This post was written by Tara Singer
Netgear WFS709TP ProSafe delivers an appliance-based wireless network monitoring and security solution that is priced for smaller businesses but is sophisticated enough for larger companies as well. A sophisticated looking wireless network management solution based on an Aruba Networks MC-800 controller but it is complex and difficult to set up thanks to the indifferent documentation. It may be comparatively good value and when configured correctly it worked well during testing but rogue AP containment is not supported and we would only recommend this solution to businesses if it’s being installed by a trained reseller.
Sleek Audio W1 wireless headphone adapter is surprisingly comfortable and feels incredibly light. A foam pouch comes in the box, which can be used for storing the adapter, phones, spare cable, and any other bits and bobs you may want to keep with you. Whether bought separately or bundled with Sleek Audio’s SA6 headphones, it is one of the best wireless audio systems. You do, though, pay quite a premium for ditching those wires and reviewers feel the price needs to drop a little before they could recommend them to everyone.
Asus AiGuru S1 looks like a rather old mobile phone, but it’s hardly unattractive. The biggest disappointment about this phone is that it still requires the computer to be on and it needs a separate wireless dongle to work. If you look past this issue, it’s a solid phone that works reliably. The dock is a nice touch, and the streaming music could be really handy. Functionality is rather limited for music playback - there is no way for fast forwarding through a track and skipping from track to track is slow.
InFocus IN35W and LiteShow II Wireless Projector make a highly capable meeting room projector system. The wireless capability and simple software install make it easy for occasional users to hook up to the projector when it’s installed, while the projector itself is highly competent in its own right, boasting excellent build, good features, very good image quality and a modern-notebook-compatible resolution of 1,280 x 800. It’s not the cheapest wireless projector around but when you take into account the higher resolution, the InFocus looks to be a better overall package.
Logitech’s FreePulse Wireless Headphones are a rather mundane development. The addition of iPod adapters isn’t too great a surprise since they’re so prevalent these days. The average iPod user will likely listen to 128kbps AAC files or MP3s encoded at 192kbps; i.e. not very high quality. What this underlines is that Logitech’s FreePulse Wireless Headphones are really more of a convenience than a serious headphone solution. They’re great for tooling around with an MP3 player, and at times they’re useful for casual film watching and gaming, but beyond this they are limited.
Kensington Wireless USB Docking Station ($230 street) is a more creative and elegant solution to this dilemma, providing seamless connectivity with your printer, speakers, external display, and other peripheral devices, so you can get more out of your system. Unfortunately, Wireless USB isn’t that widespread on laptops yet. The station itself is fairly unobtrusive. If you’re one of the lucky few with a UWB-enabled laptop, and mobility and an expanded feature set are of great importance to you, this docking station is an elegant solution.
Logitech has gone to town with its Cordless Desktop Wave Pro, which combines good looks and comfortable ergonomics without breaking the bank. The MX1100 mouse is a very attractive set, sporting a stylish combination of silvers, greys and matte/glossy blacks. Being shaped for one hand only does mean the MX1100 is very comfortable, though. As for keyboard the key feedback is good, and barely audible apart from the noisy spacebar. Good news for casual gamers is that the Cordless Desktop Wave Pro isn’t as averse to fragging as most wireless sets either.
PlanOn’s Printstik PS910 is a niche product, but it does a pretty good job of printing simple spreadsheets, emails, invoices and suchlike. The ability to print wirelessly from Bluetooth-enabled devices as well as from a standard USB 2.0 connection is useful, as is battery power option. However, pages curl up the way thermal-printed credit-card receipts do, running costs are higher than most laser printers and inkjets, and you have to use the special thermal paper. PlanOn has also done a great job of making the printer easy to use.
D-Link’s Wireless Photo Frame (DSM-210) is a solid entry into the market. The 10-inch frame offers a simple interface, and despite a lower pixel density (that is, it’s a larger screen, with fewer pixels) than other frames in its price range, its picture quality is impressive. But the DSM-210 ($244.99) does suffer from the sorts of flaws typical of first tries. Most notably, poor design means that the frame’s system of replaceable mats can interfere with use of the device.
Belkin Wireless USB 4 ports Hub gives you a break from the extra cables. Its one component that can be plugged to the USB port of your computer and the other part is the wireless USB 4 port hub that can be placed at a distance from your computer table. Four devices can be plugged in this hub for functioning on the computer commands. These can be any USB devices like printer, scanner, camera, or even mp3/mp4 players. It goes well with all the latest versions of windows vista. A good innovation!