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Mobile Computing News, Reviews & Tips

Reader Tip: Pack an All-in-One

Mike B. Parker of Los Angeles doesn't think much of portable printers. Compared to desktop models, portables are slower and more expensive, Mike writes. Why bother with one of those when you can travel with a compact printer/scanner/fax machine instead?

Mike likes his HP Officejet 4110 All-in-One, for which he paid about $130. The multifunction printer is too large to fit in a backpack or wheeled suitcase, but Mike says it "fits nicely" in a large, collapsible duffel bag. Most of the time, Mike, a computer consultant, keeps the printer in his van.

"This allows me to take the printer most everywhere I go on short trips, and on long trips, I can toss it in the duffle bag," he writes.

The Officejet 4110 weighs 7.5 pounds and measures 7.2 by 16.7 by 8.3 inches. In comparison, HP's Deskjet 450, a portable printer, weighs 4.5 pounds (including its battery) and measures 3.2 by 13.3 by 6.5 inches.

HP no longer sells the Officejet 4110, though it's still available elsewhere for about $120. The PC World Product Finder has the latest pricing and availability. HP's current equivalent to the Officejet 4110 is the Officejet 4215, which weighs 8.5 pounds and measures 7.1 by 16.4 by 8 inches. The 4215 lists for $90, and you can find the latest pricing at our Product Finder.

For more on portable printers, read one of my "Mobile Computing" columns from a couple months back.

PDA Review: Dell Axim X50v Is Number One

Dell's Axim X50v ($424) recently landed in the number-one slot for Windows Mobile PDAs in PC World's Top 10 PDAs. The multimedia gadget gets high marks for its fast processor, dedicated graphics chip, and Windows Media Player Mobile 10 software. You can go to our Product Finder for the latest prices, and get more details from Dell.

PDA News: Wireless IPaqs on the Way

As of this writing, HP was said to be readying new wireless IPaq PDAs for the U.S. market. Already available in Europe, HP's IPaq Hw6510 and Hw6515 are the second generation of HP IPaq PDA/mobile phone hybrids and will reportedly include built-in keyboards and integrated GPS navigation.

Wireless News: Boeing Tests In-Flight Cell Phone Service

Qualcomm and Boeing are testing in-flight cell phone service on a specially equipped Boeing 737-400 aircraft. Boeing hopes to offer the service via its Connexion service as soon as regulators in the U.S. approve in-flight cell phone service. But will that happen? Officials from the U.S. Justice Department, Department of Homeland Security, and Federal Bureau of Investigation have warned of potential dangers.

Wireless News: Wireless Piggybacking Arrests

Two recent high-profile cases point out the potential hazards of piggybacking on someone else's wireless network. In St. Petersburg, Florida, a man was arrested and charged with a felony for allegedly accessing a computer network without authorization. And in the UK a man was fined $874 for piggybacking on a wireless network.

Gadget News: Sony's Candy-Colored Walkmans

Looking for a sweet new digital music player? The design of Sony's new Network Walkman players was inspired by jellybeans. The bean-shaped players will go on sale later this year in colors such as tropical ice (blue), cotton candy (pink), licorice (black), and tapioca pudding (just kidding). Prices will be $130 to $180 in the U.S.

Suggestion Box

Is there a particularly cool mobile computing product or service I've missed? Got a spare story idea in your back pocket? Tell me about it. However, I regret that I'm unable to respond to tech-support questions, due to the volume of e-mail I receive.

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