LATEST ELECTRONIC GADGETZ

Logitech is coming up with the new version of its famous highly customizable gaming mouse, the G9. The design is exactly the same and from the spec sheets it was hard to tell what is new here. The only new feature that i could spot is the higher precision: now users can adjust the gaming-grade engine up to 5000 dpi, before it was only 3200 dpi. It will ship in April 2009 for $99.99, you will be able to buy directly from www.logitech.com.

Your mouse, your way.

• Interchangeable grips: Use the included Wide Load and Precision grips to get a fit and feel that's best for your playing style—or get the ID Grip and put the image you w a nt on the palm of your G9 mouse. The satin texture and fuller shape of the Wide Load grip add ext ra comfort, while the DryGrip technology and compact shape of the Precision grip give you unmat c hed fingertip control.
• Custom-color LEDs: Let you match your mouse to your PC, your game, your style. LEDs light up to show your mouse dpi and profile settings. Choose the color of your LEDs from a wide color spectrum.

  

• Weight-tuning system: Prefer a heavier or lighter mouse? Use the weight cartridge and up to 28 grams of metal weights to customize your G9x for just the right feel

Rev up your performance.

• Next-generation gaming laser: Gives you game-changing precision at any hand speed.*
• On-the-fly adjustable dpi: Provides the right level of precision for whatever game you’re playing—from pixel-precise targeting (200 dpi) to lightning-fast maneuvers (up to 5000 dpi)—without pausing the action. Plus, get instant cursor response with Full-Speed USB (up to 1000 reports/second).
• Onboard memory: Lets you program up to five ready-to-play profiles (for keyboard macros, dpi settings, and LED colors), so you can take your personalized settings anywhere. Play your way—without additional software installation**—on other PCs.***
• MicroGear™ Precision Scroll Wheel: Use Logitech’s exclusive MicroGear™ scrolling technology for precise, click-to-click scrolling—perfect for quick weapon selection. Or switch modes for frictionless, hyper-fast scrolling.
• Polytetrafluoroethylene feet: Super-slick feet glide effortlessly across almost any surface.

System Requirements

PC

• Windows® XP, Windows Vista®
• USB port

Technical Specifications

Gaming-grade specifications:

• Tracking
  Resolution: 200 - 5000 dpi
  Image processing: 9 megapixels/second
  Max. acceleration: 30G
  Max. speed: Up to 150 inches (3.81 m)/second*
• Responsiveness
  USB data format: 16 bits/axis
  USB report rate: Up to 1000 reports/second
  Sleep mode: Disabled
• Glide
  Dynamic coefficient of friction - Mu (k): .09**
  Static coefficient of friction - Mu (s): .14**
  Tuning weight: Up to 28 grams
• Durability
  Buttons (Left/Right): 8 million clicks
  Feet: 250 kilometers

Though bit late in the netbook game, Lenovo believes that netbooks are here to stay. To position itself better in the growing netbook segment the Chinese company has planned to launch a 12-inch netbook computer. The latest mini-laptop from the house of Lenovo will grace company's IdeaPad series and runs Intel's latest Atom N280 processor. According to reports, Lenovo hopes to break competition in the 10" segment with its 12-inch S20 netbook.

But as per its screen size it would be breaking Intel's unofficial law that states that a netbook shouldn't offer screen bigger than 10-inch. And for that it would have to pay a price. The processor for this machine will cost $10 higher.

The IdeaPad S20 netbook is based on an Intel Atom N280 processor and GN40 chipset, and runs Windows XP operating system. Expected pricing is around $586.

Dell's latest netbook blurs the line between these pint-sized portable PCs and their larger, more conventional cousins. The Inspiron Mini 12 has most of what we like about netbooks: a modest price tag ($749), light weight (1.2 kilograms) and most noticeably, a slim sylph-like profile that tapers from 2.5 centimetres to 1.8 centimetres at its thinnest.

But while many netbooks suffer from a cramped keyboard and screens averaging about 23 to 26 centimetres, the Inspiron Mini 12 maxes out with a vivid 31-centimetre display and an appropriate full-sized keyboard that is a delight to use.

There are still some compromises, such as the lack of a CD/DVD drive (that's part of the netbook recipe) and a hard disk limited to 80GB. And you can buy a fully featured brand-name notebook for not much more money than the Mini 12 but it'll be much bigger and heavier. It's this go-anywhere portability that makes the Mini 12 shine.

Add features such as inbuilt wireless (including Bluetooth, for mobile phone connections) and a webcam and in some ways it's like getting a MacBook Air at a quarter of the price.

For all that, the Inspiron Mini 12 isn't as good as it could be. Even with Intel's Atom processor punching above its weight in tasks such as video playback, the system struggles under Windows Vista, which Dell has chosen as the pre-loaded operating system instead of the more nimble Windows XP.

That the Mini 12 is fitted with only 1GB of memory, which can't be upgraded to a meatier 2GB, is another hardware handicap.

We rated the battery life at three hours while using a wireless internet connection, a figure likely to disappoint road warriors although it'll be enough for the average user as long as they travel with the tiny power pack and don't stray too far from a 240V socket.




>> Expand Specifications

Processors

• Intel® AtomTM Z520 Processor (1.33GHz, 512KB L2 Cache, 533MHz FSB)
• Intel® AtomTM Z530 Processor (1.60GHz, 512KB L2 Cache, 533MHz FSB)

Operating System

• Genuine Windows Vista® Home Basic
• Genuine Windows® XP Home Edition

Memory

• 1GB 533MHz DDR2 SDRAM

Chipset

• Intel® US15W chipset

Graphics

• Intel® Integrated Graphics Media Accelerator 500

LCD Display

• Glossy 12.1 inch WXGA display (1280X800)

Audio and Speakers

• One external speaker

Hard Drives

• Up to 80GB 4200RPM Hard Drive.

Ports

• USB 2.0 (3)
• Integrated 10/100 LAN (RJ45)
• 15-pin VGA video connector
• Audio jacks (1-line out, 1 mic-in)
• 3-in-1 Media Card Reader
• AC adapter connector

Power

• 3-cell 24WHr Li-Ion Battery
• 6 cell 48 WHr Li-Ion Battery

Camera

• Standard 1.3MP webcam

Wireless

• Wi-Fi: 802.11g mini-card
• Bluetooth: Bluetooth® Internal (2.0) mini-card

Ports, Slots, Chassis

• Externally Accessible
• (3) USB 2.0
• Integrated 10/100 LAN (RJ45)
• 15-pin VGA video connector
• Audio jacks (1-line out, 1 Mic-in)
• 3-in-1 Media Card Reader
• AC adapter connector

Dimensions & Weight

• Width: 11.77" (299mm)
• Height: 0.92" (23.31mm) front / 1.09" (27.61mm) back
• Depth: 9.02" (229mm)
• Weight: Starting weight of 2.72 lbs. (1.236 kg)1(12.1" display, 3 cell battery)
  

The Advent 4213 (£350 inc. VAT) brings with it a new design and is one of the first Netbooks to feature mobile Broadband connectivity as standard.

The 1.4kg chassis is slightly heavier than its 1.1kg predecessor, but the new design adds style. The glossy lid is prone to scratches and fingerprints, however. The 205-minute battery life is average for a Netbook and suits the daily commute or use around the home.


Built-in camera
While the 4211 provided great usability, this model is not as successful. The keyboard has been made smaller, making it difficult to type at speed without striking adjacent keys. The quality of the keyboard itself is fantastic.

The 10.2-inch screen appears not to be as bright or sharp as before, but image quality is still strong. The WSVGA resolution lets you work across two windows at once. As with the 4211, the recessed hinge also makes it easy to fold the screen back for use on a cramped train table.

A camera is built into the screen panel and lets you add live video feeds to instant messaging software and take quick snapshots. Its blue activity light can be distracting, however, particularly in low light conditions, and we found no easy way to disable it.

Mobile office
The specification is common for a Netbook, and provides enough power for email and basic office use. The 1.6GHz Intel Atom N270 processor is designed to run smoothly in such a small chassis, but we noticed heat build-up on the underside.

The key selling point is the mobile Broadband connectivity. The SIM card is slotted beneath the battery and a T-Mobile contract can be bought with the laptop at the time of purchase. It's not solely tied to this network provider though.

Storage on this machine is very impressive. The 160GB hard drive matches far larger laptops and can easily hold your work, music, photos and videos when away from home. Its 4200rpm rotational speed
is the slowest currently available, but you won't really notice it during use.

High-quality Netbook
Microsoft Works is pre-installed and offers a range of office tools. However, the spacious hard drive means you can easily install any other software you need and keep working on the move.

While it doesn't quite match the quality of its predecessor, this is still a high-quality Netbook. The improved storage and connectivity compensate for its minor flaws, and although you can buy cheaper Netbooks, the Advent 4213 has a lot to recommend it.

>> Expand Specifications