Tech Spotlight

Microsoft has updated there search technology inside Windows XP and Windows Vista to Version 4.0.  You can grab this through Windows Update in a 9 MB package and once installed you may have to reboot and then it will rebuild your index from scratch.  Windows Search helps you find and preview documents, emails, music files, photos and other items on your computer.  You also can gain instant results when searching in particular programs.

This new version of there instant search improves indexing of decrypted documents, support for indexing online mailboxes, faster previewer updates for Windows XP, per user group policy settings, Windows software updates for Watson errors, reduced effect on Microsoft Exchange when you index email in online mode included with no local cache, support for client-to-client remote query to shared indexing locations, prevention of customized index locations in the Control Panel, prevention of automatically adding shared folders to the index, prevention from quering the index remotely and speedier indexing performance.

With Google having there own desktop search it keeps Microsoft on top of there game by improving there search technology within Windows.  Windows Search on my system is already almost always instantaneous and is one of the features I really like with Windows Vista.  Although this is not a required update, you might get a performance boost on your system and it is worth updating to the latest version.

Dell yesterday at noon announced there new computer line called Studio Hybrid.  Dell is attempting to get in the small form factor computer market with this system measuring only 9 inches tall.  They coin there new system as an anywhere-you-want-it-desktop.  Available in 6 different colors and there standard bamboo they are stating it is very stylish and sleek.  The Studio Hybrid system is 70% more green and energy efficient than a standard tower desktop that meets Energy Star 4.0 standards.

Pricing starts at $499 without a monitor and up to over $1000 with a monitor and depending on the options you want on the system.  All of the Studio Hybrid computers come standard with an Intel Core 2 Duo Processor, Slot Load CD/DVD Writer, Intel Integrated Graphics, Intel Integrated HD Audio, Gigabit Ethernet LAN, 5 USB 2.0 Ports, Firewire 4-Pin Port, HDMI/DVI Video Connector, Digital Audio Out (SPDIF) with the weight being a mere 4.8 pounds with the stand.

Optional items available for more money are a Draft-N Wireless Connector, up to a 320 GB Hard Drive, up to 4 GB DDR2 RAM, Blu-Ray Drive, TV Tuner Card and an integrated chip of the Sound Blaster Audigy HD Sound Card.

My thoughts about this system are if you are in need of traveling with this device or move your computer frequently this might be a good choice.  Another good application for this would be for a Media Center PC, as Dell has stated this computer is quiet and the living room would be a viable source.  On the negative, if you do any sort of graphic intensive work or 3D gaming you will need to look elsewhere.  The integrated graphics chip just will not cut it and they don’t even offer a separate Graphics Accelerator Port which is actually to be expected since this is such a small form factor.