Ergotron LX Notebook Arm Pros: Erognomic, Stable Mounting of Laptop or LCD Monitor Cons: Massive, Time Consuming to Install In Sum: Solid, Flexible Positioning for Dual-Display Users Who Like the Industrial Look Pricing: $179.99 More Info: Product Page I recently added an external LCD monitor to my iBook-based home setup so I can have more screen space to work with (using Screen Spanning Doctor). Egotron'x LX Notebook Arm is meant to be the ultimate ergonmoic solution for people like me: It combines a desk mount swivel-arm monitor mount with a notebook tray attachment so you can position your laptop's screen at the proper height next to an external monitor. The system works very well, providing a solid, minutely adjustable holder suitable for every laptop in Apple's lineup. The mount requires a fair amount of time to install, and also takes up quite a bit of room to either the rear or side of the desk it's attached to. Beyond that, the assembly is visually imposing - much more so than the laptop stand I'm currently using to acheive the same effect. If you use a laptop/monitor set up in an office or industrial setting - or just like the industrial look - the Ergotron LX is an excellent (if not cheap) solution. Me, I'll stick with the less imposing, if not as flexible, laptop stand method. Compare prices at PCPrices/Mac.

Boostaroo Revolution Headphone Amplifier Pros: Quality Headphone Amp/Splitter Cons: "Hi-Definition Sound" Not Really Noticeable In Sum: Go With the Original Boostaroo Instead Pricing: $79.99 More Info: Product Page The original Boostaroo is a portable, battery powered headphone amplifier/splitter that plugs into any 1/8" stereo audio signal and turns that signal into three separate 1/8" stereo signals with increased volume and very little signal degradation. The Boostaroo Revolution claims to one up the original with a "patented circuit [that] breaks apart compressed audio signals into three seperate audio channels. This effect not only produces a highly defined sound, but creates imaged surround sound as well." Honestly, I didn't see (hear) it. For fifty bucks more, the Revolution cuts back from three to two headphone jacks and for my money doesn't do much else. At $29.99, the Boostaroo is a solid value if you need a iBook/PowerBook/MacBook or iPod-compatible headphone amp. Buy that one instead. Compare prices at PCPrices.

Slappa BulkHead Pro 4 in 1 Laptop Bag Pros: Versatile, Well-Made Travel Bag With Laptop Protection and Zip-Off Storage Cons: You Might Like the Design. I Didn't. In Sum: Tough, Flexible Overnighter WIth Wheels and Pockets Galore Pricing: $179.99 More Info: Product Page To be fair, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I'm a big fan of the sleek, Japanese look of my Hideo Wakamatsu Three-Line Trolley, what with its silver and black, hardshell and nylon styling. I'm not such a big fan of bulky, hi-tech meets on-the-go looks of the Slappa BulkHead 4 in 1 Trolley. You, however, might love its "Pro-grade BuckBlast" suede exterior and the giant, hand-shaped logo on the back. Either way, it doesn't matter so much because the BulkHead is an imminently flexible bag with zippers aplenty that reconfigure it from a rolling laptop trolley to a full-on piece of carryon luggage suitable for short business trips. Tough, lightweight, and rolling: what more could you want in a piece of laptop-friendly luggage? Compare prices at PCPrices.

* * * *

Get the best price for your new iPod at PCPrices/iPod