Wireless Desktop

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Technology has always been design to assist in tasks and make them easier to complete. The modern home is about less clutter, looking sleek and tidy, same with the office. To This effect the wireless desktop is the way to go. By using technology such as Bluetooth and Radio waves the clutter of wires is removed making the desktop look neat, tidy and efficient. Also you can place devices where you like with no restrictions of wire length or requiring a wired rout to the device.

By far the most popular wireless devices on the market are the keyboard and mouse. These devices have been around for a while and many homes already take advantage of this technology. Wireless devices however have a much broader range than you may think. Bluetooth is known mostly for connecting Mobile phones over a short distance to transfer files or to connect a handset to a headset, but the same technology is used to connect peripherals such as printers to your computer. Simple connection however is only start of the things that wireless devices can achieve. For example you can synchronise your mobile phone with software on your PC with dates and notes easily. And what about being able to type out an SMS text message on your keyboard and have it send from the phone. Of course these things need the relevant software installed but with no wires to connect, these applications can be used quickly and easily.

The Wireless Keyboard and Mouse

The chances are that if you have anything wireless on your home or office computer, then it is the wireless mouse or a wireless mouse and keyboard combination. They are readily available and have the most effect on cleaning up your desktop. Standard mice and keyboards with wires can't have these wires hidden away because the mouse and keyboard has to be accessible to you whenever you use the computer. Because of this wires will need to trailed across your desk. Gamers especially don't like mouse wires as they can snag, normally at a very in-appropriate moment during a game. Wireless keyboards can have a range that will stretch around the room. Move them from the desk to your lap, to the sofa or bed if you can still see the screen but the point being you are not restricted by a wire nor will a wire get tangled when you constantly move these devices. Combinations of wireless mice and keyboards are available from many different manufacturers, including Microsoft and Logitech.

Logitech Wireless Desktops
Microsoft Wireless Desktops
Full range of Wireless keyboard and mice solutions

Wireless Printers

Only a few printers are being made wireless as standard at the current time, but USB attachments are readily available to turn your printer into a wireless solution. Wireless printers are best utilised in a network situation where many computers can connect to the printer in a wireless network. That does not mean to say that a single computer shouldn't have a wireless printer, after all it does reduce the need for another wire. These USB devices simply act as a USB cable would normally. As an extra benefit to having a wireless connection on your printer, you can place it in an area of the room that a USB cable would not be able to reach.

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Wireless Networking

I think the biggest advantage of wireless technology has to be Wireless Networking. While Bluetooth technology is does not have the range in which to be affective at networking computers together. RF technology is still used however and is very easy to setup. For a simple network (peer to peer) on two computers all you need is two wireless networking cards setup to the same channel. More complex networks can also be setup using a server and workstations. Anything you can do with a wired network you can do with wireless technology.

While we keep saying that the main advantage of wireless technology is that you don't have wires lying around everywhere, this is more true than ever when we are talking about wireless networking. When your computers are likely to be located in different room, the last thing you want is for wires to be laid around your home or office being an eyesore. Plus should you wish to move your computer at anytime, you don't have to re-route the wires connecting your network together.

Security on Wireless networks is set by adding a name for your network which all computers on that network must be assigned to connect to, plus then you can add a password to keep unwanted intruders out from your files. Software firewalls are also recommended on wireless connections (as well as wired) just for added security against unwanted virus' or Adware/Spyware.

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Wireless Headphones / Microphone

Wireless headphones are readily available from many manufacturers. These are really one of the most practical uses of wireless technology behind the networking. Wireless headphones allow you to freely listen to your music, game or whatever noise your PC is making anywhere in your room without the restriction of wires. Even if your wires are long enough they will still be a little dangerous stretched across the room. And we all know you like to dance around your room listening to your favourite tracks. A set of wireless headphones could save you a few quid on broken items that your headphone wires have snagged on and brought crashing down to the floor :).

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Wireless Speakers

Wireless speakers are poking out of the woodwork and those of you that have a 5.1 or above sound system will just how many wires are involved in that setup. Not only do you have connection to the computer but each speaker is connected to the sub / power box and and you also have the volume control to deal with. At time of writing this the US seem to have a decent supply of wireless speakers where as only a few can be found in the UK. I am very sure that wireless speakers will become a lot more popular in the UK over the next couple of months. Wireless speakers will remove loads of wires from the back of your computer. Using a 5.1 wireless system will allow you to place your speakers in the perfect position without any restrictions or ugly wires running along your walls or floor.

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