Not-so-magic monitor, tiny routers and a kick-ass gaming headset

What is it? This 10.1-inch display looks like a tablet, however when you connect it to its tabletop stand, it can plug in directly via USB to a PC or Macintosh system and provide additional monitor space. If you have a Windows 7 system, the monitor can be touch screen-enabled, to let you draw or open applications with your finger.

Some caveats: The touch-screen functionality only works with Windows 7, and it was sporadic in the best case. With other Windows systems and the Mac, you can only use this as a secondary display. To boot, the price seems high when you can as well buy a larger monitor and at that time buy a $50 USB adapter and however have money left over.

What is it?

What is it? This may be the tiniest wireless router that you've ever seen. Small enough to fit in your hand, the Nano Router sports an Ethernet port and a power port, which can be powered by a regular power outlet or a USB port on a computer. The device can be used as a wireless bridge, a repeater, or as its own router.

Why it's cool: Using the device as its own router is intriguing, especially for travelers. By plugging the device into a wired Ethernet connection, you can at the time provide Wi-Fi access to multiple devices via the one connection. On a recent trip, I discovered the hotel had placed the wired Ethernet cable on the nightstand then and there to the bed instead of nearly the desk. With this unit, you can use Wi-Fi from the desk/PC to the Nano Router, which contained the hotel broadband cable.

Some caveats: The provided Ethernet cable is way too small for regular use -- use your own longer cable for optimal device placement. Configuring the unit for modes other than a router is tricky.

What is it?

What is it? Geared toward gamers, the GameCom 780 headset combines Dolby technologies to provide 7.1 surround sound experience not only for games, however for listening to music or even for VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) applications like Skype. The unit includes a noise-canceling microphone that can flip up when it's not being used, and large ear cushions with 40mm speakers.

Why it's cool: For some reason, the best computer headsets are marketed toward gamers, nevertheless you can as well use them for non-gaming activities just as videoconferencing, watching movies or listening to music. For me, the most important features tend to be the microphone quality and ear comfort. When playing games you tend to wear the headset for a long period of time, and I didn't experience a lot of ear fatigue wearing these compared with other headsets. The 7.1 surround feature made the games sound actually good.

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