Hardware Upgrade Tip of the Day #26



*1. MODEM NEWS--PART 2 OF 4          
  
With all the options for connecting to the Internet (DSL, cable modem, 
ISDN, standard phone line), it's hard to determine exactly what 
hardware you need in your small office or home office. Xircom now 
offers an interesting solution called the PortStation. This 
customizable box can include any combination of modems, as well as USB 
ports, Ethernet adapters, and more. Check the Xircom Web site for more 
details. 

http://www.xircom.com


*2. MODEM NEWS--PART 3 OF 4          
  
You don't have to miss all your phone calls when you're online 
anymore. Zoom Telephonics now offers a feature it calls Channel 2 on 
its modems. Channel 2-equipped modems either hang up your Internet 
connection when a call comes in (this is suggested when you're waiting 
for very important calls), or make an alert sound and offer you the 
option of taking the call or continuing to surf. Other modem makers 
offer similar features on their latest models.


*3. MODEM NEWS--PART 4 OF 4          
  
Some new desktops, such as Compaq's Presario 5900Z, sport DSL/56-kbps 
combination modems. That way, you can choose either a DSL or a 
standard phone line connection to the Internet. Check for enhanced 
modem options on any new desktop you are considering. Contact Compaq 
at  

http://www.compaq.com


*4. LEARNING FROM THE NEW IMAC--PART 1 OF 4          
  
After the first iMac from Apple, at  

http://www.apple.com 

appeared, it didn't take long for PC manufacturers to begin copying 
the stylish design and colorful flare. They got the message--personal 
computers don't have to be boring to sell. 

However, now Apple has updated the iMac. The new versions are called 
the iMac DV and iMac DV Special Edition. These models have the unique 
style of the original, but they also include interesting hardware 
updates PC makers and hardware upgraders alike should be aware of. As 
an upgrader, you might want to look for some of these features when 
you go shopping for your next PC. Who knows, they might just be 
available. 

First, how about a little door in the case just for upgrading RAM? RAM 
upgrades are one of the most common for PCs. The new iMacs have a 
little door on the back that swings open, allowing you to insert more 
RAM DIMMS easily without opening up the whole case. Wouldn't this be a 
nice feature to see on a PC?


*5. LEARNING FROM THE NEW IMAC--PART 2 OF 4          
  
PC makers continue to force PC users to squirm around the back of the 
system unit just to plug in USB devices, phone lines, Ethernet cables, 
and such. The new iMacs have a plate on the right side of the unit 
sporting all the ports, including FireWire, USB, Ethernet, and modem 
ports. These ports are easy to reach from the front of the iMac, even 
if you're sitting down. Look for this feature the next time you go 
shopping for a PC.


*6. LEARNING FROM THE NEW IMAC--PART 3 OF 4          
  
How many times has the sliding tray of your PC's CD-ROM/DVD-ROM drive 
gotten in the way? This tray bumps my leg or slams against my other 
computer equipment just about every other day.  

The new iMac comes with a slot-loading DVD-ROM drive. Disks slip 
easily in and out of the drive and there's no tray to bother with. On 
your next system, or simply your next optical drive upgrade, look into 
a slot-loading drive. Your shins will thank you.


*7. LEARNING FROM THE NEW IMAC--PART 4 OF 4          
  
PC makers still don't make keyboards as useful as they could be. The 
new iMac (just like the original) comes with a USB keyboard. It has 
two USB ports on it (most people use one for the mouse) in the upper 
right and left corners. This is incredibly useful for USB devices you 
just want to plug in for a few minutes, such as a removable storage 
drive or a digital camera. The iMac's keyboard also lets you turn the 
system unit on and off with a special button. Look for these 
convenient features the next time you shop for a PC.


*8. EXCITING NEW HARDWARE--PART 1 OF 3          
  
Several cutting-edge hardware products out there right now are well 
worth talking about. Over the next few days, I'll mention a few of 
them and tell you why you should know they exist. 

First, photographers should take note--Nikon at 

http://www.nikonusa.com 

now sells a PC-based film scanner called the Super CoolScan 2000 for 
around $2000. It scans 35mm film in slide or strip formats at an 
optical resolution of 2700 dpi. That's over four times the detail you 
would get with a standard 600-dpi color scanner. A film scanner such 
as this helps pro-level photographers put off that expensive 
professional digital camera purchase (which starts at around $15,000). 
Using the CoolScan 2000, you can scan in your traditional film and 
process it just like a digital image taken with a multimegapixel 
digital camera.


*9. EXCITING NEW HARDWARE--PART 2 OF 3          
  
Who needs a bookshelf to store CDs and DVDs? Escient now sells a 
DVD/CD-ROM jukebox called the PowerFile C200 with a 200-disc capacity; 
see 

http://www.dvdchanger.com 

The $1499 Powerfile C200 sports two DVD-ROM drives, which also play 
CD-ROM discs, and it connects to your PC via a FireWire connection. A 
jukebox of this sort is a great way to keep all your disks quickly and 
easily accessible.


*10. EXCITING NEW HARDWARE--PART 3 OF 3          
  
Set your inner artist free! Wacom at 

http://www.wacom.com 

now sells USB-interface graphics tablets. Its Intuos pen and tablet 
sets come in five sizes ranging from 4 by 5 inches up to 12 by 18 
inches. The hot-swappable USB connection lets you plug in the device 
and go, without the usual tablet installation hassles. The pressure 
-sensitive pen reads up to 1024 different levels of pressure, which 
translate into lighter or darker brushstrokes. The Intuos is both Mac 
and PC compatible.
