What's New
 

Hardware

• USB 2.0
  USB 2.0 expands on the capabilities of the original USB by increasing bandwidth available to 480 Mbps. Support for this popular bus was promised in Windows XP, but has not been available until now. Click here to visit Windows Update, where you can download USB 2.0 drivers for your USB 2.0 host controller.

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• LCD Monitors
  LCD monitors, flat, space-saving computer displays are the way to go and they are very reasonably priced right now.
  
  When purchasing an LCD monitor, several aspects of the monitor in question should be considered:
  Look for a nice suite of features on the monitor, including a quality OSD that allows a user to control many different aspects of the monitor's operation, like refresh rate and screen size and position.
  Look for a high field of vision. One should be able to read the display even if one is not seated directly in front of the screen.
  Look for dead pixels, small black points on the monitor that do not display any color when the monitor is turned on and connected to a computer. Most monitors have a few of these, but one should not by a monitor that has clusters of dead pixels.
  Look for a three-year warranty and quality, free technical support.
  Monitors that Interrealm has selected for inclusion with new systems are checked for quality and for adherence to the requirements in the list above.

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Dual Monitor Display
Simultaneously lift and tilt two LCD displays with just a touch for maximum ergonomic comfort. This stand expands your computer desktop across two screens, ensuring the utmost accuracy and productivity in any work environment.

Software

• Windows Vista

  Why Windows Vista Works for Your Business

  Windows Vista addresses the key issues that impact your organization—helping your people to be more productive and drive business success. Learn more about why Windows Vista is right for your business.

  • Improve security and compliance
  • Optimize your desktop infrastructure
  • Find and use information
  • Enable your mobile workforce

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• Microsoft Office Professional 2007

  Work more efficiently and effectively Manage all your contact and customer information in one place Create professional marketing materials and campaigns in-house Find, use, and manage information more effectively

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• Adobe Photoshop CS2

  For design & publishing

  Create and publish for print, web, and mobile devices in a unified design environment. Adobe® Creative Suite® 2.3 Premium plus Dreamweaver 8 combines full versions of:

  • Adobe Photoshop® CS2
  • Adobe Illustrator® CS2
  • Adobe InDesign® CS2
  • Adobe GoLive® CS2
  • Adobe Acrobat® 8 Professional
  • Version Cue CS2
  • Adobe Bridge
  • Adobe Stock Photos
  • Plus Dreamweaver 8 (included in the Creative Suite 2.3 box)

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• Windows Defender
  Windows Defender is a free program that helps protect your computer against pop-ups, slow performance, and security threats caused by spyware and other unwanted software. It features Real-Time Protection, a monitoring system that recommends actions against spyware when it's detected and minimizes interruptions and helps you stay productive. Now with 2 free support incidents for Windows XP and Windows Server 2003.

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Internet

• 802.11 Wireless Networking
  Wireless networking with a new industry-wide protocol known as 802.11a or 802.11b has recently been made possible. Any computer can access a wireless network with a USB adapter that transmits and receives wireless signals to and from a wireless access point. Click here for a short tutorial on wireless technology.

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• High Speed Internet There are several great options available for high speed internet access. The list below discusses the pros and cons of these options:
  • Cable is probably ranked first, according to Interrealm, among the broadband options when one considers ease of use and speed. It is theoretically the fastest of these choices, with theoretical speeds up to 27 Gbps and practical speeds between 500 Kbps and 1 Mbps, twice to five times as fast as basic DSL. Availability and price make cable an excellent option as well: 46% or so of U.S. homes can access a cable service, and it costs from $35-$50 per month, after installation fees. The only major downside of cable is that if one lives in an area where many people have cable internet access, speeds slow down; however, a new set of specifications that would limit the effects of sharing cable internet access in this manner, DOCSIS 1.1, is currently being developed.
  • DSL is a close second to cable internet access. It is not quite as fast as cable, ranging from 256 Kbps to 1.5 Mbps, and costs a little more, especially since the price for monthly service went up after the economic slowdown. The service is often a nightmare to set up; cable is far easier. DSL companies now charge around $50 for a month of service, but they also charge between $100 and $300 for a DSL modem and sometimes they even charge up to $200 for activation. Only about a third of U.S. homes have access to this service, so availability is not as high as that of cable. The only distinct advantages of DSL are the fact that users do not have to share their bandwidth with anyone else, and the fact that DSL provides a phone line, even when one is online. DSL is also less susceptible to radio frequency interference from other devices than cable.
  • Fixed Wireless has some severe limits, but its speed places it among the top three for our ranking. To use fixed wireless, a modem and a transceiver are hooked up to your computer; these communicate with a tower that can be up to 35 miles away, and that provides internet access. Fixed wireless is fairly pricey, as the modem and transceiver cost up to $300, but the service is the same price as DSL: about $50 per month. Speed of fixed wireless is on par with cable, at 1 or 2 Mbps on average, but both methods of broadband access have the same limitation where speed is concerned: bandwidth is shared with other users in one's neighborhood. The major limitation to fixed wireless is the line of sight requirement between transceiver and tower: if a big building or tree is in between the two units, internet access will not be available. Storms and other weather conditions also limit availability.
  • Satellite is the least desirable of the broadband options, due to speed, installation, cost, and interference. The major advantage of satellite, which links to the internet via a satellite dish, is that it can be used to access the internet almost anywhere. However, it is only as fast as basic DSL, up to about 500 Kbps for downloads. Other problems include price: $700 for equipment and installation, and $70 per month for access; and the fact that you have to share your bandwidth with other users. Weather interference is also a big problem with satellite access. The two major satellite companies available, StarBand and DirecWay/HughsNET, also reduce your bandwidth if you use a lot. Satellite access should only be considered if one lives in an area that does not have DSL, cable, or fixed wireless access, and then only if money is not an issue.

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