221-Hp V6* • up to 32 Hwy Mpg** • Class-Exclusive 6-Speed Automatic Transmission† • More Innovation from Ford *Optional on SE and SEL

221-hp V6* • Up to 32 hwy mpg** • Class-exclusive 6-speed automatic transmission† • More innovation from Ford *Optional on SE and SEL. **EPA estimated 24 city/32 hwy mpg (I4/automatic transmission). †Class is midsize sedan. WINDOWS VISTA DITCH MA BELL? APPLE + INTEL START GOES WE SHOW YOU SURPRISING AWOL HOW TEST RESULTS Build Your Perfect PC www.pcmag.com March 7, 2006 Faster than Dell, Cooler than Apple, Cheaper than Sony WIN OUR CUSTOM LEGO PC! For More Details, See Page 99

We turned our TV into a photo album with Yahoo! Photos. Now with Intel® Viiv™ technology, there’s a whole new kind of PC that brings your digital content together where it belongs.* Upload all of your digital photos to Yahoo! Photos** and watch them on the big screen, in your living room.† To ﬁ nd out how this leap in home entertainment can change your world, go to www.intel.com/viiv

Movies Music Gaming Photos

†Remote may be sold separately.

*Many Intel® ViivTM technology-based usage models will require additional hardware devices, software or services. System and component performance and functionality will vary depending on your specific hardware and software configurations. See www.intel.com/go/viiv_info for more information. ©2006 Intel Corporation. Intel, the Intel logo, Intel Viiv, Intel. Leap ahead., and the Intel. Leap ahead. logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Intel Corporation or its subsidiaries in the United States and other countries. All rights reserved. **Other names and brands may be claimed as the property of others. Toshiba recommends Windows XP Professional.

Satellite Smart notebooks for every budget. Starting at $699

Tecra The reliability business demands. Starting at $999

Portégé Thin, light and powerful. Starting at $1,599

Qosmio™ 4-in-1 personal entertainment center. Starting at $1,699 libretto Power of a desktop in the palm of your hand. Starting at $1,799

Portégé R200 Notebook PC Style and performance come together in an elegant ultraportable.

Intel Pentium M Processor Ultra Low Voltage 753 for faster execution of instructions at lower power

Genuine Microsoft Windows XP Professional

Toshiba EasyGuard™ enhancements1 for increased mobile security, system integrity, network connectivity and overall ease of use

Starting at $1,999

ToshibaByDesign.com/R200 1.800.TOSHIBA

1. Toshiba EasyGuard technology comprises a number of features some of which may or may not be available on a particular Toshiba notebook depending on the model selected. See www.easyguard.toshiba.com for detailed information. 2. Weight may vary. See Weight Legal Footnote at www.info.toshiba.com. 3. Battery life may vary. See Battery Life Legal Footnote at www.info.toshiba.com. 4. Hard drive capacity may vary. 1 Gigabyte (GB) means 109 = 1,000,000,000 bytes using powers of 10. See Hard Disk Drive Capacity Legal Footnote at www.info.toshiba.com. 5. Toshiba’s shock absorption technology provides higher impact protection for your system as compared to Toshiba systems without similar shock protection features based on Toshiba’s drop tests. Toshiba’s standard limited warranty terms and limitations apply. Visit www.warranty.toshiba.com for details. libretto, Portégé, Satellite and Tecra are registered trademarks and EasyGuard and Qosmio are trademarks of Toshiba Magnesium Alloy Chassis Exterior casework material used in aerospace manufacturing maximizes durability without 4 adding unnecessary weight. 60GB Hard Drive Toshiba micro-engineering fits 60GB of data in a tiny 1.8-inch drive.

Thin. Light. Goes for hours. Toshiba is always striving to make notebooks smaller, thinner, lighter — without compromising functionality. The Portégé R200 is the latest result of that HardHard DriveDrive philosophy. Its sleek chassis is built from materials similar to those used in fighter ProtectionProtection454 jets. And starting at 2.68 lbs.2 and just over half an inch thin, it still has enough 3D accelerometer battery life to last up to five hours.3 Portability plus performance. detects free falls and quickly Size plus stamina. That’s 360˚ innovation. That’s Toshiba. prepares the hard drive for impact to help protect Where can innovation take you? your data. ToshibaByDesign.com/R200

Fingerprint Reader Embedded biometric sensor helps prevent unauthorized access for better security.

Up to Five Hours of Battery Life3 Proprietary battery design and low-voltage processor optimize battery efficiency.

Innovation by design.

America Information Systems, Inc. and/or Toshiba Corporation. Intel, the Intel logo, Intel Inside, the Intel Inside logo, Celeron, Intel Centrino, the Intel Centrino logo and Pentium are trademarks or registered trademarks of Intel Corporation or its subsidiaries in the United States and other countries. Microsoft and Windows are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. While Toshiba has made every effort at the time of publication to ensure the accuracy of the information provided herein, product specifications, configurations, prices, system/component/options availability are all subject to change without notice. Toshiba is not liable for pricing, typographical or photography errors. Prices listed are based on products listed at ToshibaDirect.com at time of publication printing. Reseller/Retailer pricing/products may vary. © 2006 Toshiba America Information Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.

www.pcmag.com CONTENTS First Looks MARCH 7, 2006 • VOL. 25 NO. 4 28 Online Mapping Services COVER STORY • A9.com Maps (beta) 97 • AOL Local • Google Local • Windows Live Local (beta) • Yahoo! Local Maps (beta) YOU CAN 32 Desktop PCs • Apple iMac (Intel Core Duo) • Apple Power Mac G5 Quad K 34 Digital Cameras • Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T9 DO IT! • Canon PowerShot SD30 Digital Elph K Putting together a PC is far easier than many • Canon PowerShot SD550 Digital Elph home projects: You need only a small work- • Kodak EasyShare V570 space, a weekend or so to spare, some simple 44 Mobile Devices tools, and standard parts. Intel or AMD? nVidia • Palm Treo 700w 46 HDTVs or ATI? Single hard drive or RAID? As chief • Philips 42PF9830A/37 designer, you get • HP Pavilion LC3700N K 48 Mobile Devices to choose the • Philips GoGear HDD6330 M components to 50 Speakers ﬁ t your needs. • Creative TravelDock Zen Micro • Logitech Z-5450 Digital 52 Notebook PCs • Dell Inspiron E1705 M • Sony VAIO VGN-AX570G 55 Photo Printers • Canon Selphy CP510 Compact • Samsung SPP-2040 Digital 58 Software • eTrust Internet Security Suite • BullGuard Internet Security Suite 6 • DivX Create Bundle • muvee autoProducer 5 • Xara Xtreme • Ovation for PowerPoint Small Business 80 Desktop PCs • Gateway E-4500S • HP Compaq DC7600 CMT • Lenovo ThinkCentre A51 Ultra Small ON THE COVER Windows Vista: Start 81 John Dickinson on Small Business Goes AWOL page 136 82 Hard Drives Ditch Ma Bell? page 118 Build Your • ABSmini (40GB) Perfect PC Intel iMac • Maxtor OneTouch II SBE page 97 page 32 83 What to Buy • The best products in one place. COVER: LEGO SCULPTURE BY NATHAN SAWAYA NATHAN BY SCULPTURE LEGO COVER:

www.pcmag.com MARCH 7, 2006 PC MAGAZINE 7 About the Cover: Our Lego PC BUILD IT 111 A Homemade Media Center PC

The project we’ve devised has something for the whole family. HDTV. Music. Playing and making DVDs. Gaming. Working with photos and VOIP video. We step you through picking >the parts and piecing them together. 118 Ditch Your Phone Company?

Switching to Voice over IP phone service can save you a ton of money, but is it worth the hassle? One of our editors made the switch, with mixed results. The greatest ideas often originate in the smallest Pipeline places. Take our Lego PC Cars 25 Ultra wideband is nearly here. (please!). When we fi rst 84 Mercury Mariner hybrid contacted the stupendous Harman-Kardon Drive+Play Lego artist Nathan Sawaya Delphi’s blind-spot detector Future Watch (shown), we had one request. 85 Bill Howard 26 A high-tech cockpit tour. We asked him to build a PC for the cover of this special issue Solutions Opinions dedicated to the fi ne art of 132 Better Ways to Label Your Discs: 13 Jim Louderback do-it-yourself PCs. When we Paper disc labels are out. We 21 Michael J. Miller: saw the work of art Nathan explore three methods of printing Forward Thinking had constructed (using more labels and art directly onto CDs 91 John C. Dvorak than 2,500 bricks in a variety and DVDs. 93 John C. Dvorak’s Inside Track 95 Bill Machrone of colors—and one Bob the 136 Vista Revealed: The Start button is dead. Long live the Start button! Builder for effect), a new idea 137 SMB Boot Camp: Without a good germinated: Could we build a fi rewall, your business may be Gaming + Culture working PC into a shell like this? defenseless. But which one is 152 Rated V for Violence: You’re darn right we could. right for you? Some video games are facing And we could give it away, 138 Security Watch: Phishing is a signifi cant opposition from too, to one lucky reader. Could it fast-growing sport and you are legislators. the prey. Protect yourself from 155 Gearlog: Take a space gander be you? Hit our Web site for the this scourge. with SkyScout Personal contest entry form, tons 139 Ask Loyd: How to choose the Planetarium. of photos of the working LEGO right RAID level; run multiple PC, and an interview with video cards on the same machine. Master Builder Nathan himself. 141 Ask Neil: How to schedule a task Also in This Issue for idle time, format Excel dates 87 Feedback >go.pcmag.com/legopc within text, and more. 156 Backspace

8 PC MAGAZINE MARCH 7, 2006 www.pcmag.com Panasonic recommends Microsoft ® Windows® XP Professional for Business

executive sweet Durable, ultra-lightweight Toughbooks from Panasonic. More features. More powerful. Sweet. TOUGHBOOK T4: They’re light and they’re loaded. The Toughbook® T4 and Toughbook W4 • Intel® Centrino™ Mobile Technology ® ® Intel Pentium M Processor ULV 753 ® ™ (2MB L2 cache, Processor speed 1.2GHz, with Intel Centrino Mobile Technology offer the freedom and 400MHz FSB) • Microsoft® Windows® XP Professional SP2 flexibility to be productive anywhere and a long battery life to keep • Intel® PRO/Wireless 2915ABG network connection 802.11a/b/g up with your business. There’s even a mini port replicator so you don’t • 3.4 lbs. ultra-thin design with hand strap • Touchscreen LCD spend time re-connecting your peripherals. With magnesium alloy • Long-lasting 9.5-hour battery life

TOUGHBOOK W4: cases and shock-mounted hard drives, they’re compact computing • Intel® Centrino™ Mobile Technology Intel® Pentium® M Processor ULV 753 at its toughest. Get upwardly mobile today with new thin and light (2MB L2 cache, Processor speed 1.2GHz, 400MHz FSB) • Microsoft® Windows® XP Toughbooks—only from Panasonic. Professional SP2 • Intel® PRO/Wireless 2915ABG network connection 802.11a/b/g • 2.8 lbs. ultra-lightweight design • Integrated combo drive (DVD-ROM/CD-RW) • 6-hour battery life

800-662-3537 panasonic.com/toughbook

Intel, Intel logo, Intel Centrino, Intel Centrino logo, Intel Inside, Intel Inside logo and Pentium are trademarks or registered trademarks of Intel Corporation or its subsidiaries in the United States and other countries. Toughbook notebook PCs are covered by a 3-year limited warranty, parts and labor. To view the full text of the warranty, log on to www.panasonic.com/business/toughbook/professional_services.asp. Please consult your Panasonic representative prior to purchase. ©2006 Panasonic Corporation of North America. All rights reserved. Executive_Sweet_H_FY05-2 CAN IT REDUCE COSTS DECREASE TIME TO MARKET AND SHOW AN EARLY RETURN IS IT LINUX OR WINDOWS SERVER

© 2005 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Microsoft, the Windows logo, Windows Server, and Windows Server System are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners. GET THE FACTS.

SWITCHING FROM RED HAT LINUX TO WINDOWS SERVER WILL SAVE TOMMY HILFIGER AN ESTIMATED 25–30% IN IT COSTS.

“Our migration to Windows ServerTM will reduce our IT costs by an estimated 25–30 percent, but that’s only the start. Our efforts are improving our competitive advantage. We developed a full e-commerce site within six months, in time for the 2005 holidays, and we’ll continue to beneﬁ t from compressed product design times and an optimized supply chain.” –Eric Singleton, CIO

For these and other third-party ﬁ ndings, go to microsoft.com/getthefacts Bring Dead Spots Back to Life!

Wireless

Further & faster than Standard 802.11g. Further than MIMO Solutions.*1

Tired of hitting "dead spots" in your wireless network? Buffalo Technology’s Turbo G High Power Wireless Solutions bring those dead spots back to life! Now you can go places you never could with standard 802.11g devices. With an effective outdoor range of up to 2000ft., connecting in the bedroom or office down the hall should be no problem.*2 Whether you’re upgrading your wireless LAN or just getting started, the Turbo G High Power Wireless Solutions provide the perfect answer for those who need Speed, Performance and Value. Bring dead spots to life while enjoying faster connections and extended range.

High Power Solution (Turbo G) WHR-HP-G54 30 Wireless Smart Router 2

* 25 Mbps 20 MIMO Solution

15 WLI-CB-G54HP Wireless Notebook Adapter

10 outdoor testing results

Standard 802.11g 10 164 328 492 656 820 984 1148 1312 1476 1640 1804 1969 WLI-TX4-G54HP Great for Wireless Feet Wireless Ethernet Converter Online Gaming!

Learn more www.buffalotech.com/pcmag1

© 2005 Buffalo Technology (USA), Inc. Buffalo Technology, Buffalo Technology logo and AOSS logo are registered trademarks of Buffalo Technology (USA), Inc. The names and logos of other companies mentioned herein belong to their respective owners. Products tested: High Power solution (WHR-HP-G54, WLI-CB-G54HP), MIMO Solution (WZR-G108, WLI-CB-G108), Standard 802.11g (WBR2-G54, WLI-CB-G54S).*1 Based on Buffalo Technology internal testing results. Products tested: High Power solution (WHR-HP-G54, WLI-CB-G54HP), MIMO Solution (WZR-G108, WLI-CB-G108), Standard 802.11g (WBR2-G54, WLI-CB-G54S). *2 Wireless networking speed and distance will vary depending on environment.

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Jim Louderback JIM LOUDERBACK

EDITOR, REVIEWS Lance Ulanoff EDITOR, TECHNOLOGY Ben Z. Gottesman EXECUTIVE PRODUCER (ONLINE) Robyn Peterson EXECUTIVE EDITORS Stephanie Chang, Carol L. Gonsher, Vicki B. Jacobson (Online), Jeremy A. Kaplan www.pcmag.com Go Ahead, ART DIRECTOR Richard J. Demler MANAGING EDITOR Paul B. Ross REVIEWS Build Your Own PC SENIOR EDITORS Dan Costa (Consumer Electronics), Jennifer DeFeo (Hardware), Carol Mangis (Cars), Sebastian Rupley (West Coast, Pipeline), Sharon Terdeman IN 1989, I HELPED AUTOMATE (Software/Web/Security) National Semiconductor’s chip market- LEAD ANALYSTS Cisco Cheng, Robert Heron, Davis D. Janowski, Oliver Kaven, Mike Kobrin, ing group. Instead of buying expensive Neil J. Rubenking, Joel Santo Domingo, Sascha Segan, M. David Stone, Terry Sullivan REVIEWS EDITORS Kyle Monson (Software/Web/Security), Laarni Almendrala Ragaza PCs from the approved suppliers, IBM and (Consumer Electronics), Eric Rhey (Hardware) Compaq, I built an entire department of WEB PRODUCER Molly K. McLaughlin computers from parts I got at Silicon Val- PRODUCT DATABASE MANAGER Gina Suk COMMERCE PRODUCER Arielle Rochette ley’s secret weapon—Fry’s Computers. INVENTORY CONTROL COORDINATOR Nicole Graham You could get anything at Fry’s, from FEATURES capacitors to candy bars to PC Magazine. FEATURES EDITORS Sean Carroll, Dan Evans, Sarah Pike Setting up the workstations wasn’t easy: SENIOR WRITER Cade Metz STAFF EDITOR Tony Hoffman More than a few motherboards were DOA, and the 640KB ART barrier had yet to be convincingly broken. But despite the SENIOR ASSOCIATE ART DIRECTOR Michael St. George ASSOCIATE ART DIRECTOR Liana Zamora ASSISTANT ART DIRECTOR Aaron Able GRAPHICS DIRECTOR David Foster hassles, per-PC savings were substantial. Today, with basic STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Scott Schedivy PCs selling for less than $500, saving money isn’t the pri-

PRODUCTION mary reason to build your own—but the case for DIY has ASSOCIATE MANAGING EDITOR Michal Dluginski never been more compelling. COPY CHIEF Elizabeth A. Parry COPY EDITORS Gary Berline, Ann Ovodow, Steven Wishnia In 1989 I had few choices for motherboards and CPUs, ONLINE and case colors were limited to beige. Today you can choose SENIOR PRODUCER Yun-San Tsai PRODUCER Mark Lamorgese from an old-style 32-bit PC, a 64-bit AMD screamer, or even ASSISTANT PRODUCER Whitney A. Reynolds ASSISTANT EDITOR Jennifer L. DeLeo a VIA Technologies solution that ﬁ ts in a coffee tin. A world UTILITY PROGRAM MANAGER Tim Smith PRODUCTION ARTIST Erin Simon of color has replaced beige. Some cases are empty canvases, COMMUNITY MANAGER Jim Lynch ready for you to airbrush. Breadbox-sized brushed alumi- EDITORIAL COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER Anita Anthony num, hulking black monoliths, red with racing stripes—the CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Helen Bradley, John Clyman, Richard V. Dragan, Craig Ellison, variety of cases is mind-boggling. Even the lowly CPU cool- John R. Delaney, John C. Dvorak, Galen Fott, Bill Howard, Don Labriola, Bill Machrone, ers are now available as undulating creations of copper and Ed Mendelson, Jan Ozer, Larry Seltzer, Don Willmott steel. Some CPUs are even water-cooled! INTERNS Veronica DeLeon, Nathan Edwards Nothing sets the mood for your new PC like multicolored CORPORATE PRODUCTION lights. LEDs of all colors now grace fans and cables, and ASSISTANT PRODUCTION DIRECTOR Ivis Fundichely showcase fancy add-in boards—all visible via see-through PRODUCTION MANAGER Michelle Chizmadia TRAFFIC MANAGER Amanda Allensworth panels that celebrate the PC’s insides. CHIEF CONTENT OFFICER Michael J. Miller Sound difﬁ cult? It’s not. Even if you barely know your way

THE INDEPENDENT GUIDE around a screwdriver, you can build your next computer. This PC Magazine is the Independent Guide to Technology. Our mission is to test and review issue, we present a superguide, including tips on selecting key computer- and Internet-related products and services and report fairly and objectively on the results. Our editors do not invest in fi rms whose products or services we review, nor do components and directions to help you put it together. We’ve we accept travel tickets or other gifts of value from such fi rms. Except where noted, enlisted our compatriots at ExtremeTech.com to provide PC Magazine reviews are of products and services that are currently available. Our reviews are written without regard to advertising or business relationships with any vendor. step-by-step instructions for building a Media Center PC. HOW TO CONTACT THE EDITORS Creating your own customized PC might not cost less, but it’ll We welcome comments from readers. Send your comments to Internet address pcmag@ ziffdavis.com or to PC Magazine, 28 E. 28th St., New York, NY 10016-7940. Please include a be a one-of-a-kind work of art. daytime telephone number. PC Magazine’s general number is 212-503-3500. The West Coast Back in 1989, you had to be a real hobbyist to build a good Operations number is 415-547-8000. We cannot look up stories from past issues, recommend products, or diagnose problems with your PC by phone. An index of past issues is at PC. Today, the advice in this issue is all you need. www.pcmag.com/previous_issues. For a list of upcoming stories, browse www.pcmag.com. Starts and Stops: This issue sees the start of another regu- For a full description of who on staff covers what, go to www.pcmag.com/whocoverswhat. If you are dissatisfi ed with a product advertised in PC Magazine and cannot resolve the problem with lar feature, Vista Revealed. Every two weeks we’ll bring you the vendor, write (do not call) Anne King, Advertising Department, at the above address. a nifty overlooked capability of the next Windows OS. Today Please include copies of your correspondence with the vendor. SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION we look at what’s replacing the late, lamented Start button. For subscription service questions, for address changes, or to order, please contact us: We’ve also added two new columnists—sort of. Neil Ruben- Internet, service.pcmag.com (for customer service) or subscribe.pcmag.com (to order); telephone, 800-289-0429 or 850-682-7624 in the U.S. and Canada, 303-604-7445 else- king has been doling out answers for what feels like forever in where; mail, PC Magazine, P.O. Box 54070, Boulder, CO 80322-4070 (please include your our Solutions section. Now we formalize it, with a picture and mailing label with any correspondence, as it contains information that will expedite processing); fax, 850-683-4094 in the U.S. and Canada, 303-604-0518 elsewhere; e-mail, subhelp@ a new name, Ask Neil. Send him your vexing software ques- pcmag.com (please type your full name and the address at which you subscribe). Subscrip- tions. And as the yang to Neil’s yin, please welcome Extreme- tions: The one-year subscription rate is $44.97. PC Magazine is published semimonthly, with occasional exceptions: A special issue may count as a subscription issue, a combined or Tech.com editor Loyd Case. Ask Loyd answers your toughest expanded issue may count as two subscription issues, and there may sometimes be an extra hardware questions. Go ahead, try to stump our experts! issue. Outside the U.S., add $36 per year for surface mail; U.S. funds only. Please allow four to six weeks for your fi rst issue to arrive or for any changes in your subscription to take place. Back issues: Back issues are $8 each in the U.S., $10 each elsewhere. Prepayment is required. Contact customer service (above) for availability. Mailing lists: We sometimes make lists of MORE ON THE WEB: You can contact Jim Louderback at our customers available to mailers of goods and services that may interest you. If you do not wish to receive their mailings, please write to us at PC Magazine, P.O. Box 54070, Boulder, [email protected]. For more of his columns, go to CO 80322-4070. go.pcmag.com/louderback.

www.pcmag.com MARCH 7, 2006 PC MAGAZINE 13

www.pcmagconnect.com

Visit PC Magazine Connect for tips, VICE PRESIDENT AND PUBLISHER Jim McCabe tools, and special offers from PC ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER, EAST COAST Vickie Pinsky Magazine and our select partners. It’s VICE PRESIDENT, WEST COAST SALES Chris Maginn your resource for sweepstakes, VICE PRESIDENT, AUDIENCE DEVELOPMENT Steve Sutton downloads, announcements and DIRECTOR, FINANCE AND OPERATIONS Neil Glass MARKETING DIRECTOR updates to keep you connected! Kelly Cannon RESEARCH DIRECTOR Chris Stetson ADVERTISING COORDINATOR Monet Whitaker WIN YOUR OWN BUSINESS ANALYST David Hooks LAST GADGET STANDING ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Darrin Porter 415-547-8047 Enter to win the Last Gadget SALES ASSOCIATE Anne King 312-836-0771 Standing, a Celestron SkyScout ADVERTISING OFFICE 28 E. 28th St., New York, NY 10016-7940 Personal Planetarium! Check out Phone, 800-336-2423, 212-503-3500; fax, 212-503-5000 For advertising information go to www.pcmagmedia.com. highlights from PC Magazine’s Last For information on advertisers appearing in this issue, go to www.pcmag.com/adindex.

Gadget Standing competition and NEW ENGLAND, CANADA NORTHWEST, OR, WA EAST COAST SALES ASSISTANTS find out how you can win your own Andrew Guendjoian 212-503-5114 Grant Palmer 415-547-8807 Kathleen Bauer, Casey Reisner Last Gadget Standing! NEW YORK, NEW JERSEY, CT SILICON VALLEY, SAN FRANCISCO, BC WEST COAST SALES ASSISTANTS Mary Jo Boudinot 212-503-5110 Mark Odell 415-547-8815 Erin Boyarsky, Teleza Newkirk NEW YORK, PA SOUTH BAY, SAN JOSE, CO, UT CREATIVE SERVICES DIRECTOR Melissa Price 212-503-5422 Matt Bontaites 415-547-8240 Bobby Sutton SOUTHEAST SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, AZ, NV MARKETING MANAGER Amy Jarratt 404-249-6646 Rhonda Miller 949-360-4029 Ashley Kinley Kamil MIDWEST MARKETLINK DIRECTOR MARKETING COORDINATOR Julie Lulu 773-739-9139 Kathy Pavlak 212-503-4847 Leah Moses DETROIT MARKETLINK SALES REPRESENTATIVE NURTURE YOUR INNER SPIELBERG! RPM Associates 248-557-7490 Ginger Serifovic Submit your own independent films ZIFF DAVIS MEDIA INC. and view the latest works at CHAIRMAN & CEO Robert F. Callahan ClickFlicks.net. Also, find out more PRESIDENT & COO Bart W. Catalane about the Gotham City International CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER Mark Moyer EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT & CHIEF CONTENT OFFICER Film & Video Festival, October 29th Michael J. Miller EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT, LICENSING AND LEGAL AFFAIRS, GENERAL COUNSEL, & SECRETARY Gregory Barton through November 5th, in NYC. GROUP PRESIDENTS Scott McCarthy (Game Group), Sloan Seymour (Enterprise Group), Jason Young (Consumer/Small-Business Group) SENIOR VICE PRESIDENTS Jasmine Alexander (Technology & Sales Operations), Kenneth Beach (Corporate Sales), Jim Louderback (Editorial Director, Consumer/Small-Business Group), Angelo Mandarano (Internet), Martha Schwartz (Custom Solutions Group), Michael Vizard (Editorial Director, Enterprise Group) VICE PRESIDENTS Ira Becker (Internet), Aiden Colie (CTO, Ziff Davis Internet), William Daniher (Game Group), John Davison (Editorial Director, Game Group), Sara DeCarlo (Consumer Marketing & Database Management), Aaron Goldberg (Market Experts), Barry Harrigan (Internet), Kristin Holmes (International Licensing), Michael Krieger (Market Experts), Rick Lehrbaum (Internet), Carlos Lugo (Production), Eric Lundquist (Editor-in-Chief, eWEEK), Chris Maginn (Internet), Jim McCabe (PC Magazine), Scott McDaniel (Game Group), COMING TO YOU LIVE AND ON- Paul O’Reilly (Event Marketing Group), Ellen Pearlman (Editor-in-Chief, CIO Insight), Beth Repeta (Human Resources), DEMAND – IT’S DIGITALLIFETV.COM! Stephen Sutton (Audience Development, Consumer/Small-Business Group), Stephen Veith (Enterprise Group Pub- lishing Director), Monica Vila (Event Marketing Group), Randy Zane (Corporate Communications) Twice a week, host and tech journalist PERMISSIONS, REPRINTS Patrick Norton and co-host Robert For permission to reuse material in this publication or to use our logo, contact Ziff Davis Media’s director of rights and permissions, Olga Gonopolsky, at [email protected], or by phone at 212-503-5438 or by Heron dish up product reviews and fax at 212-503-5420. Material in this publication may not be reproduced in any form without written permission. how-tos on the coolest digital tech- For reprints, please contact Stella Valdez at FosterReprints: telephone, 866-879-9144; fax, 916-983-6762; e-mail, [email protected]. nology, video games and equipment The following are registered trademarks of Ziff Davis Publishing Holdings Inc.: i-Bench, NetBench, PC DIRECT, and new Website launches for tech PC Labs, PC MAGAZINE, PC MAGAZINE AWARD FOR TECHNICAL EXCELLENCE, PC MAGAZINE EDITORS’ CHOICE, PC MagNet, ServerBench, WinBench, Winstone, and Ziff Davis Media’s corporate logo. The following are trade- fans. Go to DL.TV today! marks of Ziff Davis Publishing Holdings Inc.: After Hours, Backspace, CPUmark, EasyComputing, ExtremeTech, First Looks, First Looks Plus, i-Bench, Lab Notes, Lab Tales, PC Bench, PC Labs Scorecard, PC Magazine At Home, PC Magazine CD, PC Magazine Extra, PC Magazine Marketlink, PC Solutions, PC Tech, Pipeline, Power Program- ming, Quick Clips, ScreenDemos, Tech Notes, and WinDrain. Other trademarks and trade names used throughout the publication are the property of their respective owners. Copyright © 2006 Ziff Davis Publishing Holdings Inc. FOR TECH FANS BY TECH FANS All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.

For all this and more, visit www.pcmagconnect.com 14 PC MAGAZINE MARCH 7, 2006 www.pcmag.com my movies. my mixes. my candids. my can’t-live-withouts. all on one hot little device.

Sure, it looks cool on the outside but what makes the SanDisk Cruzer® Titanium so great is what’s on the inside. Your music, your pictures, your work, your play. It’s anything and everything you choose to keep safe, sound and ready to go where you go. And considering it’s made of a space-age metal casing, that can be just about anywhere.

WWW.SANDISK.COM

Cruzer® Titanium

SanDisk, the SanDisk logo and Cruzer are trademarks of SanDisk Corporation, registered in the US and other countries. Store Your World in Ours is a trademark of SanDisk Corporation. Other brand names mentioned herein are for identiﬁ cation purposes only and may be trademarks of their respective holder/s. ©2005 SanDisk Corporation. All rights reserved. 1 megabyte (MB) = 1 million bytes; 1 gigabyte (GB) = 1 billion bytes. Some of the listed capacity is used for formatting and other functions, and thus is not available for data storage. EASY ACCESS FOR YOU. A DEAD END FOR ANYONE ELSE.

Smart Advice Smart Technology Smart Services

INTRODUCING THE HP COMPAQ nx6110 BUSINESS NOTEBOOK. You aren’t always thinking about protecting your company information. But HP is. Our HP Compaq nx6110 business notebook with Intel® CentrinoTM Mobile Technology2 features exclusive HP ProtectTools, built-in security software and hardware that works together to keep your data safe. Combine that with the HP Mobile Data Protection System, which helps protect your hard drive from shocks and bumps, and you have data security every road warrior will love. All at a price you can’t resist, just $999.1

HP COMPAQ nx6110—SPECIAL PRICE $9991 WITH INSTANT SAVINGS AND FREE SHIPPING

CALL 888-291-7998 CLICK hp.com/go/secure4 CONTACT an HP reseller

1. Instant savings and free shipping good on purchases made through 3/31/06. Free shipping available only within the United States. 2. Wireless access point required and is not included. Wireless Internet use requires separately purchased Internet service contract. Availability of public wireless access points limited. All offers available from HP Direct and participating resellers. Prices shown are HP Direct prices, are subject to change and do not include applicable state and local sales tax or shipping to recipient’s destination. Reseller prices may vary. Other fees and restrictions may apply. All images simulated. Intel, Intel Inside, the Intel Inside Logo, the Intel Centrino Logo and Intel Centrino are trademarks or registered trademarks of Intel Corporation or its subsidiaries in the United States and other countries. Microsoft and Windows are U.S. registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. © 2005 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. Special Advertising Section

MOBILIZE YOUR BUSINESS

WWW.SMARTBUSINESSCENTER.BIZ

Mobile and wireless technology can transform your company and create exciting new business beneﬁ ts and opportunities. The challenges associated with mobility are real, but may be overcome with research, good planning and smart product selection.

Today’s mobile devices like notebook PCs, tablet computers real, but the business benefi ts are enormous. You can dramati- and phones are portable, wirelessly connected and run with- cally increase employee productivity and collaboration, improve out being plugged in. But these powerful benefi ts come with customer service, and work better with suppliers by equipping issues unique to mobile devices. your workforce with tools to help them stay connected. For example, portability makes mobile devices—and the data that resides on them—vulnerable to theft. Mobile devices TIPS AND BEST PRACTICES these days hold sensitive company information such as business Here are some tips and best practices to help your company plans, customer lists and contracts. Nearly half of respondents with its mobility efforts. to a CSI/FBI survey had been victimized by laptop or other mobile device theft.1 Although the value of the hardware was How to Minimize Mobile Support Costs estimated at $720 million, the value of the data residing on • Keep mobile devices up-to-date with the latest those laptops topped $5.4 billion.2 security patches and updates Wireless “hotspots” where your mobile workers can connect • Take advantage of self-support services available from are becoming increasingly common, though it still can be a the device’s manufacturer struggle to fi nd them. And once they are located, it can be a • Make sure all available troubleshooting “wizards” and challenge for some mobile workers to deal with varying and help fi les are installed on devices unpredictable standards and connection processes. • Create and evolve your own “frequently asked Mobile devices enable productivity in places where time questions” fi les with common support questions would otherwise be wasted. But the productivity stops when and answers batteries run out. As devices grow more powerful and capable, • Embrace a local recovery solution that automates the challenge to keep those devices powered up between re- backup and enables employees to do their own charging sessions becomes ever greater. incremental recovery These and other challenges associated with the portability, wireless connectivity and battery operation of mobile devices are 1 2005 CSI/FBI Computer Crime Security Survey 2 Safeware Insurance, 2004 Special Advertising Section

• Implement a secure, available VPN. Without VPN connec- • Make your workforce more productive. Mobile tech- tivity, your company’s data may be exposed whenever any em- nology is no longer just for business trips. It can help employee outside the main offi ce connects. VPNs require a VPN ployees boost productivity in the offi ce, at home or in meet- router on your central network, and VPN client software on ings by giving them access to data in real time. This, in turn, employee PCs. It’s a good idea to combine networking security can help your business stay up-to-date and competitive. A functionality such as a VPN, fi rewall, and even cache server in tablet PC, for example, can be used just like a paper note- an integrated package, because it will save you time and mon- book, but the notes can be digitized, backed up, and shared ey. These combination devices will provide secure, encrypted with others. Wireless notebooks can help workers stay pro- connectivity to mobile and remote workers—with the ease of ductive while moving from meeting to meeting, especially single-product installation and management. if they support seamless roaming, so connections aren’t lost between wireless access points. • Maximize data and application access. A good approach to providing secure and reliable remote access may be to de- Mobile solutions from Intel and HP can help your business ploy some applications and data over the Internet as secure become more productive today. For more information, visit Web services or through a VPN, instead of loading every- www.smartbusinesscenter.biz. thing on laptops. If a notebook is lost, stolen or has technical diffi culties, you won’t lose the data and put the company at risk from the exposure of private customer information, for example. It’s also a good idea to insist on mobile solutions, including notebook PCs, that emphasize security built into the software and hardware—for example, security features embedded into the system’s microprocessor, integrated fi n- gerprint security or smart card readers. Mobile Solutions from HP and Intel

• Improve the user experience. Research has shown that Notebook PCs. Intel® Centrino® mobile technology- the larger the display available to a user, the more produc- based notebooks from HP support the latest wireless security standards, which helps to improve overall safety, tive and relaxed he or she will be—and the better able security and reliability. HP offers a complete range of to focus on the tasks at hand. In general, duplicating the notebooks powered by Intel processors—from sub-four- desktop experience when mobile is the key to a great user pound ultralights to models with up to 17-inch displays. experience. Make sure notebooks have powerful proces- Many security features are built-in, making it easier to sors and wireless capabilities, as well as large, high-qual- protect your company’s assets. ity screens, good sound systems, and plenty of peripheral ports. It’s also important to rightsize the notebook for the Tablet PCs. HP’s powerful Intel-based tablet PCs are job and the user. “Power users” who can take full advan- perfect for fi eld work, as well as for note-taking during tage of a high-end notebook may have a poor experience meetings. HP tablets feature HP Fast Charge Technology1 on a minimalist system designed above all for small size and and over fi ve-hour battery life.2 And like all HP mobile low weight, while a person who needs only e-mail and Web business offerings, they offer robust security features, browsing capabilities may not enjoy carrying a heavier and wireless3 and wired connectivity. larger full-featured notebook. Integrated security makes protecting your mobile assets and data easy and cost-effective. HP ProtectTools builds Intel® Centrino® Mobile Technology state-of-the-art protection into hardware, and enhances Verifi ed Hotspot Program the security of software. HP ProtectTools plug-in modules further enhance security. The Credential Manager for Finding, then connecting through, a random hotspot HP ProtectTools plug-in features Multifactor Windows can be a frustrating trial-and-error process. That’s why Authentication and single sign-on capability. Intel has created the Intel Centrino mobile technology verifi ed hotspot program (http://intel.jiwire.com). With 1 HP Fast Charge Technology recharges the battery up to 90% within 90 minutes. more than 32,000 locations in the United States and 2 Battery life will vary depending on the product: model, confi guration, loaded applications, features, and power management settings. The maximum capacity many thousands more around the world, you’ll be able of the battery will decrease with time and usage.

to ﬁ nd a place to get online just about anywhere.1 All 3 Wireless access point required and is not included. Wireless Internet use requires the sites have been fully tested and veriﬁ ed for Intel separately purchased Internet service contract. Availability of public wireless access points limited. Centrino mobile technology-based notebooks, so you know they’re compatible hotspots. Copyright © 2006 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P., and Intel Corporation. 1 Wireless access point required and is not included. Wireless Internet use requires separate- All rights reserved. Intel, the Intel logo and Intel Centrino are trademarks or registered ly purchased Internet service contract. Availability of public wireless access points limited. trademarks of Intel Corporation or its subsidiaries in the United States and other countries. Other names and brands may be claimed as the property of others.

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Prices shown are HP Direct prices; reseller and retail prices may vary.Prices shown are subject to change and do not include applicable state and local taxes or shipping to recipient’s address. Of fers cannot be combined with any other offer or discount, are good while supplies last and are available from HP Direct and participating HP resellers. All featured offers available in U.S. only. Savings based on HP published list price of conﬁ gure-to-order equivalent ($868 - $200 instant savings = SmartBuy price $668). Certain warranty restrictions and exclusions may apply. For complete warranty details, call 1-800-345-1518 (U.S.) 1. For hard drives, GB=1 Billion Bytes. 2. Optional Remote Insight Lights-Out Edition II (RILOE II). Intel, the Intel Logo, Pentium and Pentium Inside are trademarks or registered trademarks of Intel Corporation or its subsidiaries in the United States and other countries. © 2006 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. Brilliant color, most cost-effective, and very well connected.

Now there’s a color printer you’ll want on your team for the long run. For vivid color and outstanding value there’s nothing with charts and images. What’s more, IT people like the new Kyocera FS-C5030N, 600 dpi color love this printer because of its advanced print driver printer. It boasts 26 dazzling prints per minute and technology – one driver, one install. No wonder the Lowest Total Cost of Ownership in its class*. It Kyocera printers have won numerous industry saves you money over time, so now, you can afford awards for technology and overall reliability. to add color to any text document, or presentations So get connected today and start saving.

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KYOCERA MITA CORPORATION KYOCERA MITA AMERICA, INC., a group company of Kyocera Corporation * Source: Current Analysis, Inc. ©2005 Kyocera Mita Corporation and Kyocera Mita America, Inc., “People Friendly”, the Kyocera “smile” and the Kyocera logo are trademarks of Kyocera MICHAEL J. MILLER

Forward Thinking

Apple’s Big Debut on Intel Apple’s biggest triumph is the Get ready for lots of changes this year in platforms and it did a good job. That’s not surprising, since software. It had for all kinds of devices. The fi rst one showed up in Apple leads the industry in integrating hardware, early January when Apple debuted its Intel-based software, and services. to rewrite its OS Macintoshes earlier than expected. The new iMac I’m most impressed with Apple’s Rosetta soft- and all its apps (see review on page 32) and the new MacBook Pro ware, which runs programs written for the older are based on the Intel Core PowerPC versions of the for Intel chips . Duo, a low-power dual-core Mac. Microsoft Office processor. and Adobe Photoshop The iMac looks exactly work without any sig- like the iMac G5, and the nificant change—a huge MacBook strongly resem- achievement. Photoshop bles the last PowerBook. under Rosetta, however, But inside you’ll find Intel is conspicuously slower chips, which Apple says than the native PowerPC deliver better performance version on a PowerMac or than PowerPC chips. the Windows version on a There’s no doubt Windows PC. And that these systems forget about running are incredibly well higher-end page lay- designed. As usual, Apple has a great sense for out or video-editing software until Intel versions good-looking machines. The iMac is a very thin and come out. On the other hand, the Mac OS continues stylish all-in-one. The only Windows maker who to have a great design, with graphics and features comes close to this level of desktop design is Sony. such as integrated search that Windows users The MacBook is very thin and light for a machine won’t see before this summer. with a 15.4-inch widescreen design: It’s only 1 inch To get the superb design of an Apple, you’ll pay thick and 5.6 pounds, which is signifi cantly slimmer a premium over a comparably equipped Windows than most Windows machines with similar screens. machine. The cheapest MacBook will start at $1,999; In all of its new systems, Apple has nicely integrated the faster Windows machine with the same screen both decent speakers and a small webcam. size is around $1,600. And there’s a speed trade-off But the biggest triumph is the software. Apple as well: None of these machines yet supports the had to rewrite its operating system and all of its fastest Core Duo processor. Bottom line: Apple’s consumer applications for the Intel processors, strategy still positions the Mac as a niche machine. Wanted: Better Choices in Offi ce Software

The hottest trend in software today is online ap- line office productivity tools are plications, but they’ve been limited mostly to en- already available. Writely (www terprise apps like Salesforce.com and NetSuite. .writely.com) is a surprisingly good Lately, though, the number of Web-based personal online word processor that offers productivity tools has been growing. I’ve used basic editing tools and a decent Rallypoint, Writely, and Zoho Writer for word selection of fonts and formatting processing, and JotSpot Tracker for working with options. Although it doesn’t do on- Excel, and ﬁ nd that they do a better job of sharing the-ﬂ y spell-checking, mail merge, ZOHO WRITER information than traditional desktop apps. While or grammar checking, and the Google is rumored to be working on an online formatting and printing options are rudimentary, competitor to Microsoft Office, a number of on- it does have revision tracking and lets you easily K

www.pcmag.com MARCH 7, 2006 PC MAGAZINE 21 Forward Thinking MICHAEL J. MILLER

invite others to share or edit documents. It’s also easy, and the suite continues to have great fea- good for making a quick blog post. tures like Reveal Codes and the new ability both Zoho Writer (www.zohowriter.com) offers all to export and to import PDF files. Its new mail the basic word processing features, plus bet- client can index your messages, although that’s ter graphics handling and the ability to export a primarily useful if you use POP and IMAP mail. document as a Word or PDF fi le. Rallypoint (www Neither the spreadsheet nor the presentation .rallypointhq.com) offers even more collaboration modules measure up to those in Microsoft Of- tools. All three of these tools are still in beta, and fi ce, but they do the job. One other nice benefi t: pricing is still unclear. I don’t recommend them WordPerfect Offi ce costs considerably less than for professional use, but they do point to a new Microsoft Offi ce. direction for software. Despite these advances, none of the offi ce suite Conventional desktop applications will con- developers are really taking advantage of continue to be mainstream for the foreseeable future. nections to the Web for research and publishing. They’re more feature-rich than online apps and Indexing mail is a good start, but we need much don’t require an Internet connection. Despite its better ways to fi nd information and much easier quirks and hefty price tag, most people will still ways to collaborate on documents. And most pre- use Microsoft Offi ce to get their work done. Even sentation software is still too quirky and produc- with the new version, Offi ce “12,” expected late es boring slide shows. (One standout presentation this year, you can still fi nd competitors such as package is Serious Magic’s Ovation.) I predict that ThinkFree Offi ce and Sun’s StarOffi ce; both are in the future we’ll have a combination of online full-featured suites that go far beyond current on- and desktop applications. I’m glad to see develop- line offerings. ers rethinking software design. It’s about time. Often overlooked, Corel has done a nice job with its recently shipped WordPerfect Office MORE ON THE WEB: Join us online and make your X3 (go.pcmag.com/wordperfectoffi cex3). Special voice heard. Talk back to Michael J. Miller in our menus make the switch from Microsoft Office opinions section, go.pcmag.com/miller. Halo: Video Conferencing Done Right

One of the most impressive technology demonstrations I’ve ever seen is HP’s Halo Collaboration Studio. Recently, I walked into a meeting room in New York City where HP Imaging and Printing EVP Vyomesh Joshi, DreamWorks Animation CEO Jeffrey Katzen- berg, and AMD CEO Hector Ruiz were seated. Several other HP folks were seated in what appeared to be another part of the room, except they were really in California. I’ve seen a lot of video-conferencing solutions over the years, but I’ve never felt as if I was sitting at the same table with people in another city. Katzenberg explained that the concept came out of the “inability to move people around the world quickly” in the months after 9/11. The travel time for people between Dream- Works’ Northern and Southern California offi ces went from under three hours door-to-door to most of the day. Katzenberg said that none of the existing conference systems could deal with body language or support multiple simultaneous conversations, so DreamWorks came up with a customized room outfi tted with microphones, screens, and specialized lighting. DreamWorks went to HP Labs for help, and together they created the system. Since then, Halo has grown into a business. DreamWorks has 10 rooms, HP has 15, Pepsico has 5, and AMD has a couple. Katzen- berg used to travel to the offi ces in Bristol, England, once every three weeks. Now he goes there once every four months. And Halo made it possible for DreamWorks to set up a deal so New York– based Jerry Seinfeld can work on a movie with the California team. Halo doesn’t come cheap. The rooms cost about $550,000 each, with a monthly fee of $18,000. But if you want to experience what technology can do on the high end, Halo is it.

22 PC MAGAZINE MARCH 7, 2006 www.pcmag.com IT’S A NOTEBOOK. IT’S A TABLET. IT’S THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS.

Fujitsu recommends LifeBook® T4000 Tablet PC Microsoft® Windows® XP Tablet PC Edition

• Configurable to only 4.3 lbs. • A versatile, built-in modular bay • Up to 8.5 hours maximum battery life • XGA wide-view display with optional indoor/outdoor XGA wide-view and standard SXGA+ high-resolution displays It’s a notebook that converts into a tablet.

Why limit yourself to an ordinary tablet or notebook? The Fujitsu LifeBook T4000 Tablet PC with Intel® Centrino® Mobile Technology instantly changes from one to the other with just a twist and flip of its brilliant, 12.1" screen. From the field to the back office, this no-compromise solution is the only mobile computing platform you need. With its built-in modular bay, you have the flexibility to burn CDs and DVDs, work up to 8.5 hours between charges, or trim down to a nimble 4.3 lbs. It also features the exclusive Fujitsu BayLock™ utility, which keeps the media drive and its contents safe should you accidentally hit the release button while in Tablet PC mode.To find out why the LifeBook T4000 Tablet PC gives mobile professionals the best of both worlds, visit www.shopfujitsu.com/LifeBookT4000 or call 1.800.FUJITSU.

©2006 Fujitsu Computer Systems Corporation. All rights reserved. Fujitsu, the Fujitsu logo and LifeBook are registered trademarks of Fujitsu Limited. BayLock is a trademark of Fujitsu Computer Systems Corporation. Intel, Intel logo, Intel Inside, Intel Inside logo, Intel Centrino, and Intel Centrino logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Intel Corporation or its subsidiaries in the United States and other countries. Microsoft and Windows are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. Now tax time is relax time. Get money back and enjoy the freedom to relax.

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*Purchase Norton Internet Security™ 2006 for Windows® and any version of TurboTax® from Intuit® or TaxCut® from H&R Block® between 11/12/05-4/15/2006, and receive $40 USD via mail-in rebate. Mail-in rebate must be postmarked within 30 days of Symantec software purchase. Limit one rebate per customer. See www.symantec.com/taxtime for other terms and conditions. Valid only in the US and void where prohibited. © 2006 Symantec Corporation. All rights reserved. Symantec and the Symantec Logo are registered trademarks of Symantec Corporation. ILLUSTRATION BY AARON LEIGHTON without the personbeing evaluated knowing aboutthe test. Personnel Assessment, that candetect falsehoods orsigns of stress Defense hasunveiled plans to develop alie detector, called Remote FALSE OR TRUE Net to the Rescue Wireless its showed Gefen Macworld: at play commonplace. become tems—could sys- entertainment for car applications video many images—plus transferring wirelessly and ataPC camera orvideo still a digital pointing as such applications, range short- slick many hype, to its up lives UWB If devices. between distance the on or slower, depending that half are speeds 802.11g Actual rate: aquoted only is Mbps 54 And lutions. 802.11g wireless so- Mbps for current 54 with compared than 480 Mbps, speeds—more faster ponents promise much pro- butits technology, products. UWB working fi the unveiled companies several Macworld, at (CES) Show and Electronics ing to get an answer. At the recent Consumer we’re fi if as itlooks buttalk, nothing thing in wireless technology? After years of IS ULTRA WIDEBAND (UWB) the next big interoperability. on out jury’s the have but arrived, UWBproducts Slick Wireless?HyperMegaSuper directed the Pewstudy.— the directed who Horrigan, John says list,” buddy abig need you cavalry, the a in percent 33 from ago. years three survey similar years—up two last the in decision life major PIPELINE The magic camera application was ondis- was application camera magic The Like Wi-Fi, is UWB radio “When you need help these days, you don’t need a bugle to call tocall abugle need don’t you days, these help need you “When TECHNOLOGY TRENDS &NEWS ANALYSIS It knows when you’re lying. The U.S. Department of of Department you’re U.S. knowsThe when It lying. SR a crucial role in helping them making a a making them helping in role a crucial played Internet the that said Web users Forty-fiInternet Project. Pew bythe conducted adults of 2,200 toasurvey according so, much Very makein people helping key decisions? become Internet the has CRITICAL HOW rst nally go- ve percent of of ve percent — tuned. Stay year. ofthe half second the in ity for interoperabil- products UWB to certify Wi disbanded. has group working UWB IEEE the and standard, own its suing CableFree USB Hub (see the photo), of- the (see Hub which USB CableFree its showed Belkin Macworld, at Also a PC. with link awireless toestablish acamera as such adevice into plug can you which UWB), of asubset is USB (Wireless Extender USB a competing group, the UWB Forum, is pur- is Forum, UWB the group, a competing Sebastian Rupley Rupley Sebastian fers four ports for creating high-speed high-speed creating for ports four fers for UWB on January 25. Meanwhile, Meanwhile, 25. onJanuary for UWB wireless connections with pe- with connections wireless fi rst formal interoperability test test interoperability formal rst ripherals. The hub connects WiMedia Alliance held its Alliance WiMedia offi before products less the order of the day. The day. The ofthe order the become has certification to devices such as print- as such to devices with a dongle in a PC or aPC in adongle with ers, and it communicates it communicates and ers, handheld gadget. Gefen’s Gefen’s gadget. handheld and Belkin’s offer- Releasing wire- Releasing Semiconductor. from Freescale achipset use ings Media plans plans Media go.pcmag.com/pipeline www.pcmag.com cial cial half of this year.— this of half fi the in banks as such markets will vertical target Fujitsu but time, press at set wasn’t Pricing paper. white aFujitsu notes to forge,” diffi extremely are terns pat- vein “palm Moreover, gies like face recognition. technolo- biometric other 0.00008 percent—outdoing than less of rate acceptance claims that it has a false Fujitsu and port, USB to any Electronics Show. hits of January’s Consumer ofthe one was it and that, solution (shown) does just new PalmSecure biometric Fujitsu’s accuracy. perfect nearly with you identify can through your hands’ veins takes blood route the spot can that adevice means unique? In English, this completely is hands your hemoglobin in the veins of of subcutaneous deoxidized Did you know that the fl High Five The PalmSecure attaches MARCH 7, 2006 SR PC MAGAZINE rst ow ow cult 25 go.pcmag.com/futurewatch FUTURE WATCH

That’s No Plain Plane NOPE, DESPITE THE JOYSTICKS, that’s not the latest concept in The A380’s cockpit is loaded with displays for sophisticated immersive gaming environments. It’s the cockpit of the Airbus mapping applications, broadband Internet (available throughout A380—the largest passenger jet in the world. The ﬁ rst of these the plane), and more. Several passenger lounges feature cool busi- truly jumbo jets, which seat more than 500 passengers, should ness technologies such as e-fax stations, PCs, and Internet access, be delivered to Qantas in October of this year. The Australian for when the captain turns off the “fasten seat belts” sign. Our airline plans to bring A380 service to the U.S., with service from question is, with all those dials and ﬂ ashing lights, will the pilots be Los Angeles to Melbourne and Sydney . able to concentrate on where they’re going?—Sebastian Rupley

Fits You Like a Glove Now your PC can know when you’re about to throw a temper tantrum during a Quake session. Researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Computer Graphics have developed a glove that can clue in software applications to your emotional state. The glove measures heartbeat, breath- ing rate, blood pressure, skin temperature, and the skin’s electrical resistance. It has numerous uses, from helping drivers and pilots make fewer errors to enhancing game play.—SR

26 PC MAGAZINE MARCH 7, 2006 www.pcmag.com

FIRST

HANDS-ON TESTING OF NEW PRODUCTS • go.pcmag.com/firstlooks 32 Apple iMac (Intel Core Duo) 43 Canon PowerShot SD550 46 HP Pavilion LC3700N 33 Apple Power Mac G5 Quad Digital Elph 48 Philips GoGear HDD6330 34 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T9 43 Kodak EasyShare V570 50 Creative TravelDock Zen Micro 34 Canon PowerShot SD30 44 Palm Treo 700w 50 Logitech Z-5450 Digital Digital Elph 46 Philips 42PF9830A/37 52 Dell Inspiron E1705

Yellow Pages database (updated monthly) for the en- Mapping Goes Local tire country. A9.com Maps is quite useful for those who

THE MAGAZINE live within its coverage areas. WORLD’S LARGEST BY DAVIS D. JANOWSKI As images are added and the COMPUTER-TESTING FACILITY When you’re on the prowl for a new pizza joint, where do list of cities expands, we fully expect A9.com Maps to be all you go to fi nd one? Until recently, you probably checked the the more impressive. Yellow Pages (online or otherwise) for a list of pizzerias, and A9.com Maps (beta) Free. A9.com Inc. (a subsidiary of then whittled that list down by proximity. Now a relatively Amazon.com Inc.), maps.a9.com. lllmm new breed of Web services can help you fi nd the pizza place AOL Local (or deli, or mechanic, or museum) of your dreams. These local search ser- AOL Local doesn’t have all the features of the other services. vices combine the search functionality of yellow-page sites, the cartographic Instead, AOL has opted to use the tried-and-true MapQuest abilities of the best mapping and integrate AOL Local for services, and a healthy dose detailed local searches. of business and restaurant If all you want is driving reviews provided by the directions between two loca- locals themselves. tions, go to AOL’s MapQuest The marriage of local .com and make use of the ex- search, mapping services, quisitely simple interface, just and creative imagery is fairly as you’ve probably done for new, and the sites are still years. MapQuest offers only trying to, well, find them- two choices: maps and direc- selves. Some of the services tions. If you like, you can save we tested are still in beta, and your home and work address- there are definite improve- es to use as a starting place. ments to be made. But all the AOL Local isn’t quite as in- services are free. So try them BLOCK VIEW images are highlighted in blue on the main map. tuitive as MapQuest, but once all and see which has the best you get used to the somewhat coverage of your neighbor- The company refers to its address for a spot on the map clunky interface, it’s easy hood. The pizza pie you’ve along-the-street images as by clicking on it. enough to get around. When been searching for could be Block Views. A9, a subsidiary To see Block View images, confronted with a search right around the corner. of Amazon, employs SUVs you just enter an address or fi eld, most of us intuitively en- equipped with mounted digi- intersection into the search ter a term and hit Enter. Here, A9.com Maps (beta) tal cameras and GPS equip- bar or click somewhere on there’s an additional step— Combine traditional maps ment to record street images the map. After a period of you have to select from the with street-level photographs and document the locations time, you’ll receive a scrol- categories along the left to tell of 24 major American cities where they are taken. Using lable fi lmstrip view of either AOL Local where to search. (and portions of a dozen oth- this application, you can get side of the street. That’s because local search ers) and you’ve got A9.com driving directions and create A9.com Maps seemed to on AOL is just a subset of the Maps. There aren’t a lot of cit- a route map, then click on the work best in conjunction much larger AOL Search. ies on the coverage list yet, but route map to see Block Views with A9’s Yellow Pages data- Once you get used to the its innovative photos make it of a street along the way. base. Click on the link and interface, you’ll fi nd that AOL easier to fi nd your way. You can also easily find the you can access a complete Local has lots of information

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WHAT THE RATINGS MEAN: LLLLL EXCELLENT l LLLLM VERY GOOD l LLLMM GOOD l LLMMM FAIR l LMMMM POOR 52 Sony VAIO VGN-AX570G 58 eTrust Internet Security Suite 78 Ovation for PowerPoint 82 ABSmini (40GB) 55 Canon Selphy CP510 Compact 58 BullGuard Internet Security Suite 6 80 Gateway E-4500S 82 Maxtor OneTouch II Small Business Photo Printer 75 DivX Create Bundle 81 HP Compaq DC7600 CMT Edition (SBE) 55 Samsung SPP-2040 Digital Photo 75 muvee autoProducer 5 81 Lenovo ThinkCentre A51 Ultra Printer 78 Xara Xtreme Small (8105-26U) RED denotes Editors’ Choice. about local sites and goings- on, along with the ability to generate simple, straightforward maps and directions. AOL Local Free. America Online Inc., localsearch.aol.com, www.mapquest.com. lllmm

Google Local Today’s Google Local is the result of last October’s merger between the original Google Local and Google Maps. Com- bined, they are even more intriguing. CLICK BETWEEN Google Local’s Map, Satellite, and Hybrid views to see different perspectives of Google Local’s interface an area. Many of the satellite maps you’ll see are the same that Google Earth offers. is a model of simplicity, with but three search choices, For example, “pizza 11232” “Get directions” also pres- same as that found in Google “Search the map,” “Find resulted in a list of ten pizza ents two search windows, for Earth (though in some in- businesses,” and “Get direc- restaurants in the Gowanus your starting and destination stances we noted that Google tions.” “Search the map” does and Sunset Park sections of addresses. If Google Local Earth imagery for certain just that. If you’re looking for Brooklyn, each indicated recognizes your address, this locations had been more re- something in a limited area, with a red tab. works very well and returns cently updated and had a perhaps around your home, “Find businesses” presents a very straightforward set of higher resolution). We espe- the quickest way is probably dual search bars: a “what” bar printable driving directions. cially like the Hybrid view, to enter what you’re search- for the type of business and a All three choices return a which combines satellite im- ing for and your ZIP code. “where” bar for the location. list of results along the left agery and map information. and little red tabs over each Roads, road names, and other location on the map. Clicking map data are highlighted and a tab pulls up a small win- overlaid on top of the satellite dow showing the business’s imagery. With this view you address, phone number, and can very easily visualize a other information. given route against the real- We like that you can drag ity of the actual terrain. the map rather than relying on We really like Google Lo- scroll buttons. The speed and cal’s simplicity, imagery, and responsiveness with which its responsive interface. the map moves are very im- Google Local pressive, as is the speed with Free. Google Inc., local.google.com. which you can zoom in or out. llllm Google Maps lets you toggle between three views: Windows Live Local (beta) Map, Satellite, and Hybrid. Windows Live Local The Satellite and Hybrid has to be one of the views show the same area most addictive Web as the map at the same scale. search tools out there. Toggling to the Satellite view We’re most excited about the YOU CAN EASILY generate a map or directions from your AOL reveals that much of the im- bird’s-eye images of major Local Search results. agery in Google Local is the U.S. cities, including Boston,

www.pcmag.com MARCH 7, 2006 PC MAGAZINE 29 FIRST LOOKS Software: Online Mapping Services

We aren’t too thrilled with Yahoo! Local’s integration with Yahoo! Local Maps, though. The two services are linked but act like two separate sites. Yahoo! has a new version of Local Maps currently in beta testing, though it’s not yet integrated with Yahoo! Local. The new version is Flash-based and is far more interactive than the earlier, non-beta, non-Flash version. The overall layout and functioning are good, though not always intuitive. Enter your searches or addresses on BIRD’S-EYE VIEWS of many major cities are the unique attraction of Windows Live Local. the left to plot your search results or get directions. Browse Las Vegas, Los Angeles, New location as a starting point extra features, the cool bird’s- through preset categories, York, San Francisco, and Se- for searches. The company eye views make Windows search on a specific term, or attle (with others coming). claims accuracy to within a Live Local worth a try. With enter an address to get direc- Live Local matches the im- few hundred feet. If the sys- the great feature set, we’ve tions. Once you’ve got the ages, taken from photographs tem can’t locate your access deemed it worthy of our Edi- map and route you want, you made by Pictometry Interna- point, it will use your ISP’s IP tors’ Choice award. can print it, e-mail it, or even tional Corp. on low-altitude address to make an estimate Windows Live Local (beta) send it to your phone. fl ights, with satellite imagery within a mile or so. Free. Microsoft Corp., local.live.com. In using the service, we fell and road maps. After search- Getting directions is very llllm in love with the inset zoom ing, you can switch among easy once you’ve found a lo- window on the main page. An three views: bird’s eye (if cation. Click on the location’s Yahoo! Local and Yahoo! easy-to-adjust slider lets you available), aerial (satellite— icon on the results map and a Local Maps (beta) quickly zoom in and out, from again, if available), or road. small window will open that The Yahoo! Local site is a images shown on a scale of 0.1 Want to know what a block contains additional details good place to search for just mile: 1 inch to a view of the en- looks like from the south? No such as address and phone about anything. It’s rich in tire continental U.S. We also problem—the bird’s-eye per- number. If you have some local detail, aggregating all appreciated the ability to plot spective lets you see from all idea of where something is sorts of content, such as your multiple points and generate four directions. You can also but don’t have the address, neighborhood’s upcoming a route to connect them. zoom in for a high-resolution you can just click your cur- events, weather, businesses, You won’t fi nd the multiple look at a given location. sor in the general area and RSS feeds, users’ favorite types of map views or fancy At its most basic, Windows generate your directions restaurants, and hot spots. images offered by Google Live Local works by cross- from that. Results are plotted automati- or Windows Live Local. But referencing two things: what Even without the local cally on a map with color- as with Google’s maps, you you’re looking for and where search, maps, and wealth of coded and numbered tags. can easily click and drag the you want to look for it. As maps in Yahoo! Local Maps with any beta app, there are (beta), though they are a bit small glitches to fi x and holes slower and less responsive. to fill. We tested this and We’d also have liked a other mapping apps using pushpin-type feature and Revolutionary War sites, and a scratch pad like Windows though Windows Live Local Live Local’s. Despite these wasn’t able to locate every issues, Yahoo! Local gives one by name, we easily found broader, deeper, and more their locations using just the precisely tailored results addresses. We were then able than the other services and to create our own little tour- provides a great way to exist itinerary using the cus- plore your neighborhood . tomizable pushpins. Yahoo! Local and If your PC is Wi-Fi–enabled, Yahoo! Local Maps (beta) a tool called Location Finder THE INSET ZOOM WINDOW of Yahoo! Local Maps (beta) lets Free. Yahoo! Inc., maps.yahoo.com/ helps you set your current you quickly home in on an area. beta, www.yahoo.local.com. lllhm

30 PC MAGAZINE MARCH 7, 2006 www.pcmag.com Introducing Internet phone service from the Internet experts.

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With EarthLink’s new trueVoice, you get more from your phone service – and pay less. For only $24.95 a month*, you get: - Unlimited local and long-distance calling in the continental U.S. and Canada. - Premium calling features like voicemail, caller ID and call waiting – no extra charge. - First month of service FREE! All you need is a high-speed Internet connection and your regular phone handset. Then we’ll provide the rest, including award-winning service and support.

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© 2006 EarthLink, Inc. *Offer and rates subject to change. Service not available in all areas. trueVoice Basic plan is billed at a rate of $.04/minute after first 500 minutes each month. Per minute international rates vary by country and are always billed in addition to monthly fees. Equipment Recovery Fee of $50.00 may apply to unreturned or non-working equipment upon cancellation. Activation fee may apply. Service is for fixed residential use only. Certain taxes, shipping, handling and other fees may apply. E911 service may be limited or not available before service is activated or in the case of power or broadband service failure. Directory or operator assistance charges will apply. See www.earthlink.net for all charges and rates. Cancellation must be by phone, U.S. mail, or FAX before the next billing period begins to prevent further charges. Other restrictions may apply. FIRST LOOKS Hardware: Desktop PCs The Intel-Based iMac Tested

JOEL SANTO DOMINGO mirroring setting in previous both PowerPC and Intel plat- Because of the necessary On the outside, the iMacs. The mini DVI port is forms) need Apple’s trans- Rosetta translation, Photo- new Apple iMac (Intel compatible with a VGA adapt- lation technology—called shop CS2 performance on Core Duo) ($1,699 di- er, and there is an optional Rosetta—to run on the Intel the new iMac (2 minutes 43 rect, $1,799 as tested) S-Video adapter. platform. Some vital pro- seconds), though adequate looks no different Front Row and the Apple grams for Apple users, such for casual use, is much from the previous PowerPC- Remote were intro- slower than on the based iMac G5 (iSight). The duced in the last 2.7-GHz Power- differences are all under the version of the iMac Mac G5 Dual hood. The 20-inch new iMac G5 (iSight), and (1:14) and main- combines a dual-core Intel both were kind of stream PCs like Core Duo processor with the sluggish. Thanks the Velocity Micro Mac OS X experience. Casual to the iMac’s Core Vision GX (1:50). Mac users, switchers from Duo processor, Doom 3 is doubly Microsoft Windows, and iPod however, Front doomed: The game aﬁ cionados will love the new Row is now a to- is not optimized for iMac; however, professionals tally natural user Mac OS X on Power- and people who use graphics interface and has PC systems, and apps such as Adobe Photoshop fewer of the irk- Rosetta slowed it and Final Cut Pro should hold some pauses down even more. off until such critical apps are we saw in the The new iMac Core updated to work smoothly last iMac G5. Duo mustered only with the Intel processor. Programs such 17 frames per second On the outside, the new as the Quick- versus the previous iMac with Intel Core Duo is Time player showed a iMac’s 20 fps on our physically the same as the Doom 3 tests. We’ll iMac G5 (iSight). Apple in- revisit gaming perfor- stalled a 2.0-GHz Core Duo mance once Doom 3 goes to T2500 processor with a ver- universal binary. sion of the Intel 945GM chip- Though the iMac still set. Like the previous iMac lacks a TV tuner, video G5, it comes standard with podcasts and the TV AirPort Extreme 802.11g THE NEW IMAC content on iTunes wireless networking, Blue- is much like the make the iMac more tooth 2.0+EDR, an iSight previous iMac, but with an of a digital media camera, a dual-layer DVD- Intel processor and better graphics. hub. For casual users, the new burning SuperDrive, and a iMac has much to offer. But 250GB SATA hard drive. The marked improvement. On the as Aperture, Final Cut Pro, for professionals, the lack of iMac’s bright and brilliant 20- new iMac, 1080p QuickTime Photoshop, and Quark Xpress, essential universal binary inch widescreen LCD is the 7 HD videos play smoothly have not yet been recoded. programs means they should same panel we raved about without a hiccup. The Super- As a result, running those hold on to their PowerPC- on the iMac G5 (iSight). man Returns and King Kong programs can cause perfor- based Macs for a while. Ports on the back panel are movie trailers looked phe- mance slowdowns. The soft- Apple iMac (Intel Core Duo) also the same (USB, FireWire, nomenal on the new iMac. ware that has been converted audio in/out, Ethernet) with Now that Apple is moving so far includes several third- With 2.0-GHz Intel Core Duo T2500 processor, 1GB 667-MHz DDR2 one exception: Now that the from PowerPC (G4, G5) to party shareware programs, SDRAM, 250GB SATA hard drive, iMac has a mini-DVI port, the Intel x86 platform with the Mac OS X operating sys- 128MB ATI Radeon X1600 graphics you can take advantage of the Core Duo processor, pro- tem, and the new iLife ’06 card, dual-layer DVD±RW drive, Mac OS X 10.4.4, $1,699 direct; $1,799 as true dual-monitor use—an grams that aren’t in universal (included with the new iMac) tested. Apple Computer Inc., improvement over the video binary (apps optimized for and iWork ’06 suites. www.apple.com. llllh

ANALYST'S TIP JOEL SANTO DOMINGO , Lead Analyst For the most part, Mac OS X is still virus and malware free. Apple is good at plugging security holes in the OS, mostly through Software Update in OS X. But there are Unix- and Linux-based threats out there that bad guys could use. So-called “phishing” attacks can still work on unsuspecting Mac users to get personal info. You don’t necessarily need to run security software on your Mac, just be careful on the Wild Wild Web.

32 PC MAGAZINE MARCH 7, 2006 www.pcmag.com FIRST LOOKS Desktop PCs

The Hummer of Desktops: Apple Power Mac

BY JOEL SANTO DOMINGO THE G5 QUAD has the CineBench rendering test: pple professionals plenty of power for 1,104. The Pentium EE 840, expect a speed bump graphics and video overclocked to 3.6 GHz, re- Awith each succes- professionals. cently got a 667, and an Athlon sive Power Mac model that 64 4800+, overclocked to 2.7 comes out, and the 2.5-GHz GHz, scored 775. CineBench Apple Power Mac G5 Quad is a multithreaded app, so the ($9,522 direct, $7,023 with- more threads your system can out monitor, as tested) deliv- handle, the more efficiently ers a doozy of one. With the your workload gets done. fi rst Intel-powered consumer We recommend that pro- Macs available, it is interest- fessional businesses such ing that Apple would release as design and engineering the G5 Quad as the probable fi rms continue to buy Power- last hurrah for the PowerPC PC-based Power Macs. Intel- processor—but at least it’s native and universal binary going out on top. software (software that con- The G5 Quad will give tains both PowerPC- and graphics professionals the Intel-optimized code) are power they need to produce likely to lag behind the in- large-scale output on increas- troduction of the Intel Macs ingly short deadlines. For by several months to a year. anyone other than graphics Since non-Intel-optimized or video professionals, this programs are likely to re- system is overkill—not to main current for several mention a bank-account oblit- years after the introduction erator. (The basic confi gura- of Intel Macs in 2006 and tion of the 2.5-GHz model 2007, it behooves current comes in at a more reasonable Mac houses to buy the latest $3,299 without monitor). PowerPC Macs as their last In terms of case design, pre-Intel upgrade. not much has changed. But as For the Mac-centric pro- you’ve probably guessed by fessionals, the G5 Quad offers now, the real story is inside. is a resound- the necessary speed. Since In addition to the dual-core ing yes for those universal binary and Intel- G5, the appearance of DDR2 who need the power native code is still in develop- memory and PCIe card slots (and can justify the ex- ment, if you need the power on the Power Mac G5 line test system), bringing the to- pense). The G5 Quad powered now, it would be best to get a is a major change, probably tal storage up to a whopping through our Adobe Photo- few G5 Quads for your most made because the entire Mac- 1TB (but the hard drives will shop CS2 tests at a speedy 57 productive users and bring intosh platform will move to not be confi gured in a RAID seconds. The previous Power the Intel Macs in for testing Intel-based hardware over array). Although our test sys- Mac Dual (2.7 GHz) took 1 when they are available. the next 12 to 18 months. The tem came with 4GB of RAM, minute 14 seconds to do the Apple Power Mac G5 Quad inclusion of DDR2 and PCIe you can upgrade to a stun- same ten tasks, and the Dell means that IT departments ning 16GB of ECC RAM for XPS 600 took 1:03. Though With two dual-core 2.5-GHz PowerPC G5 processors, 4GB DDR2 SDRAM, two can start stockpiling DDR2 an extra $11,900—no, neither this difference doesn’t seem 500GB SATA hard drives, 512MB nVidia and PCIe replacement parts of those numbers is a typo. like much, it can really add up Quadro FX 4500 graphics card, dual- and upgrades. You can con- That’s all well and good, over the course of a week. layer DVD±RW drive, 30-inch Cinema Display, Mac OS X 10.4, $9,522 direct, figure the system with two but is it worth upgrading to The Quad G5 got the high- $7,023 without monitor. Apple Com- 500GB hard drives (as on our the new G5 Quad? The answer est score we’ve ever seen on puter Inc., www.apple.com. llllh

PERFORMANCE HIGHLIGHT: CINEBENCH EXPLAINED CINEBENCH 2003 The Power Mac G5 Quad blew away all our previously reviewed desktops on our TEST COMPARISON CineBench tests. This translates to faster rendering times on big graphics ﬁ les. Our Previous highest score CineBench test uses Maxon’s Cinema 4D software to create 3D renderings like those DELL XPS 600: 667 used in movies and TV shows. Here is the Power Mac G5 Quad’s CineBench score com- APPLE POWER pared with the best-performing Pentium-based system to date, the Dell XPS 600. MAC G5 QUAD: 1,104

www.pcmag.com MARCH 7, 2006 PC MAGAZINE 33 FIRST LOOKS Consumer Electronics: Digital Cameras The Slim, Sleek Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T9

BY TERRY SULLIVAN clear, better than this score lthough some have indicated. The T9 was quick claimed that the to boot up, taking just 1.9 sec- A super-waif is no lon- onds. The 2.7-second recycle ger the catwalk ideal, thin time is very good, though not is still in when it comes to exceptional, and there was a digital cameras. That’s why bit more shutter lag than we the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T9 like to see. There was also a ($499.95 list) ultracompact is little pincushion distortion sure to attract attention. and a bit of barrel distortion. This 6-megapixel ultra- The video capabilities are compact is an update of Sony’s a bit limited, although you Cyber-shot DSC-T7 but is just still get VGA quality (or 640- slightly thicker than that 5MP by-480) for your video clips. camera, at 0.8 inch. The DSC- The T9, in our view, does T9 is about as wide and tall as THE DSC-T9 REFLECTS SONY’s a better job than either the the Canon PowerShot SD550 signature combination of elegant design and functional features. FinePix Z1 or the Nikon Cool- but is two-thirds as thick and pix S1, but the Canon SD550 weighs four-fifths as much. Our simulated-daylight There was almost no fring- is one of the few cameras that All this makes for a very por- shots revealed little noise, ing in the image—including does a better job than the T9. table camera. very good color saturation in our real-world test shots. We think the T7 might be a The T9 comes with a 3X and fidelity, and almost no The T9’s dynamic range was slightly better value than the optical, nontelescoping zoom fringing. We found excellent very good overall. T9, but if you’re looking for a with a 6.3mm to 19mm range exposure, about as good as On our resolution test, the 6MP camera, the T9 is an all- (a 35mm equivalent of 38mm that on the T7. Our ﬂ ash test camera averaged 1,475 lines, around good buy. to 114mm) and correspond- shots revealed adequate ﬂ ash which is a bit above average Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T9 ing maximum f-stops of f/3.5 coverage, although the image for a 6MP camera. But our $499.95 list. Sony Electronics Inc., to f/4.3. was slightly underexposed. test shots appeared sharp and www.sonystyle.com. lllhm An Average Camera in Sexy Clothing

BY TERRY SULLIVAN some noise, though it wasn’t though we noticed a slight V530’s images, the SD30’s mall, sleek, and styl- color noise and wasn’t that softness to the images. were lackluster and had more ish, the Canon Power- noticeable. We found excel- Flash coverage on our ﬂ ash noise than we’d like to see. S Shot SD30 Digital Elph lent color matching and satu- test shots was weak, with At 3.3 seconds, the SD30’s ($399.95 list) comes in four ration for both the ﬂ ash and slight vignetting in the cor- boot-up time was average. Its bold colors—gold, red, pur- the daylight shots. These ners. The shots were also too 4.6-second recycle time was ple, and black. But the slick shots also showed very little contrasty, with details getting slow, and we found noticeable packaging doesn’t quite make fringing, less than on the lost in the shadows. Com- shutter lag. The lens had just up for this ultracompact’s Kodak V530. We got a very pared with the the usual amount of barrel mediocre performance. good, solid exposure for the distortion and no pincushion The SD30 is a 5-megapixel daylight shots, distortion. Resolution mea- camera with a 2.4X optical sured 1,350 lines, average for zoom—less than the 3X a 5MP camera. most ultracompacts have. For an ultrasmall ultra- Maximum apertures on compact, the SD30 doesn’t its 6.3mm to 14.9mm zoom stand out. We’d suggest the (the 35mm equivalent of Kodak EasyShare V530 or the 38mm to 90mm) range V550. Or, for better perfor- from f/3.2 to f/5.4. We were mance and picture quality, disappointed in the 1.8- you might try the very stylish inch LCD; Casio, Kodak, Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T7. and Sony offer much larger Canon PowerShot SD30 displays. A SLICK BODY Digital Elph Our simulated-daylight makes it easy to slip $399.95 list. Canon U.S.A. Inc., shots revealed an image with the SD30 into a shirt pocket. www.usa.canon.com. lllmm

34 PC MAGAZINE MARCH 7, 2006 www.pcmag.com JUMP TO NEXT PAGE >> Acer recommends Windows® XP Professional.

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The Acer TravelMate C310 is the convertible tablet that you'll want to use as your primary computer. With a big 14.1" XGA display, full-size keyboard, modular optical drive and optional ezDock Docking Station, it's similar to a standard notebook but offers much more. The screen becomes a writing surface when you rotate it and fold it back over the keyboard, perfect for taking notes, annotating documents and completing online forms.

CONVERTS HANDWRITING TO TEXT • Intel® Centrino® Mobile Technology - Intel® Pentium® M Processor - Mobile Intel® 915PM Express chipset - Intel® PRO/Wireless 2200BG network connection • Genuine Windows® XP Tablet PC Edition • 4-in-1 card reader for optional MultiMediaCard™, Secure Digital card, Memory Stick® or Memory Stick PRO™ • 14.1" XGA (1024 x 768) TFT display • NVIDIA GeForce™ Go 6200 graphics • 802.11b/g WLAN, Bluetooth®, gigabit LAN, V.92 modem • Full-size EMR pen with eraser • One-year limited warranty2

Acer TravelMate C314XMi Acer TravelMate C312XCi $1,999 $1,699 INTEL® PENTIUM® MPROCESSOR 760 INTEL® PENTIUM® MPROCESSOR 740 (2MB L2 CACHE,2GHZ, 533MHZ FSB) (2MB L2 CACHE, 1.73GHZ, 533MHZ FSB) GENUINE WINDOWS® XP TABLET PC EDITION GENUINE WINDOWS® XP TABLET PC EDITION 1GB DDR2 533 SDRAM, 100GB1 HARD DRIVE 512MB DDR2 533 SDRAM, 80GB1 HARD DRIVE AND MODULAR DVD-DUAL DRIVE (DVD+/-RW) AND MODULAR CD-RW/DVD-ROM COMBO DRIVE (LX.T870E.032) (LX.T270E.029)

Acer AL1716 Bbd 700:1 CONTRAST RATIO $10 PRICE CUT! • 17" TFT LCD • 300 cd/m2 brightness • 1280 x 1024 native resolution • 8ms response time Acer AL1717 Bbmd • 700:1 contrast ratio • Internal power adapter Acer AL1716 Bbd • 150° horizontal viewing angle 249 • Black color $ • 135° vertical viewing angle $229 (ET.1717B.MD8) • VGA, DVI-D signal connectors (ET.1716B.0D8)

Prices shown are estimated street prices and do not include tax or shipping. Retailer or reseller prices may vary. Acer® Veriton® 2800 Powerful but Compact

Even if you’re short on space, you don’t need to sacrifice performance. The compact Acer Veriton 2800 business desktop gives you an Intel® Pentium® 4 Processor with HT Technology, dual-channel memory and eight USB ports for connecting to a printer and other office peripherals.

• Intel® Pentium® 4 Processor with •CD-RW/DVD-ROM combo drive HT Technology • Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator 950 ® • Genuine Windows XP Professional • Gigabit LAN • 512MB DDR2 533 SDRAM • Three-year limited warranty2 • 80GB1 hard drive, 7200RPM

Acer Veriton 2800 $689 Display sold separately. INTEL® PENTIUM® 4PROCESSOR 521 WITH HT TECHNOLOGY (1MB L2 CACHE, 2.80GHZ, 800MHZ FSB) ® ® ™ GENUINE WINDOWS XP PROFESSIONAL Acer AcerPower S280 (VT2800-U-P5210) Affordable Computing at its Best The AcerPower S280 boasts an impressive feature set in a stylish chassis at an affordable price. Ample power means you can efficiently perform everyday tasks. Multiple expansion slots make the system easy to upgrade, while the eight USB 2.0 ports give you the ability to connect to the latest peripherals. All in all, an excellent choice for home, school or office computing.

• Intel® Celeron® D Processor • 10/100 LAN • Genuine Windows® XP Professional • Integrated SiS Mirage™ graphics • 80GB1 hard drive • One-year limited warranty2

AcerPower S280 AcerPower S280 $459 $399 INTEL® CELERON® DPROCSSOR 346 INTEL® CELERON® DPROCESSOR 336 (256KB L2 CACHE,3.06GHZ, 533MHZ FSB) (256KB L2 CACHE, 2.80GHZ, 533MHZ FSB) ® GENUINE WINDOWS XP PROFESSIONAL GENUINE WINDOWS® XP PROFESSIONAL Display sold separately. 512MB DDR SDRAM AND 256MB DDR SDRAM AND CD-RW/DVD-ROM COMBO DRIVE CD-ROM DRIVE (APS280-U-C4600) (APS280-U-C3600)

® ™ Acer Projectors with DLP Technology Acer PD100 Digital Light Processing™ from Texas Instruments is an all-digital display technology for projectors and other • 2000 ANSI lumens products that delivers the best picture in terms of clarity, brilliance and color. •SVGA (800 x 600) native resolution • 2000:1 contrast ratio Acer PD120D • 16.7 million displayable colors • 2000 ANSI lumens • PC and Mac compatible • XGA (1024 x 768) native resolution Acer PD100 • 2000:1 contrast ratio Acer PD120D • 16.7 million displayable colors 999 669 • PC and Mac compatible $ $ (EY.J2201.012) (EY.J2101.006)

Prices shown are estimated street prices and do not include tax or shipping. Retailer or reseller prices may vary. Acer recommends Windows® XP Professional.

Acer ® Veriton® 6800 Optimized for Business

Stability, ease-of-deployment and comprehensive management tools are the hallmarks of Veriton, Acer's premier business desktop series. Each of these features has been enhanced in the Acer Veriton 6800, with an improved tool-less chassis design, fortified security tools, more powerful Intel® processors and Acer eManager software.

• Intel® Pentium® 4 Processor with HT Technology or Intel® Pentium® D Processor • Genuine Windows® XP Professional • Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator 950 • Gigabit LAN • Three-year limited warranty2

DUAL-CORE PROCESSOR 160GB HARD DRIVE Acer Veriton 6800 Acer Veriton 6800 $999 $879 INTEL® PENTIUM® D PROCESSOR 830 INTEL® PENTIUM® 4 PROCESSOR 650 WITH HT TECHNOLOGY (2X1MB L2 CACHE,3GHZ, 800MHZ FSB) (2MB L2 CACHE, 3.40GHZ, 800MHZ FSB) GENUINE WINDOWS® XP PROFESSIONAL GENUINE WINDOWS® XP PROFESSIONAL 1GB DDR2 533 SDRAM; 160GB1 SATA HARD DRIVE, 7200RPM; 512MB DDR2 533 SDRAM; 160GB1 SATA HARD DRIVE, 7200RPM; AND DVD-DUAL DRIVE (DVD+/-RW) AND CD-RW/DVD-ROM COMBO DRIVE (VT6800-U-S8301) (VT6800-U-P6501) $50 PRICE CUT! Acer Veriton 6800 Acer Veriton 6800 $799 $699 ® ® INTEL® PENTIUM® 4 PROCESSOR 640 WITH HT TECHNOLOGY INTEL PENTIUM 4 PROCESSOR 630 WITH HT TECHNOLOGY (2MB L2 CACHE, 3.20GHZ, 800MHZ FSB) (2MB L2 CACHE,3GHZ, 800MHZ FSB) ® GENUINE WINDOWS® XP PROFESSIONAL GENUINE WINDOWS XP PROFESSIONAL 1 512MB DDR2 533 SDRAM; 80GB1 SATA HARD DRIVE, 7200RPM; 512MB DDR2 533 SDRAM; 80GB SATA HARD DRIVE, 7200RPM; AND CD-RW/DVD-ROM COMBO DRIVE AND CD-RW/DVD-ROM COMBO DRIVE (VT6800-U-P6400) (VT6800-U-P6301)

For permanent placement Replacement Keep a Replacement Lamp on of an Acer PD525, PD120D, Lamp for PD525, hand for the Acer PD525, Replacement Lamp Ceiling Mount PD116P or PD100 projector in a PD116 PD120D, PD116P or PD100 for PD120D, PD100 conference room or classroom, projector. Expected life in $79 you’ll want an easy-to-install 299 hours is 2,000 standard mode, $199 Ceiling Mount. $ 3,000 economy mode. (EZ.PCM03.007) (EC.J1001.001) (EC.J2101.001)

Prices shown are estimated street prices and do not include tax or shipping. Retailer or reseller prices may vary. Acer® TravelMate® 8200 The Visible Power of Mobile Leadership The Acer TravelMate 8200 includes all the new and high-end features you could want in a notebook and earned the prestigious PC Magazine Editors’ Choice Award in January 2006. Intel® Centrino® Duo Mobile Technology delivers superb dual-core mobile performance, allowing you to easily run demanding applications simultaneously. Supercharged ATI ® Mobility™ Radeon® X1600 graphics turn this notebook into a mobile entertainment system and make the most of the wide-screen 15.4" WSXGA+ display. You also get the Acer OrbiCam, an 1.3-megapixel adjustable webcam built into the black carbon-fiber chassis. Have a video conference Acer recommends Windows® XP Professional. almost Integrated anywhere Webcam

• Intel® Centrino® Duo Mobile Technology • 5-in-1 card reader for optional - Intel® Core™ Duo Processor MultiMediaCard™, Secure Digital card, - Mobile Intel® 945PM Express chipset Memory Stick®, Memory Stick PRO™ or - Intel® PRO/Wireless 3945ABG network connection xD-Picture Card™ • Genuine Windows® XP Professional • 15.4" WSXGA+ (1680 x 1050) TFT display • 2GB DDR2 667 SDRAM • ATI ® Mobility™ Radeon® X1600 graphics • 120GB1 hard drive, 5400RPM • Integrated, adjustable webcam • Modular Super-Multi drive • 802.11a/b/g WLAN, Bluetooth®, (DVD+R, DVD-R, DVD-RAM) gigabit LAN, V.92 modem • One-year limited warranty2

DUAL-CORE PROCESSOR Acer TravelMate 8204WLMi $2,499 INTEL® CORE™ DUO PROCESSOR T2500 (2MB L2 CACHE,2GHZ, 667MHZ FSB) GENUINE WINDOWS® XP PROFESSIONAL (LX.TAX06.034)

Acer Notebook/Tablet Service Upgrades Protect Your Valuable Investment

Quality is built into every notebook and tablet PC Acer makes, and each comes with a It’s a tough world out there, and accidents do happen—sticky spills, dangerous drops, nasty one-year standard limited warranty.2 It includes hardware technical support via toll-free phone plus knocks—which is why you should consider the Total Protection Upgrade. It runs concurrently with aconcurrent International Traveler’s Warranty for travel outside the U.S. and Canada. Extra the limited warranty2 and limited warranty extension and covers the cost of a replacement unit protection is available with one of these upgrades: if your covered notebook cannot be repaired.

2-Year Extension of Limited Warranty (146.AB820.EX2) 2-Year Extension of Limited Warranty + 3-Year Total Protection Upgrade (146.AD077.002) $99 $199 Prepays freight to and from Acer repair depot. Prepays freight to and from Acer repair depot. Excludes extension of International Traveler's Warranty. Excludes extension of International Traveler's Warranty.

1 When referring to storage capacity, GB stands for one billion bytes and MB stands for one million bytes. Some utilities may indicate varying storage capacities. Total user-accessible capacity may vary depending on operating environments. 2 For a free copy of the standard limited warranty end-users should see a reseller where Acer products are sold or write to Acer America Corporation, Warranty Department, P.O. Box 6137, Temple, TX 76503.

For the name of a reseller near you or further © 2006 Acer America Corporation. Information and prices are subject to change without notice. Pricing is effective from January 25, 2006 information, please call Acer or visit our Web site: through March 15, 2006. Product images are representations of some of the models available and may vary from the model you purchase. Acer, TravelMate and Veriton are registered trademarks and AcerPower a trademark of Acer Inc. Aspire is a trademark of Acer 800-571-2237 America Corporation. Celeron, Celeron Inside, Centrino, Core Inside, Intel, Intel Core, Intel Inside, Intel SpeedStep, Intel Viiv, Intel Xeon, Itanium, Itanium Inside, Pentium, Pentium Inside, the Centrino logo, the Intel logo and the Intel Inside logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Intel Corporation or its subsidiaries in the United States and other countries. Other names and brands may be claimed as the property of others. www.acer.com/us Microsoft and Windows are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.

Prices shown are estimated street prices and do not include tax or shipping. Retailer or reseller prices may vary. FIRST LOOKS Consumer Electronics: Digital Cameras Canon’s New Ultracompact Sharpshooter

BY TERRY SULLIVAN Canon spent some time on The Canon Power- the design: there are well-po- Shot SD550 Digital sitioned controls, a metallic Elph ($449.95 list) is surface, and no sharp edges. the refreshed version Our simulated-daylight of the very popular shots revealed hardly any PowerShot SD500 Digital noticeable noise. They Elph—and in this case, new showed exceptional color really does mean improved. saturation and very good Not only does it take great color accuracy, and we saw no shots in a variety of situa- noticeable aberrations, fring- tions, but its performance on ing, or artifacts. Exposure our tests was better than that was very good, with excellent of the SD500, making it our dynamic range, and the colors Editors’ Choice. really popped off the page. The SD550 is a 7.1-mega- Our flash shots showed THE SD550’s user-friendly pixel camera with a 3X opti- that flash coverage was ex- design has no sharp edges. cal, 7.7mm to 23.1mm zoom cellent. There was just a bit (a 35mm equivalent of 37mm of underexposure, though onds. We found virtually no Whether you’re a pro who to 111mm) and corresponding color saturation and match- shutter lag. The lens revealed doesn’t want to lug your gear maximum f-stops of f/2.8 to ing were quite good. no pincushion distortion and around or a novice who’s not f/4.9. It shares its predeces- On our resolution test, the only some barrel distortion. sure what an f-stop is, you’re sor’s excellent quality and SD550 had an average of 1,675 The camera saves video as going to enjoy shooting with design, with a slightly larger lines, which compares well motion JPEG ﬁ les at 30 frames this ultracompact. LCD, at 2.5 inches. We would with the SD500’s 1,625 lines. per second to the capacity of Canon PowerShot SD550 prefer more manual func- Boot-up time was more than the card. The SD550’s video Digital Elph tions; this was also our com- a second quicker than that of quality was slightly better $449.95 list. Canon U.S.A. Inc., plaint about the SD500. last year’s model, at 1.6 sec- than that of the SD500. www.cusa.canon.com llllm

accuracy and saturation to Kodak Offers Double Vision a degree. On our resolution test, the BY TERRY SULLIVAN wide-angle view. It’s great revealed some noise and image registered 1,375 lines, ou can easily see for capturing landscapes and slight artifacts. The images about average for a 5MP cam- what makes the new interior settings. were pretty sharp and dis- era. Boot-up time was speedy, YKodak EasyShare V570 The V570 lets you shoot as played good color saturation taking 1.8 seconds, and the ($339.95 list) different: The much as 80 minutes of VGA and matching. recycle time was excellent: camera has two Schneider video at 30 frames per sec- On our fl ash test shots, the The V570 takes just 1.2 sec- Kreuznach C-Variogon ond. The video was a little fl ash just didn’t seem strong onds to reset between shots; lenses. This is an ultracom- jumpy, but the image looked enough. Color saturation was however, we did find some pact digital camera that gives pretty good. pretty good, but an increase shutter lag. you the benefi t of both a wide- In our testing, simulated- in noise affected the color Even with the distortion angle and a 5X zoom lens in daylight images compensation feature turned one device. The combination on, we found obvious, strong is very compelling, but Kodak barrel distortion with the had to make some compro- 23mm fixed lens. With the mises to offer this fl exibility. zoom lens, we found only a The V570 houses two bit of barrel distortion in the lenses in one 5MP camera: wide-angle end and just a a 23mm f/2.8 fixed lens and slight bit of pincushion dis- a 39mm to 117mm zoom lens tortion at the zoom end. with a maximum aperture of At this point, the V570 rates f/3.9 on the wide-angle end as a very good camera for an of the zoom and f/4.4 on the ultracompact. telephoto end. Kodak EasyShare V570 For us, the real appeal GET WIDE ANGLE $399.95 list. Eastman Kodak Co., of this camera is the 23mm and 5X zoom in one device. www.kodak.com. lllhm

www.pcmag.com MARCH 7, 2006 PC MAGAZINE 43 FIRST LOOKS Mobile Devices Palm Does Windows with Treo 700w

BY SASCHA SEGAN numbers. You can assign a e-mail, Windows Media Push e-mail is another fea- he most usable one- speed dial to any key of the Player 10, and Pocket Inter- ture that’s expected to arrive handed Pocket PC, 37 keys on the QWERTY key- net Explorer. Palm adds the later this year. We hope that T the Palm Treo 700w, board and attach speed dials excellent Picsel PDF viewer better Bluetooth connectiv- will be welcome in Microsoft- to photo icons on your home and a full version of Micro- ity will also come soon. dominated workplaces look- screen. When someone calls soft Voice Command, and The 65MB of available ing for an e-mail–oriented you, you can ignore the voice Verizon adds the storage memory offers phone that works with the call and immediately send a clunky Intellisync enough room for programs, latest Exchange servers. Un- text message back. e-mail redirector for but the 11MB of available fortunately, it isn’t quite as The phone in the Treo Microsoft Exchange program memory is much too easy to use as the Treo 650 700w seems to be the same small. We got frequent “out and doesn’t take advantage as the one found in the Veri- of memory” errors and had of all the power the Windows to go an extra step to close Mobile platform has to offer. programs. The new Treo looks ex- Battery life, at 6 hours actly like its Editors’ Choice 15 minutes of continuous predecessor, the much-loved video playback, was good Treo 650. It’s exactly the for a Pocket PC phone. same size (2.3 by 4.4 by 0.9 The 240-by-240 screen inches) and weighs just a is just a bad idea. The touch more, 6.4 ounces to the screen has 25 percent less Treo 650’s 6.3. space than standard 320- A few physical differences by-240 Pocket PCs and 44 are apparent. Most notably, percent less than the 320- the 650’s super-bright 320- by-320 Treo 650. There’s by-320 screen has been re- THE TREO 650’s 320- no upside to that. placed by the 700w’s slightly by-320 screen (above) dimmer 240-by-240 model. is brighter, sharper, and AGAINST THE The improvements are shows more of our test COMPETITION inside. The Treo 650’s VGA image than the 240-by- The Palm OS used in the camera has been replaced by 240 display on the 700w, Treo 650 still requires a 1.3-megapixel model, which shown at right. fewer taps and clicks than is dim but quite sharp and Windows Mobile, uses less takes high-res 352-by-288 battery power in PDA mode, videos. And the Treo 650’s zon Treo 650, right down to and feels zippier with the 312- CDMA 1X modem has been the same talk time: 5 hours, MHz processor. pumped up to EV-DO, which 17 minutes. Reception was and Lotus Notes desktop No perfect smartphone runs at about five to seven good, ranking on our tests PCs. solution is available right times the speed of the old between that of our baseline Surfi ng the Web with Micro- now, in our eyes. For power, technology. LG VX8000 and the excellent soft’s Pocket Explorer was we’d recommend the Sprint Palm has done a heroic job Motorola RAZR V3c. zippy on Verizon’s EV-DO PPC-6700 or its Verizon of making the Treo a good network. We charted down- cousin. For e-mail and phone one-handed phone. Type the THE TREO 700W load speeds ranging from use, we like the BlackBerry first letters of any name in AS POCKET PC 492 to 841 Kbps, with most 7130e. And if high-speed net- your address book and that The Treo 700w comes with speeds (fi ttingly) in the 700s. working isn’t important to address book entry pops the standard Windows Right now, you’re not allowed you, well, the Treo 650 is still up, with all of its associated Mobile Pocket PC software to use the Treo 700w as a PC out there. numbers. Press the Dial but- suite, including Microsoft modem, though Verizon told Palm Treo 700w ton once and up pops a list Offi ce reader/editors, Pock- us that this feature will be $619.99; $399.99 with 2-year contract. of your most recently called et Outlook POP3 IMAP4 available in the future. Palm Inc., www.palm.com. lllmm

ANALYST'S TIP Sasha Segan, Lead Analyst If your PDA/phone is your lifeline, make a habit of throwing an emergency battery into your travel bag. A pair of Cellboost’s disposable batteries cost $10 on Amazon.com and can keep a Treo, BlackBerry, or a variety of phones alive for at least an hour. They’re cheap enough that you can keep one in your bag, one in your glove compartment, and one in a desk drawer, and forget about them until you need them.

44 PC MAGAZINE MARCH 7, 2006 www.pcmag.com

FIRST LOOKS Consumer Electronics: HDTVs Philips 42-Inch LCD FlatTV Falls Flat

BY ROBERT HERON Our video processor he 42-inch Philips tests with the challeng- 42PF9830A/37 ing HQV Benchmark T ($3,999 list) is an DVD earned the FlatTV LCD HDTV that offers the dubious honor of be- useful multimedia capa- ing the worst-performing bilities and unusual fea- display to enter our labs. tures. But image quality Speciﬁ cally, jagged-edge is the primary criterion suppression and noise for all HDTVs we re- reduction with content view, and in that regard, containing motion were the 42PF9830A/37 (also particularly ineffective. known as the FlatTV) Were it not for its in- was a disappointment. ability to suppress noise, If there’s one feature jagged edges, and other that instantly impresses common artifacts, the people, it’s the ability to swiv- FlatTV would be a good mul- el a display via remote control, TUCKED AWAY ON THE RIGHT SIDE of the Philips Flat- timedia-friendly HDTV. Am- which the FlatTV offers. TV are two USB ports and a media card reader. bilight 2 and the motorized The FlatTV features an swivel base certainly add to integrated bias-lighting sys- bilight 2 analyzes on-screen In the lab, using ColorFacts the appeal, but image quality tem dubbed Ambilight 2. imagery and adjusts the test software and a Konica is the bottom line, and, un- Bias-lighting systems can re- lights’ color to match. The Minolta color analyzer, we fortunately, this one gave us a duce eyestrain when you’re system even adds a stereo were disappointed to find glimpse of how bad it can be. viewing bright imagery in a mode that adjusts the lights that the FlatTV’s default color Philips 42PF9830A/37 dimly lit environment and on each side of the screen temperature was very inaccu- $3,999 list. Koninklijke Philips Elec- can improve perceived pic- independently. We found the rate. The result was an image tronics N.V., www.consumer.philips ture quality. By default, Am- effect pleasing. with an obvious bluish tint. .com. llhmm A Fully Loaded HDTV

BY ROBERT HERON for matching the display’s he HP Pavilion LC3700N brightness with ambient ($2,699.99 list) is a lighting conditions. T 37-inch LCD TV that In our testing, we found offers native high-deﬁ nition the LC3700N’s primary resolution and a stylish de- and secondary color accu- sign. We’ve seen similarly racy to be exceptional. But, sized LCDs that cost less, but color uniformity across the they lack the features and display’s dynamic range consistent performance that (black to white) revealed earn the LC3700N its pre- increasing inaccuracies mium price tag. as the video signal ap- The LC3700N offers a proached black. comprehensive selection of Full-screen examinations A/V inputs, including a pair with a white test pattern FIRST IMPRESSIONS are important, and the HP LC3700N’s of component video inputs, a ranked it among the most glossy, piano-black bezel is certainly eye-catching. DVI input, and an HDMI in- uniform flat-panel displays put with a digital audio pass- we have seen. noise reduction (DNR) fea- provides twice the native through (optical). Integrated Our tests using the chal- ture was ineffective at the resolution, but it lacks auto- TV tuners include analog and lenging HQV Benchmark default “low” setting. matic backlight adjustment digital and a CableCARD slot. DVD revealed the LC3700N’s The HP Pavilion LC3700N and CableCARD support. Using a Sharp LCD panel video-processing abilities to offers the quality of a Sharp HP Pavilion LC3700N with a native resolution of be average. Jagged-edge arti- LCD in an attractive black $2,699.99 direct. Hewlett-Packard 1,366-by-768, the LC3700N’s facts were poorly suppressed, frame. The value-priced Development Co., www.hp.com. backlight controls are good and the LC3700N’s digital Westinghouse LVM-37w1 lllhm

46 PC MAGAZINE MARCH 7, 2006 www.pcmag.com DEFEND YOUR EMPIRE FROM VIRTUALLY ANYWHERE.

Sony recommends ® Windows XP Professional. Carbon ﬁ ber shell WIRELESS BEYOND HOTSPOTS. AT LAST.

Takeovers foiled. Competitors denied. The new Sony® VAIO® TX is your mobile edge against the unknown. Its integrated wireless Wide Area Network (WAN) technology* lets you go on-line virtually anywhere the Cingular Wireless national EDGE network is available. So should the unexpected strike, it’s nice to know the ultra-portable VAIO TX lets you defend your empire from just about anywhere. 877-339-7669 sony.com/vaio-tx1 WAN antenna

2.8 lbs†

*Available in select models. Subscription with Cingular Wireless required. See www.sonystyle.com/cingular for complete offer details, price plans, service terms and conditions and coverage map. Call 1-888-739-VAIO (8246) for service activation. †Non-metric weights and measures are approximate. © 2005 Sony Electronics Inc. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. All rights reserved. Sony and VAIO are registered trademarks of Sony. Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation. Cingular Wireless is a registered trademark of Cingular Wireless LLC 2005. FIRST LOOKS Mobile Devices The Ultra-Stylish GoGear HDD6330

BY MIKE KOBRIN somewhat like the display on works right out of the box. harsh, and causes the mid- pple’s dominance of the front of K.I.T.T., the sen- You can load photos, also, range to seem distant. MP3 players is forcing tient Knight Rider car. but viewing them requires a One of the best things A others to concentrate Menu navigation can be plug-in application from the about this player is its record- on design, and that’s produc- painfully slow. If you’re lis- included CD. ing capability. The built-in ing some sleek, elegant com- tening to a song and you The player supports MP3, mic is impressive, though it petitors, like the 30GB Philips go back into the menus to WAV, WMA, and protected doesn’t have adjustable gain GoGear HDD6330 ($299 list). It choose another, for example, WMA formats, including control. Despite the fi xed in- may not be perfect— content from online down- put volume, it handles a wide the interface often load and subscription ser- dynamic range with aplomb. responds slowly vices. You can tag tracks you We were hoping for a bit and battery life want to purchase by select- more battery life than the 15.5 won’t wow you— ing the Buy Now option in hours we got on our battery but the combina- the contextual menu. The rundown test, which uses a tion of good sound, FM tuner works well, is easy real-world mix of MP3s en- ultra-stylish looks, to use, and supports up to 20 coded at 128 to 320 Kbps. But and a broad fea- station presets. we do like the quick-charge ture set makes this feature, which gives you a solid alternative to GOOD BUDS about 70 percent battery ca- the iPod, especially This is one of those rare pacity after just 1 hour. for those who prefer times when we won’t bug you Photos look reasonably Windows Media Play- to upgrade the included ear- sharp on the 2-inch, 220- by er 10 to iTunes. buds, which are in-ear style 176-pixel display. We like that At 5.3 ounces, the and sound better than most you can scroll through im- HDD6330 has a fairly stock sets. ages quickly using the touch solid feel. It’s slightly We listened to a variety of strip, much as you can on an bigger—4.1 by 2.5 by music, including rock folk, iPod. Slide show settings are 0.7 inches (HWD)— hip-hop, funk, jazz, clas- fl exible and include a couple than a fourth-genera- sical, and ambient, all of of basic transitions. tion, 20GB iPod and which sounded very good From the menu, you can much thicker than on the HDD6330, choose a music playlist to Apple’s current 30GB with plenty of accompany the show. If you version. Powered off, clarity and need to transfer images the HDD6330 looks like presence in directly from a digital cam- a miniature version of the the bass and era, you can purchase an blank black monolith from highs. Our lab optional digicam cable. 2001: A Space Odyssey. Power tests using SIA The HDD6330 is a sharp- the player up and the controls Software’s Smaart- looking, versatile 30GB suddenly appear, backlit by THE HDD6330’s Live confirmed that the player at a reasonable price. blue LEDs in the shiny black features rival those player’s frequency response Our quibbles are mainly with polycarbonate front. The of the iPod. is admirably fl at, with a very the slow interface and ho- back—silver-colored brushed slow rolloff in the bass. hum battery life, though a aluminum—is rounded on you’ll experience a lag of up Boosting the bass with the slightly bigger screen would the top and bottom. to 5 seconds until the next custom five-band equalizer be nice. The Philips GoGear The context-sensitive tune starts. adds significant harmonic HDD6330 may not be our top touch interface illuminates The HDD6330 is tied to distortion at any volume. The choice, but it’s definitely a controls for available func- Windows Media Player SRS WOW feature expands solid contender. tions. A vertical touch strip (WMP) 10, so Mac users the soundstage and boosts Philips GoGear HDD6330 with LEDs that follow the are out of luck, but syncing the bass but isn’t adjustable, $299 list. Koninklijke Philips Electron- motion of your finger looks music in WMP is easy and makes the music sound a bit ics N.V., www.philips.com. llllm

ANALYST’S TIP M i k e K o b r i n , L e a d A n a l y s t You wouldn’t drive a sports car with ﬂ imsy, bald tires on it, so why listen to your MP3 player with headphones that simply don’t cut it? Most digital audio players I test have very good bass frequency response, but most of the earbuds that come with them can’t handle very much low end. By spending just a little extra to upgrade your headphones, you’ll actually be able to hear how good your MP3 player truly is.

48 PC MAGAZINE MARCH 7, 2006 www.pcmag.com

FIRST LOOKS Consumer Electronics: Speakers Small Speakers, Big Sound

BY MIKE KOBRIN folds back and clips into place included FM antenna. The ing bass. Nonetheless, the or a Creative Zen Micro to form a stand. Between the battery compartment holds TravelDock Zen Micro puts user, the Creative Travel- two pairs of 1.5-inch drivers, four double-A batteries. out 4 watts per channel, F Dock Zen Micro ($129.99 there’s a dock for a Zen Micro. The power button and so it can certainly fill up a list) is a very good choice On the back of the Travel- volume wheel are located on small hotel room. The over- among travel speakers be- Dock, there are ports for the the top of the unit, as well all sound is quite lively, with cause it ﬁ ts that player like a AC adapter, a mini-USB cable, as a “wide stereo” button vocals almost a bit too promi- glove. The sound quality is and an auxiliary line-in port. for—you guessed it—widen- nent and plenty of highs, so very good, though like nearly We’re also pleased that there’s ing the stereo image a bit, and nothing sounds too distant. all travel speakers, this one a subwoofer output that dou- a “soft volume” button that The TravelDock Zen Micro suffers from anemic bass. bles as a headphone jack, as instantly takes the speaker’s is compact and very portable Still, its versatile features— well as a 2.5mm input for the output down to a very low in its soft travel bag, and it including a subwoofer output level so that you won’t provides plenty of power for and an FM antenna—and miss a beat if you have a hotel room. At $129.99, this compact design to take a phone call. speaker is perhaps a bit more give it an edge. Creative included expensive than it need be, but The speak- a handy IR remote at least it includes cables, a re- ers are housed control, which mote, and an AC adapter. in a white plas- gives you access Overall, this is a very good tic body with a to power, FM/ choice for travelers who have hinged plastic MP3 mode tog- a Creative Zen Micro player, cover that gle, volume, although the speakers will and playback work with any audio source controls. via the line-in port. The four Creative TravelDock THE ZEN MICRO built-in 1.5-inch Zen Micro player docks into the titanium drivers are quite $129.99 list. Creative Technology Ltd., middle of the TravelDock. small, so don’t expect thump- www.creative.com. llllm

computers, CD and DVD Almost Perfect Wireless 5.1 Audio players, and PS2 and Xbox game consoles via one coaxial BY DON LABRIOLA ically identical to the front low ends that towered almost and two optical 96-kHz/24- he pioneering Logi- speakers, ensuring seamless 20 dB above the midrange. bit digital interfaces. Its three tech Z-5450 Digital 3D imaging and panning. The The bass unit is downright stereo line-in jacks can merge T ($500 list) is pricier system’s overall frequency bombastic from 45 through into a 5.1-channel analog in- than most in its class, but it’s response was marred, how- 140 Hz, where you’ll find put. The control pod includes the first well-implemented ever, by exaggerated high and most bass and drum sounds, hardware Dolby Digital, DTS, wireless desktop system but drops quickly outside that and DTS 96/24 multichan- we’ve found. It combines range. The result is a punchy nel decoders, and a software room-filling sound with a low end that lacks some de- Dolby Pro Logic II decoder wide selection of 5.1-channel tail but reproduces most bass that can upmix stereo to 5.1. interfaces and decoders. But and percussion instruments A cordless handheld remote its two wireless rear surround without muddiness. rounds out the package. satellites are what make this The satellites mount on The Logitech Z-5450 is a 315-watt THX-compliant walls easily, but attaching trailblazing product with speaker system stand out the speakers’ inconveniently enough power to satisfy most from the crowd. angled bases to floor gamers and movie fans. But if The test setup blast- stands was difficult. you don’t need wireless con- ed out our noise sam- Worse, the system’s nectivity or a second optical ple at 97 dB—about as wireless transmit- input, the brawny Z-5500D loud as a subway train ter interferes with will deliver a bit more vol- and a mere 7 dB under 2.4-GHz cordless ume and an extra half-octave what Logitech’s top-of- phones at distances of bass for less money. the-line Z5500 Digital up to 18 feet. Logitech Z-5450 Digital manages. The AC-powered THE Z-5450’S WIRELESS rear A terrific desktop control $500 list. Logitech, www.logitech surround satellites were son- surround satellites stand out. pod connects the system to .com. llllm

50 PC MAGAZINE MARCH 7, 2006 www.pcmag.com

FIRST LOOKS Hardware: Notebook PCs The New Dell Dual-Core Laptop

BY CISCO CHENG Dell’s included Media as well as some ell, once again, is Direct, an instant-on applica- other new dual-core ahead of the curve in tion that launches with the notebooks, such as D integrating new tech- touch of a button, is outstand- the Acer TravelMate nology at a reasonable price. ing—the most comprehen- 8204WLMi and HP The Dell Inspiron E1705 multi- sive feature of this type we’ve Pavilion dv1000. media laptop ($2,307 direct) seen. The Media Center–like Also, battery life did upgrades the Inspiron 9300 interface gives you the power not improve as much with a new Intel Centrino to navigate the entire hard as we anticipated; the Duo Mobile processor and a drive, not just certain folders E1705 lasted just 2 lot of other ﬁ ne features. The (as with HP’s QuickPlay). hours 34 minutes. E1705 is the perfect addition Connectivity options Overall, however, to the digital home. are plentiful, with the Dell Inspiron E1705 This new model retains six USB ports and shows off just the right the arctic-silver chassis of one FireWire, a combination of perfor- its predecessor, and it has a DVI-D port, and mance, high-end compo- comfortable keyboard and a 5-in-1 card reader. nents, and reasonable price. palm rests and quiet mouse But the 80GB hard drive in- It gives multimedia mavens buttons. Be careful of your stalled in our test machine is PERFECT for a worthy reason to invest in lap, though: The base can get probably not big enough for your digital home. the future. surprisingly hot. At a hefty an avid video editor. Dell Inspiron E1705 8.2 pounds, the E1705 isn’t Performance has two PowerPoint slide to a PDF ﬁ le, designed for the road—but sides. The good news is that transcoded a file with Win- With 2.0-GHz Intel Duo Core T2500, 1GB DDR2 RAM, 80GB hard drive, part of that weight is the sys- this dual-core system out- dows Media Encoder 9, and nVidia GeForce Go 7800 GTX graph- tem’s excellent 17-inch wide- performed top-of-the-line rendered a photo with Adobe ics, 17-inch widescreen LCD display, screen monitor with Dell’s single-core systems. We saw Photoshop CS2. dual-layer DVD±R dual-layer drive, Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Truelife image- brightening no lag when we simultane- Unfortunately, on many Edition 2005, $2,307 direct. Dell Inc., technology. ously converted a Microsoft tests, the E1705 did not score www.dell.com. llllm

Regrettably, Sony builds Sony Brings Its “A” Game in only three USB 2.0 ports versus four on the Toshiba BY CISCO CHENG ity and brightness, and Sony ory Stick get in the game, Qosmio G25-AV513. And hough it weighs 8.7 is also starting to bring back you’ll find an SD card slot. the G25-AV513 has several pounds, the Sony VAIO integrated webcams with Sony is also phasing out its more A/V ports, including S- T VGN-AX570G is part of the 0.3-megapixel camera, acclaimed Sony VAIO Zone Video-in and component-out. Sony’s sleeker AX notebook which is ideal for video chats suite in favor of the Microsoft The AX570G showed very series. It comes complete with via IM, but the image quality Windows XP Media Center good performance, despite enhanced components and isn’t great. Edition OS. a less-than-ideal processor, took some design cues from We also like the 1.86-GHz Pentium M 750. products in Sony’s new BX the addition of Game play is decent on the line of business laptops. dual pointing AX570G. Last, but certainly A modular TV tuner with devices and a not least, battery life lasted RCA connectors is the big- built-in, easy- just 1 hour 55 minutes. gest feature upgrade. The to-use finger- Even with these limi- tuner slides into the laptop print sensor. tations, the Sony VAIO instead of into the docking And now that VGN-AX570G is a nice im- station as before, and a don- Sony is let- provement over models in gle connects your cable line ting formats the Sony AX series. to the tuner. We like that the other than Sony VAIO VGN-AX570G tuner is also hot-swappable Mem- with the optional DVD±R With 1.86-GHz Pentium M 750, 1GB DDR2 SDRAM, two 80GB hard drives, drive ($400), but most multi- 256MB ATI Mobility Radeon X700 media notebooks include a graphics, 17-inch widescreen display, DVD±RW drive standard. A MORE Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005, $2,299 direct. Sony The 17-inch XBrite screen STYLISH Electronics Inc., www.sonystyle.com. produces superb image qual- AX-series laptop. llllm

52 PC MAGAZINE MARCH 7, 2006 www.pcmag.com

Data can be lost in any number of ways. (Unfortunately, there’s no “good way” for it to happen.)

BY M. DAVID STONE is simple. Other similarities the CP710? It does, point for Oddly, this problem showed The Canon Selphy include the same battery op- point. Most photos were true up only when we were print- CP510 Compact tion ($79.99 direct) and the photo quality, suitable for ing from a computer; it did Photo Printer ($99.99 same 10-inch retractable framing. The one problem not occur when we printed di- direct) is essentially cable for connecting to a we had with the image qual- rectly from a digital camera. the Selphy CP710 PictBridge camera. ity was the same one we saw On our standard test suite ($150) without memory card The most pressing ques- with the CP710: In a photo for dedicated photo print- slots or an LCD to preview tion we had: For $50 less, we printed of a bicycle wheel, ers, we timed the CP510 at 1 photos. What makes it inter- does the CP510 offer the same the spokes look like minute 9 seconds to 1:10 for esting is the unusually low high-quality output ragged lines. 4-by-6 output—a tie with the price. When we first heard and speed as CP710. This score is faster about this printer, we won- than many dedicated photo dered whether it was really printers that cost $150. the bargain it seems to be. If you’ve been looking for Happily, it is. a dedicated photo printer to Like the CP710, the CP510 pair with your digital camera prints on a variety of paper but have been discouraged by sizes up to 4 by 8 inches and high prices, the CP510 should prints 4-by-6 photos for just be your choice. For less than 28 cents per print. It also has $100, you’ll get high quality the same size and weight—2.5 and high speed. by 7.0 by 5.2 inches (HWD) Canon Selphy CP510 and 2.2 pounds—as the FOR LESS THAN $100 Compact Photo Printer CP710. Setup, which is typi- you’ll get great prints, $99.99 direct. Canon U.S.A. Inc., cal for a thermal-dye printer, quickly and easily. www.usa.canon.com. llllm

onds to 1:04 on our standard Fast Thermal-Dye Photo Printer test suite. Unlike most printers, it didn’t slow signiﬁ cantly BY M. DAVID STONE true photo quality with a few exaggerated those problems, while printing from Compact- he Samsung SPP- minor ﬂ aws. When we tested so in fact Normal is the best Flash, taking 1:03 to 1:07. Even 2040 Digital Photo in Normal mode (the default), mode—easily good enough when the source was a cam- T Printer ($150 street) the color in some photos was for snapshots, photo albums, era, speeds were just a little offers many features that are oversaturated, and images and even framing. slower—1:13 to 1:16. becoming standard for the tended to lose a bit of detail The SPP-2040 is one of Printing cost is the SPP- price: a 2-inch LCD and the in light areas (clouds in a the faster thermal-dye photo 2040’s Achilles’ heel. De- ability to output from com- light-blue sky, for exam- printers today. When print- pending on which paper and puters, PictBridge cameras, ple). The printer’s Best ing from a computer, ink-roll pack you choose, and memory cards. You’ll mode actually it turned in you’ll pay 42 to 62 cents per get excellent speed and high- times of just 1 photo. That’s not unusual quality photos, but the cost minute 3 sec- for thermal-dye printers, but per print is higher than we’d the Canon CP710 manages to like, and you’re limited to keep costs as low as 28 cents 4- by 6-inch paper. per photo—a difference of 14 At just 2.4 by 7.1 by cents at the low end. 5.4 inches (HWD) and The cost per print makes 2.4 pounds, the SPP- the SPP-2040 hard to recom- 2040 is typical for this mend over other printers, class. It takes up rela- such as the Canon Selphy tively little space and is CP710, that have the same highly portable. There’s price, similar features, and no battery option, though, so lower running costs. it has to be within reach of a Samsung SPP-2040 Digital power outlet. A VERY Photo Printer On our tests, the output GOOD PHOTO $150 street. Samsung Electronics quality was very good, which printer with slightly America Inc., www.samsung.com. means that most prints were high per-print costs. llllm

www.pcmag.com MARCH 6, 2006 PC MAGAZINE 55 You can’t anticipate what will happen to your data. (But you can make sure you back it up.)

We don’t have to tell you that data loss can be a financial blow to any company. And with more data being stored, more assets are at stake. CDW has a full line of top-name storage solutions that can help you increase capacity and reduce risk. And our account managers have the expertise to ensure you get the right solution for your needs. So you don’t just get secure storage, you get peace of mind.

Sony® StorStation® AIT-3 Tape Library LIB-81/A3 • Slim, high-density rack-mount library $ 62 • 1U high with a unique 8-slot internal carousel 3168 • Storage capacity: up to 2TB compressed1 CDW 387494 • 10-second cartridge access time • Wide Ultra SCSI interface, 68-pin

Sony® SDLT Tape Cartridge • Storage capacity: 160GB native/320GB compressed1 • Widely used for backup of network server and workstation data

$54.45 CDW 465285

1Assumes 2:1 compression. 2Download a FREE trial version at CDW.com/tryca. 3Includes 1-year Enterprise Maintenance (24 x 7 technical phone support and upgrade protection). Offer subject to CDW’s standard terms and conditions of sale, available at CDW.com. © 2006 CDW Corporation Quantum® Internal DLT-V4 Tape Drive Kit • Storage capacity: 160GB native/320GB compressed1 $ 57 • Data transfer rate: 36GB per hour native/72GB per 996 hour compressed1 CDW 850972 • Equipped with DLTSageTM, a suite of management tools and DLTIceTM easy-to-use WORM archival functionality • Includes VERITAS Backup Exec QuickStartTM Edition software

TDK LTO Ultrium-3 Tape Cartridge • 400/800GB, single cartidge • TDK’s exclusive Finavinx coating formula has proven long-term durability • Custom bar code labeling available

$117.86 CDW 716020

Overland ARCvault 12 LTO-3 Autoloader • Storage capacity: up to 4.8TB to 9.6TB for backup and archiving Call • LTO-3 tape drive technology; also available with LTO-2 CDW 892731 • Compact 2U form factor for cost-effective use of valuable rack space • Removable 12 cartridge magazine for easy off-site storage

CATM BrightStor® ARCserve® Backup r11.5 for Windows • Protects your business critical data • Disk-to-disk to tape backup (disk staging) • 64-bit platform support FREE trial download2 Full Version3 $586 CDW 837987

Exabyte VXA-320 PacketLoader 1x10 1U • Storage capacity: 3.2TB compressed1 $ 45 • Data transfer rate: up to 86GB per hour compressed1 2980 • Standard bar code reader CDW 830263 • Remote management standard allows monitoring from anywhere in the world • 10-cartridge capacity

Exabyte X23 80/160GB Data Cartridge • Enabled by Exabyte’s VXA Packet Technology • Offers the scalability of 3 different cartridge capacities, compatibility with the next generation drive and the ability to reliably restore data even under the most extreme conditions

$79.99 CDW 705846

The Storage Solutions You Need When You Need Them. FIRST LOOKS Software Powerful Protection in an Easy-to-Use Suite

BY NEIL J. RUBENKING on a clean system, the Choice for whitelist- omputer Associates’ product allowed a third based spam protection. eTrust Internet Secu- of the threats to install. Now part of the suite, C rity Suite presents a Standalone products the module integrates unified security center that like Spy Sweeper and with Microsoft Outlook stacks up very well against Spyware Doctor offer or Outlook Express and our Editors’ Choice, Zone- better protection. protects any POP3 or Alarm Security Suite 6.0. The eTrust Personal Exchange e-mail ac- The antivirus module is Firewall is a licensed count. To supplement its the same used by ZA6, and it version of ZoneAlarm list-based approach, the automatically checks for up- Pro 5.5. It doesn’t have module learns automati- dates, cleans infected fi les on the high-end features cally from the messages access, and scans e-mail for added in ZA6, but it’s you approve. You can viruses. Scheduling options still quite effective. We also train it using folders are limited—all you can do verified that it puts all containing only spam is set the interval (in hours significant ports into and only valid mail. and days) between scheduled stealth mode, making THE TOP-NOTCH eTrust suite provides The antivirus, anti- scans. On the plus side, there the protected computer broad protection against Internet dangers. spam, and fi rewall pro- are next to no confi guration effectively invisible to tections are top-notch, settings to confuse the user. attack from outside. At the we attempted to disable the and overall, the eTrust suite The well-known Pest- highest level, its program firewall using techniques is a very good choice for well- Patrol forms the suite’s spy- control can detect malware- that malicious software rounded security protection. ware protection. On our type techniques, like inject- could apply. As expected, we eTrust Internet Security Suite tests, it detected all but one of ing code into another process couldn’t kill its process, turn $69.99 direct. Computer Associates 15 installed spyware products to gain network access. We off its service, or disable it International Inc., www.ca.com. and successfully removed 10. checked this capability using using Registry tweaks. OVERALL llllm Antivirus llllm Antispam llllh Anti- When we tested its ability to a dozen leak-test utilities, and In July CA acquired Qurb, spyware lllmm Firewall llllh block installation of spyware it blocked them all. Finally, PC Magazine’s Editors’ Privacy/parental control lllhm Get Online Backup with Your Security Suite

BY NEIL J. RUBENKING a system that three of five We tried the live-chat sup- deliberately interrupted the ullGuard Internet products found to be clean port line, which was intelli- connection to the Internet. Security Suite 6 offers and one believed to harbor gent and helpful. But we were On restarting, Bullguard con- B antivirus and firewall a low-risk Trojan. But Bull- concerned about the appar- tinued smoothly and upload- protection as well as a spam Guard reported dozens of ently false positive and have ed the backup set in a bit over fi lter, but what sets it apart is problems, most in a single not yet gotten an explanation 12 hours. We restored the a different kind of security— file, then crashed halfway from the company. fi les successfully on another online backup. It also offers through fi xing them. The fi rewall controls which computer in about the same 24/7 live chat. programs can amount of time. After the ini- BullGuard in- access the Inter- tial backup, only the changed tegrates BitDe- net, but doesn’t fi les are uploaded, so the pro- fender’s antivirus protect against cess goes much faster. technology, which malware that cir- BullGuard’s suite isn’t for has received full cumvents normal everyone. But if you already certifi cation from program control. have a best-of-breed stand- the major antivi- The online back- alone antispyware product rus testing labs. up is convenient. and want to try online back- It checks all ac- You can down- up, it may be worth a look. cessed fi les in real load a backed- BullGuard Internet Security time, even those up file from any Suite 6 on network drives, computer, with no $59.99 per year direct. BullGuard Ltd., and also monitors software installa- www.bullguard.com. e-mail. tion required. OVERALL lllmm Antivirus llllm Antispam llmmm Anti- We ran into BULLGUARD’S SUITE isn’t for everyone, but if you want After starting spyware: N/A Firewall lllmm trouble scanning to try online backup, it may be worth a look. the backup, we Privacy/parental control: N/A

58 PC MAGAZINE MARCH 7, 2006 www.pcmag.com JUMP TO NEXT PAGE >>

FIRST LOOKS Software DivX—Not Just for Illegal Downloads Anymore

BY JAN OZER On our tests, Converter he DivX Create Bundle proved compatible with DV, ($19.99 direct) pro- HDV, WMV, and MPEG-2 in- T duces and plays high- put fi les (with the $9.95 plug- quality, interactive videos in). At 225 Kbps—the rate for sharing via e-mail, down- used for the lowest-quality load, or CD. We tested a beta setting, “Portable Tem- of Version 6.1 that consists plate”—output was slightly of Converter, which debuts inferior to that from compet- customizable encoding para- ing Real and Microsoft prod- meters, and Player, the first ucts. At “Home Theatre” rates with media management and (1,125 Kbps), Converter did CD-burning capabilities. better than Microsoft’s utility DivX Create’s menu crea- but still not as well as Real’s. tion capability is unique— In all instances, Converter you don’t find this feature worked faster than either DIVX CREATE lets you produce and distribute high-quality video. outside the DVD realm—and RealProducer Plus 10 or the adds significant value for Windows Media Encoder. Workflow could also be for burning CDs are extraor- those sending multiple clips. Audiovisual synchronization improved. Converter insists dinarily easy to use. Friends The range of platforms that was perfect, and the software on fi rst analyzing each input you send Converter content to can play back the fi les is also handled both 16:9 and 4:3 for- file, which can take hours. can even watch it with Win- unique and includes every- mats, though with the odd- That’s frustrating when you dows Media Player and Real- thing from Mac and Micro- ity that the templates used are setting up overnight Player if they change the fi le soft Windows computers to arbitrary resolutions, such as batch encodes. extension to .AVI and down- a growing number of home 640-by-464 (rather than the The Player is evolving nice- load the free DivX codec. electronic devices (though more standard 640-by-480), ly. You can set display aspect DivX Create Bundle people you send fi les to must which distorted the display ratios, brightness, contrast, $19.99 direct. DivX Inc., download the free player). resolution slightly. and saturation, and controls www.divx.com. llllm

other products can’t match. Produce Home Videos in Style For example, the Sepia style inserted classy slow dissolves BY JAN OZER analyzing the video file and results, you can burn them to to a 50th birthday celebration, uvee autoProducer produces a low-resolution DVD or save them to a com- and the Kiddie Frames style ($99.95 direct) has preview file. Then it syn- pressed ﬁ le. If you don’t, you added fast-paced cuts, whim- M always been our chronizes the video with can choose another style and sical frames, and fireworks favorite way to convert home the background music and preview instantaneously. effects to a kindergarten par- movies or digital images into inserts transitions and spe- Styles are autoProducer’s ty. Tests with digital pictures music-video-like produc- cial effects according to the secret sauce, providing vari- were equally compelling, and tions. New in Version 5.0 are selected style. If you like the ety and inventiveness that all were accurately timed to the ability to replace scenes the music beat. in the finished video and AutoProducer isn’t perfect. manual pan and zoom capa- The scene-replacement fea- bilities for still images. ture is awkward, video pre- Operation is simple. You views appear degraded, and select or capture the videos DVD-authoring capabilities and input the slides, choose are primitive. It also doesn’t the background music, and work well with video that set options such as total mov- contains audio you want to ie duration, whether scenes keep. In many cases, though, should remain in sequence, autoProducer can help you and whether to mix video produce more compelling and slides or keep them sepa- videos in much less time, an rate. Then you choose one of irresistible scenario. 24 styles and click the “make muvee autoProducer 5 muvee” button. MUVEE AUTOPRODUCER 5 isn’t perfect, but it can help you $99.95 direct. muvee Technologies AutoProducer begins by produce slicker videos in less time. Pte. Ltd., www.muvee.com. llllm

www.pcmag.com MARCH 7, 2006 PC MAGAZINE 75 Lenovo recommends Windows® XP Professional.

THINKPAD. NOW IN WIDESCREEN.

WIDESCREEN THINKPAD. NOW IN TITANIUM.

Availability: All offers subject to availability. Lenovo reserves the right to alter product offerings and specifications at any time, without notice. Lenovo is not responsible for photographic or typographic errors. *Pricing: Prices do not include tax or shipping and handling, or recycling fees and are subject to change without notice. Reseller prices may vary. Warranty: For a copy of applicable product warranties, write to: Warranty Information, P.O. Box 12195, RTP, NC 27709, Attn: Dept ZPYA/B676. Lenovo makes no representation or warranty regarding third-party products or services. Footnotes: (1) Mobile Processors: Power management reduces processor speed when in battery mode. (2) Wireless: based on IEEE 802.11a, 802.11b and 802.11g respectively. An adapter with 11a/b, 11b/g or 11a/b/g can communicate on either/any of these listed formats respectively; the actual connection will be based on the access point to which it connects. (3) Included software: may differ from its retail version (if available), and may not include user manuals or all program functionality. License agreements may apply. (4) Memory: For PCs without a separate video card, memory supports both system and video. Accessible system memory is up to 64MB less than the amount stated, depending on video mode. (5) Hard drive: GB = billion bytes. Accessible capacity is less; up to 4GB is service partition. (7) Thinness: may vary at certain points on the system. (8) Travel Weight: includes battery and optional travel bezel instead of standard optical drive in Ultrabay bay, if applicable; weight may vary due to vendor components, manufacturing process and options. (9) Internet access required; not included. (10) Client Security Solution: preloaded on selected models; requires software download. (11) Limited warranty: Support unrelated to a warranty issue may be subject to additional charges. (12) Certain IBM® and ThinkPad® logo products: are not manufactured, warranted or supported by IBM or Lenovo; IBM and Lenovo logos and trademarks used under license. Contact Lenovo for details. (13) Activating Verizon Wireless Service: Lenovo customers will be contacted INTRODUCING THE WIDESCREEN TITANIUM THINKPAD Z60.

The world’s first widescreen ThinkPad notebook is also the able to go online anywhere within the Verizon Wireless world’s first titanium ThinkPad. Whether you choose titanium BroadbandAccess Coverage Area.15 Yet our 14" Z60t is still or classic black ThinkPad Z60t, you get a screen that lets the thinnest7 and lightest8 widescreen notebook offered by you view 25% more data than a standard 14" XGA screen, the top 10 notebook vendors..14 The Z60 ThinkPad notebooks, security features you’d expect from ThinkPad and the wireless like all ThinkPad notebooks, are now a product of Lenovo, power of Intel® Centrino™ with mobile technology (select a new global company uniting Lenovo and the former IBM models). And select 14" and 15.4" models come with PC Division under the Lenovo name. ThinkPad service and integrated Verizon Wireless BroadbandAccess,13 so you’ll be support continues to be available from IBM in many countries.

ThinkPad Z60m ThinkPad Z60t with Fingerprint Reader ThinkPad R51e ThinkCentre E50 Tower DISTINCTIVE INNOVATIONS DISTINCTIVE INNOVATIONS DISTINCTIVE INNOVATIONS SYSTEM FEATURES ThinkVantage Productivity Center ThinkVantage Client Security Solution 6.010 ThinkVantage Productivity Center Intel® Pentium® 4 Processor 630 (3GHz) – ThinkPad help at your fingertips16 – Strong security as a standard feature – ThinkPad help at your fingertips Microsoft® Windows® XP Professional SYSTEM FEATURES SYSTEM FEATURES SYSTEM FEATURES 512MB memory Intel® Centrino™ Mobile Technology Intel® Pentium® M Processor 740 (1.73GHz) Intel® Celeron® M Processor 360 (1.40GHz) ® ® 1 ThinkPad BG WiFi Wireless 120GB 7200 rpm Hard Disk Drive, Intel Pentium M Processor 740 (1.73GHz) Microsoft® Windows® XP Professional ® 2 DVD Burner Intel PRO/Wireless 9215ABG (802.11a/b/g) ® ® ThinkPad ABG WiFi wireless Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition Microsoft® Windows® XP Home Edition3 6 USB 2.0 Ports (2 frontside) 14.1" WXGA TFT Display 15" WXGA TFT Display 15.4" WSXGA TFT Display 1-yr limited warranty with onsite Integrated Radeon X300 11 4 5 512MB DDR2 SDRAM, 80GB Hard Drive service 512MB DDR2 SDRAM , 40GB Hard Drive 4 Ultrabay Slim DVD Recordable Drive 256MB DDR2 SDRAM , 40GB Hard Drive THINK EXPRESS MODEL Ultrabay Enhanced CD-RW/DVD Drive 4.1 lbs travel weight7 1.1" thin8 CD-RW/DVD Combination Drive THINK EXPRESS MODEL $ Integrated BT and Verizon WWAN13 ThinkLight keyboard light 799 (P/N 9215D3U) $ * Dual integrated antennas 114 9 (P/N 252903U) THINK EXPRESS MODEL ThinkVision L171 Monitor 1-yr limited warranty11 12 $ $ ThinkPad Leather Carrying Case (P/N 2511FEU) (P/N 9417AB1) 1899 THINK EXPRESS MODEL 319 $ 99 (P/N 10K0209) ThinkPad 90W AC/DC Combo Adapter $ * Lexmark Z735 InkJet Printer 829 (P/N 184469U) $ USB 2.0 w/Cable offers 4800 x 1200 dots ThinkPad Women’s Executive 119 (P/N 40Y7630) Red Leather Tote12 ThinkPad Convertible Monitor Stand per inch (dpi) print resolution. ThinkPad Advanced MiniDock $ $ 87 (P/N 40Y7620) $ 134 (P/N 22P8858) 49.99 (P/N 40Y8446) $ 219 (P/N 250410U) ThinkPad 72W Slim AC/DC Combo Adaptor $ 99 (P/N 73P4485)

With the Think Express Program, ThinkPad notebooks are preconfigured with your business, and your budget, in mind.

Call 1 866-426-2054 To shop or locate your local reseller Go to lenovo.com/wide/m414

after purchase to activate service, requires separate agreement with Verizon Wireless and is subject to the Customer Agreement, Calling Plan and credit approval; service and airtime charges will apply. Activation fee/line: $35. $175 early termination fee. Verizon Wireless, not Lenovo, is solely responsible for service. Service not available in all areas; purchaser is responsible for verifying that service is available for the intended location before purchasing a computer equipped with Verizon Wireless BroadbandAccess. For complete details, visit http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/mobileoptions/broadband/serviceavailability.jsp?opener=b2b (14) Based on manufacturer’s published figures or CNET.com and results for the top 10 vendors in second quarter 2005 sales for all notebooks including standard and widescreen as reported by IDC. (15) Verizon Wireless Service Speed: BroadbandAccess speed averages 400-700 Kbps based on Verizon Wireless network tests with 5 MB FTP data files, without compression. Speed declines with distance from cell site and is limited to 1.54 Mbps at certain cell sites with backhaul limitations. Number of users on the Verizon Wireless data network may also affect maximum possible speed. Average upload speeds expected to be between 60-80 Kbps. Actual speeds and coverage may vary. (16) Internet access required; not included. Trademarks: The following are trademarks of Lenovo: ThinkPad, ThinkCentre and UltraConnect. IBM and the IBM logo are registered trademarks of IBM and are used under license. Microsoft and Windows are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. Intel, Intel logo, Intel Inside, Intel Inside logo, Intel Centrino, Intel Centrino logo, Celeron, Intel Xeon, Intel SpeedStep, Itanium, and Pentium are trademarks or registered trademarks of Intel Corporation or its subsidiaries in the United States and other countries. Other company, product and service names may be trademarks or service marks of other companies. ©2005 Lenovo. All rights reserved. Visit www.lenovo.com/safecomputing periodically for the latest information on safe and effective computing. FIRST LOOKS Software Xtremely Easy Graphics

BY GALEN FOTT parency, which allows for ara Xtreme ($79 direct) graduated fades and sophisti- is a fast, polished, and cated blending-mode effects, X easy-to-use applica- is especially noteworthy. tion that’s a great choice for Xara Xtreme deals so hand- those interested in creating ily with imported photos that graphics for print or the Web. you may want to use it for Unlike traditional pixel- certain image-editing chores. based image-editing pro- You can import JPEGs, crop grams, Xara Xtreme is based them, add text, and export the on vectors, so the graphics resulting images as JPEGs— are infi nitely scalable with no with control over compres- loss in sharpness or quality. sion settings. Graphic designers depend on Xara Picture Editor is very the fl exibility and editability basic. It cleverly saves edited of vector drawing. But profes- images as copies with a link sional vector programs such XARA XTREME IS A POLISHED, easy-to-use application that back to the original, letting as Adobe Illustrator are noto- will satisfy your graphics needs for both print and the Web. you undo edits even after an riously hard to master. image has been saved. Even Xara goes a long way to- option bar that updates on to another. Strong color tools though its tools are rather ward easing the learning the fly as you drag the con- let you link related colors simplistic, Picture Editor is a curve. The program has an trols for the active tool. within a drawing to facilitate nice bonus, making the pack- intuitive, customizable inter- You’ll find a Bezier draw- global changes in design. The age even more adept at han- face with the usual toolbar ing tool, a freehand tool, excellent bevel and shadow dling graphics. on the left of the screen, but shape tools, a text tool, and features let you easily apply Xara Xtreme it almost entirely forgoes a layers palette. A blend tool the illusion of depth to other- $79 direct; $89 with PDF manual. dialog boxes, relying instead creates a series that lets one wise fl at graphics. The robust Xara Group Ltd., www.xara.com. on an incredibly responsive object gradually transition implementation of trans- llllm

salivating—but beware the Ovation Adds Power to PowerPoint limitations. Most critical is the inability to play audio or BY JAN OZER video fi les embedded in your erious Magic’s Ovation presentation, though Serious for PowerPoint ($99.95 Magic promises to fix this S direct) can help improve with a soon-to-be- released your PowerPoint presenta- free update. Also, the soft- tions. But signifi cant feature ware had problems making defi cits may limit its appeal. our bullet points appear cor- Once you import a Power- rectly when using certain Point fi le, you can embellish entry-animation schemes, it with one of 100 configu- and it doesn’t currently sup- rable templates. The stun- port custom Emphasis, Exit, ning designs combine subtle or Motion Path animations. motion backgrounds with en- In addition, Ovation hanced fonts and text effects IF YOU CAN WORK AROUND the few drawbacks, Ovation is an proved to be a CPU hog. And to create a professional look invaluable presentation tool. you need to have your graph- far beyond what PowerPoint ics set at 96 dpi, which gave provides. You can also insert tem. During a presentation, or insert the target duration impossibly small images on an intermission slide that dis- the audience sees the slides, of each slide and track your our laptop. plays a countdown timer, and but you see a special informa- progress through the presen- If you can work around add “Deeper” slides that let tional view with a scrolling tation. Ovation even records these issues, you’ll fi nd Ova- you give more information. teleprompter that displays all the time spent on each slide, tion an invaluable presenta- Ovation can even help you the text in PowerPoint’s Notes so you can see where you tion tool. refine your delivery with its fi eld. You can input the target bogged down. Ovation for PowerPoint Present mode. This works duration for the presentation These features will have $99.95 direct. Serious Magic Inc., best with a dual-monitor sys- and see the time remaining, most PowerPoint jockeys www.seriousmagic.com. lllhm

78 PC MAGAZINE MARCH 7, 2006 www.pcmag.com Breakthrough Technology: Maximum System Performance – Automatically

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©2005 Diskeeper Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Diskeeper, The Number One Automatic Defragmenter, I-FAAST, I/O Smart, SmartScheduling, Terabte Volume Engine, “Set It and Forget It”, and the Diskeeper Corporation logo are registered trademarks or trademarks owned by Diskeeper Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. Windows is a registered trademark or trademark owned by Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. Diskeeper Corporation • 7590 N. Glenoaks Blvd. Burbank, CA 91504 • 800-829-6468 • www.diskeeper.com FIRST LOOKS Small Business: Desktop PCs A New Era in Business Desktops

BY JOEL SANTO DOMINGO gies, the E-4500S is ready for ampered by today’s today’s applications as well penny-pinching eco- as tomorrow’s. H nomic times, many The E-4500S’s slimline businesses may be hesitant design isn’t as compact as to upgrade employees’ desk- the ultra-small chassis found tops, opting instead to keep on the Lenovo repairing and upgrading ThinkCentre systems that are two to three A51 Ultra Small, years old. But think about all but it takes up the extra time and money you less space than a spend in IT support for old mid-tower desk- systems—plus lost produc- top. An interest- tivity from units that crash ing design feature frequently or slow to a crawl. is the “kickstand,” Not to mention that you’re which swivels out of putting precious business one side of the case data at risk if you don’t have to prop up the chassis computers that use advanced vertically. The down- security schemes, such as side of this is that the TPM, fi ngerprint readers, or hard drive “fl oats” on proprietary technology. a bracket that spans We review three business the case; when we desktops—two dual-core and opened the case, the one single-core unit—so that hard drive bracket TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS is a breeze you can decide which is right (with the hard drive bolted to with these safe, secure, Vista-ready desktops. for your company. it) fell out. So make sure that you lay the chassis down hori- BTX cooling solution, which ness PC that can serve both Gateway E-4500S zontally before opening it. helps the unit run more small and large businesses. The Gateway E-4500S ($1,492 This desktop comes with quietly. The dual-core pro- With its forward-looking direct, $1,163 without moni- forward-looking compo- cessor helps with offi ce multi- technologies, it should be tor) is the small version of the nents, such as a dual-core tasking—such as updating a ready for Microsoft Windows company’s mainstream busi- Pentium D 820 processor, database, checking news, lis- Vista and whatever lies ahead ness desktop. It’s suitable for Intel 945G chipset, an 80GB tening to music, and answer- in the next few years. most office environments, SATA II/300 hard drive, a ing e-mail all at once. Gateway E-4500S and with the latest technolo- dual-layer DVD burner, and a The E-4500S is a solid busi- $1,492 direct; without monitor, $1,163. Gateway Inc., www.gateway.com. lllhm Business HP Compaq DC7600 CMT Desktops The HP Compaq DC7600 Compared CMT ($1,378 direct, $1,029 without monitor) represents

High scores are best. HP Compaq DC7600 Lenovo ThinkCentre HP’s top-of-the-line business Bold type denotes ﬁ rst place. Gateway E-4500S CMT A51 Ultra Small desktop. With a dual-core Direct price (with monitor) $1,492 $1,378 $1,299 Pentium D processor and Form factor Slimline desktop Mini tower Ultra-small a Convertible Mini-Tower Processor Dual-core Pentium D 820 Dual-core Pentium D 820 Single-core Pentium 4 531 (CMT) design with plenty (2.8 GHz) (2.8 GHz) (3.0 GHz) Security feature TPM 1.2 TPM 1.2 Finger reader, IBM of room for expansion, the Emmbedded Security DC7600 can adapt to the Subsystem, TPM 1.2 ever-changing technology Software image stability 1 year 15 months N/A landscape. Parts and labor warranty/ 3 years 3 years Optional* on-site support The DC7600 CMT repre- SYSmark 2004 SE sents an “old-school” design, Ofﬁ ce Productivity 154 165 155 with a lot of space inside the Internet Content Creation 224 235 195 case for upgrades. Although Overall 186 197 174 this kind of roominess neces- N/A—Not applicable: Lenovo offers 18 months of image stability in its M and S series ThinkCentres but not on its A and E series. sitates a larger footprint, the

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Only eWEEK provides news, analysis and real world reviews to help senior IT decision-makers reach the right decisions in building their enterprise infrastructure. TO APPLY FOR YOUR FREE SUBSCRIPTION CLICK HERE FIRST LOOKS Small Business: Desktop PCs system can be laid on its side, SE scores. this ThinkCentre has an in- cessors in the other two units with the monitor on top and With Vista-compatible ternal power supply, greatly here, the EM64T-compatible the optical drives right-side components, TPM 1.2 secu- reducing clutter. There’s also Pentium 4 531 is single-core, up. In addition to the CMT rity, and image stability, the an Ultrabay expansion slot but it’s compatible with the minitower, the DC7600 is DC7600 is an attractive that lets you share peripher- 64-bit version of Vista. available as a small desktop addition to your business als, such as optical drives, The A51’s SYSmark 2004 and an ultra-small desktop, computing environment. with other ThinkPad and SE performance was above though the ultra-small model HP Compaq DC7600 CMT ThinkCentre users. average for a single-core Pen- is incompatible (so far) with The A51’s security fea- tium 4 531 desktop with Hy- $1,378; without monitor, $1,029. the dual-core Pentium D Hewlett-Packard Development Co., tures are ideal for an office per-Threading. Users with because of cooling issues. www.hp.com. llllm environment. For example, more processor-intensive Like most enterprise-class the (unfortunately) nonre- tasks, though, may want to business desktops, the HP Lenovo ThinkCentre A51 movable palm rest of the look into a dual-core system. Compaq DC7600 series sup- Ultra Small (8105-26U) Preferred Pro keyboard in- The Lenovo ThinkCentre ports image stability. HP The Lenovo ThinkCentre tegrates a fi ngerprint reader, A51 Ultra Small fits equally bumps up the coverage to 15 A51 Ultra Small ($1,299 di- which worked well in testing. well in a home offi ce, a small months (most offer 9 to 12 rect, $899 without monitor) A chip on the motherboard, business, or a larger cor- months). The DC7600 series is a secure business desktop along with software, imple- poration. Security, space also supports the TPM 1.2 suited for both small offices ments the IBM Embedded efficiency, and familiarity security platform. and enterprises. Space effi- Security Subsystem to pro- are all attributes of this solid Components such as the ciency, optical drives that are tect passwords, encryption system. Pentium D processor, 1GB compatible with ThinkPad keys, and certifi cates. Lenovo ThinkCentre A51 Ultra of 667-MHz DDR2 SDRAM notebooks, and built-in secu- System components are on Small (8105-26U) memory, and a fast SATA rity make the A51 a solid hit. a par with or slightly better $1,299 direct; without monitor, $899. hard drive drove the DC7600 Unlike older small systems than those of competing busi- Lenovo Group Ltd., www.lenovo.com. to winning SYSmark 2004 with external power bricks, ness desktops. Unlike the pro- llllm John Dickinson The Easier Way to Business Success

With this issue we begin presenting the unique perspective of But what about all of the information your company deals John Dickinson, editor of Ziff Davis’s SmartCompany.com, on with—information related to customers, employees, suppliers, areas of interest to small-to-medium businesses. To paraphrase distributors, inventory, and so on? Where is it? How is it man- John, there are no small businesses, only businesses of your size, aged, organized, accessed? According to the study, too many of and this column is dedicated to helping you meet the challenges you use manual systems, with valuable, often sensitive informa- that face such businesses. Enjoy! tion stored in fi les in the lower left-hand drawer of your desk! When pressed, you probably say you do this because database At fi rst glance, the claim that more than half of all businesses systems are too hard to use, customer relationship and inventory of your size use manual systems for organizing their data management systems are too complex, too expensive, and too seems absurd (see “Survey Says Half of Smaller Businesses diffi cult, and so on. Moreover, you’re far too busy running your Not Using Technology for Nonfi nancial Data” at go.pcmag.com/ business to get involved with anything new and complicated. fi lemaker survey.) But if you take a second, closer look, you’ll fi nd You’re right of course, but you’re also wrong. Nothing is easy to that it does make sense. learn or do if you’re not motivated. If you look around, you’ll fi nd Your use of technology is substantial—but only to a degree. A programs that are accessible and easy to install and use that can good many of the workers in your company have access to a com- serve the business needs in almost every business profi le. We’ll puter and use it to communicate via e-mail and instant messag- help on that front. ing, and, of course, to create documents. For a lot of you, buying new software, There’s an excellent chance that a fair num- MORE ON THE WEB installing it, and using it sounds costly ber of your employees also surf the Web both in dollars and time. But it’s far risk- on a daily basis, looking for resources that For reviews, tips, and advice, ier to leave opportunities for growth and can help them do their jobs. Programs that all with a focus on small and profits aside by taking the “easy” way carry out these chores are easy to master, medium businesses, visit out. Trust me, good technology, well and today are part of nearly everyone’s gen- www.smartcompany.com used, is the easier way to build a success- eral knowledge. > ful business.

www.pcmag.com MARCH 7, 2006 PC MAGAZINE 81 FIRST LOOKS Small Business: Hard Drives Small Size, Big Capacity: Backup on the Go

BY JOEL SANTO DOMINGO your laptop’s hard drive goes carry around an AC adapter), features, such as backup with hether you’re part kaput. We also don’t like that and that the Y-shaped drive compare (which improves of a large offi ce or the ABSmini’s leatherette cable has two USB plugs on it the speed of backup), version W a small business— case leaves no room for the (a data plug and a USB power control, or password protec- or you’re flying solo—the included USB cable. plug) in case the USB ports tion. CMS’s Copy2Go is a ABSmini ($259 direct) from We did like, however, that on your notebook are low- specialized application that CMS Products is just right the ABSmini works off USB power. But the cable is too fi nds and backs up the photo, for backing up your notebook power (so you don’t have to short to reach around note- music, and video fi les on your or desktop. About the size of books or desktops where the system. an iPod, the ABSmini can be USB ports are far apart. Using BounceBack Ex- a lifesaver for those who de- The ABSmini press and testing with USB pend on their data. comes with 2.0, we were able to back up The silver ABSmini looks CMS Prod- our standard 1.2GB test file a lot like a stylish 1960s ucts’ Bounce- in 3 minutes 21 seconds. Not metal cigarette case. We Back Express bad, especially considering are amazed that software and that BounceBack also verifi ed 40GB of storage Copy2Go back- the backup. Using Microsoft can fit on a 1.8- up software. Windows alone, a drag-and- inch hard drive BounceBack Express drop of the same file only in an 0.6- by is the usual “lite” took 1:06. 2.7- by 3.4- version of backup Overall, the ABSmini is a inch case. software that comes convenient, easy-to-use prod- The downside to with these drives: good uct that can help you keep a a 1.8-inch hard drive is for complete backups of the backup of your important that it’s not compatible with hard drive, but with a limited data and your digital life. most notebooks’ 2.5-inch hard feature set. You must upgrade ABSmini (40GB) drive bays; that means you THE ABSMINI IS about the size to CMS Products’ Bounce- $259 direct. CMS Products Inc., can’t swap in the ABSmini if of a standard iPod. Back Pro to activate advanced www.cmsproducts.com. lllmm This Maxtor Drive Will Back Up Your Biz

BY JOEL SANTO DOMINGO Server HD software, which in folders and files that can were able to boot the sys- If your business is can do incremental and full be dragged off the OneTouch tem using the backup drive big enough to have backups of your server. One drive using Windows. Docu- and had an easy way to do a a dedicated Micro- big advantage of Retrospect ment recovery is done with “Ghost-style” total recovery, soft Windows 2003 Server HD is that it can back the Retrospect software. but you can do both with Server—as opposed up files that are in use; We wish this drive other software. to an old Windows PC tower other desktop backup The OneTouch II SBE acting as a file server—then software skips open showed speedy performance you should be backing up files. Maxtor also on our tests. A 1.2GB backup your data daily. The Maxtor enables backup mon- and verify took 2 minutes 38 OneTouch II Small Business itoring and sched- seconds over USB 2.0 (it also Edition (SBE) is for the busi- uling, which it does supports USB 1.1); dragging ness that wants to get serious well, but you can’t and dropping the same ﬁ le in about backup. back up individual cli- Windows took 58 seconds. We’ve seen Maxtor’s One- ents—only the server. The Maxtor OneTouch II Touch II external drives be- (Enterprise-level SBE is designed to work best fore, and though those drives backup software can in a small office with one work fine for backing up a perform this task.) server and limited or no IT single desktop, you need a We like that you support. Coupled with Win- more powerful solution for can set the backups dows 2000/2003 Server, it’s an environment in which for comprehensive an effective solution. several people are accessing incremental backups Maxtor OneTouch II Small shared data on a server. saved in Retrospect’s Business Edition (SBE) The OneTouch II SBE uses file format, or for “Du- IT’S EASY TO back up and 200GB, $599.95 direct. Maxtor Corp., EMC Dantz’s Retrospect plicate” backups that result safeguard your critical data. www.maxtor.com. llllm

82 PC MAGAZINE MARCH 7, 2006 www.pcmag.com go.pcmag.com/whattobuy • FIRST LOOKS WHAT TO BUY

Consumer Electronics Hardware Server and Small Business Server; MP3 PLAYER (HARD DRIVE) DEDICATED PHOTO PRINTER unattended backups. Apple iPod 30GB Canon Selphy CP510 go.pcmag.com/MaxtorOneTouchIISBE Apple Computer Inc.; $299 direct Canon U.S.A. Inc.; $99.99 direct (30GB); $399 (60GB) Fast performance and low run- Software Great audio quality; intuitive ning cost; very good photo quality SECURITY SUITE interface; works well with for the price; battery option. ZoneAlarm Security Suite 6.0 iTunes; plays videos. go.pcmag.com/CanonCP510 Zone Labs Inc.; $69.95 direct go.pcmag.com/ipod30GB Flexible control allows for adjustable levels LAPTOP of trust; new OS-level ﬁ rewall layer blocks LCD HDTV Dell Inspiron 6000 leak tests and spyware; excellent spyware Aquos LC-45GX6U (Media Center) blocking and good removal. Sharp Electronics Corp.; Dell Inc.; $968.80 direct go.pcmag.com/zass $3,300 street (E-Value Code 1111-i6004pc) Detailed imagery; responsive Media Center OS; 15.4-inch wide- remote control; comprehen- screen; very good performance. sive menu system; go.pcmag.com/ integrated analog and DellInspiron6000MCE digital tuners. go.pcmag.com/ DESKTOP (APPLE OS) aquosLC45GX6U Apple iMac (Intel Core Duo) Apple Computer Inc.; $1,699 direct, MOBILE PHONE Motorola $1,799 as tested Motorola RAZR V3c RAZR V3c Dual-core processor; Front Row; mini-DVI Motorola Inc.; $349.99 direct port for true dual-monitor usage. Gorgeous; great voice quality; good go.pcmag.com/AppleiMacIntel reception, supports EV-DO. go.pcmag.com/razrv3c DESKTOP (WINDOWS OS) HP Media Center 7160n DIGITAL CAMERA (PROSUMER) Photosmart PC Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ30 Hewlett-Packard Development Co.; $1,529 Panasonic Corp. of America; $699.99 list direct (including 19-inch LCD monitor) 12X zoom lens; 8MP resolution; fast Unlimited storage; dual-core startup; shoots video. processor; plenty of connec- go.pcmag.com/DMC_FZ30 tors. go.pcmag.com/HPMediaCenter7160n HEADPHONES Etymotic ER6i ALL-IN-ONE PRINTER Apple iMac Etymotic Research Inc.; $130 street Canon Pixma MP500 (Intel Core Duo) Great sound quality; good bass perfor- Canon U.S.A.; $200 street mance; comfortable; blocks outside noise. Prints, scans, and copies; fast performance. TAX PREPARATION SOFTWARE go.pcmag.com/er6i go.pcmag.com/CanonPixmaMP500 TurboTax Premier 2005 Intuit Inc.; $14.95–$69.95 direct LCD MONITOR (21-INCH) Excellent coverage of personal tax topics; Panasonic Lumix Gateway FPD2185W multiple help systems; simpliﬁ ed lan- DMC-FZ30 Gateway Inc.; $599.99 direct guage; top-notch interface and naviga- Excellent image quality; lots of video tional tools. connections; highly adjustable. go.pcmag.com/turbotax go.pcmag.com/GatewayFPD2185W PHOTO EDITING (NOVICE) HARD DRIVE Adobe Photoshop Elements 4 Maxtor OneTouch II Adobe Systems; $99.99 direct Small Business Top-notch organizing and editing features; Edition unrivaled integration; greatly improved Maxtor Corp.; $599.95 direct slide-show creation; automatic “face tag- Works with Microsoft ging” of images. Windows 2000/2003 go.pcmag.com/photoshopelements

www.pcmag.com MARCH 7, 2006 PC MAGAZINE 83 CARS

The Mercury Mariner Hybrid is a premium compact SUV with a hybrid engine, continuously variable transmission, all-wheel drive, and a cruising range of more than 400 miles. It helps if you overlook some rough edges; notably, the tiny navigation system and unavailable stability control. Options are few; the exterior can be light silver, medium silver, black, char- coal beige, or vivid red. Just 2,000 of these cars will be available in 2006 (plus 20,000 Ford Escapes) as Ford moves toward building 250,000 hybrids by 2010.

Blind Spots? No More! Harman Kardon Drive+Play A blind-spot detector from Delphi Corp. The Harman Kardon Drive+Play could cut out many fender-benders represents the best current way to (or worse). The prototype uses a pair of integrate an Apple iPod into most infrared thermal sensors; if the tempera- car audio systems, and the controls ture to the side of your vehicle is warmer work the same way Apple’s do. But than the temperature behind, that may you’d better be an iPod music lover: mean a car that you can’t see is traveling You’re looking at a total cost of just behind you. Delphi built one such $300-plus if someone else installs it. prototype on a motorcycle, because $200 street. Harman International Industries, motorcyclists are especially at risk. www.harmankardon.com. llllm

84 PC MAGAZINE MARCH 7, 2006 www.pcmag.com www.technoride.com Bill Howard CES and NAIAS: Lessons Learned

The North American International Auto cars. Lexus says it gets more complaints Show in Detroit and the Consumer Elec- about faulty Bluetooth phones than any- tronics Show in Las Vegas have become thing else. Why do consumers complain more closely linked, as automakers look to the automaker if a phone or carrier is to CES for emerging trends across a at fault? Well, whom would you rather call broad swath of auto electronics, and with a complaint? Case closed. Then the consumer electronics companies look automakers whine about how hard it is to to move inside more dashboards. At CES choose technology that endures for the 2006, Microsoft announced that 61 car 15-year life of the typical car. If technology models now have Windows Automotive stays functional during the first owner’s software inside. If Jay Leno delivered that possession, that’s enough, I’d say. line in his monologue, the pause before The themes CES offers Detroit are the punch line alone would be good for lower cost, openness, and modular- laughs. But it’s really happening. ity. Audio company Alpine Electronics In Detroit, the theme was hybrid lives comfortably in both worlds. A star engines and alternative-fuel vehicles: at CES was Alpine’s in-dash head unit Toyota will bring out a hybrid (a fancy term for “radio”) model of its best-selling The themes with a 7-inch display that Camry in 2007, Mercedes- either integrates with or Benz will put an ultraclean CES offers lets you plug in whatever diesel engine called Blu- Detroit are suits your fancy: Bluetooth, eTec in the midsize E-Class lower cost, HD radio, Sirius, XM with sedan, and Chevy will put or without real-time traffic displacement on demand openness, and overlays, a navigation mod- in the Tahoe SUV. The 400- modularity. ule called the Blackbird that hp Camaro concept car has undocks for use in other displacement on demand too, meaning vehicles, a high-speed iPod connector, if it’s built it could get 30 mpg (10 mpg and, best of all, a USB port. With USB, vir- MERCURY MARINER when you have to push it). The hero tually any device you plug in—a memory $29,840 TO $34,200. behind the scenes is the microprocessor, key, a Windows music player, an iPod— PROS: Good urban fuel economy, continuously variable which makes possible high gas mileage, can be seen, and music can be controlled transmission, high seating position, back deck room. low emissions, and airbags that go bang by the built-in radio’s display and buttons, CONS: CD-based nav system with tiny 4-inch display, when they’re supposed to. particularly if the music player supports limited audio offerings, modest acceleration. The day before CES, a group called the Windows PlaysForSure standard. BOTTOM LINE: This medium-small SUV hybrid does Telematics Update sponsors a major What’s aftermarket now could well be reasonably well with a 2.3-liter, 3-cylinder engine and forum in Las Vegas. With its few hundred built into 2010 cars. The Alpine product electric motors. It's held back by a sorry-ass nav system, attendees, this forum stands in con- is just the ﬁ rst of the ﬂ ood. no stability control, and a lackluster interior. Ford Motor Co., lincolnmercury.com. trast to the ever-porkier CES. Telematics The most important lesson the CE and lllmm means communications, navigation, and PC people could teach the auto industry? safety (think OnStar), but many attend- Take more risks. Dare to be great. Or in ees agreed that the money appears to be the words of Myles Kitchen, an industry in entertainment. “Consumers will not analyst: “I’ve yet to see anyone in Detroit always see value in a $2,000-to-$3,000 who maxed out his credit cards or took a integrated navigation system,” warned second mortgage on his house to bring Gartner Group automotive analyst Thilo out a new car.” Koslowski. Not when companies such as Fine Digital are selling good (not great) MORE ON THE WEB dashtop nav systems for $400, and your cell-phone provider offers turn-by-turn Want the full story on these routing for $10 a month. reviews, plus news and opinions? Detroit had a strong message for the Go to www.technoride CE people: Don’t blame us when your .com, the car site for tech fans. half-baked technology messes up our >

www.pcmag.com MARCH 7, 2006 PC MAGAZINE 85

go.pcmag.com/feedback FEEDBACK

Google and Yahoo!. With these monsters of data ‘‘ collection, who needs the NSA any longer? ’’

WE’RE ALL EARS new limit is somewhere between 10GB and 20GB. Your February 7 cover illustration should win Probably the fi nal number will depend on how the an industry award—the TV rabbit ears antennae software develops during the next few months. as iPod is simply brilliant (all that other stuff —Ed Mendelson, contributing editor between the covers is pretty good, too)! Colin Rogers BIG BROTHER, HERE AND NOW Who isn’t invading our privacy? I decided some WHERE’S THE PC? years ago that once a computer is plugged into a So I get my February 7 issue of PC Magazine and what do phone jack or Ethernet port, it becomes the property of anyone I see on the cover in big type? TV! I see nothing to indi- and everyone. That is what “networking” is all about, isn’t it— cate that this is a “PC” (I think that stands for Personal giving up privacy for the good of the company, the nation, or Computer) magazine. You guys don’t get it, do you? the community? I don’t think your readers are so naive or stu- Howard Whitehorne pid as to be surprised by your revelation of Apple’s eavesdrop- ping (see “Is Apple Invading Your Privacy?”, go.pcmag.com/ There’s more to the world of computing than a beige (or multi- itunesprivacy). Some people know that Big Brother is already colored) box. It’s not only about the PC; it’s about what you con- here and now, tracking every breath our CPUs and keystrokes nect to it, and what you do with it. PC Magazine will continue exhale as they add to the technocratic “Akashic Records.” to focus on both the boxes and the great stuff you can do with If Apple is stealing information for the purpose of marketing, them—and these days, replacing your TV with a PC is one of let’s also go after everyone else who has been doing it all along. them.—Jim Louderback We all know—don’t we? —that the Internet is built around economic gain and target marketing. Let’s go after those who track AN IMPROVED OUTLOOK personal information for more than economic gain. Let’s go One item not mentioned in your early review of Offi ce “12” is after the most questionable information architects who remain the great, never-mentioned problem in all previous versions of unscathed behind a gloss of popularity: Google and Yahoo!. Offi ce, namely that Outlook’s personal folders fi le cannot grow With these monsters of data collection, who needs the NSA any past 1.9GB. If it does, Outlook shuts down until you archive or longer? Let’s investigate these archivists of the digital stream delete a bunch of your letters. to see how much personal information is stored whenever we In an era of increasingly massive amounts of communica- install and use their toolbars, retain their “cookies,” or use their tion and with drive space being dirt cheap, it makes no sense “free” e-mail. Let’s determine if there are any cozy relationships whatsoever to impose any arbitrary limit on the total size of between them and “our” Intelligence Community. one’s mail folders. Shame, shame, shame! Our lust for money and sales keeps Do you know if Outlook in Offi ce “12” allows personal fold- our democracy and Bill of Rights always on the back burner ers that can be at least ten times their old maximum size? as an “afterthought.” If this tendency remains unchecked, we When big drives were 2GB, as when older versions of Outlook might soon realize that we have surrendered our freedoms for came out, 1.9GB might have been a reasonable limit, but with a “Home Networking” package from Rite-Aid. people mailing pictures around and with drives normally be- Michael Thomas Bucci ing 200GB, a 1.9GB limit is extremely antiquated. Steve Rhodes XBOX 360 COMPATIBILITY PROBLEMS To comment on your article, “Xbox 360: Wow!” (First Looks, There will be an increase in the size limit of Outlook’s personal January 2006, page 28): In the beginning of the article Mat- folders file in Office “12,” but Microsoft will say only that the thew D. Sarrel writes that “you’ll be happy to know you can play most existing Xbox titles, including Halo.” I own How to Contact Us We welcome your comments and suggestions. Corrections and Amplifi cations When sending e-mail to Feedback, please state in the subject line of your message which article or column prompted your response. Q In the “Our Top Desktop PCs” table (First Looks, page 33) in our issue of February 7, E-MAIL [email protected] we incorrectly cited the score and Editors’ Choice logo for the Cisnet NASCAR PC. This All letters become the property of PC Magazine and are subject to editing. We system received a score of 3.5 and did not receive an Editors’ Choice award. We also regret that we cannot answer letters individually. incorrectly applied the Editors’ Choice logo to the HP dx5150.

www.pcmag.com MARCH 7, 2006 PC MAGAZINE 87 HP recommends Windows® XP Professional.

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All offers available from HP Direct and participating resellers. Prices shown are HP Direct prices, are subject to change and do not include applicable state and local sales tax or shipping to recipient’s destination. Reseller prices may vary. Photography may not accurately represent exact configurations priced. Associated values represent HP published list price. 1. Lease products are available through Hewlett-Packard Financial Services Company (HPFSC) or one of its affiliates to qualified commercial customers in the U.S. and are subject to credit approval and execution of standard HPFSC documentation. Offer valid on all transactions greater than $349 through 3/31/06. Other fees and restrictions may apply; please visit www.hp.com/go/HPfinancialservices. HPFSC reserves the right to change or cancel this program at any time without notice. 2. Instant savings and mail-in-rebate offers are valid through 3/31/06 on qualifying HP Compaq nc6140 and nx6110 Notebooks, HP Compaq dc7600 Desktops, HP ProLiant ml110 G3 Servers, HP Compaq tc4200 Tablet PCs, HP Deskjet 6980dt Printers and HP xw4300 Workstations from HP Direct and participating HP resellers. 4. Intel’s numbering is not a measurement of higher performance. 6. Wireless access point is required and is not included. Wireless Internet use requires separately purchased Internet service contract. Availability of public wireless access points limited. 7. For hard drives, GB=Billion bytes. Actual available capacity is less. 9. 24X DVD/CD-RW Combo Drive data transfer rates may vary as follows: for recording to CD-R media, for writing to CD-RW media, for reading CD media, max transfer rate may be up to 3600 Kbps; for reading DVD media, may be up to 10,800 Kbps. Actual transfer rates may vary depending on media quality. 10. 24X Max CD-ROM Drive data transfer rates up to 3600 Kbps. 11. 48X, 32X CD-RW Drive data transfer rates may vary as follows: for recording to CD-R media, the max transfer rate may be up to 7200 Kbps (use 48X discs for best performance); for writing to CD-RW media, the max transfer rate may be up to 4800 Kbps (use 32X high-speed media discs for best performance); for reading CD media, the max transfer rate may be up to 7200 Kbps. Actual transfer rates may vary depending on media quality. 12. One-year limited warranty for parts, labor and next-business-day support. 13. Three-year limited warranty for parts, labor and next-business-day support. 14. Four-year limited warranty for parts, labor and next-business-day support. 15. Service levels and response times for HP Care Packs may vary depending on your geographic location. Restrictions and limitations apply. For details, visit www.hp.com/go/carepack. 16. Wireless use requires separately purchased service contract.BroadbandAccess is available to more than 140 million people in 171 major metropolitan areas and 68 primary airports. Access limited to coverage area of Verizon Wireless. Check with Verizon Wireless for availability and coverage in your area. Verizon Wireless BroadbandAccess offers download speeds of 400 to 700 Kbps. NationalAccess provides download speeds of 60 to 80 Kbps. BroadbandAccess speeds are based on Verizon Wireless network tests with 5MB FTP data files without compression; NationalAccess speeds are based on Verizon Wireless network tests with 101KB FTP data files. 17. The hyperthreading feature is a new technology designed to improve performance of multi-threaded software products; please contact your software provider to determine software compatibility. Not all customers or software applications will benefit from the use of hyperthreading. Go to http://www.intel.com/info/hyperthreading for more information, including which processors support HT Technology. Microsoft and Windows are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. Celeron, Celeron Inside, Centrino, Core Inside, Intel, Intel Core, Intel Inside, Intel SpeedStep, Intel Viiv, Intel Xeon, Itanium, Itanium Inside, Pentium, Pentium Inside, the Centrino Logo, the Intel Logo and the Intel Inside Logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Intel Corporation or its subsidiaries in the United States and other countries. ©2006 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. Increase your productivity on the go. Introducing the HP Compaq nc6140 commercial notebook powered by Intel® Centrino® Mobile Technology, HP’s first notebook with integrated broadband. No PC cards, no extra parts, just log on and go. And with the largest WWAN network, powered by Verizon Wireless BroadbandAccess, you’ll have high-speed Internet readily available.16 Plus, with every HP Compaq nc6140 purchase, you get all the security that HP’s ProtectTools offer, standard. Giving you more reasons than ever to consider HP.

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FEEDBACK

The Xbox 360 does not support most existing ‘‘ Xbox titles at the moment. around 20 Xbox titles, and when I found out that only my are released, I’m happy with my old Xbox. Great graphics are no copy of Halo 2 was compatible with the new Xbox 360, I went substitute for great game play.—JL ’’ to Microsoft’s ofﬁ cial Xbox Web site to investigate. It turns out that the Xbox 360 is backward-compatible only with THOSE MISSING PAGES… Halo and Halo 2 so far, and even with them it cannot activate I am a PC Magazine subscriber and I recently received my many of the online play features. To get support for more of February 7, 2006, issue of the magazine. I noticed that pages the original Xbox games for the Xbox 360 you have to down- 50 to 57 are missing. I was curious about whether this was a load emulators for each game in a package that you can either numbering error or the pages were inadvertently omitted. download from Xbox Live or burn on a CD; then you have Bradley Coppella to install it as an update in the system. This package is offered on the Xbox site and is under 5MB. The current package sup- Pages 50 to 57 were missing? A strange warping of the space- ports around 200 Xbox titles, but the entire Xbox library has time continuum sucked those pages off to Sherman’s Planet about 500 games, so actually the Xbox 360 does not support where they were gobbled up by ravenous tribbles. No, wait, most existing Xbox titles at the moment. they were reduced to confetti by a rabid pack of enraged Eng- Neal Trotter lish bulldogs that lurk near our printing plant. Actually the answer is much more mundane—an advertiser pulled out at the I too was less than excited when our Xbox 360 failed to play last minute, leaving our highly evolved page-numbering system Fable. So I bundled up the new console and sent it back to the in a (I swear this was IT’s exact wording) “higgledy-piggledy” labs. Even if I had downloaded the emulator, I couldn’t have im- state. Tribbles, support staff, bull mastiffs—all have been ﬁ red ported my saved games—and I’ll be darned if I’ll start life over or neutered. Our apologies, and we sincerely hope this does not as “Chicken Chaser” again. Until a handful of amazing games happen again.—Management

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John C. Dvorak Will Apple Adopt Windows?

he idea that Apple would ditch its own OS trolled environment without worrying about the This would be the for Microsoft Windows came to me from demands of a multitude of hardware add-ons and most phenomenal Yakov Epstein, a professor of psychology at software subsystems. Windows, as crappy as many Rutgers University, who wrote to me con- believe it to be, actually thrives in this mishmash turnabout in the architecture. Products, old and new, have drivers T vinced that the process had already begun. history of desktop I was amused, but after mulling over various coinci- for Windows above all else. By maintaining its own dences, I’m convinced he may be right. This would OS, Apple would have to suffer endless complaints computing. There’s be the most phenomenal turnabout in the history of about peripherals that don’t work. desktop computing. As someone who believed that the Apple OS x86 just one fl y in the Epstein made four observations. The fi rst was could gravitate toward the PC rather than Windows ointment. that the Apple Switch ad campaign was over, and toward the Mac, I have to be realistic. It boils down nobody switched. The second was that the iPod to the add-ons. Linux on the desktop never caught lost its FireWire connector because the PC world on because too many devices don’t run on that OS. was the new target audience. Also, although the It takes only one favorite gizmo or program to stop iPod was designed to get people to move to the a user from changing. Chat rooms are filled with Mac, this didn’t happen. And, of course, that Apple the likes of “How do I get my DVD burner to run on had switched to the Intel microprocessor. Linux?” This would get old fast at Apple. Though these points aren’t a slam-dunk for Ep- Apple has always said it was a hardware com- stein’s thesis, other observations support it. The pany, not a software company. Now with the cash theory explains several odd occurrences, including cow iPod line, it can afford to drop expensive OS Apple’s freak-out and lawsuits over Macintosh gos- development and just make jazzy, high-margin sip sites that ran stories about a musicians’ breakout Windows computers to finally get beyond that box that has yet to be shipped. Like, who cares? five-percent market share and compete directly But if Apple’s saber-rattling was done to scare the with Dell, HP, and the stodgy Chinese makers. community into backing off so it wouldn’t discover To preserve the Mac’s slick cachet, there is no the Windows stratagem, then the incident makes reason an executive software layer couldn’t be fi t- more sense. As does Bill Gates’s onscreen appear- ted onto Windows to keep the Mac look and feel. ance during Apple’s turnaround when Jobs was tak- Various tweaks could even improve the OS itself. ing a pot of money from Microsoft. The Windows From the Mac to the iPod, it’s the GUI that makes stratagem may have been a done deal by then. This Apple software distinctive. Apple popularized the may also explain the odd comment at the Macworld modern GUI. Why not specialize in it and leave the Expo by a Microsoft spokesperson that Microsoft grunt work to Microsoft? It would help the bottom Offi ce will continue to be developed for the Mac for line and put Apple on the fast track to real growth. “fi ve years.” What happens after that? The only fl y in the ointment will be the strategic This switch to Windows may have originally diffi culty of breaking the news to the fanatical us- been planned for this year and may partly explain ers. Most were not initially pleased by the switch to why Adobe and other high-end apps were not port- Intel’s architecture, and this will make them crazy. ed to the Apple x86 platform when it was announced Luckily, Apple has a master showman, Steve Jobs. in January. At Macworld, most observers said that He’ll announce that now everything can run on a these new Macs could indeed run Windows now. Mac. He’ll say that the switch to Windows gives Ap- Bigger companies than Apple have dropped their ple the best of both worlds. He’ll say this is not your proprietary OSs in favor of Windows—think IBM daddy’s Windows. He’ll cajole and cajole, and still and OS/2. IBM also jumped on the Linux bandwag- hear a few boos. But those will be the last boos he’ll on over its own AIX version of Unix. Business even- hear, for then the Mac will be mainstream. We will tually trumps sentimentality in any large company. welcome the once-isolated Apple mavens, fi nally. Another issue for Apple is that the Intel platform is wide open, unlike the closed proprietary system MORE ON THE WEB: Read John C. Dvorak’s column Apple once had full control over. With a proprietary every Monday at go.pcmag.com/dvorak. You can architecture, Apple could tweak the OS for a con- reach him directly at [email protected].

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LT30 & LT35 digital projectors ° World’s first automatic projectors ° 2600/3000ANSI lumens (LT30/35) ° XGA 1024x768 native resolution ° Quick set up and cool down ° Automatic focus and keystone correction JOHN C. DVORAK Inside Track ould AMD be thinking about a tri-core chip? and Mini-ATX boards in small containers. With I thought so when I read between the lines terabyte drives, FireWire 800, and other seriously of David Lammers’s interview with Phil hot products, it’s impossible to resist going for the C Hester, AMD’s new CTO, at EETimes. high end and spending the extra money. com. Hester hinted at the possibility that there may The way I see it, these are my tools. Good tools someday be a tri-core chip as a high-performance are not something you should get on the cheap, es- cache-laden superchip. Exactly where this would fi t pecially if you are earning money with these tools. into the road map is unclear, since he mentioned that If you are going to do nothing more than surf the quad-core chips will be hitting the street in late 2007. Web, then get a cheap machine and browse. But if It’s hard to imagine many apps actually taking ad- you are using the machine for business or as a seri- vantage of quad-core power, since software is barely ous hobby machine, then why go cheap? keeping pace with dual-core. While on the subject of high quality, a few of the What seems to be missing from the equation is other items I have in this SLT screamer are a fast some sort of meta-compiler that can recompile 500GB Seagate drive and the latest Plextor SATA code and optimize it for dual-, quad-, octa-, or what- DVD±RW multi drive, which reads and writes ev- ever-core. Even some sort of delegation layer within erything imaginable, including dual-layer (8.5GB) the OS that could assign and split chores to the CPU DVDs. The hot model is the PX716-SA, which re- in some new way might give us huge performance tails for around $115 street. increases for everything, rather than for just a few Nobody has ever argued against the asser- hand-optimized programs. The easiest process, of tion that Plextor makes the best CD/DVD opti- course, would be to multitask whole programs on cal drives, and this is its best yet. Everyone in the different cores. “Eight cores, no waiting!” business knows this, although the competition If multicore chips become standard and in com- will squawk about people like myself beating the mon use, you can be sure some new software de- drum too much about it. After all, most drives work velopments will take advantage of the situation. pretty well. But this latest drive, like other Plex- Meanwhile, I’ve Gone Performance-Crazy Dept.: tors I have used, can read some old discs burned I put together a dual-SLI system running off an during the SCSI 1X CD-R era that no other drive AMD dual-core chip and into an HP 2025 1,600- (except perhaps the original clunker that wrote by-1,200 LCD monitor. All this just to run Half Life the disc) can. This is a big deal to me. The Plextor 2 and to experience the future of real-time render- drive doesn’t spend any time on the waggle track ing and hi-def gaming. Half Life 2 is the game that trying to fi gure out how to read it. It just reads it most exploits this architecture. This is the way to instantly. Consider this the 2006 testimonial for go! First of all, with updated apps such as Adobe these drives. Highly recommended. Photoshop that actually use the capabilities of the Genuinely Interesting Hardware Dept.: Now dual-core chip, you can really rip through projects. here’s an ultracool device that you have to own! And the combination of the nVidia SLT boards If you’re well organized, you’ll want one. If you’re with the remarkable HP 2025 monitor produces not well organized, you need one. It’s the DYMO pure eye candy. RhinoPRO industrial printer. Though DYMO has The 2025 has been around for a while, and, at With terabyte long since gone into the jazzy and versatile com- $1,000, is a luxurious 20-inch monitor. But I have drives, FireWire puterized roll-label printers favored by eBay ma- a number of fl at-panel displays, and I can assure vens and SMB operations, it still has a heritage you that this is the best one I have ever seen. It 800, and other going back to the handheld label maker. That old, looks good even with an analog signal, but in that seriously hot crude label maker has evolved into these spectacu- mode it’s a waste of money. You need a real high- lar RhinoPRO handheld industrial printers. These end 1,600-by-1,200 video card with digital I/O to products, it’s devices can print elegant labels for cables, includ- make this monitor perform. Highly recommended. ing the kind that goes over the cable itself and is It’s the perfect monitor for those ritzy multiple- impossible to then shrunk onto the cable with a hair dryer. This monitor lash-ups. With the dual SLI cards (another resist going for is a dream-come-true product for your network- $450 each), you can drive four of these monitors ing or stereo wires. No more guessing where they at 1,600-by-1,200 and full 32-bit color. Probably a the high end. are coming from or going. And with this thing, you little extravagant even for me, but wow! can make thin label strips to put on racks or on the I completely switched my home-machine build- back of gear. DYMO makes a number of these de- ing philosophy and am back on the high-end track vices; look for them starting at around $99. Check after fooling around with Shuttles and Mini-ITX out the DYMO Web site at www.dymo.com.

www.pcmag.com MARCH 7, 2006 PC MAGAZINE 93 • Fast Duplex Scanner 6 seconds/page, simplex scanning* 6 seconds/image, duplex scanning* • Patented AutoLaunch Technology Insert document to start scan automatically! • Scan to PDF Convert documents into searchable PDF files! • Mobile USB-powered or wall-powered modes! • Flexible Scan business cards, plastic ID cards, up to legal-sized documents!

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For information visit our website at www.visioneer.com/pcm3 Copyright 2006. Visioneer, Inc. All rights reserved. The Visioneer brand name, logo and Visioneer Strobe are registered trademarks of Visioneer, Inc. Visioneer, Inc. 5673 Gibraltar Drive, Suite 150, Pleasanton, CA 94588. *The NPD Group/NPD TechWorld (January–May 2003), 200 dpi black and white mode.

Bill Machrone Promising Tech Delivers

he annual excesses of the Consumer distance network, you pay around $.02 per minute, I enjoy prowling Electronics Show (CES) are behind us. right between Vonage’s $.03 per minute and Gizmo’s around the margins, The news media were there in force, the $.01 per minute. If you do any appreciable amount of analysts have analyzed, the bloggers have long-distance calling, this is the way to go. visiting the smaller Cree and Luxeon have defi ned the future of fl at- T blogged, the pundits have punded. And companies, where now it’s my turn to weigh in. panel displays: LEDs will replace fl uorescent back- HDTV was the visual focal point. Some new lights as prices drop and intensity continues to rise. you fi nd good ideas screens can be measured in square yards, and every- Not only do LEDs cost less and consume less power, body is doing 1080p, not that there’s yet any content they have a broader color gamut, for real reds and and wishful thinking for that resolution. Although consumers are ex- truer colors across the spectrum. The newest white in equal measure. pected to buy $1.4 billion worth of HDTVs this year, LEDs are available as true white or “incandescent” the manufacturers would probably sell 50 percent white, and Cree’s RGB-combining LEDs have tun- more if they weren’t embroiled in the stupid for- able color temperature. Samsung showed a stun- mat war between Blu-ray Disc (BD) and HD-DVD. ning 56-inch HDTV with DLP technology and an Both sides were loudly claiming victory—despite LED light source that eliminates the color wheel the complete lack of content, with nothing more and lasts 20,000 hours. LEDs are destined to take than promises from studios to produce titles for the over many other tasks, too, from low-intensity shelf camp to which they’d sworn allegiance. lighting to high-intensity task lighting. The solution needn’t be complex: One camp As I walked through the fuel-cell ghetto in the swallows its pride and allows the other to “win,” Sands Exposition Center, three different salesmen but fi rst they cross-license their technologies and told me, “This is the very fi rst one on the market,” incorporate some portion of the losing technology or words to that effect. I heard the same thing last into the winner’s. They modify the name of the year. These low-temperature generators run on bu- winning technology (say, to “BDVD” or “HD-Ray”) tane, methanol, or hydrogen, and might be just the and share the royalties. The former combatants ticket for a journalist covering a war zone by satel- produce identical-functioning drives and compat- lite phone or a biologist living in a rain forest, keep- ible content. Both sides declare victory. Legions of ing digital cameras and laptops running. But for the PR people stream forth to explain that the antago- rest of us, current battery technology is fi ne. nism of the past several years was a necessary part Businesses still crank out millions of recordable of the creative process to ensure the best possible CDs and DVDs each year. Desktop color CD print- product, and that consumers are the real winners. ers have been out there for years, but the small As enjoyable as those main-floor, multiacre ones have always been a separate device. Last booths are, I enjoy prowling around the margins, year’s LightScribe drives brought convenience to visiting the smaller companies, where you find a new, but monochromatic, level. This year, I saw good ideas and wishful thinking in equal mea- several CD/DVD desktop burner/printers that sure. There’s nothing wishful about home-level IP print a full-color image or label on one side while telephony, however. It’s a healthy, growing market. burning the data to the other. Rimage is probably You can get IP telephony independent of your com- the leader in this market, but I like the new Duet puter from your cable company or with a cable or (www.buyduet.com), which is available as a desk- DSL connection with Vonage or a similar service. top unit or as a 2.5-inch-high drive that will fi t into When it comes to computer-based IP telephony, a tower PC. Its sub-$1,000 price is inviting, too. however, Skype is the brand to beat. (See Don Labriola’s article on page 132 for more on Several companies introduced Skype phones, and disc-labeling methods.) some were dual-mode devices that connect to your As for other promising technologies, such as POTS line as well as your computer. You can dial ZigBee and IPTV, we’ll have to wait another year. from a standard-looking wireless phone, and even see which of your Skype buddies are online. When MORE ON THE WEB: You can contact Bill Machrone at you’re talking Skype-to-Skype, it’s free. When you [email protected]. For more of his col- dial a non-Skype phone through the Skype long- umns, go to go.pcmag.com/machrone.

www.pcmag.com MARCH 7, 2006 PC MAGAZINE 95 THE WE’RE ALL ON A DIFFERENT PAGE ERA IS OVER.

Microsoft® Office has evolved. Have you?

After all, the way we work has changed. These days, the bigger the team, the harder it is to work together. That’s why the latest version of Microsoft Office allows easy access to Team Workspaces. Step up to a world where shared locations hold documents, schedules, tasks, and announcements. It’s time to evolve the way you work. Discover how at microsoft.com/office/evolve

It’s time to upgrade our Ofﬁ ce 97.

Brilliant.

© 2005 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Microsoft, the Office logo, and “Your potential. Our passion.” are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. COVER STORY YOU CAN >DO IT!

A friend of mine, whom we’ll call “Warren,” lives in the Adirondack Moun- tains in upstate New York. He literally built his own house. He designed a Build your floor plan, cut down trees with a chainsaw, made them + into boards with a little mill- own PC ing machine, built the frame, laid with our ﬂ ooring, wired electricity, ran plumb- ing, and so on. It’s a beautiful house. War- easy-to-follow ren, however, will not build or upgrade his own computer. He insists on buying guide a Gateway, HP, Dell, or some other system every few years. Tech-savvy do-it- yourselfer friends have tried for years By Joel Durham, Jr. to convince him that putting together a PC is much easier than building a house or replacing a car engine, or even crafting a custom dining-room set, all of which he’s accomplished. But Warren—just like millions of perfectly capable people—can’t wrap his mind around what’s inside that beige box.

www.pcmag.com MARCH 7, 2006 PC MAGAZINE 97 That can be tricky. You’ll have to learn a bit about case designs, Aexpansion slots, and drive interfaces. Don’t worry, though; if you can get a TV to work with your cable system, your DVR, and your DVD player, Q How can I be sure you can learn to buy parts that the ins and QIs it outs of PC cheaper work together? components. to build or buy? To technologically timid folks, and they can therefore sell those parts there’s something mysterious or even more cheaply in their systems than you It’s cheaper to build . . . some- scary about the inner workings of a can buy them individually. But if you times. It really depends on how computer: Press the wrong button don’t need tomorrow’s power today, you A shrewd a shopper you are and and your e-mail goes away. Delete the can buy previous-generation parts at which parts you choose for your sys- wrong icon and suddenly Microsoft bargain prices. As new CPUs, mother- tem. Hot, bleeding-edge parts tend Word appears to have vanished from boards, and graphics cards come out, to be pricey, and buying a full system >your world. And all of this happens prices drop on older models. with them is ultimately cheaper than within that mysterious box to which Building a computer out of parts that buying them yourself. But by build- your keyboard is connected. The fact aren’t hands-down the fastest available ing a PC yourself you can choose your is, a PC is just an electronic device, and might seem silly. Is this a new PC or an own parts, which can save a bundle. it conforms to the same laws of physics outdated one? Don’t fall for the myth that that govern microwave ovens and auto- a computer is outdated the minute some- mobile alternators. thing newer comes out. With the excep- REASONS TO BE CHEERFUL Building a PC is a fantastic way to tion of some performance-demanding Whether you know a lot about using a learn all about computers, regardless of games and graphics programs, most computer or very little, by fashioning whether you have an innate fear of tech- software is designed for a wide range of your own machine you stand to learn nology (and believe us when we say that performance levels; in other words, you tons of information about a PC’s parts constructing a computer will probably can run e-mail programs, word proces- and how they work together. As Head dispel that sensation) or if you’re a brave sors, spreadsheets, Web browsers, me- Designer you will discover cool new DIYer ready to explode out of the gate. dia players, and other common software looks and options for PCs that you can’t All it takes is a few tools, a budget, and tools on gear that’s several generations order from Dell or Gateway. “Intel ver- an afternoon or two. old. If you choose to rack a 2-GHz pro- sus AMD” and “ATI versus nVidia” will Don’t expect to save a lot of money, cessor instead of a 3.4-GHz monster, no longer be headlines you gloss over though. If you insist upon the newest what you lose in performance you’ll save while hunting for the crossword in the and fastest components, you’ll probably in money. The choice is yours. And even paper. You’ll come to understand physi- spend more than you would if you chose if you don’t save money, building your cal sockets, slots, and their capabilities to buy a system. Major manufacturers own PC has plenty of solid benefi ts—and as you choose your masterwork’s CPU, buy components in bulk at big discounts, a few limitations. graphics card, sound card, and memory. The intricacies of buses and point-to- Not very! You need only a small point connections will quickly become workspace and a few simple tools old hat as you install various storage A to build your fi rst system. PC devices. Pretty soon you’ll be discussing parts of various types are designed to water-cooled CPUs just as you would fi t and function together. Components new Hemi engines. are manufactured for specifi c slots, All that learning will arm you with knowledge for the inevitable upgrades in the future, and by building your own How diffi cult is it PC you’ll ensure that it’s composed of Q to build a computer? industry-standard parts that can be upgraded. Some manufacturers (we’re looking at you, Dell) like to use propri- sockets, and ports, so it’s actually more etary parts—oddball motherboards, of a challenge to misconnect some- peculiar case designs, specialized thing than it is to hook it up properly! power supplies and motherboard power

circuitry, and so on. Such computers ELLEN WEINSTEIN BY ILLUSTRATION

98 PC MAGAZINE MARCH 7, 2006 www.pcmag.com BUILD YOUR OWN PC

are pretty much disposable; when the time comes to swap out older parts and WE BUILT IT. upgrade them, you realize you have to YOU WIN IT! start mostly from scratch—or buy a +We challenged master LEGO artist Nathan new computer. Sawaya to build us a PC. He took our request The downside to building your own seriously, and built this mind-blowingly includes a pair of whoppers. First, there’s cool LEGO system, keyboard, mouse, and the learning curve: It’s up to you to make all. Which got us thinking: Could we make sure that the CPU you buy fi ts the sock- a working LEGO computer, with optical et of the motherboard you choose, that drives, an LCD monitor, and all the bells you select the right memory, and that and whistles? You bet we could. We made the graphics card is compatible with its a crazy LEGO PC fi lled with working PC slot, and so on. Second—and this is often parts, pressed power, and sat back in awe. the deal breaker—you don’t get techni- And while we love the working PC, cal support and a blanket warranty on we simply can’t keep all this goodness to ourselves: One lucky PC a PC you construct. Each part will have Magazine reader will win our custom LEGO creation! Simply visit our Web site its own warranty and tech support, but if at the address below and enter your name for the chance of a lifetime. Just do something goes wrong, you’ll have to fi g- us one favor: Don’t break it. Because Nathan may be fantastic with LEGOs, but ure out which part is to blame before you he didn’t bother to write us a reassembly manual. start making phone calls. You can alle- viate this somewhat by shopping with a GO.PCMAG.COM/LEGOPC computer store that provides technical support to builders (many online stores, LIFT UP YOUR PHILLIPS HEAD! are also popular places to show off mods who cater to PC enthusiasts, do this), but The difference between building your to like-minded enthusiasts. when it comes down to it, you are your own PC and buying one is much like Today you can buy many mods that are own tech support department. that between owning a home and rent- easy to use and install, ranging from cases ing one. When something goes wrong in with windows to lights with standard your own home, you have to fix it—but power connectors and sticky-backed Vel- at the same time, you can do it any way cro strips—kits to light up your PC’s guts. you like. That could be the very best And companies such as Thermaltake thing about constructing your own com- market prelit, prewindowed cases with puter: You have complete control. You amazing styles. You can buy lights of any can read gear reviews and select exactly color, LED kits, motherboards built to what goes into your creation. If you buy a be seen rather than taken for granted, lit PC, you’re stuck with a limited choice of power supplies, stylized fan grates, and a brands and models (even if the manufac- whole lot more. turer lets you “customize” it). If you build Building a PC may not be right for one, when people ask what type of com- everybody, and styling it can take time, puter you have, you don’t have to mutter, but the only way to know if it works for “Dude, I got a Dell” under your breath. you is to try it. This step-by-step guide Q What Instead, you can stick out your chin and will walk you through the process from proudly proclaim, “It’s a custom rig that start to finish and should answer any are the main I built myself!” and then wow them with questions that might arise. Clear off benefi ts to your intimate knowledge of the specs. a table or a workbench and grab your Phillips-head screwdriver: You’re about building my A FEW WORDS ON MODS to create a masterpiece! own PC? The customized-case community (who We’ve got more to share with you, but call themselves “modders”) is full of we’ve run out of space. You’re in luck, newbie-friendly people who are happy however! Our sister Web site Extreme- to welcome you into the fold. Scores of Tech.com has a wealth of information for You have complete control sites exist at which modders share their you. For more info on building, parts and over the parts that go into creations, complete with detailed de- plans, and more technical information Ayour system, so you can scriptions of how they were done, and than the user manual for a nuclear power build specifi cally for your needs many such sites feature contests for the plant (well, maybe not that much), check and taste. After all, you can’t get best mods. LAN parties have been and out go.extremetech.com/bootcamp. a neon light kit with most new Dell systems! Building it yourself DIY 101 Get to know your PC! In the next few pages, we’ll walk also guarantees that your system you through the main components of your computer, will be composed of standard explaining what each piece is and how to choose one for your project. We’ll also components—which will be a big give you pointers on how install the part—and how upgrading your current sys- deal when it’s time to upgrade. tem will prepare you to build your own. Turn the page and jump in! >

www.pcmag.com MARCH 7, 2006 PC MAGAZINE 99 >HARD DRIVE Every day is a great day to buy a new hard drive. Storage capacities are rising every month, and prices are falling drastically—that’s bad for manufacturers and good for us. You can easily add a few more gigs to your PC for pennies on the megabyte. Here’s what to know.

Too Much? It’s Never Enough! A picture is worth 1,000 bytes? As millions of consumers have embraced digital photography, many have forgotten about storing these often massive Inside Out ﬁ les. What good is your new dig- Works Too ital camera if you can’t store all of the pictures you took? Will it fit? As A larger hard drive is go- simple as it seems, ing to be a lot cheap- people often forget er than a new ﬂ ash to check exactly how memory card— much space they have in and harder their case for a new or ex- to lose. tra hard drive. Count up your free drive bays beforehand and save yourself an extra trip to CompUSA for a larger case.

I’DE Rather Have SATA STATS TO WATCH TO Before you go out and pick up a new Rotational speed: Most drives spin hard drive, make sure you know what type of in- at 7,200 rpm today. 5,400 feels ternal connection you are dealing with. Many newer, fancier noticeably slower. + PCs on the market have made the switch from internal IDE to SATA. Capacity: These days, 200GB is a good SATA allows for faster data transfer, but the ﬂ at red cables are deﬁ - starting point. Any smaller, throw it back. nitely not backward-compatible with IDE’s wide white ribbons. Interface: ATA133 is only a little faster than ATA100. But SATA 3.0 Gbps is much INSTALL GUIDE faster than SATA 150. Find out what your + motherboard supports before you buy. +

Adding a hard drive to your system Then attach the data cable to If your system uses IDE, don’t is easy as pie, particularly if your your drive. Next, locate a free forget to set the drive’s jumpers 1 PC uses Serial ATA (look for thin, 2 SATA power cable from your 3correctly. The boot drive should ﬂ at cables like the red one pictured computer’s power supply, and at- be set to “master” and should plug into above). Start by attaching the wider tach it to the drive. That’s all there is the end of the IDE cable. When you add data cable to the motherboard. Use to it! Find a free drive bay and screw a new drive, set it to “slave” and attach any free SATA port. your new hard drive into place. it to the cable’s middle connector.

100 PC MAGAZINE MARCH 7, 2006 www.pcmag.com MEMORY STATS

> WATCH TO Manufacturer: With obscure settings and numbers, unbuffered modules, error correction Match the maker and on some types of RAM, and several different naming conventions, purchas- + type of your current ing memory can seem like the most confusing part of building a com- RAM if you’re add- puter (although as you can see below, installing it is a snap). ing extra memory. Most of that info isn’t crucial to know; just match the Registered/unbuf- specs provided by your motherboard manufacturer. fered: Most PCs use Here are some other tips to keep in mind. unbuffered, but double- check before you buy. Discover Balance Dual-channel: If your motherboard supports Avoid a common mis- it, two matching slabs take: Buying the fast- of memory can perform est graphics card around 10 percent and CPU without up- faster. This is, need- grading the memory. less to say, a very If the CPU and GPU good thing. have to wait for the memory, you’ve built an imbal- Things to Remember About Memory anced system—and In today’s double-data-rate (DDR) RAM chips, the modules’ names refer to their wasted your money. total bandwidth; higher numbers mean more data can be moved at once. Bandwidth Front-side bus Effective clock Type (GBps) (MHz) rate (MHz) DDR Memory Find Your Speed PC1600 (DDR200) 1.6 100 200 A good rule of thumb to remember is that the speed of your PC2100 (DDR266) 2.1 133 266 RAM should be equal to or greater than the speed of your PC2700 (DDR333) 2.7 166 333 processor’s front-side bus. RAM will always slow down to run PC3200 (DDR400) 3.2 200 400 with your system, but “overclocking” it, or making it run faster PC4000 (DDR500) 4.0 250 500 DDR2 Memory than it’s intended to (to keep up with a much faster processor, PC2 3200 (DDR2-400) 3.2 200 400 for example), will lead to an unstable system. PC2 4200 (DDR2-533) 4.2 266 533 PC2 5300 (DDR2-667) 5.3 333 666 PC2-6400 (DDR2-800) 6.4 400 800 +INSTALL GUIDE

Installing RAM is, literally, a snap. As you gently press down on The process is the same for up- The key is the alignment notch the module, the side clips snap grades as it is for a new system 1 along the module’s contact edge, 2 into place. If they don’t, double- 3install, of course. Try updating an which mates to a key in the memory check that you really have the notch old system before building a new one; socket. The key ensures that the module aligned correctly. It’s easy to get it extra memory is a huge performance ﬁ ts in only one way. Once you’ve mated backwards. And of course, DDR2 boost, and the process will familiar- them, slide the module straight down. hardware won’t ﬁ t into a DDR slot. ize you with the interior of your PC.

www.pcmag.com MARCH 7, 2006 PC MAGAZINE 101 The Xerox Phaser 8500® network color featherweight price. Which means it can take

To make the tough Xerox Phaser 8500 even tougher to resist, time that delivers stunning 600 dpi color in just 6 seconds. It we reduced it to $699 after a $200 rebate. It still delivers up to has Driver Color Controls to match output color to the color on 24 color pages a minute and an industry-leading first-page-out your computer screen. And talk about endurance! With one of

*For rebate details visit the website below.

Call, click or contact: 888-247-5107•xerox.com/office/1989•Your local reseller

Limited time offer. Offer is valid for end users who purchase any new Xerox Phaser 8500N or Phaser 8500DN between 1/1/06 and 3/31/06. Xerox must receive completed refund request and copy of the dated invoice by 4/30/06. Cannot be combined with any other Xerox incentive. Xerox will mail the eligible rebate check directly to end user. Allow 6 to 8 weeks for delivery. Open to U.S. customers with a valid U.S. $899WAS $699NOW After $200 rebate* printer delivers heavyweight specs at a on anybody. Xerox Color. It makes business sense.

the largest paper capacities in its class, the Phaser Naturally, it’s from a winning line of color printers 8500 just keeps going. It’s easy to install and maintain. and multifunction systems. To learn more, contact Solid Ink technology makes it environmentally green. us. We’re sure our little champ will knock you out.

mailing address. Xerox resellers, agents, dealers, distributors and retailers are not eligible. Not responsible for late, lost or postage-due mail. Void where prohibited. Applicable tax, if any, is the sole responsibility of end user. © 2006 XEROX CORPORATION. All rights reserved. XEROX®, Phaser® and Xerox Color. It makes business sense are trademarks of XEROX CORPORATION in the United States and/or other countries. >GRAPHICS To play the hottest new games, you need one of the newest, most powerful STATS

graphics cards. It’s that simple. Sure, you can try to play these new pixel- WATCH TO pushing processing hogs on your old GPU—but why’d you drop 60 bucks on Graphics memory: More memory a new game if it looks and plays just like an old one? helps. Look for at least 128MB. Processor (GPU): ATI and nVidia+ both make tremendously fast chips. You won’t go wrong with a card Which Bus to Catch based on either company’s chips. Graphics RAM: Only the geekiest geeks Graphics cards connect to motherboards through AGP or care how fast the graphics RAM is. PCI Express slots—interfaces called buses. It’s very important to check which your PC has before you buy. PCIe is newer and faster; if you’re upgrading an old machine, What’s on the PC-TV? you’re probably stuck with AGP. Don’t feel bad. Nearly all cards come in versions for both buses. Some graphics cards, such as the ATI All-In- Wonder X800 XT pictured below, come equipped with TV tuner modules. This lets you tune in to your favorite television program directly on your desktop. ATI’s card gives you DVR functionality too, depending on how much free hard drive space you have to hold the recorded programs.

+INSTALL GUIDE +

The excitement of opening up a new Locate your graphics slot. In Note the safety tab at the back graphics card can override com- general, it’s an offset brown of the slot, which keeps the card 1 mon sense. Before you even think 2 slot for AGP cards (PCI Express 3 seated. You may need to lift it to about installing one, you’ll want to do slots vary in color; most are black insert the card correctly. Some cards two things: download the latest drivers or blue like the one we’re using require a power connection. If yours for your new card (but don’t install them) above). Line up the card properly does, locate a free cable from your power and completely uninstall your old ones. and slide it in. supply and plug it in before booting up.

104 PC MAGAZINE MARCH 7, 2006 www.pcmag.com BUILD YOUR OWN PC >CPU STATS The CPU is the centerpiece and nerve center of your system. When building TO WATCH TO a PC, you start by choosing a processor and work your way out from there. Speed: From 1.0 to 3.8 GHz, What chip you buy dictates the maximum speed of your RAM and what type faster’s always better. of motherboard you can use. Your motherboard purchase then dictates Socket: Match the CPU’s+ inter- what sort of graphics card you can buy, and so on. face to your motherboard. Front-side bus: Determines the maximum memory speed. Speed Thrills Sure, it sounds sexy to tell all your friends that you have the fastest chip on the market in your custom machine, but do you need it? The AMD FX-60 (pictured here) is a blazing dual-core 64-bit workhorse; it would be complete overkill to use this chip to run Microsoft Excel and publish the canasta-club newsletter.

Pick Your Poison Intel and AMD make a huge variety of CPUs that run at a multitude of different speeds. One of the coolest things about building a PC is being able to select the exact chip to ﬁ t your needs. If you are going to run several large multimedia appli cations at the same time, you might want to pick up one of the new dual- core chips. If you’re trying to save a few bucks, try a lower-priced Sempron or Celeron. Socket Something or Other Hundreds of pins and holes make up the the socket— the interface between a CPU and a motherboard. Intel and AMD use different sockets, and since the sockets have evolved with the chips, newer +INSTALL GUIDE CPUs won’t ﬁ t older interfaces. Double-check yours.

For AMD processors, note the tiny A CPU will ﬁ t properly only one Today’s CPU coolers come in a triangle on one corner of the CPU’s way—without any signiﬁ cant variety of sizes and attach in many 1 top. It acts as a key to help you 2 force. To install, simply lift up 3 different ways. Read the cooler’s align the CPU. Match it to the triangle the lever, align the CPU correctly, and manual for details. But before installing on the motherboard socket. Today’s ever so gently push the lever down. it, squeeze a small drop of thermal paste Intel CPUs are pinless, but the process The CPU should slip into the socket, onto the CPU, then spread it thinly with is the same, and they’re also keyed. letting you lock the lever in place. a craft knife. Use very little pressure.

www.pcmag.com MARCH 7, 2006 PC MAGAZINE 105 BUILD YOUR OWN PC

PC Magazine’s go-to geek picks the best parts for a variety of do-it-yourself PC projects. >LOYD’S PICKS After building your hundredth PC, you start to get a good feel for what works and what doesn’t. And since Loyd’s built more systems than an Intel CPU has transistors, he’s all over picking parts like syrup on pancakes. Find your goal and buy the following parts.

Low-Price Gaming Video Editing No-Holds-Barred Gaming!

Gaming for around $1,200? Content creation seems expensive at Looking to destroy at the newest, We couldn’t buy the fastest graphics, ﬁ rst. But considering the pair of 19- hottest games? This bad boy uses the but in most games the 6600GT won’t inch LCDs, the hot Intel CPU, and the new dual-core FX-60 chip, SLI graphics bat a digital eye. Add a 64-bit CPU giant RAID 1 storage setup here, your (and the 850-watt power supply it and 1GB of RAM, and you’ll be ready to money will be well spent. This system demands), and enough ﬁ repower to kill handle most gaming situations. will still feel great two years from now. a small army.

CPU CPU CPU Athlon 64 3200+ $160 Intel Pentium 4 660 $340 Athlon 64 FX-60 $1,100 CPU COOLER CPU COOLER CPU COOLER Stock AMD $0 Zalman CNPS9500 $60 Zalman CNPS9500 $60 MOTHERBOARD MOTHERBOARD MOTHERBOARD MSI K8N-Neo4 $85 Intel D955XBK $225 Asus A8N32-SLI Deluxe $200 MEMORY MEMORY MEMORY 2 x Kingston 512MB DDR400 ValueRAM $130 2 x Corsair DDR2/667 $180 2GB Corsair TwinX2048-3500LLPro $315 CASE CASE CASE Antec Performance TX-640B $120 Antec P180 $169 Silverstone TJ06 $149 POWER SUPPLY POWER SUPPLY POWER SUPPLY 400W (included with case) $0 Antec NeoHE 550W $150 PC Power & Cooling TurboCool 850SSI $449 GRAPHICS GRAPHICS GRAPHICS XFX GeForce 6600GT $130 XFX GeForce 7800GT $300 2 x BFG GeForce 7800GTX OC $1,200 AUDIO AUDIO AUDIO Sound Blaster Audigy 2 Value $55 Sound Blaster X-Fi Elite Pro $375 Sound Blaster X-Fi Fatal1ty $280 HARD DRIVE HARD DRIVE HARD DRIVE Hitachi Deskstar 7K80 80GB SATA $60 2 x Western Digital WD4000YR 400GB $460 2 x WD Raptor 150 (RAID 0) $600 OPTICAL DRIVE OPTICAL DRIVE OPTICAL DRIVE Sony DW-Q30ABK DVD+/-RW $43 Plextor PX-716AL slot drive $150 Plextor PX-716AL slot drive $150 KEYBOARD KEYBOARD KEYBOARD Black Logitech Elite $30 Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard $50 Logitech G15 $80 MOUSE MOUSE MOUSE Logitech MX-310 $30 Logitech G7 $100 Logitech G5 $70 SPEAKERS SPEAKERS SPEAKERS Logitech Z-3 $80 Creative Labs GigaWorks S750 $500 Creative Labs GigaWorks S750 $500 DISPLAY DISPLAY DISPLAY Viewsonic VA902B $299 2 x Viewsonic VA912B $650 Dell 2405FPW $880 O/S O/S O/S Microsoft Windows XP Home $60 Windows XP Professional, SP2 $75 Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 $110 TOTAL COST $1,282 TOTAL $3,784 TOTAL $6,143

106 PC MAGAZINE MARCH 7, 2006 www.pcmag.com BUILD YOUR OWN PC > THE ART OF DIY The average modder won’t take his case mod farther than a window and some running lights. But a few dedicated souls have taken the craft to a new level, with wood shops, metal work, and a lot of vision . . . and turned their computers into real art. Here are just a few of our favorites.

HP Resurrection II Evolution This water-cooled case mod comes to us all the way from the Czech Republic. The builder took an old stock HP PC case, made some serious modiﬁ cations to build in a water cooling system, and then dipped the whole thing in chrome!

The PainMaster 5000 The PainMaster 5000 is a dedicated Unreal Tourna- ment server built by a tremendously dedicated player. This mod took 84 hours to build, not to mention countless planning hours. The 5000 was made completely from scratch using wood and PVC. The inspiration came from the Unreal Tourna- ment rocket launcher. DIY 201

DIY 201: The previous page’s parts lists should The R2-D2 Case give you plenty to think about next time you hit the Internet on a shopping spree. And we’re hoping the This ode to Luke’s number-one ’droid is a true work of art case mods here have whetted your appetite. So if and took its creator, Ken “TGS” Kirby, several intensive you’re ready to get going now, turn the page for our weeks to construct. The mod ended up weighing nearly step-by-step guide toward building the sweetest 100 pounds and contains a custom-cooled 3.2-GHz P4 Windows Media Center system you’ve ever seen! running at 3.7 GHz and cooled to -38 degrees Celsius. > www.pcmag.com MARCH 7, 2006 PC MAGAZINE 109

UL IT BUILD

COVER STORY

What You’ll Need CASE SilverStone LaScala LC17 $120 POWER SUPPLY Antec NeoHE 430 $75 CPU Athlon 64 X2 3800+ $322 CPU COOLER Zalman CNPS7000A-Cu $35 MOTHERBOARD ABIT AN8 Ultra $115 MEMORY 2GB Kingston ValueRAM Join us on a tour $168 GRAPHICS HARDWARE ASUS Extreme N6600 Silencer of the winding data pathways $109 DVD DECODER SOFTWARE nVidia PureVideo Decoder inside a computer. $30 HARD DRIVE Seagate NL35 400GB We’ll explain how to join the DIY crowd $315 OPTICAL DRIVES HP dvd740i DVD Writer and ﬁ nally build $78 NEC ND-3520A DVD ±R DL $50 an MCE PC of your own—and how to MEMORY CARD READER Mitsumi FA-405M $16 choose the parts AUDIO HARDWARE Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi $116 Creative DTS-610 for a custom project $99 ANALOG TV TUNERS ATI TV Wonder Elite (PCI) that’s uniquely yours. $110 PowerColor T55E-P03 (PCIe x1) $85 HDTV TUNERS Vbox Cat's Eye DTA-150 $89 Vbox Cat's Eye USB-A 3560 $109 KEYBOARD/MOUSE Microsoft ZV1 MCE keyboard $75 REMOTE CONTROL Microsoft Media Center Remote $35 A HOMEMADE OPERATING SYSTEM Windows XP Media Center Edition MEDIA CENTER PC $125 ...... B y Loyd Case TOTAL COST + $2,276

www.pcmag.com MARCH 7, 2006 PC MAGAZINE 111 Designing skyscrapers? Way over cates the project—but as you’ll see, it’s these little wonders were whisper quiet, our head. Nuclear science? Spin still not hard. so we didn’t need replacements. states make us dizzy. Open-heart This system requires a few other Converting from AC wall power to the surgery? The very thought causes the traits besides ease of use. It must effec- DC that computer components need is old ticker to skip a beat. (And where do tively multitask, since we plan to record very ineffi cient in many power supplies. multiple video streams simultaneously. That generates excess heat, requiring a you get all of those tiny little knives? The graphics hardware should focus on more robust—and therefore louder— Crate and Barrel?) > video playback rather than 3D perfor- cooling fan, so we opted for the Antec Now building a PC—hey, that’s easy. mance, because we’ll be watching more NeoHE line. HE is short for “high effi- We’ll show you how. TV on this system (and be playing less ciency”—the NeoHE’s effi ciency is rated Quake). We need plenty of hard drive at better than 80 percent. PICTURE THE BIG PICTURE space for storing and streaming large We’ll start by walking FILL ’ER UP through the decisions we The end result of hours spent With a case picked out, made when building our +we had to fill it. We system, explaining why picking out parts was a rig so quiet started with the CPU, we chose each particular the general that mar- component, and the effect that it sounded like shals your computing the part has on the entire troops. A lot of a home- system. When we’re done, a normal PC—one that’s switched off. theater PC’s work is offl oaded to other hardware: TV tuner cards and an audio card with a DSP chip do most of the work. Still, the processor can get pretty busy just managing system chores when you’re trying to capture multiple video streams in DVR mode. That calls for a dual-core chip, and the Athlon 64 X2 3800+ seemed like an ideal solution. It’s fast enough to get the job done, but draws far less power than comparable Intel parts, running cooler as a result. A good processor deserves a good motherboard, which must meet certain requirements. For example, the 3800+ needs a Socket 939 connector. We also want the best core logic—the heart ABIT AN8 ULTRA MOTHERBOARD of a motherboard—compatible with the CPU. Currently, that’s the nVidia nForce4. The ABIT AN8 Ultra board you’ll know why the PC works—and multimedia files, and a DVD recorder uses it, and cools it passively (with a you’ll be ready to build one of your own. for creating our own DVDs. Finally, we metal heat sink rather than a fan), keep- The fi rst step in a DIY project is choos- want to minimize noise—fan racket dis- ing things nice and quiet. ing what to make. There are a million tracts from movies! Another major source of noise in reasons to own a PC, but you’re not going most systems—and the prime method to meet every need with one machine, so A CASE FOR QUIET of pulling heat from the processor—is you have to decide on the tasks you want What about the noise thing? PC makers the CPU cooler. For that, we turned to to accomplish. We wanted a system that often don’t concern themselves with it. Zalman Tech, which has built its repu- could be the hub of a home entertain- We had to. While we chose all our com- tation on delivering silent yet powerful ment system. That meant whatever we ponents carefully, we took particular devices. The CNPS7700-Cu looked ap- designed would need to be easy enough care choosing the case, power supply, pealing, but its massive 120mm fan can for the whole family to use, so the solu- and cooling fan—the combination has get a little cumbersome, so we chose the tion was a Windows Media Center PC. the largest impact on the whine factor. CNPS7000A-Cu, a pure copper cooler A media center is a hub for storing, The LaScala LC17 is the latest evo- with a 92mm fan. organizing, and distributing digital lution in SilverStone’s line of full-size Running the 7700 in low-noise mode multimedia content. It’s a recorder for home-theater PC cases. At fi rst we were produced a tiny 20 dB of sound, but at over-the-air HDTV, a music manager, a concerned about the fans in the back of the same time kept our Athlon 64 3800+ repository for photos, a DVD player, and the case—they’re 80mm, and these days, well under 50 degrees centigrade when even a casual gaming system that out- when heat and noise are both concerns, stressed—a very reasonable heat level. puts to the big-screen TV. Design con- that ain’t big. The smaller vanes must The end result of hours spent picking out siderations go beyond those for slapping turn faster to move enough air to cool the parts was a rig so quiet that it sounded together a vanilla PC, and that compli- system, causing more noise. Fortunately, like a normal PC—that’s switched off.

112 PC MAGAZINE MARCH 7, 2006 www.pcmag.com BUILD IT

SIGHTS AND SOUNDS: THE HEART OF MCE Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 supportes multiple analog TV tuners. One of the new features of Rollup 2, the most recent MCE update from Microsoft, is support for multiple digital TV tuners. So why not CREATIVE HOME THEATER CONNECT DTS-610 use the full capability of the OS? We decided to build in two of each. Then we came across the PowerColor But this time we turned to Vbox, a small For analog, the best picture quality we T55E-P03, which also uses the Theater Israeli company that made the reference had seen came from the ATI TV Won- 550, but comes in PCI and PCI Express platforms Microsoft used while devel- der Elite, which makes use of the ATI x1 versions—and the ABIT AN8 Ultra oping MCE 2005. The Vbox hardware Theater 550 encode/decode chip. Unfor- had three PCI Express slots (two x1 and is pretty darn sensitive—it can pick up tunately, the company ships only single- one x16). Since the image quality from the weak signals and deal with multipath tuner cards, and our motherboard had T55E-P03 cards looked as sharp as that refl ections—but the products are a little just three PCI slots (32-bit). With two produced by the TV Wonder Elite, we put hard to track down. Luckily, we did the analog cards, a pair for HDTV, and a one PCIe x1 version in the shopping cart. sleuthing, so all you have to do is go to sound card, we’d need fi ve slots, which Next we tackled HDTV. In the past, shop.pcmag.com. looked to be a serious problem. we’ve used the ATI HDTV Wonder card. With one PCI slot occupied by an analog tuner and another reserved for a sound card, we could install only one PCI card, the Cat’s Eye DTA-150. Vbox came Windows Vista, CableCARD, to our rescue with the Cat’s Eye USB-A 3560, a compact, external box that uses and the Future the same hardware as the PCI version and draws power from a USB 2.0 port, so It’s a fact: People fi nally you don’t even need an external power care about video, music, module. Success! Two HDTV tuners! +and TV on their PCs. Manag- We also needed good graphics hard- ing all these things through ware. In this case, since we were more a simple, intuitive interface concerned with the look of entertain- from across the room has ment content than with gaming, 3D become a top priority at performance took a backseat to video Gates HQ in Redmond. So performance. We were intrigued by with the upcoming Win- ATI’s latest series of graphics hardware, dows Vista OS, Microsoft but the company has no passively cooled will no longer segregate version commercially available, so we MCE in its own box destined decided on the ASUS Extreme N6600 for PCs masquerading as VISTA’S MUSIC LIBRARY Silencer, which is based on the nVidia set-top boxes. The Media N6600 GPU. We like the N6600GT Center functionality will be built into the “Home Premium” and “Ultimate” editions. Silencer, which uses the faster 6600GT, We took a look at some of these changes in Vista beta build 5231. The OS is but the larger cooler blocks a precious still a year from release, but we can already see signifi cant changes. We all know PCI slot, so we settled for the more com- the new OS will bring about a huge transformation in the desktop look and feel. pact option to fi ll our one PCIe x16 slot. MCE is getting a similar facelift. The main menu is structured a bit differently, for No home theater PC is complete with- example. You’ll notice a new menu item, Tasks, which lets you sync with remote out good audio; we opted for the Creative devices (media players and the like) and add Media Center Extenders. The top- Sound Blaster X-Fi XtremeMusic—a level priority this has in the new interface hints that Microsoft envisions entire great value (despite the dumb name) and households sharing in the media stored on a single Vista system. a premium PCI card. More importantly, Pictures and Videos now occupy the same top-level menu item. This approach you can set up the card by downloading may be a little more dubious than the combination of Movies and DVDs. Will we and installing the Sound Blaster Plug-In want to watch stored videos and view our pictures in the same session? for Windows XP Media Center Edition. Vista isn’t the only change in store for MCE PCs. At present, you can record That way, you can reconfigure your high-defi nition video only if it arrives over the air; today’s MCE PCs simply can’t audio settings while remaining inside decode HD feeds from your cable company. Fortunately, at CES, ATI announced MCE’s 10-foot interface. the world’s fi rst HDTV tuner that supports CableCARD—the smart card that (sup- But beware. There’s an issue with the posedly) every cable company will use in the near future to grant access to all that X-Fi (and other sound hardware compati- luscious high-def content. About time! Looks like there are some great new media ble with Media Center Edition) and digital features just on the horizon.—Jason Cross and Jeremy A. Kaplan audio output. Protected content—including rights-managed music downloaded

www.pcmag.com MARCH 7, 2006 PC MAGAZINE 113 from pay music sites and DVD-Audio playback—isn’t allowed through the digital audio port. Annoying, eh? Creative does have a solution that, although not elegant, works: the Home Theater Connect DTS-610. On the sur- + face, the device seems silly. It’s an external box that either accepts a digital PCM (Pulse Code Modulation) signal and passes it through unaltered, or takes the analog multichannel output—which started as our protected digital content—from our Creative sound card and encodes it back into DTS (Digital Theatre Sound) digital audio. Now you can pipe the signal to an A/V receiver that’s DTS- capable (most are) for output to speakers. That’s the long way round, but it succeeds in bypassing the output problem. ZALMAN CNPS7000A-CU CPU COOLER If you plan on playing back protected content from DVD-Audio discs or have sion ratio than Dolby Digital, sounds bet- low-usage environment, since it will be purchased downloaded music that’s pro- ter. The DTS-610 lets you choose. running but idle most of the time. The tected, you’ll need to pipe analog audio Seagate NL35 400GB drive filled the from the PC sound card to the DTS-610. PARTS, PARTS, PARTS! bill. It’s designed for enterprise nearline That’s how you can use a PC as a DVD- RAM was next on our list. MCE likes backup systems. Its combination of large Audio player in an A/V system. to have a lot of quality memory, so we capacity for storing big multimedia ﬁ les, Creative’s decision to let you use or not went with a Kingston ValueRAM dual- 24/7 reliability, and relatively quiet use DTS gives you a cool capability. The channel kit, which costs about $210 for operation makes it a good choice for a DTS-610 doesn’t understand Dolby Digi- 2GB of DDR400. home-theater PC. tal, which is put out by sources like DVD Any system focused on digital media Of course, a media PC also needs a players. Turn DTS off, though, and signals needs storage—and lots of it. We de- DVD drive—preferably one that can go straight through the box, so you can bated adding a RAID 1 array for redun- burn discs. HP’s LightScribe, which still send the signal to your A/V receiver, dancy, but decided to go with a single allows you to burn monochrome bitmap which can decode it. But some people hard drive designed for high availabil- images onto special discs, is intriguing, think DTS, which has a lower compres- ity (accessible 24/7, in other words) in a so we popped an HP dvd740i DVD Writer

MOTHERBOARD TIPS +STEP X STEP

ATX I/O SHIELD All motherboards ATTACHING THE MOTHERBOARD FRONT-PANEL CONNECTORS ship with an ATX I/O shield specifi c Aligning a motherboard on the The wires that make the case’s 1 to that particular board. Before 2mounting hardware can be tricky. 3buttons and lights work are a real snapping it into the case opening, check Your best bet is to install the center pain to connect. Note that you needn’t to make sure the shield really aligns screw loosely at fi rst, then install the worry about polarity when you install the properly with the I/O connectors on the other screws in a zigzag pattern. Don’t power switch, reset switch, and speaker motherboard back panel. If you install tighten any screws until all of them are connectors. The LED jumpers must be the wrong one in the case, and then try in. You may have to wiggle the board a bit installed with the correct polarity, how- to force the motherboard to fi t, you may to get some of the screw holes to align ever. This usually means that the (+) pin end up with a broken I/O connector. with the underlying mounting hardware. is connected to the non-black connector.

114 PC MAGAZINE MARCH 7, 2006 www.pcmag.com BUILD IT

FINAL STEPS +STEP X STEP

ABOVE YOU CAN SEE THE WE MANAGED TO SQUEEZE all FEAST YOUR EYES ON YOUR NEARLY COMPLETE PC. The only the cards into the case. On top NEWLY completed PC. All that’s 1 components that remain to be 2is the Creative Sound Blaster 3left to do is close the case, load up installed are our graphics cards and X-Fi. Below that are the Vbox Cat’s the latest version of Microsoft Windows our two HDTV tuners. As installations Eye DTA-150, the ASUS N6600, and MCE, and make this baby the center- go, this is one of the easier steps. ﬁ nally the ATI TV Wonder Elite card. piece of your entertainment center.

though a bit ﬁ nicky. The keyboard is also backlit, so you can use it in low light.

COUCH POTATOES, UNITE! You can buy some well-designed and some not-so-well-designed Windows XP Media Center Edition PCs, rather than building your own. But where’s the fun in that? Our system offers a lot of unique capabilities in a very attractive package. For roughly $2,300, we got capacious storage, four tuners, very quiet operation, and good performance. We even got the ability to record four video streams simultaneously, although once that started, we really couldn’t do much else. We could record two simultaneous video streams while playing music and ASUS EXTREME N6600 SILENCER browsing pictures, though. Responsive- ness while recording two streams was pretty good, too. Of course, having a into our system as the primary optical installed a Mitsumi FA-405M 13-in-1 dual-core CPU helps—not to mention drive. It’s not the quietest drive when card reader. This can actually read those the 2GB of RAM. burning DVDs, but it’s quiet enough pesky xD format cards used by some The cost-conscious can reduce the when playing movies. We added an NEC Olympus and Fuji digital cameras. price by scaling down the number of ND-3520A, allowing us to duplicate discs Once you get the system up and run- tuners and storage, removing one of the easily for producing backup copies of ning, you need some way to communi- DVD burners, and using 1GB of RAM non- copyrighted content. Both burn cate with it from your couch. A remote instead of 2. You could even go with a DVDs and handle dual-layer media. control is good, because it’s compact and motherboard, such as the ATI Radeon We also wanted to make good use of a familiar to most non-PC users. But Micro- Xpress 200 or the nVidia GeForce 6150, handy MCE feature: the ability to store, soft also makes a nifty, MCE- centric that has integrated graphics. You’ll still manipulate, and display digital photos. keyboard. It works with the remote have a very capable media hub that will To do so, we tore out the SilverStone’s control’s IR receiver and integrates all mate well with your home theater sys- 3.5-inch front-panel box (which has of the remote’s capabilities—it even of- tem. Now couch potatoes everywhere FireWire, USB 2.0, and audio ports) and fers a pointing stick, which is distinctive, can get all their media in one location! E

OUR CONTRIBUTORS: Joel Durham, Jr., writes the biweekly Mod Mania column for ExtremeTech.com and is author of the book Build It Yourself Visually: The Ultimate Game PC for Under $999. Loyd Case is the editor of ExtremeTech.com. Jason Cross is a technology analyst for ExtremeTech. Jeremy A. Kaplan is an executive editor of PC Magazine. Features editor extraordinaire Dan Evans was in charge of this story.

www.pcmag.com MARCH 7, 2006 PC MAGAZINE 115 outreach. outrun.

Dell recommends Windows® XP Media Center Edition

The Strong, Silent Type Intel® Pentium® D Processor 920 with Dual-Core Processing Technology (2.80GHz, 4MB L2 Cache, 800MHz FSB) Genuine Windows® XP Media Center Edition* 2005 19" Flat Panel Display (E196) 1GB Dual-Channel* DDR2 SDRAM 160GB* Hard Drive 16x DVD-ROM Drive; 16x Max CD/DVD Burner (DVD+/-RW*) Drive (2nd Bay) XPS 400 Desktop $1349

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Among Dell™ PCs, XPS™ has the brawn to get the job done without any strain whatsoever. When you’re faced with a heavy project load, serious multitasking and advanced media applications, you need a PC that delivers exceptional performance at a rapid-fire pace. So whether you’re editing high-end video, manipulating digital photos or dominating in gaming, you can rely on the dual-core strength of the XPS desktops, powered by Intel® Pentium® D Processors. Plus, with robust 24x7 support from our team of specially trained XPS technicians, system downtime could be a thing of the past. So go ahead, throw your projects this way – XPS does the work for you.

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Satisfy your need for power. Visit dell.com/pcm. Call our trained XPS specialists at 1-800-433-2757 For hearing/speech impaired: 1-877-DELL-TTY (toll-free) IT’S A

0209

DVD+RW, DVD+RW/+R AND DVD+/-RW DRIVES: Disks burned with this drive may not be compatible with some existing drives and players. Using DVD+R media provides maximum compatibility. MICROSOFT NOTICE: Microsoft software products may use technological measures for copy protection. You will not be able to use the product if you do not comply with the product activation or reactivation procedures, which may be completed by Internet or telephone (toll charges may apply). TRADEMARKS/COPYRIGHT NOTICES: Intel, Intel logo, Intel Inside, Intel Inside logo, Celeron, Celeron Inside, Centrino, the Centrino logo, Intel Core, Core Inside, Intel SpeedStep, Intel Viiv, Intel Xeon, Itanium, Itanium Inside, Pentium, and Pentium Inside are trademarks or registered trademarks of Intel Corporation or its subsidiaries in the United States and other countries. Microsoft and Windows are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. ©2005 Dell Inc. All rights reserved. D

118 PC MAGAZINE MARCH 7, 2006 www.pcmag.com THERE’S A REASON WE CALL HIM THE CHEAP GEEK.

Last fall, PC Magazine looking to cut his phone technologybill. A total ofeditor $85 a Ben month Gottesman for a voice was line, a fax line, and three phone numbers may sound like a

decent rate—yes, that includes long-distance service—but

this is a guy who writes a regular column for PCMag.com

about his relentless search for the latest techno-bargain. On

the strength of a recommendation from his next-door neigh-

bor, Ben signed up for Voice over IP (VoIP) service from Sun-

Rocket, cutting his bill by a whopping 60 percent.

By Cade Metz Ditch Your Phone Compan Illustration by Daniel Chang y With SunRocket, our Cheap Geek purchased, offers unlimited PC-to-PC move his old phone numbers to his new pays only $199 a year—just under $17 a calls for free. service. Then, just as he fi nally began month—for unlimited local and long- Over 5 million homes will use sub- to use his new service, Sun- distance service. He still has his old scription VoIP services by the end of Rocket undertook a phone numbers, including a main home the year, according to Jon Arnold, the signifi cant number and his wife’s business number, longtime VoIP analyst at independent which uses a different ring on the same research firm Frost & Sullivan. line. And thanks to his brother-in-law, Arnold, who now runs his Eric Fellen, who did a little rewiring in own research network upgrade, Ben’s basement, he still uses the same causing all sorts of per- five telephones, each in its original formance hiccups. Sometimes, the room, plugged into its original phone wouldn’t ring when calls came wall jack. (For step- in. Sometimes, he couldn’t call out. organization, J. Arnold There were even times when the service & Associates, estimates that abruptly shut off in mid-conversation. by the end of the decade that number This went on for days. “It was incredibly will jump to around 20 million. painful,” he says. “Anything that could go wrong did.” Don’t expectby-step VoIP instructions to onbe how as LOOKconvenient BEFORE YOU LEAP and reliable asThe standard problems eventually phone cleared service. up, they set this up, see “The Techie Yet there’s another side to VoIP, a side but sound quality is still variable. If you Way,” our diagram on page 122.) the ads ignore: It’s still a maturing tech- make the switch, don’t expect VoIP to be You can believe the television ads. nology. Though Ben loves the cost sav- as convenient and reliable as standard And the radio spots. And the news- ings, his switch to VoIP hasn’t been phone service. And you have to do your paper fl yers. Switching to VoIP can sig- as smooth as he expected. SunRocket homework. VoIP comes in many differ- nificantly reduce your telephone bill. and Verizon took a month and a half to ent fl avors—from free PC-based services Bypassing standard phone lines, VoIP services route calls over the Internet instead. Some, like Ben’s SunRocket service, use a specialized hardware device Making a VoIP Call that sits between your phones and your broadband connection, while others, in- Vonage-style services begin with a phone; Skype users connect via PC. Either way, calls travel cluding Gizmo Project and Skype, oper- via Internet to the caller’s ISP and VoIP provider. Skype sends calls to local telcos via Internet; ate as PC-based software apps. Vonage-style services route them via WAN. Telcos route calls to recipients via PSTN (public In each case, the government regu- switched telephone network) lines. lates these services as information networks rather voice networks, so they Telephone #1 Headset don’t incur heavy taxes. And since they leverage the Internet’s very public bandwidth, they require relatively little un- Router derlying infrastructure. There are more than a thousand VoIP providers in North America alone, and although few match SunRocket’s $199-a- Skype-equipped year standard rate, most are in the same ATA laptop ballpark. Vonage, the residential market leader with over one million subscribers, Cable/DSL offers unlimited calls anywhere in the modem U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico for $24.99 a month. AOL TotalTalk, which integrates with your PC’s IM client, is nearly as cheap. And Skype, the worldwide VoIP phenomenon that eBay recently

INTERNET

More on the Web ISP VoIP For more news, reviews, and articles provider on Voice over IP services and products, visit us on the Web at go.www.pcmag.com/voip

120 PC MAGAZINE MARCH 7, 2006 www.pcmag.com DITCH YOUR PHONE COMPANY? to polished residential offerings by tra- LINKSYS CIT200 ditional telecom companies like AT&T and cable giants like Comcast and Time INTERNET TELEPHONY KIT Warner—and each can be used in many SKYPE IS HANDY, BUT IT TETHERS YOU TO YOUR COMPUTER. The new different ways. Linksys CIT200 Internet Telephony Kit cuts the cord—for a price. A small You can chose the ridiculously low base station plugs into a USB port on the computer running Skype. One rates of a service like SunRocket, but handset is included, but the kit can support four. It has a speakerphone you might be better off with a more sea- and uses NiMH triple-A rechargeable batteries for 120 hours of standby soned offering at slightly higher prices. time and 10 hours of talk time. You can keep your old phone number The CIT200 has a range of 50 meters indoors and 300 meters out- and continue using your home’s existing doors. Pressing the set’s Skype button links to the client and phones and wiring, as Ben did, but you displays your contact list. Online Skype contacts may be better off with a simpler instal- are displayed first, followed by Sky- lation, with a new number and a new set peOut, then off-line contacts. The of wireless phones. It’s vitally important CIT200 supports all three types. not only to choose the right service but When we made calls using each also to use it correctly. If you don’t, the service, sound quality ranged from hassle may outweigh the savings. “sounds like a cordless phone” to “excellent.”—Sean Carroll THE TECHIE WAY Not surprisingly, our Cheap Geek chose the most diffi cult and challenging means process, but it may require some exper- Unfortunately, of installation and, in hindsight, one of tise, and there are many things that can it doesn’t always the less reliable services. “SunRocket go wrong. work that way, has had serious network problems of Residential VoIP services like Sun- according to late,” Jon Arnold confi rms. Installation Rocket or Vonage require a specialized Yaron Raps, the lead- didn’t cause too many headaches, but device known as an analog telephone ing VoIP expert at BusinessEdge Ben was lucky, and he had help from his adapter, or ATA. You connect your Solutions, an international technology brother-in-law, who as an IT manager broadband Internet cable to the ATA, consultancy. Often, the signal reaches knows the ins and outs of the wiring to and the ATA makes the bridge to your only part of the house. Either your phone be found in old basements. And although traditional phones. jacks aren’t connected in parallel—not SunRocket saves the Cheap Geek more If you like, you can plug phones all jacks are connected to all the other than $50 a month, the ongoing perfor- straight into your adapter, which Sun- jacks—or the ATA doesn’t have enough mance hiccups have him rethinking his Rocket refers to as “the gizmo.” But this power to push a dial tone as far as it decision. means either moving your old phones or needs to go. Ben has fi ve phones in his house: two chucking them out and buying new ones. If your home doesn’t use parallel wir- in the home office, two in the kitchen, Ben liked his phones where they were, ing, you have to connect your ATA at and one in the master bedroom. He likes so he ran a cable from the gizmo to the the point where your analog phone line the phones and he likes the way he’s got nearest wall jack instead. This sent his comes into the house—a task beyond the his jacks arranged, so when he switched VoIP signal streaming throughout his average homeowner, who probably isn’t to SunRocket, he decided to run the home’s existing wiring to all the other comfortable playing with loose cables. service through his home’s existing wall jacks and those fi ve telephones he You might even damage your equip- phone wiring. Sometimes this is a simple likes so much. ment. “It gets particularly dicey when you’ve got an alarm system, which uses the high-end of the current level allowed on an analog phone line,” says Raps. “In PSTN lines many cases, you can easily start a fi re.” Private WAN Even when the wall-jack method works, you still have to find out where your old analog phone line enters the house and disconnect it. Otherwise it might interfere with your VoIP service. This is where Ben needed help from his brother-in-law, who spent an hour sort- ing out the tangled mess of phone wires Local telephone in the basement. (For the gripping de- company tails, see page 122.)

OUR CONTRIBUTORS: Cade Metz is a senior writer at PC Magazine. Eric Fellen is

INTERNET Telephone #2 an IT manager. Features editor Sean Carroll was in charge of this story.

www.pcmag.com MARCH 7, 2006 PC MAGAZINE 121 THE TECHIE WAY If you want to use VoIP via your home’s existing phone wires, jacks, and phones—as Ben did—you must first determine whether you need to replace your analog line, add VoIP as a second line, or just start fresh. Obstacles abound, but if executed properly, the process Getting can be rewarding. Ben’s experience was a worst-case scenario. ?

999-999-9900

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Decide whether you want your VoIP line to coexist with an analog line so that you If you plan to transfer your current number to your new line (known as can access VoIP via your existing two-line phone. You may want to keep a local-number portability), now’s the time to prepare for this month-long (or longer) secondary no-frills analog line for faxes, alarm systems, or emergencies. Ben opted process. Have your current carrier forward incoming calls to your mobile phone or to go this route. the temporary number assigned to your VoIP ATA device.

4 5

Your entrance point, located near your electrical panel, is where the telco phone service Straighten up the wires leading in from the wall jacks. (If what you have is a enters your home. Phone wiring terminates at a small phone block and may have a DC twisted mess, invest $40+ in a multiline punch block and tool available at any power supply. Remove the power supply and disconnect the telco’s input wires. Cap hardware store.) This is a simple procedure done by punching the wires of each each exposed wire end with a red gel-filled phone splice connector. Insert each wire phone cable onto the block to form parallel columns with color-coded into its own connector and crimp closed. connections.

6 7

To keep your existing analog line, punch down the active wire pair from the telco to the corresponding pair of input connections on the punch block. The analog line will be the secondary line, so make sure this pair of wires links to the yellow/black Cap off exposed phone wires with the red gel-filled phone splice connectors. This wiring. You’re reserving the green/red pairs for the VoIP line. includes the telco’s wires from the entrance point.

9 10

Follow the instructions your VoIP provider gave you for installing and adding the Run a single-line phone connection cable from the line-out phone port on your VoIP ATA device to your broadband network. Plug a standard (not cordless) phone ATA to the nearest phone jack. Connect a phone to another wall jack and test into the line-out phone port of the ATA device and test for a dial tone. for a dial tone, call receiving, and call sending.

122 PC MAGAZINE MARCH 7, 2006 www.pcmag.com DITCH YOUR PHONE COMPANY?

THE EASY WAY Moving to VoIP doesn’t have to be painful. If you live in an apartment, the fastest way to go VoIP is to connect a cordless phone directly to your VoIP ATA device. The upside is that you avoid wiring hassles and Connected minimize line noise. The downside is the cost of new cordless phones by Eric Fellen and the inability to connect alarm systems to your VoIP line.

999-999-9900

If you want to transfer your existing phone number to your VoIP line, follow Step 2 in Remove a few wall jacks and study how the wiring is laid out. The green/red pair “The Techie Way” so that you don’t miss any calls. of wires is the primary line, and the yellow/black pair is the secondary. Inspect the main cables to the jacks and make sure they’re not daisy-chained; each jack 2 should have its own cable going directly to your home’s entrance point.

Connect and configure your ATA device to your broadband modem. Once your service is activated, connect a standard phone to the line-out port on the ATA device and see if you can make and receive calls. 3

QoS Enable Disable Upstream Auto 0 Kbps Bandwidth

Device Priority Priority MAC Address Device name Low 00 : 00 : 00 : 00 : 00 : 00

Device name Low 00 : 00 : 00 : 00 : 00 : 00

Tweak your router’s quality of service (QoS). The biggest inherent problem with VoIP is the deterioration of line quality while data is downloaded and uploaded. Adjusting the QoS on your router prioritizes bandwidth for phone calls. 4 8

Test your analog phone line by plugging a two-line phone into your wall jacks and selecting Line 2. You should hear a dial tone and be able to make a phone call. Attach a multi-handset cordless phone system to your ATA device. Make sure to choose a frequency that doesn’t interfere with the frequency of your Wi-Fi router. Look for phone systems that have VoIP-enabled features such as voice mail indicators. We like Uniden’s two-line model, the TRU-8866. 5 911 11 +

You should now be able to connect a phone to any jack in the house and Now that your VoIP installation is completed, talk all you want. Don’t forget to cancel make calls over your new VoIP line. If you can’t, then double-check all your your old phone service once your phone number has been transferred. Last but not wiring. If all else fails, call Ben. least, register your location for 911 emergency services through your VoIP provider.

www.pcmag.com MARCH 7, 2006 PC MAGAZINE 123 DITCH YOUR PHONE COMPANY?

Calling George Jetson Here’s how you can make video VoIP calls, too. If you really want to impress your teamed up to offer $100 webcams that send video calls over friends, use your broadband con- Skype’s VoIP network. nection to make video calls, George For a few dollars more, you can go whole hog and buy a Jetson–style. Most of the big instant- videophone for your kitchen counter. VoIP provider 8x8 offers messaging clients offer PC-to-PC video the Packet8 Broadband VideoPhone (shown below) for around calling: America Online’s AIM, Micro- $150. If you’re not an 8x8 VoIP subscriber, you’ll have to pay soft’s MSN Messenger, and Yahoo! $19.95 a month for service, which includes unlimited video Messenger offer it, as do start-ups Sight- calls and as many voice calls as you like within the U.S. and Speed and Skype. You can even buy a video Canada. Video quality is a decent 30 frames a second, and phone appliance, available from D-Link, 8x8, the screen is about 5 inches diagonal. Motorola, and Viseon, to handle all your Motorola’s Ojo appliance (shown here on the left) sells video VoIP needs without using your PC. for a hefty $600 (though rebates are available), and its With the leading IM clients, you can $15-a-month service doesn’t cover voice calls, though it make unlimited video calls for free, does include video voice mail and caller ID. but you’ll need your own micro- Viseon sells its VisiFone through phone, speakers, and webcam. VoIP providers. Vonage Believe it or not, sound and vid- plans to offer Visi- eo quality is quite good, though Fone early this we’ve found that the voice and year. —CM image are rarely in sync. Another limitation: You can phone only people who use the same client you’re using. SightSpeed goes a step further, letting you send and receive video voice mail and make multiparty calls. The basic service offers free, unlimited one-to- one video calls. Meanwhile, Skype and Logitech have

But the real problem was SunRocket. problem—but only slightly. (This can re- Initially, our Cheap Geek was so im- ally make a difference in quality of ser- pressed with his $17-a-month bargain vice for those who can fi gure it out, but that he recommended the service to since it involves getting under the hood his father. But then the company took and tweaking the settings on your own 45 days to move his old phone numbers particular ATA, and perhaps your rout- easy route with Vonage, the company over. This delayed the entire setup. Be- er, too, you’ll need to do some research that started the VoIP craze back in 2002. cause he had to wait for a month and a on this one.) Ben’s troubles mounted so Having just bought a house in a new area half before he could connect his new quickly, he called his father and told him code, he wasn’t able to keep his old num- voice service to his existing telephones, not to make the switch, but the warning bers anyhow, so he simply went directly he had to maintain his old telephony ser- came too late. to Vonage for a new phone number. And vice all that time. His father’s service, however, has been he chose not to use the home’s existing This was probably just as well. Within almost trouble free. Ben’s father even left wiring. He just bought a phone with the week, SunRocket’s network went his old analog line attached, because he multiple cordless handsets and plugged down. Ben’s neighbor, who had recom- was unable to fi nd where it entered the it straight into his ATA. By distributing mended SunRocket in the first place, house, and he’s relatively pleased with the handsets, he can cover the house was without phone service for three the sound quality. SunRocket may work without using even a single wall jack. days. Then, the day after Ben’s phone swimmingly for some, but at this point The entire installation took less than numbers were fi nally switched over and it’s a greater risk than other services. an afternoon. “I went to Best Buy, bought he canceled his analog line, SunRocket Founded in early 2004, it’s a small com- a Vonage adapter, signed up online for began upgrading its network, and the pany dealing with growing pains. Still, service, plugged everything in, and service started to misbehave. it offers one of the cheapest rates on the half an hour later, I was ready to rock,” Even when the phones were ringing market. When it works, as in the case of he says. And he hasn’t encountered the properly and Ben could readily make and Ben’s father, it can be a terrifi c deal. sort of service interruptions Ben did. receive calls, the sound quality dipped Of course, Vonage has a different pric- periodically. Typically, this happened THE NO-HASSLE METHOD ing structure—$15 a month for 500 min- when his home PCs were being used for If you decide to switch, your experience utes of outbound calls and unlimited surfing. After doing some research, he needn’t be as painful as Ben’s. Eric Fel- inbound service—and the handsets are found a way into his ATA’s management len also made the switch to VoIP. De- extra (some other services, including

console and with a few tweaks eased the spite his technical skills, he took the SunRocket, offer them for free). SIMULATED. PHONE SCREENS VIDEO

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DITCH YOUR PHONE COMPANY?

YAPPERNUT YAPPERMOUSE REMEMBER THE SCENE IN STAR TREK IV where a time-traveling Mr. Scott picks up a mouse and tries to talk to a circa-1986 MacIntosh? YapperNut has made that nerdy dream a real- ity. Well, you can’t actually talk to your computer, but if you have the Yapper- Mouse ($29.95 direct) and the Skype client, you can talk to your friends. YapperMouse is a ﬁ ne 800-dpi optical mouse and a phone as well. When it rings (you can set it to vibrate if you want to keep a low profile), simply pick it up and talk. It’s already connected to your computer and its Skype client via USB, so as long as the computer is set up, you’re ready to go, without having to pack a handset. If you’re self-conscious about talking into a mouse, it’s got a speakerphone, too.—SC

Eric does notice occasional hiccups in chasing your basic broadband Internet When you dial 911 on a standard phone sound quality, even after tweaks in his connection from the same company. line, you’re automatically routed to a live ATA’s management console. This is all And, as with offerings from so-called operator who can instantly check your but unavoidable with services like Von- “pure plays” like SunRocket and Vonage, address. Last year, the FCC demanded age and SunRocket, which make heavy these cable and telecom VoIP services that all VoIP lines offer similar emer- use of the public Internet. “Vonage can’t introduce problems that weren’t an is- gency service by November 30, but this ensure that voice traffi c always gets pri- sue with standard phone lines. While we date has come and gone, and many VoIP ority over data traffi c,” says Jon Arnold. have long admired the service provided providers have yet to comply. Believe it or not, as we spoke to Arnold by cable broadband companies (Opti- This service is referred to as E911 (“E” about this phenomenon, his words began mum Online, for instance, is a perennial for enhanced); check with prospective to jitter. He, too, uses Vonage. “There are Readers’ Choice winner), the one area providers to see if it’s offered. When going to be times when service isn’t that where these local monopolies are most Ben switched to SunRocket, he kept the great. It often depends on how heavily often worthy of criticism is cost. You’re analog line he was using for faxes and at- your PCs are using your broadband con- unlikely to save quite as much money by tached a cheap phone for use in emergen- nections, how many kids you have at going this route. cies. This doubles his monthly costs (to home downloading large fi les.” In any case, with all VoIP services, $34). Another service to look for: Many For some, installing a new VoIP ser- if you lose power, you lose your phone. VoIP providers can, in the event of a net- vice is a walk in the park—even if you Unlike standard telephone lines, VoIP work outage, forward calls to another tap into your home’s old phone wiring, service won’t work in a blackout. To line. SunRocket didn’t offer this service as Ben did. Some don’t mind the echo sidestep this problem, both Ben and when Ben signed up, but it does now. and jitter that occasionally interrupts Eric attached their cables, modems, and services like SunRocket and Vonage. ATAs to uninterruptible power supplies VOIP ON THE CHEAP Some will even put up with the sort of se- (UPS). Unfortunately, the battery in Er- If you’re having second thoughts about rious service interruptions that plagued ic’s UPS died. A few weeks later, while replacing your phone service, you can SunRocket last year. But not everyone is Ben was at work, the house cleaner acci- still benefit from VoIP’s cost savings willing to do so; those who make their dentally pulled the power cord from his without moving to a full-blown residen- living on the telephone may not be able ATA. Neither home could receive calls tial service by keeping your old home to afford it. for most of a day. line and making your long-distance Worried about service interrup- Also, not all VoIP calls over a free service such as Skype. tions and spotty line quality? Opt lines provide reliable Using peer-to-peer networking technol- for service from one of the cable emergency service. ogy, Skype routes calls to and from your behemoths or traditional telephone companies, such as AT&T, Cablevi- sion, Comcast, and Time Warner. These companies employ vast NETGEAR SKYPE WI-FI PHONE armies of technicians who can help NETGEAR PLANS TO GO LINKSYS ONE BETTER with the Netgear with installation. They also typically Skype Wi-Fi Phone (price not announced). You won’t even have to provide more reliable service. “Cable have your PC with you to use Netgear’s phone, as long as you’re near companies and RBOCs own their a wireless hot spot. All you’ll have to do is turn on the phone and own IP networks,” explains Arnold. enter a username and password; then the phone will pull down your “They have more control over their contact list. While units hadn’t begun to ship yet when we went to VoIP services, and their sound quality press, Netgear tells us that its phone will also work with SkypeOut is generally higher.” for calling non-Skype customers and SkypeIn for receiving calls. If your phone is off or you’re out of range of a wireless network WHAT THE ADS DON’T ADVERTISE when a call comes in, Skype voice mail will pick it up. Look for a But even these services have drawbacks. review on www.pcmag.com as soon as the phone becomes avail- Often, you can’t sign up without pur- able, later this year.—SC

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PC by means of a downloadable soft- The Skype network is already 60 mil- recently purchased dedicated VoIP ware application. lion strong. Now that eBay owns Skype companies—Teleo and Dialpad Com- Skype works just fine with basic PC (for which it famously paid over $4 bil- munications, respectively—and both speakers and microphones, but you can lion), its inﬂ uence is likely to grow. And plan on integrating similar VoIP ser- also buy traditional telephone handsets Skype alternatives have begun to crop vices soon. The great compatible with the service. Elsewhere up, adding additional features and capa- in this piece we single out three offerings of Skype-specific hardware, in-

thing about any of these PC-based services is that, if you carry a laptop, you’re With services like Skype, ifbilities, you including carry Gizmoa laptop, Project from you’re also carrying also a phone.carrying a phone. cluding handsets by both Linksys and Internet pioneer Michael Robertson. With VoIP, your options are myr- Netgear and the funky speaker- and What’s more, all the leading IM cli- iad. There’s SunRocket, and there’s microphone-equipped YapperMouse, a ents, including America Online’s AIM, Skype. There’s quick-and-dirty home clever offering from a little-known com- Google Talk, Microsoft’s MSN Mes- installation, and there’s the more company called YapperNut. senger, and Yahoo! Messenger, tie into plicated wall-jack method chosen by The sound quality for Skype and simi- some sort of free software-based VoIP our own Ben Gottesman. Even if you lar services is a step below even services service. Most handle only PC-to-PC do our homework and choose the path like SunRocket and Vonage. And unless calls, but the AIM client—Triton—lets that’s right for you, chances are you’ll you pay for separate services—SkypeIn you dial out to ordinary telephones as still experience a problem or two. But and SkypeOut—that route calls to and well, integrating a full-ﬂ edged new VoIP in the end, as the Cheap Geek will tell from ordinary telephones, you can talk service known as AOL TotalTalk. Not to you, you’ll cut a hefty chunk from your only to other Skype users. be outdone, Microsoft and Yahoo! have monthly phone bill. E

VOICE OVER IP

Optimum y YES o NO AOL AT&T Comcast Nero NetZero Online Packet8 Skype SunRocket Verizon Vonage At retail, free; direct $29.99/ Setup fee $25 Free Free Free $20 Free Free $39.95 $29.99 from AT&T, month $29.99 $18.99/ $19.99/ $39.95/ $9.99/ $19.95/ $14.99/ Local service N/A1 N/A1 N/A1 N/A1 N/A1 month month month month month month $9.95 Free or $18.99/ $19.99/ $39.95/ for 200 $3.95/ $34.95/ $9.99/ $19.95/ $14.99/ Basic plan 2.3 cents/ $199/year month month month minutes of month month month month month minute* U.S. calls $29.99/ $29.99/ $39.95/ $19.95/ $14.95/ $34.95/ $19.99/ $29.95/ $24.99/ Unlimited plan N/A1 $199/year month month month month month month month month month Rates to Canada/Mexi- N/A1/ 2.9–3.9/ N/A1/ 4/7/5 5/9/8 2.9/3–6/2 2/2/2 Free/8/7 2/2/2 Free/3–6/3 3.9/7–9/4 co/UK (cents/minute) 5–10/2 5–10/3–28 6–11/3 Adapter cost $5.00 Free Free N/A2 N/A2 Free Free N/A2 Free Free Free Free in-network calls oyoyyyyyyyy International calling yyyyyyyyyyy User lines supported 1 2 2 2** 1 1 Unlimited 10 2 1 Unlimited Supports Canada/ o oo oo o y oo oo oo oy yo oo oy o Mexico area codes 1 year, €30; Fee for virtual phone $4.99/ $2.95/ $4.99/ $7.95/ $4.99/ N/A1 N/A1 N/A1 N/A1 3 months, Varies*** number month month month month month €10 Accepts 800-number y o y y y o y y o y y calls Teleconferencing lines 3 10 N/A1 33335333

Transfers current yyyyoyyoyyy number Offers “Do not disturb” yyyyyyyyyyo feature Can block international yyyyyyyyyyy calls Offers call hunting oyoyyyyoyoy

Can forward calls dur- yyoyooyyoyy ing network outage Supports name/ yyyyyyyyyyy number caller ID E911 service yyyyoyyoyyy

* Skype-to-Skype calls are free; calls to other phone numbers are 2.3 cents per minute. ** Two lines if you purchase an adapter with two FXS ports (SIPTalk supports multiple lines). *** Free for unlimited and monthly plan members. N/A1—Not applicable: The service doesn’t offer this feature. N/A2—Not applicable: The service doesn’t require an adapter.

130 PC MAGAZINE MARCH 7, 2006 www.pcmag.com Phone service, $199 a year. Phone service, $199 a year. Phone service, $199 a year.

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the tedious alignment chores and imbal- ance problems caused by crack-and-peel Better Ways to labels. If you buy a home ink jet disc printer today, it’s almost certain to be one of these Epson units. Printing directly onto a disc is much Label Your Discs easier than applying a paper label, but even with the relatively straightforward Stop using adhesive labels. There are safer techniques for Epson design, it’s not always a one-step procedure. Since these devices are typi- BY DON LABRIOLA making great-looking CDs and DVDs. cally used to print on paper, you will usually need to configure your unit t is easier than ever to record your manually for disc media by opening the music, movies, and data on CD chassis, folding out a tray receptacle, or DVD, but burning a fl aw- attaching a fl at plastic disc holder, less disc is only half the and then inserting the disc. battle. Figuring out the You will also need to move Ibest way to label your cre- the printer at least 6 inches ation with slick-looking away from the back wall artwork can prove to be in order to give the disc just as much of a chal- holder the room to pro- lenge. trude from the rear of Digital-media the chassis as it slides suites such as Nero under the printhead. 7 Ultra Edition and This procedure Roxio Easy Media takes only a minute Creator 8 have solved when every thing part of the problem works right, but the by providing easy-to- tray- positioning master label-creation mechanism on ear- tools that can import lier Epson units background images, was very finicky. create curved text, and Newer models, such generate track listings and as the Epson Stylus album/artist information. Photo R220 (go.pcmag In the past, you may have .com/epsonr220) that we then printed your design to a used for this article, have a crack-and-peel adhesive label, but similar mechanism, but they in- we can’t recommend this method any corporate subtle tweaks that make longer. These labels look fine, but they job setup easier and more reliable. are tricky to work with and can cause CD-R, DVD+R, DVD-R, and even dual- playback problems or ruin discs and THIS DISC was labeled using an ink jet layer DVD+R DL ink jet–printable blanks drives entirely. (Not to mention that they printer (Epson Stylus Photo R220). are available in most speeds from ven- tend to consume a lot of expensive ink if dors such as Verbatim; they can be pur- you create them with an ink jet printer.) INK JET–PRINTABLE DISCS chased with either fl at white or metallic Instead of using adhesive labels, you’d Ink jet disc printers that spray images silver print surfaces. Media prices have be better off just pulling out a Sharpie directly onto the surface of a disc have dropped dramatically over the past year, and labeling the discs by hand. But existed for most of the decade, but it and although ink jet–printable blanks are there are also several newer and easier took Epson’s recent R-series line of still costlier than conven tional blanks, methods that produce pleasing results general-purpose printers with disc- it’s not hard to fi nd spindles of such discs and are relatively problem-free. Each of printing capabilities to make the tech- that cost only about 10 percent more than these technologies has its unique blend nology affordable for the mass market. similar nonprintable discs. of strengths and weaknesses, which we These devices require special printable Ink jet disc printers produce stun-

will discuss here. CD and DVD media, but they eliminate ning, photorealistic color output in OF WWW.10FIFTY.COM COURTESY BIKING IMAGE MOUTAIN

132 PC MAGAZINE MARCH 7, 2006 www.pcmag.com go.pcmag.com/solutions

136 VISTA 137 SMB BOOT CAMP 138 SECURITY WATCH 139 ASK LOYD 141 ASK NEIL REVEALED Choose the right Don’t let phishing Your hardware Your software/ Adios, Start ﬁ rewall for your catch you questions Internet questions button? business answered answered

just a few minutes and cost little more ate text labels and import artwork cre- than equivalent paper-only printers. ated in other applications. To run a You will need to factor in the price print job, you load a disc into the of ink when calculating your total printer by pressing it onto the printing costs, and you should hub of what looks like an over- remember that, like any ink sized CD player, close the jet image, these discs require printer’s lid, and click the a short drying time and are bundled software’s Print vulnerable to fading and button. The printhead water damage. moves quickly across the Nonetheless, if you are surface of the disc in a already in the market for single pass, and your disc a new color printer, this is done. Ribbons slide out solution can be an af- easily when you want to fordable and hassle-free change colors and, unlike way to create high-quality ink jet cartridges, can be color custom printing on stored and reinserted at a discs. If you prefer another later date without danger of brand of printer for your drying out. general-purpose printing and Most thermal printers can have the space, you may still lay pigment in only one or two want to get the R220 (which goes quadrants of a disc, but you can for $100 street) just for printing on print images along the entire perim- disc media. eter by turning the platter with your hand between multiple print runs. This THERMAL PRINTERS FOR THIS VERSION, we used a thermal procedure works as long as alignment If you can get away with labeling that printer (Primera Signature Z1). isn’t critical, although it is cumbersome. consists of simple monochrome line An alternative is the Primera Signature art and text, a thermal printer will do mal ink is difficult because the ink is Z1 (go.pcmag.com/primeraz1), which the job just as well as any ink jet. These virtually opaque. You will need to align can print images in four areas of the devices lay pigment onto a disc by heat- each color carefully to avoid overlap- disc in a single job, automatically rotat- ing a ribbon of plastic thermal-transfer ping areas, since more than two layers ing the media 90 degrees between each material. The process takes only a few of thermal pigment don’t adhere well to impression. The Z1 can also print both seconds per imprint, and the output the surface of the disc. text and graphics—unlike some com- looks like professionally typeset text. Casio and Primera make thermal- petitors, which output only text. The image is waterproof, dries instant- transfer printers that range from about Thermal printers work with any type ly, and is fairly scratch-resistant. $90 to $140. All include easy-to-use of disc that has a glossy surface, but the The downside of thermal printers is disc-printing utilities that let you cre- best way to ensure consistently solid that their typewriter-like coverage is to use blanks ribbons cover only a small specifically designed for rectangular area on the Direct thermal transfer. Prices disc surface and are limited continue to drop; as we go to one color at a time. Most CD- to press, $40 will buy you manufacturers sell differ- a 100-disc spindle of 48X ent color ribbons, so that Labeling CD-R or a 50-disc lot of 4X Ink jet Thermal Laser theoretically you can print DVD-R thermal-printable printers printers printers a simple multicolor image Methods media with glossy white, in several passes by swap- Blank media cost Low Low Low to moderate silver, or gold surfaces. ping ribbons after each Ribbons are an additional, Hardware cost High High Low run. The process is tedious, though reasonable, ex- however, and requires Printing cost High Moderate None pense. Primera charges careful preparation of your Output quality High Moderate Moderate $20 direct for black, red, artwork. Unlike with semi- Speed Varies Fast Slow green, and blue Signature transparent printing dyes, Z1 cartridges that print Moderate Moderate Easy blending colors with ther- Ease of use exactly 200 impressions

www.pcmag.com MARCH 7, 2006 PC MAGAZINE 133 SOLUTIONS • go.pcmag.com/solutions

DISC-LABELING TIPS Despite its clever use of existing media, than today’s gray-gold discs. DiscT@2 never took off. It required an Media vendors such as Verbatim sell Disc-labeling utilities provide a basic inordinate amount of time to create even LightScribe media in most write-once set of text and graphics tools, but you’ll a small image; it labeled the wrong side single-layer formats, and spindles of 100 get better results if you prepare your of the disc; and—because it recorded the 52X CDs or 50 8X DVDs can be found artwork with an application like Corel- labels onto a CD-R’s data layer—it re- for about $50. Compatible rewriters are Draw or Adobe Photoshop Elements, duced the disc’s storage capacity. Worse, available from a variety of manufactur- then copy it to the labeling software its small, hologram-like images were vis- ers, including LaCie and BenQ. Adding for fi nal layout and printing. Just keep ible—and just barely so—only on higher- LightScribe support to a drive adds little all your artwork within the perimeter contrast dark-blue media. to its price (it primarily entails fi rmware of a 116mm circle and allow room in the modifi cations). center for the hub hole. LightScribe is currently the only game Media does matter, and you may need in town for laser disc labeling, and to try different types of surfaces and it’s a cost-effective choice if you’re brands to fi nd the one best suited to already shopping for a rewriter your printer. Silver ink jet media and can live with low-contrast gives you a metallic, translucent monochrome labels. But effect that is nothing like the Yamaha and Fuji Photo Film satiny-smooth surface of white Co. are expected to intro- blanks, and even a disc’s duce a new version of Disc background color can make a T@2, called Label flash, difference with laser labeling. that will also burn Light- Don’t expect colors to Scribe-class graphics onto match if you switch printer the label side of a disc. La- brands or labeling technol- belflash-compatible NEC ogy partway through a run of DVD rewriters, Nero soft- several discs. Not only do ink jet ware, and Fuji DVD+R and and thermal inks have entirely DVD-R media (CD record- different color characteristics, ing is not supported) have but even with different vendors’ already been announced for formulations of the same ink type, overseas markets, and although color balance and saturation can vary. no domestic release date has been Don’t label discs before recording set, analysts expect the technology to them if you’re using a thermal or ink jet appear here this year. It’s too soon to tell printer. Doing so means that with failed THE GRAPHICS in this version were in- if Labelfl ash will offer signifi cant advan- recordings you’ve lost the cost of the ink scribed by laser, using LightScribe. tages over LightScribe in output quality, as well as the media. performance, or price, but initial reports Take the time to calibrate your disc A far superior laser-labeling process hint that the two will be comparable in printer the fi rst time you use it. You may was introduced last year by Hewlett- many ways. be content with its color balance, print Packard under the name of LightScribe density, and image alignment right out Direct Disc Labeling. Unlike DiscT@2, WHEN ONCE IS NOT ENOUGH of the box, but why not spend 2 minutes LightScribe allows you to burn images If you routinely print batches of several one time to ensure that you get the best anywhere on the label side of compat- dozen discs and are willing to shell out possible results? ible media simply by inserting the disc well over a grand to automate the pro- upside down into a supported drive. cess, consider one of Primera’s Bravo each. (Remember, you may end up us- LightScribe boasts print densities as line of disc-printing workstations. These ing up to four impressions per disc.) high as 1,200 dpi. That is easily suffi- devices integrate a CD or DVD rewriter cient to reproduce high-resolution pho- with a high-resolution ink jet disc printer LASER LABELING tographs. But LightScribe can take more by using a robotic arm to transfer blanks The latest wrinkle in disc printing is than 20 minutes to label a disc, and it pro- from a hopper to the recorder, carry the the use of an optical drive’s laser beam duces low-contrast grayish monochrome recorded discs to the printer, and then to burn images onto the surface of disc output that lacks true blacks and tends to stack them in an output tray. The result media. The first such technology was fade over time. (Hewlett-Packard esti- is a mini assembly line that can burn and Yamaha Corp.’s DiscT@2 (pronounced mates that LightScribe labels can last up label up to 25 discs with a single click. “disc tattoo”) process, which was intro- to fi ve years, but they may begin fading (Bill Machrone checked out the lat- duced four years ago with the company’s in as little as nine months if exposed to est disc-labeling technologies at CES; CRW-F1 CD rewriter. DiscT@2 used the constant light.) Some of these problems for his observations, see his column on drive’s laser to inscribe text and simple may be addressed early this year with the page 95.) graphics onto those areas of a conven- introduction of faster-burning second- tional CD-R disc’s dye- recording layer generation media with brightly colored Don Labriola is a contributing editor that weren’t being used to store data. surfaces that provide greater contrast of PC Magazine.

134 PC MAGAZINE MARCH 7, 2006 www.pcmag.com MPC recommends Microsoft® Windows® XP Professional.

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©2005 MPC Computers, LLC (“MPC” or “Seller”). MPC is not responsible for omissions or errors in typography or photography. All offers are subject to availability. Prices and specifications may change without notice; prices do not include shipping, handling or applicable taxes, unless specifically required under contract. Seller's return policy does not include return freight and original shipping/handling charges, and a restocking fee may be charged. All return and warranty periods begin from date product is shipped. All sales are controlled by Seller's current terms and conditions of sale and limited warranty, copies of which are available on Seller's website or from its sales representatives. On-site service is provided at sole discretion of MPC. A qualifying diagnostic determination must be made by MPC prior to on-site service (if any). On-site service is provided by a third-party service provider under a separate contract between you and the service provider. Advertised configurations may differ from award-winning configurations. Intel, Intel Inside, Intel Inside logo, Intel Centrino, Intel Centrino logo, Celeron, Intel Xeon, Intel Speedstep, Itanium, Pentium and Pentium III Xeon are trademarks or registered trademarks of Intel Corporation or its subsidiaries in the United States and other countries. Microsoft and Windows are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. Other product names herein are for identification purposes only and may be trademarks of their respective companies. 1. All hard drive sizes calculated with 1GB equal to 1 billion bytes. 2. MPC 56K modems capable of receiving downloads at up to 56Kbps and sending at up to 31.2Kbps. Due to FCC regulations on power output, receiving speeds are limited to 53Kbps. Actual speeds may vary. 3. 52X = 52X max./17X min. 48X=48X max./17X min. 24X = 24X max./10X min. 8X DVD = 8X max./1X min. SOLUTIONS • go.pcmag.com/vistago.pcmag.com/solutions VISTA REVEALED

J CLICK ON All Programs and you’ll ﬁ nd a major organizational change: Instead of appearing in cascading menus, programs are collected in a scrolling hierarchical view that we think is much easier to navigate.

K LOG-OFF and shutdown options are reorganized as well. Pressing the orange power button immediately invokes a suspend mode in which the PC uses little power but can still resume almost immediately. The system state also gets saved to disk, and after a user- defi nable period of time, full hibernation powers the machine down. L THE START MENU, like other components of the Windows shell, takes K THE START SEARCH BOX at the bottom advantage of graphics capabilities avail- gives you another way to fi nd programs or able in Vista’s Aero Glass mode (which documents quickly. Start typing a search requires high-performance 3-D graphics term and Vista will replace the list of pro- hardware). These capabilities include grams with a list of matching applications transparency—notice how the desktop is and documents that gets further refi ned partially visible through the gray portion as you continue typing. Microsoft says of the menu—and subtle shading and that search will ultimately cover docu- animation effects. ments’ full text and metadata. A New Start for Windows Vista Farewell, Start button . It’s about time! BY JOHN CLYMAN into an unlabeled graphical button with a Windows logo on it. Click on the button—or press the Windows key on a f there’s one change that’s bound to the company used the Rolling Stones’ keyboard—and the Start menu expands. strike you when you first see Win- “Start Me Up” to promote Windows 95, But this menu, too, has changed in strik- I dows Vista, it’s the absence of the where the Start button debuted? (We’ll ing ways from Windows XP. Here’s what familiar Start button—the most emblem- refrain from speculating on the wisdom the Start button and menu looked like atic representation of Microsoft Win- of choosing a tune whose lyrics include in build 5270 of Windows Vista, a late- dows after the Windows logo itself. In the line “You make a grown man cry.”) 2005 release with an interface that’s not the past, Microsoft went all out to raise The Start button hasn’t actually dis- yet final, but which certainly hints at the button’s profi le: Who can forget how appeared in Vista, it’s just been changed Microsoft’s intentions.

136 PC MAGAZINE MARCH 7, 2006 www.pcmag.com go.pcmag.com/smbbootcamp • SOLUTIONS SMB BOOT CAMP

and options bring complications. It’s important to understand what you’re try- Business Body Armor ing to protect, and from whom. First list all services your users need to access. All sorts of enemy combatants want to penetrate your Examples include Web sites, e-mail network, but you can turn attacks aside with the right servers, FTP servers, IM, and remote access. A fi rewall can fi lter each service combo of hardware and tactics. BY MATTHEW D. SARREL based on the port number (a method of addressing services on a specific PC) it uses and the IP address of the source very day your network and/or destination. Com- is subjected to a bar- How a Firewall Works mon port numbers are 80 for E rage of threats. You HTTP, 23 for Telnet, 21 for need protection. FTP, and 25 for SMTP. Web page Web The most common threat request 80 server The safest way to build an is the virus, a program that access control list is to start infi ltrates your network and by denying all traffic, then computer camoufl aged as an permit services port by port. e-mail attachment that you For example, allow traffi c on

open, which then self-repli- E-mail port 25 to leave your network cates inside your computer. 25 Mail only if it’s headed for your server Trojans enter through seem- e-mail server’s IP address. ingly innocuous applications If you provide internal ser- or data fi les, then, when acti- vices that are accessed by the vated by a remote program, outside world, such as a Web seize command of your sys- page or e-mail server, rules Trash tem. Worms replicate and Hacker 139 become more complicated. spread themselves, finding If your firewall has a DMZ vulnerable machines and in- (demilitarized zone) port, fi ltrating their defenses—often lying in main fi lters, letting you block traffi c to then connect these services to it. This wait to launch a distributed denial-of- specific sites. More sophisticated fire- will isolate the exposed services from service (DDoS) attack. walls let you create complex rules. the internal network. If the firewall Each of these puts your corporate and A step up from the SPI fi rewall is the lacks a DMZ port, then it should allow personal information at risk, and no ma- deep packet inspection (DPI) firewall. port forwarding, a process by which all rine wants his network to be the launch- DPI examines a packet’s contents in addi- traffi c for a particular service is forced ing point for a DDoS. Every machine in tion to the header inspection performed to a single internal IP address. your business needs to be protected; the by SPI firewalls. By examining packet Writing fi rewall rules is less compli- fi rst line of defense is the fi rewall. contents, DPI can detect and prevent cated than it sounds; once you have a But how much fi rewall do you need— many types of attack: denial-of-service few under your belt, you’ll get the hang a hundred dollars’ worth, or several (DoS), buffer overflow, IP masking at- of it. If you don’t, or if the whole process thousand? At a bare minimum, a fi rewall tacks, and some worms. As cost increas- sounds too intimidating, call in the ma- must contain a stateful packet inspec- es, fi rewalls become more like security rines—professional tech support. tion (SPI) engine, which examines the appliances, with built-in antivirus, anti- content of packets and grants access to spyware, and virtual private networks. Matthew D. Sarrel is a consultant and your network only if the traffi c appears The less expensive the firewall, the former PC Magazine Labs technical legitimate. easier it is to set up; money buys options, director. Firewalls can also block inappropriate inbound and outbound traffi c based Know Your Firewalls on rules or fi lters. Internet Protocol (IP) fi ltering, for example, can block employ- Cost Employees Features Examples ees behind the firewall from access- $50–$150 1–10 Network address translation (NAT), SPI, D-Link DI-604, Linksys Wireless-G single WAN port, wireless options WRT54G ing or receiv ing mail from specific IP addresses. Also, traffi c can be blocked $500–$1,500 20–50 As above plus VPN, DPI, antivirus, antispy- EmergeCore IT-100, ServGate Edge- ware, intrusion detection, intrusion preven- Force M30, SonicWall SOHO3, Symantec based on your network card’s unique tion, content fi ltering, multiple WAN ports Gateway Security 300 Series

identiﬁ er, called a MAC (media access $2,000–$4,000 50 + As above plus higher throughput, increased Astaro Security Gateway 220, Fortinet control) address. Many firewalls can scalability, redundancy, application proxies FortiGate 200A, ServGate EdgeForce control traffic using keyword and do- M100

www.pcmag.com MARCH 7, 2006 PC MAGAZINE 137 SOLUTIONS • go.pcmag.com/securitywatch SECURITY WATCH

DON’T GET HOOKED Caught by Phish Four steps to help protect yourself from phishing attacks. Falling prey to online identity theft takes only a few min- 1) Don’t click on a link in an e-mail to utes, but the cost can be high. BY ROBERT LEMOS get to a Web site that asks for personal information. Enter the name of the Web site into your browser yourself. ll it takes to lose your identity is 70 percent of the recipients believe the 2) Check the URL in the browser’s to lower your guard online for e-mail is from a legitimate company. address bar when you’re prompted A a few minutes. “Jack” did just While online theft still accounts for for personal information. While some that. A self-described Internet user of only a small percentage of the overall phishing attacks can display valid- middling knowledge, Jack—who asked identity-theft problem, the numbers are looking addresses for sites, most can’t. that we not use his real name—received rising quickly as more people buy, sell, 3) Look for the padlock icon in the an e-mail message claiming that a new or bank online. browser’s lower right corner. This e-mail address had been added to his The most common technique involves usually means it’s authentic. A padlock family’s PayPal account. Believing that hiding the linked address of the Web on the Web page itself means nothing, someone had gained unauthorized site behind offi cial-looking text. The at- however. access, Jack followed the link in the tacks—like the one Jack encountered— 4) Never give out your Social Security e-mail and answered a slew of questions rely mainly on social engineering and number to verify your identity. SSNs about his identity “for verifi cation.” stolen graphics to fool users. should be used only for tax identifi ca- The site mimicked PayPal’s Web Using techniques borrowed from ma- tion. No one should ask for the full pages so closely that Jack even gave up licious hackers, phishers are becoming number to check your identity. his checking account's routing number. harder to detect. Some use fl aws in the However, that question bothered him. official Web site of a bank or financial “I kept thinking, ‘Why would they ask institution to redirect a user to a mali- er and see that address displayed while being directed to a spoof controlled by the attacker. In such a case, only inter- cepting the original Trojan horse with your antivirus software or recognizing that the fraudulent site lacks verifi cation (something that might be beyond the average user) can save you.

MOUSING OVER a link reveals a phishing attack's hook—an ofﬁ cial-looking button that leads to a fraudulent site.

for my checking account?’” Jack said. An cious Web page run by online fraud- Software tools made to protect users hour later, he called PayPal and learned sters. The phishing e-mail recipient sees do exist. Many antispam providers make he’d fallen for a phishing attack. an offi cial-looking URL in the message. antiphishing software part of their so- Jack had joined the millions of people The only way to detect this sort of attack lutions. Future Mozilla browsers and who’ve fallen prey to online fraudsters. is to recognize that the address contains Micro soft’s Internet Explorer 7 will dis- In the past year, the number of phishing a redirect—or to look in the address bar play a green OK status for legitimate sites attacks has nearly doubled, according of the browser at the fi nal site. and a red status for phishing sites. to data collected by the Anti-Phishing Other attacks, however, are eliminat- The best solution today is to remain Working Group, an industry coalition. ing even these telltale signs. In one ver- vigilant. Be suspicious of any e-mail that The annual Online Safety Study (www sion, the victim’s local directory of Web warns you of unauthorized activity or .staysafeonline.org) found that almost site addresses is corrupted by a Trojan purports to be from a bank or fi nancial 25 percent of Americans online receive horse that the attacker has somehow institution. Credit reports should be a phishing scam every month and about gotten the victim to run. The local di- checked annually, if not more often. rectory, also known as a HOSTS fi le, can Be alert. Don't be Jack. KEEP YOURSELF SAFE! Subscribe to our then associate specific Web sites with Security Watch newsletter and get the IP addresses of servers run by the Robert Lemos is a freelance technology up-to-date info on the latest threats attacker. The end result: A victim may journalist and the editor-at-large for delivered to your inbox automatically: enter bankofamerica.com into the brows- SecurityFocus. go.pcmag.com/securitywatchletter.

138 PC MAGAZINE MARCH 7, 2006 www.pcmag.com go.pcmag.com/askloyd • SOLUTIONS ASK LOYD

Multiple Drives: mance. But you need a minimum of four ATI has recently started shipping its RAID 0 or 1? drives. Using our hypothetical 200GB hard CrossFire dual-graphics-card technology. I’m planning on replacing my single drive drive, four 200GB drives would look like Unlike SLI, CrossFire communicates via with two identical drives, and plan on us- one 400GB drive. the DVI port; you daisy-chain two cards ing RAID. I’ve heard that RAID 0 is faster, What you choose to use depends on via a DVI pass-through cable. Also, Cross- but RAID 1 is safer. Which should I use? your needs. If you’re at all nervous about Fire requires that one of the cards be a losing data, then RAID 1 may be a better special “CrossFire Edition” card, which Many modern PC systems and mother- bet. RAID 5 is a good combination of speed has an extra chip on board that acts as a boards can now support RAID (redundant plus data security, but does require three compositing engine to combine the differ- array of inexpensive disks). For example, hard drives. If all you care about is raw ent parts of the scene being rendered by new Intel-based systems which use the performance, then RAID 0 may be fi ne. each card. ICH7-R I/O controller hub can have drives Both nVidia’s technology and ATI’s can set up as single drives, RAID 0, RAID 1, Multiple Video Cards synchronize the two cards’ data in one of RAID 5 and RAID 10. How do SLI and CrossFire work? two ways. One method, known as scissor- RAID 0 really isn’t RAID—there’s no ing or split-frame rendering, divides the redundancy at all. RAID 0 stripes data These are technologies that enable two frame into two parts; across two (or more) drives to maximize graphics cards to work in concert to one card read and write performance. The different render a single scene. Since 3D graphics drives split up the read or write portions of is a highly parallelizable the data in order to improve throughput. So two identical drives—200GB, say—are combined to look like a single 400GB drive. If one drive fails, you lose all your data from both drives. RAID 0 requires at least two drives. RAID 1 is purely redundant drives. In our example above, a pair of 200GB drives would look like a single 200GB drive. The data is mirrored on both drives. Write performance is a little slower, renders the because you’re duplicating every disk IN QUADSLI, FOUR top part, the other write across two separate drives. Read nVidia graphics cards the bottom. In the other— performance can actually be a little are yoked together to sup- AFR, or alternate frame render- faster, because the reads can be split port ultrafast gaming. SLI and ing—one card renders the current frame up so that one drive reads one part of a CrossFire are also used by 3D artists while the other renders the next frame. fi le, while the other drive reads another for faster rendering of their work. ATI can also use a method, called “super- part. RAID 1 requires two drives. tiling,” which splits the scene into many RAID 5 needs three drives at a mini- computing problem, adding more GPUs small chunks and divides them between mum. The data is striped across the can increase performance substantially. the cards. drive, as with RAID 0, but additional The old 3dfx was actually the fi rst com- Dell recently announced it will ship parity data is also striped across the pany to support multiple graphics cards. a system, the XPS Renegade gaming drive. This parity stripe contains check- 3dfx invented SLI—scan line interleave— PC, that supports quadSLI—four nVidia sum information on the data written. which allowed two Voodoo2 cards to GPUs working together. (See the story at If a single drive fails, the data on the work together. nVidia was the fi rst com- go.pcmag.com/quadsli.) failed drive can be reconstructed from pany out of the chute to support dual PCI By the way, dual graphics cards can the parity stripe. A RAID 5 device can Express graphics cards. nVidia’s version also be used without SLI or CrossFire survive the failure of one drive at a time, of SLI—which the company spelled out to drive multiple displays. Also, SLI or as long as time is taken to rebuild the “scalable link interface”—required you CrossFire can be used by professional 3D data fully from the failed drive with a to install two cards with identical GPUs. artists to help speed up previews of work replacement. RAID 5 read and write per- Currently, SLI works only in motherboards in progress—these technologies are not formance is much faster than RAID 1, but using nVidia chipsets. The two cards must just for gamers. a little slower than RAID 0. Three 200GB synchronize the data in the scene being drives would appear as 400GB (200GB rendered. Most nVidia cards add an ExtremeTech.com’s editor Loyd Case is used for the parity stripe). additional connector between the tackles your toughest hardware problems RAID 10 takes a set of RAID 1 volumes two cards to help facilitate the data each issue. Send him yours at and stripes those for increased perfor- synchronization. [email protected].

www.pcmag.com MARCH 7, 2006 PC MAGAZINE 139 No contract. No overages. No monthly bills.

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Schedule a Task for Idle Time at once: By observation, the task sched- Formatted Excel Date For years I’ve sought a way to schedule uler won’t do that, even if the computer Within Text a task to run whenever my computer remains idle. But do realize that this task I want to calculate a date from some is idle. I’ve asked several people at may run several times a day, depending on cells and then combine it with literal text Microsoft, but nobody had a good how much the computer is idle. in another cell. If I enter something like answer. I thought I’d be forced to =”Totals thru “ & MAX(C21:C100), the rewrite a “screen saver” or at least hook How to Give Away a Computer sult doesn’t display correctly. I get some- into that API. But no, this functional- How many home computers can I use thing like Totals thru 38463, when what I ity has been built into Windows since with any single purchased and licensed really want is something like Totals thru at least Windows 98! The secret: Microsoft Windows operating system April 21, 2005. How can I do this? • Double-click on My Computer. that’s registered to an individual? What JARHTMD (VIA PCMAG.COM) • Double-click on Scheduled Tasks. if I resell, trade, or • Double-click on Add Scheduled Task. give away the old • Use the wizard to schedule computer? I know your task (defrag, antivirus scan, it would be prudent or whatever) to run daily. to delete any per- • Check the box titled Open ad- sonal fi les, but do vanced properties for this I need to uninstall task when I click Finish. the operating • Click Finish. system? What if I • Click the Schedule tab near the want to give a PC to top of the dialog that pops up. a school or charity? • Pull down Schedule Task list. How does that fi t • Choose When idle. into the picture? • Click OK. K. TIPPER That’s it. Now the task will run when the computer is idle. Microsoft has BRUCE BLODGETT always licensed the Windows operating TO DISPLAY a date combined with literal text, convert it using If you don’t already have some tasks system for exactly the TEXT() function, specifying the format mask you prefer. scheduled, you can start by clicking the one PC. Starting with Start button and selecting Programs | Windows XP, the company has put teeth First, you’ll need to determine the format Accessories | System Tools | Scheduled into that policy. An activation process links mask corresponding to the date format Tasks. When you choose the When idle the licensed copy of the OS to the specifi c you want. The easiest way is to start with scheduling option, you have to specify PC, and if you don’t activate it within a a cell that contains a date that’s format- just how long the computer must be idle month or so, it stops working. Installing ted that way. Right-click the cell, choose before the task kicks into action. Don’t the same OS and license on a different PC Format Cells, click the Number tab, and worry about launching multiple instances and activating it there will deactivate it on select Custom in the Category list at left. the original PC. Now highlight the text in the box titled If you want to give away a computer Type and copy it to the clipboard. It will and still keep your copy of the operating look something like mmmm d, yyyy. system, that should not be a problem. But Now go back to the cell where you want you can do both yourself and the people to display a date combined with literal you are giving the machine to a favor by text. The TEXT() function will convert that wiping all data from the hard drive before date into text using whatever format mask donating it. You’ll avoid giving away you specify. In the example shown above, personal information that may be buried it might look like this: =”Totals thru “ & in different places on the computer. And TEXT(MAX(C21:C100), “mmmm d, yyyy”). the recipients will be spared the disap- Of course, you can use this technique to pointment of thinking they have a working format any type of data in combination with operating system only to lose it when you literal text. activate the OS on your new machine. For more information on what to keep in mind Each issue, PC Magazine’s software USING WINDOWS, you can schedule when you’re planning to give away a com- expert Neil J. Rubenking answers your tasks to run when your computer has puter, see “Before You Give Away Your Old toughest software and Internet problems. been idle for a specifi ed length of time. PC” at go.pcmag.com/oldpc. Send yours to [email protected].

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www.pcmag.com MARCH 7, 2006 PC MAGAZINE 151 go.pcmag.com/gaming-culture GAMING + CULTURE

STOMP AT YOUR LEISURE The Warriors game has brutal hand-to-hand combat.

Connecticut Senator Joe Lieberman introduced a bill, the Protect Children Rated V from Video Game Sex and Violence Act, that would have made the sale of violent video games to children under the age of 18 a federal crime. And as recorded by the Child-Responsible for Media Campaign, more than 28 states have attempted to restrict the sale of violent video games to minors. Hot Coffee sparked a very public denouncement by New York senator Hillary Clinton, who claimed that Violence Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas is stealing the innocence of children. In the aftermath of all this press, Illi- nois governor Rod Blagojevich signed the Safe Games Illinois Act; it fines Legislation retailers up to $1,000 for selling sexu- against video ally explicit or violent video games to minors. The act also requires explicit- games is content warnings. Last October, California governor ramping up. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed a similar video-game bill. Taken in total, all BY MARY JANE IRWIN, 1UP.COM the legislation against video games questions the very legitimacy of ESRB ratings. According to the National Institute on Media and the Family, video games are in dire need of ratings enforcement. Although the Entertainment Software Alliance (ESA) maintains on its Web site that parents are involved in 83 percent of all game rentals and purchases, NIMF found that only 40 percent of parents understand what ESRB ratings mean, and only 53 percent use them as buying guides. Coinciding with NIMF’s findings he former runt of the entertain- emerged as an especially volatile issue was the announcement of Clinton and ment industry has grown into for two reasons: the possibility that Lieberman’s proposed Family Enter- T a multibillion-dollar giant. But children may play it, and the suggestion tainment Protection Act, which would the ﬁ ght to have video games regarded that the Entertainment Software Rat- have the federal government regulate as acceptable entertainment is continu- ing Board’s rating system is not reliable. game ratings. “It would ensure that ally threatened. “Video games cause The Hot Coffee Easter egg, unlockable children can’t buy games the video- reclusiveness,” parents taunt. And poli- only by a downloadable user-created game industry itself has determined ticians chant, “Video games are why patch or a game-hacking device, lets inappropriate for them,” says a state- kids are learning how to kill.” gamers direct main character Carl ment from Clinton. Hot Coffee—the oft-talked-about sex Johnson through sex acts. Meanwhile, there is an Alabama civil minigame buried within the code for Criticism of violence and explicit suit that charges video-game makers Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas—has content in games is on the rise. In 2002, and sellers with abetting the murder

152 PC MAGAZINE MARCH 7, 2006 www.pcmag.com TOP 10 l MOST POPULAR GAMES

ELECTROPLANKTON 1 Art and music collide in a water-based world. GRAND THEFT AUTO: SAN ANDREAS 2 Los Santos, San Andreas. Who would want to return there? BIG BIZ TYCOON 2 3 Design and build an entire ofﬁ ce. Or . . . you’re ﬁ red! GRAND THEFT AUTO NEXT 4 It launches when the PS3 does, but there’s already a buzz. PQ: PRACTICAL INTELLIGENCE QUOTIENT 5 Graphical puzzles in a virtual world. See if you’re a dope!

IS HE JUST PLAYING DEAD? Shooter ANIMAL CROSSING: WILD WORLD games have increasingly fi lled with gore. 6 Chat with wacky villagers, catch fi sh, invite your friends. DEAD OR ALIVE 4 of two police officers and a police dis- 7 Carve out the cutting edge in fi ghting experiences. patcher in Fayette, Alabama, in 2003. 20-year-old Devin Moore, convicted of WIPEOUT PURE the triple homicide, was sentenced to 8 It’s the year 2197. Race to survive. Don’t blink. death in October—after Fayette County CASTLEVANIA DOUBLE PACK Circuit Judge James Moore disallowed 9 Solve mysteries and escape disaster—within Dracula’s world. the cornerstone of his defense, which claimed that Devin Moore’s addiction to MYTHIC BLADES Grand Theft Auto inspired the killings. 10 3D fi ghting game. Are you Legendary Hero or Terrifying Monster?

Despite the court’s decision, victims’ Source: Gametab.com, ranked by Gametab’s online buzz meter. families are suing Sony, Take-Two and Rockstar Games (the game’s publisher and developer), the retailers GameStop and Wal-Mart, and Devin Moore, claim- MOD WORLD ing that each had a role in the deaths. In a recent interview on video-game violence, Silicon Knights President Denis Dyack declared that “the industry has already started being careful about how things are done. It always wants to create responsible content.” FROM THE LOOKS of Meanwhile, nobody has conclusively this thing, you’d think determined if there is a link between 19-year-old Nicholas violent video games and violent Falzone was a pro at behavior. case modding. Well, Trying times await the video-game not only is this his fi rst industry. Desperate to mature and computer mod, it’s also be taken seriously, it overlooked the the fi rst computer he’s pains of growth. The issues of ESRB built from scratch. legitimacy and the potential federal What’s the rig inside, regulation proposed by the Family you ask? It’s an AMD Entertainment Protection Act loom Athlon 64 system, large. The outcome of the current liti- of course. There’s a gation and pending legislation will dic- complete slide show tate, at least short-term, the future of at Extremetech.com, explicit gaming content. And the video- PC Magazine’s do-it- game industry’s reaction and evolution yourself sister site: will determine whether it can finally go.extremetech.com/ ignore the names that its opposition zenmod. labels it with. ON THE ITEM: ITEM: ITEM: How ’bout That’s an original Speaking of light AUCTION a Fernandes Star Wars light sabers, that’s a BLOCK Storm Trooper saber—fi red by Yoda PSP skin. No You never know what guitar? R2-D2, no less. wrinkles! kind of booty is on EBAY PRICE: EBAY PRICE: EBAY PRICE: the block. $999 $5,200 $10.99

www.pcmag.com MARCH 7, 2006 PC MAGAZINE 153 Still printing at home? Now there's a better way.

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Feel frustrated with your personal attempts at space exploration? Take Celestron’s $399 SkyScout Personal Planetarium for a space- walk. It was one of the award-winners at the recent Consumer Electronics Show. SkyScout instantly identiﬁ es over 6,000 objects in the night sky—from planets to constellations. Built-in GPS sensors know precisely where you are and what you’re pointing at, be it comet or constellation. Aim it toward Mars and hit the Target button, and you can get scientiﬁ c information about Mars via text or audio. Select Mars from the menu and move the device around, and it will tell you when you’re on target. You can update the database to add comets or spacecraft—or even E.T. if you spot him.—Sebastian Rupley EYE ON THE SKY

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www.pcmag.com MARCH 7, 2006 PC MAGAZINE 155 BACKSPACE

MAYBE YOU HAVEN’T MADE A LIP-SYNC VIDEO YET…BUT YOU WILL Edited by Don Willmott

<< Oswego Hospital’s << Well, if you’ve got to memory lane error do Multi-Physics Finite message. Can anyone Element Analysis, we ID that system? agree that the easy way is probably best! (PDE Solutions ad)

>> High-level verbiage? Hey, just like PC Magazine! (Lenovo.com)

<< Yes, that computer deﬁ nes sexy . . . << Somebody circa 1995. (DeVry get that donkey University) a laptop! (donkeyrescue.org)

>> Arrr! Protect yer network, me hearties!! (ZipZoomFly.com)

<< Time waster alert! Visit iﬁ lm.com’s Viral Video section to feast your eyes on an endless array of wacky shorts, including this one of two talented Chinese teens << Backspace who enthusiastically lip- on the Road: sync to The Backstreet Boys’ Dublin, “I Want It That Way.” Ireland

If your entry is used, we’ll send you a PC Magazine T-shirt. Submit your entries via e-mail to [email protected] (attachments are welcome) or to Backspace, PC Magazine, 28 E. 28th St., New York, NY 10016-7940. Ziff Davis Media Inc. shall own all property rights in the entries. Winners this issue: Ken Bevan, Keith Brooks, Woody Feffer, Dave Franek, Peter Mossel, David Shan, and Nathaniel Wood-Cohan.

PC Magazine, ISSN 0888-8507, is published semi-monthly except monthly in January and July at $44.97 for one year. Ziff Davis Media Inc, 28 E. 28th St., New York, NY 10016-7940. Periodicals postage paid at New York, NY 10016-7940 and at additional mailing ofﬁ ces. POSTMASTER: Address changes to PC Magazine, P.O. Box 54070, Boulder, CO 80328-4070. The Canadian GST registration number is 865286033. Publications Mail Agree- ment No. 40009221. Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to P.O. Box 503, R.P.O. West Beaver Creek, Richmond Hill, ON L4B 4R6, Canada. Printed in the U.S.A.

156 PC MAGAZINE MARCH 7, 2006 www.pcmag.com