Targus releases 2 mice using the Blue Trace technology, Targus Wireless Blue Trace Mouse (AMW50AP-53) which is retailing for SGD$29.90 and the other is Targus Compact Blue Trace Mouse (AMU75AP-54) retailing for SGD$18.90.

Targus Wireless Blue Trace Mouse

Targus Wireless Blue Trace Mouse – Packaging Front

Targus Wireless Blue Trace Mouse – Packaging Contents

Targus Wireless Blue Trace Mouse – Back View

The wireless frequency is 2.4GHz and I kinda like how the wireless receiver is being held. There is a magnet at the back of the mouse which is used to hold the receiver!

Targus Wireless Blue Trace Mouse – Grip

I also like the grip of the mouse and it is ambidextrous designed means both right and left hand people are able to use it.

Targus Wireless Blue Trace Mouse – Opened

The cover is also being held together by magnet!

Targus Compact BlueTrace Mouse

Targus Compact Blue Trace Mouse – Packaging Front

Targus Compact Blue Trace Mouse – Packaging Contents

Targus Compact Blue Trace Mouse – Back View

Targus Compact Blue Trace Mouse – Size Comparison

Targus Compact Blue Trace Mice – Front View

Targus Compact Blue Trace Mice – Back View

Since I am still technically a student, I made use of the Education Store and hence it is cheaper by SGD$100. The iMac cost SGD$1,688. I also topped up another SGD$218 for Apple Care so that the warranty will get extended by another 2 years.

My mom preferred the idea of non-wireless keyboard and mouse so that there is no need to change batteries every now and then. I opted for the Apple Keyboard with Numeric Keypad. As for the Magic Mouse, I wanted it so I bought another Apple Mouse. The difference between each wireless and non-wireless mouse/keyboard is SGD$20, and unfortunately Apple do not refund you the difference if you opt for the non-wireless mouse/keyboard.

The Apple Mouse and the iMac was delivered on two separate dates maybe because I “customized” my iMac by changing the bundled keyboard.

Specifications

• 3.06GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
• 1920 x 1080 resolution
• 4GB memory
• 500GB hard drive
• 8x double-layer SuperDrive
• NVIDIA GeForce 9400M graphics

Damage

• iMac: 21.5″ (3.06GHz): SGD$1,688
• Apple Care: SGD$218
• Apple Mouse: SGD$78
• Total: SGD$1,984

Dates

• Ordered Date: 17th January 2010
• Apple Mouse Delivered Date: 19th January 2010
• iMac Delivered Date: 20th January 2010

iMac Box

iMac Contents

iMac Accessories

Apple Mouse Box

Apple Mouse Box Open

Magic Mouse Front

Magic Mouse Back

Magic Mouse Side

iMac On The Table

Press Release

Razer Imperator Offers Comfort, Customization for All “Righties”
Carlsbad, Calif. – November 26, 2009 – Razer, the world’s leading manufacturer of high-end precision gaming and lifestyle peripherals, today announced the Razer Imperator, a right-handed ergonomic mouse for palm and fingertip gamers. The Razer Imperator is designed with gaming-grade ergonomics in mind – contours and grooves specifically crafted to enhance aggressive mousing movements made by gamers.

“Ergonomics and control were the key objectives with this mouse” said Robert “Razerguy” Krakoff, president, Razer. “Your grip stays locked and planted no matter how often you lift and swipe your mouse while playing. One of the typical complaints of gamers is the difficulty in reaching the side or thumb buttons on a mouse. We have pioneered adjustable side buttons that slide and lock into your ideal thumb position. You just can’t get a more custom tailored fit than the Razer Imperator.”

Specifications

• Ergonomic right-handed design
• Adjustable side buttons
• 5600dpi Razer Precision 3.5G laser sensor
• Razer Synapse on-board memory
• Up to 200 inches per second / 50g acceleration
• Seven independently programmable Hyperesponse buttons
• 1000Hz Ultrapolling / 1ms response rate
• On-the-fly sensitivity adjustment
• Zero-acoustic Ultraslick Teflon feet
• Approximate size: 123(L) x 71(W) x 42(H)

Box Front

Box Back

Box Open

Packaging
The packaging is identical to the Razer Abyssus’s packaging.

Box Contents

Manuals/Stickers

Drivers/Firmware
Since there is on-board memory in the mouse for storing settings similar to some Razer mouses like the Razer Copperhead, there is a need for a firmware to access this settings on the fly. The firmware I got out of the box is v1.01, but now there is v1.04, so head down to the Drivers/Firmware for Razer Imperator and download it. Everytime when you launch the Razer Imperator software, there will be a delay of about 10 seconds as it is reading your settings stored in your mouse.

Wire
The USB head is gold plated and the wire is protected by nylon instead of rubber as you can see from the picture below. Personally, I like the nylon protection over the rubber one as it looks more classy.

Wire

Buttons
There are a total of 7 buttons on the mouse, 2 on the left side which defaults to forward and backward action and the remaining 5 are on top. Apart from the usual 3 buttons (left click, scroll click and right click), the additional 2 buttons on top are defaulted to increase and decreasing the sensitivity on the fly.

Front View

Back View

Side View

Unlike the Razer Abyssus which have two hardware toggles that allows you to switch your preferred dpi and polling rate. For the Razer Imperator, there is only one button and one toggle below. The button allows you to quickly cycle through your pre-defined profiles. You may ask how do you know what profile is being activated. In your settings page, all your profiles are numbered and when you do a switch of profile, the Razer Imperator will flash the corresponding number of times. For example, if Profile 3 is activated, the mouse will flash three times to indicate the profile you have been selected.

The toggle on the other hand allows you to move your side buttons front or back or anywhere in between which is rather innovative. Personally, I prefer to use the top portion of my thumb to press and hence I moved it to the top. For gamers who like to use their middle portion of the thumb to press, I think the back position is for you.

Lighted Logo
The Razer logo glows and there is light along the side of the scroll wheel which turns out to be pretty nice. The scroll wheel of my Razer DeathAdder is lighted as a whole. If you dislike the lights (I don’t see why anyone would hate it), you can disable it via the settings as well.

Lighted

Software
Since this is a higher end mouse, there are more settings for you to choose when compared with the Razer Abyssus, such settings include Macros, Profiles and Lightings.

Settings: Buttons

Settings: Performance

Settings: Profiles

Settings: Macros

Settings: Lightings

Conclusion
This mouse is a worthy successor to my Razer DeadthAdder, the Razer Imperator is now my primary mouse. The weight feels right and the height of the mouse is conformable for my right hand. In terms of sensitivity, it can goes up to 5,600dpi which is one of the highest I have seen so far. Not forgetting that it is powered by laser instead of the infrared sensor which allows more surface tracking power.

The adjustable side buttons is not really a selling point as I don’t see myself adjusting it that often, I would think it is more of a hype rather than obtaining something practical out of it.

Since this mouse is designed for right handed person, this can be considered a con for left handed person. In that case, you might want to consider getting the Razer Abyssus instead.

Press Release

Razer Abyssus Gives Gamers the Competitive Edge by Focusing on the Fundamentals

Carlsbad, Calif. – Nov. 10, 2009 – Razer, the world’s leading manufacturer of high-end precision gaming and lifestyle peripherals, today launched the Razer Abyssus gaming mouse. By combining simplicity with a state-of-the-art 3.5G 3500dpi infrared sensor, the Razer Abyssus stands ready to frag.

“Less is more,” said Robert “Razerguy” Krakoff, president, Razer. “We’ve taken our ambidextrous three-button mouse design and loaded it with our industry-leading technology without the added cost of too many bells and whistles. Our goal with the Razer Abyssus is to give competitive gamers access to gaming grade hardware without breaking the bank.”

Specifications

• 3,500dpi Razer Precision 3.5G infrared sensor
• 1000Hz Ultrapolling / 1ms response time
• Mechanical dpi/polling rate switches
• On-The-Fly Sensitivity adjustment
• Always-On mode
• Ultra-large non-slip buttons
• 16-bit ultra-wide data path
• 60-120 inches per second and 15g of acceleration
• Three independently programmable Hyperesponse buttons
• Ambidextrous design
• Scroll wheel with 24 individual click positions
• Zero-acoustic Ultraslick Teflon feet
• Seven-foot, lightweight, non-tangle cord
• Approx. size in mm 115(L) x 63(W) x 40(H)

Box Front

Box Back

Box Open

Packaging
The packaging of Razer mice are always simple and straight to the point which is the mouse itself. Hence, when you open up the box, you will see the mouse first and underneath it, is a folder that contains quick guide, manual, stickers, etc

Box Contents

Manuals/Stickers

Drivers
Most of Razer mice drivers are being updated quite oftenly and hence I recommend users to go to the Razer drivers page and download and install the latest drivers instead. Drivers for Razer Abyssus.

Buttons
The mouse is made for simplicity and hence there are no other fanciful buttons on either side of the mouse just the usual left and right click and the scroll click at the top. The buttons also felt a little stiff and hence harder to click when compared with my Razer Deathadder maybe because the buttons are designed for rapid clicking response. I think this may need some time to get used to.

Front View

Back View

Side View

The stand out feature of the Razer Abyssus is the two hardware toggles that allows you to switch your preferred dpi and polling rate. You can choose from two polling rate, 125hz or 1,000hz and from three dpis, 450 dpi, 1,800 dpi and 3,500 dpi. The combination of 125hz and 1,800 dpi is just nice for me doing normal office work as well as playing games.

Hardware Toggles

Lighted Logo
Similar to all Razer mice, the Razer logo on the mouse will be lighted up or have the glowing effect in different colors. For the Razer Abyssus, the light is blue and it is just lighted up without the glowing effect. Unlike my Deathadder, there is no light on the scrollwheel.

Lighted

Software
You can set various settings such as the sensitivity, scroll wheel speed, double clicking speed and button assignment using the software which is included when you installed the driver.

Settings: Sensitivity

Settings: Scroll Wheel

Since this mouse is designed to be ambidextrous, you can set whether you are using the mouse on the right hand or left hand under the button settings.

Settings: Buttton

Conclusion
Pros

• Simple & no frills
• Ambidextrous design
• Hardware toggle for dpi and polling rate

Cons

• Mouse is too light for stability
• Mouse is small for gamers with big palms
• Stiff buttons
• A little pricey

I did not check out MacWay instead I checked out Other World Computing and it does ship to Singapore and best of all it can be paid using PayPal. I got the MacPadd Pro at USD$31.99 and shipping to Singapore cost USD$13.73, so total is USD$45.72. I placed order and paid on the 9th November 2009 and on the 10th November 2009 it was shipped and I received it yesterday on the 18th November 2009. Took only 8 days to reach Singapore shores.

The built is pretty good but the edges can be better as I still see some protruding stuff. Also the back looks way too ugly!

Box

Box Opened

Packaging

Front

Back

MacPadd Logo

Check out MacPadd and MacPadd Pro at Other World Computing.

Microsoft Arc Mouse
Microsoft Corp raised the style stakes with the unveiling of a revolutionary crescent-moon-shaped mouse designed to be just as fashionable as it is functional – the Arc Mouse. With its unique foldable design, Arc reduces by almost half for portability when it is snapped shut, but provides complete comfort when opened to its full size.

The Arc Mouse in black and red will be widely available in the fourth quarter of 2008 for an estimated retail price of SGD$89.00 respectively.

View:

• Microsoft Arc Mouse Product Page

Microsoft BlueTrack Explorer Mouse & Microsoft Explorer Mini Mouse
Microsoft Corp showcased in Singapore the world’s most advanced tracking technology, Microsoft BlueTrack Technology, which allows consumers to take their mice anywhere and work with confidence on more surfaces than before.

Microsoft’s new proprietary tracking technology combines the width and power of optical technology with the precision of laser tracking to allow consumers to mouse on virtually any surface – from a granite kitchen countertop to the living room carpet.

BlueTrack Technology will debut in two new top-of-the-line mice, Microsoft Explorer Mouse and Microsoft Explorer Mini Mouse, available this holiday season at authorized resellers.

The Explorer Mouse with BlueTrack Technology and the Explorer Mini Mouse with BlueTrack Technology will be available in the fourth quarter of 2008 at an estimated retail price of SGD$109.90 and SGD$79.90 respectively.

View:

• Microsoft BlueTrack Explorer Mouse Product Page
• Microsoft BlueTrack Explorer Mini Mouse Product Page

Microsoft LifeCam Show & Microsoft LifeCam VX-5500
Microsoft Corp unveils two new webcams – LifeCam Show and LifeCam VX-5500 – featuring stunning new designs that not only look great but also provide versatility for use on a laptop or desktop monitor, or sitting next to your PC. No matter where these LifeCams are used, they will make a statement.

LifeCam Show is ultra sleek which is one of the thinnest webcams on the market, while the LifeCam VX-5500 takes a more sassy approach with switchable faceplates in three colors and an innovative, collapsible design.

The LifeCam Show and LifeCam VX-5500 will be widely available in October 2008 for the respective estimated retail prices of SGD$139.00 and SGD$79.00.

View:

• Microsoft LifeCam Show Product Page
• Microsoft LifeCam VX-5500 Product Page

Microsoft SideWinder X6 Keyboard & Microsoft SideWinder X5 Mouse
Meet the Microsoft SideWinder X6 Keyboard – the most versatile gaming keyboard on the market with the first-ever switchable key pad that can be attached to the left or right side of the keyboard for ultimate flexibility.

To round out the SideWinder line, the Hardware team is also announcing the SideWinder X5 Mouse, a fast, powerful gaming mouse designed to give mainstream gamers a competitive edge.

The switchable key pad makes the SideWinder X6 Keyboard ideal for gaming as well as productivity, as the key pad functions as a standard num pad in normal keyboard mode, but becomes a programmable macro pad in game mode.

The recommended retail price of the SideWinder X6 keyboard is SGD$119.00. This holiday season in Singapore, the SideWinder X6 Keyboard will be only available in an exclusive holiday bundle with Electronic Arts’ highly anticipated real-time strategy game Command and Conquer: Red Alert 3. More details will be announced by Microsoft Hardware and Electronic Arts in early October 2008.

The SideWinder X5 Mouse will be widely available in October 2008 for an estimated retail price of S$79.00.

View:

• Microsoft SideWinder X6 Keyboard Product Page
• Microsoft SideWinder X5 Mouse Product Page

Microsoft Wireless Laser Desktop 6000, Microsoft Wireless Media Desktop 1000 & Wireless Mobile Mouse 3000
Microsoft Corp. showcased two new desktop sets – the Wireless Laser Desktop 6000 and Wireless Media Desktop 1000 — with stylish designs and high-end productivity features at affordable prices, giving consumers more quality options for their workspaces. A Comfort Curve design complements the sleek lines of the Wireless Laser Desktop 6000, making for hardware that looks and feels good at the same time. Slick design features also grab attention on the Wireless Media Desktop 1000, a keyboard-and-mouse combination created for digital media enthusiasts.

Microsoft today also introduced the Wireless Mobile Mouse 3000, a notebook mouse with stunning color offerings at an affordable price, based on the design of the No. 1 best-selling notebook mouse in the U.S.

The Wireless Laser Desktop 6000, Wireless Media Desktop 1000, Wireless Mobile Mouse 3000 will be available this quarter for estimated retail prices of SGD$139.00, SGD$69.90, SGD$49.90, respectively.

View:

• Microsoft Wireless Laser Desktop 6000 Product Page
• Microsoft Wireless Media Desktop 1000 Product Page
• Microsoft Wireless Mobile Mouse 3000 Product Page