I have to admit I bought this because it was cool. I also bought it for the same reason I buy a lot of gadgets - because I think it's going to change my computing life and make me more productive. Sadly, it hasn't.

It's Cool, But Is It Useful?

While the PowerMate is undoubtedly cool - the blue glow really does make everything about your computer seem cooler - it is one of the devices that will give back exactly what you put into it. If you tinker with the responsiveness and program the functions to meet your needs for each program, it will work like a top. If you are lazy like me, that may be a bit of a challenge. While the PowerMate usually has a prescribed function for each program, it may not always be the most logical one.

For example, the default function in Internet Explorer (mac or pc) is for it to serve as a scroll wheel (like on your mouse). At first, it's easy to see how this could be preferred over pushing a little wheel with your middle or index finger, but in practice it feels awkward to navigate anything with two hands. If I'm already using my mouse to navigate between pages, why do I want to use a separate controller to scroll up and down? And how often do I have to do that much scrolling?

It's helpful as a volume knob, but a lot of keyboards have those already, and while it shows its true value in video applications, it may be hard for the average person to justify $45 for a jog dial. In addition, you can really only use three of the five functions advertised (left, right and button press) as the other two (left+button press and right+button press) are near impossible to duplicate with any reliability. Half the time I'd press, and half the time I'd turn, but rarely did I do both.

In short, this is a cool thing to have on your desktop. It feels good, it looks good and it may even perform good if you're willing to put in the effort. On both the Mac and the PC, the programming software works great, and the knob is definitely a piece of quality workmanship, but in the end I found myself using it less than I thought I would.

I'd recommend it with reservations - you get out of it exactly what you're willing to put into it.

Recommended: Yes