Handspring Visor Deluxe (Blue)
Average Customer Review:
Electronics

US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

The Handspring Visor Deluxe is the hot new handheld that runs the popular Palm OS, so it's compatible with thousands of existing applications. It's also expandable with Springboard modules that can add extra memory or a modem, or transform your Visor into an MP3 player, video game, GPS receiver, and more. Plus, its fast-synchronizing USB connection is compatible with both the PC and Macintosh.

To set up the Handspring Visor Deluxe, we followed the Getting Started instructions printed on the software CD-ROM case, inserting the batteries, calibrating the touch screen, entering the date and time, connecting the included USB cradle to our PC (an optional serial cradle is available), installing the desktop synchronization software, and synchronizing the Visor with our PC. The entire setup process was straightforward and intuitive, requiring only about five minutes.

Fans of Palm Computing's Palm III line of connected organizers will have no difficulty using the Visor, as it runs on a licensed version of the Palm OS. All the popular Palm personal information management (PIM) applications are included and work exactly the same way as they do on the Palm. The Visor also uses Palm's Graffiti handwriting recognition system for text entry, which takes only a few minutes to learn and a few hours of practice to master. Handspring has added to the Palm OS an advanced date book, calculator, world clock, and support for floating-point math.

The Visor Deluxe comes with 8 MB of RAM, providing plenty of room for thousands of addresses, to-do items, and memos; hundreds of e-mail messages; and several years of appointments. It also includes a USB synchronization cradle, two AAA batteries, a stick-on Graffiti "cheat sheet," a leather slip case, a stylus, a Handspring logo decal, a Quick Reference Guide, inserts describing accessories and cases, and a software CD-ROM. The CD-ROM includes Palm Desktop Software 3.01, a software link to Microsoft Outlook, and the full-length User's Guide. However, the Visor Deluxe does not come with an AC adapter.

Using the Visor was intuitive and fun, just like the Palm III series organizers that it's based on. However, unlike the Palm, the Visor has an easily accessible expansion port that supports Springboard modules. For our tests, we installed a modem module, an 8 MB memory module, the Tiger Woods PGA Tour Golf game, and a Physician's Desk Reference module (note that you can install only one module at a time). Installing these modules is very easy, and they can greatly increase the functionality, power, and usefulness of the Visor. (For more information, see the descriptions of the individual Springboard modules.

Overall, we were very impressed with the Visor. It takes the best of the popular Palm platform, and adds memory and expandability--all at a great price. --Mike Brown

Pros:

• Easy to set up and use
• Runs the Palm OS and supports thousands of existing Palm applications
• Expandable with Springboard modules
• Good price

Cons:

• No AC adapter included

... Read more

Features

• 8 MB RAM stores thousands of addresses, appointments, to-do items, memos, and more
• Fully compatible with thousands of Palm OS applications
• Supports optional expansion modules for MP3 player, pager, modem, GPS, video games, and more
• Important note: If you are running Windows 95/NT or using a non-USB Macintosh, you must order the Serial HotSync Cradle separately
• What's in the box: Visor Deluxe, HotSync cradle, stylus, snap cover, leather slip case, Palm Desktop software, two AAA batteries

Reviews (400)

Beware...
I have this visor.I quit using it after a year. The problem is that it uses batteries... normal use you will get arround a week.
You have to check the batteries even if it has not been used since it consumes batteries.You need to have information stored and updated in your pcAT ALL TIMES, in this way if the information is lost from visor you will be able to recover it-hotsync.Information is usually lost when batteries are low/die.

I replaced it for the sony clie pega tj25 handheld.

For all of you who have or plan to buy this item... Good luck.

Decent for being so cheap
PROS:
- Extremely inexpensive
- Not as large as the Prism model
- Simple buttons
- EXCELENTLY designed stylus (reset pin, stylus, and screwdriver combination!)

The Palm OS on the Visor Deluxe is slightly outdated (3.1 instead of 4+) which can cause headaches if you are trying to install newer software.Also, the casing is a little too large to be a pocket item and the unattaching cover can be annoying at times.Those are some general negatives.Besides that I personally had other problems.I was very careful with my Visor and kept the plastic cover on it unless it was in use.Still, under regular, every-day abuse, the screen cracked while it was in my pocket.Replacement was a simple process and Handspring gets 5 stars on service (though it would have been nice if it wouldn't have had to be replaced in the first place).After receiving my replacement, however, I noted that the stylus was not held in place as it should have been while in the visor, which caused the loss of many styli.Sadly, again after much care, the screen of my Visor mysteriously cracked again.Thus, I am now looking into buying a new PDA and probably won't choose a Visor Deluxe this time, being that they don't withstand my handling well.If you choose to purchase a Visor Deluxe, be careful with it and I would recommend investing in a new protective cover other than the standard one provided.

I own 1
I am 13 years old and I own one! They are fantastic for all ages! It keeps me organized along with all my school assignments, activities, and contacts. It keeps me entertained anywhere I go and I can always play games or enter more information! I would highly recommend this product! ... Read more

Asin: B00004TDN0
Subjects:  1. Personal Digital Assistant (PDA, Electronic Organizer)    2. Handspring Visor (Hand spring handspringvisor)    3. Handheld (Hand Held)   

Creative Labs Nomad Jukebox (Blue)
Average Customer Review:
Electronics
list price: $349.99
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

One of our biggest frustrations with MP3 players has been their limitedstorage capacity. You'll typically get 64 MB via internal memory or memorycards, which provides just a little over an hour of near CD-quality MP3 audio.So when we heard that Creative was releasing a 6 GB player that can hold over100 hours of music, it sounded perfect. Soon we'd be rifling through a massivecatalog of tunes on our little player, from Elvis Costello to LL Cool J to MilesDavis, whenever the whim struck.

The Nomad Jukebox is essentially a portable hard drive with software that willplay MP3 audio. Since hard drives include spinning and moving parts, this playeris not ideal for active MP3 users from joggers to snowboarders.

We cracked open the box, inserted the rechargeable batteries (two sets of fourAAs are included), plugged in the AC adapter, and waited the recommended 12hours for them to charge initially. This is a very important step. This was oursecond set of batteries--we didn't bother to heed Creative's initial chargingdirections when we first got the product, and our first set of batteries soonlost the capacity to be recharged.

After installing the included software (we tested the Jukebox on a Macintosh G4using SoundJam MP; for PCs, Creative includes PlayCenter 2) and connecting theUSB cable, we quickly deleted 2 GB of starter MP3 and audiobook files andstarted loading our own music. We started with about 500 songs, but noticedafter the load had finished that not all the songs made it onto the Jukebox.Also, the SoundJam software didn't like us doing any other work on our Mac G4,stalling out the load whenever we switched to another program.

We found it was best to load in smaller numbers and to keep SoundJam up as theactive application (unfortunately, not the most efficient use of computer time).The transfer rate is about 6 minutes per 100 MB, which translates to around 25songs. (So far, we've loaded 861 songs and we still have over 2.3 GB left ofstorage.)

Once music has been transferred to the Jukebox, you need to create an activeplaying list by navigating one of three lists--artists, albums, and genres--thenadding songs to the queue. (This points out the need for creating thorough ID3tags, an electronic label that can include song title, track number, year, andmore. ID3 tags can be created via the PlayCenter and SoundJam software manuallyor be imported from the online CDDB database. For more information abouttagging, see the Amazon.comMaking MP3s Guide.) Playlists canbe saved in the Jukebox, though it can be a bit tedious (there's no keyboard),and you can't add songs to an existing playlist.

The Jukebox also sports some nice additions. It has a line-in recordingcapability (using an external microphone) that records WAV files that can beadjusted for optimal (or low-end) sound quality, and it can play audiobooks.

The biggest downside to the Nomad Jukebox is its portability. As noted, it doesrun on rechargeable batteries, but they'll last far less than the advertised twohours. Also, this isn't the device to take jogging; its internal hard drive,though somewhat shock and motion resistant, just won't take that kind ofactivity. It's really made for stationary play using its included AC adapter.

It also has a few playback glitches, the biggest being that you can't fast- forward or rewind within a song. Also, there's no bookmark feature for audiobooklistening--a necessity for long files.

Ultimately, the Creative Nomad Jukebox isn't perfect and isn't suited foreveryone's MP3 needs. But it has become a staple of our gadget life--it travelswith us daily to the office and hooks in nicely into stereo systems, both athome and at friends' houses. Someday, we'll all wonder what we did without anMP3 jukebox. --Agen G.N. Schmitz

Pros:

• 6 GB of storage is massive--over 1,000 songs
• Several methods for selecting playlist songs (artist, album, and genre)
• Line-out for connecting to stereo systems, and line-in for recording

Cons:

• Battery power is sucked up quickly
• Prone to skipping/stalling when used in heavy activity

... Read more

Features

• MP3 Audio
• ADPCM
• Portable digital audio player with 6 GB of built-in storage (over 100 hours of CD-quality music)
• Plays MP3 files; upgradable to support other formats (such as WMA) and is SDMI compliant
• USB interface for fast digital transfer; compatible with Windows and Mac
• Weighs only 14 ounces and measures the size of a portable CD player
• Comes with headphones, rechargeable batteries, AC adapter, and carrying pouch; "In the Media: ""Creative Lab's Nomad Jukebox is a monster product for the serious digital music freak."" --Pen Computing"

Reviews (100)

Dies after one song
For me, this mp3 player is great for holding all of my music-I downloaded all my Cd's and still have room for more.

My problem is this:When I unplug it from teh wall to take it out running, it plays, then dies after one song.I replaced teh rechargeable batteries, but it keeps doing the same thing.It just freezes up and I can't press any buttons.Then I have to wait until it says "shutting off, not in use" before I can try turing it back on again.

Best MP3 player for its time
When this item first came out, it was the best thing ever invented. I had it for about 8 months before I upgraded the hard drive to a 30gb. I took this thing everywhere with me (even to bed at night). It became an obsession. I purchased the car adapter kit from jukeboxaccessories.com so that I could take it along with me for long trips and listen to kiyosaki audio books.

Great when Jukeboxes were first coming out
Well, I own the original Nomad Jukebox 6GB, and I've had it for a year and a half. No lie, a year and a half, functioning. But I'm upgrading to a Nomad Jukebox 3 in a couple weeks. I'm obsessed with music. Anyways, Lets start with the main annoyance, the battery life. You can get four hours if you're really lucky, but count on three and a half. If its plugged into the wall though, you obviously wont have to worry about anything. The player itself is pretty shock-proof; I haved dropped it many times, and it still works to this day. It IS a bit bulky but hey it's better then carrying around 150 CD's. You will have to restart it alot, especially when the batteries get low. Don't even bother with that stupid reset pin, just yank out the batteries. The sound is more than great, I can definetly give it that. People shouldn't complain about the headphones supplied with it, because honestly; who actually USES stock headphones? Of course they [are bad]. The sound is nice and loud, and the presets make it even better. Navigating on the player was always pretty easy for me once I got the hang of it, and the green backlight is nice, you'd be suprised how bright it is. The Playcenter 2 thing is the only thing I have ever used so I can't complain about it. It's kind of annoying at times though, be prepared to restart your computer once in a while. As for transfer speeds, my computer is ancient so I know nothing but USB 1.1. It's pretty slow compared to a nice computer with FireWire or USB 2.0 but I usually only rip CD's so it doesnt matter. As old as this MP3 player is, people will still get incredibly jealous of you. It all depends what you're looking for. With things like the iPod and the Nomad Jukebox 3, and even that hideous looking Archos thing, this MP3 player doesnt really stand up to the competition. However it IS cheaper then most of the new jukeboxes, and if you can stand the battery life and you're on a budget then this is a great MP3 player to invest in, if you TAKE CARE OF IT! If you arent to short on cash and you're big on features, memory, and battery life then I suggest looking elsewear. The Creative Nomad Jukebox 3 is a good alternative in that case. ... Read more

Asin: B000026D6I
Subjects:  1. 6 (MB) megabytes    2. MP3    3. mp 3    4. Portable Audio    5. MP3 MP 3 Player    6. Jukebox    7. MP3 Player (MP 3)   

Micro soft Intelli Mouse Optical
Average Customer Review:
Electronics (22 March, 2000)
list price: $54.95
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

When the people talk, Microsoft listens. This statement is true for Microsoft's IntelliMouse Optical, the company's latest addition to its hugely popular line of innovative optical mice.

The IntelliMouse Optical incorporates all the great features of the IntelliMouse Explorer mouse into its design--optical technology, cool red underglow, titanium accents, and superior performance. It also answers the most common complaints about the Explorer. For example, the two troublesome side buttons that were on the Explorer have been moved--there is one on each side of the IntelliMouse Optical, so both right- or left-handers can now program and use these buttons for any number of functions. In addition, the IntelliMouse Optical's smaller body is comfortable for people who don't have large hands.

Installation is quick and easy. The IntelliMouse Optical plugs into your USB port or into a PS/2 port with the included adapter. It comes with IntelliPoint software for both PCs and Macs so you can program the two extra side buttons and the wheel button. Once you set up the buttons, the mouse is ready to go.

Just like the Explorer, the IntelliMouse Optical works on most surfaces and doesn't require a mouse pad. We were able to use the mouse on a wood desk, stacks of paper, a pant leg, the carpet, and other nonreflective surfaces. Don't try to use this mouse on a glass desk, though--the IntelliMouse Optical needs to be on an opaque surface. The optical technology works by taking 1,500 pictures per second of the surface beneath the mouse and instantly comparing the series of pictures to track movement across the surface.

We also enjoyed using the IntelliMouse Optical for gaming. It's superaccurate and quick to respond. And the scroll wheel is tight, making it easy to select weapons. Whatever the application, the IntelliMouse Optical is a great mouse with almost no flaws. We highly recommend it. --Ara Jane Olufson

Pros:

• Now for right- and left-handers
• Easy-to-reach side buttons
• Mac compatible
• Never has to be cleaned
• Nice size

... Read more

Features

• IntelliPoint software included
• Optical pointing device for right- or left-handed users
• 5 programmable buttons
• Provides more control and accuracy than trackball mice can
• Requires no cleaning or mouse pad

Reviews (172)

Great mouse
I've had this mouse for over 2 years and haven't had any problems. Ihot swap it between my old expendable 98se desktop (with the PS2 port adaptor) and my new XP pro laptop (USB plug) all the time and it works perfectly everytime and all buttons are fully functional. After using the two extra forward and back buttons I never want to go back to a 3 button mouse. If I had to pick nits, I'd say this mouse is actually a little big because I use a wrist rest and the mouse tends to bump into it. Otherwise an excellent all round mouse from Microsoft.

Good optical mouse with one big problem
I have used this mouse for about 3 years and it has served me well for everything, *except* games.This is one of the first generation optical mice, so the sensor doesn't take as many pictures/second as the newer mice.What does this mean?If you're playing fast games (FPS especially) and make a quick movement, the mouse will move in a random direction.Very bad scenario.

I've also gotten quite into Tiger Woods 2003, and this mouse is very bad for the game because:
- you need to have perfectly smooth motion to swing the club, since if you move it too fast the mouse moves another direction causing bad swings

and it's good because:
- it trains your hand to have perfectly smooth motion to swing the club, since if you move it too fast the mouse moves another direction causing bad swings

so when I get a next generation mouse my game should be unstoppable :)

Logitech's entry optical model (the most inexpensive, quality, but basic optical mice I've worked with) is much better and doesn't have this same problem, and you can move it as fast as you want without negative results.

In conclusion, the main points of this mouse are:
Pros:
- the side buttons and clickable wheel are convenient and programmable
- optical technology means no more cleaning the mouse ball
(then again, every optical mouse has this feature)
- good size, not too heavy like the Explorer (the next model up)

Cons:
- Games will cause much frustration
- Maybe not all will see this, but mine is rather cheaply build (made in China) and the right mouse button randomly to makes odd feedback when clicked

I suggest skipping this one and going a newer generation mouse with similar features.

great mouse
Hello.This is great for surfing the internet, the buttons on each side enable one to go back to the previous window with the button on the left hand side of the mouse and the button on the right hand side of the mouse gets you forward again.I also use it to play games with and it works fine for that too.The red light is a bonus. ... Read more

Asin: B00004S9AK
Subjects:  1. Mac Macintosh Machintosh Apple   

Microsoft Natural Keyboard Pro
Average Customer Review:
Electronics
list price: $74.95
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

Your hands might be ready for a change and you don't even know it. Why not give them a break with a completely new style of keyboard: the Microsoft Natural Keyboard Pro. It has a split keyboard design that's remarkably comfortable to type on--you'll wonder how you ever got along with out it.

The keyboard comes with a USB connection and PS/2 adapter. Once you've plugged it into your port of choice, all you need to do is install the included software so you can program all those nifty hot keys that run the length of the keyboard's top. We found the volume control and general multimedia functions to be the most useful, but there were also Internet and e-mail hot keys such as Back, Forward, Stop, Refresh, Home, Favorites, and Mail that made online activities a breeze. We also appreciated the inclusion of two USB ports on the rear of the keyboard, allowing you to conveniently plug in a USB mouse or game controller.

After years of typing on a standard keyboard, we found getting used to the new layout slightly difficult. However, after an hour or so, we were typing more quickly than we ever had before. Fingers have an easy time finding the correct key because of the natural layout. We also appreciated the fact that Microsoft went back to the inverted-T arrow-key layout in the Natural Keyboard Pro, which is imperative for serious gaming.

The only feature we had a problem with was the key action. The keys are made of such a lightweight plastic that it's hard to tell if you're even typing at times. While some may consider this is an asset, others might prefer a heavier, louder keyboard.

However, if the action doesn't bother you and the split layout appeals to you, the Microsoft Natural Keyboard Pro has your name written all over it.

Pros:

• Comfortable to use
• Retains inverted-T arrow-key layout
• Easy to install
• Keyboard includes two USB ports

Cons:

• Keyboard action is difficult to get used to

... Read more

Features

• IntelliType Pro Software lets you customize hot keys
• Design encourages natural hand, wrist, and forearm positions
• 19 hot keys, including ones for Internet, multimedia, and e-mail applications
• Launch your browser and surf the Web directly from your keyboard
• 2 USB ports let you easily plug USB devices directly into your keyboard

Reviews (68)

I don't understand the high rating for this keyboard
I got my employer to buy this keyboard thinking it would be as good as the one I got at home, the original Microsoft Natural. Well, I am a bit disappointed. Yes the correct layout is back. Butsome keys catch... they don't get down easely as I press on them, particularly the larger ones. I don't know if that was a problem with the keyboard I got, but the feeling is definitly better with the original. It seems like cheap manufacturing to me.

Best keyboard ever made
The title sums it up.This is the best, and most comfortable keyboard I have ever used.I am a very fast touch typist, with a very heavy touch since I learned on mechanical typewriters (remember those?Not even an electrical assist.).This keyboard lets me go faster, gives me far, far less fatigue and repetitive stress pain than any other, and ought to be the standard.

As I said, I bang the keys pretty hard.The Natural Keyboard Pro just keeps on working happily; mine is at least 5 years old and going strong.Normally I bash an IBM or Dell (or any other) keyboard into destruction within a year.

Best. Keyboard. Ever.
No keyboard equals the feel of the older Natural Pro (with the grey buttons along the top). I typed my thesis on one (~18,000 words). Plus, I've spilled a lot of liquids in my keyboard, and never put it out of commission for more than a couple days while some water dried. Spilled some soda in it and it was fine after I cleaned it out with some rubbing alcohol. One thing though, to take the keyboard apart for repairs, you have to poke through the Health Warning sticker to find Microsoft's signature Hidden Screw. I bought a backup, thanking the powers that be that the keyboard still existed, in anticipation of my next spilling incident (so I won't have to use an inferior keyboard while my good one dries out). ... Read more

Asin: B00002JXFH
Subjects:  1. Keyboards    2. Computer Input Devices (Device)    3. B6100002    4. Keyboard (Keyboards)   

Hewlett Packard C4493A CD-Writer Plus 9310i
Average Customer Review:
Electronics
list price: $342.00
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

With up to 32x read speeds, 10x write, and 4x rewrite speeds, making CDswith the HP C4493A CD-Writer is incredibly fast and easy. As with all HP CD- Writers, the CD can then be shared with over a billion CD and DVD playersworldwide using CD-R media. And it features all the quality and durability we'vecome to expect from CDs.

The Hewlett-Packard C4493A CD-Writer Plus 9310i notonly allows for quick and easy data storage but comes with an extensive CD-ROMsoftware package that lets you back up and restore your system and individualfiles, compose original music, make CD labels and stationery, organize youroffice, and more.

... Read more

Features

• Free MP3 downloads with purchase, see editorial review for details
• Internal CD-Recordable/CD-ReWritable drive for PCs
• 10x write, 4x rewrite, and 32x read
• Record up to 650 MB of data or up to 74 minutes of audio
• Includes powerful software suite

Reviews (17)

Excellent, fast and HP reliable.
No more japanesse junk for me, I decided to go back to HP and trow away my yamaha, just kept making bad burns at high speeds. With this one I have yet to have a bad cd. Very quiet and accurate, like it a lot. My yamah during warranty failed and no one even the distributor would give me a replacement. Just take it for fixing. DONT THINK SO, get me a new one or forget it Yamaha.
This HP is being burning since July and specially like the cool ventilation registers makes it look like a Hot Rod burner of some sort.
My cousin had his for over 6 years (a HP 4x2x12x ) and he recommended it to me. He was right it is plain good.

Medium Burner
I got this burner about a year ago.At that time it was the fastest and seemed to be the best.Now it is somewhat outdated.The programs are old.I have messed up so many times trying to copy cds becasue of "buffer underuns".Considering data and making you own original cds, it is great.If you are considering buying a burner, go for some of the newer ones, that are faster but also because they have solved all those problems.

Good hardware, bad softwear...
This is a good burner overall; it is fast and easy to install. The onlyproblem is the softwear that comes with it; its basic, weak,user-unfriendly, and has some bugs. After making two CD copies the computercrashes and you have to restart it; this happens every time. Making dataCD's can be a hassle since you have to save layouts for every CD that youmake otherwise the CD is not recognized. The help and tutorial section ofthe softwear is no help at all. If you get the burner, you better do youhomework and learn all there is about burners, CD's and how it all works.Also you should buy a few extra CD's to practice on. ... Read more

Asin: B00004SDFJ
Subjects:  1. Compact Disc Recorder, Rewriter, Burner    2. Recordable, Rewriteable, Writeable    3. C4493A, C4493, 4493A, C, 4493, A, 9310, i    4. Hewlett Packard (Hewlett-Packard)    5. Internal CDRW Drive (CD-RW, CDR-W, CD-R, CDR, Drive,Drives, Compact Disc Recordable, Recordables)    6. Hewlett-Packard    7. (HP)    8. (Hewlet Packart)   

Linksys PCMPC100 EtherFast 10/100 PC Card
Average Customer Review:
Electronics
list price: $58.99
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

The EtherFast 10/100 PC Card will connect your notebook computer to a 10BaseT or 100BaseTX network in just minutes. Ready to run in both half- and full-duplex modes, the EtherFast 10/100 PC Card supports speeds of 10 Mbps, 20 Mbps, 100 Mbps, or a whopping 200 Mbps. Designed for heavy use at the office or on the road, the card adjusts its speed and duplex to almost any 10BaseT or 100BaseTX network automatically--just plug in your cabling and go. ... Read more

Features

• Hot swappable--insert or remove from PC without powering down
• Connects almost any notebook PC to 10BaseT or 100BaseTX networks
• Runs in half- and full-duplex modes at speeds of 10 Mbps to 200 Mbps
• Automatically senses and negotiates cabling duplex, polarity, and speed
• Low 5 volt/260 mA power consumption and automatic 60 mA Sleep mode

Reviews (27)

Good quality card at a bargain price...
I don't know what some other reviewers are talking about -- the dondle for the card is of good quality. I've had mine for over 6 months, and haven't had any problems at all. I used a coupon from UnderTag.com, so it was almost free for me too.

Fragile Dongle
Great card, until dongle broke about a year later.Otherwise, no problems while it lasted.

Fast, but dongle breaks too easily.
This product is easy to install on a home network. Just plug and go. The problem lies in the dongle. I have had two of them in the last six months. After a while they just stop working, and this is frustrating because replace dongle costs... ... Read more

Asin: B00003006X
Subjects:  1. Network Interface Cards (NIC)    2. Networking    3. Networking (Network)    4. NIC (Interface Card, Cards)    5. Linksys   

D-Link DE-805TP 10Mbps Ethernet Mini Hub 5-Port
Average Customer Review:
Electronics
list price: $99.00
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

The DE-805TP is a five-port 10Base-T Ethernet hub that is ideal for very small workgroups on unshielded twisted-pair cables. This IEEE 802.3 compliant hub provides five RJ-45 ports for normal connection to stations and/or for cascading to another hub to increase the number of ports on your network. It comes with LED indicators for power and collision, plus one for each port to monitor the network activity and the link status between the port and the connected station. Lightweight and compact, this hub can be installed almost anywhere, even at sites with limited space. ... Read more

Features

• Space-saving design
• 5-port 10Base-T Ethernet minihub
• 10 Mbps speed
• Uplink available for easy expansion through UTP
• LED indicators make diagnostics easy

Reviews (3)

Very complete for home networking
I use this product to link 3 computers and a cable modem connection and it works like a charm.Very space efficient and the front panel LED's let me know each port's status.I have not had any complications with this hub and seems to work effortlessly.Great hub.

D-Link's DE-805TP is a Five-Star Hub.
This D-Link hub is very easy to install and works well in a busy networkenvironment. I run a small marketing business from home and this smallDE-805TP hub networks 4 computers and a laser printer with no hassles. Thebest feature of this hub is its compact-sized shape. I looked at otherbrands and D-Link seems to offer everything at a better price.

Great for home networking
Look -- I don't need a great hub.Obviously, this is definitely NOT something you'd want to support a major corporate network.When it comes to inexpensive home networking, though, this product is everything you'dever need.Our 3-computer home network has never been jammed, we havenever experienced any difficulties with the hub, and setup was a completebreeze.Just make sure you buy the right cables for the job (there'syellow patch cables, and regular ethernet cables -- talk to your localcomputer store representative to sort out this issue.. they'll know).Ipersonally knew nothing about home networks before I decided to set up myown, but all in all I'm definitely glad I decided to use this inexpensiveoption to set up our network.You'll definitely appreciate the nice lightup LED's which tell you when and where data is being transferred.Did Imention we even use the hub to give cable modem access to all 3 of ourcomputers, with only one actual cable modem?Isn't that great? ... Read more

Asin: B000023VUO
Subjects:  1. Network Hubs    2. Networking (Network)    3. Hub (Hubs)   

D-Link DSB-650TX Dual Speed Ethernet Adapter (10/100 MB)
Average Customer Review:
Electronics
list price: $59.99
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

The D-Link DSB-650TX is a 10/100 MB dual-speed Ethernet adapter for network users. The standard USB-to-RJ-45 adapter provides a quick method of plugging into an Ethernet or Fast Ethernet network hub or switch. The D-Link DSB-650TX connects your PC to a host computer and is configured directly by the host PC.

The USB connection frees up card slots for easy LAN network compatibility. LEDs are visible on the top of the adapter and provide power, port, link, and traffic status. The D-Link DSB-650TX supports plug-and-play installation. All the necessary drivers and cables are included, and D-Link provides a lifetime warranty. ... Read more

Features

• Lifetime warranty
• USB-to-Ethernet adapter
• 10/100 Mbps dual-speed port
• Enables host computer to configure your PCs
• Plug-and-play installation

Reviews (5)

Beware of D-Link lifetime warranty claims
I bought the DSB-650 adapter because D-Link stated the product came with a lifetime warranty.This is stated on the outside of the box in several places, on a product catalog that was inside the box, and on the warranty card.But after the unit failed and I called their tech support for an RMA, the company refused to issue one.They say the product lasted its entire life so therefore they have no further obligation!

Several D-Link people even asked me, "You didn't think 'lifetime' meant YOUR lifetime, did you?"Actually, that is exactly what the warranty card says.

The product actually did work as designed for awhile, but now it is of no use to me.I can't believe a company as big as D-Link would blatantly renege on a written warranty like they are doing.I believe this could be considered false and deceptive advertising.Not only will I never buy another D-Link product but I am considering seeking damages for this fraudulent behavior.

Compatibility with Windows XP
A very small quibble that won't affect most users for now:

The D-Link's Windows 98 and Windows 2000 drivers are not compatible with Windows XP, the next version of Windows now in beta and due to be released late this year. Hopefully Microsoft or D-Link will provide new drivers by the time XP is released. In the unlikely event you're using the Preview Edition of XP already (as I am), avoid this product.

Easy to setup, works great overall...
After comparing different manufacturers, including LinkSys and 3Com, I decided on this ethernet adapter. My decision was based largely on the price, but the brand (DLink) was also a factor in my decision. The bottom line is that the DSB-650TX is worth every penny.

Installation is so easy that even a first time computer user can do it. The drivers provided on disk are definitely compatible with Windows '98 ME. I'm sure that it's compatible with Windows 2000 as well, but the following will tell you why I don't know for sure...

If your motherboard uses the VIA MVP3 chipset and if you are running Windows 2000, you MIGHT NOT be able to use ANY USB device; Windows 2000 is NOT compatible with the MVP3 USB controller even with VIA's drivers. Hopefully the Win2000/MVP3 problem will be solved in the near future, but I doubt it.

There is only one limitation of the DSB-650TX, caused by the USB standard, since it draws so much power from the USB controller you'll need to dedicate a USB port directly from the controller. The solution to this would probably be a powered hub, but I don't know for sure since I never looked into it. This limitation, however, is a reasonable trade off considering the fact that it eliminates the need for a power outlet. ... Read more

Asin: B00003G1I1
Subjects:  1. DLINK    2. 100 MB   

Creative Labs DE5620 Modem Blaster 56K External Modem
Average Customer Review:
Electronics
list price: $69.99
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Features

• Supports V.90 (ITU 56K) and K56flex standards
• Hot pluggable/swappable
• Plug-and-play compatible
• Voice mail and other phone features
• Full duplex speakerphone

Reviews (3)

WOW! This is the PERFECT modem
I had this modem out of the box and set up within 3 minutes. This modem was a replacement for my old modem. This modem connects faster than most modems that I have seen. This modem is fully v.90 and can be flashed forfuture updates. This modem has kept a connection for close to 2 weeks,stopped only then by a power failure. This modem has audio jacks on thesides for full phone\video phone function. This is the bestCreative\Digicom modem that I have owned (I have owned 3). This modem iseasy enough to install that even first time users could install it (with alittle assistance from the manual). The manual is in plain english andalmost anyone can understand it. This is a great product.

The Fast FriendlyMultiple Operating System Modem
Need a Modem replacement for you Windows Only modem?

The DE5620 supports Linux and BEoS at full speed allowing for fast surfing with two of the best operating systems now available.

Installation was simple.Configurating Linux and Beos Dial up connections took about 2 minutes eachand BAM I was on the net. Plug and Play that really works......

The priceis basically a steal of a deal? I'd pay any day to connect at 115K!

ModemBlaster's are Faster! Life is Good!

A good modem.PLEASE NOTE: Cables included
I agree with the Editorial review of this product.The documentation that comes with it is awful.However, it was relatively easy to setup and works like a charm.I bought it for my linux system and the thing can hold aconnection forever (staying connected for an extended period was a problemI had with the internal modem that came with my system).This isapparently one of the big pluses for external vs. internal modems: higherreliability.They can also supposedly be faster.PLEASE NOTE: this itemcomes with all the cables you need to get it up and running.This wasannoying to me, as no cables appear in the photo of the item nor could Ifind any info on the detail page stating this.So I made the mistake ofbuying an extra cable when it wasn't needed. ... Read more

Asin: B00000J4QY
Sales Rank: 85371
Subjects:  1. Modems - External    2. DE5620    3. External Modem (Modems)   

Viking 64 MB CompactFlash Card with Adapter (CF64M-ADAPT)
Average Customer Review:
Electronics
list price: $43.99 -- our price: $31.34
(price subject to change: see help)
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Features

• Five year replacement warranty and 30-day money-back guarantee
• Optimized for use in PDAs, MP3 players, or digital cameras
• Write speed guaranteed to exceed 1.2 MB per second (8X) with independent test results exceeding 2.25 MB per second (15X)
• High quality components guarantee steady performance, the utmost durability, and breadth of compatibility
• Individually tested to ensure each product works the first time, everytime

Reviews (8)

Inexpensive Compact Flash Memory and Adapter ...
Viking makes a good reliable product, at the lower (value) end of the price scale, making it a good purchase value. I use it on a digital camera, and transport it to a laptop. Also makes a good replacement high-capacity floppy disk between laptops. Why should I pay 2x as much for more well-known CF memory when Viking probably manufacturers it? Highly recommended.

Great, and a little 'lagniappe' to boot.
I use CompactFlash for most of my digital cameras, and I've become a fan of the Viking brand. However, I still buy by the dollar-per-meg calculation. Currently, this number should always be less than 1. It is curious that the prices on these cards may fluctuate by as much as 20% in one day! I suggest you find the card you want and track it a while. This particular card comes with a great extra at no extra charge: it includes an adapter for your laptop's type II/III slot, a nice touch. [BTW, 'lagniappe' is N'awlins for 'a little extra')

Good Value
This 64 MByte CF card is a great value since it includes the CF to PCMCIA card adaptor. Many other CF manufacturers want this much for the CF card alone! I bought this CF card for use with a new Canon S-110 for storage of high-res photos. But I also use it for storing MP3 files in my Casio Pocket PC, and now with the PCMCIA adaptor I can use it in my laptop too! ... Read more

Asin: B00004TE75
Sales Rank: 23194
Subjects:  1. Digital Camera PDA MP3 Compact Flash    2. Flash Memory (Flashcard, Flashcards)    3. Compactflash (Compact Flash)   

Maxtor DiamondMax Plus 40 GB 7200 RPM Hard Drive
Average Customer Review:
Electronics
list price: $119.99 -- our price: $67.44
(price subject to change: see help)
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

If you're looking for a large, high-performance hard drive, look no further. The Maxtor DiamondMax Plus 40 delivers both capacity and performance in droves. The unit is built with Maxtor's proprietary DualWave controller, which combines a Texas Instruments DSP (Digital Signal Processor) to control drive functions and a specially designed 50-MIPs RISC processor for host commands. This allows the DiamondMax 40 to offer the fastest spindle speeds available and pack enough data per square inch to make it both the fastest and largest drive in its class.

There are two technologies that make the DiamondMax Plus the screamer that it is: spindle speed and areal density. (For more information on these technologies, see our FAQ.) The DiamondMax Plus 40 boasts a spindle speed of 7,200 RPM, which is currently the fastest spindle speed for ATA-based hard drives (drives that utilize an IDE interface). The DiamondMax Plus 40 also has an areal density of 7.245 gigabits per square inch. With the ability to pack 7.245 Gb of data into a single square inch of hard drive media, the DiamondMax 40 can store 10.2 GB per platter; and since it has four platters, the DiamondMax 40 can hold over 40 GB of data. Why is this important? Because the spindle speed is a constant, the only way to get more data passing under the drive's read heads is to pack the data closer together; that way, the read heads can read more data on each rotation.

In our benchmark tests, we found the DiamondMax 40 delivered an average sequential-read speed of around 24.4 MB per second and a write speed of 17.3 MB per second. While the read speed is close to that of Seagate's Barracuda ATA II (another drive in its class), the write speed is faster by 1 MB per second. The DiamondMax Plus 40 also has an excellent read burst speed, which is a measurement for the amount of data the drive can pump from the 2 MB of onboard memory buffer (cache) across the UltraDMA 66 bus. Since this bus has a bandwidth limitation of 66 MB per second, the read burst speed won't be higher. We measured it at 58.8 MB per second, a full 10 MB per second faster than Seagate's Barracuda ATA II. CPU use was negligible at a relatively standard 3.3 percent. Only the random access time left us desiring more, as its 14.3-millisecond score was 1 millisecond slower than the Barracuda ATA II and upwards of 3 milliseconds slower than Quantum's last generation Fireball Plus hard drive. Fortunately, it didn't affect the DiamondMax Plus's other scores, such as the real-world copy test, which times the copying of a directory containing 644 MB of data (a typical CD's worth of data) to another directory on the same drive. The DiamondMax Plus 40 came in at 1 minute and 34 seconds, which was 30 seconds faster than Seagate and minutes faster than others, including last-generation drives from Quantum, IBM, and Fujitsu.

We found the performance of the Maxtor DiamondMax 40 to be first rate and the heat and noise to be minimal. This is an excellent combination for a 40 GB behemoth that delivers state-of-the-art hard-drive technology, unparalleled performance, and ultimate bragging rights. --Sean Cleveland

Pros:

• High areal density--largest drive in its class
• High data throughput
• Built on the latest drive technologies
• Runs quiet and cool

Cons:

• Slower random-access speeds

... Read more

Features

• 2 MB cache buffer
• 40.1 GB of storage
• UltraDMA 66 interface
• Disk spins at 7,200 RPMs
• 9-millisecond seek time

Reviews (55)

Suckered....
HI

I responded to the Amzon ad which display Maxtor DiamondMax Plus 40 GB 7200 RPM Hard Drive.The reason I responded to the ad is because the interface was Ultra ATA/66.

When I received the product the interface was Ultra ATA 133.This is very very diappointing.Now I must purchase a Ultra ATA/133 PCI card to make the drive work.

I was duped, bambused, suckered, an object of false advertizement, sucker punched, tricked.An my money is gone.

I can not order again.This hurts too much.

Don't let a bad review frighten you
I know for any product, especially computer products, there are going to be bad reviews.Personally, I don't see how getting one bad apple qualifies a person to advise STAYING FAR AWAY FROM A COMPANY.What I CAN say is that I purchased the Maxtor hard drive after being told it was better than Western Digital.I installed it on computer with no problems as a storage drive.Over a year or two later, after using it as storage, I replaced my old drive and now use it as my main drive.I had NO install problems, no support problems (and I asked my share of questions), the documentation is good, and the software works great.After a year or two and after installing once then reformatting for use as a boot drive, it runs like a charm.

STAY AWAY FROM Maxtor Diamond Max Plus 40 GB
Stay away from this hard drive.Lasted less than 10 months.Western Digital apparently is better.I have read many negative reviews about this after I purchased it. ... Read more

Asin: B00004R7OI
Subjects:  1. 40 GB    2. 40GB    3. ST, 0154000, U, 0154000U, ST0154000    4. Hard Drives (Drive)    5. Internal   

Iomega Zip 100 Portable USB Drive (PC/Mac)
Average Customer Review:
Electronics
list price: $99.00
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

Introducing the new 100MB External USB Zip(r) drive from Iomega - for Power Macs with a built-in USB connection and PC systems with a built-in USB controller running Windows 98! The new, sleek translucent ice-blue 100MB External USB Zip drive is simple to connect, hot swappable, and compatible with over 100 million 100MB Zip disks. ... Read more

Features

• Each disk holds up to 70 floppies
• USB interface
• Mac and PC compatible
• Plug and play
• Unlimited capacity

Reviews (26)

Worked fine until drive malfunction
Got this drive for an original iMac back in the winter of 1998.It worked just fine until 2002 when the eject function stopped working and it wouldn't accept any disks.It wasn't worth going through the trouble to get fixed, so a new model was purchased.

Two Years Old and Going Strong
Mine's been working flawlessly since I bought it in early 2000. I understand the newer models are bus-powered. If for some reason you can't have a power strip, that's a concern, but I do wish the AC adapter was smaller.

Gotta love the way it shoots non-Iomega zip disks half way across the room, too!

I recommend this drive for low-cost, low demand storage and backup. Now if only zips would come down in price...

No Zip Disk Included
This drive does not include any blank media. There is Iomega software included on an installation CD-ROM, but the product is sold without a Zip Disk. ... Read more

Asin: B00000J3Q7
Subjects:  1. Removable Storage Drives    2. Universal Serial Bus (USB)    3. Mac - Macintosh - Apple    4. zip100    5. Mac Macintosh Machintosh Apple   

Sony MVC-FD90 Mavica 1.2MP Digital Camera with 8x Optical Zoom
Average Customer Review:
Electronics
list price: $799.99
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

The Sony Mavica MVC-FD90 digital camera combines a powerful 8x opticalzoom lens with a respectable 1.3-megapixel CCD. The camera also features an MPEGmovie mode, audio annotation for your images, and a manual focus ring. Thebuilt-in flash features red-eye reduction and night-synch modes. Built-in zoom,trim, and resize functions encourage manipulation of the images while they arestill in the camera. For maximum image resolution, the camera also includes aninterpolated 1.6-megapixel image setting. Users compose images by viewing the2.5-inch color LCD monitor on the back of the camera. This monitor also revealsthe remaining shooting time in minutes, a well as having indicators for flash,focus, and other functions.

Like most of the other cameras in the Mavica line, the MVC-FD90 uses floppydisks to store photos. At maximum image quality, five images fit on one floppy.At the other end of the spectrum is the e-mail setting, which captures 80 imagesat 320 x 240 resolution on a single disk. To address concerns about the limitednumber of photos one can store on a low-capacity floppy disk, Sony has devised ahigh-capacity solution: the camera will accept the MSAC-FD2M floppy adapter, adevice that looks like a floppy disk. Sony's Memory Stick (available incapacities up to 64 MB) slides into the adapter, and the adapter slides into thecamera's floppy drive, essentially giving you a 64 MB floppy disk.

The package includes a rechargeable lithium-ion battery, a battery charger, ashoulder belt, AV cable, and ArcSoft PhotoStudio software for Windows. ... Read more

Features

• 3.5" floppy disk holds five images at maximum resolution; optional adapter stores images on Memory Stick
• Images can be read by any PC or Mac with a 3.5 inch floppy drive
• Rechargeable Lithium-Ion battery and AC adapter included
• 1.3 megapixel sensor captures enough detail for photo-quality 5 x 7 prints
• 8x optical plus 2x digital zoom lens with autofocus

Reviews (33)

easy to use
I have one and the led screen got broken and want to replace because of the ease to use. The pictures come out like a professionals when printed if right settings are used. Absolutely would recomend to most novice of photographers.

Good camera for personal use.
I have had this camera for a year and have really enjoyed it.I like saving on 3.5 disk, good for backup for important picures.You can adjust the size, quality, etc.I comes with easy to use software.For 1.6 mega pixel it makes good pictures.

a web multimedia studio in one(tiny)box!
I just love this camera. If you want big prints of glossy pictures then buy something else. If you're happy with 6x4 prints, but your main focus is on web content then this the camera for you. Photos, movies, sound recording, automatic creation of email photos - all fantastic for web-savvy snappers.
The images quality is very smooth, with good colour balance, there's lots of auto features but you can override them if you want to. I sometimes shoot 200 pix in a single session (expensive if you're using 35mm!)and carry this thing around as much as possible. Love it! ... Read more

Asin: B00004TEYZ
Subjects:  1. MVCFD90 FD 90 MVC    2. Digital Camera (Cameras)    3. Photograph (Photography)   

Fujifilm FinePix 40i 2.4MP Digital Camera /MP3 Player, Silver
Average Customer Review:
Electronics
list price: $499.99
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

Fuji's FinePix 40i is in a category of its own. Though several manufacturers are producing combination digital camera/MP3 players, all of the other cameras are extremely basic entry-level point-and-shoot models. In contrast, the Fuji 40i is a quality camera that would be worthy of praise even if it didn't feature an integrated MP3 player. Instead of thinking of it as a combination digital camera and MP3 player, it's more accurate to call the 40i a supercompact high-resolution digital camera that also happens to play MP3 files.

With the exception of the lens, the 40i is very similar to Fuji's other SuperCCD cameras (the FinePix 4700 and 4900, for example). Images are captured on a 2.4-megapixel SuperCCD sensor, which features octagonal pixels arrayed diagonally instead of traditional square pixels in a grid. Fuji claims that this system offers improved sensitivity and image detail over a standard CCD. To prove this point, the camera interpolates its 2.4-megapixel images up to 4.3 megapixels at the highest-quality setting. Independent tests typically place these interpolated images on a par with pictures from a 3.3-megapixel camera.

Featuring a brushed metal case with integrated sliding lens cap, the camera feels well made and sturdy. Its overall dimensions of 3.4 by 2.8 by 1.1 inches make it one of the smallest digital cameras on the market.

Our biggest disappointment with the camera is its lens. Virtually all digital cameras of this resolution and price feature zoom lenses; to cut back on size, weight, and price, Fuji has included only a nonzoom lens. The camera does feature a digital zoom, but this merely crops pixels from the edges of your photo and enlarges the remaining pixels, something you could do just as easily at home after transferring the images to your computer. If you're accustomed to having a zoom lens, you're likely to miss this feature. Otherwise, the 40i has all of the bells and whistles you'd expect in a quality point-and-shoot camera: multimode flash and white balance, self-timer, exposure compensation, macro, movie mode, and more. Some advanced camera features are missing--there's no shutter priority or aperture priority mode and no manual focus, but these features are often missing from all but the highest-end digital cameras.

As an MP3 player, the 40i is perfectly adequate, with good sound quality. You can't take pictures and listen to MP3 files simultaneously, and the included 16 MB SmartMedia card holds only around 15 minutes of music. If you're serious about using the camera as an MP3 player, you'll definitely want to invest in a larger memory card. A pair of AA batteries should power the player for nearly three hours.

To keep the record companies happy, Fuji has included a number of features designed to discourage users from sharing their memory cards. To transfer music to the camera, you'll need to use the included software, included USB cable, and the newer "ID" variety of SmartMedia card (look for an "ID" printed next to the card's capacity). Non-ID cards won't work for music, and you can't play cards recorded on another 40i, a Rio, or a card reader/writer. Like many personal audio products, the Fuji includes a wired remote that lets you control most music functions even when the camera is in a pocket, backpack, or briefcase. As a bonus, the remote also works with the camera, operating both the digital zoom and the shutter release.

If you're a gadget lover who always needs to have the coolest gizmos, the Fuji FinePix 40i is a great choice. Its combination of supercompact, high-quality digital camera and MP3 player is hard to beat.

Pros:

• Superbly detailed images from an ultracompact camera
• Durable, brushed-metal case with integrated lens cap
• Wired remote controls both MP3 and camera functions
• High-capacity batteries and charger included

Cons:

• No zoom lens
• Copy protection scheme adds complexity to MP3 download process
• Included 16 MB memory card too small for serious MP3 use

... Read more

Reviews (24)

missing batterys
were not included in package received as specified on web site ?

Nice, but probably not worth the money.
An excellent camera with a few major faults:
The obvious one - theres no optical zoom.If you look through the viewfinder, and your subject is only taking up a tiny fraction of the display, YOU're the one that's going to have to physically move yourself closer to the subject.The camera cannot do the zooming-in for you.
And secondly, the shutter speed is far too slow.Trust me, you cannot take photos of, say, people dancing.All you'll get is a blur.
Oh, and why Fuji neglected to include the AC Adapter as part of the package is beyond me.Supplying two rechargeable batteries, which take about 13 hours to charge simply isn't on...

That aside, it is a good little camera.TV-Out is more of a gimmic than something you'll use regularly, as the pictures look very fuzzy, even on a decent TV.And it's very very easy to use, and produces very good photos.

But personally, I'd think twice about going for this camera over, say, the Canon Ixus V.

Great Simple Camera
This is really a simple straight forward tiny digital camera. If you want a huge number of features and a lot of settings this isn't a camera for you.
On the other hand if you want a camera you can take anywhere and tuck in your pocket, you'll never miss a shot with this tiny camera.
It's menus are easy to use, but note that the screen on the back is a bit tiny. No hunting for the flash feature as on many other cameras. It's right on the top so you can flip between Off, Auto FillFlash and Red Eye Reduction.
Great snapshot camera for the pro or as a primary camera for the family photographer who doesn't want to lug around a larger camera. ... Read more

Asin: B00004W1TW
Subjects:  1. Digital Camera (Cameras)    2. Photograph (Photography)    3. MP3    4. Portable Audio    5. MP3 MP 3 Player