A brace of new devices designed to make your life easier
BUFFALO THUNDERBOLT/USB 3.0 EXTERNAL DRIVE
Buffalo has released a smart device in the new Thunderbolt external drive. The technology itself is not new, but Buffalo has added a dual interface, meaning it can plug into either an ultra-speedy Thunderbolt port or a USB 3.0 port.
The design leans towards the Apple camp (the interface first appeared on last year's MacBook Pro range) with its aluminium and white plastic outer shell and minimal interface.
The Thunderbolt interface brags speeds of up to 10GB/s, which is impressive in anyone's book, while USB 3.0 delivers 5GB/s (compared with USB 2.0's 480MB/s _ it's backward compatible with USB 2.0, of course). The speed limitation is more likely to come from the other end than this drive, which is a luxury.
As a bonus it ships bundled with a Thunderbolt cable, which Mac devices don't, saving some money right out of the box. It's bus-powered, meaning there is no need for any bulky power cables. And it does heat up, but at these speeds, prolonged use isn't necesasry.
VERDICT
Devices such as this will become standard in the future. At the moment they come at a premium price, and will hence attract techies looking to transfer big media files quickly, or technology enthusiasts with big wallets. A Buffalo USB 3.0 drive costs around half the price. But since the Thunderbolt cable is bundled and the technology is the inevitable future of portable storage, we say plug it in.
RAZER TAIPAN
Razer continues its advanced mouse range with the dangerously named Taipan, continuing the trend of calling their models after mice-eating snakes _ it even comes with a warning on the box, "highly venomous".
The Taipan is in Razer's mid-level Expert range, but it's not too lightweight for heavy gamers. Again, Razer has put attention into the design details. The packaging is even stylishly considered _ definintely at the other end of the spectrum to 100 baht mice at Pantip Plaza.
The Taipan's scroll wheel is illuminated green and the logo on the back of the mouse glows green also, which is superfluous, but will draw fans.
The mouse feels good in the hand, (which not all mice do amazingly). It's light and moves easily across many surface textures, even a keyboard, thanks to the 8,200dpi 4G dual sensor system that features both an optical and laser sensor. Rubbery gripping panels on both sides of the mouse, for thumb and little finger, give good control. The nine buttons are positioned within comfortable reach of where fingers naturally fall. The design brags being ambidetxtrous and left-hand friendly.
VERDICT
Occasional users may scoff at such a customised tool as the Taipan. But gamers and other heavy computer users will appreciate an ergonomically designed mouse, clearly designed for and by heavy users, as a millimetre here and there can mean the avoidance of strain and annoyance.
Ultra-heavy gamers may still opt for one of Razer's Elite range, but the Taipan is a good addition for many computer users, gamers or otherwise, for a few thousand baht. Ask your boss.
[bangkokpost]
No comments:
Post a Comment