Hasta La Gadget!

We know you’ve got questions, and if you’re brave enough to ask the world for answers, then here’s the outlet to do so. This week’s Ask Engadget inquiry is from Whee!, which we guess probably isn’t their real name, who is looking for a way to ditch their mouse. If you’re looking to ask one of your own, drop us a line at ask [at] engadget [dawt] com.

“I’m a web developer, and my typical day involves a lot of moving and clicking when testing stuff in the browser. I’ve been thinking about ditching my mouse, because when using it for long hours it gets very uncomfortable. As such, I’m eyeing up a Wacom tablet and using the pen input to mouse around — but do you think it’s a good idea? Thanks in advance!”

Our questioner wants to solve their wrist-pain woes, and it certainly seems like a reasonable enough idea to us. Plenty of tablets come with a mouse mode, so it’s just down to the limits of your budget.

• If you’re just dipping your toes into the water, you can pick up a Genius device for around $60.
• Wacom’s Bamboo tablets occupy the mid-range, setting you back $80 for a 5.8-inch model, all the way up to $200 for the 8.5-incher.
• If you’re serious about making the change, then Wacom’s Intuos5 hardware is a top-range option, with the 6.2-inch version starting at $200, running all the way to $800 for the 18-inch unit, or even spending big on one of the company’s Cintiq units.
• We’ve also been wondering if a touchscreen Ultrabook might be a better idea, letting your fingers do the walking to spare your aching forearms.

That said, perhaps the wider Engadget community has an even better tip, so if you’ve already made that leap, why not share your knowledge in the comments below?

Filed under: Peripherals

Ask Engadget: Should I replace my mouse with a graphics tablet? originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 13 Oct 2012 23:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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We know you’ve got questions, and if you’re brave enough to ask the world for answers, here’s the outlet to do so. This week’s Ask Engadget inquiry is from David, who wants to know if you’d prefer a free cable or a cheaper device when you buy pro audio gear. If you’re looking to send in an inquiry of your own, drop us a line at ask [at] engadget [dawt] com.

Many thanks!”

a) Include a cheap cable and let people who care buy a high quality one?
b) Include a reasonable quality cable but increase the price?
c) Include no cable and make it clear they need to buy one?

“I work for a small audio-tech company and we’re currently getting close to releasing our first retail product, which does surround sound from stereo inputs — kinda like Dolby Pro Logic, except good. Internally, we’re agonizing over if we should include a stereo RCA cable. Of course, users will need to integrate an additional cable into their setup, but plenty of people will have spares lying around at home. Do you think it’s better to:

What a question! We’re decidedly of two minds, since given a bit of haggling, most retailers will chuck in a branded lead, but we’d hate to get our shiny new gear home to find it’s missing a key component the one time they don’t. Our dithering aside, it’s time to turn the question over to our faithful Engadgeteers with this chance to shape the future of the high-end audio business for the better… we’d better not disappoint the man!

Filed under: Home Entertainment, HD

Ask Engadget: should companies include a cable with a new product? originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 29 Sep 2012 22:46:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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We know you’ve got questions, and if you’re brave enough to ask the world for answers, here’s the outlet to do so. This week’s Ask Engadget inquiry is coming to us from Ben, who needs a stylish way to carry around his electronics haul. If you’re looking to send in an inquiry of your own, drop us a line at ask [at] engadget [dawt] com.

“Hey Engadget, I’m looking for your help in picking a new travel bag. Ideally, I’d like something that’s in a messenger format, but I’m open to other options if you can suggest them. Currently I’ve got a 13-inch laptop (and charger), iPad, noise cancelling headphones and the various bits and bobs that go with them. Any help you can provide would be great, thanks!”

This week, we’re revisiting a topic from January 2010, but given how much has changed since then, it’s well worth keeping it up to date. We’ve heard good things about the Timbuk2 Commute Messenger that we gave away as part of our Back to School sweepstake, but your humble narrator is still toting around a cumbersome (and less useful) Lowepro Fastpack 250, which the TSA doesn’t take kindly to. Still, that’s why we’ll open this up the floor and find out what you’re all rocking when it comes time for that gadget-laden cross-country jaunt.

Filed under: Misc, Peripherals

Ask Engadget: best carry-on electronics bag? originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 15 Sep 2012 22:27:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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We know you’ve got questions, and if you’re brave enough to ask the world for answers, here’s the outlet to do so. This week’s Ask Engadget inquiry is coming to us from Dustin, who wants to turn the humble iPod Touch into a cash register for live events. If you’re looking to send in an inquiry of your own, drop us a line at ask [at] engadget [dawt] com.

“We currently have 10 credit card terminals we purchased three years ago, and we’re looking to replace them thanks to their horrific failure rate and replacement cost. We only use them for special events, but they account for $24 million of our credit card revenue. Ideally I’d like to replace them with iPod touches and a wireless printer, but I can’t seem to find a solution that offers printing — but it’s essential to what we do. Thanks for your help!”

We found that Square lets you connect to a Star Micronics receipt printer, and Intuit GoPayment accepts Bluetooth-enabled P25 Blue Bamboo printers — so those could work for you. Of course, Ask Engadget is about sourcing the opinion of our hive-mind, so if your business has already conquered this problem, why not share what you know?

Filed under: Cellphones, Misc, Portable Audio/Video

Ask Engadget: is iPod Touch and Wireless Printer-based credit card processing possible? originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 01 Sep 2012 23:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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We know you’ve got questions, and if you’re brave enough to ask the world for answers, here’s the outlet to do so. This week’s Ask Engadget inquiry is coming to us from Joyce, who wants us to open the open the camera wars in the interests of helping out a photography newbie. If you’re looking to send in an inquiry of your own, drop us a line at ask [at] engadget [dawt] com.

“I’m very interested in photography and currently have a minor in Communication Design. I really want to get more serious, but I can’t spend too much money ($800 limit) on a DSLR. I’m leaning towards a Canon because my sister has one as well so we could share lenses, and any with a video mode would be useful. Any advice regarding a decent DSLR and beginner lenses would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!”

It’s been three years since we last asked this question, so we’re well overdue to gauge your opinions. Tell us what budget shooter and lenses offer the best bang-for-your-buck and ease of use, which unit’s the most forgiving and which offers the cheapest lenses for those just dipping their toes into the water?

Filed under: Digital Cameras

Ask Engadget: What’s the best entry-level DSLR? originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 18 Aug 2012 22:06:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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