Computer

High: The Toshiba Portégé R400-S4931 ($3,500) is the first laptop to use Ultra-wide bandlow-powered radio signalsto connect wirelessly to peripherals as far as 30 feet away. Its monitor swings around, transforming it into a tablet PC, a biometric fingerprint reader comes standard, and two banks of superbright battery-saving LEDs light the notebook's 12.1-inch widescreen. With an 80GB hard drive and an Intel Core Duo processor, this computer can handle all your business needs with style.

Low: With its 160GB hard drive, CD-RW/DVD drive, and NVIDIA graphic card, the Dell Dimension C521 ($360) packs a lot of performance into an affordable package. An added plus: the ultraslim case takes up no more desktop real estate than most laptops.

Monitor

High: Working at home has its perks, but being forced to squint at a laptop screen all day isn't one of them. The Panoram PV230 DSK ($3,000) is a 38", multipaneled display that allows you to expand information (documents, spreadsheets, graphic designs, publishing files) with nary an effort. Its ergonomically tuned swing arm ensures you always get a clear view, and a hidden cable system helps avoid desk clutter.

Low: Your five-year-old behemoth may get the job done, but the CTX Technology F973 ($350) does it handsomely, without destroying your eyesight. The 19" LCD screen is great for graphics and features a character smoothing technology that produces especially crisp text.

Mouse

High: The cordless Logitech MX Revolution ($100) is equipped with a unique scroll wheel that can spin through thousands of pages of spreadsheet lines. Even better, SmartShift technology notes what application you're in and automatically applies the necessary scrolling speed, a quick-flip wheel moves from one document to another with a flick of the thumb, and a search button lets you highlight any word and instantly display results from a chosen search engine.

Low: Strap the Logisys Optical Finger Mouse ($30) to your finger and turn nearly any surface into a mouse pad. A scroll wheel on the side of the 800-dpi laser lets you move through documents easily.

Keyboard

High: When your tiny laptop keyboard gets too frustrating, turn to the wireless Logitech diNovo Edge ($200). Despite its slim design, its keys are engineered to mimic the deep press of those on an ordinary keypad. Touch sensitive audio and cursor controls and backlit stealth keys are surprisingly practical pluses.

Low: When your lifestyle encroaches on your workspace in the form of coffee on the spacebar, theUnotron Waterproof Keyboard ($50) is something of a godsend. Dunk it in a sink full of soapy water and get back to work.

All-in-One Printer

High: A home office is useless if you have to run to Kinko's every hour. The Brother MFC-8860DN ($500) is a high-speed laser printer and copier, with a fax machine and color scanner built in.

Low: The inkjet Canon MP 600 ($180) rapidly spits out exquisite-quality prints, photos, and copies; doubles as a color scanner; and has a 2.5-inch, color LCD screen that can be used for easy edits in conjunction with the card reader, for bypassing the computer altogether.

Web Cam

High: The ultra-high-end Halo Collaboration Studio ($500,000) uses 60-inch plasma screens, an echo-free audio system and a proprietary, superfast data network to create stunning images that mimic a brick-and-mortar conference room, linking you to clients halfway around the globe.

Low: When a phone just won't cut it, the Creative Live Cam Optia ($80) is ready to go. It plugs into your USB port to start up without software or driver installations and automatically focuses the image, leaving you free to focus your conversation.

Desk Chair

High: From the almost-too-comfortable-to-be-good-for-you file, the Stokke Gravity balans ($2,000) rocking and reclining desk chair has four positions to take you from upstanding worker bee to sleeping beauty in one swift kick. Leg grips stop you from sliding forward when sitting up and hold your feet just above your head when lying back.

Low: So it's not exactly cheapbut when you spend the majority of your life in a desk chair, it's probably worth the splurge. The uber-ergonomic HumanScale Freedom ($780) uses a counter-balance mechanism to provide the exact amount of support your body requires, has a specially contoured back design, and works without a half-dozen pumps and controls, so that sitting easy can be just that.

VOIP Phone

High: Use Skype, but still rely on your landli