Technical knockouts: ten toys to simplify, amplify, and digi-fi your life

Men's Fitness, Nov, 2003 by Michael Cahlin

SIMPLE TRUTH: It's all about power. He who has it (and the most toys, natch) wins. So it makes sense that he who has the most powerful toys wins biggest. Following this line of reasoning (work with me here), the more things a guy can control with one hand--or no hands--the more power he has to tackle, well, other things (such as the human kind that sport soft, great-smelling skin) with reckless multitasking abandon. The portable powerhouses on these pages allow you to do just that. Think of them as digital servants that simplify your life and maximize your fun. Potent as these gizmos are, one humbling trait remains: Like a man's dreaded refractory period, the batteries will always need recharging.

POGO! PRODUCTS RADIO YOURWAY

WHAT IT IS A digital AM/FM radio recorder

WHY YOU NEED IT Most radio programs aren't worth the price of the air they ride on, but Radio YourWay can record four hours of the good stuff--your favorite news, sports, and music--and play it back at your leisure. $125; pogoproducts.com

TOSHIBA SATELLITE P25-S507

WHAT IT IS A souped-up, big-screen laptop

WHY YOU NEED IT Because the capacious 17-inch screen, massive 60GB hard drive, and wi-fi connectivity make this one laptop that really can replace your desktop computer. Factor in a CD/DVD-R/RW multifunction drive, four USB ports, built-in Harmon/Kardon sound system, and you've got a certified mobile entertainment center. $2,100; shoptoshiba.com

LOGITECH IO DIGITAL PEN

WHAT IT IS A PC-based writing instrument

WHY YOU NEED IT Because the paperless office of the future ain't coming, but the digital revolution is proceeding apace. When you don't have the time or luxury to lug your lap to your next meeting, bring the io. Use it with digital paper to store up to 40 pages of handwritten notes. The pen's cache can be downloaded to your PC. $199; logitech.com

MINOLTA DIMAGE XT 3.2

WHAT IT IS A digital camera for quick-draw shutterbugs

WHY YOU NEED IT Capturing great moments requires great timing, and the Xt has the shortest start-up time--1.1 seconds--of any digital camera on the market. The diminutive DiMage also packs ample features, from a 16MB memory card and a 1.5-inch LCD panel to a full complement of controls including picture review, autofocus, and flash. $399; minolta.com

T-MOBILE SIDEKICK

WHAT IT IS A cell phone with e-mail and internet capabilities

WHY YOU NEED IT Caller ID, call waiting/hold/forwarding, and other features to trick your boss into believing you're working from home instead of sneaking nine holes. $299 for the hardware; voice/data service plans start at $39.99; t-mobile.com

LOGITECH MOBILE CORDLESS HEADSET

WHAT IT IS A wireless cell-phone headset for distracted drivers

WHY YOU NEED IT This headset fits on either ear and has controls that allow you to answer your phone and adjust the volume from as far as 10 feet away. $99.95; logitech.com

APPLE IPOD

WHAT IT IS A digital music player on steroids

WHY YOU NEED IT It's now available to both the PC and Mac hordes in a single unit; has a thinner, more user-friendly design; and supports audiofiles formatted as higher-quality AACs as well as MP3s. Download songs from Apple's Music Store for 99 cents each and get litigious music-industry lobbyists off your back. Did we mention it ships with three games? Solitaire, Brick, and Parachute. 10GB ($299), 15GB ($399), and 30GB ($499); apple.com

ALPHASMART DANA WIRELESS

WHAT IT IS A personal digital assistant that functions like a laptop

WHY YOU NEED IT With a full-size keyboard and the capacity to run Palm OS applications such as AlphaWord, PrintBoy, and Palm Reader, the Dana has all the functionality of a laptop for a third the price. You can write memos, organize your Rolodex, or finish that damn novel. $429; alphasmart.com

NOKIA N-GAGE

WHAT IT IS A cell phone crossed with a stereo and a video arcade

WHY YOU NEED IT This console-quality gaming system has a cell phone, an MP3 player, and an FM radio. Pick up Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell and exterminate bad guys while listening to your favorite MP3s. $299: service pricing varies; n-gage.com

HARMONY REMOTE SST-768

WHAT IT IS A remote that rules every home-theater device in the house

WHY YOU NEED IT Control all your video and music gizmos with one stick. It's Windows and Mac compatible, and all you need is an Internet connection to program everything through Harmony's Web site. $299; harmonyremote.com