Micro Innovations's bamboo lineup might just save the world... from generic computer peripherals
By Paul Miller 
posted Feb 12th 2009 10:03PM
posted Feb 12th 2009 10:03PM
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Not Apple? Don't care.
Really? You're gonna be that guy.
Doesn't Apple hold the patent on shiny? What a rip off.
Steve you ignorant douch-canoe. I understand that you are trolling, but seriously, fuck off, m'kay?
Oh please.
I like ALL of it. Bamboofanboi
Looks nice, if I had something to match them. I'd just hate to get bamboozled.
These look the same as anything else just replaced the outer materials. I want to see those keys made of bamboo before I buy anything.
I have a headset made from them, zomg they're so damn durable, alot better than logitech.
When are people gonna start making mango peripherals?! Bamboo's great and all but I'm hungry and NOT a panda!
It would suck getting a splinter on one of those.
i like them. but do they come in a lighter stain shade. almost clearcoat?
The speakers are full of win. The rest of if I'd need to see in person.
Maybe I'm just in a bad mood, but I feel this article is not all that fair, overly sarcastic, and I just feel the need to provide an opposing viewpoint:
"Sure, they're ugly and a little low on tech --"
Define ugly. Seriously, Ugly is in the eye of the beholder. These may not be to your specific taste, but they are not ugly. Beige plastic speakers are ugly. Half the crap made by most computer manufactures is ugly. These look pretty nice. unusual doesn't mean ugly. nice.
"the speakers, card reader, webcam, USB hub, keyboard and mouse couldn't be any more generic in specifications -- "
Fair enough, although please elaborate on what non-generic specs you'd like to see on some of this stuff. Exactly how would a "non-generic" USB hub function? What are the missing features? Would you be happier if the speakers went to 11?
"and as far as we can tell there's nothing particularly "green" about the typical-seeming internals, "
What, you want to transmit electricity over Bamboo too? Maybe cardboard? WTF do you expect the insides of electronics to be made of? Unicorns and fairy dist?
Maybe it's just me, but lately the level of sarcasm seems to be a bit off the chart. Maybe it's an attempt at humor, but it's not working.
I voted you up, CraigJ. Excellent points. Seriously.
I, personally, like the look of this stuff. I think the keyboard and mouse are especially nice. Speakers in wood cabinets tend to sound a little richer than plastic cabinet models. I'm sure they're pretty nice. Assuming the price is right, I'm probably going to bag the keyboard, mouse, and speakers.
Maybe I'm just in a bad mood, but I feel this reply is not all that fair, overly sensative, and I just feel the need to provide an opposing viewpoint:
"Define ugly."
http://lmgtfy.com/?q=define%3Augly
"Seriously, Ugly is in the eye of the beholder."
yes and no. "offensive to the sight" seems to be a good definition for what we are talking about. While an argument of what is beauty has changed from time to time and generation to generation, it has always been the upper-class that defines beauty. Either way - relativism has no place in this argument as the fan-base is specific enough to...nevermind. You have a self-refuting argument. see below.
"Beige plastic speakers are ugly. Half the crap made by most computer manufactures is ugly."
What was all that subjective beauty talk? Now you want to make an objective statement?
"Fair enough, although please elaborate on what non-generic specs you'd like to see on some of this stuff. Exactly how would a "non-generic" USB hub function? What are the missing features? Would you be happier if the speakers went to 11?"
maybe design the hub instead of veneering it. No need to be sarcastic, after all, that is one of your complaints about the article.
"What, you want to transmit electricity over Bamboo too? Maybe cardboard? WTF do you expect the insides of electronics to be made of? Unicorns and fairy dist?"
I think low-power consumption. Smaller footprint. Easier manufacturing than just veneering bamboo to an altec lansing product.
Maybe it's just me, but lately the level of sarcasm seems to be a bit off the chart. Maybe it's an attempt at humor, but it's not working.
Despite the unimpressive specs, these peripherals give me wood! :-D
Seriously, though, I do like the look!
Mmmmmmmmmmm... bamboo.
and this is why the panda's are dying D:
hey yeah let's use bamboo! it'll look so exotic
let's just use the ugly plasticky keys from all are other stuff though
I don't like these. They look like vintage 1970's wall paneling. I thought that style died decades ago.
The shininess just highlights that IMO. Yuck.
Plus this won't appease the extremist environmentalists, the only thing that will do that is a computer that runs on water and constantly reminds you how awesome Al Gore is.
I'm sure they still mistreat their keyboard assemblers.
I have respect for Kung Fu Panda on a level that people don't understand...
let's not kid ourselves here. while i appreciate the effort to go green, there are just so many different directions that we could be taking. this type of superficial fix might only mask the larger undercurrents of energy expenditure and climate change. bamboo does look nice tho (if only it wasn't so shiny)
I'd buy some, but my pet panda would eat them.
Call me a tree-hugger, but I'm waiting for the Redwood series. Or maybe something in a Rainforest line. I'm sure Amazon would jump all over that.
huh?