Dualie combines hard drive, iPod/iPhone dock

The scoop: Dualie, by Buffalo Technology, about $250 (available exclusively at the Apple Store).

What it is: The Dualie is a docking station for your iPhone or iPod that also contains a docking space for a 500GB portable hard drive, as well as some additional USB ports. The goal is to let users have one device that enables them connect a portable hard drive to their computer, and synchronize/recharge their iPhone or iPod at the same time. When connected to a Macintosh system, backups to the hard drive are done with Time Machine.

Why it's cool: I'm a sucker for devices that take two separate concepts and combine them into a single device, especially when the combination helps eliminate cable clutter on the desktop. Instead of two separate USB cables for connecting a portable hard drive and synchronizing your iPhone/iPod, the Dualie has one cable (also included are FireWire 800 cables). The two additional USB ports also make it handy if you find that your notebook is chintzy on USB port allocation (the docking station is powered to offer additional USB hub support).

Some caveats: The included hard drive is preformatted for Macs (hence the Apple Store exclusivity). The hard drive can be used on Windows machines, but you'll need to reformat the hard drive with either Buffalo's FAT32 format tool (available on its Web site), or use Windows and reformat with one of those tools. A Buffalo spokesman says Windows 7 recognizes this and will ask you if you want to reformat the drive when you plug it in -- unfortunately, I only tested this on Windows XP and Vista systems, which didn't recognize the drive until it was reformatted.

It would be great if Buffalo offered a version of the Dualie that includes a Windows preformatted hard drive, as the iPhone/iTunes docking station part works wonderfully with my Windows PC, and I'd prefer not having the hassle of having to reformat the drive.

Grade: 4 stars (for Mac users); 2.5 stars (for Windows users).

The scoop: Universal Multi-Display Adapter, by Kensington, about $80

What it is: This tiny device lets you add an extra monitor to your PC system quickly and easily. Connect one end of the device to your monitor cable (DVI and VGA supported), and the other end to a USB port on the computer, and you're up and running. The system adds drivers automatically, giving you the extra monitor space.

Why it's cool: Getting additional monitor space used to involve extra graphics cards and complicated procedures, so the self-installing drivers and the USB connections make it easy to set up. The system (the underlying DisplayLink technology is awesome) also supports as many as six adapters. Now I just need to convince the IT group to give me four more monitors. The system also works with projectors -- letting you quickly display your screen via the projector (tell the sales guy who's always fumbling with getting his screen to display!).

Grade: 5 stars