For those that still doesn’t know, actually I’ve gotten a Mac Mini recently as my first step into the world of Mac OSX 🙂 I would say that that experience in OSX is quite different from that of Windows 7, specially that I have to get use to the new finger gusters introduced in OSX Lion. My past few reviews on the Lego Cars 2 series are actually done in the Mac Mini. Comparing doing the same on my Windows 7 PC, I’m slower on the Mac Mini but still, I told myself that slowness should not be a reason for me to not give OSX Lion a try.
Anyway, when I gotten my Mac Mini, I chose to use it with my existing Dell U2311 to save my real estates on my desk. Together with the Mac Mini, I also got a deal that came with the Apple Wireless Keyboard and Apple Magic Trackpad to fully utilized the new finger gusters that OSX Lion introduced, eg Mission Control. After a couple of days, I realised that it is actually quite cumbersome to manage 2 pieces of equipment on my desk. Then, through some threads in HWZ, I got to know about the Twelve South MagicWand.
This piece of simple equipment is actually quite amazing. It allows the Apple Wireless Keyboard to be joined to the Magic Trackpad and become a simpe piece of device. However, after looking around, I realise that, although it is simple, it does not come cheap. Infinite and Apple Store both are selling it at S$49 with no discount. Thus, when I happened to be at Vivo City last week, I popped by the shop that I got my Mac Mini from and ask the lady there if they happened to carry this. Much to my surprise, they have 1 last piece. The normal piece they are selling is only at S$48! I tried my luck and ask if there are discounts. To my pleasure, as I got my Mac Mini from them, they are willing to extend a slight discount to me! I quickly complete this hoot and brought this new toy back home to give it a try.
As you can see from the picture below, it’s a simple long box that is about the length of my Logitech K800 Wireless Illuminated Keyboard. Inside the box, the user manual is also a very simple sheet that is rolled up into the box.
After some trial and errow, I finally got what the simple manual was trying to say in terms of the installation and put the pieces together. The assembled device is actually quite sturdy and can be carried with one hand without having to worry it will fall apart. The part that was giving me some trouble during the installation was the piece of metal, which they call the H stabilizer, that is supposed to hold the keyboard to the magic pad. I was very careful when inserting it in between them for fear that the aluminium devices maybe scratched in the midst of the installation. But after getting this piece in, the rubber piece on top of it was very simple to put in.
Overall, I would give this device a 8 out of 10. It is very innovative and useful but the price is a bit high for something as simple as this. The installation process is simple but fearful of damaging the aluminium Keyboard and Magicpad. Also, I told myself not to think about the trouble it would be to take them apart again when I do need to change their batteries. Also, my moshi ClearGuard CS Keyboard Protector keeps peeling itself off when place with the Magicwand. Other than these, I would think that the Magicwand is something that is very useful to me 🙂