disks

native command queueing (NCQ): a SATA tech that allows HD to internally reorder operations
- also used in SSDs but for a reverse purpose: because the SSDs experience latency in the CPU; this allows for a batch of operations to be issued
- obsoletes PATA tagged command queueing (TCQ), which was CPU intensive

System Building

Chipsets

http://www.gamersnexus.net/guides/1132-intel-haswell-chipset-comparison
Intel Hxx vs Zxx chipsets (eg H87 vs Z87): Z means overclockable
- Z can also do triple SLI/Crossfire
Intel K CPUs (eg i5-3570K): K means overclockable
eg doesn't make sense to get Z mobo without K

CPUs

Intel naming: eg i5-4430, i5-3570K
- format is iX-G### where G is generation, ### is speed
- 4th gen is focused more on mobile/power; 3570 better than 4430

Wireless NICs for Linux

work out of box:

trendnet tew-424ub/a 3.1r (RTL8187B; version matters---see https://help.ubuntu.com/community/HardwareSupportComponentsWirelessNetworkCardsTrendnet#USB)
also possibly good is medialink wireless n usb adapter http://www.amazon.com/Medialink-Wireless-Adapter-802-11n-Compatible/dp/B002RM08RE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1345158256&sr=8-1&keywords=medialink+usb (lots of reviews, including reviews saying it works great on ubuntu)

avoid:

sabrent usb-a11n (RTL8188CUS, 12.04 defaults to RTL8192CU)
asus usb-n13 (RT3072, 10.04 works if correct drivers)
trendnet tew-423pi (RTL8185L, 10.04 defaults to something else and still sees disconnects if correct drivers, 12.04 works)

Media Players

sony bdp-s3100
- blu-ray
- netflix hulu+ amazon pandora
- tv sideview (stream from android/ios app)
- dlna client
- released 1/2013
- $118
- audio issue: losing audio occasionally for couple secs
apple tv 3rd generation
- $100
xbox one
- blu-ray
- many apps, games
- incl kinect
- $400
roku 3
- many apps, dlna
- no disc
- $100
boxee
- can stream to devices
- cloud DVR
- $100