Showing posts with label games. Show all posts
Showing posts with label games. Show all posts

3/26/2012

Ideazon Reaper Gaming Mouse Review

Ideazon Reaper Gaming Mouse
Average Reviews:

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First of all, I own 3 of them, all used heavily for gaming, and that in itself says something. It does have some problems but I still gave it 5 stars because despite them it is in my opinion the best mouse I ever had, including some more expensive gaming mice.
Let's start with negatives. It might look unusual but if for somebody those negatives are really critical, there is no point reading about positives. So:
1.It isn't really programmable. The side buttons are Home, End, Backspace and that's pretty much it. It usually isn't a problem since you can redefine buttons in game, but if you want to assign some complex macros on them, forget about it.
2.Sensitivity is usually reset to the default 800 when switching between fullscreen and windowed mode, sometimes between applications but I don't remember it resetting during the actual play. But wouldn't bet too much on that.
3.Optional driver does provide visual response on sensitivity change but it usually doesn't work in fullscreen.
4.One of the side buttons is hard to reach with your thumb, at list for me, so I push it with an index finger. Still better than not having a button at all.
5.One of the mice came with a defective cord that failed a few months. See, however, below about customer service.
Now the positives:
1.After that mouse left a request on their site, was asked to fill online some form and was given an instruction how to send it back. Which was to pack it in any box and call UPS for pickup. So the guy came took my box and after less than a week I received a brand new mouse in a sealed retail box. All completely free of any charges, no shipping, no nothing. Frankly, I was impressed. Don't have any problems since then.
2.Works very reliably on various surfaces.
3.Glides smoothly enough.
4.Aforementioned third side button.
5.Feels comfortable in hand (for 3 of us, your hand may be different).
6.Illuminated logo allows you to easily find it when screen went dark in a dark room. It isn't gaming related but still nice, I think.
7.Wheel button offers enough resistance to not press it unintentionally while switching weapons. That's important for me because I almost always use this button, usually for some weapon related activities like withdrawing weapon.
Overall, if negatives don't scare you I would highly recommend this mouse.


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REAPER Gaming Mouse - The cold stench of death has arrived. If you want the power to choose who lives and who dies; the Reaper is your tool. This gaming mouse comes equipped with a 1600 DPI Optical Engine for extreme control and accuracy. Illuminated red with a sleek black on black finish. The Reaper features driverless On-The-Fly Sensitivity DPI Adjustment so you can modify it to meet your needs instantaneously. It also includes 6 reprogrammable buttons to enhance your killing style. The gold plated USB connecters provide maximum conductivityto give you less latency and more frags. The genuine Teflon mouse feet supply the smoothest possible slashes across mousing surfaces to keep you in control of your enemies. Let the harvest begin!

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1/24/2012

Logitech G9 Laser Mouse Review

Logitech G9 Laser Mouse
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I've been a Logitech gaming-mouse user/lover for a long time. In fact, the last four mice I've used with my gaming rig have been the MX510 (Blue), MX518, G5 (1st version) and now the G9.
The G9 is the perfect combination of the old G5 (precision, accuracy and on-the-fly resolution adjustments) and the MX revolution (with that killer mouse wheel), stuffed into in a customizable, comfortable and easy to control form factor.
Pros:
-I really like the new weight style much better than the G5. The weight "tray" is hidden under the grip so there is no way it can just pop out like on the previous generation mouse. For me, a properly weighted mouse is key in FPS. Too light and you are all over the screen. Too heavy and you are too late.
-Not only can you change the weights, but you can also change the grips to suit your playing style and the color of the LED indicators. I prefer the Wide Load grip for my big hands and the blue LEDs to match my Microsoft Reclusa Gaming Keyboard (Black).
-As long as you are a "righty", it's very comfortable, even after some marathoning. Like all previous Logitech mice I've owned, ergonomics and comfort are never lost in the design.
-Another great addition is the ability to save up to 5 profiles to the mouse's internal memory. No drivers or software needed to load up your custom mouse settings. There is a switch on the bottom that lets you toggle through your profiles. Perfect for LAN parties when you might not be gaming on your own rig.
-Scrolling with the Micro Gear is a blast when not gaming. There is a switch under the mouse that lets you toggle between what I call the "click" mode (a must for weapon changing in FPS) and the "scroll" mode (a must for scrolling web pages and long documents).
-The gaming-feet surface is much improved. I use this mouse with a SteelSeries SteelPad QcK+ mouse pad and it is smooth as butter. I eventually plan on moving to a solid surface pad as I've heard they can improve accuracy with less friction.
-There are two thumb buttons on the left side. I know this was added to newer model G5 (my older version didn't have this) and it's a warm welcome. These are a must for forward/back functionality when you browse the web.
Cons:
-The Setpoint software is a little flaky. I chalk this up to being an early release. It took a couple reinstalls to finally get it to work correctly. Its possible previous software versions on my PC caused this issue. Everything works now.
-I can't use my wrist pad with this mouse. I know it sounds weird, but the back of the mouse isn't as long as the G5 and it slopes downward in a way that forces your wrist to touch your mouse pad. Because of this, it works best without an elevated wrist pad behind it. If you do try to elevate your wrist/forearm, it can be pretty uncomfortable. No biggie, I'll make due.
- $100 price. Ouch, but I've gotta have the latest and greatest.
So there you have it. I'll update this review as I put it through more testing.
Be sure to check out the customer photos section. I took some photos of the G9 side-by-side with my old G5. Enjoy!

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Logitech G9 Laser Gaming Mouse with interchangable grips

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12/14/2011

Logitech G5 Laser Mouse (Blue/Black) Review

Logitech G5 Laser Mouse (Blue/Black)
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This is a very nice and well built mouse. As soon as you use it, you can tell that it's very well made. The new surface used on this model is very nice, non slip and does not attract fingerprints, unlike the earlier 6 button version of the G5
The option of changing the weight of the mouse seems gimmicky at first, but as soon as you start to experiment with the weights, you'll see that it's actually quite usefull.
The mouse tracks very well and the on-the-fly DPI changing works flawlessly. Also it glides very nicely which is even more emphasized when using a good mouse pad.
The reason I gave this mouse 4 instead of 5 stars is simply that the shape of the mouse will not suite every gamer. It is an awesome device for anyone using a palm or finger grip on their mouse, but someone (like me) that prefers the claw grip, mainly used in FPS games will find it a bit uncomfortable. You can get used to it though.
Also, the scroll wheel is a bit annoying. It would be better if it was a little wider and didn't have this utterly useless side scrolling function, which makes it a bit awkward to depress it.
All in all this is a great gaming mouse that is worth the money it costs. Every angle of it screams quality.
Just try and take it for a "test drive" before you buy it so you can make sure it's comfortable to you.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Logitech G5 Laser Mouse (Blue/Black)

1. Adjustable weight cartridge: Use up to 36 grams of weight to customize your mouse with a heft and balance thats just right for your game. 2.Adjustable sensitivity: Shift from pixel-precise targeting to lightning-fast maneuvers, without pausing the action. The G5 gives you instant access to three sensitivity levels400, 800, and 2000 dpibefore driver installation. 3.2000 dpi laser engine: Experience the blinding speed and unequaled response of a 6.4 megapixels/second image processor.4. Full-speed USB: Get blazing speed and instant acceleration from up to 1000 reports/second bidirectional connection. 5.Right-handed comfort grip: Enjoy a natural grip that will not fatigue you. 6.Polytetrafluoroethylene feet: Forget sticky workarounds¿these low-friction feet glide effortlessly across almost any surface.

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12/12/2011

Belkin Nostromo Speedpad n52 Review

Belkin Nostromo Speedpad n52
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[ EDIT: I revised this review 12-17-03. See below for additions. ]
The Belkin n52 is the successor to the n50 Speedpad. Like the n50, the n52 is a mixed bag of plusses and minuses. Belkin has marketed the n52 as the n50 "remodeled by gamer feedback," with added buttons and functionality. They've also said that it'll give you "Faster and More Intuitive Frags!" or some other market-eze. I had wanted the original n50 for quite a while to help me out when playing MMOs and RPGs (AO, DAOC, NWN) and shooters (NOLF, Deus Ex). When I finally decided to buy one, I heard that Belkin was shortly releasing the improved n52. So I grabbed one, and here's the scoop.
Installing this thing was a snap, and using the profile software is also amazingly easy. In only a few minutes of use I was making my own custom profiles. Macros are easy to write. The profile software has a few bugs in it, which I won't get into here. Hopefully Belkin will fix this stuff in the next few weeks. The bugs I describe are really just inconvenient - they won't stop you from using the product.
Construction is a mixed bag on the n52. In it's favor, the n52 generally feels sturdy as hell and doesn't move a bit during heavy play. Despite this it's a compact little thing - I have a cramped desk and I managed to easily fit the n52 between my keyboard and the edge of the desk. I have big hands and the unit fits comfortably under my palm with my fingers resting on the buttons. The hand rest fits right into the curve of my palm and makes the whole thing feel very ergonomic and natural. The hand rest is supposed to be adjustable but I think some n00b at the factory glued mine down, because I can't make it move the slightest bit.
More strong points: Belkin expanded the n50 quite a bit by adding new buttons. The n52 has a total of six new buttons: four new keyboard-type buttons were added in a row under the original ten; a big orange button was added over the directional pad; and a "thumb bar" was added on a little extension that sticks out from the unit on the right side. The original n50 speedpad had a throttle wheel that a lot of people described as useless; this has been replaced with a very useful mouse wheel. In addition, Belkin has apparently heard gamer feedback that the directional pad on the n50 was junky and inaccurate; the n52 features a big, sturdy, and seemingly very accurate directional pad that I really like using.
But the drawbacks: Unlike the regular keyboard buttons you're used to, the action on all the buttons is a little stiff. I don't know if this is intentional design or what - maybe they were thinking that the control will get heavy wear, so some extra stickiness is actually good? The keyboard-style hotkeys are kind of sticky when I press them, and sometimes I have to press twice to get the button to register the keystroke. To push the new orange button by the directional pad, I have to grip the front of the controller with my fingers for leverage. Finally, the "thumb bar" also takes a bit of pressure to activate, and has sometimes not fired unless I push it very deliberately in the "right way."
Likewise the mouse wheel has a funny, cheap feel to it. Clicking the mouseclick action on the wheel is a little harder to do that I'd prefer, and the wheel itself rotates too easily and doesn't lock firmly into place like a normal mouse wheel does.
The stickiness of the buttons leaves me thinking that I won't be using it in shooter type games - I can't be pushing a key over and over in shooter games that require instant reactions. If the buttons loosen up a little over time, perhaps I'll change my mind.
Still, I'm very happy with the n52 despite the flaws I've described. Using it in AO, DAOC and NWN, the thing is nothing short of miraculous. Having all of your crucial commands literally "at your fingertips" without any fumbling, reaching, or looking at the keyboard is a very, very nice thing. Hitting a button and having a macro run a series of keystrokes, saving a lot of time and distraction, is also a godsend. My impression is that it would be great in any RPG / MMORPGs and RTS type games - ones that don't require much sensitivity and reactivity, and benefit a lot from short macros due to their complex command systems. After only using it for a few days, I can't imagine playing without it.
[ EDIT 12-17-03: This thing has been plenty responsive for shooters. I've bumped my rating up to 5 stars. Although sticky, the buttons work great, and my sense is that Belkin was trying to build this thing as tough as a brick - and they succeeded. A month and a half after buying it I cannot imagine playing ANY game without it. It's a truly phenomenal product. ]

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Built to conquer your enemy, the Nostromo SpeedPad n52 captures all the advantages of its critically acclaimed predecessor, the n50, and cranks up the juice with advanced options to dominate your game. It puts keyboard and gamepad functionality into one small and easy-to-use device, delivering more tools for customizing your game than ever. Using feedback from hundreds of gamers, Belkins engineers designed the n52s intuitive nature and stylish versatility to give you easy access to your arsenal of deadly maneuvers. So start programming up to 104 functions now and watch how dangerous you become.

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12/04/2011

HP Pavilion DV6-2162NR 15.6-Inch Black Laptop--Up to 4.25 Hours of Battery Life Review

HP Pavilion DV6-2162NR 15.6-Inch Black Laptop--Up to 4.25 Hours of Battery Life
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I bought this HP for my wife to replace her 3 year old Toshiba. It's 100% her computer but she places everything technical in our lives on me and then holds me accountable for its performance. My wife is brutal on electronics and her laptop is no exception. The Toshiba had a VERY hard life and ticked along perfectly until the past few months. After wasting $200 on a failed repair (hard drive) I decided it was cheaper to replace it than to nurse it along. I initially went shopping for another Toshiba and frankly, I feel like I would be writing a 5 star review for a Toshiba if it hadn't come down to a $150 price difference. I was able to use the competing Toshiba at a retailer, but when I went to Amazon I found this HP. Nearly identical in performance and appearance; aside from a couple of keyboard control features they were the same.
I bought the HP, Amazon shipped it FedEX and it arrived to Fairbanks Alaska in less than 48 hours (used standard shipping, nothing special). She loves it, charged it up and it performs flawlessly and much better than my 8 month old Dell XPS (Argh, never again...long story). I have not attempted to load Office 2007 yet, but suspect from my research on 64 bit systems, it will work fine. Neither one of us cares for the bubble scheme and thinks it detracts from the professional look of the rest of the finish (petty, I know).
The mouse pad works perfectly and I particularly like the keyboard layout and feel of the keys. I REALLY like the number pad without having to buy a 17+ inch system which is of course standard now.
4 USB ports, 1 HDMI output, a great LCD screen and Graphics card...zero to complain about. Oh, and Windows 7 works very well.
I'll report back if it doesn't hold up to the flagrant neglect my wife typically inflicts on her electronics, but as of for now she is rightfully treating like a shiny new sports car!


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For those who want an all-in-one performance notebook with rich multimedia features, the HP Pavilion dv6 Entertainment series delivers mobile performance that looks as great as it runs. Powered by the latest processor and graphics technologies, it deliver the features you need to support your digital lifestyle.

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10/18/2011

Razer DeathAdder - Gaming Mouse Left Hand Edition Review

Razer DeathAdder - Gaming Mouse Left Hand Edition
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This is the upgraded version of the Razer DeathAdder. 3500 DPI instead of 1800 DPI. This is the main difference, although I believe the newer version has a gold plated USB connector and obviously different drivers for each model. Either way both models are identical in physical shape.
The arc of the mouse is by far the most comfortable I've ever used, in that it actually follows the curve of one's hand how it instinctively would grab a mouse. It is also a right handed mouse, sorry southpaws, which adds to the comfort and control of the mouse. I can't say I know what the mouse grip is made out of, but it is completely slip resistant and oil resistant/absorbent. The sides of the mouse are a hard plastic and between the teflon feet and light weight of the mouse there is almost no resistance to movement.
I upgraded from a Logitech Revolution wireless mouse and wireless mice, while convenient, can't compete with the accuracy and precision that a wired mouse provides. My old wireless mouse would lag and skip across the screen and often when closing a program it would accidentally close the window behind it as well, which I never quite figured out why it did that (I'm guessing radio interference?). With the DeathAdder, I have not had that problem once and every click I make is exactly where I expect it to be.
I played with a Logitech G9 and MX518 as well as the Razer Salmosa, which all felt like solid and accurate mice, but they lacked the feel the DeathAdder has. The technical specs are important, but it doesn't really matter how accurate a mouse is if it still isn't comfortable to use. In short, I'm pretty happy I went this way. However, the Razer Salmosa was a close second, but it just seemed like a simple version of the original 3G DeathAdder.
As for gaming I haven't had a whole lot of chances to test it out yet. I've played a bit of Left for Dead with it and after some getting used to and tweaking the settings (independent X and Y sensitivity, button assignemnt, acceleration, etc.) it is way easier to shoot hoards of zombies in the head. I also have played a bit of Fallout, and while the mouse is definately smoother, I can't say it has affected gameplay all that much. I've tried this mouse on my desktop and laptop (Vista and 7 respectively) and both operating systems seem to run the Razer software perfectly fine. Windows recognized the mouse immediately and it works fine with the windows drivers, but I highly recommend downloading the latest Razer drivers for maximum performance. The level of adjustment this mouse offers is wasted otherwise.
Other thoughts:
The blue lights on the mouse wheel and the glowing DeathAdder logo are pretty cool. I can see them becoming annoying after a while, but they are easy enough to turn off in the settings.
The DPI and Polling rates can be lowered from the 3500DPI and 1000ms if desired, but I only notice a decrease in accuracy and performance so I'm not sure why you would.
My only real complaint is the "On-The-Fly" sensitivity switch is on the bottom of the mouse. I'm not sure how on the fly that is if I'm playing a game, which is the only time I would need to use that feature. Ultimately, it's not that big of a deal, but it is kind of false advertising in my opinion.
I can't stress enough how form fitting this mouse is, not to mention that is looks pretty cool at the same time. Something about it just feels "right." Granted it took me a couple days to get used to it, but now I don't think I could go back. If you already have a Logitech G9 (or something similar) I can't say I'd tell you to go replace it right now, but if you are looking for an upgrade this is the way to go.

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True Ergonomic Left Hand Design - The first gaming grade mouse dedicated solely to left-handed professional gamers was conceived because when it comes to it, you want to know you are perfectly equipped with precision and comfort. 3500dpi Razer Precision 3.5G Infrared Sensor - Arm yourself with four times more precision than a standard 800dpi mouse, giving you the edge over the entire competition. 1000 Hz Ultrapolling - Instantaneous execution is guaranteed with the Razer 1000 Hz Ultrapolling technology giving you a response time of 1 ms compared to that of 125 Hz/8ms found in conventional gaming mice.

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10/14/2011

Microsoft SideWinder X5 Mouse Review

Microsoft SideWinder X5 Mouse
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I have very big hands so I was happy to read other reviews on how huge this mouse is. It fits like a glove for me and couldnt get any better. Perfect button placement and very high quality design. I thought this was made of cheap plastic but it is very well designed and crafted. My only problem Ihave to get used to is how sensitive the buttons are. That i my fault though for using a cheap dell mouse that came with the computer. If you have at least medium sized hands this will be great for you.

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Fast. Durable. Gaming Mouse. Cut right to the chase with the Microsoft SideWinderTM X5 Mouse another addition to Microsoft¿s award-winning line of SideWinder gaming products. This fast, durable mouse delivers super-precise action with advanced features like vertical side buttons, 200 to 2000 dpi on-the-fl y laser tracking, macros, 5 assignable buttons, and more.

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10/10/2011

ASUS Eee PC Seashell 1215N-PU17-BK 12.1-Inch Netbook with 6 Hours of Battery Life - Black Review

ASUS Eee PC Seashell 1215N-PU17-BK 12.1-Inch Netbook with 6 Hours of Battery Life - Black
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When I first reviewed the Asus 1201N in January 2010 (see my Amazon review for that netbook), I stated that it was the best netbook on the market. A lot of time (in the consumer electronics world) has passed since that review, and Asus has released the upgrade to the 1201N, in the form of the 1215N. Does the 1215N take the crown from the 1201N, and is the 1215N the best netbook available today (September 2010) on the market?
In a word, YES! The major gripe about the 1201N was of course the limited battery life, approximately 3.5 hours on average. Even though I primarily used my 1201N near an electrical outlet, there were times when I had to go portable with it, and the short battery life was painfully insufficient. Asus has upgraded both the processor and the graphics technology for the 1215N. The processor is the desktop grade Intel D525 1.8 GHz dual-core processor, a step-up from the dual core Atom 330s powering the initial 1201N. While I would've liked to see Intel's new N550 dual core Atom processors on the 1215N instead, the D525s are more than sufficient. I suspect that Asus will release their next version of the 12XXN series with some sort of new lower power dual core processor and graphics technology.
Note, the N550 processors are a new generation of 1.5 GHz low power dual core processors, and suffice it to say, the days of single core N450 type processors are quickly disappearing. Asus has announced a 1215P netbook, which is equipped with the N550 but NO Nvidia ION2 technology, and relies solely on Intel's GMA3150 integrated graphics solution, which is increasingly antiquated when used as a standalone. The 1215P is intended as an upgraded to the previously poorly received 1201PN, and while it will have an improved battery life, it will have difficulty handling games and high definition 1080P media.
CPU wise, the general variety of the dual core powered netbooks on the market presently are as follows; D525, N550, AMD Athlon II Neo K325.
Base on clockspeed only, the general order of CPU ranking is as follows;
D525 > N550 > K325
The Athlon IIs are powerful adversaries, but according to other online reviews, suffer from poor battery life, on par with that of the original 1201N, ~ 3.5 hours. Such Athlon II Neo equipped platforms include the 11.6" Dell Inspiron M101z (K325) and the Acer Aspire One (K125). But a Dell M101z with Neo K325, 4GB of RAM, and 320 GB HDD will cost you $579; $100 more than the 1215N, and with its poor battery performance, is really just a faster 1201N.
The N550s are found on platforms such as the HP Mini 5103 and are good low power competitors to the D525s, but are crippled because they appear to be bundled with the Intel GMA 3150s. A comparably optioned Mini 5103 and Crystal Broadcom HD Chip will likely run into the $500-$600 range. And the Mini 5103 only has a 10.1" screen.
Where does that leave the D525 then? While the desktop/nettop chip is quite powerful, Intel has intentionally embedded some features which limit the maximum potential of the 1215N. The D525's embedded memory controller limits usable RAM to 2.8 GB, meaning that it is probably NOT advisable to purchase the 4 GB version of the 1215N. The RAM runs in single channel mode only, and the D525 is limited to 32-bit addressing, which may render installation of 64-bit Windows 7 moot. However, don't let these nitpicks drag you down; they are limitations you might want to consider if you're extremely critical about your netbook, but for the average user like myself, they don't bother me, since I'm not interested in using the 1215N as a 64 bit powerhouse.
Asus has paired the D525s with the Nvidia Ion 2 graphics solution, which gives the 1215N comparable battery performance to the lower power N550 matched with integrated solutions, an incredible feat. The Ion 2 used in the 1215N comprises the G210 GPU with integrated GMA3150, and when combined with Nvidia's Optimus switching technology, allows use of the G210 for intensive gaming sessions, while using the low power GMA 3150 for more mundane tasks. The result is a battery life nearly double that of the 1201N. The Ion2 uses all 16 cores of the GT2XX chip and is clocked at 475 MHz. The original Nvidia Ion is comparable to a 9400M, and the Ion 2 is roughly 60% faster than the Ion. However, there is a potential bottleneck, again due to intentional limitations from Intel. The Ion 2's potential is hindered by Intel refusing to share its DMI interface with Nvidia, forcing the Ion 2 to operate on the PCI-e 1x lane, where it cannot operate at full bandwidth. Again, like the caveats with the D525s, this is a limitation you might want to consider if you're extremely critical about your netbook, but for the average user like myself, they don't bother me and the effects aren't noticeable. Make sure you use the latest Nvidia drivers, otherwise the Optimus switching may not turn on correctly.Enough about the history and theoretical considerations of the 1215N. How does the 1215N look, operate, and compare to the 1201N?INITIAL THOUGHTS/DIFFERENCES WITH 1201N: The biggest and most welcome change from the 1201N is the new matte top lid. This helps tremendously in preventing your netbook from becoming a fingerprint magnet. The black matte lid still acquires some fingerprints, and I'd recommend the silver color as the way to go. Amazon does not appear to sell the brown and red colored variations at this time, and I assume those also have a matte finish. The wrist rest has a semi-glossy appearance, and picks up some grease, albeit much less than the 1201N. The SD card reader has been moved from the right side (1201N) to the left side (1215N).
The keyboard appears to have the same layout as the 1201N; some users complained of keyboard flexing, but I didn't notice any flexing. In fact, it seems to have much less flex than the 1201N and seems quite rigid. The 1215N's keyboard is a pure chiclet style; whereas the 1201N's keyboard was contained in a plastic well, the 1215N's keys are raised above the base surface of the netbook. This does not appear to cause any functional differences, but the visual difference is apparent when compared with the 1201N. The 1215N also features a sturdier power button, which feels of higher quality.
The trackpad is no longer dimpled, and this makes the mouse cursor significantly easier to move around. The same one-bar button selector is used (as found on the 1201N, which I actually liked), but the one-bar could've benefited from a matte finish as it picks up fingerprints easily. I strongly prefer the new trackpad on 1215N; navigation is significantly easier now.
The hard drive is only a 5400 rpm spec model, but I found it to be as quiet as the one on the 1201N.
Lastly, the web-camera has a shutter that protects it when not in use; the resolution is the same as that of the 1201N.
I was disappointed to find that the package did not come with a Windows 7 Home Premium installation CD. Didn't I pay for the CD?!BLOATWARE: Unfortunately, like the 1201N, the 1215N also comes pre-installed with a lot of bloatware. It seems a bunch of random wireless card software programs are installed, even though some of those wireless cards aren't even installed into the machine! The bloatware is easy enough to remove though; just remove them under the remove programs tab in Control Panel.GRAPHICAL PERFORMANCE: I tested the 1215N against my 1201N. I achieved a 3DMark06 benchmark score of 1583 (CPU Score 811) on my stock 1201N. By comparison, 3DMark06 on the 1215N achieve a score 1100 points higher, 2692! Playing a 1080P media file on the 1201N using the CoreAVC codec required 60% CPU utilization. Playing the same 1080P media file on the 1215N using the CoreAVC 2.0 codec required just 16-20% CPU utilization!!
BATTERY LIFE: So far, I'm eking out around 5-6 hours of battery life on light to moderate usage.GAMING: I haven't had a chance yet to extensively test gaming capabilities of the 1215N, but from what I've read, the 1215N can handle the following games;
Starcraft 2 @ 15-20 fps, 1280 x 720 pixels, medium settings (various youtube videos confirming this)
FIFA 2010 @ 20 fps, lowest resolution and details
Call of Duty: Modern Wafare 2 @ 30 fps, provided there aren't a lot of scripted scenes/characters.
World of Warcraft @ 45 fps, 1366 x 768 pixels, low details
Left 4 Dead @ 20 fps, 1366 x 768 pixels, low details
Half-Life Episode 2 @ 28 fps, 1280 x 720 pixels
Also, bear in mind that since the Ion 2 is relatively new, not many games are supported yet. Make sure the drivers are up-to-date. If you overclock the 1215N, assuming it is overclockable, then higher framerates and performance may be possible. Note, I am not suggesting or advising anyone to overclock their machine.PROS/CONS: PROS
-Great performance for the price
-Ion 2 battery saving graphics
-Fast processors
-12.1" size with 1366 x 768 resolution
-Solid build quality
-New matte lids minimize fingerprint collection
-Comes with Windows Home Premium (rather than Windows Starter)CONS
-2.8 GB usable RAM limit
-RAM runs in single channel mode only.
-No USB 3.0 capability on US models for now (though this doesn't bother me since I don't have any USB 3.0 devices anyway, and by the time 3.0 devices become mainstream, Asus will have released another netbook by then).
-No Bluetooth (though this doesn't bother me since I don't use BT with my netbooks,...Read more›

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HD-enhanced Entertainment with NVIDIA Optimus Technology With more HD content available now than ever before, you need a netbook that can keep up with the pace. The Eee PC 1215N has both the performance and mobility to meet the call. It features the new Intel Atom D525 dual-core processor, Next-Generation NVIDIA ION graphics, and a stunning 12.1-inch HD display to give you all the power needed for on-the-go HD enjoyment. And with NVIDIA Optimus Technology, the Eee PC 1215N intelligently switches between NVIDIA ION graphics and embedded graphics to optimize battery life without compromising performance. Add in the LED-backlit display and ASUS Super Hybrid Engine, you can stay unplugged up to 7 hours between charges.1 Along with long-lasting mobility, it has a compact, scratch-resistant design that fits nicely in carrying cases and backpacks – ideal for both long trips or day-to-day errands. The Eee PC 1215N is also one of the select few with HDMI connectivity. So when you feel like super-sizing your HD movies, simply connect to an HDTV and enjoy Full 1080p HD visuals and up to 8 channel sound. What's more, you get a total of 750GB of hybrid storage – 500GB of ASUS WebStorage2 and a spacious 250GB hard drive – to store, share, and back up your music, videos, and other valuable data. The Eee PC 1215N comes with full-size chiclet keyboard, stereo speakers, high-speed wireless N, 2GB of DDR2 memory, and Windows 7 Home Premium. Awards Received Editor's Choice – Laptop Magazine 9 out of 10 – Maximum PC 92%, Must Have Best Features Award – Tweak Town 4 out 5 editor's rating – PCMag.com 4 out of 5 stars – CNET editor's rating

Key Features
12.1-inch LED-backlit HD display for HD-quality visuals wherever, whenever (Learn more)
Intel Atom D525 dual-core processor for energy-efficient multitasking (Learn more)
Next-Generation NVIDIA ION graphics for a premium mobile HD experience (Learn more)
NVIDIA Optimus Technology instantly switches between powerful NVIDIA and energy-efficient Intel graphics to save battery life without compromising performance (Learn more)
ASUS Super Hybrid Engine maximizes battery life up to 7 hours between charges1 (Learn more)
HDMI connectivity for streaming Full HD video and digital sound to HDTVs and compatible external displays (Learn more)
High-speed wireless N for unplugged surfing (Learn more)
750GB Hybrid Storage: 250GB hard drive plus 500GB ASUS WebStorage2 (Learn more)

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Power with Enhanced Battery Life
Immersive Multimedia
Comfort On-the-Go
Your Portable Internet Companion
Relax, ASUS Has You Covered Ranked as the #1 most reliable PC brand by 3 independent sources,3 readers and editors alike choose ASUS as their trusted notebook and netbook. We tirelessly strive to exceed expectations of quality to ensure you an unmatched peace of mind every time you start your PC. We also back our commitment with the industry's most comprehensive warranty.
1 Year ASUS Global Warranty4
Offers a level of coverage that would add hundreds of dollars to the price of competing netbooks:

1 year global warranty
6 month battery warranty
24/7 tech support
Free 1-way standard shipping

What's in the Box
Eee PC 1215N
Power Adapter
User Manual
Warranty Card

Specifications
Operating System: Windows 7 Home Premium
Display: 12.1-inch LED-Backlit WXGA display (1366 x 768)
CPU: Intel Atom D525 dual-core processor (1.8 GHz)
GPU: Next-Generation NVIDIA ION graphics with NVIDIA Optimus Technology
Wireless Data Network: WLAN 802.11b/g/n (@ 2.4GHz)
Memory: 2GB DDR3, 1 x SODIMM slot (expandable to 4GB)
Storage: 250GB 5400RPm hard drive + 500GB ASUS WebStorage2
Camera: 0.3 megapixel with security lens cover
Audio: Hi-definition stereo speakers, high-definition audio CODEC, Microphone
Storage Cards: 2-in-1 MMC, SD(SDHC) flash card slot
Input / Output: 1 x VGA port (D-sub 15-pin for external monitor), 1 x HDMI, 3 x USB 2.0 ports, 1 x LAN RJ-45, 2 x audio jacks (Headphone & Mic-in)
Battery Pack: 6 cell battery (up to 7 hours2)
Dimensions: 11.54 (W) x 8.11 (D) x 1.06~ 1.30 (H) inches
Weight: 3.22 lbs
Color: Silver, Black

All specifications and terms are subject to change without notice. Please check with your supplier for exact offers on selected models. Products may not be available in all markets. Product may not be exactly as shown in images. 1 Operation lifetime subject to product model, normal usage conditions and configurations. The estimated maximum battery life in Windows 7 is measured with MobileMark 2007 in reader mode. 2 Complimentary one-year 500GB ASUS WebStorage trial. Please visit www.asuswebstorage.com for more details. 3 Rated number 1 Windows-based PC maker in PCMag.com's Service & Reliability Report 2009. Rate number 1 PC brand according to SquareTrade, the leading direct-to-consumer warranty company (for more information visit http://www.squaretrade.com/pages/laptop-reliability-1109/ ). Rated number 1 reliable PC maker in Spring 2009's RESCUECOM report http://www.rescuecom.com/RESCUECOM269.html 4 ASUS reserves the right to exclude certain SKUs; check with your retailer to confirm coverage of specific models. Valid for notebooks purchased in the US and Canada only. For complete details, please visit: usa.asus.com/event/ASUS360.


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10/01/2011

Razer DeathAdder 3G Infrared Gaming Mouse Review

Razer DeathAdder 3G Infrared Gaming Mouse
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
A gaming mouse (high dpi laser and wired rather than wireless) has a quickness and consistency that wireless laser mice just cannot match. I have owned a number of gaming mice over the years and while I have liked them all, I think this one is the very best so far.
The most important issue here is the shape of the mouse. The top (left and right) buttons of this mouse are a continuous part of its top surface rather than being separate buttons like on the Diamondhead or the Copperhead. For me, this is important because it makes the mouse feel much smoother when my hand rests on it. As a result, my hand rests more naturally on this mouse than any other.
Another important issue is the carefully thought-out shape of the basic right and left buttons on this mouse. Note that these buttons have a subtle up-and-out curvature that allows one's fingers to rest more naturally and to click faster and with greater precision than with the uniformly downwardly curved (or convex) buttons on mice made by manufacturers like, say, Logitech.
Previously, I liked the shape of the Microsoft 6000 gaming mouse (not to be confused with the ubiquitous Microsoft 6000 wireless mouse) the best. But the shape of this mouse is clearly better.
Many gamers do like the Logitech mice, but I have always felt that the curvature and shape the G5 and MX518 mice is a bit off. The problem is that the fingers do not rest as naturally relaxed and yet poised on a downwardly curved surface as they do on a surface with a slight and subtle upturn at the front edge of the basic right and left buttons.
Speed and control:
This mouse is extremely precise and it is easy to adjust its sensitivity with the proper drivers.
Vista Drivers must be downloaded:
My operating system is Vista Premium Home. While the print on the box that the mouse came in proclaimed that this mouse was Vista ready, it turned out that there were no Vista drivers on the CD ,so I had to download drivers from the manufacturers support site. This proved fairly easy though so I do not consider this a serious issue.
Adjustable Lights and the Look:
I do not like the purple lights on the wheel and on the logo that are always shown in the pictures of the Razer mice. Accordingly, I was delighted to realize that turning these lights off is a simple matter of clicking on two buttons in the driver setting panel. Once the lights have been turned off the mouse looks much plainer (and much better too in my opinion).


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The Razer Death Adder is the World's first 3G infrared Sensor gaming mouse.This ultimate gaming mouse with ergonmic right-handed design provides maximum comfort during intensive gameplay.

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9/09/2011

Microsoft Habu Laser Gaming Mouse (Black) Review

Microsoft Habu Laser Gaming Mouse (Black)
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
First thing, the drivers are poorly implemented. I followed the directions on the razer site and once I got everything done and I thought I was in the clear, I rebooted and I could never get the mouse to be seen by the drivers. again.. so I started searching for fixes and read this is an issue with these mice.. great! I returned my last razer mouse because the drivers were buggy.. sort of the same issue also, wouldn't detect the mouse sometimes.. anyways, I see not much has changed. But I was determined to get this working because I fell in love with the feel of it.. So, I did get it all working finally, but this what I had to do:
--> uninstalled all Habu software..(which is just the driver pack)
--> installed the 2.01 drivers from Razers site from a clean slate.
--> said YES to the windows warning about non WHQL drivers
--> then said NO to the reboot now option and went into the firmware folder (part of the driver pack) and installed the new firmware!! (with /no/ reboot).
--> after the firmware is successfully installed, it tells you to unplug and re-plug the Habu.. do that, /then/ reboot.
NOTE: It's very important to not reboot before attempting the firmware update because the OS and the drivers see the mouse ONLY after the driver install but after a reboot with the old firmware the mouse was never detectable by the drivers again.. it was very frustrating! anyways.. it seems any of the Habu/Razer drivers will only detect a mouse after a reboot with 2.01 firmware installed. My mouse had 1.0 firmware..
I as I said, and the more I use it the more I love the feel of the Habu.. so much like the old IME 3.0 which I still adore.. the only mouse which really just felt like a key in a lock with my hand. The buttons click is awesome and the wheel is PERFECT (resistance for up/down and depress center). The side (thumb) buttons come with an alternate panel which has the two buttons more out of the way.. I have yet to try it but that's a nice extra.. the mouse tracking is spot on! very precise and very smooth.. me likey!
giving it 4 stars because the mouse is awesome now that I have the drivers working, but wow that was frustrating.. it's a mouse for crying out loud.. it should be a no brainer install. whew.
I hope this helps some people who are thinking about this mouse!

Click Here to see more reviews about: Microsoft Habu Laser Gaming Mouse (Black)

What happens when Microsoft Hardware joins forces with gaming peripherals innovator Razer? They give birth to an incredible advancement in gaming control: The Microsoft Habu Laser Gaming Mouse. This mouse is jam-packed with features that will give gamers a performance edge.Every hand is different, as is every gamers' button preference. The Habu is built for just about anyone with interchangeable side button panels that provide gamers with two options for different hand sizes or comfort preferences. The mouse delivers super-fast response time with a huge 2,000 DPI laser engine that is powered by Razer Precision, and a 16-bit data path with enhanced bandwidth to support high resolution tracking performance. With the Habu, your control will be snappier and more precise, so you'll have a leg-up on the competition when playing online first-person shooters and other fast-paced games. This mouse is also designed with on-the-fly DPI that lets players adjust DPI for control sensitivity. Set the mouse from 400, 800, 1600, to 2000 DPI with toggle buttons and take your customization to another level.
Always-On mode was pioneered by Razer, and this advanced technology is built into the Habu. This mode gives gamers virtually no latency. And with high-speed motion detection, this mouse lets gamers get their speed-on with movement of up to 45 inches per second and 20G acceleration. The Habu features seven programmable buttons with Hyperesponse that allows gamers to program their button functions and caters to their favorite button layout from game-to-game.
A mouse this advanced wouldn't be complete without a snappy design. The custom-looking Habu features GlowPipe side rails and large, ultra-slick Teflon buttons that provide smooth and quiet gliding. The mouse also features an ergonomic design that is built for right-handed comfort with a slip-resistant grip, and rubber-coated buttons for improved comfort during those long hours of arduous gaming. Lastly, the mouse features a thin, flexible wire that provides gamers with the speed of a wired mouse, but the feel of a wireless device.

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9/04/2011

Ideazon Gaming Pack Review

Ideazon Gaming Pack
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
PRos: keyboard is pretty good, optical mouse pretty good
cons: software is faulty, headphones are cheap
after about 1-3 months the Zengine started throwing errors at me.
the headphones are uncomfortable and hurt my ears
comments: keyboard layout is strange but keeps it from being excesivly long.
The mouse sensetivity can be adjustid in game(NICE!)

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Ideazon Gaming Pack includes: Merc Gaming Keyboard GH-100 Gaming Headset and GM-200 Gaming Mouse

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8/22/2011

Razer Lachesis 4000 dpi Laser Gaming Mouse (Banshee Blue) Review

Razer Lachesis 4000 dpi Laser Gaming Mouse (Banshee Blue)
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
All I can say is this is another great Razer product. It did indeed come right out of the box with all the problems people described in other reviews. I installed the provided disk drivers and restarted as per instructions. My computer restarted and the mouse went dead. I had to unplug and replug to get it to power up. The mouse powered up and mouse movement was extremely jumpy and wouldnt move correctly. Reading reviews and looking around before I purchased the mouse I had a memory jog and was reminded to take the clear plastic off the bottom. PROBLEM SOLVED. I played around with the mouse and found that it would lag a second or two before moving after sitting for a couple seconds. Another quick trip to the review pages and found that this is an easy remedy. DOWNLOAD THE UPDATED DRIVERS! That task completed and the mouse moves and works like a dream. In this day and age with software and hardware upgrades it should be all but instant to go to a website and download the latest driver. I wont insult anyone but if you expect any computer part or product to work right out of the box without updated drivers you're more than likely sorely mistaken.
I use this mouse with a steelseries mousepad and they are a great together. I personally love the look and feel ot Razer mice and they are a great fit for my hand and wrist posture. I havent played with any of the marco capabilities or anything like that but if it holds true to with other Razer products I wont be disappointed.
The only true recommendation I would offer someone that cant be fixed with a trip to the net is a trip to a local best buy or similiar store to see how the fit and feel to your hand will be. If you like what you see and feel hands on you wont be disappointed once you start using it.
Like mentioned above, dont let some of the down reviews deter you from this mouse. Take the plastic shipping sheet off the bottom and install the updated drivers and you wont be disappointed.
As far as usage I use this mouse for everything. WOW, COD4, BF2, Dawn of War II, are all on my active gaming list I've used this mouse with as well as a little Corel and photoshop'ing. Its meets my expectations and more.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Razer Lachesis 4000 dpi Laser Gaming Mouse (Banshee Blue)

Razer Lachesis Gaming Mouse RZ01-00170100-R3M1 Mice

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8/16/2011

Creative Fatality Gaming Keyboard Black Review

Creative Fatality Gaming Keyboard Black
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
Pros: This keyboard is NICE to type on: it has scissor-switch keys (like laptop keys) which give it very crisp keystrokes and are very quiet; it has a sturdy base that doesn't slide around; it sits fairly flat and is fairly thin, but has feet to prop it up at an optimal angle; the illumination works great, but is not too strong, rather diffuse; it has a separate number pad. It plugs in via USB and instantly starts working--no drivers, no compatibility issues, nada. The illumination is turned on via a key to the right of the spacebar instead of via a software program that would junk up your PC even more. The Number Lock is also automatically on when you plug it in. Fairly compact and easy to transport.
Cons: It's a little too compact: the insert-home-page up cluster, which is separate on larger keyboards, has been lined up along the right side of the letter keys; the delete key has fled up to the far upper right-hand corner of the letter keys; the arrow keys have taken the place where the right-hand Control key used to be. Also, since I'm not a hardcore gamer, having the gaming logo on the keyboard is almost a little embarrassing. It doesn't have any media/shortcut keys (which is not really a minus for me, as I don't use them anyway).
Overall: this is an excellent keyboard--does what it advertises, and does it well, without any unwanted extras.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Creative Fatality Gaming Keyboard Black

1---Designed by Fatal1ty. Designed to win.When Johnathan Fatal1ty Wendel is dominating the competition and racking up First Place wins, do you think hes using an ordinary PC keyboard No way. Hes got his fingers on the Creative Fatal1ty Gaming Keyboard, illuminated by EluminX. Ive won many championships on this keyset, says Fatal1ty. It is a proven winner, which is why Ive chosen it for my first keyboard. Get your hands on the Fatal1ty Gaming Keyboard.2---Patented illumination technology with on/off switch.The Fatal1ty Gaming Keyboard illuminates for better vision in low light or dark environments.3---Patented scissor keys with short stroke action.Faster is better. Thats why the Fatal1ty Gaming Keyboard was designed with low profile, fast-action keys.4---Slim, compact design with 104 keys.Compact enough to drop in a backpack to take to LAN parties.

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8/06/2011

X-keys PS/2 Professional (58 Keys) Review

X-keys PS/2 Professional (58 Keys)
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
The other review on this item is for the USB model. This is a PS/2 device. To program this device you simply plug in a PS/2 keyboard and use it to input the keystrokes you want recorded.
This device is also passive when you have another keyboard hooked to it. type normally on your keyboard or strike a key on the Xkeys for input. You may daisy chain multiple PS/2 Xkeys together for even more keyboard fun.
This is an excellent input device for gamers. I also use it for several usernames and passwords that I frequently use. I have no issues with text input speed and don't forget you can program tab and enter to automate those logins.
This device has a USB to PS/2 adapter available for backup/editing of your xkeys but as of this writing the adapter is out of stock.
Check the manufacture's web site for more info.

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Ideal for CAD and graphics applications. Reduce complex and repetitive keyboard tasks to a single keystroke. Activate complex commands in CAD

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7/14/2011

Ideazon Merc Stealth Illuminated Gaming Keyboard Review

Ideazon Merc Stealth Illuminated Gaming Keyboard
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
I owned the older version of this key board for a couple years (it still works by the way I just like new keyboards every couple years). The main difference between this one and the old one, is that this one has lighted keys. I gotta say, I am really glad I upgraded to the lighted model. I write at night, and sometimes I just hate turning on the room lights. The lighted keys are especially useful for web browsing or some other mouse-heavy activity that requires you to re-orient yourself to type... typically my eyes are adjusted to the bright screen and I can't really see the key board at night. The illuminated keys allow me to re-orient to the keyboard with a glance.
The keyboard is solid, tight, and nice to write on. It is evenly lit and has that nice new keyboard sound. :)

Also, the keyboard has two USB ports, as well as microphone /headphone jacks. These are conveniently located on the back of the unit so the cables are easy to reach, but won't interfere with the operation of the keyboard. The USB ports work great. My headset uses the USB ports so I cannot address the utility of the mic/headphone jacks, but it should keep many people from stringing headset wires all over--especially if you do not have easily accessible jacks on your computer.
It is easy to switch key-illumination colors/intensity with a small button near the F1-F2 keys.
One reviewer mentioned that this keyboard's keys must be closer together than others because he found it awkward to type. I found that the width of the keyboard is (backspace to ~) is the same width as the one that originally came with my PC from Dell. However, I also noticed a slight awkwardness when I first started using this type of keyboard several years ago... I suspect it comes from positioning myself in the middle of the keyboard--which is not the middle of the typing keys. The functional gaming keys on the left side cause you to be a little off center from your usual typing orientation if you center the whole system to your body. You will get used to this over time, or you can take care to orient yourself to the typing keys. If you write much, you will find you naturally adapt to this keyboard rapidly.
There is one more thing: the keyboard is wider than a standard keyboard. This was necessary to add the functional keys on the left side while keeping everything else standard-sized. This could affect how you store your keyboard if you have a slide-out keyboard drawer on your desk. I have a standard-sized keyboard drawer and it works great for typing--the size is fine for supporting the over-sized keyboard and typing. But the keyboard is too wide to just slide into the desk. You will need to rotate the keyboard about 45 degrees to stow it in the desk's keyboard drawer. For many of us this is no big deal, but some people may want to know this ahead of time.
I am very please with this keyboard.

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MERC Stealth Gaming Keyboard

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7/04/2011

Ideazon MERC Gaming Keyboard Review

Ideazon MERC Gaming Keyboard
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
This is a great gaming keyboard for FPS games. With all the keys you really need on the left hand side and the butterfly direction keys, this keyboard makes the WASD keys obsolete. It'll take sometime to get used to but once you're used to it, there's no turning back. With every game key on the left hand side labelled, you won't forget which key is which in the heat of battle anymore. Also, every key is conveniently placed so you won't need to lift your main fingers from the butterfly direction keys, you can use your the other pinkies to do the work.
Now for the downside. Most gaming keyboards nowadays have the cool backlighting, this one doesn't. I don't know why it wasn't added. It doesn't have the macro memory keys but real gamers don't need macros!
The right side number pad is all screwed up. The length of the keyboard is already so long because of the left hand side gaming keys, they had to save space on the right side. So forget about using the number pad because it's all in difference places. And to use the page up and down keys, you need to disable the numlock as they're on the 9 and 6 keys. You CANNOT get used to this trust me. I've tried and I find the number pad impossible to use. You're going to need a backup keyboard for normal work.
On the whole, if MERC 2.0 has a backlight and a 'normal' number pad, it'll get a perfect score for sure. However, that aside, once you're into favorite game (BF 2142 for me), you won't care the keypad sucks.

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MODEL- MERC VENDOR- IDEAZONFEATURES- MERC Gaming Keyboard- Retail package 34 gaming keys placed in high density surrounding central butterflykeys with 3 thumb keys and 11 weapon keys.Full QWERTY keyboard with highly visible Windows shortcut keys including cut copy and paste.Z Engine software supplies user with pre-defined key layouts fortodays top PC gaming titles.Main game commands are labeled for quick access including run crouch and reload. Sleek ergonomic game pad tilts 11 degrees to match natural wrist position while providing hours of comfortable gaming.Windows XP 64-bit compatible.Reduces Phantom Keystrokes and allows up to an industry leading 7 simultaneous game commands.Z Engine software provides intuitive access via a single graphical user interface (GUI).

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7/01/2011

CM Storm Sentinel Advance 5600 DPI Twin Laser Engine Pro Gaming Mouse ( SGM-6000-KLLW1-GP ) Review

CM Storm Sentinel Advance 5600 DPI Twin Laser Engine Pro Gaming Mouse ( SGM-6000-KLLW1-GP )
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
I was pretty skeptical when first buying this as it was a company's first attempt at a mouse (mind you that Cooler Master generally focuses on cases and PSUs), but I was blown away by how good this mouse is. I've used a couple mouses in the past (from some lame wireless Microsoft mouses to a Logitech G5). I must saw that this is superior in almost every way to those mice. First off, I must say that the price for this mouse ($50) is generally the pricepoint for a good mouse. The G5 is around the same price (if you want a new one). So the price isn't a killer (which makes me very happy, because buying games makes me broke). Next, the shape: The shape is VERY similar to a G5, which I loved. The extra addon of weights is a perk over the G5. Also, the OLED screen is a major plus along with lasers that go up to 5600. I think it actually spoils me. I feel weird using a mouse without a screen now.
Although this mouse is great in many ways, it is not for everyone. I would only recommend this mouse to those with large hands (like me) and prefer the palm grip. This mouse is the most ergonomic I've had, but this opinion only applies to large-handed people. The claw grip also works but I find that it is difficult without removing all of the weights. This mouse is still a tad bit heavy if you prefer to claw your mouse. This mouse also should only be bought by gamers. Everyone else in my house finds it annoying because of the high level of sensitivity that it has. This is solved through setting up various sensitivities though. You should also be decently strong if you want to use this (no I'm serious!) The amount of force required to push the scroll down (middle click) is a pretty high amount (which may be good or bad for you). The positions of the extra buttons (which can the customized greatly from button pushes to scripts to macros). This mouse is also super sensitive. The review about the guy saying that he could move his cursor by blowing on his mouse is not exaggerating much. Just by typing on a keyboard that is on the same desk as a mouse will move it. You must be a semi-experienced gamer to appreciate this level of sensitivity.
As a gaming mouse, the CM Storm Sentinel Advance got it right in so many ways.
-5 profiles (each with a different set of controls for each button)
-Ability to change your profiles within seconds at any time (you can alter your dpi almost instantly without having to quit a game to change the settings)
-A OLED screen to help you pick your perfect dpi
-Customization of Lights is cool too (but i would still buy it without this)
-Super low to Super high dpi range
-Ergonomic grip (you also have a good grip for all those with sweaty hands)
-Good positioning of Customizable buttons
-Perfect Texture (Smooth yet grippy)
Some cons that may apply to you:
-only for gamers (or difficult to adjust to for nongamers)
-generally better for the larger handded people
-generally but not limited to palm gripping
-sensitive to the extreme
-large/decently heavy even without weights
-requires strength to middle click (doesn't really matter unless you play a game where you middle click frequently and you game for hours on end)

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Dominate the competition and strike fear in your foes with the latest CM Storm Tech - The Sentinel Advance Mouse. This technological marvel utilizes the latest innovations in cutting-edge technology: 5600 DPI twin laser, rapid fire mode, internal Sentinel-X memory and our patented security, Storm Guard; The Sentinel Advance is designed for one purpose and one purpose only - to search and destroy. Overpower your enemies with speed and precision beyond their imagination. Conquest is at your fingertips - Sentinel Advance.

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