In the old days (like only twenty years ago), CRT monitors were big and bulky, and without a computer they were pretty much paperweights, not really good for anything else. Today, thanks in part to cutting-edge companies like AOC, computer displays have come a long way.

AOC is quickly becoming a popular choice for quality-conscious monitor shoppers. The $399 2230Fm is unique for its standalone capability, in the sense that it doesn’t need a PC to do its best work. It also features some impressive specs, like 1680 x 1050 resolution capability, USB 2.0 and HDMI inputs, a 4-in-1 media reader that accepts portable memory cards as a standalone digital photo / video / audio player, headphone jack and integrated speakers, and a lightning-quick 2ms response time, critical for gaming applications.

The 22 inch monitor has a glossy black piano finish and adapts to a wall mount for less desktop clutter. Its crystal-clear graphics can run digital photos and media files in a loop, perfect for background noise or a digital photo frame display. PC World this graphic gem its Monitor of the Year for 2008, and although the market for a display this good is small, the accolades point to a great product line that will continue to drive the market in the future.

Born in 1977, Meridian is the product of two engineering students, Bob Stuart and Allen Boothroyd, who met in college while sharing their interest in music. After 30 years in business, the two have remained deeply involved in operations from their headquarters in Cambridgeshire, England, making high-end audio and video electronics for audiophiles.

The company recently won top honors from both Stereophile and Sound & Vision for its Sooloos Media Server, named 2008 Product of the Year. Of their many innovative advances in sound reproduction since the ’70′s, Meridian has the distinction of being the first to design a digital surround controller and, more importantly, the first audiophile CD player, back in the day.

The company’s latest collaborative effort with Alfred Dunhill, purveyor of fine men’s fashions, cologne, and accessories, is one that marries distinction with technology. The AD88 Entertainment System targets the modern man on the move, and combines an AM/FM tuner, CD / DVD player and iPod docking system with an 80 watt speaker set including rear subwoofer, all in a compact, black lacquered cabinet, contracting with the German firm OWI for raw materials.

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Located in the ritzy Recoleta region of Buenos Aires, the Alvear Palace Hotel is Argentina’s crown jewel for stately architecture, grand accommodations, and exclusive accommodations. The hotel is surrounded by French architecture and historical sites like the Cementerio de la Recoleta which contains grand architectural monuments and over seventy national landmarks.

The hotel is close to eclectic, lively neighborhoods teeming with life and hospitality. Areas like Palermo, La Boca, and San Telmo are steeped in rich heritage, and offer local attractions, fine dining, shopping, and cultural opportunities.

Personal attention is Alvear’s specialty, with amenities and luxury services fit for royalty. Personal butlers provide ambassador duties throughout a guest’s stay, ready to meet guests on arrival, pack and unpack luggage, draw baths, arrange hotel amenities and attend to general requests.

Their spa, La Prairie, offers five-star treatments like facials and cellular rehydration to renew the body. Rooms are styled in Louis XVI furniture and adornments, with 500-count linens, flowers, fresh-fruit, broadband internet access. Two restaurants, L’Orangerie and La Bourgogne, cover a delectable range of French and International cuisine for guests.

Porsche Design has evolved in line with their automobiles, beginning in 1972 as an accessory brand for men’s accessories that define the sports car driver’s fashion sense. Their latest mobile phone is a brushed aluminum block with components that demonstrate a commitment to the cell phone industry’s highest standards.

Some of the more impressive features are a fingerprint sensor to secure data in case of theft, a 2.8 inch touch-sensitive widescreen display, built-in GPS navigation, and a 5-megapixel camera with LED flash and autofocus capability. The P’9522 retails for less than $800.

Look for a continued interest from the Design group in mobile technology that matches the precision of their parent company’s fine automobiles. Find more info here.

Tucked into a coconut plantation by the picturesque seashores of Phuket, one of Thailand’s beautiful private islands, Amanpuri Resort is a true paradise. One of 20 Aman properties worldwide, this “place of peace” is a perennial Conde Nast and Zagat Survey favorite, and with good reason.

Its unprecedented list of amenities include a 1,000 volume library, wireless broadband internet throughout, gym, swimming pool with pavilion, and AmanResort’s first full-service spa featuring every possible guest luxury. Activities and excursions keep you occupied during the day, with six tennis courts, golf, diving, deep-sea fishing, and overnight charters. The resort is host to weddings, meetings, and long-term rentals, in addition to receiving welcome guests. Traditional Thai furnishings, antiques, and open-air vistas dominate the surrounding villas and crescent-shaped beach.

Room rates range from $700 to $925 for Garden Pavilions to $6,450 to $8,000 for 6 bedroom villas, subject to seasonal rates.

Find more info here.

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