For lots of people when it starts getting close to back to school time, they start looking for a new computer. For most users a basic computer will do the trick and the biggest factor is the price of the system. While eMachines may not have the best reputation, its computers certainly fit the low-cost requirement.

Today eMachines announced three new computers just in time for the back to school crowd. The first new system is the T3656 desktop with a retail price of $299.99. For that amount you get an Intel Celeron CPU, 1GB of RAM and a 160GB HDD. If you need more performance the eMachines T5374 retails for $399.99 and features a Intel Celeron dual-core processor, 2GB of RAM and a 320GB HDD.

So you’ve wanted some motion control on your PC, but so far every mod you’ve attempted fails miserably. The folks at GoLive2 are here to help with Stix, a Wiimote for the PC. No, it won’t sing Mr. Roboto or Come Sail Away, but it will let you have a Wii-like experience on your PC.

It’s launching with a companion website called sphere that has hundreds of “free Web-based games” available, which usually means suckage. The Stix 200 will work with those games while the Stix 400 will apparently work with normal PC games. It will be available in August.

If you figure PCs should look like a bizarre abstract UFO, or maybe resemble a Sit and Spin type toy with a CD tray sticking out, you are not alone. Designer Won-Seok Lee apparently agrees.

The B-membrane computer concept does away with monitors entirely, instead opting for a built-in projector that will beam the display onto any surface. The membrane keyboard shows up whenever it’s needed as well as a built-in optical drive. It will probably be some time before we see something like this become a reality. It’s just not that easy to make a PC of the future look like the inside of a washing machine.

There are PCs, and then there are PCs that look like Pac-Man has arrived from the future to kick ass and chew bubble gum…And he’s all out of bubble gum. Plus he’s got legs. According to the modder, this PC came about because he wanted to “construct some kind of Pacman or motorcycle-helmet that can open a visor driven by a motor.”

The visor is comprised of two quarter-spheres, one slightly smaller than the other. They are glued together with about 5mm of space for the water cooling system. I’d say job well done. This thing looks like it could lurch forward at any minute and start gobbling things up.

Looks like Asus has been working on an official handwriting recognition add-on for the Eee PC. Which is good news if you’ve been trying to mod your DS to do the job, but failing miserably. It was demoed at last weeks Computex show, and it accepts English and simplified Chinese characters via the Eee’s USB port.

The touch pad is just over 2-inches across, with the whole thing measuring 4.3 x 4.4 x 0.7 inches. If you’re big on handwriting, you’ll have to wait. How long we’re not sure. No launch date or price info yet.

Most devices already have a calculator app built in, including your computer. That’s why most people have no use for a stand-alone calculator. But if you do want or need a number cruncher that’s free and untethered and all independent like, this is the one to get. The 10-key calculator. It’s what a calculator would have looked like if there had been one built into your keyboard number pad. Instead of soft squishy keys, you get the clickety clack of a keyboard, which I’m sure won’t help it fit in your pocket and it will only annoy fellow nerds. All of this backwards innovation will cost you $88. Oddly, it’s only available in red or white.

What’s a nerd to do when one day you wake up and realize that there’s no woman in your life and there likely never will be? You create your own woman, that’s what! One who will carry your PC on her back like Luke carrying Yoda.

If that’s not creepy enough, make sure you take plenty of pictures of the project, and I mean planty, detailing every stage of it’s construction and adding to the overall flavor of desperation and geek excitement. That’s what Katsuya Matsumura did. His gal is party in the front and PC in the back. Say what you will about a perv and his PC, you don’t have one.

iHome, announced the iH69 and iH70 speaker systems for Mac and the PC. Now, you can dock, charge, play and sync your iPod directly to the computer via the actual speakers, which is nice for convenience and because it eliminates some wires extra wires. The all in one speaker solution will also save you space.

The speakers are compatible with all docking iPod models, and are designed with high-fidelity Reson8™ speaker chambers for premium power output, sports a computer port, sync switch, volume controls and a headphone jack for private listening. Both models are currently available for pre-order on iHomeaudio.com and will be available soon nationwide for $99.99 and $129.99.

Whether built by King Tut himself or the work of an ancient alien civilization, this is surely proof of alien intervention. The detail is just too amazing. There’s no way they could have done it. And the fact that an ancient PC case has been unearthed…

This work of art was built from nothing by Chris Kramer a.k.a “Jadragon”, and is called the EgyptMod PC. There’s some amazing detail, like hieroglyphics, fake jewels and an awesome aged look. Check out the Eye of Ra made of brass and inlaid with polished malachite and verisite. The project took over 200 hours of carving and he never once wavered and cried out for his mummy. It’s a truly inspiring creation.

Are you as weirded out as I am? I’m not sure if it’s the strange tomato color or the fact that two nunchuks appear to be mating. They were seen recently at a trade show in Taipei. We think they must be connected through a wireless usb transmitter and it would make sense if they were compatible with the company’s new desktop.

It would not only be good for most types of games, but could obviously be used as a wireless mouse as well. I’m guessing there must be a few extra buttons we aren’t seeing judging by the 10 and 11 buttons. Word on the street is that the price will be $70 whenever it comes out into the open. Check out a video below to see these in action.

The Enlighten PC from Suissa Computers has a bit of an odd design. It looks more like a great bit of art deco furniture or a retro speaker. We first told you about it here. It’s a custom wood, metal and glass case that has separated components that helps to boost cooling. It’s not just a crap computer inside either. You get a choice of Intel Quad core CPU or AMD X2 6400+ processors, with 4GB of RAM and 1TB of storage standard. You get a DVD burner and a choice of NVIDIA 8800GTX or ATI Radeon HD2900XT video cards.

Interestingly, the system is designed so that you don’t need many fans. It’s all about the engineering and where they placed the components, with the aluminum and air venting keeping it all cool. It’s a limited edition of only ten machines, so if you want one you better hurry up. No word on pricing. All I know is it looks damn cool and damn retro. That makes me want it.

The Log Pillow is just that. A pillow comprised of logs. You might have noticed that working with a laptop on your lap can make your legs a bit hot. Ideally, you want to have some sort of buffer between you and the hot laptop.

That’s where this comes in. And yes, this thing looks like someone started to build some kind of plush log cabin and just gave up, fortunately for your lap. At least it’s a solution that should be comfortable, allowing plenty of air flow. It’s also environmentally friendly, made from natural materials like hemp canvas and buckwheat filler.

It seems that the guitar mania that has engulfed the geek world with games like Guitar Hero and Rockband is here to stay. So you may as well embrace it and get yourself this iPod speaker amp. You probably already have the Guitar Rocker and the catbox 360 after all. I’m sure this will make your life complete.

Just plug in your MP3 player and you are ready. It’s not just for your mp3 player either, you can also use it as a computer speaker. It has working treble and bass knobs and a 5-watt output. It can be powered from your computer via USB, or by using 3 AAA batteries.

Now building a computer into a desk is a great idea, the problem is that you don’t always want to use your computer when you use the desk. That’s why Gareth Battensby’s Sync concept is a good one. The massive flip-up LCD sells me on the idea. The illuminated keyboard doesn’t hurt either.

The main thing is that Gareth has made sure you can actually use Sync as a desk when you want to. It was designed as a final year project for his degree, so sadly, Sync is unlikely to see the light of day. Very sad indeed, because aside from the practicality, it’s also a lovely piece of furniture.

Rugged computers seem to be growing in popularity. People want them on their construction sites,explorers want them for their Indiana Jones thing and others just need a PC that is safe from abuse. That’s why NEC rolled out a new tablet PC for its rugged line of computers, which are built Tonka tough. The new NEC ShieldPRO FC-N22A tablet , which is made for the Japanese market is now available.

The rugged ShieldPro tablet features a low-voltage Intel Core 2 Duo U7500 (1.06GHz). The 12.1-inch tablet offers a bright widescreen LED display (750 cd/m2) and boasts a battery life that can last up to 12 hours. The ShieldPro is specially designed to stand up to the worst conditions, offering protection against dust and water, and can even be operated under heavy rainfall. Besides, its outer case is super durable, it can stand up to a drop of 90 cm on a concrete floor, without breaking it.