Cheap Laptops, Computer Keyboards, and Technology
Gadgets
Do I Need An Apple iPad Screen Protector?
Aug 4th
When people get themselves an Apple iPad, they start to cheap out the various iPad accessories review websites to see what they might want to get their hands on. Some gadgets are just cool but some are entirely practical and enable you to keep your iPad well protected. One such accessory is the iPad screen protector. Buyers want to protect their investment, so many people wonder if they should get one for their new tablet.
Do iPad screen protectors work?
This is the basic question. Yes, they do work. While they aren’t going to stop a rock getting dropped on it, they will help to stop everyday scratches and scrapes ruining your beautiful smooth screen.
Are they removable?
Many people are concerned that if they put one of these protectors on their device that they will be stuck with it, quite literally. The fact of the matter is that these protectors use a special adhesive that allows the cover to be removed easily without leaving any sticky residue.
Do they render the touch screen useless?
Back in the day when all these fancy screen started to come on to the market, the initial screen protectors that were produced didn’t have to contend with the multitude of touch screens that are about today. The modern screen protectors use the latest in plastics technology to give you a high durable protector that is so thin that the experience of using the touch screen is still just as good.
Are screen protectors expensive?
That’s the beauty of screen protectors, they are probably the cheapest iPad accessories that you can get, and they give one of the best possible levels of protection for your screen.
These are some of the most common questions that people ask when they are looking at getting a screen protector for their iPad. For the high level of protection that they provide on a $300+ device, they may be well worth the money.
Choose Your Wall Mount Surge Protector Carefully
Jul 5th
It seems as though the more knowledgeable we are getting about how electricity works, the more trouble we are having with power surges. Maybe they were always this bad and we just did not understand what happened to our appliances and electrical devices. Now, we have computers full of important information and TVs that cost as much as a whole living room set, so we are determined to protect them from harm. The best way to do this is with a good wall mount surge protector.
Buying a Surge Protector
You can buy wall mount surge protectors for as little as $6.00, which are made by well known manufacturers. They come in a variety of sizes and styles starting with just one outlet. Some of them come with the outlets in panels, which can be turned so they are easier to use.
Of course, for any special features, such as an automatic timer or the ability to turn off the outlets not in use, the price goes up. There are also extension cord type surge protectors; however, the warranties on your appliances, computer and TV may be voided if you use an extension cord, so be sure and check. The Sanus Low Profile ELM203 Surge Protector is a wall mount TV surge protector designed specifically for the new wall mounted TVs and sells for less than $20.00.
Regardless of the size and style, the important thing is the protection the wall mounted surge protector gives your electronics. The voltage spikes in power need to be stopped before getting to your appliance and that will be done by either blocking the extra voltage or by shorting it to ground. Some of them have LED lights to let you know they are working.
You can read the specifications when choosing your wall mount surge protector. Some of them provide more protection by blocking spikes while others ground it, which can affect the life expectancy of it. A lot of them are now guaranteeing the appliances or electronics that are plugged into their protector. This, by itself, gives you a good idea on the reliability of the product.
How to Build Your Own 3D Laser Scanner
Jun 30th
A 3D laser scanner is a relatively recent innovation that takes advantage of simple hardware to create stunning three-dimensional scans of objects and people. Surprisingly obtaining a 3D laser scanner is not as difficult or expensive as it would seem. Once setup, a 3D laser scanner can make remarkable life-like three-dimensional scans of an item for export into a 3D graphics program
What You Need To Build A 3D Laser Scanner
The materials needed for a person to setup their own laser scanner are relatively simple. A backdrop composed of boards, a web cam, a line laser, and specialty software is all that’s required. Two approaches can be taken to assembling a 3D scanner. For the do it yourself type the hardware can be sourced and assembled at home. With this approach the only specialty item needed will be the software.
For those that prefer a less hands on approach kits are available that contain everything required and only require assembly. Regardless of the approach taken the results are three-dimensional images, which can then be used in 3D graphics program. The image can then be further manipulated. These images created in this fashion can be of great use to 3D artists and save hours of tedious recreation of objects. The generation of 3D scanned objects also allows for a world of manipulation possibilities once imported into a 3D graphics program. The imagination is now the artist’s only limit.
With a small investment in funds and time any 3D artist can have a 3D laser scanner of their own. The equipment and software are actually now so affordable that anyone can justify getting a setup of their very own, even if 3D art is only a hobby. For hobby or professional use 3D art will never be the same since this technology is so readily available and can be used for so many different and exciting uses.
Indoor Solar Lights: A New Technology?
Jun 16th
It should be no surprise that technology keeps evolving. A few years ago there was a huge trend on solar outdoor lighting because it had a few major advantages compared to conventional low voltage lighting. You are saving money, it’s easier to install and you also do some good to the environment. A few years later there are companies offering the first indoor solar lights for your convenience, but are solar lights for indoor use really a good idea?
How Does Solar Lighting Work?
Actually an indoor solar light is not that different from any other solar lamp that you use outdoors. Most designs are made so you can use them both indoors and outdoors but actually that is true for almost any lamp. The problems lays in the fact that you will still need direct sunlight in order to charge the batteries of the indoor lamp.
For this you should at least have some big windows catching a lot of sunlight. If your windows are not catching any sunlight than you can not use these lamps. But even if your house does receive a lot of sunlight than you are still limited to the use of these lamps because you have to place the solar collectors somewhere where there is sun and in most homes this is the window opening.
Yet another disadvantage is the fact that you are working with wires again. The solar collector needs to be connected to the indoor lamp and it is with a wire. The major advantage of outdoor solar lighting was that you could easily install them without any wiring and this advantage is lost when you use them indoors.
So although they are indeed available and they are indeed good for the environment, they are not yet evolved enough so we can use them on a large scale and replace our conventional lamps.
Canon Pixma Printer Review
Jun 11th
The latest addition to the Pixma series of Canon is the ip4600, a color inkjet printer that is both cheap and functional. Although it lacks additional features and can be very slow in printing documents, it is considered as a good buy for those who are in a budget, especially given its price tag of under $100.
The Canon Pixma IP4600 prints well on plain paper. Although the text printing can take quite some time – about 7 pages in one minute – there is no question that the text look crisp and black on all types of fonts. While the photos printed from this model look pale and grainy, they are still better than those printed from other units. It is a good thing that Canon has improved its photo paper allowing photos printed from the ip4600 to look better with more realistic tones and better details. The printer also delivers about 2 pages of full color photos in under a minute.
Despite the fairly good printing output of the printer, the printing costs are quite inexpensive. A monochrome page is printed at a cost of 4 cents, while full colored photos are printed at about 12 cents. The main drawback of the Canon Pixma IP4600 printer, however, is the lack of luxurious add-ons like memory card slots and LCD screen. Fortunately, Canon made up for the lack of a LCD screen by flashing error messages and printing status on the computer screen. This should be able to help users since the unit only have two buttons to work on the front panel of the printer.
While these are luxuries that any computer user would love to have, the ip4600 is considered a good deal for its simple yet highly reliable printing. The replacement ink cartridges are also a lot cheaper than those of other models, so those who don’t have the money to spend can settle for this one.
Protection and Style with iPad Leather Cases
Jun 6th
So you are an Apple Inc fan and have bought the iPad you have been waiting for such a long time. Now, since you are addicted to it and keep doing something or the else with it all day long on weekends and better part of your free time on weekdays, it is sure to get exposed to dirt, scrapes, unwanted liquid spills, etc. This is where iPad leather cases comes in because it protects your recent gadget love and safeguards it in ways more than one.
Because of the huge popularity and sell of iPad in the market, people are now getting crazy to get the best iPad cases as well for their new gadget to protect it and have valid reason for it; it’s expensive. Leather like black always looks beautiful and that is why iPad leather cases are selling like hot cakes in the market. They not only protect from unwanted harms but also give a classy look to the overall package.
There are many kinds of cases available in the market and even the leather cases are coming in different colors and designs, so go for it and enhance not only the look of the gadget but you never know, it can be productive in increasing the usability as well. They protect your iPad from small mishaps which can occur anytime like bumps and also scratches, dirt and fingerprints which tend to wear and tear the overall look in long term.
There are sleeve cases available where you just need to pull in and pull out and considerably safeguards your product from hampering materials. Also, the zipper iPad cases allows you to completely close the case with no ends open after the use and therefore, protects in a much better way. Carrying cases are those in which you can put in the gadget and carry it along without having to hold in hand for long and this is why it prevents from bumps and hand fall completely.
These cases are reasonably priced as well but there seems to be a huge difference in lower and upper price range and with variety of designs and makes available online, you are sure to get a good combination of protection, design and price online. Of course there are also other accessories for iPad you could buy to complete your tablet.
How to Choose the Best Receipt Scanner
Jun 2nd
If you want to buy a receipt scanner, you should first research on the different brands available and get some advice on what type to buy. Choosing a good receipt scanner can significantly enhance your business efficiency and shorten the task of manually copying each receipt. However, some scanners work better than others so it is important to find one that is reliable so it can properly safeguard sensitive information, like your financial records.
Receipt Scanners Available Today
Just like with any other sophisticated computer device, small scanners are often evolving and getting upgraded so they are cheaper and easier to use. Portable scanners are now capable of most common tasks like scanning business contacts, travel claims, bank receipts, and other miscellaneous documents.
Usually this type of scanner doesn’t require extraordinary quality for these documents, so if you need a high resolution file, then you may need to purchase a specialized scanner. Today, all of the best receipt scanners are available at affordable prices and can be used either for personal or business purposes.
One of the most attractive features about these scanners is that they are small so it makes them easy to carry around anywhere. Portable scanners are extremely useful because you can carry them around wherever you go. In many cases receipts can get lost inside people’s pockets or wallets so the sooner they are recorded the better. Usually the scanners will come equipped with a small battery pack that can be charged once you return home or to the office.
A personal scanner like this is a great tool to bring along in a laptop bag or briefcase – most of them are only a few inches long so they may even be able to fit inside your pocket for optimal convenience. Other scanners are larger and require their own small case in order for them to be carried around.
Regardless of the receipt scanner you end up choosing, you can enjoy getting your life organized and more in your control. Going paperless will help you better manage your finances and reduce the paper clutter in your life.
Would Columbus Have Discovered The New World If He Used A GPS System?
May 11th
Handheld GPS has certainly brought our navigation forward in a big way over the last half-millenium. When Columbus first “sailed the ocean blue”, all he had to rely on in terms of navigation was his navigation by the stars, his tools (compass and sextant) and “dead reckoning”. He was searching for the East Indies and the spices therein. If he had a handheld GPS, perhaps he would have arrived in the East Indies instead of the Caribbean and the New World would have been discovered many centuries later. But fast forward 500 years and the global positioning satellite (GPS) system now allows people to get to their destinations without trouble (and without getting lost).
How Does GPS Work?
The GPS system works by constantly streaming data between the GPS unit on the Earth’s surface and the GPS communications satellites in geo-synchronous orbit above the Earth. By constantly remaining in contact with each other the satellite is able to pinpoint where the GPS unit is and relay that information to the GPS system (and therefore to you). The exact location is cut down to within a few feet. This allows you to plan your route to your destination and for the GPS system to immediately recalculate your route if you deviate from the pre-planned path.
Another thing that GPS systems can do is to monitor how fast the vehicle is driving. This is essential for parents with teens who drive the family car or for employers who want to make sure their employees are following the rules of the road.
Parents can also use portable GPS systems to keep track of their children. Children are naturally curious and can wander off. By employing GPS tracking devices on their children, worried parents can quickly be reunited with their child.
Columbus could definitely have used the functionality of the GPS system. But we’re glad he ended up in the wrong place all the same.
The Paradigm Shift to Ereaders and Ebooks
May 5th
It is not an unknown fact that ebooks are rising in popularity. With more book publishers delving into this digital form of books, almost all forms of printed matter now come in digital versions, as well as the ereaders that take advantage of this new technology. There are at least five major benefits of using ebooks.
Firstly, ebooks help to generate interest in reading. For active kids who would rather be glued to computer screens, ebooks capitalizes on this and helps garner more interest in reading. The older crows is also no neglected. For busy working professionals who lack the time to read a book, ebook readers are portable and can be read anywhere. It is now not impossible to say that you have a thousand books in your pocket. With so many ebooks software and readers now available in the market, consumers also have greater choices and more variations.
Ebooks are also environmentally friendly since it cuts down on the need to print the books. This saves paper and other resources that is used in the value chain of producing a book. Space is also saved since there is no need to store the book.
Thirdly, ebooks help preserve stories and books since physical copies can be destroyed easily. The digital ones can be duplicated and saved in different folders and also shared with other users. Besides that, ebooks are not subjected to any spoilage or wear and tear of reading. This means no yellow pages, silverfish, mildew and pages falling even after you have read the story over and over again.
For budding authors, ebooks also presents new opportunities for them to publish their books. There are many types of free ebook software that are available online or come bundled with some products. This makes the creation of the books easy and there is a seamless transfer of other resources like graphics, audio or video files. The rise in the number of sharing platforms also gives writers more avenues to showcase their work. This empowers writers and helps them to break into the publishing circle.
Lastly, ebooks can be updated regularly with the latest knowledge and information. This is especially relevant for guide books or various medical journals that thrive on the latest and most updated information.
Looking for the Smallest Bluetooth Headset?
Apr 30th
For some items, having a tiny size counts. Bluetooth headsets fall into this category. If you are looking for little, the Motorola H17 Bluetooth product is as tiny as you will find. If you are looking for the smallest bluetooth headset, you probably need look no further.
With dimensions of 1.65 x 0.67 inches and .39 inches thick, this classy looking, oval shaped headset is so light and small you will wonder how Motorola could fit any controls big enough for the human finger to manipulate. Happily that is not an issue. The call button, located on the front side of the head piece, is the largest item and offers multifunctional control features. The jack for charging is located at the top. A small rocker for controlling the audio and the LED indicators can be found together to the right.
You may at first wonder where the boom mic has been hidden. It is concealed neatly underneath the earpiece. You must flip it out (which turns the headset on). Closing it turns the device off. This system has the additional advantage of ensuring you are not unwittingly leaving your headset on and using up the battery charge.
You have an array of hooks or rubber rings available to customize the earpiece so that it fits any size ear. If you are careful to select one suitable to your ear’s size and shape the bluetooth headset should become very securely and comfortably seated around your ear. Some people prefer using cushions that are inserted into the ear (although many people dislike this type of fitting) so the set comes with some of these cushions. You may wish to experiment with using them.
One particularly nifty capability built into the Motorola H17 is the option to connect to two devices simultaneously. You can be connected to your cellular and your regular home or office telephone. To avoid any potentially embarrassing confusion as to who is calling you via which phone, the bluetooth headset is programmed to give you an audio message advising you where the call is coming from.
You can receive calls from two sources and toggle back and forth between them if you need to by using the call/waiting and holding features. The automated voice automatically warns you if your phone is set on mute or if your battery charge is low. The battery will not get low quickly: you can talk for up to five hours. Idle time is up to seven days. The Motorola H17 bluetooth headset has an option to charge enough to give you two hours of use in only 15 minutes.
Great things do indeed come in small packages.