After hooking up a computer, monitor, printer, keyboard, mouse and other accessories, do you have a rat’s nest of wires? You’ll never get rid of cables entirely. But you can certainly reduce the clutter.
The best ways to clean up the wires can cost as little as $30 or more than $1,000. It depends on your need for neatness. Here are three ideas:
1. All-in-one desktop. Get rid of the heavy cables between the computer and the monitor with an all-in-one desktop. The monitor is integrated into the computer. So the monitor has no power cord and no cable to the computer.
Gateway’s Profile 6 (gateway.com; Windows) is less than 10 inches deep. At $1,200, it comes with a 17-inch monitor (add $110 for a 19-inch monitor). You also get 512 megabytes of memory, a 160-giga byte hard drive, double-layer DVD burner and assorted software.
MPC’s ClientPro 424 (mpccorp.com; Windows) is only 3 inches deep. However, you pay for the savings in real estate. The 17-inch monitor version retails for $1,999. You can upgrade to a 17-inch touch-screen or 19-inch monitor for $400 additional.
Apple’s iMac (www.apple.com; Mac OS X) is about 7 inches deep. For $1,299, you get a 17-inch monitor. Upgrade to a 20-inch monitor, faster processor and bigger hard drive for $400 more. It has integrated Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connections.
2. Wireless mouse and keyboard. A wired mouse and keyboard limit where you can work.
There are three wireless technologies – IR (infrared), RF (radio frequency) and Bluetooth. All work similarly. A signal goes to a receiver that is plugged into your computer’s USB or PS/2 ports.
Infrared requires a line of sight between the mouse or keyboard and the receiver. A receiver is cabled to your computer.
RF and Bluetooth remove wires entirely. The receivers plug into your USB port. They’re often smaller than a flash drive. RF’s range will reach as far as 100 feet. There are several versions of Bluetooth. Bluetooth 1.1’s signal travels about 30 feet. The latest version’s signal, Bluetooth 2, will travel about 300 feet.
A keyboard and mouse set will cost $30 to well over $100, depending on features. You’ll find models from Apple (www. apple.com), Belkin (www.belkin.com), Logitech (www.logitech.com), Microsoft (www.microsoft.com) and others.
3. Wireless printer. Bluetooth can also be used for your printer.
These small receivers start at $50 and plug into your printer’s USB port. Many printer manufacturers sell them. Other companies, such as Belkin, D-Link (www.dlink.com) and IOGEAR (www.iogear.com), also offer them.
If your computer doesn’t have Bluetooth, USB adapters are available for about $30. They receive the signal from Bluetooth devices.
Adapters are made by Belkin, D-Link, Linksys (www.linksys.com) and others.
You can also link your printer wirelessly through a Wi-Fi network. Wireless print servers start at $50.
Kim Komando hosts a talk radio show about computers and the Internet. To get the podcast or find the station nearest you, visit komando.com/listen.
