Hardware Upgrade Tip of the Day #32



*1. NEW TAKES ON THE DIGITAL CAMERA--PART 1 OF 2          
  
With a flood of digital cameras on the market and more arriving every 
few weeks, manufacturers are vying for new ways to differentiate their 
products from the competition. 

Enter Creative Labs' Video Blaster WebCam Go. This $150 camera 
performs the dual functions of desktop video camera and portable 
digital camera. When connected to a PC via a USB cable, the WebCam Go 
works as a color video camera and operates with videoconferencing 
software like Microsoft NetMeeting (included). When you want to hit 
the road, you just insert two AAA batteries--you can take up to 90 
shots. 

http://www.creativelabs.com


*2. NEW TAKES ON THE DIGITAL CAMERA--PART 2 OF 2          
  
You've heard about sports utility vehicles, but how about a sports 
utility digital camera? Fujifilm's new DS- 260 HD is a toughened-up 
version of your average 1.5-megapixel camera. It features an impact-, 
dust-, and water-resistant outer shell. It can also capture in color 
or black-and-white modes. The DS-260 HD uses SmartMedia storage cards 
for transferring data between the camera and a PC. 

http://www.fujifilm.com


*3. FREE PC TIPS--PART 1 OF 4          
  
We've all heard about the elusive "free" PC. The truth is that many of 
the original companies offering no-cost systems have since gone out of 
business. However, several companies still offer ALMOST free PCs, and 
these offers might catch your attention the next time you go shopping 
for a new PC. Over the next few days, I'll pass along some tips to 
help you decide whether a PC deal is a good one. 

First, perhaps the most important section of the contract you sign for 
a "free" PC concerns your ISP. Most of these deals require that you 
sign up for a multiyear service agreement with a particular ISP. If 
you compare the monthly service charge against those of other ISP 
companies, you'll likely find your deal isn't a very good one. Of 
course, you must balance the price of the contract with the fact that 
the "free" PC offer includes some hardware a standard ISP doesn't give 
you.


*4. FREE PC TIPS--PART 2 OF 4          
  
Always check for hidden cost in a "free" PC offer in addition to 
researching the full cost of any required ISP contract (we covered 
this in the last tip). The types of hidden costs you could find 
include exorbitant shipping costs for sending you the hardware, the 
fee for including a monitor, and a startup fee for initiating the ISP 
service. Look around for a deal that doesn't include any of these 
costs. You should really only pay some nominal fee for hardware (it's 
supposedly free, anyway), plus your monthly ISP bill.


*5. FREE PC TIPS--PART 3 OF 4          
  
What kind of horsepower are you getting with your "free" PC deal? 
Typically, these cheap PCs come configured with midrange components 
for the processor and modem, and midsize RAM and hard drive. Depending 
on what purpose you have for the PC, these slower-performing 
components might work just fine. However, if you plan on crunching 
spreadsheets, querying databases, or running high-end graphics, your 
new system's performance might disappoint you.  

You should definitely decide whether the PC's performance matches your 
needs before you sign up for the deal. Many of these offers restrict 
you in how you can upgrade or expand your system once it arrives. If 
you can't find a cheap PC with the right performance for your needs, 
you're probably better off purchasing a standard PC from a known 
vendor.


*6. FREE PC TIPS--PART 4 OF 4          
  
Do you typically rely on technical support when you use a computer? If 
so, beware the "free" PC offer. Often, technical support is the lowest 
priority for companies that offer super-discounted systems. In fact, 
some owners of the original "free" PC offers now find themselves 
without any technical support because the company they signed up with 
has gone out of business. You might also encounter a fee for technical 
support. Once again, try to avoid deals with such hidden costs.


*7. COMPUTER TRENDS--PART 1 OF 4          
  
Acer has entered a new era in PC security. While most PC manufacturers 
still concern themselves with "soft" attacks from computer viruses or 
Internet hackers, Acer worries about people getting physical with your 
PC. Its AcerPower 8600 business systems now come equipped with chassis 
intrusion alarms. If someone tampers with your PC, it can sound the 
alarm--or transmit a message to your IS manager via remote management 
software.


*8. COMPUTER TRENDS--PART 2 OF 4          
  
Are you outfitting your small business with desktop PCs? Double-check 
the configuration of the systems you plan to purchase. Many PC makers 
currently configure business PCs with both a LAN adapter and a modem. 
However, in many offices this configuration is overkill. When 
connected via LAN, PCs already enjoy all the benefits a modem 
connection would offer, such as Internet connection and remote access. 
In some circumstances, you need both a LAN adapter and a modem, but be 
aware of this trend in case you don't. You may save a few dollars by 
having your PC maker build your systems without one of these 
components.


*9. COMPUTER TRENDS--PART 3 OF 4          
  
For home systems, almost all PC makers include a set of external 
stereo speakers. However, depending on the quality, this extra may not 
be such a good deal. If you aren't familiar with the brand and quality 
of speakers included in a PC bundle you're considering, ask the PC 
vendor if you'll save any money by eliminating the speaker set. 
Chances are you can purchase a higher-quality set of speakers 
separately for the same amount of money. As always, try to get a 
demonstration of the exact configuration you want to buy and listen 
carefully to the quality of the speakers.


*10. COMPUTER TRENDS--PART 4 OF 4          
  
In the old days, upgrading components inside the PC system unit was 
like digging around in the deep recesses of an automobile's engine 
compartment. In a relatively new trend, however, almost all PC makers 
now feature some sort of swing-out or slide-out section on their PC's 
internals. You'll often find a swing-out power supply or hard drive 
rack, and you may find the entire motherboard slides out when you 
release a couple of locks. If you upgrade your PCs often, check 
whether the new PC you plan to purchase features a slide-out 
motherboard or at least swing-out sections of the internal 
architecture. You'll find this a great help when upgrading internal 
components.
