The Altec Lansing VS4621 is a stylish 2.1 speaker system designed for your PC.
(Credit: Altec Lansing)LAS VEGAS--As any gamer or music fan knows, your computer's built-in speaker are utter bunk and the more-affordable PC speaker upgrades typically lack in low-end power. To fill the void of booming PC speakers for under a Benjamin, Altec Lansing is gearing up to release its VS4621 2.1 PC speaker system in the Spring, with a down-to-earth retail price of $79.
Like its predecessor, the VS4121, the new system features a pair of stylish and slim stereo speakers that connect to an impressive-looking powered subwoofer. The sub sports a 6.5-inch driver in a ported enclosure, while the stereo speakers use a unique combination of 1-inch tweeters and downward-firing 3-inch midrange drivers.
Controls for volume and EQ are located on the front of the right stereo speaker. A headphone jack and line-input are also included.
LAS VEGAS--Even if HP, Dell, and Lenovo lost points from Greenpeace last year for failing to eliminate environmentally harmful materials across all of their products, the earth activists have to appreciate HP's efforts behind its new HP Compaq 8000f Elite Ultra-slim business desktop.
HP's new eco-friendly Compaq 8000f Elite Ultra-slim business desktop.
(Credit: HP)Plastered with green-approved certifications from EPEAT Gold and EnergyStar, and equipped with an 80-Plus certified power supply, the system meets all of the familiar tech standards we look for in a PC with an environmentally conscious pedigree. HP also says it took a less common step by using no polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or brominated flame retardants (BFRS) in any of the system's components or accessories. We're especially glad to see HP take these steps in a business PC, given the tendency for bulk enterprise orders. If enough companies place large orders for systems like this, they stand to make a noticeable reduction in energy consumption and pollutant spread.
As to whether a business would actually want to ... Read the full post at CNET's CES 2010 blog
In addition to the sharp IdeaCentre A300, Lenovo also announced two more straightforward PCs, both due out later this quarter.
Lenovo's new IdeaCentre K320 performance desktop.
(Credit: Lenovo)The IdeaCentre K320 is Lenovo's first foray into a performance-oriented tower system in the U.S. The spare Intel Core i3-based K320 will start at $600 when it launches on January 31, but with options including a Blu-ray burner, an ATI Radeon HD 5970 graphics card, and an Intel Core i7 860 CPU, you can get the price up to $1,999.
The $650 Lenovo IdeaCentre C315.
(Credit: Lenovo)The K320 could be competitive with the right configuration, but we're skeptical of the IdeaCentre C315. At $650 when it launches on March 1, this Intel Atom 330-based Nettop might cost $100 less than Gateway's recent ZX4800-02, but the Lenovo's performance will be significantly slower, with few discernible benefits other than its lower price to make up the difference. The Gateway's 750GB hard drive is beefier than the C315's 640GB upgrade option, and both offer touch software and a DVD burner. The Lenovo offers an ATI Radeon 4530 graphics chip as an option as well, but the default model boasts only an outdated Intel GMA 950 video chip.
... Read the full post at CNET's CES 2010 blogUpdate: Lenovo informs us that the A300 will start at $699 in its lowest-end configuration, and it's scheduled to hit retail on February 22nd.
We've always been relatively cool to Lenovo's desktop efforts, but the utterly unique IdeaCentre A300, announced Monday, got our attention.
Lenovo's new IdeaCentre A300 all-in-one
(Credit: Lenovo)Between its pared-down base, off-center display support, and thin, non-touch-screen, 21.5-inch LCD, the IdeaCentre A300 sheds most of the iMac-inspired conventions of all-in-one design. The CPU, RAM, and hard drive all live in the base (where options include Intel Dual Core Pentium and Core 2 Duo chips, and up to a 500GB hard drive and 4GB of RAM), and, as you might expect, the screen swivels around on its post.
More details after the jump.
... Read the full post at CNET's CES 2010 blog
The HP IQ524 TouchSmart features a wireless mouse and keyboard--and a touch screen!
(Credit: J&R)I'm a sucker for all-in-one PCs. There's just something appealing about getting the full "desktop experience" without a big, bulky tower.
Right now, J&R has a doozy of an all-in-one deal: the HP IQ524 TouchSmart Desktop PC for $699 shipped. It's a refurb, so there's a 90-day warranty.
This is no ordinary all-in-one. The IQ524's 22-inch LCD is actually a touch screen, meaning you can interact with it using a finger instead of a mouse. (Don't worry: a wireless mouse comes with the system, as does a wireless keyboard.)
Consequently, I envision this as a pretty ideal "kitchen PC," one that allows you to leave the mouse in a drawer while still pulling up Web pages, checking e-mail, and the like.
The rest of the TouchSmart's specs are solid, including a 2GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, 4GB of RAM, a 500GB hard drive, and a DVD burner.
The system also sports a Webcam and microphone (Skype away), 802.11n Wi-Fi, and integrated Intel GMA X3100 graphics--too weak for heavy-duty gaming, but sufficient for everyday operations.
I haven't found many reviews of the IQ524, but scattered user ratings lead me to believe this is a terrific system. The only real disappointment is that it comes with Vista Home Premium 64-bit, not Windows 7. On the other hand, it regularly sells for $900 or more, so I can't ding it too much for the OS.
I have no idea when this deal will expire or sell out, so if you're interested, act fast!
Each holiday season, millions of computers celebrate the holidays isolated and unappreciated for all the hard work they do throughout the year. Whether you just unwrapped a new PC or you're just looking to upgrade your old standby Windows XP or Mac G5 computer, we have the perfect accessories to complement your system.
From replacement keyboards and mice to reduce typing fatigue to aftermarket monitors that increase your workspace and external hard drives for more storage space, these peripherals are a simple and cost-effective way to show your PC the love it deserves.
Accessories
Best Printers
Best Storage Drives
Best Keyboards
Best Mice
Best LCD Monitors
Best Computer Speakers
Related Resources:
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In this week's preholiday edition of the Digital City Podcast, we all get ready for our one long break of the year, accompanied by special guest smartphone guru (and new CNET East Coaster) Bonnie Cha.
Scott and Joe have seen James Cameron's "Avatar"; Bonnie and Julie haven't. We also discuss Intel's new Atom Netbooks, 3D Blu-ray on the PS3, holiday smartphones, and upcoming laptops and phones at CES 2010. Best of all, Scott gets a chance to show off his one and only Batjew T-shirt. Watch it on video or you'll miss it.
Plus, don't forget to enter a comment to win a 16GB Zune HD of your very own. Happy holidays!
Related links:
>>3D Blu-ray standard outlined, includes PS3
>>New Atom Netbooks: Strange timing for shoppers?
>>CES 2010 Preview: Cell phones
>>CES 2010 Preview: Desktops and laptops
>>Watch the Digital City live every Monday at 3 p.m. EST on CNET Live!
>>Subscribe to Digital City on iTunes
>>Join the Digital City Facebook fan page
>>Need more? Follow Dan on Twitter! And Scott!
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(Credit:
Dan Ackerman )
As someone who moves into a new laptop a couple of times per week on average, I'd like to think I know a thing or two about getting a PC optimally set up. For more than a year now, I've carried a USB key on my keychain (most recently the excellent LaCie Iamakey), containing a folder of install files for apps I know I'm going to want to have on whatever laptop I'm reviewing at the moment.
While you're probably setting up only one new desktop or laptop this holiday season (or maybe more if you're the unofficial family IT guy), it makes sense to have a checklist of apps, especially free ones, that should be installed on any new PC.
Check out the slideshow below to see my personal list of apps I keep on my USB key, or give us your suggestions in the comments section below.
> Need more? Follow me at twitter.com/danackerman.
> See our Holiday laptop picks in the CNET Holiday Tech Guide.
> Everything you need to know about buying a laptop.
PC shipments are the latest tech sector showing signs of life.
For the third quarter, worldwide computer shipments rose 2.3 percent from the same quarter a year ago, their first gain after three consecutive quarters of declines, according to IDC's latest Worldwide Quarterly PC Tracker report released on Thursday.
Hot back-to-school demand boosted overall shipments. Portable PCs enjoyed a 33.5 increase from a year ago, but desktops continued their descent reflecting the consumer drive to mobile computers.
The decline in commercial PCs also began to slow in the third quarter, indicating to IDC that IT spending should gradually revive over the next few quarters, with a solid rebound expected in the second half of 2010.
Thanks to the latest results, PC shipments are expected to show gains of 1.3 percent for 2009, rising to 10.3 percent next year. The total number of shipments is likely to hit 291.4 million units this year and 321.4 million next year, up from 287.6 million in 2008.
(Credit:
IDC)
Much of the growth will come from emerging regions, which now account for half of the market. Portables should enjoy an 18.1 percent gain in shipments in 2010, but desktop shipments are likely to be flat. Netbooks will grow, but at a slower pace, due to the appeal of new ultra-thin portables. Overall, IDC forecasts double-digit gains in PC shipments each year to 2013, when the number of units could reach as high as 444.4 million.
"Once again, the PC market shows its resiliency," said Loren Loverde, program director of IDC Worldwide Trackers, in a statement. "The speed of market stabilization and growth in key segments reflect the essential role of personal computing today. Technology evolution and falling prices remain a compelling combination. As commercial spending recovers in 2010, we expect to see robust growth over the next several years."
With Psystar barred permanently by a judge from selling anymore Open Computers, the Mac clone maker became just one in a string of companies that have tried selling Mac OS X on non-Apple hardware.
During Apple's three decades in business, it has at some points licensed its operating system for use on third-party computers. But since CEO Steve Jobs' return in 1997, the policy has been clear: Apple will be the only company allowed to sell Mac OS preinstalled.
Though Psystar tried and failed, there are still two companies out there--safely outside the U.S. and the reach of American copyright law--continuing to defy Apple's legally upheld EULA.
Here's a look back.
