Macs make Comdex, too
Compaq Computer Corp. (NYSE:CPQ) introduced three new CRT monitors: the 17-inch S710, the 19-inch S910 and the 21-inch V1100. The beige CRT displays work with USB-equipped computers; they are available now and are priced at $300, $480 and $870, respectively.
Iomega Corp. (NYSE: IOM) introduced the external ZipCD USB Drive, a CD-rewritable drive that allows users to record, create, share and archive up to 650MB of data on one compact disc. Mac support is set for the first quarter of next year for the $280 ZipCD USB Drive. Also this week, Iomega said it is developing a FireWire accessory for the Zip 250MB USB Drive, expected to ship by mid-2000. The forthcoming accessory, on display at Iomega's Comdex booth, will be compatible with FireWire-enabled computers running Macs with OS 8.5.1 and later, as well as PCs running Windows 98 SE or Windows 2000.
The PowerFile C200 is a blue-and-white, FireWire-based CD/DVD changer from Escient Digital Storage Group that includes two DVD-ROM drives and client and server software. The $1,500 PowerFile C200, set to ship by year-end, can store more than 1 terabyte of data and works with Mac or Windows systems.
Simple Technology Inc. debuted an 18GB hard drive kit for upgrading portable computers. The $1,200 kit includes a connector for hooking up a laptop and EZ Drive software for installation and setup.
Simple Technology also introduced a 320MB CompactFlash card for use with digital still cameras, MP3 players, hand-held computers and other portable devices. Priced at $1,400, the card is compatible with Mac, DOS, Windows and Unix systems.
3DFX Interactive Inc. (Nasdaq:TDFX) announced its new line of Voodoo4 and Voodoo5 accelerator cards, due to ship in the first quarter of next year for Windows users, with Mac-compatible drivers available. The line of cards, which use the VSA-100 chip set, includes two that are based on the PCI expansion interface and three based on the AGP expansion interface. Prices range from $180 for the entry-level Voodoo4 4500 to $600 for the Voodoo5 6000.
I-Jam Multimedia said its IJ-101 portable I-Jam MP3 player is now compliant with USB standards and runs on Mac and Windows systems. The I-Jam player uses a storage drive called the Jam Station and transfers MP3 files onto the multimedia card.
VXI Corp. introduced two devices for speech-recognition users: the iParrott MultiMedia 10-3 and the iParrott MultiMedia ST stereo headsets for speech-recognition. Both units can be used for video-conferencing, Internet telephony, gaming and other applications. Pricing is available from distributor Macsense Connectivity Inc.