HP Omni 120-1024

Browsing through the all-in-one desktops at any computer retailer, it's easy to be wowed by entertainment options and touch-friendly features, but forget about finding a fully decked-out system for less than $800. The HP Omni 120-1024 ($529.99 list) may not have all the bells and whistles of more expensive systems, but if you want a compact and attractive all-in-one for browsing the Web or light office work, it's a decent system at a price that's hard to beat.

Design and Features
Instead of the pedestal design used on previous iterations, the HP Omni utilizes an easel-back design. The screen and chassis are supported by a single bar and a hinged leg in the back, resulting in both sturdiness and some tilt adjustability. The screen bezel and chassis are covered in burnished black plastic, but the supporting bar below is a stately silvery color. The speakers along the bottom edge of the screen provided good stereo output when I played the new Avengers and Mission: Impossible trailers, though I found the sound a little thin when I listened to some Jimi Hendrix songs with the volume turned all the way up. There's also little to no bass to speak of.

The 20-inch widescreen display has a resolution of 1,600 by 900, fine for 720p playback but short of the 1080p HD picture found on the Dell Inspiron One 2305 (IO2305-4400ELS) ($799.95 list, 3 stars). The display is clear enough for any sort of document or spreadsheet work, and large enough for working on documents side by side or enjoying a full-screen movie from four or five feet away. And though it may sit on the shelf next to several touchscreen-equipped all-in-one systems, the Omni 120-1024 has no touch capability itself. The included wired keyboard and mouse are nothing fancy, but they get the job done.

On the right and left edges of the chassis you'll find a tray-loading DVD?RW optical drive, a media card reader (SD/HC, MMC, MS/Pro, xD), two USB 2.0 ports, and headphone and microphone jacks. On the rear are four more USB 2.0 ports, though you'll need two for the keyboard and mouse. There's also an audio output and an Ethernet port. What you won't find on the Omni are faster USB 3.0 ports, like the ones found on the MSI Wind Top AE2050-008US ($679.99 list, 3 stars) or an HDMI video port.

Internally, the Omni 120-1024 is equipped with 802.11n Wi-Fi and a 500GB 7,200rpm hard drive. On the hard drive there are several programs preinstalled, from a dedicated eBay website link on the desktop to ereaders (Blio and Kobo) and a handful of game samples from WildTangent. There's also a 60-day trial of Norton Internet Security 2012, Microsoft Office Starter 2010 (the full suite is preloaded, but requires a product key to activate). You'll also get HP LinkUp software, which lets this computer easily share files with any other on your home network.

Performance
HP Omni 120-1024 The HP Omni 120-1024 is equipped with 4GB of RAM and AMD's latest Fusion Accelerated Processing Unit (APU), a single chip die shared by a dual-core E-450 (1.65GHz) processor and Radeon HD 6320 graphics processor. This approach allows for better graphics than might be offered with traditional integrated solutions, while conserving space and energy. In CineBench R11.5 the Omni 120-1024 scored 0.64, outpacing the 0.62 of the MSI Wind Top AE2050-008US and the 0.50 of the Intel Atom-equipped Acer Veriton Z290G-UD525W ($599 list, 3 stars), but falling far behind every competitor equipped with an Intel Core CPU.

The weak processor also led to slow performance in Handbrake and Photoshop CS5 multimedia tests. The Omni 120-1024 completed Handbrake in 6 minutes 30 seconds, and Photoshop in 14:24. To provide some context, the Sony VAIO VPC-L231FX/W ($999.99 list, 4.5 stars) completed those same tests in about one-third the time (Handbrake 2:22, Photoshop 5:34)?and it's far from the fastest system we've reviewed.

The AMD Radeon HD 6320 didn't help out much in the graphics department. The HP completed 3DMark 11 with a score of 548 at Entry settings, and was unable to run any of our graphics or gaming tests. Don't plan on playing much more than casual or Web-based Flash titles on this all-in-one.

The HP Omni 120-1024 offers buyers a compact and stylish all-in-one at a budget-friendly price. It's a no-muss, no fuss way to browse the Web and edit documents, but not ideal for much beyond day-to-day applications. For a more capable all-in-one, the Editors' Choice HP TouchSmart 320-1030 ($699 street, 4 stars) comes equipped with a more powerful AMD A4 desktop APU, and costs only $130 more.

BENCHMARK TEST RESULTS:

COMPARISON TABLE
Compare the HP Omni 120-1024 with several other desktops side by side.

More desktop reviews:
??? HP Omni 120-1024
??? Lenovo H330-77801HU
??? HP Omni 220-1080qd
??? HP TouchSmart 520-1070
??? Samsung Series 7 (DP700A3B-A01US)
?? more

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ziffdavis/pcmag/~3/Ynh2dgSanIA/0,2817,2397990,00.asp

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IMF warns about Canadian household debt, says house prices overvalued by 10 per cent

OTTAWA (CP) ? A combination of high household debt, overpriced housing and external economic problems are putting Canada?s recovery at risk, the International Monetary Fund is warning.

The IMF?s annual report on the Canadian economy gives a mostly passing grade on the recovery so far, but keys in on potential trip-wires that could derail the modest expansion track.

The most serious risk is the global environment, particularly the potential for Europe?s sovereign debt issues to spiral out of control. That view is shared by Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney and Finance Minister Jim Flaherty.

The situation may be made worse because households are carrying high loads of debt ? 153 per cent of disposable income in the latest data ? and, the IMF says, Canadian homes are on average 10 per cent overpriced.

?Adverse macroeconomic shocks .... could result in significant job losses, tighter lending conditions, and declines in house prices, triggering a protracted period of weak private consumption as households reduce their debt,? the Washington-based financial organization says.

If that should happen, the IMF said it would be ?appropriate? for federal and provincial governments to return to temporary stimulus spending to brake the fall.

The price of Canadian real-estate has been the subject of much debate, with some arguing that there?s a potential bust in the making and others countering that most local markets, with a few exceptions, home affordability has improved.

The report stresses that a U.S.-style bust in the housing market is unlikely, but a correction would still weigh on the economy by dampening consumer spending and construction activity and jobs.

?Staff estimates that a 15 per cent decline in house prices would reduce the ratio of household net worth to disposable income by 45 percentage points, and could trigger a decline in private consumption by over 1.5 per cent,? the report states. Consumer spending represents about half of Canada?s gross domestic product.

The IMF notes that Ottawa has attempted in the past to cool the housing market by tightening conditions on mortgages.

It said it was told by ?authorities? they would consider additional measures should borrowing by households, which has been slowing of late, return to unsustainable levels. Options include increasing the downpayment from the current five per cent for new mortgages, and requiring lower monthly payments as a percentage of income.

It is not the first time the IMF has flagged Canada?s hot housing market, where average prices climbed by 41 per cent in British Columbia and 29 per cent in Ontario since the recession.

Nor is the IMF alone. The Bank of Canada has repeatedly cautioned prospective new home owners to guard against being lured by record-low interest rates, which makes homebuying more affordable. The central banks warns rates, and hence mortgage payments, will eventually increase.

The IMF also recommends that the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corp., a key backstop to the housing market, undertake a review of its risks. The CMHC, a federal Crown corporation, is the country?s main insurer of residential mortgages.

The report stresses that it is not forecasting a severe correction in the housing market, or a significant downturn in Canada?s economic performance.

The IMF?s base case for Canada still sees it on path to be near or at the top of the class in the G7 group of large, industrial economies.

Canada?s economy is projected to grow by 2.2 per cent this year and a further 1.9 per cent next year, modest expectations that are in line with other forecasters, including the Bank of Canada.

Under this most likely scenario, the unemployment rate will average 7.2 per cent next year, and seven per cent in 2013, the report predicts.

Source: http://www.capebretonpost.com/Business/2011-12-22/article-2845518/IMF-warns-about-Canadian-household-debt,-says-house-prices-overvalued-by-10-per-cent/1

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The GOP's Payroll Tax Fiasco

Is it accurate?

Can you confirm that it is true?

Have you yourself verified some of the facts and observations in this story? If so, did you find that information to be correct? If not, are you confident that the information has been verified? To answer this question, you may want to do some of your own research, and look at how other publications covered this story. If you do not know anything about this topic and do not have time to research it, please do not answer this question.

Source: http://newstrust.net/stories/8475938/toolbar?ref=rss

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See Fergie and Josh Duhamel's Adorable Christmas Card! (omg!)

See Fergie and Josh Duhamel's Adorable Christmas Card!

Fergie and Josh Duhamel are still big kids at heart!

PHOTOS: Fergie and Josh's sweetest moments

For this year's holiday card, the spouses of nearly three years enlisted the talents of caricature artist James Malia, who transformed the A-list stars into a sexy Mrs. Claus and a cheery snowman. Malia also included illustrations of the couple's two dogs, Meatloaf and Zoe.

PHOTOS: Fergie and Josh's wedding album

What does Fergie, 36, want most this Christmas? "For my dogs to use the bathroom outside!" she told Us Weekly at her Black Eyed Peas bandmate Apl.de.Ap's birthday party in L.A. Tuesday.

Tell Us: Would you want to receive a holiday card from Fergie and Josh Duhamel?

Get more Us! Follow us on Twitter, Friend us on Facebook, Subscribe to Us Weekly

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/entertainment/*http%3A//us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/external/omg_rss/rss_omg_en/news_see_fergie_josh_duhamels_adorable_christmas_card123838096/43959236/*http%3A//omg.yahoo.com/news/see-fergie-josh-duhamels-adorable-christmas-card-123838096.html

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PFT: Peterson wants to play for fantasy owners

Jacksonville Jaguars v Atlanta FalconsGetty Images

WR Roscoe Parrish is set to be an unrestricted free agent, but he wants to return to the Bills.

Two Dolphins fans plan to take to the sky with a plea for owner Stephen Ross to fire G.M. Jeff Ireland.

LB Tracy White has become a mainstay in the Patriots defense.

S Brodney Pool isn?t daunted by having to step into a starting spot on the Jets defense.

It looks like Ravens CB Jimmy Smith will be in the starting lineup in his return to Southern California this weekend.

Bengals DE Carlos Dunlap feels good about his chances of getting back on the field this week.

RB Peyton Hillis? future with the Browns remains unclear.

If C Maurkice Pouncey can?t play, Trai Essex would move into the starting lineup for the Steelers.

Texans QB T.J. Yates is the first quarterback to lead his team to victories in the fourth quarter and overtime in his first two starts since 1968.

A look into the perpetual optimism of Colts offensive coordinator Clyde Christensen.

Through three quarters on Thursday night, Jaguars QB Blaine Gabbert had been sacked more often than he?d completed a pass.

The Titans believe that a key to beating the Colts is keeping the quarterback in the pocket.

Preparing for the no-huddle offense has been a big part of the Broncos defensive focus this week.

Delving into the buzz surrounding Josh McDaniels and the Chiefs coaching job.

Snap counts have proven to be a problem for the Raiders this season.

The Chargers have seen improvement from their young defensive linemen over the course of the season.

Cowboys QB Tony Romo said that he isn?t feeling more pressure to carry the offense with RB DeMarco Murray out of the lineup.

C Kevin Boothe?s shaky shotgun snaps have the Giants a little concerned despite his strong overall play.

Red zone defense will be crucial to the Eagles? chances.

Injuries got in the way of a safety duo the Redskins thought would do well this year.

The Bears are expected to promote DE Thaddeus Gibson from the practice squad.

The Lions insist they aren?t using WR Calvin Johnson as a decoy.

WR Tori Gurley opted to stay on the Packers practice squad when the Vikings offered him a chance to join their active roster.

Vikings DT Remi Ayodele has no regrets about his decision to leave the Saints as a free agent.

Falcons WR Roddy White went over the 1,000-yard mark for the fifth straight season on Thursday night.

If Panthers coach Ron Rivera got to decide, QB Cam Newton would go to the Pro Bowl.

The Saints are scaling back their practices as the end of the season approaches.

Chad Pennington and Ron Jaworski each believe Buccaneers QB Josh Freeman can bounce back from a disappointing season.

Third down efficiency is an area where the Cardinals could stand to improve offensively.

DE Chris Long has been a bright spot in the wreckage of the Rams season.

K David Akers is the only member of the 49ers who benefits from their red zone issues.

Thanks to LB K.J. Wright, the Seahawks have nothing to regret about trading LB Aaron Curry.

Source: http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/12/16/adrian-peterson-wants-to-play-for-his-fantasy-owners/related/

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Iraqis celebrate US exit, but worry for future (AP)

BAGHDAD ? Even as Iraqis celebrated the departure of the last American troops Sunday, the dangers left behind after nearly nine years of war were on full display. Politicians feuded along the country's potentially explosive sectarian lines and the drumbeat of deadly violence went on.

The last U.S. convoy rumbled out of Iraq across the border into Kuwait around sunrise under a shroud of secrecy to prevent attacks on the departing troops. When news reached a waking Iraqi public, there was joy at the end of a presence that many Iraqis resented as a foreign occupation.

In the northern city of Mosul, pastry shop owner Muhannad Adnan said he had a swell of orders for cakes ? up to 110 from the usual 70 or so a day ? as families threw parties at home. Some asked him to ice the cakes with inscriptions of "congratulations for the end of occupation," he said.

But the happiness was shot through with worries over the future.

"Nobody here wants occupation. This withdrawal marks a new stage in Iraq's history," said Karim al-Rubaie, a Shiite shopowner in the southern city of Basra. But, he said, "the politicians who are running this country are just a group of thieves."

"These politicians will lead the country into sedition and civil war. Iraq now is like a weak prey among neighboring beasts."

In the morning, a bomb hidden under a pile of trash exploded on a street of spare car parts stores in a mainly Shiite district of eastern Baghdad, killing two people and wounding four others. It was the latest in the near daily shootings and bombings ? low-level but still deadly ? that continue to bleed the country and that many fear will increase with the Americans gone.

Violence is far lower than it was at the worst of the Iraq War, in 2006 and 2007, when Sunni insurgents and Shiite militias preyed on Iraqis around the country in a vicious sectarian conflict that nearly turned into complete civil war. But those armed groups still remain, and there are deep concerns whether Iraqi security forces are capable of keeping them in check without the help of U.S. troops.

Iraq's military chief of staff, Lt. Gen. Babaker Zebari said Sunday that his troops were up to the task of uprooting militant groups.

"There are only scattered terrorists hiding here and there and we are seeking intelligence information to eliminate them," Zebari said. "We are confident that there will be no danger."

Equally worrying, the resentments and bitterness between the Shiite majority and Sunni minority in this country of nearly 30 million remain unhealed. The fear is that without the hand of American forces, the fragile attempts to get the two sides to work together could collapse and even turn to greater violence.

In an escalation of the rivalry, the main Sunni-backed political bloc on Sunday announced it was boycotting parliament to protest what they called Shiite Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's attempts to monopolize government positions ? particularly those overseeing the powerful security forces. The bloc has complained of security forces' recent arrests of Sunnis that it says are "unjustified."

The Iraqiya bloc warned that it could take the further step of pulling its seven ministers out of al-Maliki's coalition government.

"We are against the concentration of security powers in the hands of one person, that is the prime minister," said Sunni lawmaker Hamid al-Mutlaq, a member of the bloc.

Sunnis have long feared domination by the country's Shiites, who vaulted to power after the 2003 fall of Saddam Hussein at the hands of the Americans. The rivalry was exacerbated by the years of sectarian killing.

The Iraqiya bloc narrowly won the most seats in last year's parliamentary election. But its leader Ayad Allawi was unable to become prime minister, outmaneuvered by al-Maliki, who kept the premier's post after cobbling together key support from Shiite parties.

That has left al-Maliki beholden to Shiite factions, including those led by radical cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, whose militiamen were blamed for sectarian killings during the worst of Iraq's violence. Since forming his new government, al-Maliki has effectively controlled the Interior and Defense Ministries, which oversee the police and military, while conflicts between Sunni and Shiite politicians have delayed the appointment of permanent ministers.

Many on both sides of the sectarian divide also worry that neighboring Shiite-led powerhouse Iran will now increase its influence in their country. Al-Maliki's party and other Shiite blocs have close ties to Tehran. But even some in the Shiite public resent the idea of Iranian domination.

"I am afraid that this occupation will be replaced by indirect occupation by some neighboring countries," said Ali Rahim, a 40-year-old Shiite who works for the Electricity Ministry.

Omar Waadalla Younis, a senior at Mosul University, said at first he was happy to hear the last Americans were gone and thought the city government should hold celebrations in the streets. Then he thought of the possible threat from Iran.

"Now that the Americans have left, Iraq is more vulnerable than before."

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/topstories/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20111218/ap_on_re_mi_ea/ml_iraq_the_iraqi_view

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Somali pirates to be sentenced to life in prison (AP)

NORFOLK, Va. ? The last of 11 men who have pleaded guilty to piracy for hijacking an American yacht off the coast of Africa are set to be sentenced to life in prison.

Somalis Said Abdi Fooley and Abdi Jama Aqid each have sentencing hearings in federal court in Norfolk, Va., on Friday. Piracy carries a mandatory life sentence.

They are among 14 men who boarded the Quest in February several hundred miles south of Oman to be charged in the case. All four Americans on board the 58-foot yacht were shot and killed several days later when negotiations with the U.S. Navy broke down.

Three men who prosecutors say are the ones who fired on the Americans are facing murder and other charges that could carry the death penalty.

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/crime/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20111216/ap_on_re_us/us_prosecuting_pirates

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Toy Safety Tips Help Protect Kids (HealthDay)

THURSDAY, Dec. 15 (HealthDay News) -- Toys are a major part of children's fun and excitement during the holiday season, so parents and others need to make sure the toys are safe, experts say.

Read all warning labels carefully before buying a toy and consider the child's age, interests and skill levels, advise doctors at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center and the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Among their other recommendations and warnings:

  • Select toys with sturdy construction and avoid those with sharp edges and points.
  • For children under age three, choose toys that are at least one inch in diameter and two inches long so they will not lodge in the child's throat or mouth.
  • Don't buy toy jewelry that may contain lead or cadmium. Both are toxic metals that can harm children.
  • Choking is a leading cause of toy-related deaths and most of these choking-related deaths are caused by toy balls, latex balloons and small magnets.
  • Toys with pull strings longer than 12 inches could pose a strangulation risk for babies.
  • Don't give children under age 10 toys that need to be plugged into an electrical outlet. Instead, give them battery-operated toys.
  • Be careful with toys that require button batteries. If swallowed, these batteries can become lodged in the esophagus, resulting in serious injury or death.
  • Keep older kids' toys away from younger children.
  • Some toys contain high-power magnets. If a child swallows more than one of these magnets, they can attract each other and cause serious injury or death. Seek medical help if you child swallows one or more magnets.

More information

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has more about toy safety.

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/parenting/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/hsn/20111216/hl_hsn/toysafetytipshelpprotectkids

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Bombs kill three, injure 35 in north Iraq: police (Reuters)

MOSUL, Iraq (Reuters) ? Two car bombs exploded near shops and restaurants in the Iraqi town of Tal Afar on Wednesday, killing at least three people and wounding 35 others, a police source said.

The blasts occurred in the mainly Shi'ite town of Tal Afar, which lies about 420 km (260 miles) north of Baghdad and just west of the volatile northern city of Mosul - the last urban stronghold of al Qaeda Sunni insurgency.

Militants blew up a small oil tanker then few minutes later they detonated a car bomb as more people gathered to help the wounded, the source in Tal Afar police said. Seven of those wounded were seriously injured, the source said.

Violence has subsided sharply in Iraq since the sectarian strife in 2006-07, but Sunni Islamist insurgents and Shi'ite militia still stage daily bombings and assassinations.

Nearly nine years after the invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein, Washington will end its military presence and pull out its remaining 5,500 troops before December 31.

(Reporting by Reporting by Jamal al-Badrani; writing by Rania El Gamal)

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/world/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20111214/wl_nm/us_iraq_violence

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