SAN FRANCISCO (07/26/2000) - One-GHZ Too slow for you? If you demand the fastest PC on the block, look for Intel Corp.'s 1.13-GHz Pentium III chip, expected to launch by the time you read this. Systems will be shipping in limited quantities, from big-name vendors only. Look for a greater supply later in the fall. Analysts expect this to be the last speed bump for PIII before the P4 chip arrives in early fall.
*Big LCD Deal: Looking for a large-screen LCD that costs no more than a typical midrange desktop PC? Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.'s SyncMaster 770TFT, introduced last spring at US$1800, now sells for $1454-an outstanding price for a high-quality 17-inch active-matrix display. One caveat: If you set it any lower than its native 1280 by 1024 resolution, type begins to look smudgy.
Tidbytes
*Wireless Broadband for Travelers: Metricom's eagerly awaited 128-kbps next-generation Ricochet service should be available in Atlanta and San Diego by the time you read this, with rollout in additional cities by summer's end.
You can expect to pay $60 to $90 a month for unlimited access--initially via serial port or USB modem, but eventually via PC Card. Ricochet use gives you untethered access to all types of online services.
Site to See:
MyStockOptions.com
Want 'em? Got 'em? Got 'em and want to know how to manage 'em? We're talking stock options here--just like everyone else. Check out MyStockOptions.com, a free, interactive Web site chock-full of intelligently written articles on managing and maximizing options. Learn the basics at the site's extensive glossary and FAQs areas, and use the calculators and other tools to ask "what if" questions before you inadvertently commit a serious financial blunder.
Companies may wish to look into customized, private, secure versions for employees.
Top PC World Downloads
The Best Icons (All Icons)
2.56MB, 16,265 downloads
A free collection of 5000 icons.
System Cleaner 2000
2.50MB, 12,948 downloads
Removes duplicate, temporary, and cached files.
Liquid Desktop Screensaver
460KB, 10,815 downloads
A mesmerizingly melting screen.
Motherboard Monitor
1.2MB, 8855 downloads
Reads temperature and fan rpm data from your PC's BIOS; displays it in Windows' system tray.
WinFax Pro
36.83MB, 7324 downloads
Sends batch faxes; logs and sorts received faxes.
Download files can be found on
www.pcworld.com/fileworld/top5.