The holidays are a time when we pause for a few moments and get together with friends and family and celebrate. And of course to give and receive gifts. For those who don’t know what to buy for your best buddies, here’s a run-down of some of the coolest tech gadgets out there.
Around $2000 – For the down payment on a small car, you can get your very best friend a 15-in MacBook pro.
Yes, it is pricey for a laptop that will be obsolete in 2 years, but if you are in the market to spend $2000 on a gift for someone, this is the way to go. It’s actually a very stylish piece of hardware, and the specs are top-notch. And most importantly it doesn’t go on sale so your recipient will know exactly how much you spent. Check it out here.
Around $1000 – Sony Vaio S Series 13.3. A laptop that packs a punch, this laptop is portable, high-powered, runs the new Windows 8, and can display all the Netflix videos you can watch on its HD screen. This is especially a good deal if you are a student or need to run more intensive applications. If all you need to do is surf the Internet and use Facebook, you are better off with a less expensive laptop or even a tablet (see below). Interested?
Around $600 – The newest iPad.
Perfect for the casual internet user, the iPad is super portable, sleek, and most importantly easy for anyone to use. Play games, surf the web, or tweet your latest holiday eggnog creation with ease. With a plethora of apps at your disposal, there is nothing between you and spending hours on end being entertained with the iPad. Another bonus is that if you order it from the Apple store, they will do a free engraving. Mine says “If stolen, will only play Britney Spears music and the movie Battlefield Earth”. It’s available at the Apple Store.
Around $200 –Kindle Fire HD
Tablets are all the craze. As they should be. Handy, portable, and multi-functional, tablets are able to do more and more. These eventual laptop replacements come in a variety of shapes and sizes, but the Kindle Fire HD is one of the best at the $200 price point.
Centered around content to keep you entertained, you can find everything you need in the Amazon App store; Netflix, hulu, Facebook, Skype, and Amazon Prime content. Plus the HDMI port allows you to plug your Kindle Fire HD into your TV to watch movies on the big screen.
You can access email, browse the Internet, and download thousands of free and paid applications to keep you busy for hours on end. Get it at Amazon.com with free shipping!
Around $100 – Roku 2 HD ($80)
Know someone who is tired of cable ripping them off? Make the switch to internet TV. That’s what I did. Get yourself a Netflix subscription, and set up an Amazon instant video account and you’re all set. You can instantly watch entire libraries of tv shows, with no commercials! The only thing I was missing was basketball and hockey. I subscribed to NBA League Pass and am able to watch almost every single basketball game (except for the Lakers, but that is an entirely separate issue. (Thanks a lot Time Warner Cable and your ‘I’m better than everyone else’ LakersTV channel). I was able to get around the hockey problem thanks to Gary Bettman and the NHL lockout of 2012. Available at amazon or directly though the Roku store.
Around $50 – Phone battery backup. Small enough to carry in your pocket or your bag, these devices can be a real life saver. Everyone is going to run out of juice in their phone or tablet sometimes in their life, and it will probably be when you need it the most. If your phone runs out of power, simply plug it in to charge it right up. I have a 9000mAh mobile charger. This is enough to charge my Samsung Galaxy SIII 4 times over, or my wife’s iPad a couple of times. But you can also get a 3200mAh or a 4800mAh charger. They are lighter and more compact, but will only have a limited charge. You can get these on almost any tech site, but i find that Monoprice usually has the best deals and great quality.
Around $20 – There isn’t much you can buy with $20 these days. But there are a ton of useful tech items you can get for $20. The LaCie iamaKey USB thumbdrive looks like a key and attaches to your key ring. Newegg has it for the best price.
Around $2 – Gokivo Navigator! The best deal on here! Give yourself an excuse to take more trips and explore the unknown. Embark on new adventures and experience a world where you never will have to ask for directions again. Now that is really priceless. Get it now at the iTunes store.
