Tags: 9.5, audio

Creative MuVo T200 (4GB)

It's tough trying to live up to your older sibling. Just ask Creative's MuVo T200, which struggles to match the company's Zen Stone on every spec.

If your guitar and your chops are getting dusty, Guitar Rig 3 Kontrol Edition is an outstanding way to rekindle your delusions of rock stardom.

Enspire Vitesse XPS

The Enspire Vitesse XPS is a good, all-round performer that should please the whole family, but we'd put it in the study instead of the lounge.
Intel's quad-core chip unleashed

The Core 2 Extreme QX6700 will remain an enthusiast part for a while, but as a glimpse of the future, it's clear that clock speed is out and core counts are in.
Apple iMac Core 2 Duo (24-inch, 2.16GHz)

Other vendors might offer more flexible configurations and better deals on components, and the specter of HD video looms darkly, but the 24-inch iMac's sprawling display and convincingly capable features should set most people's minds at ease.
Wharfedale Diamond 9.5 speakers

We were bowled over by the Diamond 9.5's combination of extraordinary value, build, and sound quality.
Wharfedale Diamond SW150

This relatively inexpensive Brit subwoofer mates well with other Wharfedale speakers to produce music, but its home-theatre punch isn't as dramatic as that of some other subs.
Wharfedale Diamond 9.CS speaker

With its attractive looks and stellar sound, this centre speaker makes a good case for spending a few extra dollars.
iRiver H10 (5 GB)

The iRiver H10 isn't perfect by any means, but its advanced features, useful touch pad, and nice colour screen keep it on a par with similarly priced competition.
Tivoli Audio iPAL

The Tivoli iPAL is a nifty radio add-on for the iPod that delivers a full and rich sound, but you'll have to live without stereo playback.

The best-sounding MP3 players

Last year, a group of CNET editors listened to a line-up of high-profile, high-capacity MP3 players and rated them based on sound quality.
Apple Mac OS X on x86: a first test

Steve Jobs might not approve, but Apple's latest operating system can be installed on any x86 hardware. How well does it function? Read our preliminary labs test to find out.
Gadget Buzz

USB-powered noodle strainers, extreme sports skates and superheated steam ovens -- we check out some of the latest tech gadgets around the globe.

Next: A BlackBerry designed for work and play?

The BlackBerry could soon be given a consumer makeover. Asher Moses thinks it's about time.
Reading is fun with the Sony Reader

Sony unveiled its new e-book reader at CES, and it's a page-turner.

WinMPG Video Convert

Convert your video files between various formats.
K-Lite Mega Codec Pack

Use a collection of codecs & DirectShow filters to watch media.
Apimac Slideshow

Create slideshow presentations.
FLAC/APE to MP3 transcoder

Convert FLAC and APE files to MP3 format.