hydrogen_wv

Let me start by saying, I don't use this, but I see the point in it. I use a Xigmatek Lighter 60gb portable hard drive. I couldn't live without it.

I'm a grad student. I work with very large files that I need to 'carry with me'. I work on several different computers. A 4gb thumb drive doesn't cut it... not enough space.

An SD card doesn't cut it, because none of the systems I work on have a reader. Sure, I could get a reader and carry it with me, but that doesn't make any more sense.

My 60gb (even 30gb would work) portable hard drive is pocketable, offers plenty of storage space, and is powered via USB. If I recall correctly, I paid about $30-40 for it. Alternatively, a 64gb thumb drive will cost $100+. Unless you need the faster speed of the flash memory, a portable hard drive like this is a great alternative.

Another issue is that people here are confusing portable and external. At home, I have 2 external hard drives totalling 2gb. But they both require a power cord and are not exactly small drives.

This may be a slightly niche product, but it serves a purpose.

So now my car will tell me that I need to go faster to make it before the light turns red. I can picture people gunning it from one red light, watching the little "The next light will be..." signal...

I agree with those that said we either need full automation or no automation. Partial automation in some cars could cause a lot of problems.

@Ceverson70

First of all, I don't see anyone here saying that the GTX470/480 is not any better than the 200 series. People are comparing the new GTX400 cards to ATIs Radeon 5000 series, which is current generation... So, I think this means you should read comments before trying to assume what they all say.

Second of all, It's not better than current generation if you look at the high-end 5000 series Radeons. At best, it's on par with them for performance (between the 5870 and 5970)... Considering the 5970 will likely be the same price range as the GTX480, that will be it's true competition for the consumer, regardless of the fact it's a dual gpu. Now add in the fact that it's only slightly better than the 5870, which comes in at $100 cheaper (already) and may see a price drop, how can you honestly say that this is BETTER than the current generation?

If anything saves them, it'll be the fact that less tech-savvy users that think cards are defined by the amount of memory they have will see it sitting on the shelf next to the 5870 and may possibly justify a 50% memory increase (1.5GB vs. 1GB) for an extra hundred bones.

Engadget Fail!

The original article says the 480 only draws 250W.... It's the proposed GF100 that has a 295W power draw. Usually it's commentors that don't read the articles, but it appears that it was everyone this time. :P

@speedbacon

Mechanical keyboards often still use a PS/2 connection... Mechanical Keyboards over PS/2 trump rubber domes on USB. And since it has room for 4 video cards, I'd guess someone out there that buys this will use the PS/2 port.

But, really, complaining about something extra? Aren't you supposed to complain when features are missing?

@dr steve brule

I'm waiting for the iCan'tCarryThisMassiveThing.

But can it solve a Rubik's Cube in 12 seconds?

@Plazmic Flame

Why do you need a 5 year warranty on an $85 product? If it breaks, buy a new one. If it last less than 6 months, don't buy another one. :P

One problem I have with warranties is the "HP TX1000 Potential"... You pay a ton for an extended warranty on a defective product, and when it breaks and they fix it, they use the same faulty hardware.

ghmcr - I think your points are moot. If you have to go more than 11mph over the speed limit to pass someone, you shouldn't have needed to pass in the first place. If you have to speed up to keep from getting hit head-on (assuming a 2-lane w/ passing zone), you didn't make sure your path was clear to pass.

In the case of being tailgated... If you are on a highway, it's going to happen anyway. Just maintain speed and don't slow down unless needed. If you need to slow down, don't slow down abruptly. Give plenty of room for yourself to stop/slow down. If the person is tailgating you WAY too close, chances are, if you speed up to keep from being tailgated, the person will just speed up faster and keep tailgating. If you are on a 2-lane road (double yellow) and you are being tailgated, you are supposed to do the defensive thing and pull over.

Another case of trying to pass redundant laws. The ONLY problem with aftermarket exhausts is how loud most of them are. There are already laws against excessive noise in most places, as far as I know. Enforce the laws that are in place before trying to pass more laws that have the same outcome/goal. If the old one's aren't enforced, what gives the impression that new ones will?

I doubt the concern is the nuisance to other drivers either, but to people that are not in vehicles. When I worked an office job before, there were about 4 motorcycle parking spaces right outside the window. The folks that parked their bikes there had no problem starting them up and revving them, sometimes to the point that stuff in the office would shake and vibrate. It even knocked a framed picture off of the wall once. That's when it becomes a nuisance.

I will, however, differentiate between loud music and loud exhausts. I love my loud music in my car.I live in an apartment building where the only opportunity I get to really rock out is in my car. Yep, it's my own ears I'm harming with exposure to close to 120 dB for hours on end at times. Here's the thing: I can (and do) turn down my music at night and in residential areas. Those people with fart cans and loud pipes don't have a knob on their dash to turn down the noise. Granted, a lot of folks won't be considerate and turn down their music, but the ability is there and some do.