If you spend time on the road, you know how shitty the clock radios in even the best of hotels can be. With the folding CD/radio alarm clock, you can count on waking up to your favorite CD -- a little White Zombie, maybe, to get your blood pumping before that sales meeting. You can wake up to a buzzer or, if you prefer, the tranquil sounds of the seaside, summer night, a gentle rainstorm or -- my personal favorite -- a babbling brook to get you in the mood for a babbling business seminar. There's also a headphone jack so you can take it to that seminar and listen to Slayer without disturbing the dweeb next to you. But please, remember not to bang your head. It runs on four AA batteries or an included AC adapter and, for an extra $10, comes with a softside carrying case. CD/radio alarm clock, $189.00 from Sharper Image.

With Panasonic's portable DVD player, you can watch movies on DVD or listen to audio CDs using AC power or the 3-hour battery pack. The 5" LCD screen may not exactly be Mann's Chinese Theatre, but it's doubtless preferable to seeing the latest Hollywood crap edited gutless on a tiny airline screen. You can also hook this puppy up to your home system, so it can act as your primary DVD player. It, too, folds for easy transport. Word of warning for airline cinephiles: Don't watch the digitally-remastered Devil In Miss Jones until you've checked the ID of the person sitting next to you. There could be Hell to pay. Panasonic portable DVD player, $999.95 from Hammacher Schlemmer.