1.21 Gigawatts!

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Lithium Ion batteries are everywhere these days. Cellphones, Notebooks, iPods, PDAs etc. Even though we’ve come a long way from NiCd batteries which built up memories, Li-ion batteries however, are still susceptible to losing their chutzpah. Li-ion batteries are generally good for 300-500 charge/discharge cycles (2-3 years), and it’s not a good idea to let them discharge completely. I find this fact particularly interesting because 90% of people at electronic stores have told me to only recharge a battery once it has fully discharged. This might have been the case with NiCd batteries but is not applicable to the Li-ion batteries used in our electrical devices today.

According to batteryuniversity.com, for example, a worst case scenario is when using a notebook plugged into an AC socket with it’s battery fully charged. The problem comes in with the amount of heat the battery is subjected to, as heat decreases it’s lifespan. I’d suggest removing the battery when you’re working off an AC socket.

A Li-ion battery should also never be stored when it’s fully discharged. Apparently the best charge to keep a battery stored at is around 40% (how manufacturers ship the batteries). So to be safe, apply a charge to the battery before storing it, and charge fully before use.

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You can say what you want about Microsoft’s Operating Systems, but you shall keep a respectable tone regarding their hardware!

I’ve been actively using a computer since I was about 11 years old, and by far the most comfortable mouse I have used was a Microsoft one. I’m talking about those old, heavy ceramic types that absorbed your palm sweat and turned an odd-yellow after a few years of use. I think I actually still have that mouse buried in a cupboard somewhere.

Fast forward a few years and suddenly Microsoft is releasing amazing looking keyboard and mouse peripherals. Myself, I’m using a Laser Mouse 6000 and the Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000 (pics of mouse and keyboard). Great for preventing carpal tunnel syndrome.

Specially aimed at games, Microsoft brought us the Habu! The mouse that can handle 20-G of acceleration! Hardcore gamers’ demands are finally being met. I must admit, it does look very appealing. Not sure if that bright blue light will end up distracting me or burning a hole in my cornea.

LifeChat LX-3000
I’ve been searching for a decent USB headphone/microphone combo for years now and I finally settled on this here hardware. It feels decent. Doesn’t have that cheap, lightweight design that we have come to expect from cheap chinese knockoffs. The sound that is recorded from the microphone is clear and the noise-cancellation works as advertised. Also, when the headphones cover your ears, you can hardly hear any outside noise. Perfect if you feel you need to disappear from the background noise of your nagging wif busy lifestyle.