Crave

Dirk the Daring to the rescue once again!

Equipped with a great video player and easy touch controls, the iPhone is fast becoming a spot for Laser Disc arcade games of yore to get a second life on the go. First came Space Ace early this year, but for a roll of quarters, iPhone and iPod Touch users can now reach back into their bowling alley/arcade memories and get Dragon's Lair, which was released this week, on the App Store, too. It's a perfect adaptation of the Don Bluth-animated game that I remember all too well from many, many weekends at Chuck E Cheese.

For those who haven't played, Dragon's Lair amounts to a medieval-themed rescue-the-princess romp through the many rooms of a castle filled with, upon reflection decades later, some pretty strange stuff: robotic horses, taunting lizard-men, and giant rolling balls. All of it is portrayed in film-quality animation, making it visually timeless.

Some of the game, however, is a little more dated.

Movement is controlled, like Space Ace, with an onscreen d-pad that lights up with the direction you need to choose before triggering a death sequence. There's also a sword button for fight instances; while the gameplay is basically a reflex-tester, it's the precursor to instant button-pressing fight moments that made a big comeback in PS2 games like God of War.

The animation and audio are as crisp as they could be on the small screen (and considering the original game wasn't in HD, that's more than OK), and it even comes with the iconic trailer that played on endless loop in arcades, inviting you to be Dirk the Daring and rescue Princess Daphne. Produced by EA and Digital Leisure, it costs $4.99--not cheap by any means, but a better bargain than some of the ill-advised Dragon's Lair game adaptations over the years.

Space Ace...Cobra Command...Dragon's Lair. What's next, Mad Dog McCree? Well, yes; according to the "upcoming games" tab, Digital Leisure says that's coming in early 2010.

I don't normally indulge statements from vendors in response to other company's announcements. Guess what? They think you should buy their product instead. Normally it's the graphics card guys that snipe back and forth via my in-box, but this morning was the first time I've seen competing PR over mice.

Microsoft's BlueTrack-powered Explorer Mouse can track on your pants, but not a glass coffee table.

(Credit: Microsoft)

After extensive research to determine where people want to track, BlueTrack was designed to work where people use their PCs most--around the house on granite, carpet or a bedspread to on-the-go at a coffee shop table, on an airplane tray or even on your jeans. Tracking on glass is not a high priority for users--in fact, 93 percent of people admit glass is not a surface they encounter when using their computer.

The above was from a Microsoft spokesperson vial email. BlueTrack refers to Microsoft's mouse sensor released last year, which, while versatile, can't track on glass like Logitech's new Darkfield laser, announced in two new mice this morning.

The reason I'm willing to give Microsoft some air time on this is mostly because I'm curious. If, according to Microsoft, Logitech's glass-tracking Darkfield laser meets the needs of only an additional seven percent of users beyond those satisfied by BlueTrack, exactly how many people were clamoring to track on their jeans prior to BlueTrack?

Logitech's Darkfield-powered Performance Mouse MX, on the other hand, can handle glass.

(Credit: Logitech)

Microsoft actually makes a decent point later in the e-mail when it says that you can get a BlueTrack mouse for around $40. Logitech's new Darkfield mice go for $99 for the desktop model, and $79 for the laptop version. The price gap isn't surprising given that the Darkfield products hit the market today, but if you're currently experience mousing surface difficulties and you don't need to track on glass, Microsoft's BlueTrack products are a more cost-effective option than Logitech's new mice, at least for now.

Once Logitech's Darkfield prices start to drop, however, Microsoft's argument will be a little harder. If you're not a member of Microsoft's unserved glass-tracking seven percent, you wouldn't pay extra to track on glass right now. But as the price gap between Darkfield and BlueTrack mice inevitably narrows, why would you not opt to have glass-tracking capability for the same price? You could even keep it (wait for it...) in your jeans' back pocket.

Apparently unhappy with falling behind in the input arms race, Logitech announced its response to Microsoft's BlueTrack mouse sensor technology this morning by way of two new mice bearing its new Darkfield laser. Unlike traditional laser sensors, or even BlueTrack, Darkfield will track on pretty much everything, up to and including nonmirrored glass.

Logitech's Performance Mouse MX

(Credit: Logitech)

The desktop-size Darkfield product is the Logitech Performance Mouse MX. Retailing for $99.99, the Performance Mouse MX replaces the MX 1100 Cordless as Logitech's new flagship desktop mouse. You get the usual array of high-end mouse features with the Performance Mouse MX, including rechargeable batteries, wireless operation, and Logitech's adjustable fast scroll wheel design. It also has the standard pair of forward and back buttons on the left side, as well as Logitech's extra-comfortable sculpt.

We haven't used the mouse long enough to write a full review, but our initial hands-on suggests that Darkfield is the real thing. We tried the mouse on a pane of glass and experienced no discernible jitter or precision loss, at least in our initial Web navigation test. We were also glad to see that Logitech extended its new Unifying USB microreceiver to the Performance Mouse MX. The Unifying receiver, which debuted last month, is not only small, but it also lets you link up with other Logitech wireless devices in its Unified product family.

Cut the cord! The Brother HL-2170W is a compact Wi-Fi laser printer.

(Credit: Brother)

Remember the other day when I said some deals require you to jump through a few hoops? Here's one that's definitely worth it: Staples has the refurbished Brother HL-2170W Wi-Fi laser printer for $49.99.

Now, before you post a comment telling me the product page says $69.99, let's address the hoops.

First, that $69.99 price is after a $30 mail-in rebate, which comes in the form of a $30 prepaid Visa debit card. It's more or less the same as cash, but it's still a rebate. (At least with Staples it's a pretty safe bet you'll get your money.)

Second, and here's where it gets a tad tricky, you have to add something else to your order so you can apply one of these $20-off coupon codes (provided courtesy of DealNews).

I recommend this box of 100 paper clips for 79 cents. (If you find a cheaper "filler" item, name it in the comments.)

So, to recap: You add the printer to your cart, then add a dirt-cheap item to bump your total over $100. Then you apply one of the aforementioned coupon codes, which subtracts $20 from the order. Finally, you get the $30 Visa card in 4-6 weeks.

What's that? The printer? Oh, right. I've written about the HL-2170W before, back when it was a deal at $70. So hit that link if you want the full details.

Short version: I own this printer, love this printer, and will never buy another non-Wi-Fi printer. How about you?

HP Photosmart C8180 All-in-One Printer

(Credit: Sarah Tew/CNET)

Shopping for a budget printer doesn't have to be an exercise in anger-management and self-abasement. Contrary to the stigma, many printers can produce great quality photos and documents without breaking the bank or eating up expensive consumables. Now release your fingers from your hair, put down that club, and check out these tips for getting the best deal for your money.

Before you even start shopping, decide whether you want a laser printer or an inkjet printer. Laser printers use bulky toner cartridges and are typically reserved for home offices that print monochrome text documents and presentations. Businesses also steer toward lasers because of their quick output speeds and reliable text quality. Monochrome lasers like the Samsung ML-2851ND are a good choice for homes that print a large volume of documents, and can be purchased for less than $200.

Inkjet printers are the more versatile choice for color photo printing, Web prints, and creative projects like greeting cards and calendars. They come in a variety of form factors from small and simple personal devices all the way up to fully featured All-in-Ones with scanners, fax machines, and copiers built right into the machine. Of course, the more features you want, the more expensive the printer gets so be sure to make a thorough list beforehand and stick to it. Some of the pricier additions include:

• Auto-document feeder: commonly shortened to ADF, the horizontal input tray lets you scan/fax/copy a stack of papers at once.
• Auto-duplexer: a hardware addition that lets you print on two sides of a single-sheet of paper. Consider this option if you plan to print a lot of pages per month--it could potentially save you money on paper, and it's environmentally responsible!
• Wired/wireless networking: all modern printers use USB to connect to a computer, but many also offer wired and wireless networking at a higher cost.
• Full color/touch-screen LCD: a flashy 6-inch touch-panel LCD screen might look beautiful, but the functionality is extraneous and isn't worth the price jack. If you're on a tight budget, consider a single function inkjet like the HP Officejet 6000 that doesn't have a display and only costs $90.

If you do go for an inkjet, shop around and look for one with separate ink tanks for each color so that you don't need to replace everything when only one color runs dry. This technology used to be relegated to photo printers more than $300, but the prices have fallen and now it's common to see sub-$150 printers like the HP Photosmart C6380 All-in-One and the Canon Pixma CMX860 multifunction that feature multiple cartridges. Also, be sure to do a little research to find out if your brand offers high-capacity cartridges. These inks are more expensive but they last longer and will save you money if you're printing a lot of photos.

One final word of advice: don't just think about the sticker price, consider the total cost of ownership. That includes the page yields of the manufacturer's ink and toner, cost of paper including photo and plain, how many pages you'll print per month versus stated duty cycle, and of course, the optional features you might want to add later. Stick to the list you make and buy a machine suitable for your printing needs and you'll be just fine.

Look ma, no wires! The Brother HL-2170W prints wirelessly across your Wi-Fi network.

(Credit: CNET)

Happiness is a wireless printer. Seriously. I just beamed a document to the Wi-Fi laser in my closet, and I've never been happier. (Says a lot about my psyche, huh?)

Anyway, Staples has the recertified Brother HL-2170W laser printer for $69.98 shipped. That's pretty fantastic, given the printer's $149.99 list price.

Two catches. First, it's a refurb. But according to the Staples product page, you get a full one-year warranty from Brother, so that's hardly a catch at all. Second, that price is after a $30 mail-in rebate, which actually comes in the form of a Visa debit card.

Me, I have no problem with that. But I know some buyers detest rebates, so I'll understand if you want to give this a pass. Before you click away, however, I gotta profess my love for this printer: the Brother HL-2170W is the very model sitting in my aforementioned closet.

Yep, I own one. (Paid way more than $70, too. Dangit!) And, as I've said here many times before, Wi-Fi printers kick butt. You can stick 'em anywhere there's an electrical outlet and a decent signal from your router.

The impressively compact HL-2170W fits nearly any nook or cranny, yet it sports a 250-sheet paper tray and churns out nearly 18 pages per minute. That's according to CNET's review of the HL-2170W, which includes about a dozen user ratings: 4 stars out of 5 on average.

Consumables? I paid about $39 for my last toner cartridge, though I've since seen them selling for as little as $30. That's about as good as it gets for any laser printer.

Maybe I'm overselling this a bit, but the HL-2170W has been a great little printer for my home office, and I'm loving it at this price (yes, even with the rebate). If you're in the market, this is hard to pass up!

Mitsubishi's new DLP sets include a 60-incher for $1499.

(Credit: Mitsubishi)

Rear-projection HDTVs have been waning in popularity with the waxing of flat-panel plasmas and LCDs, but Mitsubishi's new lineup of DLP models proves that the technology will be available in stores for at least another year.

In 2008, Samsung and Mitsubishi were the only two companies selling rear-projection behemoths and, due to lack of demand, we only reviewed one model from each company: the Samsung HL61A750 and the Mitsubishi WD-65735.

The LED-powered Samsung was clearly better, but that company has not announced any new DLP models for 2009, although it will continue to sell its 2008 models. I asked Samsung's reps last week about the company's DLP plans but they refused to provide any information, and I have a hunch they won't announce any new models this year, or ever.

That leaves the market for gigantic-screen HDTVs wide open for Mitsubishi. DLP-based models are generally less expensive and more efficient than LCDs or plasmas of a similar screen size, and despite sagging sales, rear-projection may still have legs, especially in a down economy. Mitsubishi's betting it does, and the price is right. It's least expensive 2009 model, the 60-inch WD-60737, lists at $1,500--the same as the 61-inch Samsung commands at Best Buy today and a lot less than any plasma or LCD in that size range.

Mitsubishi announced two new series of big screens, starting at 60 inches and going up to a new size peak: a colossal 82 inches.... Read more

You're so funny, Japan. When I said someone should come up with a mouse that addresses the worldwide hyperhidrosis epidemic, I was joking. I didn't mean you should actually make one with a built-in fan.

There's always room for LEDs.

(Credit: eSupply)

Aside from the weird fan inside that keeps your hand cool, this Japan-only mouse, sold by the folks at eSupply for approximately $21, also comes with a remote to type in messages that blink to life underneath the vents while you're not using it. Because that's exactly what Japan needs: more blinking lights.

The mouse is pretty small, so it can only support up to 12 characters. Therefore, brevity is key in getting your message across to co-workers. Message recommendations:

• "2MCHMNY"
• "WTFROFL"
• "EYBABAY"
• "BEGNTLE"
• "DNTDOIT"

You know, for all the "innovation" built into this mouse, they couldn't have sprung for a Bluetooth receiver or at least a wireless dongle? And what about adding a few extra customizable buttons? You gotta think these things through, Japan, don't you want people to take your combination-input-device-and-neon-sign-and-hand-dryer seriously?

Click the slideshow below to see more pictures of this mouse.

Hand dryer/neon sign/mouse