The Early Show

Gifts For Tech Lovers

By Rome Neal

December 10, 2003 / 6:30 PM EST / CBS

One of the most popular gift-giving categories during the holiday season is anything high-tech.

Best magazine's Senior Editor David Gregg has rounded up a sleigh full of state-of-the-art suggestions. He stopped by The Early Show's studio with some high-tech gift suggestions for the holiday season.

Gregg says manufacturers are offering a lot of bang for the buck this holiday season.

PDA
Gregg says for the person who needs to "get it together," a PDA is a good idea.

New from Palm is the Zire 21, which features four-times the memory of its predecessor. At $99, it's one-third of the price of its competitors.

Gregg says the Garmin iQue 3600 PDA/Talking GPS Combination is great for the frequent traveler. It costs about $550.

Digital Cameras

High quality digital cameras have come way down in prices; just in time for the holiday season.

Gateway 2 Megapixel Camera is priced at about $99. Gregg says it is perfect for quality 4x6 prints.

Samsung Duo-Cam does something other camcorders can't. It takes high quality video and is a 4 Megapixel camera, all in one. It goes from camcorder to camera with a flip! It is priced at about $1,400.

DVD Writer Drives

Gregg says HP's DVD Writer Drives is a great solution for millions of Americans that want to transfer VHS tapes to DVD. The external Digital Video Drive device connects directly to your VCR or camcorder. It also allows you to transfer video directly to a DVD for a lifetime of lasting memories that won't degrade. It is priced at about $349.

Entertaining Drill

With the rise in popularity of all of the home design competition television shows, gifts for handy people are really hot, Gregg says.

Black & Decker's Firestorm Cordless Drill and Radio has a charger base that doubles as a stereo radio with two speakers. This gives new meaning to "whistle while you work!" It costs about $110.

Radio Connection Almost Everywhere

Gregg says Kenwood "Here 2 Anywhere" Sirius Satellite Radio Receiver is a gift idea that is musically out of this world. It connects to both your car radio and your home stereo for portable commercial free tunes and information. It cost about $100, plus it has a $12 a month subscription.

Cell Phones

New federal legislation was recently passed to allow Americans to keep their cell phone number if they switch carriers. Gregg says the timing could not be more perfect for manufactures to introduce new phones as holiday gifts for people taking advantage of this new act.

Gregg says the Siemans SL55 fashion phone is just about as small as it gets! It has a unique sliding keypad with easy to dial keys. It costs about $250.

Sony Ericsson T616 Camera Phone is a high quality item with a unique add-on flash feature, so you can take better pictures in low light. Get two phones for $99 (after rebate).

Splurge For The Holiday

For those who have no budget this year, Gregg says the dream gift is the LG Electronics 60" Plasma TV. He says it turns your living room into a "viewing room." It costs about $15,000.