Six of the best for cool computing

Thursday 25th August 2011, 10:40AM BST.

Darth Vader USB hub, £22.99, www.play.com
Darth Vader USB hub, £22.99, www.play.com

Now we’ve cleared all the unsightly clutter that accompanied computing stations of old, it’s time to spruce up your workstation.

We’re not talking about just dusting the screen and retrieving crumbs from your keyboard, we want to give your workspace a thorough going-over.

This collection of uber-cool gadgetry will assist you in your daily grind – and that step up the ladder might well follow.

Shine On – Logitech Wireless Solar Keyboard K750 – £69.99 from www.logitech.com

This keyboard uses solar cells to soak up the rays, making battery issues yesterday’s news. It’s wireless, can operate for up to three months without a soak in the sun and is also powered by ambient light, so you won’t be totally dependent on the elusive British sunshine! There’s even an app to download that gives you at-a-glance information on battery levels and alerts you when you need more light – alas it’s only available for Mac users right now.

Slick Mover – Microsoft Arc Touch Mouse – £49.99 from www.firebox.com

This mouse really is in a class of its own. Slender enough to carry about as a laptop accessory, its performance is good enough for any desktop too. To power down, place it in the flattened position, or click it into the curved position to switch it on. Plug the nano transceiver into a USB port for a wireless connection and enjoy a multitude of touch functions to speed you around your screen.

Newton? No Thanks – Perpendum – £299.95 from www.red5.co.uk

Offering the illusion of perpetual motion, the continuously spinning Perpendum is more of an office head-turner than that legendary David Brent dance. The time to clear out the Newton cradle has come, this is much more than a mere toy for your desk. This sculpture of kinetic brilliance is a masterpiece in motion that is sure to have your colleagues rendered speechless.

After Hours – Edifier Aurora – £59.99 from www.dixons.co.uk

When you’re into overtime and you need to add some ambience to your workplace to keep your spirits up, there’s no point relying on standard speakers. Plug in these sleek-looking devices and enjoy an extra dose of bass from the cylinder piece, and ear-pleasing sounds from the two spherical satellites. They’re available in a range of colours to match almost any home or office decor.

Cables Enraged – Darth Vader USB Hub – £22.99 at www.play.com

All those external devices you use on your computer these days need a heavy hand to manage them, so who could be better than Darth Vader to keep them all in order? Allowing up to four devices to be connected via its head, it’ll save you the hassle of plugging and unplugging all your extra gadgets. Plus there is the added bonus of the authentic breathing sound effects everytime you plug in a device.

Talk Is Cheap(er) – Moshi Moshi Office Phone – from £47.69 at www.firebox.com

Having a natter on your mobile phone at work can be frowned upon in some circles and while we’re not condoning it, this may be an amicable solution. This device plugs into your mobile via a 3.5mm jack and allows you to make and take calls from an authentic-looking landline. For a small extra fee you can get a USB adapter to give you access to those online telephony services to save your outfit some cash. Well done, you.



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