Computer Support Blog

Once upon a time, the company name Xerox was synonymous with photocopying.  Xerox built such a strong brand name word association that it became like “Band-Aid” or “Rollerblade;” the company name became almost inseparable from the product type or action taken with that product.  With the rise of inexpensive laser printers and all-in-ones that scan, photocopy, fax, and print, Xerox took a huge hit in the printing marketplace.  Now, one of Xerox’s biggest priorities is diversifying into digital solutions.  Even so, Xerox continues to make some quality products for printing and photocopying.  One of their premiere devices is the Phaser 6180MFP. Read more »

There are a surprising number of variations to keyboards that have made for exciting news among fans of new technologies in recent years.  While the fundamentals of the keyboard have remained solid – most notably the standard QWERTY style for the majority of keyboards even today – there have been some exciting changes to the form of the keyboard, from ergonomically-correct keyboards that reduce strain on the fingers and arms to virtual keyboards that allow you to type on any surface.  But one of the exciting new keyboard designs augments your computer or mobile computing device in a way that may provide you a more seamless user experience between your many computing devices.  That keyboard is the Hawking Technology Wireless Multimedia Control Pad. Read more »

With the sheer volume of computer products and electronic devices that utilize USB ports and jacks, it is very easy to find yourself without enough USB ports on your computer, laptop computer or other USB-receiving device.  This is an especially frustrating condition when you have the latest tech that runs on USB 3.0; one of the key selling points of USB 3.0 is the super-fast transfer rates at which the protocol operates.  In order to take advantage of many of the benefits of USB 3.0 devices, you are likely to have to swap multiple cords and devices out of a single USB 3.0 port.  All of that changes, though, with the USB 3.0 & 2.0 7-Port Hub from Siig. Read more »

An alternative to an expensive, high quality, high definition television – for those who have the space – is a digital video projector.  Digital video projectors have progressed to the point that one may get true high definition resolution and even 3-D visuals when connected to compatible equipment (like a 3-D Blu-Ray player).  For those who want to be able to create a true home theater experience and who might want to share their DVD or Blu-Ray collection with others in a larger visual format than even today’s HDTVs, the digital video projector is for you!  One of the premium digital projectors on the market today is the ViewSonic Pro8500. Read more »

As more and more people get cooler and more expensive home electronics devices, it is hard not to feel insecure leaving home.  While the obvious solution would be to get a security system, the media portrays home security systems as drastically ineffective.  In fact, most people would be hard pressed not to be able to recall a time when they watched a movie or television program and a security system was compromised by cutting the wires from the cameras to the monitors.  One of the obvious, real-world, solutions to that problem is to assemble a security system that does not have wires that can be cut.  For that, you might want the Uniden Guardian Wireless Video Surveillance System. Read more »

If you are building your own computer, you will require a power supply.  There is no getting around the need for power, but what might surprise you is just how many options there are for power supplies for PCs and servers.  For those who plan on making a system that utilizes a lot of peripherals and drives, you will need quite a bit of power.  As important as having power is utilizing the power supply in an efficient way.  For above-average power distributed in an exceptionally efficient manner, it is hard to find a better power supply than the XFX ProSeries 1050W PSU. Read more »

One of the most frequent computer problems for portable computers – laptop, notebook, and netbooks – comes from internal elements overheating.  Many notebook and laptop computers are unfortunately designed with inadequate abilities to dissipate the heat within their casing, resulting in damage to internal (and in some cases, external) components.  This common design flaw is why there is a thriving laptop cooler market.  One of the better options for notebook computer users is the Zalman High Performance Notebook Cooler. Read more »

The path of innovation in the tech sector is becoming a much broader one.  For most companies, gone are the days of scientists and engineers working in their laboratory doing pure research and development while corporate bean counters manage the finances of such projects in a distant office.  Many companies in the tech sector have begun to rely upon the engineers and scientists themselves to manage the funds for their projects and as a matter of corporate advancement, those companies tend to promote the best and brightest to leadership roles within their research and development department.  Of course, in many cases, that means that the scientist must return to school for additional education, focused more on business than engineering.  That is what happened with David Mosley. Read more »

Power is rapidly becoming the hardest aspect of mobile computing devices to improve upon.  Manufacturers continually find new gadgets to add to smartphones and tablet computers, but with all of the new components that rapidly drain batteries, there has been no radical leap forward with manufacturing batteries.  As a result, users have not gotten significantly greater battery life from their mobile devices with the newer smartphones and tablet computers.  This is especially irksome for mobile device users who use their devices primarily for business purposes.  They do not need improved video cameras or more realistic speakers to play digital music; they require reliability and endurance.  While the manufacturers of electronic devices may not be radically improving batteries, peripherals manufacturers are focused on delivering stronger power supplies to consumers.  One of the leading products for augmenting the innate power supply of thousands of devices is the Fueltank DUO. Read more »

Steve Jobs, founder of Apple Computers, may have been a visionary, but he also was a product of his time.  Jobs was, in many ways, the right person, at the right place, at the right time; he captured the attention (and investing dollars) of the Baby Boomers.  Without their capital and belief in Steve Jobs and his vision, Apple Computers would not have endured its financial ups and downs.  It is telling, then, that the current leadership of Apple Computers waited until after Jobs was dead and the company was firmly ensconced as the most profitable company in the world before it quietly withdrew its products from EPEAT. Read more »