Articles about Peripheral

I'm a big fan of tenkeyless keyboards, which come without the number pad on the right side. Since I don't use those keys (I use the top row of numbers instead), it allows me to save space on my desk. Why have a number pad take up valuable desk space?

Taking things even further, there are "60 percent" keyboards that remove everything from the right of the enter key (arrow keys, insert, print screen, etc). Instead, it maps those as function options on other keys. These keyboards save even more space, all while looking rather cool too. Now, Razer is launching its own 60 percent gaming keyboard. Called "Huntsman Mini" it comes with two options for optical switches -- clicky and linear. And yes, they feature RGB lighting.

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No matter how great a computer is, if you have a bad mouse and/or keyboard, you are going to have a bad time. In the past, I have purchased cheap mice that offer phantom clicks and low-quality keyboards that don't register key-presses, and holy cow, it is extremely frustrating. I learned my lesson, and now only buy quality input devices.

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Kingston Technology's gaming brand, HyperX, is mostly known for catering to PC gamers. Today, however, the company is launching a new product for console gamers. To be more specific, the new wireless headset, called "CloudX Flight," is designed for the Xbox One.

Truth be told, it is not an entirely new product. It is simply an Xbox version of the existing Cloud Flight headset -- notice the lack of "X" after Cloud? But hey, it is still cool. You get the same specs and 30 hours of battery life, but this time, it has a stylish green paint job.

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Quality computer hardware doesn't have to cost an arm and a leg. Sure, some gamers and enthusiasts will gladly spend over $100 on a mouse or headset, for example, but many consumers wouldn't. After all, computers are quite inexpensive these days. A quality device used to cost thousands of dollars, while today, a decent machine can be had for less than $500. It would be quite foolish to spend $100 for a keyboard if your PC cost, say, $300.

Today, Logitech launches a keyboard and mouse combo for the "everyman." The "MK470," as it is called, is comprised of a slim keyboard and elegant mouse -- both are wireless and are designed to be quiet. They use a single USB dongle between them, meaning only one USB-A port will be taken up. Both are powered by AAA batteries, but Logitech promises they will last a very long time -- a year and a half for the mouse, and an insane three years for the keyboard! That will vary based on usage, of course. Best of all, it is ridiculously affordable.

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If you are a road warrior that spends a lot of time in the car, you know how essential a quality charger can be. Low cost car chargers from little-known manufacturers may work, but not necessarily well. For instance, I have had many cheap chargers die after less than a week of use -- sometimes within a day. Even more often, despite the listed specifications, it can't charge fast enough to maintain battery life during heavy use. In other words, even though my phone is charging, the battery percentage still goes down -- albeit slower than not charging at all.

Ultimately, I learned the hard way, when it comes to chargers, you should always aim for one made by a quality manufacturer. One such company is Satechi, and today, it launches an impressive 72W Type-C PD Car Charger. Don't worry, it also has a USB-A port. In fact, those 72 watts are shared between the two. In addition, the company unveils a new Apple MFi Certified USB-C to Lightning Cable for iPhone and iPad users.

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PC gaming doesn't have to be an expensive affair, but if you are a hardcore gamer, you will have no problem finding ways to part with your money. Forget just buying the games themselves -- there will always be new graphics cards and faster solid state drives, for example, to offer superior performance. Not to mention, there are accessories too, such as mice, keyboards, headsets, and more.

Today, Logitech G unveils what it claims is something many consumers have requested -- a wireless version of its popular G502 mouse. Called "G502 LIGHTSPEED," it has RGB lighting, adjustable weights, up to 16,000 DPI, and fast-scrolling. As the product name implies, it leverages Logitech's proprietary "LIGHTSPEED" wireless technology, reducing lag and allowing it to outperform some wired mice. It is also compatible with the company's POWERPLAY mouse pad, which allows the mouse to wirelessly charge while in use.

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Speed, accuracy and weight are all important factors when it comes to gaming mice, and this is something Logitech has taken into account over the two years it spent designing and building the Logitech G PRO Wireless Gaming Mouse.

Using LIGHTSPEED wireless technology, Logitech says that it is able to offer a lag-free gaming experience -- something which is generally not possible with a wireless mouse. Logitech is keen to point out that more than 50 professional gamers were involved in the design of this ambidextrous mouse and claims it is "the only wireless solution that provides pro grade performance and is actively used in tournament play by top professionals".

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Logitech has announced its first ever vertical mouse. Appropriately named the MX Vertical, the device is described as the company's "most advanced ergonomic mouse".

Available in any color you want, so long as that color is black, the MX Vertical has been designed to eliminate wrist pain by enabling you to use it with what Logitech says is "a natural handshake position". Oh... and it looks a bit weird.

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I first reviewed Woojer three years ago when it was a matchbox-sized subwoofer that could be worn in a choice of ways -- in the center of your chest, the base of your spine, or against your hipbone or collarbone. Since then, the product has undergone a massive change, and is now a large, adjustable strap which you wear across your body (there’s also a vest version).

Despite having changed form significantly, the idea behind Woojer remains the same -- which is to help you feel sound, not just hear it.

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The latest device to be announced by Logitech is the Logitech Craft keyboard -- a wireless keyboard with a dial that's remarkably similar to the Surface Dial. It's so similar, in fact, that it's hard to imagine that Microsoft's lawyers aren't stroking their chins and wondering what to do.

Logitech refers to the new hardware as an "advanced keyboard with creative input dial," and the main target audience is people working with Photoshop or other design ventures. Of course, the company wants to appeal to as many people as possible, and points out that the dial -- known as the Crown -- is also useful in the likes of Word and Excel.

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Microsoft unveiled a new keyboard last month, designed specifically for Windows 10 users. It's called Modern Keyboard with Fingerprint ID, and, just like its name suggests, it features a built-in fingerprint sensor that works with Windows Hello.

Microsoft did not reveal exactly when the Modern Keyboard with Fingerprint ID would be available, only saying that it is "coming soon." Well, that time has come, as the keyboard is now available in the US.

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When you buy a laptop nowadays, it is becoming much more common for it to only have USB-C ports. While you can thank Apple for leading the way with its MacBook line of laptops, plenty of Windows PC manufacturers are following suit. This is wise, as it future-proofs your computer while giving the ability to connect to legacy devices (if needed) with low-cost dongles. Microsoft has infamously omitted USB Type-C from its Surface devices, which may cause pain to consumers in the future.

If you have already invested in one of these USB-C-only machines, there are two dongles that are definitely worth buying to keep in your bag -- USB-C to HDMI and USB-C to USB-A. Some users may need an Ethernet adapter too. Satechi has two new USB-C to HDMI options -- an adapter (dongle) and a cable. Both appear very well made and are quite affordable. Best of all, not only do the products offer 4K output, but at the much desired 60Hz. Despite being sold in color options that match Apple's laptops, the adapters will work fine with both Windows and Linux too.

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Earlier today, Microsoft quietly unveiled a cool new product. Called "Microsoft Modern Keyboard with Fingerprint ID," it is designed for Windows Hello -- the biometic login feature found in Windows 10. It features Bluetooth 4.0/4.1 and a wireless range of up to 50 feet.

The weird thing about the product is that it has what Microsoft calls a "hidden" fingerprint scanner. I call this odd because the scanner is literally in a key with a fingerprint label on it! In other words, it is hiding in plain sight. It seems Microsoft is proud that the reader itself is "hidden" underneath the key, but since it is labeled as such, I don't know why that matters.

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Mechanical keyboards are excellent for many tasks, but for some reason, they have recently become largely associated with gaming only. This is a shame, as typists can benefit greatly from a quality mechanical keyboard. There is no reason that office workers should be made to suffer through using low-quality keyboards.

Apparently, Logitech wasn't happy with these keyboards only being designed for, and marketed to, gamers. Today, the company unveils a new conservatively designed mechanical keyboard for office use. The K840, as it is called, is devoid of flashy lights and colors, making it more appropriate for a business setting.

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There is no shortage of gaming peripherals nowadays, and today, Corsair is introducing yet another to the market. The company's latest mouse, which is simply called "GLAIVE," is a wired affair. As with many gaming peripherals, it features RGB lighting for a fun and customized experience.

What makes GLAIVE particularly cool is that it has replaceable thumb grips, so the user can find the best grip for themselves. Making the change is really simple too, as it connects with magnets. The optical DPI sensor can even be set to an insane 16,000 DPI. Your settings can move with you, as it has on-board memory for storing profiles.

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