1. Green Wi-Fi routers, D-Link, from $150 to $360

Go wireless green with D-Link's new line of routers that can save up to 40 per cent in power usage. D-Link's Green Ethernet technology automatically detects the link status and network cable length and adjusts power according to that. Wi-Fi scheduling lets you program when the Wi-Fi signals are turned on and off, to cut back even more on power use. The green routers include D-Link's Xtreme N Gigabit Router DIR-655 at $150, D-Link Xtreme N Duo Media Router, DIR-855 at $360, and the Xtreme N Gaming Router DGL-4500 at $240. www.dlink.com.

2. Perfection V200 Photo Scanner, Epson, $90

Combining automatic scanning and 4,800-dpi resolution, this will scan images to e-mail, copy photos and documents, scan film, and restore faded colour photos. It has a built-in transparency unit feature to scan slides and negatives. www.epson.ca.

3. USB e-Buddy, Kinlan, $20

As your own personal MSN emote buddy, this three-inch cutie sits on your desk and translates the emoticons in your messages. A heart emoticon prompts your little pal's head to glow while it twists and flaps. A blushing emoticon makes it -- you guessed it -- glow red. When a contact is online, your little buddy's heart glows red in his chest. Somewhat saccharine, we're not certain we'd put this on a desk in the office, but we know a lot of MSN-ers who'd say, "Aahhhhh" in that "isn't that sweet" kind of way. www.kinlan.com.

4.. Satellite L300 and Satellite L350 laptop computers, Toshiba, starting at $630

Toshiba has announced its new Satellite lineup in time for back-to-school shopping, and these are the lower-priced entry-level models. Not as light or powerful as the higher-priced Satellites, but they have all the staples you need to replace a clunky desktop in a dorm room with a laptop. www.toshiba.ca.

© The Vancouver Sun 2008