Archive for April, 2009
Intel Lauds a Bevy of Desktops and Notebooks
(SAN JOSE) Even while awarding PC vendors for producing easier-to-use computers, Intel execs say the need for ‘boring beige boxes’ will continue. At the spring Intel Developer Forum today, company officials awarded Compaq, Dell, Fujitsu-Siemens, Samsung, Sony and SOTEC for producing machines that raised the bar not only on performance but also on personality and simplicity.
IDE, ATA, et al: A Complete Guide to Drive Interfaces
A drive might hint at blistering performance on a spec sheet, but if it doesn’t communicate effectively with the rest of a PC’s system, then it doesn’t matter. Storage Review takes a comprehensive look at hard disk drive interfaces — an element in a PC system that’s in some ways as important as the characteristics of the hard disk itself.
Zip-y CD Burner a Solid (But Slow) Upgrade
Iomega zips into optical data storage with the ZipCD 12x10x32x. Neoseeker says that the burner’s slow write performance is offset by bonuses like Burn Proof technology.
PowerVR Starts Sampling New Chip
3Dfx has already announced Voodoo3. S3′s got its Savage3D. nVidia’s current TNT technology is still hot. But with Dreamcast already selling like hot cakes at IHOP, NEC and VideoLogic are once again setting their sights on the PC space. And today, at long last, the companies announced they have started sampling their latest PC progeny–the PowerVR 250
Chipset Tete-a-Tete
Providing three competing chipsets simultaneously, Asus has allowed for a chipset comparison bonanza. VIA’s 133A, Intel’s Old Faithful – BX and newer i815e chipsets each offer varying degrees of performance, compatibility and stability. Find out how they stack up against each other in the Asus Motherboard Round-Up.
Blue Flame: Netgear Router Is a Sturdy Firewall
Netgear’s RT314 DSL/Cable 4-Port Router locks up a LAN tight. Despite some connectivity trade-offs, SystemLogic.net says the router is a top-notch firewall.
Klipsch Still Wears the Krown Among Audio Komponents
Despite a bevy of loud newcomers into the high-end computer audio marketplace, says System Logic, Klipsch’s THX-certified ProMedia speaker system still delivers computer audio power at a great price.
Another Dolby 5.1 Speaker System? Who Needs It?
Since PS2 got spec’d with Dolby 5.1, audio hardware makers have rushed compatible systems to market, meaning a wealth of great choices for PC audio freaks. But the Rocco 5.1 Dolby Digital System, says Tech Extreme, isn’t one of them.
Intel Keeps Its Seat on the Rambus
(SAN JOSE) Intel officials said they have no intentions of abandoning the controversial Direct RDRAM in favor of DDR anytime soon.
