Toshiba has released a 512GB solid state drive (SSD) in their newest Portegé laptop this week, the most storage space (and yet the smallest in size!) for an SSD drive on the laptop market so far.
Aside from the normal advantages of flash drives (no more hard-drive head-docking-clicks when you jiggle it on your knees), this new drive uses a parallel processing controller that Toshiba promises will get you around 230MB/180MB per second read/write speeds. (more…)
Meco has invented an unique, yet innovative way to attractively disguise the original and dull appearance of the personal computer. Hidden within the walls of the “what looks to be” a wooden table is a high performance home theater PC.
The specs include a whopping 8GB of RAM, 4+ Terabytes of hard drive storage, a crisp ATi Radeon HD 4850 graphics card and 7.1 surround sound with both analog and digital outputs. The Meco PC is running on a Vista-based operating system and the computer’s shell (shown as a table above) is available in a vast amount of finishes as well. (more…)
We’re living in a crazy world my friends. Do you think you have what it takes to be tough? Well, at least your gadgets can be.
Not only that, but our possessions have spanned beyond the physical and into the digital. That’s just one more thing to add to our plate. To many, applying security to the many facets of our lives is sometimes a tedious chore, and so the average consumer turns a blind eye to their security needs for themselves and their valuable data.
So why not check out these tough and secure gadgets that’ll strengthen your style and won’t bore you to death.
ioSafe Solo External Hard Drive Whoa. This is a truly incredible product. It is a fully fireproof and waterproof version of your typical external hard drive. They are available at capacities from 500 MB to 1.5 TB. Another form of security comes is the hole on the back. No, there isn’t a hole in the product, but actually a hole drilled in a metal tab, and it is a way to padlock the 15-pound hard drive enclosure to anything you see fit. On top of that, the ioSafe company has Disaster Recovery Service, which is free w/ purchase and it includes every effort possible to retrieve your hard drive and replace its enclosure in case of a water/fire disaster. That kind of data protection deserves an extraordinary applause. Check out a video of its incredibleness.
IronKey Personal USB DriveThe IronKey Personal drive will automatically encrypt all of your personal data and comes in a stylish brushed metal casing, definitely designed to impress just about anyone. And if you thought data encryption wasn’t enough, the epoxy-filled casing makes it waterproof and impossible for a hacker to extract the chip. Okay, Inspector Gadget, did I mention it can also self-destruct?!Not only has the IronKey company worked hard to keep your mobile data confidential, but it also promotes your online security by including a safer option for web surfing: a “hardened” version of Firefox, Password Manager, and online anonymity through the Tor network. This device is chock full of features, and even at the higher end of the pricing spectrum ($199 for 8GB), it provides a great value for those who know the meaning of data security.
Data Locker Portable drives have the tendency to get lost easily. That’s the price of going portable, but it doesn’t have to cost you your privacy. Even if this unique drive were to fall into the wrong hands, those fingers would have to guess your personal PIN, up to 18 digits! The removable rubber fitting protects the drive from physical impact, too.
Rugged Notebooks RNB Series
Fully- and Semi-Rugged laptops are available at RuggedNotebooks.com, as well as rugged handhelds and tablets. The RNB 230 Max is their flagship model, offering “superior performance, quality and expandability.” With a shock-mounted, hardware-encrypted hard drive, fingerprint and smartcard reader, and metal alloy chassis, this is one tough, reliable piece of equipment that won’t let you down. (more…)
The secondary panels of Logitech’s gaming keyboards, the G15 and G19, can now embrace Windows SlideShow. Download the latest firmware and you will have this feature free of charge. Windows SideShow is a feature in Vista that lets an auxiliary panel display information, such as contacts, e-mails, appointments, and images on the hard disk. Something cool about this feature is that all the information is available whether your is PC on or off. (more…)
Five years ago, when you built a computer it was all about the “bling.”All kinds of LED lights in your fans, windows in the side of the case so you could see all the components inside, and some really funky looking alien face…if you didn’t have these, the hot new computer you just built wasn’t cool enough. Their is either the option of building your own extreme custom computer case mod (which takes a lot of work) or getting one of these hot cases pre-fabbed cases below. I for one am happy to say that the new style of choice is simplistic and stylish for most cases.It is almost as if the world has gone Apple on everyone.
I now present 15 of the coolest and most unusual pre-fabricated computer cases for your hungry eyes.
Antec Skeleton
If your idea of a conversation piece is starting with your computer case, then this is a good way to go.The Skeleton is an open air, full featured case that only weighs in at 21.4 pounds without any components.The cooling system is a gigantic 250mm fan mounted on top of the case and one 92mm HDD cooling fan mounted on the front.It is capable of receiving most motherboard configurations such as Mini-ITX, MicroATX and Standard ATX.There are front ports for USB, Firewire, eSATA and Audio In and Out.
At around $150, this case seems like it could deliver a unique experience.Just make sure you have enough money left over to buy some canned air.I can imagine the dust accumulation on this case will be an issue.
ABS Canyon 695
The sleek, elegant Canyon 695 is quite unique and big.Produced by Lian Li, it is being distributed in the US and Canada by ABS.The case is very tall at 26.8 inches, and despite its size, the fully aluminum case only weighs in at 26 lbs.At first glance, one might think that there is something seriously wrong with this case; there are no optical drive slots in the front!Instead the optical drive bays are located on the right side of the case.The front of the case is an aluminum panel that can be removed to reveal a dust filter and three highly effective 140mm cooling fans.
Inside the case, there are three compartments for your components.A section for your hard drives is at the bottom, with another section in the center for the motherboard and her components.Finally at the top part of the case is the section for the PSU and optical drives.A project of passion, this case is not the basis for a quick and dirty computer build, and even comes with a screw driver to assist with securing your various components where they go.There are very few tool-free options on this case.
As far as cases go, this case is unique and stylish.Unless you’re a case connoisseur though, the $600 price tag might be a serious road block for you.
ThermalTake VF7001BNS DH101
Do you like home theater?Do you like computers?Why not put them together!?This simplistic case just screams for you to add it to your home theater setup.And why not?With so much of our entertainment content moving online, it’s easy to finally marry cyberspace to your living room.The DH101 blends in with your existing components so well, your friends might just ask you when ThermalTake started producing home theater audio video components.The built in front LCD is capable of displaying equalizers, status and different languages.
Ventilation is efficient, though you would still be wise to follow normal stereo component guidelines for keeping your equipment properly cooled.At the front is mounted a 120mm silent intake fan, at the rear you can find dual 60mm silent exhaust fans.The case supports micro ATX and standard ATX motherboards and most standard graphics cards.Larger graphics cards will likely not be able to fit in this case, but you’re not likely going to be fragging your buddies with this case set up are you?For a price tag of just over $200 USD, this case goes for just a bit more than many low end individual stereo receivers, but when paired with the right computer components, this case will be able to do so much more. See more.
Zalman FATAL1TY FC-ZE1
Created by well known professional gamer and CPL champ, FATAL1TY, the Zalman FATAL1ty FC-ZE1 case looks deadly in its own right.What is FATAL1TY’s recipe for pixelized mayhem and destruction?Start with 5mm thick aluminum paneling.Add precision laser etched graphics.Combine tool-free HDD installation with anchored spinning bars and rubber wheels.One easy to open side panel opened with a single sliding latch, red LED accent lighting and fans that when combined with other FATAL1TY branded hardware creates an evil looking them.
Lovingly add your preferred hardware components and add a heaping teaspoon of knowhow and you have yourself one sharp looking computer system.With a price tag of $359.99, this case is not for the budget minded.
XCLIO Windtunnel
The XCLIO Windtunnel is a touted as a simple case with a simple design.Two massive 250mm blue LED fans are mounted on the side of the case, with an optional fan mount on the front and rear of the case as well.Each of the large side mounted fans are intended to cool the motherboard and her components and the drive bays respectively.A speed control feature enables you to control just how much air is being delivered to your precious components from the behemoths.
Installing drives is quick and easy with clips and rails that do not require tools.For the pack rat who doesn’t delete anything or the movie enthusiast who requires massive amounts of HDD space, there are 6 available HDD trays for your storage devices.The case is capable of supporting Micro and Standard ATX form factors.For around $110 this case is a decent value for the gamer that needs to keep their components nice and cool.
Eye-Fi’s technology has digital photographers raving, since they can now transfer and publish photo and video without having to even lay a finger on their computer. How? Prepare to be amazed.
The tiny SD memory card is fitted with a Wi-fi antenna, which allows it to transfer its contents over a Wi-fi network. It is programmed to transmit the photo (or video) immediately after you take it, wirelessly to your computer.
Or it can bypass your computer entirely and upload straight to your favorite photo-sharing websites (Flickr, YouTube, etc.) (more…)
I hope all of you out there are backing up your computer. If you haven’t, you have been putting it off for far too long. Lucky that Apple’s got your back (only, of course, if you use a Mac). The Apple Time Capsule is essentially a router with built-in storage, and, in conjunction with Time Machine software for Mac, will continuously back up your Mac or MacBook (again, sorry PC’s).
This new “Level 10″ case was designed by BMW’s own BMW Designworks USA and it is made by Thermaltake. The case has different compartments for the major components of a computer, rather than having just one big compartment like regular computer cases. (more…)
The new Asus Eee PC-in-a-Keyboard is exactly what it sounds like, an entire PC fitted inside of a keyboard. It also has a small touchscreen display in place of the number pad on the right.
The specs include:
1.6Ghz Atom Processor
1GB of Ram
8GB or 16GB SSD Drive
5″ Touchscreen display
VGA and HDMI output (optional wireless video capability)
Besides the advent of HDTV, the biggest technological addition to the realm of television has been the DVR, or Digital Video Recorder. DVR technology allows you to pause, rewind, and record live TV for later playback. It gives you the functionality of a VCR without the extra equipment and hassle.
The most popular brand in the DVR market is no doubt TiVo. Not only were they one of the first ones to take advantage of the technology, but the TiVo name has become synonymous with DVR in general. Well, the next evolution of TiVo and DVR technology has come and it is the Nero LiquidTV. (more…)
Whoa. This is a truly incredible product. It is a fully fireproof and waterproof version of your typical external hard drive. They are available at capacities from 500 MB to 1.5 TB. Another form of security comes is the hole on the back. No, there isn’t a hole in the product, but actually a hole drilled in a metal tab, and it is a way to padlock the 15-pound hard drive enclosure to anything you see fit. On top of that, the ioSafe company has Disaster Recovery Service, which is free w/ purchase and it includes every effort possible to retrieve your hard drive and replace its enclosure in case of a water/fire disaster. That kind of data protection deserves an extraordinary applause. Check out a video of its incredibleness.
The IronKey Personal drive will automatically encrypt all of your personal data and comes in a stylish brushed metal casing, definitely designed to impress just about anyone. And if you thought data encryption wasn’t enough, the epoxy-filled casing makes it waterproof and impossible for a hacker to extract the chip. Okay, Inspector Gadget, did I mention it can also self-destruct?!Not only has the IronKey company worked hard to keep your mobile data confidential, but it also promotes your online security by including a safer option for web surfing: a “hardened” version of Firefox, Password Manager, and online anonymity through the Tor network. This device is chock full of features, and even at the higher end of the pricing spectrum ($199 for 8GB), it provides a great value for those who know the meaning of data security.
Portable drives have the tendency to get lost easily. That’s the price of going portable, but it doesn’t have to cost you your privacy. Even if this unique drive were to fall into the wrong hands, those fingers would have to guess your personal PIN, up to 18 digits! The removable rubber fitting protects the drive from physical impact, too.
