Wired (and wireless) for work
Getting connected has never been simpler with the latest generation of office accessories
Vaio X - just 13.9mm thick and 655 grams
Sure, you might look slightly like an alien to small children, but there is no doubting that Motorola’s H790 Universal Bluetooth Headset is worth it for $99.95. With CrystalTalk technology offering noise suppression, echo cancellation and wind noise reduction the H790 can pair with two handsets – perfect for separating work and play. Microsoft is also set to launch its Windows 7 platform in Australia, with prices for the home premium version costing $299, professional $449 and ultimate $469. Upgrade versions are also available.
And if you want to keep your notebook separate from prying eyes, the new security features on the Satellite U500 from Toshiba are very cool – 3D facial recognition, if you don’t mind. Of course there are other worthy features, including 4GB memory, multiple USB interfaces to charge portable devices and at 13.3 inches it’s small enough to not be a burden. There’s also a host of features to reduce energy consumption and lengthen battery life and at $1999 it won’t break the bank. Continuing the trend towards really thin products – after releasing the 3mm thick screen earlier this year – Sony has released the VAIO X series notebook, just 13.9mm thick and only 655 grams. The optional eight cell battery will last up to 16-hours, long enough to see you through most long-haul legs. The X-series is priced from $1699 and has full connectivity through embedded 3G and WWAN.
Mac lovers will also be pleased with the latest Macbook Air offering. It’s slightly bigger than the VAIO but it still punches well above its size – at 19.4mm thick and 1.36kg portability is never going to be an issue. And let’s face it, Apple products still retain that cool factor – being carved out of a single chunk of aluminium will do that for you. Prices start from $2399.
Another gadget where portability is no issue is the Parrot Minikit Slim. Unlike some handsfree kits which are hardwired or installed into the vehicle, the Minikit Slim can be fixed to a sunvisor or laid on a table in the office – the options are endless. As a leader in the handsfree arena, the Parrot Minikit Slim has plenty of cool features that set it above the pack, including vibrating panel technology – eliminating the need for speakers and producing crystal clear sound – and highly advanced voice recognition technology.
