Topic: New toys list (Read 2691 times)

Clark Kent · « **on:** July 05, 2006, 11:33:31 am »

As I prepare to start a new job and become financially stable for once, I find myself looking into new toys to upgrade my computer stuffs. it's a quickly growing list, mostly mac related at the moment, though I will most likely add some stuff for my dell as time gets on.
There are two things I'm thinking of in particular:

1. an external hard drive. The 60 gig drives in my iBook and dell inspiron have done well, but I have a desire to have a drive that is somewhat portable to store my growing music collection and to house files for DVD and photo projects. I liked the smart disk firelite firewire hard drives, but was wondering if anyone had other suggestions.

2. An Uninterupted power supply. I have no idea what to get, brand or feature-wise. I was looking on newegg.com and saw quite a few options, butI'm not even sure what I'm looking for. Any advice?

Darth Sidious · « **Reply #1 on:** July 05, 2006, 01:02:58 pm »

For external storage - check out HD enclosures. They allow you to turn a normal HD into an external one (either USB 2.0 or Firewire).
Locally, www.nanosys1.com has them. It's off University Ave in Minneapolis about a mile and a half west of MN280.

UPSwise, I just got a 700mva APC from tigerdirect a bit over a month ago. Ran me about 130 with shipping. It's got enough juice to keep my Win2k desktop AND WinXP laptop + monitor up for 30mins if power goes out. Depending on how much equipment will need un-interruptable power, that should suffice.

Quote from: Clark Kent on July 05, 2006, 11:33:31 am

1. an external hard drive. The 60 gig drives in my iBook and dell inspiron have done well, but I have a desire to have a drive that is somewhat portable to store my growing music collection and to house files for DVD and photo projects. I liked the smart disk firelite firewire hard drives, but was wondering if anyone had other suggestions.

2. An Uninterupted power supply. I have no idea what to get, brand or feature-wise. I was looking on newegg.com and saw quite a few options, butI'm not even sure what I'm looking for. Any advice?

Just plain old Punisher · « **Reply #2 on:** July 05, 2006, 05:51:41 pm »

Unless there are routine power problems where you live, I wouldn't waste the money on a UPS. Just get a good surge protector for your computer, and leave it at that.

Even some of the more expensive UPS units only give about 20-25 min of power for your computer during an outage. Enough time to save everything, and shut down. Which is all a UPS is really designed for anyways.

Nemesis · « **Reply #3 on:** July 05, 2006, 06:42:18 pm »

Quote from: Punisher NCC-2000 on July 05, 2006, 05:51:41 pm

Unless there are routine power problems where you live, I wouldn't waste the money on a UPS. Just get a good surge protector for your computer, and leave it at that.

Even some of the more expensive UPS units only give about 20-25 min of power for your computer during an outage. Enough time to save everything, and shut down. Which is all a UPS is really designed for anyways.

It isn't the duration of protection that is of primary importance. There have been studies that show that 85% of all computer problems are power related. Many of the crashes people have are actually do to power issues not software or hardware issues. A UPS can protect from both low power and low level surges that get by the surge protector.

Clark Kent · « **Reply #4 on:** July 05, 2006, 08:28:47 pm »

Quote from: IKV Nemesis on July 05, 2006, 06:42:18 pm

It isn't the duration of protection that is of primary importance. There have been studies that show that 85% of all computer problems are power related. Many of the crashes people have are actually do to power issues not software or hardware issues. A UPS can protect from both low power and low level surges that get by the surge protector.

That is exactly why I was thinking of a UPS. I don't have means to check the quality of electricity, so I want something to safeguard my more sensitive equipment.

Say Darth, if you're in the twin cities area, I'm also thinking of relocating from Elk River to another place closer to the cities , or in the cities for my new job which is down near lake street and chicago in the old sears building. You have any suggestions for a blance between commute, price and safety?

Darth Sidious · « **Reply #5 on:** July 06, 2006, 09:19:27 am »

Quote from: Clark Kent on July 05, 2006, 08:28:47 pm

Say Darth, if you're in the twin cities area, I'm also thinking of relocating from Elk River to another place closer to the cities , or in the cities for my new job which is down near lake street and chicago in the old sears building. You have any suggestions for a blance between commute, price and safety?

I'm not wholly familiar with Minneapolis, so take these suggestions with a grain of salt.

IIRC, you probably won't want to live near Lake/Chicago (or in North Minneapolis). Not the greatest of neighboorhoods

Lake street turns into Marshall Ave in St. Paul (due East of the old Sears building). Commute from St. Paul would be much easier than coming from the north of Mpls (meaning you'd have to go thru downtown minneapolis) - the only 'major obstacle' would be the Hiawatha line LRT crossing. (Not counting construction)

Other more suburban options would be Richfield, Edina, Bloomington. St. Louis Park. All of these would be much closer than Elk River - but I cant really say how expensive they'd be.

Just plain old Punisher · « **Reply #6 on:** July 06, 2006, 02:29:48 pm »

Quote from: IKV Nemesis on July 05, 2006, 06:42:18 pm

Quote from: Punisher NCC-2000 on July 05, 2006, 05:51:41 pm
Unless there are routine power problems where you live, I wouldn't waste the money on a UPS. Just get a good surge protector for your computer, and leave it at that.

Even some of the more expensive UPS units only give about 20-25 min of power for your computer during an outage. Enough time to save everything, and shut down. Which is all a UPS is really designed for anyways.

It isn't the duration of protection that is of primary importance. There have been studies that show that 85% of all computer problems are power related. Many of the crashes people have are actually do to power issues not software or hardware issues. A UPS can protect from both low power and low level surges that get by the surge protector.

What studies? Were these studies sponsored by the UPS companies? =)

Brush Wolf · « **Reply #7 on:** July 06, 2006, 03:46:24 pm »

Pun, we get some pretty nasty thunder storms here in Minnesota so a UPS is actually a good idea. At the least you will avoid those inconvenient reboots when the power flickers and in a worst case scenario it will save your equipment from an extreme power surge that all but the most expensive surge protectors cannot stop.

Nemesis · « **Reply #8 on:** July 06, 2006, 06:04:54 pm »

Quote from: Punisher NCC-2000 on July 06, 2006, 02:29:48 pm

What studies? Were these studies sponsored by the UPS companies? =)

Its been a while since I read that and I don't remember the authors of the study but it was not UPS companies (I watch for that type of conflict of interest).

My personal experience with Windows is that each machine that has had a UPS added has been more stable. If your lights ever visibly flicker you want a UPS. Even if they don't so flicker you likely are getting fluctuations that can cause crashes and should still have a UPS.

Just plain old Punisher · « **Reply #9 on:** July 06, 2006, 08:30:55 pm »

My power supply lets me know if there are any moderate/major power fluctuations...and thus far it's never happend. I suppose if you live in thunder storm country, a UPS might be a good idea. Overall, for me anyways, it's a waste of money.

Clark Kent · « **Reply #10 on:** July 22, 2006, 12:40:34 pm »

What about bluetooth headphones? Anything out there with a good mix of sound quality, comfort and batery usage?

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