Seriously, a plant pot in your monitor. I bet you'll never question the "greeness" of this monitor now!
(Credit: Josh P. Miller/CNET)LED monitors were the new hotness at CES last January, but it wasn't until the Samsung SyncMaster XL2370 debuted that we really started to believe in them.
That was the first monitor that really seemed to live up to what LED monitor manufacturers' have promised.That was the first monitor that really seemed to live up to what has been promised by LED monitor manufacturers'.
That monitor was followed by several more that, while not as impressive as the Samsung SyncMaster XL2370, were still good, solid monitors--like the LG W2486L and AOC V22.
The new BenQ V2400 Eco gets a few things right--very low power consumption and a thin design. Not to mention a small pot built into the footstand, just in case you wanted start a small garden in your monitor. Seriously.
Check out the full review to see what else it gets right (and wrong).
LG's LH20 series has more picture adjustments than any TV in its class.
(Credit: Sarah Tew/CNET)We can't fault the LG LH20 series for trying.
The company's least expensive lineup of LCDs for 2009 offers more features than the competition, including the only USB port for digital photos and by far the best selection of picture adjustments. All of those tweaks allow users to dial in superb color, but color accuracy only goes so far when black levels look gray instead.
But as long as you don't expect deep blacks from your entry-level LCD (and why should you?), the LG LH20 series still has a lot to offer for a tempting price.
On Sale Now: $359.00 - $599.00
View the latest prices for LG 26LH20
On Sale Now: $399.97 - $499.95
View the latest prices for LG 32LH20
On Sale Now: $538.53 - $699.00
View the latest prices for LG 37LH20
On Sale Now: $733.00 - $899.00
View the latest prices for LG 42LH20
Windows users still drooling over Apple's multitouch Magic Mouse might finally have an excuse to step into an Apple store, thanks to "a little hackery" by UneasySilence.
The hack exploits a vulnerability in Apple's latest Bluetooth Update, uncovering Magic Mouse drivers for 32-bit and 64-bit Windows from XP to 7. We've yet to put it to the test ourselves, but users online are reporting success with full use of the Magic Mouse's vertical touch-scrolling. Leave a comment and let us know if it works for you.
We should mention that since this is a hack, there's no guarantee Apple will allow the mouse to work with Windows indefinitely, so enjoy it while you can. Of course, if you share our hesitation about buying a $69 pointing device with no buttons, you can always check out our updated roundup of CNET Reviews' top-scoring mice or go nuts with the OOMouse's 18 clickable buttons.
Too busy plotting your Black Friday strategy to keep up with Crave this week? Well, put away those shoulder pads, shopping champ. Here are some of the gadget goings-on you missed.
We tested out Asus' 15-inch laptop with Nvidia's 3D Vision technology built in.
(Credit: Dan Ackerman/CNET)• No more Nook for 2009.
• Can't afford Modern Warfare 2 this holiday season? Try one of these classics.
• Who makes the most reliable laptops?
• Online gaming has a very dark side.
• The PlayStation 3 heads into another dimension. (And in other 3D news...)
• Another camera you can beat up.
• Hello Kitty turns 35, we weep.
• Could this necktie help you stay healthy?
See anything we missed? Got a great gadget tip we should know about? Write to us at crave at cnet dot com.
The Samsung LNB360 performs well for a cheap HDTV.
(Credit: Sarah Tew/CNET)To a bargain HDTV shopper, the array of small-screen LCDs must seem inexhaustible and indistinguishable, but among recent models we've reviewed, the Samsung LNB360 stands out with the best picture quality. It's no home theater superstar, mind you, but it managed to beat out the entry-level LCD competition in the important arena of black-level performance.
It does cost a few more bucks than many of its competitors, and it lacks some noteworthy features (like side-panel inputs), but if you're looking for a small LCD that gives "good enough" picture for less, the LNB360 series certainly qualifies.
Read the full review of the Samsung LNB360 series.
On Sale Now: $355.95 - $462.10
View the latest prices for Samsung LN26B360
On Sale Now: $379.99 - $527.99
View the latest prices for Samsung LN32B360
The KDL-L5000 series is surprisingly affordable, for a Sony.
(Credit: Sarah Tew/CNET)When you compare the various entry-level LCDs in the price range of the Sony KDL-L5000 series, you'll notice a few that cost a bit less. But for a Sony, this set is remarkably affordable, and its design, anchored by a sleek exterior and Sony's typical remote and menu prowess, stands at least a cut or two above that of most HDTVs in its class. Its picture quality also hits most of the right notes, despite a uniformity hiccup and imperfect color accuracy.
Finally, the feature set has a few extras not often found in this price range, including a smattering of power saving modes and that third HDMI input. If you don't mind spending a couple bucks more than you absolutely need, the Sony KDL-L5000 series deserves consideration.
On Sale Now: $329.00 - $449.99
View the latest prices for Sony KDL-26L5000
On Sale Now: $449.00 - $449.99
View the latest prices for Sony KDL-32L5000
On Sale Now: $599.00 - $699.95
View the latest prices for Sony KDL-37L5000
Back in 2007, Bowers & Wilkins brought out the uniquely styled Zeppelin iPod speaker, which we described in our review as being every bit as sophisticated as Apple's iconic player, with detailed sound that largely lived up to B&W's high-end reputation. That Zeppelin remains on the market, but now it's got a smaller, less expensive--and more subdued-looking--sibling called the Zeppelin Mini.
While the $400 Mini is less determined to stick out, it's still a sleekly styled speaker with a swiveling, pedestal-like stand and a mirrored chrome top that's pitched at an angle and is slightly concave (yes, you'll end up having to wipe dust and fingerprints off it to keep it looking its shiny best). True to its Mini name, this is a compact iPod audio system, measuring 6.8 inches high by 12.5 inches wide by 4 inches deep. And while it's small, it does feel substantial when you pick it up, weighing 4.75 pounds.
How does it sound?
On Sale Now: $399.95
View the latest prices for B&W Zeppelin Mini Speakers for iPod
The Vizio VO320E is one of the least-expensive 32-inch TVs on the market.
(Credit: Sarah Tew/CNET)Vizio chose to adorn its VO320E 32-inch LCD with claims of environmental consciousness, saying the little set exceeds Energy Star guidelines by 15 percent. But that's not a very high standard, and according to our tests the Vizio, while definitely no power hog, sips just a couple bucks less juice per year than other LCDs in its class. Its true appeal is low price combined with perfectly acceptable picture quality. A couple of flaws might give black level sticklers or dual-use PC/TV aficionados pause, but other bargain hunters should consider this entry-level Vizio among the better LCDs in its class.
Read the full review of the Vizio VO320E.
On Sale Now: $349.99 - $429.99
View the latest prices for Vizio VO320E
The basic styling of the Toshiba AV502U series befits its low price.
(Credit: Sarah Tew/CNET)When we say the entry-level Toshiba AV502U series can produce relatively deep black levels, the key word is "relatively." It's perhaps more accurate to say that its shade of black outdoes most other less-expensive, lower resolution, small-screen LCDs we've seen by a narrow margin. It does fall short of the competition in terms of maintaining accurate color at every brightness level, however, and it will look best if you avoid feeding it any 1080i sources. Speaking of looks, the AV502U is also among the most boring-looking TVs we've seen when it's turned off, and that's saying something. Those caveats aside, this little LCD does do slightly better blacks for less, and that might be enough for bargain hunters.
Read the full review of the Toshiba AV502U series.
On Sale Now: $317.95 - $469.99
View the latest prices for Toshiba 26AV502U
On Sale Now: $378.00 - $535.46
View the latest prices for Toshiba 32AV502U
On Sale Now: $464.00 - $760.14
View the latest prices for Toshiba 37AV502U
Too busy trying out your new night vision goggles this week to keep up with Crave? Here's some of what you missed while you were sneaking around dark alleys.
• Boxee is getting a box.
• Facebook, Twitter, and Last.fm are getting an Xbox.
(Credit:
Tyme Machines)
• The oddest new camera technology announcement of 2009?
• Boba Fett in your USB port.
• Dong Ngo's ideas for a better Windows 7.
• Now playing: Chumby, the sequel.
• Complaining can be a good thing.
• Nikes only a geek could love.
• The extremest of the extreme case mods.
See anything we missed? Got a great gadget tip we should know about? Write to us at crave at cnet dot com.
