Episode 156: Bargain SSDs, Core i7 EliteBook, DIY Game Console Repair, Recuva, Free Google Phone Calls, Bluetooth Speakers! [Discussion]

[serafina]

Rucuva Deleted Files For Free, PS3 vs. Xbox 360: Screw Gaming: What's the best Home Theater Console? Laptop Core i7: HP's EliteBook 8440w. Get Your Bluetooth Stereo On... if you must. SSD Picks, Viewing RAW files in Windows 7

Watch or download this episode here

[quagga]

I'm waiting for the next Intel revision of SSDs. I'm not sure I trust Sandforce drives yet. The only major OS which is lacking TRIM at this point is OS X to my knowledge. So I wouldn't worry to much about that (although do make sure you enable it). Unless you still consider XP a major OS.

As an Xbox 360 owner, I say neither. Both of them use way way way to much power. You're better off buying a real bluray player or you know, a real set top box. The Wii can't even play DVDs can it?

Presently I watch revision 3 on my Xbox 360 streamed from my server and watch netflix on the BD player (it uses way less power). I'm hoping when the Goog TV launches I can drop that in as the media connector digital centerpiece ... thingie. We'll see.

[hugo_gaytan]

it is not spanish, but it´s a Latin based language; as much as the spanish we use it´s actually "CASTELLANO", there are bouth latin based.

love the show.

[mikemcculley]

SSDs are neat. I still don't regret wasting my money on an 80gb X-25. But, nobody cares. I really just wanted to post that Veronica was looking very beautiful this week.

[ptousig]

While it is true that hybrid HDDs are essentially another level of cache for your data, they do have one significant advantage over all the other levels of cache. It persists reboots. Right?

Presumably, that means faster boot times.

[davmoo]

For voice, I think bluetooth is great. I prefer a stereo headset even for just talking on the phone. I've worn out two sets of pads on my Motorola HT820 headset.

But for good stereo music, bluetooth sucks. Don't do it unless you have no other choice.

[dewman65]

While watching the show I shuddered as I watched the review of the new HP elite. While the product looks good, I have to admit I am leery of any hp product. HP(as well as compaq) has had longstanding northbridge issues with almost all of their motherboards. within three months of use mysterious blue screens, usb issues, mouse and keyboard issues as well as power issues will crop up. HP will replace the motherboard and the cycle will continue till your one year warranty is up. All of their motherboards are manufactured on the cheap as there is little profit on these on the retail side. I used to be an avid HP/compaq fan but after having to fix them for numerous years outside of the one year warranty for an extended warranty provider, I would not recommend them to anyone I like. I hope with the elite this is not the case but only time will tell.

[mdmckee]

im sorry to say but im kinda getting disappointed in the advertising sponsors. i mean i support by trying it and have netflix among other sponsors products or services. the only thing i see is the address that is shown such as netflix.com/tekzilla only shows the customer base. the 2 week free trial is for everyone no matter who signs up whether its tekzilla, someone who watches another program on say the tv, or just someone who pops up on the site and whats to try it. i think this is for all the sponsors. give something more then 2 weeks, especially if its a large monthly or large yearly rate like go to assist. i do love the show, keep up the great work.

[dh4645]

obviously the ps3 is the better choice for home theater console...glad not to see any 360 fanboys going nuts in the forums.

can't really argue with their choice....blu-ray, great upscaling, wireless built-in (new 360 finally has this), netflix (with disc...soon not needed), a ton of file formats easily read off HDD, easily upgraded HDD, easy streaming from pc's, tons of content on psn, hulu plus (if u wanna pay). etc, etc.

i looked for my ps3 netflix disc 2 days ago and couldnt find it, so i just used my sony xbr9's netflix instead. now that i finally figured out how to send the audio out from the tv to the 7.1 ss receiver (instead of using the crappy tv speakers), there really is no reason to use the ps3, 360, wii or pc to stream netlix on my tv anymore...just a waste of electricity.

[mcdaddy]

Saw your comments on the Momentus XT and wanted to give you some additional input as I have this on my laptop. First the XT uses SLC memory, as opposed to MLC that you normally find in mainstream SSD's. This, and the 4 Gig size definitely help with the speed. Additionally, the 4 gig is not a cache. It's more like superfetch on steriods. It learns your behavior, and loads programs, data etc. into the Solid State memory and leaves it there. It only swaps out information over time based on your computer habits.

While the drive is OS independent, for Windows 7 users should search support sites for performance settings. For instance, it is recommended you turn off Superfetch to help with performance.

For my laptop I have 8 Gig of Ram, and the Momentus XT with its 4 gig of Solid State memory and its 32 gig cache and 7200 rpm hard drive. Believe me when I tell you performance is not a problem, and given the cost of this setup vs. a 500 gig SSD, this is cheap. That said, I am totally happy with the performance and highly recommend the drive.