Archive for March, 2008

Canon CanoScan LiDE | High Quality Scans With Powerful Software

Written by Admin on March 27, 2008

Canon CanoScanAll in one printers are getting very popular as they have the scanner and printer built into each other, removing the need for a computer when you simply want to print the scanned document. But there are still some very good Scanners that you can buy if you’re not in need of the printer as well.

Cannon are usually the first company I turn to look for scanners and printers because they have never disappointed me with Quality and Reliability and the Cannon CanoScan LiDE was no different.

The scan time on this model is surprisingly quick, after you hit the button you see the scan on your screen in 16 seconds. After the scan the software automatically detects where your document was placed on the flatbed and crops your image accordingly. The software also automatically enhances your image to get the best quality by removing scratches from old images, correcting lighting and reducing fading.

The main reason why I bought this scanner was the ability to create PDF’s out of the images scanned. I wanted to keep digital copies of my old records and using the CanoScan Toolbox software that came with the scanner I was able to do this with relative ease, although it took me a while to work out which software to use due to the lack of documentation.

When scanning all the old family photos into the computer I found I nice time saving feature, Multi-Scan. Multi-scan allows you to place multiple images on to the flatbed and select multi-scan, this was a huge time saver for me.

Main Features

  • Automatic Picture Correction
  • 16 Second Scan Time
  • Ultra Thin

More Info

Posted in: Canon, Scanner

No Comments

D-Link DUB-H7 | 7 USB Port Powered HUB Backwards Compatible

Written by Admin on March 27, 2008

D-Link USB HUBHaving only 4 USB ports on my computer and 5 USB devices that needed connecting *Scream* I decided it was time to upgrade and get some more USB ports. I was originally looking for a USB card but the most they supported was up to 4 ports I decided to switch and look for a USB Hub instead.

I finally decided on the D-Link DUB-H7 for two main reasons, I knew it was a reliable hub from reading reviews on Amazon and because it matched my router at the time (I had a D-Link router).

This D-Link USB Hub supports up to 7 USB devices at time, so I’m now never short of USB ports which is always a plus. Now after I bought it I realise that having a USB hub instead of a card is actually a huge benefit. This is because I don’t have to get down on the ground and crawl behind my PC to plug in a device, I just simply push it into the hub on my desktop.

Although backwards compatible with USB 1, on the packaging it states that you might get a slow down in all devices plugged in if you insert a USB 1 device. I tested this but I never noticed any difference, even plugging in more USB 1 than USB 2 devices never seemed to change the speed.

When getting a USB Hub it is defiantly advisable to get a powered one because a lot of modern equipment even USB pen drives need powered ports to operate. I am a huge fan of D-Link in this aspect, they’ve not only made the HUB powered but have also made the plug socket in a convenient sideways position to help other plugs fit around it.

Main Features

  • 7 USB Ports
  • Powered
  • Backward Compatible

More Info

Posted in: D-Link, USB HUB

No Comments

Western Digital Passport | 5 x 3 inch Compact and Portable External Hard Drive

Written by Admin on March 27, 2008

Western Digital PassportFor most people who use a Notebook a portable hard drive is a must because of the relatively small amounts of data that can be stored on a Notebook because of its compact nature.
Because of a Notebooks compact nature, owners usually want all their equipment portable and compact as well, this is where Western Digital come in with their passport external hard drive range.

My problem with most External Hard drives is the size, as I’m always on the go and need to carry round my data. Space being the thing that isn’t in great supply in my laptop bag, was the aspect that I found most appealing when looking at the Passport series. The hard drive is only 5 x 3 inches so can fit in my pocket quite comfortably meaning I have more space in my laptop bag.

If you have one of the metal ipods and know how easy shiny metal surface scratches you will unfortunately be able to share the same experience with the Passport hard drive. The scratching is less noticeable on the hard drive though because the surface is black and not silver like the ipod. After a couple of weeks of use and thousands of tiny scratches I don’t think it makes the hard drive any less appealing and in a funny sort of way I would say it made it more appealing.

As you would expect with modern portable external hard drives, the passport is powered through the USB port so there is no extra power supply needed, although this feature doesn’t work with older notebooks so they have supplied a power cord just encase.

Main Features

  • Very small 2.5″ Hard Drive
  • No extra power cord needed
  • Very Stylish

More Info

Posted in: External Hard Drive, Hard Drive, Western Digital

No Comments

Logitech Webcam Pro 5000 | High Quality Webcam video - Echo Free Sound

Written by Admin on March 27, 2008

Logitech Webcam Pro 5000I remember when webcams were cheap and cheerful with very low quality, but they got the job done so they were ok. Skip forward to 2008 and you’re increasingly finding webcams with very high picture quality, even rivaling the quality of some traditional video cameras. This is mainly due to the explosion of youtube and other video sharing sites where people want high quality picture in their video blogs.

One of such webcams used because of its high quality is the Logitech Quickcam Pro 5000. Although being first sold in 2005, the Quickcam Pro 5000 is still popular webcam and is recommended by a lot of people on Amazon if you’re looking for high quality videos.

Testing it myself I have to agree, under low lighting conditions the webcam produces high quality video. But if you’re using it in your room with the light on, which I usually do, the picture can become white washed where the light is reflecting.

Coming back to the product itself, the webcam has a 63 degree lens which is good in comparison to some other webcams but if you want to film a large group of people it might be better to get a webcam with a wider lens. If you move your webcam around a lot, then the Quickcam Pro 5000 is probably the webcam you want. Since you can swivel it 360 degrees side to side, 45 degrees up and 10 degrees down.

If your wanting to take digital pictures with your webcam, the Quickcam Pro 5000 has a 1.3 megapixel resolution but it does use software to create this quality so if you’re using your webcam for a lot of digital stills it might be better to get a web cam with a true resolution to get higher quality pictures.

Overall I’m happy with this version of the Quickcam Pro, I use it for creating a few videos on youtube and talking to friends via instant messaging. I’m also able to place it almost anywhere in my room while shooting videos as it has a long 6ft USB cable, this is a real plus for me because I don’t like to feel restricted with the equipment I use.

Main Features

  • High Versatility – Can move almost anywhere
  • RightLight Technology improves video quality
  • Built in MIC

More Info

Posted in: Logitech, Webcam

No Comments

Lenovo and Ericsson strike a deal for true “Mobile Computing”

Written by Admin on March 19, 2008

A new meaning to the phrase “mobile computing” is around the corner. Right now, it generally means having a laptop battery and a Wi-Fi card. Very soon, it will not be enough.

Lenovo and Ericsson just completed a deal under which Lenovo laptops will have inbuilt HSPA (or High-Speed Packet Access) modules. What that means is that Lenovo laptops will have internet connection anywhere where there is mobile signal, which is everywhere except the middle of Pacific Ocean and the London Tube. Speeds mentioned were 14.4Mbps for download and 2Mbps for upload.

There can be little doubt that other laptop brands will follow Lenovo steps. The idea of internet anywhere, anytime sounds too irresistible. It gives manufacturers a very good excuse to dismiss all laptops without HSPA as obsolete and in need of an upgrade. Around the globe, 24/7 internet access will inevitably become a standard, very much like Wi-Fi is today.

Posted in: News

No Comments

PNY XLR8 8800GT | Cheap Nvida 8800 GT 512MB - DX10 Compatible

Written by Admin on March 15, 2008

PNY XLR8 8800GTLooking though Amazons bestsellers, looking for my next purchase I saw that the PNY 8800GT Graphics Card was pretty high up. I was wondering why until I saw the price, under $200 for 512MB 8800GT (You might want to check the price HERE as prices on Amazon change all the time).

The specs on this card looked nice too, 112 Stream Processors, 512 MB 256 bit Memory and SLI Ready.

So how does it perform?

I plugged the card into my machine and straight away went on Crysis. The first thing I noticed was I now had the Ultra High Settings open to choose from since this card is DX10 compatible, if you have Windows Vista. Actually playing Crysis on the Ultra High settings though got a bit choppy when I was getting into large gun fights, so I lowered them down to high. The game then played really smooth and actually got above 30fps and the game looked almost as good.

If you’re looking for a new graphics card and want the best performance for your money a 8800GT is the best you’re going to get, and with this one at under $200 you aren’t going to go far wrong.

Main Features

  • 512MB DDR3 Memory
  • DirectX 10 support
  • 57.6 GB per second Bandwidth on memory

More Info

Posted in: Graphics Card, Nvidia

No Comments

Asus P5N-E SLI | ASUS Motherboard Socket 775

Written by Admin on March 15, 2008

Asus P5N-EWell I haven’t posted a Motherboard review yet so I’ve decided that today’s review will be the Asus P5N-E SLI which I used it in PCProwls first computer build.

With support for CPU’s ranging from the Intel Quad Core to the Intel P4 making it a great all round board for someone looking to build an Intel system.

A great feature in this board is being able to flash the bios via USB Memory Stick, first system I built with this board the computer wouldn’t install windows, after looking on the Asus website I found that I needed to update the BIOS because at the time the board didn’t support Dual Core processors. As it was my first build I wasn’t 100% sure what I was doing but it was really easy to flash the bios.

The board is very well laid out and I must give props to Asus for this, I’ve used motherboard before that were incredibly fiddly to install but the components are nicely separated to not only help install but to help stop heat damage.

Overall I would say this is a great board especially for beginners who need to know that their components are compatible.

Main Features

  • Socket LGA775
  • Up to 8GB of RAM supported
  • NVIDIA nForce Graphics 650i

More Info

Posted in: Asus, Motherboard

No Comments

Soundblaster Audigy SE | Great Starter Soundcard - 7.1 Surround Sound

Written by Admin on March 13, 2008

Audigy SEPeople often overlook buying a sound card for their newly bought computer or even when building their own, onboard sound cards often suffice if you’re only playing basic sounds and playing the odd MP3. But if you’re a music enthusiast or an avid gamer, like me, you will need a sound card to increase the quality of the sound and increase your frame rates.
To get some of the boring stuff out of the way, the Creative Sound Blaster Audigy SE has 24-bit 96KHz playback and recording and has 100db signal to noise ratio.
The first thing I noticed when I plugged this card in was while gaming, because the card can utilise games EAX technology you can actually hear things that you never heard before such as the footsteps of an enemy solider sneaking up on you.
This was the first dedicated sound card I bought and was a great upgrade from onboard sound but I would recommend that if you are upgrading from an existing card you should upgrade to a better card such as than this such as the X-Fi series.

Main Features

  • 7.1 Surround Sound
  • Great first time card
  • Easy to install

More Info

Posted in: Creative Soundblaster, Internal Sound Card

No Comments

Logitech Z-5500 | 5.1 Surround Sound Speakers - Crystal Clear Sound Quality

Written by Admin on March 10, 2008

logitech z-5500As you may have noticed by now I am somewhat of a Logitech Fan boy, even if you’re not when you buy these speakers I’m sure you will be as well. The speakers that I’m talking about are the Logitech Z-5500, I’ve been using the 5.1 version of the Logitech X-230 for some time now. But after a recommendation from a friend I decided to upgrade to the Z5500, and I must say I’m glad I did.

The Z-5500 has many features that you don’t think about until you have them, such as the cloth on the front of the speakers is removable encase you want that “Pro” sound look.

These speakers have all the possible inputs you could ever want, you can plug your PC, TV and games console into the built in receiver so you can connect all of your devices at once.

Since these are speakers I better mention the sound quality, what can I say other than brilliant? No hissing at all, I tried all sound levels but the speakers kept delivering crystal clear sound. On my old speakers It was easy to get the Bass out and I could never find the correct Bass level on the subwoofer but on these Speakers the default level seems perfect, I haven’t played round with it much but that’s what I’ll be trying next.

The stand alone control panel was a nice touch for the speakers, you can adjust the volume of the different parts of the system such as the Subwoofer, whereas on my old speakers you would have to get on the floor and change the bass levels on the back of the subwoofer. There is also an Auxiliary input so you can easily connect your Ipod/MP3 player to the system

Of course there are down sides as with every electronics product, and I’m not shy to add them here. The Logitech Z-5500 isn’t magnetically shielded, this means that the system could cause slight damage to your computer and monitor. Simply moving the subwoofer to the other side of the desk should prevent this.

Overall I would suggest buying this system if you are looking for a high quality sound system, or are looking for a surround sound system within this price bracket as they are great value for money

Main Features

  • 5.1 Crystal clear surround sound
  • 4 Satellite speakers, subwoofer, center speaker and control panel
  • Connects to all of your audio equipment

More Info

Posted in: Logitech, Surround Sound Speakers

No Comments

Computer Build #1 | Gaming Rig - Quad Core, 2GB Memory, 2 x 8800GT’s

Written by Admin on March 7, 2008

I’ve done a lot of reviews this week so I thought I’d end the working week with a computer build, I’ve had quite a Gaming themed week this week so why not start by showing you a great gaming rig for just under $1900. As the Rig is for gamers I’ve also included a great Monitor, Keyboard and Mouse these aren’t  necessary for the gaming experience but they do enhance it some what. But if you already have these and don’t want to buy new ones the Rig comes in at under $1400

This Rig is at the high end of the gaming spectrum, yes you could spend more but you don’t get much more benefit out of it. Our first Rig should be able to play Crysis smoothly on High settings, what more would you like out of a Gaming Rig?

I  havn’t worked out the best format to deliver the build to you yet, but this is the best way I can think of right now. I’ve linked to each of the products so you buy the correct version. Send me a message via the Contact form on the about page if you want any more information or have thought of a better way to deliver our builds and we’ll consider it for the next one.

Component List

If you disagree with this rig or have found cheaper places to buy the products get in touch via the about page

Posted in: Computer Builds

Comments (1)

« Previous Entries

© 2008 - PC Prowl - Computer Hardware & Gadgets.