Computer Hardware Blog

Kingston Trumps Itself! A 256GB USB Flash Drive

Rebecca Scudder — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 05:14:40 GMT

On June 16, 2009, Kingston Technology Company announced the first 128GB USB flash drive. The next day, Edge-Tech and Patriot also announced that they had 128GB flash drive as well. On July 20th, 2009, Kingston UK announced they have a 256GB USB flash drive available, currently only for sale in the UK, for about $900. So no one I know is going to be running out to buy one :)

In a month, technology has jumped from a 64GB drive to one four times the size. However, you can buy a 64GB USB flash drive online at a reputable store for a bit over $100 to $150. Multiplying that by four doesn't go over $600 at the most, so if you need that much storage, there are cheaper ways to get it- unless you need to be the first one on the block with the newest and biggest. See the distinctive- and thick- drive on the Kingston UK site.

And if you see a 256GB USB flash drive on eBay for $100, DON'T BUY IT! No way, no how, is it going to be a real one.

We'll keep you posted as we learn more about the drive.

The Zebra P100i: Ever Wondered how ATM and ID cards are Produced on Demand?

Rebecca Scudder — Fri, 15 May 2009 01:17:25 GMT

When you go into some banks, and open a new account with ATM privileges, after you sign the documents, a bank officer will disappear into a back room, and come out a minute later with your personalized ATM card. Some states take your picture and issue you your Driver's license moments later, embossed with the state seal. As a freshman at college, you stand in line, have your picture taken, and a few minutes later receive your picture ID over a picture of the college. When you turn it over, you see a magnetic strip on the back. The woman who handed it to you explains that your meal plan information is encoded on your card, and all you need to do is slide it through a reader when you go to the cafeteria, or the campus center. On your first day in your new job, personnel takes you to a room with a camera and a plain white wall, takes your picture, and has you sit down while they type information into a computer. The man walks over to a small machine on a corner desk, slides in a blank card, and less then a minute later, your employee identification comes out the front of the printer. He takes it to another machine, leans on what looks like a gigantic paper punch, slides a lanyard through the new slot, and hands you your company ID. "Don't loose that," he cautions, "or it will cost you $10 for a replacement."

What do all these cards have in common? They were printed on a card printer- very likely the low priced Zebra p100i. Read a review of the Zebra p100i and find out about the printer- and how it works.

Amazon Announces Kindle DX with Larger Screen and Built-In PDF Reader

Michele McDonough — Wed, 06 May 2009 21:09:58 GMT

Although there are a number of electronic readers on the market today, one of the biggest battles has been between the Sony Reader and the Amazon Kindle. One of the major arguments against the Kindle in this debate has always revolved around the Kindle's proprietary format that limited the library selection of the device.

Not all of the points put forth in this argument have been completely factual. For instance, you're not completely restricted to obtaining Kindle material from Amazon, and you can even download free e-books for the Amazon Kindle. However, the sticky point concerning PDF files not being supported by the Kindle unless converted by Amazon has caused a number of people to look toward other e-reader options.

The tides may be turning with the recent announcement of the Kindle DX. In addition to sporting a 9.7 inch screen (2.5 times larger than that of the current Kindle) and a larger storage capacity, the Kindle DX will come equipped with a built-in PDF reader so that owners can load their own PDF content directly to the device. Other than stating Fall of 2009, there's no word on the exact release date of the e-reader yet, but preorders for the Kindle DX are already being taken at the Amazon web site.

Faked Kingston 128GB USB Flash Drive Now Removed from Amazon Site

Rebecca Scudder — Tue, 05 May 2009 23:03:45 GMT

Amazon customer service was sent the research that went in to writing the article "Are 128GB USB Flash Drives Real, or Fake?" and now, about a week later, they have removed the faked Kingston 128GB USB flash drive from the Amazon Marketplace. Bright Hub brings you the truth about technology- and warns you when it is really a scam.

Take a look at the pictures in the article- in case anyone tries to sell you a drive like this. Until you can find Kingston.com listing a 128GB drive on their product page, remember- if the price is too good to be true- the deal is probably too good to be true.

Which Inkjet Printers Have the Lowest Cost per Printed Page?

Lamar Stonecypher — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 18:51:21 GMT

Regular readers of my work on Bright Hub will remember that I mentioned the cost of owning an inkjet printer in "10 Ways to Save on Printer Costs." In that article I noted that consumer printers are marketed like razors - the handle is cheap and comes with a few blades, but the refills cost more than purchasing a new razor. Printers are priced similarly. The manufacturer may even lose money selling you the printer, at first, but will more than make it up when you purchase the refills over the life of the printer.

The American Consumer Institute Center for Consumer Research recently tested several modern printers in the $150 range for total cost of ownership. Their findings are eye-opening. Most surprising is that honors for the least expensive printing per page goes to two Kodak models, and they are least expensive in three categories: monochrome full page, color full page, and 4x6 photo print.