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12/96 Cover Story: Multimedia to the Max
Home movies won't be the same after you introduce your
family to the three 'e's-education, entertainment and exploration.
System: IBM Aptiva S66
Price: $3,148
IBM Consumer Division
800-426-7235 x4340
http://www.ibm.com
IBM's Aptiva S66 is a worthy entertainment system that fits into
any decor. This stylish system eschews the dull, putty color of
office machines in favor of a sleek design that tucks its drives
in a pop-up bay below the 15-inch monitor.
The S66's 166MHz processor provides ample power, and its 8X CD-ROM
drive will make installing or running games and educational applications
a snap. Seize control of the Aptiva's comfortable joystick and
steer your way through the generous software bundle. A wireless
mouse provides freedom to roam, and if your wanderings take you
to new frontiers, fear not-the Aptiva S66 has room to grow. (Reviewed
in this issue)
Communications: U.S. Robotics Sportster Voice 28.8/External
Price: $249
US Robotics
800-DIALUSR, 847-676-7010
http://www.usrobotics.com/
Full-duplex speakerphone, QuickLink Message center, a host of
software on CD and reliable connections make the U.S. Robotics
Sportster Voice 28.8 a dependable, versatile choice. (Reviewed
in August)
Printer: Epson Stylus Color 500
Price: $279
Epson America
800-GO-EPSON, 310-782-0770
http://www.epson.com
Expect outstanding monochrome and color output at an excellent
price from this printer. It has a flexible driver and bundles
Printshop, Adobe Photo Deluxe and Adobe Home Publisher. (Reviewed
in October)
Scanner: Storm EasyPhoto Reader
Price: $199
Storm Technology
888-438-3279, 415-691-6600
http://www.easyphoto.com/storm/
Here's a quick and easy way to add color or black-and-white photographs
to documents. You can connect the reader and your printer simultaneously
via a pass-through port.(Reviewed in May 1995)
Upgrade Graphics: Number Nine Imagine 128 Series 2
Price: $699
Number Nine Visual Technology
800-GET-NINE, 617-674-0009
http://www.nine.com
Speed is one of this graphics accelerator's most outstanding attributes.
Another is its ability to bring you full-screen software MPEG
movies.(Reviewed in August)
Upgrade Monitor: InFocus LitePro 210
Price: $5,999
InFocus Systems
800-294-6400, 503-685-8888
http://www.infs.com
Fantastic color and the ability to splash a 4-by-6-foot PC playing
field on your wall make this the monitor upgrade of choice for
the ultimate home entertainment computer. Movie buffs will love
the built-in cable TV/VCR connection.
Speakers: Bose Acoustimass Multimedia Speaker System
Price: $699
Bose
800-444-BOSE, 508-879-7330
It's from the world's top name in speaker systems, so it's no
surprise this three-piece set is the best you can get for your
PC. This is probably more than you'll need for a computer system,
but that's exactly what you'll love most about it.
Backup Device: Iomega Jaz Drive
Price: $499 (external); $399 (internal)
Iomega Corp.
800-MY-STUFF, 801-778-1000
http://www.iomega.com/product/jaz/index.html
The Iomega Jaz Drive's performance is so good, you can use it
as a primary drive. Because Win95 sees it as removable media,
you can treat the Jaz Drive as if it were an overgrown floppy
disk. (Reviewed in August)
Input Device: Microsoft SideWinder Game Pad
Price: $39
Microsoft Corp.
800-426-9400, 206-882-8080
http://www.microsoft.com
The SideWinder is digital, so it's more accurate than a regular
joystick. And you can daisy-chain up to four of them together.
Miscellaneous: Philips PCA 20 TV
Price: $235
Philips Professional Solutions
800-235-7373, 408-453-5129
http://www.pps.philips.com
Add a TV tuner to any PC. An infrared remote control makes your
PC as user-friendly as your television set.(Reviewed in August)
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