The all new Kensington Ci70 USB keyboard is ultra slim for those seeking minimal usage of work space real estate.  In addition, the Ci70 includes a small USB hub for connecting those USB powered gadgets.

The USB keyboard comes with two full size USB type A connectors to connect MP3 players, cameras and promotional USB drives and one mini-USB connector for syncing mobile phones and digital cameras.

Kensington indicates the USB keyboard is 35% smaller then a typical keyboard, but don’t mention the height of this “slim design.”  It appears to be about 1.5cm at the keyboard and 3cm at the back where the hot buttons are located.

The Ci70 retails for $50, but we found it at Amazon for just a little less.

Have you ever thrown your hands up in frustration because you simply want to use the Monitor, Keyboard and Mouse of a laptop to access a server or other standalone device?  I have, but never know what product could help…now I do.

The Portable Laptop KVM Adapter from StarTech is specifically designed to turn your notebook into a portable KVM station.  Simply connect the adapter between your standalone [or GUIless device] and notebook and you’re off and running.

I would think the biggest market for such a product are large data centers where they need to access any number of servers without a full KVM installation.

“Aside from a rack mount LCD console, which can be expensive, server administrators and technicians would typically have to use a server room ‘crash cart’, which is a cart comprised of a keyboard, mouse, and monitor. Although a typical ‘crash cart’ is somewhat mobile, it lacks the portability of our Laptop KVM Adapter, which provides identical but more convenient control”.

The NOTECONS01 USB 2.0 Laptop KVM Adapter offers immediate BIOS-level access to the connected computer from the laptop control point, as well as the ability to handle full configuration of the attached PC, server, or other headless machines such as ATMs, kiosks and VLTs.

But the portable USB KVM station doesn’t come cheap, the MSRP starts at $470.

Thanks Andrea!

I have mentioned other 35mm Slide Scanners, but today I found one which is 100% standalone, no PC required!

This standalone 35mm Slide Scanner allows even the most technologically challenged person easily scan old 35mm slides into digital archives.

In just seconds the scanner will turn your 35mm image into a .jpeg photo file.  You have some options to see the resolution of the digital image, with a maximum resolution of 3,600DPI [dots per inch].

The new jpeg image is instantly saved to the SD memory card sitting inside the 35mm slide scanner.

To insure the image is what you expect, the unit includes an

Typically we see a USB monitor in the form of a screen with some sort of VGA converter with a USB port, like the one from USB Fever, but today we see a different version.  Samsung has introduced a monitor which runs by simply plugging in the USB cable to any laptop.  There is no adapter or converter required.

The conversion from an analog signal to digital signal is made within the monitor itself, thus eliminating the need for external VGA converter.

The Samsung model reports an impressive 30,000:1 contrast with speedy 5ms response time.

Samsung did not comment on availability within the states or the pricing, but it’s nice to see the trend of external monitors go the route of USB.  After all, what other connectivity is as simple and convenient?

Ion Audio, the guys known for their vinyl record ripper, expands their analog conversion product line, with the Ion 35mm Photo Negative and Slide Converter.

Quickly and easily transfer slide film or 35mm film into beautiful, high resolution, digital images with the Ion unit.  USB 2.0 connection and USB 2.0 port. There is fixed focus range and auto exposure/color balance with high-quality 4 glass optical element to bring you the best quailty of digital copies.

Although you wont get the very best image quality the Ion 35mm converter is definitely an economical solution for small jobs or home transfer projects.

The product is available at Amazon for well under

Most of us are typical PC users or laptop users and have become accustomed to our keyboard size and key locations, but for a select few, you run off a table PC or Netbook.  If that’s the case, then you’re probably looking for a nice, compact, portable travel keyboard.  Today we found your item.

The Atek OnBoard USB keyboard is compact in size, layout like a full QWERTY keyboard and sturdy case for portability.  The OnBoard uses a slide out protective case during transit and an inflatable wrist pad for once you’ve settled in.  The keyboard uses a USB cable to connect and has a tight wrap-around storage area for the cable iteself.

Atek is proud to divert away from the traditional portable USB keyboards such as fold-up, roll-up and miniature keyboards.

The OnBoard has 99 keys (missing are the Print Screen, Scroll Lock, Pause Break, and right side Ctrl and Windows keys) together with separate numeric keys and a full (if squashed) F-key row.  It weighs under 1.4lbs.  The ‘board measures 14-3/4 inches long and the cover can act as an angled stand.

American Weigh company introduces a new hybrid USB mouse which includes a small digital scale.  The precision digital pocket scale goes down to a 10th mark and supports 500g / 17.635oz / 16.075ozt / 321.5dwt weight capacities.

I would think this be a perfect scale for the small office or front office secretary for quick checking of letters and small packages.  Some of those larger scales take up quite a bit of space.

The USB digital scale mouse is available for $59 and a higher weight capacity unit for $69.

The USB digital scale will also work as a standalone device without connection with an internal [rechargeable] battery and includes a stainless steel platform in the size of 2.25 x 2.75 inches.