A slate of computer accessories were announced from Targus, all geared toward the back-to-school crowd. New products include transfer cables, power outlets and a roster of privacy screens.
The company’s high-speed file-transfer cable, which can be used for PCs and Macs, is ideal for transferring large amounts of data, said Targus. With transfer rates reported as 480Mbps, the cable has an estimated street price of $39.99.
Boasting “premium Bluetooth wireless technology,” Targus’ optical Bluetooth laptop mouse ($39.99) is designed to work up to 33 feet away. Adjustable cursor speeds between 1,600 and 800 dpi are available with a push of a button, and the mouse is said to automatically shift into sleep mode when it’s not being used, to conserve battery life. An on/off button is also included.
The 4-Port Bend-a-Hub comes with four ports and two specialty connectors, and one can adjust to a 90-degree angle for accessibility. Also offered is a mini-USB adapter; no external power supply is needed. Designed to be easy to roll up for portability, the hub measures 9 inches long, weigh 1.8 ounces and has a $19.99 estimated street price.
Up to four outlets are made available when using Targus’ portable travel power outlets ($19.99) with surge protection up to 300 joules. The compact design makes it an easy fit for hard-to-reach places, yet is designed to accommodate oversized power adapters, according to the company. It measures 5.5 inches by 1.25 inches by 1 inch, and weighs 5.6 ounces.
Engineered to keep a laptop running cool to prevent overheating and to preserve battery life, the HeatDefense cooling system features a crystalline compound material that melts when heat is released from a laptop, reportedly creating a thermal capacitor that absorbs the heat. It works with laptops up to 17 inches, and can fold for additional portability. The HeatDefense measures approximately 13.35 inches by 11.85 inches, said Targus, and is available at an estimated street price of $29.99.
Finally, the company unveiled additions to its line of DEFCON privacy filters. It said the filters are now available for “most all popular laptop and LCD monitor sizes.”
The filters are designed to safeguard information on a screen while reducing the glare. They feature microscopic vertical blinds that reportedly narrow the viewing angle, so anyone with a viewing distance of more than 45 degrees from the center of the screen sees nothing but a blank, dark screen, said Targus. All filters are meant for easy installation, with included clear adhesive double-stick strips or tab guides that adhere to the LCD bezel.
Available DEFCON privacy filters for laptops include 12.1- and 12.1-inch widescreen, $47.99; 13.3- and 13.3-inch widescreen, $47.99; 14.1- and 14.1-inch widescreen, $47.99; 15-inch, $47.99; 15.2-inch widescreen, $54.99; 15.4-inch widescreen, $54.99; and 17- and 17-inch widescreen, $74.99.
DEFCON privacy filters offered for LCD monitors include 18.1-inch, $74.99; 19-inch, $84.99; 19-inch widescreen, $94.99; 20.1-inch, $94.99; 20.1-inch widescreen, $109; 22-inch widescreen, $139; 24-inch widescreen, $179; and 30-inch widescreen, $279.
