The revolutionary design of the Microsoft Arc Mouse combines the comfort of a desktop mouse and the portability of a notebook mouse. It will take you a few minutes to realize what Microsoft Arc Mouse is all about. The collapsible design at first suggested that it’s both a full-size mouse and a notebook mouse in one product. You might be confused as to who would want such a thing. Upon playing with it, you will realize that there’s actually some smarter design going on here. The unique shape and button layout does present some usability issues, but overall, the Arc Mouse may be the best solution for those looking for a full-size, travel-friendly mouse.

The benefit of the Arc Mouse is not that it works as a “notebook mouse” when you fold it in half. Indeed, the power to the mouse cuts out when it’s folded, so it won’t work in that mode at all. Instead, folding the Arc Mouse makes it more generally travel-friendly. First, it reduces the size of the device, cutting its length by more than a third. But there’s also a small, magnetic cradle on the underside of the tail portion that folds in, to hold the mouse’s thumbnail-size USB receiver. When the mouse is collapsed, the tail portion secures the receiver, ensuring that you’ll have all of the necessary pieces together when you take the mouse out of your bag.

The core “mousing” functionality works as you’d expect it to. I personally like the fact that setting up the Arc Mouse is so simple. After you insert the three, Microsoft-provided AAA batteries, you plug in the USB receiver, wait for Windows to recognize the mouse, and reboot. Mac setup is even easier, as Mac OS X found the mouse as soon as we plugged the receiver in. For its intended purpose as a travel-friendly input device, the Arc Mouse does exactly what it’s supposed to.

Product Features of the Microsoft Arc Mouse:

• Mouse folds to 60% of its fully expanded size
• Micro-transceiver snaps into the bottom of the mouse
• Folding motion turns mouse on/off
• Laser tracking for precision
• 2.4 GHz wireless with up to 30-foot range

Technical Details of the Microsoft Arc Mouse:

• Brand Name: Microsoft
• Model: ZJA-00001
• Hardware Platform: PC, Mac
• input_device: Mouse
• form_factor: External
• Connectivity Technology: Wireless
• Movement Detection: Laser
• Color Name: Black
• Warranty: 3 years warranty

Check out the Microsoft Arc Mouse and other cool gadgets offered on our specials page.

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If the new MSI X320 looks thin, it’s because it is.

MSI’s version of the Apple MacBook Air is already hitting stores in Europe for around 749 Euros. Despite its positive first impressions I wonder if it will have heating issues like notebooks of this size?

Features of the MSI X320 Ultralight Laptop:

- 13.4″ WXGA TFT Glare Display, resolution 1366×768
- 2048 MB DDR2-RAM on-board
- 320 GB Harddrive 5400rpm
- Intel Atom Z530 1.6GHz Processor
- Intel GMA 500 Graphics
- 10/100 Ethernet
- WLAN Draft-n & Bluetooth integrated
- 3x USB 2.0 ports
- 2-in-1 Cardreader
- 1.3 MP Webcam
- VGA Display
- 1x Line-out, 1x microphone-in
- Windows Vista Home Premium

Via Engadget

MSI have considered the advantages of both hard-disk drives and SSD and decided to use both for its new ultra portable, the MSI U115 Hybrid Netbook.

For those who don’t know, SSD is fast but expensive. Whereas hard-disk drives give you more bang for buck data storage wise but is a tad slower. The new MSI U115 let’s you have the best of both world’s and comes complete with ECO mode which turns off the hard-disk drive when it’s not in use to make the most of battery life. The result, according to MSI, is a netbook with exemplary battery life.

Features of the MSI U115 Hybrid Netbook:

• a 10-inch screen with a resolution of 1,024×600 pixels
• 1.6GHz Z530 Intel Atom processor
• Windows XP Home
• 1GB DDR2 522MHz RAM
• Bluetooth
• three USB 2.0 ports
• 1.3-megapixel or 2.0-megapixel webcam
• three- or six-cell battery
• 802.11b/g/n or 802.11b/g Wi-Fi
• 120GB HD with an 8GB SSD or a 160GB HD with a 16GB SSD

Via CrunchGear

Logitech has released numerous mice for notebooks lately, but if you’re open to older options, here’s something to consider: the Logitech V450 Laser Cordless Mouse for Notebooks. Compatible with both Mac and Windows operating systems, this wireless mouse can be used for most notebooks available.

continue reading "Logitech V450 Laser Cordless Mouse for Notebooks"

It’s December and once again, after the rush of the Holiday season subsides, it’s time to look forward to the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas for us gadget fans. Among the positively numerous new unveiled devices and upgraded old ones are the new variants of the MSI Wind netbook.

continue reading "New MSI Wind Variants to Debut on CES 2009"

Yes, Fujitsu Siemens is promising that if you buy a new LifeBook laptop, you could get one for free every three years for as long as you live. The initiative called Laptop4Life calls for the purchase of a Lifebook and its registration for the scheme within 21 days.

Yes, you do get your laptop for free –mostly, a least, because you do have to satisfy a few conditions to become eligible. First of all, you need to buy a three-year extended warranty for your laptop and replace its parts if needed only with Fujitsu branded products. After three years when it’s time to replace it, you would need to turn it in “good condition” with the original receipt. I’m hoping that “good” condition meant “working condition” and not something impossible like keeping your laptop scratch or dent-free. And now we come to the caveat: this program, for now, remains a UK exclusive. Whether Fujitsu Siemens is launching this elsewhere is yet to be known.

via PhysOrg

Lenovo plans to drive notebook thieves crazy by introducing an all-new security feature expected to fly by the first quarter of 2009. Called the Lenovo Remote Disable Feature, it will enable laptop owners to remotely render their devices useless with just a single text.

continue reading "Lenovo to Introduce Remote Disable Feature"

Australia loves the MSI Wind. At least the top tech magazines do, awarding the diminutive netbook more than just a few recommendations, putting it ahead of its competitors. It was a winner before anybody awarded it anything, but I’m sure MSI’s sticking its proverbial tongue out at the other netbooks in the market.

continue reading "MSI Wind Blows Australia Away"

Yes the new aluminum MacBook and MacBook Pros look fantastic and they’re definitely enticing that fans are blinded even to the bloated price tags, but it does have its share of problems. Take for example, the recent slew of complaints about its multi-touch glass trackpad.

continue reading "MacBook Trackpad Issue to Get Software Fix Soon?"

Unlike the more common seven to ten inch netbooks, Dell’s new offering went over a few inches to give you the Inspiron Mini 12. Yes, as you might have guessed from its name, this one’s got a full 12-inch screen. This is targeted towards those who are in constant need of mobile internet, even stressing on social networking sites most specifically, Twitter.

continue reading "Dell Unveils Inspiron Mini 12"