These are great little speakers and this is a superb item. If you bought these as a present for a tech minded teenager, I think you have made a good choice for a birthday or Christmas gift.

Without wishing to be flippant, at first sight these speakers look like to space age salt-and-pepper pots. They are stylishly packaged in an attractive vinyl box and would be quite safe to be posted as they are. There is an attractive set of accessories including a small bag to carry them in, although there so dinky and petite, you'd probably be okay with in your pocket. There's a jack plug connected to a USB charger connected to the speakers which is all included in a small, tidy and well-designed set of leads.

The speakers charge from a USB ports very very quickly and supply 18 hours playing on a single charge. It's only when you connect them to your PC that you realise the power-these are really impressive speakers which I bought to add a new dimension to my tinny laptop sound. I was absolutely delighted with the results. These can be used either in mono or stereo and connect via magnetic connections in the base. They can also be connected with other speakers of the same brand by means of a very neatly stored jack plug in the base of each item.

I think I'm ranting. I really really appreciated the good design of the speakers and the fantastic job they did in improving my very basic sound. I was also pleased to see a small charity leaflet promoting an international children's charity subtly included in the packaging materials. I think this is a company with a good eye for excellent design and the company with a bit of soul as well. I'll be doing business with them again.

This is a very stylish kettle that makes a good impression, easy-to-use, and would make a generous wedding present. Breville is a good brand, and this item does them justice. The capacity is very generous and ideal for a family breakfast. The catch to open the top of the kettle is actually on top of the kettle itself rather than in the handle; this is a small thing and probably a matter of personal preference: I didn't find it a problem.

Boiling seemed to take a realistic amount of time, neither too long or too short. The switch itself doesn't illuminate, but the generous windows on the side of the body of the kettle reveal a small blue light which glows when the kettle is active. Some reviewers have commented on this being a "loud" kettle, but I didn't think it particularly was. It does the job efficiently and is very pleasing in its design-I found the lid which slopes down towards the spout a little unusual to look at but not in any way a problem. Once more hitch was the rather short amount of lead attached to the base, and I think the "storage" the basis supposed to have for spare electrical lead is a bit of a red herring.

This is a thoroughly dependable and thoroughly appropriate item which seemed a tiny bit expensive for what it was, but would be money well spent in your kitchen.

it has to be said that this film has a hard act to follow, with the numerous BBC adaptations of the novel, and how do you deal with such masterpieces David Lean's black-and-white version from the 1940s? I remember reading an interview with the Russian director Andre Tarkovsky who described the impact that this version and had on him. Saying that, this is a highly accomplished and enjoyable version of what I have to confess is one of my favourite novels.
There are some casualties from the start-the Orlick subplot is neatly and simply deleted, and to be honest I didn't really miss it. What shines out is the impressive performance by Jeremy Irvine as Pip, combining his innocence so well used in War Horse with a gaucheness and fire that typifies the character. Ralph Finnes as Mike which was inspired casting as he is an actor who just gets better and better. There's almost a whiff of the character he played in Skyfall in Magwitch's physicality and candour. Helena Bonham Carter steals the show as Miss Havisham, and it is her portrayal that will probably characterise Mike Newell's version in the public consciousness for years to come. She brings just the right measure of crumbling Gothic hauteur to the role. Robbie Coltrane is incomparable as usual.
My yardstick for a good of adaptation of Great Expectations is whether it gives good Wemmick, together with his "aged parent", my favourite character (and the literary critic Tom Paulin has a superb essay on this part of the book that is well worth reading). Good Wemmick here. A film with a very high Wemmick factor indeed!

This is a very accomplished juicer which is well designed. If you invest in it, you'll be spending your money wisely. The design is highly attractive in chrome and black. Storage is especially highlighed to minimise the footprint on your worksurface. The action is very powerful, extracting a very impressive amount of juice with minimum preparation on your part. A very welcome feature is the substantially sized chute that allows access to more fruit more quickly. Lining the 'bin' with a bag is a practical solution to the cleaning problem. This item is a winner and does a great job.

Something of a return to familiar territory for Banville, after the quirky humour of The Infinities. If you have been reading Banville since Kepler, like I have, this will reward and please rather than challenge. The novel is loosely connected to the dour and introspective Shroud, so expect the light here to be shades of grey rather than technicolour. Secure performance for Banville fans, if you haven't read his graceful prose before, don't start here.

Great fun and a thoroughly professional item. I really like the bold chunky design which has something of Fisher-Price about it. The unit and its accessories are substantial to the touch and reassuringly hefty. There has been some real thought given to storage too, with innovative nesting and stacking maximising your work surface space. The chopping action is quite powerful and as some reviewers indicate quite loud! There's a really comprehensive range of chopping tools that do justice to a range of foods, but as has been said, meat might be pushing its capabilities a little. This is well designed and functional item that has a cheerful personality and will encourage you and your family to create a range of new salads and vegetables. One star off for cost which seems a tad high.

This is a really impressive wi-fi booster for the price. My broadband server's wi-fi range is pretty basic, and just about projects through two walls to provide a very basic signal. This stylish and efficient booster more than doubled the signal to the far side of the house. I did find the instillation a bit of a struggle, but persevered and got there in the end! Loads of potential applications - great item,

This is a compelling work of history but beware - it is not a popular history of the six events, but a careful, almost forensic detailing of the Cabinet decision making processes that resulted in decisive action. I found the approach refreshing and original with real insights revealed. At a time when politicians are held in low esteem, this is a sobering reminder of the titanic pressure to make the right choice they can too easily and suddenly find themselves facing.

This is an ambitious software package that promises a good deal and struggles to deliver. There's a whole host of impressive features, but the control systems aren't quite polished enough to make it sufficiently easy to use. Instillation is easy and quick, but the data entry takes a great deal of time. Certain banks offer online software that would give this a run for its money.

A neglected classic. There's the marvellous central character of Mame at the core of this book, a kind of Dorothy Parker with a liberal dash of warm humanity. This is a really warm and satisfying read that has been wisely re-released and deserves a wide audience.