Buyer's guide - Computing peripherals

Overview… ...

By Alexandra Aussenac Your guide to computing peripherals

Staying connected with computing peripherals
Different peripherals for different uses
Maintaining your peripherals
Focus on… trendsetting accessories
Choosing peripherals
Conclusion

Staying connected with computing peripherals

Whether you're working, playing or communicating, there are some computing peripherals you just can't do without! From basics such as keyboards and mice, to more sophisticated equipment like webcams and headsets, computing peripherals make using your computer easier and really open up the options. Should you choose comfort over performance? Find the right peripherals for you with our guide!

Different peripherals for different uses

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Whether you're a beginner or a digital multimedia pro, there's a computing peripheral out there to suit your needs and your budget!

Easy and practical computing

Whether it's optical, wireless or rechargeable, the computer mouse is a high-tech peripheral in a class of its own, letting you access all your multimedia in just a few clicks. There are many types of computer mice designed specifically for office applications. These range in price, just like keyboards. If you only use your computer to check e-mails, surf the internet or view photos, you don't need to invest in one of the latest, state-of-the-art technological marvels. A mouse with an optical or laser sensor and a "standard" keyboard will do. Wireless peripherals such as cordless keyboards and mice provide more freedom of movement, but do have limited battery times. Before purchasing any of these devices, check the battery life. If you intend to use your peripherals over long periods, you'll need suitable equipment, such as a mouse with more than one scroll wheel or a keyboard with two feet to adjust the tilt. A keyboard with a rounded form and a wrist rest promotes a more natural hand position, which can greatly reduce wrist and shoulder strain. Some keyboards come with soft-touch, silent keys like on laptops, so they're sure to be as quiet as a mouse! Shortcut keys, a scroll wheel, a USB port and backlighting all enhance your comfort as you use your keyboard. They also make your keyboard more versatile. Manufacturers are designing mice to be more and more ergonomic. Small in size so you can use them with your laptop, or in a ball-like shape to fit into the palm of your hand, using a mouse won't tire your arm, even after prolonged use. Featuring a number of non-slip strips, mice designed for intensive use come with two buttons on the topside and two further buttons on the sides, allowing you to switch from one webpage to the next easily. Mice with smooth scroll wheels let you navigate the internet more quickly. Nevertheless, mice without smooth scroll wheels are essential for office applications and video games. You can often zoom in and out using these types of scroll wheels. Mice with both types of scrolling technologies are becoming more common these days.

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For limitless communication

If you're into videoconferencing and instant messaging, then a webcam, a microphone and a pair of headphones are essential. They're easy to set up and work using your computer's USB port, meaning you can stay in contact wherever you happen to go, without having to pay extra telephone charges. When buying a webcam, look out for speed, which is measured in frames per second (FPS). The higher the speed, the less flicker you'll get in images, making your videos more lifelike and chatting over the internet more enjoyable. Webcams with speeds under 25 frames per second may not perform as well; you may experience lag, and sometimes the camera may completely freeze up. Most webcams are able to capture at least 30 frames per second. Resolution can influence your webcam's responsiveness. Measured in pixels, resolution determines the sharpness of images and photos. The higher the resolution, the better the image quality. Although webcams transmit images via the internet in real time, they're not a patch on camcorders and cameras. With higher resolutions, images are more detailed but more difficult to transfer, and if you have a slow internet connection, doing anything else while sending files is pretty much impossible! Given that the size of e-mail attachments is limited, resolution is the most important factor to consider when selecting a webcam for sending videos by e-mail. 640x480-pixel resolution (or 300,000 pixels) seems like a good compromise as far as image quality and fluidity are concerned. Some webcams offer attractive features such as nighttime vision, motion detection or electronic surveillance, and even face tracking if your webcam is motorised. If you don't want to spend time making adjustments to get the best image quality, opt for a webcam with autofocus. These types of webcam automatically select the most appropriate settings in relation to ambient lighting conditions. Software included with some webcams lets you replace your face with a pre-loaded avatar. Avatars add a fun side to webcams and mirror facial expressions and motions. Some allow you to change your look with glasses, hats and more, while others let you choose an avatar in the form of an animated animal, a celebrity or even a car! More and more webcams come with a built-in microphone these days. However, external microphones or headsets with microphones are better. Considering that webcams are usually placed on top of LCD monitors at a distance of approximately 50cm from the user, it may sometimes be difficult for a built-in microphone to pick up sounds clearly, especially when there's background noise. This is because superior quality microphones are generally only available on top-of-the-range webcams. To prevent sound distortion, reverberations and echo, a headset with a microphone is recommended. Headsets with microphones prevent the "Larsen Effect" (caused by the short distance between the speakers and the microphone), and also mean you won't have to raise your voice to be heard! Quality is enhanced because the microphone is nearer to your lips, and you can be sure that your private conversations won't be overheard. If you work in an open space office and would like to block out surrounding noise so you can focus on your work, a pair of closed-type headphones is just the trick. Others won't be able to hear what you're listening to, not even those sitting next to you. Open-type or semi-open headphones are better if you still want to hear what's going around you.

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Endless entertainment

Computers are above all systems for entertainment and creation, especially for gamers, graphic designers and music fans. You should select peripherals that complement your computer, taking into consideration your lifestyle. There are many types of speaker systems available for computers. 2.0 speaker systems pump out stereo sound using two speakers. Unlike 2.1 speaker systems, they do not include a subwoofer but are compact, making them perfect for use with laptops. If you're looking for a system to blast out punchy bass sounds for your favourite video games and DVDs, then a 2.1 speaker system would be more up your street. These types of systems are the most common as they're great value for money! To get the best out of your sound card, you should get yourself a 4.1 or 5.1 speaker system that's able to create 3D surround sound for video games. Arrange the speakers around you to immerse yourself fully in the action! Thanks to 6.1 and 7.1 speaker systems, you can enjoy cinema-like sound on your computer. With perfect acoustics, these types of speakers provide audio comparable to that of a HiFi system. They can also be used to decode Dolby Digital, DTS and THX formats. Bulkier than standard systems, 6.1 and 7.1 speaker set-ups are designed for use in larger rooms where sound has room to move. Use them as part of your multimedia centre in your living room rather than with your computer in the study. Aside from speakers, there are many other peripherals designed for gaming on PCs. With so many mice, joysticks, gamepads and headphones with microphones to choose from, you'll be able to play to your heart's content. The latest video games - no matter whether they're realistic or fantastical - require a powerful computer and appropriate accessories with excellent response times. Even if you're not a gamer, you'll find gaming accessories useful. Gaming mice are more precise and more responsive than standard mice, as are gaming keyboards. You'll be able to save combinations for each programmable button and surprise your adversaries with ultra-fast sequences of special moves! If you want to know more about gaming headphones, mice and joysticks, scroll down to the third section of this guide. Used in large numbers by both professionals and amateurs for comfort and user-friendliness, graphics tablets are a great alternative to mouse-keyboard combinations. From A6 to A3 formats, graphics tablets are designed to encourage creativity - you'll be able to paint with a brush, draw with a pencil, and even edit photos easily. Typically supplied with a stylus and a mouse, graphics tablets also let you take notes with a pen. If you're intending to use your graphics tablet every day, then an A6- or A5-sized model will do. However, the larger the graphics tablet, the better the resolution. A graphics tablet with a resolution of 1000 dpi is perfect for leisure. A graphics designer will need a higher resolution because precision will matter in their line of work. Incidentally, an A4- or A3-sized graphics tablet would suit a graphics designer better, as these types of graphics tablets are compatible with standard paper formats. What's more, A4 and A3 models can be used with 24"-30" TFT monitors. You shouldn't use the pressure level of the stylus to determine whether you buy a graphics tablet or not. Most graphics tablets have styluses with 512 pressure levels. Some graphics tablets can increase or reduce the thickness of lines depending on the tilt of the stylus, meaning you can get creative with your digital masterpieces!

Maintaining your peripherals

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Peripherals make using your computer easier: look after them so they keep their original performances!

Using your PC and peripherals safely

Since your computer often contains important data, you must protect it against power surges and power cuts. Uninterruptible power supplies and surge protectors not only back up your data, they also shield your peripherals from danger. Choose a surge protector with a maximum number of connectors for hooking up your computer and peripherals. The same applies for an uninterruptible power supply. You should select an uninterruptible power supply with a minimum battery life of 20 minutes to ensure you're safe in the event of a power cut.

All your peripherals rolled into one!

Haven't got any free USB ports? Don't panic - there are ways around this problem! USB hubs are the most economical solution. They can be used as extension adapters for connecting external devices to your computer. USB hubs are self-powered and add four to seven extra ports to your computer while giving it a touch of style. To take the hassle out of searching, untangling and plugging the right cables when you want to use your USB-compatible devices, opt for a wireless USB hub! Mini USB camcorders are a recent alternative to webcams and are great for computing on the move. Equipped with a flash memory or a 1 or 2 GB SD card, mini USB camcorders let you film up to an hour's worth of recordings with a single 2-hour battery charge. Rechargeable via USB, the best mini USB camcorders come with a screen and a zoom for shooting short clips. Mini USB camcorders are small and stylish, and they're made for uploading videos to the internet, to an online blog, or to your favourite video sharing website.

Top Ventes

Logitech Z-5500 5.1 Speaker System: 940 LTL; IN STOCK

PLANTRONICS .Audio DSP-400 USB PC Headset with microphone: ~~247,13 LTL~~; 139 LTL -43%; IN STOCK

Wacom Intuos 4 S Graphics Tablet: ~~773 LTL~~; 624 LTL -19%; IN STOCK

FLIP Flip Ultra HD Mini Camcorder - black: 661 LTL; IN STOCK

Logitech 2.1 Z-2300 Loudspeakers: 556 LTL; IN STOCK

Logitech QuickCam Pro 9000 Webcam: ~~307 LTL~~; 251,23 LTL -18%; IN STOCK

Focus on…

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Trendsetting accessories

These days, computing peripherals don't just come in dull grey and conventional shapes; they're available in a variety of cool colours and funky designs to brighten up your desktop. The latest mice and speakers are so stylish and practical that you won't want to hide them away! Although modern mice and speakers come with glossy black finishes, curved lines and futuristic outlines, they're no less impressive when it comes to performance. Webcams bring together style and user-friendliness. With a grip for mounting onto an LCD screen, a soft cover or a flame-red finish, they definitely won't go unnoticed! The same can be said of keyboards, which are now available in a variety of shapes and sizes.

Choosing peripherals

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There are roughly a dozen models of mouse on the market today, ranging from cordless and laser mice through to rechargeable and left-handed mice. Let's take a quick look at the key things to look out for when selecting your peripherals, so you don't make the wrong choice!

Enhancing user comfort

Take a closer look at your little computing friend! Mice with optical sensors have a red diode that illuminates the surface on which they are placed. Their processor analyses images to calculate the direction and distance in which they should move, and then sends the calculated coordinates to your computer. Suitable for use with office applications, optical mice are not as responsive or accurate as laser mice, which are made to appeal to gamers in particular. What's more, laser mice can be used on all surfaces, even shiny ones, without your needing to get a mouse pad. However, desks with glass surfaces don't send laser beams of light to the mouse. Instead, laser beams filtrate through the glass and the cursor remains inert. A mouse pad is necessary if you intend to use this type of mouse on a glass surface. Don't forget to watch out for the mouse's sensitivity. The sensitivity of the mouse's sensor can dramatically improve the way you use your mouse. Measured in dots per inch (or dpi), sensitivity refers to the ratio between the distance covered by the mouse and that covered by the cursor on the screen. With a mouse with an 800 dpi sensor, moving the mouse 1 inch (or 2.54cm) makes the 800-pixel cursor move the same distance on the screen. With 2000 dpi mice, you'll be able to move your cursor from one side of the screen to the other by moving your mouse by 2cm, meaning you won't ever have to go off the edge of the mouse pad again to get your cursor to budge! Different keyboards have different feels, allowing you to choose one that suits you. Nowadays, manufacturers are equipping keyboards with slimmer keys, similar to those of a laptop. Keys on these types of models have a lighter, softer and quieter touch. For applications like video games that will have you sitting on the edge of your seat, more robust keys with better feedback for increased accuracy are required.

Mobility guaranteed for life!

Whether they're WiFi-compatible, wireless or Bluetooth-enabled, PC peripherals now work independently and no longer tangle your computer up in cables. While they are more practical than wired devices, sometimes their performances aren't up to par! Considerably more mobile and more comfortable to grip, cordless mice have incredible battery times and are easy to use. Because they're wireless, cables don't get knotted and won't prevent your mouse from moving, and you won't have to keep your mouse by your keyboard - in fact, your mouse will take on a whole new lease of life! Communicating with the receiver using radio frequencies, cordless mice have a range of several metres, which makes them extremely practical for presentations or for displaying information on a TV screen. In fact, you'll even be able to use them to surf the internet while you're sitting comfortably in your favourite armchair. If you do intend to do this, a large monitor (at least 24 inches in size) and a wireless keyboard are essential. Some mice can also work via Bluetooth, for an even greater range. There are some big differences between cordless mice when it comes to battery times. The cheapest models work on non-rechargeable batteries, which tend to run out quickly, while the more expensive include a battery that can be recharged on a base. A battery-powered cordless mouse can be used for about a hundred hours. To save on battery power, they switch to stand-by mode when you're not using them. For communication pros, cordless speakers, webcams and headphones seem the most obvious choices. While the purpose of a cordless headset is clear, that of wireless speakers and webcams may be hazy. Wireless webcams are really versatile devices: they let you arrange your speakers in the best way possible, even if there isn't a mains electricity socket nearby. WiFi-enabled webcams also work as video surveillance systems. They send e-mails when an intruder is detected in your home, and will even save this information to your computer. What's more, WiFi-enabled webcams are really mobile: you can use them to show relatives living on the other side of the world your new home, without being restricted by cables.

Gamers get satisfaction

Those of you who are addicted to gaming will find yourself spending many sleepless nights in front of your computer combating your enemies to reach the final level of your game. This is why gaming peripherals must be easy and comfortable to use. There are several types of keyboards and mice designed for prolonged use. These models include programmable shortcut keys, ultra-fast wireless start-up times, and sometimes back-lit buttons. Mouse pads can bring further speed to your gaming, making your mouse more responsive by letting it slide perfectly across surfaces without sticking. Other essential peripherals include speakers and headphones with microphones, which allow you to completely immerse yourself in the game. Headphones with microphones also enable you to stay in contact with team mates and give commands, with crystal-clear, high-precision sound! The wireless revolution has also hit the world of video gaming: game pads, joysticks and other steering controllers can be connected to your computer without you having to get tangled in cables. Wireless systems are practical, but they do have the drawback of limited power supply. Batteries don't last very long and do need to be recharged, which disrupts gameplay, so you will have to purchase extra ones if you don't want to take a break from the action. Most game pads, joysticks and steering controllers are wired. Check their grip, the number of buttons they have and whether they're easily accessible, and how sturdy and precise they are. For a full-on gaming experience with your favourite computer game, there's nothing better than simulation game pads, joysticks and steering controllers, which let you drive a Formula 1 car, ride a jet ski, or pilot an aeroplane just like a pro!

Conclusion

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Computing peripherals are much more than just accessories. They provide extreme comfort and precision for both work and play. Keep in mind that you should base your choice of peripheral on the way you wish to use it. So trust your instincts! Whether it's a commonly used peripheral such as a keyboard or a mouse, or a more specialised device like a graphics tablet or a joystick, wireless equipment isn't complicated to set up. With the invention of WiFi connectivity, you have the freedom to take advantage of the best technologies available wherever you go.