Associate Tech Reviews for November 4, 2012

I can’t believe it is already Movember.  A time of year when all the men grow the best mustaches in support of charity.

Looking forward to all the great looks.

HIGHLIGHT REVIEW

First Look – Ceton Echo Windows Media Extender @MissingRemote

The XBOX 360 has ruled the Windows Media Center (WMC) extender market since it killed off third-party completion with the release of Windows Vista, but for many the brutish gaming consoles size, appetite for electricity, and unpleasant noise levels made it unwelcome in the A/V stack. With a lithe chassis, miserly power consumption, and a modern system-on-a-chip (SOC) offering the potential for proper HD file support the Ceton Echo could be just the thing to breathe fresh life into Microsofts aging platform. Our sample just arrived so it has not been run through the wringer yet, but since the hardware is set and pre-orders starting it is worth taking a look to getting a basic understanding of what the Echo has to offer. Check back later for our full review when the software is finalized.

First Look – Ceton Echo Windows Media Extender @MissingRemote

CHASSIS

• Lian Li PC-7HX Mid Tower Case Review @ Hi Tech Legion
• NZXT Aperture M Review @ ThinkComputers
• CM Storm Scout II Chassis Review @ Kitguru
• Cougar Challenger Mid-Tower Chassis Review @ eTeknix
• BitFenix OUTLAW Midi Tower Review @ NikKTech
• NEXUS Prominent 5 Midi Tower Review @ NikKTech

COOLERS

• Reeven ColdWing 12 Fan Series Review @ eTeknix

GAMING

• Alan Wake PC Review @ eTeknix
• Rapture Game Studios @ LanOC Reviews
• In the Game #2 – Top 5 Games that Need to be Revived @ Hi Tech Legion

GRAPHIC CARDS

• ASUS HD 7970 DirectCU II Video Card Review @ ThinkComputers

MOTHERBOARDS

• Z77 Overclocking Motherboard Shootout – MSI vs ASRock @ Hothardware
• Sapphire Pure Platinum A85XT (A85X) Motherboard Review @ eTeknix

OTHERS

• Overclockers UK Titan Prodigy Polar Review @ Vortez
• Microsoft Surface Tablet (64GB / Windows RT) Review @ HardwareHeaven
• SD iDuo 2-in-1 Stylus & Pen Review @ DragonSteelMods
• 3D Printing vs Patents and Gun Controls @ Benchmark Reviews

PERIPHERALS

• Gear4 Angry Birds Black Bird Mini Speaker Review @ TestFreaks
• CM Storm Recon Gaming Mouse and Skorpion Mouse Bungee Review @ HardwareHeaven
• Gigabyte Aivia Krypton Mouse & Mouse Pad Review @ Hardware Canucks
• Icy Dock MB981U3S-1S HDD Docking Station @ Hi Tech Legion
• Urbanears Zinken Headphones Review @ TestFreaks

SYSTEMS

• Apple iPad Mini Review @ HardwareHeaven
• iPad 4 Teardown @ ifixit
• iPad Mini Teardown @ ifixit
• Lenovo IdeaTab S2110 Tablet Review @ Hothardware