Daily Reviews Summary 11/19/09

Posted by Philipp Esselbach on: 11/19/2009 11:58 AM [ Print | 0 comment(s) ]

Seagate FreeAgent DockStar Network Adapter Review
Bigbruin.com has published a review on the Seagate FreeAgent DockStar Network Adapter

As a simple NAS device allowing you to connect up to four USB hard drives to your network, the Seagate DockStar shines. Toss in the capability of using the PogoPlug online service, and the DockStar becomes even more valuable for the average consumer. It is extremely easy to setup and configure, and anybody that can follow simple instructions should be able to use it.

Seagate FreeAgent DockStar Network Adapter Review

Popcorn Hour C200 Networked Media Tank/HTPC Review
TechwareLabs has published a review of the Popcorn Hour C200 Networked Media Tank/HTPC.

One of the best way to save money and still get a kick ass home theater set up has always been three words, “build it yourself”. Now the company Saybas is changing that and hopefully for the better with the Popcorn Hour C200. The Popcorn Hour C200 is a Network Media Tank that promises to pack a wallop when it comes to home theater set up’s. Thanks to Saybas you now have the option to purchase one of their sleek looking Popcorn Hour C200 units and still have enough in your budget to purchase a few of the latest blockbusters. Ladies and gentleman follow me as I review Saybas’s Network Media Tank, the Popcorn Hour C200.

Popcorn Hour C200 Networked Media Tank/HTPC Review

Sapphire Radeon HD 5970 2GB Overclocked Review
TweakTown posted a review on the Sapphire Radeon HD 5970 2GB Overclocked video card

We mentioned in our standalone review that there was really more to the HD 5970 than just what meets the eye. We also covered the fact that ATI have kind of pushed this whole thing about the HD 5970 being "Unlocked." At first glance it's a little hard to figure what exactly ATI mean when they're saying this. Generally speaking, in the computer world the term "Unlocked" tends to refer to a CPU and the fact that it is multiplier unlocked.

So, what does this whole "Unlocked" mean for ATI’s latest giant card? Well, you can't enter some secret key combination and unlock more stream processers or ROPs, nor is there a secret to gaining extra memory. What ATI mean by saying the model is "Unlocked" is its overclocking ability.

Sapphire Radeon HD 5970 2GB Overclocked Review

Speck TwoZip HDD Case Review
TestFreaks posted a review on the Speck TwoZip HDD Case

Today I've got a brief review for you of another product from Speck, it's called the TwoZip and it's made to be a case for carrying you 2.5" hard drive around, but it can be used for anything really. The TwoZip gets it's name because it has two zippers on it for the two compartments, one large one for the hard drive and one for the cable basically. It's nicely made of durable cloth, with two compartments that are slightly padded and lined with a soft material, and it features heavy duty zippers as well. So read on to learn more about a useful little product from Speck

Speck TwoZip HDD Case Review

Western Digital 320 GB Scorpio Black Notebook Hard Disk Drive Review
TechARP posted a review on the Western Digital 320 GB Scorpio Black Notebook Hard Disk Drive

Running with a higher spindle speed of 7,200 RPM and boasting twice the cache of a Scorpio, the Scorpio Black represents the epitome of Western Digital mobile hard disk drive technology.

Western Digital 320 GB Scorpio Black Notebook Hard Disk Drive Review

Kingston HyperX 4GB 2133MHz DDR3 Dual Channel Memory Review
Futurelooks checks out some high performance memory from Kinston Technology

It happens to be one of the two fastest HyperX 2133MHz DDR3 Dual Channel Memory kits in Kingston's arsenal. It's similar to the elite stuff we we saw in action at the GIGABYTE's P55 launch party clocking in at over 2400MHz and it's called the HyperX KHX2133C9D3T1K2/4GX Dual Channel Memory. Boy, is this stuff ever fast!

Kingston HyperX 4GB 2133MHz DDR3 Dual Channel Memory Review

Samsung SyncMaster LD190G 19-inch Lapfit USB LCD Monitor Review
ThinkComputers posted a review on the Samsung SyncMaster LD190G 19-inch Lapfit USB LCD Monitor

So you have yourself a nifty laptop, working away diligently when you start to realize you might need more desktop space. Using a laptop, you find yourself locked into that 15-inch monitor but you need more room, what do you do? Well Samsung might have the perfect solution for you, if you have the extra space; the Samsung LD190G USB Monitor.

Samsung SyncMaster LD190G 19-inch Lapfit USB LCD Monitor Review

ASUS Maximus III Formula LGA1156 Motherboard Review
Hardware Canucks posted a review of the ASUS Maximus III Formula LGA1156 Motherboard.

P55 motherboards come in all shapes and sizes while retailing for prices that are sure to fit anyone's budget. On one end of the spectrum we have the budget friendly, basic products while on the other there are the high-end, feature rich enthusiast boards like the ASUS Maximus III Formula. This board looks to offer everything an overclocker could want and them some. Let's hope it delivers.

ASUS Maximus III Formula LGA1156 Motherboard Review

Inno3D Geforce GT 220 Review
OCC has published a review on the Inno3D Geforce GT 220

If you take a look at the increased performance brought to the table by overclocking, the GT 220 has a hard time competing with the performance delivered by the HD 4670 that is offered in the same price bucket at 65 to 79 dollars. This price point makes it a hard sell for those looking for an inexpensive gaming card. But this card was not built to push those limits, but to do the work that many a soccer mom does to preserve the family history in a digital format, convert media to a format usable by portable devices, or to clean up those shaky family movies.

Inno3D Geforce GT 220 Review

Office 2010 public beta Review
Paul Thurrott posted part 1 and 2 of his Office 2010 public beta review

In mid-2009, when Microsoft released the first external build of Office 2010, the Technical Preview (TP), it limited distribution to a relatively small group of people. (See my exhaustive, multipart overview of the Office 2010 Tech Preview for details.) But with a public beta release now available, virtually anyone can get their hands on a near-feature-complete version of Microsoft's next office productivity suite. That means this is the perfect time to evaluate what Microsoft's doing with Office 2010 and determine when and how you want to roll it out in your own environments.

Here's what you need to know about the Office 2010 public beta.

Office 2010 public beta Review

Antec Notebook Cooler 200 Review
Benchmark Reviews posted a review on the Antec Notebook Cooler 200

Convection is when moving air transfers heat to or from a surface. This is the method used by most laptop coolers to keep your CPU, GPU and other critical components from overheating. There are three major factors to effective cooling (or heating), namely temperature difference, surface area, and air flow. Any differences in these factors will lead to differences in performance, even for the same cooler. The Benchmark Reviews team tries hard to provide you with fair and repeatable testing. The Antec Notebook Cooler 200 uses all three factors to achieve effective cooling with minimal power. Our tests show which of those factors makes the biggest difference. We also consider ergonomics, looks and quality.

Antec Notebook Cooler 200 Review

Kingston SSDNow V Series 40GB Boot Drive Review
PureOverclock posted a review on the Kingston SSDNow V Series 40GB Boot Drive

We've seen some very fast SSDs over the last while, but they remain very expensive, and for most people, a hotrod SSD just isn't in the cards for a system upgrade. High prices are always a stumbling block to new tech adoption, and SSDs are no different. However, there may be relief on the horizon, as Kingston has released a sub-$100 SSD that looks to be fast, in the hope that it will finally bring solid state drives into the mainstream. So what's the catch? Well, let's have a closer look and find out.

Kingston SSDNow V Series 40GB Boot Drive Review

ASUS P7P55D Pro Review
Techgage.com posted a review of ASUS' P7P55D Pro mid-range P55-based motherboard.

On the lookout for a P55 motherboard to match that shiny new Lynnfield CPU? Given the sheer selection available, deciding on one can be a hassle. ASUS' P7P55D Pro looks to appeal to a large crowd, though, by offering a slew of useful options, impressive overclocking abilities and a great design for an easy-to-stomach $170.

ASUS P7P55D Pro Review

Sharkoon XTactic Digital Surround Sound Headset Review
DriverHeaven posted a review on the Sharkoon XTactic Digital Surround Sound Headset

Today we are going to look at the Sharkoon X-Tatic Digital Surround Sound Headset. Aside from being compatible with all PCs which feature multi-channel audio, it is fully compatible with both PS3 and XBOX.

Sharkoon XTactic Digital Surround Sound Headset Review

Patriot Box Office HD Media Player Review
Legit Reviews takes a look at the Patriot Box Office HD Media Player

The Patriot Box Office is a media player that frees your digital media library from the constraints of a PC and bridges digital media to your home entertainment system. Box Office also the most popular media formats (H.264, ISO, VOB, DivX, xVid, MKV, MOV, MPEG and more) so you can play what you want, where you want to! Read on to see how this recently released media player does!

Patriot Box Office HD Media Player Review