The Gigabyte Aivia M8600 is a wireless gaming mouse that has the admirable aim to ensure you never run out of power.

Wireless mice are great, because we don't have to worry about trailing wires across our desks, and they generally give us a lot more freedom. One of their biggest problems, however, is reliance on batteries.

If you've got a mouse that uses standard non-rechargeable AA or AAA batteries, this can be an annoying expense, especially if they run out when you don't have any spares in the house, necessitating a frenzied rush to the shop just to move your cursor. A mouse low on power can also become unresponsive and erratic.

The Gigabyte Aivia M8600 Wireless Macro Gaming Mouse has addressed a number of these battery concerns. For a start, the M8600 doesn't rely on AA batteries. Instead, it has a Li-ion battery that is charged by placing the mouse on the charging dock, which also doubles as a wireless receiver.

The M8600 can also be plugged directly into a computer for charging (and simultaneous use) via a USB cable. Gigabyte claims you can enjoy 50 hours of continuous use with the M8600's battery, and it certainly retains its charge for a long time.

Even better, it comes with an extra battery, which you can install when your juice does start to run low. The standalone battery can also be charged in the dock, but not at the same time as the mouse.

It wouldn't look out of place as part of Batman's costume, with a matt black finish and rather severe angles.

Luckily it's a lot more comfortable to hold than we'd imagine, though still far from the most ergonomic mouse we've had a chance to test. It has a decent weight and feels well built, with buttons feeling firm and responsive.

The speed of the mouse can be quickly altered by pressing the plus and minus buttons on either side of the scroll wheel. There are three speed settings, represented by LEDs on the mouse, and each level is different enough from the last to make it worth switching for specific tasks or games, although it doesn't offer a great level of customisation.

Verdict

This mouse is expensive, but it's well designed and performs brilliantly.

The X-Rite Colormunki Display calibrates monitors and projectors, and comes complete with a friendly software package which contains step-by-step guides and video tutorials.

Ambient light is swiftly measured while display flare may also be taken into account, and the process takes under 10 minutes from start to finish.

The results appear accurate, and the various image samples allow quick before and after comparisons post-calibration. It's not the cheapest or fastest device, but it's ideal for those new to the process.

The X-Rite Colormunki Display is an inexpensive monitor calibration device, which promises advanced control with ease of use. Capable of profiling wide-gamut displays and even projectors, the package contains a colorimeter complete with a diffuser panel, together with software and a Quick Start Guide.

Following the latter enables even first time users to quickly get to grips with its operation, while the profiling process may be run in either Easy or Advanced modes, depending on the user's skill level and desired control.

Once the software has been installed, an ambient light reading may be taken and calibration can begin. Everything is explained clearly and diagrams are provided, although video tutorials are also on hand should the user get stuck.

The software takes around two minutes to adjust the display's luminance using a series of patches, before the remainder are displayed and measured over an additional five minutes. Approximate timings are given throughout the process, and once complete it's possible to view before and after comparisons using a range of images.

The advanced controls enable you to measure flare from your display and to take this into account, along with white point specification and other options.

Overall, there's very little not to like: the results appear accurate and no obvious colour biases can be observed, and reminders can be set up should the lighting conditions change or if a large period of time elapses between calibrations.

The only minor niggle is that although it works in much the same way as the i1 Display Pro device, it's considerably slower (although around £50 cheaper too).

Verdict

Still, for the novice user performing occasional calibrations, it's pretty much spot on, colour casts will be banished and all your future image adjustments accurate and worth while.

What is the point of the Karotz Smart Rabbit, the internet-connected robotic rabbit? It's a question that we've asked ourselves a number of times during our time with this gadget.

The Karotz is an evolution of the Nabaztag, and at first glance it looks like a fun novelty toy. However, after a long, complicated installation process that involved driver issues, countless restarts and even an email to customer support - who were to be fair friendly and helpful - we can't really say that it's much fun.

Although it looks like a toy, it's not really suitable for kids, as it needs to be connected to the mains to work. Plus we could imagine a child getting quickly frustrated over their parents taking such a long time to set up and install the thing.

So is it useful then? Once everything was installed and the Karotz Smart Rabbit was connected to the internet, we were able to add 'apps' to enable it to connect to radio stations or RSS feeds. The only visual cue you get is a coloured light on the front of the Karotz so RSS feeds and emails are read out in a computerised voice.

You can get apps to run at certain times, or associate them with one of the three plastic RFID keys that come with it.

In theory you pass the key (shaped like a little rabbit) in front of Karotz and it will register the key and run the app. In use this was a frustrating process of rubbing the key all over the Karotz Smart Rabbit in the hope that it will read the key. It was annoyingly inconsistent.

Verdict

Costing £115 in the UK or $130 in the US, this just isn't fun or useful enough for the price. The inevitable rise of the robots and overthrow of mankind is still some way off.

Out of the gaming mouse triumvirate of the SteelSeries Sensei, Kana and the Kinzu, it is the latter that is designed to be the smallest.

The SteelSeries Kinzu V2 Pro Edition loses the two extra buttons on each side that the Katu and the Sensei enjoy. But it retains the comfortable, ambidextrous design of the other two mice, while being slightly smaller - though, crucially, still comfortable to hold.

Like the Katu, however, the SteelSeries Kinzu V2 Pro Edition feels rather lightweight, which gives it an unfortunate cheap feel that the Sensei mouse doesn't suffer from.

The centre button, just below the scroll wheel, switches between two CPI settings - less than the other mice, but still useful if you want to quickly change the sensitivity of the mouse on the fly.

The Steelengine software needs to be downloaded before you can fully customise the mouse. Straight out of the box, though, it's fast, smooth and responsive.

Verdict

The SteelSeries Kinzu V2 Pro Edition isn't a bad gaming mouse at all, but if you're really serious about gaming then it'll be worth paying a bit more for the excellent Sensei.

Following on from the StarTech USB to HDMI External Dual or Multi Monitor Video Adapter with Audio and the StarTech Portable eSATA USB to SATA Standalone Hard Drive Duplicator Dock, the StarTech 2 Port USB VGA KVM Switch with File Transfer and PIP continues StarTech's run of useful peripherals with very descriptive, if rather long and unglamorous, names.

This is a KVM switch, which stands for Keyboard, Video and Mouse. It enables you to connect two computers that share just one keyboard, mouse and monitor.

By plugging both computers into the StarTech 2 Port USB VGA KVM Switch with File Transfer and PIP via the included VGA and USB cables, you can quickly switch between the two computers by either pressing a button on the switch or using the keyboard shortcut of double tapping the Caps Lock quickly.

You can also plug in the audio cables from each PC, so that audio gets switched as well. Going between the two computers was quick, with barely a pause for the mouse and keyboard to be detected by Windows as we went from one PC to the other.

Installation was easy - although one of our PCs didn't have a VGA port on the graphics card - just a DVI one. If you have a newer computer or graphics card then you might have the same option - so make sure you have a DVI to VGA adaptor. Many graphics cards come with them, so check if you've got one before you buy a new one.

What really sets the StarTech 2 Port USB VGA KVM Switch with File Transfer and PIP apart from other KVM switches we've tried is the file transfer and PIP (picture in picture) features. These enable you to quickly bring up a small version of one PC's desktop on the other computer, then drag and drop files straight onto the desktop of the other PC. It's a great feature that makes this KVM switch incredibly useful.

Verdict

KVM switches can be notoriously unreliable, but from what we've seen of the StarTech 2 Port USB VGA KVM Switch with File Transfer and PIP, we're confident that it's a well-made product. It's small and does the job.

The Canon imageFORMULA P-215's predecessor, the imageFORMULA P-150M, was a decent portable scanner, but it wasn't without its problems. Its occasional paper jams, misfeeds and unrecognised documents made it a less than reliable scanner. Can the Canon imageFORMULA P-215 avoid the sins of its father?

It's certainly portable, and won't take up too much extra space in your luggage. It comes with two USB cables - one for power and one for data.

It's nice that it doesn't need mains power, too - it can actually work with just the data USB cable connected, although the scan speeds are slower. It's not by much, and with the power plugged in, an A4 colour scan took just 14.11 seconds. Making things even quicker, it's able to detect if the document you're scanning has words and images on both sides of the paper. If it does, it has a Duplex feature that scans both sides at once, barely making a dent in performance.

It also did much better than the Canon imageFORMULA P-150M when it came to scanning multiple documents from the feed tray. Where the older P-150M would end up misfeeding the pages, resulting in some poor scans, the P-215 worked flawlessly.

The CaptureOnTouch software that comes with the scanner isn't bad, although it takes a bit of exploring to get to grips with. Once you've uncovered the output settings, you can set it to create PDF, JPG, Bitmap, TIFF or PPTX files, and you can assign the scan button on the body of the scanner to automatically scan in your desired format.

Verdict

Even on the highest quality setting, the Canon imageFORMULA P-215 was fast, and the results were excellent.

Logitech products appear to fit into two separate categories, especially when it comes to speakers.

We've seen – and heard – £200 5.1 setups that have blown everything else clean out of the water, but on the other hand, you can also pick up a set of stereo speakers for £15 that sound like they should have cost no more than a fiver.

At £120 the Z623 certainly doesn't come cheap, but does it sound like it's worth all that extra money? The answer is a resounding yes.

The sound is deep and rich, and the most 'three-dimensional' we've ever heard from a 2.1 system. Even coming from a laptop's dubious-quality in-built sound card, the sounds of gunfire in our favourite FPS seemed to come from all around us. How soothing.

The bass and treble are perfectly tuned out of the box, but if you want to add more bass there's a dedicated rotary dial on the right-hand speaker. Despite the slightly 'Day of the Tentacle' design of the speakers, they're well built too.

The subwoofer is one of the smaller ones we've seen, but it did just as good a job of bass reproduction as ones the size of a small fridge. The satellites compliment it perfectly, being adequately weighted in terms of both construction and sound.

If there's a slight niggle, it's that Logitech has elected to use the same connection system it uses on its lower-end speakers. The right satellite houses the power, volume and bass controls, and it connects to the sub-woofer via a proprietary VGA-style cable. The left speaker simply connects to the sub with a phono plug.

The system evidently works, and having power control on the desktop saves you having to lean over to a hidden sub to turn them on – and it's exactly the same system you'll find on Logitech's £15 speakers.

They have to be heard to be believed though, and despite our reservations about the THX certification, it actually seems to mean something here. These come highly recommended.

There's no ignoring it – power up the Sony SRS-DB500 and a great ring of blue light pulsates around the multi-jog dial.

Any thoughts of subtle ambiance for enjoying films and games goes out of the window – as well as a blinding blue glow. We can only assume that either Sony got a job lot of blue LEDs, or it thinks this ultra-bright display looks good.

Elsewhere, the build quality is fundamentally lacking. The satellite speakers are large, but their all-plastic construction and feather-light build make them feel cheap and tacky. They also have thin built-in cables with proprietary connectors, so if the wires eventually short out you'll presumably be forced to send the unit back to Sony.

The subwoofer is weightier, but suffers from a similarly wobbly plastic construction. The illuminated jog wheel has a slightly rubbery feel, and the entire front bends slightly when you lift it. Sony's well known for its canny design philosophy, but the SRS-DB500 feels like something made by a cheap competitor. That is, until you hear it.

Despite their cheap plastic construction, the speakers do an absolutely blinding job of reproducing all the sounds of explosions you'll find in a modern action film or computer game. The bass is clear, the treble is just about right and they have a deep, cavernous sound that only Sony's 65 years of experience can bring. Music sounded great, too.

Despite the SRS-DB500's looks, Sony has packed a lot of useful technology into the speakers. There's a handy line in on the front for connecting your iPod or Walkman. The multi-jog wheel lets you customise the bass and treble to your heart's – and your ears' – content. There's also an infrared remote control for adjusting the settings from afar.

A possible explanation for Sony's design is found in the packaging – they seem to be targeted at gamers above all else. But once you get past the looks and build quality there's a lot to like here, whether you're into games or not.

Overview

This Corsair Vengeance M60 mouse represents the next step for Corsair – peripherals.

Specifically, high-end peripherals designed for the gamer who's prepared to pay a little more for a rugged build and enhanced usability.

The Vengeance M60 FPS gaming mouse is a prime example of that – premium components, eight-button functionality, and all the extras like adjustable DPI buttons and a mega-low DPI 'sniper' button that's rapidly becoming the standard for a gaming rodent.

Corsair has a pretty impressive pedigree across a number of fields. The Californian company started out producing L2 cache modules, and today it's still go-to guy for performance RAM like the Vengeance and Dominator DDR3 ranges.

In recent times we've seen speaker systems, power supplies, PC chassis and USB flash drives all bearing the Corsair name, and by and large it signals a mark of the highest quality.

The specs for this new mouse are impressive, but can Corsair really pull off a flawless debut into the mouse market with the Corsair Vengeance M60?

Perhaps unsurprisingly, the answer's yes.

Verdict

There are two mice in Corsair's fledgling range – the M90 caters for the MMO gamer's needs, and as such sports fifteen programmable buttons.

This M60 sets its sights square and true on the first-person shooter afficionado, for whom split seconds and DPI figures are everything.

With that said, even the grouchiest CS:S gamer will be happy with the Corsair Vengeance M60's performance.

The jury's still out on whether DPI really makes a huge difference, but the M60's adjustable polling rate, high tracking speed and low-friction PTFE pads make for a noticeably smooth experience.

And if you're still hung up on that DPI comment, it's 100 dots higher than our previous darling of the rodent world, Mad Catz's Cyborg R.A.T. 7.

This is a mouse that lots of clever people have sat and thought about for a long time – that much is evident in its ergonomic design.

The sniper button feels well-placed enough that you'd actually use it, and the thumb rest blends perfectly into your mouse mat.

Having experimented with the M60 it turns out to be comfortable in all but the most improbable hand position, which is worth thinking about if you're such a pro gamer that you've analysed your own grip.

Show off.

You don't have to be Fatal1ty to expect more adjustable weighting though, and that's sadly off the menu with this mouse. All you get are three removable weights in the base, so you can make it lighter but not heavier is that is your bag.

Take an eyeful of the price tag and you'll understand why the Corsair Vengeance M60 doesn't offer this – it's clear that most of the money has been spent on its remarkable build quality – but it does lose ground to the similarly-priced R.A.T. 5 from Mad Catz here, which is far more adjustable by weight.

We liked

For a debut effort, the Corsair Vengeance M60 mouse is incredible.

It's hard to pick a fault with it if you're a FPS gamer. Primarily, you want a comfortable mouse that doesn't have a ton of buttons you'll keep accidentally pressing at a fair price, and Corsair's rodent ticks all those boxes with confidence.

The adjustable DPI and sniper button are useful additions in a layout that otherwise shows restraint, and it feels like it could survive a nuclear blast.

We disliked

It is missing out on more fully-adjustable weights and a free-rolling wheel, but the low price eases those concerns considerably.

Final word

Corsair's debut mouse hits the ground running – right to the front of the pack.

Overview

Say hello to the Corsair Vengeance K60 keyboard.

To some, a keyboard is just a place to collect all your biscuit crumbs and errant Golden Virginia while you look at the latest funny cat video, but for the serious gamer it's a vital piece of kit.

These people are prepared to spend a bit extra cash for a keyboard that's comfortable, responsive and maybe even boasts a few extra controls – and Corsair wants in on that action.

Like the Vengeance M60 mouse, this K60 is designed with the FPS gamer in mind.

Corsair's keyboard is built on a brushed metal chassis and features fantastically clicky Cherry MX red switches for (steady now) fast, smooth action.

The WSAD and 1-5 keys are also rubberized and contoured to maximise your gaming comfort and performance, but you can swap these out for normal black keys with a handy tool stowed away, with the spare keys, in the wrist rest if you like.

Verdict

What an impression the K60 makes when you first clickety-clack its keys.

It's as if every key input you make is part of some crucially important bomb-decoding procedure or something.

Satisfying doesn't even cover it – this is the keyboard equivalent of popping bubble-wrap.

We're not sure if it makes a huge difference to your response times in game, but it certainly makes for a more tactile and comfortable gaming session.

Likewise, the contoured A and D keys keep your fingers from straying beyond the movement controls and setting off torches or dropping all your weapons in a moment of spasmodic panic.

The fact the rubberized versions of the WSAD keys are red is nullified by the fact that once your fingers have initially located them, that problem's pretty much sorted and you can't see the keys anymore, but the 1-5 keys are all the handier for their scarlet livery.

The wrist rest-cum-secret key repository can't be faulted for comfort, and switching the keys in and out is a painless manoeuvre.

Outside of a purely gaming application, we love the K60's scrolling volume control, placed just above the caps/num/scroll lock lights (which are a suitably sophisticated white).

It's handy to have such quick and precise volume control without having to fiddle around on your headset. The extra multimedia controls are also welcome, and all this functionality is fitted on a board that meets the rock-solid build quality you'd expect from both the brand and the price tag.

There are a couple of chinks in the brushed steel armour of this Vengeance K60 though.

Firstly – and it's not a biggie – it isn't backlit like the more expensive K90 MMO-focussed keyboard.

FPS gamers play with the lights off sometimes too, and it's a feature you might expect in a £90 keyboard, so be warned before you go trying to search for those funny cat videos with the lights off.

It could also benefit from a few more USB and headset minijacks in its pass-through, but both of those issues are dwarfed by our concerns about the price – it's so nearly as expensive as the K90, which has backlighting and macro keys galore – in fact at time of writing you can pick up a K90 for less money if you shop around.

We liked

Mechanical switches are where it's at in gaming keyboards at the moment, and this Vengeance K60 is a fantastic keyboard for serious gamers.

The Cherry Red MX switches are mega-responsive, and though the red rubberized switchable keys are more for show than anything meaningful gaming advantage, they offer more comfort than most keyboards, especially coupled with the attachable rest.

The incredible build quality and scrolling volume control cover the Vengeance K60 in glory.

We disliked

Only a lack of backlighting and an oddly close pricing between this and the higher-functionality K90 board can dampen our enthusiasm for Corsair's first move in the keyboard game.

Final word

We haven't seen a keyboard that caters for the needs of the FPS gamer this well before – a fantastic setup.