Chip Insider June 2011

YOUR GUIDE TO TECHNOLOGY TRENDS
Supplement to CHIP June 2011
INNOVATE
A unique omni-directional robot controlled by a basic cellphone
CAREERS
At the helm as a network administrator
TECH LEXICON
All you need to know about USB 3.0
INTERVIEW
We nd out how Nvidia is pushing the boundaries of graphics technology
CONTENTS
PC CONFIGS
4 32
PCS FOR STUDENTS
MANAGING EDITOR
PLUG AND PLAY
The best specifications for custom gaming PCs, plus some preassembled alternatives.
Portable PCs light enough to carry around on campus, yet powerful enough for all your projects and assignments.
Hatim Kantawalla
DEPUTY EDITOR
Jamshed Avari
36
THE TV SUBSTITUTE
WORKING ON THE MOVE
The ideal config for a home theater PC with some great products to match.
SENIOR FEATURE WRITER
Kamakshi S, Priyanka Tilve

FEATURE WRITER
Computing options for professionals who are constantly on the move.
T ECH TALK
SUPERSPEED CONNECTIVITY WITH USB 3.0
Everything you need to know about the latest connectivity standard.
Kushal Mamoowala
COPY EDITOR
12
CREATING DIGITAL ART
40
Machines best suited for those who create art on their PCs.
Sameer Desai
PROJECT COORDINATORS
FINAL CUT PROFESSIONALS

The perfect specifications for video editors, and some product options to complement them.
16
Rajesh D'Souza, Gautami Chalke
THE LATEST IN GRAPHICS PROCESSING

Vishal Dhupar from Nvidia tells us all about the newest graphics tech.
43
SENIOR ART DIRECTOR
Nirmal Biswas
SENIOR DESIGNER
20
BUILDING BRIDGES
Systems and configurations best suited for architects and engineers.
NETWORK ADMINISTRATOR: AT THE HELM

Pursue a challenging and fulfilling career in network administration.
45
Hemali Limbachiya
ILLUSTRATORS
Sachin Pandit, Chaitanya Surpur

COLOR CORRECTION
24
MUSIC MANIA
The best specialized setups for audio editors and musicians.
Sanjay Shelar
28
BASIC PCS FOR THE HOME
FREQBOT: A CELLPHONE POWERED OMNIDIRECTIONAL ROBOT

A unique robot that can be controlled via a standard cellphone.
48
HEAD OFFICE
Intelligent Computing CHIP, Infomedia 18 Limited, 'A' Wing, Ruby House, 2nd Floor, J.K. Sawant Marg, Dadar (W), Mumbai - 400 028. INDIA Phone: (91 22) 3024 5000, Fax: (91 22) 3003 4499
The ideal components for a basic home PC, plus portable alternatives.
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FOREWORD
I
From the various components that make up the system, to their prices, and the various brands on offer, youll find everything here.
f you go out computer shopping these days, the sheer amount of technology that is currently available is sure to overwhelm. If you decide to take opinions from others, you may end up with some good suggestions, but they may only add to the confusion. So how do you arrive at the best setup to suit your needs? Whether youre a gamer, a digital artist, an animator, a movie maker, a musician, an engineer, or a student, you can customize a system to suit your needs perfectly. But before that, you need to know exactly what you require out of your PC. If you are not very hands-on and would rather not build your own PC, knowing the right set of specications and components is enough to help you pick a system that will let you get the job done and last you for a few years without needed an upgrade. Size, form factor, weight, and portability are also major determining factors and the importance of these factors varies for each user. From the various components that make up the system, to their prices, and the various brands on offer, youll nd everything here. Be it a futureproof machine or something on a shoestring budget, you will nd everything you are looking for. For those looking for high-end gear, we will also give you the low down on all the latest tech advancements making their way into markets now. You can nd a rig to suit nearly every budget, and with so many options to choose from, make sure you do your homework, so you can make an informed decision and build your dream machine.
KAMAKSHI S
insider@chip.in
PC CONFIGS
GAMING RIGS
Since the advent of advanced gaming consoles, PCs might have lost a lot of ground as the best gaming device. Nonetheless, PC gaming is still a big market and users can enjoy the newest and best games on their PCs as long as theyre equipped with the high-end hardware demanded by todays games.
BY KUSHAL MAMOOWALA
PLUG AND PLAY
JUNE 2011
INTELLIGENT COMPUTING CHIP INSIDER SUPPLEMENT
e game
5
Sam is a hardcore gamer. He loves playing games of all genres ranging from action games like Call of Duty and Assassins Creed, to racing games like Shift 2: Unleashed and even sports games like FIFA 11. Mostly playing online, Sam is always aiming to reach the top of the rankings ladder for whatever game hes playing, which means he needs a crisp and uninterrupted gaming experience.
IDEAL SPECIFICATIONS
Processor Motherboard RAM Hard disk Graphics card Optical drive Monitor Keyboard Mouse Headset Sound card PC Case Power supply unit Operating system Cooling System Other Intel Core i7-2600K Gigabyte GA-H67A-D3H-B3 4 x 2 GB OCZ DDR3 1600 MHz Western Digital Caviar Black 2 TB SATA NVIDIA GeForce GTX 580 LG WH10LS30 10X Blu-ray Burner LG W2486L 24-inch LCD Logitech G15 Gaming Keyboard Logitech G500 Gaming Mouse Logitech G35 Surround Sound Headset
Rs 1,50,610
17,000 5,700 10,000 12,000 30,000 14,300 14,500 4,400 4,500 6,500 4,200 7,000 6,310 5,200 9,000 -
Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi XtremeGamer 7.1 Antec Twelve Hundred V3 Black Steel ATX Corsair CMPSU-750TX Windows 7 Home Premium Asetek 570LX Liquid Cooling system Gamepad, Joystick
BRAG PC DB10
Rs 1,17,000
Intel Core i7-2600K, 8 GB DDR3 1600 MHz, 2 TB SATA HDD, P67 Based Chipset, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 580, 24-inch Full-HD LCD display, water cooling system.
BRAG PC RB11
Rs 1,06,500
Intel Core i7-870, 8 GB DDR3 1333 MHz, 2 TB SATA HDD, P67 Based Chipset, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 580, 20-inch LED display, high performance air cooling.
ALIENWARE AREA 51 ALX

Rs 2,93,800
Intel Core i7-990X, 12 GB DDR3, 2 x 1 TB SATA-II 3.0Gb/s HDD, 2 x NVIDIA GeForce GTX 580, 24-inch Dell LCD monitor, ALX Spawce Black Aluminum Case.
ALIENWARE M18X LAPTOP

Rs 1,94,240
Intel Core i7-2920XM, 16 GB DDR3, 2 x 750 GB SATA 3.0Gb/s HDD, 2 x NVIDIA GeForce GTX 460M, 18 WLED Screen, add-on Logitech keyboard and mouse.
JUNE 2011
gamers
6
PC CONFIGS
ost games that are developed for consoles like the Playstation 3 and Xbox 360 are also available on PC. Then there are games dedicated for PC gaming. The latest games are sure to test the power of your GPU and require advanced input devices made specically for gaming, along with a fair bit of raw processing power.
hard drives in 2 TB and 3 TB capacities, which offer enough storage space for multiple games.
MOTHERBOARD:
INSIDE THE HOOD

A hardcore gamer would expect to be in front of his monitor for hours, playing games without interruptions. For such usage, a PC needs strong hardware that takes such loads without overheating.
In order to put all this great hardware together, you would need an equally powerful motherboard that is also future-proof, should you choose to upgrade your PCs components. The Gigabyte GA-H67A-D3H-B3 with the Intel H67 chipset has 6 PCIe & PCI expansion slots, multi-GPU support, 8 SATA ports, USB 3.0 and 2.0 ports and most importantly is capable of housing the Intel i7-2600K processor.
COOLING SYSTEM:
Having your machine process such great amounts of data for lengthy periods means most of the PROCESSOR: components will heat up to a fairly high temperature. Most high level CPUs To get the best gaming experience, and GPUs are equipped with their own you should equip your machine with a FOR MODEST BUDGETS cooling fans, but it is still advisable to use powerful processor, like the new Intel If you feel that enjoying games thermal cooling or a liquid cooling system Core i7 range of processors. The quadshouldnt cost an arm and a leg, you to ensure your machine doesnt overheat. can build a custom rig with a lower core processor is capable of handling the configuration that will still let you enjoy heavy load that a hardware-intensive ON THE DESK game requires. The onboard graphics your games on medium settings. Intel The best hardware inside your cabinet will chip can only handle low level graphics. Core i3 or i5 processors are suitable to not be able to give you the best gaming run most games and even the latest GRAPHICS: experience without the best peripherals games list Intel Core 2 Duo and AMD To get the best graphics on offer, you at your disposal. Gaming keyboards, mice Athlon II processors in the minimum can aid your CPU with a high-end and controllers, monitors and headsets requirements. As long as you have a dual graphics card. The Nvidia Geforce GTX all play a major role in optimizing your core processor higher than 2.4 GHz, you 580 is the best graphics card available. gaming experience. should be able to run most of the latest It comes with 1.5 GB GDDR5 memory games. You can also work with 2 GB of and clocks up to 1600 MHz. The GPU INPUT DEVICES: RAM, though you will be unable to run also supports 3D, features an HDMI Gaming keyboards like the Logitech G15 other applications in the background. If port, and houses its own cooling fan. let you to program complex commands you do intend to use reduced RAM, then Two Geforce GTX 580 cards can be used to a single key; USB ports allow you you must support it with at least a 256 in combination using SLI technology to to attach more peripherals; and LCD MB GPU to reduce the load. Graphics share the video rendering. displays show your saved proles. The cards based on GeForce 400 series or ATI Logitech G500 gaming mouse gives you Radeon 5400 and 5500 series GPUs are MEMORY: programmable buttons, and it can detect cheaper alternatives to high-end cards. Your PCs RAM also plays a key role in the smallest of movements for better your gaming experience. New games accuracy. You can also get a variety of require a minimum of 2 to 4 GB of RAM, to run gamepads and joysticks for games from brands your game at the lowest settings. For more powersuch as Razer, Steelseries and Roccat. hungry games, you need 8 GB of RAM. DDR3 RAM MONITOR: at 1600 MHz can handle heavy loads and still give PS3 and Xbox 360 games are best enjoyed on large you a lag-free gaming experience. HD LCD TVs. The same also applies to PC games, which are capable of even higher resolutions. You STORAGE: Storage is also important for a gamer hoping to play can take advantage of the crisp HD output of your multiple games on his PC. Most new games require graphics card with a high-end LCD or LED monitor 10-15 GB of free space for installation. This could be that supports resolutions of 1080p and higher. A 22 or a minimal installation that still accesses your hard 24-inch monitor is recommended for an immersive disk for a great deal of data, which could slow down experience. To take advantage of 3D features, make sure the monitor supports 3D technology. the game. Both Western Digital and Seagate offer
JUNE 2011
PC CONFIGS
SPECIFICATIONS
Intel Core i5-2537M 4 GB DDR3 500 GB NVIDIA GeForce GT540 Iomega SuperSlim Portable writer 11.6-inch HD LED Integrated Windows 7 Home Premium -
Processor Motherboard RAM Hard disk Graphics card Optical drive Screen Keyboard Mouse Speakers Sound card PC Case Power supply unit Operating system Cooling System
ALIENWARE M11X
Rs 50,100
The Alienware M11x is a relatively cheap gaming laptop that can be easily customized as a good gaming machine. This setup is suited to a cheaper budget and will be able to run most new games.
SPECIFICATIONS
Processor Motherboard RAM Hard disk Graphics card Optical drive Screen Keyboard Mouse Speakers Sound card PC Case Power supply unit Operating system Cooling System Intel Core i5-2500K Zotac H55-ITX WiFi Mini-ITX 4 GB DDR3 1 TB NVIDIA GeForce GTX 460 DVD-R SuperDrive SilverStone SG05 Windows 7 Home Premium Asetek LC 120mm Liquid Cooling
V3 GAMING PC MOVE
Rs 53,800
The V3 Gaming PC is equipped with hardware that can support most new games. A strong Intel Core i5 processor, ample storage, and sufficient RAM, along with a liquid cooling system make it a great budget gaming PC.
SPECIFICATIONS
Processor Motherboard RAM Hard disk Graphics card Optical drive Screen Keyboard Mouse Speakers Sound card PC Case Power supply unit Operating system Cooling System Intel Core i5-2500K Intel HM57 chipset 4 GB DDR3 500 GB NVIDIA GeForce GT435M DVD-RW 17.3-inch WLED JBL Waves MaxxAudio Windows 7 Home Premium -
DELL XPS 17 LAPTOP

Rs 42,630
The Dell XPS 17 is a great mid-priced gaming laptop. The large 17-inch screen, Nvidia Geforce graphics, JBL sound and the Intel Core i5 processor are perfect for running games at low or medium quality settings.
INTELLIGENT COMPUTING CHIP INSIDER SUPPLEMENT JUNE 2011
PC CONFIGS
BUSINESS EXECUTIVE RIGS
The netbook and notebook market has been a boon for those who wish to work on-the-go, and if a large part of your professional life is spent outdoors, you need a rugged portable solution with decent battery life that also lets you multitask with ease.
BY KAMAKSHI S
WORKING ON THE MOVE
Sachin Pandit, dummy name Chaitanya Surpur
JUNE 2011
PC CONFIIGS CON S CONFIGS ON
u execu
Anup is a young business executive and a lot of his work involves on-site visits and client meetings. He needs his data handy at all times. He also needs to update a centralized CMS with client and sales details. What kind of system should he go for?
Processor Motherboard RAM Hard disk Optical dive Monitor Keyboard and mouse PC Case Power supply unit Operating system AMD Phenom II X2 560 Asus M4A88T-M/USB3 Strontium 2 x 2 GB DDR3 - 1333 MHz Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 1 TB LG GH22 SATA 22x DVD-writer Benq E2220HD Logitech Classic Desktop MK100 Cooler Master Elite 330 Cooler Master eXtreme Power Plus 350W Windows 7 Professional
Rs 43,895
5,480 6,060 2,400 3,450 1,200 9,960 725 2,250 1,680 10,690
DELL VOSTRO 230S

Rs 45,375
Intel Core 2 Q8400, 2 GB DDR3, 500 GB SATA 3.0Gb/s HDD, E1709W 17-inch Wide Screen Flat Panel LCD Monitor, 16X DVD+/-RW drive, One year data warranty.
LENOVO THINKPAD X201 3323AB1

Rs 64,300
Intel Core i3-380M, 3 GB RAM, 500 GB HDD, 12.1-inch LCD, Integreated Graphics, Bluetooth, Ethernet, 3 yr warranty.
APPLE MACBOOK AIR

Rs 79,900
Intel Core 2 Duo, 2 GB DDR3, 128 GB SSD, 13.3-inch high-resolution widescreen display, AirPort Extreme Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 2.1, Two USB 2.0 ports.
SONY VAIO VPCS133GN/B

Rs 52,990
Intel Core i3-370M, 320 GB HDD, 3 GB DDR3, Intel HD Graphics, HDMIOut,1 Yr International warranty .
JUNE 2011
10
executi
PC CONFIGS
hen you are working against tight deadlines, the time spent in ofce isnt always enough to get the job done. Its also important to not let excess time spent outside the ofce affect your productivity. From video conferencing and email to word processing and spreadsheets, portable computing devices allow you to do all this on-the-go. Although a notebook would be the best tool to use, a desktop PC can sufce if you dont move around a lot. Some users also make do with a netbook or a high-end tablet.
space to install ofce productivity applications like MS Ofce for all your documents, spreadsheets, emails, contacts and other customized applications. Moreover, if your business network lacks a centralized server to store all the data, you need at least 1 TB of hard disk space in all.
OPERATING SYSTEM:
THE REQUIREMENTS
Most organizations offer a standard set of specications that you can look for and suggest ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS: a conguration and brand according In an ofce setting, you would have to to a xed budget. Whether youre connect to the centralized domain, and picking components, peripherals or FOR SMALLER POCKETS so an Ethernet connection is a mandate. If you are working around a tight any software, make sure that there Apart from that, ensure that you have budget, you can get a machine with is adequate support available even if output ports that connect to an external a dual core processor (an Intel Atom you are on the move. Other essential projector if you need to present your processor for a netbook will be good factors that you should consider are data and statistics. Other essentials that enough) with 2 GB RAM and 250 GB of the portability and build quality of the you need to have on the system include disk space. You can opt for a 16x DVD device as well as the amount of warranty optical devices like DVD players, data writer. However, you cannot do away offered by the manufacturer. security features and applications, and with the Ethernet port or Wi-Fi and UNDER THE HOOD upgrade options, along with USB ports. Bluetooth support. Be it a desktop system or a laptop, the hardware requirement remains more ON THE MOVE or less identical for the business user. While youre If you are using a laptop instead, you would require deciding on your systems make up, also consider a few more things to keep you connected on the go. custom applications that your organization would require you to install and new processes that will CONNECTIVITY be subsequently introduced. If you are connecting to a network or need to access the Internet wirelessly, make sure all the required PROCESSOR: ports are available on the device. Ethernet, USB and As a business executive, most of your work will be HDMI ports are quite common, but it is always good centered around ofce productivity tools, which to check the number of available USB ports if you are not very heavy on the processor. A good dual wish to plug in peripherals, and the connectivity core processor like the AMD Phenom II X2 560 can standard for data transfer speeds on external help you switch between applications, process data storage device like ash drives. Other essential and save les with ease. connectivity options include Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.
Because you are using a system that needs to be accessed on a domain as well, you should go for an operating system that ts the scenario. Microsoft Windows 7 Professional will not only offer backward compatibility to all XP-based applications, but it also much lighter on your system.
RAM:
Ofce applications usually tend to hog RAM. So if you are switching between applications and have several large les open at once, it can slow down your system considerably. Since the setup doesnt perform any graphic intensive work, a 2 x 2 GB 1333MHz DDR3 RAM works ne.
SUPPORT AND WARRANTY

Since you will be using your system outdoors a lot, you should know which possible faults in your machine are covered under warranty and what kind of help is available, especially if you are not technically inclined. You also need to know the period and nature of warranty. A minimum of one-year warranty period is crucial. Some manufacturers tend to have quite a long turnaround time, which can hamper your productivity, so make sure you pick a brand that is reputed for its aftersales service.
STORAGE:
If you are using the device to run promotional videos or store media kits, you may require a fair bit of storage space. There also needs to be enough
JUNE 2011
ive
SPECIFICATIONS
500 GB Processor RAM Hard disk Screen Intel Core i5-480M 3 GB DDR3 14-inch HD DVD Writer 3 Gigabit Ethernet Bluetooth 2.1, WLAN Dolby Stereo Speakers ATI 1GB dedicated graphics Windows 7 Home Premium 8 hours 1 year Optical Drive USB Ports LAN Connectivity Sound card Video card Operating system Battery life Warranty
PC CONFIGS
11
ACER AS 4820TG
Rs 44,495
The Acer timeline 4820TG laptop is cost effective and is perfect for rugged use. However, you might want to go for a Windows 7 Professional; instead of the Windows 7 Home Premium as it would not help you connect to a LAN setting.
SPECIFICATIONS
Processor RAM Hard disk Screen Optical Drive USB Ports LAN Connectivity Sound card Video card Operating system Battery life Warranty Intel Core i3 -350M 3 GB DDR3 320 GB 15.6-inch HD LED DVD Writer 1 Gigabit Ethernet Bluetooth 2.1, WLAN Mono Speaker Intel HD Graphics Windows 7 Professional with XP downgrade 8 hours 3 years
TOSHIBA TECRA A11-I5530

Rs 49,990
Toshiba Tecra A11-I5530 makes for a compelling package, and it is very comfortable to use outdoors. While the Windows XP Pro downgrade will help you curb costs, the single USB port is the only major letdown.
SPECIFICATIONS
Processor RAM Hard disk Screen Optical Drive USB Ports LAN Connectivity Video card Operating system Office productivity Battery life Warranty Intel Core i3 -350M Processor 3 GB DDR3 320 GB SATA 14.1-inch widescreen DVD Writer 1 Gigabit Ethernet Bluetooth 2.1, WLAN Intel HD Graphics Windows 7 Home Basic SP1 Microsoft Office Home and Business 2010 8 hours 1 year
DELL INSPIRON 14R

Rs 28,400
Dell Inspiron 14R is a high performance system that can be very handy even as you grow in your career profile. Moreover, you can also customize the product to best suit your needs. But make sure that you opt for a Windows 7 Pro instead.
12
PC CONFIGS
RIGS FOR DIGITAL ARTISTS
With the rapid evolution of digital art tools, artists might find the need to migrate to newer software versions. Here is a setup that will fit your every need.
BY KAMAKSHI S
CREATING DIGITAL ART
Sachin Pandit, dummy name Chaitanya Surpur
JUNE 2011
PC CONFIGS PC CONFIIGS ONFIGS S
13 3
t artist
Sonu is an aspiring digital artist and wants to explore the full potential of Photoshop and Illustrator to create his digital paintings. His friend Rajesh, on the other hand, wants to develop his proficiency as a layout artist, and is toying with the idea of becoming a Web designer as well. Both of them are photography enthusiasts too. What kind of machine should they settle for?
Processor Motherboard RAM Hard disk Graphics card Optical drive Monitor Keyboard Mouse Tablet PC Case Power supply unit Operating system AMD Phenom II X6 1075T Asus M4A89GTD PRO/USB3 Corsair CMX8GX3M2A1333 8 GB DDR3 Western Digital Caviar Green 2 TB NVIDIA Geforce GTS 450 1GB GDDR3 LG GH22 SATA 22x DVD-writer Dell U2211H 21.5 inch W UltraSharp Monitor Logitech Media Keyboard K200 Logitech MX518 Wacom Intuos4 PTK-840 Cooler Master CM690 Corsair TX650W Windows 7 Home Premium
Rs 80,610
10,180 9,240 7,010 4,630 6,500 1,200 11,000 550 1,600 28,700 5,479 6,250 5,200
APPLE IMAC
Rs 79,900
Intel Core i5 quad-core, 4 GB DDR3, 256 GB SSD, 1 TB SATA HDD, 512 MB AMD Radeon HD 6770M, FireWire 800 port; 4 USB 2.0 ports, 21.5-inch LED Display.
LENOVO Y560-59055616
Rs 56,990
Core i7-740M, 4 GB DDR3, 500 GB HDD, ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5730 , HDMI, Bluetooth 2.1, Rambo Tray in 12.7mm, 15.6 HD LED Glare.
SONY VAIO VPCF136FG/BI

Rs 69,990
Intel Core i7-740QM, 500 GB HDD, 4 GB DDR3, Blu-Ray Disk ROM Drive, NVIDIA GeForce GT 425M, 16.4-inch wide, e-SATA.
DELL STUDIO XPS 7100 DESKTOP

Rs 60,625
AMD Phenom II X6 1090T, 6 GB DDR3, 1 TB SATA HDD, AMD Radeon HD 6450, Dell ST 22-inch W LCD,
JUNE 2011
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artists
PC CONFIGS
ome of the most important parameters that you need to consider for a digital designers machine are the processor and GPU support along with RAM capacity and software compatibility options. Knowing what kind of work you need to use the system for will help you arrive at the best possible setup.
RAM & GRAPHICS SUPPORT:
TOOLS FOR PRINT DESIGNERS
If you are in a creative eld, that needs you to come up with artwork using digital tools, create illustrations, designs, font sets, or work on creatives the Adobe Creative Suite 5.5 (CS5.5) Design Standard is the ultimate tool to use. Another notable tool that is quite popular among the designing community is CorelDraw X5. If Web designing is DISK SPACE: your area of expertise, then you can use the Adobe Creative Suite 5.5 (CS5.5) Web FOR SMALLER POCKETS While youll require at least 8 GB of Premium package. Another option to If you are looking for a cost-effective hard disk space for installation across look at is the Design Premium suite. short term solution, then you can go applications alone, you need another 2 GB for a less powerful system. However, of space to run the application and save THE IDEAL SETUP you would be compromising on your les created in it. Also the applications While Adobes website gives you systems performance and stability. You usually provide heavy output and back a standard set of recommended can opt for a dual core processor with up les. Moreover, certain features like congurations, you will not be able 3 GB of RAM and a 512 MB graphics brushes and lters require you to have to do anything beyond installing the card. You can cut down on the storage huge amounts of additional space of up applications on your system and run space to 160 GB with a Windows 7 to work without jerks. A 2 TB hard drive them individually. The applications Home Basic 32-bit operating system. would be ideal for such work. You can require a more potent system to run However, you system will be prone to also add SSDs to your system to speed up multiple programs simultaneously and lag and some applications may not run data read and write speeds. smoothly. Here is a quick look at a system smoothly. Also, you will have to ensure that will perfectly suit your needs. DISPLAY: frequent backups and create restore An LCD screen with IPS (in-plane points to ensure that your machine PROCESSOR: switching) is perfect for artists as it doesnt crash. If you are going to toggle between lots offers the best color-contrast ratio. In of processes and need batch processing these monitors, the liquid crystals are on images while porting data from one application aligned horizontally rather than placing them at to another, you need a processor that can handle angles. Thus you get a clear view of the screen from all the load with the least possible lag. The AMD vertical viewing angles as well. When compared to Phenom II X6 is a six-core processor, and at 3.0 the high levels of brightness and contrast offered GHz, it can easily handle multiple processing tasks. by glare type displays, the color reproduction of Moreover, the latest of Adobe products require the the IPS paneled screens seems almost perfect. It is OpenGL software and hardware standard, which also good for professionals who are struggling with accelerates video processing, or image zooming space issues on their workstations. Most of these and rendering for large or complex images and 3D applications work well on display settings that are models as well, which can work awlessly with a 1280x800 or higher, and a hardware-accelerated strong processor. OpenGL graphics card that supports 16-bit color and is DirectX 9-capable.
RAM plays a very important role in running applications smoothly. Most image editing and composing software requires a minimum of 2 GB of RAM. Running several applications on 2 GB of RAM will not be very convenient so you are better off getting up to 8 GB of RAM for avoiding any system lag. Since the work is not very graphics intensive, you dont really need to spend on a high-range GPU. Although you would require video rendering when zooming in and out of raster vector graphics and base level 3D, an OpenGL standard doesnt really need too much juice. That is what Nvidia Geforce GTS 450 offers you with a 1 GB dedicated memory, along with DirectX 11 and Shader support.
OPERATING SYSTEM:
This purely depends on brand power. If you are opting for an Apple product, make sure you get a Mac OS X v10.6 with ample Flash support. As for Windows users, given the OpenGL standards, any thing from the Windows 7 family that runs on the 64-bit mode will work for you.
PERIPHERAL SUPPORT:
Some essential peripherals include graphics tablet, a good scanner and an optical drive. If you need to trace images and are comfortable with free hand art, then the Intuos4 PTK-840 tablet is a good option. It gives near accurate tilt and pen precision.
JUNE 2011
PC CONFIGS
15
SPECIFICATIONS
Processor Operating system Security Screen Memory Hard disk Optical drive Video card Sound Intel Core i5-2300 Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 McAfee SecurityCenter 15 months Dell ST2420L 24-inch HD Widescreen Monitor with WLED 4 GB DDR3 500 GB DVD Writer 1 GB ATI Radeon HD5770 Graphics Integrated High Definition 7.1 channel audio
DELL XPS 8300

Rs 60,625
Although the Dell XPS can help you carry out most of your designing tasks, you might find the processor a little bit slow to work with. However the added security package offers a good deal.
SPECIFICATIONS
Processor Operating system Screen Memory Hard disk Optical drive Video card Outputs Intel Core i5-560M (2.66 GHz ) with Turbo Boost up to 3.20 GHz Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit 16.4-inch wide 4 GB DDR3 500 GB DVDRW /+R DL/RAM NVIDIA GeForce 310M HDMI, eSATA
SONY VAIO VPCF135FG/B

Rs 49,990
Another economical solution, the Sony Vaio VPCF135FG/B is perfect if you want to work on the go. The system is ideal for artists and photographers who move around often.
SPECIFICATIONS
Processor Operating system Screen Memory Hard disk Optical drive Video card Sound card Battery life Intel Core i5-480M Windows 7 Home Premium 14-inch HD 3 GB DDR3 500 GB DVD Writer ATI 1 GB dedicate graphics Dolby Stereo Speakers 8 hours
ACER ASPIRE TIMELINE 4820TG

Rs 44, 495
While a laptop may not be the best option that you would want to use, it can be a handy option if you are traveling frequently. Photographers will find the system quite easy to work with.
16
PC CONFIGS Computers play a major role in movie making. All editing jobs need high performance machines or the final touches on a movie would take forever.
BY KUSHAL MAMOOWALA
RIGS FOR VIDEO EDITORS
FINAL CUT PRO-FESSIONALS
JUNE 2011
video
Aditi spends most of her day in front of her monitors editing and rendering movies and videos, both professionally and as a hobby. She uses software like Smoke, Flame, Avid and Final Cut Studio on a regular basis and has large amounts of video and audio data to work on.
PC CONF GS CONFIGS ONFI ON S
17 7
Processor Motherboard RAM Hard disk Graphics card Optical drive Monitor Keyboard Mouse Speakers Sound card Power supply unit Operating system Intel Core i5-2500K Gigabyte GA-H67A-UD3H-B3 4 x 2 GB OCZ DDR3 1600 MHz Western Digital Caviar Green 2 TB Intel X25-M 160 GB SSD NVIDIA Quadro 4000 LG 24x DVD RW SATA LG WH10LS30 Blu-ray Drive 2 x LG W2486L 24-inch LCD DV Keyboard 3.0 Logitech V470 Cordless Mouse M-Audio Studiophile AV 40 Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Titanium Ocz Stealthxstream 2 600W Windows 7 Home Premium, Mac OS X
Rs 1,76,700
12,000 5,700 10,000 7,550 20,500 56,100 1,150 5,000 29,000 5,000 2,500 9,000 5,000 3,000 5,200
APPLE MAC PRO

Rs 1,63,440
Intel Xeon Quad-Core, 3 GB DDR3, 1 TB SATA HDD, ATI Radeon HD 5770, 18X SuperDrive, Apple LED 27-inch Display
APPLE IMAC
Rs 1,07,900
Intel Core i5 3.1 GHz, 4 GB DDR3, 1 TB SATA HDD, AMD Radeon HD 6970M, 8x SuperDrive, Apple LED 27-inch Display
HP PAVILLION ELITE HPE510T

Rs 1,01,250
Intel Core i5 3.3 GHz, 8 GB DDR3, 500 GB SATA HDD, 2 TB SATA HDD, NVIDIA GeForce GT 440, Blu-ray writer, 16x DVD drive, 2 x HP LED 27-inch Displays.
APPLE MACBOOK PRO

Rs 1,42,900
Intel Core i7 2.2 GHz, 4 GB DDR3, 750 GB HDD, Intel HD graphics 3000, 8x SuperDrive, MacBookPro 17-inch Display.
JUNE 2011
18
video ar a
PC CONFIGS
omputers used for video editing need to have hardware that can support editing software like Avid Media Composer, Smoke, Flame and Final Cut Studio. Moreover, video editing is generally a lengthy process and editors can expect to be in front of their machines for hours together, which means the hardware needs to be sturdy enough to handle such loads for long periods of time.
STORAGE:
UNDER THE HOOD
High quality videos require large amounts of storage space and an editor might have to save multiple edits of a le before the nal product. Editors also often have large libraries of reference videos and audio that can eat up a lot of space. Accessing your software and data quickly is also essential, which is why having a 150 GB to 200 GB solid state drive for installations is an advantage. Along with this, you can add up to 2 TB of HDD storage to save your work.
A video editing machine is required to run mutliple editing software for a lot of video content. The most OPTICAL DRIVE: recommended machine for such activity would be High denition and 3D movies and videos are often an Apple product that has greater connectivity written or produced on Blu-ray discs, so having options like Firewire ports and newer Thunderbolt a Blu-ray drive is very important for any video ports. Also, Final Cut Studio and Final editing machine. Along with one BluCut Pro are available only on the Apple ray burner, it is also advisable to have a products. FOR SMALLER POCKETS second DVD burner for copying discs and If you are trying to put together an writing multiple discs. PROCESSOR: editing PC on a tighter budget, you can Having to work with heavy software for CONNECTIVITY: opt for a slightly slower quad-core i5 video editing, any good video editing A very important feature that is processor, or you can even get yourself machine should have a dual core or present only in Apple Mac products is an Intel Core 2 Duo or AMD X2 dual core quad core processor. Most editing connectivity ports. Apples Firewire processor. These might not be able to applications recommend a dual-core 2.4 ports allow for data transfer at a much run multiple software at the same time, GHz processor or higher for installation, higher rate and you can dump video but they still fit within the minimum and an Intel Core i5 processor suits content much faster, directly from your requirements for most editing software. these needs perfectly. With an in-built camera. Firewire gives you speeds up to Just like the processors, 2 to 4 GB of graphics chip, the i5 processor can 800MB/s and Apple has developed a new RAM will still allow you to carry out your support your GPU for processing high Thunderbolt port that can transfer data work, except at a slightly lower rate, and resolution HD and 3D videos. at 10 Gb/s. You could also choose USB 3.0 will reduce your multitasking options. If ports on your PC for upto 5 Gb/s data you do not wish to spend too much on GRAPHICS: transfer rates. internal storage, you can opt for a single The graphics card is the most important 500 GB or 1 TB hard drive rather than component for video editing. With 3D ON THE DESK an SSD. You can also get a portable or technology on the fray and HD editing Having the right hardware needs external drive for more storage. For being the norm, a strong GPU is vital to be supplemented with adequate decent graphics, you can opt for an for efcient editing. Nvidias 3D Vision peripherals like monitors, speakers entry-level Nvidia Qudro series or an Pro gives stereoscopic 3D solutions for and input devices. A machine for video AMD Radeon Firepro series GPU. viewing 3D content and better imagery. editing should have HD monitors, highThe Nvidia Quadro chip supports 3D quality surround sound speakers and the appropriate input devices to expedite the Vision Pro and provides enough processing power editing process. for rendering and editing high quality videos.
MEMORY:
A machine for editing is required to run multiple editing software at the same time. Each software also requires a decent amount of RAM for smooth operation. Most of the editing software recommend 2 to 4 GB of RAM required for installation, but keep in mind that this is enough to support just that specic program. 4 to 8 GB of DDR3 RAM is good enough to manage multiple running programs and video rendering without any delays.
MONITOR:
A high denition 24-inch to 27-inch widescreen monitor is perfect for a large viewing area. LED monitors are advisable for getting better color denition and having a 3D compatible monitor would be ideal. Editors often choose to have a dual-monitor setup for playing video on one monitor and executing the editing process on the second monitor. Two 24-inch LCD monitors should be suitable for most editing jobs.
JUNE 2011
artists
SPECIFICATIONS
2 TB NVIDIA GeForce GT 425M Slim-tray Blu-ray player 2 x HP LED 27-inch HP USB Keyboard HP USB Optical Mouse Logitech Z506 5.1 System Integrated Windows 7 Home Premium Processor RAM Hard disk Graphics card Optical drive Screen Keyboard Mouse Speakers Sound card Operating system Intel Core i5-760 8 GB DDR3
PC CONFIGS
19
HP 200Q SERIES
Rs 67,700
The HP 200q series is customizable to suit the configuration for a mid-level editing machine. You can choose dual-monitors and increased storage as per your needs and you can add external storage drives and optical drives to maximize your output.
SPECIFICATIONS
Processor RAM Hard disk Graphics card Optical drive Screen Keyboard Screen Speakers Sound card Operating system Intel Core 2 Duo 3.1GHz 4 GB DDR2 1.5 TB NVIDIA GeForve 9400 8x DVDRW Optical Drive Dell LED 24-inch Logitech MK710 Keyboard Logitech MK710 Mouse Dell 22W Integrated Windows 7 Home Premium
DELL STUDIO ONE 19

Rs 49,800
The Dell Studio One 19 is an entry-level machine as far as editing needs are concerned. With a Core 2 Duo processor and 4 GB RAM, it should suffice for simple editing tasks and standard quality videos.
SPECIFICATIONS
Processor RAM Hard disk Graphics card Optical drive Screen Keyboard Mouse Speakers Sound card Operating system Intel Core i5-2410M 4 GB DDR3 750 GB NVIDIA GeForce GT 555M Blu-ray + DVD Combo Drive 15.6-inch HD Standard Standard Lenovo Stereo Speakers Integrated Windows 7 Home Premium
LENOVO IDEAPAD Y570 LAPTOP

Rs 42,700
The Lenovo IdeaPad Y570 is a fairly handy laptop for editing purposes. It has a reasonably strong processor, suitable RAM and enough storage space for editing on-the-go or for small editing jobs.
JUNE 2011
20
PC CONFIGS
RIGS FOR ARCHITECTS AND ENGINEERS
Gone are the days when engineers and architects drew up elaborate floor plans on rolls of paper. Its all digital now, but the nature of the work means that a low-end system just wont cut it. These tasks have special requirements as well as specialized software that will be run on these systems.
BY KAMAKSHI S.
BUILDING BRIDGES
JUNE 2011
PC CONF GS CONFIGS ONFI
21
t archit
Ria is an architect who specializes in designing living and commercial spaces. She has tight deadlines to meet, especially for her commercial clients. Alisha is a mechanical engineer specializing in oil and gas. She needs to create elaborate plans for not just oil drilling, out in the ocean, but she also has to design pipelines that carry the same. What system should Ria and Alisha opt for?
Processor Motherboard Video Card RAM Hard disk Optical dive Monitor Input devices Power supply unit Operating system Intel Core i7- 920 Asus Sabertooth X58 NVIDIA Geforce GTS 450 2 x 2 GB Strontium DDR3 Western Digital Caviar Green 1 TB LG GH22 SATA 22x DVD-writer BenQ V2400 Eco, 24-inch TFT (LED) Waccom Intuos4 X-Large Cooler Master Silent Pro M600 Windows 7 Home Premium (64-bit)
Rs 1,16,575
14,900 12,000 6,500 2,400 3,040 1,200 16,960 46,200 6,785 6,590
APPLE MACBOOK PRO 17-INCH

Rs 1,42,900
Intel Core i7 quad-core, 4 GB DDR3, 750 GB 5400-RPM SATA HDD, AMD Radeon HD 6750M, Intel HD Graphics 3000.
DELL XPS 8300 DESKTOP

Rs 69,260
Intel Core i7 - 2600, 6 GB DDR3, 1 TB SATA 3.0Gb/s HDD, Dell IN1920 24-inch Wide Screen Flat Panel LCD Monitor, 1 GB NVIDIA GeForce GT420.
APPLE IMAC
Rs 79,900
Intel Core i5 quad-core, 4 GB DDR3, 256 GB SSD, 1 TB SATA HDD, AMD Radeon HD 6770M, 4 USB 2.0 ports, 8x SuperDrive with 4x double-layer burning , Apple LED 21.5-inch Display.
DELL XPS 15
Rs 47,900
XPS-15 Core i3-380M, 4 GB DDR3, 500 GB SATA HDD, 1 GB Nvdia GT420M, DVD RW, INT6200 WIDI CARD, Windows 7 Home Premium, MS Office Starter 2010.
JUNE 2011
22
architec
PC CONFIGS
he most essential component to consider when setting up a system for a structural engineer or an architect is the graphics card, as most of the applications used by these professionals are extremely graphics intensive. You would also require a good amount of RAM to run the system smoothly, as well as ample storage space to accommodate large work les.
you need more RAM to ensure that the system runs smoothly.
GPU:
REQUIRED TOOLS
One of the most popular suites of tools that can help in architectural, construction, structural, mechanical and civil engineering or real estate professions comes from AutoDesk. They offer customized software packages that can be put to specic use. These include applications like AutoCAD Civil 3D, AutoCAD Raster Design, Autodesk MapGuide Enterprise, AutoCAD Map 3D, AutoCAD Revit Structure Suite, Autodesk 3DS Max, Autodesk Collaborative Project Management, Autodesk Design Review, Autodesk Navisworks, Autodesk Quantity Takeoff and Autodesk FMDesktop, just to name a few.
Keep in mind the graphics intensive nature of the applications, you will require a good graphics card with at least 1 GB memory. A mid-range Nvidia Geforce GTS 450 GPU with a 1 GB dedicated memory, with DirectX 11 support and shader support will be enough to start with.
DISK SPACE:
The applications each require up to 5 GB of hard disk space for a complete installation. Thus, you will require huge amounts of space, not just to install and run the applications, but also output and save the les. A 1 TB hard drive would be ideal for such work.
ON THE DESK:
Once you have zeroed in on the kind of system you need, you will then have to shift your focus on what other peripherals you would require to make work efciently. Apart THE IDEAL SETUP FOR SMALLER POCKETS from a widescreen monitor, you will also The AutoDesk website offers setup If you are on a tighter budget, you can need peripherals like a good precision requirements for both 64-bit and 32-bit go with a dual core processor like an mouse and keyboard to draft your work systems. While 32-bit applications work Intel Core 2 Duo with a 512 MB graphics or just a good pro-level digitizer will be on any operating system, go for a 64-bit card. You can also opt for 2 GB of RAM enough. If you need to make frequent setup instead. and go for a smaller monitor between client presentations, make sure you A 64-bit version will not only utilize 17 and 21 inches. You can cut down have a plotter handy too. your RAM better as compared to a on the storage space to 500 GB, and 32-bit version, but aid the GPU when go with an additional external hard DISPLAY: rendering 3D structures. Here is a quick drive when required. On the peripheral A 24-inch TFT LED screen like the BenQ V2400 Eco is well suited for CAD use as look at a system that will perfectly suit front, you can opt for a mid-range it offers easy viewing of large plans that your needs. digitizer instead of a big one, or opt for a keyboard-mouse combo instead. you would create. Most applications PROCESSOR: work well on display settings which Make sure you go for a processor that are 1280x800 and above, and the LED can handle large loads. While Intels dual core screen will give you better color display and systems support 64-bit applications as well, you sharpness. But a full HD monitor like this will might nd them lagging at times. The Intel Core give your architectural walk-through amazing i7- 920 is a processor that is fast enough to run sharpness. You can also catch a movie on your several applications smoothly, and the integrated free time, if you need a break. However, if you nd graphics also quickens the entire rendering the resolution too low, you can pick a dual-screen process. The four-core structure with turbo monitor setup instead. mode ensures that all the four cores function PERIPHERAL SUPPORT: simultaneously. Considering the large output les, you will RAM: need a high end graphics tablet that offers a lot You will probably use multiple applications for of working area and generous workspace. The your designing, rendering and editing processes Waccom Intuos4 X-Large comes with as many as so you need a fair amount of RAM. When working 10 nibs to ensure accurate output. If you need to with graphics intensive les, you need at least 4 print these plans, a standard laser printer will not GB of RAM. Moreover, when using a 64-bit setup sufce; go for a good plotter instead.
JUNE 2011
cts
SPECIFICATIONS
500 GB Processor RAM Intel Core i7-740QM 4 GB DDR3 Hard disk Screen 16.4-inch wide Optical Drive USB Ports LAN Connectivity Sound card Video card Operating system Battery life Warranty Blu-Ray Disk Drive Gigabit Ethernet Wi-Fi/ BlueTooth 2.1 Intel High Definition Audio NVIDIA GeForce GT 425M Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit -1 year HDMI Output, e-SATA ,Optical Out
PC CONFIGS
23
SONY VAIO VPCF136FG/BI

Rs 69,990
The latest F series models from Sony Vaio offer a lot of promise with a power packed set up. Thanks to its full HD display and the Blu-Ray Drive, your projects and walkthroughs will come alive on screen.
SPECIFICATIONS
Processor RAM Hard disk Screen Optical Drive USB Ports LAN Connectivity Video card Operating system Office productivity Battery life Warranty Intel Core i5-450M 4 GB DDR3 640 GB 15.6-inch HD LED Glare DVD Writer -Gigabit Ethernet Bluetooth 2.1 Graphics ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5730 Black Windows 7 Home Premium --1 Year warranty
LENOVO Y560 59-052245

Rs 56,500
Lenovo Y560 series offers power-packed configuration list, that too at very affordable prices. Moreover Lenovo notebooks are best suited for rugged usage.
SPECIFICATIONS
Processor RAM Hard disk Screen Optical Drive USB Ports LAN Connectivity Video card Operating system Office productivity Battery life Warranty Intel Core i5 2410M 4 GB DDR3 640 GB 15.6-inch DVD Writer 3 USB 2.0 Gigabit Ethernet Bluetooth/ Wi-Fi 1 GB Graphics Windows 7 Basic Office Starter 2010 ---
HP PAVILION G6-1004TX
Rs 43,156
HP Pavilion G6-1004TX is a high performance system that can be very handy even as you grow in your career profile. It comes with an Office 2010 Starter kit, which doesnt feature Outlook 2010.
24
PC CONFIGS
AUDIO EDITING RIGS
Musicians require specialised PCs for their composition and editing needs. PCs with high end sound cards and special inputs for musical instruments for recording can be configured for the best music recording.
BY KUSHAL MAMOOWALA
MUSIC MANIA
JUNE 2011
PC CONFIGS PC CONFIGS ONFIG
25 5
o audio
Arjun runs a music studio, where he composes and records music. He uses software like Avid Pro Tools HD2, Apple Logic and Steinberg Nuendo that enable him to mix, compose and edit his music.
Processor Motherboard RAM Hard disk Graphics card Optical drive Monitor Keyboard Mouse Speakers Sound card Others Intel i7-2600K Gigabyte GA-H67A-UD3H-B3 4 x 2 GB OCZ DDR3 1600 MHz 2 x Western Digital Caviar Green 2 TB HDD OCZ Vertex 3 240 GB SSD NVIDIA GeForce GTS 450 Asus DRW-2014L1T DVD burner Samsung 732NW 20-inch LCD Logitech MK200 Media Combo Included in Combo Yamaha MSP5S Active Studio Monitor ASUS Xonar Essence STX Apogee Duet Digital Audio Interface
Rs 1,52,735
17,000 5,700 10,000 28,800 22,500 8,000 1,700 9,600 835 12,600 9,000 27,000
APPLE MAC PRO

Rs 1,92,730
Intel Xeon Nehalem 2.8 GHz, 8 GB DDR3 RAM, 512 GB SSD, 2 TB SATA HDD, ATI Radeon HD 5770, 18x SuperDrive.
ORANGE OPC PERSONAL COMPUTER

Rs 88,800
Intel Core i3-2100, 4 GB RAM, 500GB SATA HDD, Stereo Twin JBL 6.5 Speakers, OPC Interface ULTRA-low latency, Slot-loading DVDRW
HP 8200 ELITE XL508AV-CED

Rs 80,000
Intel Core i7-2600, 8 GB DDR3, 1 TB SATA HDD, 250 GB SATA HDD, AMD Radeon HD 6450 DP, 16x DVD writer drive
APPLE MACBOOK PRO

Rs 80,700
Intel Core i7 2.7 GHz, 8 GB DDR3 SDRAM, 750 GB SATA HDD, 8x SuperDrive.
JUNE 2011
26
audio ed o
PC CONFIGS
he components of an audio artists PC are very specic to its usage. If you wish to compose or edit music at a professional professi level, then you need to ensure that y have the y you hardware that suits the requirements of software like Avid Pro Tools, Logic Studio or Nuendo. Using less demanding software, on the other hand, can reduce the cost of building a hardcore audio editing PC.
sounds and audio clips. Avid Pro Tools requires up unds clips o ls software and libraries to be to 32 GB free for all so o and nd installed. Add to that your own library of audio n aud les and it is clear that you need a lot of storage t a tha ed d ge space. A 240 GB SSD drive is suitable for booting and installation of all your software, and coupled with 4 TB of hard drive space, youll have all your storage needs covered.
AUDIO:
You will require a good sound card for better Software applications like Avid Pro Tools and sound quality and input options as well as good Nuendo have very specic requirements for speakers for crisp sound. The Asus Xonar Essence optimal usage. Along with the components to sound card gives you the option of 7.1 channel suit this hardware, you can also add a high-end sound and high end sound quality via an RCA jack, sound card that gives you better output and Coaxial/Toslink and Aux-in 4 pin connectivity. more input options as well as a digital audio interface for low latency. Apple ON THE DESK Logic Studio functions only on Apple FOR SMALLER POCKETS Musicians and audio editors will require machines, so you have no option for If you are on a tighter budget, you a few peripherals for their specialized putting together your own PC for this can opt for a cheaper machine, but machines to make their tasks easier. tool. will have to accept that all high end Apart from their musical instruments, music editing software might not run there are Digital to Analog Converters PROCESSOR: smoothly on it. You can opt for a lower (DACs) and Digital Audio Interfaces Both Pro Tools and Nuendo require grade quad-core processor like an Intel that you can add to improve the sound a quad core processor and one that Core i3 or i5. You can also reduce the quality of your inputs. There is also the functions at 3.0 GHz or more is RAM to 4 GB and should still be able to obvious need for high quality speakers recommended, so the Intel Core i7 run your editing software individually for clear and crisp sound. series is the best option. You can also and cut down on multitasking. The choose an Intel Xeon range processor. DIGITAL AUDIO INTERFACE: storage space is cullable as well, and The Apogee Duet Digital Audio Interface you can choose a smaller sized hard GRAPHICS: allows you to plug your musical drive and avoid the expensive SSD. If Although the GPU does not play a big instrument into its breakout cable you do require more storage space, you role in music editing, a good graphics and record music. The hardware is can get an external or portable drive processor is required by high-end accompanied by Maestro software, which of up to 500 GB. Most motherboards software and it also takes some load off allows you to control various aspects have integrated sound cards so you the CPU, giving you faster performance. of your audio input. With Firewire can avoid the high end sound card and The Avid Pro Tools software does not connectivity and very low latency, the replace the expensive studio monitor work without an Nvidia graphics card. Apogee Duet is great for any musical with a good quality headset. The NVIDIA Geforce GTS 450 is well artists wanting to record their music. suited for such a setup.
UNDER THE HOOD
EXTERNAL DEVICES: MEMORY:

Music rendering, editing and composition demands a large amount of RAM, so it is advisable to have at least 8 GB of RAM if you are going to use professional music editing tools. Although most software state 4 GB to be the mnimum requirement, it might be difcult to work with multiple applications or multitask without more RAM. Based on your usage, you can also add external DAC devices to your machine as well as musical instruments. A DAC (Digital to Analog Converter) helps generate better sound from the digital audio information on your PC. Adding a USB or Firewire DAC to your machine can also give you better sound.
SPEAKERS:
High quality speakers are important and the Yamaha SP5S 40 Watt Studio Monitor gives you professional quality sound for your editing needs.
STORAGE:
Music editing software takes up large amounts of storage space due to the libraries of stock
JUNE 2011
ditors dito
SPECIFICATIONS
500 GB AMD Radeon HD 6350 DVD Writer HP PS/2 Standard HP PS/2 Standard EMU 1212m PCIe Windows 7 Home Premium Processor RAM Hard disk Graphics card Optical drive Screen Keyboard Mouse Speakers Sound card Operating system Intel Core i3-2100 4 GB DDR3
PC CONFIGS
27
HP 8200 ELITE XL510AV-SEB COMPACT

Rs 50,100
This HP 8200 Elite machine is easily configurable to suit your needs. With 500 GB of storage and 4 GB RAM it is a good option for simple music editing tasks.
SPECIFICATIONS
Processor RAM Hard disk Graphics card Optical drive Screen Keyboard Mouse Speakers Sound card Operating system Intel Core i5-460M 4 GB DDR3 500 GB Integrated Graphics DVD Writer 14-inch HD LCD Standard Trackpad Dolby Stereo Speakers Integrated Sound card Windows 7 Home Premium
ACER AS 4820T LAPTOP

Rs 39,900
The Acer Aspire series laptop is a good option for musicians and editors on the go. With good quality speakers and ample RAM for lighter software, its a great budget option for audio editing.
SPECIFICATIONS
Processor RAM Hard disk Graphics card Optical drive Screen Keyboard Mouse Speakers Sound card Operating system Intel Core i3-500 6 GB DDR3 1 TB Integrated Intel Graphics DVD Writer Dell USB Entry Keyboard Dell USB Optical Mouse Inspire T12 Stereo Speakers Integrated 7.1 Channel Audio Windows 7 Home Premium
DELL INSPIRON 580

Rs 26,600
The Dell 580 is a really affordable option with powerful hardware. Up to 1 TB of storage and 6 GB of RAM means you can use it for most editing software and storing your media. It also supports 7.1 surround sound formats.
28
PC CONFIGS
HOME PCS
Any modern day housewife will spend a fair amount of time on the PC. Browsing Facebook, Youtube and other social sites, sharing photos and videos, and accessing email are generally the most used services on the home PC.
BY KUSHAL MAMOOWALA
BASIC PCS FOR THE HOME
JUNE 2011
PC CONFIGS C CONFIGS ONFIG NFIGS
29 9
e house
Shilpa is a housewife who enjoys spending her time on Facebook to keep in touch with friends and relatives. She also uses her home PC to store photos, download music and video chat. Skype, Picasa, Microsoft Word and other basic software are all that she needs.
Processor Motherboard RAM Hard disk Graphics card Optical drive Monitor Keyboard Mouse Speakers Sound card Other Operating system AMD Athlon II X2 240 Gigabyte GA-MA74GM-S2 OCZ 2 GB DDR3 Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 500 GB Integrated Samsung 20X DVDRW Samsung 540N15-inch LCD Microsoft wired keyboard 600 Microsoft Compact Optical Mouse Creative SBS A35 2.0 stereo Speaker Integrated Webcam, Headset Windows 7 Home Premium
Rs 26,510
3,200 3,000 1,250 1,900 1,100 7,500 770 700 500 6,590
DELL INSPIRON 580S

Rs 29,000
Intel Core i3-550, 4 GB DDR3, 320 GB SATA HDD, 16X DVDRW, USB Keyboard, USB Mouse, Windows 7 Home Premium
HP 500B MICROTOWER
Rs 22,400
Intel Pentium E5700, 2 GB DDR3, 320 GB SATA HDD, 16X DVDRW, USB Keyboard, USB Mouse, Windows 7 Home Premium
ACER EME 730 NOTEBOOK

Rs 27,000
Intel Core i3-330, 1 GB DDR3, 250 GB SATA HDD, 8X DVDRW, 15.6-inch Display, Lipus Moblin LINUX
DELL VOSTRO V230S

Rs 24,000
Intel Pentium E5700, 1 GB DDR3, 320 GB SATA HDD, 18.5-inch Monitor, Standard Keyboard/mouse, DOS
JUNE 2011
30
housew
PC CONFIGS
uilding a PC for the home use shouldnt be ding sho too hard. For a home user expecting to use software like Skype, Microsoft Word, and tware an Picasa, and browse the Internet, you would need wo an average processor and a standard motherboard with a few USB ports. A standard sized cabinet with ample RAM and storage space is well suited for such use.
DVD drive for home use. If you wish to copy discs dis you can add another drive as well.
CONNECTIVITY: CTI CTIVITY:
UNDER THE HOOD

The hardware components inside a home PC are relatively cheap and easy to come by. You should not have to go through much trouble nding a decent processor, hard drive and RAM, and a motherboard suited for these components will not be too hard. You do not even have to worry about a dedicated graphics or sound processor as most motherboards have integrated chips that can handle simple loads.
Your home PC will probably be used to transfer photos from digital cameras and add music to your PMPs, so look out for 3-4 USB ports on your machine. You might need more ports if you are going to use USB input devices, so make sure your machine is well equipped for connecting peripherals. You can look out for machines with built-in card readers for transfering data from memory cards.
ON THE DESK
A basic PC for home use would not require many peripherals apart form a monitor, standard input devices like a keyboard and mouse and a set of PC speakers. Depending on your intended use, you can add a microphone FOR SMALLER POCKETS PROCESSOR: If you do not want to spend too much or headset, a printer or MFD and external A dual core processor clocking over 2 money on your home PC, which you do storage devices like portable hard drives GHz is more than capable of handling not intend to use for long hours, you and USB ash drives. your day-to-day usage. AMD Athlon II can get a notebook or netbook instead. X2 is an inexpensive dual core processor A notebook with a relatively simple MONITOR: and gives better speed than an Intel configuration can come for less than A PC for home usage should generally processor at the same price. Rs 30,000 and netbooks are a more have a 15 or 17-inch monitor for easy economical option. You can choose a viewing. If you are going to sit at a desk MEMORY: single core processor like one of Intels and use the machine for a few hours, you Word processing, video chat and Atom series processors, downgrade to will need a big screen for comfortable Web browsing software are not very 1 GB of RAM and opt for lesser storage viewing. An LCD monitor is a good choice RAM-hungry and 2 GB of RAM is space to save some money. Keep in mind as it will occupy less space on your table. ne for running these programs and though that netbooks and notebooks have smaller screens, so they are not INPUT DEVICES: multitasking. You can use two 1 GB You will not need more than a standard fit for prolonged usage. Also note that memory sticks if you wish to use dual keyboard and mouse for general use. channel memory for faster performance, netbooks do not have optical drives so Check the connection interface for your but even a single 2 GB stick is capable of you will have to get an external CD/DVD input devices and make sure they are reader if you need one. giving you decent performance. comaptible with your motherboard. STORAGE: Keyboards and mice have PS/2 or USB A home PC would be used to store photos, video, connectors, so if you wish to have a few USB ports music and miscellaneous documents. A 250 GB free, you can opt for a PS/2 keyboard and mouse. hard drive gives you more than enough space for these storage needs along with the space required PRINTER: for software installations. A SATA 3 Gb/s HDD is If you are going to use your home PC for writing well suited for a home PC, and if you wish to add basic documents and making ight or hotel more space, you can get an external storage drive reservations, you can add an inkjet printer to print as well. out receipts and tickets.
OPTICAL DRIVE:
You can expect to use a few CDs and DVDs with your home PC, so getting a DVD reader and writer will be benecial. The speed of the drive is not very important and anything over 8X should sufce. The Samsung 20X DVD RW is a good, affordable
PERIPHERALS:
Other peripherals that you can consider include a good set of 2.0 stereo speakers or a headset for video chatting. You can also include an external memory card reader if your machine doesnt already have one.
JUNE 2011
wives
SPECIFICATIONS
250 GB Integrated 12.1-inch LCD Chiclet Keyboard Multitouch Trackpad Stereo Integrated Windows 7 Home Premium Processor RAM Hard disk Graphics card Optical drive Screen Keyboard Mouse Speakers Sound card Operating system Intel Atom N450 2 GB DDR3
PC CONFIGS
31
ASUS EEE PC 1215N

Rs 27,000
The Asus Eee PC 1215N netbook is a more than capable portable computer for home usage. The 12.1-inch screen is larger than most netbooks and with ample RAM and storage, it is a great option for a home PC.
SPECIFICATIONS
Processor RAM Hard disk Graphics card Optical drive Screen Keyboard Mouse Speakers Sound card Operating system Intel Atom N450 1 GB DDR2 250 GB Integrated 10.1-inch WSVGA Built-in Keyboard Touchpad Stereo Integrated Windows 7 Starter
DELL INSPIRON MINI 10

Rs 19,000
The Dell Inspiron mini 10 series netbook is also a good option for a budget home PC. The reduced specifications are still enough to support most software and also allow for multitasking.
SPECIFICATIONS
Processor RAM Hard disk Graphics card Optical drive Screen Keyboard Mouse Speakers Sound card Operating system Intel Atom N455 1 GB DDR3 250 GB Intel Graphics 10.1-inch display Built-in Keyboard Touchpad Mono Integrated Windows 7 Starter
ACER ASPIRE EM355

Rs 14,000
The Acer Aspire series netbook with its single core Atom processor and 1 GB of RAM might be a little slow but with large storage and a built-in camera it is great for video chatting and internet surfing.
32
PC CONFIGS
RIGS FOR STUDENTS PURSUING HIGHER EDUCATION
Educational institutions that impart higher academic courses often insist on portable computers for all their students on campus. Here is a look at systems that can help you study effectively.
BY KAMAKSHI S
PORTABLE PCS FOR HIGHER STUDIES
JUNE 2011
e stude
Rita is pursuing an MBA and Isha is pursuing her Masters in Engineering. Both plan to study even further and they need a laptop for academic purposes. Although they both use a desktop PC at home, they need a fully functional notebook to carry when on the campus. What kind of devices should they opt for?
PC CONFIGS PC CONFIGS ON F
33
Processor Motherboard Video Card RAM Hard disk Optical dive Monitor Input devices Power supply unit Operating system Intel Core i7-920 Asus Sabertooth X58 Sapphire Radeon HD 5770 Corsair Value 4 GB DDR3 Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 500 GB SATA HDD LG DVD Writer 16x Dual Layer Asus VH197D 18.5-inch LED Monitor Logitech Classic Desktop MK100 Ocz Stealthxstream 2 600W Windows 7 Home Premium
Rs 56,085
14,900 12,000 7,200 2,800 2,000 1,185 5,800 725 2,885 6,590
SONY VAIO EA VPCEA46FG/B/L/W

Rs 42,990
Intel Core i5-480M, 320 GB SATA HDD, 4 GB DDR3, ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5470, Windows 7 Home Premium.
HP PAVILION DV66016TX
Rs 46,592
Intel Core i5 2410M, 4 GB DDR3, 500 GB SATA HDD, 15.6-inch screen, 1 GB Graphics, Windows 7 Home Premium.
APPLE MACBOOK
Rs 69,900
Intel Core i5, 4 GB DDR3, 320 GB SATA HDD, Intel HD Graphics 3000, 3.3-inch (diagonal) LED-backlit glossy widescreen display, Gigabit Ethernet port, 2 USB 2.0 ports,Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 2.1.
DELL INSPIRON 15R

Rs 42,900
Intel Core i5, 4 GB DDR3, 500 GB SATA HDD, Intel HD Graphics, Integrated 10/100 Ethernet LAN, 15.6-inch Widescreen HD WLED screen, 1 year warranty.
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student
PC CONFIGS
he kind of academic work your course requires will determine the conguration that would be best for you. For example, even within the engineering eld, the PC requirements of a student from one area of engineering will vastly differ from those of another.
UNDER THE HOOD
If youre not really sure about which path your academic future will take, you can opt for a highend conguration so you have all bases covered. If you are looking for an all-inclusive system, here is the best conguration that you can opt for.
with utilities, you need enough space on your hard disk to install, execute, code, simulate and test them. You would also require running additional utilities to ensure that these applications work smoothly (like the Java Runtime Environment, Java Virtual Machine, compilers and decoders). Moreover, you may also have to create, manage and maintain project reports and other study material, which makes 500 GB an ideal amount of storage space.
SCREEN SIZE:
While there is a general notion that the screen size is directly proportional to the weight of the system, it may not be true in all cases. There are ultra slim 19-inch laptops available, but they might not be too economical. A 15-inch TFT screen is ergonomically just right to work with. A notebook with a 15-inch LCD is a good alternative.
PROCESSOR:
For students who need to dabble with a lot of applications and create a lot of projects, a strong processor like the Intel core i7-920 can come in quite handy. Right from handling tools like Visual Studio 2010, Java environments, server CONNECTIVITY: side scripting, MATLAB and related FOR SMALLER POCKETS Apart from the Ethernet port on your tools, to more hardcore engineering machine that lets you connect to your If you are on a tight budget, you can tools like AutoCad and data mining university or college's network, if the go for a notebook with a dual core tools, your system should be able to let processor, 2 GB RAM and a 160 GB institution offers wireless Internet you switch between applications with hard-drive. You can opt for Windows support, you will need to have Wi-Fi very little fuss. The quad core processor enabled on your device. Its also helpful 7 Professional, but your OS selection can ideally handle two processes per to have Bluetooth connectivity to sync should be determined by what core, which are CPU-centric activities portable devices. you intend to run on the system. like creation like creating memory Educational organizations usually dump, variable values and compiling insist on original software, so you can BATTERY LIFE: codes. go for a Linux OS with a WINE plug-in The point of getting a laptop on the RAM: to get a Windows-like experience with campus is to ensure that you can move Applications like SQL Server 2010, on a low maintenance system setup. around. Look for a notebook that provides Visual Studio 2010, and other coding If form factor and performance is not the maximum battery life, so that you tools need extensive disposable memory an issue, you can go for an Intel Atomdont have to go hunting for a power to work with. Moreover, code compilers powered netbook too. outlet in the middle of an important and emulators also work on variable project. memory, which means that 4 GB of AT THE DESK RAM will work perfectly for you, more so if you are Although laptops offer portability, it will be futile multi-tasking between applications. to carry them around if they dont offer all the GPU: required peripheral support. Apart from port If you are studying to be an automotive engineer, or support, you can also arrange of other accessories deal with CAD based diagrams, a basic video card like an optical drive and USB hubs for convenience. or dedicated graphics support will not help you ACCESSORIES: in the long run. However, since not all your work Laptops should not only offer portability, but involves high-end graphics, a potent 1 GB GPU that should also be light enough to carry around. You is light both on your system and your pocket work can use peripherals like an external hard drive, wonders. Thus instead of a heavy duty setup, a and external optical drive, to cut down on weight. mid-range graphic card Radeon HD 5770 is an ideal Other essential peripherals that you can use with option. your notebook include USB mouse, USB extensions STORAGE: (for more ports) or a cooler pad to prevent the When you are creating projects, and experimenting system from overheating.
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Processor RAM Hard disk Ports Screen Graphics Sound Optical Drive Connectivity Operating System Warranty 320 GB HDMI 1 year Processor RAM Hard disk Ports Screen Graphics Sound Optical Drive Connectivity Operating System Warranty 320 GB ---
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SPECIFICATIONS
Core i3 350M/370 3 GB DDR3
15.6-inch HD LED NVIDIA 420 1GB DedGrp Integrated DVDRW Bluetooth 2.1+ Windows 7 Home Basic
ACER ASPIRE 5742G

Rs 35,500
If cost is an issue, the Acer aspire 5742Gis the best option to look at. If offers quite an impressive list of specifications especially for those who are on a tight budget.
SPECIFICATIONS
Intel Core i3 Processor 370M, 2.4 GHz, 4 GB DDR3
15.6-inch LED Integrated Integrated
TOSHIBA L650-I5311
Rs 42,636
Although the Toshiba L650-I5311offers an Intel Core i3 processor, nothing is said about the number and nature of connectivity ports. However it is very rugged for outdoor usage.
Windows 7 Home Premium 1 year warranty
SPECIFICATIONS
Processor RAM Hard disk Ports Screen Graphics Sound Optical Drive Connectivity Operating System Warranty Intel Core i5-460M 3 GB DDR3 500 GB -15.6-inch HD LED Glare Integrated Integrated DVD Writer Bluetooth 2.1 Windows 7 Home Premium 1 year
LENOVO IDEAPAD Z560 59-052666

Rs 38,090
The Lenovo IdeaPad z560 comes in a number of variants, so we have picked what is closest to our best configuration. If price is a constraint, you can opt for one with a pre-loaded DOS operating system instead.
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PC CONFIGS
HOME THEATER RIGS
Developers are constantly making newer video cards for PCs with HDMI and DVI connections as well as 3D capabilities. For such technology, you can use a specialized PC as a substitute for watching movies and TV shows.
BY KUSHAL MAMOOWALA
THE TV SUBSTITUTE
JUNE 2011
cinep
Karan is a movie buff and loves to recreate the cinematic experience at home. He downloads movies in high definition and rents DVDs and Blu-rays of his favorite movies and watches them in the comfort of his home with a full HD and surround sound experience.
PC CONFIGS C CONFIGS ONF ONFIGS
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Processor Motherboard RAM Hard disk Graphics card Optical drive Monitor Keyboard Mouse Speakers Power Supply TV Tuner card PC Case Intel Core i3-550 Asus P7H55-M PRO OCZ 2 GB DDR3 SDRAM 2 x Western Digital Caviar Green 2 TB NVIDIA GeForce GT 430 LG Super-Multi Blu-ray Combo Drive IOGEAR Multimedia Keyboard Antec NeoPower 650 Hauppauge 1213 WinTV-HVR-2250 Silver Stone LC16B MR220
Rs 68,965
6,830 6,670 2,250 15,100 4,000 4,800 2,835
5,800 8,680 12,000
APPLE MAC MINI

Rs 37,900
Intel Core 2 Duo, 2 GB DDR3, 320 GB SATA HDD, NVIDIA GeForce 320M, 8x SuperDrive., Mac OS X.
BRAG PC SAMBA
Rs 52,000
AMD Phenom X4-630, 4 GB DDR3, 4 TB SATA HDD, ATI Radeon HD 4350, Blu-ray DVD Combo drive.
ACER ASPIRE 5750G

Rs 41,200
Intel Core i5, 4 GB DDR3, 500 GB SATA HDD, NVIDIA GeForce GT540M, DVDRW Drive.
BRAG PC TR7
Rs 53,000
Intel Core i5-760, 4 GB DDR3, 1 TB SATA HDD, NVIDIA GTX-460 Fermi, DVD Writer.
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cinephil
PC CONFIGS
ome theatre PCs or HTPCs are unique computers designed to be silent and compact giving you the best movie experience. Most importantly you need yo look out for a machine that is low on power consumption, high on graphics, and offers a variety of connectivity options.
up to 4 TB of hard drive space to ensure that you will always have enough room for your HD movies. You can also use a small, but faster SSD for booting and a 1-2 TB HDD for storage. Make sure you have the comaptible SATA ports on your motherboard before buying your storage hardware.
OPTICAL DRIVE:
UNDER THE HOOD

A modern day HTPC must be able to play high denition videos at 720p or 1080p, stream videos and play Blu-rays and DVDs. Most importantly, your PC needs to be inconspicuous, but yet able to connect to an HD monitor or TV.
PROCESSOR:
Your processor should be powerful enough to run media players, but not so overpowered that it requires additional cooling. A dual core processor from the Intel Core i3 series with its integrated graphics is perfect for HD viewing and is efcient with power consumption too.
High quality movies are best viewed from Blu-ray discs, so getting a Blu-ray drive for you HTPC will improve your viewing experience. It is better to get a combo drive that reads both Blu-ray and DVD formats rather than separate Blu-ray and DVDRW drives that take up more space. The LG Super-Multi Blu-ray Combo Drive is perfect for such requirements.
FOR SMALLER POCKETS

If you are on a tighter budget, you can swap the Core i3 processor for another dual core processor that can handle the load of media players with ease. The Intel Atom D525 is a good substitute or you can even opt for an AMD Athlon dual core processor. Keep in mind that your motherboard with have to be compatible with your processor. You can also skip the 3D graphics card if you get a motherboard with integrated graphics that provides for HD support. You can also save money with a smaller hard drive up to 500 GB in size. You could skip the Blu-ray drive, but then you will have to rely more on DVDs for your movies.
CONNECTIVITY:
Having an HTPC that is unable to connect to an HD monitor or HDTV is pointless. You need to ensure that your motherboard and graphics have ports for HDMI, DVI or VGA. Note that HDMI is the preferred HD connection interface as it carries both audio and video data. DVI, on the other hand, supports only video data. Add a TV tuner card to watch television on your monitor.
MOTHERBOARD:
After choosing your processor, it is best to nd a compatible motherboard with a small form factor, but one that offers GPU, HDMI and SATA support. The Asus P7H55-M Pro with the micro ATX form factor gives you HDMI, DVI and VGA output ports along with PCIe and SATA ports.
ON THE DESK
For an HTPC, all you need is a display and a keyboard as an input device. Apart from these two essentials, you can get a remote for your HTPC, to sit back and control your media.
GRAPHICS:
If you wish to watch 3D and HD videos, you need to have a strong GPU. Nvidias Geforce GT 430 graphics supports Nvidia 3DTV Play software that allows you to watch 3D Movies on your 3D-compatible HDTV. Most compact GPUs are also available in graphics cards with a fan-less design, which minimizes noise.
MONITOR:
You can choose to get a HD monitor for your machine or you can choose to use your HTPC with an HDTV. Ensure that your display has adequate ports for connectivity and is capable of at least 1080p resolution. If your PCs GPU supports it, you could look for a 3D-capable display.
MEMORY:
The software you will use will not demand much RAM. Having 2 to 4 GB RAM will ensure that you have a smooth movie watching experience. It is important to note the type of memory technology your motherboard supports, as different HTPC motherboards support different forms of RAM, such as standard DDR3 or SO-DIMM.
INPUT DEVICES:
Having a wired keyboard and mouse will restrict your distance from your screen. You are better off getting a wireless keyboard. Using a wireless mouse is also not essential if you can get a keyboard with a touchpad or trackball like the IOGEAR Multimedia Keyboard. It has programmable keys and a long distance wireless receiver so you can sit back and control your HTPC from a distance. You can also consider a programmable IR remote for your PC.
STORAGE:
Storage is very important for a good HTPC. You need ample storage space for your movies. You can add
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SPECIFICATIONS
Processor RAM Intel Atom D525 4 GB DDR3 500 GB NVIDIA Ion USB 2.0, HDMI, DVI, VGA Yes Motherboard Hard disk Graphics card Optical drive Screen Keyboard Mouse Speakers Sound card PC Case Power supply unit Ports TV Tuner card USB Blu-ray Combo drive
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XTREAMER ULTRA
Rs 15,500
The new Xstreamer Ultra is a great budget HTPC. With a dual core processor and Nvidia GeFroce 9400 GPU, the Xstreamer is perfect for streaming and playing HD videos.
SPECIFICATIONS
Processor Motherboard RAM Hard disk Graphics card Optical drive Screen Keyboard Mouse Speakers Sound card PC Case Power supply unit Ports TV Tuner card AMD E-350 2 GB DDR3 250 GB AMD Radeon HD 6310 Blu-Ray / DVD RW drive USB 3.0, HDMI, DVI, VGA No
ZOTAC ZBOX-AD03BR-PLUS-E
Rs 29,999
The Zotac Zbox is a compact nettop with a decent dual core processor and is fully Blu-ray compatible. It offers USB 3.0, HDMI, DVI and VGA connectivity making it a great next generation budget HTPC.
SPECIFICATIONS
Processor Motherboard RAM Hard disk Graphics card Optical drive Screen Keyboard Mouse Speakers Sound card PC Case Power supply unit Ports TV Tuner card Intel Atom D525 2 GB DDR2 250 GB NVIDIA Ion 4x Blu-ray, 8x DVDRW USB 3.0, HDMI, DVI, VGA No
ZOTAC ZBOX BLU-RAY HD-ID34

Rs 22,500
Classified as a nettop, the Zotac Zbox is a great compact, low-cost HTPC. With a dual core processor and Nvidia Ion graphics it is capable of giving you a great HD video viewing experience.
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TECH TALK
TECH LEXICON: USB 3.0
SUPERSPEED CONNECTIVITY WITH USB 3.0

USB3.0 is here and promises to change the way we store data on an external storage drive, even though it may not significantly change the usage of input devices. Here is all you need to know about the USB 3.0 SuperSpeed standard.
BY KAMAKSHI S
hen Intel rst declared the launch of the USB 3.0 standard in late 2008, it had made it very clear that it will not certify devices as USB 3.0 compliant if they do not live up to the promised transfer speeds, which is one of the reasons for the delay in the technology making it to the market. Here is what the long awaited USB 3.0 has in store.
TECHNICALLY FASTER
USB 3.0 is the long awaited successor to the USB 2.0 standard. USB 3.0, or the SuperSpeed USB as it is often referred to, offers data transfer speeds of up to 5 Gbps, ten times that of USB 2.0 and better device connectivity. The seemingly simple feat has been achieved using a number of technical changes, of which the most obvious and interesting is adding more physical bus parallel to the existing USB 2.0 bus. In simple words, where USB 2.0 had four wires for power supply, earthing, and a couple for differential data, USB 3.0 doubles the number to eight, allowing it to receive and transmit data faster. USB 3.0 further uses a bi-directional data interface as compared to a half-duplex setup in USB 2.0, so data could ow only in a single direction at a given point. Using this technique, the theoretic bandwidth increases by 10 folds. However, the system has been designed in such a way that an increase in data ow doesnt consume any more power than necessary.
UNDERSTANDING THE CONCEPT OF USB

First launched in 1996, the Universal Serial Bus is a connectivity standard that is used not only to establish connection between devices and a host controller, but also to transfer data. The user-friendly, cost-effective nature of the standard ensured that it replaced a variety of other interfaces, which include the serial as well as the parallel ports.
ALTERNATIVE TECHNOLOGIES
If you dont wish to shift to USB 3.0, you can still avail of data rates is faster than USB 2.0. The external SATA port (eSATA) has now become a standard on most in PCs and notebooks. While it offers up to 300 MByte/s, the teething troubles
My Book and My Passport HDD from Western Digital are USB 3.0 Compliant.
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that eSATA initially encountered, like the missing hot plug features and additional power connection, now seem under control. But eSATA does have its share of limitations; the cables appear to be xed and are quite short. Also, there is no USB hub to offer additional connections. Another option is the Firewire 800, which is not as good as either eSATA or USB 3.0 because of the lower speeds they offer as opposed to what is promised. Moreover, there is hardly any compatible hardware available and the handful which are, are quite expensive.
COMPARISON: USB 3.0, ESATA, USB2.0 AND FIREWIRE

USB 3.0 promises a theoretical maximum rate of 5 Gbps, meaning it's 10 times faster than USB 2.0. USB 3.0 is also full duplex, meaning it can upload and download simultaneously (it's bi-directional); USB 2.0 is only half duplex. Put side by side with eSATA and FireWire 800, USB 3.0 is far superior. eSATA, an external connection that runs at the same speed as the internal SATA 1.0 bus, has a maximum theoretical speed of 3 Gbps. This makes USB 3.0 faster than eSATA and about six times faster than FireWire 800 (full duplex at 800 Mbps). USB 3.0 also provides another advantage; while eSATA is faster than FireWire 800, unlike FireWire, it cannot supply power. USB 3.0 has the advantage of being faster than both, even while supplying power. Finally, USB 3.0 has improved power management, meaning that devices can move into idle, suspend, and sleep states. This potentially means more battery life out of laptops and other battery-based USB-supporting devices like cameras and mobile phones.
Look out for the USB 3.0 logo to be sure that if offers the promised speeds.
Data Transfer Rate comparisions on various interface standards

6,000 5,000 4,000
Megabits per second (Mbps)
3,000 2,000
6000 5000
3000
1,000 0
1500
1330 800 480 USB 2.0 400 Firewire 400
SATA III
USB 3.0
SATA II
SATA I
ATA 133
Firewire 800
Type of Interface
A comparison of data transfer speeds across all the available standards.
USB 3.0 VS ESATA AND FIREWIRE 800

While most of us are yet to personally witness the power of the USB 3.0 standard, it is quickly being adopted, allowing us compare the other connectivity standards currently available. eSATA being an external connection, brings nothing new to the table; it runs at the same speed as the internal SATA 1.0 bus, with a maximum connectivity speed set at 3 Gbps on paper. Comparing it to the full-duplex model of USB 3.0 that supports bi-directional data transfer, you can see that USB 3.0 wins the battle hands down. The latest FireWire standard, FireWire 800, offers 800
A standard USB 3.0 connector pin which looks like a USB 2.0 connector at first glance.
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TECH TALK
Mbps full duplex, which proves that USB 3.0 is at least six times faster. Another factor that tips scale in USB 3.0s favor is that it is faster than both, and also supplies power, instead of drawing power from the system itself, making it a greener technology. It also boasts better power management features, which means that if devices are not in use, they can be switched to idle, suspend, and sleep modes, which in turn will optimize the battery life of not just devices like laptops and PC, but also other battery-based USB devices such as cameras and smartphones.
You can get an USB 3.0 to your existing system with a connector that can be added to the PCI-E slot.
USING USB3.0 WITH YOUR CURRENT SETUP

USB 3.0 is now readily available, but it is hardware dependent. If you are unable to get a motherboard replacement, or dont want to incur the high cost of a PC upgrade, there is still a way out. You can get a connector for the standard that can go into your PCI Express port. However, if your motherboard lacks the port, you have no other choice but to upgrade. If you are looking for USB 3.0 compliant setups, there are quite a few options at your disposal. CES 2010 saw two motherboards by Asus and Gigabyte that supported USB 3.0. USB 3.0 host controllers are now being manufactured by the likes of Renesas/ NEC Electronics, Fresco Logic, Asmedia, Etron, VIA Labs, Texas Instruments and Nvidia. In the same year, Hewlett-Packard released the HP Envy 17 3D with a Renesas USB 3.0 host controller. AMD is also closely working with Renesas to release chipsets supporting USB 3.0 in 2011. CES 2011 saw Toshiba announce the USB 3.0 and Bluetooth 3.0 compliant Toshiba Qosmio X500. Sony also announced a series of Vaio laptops that will support USB 3.0. Dell has also incorporated USB 3.0 into its Inspiron and Dell XPS lines. On the device front, there are only a handful options, including products from brands like Western Digital, Transcend and Seagate. Transcends StoreJet 25H3P 1 TB USB 3.0 portable hard drive (Rs 9,900) and Seagates FreeAgent GoFlex Upgrade Cable USB 3.0 (Rs 5,400) are already on sale. Western Digital has the My Passport Essential 500 GB (Rs 4,299), the My Passport Essential SE 750 GB (Rs 5,499) and 1 TB (Rs 6,499), and the My Book Essential 1 TB (Rs 4,999), 2 TB (Rs 7,499), and 3 TB (Rs 10,999).
The StoreJet 25H3P 1TB portable hard drive from Transcend also comes with USB 3.0.
SeaGate's FreeAgent GoFlex Upgrade Cable for USB 3.0 gives you high data transfer speeds with the FreeAgent GoFlex Desk HDDs.
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TECH TALK
NVIDIA GPUS
THE LATEST IN GRAPHICS PROCESSING

Cutting-edge graphics are always high up on the list of expectations from new computers and mobile devices. Nvidia is an established developer of high performance and efficient GPUs and they have graphics processors for almost every need.
BY KUSHAL MAMOOWALA
vidia is the most popular developer of graphics chips in the industry. The Geforce series of GPUs and graphics cards enable high resolution gaming, the Quadro Fermi Vishal Dhupar, MD Sales and family gives you Marketing, South Asia, NVIDIA high performance, and they even have the Tergra series for mobile devices. We spoke with Vishal Dhupar, Nvidia MD for South Asia, who gave us a quick guide through the range of Nvidia graphics processors and software suited for multiple uses.
a staggering 32 tessellation engines that can power todays cutting edge games. With the addition of a 3D Vision kit, you can enjoy over 500 PC games in full 3D on either a 3D Vision certied monitor or 3D HDTV for the most realistic gaming experience ever.
Can an Nvidia processor be used for low-power consumption devices, like notebooks for businessmen?
With hectic days, grueling travelling schedules and unending meetings to attend, it is understood that power consumption remains the most important factor for businessmen. Nvidia Optimus Technology delivers great battery life and great performance. It automatically and instantaneously uses the best tool for the job the high performance Nvidia GPU for GPUCompute applications, video, and 3D games; and low power integrated graphics for applications like Ofce, Web surng, or email. The result is long lasting battery life without sacricing great graphics performance, delivering an experience that is fully automatic and behind the scenes. Nvidia also has another solution for business executives known as NVS 300 Business Graphics Solution, a graphics processor designed for the enterprise that delivers exceptional visual delity across up to eight displays while consuming minimal power. With nearly 25 percent more efcient power utilization, the NVS 300 graphics processor is designed for mission-critical applications ranging from command and control centers, to securities trading oors, to digital signage installations. The NVS graphics processor brand has become the standard for multi-display
Which Nvidia processors are best suited for high-end gaming?

Hardcore gaming enthusiasts will truly appreciate the need to build a solid gaming rig that can deliver top-notch and realistic graphics that are critical for an enhanced and powerful gaming experience. Discrete graphics form an important aspect of such a system. Nvidias Geforce lineup is specically built to cater to the gaming community with optimized graphics. The recently-launched Geforce GTX 590 high-end gaming card is designed for uber-enthusiasts and those looking to build the ultimate PC gaming rig. With a combined 1024 Nvidia CUDA architecture cores, 3 GB of GDDR5 memory, 6 billion transistors and over 2200 individual components all packed into an 11-inch dual slot card, the GTX 590 delivers
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business computing environments because it is easy to deploy, cost-effective and power efcient.
What is the best suited GPU for digital artists?

Combining high performance computing abilities with advance visualization, Nvidia launched their award-winning Quadro Fermi family of GPUs. These are intended for applications that demand the high accuracy and quality, perfect for digital artists attempting Photoshop, video editing, illustrations and color correction. Keeping in mind that digital artists may not have very large budgets, Nvidia has added a midrange Quadro 2000 GPU (with 192 CUDA processing cores) and the entry-level Quadro 600 (with 96 CUDA processor cores). The Quadro 2000 delivers 1.5 times the geometry performance of the previous Quadro GPU mid-range solution. The entry-level Quadro 600 is a exible half height solution that features the industrys best performance per watt for applications and empowers digital artists to interact with models that are twice the size and complexity compared to previous entry-level solutions.
How has Nvidia dealt with the advent of 3D technology?

A major challenge that animators and post production studios face in delivering 3D graphics and other visual/special effects is seamlessly recreating and integrating graphics and images so that viewers are not irked by unconvincing rituals. Nvidias 3D Vision Pro is a new 3D stereoscopic solution that empowers designers and content creators to see their work in greater detail. Digital content creation artists can see their world in 3D, thanks to Nvidia 3D Vision Pro, with perspectives that are signicantly richer than traditional two-dimensional views. Together, 3D Vision Pro and Quadro solutions bring the highest quality and most immersive 3D experience to enterprise environments. As with everything in high-end visual effects, iteration is essential. With Nvidia Quadro, studios across the world have seen up to eight iterations each day of various simulations. That
is speed improvements of 10-15x over CPU-based simulations. CUDA and Nvidia Quadro have changed the way studios approach a variety of complex visual effects challenges. Movie enthusiasts and cinema acionados who enjoy high-denition videos or titles on their PCs may very well agree that smoothness of the content playback and realistic feel jutted out on the screen give chills down their spines. Apart from offering a stunning gaming experience, Nvidias Geforce graphics deliver splendid on-screen graphics, which will further augment the video quality while enjoying long-time classics. Viewing HD movies on PC demands discrete graphics and the diverse Geforce range offers multiple options to choose from. Additionally, with 3D becoming more popular in cinemas, users can bring this technology to their home theaters for the ultimate movie-watching experience. Nvidias 3DTV Play software allows consumers to connect Nvidia 3D Vision-enabled notebooks and desktops to 3D HDTVs for the ultimate high-denition big-screen entertainment. Using this software, users can connect any compatible Nvidia Geforce GPU-powered system to a HDMI 1.4 3D HDTV and enjoy 3D movies using their 3D glasses. The lions roar, amazing racing cars and favorite action scenes are bound to come alive and give goosebumps to users.
Can Nvidia cater to professions like architecture and engineering as well?

Detailing and design-to-scale is the challenge faced by engineers and architects alike. Accuracy along with maintaining speed seemed like an impossible prospect for architects and engineers. Nvidias new Quadro Fermi line-up is the worlds rst professional graphics solution with Error Correction Codes (ECC) memory and fast, IEEE double precision oating point performance. These are intended for applications that demand the highest levels of accuracy like product designing and 3D modeling. With NVIDIA Quadro Fermi GPUs, the result is that software developers are able to create and deliver the next-generation of professional applications that incorporate compute-intensive tasks.
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TECH TALK
CAREERS IN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
NETWORK ADMINISTRATOR: AT THE HELM

Technology is constantly evolving and being on top of the game is the role of the Network Administrator. If you wish to have a long fulfilling career in IT, then this is a great profile for you.
BY PRI YANK A T ILVE
The role of a Network Administrator may not seem glamorous, but rest assured, it commands a lot of respect as he is the one who manages all the computers and ensures seamless connectivity across the network. Much like the captain of a ship, he performs a wide array of duties right from congurations, firewalls, security, troubleshooting to managing the resources and implementing new technologies. We spoke with Bina Raj-Debur, Regional Head, Corporate Affairs, India/SAARC, Cisco about the challenges and opportunities involved in becoming a successful Network Administrator.
In what ways has the role evolved especially with the current virtualization trend (like cloud) seen in the IT sphere?
The advent of virtualization has transformed the role of a Network Administrator at two levels. By reducing the physical complexity of a data center, it has contributed towards making network management more efcient and productive. Secondly, as virtualized environments get more sophisticated, the Network Administrators role is evolving from purely operational to one that requires analysis and strategy to determine optimal access to business critical applications.
What is the role of the Network Administrator?

The role of a Network Administrator can range from basic network management to a more complex role, depending on domain expertise, experience, complexity of the network and the individuals potential and aspirations. The primary role of a Network Administrator is to manage the components of a network, including: Switches, routers, firewalls, Wi-Fi controllers, Wi-Fi access points, etc Configuration of network equipment Management and coordination of network changes Troubleshooting and resolving network related issues Executing network projects, possibly even designing networks
What should a student aiming to pursue a career in this field focus on?
A good balance of professional and soft skills is an essential rst step. While industry standard training, certication and practical know-how remain a prerequisite, individuals interested in pursuing a career in this eld would benet from good communication, critical thinking and problem-solving skills. The ability to multi-task, be a team player, be goal-driven, etc are perennial soft skills essential to continuous growth and development. Above all else, as technology evolves rapidly, it is more vital today than ever before to recognize and accept the need for constant learning.
Where does a fresher start in the organization and what are the growth opportunities?
The typical lifecycle of a career in network
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management is no different from any other career stream. While entry-level positions usually focus on basic networking operations, growth opportunities are limitless as individuals with aptitude can move to supervisory or even management positions.
What is the job potential like in the coming years in India and elsewhere?
In todays global world, The Network has become the platform to integrate all forms of technology and communication systems. As ICT relevance grows across all sectors and companies rely on up-to-date computer networks, the general job outlook for the networking industry looks promising. Overall job growth is projected to increase at an above average rate. Increased demand for network security may also be expected to spearhead job growth, especially as cyber criminals constantly adapt to circumvent new network security technologies. Ciscos network education trains prospective professionals for immense opportunities that are available in the networking industry. As countries and industries continue to transform and adopt networking technology and infrastructures, the demand for skilled networking IT professionals will continue to rise.
curriculum opted for and vary by job specialty. For instance, programs like IT Essentials assume no prior knowledge of computers or networking, while advanced courses require basic computer literacy. Overall though, prior experience is not obligatory in training or authoring exam items.
Neha Mithbawkar
What kind of certification is provided by Cisco for Network Administrators?

Cisco Networking Academy offers a multitude of curricula and commensurate certications catering to diverse business needs. Certications like CCENT, CCNA and CCNP are designed to offer students the knowledge, skills and practical knowhow essential to entry-level positions in industry and bolster job opportunities. Of special note is Cisco Networking Academys thrust on entrepreneurship skills. The Passport 21 program, for example, focuses on building entrepreneurship skills through teaching critical business and nancial skills, attitudes and behaviours essential to success in the 21st century. Business case studies, Cisco Packet Tracer activities etc are used to reinforce key concepts.
Does Cisco have organizational tieups and do you provide placements?

Cisco has developed strategic collaborations with educational institutions, private and nonprot organizations and government agencies around the world, with the express aim of expanding professional opportunities available to its students and faculty, as well as disadvantaged and at-risk populations. The shortage of skilled networking specialists, compounded by the ubiquitous nature of networks and their management makes network specialists like CCNA and CCNP graduates sought-after and highly employable. Among Ciscos structured initiatives to aid placements is Career Connection, an internship website that helps incumbent Academy students nd intern and full time positions with industry. The site www.academy.monster.com also allows companies to advertise their open positions, thus allowing students free access to ready job listings and submission of their rsums.
What is the educational qualification required? Is prior work experience a perquisite for taking up the program?
Prior experience is largely related to the
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TECH TALK
INNOVATIONS
FREQBOT: A CELLPHONE POWERED OMNIDIRECTIONAL ROBOT

Saurabh Ambre, a B.E mechanical engineer, and students of B.E Electronic and Telecommunication have created a cell phone-controlled robot that can travel omni-directionally and can show you what it does and where it goes as well.
BY KAMAKASHI S
n 2010, we featured the omni-directional robot omibot by Saurabh Ambre in our Innovations segment. Taking that idea a step further, Saurabh, a B.E mechanical engineer and his team comprising of four students - Shalin Chikhalkar,
Dimplejeet Singh Gill, Sanket Chalke and Angad Dogra, studying in the nal year of B.E electronics and telecommunication, have created a mechatronics-based robot called Freqbot powered by the frequency of any cell phone.
THE IDEA
Saurabh explains, Freqbot is a cell phone-operated robot with omni-directional drive having a wireless camera for visuals. Controlled robotics in its truest essence is always bound by a certain range. This range may be affected by several environmental factors and internal mishaps. He wanted to come up with a solution that xes
A look at the complete setup of the freqbot including the circuit board.
A top view of the assembled robot, which is fully functional.
JUNE 2011
TECH TALK
49
the problem of limited RF Range and provides for an effective solution to control a robot having the maximum possible range. The whole idea of controlling a robot using a cell phone is the fact that its sheer simplicity and the brilliance involved would enable a common man to use it in diverse applications, he says. Freqbot doesnt need big radio frequencybased circuits, nor is there a problem for its control range. As long as the host phone has a viable range, you can control the robot. This project is a sincere effort to explore the possibilities of GSM/ CDMA-based technologies and more importantly exploring a very simple and fundamental technology such as DTMF for controlled robotics using the wide range provided by the service provider, says Saurabh.
ABOUT THE INNOVATORS

The Freqbot project has been conducted by B.E mechanical engineer Saurabh Ambre and four students of B.E electronics and telecommunication - Shalin Chikhalkar, Dimplejeet Singh Gill, Sanket Chalke and Angad Dogra. The project is based on the principles of mechatronics, with the team demanding inputs from all members in each sub team. Team leaders were appointed to distribute the work. Shalin Chikhalkar and Saurabh Ambre linked the mechanical and software components together by applying permutations and combinations in coding of the robot to achieve the required outcome. Saurabh also looked after the design fabrication of omni-directional drive with Holonomic wheels, chassis and body. Shalin designed and fabricated the circuit and motherboard. Dimplejeet Singh Gill and Sanket Chalke looked after the hardware overview, while Angad Dogra coded the software.
THE PRINCIPLE
Saurabh explains the basic principle on the basis of which the robot functions. In a cell phoneoperated robot, the basic concept used is DTMF (Dual Tone Multiple Frequency). Everyday you probably call a customer service number, at a bank for example. The system asks you to enter various details like your bank account number. The computer knows what numbers you are entering thanks to DTMF, which converts the input to a binary code. Every time you press a key on your cell phone (while in a call) a unique frequency is generated by the phone. Different keys emit different frequencies just like a different sound is heard when different keys are pressed. This is the sole principle of the project. For each of the 12 keys present on the handset (0-9, *and #) a unique frequency is generated. Using this very frequency and converting it into a binary code, we can control our robot.
slide laterally with great ease.
THE OPERATION
Being the electronics and telecommunication brain of the project, Shalin explains, The binary output of the DTMF is given to a microcontroller. The microcontroller is the entire brain of the circuit. It is basically a complex programmable input/output device that acts like switch. Saurabh further elaborates, To achieve the omnidirectional drive, Holonomic wheels are mounted on the chassis at an angle of 45 degrees in a square pattern. This arrangement enables the robot to move in eight directions. Besides moving forward and backward, the robot can move sideways and at an angle if 45 degrees without changing its reference plane. The camera mounted on the robot
THE BUILD
Saurabh, who is quite well-versed with the building the Mecanum wheel, explains how the wheels were designed. The omni-directional drive can be achieved by either Mecanum wheels with three DOF (degrees of freedom), or Holonomic wheels with two DOF. In this robot, we have used Holonomic wheels also called as omni-wheels. The wheel has a series of rollers mounted on its circumference, which rotates at an axis perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the wheel. The design enables the wheels to roll with full force but also
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TECH TALK
does not need a rotational motion as the robot can rotate 360 degrees on its own axis thanks to the Holonomic wheels. They go on to add, There are motors wired to the microcontroller, which is programmed using C language. Custom codes are written for the omni-directional drive in accordance with the frequency. The robots and its movement control keys have been described below: key 2- forward key 8- backward key 6- move sideways right key 4- move sideways left key 5- stop robot key 3- right forward 45 key 9- right backwards 45 key 1- left forward 45 key 7- left backwards 45 freqbot eye control :key *- camera inclination (up and down) key #- stop camera motion
Wireless camera. Receiver.
THE APPLICATIONS
The team outlines some of the uses that the Freqbot can be put to. Surveillance applications The cell phone-operated robots uniqueness lies in the fact that it can be controlled via any cell phone. Hence, the boundary of operating range for the robot is enhanced. By mounting an onboard camera, one can use the robot as an effective surveillance unit. Bomb diffusion Freqbot is an unmanned robot, so it can be used for missions like bomb diffusion. The camera can be the eyes of the operator. Freqbot can be mounted with a claw (robotic arm) to grab objects as well. Industrial material handling It can act as a vehicle for material handling in tight spaces due to its omni-directional drive.
PERFORMANCE UPGRADES THE COMPONENTS

Saurabh tells us about the hardware components that were crafted by Dimplejeet Singh Gill and Sanket Chalke. The motherboard features a 16-bit microcontroller, a DTMF decoder, and various other electronic components. The motherboard circuit was custom designed. Freqbot uses the following components: Motherboard. Four geared motors. Holonomic wheels. Cell phone. Hands-free cell phone accessory. While the project is completely functional, there are some upgrades that you can carry out to enhance its performance. Shalin explains, Using a network of relays, one can control the battery switching of the robot via a microcontroller. So while one battery is getting discharged in the circuit, the other is getting charged via solar power. Once the battery voltage drops below a certain predened level, the battery switches automatically. Hence, if the robot is used for tactical missions, where frequent charging of the onboard batteries is not possible, this technique could improve the life of the robot.
freQbot
A brief explanation of the directions that the Mecanum wheel supports.
The freqbot spots a better designed set of Mecanum wheels as compared to the one
JUNE 2011

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YOUR GUIDE TO TECHNOLOGY TRENDS

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