High-Tech Tools on a Budget

Cool business tools are not just for fun and games. What makes many of these devices exceptional is their ability to help us work better, faster, and more cost-effectively.

The need to communicate visually has made a high-performance digital camera an essential part of office technology. Canon's new Digital Rebel XTi takes the affordable D-SLR to a new level of performance. This $899 semi-pro camera features 10.1 megapixel resolution, fast 3 frames per second shooting, and a 9-point wide area auto focus system. Good low-light performance and versatility (the Rebel XTi accepts 60 Canon EF-S lenses and other accessories), make this an excellent choice for capturing valuable business images.

To make sure you never miss an important shot, keep a Nikon Coolpix S7c close at hand. This 7.1 megapixel, pocket-sized camera features a Nikkor 3X zoom lens, and a bright 3-inch LCD. In-camera red-eye reduction, blur warning, ISO 1600 high sensitivity mode, and a host of other intelligent functions help you get usable pictures under difficult shooting conditions. This stylish, sub-$350 unit also features built-in Wi-Fi for rapid uploading of pictures, and includes one year of complimentary T-Mobile Hotspot service.

Ultimate Space

Not too long ago, terabyte-capacity network attached storage (NAS) was a luxury few small businesses could afford. The Maxtor Shared Storage II costs less than $700 for a 1-terabyte model, and provides fast, reliable backup and shared storage for the Macs and PCs on your network. The unit includes an Ethernet port for connection to your network, a USB 2.0 connection for expansion, plus integrated streaming capabilities for sharing music and video.

For more modest shared storage requirements, check out the new LinkStation LS-250GL from Buffalo. This easy-to-use, network-ready drive provides 250 MB of secure, expandable storage for Macs and PCs, for less than $300.

Multi-Purpose Screens

Every small business needs a big screen. A 40-inch or larger LCD can be used to display a PowerPoint presentation or spreadsheet, view multi-window business TV broadcasts, watch a product training DVD, or for gaming and entertainment. The new Samsung LN-S4096D is a 40-inch LCD display with super-high 1920x1080 resolution, and a very crisp 6000:1 contrast ratio. This exceptional screen costs less than $3,000 and includes a cable card-ready HDTV tuner, hidden bottom speakers, and enough inputs, outputs, and control functions for almost any home or office application.

The spectacular Sony Bravia KDL-46XBR3 is perfect for a media room requiring the best in both computer and HDTV display. With an MSRP of $4,600, the 46-inch Bravia is definitely a premium unit, but its beautiful, high-contrast (7000:1), 1920x1080 native picture and advanced signal processing make it ideal for situations where image quality and visual impact are paramount.

The plummeting cost of high-tech prosumer products can help you upgrade your business tools without breaking the bank.

Newegg.com

This Listing Also Makes A Handy Newegg.com Catalog.

Anything devoted to computers, electronics, games and gadgets makes for great shopping--even what you'll find in our competitors' catalogs, stores, and websites. We believe the more you know, the better we look. So browse around. Do your research. Then, when you know exactly what you want, buy it at Newegg.com. Great prices. Fast shipping. And just about everything you see in here is in stock.