So you look at these and think, “You gotta be kidding.”  This is what I have to put up with because my hands are freezing at the office?  Do I really have to sacrifice my dignity with these and subject myself to snickers and snorts just because I’m a wimp and hate cold hands? … [visit site to read more]

Filed in categories: Desktop Computer Gear, Miscellaneous

Tagged: Health, USB

USB Bear Head Hand Warmer Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on November 15, 2009 at 9:45 am.

I stayed home from work today because I was feeling blah and while I was chatting with Dave, I happened to look over at the wireless LCD of the Brickhouse Security Wi-Spi EX30 and noticed that a FedEx truck had pulled into my driveway. Since I still had on my PJs, I wasn’t planning to answer the door, but when I saw him walking up with no packages in his hand, I ran up the stairs and opened the door. I’m usually not home during the day, so I startled him as he was about to put a tag on my door. He went back to the truck to get my package and I was very surprised that it was my new iMac that wasn’t due to arrive until next week. … [visit site to read more]

Filed in categories: Desktop Computer Gear, Gear Diary

Tagged: iMac

My 27″ iMac arrives 3 days early – Lucky Friday the 13th originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on November 13, 2009 at 10:18 pm.

Tyme Machines, makers of licensed USB drives, has just announced the release of its Series 1 sculpted 3D Star Wars character USB thumb drives.  The drives are sculpted replicas of Darth Vader, Boba Fett, Storm Trooper and Yoda.  They are … [visit site to read more]

Filed in categories: Desktop Computer Gear, Laptop Gear, News, Spotlight Gadgets

Tagged: USB Drive

Luke, I am your… USB Drive originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on November 10, 2009 at 12:30 pm.

Back in the day, I was in Military Intelligence (no need try, I have heard all the jokes…..). We used some very expensive computer drive technologies to securely store classified materials digitally. This was when storage was measured in kilobytes (maybe megabytes), Photoshop 3 was just released, and a powerpoint presentation fit on a floppy disc. Our computer system (COMPUSEC) regulations required the hard drives be stored in a safe each evening (physical security vs encryption or both). We used hardened removable drives that were clunky, unreliable, and very expensive. So, when I was asked if I would like to try out the DataPort SecureDock from CRU-DataPort the Intel-geek in me got all excited to try this removable hard drive with military-grade encryption. … [visit site to read more]

Filed in categories: Desktop Computer Gear, Laptop Gear

Tagged: Hard Drive

CRU-DataPort’s SecureDock Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on November 9, 2009 at 7:25 am.

The Adesso Wireless SlimTouch Mini Keyboard is indeed “mini”; it took up very little space at my desk. … [visit site to read more]

Filed in categories: Desktop Computer Gear, Wireless

Tagged: Keyboard, Wireless

Adesso Wireless SlimTouch Mini Keyboard Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on November 1, 2009 at 10:21 am.

They stole my idea.  But since I’m pretty pathetic with mechanics and electronics not to mention legal situations at least now I can buy one of these.  The ValueRays Warm Mouse III ($29.95) and its companions the Warm Mouse Pad, Warm Mouse Blanket and Warm Keyboard Pad can provide some well needed infrared heat now that winter is coming.  And I know no one believes me, but when it is cold outside your hands become colder at the keyboard.  The mouse hand especially begins to feel like a partially frozen fish flopping back and forth between the keyboard and mouse. … [visit site to read more]

Filed in categories: Desktop Computer Gear

Tagged: Mouse

Warm (but not fuzzy) ValueRays Mouse Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on October 28, 2009 at 7:35 am.

We’re a three laptop/one printer household.  Our printer/scanner/copier is several years old now, and it still works well – except for one thing.  It’s not wireless, and it’s stored in a cabinet with no desk space around it.  Printing requires connecting the laptop to the usb cable, balancing the laptop in one arm while getting the print job started, and then hoping your print job isn’t a long one.  I had given up on scanning – who wants to hold a laptop long enough to scan an image, much less a document?  I had been thinking about replacing the printer with one with WiFi capabilities, and  I had decided I wanted to get a different brand than the one I’ve used for years.  I just wasn’t satisfied with the depth and richness of colors that I got from my current brand of printer.  But what to choose? … [visit site to read more]

Filed in categories: Desktop Computer Gear

Tagged: Copier, Fax, Printer, Scanner

Epson WorkForce 610 Printer Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on October 27, 2009 at 9:02 am.

Like most Gadgeteers, I have multiple laptops, monitors, and assorted tech cluttered on my desk.  I’ve always searched for many different ways of organizing my desk space.  That’s where the U-Board USB Multi-Board from Pyramid Distribution comes in.  I’ve always wanted a small second shelf, like a mini-hutch, for my glass desk.  The problem is that many places that sells them are made of wood, which doesn’t really match well with the glass desk.  Luckily the U-Board is made of tempered glass too. … [visit site to read more]

Filed in categories: Desktop Computer Gear

Tagged: Stand, USB

UBoard USB Multi-Board Keyboard/Monitor Stand Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on October 22, 2009 at 5:30 pm.

Apple introduced the Magic Mouse today and besides being magical it is smart and sleek.  The concept of using gestures to interact with a device was made popular in the iPhone, iPod Touch, and Macbook. … [visit site to read more]

Filed in categories: Desktop Computer Gear, Spotlight Gadgets, Wireless

Tagged:

Click, Swipe, and Scroll – Apple’s Magic Mouse originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on October 20, 2009 at 9:56 pm.

I have a drawer in my office that is dedicated to receipts. When I get a new receipt, I just open it and shove it in. I don’t organize them at all. Then when tax time rolls around, I kick myself for being so lazy. I think I found a cool solution to my problem though. It’s the visit site to read more]

Filed in categories: Desktop Computer Gear, News, Spotlight Gadgets

Tagged: Scanner

Tame the paper monster – NeatDesk Receipt Scanner originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on October 16, 2009 at 12:41 pm.

Like most hardcore computer geeks, I own eleventy thousand computers – including an Acer L310 HTPC I bought on impulse one afternoon on eBay. I love my little HTPC. I can play old-school Nintendo ROMs on it, Windows Media Center looks beautiful on my 40″ LCD TV, and I can browse the Internet from the comfort of my couch (without a laptop, that is).

There was just one small problem – the only wireless keyboard and mouse I had handy was my old Logitech Elite Cordless Duo I bought way back in 2003. It’s a great set, but (a) there’s minimal Vista support from Logitech for this particular set, and (b) the keyboard is enormous. It’s not exactly the kind of setup you want for a media center PC. Julie mentioned the Adesso Wireless Mini Trackball Keyboard to me, and it sounded perfect. We’ll see if it made the cut… … [visit site to read more]

Filed in categories: Desktop Computer Gear

Tagged: Keyboard

Adesso Wireless Mini Trackball Keyboard: your HTPC’s new best friend originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on October 16, 2009 at 7:45 am.

Robin sent this to me this afternoon and I thought it was worthy enough to share with all of you. Do you suffer from cold hands? I sure do. Here’s a neat solution that can actually kill two birds with one stone. It’s the visit site to read more]

Filed in categories: Desktop Computer Gear, Laptop Gear, News, Spotlight Gadgets

Tagged: Mouse, USB

Cure for frostbit fingers – ValueRays Warm Mouse originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on October 13, 2009 at 5:31 pm.

Earlier this year, we reviewed the Clickfree Portable Backup drive. Now they have an even smaller solution with more features. The new Clickfree C2 is a Windows and Mac … [visit site to read more]

Filed in categories: Desktop Computer Gear, Laptop Gear, News, Spotlight Gadgets

Tagged: Backup, Hard Drive, USB

Lose your Sidekick data? Don’t let the same thing happen to your PC – Clickfree C2 originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on October 13, 2009 at 10:29 am.

The next time I purchase a house I will look for one that has Ethernet wired to all the rooms, but until that happens I need a way to get high speed LAN access in different areas of my home.  WiFi is too slow and unreliable.  One of the possibilities is a technology called Powerline Ethernet.  The MegaPlug AV Powerline Ethernet from ActionTec kit is one option. … [visit site to read more]

Filed in categories: Desktop Computer Gear, Laptop Gear, Wireless

Tagged: A/V, Networking

ActionTec MegaPlugAV 200Mbps Powerline Ethernet Kit Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on October 9, 2009 at 8:49 am.

OWC has announced today its newest OWC Mercury On-The-Go Pro model – the first FireWire 800/400 and USB 2.0 bus powered 2.5″ portable drive offering 1TB of storage capacity in a pocket-sized portable storage solution for Mac or PC users.  It … [visit site to read more]

Filed in categories: Desktop Computer Gear, Laptop Gear, Spotlight Gadgets

Tagged: Hard Drive, USB

Is that 1TB in your pocket, or are you just happy to see me? originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on October 1, 2009 at 9:56 pm.

The FreeAgent DockStar is made especially for the Seagate FreeAgent Go external hard drive. It’s a special docking cradle that connects to your home network via an Ethernet cable to allow access to the drive’s contents from anywhere on your network or the universe or that matter. You can also send pictures from your iPhone directly to the DockStar. In addition, the dock has 3 USB ports, that you can use to connect other USB drives. It’s available now for $99.99. Full press release after the jump. … [visit site to read more]

Filed in categories: Desktop Computer Gear, Laptop Gear, Spotlight Gadgets

Tagged: Network, Seagate

Network adapter for your USB drive – Seagate FreeAgent DockStar originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on October 1, 2009 at 9:45 pm.

Get contemporary with the UBoard from Pyramid Distribution.The UBoard is a USB monitor stand that has a 3 port USB hub built into it along with a cup and memo holder. It’s compatible with Windows … [visit site to read more]

Filed in categories: Desktop Computer Gear, Laptop Gear, Spotlight Gadgets

Tagged: Stand

Glass coffee table for your iMac or laptop originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on September 30, 2009 at 12:02 pm.

After writing up the article on visit site to read more]

Filed in categories: Desktop Computer Gear

Tagged: monitor, Stand

DoubleSight Flex Stands let you use multiple monitors with style originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on September 29, 2009 at 2:51 pm.

If you’ve been looking for a simple way to physically expand your computer desktop, you now have a few more options.  DoubleSight Displays has announced the release of their Smart USB line of USB LCD displays, ranging in price from $120 for a 7-inch display to $160 for a 9-inch display with a built-in webcam.  All three models in the line support both portrait and landscape mode, use USB for both power and video, and are PC and Mac compatible.  These displays are designed to be portable, each featuring a folding stand and including a snap-on screen cover for traveling.

The manufacturer web site indicates that their Smart USB displays should be available at a number of big-name retailers, both online and brick & mortar.  Press release is available after the jump. … [visit site to read more]

Filed in categories: Desktop Computer Gear, Laptop Gear

Tagged: monitor, USB

DoubleSight ups the USB display ante originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on September 29, 2009 at 10:36 am.

The rumors had been circulating for weeks, but yesterday Wacom officially announced the addition of multitouch features to their Bamboo … [visit site to read more]

Filed in categories: Desktop Computer Gear

Tagged: Tablet, USB

Wacom releases multitouch Bamboo tablet originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on September 25, 2009 at 10:05 am.

If you have ever had a multi-monitor setup you know the added productivity it can provide.   The Diamond USB Display Adapter is a simple device that allows you to add an additional monitor using a spare USB port.  The adapter is basically a portable video card that works with your Mac or PC. The Diamond USB Adapter provides a portable solution for setting up multiple monitors, particularly ideal for laptop setups. … [visit site to read more]

Filed in categories: Audio / Video Gear, Desktop Computer Gear, Laptop Gear

Tagged: Adapter, USB, Video card

Diamond USB Display Adapter Pro Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on September 24, 2009 at 7:27 am.

The Arc Mouse is stylish, simple AND functional.  The Arc made my Microsoft is a laser mouse that carves out the mid-section to provide a sleek minimalist design.    It’s less substantial than a normal mouse and may not offer the ergonomics of other mice, but it fits the fingers well enough for regular use. … [visit site to read more]

Filed in categories: Desktop Computer Gear, Laptop Gear, Travel Gear

Tagged: Mouse

Microsoft Arc Mouse Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on September 11, 2009 at 8:55 am.

The KeyScan KS810-Plus Imaging Keyboard is a desktop keyboard with a built in scanner that can scan a full A4 size page in 5 seconds for grey scale or 15 seconds for color. It’s capable of scanning documents in sizes of 2×3” to 8.5×30”, including plastic cards and drivers licenses that are 3.5×2.5” up to 1mm thick. It’s available now for $139.99. Full press release after the jump. … [visit site to read more]

Filed in categories: Desktop Computer Gear, Spotlight Gadgets

Tagged: Keyboard, Scanner

Keyboard + Scanner = KeyScan originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on September 9, 2009 at 5:01 pm.

A few days (weeks?) ago Julie asked me if I would like to try Alien Skin’s new Snap Art plugin for Adobe Photoshop. If you know me, you know I can’t resist cool photography gadgets and software. Julie knows just how to attack my weakest point.

Now you do too! … [visit site to read more]

Filed in categories: Desktop Computer Gear, Digital Cameras

Tagged: photoshop

Alien Skin’s Snap Art Photoshop Plugin Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on September 9, 2009 at 11:07 am.

Do you have multiple LCDs connected to your desktop or laptop computer. Would you trade them for this 41 inch wide monster from Ostendo? The CRVD has a 43 inch diagonal curved display with a maximum resolution of 2880 x 900. It’s actually a projection monitor that uses DLP … [visit site to read more]

Filed in categories: Desktop Computer Gear, Spotlight Gadgets

Tagged: LCD

Multiple LCDs or one ginormous one? originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on September 7, 2009 at 12:36 pm.