monitor

Following on the heels of yesterday's Crystal LCD release, Dell is at it again today with a new 30-inch LCD monitor, the UltraSharp 3008WFP. Compared to last year's 3007WFP model, which we liked, the 3008WFP features a new look and loads more connections. The image here doesn't do it justice, but the 3008WFP has a brushed aluminum housing that sits atop a glossy, flat base (say goodbye to the Flying V stand of last year's model). And the cantilever arm allows for more flexible positioning.

Our biggest complaint with last year's model was the limited … Read more

Dell isn't exactly known for its cutting-edge fashion, but it's definitely creating a buzz for the New Year with its "Crystal LCD" monitor. To look at the flash ad on Dell's site, you'd think it was a new Mercedes that was being rolled out.

First impressions seem to be somewhat mixed, as Boing Boing and others have criticized this museum piece as being all about show and short on specs, notably its size and resolution (22 inches, 1,680x1,050). And Dell is baiting the detractors by adorning it with a price tag of $… Read more

Still squinting into that old 17-inch LCD? Might be time for an upgrade. Widescreen monitors are all the rage nowadays, and with good reason: They're great for games, movies, TV, and even productivity (more screen estate means more room for windows, less scrolling, yada yada yada). I recently sprung for a 22-incher and couldn't be happier with it.

It's rare to find an LCD of that size selling for under $200, but Newegg.com has a deal that comes close: The Hanns-G HG-216DPO 22-inch widescreen LCD for $209, shipped. And no rebates!

Hanns-G isn't a household … Read more

Sony's prototype, wind-up Odo digital camera is among the gadgets attracting attention at Tokyo's largest green products fair this week. We're spying from afar at Eco-Products 2007, which includes more than 500 exhibitors.

The Odo looks like a giant, plastic toy sprout when plugged into a planter-shaped base to transfer images to a computer. The camera takes 15 seconds to recharge, either by rolling the charger wheel with fingers or running it over surface. Sony's Spin N Snap takes still photos while the Crank N Capture shoots video.

Other future-forward products attracting attention at the fair … Read more

We answer questions on The Personal Computer Show and I thought a recent one would be of interest. A listener wrote (paraphrasing):

I want to buy a new monitor, to be used mostly for Office type work (spreadsheets and Word documents, etc). At present, I am using a small old CRT. Can you make a recommendation for the "sweet spot" as far as best value.

Our monitor/TV expert, Alfred Poor responded:

"A 19" monitor is probably the sweet spot these days. Keep in mind that a 19" wide format monitor is actually much smaller … Read more

We all know Hannspree is wonderfully bonkers. Why else would it sell displays that look like they fell out of a child's toy box? The latest example of its charming lunacy is the Hannspree Boston monitor--a 19-inch PC display with a wood-grain bezel.

Unlike recent offerings from LG and SweedX, it's not real wood--but it's a pretty close approximation. If you're a fan of retro designs, trees, or Crave's eco-happy sister site SmartPlanet, you should absolutely adore it. Here at Crave, we're not really feeling the whole wood theme, but the cylindrical aluminium stand … Read more

This is one of those random facts that, if true, makes one wonder why technology hasn't caught up with reality: More than 200 million people worldwide are thought to be colorblind, according to some estimates, with more than 10 million of them in the United States. If even part of those statistics are accurate, it makes sense that companies would step up efforts to market products for that population.

Although technologies for the colorblind have been developed in the past, Japan's Eizo believes it has come up with a unique system that will allow colorblind individuals to "… Read more

Another tool has emerged for Baby Boomers and Gen Xers faced with caring for an aging parent or grandparent.

Caring.com, which debuted Monday, offers how-to information on caring for elderly family members, whether they live in their own home, with a family member, or in a facility. The topics include providing in-person and long-distance support, financial and legal advice, and end-of-life issues.

Caring.com features a community area for people to share care-giving tips, as well as a section where questions can be posed to various experts, such as a communication supervisor with the American Medical Response ambulance company. … Read more

Most monitors are pretty much the same. There's a small percentage that are dreadful, a small percentage that are spectacular, and a small percentage you can punch really hard. But most are just OK, really. One monitor that's a good bet for the spectacular category is the LG Flatron L226WTQ--the world's first LCD computer monitor with a claimed 5,000:1 contrast ratio.

A high contrast ratio, for those not in the know, keeps images from looking washed out. You get very dark blacks, very bright whites, and ultimately a better picture. It's not that … Read more