Marco's RTG

Rocking Out With The i-Rocks KR-6230 Compact Keyboard

Marco C — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 17:56:00 GMT

I am happy to report, that since the initial publishing of my "Mechanical Key Switch Keyboards Demystified" post, a number of the more obscure 'boards I mentioned in the piece have been made available right here in the good ol' U.S. of A, eliminating the need to import products like the Filco Majestouch, HHKB Pro, or the Topre Realforce. In addition to the newfound availability of the aforementioned products though, a handful of other companies have begun offering mechanical key switch keyboards in the US as well, like Gigabyte and i-Rocks for example.

I was recently given the opportunity to evaluate the i-Rocks KR-6230 Compact Mechanical Switch Keyboard, which is readily available at NewEgg for about a $100, and have to say that it is one heck of a nice product if you can live with some of its unique qualities.

The i-Rocks KR-6230 is built around the popular Cherry MX Brown mechanical key switch (tactile, non-clicky--and my favorite). And the switches are mounted to a heavy metal internal plate, which means there is virtually no flex in the board. The additional weight afforded by the metal plate compliments the rubber feet on the bottom of the board too--this puppy stays put when positioned on a flat surface. The i-Rocks KR-6230 also supports 16-key rollover over USB, which actually works, making the board well suited to gamers. And it didn't suffer from any key transposition issues when typing at high-speeds, like some other boards that supposedly support 16-key rollover with USB.

Other features of the i-Rocks KR-6230 include an integrated USB 2.0 hub, with two ports situated on the back of the board, and bright, blue indicator LEDs that are integrated into their specific keys--caps lock, scroll lock, and num lock. The integrated LEDs look very good in my opinion, and certainly add to the appeal of the board.

What really makes the i-Rocks KR-6230 stand out, however, is its overall layout. The keyboard has no Windows keys at all--which is something many gamers like, but not me. It also has an oversized left control key and a compact form factor. To accommodate the compact form factor, i-Rocks moved the Delete, Print Screen, Scroll Lock, and Pause keys to the upper right of the board, where the status indicator LEDs typically reside, eliminated the Page Up / Page Down block of keys, and integrated the arrow keys into the lower-right group of keys in a manner similar to many notebooks. Finally, the numeric keypad was shifted to the left. The end result is a keyboard that is about 2.5" to 3.5" thinner in width than most standard keyboards.

Other changes to the key layout include an oversized "L"-shaped enter key, and shrunken backspace and backslash keys. I would have preferred the more common rectangular enter key and full sized backspace keys typical of US keyboards myself, but getting used to the KR-6230's layout took no time at all.

Typing on the i-Rocks KR-6230 proved to be very pleasurable. The keys require a light touch thanks to the Cherry Brown switches, they provide a light, subdued tactile bump, and they make no noise, except when bottomed out. The space bar seemed to be the only key that was creaky, but it broke in over time. The KR-6230's keycaps also have a distinct texture that's held up well over the last few weeks, even though I've spent way more time that I should have killing zombies in L4D with this thing. There was no noticeable "shine" to the keys, which was a good sign as to their long term durability.

If you can live with its funky key placement and layout, the i-Rocks KR-6230 is a very nice, compact mechanical key switch keyboard. Its Cherry Brown switches are excellent, the pseudo-n-key rollover function works well, the board looks good, and it's built to last. I'd recommend checking it out if you're in the market for a quality, compact keyboard.

Gigabyte Offers Up Some Input--Devices That Is

Marco C — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 22:05:00 GMT

Regular readers of my blog know that I've got a somewhat unhealthy obsession with input devices; more specifically keyboards. I've spent the better part of the last few months experimenting with some of the most expensive mechanical key-switch keyboards currently in production. So, when Gigabyte offered up an affordable multimedia keyboard--the GK-K6800--based on membrane switches, I approached the product with some trepidation. Taking its affordable nature and less desirable switch mechanism into consideration, however, in turns out the Gigabyte GK-K6800 is a decent product.

Gigabyte GK-K6800 Multimedia Keyboard

The GK-K6800 has firm feeling keys, which make the keyboard feel more expensive than it actually is. The keycaps are also textured and laser-engraved for long-term durability. There are 14 multimedia buttons, which control media player, launch common applications, etc., situated around the perimeter of the keyboard's glossy black edges, and a brushed volume wheel rests at the upper-right corner. Blue indicator LEDs on the GK-K6800 are nice and bright, but light from LEDs does bleed over into adjacent indicators. When caps-lock is enabled, for example, blue light floods though the scroll-lock indicator.

While testing, I found the GK-K6800 to offer 4- or 5-key rollover depending on the key combination over its USB connection, and it didn't suffer from any scan rate key transposition issues. The L-shaped enter and smaller backspace keys may take some getting used to, however, if you're already accustomed to typical 104-key keyboards with an ANSI layout. For around $20 though, it's really not a bad board if you can live with the layout.

Gigabyte GM-M8000 7-Button Gaming Mouse

In addition to the GK-K6800 keyboard, Gigabyte also sent over one of their GM-M8000 7-button gaming mice. While the GM-M8000 is relatively affordable at about $50, this mouse is anything but budget. It offers a 4000 DPI resolution, with on the fly switching, courtesy of a High-performance AVAGO 6090 Laser sensor. The mouse also sports an 8KB buffer to support its "GHOST Engine", a scroll wheel with 24 individual click positions, 5 programmable buttons, "Ultra-Durable" Teflon feet, a braided USB cable, and a weight system with up to 38 grams of metal weights.

Gaming with the GM-M8000 proved to be an absolute pleasure. Sensitivity, reaction time, and accuracy are very good. The mouse just worked on every surface I tried. And it fit my large hand very well. About the only complain I have with the GM-M8000 is that its finish wears rather easily and the mouse buttons get that shiny-plastic look. For under fifty bucks though, this is one heck of a gaming mouse.

It's Not Just A Docking Station Anymore

Marco C — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 22:45:00 GMT

The vast majority of notebook docking stations have traditionally been nothing more than port replicators or breakout docks that give users the ability to quickly connect their portable computers to desktop-bound accessories, like keyboards, mice, and monitors. Sure, there have been some hybrid docking stations that have allowed for increased expansion options on some notebooks, but they are the exceptions, not the norm.

I think it's time for that to change. Notebook sales have been outpacing desktops for quite some time now, but that doesn't mean all of those notebook buyers have chosen a portable machine over a desktop. Some of them, perhaps most of them, bought a notebook as a compliment to a desktop PC. Regardless of the convenience of a notebook, for some there's just no substituting for a large screen, quality input devices, and the performance of a desktop PC. With that in mind, I think it's time to take the notebook docking station concept up a notch to better appease these users, and equip the devices with capabilities that can morph the notebook into something much more powerful, while also offering additional functionality to other PC users in the home (or office).

A number of current notebooks offer hybrid graphics subsystems that give users the ability to switch between low-power integrated graphics and higher-performing discreet solutions. The technology already exists to allow for switchable graphics, so why not integrate the higher-performing discreet graphics into a docking station--which will be connected to a larger screen--to allow for higher performance when connected?

Read The Rest Of The Article Right Here...

Woz: Once A Genius, Always A Genius

Marco C — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 15:11:00 GMT

I have been intrigued by all things electronic since a very young age. Even before I started grade school, I can remember taking apart my brothers' AFX cars to see how they worked, and modding the electrical contacts on the underside of the cars, in the trigger throttles, and on the track to make the cars go faster. I would pull apart transistor radios, walkie-talkies, old calculators, you name it. I found it interesting and fun, and still do today, although now I'm ripping apart notebooks, netbooks, graphics cards and the like.

Few things got put back together properly back then, but over time I got more adept at understanding the inner-workings of many electronic devices. Soon I was able to not only reassemble things correctly, but to repair and modify them as well. Through trial and error I taught myself to solder, to use a multimeter, and to identify and replace marginal components in many different devices. In high school I got a bit of "formal" training by taking a semi-advanced electronics class, and even got a part-time job at Radio Shack, but by that point I already had the basics down pat.

It turns out I have a lot in common with one of my idols, Steve "Woz" Wozniak, co-founder of Apple. I'm finally getting around to reading Steve's autobiography iWoz: Computer Geek to Cult Icon: How I Invented the Personal Computer, Co-Founded Apple, and Had Fun Doing It and can closely relate to many of the stories he tells in the book. He too had an ingrained curiosity of electronics and taught himself many of the same things I did when he was young. Of course, while I was making simple solder connections Woz was designing advanced logic circuits and TV Jammers, but I can still totally relate to the sense of accomplishment Woz writes about after completing a particularly difficult project.

Woz's Signature On A Limited Edition Apple II GS: The System Still Works To This Day

Read The Rest Of This Article Right Here...

The Best Gaming Notebook Money Can't Buy

Marco C — Sat, 30 May 2009 02:10:00 GMT

I'm a bit of a Left 4 Dead addict. I have been a PC gamer for close to 27 years now, if you count those myriad hours spent banging away on my first Commodore 64, and I've come to the decision that Left 4 Dead ranks in my top three all-time guilty pleasures. I can't even fathom how much time I spent scrambling through levels in Impossible Mission on the C64. The first Unreal Tournament probably cost me my job at the time. And now, whenever I can squeeze in a few minutes of carnage, I fire up Left 4 Dead. It's just the kind of mindless fun that gets me fired up. I neither have the attention span nor time for a MMORPG and strategy games just don't do it for me. Plus, the camaraderie that develops over a round of L4D can be awesome--I've played with soldiers deployed in Iraq, young kids playing hooky from school, grouchy old, bearded bikers, you name it. Cooperative multi-player gaming is where it's at. Wouldn't you agree?

There is only one thing that would elevate my L4D experience to a whole new level--being able to play it wherever I can flip open my laptop...

Read the rest of the article here.

Left 4 Dead: I Prefer The Auto-Shotty, But The Assault Rifle Will Do

Mechanical Key Switch Keyboards Demystified

Marco C — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 23:46:00 GMT

I'm sure you've all heard the old saying, "You get what you pay for" many times throughout your lives. Whether talking about plumbing or electronics, that saying has seemingly rung true for ages. But for whatever reason, it isn't always taken to heart, especially by PC users. Let me give you an example.

Years ago, in what seems like another lifetime, I used to manage an electronics store for a large national chain (that's surprisingly still around!). On more than one occasion, while selling a $1500 to $2000 computer system to a customer, he or she would choose not to buy a quality $49 surge protector designed specifically for PC use, despite my strong recommendation, and would instead opt for a cheap $5 model. I would try to explain to these customers, in plain English, that the more expensive option had a much quicker response time and could absorb a larger surge--which is important for sensitive electronic devices--but more often than not, they left with the cheaper option. I just didn't get it. We were talking about a minimal additional investment, that could have meant the difference between the life and death of the computer. But what did I know.

And that's not the only example I could provide regarding PC users that have forgotten that old saying. As many of you may know, I have an affinity for keyboards. I have a collection of them that has been growing for years. Rubber dome, scissor switch, buckling spring, tactile, non-tactile, clicky--you name the type of keyboard and I probably have one, or had one at some point. As someone who makes a living behind a keyboard, I have developed strong opinions on their quality and what I feel are the best options. And of course, regarding keyboards, I have learned that you most certainly get what you pay for.

The Cream Of The Crop
In my opinion, the best keyboards available have mechanical key switches. They are known as mechanical keyboards, or mechanical key switch keyboards. What makes them so desirable is that mechanical keyboards tend to be constructed of higher quality materials, they last longer and are more reliable, and most importantly, once properly acclimated to one, a mechanical key switch keyboard will make you a better typist--you may even be able to get work done faster, with less fatigue.

That may sound like a stretch, but it is absolutely true. You see, the vast majority of keyboards included with white box systems or sold at office supply stores are rubber dome or membrane keyboards. They are inexpensive, mass produced, relatively low quality devices that are inconsistent and degrade the user experience. The problem is most users don't know this, or simply don't care. The appeal of cheap rubber dome or membrane keyboards is that they're usually available in a variety of styles, are included "free" with a new system, and they may sport additional features like media controls or wireless connectivity. But these cheap keyboards typically don't provide users with any tactile feedback, the keys feel mushy and may not all actuate at the same point, and the entire keyboard assemblies themselves tend to flex and move around when typed on. Not fun.

Depending on the type of switch used in a mechanical keyboard, however, it will offer distinct tactile feedback to the user--which is to say there is a pronounced "bump" transmitted to the user's finger tip when a key is pressed. Once acclimated to the tactile feedback, users of mechanical keyboards have a second feedback mechanism, other than a letter appearing on screen, by which they'll know a key has been pressed. Many mechanical keyboards also have clicky key switches, which provide a third, audible feedback mechanism--you feel the tactility of the switch, hear it click, and see the letter appear on screen. The switches are built to stricter tolerances than rubber domes as well, so key presses are consistent across all of the keys. And mechanical keyboards, more often than not, are also heavier and more rigid than rubber dome boards. All of these things add up and culminate in what is simply a better product in my opinion.

What's Under The Hood
Mechanical keyboards are available in a vareity of syles. There may not be quite as diverse an array of options on the market as cheaper rubber domes, but there is enough variety out there that most PC users' needs can be met. Of course, they are available in different colors, with different key layouts, and with either USB or PS/2 connections. There are also spacesaver "ten-keyless" designs out there that do away with the numpad and products designed for gamers with n-key rollover support. Another major differentiating factor between mechanical keyboards is also the type of key switch used to build them.

There are literally dozens of different key switch types currently on the market and each one has a different feel. Here in the U.S., you're likely to come across scissor switches, Cherry MX switches, buckling springs, or ALPS copies / ALPS-type switches when shopping for a mechanical keyboard. Scissor switches are a step up from rubber domes, but are not the most desirable option, so I'll mostly ignore them here. The most common types of switch used in keyboards currently in production are Cherry MX Black, Blue, or Brown switches, buckling springs, and simplified ALPS copies with White (or White-ish) or Black stems. I should note that the reason I say ALPS copies is that the original ALPS switches are no longer in production, but simplified versions based on the original design are. And those copies are what are used in current keyboards.

The differences between the various switches you're likely to come across are subtle, but definitely perceptible. Buckling springs are the type of switch used in the original "killer" keyboard, which still has a loyal following today, the IBM Model M. Buckling springs are still used in many of Unicomp's keyboards, like the Customizer 104, which is one of my all time favorites. Buckling spring switches have a coil spring supporting each keycap that buckles or collapses, at a certain point when pressed, which provides auditory and tactile feedback to the user. The keys are usually fairly firm, but the typing experience is excellent.

Cherry MX switches all have a similar physical design, but the different colored stems signify a different switch configuration. For example, the Cherry MX Black is a non-tactile, non-clicky switch--which is to say it is linear and does not transmit a bump to the user's fingertip when pressed and it does not provide an audible click. The Cherry MX Blue, however, is both tactile and clicky. And the Cherry MX Brown is tactile, but not clicky. And all three require different amounts of force to actuate, the heaviest being the Black model, followed by the Blue, and then the Brown.

ALPS type switches are also available in different configurations. White ALPS type switches, like the Cherry MX Blues, are both tactile and clicky, whereas the Black type are not. Black ALPS copies are tactile, but non-clicky.

Cherry G80-3000LSCRC-2

I Gotta Get Me One Of These!
If you've made it this far, I assume you've got at least some interest in mechanical key switch keyboards and are wondering what products are currently available on the market. Well, there are a multitide of options out there; I couldn't possibly list them all here. I will, however, run through some of the easier to obtain offerings which I consider to be high quality products, worthy of consideration.

If a tactile, but non-clicky mechanical keyboard appeals to you, the ABS M1 (simplified ALPS copies, Black) is a good option. Non-tactile, non-clicky offerings include the Steelseries 7G and the Gigabyte GK-K8000 (both use Cherry MX Black switches), they are both available at many e-tailers. Keyboards that use Cherry MX Brown switches, like the FILCO Majestouch Tenkeyless FKBN87M/EB or FKBN104M/EB, are also excellent non-clicky, but tactile options.

If a tactile, clicky keyboard would better suit your needs though, the Cherry G80-3000LSCRC-2, Scorpius M10, and Das Keyboard Professional or Ultimate, which all use Cherry MX Blue switches, are good choices. The Unicomp Customizer 104, which uses buckling spring switches, is also a fantastic tactile, clicky keyboard as is the Matias Tactile Pro 2.0 and the Solidtek ASK-6600U which uses simplified White ALPS copies. And users looking for vintage throw back offerings should consider an original IBM Model M (buckling spring, clicky) or Dell AT101W (ALPS Black, tactile, non-clicky).

I should note, some mechanical key switch keyboards can be a bit difficult to obtain. FILCO's offerings, for example, aren't sold in the U.S., so a Japanese buying service or eBay are good places to look. And some of Cherry's own keyboards are typically available at more specialized e-tailers, that cater to POS or business consumers. Should you decide to give a mechanical key switch keyboard a try, it is most definitely worth the investment and extra effort though. A quality keyboard can enhance your computing experience, increase your productivity, and last through multiple system upgrades.

I hope that I have provided you with enough background to make an informed buying decision. If not, please, feel free to comment and ask questions or poke around the geekhack.org community, where I lurk from time to time.

Update: I decided to shoot some video and show off a few of the keyboards currently in my collection, to give you all an idea not only as to what they look like, but how they sound as well. As you'll see and hear, they're all somewhat different. My current favorites are the Filco Majestouch FKBN104M/EB, the Cherry G80-3000LSCRC-2 (not in the video) and the Scorpius M10. The Cherry G80 and M10 use the same switches and sound almost identical, however. Please forgive the awkward hand position while I'm typing in the video--I had a tripod and camera in the way and was moving the microphone into position as necessary. Enjoy.

Happy Friggin' Holidays

Marco C — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 21:56:00 GMT

Although the Holiday Season is supposed to be a time for celebration and for reconnecting with family and friends, a few tragic stories inevitably come to pass. I'm sure many of you have read the news recently and are well aware of some of the ugliness that went down over the past few days. But I never thought something as terrible as a murder would take place right in my own back yard during the holidays.

He Never Saw It Coming...

My wife and I are both animal lovers. We keep a couple of bird feeders out year-round and also feed the squirrels, chipmunks, and other assorted furry creatures through the winter, so the yard is usually filled with an abundance of animals and birds. Once in a while, an opportunistic predator will take advantage of our situation though, and use our backyard as an all you can eat buffet.

Today, an unfortunate pigeon got whacked by a hungry ~~Red-Tail~~ Cooper's Hawk. I grabbed the camera and snapped off a few shots of the carnage to keep for evidence, just in case the authorities come snooping around.

Death By Rocket Launcher. Sort of.

Marco C — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 03:34:00 GMT

Every once in a while, something happens in a gamer's life that sticks out in his or her memory. I had one of those moments tonight playing a little Unreal Tournament 3. I was just taking one of my usual 20 minutes breaks for a round of Vehicle Capture the Flag on the Suspense map, and just as the match was ending (my team won 2 to 1), I got clipped while standing near the red flag. This was the position I died in...

"You using the whole rocket launcher there, doc?" -- Fletch

I knew folks from all walks of life loved to game, but a proctologist with an affinity for rocket launchers I would have never of guessed. I'm not the only one that sees the humor in this, right? Is that rocket launcher in an unfortunate position, or do I just have a sick mind and am seeing things that a "normal" gamer wouldn't?

Cool Gadget: Zotac's Hardware OC Controller

Marco C — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 18:50:00 GMT

Due to the fact that the vast majority of NVIDIA’s partners sell graphics cards that are all essentially identical, save for their clock speeds or perhaps a custom decal, they all look for creative ways to differentiate their products from the competition. They usually do it by including a hot new game, offering a really long warranty, a low price, or maybe bundling in some other type of value-added software. But once in a while a company will take things a step further and do something a little more innovative.

Take Zotac for example. Zotac has developed a cool little device called the Nitro Hardware OC controller, which gives users the ability to monitor GPU temperatures and over- or under-clock their graphics cards on the fly, using a few buttons and a simple menu. The Nitro hasn’t been offered with any Zotac-branded graphics cards just yet, but the company is contemplating the prospect of including it with select AMP! Edition products at some point in the future. In the meantime, the Nitro is also being offered as a standalone product with an MSRP of $99.

I recently had the chance to play with the Nitro and have to say it’s a pretty cool gadget. Understand that this product isn’t for everyone. All of you uber tech-savvy HotHardware readers already know that NVIDIA’s nTune application already offers a host of overclocking tools for GeForce graphics cards--for free. But that doesn’t hinder the coolness factor of having a desk-bound gadget that lets you OC on the fly, from within any game or application without having to access the driver control panel. Would I buy one for a hundred bucks? Probably not. But we all know a geek or two that would love to sport one of these things on their desk.

The Nitro works in conjunction with Zotac’s Firestorm utility. Firestorm is a relatively simple, streamlined application (<400K download) that features sliders for GPU engine, Shader, and memory frequencies, and fan speeds. When the Firestorm application is installed and running, and the Nitro is plugged into an available USB port, the Firestorm utility itself or the buttons on the front of the Nitro can be used to alter frequencies or fan speeds on the fly--even if a game is already running. Profiles can be saved as well, and a graphical representation on the Nitro’s VFD gives a real-time temperature readout. I found the temperature read-out particularly interesting. Watching temperatures increase or decrease during game play was an intriguing way to monitor the load being placed on the graphics card.

Zotac includes a hefty stand, driver disk, user manual and USB cable with the Nitro. And it currently supports all Zotac-branded GeForce-based graphics cards. If you’re the type that likes to tinker though, there is a way to get the Nitro working with any GeForce. Simply hold the shift key when you launch the Firestorm app and ignore an error message (while still holding shift) and it will work with non-Zotac branded cards. Shhhh. You didn’t hear that from me though.

Introducing The Epson Workforce 600

Marco C — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 01:26:00 GMT

The very first color printer I ever purchased, many years back, was the original Epson Stylus Color. At the time, the Stylus Color was one of the most advanced color inkjet printers available for the PC, and its price--about $500 if I remember correctly--reflected that fact.

The landscape is completely different today, however. While the original Stylus Color offered only basic printing capabilities and connected via an ancient parallel cable, many of today's printers can connect via USB, Ethernet, or Wi-Fi, print quality has gotten exponentially better, and costs on the printers themselves have plummeted (ink is another story). In fact, it is not uncommon today to find multi-function, all-in-one printers that also offer scanning, copying, and faxing capabilities for about $100. That's a far cry from my original Stylus Color.

The Epson Workforce 600 is just such an all-in-one, but due to its extensive feature set and speed its price falls somewhere in the $150-175 range before mail in rebates (as of this writing, there is a $50 MIR available on the Workforce 600 which expires 1/10/09). The Workforce 600's specifications include Print, Copy, Scan, direct photo printing, and Fax capabilities, draft print speeds up to 38 ppm (black and color), laser quality text output, Wi-Fi and Ethernet networking, a built-in flash card reader and a 2.5-inch LCD. Maximum print resolution is 5760 x 1440 dpi with 3 droplet sizes, that can be as small as 2 picoliters. Copy speed is up to 38 cpm in black or color, and the scanner offers an optical resolution of 2400 x 2400 dpi, with a max interpolated resolution of 9600 x 9600.

The initial setup of the Epson Workforce 600 is fairly straightforward. Easy to follow instruction are included that explain how to install the ink cartridges, set the time and date, configure the network settings, and load paper. Once that's done, the printer initializes and its ready for use. I should note that Epson includes a full set of ink cartridges (there are four), sample papers, an Ethernet cable, and a phone cable, along with assorted documentation, with the printer. A USB cable is not included, however, so should you want to connect directly to the Workforce 600, a USB cable will have to be purchased separately.

Installation of the Epson Workforce 600 couldn't be any easier in my opinion. If you wire the printer directly to a PC or Ethernet switch, simply run the installation disc and follow the on-screen instructions and you'll be on your way in no time. If you want to connect wirelessly via the printer's built-in Wi-Fi function, first you'll have to input the necessary network access information (SSID, WEP/WPA password, etc.) using the front panel controls, but once connected, again just run the installation on the included disk and that's it. The installed scans the network or PC for the printer and automatically installs the necessary drivers and utilities.

The build quality of the Epson Workforce 600 is top notch. The unit itself is assembled from glossy and matte composite materials and it has a solid, sturdy feel. The built in LCD is bright and easy to read, the scanner lid is heavy with a smooth moving hinge, and the buttons and controls work very well. The heft of the unit alone gives an impression of high quality.

One of the Workforce 600's standout features is its speed. When printing draft-quality documents, this thing just flies. I was able to print a 12 page, text-filled word doc in under a minute, and draft quality photos (like those from a webpage, for example) print nearly as fast. The Workforce branding seems to be fitting, because this machine would be a great fit to a small office that does lots of draft-quality printing. The unit's built-in fax capabilities also worked well, but I didn't test these extensively as I haven't needed to fax anything in years--that's what e-mail and PDFs are for. The Workforce 600's scanning capabilities were particular impressive to me. Even with the printer connected via Wi-Fi, the scanner warms up almost immediately when the scanner application is launched, and its speed and quality were excellent.

Printing in high-quality modes and copying weren't quite as impressive though. The copier function worked very quickly and produced nice black copies using plain paper. Color copies, however, seemed somewhat grainy to my eyes. There were perfectly acceptable for archival copies, but I wouldn't consider them presentation quality. High-quality print modes were very good on premium inkjet paper, but not exceptional. Text was very crisp and photos looked great considering this is a four-color printer. But text output wasn't quite on par with a LaserJet I keep in the lab and the photos had a slightly soft appearance. Using Epson's photo paper produced much higher quality output.

The Epson Workforce 600 also features some cool built-in templates for direct printing of things like greeting cards using the card reader and personal photos, and flash media inserted into the integrated card reader can also be shared over a network for document collaboration, sharing files, etc.

Having lived with the Epson Workforce 600 for the last few weeks, I think its branding is very fitting. This all-in-one is a speedy workhouse with a top notch feature set.

A Case Study: Building Myself A New Rig

Marco C — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 04:10:00 GMT

I recently reviewed Cooler Master’s ATCS 840 case for an upcoming issue of CPU Magazine, and I liked it so much, I decided to build myself a new rig using it. Cooler Master is releasing the ATCS 840 on November 25 to commemorate the introduction of the original ATCS (Active Thermal Convection System) cases that first hit the scene in 1999.

Short of having a similar appearance and being made of aluminum, however, the new ATCS 840 (MSRP $279) has little in common with its older cousins. This new ATCS is rife with modern amenities and can easily handle virtually all of today’s high end hardware. First off, this thing is Huge with a capital “H”. The ATCS 840 doesn’t really stand much taller than most full towers, but it is wider (9.57”) and deeper (24.8”). It is so large and roomy, that the ATCS 840 can easily accommodate an extended ATX motherboard, like Intel’s D5400XS Skulltrail mobo for example, with some room to spare. It’s also got a slide-out motherboard tray, that makes assembly somewhat easier, toolless hard drive and optical drive mounting systems, a “stealth” front I/O panel on top, and strategically placed holes throughout to aid in cable management.

The Cooler Master ATCS 840 also includes some impressive stock cooling. Instead of using fairly common 120mm fans, the ATCS 840 features three 230mm fans (two at the top, one at the bottom front), that move a ton of air, without generating much noise at all. And the little noise they do generate is of a much lower pitch than smaller fans, which I personally find more tolerable. Optional hard drive and video card cooling upgrades are also available to further enhance the case’s cooling, and the top of the case is designed to accommodate a radiator should you want to do away with the stock fans altogether and integrate a liquid-cooling system.

If you haven’t seen the ATCS 840 yet, you can check it out on Cooler Master’s website right here. It may not have the flash and of some of today’s wilder looking cases, but if you’re an old-school geek like me, the ATCS 840’s subdued aesthetics will probably appeal to you. I know I like it.

Enter the Das Keyboard Professional

Marco C — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 20:26:00 GMT

Those of you that have been reading my blog entries regularly should know by now that I am a bit maniacal when it comes to my input devices. Even if a device is serving me well, I can’t help but search for its replacement—call it a disorder if you like, it’s just how I am.

Over the last few months, this has led me to try a Unicomp Customizer 104, a pair of Enermax keyboards, SteelSeries’ 7G gaming keyboard, and now one of the new Das Keyboards. The older Das Keyboard’s claim to fame was its high-quality “clicky” construction and blank key caps. The company claimed the blank keys forced users of the Das Keyboard to memorize key locations, and over time, the users would become better typists. Despite its relative success, however, the original Das Keyboard had a rather Spartan appearance that wasn’t very enticing. So the company decided to update the look and overall design, and while they were at it introduce a version with key labels as well.

Das Keyboard Professional

The new Das Keyboard line-up consists of Professional and Ultimate models. The Professional unit is adorned with key labels, while the Ultimate unit is blank like the older model. As much as I’d like to say I’m geek enough to handle the Das Keyboard Ultimate, I opted for the Das Keyboard Professional—as cool as using the Ultimate would be, I don’t have the time to re-learn how to type. I’ll save that adventure for another time.

Like the original, the allure of the new Das Keyboard line-up is their high-end construction. The keyboards feature Cherry MX blue mechanical key switches that provide tactile and audible feedback. These new models also feature blue LED indicators for the number, scroll, and caps lock keys, a built in, two-port USB hub, and an “almost-n-key” rollover function that allows up to 12 keys to be pressed simultaneously without ghosting. In addition, the new Das Keyboards have an extra long USB cable and slick, glossy outer casings that enhance the look of the units, although the shiny outer casing is prone to fingerprints and scratches.

I have been working with the Das Keyboard Professional for about two weeks now, and have to say it is vying for the title of my favorite keyboard. With that said, the Das Keyboard Professional is certainly not for everyone. Personally, I prefer the sound of clicky keys like those used on the Das Keyboard. Once you get used to the sound, I find that I can almost tell when I have made a typo by the sound of the clicks. The unit’s clicky keys will almost certainly deter some users though. If you prefer to work in silence, or are in an environment where others may be annoyed by the sound of the keys, the Das Keyboard is not going to fit the bill. Having been a fan of clicky keyboards since the days of the Northgate Omnikey, the Das Keyboard’s audible report works for me.

I also find the Das Keyboard Professional’s blue LED indicators and glossy exterior visually appealing, and I think its USB ports are in a good position. But while the key layout is standard, I have had an issue getting used to the angle of the upper-most row of keys, below the function keys. When typing feverishly, I have found the Q, W, E, R and T keys to be harder to press than I would like. The keys work fine, however, and it is only my left hand that’s having the problem, so I think it is just a matter of time before I get fully comfortable with the Das Keyboard and this issue goes away.

I plan to stick with the Das Keyboard Professional for the foreseeable future. So far it has the best combination of looks and features for my personal tastes. How long I feel this way remains to be seen though. I gravitate towards input devices like a moth to a flame, and if something else exciting comes along, I know I’ll want to try it out.

Experimenting With Badaboom

Marco C — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 03:03:00 GMT

When we first took at a look at the GeForce GTX 280 upon its initial introduction back in June, we also spent some time with an early beta build of a program called Badaboom, from Elemental Technologies. If you're unfamiliar with Badaboom, it's a user friendly media converter that leverages NVIDIA's CUDA technology to accelerate the conversion of digital video using a CUDA capable GPU. Badaboom takes advantage of ETI’s GPU-powered RapiHD Video Platform to offload many video encoding duties from the CPU, onto the GPU, to accelerate the process of converting video from a variety of formats to H.264 for portable media devices, like an iPod, Zune, or iPhone.

This past week Badaboom completed the beta phase and was officially released for public consumption, so we grabbed a copy of the final program to get a better feel for it now that it's done.

The first thing to understand about Bababoom is that it is not meant to be the end-all, be-all of video transcoding. It is a relatively small, streamlined application designed for casual PC users who want a fast video transcoder, that is not overly complex. If you've got a collection of video that you'd like to easily convert for use on your iPod, and you've got a CUDA compatible GeForce, Badaboom may fit the bill. On that level, Badaboom certainly succeeds. The final release of the program is a small <8MB download. And the program installs literally in seconds. Once launched, user's are greeted by a simple interface. On the left, you choose the input source, and on the right the output device. In the middle there is a simple slider to determine the output quality.

The Badaboom Interface

There are basic and advanced views in the program should you want a bit more control over the transcoding process. In basic view it has the simple slider to choose between "Smallest File" or "Highest Quality", that I've already mentioned. But advanced mode gives users the ability to alter settings like the output directory, and more advanced video encoder, picture quality, and audio settings.

To experiment with Badaboom, I converted a handful of videos from my collection to various output devices and had no trouble at all, provided I was using a supported file type (a list of supported video and audio formats is available here). Performance of the program on a 9800GX2 was very good, as I was able to convert most videos at over 100 fps. The HDNet video clip in the screenshot for example took only 1:27 to transcode at 103 fps. For reference, an 8-core Skulltrail rig could only muster about 70 FPS using Nero Recode and the process took twice as long. In addition, Nero isn't nearly as easy to use.

If you've got the need for a video transcoder like Badaboom, and you've got a CUDA-capable GeForce graphics card, you may want to hit the Badaboom website and check out the free trial. This is a handy little program that could save you a boatload of time transcoding videos.

Your Next PC Won't Be A MID

Marco C — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 21:14:00 GMT

With all of the recent hype and buzz surrounding netbooks, Intel's Atom processor, VIA's Nano processor, and mobile computing in general, we decided to put up a poll a little while back asking about your next PC purchase. We asked whether your next PC would be a desktop system, notebook, netbook, MID (mobile internet device), SmartPhone, or another type of computing device.

If you pay attention to recent market trends that show mobile systems outselling desktops, you'd probably surmise that notebooks and netbooks would be the most popular choices, but that didn't turn out to be the case in our poll. In fact, notebooks and netbooks combined received fewer votes than the desktop option. And despite a seemingly never-ending supply of iPhone related stories, SmartPhones were decidedly low on the list as well.

As of the time of this writing, we had received nearly 4000 votes--not an insignificant number. And of those votes, 56% planned to buy a new desktop system, 23% percent a new notebook, 14% a new netbook, and the rest of the field shared the remaining 8% (yes, I know that doesn't add up to exactly 100%; the discrepancy is due to rounding errors in our polling engine).

So, what do these numbers tell us? Well, for one, the PC enthusiast community marches to the beat of their own drum and doesn't necessarily follow the overall market trend. Although notebooks and netbooks are becoming increasingly more popular with general consumers, the majority of PC enthusiasts still plan to buy new desktop systems. Why? We didn't ask, but we suspect performance, upgradeability, and the satisfaction of building their own rigs are large contributors to their decisions.

More surprising than the desktop vs. notebooks comparison, however, are the MID and SmartPhone results. I personally view MIDs and SmartPhones as accessories to a desktop PC and thought many HotHardware readers would as well. Having had firsthand experience with a number of MIDs and SmartPhones, I came to the conclusion that neither would ever replace my PC, but I could definitely see the value in each and plan to purchase a MID at some point to compliment my PC. Personally, I couldn't function normally without my SmartPhone any longer, and suspected they'd be a more popular choice in the poll. For MIDs, the outlook is more bleak. It looks like they won't be selling very well with enthusiasts at all--at least not yet.

What say you? Will the majority of your technology purchases revolve around your desktop PC, or is there another type of device in your future?

Still Looking For Input

Marco C — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 01:31:00 GMT

My recent blog post "Always Looking For Input" generated quite a bit of feedback from readers and even a few manufacturers. In that post, I wrote about my pseudo-obsession with input devices and why I burn through so many of them on a regular basis. (Hint: It's because I'm a bit OCD)

After reading what I had to say about Enermax's swank Aurora Premium and Caesar keyboards, the folks at SteelSeries--well, representatives of SteelSeries at least--thought I'd like to give one of their keyboards a try, namely the SteelSeries 7G. With its traditional design and supposed high-quality construction, I thought the 7G would be right up my alley, so I decided to give it shot.

If you're unfamiliar with the SteelSeries 7G, it's a standard looking 104-key keyboard, designed specifically for gamers. The stand-out features of the 7G include no-click, mechanical Cherry MX black key switches rated for 50 million keystrokes, 18K gold-plated connectors, a 2-port USB hub, microphone and headphone jacks, and an advanced buffer system that prevents ghosting. SteelSeries says this about the buffer system used in the 7G, "By utilizing the most powerful PS/2 buffer-system ever created for a gaming keyboard, SteelSeries 7G redefines 'anti-ghosting' by supporting as many simultaneous key presses as there are keys on the keyboard." Most definitely overkill, but better than what most other keyboards offer.

Having used the SteelSeries 7G for a couple of weeks now, I think I have gotten a pretty good feel for its good and bad points. First the good. The anti-ghosting buffer works really well. After writing a number of articles and playing more than my share of UT3 on the 7G, I found that its buffer system handles multiple simultaneous key-presses (whether planned or accidental) very well. I also noticed that the keys "activate" when pressed down only about 20% of the way, which may sound strange, but actually makes for some quick input once you get used to the keyboard's layout. Key feel is excellent, with firm resistance and quick response, and the keyboard stays put wherever it's set down thanks to its weight and oversized rubber feet. The 7G also seems to be very durable, as it hasn't exhibited any "shiny-ness" on its keys even after some heavy use.

Now for the bad. The 7G has no height adjustment and its wrist rest is nothing more than a plastic shell that sits around the keyboard--it doesn't even snap into place. SteelSeries also decided to inexplicably replace the left Windows Key with a proprietary function button that activates some basic media controls on the first six function keys. And the backslash and backspace keys are normal sized in favor of an oversized L-shaped enter key (some of you may actually prefer this). Finally, I also found that the built-in USB hub is only USB 1.1, so fast transfers to a flash drive are out of the question.

Overall, I'd rate the 7G very highly in terms of quality and feel--this is a great keyboard for writers and gamers--but I question a couple of the design decisions. If the left Windows Key was still there (or the custom key was switchable) and the built-in USB hub didn't downgrade my ports to 1.1, the 7G would be darn close to perfect. I'm going to stick with the 7G for a while anyway, but am thinking that I may have to plunk down some cash for a Deck or a Das Keyboard Pro out of curiosity...