A typical ICL recording session (my foot).
Dong finally watches "The Wire" and not surprisingly sings its praises. I've been telling him it's the best show I've seen for years now and he finally takes the hint. Although, he has a bit of trouble understanding what a re-up is. Noob.
We then move to the communist empire that is Vietnam. Dong thinks that it is attempting to block Facebook from users in Vietnam, but has no real proof of this. I mean how can a government block Facebook for fear of their citizens getting "Americanized," yet continually revere KFC?
Then, via the backdrop of Linux, we ask why people like to spend their money and actually don't want things for free.
Lastly, we take the second half the episode to answer just two e-mails.
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Hey! A black ViewSonic monitor!
(Credit: Josh P. Miller/CNET)We get in a lot of 16:9 monitors, but this is the first we've gotten that didn't have a TN-based panel. The 23-inch wide-screen ViewSonic VP2365wb monitor has an Enhanced In-Plane Switching panel (E-IPS).
E-IPS panels usually have improved viewing angles over TNs, especially from the lower angle. The VP2365wb does, indeed, have the type of viewing angle you'd expect from an IPS model, but its brightness leaves a bit to be desired.
Check out the full review. Also, be sure to keep an eye on the monitor product door for new monitor reviews every week.
Shiny buttons...
(Credit: Eric Franklin/CNET)I've been talking about the Samsung LD190 since January (and by "talking about" I mean I've mentioned it once and really haven't since then).
Samsung is pushing the LD190N as a companion monitor for use with a laptop. Meaning, they expect you to use it in extend mode when in need of extra screen space.
The monitor includes a 18.5-inch, 1360x768 resolution screen, VGA, and upstream USB. The USB includes DisplayLink technology, which allows you to circumvent the VGA connection altogether.
Check out the pics below of the $150 companion piece and look for a full review of Samsung's LD190 soon.
Whoah...
(Credit: MGM)Dong tells another one of his foreigner (not the band) stories in a tale that attempts to explain his excitement and maybe even obsession with the number 69. As with most of his stories, it involves much pointing and laughing. Mostly by me.
Then, prompted by a listener voice mail, we discuss our experiences playing Warcraft--as in the World of Warcraft, not sure if you've heard of this game--with women. Not just any women, though, but our women. We'll probably be in the doghouse for a few weeks after this...which is fine, as long as there's access to a computer with an online connection. :)
Finally, we answer the burning question: "What happens when you buy a new, top-of-the-line monitor and you still have a POS computer?" Not really a burning question, but we answer it regardless.
To subscribe to this podcast, visit us at our main page and click the podcast link on the right. Don't forget to leave us voice mail at 1-800-947-6399 or e-mail us at insidecnetlabs@cnet.com.
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If not sexy, then...practical.
(Credit: Josh P. Miller/CNET)I've been looking forward to the Dell UltraSharp U2410 with as much (or more) anticipation as some of our most fervent readers.
I feel a lot of monitor enthusiasts were expecting perfection from this monitor, so I'll get this out of the way right now: It's not perfect.
This may seem more disappointing than with other monitors, but that's mostly because of the super high expectations the U2410 had prerelease.
The monitor includes a H-IPS panel, one of the newer iterations of IPS panel technology and one that I have little hands-on experience with. Some of the problems I encountered with the monitor could be inherent to the technology, but having not dealt with another H-IPS, I can't say for certain.
Still, it earned our editors' choice, so it must have done something right. Right?!
So, the cat's out of the bag. The Dell UltraSharp U2410 isn't perfect; however, that doesn't mean it can't be perfect for you. Read the full review to determine if it is.
As always, new monitor reviews can always be found here.
Dong Ngo is a PC and will mess you up if you look at him wrong. This isn't actually a pic of Dong as he's much more friendly-looking than the gentleman pictured here.
(Credit: Microsoft)Welcome back peoples. We get started right off the bat today and discuss the current state of telephone customer service. Calling a local number these days can actually have you whisked away to some far-off land. How exciting!
Dragon Age: Origins. It's here! I've gotten nothing done in the last week thanks to it, but I'm 100 percent OK with this. We talk about marrying up, incest, if-then scenarios, and moral choices. And then, we discuss Dragon Age! LOL, I kid.
Then there's some tech stuff discussing two new Apple hardware refreshes, the Dell U2410, and a couple of listener e-mails, including one that mistakes Dong for another Asian dude.
To subscribe to this podcast, visit us at our main page and click the podcast link on the right. Don't forget to leave us voice mail at 1-800-947-6399 or e-mail us at insidecnetlabs@cnet.com.
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The Dell U2410 bleeds tough.
(Credit: Eric Franklin/CNET)The Dell U2410 is finally here! And by "here," I mean in CNET's office. I've been pestering Dell about this since September, and they've finally accepted my tithe.
Unofficially, the successor to the Dell UltraSharp 2408WFP, the U2410 has lots of promise. Luckily I still have a 2408WFP in the office to compare it to.
Expect a review next week, but for now, check out some candid pics I talked the monitor into taking.
The LP3065 is a proud 30-incher that sticks to tradition.
(Credit: Josh P. Miller/CNET)It's rare that I get my hands on a 30-inch monitor these days, as only a handful of vendors actually make them. Not surprising given their usual prices, which can range from $1,000 up to $1,600 in some cases.
The HP LP3065 is a typical 30-inch monitor. A resolution of 2,560x1,600 pixels? Check. A number of useful ergonomic options? Check. A wide viewing angle thanks to its use of high-end panel technology? Checkeroo!
Unfortunately, the LP3065 also inherits the 30-inch monitor trend of only including a brightness setting as the sole video adjustment option. Check out the full review of the LP3065 to see what else HP did or didn't include.
Also, check out our new Monitor Buying Guide and be sure to check here for new monitor reviews.
Don't tell him I said that please.
(Credit: Touchgloves)Happy belated Halloween! I know, I know. Halloween is so last week! Still, Dong and I discuss our experiences of the most popular holiday that you don't actually get to stay home from work for.
Then, we move to the toilet. Or more specifically, toilet technology. Even more specifically, we talk about motion detection technology used in the toilet. And by toilet, I don't mean in the toilet, just, you know, in the washroom. Also, clam-shell packaging? Who needs it?
Then we get down to serious business with Dong detailing the WD TV Live and the first 6GBps SATA controller card. I think you can actually hear me snoring during this segment. For my part, I point you directly in the direction of the Monitor Buying Guide.
To subscribe to this podcast, visit us at our main page and click the podcast link on the right. Don't forget to leave us voice mail at 1-800-947-6399 or e-mail us at insidecnetlabs@cnet.com.
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(Credit:
Josh Miller/CNET)
Starting next week, the holiday season drops on us like an object of infinite mass hurled from the moon at the speed of light. Keep your eyes open in the coming weeks for a number of CNET holiday guides.
Sometimes, though a guide specific to the holidays isn't enough and you need something a bit more...all encompassing.
CNET's Monitor Buying Guide has been around for a while, but we felt it really wasn't addressing all that it could. So we revamped it. Check it out and let us know how it can be improved upon even more. Is there any aspect of purchasing a monitor we neglected? Would you like to see more detail on what we have included? Is there anything inaccurate?
If so, leave a comment or send an e-mail. This is a work in progress, so feel free to offer anything constructive.
