computer
Altec Lansing VS2620 Desktop Speakers Review
February 23, 2010
After deciding to use my laptop has a pretty much permanent home media set up, I decided that I would move my desktop speakers to provide better sound quality than the standard built in speakers when watching movies and TV shows. This left me short on audio in my Mac Mini (Other than the pretty much useless built in speakers). Therefore I went out on the lookout for some low budget desktop speakers.
After recently receiving some Altec Lansing iPod speakers and being sufficiently impressed, I must say I now have great loyalty to the brand. So you can imagine my delight at coming across a pair of desktop speakers that fit the bill perfectly, from the same company. Having looked around at alternatives from other well known brands such as Logitech, the difference in price was minimal, but the deciding factor in opting for the Altec Lansing VS2620 Desktop Speakers, was as much the aesthetic appeal as anything else.
Continue reading »Is Society’s Internet Addiction Affecting The Children?
February 3, 2010
This generation of kids (and in fact even the ones before them) have often been portrayed as fat couch potatoes by the media at large, children who are slowly loosing the ability to use language and their legs correctly and who are developing a distorted view of the world based on bad communication skills, the Internet being for porn and mass killings with terrorists in Russian airports.
There will always be people to defend them – mostly a mix of gaming enthusiasts, the occasional scientist and games manufacturers PR departments – but the results of a recent survey are fairly condemning where they show that kids are spending nearly eight hours online every day!
Continue reading »Dabs.com Live IT & Gadget Show 2010 – Register Now For Free!
January 15, 2010
Here at Zath, we’re big fans of hi-tech gadgets, computing, gaming and technology in general, so when the chance to go along to a live show and take a look at some great bits of technology kit comes along, then we want to be there – as seen by our attendance at the Gadget Show Live 2009 event last April and the Eurogamer Expo 2009 in October.
Well we’ve just been informed by our friends over at Dabs.com that they’re running two free Technology and Gadgets Show events in March 2010 that the public can attend free of charge! At the Dabs.com Live show events which you’ll be able to see some of the hottest new technology of 2010 being showcased here in the UK…oh yeah, the show will also be being hosted by the Gadget Show’s very own Suzi Perry!
Continue reading »UK Government “Online Basics” Initiative To Help Computer Illiterate?
January 14, 2010
Over the last few days the government have released plans for two new plans which they hope will spread knowledge and computer aptitude to those who are disadvantaged in an economic way, or want to learn how to use computers.
Although this has nothing to do with CES 2010, I imagine the timing isn’t 100% coincidental as for a change technology – mostly the Nexus phone – is up there with snow at the top of news headlines which is nice for people like me, but not for those who don’t understand anything or who can’t afford any of the fancy gadgets being shown off.
That’s where the Government comes in, and we’ll start with the ‘Online Basics Scheme’ which essentially offers free short courses which cover five ‘modules’ and was unveiled today by Business Secretary Peter Mandelson, and whilst I have no idea why this has anything to do with Business, it does look like quite a good idea.
Continue reading »Microsoft Releases Expert Tips Widget (Sponsored Post)
December 22, 2009
Microsoft has recently had a real return to form with their successful development and release of Windows 7, that combined with some of their other recent initiatives means that there’s some real vision and lot going on there even though Bill Gates has been gone from the day-to-day running of the company for well over a year now.
Perhaps as a means of showcasing some of things that are currently released or in development, Microsoft UK has released an interactive widget which provides a somewhat different way of giving you an idea of the various aspects of their current technical focus.
Continue reading »SteelSeries Siberia V2 Gaming Headset Released
December 10, 2009
Last week saw the second of the two recent releases from SteelSeries – the Siberia V2 headset, which as the name suggests is the successor to the original Siberia headset which was a success in it self – not just in the gaming world but also within the music industry which is a credit to the quality of the original.
Hoping to build on that success the Siberia V2 boasts a range of improved features and new additions that not only make it great for gaming, but also makes it better for use with MP3 players and iPods etc, and of course when combined with the SteelSeries mobile phone adapter, including the likes of the iPhone!
So without further ado let’s have a look at it. The full headset has a nice form, not looking too cumbersome but also substantial enough that it won’t snap in your hands, and comes in a glossy white, it’s hardly unattractive (if a little cliché) in the “Apple-age”.
Continue reading »Windows Is Virus-Proof: The Verdict – Part 1
December 9, 2009
You’re not going to like it…
Just as I said I would, I wanted to test out whether Windows is virus proof and this is how I’ve done it!
I’ve been putting Windows on my PCs from an OEM or VLA disc for so long, that I’ve apparently forgotten what it’s like to buy a new Windows computer from scratch. Well let me tell you now, it’s horrible! Windows has the reputation of crashing, getting infected with crap and generally screwing up without human help for one reason, and one reason alone. It’s the freakin’ OEMs.
Do you know what happens when you buy a new Windows PC?
This happens…
Continue reading »Patriot XT Boost 150x 8Gb USB Flash Drive Review
December 8, 2009
I’d seldom care to review an everyday item such as a USB flash drive, but when my old Kingston drive was pulling errors every time I removed it from a Windows PC I suspected that it was about to stop working all together – I was right, the next day the whole thing was a corrupted mess (2 days after I had to buy a new Netgear DGN2000 ADSL wireless router!) so I was on the lookout for another USB pen drive.
When I saw the claims that the Patriot XT Boost (8GB) USB memory stick was “Ultra Fast, Rugged, Waterproof and Shock Resistant” I couldn’t help myself from clicking the little shopping cart in the corner of the screen to try it out for myself… and test those claims in a Gadget Show kind of style! Naturally, the first thing I did after un-boxing it was throw it off the top of my roof. Twice! In case you’re wondering, yes I did throw it pretty hard (which probably isn’t hard at all) and yes, it did survive the fall. Ruggedness? Check.
Continue reading »Washable Keyboard (USB or PS/2)
December 8, 2009
Sometimes there is so much dirt and mess between the keys on your keyboard that simply wiping it down isn’t the answer and picking each bit out individually is dirty and time consuming. There are other options such as a desktop vacuum cleaner, but this Washable Keyboard is unique and extremely useful.
The washable keyboard is probably the cleanest and most hygienic keyboard you are likely to have ever owned. Not only can you rinse it down, dunk it in a bowl of water or even leave it in the dishwasher, it even has anti-bacterial covers so that you never get anything that may cause it to release bad smells every now and again.
Continue reading »Dell Inspiron Zino HD – Small Media PC
November 18, 2009
What happens when you take a standard desktop computer, shrink into a neat, smooth, compact form just smaller than a shoebox and make it shiny and white? Well the Apple Mac Mini of course, but what if you then give it some more exciting colours, add a load more customisation and make it that little bit cheaper? The new Dell Inspiron Zino HD.
Looking a little like a Mac Mini that’s let itself go, the Zino HD was officially introduced to the world today boasting versatility “… enough to handle tasks from basic computing chores to driving a big-screen, high-definition video media centre” and colours to “add flair to any room in the home”. So with claims like that it’s definitely worth a look at.
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