| Big screens for little prices
They're all new and cool, but for me, the most important trend in personal computing is the affordability of wide-screen LCD monitors.
For substantially less than $500, you can snag a 22-inch display that would have cost at least several times that much just a year or two ago. Heck, a 20-inch model that was $1,000 can now grace your desktop for about $300.
These are even bigger price cuts than we've seen in plasma and LCD televisions, which are all the rage with home-theater lovers.
I tested 22-inch models from Lenovo and HP in tandem with desktop computers priced about $1,000 apart and aimed at different users.
The Lenovo D221 monitor ($329) is enclosed in a black frame and mounted on a steady metal base. It is a marked upgrade from the 17-inch model, and one that bargain hunters might be inclined to pair with the Lenovo 3000J computer ($499 as tested).
KISS THAT CHEAP FLAT SCREEN TV GOODBYE
Kick yourself - hard - if you didn't buy that $990 Westinghouse 37-inch, 1080p LCD TV back in December. Unfortunately, industry watchers say this year's Super Bowl TV deals probably won't be as juicy as those holiday blowout bargains. Since Super Bowl is the most-watched television event of the year, it's regularly a big driver of new television purchases, according to the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA). -CNNMoney
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Review: Autumnwave OnAir GT USB HDTV Tuner
Don't let its size fool you. Just plugging this sleek, miniscule tuner into your laptop's USB port can transform your humdrum mobile rig into an HDTV-pilfering powerhouse. The GT works by pulling HDTV signals out of the air and playing them back in their full resolution glory. The cost of free isn't cheap though—the GT receives crystal clear HDTV signal in large cities, but gets sketchy out in the boondocks. A flimsy remote and clunky software are also disappointing given the GT's otherwise superstar performance. Although it wouldn't replace a traditional HDTV setup at home, this inexpensive tuner is an awesome addition to your travel arsenal. – Terrence Russell WIRED Lightweight. USB power makes unit truly mobile. Receives old-school analog and unencrypted cable signals. Offers both timeshifting and live pause.
Get a Better HDTV Picture
That HDTV looks great in your living room, and you'll be able to see every moment in crisp detail as the Colts and the Bears clash on Super Bowl Sunday. But are you getting the best color out of your set? We told you about ColorVision's inexpensive color calibrators for PC monitors in December's 53 Hardware Secrets, along with other PC and graphics tips. Now ColorVision has come out with a color calibrator for HDTVs. The $229 ColorVision Datacolor SpyderTV supports plasmas, LCDs, DLPs, and rear-projection sets. The combination hardware and software product analyzes your set's image output and guides you through making the adjustments so you can get the best color from your investment. You can get the product online, or from a retailer like CompUSA or Fry's.
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