But what about quality? I think to understand, it helps to know what HDMI cables are. HDMI cables transmit a digital signal (both audio and video) between a HD source such as a cable box and your TV. Digital signals transmit to TV’s using a simple code of 1’s and 0’s, the TV then determines the 1 or 0 and broadcasts the signal. There really is no gray area, they either transmit the signal or they do not, and honestly speaking, your $13 cable will carry that signal just as effective as your $100.

All HDMI cables are certified by the same standard testing at the HDMI Authorized Testing Center. That means that the generic cables receive the same HDMI certification from the same testing as the premium cables.

The reality is there is absolutely no difference in quality. I have seen both side by side, and have not been able to tell any difference. I recommend as well doing some research of the specs, you will see that most discount cables have the same specs as the expensive HDMI cables. It is just like buying a generic brand of cereal, same ingredients, different packaging, and a lot cheaper price.

Some people do wonder how companies are able to sell cables for such a cheaper price. As I can not speak for all, I can tell you how we save the consumer money, and still offer an excellent cable. Our cables come in a plastic sleeve, in a bubble wrapped envelope. There is no fancy packaging, or expensive branding to place our logo on the cable. We simply put a stamp on the envelope and it is out the warehouse door. We have no expensive marketing campaigns; we simply try and keep our overhead costs as low as we can so we can pass the savings on to the consumer.

Buying a discount cable may leave you without bragging rights, but it will also leave you with a lot of extra cash in your pocket and a clear signal to your HDTV. The place to find these and all your cable needs? http://www.optimization-world.com

Many large businesses have avoided upgrading to Windows Vista, which has been plagued with widely publicized problems, including incompatibilities with drivers for legacy hardware and applications. Upgrading to Vista could also be very expensive for enterprises that would need to upgrade older hardware. Many businesses and individuals have opted to buy Windows XP on new PCs.

While June 30 remains the cutoff date for selling Windows XP, retailers such as Dell are still selling preconfigured PCs with XP. And enterprises with volume licensing contracts will still be able to install XP even on new machines.

In addition, Microsoft has promoted a licensing loophole that allows new hardware buyers to purchase Windows Vista and then downgrade it to a previous version of Windows. Microsoft has cited such purchases as evidence of support for Vista, but many Web postings have disputed that.

Microsoft will also continue to sell a version of Windows XP to makers of low-cost computers through June 2010. Such machines as the Asus Eee PC are incapable of running Vista and the alternative would be for the makers to install open-source Linux as the operating system.

Source: Yahoo news