Just 6 Years Ago A Wimpy (by today’s standards) All-in-one Computer Cost More Than $2,000!

Dick’s Gadget Warehouse Friday, October 1st, 2010 Netcast 1190 

On Netcast 1164 (8/26/10) I reviewed the new Gateway ZV6900-01e. It’s a 23” Touch Screen All-In-One Computer powered by the new Intel i3 Processor. It has  4GB Memory, built in webcam, mic, card reader, even a built in combination BluRay Player/DVD Burner! And on sale it’s been as low as $800! Zoom back 6 years to 2004 and I got the Gateway Profile 5XL. It came with a choice of a 15-, 17, or 19-inch LCD monitor. Powered was a 3.2-GHz Pentium 4 CPU with1GB of DDR RAM. It also had a NVidia GeForce FX5200 graphics card with 64MB of memory, rewritable DVD drive and a floppy drive. And finally, 6 USB 2.0 ports, 2 FireWire ports and a pair of small, built in speakers. Cost for the 19” system back in 1994? Almost $2300! (Back then one review noted that the system may be steeply priced, but a 19-inch monitor alone would be worth about $800 on average.)   

Hear or see this Netcast: www.twit.tv/dgw1190

Here's the show about the new Gateway All-in-one:

Hear or SEE this Netcast: www.twit.tv/dgw1164

Are you using CFL bulbs (Compact Floresecent Light)? They're so old fashioned!

Thursday, September 30th, 2010, Netcast 1189

A much newer technology than CFL bulbs are LED bulbs! CCrane introduced the first 60-watt direct replacement LED bulb about four years ago, the GeoBulb. When Leo did the GeoBulb as a Turn The Table Tuesday pick,  it cost more than $100! But now the price has dropped to $39.99. (Don’t forget the first CFL bulbs cost about $30!) The GeoBulb is the same size as a conventional incandescent bulb suitable for direct replacement in any indoor open fixture. It puts out more light than a standard 60-watt bulb but uses less than 8 watts. That’s about 45% less than even CFL bulbs. Also LED bulbs are instant on/off. They don’t take time to reach full brightness. The newest bulb, the GeoBulb3 is built for long lasting durability. It’s the first bulb built to last for about 50,000 hours! It just may be the last bulb you’ve ever have to buy. And you’ll be using just 8 watts of electric instead of 60. That can really offset the price of the bulb. As with CFL bulbs, as people start using them more and more, sales will increase and the prices will drop further and faster. Right now GeoBulbs are not dimmable. Part of the problem is that most dimmers don’t go down to zero watts. So while an incandescent bulb may appear to be off when totally dimmed, a super efficient LED bulb like the GeoBulb would stay on! Available in soft and warm white. Learn more here:

http://www.ccrane.com/lights/led-light-bulbs/geobulb-led-light-bulb.aspx?RefID=WS110401WSDG0100 

Hear or SEE this Netcast here: www.twit.tv/dgw1189

What if you could know how much power each appliance in your home used?

Wednesday, September 29th, 2010, Netcast 1188

Ever wonder how much it costs to leave your air conditioner on all day when you’re at work? Or how much to leave that space heater on the basement? The Belkin Conserve Insight Energy Cost Monitor can tell you that, but it does more. It helps you measure the true impact of your energy use on your utility bill - and the environment. Just plug in any one device to find out how much energy it uses -- including watts, cost of operation, and the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. See exactly how much electricity is used by devices like computers, televisions, kitchen appliances, etc. The monitor also shows the carbon dioxide emissions produced as a byproduct of your electricity usage. It can also measure "vampire" power, the power an appliance uses when it's off! These days many appliances never really go truly off. Installation is so easy, Unplug the appliance and plug in the Energy Cost Monitor. Then the appliance gets plugged into the device. You do need to make one setting when you first use the device. You need to tell it how much you pay per Kwh for electric. Don’t worry, that figure is printed right on your electric bill. Under $30.

http://belkin.com/conserve/

Hear or SEE this Netcast: www.twit.tv/dgw1188

On this Turn The Table Tuesday Leo gives me a reason I was he was MY dad!

Daily Giz Wiz, Tuesday, September 28^th, 2010 Netcast 1187 

It’s Henry’s birthday and Leo wants his son to get something he really wants. Henry wants a speaker with lots of bass. They visit Bose, and although the sound they hear  is excellent, there’s not enough bass for Henry. Leo decides what Henry needs is a subwoofer. Since Henry already has Audioengine speakers, Leo decides to enhance their sound with the Audioengine AS8 Premium Powered Subwoofer! Leo says the sound is amazing. What I found amazing is their super compact size. Just about 11" square with an 8" custom woofer, this powered subwoofer is small enough to place in a corner or hide behind furniture. It features a bottom-firing and front-ported design which Audioengine says will give you quick, precise bass with low distortion, even at higher volume levels. Cabinets are made of rock solid 1-inch thick, internally braced MDF to eliminate cabinet vibrations. And they’re wireless-ready! (But you’ll need the Audioengine W1 wireless audio adapter or Apple’s Airport Express.) The AS8 has a built-in AC outlet on the rear panel for adding a wireless device. Dual line-level inputs (1/8" mini-jack and RCA connectors) are included on the rear panel along with all the cables you'll need. But wait, there’s more! There are variable adjustable rear panel controls for Crossover, Phase, and Subwoofer Volume to adjust the AS8's output and blending with your speakers. An auto-sleep standby feature turns the AS8 amplifier off when you're not playing music. Price? $349. (Henry already has a pair of Audioengine speakers to use his subwoofer with. There are various models, which start at $349 a pair. 

http://audioengineusa.com/Store/Audioengine-S8  

Hear or SEE this Netcast: www.twit.tv/dgw1187

A device to help you save energy costs year round.

Daily Giz Wiz, Monday, September 27th, 2010 Netcast 1186

Black & Decker Thermal Leak Detector lets find leaks around doors, windows, your air conditioner, etc. It even can check to see if air is coming in around electric outlets. If the light is green, there’s no leak. When you first turn it on it will get a ‘reference’ temperature of the room and the light will turn green. Then you start your scanning, moving the device 1 to 4 inches from each part of the room where outside air might enter. If the beam turns blue it means cold air is leaking in. Use this when checking for leaks in the winter. When the light turns red it means hot air is getting in. Use that in the summer when you want to keep cool air-conditioned air inside. You also set the Leak Detector for the range of temperature difference you want, 1, 5 or 10 degrees. Black & Decker says their Thermal Leak Detector could save you up to 20% of your heating and cooling energy costs. Not bad for a device that sells for under $50. Runs on one 9-volt battery.

http://blackanddecker.com/Energy/ThermalLeakDetector.aspx?WT.mc_id=BDThermalLeakDetector

 Hear or SEE this Netcast: www.twit.tv/dgw1186