Logitech Cordless Desktop Wave

Product summary

The good: Unique, comfortable key layout; easy to get used to; affordable compared to other ergo-minded keyboards.

The bad: Inconveniently placed media keys.

The bottom line: Logitech's Cordless Desktop Wave stands out for its comfortable ergonomic touches, an easy learning curve, and its affordable price. We have minor issues with its hot keys--the media controls get short shrift--but heavy typists will like what Logitech has to offer here.

Specs: Form factor: External; Compatibility: PC,; Mac; Battery size: AA type See full specs >>

Price range: $68.43 - $92.04

Logitech FreePulse Wireless Headphones

Product summary

The good: The Logitech FreePulse Wireless Headphones are remarkably light, flexible, and resilient. The sound quality is decent overall with an emphasis on bass. The Bluetooth transmitter can be used with any audio source that has a minijack headphone output.

The bad: Troubleshooting possible Bluetooth connection problems can be a hassle compared to the reliability of hardwired headphones. Unlike previous Logitech designs, there are no playback controls on these headphones.

The bottom line: Compared to the range of options out there for Bluetooth MP3 player headphones, the Logitech FreePulse Wireless Headphones offer exceptional design and value.

Specs: Product type: Headphones; Design: Behind-the-neck; Color: Black See full specs >>

Price range: $78.99 - $99.99

Philips DVP5960/37

Product summary

The good: Relatively inexpensive; HDMI upconversion to 720p, 576p, and 1080i; DivX compatibility with decent playback performance; mostly solid video quality; front USB port for digital photos and music; ultraslim styling.

The bad: Annoying shift bug causes some black bars on movies; 576p mode is close to unwatchable; no S-Video output.

The bottom line: The Philips DVP5960/37 HDMI-upscaling DVD player is an excellent choice for budget-conscious HDTV owners and multimedia aficionados, and its DivX playback is a nice bonus.

Specs: Sound output mode: Stereo; Color: Silver; Weight: 4.4 lbs See full specs >>

Price range: $59.99 - $75.99

Logitech VX Nano Cordless Laser Mouse

Product summary

The good: Two modes for the scroll wheel let you spin through long documents quickly; very portable; the Logitech VX Nano laser mouse is shaped for both left- and right-handed users; programmable buttons; tiny receiver stores inside the mouse; laser tracking for precision on many surfaces.

The bad: Somewhat expensive; may be too small for people with large hands.

The bottom line: If you can afford its high price, you'll be pleased by the Logitech VX Nano Cordless Laser Mouse's comfort, features, and extremely portable design.

Specs: Form factor: External; Compatibility: PC,; Mac; Battery size: AAA type See full specs >>

Price range: $54.99 - $79.00

Razer ProType keyboard

Product summary

The good: Near-perfect typing response; integrated iPod dock; configurable macro keys; well-placed media and image control keys.

The bad: Less customization and higher price than Razer's gaming keyboard of similar design.

The bottom line: We wish Razer had considered the value proposition a bit more with its iPod dock-equipped ProType keyboard, but if you think minimized cable clutter is worth an extra $30 and the loss of some configurability, you'll find yourself with an attractive keyboard that's a pleasure to type on.

Specs: Form factor: External; Compatibility: PC; Interface required: Line-out, USB See full specs >>

Price range: $71.99 - $109.99

Kensington Contour Cargo Messenger

Product summary

The good: Smartly designed pockets; extra-wide shoulder strap.

The bad: Earth-green palette isn't for everyone; stiff rear panel; side MP3-player pockets are too small.

The bottom line: The Kensington Contour Cargo Messenger laptop case is one of the most comfortable, and useful, laptop messenger bags we've used, though it's not exactly sophisticated-looking.

Price range: $38.24 - $59.99

Nintendo Game Boy Micro (Black)

Product summary

The good: Pocket-friendly small size; bright, brilliant screen; decent battery life; standard headphone jack; huge library of games; swappable faceplates provide screen protection.

The bad: Game Boy titles are looking old vs. more advanced competition; body and screen size may be just too small for some; not compatible with older GBA accessories and older Game Boy games; the more advanced and equally bright DS Lite--which can play all of the Micro's games--can be had for an additional $30.

The bottom line: Nintendo's latest Game Boy has an interesting design but doesn't offer anything you can't find in the company's other portables.

Specs: Product Description: Nintendo Game Boy Micro - Handheld game system; Form Factor: Handheld; Media Type: Cartridge See full specs >>

Price range: $69.99

Sony NWZ-B105F (2GB, black)

Product summary

The good: The Sony NWZ-B100F's fitness-friendly design, high-fidelity sound quality, built-in USB plug, and FM tuner make it an ideal MP3 player for active people.

The bad: The Sony NWZ-B100F can't handle photos, videos, line-input recording or Audible audiobooks. Also, the three-line display is difficult to read, battery life is only average, and the cap for the USB plug is easy to lose.

The bottom line: If you're looking for an affordable, utilitarian MP3 player to take on the road or to the gym, the Sony NWZ-B100F is a solid solution with awesome audio quality.

Specs: Device type: Digital player / radio; See full specs >>

Price range: $59.95 - $70.95

Nintendo Game Boy Advance SP (Pearl Blue)

Product summary

The good: Solid, compact design; extremely bright screen; removable long-lasting rechargeable battery; bargain price.

The bad: Still no standard headphone jack; tiny shoulder buttons; most games are skewed toward kids.

The bottom line: Now that it has a brighter screen, Nintendo's Game Boy Advance SP is the budget champ for portable gaming.

Specs: Product Description: Nintendo Game Boy Advance SP - Handheld game system; Form Factor: Handheld; Media Type: Cartridge See full specs >>

Price range: $79.99 - $154.99

SDI iHome IH8WR (white)

Product summary

The good: The SDI iHome iH8 alarm clock radio allows you to wake to iPod songs or the radio; iPod charges while in dock. The iH8 includes line-in/line-out jacks; remote control; presets for radio stations; bass and treble controls; and gradual alarm/sleep volume. It's compatible with optional "expansion" bedside speaker, which provides better stereo separation for slightly improved sound.

The bad: Thin bass; love-it-or-hate-it design.

The bottom line: If all you have is $100 to spend on an iPod speaker system, the iHome iH8 iPod clock radio is one of your better bets.

Specs: Device type: Clock radio with iPod cradle; Tuner bands: AM/FM; Color: White See full specs >>

Price range: $88.48

LG Chocolate VX8550 - blue mint Verizon

Product summary

The good: The LG VX8550 Chocolate has a much improved design over the original Chocolate, with a mechanical scroll wheel that has a trace motion light, a touch pad that vibrates, and an overall sleeker look. It has an impressive multimedia feature set that includes a megapixel camera, a music player, and access to Verizon's V Cast service.

The bad: Even though we liked the vibrating feedback of the LG VX8550 Chocolate's touchpad, we still missed the feeling of tactile keys. You also have to get the Music Set, which costs more, if you want the microSD card and USB cable along with the phone.

The bottom line: The LG VX8550 Chocolate is definitely a big improvement over the original Chocolate, with a beautiful yet functional design plus a host of impressive features to boot.

Specs: Band / mode: CDMA2000 1X 1900/800; Talk time: Up to 250 min; Combined with: With digital camera / digital player See full specs >>

Price range: $99.99