McNerdy's Reviews

Belkin WiFi Phone for Skype: F1PP000GNSK


McNerdy Rating: 4 out of 5
Buy For The Low Price of $126.99 @ TheNerds.net

With free wi-fi spots everywhere, malls, shops, Wal-mart, etc; buying a wi-fi phone seems to be the new “IT” thing to do. I’ve seen some reviews bad mouth this new technology but as far as I see it, if it works, it works. Unlimited calls in Canada and US (if the receiving end is also a Skype User), that’s SAVINGS!!!

The Belkin Wi-Fi Phone for Skype doesn't require a PC and will work anywhere in the world where you have secured or open access to a WiFi network. Any home, office, cafe, or municipal wireless access point that does not require browser-based authentication will do.
Ready to go. Pre-loaded with Skype software and featuring the same Skype interface, the Belkin Wi-Fi Phone is ready to use with any wireless network.

Easy to use. To make a call, simply use the intuitive on-screen color menu to locate your contact and view their online availability-exactly like you use Skype today.

Here are some features:
The Wi-Fi Phone is Skype-certified, which means that it adheres to all Skype's requirements to ensure that your Wi-Fi Phone experience is just like it is on your PC.
Connect to any secured or open access WiFi network that does not require browser-based authentication
Exceptional Voice Quality
WEP, WPA and WPA2 with PSK support

Pros: Free unlimited calls via Wi-Fi Availability, Ease of use, Sleek look
Cons: Battery Life
In Conclusion: With the price of local and long distance charges going crazy now-a-days, buying this item and setting up a free SKYPE account for you and your friends/family is the smarter way to go. Buy one and start saving today.

Skype
Search for Skype related items at TheNerds.net

What is VOIP? What is Skype? What is Vonage? What are Wi-Fi or IP Phones? Well today’s review will break this mysterious world down for you.

Vocabulary

VOIP (Voice over Internet Protocol): is a protocol optimized for the transmission of voice through the Internet or other packet switched networks.
Skype: Skype allows users to make telephone calls over the Internet to other Skype users free of charge and to landlines and cell phones for a fee. Additional features include instant messaging, file transfer, short message service, video conferencing and the ability to circumvent firewalls.
Vonage: is a publicly held commercial voice over IP (VoIP) network and SIP company that provides telephone service via a broadband connection (the company's name is a play on their motto "Voice-Over-Net-AGE").
Wi-Fi: is the common name for a popular wireless technology used in home networks, mobile phones, video games and more. Wi-Fi is supported by nearly every modern personal computer operating system and most advanced game consoles.
Hotspot (Wi-Fi): is a venue that offers Wi-Fi access. The public can use a laptop, WiFi phone, or other suitable portable device to access the Internet. Hotspots are often found at restaurants, train stations, airports, libraries, hotels, hospitals, coffee shops, bookstores, fuel stations, department stores, supermarkets and other public places. Many universities and schools have wireless networks in their campus.
Wi-Fi Phone: is a wireless telephone that looks similar to a mobile phone but places calls via a combination of voice over IP and WiFi rather than via a cellular network. Some WiFi phones use Skype or Vonage for their voice over IP service such as current Belkin and Netgear WiFi phones.
IP Phone: uses Voip technologies allowing telephone calls to be made over the internet instead of the ordinary PSTN system. The phones use protocols such as Session Initiation Protocol, Skinny Client Control Protocol or one of various proprietary protocols such as that used by Skype.


What in the world is Vonage?
In order to use the service, customers must purchase or use a "Vonage" branded "VoIP router" or a phone adapter that connects to their main router or broadband modem. Subscribers are permitted to choose any number in the country of the service they subscribe to for their primary line. Whether it be Vonage US, Canada or UK, subscribers may choose from any area code regardless of their actual residence. Subscribers also have the option of obtaining additional "virtual numbers" for a monthly fee. For example, a subscriber in Florida may choose a number with Manhattan area code 646, allowing callers from New York to be billed only for a local call. In addition, Vonage also offers 'virtual numbers' in Mexico, Canada and throughout Europe for any and all customers to choose from. This is especially beneficial to businesses with an international client base.


What’s the hype about Skype?
Skype uses a technology somewhat different from Vonage’s. Users need only download the software and have a headset or microphone hooked to their computer. The catch is, the only people that they can call for free are other Skype users. That is becoming less of a problem, however; as of this writing, more than 40 million people are actively using Skype’s software. That’s not bad for just 18 months of business!

If you use Skype and you want to call friends who do not, you can take advantage of a service called SkypeOut. Users set up accounts with Skype, and then can call any normal phone number (mobile or landline) for a rate of about US$.02 per minute (for more than 20 countries).

For those who may not have priced it out recently, that rate is lower than the rate available from many of the major telecommunications companies. Nor does it change depending on the time, or where you are calling to; it’s where you are calling from that counts. Or, as Skype explains on its website: “But no matter what the rate is, calling your friend next door is the same price as calling that same friend in London from Beijing, San Francisco, Taipei…or even Manchester.”

Now you know what the hype is all about.

Product: AM3 Premier Swingout Arm Mount
TheNerds.net low price of $251.99
Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars

OK. So you just got your brand new 55” Plasma HDTV screen for the game party this weekend. You’re super excited and rip into the box like a kid on Christmas day. TV? Check! Cables? Check! Stand? Check! Stand?? Wait, you forgot that you needed to buy a wall mount? Yea, that item can be quite important for a deluxe Weekend Party to watch the BIG GAME! You are going to need a very sturdy and beefy mount to handle this new set of yours. The AM3 Premier Mount is your answer! I’ve researched for a while online and have noticed this one mount pop up over and over and over again. So here’s my review.

It’s heavy, so you’re going to need a couple of people to help you mount this thing; unless your brawny enough to maneuver a 60lb mount yourself. Which is a good thing. Now you know if mounted properly, that this mount will not fall off the wall. Buying this swing out arm mount online is definitely the way to go. Buying in a big box store is way out of the question when you side-by-side price compare. This unit has excellent design for mounting, viewing, and hiding all those unsightly wires. The AM3 is more than adequate to fit your needs, it’s exactly what you’re looking for.

Here are some specs:
Fits displays from 40”- 61”
10° tilt up or down
180° swing, left and right
Fits mounting points from 225~870mm wide x 225~500mm high
Extends from 4"-26" from the wall
Built-in cable management (Cable routing inside arms)
Patented Radial Glide Technology™
Dimensions: 22”x29”x4” (HxWxD)
Max Load: 160lbs.
Lifetime Guarantee

Versions:
AM3 (Silver) $251.99
AM3B (Black) $240.99

Pros: Attractive Design, Easy to Wire, Holds All Components, Supports Weight, Excellent instruction set, Wall template
Cons: Heavy

In Conclusion: Comfort, ease, stability, classy appearance, help make your new HDTV screen look like a million bucks. This AM3 mount will make you the talk of the party. Buy it today.

Product: Solio Universal Hybrid Portable Solar Charger - Pink Mfg Part # (S121G07A)
TheNerds.net low price of $74.99
Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars

For anyone on the go, or an adventure seeker, the Solio Universal solar charger kit is the perfect gift. When you can’t get to a wall socket or car charger and you really need that electronic device to work, this compact, oval-shaped device that fits perfectly in a backpack or purse fans open to include three (3”) small panels that will instantly fit the bill.

Opening the Solio is a simple process: All you need to do is swivel the panels outward so that they resemble a windmill. On the side of the back panel are ports for the wall charger and for the cord that connects to your phone. You get adapters for most Motorola, Nokia, and Samsung phones, in addition to adapters for the Palm Treo and the Apple iPod. The only other external feature is a small power button that conveniently flashes to show the charging strength.

The Solio has an internal battery that can be charged via a conventional wall charger or directly from the sun. Charging from the wall is a straightforward process, and you should get a full charge in about 6 hours. Solio's makers promise you'll be able to fully charge the device with 8 to 10 hours of direct sunlight. Keep in mind, though, that a cloudy day will make charging more difficult, and users in far northern or southern latitudes during winter will have more trouble. I plugged in the phone and aimed the charger at the sun., via the suction cup included for attaching it to a window. After exposing it to the sun for about 45 minutes, there was enough juice on the phone to make a 20-minute call--impressive!

You can charge any of the following:
Cell Phone / iPhone
iPod / MP3 player
Smart Phone / PDA
Game Player
GPS
Digital Camera

Here are some features:
Reusable - use it again and again.
Compact lightweight design - convenient for travel or emergency use.
(4.7 inches by 2.5 inches by 1.4 inches; 5.8 ounces)
Works with multiple gadgets, including mobile phones, iPhone™, Bluetooth® headsets, smartphones/PDAs, MP3 players, portable gaming devices, digital cameras, GPS and much more.
Provides an emergency power source when away from power outlets.
Adapter tips allow you to power multiple gadgets with a single charger ( tips for most products included in pack.)
Battery is easily replaceable and lasts for up to one year.
Suction Cup – allows you to charge while hanging in the window.

Versions:
Solio Classic Version - A fully charged Solio H1000 will charge a typical mobile phone once or give 10 hours of MP3 music. Just 1 hour of sunshine = 14 minutes talk time or 40 minutes of MP3 music.
· S11G38D (Silver)
· S19G38D (Black)
· S121G07A (Pink)
· S13G38D (White)
Solio Hybrid 1000 Version - A fully charged Solio Classic will charge a typical mobile phone more than twice or give over 20 hours of iPod music. Just 1 hour of sunshine = 20 minutes talk time or 50 minutes of MP3 music. Chargeable from the sun or the USB port on your computer. 1 panel only.
· S326B36T (Silver Hybrid)

Pros:
The Solio Universal solar charger kit has a compact design and delivers ample charging time, and the internal battery can be charged from the wall or the sun.

Cons:
The Solio Classic & The Solio Hybrid can't balance on its side during solar charging. But at this price, who cares! You can always use the window suction cup, or lay it flat.

In Conclusion: Well designed and high functioning, the Solio Universal solar charger kit is great for power in a pinch on a sunny day. The Solio really does what it claims to do, and that means nasty disposable batteries are no longer needed. It's a great, lightweight way to take iPod tunes into the hills for extended multiday periods.

Product: LaCie USB 2.0 External Hard Drive - 500GB - 7200rpm - USB 2.0 - External Mfg Part # (301285U)
TheNerds.net low price of $98.99
Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars

If you’re like me, you have tons and I mean tons of digital files in need of saving and protecting; be it movies, pdf files, pictures, music files, etc. But there’s only so much space on that everyday PC/MAC hard drive. That’s where the highly reliable easy to use and great value for the money, LaCie 500GB USB Desktop External Hard Drive (301285U) comes into play. All platforms like these drives. If you're into non-linear video editing, it's a god-send. If you need to backup/archive special files, it's good for that too. Granted, nothing special comes with it, but if all you need is raw storage, you can't beat it for that.

Plug & play, it’s ready to use seconds after removing it from the box. Back up your entire system regularly, upgrade capacity when your computer’s hard drive is full, or use it as a reliable data shuttle between USB-equipped desktops and laptops. Compact, lightweight and stackable, its smart design is understated so it blends into any work environment. LaCie ‘1-Click’ Backup Software is included for quick, easy backups (Windows & Mac).

Here’s what’s in the box:
LaCie Desktop Hard Disk
USB 2.0 cable
1 Year Limited Warranty
External Power Supply
Quick Install Guide
LaCie Utilities (pre-loaded on the drive)
User Manual
LaCie ‘1-Click’ Backup Software (Windows & Mac)
Here are some specs:
Capacity : 500 GB
Interface : Hi-Speed USB 2.0
Rotational Speed (rpm) : 7200
Cache : 8MB or greater
Interface Transfer Rate :
Up to 480Mbits/s (60MB/s)
Fan : Fanless
Size : 41 x 113 x 194 mm / 1.6 x 4.4 x 7.6 in.
Weight : 31.7 oz. / 900 g
System Requirements : Computer with USB 2.0 interface; Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Vista™; Mac OS X 10.3 or higher; Pentium II 350MHz processor or greater / G3, G4, G5 Mac Intel processor or greater; 128MB RAM minimum

Vocabulary:
Rpm = Revolutions Per Minute (How fast the hard drive runs)

Pros:
Back up your files, music, photos & video
Easy to set up and use; plug & play
Fanless for near-silent operation
Sturdy, compact, and stackable design

Cons:
No On/Off switch, which means you need to unplug when not in use
18 inch USB cord is very short which can make the unit hard to hide

In Conclusion:
This external drive’s compact size, with small footprint, sits on top of your PC; kind of like a mini tower. It does the job really quietly. Makes you wonder if it’s even on. Definitely worth the money!

Product: Konica Minolta Magicolor 2490MF Multifunction Printer Mfg Part # (5250226100)
TheNerds.net low price of $452.99
Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars

Finding an all-in-one color laser that's small in size but hearty enough to support small workgroups can be a tall order. Konica Minolta's Magicolor 2490MF fits the bill as an ideal all-in-one imaging solution for SMB’s.

Vocabulary:
SMB: an abbreviation for small and medium-size business, sometimes seen as small and mid-size business. A business with 100 or fewer employees is generally considered small, while one with 100-999 employees is considered to be medium-sized.
PPM: Page Per Minute

The $452.99 all-in-one unit combines print, copy, scan and fax functions, along with a PictBridge function for direct printing from compatible digital cameras. It has a flatbed and sheet fed scanner on top, along with an automated document feeder (ADF). The built-in NIC allows for easy network integration or it can be connected to a workstation through the USB interface. Like most of Konica Minolta's recent offerings, the Magicolor 2490MF's image quality is quite good. Color accuracy, contrast and detail are above average. Copies made of the printed photos also looked good, although somewhat less vivid than the originals. Copies of text pages looked more or less as good as the originals. An optional duplexer allows the printing of two-sided documents and two-sided copies from one-sided originals. A multipurpose input tray handles 200 sheets but can be expanded to 500 with an optional tray. As a stand-alone copier, personnel can make use of the flatbed scanner or ADF. Note that the ADF will hold up to 50 sheets of paper. To make copies, all the user has to do is press the copy button and then press either the monochrome or color button, depending on the desired output. With the optional duplexer installed, two-sided copies can be made from single-sided originals in order to save paper. The contrast, quality and resolution of the copies are set from the control panel. Copies also can be reduced or enlarged from 50 percent to 200 percent of the original size. Scans can be made through the USB 2.0 interface or directly to e-mail with the 10/100 Ethernet interface. The bundled ScanSoft PaperPort SE allows scans to be saved in PDF, JPG, TIFF and other popular file formats, and the Optical Character Recognition (OCR) function converts documents to editable text. Fax functionality includes nine one-touch dials, 100 speed dials, 125 broadcast stations, and group dialing with nine groups and 50 stations per group. Bundled software called FaxTalk Communicator lets users send and receive digital faxes from their PCs.

Options:
· Konica Minolta Auto Duplex Unit (1710629100) $289.99
· Konica Minolta 500 Sheets Feeder - 500 Sheet (1710627001) $262.99
· Konica Minolta 500 Sheets Lower Input Feeder - 500 Sheet (1710628001) $257.99
· Konica Minolta Drum - Black, Color - 45000 Page, 11250 Page (1710591001) $143.99

Here are some specs & what’s in the box:
Supports Glossy, Thick Stock, Recycled Paper, Transparencies, Postcards, Laser-quality Labels and Photo Media
Print & Copy: Up to 20 ppm B&W or 5 ppm color
Scan: 6 sec/page B&W or 12 sec/page color
4 sec/page B&W or 10 sec/page color
Fax: Up to 33.6 Kbps Super G3 stand-alone fax functionality
Comes with a 4,500-page monochrome cartridge and a 1,500-page color cartridge
PC Fax: Send and receive via the PC with FaxTalk Communicator™
Camera Direct Photo Print: PictBridge™ compatible
96 MB RAM 128 MB RAM
Hi-Speed USB 2.0 interface
Ethernet® and Hi-Speed USB 2.0 interfaces
50-sheet automatic document feeder
35,000 page-per-month duty cycle
1-year exchange warranty

Pros:
Small enough to sit on a desk
Can print/copy without connecting to a PC
Capable of supporting a workgroup

Cons:
With heavy use, this printer will go through a lot of consumables.

In Conclusion: While its performance won't leave anyone in awe, at $452.99 the Magicolor 2490MF is nonetheless more than adequate for use by any small workgroup. And a great all-in-one! The Magicolor 2490 MF color laser all in one features print, copy, scan, standalone fax, PC fax and camera direct photo print functions. Cost conscious, productivity driven businesses with the vital office tools they need in one, cost effective machine. You will enjoy high quality 2400 x 600 dpi prints from the Magicolor 2490 MF. Konica Minolta Toner ensures vibrant, durable prints that don't fade or smear.

Product: METRO DataVac Handheld Steel Vacuum/Blower Cleaner (MDV1BA)
TheNerds.net low price of $61.99
Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Buy the DataVac Handheld Steel Vacuum/Blower Cleaner!

We all know that for a machine to run efficiently, you need to clean it out once in a while. By safely removing all the hair, dust, debris, paper, and dirt particles from intricate & tight crevices in a wide range of office equipment will keep them free from having to use potentially harmful products instead. Stop having to fret over cleanliness of your computer, printers, and other expensive equipment & let this vacuum cleaner/blower do the work. Powered by a .5 HP motor and including a four-piece micro cleaning kit, 19” flexible hose, crevice took, air pin-pointer, soft dusting brush, 5 reusable/disposable bags, 12 ft. cord and finally a shoulder strap, this METRO DataVac Handheld Steel Vacuum/Blower (MDV1BA) is available all for the low price of $61.99. That’s a whole lot of cleaning support for such a low price. You can purchase the Replacement Bags for the Handheld Steel Vaccum/Blower, 5 per pack (MEVDVP26RP). These disposable bags are great for quick & easy cleaning. Also, the overall lightweight design (3 lbs.), shoulder strap and sturdy steel design make this handheld cleaning tool ideal for workers on-the-go.

Here’s what’s in the box:
Metro DataVac Vacuum Cleaner/Blower
4 piece micro cleaning kit
19” flexible hose
Shoulder strap
5 Reusable/Disposable Bags
12 foot cord
Crevice Tool
Air Pin-Pointer
Soft Dusting Brush

Here are some specs:
Sturdy Steel Design
16W x 4D
.5 HP Motor
3lbs (Shipped 6lbs)

Pros:
Lightweight & Portable
Easy to use
Great as a Blower
Quick and Easy Cleaning

Cons:
Vaccum isn’t very strong

In Conclusion: Clean out your PC tower, your old fax machine, etc… and keep your electronics in tip top shape. Good price for quality. Get it now!

As many of you know TheNerds.net is your leading source for Computer Hardware, Consumer Electronics, Office Supplies, GPS Units and much more! But did you know we also carry cleaning products? That is technically part of Office Supplies, am I right? Next time you place an order for office supplies, remember to include some of the top selling cleaning products that we carry. Such as:

(15948) Lemon Scent Disinfecting Wet Wipes, Cloth, 7 x 8, 75/Canister $6.99
(CB214629) Pledge Multi Surface Wipe $5.99
(CB109264) Windex Glass & Surface Wet Wipes, Cloth, 7 x 10, 25/Packet $4.99
(CB121289) Pledge Lemon Scent Wet Wipes, Cloth, 8 x 11, 18/Pack $4.99
(CB028653) Oust Air Sanitizer, Outdoor Fragrance, 10-oz. Aerosol Can $5.99

Remember, a clean environment, is a healthy one.

Cleaning Supplies Search

Pros: One stop shopping for all your office needs.
Cons: Sorry, we don’t sell cleaning services. You’ll have to figure that one out on your own.

Product: Westinghouse 5.6" LCD Digital Photo Frame (DPF-0561)
TheNerds.net low price of $71.99
Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars

Buy the Westinghouse 5.6" LCD Digital Photo Frame Today!

Perfect for the:
· Office of a busy parent
· Far away loved one
· Grandparent you haven’t seen in a year
· Young bird leaving the nest for college
· Best friend you haven’t seen since college
· Gadget guru that has everything
· Teen that ran out of wall and counter space for pictures
· etc..

Do you have a grandparent with a house full of frames? Is your room wallpapered in pictures? Do you have a ton of digital pictures to choose from, but cannot pick which one will sit in the new frame? Well then this review is for you! Digital photos of your friends and family are priceless, why not enjoy them everyday. No more choosing that one perfect picture for your desk or bed stand, now you can tell the whole story in an attractive, affordable digital photo frame with the new crystal clear Westinghouse 5.6" LCD Digital Photo Frame. This digital frame comes complete with interchangeable frames to match any décor and supports multiple memory cards and file formats. Plug in this frame via the USB cable to your PC/Mac and start dragging and dropping for instant picture access. If you want to load more on to your new Western Digital 5.6’ frame, then use of the many supported memory cards to upload more priceless memories for your viewing pleasure.

Here’s what’s in the box:
· DPF-0561 5.6" LCD Digital Photo Frame w/ Built-in Card Reader
· 3 Interchangeable Frames: Mahogany Frame, Black Frame, Brushed Aluminum Frame
· AC/DC Power Supply Adapter
· USB 1.1 Connector
· User Manual
· Standard 6 Month(s) Limited Warranty

Here are some specs:
Screen Size: 5.6 inch Diagonal
Memory Card Support: CF I, II, MS (Memory Stick, Memory Stick PRO, Memory Stick Duo, or Memory Stick PRO Duo), SD, MMC, XD
File Format Support: JPEG, AVI Motion-JPEG
Features: Slide Show Mode, AVI Motion JPEG Player
Internal Memory: 8 MB Flash
Power: Input: 100V-240V AC, 50~60HZ / Output: 9V DC, 1.5A
Dimensions: Width 6.4 x Height 4.2 x Depth 1.1 inch
Weight: 0.9 pounds
www.westinghousedigital.com

Versions of the Westinghouse LCD Digital Photo Frame:
· DPF0561 – 5.6inch
· DPF0702 – 7inch
· DPF0802 – 8inch
· DPF0801 – 8inch
· DPF1021 – 10.2inch
· DPF1411 – 14.1inch

Start searching for Digital Frames now

Pros: Internal 8MB memory, Supports many memory cards, interchangeable bezels, lightweight, easy to use.
Cons: USB Connection is 1.1, only 3 available frames

In Conclusion: At $71.99 you can have an interactive digital frame that matches any décor. They sold like hotcakes during the holidays as gifts, but did you get yourself one? Buy NOW while prices are low. Now it’s your time to indulge. Enjoy!

TheNerds.net is continually trying to make your shopping experience the best it can be. We just launched a new search tool to help you find our products faster and easier and several changes on the site, hope you’ve enjoyed them thus far. But now we need your help! Be as honest and straightforward as possible. Without your honest, ruthless and even negative comments, we can’t strive to be the best.

Have any of you noticed our new Homepage Banner:

“Try our new Search, tell us how to make it better and you will qualify to win a Garmin GPS”?

Well next time you see it, Click It and take the 5 question survey. By doing so, you may win a Garmin Nuvi 200! Contest drawing will be held on March 31st, 2008. Get your survey filled out with helpful comments TODAY!