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Saitek Maestro Travel Chess Computer Review
justechn writes "I just finished my review of the Maestro Travel Chess Computer, sent to me by Saitek. If you really like chess and are always on the go then this device will give you the chess fix that you desire without the hassle of lugging around a real chess board and pieces."
Still doesn't compete with a real live opponent though.
You know. This is the kind of thing that is going to be obsoleted by the Nintendo DS. Play pickup games of chess, wirelessly with people you pass by in the street or train. Then upload all the rankings online wirelessly when you pass by an open access point.
I think two arm processors can do as well as a specialized chess machine. Especially a handheld one. Not to mention that playing with two screens, one of them being a touch screen should be quite nice.
Someone needs to make all kinds of board games for the DS, it is so perfect. I know at least in Japan they are making mah-jong. We need some European board games though, like Settlers, Tigris and Euphrates, or the best of all time Puerto Rico!
If there was Puerto Rico for the DS I would buy two copies.
Also, I know lots of people who would like to play go.
Are you listening Nintendo?
The GeekNights podcast is going strong. Listen!
You will get the Device itself, a case to protect it while traveling, and an instruction manuel
Manuel? Who's manuel? Is that like a grandmaster who helps give you instructions on how to play?
Seriously though, it seems like there wasn't a lot to review here. It's like you state the features, and there's really not much else to tell.
The clasp is interesting. It seems like a magnet, but it is attracted to a small clear plastic strip that is on the bottom portion of the case. I personally didn't know magnets were attracted to plastic. Maybe it has some metal in it.
Hm, good to know. I'll definitely factor that in when I'm thinking about buying it.
The computer will not allow you to make illegal moves, so it is helpful to have all the moves memorized.
If you ask me, all chess computers are expected not to allow you to make illegal moves. If you they don't do that, IT'S NOT CHESS.
What was missing from the review, IMHO:
- Pictures. All the descriptions of where buttons and indicators were would have left me more satisfied if I could actually have seen where they were, rather than simply imagining it.
- How tough are the levels? Something like, "I've been playing for x years, my rating is yyy (or, I don't have a rating), and I was beaten thoroughly past level zzz."
- Are all the computer's moves instantaneous? Does it take longer for the computer to think on higher levels? How much longer?
- Battery Life.
- What competing products are there? If Saitek won't let you mention competitors, then you're just being an advertising stool pigeon for them.
For some reason, I like this line:
you have to pack a big board and lots of pieces. This makes it very inconvenient to whip it out for a quick game.
Besides having some innuendo, I must say that it is tough to play at a moment's notice. Is carrying a chess board around what's really stopping you from playing all the time? I mean, unless you just go around challenging the guy sitting next to you on the bus, I don't think carrying a chess board around is going to do you any good. Just my opinion. I'm sure there are contradictory examples.
Must have been a slow news day for this to get onto slashdot.
I thought when I read the "article" that it sounded pretty cool and thought I should get one. Guess I was wrong...
To the people that say "Get a Game Boy" - I don't want a game boy. Game boys are for kids. Maybe the new one will be better, but it's not out yet and no chess game is available.
To those that say "Get a Palm" - I don't want one. I already carry a sub notebook for all my computing needs including internet through a cellular thigamajig. I don't need a lesser computer taking up space in my bag.
I have a chess program on my PC, but it's slow to boot and my PC eats batteries like pac man eats "power pellets."
If I can pull this thing out my pants (no, not that thing you fag - I'm talking about the chess game) from a pouch in a few seconds that's cool. If it has a "rapid resume" feature, double cool. If it has long battery life, triple cool, especially if it has a vibrate function.