By DAVID RANII, Raleigh News and Observer

MORRISVILLE, N.C. - E-mail marketer iContact has staked out a claim for having the most eclectic offices around.

Lenovo, which is pushing to grab the attention of U.S. consumers, has developed a new online sales tool.
The eLounge is a 3-D world where consumers can create an avatar -- including customizing their appearance and dress -- and then wander through a series of virtual showrooms, testing Lenovo laptops.

Saving money is in vogue again.
The latest numbers from the U.S. Department of Commerce show that the personal savings rate -- that is, savings as a percentage of disposable income -- rose to 2.9 percent in the fourth quarter of 2008. That's the highest level in six years.

Computer makers are betting consumers want a product that's more than a smart phone but less than a full-featured laptop.Lenovo is the latest to enter the burgeoning market for netbooks -- also known as Internet PCs. Last month, Lenovo announced plans for a 1-inch-thick IdeaPad netbook with a 10-inch screen. Starting price: $399.