TO BUY OR TO NOT TO BUY

It is time for IT purchases to start looking up. After all, is not corporate India defying the predictions of doom and posting some excellent results? And when you sit down to make those purchases, you need to have enough information to make the right choices. It is to help you make these choices that we have reviewed 101 products in this issue; so that you can check before you buy. Instead of doing a shootout of one or two categories, we have covered products across a spectrum of categories.

To be sure, we have not covered all available products in any given segment. After all, it would be physically impossible to do so! Instead, here are the questions to ask, when you decide about a product not covered here. Remember that these are usability related questions and do not cover issues of availability, or support.

What is special or unique about it? Who is it meant for? What are the requirements (OS, hardware) to run it? How do I install it? How easy is it to install? How does it work? What else is required to make it work? How easy is it to work with? What is the quality of output produced or work done? How does its performance compare to other products? What is its price and warranty? How does the price compare with that of similar products? What are the consumables? What is their life? How much do they cost? What are the limitations of the product?

You may not always get all the answers; but the more you get, the better your decision will be. So, check before you buy.

TO BUY OR TO NOT TO BUY
	Operating Systems		Multimedia Products
	ENTERPRISE		Video Solutions
	PCs		Digital Cameras
	Processors		Accessories
	Hard Drives		Free Palm Software
	Mobile Hard Drives		Office Suites
	Mobile Printers		Utilities
	Printing Software		Linux Software
	Motherboards		Network Tools
	Graphics Software		Network Hardware
Krishna Kumar

Operating Systems

• Windows XP Professional
  
  This new version combines the features of Windows 2000 and Windows Me and adds a lot more

• Windows XP Advanced Server (Beta 2)
  
  This upcoming OS server from Microsoft boasts of many exciting features

• NetWare 6 (Beta)
  
  This latest version is more tightly integrated with the Web

• SuSE Linux 7.2 Professional
  
  This Linux distribution is very easy to install and comes with a rich set of applications

• Caldera OpenLinux Workstation 3.1
  
  A secure Linux distribution targeted at developers

Enterprise

• MS Small Business Server 2000
  
  A complete business-networking pack for medium-sized businesses

• Latest Thin Client Solution
  
  Metaframe XP allows application publishing, improved network connectivity, and Nfuse runs applications over a Web
  browser

• Contact Management Suite
  
  Create a quick e-commerce-enabled website using Maximizer 6.0 Personal and ecBuilder Pro 6.0

PCs

• Asus Terminator
  
  A barebone system that can be built by adding your own processor, RAM, and hard drive

• Cerebra Celeron
  
  A well-priced PC that is also a good performer

• IBM NetVista
  
  This PC comes with a customizable configuration

• GreenVision
  
  This P4 2 GHz PC could do with a better display card

Processors

• VIA C3 800 MHz
  
  An inexpensive processor for those on a tight budget

• Intel P4 2.0 GHz
  
  Intel’s latest Socket-478 processor

Hard Drives

• Seagate 80 GB
  
  The ST380021A Barracuda ATA IV is an excellent performer

• Maxtor 540X 80 GB drive
  
  An 80 GB drive with fast data transfer rates and seek time

Mobile Hard Drives

• WeP MStore
  
  A lightweight, 20 GB mobile hard drive

Mobile Printers

• Olivetti Nomad-Jet 100
  
  A mobile inkjet printer with crisp print quality

• Canon BJC-55
  
  A lightweight color printer with good print quality

Printing Software

• MarkVision Professional 7.1
  
  An easy-to-use application for monitoring, managing, and troubleshooting network printers within an enterprise

Motherboards

• Mercury’s Latest P4 Motherboard
  
  A well-priced board based on the new i845 chipset that works with standard SDRAM

• Asus CUWE-RM
  
  An inexpensive motherboard for low-end computers

• ASUS CUPLE-VM
  
  An entry-level motherboard with good features but average performance

• DFI CM33-EC
  
  An inexpensive board with a nice set of features, but average performance

• Asus P4T-E
  
  An ATX motherboard for the latest P4 processors

Graphics Software

• Photoshop Elements
  
  A pared down but powerful version of the original Photoshop, with the
  complexities removed

• Auto FX DreamSuite 1
  
  Impressive filters for Photoshop that give very high amount of detail and control

• Xara Webstyle 2
  
  An elementary template-based Web graphics utility for the graphically challenged

Multimedia Products

• Philips Expanium MP3-CD Players
  
  They can play both audio and MP3 CDs

• Sound Blaster Audigy Platinum eX
  
  Creative’s latest sound card for creating and recording professional quality audio

• Audiogalaxy
  
  A small, free utility to download MP3s

• RealJukebox
  
  A digital music manager that personalizes your listening experience

• RealPlayer 8 Basic
  
  Works best on a broadband connection

• The Latest DVD Drives
  
  The Acer DVP 1640A and Samsung SD-616 reviewed

Video Solutions

• Pinnacle Studio Online
  
  A ready to use solution for video capturing, editing, and presentation

• Pinnacle Studio VCD
  
  Create your own VCDs with this software

• Asus V7700 Deluxe TV
  
  Return of the titan with TV capabilities

• SiS 315
  
  The latest GPU from SIS for budget-conscious buyers

• Asus V7100 Magic
  
  An expensive, slower version of the original GeForce2 MX core

Digital Cameras

• Crusader Digicam
  
  This small USB, dual-function camera is expensive for its performance

• Creative PC-CAM 300
  
  It can record video and voice

Accessories

• ASUS
  CD-RW
  
  Gives great performance at an attractive price

• Matrix 500 VA UPS
  
  A line-interactive UPS with good performance and price

• Elnova X600
  
  A 600 VA line-interactive UPS with good performance

• APC Surge Protector
  
  Protect your notebook from harmful voltage surges

• Canon Canoscan
  
  A USB flatbed scanner

• Microtek Scanmaker
  
  A well priced scanner

• 56K USB Modem
  
  A good choice for notebook users as it doesn’t need extra power supply

• Wireless Mouse
  
  You can program all the scroll wheels and buttons

• Wireless Keyboard and Mouse
  
  These work well within a 1.5 m range

• AOpen
  CD-ReWriter
  
  This internal drive gives good performance at a decent price

• SoundMan Xtrusio
  
  A 4.1 speaker system with excellent sound for home theater systems

• SVB AW-581B Wooferset
  
  Gives good reproduction at higher frequencies

• SVB A-812B
  
  The subwoofer can reproduce tones as low as 100Hz

• Travel Flash
  
  Convenient hardware for on-the-move professionals

Free Palm Software

• DiddleBug
  
  Utility that lets you take quick notes

• ISiloFree
  
  A PalmDoc reader

• HappyDay
  
  This integrates two popular applications–Address book and date book

Office Suites

• Star Office 6 Beta
  
  Version 6 improves on start-up time, has XML file formats and handles MS Office documents up to Office XP

Utilities

• Text ‘n’ Hex Editor
  
  UltraEdit 32 Professional is a useful utility for writers, programmers, and website developers

• WinZip 8.1 (Beta)
  
  New features include file splitting and password protection

• Morpheus
  
  An easy to use peer-to-peer application that lets you download digital files

• Free Personal Firewall
  
  ZoneAlarm is easy to use and effective

• Cypherix Cryptainer 2.0
  
  Secure sensitive data on your hard drive

• CuteFTP
  
  A nifty utility for Web developers

• Stellar Phoenix 8
  
  Data-recovery software for hard disk

• Easy Life
  
  Home productivity software

• Download Accelerator Plus 5.0
  
  Speeds and manages your downloads

• Crash Proof Instant
  
  A useful program to prevent data loss and also recover data

Linux Software

• Kbear and Kmago
  
  A graphical FTP client and a download manager for KDE 2

Network Tools

• Wild Packets EtherPeek 4.1
  
  A packet-capturing utility to keep your network running smoothly

• Multi Router Traffic Grapher
  
  This useful utility measures router traffic and displays it in
  graphs.

Network Hardware

• USB 10/100M Ethernet Adapter
  
  An Ethernet adapter for mobile professionals