Besides it’s seriously sleek exterior, (really, it conjures up images of a James Bond gadget room), the 311 has equally serious tech cred that outstrips its peers: impressive battery life, speakers that are louder and clearer than your average tinny laptop fare, and an amazing capacity to create and display killer graphics unlike any other netbook — the resolution on the display is 1366 x 768. Somehow all of this is packed into an 11.4 x 8.0 x 1.2 in package, more or less the same size as a sheet of notebook paper.

Of course, an uber-portable computer isn’t nearly as fun without a great carrying case, and for that there’s nothing more covetable than this Vintage Style Postal Sleeve.

What better way to bring a classic touch to a hot-off-the-presses gadget? It looks like hours spent in the airport just got a whole lot better.

As I come to terms with the fact that carrying a giant boombox everywhere you go is both inconvenient and occasionally inappropriate, I’ve been on the hunt  looking for an iPod dock that looks good without taking up all my shelf space. It’s harder to find than you would think, but I’ve gotten to be a huge fan of the Altec Lansing Octiv Mini, which packs a lot of speaker power into its neat little 4.2 x 4.2 x 7.8 frame. It’s also compatible with all models of iPods and iPhones which, again, is harder to find in dock speakers than you would think. Different people have different speaker priorities, but to me this means that I can change music quickly (or yield DJ duty and let someone else plug in) without having to hassle with an elaborate system or, worse, subject my friends to the tinny sound of laptop speakers.

If you happen to be busting out these speakers for an end-of-summer barbecue, go ahead and put them to good use blasting Best Coast’s new album Crazy For You. A sweet, beach-y throwback, it’s the perfect soundtrack to the dwindling days of summer, the time when we simultaneously get sentimental about sunburns past and brace ourselves for fall.  Yes, it really is just around the corner, so revel in these sun-drenched tunes while it still feels seasonal.

For stellar photography that you can pull off in the day-to-day (without photo shoot-sized equipment), there’s nothing better on the market right now than the 5D Canon Mark II.

You might not guess it at first glance, but this sleek little piece of equipment is a full frame professional grade camera that’s smaller (and more convenient) than most of its counterparts on the market. The 5D II is also member of DSLR (digital single-lens reflex) family of digital cameras, meaning you can preview and set up your shot more accurately and with minimal effort.

This, of course, raises a key question: do you buy vintage or go for a newer model? Personally, I’ve found that while vintage turntables sound like a great idea (and look really cool) they break just as quickly. But you don’t have to choose between form and function here, because Crosley makes an entire line of spanking new record players that look like they belong in a World War II-era living room but include features like radios and CD players alongside the standard turntable.

I’m a particularly big fan of this model in an oak casing – it looks great as a piece of furniture, and also doesn’t take up much space in a cramped apartment. So go ahead: take a night off, have a couple people over, and soak in some vinyl and maybe a Rob Roy.

Thankfully, some of my more technologically and musically-savvy friends talked me into a pair of Sony MDR-V500 Professional Headphones right before I moved, and I’ve been addicted ever since. So far these have been sturdy enough to survive getting thrown around in my bag every day, helped me avoid unnecessary conversations on the train, and actually doubled perfectly as earmuffs in the winter. More importantly though, when I listen to music on these I notice aspects of production I’d never pay attention to otherwise and have learned a lot about music I thought I knew inside out.

Of course, great headphones aren’t much use without something great to listen to, and for that I’ve been completely enamored with Janelle Monae’s latest album. A P. Diddy and Outkast protege, Monae has really come into her own on the ArchAndroid, which is both a sci-fi concept album and a motown-influenced throwback. Incidentally, her songs have the kind of elaborate production that can only be done justice with a pair of good headphones. Production aside, though, the whole album is catchy enough that it actually might turn me into that person, the one awkwardly dancing to themselves on the train. And it would be worth it.

No problem, brah. We’ve got you covered with buying guides to help you figure out whats what. Check out a list of our favorite personal tech buying guides after the jump.

• Desktop PC Buying Guide for when you can leave it at home
• Laptop Computer Buying Guide for when you have to bring it with you
• Digital SLR Camera Buying Guide for seriously aspiring photographers
• Point and Shoot Camera Buying Guide for snapshots when you’re out on the town
• Digital Camcorder Buying Guide for making your masterpiece and putting it on YouTube
• Handheld GPS Buying Guide for figuring out where you are and where you’re going
• Headphones Buying Guide for rocking out, quietly
• LCD Television Buying Guide for watching the big game on a big screen with normal-sized friends
• Speaker System Buying Guide for rocking out, loudly
• Radar Detector Buying Guide for getting there quick

A netbook computer is a weird little beast, like a 250cc sportbike or an electronic dartboard. It gets the job done, sort of, but there are compromises to be made. They’re all basically the same but with a few minor tweaks to keep in mind.

How big is the keyboard?

Netbook keyboards are usually anywhere from 80% to 93% the size of a normal keyboard and the difference can make or break your experience. If you can’t really type on the thing, you’ll never bring it with you anywhere and you’ll just be another dude reading the Times on your iPhone at the coffee house. Look for a bigger keyboard like the on the Samsung NC10 .

How much hard disk space is enough?

It pretty much depends on what you need to do. If you’re like me and you want a netbook to watch movies on a long flight to an exotic country where you’re going to shoot a million super high resolution pictures, the biggest hard drive you can get is the right one. You’ll need space for the movies and for the photos you’re shooting. In this case, your best bet is something with a 250 gb hard drive like an Acer Aspire One.

What about battery life?

Easy — the more battery “cells” the better. A big 6-cell battery, like the one available on the Toshiba Mini, should last 8+ hours on a full charge. Super long battery life is one of those things you never need until you REALLY need it. Do yourself a favor and pony up for a big battery and learn to live with a slightly heavier computer.

That’s why my choice is the MacBook – because it’s purdy – and because they have such exceptional customer service. You can even get free how-to classes for all apps at your local Apple store. My laptop is a very simple Macbook. I only need it for writing and to occasionally distract me on transcontinental flights. She’s not light – weighs about 7 pounds and makes me long for a Macbook Air which clocks in at a light-as-gossamer 3 lbs. I detest schlepping my MacBook from coffee shop to library to bookstore and home again. By the end of a long day, it feels like you’re carrying around a bowling ball. For me the intersection of light, durable, and dependable is the way to the go. If you can say all that about your laptop, pull double click.

I do like to go the beach a lot (seeing the dirt meet the water really blows my hair back). So something like the Canon PowerShot D10 a waterproof number which would be good investment for me. I’m no Bruce Weber, and I’m sure if you’re reading this, you ain’t either. Just get something with a mellow learning curve that won’t get in the way – something that works when you need it to – for instance, if you have a celebrity sighting. The right pic at the right time could fetch a king’s ransom.

“Look For The Silver Lining” by Chet Baker. I have been listening to this tragic crooner since the 6th grade. Never gets old.

“Hungry Heart” and  “Prove It All Night” (Bruce Springsteen) What can I say? He is the boss.

“Tumbling Dice” by Rolling Stones. Beatles teach you about puppy love. Stones teach you how to be a man already.

Nas/Jay-Z on “Black Republican”. perfect for winter days in NYC.

Ronnie Foster’s “Mystic Brew”. love listening where rap samples come from.

“One Step Ahead” by Aretha Franklin.  Another awesome song that is often sampled.

“Black Rat” by Big Mama Thorton. Pound for pound the best female blues singer.

“Los Angeles I’m Yours” by The Decemberists is haunting. Awesome. Reminds me of a girl.

“Jackson” by Johnny Cash. It’s where my family is from. Reminds me of home. Kickass duet between Johnny and June.

“Beautiful Nightmare” by Beyonce. Don’t try to define me, dude! Seriously, who doesn’t love the single ladies?