MORE COOL COMPUTER GADGETS


Sunbeam 20-in-1 Superior Panel

Whether you're building a new PC from scratch or upgrading an older system, it's nice to add some extra connections to the front panel. That's where Sunbeam's 20-in-1 Superior Panel comes in. It takes up a normal 5.25'' drive bay and offers a combination of card readers (all popular for mats), FireWire, USB (2), SATA 2, RCA audio, and headphone connections, along with a fan controller and cool blue LCD display. It comes in either black or silver fronts, whichever works best with your machine.

Model: 20-in-1 Superior Panel Manufacturer: Sunbeam Company (www.sunbeamtech.com) Price: $34.99


IOGEAR MiniView Micro USB PLUS KVM Switch

When you need to share USB devices between two PCs, you need a KVM switch. (KVM stands for "keyboard, video, and mouse.") It's a great way to control two PCs from the same keyboard or mouse or use two PCs with the same monitor. IOGEAR's MiniView Micro offers connections for audio, USB keyboard and mouse, and video monitor; just flip a switch to make all these peripherals work on one or another PC.

Model: MiniView Micro USB PLUS Manufacturer: IOGEAR (www.iogear.com) Connectors: Audio speaker (2), USB (2), monitor (2) Price: $69.95


Marathon Computer RePorter

Tired of pulling your PC out to access those back-panel connections? Then use Marathon Computer's RePorter to move those connections in plain sight on top of your desk. The RePorter is essentially a big ol' extension cable that plugs into the rear of your computer and replicates those ports on the opposite end. You get two USB ports, FireWire 400 and 800 ports, and audio in and out connections all on a five-foot cable. No more aching backs!

Model: RePorter Manufacturer: Marathon Computer (www.marathoncomputer.com) Ports: USB (2), FireWire (2), audio in/out Price: $59


MSI Bluetooth Star USB Hub

Here's a USB hub that's more than a USB hub. Yes, the Bluetooth Star hub provides three extra USB connections, but it also is a Bluetooth receiver that supports up to seven separate Bluetooth wireless devices. A very nice idea for integrating a variety of peripherals in one device.

Model: MSI Manufacturer: MSI (www.msicomputer.com) Connections: USB (3), Bluetooth Price: $50


Wacom Graphire Bluetooth Tablet

If you're a graphic artist, you'll like this one. The Graphire Bluetooth is a drawing tablet without the wires it operates via Bluetooth technology. It's nice to sit on your couch with the tablet in your lap while you draw and paint and whatever at your convenience. It's a quality product, as you'd expect from Wacom, and the Bluetooth connection lets you get up to 30 feet away from your PC. Nice!

Model: Graphire Bluetooth Manufacturer: Wacom (www.wacom.com) Connection: Bluetooth wireless Drawing area: 6'' x 8'' Price: $249.95


APC Back-UPS Uninterruptible Power Source

A simple power strip or surge protector just won't cut it these days. Provide full backup power to your PC with APC's Back-UPS battery-powered power source. The ES 725 Broadband is a 450 watt unit that offers a typical backup time of 4.3 minutes (14.0 minutes at half-load), long enough to get your system shut down properly during a power outage or last you through a short brownout. It also functions as a power cleaner and surge protector, with four power outlets for your key devices.

Model: Back-UPS ES 725 Broadband Manufacturer: APC (www.apc.com) Output power: 450 watts Backup time: 4.3 minutes Outlets: 4 Price: $99.99


Griffin AirClick USB Remote Control

Want to operate your PC's media functions (audio playback, etc.) via remote control? Then check out Griffin's AirClick USB. The receiver connects to your PC or Mac via USB; the hand unit has five buttons for play/pause, next track, previous track, volume up, and volume down everything you need for music playback. It works via RF signals, so line-of-sight isn't necessary.

Model: AirClick USB Manufacturer: Griffin Technology (www.griffintechnology.com) Wireless: RF PC Connection: USB Price: $39.99


Griffin radio SHARK AM/FM Radio/Recorder

Even with all that music on the Internet, sometimes you still want to listen to traditional AM or FM radio. Now you can add radio reception to your PC or Mac, thanks to Griffin's radio SHARK. It's an add-on radio antenna and receiver that connects to your computer via USB, and also functions as a radio recorder (so you can time-shift your favorite radio programming). It's easy to use and, with it's Jaws-fin design, even easier on the eyes. Check it out!

Model: radio SHARK Manufacturer: Griffin Technology (www.griffintechnology.com) PC connection: USB Price: $69.99




Leo Laporte's 2006 Gadget Guide
Leo Laportes 2006 Gadget Guide
ISBN: 0789733951
EAN: 2147483647
Year: 2003
Pages: 126

flylib.com © 2008-2017.
If you may any questions please contact us: flylib@qtcs.net