The Gadget Blog

Best Graphics Cards for the Money, Nov Ed.

Rico Mossesgeld — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 14:00:13 +0000

As manufacturers constantly come out with new hardware, the answer to the question “what is the best graphic card for my money?” also changes. I don’t have the time to do the research and check out the specs, and that’s why I’m thankful Tom’s Hardware takes care of that for me, through the website’s Best Graphics Cards for the Money series.

Like previous editions, the November 2009 issue simply lists the best graphics card(s) for a particular price point, and explains why it is so. Without further ado, here are the cards:

Price	Card
$55	SAPPHIRE Radeon HD 4650 100253HDMI
$80	HIS Radeon HD 4670 H467QS1GH
$90	XFX GeForce 9600 GSO PVT96OZDFA
$110	Galaxy GeForce 9600 GT 96GFF6VIFCXX
$115	MSI Radeon HD 4850 R4850-2D512-OC
$125	XFX Radeon HD 4870 HD-487A-YWFC
$170	SAPPHIRE Radeon HD 4870 100279-1GL
$175	HIS Radeon HD 5770 (Juniper XT) H577F1GDG
$190	EVGA GeForce GTX 260 Core 216 896-P3-1255-AR
$190	HIS Radeon HD 4890 H489FP1G
$230	2 x MSI Radeon HD 4850 R4850-2D512-OC in CrossFire configuration
$250	2 x XFX Radeon HD 4870 HD-487A-YWFC
$300	SAPPHIRE 100282SR Radeon HD 5850
$340	2 x SAPPHIRE Radeon HD 4870 100279-1GL in CrossFire configuration
$350	2 x HIS Radeon HD 5770 (Juniper XT) H577F1GDG in CrossFire configuration
$380	2 x EVGA GeForce GTX 260 Core 216 896-P3-1255-AR in SLI configuration
$380	2 x HIS Radeon HD 4890 H489FP1G in CrossFire configuration
$400	SAPPHIRE 100281SR Radeon HD 5870
$510	EVGA GeForce GTX 295 017-P3-1295-AR CO-OP Edition

For over $510, you can get the most powerful graphics card on the planet

Source

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Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising Wants to Wipe the Competition

Rico Mossesgeld — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 12:30:25 +0000

Here’s a rare find from the recently concluded Tokyo Game Show 2009: Wet Ones in a black packet, with the Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising logo the only thing keeping the disinfectant wipes from leaving the packaging. Click a thumbnail to zoom in.

Possibly the result of a strategic alliance between Playtex and Codemasters (the makers of the wipes and the game respectively), are these OF:DR wipes symbolic of anything? Perhaps Codemasters literally wants to wipe the tactical shooter genre clean with its newest offering? Or maybe this is just another phase in Playtex’s plan to continue dominating the disinfectant wipes battlefield? I’m running out of really corny metaphors and forced analysis, so feel free to chime in below—especially if you’ve got some oddly-themed merchandise you want to share.

My mysterious friend decides to clean his face, Dragon Rising style

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Weekend Deals from Dell and Alienware

Rico Mossesgeld — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 12:30:12 +0000

There’s at least one advantage with the Alienware brand now under Dell’s control. How does paying only $99 for an Inspiron Mini sound? Buy any Alienware laptop or desktop and add an Inspiron Mini netbook for only $99!. Ends 12/23/09 5:55 AM CDT.

It also seems Alienware’s picked up Dell’s tendency to offer free shipping: Light Up The Holidays With Alienware and receive free shipping on all Alienware laptops and desktops. Ends 11/12/09 5:55 AM CDT.

Some more promos to check out:

Studio ONE 19 all in one desktop with touch screen monitor and free color upgrade for only $699! End Date: 11/30/09 5:55 AM CDT
Shop Smart. Shop Early. Laptops starting at only $499 after instant savings. End Date: 11/12/09 5:55 AM CDT
Save over 20% on the Studio XPS 16 laptop. Only $1149 after savings hi-def performance with ATI Graphics and 6 cell battery. End Date: 11/12/09 5:55 AM CDT
Studio XPS 8000 desktop. The newest member of the Studio XPS desktop family designed for a more immersive media experience for only $899 after more than $200 in savings! End Date: 11/12/09 5:55 AM CDT

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Weekend Deals from HP: Save $315 on a Laptop, $495 on a Desktop

Rico Mossesgeld — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 12:30:46 +0000

Mark November 8, 2009 (11/8) on your calendars, dear readers. That’s when HP is launching some particularly generous promos, covering laptops and desktops alike:

Save up to $315 instantly on the HP TouchSmart tx2z Series Customizable Notebook PC! – Savings Include: $200 instant rebate, FREE memory upgrade from 2GB to 3GB ($30 savings), FREE hard drive upgrade from 250GB to 320GB ($40 savings), and get FREE shipping ($29 savings). Ends 11/14

Save up to $275 instantly on the HP Pavilion dv6t Series Customizable Notebook PC! – Savings Include: $150 instant rebate, FREE memory upgrade from 2GB to 3GB ($30 savings), FREE hard drive upgrade from 250GB to 320GB ($40 savings), FREE color customization ($25 savings), and get FREE shipping ($29 savings). Ends 11/14

HURRY 3 Days Only!!! Save up to $495 instantly on the HP Pavilion Elite e9250t Series Customizable Desktop PC! – Savings Include: $250 instant rebate, 35% off 8GB memory ($30 savings), FREE 640GB hard drive upgrade ($50 savings), FREE 15-month Norton Internet Security subscription ($49 savings), 35% off a 21.5-inch diagonal widescreen monitor ($90 savings), and get FREE shipping ($29 savings). Ends 11/10

HURRY 3 Days Only!!! Save up to $325 instantly on the HP Pavilion Slimline s5250t Series Customizable Desktop PC! – Savings Include: $170 instant rebate, FREE 640GB hard drive upgrade ($50 savings), 40% off a 20-inch diagonal widescreen monitor ($80 savings), and get FREE shipping ($29 savings). Ends 11/10

HURRY 3 Days Only!!! Save up to $305 instantly on the HP Pavilion p6250t Series Customizable Desktop PC! – Savings Include: $150 instant rebate, FREE 640GB hard drive upgrade ($50 savings), 40% off a 20-inch diagonal widescreen monitor ($80 savings), and get FREE shipping ($29 savings). Ends 11/10

More promos launch on November 11, 2009 (11/11), so feel free to mark that date down as well. These discounts only apply to desktops:

Save up to $505 instantly on the HP Pavilion Elite e9280t Series Customizable Desktop PC! – Savings Include: $300 instant rebate, FREE 9GB memory upgrade ($40 savings), FREE 15-month Norton Internet Security subscription ($49 savings), 35% off a 21.5-inch diagonal widescreen monitor ($90 savings), and get FREE shipping ($29 savings). Ends 11/17

Save up to $415 instantly on the HP Pavilion p6280t Series Customizable Desktop PC! – Savings Include: $250 instant rebate, FREE 640GB hard drive upgrade ($50 savings), 35% off a 21.5-inch diagonal widescreen monitor ($90 savings), and get FREE shipping ($29 savings). Ends 11/17

Save up to $415 instantly on the HP Pavilion Slimline s5280t Series Customizable Desktop PC! – Savings Include: $250 instant rebate, FREE 640GB hard drive upgrade ($50 savings), 35% off a 21.5-inch diagonal widescreen monitor ($90 savings), and get FREE shipping ($29 savings). Ends 11/17

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What’s Wrong With Sharing Personal Data?

Rico Mossesgeld — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:00:50 +0000

As someone who does practically everything online, I know that a lot of what I do is on record somewhere. And you know what? That’s perfectly fine—for me, at least. When I first used my credit card online, I felt a bit uncomfortable, worried that some unscrupulous soul would use the information I entered to max out my credit limit and saddle me with debt.

Eventually however, I realized that as long as I limit my online purchases to retailers who have made the effort to win my trust, I should be fine. These kind of companies follow industry standards regarding data privacy, principles that include not sharing the data with third parties, and not storing credit card information (or at least only the last four digits of the card number, for verification purposes).

Yes, it’s true that companies store data about our purchasing habits, the items we bought, where we go on their websites, etc. Having worked for an internet retailer however, I know that reputable websites analyze this information to see how they can make things easier for the customer—and in a way that doesn’t tie the data to a specific individual.

Adjusting the inventory to anticipate future demand, and making online catalogs a lot easier to navigate, are made possible because of such analysis. It’s a win-win thing: shopping becomes an easier, more pleasant for visitors, while the company has a chance to make more money, by removing potential obstacles that keep customers from paying.

Now I totally understand that not everyone wants this, which is why companies should always provide options. My former employer would let people buy without requiring for additional data beyond payment information. It’s the choice of the customer if they want to provide more personal information—in return for some customer-oriented benefits promised by the business.

The point is that, while concerns over data privacy are growing, we should also realize that sharing our information with businesses isn’t necessarily a bad thing. So long as businesses keep it secure, use it to better improve the customer experience, not share it with other companies, and give customers control over how much information is saved, I’m totally fine with it.

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DIY Detector Opens Doors Upon Correct Knock

Rico Mossesgeld — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 12:30:43 +0000

This is so cool! The brainchild of Steve Hoefer, the “Secret Knock Detecting Door Lock” attaches to a doorknob and its corresponding lock with suction cups. Upon detecting the correct knock pattern (by default, the classic shave and a haircut), it unlocks the door to grant access.

Even better, the knock detector is completely programmable. Changing the secret knock cadence is a simple matter of holding the red button while executing a new lock pattern, with a max of 20 knocks. The system simply detects the pattern, and not the tempo, providing allowance for users who knock slower or faster than usual.

But perhaps the best thing about Steve Hoefer’s Secret Knock Detecting Door Lock is that its a result of a DIY project. Conceivably, with the instructions available here, you can secure your own doors, limiting access only to people who know the correct knock pattern.

Secret Knock Detecting Door Lock

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Why Litl Won’t Work

Rico Mossesgeld — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 14:00:16 +0000

The new Litl is basically a web-based netbook designed to work entirely on the web, allowing users to access prominent online applications like Flickr and Google Docs. The gadget, manufactured in China, enjoys the support of a minimalist-oriented marketing and design strategy. The design of the actual unit itself is special, especially as the display hinge flexibility allows the Litl to turn into a dynamic picture frame of sorts, showing pictures, weather forecasts, and of course the time. The emphasis on usability and simplicity looks promising.

Users cannot directly install applications on Litl; updates are streamed automatically via WiFi. There’s also no on-board drive; the Litl operates completely online, apparently totally reliant on cloud computing. Therein lies a potential flaw for this $700 product. Constant online access is a great thing, simply because it allows real-time information updates. But that’s only possible in the ideal, where internet service providers create enough infrastructure to support their user base, and where downtime rate is somewhere between 99.9% and 100%.

According to the Wall Street Journal, Litl cannot function when it has no access to the Internet. I’d rather pay $700 for a device that still does things even when offline, not on a product that’s totally reliant on the quality of your internet connection. It’s possible though time will prove me wrong. Maybe internet connectivity will become as reliable and “default” as electricity is today. I’ll reserve my final thoughts until I’m able to secure a review unit, so stay tuned!

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The iPod Dealt With a Lot of Hate During It’s Debut

Rico Mossesgeld — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 12:30:49 +0000

Apple fans remember October 23, 2001 as the debut of the first ever iPod. Turns out right on the day of its launch, people were already dissing what’s easily Apple’s most successful product line as “just another MP3 player”. Get ready to feel smug folks, for hindsight always is, and dismissive thoughts were saved for posterity at the MacRumors forums:

elitemacor: “iPoop… iCry. I was so hoping for something more.”

WeezerX80: “Great just what the world needs, another freaking MP3 player. Go Steve! Where’s the Newton?!”

Pants: “hey – heres an idea Apple – rather than enter the world of gimmicks and toys, why dont you spend a little more time sorting out your pathetically expensive and crap server line up? or are you really aiming to become a glorified consumer gimmicks firm?”

And, my personal favorite:

nobody special: “All that hype for an MP3 player? Break-thru digital device? The Reality Distiortion Field™ is starting to warp Steve’s mind if he thinks for one second that this thing is gonna take off.”

Still tripping on smug nostalgia? Here’s how Steve Jobs packaged it for the masses, at a “low key” event:

I disagree that the iPod was a “quantum leap”, as Steve Job insisted, as there were already MP3 players with hard disks on the market when the iPod was launched. But there’s no doubting the iPod’s appealing usability, nor the willingness of Apple to stick with its own vision.

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Play a Game, Win a Sony Cyber-shot TX1

Rico Mossesgeld — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 12:30:29 +0000

Looks like Sony’s really pushing the Cyber-shot TX1, the new flagship of its “ultra-thin” compact series. Or at least they’re doing so in Asia, complete with the “Love the Night” tag line and “Lucky in Love” contest, both attempts to highlight the camera’s low-light and panorama shot abilities.

“Lucky in Love” mainly involves a Flash-game where players have to drag and rotate a series of photos to create a panoramic shot. It’s a pretty straightforward yet cumbersome game: not only do players have to properly align images as much as possible, they are also under time pressure. Obviously, the point of the game is to show how the auto panorama of the TX1 is way easier than manual photo-stitching (and, having used the camera, I agree). Whoever gets the highest score once the contest ends this December 30, 2009 will a Sony Cyber-shot TX1, so if you’ve got a fast mouse hand, try the contest here.

Not based in Asia but in the US? Not sure if Sony has anything planned for you guys, but the Sony Cyber-shot TX1 is currently available from NewEgg.com for $380:

SONY Cyber-shot DSC-TX1 Gray 10.2 MP Digital Camera

SONY Cyber-shot DSC-TX1 Silver 10.2 MP Digital Camera

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Left 4 Dead Gameplay Walkthrough Videos

Rico Mossesgeld — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 07:00:48 +0000

Whether you’ve played the first Left 4 Dead or not, here’s a trio of videos guaranteed to satisfy your curiosity about Left 4 Dead 2.

We begin with the first video, where our hero Criken tests the waters. The new special infected make their debut off-screen, but you can already hear the telltale sounds they make:

The second video is more revealing, at least in terms of gameplay mechanics. Criken intentionally(?) puts himself in bad situations, and shows us how to deal with the new Charger and zombies enjoying bullet-proof protection. He even reveals his “single favorite weapon in all the Left 4 Dead games”. The video ends on a sad note, with a Smoker committing the coup de grace on the fallen group of survivors:

In the third video however, our intrepid hero finally finds the right way:

And ends the final level of the demo in a selfish manner, once again letting his teammates die before entering the safe room alone.

So what do you think? I love the melee weapons, the same but Bayou-nized music, and the new special infected. Boomer-Smoker-Jockey combos already swirl in my head.

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