Cheap Hardware Roundup

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.

UK
Most people tend to settle for 17-inch CRT monitors or 15-inch LCD panels, I think. However, if you don't consider yourself in the "most people" category, then you have probably been tempted by something bigger much bigger. Experiencing Windows GUI at 1600x1200 is something unforgettable and returning back to SVGA can be painful, not unlike switching from broadband to dial up. On Gumtree.com, someone is selling a fully boxed Nec FP1375X for £240, around the price of a good 15" LCD monitor. Thanks to Jim for the link. This monitor is special for several things. First, it has both digital and Dsub connections - Ambix dual connectivity it is called. You can get two computers to connect to it. Secondly, it is almost flat, quite a feat on a monitor of this size, with a 20" viewable size. Active display area spans over 16"x12" giving you a full one and one third square foot viewable area. Maximum resolution supported is 2048x1536. It would be the perfect partner to test your latest Geforce 6800 Ultra at maximum resolutions. Also in the pack is a USB hub with three outputs and one input. However, as for all large CRT monitors, moving it around can be a big problem, especially with a 30Kg weight. Anyway, if you have the desk space and want to see enjoy life the big way, then go for it. µ

France
LCDI.fr is selling the Hercules DJ console for €179, around £100+VAT. As its name implies, it is a peripheral destined to those who want to use their computer as a mixing/scratching machine. This was very difficult to do until now, offen requiring you to buy expensive proprietary solutions from other software vendors. The DJ console offers a novel way of literally playing with your music and at the same time a very good USB sound card. The unit might seems to be a little bit plasticky but at this price, it is OK, there are loads of button for the novice to learn but the two main ones are rotary buttons which are designed to give you the feel of the vinyl turntables à la boogie night. Most buttons have lights to enable you guide your fingers in thsoe steamy nights. The console is compatible with most music and audio applications from Fruity Loops to Cakewalk Pro. High quality connectors are also provided, digital optical coaxial In/Out, Midi in/out, 5.1 channel audio connections and stereo/mic in/out and EAX compatibility. The software bundled is Virtual DJ from Atomix productions, a dedicated DJ software suite. Hercules has been very attentive to details, providing with a detachable cover, non-slip footing and shoulder strap as well as 800 music samples. Improvements are however possible especially if this product is to carve itself a place in the professional market. Guru3D has this to say about this product "Wow, the DJ Console is addictive, easy to use, versatile and most of all plain fun. It's something your neighbors definitely will not like though. For relatively a small amount of money you can do some semi-professional stuff. This by far is not professional gear though. But for 250 EUR you'll be surprised in what you can do with this device and considering the pricetag of professional gear this has to be a fantastic alternative". µ

Singapore
Cheap mono laser printers are already with us. Next though, be sure that cheap colour printers are firmly on their way too. At S$1188, around £321+VAT, the Samsung CLP-500 competes with the Konica Minolta 2300W that we saw some times back. But it bests in on several aspects. It is quicker at 5pages per minute and 21 pages per minutes respectively for color and black while holding up to 250 sheets in its cassette and 100 sheets in a multi purpose feeder. it has more onboard memory with 64MB and it is quieter. More interestingly, it has automatic duplexing as standard, meaning that it can print both sides in colour in one go. It is not meant for networking though with only USB2.0 and Parallel interfaces. Based on the same four passes, it uses a Non-Orbiting Noiseless Optic Imaging system which reduces any printing noise fairly dramatically. With a 35,000 pages per month printing duty cycle, it should suffice most medium businesses. Standard resolution is 600dpi while an improved 1200dpi is available. It prints quickly but as usual it is not a photographic printer, more a business colour laser printer. Specialised photo quality printers like the Epson Stylus photo still have plenty of life left.

Also if all this was not enough, Samsung Singapore was kind enough to throw in one of their latest phone, the Samsung SGH-X600A, on its own worth around £150. It is a 65,536 color phone with a 300K pixel camera with integrated cameras, 180 deg rotating lens, 15 multishot digital zoom and night node. Weighing a light 80g, it is not a clamshell model though. It is a mobile phone designed with the businessperson in mind with organisers, todo list and memo functions as well as as nearly 10MB for information to be stored. Techcentral says of it that "The SGH-X600A feels very robust, has crystal clear reception, and is blessed with good battery life. Samsung claims a maximum talk-time of five-and-a-half hours and up to 360 hours of standby time." µ