Zalman VF2000 Hybrid CPU and GPU Cooler:
Zalman is one of the names you think of when it comes to innovative cooling products. Their designs are eye catching, while also generally providing low noise operation and solid thermal performance. They had a suite at the Mirage full of their newest gear, that not only included coolers, but also cases, power supplies, and even mouse pads.
The star of the show for Zalman (in my opinion) was their new VF2000 cooler. The design was originally intended for VGA cooling only, but when they realized how much heat it could dissipate, they developed CPU mounting hardware for it. This nickel plated copper cooler might not have the look of a typical Zalman cooler, but many of the same design elements are there... It definitely looks sharp and the noise produced was minimal.
 
The system on display had a pair of VF2000 coolers installed, one on a video card and one on a processor. When you buy one of these (when they actually become available) you get all of the hardware required for installation on a GPU or CPU. While it makes for an extremely compact CPU cooler, as a GPU cooler it is slightly taller than your typical solution. While most coolers are designed to take up two slots or less, this one will require three slots, wrecking any plans for SLI or CrossFire.
Seagate FreeAgent Theater:
We reviewed the Seagate FreeAgent Go a few months ago, and it did quite well on its own. Now Seagate has introduced an accessory that should make it even more appealing. The FreeAgent Theater is a hard drive dock that converts the Go drive into a simple media player. With a combination of a inconspicuous dock, an attractive on screen interface, a wireless remote control, and a variety of outputs, the FreeAgent Theater looks to be a simple but powerful way to share your media without an HTPC or other expensive gear.
(above image provided by Seagate... Mine just didn't come out well at all).
The FreeAgent Theater connects to your television via component, composite, or s-video. If you are looking for HD quality content, you will have to use the component connections plus a pair of RCA jacks for stereo audio. The component cables are apparently not included, adding some expense or hassle as you search your house for the set you know you have somewhere. Future plans include support for HDMI audio/video output, but such a unit is not on the immediate horizon.
On the very cool side of things, the FreeAgent Theater can play most video formats, and will even play from folders on the hard drive created from 'backed up' DVDs. There is no need to enter the folder (or sub-folders) and sort through things like all of the VOB files, as the FreeAgent Theater will figure out where to start simply by selecting the folder of the DVD backup you wish to view.
In addition to movies, the device functions as a digital audio player and as a means of running photo slide shows on your TV. You can create multiple folders of photos, and give each album its own soundtrack simply by dropping an audio file in with the pictures. As the slide show starts, the music will accompany it.
While The FreeAgent Theater is intended for use with the FreeAgent Go, and it will definitely look best with one of these slim drives slipped inside, it should be noted that just about any USB connected drive can be used. A USB port is available on the front of the Theater, and while the aesthetics may be ruined, you can definitely still use it.
On the downside, the Theater is expected to cost over $100, which doesn't include a drive. Adding a 320GB FreeAgent Go will set you back about another $100, so you're well on your way to something more sophisticated that might be networkable. Seagate mentioned people perhaps having multiple FreeAgent Theaters, one at each television, and instead of having the data networked that the user would carry their FreeAgent Go from television to television for use. Or perhaps they would even buy multiple FreeAgent Go drives to make it more convenient. If the capacity of the FreeAgent Go drives can increase well beyond the current maximum of 500GB, I could see this device being quite desirable at the right price. It should be easy to use for people of all tech abilities, offers a variety of useful features, and performed well. But with a rather limited storage capacity (for HD content) and no remote access, it seems a bit limited right now.
And of the half dozen or so pictures I thought I took of the FreeAgent Theater, this is the only one (barely) worth showing...
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