Alibaug and Korlai forts

Canon Digital IXUS 960IS

Quality performer and feature rich, but comes at a steep price

Canon has been pushing the frontiers further with their innovations in the digital imaging industry and their latest offering in the Digital IXUS series underscores just that. Its body is made entirely in Titanium and the overall visual appeal is very good. The camera has a perpetual curve design, this means eat easily rests on your hand and slips off easily in your pocket.

The feel of handling the camera was good with optimal weight. The camera is truly built to just hold, point and shoot. I pushed the power button located on the top panel and was really impressed with the speedy start-up time of the camera. The lens activation and live preview does not take more than a second and you are all set to capture. This is really very fast as compared to its predecessors and other competing market products. This means that any moment as it happens cannot really miss the viewfinder of IXUS 960 IS.

Ergonomics is other factor that is really appealing about this product. The shutter button is large and round located on the top panel beside the small power button. The shutter button also offers good tactile feel when focusing and clicking images. Circumferential to the shutter button is the zoom ring that allows swift transition from a wide angle frame to telephoto frame (36-133 mm on a 35mm equivalent). The camera, beside a whopping 12.1 megapixels also has a 3.7x optical zoom and a 4x digital that combines to give an overall 15x zoom approximately with Image Stabiliser (IS) and Ultra High Refractive Aspherical Index. Also, supplementing the Image Stabilisation feature is the Auto ISO shift setting that enhances protection against camera shake and nullifies the blur caused by subject movement especially in case of Low light or Zoom Conditions.

The zoom in and zoom out abilities are very brisk too and refocusing is just a matter of fraction of a second.

The front of the camera is predominantly occupied by the 2.5” PureColor LCD screen alongside the control panel buttons. An interesting addition in the IXUX 960 IS is the inclusion of a mode dial which lets you quickly shuttle between the Auto, Manual, Scene and Video modes. The special scene mode includes Portrait, Night Snapshot, Kids & Pets, Indoor, Foliage, Snow, Beach, Fireworks, Aquarium, Underwater and ISO 3200 settings. Below the mode dial are quick access button (which can be assigned custom tasks as per user preferences) and playback button. The centrally placed function button is surrounded by touch sensitive multi function dial serving for quick and easy navigation to various settings as ISO, shooting modes and flash options. The Display and Menu buttons are aligned at the base.

The base panel houses the battery slot and memory card slot while the right panel accommodates an USB connection and an audio/video output socket.

Hidden inside the titanium casing is the Canon’s latest Digic III image processor the with iSAPS technology, which ensures optimal response times and very fine image quality. As mentioned above, the IS feature along with Auto ISO shift ensures that the images are sharp and crisp. The LCD displays sharp, vibrant images and has an anti-glare scratch resistant coating which assists against inadvertent scratches. Colors are bright and natural, especially when it comes to skin tones it is really an asset. The night mode pictures also come very good by capturing lot of light with a good shutter speed. It also has the Multiple Face Detection feature and we found that the feature really works and is not just another marketing gimmick.

The camera also boasts of ISO up to 3200, but anything above ISO 800 introduced noticeable noise in the images. Another interesting feature, which is not usually found in point and shoot digital cameras is the ‘Slow sync flash’ option, beside the regular flash options in the IXUS 960 IS. It comes in really handy that allows shooting at low shutter speeds in flash mode for capturing the details. The camera provides up to 5cm macro function, which means that you can click sharp images of objects as close a 5cm in front of the lens. It also includes PictBridge technology for direct printing

The white balance setting provides Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Fluorescent H and Custom settings. My Colors in-camera photo effects can be applied both during and after shooting.

Movie modes include Long Play (LP) for VGA (30fps) clips that use half the normal memory card space, and Time Lapse Movie, which captures changing scenes - such as a flowers bloom or a bustling city street - for accelerated playback as smooth video clips.

The Canon IXUS 960IS is surely a quality oriented performer from Canon, packed with a 12.1-megapixel resolution and an array of useful features like slow sync flash, Auto ISO shift pictBridge and such coupled with an easy to use interface and ultra fast response times delivering optimal performance. However, it might be a bit overpriced as compared with other compact digital cameras with a similar specification.

We say:

Good: Excellent response times, Natural and accurate colours, 12.1 megapixels, Dual Image Stabilisation, Great features

Bad: The price pegged at 24995

Overall: The titanium finish, Digic III image processor and ultra fast response rates beside other interesting features make this one surely an attractive purchase, but at a high cost

Contact: Canon India
Info: info@canon.co.in
Retail Price: Rs 24995
Buy: ­­­­­­­­­­­www.canon.co.in

HCL Y series Leaptop

The laptop comes preinstalled with Microsoft Windows Vista Home, Microsoft works and Kaspersky Antivirus

Specs

• Processor: Intel Celeron M ULV Processor
• Motherboard chipset: Mobile Intel 945GU (ultra low voltage) Express
• Memory (RAM): 1013MB DDR2
• Storage: 80GB SATA memory
• Display: 7in WVGA Widescreen TFT LCD Swivel Touch Screen Display, 1024 x 600 pixels screen resolution
• Graphics: Intel GMA 950
• Audio: High Definition RealTek audio controller
• Webcam: 1.3-megapixel
• Optical storage: None
• Weight: 960g
• Dimensions: WxDxH - 227 x 170 x 33 mm
• Warranty: 1 year
• OS: Microsoft Windows Vista Home

The HCL Y series leaptop is an upgraded version of its very popular Y series leaptop. The basic construction and the hardware more or less remains the same, barring for a couple of free software bundled with the V series. Right from the outset the small diary sized dimension make it look anything but a fully featured laptop. But looks are often deceptive as they say, and a bit deeper delving into the device makes us realize why.

The leaptop, as HCL identifies it, features a 7-inch WVGA Swivel Touch Screen display. The touch screen navigation can be quite a task to manage considering the small dimensions of the screen and even smaller Taskbar icons. The precision requires dexterity, and the Tablet PC concept hasn’t picked up in India yet. Thankfully, HCL does provide the conventional two button mouse navigation panel and also an additional navigation on the side of the screen. This additional quick launch panel offers multiple navigational features such as touch screen, thumb-board, digital stylus, touchpad mouse and one touch buttons. It comes into play especially when the swivel screen is fully rotated and covers up the conventional keypad.

The overall looks and build quality is very appealing and the system seems very reliable for daily rough handling, yet is sleek enough to be flaunted merrily. Hardware specifications too are slightly muscled up in the Y series as compared to its earlier version. The system is powered by an Intel Celeron processor @ 800 MHz and houses an 80GB SATA hard disk memory and a 1GB RAM. The display supports resolutions up to 1024 x 600 and is supported by Intel GMA 950 graphics chipset.

We tested some high-res slideshows and even though the 7in screen seems a bit crammed, the display was quite clear and crisp. The colour displays and contrasts however were not very good at different viewing angles. This can be attributed to the ‘Resistive touch screen’ system in the Y series, which transmits only about 75 percent from the monitor. Also on testing some videos we found that the fluidity of the video was hampered in the full screen mode on most standard media players. This one is definitely not for heavy graphics and fast paced games.

The best feature of the X and Y series (and their upgraded versions) leaptops is the ultra-portability. Weighing just under a kilogram, the term UMPC befits the compact machine. Despite its small dimensions, it packs an array of hardware features and connectivity ports. The Y series is integrates Intel Wireless LAN connection, Bluetooth v2.0 wireless connection and an Ethernet LAN connection. In addition, HCL Mileap Y-Series leaptop also features integrated 1.3 Megapixel webcam and built-in Microphone. However, the laptop does not sport any option for internal optical drive (CD/DVD) or internal fax/modem card.

The Microsoft Windows Vista Home premium preinstalled laptop is equipped with Intel High Definition RealTek Audio hardware and build-in Stereo 2 stereo speaker system 1.5 Watts each. Plus it also offers 2 USB v2.0 fast ports for wired connectivity, a 4-in-1 Media Card Reader and a standard IEEE1394 expansion slot. The sound quality delivered cannot be expected to replace your desktop speakers or headphones, but it does a decent job. This edition from HCL also comes preinstalled with Kaspersky Antivirus for 12 months and Microsoft Works Office Suite and is delivered in a sleek pouch.

These UMPC’s are targeted to woo the entry level consumers and beginners, however with the features packed in the Y series are good enough to satiate the business computing needs as well. The portability being its USP, now one can stay connected and entertained anywhere and anytime. The price it demands to be bagged is very much commensurate with the specifications and performance it delivers.

We say:

Good points: Economical pricing, ultra-portable, lightweight design, good basic performance
Bad points: Small 7in display, no optical drive, no fax/modem card support,

Overall: A good ultra portable laptop, bridging the gap between the basic computing and business needs. Gamers stay away though.

Rating: 3 star

Contact: HCL India
Info: sachin.tyagi@hcl.in
Retail Price: ­­­Rs 33,990
Buy: ­­­­­­­­­­­www.hcl.in

Getting vs Taking

I came across this blog post in Seth Godin’s blog. The words recited herein aren’t novel or new utterings. However, even though cliched, we tend to overlook it and move on, which is why I was very much hooked to its content. Here is the blog post unedited to retain its flavour..

Most people spend a lot of time to get an education.

They wait for the teacher (hopefully a great one) to give them something of value.

Many employees do the same thing at work. They wait for a boss (hopefully a great one) to give them responsibility or authority or experiences that add up to a career.

A few people, not many, but a few, take. They take the best education they can get, pushing teachers for more, finding things to do, exploring non-defined niches. They take more courses than the minimum, they invent new projects and they show up with questions.

A few people, not many, take opportunities at work. Marketers have the easiest time of this (sort of hard to commandeer the chain saw) but don’t do it nearly as often as they should.

What have you taken today?

Well, sounds very appealing and urging to implement it in our lives.

Stop Global Warming!

I just had a nice interactive session at our office on Saturday. The session was to make the work-free ambience on Saturdays a bit more interesting and at the same time dispense some really informative content to all the employees who are receptive enough to bother. The speaker initiating this chose to speak on one of the most bothersome concern facing us threateningly in our faces: GLOBAL WARMING!

The essence of the entire discussion was the so very simple measures that we can implement in our day to day lives and yet contribute a lot towards procrastinating the inevitable, if not completely prevent. The very fact that we tend to overrule our own cognizance and continue to behave in very irresponsible manner has always been the biggest predicament and obstacle in helping the environment. This attitude of ours is nothing else but a harsh apathetic CALLOUSNESS. We are killing our own future and we need to act now, it is actually the state what our TVS Apache’s tagline says: Its NOW or NEVER.

So just to point out some alarming facts that many of readers are well aware of, but still would like to reiterate and hope that its imprints last long enough in our minds and continue to urge us to behave in a manner that we all preach and dictate.

Greener computing:Visit this page to learn more GREEN COMPUTING

• Printing (save trees; do not unnecessarily print pages unless required. Always use print preview to avoid errors)
• Inkjet vs Laser printing
• Leaving monitors on
• Standby vs Hibernation
• Shutting down when not required
• Screen savers: Avoid the use of screensaver, just turn off the monitor when not required
• Black screen vs White display (Blackle)
• Email vs Postal cards and letters: Use of emailand ecards is much better way than to use letters and greeting cards. You can save a lot of paper by reverting to the electronic mode of keeping in touch.

Automobiles are the single largest contributor to Global Warming

• Walk and Bicycle as and when possible, avoid using vehicles for short distances.
• Do not use private vehicle unless absolutely necessary and resort to using public transport ike bus and trains
• Always have PUC done for your vehicles
• CNG vehicles can contribute a lot towards helping for a greener cause. Use CNG vehicles and get your vehicles modified for CNG compatibility. This will save a lot of Diesel and Petrol and will help to reduce the emission of green house gases
• Servicing the vehicles, vehicle maintenance, regular cleaning of filters and replacement when required, fuel efficient driving

Lifestyle changes required

• Frozen food
• Air conditioning
• Sustainable consumption of available resources
• Water management
• John Abraham: One minute less in shower every day
• Switching off fans/lights and other electronics when not required
• Ligitings CFL’s Vs Tubes Vs Bulbs
• Greeting cards: Avoid greeting cards
• Avoid using electronic equipments unnecessarily, especially when it can be avoided

Greenhouse effect

Greenhouse gases are the gases present in the atmosphere which reduce the loss of heat into space and therefore contribute to global temperatures through the greenhouse effect. Greenhouse gases are essential to maintaining the temperature of the earth; without them the planet would be so cold as to be uninhabitable.Likewise, an excess of greenhouse gases can raise the temperature of the planet to lethal levels. The term greenhouse gas is applied to, in order of relative abundance: water vapour, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, ozone and CFCs. Greenhouse gases are produced by many natural and industrial processes

Measure and control your Carbon Foot-prints

A Carbon Footprint is a measure of the impact our activities have on the environment in terms of the amount of greenhouse gases we produce. It is measured in units of carbon dioxide.

A Carbon Footprint is made up of the sum of two parts, the direct / primary footprint and the indirect / secondary footprint.

The primary footprint is a measure of our direct emissions of CO2 from the burning of fossil fuels including domestic energy consumption and transportation (e.g. car and plane).

The secondary footprint is a measure of the indirect CO2 emissions from the whole lifecycle of products we use - those associated with their manufacture and eventual breakdown.

Tips to Reduce Your Primary Footprint
1. Holidays: Don’t go by air
2. Electricity: Sign up to renewable energy
3. Gas: Try using solar water heating - this can reduce your gas bill by up to 70% over a year.
4. Travelling around: Use public transport as much as possible. Find out about your local bus services and then use it.
5. Car Share: Sign up to a car share scheme to reduce your travel footprint.

Tips to Reduce Your Secondary Footprint

When you buy goods - consider where they have been made and the materials and processes used to make them. Items that have high emissions in the manufacture or delivery should be avoided when ever possible. Things such as:-
Bottled water: Tap water is safe to drink in most European and North American countries, yet people still insist on buying bottled water. If the bottle is labelled as being from volcanic springs - you can bet that it has probably been imported from some distance. Imagine the carbon footprint of the flight / shipping of the water! And that’s before adding in the emissions due to making the bottle and / or recycling it.

Food and drink from far distances: When you go to the supermarket, look at the label to identify which country the food is from. There is no need to buy New Zealand apples in the UK in the autumn - but people do!

Think twice about buying a bottle of wine from the other side of the world - you may be able to find much more local wine, which will have travelled far fewer miles.

Better still try growing your own fruit and vegetables in your own garden. Planting an apple tree will not only provide you with lots of fruit, with zero carbon footprint, but the tree itself with breathe in carbon dioxide from the atmosphere - making these fruit effectively carbon negative!
Meat eating: Reduce your consumption of meat, especially red meat.

Clothes from far off lands: Check the clothes labels before you buy. If they come from more than 1000 miles away, keep looking!

High packaged items: Avoid goods and services that have unnecessary packaging!

Tree plantations: Deforestation n Afforestation. Need we say more?

Water management, Waste management, Mass motivation, Spreading awareness

Organisations
www.stopglobalwarming.org
www.fightglobalwarming.com

Hope you can do your bit and make this world a better place to live, for you and for me and the entire human race

Vasota trek

The virgin forest, sunray defying thickets, the fear of wild, the chirping of birds, the charm of unseasonal rainfall, wetting of the baked earth, serene temple, quenched thirsts, satiated conscious and oh God…. let that terrifying roar be far away… this are the memories I cherish about Vasota.

Good Friday, Holi and the Sunday all lined up to set up a perfect long weekend for implementing a long distance trek plan, urging me to venture in far off places like Satara, Koyna valley or far north in the Balgan range. There are lot many forts and ranges with multiple options and fascinating routes on offer to be experienced and after much deliberations and general consensus we decided to set our feet in the thickets of the Vasota, which now falls under protected forest area.

Thursday, 20th March was it, when with our bags stuffed with ration and essentials for the next three days we set off for Satara. We were five of us from Kalyan-Dombivali. Five more persons were supposed to join us at Satara, which they did. We reached Satara at around 4 AM after an overnight bus journey and were joined by the remaining members. A total of 10 members managed to squeeze out time, pacify the families, manipulate their schedules and cherish the dream of Vasota forest range. From Satara, a bus leaves for Bamnoli at 6:15 AM and reaches Bamnoli after around an hour and half journey. We reached Bamnoli, freshened up with plateful of poha and a cup of tea for our breakfast.

Vasota, inaccessibly located far away from the roadways, has to be either accessed via a long circuitous route from Mahabaleshwar-Taople-Vasota or accessed via a very steep ascent from Kokan via Choravane or sailing for couple of waters in the huge Koyna reservoir. This is one of the pivotal factor owing to which Vasota has managed to retain its much virgin ambience in spite of the rampaging footsteps of the trekkers. The forest is very much thick, green and infested with a variety of flora and fauna, and of course the wild animals as well. The wild life in this reserve includes the Bison, Sambar, Bhekar (barking deer) and some other species of the Deer family, Wild Pigs, jugle fowl, rabbits and specially the Bear inhabits these forests. The important predators include the leopard, tiger, panther, etc. It also has its share of the flora and fauna as well as the creepy crawlies including snakes, chameleons, scorpions, etc. Most of these areas have been declared as Protected Areas / Sanctuaries under the Wildlife Conservation Act and need special permission to visit.

“Vasota fort was built by King Bhojraj II of Silhara dynasty. In 1656, Shivaji took control of the fort. There are two forts, the Juna Vasota (old Vasota) fort and the Navin Vasota (new Vasota). Juna vasota, on top of Babukhada, the second largest cliff in Maharashtra is not accessible. New Vasota fort was used to keep British prisoners, till they captured the fort.”

We chose the third option. We reached Bamnoli and after the morning wrap up we got the permission from the Forest authorities to visit Vasota for two days, dated 21st and 22nd. Earlier trekkers used to stay at Nageshwar caves after Vasota visit and descend to Choravane in Kokan. However, now the forest authorities prohibit staying at Vasota or Nageshwar. If one wishes to, one can descend down to Choravane before dark, but staying atop is prohibited. The descend Choravane is very steep and enjoyable and in stark contrast to the opposing slopes is devoid of thick vegetation.
Typical government organization it was, opened at a snail’s pace and proceeded slower. The office formalitites took nearly 45 minutes to complete and finally we embarked towards Vasota from Bamnoli at around 9.00 AM.

After a two hours diesel powered boat ride, we reached Met Indavli at the foothills of Vasota. The boat charges for the ride, irrespective of the head count are Rs 700 as on March 2008. Met Indavli is a very beautiful place located on the banks of Koyna backwaters. The forest authorities have now setup a tented accommodation, The Nirvachan Kendra at Met Indavli fort trekkers and tourists. The tent and accommodation charges are all included along with the visit permit back at Bamnoli itself. The rates as prevalent in March 2008 are 40 Rs per day per person plus other maintenance taxes. The entire trip can be a costly affair one feels, but the fact that the money is pumped in for maintenance of such beautiful forests is heartening.

From Met Indavli, it is a two hours trek to the top of Vasota. The thick forest lining the well defined mud track follows right up to the top of the fort. Treading on the boulevard, even at 12 noon, it is hard to find the sun rays hitting the earth is some areas of these forests, that’s not a hyperbole by any stretch of imagination. In the month of March, the cool breeze amidst the sweat filmed skin is a pleasure to be experienced. On the way barely 10 mins walk from the Nirvachan Kendra one comes across a small rivulet that holds potable water. This is the only water spot before reaching the top.

On the way, we unfortunately or fortunately, did not come across wild species of animals, but some beautiful bird chirps definitely greeted our ears. A bird enthusiast would have been just delighted to be there. Within two hours of a pleasure walk on an uphill terrain we reached the top. The fort walls and few rock cut steps are the traces of fortifications on the way and on the top; first we come across a dilapidated Hanumana temple with a beautiful unsheltered rock idol smeared with red standing amidst the crumbling walls.

From here a path to our left leads straight towards the Babu Kada point in 5 minutes. On the way we come across rock cut water tanks that provides potable water to the trekkers and visitor all round the year. Further ahead, the path took us to Babu Kada, second largest Kada in Maharashtra after the mighty Harishchandragad’s Kokan Kada. The Babu Kada provides an awe-inspiring view of the steep wind eroded cliff of the Juna Vasota fort, a sheer drop of more than 2000 feet straight to the abysmal depths. The remains of the fortifications atop Juna Vasota can be very clearly seen from this point and the thick forest dominating its landscape just seems so very inviting. But the density of the vegetation clearly underlines the difficult approach that one has to take to reach atop the Juna Vasota fort.

From the Hanumana temple, a path leads straight in the thickets and in a short while ends abruptly facing a steep fall into the Kokan. The landscape is just visual delight with an unnamed pinnacle in the foreground and Nageshwar catching our attention in the background. On this way, just a few steps in the forest we come across a dilapidated wada. The remains of the wada urged us to go beyond the walls and so did we. The base plinth on which the foundation of wada lies is still very solid, but the wall have given away. Except for the walls, nothing else leaves a trace for one to conclude that it must be a wada. The inside is completely filled with wild bushes and weeds. With some ruins inside and nothing else to see we just wandered making our way through the bushed and made our way back to the Hanuman temple. Inside the wada we came across pieces of what probably looked to us like a bill/Bison (Gavaa) skeleton.

A path in direction exactly opposite to Babu Kada point leads to an open plateau. On the way there is a Shankar temple which provides the only roofed shelter atop Vasota, that too not enough for accommodation. Also it is at a considerable distance from the water tank. Further ahead, the trail leads through a arched gateway and leads to the extreme end towards Nageshwar. The view from here offers a birds eye view of the entire landscape extending in the Kokan and beyond Nageshwar. The cool breeze and lowering sun made a perfect avenue for the lensmen.

We roamed around the fort and visited to most parts of the fort venturing in the thicket and wherever possible. On one side we could see the vast expanse of the Shivsagar lake and on the other side was Konkan. It was a visual delight.

As the sun lowered, we started assembling our scattered belongings and made provision for a small choolah. The twilight gave away to darkness and we all made sure that we always remained in a group, no matter what! We began our cooking preparations; a sumptuous meal including, dal, rice and potato-kanda bhaji with pickle to add flavor. The dinner preparations occupied us and with interspersed jokes and chats at our disposal basking in the warmth of the dim light that the camp fire offered the entire affair was just an experience to be cherished and remembered again and again.

Following dinner, we slept in the open place in front of the Hanuman temple and the ones who slept in the corner were a bit skeptical. Infact myself sleeping in between did not make me realize the X factor of sleeping on the edge of the thickets. We had nap with regular breaks and the impeding rain and cloud cover always saw us under heavy possibilities of being drenched. But that was not to be, thankfully.

We broke the rule that the forest official had laid by staying atop in the restricted area and had to cough up a fine of 100 Rs per head. We were well aware that trekkers do stay atop and its not a novelty, but considering the occasion of the Holi and extended weekend, the forest authorities were a bit prepared and already had considered the possibility to give us a taste of law. So 100 Rs it was, but the experience of staying atop Vasota and the satisfaction it catered is just priceless.

I would like to end on the same note:

The virgin forest, sunray defying thickets, the fear of wild, the chirping of birds, the charm of unseasonal rainfall, wetting of the baked earth, serene temple, quenched thirsts, satiated conscious and oh God…. let that terrifying roar be far away… this are the memories I cherish about Vasota.

17in LCD Monitors

Introduction:
The 17in LCD segment is the most popular category in the budget conscious mass consumer market. This segment is supplied with a host of new products from manufacturers worldwide. With technology breaking barriers every other day, the display quality and customisations provided by these products have redefined the optimal parameters for LCD screens. In our bid to help you choose from the plethora of offerings queuing up in the market that will best suit your needs and yet satiate your entertainment quotient as well, we have put to test some of the finest options available. We tested a total of eight 17in LCDs covering the gamut from Samsung, Acer, Intex, Viewsonic, Dell, LG and HP; widescreen and regular screens both.

The shift from CRT’s to LCD’s has been a paradigm one and here are some reasons jotted down for the same. The superior image quality, faster response times, lesser desk space, chic looks, the list goes on. We have taken a closer look at these in the following pages.

We used the software DisplayMate to check the details and display parameters, beyond the manual specifications. The software allowed us to test the optimal Brightness, Contrasts, Gray Scale, Aspect Ratio and Response times. We also tested and really enjoyed the real widescreen effect on some of these monitors. Some monitors, like the ones from Intex also included in-built stereo speakers; another incentive, which is a marketing gimmick to woo the consumers.

Besides the services of DisplayMate, some DVD movies, fast-paced graphic games, DVI compliance, various fonts and text for clarity and legibility at different resolutions, and MP3s to test the delivered sound quality were also included in our test protocols.

In these times, with these LCDs worth around significantly more than their 17in CRT counterparts, it is prudent for the consumer to have a check on the specifications and the actual results. To know more about these and choose the one worth spending on, read on.

Acer 17 inch
Specifications:
Type: 17in wide screen LCD
Max Resolution: 1440 x 900@60Hz
Response time: 8 ms
Luminosity: 250cd/m2
Contrast ratio: 500:1
Viewing angle: 140 H and 130 V
Display colours: 16.2 million
Gross weight: 4.4kg

The AL 1702 is a wide-screen offering in the 17in LCD segment from Acer. The model flaunts a basic good looking all-black body with a standard 5-button control panel and a LED. The buttons are tablet shaped and the silver colour contrasts perfectly with the black frame of the screen. The LED glows green when powered and turns amber when in power saving mode. Overall, the design is simple yet appealing.

The build quality is on the positive side as well. The base is sturdy and more stable on your desk as compared to the one from Intex. The base is well designed and it is easy to snap the monitor into place. It can be adjusted in a vertical plane to varying degrees, but not side to side. You are able to adjust the monitor’s angle from -5° to 1 5° vertically. There are also the entire standard configuration options for adjusting the picture quality. And it is definitely recommended to run in native resolution or you won’t see the full potential of the monitor.

This monitor meets the Green monitor standards as set by the Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA) and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This feature is designed to conserve electrical energy by reducing power consumption when there is no video input signal. This monitor, following a time-out period, will automatically switch to an OFF mode thereby reducing the monitor’s internal power supply consumption.

Like most LCDs, it comes with just an analog input and lacks a DVI interface. The native resolution supported is upto 1440 x 900 and the analog signal does a decent enough job. The screen is vivid and sharp with rich colour depth. We are sure that higher quality monitors may have slightly richer colour but this will be good enough for a vast majority of people. With a viewing angle of 140 degrees horizontally and 130 degrees vertically, the screen delivers a sufficient range of view without much colour leakage from different angles. With a contrast ratio of 500:1 the brightness, contrast, grey scale, and aspect ratio performed well in our tests and produced satisfactory results. A luminosity of 250 units does a good job. A dense pixel pitch and a fast response time of 8 milliseconds ensure even faster frames in games, but there is a slight amount of blurring when moving scenes in a game quickly. It’s only a minor complaint and not worth worrying about.
The wide screen however doesn’t carry the punch expected. The Intex model gave a real wide screen feel when we tested some movie clips as against this one, which seemed a bit regular in terms of aspect ratio. There are no in-built speakers or any such add-ons provided with the LCD.

All in all, this model is very basic and the specifications supported are not at the highest end for a 17in, but it does an above average job with contrasts, colour display, and the pixel response. A decent performer however at higher resolutions. A more demanding consumer may crib about the lack of a digital interface though.

Model No: AL 1702W
Max Resolution: 1440 x 900
Brightness: 250cd/m2
Contrast Ratio: 500:1
View angle: 140 H and 130 V
Warranty: 3 years
Web: www.acer.co.in
Rating: 3 stars

Dell 1708FP
Solid built, great looking and the USB hub make it a good choice

Dell, better known for its notebooks and PCs also manufactures some good TFTs. The 17in TFT, 1708FP is one of the better TFTs that we have come across in this test space. The 1708FP is a chunky 17in TFT that’s heavier than most. Consequently, it sits very firmly on a work surface. A major advantage of the 1708FP is its ability to adjust viewing angles. It can be swiveled left and right and tilted forward and backward.

You can even adjust the height of the TFT to 130mm upwards or downwards. This can be credited to the unique stand that the Dell TFT comes with. The 1708FP is the most maneuverable TFT in the 17in range. This one also comes with an USB hub. In fact, the 1708FP provides two USB 2.0 ports to attach USB devices. The TFT also supports DVI connectivity.

Screen quality is excellent, showing off deep black, bright white, and vibrant colours. The viewing angle is also very good. This one like many others lacks a dedicated ‘Auto’ adjustment button. The ‘Auto’ adjustment can be done via the main menu. Like all others, here too you can adjust the OSD positions and period of display. This one has an easy to use OSD interface.

The monitor is capable of displaying at the maximum resolution of 1280 x 1024 pixels. The TFT however lacks in-built speakers. he price of the TFT is Rs. 9,500and comes with a 3 year warranty. With great build quality, maneuverability and other features like USB hub, the 1708FP is no doubt an excellent choice.

Rating: 4 stars

HP L1710 17in
Specifications:
Type: 17in flat panel LCD
Max Resolution: 1280 x 1024@60Hz
Response time: 5 ms
Luminosity: 300cd/m2
Contrast ratio: 800:1
Viewing angle: 160 H and 160 V
Display colours: 16.2 million
Gross weight: 4.7kg

The L1710 17in flat panel LCD is one of the latest products from HP targeted at the small and medium business segment. This one isn’t a wide-screen and maintains the standard 17in aspect ratio of 4:3. It doesn’t give that wide-screen effect like some of the other ones we reviewed here, but the display quality and the ‘Active Matrix’ TFT is more than enough to woo any buyer looking for a quality performer. The TFT flaunts Anti-Static and Anti-Glare characteristics along with a dust resistant screen.

Framed in a silvery grey body, with a detachable base, the LCD overall gives a pretty solid feel on your desk. The 3-button OSD (menu, minus, plus); power on/off buttons are aligned near the bottom right panel of the frame. The menu functions are very easy to use and allows for 15 program modes. The sturdy base lends adequate stability to the LCD so as to prevent it from toppling over with an inadvertent jerk or shake. The base is foldable and the screen can be adjusted in a vertical plane to adjust the angle of view, the movement allowed being in the range of -5 to +25 degrees tilt.

However, one chink in its build forte would definitely be the lack of vertical height adjustments. Also, the absence of pivot rotation for different view angles is something that should be looked into by HP. With the sturdy build and solid base-screen attachment, these parameters should definitely have been included.

On the performance front, HP does justice to the brand name and quality that ones usually identify with it. The native resolution of 1280 x 1024 @ 60 Hz is recommended with a view angle of 160 degrees horizontally and vertically for optimal display. A quick response time of 5ms ensures that faster frames for gaming kinds are well supported without any ghosting/blurring of the screen.

A reading of 300 nits on luminosity scale and a contrast ratio of 800:1 ensures that the colour gradient and intensity are well defined and distinct. The photo displays were very vivid and colours were represented quite well. The brightness, contrast, grey scale, and aspect ratio performed well in our tests and produced good results. At the supported resolutions, the analog only monitor does a good job, but one would definitely yearn for a digital output. The lack of DVI surely packs a defining punch to HP when pitted against the one we reviewed from Dell. Also, integrated speakers should have been there for that extra zing to its specs.

Like most other standard products, this one from HP meets the meets the ergonomic requirements and is certified with standard eco-labels. The VESA standards are strictly adhered to and come with some bundled software. The HP Display LiteSaver feature allows you to schedule Sleep mode at preset times to help protect the monitor against image retention, drastically lower power consumption and energy costs, and extend the lifespan of the monitor. HP Display Assistant is a software utility that allows monitor adjustment, theft deterrence, and colour calibration using the Display Data Channel Command Interface (DDC/CI) protocol of the connected PC.

The product comes with a three year warranty and with a Blitz Krieg pixel response rate it is definitely recommended for gaming kinds. For regular users, who are not carried away by a wide-screen effect and can do without it, will appreciate this offering from HP.

Rating: 3 stars

Intex 17in Widescreen
Specifications:
Type: 17in TFT wide screen LCD
Max Resolution: 1280 x 768@ 60Hz
Response time: 8 ms
Luminosity: 450cd/m2
Contrast ratio: 800:1
Viewing angle: 170 H and 170 V
Display colours: 16.2 million
Gross weight: 4.5kg

Bearing the hallmark of Intex; the ‘EyesafeT Matrix Technology’, this 17in LCD from Intex comes in an all black plastic body. The monitor provides an ample viewing area of approximately 128 sq. inches and stands 14in tall on your desk. It is pretty sleek for a 17in TFT and looks good. The monitor also offers a wall mount option in accordance with VESA standards, and the user may dismount the pedestal for mount.

On the build front, overall the monitor is quite fine, but the base on which it stands didn’t really impress us. The base does an all right job, but would have been better with some added stability and sturdiness. Another glitch is that the view-angle adjustments are quite rigid. The screen can be adjusted in a vertical plane, but it always feels a bit too fragile when adjustments are made.

The all black frame looks good to eyes, but on handling seems a bit plastic. The control panel on the face of the screen is very basic and simple. It sports a 5 button control panel with a blue LED that glows when powered. The menu button provides access for regular custom options and an auto button automatically adjusts the screen setting to preset values. Besides these, a power button and two more OSD buttons are present.

On the performance front it does a fine job. The colour contrast ratio and brightness is good. Also, at different angles of view, the colour display remains good with negligible colour leakage. The maximum resolution supported is upto 1280 x 780 and is adequate enough. The screen has a viewing angle of 170 degrees horizontally and vertically with a contrast ratio of 800:1. The brightness, contrast, grey scale, aspect ratio and pixel pitch performed well in our tests and produced satisfactory results. A fast response time of 8 milliseconds also does a lot to contribute to its better display. Fast paced games are well supported.

We tested some movie samples and we really enjoyed the wide-screen display. The video did not seem stretched out and the aspect ratio was preserved quite well. The model stands true to its wide-screen tagline. The LCD however does not house a DVI connector nor does it support the digital interface. The image quality distortion between non-DVI LCD’s and DVI LCD’s is minimal at lower resolutions, but at higher ones the gap widens. Perhaps, this is what needs to be looked into by Intex in this model.

The monitor also comes with an in-built 2 watt x 2 stereo speaker. However, you cannot expect much from a mere 2 watt in-built speaker and it serves just as an alternative when your primary speakers are out of order. The rendered ‘Bass and Treble’ effect is just not upto the mark. It just does an OK job and serious audiophiles need to get separate speakers.
An overview of this model marks this 17 incher as a good performer. The wide screen display with good resolutions and aspect ratio won’t disappoint a keen viewer. Also, the built-in speakers do add that extra value. However, when display quality is required to be top-notch, lack of DVI support packs a severe punch at higher resolutions.

Model No: IT-1707WBLK
Max Resolution: 1280 x 768
Brightness: 450cd/m2
Contrast Ratio: 800:1
View angle: 170 H and 170 V
Warranty: 3 years
Web: www.intextechnologies.com
Email: info@intextechnologies.com
Rating: 3 stars

LG L177WSB
A good 17in TFT LCD monitor without any frills

The L177WSB TFT screen is a widescreen TFT from LG. The all black LCD looks good and the build quality of the LCD is superb. The L177WSB supports a maximum resolution of 1440 x 900. The buttons are laid beneath the front panel with indicators present on the face of the front panel.

You can adjust the display settings of the monitor manually as well as automatically. The L177WSB is ideal for front desks as the back of the LCD is pretty clear.

The response time of the LCD is 8ms. The performance of this TFT is good. Both still images and videos appear clear and crisp. Also the presence of the ‘f-Engine’ makes it easier to customise the L177WSB for watching movies, text or performing your regular tasks. The L177WSB retails for Rs. 8,990 and comes with a three year warranty. This one too like many other TFTs in this test lacks integrated speakers.

Considering the price and performance that this one delivers, we feel that this one is an ideal TFT for people looking to buy their first TFT and do not want to spend too much.

Rating: 3 stars

 

Samsung 732NW 17in
Unpack the box and you notice that the 17in widescreen SyncMaster732NW has definitely got one thing going for it: killer looks! Draped in an all black body with a glossy sheen definitely makes one delve deeper to discover more. You can’t escape the definite wide screen experience, which is further accentuated by the fact that the screen bezels are reduced to ultra-thin levels.

The pitch black TFT screen with a matt finish, glossy ultra-thin bezel and a firm and stable supporting round base looks chic on your desk. The view angle adjustments are pretty smooth too, although just in the vertical plane. One thing you will notice as far as the looks are concerned is the conspicuous absence of the OSD buttons on the front panel. Besides the Samsung mark, the front just bears a round ‘power’ button. When powered, the LED glows creating a blue halo around the power switch, further adding to its appeal.

The 5 button OSD adjustments are hidden on the base bezel with their icons on the front panel. Mind you, these icons are mighty small and easily escape even the most probing of eyes. Besides an auto-adjust button, the power up, power down, select key and the menu key are neatly aligned. The overall design and the appearance have a deft touch of elegance grafted in.

A play with some of the menu functions and we noticed that the SyncMaster’s ingenuity extends to the interface as well. Enhanced OSD functions with a friendly graphical user interface (GUI) improve interaction with user and understanding of functions. The menus provide scores of options to fine tune the display as per the user’s need. Besides regular colour, contrasts and aspect adjustments, it also includes a range of image and colour tweaking options. One we liked especially is the Magic Colour and Colour Tone customisations provided.

Performance wise the SyncMaster lives up to its expectations. We tested the monitor for brightness, contrast, grey scale, and aspect ratio and it performed well in and produced more than satisfactory results in all aspects.

At an optimal native resolution of 1440 x 900, the display is crisp with good colour contrast and sharpness and the grayscale tests showed even fade. A high contrast ratio of 600:1, 250 nits luminosity and a fast pixel response rate does a world of good to the fast paced graphics that a gamer may look for. The view angle of 160 degrees in vertical and horizontal planes accounts for minimum distortion when viewed from different angles. It features the MagicTune and the MagicBright2 features as well. Magic Bright2 provides optimal combination setting for the various contents for customised environments and with one click, users can control OSD easily. The MagicTune software that is bundled along provides convenient soft OST interface.

As with most others, the monitor is analog only and lacks a DVI signal conversion. However, with all the custom settings provided and MagicBright 2 incorporated, the SyncMaster doesn’t terribly miss the digital version. However, one can never overemphasize the quality of digital signals at higher resolutions. Another gripe would be that the SyncMaster does without a wall mount option and any built-in speakers. Also lack of pivot and vertical height adjustments can be cribbed about, if one is forced to find fault.

To sum it up, the SyncMaster 732NW has a soft design that makes a bold statement appealing to the contemporary market. Not only does it pack a punch looks-wise, but the optimal performance and enhanced interface make an assertive appeal as well. Terming the overall product as good can be an understatement. If you are looking for a flat panel in the 17in segment, we definitely recommend this one.

Rating: 4 star

 

Samsung SyncMaster 732N-plus
LCD monitors are wooing current consumers with their appealing looks, lower consumption of desk space, and their promise to be ‘greener’ by using less electricity. The 17in Samsung SyncMaster 732N does all the above mentioned and is one of the many options available in the market for the average desktop user.

The looks are pretty much similar to the wide-screen LCD we have reviewed this issue. All black with a high glossy body and thin bezels around the 17in TFT display. The round plastic base provides the same sturdy and stable feel on your desk. The blue halo round the power button and the 5 button OSD controls on the base bezels are all the same as with its widescreen counterpart, the SyncMaster 732NW. In other words, it stands elegantly poised on your desk.

The navigation including the auto-adjust, power up and power down buttons, select and the menu buttons all remain the same. The interface is very friendly and custom settings are worth experimenting with. The colour tones and contrast can be tweaked as personal choices dictate, and these are all very easily done with the GUI presented herein. Again the Magic Tone and Magic Colour features stand apart. With colour tone control, gamma control and intelligent colour enhancement, colours instantly appear vividly real. Magic tune software enables you to control brightness, contrast and colour levels by the simple click of a mouse. It conveniently optimises the way you interface with your computer.

Samsungs trademarked, MagicBright II does the trick here as well. It allows you to decide the way you view separate images so that you can select the best mode to meet your viewing environment needs. Most of the features included herein and the looks are similar to the widescreen 732NW. So why the extra bucks in this version and what does that tag of ‘PLUS’ provides? Well, delve in a bit deeper and you will find out.

The most important USP of this product has been its ultra fast pixel response rate. It operates at a fast response rate of 5ms as against 8ms in its counterparts. The feature labeled as ‘MagicSpeed’ really become quite evident with higher paced graphics. The ideal tool to compliment to your gaming, image viewing, or digital dreaming. We thought that the 732NW is very good with fast paced frames but this version pushed the definitions higher up.

There is absolutely no streaking of display and a superior contrast ratio of 700:1 (600:1 in the 732NW) coupled with increased luminosity of 300 nits (250 nits in 732NW) accounts for the clear and crisp displays with vivid colours. We reduced the font size to test it for clarity and sharpness. And even at the smallest possible legible font size, the sharpness was impressive. Even the pixel pitch has been increased from 0.255 to 0.264 in the ‘Plus’ version. A denser pixel pitch means that a monitor can display higher-resolution images more accurately. Also view angles of 160 degrees in both the planes ensure colour stability for different view angles.

The standard aspect ratio of 4:3 has been maintained. With its increased vertical dimensions and the aspect ratio it has, the 372N-plus supports higher native resolutions of 1280×1024 and also an increased viewing area.

With all the features, display and output delivered, one cannot really complain about the lack of DVI signal compatibility on the 732N-plus; the analog does deliver a top-notch performance. Lack of pivotal and vertical height adjustments can be pin-pointed in this model, but absence of a wall mount option doesn’t really matter in a regular 17in 4:3 LCD screen. Built-in speaker are given the skip here.

To summarize, there is no doubt that the 17in 732N-Plus delivers quality output, but is it worth those extra bucks that it demands? The answer to this question will vary with individual perspective, and for those who vouch for the ‘wide-screen’ effect, the price may seem a bit too much to compromise.

Rating: 4 star

 

ViewSonic VA1716w 17in
Specifications:
Type: 17in wide screen active matrix TFT SXGA LCD
Max Resolution: 1440 x 900@60Hz
Response time: 8 ms
Brightness: 250cd/m2
Contrast ratio: 500:1
Viewing angle: 160 H and 160 V
Display colours: 16.2 million
Gross weight: 4.5kg

Viewsonic has been in the visual technology business for a long time now and thoroughly caters to the 17in LCD segment with yet another quality performer. The VA1716-w is a flat screen monitor that has adhered to a simple interface, functions and quality display as it prime mantra. The thin bezel provides for maximum viewing area without eating up on valuable screen size.

Draped in a black frame, the 17in features a dust resistant, anti-glare screen framed in an all black body. The screen rests on a round plastic base, which is easy to attach and detach when required. The entire assembly is quite stable on the desk and gives a sturdy feel. Below the screen frame are the OSD and power buttons aligned linearly on the silver panel. The Power button glows blue when the device is connected. The menus are very easy to adjust and navigate through. The screen-base attachment provides for adjustments of the viewing angle in the vertical plane only. Pivot rotation and height adjustments are missing herein like most other monitors reviewed this time.

On the performance front, Viewsonic delivers a blue-ribbon display quality. OnView controls for superior screen adjustability ensures that screen adjustments are precisely made via an easy-to-use on-screen menu. OSD/power lock secures your settings that prevents changes to monitor settings and maintains an optimized image. It supports resolutions upto 1440×900 and delivers very good image details and clarity for sharp text and graphics. Easy access to the auto adjust feature provides with optimal settings for sharp and crisp displays.

A high contrast ratio of 500:1 means that the difference in light intensity between the brightest white and the deepest black are distinct and coupled with a 250 nits brightness, meets the required quality for most on-screen tasks. A wider format aspect ratio of 16:10 is designed for viewing movies or HDTV in wide format and for a richer wide screen experience. A maximum of a 12ms-to-15ms response time across the spectrum is required for gaming or viewing television and movies without ghosting or streaking; VA1716-w’s 8ms response time ensures that Blitz Krieg gaming is possible without that streaking effect. PC gamers will appreciate the immersive gaming action delivered by fast ClearMotiv video response. With a viewing angle of 160 degrees horizontally and vertically the screen delivers a sufficient range of view without much colour leakage from different angle of view.

We tested the monitor for the brightness, contrast, grey scale, and aspect ratio and it performed well in all aspects and produced more than satisfactory results. Grayscale tests showed even fade with sharp vivid colour displays.
One thing to complain about is the lack of Digital Video Interface (DVI). However, contemporaneous monitors do a good job of analog to digital signal conversion and digital connections are not as important as they used to be. At ultra high resolutions though, the difference is quite evident.

Needless to say, it meets all the standard regulatory recommendations and power saving features and is bolstered with a three year warranty. Targeted at budget conscious users with basic computing requirements, this is an easy choice for gamers, home/small office users, and corporate professionals.

Model No: VA1716w
Max Resolution: 1440 x 900
Brightness: 250cd/m2
Contrast Ratio: 500:1
View angle: 160 H and 160 V
Warranty: 3 years
Web: www.viewsonic.com
Rating: 4 stars

Conclusion
Grinding through these products and digging in deeper beyond the spec-sheets revealed quite a lot. With all the specifications and ‘extra’ features provided, it was the one from Dell that finally lured us. It provided vertical height adjustments and pivotal rotation, which no other LCD reviewed herein provided. Also, it was the only one to have a DVI port for digital output and also two USB ports grafted in.

Intex too provided an added incentive with a built-in 2 watt stereo speaker; though by no means replacing your desktop speakers. Acer and LG fared decently while HP and Viewsonic were strong contenders to win the race. Besides the Samsung SyncMaster’s all black beautiful looks satisfied the visual quotients and the MagicBright2 technology delivered on the performance front too.

Testing some of the monitors for fast paced games, the ones with faster response rates, especially the Samsung 732 N-Plus (5ms) really did very well, while some others produced a notable amount of ghosting. Intex with a slow response time of 16ms was way behind in this section. Also, at the specified native resolutions, most monitors did a good job, but a deviation from it and some LCD’s displayed streaking and colour leakage, albeit a marginal amount.

It was a close call between Samsung, Dell, and Viewsonic. Dell’s model embodies all the features of a winner and the simplicity of Viewsonic was just too tempting. However with all the quotients satisfied and its better specifications being truly displayed in its performance as well, the Samsung 732 N-Plus was our choice. It does carry a bit heavier price tag, but is worth every single penny it demands, or commands rather.

 

Mumbai Blogger Meet

Mumbai blogger meet

20/04/2008 at 16:00

Scheduled for 20/04/2008 at 16:00
City: Mumbai

Description
Indi-Bloggers reunite again, this time in Mumbai, on (Sunday) April 20th, 2008. We’re going to try and make this a huge hit, and draw in bloggers from all over the country! Indiblogger’s had some excellent press recently, so we want to capitalize on that to see where we should collectively take this. So spread the good word, invite your friends, and let’s make a LOUD NOISE!

Venue
To be announced, once discovered.

Sandisk Sansa Clip 2GB

Sandisk’s answer to the iPod shuffle

The latest from the Sandisk stable of MP3 players is the Sansa Clip. As the name suggests, Sansa Clip, sports a removable clip at the back that lets you hook the player to your belt or pocket just like a mobile phone holder. This player is one of the tiniest in the league of current generation players that also features a display. The player is almost the size of a matchbox. The player features a rectangle 1in screen that lets you navigate the menus and view the track info played. The Clip comes in various colours like black, apple red, hot pink, and ice blue.

The player is easy to use and the controls buttons are neatly laid out. The four-way control pad surrounding a center select button is located below the screen. A dedicated volume button is present on the right-hand side and the power/hold button is on the left hand side. A home button resides below the screen. The player features FM tuner and voice recorder as well. Another good feature of the player is that you can add the track to the playlist by just pressing the center button of the D-pad.

On the performance front, the Sansa Clip is miles ahead of the recent league of players in its class. The sound was clear and crisp. Even at high volumes there was no distortion. We were completely bowled over the sound quality of this device.
Sandisk’s long-awaited rival to Apple’s Shuffle, and Creative’s Zen Stone range of players - not only manages to better both in almost every respect, but has to be one of the best value pocket players we’ve ever seen here.

Overall: A great sounding player that is tiny as a matchbox
Rating: 4 stars
Good points: Sound quality, rectangle display, size
Bad points: Build quality

Umax Power Klik 108 Optical Mouse

Impressive laser mouse with lightening quick response

This device from Umax left a good impression. It shows a good response time and is really fast. This laser mouse seemed to work very well on different surfaces. The mouse is quite light too.

The response on mouse pad was lightning quick.  It sports an amazingly quick 1,600dpi (dots per inch) resolution. Also, without the mouse pad, the mouse did not hang up and was very smooth in navigation. The looks are quite decent with a black and gray combination.  It connects to your PC via a USB port. PS/2, USB and combo ports are available and the device is compatible with Windows 98/2000/ME/XP/Vista and Mac.

It sports a comfortable ergonomic design, with added points for being ambidextrous. It sticks to a simple three-button layout, which you can configure however you desire. The central scroll wheel is broad and offers good feel. The wheel scroll is a surprisingly very smooth and functions fluidly. The scroll wheel doubles up as the central mouse click button. When powered the scroll wheel glows blue.

The ergonomics of the mouse are quite good; however we felt that the device could have done better with a little less vertical dimension. Had the surface curvature been a bit less accentuated, the operating hands would have been a bit more comfortable. However, it depends on personal choice anyways.

The Power Klik 108 is definitely not being marketed as a gaming mouse unlike Logitech MX518’s, and for a regular computing mouse this one serves good. The simple controls, decent look and good ergonomics makes it a worthy buy in its category.

Specs:
Type: Laser Mouse
Switch: Three Button with Central scroll wheel
Tracking resolution: 1600 dpi
Operating system: Windows 98/2000/ME/XP and Mac

We say:
Overall: A lightening quick laser mouse with good ergonomics and decent looks
Good Points: Speed, Sensitivity, Ergonomics, Ambidextrous
Bad Points:  Shape could have been a bit intuitively designed
3 star rating