Best Summer Tech

Summer is almost here and it’s time to get ready for all those lazy days by the pool as well as the special events in your life like weddings, graduations, or that long awaited vacation. Here are the latest must haves for summertime fun and creating great warm weather memories.

Nikon COOLPIX 5200
The Nikon COOLPIX 5200 is a powerhouse of a digital camera that a novice through experienced digital photographer can easily use and appreciate. It combines a 3x optical zoom (offering 38-114mm-35mm equivalent) lens with 5.1 megapixels which allow the user to capture amazing prints at sizes up to 16 x 20”. Exclusive red eye fix and 15 scene modes (4 with scene assist) enable you to achieve great photos with little effort. The movie mode lets you capture action while it happens with complete audio. The 5200 comes with 12mb internal memory and operates on SD memory cards. Send your pictures directly to the web or computer with One Touch Upload. Comes with everything you need to start shooting great pictures immediately (battery, charger, strap, USB Cable, Video Out Cable and Photo Software). $499.95. www.nikonusa.com

Adobe Photoshop Album 2.0
You’ve got the digital camera but you just can’t figure out how to get those pictures into your computer, save them, fix them, print them and send them with the same ease that you took them. Adobe Photoshop Album 2.0 to the rescue. If you can click a mouse you can organize your photos by “tagging” them (by event or date), back them up (in the event of a computer crash), fix them (red eye, too dark/light/hazy), print them, send them (email, with your phone, on the web) and even create gifts with them (calendars, cards, hard bound photo books). $49.99. www.adobe.com

Compaq X Gaming PC
Nothing is more frustrating to a PC Gaming enthusiast than when they get “bottlenecked” because their PC can’t handle the intense gaming software they just installed and are trying to play. The new Compaq X Gaming PC by HP will put an end to that from ever happening. This system is the Maserati of desktop gaming PC’s. From its sleek, brushed finish, easy access Cooler Master Case to the Mars like red illumination of the chassis and futuristic glowing fan the “X” oozes cool! There’s flexibility in your option choices to meet a users exact gaming needs. Choose from the newest high performance processors from Intel and Athlon and the cutting edge graphic and sound card options from ATI , Nvidia, and Creative. Starting as low as $1799 the Compaq X gives gamers an affordable gaming experience. www.hp.com

Dell Axim X30
All PDA’s are not created equal. That was made very clear when Intel recently introduced their newest chip, the XScale processor with Wireless MMX. This new chip turns Pocket PC’s into multimedia internet devices. Functions like playing high quality video and intense 3-D games, once limited to desktop PC’s, are now possible in a hand held device! Product Example: Dell Axim X30 is a souped up Pocket PC that includes this new Intel Chip (speeds available from 312mghz to 600mghz). It has built in WiFi for wireless internet access. It is also Bluetooth compatible. This 4.9oz marvel is no lightweight. It will let you store and appreciate music, photos and video clips. It’s a great example of a powerful computer and communication tool in a small package. Prices: $199-$349-depending on the amount of processing muscle, memory, and wireless technology you use. www.dell.com

Panasonic DMR-E95H Digital Media Recorder
Finally an easy way to digitally record your favorite movies and shows to DVD and share them with everyone. The Panasonic DMR-E95H Digital Media Recorder makes it possible. It includes an internal 160 GIG Hard drive capable of recording almost 300 hours of programming. It has an on screen program guide that requires no fee! Accommodating all the popular DVD disc formats, it has special defect management technology to insure problem free recordings. You can even watch your program during its recording from the beginning using “chasing playback” (like PVR machines). SD and PCMCIA memory card slots allow you to view your digital images to. High speed dubbing allows you to transfer video images quickly from the internal hard drive or a digital camcorder. $899.95. www.panasonic.com

Logitech Notebook Gear
If “have laptop will travel” defines the use of your laptop during the travel and vacation times associated with summer, Logitech has three cool products that you may need to add to your must have list before you hit the air, rails, or road.

Optical Mouse Plus+ for Notebooks-no mouse pad necessary, easy to store cord, extremely compact and durable. $29.95

Cordless Optical Mouse for Notebooks –freedom from wires, On/Off switch extends battery life, no mouse pad necessary, includes carrying case, operates via USB receiver plug. $39.95

Quick Cam for Notebooks Pro A high-end mobile web camera that includes Video Instant Messaging Software for staying connected while you are away from home. Super compact and built with the traveler in mind (it’s durable!). $99.95.

Information on all Logitech products can be found at www.logitech.com.