Best Digital DJ Controllers of 2010

So you wanna be a DJ, eh? Here's the best of the best, according to the boys at Digital DJ: 1) Traktor Kontrol S4 - $899, 2) Numark Mixtrack Pro - $250, 3) Vestax VCI-300 MKII - $799. Get that living party started!

Putting An End To This Mac Vs. PC Bidness

PC or Mac? Coming from a field that's been so heavily focused on both interfaces, it's hard to choose favorites based on operating system alone. Additionally, the push for cloud computing has made it even more difficult to hand over the kudos to Apple's slightly more innovative Macbook line. Basically, if everything is possible over the internet, it doesn't really matter if you're on a Mac or PC. What does matters is a reasonably sized keyboard, a decent screen, a strong WiFi card, and lightweight body for portability.

Fortunately, both of the Macbook and HP Mini series are capable machines that sport all of the above requirements for an above-average notebook. The only difference being the price. With a good company or educational discount deal, you can have the new unibody Macbook 13" for about $1100. The HP Mini 2140 can be had for about less than half of that - $500. There are reasons for it being this cheap, outside of it being "PC" instead of a "Mac." Quotations are present for obvious reasons.

One of the big differences is resolution. While the Macbook allows for the standard 1280x800 resolution (good for 720p films and such), the HP only supports 1024x576. If you're looking to browse the web for extended periods of time, squinting at the text rendered on the HP Mini just isn't really a good idea. The Macbook's larger digital workspace lets you comfortably browse without added eyestrain, while maintaining the body weight down at a reasonable 4.5lbs (vs. HP's 2.5lbs).

Secondly, the specs are worth a quick mention. The HP uses a 1.6Ghz Atom processor while the Macbook comes in flavors of 2.0GHz or 2.4GHz Core 2 Duo. There's no doubt the Macbook is a superior machine in terms of performance, but where it strives in power, it loses in battery life. In real world tests, you can squeeze about 3 hours out of the Macbook on a single charge; you can get about twice as much using a six-cell battery on the HP Mini. There is no expansion for the Macbook due it its unibody design.

Aesthetics and ergonomics come into play, but are absolutely subjective depending on the individual. Personally, I find the Macbook's design many levels above the HP Mini, though this shouldn't come as much of a surprise. Thoughtful design has always been one of Apple's strongest selling points and continues to be up until now. The HP Mini, on the other hand, isn't a pushover either. The simple, lightweight design pushes the boundary on what a cheap "netbook" could and should be. Its spacious keyboard truly allows for comfortable computing without making you feel like you're on a child's toy.

Finally, the last thing we should glisten on is longetivity. In IT, we use the term "destructive technology" a great deal when dealing with hardware refreshes. Simply put, a new piece of tech is deemed destructive when it completely annihilates another industry. For instance, the MP3 destroyed CDs. DVDs to VHS tapes. Facebook to Myspace. The list goes on. This does not happen much with the field of personal computers, but it does happen, just on a smaller scale.

While the Macbook may continue to be more than usable for 3-4 years after the intial purchase, "netbooks" have had a natural tendency to become outdated fairly quickly (just by looking at the rate of new netbook releases every 3 months) and feels like they've become more of a "phenomenon" than a true market niche that's destined to stay. Some may argue otherwise, especially when you consider the upward trend of netbook sales, but one must truly consider value in every conceivable definition before making a final decision on something you'll be using on a daily basis. Hell, most people take up more time picking out a bed than laptops these days anyway.

In the end, technology is technology and every budget is as different. If you're doing most of your daily work via an online interface anyway, the Mac vs. PC argument can end right there. Because even though gestures are a noteworthy plus, there needs to be much more than that to justify $400-$500 above a similarly speced PC.

So it really comes down to is how much you're willing to throw down. Those extra bells and whistles matter to you? (It's quite okay, if they do, really) For me, they're enough to greatly effect my purchasing decision. While I'll never let go of my pimped out desktop PC, but for portability, I'll stick with my Macbook. I'll tout it around like an asshole, but for me, it just makes sense. Gesture control is perfect for my blogging habits, the ability to dual boot into Windows will allow me to switch on over whenever OSX pisses me off, and the design is on par to a BMW I can't afford as of the moment, so why not settle on a little machine that'll bring a smile to your face the next day? Ah, yes. I said it. A piece of aluminum can really bring a smile to one's face. Strange world we live in, no?

Another Day In Paradise

There are points in a man's life where breaking something in half becomes a viable option. Like when a lightswitch fails to work no matter how many times you replace the circuit and bulbs. Or when you purchased a brand new car just to realize someone keyed it a few hours later. Or maybe you have a Gigabyte P965-DS3 motherboard that just doesn't know when to stop cold booting, no matter how many times you try to reset the jumper settings and CMOS battery. Yeah, today is one of those days. At least I have this guide and HardOCP to help me set everything back to normal.

The New White To Become New No More

Just a prediction, but it's more than just a long shot. Seeing as how they are addressing the upgraded iMacs and iPods in recent releases, January should establish a much long awaited full color palette change for Apple. Read more.

Retro iPhone Mod Amazing, Still A Huge Phone

Momentarily, I have a black RAZR and a black 8GB iPod Nano 2G with zero complaints. However, if I were to ever get tired of having my pockets filled with flat technology items and were willing spend the epic amounts of money for the iPhone, I would definitely mod it to look something sexy like this.

How To Make A Next-Gen Console Sell

To accompany my dying need for an AIO solution, here's just a few things developers can do to improve the current state of console depression:

1. Make a console that's easy for developers to port.
2. Limit new redesigns and upgrades to 1 every 3 years.
3. Integrate open-source media file support.
4. Make internal hard drives SATA swappable.
   
5. Make it as power efficient as hell.
6. Give us more than 2 color choices.
7. Do NOT charge for online connectivity.
8. Have HDMI out. The more ports the better.
   
9. Stop the format war and make a standard HD media.
10. Give the console PC and Mac support.
11. Make games downloadable for cheap (~$20). Then, allow gamers to return finished games for rebates for other games (~$10). This encourages a constant turnover in purchases and gamers don't feel like they are wasting time or money.
12. Make VoiP/voice messaging support standard.
13. Include TiVo abilities.
    
14. Make rumble, wireless controllers standard.
15. Beta test it and don't release it until it's ready.

In Dying Need of An All-In-One Solution

Okay, I've had it. These developers are lazy, lazy, lazy. Motherfuckers don't get paid enough or something?

The Playstation 3 - a horrid failure. I've tried to look at it at many angles. The Bluray and Cell are nothing without software and so far I see no third party games that have given it enough hype to go past a $150 price tag. They've made it so copyright-proof that no one has been able to hack it for years now. Congrats! The DS Lite sold millions mainly because of a flash cart override that allowed hacking to look like child's play. Free games drive console sales which you truly need. Might as well start making all the games free in order to generate user base, idiots.

The Xbox 360 - so much bad press that it gives me a headache. When I think of the 360, I think of rings. When I think 360, I think of a good idea on paper, but poorly executed. You call it a media center, but it doesn't even support x264, mkv, DivX, XviD, or any of the popular video codecs that make a media center sell. Your games are better, which I will admit, but you still can't sell me past $200. C'mon seriously. It's all plastic stuck together with super tape.

Nintendo Wii - it's fun for 10 minutes. Tupac entertains me longer than that. This console has no future. I pity the fool who is still trying to sell it on Craigslist for $300 thinking he'll make a profit.

You fanboys make me laugh. You're just as pathetic as these developers who don't know how to appeal to the masses. There should be guidelines next time they release an update; instead of filling up the market place with multiple SKU's that are straight up stupid IMHO. Gah, maybe I should just forcefully takeover a company to straighten out this mess.

Panasonic HDC-SD1 Is Beautiful

Huge 3" viewscreen. Sharp resolution. Small. Light. Word on the street is that you can get this bad boy for around $800 online somewhere. Crisp self-indulgent high definition technology never looked so goddamn good.

Colorware Makes 360's, PS3's, and Computers Become Elite

Colorware is a wonderful company that has the painting expertise of Van Gogh when it comes to customizing that iPod Touch, gaming machine, or lappy top to your liking. Their paint jobs usually run around $99, but for the amazing jobs they pull off it's more than worth it. Check out their site here.

Fantom G-Force 1TB External Hard Drive

Earlier this month, MicroNet released the G-Force MegaDisk NAS (MDN1000). The features were good and the price tastes so right, I really can't wait to get my hands dirty all over it's beautiful aluminum finish that matches right with my Lian-Li PC-V600 Case.

Sam Hecht Designs New LaCie Portables

Sure, okay I know I've been bashing on LaCie forever now about the crappy quality of their drives, but one thing they've "got it going on" much more than the competition is their keen eye for good design. As much as I've got a crush on Western Digital's MyBook, these simply cannot be beat in terms of aesthetics. Come take a look.

Macbook Pro Review, Epitome of Laptops

I've never had to play favorites before. Not like this. Not with something so controversial. However, if I had to pick a laptop for the next 3-4 years, the Apple Macbook Pro wins no contest. Again, working at the computer shop forced me (Yeah, right) to take the latest model for extensive test runs lasting 5-6 hours at a time. Here's what I've concluded:

I think the greatest part about a Macs are the fact that you can always get those "Ah-ha!" moments in there, and when you do, it's ever so satisfying. For those who use the Adobe Creative suite, this is even so much more a of a necessity as it streamlines so perfectly with the OSX interface. Movies play on VLC so sexily and it can function as a media center all in itself - and with the remote: even sexier. 9.7/10.

Pros: Beautiful. LED-backlight saves battery. One of the lightest 15-inchers. Great software. Matches silver goodness. Dual-boot is now feasible.

Cons: Gets quite hot, like all laptops. Burns hole in your pocket after preliminary purchase.

LaCie External Drives, F.A. Porsche Design Review

Having to deal with these annoying drives at my workplace I've found their failure rate to be approximately 74%. I've never seen a drive returned for RMA so many times in my life. Save yourself a headache and avoid the LaCie brand at all costs. 1.2/10.

Concealed and Compact Surge Protectors

Even surge protectors can flaunt a bit a style. Belkin has some smooth lookin' ones here.

The Search For the LCD TV Continues

The room is empty. So bloody empty. I must find one soon, but new pixel technology keeps teasing me to wait. But how long must I wait? How long is Hao Long?

Lenovo's Olympics-inspired Laptops

Pretty sweet lookin' if you ask me. Go China!

My Brand New Toy, Canon Powershot SD600

Now, to find myself a waterproof case because I know what happens when Canons get wet.

And so I've decided...

...Not to buy any monitor that's not HDCP compliant.

That includes the current Apple monitors. If you buy one today and connect it to your new Mac Pro, you won't be able to display HD content from a Blu-Ray player Apple may release next year, and don't expect Apple to help you when you complain. This goes the same with PC's that aren't really compatible unless you find homebrewed WinACD drivers floating around the net somewhere.

I would suggest that everyone boycott Apple displays until they add HDCP!

I really don't understand why Apple ever released the newer line of displays without HDCP. It was really stupid.

PS: I also hear Apple doesn't really attempt to repair any buggy monitors, they just replace them. Therefore, you're better off buying Apple Care to extend your crappy 1 year warranty, or else you'll get charged with a full priced monitor when you send it into repair.

Gigabyte GA-965G-DS3 Core 2 Duo Motherboard

It seems the on-board video option limits the overclockability of the Intel chipset. I did not know this. However, it does perform flawlessly if you do not plan on overclocking. Interested in building an extremely stable Core 2 Duo system? Message me, I'll give it to you for cheap.

Imminent mass destruction.

I've decide to pull the trigger on my new core 2 duo purchase. No Intel chip has been this hot since the good ol' 2.4C days, so I'm pretty psyched even though I have a 25 page paper due in a couple of days. Still, I've never been this excited since the last time I went to IKEA.

Here are the exact specs of my new system:

Case: Lian Li V Cool PC-V600A
Mobo: Gigabyte GA-965P-DS3
CPU: Intel Core2 Duo E6300
RAM: Patriot 2GB (2x1GB) DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) 4-4-4-12
Video: MSI Radeon X1900XTX 512MB w/ AC Accelerox2 Cooling
Sound: Creative SB X-Fi XtremeMusic 7.1 Channels Retail
HD1: 150GB WD Raptor 10,000 RPM SATA150
HD2: 320GB Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 SATA
CD: NEC Silver 16x DVDRW Burner
Floppy: ALPS Silver Internal Floppy Drive
Monitor: Dell 2005FPW 20.1" Wide Aspect Monitor
Speakers: M-Audio LX4 2.1 Expandable Studio Monitors w/ Subwoofer
Keyboard: Logitech UltraX Keyboard
Mouse: Logitech MX700
Extras: Custom Lian Li Bezels, Artic Cooling 120mm Silent Fans, Rubber Grommets, Custom Filter, Wristpad, etc.

I still gotta check the clearance on the Zalman CNPS9500 and Antec TPII 550W power supply. This case is tiny, but somehow fits all these huge things into it. Kind of reminds me of those VW commercials.

But damn, that system added up quick. No new car for me, for a while.

UPDATE: Thanks Chris for the heads up. It seems the distance from the motherboard to the powersupply is a mere 95mm. That means no 9500 will be able to fit in there unless I start sawing away parts of the power supply. Recommendations? I'm thinking of the ZALMAN CNPS7700-Cu whose height clearance is 67mm.