Best Portable Hard Drives Of 2011

External hard drives are a must for backing up computer data.  And for most users, the best portable hard drives work just as well as their desktop cousins, with the added versatility of travel-readiness.  Storage capacity is important, but it’s definitely not the only factor to consider.  Here are a couple of the other criteria we looked at for our “Best Of” list:

Speed: Drives that manage a disk speed of at least 5,400rpm with an 8MB buffer give faster performance.  When it comes to transfer rates, high-speed connections like Firewire 800 are great – but the tried-and-true USB 2.0 is universally available, and in truth, it works fine for most users.

Reliability & Durability:  The most feature-rich drive is useless if you can’t get at what’s stored inside, so a portable drive needs to be able to stand up to the realities of day-to-day use and travel.

Convenience & Value:  Well-designed drives are user-friendly, easily portable, and let you get the job done with a minimum of fuss and expense.

Western Digital 1TB Elements SE Portable Hard Drive

Western Digital 1TB Elements SE Portable Hard Drive

A terrabyte for under 100 bucks?  Who would’ve thunk it.  But here we are, and Western Digital offers simple and straightforward performance as well as space in the Elements SE.  Simple plug-and-play design with power via its USB 2.0 connection means no separate power cord is needed (a bonus for travel), and the Western Digital still manages data transfer speeds up to 480 MB/sec.  The drive is formatted for Windows 7/XP/Vista, but can also be reformatted for Mac users.

The simplicity of the Elements SE is one of the factors that earned it 4.8 out of 5 stars on Dell’s website, and 4 out of 5 on Amazon (from 76 reviewers).  Users love the lack of complicated “bloatware” and the sheer volume of storage space.  Its tiny footprint is also a hit for those who need to take it on the road (it measures just 4.4″x3″).  All in all, the Western Digital is a great choice for those who simply don’t need (or want) a myriad of software bells and hardware whistles.

The Western Digital 1TB Elements SE Portable Hard Drive is available for $99.99 at Amazon.

Iomega eGo Helium 500GB Portable Hard Drive

Iomega eGo Helium 500GB Portable Hard Drive

The Iomega eGo Helium has actually been out for a little while now, but when 500GB is enough space it’s still one of our favorites.  It’s super thin and light (0.7″ thick and weighs under 6 ounces), and Iomega’s “Drop Guard” design protects it from falls up to 51 inches.  A USB 2.0 port provides power as well as data connection, and although the Helium is designed for Mac users, it includes instructions for Windows reformatting.

The Iomega eGo Helium earned 4.3 out of 5 stars at Amazon thanks to its reliability and sleek, durable design.  Reviewers at the Apple Store gave it 4.5/5, praising its dependable performance as well as quiet operation.  Disk speed is a respectable 5,400 rpm, and a couple users gratefully vouched for the durability of the Iomega drives when they were accidentally dropped.

As of this writing, the best price we found was ordering directly from Iomega, where the eGo Helium 500GB drive is on sale for $69.99.

Toshiba Canvio 1TB Portable Hard Drive

Toshiba Canvio 1TB Portable Hard Drive

The Toshiba Canvio is a 1TB, bus-powered USB 2.0 drive that protects its contents with an internal shock sensor and a rubberized casing.  Disk performance is solid with a 5,400 rpm spindle speed and 8MB buffer, and users like the Canvio’s slim 4.7″x3″ design and quiet performance.

The Toshiba Canvio is available in either Mac or Windows versions.  Either one can be reformatted to change operating systems, but it’s worth noting that Amazon reviewers gave the Mac version a perfect 5 out of 5 stars, while the Windows edition only scored 4/5 due to a few complaints about reliability and hassles with the included software.  B&H users had no complaints about the Windows Canvio though, and it received perfect scores from nearly 30 reviewers.

The Windows version of the Toshiba Canvio is available from B&H for $109.95, while the Mac version goes for $128.14 at Amazon.

ioSafe Rugged 512GB Portable Hard Drive (Titanium Case)

ioSafe Rugged 512GB Portable Hard Drive (Titanium Case)

Ever need to back up some files in the middle of a Michael Bay action movie?  No problem.  So if your portable hard drive takes a shotgun blast which knocks it into a raging fire, then it plummets 20 feet and bounces into the deep end of a swimming pool where it soaks for three days, then gets run over by a 5,000-pound truck, your vacation photos and expense spreadsheets should be fine.  No joke – these are all things that the ioSafe Rugged Titanium has survived in testing.

Oh yeah, this solid-state drive also connects to your computer to save files and stuff.  It was just released last month, so first-hand reviews are hard to come by.  But ioSafe has earned a stellar reputation with some of its earlier external drives, and the Rugged Portable has some impressive specs that earned it a “Best of 2011 CES” award from CNET:  USB 2.0/3.0/Firewire 800 connections that allow data transfer speeds up to 5Gb per second, plus both Windows and Mac compatibility.  And as a bonus, ioSafe offers users $5,000 for data recovery if one of their drives suffers some real abuse.

This kind of durability doesn’t come cheap:  other more modest versions are available with less capacity and an aluminum case instead of titanium, but this top-end version of the ioSafe Rugged goes for $3,499.

The Best Keyboard For iPhone

The market for Bluetooth wireless keyboards continues to explode since the release of Apple’s iPad tablet, leaving manufacturers scrambling to make the most portable keyboard without losing points in functionality. Luckily, both the iPhone and the iPad support Bluetooth wireless technology. And why do you need one at all?Well, let’s face it, the on-screen keyboard on the iPhone and iPad can frustrating for anything longer than a text message, especially if you’re a touch typist. With a portable keyboard you could efficiently send e-mails, write blog posts, type business reports… essentially turning your iPad into a laptop. So if what you need to get the most out of your iPhone or iPad is a portable keyboard , here’s our roundup of currently available portable keyboards that operate on the Bluetooth wireless platform and are iPhone/iPad compatible.

Here is our round-up of the best keyboards for the iPhone:

Apple Wireless Bluetooth Keyboard For iPhone

The Best Keyboard For iPhone

This wireless keyboard from Apple now comes standard with every new iMac, but is also available for purchase separately. Weighing in at just one pound, it’s ultra-thin, compact design would make for a great choice in a portable keyboard to slide into your bag. It takes up 24% less space than a standard keyboard yet the keys themselves are the same size. The Apple wireless keyboard has a similar feel to typing on a laptop. It does sit at a slight angle, but may not be right for those who prefer the more ergonomic type keyboards. Also lacking is a number pad, which frees up space and is not missed if you don’t normally use those keys, but if you use your number pad frequently, say for spreadsheets, then you may want to go with a different option. Since it is an Apple product, Mac users may feel more comfortable sticking with a keyboard that’s familiar. You’ll also need something to prop your iPhone or iPad such as a docking station or you could use a simple book stand. Though thin, the Apple keyboard is made from durable aluminum with crisp, responsive keys. It runs on two AA batteries and automatically conserves battery power when not in use. Just start typing to power it back up and use the on/off switch for longer periods without use.  The Apple wireless keyboard has received a 5 star rating from 90 Amazon reviewers.

Sells for $69.00 on Amazon.

i-Go Stowaway Ultra-Slim Bluetooth Keyboard For iPhone

I-Go Stowaway Keyboard For iPhone

The i-Go Stowaway keyboard is the highest rated bluetooth keyboard which is compatible with iPhones and iPads. On Amazon, it got a rating of 4 out 5 starts from 365 customer reviews. This keyboard has full-size key spacing, but for storage it can be folded in half. The folded dimensions are 5.5 x 3.9 x 0.5 inches. Reviewers say that, unlike other folding bluetooth keyboards, the mechanism of the i-Go Stowaway works quite well. They also agree that the keyboard  works reliably with an iPhone or iPad, and it turns off automatically when you fold it. So if you are looking for a truly portable bluetooth keyboard, this one should probably be your first choice.

The i-Go Stowaway keyboard sells for $199 on Amazon.

Jorno Bluetooth Keyboard For iPhone

Jorno Bluetooth Keyboard For iPhone

The newest kid on the Bluetooth keyboard block is the portable Jorno Bluetooth Keyboard from Cervantes Mobile. Set to be released in early 2011, this keyboard seems to scream efficiency. It’s 15% smaller than a standard keyboard yet folds up to fit in your pocket at 3.5 x 3.5 and weighs 8.8 ounces. Unfolded, the keyboard sits rigidly on a desk or lap. It includes an adjustable, detachable cradle to hold your iPad or iPhone in portrait or landscape mode. A rechargeable lithium battery powers the unit with up to 1 month wireless use on a single charge. Includes a micro USB cable for charging as well as a low battery indicator and on/off switch.

The Jorno Bluetooth Keyboard is available for a special pre-order price of $79.00 here.

Matias Bluetooth Folding Keyboard For iPhone

Matias Bluetooth Folding Keyboard

The Matias Bluetooth Folding Keyboard offers the benefit of a full-sized keyboard that folds for portability. This keyboard contains all the needed keys for those who use everything on their keyboard: an enhanced number pad, full set of function keys, and the Mac-specific command keys. Folded, it will fit nicely into a small bag along with your iPad, though it does weigh a pound more than the Apple keyboard. With no locking mechanism, reviewers have noted that it works better on a flat surface as it tends it fold up on you when placed on your lap. It runs on 3 AAA batteries. Though a bit more pricey than the other options, it’s one of the only choices if you need a full size keyboard.

Sells on Amazon for around $85.00.

Microsoft Bluetooth Mobile Keyboard 6000

Microsoft Bluetooth Mobile Keyboard 6000

The Microsoft Bluetooth Mobile Keyboard 6000 is similar in size and compactness to the Apple. It offers the curved ergonomic design for those that prefer that style, but it lies flat unlike the Apple, which is slightly raised. However, this does make it slightly more portable enabling it to lie flat in your bag. What it has that the Apple doesn’t is a separate portable number pad that you can bring along or leave home. The layout is more familiar to PC users, with a Windows key in place of the Mac command keys. It runs on 3 AAA batteries with a low battery indicator and an on/off switch.

The Microsoft Bluetooth Mobile Keyboard 6000 is on sale for around $55 on Amazon.

On sale at Amazon for $29.99.

Kensington Apple iPad Bluetooth Keyboard and Case Accessory

Kensington Apple iPad Bluetooth Keyboard and Case Accessory

This keyboard by Kensington has been certified by Apple for use with your iPad. Ultimately, it turns the iPad into a laptop, though actually using it on your lap is tricky since the iPad doesn’t connect to the keyboard. A simple lap desk could cure this problem. The iPad slides into the faux leather case to provide a 3-position portable stand and protection for travel. The iPad can sit in portrait or landscape position. The keys are rubberized which protects them from spills and keeps the screen from getting scratched when folded. Though it includes iPad specific keys, it should be noted that there is no right shift key, which could be the deal breaker for touch typists. The battery can last 90 hours on a single charge and includes a micro USB cable and port on the side as well as a LED battery gauge.

The Kensington Apple iPad Bluetooth Keyboard sells for $74.99 on Amazon.

ProMini Wireless Bluetooth Keyboard

ProMini Wireless Bluetooth Keyboard

The ProMini Wireless Bluetooth Keyboard gives you the ultimate in portability as a handheld device. Though not Mac-specific, this keyboard will enhance the typing power of your iPhone or iPad for sending texts, e-mails, short blog posts, or other small projects, but would begin to get tedious for any extensive typing. It features a touchpad that can be used with computers, but not your iOS device. It also features a laser pointer which would make a great tool for teachers or anyone needing to give a presentation. With LED back lighting, it can be used in dim lighting. The keyboard is powered by a lithium-ion rechargeable battery.

The ProMini Wireless Bluetooth Keyboard is sold on Amazon for $48.00.

iPazzPort Mini Portable Wireless Keyboard

iPazzPort Mini Portable Wireless Keyboard

This is the 3rd generation and newest version of the iPazzport portable keyboard. Though primarily designed for home theater use, it’s also compatible with iPad and iPhone as well as Playstation 3, Xbox, and Wiii. It’s been updated with quicker keys, a touchpad, and laser pointer. This hand held device features a Qwerty keyboard with full function keys, multi-media keys, and back lighting. The rechargeable lithium battery lasts up to 2 weeks on a charge and fully charges in 2 hours. Like the ProMini, it’s a good choice for lighter typing needs and would be easy to carry around with your iPhone.

The iPazzPort Mini Portable Wireless Keyboard sells for $35.99 on Amazon.

The Best Laptops Under $400

The best laptops were once a pricey commodity that many consumers could not afford, but with the popularity of these mobile computers many manufacturers have been forced to make inexpensive models to reach every class of buyer. At first many of these models were not the best laptops, but with technology advancing so quickly many of the newest cheap laptops are much better equipped to handle any user’s needs. With faster processing speeds, more bundled software, and many other useful features like longer battery life, the best laptops under $400 are some of the best deals out there.

The Super Thin Toshiba Satellite T115D-S1120 LED TruBrite

Best Laptops Under $400: Toshiba Satellite T115D-S1120 Laptop

The Toshiba Satellite T115D-S1120 LED TruBrite has an 11.6-inch screen, and weighs only 3.5 pounds. It supposedly has a 5.5-hour battery life, as well as a 2GB of RAM, which can be upgraded to 4GB total. This best laptop has 250GB of space on its hard drive, and there is also a 1.3 mega-pixel webcam built-in. It also has three USB ports, Windows 7 Home Premium Edition, a 1.5 GHz dual-core AMD Turion Neo X2 L325 mobile processor, and an HDMI input.

With a great four and a half star rating at Amazon, this best laptop has received rave reviews from consumers. One user noted the fan on this model is quite loud, and another mentioned that there are some compatibility issues when using Internet Explorer. Overall, most users claim that this laptop is a superb value and its portability is fantastic.

The Toshiba Satellite T115D-S1120 LED TruBrite is available at Amazon for $399.

The 250GB Compaq Presario CQ61-410US

Best Laptops Under $400: Compaq Presario CQ61-410US Laptop

The Compaq Presario CQ61-410US has a huge 250GB hard drive, and comes with Windows 7 Home Edition.  The battery life of this best laptop is said to be 4.5 hours, and this model features ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4200 Graphics, which supports a 128MB display cache memory, giving users up to 1022MB in terms of graphic memory. The Presario comes with 2GB of memory, but its capable of being expanded to 4GB. The centerpiece of this best laptop is its AMD Sempron Processor, which is designed to give users the best in HD resolution anywhere.

With a four star Amazon rating, users have lauded this best laptop, but a couple users mentioned the lack of HDMI connectivity, as well as a webcam, which was mentioned in some advertising for it. To set the record straight, neither is included, but users still love this laptop for its value, including its ability to play DVDs and computer games very well.

The Compaq Presario CQ61-410US is available at Amazon for $399.

The True Blue Acer Aspire AS1410-2497

Best Laptops Under $400: Acer Aspire AS1410-2497 Laptop

Weighing in at six pounds and boasting a six-hour battery life, the Acer Aspire AS1410-2497 is a total package. This best laptop has a 250GB hard drive, 2GB of RAM, a 1.3GHz Intel Celeron 743 processor, and an 11.6-inch LED-backlit display. It also features a Dolby Sound Room Audio Enhancement feature that’s designed to give better sound of its tiny speakers. An Acer Crystal Eye Webcam is built-in for video chatting, and the computer is equipped with Windows 7 Home Premium.

Amazon users really liked this best laptop, giving it four and a half stars. Consumers rave about the astounding value for its feature set, as well as the processing speed. Some users complained that the placement of the speakers on the bottom of the unit makes it easy to block them when placing the laptop on your lap. Also, some users have noted the webcam quality is sub-par.

The Acer Aspire AS1410-2497 is available at Amazon for $399.

The Budget eMachines E725-4520

Best Laptops Under $400: eMachines E725-4520 Laptop

The eMachines E725-4520 has an Intel Pentium Processor T4400 2.20 GHz, as well as two USB ports, a 15.6-inch display, and a 250GB hard drive. It also features an 8x DVD/CD burner, as well as a four-hour battery life. This laptop is equipped with an Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 4500M that has up to 1695 Mbs of video memory. It comes with 3GB of RAM, more than most budget laptops, which allows this model to run quite smoothly.

Users like this best laptop, but they’ve noted a couple universal issues. One is that the keyboard has an overall cheap feel to it. Also, a lack of HDMI port is troubling, and users don’t like the quality of the speakers as well. Mostly, users just note that it’s a great value for the price, and that they weren’t expecting a lot of bells and whistles.

The eMachines E725-4520 is available at Amazon for $379.

Best Digital Projectors Under $500

The best digital projectors may seem to be the type of gadget that would be out of the reach of many consumers, but the fact is that there are a lot of decent models available for the same price as a small flat screen television.There are a lot of big name brands among the best digital projectors under $500, such as Sanyo, Epson, and LG, but budget models also exist from ViewSonic, 3M, and Dell.

Here are some of the best digital projectors under $500:

Epson’s Widescreen Champion: The EX70

Best Digital Projector Under $500:Epson Projector EX70

Epson’s EX70 is a bit large for an inexpensive portable digital projector, but its widescreen resolution makes up for it. Users can also attach their computer with a simple USB connection, one of very few models out on the market to provide this type of Plug ‘n Project functionality. Of course users can still utilize the VGA input if need be.

The EX70 is one of the best digital projectors under $500 that has good brightness with 2,000 lumens with a 165:1 contrast ratio. It also has a very high level of volume for a projector, which can easily fill a room, however the bass is predictably tinny. The EXS70 is also very short throw, needing only about 9 feet for a good picture. Overall it’s one of the best buys in its price class.

The Epson EX70 is available refurbished from the manufacturer for $495, or from Amazon for $599-$699.

LG’s Loaded HS200

Best Digital Projectors Under $500: LG HS200 Projector

The LG HS200 is an inexpensive digital projector that has a plethora of extras, including USB inputs, wireless FM for an audio feed, 30,000 hour lamp life, and embedded DivX capability. It’s an LED-based projector, so it’s environmentally friendly, but it only supports 200 lumens. It has so many connectivity options, like RGB/component, composite, HDMI, and a 1/8 audio output jack, not to mention the very useful USB.

While the speakers on the HS200 digital projector won’t blow you away, they’re better than nothing. However it’s lightweight, whisper quiet, and has good color saturation overall. The LG name usually carries a good amount of quality with video products and this projector doesn’t disappoint for the price, which makes it one of the best projectors under $500.

The LG HS200 is available from Amazon.

The Tiny Giant 3M MPro150 Pocket Projector

Best Digital Projector Under $500: 3M MPro150 Projector

3M’s MPro150 is not the first pocket digital projector to appear on the market for under $500, but it’s one of the most improved. It’s a bit brighter than older models, holding its own at around 15 lumens. The pocket projector is not for all occasions, of course, but for viewing a quick video or TV show, it’s very handy. It only has a battery life of around two hours maximum, so watching movies isn’t going to happen anyways.

3M provides a composite video cable, as well as a USB cable and VGA cable.  The cable length is around 3 feet for each, not terribly long but adequate for most situations that call for a budget pocket digital projector. 3M also offers an iPod, or iPhone cable that allows users to project video directly from their device. That cable will run you around $50, however.

The 3M MPro150 Pocket Projector is available at Amazon for $359.

ViewSonic’s Light as a Feather PJD2121

Best Digital Projector Under $500: Viewsonic PJD2121 Projector

The ViewSonic PJD2121 is much more lightweight than many other top rated digital projectors its size. While it stands a bit bigger than palm top projectors, it only weighs around 2 pounds, and supports about 308 lumens. While you’ll only get an image size around 35 inches diagonally, its much brighter than most projectors its size, definitely out performing any palm top projector.

The one downside to the PJD2121 cheap digital projector is that it lacks connection options. It only accepts component video and VGA, but doesn’t provide a mouse input for control. With no composite video input, it can’t run 480i or 480p. It also lacks any audio speakers, so an external sound system is needed.

The ViewSonic PJD2121 is available at Amazon for $406.

Dell’s Micro Monster: The M109S

Best Digital Projector Under $500: Dell-M109S Projector

The Dell M109S is a micro budget projector under $500 that has an 858×600 SVGA resolution and uses Texas Instrument’s Pico technology, similar to the 3M digital projector above. With standard composite and VGA inputs, there are decent connectivity options. It weighs less than a pound and fits in most hands. Its lamp will last around 10,000 hours, and it has an 800:1 contrast ratio.

The M109S digital projector features 50 lumens, and can display up to 480,000 pixels total. While you may not take this into the boardroom, it’s great for home use for quick videos.

The Dell M109S is available at Amazon for $350.

The Versatile Vivitek D825MS

Best Digital Projector Under $500: Vivitek D825MS Projector

The Vivitek D825MS is a cheap projector quite light and supports 2500 lumens. With a resolution of 800 x 600, it’s not the best projector out there, but one wouldn’t expect that for under $500. It has no speakers, so an external sound system is needed for audio. It has a decent contrast ratio of 2200:1, and it delivers in color accuracy.

This digital projector also doesn’t have air filters that can sometimes get clogged and make the projector overheat. It cools down so fast, in fact, that it doesn’t even need the standard two minutes before unplugging.

The Vivitek D825MS is available at Amazon for $400.

Looptworks Hoptu Laptop Sleeve

I’ve been testing some Looptwork products, and they are amazing. Here’s why: the company makes all their products from 100% industrial “excess” materials. That means every zipper, button and thread used in their designs was about to be thrown out. For example, the Hoptu Laptop Sleeve shown above is made with 100% upcycled nylon neoprene which was recovered from a wetsuit factory. All Looptwork products are limited edition runs. This is because production only continues until the reclaimed material runs out, as explained in the Looptworks FAQ:

We never know how much of any one material we’ll find. But we use what we find until it runs out. Production runs go as low as 100 pieces and up to 500, and each garment is hand numbered by either color or style. It’s a reminder that when you buy a LooptWorks product you get a one of a kind item, literally preventing the materials used to make it from going into a landfill.

Looptworks also offers a collection of men’s and women’s clothes. The Men’s Kawasan Jacket shown below is made of 61% organic cotton and 39% cotton canvas recovered fabric. It sells for $95.

Looptworks Kawasan Jacket

Computers have come a long way over the past few years.  They have become faster, smaller, and more efficient when it comes to energy utilization.  Choosing a computer can be confusing with the number of models available on the market today.   Here is a list of a few of the best computers for under $1000 that will enhance your life without breaking the bank.

Best Computer Under $1000-Laptop

Best Computer Under $1000-Gateway NV7915u

If mobility is what you are looking for, look no further than the Gateway NV7915u laptop computer.  This computer offers its users the “best bang for their buck” according to CNET, and actually for 2010, it’s offering even more bang for even fewer bucks.  For under $1000, this unit comes equipped with Intel’s i3 processor, 4 GB of RAM, 500 GB of hard drive space and an impressive 17.3” viewable monitor, making both work and play a breeze.  The main drawback to this desktop replacement unit is the battery life.

This computer received 4.5 out of 5 stars from Amazon users for its speed, high definition display and storage space.

You can find the Gateway NV7915u laptop on Amazon for $629.

Best Computer under $1000-Desktop

Best Computer Under $1000-Gateway SX2840-01

Gateway tops the list again with their budget desktop computer offering, the Gateway SX2840-01.  Its small size and HDMI output make this the perfect computer to use for powering a home theater system as well as finishing college papers and surfing the Net and all for less than $1000.  It houses an astounding 1 TB hard drive, making electronic storage a worry of the past.  At the heart of it all, the quad core Intel processor, making it one of the fastest desktop computerss on the market today.

Amazon users agree.  This PC received 4 out of 5 stars, naming it one of the best values in desktop computers available.

You can find the Gateway SX2840-01 on Amazon for about $599.99.

Best Computer under $1000-MacIntosh

Best Computer Under $1000-MacBook MC207LL A

Contrary to popular belief, you don’t have to spend $2000 in order to get an Apple MacBook computer.  As a matter of fact, you can get the MacBook MC207LL/A for just under $1000.  The MacBook MC207LL/A features a brilliantly backlit LCD display wrapped in a sturdy polycarbonate body and packs a punch with its 7 hour battery life.  This unit comes with Apple’s latest OS, Snow Leopard, pre-installed making set up a snap.  And, as expected, the graphics are unparalleled.  This MacBook device is no disappointment, even as an entry-level computer.

Amazon users absolutely love this little Apple laptop, giving it 4.5 stars out of 5 stars overall.  High marks were received in battery life, ease of use, and a plethora of other categories.  Mac computer users will not be disappointed by this Mac.

You can find the MacBook MC207LL/A for $958.99 on Amazon.

Best Computer under $1000-Netbook

Since the main claim to fame for netbook computers is their inexpensive price tag, finding the best unit under $1000 was a little tough.  There are many worthy netbook models on the market today and choosing a computer as the best will depend on your individual purpose.

Best Computer Under $1000-Asus Eee PC 1005PE

The Asus Eee PC 1005PE tops the netbook list of netbook computers.  With its new Intel ATOM  processor and excellent battery life, this little nugget can handle almost anything you can throw at it, including the starter version of Windows 7 that’s pre-installed as the OS.  The sleek glossy black design houses an impressive 10 inch display, though it falls just short of the high definition quality that many netbooks and laptops are now packing.

Once again, Amazon users give this little PC high marks when it comes to battery life, ease of use and speed.  Overall, the Asus Eee gets 4 out of 5 stars.

The Asus Eee 1005PE can be purchased from Amazon for $327.

Best Computer Under $1000-HP mini 5102 laptop

The HP mini 5102 laptop is another stellar example of economic ingenuity at work.  HP gets kudos for creating a more rugged aluminum alloy housing, which is a definite upgrade from its plastic counterparts.  The HP mini computer also comes equipped with a 10” standard (non-HD) display, a single core Atom N450 processor, Windows 7 and 1 GB of RAM, very similar to the Asus Eee.

The HP mini 5102 laptop is available from Amazon for $399.

Best Computer Under $1000-Toshiba Mini NB305

The Toshiba Mini NB305 rounds out the top three picks for best netbook laptop.  This little pc is well equipped with the same standard features of most of the netbooks on the market today, but has the added benefit of having 250 GB of hard drive space and comes in a variety of eye popping colors.  While the battery life isn’t quite as impressive as its Asus cousin, it is still a powerhouse, lasting quite a bit longer than previous generations.

Once again, Amazon users speak their mind and give this netbook 4 out of 5 stars.  Battery life and functionality top the remarks for this little powerhouse.  Consumers will be sure to get their money’s worth with this one.

The Toshiba Mini NB305 netbook is available from Amazon for $329.99

Lenovo has released a range of new LCD monitors that are probably the greenest monitors available. The new Thinkvision L2440x monitor received Greenpeace’s highest rating in their Green Electronics Survey 2008 (PDF File).

Recently, I had a chance to review the Thinkvision L2440p 24″ widescreen LCD monitor. The L2440p uses only 30 watts to power its display. As I write this post, my Kill-a-Watt meter says the L2440p is using only 29.5 watts.

Leonvo says the monitor uses a “Light Booster” technology, meaning it consumes up to 50% less power than conventional models. Specifically, the design has been changed to allow the LCD light to be used more efficiently therefore reducing the number of light tubes required to achieve the same levels of brightness.

Beyond its energy efficiency, the Thinkvision L2440p also boasts a 33% reduction in mercury content. It has a list of green certifications including EPEAT Gold and GREENGUARD.

EPEAT is the most comprehensive green certification. It incorporates the new Energy Star 4.1 requirements, and the European RoHS requirements.

Lenovo is really leading the way with green monitors — 24 of the 36 EPEAT Gold rated monitors are made by Lenovo.

As for performance, the screen looks bright and crisp, with a 1920 by 1200 resolution. Ergonomic features include screen pivoting, rotation, and height adjustment.

The packaging for the monitor is 65% recycled material, and its 100% recyclable.

The new models in the range include the following:

• ThinkVision L1700p
• ThinkVision L1940 Wide
• ThinkVision L1940p Wide
• ThinkVision L2240p Wide
• ThinkVision L2440p Wide
• ThinkVision L2440x Wide

The Thinkvision L2440p monitor is available from Amazon for about $320.

Home Page: Thinkvision L2440p

I noted the release of the [re]Drive last month — this hard drive is probably the most energy efficient external hard drive available. I was glad to be able to get a hold of one for testing.

The first thing I noticed about this drive, was the packaging, which was minimalistic enough to bring a smile to my face. The box contained no unnecessary plastic and cardboard inserts. Instead there was just a few pieces of tape holding the USB and power cords in place.

The drive itself rested securely in a corrugated recycled cardboard shell. The drive’s “Quick Install Guide” was actually printed on the inside of the box — a clever idea.

My previous hard drive actually died two days before the [re]Drive arrived, so I’ve been using the [re]Drive quite a bit! What I like most about this drive is that it turns itself off automatically. This is an important feature in terms of energy savings. The drive seems to turn itself back on quickly enough, because I didn’t notice any access time lag.

The [re]Drive actually contains an efficient 500 gigabyte Western Digital drive. It has a Energy Star qualified power adapter.

The [re]Drive’s design was created for SimpleTech by Stuart Karten Design (SKD), a Los Angeles based industrial design firm. The external casing is made out of renewable bamboo. It’s an aesthetically pleasing choice, that I’m sure will wear well over the years. The drive’s chassis is made with recycled aluminum. It has an undulating surface that increases the drive’s ability to passively cool itself. Matt McRae, vice president of marketing at Fabrik, said that even the extra pieces of aluminum that are carved off during the manufacturing process are recycled into future products.

The [re]Drive sells for about $160.

Link: [re]Drive

Netgear didn’t get much of a mention in our recent post “The Greenest Routers of 2008“. But now the company has released two green routers — the Netgear WNR2000 router, and its DSL modem-equipped DGN2000. Both these routers comes with EnergyStar-rated power supplies, and they come in new packages made with 80 percent recycled content.

Both Netgear routers support the latest Wi-Fi standard on a 2.4GHz band, including a simplified one-button Wi-Fi Protected Setup for creating secure networks on supporting devices. Four Ethernet ports supply wired connections on the routers, which should available soon.

The Netgear WNR2000 router is available from Amazon for $71.

Networking routers are on their way to becoming standard household appliances. They are typically turned on 24 hours a day, so it’s good to see that they are becoming much greener of late. Small changes in the efficiency of appliances can lead big savings, when millions of units are being sold. For example, Linksys estimates that the improved energy efficiency of their routers will save 14-17 megawatts of electricity per year (based on Linksys shipping approximately 11 million routers).

Currently, D-Link has the edge on reducing energy use. Their latest routers feature a technology they call “Green Ethernet“. This allows the routers to automatically detect connectivity status and cable length, and then adjusts power accordingly. Also included is a scheduling feature that allows users to set when the Wi-Fi radio signals are turned on and off to further reduce energy consumption. If optimized, this means that the router’s energy consumption is reduced by up to 32% for the DIR-655 router and up to 41% for the DIR-855 router.

Other routers with Green Ethernet are D-Link’s Xtreme N Dual Band Gigabit Router (DIR-825) and the Xtreme N Gaming Router (DGL-4500).

The D-Link routers also comply with RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) and WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) directives. The RoHS directive limits the use of specific hazardous materials during the manufacture of electrical and electronic goods, while WEEE applies standards for proper disposal and recycling of products.

Not to outdone by D-Link, last month Linksys announced they will be minimizing packaging and introducing new power adapters that cut power consumption almost in half. For example, a router that used 4.6 watts will now use as little as 2.6 watts of power.

Linksys will be eliminating the outer sleeve of their router packaging, and all the internal packaging and documentation will be made with 80% recycled content, and printed with vegetable or soy inks. Plastic bag will be eliminate where possible. Overall, it’s a 40% reduction in waste materials compared to the previously offered packaging.

The eco-friendlier packaging will be available this month throughout retailers such as Best Buy, Circuit City and Wal-Mart and online retailers on the Wireless-N Routers (namely WRT310N, WRT160N, WRT610N, WRT110, WRT54GS).

NetGear has also made its routers greener with some Energy Star certification as well as RoHS and WEE compliance. However, their features are currently not as impressive as those of D-Link and Linksys.