Killer Gifts for the Eco-Conscious Geek

'Tis the season to be green, folks. A survey by the Conservation International found that 53 percent of Americans want green gifts this season, and 43 percent plan on giving green gifts over the holidays, but according to Reuters, U.S. retailers are afraid that by pushing eco-friendliness, "shoppers may clamp down on holiday spending" in the wake of a shaky economy. There are many things we can do, such as installing solar-powered holiday decorations or regift certain items we never used, but there are also a lot of products available out there that promote eco-friendliness and may actually save you money in the long run. Your loved ones may want iPhones and gaming consoles, but don't forget to check out these other alternatives that may teach them a thing or two about conserving our resources.

One Laptop Per Child XO Laptop

Our advisors have mentioned the One Laptop per Child (OLPC) project a few times, which provides computers and Internet access to children in developing countries. Not only is this machine one of the most energy-efficient computers around (it can be recharged via a crank pedal, pull chord, or solar panel), but it's also loaded with amazing features like a built-in webcam, a microphone, a rotating screen, and wireless antennas that help children connect to a mesh network. For the entire month of December, you can participate in the "Give One, Get One" program that allows you to purchase two XO laptops for $399 ($200 are tax deductible).This is a gift that will not only make a difference in your child's life, but the life of a child halfway across the world.

E-book reader

Save the trees, and buy e-books. There certainly is no shortage of digital book readers, especially now that the Amazon Kindle has renewed the public's interest in e-book reading. If you thought Amazon's Kindle and Sony's Reader were the only ones available, think again. Wired has compiled a short list of features, storage capacity, and prices of digital book readers available today. They're all a bit pricey, but book lovers will feel great about not having to purchase those ugly paperbacks ever again.

Noon solar tote bags

Most of the solar-powered bags I've seen look more like science projects than fashionable items. That was until Noon entered the scene with these superstylish tote bags in leather and suede. One side of the tote sports a discreet solar panel that harvests enough energy to power your small gizmos, while the other side looks like any other stylish tote you would find at high-end department stores. The best part is the bags are made with naturally dyed, sustainable harvested, biodegradable materials, and hardware that can be reclaimed and re-used in the future.

Everex Green gPC

Wal-Mart has been touting the Green gPC as a low-power-consumption desktop that runs Ubuntu Linux. It uses a 1.5GHz Via C7-D processor, and it houses an 80GB hard drive, 512MB of RAM, and a DVD burner.  No monitor is included, but you won't have to worry about purchasing extra peripherals. Since it runs on Linux, it comes preloaded with OpenOffice and Google apps, and you get free tech support. Last time I checked, this computer was in stock for $199, so get yours before supplies run out again. This is a hot holiday item!

Solar-powered Bluetooth headset

Extremely practical, the BHS-603 SUN Bluetooth headset is charged with direct sunlight, so you don't ever have to worry about recharging it. How great is that? To charge it, simple leave it by a window or plug it into your computer using a mini USB charging cable. It may not look like the Jawbone headset, but then again, not worrying about charging your gadgets is priceless. Don't you wish they were all like that?

Kanguru's Eco Drive

Most hard drives look the same, so the biggest difference here is that Kanguru claims this hard drive reduces power consumption by up to 75 percent. When you're not actively using it, it goes into a power-saving mode or powers down completely. This drive is also RoHS compliant, which means it doesn't contain any lead, mercury, cadmium, and other hazardous materials that are bad for the environment.

Gidget Gadget case

Ever wonder what happens to all those billboards on the side of the road? Me too. I'm not entirely sure, but I do know several companies out there use these billboard scraps to create beautiful fashion accessories like the Gidget Gadget case that holds and protects your iPod or cell phone inside your purse. This is the perfect stocking stuffer for your eco-conscious fashionista friend that wouldn't have it any other way.

If you want more ideas, check out this post: Going Solar: 10 Sun-Powered Gadgets