Review: Nanovision mimo UM-710
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Screen real estate has always been a huge issue for computer users. Generally, we tend to combat our space issues by buying bigger, more numerous monitors or by utilizing virtual desktops. Personally, I’ve learned to live within Apple’s virtual desktop feature ‘Spaces’. It’s proven to be a near perfect solution, except that applications for chat and twitter don’t work within the confines of a one application per space system. If only there were some smaller, sub-monitor, that existed only for uses like this. Enter the Nanovision mimo UM-710
For those who haven’t seen these things floating around the tech blogs lately, the Nanovision mimo UM-710 is a USB powered, (and more importantly) USB driven mini monitor weighing in at a lean 800px by 480px. Because of it’s compact size, this sub-monitor doesn’t have to exist within your average multi-monitor setup. It can float around freely and take on the minor applications that you always want open, but still don’t want taking up screen real estate.
The Pros:
- quick setup
- compact, lightweight, & portable
- both powered & driven over USB
- runs in vertical or horizontal mode
- only $129The Cons:
- poor viewing angles (the further you get from dead center, the harder the screen is to see)
- screen is a bit reflective
- physical screen smaller than resolution (like the old 12″ Powerbooks, the screen size versus resolution causes things to look smaller on the screen)
- only 800px by 480pxThe Final Verdict:
I absolutely love this little thing. I’ve always wanted a little… well, companion-monitor and someone’s finally given me one at a very affordable price. Obviously this isn’t the same as actually having a second monitor, but it’s amazingly useful for those little applications you always want visible without obscuring your whole desktop.
posted by Christopher Schnese
