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Recently I
was presented with an opportunity to test a truly unique
product from a little known company based in
Albuquerque, New Mexico...Massworks.
Massworks has developed a compact USB Touchscreen controller
for Windows and Linux based PCs called the ID-75.
Initially, Massworks introduced this product to us as a "USB
Touchscreen Game Controller", but once the product was in
our hands and functional, it was painfully obvious that the
ID-75 is capable of so much more. We were confused as
to why this product was being marketed as a game controller,
so we dropped our contact at Massworks a line for their
point of view. The conversation went like this...
HotHardware:
"I have a question regarding
the ID-75 we are currently reviewing. I've been trying to
make your product part of my daily routine for the past week
or so, trying to get a true feel for its usefulness,
quality...etc. Although it's well suited for quite a few
games, I'm wondering why you're marketing this product as a
game controller when there are so many other uses for it?"
Massworks:
"Hello Marco, You have the
best questions! You are correct, the ID-75 has so many
uses that it may seem odd that it is marketed as a game
controller. The simple answer to your question is that we
are gamers. The idea is that you can use it for games but
its usefulness does not stop there."
Well, there you
have it folks! Self professed gamers, making a product
for gamers. In a perfect world, that combination
should yield an excellent product...but we all know this
isn't a perfect world. Let's take a look at what the
Massworks ID-75 is made of, and whether or not it's worth
spending your hard earned money on...
CLICK ON ANY IMAGE FOR AN
ENLARGED VIEW
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| Specifications of the
Massworks ID-75 |
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Something New... |
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Software:
- Layout software for
creation of custom game layouts for simulating
keyboard/mouse input, opening URLs and other actions.
- Control program that
can track the active application and automatically
load predefined layouts.
- DirectDraw/DirectInput
compliant API for direct control for custom
applications.
- Utilizes a direct
kernel interface for keyboard and mouse input to
maximize performance and application compatibility.
Hardware:
- Full speed 12
Megabit/second USB support
- 320x240x4096 (12-bit)
Color LCD (FST), 5.1 inch diagonal
- Passive Resistive
Touch sensitive panel
- Integral Fan for
reduced LCD heat smear
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The Massworks ID-75
ships in an uninspiring box, bundled with the bare
essentials needed to get the controller installed and
configured...
Included in the box
you'll find the ID-75 itself, a CD containing the drivers
and Layout Creation software, a 12v DC Power adapter and a
high quality USB data cable. There was also a simple
document outlining the ID-75's installation, but sadly no
complete user's manual. Considering the fairly large
price tag, we would also have liked to have seen a complete
game or two or some applications bundled with it that would
highlight the ID-75's features and usefulness. In it's
current shipping state, the Massworks ID-75 is equipped with
only the items needed to get the product up and running.
What do you say we get this baby installed and she what
she's all about...
The
Setup and Software...
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