Arbitrary Deranged Digressions: December 2008 Archives

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December 29, 2008

Targus AMV01CA USB Notebook Mouse/Internet Phone

Most entertaining product I've seen in a while...

http://www.meritline.com/targus-amv01ca-usb-notebook-mouse-internet-phone.html

The Targus USB Notebook Mouse Internet Phone is a portable accessory that works as both a notebook mouse and a USB phone. Compatible with MSN, Yahoo, Google, Skype and Vonage.

This product has 2 operating modes; mouse mode and phone mode. Mouse mode works exactly like a standard 3-button USB optical mouse while phone mode is activated when the phone rings through the mouse to answer the incoming call. When the phone rings simply press the answer key and pick up the mouse/phone to answer the call or indeed press the scroller wheel to activate the speakerphone.

A built-in headphone connection is also provided if the user prefers to use a headset.

Features

# Integrated USB phone with built-in microphone, speakerphone and headphone jack
# Allows easy access to free Internet calls using either the earphone or speakerphone setting
# Built-in independent sound chip with volume control offers full duplex sound technology with volume control for superior sound quality similar to conventional phones
# Compact optical mouse - great for life on the road
# 800 DPI resolution mouse for accuracy and precision
# Use with or without headphones

Posted by aland at 11:12 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

December 24, 2008

Problems with "Unibody" MacBook Pro 2008

I have one. Don't get me wrong, overall I like it, but I have a few nits to pick... In case anyone at Apple is listening. *laugh*

1) The two USB ports are too close. If I plug in a device (e.g. my 16gig USB drive) to one port, I can't get anything into the other port. Is this more a problem with the 'wide' device, than the Mac? Maybe. But I have the same problem with my SD-card reader, and when multiple devices from multiple vendors have the same problem with the Mac, I have to blame the Mac. I would recommend having one USB port (preferably, a third!) on the right-hand side of the Mac.

2) The screen isn't tight enough, or is too heavy. If I extend the screen as far back as it goes, and lean the Mac up (e.g. when I'm reclining on the couch or in bed), the screen falls forward. I have to use one hand to wedge the screen in place while typing or scrolling with the other hand, which is just a little annoying... The screen 'should' stay in the position I leave it. Maybe this is unique to my specific machine, I haven't checked in the Apple store.

3) How do I get video out from the laptop onto my TV? And don't say "AppleTV" 'cause I want a cable I can toss in my bag, not a $300 brick. Seth and I figured that one possibility is Mini-DisplayPort to DVI cable, to a DVI to SVHS cable. I don't know if that exists, but sure, it'd work if it does... Sigh.

4) Not really a fan of the reflective screen. I spend most of my time in high-glare situations. :-) And I get fingerprints on the edges of the glass (see #2).

The good things about this machine are:

* Fast. I've had/used Core 2 Duo machines before, but this is the first C2D laptop I've had. I like.

* Big, pretty screen.

* Solid construction

* Seems to run cooler than my old Core Duo 2.0ghz MBP.

* Seems to get good battery life (I've only used it for a week or two but it seems good so far).

* It's a Mac. What more can I say? :-)

All in all, I'll get used to it and it'll be fine, but it wasn't the world's best first impression...

Posted by aland at 11:50 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack