News for May 9th 2010 – Mother’s Day
|Hey it’s Mother’s Day, so happy Mother’s Day and go read the news:
Quick Links:
Sparkle Computer Corp GeForce GT240 512MB GDDR5 w/ Native HDMI Port Review @ DragonSteelMods
Intel Core i7 980X Extreme Edition CPU @ t-break
Kingston HyperX KHX11000D3K2/4G Dual Channel DDR3 Memory Kit Unboxing Video @ eTeknix.com
Cooler Master 690 II: Inheriting The Best @ InsideHW
In Win Dragon Slayer Case Review @ Hardware Secrets
Evercool Turbo2 VGA Cooler Review @ Hardware Secrets
ASUS Crosshair IV Extreme First Look!.
Cooler Master CM 690 II Advanced Mid-Tower Case Review @ HardwareHeaven.com
Corsair Obsidian Series 700D Full Tower PC Case Review @ Legit Reviews
AMD Phenom II X2 555 BE @ Bjorn3D
ASUS Crosshair IV Extreme first look @ Elite Bastards
ASUS Crosshair IV Formula @ PureOverclock
Thermaltake Luxa2 LM200 @ techPowerUp
Thermaltake Element G ATX Mid Tower Case Review @ BayReviews.com
Storage Related:
Gskill F3-12800Cl7T Tri channel kit:
English link: http://www.rbmods.com/content/22387/gskill-f312800cl7t-tri-channel-kit.aspx
Swedish link: http://www.rbmods.se/content/14530/gskill-f312800cl7t-tri-channel-kit.aspx
Quote: We are going to look at a tri channel memory kit from Gskill today which we will compare vs a high performing Mushkin and Corsair kit. We are going to see what type of speeds we can expect at stock and also what we can do when it comes to overclocking.
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Kingwin EZ-CONNECT USI-2535
URL: http://computingondemand.com/?p=3391
As someone that is expected to fix everyone’s computer in my family, there is nothing more than "WOOT!" that can be said about a product that makes my family obligations easier. My family isn’t exactly the most "in touch" when it comes to computing (you will read an article / rant soon about that) and they make a bunch of dumb mistakes… most of which ends up with them contracting a I.T.D. (Internet Transmitted Disease, a.k.a. VIRUS!). That’s when the frenzy starts, the claims that the world is collapsing, the seas are rising, they can’t send email! I must work quickly and efficiently to alleviate their ailments. With that said, products like the USI-2535 makes my job easier.
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Scythe KamaConnect Plus Muliti-Purpose HDD Adapter @ Pro-Clockers
Review link: http://pro-clockers.com/enclosures/1394-scythe-kamaconnect-plus-.html
The Scythe KamaConnect Plus is a multi-connect device that can be used to connect many different types of media to your PC externally. An all-in-one product that replaces a USB hub, digital card reader and HDD to USB adapter. Yes, the KamaConnect Plus is aimed at the IT tech or even the techie individual that needs a simple devices to carry around to do the job of the three named previously.
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Patriot Memory 16GB Bolt USB Flash Drive Review at CCEReviews
Link: http://www.ccereviews.com/reviews/patriot-memory-16gb-bolt-usb-flash-drive/
Quote: Compact USB Flash Drives are certainly the direction companies are heading and rightfully so, everyone wants something small that can fit in a pocket and feel like nothing. The only problem with it becomes when you lose something so small. It would be a disaster if confidential data was leaked to the competition through an unsecure flash drive. With the Patriot Memory Bolt you can be confident that once encrypted with a password the data can’t be accessed without unlocking the device. After ten brute force attacks the data is simply formatted from the drive.
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Audio / Video:
iFrogz EarPollution ThrowBax Headphones Review @ Virtual-Hideout
Review link: http://www.virtual-hideout.net/reviews/iFrogz_EarPollution_ThrowBax_Headphones/index.shtml
Quote: “Recently I was on the hunt for an affordable pair of headphones to use occasionally with my laptop. However not only did they have to be affordable, they had to sound good and look good. I really like the around the ear fit for its superior comfort and also I like the retro look with exposed frame and such, but those are hard to come by in the affordable range, until now. Upon my online research travels I fell across the ThrowBax lineup of EarPollution headphones from iFrogz. I immediately was drawn to the badass good looks and attention to detail. When I seen that they only retailed for $29.99, I was ready to try them. Then when I found them for under $20 at Amazon.com, I just had to have them. I was prepared for them to be junk, but I was delightfully surprised.”
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Dell SP2309W Monitor – ultimate gaming on a budget?
There has never been a better time for a gamer – even the modern day mid range cards are capable of delivering some incredible frame rates at high resolutions with eye candy cranked to the hilt. If you want to get the greatest and most immersive experience from your games however you really will need a big panel. Thankfully there is a huge selection of ‘true HD’ screens from various manufacturers at tempting price points – some of the 23 and 24 inch models for instance are retailing below the £200 mark.
Dell have always been known to produce a great range of monitors and today we are going to look at a budget 23 inch TN panel called the SP2309W which delivers a staggering resolution of 2048×1152 – well in excess of standard 1080p resolution (1920×1080).
For the full article read over here: On KitGuru
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Sony Webbie MHS-CM1 HD Camcorder @ MobilityDigest
Today for review I’ve got a product from our wonderful friends at Geeks.com. Geeks caries a lot of cheap camcorders and today I’m looking at one, specifically one from Sony actually. Wait, I have Cheap and Sony in the same sentence there don’t I? We often don’t think of Sony products being cheap do we? Most all companies though do have cheap or entry level products and Sony is no exception, you have to have these types of products as many people can’t afford the higher end stuff, so it’s a market segment that needs to be tapped. The product is actually a decent one, it’s an entry level HD camcorder called the Sony Webbie, and it’s not bad at all. it’s takes decent videos, especially if you consider the price is just barely over $100, but what really surprised me though is the quality of the still pictures, they’ve very nice. Normally when you have a camcorder the still camera is sort of like an added function just tossed in there, but the one here is actually decent, even rivaling regular point and shoot camera. So I could keep rambling or you could just continue on to check out this neat little camera…
http://www.mobilitydigest.com/review-sony-webbie-mhs-cm1-hd-camcorder/
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Creative World of Warcraft Headset Review @ Tweaknews
Article Url: http://www.tweaknews.net/reviews/creative_world_of_warcraft_headset/
Article Snippet:
"This headset is a worthy addition to any WoW fan’s gaming arsenal. There’s a lot going for it including excellent sound quality, a comfortable fit, and reliable wireless connectivity. It’s quite a stylish piece of equipment, too. The glowing ear cups with interchangeable Horde and Alliance lenses are fun to customize with different colors and show off to friends."
Mobile / Notebooks etc:
Apple iPad Review
‘Apple’ – It is a name synonymous with a strong emotion response. Never has a company evoked such a dramatic reaction from the enthusiast userbase – you either love ’em or hate ’em, there is little room for middle ground.I have been an Apple fan since I started my career in the late 80’s because they simply revolutionised the design industry. Equally so, I am not an Apple ‘purist’ – I love building my own PC’s and modding things that in all honesty probably didn’t need modded in the first place. Apple certainly don’t always get it right, when they do however they certainly get this reviewer excited.
For the full article read over here: On KitGuru
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IDAPT I3 Universal Desktop Charging Dock @ TechwareLabs
We review IDAPT’s I3, interchangeable charging station. with the myriad of devices the average home carries, this device could be next to invaluable.
LINK: http://www.techwarelabs.com/idapt-i3/
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Speck ToughSkin iPhone Case Review @ ThinkComputers.org
Review URL: http://www.thinkcomputers.org/speck-toughskin-iphone-case-review/
Quote: “When it comes to iPhone cases there are only a few really rugged and tough cases out there, most of the cases you see are for looks and simple protection as most people really do not need all of the protection that a rugged case offers and do not want to deal with the extra bulk of a rugged case. I have reviewed a few cases like this and they are definitely not made for comfort or ease of use. Well Speck has sent us their ToughSkin iPhone Case that not only is rugged but is very functional too. Let’s take a look and see if Speck has actually made a rugged iPhone case that is usable!"
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Toshiba Satellite L555D-S7930 17.3-inch Notebook
QUOTE: "Today I am looking at one of the latest notebook offerings from Toshiba. Toshiba has been offering some nice notebooks for a long time now, but it’s one of the smaller of the major computer makers. As one of the smaller firms in the industry, Toshiba tends to aim at the mainstream market with good pricing and decent performance.
That also means you don’t typically see an all out record setter from the firm and the Toshiba Satellite L555D-S7930 I have on my bench today is just such a machine. The notebook is no slouch in performance and it carries a very nice price tag. If you are in the market for an AMD based notebook with a big screen, decent performance and a good price, this notebook is certainly worth a look. Come along with me as I see what makes the Toshiba Satellite L555D-S7930 tick and find out if it’s right for you."
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iHome iA5 App-Enhanced Alarm Clock Review
"Setting an alarm clock should be easy. But with the cryptic controls on most bedside time keepers, it still isn’t. You’ll be punished with another 59 clicks to get the right time if you roll past the alarm time you wanted to set, be forced to reset the time every few months to keep it accurate to within a minute, and good luck if you want to take advantage of those advanced features to make separate alarms for weekdays and the weekend."
Link to the review: http://www.digitaltrends.com/digital-living-reviews/ihome-ia5-app-enhanced-alarm-clock-review/
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Assorted Stuffs:
Futurelooks’ Guide To Time Saving Gadgets and Ideas For Mom on Mother’s Day
What are you doing for mommy dearest this Mother’s Day? Gone is the stereotype that all mothers are “just” homemakers bound to slaving over hot stoves and cleaning up after children. Moms are so much more than that and they’re busier than ever. As a tribute to all the mommies in the audience, we here at Futurelooks would like to provide this guide for busy moms. By taking advantage of these time-saving strategies, they just may be able to find a little more “me” time and a little more time to relax.
Direct Link: http://www.futurelooks.com/futurelooks-guide-to-time-saving-gadgets-and-ideas-for-mom-on-mothers-day/
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Getting more from your iPad with Citrix and Desktop Connect
QUOTE: "Some of the issues we have talked about with the iPad surround the lack of multitasking, the lack of Flash and no file system access. Well, all hope is not lost for iPad users. There are a couple of methods that can be used to get you a working OS on your iPad. One of these will cost about $12 while the other will cost you quite a bit more while at the same time giving you a considerable amount of performance and flexibility.
The solutions I am talking about are Citrix XenServer virtual server with XenDesktop Express (free) and one of the remote desktop clients for the iPad. So, let’s start with the easiest and cheapest method. This is simply to buy a remote desktop software; something like ”Desktop Connect”."
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Test-Drive Ubuntu 10.04 Using a Bootable USB Flash Drive
http://www.techspot.com/guides/274-run-ubuntu-from-a-flash-drive/
So, you’ve been hearing all this buzz about Ubuntu for a while now and you finally want to take it for a spin? While dual booting Ubuntu with Windows is fairly straightforward, it can seem like a daunting and risky endeavor for the average individual. For those folks, test-driving Ubuntu via the LiveCD is certainly an option, but it comes with a couple major disadvantages: it’s a much slower experience, and all your changes are lost once the operating system is restarted.
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SmartSwipe Magnetic Card Reader
URL: http://www.bcchardware.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=8580&Itemid=40
Quote:
The SmartSwipe does exactly what it is supposed to and it could not be any easier to use. There are however a few downsides with this product. At the moment Smart Swipe is only compatible with Internet Explorer and there is no Mac version yet. Also, the Smart Swipe is a bit expensive retailing around $80-$90 dollars U.S. If you think about though, it is well worth the price for the added security especially if you do a lot of online shopping. . .
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Gaming Related:
Iron Man 2 (Playstation 3)
Videogames based on comic books haven’t often made much of an impact and there is predominately a very good reason why … most of them deliver a similar experience to that of pulling your teeth out with a pair of industrial strength pliers. There was one exception however which was a critical and commercial success – the excellent Batman: Arkham Asylum (and to a lesser extent X-Men Origins: Wolverine wasn’t too shabby either). Part of the problem with this category is caused by an accelerated production and release cycle required for a movie ‘tie in’ to maximise sales.
For the full article read over here: On KitGuru
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15 in 1 Accessory Kit Review @ Wii digest
Review Link: http://wiidigest.com/2010/05/08/15-in-1-accessory-kit-review/
Review Snipit:
" Today for review I’ve got another accessory kit, but this one is not exactly just for gaming, it’s a kit that has a little bit of everything in it. In this kit from CTA Digital you’ll find a components cable, three different controller covers, an accessory box, replacement straps, fan filters, a clear skin for your Wii and even a cleaning cloth. There’s quite a few things in this kit, but the best part of it is the price it’s about $18, so for under $20 you can get many different and useful accessories for your Wii. So read on to see everything and learn a bit about each part…"
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Lost Planet 2 (Xbox 360) Review
Lost Planet met mixed reviews when it was released – I was one of the gamers who thought that it was actually very good. It was not only a solid third person action game but at the time the engine really thrashed the newest graphics hardware. I have been waiting for some time to get my hands on a review copy of Lost Planet 2 and recently the X360 version landed on my lap.
For the full article read over here: On KitGuru
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Review: After Burner Climax @ Xbox360Digest
After Burner Climax is an exhilarating, intense Arcade game, perfect for those who like to keep on trying to increase their high scores through multiple playthroughs. Those looking for long lengths of games will definitely want to avoid this though, due to its incredibly short completion time.
http://www.xbox360digest.com/2010/05/07/review-after-burner-climax/
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SteelSeries NP+ Rough Gaming Surface Mouse Pad @ Benchmark Reviews
DESCRIPTION: Most people buying mousepads expect it to be small and light, so when the SteelSeries NP+ came rolled up in a bundle at half a meter tall, it looked more like a doormat than anything. Today Benchmark Reviews analyses the SteelSeries NP+ rough surface gaming mouse pad to find out what kind of innovation was put into making this unique gigantic gaming mat.
ARTICLE URL: http://benchmarkreviews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=495&Itemid=58
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