The new Windows 8 interface (Modern UI) is intended to be used with your fingers. Logitech proposes a revised version of its touchpad, optimized for this new version of the Dell XPS M1530 operating system. A good idea, of course. But it still had to pass the product. Then?

Windows 8 and its Modern UI interface is primarily designed for use tactile. More machines - they either portable or not - also offer this feature and it is not unusual to see computers with touchscreens in shops. However, some machines do not have yet. If the interface is controlled Modern UI pretty well with the mouse on laptop, providing a touchpad is often appreciated. And offered the same opportunities on Desktop with a touchpad accessory, it is a good idea. Yes but now, the previous Logitech Touchpad we had not packed. This review will she better?

Good news, we are no longer dealing with a rounded stone, but something much more "square" 13.4 cm 13 cm 9 mm thick. The coating is also undoubtedly a cut above. It is softer and more pleasant to use. For those who were able to manipulate the Latitude E5500 battery quivalent Apple, Magic Trackapd, we touched on a similar sensations and click like.

But the comparison stops there, since Logitech went further with its T650 Touchpad. Is entitled to a non-removable battery in the housing which is supposed to take several months, and a thickness scaled down compared to its counterpart hit an apple (see test MacWorld.fr). On the other hand, the supplied USB cable allows the touchpad to be recharged during operation, more. It added that the Swiss firm has also added a button off to save battery power during transport, while the use of a USB dongle "Unifying" will also control other branded peripheral (keyboard, mouse ).

One branch and it works ...

After unpacking the beast, it's time to install it on our test XPS M2010 machine. Windows 8 (of course), from the Unifying dongle connection, the system we propose to install the Logitech software partner. After a few clicks and validation, the system is ready to be used by the new T650 Touchpad, a child's play. We put the switch to "ON" in green on the right side of the keypad and you can immediately start making some gestures above to test the grip.

In the configuration software Logitech reduced in the status bar, it is possible to modify, activate and deactivate many "gestures" that the Touchpad supports (13 in total to be exact). One to four fingers in the gesture, Logitech provides shortcuts to master Dell Vostro 1400 completely interesting Windows 8. By sliding your finger from the left edge of the touchpad for example, shows the bar "Charm" listing all open applications.

A word still for Windows users RT, the Windows operating system for ARM processors. By plugging the USB dongle, the system installs the drivers needed to operate the T650 touchpad. Then you can scroll through the pages, but point and click gestures of this version of the OS, or click by tapping the touchpad. It is imperative physically click on the left and bottom right of the touchpad. In addition, the Logitech support page for this product does not Windows compatible program RT. It will not be possible to benefit from this Dell Vostro 1520 product gestures on Windows tablets RT.

More surface worked but not very accurate ...

Daily on a computer with a mouse, touchpad accelerates access to some of the most used applications from time to slide his finger on the left edge. Scrolling Web pages is really nice with two fingers and you can return to the office or in the main interface sliding three fingers up or down. Certainly, we must remember a few steps to fully exploit, but after a few days of use, one begins to play and forth / back and forth between applications. We understand a little better the Latitude d630 mechanism introduced by Microsoft with its Windows 8 along the way.

But then, the movements are not everything. And the touchpad does not always respond properly when you need it, to make a selection for example. After typing a few words in an e-mail, the recovery of activity on our T650 touchpad is not the most responsive. We must also draw a few rounds before it wakes up the mouse. However, the dongle is approximately 40 cm in our touchpad. As if automatically activates sleep mode to save battery power.

On a computer with Media Center software installed, it will by T650 touchpad against wonders. Unifying technology for coupling the device to a wireless Dell Studio 1555 brand, you can easily obtienir a very convenient that will find a place on the coffee table in the living room to control its Media Center from the sofa. As for the contribution of the pavement compared to a mouse, it is not necessarily easy to enjoy on the desktop, it is necessarily greater in Modern UI. And it is surprising to appreciate this aspect touch discovering such a new way to play Cut The Rope. The advantage of the device thus climbed a few rungs with Windows 8 and use many gestures in Modern UI while finishing accessory is infinitely better than the previous version. But as nothing is ever perfect, just a few small flaws taint a report which he did not lack much to be idyllic.

Tags: Dell Vostro 1510, Dell Latitude e6400, Pavilion DV2000