The Wide World of Monitors

Everyone needs a good monitor (or two) to get the most out of a PC. But finding the right model depends on several factors: what applications you use, how much room you have on your desk, the amount of on-screen real estate you need, and, of course, how much you can afford to spend. For many people, the wide-screen display wins, and bigger is better.

But that's not the whole story. Though our discussion covers such critical factors in the purchase decision as screen size and native resolution, it's still very important to consider a monitor's ability (or lack thereof) to render sharp text and vibrant images, as well as—for ergonomics--the range of physical adjustments that it lets you make, from basic tilt-and-swivel maneuverability to height and pivot options (some higher-end displays rotate 90 degrees to portrait orientation).

We tested 17 new midrange-priced wide-screen LCDs in three size categories that are growing in popularity: 19 inches, 20 or 22 inches, and 25.5 to 28 inches. The Top 5 charts you'll find here represent the best in each category. We've also updated our Best Buy charts for other popular flat-panel sizes, including standard-aspect 19-inch models plus 23- to 24-inch and 30-inch wide-screen units.

As always, we subjected the new monitors to the PC World Test Center's barrage of viewing tests. A panel of six judges rates how well each monitor displays 11 text and graphics images at its native resolution. Some of the test images are from DisplayMate for Windows, an industry-standard display evaluation and diagnostics program. We also assess motion using a scripted demo from the game Return to Castle Wolfenstein, and DVD video playback of Star Wars: Episode I--The Phantom Menace. See "How We Test Monitors" for full details of how we test and rank LCDs in key areas such as features, performance, and design.

Malware Evolving Too Fast for Antivirus Apps

Bad guys use sophisticated testing to create malware that can evade even the best security programs.

If you think that the latest security suites afford complete protection
against malware attacks, think again. Today's for-profit malware
pushers use dedicated test labs and other increasingly professional
techniques to improve their chances of infecting your computer. And the
techniques they employ to outpace security software makers appear to be
working.

Make no mistake--a good security program can go a long way toward keeping you in control of your system. But PC World's recent tests of security suites found that new malware easily evaded the applications. In our tests of how well security software blocks unknown malicious programs, the best performer detected only one in four new malware samples. In contrast, February 2007 results from similar heuristics testing showed that the best utilities caught about half of new samples.

Window of Opportunity Open

"In this industry, unlike others, we have an antagonist we have to deal
with, someone we're constantly battling back and forth with," says Hiep
Dang, director of antimalware research with McAfee's Avert Labs. "The bad guys have the element of surprise."

Even just a 12-hour head start can translate into thousands of infected PCs,
and malware authors have long tested their programs against antivirus
applications to make sure they get that critical jump on the
opposition. VirusTotal.com and similar Web sites, which allow security researchers and consumers to submit a questionable file and have it scanned by more than 30 different antivirus engines, have unfortunately made the testing easier for malware writers: Crooks can continue to tweak their new malware projects until VirusTotal or one of the other new multilanguage sites shows that the rogue application can slip past the majority of
antivirus programs.

Minimize Your Vista-Related Hardware Hassles

Ease your move to the new OS with these tips; a fan to help your PC beat the summer heat.

When windows XP launched, some PCs and peripherals wouldn't work
with the new OS because device drivers had not yet been written. The
same is true for Vista.
Whether you plan to install Vista on your current PC, or to buy a
Vista-equipped system to use with your existing peripherals, these tips
will help smooth the transition.

Study up beforehand:
To run the bare-bones Vista Home Basic, Microsoft recommends a CPU
running at 1 GHz or faster, plus 512MB of RAM and 15GB of hard-drive
space. Home Premium, Business, and Ultimate editions with the new Aero
environment require at least 1GB of RAM, and for systems without
integrated graphics, a DirectX 9-capable graphics processor with 128MB
of its own RAM, DirectX 9, and a few other features. Read Microsoft's Vista System Requirements.

Microsoft's Vista Upgrade Advisor
scans your PC to determine which editions of Vista will run on it, and
which of its hardware components are incompatible with Vista. When I
ran Upgrade Advisor on my year-old machine, the program found no
compatibility problems--but it did list ten components for which it had
no data, including the PC's USB port. You can also check Microsoft's Hardware Compatibility List, or the Vista hardware list on IeXwiki. Need to identify what components are in your system? The free Belarc Advisor utility will quickly scan your PC and identify all its hardware.

If
Vista doesn't support one of your PC's components, look for updated
Vista drivers on the vendor's Web site. If you can't find them, the
drivers may still be in development--so ask the company about it. RadarSync, a device driver update service, has created a list of links to Vista drivers.

After
you have identified which drivers lack Vista equivalents, copy the XP
versions to a CD or anyplace you can easily access them once you've
installed Vista. Make sure you have your network drivers handy so you
can go online and download other device drivers and updates.

Be prepared for trouble:
Back up your old XP installation to a second hard drive or to a
different partition on your main drive so you can revert to XP if
something goes wrong with Vista. (What can go wrong? One possibility: A
PC World editor found that, after installing Vista on his home
PC, he could no longer log in to the office network because no Vista
version of the Cisco VPN client existed.) As an alternative to doing a
complete backup on a separate hard drive, use a drive-image program
such as the $40 Acronis True Image 10 to burn an image of your XP installation onto recordable DVDs.

Or set up your PC to dual-boot. Find instructions
on installing both XP and Vista on a dual-boot PC.

Once you've installed Vista, open Device Manager to check for problems: Right-click the Computer icon and choose Manage, Device Manager.
Nonfunctioning devices are flagged with an exclamation point in a
yellow triangle (click on thumbnail image at left to see an example).
If Windows can't find a driver, it may list the device as 'Unknown
Device' under 'Other devices'. HunterSoft's free Unknown Device Identifier utility helps you find the name of the mystery hardware.

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Apple to offer Fox movie rentals

Apple and News Corp. have signed an agreement to offer Twentieth Century Fox movies for rent through the iTunes Music Store,
the Financial Times reported Thursday.

Users would be able to download the latest Twentieth Century Fox movies from iTunes and view them for a limited time, the
Financial Times reported, citing "a person familiar with the situation."

As
part of the agreement, Twentieth Century Fox will use Apple's FairPlay
digital rights management technology in future DVD releases, marking
the first time someone other than Apple has used the technology, the
report said. Using this technology would allow users to copy movies
from a DVD onto an iPod, it said.

The deal between Apple and Twentieth Century Fox will "likely" be announced on January 14 at the Macworld conference, the
Financial Times said.

Besides
Twentieth Century Fox, Apple is holding similar talks about online
movie rentals and FairPlay with Sony Pictures Entertainment, Paramount
and Warner Bros., the Financial Times said.

Apple, which saw its share price top $200 for the first time on Wednesday, currently offers some movies from Walt Disney and
other studios on iTunes, but these are only available for purchase, not for rent.

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Offbeat Laptop Bags

A bullet-resistant backpack? But of course. Here's a guide to some offbeat laptop bags.

Laptop bags may seem boring to some. But the reality is, some new and veteran models are anything but. This week: a look at some of the more interesting laptop bags.

The Bullet-Resistant Backpack

Yes, you read that right: a bullet-resistant backpack. From MJ Safety Solutions, the backpack is undoubtedly the most unusual bag I've seen recently.

After the tragedies of Columbine and other school shootings, the $195 backpack's inventors came up with this product, designed for students and anyone who fears gun or knife violence. There are two models, both with padded computer compartments. The makers claim that the bullet and knife protection panel adds only 20 ounces to the backpack's weight. Go to Traveler 2.0 for a video demonstration.

The Solar-Powered Bag

Here's something for the Al Gore on your holiday list: a backpack with solar panels that can charge handheld devices (but not laptops).

The Voltaic solar bags include several backpack models ($199 to $249) and a messenger-style bag ($229). Each contains three waterproof solar panels and delivers 4 watts of solar power. One hour in direct sun will power over three hours of iPod play time, the company claims.

The bags also include a lithium-ion battery pack, which stores surplus power so it's there when you need it. You can also charge the battery pack using an AC adaptor. Each bag comes with 11 adaptors for popular cell phones and other devices. And the company says the bags are primarily made of--Al Gore, are you sitting down?--recycled soda bottles. The three panels add a total of 12 ounces to each bag.

The Pulp Fiction Bag

For the ladies, MobileEdge sells something cloyingly called the Cutebug laptop bag ($90). The cool thing about these messenger-style bags: They feature vintage pulp fiction-inspired designs. The "Bright Promises" bag holds laptops with up to a 15.4-inch screen, while the "Kisses and More Kisses" bag holds laptops with up to a 14.1-inch screen.

Other Options

Interested in more-conventional laptop bags? I can recommend the following:

• CODi Sling-Pak ($148). Stylish, single-strap backpack features a built-in padded sleeve. The company says the bag protects laptops with up to 15.4-inch screens--but laptops of that size protrude outside the protected compartment, so I'd recommend this for owners of 14-inch and smaller models instead.
• Briggs & Riley 20" Carry-On Computer Upright ($325). I love Briggs & Riley bags for their durability and lifetime guarantees. This wheeled bag, which I've used and recommend, includes a laptop compartment plus space for one or two days' worth of clothing and toiletries.
• Waterfield Design's Cargo Bag ($169 to $249; prices vary based on design choices). For years, I've been a fan of this San Francisco-based company's messenger-style bag, which you can configure with an airplane seatbelt closure. Padded laptop sleeves cost $38 to $55 extra.

Desktops: Penryn PC Takes Power Prize

The first desktop we've tested with Intel's new Penryn CPU tops our chart.

Richard Jantz

Friday, November 30, 2007 2:00 PM PST

The first computer we've tested that features Intel's new high-end Penryn processor and a well-designed small-form-factor PC from HP are the highlights of this month's batch of power systems.

CyberPower's Power Infinity Pro, which leads our Top 5 Power Desktops chart, is equipped with Intel's recently released 3-GHz QX9650 Core 2 Extreme CPU, code-named Penryn. Unlike existing Core 2 chips that the company produces using a 65-nanometer manufacturing process, Penryn CPUs such as the QX9650 are fabricated in a 45nm process that packs more transistors--in effect, more processing power--into the same amount of space on a chip.

We pitted the Power Infinity Pro against power desktops that use Intel's previous high-end CPU, the 3-GHz Core 2 Extreme QX6850: HP's Blackbird 002 LCi, the third-ranked CyberPower Infinity Pro, Polywell's P3503-3DT, and War Machine's M1 Elite. Running our WorldBench 6 Beta 2 and graphics tests, we compared the Power Infinity Pro's scores against the scores that these other systems earned in imaging, 3D rendering, video encoding, and gaming.

The results showed an average performance gain of just 8.5 percent in imaging, 12.5 percent in 3D rendering, 8.5 percent in video encoding, and 12.5 percent in gaming. Granted, those aren't quite the percentages that Intel claims, but they still show a definite performance boost.

One possible explanation for these results is that the applications in our WorldBench test suite are not yet optimized to take advantage of Penryn's new instruction set, called Streaming Single Instruction, Multiple Data Extensions 4 (SSE4), which can greatly speed up tasks such as some key operations in video encoding in an SSE4-enabled app. (Intel's in-house benchmarks, and the demonstrations that we saw at last fall's Intel Developer Forum, back up those claims for SSE4.)

Microsoft Lets Everyone Try Windows XP SP3

Microsoft says it will post the release candidate of Windows XP Service Pack 3 to its download site tonight.

Gregg Keizer, Computerworld

Tuesday, December 18, 2007 4:00 PM PST

Microsoft Corp. said today that it would post the release candidate of Windows XP Service Pack 3 to its download site tonight.

The move marks the first opportunity for all users of the six-year-old operating system to try out its final upgrade. Previously, several thousand users were given access to test builds of SP3 only by Microsoft's invitation.

According to a company spokeswoman, the version that debuts today, dubbed a "release candidate" to note progress from earlier betas, will be available from the Microsoft Download Center. She was unable, however, to say when the service pack would post to Windows Update so users can download and install it with the company's update service.

The final version of Windows XP SP3 remains slated for delivery sometime in the first half of 2008, the spokeswoman said. She also warned off casual users from trying the preview. "As this is a release candidate, we strongly encourage only those who are comfortable installing prerelease code to download Windows XP SP3," she said.

The Significance of SP3

Recently, Microsoft has been downplaying the significance of Windows XP SP3. In a white paper posted to its Web site last week, and also Tuesday, the company praised Windows Vista at XP's expense, reminding users that "Vista provides the most advanced security and management capabilities of any Windows operating system."

"Windows XP SP3 does not bring significant portions of Windows Vista functionality to Windows XP," the spokeswoman said.

According to the white paper, the Download Center version of XP SP3 will weigh in at about 580MB; the version downloaded and installed via Windows Update, however, will be much smaller, typically around 70MB.

Windows XP debuted in October 2001 and was last updated as SP2 in August 2004; SP3 will be the final major upgrade of the operating system.

Dell’s new range of laptops to meet user’s specific requirements

Dell, along with the launch, also unveiled its new consumer marketing campaign assuring its users to deliver personalized devices offering a great digital experience, almost anywhere around the globe.
The latest PCs introduced are:
Inspiron 530, 530s and 531, 531s desktops
Inspiron 1720, 1721 (17-inch), Inspiron 1520 and 1521 (15.4-inch), Inspiron 1420 (14.1 inch) notebooks
XPS M1330 (13.3-inch) notebook
Dell SE198WFP 19-inch and Dell 2407WFP-HC 24-inch widescreen flat panel displays
“We’ve packed these new Inspiron and XPS systems with features like mobile broadband, widescreen displays and colors choices to help customers experience the high definition lifestyle they seek,” said Alex Gruzen, senior vice president for Dell Consumer Products. “Customers also tell us they want great design and performance and we have responded with the new XPS M1330, the world’s thinnest 13-inch notebook.”
According to consumer’s needs, the new desktops and notebooks features World-class widescreen displays allowing users to watch movies, sharing photos, and even shopping on the Internet. Furthermore, the dell products provide built-in optional mobile broadband that offers seamless wireless connectivity.
“Getting to know customers is what we do best,” said Zita Cassizzi, vice president of Dell’s consumer marketing. “Taking their feedback, putting it to work, and delivering the devices consumers want most is reflected in these new products. As our new campaign says: Yours is Here.”
Moreover, a new service has been announced which not only protects music, photos and other files but also can be shared with friends and family, called Dell Online Backup. This service gives 12 months of complimentary online storage space for every Inspiron (up to 3 GB) and XPS product (up to 10 GB). In addition, DataSafe internal backup, a solution that partners dual hard drive with back-up and restore software can be configured on Dell desktops. This ensures the safety and security of personal data.
Dell also offers PC TuneUp to reduce fewer maintenance hassles and ensures more time for fun and productivity. The service can automatically fix many issues or produce a report that pinpoints what needs to be done to maintain peak system performance.
A pre-installed Dell Support Center helps consumer quickly locate system information, self-help tools, FAQs and assistance from Dell by one-click. It also features Dell-developed applications that monitors and pinpoint system issues.
Dell has initiated a program ‘Plant a Tree for Me’ with the new range of products committing to environmental responsibilities as a cornerstone of its global business.

AMD Tailors Latest Chipset for Mobile Computers.

AMD Tailors Latest Chipset for Mobile Computers.AMD Launches M690 Core-Logic Family

Advanced Micro Devices has unveiled a lineup of AMD M690 core-logic sets which derive from the company’s recently announced AMD 690-series chipsets. The world’s second largest manufacturer of x86 central processing units (CPUs) promises that notebooks based on the M690 will feature longer battery life amid improved graphics performance at an affordable price-point.
“AMD CPU and GPU technologies work in tandem to deliver increased battery life for mobile workers and consumers who demand a superior graphics and multimedia experience wherever the road takes them,” said Phil Eisler, corporate vice president and general manager, AMD chipset division.
Technically, AMD M690 chipsets are similar to the desktop AMD 690 core-logic family that combines that combines AMD 690 north bridge with SB600 input/output controller. Currently AMD offers three versions of the core-logic: AMD M690, AMD M690T and AMD M690V. The AMD M690 features integrated DVI/HDMI output, the M690T features DVI/HDMI and additional memory buffer (that AMD calls Display Cache). while the M690V lacks both aforementioned capabilities as well as external PCI Express x16 port. The M690-series also feature a series of power-saving mechanisms.
The AMD M690 north bridges, which are compatible with AMD Turion 64 X2 processors that use HyperTransport bus, feature built-in Radeon X1250 graphics core (Radeon X700 graphics engine with 4 pixel processors, 400MHz clock-speed, DirectX 9 shader model 2.0 support with 3Dc technology); two independent display controllers allowing to plug-in a DVI/HDMI device, a TV and a D-Sub device (e.g., CRT monitor); as well as a PCI Express x4 controller. The SB600 south bridge, which has been available on the market for nearly a year from now, supports four Serial ATA-300 ports with RAID capability, Parallel ATA, ten USB 2.0 ports, PCI interface, high definition 7.1 “Azalia” audio, and so on.
According to AMD, the Display Cache technology incorporated into AMD M690T chipset can extend battery life by up to 30 minutes over previous AMD mobile technologies since it allows the CPU to operate in low-power mode without accessing system memory.
Notebooks based upon the AMD M690 and AMD Turion 64 X2 dual-core mobile technology will be available in designs from leading computer manufacturers including Asustek Computer, HP and Fujitsu Siemens Computing.