Microsoft - Bill And The Boys Do Networking

As most are aware, Microsoft has introduced a line of new networking products, both wired and wireless. We found some of these products to look quite good; the feature we liked best was for wireless products, which allows you to make a disk with all of the settings and transfer them from computer to computer to shorten setup time with multiple computers.

A look at the complete line of Microsoft networking products.

Conclusion - Nothing New To Set The World On Fire

Once again, at this year's Comdex we saw a variety of new and innovative products that we thought were excellent. As in years past, we did not see any products that we feel are going to set the world on fire. Instead, we saw a steady stream of new products that are designed to meet the conservative nature of the current market. While there is no fault to be taken with this approach, we are not seeing the 'breakthrough' products launched at Comdex as in years past. The biggest news at Comdex this year was NVIDIA's launch of the GeForceFX, and that may be what Fall 2002 Comdex will be best remembered for.

Since it is possible this might be the last year for Comdex, we thought it would be fun to choose a few products as THG's choices for Best Of Show for Fall Comdex 2002.

In third place, we select the MSI MS-3281M Home Media Center. While MSI isn't really sure whether they are going to market the MS-3281M, we found its technology very useful; and because it is from MSI, it should be delivered at a very competitive price.

In second place, we choose the Dell Axim X5 Personal Data Assistant (PDA). We really liked what Dell has done with this CE device. From its replaceable battery to its very sexy looking cradle, these are just two of the features that set this product apart from others in the PDA field. The Axim X5 has a lot going for it, and it appears that Dell really listened to what its customers wanted from a PDA when they designed the Axim X5.

Our choice for the THG "Best Of Comdex 2002 Award" is the Gyration Ultra Mouse Professional . While this isn't the newest of products, we found the Gyration Ultra Mouse Professional to be the most innovative and unique product of all of the products we saw at Comdex Fall 2002. While it is difficult to describe without being able to touch and see it in action, the Ultra Mouse Professional offers the true freedom that you should get from a cordless device.

It is really tough to consider that this might be the last Comdex show; however, in a way we are glad that it may be over. As we suggested in the introduction of this article, Comdex needs to change if it is to survive. Keeping with the same old format and program just isn't going to cut it in this up and down economy. A more focused B2B show is what is needed, and perhaps keeping consumers out of the show, as well, would allow for more business to get done. If this is the last Comdex, we thank Comdex for the memories. It's been a good run.