In Tech Today's 2009 Holiday Gift Guide
December 14, 2009
The holiday shopping season is upon us, and it's time once again to get that techie in your life something special to enjoy throughout the coming year and beyond. So, what are some of the can't miss gifts of the year? Look no further. We have some of the hottest gadgets and gear around, certain to put a smile on anyone's face.
Netbooks:
Perfect for anyone on the go, this year's selection of netbooks can't be beat. Smaller, but not as powerful, as today's top laptops and desktop machines, the netbook finds its home among those looking for a full-featured computer that is both lightweight, and still powerful enough to handle most basic computing tasks, including Web browsing, document creation, e-mailing, and more. Many of these tiny machines can even handle media streaming and video playback with surprisingly good results, creating an overall entertainment and computing experience to fit most needs. Though the netbook shouldn't be mistaken as a replacement for the full laptop and desktop machines currently on the market, for lighter use, travel, business away from the office, or student needs these small PCs are the perfect solution. Most of the netbooks you'll find will have 10-inch screens, Intel Atom processors, at least 160GB of hard drive space, 1GB of RAM, and come with Windows 7. Battery life is also very good on these small devices, ranging on average from 3 to 7 hours, though some machines claim even more. For the best experience, try to make sure you get a netbook with as much RAM (at least 2GB) and hard drive space as possible, and try to make sure you have at least a 6-cell battery, so you can expect somewhere around 7 hours of computing time without having to recharge. Built-in Wi-Fi is also a must, and for users who are likely to need to get online from anywhere, some netbook models come with built-in 3G capability, though there will be an added monthly data plan fee from a carrier such as AT&T in order to use 3G. Just something to keep in mind. Some of our top picks include models from Acer , Nokia, Dell , ASUS , and HP . A good accessory to add to any netbook purchase is a portable USB CD/DVD drive. As most netbooks do not come with a CD/DVD drive built-in, this can be handy to have when installing software, or just to watch a DVD while on the go.
Laptops:
For those needing portability in a PC, but bigger screens or more power than current netbooks have to offer, a full-sized laptop is definitely the way to go. Many laptops currently on the market can easily serve as desktop computer replacements, though the more features a particular model has, the more likely it is to command a hefty price. That being said, however, there are many laptops available at affordable prices that will suit the needs of most users. When buying any type of computer for someone other than yourself, it's always a good idea to know how the person you're buying for will be using the machine. Are they a power user, needing a PC that can handle heavy graphics demands, including video? Are they gamers, needing the latest technology to handle the high demands of some of today's most popular games? Are they a casual user, needing a PC that can handle normal tasks, while still being able to serve a variety of functions? No matter the intended use, there is no shortage of good laptops to serve any purpose. Just keep your budget in mind, and as always try to make sure the laptop you buy has the fastest processor, most memory, and largest hard drive you can afford. Any new laptop on the market these days should also come with built-in Wi-Fi, a number of USB and other ports to hook up peripherals, and some come with 3G capability, should the person you're buying for need to be able to connect to the Internet from anywhere while on the go. Most new laptops will run Microsoft's Windows 7, unless you are considering an Apple laptop, while most screen sizes you'll be looking at will range from 15-inches to 17-inches, with the exception of Apple's 13-inch MacBook Pro, which is an excellent buy in its class and price range. Some laptop manufacturers we suggest are Dell , HP , Apple.
Smartphones:
Smartphones are by far one of the fastest growing segments in technology, with new users trading in their old phones for newer, more capable models each day. No matter what carrier you're thinking about, whether AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, or Sprint, there is surely to be a new smartphone to suit your needs.
Topping the list, is the iPhone 3GS. With 16GB and 32GB of storage, a 3.5-inch display, voice recorder, GPS, 3MP still camera, and built-in video camera, this is definitely one smartphone you can't go wrong with. Add to the mix Apple's wide assortment of downloadable apps from its 100,000 apps and growing App Store, and the iPhone becomes much more than just a phone. It becomes a handheld computer, capabable of being customized to suit the needs of its owner. From business apps to gaming apps, travel apps to music apps, the App Store has just about any kind of app you would need to be able to get most things done while on the go, so much so, that many have found they can leave their laptops behind, and still do most of what they need to do with just this single device. Of course one can't forget that the iPhone 3GS is also one of the best protable media players around, capable of holding thousands of songs, numerous TV shows and movies, as well as all of your favorite photos. The one drawback of the iPhone, however, is its exclusive ties to AT&T. If the person you're buying for is already a customer of AT&T, or doesn't mind switching carriers, this is not necessarily a problem, but if the person you're buying for is locked into a plan with another carrier, or devoted to the carrier's service, then the iPhone may not be for them. If that is case, don't worry. There are still plenty of other great smartphone choices on the market, so read on.
Coming in next to the iPhone 3GS is the latest Android phone to hit the market, the Motorola Droid. Sold by Verizon, the Droid runs the latest 2.0 version of Google's android operating system, and is quite a capable smartphone in its own right. With quick response times, a built-in keyboard, and over 10,000 apps to choose from, the Droid is a great choice for anyone looking for an alternative to the iPhone. Its crisp screen plays video beautifully, and its processor is the same found in the iPhone 3GS. The Droid even comes with Google's free turn-by-turn-GPS navigation to help you find your way around town no matter where you might be. Though the built-in keyboard may feel flat and cramped to some, the Droid also features a virtual keyboard, much like the iPhone's, which is helpful for anyone not comfortable with the feel of the device's physical keyboard. Overall, the Droid is a good choice for anyone looking for a high-end smartphone with many of the same features as the iPhone 3GS.
The iPhone and the Droid , however, are not the only smartphone choices out there. The Palm Pre , though not as robust as some of the other smartphones it competes with, is still quite capable, and BlackBerry has several models to choose from, available at different carriers, including the BlackBerry Bold 9700 , and the BlackBerry Storm2 . There are also a number of other Android phones available, including models from HTC, such as the Droid Eris , a less powerful, but similar smartphone to the Droid.
If you know the needs of the person you'll be buying a smartphone for, as well as any preferences for carriers, or contract obligations they may currently be under, a smartphone can be a great gift, especially if the person will be trading up from an older phone that doesn't have most of the features of today's newest models.
E-book Readers:
For the book lover on your list, you can't go wrong with one of the popular e-book readers on the market, particularly if you choose the Amazon Kindle
or Amazon Kindle DX
. Though other e-readers have tried to challenge the Kindle, none have quite been a match, including the Nook from Barnes & Noble. Though the Nook offers book sharing features (with limitations), a wide selection of books, and a color touchscreen, it's response time is very slow compared to the Kindle, and its dual screen has turned out to be more of a disappointment than a benefit. In contrast, the Kindle is rock solid, has a continually growing digital bookstore behind it, and quite simply is very easy to use. Its starting price of $259 is competitive with other offerings in the field, and it looks and feels like a carefully thought out product, not one that has been rushed to market too soon. Being able to buy a book while on the go, and have it download to the device in less than sixty seconds is a pleasure to experience, and Amazon's latest free firmware update for the Kindle adds native PDF support, and enhanced battery life. For the ability of being able to carry a library of books with you wherever you go, e-readers like the Kindle and Kindle DX are great devices to have.
KODAK Zi8 Pocket Video Camera:
Featuring high-quality full 1080p HD video capture, as well as built-in electronic image stabilization, and compatibility with both PCs and Macs, the KODAK Zi8 is an excellent buy for this holiday season. It features a 2.5” color LCD screen, a flexible swing-out USB arm for uploading, sharing, and charging, and an external microphone jack for recording audio in stereo. The pocket camera also allows a user to take 5 MP 16:9 widescreen HD still pictures, and record up to 10 hours of HD video on SD/SDHC cards up to 32GB. At $179, the Zi8 is the perfect solution for anyone looking for a compact, powerful video camera that can be easily carried anywhere.
Blu-ray Players:
Who doesn't enjoy a good movie? With today's technology, viewing movies at home is almost as enjoyable as seeing them on the big screen. Paired with a high-definition TV, Blu-ray offers viewers exceptional picture clarity, unbelievable sound, and enhanced features just not found with DVD or streaming video. After winning the HD format wars, Blu-ray emerged as the technology of choice, and as player prices have come down the format has been growing in popularity. If you have a movie lover on your list, a Blu-ray player is the way to go. Things to look for when buying a player are load times, Internet connectivity via ethernet and/or Wi-Fi, and built-in streaming services from other vendors such as Netflix and Amazon.
Roku:
Now you can turn just about any TV into a streaming media powerhouse, with a simple little device called the Roku. With several models to choose from, the Roku box attaches to your TV, and allows you to view Netflix streaming media content, online video content, and Amazon on demand movie rentals all without having to leave the comfort of your couch. Priced from $79 to $129, the Roku is a great addition to any home theater setup, and the company intends to keep adding more content channels regularly. Our recommendation? Go with the $129 Roku HD-XR
Wi-Fi enabled version with HDMI output to make sure you'll be able to enjoy the Roku for years to come.
Netflix:
Speaking of movies, you can't go wrong with a Netflix subscription for the movie lover in your life. Starting at $8.99 per month, Netflix offers the latest movie rentals, Blu-ray rentals, and movies and TV shows streamed on demand. Streaming of content can be done through a computer with a good broadband connection, or through a number of third-party players like the Roku box, TiVo HD, as well as several Blu-ray players. Whether looking to keep entertained while at home or on the go, Netflix has something for everyone, and is a great gift for the holidays.
PlayStation 3:
PlayStation has long been one of the top selling gaming consoles for years, and the PlayStation 3
(PS3) continues that tradition with a host of features. First, a gaming console is nothing if it doesn't have great games, and the PS3 has nothing to worry about in that area. With major game studios releasing their latest offerings across different gaming platforms, the PS3 has plenty of games to choose from. It also includes an online store for downloading content, and a built-in Blu-ray player (one of the best on the market), to make the PS3 a single device that not only serves a person's gaming needs, but also provides a great movie viewing experience, as well as streaming media ability. The PS3 comes in a $299.99 120GB model and a $349.99 250GB model.
PSP Go:
With a 3.8-inch LCD screen and 16GB of built-in memory, the PSP Go
is a fantastic choice for gaming on the go. Its small size allows it to easily be slipped in a pocket, and its wide variety of downloadable games and other media are sure to keep you entertained for hours on end. Though owners of older PSP devices will find that this latest version has no compatibility with the accessories and UMD based games and movies they have already purchased, newcomers to the PSP world will enjoy the small form factor, and the ease of gameplay, though the placement of the device's joystick leaves something to be desired. Overall, the PSP Go is a solid portable gaming device and media player for that favorite gamer on your list.
iPod:
Without question the leader in the portable media player industry, Apple has shown everyone again why it holds that status with its latest versions of the iPod touch and the iPod nano. Ranging in price from $199 to $399 with storage from 8GB to 64GB, the iPod touch
can easily handle the largest media collections without breaking a sweat. Add to that the ability to run most of the apps in Apple's App Store, and you have what many consider to be the best portable media player on the market. Sporting a 3.5-inch screen, videos are great to look at, and as with all iPods, the music player features are powerful, yet simple to use. Where the iPod touch stands out, though, is in its ability to make use of the more than 100,000 apps in Apple's App Store. This ability immediately turns the touch into one of the best portable gaming devices around, and depending on how a user chooses to configure it, one the most powerful handheld computers. The device works well handling daily business tasks, and comes in handy as a way to keep organized while on the go. For anyone looking for the features of the iPhone without having to switch phones, carriers, or pay for expensive monthly data plans, the iPod touch is the way to go.
For even more portability, the iPod nano is a great choice for anyone needing a solid media player that's easy to use and easy to carry in any number of settings. The nano's small size makes it easy to slip into a pocket, or carry around while working out. Its 2.2-inch screen is clear and bright, and even though it may not seem like it, enjoying movies and TV shows on the small screen is surprisingly easy to do. Starting at $149 for the 8GB model and $179 for the 16GB model, the device also features a built-in video camera for capturing those moments you don't want to miss without having to carry around a large, bulky camcorder. The nano also features a voice recorder, FM radio, pedometer, and support for the Nike + iPod Sport Kit, for tracking your workout progress.
Apple TV:
If you know someone with a large collection of music and video files in iTunes, the Apple TV
is a great gift to make that content viewable and playable through their home theater system. The Apple TV requires a high-definition TV, but once set up, content in iTunes can viewed directly on the screen. HD movies can also be rented or purchased from iTunes directly from the Apple TV interface, HD TV shows can be purchased, and video and audio podcasts can be downloaded directly as well. Music and photos can be enjoyed, and the latest update from Apple also provides support for the iTunes Extras features that accompany many new movie titles in the iTunes store. With 160GB of storage space and built-in Wi-Fi, the $229 Apple TV is a great deal for the holidays.
Mophie Juice Pack Air:
If you know an iPhone 3G or 3GS user, the $79.95 Mophie Juice Pack Air
makes a great gift. Not only does it serve as an excellent hard case for the iPhone, it serves as a second battery, providing almost double the battery life when both the iPhone and the Juice Pack are fully charged. Charging and synching can both be done without having to remove the iPhone from the case, and when battery power is running low, staying up and running is as simple as moving the Juice Pack's power switch from red to green. Using the iPhone's Web browser longer, talking longer, listening to music longer, and being able to watch more videoes really is just that easy. The Mophie Juice Pack Air comes in red, black, purple, and white.
SCOTTEVEST:
For the gadget lover that needs a way to carry all of their devices while on the go, the SCOTTEVEST line of clothing is the answer. From jackets, to pants, to shirts, and even hats, SCOTTEVEST has it all. Designed with multiple hidden pockets, each item of clothing is crafted to not only look good, but to be comfortable while carrying all of your various items, such as a phone, camera, MP3 player, and more, that many find themselves carrying each day. Great for those who travel as well, the SCOTTEVEST line of clothing will have you cruising through airport security with no hassle at all. You'll find many uses for any item you buy, and you'll wonder how you ever got along without it.
Those are just a few of the great tech products out there right now, any of which are sure to be a hit with the tech lover on your list this holiday season. From all of us here at In Tech Today, we wish you a happy and healthy holiday!!!
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