Recoton ADF1650 50/1600W Dual Wattage Travel Converter
Average Customer Review:
Electronics
list price: $29.99 -- our price: $18.34
(price subject to change: see help)
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Features

• Dual voltage converter for use with 50 watt and 1600 watt devices
• Converts foreign voltage (220-240V AC) to USA voltage (110-120V AC)
• For use with hair dryers, irons, coffee makers, clothes steamers, hair stylers, radios, CD players, camcorder chargers, etc.

Reviews (11)

here we go
ok. some of you are asking if this works with laptops or some other chargers. before you buy this, go check you adapter and see what the input is. my laptop adapter's input is 120-240 to some value. this means it works about anywhere.
another thing i saw was someone complaining about the replacable glass fuse. well this is the kind of fuse that you can find anywhere in most countries that are 240 V (its less available here in US). but if it was a usual cercuit breaker then u would have even more problems because if it dies the whole converter dies until you get somewhere that u can fix it.
i hope it was helpful. but i give it a four because the quality is cheap, yet an expensive price for such a cheap product. this product should be about 15 bucks.

Compact and versatile
This converter is a must for a frequent traveler or a person that's using electric US appliances in Europe. It's really compact and not bulky to carry along in a trip. It's sturdy and comes with a variety of connector converters. I highly recommend it.

Not for 50 to 500 watts
I never got to use this device. I returned it because the device is not specified to operate for appliances between 50 and 500 watts. The product description does not mention this detail. So, if you have appliances within this range, look elsewhere. Other than this, the product looks fine and should work well for battery chargers, small electronics and hair dryers (but not things in between). ... Read more

Asin: B000028F42
Sales Rank: 1088
Subjects:  1. Power Converters (Adapters) (Adapter)   

Belkin A3L791-S Category 5e Snagless Patch Cable (50 Feet, Blue)
Average Customer Review:
Electronics
list price: $25.99 -- our price: $12.94
(price subject to change: see help)
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

Perfect for use with 10/100 BASE-T networks, Belkin's A3L791-S RJ-45 CAT-5e patch cable delivers the durability, quality, and--at 50 feet--the length required of a connection linking all the hardware destinations in a Local Area Network (LAN). Replete with a snagless, molded casing for extra protection, the PowerSum-tested cable actually exceeds the performance requirement of Category 5e. Its 50-micron, gold-plated connectors ensure a clean and clear transmission, and the cable is guaranteed for life.

What's in the Box
One 50-foot blue CAT-5e RJ-45 Ethernet patch cable. ... Read more

Features

• Exceeds the performance requirement of Category 5e
• Perfect in conjunction with 10 and 100 Base-T networks
• 50-micron gold plated connectors to insure a clean and clear transmission
• Premium snagless-type moldings to protect the connection
• Guaranteed for life

Reviews (25)

I can't believe this cable!
When I was searching Amazon.com a few days ago, I looked for a decent Cat5 cable and once I came across this puppy, I almost had a heart attack. 12.99 for a 50' cable. I just searched Amazon.com for another Cat5 cable and I saw a 25' cable for the same price. If you need a Cat5 cable, BUY THIS ONE! You will not regret it

Pre made cables versus a big roll
I bought these Belkin cables. They are very nice quality. They seem heftier than a lot of the other cables. My system analyst neighbor mentioned that he prefers to buy the 1000 foot roll. He runs them to wall outlets, then uses the 7 foot or 14 foot snap in cable from the wall to the PC. That way, you don't have to buy a 40 dollar crimping tool.
You can't solder these cables. They require a metal to metal contact, and lead-solder doesn't qualify. Also, it is critical to keep them spiraled, all the way up to the end. Even when attaching, instructions call for twisting them right up to the connection.
Since the tech instructions, tell you to keep them down to under 350 feet, these cables, whether they are long or short, are in the right lengths.
I know Amazon doesn't print prices in their reviews, but they have the local major chain office supply stores beat hands down. The 50 foot roll was half again as much locally.
These are the Category 5e cables. They give you a better return feed, which results in better overall performance. So insist on 5e instead of just 5. I initially bought some wall plates from Radio Shack that were Category 3, then I returned those for the snap in option Category 5. Those were returned also, when I went to Home Depot (of all places to go networking) and they had the complete Leviton line of 5e accessories.
If I had to do it over again, I would still buy the Belkin 50 footers. I don't want to have a 500 foot roll of ethernet cable hanging around.
These are tops. Gold plated connectors, Snag free ends, that protect that little lock in tab on the ends. You know the frustration of unsnarling a phone wire, out of a wiring mess, and the little tab bends over backwards, never to work properly again. Well Belkin built twin arches over the sides to prevent just that. Way to go. Highly recommended, good stuff, for a good price.

DECEPTION
Yeah sure this cable does what it's supposed to. And it's only 12.99. Yeah right that's before the 8.00 shipping and handling you pay Tiger direct. BS ... Read more

Asin: B00000JDF6
Subjects:  1. Cables - Computer    2. A3L79150BLUS    3. Ethernet Cable (Cables)    4. Accessories (Accessory)   

3dfx Voodoo5 5500 PCI
Average Customer Review:
Electronics

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Editorial Review

The Voodoo5 5500 PCI graphics accelerator is the next stage in theevolution of ultra-high-resolution gaming. Utilizing a revolutionary scalablearchitecture, the 3dfx Voodoo5 5500 PCI features dual VSA-100 chips for more 3-Dhorsepower. Working in parallel, these processors produce over 667 megatexelsper second to create extraordinary 3-D worlds in vivid 32-bit color. Otherfeatures include: state-of-the-art, real-time, full-scene hardware anti- aliasing; 64 MB of graphics memory for top performance; and support for 2-Dresolutions as high as 2,048 x 1,536 dpi.

The dual VSA-100 chips support3dfx's T-buffer Digital Cinematic Effects Engine, which brings immersivecinematic special effects to your PC. Motion blur exaggerates movement, whiledepth-of-field blur renders a scene as if you were viewing it through a reallens by blurring everything but main focal points. Soft shadows adds gentleedges to shadows to give them a much more realistic appearance. The softreflections effect enables realistic mirror images from semigloss surfaces likepolished wood or stone and stainless steel.

With its unique chipset, flashyrefresh rate, and cinematic special effects, the Voodoo5 5500 PCI gives today'sPC gamers the raw 3-D power and premium 2-D performance they crave. 3dfx backsthe Voodoo5 5500 PCI with a lifetime warranty on parts and labor. ... Read more

Features

• Fully integrated 128-bit 2-D/3-D/video accelerator
• 64 MB of graphics memory
• Over 667-megatexels-per-second fill rate
• 32-bit rendering supports the highest possible image quality for the latest titles
• Real-time, full-scene hardware anti-aliasing

Reviews (13)

Not for sale yet != not available
Just because something is not available for retail sale does not mean it's not available. I, for example, was lucky enough to be given a Voodoo 3 card from 3dfx(because I'm a developer in the game industry. This is typical B.T.W.), months before it hit the stores. I therefore could accurately write a review on the card even though the average Joe couldn't go to Fry's and buy it.

Check your "facts" before flapping.

Oh, B.T.W. Voodoo 5 is amazing.

Best PCI card currently avaiable
This is got to be the best graphics card you can buy for the PCI bus. I'm glad 3dfx (now bought out by nVidia) decided to produce a state of the art card for both AGP and PCI. On top of that made the performance very close to the AGP. With Voodoo5 3d graphics, 64 MB Ram, 350Mhz Ramdac and the most support for games, you can't go wrong.

Too Large
I had to return this card because it wouldn't fit in the available computer space. So I really did not have a chance to use it. I have an HP 8760C. The card is about 10 inches long. So just make sure you measure the available space. ... Read more

Asin: B00004TBBZ
Subjects:  1. Graphic Cards (Accelerators)    2. PCI   

Altec Lansing ACS48 Computer Speakers (3-Piece)
Average Customer Review:
Electronics
list price: $129.99
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Editorial Review

With the popularity of MP3 music files and the growing sophistication of audio quality in computer games, traditional two-piece speaker systems no longer cut it. After listening to Altec Lansing's three-piece multimedia system, you'll wonder how you ever got along without it.

Setup is as easy as a two-piece system: just plug the right satellite into the subwoofer, the left speaker into the right, and the subwoofer connector into your computer's audio output port.

The two PowerCube satellite speakers provide excellent treble and midrange. The sound quality of the subwoofer, the third piece in the Altec Lansing's ACS48 system, compares favorably to a good pair of bookshelf stereo speakers. For the best positioning, set the subwoofer on the floor underneath your computer.

We found the ACS48 ideal for playing music. Even cranking the volume to top level didn't distort the warm bass tones. Coupled with MP3 Jukebox software, these speakers provide the makings for an excellent entertainment system, good enough to keep your friends dancing at parties.

Our only complaints are the ACS48 lacks treble control and the bass-control knob is on the back of the subwoofer, making it tough to adjust. These caveats aside, you'll be hard pressed to find a better set of computer speakers that sound like the ones hooked up to your stereo. --John Frederick Moore

Pros:

• Terrific sound
• Easy to set up
• No distortion at high volumes

Cons:

• No treble controls
• Bass control placed on back of subwoofer

... Read more

Features

• 3-piece system
• Electronically controlled satellite speakers
• Speakers are magnetically shielded
• Powered subwoofer in all-wood cabinet
• 1-year warranty

Reviews (47)

Altec Lansing ACS48 Speakers Rock My Socks
...This review is for the Altec Lansing ACS48 speaker set....

These speakers are amazing. They've got huge sound, and high quality at that, in a relatively small package. I'd ding them one star for some usability issues (shortish cord between the small speakers, no easily-accessible headphone jack, volume controls don't give a visual indication of level, lack of sufficient magnetic shielding on the subwoofer (it can't go near a monitor, but a few inches away from the computer case is fine), [poor] mfr carton (though the styrofoam packing is good)), but the sound more than makes up for it. There's no hum to speak of when the speakers are sitting idle, and the full range of sound is crisp and clear, even at volumes high enough to be heard in the other end of the house, with no distortion or muddy or tinny qualities. If your computer speakers double as your stereo, these are definitely worth the money (and you can get them fairly cheaply at auction these days). Two inputs allow you to hook them up to both your computer and a discman or TV or other device, so you can use them for more than just computing, and with the computer off. Our set has been going strong for 3 years so far, and I'm considering getting another set to use as "home theater" speakers (until we can afford a really nice Bose package or something).

Doubtful most users need more than this
Certainly not the best speakers you could ever have for your computer, the ACS33 nevertheless fills an important niche in the market. If you're looking for subwoofered sound on the cheap, this is probably your best bet. They're competent performers, without taking price into consideration. Look at how much they cost, and you'll think there aren't better speakers made on the planet. They have the potential to work, as do most speakers, on both Macintosh and Windows machines.

Interestingly, they also have a secondary use. Because they don't need a computer to work at all, they can be plugged directly into any stereo system that has the ability to output its sound (that is, one which has an AUDIO OUT jack). They can thus give resonant stereo sound--even to lowly portables. You'll think twice about whether you really need to upgrade to a whole new system after hearing these speakers. (Before buying for this purpose, however, I'd recommend you go to altec-lansing.com and grab the manual for this product, just to make sure that it's compatible with your stereo.)

Inasmuch as there are drawbacks to the speakers, they are ones you would expect from a product so inexpensive. As another reviewer has rightly pointed out, there's no volume control on the woofer. There's also no bass, treble, or speaker-independent volume control. And the speakers are rated at only 10 watts, with a relatively indelicate frequency response.

But, big deal.

If, like most people, you've got your computer jammed into a corner in a busy room, you don't have the soundspace to set up a truly extraordinary auditory experience. If you've got a lot of people living with you, anything more than 10 watts is discourteous, anyway. Unless you have a room that you can dedicate to the computer, and that's relatively isolated from others, it's extremely unlikely you would actually be able to use more than this system offers.

altec dont crank em
i love the altec lansing speakers so i bought a second set thats two sets of altecs on my desk top i like to edit music and i like a lot of power these speakers do that
unfortunatly at high volume playing they seem to pop the mids speakers and i have had trouble with the switch on the sub it has shorted out so i must now tear it apart and repair it so i am back to one set for now all in all good set of speakers though i got three years out of the first set which is good for me i like the wooden sub box better than plastic ... Read more

Asin: B00000JBJF
Subjects:  1. Computer 3 (2.1) speaker system   

Maxtor DiamondMax Plus 40 GB 7200 RPM Hard Drive
Average Customer Review:
Electronics
list price: $119.99 -- our price: $67.44
(price subject to change: see help)
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Editorial Review

If you're looking for a large, high-performance hard drive, look no further. The Maxtor DiamondMax Plus 40 delivers both capacity and performance in droves. The unit is built with Maxtor's proprietary DualWave controller, which combines a Texas Instruments DSP (Digital Signal Processor) to control drive functions and a specially designed 50-MIPs RISC processor for host commands. This allows the DiamondMax 40 to offer the fastest spindle speeds available and pack enough data per square inch to make it both the fastest and largest drive in its class.

There are two technologies that make the DiamondMax Plus the screamer that it is: spindle speed and areal density. (For more information on these technologies, see our FAQ.) The DiamondMax Plus 40 boasts a spindle speed of 7,200 RPM, which is currently the fastest spindle speed for ATA-based hard drives (drives that utilize an IDE interface). The DiamondMax Plus 40 also has an areal density of 7.245 gigabits per square inch. With the ability to pack 7.245 Gb of data into a single square inch of hard drive media, the DiamondMax 40 can store 10.2 GB per platter; and since it has four platters, the DiamondMax 40 can hold over 40 GB of data. Why is this important? Because the spindle speed is a constant, the only way to get more data passing under the drive's read heads is to pack the data closer together; that way, the read heads can read more data on each rotation.

In our benchmark tests, we found the DiamondMax 40 delivered an average sequential-read speed of around 24.4 MB per second and a write speed of 17.3 MB per second. While the read speed is close to that of Seagate's Barracuda ATA II (another drive in its class), the write speed is faster by 1 MB per second. The DiamondMax Plus 40 also has an excellent read burst speed, which is a measurement for the amount of data the drive can pump from the 2 MB of onboard memory buffer (cache) across the UltraDMA 66 bus. Since this bus has a bandwidth limitation of 66 MB per second, the read burst speed won't be higher. We measured it at 58.8 MB per second, a full 10 MB per second faster than Seagate's Barracuda ATA II. CPU use was negligible at a relatively standard 3.3 percent. Only the random access time left us desiring more, as its 14.3-millisecond score was 1 millisecond slower than the Barracuda ATA II and upwards of 3 milliseconds slower than Quantum's last generation Fireball Plus hard drive. Fortunately, it didn't affect the DiamondMax Plus's other scores, such as the real-world copy test, which times the copying of a directory containing 644 MB of data (a typical CD's worth of data) to another directory on the same drive. The DiamondMax Plus 40 came in at 1 minute and 34 seconds, which was 30 seconds faster than Seagate and minutes faster than others, including last-generation drives from Quantum, IBM, and Fujitsu.

We found the performance of the Maxtor DiamondMax 40 to be first rate and the heat and noise to be minimal. This is an excellent combination for a 40 GB behemoth that delivers state-of-the-art hard-drive technology, unparalleled performance, and ultimate bragging rights. --Sean Cleveland

Pros:

• High areal density--largest drive in its class
• High data throughput
• Built on the latest drive technologies
• Runs quiet and cool

Cons:

• Slower random-access speeds

... Read more

Features

• 40.1 GB of storage
• UltraDMA 66 interface
• Disk spins at 7,200 RPMs
• 9-millisecond seek time
• 2 MB cache buffer

Reviews (49)

One of the Best Hard Drives On The Market Today
The Maxtor DiamondMaxx 40 Gigabyte hard-drive is, quite simply, one of the best hard-drives I have ever seen in my life. While I've seen faster and better drives, none are as affordable dollar-for-gigabyte, and all have some inherent flaw(s) which make them unsuitable for data backup and recovery. The DiamondMaxx is a very stable hard-drive, able to survive all kinds of temperature extremes (though it is not recommended that you test this theory). I have purchased them for many different clients, and all agree that this drive is the workhorse of their companies. I, myself, am using one of these drives in the computer I am writing this review from.
Bottom line: if you want dependablility and overall good performance in your hard-drive(s), than look no further than the DiamondMaxx 40 GB hard drive.

Maxtor ST0154000U 40 GB 7200 RPM Hard Drive
I recently purchased this drive. It seems it has brought new life to my 333MHz machine so much so that I will be able to use this for quite a bit longer than I thought. In conjunction with a memory upgrade (96MB to 128MB) and upgrade to Windows/ME it has essentially more that "doubled" the speed and capacity of my old machine which was becoming a bit of a clunker.

The drive looks identical in size and configuration to the previous two Maxtor drives I have purchased so the compatibility makes for a simple and easy install. Maybe one day they will develop a "smart jumper" for the master/slave decision and configuration but this is a small price and easy step to install the drive. I installed it as a slave to do a format and copy, then as a master. A Windows install from the CD completed the migration and I was back in business in no time.

I am not real fond of the Maxblast software but for some this is probably a necessity. I had to upgrade my BIOS which took a bit of research and time but once done made the install a straighforward process.

The 7200 RPM drive is a considerable improvement over the older 5400 RPM drives and I believe the access time of around 9ms is pretty good for drives using the EIDE technology. The drive is quieter too. The upgrade from 4.3MB to 40MB is huge. I thought I would never fill the older one, but did. Of course I am saying the same thing about the 40MB but with the need to save more images and perhaps even motion and sound clips I suspect I will eventually need more in the future. The cost of this unit make upgrades downright affordable as well as easy. My other two Maxtor drives performed flawlessly so I am expect the same quality for this one.

I rate Maxtor (for compatibility and quality from my old drives) and this drive tops (for cost and performance); 5 well-deserved stars.

A mediocre hard drive
I have had this drive for about 10 days now and the performance seems quite reliable. However, two things bother me about this drive:

1. The noise. I have a brand new Dell Dimension 8200 that is a very quiet machine. I am adding this drive as a second volume and there is an annoying reverberating noise from the disk even when its not accessing. Its not an outright loud noise but persistent enough that after 15 minutes it "feels" very loud. I'm thinking of giving them a second chance and return this for a replacement.

2. The quality of the enclosed IDE cable is deplorable. The instructions in the package suggested using that cable to "maximize performance." Looking at the substandard cable, I thought of leaving the original Dell cable in there. When the sound kept disturbing me, I decided to give the Maxtor cable a try, for what it was worth. As expected, that didn't have any effect on the noise level.

I did find a quirk with Windows 2000 in the process that might be helpful to other users. Apparently, when you switch IDE cables Win2K loses track of the bootable device! Switching back to the original cable does not help either. I tried all forms of recovery and repair but to no avail. I had to do a full install to get it up and and running again. This is not a problem with XP Home or Professional though. ... Read more

Asin: B00004R7OI
Subjects:  1. 40 GB    2. 40GB    3. ST, 0154000, U, 0154000U, ST0154000    4. Hard Drives (Drive)    5. Internal   

Netgear FA-310TX 10/100Mbps Fast Ethernet PCI Card
Average Customer Review:
Electronics
list price: $27.00
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

Whether you're putting together a new network or just need to add a computer to your existing setup, 10/100Base-T Ethernet network interface cards (NICs) are the way to go for home and small-businesses use. The Netgear FA310TX skimps on a few advanced features we've seen with competing cards, but offers a low price that anyone on a tight budget will appreciate.

This NIC connects to a PCI slot on the motherboard, so it's quite easy to install. You just turn off the computer, seat the card in the PCI slot, connect the card to your network hub via a cable (not included), and turn on the PC. Windows will recognize the card and ask for drivers, which are supplied on an included floppy diskette. Customers with experience installing modems, video cards, or nearly any other internal PC device should have this card installed and working in under 20 minutes.

The FA310TX is a very basic card. Wake-On-LAN is not supported--there isn't even a connecter if you have an extra WOL cable lying around. There are five status lights that show various types of network activity and also let you know when collisions are happening. We didn't have any trouble with this easy-to-install card, and it would make a good choice for anyone looking to expand their network without breaking the bank. --T. Byrl Baker

Pros:

• PCI interface
• 10/100Base-T support at a reasonable price
• Easy installation
• Many status lights

Cons:

• No WOL support

... Read more

Features

• 10/100 Mbps card for the price of a 10 Mbps card
• Auto-sensing RJ-45 interface
• Speedy network response with minimal CPU overhead
• Status lights help ensure proper configuration and operation
• Lifetime warranty

Reviews (51)

Great performance, good variety of platforms supported
This is Bay Networks (Netgear is their consumer line) implementation of the venerable DEC "Tulip" PCI ethernet chipset. There are many manufacturers of 10/100 cards that use Tulip, so you can go by price since they are all pretty much the same. That's what makes this card good -- it's one of the lower priced cards from a respected industry vendor.

Tulip cards are known for their low CPU utilization, high throughput and their ability to run on a variety of platforms. I have personally used this card with great success on Linux, FreeBSD, Solaris x86, Windows 95, 98, and NT.

I did dock one star however, and that's because their have been some minor problems with the drivers included on the driver diskettes. Those seem to have been fixed with subsequent releases, and the card itself wasn't to blame. If you do have problems, and you can use one of the other Tulip drivers included with your OS, such as the Digital DE500. In fact, Windows may autodetect it as an "Intel 21140 Fast Ethernet" or some such.

Netgear FA310TX is the best NIC on the market...
I would never recommend another network card... this card was perfectly detected by 2 verisons of Linux I have, as well as a copy of UNIX without any installation. The card is extremely reliable and my company has bought 20 without any problems, especially good for retail machines like COMPAQ's. PCI card requires no assigning IRQ's. Fast 100Mbps, and great support. Comes with a driver disk with any driver for any OS. Fully supported in Win2k as well... even better than the classic NE2000!

Horrible...
Dead on arrival. No support. Exchanged it for another, still didn't work. Bought a D-Link and I'm now networked. ... Read more

Asin: B00000J4L8
Subjects:  1. Ethernet    2. Networking    3. FA310TX    4. Networking (Network)    5. NIC (Interface Card, Cards)   

Iomega 13047 Jaz 2GB Portable Ultra Drive (PC/Mac)
Average Customer Review:
Electronics
list price: $349.95
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

Enormous storage with a compact footprint. The fast, portable, ultra-reliable 2GB External Jaz(r) Drive gives you up to 2GB of storage space per disk, yet it's still compatible with 1GB Jaz disks. ... Read more

Features

• Saves up to 2GB
• Plugs into SCSI drive
• Universal Power Supply
• Uses 1GB or 2GB Jaz disks
• PC and Mac compatible

Reviews (3)

Excellent product for r/w speed + reliability
This is a great unit for backups and read/write data. The throughput is one of the best I've seen for removable storage devices. The only wait time is at the disk spin boot up/down. Make sure you set your preferences for no spin down if you access the Jaz often.

I've had mine over a year and it hasn't given me any problems. The disks perform flawlessly - they should at the premium price. I use it for file and application backups - both PC (98/NT) and Mac. I haven't had any problems with read/write transfer. If you do any video or animation - this is a must buy, unless you intend to lug around an external harddrive. Personally, I've had great product experiences with all 'external' Iomega products. Internal products are another story...

My only pet peave is the mega thick cord if you go SCSI. 1) Because the standard cord that it ships with, it limits the places you can place your drive - especially if you have no case cover. 2) It is a true struggle to wrestle it gently without tearing out your scsi card + your other daisy chained peripherals.

The price for this unit is very good - however, I've seen 1gig Jaz for around $100 refurbished. Be wary though, I've seen the 1 gigs in many repair shops (I'm unsure of what the symptoms are though). Also, watch out for the transformer - there was a recall about a year ago on the units catching fire; check Iomega's site for this info.

Iomega does it again..
This piece of equipment is a MUST... Not only is it an integral part of my system now and with the "traveler" it is totaly portable from one place to another without having to have a SCSI interface available... ;-)

Best product on the market! Absolutely the most reliable!
As always Iomega has the best products. They always make a reliable product. They have great support for their products and this is no exception.

This is an extremely fast 2GB drive that is faster than 90% hard drives out there. ... Read more

Asin: B00000J3T4
Subjects:  1. Removable Storage Drives - External    2. Mac - Macintosh - Apple    3. 13047, 2 GB    4. Disk Cartridge Drive (Drives)    5. Mac Macintosh Machintosh Apple   

Netgear EN104TP 4-Port 10 Mbps Ethernet Hub RJ-45 with Uplink Button
Average Customer Review:
Electronics
list price: $39.00 -- our price: $25.99
(price subject to change: see help)
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

The Netgear EN104TP is an Ethernet hub supporting four 10Base-T ports and a push-button uplink port for network expansion. Connecting multiple PCs, this device provides a speed of 10 Mbps for information exchange, resource sharing, and client-server or peer-to-peer applications solutions with simple unshielded twisted-pair (UTP) wiring. Built-in LED indicators clearly display port status. Plug-and-play installation with no software to configure makes this device easy to use.

Note: The EN104TP version of the EN104 provides no BNC or AUI connection.

The Netgear EN104TP Ethernet Hub comes with a limited lifetime warranty. ... Read more

Features

• Low-cost version of EN104 (no BNC support)
• Uplink port for network expansion
• Vista jacks with built-in LED indicators
• Resource sharing
• Limited lifetime warranty

Reviews (29)

The best hub for a home network
I bought this hub to connect the computers in my home so they could share a cable modem. I looked at a lot of 10Base-T hubs, and found this one to be among the least expensive with the best satisfaction ratings. I am especially impressed with the hub's small size and metal case -- other hubs are larger and have plastic cases.

To me, the best recommendation for a piece of network hardware is that you never have to think about it, it just works. This hub gives me that in spades.

Outstanding
The Netgear EN104TP is one of the best products that I ever bought. It does just about everything that more expensive 10/100 Ethernet hubs do at a fraction of the cost. If all you're doing is adding additional computers to your network, then the EN104TP is all you need. I use it at my job, which is a company that sells greeting cards wholesale.
I decided to get the EN104TP after determining that our Macintosh needed access to the (PC-dominated) network so we could transfer and print TIFF and EPS files of artwork the company intends to sell. Because of a lack of Ethernet outlets in our printing department, I decided the best and cheapest way to do that was by adding an Ethernet hub. At first, I was a little skeptical about getting a 10 Base-T hub, but after finding the EN104TP on sale (...), I decided to take a chance, and it was worth it. It transfers files easily, it facilitates network printing (allowing us to maximize resources) and, for the computers connected to the hub, uninhibited access to the Internet.
Although this product is almost perfect, I encountered a couple of minor flaws. Recently, due to a windstorm that blacked out most of Memphis, we had to move the printing operations to another location. In doing so, I took the EN104TP in the hopes that it would function as a stand-alone Ethernet hub. Although it worked the first day, it didn't seem to function any day after that. Granted, I am not sure if it was the EN104TP's fault or the quirkiness of our computers which uses different Windows OS's (ME and XP). However, we were able to piggyback on the network of the building we were working out of and everything was fine. The other flaw is an obvious one: download speed. I found that files downloaded through the hub took longer to finish than ones downloaded directly from our main 10/100 hub.
In summary, I must say that the EN104TP is a great product and a great value for people who want to expand their network without having to spend a fortune to do it.

Great for Home Network!
I have bought two of these for home and office use. They work flawlessy and for the price you cannot beat the functionality. I was running at least Windows 98 on all computers I hooked up to the ethernet hub. Windows makes it easy to set up file and printer sharing.

After you are hooked up to a network you will not need to swap disks all the time in order to exchange information or to move files for printing. You can transfer a hundred megabytes in a minute or two depending on the kinds of files.

Setup is a breeze if you have ethernet cards installed already. Even if you do not have cards installed already there are instructions to walk you through step by step. ... Read more

Asin: B00000J4M9
Subjects:  1. Networking - Hubs    2. EN104TP    3. Networking (Network)    4. Hub (Hubs)    5. USB Hub (Hubs)   

Linksys EFAH16W EtherFast 10/100 Auto-Sensing 16-Port W. Hub
Average Customer Review:
Electronics
list price: $144.99
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

The EtherFast 10/100 Auto-Sensing Hubs from Linksys provide a fast and economical way to build or extend an enterprise 100 Mbps network. This 16-port hub lets you connect computers, workstations, servers, or other nodes together in seconds. Every port of the hub automatically adjusts to either 10 Mbps or 100 Mbps speeds, allowing you to mix 10BaseT and 100BaseTX hardware together any way you like--all on the same hub. Combine low-cost 10 Mbps computers with high-speed Fast Ethernet workstations, and save money by putting 100 Mbps hardware only where you need it most. ... Read more

Features

• True 10/100 autosensing ports (dual speed per port)
• Internal store-and-forward switching for effective traffic reduction
• Pro-grade hub with 100BaseTX RJ-45 ports
• Each port automatically adjusts to either 10 Mbps or 100 Mbps speeds
• Mix and match 10BaseT and 100BaseTX hardware together

Reviews (4)

Worked for 1 year and then chip burnt up....
I bought this product and hooked it up for a year with 2 computers on it. When, after just over a year, I put for computers on it for LAN gaming, the processor burnt up. Since hubs don't need to do much processing this is pretty poor quality..... Bottom line is if you are going to hook more than 2 computers up to it get a different brand.

Simple to use
We installed a 7 node LAN in our house. 5 PCs plus two HP print servers. My 17 year old daughter did the router and hub installation by just reading the manuals and using her intuition. That is a pretty strong recommendation!

Great Hub at a Great Price
I've worked as a computer consultant for may years. I migrated over from 3COM to Intel, and finally to Linksys. Why?

I found the 3COM network cards to be difficult to install and configure, both the intel and 3com hub and network cards to be expensive. I've installed over a dozen of these types of Linksys hubs and network cards have always been trouble free and easy installations. I like less work.

The 100BaseT connections work great for file transfer between servers and high use computers. The 10BaseT works great for connecting devices like network printers. And, nothing beats a self-starting network printer on a network.

Be sure to get linksys network cards too. They are cheap and work perfect, and are easy to install.

Note: If you plan to daisy chain many hubs separated by more than ten (10) meters there are issues with configuration that limit speed. This is true of all hubs. For complicated networks, see your local computer consultant. ... Read more

Asin: B00003006F
Subjects:  1. Networking Hubs (Hub)    2. Network    3. Networking (Network)    4. Hub (Hubs)    5. Routers    6. Linksys   

Linux Mandrake OS 7.2 Powerpack Deluxe
Average Customer Review:
CD-ROM

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Editorial Review

This package includes the Linux-Mandrake operating system, as well as a number of extra utilities and applications, including:

• Software to connect Linux to the Web, including Netscape Communicator 4.75 (with Plug-in Flash4), Konqueror, KMail, RealPlayer, Everybuddy (AOL, ICQ, Yahoo, and MSN compatible), DrakNet (a new Internet-connection assistant that supports dial-up modems, DSL, ISDN, and cable), and DrakGateway, an Internet connection-sharing assistant.
• The development tools C, C++, Perl, Python, Java, Qt Designer, and Glade.
• The Web-development tools Apache 1.3.12, PHP 4.02, and Perl - CGI - PHPNuke.
• Hardware support includes new drivers for i810, GeForce, GeForce II, and many others.
• The latest KDE2 (including KOffice) and the latest version of GNOME 1.2.

... Read more

Reviews (8)

Mandrake is great!
Linux-Mandrake has always satisfied me, and this version/distribution is even better than the old(er)/other ones. The automated installation process is a cinch; you don't even need to know anything about linux/unix to get it running somewhat decent, and when you do learn and get used to linux (and it's expert installation/configuration), you can re-install it for even better performance and flexibility. There're a lot of good applications that come with this distribution if you're using it as a workstation; although I'd recommend the "normal" (complete) version of Mandrake instead if you're using it as a server OS only, because you'll save yourself a bit of money. If anyone has any questions about this, you can feel free to e-mail me (admin@brien.com). Have fun!

Nice distro, good hardware support
I moved to Mandrake from RedHat because Mandrake supported a device I had that RedHat did not. This is a nice distro for users new to Linux because it's fairly friendly to install and is one of the best at having built in support for newer hardware. Mandrake also has two community tech support lists that are very active, and their programmers participate regularly. The PowerPack has some nice extras to play with, like ViaVoice and Arkeia network backup software. It seems to install well on a variety of machines. I'm very pleased with its ease of installation and its performance.

Top of the Line security
If you are reading this, you probably already know about Linux in general - its not for the average user, and not for games, etc. This release is one of the best Linux packs onthe market for real world servers, since it has a pre-configed security setting called 'paraniod' level security. It makes the machine rather useless for a desktop, but great for a server. It adds the wrappers for you, turns off all un-needed deamons, and makes a clean tight install. It can save you hours of work regarding security - this is one of the best picks for a Linux web server (if you dont use BSD). I give it a five star rating. ... Read more

Asin: B000051ZZK
Subjects:  1. Computer software (programs)    2. Operating Systems System (OS)    3. Linux    4. Unix   

Logitech MouseMan Wheel Optical
Average Customer Review:
Electronics
list price: $49.95
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

The Logitech Wheel Mouse records motion optically, instead ofwith a ball, so there are no moving parts to get dirty even in themessiest work spaces. Without a ball, the Wheel Mouse glides smoothlyacross most surfaces and eliminates the need for a mouse pad. Itfeatures four programmable buttons, including a convenient thumb button,for timesaving shortcuts. It is designed to fit into your left or righthand. You can save time by programming the buttons for shortcuts. Youcan also enjoy easy scrolling without scrollbars. It works on either aPS/2 serial port or a USB port and is compatible with PC and Maccomputers.

Logitech backs this product with a five-year warranty. ... Read more

Features

• Glides smoothly across most surfaces
• Tracks motion optically without a ball
• Maximum comfort and control
• Features 4 programmable buttons for timesaving shortcuts
• Works with both PC and Macintosh systems

Reviews (51)

If you can operate a mouse, this is the best!
The reason for my heading is the negative reviews I have seen on this page. I have the Microsoft Explorer at work and the MouseMan Wheel Optical at home. Having to use both everyday, I can say that Logitech wins the battle easily.

I find it amusing that one reviewer commented about how HE operates a mouse. Ergonomic designs are based on the assumption of a more or less average sized hand using it like most people do. I can't use my foot on it and expect Logitech, or Microsoft, to design it for that!

I suggest that before you buy anything from Amazon, go to a computer store in your neighborhood and try out the different designs. Explorer has a very good design but Logitech designs suit my palm better. Some other superior features of Logitech ( in comparison to Explorer) are:

o The optical device is much better that Microsoft for both faster and precise movements.

o I do not like that fact that Explorer does not have any protection where the cord enters the mouse. It actually affects the performance when the mouse is a bit old and the cord is pulled while using.

o The quality of the surface is also much better allowing for a better grip.

o The software is pretty nice with features like WebWheel that allows you to access common internet function using your scoll wheel.

Rebuttal to Electronics Fan
Although I agree with EF's conclusion: a wheel mouse is about as good as the optical mouse, don't be mislead by his knocks on the optical mouse.

- While the Optical MouseMan Wheel (OMMW) mouse does have a glowing tail light, it does not "warm up" the mouse at all (not at least while using your hand as a thermometer).

- Moving the mouse fast only moves the cursor faster (as expected). It does not cause the cursor to jump as EF suggests.

- The OMMW does have finer resolution than its wheel counterpart, but I don't think its higher resolution will be noticed by most users.

- Optical mice DO NOT require friction to operate, roller mice do. You can slightly lift an optical mouse from the mouse pad and it will continue to work w/o friction. They do require a surface that will provide a moderately diffuse reflection. A mirror will not make a good mouse pad for an OMMW.

If you don't like cleaning your mouse's ball and rollers, get an optical mouse.

Awesome mouse!
I purchased this mouse in June 2001, and it keeps on trucking. The most reliable mouse I have ever used. I am a heavy gamer so it went through a lot of utilization, but it's still responsive and solid. ... Read more

Asin: B00004W3YK
Subjects:  1. Wheel Mouse (Mice, Wheelmouse, Wheelmice)   

Quake 3 Arena (Linux)
Average Customer Review:
CD-ROM
list price: $19.99
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Editorial Review

As in its dozens of first-person shooter ancestors, id Software and Activision's Quake 3: Arena transports players into a violent, virtual world filled with deadly weapons, impressive power-ups, and intense combat. Players compete on 26 maps in either death match (free-for-all or team play), with goals to rack up as many kills as possible; or capture the flag, a team-oriented game with scoring based on the number of enemy flag captures. Though presenting the best death-match experience around, Quake 3's two game types lack the variation and originality of a similar game, Epic's Unreal Tournament.

Although you'll need the latest video card and computer hardware, it's impossible to dispute the sheer beauty of Quake 3's 3-D engine. The 26 maps are filled with exquisite architecture and impressive special effects; further, Quake 3 provides dozens of highly detailed player models to choose from. If you've played other id Software first-person shooters, the weapons should all look familiar: machine gun, shotgun, plasma gun, grenade launcher, rocket launcher, lightning gun, railgun, and the BFG 10K. Though impressively rendered and balanced, you've likely used them before in id's Doom, Quake, or any number of other first-person action games.

Hopping online and competing against other Quake 3: Arena players worldwide requires only a 56K or better Internet connection and a few mouse clicks. Quake 3 offers an infinitely replayable multiplayer experience (and a violent one--not for youngsters), but an unsatisfying solo game. Its single-player tournament mode--a series of death matches against computer AI bots--serves simply as a massive training exercise for multiplay. --Doug Radcliffe

Pros:

• Cutting-edge graphics
• Near-perfect death-match multiplay
• Detailed player models
• Beautiful level architecture

Cons:

• Uninspired single-player experience
• Lack of game variations
• Unoriginal weapons

... Read more

Reviews (9)

An excellent value... for Windows users!
The game is beautiful and I'm sure it works fine on Linux, but with a simple download from the Quake3 website, you get a fully functional WINDOWS version! In what looks like an attempt to boost sales, they included instructions for doing this in the package, so this is an officially endorsed alteration to the program.
Don't waste big bucks on the Windows version. Buy this version and apply the patch! It worked flawlessly for me on WindowsXP.

Best Performance of linux Game I've seen...
Quake 3 runs GREAT on my Linux system. That's not saying all that much, I suppose, until you realize that my Linux machine has a 3dfx Banshee as its video card, yet I can run at 1280x1024 without a single stutter or hickup.

On a technical merrit, this game gets a "5."

On a gameplay merrit, this game gets a "3." That is, I really enjoy plots... feeling like I'm playing a key role in some momentous event. Half-Life... System Shock (1&2)... Deux Ex... all great examples of this. It's fun, but it's not "absorbing."

So, I give the game a "4."

The main thing to take away from this is that the Quake3 engine works GREAT in Linux. I recently installed the Linux binaries of Return to Castle Wolfenstein onto this machine. It also uses the Quake3 engine. Wolfenstein, so installed, is beautiful, and it DOES have a plot.

ID Software, who developed the binaries for this port and who developed the Quake-series engines, have singlehandedly proven that Linux is a great gaming platform, yet again. The Quake3 engine is being used everywhere these days, and there's no fundamental reason that ANY of them can't be easily ported over to Linux.

Well, that's not entirely true. It's true that there's no TECHNICAL reason that we can't have those games. And it's true that there's no MARKET reason that we can't have those games (minimal effort to create the port using all the same content, then a secondary distribution channel).

However, there is ONE reason... the illegal marketing practices of Microsoft. Will this play out like all the other "Competition with Microsoft" activities of the past few years? Stay tuned...

QUAKE 3 ARENA.............hmmmm...........do I like it?
Quake three arena is a great game with a new set of 3d-graphics quality, but the game gets boring after a while.Actually the game gets boring really quickly, but i still like it.I like the
models, the weapons,the maps, the storyline, but once your in the game it gets boring real quick.I RECOMMEND a SHINY New pentium 2, 350 for maxium performance, and 600mb of harddrive space for maxium installation of performance.I recommend a 32mb3d video card.It also has to be opengl 100% compatible.A major powerful a3d sound card.128pcisdram at 100mhrz for map performance.and directx7.But, if you don't care about performance and just wan't to play the game, your requirments:pentium 2:233mhrz, 16mb opengl compatible 3d video card, highquality sound card,45megs of harddrive space for miminum installation,directx6, and 64spcisdram.But, if your a extreme hardcore gamer and wan't quake3arena to work absouloutly PERFECT, these are the requirements I reccomend:pentium3 500mhrz, geforce3 64ddr ram, 700mb of harddrive space, the latest majorist a3d sound card with latest drivers, maxium instllation, directx8.1, and 512pci800mhrz of rdram.take my advice.buy the game, enjoy it.your welcome.I reccomend it. ... Read more

Asin: B000046Q56
Subjects:  1. Three (III)    2. First Person    3. Science Fiction (SciFi, Sci-Fi)    4. Quake3 Q3A    5. Computer Games    6. Linux    7. Action    8. Adventure