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THE YEAR'S HOTTEST HDTVs
Our top 15 picks in
flat-screen TVs,
plus the specs that
matter &the hype
DECEMBER 2010 • PCWORLD.COM
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 DECEMBER 2010
Volume 28 • Number 12 • pcworld.com

J
/
..
f
I

» FEATURES » DEPARTMENTS
74 Make Windows Smarter 5 Techlog
These SS tips for Windows 7 will
6 PCW Forum
supercharge your PC productiv­
ity, allowing you to accomplish 132 The Back Page » REVIEWS AND
more in less time. RANKINGS
86 The 100 Best Products of 2010 » FORWARD 46 Cut the Landline Cord
From the finest 10 Kill Your Cable, If You Dare Four free or low-cost alternatives

I
smartphones and Set-top boxes and streaming to your traditional phone service.
mobile apps to the video sites are on the rise .
52 Sony Reader Pocket Edition
best Websites, PCs,
19 Beta Watch
and electronics, 54 Top 10 Inkjet MFPs
here are our picks for the top 21 GeekTech
56 HP Envy17
devices and services of the year.

103 The Hottest in HD » CONSUMER WATCH 58 Top 10 Budget Desktop PCs

We look at the state of the HDlV 23 Beyond PayPal 62 Top 10 Ultraportable Laptops
set as 2010 winds down, and Online personal payment services.
72 Download This
find winners in three screen-size
24 Skeptical Shopper
categories, from 40 to SS inches.
26 On Your Side

» BUSINESS CENTER
29 Videoconferencing Options
Graduate from Skype and move
up to a telepresence system .

30 Net Work
32 Tech Audit

» SECURITY ALERT » HERE'S HOW

41 Resurgent Adware 117 Update Your Device Firmware
Devious ad-oriented software Software upgrades aren 't just for
finds new life on social networks. PCs. Keep all your gear current.
42 Bugs and Fixes 126 Answer Line
44 Privacy Watch 128 Rick Broida's Hassle-Free PC

DECEMBER 2010 PCWORLD . COM Il

 WHAT WILL

-=
VP, EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Steve Fox

YOU DO EDITOR Edward N. Albro

EXECUTIVE EDITOR Robert Strohmeyer
MANAGING EDITOR Kimberly Brinson

FIRST WITH ' ED IT ORI A L PC W CO MM U N I CATIO NS

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Jason Cross, Anne B. McDonald, Tim
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~ ctism tm:s«i CW1 ooaftald weea~ Ol 3G'lliCO Kbosw. 4G's
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2 J PCWORLD.COM DECEMBER 20 10
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tian!Narc pn>Jiicts arcmantrtar.lwo!d ftOO'I flt:W paiiS ct new t.·ml serv:ccob1e u'.'.i.tl pa:is Jte{i..u·.;!es:. oorw..:u;ui~t ~c1ms a11p!y FOf acoµyol.1ppticatle prod!.J(:l .v.uraf!Ms. v:s:l h1tn //\vww :t.m cup/
S€MfS/suppon/machtne_wa!T3nt·l!S. IBM mak:.'S rru rep;escnt.at!on orwa1ra01y rrxnrd:w; UH\i·pariy r1n..\11::'tS 11~ ff•.t\'~).!S IBM. the IBMlogo, S~1e:n S;nro:tqe cm<J Sys:•!fll t :\1':! mgis:errrl imd:.1mrks
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or tradar.a ... mtnmmafional Business Machines Cmpma:icn in !he Urn!f:d St.!~P.$ ar:d.'N o!her r:.;ur.111•,;s For J camp!?!~ !1$: oi IBM irnc!..11:..i!\t1. St;t} WU\~ ti.Ill rr.1rrif!~t/cq>i:n1;. sh'ml Int~! lf't.;­
lr.fel logr., Xecrr. and Xeon lns;de are trodtmarks of lniel CorporJl!OO ~11 !hf US JOI! oJtei i.:vuutm:s All vth\!t pm1kJJs nuy br~ l ra&.11>cJT~S m rcoi~lc:rea ir !dt:'!nJri<s cl llk:it 1~p1x.I~!~ t.GmMn:~
Ali prifJ?S ar.d savings estimates aze subtec110 Change wilflotit no!:m. ntl}' vdiy ;;~co:oir;g !o i;m!t:9·.;raiwn. ,ire lJd5~~1 i:pnn IBM's t.1 ~t1mEt:.,.1 u·lc?!! '."-.e!iin~1pnr.P.s1l~ o' MIU9/10 aixl 1rny r10: :nc uc!t1
Intelligent.
s!cra<Jg,/lard rJrlvu. opera!ingsystemor othr1 ~turos- Resr.llef priccsaM $.t1111gs 1orrc! :sc1s 11i:r-; vJry. Pr11dt:c1s::re ~Jlb!t.'Cl i:> avaii~tJtlfl~· 1h!s d0>:1;11X:rit \~J.5 dt:-·:~foped !or citr11n;1~ :fl itw. Urit~·o
S1;;:es !8M may not of!cr 1he prod.'CiS. reatwes. m sew:o:s dist."US.~'\1 !r: U11!:i rkicument :1: O!lff:r co::n~11P.\ Prrces an~ subie..:! to dt.an{Ji:? o,\ 1ih 1u\ 1;011Lt•. St.trtrnq pr1r1: n>.1 11.-:1: i1~lud, a h.1rt.l 1!W•J.
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Ci)'.?l'ati;ig s1str.m o; Gthcr fralui~ Contar.t yeiur !Bt..1repri!SP.nL.1!1-n Of lf3M Busm.:>..~ P:11tr;er for 111!1 must i.urrcnl pr:tiog Jil yom gt:<;grapl111.. ;:11~~ •· ·' 2010 lRM Co1po:,111un /,I: r;LJ!li\ :~;1,:1vrXl
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~2010 Samsung Electronics /\.mcnc:a, Inc. Samsung 1s a ro91sterod lradenmr\... or Samsunq Eloctromc!I Corp .. Ltd.
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 Tech,~qg
Editors Duke It Out Over Best Products List
I LOVE THE end of the year: cool, crisp We've picked the year's most influential products; now it's your
weather; slow work days, and even slow­
er vacation days ; and inevitably, a hefty
slate of "Best of " lists that put a punc­
L turn. Cast your votes for the People's Choice Top 5 of 2010.

truly wonderful product should be a selected this year's winners over gruel­
tuation mark on the year that was. leader. It should offer a glimpse into ing meetings, e-mail exchanges, and
Here at PCWorld, we're doing our part the future of computing and point the one final marathon session. "The tough­
with our annual "100 Best Products of way for a host of innovations to follow. est pan of this job," says McDonald,
the Year" (page 86), celebrating the "is informing editors that all 42 of
ground-breaking sites, services, their pet picks won' t make the final
hardware and software that made cut. The arguments get heated."
2010 a banner year in tech. As we zeroed in on our 100 top
What constitutes a "best" prod­ choices, several themes emerged.
uct? To start with, the candidate Obviously mobility is this year's
needs either to have been launched breakout trend, meaning that
in the last year or so, or to have in­ smaller, ponable devices- and the
troduced a major new feature or software and services that make
upgrade during that span. them work-dominate our list.
Second, the product itself must Today's·smartphones have more
truly stand out. It should be a well­ processing power than the fu ll­
thought-out, relatively bug-free imple­ A product t hat nails all three of these scale PCs of just a few years ago. What
mentation that lets users do something criteria is a cinch for the top ten. a delight it is to carry around a fu ll­
they couldn't do before, or do it better. The PCWorld editors, corralled by fledged computer in your pocket. .. and
Third (and this is the real kicker), the Senior Editor Anne B. McDonald, not have your pants fall down.
We've also seen an explosion of apps
WHAT IT TAKES TO TEST and services, often based in the cloud.
This trend, presaged by last year's num­
ber one pick, the Apple App Store, has
How Much Can You Spend on HDTV? accelerated in 2010. Expect more of
WHAT WOULD YOU do if your boss same in the coming years .
handed you a credit card and told you Finally, despite all of the justified
to spend, spend, spend? That's what mobile hoopla, mainstream hardware
happened to PCWorld's HDTV special­ isn't dead. Plenty of PCs, notebooks,
ist, Staff Editor Patrick Miller, when he and the like are sprinkled throughout
was working on this month's big HDTV our list. Competence matters , and
review (''The Hottest in HD.'' page 103). these mature categories show it.
And spend he did, ultimately drop­
ping nearly $15,000 on a passel of new Time to Have Your Say
HDTVs. including the 55-inch Samsung OUR LAB GUYS (no, that 's not them on screen) Agree with our picks? Think you could
behemoth shown at right. got to watch TV on a Sam sung UN55C8000. do better? Go to our Facebook app at
You see, in the normal course of pcworld.com/to p5, and vote for your faves.
evaluating products, manufacturers send us hundreds of PCs, cameras, and the like for We'll recognize the top vote-getters as
review. We put the units through their paces and then send them back. TVs, though, are the People's Choice Top 5 of 2010. And
big-ticket items: vendors are reluctant to part with review units. even for short stretch­ with any luck, Anne McDonald won't
es, which left us about a dozen TVs short. So Miller compiled a wish list of HDTVs for come knocking on your door demand­
review and took to the Internet on a shopping spree. American Express card in hand. ing that you rethink your decision. •
Shortly thereafter, a bevy of flat-screen beauties arrived in our tabs. The best news:
We're allowed to keep 'em, even after testing. So much for getting any work done. Steve Fox is editorial director of PCWorld.

DECEMBER 20 10 PCWO R LD . COM 1 s

PCWForum
Visitors to PCWorld.com AWOL: Customer Service
I'm always amazed when I read the 011
responded , sometimes Your Side column. Somebody has an
passionately, to "Don 't issue with a company, an issue the
company refuses to resolve in a satis­
Be Blinded by 'Gadget factory manner, whether it's a rebate
Lust'," which described that is rejected due to a silly paperwork
requirement, or a defective part that
how people can be daz­ needs to be replaced. Then PCWorld
zled by new gizmos and make poor deci­ steps in, contacts the company, and­
poofl-the problem is usually solved to
sions when buying gear. Have your own the satisfaction of the consumer.
thoughts on 'gadget lust'? Add your com ­ I wonder why companies refuse to be
more flexible and compassionate with
ments at the Find-It number be low. __,/ their valuable customers. If I ever have
a similar type of issue and am treated in
such a manner by a company, I am usu­
'Gadget Lust' I can agree with this article. I used to be ally done with that firm forever.
Your online anicle "Don't Be Blinded a tech nut, especially in the days when I I don't know about the electronics
by 'Gadget Lust"' (find .pcworld.com/ was into video games. Ever since I pur­
70917) was good, though unanticipated chased an Atari 2600 at a garage sale, I
on a tech site like yours. It's true that have bought and owned every game Most points [in 'Gadget Lust' ]
advertisers and marketers are always console up until the first PlayStation. apply to our entire consumer­
promising things that they really can' t Now it's the cell phone buzz-I pur­ oriented society, where people are
deliver-happiness, success, populari­ chased three new phones in less than convinced t hat buying more stuff
ty. In reality, they're just selling stuff. six months (and tried out others) . will make them happy.
The glow doesn 't last long, and the gad­ It's easy to get caught up in that tech skanter, PCWorld.com forums
get will soon be obsolete anyway. Un­ frenzy and hard to get out sometimes.
less you really need the device for your It 's as addicting as drugs can be. business in general; but in my business,
business or studies, in my experience Q11adico11, PCWorld.co111far11111s it's less expensive to keep a customer
it's often best to just wait until the urge satisfied than it is to win them back or
to buy goes away. Instant savings! No Free Apps? to find a new customer.
preilly2, PCWorld.co111fim111u None of the apps in October's "101 C. Paimcr, 811rli11gron, Kc11111cky
Essential Apps" are truly free. You pay
When I bought my iPad, I wanted three a consideration in the form of the infor­ Regarding the online article "Overheat­
things from it: good e-mail service, the mation you agree to provide via the ing Laptop : A Personal Story" (find .
digital Wall StreetJou ma/, and my stock­ app, such as usage statistics, browsing pcworld.com/70918): Even without the
trading software. history, network information, client waiting and waiting, and the rigid check­
The WSJ app was okay, but it added a information, location, and so on. lists reps work with, support calls can
lot of expense on top of what I already So to imply that any of the apps are probably never be happy experiences.
paid for Web access, and it wasn' t as "free" is misleading at best. Sure, we Say you end up getting a replacement
good or as timely as the Web page. expect Yelp to access our position via device from the company-you've still
E-mail was horrible without access to a GPS , but why would I allow a child's experienced aggravation (from the orig­
file system-no real way to deal with finger-painting app to access my per­ inal's problems] , lost use of the original
attachments. The stock-trading app was sonal contact information? Point being, device, and then suffered through the
the only thing it did well. But then, my people may want to make informed process that got you the replacement.
EVO phone does this equally as well. decisions about the value of an app in And then you're only back to where
So the iPad went up on eBay. light of the information it harvests. you were in the first place!
Quam, PCWorld.comfamms Jim Preis, Cary, Non/, Caroli11a rco1; PCWorld.comfarums »

6 j PCWORLD . COM DE C EM BER 20 1 0

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Legal Notice

If you purchased certain models of notebook computers

Lega l Notice
PCWForum
containing an NVIDIA graphics processing unit or media
and communications processor, you could be entitled to
benefits under a class action settlement. E-Readers vs. the iPad
The United States District Court fo r the Northem District of California, Regarding "TI1e E-Reader Wars" (Octo­
San Jose Divis ion. authorized this orice. This is 110 1 a solicitation fro m a lawye1: ber], I hate trying to read on the dedi­
A scnlcmcnt ofa class act ion lawsuit (The NVIDIA Period bc!!i ns, between now and Dcccmbcr20. 20 I0. cated readers . The iPad has a much nicer
GPU litigation, Case o. 08-cv-043 12-JW) relates visit W\~v.NV LDLASenl emem .com and register
to the VIDIA chips inside certain Dell. Hewlett­ your email address. If you previously recei ved an reading experience. The electronic-ink
Packard ("" HP"), and Apple notebook computers. emailed notice about this selllement , there is no need hardware manufacturers all calk about
The lawsuit clai ms that VIDI A old defective 10 register.
Graph ics Process ing Unit ("G PU") and Med ia and T he Final Approval Hea ring. how much easier it is to read on their
Communications Processors ("M P") that affected The Court will hold a hearing in this case (The devices in bright sunlight. That is all
the performance of some of the notebook computers N VIDIA GPU litigation. Case o. 08-cv-043 12-JW)
in which they were incorporated. VIDIA denies all on December 20, 20 I0. 10 consider whether 10 well and good , but the devices stink
allegations of wrongdoing and has asserted many approve the sct11cmen1 and anomeys' fees and whe re I do most of my reading- in di m
de fenses. The settlement is not an adm iss ion of
expenses in the amount of S 13 million. You may
wrongdoing.
appear at the hearing. but you don' t have to. For
ro oms where che LCDs shine (literally) .
Who is Affected by this Class Action ? more details, sec the Fu ll Notice. call toll- free GcordicK01pc1; PCWodd.comfarums
All United St Iles residents who purchased in the 1-877-440-7557, go to www. NV IDIASettlcment.
United States u version of one of the Dell. HP or com, or write to NVIDIA GPU litigatio11 Settlemenl
Apple notebook computer models listed in the Table Admin istrator, P.O. Box 6177, Novato, CA 94948­ Electronic ink is much easier on my eyes
of Class Computers. These indi viduals ure referred 6 177.
to as "Class Members" in this Notice.
when it comes to read ing for extended
This is only a summary of the Full Notice. Please
Whnt Ca n You Get From the visit www. NVID IASeulement.com or call 1-877­ periods. I cried the iPad, and after about
Proposed Sett leme nt ? 440-7557 to obtain a copy of the Full Notice. an hour I couldn' t take it anymore. Not
Class Members who fi le nn approved claim will Ta ble of Class Computers
be emitled to: sure why ... maybe the problem is too
The fo llowing notebook computer models arc
I. Replacement of the NV IDLA graphics included in the culemcnt if they contai n an NV IDIA much contrast, or maybe it's the fact
processin g unit or media and communications GPU or MCI' and were purchased in the time chat I'm staring into a light for an hour?
processor, which arc referred 10 in this otice as period corresponding to each Product Identi fica tion
the '·chips" if you purchased a version of certain umber: I ho pe that che dedicated readers scay
mode ls of notebook computers manu factured M FR. P l..ATf.'OR \I NA M& P URO IASC 0 .\1 £ RANCES dedicated readers. I fi nd it too easy to
by Dell , Inc. or Apple Inc. containing one ofll1e De ll lnsoiron 1420 Mny 2007 - Sco1cmber 30. 2008
NVLDLA chips; or Dell lnsoiron 9400/E 1705 Man:h 2006 - February 28. 20 I 0 get distracted on a multifunction device.
2. A Replacemen t noteboo k co mputer Dell La1 iru dc D620 December 2005 - November 30. 2008 I don 't want things like e-mail , Web
similar in ki nd and value if you purchased Dell La1i1udc D630 Fcbruarv 2007 - Soo<cmber 30. 2008
a version of ccrtnin mod els of notebook Dell Latitude D630c Fcbruory 2007 - Seotcmber 30 2008 browsers , ga mes, or Facebook clamor­
November 2005 - Mnn:h 3 1. 2008
com1111 tcrs numufncturcd by HP contai ning De ll Latitude D820 ing for my atte nt ion when I read .
Del l Latitude D830 March 2007 - September 30. 2008
one of the NV IDIA chips: or
Dell Precis ion M2300 Auoust 2007 - Seplcmbcr 30. 2008 g1111dark PCWodd.comfarums
3. Reimburse ment of nmount.s paid Dell Precision M4300 Man:h 2007 - Sco<embcr 30. 2008
for repairs related to problems wit h th e Dell Precision M6300 De<cmbcr 2007 - March 31. 2009
'VIOLA chips. NVIDIA will fun d S2 million Dell Precision f\·165 November 2005 - Jnnunrv 31. 2008 I chose a Barnes & Noble Nook over an
from whic h reimbursements wi ll be made. The Dell Vos1ro 1700 Mnrch 2007 - Scp1cmber 30, 2008
amount pa id may depend on the number of Dell Vostro Kotcbook 1310 Deecmh<."r 2007 - Scntcmbcr 30. 2008 iPad , and I couldn ' t be happier. The lat­
reimbursement claims received. Dell Vostro Notebook I~ 00 May 2007 - Scolcmbcr 30. 2008
Dell I Vo:.1m Notebook I 510 December 2007 - SCJ)<embcr 30. 2008
ter is a cool toy but is definitely not
NV IDIA is providi ng these benefits 10 Dell \lostro Kotcbook 17 IO
members of the cla s. and is fund ing the Dell XPS Ml210
Januarv 2008 July 31. 2008 wort h $500. For one t hing, it has no
March 2006 - :-lo,·cmbcr 30. 2008
settlement. Dell, HP and Apple arc not part ies Ddl XPS MIJJO Man:h 1007 - Seo1cmber 30. 2008 card slot, and it is not expandable.
10 this lawsuit. Dell XPS Ml530 Scn1cmbcr 2007 - Januarv 3 1. 2009
CmwalccGicrScarpirr.i,
How Do You Receive a Benefi t? Dell XPS Ml710 March 2006 - Fcbrua"' 28. 20 I 0
You must first qua lify for fil ing a elnim. and Dell XPS Ml 730 NO\•cmb..-r 2007 - J:inm1ry 31. 2009 PCWorld.comfarums
Il l' Comnaq Prcs.1rio vJOxx March 2006 - Oc1ober 31 . 2008
then fil e an approved claim with supporting llP Compaq Prcsario v3lxx Man:h 2006 - Oc1ober 31. 2008
documelllation during the Clai m Period. llP Comn:ia PrcS!lrio vJ2xx March 2006 - Oc1ober 31. 2008
To qualify for a replaeemelll as described HP Conmnu Prc:k1rio v33.<tx March 2006 - Oc1ober 3 t. 2008 PCWorld welcomes your feedback. We re­
in numbers I and 2 above, your notebook ttr ComoaCl rrcsario v3-bx Murch 2006 - Oc1obcr 31, 2008 serve the right to edit for length and clarity.
computer must be one of th..: Dell , 11P or Apple Ill' Comnaq l'rcsn rio v60xx Mnv 2006 - Oclober 3 1. 2008
notebook computer models listed in the Table 1-11' I Comn:m P n:.~sario v61xx Share your thoughts in the Comments ar ea
Mnv 2006 - October 3 1. 2008
of Class Computers, contain an NV IDIA HI' Comeau Prcsario v62xx May 2006 - Octobe r 3 1. 2008 under each story on our Website, or visit our
MCP or GPU, and be exhibiting one of the llP Comn;1q P rc~:ui o v63:c< May 2006 - October 3 1, 2008
symptoms Ii. ted in the Full Notice. To qual ify HI' Com1>11q Prcsnrio v64xx Mav 2006 - 0e <obcr 3 1, 2008 Forums (find .pcworld.com/55165). Send
for a re imbursement ns described in number Ill' Comoaa Pn:S3rio F500 Oc1obcr 2006 - ScDlcmbcr 30. 2008 e-mail to [email protected]. •
3 above, your notebook computer must be !IP Pavilion <lv20xx Murch 2006 - December 31. 2008
li sted in the Tab le, contain an NV IDIA MCP ! IP Pavili on dv2 Ixx March 2006 - Dece mbe r 3 1. 2008
or GPU, and must have been repaired because 1-11' Prwi lion dv22xx March 2006 - D<ecrnbcr 31. 2008
CORRECTION
J-ll' I Pavilion dv23xx Murch 2006 - December 31. 2008
it was exhibiting one of the symptoms listed llP Pavilion d\·2-lxx March 2006 - December 31. 2008
in the Full mice. The Claim Period wi ll HP Pavilion dv60:u Muv 2006 - Anril 30. 2009
begin after the Court gmllls final approva l of Ill' Pavilion J\'61:\X Moy 2006 - Aorit 30. 2009 IN OCTOBER'S "TECHNOLOGY'S
the Scnlement. Whether or not the Court has !IP Pavilion d\'62xx Mew 2006 Aoril 30. 2009
granted fina l approval. the Clai m Period dates HP Pavilion dv63u Biggest Myths," we should have
Mnv 2006 - April 30, 2009
and further instructions for how 10 quali fy and Ill' Pavi lion J\ 64x.x Muv 2006 - Anrit 30. 2009 designated the Blue Jeans Cable
fi le a clai m will be posted at the Senlement llP Pavilion Jv90x.x Mav 2006 - t'ovcmbcr 30. 2008
Website and at the toll -free telephone support !IP Pavilion d\'92:<..'t M11~· 2006 - Kovcmbcr 30. 2008
product (mentioned in the section
line shown m the bonom of th is Notice. llP Pavilion dv93xx May 2006 - f\ovcmber 30. 2008 on high-priced HDMI cables) as
Register Your Emnil Add ress To Receive a n HP Pavilion <lv9~:u Mav 2006 - t\o\•cmbcr 30. 2008
the Tartan 2BAWG HDMI cable.
!IP ravilion L'{ I:ux March 2007 - Moy 31. 2008
Alert When th e Claim Period Begi ns. Aon le MucDook Pro (15 -inch) MU\· 2007 Scorcmbcr 2008
To receive an email alert when the Clai m Aonle ~ l acDook Pro (17-inch) and listed its price as 53.60.
M:iv 2007 - Scolcmbcr 2008

www.NVIDIASettlement.com 1-877-440-7557
8 I P CW ORLO . C OM DECEMBER 2010
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 orwar
Kill Your Cable, If You Dare
l
BYJEFFBERTOLUCCI Sign up for Hutu Plus on a Roku set-top box, and scattered across the Web.
you could save $900 a year-while still allowing Currently, Google 1V, which
I RECENTLY cancelled my ca­ the TV junkie in you to get its boob-tube fix . weds lnternet-b.ased enter­
ble 1V subscription. My Time tainment, Web surfing, and
Warner bill had been rising are two Google 1V devices cable) and supplanting hefty productivity apps with your
steadily-$1.50 here, $2.75 that marry the Web and tele­ premium-cable subscriptions HD1V, is the best way to
there. When it reached $85 vision, as well as beefed-up with a set-top box can help find content online.
a month, I'd had enough. I set-top boxes from Apple you save a large amount of An Android-based soft­
stopped my cable service, and Roku (now with Hulu cash. At this point I'm on ware platform, Google 1V
vowing never to return. The Plus). Each offering delivers trac k to save $900 over 12 debuted in October on
months . Yep , that buys a Internet 1Vs ($600 to $1400)
lot of colon cleanser. and a Blu-ray player ($400)
from Sony, as well as on the
Brave New Telly Logi tech Revue set-top box
All of these media-streaming ($300) . The Logitech Revue
devices use Wi-Fi or ether­ is a small device that hooks
net to pipe Internet-based up to any HD1V and allows
material to a television. They you to browse the Web from
connect to the 1V's HDMI the 1V set (yes, including
port, although some can Flash sites such as Face-
use an analog link, such as
a composite A(V cable, in­ SONY'S NSX-24GT IS one of four
stead. The online movies, 1V new HDTV sets to incor­
shows , and music that they porate Google TV
deliver come from a variety functions.
of Internet sources, both
free and fee-based.
24-hour shopping networks movies , television shows As is often the case
the cricket matches in Ban­ music, and photos to the with new technolo­
galore, the colon-cleansing huge screen in your den. gies, there's a bit of
infomercials-I definitely Of course, ditching your untamed Wild West
wouldn' t miss any of it. cable company has some to Internet streaming.
If you're tired of shelling drawbacks, particularly if For novices, the most
out big bucks for cable 1V you are a cable-news or daunting task is find­
service, the good news is sports addict. Bur saying ing all of the
that you have new entertain­ fa rewell to cable (or down­ video pro­
ment options. Among them grading your plan to basic gramming

Google TV promises to merge Web-based entertainment, apps, and

TV functions seamlessly. For a closer Look at how it functions on one
device, the Logitech Revue, browse to find.pcworld.com/70957.

10 I PCWORLD.COM DECEMBER 2010

 device ($60) . Netflix, and YouTube) , and external hard drives, as well.
Both the Apple stream iTunes files stored on If you want full-blown
and Roku boxes , their networked home com­ Internet entertainment on
however, are consid­ puters. Apple has also estab­ your TV, consider the Logi­
erably less ambitious lished deals with major part­ tech Revue with Google TV,
than Google TV. ners so you can rent TV or a Sony Internet TV. Both
Apple's unit lets you shows from ABC, the BBC, not only work with Internet
THE GOOGLE TV- BASED Logi­ rent movies and TV shows, Disney, and Fox for $1 and video, locally streamed vid­
tech Revue l ets you surf the Web, streams content from Flickr, rent movies for $4. In addi­ eos, and video stored on an
including Flash sites, on a TV. Netflix, and YouTube, and t ion, Apple has announced external drive, but also inte­
plays dozens of Internet ra­ AirPlay, a feature that will grate with your DVR and let
book, FarmVille, and Twit­ dio stations. Roku offers permit you to stream music you browse the Web. On the
ter) and search and watch three players (HD, XD, and and video files from an downside, you have to pay a
Web videos (except for those XDS) that range from $60 to iPhone, iPod Touch, or iPad lot for the functionality.
on Hulu, which is banned $100 and have similar func­ straight to an Apple TV.
from Google TV). You can tionality, as well as access to For its part, Google TV has Cable's Advantage
also enjoy content from a Amazon Video On Demand. So should you do as I did
growing list of partners (Ama­ Roku 's boxes also stream and ditch cable TV? Maybe
zon Video On Demand, videos from Hulu Plus not, particularly if your favor­
CNBC, HBO, Netflix, and and Netflix-but ite shows are available only
Twitter) that each have cus­ you'll need to sub­ on cable, or if you Live in
tom Google TV channels. scribe to those services an area where the over­
Sony bakes Google TV ($10 and $9 a month, the-air broadcast chan­
straight into its Internet respectively). nels are difficult to receive
TVs-no extra boxes need­ Both the Apple and through an antenna.
ed. While t he Revue works Roku products lack Google Not surprisingly, t he
with either a full-size or mini­ TV's full Web browser and THE REDESIGNED Apple TV cable industry agrees with
ature Logitech keyboard, the other search tools for find­ gives access to TV and movie that assessment, particularly
Sony Internet TVs have their ing material online. rental s, plus onllne services. when it comes to broadcasts
own style of mini-keyboard, The new Apple TV is much of live events. ' Sports are
which feels a lot like a game smaller and simpler than its a similar trick up its sleeve still appointment-television
controller. Accompanying predecessor, which cost with a feature called Fling, driven-very live driven "
the Sony keyboard are two $229 and included a 160GB which allows you to stream says Comcast spokesperson
control pads : a touchpad on hard disk for storing digital media from an Android Jennifer Cory. And the NFL
the right for navigating Web­ media. The revamped, disk­ smartphone to the TV. playoffs aren't coming to a
sites, and a mechanical rock­ less model streams but Website near you- at least
er switch on the left for navi­ doesn't save media. Users Picking the Right not in the foreseeable future .
gating when the set is tuned can rent movies and TV Device for You Rather than drop cable TV
in to broadcast program­ shows, access a few online If you have a sizable iTunes altogether, one cost-saving
ming. The rocker switch services (including Flickr, library and just want to play option is to downgrade to a
operates like the directional files and iTunes content on bare-bones package. Verizo n,
buttons on a DVD remote. ,,. your TV, the Apple TV is a for instance, offers FiOS TV

.,
cheap and elegant choice. If, Local, which includes all of
Bargain Boxes on the other hand, you want the stations in your region,
Google TV-enabled to connect external stor­ for just $13 a month. And
devices are impressive,
but they're also pricey
compared with compet­
.. age devices or browse
the Web, keep shopping.
A Roku box is an inex­
Comcast and Time Warner
each have similar basic plans
for a few dollars more; the
ing media streamers. Logi­
I I"°"" '~-
pensive option to stream · exact pricing and channel
tech's Revue, for instance, videos from assorted paid­ Lineups may vary by area .
is three times the price of THE COMPACT ROKU XO, as w ell for services, and the compa­
the Apple TV ($100) and five as its siblings the HD and XDS, ny says that soon the devices Doniel Ionescu contributed
times that of the Roku HD can stream Hutu Pl us video. will allow you to hook up to this article.

DE CE M BE R 2010 PCWORLO . CO M I 11
Forward
Q AMtOklMMtlet
I Videos 3 vldoos l ~· s.o:e;
!----­- - - - - - -- - -- - -­ ·
J
Unlocking Android's •· Pooc.ut 'S u ren
I(> Music Storr
UaRARY
.. Gl

Owit Cotnol · Whenl'm Down · TrOIJbedcu. J""'4'¥ 29 201 0.1,iro.f

Multimedia Muscle
No iTunes? No prob­ handset into your PC's USB
lem. Here's every­ port and activate 'USB stor­
thing you need to age' mode when the phone
know about manag­ prompts you. (On some de­
ing mult imedia on vices, you may need to pull
your An dro id device. down the notification bar to
find this option.) The phone LOOKING FOR A media manager that resembles iTunes In look and
will show up as a removable feel? DoubleTwist can handle your organizing and syncing needs.
drive on your PC, and you
can drag and drop images , see your handset listed. Stitcher Podcast Radio (free).
music, podcasts, and video Click the white box below If you wantto use iTunes: An
files to your heart's content. the Sync tab and select Set app called iSyncr can keep
Music and video files typi­ up sync. Type a name for your your Android phone synced
cally live in the ' music' fold­ phone, and click Finish. to iTunes. Remember, how­
er of your phone's SD Card. Now, whenever you plug in ever, that Android can't play
A POP QUIZ: iPhone is to You can either dump every­ the phone, Media Player anything with Apple DRM
iTunes as Android is to what? thing in there or create sub­ will update it with any new (which currently includes all
If you're coming up blank, folders. You may need to music it finds on your PC. videos and some music pur­
there's good reason . convert certain files to 3G P If you want a full-featured chased from iTunes).
Apple's mobile world is all or MP4 for your phone to interface: Install Double­ Search for iSyncr in the
about a one-size-fits-all phi­ play them; to do so, try Any Twist (www.doubletwist.com) Android Market; you' ll find
losophy: When you buy an Video Converter Free Ver­ on your PC. The free utility both PC and Mac versions.
iPhone, you buy into iTunes. sion (find .pcworld.com/70958). gives you a familiar-looking The full versions cost $3. The
You may love it or hate it­ Want to build playlists? way to view all the photos,
iS)'nerl.iie • lu>drcid + iTunes
but if you use an iPhone, Open the Android Music videos, and music on your
you have no other options. app. Long-press on a song, computer, and then copy or Loi.din! iTunn-Dont
Btglnning Filt Cop~in!­
Android takes the oppo­ and select Addto playlist. sync them to your phone. It Ploytis1 "Bob~ - 14 ittms
site approach: Managing If you want to stay synced can import all of your play­ Copymg "!U d~tion Song•_

your media is up to you. with Windows: Use Windows lists from iTunes, convert
Aside from the occasional Media Player. Connect your video to Android-friendly
carrier-provided utility­ phone to your PC and enable formats, and even download
which, let's be honest, usu­ 'USB storage', as described and save YouTube videos for ISYNCR KEEPS YOUR Android
ally isn't that good-no above. Click the Sync tab in your device. The program is phone and ITunes In harmony.
standard iTunes equivalent the upper-right comer of integrated with Amazon
for Android phones exists. Media Player. You should MP3, and it has a podcast free "lite" versions sync only
Although it can be over­ search-and-sync tool. one playlist at a time and
whelming, a world without If you're craving podcast limit you to 20 items per
mandated standards isn't a power: TI1e Android Market playlist. Getting started is
bad thing. You can use a has no shortage of podcast easy; follow the on-screen
full-featured or lightweight apps. I've found DoggCatch­ tutorial and begin the sync
program, or none. You can er (S7) to be the most pol­ process with iTunes.
even use iTunes, if you wish. ished and user-friendly one; An even easier alternative:
Follow this guide to find its interface makes finding, Use the iSyncr Wi-Fi Add­
an Android media manage­ subscribing, and listening to On, available for $1 in the
ment strategy- and say podcasts a snap. Other apps Android Market. It works
good-bye to iPod envy. include BeyondPod Podcast over Wi-Fi, letting you sync
If you like a bare-bones, drag­ Manager ($7, also available your phone to iTunes with­
and-drop approach: Install ACTIVATE use STORAGE mode in a limited "lite" edition), out a physical connection.
nothing. Plug your Android on the phone to drag files to It. Google Listen (free), and -JRRapltael

14 I PCWORLD.COM D E CE M BER 2010

Forward

Windows Phone 7: Microsoft Ups the Ante

in an attempt to win the smartphone game, and gamer profiles. If you're

l
FOR MICROSOFT'S Win­
dows Phone 7 mobile oper­ the company revam ps its mobile OS, stressing an Xbox 360 addict, you'll
ating system, it's put-up-or­ both social networking apps and productivity. find a lot of familiar titles.
shut-up time. Following a
humiliating phone flop earli­ Windows on a Phone
er this year with the Kin, the Mobile versions of Micro­
company needs to prove soft Office applications such
that its Windows-centric as Word, Excel, PowerPoint,
phones- with links to Outlook, and OneNote are
Microsoft Office, Xbox Live, tightly integrated into the
and a nascent library of mobile OS. For instance,
apps-can woo the masses the phone can automatically
away from Apple, Android, recognize an address that's
and BlackBerry handsets. embedded in an appoint­
Can it pull that off? It just ment. Touching the address
might. Windows Phone 7 is launches a map, which even­
unlike any iteration of Win­ tually switches from map to
dows Mobile we've seen . AMONG THE FIRST Window s Phone 7 handset s are (fr om left) the satellite view as you zoom
Starting in November, hand­ HTC Surround, the LG Quantum, and the Samsung Focus. in on the address.
sets by Dell, HTC, LG Elec­ Pushing and holding the
tronics, and Samsung will be social tools. Your phone can Phone, says the new operat­ 'home' button on a Windows
available on AT&T and access photos that you've ing system was designed "to Phone 7 handset launches a
T-Mobile wireless networks; stored on Windows Live and create an environment that voice-recognition feature
Sprint will get its share of Facebook as easily as it can becomes deeply personal. " that lets you say what you
Windows Phone 7 next year. the photos you've taken want to do, such as "locate
The new OS is impressive, with the handset. The phone Where Are the Apps? an airline flight." Your voice
and it deserves a closer look. can integrate contacts from On the downside, the new goes to the server for Micro­
all local and Web sources, phones shown in October, soft's TellMe service, which
A Break from t he Past and your photos save to the including the HTC Surround, deciphers your command
Windows Phone 7 abandons cloud as you take them. the LG Quantum, and the and returns the requested
the legacy of Windows Mo­ Joe Belfiore, corporate Samsung Focus, had few information to you-if it
bile 6.5, Pocket PC, and Win­ vice president for Windows apps installed beyond what makes out what you said.
dows CE, which required would normally come with
users to attack certain screen handsets , such as Fandango, Promise for the Fut ure
menus with a small stylus. the iFood Plus Food Assis­ Missing features such as
Instead, the new colorful tant, Netflix , and Twitter. copy-and-paste (it's coming
interface uses large icons However, Belfiore says next year), multitasking, and
and tight Web and Microsoft that "hundreds of thousands tethering-as well as a wait­
Office integration to create of developers have down­ and-see attitude from some
the software giant's first truly loaded the free development app developers-cloud Win­
finger-friendly smartphone. tools and arc developing Win­ dows Phone 7's future. But
The new home screen-or dows Phone apps right now." the smartphone party isn't
Start, as Microsoft calls it­ Microsoft boasts that its over yet. Windows Phone 7
has "live titles" or widgets, upcoming mobile Games still has time to beef up and
which can show at a glance Hub on Windows Phone 7 hang with the cool kids.
your missed calls, incoming is the first and only official - Robm S . Amho11y
texts, or e-mail. You can also Xbox Live app available on
add "live titles " from friends ' a phone. It includes Xbox PCWorld contributors Jared
social network profiles­ IN PRESENTING LARGE Icons, Live games and a spotlight Newman and Doniel Ionescu, as
from Facebook, for example. Windows Phone 7 departs from feed , and you can see peo­ well os associate editor Ginny
Windows Phone 7 stresses the look of previous OS versions. ple's avatars , Achievements , Mies, contributed to this article.

16 I P C WORLO .C OM DECEMBER 2010

 Forward

Verizon Wireless Turns Up the

Heat on 4G Wireless Deployment
VERIZON WIRELESS recently an­ ter reaches inside buildings· 4G mobile
nounced that it will bring the latest and hotspots may become fast and reliable
fastest mobile broadband £1avor-4G enough to unseat home DSL or cable.
LTE-to 39 markets in the United Verizon expects the service to cover
States, effectively lighting a fire under 200 million people by end of 2011 , and
the 4G network roll­ to be as extensive as the
outs of the other U.S. company's 3G network
wireless carriers. by the end of 2013.
Among Verizon's 39 As for the competi­
LTE (Long Term Evolu­ tion, Sprint took an
tion) cities are Atlanta, early lead in the race to
Chicago, Dallas, Los 4G by deploying \ViMax
Angeles, New York, and service, which now
San Francisco. reaches 58 cities. AT&T
In PCWorld speed tests, Verizon'-s 3G says it will begin rolling out its 4G LTE
EvDO network produced average network in 2011. And T-Mobi.le is up­
download speeds of 877 kilobits per grading its network with ~ promising
second and average upload speeds of pre-4G technology called HSPA+.
434 kbps . Verizon says its 4G network The first devices to link with the Veri­
will offer download speeds of 5 to 12 zon LTE network will be laptop USB
megabits per second and upload speeds modems. Verizon plans to show LTE
of 2 to 5 mbps. At that rate, videocon­ phones and tablets at the 2011 Consumer
ferencing and high-def video should Electronics Show in January; the prod­
perform smoot hly and dependably. LTE ucts will reach consumers by midyear.
also uses a wireless spectrum that bet- -Mark S111/ioa11

Google Yields to the Haters of

Gmail's Conversation View
IF YOU HATE how Gmail groups an Conversation View haters are off-base.
e-mail with all the replies to it, Google Threads make it much easier to keep
has answered your prayers and made track of the twists and turns of a topic.
"Conversation View" an option that you By default, you see only the messages
can turn off. So, instead of hav­ you haven't read yet; the .previ­
ing one item in your inbox ous messages are collapsed.
that includes, say, all 16 The anti-Conversation
messages from coworkers View crowd also says that
about the monthly bud­ undeletable messages are
get, you can now have 16 making the inbox too
separate messages some­ bulky. But a basic Gmail
where in your inbox. account now offers 7.SGB
Judging from the com­ of storage. Un.less your con­
plaints on the Gmail forum, peo­ versations include lots of at­
ple dislike Conversation View because tached high-def video files , those indi­
the threaded approach doesn't allow vidua.I messages that you can't delete
them to kill off individual messages. aren't making a dent in your storage.
Always safe.
I like having a clean inbox, but I think -Edward N. Albro

-.
DECEMBER 2010 P C WO R L D . C D M I 17 wa1mart
s-._,.u...~.

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EmailOracle: Inbox Spy in to your Facebook or Twitter account
Do you hate hearing someone give you through FriendShuffle, and click the Shuf­
that Lame "I haven't read your e-mail" fle button- you 'll go to a Web page that a
excuse when you know they read it but friend mentioned in a status update or
didn't bother to reply? EmaiLOracle is a Liked on Facebook. At the top, you 'll see
Gmail plug-in that will
tell you. whether they l•na & Tnlck save uow Oran autosaved at 5:31 PM
k "Ed Albro• <ealbrn@pcwOOd com>,
°"'""'
are really blowing you
off or it's time to up the Add CclMQJlg;
antiparanoia meds. Subject: Take a look and gel back to me
This service adds a , Allachafile lnsell: l!l!!lJru!l!!
couple of checkboxes J!!E!! O renwidme l lhaYen'11eanlbackw1 ,- _ dayS (Oil •Shl\ • 1)

to Gmail's interface ilo see whe1her !he roc ipienl opens U'i$ emal (CUI • Shill+ 2J chnOOOlffi!!Q!2
when you're composing B I ll J'· TT· 'Iii! ]> !!! t: !: m EB " Jlif' 1f 111 l;
a message: You can Would you please lake a IOOk al lhe new spreadsheet on Ille seiver and
give me some teedbad<ll
choose to track wheth­
er the recipient opens WITH THE EMAILORACLE plug-in for Gmail, you can track
your e-mail and to get whether a recipient reads your m essage and fails to r eply.
a reminder if you
haven't heard back within a number of what your friend had to say about it. And
days that you specify. A free account Lets if you're intrigued, too, you can click a
you track 20 messages a month. Paid ac­ button to post it to you r Facebook and
counts cost as much as SlOO per month Twitter followers. friendshuffle.com
and allow you t o track as many as 10,000
messages a month. emailoracle.com Storify: Blog Collector
Literature has the concept of "found poet­
FriendShuffle: URL Explorer ry," poems cobbled together from other
For many people, the point of following people's words. Storify is a free tool to
someone on Twitter (and, in some cases, create what you might call a "found blog."
Facebook) isn't so much to see what they Whe n you compose a blog entry at Stori­
say in their status updates as to see what fy, you see two panels on the page. The
they're Linking to. FriendShuffle is a mash­ panel on the Left allows you to search for
up that makes it easy to view the Web content from Creative Commons, Face­
pages that have your friends excited. Sign book, Google, Twitter, or YouTube. Once

Storify
- you find a Facebook
entry or Twitter com ­
ment t hat you want to
include, drag it into the
composition panel on
the right. The informa­

.
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USE STORIFY TO collect bl og posts, videos, tweets, and other

bits and pieces from the Web-plus your text- into one page.
"*""'1Clf
before and after. Peo­
ple can see the final
product on the Storify
site, or you can embed
your creation in your
own blog. storify.com
Always safe.
D ECEMBER 2010 PCWOR L D. CO M I 19 Buy.com frifj
IRI Scan,.
for Windows ®and Mac OS ®

Scan Business Cards Scan Paper Documents Scan Photos

To Outlook-, Lotus Notes•. Letters. faxes. receipts, invoices. etc. Convert piles of photos into
_ Address Book, Act!". etc. Eliminate your paper clutter! shared digital memories.
 . ., \.

Forward
GEEK TECH
New Tech Goes Beyond Traditional Displays

l
CURRENTLY, THE highest­ High-resolution, projector- based setups
resolution display you can could make using multiple monitors
get for a PC is a 2560-by- more useful, immersive, and practical.
1600-pixel 30 -incher cost­
ing $1200 to S2100. If you want more, is an affair that generates 2500 Lumens.
you can buy multiple monitors-but the I n a project for a Fortune 20 company,
bezels break immersion in games or get Scalable Display has constructed an
in the way when you use productivity apps. "enterprise media wall" with system inte­
Alternatively, you could take four grator Cynergy that uses one PC, no
lOBOp projectors, each about external hardware, and two
51000, and project images high-definition projectors.
onto a single, curved The computer runs Win­
surface much larger dows 7 and a capture
than a 30-inch display. card for a complete.
Aligning and merging large-scale videocon­
the images correctly ferencing system.
isn't manually feasible, Mersive's CEO Robert
but companies such as Belgley says his firm had
Mersive and Scalable Dis­ one project that involved a
play Technologies are working 32-by-20-foot screen and used
to solve the problem. Their systems 20 projectors to create a 55-megapixel
break an image into multiple tiles and display. At one point. it was the highest­
project each segment onto a big screen, resolution large display in public use.
sometimes curved. sometimes flat. Both companies employ GPU technolo­
While Scalable Display seems to be gy to handle the compositing, color cor­
focusing on smaller-scale designs, Mer­ rection, and tiling of the images. With
sive is pursuing setups that are much smaller systems (up to six projectors),
larger. For both companies, the idea isn't a dual-GPU design can still generate at
Least 30 frames per second of real-time
animation, such as in a game. Mersive
has built its products into ship simulators
for the U.S. Navy, for example. Scalable
Display has shown two-, three-, and six­
projector curved displays that could func­
tion as an immersive gaming setup.
Using software and mul tiple projection
sources to construct these very high­
resolution displays and create a seam­
less image is an intriguing idea. As pro­
SCALABLE DISPLAY TECHNOLOGIES' jector technology evolves-and as
ScalableDesktop drives tour HD projectors higher-output. higher-resolution pico
in an lmmerslve, seamless display. projectors become more common- you
could have a big, curved, quad-HD screen
to make desktop displays, but to build on your desktop for roughly the price of
high-res products for larger settings. For two or three 30-inch monitors.
example. NEC has Licensed Scalable Dis­ -Ll!)ld Case •
play technology to build a theater-style
unit that replaces a single, 5100,000 pro­ For more hardware news, visit the Geek-
jector with four Sl0,000 ones. The result Tech blog at go.pcworld.com/geektech. Always safe.
DECEMBER 2 0 10 P CWORLD . COM I 21 a ~on.co m
..., __
Office DBPOT.
samsung.com/memory
~2010 Sa1"11Mmg Eloctron1c::. Amo11c a. Inc. San1 ~ un g 1s a regrsterecl tr3demark o f Samsung Clec tromc !> Corp., Lid.
 Consumer Watch
Beyond PayPal: New Personal Payment Sites
BY YARD ENA ARAR

EVER GONE OUT to a fancy restaurant New Web services make online
with friends, only to find that someone payments between individuals
lacked the cash to pay their share? Is simpler than PayPal-and might
writing a paper check to a relative (say, eventually do away _
a kid in college) a hassle? A couple of with checks. r-::::. ___
new Internet services hope to do for
money transfers between individuals
.- :s=:::::___
...._..,._. .....___

what PayPal did for e-commerce: pro­

vide a way to make payments online
without having to give recipients your
credit card or bank account information.

How They Work

Popmoney, which launched late last
year, and ZashPay, which launched this
summer, work much like PayPal: For
payments, you need only the recipi­
ent's e-mail address or mobile phone
number. One major difference: PayPal
permits you to send and receive pay­
ments only via your Pay Pal account. To
make a payment, you must first fund
your account (through a linked bank
acco unt or credit card); to receive a
payment, you must transfer it to the
bank or credit card to use it for any­ don't tie up cash-they just associate site. But you must provide sensitive
thing that isn' t a PayPal purchase. your bank account with your e-mail ad­ information, including your date of
Popmoney and ZashPay transfer mon­ dress and/or your ceU phone number. birth, Social Security number, and the
ey directly from your bank account to accounting and routing numbers for
that of the person you're paying (nei­ At More and More Banks your linked bank account. You must
ther service supports credit cards). This If your bank offers either service, it will then go through a verification process,
is much like electronic bill payments , set up your account automatically. which involves waiting for the service
and both services are offshoots of com­ CashEdge says some 175 banks already to deposit two smaU sums (both under
panies (CashEdge in the case of Pop­ offer Popmoney; Fiserv says ZashPay $1) to your account and then reporting
money; Fiserv in ZashPay's) that man­ had 70 banks on board in early October. the exact amounts received.
age bill payment services for banks. Otherwise, you can still use these ser­ ZashPay charges 75 cents to send
Both sender and recipient must have vices to receive cash by signing up for money (up to $500) . Popmoney doesn' t
accounts on these services, but they a personal acco unt on a service's Web­ let you send money through its site »

Got an Android phone? Find bill-paying and other personal-finance

apps in our AppGuide for Android at find.pcworld.com/ 70920; and
for similar iPhone apps, browse over to find.pcworld.com/-70921.
DECEMBER 2010 PCWORLD . COM I 23
Consumer Watch

at all, but only through your bank if it

supports the service. You wou ld set up
a Popmoney account for payments
from someone who wants to use that
E-Coupons May Track Your Spending Habits
Online coupons, alt hough convenient,

l
service through their bank. THE ADVENT OF online
Since my bank doesn't offer it, I set coupons has made shopping come with privacy risks, such as letting
up a ZashPay account online, which and saving that much easier. reta ilers track your shopping habits.
took a few days because of the verifica­ In an earlier era, people
tion deposits. To make a payment, I spent their Sunday mornings clipping tion, your gender, and your interests.
just had to provide t he recipient's coupons out of the newspaper. Now, yo u Note that RevTrax simply collects all
e-mail address and the amount I wished can download coupons from dedicated this data: where the data goes and how it
to send. When I received a payment, sites like Coupons.com or Ebates.com, or is used is up to the reta iler employing
the service notified me via e-mail. Turn­ even social networking sites like Face­ RevTrax's service. If Ruby Tuesday wants
around time was one to two days. book and Linkedin. But this convenience to send a "thank you " message to your
carries certa in privacy risks: Some com­ e-mail address and offer additional deals,
Additional Servi ces panies track consumer spending habit s the restaurant can now do so thanks to
Other personal payment services are based on the coupons they use. its access to your information.
AlertPay and Obopay, which work basi­ Last April, The New York What's most disturbing is
cally like PayPal- you must set up and Times (find .pcworld. that RevTrax is com­
fund an account that makes and re­ com/70928) reported pletely invisible: you
ceives payments. Obopay offers strong on how a company have no way of know­
support for mobile devices; AlertPay called RevTrax, ing whether a cou­
serves some people that PayPal does which manages pon is on RevTrax's
not-it accepts money orders, and lets online coupons for platform or not.
you send money to over 190 countries. retailers, was track­ And RevTrax isn't
Do these services mean t he end of ing consumer spend­ the only company out
checks? Jim Bruene, who tracks online ing habits th rough there that is tracking
finance in his NetBanker blog, says these online coupons. customers' spending habits.
making e-payments first has to become RevTrax clients include stores The May Skeptical Shopper (find.
"as easy as pulling out a $20 bill. " Still, like Filene's Basement, Lord & Taylor, pcworld.com/70930) looked at a company
that day is coming, Bruene says, and and Micro Center: restaurants like Ruby called RapLeaf that used Facebook and
the checkbook may eventually go the Tuesday: and a number of marketing Twitter to create targeted ad campaigns
way of the da ily newspaper-online. agencies representing mul tiple cl ients. for banks and other financia l institutions.
(The companies using RevTrax's servic­
,.,f AT&T M-Cell 9 7:1 2 PM
Collecting Your Data es insist that they use the data simply to
So what does all of th is mean for con­ reach their customers better.)
sumers? Suppose that you sign into
Ebates.com via Facebook Connect and Protect Your Privacy
obtain a coupon for Ruby Tuesday. You Though most of the data collected when
take in that coupon, it gets scanned, and you use a coupon may be harmless, you
you enjoy your discounted dinner. How­ can never be too sure. I recommend
ever. you might choke on your cheesecake adjusting the privacy settings on your
View History ) if you realized how much information the Facebook profile. Also, don't use Face­
restaurant has collected about you. book Connect to log into e-coupon sites.
Add a family member account )
Once the restaurant scans your cou­ ReclaimPrivacy.org has a neat tool that
pon's barcode. RevTrax can track it back w ill scan your profile and account set­
New Notifications
not only to the search terms used in tings. For each area of your account, Re­
View All Notifications ) Ebates.com to find that coupon but to the claim Privacy will give the setting a green
Facebook ID, including your first and last ("good") , yellow ("caution "), or red ("inse­
@ 8 G (: C) name, that was used to log into the site. cure"} ranking. If your account settings
Homo ~ H1 lr .~, qu, I ,•,1;->r'
1.i k1
Now the company has access to your prompt yellow or red warnings , the site
OBOPAY FOR THE I Phone wor ks a l ot like search habits and your social networking will give you instructions on how to
PayPal, via an account you set up and fund . habits. It also has access to your loca­ change those problematic settings.

24 I P CW OR L D . CO M DECE M BER 2010

 Microsoft<

Office2010
AKE IT GREAT

I mak it reat
I'm a p
 Consumer Watch

I RECEIVED A Windows 7 Ultimate CD from a friend of a friend when Win­

dows 7 first came out, and as I always do, I put it through every test for
genuineness that Microsoft had, because I had been tricked into buying a
counterfeit copy before. Every one of those tests said it was authentic. Re­
cently when Automatic Updates ran, a notification came saying my copy
was not genuine. What should I do? I don't want to buy another copy of
Windows 7 Ultimate, and I'm sure this version is real. Please help.
Robert C. Maehl, Louisville, Kemuclry
OYS responds: We advised Maehl that he
could submit his rejected copy of Win­
dows to Microsoft for evaluation and pos­
sibly get a free replacement. He did just
that and received a new copy.
Anyone who already has a copy of Win­
dows or Office and wants to check wheth­
er the software is genuine can visit www.
microsoft.com/genuine; Microsoft enhanc­
es its validation tests constantly, which
may explain why Maehl's copy of Win­
dows originally passed but later failed.
Besides the ethical issues surrounding
software piracy, a Microsoft spokesperson (RMA), but he received only automated

UNLIMITED HOSTING ll.iAfl points out that counterfeit software car­

ries risks such as exposure to malware
responses saying that the company
would get back to him. It didn't.

RESELLER HOSTING l'Ufl{(I and identity theft. The company encour­

ages customers to use its Windows Genu­
After we contacted FireFly about Car­
ey's problem. a representative sent him

VPS HOSTING '1 'lQ ine Advantage (WGA) and Office Genuine an RMA. Carey returned the keyboard;

ui.mu
Advantage (OGA) validation tools. the company verified that it was defec­

SEO HOSTING If you're considering buying Windows tive and then sent him a replacement.
from a third party. make sure that the re­
CUSTOM YOUR OWN HOSTING seller is reputable. Look for high-quality Toshiba Notebook Recall
packaging with a Certificate of Authentic­ In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer
»> FREE SITE BUILDER ity label but no product key on the out­ Product Safety Commission. Toshiba has
»> 3000+ TEMPLATES side, and check to confirm that a holo­ recalled about 41.000 notebooks. The
»> 24n SUPPORT {Levell) gram CD, DVD, or recovery media and an Satellite Tl35, Satellite Tl35D, and Sat­
a» 99.9% Uptime End User License Agreement are includ­ ellite Pro Tl30 can overheat. posing a

• i> 45 Days Money Back ed. You can see examples of counterfeit burn hazard. Toshiba has received 129
software and antipiracy features at www. reports of the notebooks' overheating and
rnicrosoft.com/resources/howtotell. deforming the plastic casing around the
DOMAIN REGISTRATIO N AC adapter plug: two reports are of minor
with FREE PRIVACY for only $8.95/year Keyboard Inconvenience burns and two are of minor property dam­
Gene Carey of Rome, New York, contact­ age. Consumers should immediately
ed us when he had trouble getting a download the latest version of Toshiba 's
product repaired or replaced under war­ BIOS from find.pcworld.com/70927 to
ranty. About five months after he pur­ their notebook. The BIOS revision wi ll
chased a new FireFly International illu­ detect whether the unit is overheating: if
minated keyboard on eBay, a couple of it is, external power will be disabled, and
the keys stopped registering . Carey the user will be directed to contact Toshi­
e-mailed FireFly four times to request a ba for a free repair. For more information.
Return Merchandise Authorization call Toshiba at 800/ 457-7777.

www.kvchosting.com
26 I PCWORLO . COM D ECEM B ER 2010
 Microsoft

Office 2010
MAKE ITGREAT

I eat
cau
• •
e
t IS IS
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r • i ,11 ,

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 Business Center
Videoconferencing: Stepping Up From Skype
BY CURT FRANKLI N

AITER YEARS OF promise, videocon­

ferc:ncing has become useful for small
businesses, offering long-distance col­
laboration without the need to travel.
Many people
get their first
If you 're ready
taste of video­
to move up
conferencing via
from free video­
Skype or a video­
conferencing,
enabled instant
telepresence
messaging sys­
tools can make
tem, and for in­
a video chat feel
formal purposes
almost like
such services
being there.
may be all a com­
pany needs . For
organizations that want to communi­
cate with customers or replace travel
with long-distance conferences, some­
thing more sophisticated is required.

Multiple Options
All videoconferencing products include
a Web-standard video camera, a micro­
phone, a system to deliver audio and
video, and software. A more-immersive
setup can include video screens coupled
to full-duplex audio with whiteboard quality must be, and how much money is shared. For that reason alone, many
and document sharing, as well as high­ you have for videoconferencing and the companies block consumer-level video­
def video on a desktop monitor and network infrastructure to support it. chat services at the firewall. Add to that
simulta neous document collaboration. Many professionals use consumer the choppy streaming and grainy video,
Your options range from the basic video calling, such as Skype and free and you have an option that isn't ap­
Webcam-and-headphone combination IM systems . For businesses, however, propriate for a professional role.
to the dedicated hardware and software these services present problems, such You can find commercial services and
systems sold by vendors such as Cisco, as a lack of company control over how free tools that work well for small busi­
LifeSize, and Polycom. Choosing a sys­ employees use them. This issue can nesses and are acceptable for sharing
tem boils down to how many users need become a headache if your firm is sub­ video-some add desktop views, slide­
to be on a conference, how good the ject to regulations on how information shows, and whiteboard sharing- »

Selecting a videoconferencing system and implementing it requires

careful planning. For tips on what to consider and what to avoid, see
"Getting Videoconferencing Right" at find.pcworld.com/70908.

DECE M BER 2 0 10 PCWORLD . COM I 29

Business Center st.
~r
but they do not provide high-def video. NET WORK TONY BRADLEY
A growing number of vendors offer vid­
eoconferencing as part of a larger suite
under the unified co111111u11icmio11s umbrel­
Tiered Wireless-Data Plans: A Bad Bargain
la. Because the technologies involve RECENTLY, VERIZON Contract-free , unlimited mobile hotspots
moving audio, video , and other media
through a network infrastructure that is
and Sprint both hinted
that the days of unlimit­
L now constitute a more appealing choice.

generally not optimized for it, various ed data are numbered. Following AT&T's over wireless. that would be another S25
protocols, standards , and technologies lead, the other wireless carriers seem per month for 2GB of data. Combined. I
come into play. Most small businesses prepared to start nickeling-and-dlm ing could end up paying S150 or more per
that want internal videoconference customers. But if all the major carriers go month to AT&T for the privilege of ac­
capabilities should use a unified com­ ahead with tiered data-plan pricing, mobile cessing the Internet from all my devices.
munications server from Avaya, Cisco, broadband hotspots will become more
Microsoft, or 8x8; these platforms appealing as a less-expensive option. Mobile-Hotspot Alternative
combine many functions into a single The wireless carriers are heading in the In light of such high wireless-carrier fees,
server that company staff or a system wrong direction. What they should do­ moving to portable hotspots such as the
integrator can configure and administer. especially in the case of AT&T and Verizon. NovatelNirgin Mobile MiFi 2000 or Clear­
Large enterprise videoconferencing which are also many customers' home In­ wire Rover Puck (reviews on pages 68- 70)
and telepresence systems-which offer ternet provider-is move toward merging and gaining no-contract, unlimited data
aud io and video of such high quality services and allowing customers to pay a access for multiple devices is becoming
that it's almost like being in the same single, flat rate for broadband (wired or more attractive. especially for IT depart­
room-use a component called an MCU wireless, tiered or unlimited) that's shared ments and mobile professionals. Rather
(Multipoint Control Unit) that plays across all devices. For business and family than paying for individual data plans and
traffic cop and bandwidth manager. An plans, data should be one pool, and AT&T
MCU also serves as a universa l transla­ in particular should extend its voice roll­
tor, allowing videoconference clients over program to data and allow unused
using different compression techniques bytes to transfer to the next month.
and protocols to communicate. In uni­ When AT&T pulled the plug on unlimit­
fied communications systems, the serv­
er contains the MCU function , simplify­
ing configuration and administration.
ed data plans and implemented tiered
pricing in June (find .pcworld.corn/70877). it
justified the move by saying that 98 per­
1111
The availa bility of dedicated process­ cent of its customers average less tha n
ing power and silicon-based (rather 2GB of data consumption per month , and
than software-based) compression and that 65 percen t use less than 200MB. If PORTABLE HOTSPOTS SUCH as the
decompression are the primary advan­ the claim is true, and if AT&T has no ulte­ Clearwire Rover Puck (left) or Novatel/
tages of stand-alone , hardware-based rior motive to boost profits via nickeling­ Virgin Mobile MiFI 2000 promise unlimit­
videoconferencing systems. Enterprise­ and-diming, why not allow that 98 percent ed data access for multiple devices.
class systems base their multipoint vid­ to con ti nue paying for unlimited da ta?
eoconferencing setups on hardware tethering for each device, users on the go
MCUs and gateways. For most small Separate Costs Add Up can connect a phone, tablet. and laptop to
organizations, though, a software­ Right now, I pay AT&T for U-verse broad­ a mobile hotspot simultaneously and let
based system is more affordable. band, which supplies Internet access for customers or partners share the connec­
the computers and game consoles on my tion as well-all for one low, flat rate.
Keeping Within Budget home network. I also pay 530 a month Granted, you may still be under a wire­
Videoconferencing is a demanding, for unlimited data on my iPhone 4. 515 a less contract that requires at least a min­
high-bandwidth application for clients , month for 200MB of data on my wife's imum data plan. But even so, you can
servers, and networks. But technology iPhone 4. and $15 a month for 200MB of realize savings by shifting down to the
has evolved to a point at which you can data on my son's iPhone 3GS. If I want to bare-minimum data plan and adopting
have professional-quality videoconfer­ tether my iPhone 4 to connect my laptop the mobile-hotspot system. In the near
encing without busting your IT budget. on the go, that will cost an added 520 per future, subsidized smartphone and tablet
For more advice, including a discus­ month. but the fee doesn't come with any prices might not seem like such a good
sion of protocols, see the online version extra bandwidth. My iPad is Wi-Fi only; deal when you add up the total service
of this article at find.pcw orld.corn/70909 . but if it had 3G and I wa nted to connect it cost over the l ife of the contract.

30 I PC WORLD . co M DECEMBER 2 0 l 0
 Jllarwarebptesj}ews
2010 - 2011

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Business Center

Choose the Right Tech Support Professional for Your Business

FOR YOUR COMPANY'S tech backbone to function, it needs steady Who do you call when hardware and software
support. Finding the right IT expert can not only save money over
the long run but also make the difference between merely surviv­
L fail? Here's how to seek good IT help.

ing an emergency and powering ahead for growth. ers of protection to comply with privacy regulations and other laws.
Instead of providing nuts-a nd-bolts PC support. the pro you hire Certifications that matter include Microsoft Certified Technology
might work on broader challenges, such as unifying communica­ Speciali st (MCTS) and Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP).
tion s across phones, laptops, and desktops. "I try to look at what's For networking, look for Comp TIA Network+ or A+ accreditation.
going to happen in six months, An Apple Certified Support
what's projected for sales and Professional (ACSP) could be
staffing levels,'' says Jeremy appropriate for Mac shops
Hayward of SNS Technolo­ with complex needs.
gists in Edmonton, Alberta.
"It's not all technical. We try Warning Signs
to translate day-to-day busi­ If the consultant speaks in
ness needs into technology buzzwords and acronyms.
that will help you do better.' don't be intimidated. But be
ready to let them go if they
What to Look For won't explain; efforts to be­
When seeking outside help, wilder you with jargon reflect
start with word-of-mouth net­ arrogance or fear, not exper­
working. In addition, consider tise. And before you follow a
searching for "tech support" know-it -all who insisls that
on local-reviews services you wipe your hard drives and
such as Yelp.com. For 529 a throw out that equipment.
year. you can consult Angies­ seek a second opinion.
List.com, which special izes in Stay away from fly-by­
user-rated construction and home-repair pros but also includes a night, crisis-based services that try to sell you the tech flavor of the
'Computer Repair & Services' category. Or, if you prefer, try posting month. Along the same lines, be wary of consulta nts who present
a free ad on Craigslist in the 'Gigs Offered' section under 'Comput­ a particular technology or a single brand as the end-all, be-all
ers' to invite replies from professionals to your inbox. solution. It's fine to favor a brand that works for you, but no indi­
If you have a lot of gear from a certain brand, check the maker's vidual manufacturer makes the best of everything.
Website for local partners or resellers that might also offer busi­ Watch out if someone tries to sell you top-of-the-line, enterprise­
ness support services, such as on HP's Partner Locator page (find. level gear. For example, you may not need to spend 510,000 on a
pcworld.com{70906). Some companies, such as Dell, provide con­ server if you have only five users- a network-attached storage
sulting within their small-business guides (find.pcworld.comf70907). device with cloud-based backup could do the trick.
Seek a professional who observes your operations and asks about If you want to do something that your IT person refuses to con­
how your business works overall. not j ust the technologies it uses. sider. such as giving your sales team smartphones, the profession­
Your IT contact should feel the pulse of your network and pay spe­ al had better explain why it's not in your best interest.
cial attention to security and backup. Where is your e-mail hosted? Finally. a pro who rescues data and saves you thousands of dollars
What operating systems, software, antivirus tools, desktops, lap­ with wisely chosen equipment may seem l ike a miracle worker, but
tops, tablets, and smartphones do your employees use? Ideally, don't expect magic. You're in a partnership, so work together and
the pro should help beyond your immediate needs with a three- or be patient. "If somebody's using technologies I haven't investigat­
five-year plan that takes your business budgeting and forecasting ed, I don't pretend I know everything that's out there." says Hay­
into account. A monthly or quarterly check-in is a good idea. ward. "The answer should be, 'I'm not sure, but I'll find out."'
Make sure the consultant looks for tools that fit the size and type
of your business. If your family ru ns an antique shop, for example, Ifyou're on IT consultant serving small to midsize businesses, and
your accounting data may fit neatly on a secure USS key that you you'd like to learn how you can contribute ta Tech Audit, e-mail
take home each night. If, on the other hand, you 're in charge of an [email protected]. Far mare advice. read the Tech Audit blog
investment firm or a medical office, your data must have extra lay­ (find.pcworld.com/6414 7) and fallow us an Twitter (@TechAudit). •

32 I PC WOR L O. COM DECEMBER 2010

I

ECEMBER Windows®. Life without Walls™.

2010 Acer recommends Windows 7.

TravelMate
Tailored for your business needs

Acer® TravelMate®8372
• Genuine Windows* 7 Professional
• Intel® Core'Mi5-460M Processor
• 4GB DDR3 SDRAM, 320GB 1 hard drive
• 13.3" display
TM8372-7127 (LX.TZF03.021)
Windows®. Life without Walls™.
Acer recommends Windows 7.

Acer Aspire 5742

• Genuine Windows®7 Home Premium
rAcer-Aspir~ s742
~
J
• Genuine Windows®7 Home Premium
• Intel®Pentium®Processor P6100 !• Intel®Pentium®Processor P6100
• 3GB DDR3 SDRAM !• 2GB DDR3 SDRAM
• 320GB' hard drive • 250GB' hard drive
AS5742Z-4601 (LX.R4P02.001) AS5742Z-4200 (LX.R4P02.002)

* Windows··7 Your PC, simplified.

Windows®7 Home Premium operating system: the best entertainment experience on your PC.
Acer GD235HZ bid
• 23.6" wide TFT LCD • VGA, DVI, HOM! .. (HDCP) signal connectors
• 30 ready" • 300 cd/m' brightness
• 1920 x 1080 maximum resolution • 2ms gray-to-gray response time
• 80000:1 dynamic contrast ratio • Tilt adjustment
• 170°/ 160° horizontaVvertical • Three-year limited warranty'
viewing angles
(ET.UGSHP.001)
I

Windows(">. Life without Walls' ...

Acer recommends Windows 7.
!

Acer Aspire One 0255

• Genuine Windows9 7 Starter
• lntere Atom'" Processor N450
• 250GB 1 hard drive
AOD255-2981 (LU.SDEOD.097)

( Acer Aspire One 0255

• Genuine Windows9 7 Starter
• lntele Atom"' Processor N450
• 160GB 1 hard drive
AOD255-2520 (LU.SDEOD.126)

$295
Acer Aspire 5553
• Genuine Windows* 7 Home Premium
• AMO Turion '" II Dual-Core Mobile Processor P540
AS5553G-5881 (LX.PUA02 .071)

$649

Acer T230H bmidh Acer B243HL bmdrz

• 23" wide TFT LCD • 24 " wide TFT LCD
• White LED backlight
• Touchscreen capable'
• 1920 x 1080 maximum resolution • 1920 x 1080 maximum resolution
• 80000:1 dynnmic contrast ratio • 8,000 ,000: 1 dynamic contrast ratio
• 160°/ 160° horizontal/vertical viewing angles • 170°/160° horizontal/vertlcal viewing angles
• VGA. DVI (HDCP), four USB
• VGA, DVI (HDCP), HDMI'" signal connectors signal connectors
• 300 cdlm' brigh tness • 250 cdlm' brightness
• 2ms gray-to-gray response time
• 5ms response time
• One 1.5W integrated speaker • Two 2.0W integrated speakers
• Height. tilt and swivel adjustments
• Height, pivot. tilt and swivel adjustments
• Three-year limited warranty'
• Three-year limited warranty'
(ET.VTOHP.001)
(ET.FB3LP.002)

$349 $299
Windows®. Life without Walls™.
Acer recommends Windows 7.

-Acer Aspire Z5700

• Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium
• lnteloa Core"' 13-540 Processor
AZ5700-U2102 (PW.SDC02.009)

$999

Acer S243HL bmii

•
•
•
24" wide TFT LCD
White LED backlight
1920 x 1080 maximum resolution
'
• 8,000,000: 1 dynamic contrast ratio
• 170°/ 160° horizontal/vertical
viewing angles
• VGA, two HDMI ~ (HDCP)
signal connectors
• 250 cd/m 2 brightness
• 2ms gray-to-gray response time
• One 2.0W integrated speaker
• Tilt adjustment
• Three-year limited warranty>
(ET.FS3LP.001)
Acer Veriton X275
• Genuine Windows* 7 Professional
• Intel* Pentium* Processor E6700
• 3GB DDR3 SDRAM
• 320GB 1 SATA hard drive
VX275-UD6700W (PS.VAM03.015)

$499

Acer Veriton X275

• Genu ine Windows(I) 7 Professional
• Intel® Pentium* Processor E5700
• 2GB DDR3 SDRAM
• 320GB 1 SATA hard drive
VX275- UD5700W (PS.VAM03.01 4)

$449

Acer V233H AJbd AcerV193W EJb

• 23" wide TFT LCD • 19" wide TFT LCD
• 1920 x 1080 maximum resolution • 1440 x 900 maximum resolution
• 80000:1 dynamic contrast ratio • 50000 :1 dynamic contrast ratio
• 160°/ 160° horizontal/vertical • 160°/1 60° horizontal/ vertical
viewing angles viewing angles
• VGA, DVI (HDCP) signal connectors • VGA signal connector
• 300 ccVm' brightness • 250 ccVm' brightness
• 5ms response time • 5ms response time
• Tilt adjustment • Tilt adjustment
• Three-year limited warranty' • Three-year limited warranty'
(ET.W3HP.A01) (ET.CV3WP.E05)

$195 $145
Windows®. Life without Walls™.
Acer recommends Windows 7.

TravelMate
-r1mE:L-lr-1E:

TravelMate Timeline
Work smarter, Travel lighter
Acer® TravelMate® 8172
• Genuine Windows® 7 Professional • Integrated webcam
• 11.6" display, 1366 x 768 resolution • Fingerprint reader
• 2GB DDR3 SDRAM, upgradeable to 4GB • Up to eight hours battery life4
• 250G8 1 hard drive • Optional port replicator available
• 5-in-1 card reader • One-year limited warranty2
• 802.11 b/g/n WLAN , Bluetooth®, gigabit LAN

~Thin

Protect Your Investment with an Acer Notebook Service Upgrade

The Acer notebooks and netbooks featured in this insert come with a one-year standard limited warranty.' For ex tra prot ection and peace of mind . consider the Total Protection Upgrade. which covers the
cost of a replacemen t unit if. as determined by Acer. your covered notebook or netbook cannot be repaired. On-site service is available. too. for TravelMate notebooks.'

2-Year Extension ol Limited Warranty (146.AB820.EX2) 2-Year Extension ol Limited Warranty+ 3-Year Limited On-Site Service (146.AD362.001)
for Acer Notebooks and Netbooks with 1-Year Limrted Warranty forTravelMate Notebooks with 1-Year Limited Warranty (On-site service runs concurrently with
$99 limited warranty and limited warranty extension.)
$149
2-Year Extension of Limited Warranty+ 3-YoarTotal Protection Upgrade (146.ADOn.002) 2-Year Extension of Limited Warranty+ 3-Year Limited On· Site Service+
for Acer Notebooks and Netbooks with 1-Year Limited Warranty (Total Protection Upgrade runs 3-Year Total Protection Upgrade (146.AD362.002)
concurrently with limited warranty and limited warranty extension.) for TravelMate Notebooks with 1-Year Umrted Warranty (On-site service and Total Protection
$199 Upgrade run concurrently with limited warranty and limited warranty extension.)
$299

1
When referring to storage capacity, GB stands lor one billion bytes. Some utilities may indicate varying storage capacities. To1al user-accw...slble capacity may vary depeoding on operating cnvironmenls.
' For a free copy of the standard limited warranty end-users should see a reseller where Ac.er producls are sold or wrile to Ac.& An'lOfiCO Corporation. Warranty Department P.O. Box 6137, Temple. TX 76503.
' 3 0 content, 30 glasses and an appropriately equipped PC are also required to display 30 images.
' Dependng on model configuralion. Actual botte<y bfe varies by usage, settings and operating cond tJons.
' Touchscrl!en capabdity requires app<opriate software onstalled on the PC connected to the <Lsplay. n.s software does not come \•nth the dosptay.
' On-site seMce applies to the continental U.S. and Canada only and may not be available in alt locations. In those areas where on-Siie service Is provided. a technician will be dispatched. ~necessary. follovnng efforts
to resolve the problem by telephone support.

ac.er
0 2010 Acer Inc. AU nghts ~ed . Acer. the Ace< logo, Asptre, Trave!Mate and V~rton am registered trademarks ol Ac-e< Inc. Other trademarics. registeP-d trademaiks, and/or serv1co marks,
mdicated or o:herw1se. are the prope1)' of their respective O'a\<ners. M1trosof1, Windows and the Windows logo are erthef registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsof1 Corpcration in lhe
United Stales and/or other countries. Pncing is effectrve from October 15. 2010 lhrO\Jgh December 31, 2010. Information is subiect to change \•nthout notice. Prices shown 310 esllmated street
puces and do not Include tax or shippmg. Retailer or reseller pnces may vary. Producl imagos mo representalions of some of the mOOels available and may vary from the model you purchase.
 Security Alert
Second Wave of Adware Pounds Web Surfers
BY LEAH YAMSHON book and Twitter-that rely heavily on third-party content.
On Facebook, adware offerings appear masked as games,
NEW ADWARE COMPANIES are increasingly targeting Face­ dating apps, videos, media players, and "sponsored" distribu­
book, Twitter, and other popular social networking sites as a tions for real open-source programs such as Mozilla Firefox
means of distribution. The share-friendly environment of such and Open Office. On Twitter, adware affiliates spam software
sites is ideal for spreading adware and trackware through bundles , such as a free (but adware-tainted) FLV Direct player,
third-party applications, which often hide their true intent. so that they show up in common Twitter searches.

The Origins of Adware

Adware is software that displays targeted ads when down­
loaded. It often comes bundled with downloadable games,
movies, music files, or software programs, but it usually isn't
listed as part of the download. Once on your system, the app
tracks your online behavior and serves up ads based on that
behavior. The ads may appear as shopping assistants, targeted
ads, pop-up or pop-under windows, highlighted keywords,
search toolbars, floating ads, or
other annoying extras. Once considered
Old-style adware hit its peak vanquished adware
around 2003; by 2005 it was has enjoyed a big
common in several downloads resurgence in the
and at sites around the Web. last year, owing in
Installation methods included large part to social
bombarding Website visitors networks.
with pop-ups, issuing prompts
to install ActiveX controls or other software, posing as license
acquisition installs for programs such as Windows Media
Player, and offering deals in a bundle with peer-to-peer apps.
In late 2005, citing deceptive advertising and computer
trespassing, state attorneys general and the Federal Trade Adware distributors also exploit Facebook's 'Like' function
Commission began cracking down on adware purveyors. By to spread their adware programs virally. Recently, a status up­
2007, adware giant Zango and other major players in the date appeared on Facebook stating "Poor girl commits suicide
industry had either folded or joined a new software market. after dad posted this on her wall. " When you click the link to
But the talent at Zango dispersed to companies like Loudmo read the page, an "age verification tool" pops up, and you have
and Pinball Publishing Network, to cultivate a new adware tar­ to download a gaming program (actually masked adware) to
get: social networking sites. Teaming up with third-party app get to the story-which is unrelated to Face book. If you fall
creators, the adware developers embed snoopy code into for this scheme, friends will see that you "liked" the story.
games and apps that users share with friends and followers . Many users are unaware that these apps contain a hidden
Many of today's adware distribution strategies deal exclu­ installation of ad-supponed software (the main description
sively with popular social networking sites-specifically Face- of the download doesn't mention it) . Companies that ere- »

What type of malware is most common today, and what tactics does it
use? See find.pcworld.com/70933 for answers. Should infected PCs
be kicked off the Net? Join the discussion at find.pcworld.com/ 70934.

DECE M BER 201 0 PCWORLD . CDM I 41

Security Alert
ate these applications fail to clearly dis­ BUGS & FIXES JAMES MULROY
close their purpose, which is to collect
data and present users with advertise­
ments for the company's financial gain.
Multiple Firefox Vulnerabilities Uncovered
THIS MONTH THE mak­ ALso: Microsoft works to correct a
Who 's Behind It
Eric Howes, spyware research manager
for GFI Software, a network security
ers of Firefox released 15
advisories that address a
L dangerous exposure in ASP.Net.

wide range of security issues. Meanwhile. Office (one of those two also relates to
firm, warns users to watch out for apps, Microsoft posted an "out of cycle" update Windows), and one addresses vulnerabil­
games, and video files from companies on September 17 for a flaw that (at press ities in Microsoft Internet Information
such as Circle Development, ComScore, time) it was still working to resolve. Services. Users of all supported versions
Future Ads LLC, Game Vance, Loudmo, of Windows-including XP, Vista, 7, Serv­
Pinball Publisher Network, PlaySushi, A Flurry of Firefox Fixes er 2003, Server 2008, and Server 2008
and Vomba Network. The software isn't Mozilla released 15 security advisories R2- should apply the updates to their
inherently malicious, but adware com­ for September, and it rated systems, as all may be affected.
panies tend not to disclose their inten­ 10 of them as 'Critical'. On September 17 (three days after is­
tions up front, and data tracking with­ One of the other adviso­ suing its regular Patch Tuesday security
out consent is a privacy issue. ries, which Mozilla rated as updates), Microsoft released another up­
Though the TrustE privacy seal of ap­ 'Moderate', addresses a coding weakness date to address a weakness in ASP.Net,
proval supposedly "only awards privacy that could allow malicious an application that is designed to
seals to Websites that give you proper JavaScript to run when a assist in building Websites,
notice of its privacy practices," accord­ user copies and pastes Web applications, and
ing to TrustE.com, Howe says GFJ has (or drags and drops) other Web features.
found several TrustE seals on Websites selected text on a An attacker could
of known adware distributors . Web page into a exploit this flaw to
To protect yourself from spyware and document. Two view encrypted
adware, keep your ad-blocker and anti­ advisories are rated data and data files
virus programs up-to-date. Most basic 'High'. One involves a on the target server,
programs will catch adware as it down­ vulnerability that an and to tamper with
loads, as long as you have installed the attacker could exploit any of the content. At
most recent version of the utility on to inject UTF-7 encoded this writing, Microsoft was
your system. Keeping Windows and JavaScript into a site and exe­ continuing to work on a security
Adobe apps current is important, as cute it; the other relates to code that patch for the ASP.Net problem.
well: Many ad ware programs ask you to could permit an XSS attack. For maximum safety, always be wary
download a doctored version of these The ten 'Critical' advisories fix various when you encounter unknown or abnor­
programs that is tainted with adware. problems that might allow a hacker to mal links or receive unsolicited e-mail
If you click through to one of the ads run arbitrary code on your PC and take messages. Using your system's default
sponsored by an adware company, control of the machine remotely. To cor­ firewall settings can protect you against
check the URL. In many cases, it con­ rect these shortcomings, you should some of these hazards. And of course,
tains the name of the company, mean­ update your system to the latest ver­ you should install the fixes as soon as
ing that the data gets sent back to the sions of Thunderbird, SeaMonkey, and possible, using Windows Update. To learn
company when you click one of its ads. Firefox version 3 (or version 4 Beta). To more about each update-and to down­
Take the time to read the privacy poli­ obtain the update, select Check for Up­ load them manually- visit find.pcworld.
cies and terms of service for third-party dates from the program's Help menu. com/70922 (for the September Patch
apps before downloading them. A pro­ Tuesday advisories) and find.pcworld.
gram's description might not allude to More Microsoft Miscues com/70923 (for the ASP.Net advisory).
adware, but its accompanying privacy Microsoft's Patch Tuesday bundle of cor­
policy may mention that targeted ads rections for September BUGGED?
through trackware are a component of was fairly robust as well,
the download package. If you do end with a total of nine security FOUND A HARDWARE or soft­
up with adware, you can easily uninstall updates included. Six of ware bug? Send us an e-mail on
most such programs by using the 'Add/ those updates pertain exclusively to it to bugs @pcworld.com.
Remove software' function in Windows. Microsoft Windows, two affect Microsoft

42 I PCWORLD.COM DE CEMBE R 2 01 0
Copyright ':l 2010 Qwest. All Rights Reserved
Security Alert
PRIVACY WATCH NICK MEDIATI

Privacy in iTunes' Ping Social Network

Music gets gregarious in iTunes 10, with

l
PING, APPLE'S music­
centric social network, is Apple's Ping social network. We take a
integrated into iTunes 10. Look at its privacy and security settings.
Its privacy features are
more straightforward than Facebook's, low others but won't permit anyone to
but the services Ping offers are limited. follow you. Another feature of this mode:
Here's a quick rundown of the privacy Your name and photo will appear only in

Highly Persistent features that Apple includes in Ping.

By default. Ping is switched off; but if
certain instances, such as when you
write a review or post a comment.

Browser Cookies you click 'Ping' in the source list located

on the left side of the main iTunes win­ Genius Sidebar Update?
IF YOU DISLIKE having your Web dow, you'll see a message describing iTunes 10.0.1 adds the Ping sidebar, which
browsing history tracked, you probably what Ping is, and a button for opting in. appears to be an update of the Genius
delete cookies and clear your browsers' sidebar present in previous versions of
caches regularly. But Evercookie, writ­ Profile Setup iTunes. When you turn on the Ping sidebar.
ten in JavaScript, produces "extremely Once you switch Ping on, a step-by-step Apple can use information about the con­
persistent cookies" that can identify wizard takes you through setting up your tents of your iTunes Library (and other
a computer even after you 've removed account profile and adjusting your priva­ information that you provide as part of
standard or Flash cookies, according to cy settings. Ping requires you to provide your iTunes account) to show such cus­
Threatpost (!ind.pcworld.com/70919). your name and tomized content in
Evercookie stores cookie data in your gender; the rest of the Ping sidebar
browser in several ways-HTIP, Flash, the fields (for your as music s imilar
force-cached PNG images, various location, photo, to songs you se­
HTML5 storage systems, Web history, and bio) are op­ lect in the Library,
and SQLite. If Evercookie detects that tional. If you A social network for music.Join the conversation. along with sug­
~'JWl~-#'od~to~hl
you've been deleting your cookies, the change the name m..c '-Y"' tUt.:i'lglCICU,~t:J.lnd~ gested Ping users
To Dfl uan.a. MT'I on Ping #111 C'tf•:e ~ ~
program re-creates them. displayed in your to follow.
Tum On ~
According to Threatpost, Evercookie Ping profile, the Interestingly,
author Samy Kamkar, who spawned a billing name for Apple appears to
MySpace worm in 2005, created the your entire iTunes account changes, too. be vetting profile photos for Ping-to
deletion-resistant cookie to increase People who may use their full names for judge from the language used on its pro­
public awareness of privacy issues billing purposes, but go by a nickname file settings pane: 'Once your photo is
raised by tracking cookies-whether otherwise, may not like this arrangement. approved, it will appear next to any previ­
traditional HTML or Flash. The open­ You can specify whether Ping should ous reviews you have written with this
source code is available at Kamkar' s automatically display anything you've account.' Presumably Apple is checking
Website for free downloading. rated, reviewed, or bought at the iTunes the photos to filter out anything poten­
One way around Evercookie's persis­ Store, whether you'd prefer to pick and tially offensive (good luck with that).
tence is Safari's Private Browsing fea­ choose the music you like, and whether Ping can't funct ion outside the iTunes
ture, which blocks all of the cookie' s you wish to hide your musical tastes application. You can't add any apps to
methods. Other browsers might stand from all your friends (thereby avoiding your profile, and no programming tools
up to Evercookie' s methods of cookie any and all ridicule you would endure for exist for it. so softwa re developers can't
resuscitation, as well; Kamkar has not purchasing that Taylor Swift album) . create Ping clients (apps similar to all
. performed exhaustive testing. Ping lets you choose between approv­ the Twitter clients out there). This setup
Be careful about which browsers you ing people who want to follow you and may make Ping safer than most trad i­
accept cookies from. Keep tabs , too , on turning off following altogether. Anyone tional social networks, but that doesn't
the developing HTML5 standard, which who turns on follower approval will be mean it can't be a target of spam, phish­
some critics say emphasizes functional­ able to see your e-mail address in addi­ ing scams, or social-engineering attacks.
ity at the expense of security. tion to your name and profile photo. In fact. spammers are already hopping
-Alesso11dra Springmarm In no-follow mode, Ping lets you fol­ on the Ping bandwagon.•

44 j PCWORLD . COM DEC E MBER 2 010

 •
1n
Cut the Cord: Low-Cost and
Free Landline-Phone Alternatives
Begone, monthly
LANDLINE-PHONE-REPLACEMENT hardwar e from Ooma
phone bill! Smart
(background 't r ay' and handset), NetTalk, and YMax.
alternatives Like the
NetTalk Duo, Ooma
Tela, and YMax
MagicJack offer you
full-featured phone
service at a fraction
of the cost of regular
landline service.

THE HOME TELEPHONE

has become superfluous:
One in five homeowners
have abandoned their land­
lines in favor of cell phones .
I'm not ready to do that.
Cell phones make woefully
inconvenient home phones
because they don't stay put,
they run out of juice at bad
times, and they're notorious
for dropping calls indoors.
No , I want home-phone
service in my home. But I'm services, I can keep the con­ local calling. After that, ser­ MagicJack's best assets. You
done paying a monthly bill versation going for far less vice costs just $20 per year. can plug it into any comput­
for it. Thanks to some new than the cost of a tradition­ The service covers voice­ er anywhere, and as long as
(or improved) products and al landline-or Internet mail call waiting, caller ID, there's a broadband connec­
phone services like Vonage. and free 411 (directory assis­ tion (even via a 3G modem) ,
MORE ONLINE tance) calls. You can dial in you'll have a dial tone.
YMax MagicJ ack to get voicemail messages The device occupies a PC's
For complete reviews of the four This Zippo-lighter-size giz­ or have the service deliver USB port, however, and the
landline-phone alternatives we mo costs around $40 for the them automatically by e-mail computer must stay on if
tested for this story, go online hardware plus a year of un­ as audio attachments . you want to make or receive
to find .pcworld.com/70935. limited.long-distance and Portability is one of the phone calls-not ideal for a

46 I P CW ORL D .COM DECEMBER 2 010

 INSIDE

53 SONY DASH HID-ClO 61 APPLE IPOD Touch 66 CETON INFINITY 4 68 CLEARWIRE ROVER Puck

person seeking a full-time my area code and my city. loud, clear calls-even as my
home phone (though you But unlike the Ooma Telo BitTorrent client did some
can dedicate a spare PC as a and the MagicJack, it didn't heavy-duty file sharing. With
'phone server"). let me choose the last four a PC connection, however,
The MagicJack performed digits-it just assigned them. just getting a dial tone was
quite well most of the time. On the flip side, the Duo iffy-and when it worked, 1
When I had it plugged into a offers a few more calling fea­ noticed some static on the
desktop wired to my router, tures than its rivals. In addi­ line. (The scratchy audio
VERYGOOO tion to caller ID, call waiting,
incoming and outgoing calls may be a beta-driver issue
were consistently loud and MagicJack I YMax and voicemail, you get voice­ that NetTalk will correct.)
clear. But when I relied on a Portable device offers solid, reli­ mail delivered via e-mail as NetTalk's toll-free tech
netbook linked via 802.1 lg able phone service for peanuts. an audio attachment, free support is available seven
Wi-Fi, some calls dropped. List: $40 (with 1 year of service) 411 calls, three-way calling, days a week, or you can sub­
The only support option is find.pcworld.com/70887 and Google Voice-style call mit a ticket qnline . When I
online chat, assuming you forwarding: You can have did this on a weekday, I re­
can find it on YMax's hid­ router, the latter yielding a calls to your Duo number ceived a problem-specific,
eous, infomercial-inspired phone-service experience ring your mobile phone, human-typed response with­
Website. When I did, I was closer to what Vonage offers. work phone, and any other in about 20 minutes .
quickly connected to an It costs $70 up front (hard­ numbers you want. Alas, The ability to plug directly
online tech who provided ware plus first year of ser­ you can't yet port your into your router gives the
helpful, courteous answers vice) and $30 annually from existing number to the Duo. NetTalk Duo a sizable advan­
to my questions. Still, the then on-still a great deal. In my tests with a router tage over the MagicJack. It
lack of a customer-service To use the Duo with my connection, the Duo per­ has more calling features and
department reachable by PC, I had to download and formed flawlessly, delivering support options, too. If you
phone gives me pause. install a USB driver. (In con­ don't mind losing your cur­
Test the MagicJack for trast, the Magicjack stores rent phone number, it could
yourself before committing its software in memory.) At be a great match for you.
to it. If nothing else, it will press time, the 64-bit ver­
make a fine second line that sion of the driver was still in Ooma Telo
the kids can use without beta, resulting in several Though it hits your wallet
tying up the home phone warning messages as I in­ with a $250 hardware charge,
and racking up huge bills. stalled it on my Windows 7 the Ooma Telo promises
system. And unlike the free local and long-distance
NetTalk Duo Magicjack, which plugs * * * * * VERY GOOD service for life. Granted, the
A kissing cousin to the directly into a USB port, the Duo I NetTalk standard package's service
Magicjack, the NetTalk Duo Duo requires a cable. Plugged into a router. low-cost offers little more than caller
works in much the same In the number-selection phone line matches landLine quality. ID and voicemail, but put­
way, except that you can process, NetTalk offered List: 570 (with 1 year of service) ting an end to paying for
plug it into your PC or your choices that reflected both find .pcworld.com/70888 phone service forever has »

D EC EMB E R 2 010 PCWORLD.COM I 47

Reviews&Rankings
some allure. (If you can't live the call. Such calls are free
without a monthly phone­ when they're directed with­
service bill, you can pony up in the United States or to
$10 per month for Ooma Canada, and international
Premier, which offers many OOMA OFFERS an optional Blue­ rates are din-cheap; but you
extra calling features.) The tooth adapter (S30) that pairs still need to have some kind
Ooma Telo is easy to install: your cell phone with your Telo of existing phone service.
Just plug it into your router so you can answer mobile calls If you install the Google
and set up your account on on your home landline phone. Talk video and voice plug-in,
the company's Web portal, you can make and take calls
and you're ready to dial. Another cool perk is the via your browser, Skype­
In my tests using an old appearing as the caller ID at recording of inbound calls; style. Of course, adopting
Uniden cordless phone sys­ the other end. Regrettably, press 4 on your on-screen this approach requires a
tem and Ooma's fancy Telo Ooma charges 1.9 cents per keypad to start recording. headset or Webcam, and
Handset ($50), Ooma's call minute for calls to anyone After you stop the recording being tethered to a PC isn't
quality was far superior to except other Ooma users. (by hanging up or pressing 4 my idea of convenient. Still,
that ofVonage or Google The Ooma Telo may have a again), you can access the I found the call quality ade­
Voice, with crisp, echo-free higher up-front cost than audio file just as you would quate, though callers report­
audio every time. The Telo other services, but if you a voicemail message. ed that I sounded as if I were
Handset's optimized design skip the Premier subscrip­ At managing inbound calls, talking through a computer
for the service supports one­ tion, it's guaranteed to save Google Voice is second to microphone-which I was.
button voicemail retrieval you money in the long run.
Gm.Iii ~ ~ Yill> 8uW IDW •
and permits syncing with
Co 13lc voice iC"l
Outlook 2007 contact lists . Google Voice
More Acoons •
Ooma offers a couple of The free Google Voice ser­
interesting extras not avail­ vice isn't designed to replace 'Cr Starred
&isj Por,\1.v Ml
8118110 2 4S PM r: "'Pt • ~·
able from Vonage or any a landline phone, but it does Spam He\' R>c" on dlnnet I 1neo alllng )Our h(.rr,,; number and ' coul<lnl ~tt th1
Trnh Yes
other VoIP service. One is provide some interesting Con1ac.ts .. 0021
an optional Bluetooth adapt­ options for alternative ser­ History ld!! !!ll! lllllll .

er ($30) that pairs your cell vice, starting with a new 0 VO!Ctmail
OTtlCl
phone with your Telo so you phone number intended to 0 Rtc0<ded
0 Placed Hey Fbck. Ifs r"rn" JUll ...-1.,. tc lry •I •1 ~· )'OlJ an email urltet but 11
can answer incoming mobile become your primary num­ 0 Recei\1td
anytime. r 1
. Hey Rick. It's phone just want to try 11
calls on your home phone. ber for life. When someone O M111ed

Camng Crecfo S1.00 (!)

I•
. ~00ill!
·
34 _ _ _ _ _....._ _ _ _ _ __,
anytime. I'd really like to be a part of 11
The other is the ability to calls it, Google Voice will
use your Bluetooth headset ring your home phone, your YOU CAN ARRANGE for Google Voice to create and deliver searchable
for calls around the house. work phone, your cell text transcriptions of voicemail messages to your e-mail lnbox.
A Skype-like Ooma app for phone, or any combination
iPhones ($10) lets you make of any phones you want. none. You can search and Also, I found that any heavy
calls over 3G or Wi-Fi, with Google Voice offers free share voicemail messages file-transfer traffic (such as
your own phone number calls to the United States just as you do e-mail, set up from BitTorrent) caused no­
and Canada (but only from do-not-d isturb hours, and ticeable audio degradation.
your PC). Amenities include even add a Google Voice -Rick Broida
call screening and blocking; widget to your blog or Web
0 . customized greetings for page: One click, and the call­
specific callers; and voicemail er is connected to you.
-· . ~ ­ transcription, in which the Outbound calls, however,
service converts messages are far from Google Voice's
***** VERY GOOD into stored, searchable text forte. You can make an out­ *** ,GOOD
Tela I Ooma and (if you wish) delivers goi ng call via your Google Google Voice Google
The single best landline replace­ them via e-mail or SMS. In Voice account page, but the Service makes managing multiple
ment you can buy. my tests, transcription qual­ service just rings the phone phone numbers much easier.
List: 5250 (with free service) ity varied. (Google's guesses you choose (home, mobile, Free
find.pcworld.com/70889 were laughably bad at times.) or whatever) and then places find.pcworld.com/70890

48 I PCWORLO . COM DECEMBER 201 0

- • , ,, . '.'.'h. - - ! '

Good-bye
Sluggomorb

.
. ~ .. ·. ';.:- .. . :

Hello SuperSpeed USB

Sluggomorbus strikes when slow transfer rates
"' .
~
c=
. After Treatment make you wait for photosto upload, files to copy
::: · Before Treatment
~ .
and devices to sync. Symptoms include: lack
u
D of patience, falling asleep, transfer rage,
Days
irritability, toe tapping and obscene gestures.
SuperSpeed USB has the ability to work 1Ox faster
Sluggomorbus Symptoms
than Hi-Speed USB, allowing you to transfer much
more in a much shorter amount of time. Using SuperSpeed USB. you will be feeling like your old
self in no time at all. For more information. visit www.usb.org.
(transferus raoidus)
Ask your retailer if SuperSpeed USB is right for you. nb~/s Maximum ~lren~t~

WARNING: SuperSpeed USB could result in: disbelief, awe, spontaneous celebration, shock, speechlessness and arriving on time to presentations.

Brough! to yoJ by USB Implementers Forum. «.'2010 USB-IF

Visit 611c:l0 Ci:Rtc-=i stores for the latest SuperSpeed USB products
Reviews&Rankings

Adobe's Elements Apps Bring Useful Additions

PHOTOSHOP Elements and
Premiere Elements, Adobe's
consumer image and video
editors, get minor make­
overs in their ninth version.
Adobe offers a $140 Plus
edition of each that includes
20GB of online storage, along
with access to more how-tos
and extras in the Inspiration
Browser that accompanies
the apps. All that is fine­
but 20GB of storage space
on Photoshop.com costs
just $20 a year. So you're CREATING HIGH-DEFINITION 'Web DVDs' with slick-looking menus is simple in Premiere Elements 9.
paying an extra $20 not to
be annoyed by the locked You get new options to opening interface looks and For example, to perform
Inspiration Browser content. make projects-photobooks, sounds slick, and viewers substantive edits on a photo
The company's dual-app say-for which Photoshop can fast-forward to chapter in the organizer, you select
bundle, however, represents Elements arranges images in points. Your video can be in the image, click a 'Fix' tab,
a notable value: For $150, an attractive layout that you high definition, too (DVDs choose an editing mode, and
you can have both Elements can print yourself or upload are only standard resolution). wait for the editor to load.
programs (minus the Plus to Kodak Picture Gallery or Premiere Elements has You'll then have two Photo­
extras), knocking $50 off the Shutterfly. You can monkey new fixes for audio issues . shop Elements icons in your
cost of buying the two stan­ with the layout, of course; At their defaults in my tests, taskbar-one for the orga­
dard apps individually. but by clicking a button, you they often reduced the audio nizer, one for the editor­
can switch to "advanced" clarity as they lowered hum, and the applications' inter­
Enhanced Features mode, which allows you to pop, and hiss. But if you pick faces look very similar.
In Photoshop Elements 9 make edits with any tool. the right effect-I had luck Each Elements program is
($100), the Guided Editing However, the program creates using Audio Polish-and play a powerful, complete pack­
mode offers several new many layers, and working on with the settings, you can age, but I wish Adobe would
effects. If you had the know­ them isn't always easy. improve the audio quality. rethink its organizer. Trying
how, you could probably pull One new Premiere Ele­ to recall which app does
them off without step-by­ ments 9 ($100) feature is the Awkward Organizer what is harder than remem­
step help. Likewise, the new ability to create Web DVDs, Unfortunately, for both Ele­ bering where I left my keys.
'Perfect Portrait' feature high-quality onJine movies ments programs, Adobe's -Ala11 Stafford
merely steps you through var­ with DVD-like menus. Web organizer remains a separate
ious editing tools, such as DVDs have a few advantages application, and that makes
the one for red-eye removal. over regular videos-the working with items clunky. ***** VERYGOOO
Photoshop Elements 9 I Adobe
Has great creative tools, but the
organizer remains unintegrated.
List: SlOO ($150 two-app bundle)
find.pcworld.com/70914

**** VERYGOOO
Premiere Elements 9 I Adobe
This fairly minor upgrade is still
excellent, especially given its price.
List: SlOO ($150 two-app bundle)
SOME ELEMENTS HOW-TOS and creative extras remain locked unless you pay for the Plus edition. find.pcworld.com/70915

50 I PCWORLD.COM DECEMBER 2 010

Building the engines of a Smarter Planet:

Workloads will grow.

Your number of servers doesn't have to.
As a smarter planet generates more and more data, the strains on existing infrastructures intensify.
Yet in today's competitive business environment, midsize businesses need more performance with
fewer resources. Fortunately, a solution now exists from IBM: the first x86 servers with memory
decoupled from their processor, which eliminates the need to buy additional servers to support
growing workloads. It's enterprise-level performance without enterprise budgets. Here's how IBM
and our Business Partners can help you work smarter:

Get up to 261% more performance. The IBM System

I x3690 X5, featuring the Intel® Xeon® processor 7500

series, is the first scalable 2-socket system designed
to offer the performance, memory capacity and reliability
of an enterprise 4-socket system.'

Simplify your IT. Th e new x3690 can accomplish

2 the same job as 33 servers 2 from previous generations.

Consolidating your aging servers can simplify your IT
while minimizing server sprawl, and can help reduce
the costs of managing multiple systems.

Gain 82% more virtual servers for the same license cost.3

3 Now you can virtualize to reduce complexity. With IBM's unique

MAX5 memory that scales independently o f the processor,
you'll have the available memory you need for your demanding
virtualization environment.

The IBM System x3690 X5 is designed and priced

with midsize businesses in mind. Starting at
$275 per month for 36 months:'

Learn how you could see ROI in as little as 3 months.

4 With increased performance and simplified IT, you can

dramatically reduce overall IT costs such as power, cooling
and fac ilities by up to 98 %~

Midsize businesses are the engines of a Smarter Planet.

Connect with an IBM Business Partner now and start reaping the benefits of ---­
- ---
- - - ---­
-~--

- - ---
smarter systems. Call 1-877-IBM-ACCESS or visit ibm.com/systems/x3690
to access the IBM Systems Consolidation Evaluation Tool.
: fbsed
---
_ -­ -.
_.._' -

1
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dtiocnllrf!\;. on n!d1vl1lu.a: wstomtu r::or.lig<:rat10fr.:; mid erw110J1ninr1t. 'Based on ur.·~ IBM .<3690 Y.5 w11h MAX!.i mcmmy m1p;.1nsior1 fl p-(K;US:c;iJr\ G4 DIMri.~~J ots comprucd io ,t:! 1ntJt1stry-sta;111ard 2-procossw; i6 DlMM :ry'Sh!tn :mo hC!?n.lo L.'0:31
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arc 1ra11Ni1:in.·.s 011r::.•rna1:\il""'IJI fi'...:;:ne;:s Ma· h•iY.!S OY.r'. ·~~~~1e:1 m m(.1;; 1 .:;:~.t:CIJ(ir!:-;. \\;:·rt.~'!· Ullt~·~ j;;'O\ :lCt ~md E-£1i/.t! r\Ji .!:; ::~~:tit :,..• :ns'.1e:r..:-..'"·~ c! ~:;r1' ti< crr.~1 t.V;,~0·1!•."3. ,\ r\;nci:! ~~~of !BM m1;oe:ru:xs L a,.i1t.1be on me .'1d1 at
~'t\'foV:!xn.c~1111ik\}iW't:c~;!;~(l\::J1t~t l~:telt:ir: :f,t[!, k:\!\i, Xf;!h1 n·:.:j \:eon ht~·: ill!' tr.itt::11:;:·:..~ ().• ;p1y1:b"CG tf2C: :1liti!'.S 01 mm: Coq)t),'id\Vii \)< ~i:l SUtJ~»tii)'lf'S ;n ilk" Ull:~t:(! !}t:Jtr)::. amt othi!r'1J:.:fltf:f.S. t. l'iierr.atiOl\li l3!1s.i~ Mi1Cl11r11!~ CO!µO!'atior. 2010.
Reviews&Rankings SONY
(ill!

Caughl (Excerpl)

Reader Pocket Edition: Light, Pricey ...

THE SONY READER Pocket play brighter and dramatical­ e-readers l've seen. a -..
Edition PRS-350SC ($180;
the "SC" model is silver,
ly sharper than Sony's older
touchscreen technology, with
You can also pick
from six font sizes, _I ~
_
_::j
while "PC" designates the better contrast and clarity, XS to XXL.
pink version) uses Sony's plus crisp grayscale images. One big weakness:
optical technology to allow Making selections requires No 3G or Wi-Fi. The ....(fil llD
eo.-...
ra
fingers to tap away on its only featherlight touches. latest Amazon Kin­
5-inch E-Ink Pearl display. You touch to turn pages, as dle with Wi-Fi and
At just 5.6 ounces , it's well as to get one of the 12 3G sells for just $10
easy to hold in one hand pop-up dictionaries. more, and adds an
while you 're curled up on Below the screen are sev­ inch to the screen.
the couch. I found the dis­ eral buttons, including those You pay a steep price
for zoom and options. The fo r the slick design
built-in stylus is at the upper of the highly porta­ TOUCH NAVIGATION ON the
**** VERY GOOD
Reader Pocket Edition
right. The unit charges via a ble Reader Pocket Edition.
Still, among the 5-inch­
Pocket Edition feel s natural .
micro-USB port. It has both
PRS·350SC I Sony Memory Stick and SD Card screen e-reader set-which pack. If you want an e-reader
This small e·reader charges a pre· slots, plus 2GB of storage. includes models from lesser· in a paperback size, the Sony
mium for the great touchscreen. The options allow you to known makers such as Alu· Reader Pocket Edition is the
List: $180 adjust both contrast and ratek and Bookeen- Sony best such unit you can get.
find .pcworld.comno913 brightness , a first among the has leaped to the head of the - Melissa]. Pemrso11

Leading iSCSI storage for server Glusterlng and vlrtualited environments

Built-in ISCS1 initiator for stackable capacity expansion
Complete backup solution including cloud-based and Apple Time Machine backup
Dual Gigabit LAN: Failover, load balancing & multiple IP setting
Single Disk, JBOD, RAID O/ l/ 5/ S+hot spare/ 6/ 6+hot spare
.:> Online RAID capacity expansion
<> Online RAID level migration
o AES 256-flit volume-based data -encryption
o Powerful management software v3.3 free upgrading include ,MSVZ, QMobile App;for
!Phone/And roid mobile devices, lso l\llount, Network UPS, Sy{tem migration...and mo re

~
m__

52 I PC WOR L O. CO M DECEMBER 2010

Sony Dash: More Than
Just an Alarm Clock
BASICALLY A Chumby Inter­ weighs 1.2 pounds. The 800­
net appliance (find.pcworld. by-480 display is bright and
com/70912) gussied up with crisp, but the touchscreen
sleek industrial design and isn't nearly as responsive as
widgets, the $180 Sony Dash those on iPhones or iPads.
HID-C10 offers prepackaged I saw latency in downloads;
nuggets of the Internet's images, headlines, and Face­
greatest hits on its 7-inch book and Twitter feeds took
capacitive touchscreen. seconds to appear, and vid­
About 7.5 by 5.5 inches, eos loaded slowly. Once the THE DASH GIVES you access to dozens of sites and services.
and 2.4 inches at its base, it videos started, they streamed
smoothly over my home net­ gives access to layouts and as a couple of little games.
work. I wish the audio were channels. You can get rid of A software keyboard pops
* * * " * llERYGOOO more robust, however. Sony's presets by switching up when needed. Its buttons
Dash HID·ClO I Sony The Dash defaults to a few to the App View theme, for don't always res pond wetl­
Net device offers lots of content, preset apps, while a larger instance. You can also create and without predictive text
but you can't surf the Web at will. window has material from a channels; I easily set up one entry, typing can take a while.
List Sl80 customizable app "channel. n with news, social network­ But it gets the job done.
find.pcworld.com/70911 A 'Themes and Apps ' button ing, and photo sites, as well -YardmaArar

Restart... Resume... Restore...

YoUJr laptop or PC Working or At your convcnicn12c,
directly from your Choose to copy all backup
Bounc:cBac:Jc­ Restore contents to your
powcrcd USB ..epl::..ecd O• ..ep:iirod
hard drive Internal drive

D ECE MBER 20 10 PCWORLD.CDM I 53

Reviews&Rankings

Top 10 Inkjet Multifunction Printers

Canon's Pixma MG8120, with smooth text output and decent speed, takes the lead spot.
MODEL Rating Performance Features and specifications
•Text quality:Very Good •use.ethemet, wireless connectivity
Canon Pixma MGB120

1
S300 NEW
find.pcwortd.comnoso6 *****
VERY GOOD
•Graphics quality: Very Good
•Tested speed (ppm): 8.3 text/
2.3 graphics
•Two ISO-sheet Inputs, automatic duplexing
• 9600-by-2400-dpi maximum true color
resolution
• Agenerous feature set and great performance make the Pixma MG8120 MFP a good fit for a home or small office.

2
HP Photosmart Premium
Touchsmart Web All-In-One
$400
*****
VERY GOOD
•Text quality: Very Good
•Graphics quality: Good
•Tested speed (ppm):7.8 text/
• USB. ethernet. wireless connectivity
•JOO-sheet Input (20 photo), au to duplexing
• 9600-by-2400-dpl maximum true color
find.pcwor td.com/63998 3.7 graphics resolution
• Accessing Web apps from a printer Is an intriguing idea, but the execution on this unit shows that some work remains to be done.
• Text quality: Very Good • USB, ethernet, wireless connectivity
Lexmark Platinum Pro905

3
$399
find.pcworld.com/63602
****
VERY GOOD
•Graphics quality: Good
•Tested speed (ppm): 7.0 text/
2.5 graphics
• Two ISO-sheet inputs, automatic duplexing
• 4800-by-1200-dpi maximum true color
resolution
• Web capabilities and generous features make the Pro905 worth considering for a small office, but it's average in other respects .
•use.ethernet. wireless connectivity

4
Epson Artisan 835
S300 NEW
***** GOOD
•Text quality: Fair
•Graphicsquatity:VeryGood
•Tested speed (ppm): 7.3 text/
0 150-sheet input. automatic duplexing

• 4800-by-1200-dpi maximum true color

find.pcworld.com/70514 3.0 graphics resolution
• Almost everything you could want in a high-end home MFP is here, though text quality in default mode is washed-out and grainy .

5
rMi Canon Pixma MX870
llI!IJI $200 ***** GOOD
•Text quality: Very Good
•Graphlcsquallty:VeryGood
•Tested speed (ppm): 6.2 text/
• use, ethemet, wireless connectivity
•Two ISO-sheet Inputs, automatic duplexing
• 9600-by-2400-dpl maximum true color
fi nd. pcwortd.com/69542
1.1 graphics resolution
• This MFP offers excellent output, good performance, and tow ink costs, making it well suited for a small office or a busy family.

•use,ethernet, wireless connectivity

6
Lexmark Pinnacle Pro901
S3DD ***** GOOD
•Text quality: Very Good
•Graphics quality: Good
•Tested speed (ppm): 6.3 text/
•ISO-sheet input, automatic duplexing
•4800-by-1200-dpi maximum true color
find.pcwortd.com/70031
1.8graphics resolution
• You pay more for the machine but less for its ink, a fair trade-off-especially considering the plentiful features it offers.
•Text quality:Goad • use, ethernet, wireless connectivity
Canon Pixma MG5220

7
$150
find .pcwortd.com/70444 ***"''*
GOOD
•Graphics quality: Very Good
•Tested speed (ppm):7.8 text/
2.3 graphics
•JOO-sheet Input, manual duplexing
• 5760-by-1440-dpi maximum true color
resolution
• The sleekly designed Pixma MG5220 provides good speed and print quality, and its replacement Ink costs are reasonable.

8
Kodak ESP 7250
S200 NEW ***** GOOD
•Text quality:Very Good
•Graphicsquality:Fair
•Tested speed (ppm): 4.6 text/
•use, ethernet, wireless connectivity
• 120-sheet Input (20 photo), auto duplexing
• 5760-by-1440-dpi maximum true color
find.pcworld.com!70030
l.8graphics resolution
• Kodak continues to shine on photo prints and low ink costs; the ESP 725D's plain-paper output, however, Is a bit light.

9
Epson WorkForce 520
5130
find.pcworld.com/70360
***** GOOD
•Text quality: Fair
•Graphicsquatity: Good
•Tested speed (ppm): 12.6 text/
• use, ethernet, wireless connectivity
• JOO-Sheet Input (40 photo), auto duplexing
• 4800-by-1200-dpi maximum true color
1.8 graphics resolution
• Although the 520's speed and cheap Inks address two small-office needs, Its text quality on plain paper falls short of another.

•use.wireless connectivity

10
HP Photosmart e-All-in-One
SIOO NEW **** *GOOD
•Text quality: Very Good
•Graphicsquality:VeryGood
•Tested speed (ppm): S.3 text/
• 80-sheet Input, manual duplexing
• 4800-by-1200-dpi maximum true color
find.pcworld .com/704 79
1.B graphics resolution
• This home unit has good speed and print quality plus fun Web apps, but Its pricey inks and skimpy paper handling are disappointing.
CHART NOTES: Ratings are as of 10/1/10. Speeds are in pages per minute (ppm):resolutions are in dots per inch (dpij.

MORE ONLINE Visit find.pcworld.com/62965 to see in-depth reviews , full test results, and detailed specs for all printers on this chart

54 I PCWOALD . COM DECEMB ER 2010

 m1c:10 ccn~·
n .. ~~ --
---· BUFFALH
© llllOU!l!OllUl_....._lllll!Orlllll!Ollp11lillr-•1$1Rd-dllllllllllll!l.slC.li&lil.~"'-ftllllnllilltlb
ftll)lld11nd!Nls•U1l!OIC.rll_io ..llllli9'"'nl111tr-......w..illa!s.llmnr.111"'2d-•l!IRR.il>llWllllm-llp11
www.BuffaloTech.com
lllo-·~-·-c.iom•1tllli!!l9'"'B/•*-U.-•iopdtlll!.,.;.s-•111>C•llli"""" -
Reviews&Rankings

Envy 17: For Windows HP'S SLEEK AND glossy

Envy 17 excels at movie

Users With Mac Envy and video playback.

WEIGHING 8 pounds with­ ty Radeon HD 5850 (with

out the power brick, lGB of video memory) . The
HP's Envy 17 is price of our system is a steep
barely thicker than $1825; the base configura­
an inch and offers tion starts at around $1400.
robust media capabilities. With a WorldBench 6
• Our test unit had a 1.6GHz score of 86, its performance
Intel Core i7-720QM CPU is only average for a desktop On the
with a peak turbo-boost fre­ replacement. On game tests, right are two
quency of 2.8GHz, 8GB of it fared pretty well; you'll USB 2.0 ports and a
DDR3-1066 RAM , a Blu-ray have to dial down graphics five-in-one flash card reader. we ran our game tests, and
drive, and the AMO Mobili­ settings a notch, but you The l.eft side has one USB 3.0 the keyboard surface became
should see strong frame rates port and a USB/eSATA port, warm in places. It wasn't too
and good image quality. along with HDMI and mini­ hot to touch, but clearly a
**** SUPERIOR After getting past my initial DisplayPort outputs. lot of heat is being generat­
Envy17 I HP dislike of the 17-inch, 1080p The feel of the keyboard is ed in a tight space. That's
Robust, media-centric laptop is glossy screen, I found the quite nice, with excellent the downs ide of building a
still svelte enough to lug around. color balance in games and tactile feedback. The touch­ high-performance system
List 51825 movies pleasing. Video play­ pad seems a little twitchy. into a compact package.
find.pcworld.comnoass back was unifonnly excellent. One concern worth noting -Loyd Case

Samsung 0430 Cuts Corners but Still Seems Nimble

THE SAMSUNG Q430 zips ductivity software to games. The touchpad feels only ports, HOM!, VGA, audio-in
through work and It nimbly juggles open pro­ slightly different from the and -out, a Webcam, and a
play-but a dull grams, too, letting you mul­ palm rest, though, which flash-card reader, as well as
screen and cut cor­ titask with ease. Battery life causes swipes to carry too 802.11 b/g/n support. Al­
• ners hold it back. is another highlight: It ran far. Worse, it stops register­ though it has a 100Base-T
A Best Buy exclusive, the for 4 hours, 16 minutes on a ing movement a full finger­ ethernet port, it offers noth­
Q430 costs about $830 and single charge in our tests . tip from its edges. ing for gigabit ethernet.
delivers a mostly solid line­ The laptop's input devices The 14-inch glossy display Among the few sofrware
up of components. Armed are undistinguished. The is 1366 by 768 pixels, but it extras is the CyberLink DVD
with a 2.4GHz Intel Core i5 keyboard works adequately. skimps on color and contrast. suite for use with the built­
CPU, 4GB of RAM, nVidia You'll have to crank up the in DVD burner. Far less wel­
GeForce 310M graph­ brighmess to the maximum. come is the Best Buy Soft­
ics, and a 500GB At lower settings, blacks and ware app, which pops up at
hard disk, it reached grays begin to merge. each launch. You also get
a respectable score Audio performance is fine the Google Toolbar and
of 108 on our World­ for a laptop, but not out­ other needless additions.
Bench 6 test suite. standing. Music and dia­ -Zack Stem
The Q430 can run logue favor high tones and
nearly anything, can sound garbled, as if you
from pro­ were listening to a conversa­ *****GOOD
tion from across the room. 0430 I Samsung
You get three USB 2.0 This laptop's strong speed and bat­
tery life offset its skimpy features.
THE Q430 IS a good midrange List 5830
laptop for general use. find.pcworld.comnoa7 4

56 I PCWORLD . COM D ECE M BER 2 010

 APC• revolutionizes the UPS...
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Reviews&Rankings

Top 10 Budget Desktop PCs

The slim Gateway SX2840-0l midsize tower provides excellent general performance.
MOO EL Rating Performance Features and specifications
•WorldBench 6score:118 • 2.93GHz Core 13·530
r:m1 Gateway SX2840-01
1
(J!1ll S559
find .pcworld.com/69988
****'
SUPERIOR
• WortdBench 6 rating:Superior
•Overall design: Fair
• SGB RAM; ITB storage
•Intel integrated graphics
•OVOtRW
• Despite one lapse In connection options and limited upgradabillty, the SX2840·01 is a speedy little monster with a very good price.

HP Compaq 6005 Pro

Small Form Factor PC *****
VERY GOOD
• WorldBench 6score:128
••Overall
WorldBench 6 rating:Superior
design: Fair
• 3.0GHz Phenom II X4 895
•4GB RAM ;400GB storoge
•All Radeon H04200
2 $899
find.pcworld.com/69989 •OVOtRW
• HP delivers a business PC that's certainly fast for Its smallish size. but leaves out details that could have pushed it to the top.

Acer Aspire M3400

SBOO NEW
*****
VERY GOOD
• WorldBench 6score:110
•WorldBenchSrating;VeryGood
•Overall design:Good
• 2.BGHz Phenom II X4 820
• 6GB RAM: 640GB storage
•All Radeon 5450
3 find.pcworld.com/70891 •OVO±RW
• Acer's M3400 puts up a good fight-but In terms of features, similarly priced competing systems are Just a bit better.

4
Dell lnspiron 580s
S529
*** * * •
GOOD
•WorldBench 6score:119
WorldBench 6 rating: Superior
•Overall design:Fair
• 2.93GHz Core 13·530
•4GB RAM; 320GB storage
•Intel integrated graphics
find .pcworld.com/69991 •OVO±RW
• Storage space is lacking, and the case leaves much to be desired, but you can't argue with the performance-or the price.

5
HP Pavilion p6540f
S7BO NEW
*****GOOD
•WorldBench 6score:115
•WorldBench6ratJng:Superior
•Overall design:Fair
•2.8GHzPhenom 11830
• 8GB RAM ; ITB storage
•All Radeon HO 4200
find .pcworld.com/70892 •OVOtRW
• HP's p6540f is a great PC for the everyday user; if you're looking to upgrade or to play games, however. look elsewhere.

6
Gateway SX2311·03
S599 NEW
*****GOOD
• WorldBench 6 score: JOB
•WorldBench6rating:VeryGood
•Overall design: Fair
• 2.8GHz Phenom II X4 820
•4GB RAM; lTB storage
• nVldla Ge Force 9200
find.pcworld.com/70893
•OVOtRW
• Gateway's miniature desktop'simply doesn't have room for anything extra, and Its lack of space versus rival systems Is troublesome.

7
Acer Veriton X480G
$599
*****GOOD
•WorldBench6score:120
•wortdBench6ratlng:Superior
•Overall design:Fair
•3.lGHz Core2 Duo E7600
• 3GB RAM;640GB storage
•Intel integrated graphics
find .pcworld.com/69992 •OVOtRW
• Acer's X4BOG does a pretty good job of keeping up with the best budget PCs, but tough competition stands between It and top honors.

8
HP Pavilion p6330f
$599 *****GOOD
• WorldBench 6 score:118
•WorldBench6ratlng:Superior
•Overall design:Fair
• 2.93GHz Core i3·530
• 6GB RAM;ITB storage
•Intel integrated graphics
find.pcworld.com/69990
•OVO±RW
• The performance Is strong and the price is right, but a lack of advanced connectivity options mars this budget desktop.

9
Acer Aspire X3400
SBOO NEW
***** FAIR
• WorldBench Bscore:104
•WorldBench6rating:VeryGood
•Overall design:Fair
•2.9GHzAthlon II X3 435
• 4GB RAM;SOOGB storage
• nVldia GeForce 9200
find.pcworld.com/70894
•OVOtRW
• Acer's inexpensive Aspire X3400 makes a strong showing for a reasonable price, and provides a large number of USB ports.

10
eMachines ET1831·07
$390 *** * *
FAIR
• WorldBench 6score: IOI
•WorldBench 6rating:Good
•Overall design:Fair
• 2.7GHz Pentium Oual·Core E5400
•4GB RAM;750GB storage
• nVldla GeForce 7050
find.pcworld.com/69993
•OVO±RW
• Offering capable performance and a stellar price tag, the eMachines ETI831 ·07 may not top the charts, but it is a great value.
CHART NOTES: Ratings are as of I0/4/10.

MORE ONLINE Visit find.pcworld.com/ 70016 to see in-depth reviews, full test results, and detailed specs for all desktops on this chart.

58 J PCWORLO.COM DECE MBER 2010

Reviews&Rankings

Livescribe's Slick Echo Smartpen Adds Features

LIVESCRIBE'S first-gen
smartpen, the Pulse, offered
an innovative approach to
digitizing, organizing, and
tying audio to handwritten
notes. Now the Echo, the LIVESCRIBE'S ECHO SMARTPEN t ies It s audio recordings (of lectures, say) to your handwritten notes.
company's second-generation
smartpen, has arrived. password protection, the records spoken words linked tures your movements on
This pen packs more mem­ ability to function as a USB­ to what you're writing. t he paper, which is also the
ory (4GB for $170 or 8GB connected input device, and Later, you can tap your secret for connecting cap­
for $200) and a sleeker, more­ an associated app store. written words with the pen tured audio to written text.
ergonomic design than the The Echo can record and to hear the audio recorded The pen comes packaged
Pulse. New features include play back audio-but in­ at the moment you wrote with a SO-sheet starter note­
stead of requiring you to them. Livescribe includes a book containing perforated,
cycle through your record­ standard headphone jack on Lined dot-paper with various
**** SUPERIOR
Echo ILivescribe
ings to find a clip, it ties
audio to your Written notes .
the Echo (and an embedded
speaker) for listening.
controls printed at the bot­
tom of each sheet. Tapping
The Echo, now with more memory, By tapping a Record button The Echo works only on these controls activates vari­
is an amazing note-taking aid. on a printed page, you start specially designed dot paper. ous functions. It makes sense
List: $170 (4GB) or $200 (BGB) recording as you write. As A high-speed infrared cam­ when you actuaUy use it.
find.pcworld.com/70895 you scribble notes, the pen era at the tip of the pen cap­ -SarahJacobsson Purcwal

Wondershare Software keeps focusing on bringing users the most easy-to-use experience in tenns of
Multimedia I Business I PC Utility I Mobile
Copyright C 2010 Wondenhare Softwme Co., Ltd. All rights reserved.

60 I PCWOR L D . CDM D ECE MB ER 2 0 10

Apple's Fourth-Generation iPod Touch
FOR MANY PEOPLE, the a standard-definition front­ in the iPhone 4 and the iPad.
iPod Touch is the iPhone facing camera) . lhe micro­ I compared the performance
without the phone and GPS phone gives you some hands­ of a new 32GB iPod Touch
features. The 4G (fourth­ free control of the Touch. with that of a 32GB third­
ge neration) iPod Touch Press and hold down the generation iPod and noticed
comes in 8GB ($229), 32GB Home button until the Voice very little difference.
($299), and 64GB ($399) Control screen appears, and With the cameras comes
capacities-and it's more like then you can tell the iPod the FaceTime video-calling
the iPhone than ever. whatever you want it to play. feature, and it works much
This iPod Touch carries a Its combination of micro­ as it does on the iPhone 4,
built-in omnidirectional phone and speaker makes but you don 't need a
microphone and a high-def this iPod Touch a better phone number to place
rear-facing camera (as well as device for Skype/VoIP calls . or receive a video call,
Though the mic is on the only an e-mail address .
back, it's sensitive enough to The iPod Touch is wildly THE NEW IPOD Touch comes
****fr SUPERIOR pick up your voice, and the popular for good reason. It's with more versatility than ever.
iPod Touch I Apple speaker is sufficiently audi­ extremely versatile- a media
Compelling, extremely versatile ble to permit conversation. player; pocket gaming ma­ pocket camcorder, still cam­
device is almost an iPhone. Inside, the 4G iPod Touch chine; productivity tool; era, handheld recorder, and
List: 5229 (8GB) to S399 (64GB) has Apple's A4 processor­ Internet communication FaceTlme video phone.
find.pcworld.com/70900 the same kind of chip found device; and in this update, -ClzristoplterBreen

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Reviews&Rankings

Top 10 Ultraportable Laptops

Our new number-one ultraportable offers both the Least weight and the most power.
MOO EL Rating Performance Features and specifications

I'm Toshiba Portege • WorldBench 6 score: 128 • 2.67GHz Intel Core i7 620M
ll1!1J R700-Sl330
S1599 NEW
find .pcworld.com/70871
****""SUPERIOR
• WorldBench 6 rating:Superior
• Overall design:Superior
• Tested battery life: 5:58
• 13.l·inch widescreen
• 3.0 pounds
• 128GB solld·state drive
• Toshiba delivers a great, lightweight machine that offers superb performance and has only a few annoying flaws.
• WorldBench 6 score:91 • l.2GHz Intel Core i7 640UM
Alienware Mllx (second revision)

2
$1299 NEW
find.pcworld .com/70872
****'"'
SUPERIOR
• WorldBench 6rating:Very Good
• Overall design:Superior
• Tested battery life: 4:56
• ll.6·1 nch widescreen
• 4.6 pounds
• 500GB hard drive
• A boost to the internal hardware gives the second revision of the Mllx substantially stronger performance. but battery life takes a hit.
• WorldBench 6 score:I04 • 2.53GHz Intel Core 15 540M
HP EliteBook 2740p

3
Sl699 NEW
llnd.pcworld.com/70873
**** VERY GOOD
• WortdBench 6 rating:Very Good
• Overall design:Superior
• Tested battery life: 3:29
•
•
•
12.Hnch wldescreen
3.9 pounds
250GB hard drive
• This model's convertible tablet touchscreen Md all·around performance make up for its disappointing battery life and display color.
• WorldBench 6score:102 • 2.13GHz Intel Core i7·640LM
HP EliteBook 2540p

4
$1629
find .pcworld.com/70281
***'"'
VERY GOOD
• WorldBench 6 rating:Very Good
• Overall design:Very Good
• Tested battery life: 5:34
• 12.Hnch widescreen
• 4.0 pounds
• 250GB hard drive
• Small enough to travel anywhere, the EliteBook 2540p breezes through business tasks; just don' t try to do 30 gaming.
• WorldBench 6 score: 65 • 1.3GHz Intel Core 2Duo SU7300

5
Lenovo ThinkPad Edge
S799 ***"'('*
VERY GOOD
• WorldBench 6 rating:Good
•Overall design: Very Good
• 13.3·1nch wldescreen
• 3.9 pounds
find.pcworld.com/69438
•Tested battery life: 6:30 • 320GB hard drive
• The ThlnkPad Edge refreshes Lenovo's workhorse line, Improving the look and feel while still letting you get your work done.
• WorldBench 6 score:68 • l.3GHz Intel Core 2 Duo SU7300
MSIX420

6
S799 NEW
find.pcworld.com/10875
***""VERY GOOD
• WorldBench 6 rating:Good
• Overall design:Very Good
• Tested battery life:6:21
• 14.0·inch widescreen
• 4.5 pounds
• 500GB hard drive
• The MSI X420 packs a lot into a pretty package. Although it's not quite a gaming notebook, It delivers some great high-def video.
• WorldBench 6 score:66 • l.3GHz Intel Core 2 Ouo SU7300
Lenovo ldeaPad Ul50

7
$749
find .pcworld.com/69829
***'"' *
VERY GOOD
• WorldBench 6 rating:Good
• Overall design:Good ·
• 11.6-lnch wldescreen
• 3.2 pounds
• Tested battery life: 6:20 • 320GB hard drive
• The ldeaPad U150 is a very nice-looking machine that finished at the dead center in Its category on our performance benchmarks.
• WorldBench 6score: 51 • l.2GHz AMO Athlon 64 X2

8
Acer Ferrari One (F0200-1799)
S599 NEW ***1 *­
VERYGOOD
• WorldBench 6 rating:Fair
• Overall design: Very Good
• ll.6·1nch widescreen
• 3.2 pounds
find.pcworld.com/69439
• Tested battery life: 4:52 • 250GB solld·state drive
• Excellent design and features compensate for lackluster performance in a cool little laptop that's just a bit bigger than a netbook.
• WurldBench 8 score: 76 • 1.2GHz Intel Core 15 430UM
Acer TimelineX 1830T-3721

9
$700 NEW **** GOOD
• WorldBench 6 rating:Good
• Overall design:Very Good
• ll.6·1nch wldescreen
• 3.0 pounds
find.pcworld .com/70405
• Tested battery life: 6:30 • 500GB hard drive
• This TimelineXis an affordable ullraportable that's long on workaday performance but iffy on Input ergonomics.
• WorldBench 6score:66 • l.5GHz AMO Turion II K625

10
Toshiba Satellite T235-S1345
$600 NEW
find .pcworld.com/70876
***** GOOD
• WorldBench 6 rating:Good
• Overall design: Very Good
• 13.3·inch widescreen
• 3.8 pounds
• Tested battery life: 5:17 • 320GB hard drive
• The Satellite T235-S1345 ls a good notebook for multimedia watchers on the go; however, it's not suitable for heavy typers.
CHART NOTES: Ratings are as of 9/27/IO.Tested battery life is expressed in hours:mlnutes.

MOR E ONLINE Visit find .pcworld.com/69510 to see in-depth reviews. full test results, and detailed specs tor each laptop on this chart.

62 I PCWORLD.COM DECE MBER 2010

© 201 O TRENOnet All rights reserved

a~on.com Buy.com ~ PROVANTAGE

Reviews&Rankings

Cyberlink Power2Go 7:
Bargain Disc-Burning
CYBERLINK POWER2GO 7 ty to write virtually any type
Deluxe is an evolutionary of job (data, video, music) to
iteration of this entry-level, any kind of disc, including
reasonably priced ($50) disc­ high-capacity Blu-ray Discs,
burning suite. It works well and it can rip and transcode
enough at its tasks , but I did audio. This version adds new
find one notable bug (in­ features such as the ability POWER2GO ISN'T THE most powerful disc-burning suite and has Its
volving audio importing) to create high-def photo gal­ annoyances, but It's reasonably priced and handles many formats.
and found the embedded lery (slideshow) discs, and a
marketing ploys annoying. stand-alone audio editor. most users won't need to watermarks every slideshow
Power2Go packs the abil.i- Also new are the ability to get a more expensive option. with its logo (a forthcoming
view and even extract files Though all of Power2Go 's update may change this).
from an ISO disc image; a older features are mature Power2Go 7 works well
*****GOOO capability to create 128-bit and well-rounded, I was dis­ and is much cheaper than the
Power2Go 7 I Cyberlink or 256-bit encrypted discs; appointed in the new photo similar Roxio or Nero suites,
Entry-level disc-burning suite is and a handy desktop widget gallery app. It provides just albeit less powerful, too, and
nicely priced and does the job. for easy access to the suite. one menu style, only one with fewer options . But it
List: S50 DVD authoring has been slide transition, and no tem­ may suit your needs just fine.
find.pcworld.com/70B9B improved to the point where plates . Worse, CyberLink -Jon L. Jacobi

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Ceton InfiniTV 4 Makes Your PC a Media-Center DVR

THE $399 INFINITV 4 is a premium channels. The card may insist on sending an recorded show? On my
PCI card that accommodates works-and it is awesome. installer to help with setup. Pavilion, a reasonably pow­
a single CableCard from your For testing, I popped an The only tricky part of the erful quad-core system, yes.
cable-TV provider. Once in­ lnfiniTV 4 into an HP Pavil­ setup-most of which hap­ I noticed no hiccups.
stalled, it bestows four digi­ ion Slimline s5360f desktop. pens inside WMC (Windows Because of the one-way
tal tuners that can show or The card requires Windows Media Center)-is "pairing" nature of current Cable­
record high-definition and 7 (any version but Basic), an the CableCard with your Cards, the lnfiniTV 4 can't
open PCie expansion slot, cable account. That means access pay-per-view or on­
THE INFINITV 4 can and a video card with an getting on the phone with demand programming.
record four high-def HDMI-out port, as well as a customer service and read­ The InfiniTV 4 isn't cheap,
channels at once. multistream CableCard. ing a bunch of numbers but it turns nearly any PC
Some cable companies from a WMC setup page. into the ultimate DVR.
Once that was done, my -Rick Broida
PC was, in a matter of min­
utes, pulling down HBO,
The Discovery Channel, * * * * ' /( SUPERIOR
Comedy Central, and other lnflniTV 4 I Ceton
digital HD channels. Though pricey, this four-tuner HD
But could it really record recording card earns its keep.
four shows at once while let­ List: $399
ting me watch a fifth, pre­

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66 I PCWORLD .C OM DECEMBE .R 2 0 10
Unmask Your Child's Online Identity
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 Reviews
A competency-based
education means more The Rover Puck: A 4G
bandwidth for life. Hotspot, Sans Contract
CLEARWIRE JS OFFERING powers on the device; the
a $150 pay-as-you-go mobile other displays the bars of
hotspot called the Rover connect ivity (up to four) .
Puck as an alternative route In my tests, the Puck pro­
to its 4G service. Aimed at vided nonstop access for
consumers who don't want about 4 hours on its battery
a service contract, it lets you for two users who were do­
become a walking hotspot, ing ordinary Internet con­
sharing 4G Internet access nectivity tasks; you can plug
with up to seven friends. it in if an AC outlet is handy.
The catch is that you can The Puck's connectivity
use it only in Clearwire's and throughput are as good
WiMax service areas. Also, as the 4G signal strength in
the Puck doesn't support your location. In one Clear-
3G-and though Clear is
ambitiously expanding its
WiMax service, that ser­
vice still doesn't reach
some places. But as
long as you stick to
WiMax turf, the
Puck is a good and
economical option.
The pay-per-use
option for the Puck
costs $5 for a day, $20
for a week, or $50 for a
month of 4G service.
The Puck seems sturdy-I
dropped it (accidentally) a
couple times, and it didn't THE ROVER PUCK l ets y ou
even scuff; plus, it fits easily share 46 Internet access.
into a backpack or purse.
The device measures 4.25 wire service area, I found
inches in diameter and is download speed to be about
· WGU's.competency.based education lets you•progre$ through your
about 0. 75 inch high (with 5.6 megabits per second.
online program as you prove iourknowledge of It You have the flexibility
"feet" to permit a little air My main complaint about
to ~eep IMng your life,while staying on target to meet.your career goals.
now under the disk). The the Puck is that it works only
It's nowonder 94 percent of our graduates would reco~mend us. two buttons at 10 o'clock with WiMax; enabling the
and 2 o 'clock are small but device to connect to 3G ser­
serviceable. One button vice when 4G isn't available
would have been welcome,
but, unfortunately, devices
**** · VE RY GOOO
Rover Puck Clearwire
that support both types of
1 service typically cost more.
Reliable 4G mobile hotspot comes The bottom line is that the
with pay-as-you-go data service. Puck's technology works as
List Sl50 long as your 4G does .
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A Gift for Travelers: Novatel/Virgin Mobile's MiFi 2200

FOR TRAVELERS who jug­ Most hotel and processor speeds
gle several connected devices airport connec­ and different radi­
while on the road , Novatel 's tions for Wi-Fi are os) had slower
MiFi 2200 mobile hotspot extremely over­ download rates .
may be just the ticket. The priced, highly un­ The MiFi is half
MiFi connects to Sprint's 3G dependable, or the size and weight
EvDO network and then cre­ both. The MiFi of an iPhone. Its
ates a mobile bubble of\Vi-Fi 2200 offers a reli­ battery lasts about
that can connect up to five able alternative. 4 hours without a
devices at once. Best of all, Virgin Mobile charge (less with
you can obtain the unit with provides two more devices con­
a prepaid, no-contract data Broadband2Go prepaid data THE MIFI 2200 can connect five nected) . You can recharge
plan from Virgin Mobile. plans. You can pay $40 per devices on Sprint's 3G service. the battery via microUSB
month for unlimited data, or cable from either a laptop or
$10 for ten days of data ser­ manual you' ll find in the an iPad or iPhone charger.
****"' SUPERIOR
Mi Fi 2200 I Nova tel
vice capped at lOOMB. The
price of the MiFi 2200 itself
box, but that's all you need.
In San Francisco, I repeat­
A MiFi may cost less than
a mobile hotspot plan from a
Easy-to-use mobile hotspot comes is $150 from Virgin Mobile. edly saw download speeds wireless carrier-with no
with reasonable prepaid data plans. Setting up the MiFi took of more than 1 mbps when hotel Internet charges. And
List: Sl50 about 5 minutes . A "quick connecting with my laptop. that's a deal hard to resist.
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Real-world
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Do everything faster with

these 55 indispensable
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~ CHRI STOPHER NULL
ILLUSTRATION BY ANDREW DEGRAFF

74 I PCWORLD . COM D ECEMBER 2 01 0

I
 With an ever-growing nd~eive Gl'OUps

A Send~e group conllllns a colection of Outlook accounts and

number of distractions that are fighting for your attention folders. You can specify the tasks that y,t be perform~ on the llfoup
during a send,Tt!eeive.
throughout the day, it's more important than ever to be Gr"'""Name Send/Reeeive when
New...
as productive as possible when you're actually on the job.
eat. ..
With that in mind, we've dug up the best Windows tricks
CDpy...
in our arsenal and talked to some of the best minds in
Remove
productivity to find SS tips sure to help you get more work Rename

done with your PC in less time. ( r!?J5ka.Je n ol e: These tips Setting for group "All Accounts•

apply primarily to Windows 7.) Let's get down to it. IndJde !tis ll'Ol4l in send/rCCI!Ne (F9).
Sdledk an automatic send/receive ~

Minimize all windows (except the one that habit of sorting incoming
you'reworilingon). When your desktop mail in this way is critical When Outlook is Offline
becomes so cluttered that you can't find for most users looking to @ Indude this group in send/receive (F9).
anything, this step is a good way to re­ enhance their productivity. schedule an automatic send eceive e• CUT DOWN ON dis­
gain focus . Grab the title bar of the win­ tractions by Umltlng
dow you want, and shake your mouse Be judicious with e-mail folders. An necessary, the frequency with
a little. All other windows will vanish e-mail folder should not be so narrow e-mail rules can which your e-mail
into the taskbar. Repeat to undo and of purpose that it's never used, but nei­ save lots of client checks for
restore all of your hidden windows. ther should it be so broad that it be­ time. For exam­ new messages.
comes overstuffed with messages, unless ple, do corporate
Use folders in your e-mail client. Letting you use that folder strictly for archiving newsletters from the
your e-mail accumulate in a monolithic and don't need to refer to its contents same address arrive ten
inbox makes it nearly impossible for regularly. Use a descriptive name for times a day? Stuff them into a folder for
you to find important messages with­ each folder and keep it short enough "later review." In Outlook, look for a
out a laborious hunt, as well as greatly that it doesn't require scrolling within simple rules wizard that walks you
increasing the odds that you'll forget or the Mail Folders pane. Remember that through creating your rules; to find it,
simply overlook e-mail that requires folders can usually be nested, too. select Tools•RulesandA/ens. Most other
urgent attention. Delete the junk, and e-mail clients have a similar option for
file nonactionable e-mail messages into Use rules to route messages automatically. establishing automated rules.
clearly defined folders. Getting into the When your personal involvement isn't
Remap the Windows key. Don't ever use
ulesWizard the Windows key? Or dislike where it's
located and want to swap it with <Alt> or
Start from a template or from a blank rule <Ctrb? Download a keyboard remapper.
Step 1: Select a template Many cheap or free apps for this pur­
pose are readily available, but Keyboard
Stay Organized
,:::=- ''\=--- - -. - ................... . : =....c. "· · ···· · ·~· · ···· · ·· ·- ~-•""=·'"=···" "' · · ·· ··· ~·'· " ··"-·-..- -··'-, Remapper (find.pcworld.com/70883; $10)
I · Molle messages from oomeone to a folder !
. ..... ..
~-M~~~-·~~~;~9~-~;tt:;· ;p~ci·fi·~--~·~;ci;··i·~ tt:;~··;~bj·~·~t-·t·~·~-f;;.ici·~·~··· . · · · ········ ············ works well. Remap to your heart's con­
tent, but keep in mind that there 's no
~ Move messages sent to a distribution list to a folder
way to change or disable a laptop's <Fm
X Delete a conversation
key, since it bypasses Windows . (You
"" Flag messages from someone for follow-up
can also check your computer's BIOS
~ Move RSS items from a specific RSS Feed to a folder
USE E·MAIL RULES to for any potential tweakability.)
St~ Up to ~_ate
automatically route
Display mail from someone in the New Item Alert I
Incoming messages to Customize your browser's default
Play a sound when I get messages from someom
specific folders, so you search engine. Your PC builder has
Send an alert to my mobile device when I get mei can work through your likely preset Internet Explorer's
Start from a blank rule e-mail inbox In a more default search engine to the one
Check messages when they arrive organized way. that's paying it the most. Otherwise,

76 j PCWORLD.COM D ECEMBER 2 0 10
it' ll be set to Microsoft's
liking: Bing. Change
this setting by clicking
the drop-down arrow
in the top right cor­
ner of the IE window
(within the search
box), and click Find
More Pro{)iders. You
won't find Google
without a.hunt, so type
Google into the 'Find add-
ons .. .' search box, and select
the first result, Google Search
Suggestions. Click Add 10 lmenret
Explorer, and at the pop-up, click Make
rllis my default search pro{)ider.

Improve Windows Search. If Windows

TIPS
Search isn't finding everything that you
know you've saved, check the Windows
Indexing Options (type Indexing options
1 Allen is a Lotus Notes
enthusiast. through
and through, but he enhances the spartan Notes interface with the eProductivity add­
into the Windows 7 Start Menu search on, which adds next-generation features to the software. One of these features, for ex­
bar), and then check the locations that ample, enables the user to drag an e-mail message to a "call" button in order to place
are included in the search index. Click an immediate phone call to the person who sent the message. eproductivity.com
Modifj, and navigate through the C:
drive to add more locations to index. 2 Allen syncs his Notes database with his BlackBerry, which he considers the best
handheld for agenda mavens.

Rename files fast. Renaming lots of 3 Though Notes is a great application for day-to-day activities, Allen uses Miridjet's
MindManager to keep tabs on long-term projects and brainstorming notes. He re­
files in Windows Explorer? Select the fers to it as "kind of a weekly review of what's going on... the big things com ing toward
first file in your list, press <F2>, and me that I need to keep at top of mind." mindjet.com
type the new name. When finished,
press <Tab> instead of <Enter>. Explorer 4 Keyboard shortcuts are critical for helping a busy person get through a queue of
tasks quickly. Allen employs ActiveWords to create simple macros, to open fre­
will jump you to the next file in the list quently used documents, and even to insert the current date on command into any
and automatically select the entire file document or application. activewords.com
name so you can rename it without
having to press the <Backspace> key.
Continue pressing <Tab>, and you'll zip
5 The professional and business versions of Pamela for Skype-a call management
tool- make it easy to record VoIP phone calls of any length. pamela.biz/en

through the list one file at a time.

Drag In Outlook. In Outlook, you can Don't constantly check your e-mail. Fre­ Make important e-mail more findable.
drag any item to any other area of the quent checking breaks your concentra­ Just change the subject lines. Few
program, and it will create a new item tion and interrupts what you're doing, things are more annoying than receiving
there, with the dragged information as wasting time as you return your focus an important e-mail message that car­
part of the new item or event. Drag an to the task at hand. Reduce how often ries a clueless subject like "hey" (or
e-mail to the Contacts button, and it your e-mail client checks for new mes­ worse, an empty subject line). A more
will create a new contact for the sender, sages to something less distracting: Every meaningful subject line improves your
automatically populating the Name and 10 or 15 minutes should give you time search index and makes your e-mail
E-mail fields , and putting the body of enough to focus without keeping peo­ thread more valuable in general. In
the message in the Notes field . Drag a ple waiting overly long for a response. Outlook, open the message (this tactic
contact to the Calendar, and you'll cre­ In Outlook, click <Ctrl>-<Alt>-S and doesn 't work with just a preview), se­
ate a Meeting Invitation ready to be tweak the digits for 'Schedule an auto­ lect the subject line, and type over it
sent to that person, and so on. matic send/receive every_ minutes'. with the more-useful text you want. »

DE CEMBER 20 10 PCWORLD . COM [ 77

l
 Select multiple files
easily. Using the <Ctrh
or <Shift> keys to
select multiple files
in Windows Explor­
er can be difficult
and an invitation to
commit errors . If,
however, you fre­
quently need to open
or manipulate multiple
files at once, turn on Win­
dows' check-box system-it
lets you select files more easily. In

TIPS
Windows Explorer, you can find this
setting under Orga11ize•Folderand search
optio11s•View. ~croll down and select Use
check boxes to select items; then click OK. In Ferriss's words, "Self-discipline is overrated. Technology tools will help you

Use Outlook's categorization system.

1 focus and be productive where you yourself fail." Still. Ferriss is a "tool minimalist"
who uses only a few applications every day to manage his workload, primarily focusing
Outlook lets you color-code messages, on e-mail and social media.
task-list items, calendar entries, and even Ferriss says the trick with e-mail is to have data about who's messaging you so you
•
contacts into as many as six categories.
Figure out a system and stick to it: red
2 don't waste time researching them to figure out if they're worth responding to. So
Ferriss uses Rapportive, a Firefox plug-in that replaces the ads in Gmail with detailed,
for business, for example, and blue for Web-sourced information about the sender of each message in your inbox. "I get a 15 to
personal items. Or color-code items by 20 percent time savings from this one plug-in alone,'' he says. ra pportive.com
level of urgency: green for "must do To force himself to focus on the tasks at hand, Ferriss uses Rescue Time. a Web­
today," blue for "to do this week," and
yellow for "to do this month."
3 based tool that lets the user shut off access to certain Websites-Facebook and
Twitter, for example-after a set amount of use. "It's easier to use tools like this than
to rely on discipline,'' he explains. rescuetirne.corn
Power up the 'Send To' feature. When Ferriss has gone virtually paperless through the use of Evernote, a free download ­
right-clicking a file in Windows Explor­
er, hold down <Shift> before you click,
4 able app that lets him clip to the cloud Web pages. photos. business cards, and
even printed matter, which he scans into the system with a portable scanner that he
and then select the SendTo command. takes with him just about everywhere. Evernote has enabled Ferriss to remove 90 per­
Windows will reveal a whole host of cent of the paper in his house, he says. and since it's searchable, he no longer has to
additional options, such as one to rely on folders and data management evernote.com
move the file to an often-used folder. Ferriss's one piece of advice for improving self-discipline: Spend the first two hours

Use Outlook's Search Folders. Though it

5 of every workday working on outstanding projects, before you check your e-mail.

has somewhat less utility now that PC

indexing and document search are
commonplace, the Search Folders fea­ but organizing them individually into Install a good spam filter. If your e-mail
ture in Outlook still has a function . folders doesn' t work for you, Search client doesn't already have one, you can
Essentially, these folders store copies Folders can be a great time-saver. You find many spam filters in PCWorld.com 's
of messages on the basis of predefined can set one up under Ncw•Searclr Folder. Downloads library (find.pcworld.com/70884).
rules that you set-such as messages
that have a keyword in the subject line Alter Windows Explorer's 'Favorites'. UsetheWindows7Calculator. You don' t
or that are sent to or from a certain Drag folders to the top left of the screen need to hunt for a special Website or a
contact-and the folders update them­ from within Explorer and then organize pocket gadget to do complicated math.
selves as new messages arrive. If you them however you like. Right-click and The Calculator utility in Windows 7 is
need to constantly refer to a topic or to select Rcmoue to get rid of anything you far more powerful than it appears at
a particular person's messages (such as don 't want. (For more on folders in Ex­ first glance. Click the View button to
those from your boss or a key client) , plorer, see find.pcworld.com/70931 .) pull up Scientific, Programmer, and »

78 J PCWORLD.CDM DECEMBER 201 0

J
 Get your computer bade if it~s

-nload and delete files from your computer

;..
ke snapshots ofthe_
. .
thief ify~ur~omputer
.. -·
has a built-in camera
iord everything that the thief types using the key logger tC?,_ol ­
.>>. Shut down your computer every time it is turned on
---~ . - . ~~~ -

Send messages directly to your computer screen

-b ~

THIS GUIDE COVERS AWIDE

RANGE Of TOPICS, INCLUDING:
» Installing Spyware
» Cracking Wireless Networks
» Hacking Into a Computer » Email Spoofing
» Hacking Web Servers » Resetting Wln~ws Passwords
» Tapping VOiP Telephones » Social Englneering
» Password Cracking » Denial of Service
» Hacking Volcemall » How to Make Money as a
» Cell Phone Spyware Certified Ethical Hacker
» SQL Injection and Much Morel
 Statistics calculators i ] Problem Steps Recorder - Recording Now CJ
as well as a date cal­
culator, a unit con­
verter, and even a @ Pa.!:!.se Record StQp Record ~ Add ~omment I00:00:01
mortgage calculator.
Useful, 11011?
SHORTEN YOUR TECH List by dragging that 2010, click the Clean Up button (it's in
Ratchet down User support calls by using URL to the browser the ribbon), and Outlook will sweep
Account Control's intru­ Windows' Problem Steps icon in the taskbar the inbox's redundant messages into
siveness. This is an Recorder to capture (do this by clicking the trash for you with a single click.
instant way to save each step of a PC prob- on the mini icon in
time . In the 'User tern as it happens. the URL bar). Use Windows' Problem Steps Recorder.
Accounts and Family Tech support calls are a pain. If you're
Safety' control panel, first Use Outlook 2010's Con­ having computer problems, don' t get
click UserAccou11ts, followed by versations view. This view can stuck on an endless phone call trying to
Change UserAccoum Control smings. If make your inbox much more manage­ explain the difficulty. Run Windows'
you're paranoid (and a power user), you able by compressing related messages Problem Steps Recorder to save a step­
can probably safely turn UAC down into groups and showing only the most by-step history of what you're doing so
either to Never nottfj me, or to the option recent message in the thread-similar you can share it with a friend or tech
that's one notch above that, Nortfj me to the way that Gmail works. To give support pro. Type PSR in the Start menu
011!J' when programs try to make changes to this view a try, click the A1range By tab search box to find and run the record­
11ry computer (do not dim 11ry desktop). in the message list pane and then select er. Then go through the steps that lead
Co11oenatio11. Outlook will display only to your problem; PSR will record a
Tum your iPad Into a second monitor. All the most recent message in a thread. screenshot of each step, logging every­
it takes is Air Display (find .pcworld.com/ Use the spinner next to each headline thing you type and click. When you' re
70885), a utility now avai lable for the to see previous messages in the thread. finished, click the Stop button and save
PC. It's $10 from the iTunes Store. the file. E-mail the archive to someone
Use Outlook's Clean Up button. ls your who's better informed for a solution.
Default to the Documents Library. In inbox still out of control? In Outlook (Note: This resource can also be used to
Windows 7, when you launch Windows make quick-and-dirty tutorials.)
Explorer, the view automaticaUy de­ Tasks - - - - - - - - - -1
faults to the Libraries Folder, which for Give yourself more screen real estate.
many users is not very useful. Busy
U 1-c You can shrink Windows 7's oversize
types will typically drill straight to the U 9 - filmcritic taskbar icons by right-clicking the task­
Documents Library from .there. Save a bar, choosing Propenies, and selecting
click by instructing Explorer to default
1 - [email protected] Use small icom. This option shrinks the
to the Documents Library. To do this, size of the task bar by half, giving you
right-click on the Windows Explorer a few extra millimeters of vertical
shortcut (the taskbar shortcut won't ~ Online screen space.
WINDOWS 7'S JUMP
work). In the Target field, type or paste: g Away Lists are packed with use­
%windir%\explorer.exe :: [45008FBA­ Turn off Aero Snap. By now
AD25-11D0-98A8-0800361Bll03) ~ Invisible ful shortcuts to common
you certainly know that in
actions. Getting to know
Finally, replace the icon in the task­ ~ Offline them can save you hun­
Windows 7, dragging a win­
bar with your tweaked shortcut. dow to the side of the screen
dreds of clicks per day.
will autoresize it to fill exactly
Liberally use Windows 7's Jump Lists. half of your available space, and
Exit
You can access the Jump Lists by right­ dragging it to the top will cause it
clicking on any icon in the taskbar. to fill the entire display. This is great for
You'll find recently used documents, some people; but if you don't like Aero
Trillian
along with certain app-specific func­ Snap, you're stuck with having to undo
tions (such as setting your IM client to Unpin this program from t the resizing, often dozens of times per
'Away') . One little time-saver: You can day. You can turn off this behavior with
~ Close all windows
pin a Web URL to your browser's Jump a Registry hack: Run Regedii, and »

BO I PCWORLD.COM DECEMB ER 2010

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''"tr~ o~fi.)!: .nc. ·:'·:;:ic~'C'\;lt"~•)o-d c.·llA'!Y'.,.,..i,.:\.1tnpr.dJ.'i.ttJ.\.lti::)
 Manage Add-ons

View and manage your Internet Explorer add -ons

USE THE MANAGE Add-
ons menu In Internet Na m• Publish<1 Status Filt datt
Add-on Typts
Explorer to eUmlnate
Toolbars and Exten51ons
1 I Adobt Systtms Jncorporattd
browser plug-Ins that Shoclcwavt Flash Objtct Ado bt Systtms lncorpor... Enabl<d 2/2/'1009
p Starch Provi dtrs
are slowing down your Adobe Systems, Incorporated
i:JAccelerators
launch times. Adobe PDF Link Helper Adobt Systtms, Jncorpo ... Enabl<d 6/19/2010
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CURRENT_ USER\Comrol Microwft Cor oration

Panef\Deskrop; there, set

Wi11dowAm111ge111e111Acrioe to 0. After com­ access to some of these notifications, Make Internet Explorer load faster. When
pleting this step, you' ll have to reboot. change the default layout. It's easy to IE loads very slowly for no clear reason,
do. Just open the tray's spillover win­ it' s usually due to an add-on clogging
Snap windows faster. But what if you dow and drag the icons you want to the the pipes . Fortunately, one of !E's best
like Aero Snap? Here is a faster way to taskbar area. You can rearrange icons features is that it allows you to see how
snap windows right or left by using key­ within the added window, too. long each add-on is taking to load. You
board shortcuts instead of the mouse. can find this under Tools•Manage Add­
<Windows Key><Left Arrow> snaps left, Pin almost anything to the task bar. There ons. Check the ' Load time ' column to
and <Windows Key><RlghtArrow> snaps is practically no limit to the things you see what has been weighing you down.
right. While we' re at it, <Windows Key><Up can pin to t he taskbar: often-used fo ld­
Arrow> will maximize your window, ers, the Control Panel, even a button to Work around a Jump List limitation.
while <Windows Key><Down Arrow> will shut down your PC. (For the last option, Jump Lists are great, but Windows 7 no
minimize it. (Note, however, that if you find shutdown.exe in the SystemjWin­ longer offers a way for you to open a new
have done the Registry hack described dows32 directory, create a shortcut to instance of an application- a new Word
in the preceding tip to turn off Aero it, and then append this text to the tar­ document or a new browser window,
Snap, that hack will have disabled these get in Properties : /slf/i 00) . for example-by right-clicking on the
particular shortcuts, too.) application's icon in the task­
bar. Instead of resorting to the
Lowercase all-capitals text in a
GNag
File menu, hold down <Shift>
trice. In Microsoft Office and then left-click normally
apps, convert the text to low­ Block Scan Definition Editor About on the taskbar icon to open a
ercase by selecting it and new insta nce of the applica­
Name Status
pressing <Shift><F3>. Press tion, leaving your other open
<Shlft><F3> a second time to flrniVir Personal Edition Oassic Blocked
windows in place.
convert the text to title case
(Which Looks Like This). Get a quick
HATE STARING AT peekatthe
Customize your system tray. splash screens while desktop.
Windows 7 helpfully decreas­ your programs load? Simply click
es the amount of space dedi­ Use GNag to kill splash <Windows
cated to the Notification Area screens and other Key><Space·
by putting all but the most annoying pop-ups, bar> to hide
essential notifications within all open win­
a drop-down (or, in this case, dows. Keep the
Block Unblock
drop-up) box. It looks nice, <Windows Key> held
but you can burn lots of time Blocks the pop-up that appears during updating and the splash down , and then release
with wasted clicks as you screen that appears when Windows boots . that key to return to your for­
Based on the 4th method here:
hunt for what you need . If mer environment with all its
http:/ h \Ww .elitek1ller.comlfiles/ disable antivir nao .htm
you want regul ar, click-free open windows in place. »

92 I PCWORLD.COM DECE MB ER 2 0 10
Crucial has over 280,000 possible memory upgrades.
There's one to meet your needs and your budget.
At Crucial, we're the Memory Experts'". A DRAM upgrade
makes computing easier. We have guaranteed-compatible
upgrades for nearly every system out there - desktop or
notebook, PC or Macf>.
 Save downloads to a ditrerent directory.
The Windows 7 Downloads directory
sounds convenient, but since few users
ever go browsing there, downloaded
files may be forgotten for days. Most
browsers will default to
downloading into this direc­
tory. Firefox and Chrome
user.s can change this relative­
ly easily, though, to some­
thing more convenient. In
Firefox, click Tools•Op1io11s.
Under the General tab,
change the 'Save files to ' set­
ting to the directory of your
choice. In Google Chrome,
click the Tools icon (it looks

TIPS
like a wrench), then Options. Pash's approach to
Click the MinorTweaks tab and
change the ' Download loca­
1 computing is to "do
everything in as few key­
tion ' setting there. IE users unfortu­ strokes as possible, or have your computer do them automatically for you." One tool
nately have to hack the Registry to he uses is Launchy, which lets you type the first few letters of an application's name
make this change (a step that only to launch it. While Windows 7's integrated search features make Launchy somewhat
power users should consider taking). less critical, it's still a useful application. launchy.net
Pash himself developed Belvedere, an automated file manager for Windows that
Zoom faster. In Windows 7 and Vista, 2 lets yo.u apply rules to folders and take action on them as certain criteria are
met. For example, you can specify that folders that go untouched for extended peri­
<Ctrl><Mouse Wheel> lets you zoom in
and out in most applications. In Win­ ods of time be deleted, or that files with a .jpg extension be automatically routed to a
dows Explorer, this combo makes icons pictures folder. find.pcworld.com/70910 (download )
and thumbnails larger or smaller. ln Dropbox is invaluable not just fo r backing up a PC but for syncing its data with
Web browsers and most graphics pro­ 3 mu ltiple computers, which is key if you use more than one PC. It also works
grams , it changes the font size or the with the iPhone, the iPad, and Android devices. dropbox.com
zoom level up and down. Simplenote is a plain-text note-taking system that, like Oropbox, can sync

Control your postvacation time. Never

4 among multiple desktops, the Web, and an iPhone. This no-frills alternative to
Evernote ensures that notes never get lost. simplenoteapp.com
schedule anything for the day after you Instapaper is a similar tool that simplifies Web pages and lets users read them
come back from a long trip or vacation, later. instapaper.com
since you' ll need this day to catch up Finally, Pash says that Gmail's new Priority Inbox fea ture is a "pretty good
on everything you 've missed while you
were out. If you use a shared calendar
5 attempt at helping you deal with the glut of things that arrive in your Gmail
inbox that you're faced with every day."
system, book the entire day of your re­
turn with "meetings" before you leave.

Save time with VoIP. You can save signif­ into Gm ail (gmail.com). In addition, focuses on eliminating the vaniry vid­
icant time-and possibly money, too­ Google Voice saves call histories as eos that play when you launch many
by using a VoIP system that allows you they take place, integrating them into video games, but it also suppresses , for
to click phone numbers in Web pages the Gm ail contact management system. example, the annoying pop-up message
and in e-mail messages and dial them that you get daily with the free version
directly via your PC. Skype (skype.com) Get rid of splash screens and daily nag of the popular Avira AntiVir Personal
offers such an option, which works pop-ups. Splash screens do nothing for Edition Classic antivirus software.
broadly in e-mail and on most Web­ productivity. GNag (gnag.sourceforge.net)
sites, and Google recently integrated will get rid of many of them for you Don't get involved with Farm Ville. This
its own VoIP offering, Google Voice, with a simple install. The application advice is obvious but crucial. •

84 I PCWORLO . COM DECEM B ER 2 010

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86 f PCWORLD.COM DEC E MB ER 2010
 2 Apple iPad (tablet; starts
at $499) We're in the
midst of a revolution that's
6 SonyAlphaNEX-5 (digital
camera; $650) This com­
pact interchangeable-lens
putting slates at the fore­ camera is the finest we've
front, and the iPad deserves tested, thanks to excellent
full credit for launching it. image and video quality,
After years of false starts for modes that make capturing
tablets, Apple's 9.7-incher panoramic and low-light
bucked the trend with a images a breeze, and (with a
svelte look, a robust yet sim­ firmware update) the ability
ple touch interface, and a to shoot 3D images.
phenomenal app collection.

3 Amazon Kindle, third­

generation (e-reader;
7 HPEnvy14BeatsEdition
(laptop; starts at $1149)
The Envy 14 is one of the
$139) Amazon rewrote the slickest all-purpose laptops
rules for e-readers with its of the year. The Beats Edition
turns it up to 11 with a black
finish, red backlighting,
dark chrome accents, and a
pair of Beats headphones.

8 Samsung Epic 4G (smart­

phone; $249 with Spri11t
contract) Of all the Android

an:::>~o1:::>
phones that launched this
year, the Epic 4G is tops.
The nicely designed physical
third-gen Kindle. The Wi-Fi­ keyboard, paired with
Google Android 2.2 (smartphone operating
only version delivers conve­ 4G-network
rystem; included with phone) Mobility nient e-book shopping goodness and
along with a stellar E-Ink a front-facing
led the Lech industry in innovation
Pearl screen and a stream­ camera, makes
in 2010, and amid a flourishing lined, lightweight design. it hard to
array of great mobile products,
we found one consistent standout ·this year:
4 Netflix (streaming uideo
service, uideo-lry-mail
beat. Addi­
tionally, the
plan;starts at $9, Watch /nsrant­
gorgeous dis­
!Jlfae with monthlyplan) Net­ play and Samsung's Media­
Google Android. Expected to eclipse Apple's
llix came on strong this year Hub make it the ultimate
iOS in market share by year's end, Android with Watch Instantly. Aside entertainment smartphone.
brings powerful apps, a slick interface, and
extreme customizability to a host of phones
from the popularity of the
service on desktop PCs, the
Watch Instantly app made a
9 lnstapaper (mobile app;
fae) Available for many
platforms, Jnstapaper pulJs
splashy debut on other
and tablets available across a multitude of can-i­
devices such as the iPad,
ers. This range of options with Android is the iPhone, and iPod Touch.
one thing that the iPhone can't promise. Add to
that mix a flexible browser with Flash 10.1 sup­
5 SamsungGalaxyTab
(tablet;price to be dew~
mined) This sleek little slate
is the best Android tablet
port, OS-wide voice control and dictat ion fea­
we've seen. It brings pol­
tures, and a rapidly expanding app ecosystem, ished software and design
finesse to a fun, multipur­
and Android 2.2 (also known as "Froyo ) is the
pose touchscreen device. It's
OS to beat in the burgeoning mobile age. the iPad for the rest of us.

88 / PCWORLD.COM D EC EMB ER 2010

the words and images from
a site and sends them to a 13 Apple
iPhone4
extensive customization
options for power users. Find More
mobile device for reading
on the go. With its browser
(smartphonc;
sram at $149 15 HTC HD7 (sman:pho11e;
$200 with T-Mobtle
Online
plug-in, you simply click with AT6Tcon­ comracr) It's too early to Looking for additiona l
' Read Later' on an article to tract) Despite determine the success of information on the
put the cleaned-up version initial con­ Microsoft's just-launched 100 products, apps,
on your phone or tablet. cerns, the latest iPhone is a Windows Phone 7 OS, but and services we

10 MicrosoftSecurity
Essentials (amivirus
sojiwarc;frce) When a prod­
stylish, attractive ground­
breaker. This phone screams
design elegance and has the
the HTC HD7, which uses
it, is one impressive hand­
set with its 4.3-inch WVGA
selected as the best
of the year? Point
your browser to find .
uct is this solid, it redefines software and gorgeous dis­ display, kickstand , and pcworld.com/70937
the category. This tool offers play to match, as well as the 16GB of memory. Throw in to see links to reviews
malware detection in an easy­ richness of the Apple App Netflix streaming, Xbox and news coverage,
to-use package with a well­ Store at its command. Live, and the Zune player, as well as to post
designed interface- and it
doesn' t nag unnecessarily. 14 Google Chrome (Web
browscr;.frcc) The top
and you have a fantastic
entertainment phone.
your comments.

11 Samsung UNSSCSOOO
(LCD HDTV; $2900)
This LED-backlit, SS-inch 1V
pick in our tests is fast and
well designed, has a clean
and functional interface,
16 Crucial RealSSD C300
(solid-state drive; $600)
This is the first SSD we've bright f/2.0 aperture lens,
set has lots of features and supports plenty of add-ons , tested to support 6-gigabits­ and good low-light shooting.
great image quality. It's less
than an inch thick, too.
and provides strong security
features. Chrome also offers 19 Microsoft0ffice2010
(<ifficc suite; starts at
$280) After years of ceding
the online productivity

12 HPT,.ohSmort600Q"'' (d<,kwp; $1699)

HP's latest TouchSmart all-in-one PC packs a punch, offering
great performance and a vibrant 23 -inch multitouch display. It per-second SATA, which
world to Google Docs,
Microsoft finally builds Web
apps into the latest Office
suite. Word, Excel, and
PowerPoint all have new
won't replace your TV, but its connectivity options make it just as enables faster write speeds features for collaborating
useful when you hook it up to your cable box or because it can push more online. In addition, Power-
your game console. data through the pipe. This
256GB drive delivered top­ Microsoft"
flight overall performance
and the best write times. Office
17 Blizzard Entertain­
ment StarCraft II
(game; $60) Twelve years in
Point gains built-in video
editing and playback, ·
the making, the highly antic­ smooth new transitions,
ipated sequel to the 1998 and a tool for broadcasting
real-time strategy gaming slideshows across the Web.
classic does not disappoint.

18 Panasoniclumix
DMC-LXS (digital cam­
20 Samsung LN46C650
(LCD HDTV;
$1100) The LN46C650, an
era; $500) The DMC-LXS inexpensive set that lacks
shines once you take it out the LED backlighting and
of Auto mode and put it in 240Hz refresh rates of rival
Manual, offering instanta­ models, nonetheless clob­
neous autofocus, great video bers them in image quality.
quality, a macro mode that It's a better 1V, yet it costs
lets you practically touch about $2000 less than its
the lens to your subject, a nearest competitors. »

D ECE MBE R 2 0 10 PCWORLD.COM I 89

 21 :::.::;~:~,~ "~'"'r, ' "'~':":
...•

$99) W.ot to iT"°"

library- including your home movies and iPhoto pictures-to you r TV? This device han­
dles all of that an d streams Netflix, too, with typical Apple flair.

22 Western Digital WO
TV Live Plus (media 25 Motorola Drold X
(s111arrpho11e; $199
alongside \Veb­
friendly features .
streamer, $150) This network
media player edges out the
better-known Roku with its
with Verizon comraci) ll1e
Droid X, follow-up to Moto­
rola's wildly successful Droid
27 Canon EOS 70 (digital
camera; $1700) This
18-megapixel DSLR camera
mix of online streaming on Verizon, was one of the
services and its ability to hottest phones of this sum­
stream your content via a mer, sporting a 4.3-inch dis­ starts at $949) Finally,
network or a USB drive. play and an 8-megapixel an ultraportable notebook

23 Canon Pixma MG8120

(color inkjet. 11111lri­
.fi111ctio11 pn'11w; $300) Canon's
camera. The Android 2.2 OS
update made it even better,
bringing Flash content to its
with enough power for real
3D gaming. This 11-inch
system boasts a Core iS or
good-looking MFP has a speedy Web browser. i7 CPU, plus nVidia's Opti­
has the features and shoot­
3.5-inch, tiltable, color LCD
screen and touch controls
integrated into the top lid .
26 Adobe Creative Suite
5 (dcsig11
sefiwarc; srans at
ing power of a pro model,
but its price puts it within
mus automatic graphics­
switching tech nology. · »

reach of enthusiasts. Of
It also produces smooth $1899) For de­
note are its high-resolution
text output at a good clip, sign pros, this
and its replacement ink suite of applica­
LCD screen, handy Live
View functions , and 1080p
Coming
costs are reasonable. tions remains a class act.
Adobe's latest iteration in­
video, as well as its impres­
sive 8-frames-per-second
Soon?
troduces fresh refinements • RIM BlackBerry
continuous-capture speed.
PlayBook: With t his
28 SonyHandycamNEX­
VGlO (camcorder,
$2000) This interchangeable­
iPad rival. tablets may
get down to business.
clysm (game; $40) The third expansion-and a dramatic overhaul­ • Google Chrome OS:
lens HD camcorder shoots
of the megapopular massively multiplayer online role-playing We still yearn for this
1080p AVCHD video and
game demonstrates why WOW is still number one. We've played promising open-source
14-megapixel stills- and it
the beta version of the expansion enough to feel confident that it operating system.
costs about $4000 less than
wi ll absolutely be among the year's best titles. • Firefox 4: Mozilla's
the only other swappable­
update looks to have a
lens camcorder around, a
cleaner interface; the
'• model from Panasonic.
mobile browser will
29 Alienware Mllx, sec­
ond revision (laptop;
get improvements, too.
(Both were still in beta
at this writing.)
• Android 3.0: We hope
'Gingerbread' delivers
video chat. additional
tablet OS functionality,
and more features .
• 'Sandy Bridge': The
new Intel m icropro­
cessor design might
just make integrated
graphics respectable.

90 I PCWORLD . COM DECEMBER 2010 [More info:fi nd.pcworld.com/70937 J

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 33 Origin Genesis
Midtower (dcsk­
ware detection scores . Its
interface is easy to use.
e-ma il based on your read­
ing and sorting hab its. Also
wp; $3600) Few can
beat this overclocked
sensation's blistering
38 MOG (mobile app aud
s&1vice; $10 a monrh
ajicrmal) MOG lets you
new is voice calling.

42 Western Digital 3TB

My Book Essential
performance. Liquid stream the songs you want (hard drive; $250) Need tons
cooling protects t he to hear, not those that it of space? This four-platter
CPU , and the case selects . For instance, you USB 3.0 drive boasts speedy

30 Sonos ZonePlayer SS
(nerworkedaudio pkry­
allows plenty o f upgrades.

34 Google Voice (phone

can make "artist stations"
that play only songs by the
performance and blasts past
previous ca pacity limits.
"i $399) lhe SS-an afford­
able version of the impecca­
ble Sanos audio system-can
wvicc;.frce) You can
have a single number that
reaches multiple phones and
perso n or band in question.

39 AMO Phenom II X6
1090T (processo1;
43 Clickfree Network
CN2 (backup device;
$140for500GB) Clickfree's
also play music from a hard text inboxes, along with free $280) It may not be the fast­ automa ted software for this
drive and online services. SMS texting and call con­ est six-core CPU-but with a drive permits easy backups

31 Sony Reader Pocket

Edition PRS-350
ferencing. Voice transcrip­
tions need work, however.
price that's $700 lower than
rivals , it brings hexacore
of multiple networked PCs.

44 FUpboard (mobile app;

(c-rcadcr; $180) With a
5-inch screen, the Poc ket
Edition is superlight. It also
35 Logitech C910 (Wcb­
cam; $100) You get
crystal-clear 1080p video
perfo rm ance to the masses.

40 Livescribe Echo
Smartpen (input de­
fi'CC) This iPad app
turns Facebook and Twitter
feeds into a personalized
rocks a sharp, high-contrast and a sleek design. Skype­ vice; $1 70for4GB, S200for magazine. Swipe through
E-lnk Pearl HD video-calling support 8GB) Tie audio pages of photos and videos,
scree n and boosts this unit' s appeal. reco rdings to or feeds from Web sources.
Sony's op­
tical tech­
nol ogy that
36 Bump (mobile app;
free) Need to send a
song, a contact, or a PayPal
your written
notes, and play
them by tapping
turns the payment between smart­ your words with the
di splay phones? Run this app and pen tip . The USB port
into the touchscreen that bump the two phones. It lets it act as an input
we 've long been cravi ng. works between Android device when it is con­

32 nVidia GeForce GTX

460 (graphics board;
$200) Seeking well-priced,
devices and iPhones, too.

37 Norton Antivirus
2011 (amivi111s sefr­ 41
nected to a computer.
Google Gmail (Web
sc1vice;.free) We
high-caliber performance warc; $40 011c-ycai; single-PC like the cool, new features
for work or play? nVidia liccnsr) In our tests, Norton such as the Prio rity lnbox,
may have been a little late had consistently high mat- which arranges incoming
to the Direct X 11 game,
but t his gem offers great
graphics at a great price .

45 Panasonic
HDC-SDT750 (camcorder; $1400)
Looking for 30 content to watch
on a 30 HDTV? An included. de­
tachable 30-conversion lens
mounts onto the HDC-SDT750's
f/1.5, 12X-optical-zoom Leica
lens- it's the first 30-capable
consumer camcorder. Without
the 30 lens, it shoots 1080p
video at 60 frames per second. »

92 I PCWORLD.CDM DECE MBER 2010 [ More info: find.pcworld.com/70937 J

 device using this app. It runs
on cell and Wi-Fi networks.
top drive is 4GB of flash
memory, which helped pro­ 58 ATI Radeon HD 5870
(graphics board; $400)

49 At Bat 2010 for iPad

(mobileapp; $7)
pel it far ahead of standard
hard drives in performance.
This AT!/AMD card offers
some of the best perfor­
Monitor every big-league
game, watch highlights, and
listen to games live. Sub­
53 CiscoM20ValetPlus
(wireless rouw; $130)
This speedy, full-featured
mance you'll find in a GPU,
at a decent price. Rivals may
set the mark on graphics
scribe to MLB .tv, and you router doesn't make you performance, but the 5870
can watch nonlocal games. wade through endless con­ is still the board to beat.

50 XMlnd (productifJiry
so.fiware;fn:e and $49 59 iVlna BulletScan S300
(sca1mc1; $299) Ver­

46 HandcentSMS (mobile
app;ji'ce) This simple­
to-use Android app sports
versions) If you're interested
in trying mind mapping to
record ideas, use the free
satility and performance are
the highlights of this two-in­
ane, 600-dpi duplex scanner.
features that put other SMS edition ofXMind . It works Take the USB-powered mo­
clients to shame. in Windows, Mac, or Linux. bile scan module on the

47 HTC Droid Incredible

(smanplro11e; $200 51 PCTools lnternet
Security 2011 (sec1117'ty
figuration menus. Competi­
tors may be cheaper, but
road to input forms, receipts,
photos, and business cards.
with Verizon comract) With its
AMOLED display, excellent
camera, and slick design, the
suite; $50 one-year, three-PC
license) This suite's pricing
makes it a great value, and
the Valet Plus is idiot-proof.

54 RovioAngryBirds
(game; $1) Catapult
60 DimDim (011li11e ser­
vice;fae, more titan
te1111serr starts at $25permonrh)
Incredible is one of the best it earned strong malware peeved birds into the for­ An online meeting tool that
Android phones on Verizon. detection scores in our tests. tress of a gang of pigs. Phys­ needs no installation, Dim­

48 SlingPlayer Mobile
(mobile app; $30 per
momlr) Play live cable 1V
52 SeagateMomentusXT
· (hard drive; $120far
500GB) Inside this 7200­
ics combines with luck in a
game that uses iPhone 4
multitouch controls well.
Dim enables polls, four-way
video chat, and document
sharing and storage. You
from home on your mobile rpm; 2. 5-inch internal lap­
55 Mylnnergie mCube
Mini (poweradaprer;
can embed videos and Pica­
sa photo albums, as well.
$70) Skip the power brick.
This lightweight auto/air
adapter is barely bigger
61 Smartfish ErgoMotion
Mouse (inpw device;
$50) Resting on a pivot, this
than two thumbs. It powers unique mouse adjusts posi­
any laptop requiring up to tion to match your motions.
65 watts at 15 to 21 volts. The result is surprisingly

56 Lookout MobileSecu­
rity (mobile app;free)
This triple-threat protector
comfortable mousing.

62 LenovoThinkPad
xlOOe (la~
for Android phones runs top; stam at $449)
virus scans , tracks a lost AMD Athlon and
handset, and backs up data . Turion processors
make this
ultraport­
able snappi­

57 M•logmF131
(desktop; $2000) This PC focuses
er than Atom-based
netbooks . You also get Len­
ovo's great keyboard and
touchpad quality.
on one thing: speed. Inside the
roomy, laser-etched chassis are an
overclocked processor and a pair
63 Second Rotation
Gazelle (Web setvicc;
co111111issio11011 sale) Find price
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94 f PCWOR L D.COM D ECE MBER 2 0 1 0 [ More info: find.pcworld.com/70937 ]

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 64 Facebook (social 1rer­
wo1*i11g sirc;fi'cc)
The addition of the Places
70 Fuze Box Fuze Meet­
ing (Web scivfcc; $29
10 $69 per momIr) Make a pre­
geolocation service and sentation or share your
revamped privacy controls screen with far-flung col­
keep Facebook on our list leagues. In our experience,
for the second year in a row. the service has little lag time.

65 Plantronics KIOO
(Blucroorlr spcakcr­ 71 Evernote (Wcbmvicc;
fi'cc, or $5-pcr-monrh
t

pho11e; $80) Clip this gizmo

to your car's
visor to manage
phone calls. It
also lets you lis­
premium scivicc) We've long
touted Evernote's cloud­
based note-taking functions .
This year's innovation is its
open ecosystem of plug-ins.
74 Job"~:,: :, (Bl"''"""'°d'"; $50) Th;"""'
headset attaches earbuds to a unit that clips onto your shirt and
allows you to switch easily between phone calls and music. Or, if
ten to stream­
ing audio
through your
72 lomegaeGoSuper­
Speed USB 3.0 (hard
dnve; $140far1 TB) This
you prefer, you can use your own headphones with it.

car speakers. pocketable USB 3.0 drive

66 Taptrix
Brushes
(mobile app; $8) This paint­
boasts speedy performance.
!omega's soft­
ware suite,
75 Lenovo ThinkPad
W701ds (laprop; srans
ar $3299) 1his dual-screen
78 Samsung BD-C6500
(Bl11-rayplqy&1; $225)
Its picture is among the best
ing app for the iPhone and 256-bitAES monster is outrageously we've seen, and it can bring
iPad has layers , brush types, hardware en­ fast. It also ha·s display color Netflix, Pandora, Vudu, and
and more. One artist used cryption, and calibration, an integrated YouTube to your TV.
the iPhone version to make
a New Yo1*er cover.
increased drop
tolerance are key features.
Waco m drawing tablet, USB

76
3.0, and the kitchen sink. 79 PopCapGamesPlants
vs. Zombies HD (game;

67 Alphonso Labs Pulse

News Reader (mobile
app; $4) Rather than using
73 Gateway SX2840-01
(dcskrop; $560)
Small, svelte, and packed
/ '
FitNow Lose It (mobile
app;ji-cc) When you
want to lose weight, record­
$10) The iPad version of this
zombie-bashing defense
title is arguab ly the best.
an e-mail inbox-style layout,
Pulse is more visual, pro­
moting leisurely reading.
with stellar components,
this budget PC delivers
great performance and a
ing what you're eating is a
big help. This applets you
enter your food intake on
80 Asus Eee PC 1201n
(11ctbook; $450) You
get a 12-inch screen, nVidia
It's an attractive-and large hard drive. your iPhone or iPod Touch. Ion graphics, Windows 7
enjoyable- alternative to Home Premium, and 2GB of
trad itional RSS ap ps. ..----. RAM-all of which are above

68 Corsair 8000 (PC

case; S270) It's no
surprise that several top
the norm for a netbook.

81 Genieo (browscradd­
011;ji-ec) This add-on
performance desktops use for Firefox or Internet Ex­
this case. The sides pop off plorer keeps track of where
easily, and hot-swappable UltraHD 868 with FlipPort you go on the Web, and cre­
bays are built onto its face. (camcordct; $200) This game­ ates a newsy home page.
A compartment for cables
keeps the interior neat.
changer shoots smoother
video than its predecessors 82 Jabra Extreme (Bl11c­
ioorh hcadser; $80)

69 QnapTS-259Pro
Turbo NAS (srorage
device; $600) This startlingly
did. thanks to the addition
of digital image stabilization
and a faster. 60 -frames-per­
Jabra's excellent headset
overcomes the clatter of the
big city or a busy household.
fast Intel Atom-powered,
two-bay network-attached
storage box offers business
second rate when capturing
720p video. Bu t the big draw
is the FlipPort, which allows
83 VirginMobileBeyond
Talk Plans (prepaid
service; $25 to $60 per monrh)
features and media software, you to attach accessories Get unlimited messaging and
plus the QMobile iPhone such as microphones and broadband, and tiers of voice
app for remote access . battery extenders. service, contract-free. »

96 I PCWORLD.COM DECEMBER 2010 [More info: find.pcworld.com/70937 J

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·84 DellUltraSharpU2711
(LCD mo11iUJr, $1099)
Having 27 inches ' worth of
pixels is a nice luxury. This
86 .. -·· ..­
Epson PictureMate Show PM 300
{primer; $300) This snapshot printer-with 270MB of
memory and a 7-inch, 480-by-800-pixel, 15:9-aspect­
.
-~·
- ,.,.

2 560-by-1440 ratio color LCD-also serves as a digital photo frame.

panel's quick You can incorporate effects into a slideshow, too.
response time
addresses
ghosting and
blur in games
You can even download
songs for offiine mode. 88 RideCharge Taxi Magic
(mobile app;.free)
makes task tracking simple.
Tagging, search, and sorting

85
and movies.
Grooveshark for
Android (strr:aming
87 PolarWearlink+
Transmitter Nike+
(ftwmgadget; $70) This chest
Request a cab, see how far
away it is, and pay for it on
your Android, BlackBerry,
features keep you organized.

91 3M MPro120 (projec­
tor; $350) Use this
audio service; $3per1110111/r) strap transmits your heart­ iPhone, or PalmOS handset. pocket-size model for pre­
Stream any song you want
right to your Android phone.
rate data to Nike+ devices
for tracking over time. 89 Belkin Conserve
SmartAV (power
strip; $39) Display energy
sentations to small groups
under low light, or to display
a 60-inch-diagonal image.

The Flops of 2010

usage in dollars. Plug in de­
vices and see how much it
costs to keep them powered.
92 B&WPSMobileHi-Fi
Headphones (lread­
plto11cs; $300) If you want »
• Google Wave: Nobody surfed it.
• Microsoft Kin : Died before the family reunion .
• Palm WebOS: Only HP bought into this.
90 Bitalpha Taska
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96 Adobe Photoshop
Lightroom 3 (image
sojiware; $300) In addition

93 AppleiPodTouch,
2010 version (multi­
media player; $229farBGB,
94 Thefind.com (Web­
site;fee) This shop­
ping engine outdoes Google
to tools that sort, organize,
develop, and publish pho­
tos, version 3 has a new
$399far64GB) Adopting
features from the iPhone 4,
and Bing, allowing you to
filter products . It has cou­
noise-reduction engine and
improved RAW processing. 99 TomTomXXLSSO-TM
(GPS; $200) Boast­
such as a front-facing cam­ pons and reviews, too.
97 AstroA30Headset
(headset; $130)
Paired with the company's
ing a larger-than-average
5-inch screen, this navigation
device includes lifetime traf­
MixAmp ($200 for the set), fic alerts and map updates.
the A30 is one of the best
investments a PC gamer can
make for comfortable,
100 Ubuntul0.10
(operating!)'stem;
fee) Ubumu is a great way
great-sounding audio. to breathe new life into a

98 Prezi (Web seroice;

basic oerrio11fee)
This PowerPoint alternative
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mercial software. And Linux
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Microsoft Arc enables remote meetings PC platform you can find. •
Touch Mouse (i11putdeoice; $70) Pack it and offers a virtual white­
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board to doodle (or plot a
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100 I PCWOR L D . COM DEC EM BER 20 1 0

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 The specs that matter, the hype that doesn't, and why
30 isn't ready for prime time. We review the top 15 HDTVs. »
BY PATRICK MILLER • TESTING BY TONY K. LEUNG
PHOTOGRAPHS BY ROBERT CARDIN

D EC EMB ER 2 0 10 PCWORLD . COM I 103

 HDTVs are big, shiny, slim, and sexy- to Know Before Buying an HD1V" (find .pcworld.com/70939).
everything people love in their electronics . But when it's time What's more, in many instances even different models from
to buy a new 1V, finding the right one isn't easy. Should you the same manufacturer have their own individual quirks, so
go with plasma or LCD? What's an LED 1V? Do you need 3D you can' t rely on the brand name as a guarantee of consistent
support? What's the big deal about refresh rates? quality. For example, even though the three Samsung 1Vs we
To make things easier for you, we've tested, evaluated, and tested were the best in their respective size categories , the
ranked 15 of the top new 1Vs currently on the market. Wheth­ 40-inch model had a number of image-quality quirks that
er you're a big spender or a thrifty 1V watcher, we'll help you the 46-inch and 55-inch models did not. The key lies in find­
choose a set that fits your living room and your budget. ing the set that does best with the kind of television shows,
movies, and games that you want to view on it.
The State of the Set Before you gear up to start shopping for an HD1V, make
Although lots of technology goes into making a good HD1V, sure that you' re up-to-date on the specs and features that dis­
buying one isn't like buying a PC: Newer isn't necessarily bet­ tinguish this year's lineup from last year's cutting edge.
ter, a pricey set doesn' t always show a better image,_and y~u INTERNET APPS: The masses (and the 1V manufacturers)
can't safely buy a 1V strictly on the basis of its specs. have spoken, and the Internet is now. a part of your 1V. The
Every year, manufacturers release new high-definition tele­ relevant Internet apps can take the form of add-ons like Yahoo
vision sets outfitted with all kinds of innovations designed Widgets that complement your 1V viewing with Twitter, or
to make the images clearer, the colors more vibrant, and the news and weather feeds, or sources of streamed content
motion smoother; but many of the new features attempt to through services such as Amazon Video on Den:1and, Netflix,
fix things that aren' t broken-and end up failing in spectacu­ and YouTube. The array of services offered varies greatly
lar ways. For practical buying tips, see "10 Things You Need among different manufacturers, but the core features are here

3D TVs Are Here, but Nothing's On

WHEN YOU SHOP for a new TV, every salesperson in
your zip code will try to sell you a 30 TV. But 30 TVs
can cost up to $700 more than similar 20-only models
from the same vendor, not counting the $150 glasses
and the 30 Blu-ray player. Is 30 TV worth it? Here's
what you should know before you buy.
What will you watch? Imagine this: You set up your
brand-new 30 television in your living room, pull out
the glasses, press the power ~utton ...and then what? Theactive-shutter glasses
Depending on your cable provider, you may have two or necessary for viewing 30 TV 3D glasses are anuisance: The devices
three 30 channels. DirecTV has ESPN 30, a channel for are pricey and inconven ient. cost about 5150 apiece; they're heavier
videos shot to demonstrate 30 capability, a 30 movie They feel uncomfortable than regular glasses; and if you already
channel, and a 30 video-on-demand channel. Comcast when worn for long, too. wear corrective lenses, you'll have to put
carries only ESPN 30 and a special channel for events the 30 glasses over the normal glasses.
broadcast in 30. Because 30 broadcasts are uncommon and 30 Within 10 minutes, you 'll be acutely aware that something heavy,
movies are scarce, your broadcast TV options are pretty slim. awkward, and uncomfortable is resting on the bridge of your nose.
3D Blu-ray movies are rare: Maybe you don't mind the paucity of 3D justlsn'tthat cool: Were you wowed the first time you ever
broadcast 30 programming because you just want to watch Avatar watched a 30 movie in theaters? Great-but don't expect the same
or Monsters vs. Aliens over and over on your 30 Blu-ray player. Well, experience in your living room. Overall, today's 30 TV images look
doing that may not be so easy, either. At least for now, 30 Blu-ray blurry, the active-shutter glasses make any other light sources in
movies are sufficiently rare that TV manufacturers try to get them the room seem as though they're flickering, and more often than
exclusively bundled with their "30 Starter Kits"- Mansters vs. Aliens not the 30 effect takes the form of making the image appear to re­
30, for example, is available only as part of a Samsung pack that cede into the television {producing an effect kind of like a diorama)
includes two pairs of Samsung 30 glasses for about $300; and rather than pop out at you. The image may look somewhat differ-
Avatar 30 will be a Panasonic exclusive for a while after its release. ent from the way it would on a 2D set, but it's not that impressive.

104 I PCWORLO.COM DECEMBER 201 0

to stay-and they could make cutting Samsung UN40C7000 LED-BACKLIT LCDs: In early matchups
your cable 1V subscription a much more The 40-inch UN40C700 is a between LCD and plasma HD1V screens,
appealing option (see page 10). At this very thin and attractive set plasmas often looked better because they
point, we're seeing Internet streaming with smooth image panning offered deeper, brighter colors than their
services added to everything that plugs and (for the most part) good LCD counterparts . As LCD manufactur­
into your television, from Blu-ray players picture quality, but it also ers sought ways to solve the refresh rate/
and game consoles to external set-top suffers from oversatu rated motion blur problem, the brightness
boxes that specialize in streaming video, colors and oddly pulsating problem became more apparent-the
like the Apple 1V and the Roku XDS. As backgrounds and fine details. technology used to drive a screen's
a result, if you find a cheaper set that refresh rate past 60Hz often made the
doesn't offer support for streaming Netflix, you can buy a display even dimmer. Enter the LED-backlit LCD 1V, which
Roku or an Xbox 360 and stream Netflix through that instead got rid of the fluorescent lamps that HD1V manufacturers
of shelling out several hundred dollars extra for a pricier 1V. formerly used to light displays in favor of light-emitting
REFRESH RATE: The refresh rate is a measure of how quickly diodes that can produce a brighter, higher-contrast image
a 1V can refresh its on-screen image. Lower refresh rates typi­ while using less space and electricity. The end result: bright­
cally make for choppier, blurrier motion, which is especially er, thinner, more-energy-efficient 1Vs. No wonder almost all
noticeable on LCD 1Vs during long, slow panning shots. Last of the big 1V manufacturers have come out with several LED­
year the industry focused its attention on the significant dif­ backlit LCDs. In fact, the HD1Vs in our roundup include just
ference between 60Hz and 120Hz, with only a few 240Hz 1Vs one fluorescent-bac.klit LCD set and three plasma sets.
in the mix. This year 120Hz is the norm and 240Hz is the high­ In the continuing competition to produce ever-slimmer
end alternative, but the overall difference in video quality televisions, some manufacturers have moved from backlit
between the two is not always immediately apparent. In fact, sets to "edge-lit" models. This means that the LEDs are posi­
a 240Hz set sometimes produces odd glitches in the image tioned around the edges of the set, instead of being fully ar­
that a 120Hz set doesn't. The bottom line: Don't rely on the rayed in the rear. A well-designed edge-lit display looks just
numbers alone. See the set and decide for yourself. as good as a backlit one, but several edge-lit models we »

DECEMBER 2010 PCWORLD.COM I 105

 examined suffered from slight shadows and uneven lighting. sible for, among other things, the chest-shaking crescendo
PLASMA TV LIMITATIONS: Plasma screens are less expensive you sometimes hear in movie theaters after the previews.)
to manufacture, and they look okay, but even plasma sets from 3DTVs: As discussed on page 104, the glasses look dorky,
veteran 1V manufacturers like LG and Panasonic fall short in the prices are high, and not a whole lot is available to watch
comparison to LCD screens. Stick to plasmas if you want a yet, but 3D is unmistakably the new It feature for midrange
big 1V at a relatively low price, but don't expect the set to and high-end HD1Vs. Nevertheless, though Cloudy \Virh a
deliver color or motion nearly as well as a good LCD would. Chance ofMeatba/ls in 3D makes for an interesting in-store
TWEAKING OPTIONS AND PRESETS: If you like to fine-tune demo, 3D 1V hasn' t matured enough to be worth the money
your 1V's image quality, you'll welcome the new tweaking yet. We have high hopes for improved 3D in the year to
options that recent HD1Vs offer. Chief among the enhanced come, but the 3D 1Vs of 2010 simply fail to seal the deal.
controls is ten-point white balance, which lets you adjust the
red, green, and blue color values of your set to ten different 40· to 42-lnch HDTVs
levels of brightness , thereby ensuring that the colors balance IMAGE QUALITY: Each model of television is a unique and spe­
properly across the brightness spectrum. cial flower, with its own distinctive qualities-and nowhere is
Of course, having more-precise controls means that calibrat­ that phenomenon more noticeable than among HD1Vs that
ing your 1V can take quite a lot longer, and there's more room fall in the 40- to 42-inch category. The top three sets on our
for mistakes if you're trying to eyeball the adjustments. To chart earned equal overall performance scores for image qual­
help, some 1V makers supply built-in THX-certified color ity, but they received those scores for very different reasons.
presets or a 'THX Mode' that loads a configuration certified The Samsung UN40C7000 ($1600) shows off the company's
by THX technicians to meet a certain level of image quality. bold image-processing functions ; however, that technology
(THX is a cinema audio/video certification company respon­ can be a double-edged sword. Though the Samsung set »

MODEL
- 142-1 llTY
Rating
The top three sets had close overall marks
but different strengths and weal<nesses.

Performance :
•
Features and specifications
j ·,·

*****
•image quality: Very Good •Display type:LCD (LEO-backUI)
Samsung UN40C7000
•Features:Perfect • 1921J.by-1080-pixel screen
51600 •Inputs: four HOM!, two USB
1 find .pcworld.com/70940
VERY GOOD •Design:Very Good
•Refresh rate: 240Hz
• Samsung's UN4DC7000 is a solid, full-featured HDTV, but despite Its high ranking it has some Image-quality quirks.

*****
• imagequaUty: Very Good •Display type:LCD (LEO-backUtl
Sony Bravia KDL-40HX800
• l92D-by·1()81).pixelscreen
51600 •Features:VeryGood
• Inputs: four HDMLone use
2 flnd.pcworld.com/70941
VERY GODO •Oeslgn:VeryGood
• Refreshrate:240Hz
• The Sony Bravia KDL-40HXBDO provides good·enough audio and high-quality video for the price.
•Image quality: Very Good •Display type:LCD (LEO-backlit)

3
r:m1 Vizio XVT423SV
ID 51150
flnd.pcworld.com/70942
*****
VERY GOOD
•Features:Good
•Design:Very Goad
• 1920·by-1080·pixelscreen
•Inputs: five HOM!, three USe
•Refresh rate:240Hz
• The Vizlo XVT423SV is by no means the best television we've ever seen, but It is inexpensive and solidly above average.
• Image quality: Very Good • Display type:LCD (l.ED-backUtl

4
LG42LE5500
51250
flnd.pcworld .com/70943
*****
VERY GOOD
•Features:Falr
• Design: Very Good
• 192().by-1080-pixe!scre!!n
• Inputs: four HOMI, two use
• Refresh rate: 120Hz
• The 42LE5500 is rather expensive for the Image quality and features , but the set's thinness and touch buttons are undeniably cool.
• Image quality: Very Good
*****
• Display type:plasma
Panasonic Viera TC-P42G25
•Features:Gaod • 1920-by-1090·pixel screen
5850
5 VERY GOOD •Design: Very Good •Inputs: thre!! HDMI,two use
flnd.pcworld.com/70944
•Refresh rate:600Hz
• Spend your money elsewhere, unless you need a large llat·screen HDTV that's inexpensive for the size.
CHARTNOTI:S:Ratingsare as of 10/14/10. Street prices are as or 1ono110.

106 I PCWORLD.COM DECEMBER 2010

QuietComfort®15
Acoustic Noise Cancelling• headphones
 often produces an excellent image, it's also more likely than three. The LG 42LE5500 ($1250) delivered average image
competing sets to produce odd glitches. In scenes from The quality, marred primarily by some light movement during a
Dark Knight and Mission:Impossible 3, for example, we noticed panning shot over a brick wall. Panasonic's Viera TC-P42G25
that the floors of far-off office buildings appeared to shift and plasma ($850) and Hitachi's UltraVision LE42S704 LCD ($900),
change position; and finely detailed patterns such as those on meanwhile, demonstrate that you get what you pay for. The
a man's tie would sometimes pulse as if they were animated Panasonic flunked every motion test: Brick walls seemed to
G!Fs. In addition, our panel of image-quality judges observed vibrate, and panning shots suggested a seizure. The Hitachi,
that the UN40C7000's colors were slightly oversaturated which missed our chart, received average scores in color and
compared with those on the other HD1Vs in the same cate­ brightness tests but suffered from multiple motion problems.
gory, especially in tests of the set's ability to upscale DVDs.
The Sony Bravia KDL-40HX800 ($1600) doesn't attempt to FEATURES AND DESIGN: Aside from the Hitachi LE42S704,
improve the image as much as the Samsung does. Neverthe­ each of these HD1Vs comes with a selection of Internet apps
less, it achieved a high overall ranking by displaying consis­ designed chiefly to feed your 1V more content. Virtually all of
tently above-average scores in all of our tests. If you're look­ the sets support Amazon Video On Demand, Netflix, Vudu,
ing for a set that doesn't make any mistakes, opt for the and YouTube, as well as access to Pandora, Picasa, Twitter,
KDL-40HX800 over the UN40C7000. For and a collection of mini-apps via Yahoo
its part, the Vizio XVf423SV ($1150) Widgets. Oddly, though Samsung makes
earned image scores on a par with both Samsung LN46C650 an app store available for its connected
the Samsung and Sony sets on every Though it lacks LED back­ 1V applications, at this writing the store
measure except motion tests. That makes lighting, th is 46-inch HDTV holds little more than a few paid games.
it a nice choice for value-minded con- delivers strong audio and The 1Vs' designs were a bit of a mixed
sumers, considering that it's 2 inches video and excellent Internet bag. The LG, Samsung, and Sony models
larger than the Samsung and Sony, and features. Its remarkably low all had attractive designs, but our judges
yet costs about $450 less. price enabled it to fi nish as dinged the latter two for their awkward
The other 40- to 42-inch HDTVs that our Best Buy as well as the remote controls. The Vizio featured a
we tested couldn't hang with the top top-ranked set in its category. cool Bluetooth remote with a slider »

108 I PCWORLD.COM DECEMBER 2 0 1 0

 Faster.
Smariter.
 ~6- to 47-lgch
MOOEL Rating
Samsung's LN46C650 is acut above a
strong field of contenders in this category.

Performance I
•
Features and specifications

• Display type:LCD
' ·,·

•Image quality: Very Good

r:ft!n Samsung LN46C650
llI!1ll s1050 *****
VERY GOOD
•Features:Good
•Design:Superior
• 1920-by-1080-pixel screen
•Inputs: four HDMI,two use
find .pcworld.com/70945 •Refresh rate:240Hz

• Samsung's LN46C650 is a dream come true for budget-minded buyers seeking solid image quality and advanced features in an HDTV.

•Image quality: Very Good • Display type: LCD (LED-backlit)

Sony Bravia XBR-46HX909 • Features: Very Good • 1920-bY­ 108().pixel screen

2
$3150
find.pcworld.com/70946 ****
VERY GOOD • Design: Very Good • Inputs:four HDMI. one USe
•Refresh rate:240Hz

3
.~
.

. .
,,,..
~

,. ..
• Though this set represents a substantial Investment, you'll be rewarded with very good images and a lot of Internet programming.

LG lnfinia 47LEB500
$1800
find .pcworld.com/70947
*****
VERY GOOD
•Image quality: Very Good
•Features:Fair
•Design: Very Good
•Display type:LCD (LED·backlit)
• 1920-by·1080-pixel screen
•Inputs: four HDMI. two USe
•Refresh rate:240Hz

• The lnfinia 47LE8500 delivers style. customization options, and great Internet content, but the image quality isn't great for the price.

• Image quality: VeryGood • Display type: LCD (LED-backlit)

Mitsubishi Unisen LT-46265 •Features: Fa ir • 192Q-bY·108().pixelscreen

4
$2500
find .pcworld.com/70948 ****' GOOD •Design:Good • Inputs: four HDMI, one USe
• Refresh rate:240Hz

• The Unisen LT·46265 provides Wl·FI, Bluetooth, a very good picture, and excellent sound, but the cost may make you hesitate.

•Display type:plasma
*****
•image quality:Good
Panasonic Viera TC-P46G25 • 1920-by-1080-plxel screen
SllDO •Features:Falr
5 find .pcworid.com/70949
GOOD •Design: Very Good •Inputs: three HDMI.two USe
•Refresh rate: 600Hz

• The Viera TC·P46G25 has a lot going for it, Including a very affordable price; the image quality, however, just doesn't measure up.
CHART NOTES: Ratings are as of 10/14/10. Street prices are as of 1ono110.

keyboard (similar to a cell phone's), which is practically nec­ Knight, and skin colors occasionally looked somewhat ovcr­
essary if you intend to use the television's extensive Internet saturated, but overall the set's performance in our motion,
connectivity apps. The Sony model supports Qriocity, the contrast, and backlighting tests was very impressive.
company's in-house video rental service, giving users some The Sony Bravia XBR-46HX909 ($3150) and the Mitsubishi
extra options for (paid) on-demand movies. Unisen LT-46265 ($2500) tie for second place on image quali­
If you want fine control over your 1V's image, pick up the ty, while the LG lnfinia 47LE8500 ($1800) falls only slightly
Samsung UN40C7000 or the LG 42LE5500. Both televisions behind them. The Sony delivered perhaps the most consis­
are equipped with ten-point white balance, so you can tweak tent image quality across the board, displaying reasonably
the picture to your heart's content. The Sony and the Vizio good color and handling motion well, though it showed a lit­
occupy the middle tier for tweaking options, while the Hitachi tle too much contrast in some scenes and botched skin tones
and the Panasonic offer rather anemic image options overall . in others. The Mitsubishi handled motion exceptionally well,
The Panasonic does, however, have a THX Mode preset. but couldn't beat the Sony on color, contrast, or brightness .
The LG HD1V posted roughly equal scores across the board
46- to 47-lnch HDTVs but made a few mistakes in motion and details.
IMAGE QUALITY: In this category, to~, Samsung takes the top The Panasonic Viera TC-P46G25 ($1100) and the Hitachi
spot, with its 120Hz LCD LN46C650 ($1050), a midrange set UltraVision LE46S704 ($1300) struggled with every motion
that outperforms rivals priced much higher. On paper, the test. Despite the multitude ofjaggies (one judge said that a di­
LN46C650 (one of the best products of the year; see page 86) agonal panning shot was vibrating so much it could have been
looks as though it shouldn't have been able to outscore the filmed in an earthquake), the nonranking Hitachi displayed
240Hz, LED-backlit 1Vs we tested, but it did-unmistakably. passable color, brighmess, and contrast. The Panasonic re­
True, it exhibited mild imperfections with motion in Tire Dark ceived the lowest image-quality marks across the board. »

110 I PCWORLO . COM DECEMBER 2010

 Moneual recommeods
MONEUl\L
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and C02 emissions will serve 10 effectively reduce long-term energy expenses as well. one of the most C02 emission absorbing trees on the planet.
 FEATURES AND DESIGN: At just over 1 inch Samsung UN55CBOOO staggering omission-but since you can
thick, the LG Infinia 47LE8500 is the sex­ It isn't ch eap, but the 55-inch access Netflix on several different set-top
iest HD1V of the bunch; and despite UN55C8000 delivers superb boxes and game consoles, you may not
being so remarkably slim, it keeps most contrast, brightness,color, miss it too much on the 1V itself.
of its ports easily accessible. None of the and audio in a superslim,
other sets had a particularly remarkable energy-efficient design. It 50- to 55-lnch HDTVs
physical design, aside from a few quirks also comes with an excel lent IMAGE QUALITY:With the UNSSCSOOO
here and there: The Hitachi and Mitsu­ med ia player and suppo rts ($2900), Samsung completes its hat
bishi 1Vs have a few ports that can be a numerous media formats. trick, capturing t he top spot in all three
little tricky to access, and the Mitsubishi screen-size categories . The UNSSCSOOO­
doesn't swivel at all, which is unusual for a 1V these days . which also ranks as one of the best products of the year (page
As for image-tweaking options , the LG and the Samsung 86)-blew away the other 50- to SS-inch 1Vs in color, bright­
were the only two sets in this category to feature ten-point ness, contrast, and skin tones. Despite getting penalized for
white balance. Both the LG and the Panasonic have a THX some of the same image-processing quirks (such as animated
Mode, but the Panasonic wouldn't let us change the green ties and moving windows) that we saw elsewhere, this 1V
levels at all , which made it difficult to calibrate. garnered the highest overall image-quality scores of any set
Available streaming services and Internet options for this we've tested in the past year. It may be pricey, but it's worth it.
middle-tier category of HD1Vs were much the same as for the Vizio's XVTSS3SV ($1700) does give the Samsung a run for
40- to 42-inch models: Amazon Video on Demand, Hulu Plus, its money despite costing approximately $1200 less. Though
Pandora, Picasa, Vudu, and YouTube are offered on most of the Vizio never quite managed to match the Samsung on im­
the sets. Again, the LG television's options are relatively lim­ age quality, it earned high marks across the board, particular­
ited, and the Hitachi set lacks networking features altogether. ly for brightness, contrast, and color. Nipping at the Vizio's
The Mitsubishi HD1V comes with no Netflix support-a truly heels was the Sharp Aquos LC-52LE820UN ($2000), thanks »

112 I P CWOR LD.C DM DEC EM B ER 2 0 10

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 to impressive color and good motion handling; but this set's award. The LG Infinia 50PK950 comes with 20-point white­
display was a bit dimmer and less detailed than the others' . balance controls, and the Samsung counters with 10-point
LG 's lnfinia 50PK950 ($1500) and Sony's Bravia KDL­ white-balance controls (if you don' t want to calibrate the LG
52NX800 ($1900) trailed the other three HD1Vs in this cate­ set at each of the 20 points, you can skip every other point
gory by a fairly slim margin. The LG matched the Vizio in on the scale, for the equivalent of a 10-point white-balance
assessments of color fidelity but came up short in the remain­ 1V). The LG also features a THX Mode in case you don' t feel
ing tests, especially those for motion and detail. Unfortunate­ like spending several hours fine-tuning your HD1V's image.
ly, the LG 's image texture was unusually grainy across all of Bizarrely, neither the Samsung nor the Sharp set includes
our tests, too. Imagine watching 1V through a subtle filter of Wi-Fi. If you've already invested this much money in a televi­
translucent sandpaper, and you'll have an idea of the texture sion, having to pay $50 extra for Wi-Fi so you don't have to
problem. The Sony won plaudits for its above-average color see a $3 ethernet cable sticking out of your $3000 HD1V is
but didn't do as well with motion, contrast, or detail; and its like having to shell out for power windows on a Porsche-it
edge-lit LED backlighting produced subtle localized shadows should be included in the sticker price.
in certain areas near the bottom of the screen. We also had a few problems getting the Sony set's Internet
video services working; ultimately, we called tech support to
FEATURES AND DESIGN: Most of the televisions in this screen walk us through the process of manually updating the firm­
range looked very similar-big, black, and sleek. The silver ware via flash drive, which was a pain. We ran into other
sheep in this flock is the Samsung UN55C8000, which is far glitches with the Vizio set-as it turns out, you can plug
thinner than the others Oust under 1 inch thick) and has the whatever you want into one of its three USB ports, but the
slick silvery look characteristic of the company's high-end 1Vs. company won't be adding support for actually playing media
The LG and Samsung HD1Vs share the tweak-friendliness from USB drives until a future firmware update arrives. •

50· lo 55-ln~b
MODEL
TY Rating
At this screen size, the various contenders
all deliver very strong image quality.

Performance
•
Features and specifications
j~·

• Image quality: Superior •Display type: LCD (LEO-backlit)

Samsung UN55CBOOO •Features:Very Good • 1920-by·lOSO·plxel screen
S290D
find .pcworld.comf70950 *****
VERY GOOD • Design:Very Good •Inputs: four HOHi, two USB
•Refresh rate:24DHz
• The Samsung UN55C8000 delivers outstanding video and audio, plus a ton of useful Internet and media player features- for a hefty fee.
• Image quality: Very Good • Display type: LCD (LED-backlit)

2
r:m1 Vlzlo XVT553SV
ID s1100
find .pcworld.comf70951
*** *
VERY GOOD
•Features:Falr
•Design:Very Good
• 192Q-by·108Q-pixel screen
• Inputs: five HDMI,three USB
•Refresh rate:240Hz
• The Vlzlo XVT553SV provides solid Image quality and a good collection of Internet features at an outstanding price.
•Image quality:Very Good •Display type:plasma

3
LG lnfinla SOPK950
$1500
find.pcworld.com/70952
*****
VERY GOOD
•Features:Good
•Design: Very Good
• 1920-by·lOBO-plxel screen
•Inputs: four HDMl. two USB
•Refresh rate:600Hz
• Although the 50PK950 offers good color and customization options at a reasonable price. the consistently grainy Image disappoints.
•Image quality: Very Good • Display type:LCD (LED·backllt)

4
Sony Bravla KDL-52NXBOO
$1900
flnd.pcworld.com{70953
***** GOOD
•Features:Falr
•Design:Good
• 1920-by·lOSO-plxelscreen
•Inputs: lour HDMI, one USB
•Refresh rate:240Hz
• The Bravia 52NX800 has respectable audio-video quality and a ton of Internet features; it suffers from annoying design Issues, though.
•Image quality: Very Good •Display type: LCD (LE.D·backUt)

5 l~~
Sharp Aquas LC-52LE820UN
$2000
find.pcworld.comf70954
**** *GOOD
•Features:Unacceptable
•Design: Good
• 192D-by·lOBQ-plxelscreen
• inputs: four HDMI. one USB
~ ' - • I
• Refresh rate:600Hz
• Sharp's Aquas LC·52LE820UN offers good image quality, above-average audio, and energy efficiency.
CHART NOTES:Ratings are as of 10114no. Street prices are as of 10nono.

114 I PCWORLD.CDM D ECE MBE R 2 0 10

 ere's
Update the Firmware on Your HDTV,
Camera, Smartphone, PC, and More
BY LOYD CASE Software updates aren't just for PCs any more. Here's how to fix bugs and

THESE DAYS, home-theater

gear, handheld devices,
L add new features to your existing hardware with a few easy patches.

phones, and even appliances

have embedded smarts in
the form of a microproces­
sor, memory, and software.
And like computer programs,
firmware-the software that
runs on your gadgets­
needs periodic updating.
Many new gadgets aren't
100 percent complete when
you buy them: Some prom­
ised features may be absent
or incomplete at that point.
And older hardware may
require software enhance­
ments to gain new features.
As a result, manufacturers
design much of their gear to PC's BIOS-or it may store ware in a piece of electronic allow you to do this, but if
allow updates. You won't get the entire operating system equipment, check the manu­ you can , you should . If the
every great new feature via and application suites, as is facturer's recommendation . new firmware introduces a
downloadable updates, but the case with smartphone5. Let's start with a few sim­ bug, you may need to revert
firmware revisions can make pie, crucial rules of thumb. to an older version.
your old equipment run fast­ Shou ld I Update? Confirm that you have reliable Log you r changes: Some
er and crash less often. Many PC and motherboard power: For standard PCs and firmware updates reset your
Firmware is software code makers advise users not to other electronics that you device's settings to their de­
stored in persistent memory upgrade a system 's BIOS, plug into a wall, power is no fault values, so document
(usually either in flash mem­ for example, unless a prob­ big deal. If you ' re worried, any adjustments you may
ory or in programmable, re­ lem arises or the user installs you can connect an uninter­ have made before updating.
writable read-only memory) an unsupported CPU. ruptible power supply to the lhat way, you can restore
that is built into the device. On the other hand, a Blu­ device before proceeding. them properly. If the device
Unlike apps loaded into a ray player needs freque nt Plug in the hardware: Never allows it, save 'off ' settings
PC's RAM , firmware doesn't updating, because new fea­ rely on battery power when to a file (this is common in
get erased when the system tures on the discs may ren­ updating your laptop's BIOS routers , for example).
powers down. Firmware may der them unplayable on old or your phone's firmware . Warn other users before
hold basic software needed firmware. But before you Create a backup of your cur­ updating your router: If you' re
to start up a system-like a rush out to update the firm­ rent firmware: Not all devices updating a network device, »

DECEMBER 2 0 10 PCWDRLD.CDM I 117

Here's How
be sure to let all users know back it up! In at least two
in advance that the network WC l{Dl002f'BYS-81A6119 - Partltlo_n 1 instances I'm aware or, SSD
may go down briefly. UOO UD1882FBY.S-81A6B8· - Paritiltlon 2 firmware updates could
Now let's move on to the Optiill'S 00D RU AD,..72488 - AlAPI result in permanent loss of
updating process itself. the drives' data. The firm­
Refresn ttedia List
Exit Flash ~te tool' ware updating process can
PCs and Laptops be arcane, so study the docu­
Today's PC firmware falls INTEL'S VERSION OF updating the BIOS from a flash memory key. mentation before proceeding.
into two categories: the tra­ As an example, updating
ditional BIOS (Basic Input­ launch it from the desktop. tors may have updatable an Intel X25-E solid-state
Output System) , and the A few motherboard makers firmware. TI1e instructions drive involves downloading
newer EFI (Extensible Firm­ include apps for updating for installing updates vary, an ISO image, burning it to a
ware Interface). EFI is much the BIOS over the Internet. so pay attention to the man­ CD, and then booting from
more capable than the old Usually the site downloads ufacturer's documentation. the CD to install the firm­
16-bit BIOS routines. On the entire update before the Wi-Fi routers are perhaps ware update. So you must
the Windows PC side, most updating process starts. the easiest peripherals to up­ be comfortable with burning
systems still use BIOS, while PCs with very old mother­ date; most have the capability the CD and booting from it
servers generally use EFL boards may require you to built into their router man­ before you get to the firm­
Recent Apple computers use use a bootable floppy disk agement interface. Here we ware update process.
EFI too, though earlier Intel­ containing the BIOS update. will use the update screen Sometimes even expan­
based Macs used a firmware The update may start as soon from a Netgear WNDR3700. sion cards require firmware
architecture built around as you boot, or you may The interface of the Net­ updates. I've had to update
the SMC (system manage­ have to type a command at gear router identifies what both graphics card firmware
ment controller). the command-line prompt; the update may fix when in­ and network interface card
Most current PCs let you for details, print the readme stalled, and it gives you the firmware. In both instances,
update firmware through the file for the update before option of backing out if you running the updates entailed
BIOS setup screen. Copy you boot from the floppy. don' t think you need the up­ working from a command­
the BIOS update file to a To update a Mac, down­ date. Network-attached stor­ line prompt, but I did it all
USB flash memory stick, and load the firmware update for age devices use a similar in­ from within Windows.
plug the USB stick into the your system and launch it terface for firmware updates. One last rule of thumb:
system that you want to up­ from the Finder. The update Monitors rarely need such Whenever you update a sys­
date. At startup, press the takes a few minutes, and un­ updates, and most monitors tem peripheral, you should
key that launches the BIOS interrupted power is crucial. don't even allow them. reboot the peripheral after
update application. Alterna­ We see more firmware up­ you install the update (as­
tively, press a keyboard key Network Routers dates for hard drives-and suming that the device does
(usually <Delete>, but some­ and Peripherals especially solid-state drives­ not restart automatically) .
times another key such as PC peripherals such as hard which can be tricky to install.
<F2> or <FlO>) to enter the drives, network-attached Before making any changes Home-Theater Gear
BIOS setup program. storage, and high-end moni­ to a critical storage device, In the consumer electronics
Navigate to the device that category, the two primary
contains the firmware up­ candidates for upgrades are
llomel-lloOOOI
date: Select the file name Utilities > Firmwa re Update
Blu-ray players and HD1Vs;
and press <Enter> to launch but as other types of gear
F1oni bmt 10 tlm.i S.lk:n ma1 rtlane nt.-\"tfSIOns ol lhl RaU:trs ftrmw.!fe
the update process . F""lfmNtlt u~es contain 1mt1c0\~mtnts :.no fuu IO PfO~tms lh.al ma1 h~,. e.usi.d (such as A/V receivers) be­
CtaO; lh• hM :t~w 1., see iftN1e-1s a neN&mwart upCa.11 l'n\l.a:.le lor lhtS Root•r
Updating the BIOS rrom come networkable devices,
r ro re Pt•as• o>ctJJ:> ;'Our current SlltinlJS ttlMt uocwno 10 111 n1..-.vtrs1on oS l'lfmw111
an executable file is even Ciiek w.11 lCI ;o tD tne SavtJBattup curr•nt semno• p;rig• vendors make firmware up­
easier. All Intel-built mother­ r tnnwa.re > , oo 16 1ua1 12 2010 1
dates available for them, too.
boards are updatable via a Such updates sometimes
Windows-based app. Some Upd4te firmv11m t > ( CllooM. Fii:_} tlo Ht cr.e..en even fix problems you might
other motherboard makers have assumed were just a
offer the same feature , in quirk of your HD1V set.
which case you download YOU CAN CHECK for router updates over the Internet via the router's You update most consum­
the BIOS update app and interface, and apply an update only if you think you need it. er electronics gear in one »

118 j PCWORLD . COM DE CE M B ER 2010

 Limited
Availability ,
Less Than
;\00' 290
Ounces
of Tanzanite
Remain in
This Spe<!:ial
Purchase.

2 carats of
Genuine
Tanzanite
Save $700!
.//""

African Gem Cutter

Makes $2,689,000 Mis
his story breaks my heart every time. Allegedly, just two Our.2-Carat Smiburst: Tanzanite Ring features marquise-cut
T years after the discovery of tanzanite in 1967, a Maasal
tribesman knocked on the door of a gem cutter's office in
gems set dramatkally in gorgeous sterling silver. Each facet
sparkles with the distinct violet-blue hue of the precious
Nairobi. The Maasai had brought along an enormous chunk stones. Behind the shine you'll find that the exquisite
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dollars. But the gem cutter was suspicious and assumed that a being produced by Europe's finest jewelers. This is a ring
stone so large could only be glass. The cutter told the designed to impress and it does not disappoint.
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In the decades since its discovery, tanzanitc has send it back within 30 ~iays for a prompt and courteous re­
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. . • • Stauer has a Better Business
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St '\ ·l l"f
nature, we've decided to lower the price ofone of the world's
rarest and most popular gemstones. l4 to 1 Southcross Drive w., Dept. TZRI S7-0I
~ '- Burnsville, Minnesota 55337

Smart Luxuries-Surprising Prices

Here's How
of the three following ways. ied in the menus inside the onto an SD card or to the Nintendo DS and Sony PSP
ISO file burned to CD: Some Others main menu selec­ phone's storage via USB. update automatically over
older Blu-ray players didn' t tion, however, not in the Depending on the phone, their network as needed, as
have a network capability Network menu selection. performing the update will long as you have Wi-Fi . You
and lacked USB ports. To up­ involve pressing some com­ can update the devices wire­
date them, users had to burn Game Consoles bination of phone buttons. lessly, but attaching them to
the downloaded firmware Updating the firmware on BlackBerry owners looking wall power is preferable.
file to a CD and then install current-generation game for an update should go to Digital cameras occasion­
it via either a menu selection consoles is simple-and RIM's BlackBerry Device ally need firmware updates.
or a combination of remote­ nonvoluntary. For example, Software page (tind.pcworld. In most cases, to update a
control button presses. Even the Xbox 360 requires an com/70882) and follow the in- camera's firmware, you
some premium DVD players always-on connection to the
'!: BlackBerry . • , ... ' .._ . . .
required this type of updat­ Internet to make most ofits
ing a few years ago . services available, though r\CIP"911l."1'W•~·

BladcBeny Device Software 5 .0

Firmware copied to USB flash you can play single-player
drive: This updating method games without a connection. C'ldyowiu.o...,o...,,.l)l:Ktf...,..,e~~·'~l"•t•d~
ngm. oo t+lt Oo-clic•l It ptvv>GH - - "'1tt> tn. f\.ill.-tulut~ ·~•UGI» •"'lJ
lld"'fll"ICltd functJon•"'"t )'OU .a.r •"~ry d.ary
is most common in situa­ When the console detects a
Black Berry Device Software vS .0
tions where a network con­ new system update, a dialog Ot.cklkrry °'1 ¥•(1l s;onwivo "'~ 0" now •Y•4•t>J. •J. • tre11 ~!,l•l>dl'l (.,,
"llCIPQ•l~~ tomannotw:inc • • I 8y llW~'il Yl>W col\... "1•, Y™' ( 1111 "")O'I' ,.....

nection is unavailable or box warns you that you'll be f\111Ct1011111ty °" lt-e 0~0.tn' ~~ •ou e lr·•ady h•v..·
• New lc;ata.rn"' ~ll:Oenv:ll >"=lf>tl
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unreliable. I have updated logged off the network if • lnh:91,.1cd Cm.ail'"' fll•tut11al
> 8lbcli.fl. . . . . . ftto...u:t ~IK&f'rW.r>U

several HDTVs in this way. you don't install it. 'l.r ;1111 m0tl! •houtllV: ,... .. f t•t....itfl!'.,

Firmware directly download· 1'11 nnd o\A -.t"..ch ,....""'°°"

ul ~!Ty OrwQ Sol'hlfa..~ .,,,..,._,~ tWll?llllY
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edfromthelnternet This is an Smartphones
increasingly prevalent meth­ Mobile phone updates may
od for updating firmware. include critical security RIM'S BLACKBERRY DEVICE Software page provides detailed
For example, you can set up fixes, performance enhance­ instructions for updating the firmware on BlackBerry phones.
a Panasonic DMP-BD85 Blu­ ments, and new features.
ray player to automatically To update your iPhone, structions there; Mac users download the update, copy
inform you of new firmware plug it into your Mac or PC, must install the BlackBerry it to a flash memory card,
updates, if you keep it con­ and make sure iTunes is run­ Desktop Software first. and insert the card into the
nected to the Internet. The ning. If a firmware update is camera . Then you select an
actual update screen is bur- available, click Yes when Other Handheld entry from the camera' s
asked if you want to update. Electronic Devices built-in menu or press some
For Windows Mobile de­ Most off-the-shelf GPS de­ combination of buttons to
vices , start by syncing (via vices come with free updates load the update. Usually,
USB) to back up your con­ for a set period of time; after you'll have to copy the firm­
tact, calendar, and other that, you may have to pay ware file to the top level
phone data. Some models for each update. (root) of the memory card,
use ActiveSync for updating; You can download a Web not to a subfolder.
others rely on a dedicated browser plug-in to gauge To update a media player
app. Read and follow all whether your device needs like Apple's iPod or Micro­
instructions carefully. an update (the GPS unit soft's Zune, attach the player
Update processes for An­ must be plugged into your to your PC and run the rele­
droid phones vary widely. PC via USB), or you can vant app (iTunes or Zune
You can manually download enter your device's serial 'software) . Updates occur
and update the firmware, number. If an update is avail­ almost automatically; click
but waiting for your cellular able, you will download it as Yes if prompted to update.
FINDING THE RIGHT menu Item network to roll out the up· a very large file that is both a Many other music players
for installing a firmware update date may make more sense. If Windows app and mapping copy the downloaded firm·
on the Panasonic DMP·BD85 you want to download and data. Attach your GPS unit ware file to the device over a
Blu·ray player can be tricky manually update the phone, via USB, run the app, and let USB connection; you then
because it's buried as an option start by downloading the it update your firmware. disconnect it, and the up·
In the Others submenu. latest version and copying it Gaming devices like the date occurs automatically.

120 I PCWORLD . COM D ECE M BER 2 010

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Here's How

Eight Tips for Better Android Phone Photos

Capture stunning ISO can cause your images
pictures despite to fill with noise-pixelated
the Limitations of bits of color that don't be­
your cell phone's long where they appear. To
camera hardware find an ISO equivalent that
and software. yields good results, experi­
ment with the setting on
THE CAMERA IN your An­ your camera phone; on the
droid phone likely packs at Droid X, look under Settings•
least 6 megapixels , but you ISO cq11iualc111 mrsitiuity. I
still need a little know-how like to turn it up manually to
to produce attractive images about 400 in dark situations.
with your photography.
This article offers Android Don't Use Digital Zoom
camera phone tips for taking CONSECUTIVE SHOTS TAKEN outdoors In broad daylight without a fill Your camera phone has fixed
better shots at night, blur­ flash (left) and with a fill flash to make the scene's lighting more even. optics; it can't magnify the
ring backgrounds artistical­ image-and zoc:im-by mov­
ly, keeping subjects sharp, graphs taken on sunny days. flashes might not counteract ing its lens . Instead, you
using timer apps, and more. Though the Droid X's flash this problem adequately. have a digital zoom, which
I shot the images for this isn't powerful enough to fill So I prefer to use whatever you should almost never use.
article with a Motorola every shadow, activating the moderate light is available, · A digital zoom blows up
Droid X from Verizon; of flash for daytime portraits disable the flash, and ask the pixels instead of captur­
course your phone may not improves exposure in blown­ subjects to hold still. You II ing finer details. You can
have the same camera hard­ out areas such as the sub­ also have to hold the camera produce the same effect on
ware and software features . ject's cheeks and forehead. steady, and turn on the sta­ your PC with Photoshop or
Your version of Android Camera phones are espe­ bilizer in your phone's cam­ another image editor later.
can be a huge factor, too. cially susceptible to setting era app settings (if avail­ And that's what you should
Depending on your phone exposure on the bright able) . Admittedly, parts of do; you can't un-digital­
hardware, the Froyo (An­ areas, which leads to over­ the image might blur any­ zoom a captured photo, but
droid 2.2) software update darkened shadows. You can way, but you still have other you can zoom in to an image
may unlock more manual turn on the flash by toggling tools to improve night pho­ later on your PC, cropping
controls that can help with through the modes (On, tos taken without the flash. out unneeded edges.
advanced photography. Be Auto, and Off) . The flash A camera phone's ISO set­ Want to fill the frame?
sure to keep your phone punches up details when ting mimics film speed on Walk closer to your subject.
updated, and poke around you' re within a few feet, so standard cameras; a higher If you absolutely can' t get
the in-camera settings to see stay close to your subject. number is supposed to be closer, such as when you 're
what features are available. Experiment with using the more sensitive to light. But taking a shot of a reclusive
fill flash on backlit subjects, in reality, cranking up the celebrity in the wild, I'd still
Use the Flash for too. For example, avoid the recommend avoiding the
Daytime Details cliche of a sunset photo fea­ digital zoom; instead, con­
Why use a flash during the turing a bland, dark subject 0 ISO equivalent sens1t1•11ty sider blowing up the area
day? In bright settings, your in front of the colorful sky. you want on your PC later.
camera phone's flash isn' t Fire the flash to light up the 400
the main light source; foreground , instead. Great Lighting
800
instead, it serves as your Makes Great Photos
secret weapon-a fill flash. Adjust ISO Settings Cantl-1 Even the cheapest camera
The burst of light it provides for Better Night Shots phone can capture terrific
diminishes sharp shadows I'm much more sparing with TAP THE ISO setting to rein In an pictures in ideal lighting.
and compensates for under­ the flash at night. Harsh, flat automatic setting that may be Since you won' t be toting
exposure, which are com­ light can blow out camera­ too high (causing noise) or too your own lights, pay atten­
mon problems with photo­ phone images, and weaker low (lacking sensitivity). tion to what's available as »

122 j PCWORLD.COM DECEMBER 2 010

 Faster.
Smarter.

l
Here's How

you compose your shots. On the Droid X, I hold the default Droid X camera lacks.
In most cases, you'll want shutter button down part­ Camera Zoom FX offers
the light to be at your back. way to set t he focus; then I several effects, but right now
Reposition yourself or ask press it down the rest of the you want the timer tool. For
subjects to move if you are way to capture the shot. I a group shot, prop up your
shooting into the sun. don't lift my finger from the phone where it can see
Think about multiple light button until after the image everyone; then go to Quick
sources for the best photos. is processed. Remove your Smings•Settings 3 •Tr mer to
Studios often use a combina­ finger early, and you might THE PORTRAIT SETTING can enable the timer. Add the
tion of three light sources­ shake the camera. help reduce the depth of field. burst mode to take a series
a key light, a fill light, and a If you are shooting with of shots at once; it's eas ier
back light-to illuminate ample light, you can prevent Portrail on the Droid X.) Re­ than walking back and fort h
scenes. The key light is the subjects from blurring by gardless of how you choose to repeat. Just go to Quick
brightest, coming from near increasing the shutter speed. to proceed, the effect will be Smin~s ·Settings 3 •Bum Mode.
the camera; meanwhile, a fill In most cases-such as on more prominent if you posi­
light is set off to the side to the Droid X-you' ll do this tion yourself within a few Do Something Fresh '
soften shadows, and a back by selecting Sccnes•Sport, feet of your subject and stay Many photos have an unde­
light sits far to the side or since a camera phone typi­ far from the background. sirable camera-phone look
behind the subject to add a cally doesn't include manual Motion blur can create a not because of inadequate
sense of depth. shutter-speed settings. different sort of feel, causing hardware but because the
Follow similar conven­ blur if either the subject or photographer used a typical
tions when you can. Maybe Use Blur to Draw the camera moves. If they're camera-phone angle: eye
an indoor, afternoon shot Focus moving together, however, level, far from the subject.
could use windows as the Use camera-phone blur to only the background will To get better photos, shoot
key and fill lights, and a lamp your advantage, bringing blur. Try focusing on a from unique perspectives.
as a back light. But avoid attention to your subject friend as you walk together, Try getting down to kid­
having bright light sources while blurring the back­ keeping the subject in the height to record children
in the image, since the cam­ ground. A short depth of same position in the frame . playing, or try capturing a
era phone will end up set­ field (the distance in focus) Since the two of you
ting exposure on that point. is the classic way people cre­ are in roughly the
ate such an effect. same relative posi­
Take Sharper Photos You'll need ample light tio n, your friend will
Taking too many blurry pho­ and an Android phone with . remain sharp but the
tos? Either your camera is manual exposure settings background will blur.
moving too much or your for the best results. Set the This effect works best
subj ect is. The former pro­ aperture as low as it can go in darker situations­
duces a picture that's com­ in your camera app settings' such as at dusk-when the CAMERA ZOOM FX lets you set
pletely blurred, while the manual mode. If you don't camera has to extend its several timer options so that
latter creates a picture with have that manual setting, try shutter speed . Alternatively, everyone stays in the picture.
some sharp elements but a putting your camera phone create a lot of background
blurred subject. Here's how in the Portrait auto-mode if movement, for instance by group shot from a low angle
to fix the problem. available. (I picked Scenes• shooting from a moving car. after your team conquers a
To reduce camera move­ mountain. Most important,
ment, stay still when firing Use Timer Apps get close to your subject.
the lens. Hold the camera You can capture great photos Experiment with all of
phone with both hands, and with your Android phone's these tips to get familiar
keep your elbows tucked in built-in camera app, but with your Android camera
to the sides of your body for .add-on apps can enable even phone. With a bit of prac­
support. Press the shutter more features. In choosing tice, you can develop the
button, but make no other such an app, I looked past technical and artistic skills
movements-such as lifting the filters and other gim­ to snap great photos in spite
your finger-until you're sure TOGGLE TO THE Sport setting to mick apps to tools that add of the fixed, cheap lens.
the image has been taken. increase the shutter speed. timer functions, which the -Zack Stem

124 I PCWORLD . COM DECEMBER 2010

 ,,1
..... 0

:::/ CYBER DEFENDER

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Watching football
Luis D., Desktop Support

Dressing my baby as an elf

Going to Vegas for New Years
Chris R., Network Specialist
Ernie H., Tech Supervisor

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Virus and Spyware Removal Establish a Home Network
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"J 2010 Cybe1Defend<'r'' Corp All rights re,erved. w w w.CyberDefender.com

Here's How
ANSWER LINE ASK YOUR QUESTION AT FORUMS.PCWORLD . COM

t;1 Will my XP software still work if I 5""'"'

....._. HUH'
Cun t nt Vtlut
Wll\d Oft'SXJ' Modt
~ Networking

I-ti upgrade to Windows 7? - Bill Hullender

.Mtmory
'-- HllO 01stl
1..tl ~rd0i dt 2
Sl2M6
\"fVl dows XP
H.ont
Modt-1I Uumbtt of nrtwon: 1ou1urr

1....111 11Md0o t3 Uon~

l ···~"l' JlSl\t<·d
~~~;:;;.:;.:;;;:;::;;;.;:...._;,~_.J
·l
u UnOoOn b Dn ablcd ff01 COnntdtd
ALMOST CERTAINLY. Most programs that work in Windows XP and Adlpttr Z: lntlmtl HttwOft

Windows Vista will have no trouble in Windows 7, though there are

* ovt>Omt
COlo41 "
H ont &d•PW )! Ml<ro; oft Vkt·u.. ~fl MllUpO't
Uont
Urtworbno NrtWort 1d1ptcrs:1
Aoapt cr A: :::= ~~~~kG;~~~~twort
a few exceptions, of course. To confirm that a particular program ~~ f ntblt
An<hor1rH HSS A.di W

works in the new environment, look it up at the Windows 7 Com­ - ltJ'botrd fun $aun Thc lirtu1I ma<.h11"1c must bc mut down btfort>
f l.ogon Cr t dtrtU1l1 S1Ytd you can 100 or mnOYt 1 nt twork td•pttr.
patibility Center (find .pcworld.com/70878). Once there, you can !.JAuto Publish En1bl t d 11 ow do I !hut down '
)(c1ou H1btm1tt
browse through program types or search by the program's name. Yoo un uu Sh'1td tlttworklng (ttAT) or 1nt two1k 1d1phr
to 1eun tn t d.tnal network. Use lnt«nt l Nt twork to
Or visit the program's Website and see w hat it says on the matter. <Oinntunlutr with othet rirtu11 m1chlnrs on lhb <Q.mpulcr.
Mor' t bqy1j nctwortlna 4Dd)irtu1! m:a(tllnu
If you discover that a program you want t o keep and continue to
use does have a problem, you have four options. ~~
1. Run the program in XP Compatibility Mode. Right-click the pro­ IN THE SETTINGS for Windows XP Mode, choose 'Networking' in the
gram file or a shortcut to the program on the Start menu, and se­ left pane and select your network adapter (as 'Adapter l') in the right.
lect Properties. Click the Compatibility tab. Check Run this program
in compatibility mode for and select one of the XP options from the t;1 Why can't Windows 7's XP Mode see
pull-down menu. Then hope it works.
2. Upgrade to a more recent version of the XP-compatible pro­
I-ti other computers on my network? It
gram, or replace it with a competitor's program. can access the Internet. -RonE
3. Install Windows 7 on a separate partition so you can choose
XP or Windows 7 when you boot up (see find .pcworld.com/70879). WIN DOWS 7'S XP Mode (part of the Windows Virtual PC) lets you
4. If you're upgrading to Windows 7 Professional or Ultimate, run a separate version of XP inside the newer OS. The Virtual PC is
download and install the Windows Virtual PC and Windows XP a free but very large download (it contains a complete copy of XP)
Mode (fi nd.pcworld.com/70880). These applications will allow you, that works in the Professional and Ultimate editions of Windows 7.
in effect, to run XP inside Windows 7. If you have Windows 7 running nicely on your network, with
There's one other issue to keep in mind: If you're moving from an access to the Internet, networked printers, and shared folders on
older XP computer to a new Windows 7 one, you're probably also other computers, XP Mode is likely to disappoint you initially. You'll
moving from a 32-bit version of Windows to a 64-bit version. (XP probably get the Internet just fine, but not your local network. So
you 'll have to set up XP for the network separately.
First, however, you have to tell Windows 7 how XP should access
the network. If you are currently running XP Mode, exit it before
moving on to this step of the process.
I n Windows 7, click Start, type virtual, select Windows Virtual
PC, and press <Ent er>. This opens a Windows Explorer window to
the Virtual Machines folder. Rig ht-click the Windows XP Mode file
and select Settings (not 'Pro perties'-which is an easy mistake to
make). In the left pane, select Networking. In the right pane, for
Adapter 1, select your network adapter. Click OK.
When the dialog box is gone, load XP Mode. To do this from the
same Explorer wi ndow, double-click the Windows XP Mode file.
I n your virtual XP environment. select Start•Run, type netsetup
and press <Enter>. Click Yes at the 'want to continue' dialog box.
WINDOWS VIRTUAL PC lets you open older apps in Windows XP Mode In the resulting wizard, answer its questions as if your system
with a single cUck from within your PC's Win 7 operating system. were a stand -alone XP PC. Follow these tips as you do so:
1. Make sure that the Computer Name you enter differs from the
and Windows 7 come in both flavors, but 64-bit is significantly more one you use for the same PC's normal, Windows 7 environment.
common now than it was when new PCs came with XP.) The 16-bit 2. Use the same Workgroup name that the other network PCs use.
Windows programs from the early 1990s run just fine in 32-bit en­ 3. Turn on file and printer sharing.
vironments, but they don't work in 64-bit Windows. Consequently, If the PC still can't access the network, you likely have other net­
some of your older apps may not work on the new computer. work problems. See find.pcworld.co m/70881 for additional advice.
-Li11coln Spector -Li11co/11 Spector

126 J PCWORLD . CDM D ECE M BER 201 0

Here's How

Force a Stubborn System Clock to Remain in Your Time Zone

Al so: Replace your assigned user-account image:

l
THIS MONTH WE look at how to straighten out a laptop clock that
always wakes up late (or early); how to select a new user-account and put an end to random system freezes that
picture in Windows XP, Vista, or 7; and how to get your hands on a are driving you to distraction in Windows 7.
hotfix designed to correct random system lockups in Windows 7.

Fix a Computer Cl ock T hat Forget s t he T ime

Reader Dan loves his Asus netbook-but not its clock. Every time
he turns the machine off. it seems to lose a couple of hours. even
though the minutes remain accurate.
A computer can fail to keep good time for a number of reasons.
-
It could be the result of Windows failing to connect to its time­
sync server, or it could be due to a dead CMOS battery. Brow~e for more pictures...

In this case, however. it's something much simpler: D<!n's netbook

is set to the wrong time zone. Readjusting the clock fi xes the prob­ IF YOU DON'T like the thumbnail Images that Windows' User Accounts
lem for his current session, but every time he reboots, the clock offers In Its first group of options, click 'Browse for more pictures'.
automatically readjusts itself based on the time-zone setting.
Fortunately, this is a super-easy problem to fix: Vista and 7 users can follow an alternative route to User Accounts
1. Right-click the clock in the System Tray (bottom-right corner) if they l ike: Click Start. type User Accounts , and press <Enter>.)
and click Adjust date/time. 2. Click Change your picture.
2. In the 'Date and Time' tab of the resulting dialog box, click 3. If you don't want any of the available thumbnails. click
Change time zone. Choose the proper time zone for your location. Browse for more pictures.
3. Click OK. then click OK again. 4. Navigate to the desired folder and choose the BMP, GIF, JPEG,
That should do the trick. Dan! or PNG image you want.
That's all there is to it. Now you can customize Windows to be
Date and Time I Additional Clocks I '---~~~~~~~~
just a little more the way you want it.

Additional clocks can display the time in other

Fix a Windows System That Randomly Freezes
time zones. You can view them by clicking on
Of all the hassles that can plague a PC user (and trust me. there
or hovering over the taskbar clock.
are many), few are as infuriating as random lockups.
!El !$h~0.::~Fi:~::~i:9.~~ There you are, typing along, when suddenly everything freezes.
Sglect time zone: No error message, no blue screen, just a locked-up system. Argh.

I(UTC-08:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada) ..- J

If you're a Windows 7 (or Windows Server 2008 R2) user. you
may be in luck: Microsoft recently issued a hotfix for systems that
Enter dis ploy name : stop responding randomly.
j Clockl What causes the problem? Microsoft says it's "a deadlock condi­
tion between the Lsass.exe process, the Red irected Drive Buffering
Subsystem (Rdbss.sys) driver, and the Winsock kernel." Well, duh!
CHANGING THE APPROPRIATE setting in Windows' Time Zone Settings
That was going to be my first guess.
box cures your system of displaying the wrong time at startup.
The hotfix is available for both 32- and 64-bit versions of Windows
7. (Fun fact: you'll often see these versions represented as "x86"
Change You r Windows User-Account Picture and "x64," respectively.) To get it, click View and request hatfix down­
When you click the Start menu (or visit the Windows log-on screen). loads, accept Microsoft's terms, choose the hotfix compatible with
you see an arbitrary thumbnail image of a flower. a soccer ball, a your system. and provide your e-mail address.
rubber ducky. or one of a handful of other stock Windows images. Click Request hotfix and then check your inbox for an e-mail con­
Though you don't get many choices when you initially set up your taining a link to the download. (I'm not sure why Microsoft makes
PC (and in some cases you don't get a choice at all), you can easily you jump through these hoops, but. then again, I'm not sure why
change the image that's assigned to your user account. Here's how Microsoft does half the things it does.)
(in Windows 7; the procedure may vary slightly in earlier versions): If you 've encountered a random-lockup problem recently, let me
1. Open the Control Panel and choose User Accounts. (Windows know whether this hotfix fixes it. •

128 j PCWORLD . CDM D ECE M B E R 20 10

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DECEMBER 201 0 WWW.PCWORLO.COM I 131

The Back Page
( FROM OUR READERS J
Plugged In
Want to see more Plugged In? Follow
us on Twitter (@PCWPluggedln).

On the Small Screen

The Social Network, aka
t he Facebook movie, is a
surprise hit. We've now st art ed work­
ing on a script based on Tw itter­
140 characters at a time .
.Au112 Co nltrtnp29Jt\l1 Qty lle.m P r lce
!.ol!
D!u kWa!l! N o ur l S l.63
Sli1p1 1ri 2 .. · 12 to our 1
Off the Beaten Track
Goog le Street View extends
cu:.t. h:uf Ctbltf
its reach into Ant arctica.

[ -----:1
Al ready th ree penguin s have com­

The Cost plained about an invasion of privacy.

of Free Game On A huge Tetris

Shipping game on display in a
Madrid plaza lets two
For a little under
people control t he action with t heir
$10 million, reader
James Jameison Should I Press OK? bodies. The event was preceded by
t he traditional Running of the Blocks.
could have avoided Rich Ackerman's new iPod Touch came
those pesky shipping with a user manual in a PDF file. When
I Remember Ewe
charges. And to think, Ackerman launched it, however, the
Facebook now let s you
he was so close! resulting Adobe Reader dialog box
download and save your
yielded more questions than answers.
sta tus updates. Finally, a way to
hang onto those precious FarmVille
memories forever.

Net Newbies A rece nt

1
survey shows t hat 92 per­
cent of kids in the United
States have an "online presence" by
age two . Our proposed new acronym :
The language of this installation package is .not supported by your system. LMDO, for "laughing my diaper off." •

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[email protected].
We'll print our favorites here
No Habla Microsoft stevenWallacewantedtoclear and on our Facebook page at
out disk space by delet ing some unused programs. It never occurred to www.facebook.com/PCWorld.
him th at Microsoft Office 's installation package didn 't support English.

132 J PCWDRLD . COM DECEMBER 2010

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