National Newspaper Computer Columnist
Click here to see the index of Craig's columns.
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Craig Crossman National Newspaper Computer Columnist Click here to see the index of Craig's columns. |
ALL IN ONE PRINTER SAVES SPACEThere are many advantages to having one computer peripheral that performs several functions. And if space comes at a premium wherever your computer is located, then a multifunction device deserves even more consideration.
Lexmark includes ABBYY FineReader 4.0 OCR software for text editing, Black Ice Impact ColorFax Lite software and MGI PhotoSuite 8.1. Massage your mouse, write messages.
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| Craig Crossman is a McClatchy-Tribune newspaper columnist writing about computers and technology. He also hosts the nation's longest running nationally syndicated radio talk show on computers and technology, Computer America, heard on both the Business TalkRadio Network® and the Lifestyle TalkRadio Network®, weeknights at 10PM Eastern time. Visit his website at http://www.computeramerica.com |
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The Lexmark
X83 is slightly more bulky that most color inkjet printers but is still a
fairly compact unit that weighs in at 15 pounds, stands 12.5 inches tall and
has an 18.5 by 21.5 inch footprint. the X83 connects to either a PC running
Windows or a Macintosh via a USB connection. The unit combines a flatbed
color scanner, fax machine, copier and printer. All of the functions except
the fax are color. The scanning surface accommodates a standard 8.5 by 11
sheet. Another nice feature of the X83 is that you can copy and fax without
the computer being turned on via the X83's full range of front panel buttons
and LCD viewer. You can perform many of the operations including enlarge and
reduce images, select number of copies and several other functions that are
typically found in stand alone devices. The X83 scans 48 bits for billions
of colors and at an optical 2400 by 1200 dots per inch. And although its
scanning and printing speeds are in the lower range of speeds, the $199
price makes the X83 a good value if you were to purchase separate
peripherals. 
Mousepads
always make great stocking stuffers. Here are two mouse pads with a twist.
If you find your hand and wrist becoming fatigued with all your mousing
around, why not try a vibrating mouse pad! The Massage Mouse Pad will give
your aching wrist a lift with it's gel-filled wrist rest, make your
fingertips tingle and keep the blood flowing while you manipulate the
rodent. The standard sized mouse pad comes with suction cups to keep it in
place and is powered by two AA batteries. $19.95. 
Looking
for a pad to scrawl down a phone number or some other note but always come
up short? Use your mouse pad instead. The Ergo Write Mouse Pad has a
writeable, erasable surface while providing an excellent tracking surface
for a mouse. The special dry-erase pen fits into the mouse pad's clip when
not in use. They even throw in a terry cloth eraser. $12.95.