Stuff Geeks Want

Some might criticize this clock, USB hub for telling the time when you can look at it on the PC, but if you need a four-port USB hub why not include a clock especially when it can show you the time in 25 different cities worldwide? At least it does something useful unlike a bunch of other USB ports that are shaped like sushi or Batman!

The USB Hub and World Travel Clock from Oregon Scientific has a large LCD backlit display that will automatically illuminate when plugged in your computer’s USB port. It also features a stop watch and timer function, three alarm settings, and comes with a three foot USB 2.0 cable.

Buy for $30 from Amazon

It’s very simple…128GB on a stick. The Flash Voyager GT 128GB from Corsair promises read speeds of up to 32MB a second and write speeds of up to 28MB per second. While it’s not close to the performance of high-end solid state drives, this flash drive operates very near the limits of your USBs bus speed. Yea, it’ll break the piggy bank, but for its size it’s got the capacity few will out-use any time soon.

Buy for $399 from Amazon

The Cocoon CLB551 organizes all your gadgets into one nice, neoprene carryon. Interwoven elastic bands inside the cases’s shock-absorbing frame stretch to fit anything from a 15.4-inch laptop, to digital camera, to cell phone, to external hard drive, to…you get the picture.

With this case, there’s no need to remove your laptop from your bag. Simply unzip the Cocoon bag, lay it flat on the airport security conveyer, and you’re on your way.

Buy for $101 from Amazon

Here’s a doozy…the perfect way to get noticed while using a cell phone.

The YUBZ Talk Mobile retro-styled phone. Hook it up to your iPhone or whatever and while it may look clunky, the company says it “designed for comfort, not convenience…not everyone wants to wear a headset.” Good point.

The handset comes in lots of colors and comes with a wide range of adapters and connectors. So if you’re missing the old days and the felling of a handset on our shoulder, check it out.

Buy for $30 from Amazon

Once you get used to an illuminated keyboard, like the one on the MacBook Pro, it’s hard to go back to a regular keyboard when you’re typing at night.

Don’t get me wrong, I still love my Logitech diNovo wireless keyboard, I just wish the keys would light up.

For that, I’d need to splurge for another keyboard from the same maker: the Logitech Illuminated Keyboard.

This stylish low-profile keyboard measures less than a centimeter tall and features the same PerfectStroke key system that the diNovo does.

The only catch? It’s not wireless. And it’s “made” for PCs, meaning it has Windows logos on it instead of Apple’s command key (but, yes, it will work just fine with a Mac).

But if you don’t mind being tethered, act fast: normally $79.99, Amazon is currently dishing these out for $44.99 after rebate.

Buy for $44.99 from Amazon after rebate (ends 8/15/09).

Oh, believe me, I know. $899 is a lot to pay these days for a 24-inch LCD display. If you want to go the budget route you can get a cheap 24-inch TS display for around $250 on sale. Heck, you can even get some IPS panels for around $400.

But that doesn’t matter. Just like whether you know the differences between a TS and an IPS panel.

Let me put it this way: You don’t hear a lot of people telling the guy who dropped $60K on a BMW M3 that he’s foolish for not paying less for a higher performing Corvette.

Because sometime’s it’s just not about the numbers. Apple’s got one of the few LED displays on the market, which means brighter colors, darker blacks, and lower electric bills.

It’s also got built-in speakers, a built-in camera, a built-in mic, and includes a built-in power supply for charging your laptop. All through one cable.

And let’s not get started on the gorgeous aluminum and glass.

Reward yourself, the recession’s over. Or, at least with Apple LED Cinema Display you can surf the Web like it is.

Buy for $889.84 from Amazon (because, hey, free shipping and no tax in most states helps)

OK, so we probably got your hopes up with that Monster Cable Outlets to Go 3 post… at least, we got our own hopes up. Since it turns out the model with a USB outlet is next to impossible to find at the moment, here we are with an alternative: the Belkin Mini Surge Protector with USB charger.

This pint-size power device packs 3 power receptacles and two USB ports so your charging needs are covered.

At $24.99, the retail price is fair. Amazon normally has it around $20, but right now you can score it for just $14.25. Seeing as that’s what you’d normally pay for a wall outlet USB charger, we think getting twice the USB ports and three outlets makes this simply awesome.

Buy for $14.25 from Amazon

Yea, Monster Cable products are over-priced. Okay, a lot over-priced. But this little baby is the exception…cheap and very useful. On trips, the Monster Cable Outlets to Go 3 is a three-outlet strip whose plug wraps around and plugs into itself. Now with an added USB port, it can charge your iPhone too.

Buy for around $15 from Amazon for the non-USB model… the USB one will be shipping soon.

Looking for a way to connect 4 hard drives to your computer? Don’t want to shell out for a Drobo?

You can save a bit of cash by picking up the Onnto DataTale 4-Bay RAID System w/Quad Interface. Not only does it sport a slick enclosure, it also features USB 2.0, FireWire 400, FireWire 800, and eSATA connectivity.

Sure, you can get cheaper USB 2.0 or eSATA multi-bay drive enclosures, but this is the premium you pay for FireWire… you amy as well get something that looks good, in the process!

Buy for $379.95 from Oyen Digital, plus shipping

A friend of mine asked what she should get in the way of a new iMac, so here’s what I told her:

The low-end models are the best deal. The only thing you should have to decide is if you want a 20-inch or 24-inch display. I tend to side with the larger display—it lets you be more productive—but in the case of iMacs, the display will always outlast the computer. This means in 5 years you’ll want something better and will be unable to take advantage of that gorgeous built-in screen with your new system… But they’re both pretty solid deals, the low-end 20″ iMac costing $1,199 at retail, and the 24″ iMac coming in at $1,499.

Buy 20″ iMac for $1,186.97 from Amazon or
Buy 20″ iMac for $1,149 from B&H

Buy 24″ iMac for $1,478.98 from Amazon or
Buy 24″ iMac for $1,1439 from B&H

Get 4GB of RAM. This is only if you go with the 20″ model, since the 24″ models all come with 4GB standard. NewEgg has the best deals on this stuff at around $60 shipped; choose from one of the following (they’re both great, but the prices/free shipping offers are always changing):

Buy 4GB (2x2GB) Mushkin Memory or
Buy 2GB Crucial Memory (you’ll need two)

Anything else? Not really. The new iMacs are a real chore to crack into, so I would advise you against installing a larger hard drive inside yourself. Instead, pick up a hard drive and external enclosure for a lot less than you could buying one off the shelf—and don’t go cheap and get just a USB 2.0 enclosure, take advantage of the iMac’s FireWire 800 port and spring for the extra speed.

Buy Hitatchi 1TB Hard Drive for $79.99 shipped

Rosewill Silver Aluminum USB 2.0/FireWire 400/800 Enclosure for $59.99 or
Rosewill Black Aluminum USB 2.0/FireWire 400/800 Enclosure for $69.99