If you want your desktop, named after the heroic champions systems or strong supporters of a cause, the Gamer paladin from 998 iBuyPower is for you. We found that the system was at least a strong supporter of the game, the Intel Core 2 Quad Q9550, Palit Revolution 700 Deluxe GPU (ATI Radeon 4870 X2) and 4GB of OCZ Gold memory DDR-1333.
Microsoft recently released the Zune16 (a flash drive-based media player) and Zune120 (a larger, hard drive-based player). The newest DAPs (digital audio players) from Microsoft offer more storage space (16GB and 120GB, respectively) than previous versions of the player, but the basic design doesn’t differ from the second-generation Zune. With a 3.2-inch screen, a touchpad for navigation, and measurements of 4.3 x 2.4 x 0.5 inches (HxWxD), the Zune120 I recently tested looks much like its predecessor. The only difference is the black (instead of silver) back and glossy front.
It’s been a blue year for Toshiba. The company threw in the towel to end the so-called format wars last March, making the HD DVD (high-definition digital video disc) obsolete overnight. As of press time, the company hasn’t jumped on the blue bandwagon with its own BD (Blu-ray Disc) players, which play the “winning” high-def format from its erstwhile rival, Sony.
Instead, Toshiba is still swinging at Blu-ray, just with the other fist. Its new $149 DVD player can upconvert existing movie collections to HDTV resolutions so well, the company doesn’t quite say, that it makes BD irrelevant. The new player is totally unrelated to HD DVD’s downfall, wink wink.
The “XDE” in the XD-E500’s name stands for “eXtended Detail Enhancement” (www.toshibaxde.com). When it’s connected to an HDTV using an HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) cable, the player can upconvert DVDs to 720p, 1080i, and 1080p resolutions.In addition, the XD-E500 offers three optional picture modes (only available in 1080 resolution over an HDMI connection). Sharp is self-explanatory, adding definition to object edges. Color boosts blue and green hues.
Internal hard drives-both for desktops and laptops-have dropped so dramatically in price in recent years that many consumers regularly replace their drives with beefier models to accommodate their everexpanding collections of video files, music, and other storage hungry content.
But that practice can present a challenge: Do you try to sell the old drive for pennies on the dollar or simply discard it? Now, you don’t have to do either. Thermaltake has devised a unique solution to using internal hard drives that are no longer installed in your computers.
Following up on the release of its sub-$500, student-targeted HP 2133 Mini-Note in April 2008, the company has now expanded its HP Mini family with the new HP Mini 1000 line. Each of the three new netbooks measures less than 1 inch thick, weighs 2.25 pounds, and has a keyboard that is slightly smaller than a standard notebook keyboard.
All models also include a built-in Web cam and microphone, along with a BrightView widescreen Infinity display with flush glass, LED (light-emitting diode) backlight, and 1,024 x 600 resolution. Each is powered by an Intel Atom N270 1.6GHz processor.
The HP Mini 1000 (starting at $399.99; www.hp.com) includes Windows XP Home, an 8.9-inch display (a 10.2-inch display is also available), 512MB of DDR2 (double-data rate 2) memory (1GB is also available), 8GB SSD (solidstate drive; 16GB SSD and 60GB, 4,200rpm PATA [Parallel Advanced Technology Attachment] drives are also available), Wireless-G card, 3- cell lithium polymer battery, integrated stereo speakers, two USB ports, a microphone-in port, and Microsoft Works 9.
The HP Mini 1000 with MIE (Mobile Internet Experience) software (starting at $379) will be available this month and features an HP-developed, dashboard-style interface that’s designed to streamline the viewing of digital content such as videos, photos, music, and email. The MIE model is bundled with Internet-focused software for tasks such as instant messaging, email, and online video chat. These applications are preloaded and run from the MIE dashboard to minimize start time, and favorite Web sites that are added to the dashboard stay live. If you’re feeling fancy, a third model is also available.
The HP Mini 1000 Vivienne Tam Edition (starting at $699) features the artwork of designer Vivienne Tam, with a peony flower-inspired design that reflects Tam’s Spring 2009 collection. The design was first unveiled on the runway of the designer’s fashion show during New York’s Fashion Week last September, though according to HP, onlookers mistook the HP Mini 1000 for a purse.