This page is for general computer hardware related topics.
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Hardware: (A rundown of my top tips for your own system) |
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Scanner : Umax Astra 1220P |
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Since I had the printer, I
wanted a flat bed scanner as well. I had a hand held crappy |
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Printer : Epson Colour Stylus 740 |
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Simon has bought himself one, and now
everyone else wants one. The colour Update: I got one ! I originally
ordered it from Insight, but for the first time ever, they Update - Stuey now has one !!! Trust me on this one, I am NOT saying
this just because I have one, it really is the dogs |
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Microsoft Wheelmouse |
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Another treat I have had recently is a wheelmouse. Great! when you're surfing, to scroll up and down the screen, just rotate the wheel - simple. Also, when in Paint Shop Pro, to zoom in and out of an image, again, rotate the wheel. Very responsive and accurate and also, cheap. 19.99 for the wheelmouse, or 34.99 for the Intellimouse, which does the same thing really, I opted for the cheaper version, and find it brilliant, only problem I do find, as well as Stuey, is that when we go into work, where we haven't got wheelmice, we tend to automatically go for them, and miss them very much. Update : We have them in work now as well ! |
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Dell Computers |
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The best deals
around at the moment seem to be on the Dell website, be sure to look at the
current deals, and you can configure your own spec online. |
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Video Editing |
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Stuart is looking to use his Carrera
system for video editing, this will include
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Digital Cameras - Fuji MX-1700 |
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Fuji seem
to be by far the best cameras around. Stuart has just ordered the
new mx-1700, all singing all dancing jobby. This one has the
advantages of a rechargable battery (as the cameras do go through
batteries like mad) and also 3x optical zoom rather than just the
digital one which goes all pixelly. Hires mode pictures come in at
1280 x 1024, and the quality is dogs round bits. I have been using
the old mx-500, and even that was good, but both of us, and every
magazine going, rate the mx-1700 as by far the best one at the moment.
(Sept 1999). |
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RAM Computers |
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Update : I went for a RAM PII-233 system, nice kit, here's the spec: (July 1998)
I have had the machine a couple of months now, and it is really good, I run Win 95 Office 97 Pro, Asymetrix 3DFX, Paint Shop Pro 5 plus loads of other stuff - all run really well on it, really pleased. Will upgrade the chip later on to a 333, or higher. Or actually, a Dell
P4-2Ghz, currently on Dell deals, |
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3DFX Cards |
| At the moment, there is a choice of either
Voodoo2 card or Voodoo Banshee. In the office, we are split down the middle, myself and Martin have the Guillemot Banshee Cards whereas Stuart has gone for the Voodoo2 card, although he did have a good 2D card to start with. BUT, now, another choice is on the way, with the announcement of the new Voodoo 3 cards !!!, although not on mass release just yet they are stonking card capable of 7 million triangles per second! More than enough for any game I should think! |
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My Hardware Sources |
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where do I go for my hardware purchases ? Well, I look on the net
every week, the usual sites are:
Jungle, Software Warehouse, Insight, Inmac, Technomatic, Dabs Direct. Also, every day, I go to the Scan site and look at the 'today only' page. They always have great deals there. |
Stuart - Digital Video Extraordinaire (!)
