The Netgear GA311 boosts network speed tenfold compared Fast Ethernet. The Netgear Gigabit Ethernet adapter puts your local network on steroids, and only using a standard PCI connector. The Netgear GA311 Gigabit Ethernet adapter enables higher speeds and faster transfers over local networks, allowing videos to be played almost as though they were on the same computer.

Networking is the lifeblood of the everyday computer. 10 years ago an isolated computer was just the norm, but now modern computers rely heavily on networks, usually the Internet, for almost all aspects of computing.

For computers on a local network, where information is often stored on separate storage media like Network Attached Storage devices, the speed of the local network makes a big difference when it comes to watching videos over the network, or listening to music, or just about anything that moves a lot (or a little) data over the network.

Older computers typically utilized a Fast Ethernet adapter, meaning it could handle up to 100Mb/s of data transfer. This is still the standard, but faster is better, and the Netgear GA311 helps with that.

The Netgear Gigabit Ethernet adapter transfers data at up to 1000Mb/s, or around 1GB in 10 seconds. The Netgear GA311 is perfect for older computer that attach to faster networks. It does need to be combined with other components that also handle Gigabit speeds, so the routers and other components also need this.

For $25 this is an easy way to make a home network that much more seemless.

The screen is a around 14 inches and offers 1280 x 800 screen resolution. I always find this a little disappointing. The screen resolution doesn’t allow much more than a standard amount of desktop space, that is to say it will fit a document or a webpage, but struggle to fit both. I suppose that’s reasonable for the size, but even if the text is small, I like to be able to fit two windows comfortable beside each other. On the other hand, I do use a 1280 width monitor for work and it’s usually enough.

The dual-core processor gives a bit of punch, and allows multiple programs to be run simultaneously, whilst the load is spread over the two cores.

Here are some of the main specs for the Lenovo IdeaPad Y510:

• Intel Centrino Core2 Duo
• 3GB of memory
• 250GB hard drive
• DVD writer
• Windows Vista Home
• 3 USB ports
• Wireless 802.11b/g/n
• Fast Ethernet
• Up to 4 hours battery life

A major plus is the amount of memory and hard drive space. 250GB of hard drive space is enough to store plenty of photos, songs and videos. 3GB of memory gives a lot of memory for Windows Vista to play around with. Windows Vista needs at least 1GB and this gives it more than it needs.

Wireless connectivity supports up to 300Mb/s, faster than most internet connections. The Ethernet port only supports up to 100Mb/s, which is a little strange, because the wired networks usually support much faster speeds than the wireless. However, there are probably more fast wireless networks around than Gigabit wired networks.

At a tad under 3kg, this is not a light notebook, but makes up for the extra weight with a full house of features. Add to these Lenovo’s VeriFace security software, which verifies users by their facial features and you get a very capable machine quite worthy to be a desktop replacement laptop.

Personally, I love litte, ultraportable computers. That’s probably because I do the vast majority of my work at a desktop and have little need for a regular laptop. However, modern laptops have improved so much that they provide more than enough power for what most users require. My five year old desktop computer still does everything I want it to do, and laptops now do better, for even less than what I originally paid.

This Acer Aspire does give what’s necessary to be a desktop replacement notebook. Here are some of the main features:

• 1.9GHz AMD Turion 64 X3 Dual-Core processor
• 15.4″ wide screen (1280 x 800)
• 2.0 GB of DDR2 memory (supports up to 4.0 GB)
• 160 GB hard drive
• DVD writer
• Media reader
• Gigabit Ethernet
• Wi-Fi (b/g)

This is a refurbished notebook though, so you get a computer that has been used before, but fixed up. With all the features I would still say that this is a good bet and offers everything necessary to be a desktop replacement computer.

The Eee PC from Asus is heading up this movement to smaller, more portable computers, that tend to fit somewhere between a laptop, which is meant to cover as a full-time computer, and a PDA with a traditional operating system.

The Surf model has a few more features than the standard Eee PC.

Here are some of the features:

• 7″ screen
• 2 pounds
• 3 USB ports
• 1 VGA port
• Audio out / Mic in
• Intel Mobile CPU
• 512 MB RAM
• 4 GB solid state drive
• 10/100 Mb/s LAN
• Wireless connectivity (up to 54 Mb/s)

Personally I have quite an affinity for these little PCs. They offer everything that most people would want from a computer nowadays. Network connections are taken care of thanks to wireless and wired networking support.

The advantages of this computer lie mostly in it’s size and portability. It’s extremely light, and extremely small, not small enough for a pocket, but small enough to fit in a briefcase. The built-in operating system offers a web browser, document editors, messaging, media player and other standard software.

The downsides also have to do with reduced sizes. You’ll need an extra monitor and keyboard for prolonged use. The screen is too small for extended work, and the keyboard is not full-sized like a regular keyboard, it’s around 83% the size, which will make big hands feel cramped. The hard drive is only 4 GB, so no storage of DVDs. Linux OS is harder to upgrade. Although a new OS can be installed if you like, either Windows or another flavor of Linux.

Basically, I really like it. The best part is the price, it is cheap. It is functional and performs specific tasks very well. It lacks in power and storage space, but you can pay more for an 8 GB model or wait till more powerful ones are released in the future.

Core2 Duo is not really a hot topic anymore, but the advantages are still there, and the maturity of the Core2 Duo line of processors means that lower speed versions are now available for greatly reduced prices.

In a nutshell, dual core processors like the Intel Core2 Duo offer two little “brains” inside the CPU allowing work load to be spread amongst the two cores, allowing much more efficient processing of information, and therefore, better performance.

Here are some of the other notable features:

• 1.8 GHz Intel Core2 Duo processor
• 1 GB of system memory
• 320 GB hard drive
• PCIe x16 expansion slot
• PCIe x1 expansion slot
• Two PCI expansion slots
• Six USB slots
• On-board audio
• Memory card port
• DVD burner
• Windows Vista Home Premium included

Windows Vista is included in this package, which means that you will not have to install your own operating system unless you really want to. A retail version of Vista can cost a few hundred bucks, so this is a good saving.

Lots of memory is a necessity when running any version of Windows Vista and this Gateway desktop computer comes with 1 GB of DDR2 memory, which is the recommended amount for Vista. It won’t just benefit Vista though. More memory allows more programs to remain within system memory, speeding up system responsiveness and allowing programs to run faster, and allowing more programs to be run at the same time.

There is a host of the usual suspects for system expansion. There are six USB ports, there is a DVD burner, which is a nice extra and one that more system makers should go for as the difference in price between a DVD burner and a normal CD drive is getting so small that is just wastes consumers time having to upgrade, when it should just be standard. There is a flash media reader that will read a range of flash-based media cards. It can read: CompactFlash, MicroDrive, MemoryStick, MemoryStick Pro, xD, SmartMedia, MultiMedia and SecureDigital memory cards. There are also two USB ports in the same media drive. The drive is located on the front panel at the top.

Storage is great, with 320 GB being able to hold around 30 DVD movies assuming movies are about 8 GB each and that you still need a bit of space for other stuff on the computer.

Expansion options are also a great plus. PCIe x16 allows upgrading to the latest and fastest graphics cards, some of which can cost more than this desktop computer does. There is a further PCIe x1 slot for system expansion, as well as two PCI slots for any cards that need to be transfered from older computers.

There is nothing lacking in this cheap desktop computer. Some possible upgrades might include a RAID array for storage, but otherwise all other needs are taken care of. A well-rounded package with enough expansion options for any extras. Add a 17 or 19 inch monitor and it becomes a great all round package.

Although newer systems have moved on to DDR2 there are still a wide range of computers that use plain old DDR. Many older systems stay around for much longer than expected. Although I always think that my older computers will get put in the trash, they still serve most purposes very well.

For surfing the Internet, writing email and documents on the computer, almost any old computer will do. A lot of the load of modern programs and operating systems comes down to how much memory they require. Often the wrong impression is give and people end up buying a whole new system with some newer, fancier computer. But after a really slow computer, anything new will seem fast, and the reason cannot be pinned down.

Upgrading memory is a viable option as it gives those new programs the stuff they need. For pure computing power, a new processor will always give a little more, but would be lower down on my list of things to get, even if you are only running a Pentium 4 at the moment.

This single 1 GB stick of Crucial DDR memory provides a gigabyte of RAM, which means it meets the minimum for Vista, which requires a great deal more than Windows XP.

A good investment to breathe some life into an old system, and a much better buy than a whole new system.

Systemax have become a large producer of computer systems, proudly boasted as being assembled and supported in the USA, they have a good choice of computer components to round out their systems.

The TigerShark is a computer system based on the Intel Pentium D Dual Core processor, and ready for SLI gaming.

The case is fairly functional with the see through side panel that so many people associate with gaming computers. The front panels open up to reveal the optical drives and the USB ports are at the side of the front panel.

By packaging the standard model with the Pentium 805, they have managed to keep the price down. The 805 however is only cool for those who like to overclock as the standard speeds are not that impressive, especially seeing how much this computer system costs. You can upgrade to faster options if you want, which will only cost you a little more, and are probably worth it.

The Asus P5ND2-SLI nForce motherboard is a good choice and cannot be changed anyway. You have the choice between the 7900GT and GTX from BFG for the graphics card and you can opt for two cards for SLI.

Hard drive options are numerous, but keeping with speed, many of them offer the Raptor series from Western Digital. There are also options for RAID arrays, bigger drives, and apart from the main setup, room for extra drives so you can have a fast operating sytem drive and a big, second drive for all those DVDs and home movies on you computer.

The rest of the computer components are quite standard and many of them you might want to choose something besides the standard options. If you do order something else, you will have to do the installation yourself, so if you really don’t like to put in computer components by yourself, go for the standard ones.

Finally, if you really want a fast computer, but are don’t want to get down and dirty building your own system, this one will do nicely. Those who want ultimate customization will likely need to choose parts individually.

The Thermaltake Big Water SE computer water cooling system tackles that by offering an all-in-one beginners kit to get you started with your liquid cooling system. It comes with basically everything you could need for your system with nothing lacking for a basic install.

What you get with the system are…

• Waterblock, which cools the CPU
• Water pump
• DVD drive sized Coolant tank
• Radiator and fan (120mm fan)
• Coolant (enough for one install)
• Enough tubing to get around most systems

Although the computer water cooling system is more complicated to install than an air cooled solution, the well documented manual and well labelled parts make it that much easier. As long as you have a little time, it should be fine.

You will need to have space for a 120mm fan which is the size of the fan over the radiator, although there are alternatives if that isn’t available. Be prepared with something to cut your case if needs be.

The system itself does offer a slight amount of cooling over a standard well vented system. Other people who bought and installed the system reported differing levels of cooling, even up to 14 degrees celcius lower in some cases.

This is all well and good but the other good feature is low noise. With many fans cooling high powered systems the noise can become unbearable. With only a single 120mm fan in operation and the pumps and stuff only making a slight noise, a computer water cooling system will be able to take advantage of greater cooling and reduced temperatures at the same time.

For hardcore overclocking types, this is not for you. But for those looking for a good, reliable solution for a decent price the Thermaltake Big Water SE certainly fits the bill as a more than decent computer water cooling solution.

It claims to meet the ROHS (Restiction of Hazardous Substances). In reality this means that it will most likely be able to take a spill of breakfast and not be any worse off because of it. This is aided by making the case almost waterproof and this is obvious with the protective stuff under the keyboard that keeps moisture out.

Security was improved with the use of a biometric finger scanner which allows you to sign on and have files encrypted with 2048 bit security. This is vital for a rugged computer which could quite easily be stolen.

This Toshiba laptop has been given a whole host of features to allow it to withstand the bumps and shocks that computers on the move go through. The space around the screen is larger so that it takes the brunt of the force during a drop, rather than the screen. There are also sensors that lock the heads of the hard drive to protect it.

The software suite that comes with this Toshiba laptop handles all of the connectivity and keeps you in control of Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and Ethernet connections on the computer.

There is no microphone and no camera on this particular Toshiba laptop, most likely because it is designed to be a rugged computer. The microphone poses a problem as a point where fluid could get into the computer.

Overall this rugged computer does well, and leaves very little wanting. With a weight of just over 6 pounds, it is not light, but it makes up for that with its durability.

The main feature that stands out for this computer is that it is Intel VIIV certified. What this means is that the whole system contains Intel parts, which match up to a certain level of performance, and that it has Microsoft Windows Media Center Edition installed as the operating system. It doesn’t really guarantee that you get anything better, just that it meets those minimum system levels.

The main complaint I have with this system is one that I have with many of the media center computers out there, and that is that they all still look like computers. They just don’t mix with the look of other entertainment center equipment, making it hard to match and fit in well.

With an Intel Pentium D 950 3.4GHz processor, 1GB or RAM, a 400GB hard drive and a DVD burner, you will get more than enough power for an entertainment computer. The standard video inputs and outputs, 6 USB ports, firewire at the back, card reader at the front and network connection at the back ensure that you have everything you will need.

The remote control, wireless mouse and keyboard are fantastic. Being able to use the keyboard and mouse away from the computer make the experience of using this computer as part of a home entertainment that much more pleasurable. They really do add to the ease of using the sytem.

Finally, I can’t imagine any really good reason for the inclusion of the speakers. They would certainly be good for a personal computer, but if this is a media PC, there would certainly be a hifi around, wouldn’t there.

You do get good parts and good options, however it is a little expensive and there are probably more budget versions, perhaps without the VIIV markings, and without the extra speakers that would be more suitable.