magazine
39
01732759725
Review
Finding itself in theunusual position
of beingat the forefront of anational
trend, albeit thegreyingof the
workforce (seepage5),
Business
Info
recentlyupgraded itshome
workingenvironment tomakeup
for deterioratingeyesight and sore
shoulders.
It long ago replaced an ageing
desktop PCwith a notebook computer
– another example of trendsetting –
and, to startwith, barely noticed the
drawbacks of a smaller screen and
integratedmousepad.
Today,
Business Info
is still wedded to
its notebook – replacing itwith a tablet
reallywould be a signof ageing – but the
form factor’s limitations are becoming
harder to livewith, from it’s bulk and
weightwhen travelling to the small
screen area andfiddlymouse control
whenworking at a desk.
Nothing can be done about the
former, but there are plenty of ways
toovercome the latter, including the
additionof a full size screen, keyboard
andhandheldmouse.
Second screen
For the last twomonths I have been
usingmy notebook connected to a Benq
BL912monitor. I tend touse this as the
only screenwhenworking atmy desk,
but sometimes use the notebook as a
secondary screen, usually for email.
The BenqBL912 is not large by
modern standards – it is classified as a
19inmonitor – but it has the advantage
of a squarish5:4 aspect ratio.This is a
big benefit for someone, likeme,who
spendsmost of their time using aword
processor.
Other advantages include a flicker-
free LED backlight to reduce eyestrain;
a 12,000,000:1 contrast ratio; and a
LowBlue LightMode that is claimed
to reduce exposure to the blue light
spectrum that Benq says can damage
eyes and interferewith sleeping patterns.
Best of all, the BenqBL912 lets
me readwhat’s on screenwwithout
squinting or having to bendmy neck.
Versatilemouse
For themouse, I have beenusing an
IRIScanMouse Executive 2.This, too, is
significantly better than the notebook’s
built-inoffering andmuchmore
comfortable touse. It allowsme to
adopt amore open, less cramped posture
and is fast and responsive.
What’s really clever, though, is that
the IRIScanMouse Executive 2 also
works as a scanner. Pressing a button
OnTest: Benq BL912monitor & IRIScanMouse Executive 2
What’s
really clever,
though, is
that the
IRIScan
mouse
Executive 2
alsoworks as
a scanner.
Everyoneknows that accountants don’t like towastemoney, so
when FirstCallAccountingpurchasedaPhilips PicoPixmultimedia
pocket projector at anexhibition, Philipswas eager to followup
to seewhat they thought of their investment.
Keith Spencer FCA, director of the chartered accountancy
practice,which specialises in advising business start-ups and growing
companies in London and Essex, says that the Philips PicoPix has
allowed them to bemuchmore flexible.
“Previously,we had a fairly large projector that generates
a lot of heat and thatwe couldonly use in the office.
Now the little projector is used
both inourmeeting room and
at clients’ offices.Any
member
of
staff who is seeing a client can carry the PicoPixwith them.
“Clientswould be surprised, and perhaps uncomfortable, if we
turnedupwith a huge projector that neededfiveminutes to set up
beforewe talked to them. But a small portable projector thatwe only
need to plug in to the laptop is a different proposition”, he said.
“We use it to present sets of accounts, so that clients can seewhat
numberswe are referring towithout having to turn through the pages
of the accounts.We have alsoused it to showfilms in the office, for
staffmotivation purposes, and plan touse it next for client training.”
Spencer adds that the ability clearly to displayfinancial figures and
other informationhelps clients concentrate onwhat’s being said.
“It helps cut downon confusion amongst clients, aswe can point to
the items/numbers towhichwe are referring. Ultimately that speeds
upmeetings andmakes themmore effective. It also comes across as
more professional,”he said.
As far as Spencer is concerned, the Philips PicoPix has easily repaid
his investment,with just one caveat:“It doesmeanwe’ve had to buy
popcorn, to complete the full cinematic experience!,”he joked.
Better by half
A clearly better solution
on the side
switches the
mouse to
scanmode,
then all you
have to do
is swipe the
mouse across
a letter,magazine,
newspaper or other printed
material to capture a digital version for
saving inmultiple formats, emailing,
editing etc.
I.R.I.S. says themouse can be used
to digitise documents up toA3 in size,
though I found scanning evenA4 sheets
very tricky, partly because youneed a lot
of clear desk space to accommodate the
sweepof one’s arm.What the IRIScan
Mouse Executive 2 (and the bundled
software) is brilliant at is scanning
smaller items such as business cards,
tickets and expense receipts andquickly
and easily processing scans afterwards.
The IRIScanMouse Executive 2 is not
without faults – for example, it is easy to
press the scanmode button bymistake
– and it is probably easier to scan large
documents on a sheet-fed scanner, but
considering its primary function is to be
amouse, it really is very clever and very
useful.
