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monitor

Definitive Technology's new monitor speaker rocks the house

My fondness for big speakers is longstanding, but I'm almost as big a fan of smaller speakers that sound big. Take Definitive Technology's StudioMonitor 55 speaker ($299 each). Measuring 13x7.8x12.3 inches it's not all that big, but it weighs a hefty 15.4 pounds. The StudioMonitor 55 is a handsome, but conventional-looking design, until you peel off the cloth grille on the top of the speaker and see the "racetrack bass radiator." It's a unique Def Tech feature, and one that really helps the StudioMonitor 55 outperform similarly sized speakers.… Read more

The 404 1,095: Where we hang onto the bar (podcast)

Last week's show with the Sleep Doctor Michael Breus answered a lot of questions about how to stop snoring and sleep better, and Dr. Breus generously donated a Renew Sleep Clock to give away. The contest starts today, so head over to our 404 SubReddit and tell us about your craziest dream for a chance to win!… Read more

Top monitor values under $300

Unless you have a strict, $200 maximum budget when purchasing your next monitor, there's a good chance you'll be at least a bit excited about the following list.

Sure, $300 is no amount of money to sneeze at, but in the grand scheme of devices that allows your computer to visually communicate with you, it could be a lot higher.… Read more

Microsoft prototype stylus would work on any device screen

A new stylus in the works from Microsoft could allow for input even on non-touch screens.

Rather than relying on a touch screen, the stylus would use a mounted camera to track both movement and angle across the screen, as described by MIT's Technology Review. By using the camera to capture images from the screen, the stylus could actually count the number of pixels being tracked to determine its position.

The current prototype has received kudos within Microsoft, noted Technology Review, and the company is currently deciding whether to push its development forward with the goal of creating a … Read more

How to use your iPad as an external monitor over Wi-Fi

The iPad display is capable of so much more than firing pin-sharp pixels at your face. They say there's an app for anything, and while many throw a wrench in your productivity gears, some can improve your workflow in unexpected ways -- such as rigging up your iPad as an external display over Wi-Fi.

A second monitor could sit next to your laptop as a simple widescreen mobile hub, or alongside your desktop computer as extra visual real estate to keep those heavyweight widgets off your main screen.

It's not just available for Macs either. We'll be … Read more

Get a Planar 22-inch LCD monitor for $99.99

You know the old saying: the early bird gets the cheap desktop LCD.

Until tomorrow, and while supplies last, Dell Home has the Planar PL2210W 22-inch LCD monitor for $99.99 shipped (plus sales tax in some states). That's after applying coupon code PB1$HPNGJBZ$M9 at checkout.

The 22-incher has long been the sweet spot for desktop monitors, both in terms of price and practical size. If you've never experienced the joy that is a second screen, here's your chance to add one on the cheap.

As you might expect, the PL2210W is a fairly no-frills … Read more

World's fastest camera detects elusive cancer cells

Modifications to the world's fastest camera are enabling the real-time identification of rare breast cancer cells in blood, with a record low false-positive rate of one cell in a million, according to new research out of UCLA.

"This technology can significantly reduce errors and costs in medical diagnosis," lead author Keisuke Goda, a UCLA program manager in electrical engineering and bioengineering, said in a school news release.

The team's approach could not only pave the way for earlier detection of cancer and monitoring of drug and radiation therapy but also prove useful in urine analysis, water … Read more

Top 5 lowest-power-consuming IPS monitors

So, how difficult is it to make a low-power-consumption monitor? Well, if this list is any indication, not very. However, among the lowest of low-power-consumption monitors, there's usually one common factor: Twisted Nematic (TN) panels.

Any company can make a low-power-consumption TN-based monitor, though, so a list consisting of only TN monitors would be pretty boring. What would be slightly less boring is a list consisting of In-Plane Switching (IPS) monitors that draw relatively small amounts of power to function. That is a list to get somewhat more excited about. So, I've decided to make that list.

To be clear, the difference you'd pay per year running these things -- using our formula -- is small in the grand scheme of things.

Still, I thought it would be interesting to see just how low IPS monitors can go.… Read more

Get a Planar 27-inch desktop monitor for $209.99

Big monitors are awesome. They're easier on aging eyes like mine, and they let you keep multiple windows open without forcing you to scroll around a lot within them.

For a limited time, Dell Home has the Planar PX2710MW 27-inch LCD monitor for $209.99 shipped (plus sales tax in some states). That's after applying coupon code F783J2GMPWM$D1 at checkout.

It sells elsewhere for $40-80 more.

The PX2710MW is a 1080p monitor, meaning it has a native resolution of 1,920 x 1,080 pixels. That's great, though anyone seeking to do any really detailed photo-editing … Read more

How to power four simultaneous screens with the Retina MacBook Pro

The new MacBook Pro with Retina display has many noteworthy features, from a unique 2,880x1,800-pixel screen to new Nvidia graphics to large SSD storage options. But, the most surprising may be the multiple video outputs -- something not seen on a MacBook before now.

The last several generations of MacBook have had either a mini-DisplayPort or combo Thunderbolt/DisplayPort jack. HDMI has been on our most-wished-for lists for years, so Apple finally adding HDMI (which is found on pretty every other current laptop) is a big move, especially when combined with a second Thunderbolt port.

The initial review of the Retina ProRead more