Finally, they’re all here. The Xbox 360 has had the next generation gaming market to itself for a year. Now its two competitors, the Playstation 3 and Nintendo Wii, are here. No more speculating about speed. No more guessing about memory. Now we can take a look and see exactly how they stack up compared to each other.

Let the console wars begin again.

Price

The PS3 has two configurations much like the Xbox 360. The PS3 comes in a $499 version that comes with a 20 GB hard drive and a $599 version that comes with a 60 GB hard drive; Wi-Fi; and memory stick, SD, and Compact Flash slots.

The Xbox 360 has two configurations. It comes in a $299 core version and a $399 version that comes with a 20GB hard drive.

The Nintendo Wii is the cheapest of the bunch with just one configuration that costs $250.

Processing Power

The Playstation 3 comes with its Cell processor. It’s a PowerPC based core that runs at 3.2 GHz that also have seven DSPs that run at 3.2 GHz. This configuration can do about 2 Teraflops.

The Xbox 360 has a Custom IBM PowerPC processor. This processor also runs at 3.2 GHz. However, Xbox went with a true 3 core processor compared to the one general processor of the Cell and seven additional DSPs. This configuration can do about 1 Teraflop.

The Nintendo Wii includes its Broadway processor, a PowerPC based processor running at 729 MHz.

Disc Media

Part of the reason the PS3 is so much more expensive than the Xbox 360 is because the Sony decided to include a Blu-ray drive on the system. The drive can play both Blu-ray movies and regular DVDs. The Xbox 360 comes with a DVD player and an HD-DVD add-on is planned. The Nintendo Wii uses a DVD drive; however, the system will not work for playback of movies, just Nintendo games.......

Backwards Compatibility

The Playstation 3 is just like the PS2 was. You’ll be able to play both PS2 and PSone games on the PS3. Nintendo is taking things a bit further. Their system will be compatible with the Gamecube games and also the Gamecube controllers since the two systems use very different controllers. Not only that, but the Wii will also have the ability to download games from the original Nintendo (NES), Super Nintendo (SNES), and the Nintendo 64.

Sweet Features

If you want high definition gaming, then the PS3 is the way to go. It comes with a Blu-ray drive built in and can output in 1080p. Although the PS3 controller may look familiar, it’s had some updates. The controller is now motion sensing so in some games you’ll be able to move your character or fly a plane just by moving the controller.

The Xbox 360 was built to work with Windows XP media center. If you have a computer that already has media center on it, you’ll be able to view pictures, videos, and even recorded TV by using your Xbox. You won’t need to put your PC in your living room to take advantage of having a Media Center PC.

The Nintendo Wii decided to completely change the way gaming controllers are built. In the past, one controller was always held with both hands. The Wii’s controller looks more like a TV remote control than a game controller. It has a built in motion sensor so, for example, to swing a sword, you simply move you hand just like you were really swinging a sword.

Hopefully this review has helped you compare the three next generation gaming systems. Each has its pluses and minuses, and feature that are unique to it. Ultimately, your decision will likely come down to which system has the games that most appeal to you. And that is a decision that only you can make when deciding on a system to buy.

Author: Gary Ruplinger is the editor of http://www.ps3asap.com, a resource for getting the in demand PS3 system. He also is a writer for http://www.gamesystemreviews.com where you can learn about all of the next generation systems

Comparing The Playstation 3, Xbox 360, And Nintendo WII

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• Nintendo Wii
• Playstation 3
• XBox 360


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The Nintendo Wii is the hottest gaming system on the market. Even now many retailers are sold out and awaiting new shipments of this revolutionary game system with its remote sensing control system. The Nintendo Wii is a hot commodity, and like any commodity the laws of supply and demand are in play, and high demand can often equate to high prices. If you are one of the millions of people considering a purchase of the Wii System then you are probably among those for whom the Nintendo Wii price is a consideration.

Fortunately, the Nintendo Wii price is at a point that is affordable for most people, and for approximately $249.99 USD you can jump right in – almost literally – and begin playing the game that everyone is talking about. However, the $250 dollar price point only gets you the basic Wii package, which includes one game – Wii Sports – one controller, the sensor bar, and the assorted power cords needed to plug in and play. While this assortment is more than capable of getting you up and running, the $250 Nintendo Wii price does not include many items you are sure to want as soon as you tire of playing Wii Sports against the computer......

One way to avoid endless shopping for additional games and accessories is to purchase a Nintendo Wii bundle from a retailer who offers such deals. Various retailers offer bundles – all inclusive package deals – that include the Wii system as well as additional memory, additional controller, and several additional game titles. While such packages can greatly increase the Nintendo Wii price – by $200 to $400 dollars depending on the number of games and their titles – it can give you all you need, and more, to get started gaming.

The Nintendo Wii price, without accessories, is roughly $250. But it is the accessories that make the Wii such a powerful and dynamic system, and the Nintendo Wii price does not include those additional items. While new game titles will cost roughly $50 each, it is not the new games that will take your Wii to new heights; it is the add-ons. A second controller and Nunchuk - secondary controller that plugs into the primary, wireless controller; the Wiimote – will cost approximately $60. For those who wish to offset the Nintendo Wii price by continuing to play games from their Nintendo GameCube, they may need to purchase a GameCube controller if they do not already have one ($25). Further, if you want to save your ongoing GameCube games – like you could do on the original GameCube – then a memory card is needed ($25). For roughly the same prices as the memory card, an SD card – 1 GB of additional memory – can be purchased allowing you to download classic games through an Internet connection.

Like other accessories, Internet connectivity is not included in the Nintendo Wii price, and a wireless Wi-Fi USB connector is required ($100 and up). And if you want to see the fruit of your investments in the quality of High Definition, then a component video adapter is needed to deliver that crystal clear picture ($20).

After reading a list such as this one it is easy to wonder what you really get for that $250 Nintendo Wii price. The truth is that you get a lot, but if you want more – and you want to maximize the capabilities of the system – then investing in accessories that cost above and beyond the Nintendo Wii price will deliver exactly that. Fortunately, you don’t have to buy them all at once.

Sponsored by: http://www.balootisme.com

Author: Michelle Bery. For easy to understand, in depth information about Nintendo Wii price visit our ezGuide 2 http://nintendo.ezguide2.com

Key Accessories Can Increase The Nintendo WII Price

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• Nintendo Wii


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Apple recently announced the release of the iPod Radio Remote. This little accessory combines a wired remote control with a FM radio receiver. It works with the iPod nano and the most recent generation (fifth) of iPods.

The iPod Radio Remote is a convenient way for music lovers to control their iPod and add FM radio for a reasonable price point. Using the remote, you can skip tracks and adjust the volume of your iPod even when it’s in a pocket or backpack. It’s main feature - lets you and listen to FM radio stations while it displays station and song information on the iPod’s screen.

“The iPod Radio Remote combines two great features in one elegant product,” Greg Joswiak, Apple’s iPod Marketing guy said recently. “The iPod Radio Remote is both the best remote control and the best FM radio listening experience for iPod.”

If you search the Apple iPod store online, you will also find a couple of competitors that launched similar products ahead of Apple. But I must admit, the Apple Radio Remote is a cleaner package. If you live in the city and get good FM reception, this is a nice little add-on. If you live in the burbs and are looking for great sound - similar to the quality that you get from your iPod, then forget about the iPod Radio Remote. Why, because it is like any other small FM radio, it needs a strong signal to give you decent sound.

But don’t give up, there is quite a lot happening in the real time audio market and you will have more choices in the coming months.

There were several rumors in 2005 about Apple and satellite radio for instance. "The iPod is the biggest, baddest thing around and satellite radio is this small, cool device," said Steve Mather, an analyst with Sander Morris Harris. "Put them together and it's the ultimate."

But there has been no evidence that such a dream machine is in the works. Earlier this year, Sirius Satellite Radio CEO Mel Karmazin said he had approached Steve Jobs, the chief of iPod maker Apple Computer, about a possible deal but said Jobs wasn't interested.

Sirius didn’t sit on its butt. They created their first portable device called the S50, a small, sleek device used with a docking port in your car. It is like a TiVo for radio. It automatically stores music for later listening. You can schedule recordings from both music and talk stations (with a firmware upgrade), save favorite songs, and link up to a PC to load music files. But… you can't see the song list for recorded music. The S50 is available only with a car kit and the controls are hard to use.

Not to be left out, XM recently unveiled a new satellite radio for spring ‘06. Like their initial radio, the new receiver will pick up satellite signals as you are walking around outside. No docking station is needed, which is a huge advantage over the Sirius S50. It also has 1 gigabyte of memory so that you can record 50 hours of radio play. Out doing the S50 - there are no restrictions on how or what you can record. In fact, XM has made it even easier to capture individual songs.

The new XM player also provides a "tag" feature that let’s you immediately purchase any song you hear from Napster's online store. When you reconnect the player to your computer, you can get those MP3's that you just purchased to create a mix of MP3's and radio content on the player.

XM now appears to be ahead of Sirius and Apple in the radio wars. To prove it they announced the XM Passport, a small card that can be plugged in and out of future XM enabled devices. With the passport card, you need only buy one subscription to XM radio to power a number of satellite receivers; just plug in your passport card.

Author: John Thomas is an author and business consultant who works with entrepreneurs and business owners. He takes time to pursue his passion for iPods at http://iPod-Tips.com

iPod Radio

• Labels:
• Apple
• iPod
• Personal Geek


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To date, there has been a number of Apple iPod models. Well, with the release of the new iPod Video, there are now officially three iPod models for the 5th generation of iPods. The earlier 4th generation models, including the popular iPod Mini, iPod Photo, U2 and 20GB iPod are now officially history.

The three official 5G iPod models include the iPod Shuffle, iPod Nano and iPod Video. What's the difference between this new range of iPods and the previous 4G models? Broadly speaking, the differences are:

Hard Disk

Two of the new iPod models, iPod Shuffle and iPod Nano, are based on flash hard disk technology. This new hard disk is ultra slim and is able to withstand shock and vigorous movement. Unlike 4G models, this make the iPod Shuffle and iPod Nano ultra slim and allow them to be used for vigorous activities, including sporting activity, dance, accidental drops, etc. Previous 4G models were less robust and vigorous activity tend to cause possible malfunction.

Battery life

Battery life on the 5G iPod has improved tremendously. One of the major complaints about 4G iPod was the short battery life(8hrs) and battery life draining away quickly after heavy use. The new iPod lasts up to 14 hrs and has a better battery lifespan.

Color is standard

Unlike 4G model, where the iPod Photo model was the only model with color, the new iPod Nano and iPod Video comes standard with color screen and playback.

Choice of video

With the new iPod Video, there is now a range of activities, including data, music, photo and video that can be supported on one iPod. Previously, video was not available as an option.

Standardized casing

The 4G iPod included the multi-color iPod mini, with a choice of pink, blue, green and silver. The only option for black was the U2 model........

Today, the colors has been standardized to black or white (except iPod Shuffle - White only). In addition, all iPod casing has been standardized to hard acrylic instead of the anionized aluminium for iPod Mini and hard acrylic for the other models.

However, the hard acrylic casing used for the 5G iPod models seems to have a tendency to scratch as reported by many iPod user websites. It is advised that a iPod casing or protector film be purchased for the new 5G iPod immediately. A good selection can be found here.

Compact Clickwheel

The iPod Clickwheel was previously a scroll wheel that was designed and supplied by a 3rd party. The new iPod clickwheels are now designed and produced by Apple itself. The functionalities are similar but users reported better response feedback.

Headphone jack

Headphone jacks for all iPod models, including the very first 1G iPod up till the 4G models, has always been on top of the iPod. The iPod Nano breaks ground by having the headphone jack at the bottom.

Which iPod model to choose?

As of this writing, the iPod Video has only been out for less than 2 weeks. The current 5G range of iPod seems to be the most complete and versatile thus far, and we can see that the 3 different models are essentially targeted at different segments of the iPod user market. A basic guide to choosing the right iPod model can be broadly classified as:

iPod Shuffle

The iPod Shuffle is obviously targeted at users who have a lower budget or those who only have an occasional need for a music player. The Shuffle comes without a screen and user can only choose to listen to music in a sequence or have it shuffled randomly. Because of it's lower price, this model has become a choice for those who desire for an iPod but may not have the neccessary budget.

iPod Nano

The iPod Nano is now the mainstream iPod model with the exit of 4G iPod models. With a size and thickness slightly larger than a credit card, this is now a runaway favorite iPod model. Users have a choice of data, music and photo with this colored screen iPod.

iPod Video

The newest kid on the block, the iPod Video, is desired by those with a higher budget or who wish to watch video on their iPod. It has a slightly larger screen than the iPod Nano and play a crisp 30 fps video display. With not many iPod videos available for download as yet, we'll need to see if this model can overtake the iPod Nano as the mainstream iPod model.

Author: Katherine Xie has owned an iPod since 2001. She runs a website, http://www.smart-ipod-ideas.com which shares iPod tips as well as quality Japanese iPod protectords and accessories. Please feel free to distribute this article as long as credit is referenced to her website.

New 5Th Generation Apple iPod

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• iPod


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The Apple iPod has been taking the world by storm since the tiny hand held device has been released. The iPod has made it possible for people to download almost their entire music library into a mini-computer that they can take with them wherever they go. Apple has created variations on the original iPod, and has also created a variety of accessories to allow even more functionality from the little device.

There are many models of iPods now available on the market. There are the 1st through 4th generation iPods that are the typical iPod style-small and flat with a little display screen. There is also the iPod mini, which is smaller and holds less information that other iPods. There is also the iPod shuffle, which automatically shuffles through all the music files on the iPod. It holds less music than other iPods and does not have the display screen like the others. And there is also the iPod photo.

There are several accessories available for the iPods. Desk mount with speakers allows the user to have a portable stereo system with all their favorite music there at hand. The external 18 hour iPod battery is a great new accessory that gives the users much more battery time. Unfortunately, the 18 hour battery is not available for 1st and 2nd generation iPods. An FM transmitter is also available for the iPod that allows listeners to hear their favorite FM stations directly through the iPod.


Power for the iPod is a very important issue. Depending on how much the iPod is used, batteries can last a long time, or not long at all. Extras batteries can be purchased,. 1st and 2nd generation iPods use different batteries than other iPods. The 18 hour battery is a great choice for any of the other iPod models. It is the best deal and will let the user get the most out of their iPod.

So whether it’s going small with the iPod Nano, or going all out with the newest iPod, there is something out there for everyone. There are price ranges for everyone too.

Author: Dawn Rowlett is an author for http://batteryweb.com, the Worldwide Web's Leading Provider of all Types of Batteries, Battery Chargers and Accessories. Visit the site for a great selection of iPod batteries and accessories here, http://batteryweb.com/ipodbatteries.cfm

iPod Batteries and Accessories

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• iPod
• Personal Geek


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Last year the fifth generation iPod was launched. The best thing about this latest release is its ability to store and play videos. However, the public was disappointed because the iPod’s companion software, iTunes, is unable to convert existing videos to a format that can be read by the iPod.

During that time, a third party software is required to be able to convert video clips for iPods. This is not the case anymore because the newest iTunes 6.0.2 comes with a video conversion tool to be able to transform video clips into an iPod-compatible format. As a typical Apple product, the conversion tool is subtly integrated into iTunes, so not everyone is able to maximize this feature. Here is a little tutorial to help you convert your video clips.

iTunes 6.0.2 is capable of converting Quick-Time compatible video formats into iPod-ready video files. These formats can be MOV, MPEG and MP4. These files are converted to H.264 format video. This handles videos that are 320 pixels wide. iTunes does not allow reconfiguring this setting. The format is great when the videos are viewed in iPods, but if these files are viewed on TV or PC, the quality is not as good.


The first step is to add your video clips to your iTunes library. This can be done by simply dragging and dropping them into your iTunes library window. Select the files you want to convert and then right click on your mouse button. A menu will popup and you have to select the option “Convert Selection for iPod”. iTunes will automatically convert the selected files into an iPod-ready video format. You will be able to monitor the status of the conversion process by clicking on “Source” and then “Converting Songs”.

After converting your video clips, you now how two files with the same content. You may delete the older file. It is very easy to distinguish between the two files. All you have to do is to check the file properties and look at the “Date Added” column.

Now that your video clips are compatible to your iPod, you may now transfer the files and begin viewing your favorite video clips anytime and anywhere!

Author: Luke Cameron is owner of iPods Booth - an online magazine offering news, tips and articles on iPod topics. His website can be found at: http://www.ipodsbooth.com

Creating iPod-Ready Video Clips

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• iPod
• Software


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The iPhone is finally here! As a result, many free download sites have popped up that allow for downloading copyrighted material. It is best to avoid these sites as I am sure you do not want the authorities knocking on your door.

However, there are iPhone download membership sites that provide an excellent alternative to itunes. The problem is determining which of these iPhone sites provides the best service. Here are some tips to help.

1. Per iPhone Download Fee vs. One-Time Fee

Many iPhone sites will offer free membership, but then charge you for each file you download, 99 cents or $1.99. If you love your music as much as me, this can get expensive very quickly. Sites that charge a one-time fee are the way to go. You will save a lot of money in the long run.

2. iPhone Music Download Variety

It is true what they say: Variety is the spice of life. You probably want to find an iPhone download site that offers files from all genres of music.

3. File Selection for Movies, TV, and other Media

Having access to a lot of files is perhaps the most important thing to look for if you want to get your money's worth! Fortunately, most iPhone download sites have overwhelmingly large databases, in the range of 100,000,000 files. (That is one-hundred million files!) Also, make sure the site you are looking at offers music, movies, tv shows, games, and software, not just music. Remember, we are trying to get the most for our money!......


4. Website Interface

This is an important feature because the easier a website is to navigate, the easier it will be for you to find what you are looking for. Although you cannot see the member's area until you sign-up, you can get a good idea just by browsing around the non-member's area of the site.

5. Free iPhone Software for File Compatibility

A quality iPhone download site should provide you with free software to help you in downloading those movies and mp3s. They should also provide free converting software for files that need to be converted to play on the iphone.

6. Fast iPhone Download Speeds

Does the site offer fast download speeds? Some sites with small servers will put a limit on download speeds in order to allow more people to connect. Look for sites that do not have any such limits.

7. Safety of Files

When downloading anything off the internet, there is always a risk of the files being infected with spyware, adware, or viruses. The best iPod download sites will screen all their files before you download them. Additionally, you may want to have adware scanning software on your computer before you sign up. This is a great back-up just in case any corrupted files slip through the cracks.

8. Reputation

Does the iPhone download site have a good reputation? You can judge this by the credentials they list on their site and through various iPhone related forums.

9. 24/7 Customer Support

Customer Support is a very important thing. The best iPhone download sites will have an extensive FAQ (frequently asked questions) section that covers most common questions. However, don't hesitate to contact a site with a question to determine how long it takes them to respond and in what manner. They should respond to your inquiry within 24 hours. If not, you may want to consider another service.

10. Secure Payment Processing

This usually is not a problem, as most online merchants accept payments through Paypal, Clickbank, or another trusted source. With these companies, you do not have to worry about anyone reading or accessing your personal information.

Author: Did you find this information helpful? You can discover the best unlimited iPhone Downloads at the lowest cost by checking out http://www.TopiPhoneDownloads.com

iPhone Download Tip

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The ultra-slim Motorola SLVR L7 is now available. The SLVR delivers superior functionality and offers the latest must-have features, including iTunes, in a Motorola one-of-a-kind iconic design. The SLVR is thinner than Motorola RAZR V3 and only slightly larger.

Redefining thin at less than half an inch and weighing only 3.5 ounces, SLVR’s design includes sleek metal housing, a vivid color display and precision cut keypad. Although extremely thin, SLVR is fat with multimedia features, including VGA camera, video capture and playback, and 512 megabytes of optional expandable memory.

The SLVR is ideal for experiencing the coolest downloadable content from ring tones, games, graphics and more. Additionally, SLVR delivers iTunes functionality, giving music lovers the ability to carry up to 7 hours of music or 100 of their favorite songs.

The keys are backlit in a bright blue, which is stylish and functional at the same time. All the characters are easy to read in various conditions. The phone has a standard WAP-browser v2.0.

Offering a variety of connectivity options, the Motorola SLVR delivers hands-free conversations via Bluetooth® wireless technology. Cingular customers can also get the quickest access to their favorite online content with Cingular’s new MEdia Net, which dramatically reduces the number of clicks it takes to gain access to news and entertainment headlines, sports scores, financial quotes, local weather, and more – all from the phone.

Motorola SLVR is packaged with everything you need to transfer your favorite iTunes collections from your PC to your wireless phone, including a pre-installed 512 MB MicroSD card, A/C charger, USB cable, stereo headset, 3.5 MM headset adapter, and iTunes in a traditional candy bar form-factor and the same feature set as in Motorola RAZR V3

SUMMARY OF FEATURES:

• Sleek, super-thin design without sacrificing advanced functionality

• Integrated VGA camera with 4x zoom and video capture and playback

• Bluetooth wireless technology for hands-free connectivity

• Integrated iTunes music software to store, repeat, shuffle and play favorite tunes

• 22 kHz polyphonic speaker

• Up to 512 MB of optional expandable MicroSD memory

• WAP 2.0 Internet access

• Downloadable wallpapers, screensavers and MP3 ringtones and more*

• J2ME™ MIDP 2.0

• Integrated hands-free speakerphone

• Messaging via MMS*, IM Wireless Village* and email (POP3, SMTP)*

The Motorola SLVR is available exclusively in the U.S. through select Cingular Wireless retail locations or via Cingular’s web site. Cingular customers can also get the quickest access to their favorite online content with Cingular’s new MEdia Net, which dramatically reduces the number of clicks it takes to gain access to news and entertainment headlines, sports scores, financial quotes, local weather, and more – all from the phone.

Author: HP Jeschke manages a blog network on http://candyham.com. This article was first published on http://lovecellphone.com a blog for cell phone lovers.

Motorola SLVR L7

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• Phone


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Nortel Networks, Northern Telecom and Meridian are terms that many end users have said to me when describing what phone system they have. It's easy to get confused here, but we can sort some of this out.

Northern Telecom became Nortel some years ago. More recently, they have taken the name of Nortel Networks. This company has been and remains one of the largest phone system manufacturers in the world. They have made everything from the Central Office phone switches that provide phone lines, Centrex, T-1's, and PRI's to Norstar and Meridian phone systems for business offices to single line phones for residential use.

Finding the model number for your phone is one of the first things you need to do in order expand your system or replace bad phones. If you order the wrong phone model, it won't have the same features and may not work at all on your phone system.


One of the most confusing things is that the word Meridian is used across much of their product line for business office phone system equipment. If you have a Northern Telecom or Nortel phone system in your office, there is a fair chance that it says Meridian somewhere on it. Meridian was put on Centrex phones, Norstar phones and Meridian and SL-1 PBX phones. If you are trying to identify what type of phone or phone system you have, the fact that it says Meridian on it doesn't identify it, but it does lead to a path that will help you to do so.

Look at the bottom of the telephone. Ignore the serial number. There is sometimes a model number. It may have a model number such as M7324, M7310, M7208, M7100, T7316, T7316e or T7100. If it has any of these it is a phone on a Norstar phone system.

The Meridian PBX and SL-1 have model numbers including M2008, M2006, M2616D, M3901, M3902, M3903, M3904 and M3905. There may be many variations of these.

Nortel and Aastra (that's another story for antoher day) also make Centrex phones and other single line and two line phones that say Meridian on them. These include M5316, M5208, M5008, M5312, M5216, M5212, M5209, M5112, M5009, M9417CW, M9316CW, M9110, M9116, M9120, M8004, M8009, and M8314.

The model numbers may be absent. If so, look for the part #. It will almost always begin with NT followed by several numbers and usually some letters. For instance, an M7310 is also known as NT8B20. The Aastra phones may begin with an A.

Remember, Meridian labelled phones may be on a Norstar system, a Meridian PBX or as part of your Centrex.

I hope this helps some of you understand your Meridian phones better.

Sponsored by: http://www.balootisme.com

Author: Bob Mrozinski is the owner of Used Phones for Less. He has spent eighteen years in the telecom industry selling and designing phone systems. You can find out more about Norstar Meridian phones at http://store.yahoo.com/usedphonesforless/norstar.html

Phone System & Meridian Telephone

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• Geek
• Phone


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