Hardware Reference
In-Depth Information
Recommendeddisplaybrands
Our opinion, confirmed by our readers and colleagues, is that
ASUS
(
http://
usa.asus.com
)
,
NEC
(
http://www.necdisplay.com
)
,
Samsung
(
http://www.
samsung.com
), and
ViewSonic
(
http://www.viewsonic.com
) make the best dis-
plays available. Their displays, particularly midrange and better models, pro-
vide excellent image quality and are quite reliable. You're likely to be happy
with a display from any of these first-tier manufacturers. One up-and-coming
display manufacturer that we've heard lots of good things about is
Hanns.G
(
http://www.hannsg.com/us
)
. Its displays are generally a bit less expensive than
comparable models from the top-tier makers, but have competitive specifica-
tions. Most Hanns-G owners we've spoken with are extremely pleased with
their displays.
AudioAdapter
Audio adapters
, also called
sound cards
, are almost a dead breed. Integrated
audio is more than good enough for nearly any purpose. Consider buying a
separate audio adapter only if you are building an extreme gaming rig, a me-
dia center/home theater system that will connect to a professional-level sound
system, or a professional audio/video-production system. Even for those pur-
poses, chances are you'll find integrated audio sufficient, so try it before you
buy a separate audio adapter.
Brian Bilbrey Comments
I continue to use my Creative PCI
audio card, because often the newest
motherboard has good support in
Linux for everything but the audio.
When PCI is gone, whatever shall I
do?
Internal audio adapters are available to fit PCI slots or PCI Express slots. Be-
fore you buy an internal audio adapter, make sure you have an available slot
of the proper type. External audio adapters, intended primarily for notebook
systems, connect to the computer via USB.
Recommendedaudioadapterbrands
Unless you have good reason to do otherwise, use the integrated mother-
board audio. For extreme gaming, choose a
Creative Labs
(
http://us.creative.
com
) Xi-Fi card or an
Auzentech
(
http://www.auzentech.com
) Xi-Fi card with
the features and specifications you need. Some gamers and media center/
home theater system-builders prefer
ASUS
(
http://usa.asus.com
) Xonar series
sound cards. If you're an audiophile or do serious audio/video production,
choose an
M-AUDIO
(
http://www.m-audio.com
)
adapter with the features and
specifications you need.
Speakers
Computer speakers span the range from $10 pairs of small satellites to $500+
sets of five speakers that are suitable for home theater systems. Personal pref-
erence is the most important factor in choosing speakers.
Speakers that render a Bach concerto superbly are often not the best choice
for playing a first-person shooter game. For that matter, speakers that one
person considers perfect for the Bach concerto (or the game), another person
may consider mediocre at best. For that reason, we strongly suggest that you
attempt to listen to speakers before you buy them, particularly if you're buying
an expensive set.
