TechSmart 87, Dec 2010, Best Buys Issue

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HOLIDAY BEST BUYS

2010’s Top Guns The best notebooks, smartphones,cameras and more!

Fast and FuriousWe check out the Asus Lamborghini netbook

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techsmart.co.za l December 2010 5

Best Tech,Less Tech

Coming tothe end of

the year it’s always a treatcompiling thebest productsfor our “Best

of 2010” lists. Ifyou’ve had your finger on the technology pulse (or even if not)you would have to agree that no other tech company made theheadlines in 2010 as often as Apple did. Not only did they release the superb iPhone 4 but they’ve also managed to createa whole new product category with the iPad. Their 2010 dominance reflects in our compilations. Talking of which, all theproducts featured in our Top 5 spent time in our office and theirfull reviews can be found on www.techsmart.co.za.

As I’m writing there’s a poll running on our website askingwhat you want for Xmas. “Lower data prices” is in the lead,ahead of, not surprisingly the iPad and iPhone. While MWEB didus all a favour by slashing uncapped data, there is still a longway to go to make data truly affordable, especially on the cellular side. So I hope Cell C’s unveiling of their “whoooosh”HSPA+ network for PTA and JHB and their new data rates aresteps in the right direction.

I’m actually looking to get as far away from tech as possiblethis Xmas. No Facebook, no Twitter, no News24, no email, noBlackBerry and no games. Even reception should be a distantmemory.

Hope your Xmas will be as peaceful as mine. Mike <[email protected]>

Copyright © 2010. All rights reserved. No material, text or photo graphsmay be reproduced, copied or in any other way transmitted without thewritten consent of the publisher. Opinions expressed are not necessarilythose of the publisher or of the editor. We recognise all trademarks andlogos as the sole property of their respective owners. TechSmart shall notbe liable for any errors or for any actions in reliance thereon. All priceswere correct at time of going to print.

Editor TechSmart & TechSmart.co.zaMike Joubert > [email protected] manager George [email protected] media managerSuzanne [email protected] managerCarmel Anne Singh > [email protected] managerAnneke Claassen > [email protected] Brett Wilson, Otto UeckermannContributors Tom Manners [TM] Mike Joubert [MJ], Hanleigh Daniels [HD],Johan Keyter [JK], Linda Pretorius [LP] Accounts & subscriptionsRonel Keet > [email protected] van Vuuren > [email protected] smart

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9

EDITORIAL & HIGHLIGHTS

Holiday Best Buys ›› December 2010

Win the cool BlackBerry Torch 22

» Big Trek GPS Round-up 17

» Top 5 Games 50

Tel: 012-362-27321218 Arcadia St, Hatfield, Ptawww.smartpublishing.co.za

» Top 5 Notebooks 11

TechSmart exclusively uses the LG W2794V monitor for all reviews.

» Top 5 tech news


Activision Blizzard’s new Call of Duty:Black Ops video game generated a

massive $650 million worth of sales inits first five days. It shattered not onlythe previous video game record for thatperiod (coincidentally held by the previous Call of Duty game), but alsotheatrical box office and book sales. Thetitle’s sales success did not necessarilytranslate to player satisfaction though asa slew of bugs were reported in especially the PC version.

2 Nvidia GeForce GTX 580

Every PC gamer’s dream involves theworld’s ultimate DirectX11 graphics

processing unit (GPU) and this baby isit. Boasting 512 CUDA cores, 1536 MBof GDDR5 memory, a processor speed of1544 MHz and a graphics clock of 772MHz, Nvidia’s GeForce GTX 580 is thenumero uno GPU. At least for now, seeing that AMD is set to do battle withtheir Radeon HD 6970.

Apple last month announced that TheBeatles, one of the most popular

bands in history, would be coming to itsiTunes store. After years of legal wrangling the deal was finally sealed, enabling millions of people around theworld to finally be able to pay to download classic Beatles songs insteadof simply torrenting them.

Facebook (FB) is taking on the likes ofGmail by offering its over half a

billion users an @facebook.com emailaddress.

It will also be combining email withtexts, as well as online chats and bringthese together into one centralised location (FB messages).

All messages will be socially rankedand sorted according to how importantthe sender is. Just another step we suppose in taking over the world.

TOP TECH TITBITSNEWS

›› Hot new products

[email protected] The Beatles loves iTunes,yeah, yeah, yeah.

Call of Duty: Black Opsbreaks record.

4 Michael Jackson: The Experience (limited glove edition)

Michael Jackson is making his videogame return in Michael Jackson:

The Experience, to be released for themotion-based gaming consoles. Now alimited edition version for the Wii will include a replica of the King of Pop’s famous white glove. Putting it on mightmake you feel like the great MJ, but willdefinitely not ensure moonwalkinggreatness.

3 Gran Turismo 5

After being stuck in the pits for ages,the new Gran Turismo 5 in all its

high-definition glory has finally receivedthe green light. GT5 sports the mostprestigious virtual racing pedigree ingaming and features well over 950cars, more than 20 visually stunning locations as well as upwards of 70 trackvariations to master – all this in HD ofcourse.

1 Acer Aspire One AOD255dual-booting netbook

Acer recently launched a dual-bootingnetbook, the Aspire One AOD255, in

its country of origin Taiwan. This dual-core netbook runs not only Windows XPbut also Google’s Android OS that provides a quick boot up time. By thetime you read this, the company wouldhave also unveiled its range of Androidand Windows tablet PCs to compete withthe likes of Apple’s iPad and Samsung’sGalaxy Tab.

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When the Apple iPad was released on the 3rd of April this year, people didn’t quite know what to make of it. There were tablet PCs

before but these Windows-based machines did not really setthe market alight, so why would the iPad

differ? Soon the sales figures startedcoming in – 1 million sold in 28 days (the iPhonetook double the time), 2 million sold in less than 2months, 3 million sold in 80 days.

It became apparent that the iPad, with its sleek9.7" multi-touch display and iPhone-like body,was changing the game. Some joked that it’snothing more than a big iPhone that can’t makecalls, but the iPad heralded a new era of devicesthat enhances media consumption (surfing,reading, games and apps) instead of creation.

PC manufacturers scrambled (and are stillscrambling) to get their own tablet devices out,leading us to believe that 2011 will be all aboutthe tablet. Now if only the iPad can grace ourshores … [MJ]

After thesuccess

of Avatar all expectations werethat 2010 wouldbe the year of3D. Not really.Most of themajor televisionmanufacturers released 3D models, butthese were hindered not only by highprices but also by a severe lack of 3Dcontent. Plus those silly-looking glassesare still a prerequisite.

It was not all gloom, seeing that a few3D notebooks saw the light of day andsome even got it right (see p11), whilewe also saw an interesting 3D camerafrom Fujifilm. There are massive expectations resting on the 3D enabledNintendo 3DS handheld gaming systemto be released next year, while manufacturers like Toshiba are already talking about 3D telly without the glasses.But for 2010 3D eventually turned out tobe more a whimper than a bang.

FEATURE

If only more productswere accompanied by

such intrigue as Apple’siPhone 4. First a protoype of the phonegets left behind in a bar by Apple engineer Gray Powell. Tech blog Gizmodopaid good money to get hold of it and exposed the phone way before the officialannouncement. Apple wanted it back andeventually Gizmodo’s editor’s house getsraided by police.

When the iPhone 4 is eventually released complaints start surfacing aboutreception problems. Apple responds byclaiming “you’re holding it wrong”. Antennagate is born and Apple is laterforced to release special casings for thephone to counter problems. Back here inSA the big news was that the iPhone willbe carried by both Vodacom and MTN.Queue both cellular providers promptlyorganising launch parties on the sameday. Oh yes, and the iPhone 4 turned outto be quite nice actually (see p13).

TELKOM 8TACOMES TO TOWN

TOP 5 TECH NEWS OF 2010

techsmart.co.za l December 2010

In March something happened that brought a lot of good to SouthAfrica’s overcharged broadband users – MWEB slashed their uncapped

broadband prices. All of a sudden an uncapped account was priced cheaperthan a capped one, with rates starting as low as R219 for a 384 Kbps line.

Consumers flocked in droves to take up MWEB’s latest offers, forcing other ISPs to seehow low they could go on uncapped accounts. But while uncapped prices might be better priced, South Africans are still burdened by Telkom’s very restrictive monthlyline-rental charges and ADSL set-up fees.

MWEB GOES UNCAPPED

THE IPAD VENI, VEDI, VECI

To describe 2010 as a stellar year for Steve Jobs and Apple would be an understatement. There was Apple’s iPad(see below), Apple’s iPhone 4 (p13) and Apple’s Macbook Air (p15), basically ensuring it is Apple’s 2010. Luckilythere was also other important tech news – here is our top 5 tech news stories of 2010.

9

3D’S WHIMPER

Strange billboards started appearingaround about September this year,

shouting quite cryptically “Heita!”. Heitatransmuted into 8ta, South Africa’sfourth cellular network courtesy of noneother than Telkom Mobile.

At its launch, 8ta was heralded as“the start of a new era in mobile phone communication in South Africa” byAmith Maharaj, Telkom Mobile’s managing executive. We would love forhim to be right, hoping for a voice anddata price drop similar to that whichMWEB (see below) brought about on theuncapped internet scene. It seemshighly unlikely at this stage, but here’sto holding thumbs that maybe in a fewyears the situation has changed.

IPHONE 4 TRIALS ANDTRIBULATIONS

The new Apple Macbook Air is so thin and light that if we were itsparents we would be seriously concerned. At 1.7 cm at its thickest

point it’s actually thinner than some smartphones, an incredible feat achievedin part by Apple swopping the regular hard disk drive for a solid state one. Its2 GB RAM was a bit restrictive and it will cost you a pretty penny, but Applehas a way to design products that makes it really difficult not to want them.We said online: “If you have the iPad and use the iPhone 4 you might aswell make the jump and get the whole shebang by ordering the new Air.” Full review: http://bit.ly/top5air

Although Acer’s 5820TG is one of the heavier thin-and-light machines outthere, it still cracks a nod for good battery life, included number pad and

really solid performance. It easily matched the specs of midrange notebooks wetested, even performing amicably on the gaming front – all in a 2.4 kg body without a price tag that gives the giggles. We said online: “So while it might not be the thinnest or lightestout there, compared to notebooks matching its processing powerand screen size the Acer is a more manageable machine.” Full review: http://bit.ly/aat5820tg

Although some might say this whole 3D thing is all hype wewould like to invite them to a round of Call of Duty on the

Asus G51J 3D notebook. Thanks to Nvidia’s 3D capable GeForceGTX260 graphics card, gaming was a smooth experience, made even moreengrossing in 3D thanks to the wireless 3D emitter and glasses. A solid designcoupled with top of the range specs, rounded off this excellent gaming machinefrom Asus. We said online: “What is most striking about this machine is its ability to demonstrate just how far 3D technology has come in a very short time.” Full review: http://bit.ly/g51jgame


FEATURE

APPLE MACBOOK AIR

ACER ASPIRE TIMELINEX 5820TG

ASUS G51J GAMING NOTEBOOK

HP took business seriously with their excellent EliteBook 2540p thin-and-light. Not only was it fast, carrying Intel’s speedy (but battery

friendly) Core I7 640LM processor, but our model also sported a lovely160 GB SSD drive providing faster boot-up speed. All presented in a

military grade body ready for on-the-road business thrills-and-spills.We said online: “We wouldn’t hesitate for a second to buy one ourselves.” Full review: http://bit.ly/hp2540p

HP ELITEBOOK 2540P

We waited long to see the Alienware brand in SA, and when it landedwe were blown away. Their M17X gaming laptop’s performance

simply obliterated every notebook we’ve ever tested. No wonder since itcarries the powerful Intel Core i7 Q720 CPU, a crazy 8 GB of RAM

and two, yes two ATI HD 4870 GPUs. Combine this with an aggressivedesign and what feels like unlimited lighting customisation, and it’s nowonder that the Alienware M17X mothership easily captures the no. 1spot in our notebooks of the year. We said online: “If we lived in a perfect world the entire officewould be outfitted with these babies.” Full review: http://bit.ly/alienm17x

ALIENWARE M17X

TOP 5 NOTEBOOKS OF 2010

11

When Samsung announcedthat they were creating a

new operating system called bada wewere, to say theleast, sceptical.Along comesthe Wave, anicely pricedmid-rangephone containing allthe elements ofits higher pricedbrethren including aspeedy 1 GHzprocessor, 720pvideo recordingand one of thebest screensever to grace acellphone (untilthe iPhone 4 arrived). While it still has a few growingpains, bada worked surprisingly well. We said online: “Samsung has man-aged to create one of their most impressive phones yet.” Full review: http://bit.ly/samwave

The HTC Hero, whichscooped last year’s best

mobile device at the Global Mobile Awards,was followed upby the Android2.1 poweredLegend. While itmight not be thefastest phoneout there (528MHz), boy did welike its unibodyaluminium design.Crafted from a single block of aluminium it is solidand sleek and feltgood in hand, whileHTC’s Sense user interface skin for theAndroid OS continuesto impress. Legend byname, legend by naturewe suppose. We said online: “HTC is really doingsome great things for the Android platform.” Full review: http://bit.ly/legendhtc


FEATURE

SAMSUNG WAVE HTC LEGEND

Featuring a slide-outQWERTY

keyboard, a verydecent capacitive

touch-screen and the usual dependable BlackBerry messaging goodness, theBlackBerry Torch left us very impressed.

It’s also the first BB without of the box support forthe new BlackBerry 6 operating system. Whilethe new OS is more evolution than revolution,the Torch is the bestspecked BB available,while the touch-screenshowed that there is lifebeyond their optical trackpad. We said online: “TheTorch is a step in theright direction and certainly opens up anexciting new chapter forthe BlackBerry brand.” Full review:http://bit.ly/rimtorchWin the Torch courtesy of BlackBerry. See p22for details.

Anumber of manufacturersgot their groove back by

installing Android on their devices this year. None moreso than

Sony Ericsson getting back intothe swing of thingswith the X10. Witha very sleek design,better than averagebattery life and a 4"touch-screen, itpropelled Sony Ericsson to the topof the smartphone market. The X10’sby no means flawless, we mentioned lack ofmulti-touch and callquality as two stickypoints, but it haileda welcome return to a brand that waslosing its lustre. We said online: “The X10 puts Sony Ericsson squarely back amongst the bigguns of the smartphone market.” Full review: http://bit.ly/top10x10i

SONY ERICSSON X10

TOP 5 SMARTPHONES OF 2010

RIM BLACKBERRY TORCH 9800

Withsuch

a lot ofhype

behind it,could the iPhone 4 live upto it? The short answer isyes, making Steve Jobs’Superphone the obviouschoice for our no. 1 position. Featuring an excellent Retina display(how did they squeezethat many pixels inthere?), a lustful designand superb multimedia capabilities, the iPhone 4is a number of stepsahead of its competition.

And the fact that twonetwork operators arenow selling it, makes itjust that tad bit more affordable for the rest ofus. Well done Mr Jobs,well done. We said online: “TheiPhone 4 is without question, the best smartphone currently onthe market.” Full review:http://bit.ly/iphone4is1

APPLE IPHONE 4

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Small, stylish and with an extremely functional 3.5"

touch-screen, we’vehad more than agood time withCanon’s Ixus 210.Canon’s secondforay into theworld of touch-screens showedhow to really implement atouch-screen well,making browsingthrough the menu structure an intuitive affair andhelping with playback. It hadus wishing Canonwould implementtouch on all of its

snappers. We said online: “The 210 feels like amature product; it’s not only stylish butits touch-screen functionality is fantastic.” Full review:http://bit.ly/ixus210

Samsungtook on

some toughcompetitionwhen theyreleasedtheir advance

EX1 c ompact.The Ace up its sleeve? A super fast f1.8 Schneider KREUZNACH lens that brings decent depth of field to the compact market. It helps make decent portraitphotography possible; is decently wide at24 mm; and also assisted in some of thebest low-light performance we’ve seenfrom a compact so far.

It might not have the amount of features of the Canon G12, but we’re already looking forward to the EX1’s next incarnation. We said online: “With good low-lightabilities, strong build quality and a gorgeous 3" AMOLED display, Samsungenters the high-end compact arena gunsablazing.”Full review: http://bit.ly/samex1


FEATURE

CANON IXUS 210

Because of itsdiminutive

size it’s easy tothink the NEX-3 contains either a smallcompact or a micro four-thirds sensor. Don’t be fooled, sinceyou’ll find the same APS-C sensor commonly located inside inmost full-size dSLRs. Apart from very decent pictures and excellent 720p HD-ready video, the NEX-3 blew us away withits 3" tilt-able screen containing a massive 920 000 pixels. Ouronly qualms were its lack of flash and that this made-for- amateur camera made you dig through the menu system for itsdifferent settings. (Also see p29)We said online: “Sony deserves a round of applause for theirsuperb 3" screen with a delicious 920 000 pixels.”Full review: http://bit.ly/alphan3

Olympus bought some retro coolnessto the photography world with their

E-PL1 PEN camera. Far less bulky than aregular dSLR, it employs the micro four-thirds standard which ensures sensor sizebigger than compact cameras’ but smallerthan dSLR’s. This time around it also included a flash (the previous version didn’t) while including one-touch 720pvideo recording. The white version should appeal to the hipster in everyone. We said online: “Olympus has created agreat camera for entry-level users whodon’t want to struggle with DSLR complexities.” Full review: http://bit.ly/penepl1

SONY ALPHA NEX-3

15

CANON G12

TOP 5 SMALL CAMERAS OF 2010

As far as manual shooting options and attention to detail are concerned, the Canon G12 was in a different class to any of

the cameras we tested this year. The G12 improves on its predecessor with the long overdue inclusion of 720p HD videowith stereo sound, while now also sporting a scroll wheel at thefront for even better control of your settings. It’s far from perfect, since Canon can take a sniff in Samsung’s direction tolearn from their EX1’s speedy and wide-angle lens, but withshooting options surpassing en try-level dSLR cameras, the G12can indeed be crowned king. We said online: “If you’re looking for a compact with some serious shooting capabilities, you won’t find better than the G12.”Full review: www.bit.ly/g12review

OLYMPUS PENE-PL1

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FEATURE


Before you take the big trek down to the coast this holiday, check out these hot new GPS units.

Garmin nüvi 1410

The Garmin nüvi 1410 isone of the latest GPS

solutions from Garmin. Although general navigationworked well, we weren’t tooimpressed with the touch-screen on this model, beingglitchy a number of times.Additional features fared better however and these include ecoRoute functionalitywhich calculates the mostfuel efficient routes, as wellas a trip log function to trackwhere you’ve been. Bluetooth technology and a built-in microphone and speaker alsomakes an appearance forconvenient hands-free calling.

As an optional extra userscan purchase the GTM 25traffic receiver which enablesthe device to receive livetraffic updates through FMradio waves as you drive. The1410 retails for R3000

Navigon 40 Premium

The Navigon 40 Premiumwas hands down the best

GPS device from Navigon wetested this year. This 4.3" device sports the updatedOne Click Menu while andPoint of Interest (POI) interface also impressed, withinteractive POI’s strewnacross the display, showingthe names and addresses ofPOI’s with the tap of a finger.The device is also equippedwith Bluetooth technology forhands-free calling, supportingup to two phones and storingphonebook entries on the device itself. We were alsosuitably informed of the trafficsituation with live updatesprovided to the GPS via aRDS-TMC FM radio system. Nosubscriptions or registrationsare needed, and the trafficsystem worked well. The Navigon 40 Premium retailsfor a recommended R2199.

GPS: Stand-alone unit orSmartphone?

With a number of smartphones now

sporting onboard GPS, doyou really want to drop a fewgrand on a stand-alone GPS?There are pros and cons toconsider for each option.

17

When using GPS functionalities on your smartphone, you have to remember that for one it’sgoing to be taxing on the battery life and secondly, thedata charges when downloading maps mightstart getting uncomfortable, depending on how often you

use it. Some makes’ localmaps are not that good,while others provide you witha limited usage license.

With a stand-alone in-carunit there is no battery worries and additionalcharges are an optional affair.These devices have also been specifically designed for

navigation so they will oftensport much more advancedfeatures in addition to generally having larger andclearer touch-screens. At theoffice we prefer made-for- purpose GPS units, while smartphones are reserved forin-case-of-emergency moments.[JK]

TomTom GO 1000

TomTom has been out andabout this year releasing

several new products ontothe hotly contested in-carGPS market. The company’slatest offering, the GO 1000LIVE, introduces a string ofnew functionalities.

One of the most flauntednew features on the device isits capacitive Fluid Touchscreen. With this new technology drivers can pinchto zoom in and out of mapsor scroll through menus withthe tips of their fingers. Anew Easy Click magneticmount takes the chore out ofdocking as the GPS now simply glides into place. TomTom LIVE services arealso available with the deviceincluding speed camerawarnings, local search withGoogle, weather forecastsand most importantly livetraffic updates. It retails forR3999 with one year freeLIVE services included.

BIG TREK GPS ROUND-UPNokia Ovi maps

We all like to know wherewe’re going, but not

everyone can afford to buyan additional device in theform of an in-car GPS. Luckily users of Nokia smartphones can gain accessto a free navigation servicestraight from their phone inthe form of Nokia Ovi maps.The surprisingly effective Ovimaps can be used almost likean in-car GPS, giving youturn-by-turn voice and visualguidance supported in over75 countries. This includeslane assistance, speed limit warnings and real-time trafficinformation. Nokia Ovi mapsis pre-installed on new Nokiasmartphones.

Google’s Android operating system has breathed new life into Sony Ericsson,with their new Xperia handsets sporting Android goodness. TechSmart talkedto Sony Ericsson’s Market Unit Head, Sonja Shear to discuss Android,Timescape and their new phones.

TechSmart talks to ...›› Sonja Shear, Market Unit Head, Sony Ericsson


INTERVIEW

X10 X10 mini X10 mini pro X8

How was Android incorporatedinto Sony Ericsson’s devices?

Sonja Shear (SS): Android is anopen operating system that really enables personalisation of devicesand Sony Ericsson has worked onbuilding a unique user experience.The Android operating system is oneof the best platforms for Sony Ericssonto deliver on our strategy of being theleader in Communication Entertainment,with Xperia being the most entertainingsmartphone range. Through our UX(user experience) rich graphic user interface, unrivalled service plug-ins andcontent from external partners we believe we have a unique consumerproposition.

What new devices do you have onoffer with the Android OS?SS: We have a range of Android devices

manage all your media at a touch of abutton – the Infinite button, allowingyou to see (for example) informationabout the latest music you put on yourdevice, the last tracks played and

similar music that is available.

SE have recently abandoned Symbian, does this mean you mighthave your own OS in the pipeline likeSamsung did with bada?SS: We are still part of the Open HandsetAlliance which includes Symbian but atpresent our focus is indeed on Android.This does not mean we are abandoning allother platforms, while at this stage there isno intention to develop our own platform.

Can you divulge some info about themuch rumoured PSP phone?SS: Sony Ericsson does not comment on rumours or speculative articles.

Fans of Sony Ericsson’s Androidrange will be happy to know thatthe long awaited upgrade to Android 2.1 is now available:

Xperia X10• 720p HD video recording with

continuous auto-focus for high qualityvideos.

• 5 homescreens for apps, widgets,shortcuts and folders.

• Social phonebook which automaticallysyncs contact pictures from Facebookand shows when your friends are online.

Xperia X10 mini and X10 mini pro• Improved Bluetooth functionality with

support for sending and receiving pictures, contacts and more.

• Automatic synchronization of yourcontact pictures between Facebookand your phone book.

• Improved ways of handling pictures,audio, text and numbers in your messages.

Go to www.sonyericsson.co.za.

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Xperia X10, X10 mini, X10 mini pro andX8 coming early 2011.

Are there any exclusive applicationson SE’s Android devices?SS: Apps on Android market place aregrowing at a tremendous rate, but apartfrom these Sony Ericsson has developedtwo unique applications – Timescape andMediascape. Timescape is a chronologicalaccount of all the activities that takeplace on your phone or on the net as theyhappen, for example Facebook and Twitter updates or calls and SMSs fromcontacts. Mediascape is an application to

• 3.2" Capacitive touch-screen• 600 MHz Qualcomm MSM7227 CPU• Wi-Fi, HSDPA• 170 MB onboard memory• 2 GB microSD card included

» Quick specs

being powered by a 600MHz Qualcomm MSM7227CPU, helping to keep lag atbay, although auto-rotatewas slightly sluggish. Itsthree megapixel snapperwith face tracking andsmile shot takes good-

looking pics, and imagesdisplay crisp and clear onthe device’s 3.2" HVGA(320 x 480 pixels) capacitive

touch-screen. This screen also allows for useful multi-touchgesturing, such as pinch-to-zoom, to effortlessly zoom

in and out of photos andwebpages. The display isn’t as responsive as on other costlier devices,but for such a low-cost solution it’s reallydecent. It comes with 170 MB of onboardmemory, boosted to 2 GB with the inclusion of a microSD card.

Also featured is GPS, a 3.5 mm audio

jack, a microSD card slot supportingcards up to 32 GB in size, HSDPA, Wi-Fi802.11 b/g and push email – basicallyeverything you’ll find on more expensivephones. Both the email and Wi-Fi areeasy to set up and utilise, but when allthe snazzy features were turned on weonly received half a day’s battery life.

BlackBerry Torch 9800 ›› More evolution than revolution

The LG Optimus One isone of the first

smartphones in SA tocome standard with thelatest edition of the Android (2.2 aka Froyo)operating system. Considering it’s a phonetargeting users on a tightbudget (sub R2500), this ispretty impressive. Froyobrings with it some newfunctionality, such as up tothree times faster internetbrowsing and the ability topeek into gallery picture stacks by usinga zoom gesture.

HardwareThings are equally impressive on thehardware front, with this pocket-friendly(113.5 x 59 x 13.3 mm, 129 g) phone

21

The BlackBerry Torch is in many ways astep up for the BlackBerry range in

terms of features. It incorporates a 3.2"TFT capacitive touch-screen with a resolution of 360 x 480, 4 GB of onboardstorage with MicroSD support for up to32 GB, a 624 MHz processor, HSDPA andHSUPA support, a 5 megapixel camerawith autofocus and LED flash and standard Wi-Fi and Bluetooth support.

The most noticeable change howeveris the implementation of its slide-baseddesign which incorporates a touch-screenas well as the standard trackpad and

QWERTY keyboard. Unfortunately, thescreen just isn’t up toscratch in terms of resolution. A resolutionof 360 x 480 doesn’tmatch up against thelikes of the iPhone 4(640 x 960), Samsung’sGalaxy S (480 x 800) orHTC’s HD2 (480 x 800).

DesignSurprisingly enough,BlackBerry was able tokeep the dimensionsdown in the Torch.Overall, the handset(111 x 62 x 14.6 mm) isfractionally larger than

the BlackBerry Bold 9700 (109 x 60 x 14mm). The real difference comes in withregards to weight. The Torch weighs in ata hefty 161 grams, compared to theBold’s 122 grams.

Over the past few years BlackBerryhas found itself evolving from abusiness centric brand to a ‘hip’platform. In response, the companyrecently released its most up todate consumer centric device so far– the 9800 Torch.

MOBILES

“The new WebKit browser, featuringtabbed browsing, vastly improved ouronline experience compared to olderBlackBerry models...”

“LG’s Optimus One brings all the advantages of Android to the novicesmartphone user, minus the potentprice tag...”

BlackBerry 6The Torch is the first amongRIM’s stable of handsets toship with the newly developedBlackBerry 6 mobile operatingsystem. The OS features acompletely redesigned UserInterface (UI) which incorporates features such asmultiple pages, universalsearch and integrated socialfeeds from a number of networks including Twitter,Facebook and BlackBerry Messenger. In addition, thenew platform also integratesa WebKit browser, featuringtabbed browsing amongstother features, which wefound vastly improved our online experience comparedto older BlackBerry models.

ConclusionWhile the Torch is certainly animpressive piece of equipment it represents moreof a evolution than a

revolution. In short, the Torch is simplynot an iPhone killer. Nonetheless, it’s astep in the right direction for RIM. [TM] Win the Torch courtesy of BlackBerry.See p22 for details.

LG Optimus One ›› Optimal entry-level smartphone


LG’s Optimus One smartphone, aims topop the Androidcherry of new smartphone users. Sois it cheap and nastyor a good phone for agood price?

Final WordLG’s Optimus One brings all the advantages of Android to the novicesmartphone user, minus the potent pricetag. It’s not perfect due to its paltry battery life, but for an RRP of R2499 youget Android 2.2 plus Wi-Fi and HSDPA –everything you expect from more expensive handsets. [HD]

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The BlackBerry® Torch™ 9800 smartphone is designed totake your breath away. Onboard this marvellous creatureyou’ll find: Slide-out QWERTY keyboard, Wi-Fi®, 3G, built-inGPS, 3.2" touch-screen and the new BlackBerry® 6 OS.

Win the coolestBlackBerry®

smartphonecurrently available!

Win one of three blazingly fast PCprocessors from AMD!

The cool AMDPhenom II X2 560Dual Core CPUrunning at 3300MHz

Visit www.techsmart.co.za for more info. Competition runs from1 – 31 December 2010. Prizes sponsored by AMD South Africa.

The magnificentAMD Phenom IIX4 970 Quad CoreCPU running at3500 MHz

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December 2010 l techsmart.co.za 22

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The D105 is a mobile wireless router that givesusers the freedom to roam while s�ll remainingconnected online. The device even lets you share3G services with any wireless enabled desktop,notebook or printer, allowing users to seamlesslyconnect mul�ple devices whilst elimina�ng theneed for more than one 3G subscrip�ons.

WHAT YOU NEED

TO KNOW

Simply plug a 3G USB dongle into the router andthe D105 will set you on your way to creating a

new wireless hotspot.

InterfaceThe D105 uses a web-based interface enabling usersto access the device from any computer and fromany browser, with no annoying drivers or software needing to be installed.

PortsAs far as ports are concerned the Huawei D105 isequipped with a USB 2.0 port to be used to connect a3G USB dongle, a LAN (10/100 Mbps) port for ethernet connections and of course an adapter socketfor the power adapter.

ConnectionConnecting the device to the internet is very easy,simply start up the device and connect it to a PC viathe included ethernet cable, enter the address“http://192.168.1.1” into the browser address barand then use your password to log into the D105.From there network and wireless settings can be configured to your heart’s content.

FeaturesThe D105 is chock full of advanced features that helppropel the device above the realm of simple wirelessrouters. A Wireless Distribution System (WDS) is included which enables the wireless interconnectionof access points in an IEEE 802.11 network. This al-lows for a wireless network to be expanded usingmultiple access points without the need of a wiredbackbone to link them, as is usually required.

The D105 also supports the universal plug andplay (UPnP) service which allows other network usersto control the device’s network functionalities for trueinterconnection.

AvailabilityAvailable from Cell C

FEATURE

Huawei D105 wireless router

PERMANENT FIXED FRAMES

With a stylish velvet wrapped aluminium alloy frame and enhancedcinema material, Permanent Fixed-Frame is the enthusiast’s choice. Thematerial is specifically designed for allhigh definition needs. The solid structure and tension system ensuresthe screen is always perfectly flat andthe picture is flawless.

GAUTENG OFFICETel: 011 462 1435email: [email protected]

CAPE TOWN OFFICETel: 021 551 3204email: [email protected]

DURBAN OFFICETel: 031 569 5472email: [email protected]

TAB-TENSION MOTORIZED

Deriving from the classic and sturdy design of the Elegant series screen,Tab-tension motorized screen takes itfurther. A unique adjustable tensionalsystem ensures an image that’s perfectly flat at all time. The enhancedcinema material is specifically designed for all high definition needs.Suitable for venues that range fromhome theatres to media rooms.

Projector and Screen bundle for only R12,999 including VAT.

HD Ready Home Cinema Projector

This HD Ready 3LCD home cinemaprojector has been designed for use inbrightly lit environments, so you don’tneed to dim the lights for a home cinema experience. The BW7 incorporates BrightEra™ technology invented by Sony which minimisesdegradation of colours over time,achieves higher brightness andsharper images in even well-lit rooms– and delivers exceptional reliabilityand longevity.

Bundle includes:- 92" Grandview permanent fixed frame screen - BW7 SONY projector- Projector bracket with 600mm pole - 15 meters HDMI cable

With the BW7’s high brightness of2000 ANSI Lumens we did not find

it difficult to watch movies even with adecent amount of ambient light present,while in a dark area it’s more than perfect. The BW7’s 1000:1 contrast ratioisn’t the best in the business but wewere satisfied with sufficiently darkblacks. This 3LCD projector makes use ofLCD technology with one of the benefitsbeing that you won’t pick up the rainbowartifact some people can detect on Digital Light Processing (DLP) projectors.

Going largeSo while LCD televisions might stretchto 55", the Sony can project up to 300".We did not test it to this max, but didachieve sizes that really pushed the limits of what an average room can handle. You won’t have any setup problems thanks to the BW7’s automatickeystone correction, and if you need toadjust something it can be handledthrough the included remote with

backlighting. The projector also ran asquiet as a mouse, which is a big difference between this projector andentry-level models.

One of the aspects where the Sonyfalls short is full HD capabilities. As itstands it has a native resolution of 1280x 800 pixels, making it HD ready (720p)rather than full HD, but this is also reflected in the price tag. The BW7comes with an HDMI port, but onlyone, while also including an S-video, composite and RGB port.

You also get …The Sony VPLBW7 is available as a bundle from AVC for R12 999, which alsoinclude a 15 m HDMI cable and theclincher – a 92" Grandview permanent fixframe screen. It’s an absolute treat toview movies on this BIG screen, prettymuch like having your own cinema athome. We especially like the black velvetfinish on the bevelling which added an oldschool movie house feel. According to

We’ve always had a soft spot for projectors here in the office. They areusually a lower-cost solution for a really large screen, ideal for moviesor gaming. Sony’s BW7 is no exception.

“You won’t have any setup problems thanksto the BW7’s automatic keystone correction”

Sony BW7 projector ›› Go big in your home

Grandview, manufacturer of this 16:9screen, the fabric used contains “miniatureand fine diamond veins” which helps to remove purple light while helping to display colour more correctly. All we knowis that movies looked crisp and clear andmuch better than the usual white wall weproject against. Contact AVC on 011-462-1435 for more details. [MJ]

25techsmart.co.za l December 2010

AUDIO l VISUALNETBOOKAsus Lamborghini Eee PC VX6 ›› Supercar performance in a netbook

Not just Lamborghini in name but alsoin nature, the VX6 is in a league of its

own when it comes to netbook performance. With a dual-core Intel AtomD525 CPU @ 1.8 GHz plus 4 GB of DDR3RAM and even a 512 MB Nvidia Ion 2graphics solution, it quickly secured ourrecord for fastest netbook yet, eventrampling on the toes of some regularnotebooks. It’s also equipped with highquality Bang & Olufsen speakers providing good quality audio playback,something you don’t often see in netbooks.

DesignCo-designed by Lamborghini itself and in-spired by the monstrous Murcielago

LP640 Roadster, the netbook features acompact yet sleek design that is verypleasing to the eye. With an exterioravailable in black or white adorned with abeautiful Lamborghini badge, this devicecomes out on top as far as aesthetics areconcerned. Seeing that the VX6 isn’t themost fingerprint resistive netbook we’vecome across, you will be struggling withvisible smudges on the base and touch-pad.

UsabilityAsus adorned the VX60 with an excellentchiclet-style keyboard with slightly separated keys making for a comfortabletyping experience. The touchpad featuresan attractive design slightly different from

Start your engines with the new Asus Lamborghini VX6 netbook, a high-end device which combines performance with a compact netbook form factor.

• High-range netbook• Intel Atom D525 @ 1.8 GHz• 4 GB DDR3 RAM• 512 MB Nvidia Ion 2 GPU• 12.1" 1366 x 768 LCD display

» Quick specs

your normal square layout touchpads andsupports multi-touch. The amount of portsthough blew us away, with VGA, USB 2.0and a SD card reader present, while moreimpressively incorporating two USB 3.0ports for super fast data transfer and anHDMI port also makes an appearance.

ConclusionThe Asus Lamborghini VX6 proves thepower of netbooks, challenging evensome full-sized notebooks head on. Iteven plays an audio clip of a revving Murcielago when it’s turned on, adding anice novelty feature to the branded device. But you are paying for performance, with the VX6 retailing forabout R6999. [JK]

$1 b

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The WZR-HP-G300NH is the perfect companion for everything from

streaming HD movies and music to emailing from multiple PCs at once to, ofcourse, providing wireless internet andnetwork access. Unique new featuresmakes an appearance such asMovieEngine, a built-in Quality of Servicethat optimises throughput for multimediacontent, perfect for streaming movies andmusic.

One of the biggest problems thatplague wireless access points is deadspots within a home or office where it’sdifficult to pick up a signal. Buffalo hasoutfitted its new range with optimisedand tuned antennae to provide maximumperformance and range in addition to anadjustable high power antenna to extendand almost double signal range.

At the end of day it’s fast networkspeeds that you want when buying thisproduct though, and Buffalo isn’t lettingcustomers down in that regard either.With a 1 Gbps Ethernet connection, lighting fast data speeds are ensured enabling users to move large files across

the network in the blink of an eye. Gigabit LAN and WAN ports also make anappearance on the device.

FeaturesTaking control has also never been easierthanks to open-source firmware equippedwith robust features to help you fine tunethat perfect custom configuration. Withan intuitive interface that speeds up connection time, customisable featuresfor optimising wireless performance, security and routing options and advanced features which includes VPNendpoints, hot-spot sign in and VLAN, theAirStation Nfiniti is yours to control.

A built-in USB 2.0 port allows any USBstorage device to be connected to thenetwork while a BitTorrent downloader allows you to download content from theweb without your PC having to be onthroughout the night. Users can also access data on the storage devicethrough a web browser from anywhere inthe world. Security concerns are also addressed thanks to a secondary wirelessguest network, with which you can limit

The Buffalo AirStation Nfiniti Wireless-N High Power Router & Access Pointoffers a wide array of new enterprise level features perfect for the smallhome office environment.

Buffalo WZR-HP-G300NH AirStation router ›› Feature heavy router solution

guests to having internet access only,keeping files on the network safe fromunauthorised access. The Buffalo G300NHcomes with a RRP of R1407 ex VAT. Formore information contact Miro distributionon 086-123-6476.

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All this comes in a CoolerMaster Elite 430 Clear sidepanel case enabling gamersto show off the hardware thatmakes their gaming monstertick. From Evetech.co.za(012-653-0033) for a goodR9999, LCD display and OSare optional.

AMD Phenom Six Core HD6870 DX11 Gaming PC ›› Power to the gaming people

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AMD unveiled its secondgeneration of DirectX 11

GPUs (the AMD Radeon HD6800 series) last month,which the guys from Evetechhave now put to use in theirAMD Phenom Six Core HD6870 DX11 Gaming PC.

AMD’s Phenom II X61055T 2.8 GHz CPUwith its massive sixcores handles theprocessing, whilst alatest generationSAPPHIRE RadeonHD 6870 1 GB DDR5DX11 GPU takescare of the graphicside of things. Italso sports 4 GBDDR3 1600 MHzhigh performancegaming RAM with aheat spreader, aSeagate 1 TB (1 000GB) SATA 2 7200rpm hard drive aswell as a 24x dual layerDVD writer.

27

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Call us on: 082-859-1984 or visit www.mimio-dymo.co.za

Turn your whiteboard or flipchart into an interactive presenting tool with the Mimio Xi.Capture your flipchart or whiteboard notes toyour pc and turn them into text. Used formeetings, conferences, planning & training.

Dec Special NOW R13,000 excl.Was R16,000 excl.

By using the MimioPad you are freeto move around the meeting roomand still able to work interactivelywith your screen or board.

Dec Special NOW R2,881 excl.Was R4,850 excl.

GADGETS

www.WebAntics.co.zaOnline Supplier of Computers, Electronics & Gadgets

Billion 6200NXL Dual-WAN 3.75GWireless-N Broadband Router

Billion 3300NX Dual-WAN 3.75G Wireless-N Mobile Server / Router

R1199.95incl VAT

R1099.00

The 3300NX has a built-inUSB port connection for3G USB modems

Featuring the latest 3G and Wireless-N technologies, the

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have to press the soft button threetimes to make a simple selection. Thereis also no on-board flash, but an accessory is available. Sony deserves around of applause for their superb 3"screen with a delicious 920 000 pixelsthough, while the 720p video recordingis up there with the best.

Recently we’ve seen great strides being made by Olympus and Panasonicwith the Micro Four Thirds system, but they are not the only kids on theblock with small form factor cameras with high quality sensors.

“If you can live with constantvisits to the menu and no flash,the Sony Alpha NEX-3 deservesome serious attention.”

Sony Alpha NEX-3 ›› Very small, very capable

Sony equips their new Alpha NEXrange of digital cameras with full

Advanced Photo System type-C (APS-C)sensors, the same size sensor found inmost DSLRs. This sensor is bigger (between 30% – 50% depending whoyou listen to) than the Micro Four Thirdsstandard, already a big benefit the Sonyhas over its Olympus and Panasonic ri-vals.

SizeThe first thing you notice about the SonyNEX-3 is its diminutive size. In fact the14 megapixel NEX-3 is so small it makesother compact cameras look big.

Compared to regular sized DSLRs theNEX is minute, with Sony claiming thatit’s the smallest interchangeable lenscamera in its class.

DesignSony managed to keep the camera design nice and clean without toomany buttons, but the problem thiscreates is that you have to constantlykeep digging through the menu system to change settings. Even a simple mode dial is omitted, so if youwant to switch from your current modeto say for example portrait mode, you

ConclusionWe really liked the Sony Alpha NEX-3,more so than its competition from theMicro Four Thirds stable, the OlympusPEN E-PL1, with the larger Exmor APSHD CMOS sensor kicking dust in the faceof the PEN’s smaller Micro Four Thirdssensor. But the constant digging throughthe menu structure was seriously limiting and frustrating, lessening its appeal for more serious photographers.

It comes with a recommended retailprice of R6499 and that’s with the 18-55 mm lens. Visit www.sony.co.zafor more info. [MJ]

For those with an adven turous heart this

item is a must have. The Action Cam has 1080 HDvideo capabilities and a 5megapixel camera, and canbe hooked up to your bike,canoe, headgear or fishingrod if you like. It’s also shockresistant and water-proof upto 20 meters, making it perfect for all your outdoorthrills and spills.

It retails at R2999 and isavailable from TheG.A.D.G.E.T. Shop on 012-346-2726.

Oregan Scientific’s Advanced Rainbow Clock

sports a translucent backdropwhich changes colour, addingto the atmosphere of anyroom. The clock has a largeLCD display with eight highquality soothing sounds, builtin FM radio, and a jack foryour MP3 player. At R899 itis available from TheG.A.D.G.E.T. Shop on 012-346-2726.

Gadgets & GoodiesATC9K HD ActionCamera

Oregan ScientificAdvanced RainbowClock

>24

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Terms and Condi�ons apply. Stocks are limited. E&OE. Prices may change without no�ce due to Rand Dollar fluctua�ons. All prices quoted are cash or EFT only and Incl VAT.

Printer Repairs l Repairs l Upgrades l Projector Repairs l LCD Screen RepairsAll repairs done in our workshop

From

Laptop BatteriesHP 4520s Samsung X120 Acer 5740G

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Intel 2.2GHz1024 MB RAM160 GB Hard DriveDVD-WriterWireless LAN15.6" LCD DisplayBuilt in WebcamWindows 7 Basic

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Laptop ChargersHP Compaq 620 HP Compaq 620 3 Fan Cooling Pad

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AMD Athlon Dual Core2.1GHz4GB DDR2 Memory320GB SATA Hard DriveDVD-WriterWireless LanBluetoothBuilt In Numeric KeypadWindows 7 Home Basic 32Bit

HP Probook 4515s

Intel Core i5-430M 2.26GHz3GB DDR3 Memory320GB Hard DriveDVD-WriterWireless LanBluetoothBuilt in 3GWindows 7 Professional

Gigabyte Q1580LIntel Core I5-520m 2.53GHZ,4GB DDR3 Memory, 500GBSATA H/Drive,DVD-Writer,Lan, Wireless Lan, Bluetooth, A�Radeon 512MB VGA Card, Windows 7 Professional 64Bit, 1 Year Fetch, Repair And Return Warranty

763ºC. Tem

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ond completely disappear.

Magix Digital DJ (PC and Mac) ›› Hey Mr DJ

BitDefender Total Security 2011 is a security suite that gives you the powerof antivirus, internet security and even a couple of handy tools to keepyour PC clean.

BitDefender Total Security 2011 ›› Kicking malware (and more) to the curb


Interface

Total Security 2011 is very easy touse, offering users three different

user interface options; basic, intermediate and expert.

In basic mode a clean and clear cutlayout guides users, while the intermediate and advanced levels opensup more options. The software is highlyuser-friendly, especially to novice usersas you can set it to display hints andtips, tips on safe internet behaviour andvideo tutorials covering the basics of thesoftware.

ProtectionThe program boasts a wide range ofprotection options and scans your sys-tem beforehand to make sure no pre-existing threats prohibits its workings.

The software can run a wide varietyof virus scans and users can schedulescans to take place whenever theyplease. Scanning wasn’t too resource intensive, as we were able to continuebrowsing and working while the softwaredid its job.

FeaturesParents have access to comprehensiveparental control options to set the levelof protection for their child’s Windowsaccount. Simply select the age of youryoung one from the Parental Controlmenu and BitD efender will take care ofthe rest.

Laptop and gaming modes alsomake a comeback, with laptop modedisabling scans when running off battery power, while gaming mode limits resource intensiveness while youget your game on.

A set of efficiency enhancing tune-up programs are also included, consisting of a disk defragmenter, PCclean-up utility, duplicate finder, registry cleaner, registry recovery andfile shredder.

BitDefender has also introduced theSearch Advisor function this year, displaying ratings next to Google, Bingand Yahoo search results based on howsafe the site is.

Digital DJ takes music directly from your hard-drive or iTunes library (even

iTunes’ playlists if you’ve compiled some already) and gets it ready for mixing.Boasting an easy to use virtual mixing deskas well as tricks of the trade such as an 8-slot sampler, bass fade, equalizer and cuemarker, this software provides an edge for

SOFTWARE

Ever wondered how DJs manage toeffortlessly blend one track into another without a change in tempoor pitch? Some with skill, others withso�ware such as Magix’s Digital DJ.

Advertorial

31

ConclusionWith its slew of extra features BitDefender Total Security 2011 goes beyond the call of duty as far as antivirusis concerned. With detailed instructions,simplified menu’s and even video tutorials, this is an antivirus programeven grandpa should be able to use.

One user license costs R499, three forR599 and five for R699.Visit www.holton.co.za for more info orcall them on 011-789-6181.[JK]

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DJs in the making.One of Digital DJ’s strongest features is the inclusion of the Mufin engine which scanstracks stored on your playlist to determinewhich songs will work best together. This allows the DJ to easily create playlists without combing through every song beforehand, while also providing on thespot assistance in picking a song that willkeep the mood. Another feature which wefound useful was the Automix Mode, enabling the busy DJ to set the playlist toautopilot while he takes a break . MagixDigital DJ is available from Edumall(www.edumall.co.za) for R549.


4 TB. Storage the hum

an brain is capable of.

33techsmart.co.za l December 2010

Wiley Publishing

If you are still a bit “rusty” with thenew Office 2010 office suite, the 4th

edition of Office 2010 for Dummies willget you up to speed on all the newfacets, allowing you to use the softwareto its full extent. The book teaches youthe basics of Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Outlook and Access, progressing to themore advanced features once you’ve mastered them. True to the Dummies series it is written in plain language,

making hay of technological jargon. RRP: R240

Office 2010 for Dummies - 4th edition

Wiley PublishingBusiness NLP for Dummies-1st Edition

With a winning mindset anything ispossible and Business NLP for

Dummies teaches you how to achievejust that. With the use of Neuro- linguistic Programming in the business environment you will learn how to establish and build rapport, make positive changes to your life and accomplish all the goals you have set foryourself. The book will teach you in easyand clear language how to transform

your team’s performance for a better and more driven business environment. RRP: R195.

Both these titles are available from Intersoft on 08600-26657 or 08600-BOOKS.

BOOKS

Books from Intersoft TechSmart.co.za online poll results

Not likely – it did not happen when 30%Cell C entered the market. No ways – we will still be charged 30% over our heads! We will have to wait and see. 21%For sure, just watch the next couple of months! 14%8ta? That is Trevor Noah’s new show right? 5%

Do you think Telkom’s 8ta service will leadto overall lower cellular bills?

Facebook: http://tiny.cc/TSFB Twitter: @TechSmartMagNewsletter: http://tiny.cc/tsnews

FOLLOW US

Remember: All the products in our Top 5 features are reviewed in full online!

As per usual there is a lot more to find over atwww.techsmart.co.za, SA’s top tech site.

On www.techsmart.co.za this month

Should sport/lifestyle brands get involved with tech? Read our reviewof the PUMA phone to find out:http://bit.ly/pumareview

How small can projectors go? Wecheck out Acer’s smartphone sizedC20 LED Projector:http://bit.ly/acerpico

techsmart.co.za12

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18.5" LCD Monitor R89919" LCD Wall Mountable R99921.5" LCD Monitors R1499

Peripherals

DDR3 1024MB R349DDR3 2048MB R659Transcend 1GB PC400 R427

MSI N270 10.1"NetbookCPU: Intel Atom270N 1.6Ghz RAM: 1024MB DDR2 Memory HDD: 160GB SATA 5400RPM HarddriveScreen Size: 10.1" LED TFT Other: Intel 802.11 b/g Wireless LANBluetooth, Windows XP Home, 1.3MPWebcam w/ Mic, 3 in 1Card Reader

WK335EAHDD: 160GB7200RPMCPU: Intel Celeron T3000 2.20 GHz RAM: 1GB DDR3 1 DIMMScreen size: 15.6" Brightview HD LCD Other: DVD +/-RW DL SupermultiLightscribe, MS Windows 7 Home BasicEdition, Bluetooth is built in, Built-inWebcam & Carry Case included.

WT020ESHDD: 320GB 7200RPMCPU: Intel Celeron T3000 1.80 GHz RAM: 2GB DDR3 1 DIMMOptical: DVD +/-RW DL SupermultiLightscribeScreen size: 15.6"Other: 15.6" Brightview HD LCD, MSWindows 7 Home BasicEdition Built-in Webcam

Memory

Monitors

Netbooks

Desk Ready PCs

GAMINGGAMING CASE 600W PSUINTEL CHIPSET H55INTEL CORE I3 540 3.06GHz2 X 2048MB DDR33.5" SATA 1TB HDD22X DVD WRITERKEYBOARD AND MOUSE

CELERONBLACK AND SILVER HANDLE 450WCASE l INTEL CHIPSET G31 1333FSBM CELERON 430 1.8GHZ l DDR2 PC-800 1024MB MEMORY l 250GBSATA 3.5" HDD 8M l SAMSUNG 22XDVD WRITER

E & OE, While stocks last

DUAL COREBLACK AND SILVER HANDLE 450W CASE l INTELCHIPSET G31 1333FSB M lE5400 DUAL CORE 2.7GHZ800MHZ l DDR2 PC-8001024MB MEMORY 500GBSATA 3.5" HDD 8M lSAMSUNG 22X DVDWRITER

R4999

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MINIX 10" M1100NetbookRAM: 2GB DDR2HDD: 160GB5400RPMCPU: Intel AtomN450 1.66 GHz Screen size: 10.0" LCD Other: 1.3M Pixel Webcam,802.11b/b/n wireless technology,Keyboard skin and ScreenCleaner cloth included. R2499

R2999

NotebooksHP Compaq Notebook 620

8x DVD Writer Trancend R449Slim Portable USB Black

Tv Tuner – with FM + Remote R189USB TV Box + Remote R189USB Internet TV + Radio Player R129USB TV Stick with Remote R249USB TV Stick + FM And Remote R269PCI: 10/100 LAN Card R55PCI: 2 Channel S-ATA Card + 1 R175PCI: 2 Serial + 1 Parallel R159PCI: 5 USB Ports (4ext/1int) R132PCI: Add On :E-Sata Card R175PCI: ATA 133 Controller Card R156PCI: PCMCIA Port Card (G3) R199PCI: Wireless LAN Card 54MBPS R137PCMCIA To Express Card/34 R879PCMCIA: 10/100 LAN Card R169PCMCIA: 4 Port USB Card R179PCMCIA: Serial Port Card R239PCMCIA: TV Card with R375FM + RemotePCMCIA: Wireless LAN Card 54mbR189Metallic Body Web Camera + mic R75Microsoft Lifecam Vx800 R189USB Webcam R45

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450 Watt Power Supply R159650 Watt Power Supply R629800 Watt Power Supply R759

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Media Players Docking Stations

Microsoft ProductsMicrosoft Wired Desktop 500 R199Keyboard and mouseMicrosoft Lifechat LX1000 R145HeadphoneMicrosoft LX2000 R199HeadphonesMicrosoft Wireless Notebook R225Optical Mouse Microsoft Compact R109Optical MouseMicrosoft LifeCam VX800 R149

• Compatible with 2.5"/3.5" SATAhard drive

• Hot-Swap capability for rapidHDDs access & exchange

• One Touch Backup(OTB) function• Integrates All-In-1 card reader• Integrates 2 USB ports• Data transfer speed• USB2.0: up to 480Mb/s• eSATA: up to 3Gb/s• Plug & Play• LED indicator• Dimension: 16.5cm X 11.5cm X

10.5cm

Docking Station Single R229HDD bay

Docking Station Single R299HDD bay with Card Reader

Docking Station Double R389HDD bay with Card Reader

Stand alone Media Players.No PC required, just plug in yourflash drive or External HDD andwatch your media on your TV.

2.5" HDD Enclosure R479 Full HD Media PlayerFull HD: 1080pInput: USB Flash, USB External HDDOutput: HDMI, AV

FULL HD Media Player R449Full HD: 1080pInput: USB Flash, SD, USB ExternalOutput: HDMI, AV

Media Player Compact R349Definition: 720pInput: USB Flash, SD, USB ExternalHDD Output: AV and YPbPr

2.5" HDD Enclosure R279 Media Player Definition: 720pInput: USB Flash, SD, USB ExternalHDD Output: VGA, AV, 5.1Ch Sound

Media Player R249Definition: 576pInput: USB Flash, SD, USB ExternalHDD Output: AV and YPbPr

5200AGP-256MB R469DDR1 128B-ZOTAC8400GS-256MB R30964B DDR2-GALAXY VGA+DVI PCI-E low profile8400GS-512MB R35964B-GALAXY PCI-E LOW PROFILE8600GT-512MB R959128B-INNO3D GEFORCE 210 512MB R449DDR3-GALAXY, /CRT/DVI/HDMI/Cooling Fan/PCIGEFORCE 9800GT 512MB R1089DDR3-GALA, W/HDMI/VGA/DVI/Cooling Fan/PCIGEFORCE GT220 1GB R749DDR2-GALAXY, W/CRT/DVI/HDMI/Cooling Fan/PCIGEFORCE 8400GS 1GB R445DDR2-GALAXY, 64bitGEFORCE 9500GT 1GB R559DDR2 W/CRT/DVI/C, PCI-EGEFORCE 9800GT 1GB R1239DDR3 GALAXY WCRT/DVI/HDMI PCI-EGEFORCE FX5500 256MB R549DDR 128BIT, GALAXYW/TV/DVI, Cooling Fan AGP8XGEFORCE GT220 1GB R789DDR3 W/CRT/DVI/HD, Cooling Fan/PCI-EGEFORCE GTS250 1GB R1799DDR3 GALAXY, WCRT/DVI/HDMI/PCI-EGEFORCE GTX465 1024MB R2849DDR5 256BIT W Mini HDMI/Cooling Fan/PCI-E, FLIGEFORCE GTX470 1280MB R3249DDR5 320BIT W Mini HDMI/Cooling Fan/PCI-EGEFORCE GTX480 1536MB R4999DDR5 384BIT W Mini HDMI/COOLING FAN/PCI-EHD 4650 FAN R639HDMI 1GB Dual LINK-DVI/VGA/HDMI PCLE, with gameHD 4850 ATI RADEON R1249Hightech ICEQ 4 FULL HD 1080PGDDR3 DUA LINK-DVI/VGA/HDMI(HDCP) PCLE with gameHD 4870 ATI RADEON R2619Hightech , ICEQ 4+ FULL HD 1080PHDMI 1GBDUAL DL-DVI&TV PCIE,with gameHD 4890 ATI RADEON R2219GR. Card Hightech, fan turbo 900MHZfull HD 1080P 3.9 GBPS GDDR5 dualDL-DVI & TV with gameHD 5970 HDMI 2GB R6769GDDR5 DIRECT X 11/EYEFINITY/fullHD DL-DVI/MINI DISPLAY PORT PCIE HIS HD 5830 GR. CARD 1GB R2659DDR5 ICooler native HDMI 1GBGDDR5 DL-DVI/displayport/HDMI/PCIE modern warfare limited edition of duty gamesHIS HD 5850 iCooler V Turbo R3099Native HDMI 1GB (256bit) GDDR5 DualDL-DVI / Display Port / HDMI / PCIewith game MW2

PC Medic ›› First aid for your PC

Heya PC Medic. I recently boughta new laptop and use prepaid cel-

lular internet at home via a USBmodem to connect. Problem is my databundle gets chewed up extremelyquickly. I’m really not even surfing thatmuch and mostly doing email. Any advice? Eugene Rayners

PC Medic (PCM): Hey Eugene. Myguess is that your PC is still down-

loading automatic updates for Windows7. You can click on the “Start” button,and then on “All Programs”. Next clickon “Windows Update” and in the leftpane click on “Change settings”. Select“Turn off Automatic Updates” and click“OK”. This will prevent large updatesbeing downloaded automatically, but remember these updates can be veryimportant for security, so if youcan update somewhere where it’s lesscostly, best to do so.

Hi PCM. I have heard that Windows 7 utilises a portion of

one’s hard drive space with its hibern ation file. Since I never use

sleep, I was wondering how I can turnthis off? Ryan van Wyk

PCM: Heita Ryan. Click on the“Start” button and select “Run”.

Then type REGEDIT and press enter.Under “HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE” select “SYSTEM”, then “CurrentControlSet”, then “Control”and lastly “Power”. Under “Power”set both HibernateEnabled as well as HiberFileSizePerfect to zero.

It is said that he persuaded the Beatles to put their music on iTunes and thathe did all the IT planning for the International Space Station in less than 30minutes. The PC Medic is here to answer some of your tech related queries.

Q

Q

A

A

connections to spreaddata processing choresbetween them. Inother words, largepools of systems linkedtogether. It is expectedthat in a connected future all local

processes currently handled by your PC, such as storage andprocessing, will be handled by the cloud.

DRM

DRM stands for digital rights management and it’s a term for

access control technologies used by copyright holders to limit the usage ofcertain digital content or devices. It isused mainly as a counter-piracy initiative.DRM started to appear in PC games a fewyears ago with titles such as Spore andRed Alert 3 utilising it. In gaming DRMusually limits the number of times agame can be installed through online authentication. Some MP3’s downloadedfrom legitimate sites also come with DRMprotection, meaning the person that haspaid for the track will only be able to play

ANSI Lumen

ANSI Lumen isa standardised

method of measuring thebrightness level ofdata projectors. ANSI simply stands for the American National Standards Institute, similar toour SABS. The rating system uses several measurements taken across the face ofthe light source to calculate the projector’s brightness level. A small roomwill typically require a 200 or 300 ANSILumen projector whereas a large roommay require between 400 and 600. Projectors used for large halls require abrightness level of 2000 ANSI lumen ormore.

Cloud computing

Cloud computing roughly refers to web-based processing, in other words,

processing tasks are handled over the in-ternet rather than relying on local pro-cessing on your PC or servers. Cloudcomputing networks are usually largegroups of servers using specialised

Jargon Busters ›› Fighting tech jargon so you don’t have to


» Tips for Windows 7:

Creating a new folder shortcutWhile you are working within Windows 7Explorer, you do not need to use yourmouse in order to create a new folder byright clicking as you would normally do.You can simply press Ctrl+Shift+N tocreate the folder in the active Explorerwindow, then type its name as usual.

Browse your tasksYou can browse the open taskbar bypressing the Windows key and T, in

GETTING SMART WITH TECHNOLOGY

order to view and switch between active windows andprograms. You can just employ thearrow keys to switch between them.

Quick searchIf you want to quickly search for info onsomething within a Windows Explorerwindow, just press F3 to open thesearch box. Then type in the term(s)you’re looking for and press Enter to runthe search.

We continue our series of jargon busting explanations this month as wetry to explain some of the more confusing tech terms you might comeacross.

it on a limited number of devices. The useof DRM has been a contentious issue withsome consumers claiming that if you’vebought something there should be no restrictions on how you are able to use it.Nokia Music Store has recently gone DRMfree.

Nanometre (nm)

Ananometre is a unit of length in themetric system equal to one billionth of

a metre. In tech it is a measurement commonly used in semiconductor manufacturing. As technological advancement increases, so components incomputer systems become smaller andsmaller, enabling designers to make morepowerful components of the same size.Currently the most advanced process available on the market is the 32 nm design process, which came into being in2009. The Intel Core i3, i5 and i7 processors are built on the 32 nm process.The next technological step will be progressing to 22 nm, and it is expected tohappen sometime during 2011.

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No one knows your business better than you do! Using our15 years of Internet, wireless and networking experience,we work very closely with clients to create and manage secure and reliable backhaul links and Internet solutions,enabling customers to maximise IT infrastructure.

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1 Incredibox www.incredibox.fr

This quirky site allowsyou to create

customised music by mixing different sound effects, voices and instruments together. Thecatch being that sounds arevisually represented asslightly bored guys standing

in line to make the different sounds assignedto them. Through addingnew instruments, soundsand vocals to your tune the number of guys on screenwill increase, later creatinga chorus line of sound effect spewing individuals.

Web Time Wasters

4 Eyes on the solar system http://bit.ly/8Xtca3

Eyes on the solar system isa 3D representation of the

solar system filled with information on NASA missiondata. The program was developed by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory and Caltech and, after a quickdownload (3.1 MB), enablesusers to explore the solar

system in a myriad of interestingways. You can fly alongside the Voyager 2 space probe, replayEPOXI’s closest approach tocomet Hartley 2 or even go backin time to watch the launch andflight of the Cassini spacecraft onits epic seven year journey toSaturn. Truly a wonderful website for astronomy buffs.

1 3 42

INTERNET

2 ADrive www.adrive.com

ADrive.com is a site similarto DropBox in that it allows

users to save and access theirpersonal data online. The siteclaims to offer one of thelargest free storage andbackup spaces on the internet,with users getting a whopping50 GB of space to do with asthey please. Through ADrive

users can upload and sharefiles online while all your fileswill be stored in the cloud,meaning they can be accessed from any computerwith an internet connection.Documents can be edited online – a handy feature tohave in case of a documentediting emergency.

3 Regretsy www.regretsy.com

Regretsy.com is a blog thatfocuses on exposing all the

funniest, weirdest and outrightcreepiest wares that people tryto hawk over at Etsy.com.Etsy is a well-known sitewhere people can sell theirown creations to others, be ita painting, novelty clock, or

basically anything they canthink of. Regretsy archives thestrangest wares on the site ina humorous collection that willleave you suspended in disbelief at the stupid thingspeople will try to (and oftendo) sell over the internet.[Contains some profanities)]


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Competition runs from 1 – 31 December 2010

Print only the pages youneed, not the whole documentTips from Lexmark for those of us lookingto improve our printing practices, for the

benefit of the environment.

Did you know? 1 in 6 pages printed in the workplace are neverused! Let’s protect the planet together. Let’s stop printing waste!

Want to win Lexmark’s excellent INTERACT 3-in-1 printer?

How? Join our Facebook page(http://tiny.cc/tsfb) and comment on anyof our daily postings. The best commentwins the Lexmark! This month’s winner is Porcha Jacobs who commented onTelkom 8ta’s new contract packages:

“Don’t be so quick to feel dis 8ta, it might just surpriseus!!!!! (Thumbs up) go for it 8ta!!!!”

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Win this excellent Billion Homeplug bundleworth R1600

Competition runs from 1 – 31 December 2010

COMPETITIONS24. H

ours of video uploaded to YouTube every minute. 1700. Years you w

ill spend watching every single video.

ECO NEWS

Woolworths ops for greenertrucks

Local retailer Woolworths is one of ahandful of global companies that is

piloting the ecoFridge refrigeration system on its trucks. This solutionutilises no moving parts and thus is amuch quieter transport refrigeration system, operating at zero decibels.It also allows for multiple temperaturezones to be accurately maintained withinthe same truck. More importantly, itmakes use of naturally occurring nitrogen instead of diesel, meaning theunits can eliminate between 24 – 30tons of CO2 for every Woolworths truckeach year.

Facebook goes green

The world’s most popular social network has unveiled its Green on

Facebook page, through which it is aiming to educate its users around issues of environmental awareness. Thecompany also revealed that it has joinedthe likes of Microsoft, Sony, AMD and HPin becoming a member of the Digital Energy Solutions Campaign (DESC). Thelatter is a non-profit coalition of ICTcompanies and trade groups, aiming todrive sustainable economic growth viaenergy efficiency and the use of cleanenergy innovations across every sectorof the economy.

Panasonic invests in green

Japanese electronics manufacturer Panasonic has announced that it will be

investing $30 million (around R203 million) in Tesla Motors, an American carmanufacturer best known for its electricluxury sports cars (started by SouthAfrican Elon Musk who also made a briefcameo in Iron Man 2).This agreement willsee Panasonic purchasing Tesla commonstock at $21.15 per share, amounting toa stake of approximately. 2% in the company. Panasonic, which also makesbattery cells and packs for a range ofelectric vehicles, is aiming to become the number one Green Innovation Companyin the electronics sector by 2018 to coincide with its centenary. [HD]

Worm poop fertilises companies’ profits:http://tiny.cc/wormprofits

The promotion of biofuels to Europe’sfarmers will accelerate climate change:http://tiny.cc/fuel4thought

Nutrients and clean drinkable waterfrom sewage waste streams:http://tiny.cc/sewage2H20

» Other interesting stuff

Eco News

Low pressure system

Definitive proof: chocolate is good foryou (as if you could ever have

wondered). Scientists write in a recentissue of the Journal of CardiovascularPharmacology that eating a chunk ofdark, cocoa-rich chocolate can markedlyreduce blood pressure. Sixteen healthy,non-smoking volunteers were asked toeach eat 75 g of unsweetened chocolatewith a 72% cocoa content. Blood samples were taken half an hour beforethey started nibbling, and then half anhour, an hour and three hours after theyhad eaten. Activity of the enzyme acetylcholine, which is involved in raisingblood pressure, was markedly lowerthree hours after having eaten thechocolate. The results show that lifestylediseases may adequately be controlledby food choices.

Spot check

Aspotty coat can be a handy thing –especially for a leopard. According to

an article in a recent issue of the Proceedings of the Royal Society B,some wild cats’ patterns help to keepthem camouflaged. Researchersanalysed the markings on the bodies of35 cat species using a mathematicalmodel. The results showed that thosewho roam in dense habitats or hide intrees usually have detailed and irregularpatterns such as spots to keep themfrom being seen. But this is usually thecase for cats with a very specific huntingground. Others, like panthers andjaguars, which can hunt equally well invarious environments, tend to be a single colour to give them camouflage advantage against as many backgroundsas possible. That’s what we call spot onresearch.

The spirit of giving

Giving is in your genes it seems. According to a recent study in Social,

Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience, adifference in a single component of agene involved in regulating the brain’sresponse to dopamine may direct yourwillingness to give. Scientists took cheekswabs from 100 volunteers, asked themto participate in a difficult memorisingtask and then paid each €5 for their efforts. Volunteers could then either taketheir earnings home or donate as muchas they wanted to a charity. People witha specific variant of the gene for an enzyme that significantly inactivates thefeel-good brain messenger dopaminegave twice as much of their money away.The findings support the idea that truecharity does not feel good because itmakes the giver feel good. What betterway to start the festive season? [LP]

A journey into Dark Matter:http://bit.ly/darkjourney

Cats use cunning physics to lap milk:http://bit.ly/catdrinking

SCI NEWS

» Other interesting stuff

Sci News

How reading rewires the brain:http://bit.ly/brainonbooks


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Chinese handset and modemmanufacturer Huawei ispoised to provide the SA cellphone market with a number of well-priced devices.Here are some of their bestbuys for the holiday season


HuaweiG6600■ Quick specs: HSPA Downlink 7.2Mbps/ Uplink 5.76Mbps, Plug n Play

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HuaweiU8230■ Quick specs:• 3.5" capacitive touch-

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connectivity• 3.2 MP auto-focus Camera • 3G video calling• Trackball for easy, quick

navigation

• Stylish & slim candybardesign

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email• Social networking

integration with Facebook, Twitter

• FM Radio with FMRadio Record

■ Get it from:

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HuaweiG6620■ Quick specs:

• Vibrant Candybar Design• QWERTY keyboard• Instant Messenger &

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• FM Radio with FM RadioRecord

* Prices include the purchase of a starter pack from the relevant network and are subject to instore activation.

■ Get it from:

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HOLIDAYBEST BUYS


HOLIDAY BEST BUYS : PHASE 2

Love your iPhone so much you wantto make the jump to another Apple

product? The MacBook should be a safebet. With NVIDIA GeForce 9400Mgraphics, a fast Intel Core 2 Duoprocessor and access to Apple’s iLifeaward-winning suite of digital lifestyleapplications, you can’t go wrong withthis 13” beauty.

Black notebook bags – how utterlydrab, lifeless and soul sucking. At

least there are companies like Canyonwho do something different. Take theirKickflip range of notebook bags that lookstreet-smart and fancy-free, ready toface yet another day’s onslaught fromthe concrete jungle. With two compartments and several extra pocketsfor high-tech bits and bobs.

Sporting the same colourful graffitidesign as its Kickflip notebook bag

stable mate, Canyon’s Railwhip pilot-style earphones makes a statementagainst being boring.

It features in-line volume control,good bass and decent sound quality.And with nicely padded earcups yourears won’t hurt, except when you crankthat volume to 10.

■ Get all these products from Phase2 Computers on 011-444-2347. All prices exclude VAT.

Apple MacbookCanyon Kickflip notebook bag

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HOLIDAY BEST BUYS : TECHNET

With such a large amount of movies and music goinground as digital content, finding a way to play that

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Looking for a quick and hassle-free way to clone one harddrive to another? The All in One HDD Docking Station

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1080P HD media player enclosureAll in One HDD Docking Station

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EA is giving away some awesome Xmas titles! Go to www.techsmart.co.za to win:Medal of Honor • 2x PS3, 1x Xbox 360FIFA 11• 1x PS3, 1x PC, 1x Xbox 360Go enter now!

EA Super Holiday Giveaway

Visit www.techsmart.co.za for more info. Competition runs from1 – 31 December 2010. Prizes sponsored by EA.

We have 2x Xbox 360 and 2x PS3 copies of WWE Smackdownvs. Raw 2011 to give away courtesy of SterKinekor Entertainment, plus special merchandise prizes. All you need to dois go to www.techsmart.co.za to enter today.

Win the most explosive arcadefighting title this year!

Competition runs from 1 – 31 December 2010. Prizes sponsored bySterKinekor Entertainment.

COMPETITIONS2300. Transistors on the first general-purpose m

icroprocessor in 1970. 560 million. Transistors on new

Intel Core processors.

GAMES

Story

The campaign in Black Ops continuesthe COD style of in-your-face blood,

action, guts, glory and explosions. Thestory this time around moves awayfrom the modern battleground, insteadtaking a gander back into the murkypast of Cold War secret operations.

And Black Ops doesn’t mess around,

players are thrown head-first into thegame’s electrifying campaign and onceit starts there’s no letting up. The campaign takes players on a veritableworld tour from assassination missionsin Cuba to Russian prison camps to thebug infested jungles of Vietnam.

Throughout the missions players aregreeted with over-the-top action, brutalone-on-one encounters and an intensestoryline filled with the kind of intrigueconspiracy theorist’s dreams are made of.


» The Bad

Single-handedly shooting down a Russian Soyuz rocket.

Still bugs Treyarchneeds to exterminate.

» The Good

The latest game boasts one of thelargest rosters yet, featuring over 70

WWE Superstars (both past and present), with the character models alllooking superb and as close to their reallife counterparts as possible. Adding tothe realistic feel is the top notch presentation mimicking the TV shows’

antics. During the Road to WrestleManiastory mode for example, you can strutround the locker area, talk trash withfellow wrestlers or more importantlystart the odd spontaneous locker roombrawl.

Controls and gameplayWhen you actually do enter the ring,you’ll find that the control scheme iseasy to pick up, enabling you to easily

bash, taunt or throw your opponent overthe top ropes at the flick of the analoguestick or press of a button.

All the various match types from theWWE 2 universe are on offer within thegame including Hell in a Cell, TLC (tables, ladders and chairs) as well asthe ever popular Royal Rumble. A new

addition to this series sees the gameplayscenario change based on your decisionswhile playing. You will get to form alliances/ rivalries with other wrestlers,allowing for frequent match-upswith/against them, both inside as wellas outside the ring. This adds a nice dynamic to the game and allows for awelcome departure from the usualstraightforward fighting.

Those dreaming of becoming a WWE

WWE is one of the most watched shows on television and the gamefranchise is no exception, having sold in excess of 50 million units globally. Smackdown vs. Raw 2011 enters the ring looking to becomearcade fighting games world champ.

» The Bad

Matching up WWE legendBret Hart and currentWWE superstar Batista.

Story mode camera angles and dubbing effect on vocals aren’t thebest.

“you can strut round the locker area, talk trashwith fellow wrestlers or more importantly startthe odd spontaneous locker room brawl”

WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2011 ›› The other fight club

wrestler can also construct their ownNacho Libre virtually, with WWE 2011sporting new creation upgrades such asthe ability to Create-a-Finisher movefrom off the turnbuckle.

Final WordWWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2011 mightnot be as challenging to play as fightingsimulators such as EA Sports MMA, butit is a lot more entertaining and betterpresented. Teaming up with otherwrestlers also adds an interesting newdimension to the usual rough and tumble action. [HD]

» The Good

Call of Duty (COD) is the undisputed king of the first person shooter (FPS) genre,evident by the fact that the sales records the franchise keeps on breaking tend to be the ones the previous COD set the year before.

Call of Duty: Black Ops ›› There’s a soldier in all of us

PresentationTreyarch really went all out for BlackOps. With beautifully detailed mapsand weapons, realistic character models and all manner of bells andwhistles, it’s definitely a looker. Thegame performs well on the audio sideas well, delivering a heart poundingsoundtrack and Hollywood voice talent.

MultiplayerAs with all COD games, multiplayer iswhat stands out most at the end of theday. With new wager matches that letsplayers gamble COD points to see who’llfinish in the top three to fun new gamemodes in the form of Gun Game, One inthe Chamber, Sharp Shooter and Sticksand Stones, every COD fan will havesomething to play. Standard multiplayermodes also remain, with Black Opsadding a bunch of new kill-streaks fromexploding RC cars to vicious packs of

attack dogs, one of the most fun waysto dispatch of your friends.

ConclusionBlack Ops sticks to its guns for the mostpart, delivering a prime COD experience.In addition it adds so much on top – fromnew multiplayer modes to the insanezombie modes – it feels like you’re buying three games in one, definitely theshooter of the year in our books. [JK]

“Players are greeted with over-the-top action,brutal encounters and an intense storyline...”

$5.5

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While Fable III’sbasic layout

and play-style uses a lot ofrole-playing game (RPG) staples, it’s the game’s storyand continuity that sets it apartfrom the rest. With an immersive (and humorous)

storyline brilliantly acted out by top British actorsalongside a timeline that sees you actually becoming King or Queen of Albion, Fable III offers a lot more than is apparent at first glance. We said online: “A highly enjoyable new fantasyadventure through the kingdom of Albion.” Full review: http://bit.ly/fabiii

DICE’s Battlefield: BadCompany 2 had its share

of niggles, but it got the mostcrucial part of the equationright, that is, being fun. It’shard to convey in words theenjoyment one gets fromblasting a tank with an RPG,conducting crazy flyingshenanigans in Apache gunships or ploughing over

your enemies in a Russian T72 main battletank. Bad Company 2 offered gamers whatthey wanted – awe inspiring destruction. Utilising a revised Frostbite engine the titlesported almost fully destructible environments,creating a great sense of fear and realism asthat wall you were just hiding behind getsblown to smithereens.We said online: “One of the best FPS gameswe’ve played thus far. Highly recommended.”Full review: http://bit.ly/batbc2

FEATURE

FABLE III

BATTLEFIELD: BADCOMPANY 2

The swansong of the Halo series, Halo: Reach was

Bungie’s final adventure in theSci-Fi world which inspired anentire gaming culture. As playerstook on the role of Spartan warrior Noble Six, they experienced something different

from the lone cowboy gun-slinging of Master Chief.In Reach teamwork played a much bigger role,and we were treated to some amazing scenes ofSpartan teamwork (and butt kicking). With amemorable campaign that showed us the darkerside of Halo, to a multiplayer experience as addictive as ever, Halo: Reach impressed throughout.We said online: “Halo Reach is a worthy end tothe legendary series.” Full review: http://bit.ly/lasthalo

HALO: REACH

Roaches, infesters, stalkers andmarines, these are just a few of the

units doing battle online right now inBlizzard’s latest real-time strategy (RTS)masterpiece, Starcraft II. After havinggamers wait twelve years for a sequel,

Blizzard had a lot to live up to with Starcraft II butsomehow the game managed to improve on almostevery conceivable front. With an awe-inspiring singleplayer campaign, a ton of custom maps and a multiplayer mode that makes crack addiction look

like child’s play, Starcraft II is set to stay at the top of the RTS scene for along time to come. For Aiur!We said online: “Starcraft II gives RTS fans more of what they love, ensuring the game’s place in the annals of video game history.” Full review: http://bit.ly/starcii

STARCRAFT II

TOP 5 GAMES OF 2010

The Call of Duty franchise is the first-person shooterseries of today. The games continually set and

break its own sales records as the COD juggernautkeeps steaming forward. Black Ops largely continuedthe series’ winning streak by giving players an immersive new single player experience, hugely updated multiplayer capabilities and of course, newNazi zombie modes. The game was beset by sometechnical issues at launch, especially on the PC

version, but once the dust settles Black Ops is sure to come outas the FPS game of the year. We said online: “Black Ops continues the COD series’ wave ofdestruction bringing new battles, weapons and missions to an

already overflowing shooter experience.” Full review: http://bit.ly/blackopsistops

CALL OF DUTY: BLACK OPS


50.30% and 49.60%

. The respective GPU

market shares for A

MD

and Nvidia during Q

3 2010.

TechSmart 87, Dec 2010, Best Buys Issue

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