Marc Saltzman
Sun
Logitech’s wireless headphones sell for about $179 and are Bluetooth-integrated
Break free from the cords and cables that bind you. After all, with all the time you spend in front of your PC, who wants to deal with that mess of “spaghetti” wires on or behind your desk?
Fortunately, many of today’s top computer accessories can help you un-tether — without sacrificing power, performance or style.
While it’s been a buzzword for at least a decade, the “wireless revolution” is finally upon us; the following are just a few shining examples of what’s new and newsworthy for your home or office.
Microsoft Wireless Desktop
Microsoft’s latest two-in-one combo is a sleek multimedia keyboard and optical mouse with laser precision — without wires to clutter the desktop. The Microsoft Laser Desktop 6000 ($139; www.microsoft.ca) includes a “comfort curve” ergonomic keyboard angled at six degrees to better match your wrists’ natural resting position, and features a number of hot keys that provide one-touch access to e-mail, instant messaging programs, the Internet, documents and digital music. The “high-definition” wireless mouse reads 1,000 dots per inch for incredible accuracy and offers a four-way middle scroll wheel and magnifier button to zoom in on digital photos.
HP PhotoSmart 3310
“All-in-one” machines that copy, scan, print and sometimes fax are a dime a dozen these days but HP’s latest has a few key bells and whistles. For one, the HP PhotoSmart 3310 ($499; www.hpshopping.ca) has built-in Wi-Fi support to join an existing wireless network, therefore, more than one PC can access the unit’s many functions, wirelessly. Secondly, it’s the fastest photo printer on the market capable of spitting out a four-by-six glossy print in under 14 seconds (or 32 pages per minute for text, 31 pages per minute for colour). The PhotoSmart 3310 also has a large, colour LCD screen, two paper trays, an adapter for slides and negatives, multiple memory card slots and a USB port for memory sticks or PictBridge cameras.
Logitech Mobile Freedom Headset
It’s no wonder that more and more Canadians are talking with friends, family or clients via the Internet; it’s free, sounds great and it doesn’t matter where you (or they) are in the world. So the next time you’re gabbing on Skype or MSN Messenger, throw on a wireless Bluetooth headset, such as Logitech’s Mobile Freedom ($79; www.logitech.com), so you can keep chatting while continuing to type away on the keyboard. It’s also perfect for trash-talking during heated multiplayer games and of course, works with your Bluetooth cellphone. The crystal clear and comfortable headset can be paired with a PC that has integrated Bluetooth or with a snap-in, USB-based Bluetooth hub.
D-Link GamerLounge
Lag is no longer an excuse — crush the competition in your favorite online games with the fastest wireless router on the market; D-Link’s GamerLounge DGL-4300 ($230; www.dlink.ca) offers up to 180 Mbps of wireless speeds thanks to its proprietary GameFuel technology that provides blazingly fast, latency-free connectivity. The 802.11g router also offers four Gigabit Ethernet ports, customizable settings for individual games and applications, and support for Xbox machines so you can have the console hop onboard your wireless network for intense Halo 2 Capture-the-Flag matches.
Logitech Wireless Headphones for PC
Simply plug the teeny Bluetooth adapter into the headphone port of your desktop or laptop computer (included), throw on these wireless headphones and then crank up the tunes. And if your PC already has integrated Bluetooth, you won’t need the adapter at all. This digital wireless technology offers about nine metres of range, plus you can adjust the volume or mute tracks without needing to touch the PC (or MP3 player if you’re using this gadget on the go). The Logitech Wireless Headphones ($179; www.logitech.com) also include rechargeable batteries that can play up to eight hours between charges.
Saitek P3000 Wireless Gamepad
Get your game on with a completely wireless and rechargeable gamepad for your PC. The Saitek P3000 ($49; www.saitek.com) looks and feels very much like a PlayStation 2 controller with its dual analog sticks, eight-way D-pad, two triggers and numerous face buttons (actually you get six on the right-hand side of the pad instead of the typical four). Gamers can also customize their titles by programming keys and commands to specific buttons. A small LCD screen provides information, such as battery life; the unit ships with two rechargeable power packs so you’ll never have to wait to get in front of the action.
© The Vancouver Sun 2005
