Cheap as chips Jornada, and other hardware deals

IF YOU know of any good value IT sales (auctions, rebates, one-off, clearance, surplus, classified ads) going around in the United Kingdom, France, USA or Singapore, don't hesitate to contact me, at least 24 hours before the sales end.

France
Priceminister, equivalent to UK's ComputerExchange, has a now obsolete Jornada 720 for sale at a paltry € 50. It is a new, retail packed product. This HP product was launched back in late 2000 and runs on a 206MHz StrongARM SA111x processor. It comes with 32MB RAM and can also accommodate a CF card through the appropriate slot. Furthermore, one PCMCIA Type II and one Smart card slot give you more expansivity than most entry level PDA against which it might compete. The OS found on the Jornada is none other than the forefather of the actual Mobile PC range, the Windows Handheld PC 20000 OS. The Jornada 720 comes with a headset jack and an IR port as wll as a serial - no USB - port.

Don't expect a flimsy lightweight machine though, at more than 500g, you will have some problems carrying it in your shirt pocket for example. The large 640x240 pixel monochrome screen helps tremendously as is the 3/4 size keyboard. This micro-laptop was one of the ofirst to get a 2D acceleration function embedded. Other software that have been included in the ROM are Pocket Microsoft Office, Internet explorer, Quickpad, a JAVA Virtual Machine, HP set of software, Quick View Plus, MusicMatch software as well as a Terminal Server Client.

A very complete set capable or browsing the internet or playing hundreds of MP3 songs. You can grab a 1GB card from the same seller for around € 70. Other accessories bundled are a stylus, a rechargeable Lithium Ion battery, a sync cable as well as a USB docking station. The "Hornada" still has loads of fans out there and because of its intrinsic qualities, is bound to remain popular for a foreseable future. If you're looking for a quasi-computer that can last a full 10 hours without begging for a power supply or a recharge, if you don't need funky features like 5.1 subwoofers or DVD writers and if all you do most of the time is writing articles or preparing memos on the move, with some MP3 listening, then you better get the Jornada 720 fast.

UK
Morgancomputers has now stopped selling UK's cheapest DVD writers, a 2.4x DVD writer from Aopen. If you're still looking for the cheapest DVD writer in UK, then go to Valuelist.co.uk where you will find the Yank ADRW-HOOP for as little as £26.82 inc VAT and delivery.

The catch is that you ought to buy four of them. This ain't a problem if you're looking to resell them or throw them in one of your customer's PC. DVD wannabee duplicators better look elsewhere. Anyway, this model is OEMed by Actima, one of Taiwan's largest Optical components manufacturers. The DVD writer is a retail version and can be found online in the US where it is sold for around $35. This model is a DVD+R/RW only. No DVD-R capabilities - even via firmware upgrade - which makes it slightly problematic if you plan to burn loads of DVD as DVD+R carry a premium over its DVD-R sibling. General features are a 2.4x DVD+R speed - although the box says 4x - 2.4x DVD+RW, 16x/10x/40x for CDR/RW and reading respectively.

You also get Pinnacle systems Instant CD/DVD sofrware, and the usual Media. The drive comes with a six month warranty; also it seems from Actima website's that the drive is compatible with Dual Layer media, though this is to be confirmed. With a 2MB buffer memory and the ability to write media vertically, it should prove to be a favourite amongst VARs. From you can buy a CD writer from Aopen, at morgancomputers for only £9.99+VAT. The CRW4048 is a bare drive only, an OEM pull as they call it. It comes with three months warranty and features Aopen proprietary technologies like JustLink and Justspeed. Like the above drive, it can be mounted vertically and comes with a 2MB data buffer memory. The latest media improves CD-RW media coverage and adds a "Speed Boost" function. At such a low price, it makes sense to bin your CDROM drive.

USA
Walmart is selling the iLO DVD recorder for only $149.67. £79 is half the selling price of a stand alone DVD recorder in UK. The DVDR04 records on DVD+R/RW media just as easy as it would be for a VHS standard recorder. You can hook up a VCR to transfer video footage while digital camcorders can simply plug in their DV-Link/Firewire connectors and transfer their films directly to the DVD recorder.

The recorder seems to be an entry level Liteon DVD recorder according to some. You do get a sleek grey silverish design as well as a TV tuner with integrated progressive Scan technology. On top of that it is Dolby Digital compatible but does not carry any helpful LC display. Only accessories provided are a remote control and one cable. I have counted 19 I/O connectors on the front and back of that machine. An exceptional buy for those in the US looking to gradually phase out their ageing VHS recorder. I would strongly advise you though to test buy that technology before committing to it.

Why not use Tigerdirect Radius free DVD+R/RW package - $0 after rebate. Basically, you get eight DVD+R blank media and two DVD+RW media both guaranteed to support 4x burning. Average record time is 120 minutes and the set is packaged in Jewel cases. According to Tigerdirect, all Radius media must undergo the strictest and most detailed performance and quality control testing before being released for distribution. While creating a wide variety of safe and reliable Optical media, Radius offers durable products that dependably handle huge amounts of data by using advanced overcoating technology. Try them to see... You won't lost anything. µ

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