Wicked Lasers recently gave us the opportunity to check out one of their popular laser pointers, which gave us quite a surprise. Actually, before we received it we called it a laser pointer but not any more. Wicked Lasers assured us that it is not a laser pointer - it truly is a wicked laser, and we can’t disagree.

The sample product we received was from the Elite Series of green lasers, specifically the Elite 125. This laser appears to be around the middle of the road for the different lasers offered by Wicked Lasers. The average output power according to the company runs from 125mW to 149mW. They also have lasers in their catalog with as little as 50mW and as much as 300mW. The Elite 125 for us had plenty of power and made it very clear why this is not a laser pointer for regular presentations. For starters it would be difficult to see anything on a presentation screen because the light from the laser is way too bright, even from across a large room. Also, the crowd would be so distracted by what you’re using to point with they’d never pay attention to anything else you’re trying to show them.

OK, anytime I hear anything about laser beams anymore I can’t help but think of evil geniuses.

Mitsubishi has manufactured a prototype of a television based on the technology of two other companies that uses a type of laser beam projection instead of plasma or liquid crystal displays (LCD). This is still in development but they think something might be ready for production towards the end of 2007.

The Laser TV is intended to be a replacement, or at the least direct competition to the reigning plasma televisions for brightness and picture clarity. Makers boast that …