6-bit or 8-bit LCD?

Most TN panels are very fast switching but only able to produce 262k colors, using dithering to display the 16,7M delivered by the PC. The issue might be important if you're a photographer.
But always keep in mind that the end product - the print - might show much less than even 10k distinguishable colors, so this issue might be overplayed by some geeks.

I suggest reading these articles and comments.
at TFTcentral & Photo.net

huge screen

Why not a 24" display. Bought a Samsung Syncmaster 245b and can't say anything bad about it. The huge resolution of 1920 x 1200 is nothing for gaming in native resolution though, it just requires to much GPU performance. The best about all this is the low price CHF 640.-

Facts: hdcp compliant dvi port, every source is scaled to full screen, no hdmi port, TN panel (fast, 6-bit).

Read a very detailed review here.
(image source)

Canon EOS 40D

Well you've probably read about the breathtaking feature list of the Canon EOS 40D. I was reluctant to post anything here, since simply everyone was praising the camera so much. Finally I found quite a balanced read (go for the conclusion) here.

If you're not waiting for the Canon EOS 5d follow up, if full format sensors are not your thing - then get the 40D right away.

[Update August 2008:] meanwhile I bought the camera too. The cam is close to perfect for my use, the price was right and I was not willing to pay more for a 50D.

Logitech keyboard

Called "Access Keyboard 600" this might be your choice if you work in a data center, where cordless keyboards are forbidden (doesn't make much sense these days, but rules are rules :-(


UPDATE 04.nov. - actually I bought one right after posting here. Please take note, that the feeling when you type resembles a usual keyboard more than the quiet and soft MX3200. Personally I like the keys of my 3200 much more, but also got good feedback for the access keyboard 600.

8800GT - the GPU we all waited for

Nvidia announced the 8800 GT. Great cost/performance ratio.

112 stream processors clocked at 1. 5GHz and a 256-bit memory interface running at 900MHz.

Reviews and benchmarks:
Tomshardware, Anandtech, Tweaktown & H Enthusiasts.

ZEROtherm Hurricane HC92 CU8800 VGA Cooler @ Modders-Inc. – GeForce 8800 GT @ Chilehardware (es) – GeForce 8800 GT 512 MB BFG OC SLI @ Guru3D – GeForce 8800 GT @ HardOCP –XFX GeForce 8800 GT Alpha Dog Edition @ Hardware.info – ASUS EN8800GT @ Hardware.info – MSI NX8800GT @ Hardware.info – nVidia GeForce 8800 GT @ Hardware.info – EVGA 8800GT 512MB Superclocked Edition @ Hardwarecanucks – NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GT 512MB @ HardwareZone – NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GT @ HotHardware –EVGA GeForce 8800GT SSC Edition @ Motherboards.org – BFG 8800 GT OC @ NeoSeeker – MSI 8800GT-512MB @ TBreak – Nvidia's GeForce 8800 GT GPU @ Tech Report – NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GT @ TechARP – NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GT @ TechARP – Nvidia Geforce 8800GT Roundup @ DriverHeaven , Thank you TechPowerUp

Sony Ericsson K850i

would get it... if I wouldn't already own a K810i.

the tiny mouse

Logitech VX Nano - tiny mouse, tiny receiver. The rest is rather unspectacular, no special buttons around. More information here.

Another good looking keyboard

Some of us aren't allowed to use radio connected keyboards at work (futile rules). Since the design of most wired keyboards simply sucks... Logitech's new Wave keyboard might be a solution for you, because they also offer a wired version without the mouse. More information on their site.

New Sony Stick Walkman

Sony NWD-B100? ahhh finally a Sony MP3 Player which won't be released together with the unloved Sonic Stage software. Also Sony's music file format ATRAC will be left out. What remains: 1 or 2 GB version with FM radio, a Voice recorder. The rest are standard MP3 Player features. Available in the uk august 07. Yet the player isn't listed on the Japan's Sony site.

Sony NW-E016F walkman

Finally a new interesting walkman will arrive.

Short description: full color OLED Display, 1/2/4GB Versions, FM radio, plays MP3 / Atrac / wav / wma, only weights 28g. Software: Sonic Stage 4.3 wich now supports vista. I hope the software is not as crappy as in the previous releases. High speed battery charge: 3 hours in just 3 mintues!
Source of all the images: Sony Japan.

Winamp Theme Barracuda

Very stylish Winamp theme! Get it here and make sure you've read the creator's comment.

Divx in Vista Media Center?

Of course you already want your Vista Media Center to play all your divx vids? But there's no official DIVX release out there yet right? Head to this site and download the vista compatible ffdshow tryout. The beta2 worked fine for me.

bought the MX 3200

Some thoughts about the Logitech Cordless Desktop MX 3200. I have to mention that I use all my Logitech devices with the uberOptions applied to the original drivers. Most software limitations set by Logitech are simply swept away then.

• The search&zoom bar is kinda useless. I gave it a try in Photoshop, the web browsers etc. and then there's this annoying beep beep beep everytime you're using it. (update: how to turn the beeps off)
  What else can you do with the zoom bar? Check out the configuration options in the screenshot - you get the idea. All the other buttons around the zoom bar are ok and freely configurable.
  
  
• The "100% button" below? Does exactly what it says - also in Photoshop: simply reverts all views back to 100%, default zoom level or default font size. Quite handy and placed at the right spot on the keyboard.
  
  
• One Touch Search is quite handy too, but I wish they would integrate more sites like answers.com and not just Google, Yahoo, Live.com. (update: see logitech Forum plus here)
  
  
• As with most Logitech cordless mice and keyboards your computer might not enter into standby mode anymore when the MX 3200 receiver is connected, because the powersupply&motherboard combo simply can't deliver enough power to keep the USB-receiver running while in standby or hibernate. The solution is to not allow keyboard and mouse to wake up the Computer. See screenshot on how you can correct the situation. (same for XP).
  
  Update june 2007 - finally solved this issue - see my posting
  
  
• The tiny display is not backlit and has the functionality of a digital stopwatch back in 1982. The only thing I'll ever use it for is to check out time and date, it doesn't bother me either that it's there though. Design wise it blends nicely into the whole thing.
  
  
• Vista support? The Logitech software won't let you assign hibernate as a shutdown option. Hibernate is Vistas (and also my) default shutdown mode. I also miss the ability to assign "switch user" since it presents another dialog than "lock." But I'm looking forward to see this being implemented in a future release of Setpoint.
  
  
• Didn't figure out yet how to make the VOIP buttons work together with Skype (ver 3.1.0.147). None of the three buttons works so far.
  Update: it works now try this - thx Richard.
  
  
• What my wife absolutely loves about this keyboard is the following: compared to most other keyboards out there, you almost won't hear me typing anymore. No clicking no nothing. Everyhing's smooth but the feeling while you type is still good.
  
  
• BEST OF ALL: the keyboard mouse combo just looks fabulous and blends perfectly into a working space with a black flatscreen. Eye-catcher!
  

Alltogether I'd say that the MX 3200 is a great set; you get what you'd expect for the money. Also the included mouse is the best one for my liking - especially because it runs with just one battery inserted. (Lefthanders can go for the mx610-lefty)

(for more pictures, try this google image search)

== ~ == ~ == ~ == ~ == ~ == ~ == ~ == ~ == ~ == ~ ==

UPDATE Sep 2009: I can't use the keyboard anymore :-( after 2 yrs I also became a victim of the sticky key issue [google]. A lot of force was required to press some of the keys, so I decided to follow the instructions given in this guide. The result was devastating: all keys now required at least double the force than they used to. All the cleaning to remove the oil didn't bring back the key press feeling from back when I bought the keyboard, so I eventually bought a Microsoft Keyboard - you see - I don't like the currently available Logitech KBs. Aren't they just plain ugly?

But don't get me wrong - the MX3200 was a stunning piece of hardware and worked perfectly 98% of the time! For me the time to switch has come, that's all.

Nice Keyboard

Logitech Cordless Desktop MX 3200. Keyboard with some goodies. For more information on the good looking device - head here for a review or go to the official site.
Of course the mouse still looks as good as it did in Sep2005. It comes all black now.

it's easy to trick you

try this one - I'm always surprised how easy it is, to fool around with what you thought to be the reality.