STACK #195 Jan 2021

LIFE TECH FEATURE

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IT ESSENTIALS continued

A reliable and comfortable wireless mouse for under $20? Hard to believe isn’t it, but that’s exactly what the Logitech M185 brings to the table. For that you get a simple plug-in-and-play mouse with a one-year battery life and a three-year warranty.

MIGHTY MICE I n the past, for many of us, pulling out that old ball wired mouse from the drawer was always good enough. However, mouse design has undergone some major technological overhauls during the last ten years and these, particularly the advancements in ergonomics, offer some great benefits to the user. Most mice use optical or laser technology, which are essentially variations of the same tech. But you can only use an optical mouse on flat surfaces, whereas a laser mouse can be operated on just about any surface. Here are some considerations when buying a new mouse:

Highly portable, the stylish MX Anywhere 3 lives up to its name and performs just as well at the desk or away from it. Comfortable and resilient, the mouse’s electromagnetic MagSpeed scroll wheel makes it faster to use, quieter and more precise. The wireless Logitech G703 Hero mouse is an excellent crossover model for study and gaming. Highly responsive and lightweight, the G703 is compatible with the Logitech Powerplay charging system – as you move the mouse on the mat it charges as its used, making batteries a thing of the past.

Comfort If you spend an inordinate amount of time in front of the computer, then you’ll need a mouse that’s comfortable and won’t put unnecessary pressure on your wrist and fingers. Some users prefer a mouse that fits the entire palm of the hand, while others drive the mouse using just their fingers. Road testing different mice is a great way to choose the perfect design for your hand.

Wired or wireless? Again, this is a personal decision, but wireless mice are certainly the more popular choice with users and they have come a long way in terms of reliability. Wireless mice use two types of technology: radio frequency and Bluetooth. It’s worth bearing in mind that unlike Bluetooth connectivity, RF mice require the use of a USB port as a receiver.

Gaming Mice Do you have any PC gamers in the house? A sure way of saving money in a potential mouse investment is to buy a gaming mouse that can double for homework. Available in both wired and wireless, a good gaming mouse is built to last.

Did you know? In 1964, Douglas Engelbart developed a device he originally referred to as an “X-Y position indicator for a display system”. The name doesn’t exactly roll off the tongue, does it? Well, the wooden box had three buttons on it and two wheels underneath – one vertical and one horizontal – and was the prototype of what would become the indispensable mouse we now rely on whenever we use a computer. However, it wasn’t until 1981 that the first mouse would be sold with a computer system. Three years later, Apple would popularise the tech when it became a standard inclusion with its Macintosh computers. And why is it called a mouse? When Engelbart looked at the box with the wire coming out of the back, that’s the first thing he thought of.

Keyboard Key Points M uch like the mouse, the keyboard has long been a computer peripheral filed under ‘that’ll do’. Yes, you can buy a relatively inexpensive keyboard but with the amount of pounding it’s likely to take, especially if used by multiple people, you’ll want something that will last more than six months. Here are a few things to consider when purchasing a new keyboard: The wired Microsoft Ergonomic Keyboard takes comfort seriously and is designed to prevent injury and stress on your wrists during use. These ergonomic features are adjustable, offering complete versatility. A comfortable keyboard to type on, it also has a bucketload of shortcuts to utilise.

Size matters Study areas in the house can range from a purpose-built home office to a cupboard under the stairs. As such, a full-sized keyboard might not be the right fit for a study nook. Assess the space you have and pick a keyboard to suit. Wired or wireless? If your home study zone is a permanent set-up, a wired keyboard would be a good option. A wireless keyboard offers total flexibility, so you can work at the kitchen table or out in the garden. It’s worth remembering that, like mice, wireless keyboards use RF technology (you’ll need a spare USB port for the receiver) and Bluetooth connection, so if you’re trying to pair a device that doesn’t support a USB port, you’ll need to look at a Bluetooth option. Gaming Keyboards If the student in your home is a PC gamer, consider investing in a gaming keyboard, which essentially kills two birds with one stone. Typically more robust, gaming keyboards are feature-packed with backlighting and mechanical keys and can be bought as wired or wireless models.

Compatible with both Mac and PC operating systems, the ultra-thin Logitech K580 keyboard allows users to control multiple devices through a Bluetooth connection. It features a ledge for perching your devices in whilst typing, and a handy auto-sleep system means users will get 24 months of use before needing to change the batteries.

A great crossover keyboard for gaming and study is the wired Omen Encoder .

Mechanical keys make for accurate keystrokes, and the keys – which are individually backlit with LEDs – have a lifespan of 50 million keystrokes. Two adjustable legs can be deployed for ultimate comfort during use. The Encoder works as well playing Fortnite as completing a school project.

18 JANUARY 2021

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