Plug & Play

By Wilson Rothman

Iomega Micro Mini Drive Strictly a storage device--but one of the tiniest we've seen--Micro Mini comes in either a 128-MB or 256-MB version. The chain is so you won't lose it. Could it be a fashion statement in the making? iomega.com ($60 to $100)

Creative Nomad MuVo NX Think of it as the Swiss Army knife of USB drives. It will handle just about any type of file: drop MP3s into it for music on the go, or pop a few family photos in there for showing off. nomadworld.com ($150 to $200)

Laks USB Memory Watch The closest you may ever get to becoming a cyborg. The USB plug sticks out from your wrist, jacks into your PC and uploads (or downloads) your files. It can store up to 256 MB. thinkgeek.com ($90 to $140)

Rio Fuse This 128-MB device can hold only about two hours of music, but it fits into your shirt pocket. Fine for background music while you cruise the ski slopes. The Sennheiser headphones are a bonus. rioaudio.com ($130)

Philips Key Ring Camera This 1-megapixel camera for your keychain is a stealthy snapper that recharges its battery when attached to a PC (via a capped USB jack). Light yet rugged, it can shoot rings around any camera phone. philips.com ($130)

*DASHING AND DIGITAL

PCs continue to feed our insatiable need for computer speed. Virginia Tech recently built one of the world's fastest supercomputers with 1,100 of Apple's new PowerPC G5s (from $2,000)--shown here with a 23-in. Cinema Display ($2,000) beside a wireless Bluetooth keyboard ($70) and mouse ($70). Computers are also becoming more versatile. The Toshiba Portege M200 (from $2,300) doubles as tablet and desktop PC, while Gateway's 610 (from $1,500) with Windows XP Media Center Edition 2004 allows you to record TV shows, burn DVDs and manage music--all from the couch.