P-Touch PT-9500PC Industrial Labeling System for PC or Mac Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I received my Brother PT-9500PC Label Printer about 9 months ago and I've used it regularly. Setup was very easy on my Macintosh. Rather than using the software on the provided disk, I downloaded the latest software and drivers from the Brother website and was up and running in minutes. I did have problems getting it to work when attached to a USB hub, but that could have been a problem with the hub rather than the printer. Once I plugged it directly into the computer, all was well. [edit: That hub has since been found to be defective]

Full version info, for those interested:
* Mac OS X 10.6.2 (Build 10C540)
* P-touch Editor 5.0 (Version 5.0.031)
* PT-9500PC Driver (Version 3.0.1)

The print quality of the labels is excellent. This is a 360 DPI printer, so it has a resolution similar to the early laser printers. Curves and edges appear rounded and smooth. You can see the pixels if you look really close, but print quality looks fine for most purposes. This means that you can use interesting fonts, including fonts with fairly thin lines if you want. Print speed is very good, and the printer can cut the tape completely between each label, or just score the label and leave the backing paper connected - this makes it easy to peel off the next sticker when printing a string of labels.

The software is much better than I was expecting - labeling software is often fairly lame. P-touch Editor 5.0 is a well put-together and professional looking software package. I haven't yet used all the features, such as auto-increment and bar-codes, but just from experimentation, those features appear to be easy to get to and use.

A few software deficiencies: I haven't found a way to rotate text to arbitrary angles (I was trying to place text diagonally).Also, exact positioning of items on the label can be tedious, which is an issue if you are trying to make labels for connectors on electronic devices as I am.Lastly, the font size controls are a bit weird, in that if you enlarge a font beyond what the bounding box can contain, the text stops getting bigger but the numerical font size keeps going up.This is an issue because I often want to use the largest text I can on small labels, but making all the text sizes match exactly can be difficult.One thing I just noticed recently is that it does not have a way to create cable labels (flags) like the hand-held P-Touch labelers do.

The only reason I gave the product 4 stars instead of 5: The maximum print width is 27.1mm (just over 1"). This means that on the 1.5" labels, you get about 0.2" margins at the edges of the tape whether you want them or not. With smaller tape sizes, you can print to within 0.04" of the edge. This may or may not be an issue for you, but it is a fact that is buried in the tech specs. While it is true that it can print on all the listed tape sizes up to 1.5", it can't print near the edges of the 1.5" tape like it can on the narrower tapes.

All in all, I'm very happy with this product and I expect it to provide a long useful life just like my hand-held Brother P-touch labeler.

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Product Description:
Creating professional looking laminated labels is as easy as 1-2-3pre-design your labels with your company logo or other graphics, import your database and print! Connects to your PC or Mac and uses Standard and Extra-Strength laminated TZ tapes in multiple sizes so you can make labels in a variety of fonts and styles. PT-Editor software includes 16 industry-standard bar codes and pre-designed templates; also saves and recalls frequently used label designs, imports graphics and databases; provides auto-incrementing and repeat printing features. High-resolution 360 dpi printhead prints in 64 styles and TrueType fonts. Automatic tape cutter. Compatible with Windows 2000 Professional, 95, Me, XP and Mac OS 8.6 to 9.x, OS X10.1 to 10.2.6. Includes 1 1/2 black-on-white TZ tape, AC adapter, software, USB and serial cables. Tape Size: 1/4 - 1 1/2; Number of Printed Lines: 16.000; Display Characters x Display Lines: N/A; Memory: Computer Dependant.

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Brother PT-1960 USB-Ready Labeler for Small Workgroups Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This is a great labeler.I got it to help me implement David Allen's Getting Things Done program and so far it's been a great help.Of course, you can label anything you want, any way you want -- not just according to his system.

I use the AC adaptor exclusively because this is a little chunky for portability.That said, if I had to use it in a portable way, I could.I did install the software on my computer, but I'd rather just use the labeler in a stand-alone way.The software isn't as intuitive as it should be and requires that you trim the tape by hand.Yuck.

The print quality of the 1960 is pretty good.I think it works by heat, not ink, to print, so it's very clean.It leaves a lot of white space when it prints -- like an inch or so on each side.A bit wasteful, but what can you do?Not sure if you turn off the auto cut feature if it would use less tape.

The tapes are quite expensive, in my opinion, but there's really nothing else like it in terms of neatness and convenience.Make sure you have at least one backup.And unless you know what you're labeling, I strongly suggest using just black type on white tape.It's the easiest to see.

All said, this probably does way more than I need.I'm not sure I would get this model again for basic labeling, only because of the price.But if you want something a little fancy and with a nice keyboard layout, this is your tool.

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Product Description:
Dual operation - standalone and PC connected. Prints up to 5 lines of text or graphics on a label at 180dpi. 53 built-in symbols/15 auto formats. 10 character x 2 line LCD display for easy editing. Make durable, laminated labels for temperatures from -30o to 100o C. Produce name badges with ID bar codes quickly and economically. Kit includes carry case and USB printer cable. Built-in auto cutter to reduce wasted tape. Powered by AC Adapter (Included) or 6 "AA" batteries (not included). PC and Mac USB connectivity.

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Allsop Redmond DVD Album 40 Review

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(More customer reviews)I was looking for something to store my console games in and had trouble finding something that would also keep the book.This was a perfect solution.

The spine of the binder is metal (looks stainless) the sides are firm plastic so it will stand up on its own on a shelf.The back is clear acrylic with a magnetic latch.Each sheet in the binder has a place for a game manual or dvd book on the front of the sheet and the back of the sheet has two seperate places for a disk each.The sheets are made from that felt like material that you will find on many other binders so scratching the disk will not be a problem.Each binder hold 20 games/movies or 40 disks.

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Product Description:
The Redmond DVD Album from Allsop meets your storage needs and looks great doing it. It used to be that the only disc collection you had was music. The next collection you started was DVD movies. From Spaceballs to Star Wars to Indiana Jones it's not too hard to build a collection quickly. The only problem with DVD's is how much space the cases take up. The Redmond DVD Album lets you get rid of those bulky DVD cases. The dark Santoprene-like coated shell has a little grip so it's easy to hold onto and easy to look at. Whether it's your DVD collection, CD's or Computer Software the Redmond DVD Album from Allsop is just what you need.

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Twelve South BackPack Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I was reluctant to spend this much on what is, when all said and done, a bracket. However, when I opened the pack I was pleasantly surprised. For a start, it's actually quite large and would, as claimed somewhere or other, easily take a Mac mini. It's also very solid and well-made - not even a suggestion of flimsiness. I use it to hold (conceal) my hard drive and this it does elegantly and efficiently. It doesn't look like there's a competitor out there and this is obviously aimed at the niche (5%) Mac-user market, so I guess one would expect to pay a premium, but I don't think it's even close to being a rip-off. In fact, I'm going to get a second one, for my daughter's computer.

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Product Description:
Add-on shelf for iMac and Apple Cinema Displays. BackPack is the perfect place to park portable hard drives, card readers or other USB peripheral you want to hide, but need easy access to every now and then. Set your USB hub on the shelf and tie your cables to it for a super tidy workspace. BackPack is also a handy home to stash your iPhone or iPod while charging and syncing. Because it's height adjustable, there's room for more than one BackPack in your life. Hang one low for hard drives and add a second one for hubs and gear (or a Transformer). If the back of your iMac faces the room, a BackPack or two is a completely fun, new way to personalize both your iMac and your workspace. The BackPack rests on the back of the desk stand on flat-screen iMacs and Apple Cinema Displays using gravity and two simple, adjustable clips. This allows you to position the sporty shelves at the perfect height without a screw ever touching your iMac. Because the BackPack uses gravity to stay in place, it will not leave any scratches or marks on your machine. Not only is this accessory a stylish space saver, it has some key protective benefits for your gear. This cool, ventilated shelf is the perfect way to get your hard drive or other Mac accessories elevated for better ventilation and the heat relief most electronic devices crave.

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Snap-N-Store SNS01617 CD Storage Box, 2 Pack (Black) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I should note that I bought these for computer CD media storage, not music CD's.

The bane of all media storage is lack of flexibility.Software vendors distribute CD's in all sorts of packaging, including standard jewel cases, customized plastic cases, paper sleeves, cardboard sleeves, and even DVD-size cases.I need to file my CD's by computer and application type - not by size!Most CD storage boxes have some size limitations.Some assume that you will simply throw away the original packaging, and use their custom sleeves.But the original packaging often has useful information on it, like installation instructions, urls, or CD key codes.So it is important to be able to file the original packaging with the CD.

The BEST CD storage I've ever found are the old Flip-n-file, swing-top boxes designed for 5-1/4" floppies.These conveniently store CD's in ANY of the above packaging except DVD cases.You can even throw in the odd 3-1/4" floppy.But these are no longer made.(I'm in the market, if anybody has any...)The worst "solution" I've tried was a cardboard box that would only hold CD's in paper sleeves, and was designed so the lid sat on top of the CD's (which stuck above the sides of the box), so that it was pretty useless unless the box was entirely full.

These Snap-n-store boxes are in between.They hold CD's in standard jewel cases, which is what they are designed for.(The cases only fit in one orientation, though, with the long edge up-and-down.)They will accomodate paper sleeves, which are smaller than jewel cases.They will NOT accomodate cardboard mailers, which are a little bit wider.Of course, they will not handle DVD-size cases (although Snap-n-store also makes a DVD box, which I have not tried).Like the other cardboard box I tried, the CD cases stick up above the sides of the box, so the lid will not sit securely unless the box is almost full.

In short, the box is good for long-term storage of CD's if you don't need to store them in cardboard sleeves, and you have enough CD's to store to pretty much fill the box.

My bare-minimum standard for media storage has become:is it better than a shoebox?These Snap-n-store boxes are, perhaps, but only just barely.

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Product Description:
Two-pack offers double the capacity!Desktop or archival CD storage that looks fantastic, and is relatively inexpensive.Leather-like PVC laminate is adorned with functional chrome accents.They ship and store flat, and snap together in seconds for use.Made from 50% post-consumer recycled content. Comes with chrome card holder for labeling. Each box holds 30 CDs in full jewel cases, 60 CDs in slim cases, and 165 discs in CD sleeves, so the two-pack has a maximum capacity of 330 CDs. Black. Interior dimensions: 5 1/8" H X 5 1/8" W x 13 1/4" D

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