Logitech Performance MX MARCHANDS €     Dell for bu...  48.26  Amazon.co.uk  59.94  Pc world  59.99  Dixons  59.99  Dell for home  66.31  John lewis  69.95  Compare prices

If the Logitech Performance MX and Razer Abyssus mice have got one thing in common, it's that they're anything but modest!

Logitech's mouse comes right at the top of its range, and is supposed to unite the manufacturer's know-how, ergonomic research and quality materials.  But can it beat our all-time favourite, the G500?

Razer's mouse might cost a little less, but it's no less ambitious.  Announcing a 'back to basics' approach, and getting rid of all of the unnecessary extras, will the Abyssus have the essential ingredients of a great mouse?

> Test: Logitech MX Performance
> Test: Razer Abyssus

> Product Survey: Mice

ExpressGate is a lightweight operating system that gives quick access--that means under ten seconds--to basic web apps on Asus laptops.  It's been installed on a number of the manufacturer's recent netbooks, but it's now also available for download for anybody who owns one of its netbooks.


Sometimes, you might not want to wait for Windows to load just to check an e-mail, which is where ExpressGate steps in, saving you a few valuable minutes.

Lots of models already have the system, including the Asus Eee PC 1201N and 1201NL, as well as the 1101HA, to name but a few.  If you don't have it but would like to try it, head over to the Asus download site where it's available for free. 

> Product Survey: Netbooks
> Product Survey: Laptops

> Buyer's Guide: Laptops

HP LP2475w

MARCHANDS €     Amazon mark...  390.00  Bt shop  419.44  Euroffice  443.98  Amazon mark...  495.26  Amazon mark...  591.08  Compare prices

Two new monitors are on their way to our product survey today. Some of our readers have high hopes for one of them, whereas the other has a handy PowerSensor to help save electricity.

The HP LP2475w is a 24-inch monitor with a 6 ms IPS panel, a height-adjustable stand mounted on a rotating base, plus a portrait mode. The list of connections is pretty impressive too, with HDMI and DisplayPort sockets to name but two.

The Philips 225P1 may only have DVI and VGA entries but it has another trick up its sleeve: a presence sensor that can help cut down your electricity bill and boost your monitor’s lifespan.

>  Product Test: HP LP2475w
>  Product Test : Philips 225P1

> Product Survey: 23" to 28" LCD Monitors

> Product Survey: 22" LCD Monitors

Although some may be having trouble positioning the iPad in the market and evaluating its potential for success, critics of Apple’s tablet were last week silenced as researchers at InvestorVillage confirmed that 120,000 iPads were purchased on the opening day of pre-orders at the Apple Store US. It also seems that users are snapping up the Wi-Fi version rather than the 3G model.

Even though no one has actually yet seen or held an iPad for themselves, it seems that the media frenzy it created is not to be the iPad’s only triumph. Apple’s tablet has been criticised for its lack technical functionality and unclear market position, hovering somewhere between an iPod Touch and a laptop. However, those doubting its potential for success have so far been proved wrong, as the iPad is definitely attracting consumers. It’s probably safe to say that those rushing to pre-order will be the brand’s die-hard followers, but according to an analyst at Valcent Financial Group interviewed by CNN, this initial success will have made Apple around 75 million dollars in just twenty-four hours.

A Home Tablet

The breakdown of sales so far shows that the Wi-Fi version is proving more popular (69%) than the 3G model. The split between the different capacity versions (16, 32 and 64 GB) is pretty much even.


The iPad Battery Replacement Scheme: use once then discard?

Apple has a history of making products with inaccessible batteries that are impossible for users to change themselves. That’s why Apple has come up with the iPad Battery Replacement Scheme. Basically, if the battery in your iPad turns out to be faulty or degrades in quality over the product’s lifespan, then Apple will replace your worn-out iPad with a brand new one. You’ll have to pay around $100 to cover the cost of the new battery plus shipping, and turnaround time is around one week. Just don’t forget to back up all your data before you send off your old model.

At first glance, this trade-in system seems fairly strange, especially at a time when most technology firms are proffering their green credentials. But whether it’s green or not, I’m sure plenty of customers will be thrilled at the thought of getting a brand new iPad as a replacement!

On the other hand, it can also be argued that it’s better for old batteries to be returned to the manufacturer and disposed of correctly (at least, that’s what we assume will happen) rather than being carelessly discarded in a kitchen bin or left out on the pavement. Let the debate commence …