Gift Guide
fact they involve vacuuming. Such is the Roomba’s specialty.
You select the room sizYou select the room size (small, medium, or large), clear the fle (small, medium, or large), clear the fl oor of obstr oor of obstructions, and then uctions, and then
stand bacstand back while the batk while the battery-powered Roomba does its thingtery-powered Roomba does its thing, crisscrossing the room in a , crisscrossing the room in a
systematic manner and sucking up anything in its path (imagine R2D2 fl attened by a truck, but
still totally able to get around, and really into tidiness). A non-marring bumper prevents walls
and furniture from being harmed while the Roomba runs its sometimes-
frenzied course. Even better, the Elite model comes with a remote
control, allowing you more precise interaction with your appliance. And
with the included wall-mount unit, the Roomba has a place to hang out
between cleanings. http://www.irobot.com$50
between cleanings. http://www.irobot.comsystematic manner and sucking up anything in its path (imagine R2D2 fl attened by a truck, but
still totally able to get around, and really into tidiness). A non-marring bumper prevents walls68 MAXIMUMPC DECEMBER 2003
Corsair Micro XMS ProSeries RAM
Just when it seemed like there was nothing left to light up in
a computer case, Corsair Micro introduced illuminated RAM.
Offering the high performance that Corsair Micro’s known for,
each ProSeries module also features a set of nine LEDs along
its spine. The red, yellow, and green lights perform a lively jig in
time with your memory’s activity level. A ProSeries module also
features a unique cast-aluminum heatsink that’s designed to
increase the surface area and aid in cooling.
The modules come single or in matched pairs
at speeds up to DDR400, and support over-
clocking up to 500MHz. What’s next, a P4
that plays fiddle? http://www.corsairmicro.comSureFire A2 Aviator Flashlight
Sometimes a flashlight is just a flashlight, but geeks will agree that a SureFire flash-iRobot Roomba Pro Elite Floorvac
So manSo many editors hay editors have taken the Rve taken the Roomba home with them, the litoomba home with them, the little buggertle bugger’s getting quite a ’s getting quite a
reputation. The details of these afreputation. The details of these after-hours tête-à-têtes arenter-hours tête-à-têtes aren’t entirely clear’t entirely clear, but we know for a , but we know for a
fact they involve vacuumingfact they involve vacuuming. Such is the R. Such is the Roomba’oomba’s specialts specialty. y.
You select the room sizYou select the room size (small, medium, or large), clear the fle (small, medium, or large), clear the fl oor of obstr oor of obstructions, and then uctions, and then
stand back while the battery-powered Roomba does its thing, crisscrossing the room in aSo many editors have taken the Roomba home with them, the little bugger’s getting quite a
reputation. The details of these after-hours tête-à-têtes aren’t entirely clear, but we know for aYou select the room size (small, medium, or large), clear the fl oor of obstructions, and thensystematic manner and sucking up anything in its path (imagine R2D2 fl attened by a truck, but$175
at speeds up to DDR400, and support over-
clocking up to 500MHz. What’s next, a P4
that plays fiddle?SureFire A2 Aviator Flashlight
Sometimes a flashlight is just a flashlight, but geeks will agree that a SureFire flash-
light is an object of lust. With its combination of old- and new-school technologies,
SureFire’s A2 Aviator satisfies a variety of urges. The 5.6-inch, 4-ounce flashlight
features three LED bulbs that emit three lumens of light, perfect for peering into
the deep recesses of a power-user’s computer case. Apply a bit more pressure to
its power button, and the A2 Aviator unleashes a potent 50-lumen saber. The A2
Aviator operates on two lithium batteries that can sit in place for 10 years (while you
work things out in therapy). The LED bulbs will go strong for a good 15 hours, while
the main bulb has a run time of approximately 60 minutes. It’s the perfect torch for
upgrading work.
http://www.surefire.com$250
Xbox Controller Adapter
On the one hand, you have your Xbox. It comes equipped with a well-
designed, extremely sturdy controller made specifically for Xbox games.
On the other hand you have your trusty PC. You want to play Xbox ports
on your computer, but the mouse and keyboard controls seem so inad-
equate. Enter the Xbox controller adapter. It lets you connect the Xbox
console controller to your PC.
Sure, you could buy a gamepad designed for the PC, but you’d still be
missing the fancy analog triggers and buttons that you’ve come
to know and love about the console.
The adapter, along with the
drivers for Windows 2000
and XP, can be found at
Codeunderground.com.
Liksang.com offers
adapters for a variety
of other consoles.
http://www.codeunderground.comCompaq Slim
iPaq Keyboard
It doesn’t take a Nobel Laureate to
figure out that handwriting-recogni-
tion on the PDA is only good for
jotting down notes. Sure, there are
a wide variety of full-size keyboards
available for handhelds, but they
usually require the support of a
table (and how portable is that ?). So
explains our admiration for the Slim
Keyboard for iPaq Pocket PCs.
Not to be confused with the
clip-on PDA keyboard that HP also
sells, the Slim Keyboard is part of
a holster that your PDA slides into,
making for a much more snug and
stable fit. Thumb-typing action has
never been easier.
http://www.hp.com$12
$310