Computer microscopes interface with a computer and transfer images. The QX3 was the first popular computer microscope developed by Intel, and the QX5 is its successor. The QX5 offers three magnification levels and can take video and still photos. Other computer microscopes are comparable in price and resolution. Higher quality digital microscopes can achieve up to 400X magnification.
A computer microscope is a microscope that interfaces directly with a personal computer, or is designed with a built-in computer and a method for transferring images to a computer. The computer microscope is a relatively recent invention, growing out of science-grade microscopes using computer technology. It’s a very popular toy, for both adults and children, and can be used for a variety of basic applications, although currently the resolutions aren’t high enough to be suitable for many more complex purposes.
The first popular computer microscope was developed by Intel as part of its Intel Play line. The chip giant decided it wanted to get involved in the smart toy movement, creating toys that included on-board computers. Rather than build dolls or another form of toy with limited real-world applications, Intel decided to launch its line with a useful consumer science product, the QX3. The QX3 is a fairly simple computer microscope, which can be connected to a computer via the USB port. He can then take photographs directly to the computer or record video.
Intel eventually discontinued its Intel Play line, selling it to Prime Entertainment, which became the Digital Blue brand. Digital Blue manufactures the most popular computer microscope on the market today, the QX5, the successor to the earlier QX3. The QX5 contains a number of upgrades to the earlier QX3 and due to its relatively low price it has become very popular in both schools and homes.
The QX5 is essentially a webcam and offers three different magnification levels: 10X, 60X and 200X. The computer microscope is connected to a computer via a USB cable and can be programmed from the computer to perform a variety of tasks. It can take video and still photos, and can also be set to take time-lapse photography at specific intervals. The sensor used in this computer microscope achieves 640×480 pixel images, making them sharp enough, and at less than $100 US Dollars (USD), the price is low enough for most consumer needs.
Other computer microscopes are comparable in both price and resolution to the QX5 and earlier QX3, with some costing as much as $30 USD for microscopes up to 60X resolution. Different microscopes have different form factors, however, some are made to be used as a magnifier, freestanding and designed to be held, and others designed more like traditional microscopes. This is largely a matter of preference, and some of the freestanding microscopes include stands so they can be held steady if needed.
There are also higher quality digital microscopes, in the $300 USD to $600 USD price range. These microscopes are much more similar to traditional microscopes, but often include a digital display. They accept flash memories, which can be loaded with stationary or video slides, and can be connected to your computer via USB. These types of digital microscopes can achieve up to 400X magnification, and with an additional 4X digital zoom they can easily view slides up to 1600X of their actual size.
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