Hardware Upgrade Tip of the Day #10



*1.   BUY SCANNER SOFTWARE ONLINE          
  
Need to put a little more oomph into your scanning software? 
Check out the software packages available online from 
ScanHelp.com, at 

http://www.scanhelp.com 

In addition to OCR packages and image editors, youll find tips 
on making scans perfect the first time.


*2. TALKING YOU THROUGH HARDWARE INSTALL          
  
Intel dives into the technical support business with its 
AnswerExpress Support Suite service. AnswerExpress is a 
combination of online and telephone support for both hardware 
and software. The service even walks you through the installation 
of the most popular peripheral hardware. AnswerExpress costs 
$49.95 for three months (with $9.95 per month renewal) or $99.95 
for 12 months. Check it out at  http://www.intel.com


*3. LARGER LCD DESKTOP PANELS          
  
The very first LCD displays for desktops (those superthin models 
that look so cool) were all 15 inches or less on the diagonal. 
While these screens had state-of-the-art clarity and crispness, 
their small size makes us feel like we've stepped back several 
years, to the era of 14-and 15-inch CRTs. Fortunately, monitor 
manufacturers are beginning to develop larger LCD displays, 
though these models will cost you quite a bit of money. 
Viewsonic, for example, sells its 18-inch VG180 ViewPanel for 
about $2830.  

Contact Viewsonic at  
http://www.viewsonic.com 


*4. NOTEBOOK SCREENS REACH THE SIZE OF THE 
SMALLEST DESKTOP MONITORS          
  
PC makers continue to blur the lines between portable and desktop 
computers. Not only do notebooks contain processor chips running 
at speeds just below state-of-the-art desktop systems, but now 
notebook displays run as large as their smallest desktop 
counterparts. Micron, for example, just started shipping its 
Transport NX with a 15-inch LCD panel. The standard configuration 
of the NX costs $2899. Contact Micron at  http://www.micron.com


*5. PRINTING SUPPLIES ONLINE          
  
Hewlett-Packard, at 

http://www.hp.com 
 
is attempting to ease the burden of shopping for printing 
supplies by adding a new section to its online store--My 
Printing Supply Store. Users can customize the section of the 
store to match their printer models, and on subsequent visits 
they can buy supplies with just a couple of mouse clicks. Try it 
for yourself at  http://www.hpshopping.com


*6. CHEAP MODEM          
  
Want to buy a 56-kbps modem for the change youre carrying in 
your pocket? MaxTech is selling its XPV56P NetPacer 56-kbps 
internal modem for as little as $27.95 at some online stores. 
The PCI card uses a V.90 chip set and is compatible with Windows 
95, 98, and NT systems.

Find the Maxtech Web site at  
http://www.maxtech.com3


*7. NEW UPGRADE CHIP          
  
Kingston Technology has started shipping its latest upgrade 
chip--the $249 TurboChip 366. The TurboChip replaces the current 
processor in your AMD-K6 or Pentium 166-MHz or better system. 
Its based on AMDs K6-2 processor with 3DNow Technology. 
Contact Kingston at  http://www.kingston.com


*8. MOBILE PROCESSOR OPTIONS          
  
AMD never lags too far behind in the chip race. It recently 
announced its latest mobile computer chip, called the K6 III. 
The chip comes in two different speeds--380 MHz and 360 MHz. You 
should begin seeing it in current notebook configurations. 
AMDs Web site is  http://www.amd.com


*9. THE LATEST IN 3D CHIPS          
  
There's a big buzz surrounding NVidia's latest graphics 
accelerator chip--the Riva TNT2. The speed of its 3D processing 
and its features--like 32-bit color depth rendering--make it the 
chip everyone is talking about. Creative Labs 
(http://www.creativelabs.com) has incorporated the new chip into 
its new 32MB 3D Blaster RIVA TNT2 Ultra graphics accelerator.


*10. CABLE MODEMS FOR SALE          
  
Until now, consumers rarely if ever purchased cable modems; cable 
companies that provided Internet access via cable generally 
leased the cable modems to their subscribers. However, this 
lease-rather-than-buy model may change as cable Internet access 
becomes more widely available and consumers demand choices in 
cable modems. Diamond Multimedia isn't waiting around to see how 
things turn out. It posts info about its USB-interface SupraSonic 
Cable Modem at its Web site (http://www.diamondmm.com) and tells 
you where you can buy the modem.
