Thinking tech for the christmas & holidays? We spent the past months scoping out all sorts of gadgets, games and other geeky stuff. Here is what we like (with occasional caveats) for this season's gift-giving. There's something for every budget.
Cameras and camcorders. Our favorite do-it-all pocket cam is Kodak's $240 EasyShare V1253 (kodak.com), which shoots 12-megapixel still pictures as well as high-definition video in a widescreen format. What more could you possibly want? Oh, add Kodak's $100 HDTV dock for viewing pics and videos on your HDTV. They will look sensational.
Terrific video camcorders include Panasonic's HDC-series models ($900 to $1,000; xrl.us/hdccam), which harness newfangled AVCHD technology to cram high-def footage onto DVDs or SD flash-storage cards. (We tested the HDC-SD1.) The cams play well with the latest video-editing software for Mac (apple.com/imovie) or PC (xrl.us/videostudio).
If AVCHD is too bleeding-edge for you, go for Canon's HV20 ($800; canondv.com), which records high-def footage onto trusty, cheap MiniDV cassettes. We love this camcorder.
Computers. It's hard to top Macintosh models for mainstream computing. The Mac OS X operating system runs circles around Windows Vista, and you can do both OS X and Windows on a Mac, if you must (don't try running OS X on a Dell, dude). Affordable options include recently updated MacBooks (apple.com, $1,100 and up) and iMacs (but wait a bit on an iMac, if you're the cautious type, because Apple is looking into a freezing issue.)
For specialty computers, it's back to the Windows world. Our favorites include Alienware's Hangar18, a sleek piece of living-room audiovisual equipment that's also a high-end PC ($2,000 and up, alienware.com). It records regular and high-def TV via Microsoft's Media Center (but, unlike a TiVo, it can catch a virus, so install security software).
We also adore Toshiba's mammoth G45-series Qosmio laptop, which is a semiportable multimedia powerhouse for the home. It will also do Media Center recordings, and it has a display to die for ($3,000 and up; toshibadirect.com).
The Hangar18 and Qosmio both will play and record onto high-def movie discs. Too bad the Alienware does only Blu-ray discs while the Toshiba is HD DVD-only. This is a reason to skip both until that silly format war is resolved.
Computer gear. Our favorite input devices include Logitech's slim diNovo Edge ($200; logitech.com) Mac and PC keyboard, which charges vertically in a stylish stand; and Microsoft's Wireless Entertainment Desktop 8000 ($300; microsoft.com/hardware), combining a PC keyboard and mouse with a recharging station that has USB ports.
For extra flair, try Logitech's $150 MX Air, a cordless Windows mouse that can be waved in the air (it works on a desktop, too). The feature-laden MX Revolution ($100) works on Macs and PCs and has earned a devoted following.
A nice display is another perquisite for pleasurable computing, and Gateway's $550 FHD2400 24-inch wide-format LCD (gateway.com) is a beauty. It has a high-def 1080p resolution and bristles with ports, such as HDMI for plugging in a game console or a high-end movie-disc player. (We also love the 1600p-resolution XHD3000, but it's $1,700. Ouch.)
For cooperative online gaming and Internet telephony, Logitech's $50 ClearChat Pro USB headphones are swell.
Kodak's line of EasyShare all-in-one printers, scanners and copiers are the best we've found for consumer use.
Maxtor OneTouch 4 external hard drives ($100 and up; maxtorsolutions.com) will keep PC or Mac data secure. WaterField has a stylish, nicely padded case or sleeve for just about any portable computer or gadget (sfbags.com).
IPhone and iPod accessories. We've used Apple's iPhone a lot this year, and found the following add-ons to be worthwhile: Griffin Technology's $30 Elan Holster and its $20 PowerJolt auto charger (griffintechnology.com); NLU Products' BodyGuardz transparent-film electronics protector (nluproducts.com); and V-Moda's $100 Vibe Duo earbuds (xrl.us/vmodavibe) to replace basic buds for music and chatting. (A mic-less Vibe for iPod also is available.)
Is the teeny iPod shuffle more your speed? Mophie's Bevy is a combo bottle opener and a keychain holder for the miniplayer. Heck, at only $15 via mophie.com or amazon.com, you can afford to toss a $79 Shuffle into that stocking.
Other iPod and iPhone choices are too varied to list, so see the sites of top accessory makers. Along with Griffin Technology, check out Digital LifeStyle Outfitters (dlo.com) and XtremeMac (xtrememac.com). There are a lot of others, so spend time at the indispensible iLounge (ilounge.com) or a local Apple retail store (apple.com/retail).
Video gaming. Nintendo's Wii and portable DS (nintendo.com) are still the can't-miss gaming consoles because they're affordable, with gobs of games for all ages. Shop for a Wii early since it may be in short supply this Christmas.
Eidos' "Lara Croft: Anniversary" (eidos.com) is coming for Wii after its initial release earlier this year for other consoles. Bethesda SoftWorks' "Star Trek: Conquest" (startrek.bethsoft.com), a strategy and action title, is on the way for the Wii and PlayStation 2. Ignition Entertainment (ignitionusa.com) has moved its "Mercury Meltdown" from PlayStation Portable to Wii - good move, since maneuvering that mercury blob is more fun with the Wiimote.
Two of the year's major games, "Halo 3" and "BioShock," are only on the Xbox 360 (xbox.com), but another of the season's hits, "Guitar Hero III" (xrl.us/ghIII), is on all major consoles, including PlayStation 2 and PlayStation 3.
Kids will enjoy Nintendo's Super Mario Galaxy for Wii, and Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction on PS3. Sony's MotorStorm racing game is our fave PS3 title. It's fine for all ages and shows off the gear's graphics.
Microsoft has new add-on packs for its "Age of Empires," "Zoo Tycoon" and "Flight Simulator" PC games (microsoft.com/games). The Xbox's "Gears of War" (for adults) and "Viva Pinata"(for kids) are out for PCs, too.
For Intel Macs, Electronic Arts has "Madden" and "Tiger Woods" sports titles, plus a "Harry Potter" game, a "Need for Speed" car-racing title, and "Battlefield 2142" and Command & Conquer 3" for combat junkies. Also check out the full line of Mac games (including "Age of Empires" titles) from Minnesota-based MacSoft.
"Star Wars"! While you're waiting for next year's Science Museum of Minnesota mega-exhibit, entertain yourself with the latest "Star Wars"-themed games and toys.
This year's crop includes "LEGO Star Wars: The Complete Saga" for late-model consoles, plus Nintendo DS (lucasarts.com). It's a hoot! We've also enjoyed "Star Wars Battlefront: Renegade Squadron" for PlayStation Portable (get a just-revamped version of Sony's PSP with "Renegade Squadron" in a $200 bundle; xrl.us/starwarspsp).
For computers users, you can't miss with "Star Wars: Empire at War" (PC and Intel Macs; xrl.us/empireatwar).
But the much-hyped "Star Wars: The Force Unleashed" (PS3, PS2, PSP, Wii, DS, Xbox 360) is delayed until spring.
Kids will love WizKids' easy-to-build "Star Wars" PocketModels (xrl.us/pocketmodels), which come with playing cards. If you've been really good this year, Santa might bring the LEGO Ultimate Collectors' Millennium Falcon ($500; xrl.us/ultimatefalcon).
Geeky stuff. The ThinkGeek site (thinkgeek.com) is worth a look for really nerdy stuff (if there's a Doctor Who fan on your gift list, get the Sonic Screwdriver; we told you this was geeky). Or shop for computer books. Anything in David Pogue's Missing Manual (missingmanual.com) series will do nicely; the iPod and iPhone volumes are terrific.
Source: http://www.twincities.com/life/ci_7484149?nclick_check=1
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