Internal components → Mini-ITX motherboards →
One of the traditional shortcomings of VIA's EPIA motherboards is that they're a little behind the times in terms of technology. The EPIA CN series defies that trend by providing support for DDR2 memory and Serial ATA hard drives, while still maintaining a low level of power consumption in a small formfactor. I wish it had more internal wiring blocks for frontpanel connectors, and GNU/Linux and *BSD are under-supported at the time of this writing, but other than that I found the EPIA an excellent, less expensive and less power hungry DVR/media appliance alternative to a FlexATX-based solution.
Portable devices → Portable audio players →
The Samsung YP-U2JXB is a flash memory based digital audio player. I bought one a few weeks ago at my local Best Buy to replace another Samsung device -- a YP-MT6 -- that I'd had for a while before that. What attracted me to the YP-U2JXB was that it was like an improved version of my previous Samsung, except less expensive -- about US $62. That was cheap enough that I decided to opt for Best Buy's $10 two-year warranty, which will be well worth the price if the YP-U2JXB follows the pattern of my other music players. Aside from being inexpensive, it also has a nice file structure, is compatible with GNU/Linux, and has a rechargeable battery.
Input devices → Desktop sets →
The most comfortable keyboards in production have a "split" ergonomic design, but if you don't touch-type, they can be too difficult to learn how to use. The Microsoft Wireless Comfort Keyboard makes a compromise for standard keyboard lovers: it's only slightly curved, so you can have some extra comfort without having to make dramatic changes in your typing habits. Pair that with one of the industry's most comfortable and accurate mice, and you have an unbeatable desktop set. If you've thought about replacing your OEM keyboard and mouse with something similar but more comfortable, this might be the package that convinces you.
Portable devices → PDAs →
In the diverse world of Pocket PCs, there are few standouts. They all use similar processors, screens, and software, and there isn't much other than price and a few extra features to distinguish between brands. That's where Symbol comes in with its MC50 enterprise digital assistant. Where standard PDAs are mostly office toys, the MC50 is made for real work out on the shop floor or in the stock room.
Workstations & servers → Servers →
Sun Microsystems has made some bold claims about the new UltraSPARC T1-based Sun Fire T2000 server. Specifically, Sun says that the T2000 is built not only for exceptional speed, but also energy efficiency. These assertions are backed up with SPEC synthetic benchmarks for Web and Java application server performance, which are essentially useless when comparing real-world application performance. Sun sent me a T2000 to test, and I spent several days just trying to get it to work properly. I did manage to record and analyze its power usage though -- and it's nothing to get excited about. The bottom line is, the T2000 won't displace any AMD64/EM64T servers, but it might be good for existing Sun UltraSPARC server customers.
Input devices → Laptop mice →
Using the touchpad or pressure button on your notebook computer isn't terribly comfortable, especially when you have a lot of work to do. The only reasonable alternative is a laptop mouse -- something portable and functional. I've reviewed a couple of laptop mice in the past -- one optical wireless, one optical wired -- and they were okay, but for reasons of Linux compatibility, tracking quality, and ergonomics, I prefer this new Microsoft Wireless Notebook Laser 6000 over both of them.
Input devices → Keyboards →
Microsoft is the only hardware company still engineering new ergonomic keyboard designs, but that doesn't mean they've gotten lazy. Their new Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000 is the most comfortable computer input device I have ever used. This keyboard is a must-have if you spend a lot of time typing, or if you're thinking about upgrading from an older ergonomic model.
Power supplies → Power supply units →
The Antec Neo High Efficiency series represents a significant redesign of the traditional TruePower power supply units (PSUs) that we all know and love. This should be the PSU for your next system build.
Cases/chassis → Tower cases →
Cool and innovative desktop computer chassis can be found practically everywhere these days. The quality of fancy computer cases varies heavily, though, and in some instances you can end up paying upwards of US $200 for what amounts to a piece of junk. The I-Star Nitro AX chassis is among the most innovative I've seen, combining several of my favorite features from other brands. It's priced competitively with similar designs from other vendors, and it's not a piece of junk, either -- it's extremely sturdy, if a bit heavy.
Entertainment appliances → Digital video recorders →
Neuros' original MPEG-4 Video Recorder was a bit of a disappointment, but it was a unique device trying to find a market. The Neuros marketers eventually discovered that there was no way a flash memory video recorder was going to compete with hard drive recorders like the TiVo, but there was an emerging market for smaller-resolution video files on handheld devices. Since then, that emerging market has skyrocketed with the Video iPod, PlayStation Portable, Neuros 442, and other similar devices, and Neuros has responded with a substantially improved (yet oddly more limited) MPEG-4 Video Recorder. Confused as to how you're going to get your favorite TV show, music video, or movie to your handheld device? This could be the perfect solution for you.
