Repairing a Noisy Computer Fan

Skill Level: Intermediate

You’re sitting at your computer one day and all of a sudden you hear a loud groaning sound coming from your computer.

What’s causing it?

There’s a good chance that one of your fans needs some attention. You don’t want to put it off either.

Fans are necessary to keep your computer running cool and efficiently. If a fan goes, you’re going to have problems.

Fortunately, a noisy fan can usually be repaired quite easily. In fact, many times the answer is just that a simple cleaning is needed.

If that doesn’t do the trick, your next option is to oil the fan.

Replacing the fan is the last resort.

STEP ONE: Locate the Noisy Fan

Open up your computer’s case. You may need to refer to your computer’s manual or contact the manufacturer for instructions.

With the computer powered on, locate the fan that’s making noise. It shouldn’t be too hard to figure out which fan is the offender.

Once you’ve identified the noisy fan, go ahead and shut down your computer. It’s probably best to unplug your computer as well.

Unplug & Remove the fan. (Instructions for this part vary greatly from computer to computer. So, if you can’t figure out how to remove the fan, then you probably shouldn’t proceed.)

STEP TWO: Clean the Fan

Now that you’ve removed the fan, it’s time to clean it.

Blow out all the loose dust with some canned air. *When blowing out dust from your computer’s fans, be sure to gently hold your fan’s blades still while cleaning them.

(Compressed air can spin the blades faster than they were intended to go and damage the fan.)

Use an old toothbrush and remove any material left behind on the fan’s blades. The blades should be perfectly clean in order to maintain proper fan balance.

I like to dip the toothbrush in rubbing alcohol to remove material from the fan blades.

Afterwards, you can swab it dry with some Q-tips.

Attach the fan back inside the computer and plug the fan back in. Turn the computer on and see if the sound is gone.

If not, proceed to the next step…

STEP THREE: Oil the Fan

If cleaning the fan didn’t do the trick, then it’s time to lubricate it. Most of the time this will solve the problem.

Turn the fan upside down and locate the protective sticker on the back. Peel the sticker off and discard it.

Some people will reuse the sticker, but I feel that, once it’s been removed, you won’t get a good seal again.

Depending on the fan, you should now see the fan’s bearing. Some fans have a protective plug that can easily be popped out.

Now it’s time to oil the bearing. You aren’t going to need much oil. Usually a drop or two will suffice. If you use too much oil, you’ll just make a mess.

What type of oil should you use? I’d recommend either a sewing machine oil or non-detergent 3-IN-ONE oil (blue and red package that’s for electric motors).

Do not use WD-40!

One problem with oiling a fan is that eventually the oil will evaporate, leaving you with the same problem again in a month or two.

Adding a little dry graphite lubricant powder with the oil in the bearing will make the repair last a lot longer.

You can get both products at any hardware store.

Once the fan bearing is well lubricated, clean off any excess oil with a little rubbing alcohol. Cover the hole with some electrical tape for a firm seal.

Attach the fan back in the computer and plug it back in.

Turn the computer on and see if the sound is gone.

STEP FOUR: Replace the Fan

If cleaning and oiling your fan hasn’t helped, then your only other option is to replace the fan. Often, it’s just a matter of getting the fan’s measurements and locating a replacement online.

However, some specialty fans will be a lot harder to find.

Some fans aren’t worth repairing. Especially a small noisy laptop fan. If a fan goes bad inside the main power supply, you may not want to mess with it.

Some power supplies are very difficult to open up, let alone getting to the fan.

Also, unless you like risking electrocution, is it worth the risk opening up the power supply? It may just be a good opportunity to replace and upgrade your power supply instead.

In Conclusion

Remember to have fun! (if and when possible)

There’s no greater thrill than being able to fix something on your own! When you hear your previously noisy fan, now running silently, you can congratulate yourself on a job well done!

Acer 4k2k XB280HK Review

Looking for the ultimate 4k monitor that will knock the socks off your 1920 x 1080 High Definition monitor that you’re still convinced is the best thing since sliced bread for gaming?

How about a monitor that is so advanced, that it has a crazy 4k by 2k native resolution just to get started. This is a Gaming Widescreen LED Monitor that pretty much makes you feel like you’re in an expensive arcade, or even a movie theater.

Yes, this is pretty much the best gaming computer you can find right now. And yes, it’s a bit expensive, but if your a serious gamer and not just a weekend warrior, then you’re gonna love playing some of your favorites on this baby! I’m not kidding.

So what ake this particular model of monitor so special? Its 4K by 2K native resolution of course.

And what does all that techno babble mean?

Well, hopefully you understand the 1080p measurement. Well, this Acer combines four of those into one screen. Yeah, so imagine the crispness of your current monitor which is probably just a simple 1080. Now imagine that four times clearer and colorful. Sweet, right?

And to make it really special, the company has included the XB280HK also features NVIDIA G-SYNC™ Technology built right in.

Design features

The Acer 4k2k XB280HKactual panel size is 28 inches. This is a LARGE monitor. And that means you now have a 170 degree horizontal view when playing all your favorites. That’s like 35% more than on most other monitors.

And to make it as comfortable as possible for you to view, the unit also has an ergonomic stand that supports height adjustments of up to 155mm, swivel angles of +-60 degrees, or tilt angles of -5 +35 degrees. You can also switch from landscape view to portrait view since the stand allows you to move the monitor horizontally up to 90%.

Of course this is detachable so that you can hang it up on a wall if you really need the space. But it kind of defeats the purpose of this great stand.

 

 

Display features and Technology

One of the first monitors to include 4k resolution it features a native resolution of 3840 x 2160 pixels. This translates into a display of stunning high quality images with excellent detail to blow your mind away. The monitor features a combination of LED and TN display technologies that ensure production of excellent images while consuming as little power as possible. This monitor therefore meets the ENERGY STAR® standards that advocate for environmentally friendly devices that conserve energy.

A fast response rate of 1 ms in the Acer 4k2k XB280HK minimizes the annoying effects of ghosting and smearing by ensuring smoother transitions even in fast moving scenes especially in games. The NVIDIA® 3D LIGHTBOOST™ Technology promises the production of much brighter images without any increase in energy consumption.

And no more screen glare from your rooms lights with Acer’s comfyview technology.

Specifications

G-Sync technology

Nvidia have been in the forefront in the manufacture of high end graphic cards in the gaming industry. They recently introduced the ground breaking G-Sync technology, one that altered the basic communication protocol between the graphics card and the display. G-sync technology uses a rather simple yet efficient concept, achieved by synchronizing display refresh rates to the GPU.

This technology comes in handy to eliminate screen tearing and minimize input lag resulting in sharper objects, smoother gaming experience and instant update of scenes.

Connectivity

Unfortunately, the 4k2k XB280HK monitor does not include inbuilt speakers, neither does it include audio input or output ports. Probably to compensate for that factor, Acer integrated a 5 port 3.0 USB hub into this monitor. Four of these ports provide gamers with a convenient setup environment to connect USB devices such as keyboard, mouse, gaming headset or even gamepads.

The fifth port is specially equipped with a battery charge feature for quick charging. Connectivity is limited 1 display port. This is not Acer’s decision however. G-Sync standard is currently only available through this input, which leaves manufacturers limited.

Bottom line

All said and done, the Acer 4k2k XB280HK 28” G-Sync Gaming Widescreen LED Monitor proves to be a monitor of the next generation. With all this great resolution plus more excellent features, you might expect the monitor to really be rough on your pocket, well, that’s not it.

Surprisingly, the monitor costs less compared to most 1440p 144Hz monitors currently in the market. It has a fully adjustable stand, while its design features will freak your friends out. Panel Review have awarded this monitor,  best 144hz monitor 2019.

Which Solar Charger Should You Buy?

You have come to the right place if you are looking for the best value and fastest solar powered chargers for either iPhone or Android. And they are chargers, so as long as the plug fits, it makes no difference which brand you’re using.

Solar powered chargers are very handy and a vital accessory as it will charge your cell phone on the go, even when you can’t find a plugin in the local Starbucks, or if you’re literally out on the beach.

There are actually quite a few solid types of sun powered chargers for your smartphone on the market, which makes it hard to decide. I have reviewed a few of the most popular solar chargers for all smartphones including Apple iOS and Android.

If you have a smartphone and you’ll be out on camping trips, doing outdoor activities or out in the desert for a while and it’s vital to stay connected, you need the best sun powered charger that can keep your phone charged and keep you in business.

Some of the top brands you will find are the, Powertraveller Power Monkey Extreme, Soladec, sCharger 5, Revive Solar ReStore XL, EnerPlex, Goal Zero, and many more.

Facts About Solar Cell Charger

The charger will still be able to charge your phone, even on a cloudy day due to the infrared light or any UV light source. Most of these chargers can also charge using a USB cable using your PC or laptop if there is no sun or its night time. Just make sure that you make sure to use the correct charger for your phone type.

These green chargers work by collecting sunlight and then turning the sun’s energy into electricity which is then stored inside the lithium battery and transferred to the phone. The solar panel can  also charge your phone with just a home or office’s artificial light. The smallest amount of sunlight will start charging your phone. And these sun powered chargers can be used as soon as you buy one.

The price and size from one type of charger to another can vary. Some sun chargers are designed for just one type of cell phone while chargers have several attachments to suit other devices you might have.

4 Types of portable devices

If you need your phone charged at all times you need to know the types available to keep your cell boosted at all times.

You cell its not amazing anymore if amazing if has very little battery power, or no battery power at all. No good leaving home with 20% battery life which means shorter phone calls and limited phone use. How to enjoy a smart phone?

Car Chargers

Has limited functions and restriction as you have to be around your car to boost up your cell phone.

Battery powered cell chargers

It means it moves the power from the batteries to your iPhone. They are cheap and easy to find. It is recommended to use rechargeable batteries to save u trips to the shop for more batteries. Saves you money in the long run as well.

The most popular charging cases

These cases are mostly a cell case that contains a battery built in. It has USB charging capabilities that connect to your computer via USB port. These cases also protect your phone from damage.

There are solar charging cases that look like usual charging cases;

and also chargers with solar panel that connects to the cell phone by charging cord as well as USB cable option.

Mobile Phones Have Become a Lifeline for Most of Us

Since our modern technology has actually improved, and with the improvement of cellular phone also, this gadget has truly become an essential addition that is hard to live without.

The feature of the cell phones we have these days isn’t really plain calling and texting anymore, yet there are other distinct features each cell phone has that are beyond exactly what we can anticipate.

There are a bunch of useful things that a person could do with his/her cellular phone, its either they are sending out a greetings to a sick pal over an email, listening closely to songs while doing another thing, or taking images and sharing them on the most up to date social networks available today, you could even check out a few TV programs, or some live streaming videos on modern-day cell phones!

Every time the day comes to an end, individuals would right away plus in their cell phones into their phone chargers to recharge the batteries so they could use it once again.

How vital is your cell phone charger to you?

A cell phone charger is really essential since without it, and you end up having your cell phone’s electric battery drained to fatality, then you wont be able to make usage of your cell phone, it gained be able to serve it purpose to you. In some cases a dead electric battery could be definitely life harmful. Your life may be at hazard if your mobile phone’s battery is lifeless and you don’t have the means of billing it back to life given that you do not have a cell phone charger.

Given that it could work as an emergency situation energy supply for your phone especially if its lifeless. If you spend a little on buying yourself a mobile phone battery charger then surely you will certainly be able to prevent all the frustrations in life also stay clear of putting on your own at threat too.

If you wish your cellular phone battery charger to last much longer, then make certain that you turn off the power before plugging it from the socket.

BLAVOR Solar Power Bank – MY Number One Pick!

This Qi Portable Charger not only works amazingly well, but (at least I think) it looks really cool.

It takes about 6 hours for this to completely recharge. But with a full charge it can re-cahrge my iPhone more than twice. Not bad for a small little powerpack.

So not only is this solar charger a joy to look at, it’s totally functional and I can use it for more than just my smartphone.

And since it is Qi, it means it will work on ANY phone, iPhone or Android. YAY!

Why You Need a Sun Powered Charger For Your Cell Phone

* Offers freedom of movement as you can use the iPhone everywhere you go.

* During day time you can find some sun anywhere. You can also solar charge your  smartphone on cloudy days as well.

* They are a life saver. For example, if you get lost in the woods with a dead iPhone, all you need is a portable solar charger and a bit of day light and you have your iPhone running again.

* Great for places with no electricity, remote places in the country.

Suntactics S5

The Suntactics S5 device is one of the most reliable solar powered chargers for the iPhone, ipad and is compatible with most other brands of smart phones.

Heavy duty, high end portable green charger, makes this a quality fast charger for your smartphone. 500% more battery life for Apple iphones, 45 minutes video time.

The sCharger 5 the only USB sun powered charger sold on the market that can actually fully charge multiple electronic devices through the day. Click here to read tests about the best tech today and see the different bench tests of thee units.

You just connect another device and start fast charging, you do not need to wait for the internal battery to charge.

This portable charger has a tough durable structure designed and built to last with highest quality components for toughness and long life.

This charger uses highest efficiency solar cells. Great to power your smart phone or iphone when there’s no any power source available, emergency back up power for cells, use it for hiking, camping, at the beach. Anywhere in the outdoors.

Suntactics S14

When the S5 just isn’t enough power, like if you need to connect and power up multiple devices, then its the S14 to the rescue.

Powerful and all you need for most portable devices!

The Suntactics S14 is the high end of reliable fast solar chargers, smart designed that quickly charges most electronic devices, tablets, GPS, gaming devices, e-readers, most iphones and more.

Itoffers two independently USB circuits that will isolate on charge devices safely from feeding back from one to the each other. 14 Watts availability from both USB ports under best conditions.

Built and designed in USA as our famous Suntactics S14 with the same durability and reliability. Only the highest quality parts used and the highest efficiency solar cells available.The sCharger-12 also built from a durable rigid structure, built to last.

The most powerful charger in its class, powerful enough to charge your devices directly, while other chargers on the market takes forever to charge a smartphone.

Don’t worry about running out of power on your iphone or smart phone and not be able to stay in contact with family and friends. The sCharger 12 is weather resistant, water resistant. Great for the next emergency or disaster when your normal power source becomes unavailable.

PowerTraveller PowerMonkey eXtreme

Power Monkey eXtreme High class, large lithium battery capacity 9000 mAh that can fully charge your phone or tablet multiple times. This smart device can charge two electronic devices at one time. Can powers from either a wall outlet with USB connection or with its own folding solar panels, can still hold 75% of its charge after a year of being inactive.

UPDATE: This is no longer available!

What makes it great is the assortments of different charge tips for international outlets and adaptors. Featuring finger swipe controls easy to use and waterproof rubberized exterior. LCD screen displays battery meter capacity, safe and secure with the durable carrying case included. The Velcro straps allows easy attachment to your back pack, tent or any outdoor equipment. Shock resistant and 30 minutes waterproof

The Power monkey Extreme is the solar panel power, equipped with a powerful 9000 mAh lithium battery, can boost most 5V devices, charge iPhone and smart phones up to six times, iPad two times and GPS devices up to six times. Will charge your most used electronic devices in low light situations.

ReVIVE Solar ReStore

Solar ReStore XL fully charge its 4000mAh Li polymer battery in full sun for approx 13 hours, stores the saved power for later use.

The Solar ReStore XL high quality solar panel, Full sun boosts most phones after 4 – 6 hrs.

The built in battery pack stores the power for many weeks without losing power when you most need it. You need the OEM USB charge cable to power your electronic device.

Revive Add On Sun Panels For ReStore XL (4.000mAh) ReStore XL (6.000mAh)

Triples your iPhone charging speed – Green Power

The Add On Solar Panel will efficiently increase the charging time and speed of the Solar Restore XL AND by using the power of the sun. The ultimate smartphone boost, these ad on panels will increase the normal charge rate to double when connected to ReVIVE Series, charge to maximum in 4.5 hours — Restore XL.

With this ad on panel you can enjoy your devices more instead of spending time recharging your electronic device.

ADD ON Panel Compatible with ReStore XL (6.000mAh), Solar ReStore XL (4.000mAh) – ReStore 9200 ReVIVE

So there you have it. Some awesome gear that will keep you on your cell phone even when you’re in the middle of the woods. Perfect for campers, hikers or someone that simply needs a re-charge and there’s no socket to plug into around.

Which graphic tablet should I buy?

If you are looking for a graphics tablet, you will want to know which ones are the best drawing tablets available out there. You want to be able to get the best tab to improve the quality of your work, and you want it as cheap as you can get it? You’re on the right address to find out which is a good tablet for your personal needs, regardless if you are a professional designer or you enjoy drawing as a hobby.

I personally know it isn’t easy to find a suitable drawing pad as easily as it seems. There are dozens and dozens of inexpensive graphic tablets that will work for you if your needs are not too great, but people often jump to conclusions when they think that drawing pads are very expensive.

This article will give you a wide price range where you will see some very cheap pen tabs, some professional ones that may be a bit pricey, but most of them are plainly just affordable and suit the needs of most.

If you are looking to develop your artistic skills or you need one of these for other reasons, it is important to know which pen tablet can benefit you the most. This page will consider the different features of graphic tabs to help you choose which one is right for your needs and best fits your budget.

The top 10 graphic tablets ranking will give you an even better idea of what you are looking for.

What is a graphics tablet?

Graphic tablet can also be referred to as a graphics pad, a drawing tablet, a digitizing tablet, so don’t be confused. The principle is the same.

So, this little handy device is a type of input device that can be used instead of, or in conjunction with a mouse or any other pointing devices.

Your typical tablet consists of a flat surface for drawing and a pen, stylus or puck that works with the tablet.

Some tablets come with a handy wireless mouse you can use on its surface or a pen holder, but in reality all you need is a pen and the tablet itself. Sometimes, even people who are not artists choose to use a tablet because of its practicality!

And now, we move on to explain some of the common features of graphic tablets.

Pen-specific technobabble:

The language that is used by graphics tablets sellers is very confusing.

Here is a list of the most popular phrases used in relation to the graphics tablet pens and what they actually mean!

“stylus”

The term specific for digital input pens used with graphics-tablets and other hardware. It’s not always used, but is the actual term. (imagine if you were told your new ipad came with a free ‘pen’? Why would you want a pen? Now imagine you were told it came with a free ‘stylus’? Awesome!)

“ergonomic pen” “grip pen” “easy to hold pen”

Almost all graphic tablets today come with a comfortable, easy to use variety of stylus (the exact shape and features vary). These don’t affect the quality of your digital artwork, but they do affect how comfortable you are while using them, and there’s no ‘right’ choice.

“cord/cable/wired stylus”

Refers to a stylus that is attached to its tablet by a cable. The stylus is therefore slim and light. It’s pretty rare today, as wireless is the standard for most models.

“battery operated stylus”

Sends a signal from the pen to your tablet. The stylus needs to be large enough to contain a AAA battery, but is shaped in a way so that it’s narrower at the point at which you hold it.

“battery-less stylus”

The tablet powers the stylus via electro-magnetic resonation, which means these styluses are slimmer and lighter than the battery powered alternatives.

“tilt sensitivity”, “tiltability” “rotation””tilt recognition”

What most artists are looking for when they chose a stylus with one of these descriptions is a stylus which has a sense of ‘right way up’ and ‘upside-down’ so that it can make more complex digital brush strokes (this is a great feature, especially for painters!).

But these terms also may simply mean that the stylus still works when you’re holding it at an angle, (and I’ve never found a stylus that doesn’t). For this stylus it’s best to rely on reviews, as less scrupulous retailers and second-hand sellers who don’t understand the terms can easily use the wrong term, and lead you to disappointment if you don’t know what you’re buying.

“levels of pressure sensitivity”

The range of pressure sensitivity starts at 256 levels of pressure, and reaches 3000. 1024 levels of pressure can be registered by most graphics programs, and only the newest and more advanced programs can register anything higher.

Levels of pressure sensitivity literally explains how sensitive your pen is, the more sensitive pens will be able to tell the difference between different pressures, but this will only be shown to have an effect if you’re using extremely large brush sizes (upwards of 1000 pixels, in the latest software), or, in some cases, very light pressure (the quality of the pen’s nib and the drawing surface can effect the pressure you need to apply just as much).

I suggest 256 and 512 for the beginner or sketcher, 1024 for the student or professional artist, and 2048 or above for the super-professional or any artist who uses a tablet for poster-sized art-work.

“Interchangeable right and left-handed pen”

This is one of those marketing oddities, I assume the companies must say this in order to assure left-handed individuals that they too can use graphics tablets… though I’ve yet to find any evidence of a left-handed pen having ever existed.

Tablet-specific technobabble:

So now you know what they’re saying about the pens… how about the tablet themselves.

The tablets are all important and have their own range of specialist phrases.

Here’s a list of the phrases and their meanings for tablets:

“programmable hotlinks/ buttons/ scrollers / wheels?”

Most artists find the wheels/scrollers to be useful for controlling the zoom in graphics programs, and for rotating canvas in those that allow it. But neither they nor programmable hotlinks are a actually a required function on any tablet, they’re more of an extra feature that you can use, if you like, to save time.

“lines per inch” or “accuracy”

Much like dpi or dots per inch, this is the sensitivity of your graphics tablet and how accurately it recognizes the location of your pen. Unfortunately, not only is this rarely mentioned, but the effect this number has also changes depending on your computer’s settings, and the size of the tablet itself. The end result is that the pen does not follow the path you draw exactly, or makes your lines jagged. This is really useful when you’re designing for a vinyl cutting machine for small business.

The way to avoid this is to read customer reviews, even if a number is given, and bear in mind that the cheapest of these tablets usually come with this disadvantage.

For the beginner, or casual artist, or someone who does not intend to use their tablet for fine art, this isn’t much of a problem. It can usually be compensated by working zoomed in, but that has the disadvantage of letting you see less of your artwork at once, and takes longer to draw the same lines.

“work area/ live area”

Pay attention to this, a graphics tablet will be described as 10 by 15 inches, but the actual numbers you need to actually pay attention to those of the ‘work’ or ‘live’ areas, the space on which you can draw, which measure much less- say 5 by 8 inches. These numbers are possibly the most important thing when it comes to buying a tablet! What you need to look for is a graphics tablet that matches the size and ratio of your screen as much as possible.

Graphics tablet size

One of the most important factors you will need to consider when choosing the right tablet for yourself is its size. For hobby users and your average artist some common sizes are 6 by 8 inches or 4 by 5 inches, but more developed artists and illustrators may require or desire a larger work surface. But be careful, the price rises with the size of the tablet.

The reasons why someone would choose a bigger tablet should be practical and nothing but practical. One should consider to buy a tablet with an appropriate work surface size to match their hand motion. This is a crucial element that needs to be considered when buying a tablet.

If you want to minimize your hand motion, a smaller tablet will work better for you. If you are used to drawing or painting in bigger, sweeping motions, then you need a larger work surface. It is as simple as that.

Up until recently, the dimensions of graphics tablets have corresponded with the 4:3 aspect ratio of traditional computer monitors. But as of lately, some companies (e.g. Wacom and Aiptek) began producing tablets that correspond better with widescreen monitors or even for working on multiple monitors at the same time. Although it is neat to have your tablet dimensions correspond with the aspect ratio, it is not necessary because the tablet software resolves this issue so that it does not interfere with your experience.

Graphics tablet interface

The interface is how your tablet connects to the computer. Most tablets have an USB interface which is excellent because virtually all computers today support USB. In case you own a computer that does not support USB, you will need to choose a tablet with a serial interface.

Another option for connecting a tablet to a computer is Bluetooth. Currently the only manufacturer that produces Bluetooth tablets is Wacom, with its Graphire Bluetooth that connects to your computer without wires.

Pen/Stylus and Accessories

When you choose a tablet, consider the dimensions and the weight to the pen because you need it to feel comfortable in your hand. Check if the stylus needs a battery because that will make it heavier. Some pens are not tethered, and in that case you will need to be extra careful not to misplace or lose them.

Some pens have an erasing end, which is a pretty cool feature too. Some tablet manufacturers offer several pens you can program each the way you wish and work with them independently. All in all, there are plenty of additional optional accessories, but the most important thing is that the pen and the work surface suit your needs.

Graphics tablet pressure sensitivity

Pressure sensitivity is a very important feature when choosing a suitable tablet for your needs. It refers to the sensitivity to pressure on the surface of the tablet. Currently, tablets mostly have 256, 512, 1024 or 2048 pressure levels. Pressure sensitivity can control several aspects that you choose, among which are the line thickness, transparency, color, and so on.

The more sensitive your tablet is, the better your experience will be, because it will feel more natural and authentic, and you will have more control over your strokes.

REVIEWS

1. Wacom Bamboo Create Pen and Touch Tablet

As a proud owner of one of these I have nothing bad to say about it. It is affordable, reliable and offers you anything you think you may need.

Since the relaunching of Bamboo tablets, we have not only gotten our hands on much sleeker looking re-vamped devices, they are now much more impressive than their predecessors and overall much more responsive.

These tablets also come with a very impressive software pack (that includes Photoshop and Artrage) and they don a very MacBook-esque silver finish.

Main specifications: 1024 pressure sensitivity levels, 13.8 x 8.2 x 0.4 inches in size, 4 Express Keys, compatible with Windows 7, Windows Vista, or Windows XP, Mac OSX 10.5 and above.

2. Wacom Bamboo Connect

Bamboo Connect allows you to quickly sketch us your ideas, add your personal flare to documents, edit them, and write notes. The package contains dozens of software applications that will enable you to do just that – and just that makes this tablet worth every penny.

This graphics tablet dons an easy and ergonomic design, and a battery free pen stylus that is light and easy to use. Recommended for those who enjoy giving a personal touch to everything.

3. 8″ x 6″ DigiPro WP8060 USB Graphics Tablet

This tablet comes with a pressure sensitive stylus pen with 512 levels of pressure sensitivity, and an 8 by 6 inch working area, which makes it a perfect take for a beginner artist.

It s compatible with most software, so you won’t have to worry about that.

In fact, this pen tablet offers a lot more than one would expect from a tablet that costs this much, and it’s a warm recommendation for learning artists.

4. VT PenPad 7.7-Inch Graphic Pen Tablet

The VT PenPad is a perfect tablet if you are just a beginner and you want to practice. It is not a big investment, and is in fact very affordable for the features it offers.

It can be used as a great learning tool for children, students, artists, or anyone who uses a computer.

With overall dimensions of 7.5-inch x 7.5-inch and an active area of 6-inch x 4.5-inch the VT PenPad is an ideal learning, drawing, and writing tool, that is great for everyday use. I would definitely recommend it as a starter tablet.

5. Intuos5

Key Features:

• Size: Small (3.9″ x 6.2″ active area)
• Pen Eraser: Yes
• Multi-Touch: Yes
• Wireless Option: Yes, with the purchase of Wacom’s optional wireless accessory kit

Free Bundled Software

The bundle includes Adobe Photoshop Elements, Autodesk Sketchbook Express, Anime Studio Debut, and Nik Color Effects Pro 4 Select Edition. You can also make use of a free 90-day trial of Corel Painter software, with a special offer on purchase.

Review of the Intuos 5 Tablet

The Intuos5 has excellent configuration possibilities. It comes with global settings, but you can set up menus and sub-menus for all the functions you want to have literally at your fingertips.

The sophisticated touch screen recognizes different touches. For example, touching the screen with 3 fingers instructs the tablet to do one thing, while touching with 4 fingers communicates something else and so on. You can also use this model much like the normal touch mouse on a laptop. In addition, the easy-to-reach side buttons can also be configured to your own specific requirements. Watch the excellent video below for a full explanation and demonstration.

Another cool feature with the Intuos5 is just how pressure-sensitive the pen is. There are over 2000 pressure levels, from a light and narrow brush stroke up to as broad and thick as you want. This is really helpful for details like when I’m working on my weed icons, they’re small, so this is really a great addition.

It is a bit challenging to at first to find just the right finger or pen pressure you need to create exactly the effect you want, but that just takes time and purpose. Professional graphic artists and photographers who use this tablet every day all appear to think it is well worth the money.

In general, this pen tablet has received very good reviews overall. More than half gave it a 4- or 5-star rating. Issues seem to revolve around screen-to-monitor ratios and some configuration problems that may be teething problems, and I was impressed to find a Wacom representative contacted the person who gave it a bad review to work through the issues with him to find solutions. I don’t know of many companies that would go to such effort

6. Wacom Intuos4 Large Pen Tablet

Key Features:

– Size: Small (6″ x 4″)
– Pen Eraser: Yes
– Multi-Touch: No
– Wireless Option: Not as an adapter; only as a separate tablet that’s hard to find (See: Intuos4 Medium Wireless Tablet)

Free Bundled Software

Adobe Photoshop Elements 6, Corel Painter Sketchpad, Autodeck Sketchbook Express, Nik Color Efex 3.0 Sample Filters, Wacom Brushes

Review

Unlike the new Intuos5, the Intuos4 does not have a finger-touch screen; you have to use the Intuos4 pen, which is pressure sensitive.

One cool feature with this tablet is that you can configure it for right- or left-handed users. Just flip it over so the buttons are on the side you prefer and, when you come to configure it, it will ask you if you are right- or left-handed, so you can program your settings appropriately. They show up in the LCD screen beside each button. Unfortunately, the small size version of the Intuos4 doesn’t actually have the LCD display.

As an improvement on the Intous3, there is a touch dial rather than a touch slider, which makes it easier to manipulate and navigate through four modes.

Also as an improvement, the USB cable is now detachable.

The Intuos4 pen has a huge number of pressure sensitive levels–something like 2500 different levels, more than you will probably ever use. It comes with different nibs for different effects and purposes. The pen is now wireless, so it’s not compatible with the older versions of this series.

Even the pen holder has been improved, so it holds spare nibs and a handy nib extractor in the center. There are buttons on the pen itself that you can configure for handy functions you use frequently.

Of course, there is a mouse that comes with the Intuos4, too, in case that’s your preference. Put the mouse on top of the tablet and you can use it to maneuver as much as you do with an ordinary mouse pad.

A whopping two thirds of reviewers give this pen tablet five stars, and most others give it four. I found only one bad review, which seemed to be about an issue with a slight delay between what the user was sketching and when it appeared on his computer monitor. Perhaps that’s something you’ll need to get used to.

All in all, the Intuos4 is a very functional tool that most users recommend. As with any new gadget, there’s a learning curve that can be frustrating for the more impatient among us, but once you have the hang of it, you will love it.

Where is the BEST Place for Your Wireless Router?

Let’s say that you’ve just bought yourselves a notebook or another type of mobile computing system and you want to be able to use it freely all around your home. For this reason, you’ve also purchased a wireless router, but now you’re seriously thinking about what’s the best position for it, namely the one which will provide the least amount of interference and the best possible transfer speeds.

There are quite a lot of factors to be taken into account when deciding exactly where to place the router, and most of them are related either to your mobile computing habits, the structure of your home, the other appliances and various electronic products you’ve got installed and even your furniture.

In the following article, we’ll try to point out some of the things you should do and some of the things you should avoid when choosing a definite place for your router.

The first decisive issue you should take into account is related to your habits as a notebook or netbook user and the structure of your house.

For example, if you live in a flat within an apartment building and plan on using your portable system anywhere around the house, then the best position for the router is most likely a central one.

If possible, choose a location where there will be some “line of sight” between the router and the areas where you’ll be mostly using your portable computer or CompatibleModems.

However, if you live in a two or three-story house, then the best thing you could do is to place the router at ground level and then install wireless repeaters at the upper levels. In this way, you’ll be able to access the Internet from just about anywhere around your property.

As mentioned earlier, the structure of your house is also quite important.

For example, walls will certainly interfere with the wireless signal, especially if we’re talking about heavily reinforced ones (built-in rebars are a killer for Wi-Fi). The same goes for pretty much any large metallic objects you’ve got around the house, so placing the router in a closed metal cabinet or underneath a metal counter is not exactly a very good idea.

Another thing you should avoid is placing the router in the vicinity of appliances that emit wireless signals on pretty much the same frequency range, such as microwave ovens, cordless telephones, baby monitors, and home automation equipment.

Other electrical equipment that might adversely affect the quality of the wireless networks are all sorts of electrical motors, as well as, quite surprisingly, fluorescent lights.

The last piece of advice we have to offer regarding the positioning of a wireless router is that probably the best method of finding the best position is trial and error.

Thus, before settling for a definite position, your should test several potential “candidates”, because you might be quite surprised to find out that the wireless network is actually stronger in certain places that didn’t really qualify after an initial screening of the house.