Though the rush to add performance by using more electricity is largely over (and in many ways reversed) for CPUs, video cards continue to suck down more and more power. It's not just the delivery of enough juice that counts -- it must also be a continuous, steady, and predictable flow. Primarily this means that you need good +12V power lines (or "rails") going to the motherboard which, through the PCI Express interface, is the main source of power for every device in your system outside of hard disks and optical drives. Antec has found a unique solution to the increasing power appetite of modern high-performance desktop systems with the TruePower Trio 650 power supply. It has three +12V lines, thereby ensuring optimal power delivery to your electricity-hogging peripherals when under maximum load.

Crucial Technology recently celebrated its 10th anniversary by creating a commemorative DDR2-667 memory module. Usually you can expect Crucial memory to be relatively unembellished -- no heat spreaders or blinky lights or anything like that (the Ballistix sub-brand aside) -- while at the same time being maximally compatible and reliable. Crucial is usually not known for "speed," either, meaning it's not usually the lowest latency on the market (if the small differences in memory timings and CAS latency still mean anything in the Core 2 Duo age). The 10th Anniversary modules break some of those trends while retaining the brand's renowned level of compatibility and reliability.

Few computers have more right to the term "business machine" than the ThinkPad laptop series -- and not just because the brand was developed by a company named International Business Machines (IBM). Traditionally ThinkPads have been built for speed and durability, but recently GNU/Linux users have discovered that the ThinkPad is built for compatibility as well. The latest in the ThinkPad T series is a landmark in several ways: it's the first to use a Core Duo processor; the first to be made and sold by Lenovo instead of IBM; and the first to offer official manufacturer support for GNU/Linux.

Even in the face of today's fanciest and most expensive computer mice, the Intellimouse Explorer 3.0 is still competitive so many years after its initial release. It's had some upgrades to its appearance, optics, and construction, but for the most part the Intellimouse Explorer 3.0 is largely the same today as it was five years ago. Microsoft recently rebranded this as a gaming mouse instead of a general purpose peripheral, citing a high percentage of top LAN gamers who prefer it over other mice. If you're looking for a low-cost gaming mouse, this is it.

Building your own digital video recorder (DVR) and need an attractive yet capable chassis? The Antec Fusion may be the case you're looking for. It's durable, easy to work on, and comes with a reliable power supply -- all the things you want in a computer enclosure. Its DVR appeal, though, is in its looks; the Fusion may be a computer case on the inside, but on the outside it'll blend in perfectly with your other home theater components. The only downside is the lackluster GNU/Linux support for the frontpanel vacuum fluorescent display (VFD) block and volume knob.