Hardware Upgrade Tip of the Day #49


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Hardware Upgrade Tip of the Day

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*1. NEW PRODUCTS, NEW IDEAS--PART 1 OF 2

by Dean Andrews

Perhaps you've heard of biometrics, the technology that uses 
your body (like your fingerprint) to take the place of your 
password. Well, Ethentica now sells a PC Card that uses your 
fingerprint as the gateway into password-protected software 
and Web sites. It's called the Ethenticator MS 3000. Even if 
someone were to steal your notebook with the Ethenticator card
inside it, the thief couldn't gain access to your software 
without your fingerprint.

http://www.ethentica.com


*2. NEW PRODUCTS, NEW IDEAS--PART 2 OF 2

by Dean Andrews

Kensington's latest trackball models combine several functions
into one pointing device. The TurboRing, for example, offers 
four customizable buttons, a scroll wheel, and a trackball that
fits into the palm of your hand. The Expert Mouse Pro features 
six programmable function keys, a scroll wheel, and a 
trackball. Depending on your style of work, you might find 
these combinations effective.

http://www.kensington.com


*3. PENTIUM 4 WON'T BENEFIT MOST APPLICATIONS

by Dean Andrews

The majority of PC software will not take advantage of the 
processing power delivered by the new Pentium 4 PCs. Only 
processor-intensive applications--for  image processing or video
editing--will show noticeable improvement. Do not expect to see 
better performance in your word processor, Web browser, or e-mail
software.


*4. USB 2.0 ADD-IN CARDS AVAILABLE

by Dean Andrews

You should start seeing USB 2.0 add-in cards--which will allow 
you to add faster USB 2.0 ports to your current PC--at the 
beginning of the new year. These cards, as well as any USB 2.0 
ports you encounter on new PCs, will support both USB 1.0 
devices and the new USB 2.0 devices.

However, unless you plan to extend the life of your current 
system and feel the need to purchase USB 2.0 devices, you should 
probably hold off on buying one of these add-in cards. You may 
eventually want to buy a whole new PC that already includes USB 
2.0 ports and other enhancements.


*5. USB 2.0 WILL BEAT FIREWIRE AS STANDARD PC PORT

by Dean Andrews

For the average PC user, the battle between the FireWire (aka 
IEEE 1394) and USB (Universal Serial Bus) interfaces may finally
be over. The year 2000 saw finalization of the USB 2.0 
specification. This spec boosts USB's data transfer rate up to 
480 mbps, from version 1.0's shuffling 12-mbps rate.

Major PC makers have announced no plans to include FireWire ports
in their mainstream PCs, but have said they will include USB 2.0
ports in PCs in the coming year.


*6. ALTERNATIVE TO THE PC LANDFILL

by Dean Andrews

IBM has gone from blue to green with its latest PC recycling 
offer. For $29.99 (which includes the cost of shipping), you can
send your old PC via UPS to Envirocycle, which will recycle the 
system's parts and case in an environmentally friendly manner, 
rather than dumping them into a landfill.


*7. USB 2.0 BENEFITS DATA-INTENSIVE DEVICES

by Dean Andrews

Some USB devices, such as keyboards and mice, will show 
absolutely no improvement when released in USB 2.0 versions. 
However, you should see faster performance in other USB 2.0 
devices, such as printers and scanners, where the data transfer 
rate makes a difference. 


If performance is important to you, and you're planning to buy a
USB printer, scanner, or other data-intensive device, consider 
waiting for USB 2.0. You'll need both a USB 2.0 version device 
and a USB 2.0 port on your PC to get the new device to work.


*8. WRIST CAMERA WATCH

by Dean Andrews

You've probably seen the ads for Casio's WQV1-1CR Wrist Camera 
Watch. You can snap and store black-and-white images using the 
watch itself. But, to transfer the images to a PC, you'll need 
the separate PC-Link Kit. The kit includes an IR (infrared) 
adapter and software that runs on Windows 95/98 or Windows 
NT 4.0 PCs.

Even if your PC features a built-in IR port, you'll still need 
to use Casio's port. The wrist camera was designed to work only 
with that company's IR adapter. Currently, the PC-Link 
Kit costs $50.

http://www.casio.com


*9. WIRELESS POCKET PCS--EXPENSIVE MODEMS

by Dean Andrews

The first wireless modem for the Pocket PC has arrived. It's 
called the Sierra Wireless AirCard 300. While wireless 
connectivity for this handheld device is a great enhancement, 
you should know a few things before you buy the AirCard 300 or 
any other wireless modem.

First, wireless modems are quite a bit more expensive than their
wired brethren, at least for now. The AirCard 300 costs $299. 
Wired modems (for mobile devices) sell for half that price. 
You'll pay a high price for the freedom of wireless 
communication on your Pocket PC.

http://www.sierrawireless.com


*10. WIRELESS POCKET PCS--SERVICE PROVIDERS

by Dean Andrews

Cellular formats vary by network and by location. Currently, 
Sierra Wireless's AirCard 300 uses CDPD (Cellular Digital Packet
Data) technology, which is not available in all areas within the
United States. Verizon, AT&T Wireless, Go America, and Aether 
all offer CDPD service plans.

You'll find links to all of these Web sites through the Sierra 
Wireless home page, and at these sites you can check the 
coverage in the areas where you live and work.

http://www.sierrawireless.com
