If you are anything like me you have quite a few gadgets lying around, most with their own chargers. This means you have a bunch of different cords to plug in, which takes up most of your power strip and just makes a mess of wires and connectors. While there is nothing we can do about all of the chargers that come with these devices there is something you can do about the mess. This is where the IDAPT I3 Universal Desktop charger comes in. It is a simple device that has 1 power connection and allows you to charge up to 3 devices at the same time! Let’s take a look…

Special thanks to IDAPT for providing us with the I3 Universal Desktop Charger to review.

Specifications
AC Input: 85-240 VAC – 2A; 50/60 Hz
- Worldwide compatible
- 3 independent chargers with self-regulating power supply
DC Output: up to 10.5W
Cord length: 1.6m
Dimensions: 110 x 169 x 32mm
Weight: 285g

Features
- Interchangeable tips
- Ecological
- Easy plug
- Ergonomic
- Universal

Packaging
The IDAPT 3 comes in a nice colorful retail box with a picture of the unit in action on the front. On the back there is some information about the device in quite a few languages.

Getting everything out of the box you have the IDAPT I3 unit, power cable, a set of 6 interchangeable tips, and a user’s guide. The 6 interchangeable tips that are included are Nokia 2, iPod-iPhone, Samsung 4, Sony Ericsson 2, microUSB and miniUSB.

We have seen so many different Speeds of DDR3 ram on the market, ranging anywhere from 1066 Mhz to 2400 Mhz. The mid range ram used by most people is the DDR3 1600 Mhz. Crucial graced us with their new and upcoming ram and having seen the speeds of the ram we previously tested, we were eager to see what we could achieve. This new 4GB DDR3 kit features Crucial’s new Ballisitx heatspreaders and onboard temperature sensors and monitoring software, let’s take a look…

Special thanks to Crucial for providing us with the Ballistix DDR3-1600 4GB Dual Channel Memory Kit to review.

Specifications
• Module Size: 4GB kit (2GBx2)
• Package: Ballistix 240-pin DIMM
• Feature: DDR3 PC3-12800
• Specs: DDR3 PC3-12800 • 8-8-8-24 • Unbuffered • NON-ECC • DDR3-1600 • 1.65V • 256Meg x 64 •

Packaging
The packaging for the Crucial Ballistix is your run of the mill clear plastic packaging with slots to hold the ram. Looking at the front of the package you see that it gives you the info of what ram you have along with allowing you to see what the ram looks like. You can see the ram’s heat fins. On the back of the Crucial packaging you see some basic info mostly about the Ballistix and what the Ballistix line is about.

After opening the package you get the Ballistix in a plastic tray holder where the ram is securely held in place. Just pop them out and your ready for installation.

I’m a multi-display guy and I have been for a long time. It is very hard for me to work with just one display. I really like to have my work on one screen and other things like instant messenger, iTunes, and Twitter on the other screen. This is pretty easy to do when you have a desktop system, but what about a laptop. Many people are moving away from desktops and going to a laptop as their main system. I would love to do the same, but I cannot work on a small laptop screen. Well Accell has just the thing for me the UltraAV DisplayPort to DVI Multi-Monitor adapter. This little device will allow you to enjoy multiple monitors from a single DisplayPort output, let’s take a look…

Special thanks to Accell for providing us with the UltraAV DisplayPort to DVI Multi-Monitor Adapter to review.

Features
- Works on a DisplayPort Enabled Windows or Macintosh Computer
- Fully HD Compatible, Supports Resolutions up to 3840×1024*
- No Additional Software to Install, Just Plug-and-Play
- Full Display Performance With Virtually Zero Latency
- Features a USB Powered Design, No Power Adapter Needed

Specifications
• Connectors: Built-in 45” locking DisplayPort cable (to video card) 3 DVI-D Single Link outputs (to monitors)
- DVI cables not included, Built-in USB cable for power. Does not support Dual-Link monitors.
• Typical maximum resolution: 3 monitors @1280×1024 (3840×1024)
• Supported monitor frequency: 60Hz
• DisplayPort 1.1a compliant
• Latency: Near zero
• Approximate dimensions: 6.5″(W) x 4″(L) x 1.5″(H)
• Power: USB powered
Windows PC/Notebook System Requirements
•DisplayPort video card and DVI Single-Link monitors**
•Available USB port
•Microsoft® Windows® 7, Windows Vista™ (32/64bit), Windows XP (32/64bit), Windows Server 2003/2008 (32/64bit), Windows 2000
Macintosh System Requirements
•DisplayPort video card and DVI Single-Link monitors**(note: mini DisplayPort video card requires Mini-DP to DP adapter not included)
•Available USB port
•Mac® OS X v10.4, Mac OS X v10.5, Leopard (32/64bit)
* Please note, features and performance are subject to the capabilities of the computer and graphics solution.
**Recommended: Same type DVI-D Single-Link monitors used, having the same native resolution and 60Hz refresh rate. If different size monitors are used, the adapter will use a resolution common to all 3 monitors.

Package Contents:
• DP to 3x DVI Monitor Adapter
• Instructions

Packaging
The UltraAV comes in a simple retail package that has a picture of the unit on the front and lists some of the features. On the back there is some more information about the device and a few diagrams on how it works.

Opening the package up everything is nicely packed inside. Getting it all out you have the UltraAV device and setup instructions.

Windows 7: Everybody knows that you can right-click any application to launch it as administrator, but what you might not know is there’s an even quicker way you can trigger administrator mode. More

The Griffin is just one of the many awesome cases of IN WIN’s Destiny Series.  This case is aptly named Griffin to convey a sense of the power and strength of the product. In Win has geared the Griffin towards users who want an aesthetically pleasing case along with functionality and decent airflow. They have also added tons of nice features at a great price. Now let’s take a look at the INWIN Griffin and see if the right case for you.

Special thanks to IN WIN for providing us with the Griffin Case to review.

Specifications

Packaging
The Griffin comes in the standard box but the cardboard was thick, making the box pretty sturdy compared to other case boxes. On one side of the box there is a black illustration of the case. The other side has a decorative logo with the name of the case.

Upon opening up the box the case is nicely protected by 2 large pieces of Styrofoam.   There is also a plastic bag wrapped around the computer case.

We reviewed our first SandForce-based solid state drive about a month ago and since then the SandForce drives we have checked out have either been 120 or 128GB drives.  While these are nice drives many people still cannot afford them.  Today we will be looking at a 60GB drive that is based on the SandForce controller.  The 60GB size is perfect for most systems as you can fit most of your programs and operating system on the drive then just use a regular SATA drive for all your media and other things.  The 60GB size is also great for upgrading your laptop’s hard drive.  Let’s check out the G.Skill Phoenix Pro 60GB Solid State Drive.

Special thanks to G.Skill for providing us with the Phoenix Pro 60GB Solid State Drive to review.

Specifications

Packaging
The Phoenix Pro comes in very nice colorful packaging that is not much larger than the drive itself.  On the back there is some information about the drive and a list of specifications.

Opening the drive up everything is nicely packed inside.  You will find the Phoenix Pro 60GB solid state drive, drive adapter, mounting screws, and a user’s guide.  Once again it is nice to see companies including the drive adapter.  While many new cases have 2.5-inch drive solutions most cases even ones released this year do not.

At the end of last year week took a look at one of ASRock’s first nettop the ION 330HT, which was built around Intel’s Atom processor.  With the release of Intel’s Core processors ASRock rebuilt their nettop series around this new architecture.  These new nettops bring more processing power, full native 1080p playback, 7.1-channel HD audio, 802.11n wireless networking, and USB 3.0 support.  We will be looking at the Core 100HT today which features an Intel Core i3-330M processor, 4GB of DDR3 memory, a 500GB hard drive and a SuperMulti optical drive.  Let’s take a look and see if the Core 100HT is perfect for your home theater setup.

Special thanks to ASRock for providing us with the Core 100HT Nettop to review.

Packaging
The Core 100HT comes in a nice colorful retail package.  On the front there is a picture of both black and white versions of the nettop.  On the side of the package you have all of your system specific specifications.

Opening the box up everything inside is nicely protected.  Inside you will find the Core 100HT nettop, power adapter, MCE remote, HDMI to DVI adapter, SATA cable, internal molex power connector, extra screws, an Intel case badge, getting started guide and software and driver CD’s.

It’s been just over 1.5 years since I reviewed my first Intel X58 motherboard.  I still consider the LGA 1366 Core i7 processor coupled with the X58 Express chipset an awesome combination, and just has to be that much better with the new six-core Core i7 980x Extreme.  I haven’t had the opportunity to try one of those yet, though the price has dropped to $1K, it is still a little out of my hardware budget.  Actually a lot out of my hardware budget.

Though well equipped, including Asus’ TurboV, Asus Express gate, and Asus EPU6, among many other features, that first Asus X58 motherboard I had, the P6T, has become a little dated, especially compared to Asus’ newer motherboards.  The P6T had 8+2 phase voltage regulating, Asus has since improved on that with other boards.  And both USB3 and SATA 6Gb/s has been released since the P6T was released.

So to bring the venerable X58 up to date, Asus has released a couple of new X58 boards.  Today I will be looking at the Asus P6X58D-E motherboard, a new Asus board sporting 16+2 phase power, true USB3 and SATA 6Gb/s, and support for the Intel Bloomfield processor and Microsoft Windows 7.  Read on to check out the Asus P6X58D-E motherboard!

Packaging
The P6X58D-E comes in a sleeved box which generally means it is towards the “Deluxe” level of Asus’ product line.  The color scheme follows their 2010 Intel pattern, a blue sky with a few indiscernible clouds motif.  Of course there is a large amount of features and specs here.

Inside, the board is separated from the accessories by a cardboard divider.  As always, the board is protected in one of Asus’ static free bags.

Microsoft has opened up a beta test of Windows 7 SP1, but only if you’re willing to sign on as an IT manager or professional. It’s not all that different from Microsoft’s normal course of action—corporate and IT go first, then consumers—but it’s actually a bit more open than normal, not requiring a TechNet subscription or the like. Microsoft goes out of its way to warn consumers off downloading the beta, as it “does not provide new end-user features.” At best, there might be some Wi-Fi and Bluetooth improvements, and maybe Bluetooth 3.0 inside, but if you’re really, truly eager to try out the service pack, before the anticipated public release later this month, you know where to look. More