Sandwiched between four millimeters of foam padding in its zippered carrying case, the Razer Destructor Precision Gaming Surface (or, you know, mouse pad) would likely survive being thrown out of an airplane. That's not the way most of us travel to LAN parties, so I'm not sure why Razer went to such ridiculous lengths to protect its newest mousing surface. Sure, it's rather expensive at $39.99, and it's semi-rigid backing means you'd probably want something to keep it from bending or getting scratched if you just jammed it into a backpack. But the case Razer includes with the mouse pad is just all kinds of wrong. It's about the size and bulk of a large laptop sleeve. And it doesn't even have a handle. That wouldn't be such an issue, but the mouse pad is so large that the extra size added by the case makes the whole thing so big, it won't fit in many medium-sized bags.

Thankfully, the Destructor pad itself is definitely well thought out. Like just about everything else Razer sells, the Destructor was "co-designed, tested and validated" by professional gamers. And the company touts its "Fractal" textured surface, which they claim offers 25-37% better tracing with gaming-grade optical and laser mice. Sure, that's a whole lot of marketing babble, but the fact is the Razer Destructor is a fine piece of mouse pad.

Just because you have a Webcam doesn't mean you have to settle for grainy images at low resolutions. The Hercules Dualpix Chat and Show Webcam, the newest addition to Hercules' lineup of Webcams, proves that there's life after low-quality devices and that it doesn't have to cost a fortune. Say goodbye to your grainy MySpace and blog profile photos, and say hello to a USB camera with a 1.3 megapixel lens capable of taking interpolated photos of up to 1280 x 1024 pixel resolutions in single-shot, self-timed, and burst photo modes. The DualPix Chat and Show is one of the first Webcams to behave and include features that most people would associate with point-and-shoot digital cameras.

This is one sick-looking puppy. The USB Smart Dog Hub is a 4-port USB hub that literally loses its rectangular-shaped head. Detach its head from the hub, and you've got a portable radio with auto scan 88Mhz to 108MHz. And if you're a good dog owner, you'll return the head so that you can use it as a computer speaker.

Head on over to LatestBuy.com to buy this smart pup for $19.15.

There are already some top-notch notebook mice available from the likes of Logitech and Microsoft, but that doesn't mean there isn't room in the market for more; choice is a good thing. And after all, what gamer who's ever wrapped their fingers around a Razer Lachesis, Diamondback, or Boomslang gaming mouse, wouldn't want their laptop outfitted with its own Razer peripheral?

The Razer Pro|Click Bluetooth Mobile Mouse may lack a menacing moniker, like its gaming-centric siblings. But what it lacks in extreme epithets, it more than makes up for in solid Razer design, comfort and build quality.

The design of the Pro|Click is also fairly subdued for Razer, as the looks and shape of the mouse are pretty standard for portable mice: smallish and curved, with slightly concave sides that fit nice with the curve of your thumb. As with other Razer mice, the Pro|Click is ambdextrous, and features the familiar pulsing blue Razer logo on the back, keeping its design from looking too dull. Unlike most Razer mice, however, the Pro|Click comes in a choice of four colors, always a plus for non-gamers who don't need their peripherals to be as visually intimidating. Another nice touch is the soft satin finish Razer applied to the surface of the Pro|Click. While it makes the mouse more comfortable to hold, it also gives the black model more of a gun-metal-gray look, which I consider a plus.

Good things sometimes come
in small packages, like this
cool Wi-Fi printer

--Molly K. McLaughlin

For Lead Analyst (Printers, Projectors & Scanners) M. David Stone's full-length, free-verse HP Officejet H470 Mobile Printer review check out PCmag.com.

So maybe it's not actually a "UFO" unless it's flying. And unidentified. D-Tech's UFO Combo Card Reader doesn't fill either of these requirements, but one thing's for certain: This device is definitely an object.

Unlike most UFOs (purely speculative, naturally), this thing can read CF, T-Flash, MicroSD, M2, Mini SD, SD, MMC Micro, MMC, XD, SM, MS, and MS Duo. The UFO Combo Card Reader is also a seven-port USB hub, which to the best of my knowledge is another feature not generally supported by your run-of-the-mill flying saucer.

The card reader comes in blue and gray and works with Windows ME, 2000, XP, Vista, and Mac OS X. You can pick it up here for $29.99.

Hey, everyone! Do you miss CompUSA? Yeah, I didn't think so, but I figured that it couldn't hurt to ask. Still, the stores are coming out of their Floridian retirement, with 15 Grand Re-Openings across the Sunshine State thanks to TigerDirect. The online retailer is bringing back those stores and opening up another brand-new one, with promises of "lower prices... new wider selection... and amazing new deals," according to Gizmodo.

CompUSA closed a number of locations early last year, and finished the job with the rest of its stores after the 2007 holiday season.

The Grand Re-Openings come with promises of "specials and surprises" too, which I'm sure will ensure that the whole thing isn't a really bad idea.

Since buying my first laptop three years ago, I've become an aficionado of all sorts of laptop stands, trying out a range of products from literal stands that elevate the keyboard, to flat platforms that keep your thighs from burnin' up. Most recently, I've been using the LapLogic Aerogel LapDesk, which comes in a regular and a wide versions, at home. Both models use a material called Aerogel, which is supposed to be the most effective insulator known to man. According to the website, this material has been used on the Mars Rover, and from what I hear, it's pretty darn hot (or is it cold?) in that part of the universe.

The wide model, pictured above, is like a mini desk giving you room for your laptop as well as a mouse or other materials you may need on hand. The smaller version, shown after the jump, is perfect when you just need your laptop. The verdict? After the jump. . .

Hammacher Schlemmer announced the Photograph to Digital Picture Converter ($149.95): a perfect solution to those boxes of old photos in your parents' attic and maybe even in your own place. You can also throw away the ancient scanner that sounds like a fax machine: Hammacher claims that the Converter is quicker, easier, and provides better-quality digital images. It instantly captures the entire image using a 5-megapixel CMOS sensor, the same found in some digital cameras and the newest cell phones.

"With up to 1,800 dpi resolution, 10 bits per color channel, automatic exposure control and color balance, pictures are transformed perfectly with the clarity and color from the original photo," said the company.

All you do is place your photos into a tray, slide it into the converter, and then push a button--the images are instantly recorded. The Converter includes a USB cable that plugs into a PC for power and works with Windows XP and Vista. Editing software is also included.
Hammacher also carries the Slide and Negative to Digital Picture Converter ($99.95), which can convert old 35mm slides and film negatives into digital images. Pretty awesome for photography students who want to keep digital copies of the work they've done with film.

Post by Chris Gampat

This question for PC Magazine's lead analyst for printers and scanners, M. David Stone, came from reader Larry:

I have an HP 7130xi, which I bought at Costco several years ago. I don't print on it, and it's not even connected to a PC anymore. I use it for copying and faxing. I made the mistake a couple of years ago of buying a few ink cartridges, figuring I'd never need to buy any more. The other day I started getting messages that the color cartridge had expired, and because of this it wouldn't let me print with black ink. I tried putting in a "new" unopened color cartridge, but this made no difference.

I know this expiration stuff is a scam to make you buy more ink, so I Googled a bit and found a hack where you disconnect the motherboard battery for a bit (by sliding a credit card between it and the clip), and that made the expiration messages go away. But now it's telling me that my cyan print-head is bad. This appears to be a $33.99 item at Staples, and I'm disinclined to replace it, since I never print color with this stupid thing. And even if I replace it, I'm sure it will come up with some other reason why I need to buy more consumables.

If there's no way to make this HP unit behave, is there a good, cheap choice for me purely for very low-volume faxing and copying?

David's answer after the jump.

Last August I reviewed the LapWorks Laptop Desk Futura, a versatile laptop cooler that folds up and elevates your keyboard or folds out and acts as a platform to keep your thighs from burnin' up. The model I reviewed was a cool, steel grey, but now the Futura has gotten even cooler with the Painted Futuras. LapWorks announced a call for new colors a few months back and then let users vote on their favorites--including Gearlog readers.

Now, at last, the new colors and designs are here: Deep Red, Bustin' Blue, Passion Pink (that's mine on the left), Tempting Teal, Largely Leopard, Desert Camou, Jungle Camou and Red Marble. Better, yet, a new color or design will be announced each month, based on your votes.

Ironically, the Painted Futuras are not actually painted at all. They're printed using magic ink and lasers! No really, they're printed using industrial grade ink that hardens when exposed to UV light.

Each Futura is custom made per customer and can be returned for a full refund within two weeks if it's not up to your standards. (You're such a snob!) Customize your own Painted Futura for $49.95.

Bright, vibrant image
Ultra-short-throw projector
This one's a standout

--Molly K. McLaughlin

For Lead Analyst (Printers, Projectors & Scanners) M. David Stone's full-length, free-verse Hitachi CP-A100 review check out PCmag.com.

Make it a Circuit City night? Blockbuster on Monday announced that it offered to acquire Circuit City Stores for $6 per share in a February 17 letter, but Circuit City is giving Blockbuster the cold shoulder.

"Unfortunately, to date, Circuit City has failed to provide due diligence necessary to allow Blockbuster to make a definitive proposal," Blockbuster said in a statement. "Blockbuster is making its proposal public because it believes the shareholders of Circuit City should have the opportunity to participate in determining the destiny of the company."

Blockbuster also warned that it could yank its offer given that the video retailer "has other strategic opportunities." The letter asked for a response by February 21.

Circuit City confirmed Monday that it received the Blockbuster offer, and said that it "continue to carefully consider and evaluate Blockbuster's unsolicited proposal" but advised shareholders not to take any action.

Tell me this isn't the fugliest keyboard you've ever seen. Over on GeekStuff4U.com, the ZIP-ANG Keyboard ($214) is a USB keyboard with 86 of its keys wrapped in a shiny gold material. It's a bit difficult to even make out what's on each key, so if you have to look down when you're typing, this probably isn't the keyboard for you.

GeekStuff4U is also offering four other hideous keyboards today, each for a whopping $154. The handmade series includes the WAZA-KURA Keyboard (pink floral-patterned keyboard), NISHI-KI Keyboard (floral/butterfly design), USA-GI Keyboard (a wacky design that appears to resemble bunnies with green ears), and KARA-KUSA Keyboard (green with white swirls).

Need to add some color to your optical mouse? Today Microsoft revealed its special-edition versions of the Wireless Notebook Optical Mouse 3000, now in five fashionable new colors. The new mice will be offered in delectable colors Pomegranate (red), Dragon fruit (dark pink), Aloe (green), Milk chocolate (brown), and Creme brulee (khaki).

"Buying a tech product these days is a declaration of personal style, and these special edition mice allow consumers to make the ultimate statement," said Sean Butterworth, product marketing manager for Microsoft Hardware. "The Wireless Notebook Optical Mouse 3000 has always been a fan favorite, and these color updates will keep it in the forefront for years to come."

The number 1 best-selling notebook mouse in the U.S.—according to Microsoft— the Wireless Notebook Optical Mouse 3000 features high-def optical technology, a compact shape and ambidextrous form, and a snap-in wireless receiver to conserve battery life.

Look for the special edition colors pomegranate, dragon fruit, aloe, and milk chocolate in May at Best Buy stores for an estimated retail price of $29.95. The full line of mice (including the fifth color, creme brulee), will be available at more retailers in June.