Vista and 4GB RAM

Why One Must Use Vista 64-Bit For Large Amounts of Memory

With a PC running Windows XP, having a single gigabyte of RAM on the system meant that you could reliably run a single program without any issues. Heck, it could even multitask fairly well. Enter Windows Vista with its fancy new interface and additional system requirements. Now one gigabyte of RAM is pretty much required for it to run and two gigabytes is necessary for smooth running of applications. Vista really benefits from having more memory, but there is a problem.

32-Bit And Memory Limitations

Windows XP was solely a 32-bit operating system. This made things very simple as there was pretty much just a single version to program for. Back when it was developed, most systems only came with 256 or 512MB of memory. It would run on these, but more memory was always a benefit.

There was a problem though. The 32-bit registers of Windows XP and the hardware of the time limited PCs to a maximum 4GB of memory. It is a bit more complicated than this, as some memory is reserved for the OS and others for applications.

This wasn't an issue with the applications of the time. Sure, there were some applications such as Adobe Photoshop that could quickly eat up system memory, but they still could function very well. Of course, with the reduction of memory costs and the advancement of processor technology meant that 4GB of memory in a system is not something that is out of reason. The problem is that Windows XP can't handle anything beyond 4GB of RAM. Even though the hardware could support it, the software could not.

Vista Solves The 4GB Or Does It?

One of the big pushes by Microsoft for Windows Vista was to resolve the 4GB memory issue. By rebuilding the core of the operating system, they could adjust how the memory management worked. But there is actually a bit of problem with this. There are a number of versions of Vista and they have different maximum amounts that they support.

According to Microsoft's own knowledge base article 929605, all 32-bit versions of Vista support up to 4GB of memory, but the actual usable address space will be less than 4GB. The reason for this is that a section of the memory is set aside for memory map interfaces. This is generally a space that is set aside to ensure driver compatibility and the amount used will vary depending upon the devices installed in the system. Typically, a system with 4GB of RAM will report only 3.5GB of addressable space.

Because of this memory issue by Vista with systems installed with 4GB of memory, a number of companies are shipping systems configured with 3GB (two 1GB and two 512MB modules) total in the system. This is likely to prevent users who purchase the system from complaining that the system says they have less than 4GB of RAM and contacting them to complain about it.

64-Bit To the Rescue

The 64-Bit version of Windows Vista does not have this same 4GB memory limit. Instead, each 64-bit version has a limit to the amount of addressable memory. The different 64-bit versions and their maximum memory are as follows:

• Vista Basic: 8 GB
• Vista Home Premium: 16 GB
• Vista Business/Enterprise/Ultimate: 128+ GB

Now, the likelyhood of PCs reaching even 8GB by the end of 2008 is quite low. Even the 16GB limit of Home Premium will probably not happen before the next version of windows is released.

Of course, there are other issues regarding the 64-bit version of Windows. The big concern for those looking to use it is driver support. While most devices now have drivers for the 32-bit version of Vista, it is a bit more difficult to find drivers for some devices with the 64-bit version. This is improving the further we get from the launch of Vista but not as rapid as with the 32-bit drivers. The other problem is software compatibility. While the 64-bit version of Vista can run 32-bit software, some applications are not fully compliant or supported by the publisher. One such instance is the iTunes application from Apple that many people are having to tweak until Apple releases a compliant version.

What Does This Mean?

Most new notebook and desktop PC systems sold now have the 64-bit hardware that supports memory addressing above the 4GB limit. The problem is that most manufacturers are still preloading the 32-bit versions of Vista. Sure, they aren't selling the systems with 4GB of memory installed in them, but users have the option of installing that memory later as an upgrade. When that happens, consumers will likely start flooding their call centers reporting problems.

If you are looking at buying an new PC and you happen to use a large number of memory intensive programs, then you should really consider purchasing a systems that comes installed with a 64-bit version of Vista. Of course, always do research with the companies to make sure that the hardware you use such as printers, scanners, audio players and the like have drivers. The same should be done with any software that you use. If all that checks out, then it is best to go with the 64-bit version.

Logitech V20 Notebook Speakers Review

The Bottom Line

If you want to greatly improve the sound system on your laptop, the Logitech V20 Notebook Speakers are the way to do it. These speakers need only won USB connection for power and to get the sound from your PC to your ears. The speakers are small and include their own carry case so taking them on the road is a snap. The bass wasn’t as strong as I like to hear, but overall the Logitech V20 Notebook Speakers perform very well and if you are on the road with your notebook a lot you will want to check these speakers out.

Pros

• Small and compact design
• Carrying case included
• Only needs one USB connection for everything

Cons

• Bass output is weak
• Bulky when in the carry case

Description

• Padded carry case for the speakers is likely too bulky for most laptop bags.
• The V20 speakers lack bass output.
• The Logitech V20 speakers are a great improvement over most laptop sound systems.

Guide Review - Logitech V20 Notebook Speakers Review

Logitech managed to make an attractive and good sounding set of speakers in a small package. The speaker stands fold flat when not in use and the speakers themselves are each about the size of a standard paperback book. The silver speaker cases are very nice looking and the padded carry case is a nice addition for speakers that will see lots of use on the road.

On top of one of the speakers are controls for your music with all the normal keys you expect for media control plus volume and mute keys. I found that the media control keys worked great with my Rhapsody music service without requiring any drivers. The best part about the Logitech V20 Notebook Speakers is that they are so easy to set up. To get going all you need to do is remove them from the case, pop the speaker stands out and plug in one single USB connector.

One USB port is all that you need to power and get the sounds from your PC. The Logitech V20 Notebook Speakers are great for listening to music, though they could use more bass for my tastes. Other than weak bass output, the only other gripe I have is that the case Logitech uses for the V20 speakers is bulky and will probably only fit in the largest laptop bags.

LCD Color

Color Depth

The color range of a computer is defined by the term color depth. This means the total number of colors that the computer and display, in tandem, can display to the user. The most common color depths that users will see when dealing with a PCs are 8-bit (256 colors), 16-bit (65,536 colors) and 24-bit (16.7 million colors). True color (or 24-bit color) is the most frequently used mode now as computers have attained sufficient levels to easily work at this color depth. Some professional use a 32-bit color depth, but this is mainly used as a means to pad the color to get more defined tones when rendered down to the 24-bit level.

Speed Versus Color

LCD monitors have encountered a bit of a problem when it comes to dealing with color and speed. Color on an LCD is comprised of three layers of colored dots that make up the final pixel.

To display a given color, current must be applied to each color layer to give the desired intensity that generates the final color. The problem is that to get the colors, the current must move the crystals on and off to the desired intensity levels. This transition from the on to off state is called the response time. For most screens this was rated around 25ms.

The problem is that many LCD monitors are used to watch video or motion on the screen. With this 25ms time frame for transition from on to on states, pixels that should have transitioned to the new color levels trail the signal and result in an effect know as motion blurring. This isn't a problem if the monitor is being used with applications such as productivity software, but with video and motion it can be jarring.

Since consumers were demanding faster screens, something needed to be done to improve response times. To facilitate this, many manufacturers turned to reducing the number of levels each color pixel render. This reduction in the number of intensity levels allows the response times to drop but has the drawback of reducing the overall number of colors that can be rendered.

8-Bit vs. 6-Bit

Now color depth was previous referred to by the total number of colors that the screen can render, but when referring to LCD panels the number of levels that each color can render is used instead. This can make things difficult to understand, but to demonstrate, we will look at the mathematics of it. For example, 24-bit or true color is comprised of three colors each with 8-bits of color. Mathematically, this is represented as:

• 2^8 x 2^8 x 2^8 = 256 x 256 x 256 = 16,777,216

High-speed LCD monitors typically reduce the number of bits for each color to 6 instead of the standard 8. This 6-bit color will generate far fewer colors than 8-bit as we see when we do the math:

• 2^6 x 2^6 x 2^6 = 64 x 64 x 64 = 262,144

This is far fewer than the true color display such that it would be noticeable to the human eye. To get around this problem, the manufacturers employ a technique referred to as dithering. This is an effect where nearby pixels use slightly varying shades or color that trick the human eye into perceiving the desired color even though it isn't truly that color. A color newspaper photo is a good way to see this effect in practice. (In print the effect is called half-tones.) By using this technique, the manufacturers claim to achieve a color depth close to that of the true color displays.

How to Tell if an LCD is 8-Bit or 6-Bit

This is the biggest problem for individuals who are looking at purchasing an LCD monitor. Most manufacturers do not list the color depth of their display. Even fewer will list the actual per-color depth. If the manufacturer lists the color as 16.7 million colors, it should be assumed that the display is 8-bit per-color. If the colors are listed as being 16.2 million or 16 million, consumers should assume that it uses a 6-bit per-color depth. If no color depths is listed, it should be assumed that monitors of 12ms or faster will be 6-bit and the 20ms and slower panels are 8-bit.

Does it Really Matter?

This is very subjective to the actual user and what the computer is used for. The amount of color really matters to those that do professional work on graphics. For these people, the amount of color that is displayed on the screen is very important. The average consumer is not going to really need this level of color representation by their monitor. As a result, it probably doesn't matter. People using their displays for video games or watching video will likely not care about the number of colors rendered by the LCD but by the speed at which it can be displayed. As a result, it is best to determine your needs and base your purchase on those criteria.

Ogio Metroid Laptop Backpack Review

At the end of my trip, the Ogio Metroid Laptop Backpack looked just like it did when I brought it home. This bag took a licking on four different flights, taxi rides, air port trams and trips to the beach and never faltered. There are a couple problem areas for me on the bag, but overall for $75 the Ogio Metroid Laptop Backpack is a very nice laptop backpack that will hold lots of gear and last a long time.

Pros

• Lots of pockets
• Well padded laptop area

Cons

• Can be difficult getting the laptop into the side loading compartment
• File folders are open on the bottom
• Poor interior visibility

Description

• The narrow opening of the laptop compartment makes for some difficulty getting my notebook into and out of the bag.
• Small items placed into the file folder area end up at the bottom of the compartment.
• The interior of the bag is lined with black fabric making for poor visibility inside the bag.

Guide Review - Ogio Metroid Laptop Backpack Review

One of the things required for mobile types is lots of pockets and space for storing the gear that goes along with working on the road. I packed the Ogio Metroid Laptop Backpack way fuller than most people would and it worked flawlessly. I was afraid on the return trip that the zippers would pop open because I had it stuffed so full. Not only did the zippers hold, but they stood up to the stewardess kicking the bag to make it fit under the seat in front of me.

There are lots of compartments on the Ogio Metroid Laptop Backpack. On the top front of the bag is a lined pocket with a headphone pass through for headphones that can also hold some sunglasses. I found that pocket to be the perfect place to store my digital camera. On each side are two more pockets that can hold water bottles or other gear. The main compartment is large and holds gear like keyboards and power cables well.

One of the front pockets has four file separators inside that are good for papers. I poked different cables into them and realized that they are open on the bottom. That means that any small paper work or items you put into the separated areas ends up at the bottom of the pouch, which is a pain. On the front of the folder compartment is another pocket that is for pens and smaller items.

The main laptop area is well padded on the front and back with foam. The bag is sized for most 15.4” notebooks. However, I found the opening a bit too small for my 15.4” Acer TravelMate 4404WLMi notebook and I had a hard time getting the notebook in and out of the pouch at times.

Overall, I was very happy with the Ogio Metroid Laptop Backpack and found it to be durable and with few flaws, none of them major. If you are looking for a laptop bag with well padded straps and lots of capacity, the Ogio Metroid Laptop Backpack is worth checking out.

Voodoo PC Envy H:171 Gaming Desktop Replacement Notebook

Voodoo PC is known for making very high end gaming computer systems. Their Envy line of notebook systems offer a mix of high performance systems to an ultraportable. The latest desktop replacement gaming system is the Envy H:171. Let's take a closer look at what they have to offer ...

Processor:
Since Voodoo's computers are all about gaming performance, the Envy H:171 centers around the Intel Core 2 desktop processors. Users have the choie of either a E6600, E6700 or the Exreme X6800. All of these provide lots of performance but a major power draw that impacts battery life. Voodoo also offers the systems with the AMD line of processors, but it is unlikely that users would select them over the more power Intel models.

Memory:
For being such a high end notebook computer, one would thing that Voodoo would opt to use the fastest memory possible. Instead, they offer three configurations of PC2-5300 DDR2 memory rather than PC2-6400. The memory capacity can be either 1GB, 2GB or 4GB. Most users will elect to go with at least the 2GB setup rather than the very minimal 1GB that is really going to hold back the performance.

Hard Drives:
One of the big things with the Envy H:171 is the hard drives. Most notebooks only feature one and some desktop replacements can have two. Voodoo has packed enough space to fit three notebook drives inside this system. In fact, the system can be designed with RAID for improved data reliability or speed. Six differen drives are available with capacities ranging from 80GB up to 250GB. Those at 160GB or lower use a fast 7200rpm desktop rotation speed while larger drives feature either a 5400 or 4200rpm spin rate.

CD/DVD Drive:
Voodoo's 17" notebook chassis comes with a single optical drive selection, a 8x dual layer DVD burner. For such an expensive system that features a high resolution display and such performance, it's somewhat disappointing that it does not come equipped with a high definition optical drive. Either a HD-DVD or BluRay drive would be a welcome addition for such a stylish system.

Graphics and Display:
Since the Envy H:171 is designed as a gaming notebook, the graphics play an important role. The 17" screen has a very high 1920x1200 resolution that can be difficult for those without near perfect vision. Driving the display is either a single GeForce Go 7950 graphics processor or an SLI configuration that uses two processors. While they don't support Direct X 10 graphics, they are the fastest graphics cores for notebooks currently available for Direct X 9 games. A 1.3Mp webcam is built into the bezel of the display and an optional USB TV tuner is available.

Networking:
Connectivity shouldn't be much of an issue with Voodoo's H:171. It features the notebook staples of a v.92 56Kbps modem and a gigabit Ethernet. In terms of the wireless features, a draft-802.11n card has been included that is also backward compatible with the 802.11a/b/g standards. In addition to this, they have also included a Bluetooth 2.0 transmitter for use with Bluetooth peripheral devices.

Ports: For being such a large notebook system, the Voodoo Envy H:171 has a fairly standard set of ports on the system. Like most systems, it comes with four USB 2.0 ports, a FireWire port, 7-in-1 media card reader and an ExpressCard/54 slot. In addition to this, it also features a DVI video output connector for those who want to hook up and external digital display.

Software:
Voodoo doesn't pack much software in with the purchase of any of their computer systems. Users will pretty much get a single operating systems unless they are willing to buy extra software. Users can select either the base Windows XP Professional operating system or Vista Home Premium or Ultimate Editions. They will install a second operating system if so desired. Several versions of Microsoft Office are availalbe as are a number of popular PC games.

Overall Impressions:
An important thing to remember about Voodoo's computer systems is that while they provide some of the best performance available, the real reason for them is the customized design and bragging rights to owning such a system. These are clearly some of the most expensive notebook computer on the market. The Envy product name pretty much sums up what Voodoo is aiming for. They want their systems to be the envy of the marketplace.

So, what does the high price tag get you with the Voodoo products? The big thing is the highly customizable chassis design. After all, there is a selection from over twenty different colors for the H:171 notebook alone. The limited edition colors can bump up the price significantly. A total of thirteen different graphics or tattoos can also be placed onto the system for an extra fee.

In terms of the Envy H:171 itself, it seems a bit out of place with other desktop replacements. Sure, it provide plenty of performance as is an excellent mobile gaming platform. The problem is that all the space for the desktop components and the extra hard drives make this a very bulky notebook. It is almost an inch thicker than most notebooks and a good three to four pounds heavily. With this much bulk, it is kind of surprising that Voodoo didn't decide to use a 19” display screen instead. Of course, battery life is going to be severely limited as well.

Of course, the price is also something that most people won't really be able to justify. With such a high cost for this system, consumers can buy two more generic gaming notebooks that provide almost the same level of performance. Better yet, a gaming desktop platform and a mobile platform. They won't look as nice, but they will be just as functional. And that really is what it is all about. You purchase a Voodoo notebook more for its appearance.

Toshiba Satellite X205-S9359 Desktop Replacement Notebook

The Bottom Line

While the Toshiba Satellite X205-S9359 may make for a good gaming notebook, it does fall somewhat behind other gaming specific notebooks including the Satellite P100 series. What it does though is provide a solid overall desktop replacement that will likely stand the test of time better.

Pros

• Fast Direct X 10 Dedicated Graphics
• Lots of Storage Space
• Plenty of Peripheral Ports

Cons

• Really Needs Faster 800MHz Memory
• Screen Resolution Limits HD-DVD Playback
• On The Expensive Side

Description

• Intel Core 2 Duo T7300 Dual Core Mobile Processor
• 2GB PC2-5300 DDR2 Memory
• Two 160GB 5400rpm Hard Drives For 320GB Total Space
• HD-DVD ROM/8x Dual Layer DVD Burner
• 17" WXGA+ (1440x900) Wide Screen LCD With Built-In Webcam
• NVIDIA GeForce Go 8700M GT With 512MB Memory
• v.92 56Kbps Modem, Gigabit Ethernet, draft-802.11b Wireless and Bluetooth
• Six USB 2.0, One FireWire, ExpressCard/54, 5-in-1 Card Reader and Fingerprint Scanner
• 15.7" x 11.3" x 2.1" @ 9.4 lbs.
• Vista Ultimate, MS Works 8, WinDVD, Google Desktop, Ulead DVD MovieFactory 5, McAfee Internet Security

Guide Review - Toshiba Satellite X205-S9359 Desktop Replacement Notebook

7/25/07 – Toshiba's Satellite X205-S9359 is their first desktop replacement notebook to use the new Intel Centrino Duo chipset. For the system, they chose the mid-range Core 2 Duo T7300 dual core mobile processor with the 800MHz bus speed. They provide 2GB of PC2-5300 DDR2 memory that lets it run smoothly with the Windows Vista Ultimate operating system. The memory uses a slower 667MHz bus speed rather than 800MHz. It would be nice to see Toshiba upgrade this.

The Satellite X205 provides plenty of storage capacity thanks to the chassis design that supports two hard drives. Two 160GB 5400rpm hard drives are packed into the system to provide it with a very sizable 320GB of total storage space. This does add some bulk and weight to the system make it slightly larger and heavier than the average desktop replacement. A dual layer DVD burner is included with the system, but it also supports HD-DVD playback for high definition video.

Speaking of video, the 17” LCD supports the common 1440x900 resolution, which isn't quite up to the 1080 resolution needed for the highest level of HD video playback. This puts somewhat of a damper on the HD-DVD video playback. On the other hand, the X205-S9359 comes equipped with the GeForce Go 8700M GT graphics processor. This is one of the fastest Direct X 10 mobile processors on the market. It doesn't quite match what the GeForce Go 7950 can do in current games, but is more future proof.

The biggest surprise with the X205 though is the number of expansion ports. Most desktop replacements feature a total of 4 USB ports, but Toshiba manages to include a total of 6 making it easy to attach peripherals to this notebook.

http://z.about.com/d/compreviews/1/0/n/A/ToshibaSatX205-200.jpg

ATI PowerColor HD 2900 XT 512MB Graphics Card Review

ATI and NVIDIA have traditionally traded the crown of best performing graphics card between each other. Today we are going to have a look at the latest high-end card from ATI, the HD 2900 XT. This card carries an MSRP of around $420 and packs in some features that NVIDIA doesn’t include with their graphics cards. If you have wondered how well the ATI PowerColor HD 2900 XT performs and how it compares the likes of the NVIDIA 8800 Ultra and 8800 GTX this is the story for you.

Features & Specifications

The ATI PowerColor HD 2900 XT has a core clock of 740MHz and a memory clock of 1650MHz. One feature that ATI offers on the HD 2900 XT that NVIDIA doesn’t offer on any of their graphics cards is an onboard sound card. The sound card is placed on the ATI PowerColor HD 2900 XT so that you can use the DVI to HDMI adapter that is included with the card to carry both video and audio. This means you only need one connection to your HDTV or PC display and does away with the need for a sound card. The ATI PowerColor HD 2900 XT is HDCP complaint so you could use the ATI PowerColor HD 2900 XT in a seriously powerful media center computer that can play any movie or video game for PC on the current market.

Test System

Before we jump into the performance of the PowerColor HD 2900 XT, lets have a look at the test system that I am using for this review:

• CPU- Intel QX6700
• Mainboard- XFX 680i
• RAM- PNY XLR8 PC2-9384 2GB
• Display- Dell 30” 3007WFP-HC LCD
• OS- Windows XP Pro SP2

Benchmarks & Performance

For benchmarking the ATI PowerColor HD 2900 XT I am using 3DMark06, FEAR, Battlefield 2142 and Quake 4. The first test up for the ATI PowerColor HD 2900 XT is 3DMark06.

3DMark06

I ran 3DMark06 at default settings in the application and default settings in the ATI drivers. The 3DMark06 test results were as follows:

• Total 3DMarks- 11544
• SM2.0- 4443
• HDR/SM3.0- 5001
• CPU- 4105
• Return to Proxycon- 35.091
• Firefly Forest- 38.938
• Canyon Flight- 44.887
• Deep Freeze- 55.130
• CPU1- 1.359
• CPU2- 1.984

To get an idea of how well the performance of the ATI PowerColor HD 2900 XT stands up against cards from NVIDIA the PNY 8800 Ultra Overclocked graphics card I tested scored 13100 3DMarks and the XFX 8800 GTX XXX I reviewed scored 11138. That puts the 3DMark06 performance of the ATI PowerColor HD 2900 XT a bit up on the overclocked 8800 GTX XXX from XFX and down significantly to the overclocked 8800 Ultra from PNY.

FEAR

The next test up was FEAR which I ran at a screen resolution of 2560 x 1600 with all settings on max and with soft shadows, 16X AF, and 4X AA. Using the FEAR in game test loop I recorded the following numbers:

• Min- 12fps
• Avg- 33 fps
• Max- 72 fps

The percentages showed that frame rates were under 25 fps 16% of the time, 56% of the time frame rates were between 25 and 40 fps and 28% of the time frame rates were greater than 40 fps.

Battlefield 2142

Next up is one of my favorite games, Battlefield 2142. I ran BF2142 at a screen resolution of 2048 x 1536 with 4x AA and all settings on high. Using Fraps to record frame rate data on a single player map called “Fall of Berlin” yielded the following frame rate data:

• Min- 20 fps
• Avg- 44.73 fps
• Max- 72 fps

Quake 4

The final test for the ATI PowerColor HD 2900 XT was with Quake 4, which is still a graphically demanding video game. I ran Quake 4 at 1920 x 1200 with ultra detail and 16x AA. I also had multi-core turned on as well. Again I used Fraps to record frame rate data on a single player game starting from the first scenes of the game until you are asked to go back for the medic. Fraps recorded the following frame rate data:

• Min- 5 fps
• Avg- 44.021
• Max- 66 fps

Overall the game was very playable at these levels of detail, don’t be fooled by the low of 5 fps, that only happened when the game had to load more data entering new areas and only lasted for a few seconds max. The ATI PowerColor HD 2900 XT is a good performing graphics card that ATI fans will love to put into their gaming

Sony VAIO VGN-AR520E Desktop Replacement Notebook

The Bottom Line

Sony's VAIO VGN-AR520E is certainly their most affordable desktop replacement notebook and that's also its best selling feature. It makes for a good general purpose computer, but doesn't really excel in any particular area of performance or features compared to other desktop replacements available on the market.

Pros

• Large Capacity Hard Drive
• Relatively Low Cost
• Dedicated Direct X 10 Graphics

Cons

• 3D Graphics Not Really Up To Gaming
• Slower Hard Drive
• Could Use Faster Memory

Description

• Intel Core 2 Duo T7100 Dual Core Mobile Processor
• 2GB PC2-5300 DDR2 Memory
• 200GB 4200rpm SATA Hard Drive
• 8x DVD+/-RW Dual Layer Burner
• 17" WXGA+ (1440x900) Wide Screen Display With 1.3MP Webcam
• NVIDIA GeForce Go 8400M GT Graphics With HDMI Connector
• v.92 56Kbps Modem, Fast Ethernet and Draft 802.11n Wireless
• Three USB 2.0, FireWire (iLink), ExpressCard/54, Type II PC Card and 4-in-1 Card Reader
• 16.4" x 11.8" x 1.3" @ 8.4 lbs.
• Vista Home Premium, MS Works 8, Sony VAIO Suite, Norton internet Security

Guide Review - Sony VAIO VGN-AR520E Desktop Replacement Notebook

7/24/07 – Sony's VAIO AR520E desktop replacement notebook uses the new Centrino Duo chipset. Powering the system is a new Core 2 Duo T7100 mobile processor with faster 800MHz bus speed. The downside to this is that Sony chose to use slower 667MHz memory with the system rather than more expensive 800MHz. At least they included a full 2GB of memory to let the system run smoothly with multiple applications.

One area that Sony's notebooks are really strong is with storage. The VAIO AR520E comes with a sizable 200GB hard drive that provides plenty of storage space. This provides a good 25% more space than the 160GB drives offered in most desktop replacements. The drawback is that Sony decided to use a slower 4200rpm spinning drive that reduces performance somewhat. A standard dual layer DVD burner handles optical storage.

Graphics are a major part of desktop replacement notebooks. Sony provides a very bright and clear LCD screen on the VAIO AR520E. They have even included a dedicated Direct X 10 graphics processor with the NVIDIA GeForce Go 8400M. This is definitely a step up from the integrated graphics, but it still lacks 3D performance for any serious PC gaming. It can handle casual PC gaming though. One unique feature to the notebook is the inclusion of an HDMI connector that can be used to connect the PC to high definition TVs.

Of course, the big thing going for the Sony VAIO AR520E is its price. It provides a relatively good bargain for those looking at a general purpose desktop replacement, just one without any outstanding features.

Hypersonic PC Aviator MT7 Gaming Desktop Replacement Notebook

Most of Hypersonic PCs notebooks are designed for those looking at mobile gaming platforms. These often come at the expensive of either portability due to their size or battery life due to powerful components. The Aviator MT7 looks to make a gaming system much more practical through a more traditional design that balances performance, power consumption and size. Let's take a closer look at what they offer ...

Processors:
While many companies are now using the new Intel Core 2 Duo dual core mobile processors with the faster 800MHz bus speed, Hypersonic has chosen to use three older models with the 667MHz bus speeds: T5600, T7400 and T7600. These are all strong models and do quite well even when compared to the newer models. They also have the advantage of power savings versus gaming notebooks that focus on using desktop processors.

Memory:
The base configuration for the Aviator MT7 comes with 2GB of PC2-4200 DDR2 memory. This is good in the amount of RAM, but disappointing in the speed. Thankfully, Hypersonic offers a variety of configurations of PC2-5300 DDR2 memory that better matches the bus speed of the processor. Users can select configurations that range as little as 512MB up to 2GB. It would be nice to see the option for 4GB, but that is still uncommon in the mobile world.

Hard Drives:
A total of four different hard drives are available to be installed inside of the Aviator MT7. For those looking for high performance, either a 80 or 100GB drive can be installed with the 7200rpm spin rate more common to desktop notebooks. If speed isn't as much of a concern as capacity, users can also opt to have either a 120 or 160GB drive that spins at the more traditional 5400rpm notebook rates.

CD/DVD Drive:
Users do not have any options when it comes to the optical drive. All of the Aviator MT7 models come equipped with a fairly standard 8x dual layer DVD burner. Those wishing to get a system with a high definition HD-DVD or BluRay drive will be out of luck with the Aviator MT7 and will have to look at other notebooks.

Gaphics and Display:
Hypersonic markets the Aviator MT7 as a gaming notebook, but the graphics seem to be a bit below top notch for a desktop replacement. The 17” LCD screen features the very common 1680x1050 wide screen resolution used by games, but the graphics processor is not the best choice. The NVIDIA GeForce Go 7600 certainly can handle PC gaming, it just doesn't have the horsepower to provide extremely high frame rates at this high resolution or offer up various filtering. This makes the MT7 better suited for more general purpose uses and casual gaming. It does have a built-in 2.0MP webcam though.

Networking:
The Aviator MT7 comes standard with a built-in 56Kbps modem and a gigabit Ethernet interface for networking. Those looking for wireless networking will need to upgrade the system to a 802.11g compatible wireless network card. It is also possible to get this card installed with a Bluetooth 2.0 module as well. The system does not have an option for a draft 802.11n adapter, but this isn't much of a problem as these standards aren't finalized or common enough yet.

Ports: The port layout for the Aviator MT7 doesn't look that much different from a typical notebook. It comes with the standard four USB 2.0 ports, mini FireWire port, ExpressCard/54 slot and 4-in-1 card reader slot. There is one unique connector that can be found on the Aviator MT7 that isn't found on most notebooks though. It does come with a single external SATA connector. This is not something that is common right now, but eSATA offers a lot of promise for external hard drive storage.

Software:
Like many system integrators, Hypersonic does not offer much in terms of software with the Aviator MT7. What they do offer is a huge range of operating systems to be installed on the system. In fact, users can even elect to purchase the system without any operating system installed at all. For those requiring the OS, there is a choice of three versions of Windows XP and all of the current 32-bit versions of Windows Vista.

Overall Impressions:
Hypersonic markets all of their notebook computer systems as designed for gaming. While the Aviator MT7 certainly can be used for gaming, it falls well behind in terms of its 3D performance. Most of this stems from their choice in the graphics processor used in the system. The GeForce Go 7600 processor certainly can handle current Direct X 9 games, but with limited frame rates, especially up to the systems 1680x1050 resolution. And don't expect to really be using anti-aliasing or anisotropic filtering.

The problem is that the design purpose of the Aviator MT7 and its gaming role are at conflicts. Hypersonic's other notebook systems certainly have the level of performance required for detailed PC gaming, but they either sacrifice battery life by using desktop components or sacrifice portability by using bulky designs. The Aviator MT7 is designed to be portable with strong battery life. Those goals preclude the use of desktop processors or more powerful graphics processors.

So, does this make the Aviator MT7 a poor choice as a notebook? Certainly not. It just is not well designed as a gaming specific notebook. It does perform quite well in the role of a general purpose notebook computer systems that will also be used periodically for PC gaming. Then the issue really boils down to the cost. Many similarly equipped notebooks are available at lower prices or offer additional features for roughly the same price. Be sure to look hard at alternatives before going with the Aviator MT7.

HP LP3065 30 inch LCD Display Review

LCD monitor prices are dropping all the time leading to more manufacturers launching large screen models. A few months back if you wanted to game on a 30” display your options were Dell or Apple. Now HP has entered the fray with a massive 30” widescreen LCD display with some nice features.

Unlike Dell, HP isn’t really talking their 30” HP LP3065 flat panel monitor up for gaming. Instead HP aims their display at power users, content creators and designers. This is probably most likely due to the whopping $1699 price tag the HP LP3065 display carries. However, gamers looking to get into some serious high resolution gaming not scared off by the price tag will love this display. There is nothing better than playing a game like Oblivion at 2560 x 1600 screen resolution.

The 30” panel used by HP is an active matrix TFT unit with a 29.7 inch viewable area. The native resolution is 2560 x 1600 and the viewing angles are 178 degrees both horizontal and vertical. Typical brightness of the display is 300 nits with a typical contrast ratio of up to 1000:1 and the pixel pitch is 0.25mm. Front controls on the display allow you to easily choose the best input for your needs and change the display settings. The display stand is nice with easy height adjustment through a 5.1 inch range, swivel options and angle tilt. The only adjustment option the display lacks is portrait mode.

Lots of connectivity options are available on the back including three dual-link DVI-D inputs. That means that you can connect three different PCs to the HP LP3065 display and save space on your desktop. There is no VGA or other inputs available. A four port USB hub also resides on the back of the display.

To see how well the HP LP3065 display performs I played lots and lots of PC game son it, strictly for testing purposes mind you. I also just worked on the display for about a week to see how it fared in normal PC use. Gaming is a dream on the HP LP3065 display. Not one hint of streaking, smearing or tearing of the images. Not a touch of ghosting was noted no matter how much was happening on-screen. Black levels are good for video watching and the wide aspect ratio is perfect for movies.

For normal computer work like working on documents and surfing the web have 30 inches of screen space is hard to beat. With the windows sized correctly I was able to get eight windows opened and viewable on the screen at one time. This meant I could be writing an article and have source information and specifications open all while watching episodes of Lost stream from the web. Color reproduction is top notch with crisp and bright colors along with deep black’s bright whites. Skin tones looked very natural on images as well as on video.

All in all I found not one fault with the HP LP3065. The only thing I could say about it was I wish it was cheaper. I would love to add this beast permanently to my desktop. No matter if you are working or getting some slash time in on a game like Oblivion the HP LP3065 performs very well and works flawlessly.

Logitech MX Air™ Rechargeable Cordless Air Mouse

Explore your new media universe with a state-of-the-art mouse that’s effortless to use—on your desk or in the air.

On your desk, advanced laser technology gives you precise tracking and instant response.

In the air, innovative Freespace™ motion sensing transforms hand motions into natural, responsive cursor controls. Sit back and listen to music, browse photos, or surf the Web—from your desk or across the room.

The MX Air™ mouse is the perfect complement to your PC-based entertainment experience.

HP Pavilion dv9575nr Desktop Replacement

The Bottom Line

HP's Pavilion dv9575nr is certainly a step up from the older dv9000 series with its new its new Intel Centrino Duo setup. On the whole, it really is a solid desktop replacement for those looking for a general purpose system. None of the features sets it apart in terms of gaming, multimedia or producticity, but it can do all of them.

Pros

• Built-in TV Tuner
• Dedicated Direct X 10 Graphics Processor
• Numeric Keypad

Cons

• Only Three USB 2.0 Ports
• Could Use Faster Memory
• Storage Somewhat Low For Two Hard Drives

Description

• Intel Core 2 Duo T7300 Dual Core Mobile Processor
• 2GB PC2-5300 DDR2 Memory
• Two 120GB 5400rpm SATA Hard Drives
• 8x DVD+/-RW Dual Layer Burner With LightScribe
• 17" WXGA+ (1440x900) Wide Screen Display With 1.3MP Webcam
• NVIDIA GeForce Go 8600M GS Graphics With 256MB Memory and HD TV Tuner
• v.92 56Kbps Modem, Gigabit Ethernet, 802.11a/b/g/n Wireless and Bluetooth 2.0
• Three USB 2.0, One FireWire, ExpressCard/54, Fingerprint Scanner and 5-in-1 Card Reader
• 15.2" x 11.7" x 1.6" @ 7.7 lbs.
• Vista Ultimate, MS Works 8, Muvee AutoProducer and Norton Internet Security

Guide Review - HP Pavilion dv9575nr Desktop Replacement

7/19/07 – HP's Pavilion dv9575nr isn't a revolution design over previous desktop replacements. Instead, it is an update to the dv9000 series notebooks to use the new Intel Centrino Duo chipsets. This benefits the platform with the use of the new Core 2 Duo T7300 dual core mobile processor with faster bus speeds. On the downside, HP has elected to save some money by using PC2-5300 DDR2 memory instead of PC2-6400 that would have better matched the processor speed.

Storage is somewhat mixed for the Pavilion dv9575nr. It has a fairly spacious 240GB of total storage space, but this is done through the use of two hard drives. This doesn't give it much more storage than the 160GB single hard drives found in similar or even lesser priced notebooks. HP might want to consider upgrading the drive space. It does feature a fairly standard dual layer DVD burner that also supports LightScribe media.

Since the Pavilion dv9575nr is designed for multimedia, the graphics and display are quite important. The screen uses a fairly standard 1440x900 resolution that is very easy to read, but it doesn't quite have the resolution to have 1080 HDTV resolutions even though it has an HDTV tuner with it. The NVIDIA GeForce Go 8600M graphics card does provide it with a decent overall 3D performance and support for Direct X 10. One nice feature is the included remote control that fits into the ExpressCard slot for transportation.

Software for the dv9575nr is a step up from most packages. For one, it comes with the Ultimate Edition of Vista that includes all the backup and networking features not found in Home Premium. It also comes with a variety of productivity and multimedia applications.

Falcon Northwest FragBook DRX Gaming Desktop Replacement Notebook

Falcon Northwest has been around some time producing high quality custom built gaming computer systems. They offer two performance notebook systems. The DRX or Desktop Replacement eXtreme is their high end performance mobile platform that may not be as portable as some might like. Let's take a closer look at what they have to offer ...

Processor:
While most desktop replacement notebooks have moved away from the use of desktop processors thanks to the performance of the Core 2 Duo mobile processors, Falcon Northwest returns to the use of desktop processors with the FragBook DRX. Users can choose between several models including the E6320, 6420, E6700 and Extreme X6800 versions. This offers the DRX some unsurpassed performance in a mobile platform, but it also greatly reduces the battery life when the system is not plugged in. Expect to be around a power outlet frequently.

Memory:
There are only two memory configurations for the FragBook DRX system both using the same type of DDR2 memory. The system can come with either 2GB or 4GB of PC2-6400 DDR2 memory. 2GB is plenty for most applications to run smoothly. Those looking at 4GB of memory will see improved performance from heavy multitasking.

Hard Drives:
In order to ensure high levels of performance, Falcon Northwest has elected to use the high speed Seagate Momentus notebook drives. These drives all spin at 7,200rpm, the same as desktop hard drives. Capacity is not as high with only a selection between 80, 100 and 160GB drives, but the system can hold up to a total of three hard drives for nearly a half terabyte of space possible.

CD/DVD Drive:
The FragBook DRX comes equipped with only a single drive option, a 8x dual layer DVD burner. It would be nice for such a high-end system to also have the option of coming with a newer high definition DVD drive such as HD-DVD or BluRay.

Graphics and Display:
As the FragBook DRX is design to the a mobile gaming platform, Falcon Northwest chose to use a daul NVIDIA GeForce Go 7950 GTX graphics processor setup. This is vitally important because they also use a high resolution 17 inch display capable of the 1920x1200 resolution. In order to drive such a high resolution display while gaming, it is necessary to have a top of the line mobile SLI setup. Matched together with the desktop processors, and the FragBook DRX has some of the best overall graphics available on the market. And jut in case you wanted to use it for a media center, they also include a TV tuner.

Networking:
Even thought the latest wireless networking standard hasn't been fully approved, it is making its way into more and more notebook computers. Falcon Northwest chose to include draft-802.11n networking with the FragBook DRX. For gamers this can mean a big difference in terms of overall bandwidth, but it could also end up being a headache once things are finalized. Of course, the wireless also supports the 802.11a/b/g standards as well. The obligatory gigabit Ethernet and v.92 56kbps modem are also included for wired and remote networking when wireless isn't available.

Ports:
One would thing that with the extra size of the FragBook DRX, a few extra ports would be included for attaching peripheral devices. Even with its bulk, it features an average number of ports. A total of four USB ports, a mini FireWire port, ExpressCard/54 slot and 7-in-1 reader match what is found in more desktop replacements. In addition to this, Falcon also includes a DVI-D with HDCP support monitor connector in case you need extra space to the high resolution LCD display.

Software:
As with many custom built prestige systems, software selections are very limited. There is a choice between three different operating systems for the FragBook DRX, Vista Ultimate, Vista Home Premium and XP Professional. The only other software selection is for one of the several versions of the Microsoft Office productivity software.

Overall Impressions::
One of the first things that people may wonder about with the FragBook DRX is its size and weight. Most 17-inch notebook systems tend to weigh in the seven to 9 pound range. The FragBook DRX tips that scales at over twelve pounds in weight. In addition to this weight is its 2.5 inch thickness. All of this bulk comes from the use of powerful desktop components that require additional cooling and space. It provides its extremely strong performance but also reduce its battery life.

In terms of gaming performance, the new FragBook DRX certainly pushes the levels of performance well beyond what their older DR6800 notebook did. By linking a desktop Core 2 Duo processor with the high end SLI mobile graphics processors, it can push out some of the highest frame rates on the market. Of course, all of this performance comes at the cost of battery life and more importantly price.

Low cost systems are not something synonymous with the Falcon Northwest brand. Most people are coming to them for high performance systems with a level of personalization that can be found from a large company such as Dell or HP. Those desiring a truly unique computer systems can generally get one of the Exotix custom paint jobs done on the notebook. Of course, this greatly adds to the cost of the system, but also provides something that is truly unique from other desktop replacements.

For the price of the FragBook DRX though, it is possible for one to buy a high end notebook and desktop gaming system and still have cash left over. And that is the problem that will prevent most people from even considering buying this notebook. If Falcon Northwest really does want to expand their business, they should look into producing some more affordable options for consumers.

Dell Inspiron E1720 Desktop Replacement

The Bottom Line

Dell really brings some life into their desktop replacement notebook with the new Inspiron E1720 design. Users have th choice between eight different colors for the external case and can even purchase color coordinated peripherals. Underneath the colorful exterior, the E1720 offers a solid selection of components based on its Centrino Duo design that give it good performance.

Pros

• Eight Different Color Case Designs to Choose From
• Decent Dedicated Direct X 10 Graphics Processor
• Optional Mobile Cellular Broadband via AT&T, Sprint or Verizon

Cons

• Sound Blaster Audigy Software Upgrade Not Worth Cost
• Glossy Screen Options Great For Video But Poor For Daylight Usage
• Could Benefit From Faster Memory To Match CPU

Description

• Intel Core 2 Duo T7300 Dual Core Mobile Processor
• 2GB PC2-5300 DDR2 Memory
• 160GB 5400rpm SATA Hard Drive
• 8x DVD+/-RW Dual Layer Burner
• 17" WXGA+ (1440x900) Widescreen LCD with 2.0 Megapixel Webcam
• NVIDIA GeForce Go 8600M GT Graphics with 256MB
• v.92 56Kbps Modem, 10/100 Ethernet, 802.11a/b/g/n Wireless and Bluetooth 2.0
• Five USB 2.0, One FireWire, ExpressCard/54 Slot and 8-in-1 Media Reader
• 15.5" x 11.5" x 1.7" @ 7.6 lbs.
• Vista Home Premium, McAfee Security Center and MS Works 8

Guide Review - Dell Inspiron E1720 Desktop Replacement

Dell's Inspiron E1720 is the first desktop replacement notebook from the company to be based on the new Intel Centrino Duo chipset. This means that users have a choice of one of the four new T7000 series Core 2 Duo processors with the 800MHz bus speed. The problem is that Dell chose to use more prevalent PC2-5300 DDR2 that runs at 667MHz bus speeds instead of PC2-6400 memory. Hopefully Dell will correct this in future versions.

Storage is quite good for the Dell Inspiron E1720 notebook. The base configuration is a single 160GB 5400rpm hard drive that provides a good amount of space. Users can upgrade this to a larger 250GB hard drive. Of course, if this still isn't enough space, the chassis has space for a second drive to be installed with a maximum space size of 500GB. A DVD burner comes standard, but for those want high definition video support, a BluRay drive with DVD burner support is also offered.

For those wanting to use the BluRay drive in the system, you will be required to get the NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT graphics processor to support the high resolution display. Of course, the 8600M GT is also a decent 3D graphics processor with Direct X 10 support. The BluRay option also really requires the upgraded 1920x1200 display with glossy coating. The standard configuration comes with a 1440x900 display but an optional glossy coated display with the same resolution is also possible. The glossy coatings improve color and clarity for video, but decrease the system usability in sunlight.

Connectivity is great with the draft-802.11n wireless and Bluetooth 2.0 support. For those needing even more coverage, Dell offers optional integrated cellular modems for AT&T, Spring or Verizon data services.

Alienware Area-51 m9750 Desktop Replacement

Alienware made a name for themselves by building PC systems specifically for gaming. With the introduction of the Area-51 m9750 desktop replacement notebook, they are looking to push their way back to the top of the mobile PC gaming world. Let's take a close look at what they have to offer ...

Processor:
Alienware's Area-51 m9750 is all about gaming performance. As such, they offer a variety of high performance Intel Core 2 Duo processors to power the system. The T5500 processor is the base which offers decent overall performance but with only 2MB of cache. For those looking for more performance, the T7200, T7400 or T7600 with its 4MB of cache would be the preferred choices.

Memory:
In order to get the best performance possible, Alienware offers PC2-5300 DDR2 memory to match the 667MHz frontside bus of the Intel Core 2 Duo processor that come in the m9750. Three memory configurations of 1GB, 2GB or 4GB are offered for the system. The standard configuration is 2GB with 4GB for those needing the most memory and 1GB for those trying to cut costs.

Hard Drives:
A large number of hard drive options are available with the Area-51 m9750. A total of six different drives are available that can be purchases as single drive or two drive RAID 0 or RAID 1 configurations. In terms of the drive capacities, users can select between 80GB, 100GB, 160GB, 200GB and 250GB capacities. Some of the drives feature a 5400rpm spin rate while others have 7200rpm for increased performance.

CD/DVD Drive:
While most notebook and desktop PCs come standard with a DVD burner, Alienware actually offers users the base of a 24x CD-RW/DVD combo drive. Users will want to upgrade to the DVD burner as there is really no reason not to have the ability to burn DVDs. For those wanting high definition video support, there is also the option of a BluRay burner that also supports DVD burning.

Graphics and Displays:
Since the Area-51 m9750 is built for gaming, the graphics and display are critical. The systems name is derived from the GeForce Go 9750 GTX 512MB graphics card that is standard. Users who want even more performance can elect to have a second graphics processor installed in an SLI configuration. In terms of the display, the system features one of two 17” LCD panels. For those looking at a single graphics core, the 1440x900 screen is probably the better choice while the SLI configurations are better suited towards driving games on the 1920x1200 screen. An optional TV Tuner module is also available.

Networking:
Every configuration of the Alienware Area-51 m9750 comes equipped with a Gigabit Ethernet and v.92 56Kbps model. Wireless networking comes standard with an 802.11a/b/g networking adapter. Those looking to use the upcoming high speed wireless standard can elect to upgrade this adapter to a draft 802.11b wireless card that also supports the 802.11a/b/g standards.

Ports:
As far as the general expansion ports found on a notebook, the Alienware Area-51 m9750 has the traditional 4 USB 2.0 ports and single mini-FireWire port. It uses the newer ExpressCard/54 expansion slot over the more traditional PC Card slot. It has very good connections for those looking to use external speakers or audio. In addition to the traditional mini-jacks it also has a TOSlink optical port. If you want to hook up an external monitor, it features both a VGA and DVI-D connector.

Software:
Alienware offers a variety of operating systems for their systems. Choices include either the new Vista Home Premium or Ultimate editions or the Windows XP Professional or Media Center editions. Beyond this, preinstalled software is kept to a minimum. Users have the option for some basic anti-virus and productivity software. Upgrade options include a variety of PC games that can be installed or upgraded productivity suites.

Overall Impressions: Alienware has a clear goal in mind with the production of the Area-51 m9750 and that is to make a top of the line gaming system. The fact that they are willing to configure the notebook with a SLI setup using two GeForce Go 7950 GTX graphics cores is a testament to that goal. In fact, a system that is built with the top of the line options is nearly an unbeatable mobile platform when it comes to PC gaming.

What the Area-51 m9750 gives in terms of performance it gives up in terms of styling. Other companies that are geared towards PC gaming tend to offer customized designs that include a variety of colors and stenciled graphics on the case. While their desktop systems doe have some color combinations, the Area-51 m9750 comes in a single black color design. Of course, this limited design does have its advantages which is cost.

The problem with most gaming specific notebooks is their extremely high price. Sure, the Area-51 m9750 can pack a very high price tag if it is fully configured with top of the line options. The big difference hear is that consumers can get a very strong graphics notebook at a very reasonable price if they are willing to go with more mainstream components. This is where the highly flexible component selection of the Alienware system shines.

So, if you are in the market for a notebook computer for PC gaming notebook and have a tight budget or can afford pretty much anything, be sure to take a look at the Alienware Area-51 m9750.

Viewsonic VX2025WM 20" LCD

Gamers and anyone else looking for a nice wide aspect ratio LCD monitor, the Viewsonic VX2025WM should be on your short list. The VX2025WM is a great monitor for gaming, movie watching and normal computer use like surfing the web. The large and wide aspect ratio is great for office users as you can get two word docs open side by side with no problems at all. The monitor stand is the only thing on the VX2025WM that could use improvement.

Features of the Viewsonic VX2025WM 20" LCD

The Viewsonic VX2025WM is a TFT active matrix LCD with a 20.1" viewable image size. The native optimum resolution for the monitor is 1680 x 1050 and the contrast ratio is a good 800:1. The gray to gray response time for the Viewsonic VX2025WM is an excellent 8ms. Brightness is quoted as 300cd/m2 and the screen is anti-glare coated.

On the back of the monitor you have a choice of two different inputs the digital DVI and the analog RGB. Both windows an Mac users can enjoy this great monitor. Another nice feature on the monitor is an integrated power supply. that means there is no box dangling behind your desk, only the standard PC type power cord which makes for a cleaner desk environment.

The dimensions of the Viewsonic VX2025WM are 19" x 17.3" x 7.9" with the stand and 19" x 13.4" x 2.6" without the stand. The net weight with the stand is 13.9 pounds. Viewsonic includes both DVI and VGA cables in the box in addition to the Viewsonic wizard CD and power cable. Viewsonic also included built in speakers that are in the rear of the monitor for a cleaner appearance.

LCD viewing angles are very important and the VX2025WM has great viewing angles of up to 176 degrees both vertically and horizontally. You have to practically be behind the monitor to not be able to see the image on screen. Those who prefer to run dual monitors will appreciate the thin bezels. The thinner the bezel the closer together you are able to get the monitors.

Viewsonic VX2025WM 20" LCD in Use

The VX2025WM is very easy to set up and use. Comparing it to my 24" Eizo CE240W reference monitor I find that the VX2025WM appears to have a slight yellowish tint to colors. Not so much that you notice normally, but compared to the reference Eizo it is apparent. Gaming on the 20" wide aspect ratio VX2025WM is a joy. The fast ClearMotiv 8ms response time assures there is no smearing or ghosting during gaming, even on the most graphically challenging titles out such as FEAR, Battlefield 2 and Oblivion.

The fast response time also ensured that movie watching was superb as well. I like to test monitors with Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Rings. The dark opening scenes are a great way to find problems with color transitions with the fire and smoke in otherwise dark environments in the opening scenes of the forging of the ring. The Viewsonic VX2025WM LCD performed very well with no ghosting and good color and contrast even in the darkest scenes.

With good performances in both gaming and video playback, it is almost a given that good performance in daily computer tasks is there as well. In the case of the Viewsonic VX2025WM is certainly works well for daily use. The only real issue I had with the monitor was the stand. While the stand allows you to adjust the monitor for forward and backwards tilt, it is not height adjustable. At 5'9" the monitor was a bit low for my tastes and those taller than I would see even more of an issue the the height. Sure you can buy a monitor stand to take care of this issue, but height adjustability would have been welcome.

Overall, the Viewsonic VX2025WM is an excellent LCD monitor. It has a large screen size in a complete package that is very small for its screen size. The smaller total footprint allows your desk to be less cluttered, while still enjoying the 20.1" viewable image size. Gamers I have said it before and I will say it again, if you are not gaming on a wide aspect ratio monitor you don't know what you are missing. The Viewsonic VX2025WM is a veritable bargain and can be found for under well under $400 online, you can't ask for much more in a monitor low cost, high performance and great features. I suggest you pick up one or two.

Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 Desktop Processor

The Bottom Line

The Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 provides a good stepping stone between the lower cost E6300/6400 dual core processors and the higher end Extreme and Quad core Core 2 models. This processor will be able to handle gaming and high performance computing without any complaints. It would just be nice to see the prices drop a bit more on this model.

Pros

• Strong Multitasking
• Excellent Gaming Performance

Cons

• Expensive When Compared to Performance Differences of E6300/E6400 Models
• Important to Match It Properly With Proper Clocked RAM

Description

• Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 Conroe Dual Core
• 2.4GHz Operating Frequency
• 1066MHz Front Side Bus
• 4MB Shared Cache
• Support For SSE4 Instructions
• 64-Bit Extensions
• 0.85-1.3525V Operation
• 65nm Process
• Heatsink Included
• Three Year Warranty

Guide Review - Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 Desktop Processor

3/8/07 – Intel's Core 2 Duo E6600 was the upper middle end of the Core 2 lineup when it was first launched. Since that time, additional Extreme and Quad Core processors have been released making it really the middle of the road choice in terms of performance and price.

The Core 2 Duo is a big step up from the original Core Duo mobile processors. The most notable feature of the Core 2 lineup is the 64-bit extensions that let it function with 64-bit software including the new Windows Vista operating system. The E6600 also has 4MB of internal cache to share between its two cores, double that of the E6300 and E6400 models. Each of the models also features different clock speeds so the E6600 is definitely several steps above the E6400.

Testing of the E6600 processor was done on a Dell XPS 710 desktop computer system with the nForce 590 SLI chipset along with 2GB of PC2-5300 DDR2 memory.

Overall the performance of the E6600 was extremely strong. Whether it is single core applications such as gaming or office applications or multi-threaded applications such as digital video and multimedia, the processor was able to complete tasks very quickly. In fact, in most applications, the Core 2 Duo E6600 was able to outperform even high end AMD Athlon 64 X2 processors. About the only area where the AMD Athlon architecture outperforms the new Core 2 Duo is writing data directly to the memory, but this is easily overshadowed by other aspects of the processor.

The only real problem that the Core 2 Duo E6600 has is its pricing. Consumers might be better off going for the lower E6300 or E6400 unless they need faster processing performance for applications such as video encoding. For general office applications and web browser, users won't notice much difference.

Dell UltraSharp 3007WFP-HC 30 inch LCD Monitor Review

The Dell UltraSharp 3007WFP-HC is the best gaming display I have ever tested hands down. The huge screen size makes for a fantastic 2560 x 1600 screen resolution that makes PC games look stunning. Non-gamers will like the Dell UltraSharp 3007WFP-HC because you can get more information on the screen at once. Design pros will especially like the new Dell UltraSharp 3007WFP-HC as the higher color gamut means more accurate color representation. Gamers wanting to play high-resolution games, the Dell UltraSharp 3007WFP-HC is simply the display to own.

Massive is the word to describe the Dell UltraSharp 3007WFP-HC, the display is huge. Even coming form my old 24” reference display to the 30” Dell the screen size was shocking. The Dell UltraSharp 3007WFP-HC has much more going for it that sheer size though. With a higher color gamut than the old Dell 30” model you get much more accurate colors that look lifelike and simply fantastic. The only other display that gave color reproduction like this was the Eizo CE240W, and it cost about the same price for less screen space.

The contrast ratio on the Dell UltraSharp 3007WFP-HC is 1000:1, brightness is 300cd/m², and the gray-to-gray response time is 12ms. Viewing angles are 178 degrees vertically and horizontally and the native resolution is 2560 x 1600. To use this display you must have a dual-link DVI graphics card, most every recent NVIDIA card from the 8800 Ultra I am using to most of the 7000 series cards will suffice, as well as a number of ATI graphics cards. However, if you plan to game at 2560 x 1600 you need some serious graphics muscle in the form of at least a pair of 8800 GTS, GTX, or Ultra’s. You might slide by inmost games with a single overclocked 8800 GTX or Ultra.

The Dell UltraSharp 3007WFP-HC is HDCP compliant so you can use it to watch Blu-ray or HD DVD flicks. I fired up my Blu-ray “Casino Royale” test flick and found the image quality to be every bit as good on the Dell display as it is on my 42” HDTV. Skin tones were realistic and colors were bright, vibrant and lifelike. Gray scales looked great and blacks were deep while whites were crisp and clear. The Dell UltraSharp 3007WFP-HC is simply fantastic for multimedia use.

Gaming is where the real strength of the Dell UltraSharp 3007WFP-HC lies. If you haven’t played games like FEAR, Oblivion, or Command & Conquer 3 at 2560 x 1600 you haven’t really played them. This is a phenomenal display for PC gaming. No matter the game I played, I never noticed any ghosting, smearing or tearing of the images. Don’t worry about the 12ms response time on this panel, it games every bit as good as a 19” panel with a 2ms response time.

Dell also grafted a 9-in-1 memory card reader and four USB ports onto the Dell UltraSharp 3007WFP-HC to make your life easier. Dell used a nice stand for this display and it gives you all the adjustability for height, tilt and angle that you need. The only adjustment it doesn’t give is portrait orientation. The only real source of contention for me with this display is that it only has one DVI connector. I would have every much liked to see two so I could connect it to two systems at once. At the end of the day, the Dell UltraSharp 3007WFP-HC is withoubt a doubt the best 30" display that I have tested.

Data Robotics Drobo Data Storage Robot Review

Data Robotics has taken external storage and made the thought of storing lots of content on one drive a safe, secure and easy proposition with their Drobo Data Storage Robot. If you are a content creator with lots of video footage, music or photo files stored across a hodge podge of USB drives Drobo will make your life so much easier you will wonder how you got along without it.

Drobo allows you to take one enclosure and store your data using mirroring, or mirroring with parity depending on how many drives you put into Drobo. The drives and be any brand or capacity so long as they are SATA drives. Drobo can start with as little or as much storage space as you desire from a single disk or you can stuff its four hot-swap bays with 1TB drives for a massive amount of storage.

One of the best parts about Drobo is that you never risk losing your data to a drive failure. That is always a risk you take if you use normal NAT devices running mirroring where you lose one drive to a failure and you lose all your data. With Drobo if one drive fails your data is still secure and complete, you merely replace one disk and you are back to work. As Drobo fills up a light will illuminate beside empty drive bays to signal you to add more storage. Once all four bays are full, the drive with the lowest capacity will be illuminated by LEDs to tell you which drive to upgrade. This means that Drobo never runs out of storage space, as higher capacity drives become available and as you need more space you simply swap disks and your data never knows the wiser.

No configuration is required with Drobo, the device even formats your new hard drives for you. Another nice feature with Drobo is that you do not loose capacity. In some RAID arrays when you add drives with different capacities you lose storage space. For instance if you were running a normal RAID array for mirroring and you had a 80Gb drive and a 100Gb drive, only 80GB of storage space would be available to you. With Drobo, you would get 80Gb of secured data with 20Gb of non-secured storage space.

Setting Drobo up was as easy as plugging it into an AC outlet, plugging in the USB 2.0 cable and slipping hard drives into the hot-swap bays. Drobo did everything else and within 10 minutes I was ready to save data to Drobo. I added various brands and capacities of drives to Drobo and it just worked flawlessly. Data Robotics does not bundle backup software, or any software for that matter with Drobo. You can use any backup solution available with Drobo or simply save data to the drive as you normally would while working with your computer. Drobo is seen as one large drive no matter the capacity of storage you have equipped.

Once I save data to Drobo, I removed various drives to see if I could still access the several GB of files I placed on it, and I could no matter what drive I removed from the Drobo chassis. Pricing for the Drobo unit is $499, and that includes no disk drives. That may sound steep when you can get USB drives with hundreds of GB of storage for the same amount, but you need to keep in mind that Drobo is literally the last external drive you will need to buy. So long as SATA drives are still made and PCs use USB connections, Drobo can be expanded.

Toshiba USB 2.0 200GB External Hard Drive Review

The Bottom Line

If you need decent storage capacity in a drive that is made for use on the go, the Toshiba USB 2.0 200GB External Hard Drive is the drive you need. The software is easy to use and works well, and the drive is powered totally by the USB bus so no AC adapter is needed.

Pros

• Completely USB bus powered
• Very small and light weight

Cons

• Performance sacrificed for size

Description

• Includes the cables needed to connect the drive with USB 2.0 and USB 1.1 ports.
• Very light weight and compact size makes the drive extremely portable.
• The included back up software is easy to use and can even back up documents while you are working on them.

Guide Review - Toshiba USB 2.0 200GB External Hard Drive Review

If you are the on the go type and you need to be able to save and back up your data from your notebook PC where ever you are the Toshiba USB 2.0 200GB External Hard Drive is a great way to do it. This is one of the most portable external hard drives you will find and the fact that it needs no AC adapter makes it perfect for use outside the office.

Inside the black metal case Toshiba used for the drive is a 2.5” Toshiba notebook hard drive with an 8MB buffer. Using the small notebook drive allows the Toshiba USB 2.0 200GB External Hard Drive to be completely USB bus powered when plugged into a USB 2.0 port. You can still use the drive when it is plugged into a USB 1.1 port, but a second included cable is required to give the drive enough power to operate.

Physicals the Toshiba USB 2.0 200GB External Hard Drive is very small and only weighs one pound and one ounce. Physically the drive measures in at 0.94” x 3.5” x 5.6” and has runner end caps to help prevent damage to the drive in a fall. NTI Shadow software is included to make data back ups easy.

The software is easy to use and allows you to choose the files or directories you want to backup. You can set the frequency from once a month to having backups done every few minutes to keep you from loosing important works in progress.

For my testing, I connected the drive via a USB 2.0 port and used Sandra Xi to see how well the drive performs. The Sandra XI removable storage benchmark showed a combined index of 10112 operations/minute and an endurance factor of 4.3. The random access time on the file systems benchmark was 9ms and the drive index was 28 MB/s. This is certainly slower than drives like the Seagate FreeAgent Pro, but you will be hard pressed to find a drive anywhere near this portable that performs better.

HDA Mystique 7.1 Sound Card

The Bottom Line

The HDA Mystique 7.1 sound card is a good choice for those looking to use their computer with a home audio theatre setup that supports Dolby Digital, but the number of driver issues makes it troublesome when used with applications such as games.

Pros

• Only PCI Card with Dobly Digital Live

Cons

• No Connectors for Front Panel Audio
• Dolby Digital Mode Disables Analog Audio Outputs
• Driver Issues with Support and Sound Settings

Description

• C-Media CMI8768/PCI-8ch+ Audio Processor
• Full-Duplex 8 channel 24-bit/96kHz DAC or 2Ch 16-bit/48kHz ADC
• Integrated S/PDIF Input/Output Supports 44.1/48/96kHz Rates
• Supports Dolby Digital Live Real Time Encoder
• Supports DTS-ES, DD-ES playback with Software Decoding Applications (PowerDVD/WinDVD)
• A3S 1.0, EAX 1.0 and 2.0, C3DX and Direct 3D SW Support
• Two S/PDIF (One Optical, One Coax) Output Connectors
• PCI Revision 2.2 Compliant
• Optional HDA X-10 Digital I/O Extension Board
• Includes Driver CD, Manual and Optical Cable

Guide Review - HDA Mystique 7.1 Sound Card

7/18/05 – The Mystique 7.1 is based upon the C-Media CMI8768/PCI-8ch+ audio processor that is very similar to the model that is found on many motherboards as an integrated solution but it has one major difference. The Mystique's audio processor allows for Dolby Digital Live output. This means the audio card can output a 5.1 audio stream to an external amplifier or Dolby Digital speaker system.

This feature is great for those looking to use the Mystique in a home theater PC. It allows the playback of DVDs in full surround sound with compatible software players such as PowerDVD and WinDVD. But this feature has a major drawback.

In order to generate the Dolby Digital stream, the audio card takes the digital stream that was converted to an analog audio and encodes that to the Dolby Digital output. This extra layer of processing causes additional noise to be introduced into the audio stream. Most people may not notice this but under controlled conditions it is noticeable. The analog jacks are also disabled when digital mode is selected.

Another major issue with the card is the software drivers and their interaction with Windows audio settings. Often the drivers and operating system will disagree about a speaker setting that forces the user to have to realign the two.

Overall, the Mystique is not a bad audio card but it is very specialized. It is a good selection for those using their computer for home theaters but there are better choices for music and gaming audio.

Compaq Presario X6000

The Bottom Line

Compaq's X6000 customizable destkop replacement gives customers a wider range of feature selections that one would expect, but it doesn't really distinguish itself from other desktop replacements available on the market.

Pros

• Strong Desktop Processor
• Good Software Bundle
• Capable 3D Graphics

Cons

• Slower DDR2 Memory Standard
• Limited Battery Life

Description

• Intel Pentium 4 630 (3.0GHz) Desktop Processor(
• 512MB PC2-3200 DDR2 Memory (2GB Max)
• 60GB 4200rpm Hard Drive
• DVD+/-RW Dual-Layer Burner
• 17" WXGA+ (1440x900) LCD and ATI Mobility Radeon X600 with 128MB Memory
• AC'97 Audio
• v.92 56Kbps Modem, 10/100 Ethernet and 802.11b/g Wireless
• Four USB 2, One FireWire, One Express Card/54 and One Type II PC Card Slot
• 15.7" x 11.2" x 2" @ 9.3 lbs.
• Windows XP Pro, Works, Money, Norton Anti-Virus, WinDVD, iTunes, RecordNow 7.0

Guide Review - Compaq Presario X6000

The Compaq Presario X6000 is based around the desktop Pentium 4 630 processor to give it very strong performance. This allows the notebook to be compatible with the latest Windows XP 64-bit OS, but sadly it is not an option on the system. This powerful desktop processor also limits the battery life of the computer system over the Pentium M notebook processors. It is matched up with 512MB of PC2-3200 DDR but it would be nice to see a faster PC2-4300 memory come standard.

Storage on the Presario X6000 is average for a desktop replacement. The standard 60GB 4200rpm lacks the space or speed of some of the other desktop replacements but it can be upgraded to a better model. The 8x DVD+/-R DL burner allows the system to be compatible with all major CD and DVD media types currently available.

Graphics have been upgraded slightly over previous X series desktop replacements. The system comes standard with a 17” wide screen LCD display that is commonplace for desktop replacements now. The ATI Mobility Radeon X600 graphics isn't the fastest available on the market, but it is quite capable at running the latest 3D games at decent resolutions.

One of the areas that Compaq and HP computers have really distinguished themselves from others is in the software. The X6000 comes with a very complete software package that covers most of the application tasks that most users will need.

Compaq Presario Notebook Computer With AMD Athlon™ 64 X2 Dual-Core Mobile Technology TK-53

15.4" BRIGHTVIEW™ WIDESCREEN
Do more in less time with true multi-tasking capabilities with the AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual Core Processor
• 1024MB DDR2 memory
• 80GB hard drive
• Reads and writes DVDs & CDs via the Double Layer drive
• Microsoft® Windows Vista™ Home Premium Edition
• Integrated 802.11b/g wireless LAN


Model F572US

Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 750GB Hard Drive

(Serial ATA-300, 7,200 RPM, 16MB - MPN: ST3750640AS)

Price Range:

$219.99 - $351.25

Description: This 750GB Barracuda 7200.10 SATA internal hard drive provides a speedy 4.16 msec average latency at a 7200 rpm spindle speed. Its 3Gb/s transfer rate via its SATA interface will knock your socks off. Its Perpendicular Recording increases d.... Read More

Description:

This 750GB Barracuda 7200.10 SATA internal hard drive provides a speedy average latency at a 4.16 msec7200 rpm spindle speed. Its 3Gb/s transfer rate via its SATA interface will knock your socks off. Its Perpendicular Recording increases data density while decreasing moving parts for a more dependable drive. Plus, this super-quiet drive's SoftSonic motor enables whisper-quiet operation while its Adaptive Fly Height offers consistent read/write performance from the beginning to end of your computing workloads, and its Clean Sweep automatically calibrates the drive each time you power up.

How to Write Web Pages for the iPhone and Other Wireless Devices

Tips to Design Web Pages that Work on Small Screen Mobile Devices

Basics Behind Building Web Pages for the iPhone

Chances are you've seen the video showing how the iPhone can flip and expand Web pages. It can show you the entire Web page at a glance or zoom in to make the text you're interested in readable. In one sense, since the iPhone uses Safari, Web designers shouldn't have to do anything special to create a Web page that will work on the iPhone.

But do you really want your page to just work? Most designers want their pages to shine!

When you build a Web page you need to think about who's going to view it and how they are going to view it. Some of the best sites take into account what type of device the page is being viewed on, including the resolution, color options, and available functions.
They don't just rely on the device to figure it out.

General Guidelines for Building a Site for iPhones

* Test on as many phones as you can
The first thing you should do is view your site on a cell phone or 10 different cell phones. While there are some emulators out there, they really don't give you the same feel as trying to navigate through a Web site on the tiny little screen.
* Make your pages degrade gracefully.
You can write your pages for Flash-enabled, wide screen browsers, but make sure that the critical information is visible even in a tiny monitor that can't handle any special features (like cookies, Ajax, Flash, JavaScript, etc.). Anything beyond XHTML Basic will be beyond some cell phones.
* Build a wireless specific page - and make it easy to find
If you're going to build a specific page for your cell phone and wireless customers - make it available. A great way is to put the link to the wireless page at the very top of your document, and then hide that link from non-handheld devices using the handheld media type. After all, most people come to your home page, even on cell phones - and if the link to your wireless page isn't there, they'll leave if the page is too hard to use.

Web Page Layout for iPhones

* Remember that the screen is tiny. Web pages that are multiple thin columns (like the New York Times site that the iPhones ads feature) are going to work better on cell phones than Web pages with one large column. The narrower the content is on your normal page, the less it will have to shrink to fit a cell phone window.
* Divide pages into smaller chunks. It can be difficult to read long segments of text on a cell phone, so putting them on multiple pages makes them easier to read.

Links and Navigation on iPhones

* The shorter the links are, the better. If you've ever tried to type in a URL on a cell phone, you'll know that it's a pain (except perhaps for teens who are used to SMSing 24/7). Even on the iPhone it's tedious to type in long URLs. Keep them short.
* Don't put your navigation at the very top of the screen. There is nothing more annoying than having to page through screens and screens of links to find the information you want. If you've looked at Web pages that were designed for cell phones, you'll see that the first things that show up are the content and headline. Then, below that is navigation.
* Access keys are a gift from heaven on cell phones, especially when the links or form fields make it clear what keys can be hit to get that link. If you get into the habit of using access keys on your Web pages, your cell phone users will be ecstatic.

Tips for Images on iPhones

* The images must be small. Yes, the iPhone can zoom and unzoom in on images, but the smaller they are, in both dimensions and download time, the happier your wireless customers will be. Optimizing images is always a good idea, but for cell phone pages, it's critical.
* Images must download quickly. Images take up a lot of space on Web pages when you're viewing them from an iPhone. And while they are often very nice and make the pages look better when viewed on a full-screen Web browser, they often get in the way on a mobile device.
* Don't put large images at the top of the page. Just as with navigation, it can be very tedious to wait for an image that takes up 3-4 screenfuls to load at the very top of the page. And this is extremely common on Web pages.

What to Avoid When Designing for iPhones

While the iPhone supports Flash, many cell phones do not. There are several things you should avoid when building a wireless friendly page. As I mentioned above, if you really want to have these on your page, you can, but make sure that the site works without them.

* Cookies - most cell phones have no cookie support
* Frames - even if the browser supports them, think about the dimensions of the screen. Frames just don't work on wireless devices - they're very difficult or impossible to read.
* Tables - don't use tables for layout on a wireless page. And try to avoid tables in general. They aren't always supported and you can end up with strange results.
* Nested tables - if you must use a table, make sure not to nest it in another table. These are difficult for desktop browsers to support, and at best make the page load more slowly.
* Absolute measures - in other words, don't define the dimensions of objects in absolute sizes (like pixels, millimeters, or inches). If you define something as 100px wide, on one mobile device that might be half the screen and on another it might be two times the width. Relative sizes (like ems and percentages) work best.
* Fonts - don't assume that any of the fonts you're used to having access to will be available on the cell phones.