UPDATE 2013 –

Well, as life would have it plans have changed but “life will find a way”!

While I’ve been in a “slump”, and as we all know “un-slumping” oneself is not easily done”, I’ve had to learn how to accommodate my different abilities.

Thus, the subtitle for the blog has changed to “confessions of a chik geek and gamer”.  I will begin to include some other non-PC related information.  Sneak previews of some topics include: Raised Bed, Square Foot and Container Gardening, some cool ideas for yard & gardening tools, Puggle & Doxle (dog) care, cameras & equipment, digital photography software applications just to name a few.

During my re-discovery phase I have decided to learn a new skill!  I spent my “slump time” learning Photoshop Elements 9, 10 and now 11 plus I’ve recently purchased my first DSLR – a Nikon D3000 and a FujiFilm S8200.

I’ve also purchased my 2nd pre-built machine ever! – a Lenovo Idea Centre K430 31092JU (http://www.amazon.com/Lenovo-IdeaCentre-31092JU-Desktop-Aluminum/dp/B0082PSJHG#productDetails) featuring the 3.4 GHz Core i7-3615QM. It came with 8GB DDR3, a 2 TB HDD and the Graphics Coprocessor is a NVIDIA GeForce GT 620. It also has HDMI (Out), a 9-in-1 Card Reader, and a Universal Storage Module (USM) interface dock.

But…  I’ve already upgraded the VGA to an Nvidia GTX 550Ti (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130625) because it has CUDA Technology (code named “Fermi”), 1GB of GDDR5 and a mini HDMI port out, which required an upgraded PSU. The PSU is a Rosewill RG630-S12 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817182200). And of course upgraded to Win 7 64-bit Pro as well as adding an additional 8GB of RAM and a BD reader.  The deal maker was that the price was almost $400.00 less at Fry’s than anywhere else making this machine, before upgrades, about $600.00 w/free shipping! The comparable product was $1600.00 had 24GB DDR3 but lacked a dedicated graphics card and only had a 400w PSU. Total cost including upgrades was about $1100.00.

The take away is this:

“Life will find a way.”

(- Michael Crichton, Jurassic Park)

Logitech G400 next-generation corded mouse (& replaces MX518) part 2

You may have read my review of the Logitech G300 posted on March 16^th (see Logitech Gaming Mouse G300). I had stated “Based on my research I read many recommendations for both of these Logitech mice and purchased both…”   This is my review of the Logitech G400 Gaming Mouse.

Features in a nutshell:

• 400 dpi to 3600 dpi optical sensor: precision targeting, pinpoint accuracy and consistent response
• Ergo design: comfortable sculpted natural fitting palm grip, low-friction feet and easy reach programmable buttons
• In-game sensitivity switching with four dpi levels with a single button and return to the original dpi setting by simply taking your finger off the button

The right-handed G400’s shell is the same exact shape as the mx and g5 mice we’ve all been using for years. The sides of the mouse are coated with a nice smooth rubberized coating. Logitech replaced the glossy plastic in favor of regular, painted plastic for the top/palm part of the shell. The weight of the G400 is a slightly heavier than the G300 (and the MX518), and the G400 does not have a set of weights that can be used to customize the weight of the mouse.

I like the pair of mouse buttons and accompanying scroll wheel. There are two well-placed thumb buttons within easy reach and act as forward and back buttons for web browsers and other applications. For more precise control over the responsiveness of the mouse, the two buttons either side of the scroll wheel increase or decrease the DPI sensitivity of the mouse on the fly.   The four default DPI settings (3600, 1800, 800 and 400 dpi steps) are varied enough that you’ll notice a difference as you go through them.  Another button sets the mouse instantly to its default 800 dpi setting. I am able to use it on just about any surface without skipping; it feels and appears to be extremely precise and I have complete control.

 

Logitech Gaming Software

I actually like the way it’s set up. The application is clean and easy to use. You can create macros now, too. The Logitech Gaming Software package is available to download from the Logitech website, and it enables you to adjust the four sensitivity and the ability to assign each button to a specific key. You can also record and assign your own macros or key presses using the software interface.

These settings are only saved locally which means that you’ll only be able to use your customized settings on your home computer.  You can, however, export them onto a flash drive and load them on another computer.

For digital art, digital photo editing and gaming I have found a much greater control over mouse sensitivity and for those who want an affordable  ($39.99 on sale at Best Buy) precision mouse for other tasks too, this is a very good pointing device. My personal preference between to two models is the G400 based on weight and shape.

27″ LCD Samsung P2770H SyncMaster Monitor

A few weeks ago my 5 year old Gateway FHD2400 24″ 3ms HDMI Widescreen LCD Monitor w/ 4-port USB Hub/ S-Video, Composite, Component stopped working.  Aside from being massively impressed by the Gateway (I’m sure you understand by the specs) I was just as utterly disappointed when it wouldn’t turn on anymore.  Since my skill set is building and repairing PC’s I did not feel confident attempting to troubleshoot and repair the monitor.  Of course the Gateway monitor has already been superseded by another, less impressive, model so I set out to research my next new monitor.

One of my goals for new equipment is always getting the “most bang for my buck” while staying within a pre-determined budget.  I try to find products that fit the needs of my computing tasks, which are anywhere from simple word processing  to video gaming up to digital art and photography, and then go looking for the best price.  I found the Samsung P2770H at Sam’s Club for $259.00, which was the best price I was able to find at the time of the research.

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Aside from the size of this monitor the other two features that attracted me were:  automatic shut-off and the 2ms response time.  I read that the Samsung P2770H uses 33% less power than other monitors in this class.  The power-off feature automatically shuts off the monitor when not in use, saving energy and prolonging the monitor life. Reportedly the P2770H has a 2ms response time, too.

While I’ve lost some of the other inputs that I had on the Gateway (S-Video, Composite, & Component) this Samsung gives me an HDMI input for my PS3 – which serves as my gaming console, BD player and .avi player-another 3” inches of viewing area – which eliminates the need for a dual monitor set-up – and it leaves my physical desktop accessible for old fashioned things like pens, pencils, stapler, envelopes and paperwork.

As far as viewing quality I am quite pleased with the matte finish (no glare from lights), the color quality appears to be accurate; photo and image editing  and drawing are very clear; movie playback is crisp, clean, and ghost free.  Gaming detail, refresh & redraw are excellent and there doesn’t seem to be a lag with any of the types of games I play (admittedly I have not tried FPS, MMOG or Racing games yet) which range from RTS, RPG and simulation games.

Samsung also has MagicTune (software equivalent of the on screen display menu) but some users are running into compatibility issues especially with Mac OS X, Windows XP and Vista. I personally regard this type of software as I regard other “bloatware” and do not use MagicTune so I have no opinions to offer either way. The Natural Color Software (it is a color administration system developed by Samsung Electronics) but users are reporting issues with compatibility of Adobe products so I have not used this product either.

Features – in a nutshell

• Resolution: 1920 x 1080 w/ matte screen type.
• Response Time: 2ms
• Viewing Angle: 170°/160°
• Color Support: 16.7 Million
• Inputs: VGA (D-Sub) and HDMI
• Not VESA compatible (stand only)
• Power Consumption: 50W
• Product Weight: 14.8 lbs.
• Product Size Without Stand: 26.3″ x 16.6″ x 2.5″
• Product Size With Stand: 26.3″ x 19.1″ x 9.6″(base)