JVC Everio CU-VD20EK Share Station

Advantages: Compact, Larger than expected screen resolution, Stylish, Light, has USB2.0 capability
Disadvantages: Sluggish graphics, no internal CD drive.

...to run your latest games, at all. This machine is definately ouly really suited to office productivity tasks, email, internet etc etc. This would be due to the lack of RAM (256MB, and the video device is using shared memory. As far as storage is concerned, you get a moderate 30GB, which will be ample for all your word docs, spreadsheets, and a large chunk of MP3s. I mentioned that this machine has NO internal CD-drive, my guess is that this is to save internal space on the machine, bu mine did infact come with an EXTERNAL CD-drive, that could be plugged into the machine, via USB2.0. Overall a nice machine if a conventional laptop isn't the kind of item you're wanting to carry around all day, although it does have a hefty price tag considering the hardware specs. This machine is a useful buisiness tool, not just a play thing.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: simple to install and use
Disadvantages: thermal pads

...Well there isn't a lot to say about this cooler other than it is one of the simplest heatsinks I have ever installed. With its simple lever design and one side flat head screw driver holder (which prevents the screw driver from slipping and damaging the motherboard) lets you know which way the heatsink is meant to got on. Also each bracket has a 3 holed foot which makes it very secure and puts less stress on the zif socket as it spreads itself out over 3 hooks. With its copper base it allows the user to have a processor easily up to 3000+XP. The only problem I did have with them was that they came with one of those horrible thermal pads fitted which are pretty much useless on anything over 2400+ XP but there is light at the end of the tunnel. The latest 785CU's now come with a layer of good quality thermal paste which is great news... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: cheap
Disadvantages: slow

...As a budget scanner you can’t really expect much from it – however, the Mustek 600CU does not disappoint. With a USB connection, the scanner is fast at transferring the images, although a little slow in the physical scanning. A range of scanning options mean that you can scan almost anything, at the best or most appropriate setting. For example, colour, black and white, grey scale or line art. There are resolutions beyond the need of ANYONE, and can even be linked directly to the printer for ‘photocopying’. The colour perception on the scanner is not bad, and could be improved, especially with vivid colours, which turn out a bit wishy wash – also the line art setting needs improving, as when used with OCR (as the manual suggests), there are often discrepancies in the text. The scanner market is awash... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful