Asus rolls out HDMI-enabled EAX1600PRO / EN7600GT graphics cards

Asus is no stranger to kicking out curious motherboards and other peripherals that we geeks just can't help but love, and following up on its undertaking of auxiliary displays and the AquaTank PCI card is a couple of swank new video cards that tout an HDCP-friendly HDMI port. The half-height ATI Radeon X1600 EAX1600PRO was apparently crafted with the common HTPC builder in mind, as its diminutive size lends itself to becoming a perfect fit for those tight spaces within AV-like media center PC cases. But before you gamers get too excited, you should probably know that in-game performance is likely to be less than stellar, but HotHardware did note that its model wasn't shy when overclocked. Interestingly, this HTPC-centric card comes bundled sans a true HDMI-to-HDMI cable, which leaves us all a bit miffed considering the niche it's trying to appease. The EN7600GT ups the ante by delivering the frame rate luxuries as only an NVIDIA GeForce 7600 can, but its full-height design will definitely cause problems in slimmer enclosures. Other extras found on this device are its SLI-capabilities, DVI / S-video outputs, and optical audio jack, but considering it packs just 256MB of GDDR3 RAM, the hardcore gamers in the crowd are still not likely to find themselves impressed. Still, with the EAX1600PRO ringing up at just around a cool hundred, and the more powerful EN7600GT asking just about twice that, these here cards look to be solid options if you're just getting around to creating your own HTPC.

Via Engadget

ZoneAlarm Internet Security Suite 7.0

Check Point's new ZoneAlarm Internet Security Suite 7.0 significantly improves on the 6.0 version we reviewed almost a year ago in our security suite roundup, "All-in-One Security." Parent company Check Point has replaced the mediocre CA antivirus engine that it licensed from CA with a much better one from Kaspersky Labs, and the result is a high-performance suite whose only weakness is its antiphishing protection.
Core components includes antivirus, antispyware, and antiadware protection, courtesy of the Kaspersky engine, as well as the house-developed network firewall and the OSFirewall, a supplemental layer of protection that detects and blocks suspicious changes (caused by malware) to key areas of the system.
In performance tests conducted by AV-Test.org, the Kaspersky engine performed well, detecting 98.3 percent of backdoor programs, 97 percent of bots, and 99 percent of Trojan horses thrown at it. It also spotted a solid 74 percent of adware samples. For its part, the OSFirewall detected a similarly solid 80 percent of network and e-mail worms based on their behavior alone, without benefit of a signature file to identify each one. The suite detected all pieces of malware that AV-Test.org hid within common compressed file formats, and the firewall blocked all attacks from inside and outside the PC. Also, AV-Test.org found that this version of the Kaspersky engine, which is responsible for updating the software's virus signatures, responded in less than 2 hours, on average, to newly discovered threats--an extremely fast response time.
The suite's on-access scanner did fail to detect the PP97M/Tristate.C macro virus, which targets Microsoft Office 97 files, however. AV-Test.org reports that Kaspersky's own version of its virus engine did identify this threat, which suggests that the problem relates to Check Point's implementation of it. While most security companies rate this virus as a low-risk threat, ZoneAlarm's overlooking of it came as a surprise.
The ZoneAlarm suite is easy to use, with clear explanations of each decision you have to make, a big one being the level of security you want to establish. This year, the suite offers an Auto-learn mode. Though this mode initially lowers security to invoke fewer pop-up alerts, once it understands the applications it should trust, it cranks the security level back up for any activity it doesn't recognize. The Auto-learn mode was pleasantly quiet to begin with, but then the suite started popping up repeated alerts for legitimate application activity (such as my Trillian and Lotus Notes programs) that it should have recognized.
ZoneAlarm offers most of the usual suite extras. Its Privacy section selectively blocks Web site cookies, advertisements, and embedded objects and scripts. Its instant messaging security protects users of AOL, ICQ, MSN, and Yahoo services from bad links and attachments, though it added so many warnings to my outgoing IM messages that I turned it off. Spam protection, provided through MailFrontier, adds a configurable toolbar to Outlook and Outlook Express. Parental controls block sites included on Check Point blacklists along with unknown sites identified via effective dynamic analysis. The Vista version of this product is expected to arrive in the second quarter of 2007, and ZoneAlarm customers within the one-year subscription window will be able to upgrade to it for free.
Noticeably missing from the suite is an antiphishing toolbar--the suite lacks anything capable of instantly blocking known phishing sites. (You can download free tools such as McAfee's SiteAdvisor to warn you against suspect Web sites.) However, ZoneAlarm does provide other, less effective Web protection. The myVault tool prevents information--such as social security, credit card, and password digits--from leaving your PC, but it requires you enter the information (encrypted if you want) first. If you sign up for the free year of fraud protection, available through Intersections' credit protection services, you'll be notified if the service finds your financial information elsewhere on the Internet.
At $50 per PC per year (with support calls billed at an additional $3 per minute), the ZoneAlarm suite is priced on a par with other major suites. It performs well and is easy to use, though it could use better phishing protection.

Via PC World

Samsung SyncMaster 940BW Widescreen LCD Monitor

Only a few short years ago you had only a handful of options for your next LCD monitor purchase, and those options weren't exactly cheap. Today, there are literally thousands of LCD monitor options available and they all serve their respective purpose. Some options are cheap and get the job done whereas some are incredibly expensive due to their unique features and/or construction. You have gaming monitor, office monitors, basic home monitors and now, widescreen monitors.
Some people may ask, why would I want or need a widescreen monitor for my day to day computing. Well, that is an easy one to answer. No one other than one special kind of user really needs a widescreen monitor and that special user is into movies, well actually widescreen movies if you want to get specific. Everyone loves to watch movies from time to time on their computer. I know sometimes I love to just sit back in my office chair, lean back with a nice cup of coffee and my headset and enjoy a good movie in the comfort of my home/office leather chair.
This is what this monitor is made for. Samsung isn't trying to convince anyone that they need this monitor to replace a standard display, they just want to have a cost effective option on the table for the movie buff to be able to use to enjoy a good movie on a high quality LCD panel. And thanks to this monitor having HDCP support, high definition isn't a problem as well.
If you are movie buff, then stick around, you might find this monitor is what you need.......

Via TweakNews

AMD's 690G/V Series Chipset Preview and Benchmarks

Today marks the first product launch (AMD690) from the new and improved AMD (AMD+ATI). The AMD 690 series chipset represents the company's first joint effort at making a chipset that brings together the combined strengths of AMD CPU and platform technology features of the ATI Radeon X1250 GPU. The integrated graphics are based on the Radeon X700 core, but include several improvements that help beef up the X700 technology that was originally launched in 2004 exclusively on the discrete graphics market. By adding HDMI support and DVI outputs, the Radeon X1250 delivers the premium Windows Vista experience by allowing end users to enable features like the Aero user interface. By launching the AMD 690 series chipset it is clear that AMD has aimed this product at the mainstream market, which makes up more than 90% of the overall market according to recent data.

According to the trend chart shown above from Current Analysis, it seems that the sales of computers with discrete graphics are declining. The trend has been attributed to the high price premium that discrete graphics cards are sold at and improvements on integrated graphics cards. Now that Microsoft has finally released Windows Vista, many in the lower and mainstream markets will be looking to upgrade their systems in order to be able to use features available in the market today (HDMI, HDCP, DVI). Before today, the ATI Xpress 200 chipset was the leading ATI based platform that had integrated graphics. The graphics on the Xpress 200 were based on the Radeon X300 series, so by upgrading the graphics and CPU socket that is being used AMD is able to boost the performace of the entire platform.
Since this is AMD.ATI's first product launch since they merged companies it will be interesting to see how the motherboard makers adapt to the new company. AMD has been able to silence those concerns since twelve companies will be offering 690G/690V motherboards in the upcoming weeks.
Legit Reviews has recently been building and using several AMD Socket AM2 based chipsets in our media center computer and to be honest integrated graphics have become better since the last time we have taken a look at them. Read on to find out more about the AMD 690 chipset and to see how the AMD 690G stacks up against the NVIDIA GeForce 6150 and 6150 SE chipsets!

Via Legitreviews

Linksys iPhone Dual-Mode Internet Telephony Kit for Skype–CIT400

The handset portion of this hardware package shares some traits with Apple's recently announced buzz-generating iPhone—both make and receive calls, have color screens, and lay claim to a disputed moniker—but there the similarities cease. The Linksys iPhone Dual-Mode Internet Telephony Kit for Skype-CIT400 traces its lineage to prosaic home cordless phones rather than the sleek communicators in most pockets and purses these days, and it won't be carried aloft on a tide of Jobsian hype. But this nifty, if expensive, package has its own attractions, with dual-mode operation—via Skype or a regular landline—not the least of them.

Via PCMag

Nero 7 Ultra Edition Enhanced

Nero has long offered most every feature one might reasonably expect from a digital-media suite. It's given us the ability to produce, burn, and copy almost any type of CD or DVD, mixed in a slew of video, imaging, slide-show, and sound-production tools, and wrapped it all in a user-friendly front end. We've previously reviewed Nero 7 Ultra Edition, so you might be wondering why we'd review Nero 7 Ultra Edition Enhanced, which isn't even a point-upgrade, but instead is that rarest of all upgrade types, the additional-adjective upgrade. The answer is, this edition really is enhanced. It represents considerable strides into the world of distributed multimedia for a vast array of personal devices. The question is, how many consumers out there are ready to stream their multimedia to a single personal device, let alone a vast array of tech gear? Still, when I reviewed the remarkably stable early production release, I found that while it's not perfect, it's damned good.

Via PCMag

JBL Spyro: Tiny Speakers for Big Sound

When a 2.1 speaker system costs $130 and doesn't offer much in the way of extra features, the assumption is that the sound will be very good or possibly even excellent. With JBL's Spyro, we have an especially kooky-looking pair of PC speakers to analyze, which prompted me to wonder: Will these sound good or just look interesting? PC Mag editor-in-chief Jim Louderback stepped into my cubicle and said they looked cool, kind of like "flowers." He's right, they do resemble flora, but they're a bit cutesy for my taste—even in more sophisticated black-and-silver.

Via PCMag

Dell XPS 210 Small Desktop PC

Dell's XPS 210 is really just a minor update of the previous XPS 200 now with the Intel Core 2 Duo desktop processors. The problem is that the performance isn't that much higher than many more feature packed small form factors to necessarily justify the price.

Pros
Includes 19" LCD MonitorDell Premium Support IncludedConsBase Model Comes With CD-RW Combo Rather Than DVD BurnerDifficult to Upgrade

Description
Intel Core 2 Duo E6300 Dual Core Processor
1GB PC2-5300 DDR2 Memory
250GB 7200rpm SATA Hard Drive
24x CD-RW/DVD Combo Drive
Intel GMA 3000 Integrated Graphics with Dell E197FP 19" LCD Monitor
Intel HDA Audio and 10W Stereo Speakers
10/100 Ethernet
Eight USB 2.0 and One FireWire Port
12.5" x 3.7" x 14.5"
Windows Vista Home Premium, MS Works 8, McAfee Security Center
Guide Review - Dell XPS 210 Small Desktop PC
2/22/07 – The Dell XPS 210 is really just a minor update over the previous XPS 200 small form factor PC system. The only real difference in the two systems is the processors offered with them. The new XPS 210 uses the Intel Core 2 Duo processors (E6300 to E6700, no Quad Core options). This gives a boost in the overall computing performance of the system, but many of the remaining issues with the XPS 200 still remain.
Storage is a mixed bag with the XPS 210. While the system does use a full sized 250GB desktop hard drive, Dell uses slower notebook style optical drives. The base system only comes with a 24x CD-RW/DVD combo drive rather than a DVD burner, something common even to the least expensive budget systems these days.
Dell's XPS line was geared towards performance computing, but the XPS 210 definitely is not built for gaming like the high end desktop models. The system comes default with the Intel GMA 3000 integrated graphics. This is fine for 2D graphics, but it has limited performance when it comes to gaming or the new Vista Aero interface. Dell offers an ATI Radeon X1300 Pro upgrade, but it still lacks performance for 3D gaming. On the plus side, Dell does offer the system with their 19” LCD monitor with upgrade options for their excellent widescreen monitor lineup.
Users wanting to upgrade the system after purchase maybe in in for a bit of a shock. The case design of the XPS 210 has not been improved over the previous X200. This leaves it difficult for users to install their own upgrades inside of the case. Of course, Dell does provide users with their Premium support options with all XPS systems.

Via about

Vista Upgrade Seems Better for PC Security

Last month, Dick Suetterlin had an experience with Murphy's Law (generally cited as, "Whatever can go wrong will go wrong, and at the worst possible time.").
Suetterlin is a member of the Polk Computer User Group. He speaks of RAID arrangements, simultaneous disk writes, cache memory with the same ease and familiarity as people speak of their grandchildren. When it comes to computers, Suetterlin is an early adapter. So he was picked to give a presentation of Microsoft's new operating system, Vista, at the January PCUG meeting.
He had downloaded the 30-day trial version since Windows would not be available for purchase until a week after his scheduled presentation. Just to make sure the 30 days weren't up, he logged on to the computer to check shortly before he left for the 7 p.m. meeting.
Sometime between his trip from the house to the club meeting, the 30-day clock ran out. No one is sure exactly when or where.
The computer was turned on, the room lights were turned off, the big screen lit up. No Vista.
Unlike a cat, Vista trial version has but one life. It cannot be revived. Oh, how Suetterlin tried.
"I felt so sorry for him," said PCUG President Dallas Clay. "It was just embarrassing, and I know just how he felt. It's happened to me."
So Clay invited Suetterlin back to the February meeting. This time, he was armed with a new copy of Vista.
Anyone who has a passing interest in Windows-based computing is probably familiar with the new bells and whistles contained in the new release. They have received plenty of press. For those who want to know more, information can be found at the Microsoft Web site (http://www.microsoft.com/); click on "Windows Vista" under "Destinations & Events."
For all its new features, there's one Suetterlin told the group that he favors above all others: Security.
"It's worth the upgrade for that alone," he said. At its strongest default setting, it will pop up a warning box every time a new program attempts to install on the computer. It will do that when a user is trying to install a program.
It will also do it when a rogue piece of software that secretly downloads itself from a Web site or emerges from another program tries to install itself on the computer.
"If you know it's a program you want, that's fine. Tell it to proceed," said Suetterlin. "If not, you can stop trouble before it begins."
Apple computers aren't affected by viruses and hackers. So the company has made another commercial in its popular "I'm a Mac/I'm a PC" series that show the two human representatives trying to talk through a sunglassed secret-agent third person who constantly asks "cancel or allow?" before permitting the other to speak.
Suetterlin noted that the warnings might seem a little overdone to some users, "and while you can turn them off, if you do that, you've defeated the security purpose."
The Vista Home Premium, Business, Ultimate, and Enterprise editions offer scheduled and network backups along with "performance self-tuning and diagnostics" to help keep the computer running well.

Via TheLedger

Internet Radio Unshackled From The PC Thanks To WiFi

We love internet radio. Listening to obscure Peruvian talk radio is top of our bedtime routine, but quite frankly, who wants to sleep next to their PC? Not us, which is why the flood of WiFi radios hitting the market is cheering our hearts.
A WiFi radio is simply a standalone device that connects to your wireless network, or any available WiFi hotspot, and streams audio from the internet.
There are thousands of internet radio stations out there and the range on offer is simply dazzling. It makes DAB look positively scrawny in comparison.
Most WiFi radios (like their DAB cousins) are good looking devices. So far, the big consumer electronics manufacturers have not jumped on the bandwagon, which is why you will see offerings from specialist companies such as Acoustic Energy and Bush dominating the market.
The majority of radios can also connect to your PC and stream audio from the hard drive, making them mini media center extenders in effect. Watch out though, not many can use iTunes - the MagicBox Imp is an exception.
If you want to find out more about this exciting new medium, then Media Center PC World is pleased to announce the launch of our sister website WiFi Radio Review. Our little sibling will be focussing purely on internet radio and we are so confident that this is a market you will be dying to find out more about in months to come that we predict now that WiFi Radio Review won't stay our little sister for long.
DAB is no longer the king, long live WiFi Radio!

Via MCPCWorld

Intel Introduces Healthcare Tablet PC

Seems that Bill Gates wasn't kidding when he said Vista could be used to run critical hospital systems such as life support. Earlier this month when Gates was asked if he's trust Vista with his life, he responded, "... absolutely, Vista is the most secure operating system we’ve ever done, and if it’s administered properly, absolutely, it can be used to run a hospital or any kind of mission critical thing." Now its time to put this concept into reality.
Intel and Motion Computing, manufacturers of a wide array of tablet PCs, have jointly introduced the C5 Mobile Clinical Assistant (MCA.) From appearance, it's a robust, tough as nails tablet PC that is designed to survive in a potentially abusive hospital environment. Intel provides the Core Solo processor, while Motion Computing manufactures the remaining critical components.
"The lightweight, spill-resistant, drop-tolerant and easily disinfected MCA allows nurses to access up-to-the-minute patient records and to document a patient's condition instantly, enhancing clinical workflow while reducing the staff's administrative workload."
Sounds like a terrific tablet PC, however don't expect to find this in your local NewEgg.com or BestBuy catalog anytime soon, as the MCA is designed solely for the health care market. Its introduction today is the culmination of nearly two years of field testing in hospitals in Singapore, the UK, and the United States. The specs?
For a lightweight and highly portable tablet PC, it packs a good punch. It touts a RFID scanner for reading bar codes, a 1.2 GHz Core Solo Processor, built-in WIFI, 512MB RAM (Upgradeable to 1.5GB max), 30GB HDD (60GB option), and last but not least, the choice between Microsoft Vista Business or XP Tablet PC edition.
Which operating system would you place your life in?

Via Slyck

Next Version of Microsoft Office Coming in 2009

Office 2007 is just out, but Microsoft's already working hard on the next version--internally known as Office 14--and targeting 2009 for its release

Microsoft Corp. may have just released Office 2007 to consumers mere weeks ago, but the company is already working hard on the next version -- internally known as Office 14 -- and targeting it for release in the first half of 2009, according to information from Microsoft's own Web site.
The company plans to spend almost US$1 billion per year in R&D for Office 14, or about 20 percent more than the amount devoted to Office 2007, according to a PowerPoint slide deck from a Nov. 8, 2006 presentation by a Microsoft employee in Copenhagen, Denmark.
The information and excerpts from the slide show were first posted on Tuesday by the independent AeroXperience blog, which is geared toward Windows Vista developers.
AeroXperience's senior editor Stephen Chapman also reported that Microsoft is skipping the version 13 for Office because it is "unlucky," and that the company will begin "dogfooding," or beta-testing Office with internal Microsoft employees, late in 2007. Chapman cited an interview of Eric Vigesaa, program manager for Office system client applications, with Microsoft's TechNet radio chat from December 27th .
A Microsoft spokeswoman downplayed the information.
"Microsoft is always planning," said a spokeswoman. Moreover, "it's typical for the Office team to deliver a new version of Office every 2 to 3 years."
The revelations about the next version of Office come hard upon reports last week that the next version of Windows, alternately called Windows 7 or "Vienna," will also see release in 2009. Microsoft has since tried to publicly retract that statement.
The Microsoft slides show the first beta of Office 14 due in the first half of 2008, a second beta due in the second half of 2008, and a final release in the first part of 2009, or between 26 and 32 months after Office 2007's release.
The slides also indicate that in Office 14, Microsoft plans to continue building on the established core features of the 25-year-old Office suite, and will focus on three areas: enterprise content management, communication and collaboration, and business process and business intelligence.
In particular, according to AeroXperience, Microsoft hopes to improve search relevance, enhance the management of complex documents and content, bring business intelligence into the business process itself, improve the offline experience in products such as SharePoint, and simplify the building of business applications on the Office platform through declarative programming and improved business data catalogue integration.

Via PCWorld