I reviewed the SteelSeries Xai early last year, pronouncing it elegant and effective. I’d still recommend it today, except for the fact that a new and improved version has just been announced: the Sensei. The simple and comfortable design of the Xai is intact, but there’s a new metal surface (which has yet to prove itself; the old surface was great), customizable lighting, and some changes under… → Read More
If you’re concerned about keyjacking attacks, in which a wireless keyboard’s signal is intercepted and information extracted from the stream, this might be of interest to you. Microsoft’s new Wireless Desktop 2000 has 128-bit AES encryption built right in. Not much help if someone’s looking over your shoulder, but at least they can’t snatch your credentials right out of the air. → Read More
Way back in the old days I bought a keyboard for my Palm V, thinking that I would be able to type into it and become a proto-ultraportable ninja. That never worked, and I worry that Logitech is bringing us more of the same with this dump of tablet accessories including a $70 keyboard, Bluetooth mouse (for Android tablets only), and wireless speakers. The keyboard and speakers work with both iPads… → Read More
Microsoft released some new mice today with some pretty direct names: Express Mouse and Comfort Mouse. I’d have gone with Magic Mouse, but Apple probably already took that. → Read More
When I look back over all the mice I’ve reviewed in my time, one particular thing always comes to mind: “What the hell are you doing with your life?” But then I get over it, dry my tears, and continue thinking about how many mice come and go, but there are a few that still stand out as the best. The Death Adder is one of them; I reviewed it a couple years back, after it had already been out for… → Read More
Let me just say that when this thing was first brought to my attention, I made just about the sourest “skeptical face” I’ve ever made, and that’s saying something. But I’m going to be honest, when I saw what they’d done, I relaxed a bit, though my skepticism is still mostly intact. I mean, there are so many ways this thing could have totally sucked, but it looks like it could actually be pretty… → Read More
Short version: A striking and powerful, but heavy and inconvenient, gaming mouse. Definitely unique, though. → Read More
Elecom’s new Bluetooth 3.0 laser mouse will come with an 800/1600 DPI resolution and a quite compact size of 74.3×52.3×33.4mm. The little thing will weigh 43g without the 2 AAA batteries. As you probably aware BT 3.0 is fast and way better than 2.0. Although I’m not entirely sure a mouse is in need of being potentially able to stream HD video directly to a TV. [Via akihabara] → Read More
Short version: A perfectly usable air mouse with the usual drawbacks, but simple and user-friendly configuration. A handy accessory for HTPCs and for those who just like to lean back. → Read More
Short version: An interesting little gadget, but practicality seems to have given way to design a bit more than is necessary. → Read More
Microsoft was kind enough to ship me the just-announced Arc Touch Mouse and I’ve had a few hours to play with it. I liked the original Arc Mouse; does the new version improve on the design, or is this Microsoft innovation destined for the “curiosities” bin? → Read More
After being leaked a number of times in various ways, officially and unofficially, Microsoft’s Arc Touch Mouse (not Arc Mouse Touch, as previously suggested) is finally being given an official launch. It’s got a Bluetrack sensor, a touchable strip instead of a scroll wheel (with haptic feedback), and you turn it on and off by cracking its back. They sent me one to check out, but for… → Read More
The mystery product rumored and outed as the Arc Mouse Touch has been pictured in a few more marketing shots — this time in more real-world locations. How are these getting out? Is someone hacking deep into Microsoft’s databases? Monitoring email? Van Eck phreaking?! Oh… it turns out Microsoft has the pictures up on their retail partners site. → Read More
Razer’s Lachesis, an ambidextrous mouse which, I’m not going to lie, I didn’t like very much when I reviewed it, is getting a refresh. There’s a brand new 5600DPI sensor in there, plus you can now change the color of the LED lighting. But I wonder if they fixed the shape and button layout that gave me so much trouble way back in ’08? The Lachesis is selling for $80 as… → Read More
There are, as I have had many opportunities to observe, several approaches to “fitting” a mouse. You’ve got the “universal,” which has a sort of generally pleasing shape, like the SteelSeries Xai. You’ve got the highly-sculpted ones, which have individual grooves for your thumb and a sort of lopsided profile. A good recent example would be the Cyber Snipa Silencer. Then you have the middle road… → Read More
The TRON gaming hardware we got exposed to at E3 are headed your way later this year, though you may be disappointed at the price. True TRON fanboys won’t buck at paying $150 for a keyboard and $100 for a mouse, but the average gamer might. → Read More
You may remember the Arc Mouse, an attractive and portable little thing (marred in my opinion by the sensor placement) I reviewed back in ’08. It’s a nice design, perhaps one of Microsoft Hardware’s best, and now there are signs pointing to a touch-based update — perhaps using one of the technologies I saw on my visit to Microsoft Labs. → Read More
For the last six months or so, whenever I was on Razer’s site for whatever reason, I always would check the StarCraft II section for updates. There were silhouettes there for ages, teasing Blizzard-branded peripherals, yet aside from the messenger bag we gave away, we saw no more of said peripherals than we saw of the dark side of the moon. But E3 this year was the launch date, and I spent a… → Read More
Short version: There’s lots to like, but not much unique, about this mouse from relative newcomer Mionix. And if it can’t beat the others on price… → Read More
If you’re looking for a nice, functional, portable mouse, Microsoft has your number. While their high-end mice tend to lose their luster in the face of cooler gear from Logitech and Razer, Microsoft’s mobile line has always been comfortable and functional. They’ve just expanded it a bit with a few new compact models so you’ve got more than ever to choose from. Let’s see what we’ve got here. → Read More
Short version: The X3 is a rather ordinary mouse, but might serve as a good introduction to multiple DPI settings for your mom or dad, while still being comfortable and ambidextrous. → Read More
Short Version: While the Silencer is a welcome change from the eternal round of Razer, Logitech, and Microsoft mice, it doesn’t show the level of refinement those companies now include in their mice. I hope for more from Cyber Snipa in the future, but the Silencer just can’t stand up to the competition. → Read More
Logitech’s popular MX 1100 cordless mouse costs $80 new, but you can get a “dented box” version for just $37 after using coupon code logi_mx1100_12910 on Logitech’s website. → Read More
Short version: Razer’s newest is more right-hand-oriented than ever and has a couple extra buttons. But while it may fit some hands better than the Death Adder, I don’t think it’s a definite improvement. That said, it’s worth a look if you haven’t found “your” mouse yet. → Read More
Short version: An elegant, functional, and attractive mouse, best suited for those with normal-sized or smaller hands. Aficionados may crave more buttons or a non-ambidextrous design, but the Xai does just fine without. Like other SteelSeries products, it’s a bit expensive, but you knew that. → Read More
If you’re diligent about mail-in rebates, you can get this Gyration Air Mouse for $10. For the rest of us, it’s $30 through Woot.com today only. → Read More
What we have here is a sort of Freddie Prinze Jr. movie dork makeover event, except applied to an 18-button mouse. You don’t see it? Let me break it down for you. Freddie Prinze Jr. is the Internet (obviously). The hot, bitchy girls are Razer and Logitech; they’ve got it and they know it. OpenOfficeMouse is the secretly hot nerd who was brought to the Internet’s (that’s Freddie Prinze Jr.’s, if… → Read More
This little controller is butt-ugly and crude, but I still want one really bad. Maybe Santa will bring me one. → Read More
Don’t get me wrong. I love Razer stuff. But this Abyssus mouse hearkens back to their earlier days when they were hocking two-button, ambidextrous ball mice for premium prices and only a few people took them really seriously. Now, obviously, for some, this super-basic mouse might be a good thing, but really, for $50 you can get a Death Adder (recently upgraded), G500, or any number of premium mice… → Read More
You may recall our incredulity when SteelSeries announced their 15-button MMO Mouse. Not one to be passed by, Razer shortly thereafter came out with the 17-button Naga, which we’ll be reviewing soon. But unknown to them, a small team was working in obscurity to create an 18-button mouse… with an analog stick for your thumb, to boot. → Read More
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