Giving a new meaning to "optical" mouse, the LSM-100 features scanning capabilities at the bottom of the mouse which allow you to scan a document in colour by dragging the mouse over it.
I had my reservations at first, but the mouse seemed to do well. Once you hit the Smart Scan button, the scanner software kicks in and you may start running your mouse on the document you wish to scan. Your computer will show you the document being scanned in real time. Once done you can make edits to it in terms of orientation besides image-setting tweaks to get the perfect picture. You can scan as big as an A3 document so it actually beats out your average desktop scanner which may not fit a page larger than A4. Save this as one of the many image formats — JPG, PNG, TIF, BMP — or even PDF.
Like other scanners, the LG LSM-100 features Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software which "converts" text in an image into a Word document to make edits or e-mailed further on.
The images are scanned at 300dpi which are of a resolution that is more than merely "acceptable". This is impressive, considering the entire optical system is built into a mouse replacing a rather large desktop scanner. For those wanting to scan documents regularly, the LG LSM-100 is a huge space-saver.
The mouse itself is of an excellent build too. Boasting a sleek design, it fits well within your hand. This is especially important when you're scanning, than when using it as a pointing device.
The only drawback is that the device is not wireless and connects to your computer via a USB cable. But I imagine it to be rather power consuming which may drain the battery quickly, so the wired decision may have been a smarter one.
The LG LSM-100 successfully integrates a scanner and a mouse together to deliver an experience that meets both needs well; and doesn't end up being a gimmick like many other devices that mix functionalities become. If you find yourself scanning regularly, definitely consider picking this up. The savings in terms of space alone may make it worth every penny.
[/img][/COLOR]
