Microsoft sneaks 1GB of memory into new laptop mouse

Microsoft has a handful of new laptop mice the company wants you to know. And while Microsoft isn't usually the first brand name that springs to mind when you think of computer hardware (software's another story), a few of the promised features look interesting enough to check out.

The S$158 (US$112.21) Microsoft Mobile Memory Mouse 8000 calls itself the world's "first rechargeable notebook mouse with 1GB of flash memory built right into the transceiver", which we suppose is technically true since the only other mouse we can think of that includes flash memory in the receiver runs off of AA batteries.

Still, having some onboard storage space on the USB receiver is an idea we're fond of, and it's especially good for taking PowerPoint files and presentations along on the road. Also cool is the little switch on the bottom of the mouse that switches between Bluetooth and 2.4GHz wireless modes. The Memory Mouse will be available in October in Asia.

Two other new MS mice are also shown. The Microsoft Bluetooth Notebook Mouse 5000 can obviously operate without the need for a USB receiver, thanks to the built-in Bluetooth technology found in most (but not all) laptops today. Look for it in October in Asia-Pacific stores, for S$79.90 (US$56.74).

Slightly more pedestrian is the Wireless Notebook Laser Mouse 7000, which has a snap-in USB receiver that easily stores in the bottom of the mouse itself--handy for traveling. Even though it's small in size, we like the ergonomic design, curved to fit our hand--as most portable laptop mice tend to be small, flat, and not very comfortable for extended use. It will be in Asia available for S$158 (US$112.21) later in September.

This post originally appeared in CNET Crave.

New LG monitor connects via USB

Forget HDMI, VGA or component inputs. The latest LG L206WU display deserves a double take as it allows video streaming via the USB port.

With the help of a USB hub, up to six of these 20-inch LCDs can be linked to a single output source. Though the USB standard has a higher bandwidth than the monitor-out port, it is not really designed as a video connector and as such we have some doubts about the refresh rates via USB.

Fortunately, the monitor includes more conventional jacks like the DVI-D and D-Sub formats. We've put in a request for a test unit to determine if video via USB is a true innovation or just a one-trick pony.

Samsung has launched a similar product--the SyncMaster 940UX--which also allows video connection via USB. It differs from the LG in that multiple displays are daisy-chained for up to a total of six displays.

Other notable features of the LG L206WU include a fast 2ms response rate, 1,680 x 1,050-pixel resolution and high 5000:1 contrast ratio. It is now available in Singapore for S$529 (US$375.68), with other Asia-Pacific markets pending confirmation.

New HP desktops shine, want you to buy more stuff

HP announced the first product of its joint design efforts with Voodoo PC this evening. Our review of the HP Blackbird 002 is up, and it achieved the highest rating we've ever awarded a desktop. We'll let the review speak for itself, but we'll only add here that while we wrote about a custom config that won't be available until October 1, you can buy a similar, fixed-configuration system today for US$5,500 that looks like this:

Overclocked Intel Core 2 Extreme QX6850

Two Nvidia GeForce 8800 Ultra graphics cards

Windows Vista Ultimate

2GB 800MHz DDR2 Corsair SDRAM

160GB 10,000 rpm hard drive

500GB 7,200 rpm hard drive

Two 16x dual-layer DVD burners

HP also announced its new Pavilion Elite line of digital-media-oriented desktops. They look basically the same as the Pavilion Media Center systems from earlier this year, with a few tweaks to the glossy case. We're still working on our review of the higher-end Pavilion Elite m9040n, but we can tell you so far that we're perplexed by the fact that it has bays for two different kinds of removable HP hard drives. This feels like a serious waste of space design-wise, and also like a transparent upselling tactic. The good news is that this system no longer has the superfluous "Media Center" designation in its name, as all PCs with Vista Home Premium or Vista Ultimate include Microsoft's Media Center interface.

This post orginally appeared in CNET Crave.

Logitech keyboard does the wave

At first blush, the latest Logitech Cordless Desktop Wave doesn't look special. After all, Microsoft already has a range of ergonomic keyboards shaped to save your wrists.

But what sets the Logitech apart is that the wave concept transfers to the height of the keys as well. Like a sine wave, the W, E, O and P buttons form the trough, while the tab, Y and \ keys sit on the crest. According to the peripheral maker, this design reduces fatigue and makes typing more comfortable. Two levels of tilt at 4 and 8 degrees are available to adapt to your typing style.

Considering that the bundle includes a cordless laser mouse, its retail tag of S$149 (US$105.82) doesn't seem too exorbitant. If are you itching to get your hands on the new wave, hang onto your wallets till October.

The Razer Mako is no geisha

When we first heard of the Razer Mako, we did a double take. Why did the iconic gaming company--which tagged its products after poisonous mammals--name its latest desktop speaker system after female Japanese escorts. Explanation from a Razer executive during a demonstration session in Singapore caused more confusion. "It's named after a poisonous shark," she said.

Granted our biology may not be up to date, but somehow we believe that there are no poisonous sharks known to man. Nevertheless a quick Google and a short demonstration confirmed that:

It was named after the underwater predator.

The Mako has excellent audio but one fatal flaw (at least for first person shooter (FPS) fanboys).

Cosmetically, the final shipped product will differ from the current crop of images as Razer has removed the blue LED logo in favor of an etched one. According to the product manager, the initial LED design interfered with sound quality and hence was taken out of the speaker chassis. The sound quality was pretty impressive when playing music but what really made our day was when one of the tech journalists streamed audio from the World of Warcraft trailer out of his iPod (yes, we are geeky that way).

The deep booming words from the voice-over really made us feel part of an epic story, while the background noise of blades crossing and dying cries was incredibly immersive. If you want to really feel part of the game, the Mako will certainly make your ears believe you have somehow teleported into a whole new world.

But here lies the rub. Since its only a 2.1-channel speaker players of FPS titles like F.E.A.R or Crysis should look elsewhere. Without the benefit of rear audio outputs, getting stabbed in the back is a distinct possibility. Razer says FPS titles are covered by its Razer Barracuda AC-1 gaming audio card and HP-1 5.1-channel gaming headphones. But frankly, at S$629.99 (US$447.40), we expected a little more love for those of us who enjoy the occasional virtual massacre.

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