A selection of briew reviews of a new Canon photo printer, a Microsoft 6000 laser mouse and a 3 phone with extras.
Microsoft Wireless Laser Mouse 6000
Microsoft, along with Logitech, are the only company that puts serious R&D into mouse (and keyboard) ergonomics and the 6000 is the former’s latest and greatest. It’s certainly different – more orb-like than most mouses. It has the normal two buttons, scroll wheel (with left and right switch) button and two programmable buttons for zooming. It uses Microsoft’s proprietary 27MHz wireless frequency and takes two AA batteries. It’s very responsive thanks to its 1000dpi laser which registers 6000fps.
We found we used our wrists rather than our fingers for moving and that it required less movement and effort to move the cursor around the screen (despite the relatively large 172g weight). We also noticed that the shape meant our fingers naturally rested nearly fully extended rather than contracted. Microsoft claims it keeps the hand in a more natural and relaxed position and that the elevated thumb scoop takes pressure off the carpal tunnel nerves. We’re not going to argue.
Ultimately, we found it comfortable to use for extended periods when working at our desk despite taking some getting used to. We did, however, miss the performance of the Logitech MX Revolution whose spinning scroll wheel is a joy for anyone that works with Excel and whose more fingertip-oriented usage makes it that bit more accurate and faster to change direction. But that costs twice as much. If you have posture issues and generally move very little from a desk all day it’s a good bet, especially at this price, but ergonomics will come at the expense of fast-moving performance for some.
PRICE $65
SUPPLIER www.nexus.com.au
INTERNET www.microsoft.com
RATING 5/6
Canon Selphy ES1
The Selphy ES1 is unique in that the paper stock and dye-sub film come in the same cartridge, which means that when it’s time to replace the consumables, you only need to replace one item. In spite of looks that make it ideal for techno-posers, our printing tests were something of a letdown. Print time per sheet is reasonable at 1min 13secs, but on Canon’s postcard-backed stock we were disappointed by the quality of our prints – colours were dark and over-saturated, and cost 44c each. We’d sooner choose the Lexmark P350, which is more wallet-friendly at $155 and is also cheaper to run at 40c per print.
PRICE $257
SUPPLIER www.techbuy.com.au
INTERNET www.canon.com.au
RATING 2/6
3 X-Series Gold
3’s X-Series finally delivers the type of rich 3G applications phone networks have been promising for years. Pricing is on top of 3’s existing contracts and comes in three flavours: Silver ($20 per month), Gold ($30) and Platinum $40.
The bundled Skype software allows you to make VoIP calls just like normal phone calls, and the sound quality is surprisingly clear. Depending on which plan you use 1000, 2000 and 4000mins are included in the plan.
Install Orb software on your PC, and you can access your PC’s files through your phone, which is ideal for that document you forgot to email home before leaving the office.
Web surfing is easy on phones with large screens like the Nokia N73 (this plus the E65, Dopod D810 and LGU830 are currently the only phones that supports the X-Series), podcasts are swiftly downloaded and IM with MSN Messenger contacts is simple. Yahoo! and MSN messenger usage is not subject to data metering as are Planet 3’s in-house services and eBay access. Otherwise data limits are set at 500MB, 1GB and 2GB depending on which plan is chosen.
PRICE $20 to $40 per month plus contract fee
SUPPLIER Via website
INTERNET www.three.com.au
RATING 5/6