Hardware Upgrade Tip of the Day #42


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Hardware Upgrade Tip of the Day

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*1. USB 2.0--PART 1 OF 5          
  
The specification for version 2.0 of the USB (Universal Serial Bus) 
standard has been finalized and released. This new spec defines a 
480-Mbps data transfer rat, as opposed to the relatively creeping 
version 1.1 rate of 12 Mbps, currently the standard in many PCs. 


What does this new specification mean to the end user? Over the next 
few days, I'll pass along some things to keep in mind while shopping 
for USB-capable PCs and peripherals. 


First, know that you have a little time to plan your next USB move. 
Demonstrations of working USB 2.0 controllers and transceivers are 
just beginning to happen at conferences this fall. Expect the first 
USB 2.0-capable PCs and products toward the end of this year and the 
beginning of the next.


*2. USB 2.0--PART 2 OF 5          
  
Because the new USB 2.0 specification calls for new controller chips, 
your current USB-ready PC will not operate at USB 2.0's faster data 
rate over the USB bus. You may be able to purchase a separate USB 
controller add-on product that overrides your current USB controller, 
but that product only exists in theory at the moment.  

If USB 2.0 is something you feel you need, consider a new PC purchase 
toward the end of this year and the beginning of the next when new USB 
2.0 controller chips first appear in new systems.


*3. USB 2.0--PART 3 OF 5          
  
USB 2.0 controller chips will be backward compatible with the USB 1.1 
specification--meaning that current USB peripherals you purchase now 
will still operate on USB 2.0-capable systems. Thus, you won't be 
wasting money if you purchase a USB 1.1 interface device now. 

However, you should keep in mind that USB 2.0 products can operate at 
data transfer rates 40 times faster than USB 1.1 devices. For 
low-bandwidth devices like mice and keyboards, the improved 
performance of USB 2.0 will make no noticeable difference. But with 
high-bandwidth devices like DV cameras, you will see a significant 
difference.  

If you plan to buy a high-bandwidth device now, consider going with a 
high-performance alternative interface like FireWire, or consider 
waiting for a USB 2.0 version of that product to arrive.


*4. USB 2.0--PART 4 OF 5          
  
USB 2.0 (480 Mbps) now competes directly with FireWire (400Mbps) in 
terms of performance. Although we all originally heard that USB would 
be designated for low-bandwidth devices like keyboards and mice, and 
that FireWire would target higher-bandwidth devices like video capture 
products, this is no longer the case. Perhaps fortunately, FireWire 
still hasn't become widely available as an interface choice, at least 
for the Wintel world of products. Many PCs users therefore have no 
choice to make. Waiting for a USB 2.0 version of a product is the best 
performance choice for those whose systems are not FireWire-ready. 

However, in the world of Apple Computer products like the iMac, both 
Firewire and USB ports are available. Currently, for best performance, 
a Firewire interface would be the correct choice, as USB 2.0 systems 
won't come out until the end of the year. After that, you'll likely 
have an interface choice for many products.


*5. USB 2.0--PART 5 OF 5          
  
If you currently use USB peripherals on your PC, you should probably 
keep up to date on the latest happenings on the USB 2.0 front. One 
good source of information is the USB Implementors Forum Web site at 

http://www.usb.org 

Here you'll find the latest USB news items and product information. 
You'll also find the dates, locations, and agendas of the latest 
USB-related computer conferences.


*6. NOTEBOOK SHOPPING--PART 1 OF 5          
  
Beware of Apple iBook clones out there. Wintel notebook makers have 
begun slapping on the brightly colored plastic trim and rounding off 
the corners of their old notebook designs to make them appear like 
fresh designs and new products (and iBook clones). Look deeper than 
the outward appearance to determine whether the notebook's features 
(processor, RAM, expandability, software) meet your needs.


*7. NOTEBOOK SHOPPING--PART 2 OF 5          
  
If you've previously owned a notebook computer, you know how important 
its weight truly is. Anything more than six pounds and you'll find 
yourself leaving your notebook at home or work rather than carrying it 
with you while traveling. Larger, heavier notebooks have integrated 
floppy, CD-ROM, and hard drives that you must heft along when you 
bring the notebook. Look for designs with multipurpose bays for 
swapping in and out battery packs, hard drives, CD-ROM and DVD-ROM 
drives, floppy drives, and more. That way, you can bring along only 
the components you'll need on the road.


*8. NOTEBOOK SHOPPING--PART 3 OF 5          
  
Bluetooth, the personal wireless LAN technology created by an industry 
consortium, has almost arrived for notebooks. IBM plans to use the 
UltraPort connector port on top of its ThinkPad T20 screen as a 
Bluetooth wireless port. The company's press releases say it will 
announce the availability of a Bluetooth solution for the T20 sometime 
in the second half of 2000. Expect other notebook makers to follow 
shortly with similar announcements. 

Bluetooth capability on your notebook will allow you to use your 
Bluetooth-capable cellular phone as a wireless modem, transfer data 
wirelessly back and forth between a Bluetooth-enabled desktop and your 
notebook for synchronization purposes, and share files with other 
people's Bluetooth products during meetings, conferences, and so 
forth.  

See IBM's latest ThinkPad info at  

http://www.pc.ibm.com/us/thinkpad/


*9. NOTEBOOK SHOPPING--PART 4 OF 5          
  
Until USB 2.0 arrives in products toward the end of 2000 or the 
beginning of 2001, IEEE 1394 (aka FireWire and i.Link) remains your 
fastest means of getting data into and out of your notebook--with a 
data rate of 400 Mbps. You'll have to hunt around if you want an IEEE 
1394 port on your notebook, because few manufacturers offer them--but 
they do exist. Sony, for example, includes i.Link ports in some of its 
VAIO notebook models. Remember that for successful data transfer, 
you'll need an IEEE 1394 device at the other end of the connection as 
well. 

Sony 

http://www.sony.com/pc


*10. NOTEBOOK SHOPPING--PART 5 OF 5          
  
Unfortunately, some of the previous tips' methods for sharing data, 
like Bluetooth technology or FireWire ports, won't be available to you 
while you're traveling in the next few weeks or months. At the moment, 
FireWire isn't all that popular on desktop PCs or notebooks, and 
Bluetooth hasn't really arrived yet. 

However, you can use a CD-RW drive to share data easily and widely 
with other people while you're traveling. Right now, you can buy 
portable CD-RW drives; in some cases, you can purchase them as an 
optional component when you custom-configure your new notebook. With a 
CD-RW drive, you can quickly burn a disk and transfer files to any PC 
that has a CD-ROM (basically all desktops and most notebooks).
