TechForFun.Info » Peripherals and Accessories

The wireless printer: A brief guide for buyers

admin — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 07:56:30 +0000

The wireless printer is all about connectivity. As with pretty much all technology for home use, wireless is the way forward, bypassing the need for and limitations of messy connecting wires. While window shopping for wireless printers is simply a matter of having a quick look at sites like Ryman.co.uk, the range of choice can make the task of selection seem a bit taxing.

Having a limited budget can certainly help narrow down the options, but can easily see you veer into the territory of the false economy. After all, picking up a cheap wireless printer that cannot actually carry out all of the tasks you require is not really a bargain, but a waste of money. On the flip side of the functionality coin, splashing out on a top range wireless printer which connects directly to the internet – commonly known as a web printer – can be a needless expenditure if you won’t ever really need to send print jobs to the machine from outside the range of your local wireless network. And while there is an obvious correlation between functionality and price, there is also a seasonal aspect to buying a wireless printer, and indeed all printers, which should not be ignored if you want to save yourself a bit of cash.

Thanks to the demand created by the large student population in the Britain, the best time to pick up a new printer is at the end of summer, or more specifically, around the beginning of September. As manufacturers compete for a slice of the substantial and lucrative student market, offers abound to win your custom. New product lines are generally launched at this time, allowing retailers to offer bargains on ranges from previous years. As well as being able to pick up a good deal on the actual printer, the autumn period can also be a good time to stock up on ink cartridges for the year, as offers on ink are also used to make up enticing offers.

When it comes to looking at the wireless printer specifically, the increasing range of web printers coming new on to the market can be welcomed as a chance to pick up the older technology of Wi-Fi printers at a knock-down price. Many Wi-Fi printers feature memory card slots, allowing you to swiftly make prints of pictures taken on a digital camera, without the need to switch on or access your desktop or laptop. Bluetooth connectivity is also fairly common, again allowing a hassle free connection between the wireless printer and devices like smartphones.

Web printers can of course receive images for print from any device connected to the internet, anywhere in the world. Some web printers can also allow you to browse the internet directly through the onboard LCD screen, although again you may want to ask yourself just how often you will really require this functionality. In summary, those on a budget would do well to perhaps lag a little behind the cutting edge when it comes to purchasing a wireless printer, and think carefully about the reality of your daily printing requirements if you are considering the merits of web printers.

Plextor releases USB-powered PX-B120U external Blu-ray drive

admin — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 10:14:51 +0000

Plextor release its new PX-B120U external BD-ROM and is now available for purchase in Europe for € 109. The PX-B120U is a USB-powered, no need to carry an additional AC adapter or other cables and allows users to watch HD movies on any Blu-ray supported notebook.

The PX-B120U is also capable to burns DVD+ /- R, DVD +/-RW, DVD +/- R DL, DVD-RAM and CD-R formats, and reads DVD formats at 8, while CD at 24X. It also comes bundled with Cyberlink Power DVD- Blu-ray and DVD playback software, which also has the ability to upscale standard videos to HD-like and 3D-like visual quality. Additionally, it can also function as a set-top Blu-ray player, when it is connected to Plextor’s forthcoming media player – PlexMedia.

Pentax adds a retro-taste to Optio I-10 compact digital camera

admin — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 09:38:11 +0000

Pentax announces, that adds a new black-and-silver version with retro-taste to their PENTAX Optio I-10 camera, launched earlier this year.

Called the PENTAX Optio I-10 Classic Silver, the new model shares the same features and specs like the old one – 12.1 megapixels sensor, 2.7? LCD and 5X optical zoom lens offering a 28mm wide-angle coverage (in the 35mm format). But the new version was “created in response to users’ enthusiastic requests for a black-and-silver appearance reminiscent of the beloved SLR film cameras of the past”. Pentax is trying to achieve a retro-taste look of a classic SLR camera with combination of a black-colored front panel with textured-leather-like finish and silver-colored top and bottom panels.

The new version is expect to be available soon.

OCZ unveils High-Density 4GB DDR3 at 2133 MHz memory kits

admin — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 09:32:51 +0000

OCZ comes up with new high-speed 4GB (4096MB) modules, aimed at gamers and performance enthusiasts. The kits are available in either 8GB dual channel or 12GB triple channel kits from their Flex EX, Reaper HPC and Platinum Series momory, working at 2133MHz.

The 4GB modules operate at 1.65V and as OCZ claims “are tested and qualified on the latest AMD and Intel platforms to ensure ultimate performance and stability”. They comes with lifetime warranty and is expected to be available soon.

“Usually high speed and high density don’t go hand in hand, but our newly introduced high density 2133MHz memory solutions are engineered to do exactly that,” said Alex Mei, CMO at the OCZ Technology Group. “Designed for more than just raw speed, these new kits deliver an excellent blend of performance, density and reliability for a wide range of applications ranging from rendering video to smoother gameplay on the latest titles.”

G-Shock X Surfrider Limited Edition digital watch

admin — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 07:45:54 +0000

G-Shock and the Surfrider Foundation comes again with co-branded collaboration watch - the GRX5600SRF-3 digital watch. The timepiece has has Self-Charging, Tough Solar Power technology, shock resistant construction and recycled packaging.

Designed with the surf lifestyle in mind, has bright yellow and deep jade motif with the Surfrider logo on the band and the back, features 200M Water Resistant, Custom Full Auto EL Backlight with a red surfer catching a wave, 48 City World Time + UTC, 4 Daily Alarms and 1 Snooze Alarm, Hourly Time Signal, 1/100th Second Stopwatch, Dual Countdown Timers, and 12/24 Hr. Formats and Tide Graph function with 100 pre-set site locations as well as a Moon Age & Phase Data indicator for the ultimate tracking the tides.

“Casio is known worldwide for consistently producing superior quality watches, and we could not be more excited to be partnering with them for the second year in a row,” says Matt McClain, Surfrider Foundation’s Director of Marketing and Communications. “This limited edition collaboration is ecologically friendly and a great way to highlight our commitment to protecting and preserving our coastlines.”

Casio GRX5600SRF-3 is expected to be available in July for $130.

Penguin’s Eagle Eye Converts a Keyboard and Mouse into a PS3 Controller

admin — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 10:47:35 +0000

The Eagle-Eye Converter by Penguin United which was presented at E3 is now widely praised by gamers and journalists for the accuracy and lag-free response it provides.

The lack of speed and accuracy is the biggest drawbacks while playing first-person shooter on a console controller, but the Eagle-Eye offers a PC FPS experience by bypassing the controller and transferring the button features directly to a computer keyboard and mouse.

President of Penguin United, Richard Huang, stated that they were very excited by the response the Eagle-Eye received from gamers, journalists and retailers at E3. He also said that the most consistent feedback they got from people was about the lack of lag time using the mouse, and that everyone who tested it was amazed by how accurate and smooth the mouse works on games like Kill Zone 2 and Modern Warfare 2.

Product Highlights:

* Converts any standard USB HID Keyboard and Mouse into a PS3 Controller
* Adjust Mouse sensitivity through the game’s option menu.
* 1 to 1 translation from the PS3 right analog stick to the mouse movement for an ultra accurate aim in FPS.
* Maps out all PS3 buttons and left analog stick via included software to customize your control. Right analog stick defaults to mouse movement.
* Compatible with all PS3 games.
* USB 2.0 Keyboard and Mouse inputs.
* 2 ft. USB cable connects to PS3.
* Turbo option for X, triangle, square, circle, L1, L2, R1, R2 buttons
* Programmable Macro Functions to turn any single key into a combination of moves.
* Compatible with all PS3 console versions, future proof with firmware updates.
* Quick, easy set up in less than 1 minute with included software
* SRP: $59.99

Eclipse LiteTouch Wireless Keyboard

admin — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 15:33:47 +0000

Eclipse, part of Mad Catz, introduces the LiteTouch wireless keyboard that comes with a LCD 3-in-1 touch-sensitive Media Panel on the right hand side that can be set to MyEclipse mode for customized buttons, number pad mode and media mode with multimedia shortcut.

The slim LiteTouch features low-profile quiettouch scissor keys with Trueview backlit. It uses 2.4GHz wireless technology for up to 10 meter of range.

The LiteTouch Wireless is available at Amazon for pre-order at $129.99. There is also wired version that costs $99.99.

[eclipse]

Razer Onza Controller and Chimaera Headset for XBox 360

admin — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 15:21:23 +0000

Razer has now spread their wings wide into the console field by launching their own Xbox 360 Controller and headset called with “Onza Controller” and “Chimaera Headset”.

As you might have seen, if you are a fans of Razer product, you’ll notice the usual black signature tailored with the black themed color of the overall controller color. Onza controller for Xbox 360 is a little bit different with the casual one. There is a programmable multi-function button and tension analog sticks. You won’t find any batteries on this controller because Razer Onza is a wired controller. When they retails, Razer Onza will be priced for $49.99 and Razer Chimaera headset is about $130.

[Razer]