Top Pick. Remember the Intel Play QX3 Computer Microscope? It was a fantastic computer peripheral for kids, and the software included in the package was great fun too. However, through some marketing blunders, the QX3 was discontinued. Prima Creations picked up the product and updated it. And that is the story behind Digital Blue: QX5 Computer Microscope, an innovative microscope and computer software package that pretty much defines the term "edutainment".

According to a Wall Street Journal article, even scientists love this "toy". The upgrades from the QX3 include better lighting, top and bottom, higher resolution (640x480), and faster video playback. The QX5 is a better, improved product.

The QX5 allows users to view objects at 10X, 60X, or 200X magnification. The images appear directly on the computer screen, ready to be manipulated as desired. The microscope plugs into the PC via a USB plug. Images can be in the form of stills, videos, and time-lapse.

Kids have fun not only looking for samples to magnify, they enjoy manipulating the images with paint tools and sound effect tools. One of the most exciting activities our testers had with the computer microscope involved making the sample images mystery objects. They enjoyed letting other kids and adults guess what they had magnified!

The package includes the microscope itself, video and editing software (kid-friendly!) on CD-ROM, a slide clip, and lab supplies (slides, tweezers, containers, and so forth). 

For more information, user reviews, or to buy the game, follow this link:

QX5 Computer Microscope

Our Rating:   A

[For more information, user reviews, or to buy: QX5 Computer Microscope]

Reviewed January 2005

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