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The current market is not short of attractive and stylish-looking keyboards. Brands like Razer, Everglide and Aevoe Moshi have their own good-looking keyboards equipped with various functions. However, Logitech's latest multimedia keyboard is the undisputed pinnacle of multimedia technology crafted into a functional yet stunningly elegant keyboard - Logitech diNovo Edge Bluetooth Wireless Keyboard.

First impressions matter a lot to me and judging by first impressions alone, the diNovo Edge trumps all competition. Crafted from a single slab of Plexiglass and then mounted on a sleek aluminum frame, it has truly breathtaking design. It sports a very attractive glossy black finish on the keyboard main pane and also a sleek aluminum palm support. Beware though; the glossy panel attracts more fingerprint smudges than you ever thought possible. The Edge is only 11mm thick but is sturdy, considering how delicate it looks. Also, instead of the conventional number pad on the right, Logitech replaced it with a circular 'TouchDisc'. It functions basically in a similar fashion to laptop touchpads, with the striking difference being that it is circular. Although this may seem strange, the TouchDisc is rather friendly to use, not for just moving your cursor, but also to scroll documents.

This keyboard has an edge (pun intended) over rival keyboards as it is one of the rare rechargeable wireless keyboards. The diNovo Edge is a Bluetooth-operated keyboard, with a range of a good 30 metres. Installation is a breeze - just plug in the USB Bluetooth receiver into your PC and you can start typing. The rechargeable stand of the Edge is also crafted to be an ornament. During charging, it holds up the Edge vertically a la an exhibition display. A solid 2 hours of charging can allow the Edge to function for more than a month on moderate usage.

Each of the keys has up to 10 million keystrokes and the each individual is equipped with Logitech's PerfectStroke technology. Typing on the Edge requires getting used to though, due to the ultra slim profile, the keys do not travel by much when depressed. It was also disorientating initially to be typing on such a low ascent. This is not that much of a hindrance compared to the TouchDisc and other touchpad functions. The sensitivity of the TouchDisc and touch-sensitive volume control is diametrically opposite to that of the Razer Lycosa's. While there were many complaints about the Lycosa's touch panel being hypersensitive, I anticipate the equal amount of complaints about the diNovo Edge's touch panel being too insensitive. One would assume that the TouchDisc would do away with the need for a mouse, however, the TouchDisc was overwhelmingly cumbersome to use. Just to move the cursor from one end of the screen to the other required 3 full brushes across the diameter of the TouchDisc. The concept of this touch panel on the diNovo Edge is indeed creative and innovative, but it is a downright annoyance to use.

The other significant reason why the diNovo Edge is not as popular in real life than in concept is the extravagant cost. With a US$200 price tag (or thereabouts), it is a greatly prohibitive price for the average user. Furthermore, for such a price, I would have expected Logitech to further refine their touch-sensitive interface. Also, I felt that the inclusion of backlight illumination for the keys would have boosted its reputation as an all-rounded multimedia keyboard exponentially. For regular typists, you would do better off with a lower-end Logitech keyboard. For gamers, a keyboard from the Razer family would be much more practical; besides, I would not want to subconsciously pound away at my delicate Edge keys during intense gameplay.

For the fashion savvy, who wish to use this in the study as well as the living room, US$200 would be a reasonable price for a flashy and decently functional keyboard. Just remember, do yourself a favour and buy yourself a Logitech Bluetooth mouse along with the Logitech diNovo Edge Bluetooth Wireless Keyboard.

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Plantronics is a California-based electronics hardware company that is renowned for its electronic communication headsets, known for their dexterity and portability. You might not have heard of Plantronics, but the famous words "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind" said by Neil Armstrong were transmitted through a Plantronics headset. Plantronics equipped the first astronaut to land on the moon with their advanced lightweight headset. As such, it would not be unreasonable to expect quality sound and performance from its Gamecom 1 Gaming Headset.

When I first got the Plantronics Gamecom 1 Gaming Headset, I had high hopes for it, since Plantronics is a global market leader in audio peripheral. The looks itself certainly did not disappoint. The Gamecom 1 has a sleek metallic and matte finishing, with large ear cups surrounded by generous rubber padding. It is equipped with a very basic volume control that allows adjusting of volume and a simplistic bass control. Although nothing as refined as a Razer or Logitech product, this headset is still pleasing to the eye. Also, wearing the headset is rather comfortable, with an adjustable double head strap.

The most immediate feature about the Gamecom 1 you will realize after donning one is how remarkably lightweight it is. After using the Razer Barracuda for some time, this headset felt almost weightless. It fits snugly and provides satisfactory noise-reducing capabilities from the background. Due to it being so lightweight, it is very comfortable to wear. Sometimes, during gaming, I do not even recall that I am actually wearing a headset. The headset features a microphone that is fully extended. I actually prefer this over shorter versions of microphones found in other headsets, as I do want that reassuring feel that the mic is directly in front of my mouth so I would not have to yell unnecessarily.

For a headset that costs only about US$20, the Gamecom 1 produces a surprisingly good quality of sound. Under normal usage conditions, sounds are clear and crisp and I was pleasantly surprised to note that there was not much discernible difference in quality with expensive headsets like the Barracuda (a good US$100 more). However, unlike the multiple drivers present in the Barracuda, the Gamecom 1 sounds distorted and scratchy at high levels of volume. Furthermore, the bass sounds weak and lacks the resounding quality that a good bass should possess. The microphone, though, transmits clearly and audible, much thanks to the noise-cancellation feature as well. Do note though, that the microphone has known compatibility issues with games like Battlefield 2. Installation is a breeze; it's simply plug-and-play via one USB port. The Gamecom 1 however, is not compatible with most sound cards as it is considered a plug-and-play headset.

For a price of S$20, this counts as one of the best in the market of budget gaming/music headsets. Sound quality is sufficient for light gaming and music that is not bass-intensive. However, this headset is not high on versatility and should be used solely for light gaming/music purposes. Do not bother trying to watch an action movie with the Plantronics Gamecom 1 Gaming Headset.

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It is a known fact that Razer has dominated the market for gaming mice, and they look poised to roll out yet another high-precision gaming mouse. However, they have attempted to cross over into another field of computer gaming hardware with the release of the Razer Barracuda HP-1 Gaming Headphones. This is a specialized headset for gaming and intended for use specifically with the Barracuda AC-1 Sound Card (but can be used separately).

Looks-wise, Razer products have never disappointed me. The recurring Razer theme is giving the products a mean and fearsome look, throwing in some slick and stylish finishing. The Barracuda is no exception. The headset is entirely black, down to cables and control, with the distinctive Razer snake trademark in blue LED on the outside of the muffs. The cables have a special Razer HD-DAI (High Definition-Dedicated Audio Interface) to fit only into the Barracuda sound card. Fortunately, Razer also equipped the headset with an adapter to function with other sound cards. The Barracuda sports a small microphone which is detachable when not in use.

The soft padded ear cups make wearing the Razer Barracuda a comfort. Even after long hours of wear while playing Warcraft III, there was totally no discomfort. The head strap is self-adjusting and fits snugly to the frame of your head. The Barracuda comes with an in-line remote control for adjusting volume. This volume control is similar to that found on speaker systems - you can control output from the front, rear, side, centre and bass. This opens up much freedom for users to explore and customize to fully enjoy the audio aspect of watching movies or gaming.

In the performance field, the Barracuda's sound quality is something Razer can be proud of. Though not known for products in the audio department, Razer has sculpted the Barracuda to be a fine gaming headset. When used during movies or games, the Barracuda produces clear and crisp sounds. The surround sound quality is evidently present and considerably realistic, especially during games. There is no distortion of sound even when the volume is tuned up significantly. One aspect that fell short was the bass. The bass makes a rather significant presence during usage, however, it lacks that oompf factor. Of course I was not expecting similar bass quality from a 5.1 speaker system, but the bass range was lower than I expected. Furthermore, playing dance and techno music at higher volumes, the bass did not have that resounding adrenaline-inducing effect and it sounded quite hollow. Good enough for gaming, but the Barracuda's bass will not provide a satisfactory listening experience when bass-intensive music is chosen. The detachable microphone does an excellent job of transmitting dialogue clearly, thanks to Razer's noise-cancellation technology. You will not need to be forced to yell into the mic at close range for this set of gear.

One thing to note is that, although the head strap is self-adjusting, you are not able to adjust it manually. The Barracuda resembles slip-on loafers in this respect. This means that some users will definitely face problems; those with a smaller head circumference will find it loose and unable to tighten to headset, while those with a bigger head width will find the headset too tight, pressing too hard on the ears. As usual, the downside of the Barracuda HP-1, like all other Razer products, is that hefty price tag. Retailing for approximately US$120, this is not something the casual gamer can afford. Furthermore, at US$120, one can actually get a set of above-average speaker systems from Creative or even Altec Lansing. The speaker sets may not guarantee better sound quality, but it will definitely product much better bass and eliminates the discomfort of having to wear a headset. If you are looking for a high-end headset for music, movies or gaming, and if you do not have any financial limitations, the Razer Barracuda HP-1 Gaming Headset would be a valuable asset.

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Swanky, flamboyant and overwhelmingly powerful; these are but a few superlatives that can be used in close association. The Alienware Area-51 Gaming Desktop series is unparalleled in the gaming industry with its monstrous quad-core processor units, multiple graphics processing cards and 4GB of computer memory. With this machine, eliminate all problems encountered during games or other graphic intensity activities - the performance of this machine is guaranteed to leave you awed.

Performance-wise, the raw specifications of the Alienware Area-51 ALX SLI are unbeatable. The quad-core processing system utilized by the computer is not just normal quad-core Intel Core2Quad setup but is Core2Extreme running at 3.3GHz. This processor provides highly-threaded processor performance suitable for multimedia applications. With this killer processor, problems of stalling, lagging and slow loading become extinct. This is ideal not only for gaming, but also users who require simultaneous running of various programs. Furthermore, this processing unit is, by default, overclocked to run at higher speeds. This overclocking is done at the factory by Alienware technicians and is certified stable; this will also not affect warranty status of the machine.

The most prominent and breath-taking feature, however, is the triple SLI graphics card setup. SLI setup basically means linking up multiple graphics processor units together in a CPU to get a multiple-fold performance boost in the graphics and video department. Right now, high-end gaming computers from other manufacturers like Asus or Dell only make use of a dual-SLI setup. This dual-SLI setup is already considered a very high end configuration and can easily support any video intensive programs on the market. Now imagine, THREE video cards working simultaneously. This is a total of 2.3GB of dedicated video memory. My single GeForce 8800GT has only 512MB of video memory and it is supposed to be considered of a higher-end in the graphics card market. Of course, the performance of the SLI setup depends on what kind of cards are being utilized in the setup but again Alienware is generous in dishing out the best products for its customers. The default cards that come along are GeForce 8800 Ultras, which are already top-notch graphics processing units by themselves.

Like the Area-51 m15x Gaming Laptop, this computer system is fully customizable as well. From the casing on the exterior, to the internal parts of the CPU, each and every part can be adjusted to suit the user's liking. However, beware - each and every upgrade will be charged appropriately and expectedly, no Alienware components come cheap. Some components, I feel are overcharged, for example the graphics cards. You are actually paying for the installation and brand name of Alienware. This machine is vastly superior to the m15x as SLI is impossible to achieve in the confined spaces of a laptop. This should be the automatic gamer's choice as it has absolutely everything needed in a computer.

This machine comes with some astounding technical specifications. There is not one complaint regarding function and workings of the computer. However affordability is one big question mark here. With prices starting from US$4,299, it is a huge investment to make, even for hardcore gamers. This already excludes half or more of the market, since there are so many gamers who have limited or no income. This may possibly be the dream gaming machine for most, but like a Ferrari, most will never touch one, let alone own one. Alienware Area-51 ALX Gaming Desktop is one awesome gaming appliance, but insanely impractical.

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One thing I appreciate about the quality of products of homegrown brands is that it usually does not let me down. I have used several Creative products over the years - keyboards, mice and even MP3 players. My most recent aquisition is no exception, and I have been very pleased with the audio quality of the Creative Inspire M5300 5.1 speaker set.

As with other Creative products, this product is competitively-priced. Juxtaposed with other equivalent 5.1 surround sound speaker systems, the Inspire M5300 is a good buy. This is especially so after hearing the sounds that it produces. It is retailing now at S$150, which is approximately US$90. This is one cost-effective set of home theatre entertainment system!

Coinciding with the launch of its Audigy sound cards, the Inspire 5.1 was touted as one of the wallet-friendly home entertainment systems available on the market. Even when used with a computer for both gaming and entertainment purposes, this is considered a quality but affordable speaker set, especially when used with a compatible sound card. This stylish speaker set is ideal for use in a medium-sized room for computer usage. The 5 speakers can be distributed to provide even surround sound. According to Creative, best performance can be obtained when used in conjunction with an Audigy sound card.

Installation is a breeze. All the speakers, firstly, have to be cabled to the subwoofer. Next the subwoofer has to be jacked to the on-board sound card for a computer. The jacks are colour-coded so there need not be any worries about plugging the wrong jack into the slots. Using the sound card software on the computer (even non-Creative sound cards), performance of the speakers can be tweaked to the user's preference to maximize audio enjoyment. This set even comes with a wired remote control with a power switch. The master volume and balance of the speakers can be adjusted from the remote, which can be placed in a convenient location, saving the need of having to search out the satellite speaker or subwoofer to adjust volume.

Quality-wise, the Creative Inspire M5300 delivers a decent but not brilliant performance. The subwoofer actually lacks the depth in sound; it does not have that powerful resonating feel. Turning up the bass helps, but tweak it too high and risk the sound quality becoming 'echo-ish'. The subwoofer of the JBL Invader 4.1 system actually performs better than this one. With regards to the satellite speakers, they perform up to standard, providing clear and resounding tones. However, turning up the volume more than 75% will cause significant distortion to sound quality, but this is forgivable in my opinion. Usually, users would not need to tune the volume up that high.

Looks-wise, the Creative Inspire M5300 is a stylish set of speakers. In contrast with JBL's smooth curves and shiny shades, Creative opts for a sinister all-black finish and boxy angles for the speakers. The colour theme would be matching with most computers. The subwoofer also has a wooden enclosure. This was a pleasant surprise, as not only it looks good aesthetically, but wood also improves the sound quality.

Music playback on this system would pose no problems; in fact, it would be rather enjoyable. However, this system might be just a tad lacking for DVD movies playback, especially in the subwoofer department. Watching action flicks are not as enjoyable - the "boom's" are spectacular on this subwoofer. Also, I did not like the fact that Creative did not bother to include the useful speaker stands in the package, but are instead available separately for sale.

Despite certain minor letdowns in the overall performance of the Creative Inspire M5300, it is still an above-average speaker system for the price range. The audio-fussy would be more satisfied with higher end ranges like the Megaworks, but for the ordinary computer home users like me and you, the Creative Inspire 5.1 M5300 would be great value for money.

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