Quick Takes

Brief looks at other new software, hardware, and accessories.

Michael S. Lasky

PDA Pen Lights the Way

There are lots of multifunction pens out there, but Belkin's Quadra 4-in-1 Pen stands alone with its combination of ballpoint pen, PDA stylus, LED flashlight, and 500-foot-range presentation laser pointer. This sleek, matte-aluminum $20 pen uses four watch batteries to power the LED and laser. Fortunately, the replacement batteries are cheap (about $3 for ten), because with any significant use you will need new ones often.

Dock On

If your desk space is at a premium, the $149 Sherpaq Oyster docking station cleverly lets you use your notebook screen to replace a bulky monitor: Simply open the PC and set it into the Oyster, attach a mouse and keyboard via the included USB ports, hide any power boxes and wireless remote receivers inside the Oyster, and you are ready to go.