We were so impressed by the xw8600 that we gave it the very first SmallBizWindows Absolute Best Award, with it going on to win the Product of the Year Award 2008 from our editorial board.

In March this year, HP dropped another bombshell: they weren’t sitting still, and they announced, and shipped the new HP Z-series workstations, a very worthy replacement for the xw-series.

Well, for the past 90 days, I have had the HP z400 personal workstation at my disposal for tests as part of a review.

The HP z400 Personal Workstation 
Aesthetically pleasing, the HP z400 personal workstation, and indeed, the entire z-series line, represent the triumph of a combination of form and function over the utilitarian designs we see in this space.

My review unit came with the aluminum-clad system unit, a keyboard*, a mouse*, requisite cables, and a beautiful HP LP2275w DVI-equipped monitor.

For this review, I decided to use the z400 as my personal desktop at the four areas I personal use for managing Logikworx in the US: at my home office, at the office in LA, at LogikLabs in NoCal, and at MedikLabs. I also used my soon-to-be-retired Sun Ultra 24** as a baseline reference system.

With it running our current MSP management software, our beta of a new MSP management suite, and my every-day productivity applications, I wanted to work it out severely.

Another thing I wanted to do was check the processing power of the z400 in processing video transcoding tasks, given that I had an Nvidia Quadro FX 4800 with 1.5 GB of onboard RAM! Hearing the creative types at DreamWorks Animation talk about their successes with the Z-series stoked my creative juices.

Using the z400
This is one quiet and extremely well-engineered system.

It came loaded with Microsoft Windows Vista. I booted directly into a Windows 7 Beta 1 install disc, wiped all information from all drives on the system, and installed Windows 7 as the operating system.

All devices attached to the system were auto-discovered and provisioned for use***.

I then installed our productivity packages: Microsoft Office 2007, Windows Live Essentials, Adobe Premiere Pro, Adobe Illustrator, our current and future MSP management apps, Microsoft Expression 3 beta, and Visual Studio 2010 beta. (See, I live on the edge, so you don’t have to!)

In everything, from presenting my dashboard in a snap, to performing a total system health check on all our managed systems and servers, the z400 sped through it.

In fact, the speedy performance of the z400 had me sacrilegiously comparing it – mentally, not vocally – to the xw8600.

For video transcoding, this system blew my reference system out of the water handily.

Using Microsoft Expression Encoder 3, I went on a tear, transcoding many home HD movies from HD tape to 1080p and enjoying them at The Orbiting O’Odua.

I have also been able to transcode a lot of my movies to both the Zune, and the forthcoming Zune HD format. In fact, I cannot wait to purchase the new Zune in order to try that out.

From a price/performance ratio, this system totally validated my recommendation last year the executives with a need for real-time information or running a BI dashboard skip the basic business desktop, and go directly to a workstation.

The engineering HP has delivered with this system is beyond peer, and at entry price point, the system is comparable to less capable desktops.

Conclusion 
This system has been my daily beast for the past several months, during which I have installed the builds of Windows 7, and the constant stream of beta software I use in order to make the determination where we at Logikworx, and by proxy, our clients, spend their resources.

A well-built system, the z400, which sits at the bottom of the Z-series line of workstations from HP is a must-have as a desktop replacement not just for executives, but also for most employees who require processing power at their desktops.

It has been worth lugging it to my work spaces these past few months.

The editors at SmallBizWindows have deemed it worthy of the SmallBizWindows Business Ready Award of Excellence.

I have used the z400 daily from the last week in April, and I do NOT want to give it back.

I love innovation in the personal workstation space!

The Specs

• New HP z-series aluminum-sided case
• Single Intel Xeon W3570, quad-core, 3.2 GHz
• 6 GB DDR3 RAM
• Nvidia Quadro FX 4800, 1.5 GB GDDR3 RAM
• 140 GB, 15,000 rpm SAS primary drive
• 1 TB SATA secondary drive

* Both discarded for my Microsoft Wireless Laser Desktop 6000
** The Sun Ultra 24 has a single Intel Core2 quad-core CPU with 8 GB of RAM.
** One of the ways we would be defining the systems we review for Windows 7 will be device discovery. Since Windows 7 uses the same driver model as Windows Vista, any and all systems that have components that are either not auto-discovered, or do not have a solution on Windows Update would be outed as not being business ready, a failure mark.

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Prior to now, using a mouse required inserting a PS2 (if you still use your father’s technology) or USB wired mouse, or a USB wireless mouse. The wireless mice are mainly 2-piece RF mice. Which is OK.

However, some of us have found ourselves in some desolate and foreign place without the 2^nd piece, the USB dongle which needs to be inserted into the laptop. At that point in time, you start speaking in tongues at the newly useless mouse.

A couple of months ago, I received the Verbatim Bluetooth Wireless Mouse.

The Verbatim Bluetooth Notebook Mouse
First off, this mouse came in a box with just the mouse and a brief pamphlet!

That is it.

As an aside, I just love those companies that are so sure of their devices, and their company’s and/or product’s adherence to standards, that they ship the product without any software disks. That takes major chutzpah!

For the test, I used a couple of laptops: the HP tx2000 Tablet PC, and the HP tx2 multi-touch Tablet PC.

Testing
Well, for both systems, I turned on the Bluetooth radio, did a search, paired the mouse, and it worked. Period.

No fuss, no muss.

Not leaving enough alone, I then subjected each to a series of tests in order to test the latency of the mouse.

In every case, the device worked as well, and was seemingly more responsive that the average wireless mouse.

Conclusions
This is an ergonomically designed mouse. It is not too small, not too large, and fits just right, even for someone with (relatively) large hands.

You can actually use it all day without discomfort.

As someone who travels quite a bit, having a 1-piece mouse is a boon, and the added benefit of it being ergonomic.

I like it enough to have stopped using the old stalwart: the Microsoft Wireless Notebook Mouse.

It is that good.

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This article previously appeared in the July 2009 issue of The Interlocutor.

However, the healthcare industry, as constituted in these United States in the year of our Lord 2009, has NEVER heard of conservation. Resultantly, that entire industry generates a ton of paper. Worst of all, the crazy amount of paper create d is only reduced by a smidgen if an electronic medical records software suite, or EMR, is used!

Due to HIPPA laws, and the rightful requirement for an audit trail in order to secure the integrity of a patient’s record while using an EMR, several non-electronic items of a specific patient’s medical record must be scanned, and inserted into the patient’s electronic chart.

For which you need a high-speed scanner.

Unboxing
The ScanJet 7000 came in a relatively small box befitting its dimensions.

The requisite software, USB cable, power cord, user manuals, and a quick-install manual completed the package.

Really though, could someone send out a memo to other OEMs about the necessity of adding a USB cable in device packaging? Especially since USB cables can be purchased in bulk for about fifty cents or thereabouts!

The HP ScanJet 7000 Scanner 
I have split this review into two parts: a review of the ScanJet 7000 using Windows Vista, and a forthcoming review of the product using Windows 7 RC, which I transitioned all the client systems at MedikLabs to during the review regimen.

I installed the scanner at MedikLabs, and connected it directly to the deskside PC of the scanner operator.

Where I got my first peeve: the install process, for all of the included software, did not have a unified install suite, making it interactive. That I do not like!

That said, the list of software included with the ScanJet 7000 is impressive: HP ScanJet drivers and tools, EMC ISIS/TWAIN drivers, Kofax Virtual ReScan v4.2, I.R.I.S. Readiris Pro 11, and ScanSoft PaperPort 11.

The Review
In this day and age, where conservation is our burden, MedikLabs was designed to be paperless, utilizing a Windows Vista-based EMR (electronic medical records) suite from Day 1.

However, it is easier said than done. Resultantly, enter the high-speed scanner.

This scanner is fast.

In my initial tests, using a combination of text, fully graphic, and mixed documents, I was able to get nearly rated speed.

What makes the ScanJet 7000 more impressive is that same software suite that I panned earlier in this review. Earlier this year, I reviewed another scanner rated at 40 ppm in both black-and-white and color. Well, while the ScanJet 70 is only rated at 35 ppm in color, it makes up for that with incredibly fast post-scan processing.

Indeed, the ScanJet 7000 processes pages so fast that it returns control to the user within seconds even on a relatively slow system. Moving the ScanJet 7000 to my personal desktop unit at MedikLabs, it smoked even further.

For the past several weeks, the ScanJet 7000 has been working extra hard, scanning a backload of documents, x-rays film, and other documents into patient charts.

The ScanJet 7000 worked extremely well, over a range of computer systems, without snags, and mis-feeds.

The clerical staff at MedikLabs are enamored with it, and will be very upset when it has to go back home. In fact, we are looking to acquire one for use at MedikLabs.

Conclusions
I am pleased with this scanner.

It is fast, compact, and priced just right. This compact, sheet-feed scanner is a workhorse.

As a result, we are awarding it the SmallBizWindows Business Ready Superstar Award.

I hope to get a series of these scanners here at MedikLabs in the near future for a scan-off.

Meanwhile, enjoy the ScanJet 7000 while we bring you the Windows 7 review of this product shortly.

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I have been using the HP Compaq dc7900 Ultra-Slim Desktop PC for the past three months as part of a long-term review.

This is one nice PC.

Unboxing

The dc7900 came in a fairly largish box, which was surprising until I opened it, and remembered that it had to contain a full size keyboard!

As is usual with HP products, it was well packaged, contained all the necessary cabling, including a USB mouse*.

Installation

Initial installation was at the Orbiting O’Odua.

I connected the system to my network (wired) through a CradlePoint MBR1000 router.

I turned on the system, and received my first shock: it was running Windows XP! However, since I had been informed of that prior to receipt of the system, it was all good.

I installed the Logikworx Standard Business Desktop, and went began testing.

The HP Compaq dc7900 Ultra-Slim PC

I really wanted to review this system for three primary reasons:

1. The slim form-factor is currently being used by a majority of our clients. Since those desktops would be reaching the end of their operational life sometime within the next several months. I wanted to make a review a current system with a view to making a recommendation.
2. Secondly, I wanted to test the ‘green’ virtues of this slim PC.
3. Finally, for current users of Windows XP, especially a potential client with several thousand desktops are all running XP, I wanted to see how it performed right now, and it the dc7900 had the headroom to perform in the future.

Size-wise, this PC is just right. Smaller than the smallest Dell unit we had placed in the past while being more powerful that those systems. With Intel dual-core processors and 2GB of RAM, the dc7900 proved to be capable of a primary desktop unit for years to come.

The dc7900 is already Energy Star 5.0 compliant, with each unit shipping with an 87% efficient power supply.

Performance
This is one fast puppy.

The dc7900 uses a 3 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 CPU, an Intel 4500 Media Accelerator GPU, and came with a 160GB hard disk.

I was able to perform daily desktop productivity tasks without the system hiccupping at all!

Moreover, HP imbued the dc7900 with integrated systems and add-ins that add more value and functionality to the dc7900. They are:

HP Power Manager
This is free power management software that ships with the dc7900 series. Client-based, it allows for computation, in real dollars and cents, of the power consumption of the dc7900.

Mozilla Virtual Browser by HP & Symantec
This one was new to me.

A collaboration by HP and Symantec, this exclusive-to-HP version of the browser is sandboxed for added security.

In my tests of it, the dc7900 was as responsive with the Mozilla Virtual Browser, as another install on the same device, using another partition.

For businesses, the Virtual Browser is an added benefit, since it helps mitigate the issues with errant employees surfing the Intertubes willy-nilly, and putting the entire enterprise at risk.

However, In-Private browsing offered by Microsoft as part of Internet Explorer 8, also sandboxes for you.

HP ProtectTools 
This is a wizard-based software suite made up of several modules that serve to protect your system.

What can you do with Protect Tools:

a) Encrypt and sign emails and documents.
b) Credentials Manager to manage credentials.
c) Multi-factor authorization.
d) Privacy Manager.
e) Direct Access Manager, helping restrict/authenticate write functionality of all drives and USB ports.

The photograph to the left shows a configuration of the dc7900 that I am enamored with: the Integrated WorkCenter.

This is as one-piece as you can get to a customizable PC in the Windows realm. That solution connects to any VESA standard-mount monitor up to 22 inches.

Additionally, the dc7900 supports dual monitors out-of-the-box: a standard monitor, and a DisplayPort unit.

Conclusions

I tested the dc7900 at several client locations in order to gauge user acceptability. It passed.

Running over the several networks, the dc7900 displayed nary a whimper as I threw more stuff at it.

Interestingly, it also works well as a living-room system due to the size and quietness.

However, that was not enough for me.

I decided to go off the ranch and install other operating systems on the dc7900 in order to see if some weirdo component had been subdulously inserted into the computer by HP in order to create lock-in.

Windows Vista SP2
I installed Windows Vista SP2 from a standard image used by Mediklabs, and it worked flawlessly. Installation concluded in 27 minutes, and all devices worked OK.

Windows 7 RC
Not leaving enough alone, I decided to install Windows 7 Release Candidate, build 7100 on the dc7900. I hate to sound like a broken record, but it worked flawlessly as well, with installation concluding in 19 minutes.

The HP Compaq dc7900 is a small-format system. However, from (physical build) system integrity, where it can support up to 67 pounds I am told, to performance, to the included software, this is one big system.

It is also engineered for the new global awareness of environmental responsibility.

Not surprisingly, it is the recipient of the SmallBizWindows Superstar Award.

*In 2009 alone, I have sent back, un-reviewed, four systems – two desktops, a workstation, and a server – sent for review with PS2 input devices. No, they were not from HP, and it is 2009 for goodness sakes!

The Pantech Matrix Pro is a dual-keyboard, dual-slider smartphone running Microsoft Windows Mobile v6.1 Standard.

This is truly a world phone, with quad-band GSM, and tri-band UMTS radios.

I have been using the phone as my primary phone for the past six weeks, for which my 2-week thoughts can be found here.

Unboxing & Looks
The smartphone came in a standard AT&T orange-hued box, which contained the phone, a AC power supply, a USB dongle, manuals, etc.

The Matrix Pro is a handsome, bluey slider phone with dimensions that extremely deceptive in real life.

It has a very good feel, thanks to the rounded edges, and a high resolution screen.

Reviewing
In order to review this unit, I decided to test the unit against an HTC Excalibur running Windows Mobile 6 Standard, and an HTC TyTN II (Windows Mobile 6 Professional).

I installed the usual: Windows Live Search mobile, Microsoft My Phone (beta), Microsoft Recite, And Microsoft Tags. PPCPIMBackup is my backup utility of choice, so that was installed as well.

Telephone: As a telephone, the Matrix Pro is an excellent mobile. Reception was peerless in all areas I used it in, from rural Colorado to Breckenridge, to NoCal, and the wilds of downtown Los Angeles. It worked. And very well at that.

GPS: the Matrix Pro has the fastest-acquiring GPS radio I have ever seen, period. Amongst the phones in question, and with a Verizon Wireless VX6900 as a non-AT&T reference unit, the Matrix Pro beat them in acquiring a GPS lock every single time.

Email: I used this device to connect to the Exchange Server, and it kept me in touch. I also downloaded the Hotmail Mobile client and used that to stay tethered as well.

Web Browsing: The web browsing experience on the Matrix Pro is as good as you can get using Windows Mobile. I cannot wait to use a jail-broken ROM of WinMo 6.5 with the next IE Mobile release on this unit.

Dislike(s)
The use of a proprietary USB power/data connector.

Conclusions
The Pantech Matrix Pro is a Business Ready device.

For the primary thing you want a cellphone for, which is making calls, the Matrix Pro excels. The use of both keyboards, the numeric, and the QWERTY, make is simple, with single-handed phone operations available.

Contact management, web browsing, IM, and other Intertube functionalities all work swimmingly.

As a result, I now use it as my primary cellphone, and I hope to make it that way for a long while.

Resultantly, it has been awarded the SmallBizWindows Business Ready Award.

BTW, AT&T has dropped the price on this baby to $99 with a contract, and Amazon.com, not to be denied, has it for $49.99, all in USD.

Announcement
AbsoluteWindows will be giving away a Pantech Matrix Pro early next month. 
25 other sites will be giving away a Matrix Pro as well starting very soon!
Stay tuned for details.

In my preview here, I announced the CradlePoint MBR1000 WWAN router.

Well, the MBR1000 was joined by the CTR500 and PHS300 mobile routers.

These three devices have performed beyond admirably.

The CradlePoint MBR1000 Router
 This is a Superstar product.

In all our tests, one feature replicated across the line of CradlePoint devices was the ease of use.

The CradlePoint routers are plug-in easy, and come with a browser-based setup that is just easy.

Written for humans, this is a welcome departure from the techno jargon generally found in user guides from lesser companies.

I am still impressed by the fact that you plug in an already activated cellular mode, open a browser window, and Bob’s your uncle. Simple as that. If setup is required, a wizard and/or a simple web page allows you to do just that.

This is a high performance device, and it actually increased the perceptible response of the cellular modem.

For this and all mentioned in the preview, we are giving the CradlePoint MBR1000 the SmallBizWindows Superstar Award.

For any business, and anyone for that matter, in an area without broadband, the only device you should consider is the CradlePoint MBR1000 Router. 

The CradlePoint CTR500
In a conversation with Don, a VITO (Very Important Top Officer) at CradlePoint, I mentioned that I might be taking the MBR1000 on the road with me for mobility. He laughed, and pointed me in the direction of the CradlePoint CTR500 and PHS300 devices, letting me know that they have me covered. Subsequently, I received both devices for review.

For the CTR500, I decided to test for reception as well as mobility.

Location: Holyoke, Colorado.

For this review, some providers from Mediklabs perform a clinical outreach in Holyoke to the underserved of our populace. In order to do so excellently, the providers need to be in contact with the servers back at Mediklabs.

However, in their assigned offices, the only spot where a cellular 3G connection cam be made is at a far corner right at the window.

Into this comes the CTR500. Plugging the 3G modem into the CradlePoint CTR500 created an instant Wi-Fi hotspot that worked throughout the assigned offices.

The providers looked at me like I was…..

This same experience has been replicated several times over the past couple of weeks all over rural Northern Colorado.

It is a device that extends your productivity past the end of the broadband line, and it is very welcome. 

As a result, it is the recipient of the SmallBizWindows Business Ready Award of Excellence.

The CradlePoint PHS300 Router
For the past several months, I have traveled to Utah performing rainmaking duties for a project we have been working on.

Since it involves a lot of proprietary numbers, both sides in the negotiations have experienced some trepidation allowing me the use of their computer network while I am on their premises.

Enter the CradlePoint PHS300.

Upon entering the client building on the two occasions over the last few weeks that I have been there, I turned on the PHS300, which, incidentally, measures only 3x5, in got to work.

It is safe to say that enquiring minds wanted to know what we were talking about.

Even while in their data center, reception from the PHS300 was steady, and in all instances, the CradlePoint routers excelled in performance, even better performance than the stock 3G modems.

In the car, pickup truck actually, for the 2-hour trip back to the airport, my assistant and I were able to continue working through just one modem.

We are also giving the CradlePoint PHS300 the SmallBizWindows Business Ready Award of Excellence.

This kind of productivity enhancement does not come by accident.

In targeting this space, CradlePoint is innovating in a very neglected, however soon to be extremely important sector of the economy.

As more people disconnect their landlines and move to 3G and soon, 4G networks, the ability to take that broadband connection with us will be a boon to our productivity goals. CradlePoint is well positioned to help up make that leap. Which I am sure will be appreciated by some deep-pocketed company. 

Finally, we are making the CradlePoint MBR1000, CTR500, and PHS300 essential components of the Logikworx Small Business Toolkit. Immediately.

We have been testing the HP Color LaserJet CP3525dn at our Northern Colorado RealtorLabs for the past several weeks.

The HP Color LaserJet CP3525dn
  The HP Color LaserJet CP3525dn is a duplexing, 30 ppm (page per minute) departmental/small business printer capable of yielding 3000 pages color and 3000 pages black-and-white from a single refresh of toner cartridges.

It is networkable through the built-in JetDirect NIC, and includes a USB port as well.

Unboxing
The CP3525dn ships in a rather large sturdy box – this is not a small printer, despite the low cost. It came with a starts set of toner cartridges installed, and a power supple cable. The usual series of user manuals came in the box as well.

We lifted the unit out of the box, installed it on a rack, connected it to the network, and presto, Windows Vista auto-discovered the printer, downloaded basic drivers, and we were good to go.

Testing
For the CP3525dn, I decided to use a real-world Realtor’s office for the review scenario.

(It is hard to believe, but there still are real estate agents out there!)

Comprising of three agents and their support staff, this realtor still(!) has a vibrant business since she caters exclusively to the agricultural and farming communities.

The agents are always in need of color documents to give to prospects, and a color printer would be just perfect.

As a result, I downloaded PostScript drivers from HP.com, and installed them for the realtor’s network.

When looked at from a price/performance perspective, the CP3525dn is hard to beat.

It is fast, reliable, and prints out colors with such vibrant hues that you would almost believe that you are looking at a inkjet print.

One thing that is pretty cool with the CP3525dn is the fast initial print. We have all grown accustomed to waiting for the first page of a color laser printer's output to begin. No longer. The CP3525dn spits out the first page almost as soon as you send the job to print.

Snag-free duplexing is also something that is very easy to get used to with the CP3525dn. Add the various paper sizes to the mix, and you would see that the CP3525dn is one capable business printer.

Conclusions
As a utility, printers must plug away reliably and quietly at their tasks. However, they should, like centurions, be ready to leap into action when called.

The HP Color LaserJet CP3525dn continues in the tradition of reliable printing workhorses for business.

This unit performed flawlessly.

I also tested the technical support infrastructure for the CP3525dn by calling HP Tech Support and taking the support drone through a fictitious scenario, adding new wrinkles as I went along. The support staffer remained courteous, and genuinely tried to help, even when it was evident that I had to be a total doofus to create the scenario I was asking him to resolve.

That was commendable service, and the sort businesses should expect when making a buying decision.

For the price, performance, and reliability of this printer, we have given it the AbsoluteVista Business Ready Award.

The affordability and performance of this printer make it just that.

Afterword
“Are there other companies manufacturing printers on this planet?”

I just have to ask.

I have reviewed five printers so far this year, and only the only printers to pass muster have been the HP C6380 AIO and this printer. In fact, going back to January of 2008, the only printers to have been deemed Business Ready by AbsoluteWindows and SmallBizWindows have been HP and Epson printers.

While it is true that I have liked and recommended HP printers since the LaserJet II, the lack of true competition in laser printers just means that other so-called competitors are just pretenders.

All other printer manufacturers just have to wake up and shake themselves if they truly want to compete.

  For the past several weeks, I have been reviewing the Epson WorkForce Pro GT-S80 sheet feed scanner.

While we all strive for the paperless office, the reality of it is that the current inventory of documents has to be digitized, or at least scanned, into the respective e-document repositories of their owners.

Into this scenario comes the high-speed scanner.

Epson WorkForce GT-S80
Announced in November of 2008, the WorkForce Pro GT-S80, hereinafter called the scanner, is a sheet-fed, single-pass duplex scanner designed for small and medium business environments, with a bias towards smaller environments.

It is spec’d at 80 pages per minute in mono mode, and has a 75-sheet sheet feeder.

While we do not use dedicated scanners of any sort at Logikworx or Logiklabs, I have clients and prospects that need them, especially in the healthcare industry, more evident now that everyone is moving towards implementing electronic medical records and/or electronic practice management suites.

Accordingly, I was able to obtain a copy for review at Mediklabs.

Unboxing
The GT-S80 came in a smallish box.

While signing for it, I asked the FedEx courier if there wasn’t Part II to the package. No, said he, and went on his merry way.

I opened the package to see a small device, the size of a large toaster, and a power supply.

A USB connector, user manuals, and a software CD completed the package.

I connected the parts, inserted the disc in the test system, installed the software, got an ‘install success’ dialog, and got to testing.

The Review
The included software suite for the WorkForce Pro GT-S80 is pretty extensive. You get the primary Epson Scan software, Abbyy FineReader Sprint Plus OCR software, ScanSoft’s PaperPort, and NewSoft’s Presto! BizCard software.

I changed the default output to PDF files for this review.

I inserted ten (10) double-sided sheets into the scanner’s sheet feeder, clicked on double-sided scan, and proceeded to doubt what transpired next.

The scanner fed the papers so fast through the machine that I took the output and waited for the software to prompt me for the second side.

After none was forthcoming, I decided to look at the saved output to see what exactly was going on.

To say that I am impressed is a gross understatement!

The scanner performs high-speed, duplex, color scanning.

Repeat, the WorkForce GT-S80 performs high-speed, duplex, color scanning.

It is truly a high-speed scanner.

I then ran it through several paces, using different materials up to large photographs and at very high resolutions.

The GT-S80 breezed through it all. In fact, the holdup was with the post-scan processing on the default installed (computer) system for the high resolution scans. (A change of host systems to a high-powered desktop system solved the post processing, cutting the time involved to mere seconds.)

In the subsequent weeks, users of the scanner came away impressed with the performance, and numerous output formats this device was capable of.

Conclusions
  The Epson Workforce Pro GT-S80 is one serious Business Ready device.

In fact, I believe that it probably wins any price/performance test hands down with any other scanner, especially in its price class.

How much do we like it? Since sending the review unit back to Epson, staffers here at Mediklabs have gone into scanner withdrawals, and I am looking to purchase a copy for use here.

Accordingly, we have decided to give it the SmallBizWindows Business Ready Award of Excellence.

Innovating in these troubled times.

I have been reviewing the Verbatim TuneBoard multimedia keyboard for the past several weeks.

Dovetailing into my consumer series of reviews, the TuneBoard seemed perfect, a nice way to cut the clutter on the desktop somewhat by eliminating speakers, since stereo speakers are integrated into the device.

The Verbatim TuneBoard keyboard
Coming in a black and fluorescent blue box, the TuneBoard box contained the TuneBoard and a basic install instruction pamphlet – it is after all, a keyboard.

Connected the keyboard via USB, and that’s it.

I tested the TuneBoard for a couple of weeks using a series of desktops. What I wanted to see was how it handled the musical output from the varying sound cards installed.

While keyboards are more of a commodity item, I like the feel, and blue glow of the backlighting of the TuneBoard. Key travel was just right, and the keys have a nice feel to them. The finish on the TuneBoard is that piano-style black, which seems to be de rigueur for the fashionistas right now.

Conclusion
This is a very good keyboard for the consumer set.

It is a solid, capable performer, and a very good value. The integrated speakers delivered adequate music, and the bass boost rivaled or bested some of the stand alone speakers hawked at mega-mart. Eliminating some of the clutter on the desk by removing those speaker pods from the desktop is a nice vig.

Coupled with the Verbatim Bluetooth Wireless Notebook Mouse (review follows shortly), it is very pleasing to see some new thought arriving in the technology market.

Definitely recommended.

Actually, the Able Planet NC200 Foldable Active Noise-Canceling Headphones Review.

Do not let the long-winded name fool you; this is one serious business device.

Last year, I reviewed the flagship Able Planet Clear Harmony NC1000CH headphones, and declared it Business Ready. However, at an MSRP of $349 USD, the NC100CH is clearly a top-of-the-line product.

This year, I got the opportunity to review the NC200, a value-priced ($99.00 USD) noise-canceling headphones, and I have come away impressed.

The Able Planet NC200 Noise-Canceling Headphones.

The NC200 came in a box with the headphones, and a carrying bag.

It seemed well designed and manufactured, and the hinges – for folding the device – seemed very sturdy.

Testing
I decided to use the NC200 for a series of short hops, and a recent long trip.

As I did with the NC1000CH, I decided to use the NC200 with and without an audio source.

The difference is, and was, very clear.

For my trips, the NC200 was a marvelous companion, and a great utility.

For noise cancellation, the device just worked. The background droning of the turbojets vanished. Just like that!

As an audio headset, NC200 performed impeccably, allowing me to enjoy the highs and lows of program material, which ranged from music and movies on my Zune to HD movies on my Tablet PC.

The clarity of the output from the NC200 needs to be heard.

Conclusions
 One you avail yourself of an Able Planet noise-canceling headphone set, you can never go back to flying without the use of the device. Indeed, you cannot got back to listening to any kind of audio content without the use any Able Planet headphones. Period.

The clear advantage of Able Planet’s LINX Audio technology used in Able Planet’s devices seems very unfair, as I deem all other competitors unworthy.

For the price and performance delivered by the NC200, the editors here at SmallBizWindows have given it the SmallBizWindows Business Ready Award.