A Workspace Makeover
Your desktop doesn't have to be drab.
Published December 2006
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BUY A REPRINTWhen most of us think about technology, we tend to think about the desktop computer. But what about the desktop itself? Not the virtual one on your monitor that you stare at all day, but the physical one that your monitor rests on. Chances are you spend a lot of time at your desk. Have you given thought to sprucing it up lately? If you spend much of your life on a chair, at the desk, on the phone, looking at a screen (and these days, that describes most of us), a few key items can make the experience more pleasant, your workspace more stylish, and you more productive. Plus, it's always nice to buy yourself a new toy. Here are a few small things that can make a big difference.
Best for... More flexible navigating
Perific Wireless Dual Mouse
What it is: A new kind of navigational tool that transforms your hand into a computer mouse.
Why it's cool: Designed to fit on, rather than in, your hand, Perific's mouse requires neither cables nor a mousepad. In other words, it's a mouse that frees you from your desktop, allowing you to lean back, put your feet on your desk, and click away. It also works as a standard mouse with trackball on your desktop. If you use the Windows Media Center, the mouse can function as a remote control for your television.
Drawbacks: By now, operating a mouse is second nature to most of us. Using the Perific mouse requires some readjusting. It's also more expensive than standard-issue computer mouses.
Price: $129
Best for... Cutting the cables
Bluetooth USB Adapter, 100 meter
What it is: A USB adapter that lets you connect your computer wirelessly to peripherals such as printers, cell phones, and MP3 players using the Bluetooth short-range wireless protocol.
Why it's cool: Imagine what your desk would look like without that tangle of cables and wires running to the printer, the mouse, the scanner, etc. Belkin's device makes that possible. It supports up to seven external devices.
Drawbacks: Those devices have to be Bluetooth-capable, which could mean that you need to buy new versions of all your peripherals to get the full benefit. Adding any wireless technology brings with it security questions.
Price: $49.99
Best for... Storing your data
Brando USB MP3 Pen + FM Radio + Voice Recorder
What it is: A digital storage device that's also a pretty nice pen. It allows you to take notes, record your thoughts, store your computer files, and play music.
Why it's cool: It can store at least 32 hours of dictation or other spoken audio, or can play back more than seven hours worth of MP3s. Or use it to take files home from the office without lugging around your laptop. It weighs about an ounce and a half (slightly more than an iPod Nano).
