You can either use this videophone as a stand-alone unit, or you can connect it to your Mac or PC. (It's designed primarily for use with a PowerBook or with a laptop computer.) If you connect it to a computer, you can use either the videophone's 6-inch dis-play or the computer screen -- or both simultaneously. $3,999. 800-778-6288 or 703-709-4281.
ACECAD ACECAT III.
This third-generation, high-resolution 5-x-5-inch graphics tablet supports resolutions of up to 2,000 lines per inch, with an accuracy rate of +/- .01 inch. The 1.2-pound device can easily sit on your desk, lap, or hand, for design tasks from digitizing to tracing and drawing. $129. 800-676-4223 or 408-655-1900.
Orange Micro OrangePC 200- and 400-Series Coprocessor PC System Boards.
You can run Windows applications on your Mac, using one of these four coprocessor boards from Orange Micro. The boards feature either 486 or 5x86 processors, dedicated DRAM, and an L2 cache of up to 256K. Models include the 220 and 290 NuBus boards and the 420 and 440 PCI boards. $740 to $2,500. 714-779-2772 or http://www.orangemicro.com/.
Epson Personal Document Station.
This compact 4-ppm document scanner claims to be a strong competitor to Visioneer's PaperPort Vx. It captures 8-bit 300-dpi grayscale images and includes image-enhancing features that rid documents of background colors and random markings and that separate text from images into appropriate grayscale or black-and-white formats. $399. 800-289-3776; http://www.epson.com/.
In Focus Systems LitePro 210 Multimedia Projector and PowerView 820 Multimedia Projection Panel.
The LitePro 210 is an active-matrix projector with built-in JBL speakers for enhanced audio and is designed for ease of use and portability. The lightweight 800-x-600-pixel active-matrix PowerView 820 projection panel features smart image scaling. Both include a cleanly designed remote control and the CableWizard Connector System, a slick cable organizer. Projector, $5,499 (video and data option, $5,999); panel, $4,499 (video and data option, $4,999). 503-685-8888.
Plasmon Cheetah Series MO Drives.
Available in single configurations or as jukeboxes, these 2.6-GB magneto-optical drives offer rotational speeds of 1,900 rpm (2.1 MB per second) in the case of the Cheetah and 3,600 rpm (4 MB per second) in the case of the Cheetah Plus. The jukeboxes have capacities of 52 GB with one or two drives to 670 GB with two, four, or six drives. $1,899 to $2,675 for drives; $7,995 to $53,000 for jukeboxes. 800-445-9400 or 408-474-0100.
LaserMaster PressMate-FS.
This chemical-free film printer produces 2,400-dpi positive or negative film separations for spot-color, four-color, black-and-white, or duotone printing. Features include SmoothTone stochastic screening and a film-size capacity of up to 12 x 26 inches. $13,000. 800-221-6646 or 612-944-9330.
Software
Director Academic.
Prentice-Hall is offering an inexpensive academic version of Macromedia's media-integration software that makes combining digital video, scripting, and 2-D animation -- as well as graphic image and sound importation -- a reasonable (and economical) task for novices. An upgrade card provides a discount on the full version of Director 4.0. Prentice-Hall New Media. $99. 800-887-9998 or 201-236-3459.
Database Toolkit for OpenDoc.
Create a suite of interacting OpenDoc parts that integrate SQL-database information into business or graphics applications -- provided they're OpenDoc containers. Compatible SQL databases include those from Oracle and Informix. dtF Americas. $159. 800-383-1790 or 510-828-8785.
HSM ToolKit for Mac.
If you can't organize your dental visits, much less your hard disk, check out FWB's Hierarchical Storage Management package. This utility automatically moves older files from primary -- and expensive -- fast hard drives to cheaper, slower secondary devices, such as tape drives. Users specify which files migrate and to where, and an alias icon remains as a clue to where the files lie. Compatible with AppleShare networks. FWB. $79. 415-325-4392.
Exploring the Lost Maya.
Tackling the fascinating subject of Mayan culture dating from 150 b.c. to a.d. 1500, this CD-ROM covers 40 architectural sites in several countries, with photographs of each site and 3-D sketches of probable older architectural incarnations. Slide shows, narration, videos, and photos reveal centuries of sculpture and religious art. Sumeria. $50. 415-904-0800.
MacDrive 95.
This Windows 95 utility enables PC users to read and write Mac files from within the comfort zone of any familiar Windows application. Supports most media devices, including Zip, SyQuest, and external hard drives and optical drives. Media4 Productions. $70. 515-225-7409.
SoftWindows 95.
This latest incarnation of the popular Windows emulator ships with an optimized version of Windows 95. TurboStart speeds boot time, and all SCSI devices and major network protocols are supported. Insignia Solutions. $349. 800-848-7677 or 408-327-6000.
