The Get-It-Yourself Guide To Tech Gifts
It's the holidays. I'm happy about that. I'm happy that my family and friends still want to buy me presents. And as hard as they try, and as much as I love them, they just don't get it right. Unless you're a tech-head, you don't really know what to buy a tech-head as a gift. So, I've decided to take all the pressure off them. I'm buying my own gifts. This way, I get what I want, and I don't have to return anything.
So here are ten things I'd like to treat myself to this year. After all, I've been very, very good.
Casio's Exilim Camera
This of this as the best $299 you can spend, because not only will you take great pictures with this 2.0 megapixel camera, but you'll look so cool doing so because of its slick form factor. A friend who took a picture of his grandchild with Santa Claus was stopped by St. Nick himself, who wanted to know more about the cool camera. There's even an MP3 player. I definitely deserve this.
T68i GPRS Cell Phone
This tres cool phone can also take pictures, thanks to its camera attachment. At roughly $150 retail, this phone/camera can be had for free in some places, depending on you plan you use. It's fun to email pictures from the camera, it's got a great color screen, web browser, it's voice activated, syncs with Outlook; and can be used as a modem connected to your computer, or through Bluetooth wireless. If you use AT&T Wireless service, you'll also get to cruise the net at high speed. I deserve this, too.
Danger Hiptop
Another goodie combining a camera with a phone, web browser, email, contacts, and organizer. We just reviewed this one a few weeks ago, and it's never been far from our hearts. And the price: $299 or less… a real bargain. Available through T-Mobile.
Archos Jukebox Multimedia
It's a 20 gigabyte music player that also plays video, thanks to its color screen. And I won't tell you how, but we took some of these and turned them into 60-gig units. Such action kind of voids the warranty, so don't to do that at home. I am a professional.
Apple iPod
Our love for this little powerhouse simply grows with time. Now available with a 20 gig hard drive for both Mac and Windows computers, this is still the BMW of mp3 players. For most folks, the 5 gig model is fine, and costs only $299. But we love the 20-gig model. It's $499 and works so nicely with…
Apple 1 Ghz Powerbook G4 with SuperDrive
This is "wow" in a box. This powerful portable has a great screen, great battery life, great looks… sensing a theme here? It's potent enough to handle professional video editing with the highest-end program, as well as its built-in iMovie software, and turn your masterpieces into DVD movies… all while you are riding on a plane. You just don't need anything else. $2999 for the whole magilla. There's a lower model for $2499, but really, if you're spending $2500, why not add the extra $500 and get the SuperDrive? I really, really deserve this.
For stocking stuffers, I think I deserve…
SureFire Flashlight
Not many flashlights can hold their own in direct sunlight, but this one sure does, thanks to its Xenon-powered brilliance. The SureFire series ranges from $50 to $200.0
SIIGMobile Cam Light Plus
It's a thin, flexible laptop light that does double duty as a webcam. Brilliant at $39.99.
Honda's EU 1000i Generator
This portable, gas-powered generator can provide 1000 watts. It generates 4 to 8 hours of very "clean" electricity… for about $700, it will nicely power everything else on this list.
I reserve the right to add a tenth item... as soon as I can decide on the next thing I want... I mean, deserve.
By Daniel Dubno with Bob Bicknell