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I think it's ugly and overpriced. Doesn't match anything else in the living room, might as well put a beige box in there since it'd match just as well. With the vents on top you couldn't even put anything on top of it for risk of over-heating.

Want to see what a beautiful media PC case looks like? Try the Overture Quiet Media Desktop Case, or perhaps the Silverstone Aluminum Home Entertainment Computer Case in Black or maybe the SilverStone LC10M Home Theater PC Case /w front VFD (Black). If you're on a budget the Antec MINUET Piano Black Slimline PC Case looks really nice for only $60 with Antec quality but you'll need a Micro ATX board.

This might be a perfect cheap solution:
GoVideo standalone DVD burner with VCR $200

HDTV Wonder Remote Control Edition.
Here is a review of the product and some reviews by users.

linky

There's a Hauppage subsidiary called Eskape Labs that does Mac versions of their products.

The myTV/fm combo TV and FM tuner is available from CompUSA for about $140.

When I can easily [whine deleted] forget it.

Shit, that's easy.
Took less than five minutes.

Keyboard:
Hope Compusa's easy enough for you.
Yeah, the service sucks, but hey.

Computer:
My local white-box store / parts place.
Great service, good new hardware.
They even will let you order a custom one online, and just pick it up, if you want to minimize human contact. Perfect.

Best option yet:
A frickin' Mac.
You can even get that at Compusa, too.

As for your sig:
Who defines too much? The same people who define 'decent?' The MPAA is all assed up, but you picked a shitty non-reason to hate them.

Most of the problems I've encountered are with Safari. The following sites all have similar problems and are entirely unusable with Safari after applying the patch:

http://www.fedex.com/
http://www.compusa.com/
http://www.bestbuy.com/

I'm sure there are many others. G5 systems do not appear to be affected. G4s are.

As noted on http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=617 98 :

Component: Safari
CVE-ID: CAN-2004-0361
Available for: Mac OS X 10.2.8, Mac OS X Server 10.2.8
Impact: A JavaScript array of negative size can cause Safari to access out of bounds memory resulting in an application crash.
Description: Storing objects into a JavaScript array allocated with negative size can overwrite memory. Safari now stops processing JavaScript programs if an array allocation fails.
This security enhancement was previously made available in Safari 1.0.3, and is being applied inside the Mac OS X 10.2.8 operating system as an extra layer of protection for customers who have not installed that version of Safari. This is a specific fix for Mac OS X 10.2.8 and the issue does not exist in Mac OS X 10.3 or later systems.
----

This particular fix is specific to 10.2.8 and NOT 10.3 or later, yet appears it may install with the 10.3.x update. This could well be the cause of the problems. This is further supported by the fact that all of the known sites that fail to render properly use JavaScript 1.2 extensively.

Word is the Safari team is aware of the problem and working on it.

Pretty soon my graphics card is going to do more, cost more, heat up more, be louder and use more electricity than the rest of my computer combined.

It's called a NVidia GeForce 6800 Ultra./p>

I remember Radioshack selling something similar a few years ago..."Indestructable!"

This was easy to find with a little googlin:
http://www.compusa.com/products/product_info.asp?p roduct_code=309746&pfp=BROWSE

-Electrawn

Actually, I'm a dial-up user. I have to move around a bit, and dial-up accounts generally include no connection fee or minimum-contract.

I connect to the Internet using this SMC Networks Barricade SMC7004ABR NAT firewall/router. Set me back about AU$100 at the start of the year. Includes a print server too (which alone generally cost over $100 here).

SMC7004ABR

It would be the perfect solution for any dial-up user... if only it worked the way it was supposed to. Unfortunately, mine crashes about once every 24 hours. I've read reports of other people with the same model have the same problem. In addition, the "dial on demand" functionality never works. You have to manually log in to the web interface, and tell it to connect. Very frustrating.

Anyone else know of other alternatives with dial-up support from other manufacturers?

Also, a clickable version of the URL in the above post:
Belkin 4-Port Cable DSL Gateway Router

Only the HP you have listed is really comparable and the true out of pocket cost is $579. (Good luck at actually getting that rebate fulfilled) Now Add in a 17 inch Flat Screen CRT, either using your price of 120 for an Offbrand KDS, or the price of a Comparable HP from the same site for 180, and your looking at between $700-780.

I never said you could get an Emac for $699, you did. In fact in my 1st post I very clearly put the price at $799. I never said you couldn't find a cheaper pc, I just said that apple is very price competive in these 2 areas. Hell I would dare say all areas, if you were actually willing to compare specs, and not just throw any old trash up as your evidence.

Entry level does not mean cheapest. In fact I would argue that your sub 300 pc's are not good for entry level, but rather 2nd or 3rd machines for experienced users, because more then likely they use no standard hardware, funky drivers, crappy restore routines etc. They might be fine for you and me who knows how to twist their arms to make them work, but for grandma.

Now that we've put the desktops to rest do you want to compare notebooks? I will say it very clearly for you, both the Emacs and the ibook are matched very competively for their specs. Heres a comparison on 12 inch portables from compusa, Look who has some of the most inexpensive notebooks in that category:

http://www.compusa.com/products/products.asp?N=200 006+502423+4294958206&Ne=301257&CusaNe=200004/

In fact the only PC cheaper than Apple in that list is an off brand.

Then, I strolled into CompUSA and saw this Wireless Keyboard and Mouse Combo. The PS2 connectors stay plugged into the machine and the (nice, UFO-shaped, blinking-light) receiver stays duct-taped to the top of the machine.

All I need to do is remember to take the keyboard and mouse along with me to the colo facility when I need to make a personal visit.

That's a lot of money for a home user... Sure, tape backups are what you use in a corporate setting, but for home use, my dvd burner is about as good as it can get (unfortunately).

Got any idea where I can get a sub 300$ tape backup system?

>>Businesses like BestBuy take returns in the first place as a courtesy
>>to customers, because it's something people expect from large stores.
>
>Well, close. It's because of competition.

Which is exactly why I avoid places like CompUSA and their stupid restocking fee return policy. I'll gladly pay extra elsewhere (e.g., Fry's, Circuit City) than put up with a 15% restocking fee because the item purchased is incompatible, poor quality or doesn't work well.

>>Businesses like BestBuy take returns in the first place as a courtesy
>>to customers, because it's something people expect from large stores.
>
>Well, close. It's because of competition.

Which is exactly why I avoid places like CompUSA and their stupid restocking fee return policy. I'll gladly pay extra elsewhere (e.g., Fry's, Circuit City) than put up with a 15% restocking fee because the item purchased is incompatible, poor quality or doesn't work well.

Look at how freaking many people they claim it took to come up with the idea of "grouping similar shit together".

Stoakley; Richard W. (Seattle, WA); Kurtz; James B. (Bellevue, WA); Springfield; James F. (Woodinville, WA); Green; Todd J. (Seattle, WA); Andrew; Suzan M. (Seattle, WA); Mann; Justin (Lake Forest, WA)

Kinda lets you know where your $300 bucks that they charge for Windows XP goes.

BTW, my grandpa had the same idea when he'd keep his roofing nails in one coffee can, and his finish nails in another coffee can. I wonder if I can get a patent for that.

Method and system for clustering and grouping construction nails...

I recently picked up one of these from the local CompUSA; it works beautifully and the [RF not IR!] lcd remote is just awesome.
Creative Sound Blaster Wireless Music
It's fairly pricey - running $200 - but [in my opinion] worth it. It works with your [existing?] WiFi network, which is convenient as well.
Just my $0.02. :)

CompUSA WD 200GB HDD $100 after rebates.

They've already got pads with built in usb powered cooling fans of varying designs and number of fans.

What about a full on LAPDESK for your laptop?

Or, as another poster pointed out, they have cooling pads that can rotate and elevate your laptop that also come in varying designs.

And don't forget about cooling yourself off!

They've already got pads with built in usb powered cooling fans of varying designs and number of fans.

What about a full on LAPDESK for your laptop?

Or, as another poster pointed out, they have cooling pads that can rotate and elevate your laptop that also come in varying designs.

And don't forget about cooling yourself off!

They've already got pads with built in usb powered cooling fans of varying designs and number of fans.

What about a full on LAPDESK for your laptop?

Or, as another poster pointed out, they have cooling pads that can rotate and elevate your laptop that also come in varying designs.

And don't forget about cooling yourself off!

They've already got pads with built in usb powered cooling fans of varying designs and number of fans.

What about a full on LAPDESK for your laptop?

Or, as another poster pointed out, they have cooling pads that can rotate and elevate your laptop that also come in varying designs.

And don't forget about cooling yourself off!

They've already got pads with built in usb powered cooling fans of varying designs and number of fans.

What about a full on LAPDESK for your laptop?

Or, as another poster pointed out, they have cooling pads that can rotate and elevate your laptop that also come in varying designs.

And don't forget about cooling yourself off!

They've already got pads with built in usb powered cooling fans of varying designs and number of fans.

What about a full on LAPDESK for your laptop?

Or, as another poster pointed out, they have cooling pads that can rotate and elevate your laptop that also come in varying designs.

And don't forget about cooling yourself off!

They've already got pads with built in usb powered cooling fans of varying designs and number of fans.

What about a full on LAPDESK for your laptop?

Or, as another poster pointed out, they have cooling pads that can rotate and elevate your laptop that also come in varying designs.

And don't forget about cooling yourself off!

Floppy drives $20? Maybe at your local rob-you-blind computer store. And $1 a floppy? Are you still in 4th grade in the 80's? Hell, EVEN RETAIL they only cost 22 cents a piece. And this is the EXCESSIVELY PRICED example. I KNOW I can find them for a cent a floppy.

Why must the computer I use be modern? A lot of my work involves working on old machines... where a floppy is my #1 tool in booting and diagnosing these things.

And they ARE useful for making boot disks... that right there justifies them. But what about those obscure softwares that HAVE to be installed FROM the floppy drive. How are you getting around that one?

Seriously, this equipment is getting so cheap, I'm amazed that Comcast has the balls to charge for it anymore. Yea, whatever, if they send me a nastygram telling me I need to buy a "home networking" plan because of all of the NAT-translated wifi-connections they detected on *my* box, I'll just buy a different LAN-only cablemodem and put this thing behind another router and tell them where they can look...

This only screws with the non-technical. In the future, the non-technical will get screwed over by tech-using businesses, and the future is now.

Actually, I suppose that's not a new trend, non-technical folks being blown away by technical folks, it's just that now the tech is computers, not firearms or manufacturing...

or if you don't mind rebates...

linksys wifi router + usb wifi adapter for $20 after rebates

Bundle: Netgear MR814 Cable/DSL Wireless Router (802.11b) and MA111 Wireless USB Network Adapter
Product Number: 19211
Regular Price: $109.98
Internet Special: $19.98
after:
$15.00 instant rebate(s)
$75.00 mail-in rebate(s)
(Internet Only Savings)

router @ compusa

cheapest i've seen considering there's no rebates involved...

2.4GHz 11Mbps Wireless Router with 4 Port Switch, 802.11b
Manufacturer: FMI
Mfg Part #: WE711APR
Product Number: 295106
Original Price: $89.99 (79% Off)
Regular Price: $69.88
Internet Special: $18.99

Instead of making stupid comments regarding VMWare or laptops, here is something that will actually help you out. I just completed my rack a few months ago. Building a home rack is not that expensive but you will need to look around because most of the rackmount products are business oriented and they seem to be more expensive. Here are the links to the stuff I used. Some of the prices may be slightly off (previous slashdot post) but you should be able to track down most of the stuff. I do agree with the posts regarding the 1U servers it will be much easier for you to stick with 2U and up servers, the extra space makes it much easier and cheaper to work with. Some of the links are not quite working (l-com and bestbuy) but I think it is from problems on the vendors website, hopefully they will work tomorrow or I will post new links.

Relay rack 38U steel, with base (should fit under a doorway with casters)
129.00 - Rack
60.00 - Base(Freestanding Application)
40.00 - Casters

Rackmount Computer Case
130.00 - Computer Case
30.00 - Power Supply (300 Watt)

LCD / KVM Switch / Mounting (need to make custom rack mount for LCD Swivel)
1200.00 - LCD Monitor (21")
41.49 - LCD Swivel [cyberguys.com]
119.95 - Rack Mount KVM (8 Port)
18.99 - KVM Cables [techdepot.com]

Rack Mount UPS
249.99 - UPS 1500VA CyberPower 1500AVR(free shipping from BestBuy, easy to return if problems, not cheapest price)

Hope that helps,
Jad

I'm coding for a living, meaning I often sit 12-16 hours a day in front of the computer. I tried half a dozen mice for comfort and ease of use, because my right wrist started to hurt like hell. and then I found the solution - a 10 euro mousepad with a gel pad. you rest your wrist on it while using the mouse. within days, my wrist pain was gone. sure, it somehow hinders your movement, meaning I now suck at unreal tournament, but that's a small price to pay.

I guess you should be able to pick up a gel mousepad (and a matching keyboard pad) at any computer store, if not, here is a link.

Look for a CompUSA store. There are plenty in NYC. CompUSA carries many decent brands of laptops, all available for on-the-spot purchasing, including HP, Compaq, Toshiba and Sony. I highly recommend Toshiba, they give you the most bang for the buck.

Visual C++ .NET Standard 2003
Manufacturer: Microsoft
Mfg Part #: 254-00257
Product Number: 301606

# Create Highly Tuned .NET-connected Applications and Components
Use Managed Extensions to C++ and compiler support for optimized Microsoft Intermediate Language (MSIL) code generation. Incorporate Microsoft .NET Framework features including garbage collection, Windows Forms, and threading. Call unmanaged code using high-performance C++ interop technology.

# Create Highly Tuned Unmanaged Windows-based Applications and Components
Write and compile unmanaged x86 code. Speed up your application or reduce its size with optimization options for a range of processors, including Whole Program Optimization, and support for Streaming SIMD Extensions (SSE) and Streaming SIMD Extensions 2 (SSE2) instruction sets.

it's already been done in a smaller package. the Archos av320 is already available and works pretty well.

Well RedHat's out of the retail box business, that's old news -but- I think it's pretty cool that CompUSA has a boxed FreeBSD set! I'll admit I didn't believe you at first but then I looked it up online just to be certain and they have the PowerPak 5.1 set. Anyhow, to get back on subject, CompUSA does sell SuSE as well.

*cough* *cough*

Try this one, its $50 (might be cheaper elsewhere) and has a touch-pad.
Granted its PS/2. Other than that, it should work fine. Unless, you really have to have the Thinkpad style pointing device.

Yeah and remind me to sue crayola too for not including any real silver in their silver crayons, those damned cheapskates.

From CompUSA's product info:

97% pure micronized silver
75-80% silver content by weight

I sure as hell don't remember any of my crayons saying "micronized silver." Which is probably just as well, considering how much we used to chew on them.

You could try your local jeweller for the diamond paste (left over from cutting) but I imagine its a bit expensive. I just use these with silver paste. They keep my 1 gHz PIII's at 90 deg. F (~60 C.) no problem.

Comp USA brand silver thermal grease is, indeed, marketed as having silver content. Not just silver coloring, but, explicitly, silver content. Take a look at this before they take it down: compusa.com Product Listing.

In addition, the author claims that similar claims were made on the label of OCZ paste. Judging by the reaction from the people at OCZ (or the people that claim to be OCZ) and his accuracy in the rest of the test, I have no reason to doubt him.

Please, think before you spout the tired, cynical rhetoric about shady advertisement.

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Well, I have a dual Pentium Pro box, each cpu draws about 70 watts IIRC. The machine has *no* fans, just the original aluminum heatsinks. No heat problems yet, but all the same I'd like to find one of these to fit PPro. Just in case, because they have 1 MB cache on them and it wasn't easy to find this machine. In case anyone is wondering, Linux *ROCKS* on it. Anyone know where to find coolers like that for Pro?

Microsoft Windows costs $99

Uh, no. Where the hell did you get THAT idea?

Since Windows 3.1, there has never been a full retail version of Windows for $99. EVER. Windows 95 and 98 retailed for $189 - $50 more than the newest Mac OS. Windows XP Home Edition is $10 more than that. Now WXP Home Upgrade, THAT'S $99, however you still need a valid copy of Windows 98 or ME. (95 won't do.)

Given the existence of products such as MacOS, Linux, various flavors of unix, OS/2, etc., why should MS be called a monopoly?

Now you're just trolling. It's not illegal to have a monopoly; it's illegal to abuse a monopoly to squeeze out competition. Try looking up what Microsoft did to IBM with Windows OEM pricing in an effort to get them to stop developing OS/2.

Get your facts straight before spouting off bogus arguments.