USB 2.0 vs FIREWIRE

Aug 26, 2002 | hardware

There’s two new ways to connect devices to your computer, USB 2.0 and Firewire (aka IEEE 1394). Each requires new hardware to support it – either a new card added into your existing PC, or a new PC with support built in. USB has been getting more stable and reliable,...

BIGGER HARD DRIVES AHEAD

Aug 13, 2002 | hardware

Hard drive manufacturers see demand for bigger drives ahead when we start storing digital video on devices integrated into our entertainment centers. You can already buy 120Gb and 160Gb drives for less than $300 down at the mall. Here’s an article about how those...

TOSHIBA POCKET PC e310

Jun 29, 2002 | hardware, mobile

I’ve been wrestling with more Palm devices than usual for the last few weeks. (Normally Palms are simple and troublefree, but they’re incredibly annoying when they go crazy and decide not to sync any more or whatever.) It’s left me wishing I could convince more...

THE NEXT STEP IN PERSONAL COMPUTING

Jun 24, 2002 | computers, hardware, Microsoft, security

Here’s an important one. My mind is buzzing trying to guess the implications of this. This comes from an e-mail newsletter put out by Windows & .NET magazine, summarizing an exclusive account in Newsweek. It’s your first look at ideas that will profoundly change...

FRY’S ELECTRONICS AND OUTPOST.COM

Jun 11, 2002 | hardware

This isn’t new, but I just discovered that Fry’s Electronics acquired Outpost.com late last year and is running the Outpost.com web site. Fry’s is famous for low prices, huge inventory, and exquisitely horrible customer support. It should be interesting to compare...

UMAX PIONEERS NEW PRICE GOUGE

Jun 3, 2002 | hardware

Umax is one of the leading manufacturers of scanners. A week ago, they began charging for driver updates that previously had been available as a free web download. And prices are high – between thirty and sixty dollars. So if you own a Umax scanner and...