One of my recent absolute necessities was a “nettop” computer.  These little things are pretty cool.  They are very small PC’s, and most newer models come with HDMI connections so you can plug them into your digital TV.  I’ve been shopping them for several months, and finally decided on the Lenovo Q150.  I almost built one from scratch, but when you price everything out the Lenovo actually comes in cheaper.  (When it’s on sale, which it was last week.)  So, what can you do with this little thing?  Well, it’s first use was to video chat with Ed & Kim and the baby.  I might get a nicer webcam for it someday, but the one I have did OK for the time being.  Since then I’ve installed Boxee on it, so I can use it watch TV shows, Netflix movies, etc.  Mostly I just sit on the couch and surf the Web though.  It’s like having a 32″ monitor for your computer, it works great.  The only downside I’ve come up with is that it sort of makes me wish I hadn’t bought my recent webserver and the PS-3, as the new toy could pretty much take the place of those two purchases.  I do occasionally play games on the PS-3 though, so there’s a little justification there.