News for June 21 2010

Kristofer Brozio | June 21, 2010 | Uncategorized | No Comments

Hello, Hello! Another Monday is here, time for the start of another glorious work week! I’ve got a couple reviews coming for you this week of the Apple iPod nano 5th and another GPS unit, but this one though is the first one I’ve seen that lets you play videos! it’s kind of like a portable media player with GPS functionality built-in, it’s actually kind of cool. Over the weekend I added another of my ‘Quick-Look’ video to the YouTube account, this one is of the Kyocera S2300 phone, and when I get some time, I’ll be posting another look at a phone camera… But for now though I’ve got the news for you from sites around the world… And over there to the right is our newsgirl bringing us the news…

Storage Related:

Crucial C300 SATA 6Gb/s SSD Review.
Quote: We all know that SSDs are blazingly fast. What would you get if you took an SSD and added SATA 6Gb/s support? Let’s find out.
Link: http://www.overclock3d.net/reviews/storage/crucial_c300_sata_6gb_s_ssd_review/1

‘Western Digital My Passport Studio 640GB Review’
A good looking and speedy external drive made for your Mac.
The Full Article can be viewed at http://tech.tbreak.com/2010/06/western-digital-my-passport-studio-640gb-review/

Memonex Race R310 16GB USB Drive @ iGadgetLife

Today for review I’ve got the Race R310 16gb USB drive from a company called Memonex, I never heard of them, but they emailed me and asked me to review their products, being curious I said sure. The drive itself is aluminum and plastic so it’s well well, but I found that it performs very well, above the specs that Memonex even cited for it. It’s probably one of the fastest drives out there today, at least faster than those I’ve compared it to anyway, and they’re form companies like Sandisk, Verbatim and PNY. So read on to check out a fast little USB drive

http://igadgetlife.com/reviews/review-of-memonex-race-r310-16gb-usb-drive/

iStar BPU-2535V2 Dual 2.5 to 3.5-inch Enclosure Review @ [OC]ModShop

Some computer enthusiasts have toyed with the idea of using laptop hard drives in their desktop PC. Because of their lower noise and heat, they are perfect for small builds, home theater PCs (HTPCs), or any other computer appliance where silence is golden. I’ve even known people who set up 2.5" hard drives in a RAID array so they perform faster than a traditional hard drive, yet are practically silent. You may even have just a buttload of laptop hard drives laying around and want to get some use out of them.
Regardless of your reasons, placing a 2.5-inch hard drive into a desktop PC requires some special mounting hardware and interface adapters What if there was some hard drive enclosure that allowed you to not only easily use laptop drives in your rig, but allowed for hot-swapping as well? Well iStar USA has you covered with their BPU-2535V2 2.5-inch to 3.5-inch hard drive enclosure.

Review URL ::
http://www.ocmodshop.com/ocmodshop.aspx?a=1762

Hard-Drive Roundup June 2010 @ HardwareHeaven.com
"Todays review includes SandForce, Indilinx and Toshiba based SSDs mixed in with the Seagate 6GB/s and VelociRaptor mechanical models then just for good measure a high spec 2.5" mechanical drive is added to ensure we have a complete picture of the real world performance available at each market segment."

http://www.hardwareheaven.com/reviews/989/pg1/hard-drive-roundup-june-2010-introduction.html

SandForce SF-1200 SSD Firmware Comparison @ Benchmark Reviews

DESCRIPTION: Very recently Benchmark Reviews has tested several Solid State Drive products based on the SandForce SF-1222 controller. The specifications for each product were each very similar, if not identical. Throughout all of our benchmark SSD tests the results were also very close, and nothing seemed to stand out until we concentrated in one particular area. The differences were made evident as we experimented with a new benchmark setting for upcoming SSD reviews. Consider these factors when you shop for and compare SandForce-based SSDs, just exactly as it required back when Indilinx firmware updates were changing the landscape.

ARTICLE URL: http://benchmarkreviews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=531

Patriot Inferno SandForce SSD Kit @ Benchmark Reviews

DESCRIPTION: SandForce-based SSDs are getting tremendous attention from the industry, and for very good reason. Benchmark Reviews has tested several products based on the SF-1222 controller, and every one of them have demonstrated exceptional operational performance and speed. With so many storage solutions coming to market that are based on the same design, price and warranty determine the best product. Based on the SandForce SF-1200 processor, the Patriot Inferno SSD uses special selected NAND flash component to deliver the best performance possible. In this article Benchmark Reviews tested the 100GB Patriot Inferno SSD, model PI100GS25SSDR, against some of the fastest storage solutions on the market.

ARTICLE URL: http://benchmarkreviews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=509&Itemid=60

SilverStone DS221 External 2.5-inch HDD Dual Bay RAID Enclosure Review @ ThinkComputers.org

Review URL: http://www.thinkcomputers.org/silverstone-ds221-external-2-5-inch-hdd-dual-bay-raid-enclosure-review/

Quote: “External storage is still very important to a lot of people. Especially people who use external storage for transferring files between 2 different computers or people use it for a work machine and a home machine. 2.5-inch hard drives have been overlooked for a while now, but since solid state drives use that form factor SilverStone has released the DS221 which is a dual bay 2.5-inch external hard drive enclosure that supports RAID. Let’s take a look…"

Verbatim SmarkDisk Crossfire 1TB USB External Hard Drive Review @ ThinkComputers.org

Review URL: http://www.thinkcomputers.org/verbatim-smarkdisk-crossfire-1tb-usb-external-hard-drive-review/

Quote: “External hard drives are still used quite often, I actually have 4 external hard drives hooked up to my main machine right now. External hard drives are very popular because they are easy to install (just plug them in) and make it so you can transfer files between 2 machines with ease. Today we will be taking a look at a 1TB drive from Verbatim. This USB drive would be a perfect addition to anyone’s desktop system and can even be used with a laptop. Let’s take a look!

OCZ Solid 2 Series 60GB Solid State Drive Review @ ThinkComputers.org

Review URL: http://www.thinkcomputers.org/ocz-solid-2-series-60gb-solid-state-drive-review/

Quote: “Recently Indilinx, the makers of the ever-famous Barefoot solid state drive controller have released a new controller called the Barefoot ECO. This new controller allows drive manufacturers to use 32nm Intel NAND flash instead of the typical 40nm NAND flash we are used to seeing on previous solid state drives. These smaller flash chips have a smaller production cost, which will bring down the cost of the drives. Today we will be taking a look at the Solid 2 Series 60GB drive from OCZ, which is based on this new controller. This drive is also under $200 so let’s take a look!"

SSDs are becoming cheaper to purchase. Case in point: Intel’s X25-V 40GB, which is currently selling for $115. Can this value offering hang with the rest of the solid-state crowd either on its own or in a two-drive RAID 0 array? Let’s find out
http://techreport.com/articles.x/18875

SandForce showdown: Corsair’s Force F200 and OCZ’s Agility 2 and Vertex 2 SSDs

A solid-state drive’s controller chip largely determines its destiny. SandForce’s SF-1200 is the latest controller to hit the market, and we’ve taken it for a spin in Corsair’s Force F200 and OCZ’s Agility 2 and Vertex 2 SSDs. Keep reading to see if all the hype is deserved.
http://techreport.com/articles.x/18864

Audio / Video:

Grace Digital Eco Extreme Rugged All Terrain Speaker Case @ iGadgetLife

Our MP3 players and phones are rather expensive and most all have a great big flaw, they’re rather fragile. If you’re the outdoorsy type then this fragility doesn’t exactly work with your lifestyle, you’ll need some heavy duty protection for your electronics and what I have for review today might work well for you and your rugged lifestyle. Today for review I have the Grace Digital Eco Extreme Rugged All terrain Speaker Case. This case is big, but it’s rugged and waterproof, it even includes a pressure relief valve if you’re hiking up in the mountains in high altitudes. Inside the case you’ll find a single audio cable along with a battery compartment and a padded section for your phone or MP3 player to sit comfortably in. On the outside is the the speaker and combination power and volume knob along with lots of rubber padding around the slides of the case, a metal carabineer, and a couple heavy duty locking clamps to secure the case closed and keeps out the elements. So read on to learn more about the Eco Extreme from Grace Digital.

http://igadgetlife.com/reviews/review-of-grace-digital-eco-extreme-rugged-all-terrain-speaker-case/

Everything USB is pleased to announced our latest review on ION Tape Express USB Cassette Archiver.

USB turntables have been fairly popular with boomers clamoring to get their vinyl gold transferred to digital MP3, but the lowly cassette tape has not been shown nearly as much love. The cassette tape may not have the same audiophile reputation that does the venerable LP record, but converting your vast collection of old tapes can still be a very time consuming task. The ION Tape Express promises to allow you to "Rediscover your cassette tapes as MP3’s." But the real question on everyone’s mind should be just how easy it is to do that. Well, my old Kenny G collection is ready to be loved again so it’s time to find out.

http://www.everythingusb.com/ion-tape-express-usb-cassette-archiver-19275.html

Ozone Strato USB Headset @ LanOC Reviews
DESCRIPTION: Today I have the chance to take a look at the Strato Headset from Ozone. We had the chance to take a look at their Smog during mouse week and their ground level mouse pads soon after. They obviously have a strong focus on gaming. I hope that focus carries over to the Strato headset; I plan on putting it to the test in a few to many sessions of Modern Warfare 2.
ARTICLE URL: http://lanoc.org/review/hardware/sound/3453-ozone-strato-usb-headset

Kodak EasyShare M341:
English link: http://www.rbmods.com/content/23862/kodak-easyshare-m341-introduction.aspx
Swedish link: http://www.rbmods.se/content/14728/kodak-easyshare-m341-introduction.aspx
Quote: Digital cameras have become the norm for almost all home consumers. While most of us do not have $2500 to drop on a Cannon EOS 5D DSLR, we can afford something better than the cameras built into our phones. Geeks offers cheap digital cameras so, today we are reviewing the Kodak M341

Apple iPod Nano 8GB (5th Generation) Review @ ThinkComputers.org

Review URL: http://www.thinkcomputers.org/apple-ipod-nano-8gb-review/

Quote: “Apple’s iPod is the most popular MP3 player out there, if someone I know has an MP3 player it’s an iPod. I don’t think I’ve even seen an MP3 player lately that isn’t an iPod. The last time we reviewed an iPod at was the iPod Nano (3rd Generation). Today we have its successor the iPod Nano (5th Generation). This new iPod Nano was announced back in September and has a few features that previous iPod’s just didn’t have including a video camera, microphone, FM radio and a speaker. Let’s take a look and see what this new iPod is all about."

Mobile Related:

OS 4 Walkthrough on an iPhone 3GS
We take a look at iOS 4 on an iPhone 3GS and show you some of its new features.
The Full Article can be viewed at http://tech.tbreak.com/2010/06/ios-4-walkthrough-on-an-iphone-3gs/

‘Acer Mini D250’
Do you want both performance and style on the go? If so, then the stunning 10.1" Aspire One D250 is right for you. Beneath its handsome exterior, this netbook delivers 8 hours1, 2of battery-powered connectivity via wireless and optional 3G. Its advanced features and easy "carry-ability" make the Aspire One D250 perfect for go-everywhere daily […]
The Full Article can be viewed at http://tech.tbreak.com/laptop/acer-mini-d250/

Choiix Comforter Lapdesk Review @ ThinkComputers.org

Review URL: http://www.thinkcomputers.org/choiix-comforter-lapdesk-review/

Quote: “You can find notebook stands out there but they are mainly made for use at a desk. If you are like me you use your laptop all over your house, in the kitchen, on the couch and even in bed. Sometimes I wish I had something to put my laptop on in these situations. Well look no further it’s here, the Choiix Comforter Lapdesk. Its unique design allows you to use it on any table or desk, while you are relaxing on the couch and even when you are lying in bed. Let’s take a look at the Comforter Lapdesk and see if it is perfect for you!"

Speck AftPack Notebook Backpack Review @ ThinkComputers.org

Review URL: http://www.thinkcomputers.org/speck-aftpack-notebook-backpack-review/

Quote: “We have already looked at 2 bags from Speck, the CorePack Fly and the PortPack. Today we will be looking at a 3rd bag from them, the AftPack. While the CorePack Fly was a messenger bag and the PortPack was a shoulder bag the AftPack is a backpack. Backpacks are great for people who want to protect their laptop, but also need to the room to carry large text books and other larger items. Read on as we check out the AftPack from Speck."

Hiyatek HY-CF-6322 Foldable Notebook Cooler Review @ ThinkComputers.org

Review URL: http://www.thinkcomputers.org/hiyatek-hy-cf-6322-foldable-notebook-cooler-review/

Quote: “Hiyatek is a company many people may not have heard of. Based out of Taipei, they specialize in mainly PC accessories like storage devices, USB hubs, card readers, and notebook coolers. Some of their products are actually really unique and cool. Today we will be looking at their HY-CF-6322 Notebook Cooler. This notebook cooler is actually really interesting because it is foldable, but will it do a good job cooling your laptop? Read on to find out!"

Speck PortPack Notebook Shoulder Bag Review @ ThinkComputers.org

Review URL: http://www.thinkcomputers.org/speck-portpack-notebook-shoulder-bag-review/

Quote: “When most people think of laptop bags they think of the typical messenger bags, probably because that is usually all they sell in stores like Best Buy. Even though messenger bags are probably the most popular type of laptop bag, many companies make shoulder bags. Ever since I started reviewing laptop bags I’ve really come to appreciate shoulder bags because they are perfect for going to coffee shops and other places where you really don’t need a huge bag to carry a lot of gear. Today we will be taking a look at a really cool shoulder bag from Speck, the PortPack."

Assorted Stuffs:

Now that we know what kind of graphics hardware is running the 3DS, we can begin to set our expectations on how it will compare to current handheld gaming devices. This chart compares the 3DS technical specifications to the PSP, iPhone 3GS, and original DS. How does it compare?

http://www.hardcoreware.net/nintendo-3ds-specs-comparison/

The Hottest Booth Babes of E3 2010 @ Legit Reviews

Many of our readers have been giving very positive feedback on our coverage of this years Electronic Entertainment Expo and today we conclude it with booth babes! To keep up with the demand of our readers, we would not be giving proper coverage without showing what many would consider the best part, the booth babes! Look on to check out the hottest booth babes that we could locate on the show floor!
Article URL: http://www.legitreviews.com/article/1344/1/

Futurelooks fires out the last of the E3 2010 stuff…

E3 2010 – Sports Games and Accessories Across Platforms

Sports fans of all types had something to see at this year’s E3 Electronic Entertainment Expo in Los Angeles. While other people were gawking at the Nintendo 3DS or Gears of War 3, the hoop stars weren’t disappointed either. Here are some of the notable sports games featured at the show.

Direct Link:http://www.futurelooks.com/e3-2010-sports-games-and-accessories-across-platforms/

E3 2010 – New to Nintendo Wii, DS and 3DS

I’ll admit that I’ve always been somewhat of a Nintendo fanboy. I grew up playing Contra and Gun Smoke on the original NES, graduating to Street Fighter II on the SNES, Mario 64 on the N64, all the way up to Wii Sports Resort on the Wii. That’s why I just had to visit the Nintendo booth at E3 2010.

Direct Link:http://www.futurelooks.com/e3-2010-new-to-nintendo-wii-ds-and-3ds/

Title: Is AMD’s New 2D Acceleration Architecture Still Slow? @ Phoronix
Direct Link: http://www.phoronix.com/vr.php?view=15040
Summary: "Earlier this week AMD released the Catalyst 10.6 driver that on the Linux side of the table had finally made use by default of their new 2D acceleration architecture, offered official support for Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5.5, and formalized their OpenGL 3.3/4.0 support. Since the release of the Catalyst 10.6 Linux driver, we have been running a new set of tests on their new ATI 2D acceleration architecture, but the results are not what you may expect when compared to the open-source ATI Linux driver."

SmartSwipe Review at CCE Reviews
Link: http://www.ccereviews.com/reviews/smartswipe/
Quote: The SmartSwipe is incredibly simple to use and it works with all major credit cards (AMEX, VISA, MasterCard, Discovery and JBC). While it should work on all secure check out pages I’m sure there will be the odd one where it’s not supported. Those are the exceptional shady ones I would avoid. Overall, I’m extremely happy with the SmartSwipe and would be happy to recommend it to anyone who has been hesitant to buy online because they had to manually input their credit card information.

Hands-On: Microsoft Kinect a Major Let Down
"First there were Atari’s paddles. Then D-pads, analog sticks, and rumble packs. While most innovations in controller design have incrementally boosted the number of buttons, triggers and other inputs crammed into a two-handed brick, Microsoft’s Kinect promises to do away with them forever."
Link to the talk back:
http://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/hands-on-microsoft-kinect-a-major-let-down/

Sportsman 440/465 Video Eyewear @ TechwareLabs

Quote: Ever since you were a kid, you’ve wanted a pair of glasses with a hidden camera. Most attempts to do this have resulted in ugly, impractical glasses that have a cord you have to run down your body, to a device that records everything. Sportsman’s Eyewear, a relatively new company based out of Waynesboro , Virginia, took that idea and tried to perfect it. Join Dan as TechwareLabs takes these glasses for a test drive – literally.
LINK: http://www.techwarelabs.com/sportsman-440465-video-eyewear/

Radioactive PC Plasma Mainstream Gaming System Review @ ThinkComputers.org

Review URL: http://www.thinkcomputers.org/radioactive-pc-plasma-mainstream-gaming-system-review/

Quote: “We all know someone that loves computer games, but knows nothing about computers. They want a really fast system, but have no clue how to build one. This is where custom PC builders come in. The thing with many of them is that they are extremely overpriced and they really don’t treat the customer right. Recently we were contacted by Radioactive PC. They are relatively new company that was founded in 2003. They offered is one of their desktops to review and of course we accepted. The system they sent us is their Plasma Mainstream system. Let’s take this system for a test drive and see if it makes it through all of our tests!"

How to Flash (Update) Your Motherboard’s System BIOS @ ThinkComputers.org

Article URL: http://www.thinkcomputers.org/how-to-flash-your-motherboards-system-bios/

Quote: “Recently Bob did an article on finding out the model of your motherboard. Since you usually find out the version of your board’s BIOS at the same time, I thought that an article on updating, or flashing, your BIOS would be a good idea. There were numerous articles on the subject back when I first got into building, and all of them involved a 3.5” floppy drive. Today, nearly all motherboards have multiple options for flashing the BIOS, and normally a floppy isn’t required."

Where have all the good touchpads gone?

In his latest blog post, TR’s Cyril Kowaliski laments the poor quality of touchpads on modern laptops. Once a fan of the IBM TrackPoint, Cyril was seduced by the huge glass touchpads of Apple’s aluminum MacBooks, and he wonders why PC makers have chosen to emulate the outside appearance of those machines but not their ergonomics.
http://techreport.com/discussions.x/19063