We are all somewhat star struck and bedazzled by new technology and novelty versions of computer peripherals that already exist. When it comes to actually purchasing the hardware in question though, it can be a tough choice between something that will be a funny desktop item in the computer for about five minutes and a classic design that will have co-workers green with envy. Being able to make this distinction when purchasing hardware as a gift for friends and colleagues is even more important, as quite often these products do not come cheap, even if they look like they have been bought at the Sunday market for a pound! Here we review three items of hardware that could be adorning office desks around the world, and in our opinion, only one is worthy of gracing the desks of us happy tech-heads! The first item up for review is something that has been so politically correctly named "keyboard for blondes". This name surely gives you an immediate impression of what this item of computer candy looks like. Yes, it is pink; yes it is two shades of pink; yes, it is the most Barbie pinks of pink you can imagine. It also a unique set of keys that have all been re-labelled to aid the office blondes in their instant messaging activities, or in communicating with IT geeks. The ALT key is re-names 'the useless one', the space bar has become 'the big one' and some of the keys have corresponding emoticons on. The cherry atop the cake is the addition of downloadable software for sound effects to match the appropriate keys. Some in our office were quite rightly insulted by such a vile gimmick, and yet others though it was cute. We think they will change their mind if it arrived in their secret Santa gift bag! Next is the Jupiter Spherical Wooden Mouse. This has been voted a must-have, need, want, will-steal-from-my-own-grandmother too get it item in the office today. By incorporating an accelerometer into a wooden ball, which has been wonderfully shaped into a sphere from Chinese Flowering Ash, we are able to have office hardware with a difference. You can keep your laser flashing trackballs with 10 billion dpi sensitivity; this mouse tracks movement in mid air and is a welcome break from ten tonnes of pc plastic. Unfortunately it costs almost as much as a used car, and is not wireless, which given its spherical form, is a damn shame. Finally we bring for your consideration the Keyboard and Mouse made from real wood. Do not be deceived by the lack of plastic equating to a tasteful bit of hardware. In fact, we are astonished that someone out there has managed to use the beauty of an organic material to create a keyboard and mouse that is as tacky as a Barbie pink set for blondes! The difference is, while the Keyboard for Blondes is meant as a tongue in cheek girlie gadget, the wooden set is so definitely trying to be a classy addition to the boss's office. Just because it's wood, it don't make it good - keep vigilant dear office monkeys and don't let the gadgets sweep you away with their novelty value!
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