Logitech io

If you remember school days of long lectures, endless note-taking and typing up last-minute essays, you'll wonder why the io digital pen from Logitech wasn't invented sooner. It resembles an overweight ballpoint pen, but the main difference is that notes must be scribbled on the supplied digital notepad. As you write, the strokes are stored in the pen's internal memory. The pen is then slotted into its cradle, which connects to a PC via USB, and all the recorded information is transferred to your PC. Up to 40 pages of text can be stored in the io's 1Mb of memory.

Once a document is transferred, it is displayed on the screen with a selection of options. Here you can choose to edit the document, email it, create a Post-it-style note or save the document as an image. There is also an option to convert your handwriting to editable text. The handwriting-recognition software is fairly good but far from foolproof, and during our trials words did need correcting.

The io recharges its batteries when attached to the cradle and has an indicator light that serves to gauge remaining battery life. Should the battery die before you're able to dock it, the io will still store everything written up until that point.

At £150, it's not cheap and may be affordable to only a few high-powered executives, but many students would also find it a boon.

Contact: Logitech 020 7309 0127
www.logitech.com