Comparison iPhone 4S with the Competition: Benchmarked

The iPhone 4S is faster than the iPhone 4. How much faster? And how much faster than its non-Apple kin? We did some benchmark bench pressing to find out. Feel the burn!
First, some synthetic benchmarks, courtesy of Sunspider. How fast could these phones crush JavaScript? We tested each phone on the same Wi-Fi network, inches away from one another. A lower score (faster) is better:

iPhone 4S: 
2237.8ms

iPhone 4: 
3611.8ms

Droid Bionic:
3963.9ms

Samsung Galaxy S II:
3523.2ms

The iPhone 4S is the champ by a wide stretch — and its little brother still beats the beefier Bionic.

But what about some non-synthetic testing? We loaded up two popular, image-heavy sites under the same conditions. Again, lower is better:

iPhone 4S
Awl: 6 sec
NYT: 5 sec

iPhone 4:
Awl: 7 sec
NYT: 8 sec

Droid Bionic:
NYT: 12 sec
Awl: 13 sec

Samsung Galaxy S II:
NYT: 5 sec
Awl: 8 sec

Again, the 4S crosses the finish line first. Is this a completely comprehensive test? No. Is this highly indicative? Yes.

Source : http://www.gizmodo.com.au/2011/10/iphone-4s-versus-the-competition-benchmarked/

The rechargeable nanowire battery that makes nanobots possible

Proving that batteries have a little juice left in them yet, researchers at Rice University have built a rechargeable battery inside a single nanowire that’s 150nm (0.15 micron) in diameter. The researchers haven’t built just one, either: they’ve created an entire centimeter-scale array of thousands of nanowire batteries. Each nanowire is a completely discrete battery, consisting of all the usual elements: anode, cathode, and electrolyte.

The best way to understand how a nanowire battery works is to look at the image below, and then read the following words. They started with a layer of copper (the golden layer at the bottom). Using electrodeposition (electroplating) nickel/tin anodes are “grown” from the bottom copper plate, and then drop-coated with a polymer gel (polyethylene oxide) that both acts as an insulator between the nanowires and as the electrolyte. A second polymer (polyaniline) is then drop-coated to create the cathode, and a layer of aluminium is placed on top to complete the circuit. All in all the entire battery is about 50 microns tall; the width of a human hair, and almost invisible side-on.

Sony Ericsson Xperia Pro and Neo Malaysia Price, Specs & Reviews

Last Month, Sony Ericsson had announced the Xperia Arc which comes with a sexy slim body with a massively improved display & imaging capabilities. Like the Xperia X10s we’ve seen before, Sony Ericsson has introduced more Android variants to join the arc in its 2011 line up with the Xperia pro and Xperia neo. The key difference from first look is that the pro comes with a QWERTY slider keyboard.

On earlier Sony Ericsson Xperias, one of the major gripes faced is the outdated Android versions that came pre-installed. Now it is worth noting that Sony Ericsson has finally bucked up by offering the latest Android 2.3 Gingerbread on all of its devices this year. We hope Sony Ericsson will maintain this trend of staying up to date with future releases of Android OS, which is something they struggled badly last year.

Sony - Google Internet TV

BRAVIA Internet Video & Widgets

Watch online content on your television.

Access the latest movies, TV shows, videos, and music from your favourite websites such as YouTube™, Dailymotion, and Style.com right on your television*. You can also keep up to date with the latest news, sports results and more via customisable widgets.

More detail please refer to sony page :




http://www.sony.com.my/microsite/bravia/sony-internet-tv.html 

Sony Google TV unveils Internet TV

 

Sony, with the aid of Google’s brand awareness conducting a massive marketing campaign aimed at younger consumers, hopes to convince buyers that the Web and TV can coexist simply in one device thru Sony Google TV.

 

Sony’s Internet TVs, which come Wi-Fi-ready to connect to broadband networks, are built on Google’s Android platform and feature Intel’s Atom chip price start at $600 for a 24-inch model and range up to $1,400 for a 46-inch. Sony is also launching a $400 set-top box that has the same functionality as the TVs, and also includes a Blu-ray player in United States.

The TVs and set-top box come with a novel hybrid remote control, a two-hand device that features an optical mouse and a QWERTY keyboard.

Please visit for more info on Google TV.

We at Malaysia still awaiting for YTL Wireless Digital TV from YTL Communications to launch their Wireless Broadband Digital TV by end of 2011. Will YTL Digital TV be the same as Google TV?

Microsoft will help connect Toyota cars to Internet

SEATTLE — Microsoft Corp and Toyota Motor Corp unveiled a plan on Wednesday to work together on bringing internet-connected services to Toyota's cars.

The world's biggest software company and the biggest automaker said they were investing 1 billion yen or about $12 million in Toyota Media Service Co, a Toyota unit that handles its digital offerings for customers.

The unit will focus on combining telecommunications and data for drivers in the form of GPS, multimedia, and managing power on electric and hybrid vehicles.

Toyota is planning to set up a network based on Microsoft's Azure "cloud computing" platform by 2015, which would allow customers across the world access to Toyota's digital services.

One of the services Toyota is planning will monitor and integrate a person's power usage across the home and car to maximize efficiency.
The partnership with Toyota is a departure for Microsoft, which so far has focused most of its auto industry technology efforts on Ford Motor Co.

Source: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/ & http://informasi-kereta.blogspot.com/

The Playstation Phone, Xperia PLAY, Releases Soon

Gamers everywhere will be able to rejoice when the Xperia PLAY releases either in the end of March or the beginning of April 2011. No longer will you have to leave your gaming addiction at home: now you’ll be able to take it on the road.

Handheld gaming is nothing new, ranging back from the days of Game Gears to Game Boys and the PSP used today. Even though Sony is developing their NGP (the PSP2), they are also finding a way to bridge the ever-growing mobile technology to hand-held gaming, optimizing it for players on the go.

People question whether the PLAY (aka the Playstation Phone) is moot in comparison to the NGP—why are there going to be two new hand-held consoles releasing the same year? The answer is simple: it gives the player choice.

3D TV Technology Guide For 2011

3d Tv Technology Guide For 2011

Till now the High definition TV had gained much of the attention of the worldwide television viewers and they have been much amazed by the clarity and picture quality that such televisions presented its audience. So much of word had been going around regarding the high definition television and it has become very popular with the people worldwide. But recently for the television viewers what remained till now a dream of watching 3 dimensional movies and images sitting in the comfort of their home has turned out to be a solid reality with the introduction of the various brands of 3D televisions. Indeed a few years back no body could ever imagine that a 3D television for home purpose would have been a possibility.

Changes in the Television Technology

Sharp AQUOS DX series: world's first LCD HDTV with built-in Blu-ray

Sharp AQUOS DX series: world's first LCD HDTV with built-in Blu-ray

Tough luck, Mitsubishi and Funai. Big talk is all fine and dandy, but in our world, it's the results that count. Say hello to Sharp's AQUOS DX family, the world's first range of LCD HDTVs to boast internal Blu-ray players. Slated to hit in 26- (LC-26DX1), 32- (LC-32DX1), 37- (LC-37DX1), 42- (LC-42DX1), 46- (LC-46DX1) and 52-inch (LC-52DX1) sizes, the whole lot will come equipped with an integrated HDTV tuner, bottom-mounted speaker and the ability to handle BD flicks sans an external deck. Of note, only the 37-inch through 52-inch sets offer Full HD 1080p resolutions (1,920 x 1,080), as the other two get stuck with "just" 1,366 x 768. Best of all, those in Japan will barely have to wait a month to see these in shops, as the entire crew is destined to ship in late November (in black and white motifs) for around ¥200,000 ($1,963) to ¥500,000 ($4,909) depending on size. As for the rest of the globe? Put on your patience caps.

IP Camera & CCTV Technology

What is an IP Network Camera or CCTV ?

A Network IP Camera is a stand-alone device which allows a user to view live, full motion video from anywhere on a computer network, even over the Internet, using a standard web-browser.
Until very recently, video security and surveillance was accomplished using Closed Circuit Television or CCTV. This technology included analog cameras, coaxial cable and video tape recorders. Video security and surveillance started entering the digital age with the advent of CCD sensors which digitized image capture in the camera. However, transmission was still analog via coax to analog VCR's. The next step was the introduction of Digital Video Recorders (DVR's) connected directly to analog cameras, which made storing, searching and retrieving video much more efficient. PC's were then introduced for display of the images through a modem or network connection to the DVR.
The entire system has now been digitized with the introduction of Network Cameras incorporating onboard processors and web server software. These Network Cameras can be connected directly to existing IP networks, eliminating the need for separate and expensive coaxial cable networks. Images can be viewed and cameras managed from anywhere via a web browser, plus any hard disk on the network can be set up to record the video output.
Another significant technology called Video Servers, allow existing CCTV installations to gain the benefit of Network Video, while protecting investments in analog cameras. Video Servers connect to IP Networks and convert the signal from analog cameras to digital format. Like Network Cameras, Video Servers contain onboard processors and web server software that makes each camera IP addressable. Essentially, Video Servers turn CCTV cameras into IP Network Cameras.

Port Forwarding

Port Forwarding - Generally forwarding is done so the outside world can connect to some type of server that is located behind your router/firewall.

Web servers, ftp servers, mail servers, computers running telnet, ssh, remote desktop, sql, and mysql are all examples where forwarding would be needed.

If you are trying to forward the same application to two different ip addresses, you may have problems. There may be a way around it, refer to the software manufactures homepage for more information.

Click here for more information on Forwarding.

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What Is VoIP ?

VoIP
Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) is the family of technologies that allow IP networks to be used for voice applications, such as telephony, voice instant messaging, and teleconferencing. VoIP entails solutions at almost every layer of an IP network--from specialized voice applications (like Skype, YM & Google Talk) all the way down to low-level quality measures that keep those applications running smoothly.

Unless you've been sleeping under a very big rock for the last year, you've certainly heard the phrase "Voice over IP" uttered. Perhaps you've seen those hilarious Vonage commercials that feature painful and embarrassing accidents caught on tape, promising to let you dump your local phone company in order save big on your phone bill. You may also have seen the Cisco telephones that are curiously inserted in prime-time shows like 24.

What is all the hubbub about, anyway? Why, VoIP, of course! VoIP, the fabulous secret ingredient in Vonage, Skype, Cisco CallManager, and a host of other revolutionary technology products you may have already encountered on TV, in the news, or in person. But what makes these products so revolutionary? What is it about VoIP that is such a big deal?

The VoIP Technology
Voice over Internet Protocol is a family of technologies that enable voice communications using IP networks like the internet. Inventive developers and entrepreneurs have created an industry around VoIP technology in its many forms: desktop applications, telephone services, and corporate phone systems. VoIP is a core technology that drives everything from voice-chat software loaded on a desktop PC to Mac full-blown IP-based telecommunications networks in large corporations. To the Wall Street speculator, VoIP is a single technology investment with many revenue streams. To the enterprise network engineer, it's a way to simplify the corporate network and improve the telephony experience for users of the network. To the home user, it's a really cool way to save money on the old phone bill.
Phoning without the phone
Most computers come equipped with speakers, and the cost of microphones or headsets start at just RM15 or so, so it’s easy to turn your broadband-connected computer into a phone by downloading VOIP software. You will also need a credit card; billing is either pay-as-you-go or by monthly subscription.

The most well known of the Internet-based VOIPs are Skype, Gizmo5, Google Talk, Yahoo! Messenger and Windows Messenger, but the list of providers is long. There are some variations in sound quality, the operating system on which they will run (Windows, Mac or Linux), and the security of the line. If you are concerned about security, look for an encryption feature, which will block eavesdroppers from tapping into your calls.

For a dizzyingly long list of providers and their features, go to Wikipedia.com and search for “Comparison of VoIP Software.”

The most popular of them are simple to use and VoIP-to-VoIP calls are usually free, but “soft phones” have a few limitations. The sound quality is usually good, but not always. A few countries limit the use of VoIP or require the rates to be the same as those of traditional long-distance providers (Japan), but most do not. VoIP connections do not transmit faxes very well. They may not work at all when they are routed through certain satellite or digital-video recording TV systems, and if you are on a university campus, you may be restricted from using Skype. But it is worth a try to find out, because VoIP can bring the cost of long distance calls down to nothing or close to it.

If using VoIP from your home, you may be tempted to cancel your land line, and many have. But first, a caution: Internet telephony does not usually allow Enhanced 911, which links your phone number to your address. So in an emergency call, emergency services may not be able to tell where you are -- you will have to tell them.

What is HSDPA?

High-Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA) is also known as High-Speed Downlink Protocol Access. HSDPA is a protocol for mobile telephones. It is a third-generation (3G) High-Speed Packet Access technology designed to speed up network capacity and data transmission rate of cellular phones.

HSDPA is associated with various Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) networks. These include the Global System for Mobile (GSM) Communications.

Currently, HSDPA can support speeds ranging from 1.8 Mbps to 14.4 Mbps. While this is not very fast compared to various wired networks, it is a major milestone considering the speed available to cellular technology.

Although HSDPA is mostly identified with its downlink speeds, it also has the ability to greatly expand transfer capacity. HSDPA networks can transfer up to 30 GB of data monthly and as much as 300 minutes of cellular television viewing and 1000 minutes of talk time

WiMax Technology

WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access) is a wireless digital communications system, also known as IEEE 802.16, that is intended for wireless "metropolitan area networks" (MAN).

WiMAX can provide broadband wireless access (BWA) up to 50 km for fixed stations, and 5 - 15 km for mobile stations. In contrast, the WiFi/802.11 wireless local area network standard is limited in most cases to only 30 - 100m.

With WiMAX, WiFi-like data rates are easily supported, but the issue of interference is lessened. WiMAX operates on both licensed and non-licensed frequencies, providing a regulated environment and viable economic model for wireless carriers.WiMAX can be used for wireless networking in much the same way as the more common WiFi protocol.

WiMAX is a second-generation protocol that allows for more efficient bandwidth use, interference avoidance, and is intended to allow higher data rates over longer distances. The IEEE 802.16 standard defines the technical features of the communications protocol.

The WiMAX Forum offers a means of testing manufacturer's equipment for compatibility, as well as an industry group dedicated to fostering the development and commercialization of the technology.

WiMAX will be a very well recognized term to describe wireless Internet access throughout the world.


How WiMax technology work?

Sony small laptop

Sony is known for building efficient laptops. Laptops built by it are known for excellent battery back up and brightness. These laptops provide high end communication with their wireless technology. Some of laptops made by this company use a special kind of technology for protecting data from intruders. Sony introduced bio finger print reader: this reader allows users to make a move of their finger on it, and when match occurs the reader provides access to the data. VAIO brand is a sub brand of Sony. This brand is known for developing systems which have multimedia functions. VAIO stands for video and audio integrated operation.

Sony VAIO UX series laptops appear to be unique.
These laptops are best micro devices available in the market, they are known for their performance. These laptops come with a Windows XP operating system. They do not have a duo processor but have a single processor. Hard drives storage is also quite less. All hard drives are embedded with 30GB and a ram of 512MB. Some of other laptops also have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth radios.

UX models are quite simple in nature, and they can be used by normal people for storing their data and carrying out day to day tasks. Some of these laptops use a integrated phone, this phone comes with an GSM/EDGE connection. This allows people to communicate with other people across the world. Some of these laptops look out to be bulky, but when used people get impressed with their work. There is one micro pc of this Sony. This micro pc delivers high performance for pocket pc users. This pc uses the latest X-Brite technology LCD. Its screen allows users continuous interaction for long durations without any interruption. The screen of this pocket laptop is around 4.5 inches.

Sony has embedded flash memory into its UX series laptops. This flash memory is quite faster in nature and consumes less battery power. This flash memory acts as a better performance agent; the sped it works is quite high when compared to any other ordinary hard drive. Most of the people go for UX series laptops because of their mobility; they are quite easy to carry from one area to another area. The WAN connection allows users to connect to the internet without any disturbance. They can carry it to any destination in the world and connect to the internet without any hassle.

All these small laptops simply fit into the hands of users. Some of this series laptops user WSVGA touch screen. They allow users to carry out all their tasks with a single touch. UX series laptops are said to be the smallest laptops available in the world. They are cool gizmos with unique functional features. Some of these laptops have a powerful CPU, which has 4200 rotations per minute. These laptops combine PDA, mobile phones, Laptop. At the bottom there is a small 4.5 inches keyboard for this laptop. This small keyboard allows users to carry out some functions when the touch screen fails to operate.

These gadgets contain built in cameras. These cameras allow users to take pictures comfortably. When folded this laptop completely takes the shape of a digital camera, people can take pictures with the camera attached at its back. The front camera can be used as a web camera for carrying out seminars.

UX series laptops have built in stereo speakers, these speakers give out high density sound. People can enjoy playing their songs and other video files. UX series laptops are called as tablet laptops. They include some ports like USB2.0, IEEE 1394, VGA and AV outputs. These laptops can be connected to televisions also. Battery backup of UX series laptops is excellent. People can work on them continuously for 3-5 hours. They have an Intel graphics medial accelerator which supports 1024*600 resolutions. Final word for UX series laptops is - they are the best compact devices available in the market.

Currently available Vaio UX Models : VGN-UX57GN/L

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What is 3G?

3G refers to the third generation of developments in wireless technology, especially mobile communications. The third generation, as its name suggests, follows the first generation (1G) and second generation (2G) in wireless communications.

1G - The 1G period began in the late 1970s and lasted through the 1980s. These systems featured the first true mobile phone systems, known at first as "cellular mobile radio telephone." These networks used analog voice signaling, and were little more sophisticated than the repeater networks used by amateur radio operators.

2G - The 2G phase began in the 1990s and much of this technology is still in use. The 2G cell phone features digital voice encoding. Examples include CDMA and GSM. Since its inception, 2G technology has steadily improved, with increased bandwidth, packet routing, and the introduction of multimedia.

3G includes capabilities and features such as:
Enhanced multimedia (voice, data, video, and remote control).
Usability on all popular modes (cellular telephone, e-mail, paging, fax, videoconferencing, and Web browsing).

Broad bandwidth and high speed (upwards of 2 Mbps).
Roaming capability throughout Europe, Japan, and North America.
While 3G is generally considered applicable mainly to mobile wireless, it is also relevant to fixed wireless and portable wireless.

A 3G system should be operational from any location on, or over, the earth's surface, including use in homes, businesses, government offices, medical establishments, the military, personal and commercial land vehicles, private and commercial watercraft and marine craft, private and commercial aircraft (except where passenger use restrictions apply), portable (pedestrians, hikers, cyclists, campers), and space stations and spacecraft.

3G offers the potential to keep people connected at all times and in all places. Researchers, engineers, and marketers are faced with the challenge of accurately predicting how much technology consumers will actually be willing to pay for.

Another challenge faced by 3G services is competition from other high-speed wireless technologies, especially mobile WiMAX, and ability to roam between different kinds of wireless networks.

The current status of mobile wireless communications, as of July 2007, is a mix of 2nd and 3rd generation technologies.

Thanks,

Streamyx Technology

"streamyx is a broadband access service which provides 'always on' connection to the Internet with speed bandwidths from 512kbps up to 4Mbps." With the high-speed connectivity/ bandwidth, the service is ideal to support most broadband applications such as, web hosting, video streaming, e-commerce, distance learning and others.

The technology which supports streamyx service is DSL. It stands for Digital Subscriber Line. DSL is the next generation of Internet access technology. A house or business with DSL has a data socket that looks like a phone socket. DSL is a direct connection to the Internet that is always on. Technology has basically enhanced the copper pair to enable data communication at rates of up to 4Mb/s.

The types of DSL technology chosen to support streamyx are ADSL, SDSL and Glite DSL. ADSL stands for Asymmetrical Digital Subscriber Line. It allows you to simultaneously access the net and use the phone or fax (at the same time). GLite DSL is similar to ADSL but has lesser speed capability than full rate ADSL.
SDSL stands for Symmetrical Digital Subscriber Line.

The different between ADSL and SDSL is SDSL offers the customer symmetrical bandwidth upstream and downstream to a customer (e.g. 1.5Mb/s SDSL Streamyx package offers the customer 1.5Mb/s downstream speed as well as 1.5Mb/s upstream speed). Technologically, SDSL does not allow voice/fax (PSTN) over the same copper.

An ADSL system basically consists of two parts ie. the Central Office (CO) which is located at the exchange building and the other, Remote Termination Unit(RTU) at subscriber's premise. The Central Office (CO) and Remote Terminal Unit(RTU) are connected via an existing pair of copper telephone lines. Diagrams belows shows the tmnet direct(ADSL) set up.

The Central Office (CO) for ADSL consists of two types of chassis. The first chassis is the ADSL unit for modem cards and control card while the second chassis is for the POTS (Plain Old Telephone Service) splitter. The Remote Terminal Unit (RTU) for ADSL also consists of POTS splitter and ADSL modem.
A significant advantage of ADSL is its ability to seperate data traffic from voice communications via one pair of existing copper wire.

The voice communication is split off from the data traffic by POTS splitter hence allowing uninterrupted telephony services even if the ADSL fails. The diagram above shows the ADSL whereby the voice communication is split and sent to the PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) while the data traffic is sent to the broadband network.

While in the SDSL network set-up (where it only supports data), there will be no network element of voice network (PSTN). The customer is connected directly into the broadband network.

For latest streamyx package & promotion, please Contact : 013-363 0710 (ady)

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Straight-through Cable

Straight-through cable is a type of twisted pair copper wire cable for local area network (LAN) use for which the RJ-45 connectors at each end have the same pinout (i.e., arrangement of conductors).
It is identical to crossover cable, except that in the latter the wires on the cable are crossed over so that the receive signal pins on the connector on one end are connected to the transmit signal pins on the connector on the other end.

Straight-through cable is also commonly referred to as patch cable. However, this might be confusing in some situations because patch cable also has a broader definition that emphasizes the fact that there is a connector on each end rather than the equality (or lack thereof) of the pinouts.

Straight-through cable is used to connect computers and other end-user devices (e.g., printers) to networking devices such as hubs and switches. It can also be used to directly connect like devices (e.g., two hubs or two switches) if the cable is plugged into an uplink port on one (but not both) of the devices. Crossover cable is used to connect two like devices without the use of an uplink port.

Crossover Cable

A crossover cable is a cable that maps all output signals on one electrical connector to the input signals on the other connector, allowing two electronic devices to perform full-duplex communication.

Most commonly, the term refers to the Ethernet crossover cable, but other cables follow the same principle. It also allows devices to communicate without a switch, hub, or router.

Cross-Over cables are used to connect two computers directly through NICs without the use of a Hub or Switch or to uplink two or more hubs, switches or routers.

The Pins of the RJ-45 Connectors at both ends of a cross-over cable are connected as follows:



Only two pairs of wires in the eight-pin RJ-45 connector are used to carry Ethernet signals. Both 10BASE-T and 100BASE-T use the same pins, a crossover cable made for one will also work with the other.

WLAN - Wireless LAN

A wireless LAN (or WLAN, for wireless local area network, sometimes referred to as LAWN, for local area wireless network) is one in which a mobile user can connect to a local area network (LAN) through a wireless (radio) connection. The IEEE 802.11 group of standards specify the technologies for wireless LANs. 802.11 standards use the Ethernet protocol and CSMA/CA (carrier sense multiple access with collision avoidance) for path sharing and include an encryption method, the Wired Equivalent Privacy algorithm.

High-bandwidth allocation for wireless will make possible a relatively low-cost wiring of classrooms in the United States. A similar frequency allocation has been made in Europe. Hospitals and businesses are also expected to install wireless LAN systems where existing LANs are not already in place.

Using technology from the Symbionics Networks, Ltd., a wireless LAN adapter can be made to fit on a Personal Computer Memory Card Industry Association (PCMCIA) card for a laptop or notebook computer.

Computer Building Checklist

List of parts you need to build your own PC (personal computer)

__ ATX tower (or mid-tower) case
__ ATX Motherboard
__ CPU (with heatsink/fan)
__ RAM
__ Graphics/video card
__ Sound card
__ Hard drive(s)
__ Speakers
__ Keyboard
__ Mouse
__ Wrist rests for Keyboard/Mouse (optional)
__ Monitor
__ CD-ROM or DVD-ROM or CD-RW or CD-RW/DVD-ROM
__ Surge Protector
__ Floppy Drive (optional)
__ Zip Drive (optional)
__ Network Interface Card (optional)
__ Modem (optional)
__ FireWire/i.Link (IEEE 1394) Card (optional)
__ Printer (optional)
__ Scanner (optional)
__ Webcam (optional)

Description of Parts

ATX tower (or mid-tower) case - The tower is the physical casing that your entire computer (minus accessories) sits in. It holds the motherboard, disk drives, and all the other goodies. Virtually all cases come with a power supply, which has small cables that are used to supply current to all the drives, the motherboard, and any cards you place into the motherboard.

ATX Motherboard - The ATX motherboard is the most common motherboard. It is made specifically to fit into the ATX case. The motherboard holds a CPU socket/slot, sockets for RAM, IDE hard drive connectors, and many input/output features such as a parallel port and serial ports. Most motherboards now come with USB 1.1 (although not USB 2.0) on-board. Also included on the motherboard are typically three to six PCI slots for cards, and one AGP slot for a high-speed graphics card.

CPU (with heatsink/fan) - The CPU is more or less the brain of the computer's computations. It fits into the motherboard. You must get a motherboard that matches the CPU you want. For example, you can't place an AMD Althon CPU on a Pentium 4 motherboard. The heatsink and fan take the heat away from the computer, and your computer will probably fry fairly quickly without one because the CPU generates a ton of heat.

RAM - Random access memory is extremely important in running programs. Most operating systems require at least 32MB of RAM, although it's fairly safe to have a minimum of 512MB now. When RAM becomes inexpensive, it's kind of fun to max out your system. :) There are a limited number of RAM sockets on a computer--typically two to five. If you fill your sockets and still don't have the maximum, you may have to remove a smaller chip (say a 128MB DIMM) and replace it with a larger one (512MB or 1.0GB ). Be careful! Not all motherboards take the same kind of memory, and not all can take all sizes.

Graphics/video card - People who play games like graphics cards. If you like to play 3D games, look up the latest reviews for the best card on the market if that so suits you. Some graphics cards can take a cable input and will let you watch TV in a window on your computer. Others will let you run two monitors at once. There are lots of choices.

Sound card - Lots of ATX motherboards come with a built-in 16-bit sound card. For lots of people that isn't enough. You can now get Dolby Digital sound cards from companies like Creative Labs. They come in handy if you are an obsessive gamer. :) If you're just going to be hearing the standard instant message sound, and the "welcome to your OS" sound, a cheap 16-bit sound card should do you fine if your motherboard came without one.

Hard drive(s) - A hard drive holds all your data. Don't think less than 20GB. By the time you read this, it will probably be more reasonable to not think less than 40GB. There are 120GB IDE hard drives on the market at the time of writing. If you're not doing video editing, a 5400 RPM IDE hard drive should do you fine. If you *are* doing video editing, think 7200 RPM. An hour of digital video consumes about 12GB-13GB before its compressed, so you can see why it is important to have a large hard disk. If you *are* doing video editing, throw in a second IDE hard drive or consider switching over to SCSI. I personally think IDE does just fine, and it's inexpensive. Most people like Maxtor and Western Digital hard drives.

Speakers - Hmm. They have a stereo cable that connects to your sound cards output. They range in price from RM30 to RM100 or more. If you got that Dolby Digital sound card, don't be an idiot and buy a RM50 pair of stereo speakers.

Keyboard - Useful if you've ever tried to run a computer with only a mouse. Some are curved in ways that are better for your hands. If that makes you happy, get one like that. If you don't need one that fancy, get a standard one like the rest of us.

Mouse - I have a RM20 serial mouse that I'm happy with. You may wish to get an optical USB mouse with doesn't have a ball to get caught. But they cost more.
Wrist rests for Keyboard/Mouse (optional) - Trust me, they come in handy and pay themselves back quickly in less wrist pain.

Monitor - If you use your computer for less than an hour a day, you might be able to get away with a 14 or 15 inch monitor. You'll regret getting one that small if you suddenly start using it a lot more. I run a 17 inch Sony Trinitron CRT. I haven't gone blind. Be careful about getting really big monitors, they are heavy and won't fit on your computer desk if you have a shelf above where you will place your monitor :) Your monitor needs to do a minimum of 1024 x 768 comfortably, and have the option of going higher. I'm twice as productive in 1024 x 768 than I am in 800 x 600. 640 x 480 is impossible to work in unless you have eyesight problems. :) So think 17 inch to 21 inch.

CD-ROM or DVD-ROM or CD-RW or CD-RW/DVD-ROM - This is more or less a money issue. I have a CD-ROM and a CD-RW on my computer. a CD-ROM only reads CDs, a DVD-ROM reads CDs and DVDs, a CD-RW reads CDs, writes CD-R, and writes CD-RW. A CD-RW/DVD-ROM reads DVDs, reads CDs, writes CD-R, and writes CD-RW. If I were putting together a new computer, I'd get the CD-RW/DVD-ROM and throw in a high-speed CD-ROM. That way I could still copy CDs (for backup purposes of course) directly.

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