Gotta Have Gadget

With technology changing every day, there is a new computer, laptop, or tablet on almost everyone’s list.  However, when was the last time you changed your wireless router?  If it’s been a few years since you upgraded your router, you maybe slowing down your new device.  I recently upgraded to the Cisco Linksys E4200 Maximum Performance Wireless-N Router.  The key here is the simultaneous Dual-Band signal.  If you use new computers and old computers on a single band router, your new computer’s internet speed will slow down.  With TVs, Xbox, Computers, Laptops, Cell Phones and Tablets connected to your router, you need to upgrade.  Do you have “dead spots” in your house?  You know, the room that no matter where you put your router, you still can’t get a signal.  Try the Linksys RE1000!  What does RE stand for you ask?  Range Extender!  Just sync up the range extender to your router, then plug it into any outlet in your home or office, and BAM better signal!  I have the E4200 in my basement and an RE1000 on the third floor, and there isn’t a spot in the house that I don’t get a great wi-fi signal!  If you are a heavy multimedia user or gamer, you will be interested in the Linksys WES610N.  The WES610N is a 4-Port Dual-Band N Entertainment Bridge.  With so many TVs, DVRs and game systems that require internet access, if you were to hook them all up via network cables, you would need a hole in your wall the size of Rhode Island!  The WES610N picks up your wireless signal from the E4200 and allows you to plug in up to four devices.  With push button set-up, it couldn’t be easier to be wireless throughout your entire house!  Find the best router and accessories for your home at www.linksys.com.

Is dad always on the go?  Does he have to stay connected via his laptop?  If so, trying to find a wifi hotspot or paying $20 per day at a hotel is a pain.  Virgin Mobile’s MiFi® 2200 with Broadband2Go can give dad instant nationwide Sprint® 3G network coverage.  Dad can connect up to 5 Wi-Fi enabled devices to the 3G wireless internet with no contract needed!  It doesn’t matter if dad has a PC or Mac, the Virgin MiFi® 2200 can connect to either with very little set-up.  The pay as you go is probably the best feature of the MiFi® 2200 because dad can change his plan based on his personal needs with Broadband2Go plans as little as $10.  Backed by the Sprint® 3G Network, dad can find the coverage he needs.  Check it out at www.virginmobileusa.com.

It is always a great idea to have a backup or spare portable drive.  Its even a better idea if it includes Muvee Movie Making Software.  When creating a home movie, you can use up a lot of hard drive space.  The Seagate FreeAgent Go Ultra-Portable Drive is available in 320gb, 500gb, 750gb or 1 Terrabyte of storage to backup your vital files and create home movies, or photo slideshows.  Read the rest of this entry »

Ive always wanted to drive a red, Porsche 911 Turbo!  As of yet, I have not been sent one to test, however I can drive one thanks to Motormouse.  The Motormouse is a 2.4 Ghz wireless mouse.  So I guess you can say, I drive a Porsche everyday It has real rubber tires, and the trunk pops open to store the battery.  Theres not a lot you can say about a mouse, however it is a conversation piece.  Be selective of who you let drive your Motormouse.  Choose your luxury vehicle on-line at www.motormouse.us.com!

You have the laptop, wireless router, now you need a wireless printer.  I recommend the Kodak ESP7 All-in-One printer.  First things first, I love the fact this is a wi-fi printer which means you dont have to have it next to the computer, you can have it at a remote location and print via your wireless connection.  Read the rest of this entry »

At a time where computers are getting smaller and smaller, you know mom deserves something bigger and better.  The Gateway NV7901u notebook gives mom the power and size she needs!  Netbooks might be great to log onto the web and check e-mail, but if mom wants to create home movies, or photoshop, some of her favorite pictures, mom will need a powerful laptop!  The Gateway NV7901u notebook has a 17.3 inch widescreen ultrabright high definition display with an impressive 1600×900 resolution.  Plus, it has ATI Mobility Radeon HD5650 graphics, so mom can see videos, graphics and photos that look truly incredible.  The i5-430 Intel®Core processor and 4096mb dual-channel ram will give her the power and speed she needs to edit movies, watch DVDs or play her favorite games.  Read the rest of this entry »

I cannot stress enough how important it is to back up your computer.  As a matter of fact half way through this article, my regular laptop died.  Fortunately I had the Hitachi Global Storage Technologies SimpleTOUGH portable USB drive.  Right before I start to write this article, I backed-up my files and even did an easy file transfer just in case.  I was so happy I did because the laptop continued to randomly shut off.  Not only was it annoying, but I would lose several paragraphs I wrote.  So I connected the SimpleTOUGH via the USB cable to the new laptop, and all my files, settings, pictures and music was transferred.  Read the rest of this entry »

Toshiba has recently introduced the Satellite series laptop computers.  With screen sizes ranging from 13.3 to 18.4 and affordable pricing there is a Toshiba Satellite® laptop for everyone.  A great feature of the Satellite® series is the high capacity battery (available option) which gives you more productivity from a single charge.  http://laptops.toshiba.com/laptops allows you to customize your Satellite® series laptop for your specific needs.  Of course you do not have to upgrade as the Satellite® series comes pre-loaded with tons of software and hardware features.  Well lit, easy access buttons allow you to change the audio, access Toshiba multimedia program or enable green mode for better battery life.  A built in webcam will allow you to keep in touch with friends or upload videos, DVD player, plenty of hard drive and memory makes the Satellite® series perfect for anyone on your shopping list.

I love this time of season, because I try to mix up the products for both golfers and non-golfers.  I know many people who read West Coast Golfer who are secretly shopping for themselves, but are also looking for some great items for someone special.  If that special someone travels a lot or is on the road for their job, a great present for them would be the Acer Aspire One netbook.  At 2.8 pounds and 1 inch thick this Acer Aspire is perfect for anyone who travels.  No longer do you need a big bulky laptop to give you the access to information and connection to email and the Internet that will let you stay in touch.  When it comes to performance, the Acer Aspire One is powered by the Intel® Atom processor, and has a massive 160 gig hard drive!  The 11.6 inch screen provides 720p HD video which is great for viewing documents, photos or video clips.  Of course when it comes to a laptop computer, connectivity is a must.  The Acer Aspire One has built-in wi-fi and Bluetooth adapters which connects you on-line quickly.  Available in a four different colors the Acer Aspire One laptop would be the perfect present for someone who is looking for performance and portability.  Check out the Acer Aspire One at us.acer.com.

If you like listening to music from your computer, check out the Verbatim Speaker Keyboard.  The Speaker Keyboard can replace your standard desktop keyboard or also works with your laptop.  No secret here the speaker keyboard has built in speakers, which gives you far better audio than your standard computer speakers.  Simply press the power button and you will be listening to your favorite music through the Verbatim Speaker Keyboard.  The keyboard is designed to work with Macs or PCs so installation is quick and easy. Verbatim manufactures everything you will need to be more productive including a wireless mouse for your laptop.  For all that Verbatim has to offer, visit them on-line at www.verbatim.com.

I have been writing a golf version of this column for West Coast Golfer for about a year. When you write a column like this you get a lot of high-resolution images and press material. I have an older laptop, and all this material was taking up a lot of space on my hard drive. That issue was quickly fixed with the SimpleTech Signature Mini USB Drive. When I opened up the package, my first thought was, OK this thing is pretty small, how much space will it really free up on my laptop? This mini USB hard drive holds 500 gigs! Simply moving all the high-resolution photos, and my iTunes music library free up almost the entire hard drive on my laptop. My laptop is running fast again, and it is extremely easy to plug in the SimpleTech Signature Mini USB Drive and access any of the files I moved to this drive. It is also a great drive to use to back-up all your important data. Not too many people utilize a back-up drive and then become devastated if they get a virus or a major hard drive crash. Dont put yourself in a position to lose all your data, be prepared by visiting www.simpletech.com.