http://www.chesscomputer.co.uk Chess Computer blog - Reviews of Chess Computers Tue, 13 May 2008 07:52:29 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.1.3 en http://www.chesscomputer.co.uk/2007/12/22/saitek-aquired-what-about-their-chess-computers/ http://www.chesscomputer.co.uk/2007/12/22/saitek-aquired-what-about-their-chess-computers/#comments Sat, 22 Dec 2007 20:45:20 +0000 admin http://www.chesscomputer.co.uk/2007/12/22/saitek-aquired-what-about-their-chess-computers/
With the news that Saitek have been bought out by another company interested only in their PC peripheral side - what is the future for their electronic chess computers which occupies over a third of the computer inventory of most chess retailers? It looks like the aquiring company is not interested in continuing their manufacture - [...]]]> http://www.chesscomputer.co.uk/2007/12/22/saitek-aquired-what-about-their-chess-computers/feed/ http://www.chesscomputer.co.uk/2007/12/11/announcing-the-enhanced-novag-citrine/ http://www.chesscomputer.co.uk/2007/12/11/announcing-the-enhanced-novag-citrine/#comments Tue, 11 Dec 2007 11:44:11 +0000 admin http://www.chesscomputer.co.uk/2007/12/11/announcing-the-enhanced-novag-citrine/
The Novag Citrine (now back on track with their new cabinets and improved quality) is a great chess computer to be sure. But many users have suggested an improved set of pieces would be justified for this high level chess computer. So ChessBaron.co.uk have come out with an improved set of pieces re-engineered for the Citrine [...]]]> http://www.chesscomputer.co.uk/2007/12/11/announcing-the-enhanced-novag-citrine/feed/ http://www.chesscomputer.co.uk/2007/11/17/shame-on-novag/ http://www.chesscomputer.co.uk/2007/11/17/shame-on-novag/#comments Fri, 16 Nov 2007 21:18:15 +0000 admin http://www.chesscomputer.co.uk/2007/11/17/shame-on-novag/
Improved Novag Citrine Chess Computers: Novag have released a new batch of Citrine cabinets that are much better quality externally and internally than in late 2007. There was a problem with the cabinet at that time, but this is now resolved. But the squeeky wheel gets the oil - ChessBaron - as the main reseller in the [...]]]> http://www.chesscomputer.co.uk/2007/11/17/shame-on-novag/feed/ http://www.chesscomputer.co.uk/2007/09/24/chess-sets-chess-computers-feed/ http://www.chesscomputer.co.uk/2007/09/24/chess-sets-chess-computers-feed/#comments Mon, 24 Sep 2007 13:37:08 +0000 admin http://www.chesscomputer.co.uk/2007/09/24/chess-sets-chess-computers-feed/
A new way of finding products such as chess pieces and chess computers or electronic chess has arisen through Google's growing conquest of the online world - called Google Product Search. As a brief aside from the review of individual chess computer models, it's worth looking at this excellent provision from a company that [...]]]> http://www.chesscomputer.co.uk/2007/09/24/chess-sets-chess-computers-feed/feed/ http://www.chesscomputer.co.uk/2007/07/02/alert-excalibur-talking-touch-404d-to-be-de-listed/ http://www.chesscomputer.co.uk/2007/07/02/alert-excalibur-talking-touch-404d-to-be-de-listed/#comments Mon, 02 Jul 2007 20:21:31 +0000 admin http://www.chesscomputer.co.uk/2007/07/02/alert-excalibur-talking-touch-404d-to-be-de-listed/ 2nd July 2007.
The best in handheld chess computers, the Excalibur Talking Touch (404-D) is now de-listed by Excalibur Electronics,
... But look what's taking it's place!!!



Wow! What we always complained about with the Excalibur Talking Touch 404-D was.... the absence of a backlight. Bravo Excalibur - you now have the excellent 'New York [...]]]> http://www.chesscomputer.co.uk/2007/07/02/alert-excalibur-talking-touch-404d-to-be-de-listed/feed/ http://www.chesscomputer.co.uk/2007/06/18/15/ http://www.chesscomputer.co.uk/2007/06/18/15/#comments Sun, 17 Jun 2007 22:34:25 +0000 admin http://www.chesscomputer.co.uk/2007/06/18/15/
Well... once you get used to the graphics - it's a great electronic chess machine. Oh, and the colour - you have to get used to playing something purple. Like the Maestro it has one single downside - poor graphics, but that downside is enough to make you want to buy.... want to buy.... the [...]]]> http://www.chesscomputer.co.uk/2007/06/18/15/feed/ http://www.chesscomputer.co.uk/2007/06/17/which-of-the-three-manufacturers/ http://www.chesscomputer.co.uk/2007/06/17/which-of-the-three-manufacturers/#comments Sun, 17 Jun 2007 19:28:57 +0000 admin http://www.chesscomputer.co.uk/2007/06/17/which-of-the-three-manufacturers/      ;

Looking outside the conventional chess set and into electronic chess - which of the three are the best? Is there an outstanding manufacturer of chess computers? Well, it's all in the eye of the beholder, but we're calling in favour of Novag. Now, in case the [...]]]> http://www.chesscomputer.co.uk/2007/06/17/which-of-the-three-manufacturers/feed/ http://www.chesscomputer.co.uk/2007/06/16/novag-carnelian-ii-chess-computer-review/ http://www.chesscomputer.co.uk/2007/06/16/novag-carnelian-ii-chess-computer-review/#comments Sat, 16 Jun 2007 10:59:01 +0000 admin http://www.chesscomputer.co.uk/2007/06/16/novag-carnelian-ii-chess-computer-review/
In our 'warts and all' tour of chess computers it's difficult to find a wart with this model. And in general Novag have done very well with many of their computers. But with the Citrine's price tag a little dizzying, the Ruby's look and feel a little old fashioned (poor graphics being the largest [...]]]> http://www.chesscomputer.co.uk/2007/06/16/novag-carnelian-ii-chess-computer-review/feed/ http://www.chesscomputer.co.uk/2007/06/15/the-saitek-expert-chess-computer/ http://www.chesscomputer.co.uk/2007/06/15/the-saitek-expert-chess-computer/#comments Fri, 15 Jun 2007 13:03:49 +0000 admin http://www.chesscomputer.co.uk/2007/06/15/the-saitek-expert-chess-computer/
The Expert from Saitek is the strongest in computer chess the company makes, and has the build quality of a quality German car. The peg style machine is superbly crafted and has an ease of use that many other machines (including, sadly, some from the same company) could benefit from. The pegs insert into [...]]]> http://www.chesscomputer.co.uk/2007/06/15/the-saitek-expert-chess-computer/feed/ http://www.chesscomputer.co.uk/2007/06/11/maestro-chess-computer/ http://www.chesscomputer.co.uk/2007/06/11/maestro-chess-computer/#comments Mon, 11 Jun 2007 18:07:30 +0000 admin
Ismenio's chess computer collection doesn't include this one yet - but it will in time. Sleek, like an expensive personal organising PDA- the Saitek Maestro leads the pack in handheld chess computers and handheld electronic chess with Saitek's enlightened decision to include a backlight and contrast settings. They've done so well with [...]]]> http://www.chesscomputer.co.uk/2007/06/11/maestro-chess-computer/feed/