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And the winner is . . .
January 29, 2002
2001 Standing Ovation Awards: Part 2
Notebook computer, full-size
Gateway Solo 9550xl
A 15.7-inch screen isn't the only praiseworthy element of Gateway's Solo 9550xl. The Windows XP unit contains a 1.13GHz Pentium III processor, 256MB of SDRAM and a 30GB hard drive. The Solo 9550xl is port-heavy with NTSC/PAL, two USB, PS2, parallel, serial, IEEE 1394 and VGA slots and a Dolby Digital output. Buyers have a choice of two PCMCIA Type II expansion slots or one Type III PC Card slot. Price: $2,599. Contact: Gateway Inc., 888.851.7359, www.gateway.com. |  |
 | Notebook computer, ultraportable
IBM ThinkPad X21
For the ultimate traveler's notebook, look no further than the ThinkPad X21. It may only weigh 3.5 pounds and sport a 12.1-inch screen, but IBM doesn't hold back on ports, slots or specs. The ThinkPad X21 has two USB ports, an integrated Ethernet connection, two headphone or microphone jacks, a VGA port, a Type II PCMCIA slot and a CompactFlash slot. Add a standard configuration of 128MB of memory, a 20GB hard drive and a 700MHz Pentium III processor, and you've got one enviable road machine. Price: $1,949 to $2,519, depending on configuration. Contact: IBM Corp., 800.426.4968, www.ibm.com. |
Presentations remote
Interlink RemotePoint RF Combo
Last year, Interlink's RemotePoint snagged the best remote award; this year the company packaged the remote with a VersaPoint wireless keyboard to grab the award again. The receiver's ability to hold as many as eight separate address pairs (eliminating interference from other keyboards and remotes in other rooms) and to provide through-the-wall control of 100 feet is truly impressive. What's more, the combo pack requires no drivers and works with any Windows or Macintosh system through a USB port. Price: $349. Contact: Interlink Electronics Inc., 800.340.1331, www.interlinkelectronics.com. |  |
 | Computer-peripheral whiteboard
Electronics for Imaging eBeam System 3
With USB support, a permanent-mounting feature and the optional ImagePort device, the Electronics for Imaging (EFI) eBeam is a serious whiteboard peripheral. The ImagePort, which attaches to the eBeam, has a printer driver, memory and a minicontroller that wirelessly sends information directly to a connected printer. The lightweight, cost-effective unit also has a nifty Presenter plug-in that records audio along with written data. Prices: Serial version, $699; USB version, $749; ImagePort device, $249. Contact: Electronics for Imaging, 877.463.2326, www.efi.com. |
Computer-interactive whiteboard
3M Wall Display
Although the 3M Wall Display is technically more than a whiteboard device, its ingenuity and impressive screen size convinced us to give it the prize for the best interactive whiteboard. For an interactive presentation, it provides videoconferencing capabilities, document-camera connections and RS-232 control -- all the usual features you would expect on an electronic whiteboard and a few more. With the push of a button, its arm extends to the front of the board, readying the unit for projecting images. Price: $14,250. Contact: 3M Visual Systems, 800.328.1371, www.3m.com/meetings/walldisplay. |  |
 | Videoconferencing system
Tandberg 1000
Tandberg's eye-catching videoconferencing system includes a 12-inch flat LCD screen, codec, camera, microphone and speaker all in a slim package that can be mounted on the wall. The onscreen interface is easy to use, and making a videoconference call involves simply dialing a number and pressing a button. A call-manager tool automatically configures the unit for optimal audio and video, and the camera can be preset for 15 views. The Tandberg 1000 can be configured for integrated services digital network (ISDN) or Internet Protocol (IP) use and set to accompany bandwidth speeds as high as 768 KBps using IP. What's more, it's capable of running on a wireless LAN. Price: Starts at $5,490. Contact: Tandberg, 877.900.9926, www.tandbergusa.com. |
Document camera, best budget buy
Samsung SVP-5500ST Video Presenter
Delivering features and performance a cut above many doc-cams two or three times as expensive, the Samsung SVP-5500ST is a value-added proposition if there ever was one. Built-in scan conversion, powered zoom and focus, a built-in remote and advanced digital functions such as "freeze" and eight-image "save/recall," as well as an additional sub-camera and a spare bulb, all combine to make this unit a power presentation and teaching tool. At its MSRP it's a bargain -- and at even lower street prices, it's a steal. Price: $2,250. Contact: Samsung Camera, 201.902.0347, www.samsungcamera.com. |  |
 | Document camera, professional
WolfVision VZ-57
The VZ-57, a Cadillac among document cameras, is tough to beat. With a three-CCD, one-third-inch progressive-scan camera that takes 25 pictures a second, the VZ-57 offers power, resolution and flexibility that few other document cameras can touch. The unit can output images at SVGA, XGA or SXGA resolution through PAL, NTSC, DVI or USB interfaces. Two telephoto lenses bring its zooming power to 24X, enabling the camera to display content as close as 0.6 x 0.5 inches. Price: $21,680. Contact: WolfVision Inc., 800.356.9653, www.wolfvision.com. |
PDA delivery tool
Margi Systems Presenter-to-Go
As an alternative to lugging both a laptop and a projector to a presentation, the Margi Systems Presenter-to-Go is the most interesting backup tool of the year. The Presenter-to-Go Springboard module works with a Handspring Visor personal digital assistant (PDA). After downloading PowerPoint slides into the handheld, you can present the slideshow through a projector's RGB port. Slide resolution hits the XGA (1,024 x 768) mark. An included miniature remote control advances or repeats the slides. Presenter-to-Go is a top-notch product that's lightweight and a snap to use. Price: $299. Contact: Margi Systems Inc., 510.657.4435, www.margi.com. |  |
 | Webconferencing/meeting service
WebEx
Lots of competition has sprung up to challenge it, but WebEx is still the easiest one-stop online meeting service available, which is one of the reasons it's still around. Whether you're doing one-on-one meetings, group meetings or large broadcast events, WebEx has the infrastructure to handle it, and experienced tech support on call if there are any glitches. With free instant meetings for four people or less, or a rate of 45 cents per user per minute for larger meetings, WebEx is also a relative bargain. Contact: WebEx Communications Inc., 877.509.3239, www.webex.com. |
Other 2001 Standing Ovation Awards:
Projection & Display
Software
Digital Imaging
Back to Intro
Originally published in the December 2001 issue of Presentations magazine. Copyright 2001, VNU Business Media.
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