The Best Computer Speakers

A quality computer speaker system is required to enhance the listening pleasure of those who use their computer for music, movies, or gaming. Fortunately there are many excellent computer speakers to choose from depending upon personal needs and budget. After scouring reviews at PCMag, Cnet, CrunchGear and Amazon, the following are our picks for the best computer speakers. And the best part is that each system comes in at under $200.00. 

Logitech Z623 Computer Speakers

Logitech THX-Certified Computer Speaker System Z623

Logitech has a long-standing reputation for making mid-range, quality computer speakers at an affordable price. The Logitech Z623 computer speaker system was one of PCMag’s Best of the Year products for 2010. It features a sleek, efficient design ideal for desktop listening. THX-certified, the 2.1 system offers 200 total watts of power with a 130 watt subwoofer and 2 35W satellite speakers as well as convenient inputs for multiple devices including computers, iPods, DVD players, and gaming consoles.

Pros: Sound quality is commended by reviewers at PCMag, CrunchGear, and Amazon. Clarity and power are unrivaled at this price range. Subwoofer presents a powerful bass that can be easily adjusted by the on-speaker nob. No buzzing at high volume. RCA and 3.5 mm inputs provide simple transfer between devices. THX certified.

Cons: There is no remote control, which may not be an issue if it’s being used in a desktop computer setting. Subwoofer is on the large side at 11.9 by 11.1 by 10.4 inches, so space would be a consideration. The cables aren’t removable, which means they can’t be switched out and one reviewer commented they could be a little longer. THX certified does not mean you’re going to get movie theater surround sound quality.

The LogitechZ632 computer speaker system retails for $149.99, but is currently on sale at Amazon for $136.99

Harman Kardon Soundsticks III Computer Speakers

Harman Kardon Soundsticks III: Computer Speakers

The Harman Kardon Soundsticks III may look futuristic, but actually have now become a classic, praised design in the multimedia speaker arena. They also hold a permanent exhibit at New York City’s Museum of Modern Art. The third generation system was redesigned for 2010. Features on this 2.1 sound system include 8 full-range transducers powered by a 10-watt amplifier in each speaker and 1 low-frequency, down-firing subwoofer powered by a 20-watt amplifier for bass. The system connects to 3.5 mm stereo devices such as computers and Mp3s.

Pros: The Harman Kardon Soundsticks received editor’s choice on both PCMag and Cnet for excellent sound performance and unique, aesthetic design. The frequency response range of 44Hz to 20KHz offers crisp definition for all forums: music, movies, and gaming. Power switch built in to the volume control on the subwoofer makes for energy efficiency. Satellite speakers can be angled to personal preference. You can own a piece of art and pop culture.

Cons: Missing from this system is a remote control and a headphone jack. Cables cannot be replaced. The volume control does not feature a visual display of volume level.

The Harman Kardon Soundsticks III are on sale at Amazon for $145.81 or you can buy them direct from the Harman Kardon site.

Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 Wireless Computer Speakers

Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 Wireless Computer Speakers

The Klipsch ProMedia delivers exemplary, award-winning sound quality with the uber-convenience of a wireless computer speaker system. The USB wireless transmitter can stream audio from your computer to the speaker system from up to 30 feet away. Features a 2.4 GHz wireless signal and a total wattage of 120 watts between the 2 satellite speakers and subwoofer.

Pros: No pesky wires to clutter up the space. According to the review by PCMag, this system “packs so much power you’ll rarely raise the volume beyond half-way”. Perfect sound quality for music, movies, and games. Using Apple’s Remote Application, iPhone customers can wirelessly access iTunes on their computer. Black cloth grilles are removable. It’s also THX certified.

Cons: No remote control. Power switch is inconveniently located on the subwoofer. Not 100% wireless- satellite speakers are connected via wire to the subwoofer, which cannot be switched out. The wireless signal can sometimes be interrupted.

The Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 wireless computer speakers are only available through Klipsch on their website or via Amazon for $199.99.

Cyber Acoustics CA-3602 Computer Speakers

Cyber Acoustics CA-3602 Computer Speakers

This 2.1, 3-piece speaker system from Cyber Acoustics is our budget pick for a computer speaker set-up. There aren’t many tech reviews on this model, but the user reviews are outstanding with 109 5 star reviews on Amazon and 168 5 star reviews on Wize. Cyber Acoustics has been putting out quality, affordable audio equipment since the 80s. This system includes 2 satellite speakers, a subwoofer, a separate desktop control pod for volume, power, and bass, and a cradle for your Mp3.

Pros: The price: with an MSRP of $54.99, the CA-3602 may not be the cheapest computer speaker, but it will deliver a more powerful sound than other discount speaker systems. The low-end bass sound has been rated as excellent. The desktop control is convenient and features an LED light when turned on and also contains a headphone jack. A good choice as a basic computer speaker.

Cons: Many users commented on the bass being too much, which lends to a lack of a decent mid-range sound. May not be the best choice for music listening. Speakers aren’t protected by a covering.

The Cyber Acoustics CA-3602 is currently on sale on Amazon for $37.23.

JBL Duet III Computer Speakers

JBL Duet III Computer Speakers

Tight on space? The JBL Duet III computer speakers are perfect for a small desktop setting or for your laptop. They are simple to set up and offer versatility with an AC adapter and a 3.5mm jack to plug into a Mac, Mp3, PC, or CD player. The 2 satellite speakers put out 10 watts each of power. There’s no subwoofer here, but the Duet IIIs are slightly larger than the predecessor, the Duet II, and therefore provide a bit more bass, though still not as powerful as a 2.1 system.

Pros: The design is both aesthetically pleasing and convenient for work space. Both Cnet and PCMag recommend these computer speakers for decent sound quality at modest volume levels. These would be good in a work environment. Speakers connect to each other with a standard RCA plug. The price is reasonable at the Amazon sale price of around $100.00.

Cons: Not for bass lovers or those who are looking for loads of power. There isn’t an auxiliary input to plug in a second device as most of the other computer speakers offer. The price on JBL’s website is a bit hefty at $149.95.

The JBL Duet III computer speakers are currently on sale at Amazon for $107.98.

Audioengine 2 Multi-Media Computer Speakers

Audioengine 2 Multi-Media Computer Speakers

Audioengine has successfully married compact size with superior sound and convenient features for a high quality computer speaker. Perfect for those who want a comparable subwoofer sound without the subwoofer, features on the Audioengine 2 include 2 audio inputs for both RCA and mini-jack, AC adapter, 15 watts of power per speaker with the left speaker housing power amps, Kevlar woofers and silk tweeters, and an auto-sleep power saving mode.

Pros: Compact design fits well for a computer set-up. Superior sound clarity as reviewed by Cnet, PCMag and Amazon customers who have given these computer speakers an average 4.5 star rating. Music and movies can be played at high volumes with no buzzing or distortion. Speakers are housed in hand-built wood cabinets to help amplify the bass. Versatile to use with computers, Mp3s, dvd and cd players, game consoles, and some televisions.

Cons: The price is $199.00, which some may find pricey for a 2 speaker system. The volume control is inconveniently located on the back of the speaker and doesn’t come with a remote control. PCMag thought the bass was slightly lacking compared with a subwoofer system.

The Audioengine 2 computer speakers are on sale at Amazon for $199.00.

M-Audio Studiophile AV 40 Powered Computer Speakers

M-Audio Studiophile AV 40 Powered Computer Speakers

Size does matter in the case of the M-Audio Studiophile AV 40 computer speakers. Six inches wide and a depth of 7.25, the M-Audios are larger than other computer speakers and pack a powerful punch with 20 watts per speaker, 4-inch polypropylene-coated woofers and 3/4-inch tweeters. Other features include RCA inputs on both speakers, a 3.5 mm jack, a headphone jack, and an integrated bass boost switch.

Pros: Excellent sound quality and ample low end bass levels for those who listen to music or watch movies on their computer. The editor’s review at Cnet says “they sounded bigger, delivered more bass, and played louder than the other PC speakers we had on hand”. Contain nice features like the bass boost and multiple inputs for versatility.

Cons: Though there’s no subwoofer to make room for, these speakers will still take up considerable space on your desktop. They also weigh 14 pounds each so if you’re looking for portability, say in conjunction with a laptop or switching between devices, then these are not the ones.

The M-Audio Studiophile AV 40 computer speakers are currently on sale at Amazon for $149.00.

If your New Year’s resolution is to bring your technology into the 21st century, revamping your TV is a great place to start. The unfathomable amount of information available for your viewing pleasure on the World Wide Web begs the question: why are you still settling for cable? Check out these suggestions to take your downtime from stale to spectacular.

Pick the Perfect Computer

Everyone has a favorite machine, but we are partial to the Mac mini. Not only is it one of Apple’s most cost-effective computers at $699.00, but this tiny wonder is the world’s most energy-efficient desktop. When idle, it uses less than 10 watts, making it better for the planet and your bottom line. Plus, it has a remote control, so you can easily switch between sites and content.

If you want to convert that old PC you have lying around to your new media station, Windows-compatible remotes such as the Windows PC Remote Control and Infrared Receiver are available from Amazon.

Freebies

Many television stations offer their content online, free of charge, with limited commercial interruptions. Don’t want to miss Modern Family? Can’t spend a week without House? ABC, NBC, Fox and CBS — to name just a few — allow viewers to watch their favorite shows from the convenience of their desktop. Plus, most stations offer even more great content related to your favorite shows online such as special “webisodes” and video blogs by cast members.

If you’re looking for the last 5 episodes of current popular shows, more than 800 full seasons from hundreds of shows, personalized recommendations for you, and lots more, hulu is a great choice. Their standard definition via computer is still free, but, for high definition and more options, joining hulu plus for $7.99 a month gets you a full-access pass for television and available movies.

Want to catch up on that British series you love, brush up on your Vietnamese or check out the news in the Netherlands? Beeline TV offers news, TV shows, movies, music, entertainment and sports from around the world free of charge.

A bevy of free content that steps outside of the box a bit is also available on various stations. If you want to catch up on your Masterpiece Theatre or view a documentary on Epigenetics, PBS.org has something for you. And, of course, if you’d prefer to watch your daily tap dancing squirrels, funny kids or old Saturday Night Live skits on a bigger screen, YouTube is always an option.

Filesharing services are also a good source of free content. We like MegaShares because they allow direct downloads and feature easy search capabilities.

Get a Subscription

With Amazon Video on Demand, you can purchase pretty much any video or television show and watch immediately. Amazon even offers TV passes, where you can buy any past or future episode of a show at a discounted price, so you can catch up on past seasons of a show you just discovered — and make sure you never get behind again.

Speaking of utilizing an account you already have, iTunes is a fantastic source for TV shows and movies, most of which carry a fee, and podcasts, many of which are free.

And then there’s a little something called Netflix. Current estimates are that, during peak hours, as much as 20% of bandwidth is utilized by Netflix alone. From Scooby Doo to Spartacus, a good selection of movies and television shows can stream directly to your TV via computer (or XBOX or PS3 or Wii…) for a low, flat monthly fee.

No matter which way you choose to go, the future of viewing is more user-friendly and tailored to individual tastes than ever. With a computer-controlled approach for every budget, basic cable seems so — well — 2010.

Best Computer Games For Kids

Computer games for kids have in recent years been overshadowed by popular console games, but there are a wide range of choices for educational computer games that can’t often be found for other systems. Even if you own every gaming system there is, kids will still flock to the computer and parents love to to see kids having fun while learning at the same time. Another advantage of computer game software is to expose kids to computers while limiting their online use. With the competition, computer games have come down in price quite a bit over the years. Amazon even has a games download store where you can purchase games for immediate download. We’ve rounded up a list of some of the higher quality educational kids’ computer games.

Giggles Computer Funtime For Baby

Giggles Computer Funtime For Baby

Giggles Computer Funtime for Baby is a multi-award winning software program developed for babies 6-36 months. Babies watch their parents punch away on the keyboard and they want to do the same. With this software you can let them explore the computer without worry. It’s been designed to lock out your computer so that no matter what key your child presses, your files are protected. With a cause and effect learning system, babies hit any key and something happens on the screen: blocks pop up, sound effects, and animal voices. In the ABC’s and 123′s version the letter and number keys correspond to the letters and numbers that appear so that eventually kids will learn letter recognition. If a non-letter key is pressed then an animal appears on the screen. This game also allows baby to start learning how to use a mouse. There are 14 different activities and 50 songs. This game is compatible with Mac and Windows Vista, NT, 95, 98, 2000, XP, and Me.

Giggles Computer Funtime for Baby Game is sold on  Amazon.

Clifford The Big Red Dog Thinking Adventures Game

Clifford The Big Red Dog Thinking Adventures Game

This game by Scholastic features the lovable Clifford the Big Red Dog as he assists preschoolers with a variety of skills such as problem solving, colors and shapes, classifying and sorting, logic and reasoning, matching, memory, and following directions. Kids can help Clifford get out of a traffic game, play a soccer game, bake a cake, all while helping Emily Elizabeth prepare for Clifford’s Birthday party. With adjustable skill levels, it’s been designed for ages 4-8. This game offers a larger quantity of levels and activities than other comparable preschool computer games. Works in Mac and Windows 95, 98, 2000, Me, or XP.

Sells on Amazon.

Crayola Art Studio

Crayola Art Studio

In the Crayola Art studio kids can design artwork on the screen with 12 different art tools including pencils, markers, crayons, chalk, watercolors, and paints- and no mess for parents to clean up. This game has won awards from Parent’s Choice and Children’s Technology Review. Includes a beginner’s level to learn basic computer drawing techniques. Kids can use their designs to make greeting cards, illustrated stories and decorations. They can also choose from over 1000 supplied images to supplement artwork or to learn digital editing skills. This game is designed for ages 4 and up. The Crayola Art Studio has received a 4.5 star rating by Amazon reviewers. Compatible with Windows Vista, 98, 2000, Me, and XP.

You can get the Crayola Art Studio on Amazon.

Backyard Football

Backyard Football

This version of the Backyard Football game casts kids as favorite NFL football players such as John Elway, Steve Young, Brett Farve,  and Jerry Rice. Kids create their own game beginning with choosing the field and level of difficulty, setting up their team, picking the NFL team logo and colors, selecting defensive and offensive plays, and even choosing weather conditions. This game is for one player only, but does include a multi-player networking capability to track stats. Designed for ages 5-10, this game has a wide range of levels from easy to challenging and has received a positive review from Children’s Technology Review as well as 4.5 stars from Amazon reviewers. For Mac or Windows 95, 98, Me, XP or Vista.

The Backyard Football game sells on Amazon.

Scholastic Math Missions

Scholastic Math Missions

Most kids who find math a drag at school will enjoy math games on the computer. In Scholastic Math Missions, grades K-2, kids must rescue Spectacle City from the mathematically-challenged store clerks. For each correct answer they earn money for arcade games. Math concepts include counting, addition & subtraction, early division, classification & sorting, problem solving, logic, money, measurement, time, temperature, early geometry, and navigation & direction. Kids can choose from 12 activities with 3 separate levels which automatically increases after each successful completion. Also includes useful hints to avoid frustration. Scholastic Math Missions is also available in a version for grades 3-5 which features higher level math concepts. Compatible with Windows Vista, NT, 98, 2000, Me, XP, 95, and Mac OS X.

You can get the K-2 version here. Or the grades 3-5 here.

I Spy: Spooky Mansion Deluxe

I Spy: Spooky Mansion Deluxe

Just like the I Spy books, the I Spy computer game series is a hit with kids. A toy skeleton guides kids through the I Spy Spooky Mansion while solving picture riddles and games to find 3 different ways out of the house. There are also hundreds of hidden objects to discover. Learning skills include reading, rhyming, vocabulary, and memory. Also includes 2 fast-paced games and an I Spy mini CD and book. This game is developed for kids age 6-10, younger kids will enjoy the seek and find while the older ones will be challenged by the puzzles. Windows and Mac compatible.

I Spy computer games are sold on Amazon.

World of Goo Game

World of Goo Game

If you’re looking for a non-violent game to entice your tween or teen, World of Goo by Brighter Minds Media is a multi-award winning, multi-rave review winning puzzle game for kids and kids at heart. Your job is to drag and drop the lively, innocent citizens of World of Goo to help them explore their world, while avoiding the various perils that threaten them. Work your way through 47 levels that depict the imaginative World of Goo which is reminiscent of a Dr. Seuss book. There are 10 different types of goo, all with their own special talents. This game is rated E for everyone, though kids younger than 6 could get frustrated by it as the levels get more difficult. Kids can team up or compete for best scores. World of Goo has received 87 5-star reviews by Amazon users.

World of Goo is available for your PC (Vista or XP) or as WiiWare on Amazon.

Plants Vs. Zombies

Plants Vs. Zombies Game

Plants vs. Zombies by PopCap Games is another parent-friendly, non-violent game for older kids. Okay, the object of the game is to kill zombies, but there is no spurting of blood and the plants are the ones to destroy the zombies. Plants vs. Zombies has won the prestigious Game of the Year award. It’s not especially educational, but rates high on the entertainment factor with 5 game modes and 50 levels in the adventure mode. Use the hilarious variety plants such as pea shooters, cabbage-pults, and jalapeno bombs to defend your home against 26 types of zombies like the pole-vaulters, bucket-heads, and Zamboni drivers. Kids can also create their own zombie which will come to life in the game. This game has earned a 5 star review by 63 Amazon reviewers. System requirements: Windows XP/Vista or Mac OS X.

Plants vs. Zombies sells on Amazon.

Rosetta Stone

Rosetta Stone

Award winning Rosetta Stone is the leading interactive language software program. Using Dynamic Immersion, which is a natural learning process for language, kids as young as 5 can begin using this program. Features include live online sessions with native speakers, headset with microphone to go along with the speech-recognition software, language games, an audio companion CD, and a mobile application for iPhone. You can buy each level separately or all 5 levels in one set, depending on your personal goals and how far you want to go in the desired language. At around $600, the 5-level set may seem a bit pricey, but one study claims that 55 hours of Rosetta Stone is the equivalent of one semester of a college course. And if you have a struggling student, it can ultimately be cheaper than hiring a tutor.

You can get Rosetta Stone on Amazon in a variety of languages including Spanish, French, German, Chinese and Italian.

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.

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

Best Computer Under $500

In your journey for the best computer under $500, we’d recommend your PC possesses these features:

• Microsoft Office applications including Word, Power Point, Excel
• Strong processor speed
• Anti-virus software
• Plenty of memory space

An example of personal computer that some consider the best computer under $500 is the Compaq CQ4010F (pictured above). The retail price is only $350  — it comes equipped with an AMD Sempron LE-1300 Processor (2.3 GHz, 512 KB L2 Cache, 1600 MHz System Bus) 2 GB PC2-6400 DDR2 SDRAM memory, and Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium. In non-technical terms – it comes with a lot of really cool features that you’ll be able to use every day.

The one drawback is that you’ll need to purchase a monitor, but you can find a good one for roughly $100 to $150. For example, you can get a Compaq Q1859 Monitor at Amazon for $120. In fact, Amazon has a deal where you can purchase the Compaq CQ4010F personal computer, the Compaq Q1859 monitor, and a Logitech S120 2.0 multimedia speakers for $480. This package is definitely a contender for the “best computer under $500” award.

Of course, you should try to tailor your personal computer to your interests and desires. For example, if you’re really into gaming, you should try to find a computer package that features a broad range of gaming capabilities like a network card for interactive online gaming and software already installed. Amazon offers a Microsoft Sidewinder X6 keyboard that is ideal for gamers. It costs a little over $60, but if you find a reasonably priced personal computer, you could splurge on this keyboard. Other people search for personal computers that feature a DVD burner, or at least a DVD player so they can watch movies practically anywhere. Fortunately, many personal computers are starting to come equipped with a DVD player. There may not be a DVD burner already installed, but you can find a bargain DVD burner at Amazon like the Velocity Micro VMdrive External DVD player.

Best Computer Under $500: Lenovo IdeaCentre C100

A great computer to pair with Sidewinder keyboard would be the Lenovo IdeaCentre C100 (pictured above). It has a sleek design, 1.6GHz Intel N270 Atom Processor, 1GB 200 Pin PC2-5300 SO Dimm RAM, 160GB SATA 5400RPM Hard Drive, DVDRW Drive, Intel GMA 950 Graphics, and Windows XP Home so you’ll have all of the aforementioned Microsoft Office applications. All of this is selling for $399 at Amazon. If you decide to purchase speakers, you’ll probably wind up spending a grand total of $420. Throw in the Sidewinder keyboard and your grand total is $480. Not bad.

Best Computer Under $500: eMachines EZ1601-01 All-in-One Desktop

Another best value computer under $500 is the eMachines EZ1601-01 All-in-One Desktop (pictured above). As the name implies, it comes with all of the essential components for a personal computer – monitor, processor, keyboard, and mouse. Best of all, the price is a very reasonable $406 at Amazon. This is a very attractive PC for environmentally conscious individuals since it is equipped with an Intel energy-efficient processor performance, an 18.5-Inch widescreen LCD Display, integrated speakers, mouse and keyboard. It also comes with five USB ports and a Media Card Reader to transfer your photos and other files.

Best Computer Under $500: Gateway DX4822-01 Desktop

There’s also the Gateway DX4822-01 Desktop (pictured above). Amazon has refurbished models selling for $480. It’s an impressive package featuring 2.6GHz Intel Pentium Dual-Core E5300 Processor, 6144MB DDR2 Memorys, and Windows 7 Home Premium.

So let’s say, hypothetically, you’ve narrowed down your choices to three or four personal computers within your $500 price limit. Here comes the crucial question – which computer should you purchase? This question can only be answered by you, the purchaser, but we’d recommend going with a computer whose company has a good reputation, can provide a rock solid warranty, and received positive feedback from other computer consumers. The Compaq, Lenovo, Gateway, and eMachines have good brand recognition and reputation. The personal computers described above have received “5 star ratings” from Amazon consumers, which means the feedback is generally very positive.

But if you want reassurance, do some additional research. A good resource would be PCWorld where they rate and review bargain priced personal computers. Check to see if your computer has been reviewed.

The final step before making a purchase is to see what types of warranty options are available. This is important, especially if you’ve narrowed your choices down to some personal computer models that might be a few years older than most or may be a refurbished model. Keep in mind, a good warranty should not cost you an arm and a leg. It should be able to fit within your $500 budget. Your warranty should last for at least a year to eighteen months and should cover all major components. If it’s anything less, you may want to hold off on a warranty purchase and do some additional research to find a better deal.

But if you like what you see from reviews and feedback on your computer choice, and the warranty is solid, you may have just discovered the best, top-rated computer under $500 that suits your needs. However, don’t feel compelled to drop $500 all at once. Amazon offers a no-interest payment plan where you pay off the principle within year (but remember, you have to pay it off in a year; extensions aren’t usually granted). That way, you’ll have your computer and a little extra money left over in the bank account.

I’ve been testing a new, very efficient PC called the ThinkCentre M58p Eco Ultra Small by Lenovo. This compact PC is the successor to the ThinkCentre M57p Eco. My kilo-o-watt meter is telling me that the M58p consumes only about 35 watts while idle, and 58 watts of power at peak usage. It has a power supply that is 85% efficient when converting AC to DC power (15% escapes as heat).

Average PC power supplies have an efficiency rate of about 50%. This is the first ThinkCentre to incorporate the Power Manager — a ThinkVantage technology that allows PC users to control their electricity consumption remotely.

The M58p has all the important green certifications: EPEAT Gold, RoHS and Energy Star 4.0. (See our explanation of all these certifications below.)

It’s also the first ThnkCentre to be packaged in materials that are both 100% recycled and 100% recyclable. It also the first ThinkCentre to use post-consumer recycled plastics in its construction. The computer’s front bezel is made with recycled plastic, and the keyboard is made with 35% recycled plastic.

Recently, Lenovo was critized by Greenpeace for missing their own 2009 deadline for eliminating the toxic substances PVC and brominated flame retardants (BFRs). This deadline was pushed to 2010. While the M58p is free of these substances, it would be great to see all of Lenovo’s products be free of PVC and BFRs.

Here’s the Greenpeace 2009 Guide To Greener Electronics, which was released last month.

The M85p retails for about $811.

Home Page: Lenovo

It’s available at Amazon.

Assessing The Green Qualities Of A PC

How do you judge the greenness of a computer? The two most important factors are power consumption, and the elimination of hazardous components inside the machine. Other factors such as the efficiency of the power supply, packaging and the manufacturer’s support for recycling programs are also important. Overall, there are a huge number of factors to assess, but thankfully there are now some eco-certifications that make it easier. The most important certifications are EPEAT (Electronic Products Environmental Assessment Tool), RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) and Energy Star 4.0. All three of these certifications are standardized, so they are more specific in their assessments than the marketing claims or green initiatives of the past. Here’s a brief description of the certifications:

The EPEAT system is currently the most comprehensive verification of a computer’s environmental attributes. EPEAT was created by a consortium of electronics manufacturers, and partially funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. EPEAT evaluates computer desktops, laptops, and monitors based on 51 environmental criteria including Energy Star compliance. If a computer is awarded the EPEAT Gold rating, it is one of the greenest out there. You can see a list of all the desktop computers that achieved a Gold EPEAT rating here. A summary of the criteria can be found here
The new EnergyStar 4.0 certification assesses the power consumption of PCs, but it doesn’t cover other criteria like toxicity. To comply with the new Energy Star 4.0 standard, a desktop PC must use under 50W in idle mode and 4W when asleep.
The RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) directive bans from the EU market any new electrical and electronic equipment containing more than mandated maximum levels of lead, cadmium, mercury, hexavalent chromium, and two flame retardants. RoHS covers everything in a computer except for the batteries, which are regulated separately.

Bamboo is an ideal material to fashion into gadgets — it’s tough but lightweight, and it wears well. I also find it much more pleasing to the eye than plastic. But few bamboo-clad electronics have made it into mass production yet. One exception is ASUS’s bamboo-cased version of its U2E notebook which is now available (currently only in Asia). ASUS says buyers will be able to choose different color treatments for the bamboo.

Beyond the bamboo, this notebook has other green elements. It’s energy efficient thanks to a “Super Hybrid Engine” that ASUS says boosts battery performance. According to the company, the Engine can extend battery life between 35% and 70% as compared to notebooks with the same specifications, and but enable users to boost their systems’ performance by up to 23%. It achieves this by intelligently monitoring the power requirements of the notebook’s components and automatically adjusting the power levels in real-time to match the current consumption needs, thus optimizing both system performance and power efficiency.

The ASUS Bamboo Series notebook is currently available in two versions: a 12.1″ model that weighs 1.57kg and an 11.1″ model that weighs a mere 1.25kg. Both house Intel Core™2 Duo processors and are fitted with DDRII RAM.

Recently, HP announced that its DV6929 laptop will be packaged in messenger bags made with 100% recycled materials. This will reduce the amount of packaging by 97% — almost all the Styrofoam and cardboard conventionally for packaging will be eliminated.

This method of packaging also allows HP to ship four laptops per standard sized shipping box, as opposed to three when using traditional laptop packaging. The Pavilion bundle came about because of Walmart’s Home Entertainment Design Challenge.

The laptop is EPEAT-silver registered, so it meets a number of green manufacturing criteria, including Energy Star 4.0 compliance. That’s not quite as good as the Gold rated EPEAT machines that we featured previously, but it’s an efficient start.

The systems are available in 1,700 Walmart stores and 594 Sam’s Club locations. If you have an old computer that you want to turn in when you buy it, the store will handle the recycling for free.

HP isn’t the only high-tech vendor stepping up its efforts to rethink technology packaging. In late August, Olympus Imaging America said it will introduce new packaging this fall with will cut out 70 percent of the plastic from its audio products packaging and 80 percent of the plastic for its xD-Picture Card. Over a year, the amount of plastic saved will be about 83 tons, according to the company. The company is converting to paperboard that is printed with soy and vegetable inks

Earlier this week, we reviewed the greenest desktop computers, so now let’s take a look at the greenest notebooks! Notebooks are typically much more energy efficient than desktops. They are, however, no greener than desktops in other regards — they typically contain the same hazardous components, and they are not easily recycled. However, a few green notebook computers are now on the market. Here’s a short survey of the greenest ones available:

Lenovo Thinkpad X300

Lenovo’s Thinkpad X300 is the company’s first EPEAT Gold certified notebook — only 15 notebooks have achieved this rating to date (see our previous post for more about EPEAT). The X300 uses mercury-free LEDs to illuminate its display. This saves energy, and allows for a thinner display.

It uses a solid-state drive, which is much is lighter, more reliable and faster than a conventional hard drive. It also contains a low-voltage processor and an improved “battery stretch” software for energy savings. It meets the Energy Star 4.0 criteria and is 25% more efficient than Lenovo’s previous generation notebooks.

The packaging materials for the X300 are 90% recyclable, and the use of toxic materials such as cadmium, lead, and arsenic have been reduced.

It’s available from Amazon for around $2500.

ASUS Eee PC

The ASUS Eee PC was a ground-breaking ultra-mobile computer when it was first released. It was a powerful, efficient machine for its size that could run Windows and Linux, it retailed for $400.

Since then, ASUS has continued to improve on this compact notebook. The latest model, the Eee 1000, was released last month, and it has many welcome improvements. It has an improved screen size (10 inch, 1024-by-600 widescreen display) and the keyboards size is now 92% normal size instead of 75%. Yet it measures just 7.5 x 10.5 x 1.1 inches and weighs 2 pound. Because it uses flash memory instead of a hard drive (with 40 GB of storage), the Eee PC 1000 boots quickly, produces less heat, and is less susceptible to shock damage.

The Eee 1000 has a 1.6-GHz Intel Atom processor that never uses more than 3 watts of power and runs cool (less than 1/10 of the 35 watts used by an Intel Core 2 Duo processor). It’s also equipped with the ASUS “Super Hybrid Engine” for automatic detection and adjustments of CPU frequency, voltage, and LCD brightness to minimize system noise and power consumption, saving up to 15% power consumption. Computerworld says the Eee 1000 has 5 hour battery life on average, in real world conditions.

The Eee also features 1 GB of RAM, 1.3-megapixel webcam, tri-mode Wi-Fi networking (802.11b/g/n), integrated Bluetooth connectivity, Secure Digital memory card slot, multiple USB ports, a VGA output for connecting to a monitor.

The computer is RoHS-compliant but has yet to be certified for Energy Star 4.0 and EPEAT.

The Eee 1000 available from Amazon for around $700. The Eee 900 is available for around $400.

Toshiba Portégé R500-S5007V

Toshiba’s Portégé R500-S5007V is one of the world’s lightest laptop computers and also one of the greenest. Weighing in at 2.4 pounds and just 0.77-inches thick, it was the first to incorporate 128 gigabytes of solid-state storage. Like the Thinkpad, the Portégé uses LED backlights to illuminate its 12-inch widescreen, and this allow the screen to be less than a quarter of an inch thick. The computer’s processor is an ultra-low voltage 1.33GHz Intel Core 2 Duo Processor U7700.

Toshiba now has five notebooks that qualify for Gold EPEAT status — all of the Portégé R400 and Portégé R500 configurations as well as the Tecra M9.

Toshiba received praise from Greenpeace for committing to introduce alternatives to phthalates, beryllium and antimony by 2012 (though only in its PCs).

It’s available from Amazon.

Apple MacBook Air

The MacBook Air is one of Apple’s greenest computers. The Air’s display was the first from Apple to be mercury and arsenic-free. The all-aluminum case was also a good choice — aluminum is easily recyclable, and highly desirable by recyclers.

The Air qualified for a Silver EPEAT rating — all the circuit boards are bromide and PVC free. It’s also Energy Star 4.0 certified. On PC Magazine’s energy consumption tests, the 14 Watts it produced while idle is consistent with Energy Star’s 14 Watt (and under) requirement. The reading was taken while the system was running Leopard after 15 minutes of idle time.

You can get the Macbook Air fitted with a 64GB solid-state drive, which will further reduces its power requirements.

Apple paid attention to the retail packaging of this machine, and reduced it by 50%.

It’s available from Amazon for around $2500.

HP 2710p Tablet Computer

One of HP’s few green notebooks, the 2710p Tablet PC is an energy efficient machine with great battery life. The 44Wh (Watt hour) battery will run for 4-5 hours before needed a charge. HP offers an optional “battery slice” that slides underneath the base, producing more than 8 hours of battery life. This extra battery slice will cost you an extra $180, though. This machine might also have some drawbacks related to this efficiency — PC Magazine reviewers say that the screen looks “washed-out” and they were unhappy about the performance of the computer. The 27010p is EPEAT Gold certified, and it also meets Energy Star 4.0 and RoHS specifications.

HP has said that it will eliminate PVC and all brominated flame retardants (BFRs) by 2009 (only in computing equipment – not for its entire product portfolio).

The 2710p is somewhat ruggedized, with a full magnesium alloy enclosure that gives the 3.7-pound machine a clean, industrial look.

It’s available from Amazon for around $1800.