Portable storage for laptop owners is a big subject. There is a significant number of users who need to bring large or numerous files with them and oftentimes the capacities of laptops are just not enough. Portable storage is the answer in these circumstances and ramping up the capacities is the name of the game. The ability to also make it a network device is becoming increasingly important especially now that even homes have their own network.

Buffalo recently came out with the Linkstation Mini, a product that could be the answer to large file users. The small 1.1 pound device is actually a network attached storage (NAS) peripheral. The Mini, which has a capacity of 1Tb, has a dual drive configuration that makes it perfect for Raid 1 configuration. There is also a capability to include DLNA server that allows it to stream media files to compatible devices.

Networking hardware manufacturer Buffalo today announced the launch of their new LinkStation Mini, a “palm-sized” 1.1 pound network attached storage (NAS) device.

The 1TB Mini features a dual drive configuration offering data redundancy via RAID 1. The device also offers an included DLNA server provided by TwonkyVision that lets users stream media files through compatible players. Another cool feature is the Web Access that allows users to get access to their files online.

The $699 Linkstation Mini will be available this May.

I’ve been a big believer of ultraportables. My Asus EEE and I been practically joined at the hip from the day I bought it. It really bridged this gap between using a desktop and using a full featured notebook and it has significantly increased my productivity.

There are those people, however, who have thrown in their support for e-book readers. These gadgets are limited in their usability and is practically a one-trick pony but it has created its own niche in the competitive gadgets sector. Even the much-criticized Kindle reader from Amazon is selling like hotcakes, so much so that Jeff Bezos has issued an apology for the company’s inability to address the demand for their first electronic product.

According to Bezos, there is a six-week wait for those who order Kindle and shipping is being done on a first come, first served basis. Bezos said that Amazon is doing its best to increase the manufacturing capacity of the product, which I am pretty sure they are groping around in the dark right now for solutions, this being their first commercial product.

For those who want their e-books, I would enthusiastically recommend an ultraportable instead. But for e-book fans, I guess the Kindle is indeed the right choice despite the steep $399 price tag.

There are a lot of people who get enamored with those weird gadgets that is powered by a laptop’s USB port (you know who you are). I myself would like to have the portable light that I can use to illuminate my keyboard when I’m working in the dark. But then there are those who would pay good money to buy USB-powered mug warmers, soda can chillers, fans and even massagers.

One of USB gadget that I recently saw is a USB-powered “memo lamp”. The device, which looks like a translucent rock can emit different colored lights to match your “mood”. The weird thing about it is that it also comes with a pen and you can use it to write short memos on the rock-like gadget itself. Call it a glorified lava lamp with post-it functionality. The product, which is sold by a Korean company, retails for almost 20 US Dollars.

With ASUS’ competition in the ultraportable market now heating up, the company has decided that the only way to combat it is to actually increase its offering in the E line.

The company has announced that it will be releasing three new products this year, these products are a desktop PC called the E-DT, the E-TV (a TV based PC) and the E-monitor — a versatile gadget that has similarities to either the Dell One and the Apple iMac.

The E-DT has a preliminary price that range from 200 to 300 dollars and will use a Celeron chip. Of course, this PC won’t have a bundled monitor to really keep the price down. The E-TV and the E-Monitor may be the more interesting devices in the E line but at present exact details and specifications about these products are still not available.

Three new E line products and I still haven’t bought my Asus EEE…

I am eagerly awaiting the eventual production of OLED laptops because of its ultra thin screens and low power consumption. But with the technology still in its infancy, I am just eagerly devouring any news pertaining to OLEDs. Take this news for instance. Samsung recently announced that they have developed a 31 inch organic screen.

The funny thing about this announcement is that it comes in the heels of Sony putting on sale an 11 inch OLED TV last November. This essentially trumps Sony’s efforts in the OLED front (and we’re not yet even counting Sony’s 27 inch prototype, which it unveiled before).

OLEDs are being seen as another factor that will drive the sales of flast screen monitors. Samsung still has not given any firm plans as to when the 31 inch screen will be mass produced. But the company is rumored to showcase a 31 inch prototype TV set at the Consumer Electronics Show this January.