The HP X7000 Wi-Fi Touch Mouse connects to Windows notebooks over Wi-Fi, so users can leave dongles and adapters at home without giving up a good mousing experience.

Until HP introduced the Wi-Fi Mouse users had two options for wireless mice – connect via USB dongle or Bluetooth. I prefer Bluetooth, but using both a Wi-Fi and Bluetooth radios diminish battery life. USB dongles take up ports and drain battery life as well.

I haven’t found a Windows notebook with a touchpad I want to use full-time because they all stink, so I always carry an extra mouse. For the past few weeks that mouse has been the HP X7000 Wi-Fi Touch Mouse.

Wi-Fi Connection

Because HP uses your computer’s Wi-Fi radio to connect, you have to install their proprietary software. That means two things. First, you can’t just connect this mouse to any computer. Second, you can’t connect it to any Mac.

I installed the software and the mouse connected without a hitch using the configuration steps. It also reconnects quickly after you shot down or put your computer to sleep. Reconnecting is faster than my Bluetooth mice connect to the Samsung notebook used for testing.

I didn’t notice any interference between the mouse and my network connection. It just works like you’d expect your mouse to work. You will notice a new Wi-Fi connection listed in Windows. In fact I could see the Wi-Fi as a network on my iPad and MacBook too, but it won’t let anything other than the mouse connect to the network.

Comfort and Design

The concept of the X7000 screams for mobility. You don’t need a USB dongle and you can turn off your Bluetooth, both of which preserve battery life. Unfortunately, the mouse is huge. I have big hands, so I like the size. But it takes up a  lot of room in your computer bag. HP offers the HP WiFi Mobile Mouse for about $20 less. The X7000 works better as a desktop mouse for people with big hands. If you use a spacious computer bag, you may have room for the X7000. If you don’t, or if you have small hands the Mobile Mouse is a better fit.

The mouse has four buttons – the typical right and left click buttons and a thumb button. There’s also a smaller button on the top left corner next to the primary button. You can customize the buttons to perform many functions using the included driver software.

The “touch” part of the Wi-Fi Touch Mouse comes from a strip between the two main buttons replacing the typical scroll wheel. It performs the same function without the moving parts. You can slide your finger up or down to scroll or zoom. You can even tap on the strip to use it as another button.

The touch strip works fine, but I prefer a wheel. It will likely last longer than a wheel with moving parts, but I haven’t had trouble with the scroll wheels breaking on any of my mice. Give me a wheel, like the smaller version has, and I’d be happier.

The shape of the mouse fits right handers only. I’m okay with that, but if you’re a lefty move along. Nothing to see here.

Value and Recommendation

HP charges $59.99 for the X7000. That’s not too pricey for a large mouse with the unique features included in this mouse. The technology works so well, that I suspect this will catch on and become the primary method of connecting a wireless mouse. If it does, the price will drop.

Since the mouse feels comfortable and connects so well, I recommend the HP X7000 Wi-Fi Touch Mouse without too many reservations. As I said above, I wish it had a wheel like the cheaper mobile version that fits better in a computer bag. I also hope Apple adds support to OS X because I’d love to use this mouse full-time when my MacBook Pro sits on my desk at home.

The Wi-Fi connection may be a cool feature, but alone it won’t make me buy a mouse. The HP X7000 Wi-Fi Touch Mouse works so well so you won’t have to compromise to get the cool new feature.

You can get the X7000 Wi-Fi Touch Mouse from HP directly or at Amazon for only $37.95.

HP X7000 Wi-Fi Touch Mouse Review: Go Wireless, No Dongle or Bluetooth is a post by Kevin Purcell from Notebooks.com.

iTwin promises to give you “limitless” USB-based file synchronization with simplicity and security through a set of USB keys that you plug into two or more computers anywhere in the world.

Cloud synchronization is all the rage these days with great services like DropBox, SugarSync and even personal cloud syncing devices like the PogoPlug.

If  you need a secure, encrypted file syncing solution that doesn’t depend on a third-party cloud service, or need to sync more files than cloud companies offer, iTwin might be a good solution for you.

How it Works

With iTwin you get a pair of USB keys that connect together. Plug them both into the first computer while the two keys are still connected to each other. Each key has a USB connector and a proprietary connector that joins the two. Once installed, the app resides in your Menu bar on OS X or in the system tray in Windows 7.

After plugging the keys into my Mac, a window popped up asking me to name my device. Type the name and hit next and enter your email address. iTwin sends you a special code. More on that in a bit. After running the setup wizard, you will see an Explorer or Finder window like the one above.

I dragged a file and two folders into the window from my hard drive. I then disconnected the part of the iTwin not plugged into my Mac and plugged it into my Windows computer and went through a similar installation process. Soon after, I saw the window above, with the files on my MacBook Pro. The small orange circle indicates that these files are not on my Windows computer, but accessible through the Internet.

You can open files and folders as if they reside locally on the computer. I experienced very little lag time when opening the file or exploring the folders. Working with files is just like they were stored on your local computer.

Security

If you lose one of your iTwin USB keys, you can prevent access to your files by removing the iTwin from your other computer and revoking access for the other key. Remember when I entered my email address above? I received a message from iTwin with a special code and a link to their revocation website. Enter your iTwin code and the other key becomes useless to would be file thieves.

To get the iTwin USB keys working again, you go through the setup process. Since all the files actually reside on your hard drives, not on the USB keys, you lose nothing and any bad guys who find the keys have nothing. If you left a key plugged in when you revoked access, then you will see the following error.

If you’re worried about the files being transmitted through the Internet, don’t. iTwin uses AES 256-bit end-to-end encryption, which means they jumble the files up as you transmit them through the Net and then iTwin unscrambles them when on other computer. iTwin doesn’t store the files, so you don’t have to worry about hackers gaining access to your files through iTwin’s servers.

Evaluation

iTwin impressed me with the simplicity and speed of device. I did have to refresh my folders on the Windows PC to see when I added a new file on my Mac. Other than that, it worked well.

If you delete a file from a folder on computer, iTwin won’t delete the file on the other computer. That’s a good thing saving you from losing files if the person with whom you’ve shared your iTwin starts deleting files.

Also, if you have a file that both users open and edit, you can’t overwrite the other’s changes. I tried by opening an image on both machines. I added a few squiggles in Paint on the Windows machine and added an arrow on the Mac using Preview. When I tried to save the file at about the same time, it saved on the Windows machine, but on the Mac I got the following error:

The hardware is simple and works. I didn’t put it under any stress tests, but they two keys seem sturdy and the connectors used to join them fit nicely.

I like that iTwin offers unlimited file sharing. If you have a 2TB drive you can share 2TB of data. iTwin’s speed and simplicity impressed me. Finally, I appreciate that they offer both Mac and Windows software.

iTwin falls short in several areas. First, if you want to share files with more than two computers at a time you can’t. Sure, you can move the iTwin to another computer, but you’re always limited to two computers at a time.

If you only need to sync 2 -5GB of data between computers, you’ll get a better value from DropBox or SugarSync, and you’ll be able to access them from the web without a thumbdrive.

Finally, if you lose your Internet connection, then you also lose access to the files from the other computer. This doesn’t happen with services like DropBox or SugarSync. The files are never stored on the second machine. The iTwin just points to the files on the other machine. You will have to manually move them from the iTwin’s folder to another folder for real synchronization.

If you need to sync large amounts of data between two computers (more than you get with free services like DropBox, SugarSync or Box.com, or just appreciate the ability to keep your files off a company’s servers, iTwin is a good option.

iTwin Review: USB Secure Cloud Syncing Without a Cloud Service is a post by Kevin Purcell from Notebooks.com.

With tax time and Spring cleaning syncing up in March and April, you may find yourself in need of a great shredder. But you’ll need more time even more than you need a great shredder, which is where the Swingline Stack and Shred 60X comes in.

There’s no shortage of great shredders, but the Swingline Stack and Shred 60X stands out because you can put up to 60 sheets of paper into the shredder at once, close the lid and walk away while it shreds your sensitive documents.

My favorite part of this shredder is that I don’t have to waste 15 minutes to shred a bunch of mail and old tax documents. I’ve used the Stack and Shred for the last month, and I like it as much as I liked the larger capacity Stack and Shred 100X (review).

For a home office, I like the smaller size of the Stack and Shred 60X, which fits under my desk in the corner of my office. The shredder is quiet enough that I can take a call while it keeps shredding the 60 sheets I stuffed in it. I try to avoid paper, but there are some things you can’t escape. If you still get paper documents you need shredded the new, more affordable, Stack and Shred 60X is a good solution.

Stack and Shred Video Review

The video below is a review of the Stack and Shred 100X, which is very similar. The 60X handles 60 sheets at a time instead of 100, and features a manual load slot on the top for paper.

The new Stack and Shred models feature a slot to manually shred 5 sheets, credit cards and thick glossy paper. This is a nice touch, as it is annoying to open the shredder up again and again if you end up with multiple single sheets to shred.

The shredder will cross-cut shred your paper document and provides “security level 3″ credit card shredding. The Stack and Shred can handle paperclips or staples in any corner, so you don’t need to organize your documents or remove staples and clips before you put them in the shredder. The Stack and Shred has a 4 gallon basket to hold lots of shredded paper.

The Stack and Shred 60X has a good feel and appears very durable. The last Swingline Stack and Shred I reviewed is sill in use at a local university where it shreds sheet after sheet on a daily basis.

At $150, you might think about picking up a $15 shredder instead, but if you have a lot of shredding to do, and you value your time, you should consider the hands free Stack and Shred 60X.

I hate wasted time, and to me that includes spending 15 to 30 minutes shredding paper. With the Stack and Shred I can keep my office clean without putting work on hold.

Through April 9th, you can enter to win a Stack and Shred form Swingline on Facebook.

Swingline Stack and Shred 60X Review: Hands Free Shredding is a post by Josh Smith from Notebooks.com.

One of the best parts of my home office setup is having two monitors. It’s a serious boon to productivity, helps me organize my desktop better, and keeps me from having to switch back and forth between windows all of the time. Whenever I travel I always lament the lack of second monitor on my laptop as I tediously work the Alt+Tab combo for every little thing. It must be an even bigger issue for people who spend more time on the road than I do.

The most obvious solution is to carry a travel monitor as well as a laptop. That comes with its own set of issues — they add even more weight and bulk, plus you have to keep track of another cord or two. And many USB monitors aren’t worth the hassle as they don’t perform well.

Is the $199 Lenovo ThinkVision LT1421 portable monitor any different? At 2.4 pounds (with the cover, 1.8 without) it’s not too heavy, but does it perform well enough to make it worth the weight?

Design

The ThinkVision features a 14-inch matte display and measures 13.2 x 8.6 x 0.85 inches, just a little larger than a MacBook Air (12.8 x 9 x 0.68 inches). It won’t take up too much space in a bag and, depending on the size of your notebook, may even be able to fit into the laptop compartment alongside it.

With the ThinkVision, you only have to keep track of three things: the monitor, the detachable cover, and the USB cord that both connects and powers it.

The cover serves double duty; it protects the screen during travel and provides a flat surface for the monitor when in use. It’s possible to use the ThinkVision without it, but it’s nice to have something sturdy and flat to sit it on. It’s useful on beds and small/cramped hotel desks.

It’s harder than it should be to snap the cover on sometimes, as it’s just one solid piece of plastic without snaps or flaps, but that’s a minor quibble.

On the back, the adjustable kickstand is sturdy enough to hold the monitor in a wide range of angles. The red, rubber tip also keeps it from sliding around or shifting, even if you do.

You’ll also find the brightness adjustment buttons on the back and the miniUSB port. The monitor comes with a Y split USB cable; miniUSB on one end, two normal USB 2.0 connectors on the other.

Performance

Despite having two USB connectors on the end, many users won’t have to take up two ports to get the ThinkVision LT1421 powered up. Some older laptops may not offer enough power in individual ports, but newer ones do. I tested the monitor on a MacBook Pro, the Acer Aspire Ethos, and the Samsung NF310. In each instance I only had to use one of the USB connections.

The matte display has a max resolution of 1366 x 768. Despite not being glossy, it has decent horizontal viewing angles. Vertical angles are narrower, but still not bad. The end result is that users won’t need to keep to a narrow sweet spot when placing the monitor.

Once connected and all drivers installed, each computer recognized the monitor right away and connected to it in under a minute. It registers just like a second monitor connected via VGA or HDMI with all of the same options, such as desktop mirroring or extending.

During testing, I didn’t note any lag, refresh, or performance issues with the LT1421. From playing 720p and 1080p video to moving windows between one screen and another, everything moved as smoothly as I’m used to.

The one drawback is the color depth. Overall, the ThinkVision displayed bright colors and deep blacks, but in images with color gradients I saw some pixilation. Transitions aren’t so smooth. This is really only a problem for people who work heavily with images — best to keep them on your notebook’s monitor. For web surfing, reading documents, etc., this isn’t very noticable.

Ease of Use and Setup

Before plugging in the monitor, users must install the DisplayLink drivers from the included CD or download them from Lenovo.com. Given that the audience for this product likely includes many ultraportable users (not to mention netbooks), I wish Lenovo had included the drivers on a USB drive instead of a CD.

After installation and a reboot, all users need to do is plug the monitor in. There are no extra utilities to worry about. To control the monitor, simply go to Windows’ or OSX’s normal monitor settings areas.

Who Is The ThinkVision LT1421 For?

As part of the Think line from Lenovo, the ThinkVision is obviously aimed at the business crowd. Business travelers, to be exact. Those who often find themselves in hotels, unfamiliar office spaces, or on the road. If having two monitors at home is your ideal setup, then this travel monitor makes a sweet addition to your kit.

The company also touts it as a good tool for presentations in a pinch — just aim the ThinkVision at your audience and keep your notebook’s screen turned toward you. If you’re traveling with a small ultraportable, having a larger display to watch movies on during your downtime is also nice.

However, given that it is the size and weight of a second notebook (an ultraportable, yes, but still), it may not be worth the hassle if you don’t travel a lot and only take the occasional business trip. However, being a person who falls into that camp myself, I would still consider buying one because the work I do when I travel for business is intense enough that having another monitor would make me so much more productive.

The Bottom Line

Given its excellent performance, I highly recommend the ThinkVision LT1421 to business travelers and power users. It’s light enough not to make a huge difference in your travel bag and won’t require an extra case or burden you with many more cords. The $199 price tag is reasonable, considering the benefits.

Lenovo ThinkVision LT1421 Portable Monitor Review is a post by K. T. Bradford from Notebooks.com.

The Griffin TechSafe Universal Cable Lock bills itself as a way to secure your laptop, even if it does not have the more traditional Kensington lock that most PCs use for security while out in public. Unfortunately, even though they call it “universal,” of the three notebooks I tried it with it only worked with one – the MacBook Pro. It did not work with my MacBook Air or a Toshiba Satellite L745 that I’m reviewing. However, it worked well on the MacBook Pro, and I think it would deter a would-be thief from swiping my computer while I use it out in public.

How It Works

The TechSafe Cable Lock has dial number combination locking system, like those you find on bike locks, connected to a very heavy steel cable that they coated with a hard rubber to make it smooth. You feed the cable around something heavy like a large table leg and fish the locking mechanism through a large eye at the end opposite the cable lock. The system comes with three metal clamps that you feed between the laptop’s lid and body.

The lock fastens to the clamp when you push the button to reveal a hook that grabs the end of the clamp as it protrudes from the back of the laptop. Release the button and the lock pulls the hook attached to the clamp inside the large metal lock.

Scramble the combination to set the lock.

Griffin TechSafe Cable Lock hooked up to MacBook Pro

I often use my computer at an Atlanta Break Company nearby. I’m nervous about leaving my computer to use the restroom or to get up and grab a refill of my Diet Pepsi. I also hate having to pack everything up just for a quick pitstop. The TechSafe Cable Lock would make a thief think twice before trying to steal your laptop.

No cable lock or Kensington lock will keep a determined thief with enough time and opportunity from stealing a laptop. But a device like the TechSafe Cable Lock will make them think twice and delay them enough to protect your computer.

Video Review

Not Universal Enough

The system seems to work well with those computers that are compatible. The cable won’t be cut easily. The lock system feels sturdy enough to do its job. My son claims to have seen a YouTube video on how to crack the combination on a lock like this. The good news I tried his system and it didn’t work! +1 for Griffin!

Unfortunately, as I said above, the TechSafe Cable Lock doesn’t work with two of the three laptops I tested it on. The company’s description makes it clear that the system won’t work with a MacBook Air. However, they list almost every other manufacturer saying:

The TechSafe cable lock fits a wide variety of PC laptops and netbooks, from Dell, Acer, HP, Lenovo, Toshiba, Asus, Sony and more. It’s also compatible with Apple’s most recent additions to the MacBook and MacBook Pro lineup.

It lists Toshiba, but I know that the Toshiba Satellite L745 I tested it with didn’t work. You can see that in the video review above. The reason? The gap between the lid and body of the computer is too wide for the metal clamp to stay in place if a thief grabs it and pulls even slightly. You will have to test it out on your system. Look at the gap between the lid and body. If yours is wide, find another solution or don’t leave your computer unattended, which is actually good advice no matter what.

If you have a MacBook or MacBook Pro I can assure you this will work and work well. It may be compatible with other computers that have a narrow space between the lid and body.

Cost and an Optional Accessory

The Griffin TechSafe Cable Lock costs $29.99 directly from Griffin. If you find that it will work with your system, then you might also want to try out the TechSafe Locking Security Clamp, which clamps to a table and has a place where you can run the cable from the Cable Lock to secure it. It costs $19.99, but is currently out of stock from Griffin.

Pros

• Strong lock
• Cable too think to cut
• Works with computers that don’t have Kensington Lock
• Can’t easily be “cracked” like some bike locks can
• Good price

Cons

• Not compatible with MacBook Air
• Computers with wide gap between lid and body are incompatible

Griffin’s TechSafe Cable Lock: Not Universal, But Certainly Secure is a post by Kevin Purcell from Notebooks.com.

Carrying an ultraportable notebook around in a giant bag defeats the purpose of going thin and light on short trips. Sure, a big bag is as good as the next when you want or need to take the kitchen sink with you, but when you want the essentials and nothing more, look at the Tom Bihn Ristretto Bag.

The Ristretto I reviewed is made for the MacBook, 13″MacBook Pro and 13″ MacBook Air. There is also a smaller version which is designed to fit the MacBook Air 11″ just right.

After using this Tom Bihn bag for a few trips and as a daily driver, I am impressed with the protection, comfort and ability to carry exactly what I want; without tempting me to take along more than I need.

At $120 this bag isn’t cheap, but as I recently told a college, it’s worth every penny. If you want a cheaper Macbook Air bag, check out the Timbik2 Quickie XS which Xavier just picked up at GottaBeMobile.

Protection

The notebook section of the Ristretto offers good protection thanks to a padded compartment, complete with a fold over lid that seals the top of the notebook in and keeps it protected as well. The padding carries over to the bottom of the bag, so you won’t ding up your Macbook Pro when you set the bag down.

There is a small amount of space ion between the padded notebook compartment which is just the right size for an iPad or an Android tablet. This area is not as padded, but I felt safe placing my tablet in this small section with the screen facing the padded notebook compartment.

As you move further away, you have a zippered compartment and an open area with pockets. I routinely kept a Macbook Air charger in the zipped compartment as well as a MiFi and a review phone in the other pockets. I was hesitant to keep the phone in these pockets because the top of the Ristretto buckles in place in one spot, leaving an open area, but during my use I didn’t drop anything I kept in these pockets.

The open area was empty for the first few days, but turned out to be just the right size for carrying my Nikon D5100 around town. This section isn’t padded, so I wouldn’t do this on a flight or without some additional layer of protection.

Carrying Power

As you can see, I was able to fit quite a bit of tech in a very small bag. The Tom Bihn Ristretto is one of my favorite notebook bags because it allows me to carry something very small, without feeling like I have to make choices about what I carry. Normally when I pick up a bag that is this size I end up switching to a bigger bag within 2 weeks, but as long as I am taking my Air with me, it’s in the Ristretto.

As you can see, I was able to fit quite a bit of tech in a very small bag. The Tom Bihn Ristretto is one of my favorite notebook bags because it allows me to carry something very small, without feeling like I have to make choices about what I carry. Normally when I pick up a bag that is this size I end up switching to a bigger bag within 2 weeks, but as long as I am taking my Air with me, it’s in the Ristretto.

Comfort

The small Ristretto is also comfortable to carry thanks to the upgraded shoulder strap. This option bumps the price up $150, but is worth it if you plan to carry as much gear as I do on a daily basis.

Recommendation

The Tom Bihn Ristretto for 13″ MacBooks offers a killer combination of size and well laid out storage space. At $120, it is well priced for the value it delivers. I would be hesitant to use the inner pockets for anything important if I had to put the bag flat through a scanner, but for any other situation they are deep enough to keep your gadgets safe. You can purchase the Tom Bihn Ristretto in several color combinations to suit your taste.

Tom Bihn Ristretto 13 MacBook Air 13″ Bag Gallery

Tom Bihn Ristretto Review: An Amazing MacBook Air Bag is a post by Josh Smith from Notebooks.com.

The Fitbit Tracker is a small clip that attaches to your clothing and monitors your activity throughout the day, creating a log of your walking, running and other activities — it can even monitor your sleep at night. All of this data get’s sent to the Fitbit Tracker website so you can analyze your activity level.

Fitbit Tracker display

The small device is about the size of a USB stick, so you hardly know it is there. When you get close to your computer (within 15 feet) the Fitbit Tracker will upload your current activity through the included base station. While you are out, the Fitbit Tracker shows you how you are doing by telling you your steps, calories burned, miles traveled and shows you a flower that grows as you are more active.

I  tested the Fitbit Tracker out for a the past month and a half and hardly noticed we had it on our clothing or in a pocket. It was interesting to see how active, or un-active, we were in a given day. Compared to RunKeeper, which is best used for a specific activity, the Fitbit Tracker is with you everywhere, giving you a better picture of your day. The small size makes it compatible with working out or just working.

Activity

Fitbit activity log

The Fitbit Tracker provided an accurate accounting of steps taken, and as long as you enter your height and weight correctly you should see a reliable accounting for distance traveled and calories burned. The distance was a little off, but you can make adjustments to this to fine tune the device. The Fitbit Tracker is not water-resistant, but you can add additional activities like swimming to the online tracking center.

Sleeping

Fitbit sleep tracker

At the end of the day, strap your Fitbit Tracker to your wrist with the included soft band and you can also track your sleep. I really enjoyed getting a better picture of my sleep habits, and it turns out I sleep better than I thought. The report lets you know how long it took to fall asleep, how long you were really asleep and grades your sleep. It takes a few nights to get used to the band, but after that, I didn’t notice it.

Data

All of this information is uploaded to the Fitbit Tracker website where you ca splice and dice your data to see how you are doing. You can track food intake and weight on the site, bringing all of your health information into one place that provides pretty ways to track your data.

If you want to dive deeper and get more comparisons to other people in your peer groups you can pay $50 for a premium membership. With this you can get a “trainer” which looks at your activity levels to help you be mor active or lose weight, dive deep into your data, compare to other users and track your progress against custom goals.

Mobile Access

There is no mobile app, but you can see your progress on a slick webapp that works on the iPhone, iPad and Android devices. Keep in mind that you won’t see your most up to date data while on the go, because your Fitbit Tracker needs to be near the base station to upload your activity.

Battery Life

The Fitbit Tracker has a self-contained battery which lasts 7 to 10 days. We found that it was almost always closer to 10 days, and gave us plenty of warning so we could recharge the device overnight.

Downside

FitBit Tracker size comparison

As I mentioned, the device is really small. Combine this with the fact that it is meant to be worn on your clothing and taken everywhere and you have the potential for a big problem. While we didn’t lose the Fitbit Tracker during an activity, there was more than one time where it ended up in the laundry basket after a late evening walk.

fitbit on pocket

Unfortunately, last week I didn’t remember to get it off my shorts quick enough and ran it through the wash. The Fitbit Tracker will turn on, but no longer holds a charge. If you Google, “Fitbit washing machine,” you’ll see that this is a common occurrence.

If you happen to send your Fitbit through the wash, or damage it in some way, you can get a replacement for $49.99 by emailing support@fitbit.com. This won’t keep your Fitbit safe, but it is better than buying a new Fitbit Tracker at full price.

The only other issue I ran into was that a bump would sometimes activate the “trip” mode, but this didn’t appear to affect tracking as a whole.

Is the Fitbit Tracker worth $99

During my time with the Fitbit I enjoyed the tracking and I am certain other data and fitness geeks will as well. Because it can track all aspects of your fitness and sleep automatically and allows you to log your intake the Fitbit Tracker is definitely worth the $99 price.

The only real downside we found was that the device is not able to take a trip through the washer. Most gadgets can skip this, but one that is designed to be attached to clothing every day should be a little more resilient.

Before you start using the Fitbit Tracker, look over Fitbit Tracker 101 and the product manual, otherwise you may wonder why the Fitbit Tracker is flashing at you suddenly.

If you love to analyze aspects of your life the Fitbit Tracker is a fun, automatic way to track your activity and sleep habits and worth the $99. I do recommend that you find a spot to put your Fitbit Tracker each evening when you grab a shower so that you don’t accidentally send it through the wash like I did.

Fitbit Tracker Review: Small and Awesome Fitness Tracker is a post by Josh Smith from Notebooks.com.

Cloud services may be quickly replacing run of the mill thumbdrives, but Mimobots are no ordinary thumbdrives. These incredibly detailed drives come in a variety of designs from Hello Kitty to Star Wars and are portable enough to take with you as a fanboy or fangirl badge of honor.

Mimobots thumbdrives come in a variety of characters.

The Mimobot drives range in capacity from 2GB to 16GB and start at $22.95 for the 2GB models. The higher capacity drives can run up to $59.95. The USB drives are more expensive than your run of the mill drive, but you get a work of art instead of a piece of plastic.

Mimobot Open

Mimobot sent over a collection of super heroes and villians for us to test out, including The Joker, Batman, Hal Jordan and R2D2. These drives include detailed faces and realistic looking attire for each character. Each drive has a similar shape, but a unique look for the character from dark and twisted to bright and clean, depending on who the drive looks like.

The front has curves to give definition and there are even tiny arms on the side of each character. The rear is smooth and pretty flat so that you can plug the drive into most USB ports. To get to the port, just pull of the head of your superhero.

The USB drives are well constructed and haven’t shown any wear while carried loose in our bag over the past few weeks. If you are concerned about scratching, pick up a Spacesuit for $6 which will protect your Mimobot while it is on the road. Transfer speeds are pretty standard for a USB 2.0 drive.

Mimobots make a fun gift for comic and science fiction fans. There is a price premium, but it is worth it for fans of DC Comics, Hello Kitty, Star Wars, Transformers and other characters. You can find the drives at Mimoco.com and specialty retailers across the U.S.

Mimobot Review: Fun Thumbdrives With Character is a post by Josh Smith from Notebooks.com.

G-Form offers the Extreme Sleeve for Laptops to protect your notebook from drops and bumps. While it doesn’t look like it can keep your computer safe when dropped from 20 feet, it can thanks to some cool case design and surprising materials.

G-Form got their start protecting elbows and knees with their sporting goods line. They applied that experience making pads for the body to making a case for notebooks and the iPad. The result is the Extreme Sleeve, available for laptops and the iPad 1 or 2.

The company grabbed attention when they posted a few videos on YouTube: one of them dropping a bowling ball on an iPad, and one of them dropping the iPad from a plane and the other of them dropping a MacBook Pro off a 20-foot porch. The sleeves protected both machines without a scratch, dent or crack.

We thought that was amazing and wanted to put the sleeve case to the test. We reached out to G-Form, who sent us one of each color of their laptop cases to test.

Our Tests

The laptop sleeve works and looks cool doing it. While we were not willing to drop a bowling ball on our MacBook, we did repeatedly drop it on many surfaces: including a table top from about two feet high. When the MacBook survived we got more daring and dropped it on a carpeted floor from about four feet.

Confidence building, we dropped it on a concrete floor and outside on a driveway. That last one was an accident, actually. The good news is that the computer survived every drop without a scratch. Some commentators asked if the case would survive if dropped on a corner. G-Form said that it would and we can confirm that. When we dropped the computer on a driveway by accident, it didn’t land flat on the bottom but hit on the DVD side of the computer. When a smaller surface hits there is more force focused on that spot, but the case did its job and the MacBook still works. I’m using it to write this.

While the case is not water proof it is water-resistant. If you get stuck in a rain storm or spill a small amount of Coke you will be okay.

Extreme Sleeve looks like American Gladiator body armour

How it Works

The outer material looks like the body armour you would see in an episode of American Gladiators. It is the design and pattern that does the work. When the case’s PORON XRD material comes in contact with something like a bowling ball or a floor it absorbs the blow and stiffens instantly. Even though it is soft to the touch it suddenly becomes rigid, protecting whatever you have inside the case.

Description of the Sleeve

The sleeve is a zippered case with a soft interior to keep from scratching your equipment. The outside is soft and feels good. It doesn’t have a plastic feel but rather a smooth finish that is easy to keep clean (it can be wiped off with a wet rag or towel). The pattern looks cool too. We were given a yellow and black sample and prefered the black, but can see the appeal of the bright yellow for those who like to draw attention to their machine.

Recommendation and Pricing

We can recommend the case without many reservations. But keep in mind this is a simple sleeve case and our 15″ MacBook Pro was a snug fit. We usually carry around a charger and mouse when we travel. You can’t do that with the G-Form Extreme Sleeve. They don’t fit. If your computer is thicker than a MacBook Pro it won’t fit either. The case is available in sizes and prices as follows:

• 11-inch – $69.95
• 13-inch – $79.95
• 15-inch – $79.95

Those with a 17-inch computer or very thick 15-inch machine need not bother since they don’t make one larger than 15 inches.

Pros

• Excellent protection against drops and bumps
• Soft interior protection from scratching
• Fits perfectly on MacBook Pro
• Looks Cool
• Easy to clean

Cons

• No room for accessories
• No 17-inch model
• Won’t fit computers thicker than a MacBook Pro

G-Form Extreme Sleeve Review: Looks & Acts Like Body Armor is a post by Kevin Purcell from Notebooks.com.

The HP WiFi Mobile mouse is a new portable mouse from HP that doesn’t need a dongle or Bluetooth to connect to your computer. Instead, it connects directly to your computer over WiFi. Not only does this mean you don’t need to plug in a USB dongle, but you also don’t have to deal with finicky Bluetooth pairing procedures.

The HP WiFi Mobile Mouse retails for $49. 99 and is available starting today from HP.

Connection Process

Instead of figuring out how your notebook’s specific version of Bluetooth pairing software works, or messing around with a dongle and multiple connect buttons, the HP WiFi Mobile mouse is a set it and forget it mouse. HP was able to make the WiFi pairing process simple to set up and best of all, once we set it up, we didn’t have to do it over and over again, like you do with many Bluetooth mice.

When you hear WiFi mouse, you might be worried you can’t use the mouse when you aren’t connected to the Internet, but don’t. The mouse connects directly to the WiFi card on your notebook, so you can use it anywhere as long as you have your notebook WiFi card turned on.

Design

The HP WiFi Mobile Mouse fits nicely in the palm of a standard size hand for comfortable use. You wouldn’t want to use it for 8 hours every day, but it is just right for use on the go.

The mouse has more buttons than we normally see on a mobile mouse with a total of 5, including dedicated forward and back buttons on the left and right now.

Usability

The HP WiFi Mobile Mouse handled well in our monthly of testing with several notebooks. The mouse is accurate and if you need to make a change, you can increase the resolution of the sensor to handle different surfaces and sensitivity needs.

The buttons can be customized to handle numerous tasks. You can’t set button customizations on a per program basis, but there are plenty of options to set the button actions to.

The scroll wheel is also decent and customizable in terms of how many lines each movement should scroll on screen.

Conclusion

The HP WiFi Mobile Mouse is a great choice for users sick of pairing and repairing Bluetooth mice and dealing with lost dongles on their portable mice. The connection process is straightforward and unlike Bluetooth, it’s hard to find a notebook without built in WiFi.

The HP WiFi Mobile mouse may be more expensive than some Bluetooth competition, but the easy setup, pairing that doesn’t quit, small comfortable size and 5 mouse buttons make it well worth the premium.

Pros:

• Long battery life
• WiFi connection means no dongles
• No need to re-pair on each connection
• Comfortable size

Cons:

• Pricier than entry level mice

HP WiFi Mobile Mouse Gallery

HP WiFi Mobile Mouse Review: No Dongles or Re-Pairing Needed is a post by Josh Smith from Notebooks.com.