Tech Expert Holiday Gift Guide : Gear That Goes Big
Source: Tom's Guide US | Keywords: holiday, tech, gifts | Themes: Digital Entertainment
- 1. Gear That Goes Big
- 2. Asus MS246H LCD Monitor
- 3. Canon EOS 7D DSLR Camera
- 4. DSLR Accessories
- 5. Fujifilm S200EXR Bridge Camera
- 6. Epson EX71 Multimedia Projector
- 7. Marantz SR5004 Receiver
- 8. Samsung BD-P4600 Blu-ray Player
- 9. Canon VIXIA HF200 Camcorder
- 10. Altec Lansing Expressionist Ultra 2.1 Speakers
- 11. Patriot Xporter Magnum Flash Drive (128 GB)
- 12. Razer DeathAdder 3500dpi Gaming Mouse
- 13. OCZ Sabre Keyboard
- 14. Tritton Technologies AX 720 Headset
- 15. Monster Turbine Pro Professional In-Ear Speakers
- 16. OCZ Agility 120GB SSD
- 17. Kensington Universal Notebook Docking Station and Multi-Display Adapter
- 18. Asus O!Play Media Player (HDP-R1)
- 19. Microsoft Zune HD 32 GB
- 20. Panasonic RP-HC101 Slimz Headphones
- 21. ioSafe Solo USB Hard Drive (500 GB)
- 22. More on this topic
1. Gear That Goes Big
We've got 20 gift ideas for the non-noob. The products featured here are big-ticket items chosen with very picky people in mind. Upgrades and splurges.
In this first of several Tom's Guide holiday 2009 gift articles, we've focused on gear for special individuals who know a thing or two about what they want tech-wise. Call them "techsperts," if you will. Because these people take their gear seriously and because you want to make them happy, you've got to do your research. Start here. Some of the products discussed might be pricey, but they're among the best values found in the high end of their respective (and somewhat niche-oriented) product categories.
During the next few weeks, we'll publish our gift picks for entry-level and budget-minded tech gear, laptops, and all-in-one PCs, and a separate gift guide for smaller stocking-stuffer items and iPhone owners (because they're on everyone's gift list). Tom's Hardware will also feature its own gift guides for PC components and accessories, so check the site often during the next few weeks.
We hope you enjoy this article and accompanying photographs, which were taken during a photo shoot at Tom's offices and feature Sarah, who graciously posed with each product.
Best prices for tested products
- Next page Asus MS246H LCD Monitor
"...and iPhone owners (because they're on everyone's gift list)."
Interesting assumption + over generalization...
I don't have an iPhone owner on my gift list. In fact, if I were to receive an iPhone owner, I would return them the next day.
I don't have an iPhone owner on my gift list. In fact, if I were to receive an iPhone owner, I would return them the next day.
Oh, that's cute!
Apple has sold 35 million iPhones. Odds are you're buying a gift for one of them. It would not make sense for Tom's Guide to ignore this demographic. Agreed?
Rachel Rosmarin
Editor, Tom's Guide
Great guide Tom's! The GorillapodSLR might go on my list now. The ioSafe drive is mighty tempting too. :-D
Welcome back Sarah!
Absolutely beautiful. Oh and the tech stuff is pretty nice as well
Absolutely beautiful. Oh and the tech stuff is pretty nice as well
I am thoroughly enjoying this list. I can't afford anything on it, but it is very cool. I do have the Monster Turbine headphones and they are excellent. The only drawback of them is they aren't very snug in your ears if you are moving around a lot (mowing the yard, etc.)
@beehew: I am one of the 35 million iPhone users. Does this mean you aren't getting me anything for Christmas this year?
Devin - Unless you're typing upside down, that oled keypad is on the LEFT of the keyboard. It's okay -- looking at the picture I'm a bit distracted as well, and in fact took me a bit to see there was a keyboard there at all.
Monster Turbine headphones? Really? Not only are there better options out there but who wants to help support this company? Their products are proven time and again to have over exaggerated performance claims and I won't even mention their litigious nature over others use of the word 'Monster'. Terrible, terrible choice.
Other than that not a bad list.
Monster Turbine headphones? Really? Not only are there better options out there but who wants to help support this company? Their products are proven time and again to have over exaggerated performance claims and I won't even mention their litigious nature over others use of the word 'Monster'. Terrible, terrible choice.
Other than that not a bad list.
Fujifilm S200EXR meet the Olympus sp590-uz. Better zoom, less money, great camera too.
Fujifilm S200EXR meet the Olympus sp590-uz. Better zoom, less money, great camera too.
That is a good camera, too. They are, however, about the same price. The Fujifilm has manual zoom and shoots RAW images (the Olympus has a slightly smaller feature set but bigger zoom).
Oh, that's cute!Apple has sold 35 million iPhones. Odds are you're buying a gift for one of them. It would not make sense for Tom's Guide to ignore this demographic. Agreed?Rachel RosmarinEditor, Tom's Guide
Odds are...pretty bad. IF that figure were to be limited to US sales alone, that would mean that ~8% of the population has one. And that sales figure counts all the people that HAD to upgrade to the newest one a year after its original release. iPhones are not as widely distributed throughout the popoulation as some would believe. I know one person who has one and they aren't on my list.
Odds are...pretty bad. IF that figure were to be limited to US sales alone, that would mean that ~8% of the population has one. And that sales figure counts all the people that HAD to upgrade to the newest one a year after its original release. iPhones are not as widely distributed throughout the popoulation as some would believe. I know one person who has one and they aren't on my list.
Are you joking? Do you think that the Tom's readership is reflective of the general U.S. population? Our readers are far more likely than an average U.S. resident to own an iPhone, believe me. This conversation is a little silly--we cover iPhones here at Tom's Guide, take it or leave it.
I couldn't care less for the gadgets... well, maybe just a little.
I'm just happy Sarah is back.
Thanks for bringing sexy back to Tom's!!!
"I couldn't care less for the gadgets... well, maybe just a little.
I'm just happy Sarah is back.
Thanks for bringing sexy back to Tom's!!!"
Agreed...
Im seriously considering a Zune HD, I love the idea of the Zune pass subscription, paying $15 a month, get 10 songs to keep, + "rent" as much as a I want. It is very interesting. If that also included video both on the Zune and on my 360, id definitely be hooked.
Monster Turbine headphones? Really? Not only are there better options out there but who wants to help support this company? Their products are proven time and again to have over exaggerated performance claims and I won't even mention their litigious nature over others use of the word 'Monster'. Terrible, terrible choice.Other than that not a bad list.
Thanks for catching that! Fixed!
-Devin
Are you joking? Do you think that the Tom's readership is reflective of the general U.S. population? Our readers are far more likely than an average U.S. resident to own an iPhone, believe me. This conversation is a little silly--we cover iPhones here at Tom's Guide, take it or leave it.
A bit of a rough reply, the guy was just expressing his opinion.
PMS