Today we’ve got a quick-take spotlight video for you on Dell’s hot XPS M1730 Gaming Notebook…

Synopsis: Dell’s XPS M1730 is a powerful Desktop Replacement notebook designed with the performance enthusiast in mind.  Sleek styling and custom lighting adorn this beastly, semi-portable machine that weighs in at well over 10lbs.  Gaming and multimedia performance with the M1730 is top notch, with frame rates across its beautiful 17″ 1920X1200 LCD holding strong in even the most demanding games and HD content.  Though it’s not cheap, the Dell XPS M1730 offers great performance, fantastic build quality and eye-catching good looks.

Stop by our new video channel and have a look:

http://www.hothardware.com/Articles/Dell_XPS_M1730_Gaming_Notebook__Video_Showcase

On a side note, we’ve also prepared a quick intro piece for the new HH video section that you might want to check out, just for a chuckle:

http://www.hothardware.com/Articles/An_Introduction_To_HotHardwares_Video_Showcase

Chantilly, VA, July 30, 2008: Mvix high definition media player has been recognized as one of “The 10 Hottest Linux Powered Gadgets’ by the popular technology portal TheHottestGadgets.com. The site reports: “The Mvix 1080p Media Center features high performance networking and hi-definition playback with support for a tremendous range of file formats. It’s huge internal HDD provides ample room for your entire media collection. The device also supports content streaming from your PC to your home theatre/stereo via a wireless network. The perfect solution for bringing what’s on your PC to the living room widescreen, in High-Def! … ”

Read the rest of this entry »

Title: How to Use the SPDIF Output from Sound Blaster X-Fi Sound Cards
Link: http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/546
Category: Tutorials

Summary:
A list of all Sound Blaster X-Fi models released to date and how to add SPDIF connectors to them. Updated to include X-Fi Titanium sound cards.

Here is a snippet:
“Creative Labs has always been one of the most popular manufacturers of sound cards and Sound Blaster X-Fi is their current series of add-on sound cards. Due to the massive amount of readers asking us how to use the digital audio (SPDIF) output from their Sound Blaster X-Fi sound cards in order to connect them to their home theater receivers or digital speakers, we decided to compile this short tutorial listing all Sound Blaster X-Fi models released to date and the available options for SPDIF connection.”

Title:
Silverstone CMD01 Commander ESA Edition

Link:
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Silverstone/Commander_ESA_Edition

Brief:
The Silverstone Commander ESA Edition enables complete system monitoring functionality through the nTune System Monitor. Instead of going for one of the few ESA enabled cases out there, the CMD01 Commander gives unprecedented flexibility, as you can enable ESA connectivity for any case of your choice.

Title:
Eye-Fi Wireless SD Card Reviewed @ TheTechLounge

Quote:
“I’m of two minds on this wireless SD card.  It’s clever, unique, relatively inexpensive, and essentially universal.  It’s pretty, in a memory card sort of way.  It has a couple of flaws that would be far from deal-breakers if, as a whole (hardware and software) it just did more.  Without raw image support, this Eye-Fi creation will never be the memory card for professionals.  Without open wireless networking support, it won’t help the traveling photographer.  The direct-to-online photo service feature is cool, but indiscriminate, posting every underexposed, blurred up-nostril without remorse.”

Article URL:
http://www.thetechlounge.com/article/548/EyeFi+SD+Card/

The Mummy/The Mummy Returns Blu-Ray Disc Review & Podcast @ Ascully.com

Quote

“A true love story. That’s what The Mummy and The Mummy Returns are at heart. You could say there is some action, some adventure, mummies, iffy Egyptian mythology, cinematic interpretation of world history, and lots of cheeky one-liners all tossed in there too, just for fun. I didn’t really like these movies the first time I watched them. I wasn’t looking forward to seeing them again, hey, I’m being honest. This time I had more fun and discovered that the love story between the lead characters is the  of the heart whole shebang!”

Article Link - http://www.ascully.com/modules.php?name=Reviews&rop=showcontent&id=782

Podcast link - http://www.ascully.com/modules.php?name=Content&pa=showpage&pid=163

Article Title - The Mummy/The Mummy Returns Blu-Ray Disc Review & Podcast @ Ascully.com

TRENDnet Now Shipping the 300Mbps Dual Band Wireless N Gigabit Router

TORRANCE, Calif. -July 30, 2008-TRENDnet, a best-in-class networking manufacturer of wired and wireless networking solutions today announces the availability of the 300Mbps Dual Band Wireless N Gigabit Router, model TEW-672GR, which offers unsurpassed wireless speed, coverage and reliability.

Most wireless routers currently use the crowded 2.4GHz radio band to transmit wireless signals. This radio band is also shared by devices such as wireless telephones, microwave ovens, radio controlled toys and neighboring wireless routers and access points. The 300Mbps Dual Band Wireless N Gigabit Router offers the choice of using the 2.4GHz or the less crowded 5.0GHz radio band to optimize performance in high-interference wireless environments.

Read the rest of this entry »

Title: Thermaltake Thoughpower 1500 W Power Supply
Link: http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/594
Category: First Look

Summary:
Thermaltake Thoughpower 1500 W is probably the most powerful PC power supply in the world – so powerful that it can’t be sold in the USA. We took an in-depth look on this monster.

Here is a snippet:
“Thermaltake Thoughpower 1500 W is probably the most power PC power supply in the world – so powerful that it can’t be sold in the USA, as it is over the maximum allowed power for household appliances set by the Underwriter Laboratories (UL) – which is 1,300 W, by the way. Because of that, this model can only be found in Europe. The architecture used is really interesting: this power supply is in fact two completely independent 750 W power supplies inside the same housing. Besides its monstrous power capability – which the manufacturer says can be delivered at 50º C with a peak power of 1,600 W –, Thoughpower 1500 W has a modular cabling system with a total of eight power connectors for video cards and a 140-mm fan. In this article we will completely dissect this monster.”

ARCTIC COOLING has announced the new Alpine 64 GT which is Cost-Effective Ultra Quiet AMD CPU Cooler.

Product URL: http://www.arctic-cooling.com/cpu2.php?idx=168&disc=

Data sheet: http://www.arctic-cooling.com/downloads/spec_sheet/spec_sheet_Alpine64GT.pdf

NEW CONTENT (Digital Lounge) - Guide to Buying Blu-rays from Overseas

QUOTE: “Here at TweakTown I often get questions about whether or not Blu-ray ‘X’ will work in an Australian or American Blu-ray player; so I thought it would be a good time to write a guide about Blu-ray importing. Let’s begin!

Similar to DVD region coding, where the world is split up into six geographic regions, Blu-ray is split into three geographic regions. Fortunately, unlike DVD, the splitting of Blu-ray regions are far more sensible.”

For more information, please visit - http://www.tweaktown.com/guides/1524/guide_to_buying_blu_rays_from_overseas/index.html

Best Regards,

The TweakTown Team
http://www.tweaktown.com

TITLE: Crucial Ballistix Tracer 4GB DDR2 Memory Kit @ Benchmark Reviews

DESCRIPTION: For the power hungry overclocker and the bling-happy enthusiast, Benchmark Reviews brings you a review of Crucial Technology’s 4GB Ballistix Tracer DDR2-800 kit (BL2KIT25664AR80A). Outfitted with red LEDs, tight timings, and EPP settings that go up to DDR2-1000, could the Ballistix Tracer be the overclocker’s system memory kit of choice for the DDR2 platform?

ARTICLE URL: http://benchmarkreviews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=206&Itemid=1

http://lanoc.org/reviews/?p=500

With the widespread use of laptops in today’s on the go lifestyle has accelerated the use of external storage due to the smaller hard drive space in laptops. With a lot of homes having more than one computer, you now have people looking for easy ways to share there files between computers. Most of the time this means you are unplugging your external and plugging it into other computers. TRITTON has produced the USB Sharenet for people who have this problem. Considering in our household we have 4 people online and sharing files at any given time this product is perfect for us, if it works the way its described. Click to find out how it worked for us.

I4U NEWS published a review of the Griffin Wave for iPhone Case.

Quote from the review:
“Today we are going to look at a very nice case of the iPhone that is also available for the new iPhone 3G. The case is called the Griffin Wave for iPhone. Several colors are available and the case protects the screen and leaves all the controls easily accessible.
The edges of the case are beveled so that they are comfortable against your ear and face when the phone is in use. When the Griffin Wave for iPhone is installed, it does add a bit of bulk to the phone, but not much. Obviously, you can no longer place the phone into the docking cradle when the case is on, but the sync/charge cable itself fits with the case installed without any issues.”

Full Review:
http://www.i4u.com/full-review-458.html

Title:
Zotac GeForce 9800 GT Amp! Edition

Link:
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Zotac/GeForce_9800_GT_Amp_Edition

Brief:
NVIDIA’s new GeForce 9800 GT Series is not really new. The performance, specification and GPU are identical to that of the GeForce 8800 GT. Only a few minor features like Purevideo HD and Hybrid Power are present. At least Zotac showed a bit of creativity and added a bright orange PCB and higher clocks out of the box.

Title: Razer Piranha Gaming Headset Review
Link: http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/593
Category: Reviews

Summary:
Our test of the entry-level gaming headset Piranha from Razer.

Here is a snippet:
“Playing games over the internet like Counterstrike or Team Fortress 2 without a headset is really frustrating. It’s faster to issue commands and ask for help by speaking into a microphone than by typing on the keyboard – which usually will get you killed (virtually, we mean). That’s why the serious gamer always confides in a good headset while playing. Razer, a company known for their gaming mice, is releasing a headset pompously dubbed as a “gaming communicator”, the Piranha. It’s an entry-level model when compared to the Barracuda headset, which has a bigger size and more sound features. Let’s proceed to our field test of the Piranha.”

Quote: “How far can YoYoTech make £500 stretch into building a mid-range gaming rig? We find out as we review their latest Spartan 300 Gaming PC.”

Link: http://www.overclock3d.net/reviews.php?/misc_content/yoyotech_intel_spartan_300_gaming_system/1

Title: nVidia Chips Comparison Table
Link: http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/132
Category: Tutorials

Summary:
A table comparing the basic technical specs from all nVidia graphics chips available on the market, from GeForce 4 MX 440 AGP 8x to GeForce GTX 280. Updated to include GeForce 9500 GT and 9800 GT models.

Here is a snippet:
“If you don’t follow almost daily the video card market it is really complicated to understand the differences between the several different nVidia graphics chips available on the market today. To facilitate knowing and understanding the difference among these chips, we have compiled the following table:”

CPU3D Review: YoYoTech Intel Nova XT Gaming System

In the huge sea of PC components it can be confusing for a lot of gamers to decide what to buy. While D.I.Y. systems can be educational and fun, some would argue, why not have one built? Well, Yoyotech has just announced with their latest Intel Nova XT gaming system. It features Intel’s Q9300 (45nm) CPU, P45 Motherboard, 4Gb DDR2 ram, Radeon HD4870 and more …

“… YoYoTech have managed to build a gaming system that offers a well balanced set of high peformance components, at a price that’s very attractive. “

Read the rest of the review … http://www.cpu3d.com/content/view/5494/57/

Rochester, NY – July 29, 2008 – Vuzix Corporation is excited to release the VR920 Version 2.2 Software, expanding the number of VR920 virtual reality supported titles to 62.  The v2.2 software provides the user with superior 3D visual quality and compatibility with virtually any graphics card on a 32-bit Windows XP or Vista system.  The 11 new titles include:

•    Halo: Combat Evolved
•    Lord of the Rings Online
•    Far Cry
•    Falcon 4.0
•    Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
•    EverQuest II
•    Final Fantasy XI
•    PlanetSide
•    Spore: Creature Creator
•    Quake Wards
•    X-Plane 9.0

Additionally, v2.2 software upgrade includes Vuzix 3D Stereoscopy and/or head-tracking expanded support for 20 previously supported games. These titles include:

•    Call of Duty (multiple titles)
•    Roller Coaster Tycoon 3
•    Doom 3
•    Quake 4
•    Crysis
•    Half-Life (multiple titles)
•    Team Fortress 2
•    The Ship
•    Dark Messiah
•    Garry’s Mod
•    Dystopia
•    Hidden
•    Hypercube
•    Insurgency

For a complete list of titles, please visit www.vuzix.com.

“We are pleased to see our customers’ recommendations becoming a reality,” said Paul Travers, President of Vuzix Corporation. “With our list of supported titles continuing to grow, the VR920 has become the video eyewear of choice for gamers worldwide,” added Travers.

Additionally, Vuzix has distributed the over 800 Software Developers’ Kits the developer community.

“Due to this phenomenal level of interest in Vuzix virtual reality products, the available customer experiences continue to grow,” said Vuzix Product Manager Ron Haidenger.  “VR920 users will have more and more compatible titles from some of the world’s largest developers,” added Haidenger.

PC Cases are a big business, you can find all styles, sizes and designs of them available for purchase today to be used to build a new system or just upgrade that blah case that came with the computer that you bought. Depending on what your needs and personal preferences are will be the deciding factor in the type of case you buy, be it gaming, htpc, sff, or even a server style case. As with any product though, all cases are not created equal, some are better than others in not only their quality but their design as well.

Today for review I’ve got the Tempest Mid-Tower PC case from NZXT, this case is actually rather large, and it includes six 120mm fans to keep your system nice and cool. To be honest, when I saw those six fans included I was expecting a fairly loud case, especially with a name like ‘Tempest’, but I was very pleasantly surprised when I powered my system on to hear only a low hum coming from the Tempest. The Tempest is not only quiet but very well made, it has lots of room to get your system in there, and the blue LED accents really add to the overall look of the case.

So continue on to check out the NZXT Tempest…

Read Full Review HERE

Sans Digital MS1U Media Saver

” You are probably like most people when they go on vacation and use a digital camera with a few memory cards. It would be great if you didn’t need a computer all the time to constantly backup your photos. The MS1U from Sans Digital is billed as a digital photo bank and it does just that. It takes a laptop (IDE) hard drive and converts it into portable storage for your memory cards. ”

Link: http://www.aselabs.com/articles.php?id=270

Title: Zotac GeForce 9800 GT AMP! Edition Graphic Card Review on Technic3D

Link: http://www.technic3d.com/article-716,1-zotac-geforce-9800-gt-amp-edition-nur-ein-lauer-aufguss.htm

Quote: “The new Zotac NVIDIA 9800GT (AMP Edition) arrived Technic3D. The “Single” Graphic Card with a Silent Heatsink better than a 8800GT? Technic3D will see this in the following Review with 2560×1600 up to 1280×1024 against the 9600GT and GTX280.”

VIA caused quite a stir a few months ago when the company first revealed initial details regarding their low-power Nano processor. At the time, the product was referred to by its internal codename of Isaiah and the president of the design center that was tasked with making the processor was decidedly outspoken, which made for some exciting reporting.  When news of the Isaiah core first broke, we hopped on the line with Glenn Henry, VIA’s Centaur design center president, and got many questions answered regarding the processor’s architecture, features, expected performance, and the company’s plans for the CPU.  We also covered the official announcement of the VIA Nano processor and detailed the exact models that would be available at launch.  One thing we hadn’t been able to do, however, was a direct performance comparison of the VIA Nano processor versus Intel’s recently released Atom, which is target at the same market segment. Thankfully, we were recently given the opportunity to take a VIA Nano reference platform for a spin to see what it could do and will be presenting our results for you here today.

URL: http://www.hothardware.com/Articles/VIA_Nano_L2100_vs_Intel_Atom_230_Head_to_Head

Site: http://www.hothardware.com/

Title: SplashTop “Instant-On Linux” Gets Hacked @ Phoronix
Direct Link: http://www.phoronix.com/vr.php?view=12664
Summary: “Last October we were the first to deliver a full-review of DeviceVM’s SplashTop which was an instant-on embedded Linux distribution at the time found on a lone ASUS motherboard. Since then there has been a commitment to SplashTop on all ASUS motherboards and even on ASUS notebooks. While ASUS has been the primary partner with DeviceVM up to this point, other manufacturers are exploring this market. One of our few gripes about SplashTop is that it’s limited in the current applications available and doesn’t allow for much tweaking with no terminal access. However, members of the Phoronix Forums have hacked SplashTop. They have been able to run SplashTop from a USB stick on non-ASUS motherboards, boot SplashTop within a virtual machine, run custom applications, and launch a terminal within this proprietary Linux environment.”