kingston.........................................kingston.com/dt..............................................................29
LG Electronics ................................www.lgusa.com...............................................................15
Magix Entertainment Corp. .........www.magix.com...........................................................127
Mouse Solutions............................www.msplususa.com.....................................................90
Newegg.com..................................www.newegg.com.........................................................4, 5
PC America.....................................www.pcamerica.com....................................................139
PC Pitstop .......................................pcpitstop.com/shopper..................................................31
PC Tools Software..........................www.pctools.com...........................................................61
Penn Foster Career School ...........www.pennfoster.edu ..............................................49 - 51
Polywell ..........................................www.polywell.com/us/business.................................133
Prostar Computer..........................shopprostar.com.............................................................45
Sager ...............................................sagernotebook.com ............................................55, 68, 69
Softwaremedia.com.....................www.softwaremedia.com..............................................93
Systemax........................................www.tigerdirect.com................................................12, 13
ThinkPad ........................................lenovo.com/newthinkpad/m416.............................57, 58
TigerDirect.com ............................www.tigerdirect.com/vitality..................................Cov. 4
Toshiba...........................................toshibabydesign.com/m4 ........................................16, 17
Tripp Lite ........................................www.tripplite.com/wincs ..............................................53
USA Notebook................................www.usanotebook.com...............................................131
USB Implementers Forum ...........www.usb.org..................................................................2, 3
U.S. Robotics...................................www.usr.com/talk ..........................................................41
Visionman......................................www.visionman.com...................................................117
Willoughby's .................................www.willoughbys.com.................................................129
Xerox...............................................xerox.com/office/1982....................................................11
Zalman ...........................................www.zalmanusa.com.....................................................71
Zipzoomfly.com.............................www.zipzoomfly.com...............................................63, 89
ZT Group ........................................ztgroup.com/go/computershopper ..........................6, 18
AD INDEX
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All advertising is subject to Publishers approval and acceptance without recourse. The advertising herein that is typeset and/or designed by
Computer Shopper is the property of Computer Shopper and not that of the advertiser. The advertiser has purchased the right of reproduc-
tion in Computer Shopper only and does not have the right to reproduce the ad in any other place of publication. We are not responsible for
mistakes, misprints, or typographical errors and will not issue credits of any kind for such errors. Advertisers and their agencies assume
responsibility for the condition of the contents of advertising printed, and agree to indemnify the Publisher of Computer Shopper for any and
all claims and expenses arising therefrom. Computer Shopper standards suggest to the advertiser that statements concerning shipping and
handling charges, warranties, and money- or no money-back guarantees should be stated in all forms of advertising within Computer
Shopper. The opinions expressed in the articles, columns, and ads are those of the writer and not necessarily those of Computer Shopper.
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HELP & HOW-TO
BY BRIAN BENNETT
3 GREAT BUYS
BUYING BASICS HOW TO BUY
The Right Plasma Television
SIZE
Unlike their flat-screen LCD competition,
plasma sets dont come in small sizes
their screens usually measure between 37
and 65 inches diagonally. Generally, the big-
ger the screen, the more expensive the set.
RESOLUTION
Plasmas have a set number of pixels they
can display, called the native resolution. You
need a minimum resolution of 1,280x720,
found in 50-inch and larger sets, to display
all the pixels of a 720p high-definition (HD)
signal. Most 43-inch or smaller plasmas
have a resolution of 1,024x768; these are
preferable to cheaper sets with a resolution
of 852x480, which are known as enhanced-
definition televisions (EDTVs).
CONNECTIONS
Be sure to choose a plasma set that has one
or two High-Definition Multimedia Interface
(HDMI) ports, which create a digital connec-
tion with compatible components for the
best video quality. Component-video inputs
are a step down from HDMI, but theyre still
higher-quality than S-Video or composite-
video connections.
TV TUNER
Many plasma sets have built-in tuners
(known as ATSC tuners) that allow you to
pick up over-the-air HD broadcasts. Models
that dont have a built-in HD tuner are often
labeled HD-ready; they require an HD set-
top box from your cable or satellite provider
to display HD programming.
Looking for a wall-mountable flat-panel television? Plasmas offer
some of the biggest and best pictures this side of old CRT sets.
Consider these key items when shopping for your dream screen.
Then check out three recommended plasmas to usher you into the
world of high-definition television.
GOOD BETTER BEST
Panasonic TH-37PHD8UK
(www.panasonic.com, $2,595)
Known as an industrial or profession-
al plasma, this 37-inch display lacks
accoutrements such as an HD tuner,
integrated speakers, or an HDMI port
(though you can buy port upgrades). But
the 1,024x720-resolution screen produces
great picture quality for its value price.
HP PL4200N
(www.hp.com, $3,299)
This slickly designed 42-inch set looks
aesthetically stunning with its silver
swivel stand. We noted strong image
quality from its 1,024x768-resolution
screen, including deep black levels. Its
equipped with one HDMI port and a
built-in HD tuner.
Pioneer PDP-4360HD
(www.pioneerelectronics.com, $3,999)
This 43-inch plasma is sleekly styled and
packed with a full complement of con-
nections, including a pair of HDMI ports
and stereo speakers with multiple sound
modes. Picture quality is also excellent,
with great black-level performance from
the 1,024x768-resolution display.
Pioneer
PDP-4360HD
SHOPPING SPECS
= Editors Choice
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 Centrinno, 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.
usa. asus. com/ shopper
NewEgg.com
800.390.1119
TigerDirect.com
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510.739.1890
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NVIDIA GeForce Go 7300 128 MB
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1.3 Megapixel Camera
Microsoft
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ATI MOBILITY RADEON X1600 256 MB
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Microsoft
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ASUS recommends Microsoft
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Dual Core. Zero Snore.
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$2599
Intel
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ATI MOBILITY
RADEON
X1600 256MB
1024 MB DDR2 SDRAM
100 GB Hard Drive
8x Dual Layer DVD-RW
Built-in TV Tuner
Virtual 5.1 Channel Speakers
and Subwoofer
Microsoft
Windows

Media Center 2005

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computershopper.com April 2006 7

the Xerox WorkCentre

EDI TOR I N CHI EF Janice J. Chen

Monitor from LG.

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Mobile Technology, HPs first notebook with integrated broadband.

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PRO/Wireless 3945 Network Connection

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PRO/Wireless 3945 Network Connection

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