After coming up short in its first attempt, Microsoft (MSFT) is back with another Zune media player lineup, hoping to steal some market share from Apple's (AAPL) dominant iPod, or maybe from SanDisk (SNDK) and Sony (SNE). Does Gates have the goods this time around? Have a look. || NEXT>>

(Image: Microsoft)

In its mission to remain relevant in the age of Apple's (AAPL) iPhone and Research in Motion's (RIMM) BlackBerry, Palm (PALM) has begun offering the Centro smartphone through Sprint (S). After a 90-day exclusive period with that carrier, the phone might be available through the other majors, Verizon Wireless (VZ), AT&T (T) and T-Mobile (DT). Will it be enough to put the shine back on Palm? View the gallery, and judge for yourself. || NEXT>>

(Image: Palm)

NOW SEE THIS. Though the Blackbird PC got much of the attention, Hewlett-Packard (HPQ) also recently introduced a new line of flat displays for business that aim to grab IT sales from Dell (DELL) and other rivals during the busy fourth quarter. Can HP do display style as well as Apple (AAPL)? You be the judge …. || NEXT>>

(Images: HP)

THE LOOK. SanDisk (SNDK) is still chasing Apple's (AAPL) iPod line, and the company today announced the Sansa View to compete with the iPod nano. The View has a 2.4-inch screen, with resolution that's the same as the nano's 2-inch screen – 320 x 240. The View also has a built-in microphone, plays FM radio and displays photos up to 16 megapixels. View the gallery for a closer look. || NEXT>>

(Images: SanDisk)

(1/5) IPOD SHUFFLE. Was: $79 (1GB) | Now: new colors, including Product Red shuffle; still $79 (1GB). Apple (AAPL) made a daring decision to freshen the shuffle simply by changing the color scheme, rather than bumping storage up to 2GB. It's probably a wise move; shuffle devotees buy it for convenience and wearability, not storage capacity. Plus, keeping it at 1GB both helps Apple's margins and keeps the nano looking fresh. || NEXT>>

(Images: Apple)

(1/6) Hewlett-Packard (HPQ) made a push for its redesigned laptops this week, a stable of Intel (INTC) and AMD (AMD)-powered PCs that it hopes will eventually tempt consumers to pay more for style. In that sense, HP is seeking to crib from Apple's (AAPL) playbook. Will the PC offerings, including one with flash storage and another that's billed as a green PC for business, be enough to put distance between HP and Dell (DELL)? You decide. || NEXT>>

(Image: HP)

HP Compaq 2710p | 12.1-inch screen | 11.42 x 8.35 x 1.11 in, 3.7 lbs. | $1,599 and up | Intel Core 2 Duo ULV 1.06 GHZ | 1 GB SDRM | 60-100 GB hard drive, or 64 GB flash drive (coming soon) | 802.11 a/b/g, Bluetooth 2.0

(1/9) SILVER AND BLACK. Seagate (STX), the largest maker of hard drives, today unveiled a line of Maxtor OneTouch 4 drives that bring some style to home data storage ($100 – $360). The drives, which work both with Apple's (AAPL) Macs and with PCs running Microsoft (MSFT) Windows, are the latest example of the company's determination to distance itself from competitors such as Western Digital (WDC). How? By becoming a fashionable brand rather than just a component supplier. Will this look make it happen? || NEXT>>

(Image: Jon Fortt)

(1/6) A LUXURY PC. Hewlett Packard (HPQ) wants to leverage its recent success and create a new category of PCs to compete with Dell's (DELL) XPS line and Apple's (AAPL) Mac Pro line. The Blackbird, designed in concert with the Voodoo gaming unit the company bought last year, brings mass-market Windows (MSFT) PC industrial design to a new level – in style as well as price. Ever seen a Blackbird with Intel (INTC) inside, whose feet support 600 pounds? You will in this gallery. || NEXT>>

(Image: HP)

HP Blackbird 002 | $2,500 and up | Online only, 9/5/07