These days, a lot of computers are connected to TVs.  We've tried it ourselves, and it's both practical and comfortable.  One problem that remains, though, is how to control software from the sofa.  While you can go for a standard wireless keyboard, they're big and heavy, and a dedicated compact keyboard is often a better option.

	i-rocks RF-6525

In this field, the leader is the Logitech diNovo Mini.  It's certainly an excellent product but very expensive.  This i-rocks model is more basic, of course, but a lot more affordable.  It's certainly large enough to type in a website address for fire off a quick e-mail.

The RF-6525 comes in two colours, is wireless and includes an LED battery indicator.  At 34 cm long, it's  half the size of a regular keyboard.

> Product Survey: Keyboards

MSI's X-Slim range are the brand's ultra-thin laptops, with a very nice-looking design. Previously limited to the X340, the X-Slim range has now been extended to include two new models: the X400 and the X600.

The first apparition of the X340 showed a clear debt to Apple's MacBook Air. It is white and the screen is the same size as the Air, 13.3 inches. The comparison stops there however. The configuration of the X340 makes it significantly less powerful and, of course, cheaper.

The new X400 and X600 are a little bit different. They have larger screens and should remain relatively good value, which distances them a little more from the Apple MacBook X-Slim range. This seems to make sense. While the MacBook Air is aimed at a higher segment of the market, the X-Slim has aspirations of becoming a general consumer computer, its price tag making it an option for far more people.

It still uses Intel's CULV technology. Ultra low energy processors maintain energy consumption and temperature at a minimum. This is necessary on such thin computers, so as to avoid excessive heat and fan noise.


X400: the thinest and lightest 14 inch laptop

The X400 has a shiny 14 inch screen in the 16:9 format, with a 1366 x 768 pixel resolution. It is no more than 24.5 mm thick and weighs 1.5 Kg. This, according to MSI, makes it the world’s thinnest and lightest 14 inch laptop.


It uses an Intel ULV (Ultra Low Voltage) processor with an Intel GS45 chipset and built-in GMA 4500MHD graphics component. It has 2 GB of RAM, a 320 or 500 GB hard drive, a 1.3 Mpixel webcam, an HDMI and a VGA port, an Ethernet Gigabit port, wi-fi, Bluetooth (optional), an SD/MMC memory card reader, 2 USB ports, a microphone and headphone socket and two speakers.

You have the option of adding an external DVD burner. You can make this a combo Blue-ray player.


Battery life is announced at 9 hours for the optional 8 cell battery and 4 hours for the original 4 cell battery, using Windows Vista Family Premium edition. The ECO Engine economy mode adjusts different parameters on the computer depending on the function you select (office docs, video etc).


X600: 15.6 inches, ATI graphics card

With the X600, the X-Slim range has its first 15.6 inch model. The resolution remains 1366 x 768, like on the X400, with a 16/9 format. The panel is also shiny unfortunately, as with many models at this size. At 25 mm, it is slightly thicker than the X400 and it weighs in at 2.1 Kg. This also makes it the thinnest and lightest for its screen size.


It has a more robust configuration than the X400, with a ULV 723 Intel processor, or a Core 2 Solo SU3500, or Core 2 Duo SU9600. It also has an Intel GS45 chipset. However it comes with an ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4330 graphics card with 512 MB given over to the card. It also has 4 GB RAM. Everything else is almost identical to the X400, with a combo e-SATA USB port, a number pad and 4 loud speakers. Wi-Max is optional.


Battery life extends to 4 and a half hours with the original 6 cell battery. A 9 cell battery is also available.


These new X-Slim will come in quite a bit cheaper than the MacBook Air They will be available towards the end of the year and we are waiting for more details from MSI on release dates and pricing.

 Product Survey: Laptops