Office Gear

IBM Releases NetVista Desktops

IBM has released a new series of Netvista desktop PCs.

The A series features the new Microsoft Windows ME (Millenium Edition) operating system, and a choice of Intel Celeron (633, 667, 700MHz) and Pentium III processors (800, 866, 933MHz).

They are available with standard 128 MB of SDRAM.

IBM also announced the availability of a new 1 GB microdrive that measures about the size of a quarter and can hold up to 1,000 high-resolution photographs, a thousand 200-page novels or nearly 18 hours of high-quality digital audio music.

The microdrive can be used to transfer data-rich content between notebooks and compatible digital devices and desktops.

Information: Reader Response: 248.

SCANNERS

ScanMaker

Microtek Lab Inc. is now shipping its ScanMaker V6USL Scanner.

The new unit offers 1,200 by 600 dots-per-inch optical resolution and 42-bit color, the company says.

Also bundled with the scanner: LightLid 35 software, which enables scanning of photos, film transparencies and 35 mm slides, and can also be used to scan letter and legal size documents.

The FlexScan lid allows users to scan books and other large publications.

A smart sleep mode automatically turns the unit on and off to save energy and lamp life, the company says.

ScanWizard 5 software also is included and can automatically determine photo or document size, adjust color, brightness and contrast, and can automatically transfer images to printer, e-mail, Web browser or image editing software. Advanced features include batch scanning. Other software: Adobe PhotoShop LE and Ulean PhotoImpact for image editing; Caere PageKeeper Standard for document management; and OCR software Caere OmniPage LE, which converts printed documents into editable text. Trellix Web is also included to let users create a Web page without knowing HTML.

Information: Reader Response: 249.

FlexScan

The FlexScan L661 is an 18.1-inch Flat Panel LCD Display that has a removable panel. The unit can be detached from the base and mounted on an arm or wall, says Eizo Nanao Corp.

Two computers can also be connected to the display, and pressing a button on the display's front bezel allows a user to toggle between them, the company says.

It offers a resolution of 1280 by 1024 dots per inch and has an auto contrast level function which automatically adjusts the color gradation of images.

Information: Reader Response: 251.

ArtixScan

The new ArtixScan 6000XY color flatbed scanner offers up to 6,000 maximum dots per inch resolution. It can scan items such as film and three-dimensional objects, says Microtek.

It can scan reflective originals ranging in size from a small postage stamp to a large 12-inch by 17-inch original image, the company says.

The scanner can enlarge items from 35mm up to A3 sizes. The company is based in Redondo Beach, Calif.

Information: Reader Response: 252.

MONITORS

LCD Flat Panel Series

Cornerstone has introduced a new series of LCD Flat Panel Displays that are 18.1-inches wide and are capable of 1280 by 1024 resolution.

The f-series offers two models: The f1800 and the f825 have a pivot stand that allows users to rotate the monitor screen to a vertical setting for optimum portrait viewing of legal-size documents.

The f1800 offers a viewing angle of 160 degrees, and a one-button image auto-setup. The f825 offers 140 degrees viewing angle and a monitor-based on- screen display for picture management.

Information: Reader Response: 250.

MULTI FUNCTION DEVICE

Panasonic KX-FL501

The Panasonic KX-FL501 multi-function unit works as a fax machine, telephone and laser copier. It offers a print speed of 10 pages per minute.

The unit has a 150-sheet paper tray for letter and legal size sheets, and a 15-sheet automatic document feeder. It also comes with a 50-station auto dialer for sequential broadcasting, enabling the user to store up to 50 fax numbers in memory and then send the same document to multiple recipients at the press of a button, the company says.

The KX-FL501 operates with a 14.4kbps modem and can transmit at a rate of eight seconds per page.

Receiving faxes, it offers a 170-page memory in case the unit runs out of paper.

As a copier, it offers 600 by 600 dots per inch resolution and a five-step enlargement and reduction feature. Information: Reader Response card no. 253.

FAX SOFTWARE

ZetaFax Server

ZetaFax 7 Fax Server Software lets users send faxes from their PC using a modem, says Equisys.

New features include add-ins for Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint.

Users also can now monitor the status of all faxes sent and know when the fax server is dialing, when it has connected to the remote device, and when the fax has been successfully sent.

The Zetafax software integrates with SMTP/POP3 e-mail servers such as Eudora WorldMail by Qualcomm and PostOffice by Software.com.

It is available for Windows 2000/NT4/98/95 and can run on all PC networks, says the company.

Information: Reader Response: 254.

COMPUTER ACCESSORIES

Mouse-Trak

The Desktop Industrial Mouse-Trak, from ITAC Systems Inc., comes with a dual-resistant dome encoder and glass thermoplastic case to reduce the risk of dirt, lint, and other materials from entering the mouse track and slowing or damaging the unit. It offers an ergonomic design to ease stress and possible carpal tunnel injury to wrists, the company says.

It can be configured for use by either a right-handed or left-handed individual, and features a heavy five ounce cast phenolic ball, which rests on hardened and polished stainless steel shafts and precision stainless steel ball bearings. This mouse needs no special pad or surface to roll on, says ITAC.

Information: Reader Response: 255.

Graphire

Wacom Technology Co. has created the Graphire cordless, trackless mouse and pressure-sensitive pen that work on a mousepad-size tablet.

The tablet connects to the computer via a cable to the USB or serial port. The mouse has an ambidextrous design, a scrolling wheel and three customizable buttons.

The pen allows users to draw, sketch, take notes or sign your name to a document, the company says.

It also features two side-switches and pressure-sensitive eraser. Graphire comes with a power suite of software including Photoshop LE, Corel Painter Classic, Wacom PenTools and Wacom Driver and Control Panel, all for PCs and Macs; ParaGraph PenOffice 2000 SE, Sensiva, and ActiveShare, for PCs only.

Information: Reader Response: 256.