Windows 7 gadgets can be a lot more than a pretty interface for your clock or news feed. Several Windows 7 gadgets exist solely as system monitoring tools that show constantly updated data about your system resources like CPU, memory, hard drive and network usage. The updated windows, the cool look is all we want from our window software, but there are lot more features, gadgets available for system monitoring. No one really liked the Windows Sidebar when it arrived with Windows Vista.
System monitors are nice to have on your desktop. They offer you the ability to keep an eye on your computer’s resources in real time, which lets you; keep an eye out for any strange spikes in the usage of your computer’s resources. These spikes are usually no problem, but on occasion they can alert you to the existence of malware or simply a program that you installed and then later forgot about.
All CPU Meter
All CPU Meter isn’t as complex as some, but the simplicity works in its favor. It monitors your memory usage as well as CPUs, and it packs a lot of information into a small space. You can also change the background color to match your preferences. The CPU Meter Windows gadget for Windows 7 displays two dials - one that tracks your system’s CPU usage and another that tracks physical memory usage, both in percentage format. This is a pretty basic Windows 7 gadget in that there are no fancy options, but it does what it does well.
If you like to keep track of how much memory and CPU is being used at any given time; give the CPU Meter gadget a try. As a whole there are three great, related system monitor gadgets available for Windows 7. These gadgets are called CPU Meter, Network Meter, and Drive Meter. CPU meter monitors processor usage by displaying a graphic of processor usage and also status bars for each processor core. This gadget also monitors RAM usage. The network monitor displays IP addresses and keeps track of both uploads and downloads. The drives monitor displays all connected hard drive and their capacity.
Skype Gadget
If you use Skype a great deal you may, like me, become a little bit frustrated with the program’s interface. I personally find Skype’s interface to be far larger than it really needs to be, and while the new ability to access Skype status through a Jumplist in Windows 7 is nice, it doesn’t address the fundamentally bloated interface.
Because of these complaints, I found Skype Gadget to be very useful. Skype Gadget serves as a more compact front end to Skype, making it possible to use Skype without having to deal with the normal Skype interface. Skype Gadget lets you view your contacts, make calls, and begin IM conversations with them. I love having the ability to view my contacts without a huge Skype window on my desktop.
My only complaint with the gadget is the inability to place Skype phone calls to “real” phone numbers due to the lack of a numberpad. Hopefully this will be addressed in a future release.
System Monitor Gadget
The System Monitor gadget for Windows 7 is an excellent multifunction monitor. System Monitor can track CPU usage (up to quad core) and RAM usage but also can display internal and external IP addresses, the current time, battery usage, and even has a wireless network monitor.
System Monitor is very well designed and has numerous options. Nearly every aspect of this gadget is configurable.
I highly recommend that you try the System Monitor Windows 7 gadget.
Memeter Gadget
The Memeter Windows 7 gadget monitors all sorts of things about your CPU, RAM, and battery life. It’s a great gadget to use to keep track of the major hardware resources currently being used by Windows.
The Memeter gadget is also freely available from Softpedia.
If your memory, CPU, or battery usage is something you need (or like) to watch, the Memeter gadget will really come in handy.
iPhone Battery Gadget
The iPhone Battery Windows 7 gadget has to be one of the coolest gadgets around. The battery indicator is an excellent knock-off of the glowing battery level indicator on the iPhone and looks great on a Windows desktop.
With the iPhone Battery gadget, you can also mimic an antique meter, a Duracell® battery, among other cool things.
The iPhone Battery gadget is free from Softpedia and installs on your Windows 7 desktop or Windows Vista Sidebar. If you’re on a laptop or other portable Windows 7 device, the iPhone Battery gadget should definitely help you keep a closer eye on your available power.
