Editors’ Picks: Digital Discoveries

Bo Moore, technology editor, and Zak Storey, deputy editor, share their prized peripheral passions

RAZER MAMBA AND FIREFLY HYPERFLUX

I’ve been using Razer’s Mamba Tournament Edition as my daily mouse for a while now, so when Razer sent me the new HyperFlux wireless edition, I had to check it out. A few weeks later, I’m a wireless convert.

The Mamba HyperFlux is nearly identical to its wired predecessor in design, the only notable difference being the honeycombed grip has changed into more of a ribbed pattern. The biggest difference, obviously, is the move from wired to wireless. But unlike most wireless mice, the Mamba HyperFlux never needs to have its battery changed. In fact, it doesn’t have a battery at all.

Power is provided via the Firefly HyperFlux mouse mat, which wirelessly sends power to the mouse. Without a battery, the Mamba is one of the lightest wireless mice around (only 96g), but it powers down if you remove it from the mouse pad for too long—after about 15–20 seconds.

Even restricted to just the Firefly mouse mat, I’m loving the freedom of the HyperFlux Mamba. I haven’t had any issues with connectivity, and the lightweight, cord-free rodent is helping me land my headshots even more consistently. Now, if only my cats would stop knocking it off my desk! $250, www.razerzone.com

WACOM INTUOS PRO

This might surprise you, but I’m quite skilled at Photoshop. Worldo f Warcraft brought me into the realm of user interface design in 2008, and since then, I’ve been working on custom interfaces, panels, and textures on an almost weekly basis. I wouldn’t be where I am today without it—crafting everything from websites and résumés to candle labels and gig posters, it’s secured jobs, helped hone my mind, and even saved my degree once or twice.

However, when it comes to drawing, I’m about as talented as a trash panda. That’s why I wanted to get Wacom’s Intuos Pro in for review. Until now, I’ve only ever used a mouse for my design work, and it doesn’t have the subtlety I need, especially for tracing outlines and creating unique art, so I figured I’d try something more intuitive.

Wacom’s Intuos Pro is the company’s most prestigious product. Coming in two sizes, and packing all sorts of neat features, from pressure sensitivity to tilt support and minimal lag, it suits my needs perfectly. Driver setup can be a little tricky, especially in a commercial environment, and there is a definite learning curve (thanks, YouTube), but it does the job, and does it well, which you’d expect given the price. $350, www.wacom.com