Computerworld writers and editors selected their top picks in areas that would appeal to tech people who are on the go, at the office or at home and ready to enjoy the best in digital music and video. There are gifts for the gamer, the audiophile, the gadget buff and the technology fashionista.
Find the perfect gift for the tech lovers in your life -- or discover something to get for yourself. From digital musical players and headsets to computers and cool accessories, our guide helps you make the right choice and provides links for buying online. (A word to the wise: Be sure to use online retailers you know and trust.)
Let the "ooohs" and "aaahs" begin.
On-the-move music and video
For the true music or movie lover, nothing but the best will do. Here's the cream of the crop in portable audio and video, with a pair of amazing earphones thrown in for good measure.
Personal audio player: iPod Nano
Despite increasing competition, the recently updated iPod Nano remains the most elegantly designed, fun-to-use audio player. The Nano is a marvel of miniaturization at roughly 1.5 in. wide, 3.5 in. high, less than a third of an inch thick and weighing well under 2 oz. Navigating with the iPod's oft-imitated click-wheel is intuitive, and sound quality is top rate.
The Nano ranges in price from around US$143 to $249, and its storage capacity now ranges from 2GB to 8GB (gone is the original 1GB model). Another notable change is the gorgeous new burnished aluminum case, which comes in a variety of colors. The still smallish 1.5-in. display is brighter than before, and battery life is longer -- Apple claims 24 hours between charges.
It might not be the most feature-complete audio player out there, but for sheer sex appeal, nothing can touch the iPod Nano.
Honorable mention: If you're looking for a few more features in a music player, SanDisk's Sansa e200 series ($99 - $250) is worth a look. The Sansa e200s are tiny, highly competent and far more attractive than any other non-iPod audio devices we've seen.
The Sansa's 1.8-in. screen is bigger than the nano's, if not as bright. Its sound quality is about equal and, like the new Nanos, built-in capacity ranges from 2GB to 8GB. However, unlike Apple, SanDisk added an FM tuner, a Micro SD slot for additional storage and a replaceable battery. The e200 also goes beyond Apple's iTunes to work with other music stores.
-- David Haskin
Personal video player: Archos 604 WiFi
When it comes to portable video players, Apple Computer is snoozing and losing, for the moment, to relatively unheralded Archos. While users wait for Apple to release its long-rumored big-screen video iPod, the new Archos 604 WiFi is the best way to watch video, listen to music, look at still images and browse the Web while you're mobile.
The heart of the $450 device is its bright and sharp 4.3-in., 480- by 272-pixel touch screen. Its audio playback quality is also top-notch, but what makes this device truly unique is its Wi-Fi connectivity. (Don't talk to us about Microsoft's Zune player: It can use Wi-Fi only to connect to other Zunes, not to a wireless network.)
The 604's Wi-Fi worked right out of the box, finding our home network and connecting seamlessly. Surfing is via a built-in tabbed browser from Opera. The 604 WiFi has a Windows Explorer-like file management application, enabling you to use the wireless connection to find other computers on the network and transfer files from those computers.
At 9.3 oz. and roughly the size of a first-generation Palm Pilot, this device isn't as pocketable as flash-based audio players, but it's still small enough to tuck comfortably into a briefcase or purse. And its 30GB storage ensures hours of on-the-go entertainment.
-- David Haskin
Music headphones: Shure E500PTH Sound Isolating Earphones
Over the years, we've become enamored with Shure's Ec series of headphones. They seal the ear so outside noise is drastically reduced and allow you to play music at a low volume and still hear everything. Then we found Shure's E500 earphones and were utterly blown away.
Incredibly, each headphone has three -- yes, three -- mini speakers, just like a great pair of stereo speakers. The frequency response goes all the way down to 19 Hz, so when listening to the cannons in Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture or the TR-808 drumming machine in Outkast's I Like the Way You Move, there is no muffling or muting of the bass, just pure ecstatic rumble.
Shure has included a control called Push to Hear, which activates a switchable microphone that lets you hear what someone is saying without having to take out the earphones. That's very handy if, for example, you listen to music while riding the subway and need to occasionally converse with someone.
If you know someone who loves music, the Ec series is excellent, but the E500s (around $500) are the ultimate headphones -- the perfect gift to complement a portable audio or video player.
-- Yuval Kossovsky
Yak, yak, yak: Smart phones and cell phones
C'mon, if you're going to give somebody a cell phone or smart phone as a present, make it a cool one. Here are today's hottest phones and a couple of mobile headsets that will do them justice.
Cell phone: Helio Drift
The new Helio Drift slider phone built by Samsung is all about style -- and location. Sure, it's packed with amazing features, such as a 2-megapixel camera with a built-in flash, an outstanding 2.12-in. QVGA 262,000-color display, MP3 music support and built-in 3-D games. But Google Maps and integrated GPS set the Helio Drift apart from the pack.
Google Maps on the Drift works just like the real thing. You can zoom in, pan in any direction, and view "Map" or "Satellite" views. The Drift's built-in GPS, however, makes it even more powerful. The GPS/Maps combo gives you step-by-step directions, and it lists restaurants and other services along your route, and even offers real-time traffic reports in 30 U.S. cities. A new "BuddyBeacon" service shows you where up to 25 family members, friends or co-workers are located in real time. You can turn it off whenever you want, and nobody can find you.
You can have the phone in any color you want, as long as you want black or white. Like other slider phones, the Drift splits in half, with the back half sliding down to reveal the keypad. The phone is very small for a GPS device -- 3.8 by 1.8 by 0.7 in. -- and it weighs only 3.53 oz. You can boost the Drift's 128MB of storage using the phone's MicroSD slot. It also supports Bluetooth -- which is important in states like California where it will soon be illegal to talk on a phone without a wireless headset while driving.
The $225 Helio Drift is available only on the Helio network. And that's not cheap -- from $65 to $135 per month for service -- but all extras are included, including the GPS service and BuddyBeacon.
Honorable mention: If you've got one of those weirdos on your gift list who just uses a cell phone to make voice calls, check out the tiny Pantech C300 ($119 with mail-in-rebate). It's not the most feature-packed phone, or the highest-quality or the newest. But at just 2.7 by 1.7 by 0.7 in. and 2.5 oz., it's the smallest flip phone sold in the U.S. -- and it still manages to pack in some amazing features for the size, including internal and external screens, an 800-person contacts database, MP3 ringtone support, text and multimedia messaging, an alarm clock, a calendar, a memo pad, a camera and even a one-minute voice recorder. It's the perfect gift for the teenager in your life.
-- Mike Elgan
Smartphone: Palm Treo 680
The brand-new Treo 680 ($399) is the best smart phone in the world. This light and sleek gadget packs unprecedented power into a marvel of warm-and-fuzzy usability.
Don't let gadget snobs tell you the 680 is a low-end device for newbies. The 680's fruity colors (orange, red, white and gray, the first three of which are available only from Palm's Web site) and simple, friendly design mask serious power and extreme capabilities. The Treo 680 is powered by a 312-MHz Intel chip and 128MB of memory -- half of it available for storage, which can be augmented with up to 2GB of SecureDigital (SD) storage. The 320- by 320-pixel, 65,000-color TFT color touch-screen display makes your applications, videos and photos look beautiful.
Bluetooth v1.2 wireless and IR support lets you do incredibly powerful things, such as use your Treo as a wireless laptop modem or zap info directly to another Treo. The smart phone's backlit QWERTY keyboard lets you touch-type full e-mail messages, URLs and notes-to-self quickly. The installed Blazer Web browser will show you most Web sites as they appear on a PC, albeit smaller. And as with all Palm OS devices, you can choose from thousands of mini applications that mirror capabilities available on full desktop PCs -- many of them free.
Did we mention that it makes phone calls? The 3GSM/GPRS/EDGE phone boasts multiparty conference calling and a speakerphone. The 1200 mAh rechargeable battery gives you four hours of talk time and 300 hours of standby. And its signature internal quad-band (850/900/1800/1900) antenna works better than any other Treo's. At deadline, only Cingular had announced support -- and it's offering a rebate of $100 with a new two-year commitment.
The Treo 680 is this season's perfect gadget gift. Everyone from jaded power users to the most technophobic neo-Luddite in your life will love it. Just make sure you pick the right color.
Honorable mention: For the CrackBerry addict in your life, the hot new BlackBerry Pearl 8100 smart phone is your best bet. The Pearl ($200 after discount and rebate) competes feature-for-feature with the latest Treo, Motorola Q and Sidekick, but it's closer in size to a chocolate bar than to a grilled cheese sandwich. The black or silver Pearl is powered by an Intel XScale processor and has a respectable 64MB of memory, and its features include voice-activated dialing, picture caller ID, trackball navigation, a 240- by 260-pixel light-sensitive LCD screen, BlackBerry Maps functionality, a Micro SD slot, and a redesigned QWERTY keyboard -- all in a tiny 4.2- by 1.97- by 0.57-in. frame that weighs just 3.1 oz.
-- Mike Elgan
Mobile headset for noisy environments: theBoom v4
Have you ever tried to use your cell phone headset in a really noisy place like the streets of New York City, a busy airport or a meeting hall? While most headsets claim to have noise-canceling features, theBoom v4 ($150) is the first unit I've tried that really works. I tested it in front of my TV, turning up the sound so loud that no one sitting near me could hear what I said, yet the person on the other end received the message clearly.
The key to theBoom's success lies in the physical design of the microphone. Developed by UmeVoice, this technology ensures that only the sound going directly into the front of the microphone is taken as input, while all other noise is discarded.
TheBoom is a wired headset (for extra security) with a microphone that sits in front of your mouth and an earpiece that sits inside the ear. You can speak very quietly and still be heard, so eavesdroppers are less of a worry. If you really want to keep your conversation private, step into a loud bar and speak softly. The noise floor will mask your voice to those around you, but theBoom will ensure your caller hears every word.
-- Yuval Kossovsky
Bluetooth headset: Plantronics Voyager 510
If you're looking for hands-free cell-phone talk without wires, a Bluetooth headset is the way to go. The Voyager 510-USB Bluetooth headset system ($115 - $170) features the same excellent sound quality as its in-office counterpart, the Plantronics CS70, but is meant to be used with either a mobile phone or a PC soft phone.
The USB Bluetooth adapter allows you to switch between mobile phones and softphones by pressing a button, and you can roam up to 30 feet from your Bluetooth device.
Note: Those who use Skype VoIP might consider Plantronics' Audio 910, which adds Skype support to the 510. When a call comes in via Skype, the USB dongle will trigger a ring to your headset and allow pick up and hang up via the headset unit. It's convenient and works seamlessly.
-- Yuval Kossovsky
On-the-go gadgets
Keeping your contacts, calendar and other data organized; knowing the best way to get where you're going; making sure your car's performing it's best ... OK, maybe these aren't the sexiest things in the world, but we'll bet you've got some practical person on your holiday list who will be tickled by them.
PDA: Hewlett-Packard iPAQ rx5915 Travel Companion
The first truly exciting new pure PDA in four years, Hewlett-Packard's iPAQ rx5915 Travel Companion combines mobile office functionality, built-in Bluetooth and 802.11b/g with fully integrated GPS. Designed as a combination pocket laptop and entertainment center, it comes with built-in streaming video, MP3 audio, and still photo album capabilities as well as Pocket Office. With 64MB SDRAM, 2GB flash RAM for storing music, video and other files, and a Samsung SC32442 processor running at 400 MHz, it combines PC-level power and sexy design in a package that fits easily in the palm of your hand, with no external antennas.
The unit's TomTom GPS software comes with maps and voice synthesis built in (no SD card required). It can operate in your vehicle to guide you to your next meeting or in your hand to keep you on the right path when walking.
Although not a smart phone, the rx5915 can be connected to any Bluetooth-enabled cell phone or Bluetooth modem when Wi-Fi is unavailable. It can also connect to a Bluetooth wireless headset to play MP3 music and podcast files or the audio track of a digital movie.
The device comes with the latest version of Pocket Office and can run any Windows Mobile software for full office productivity wherever you are. Combined with a portable keyboard such as iGo's Stowaway Bluetooth Keyboard, it can provide near-laptop capability whether you're working in a spreadsheet, writing e-mail, doing Web research or reviewing a PowerPoint presentation.
The rx5915 is so new it may not be available in many stores, but it's available at many online merchants in the $480 to $580 price range.
-- G. Berton Latamore
In-car GPS device: TomTom GO 510
Today's crop of in-car global positioning system (GPS) devices are smaller and more accurate than earlier versions and also provide real-time traffic updates, allow you to specify intermediate stops, work with Bluetooth headsets and have less-vexing touch-screen interfaces that are easier to operate. The best of the bunch is TomTom's GO 510.
This device has just the right mix of features and price (you can find it for as low as $475 online). There are more expensive models that come with hard disks to store MP3 music, have remote controls and can speak in more languages, but they aren't worth the extra dough.
The GO 510 has a 4-in. LCD screen and an integrated antenna. If you want better reception, you can plug in an external antenna. The device changes the volume of its narrated instructions to match the ambient noise of your car, so if you are going slower, it gets quieter. Think of this as the perfect gift for that certain someone who doesn't like to ask for directions.
-- David Strom
Car diagnostic tool: CarMD
For the true road warrior -- someone who's always driving -- what better gift than a clever diagnostic tool called CarMD? It's a handheld tester that can tell if your car is running normally or whether it's time for an appointment at the garage. Plug the tester into the car's OBD2 Data Link connecter, located near or under the dashboard, and turn on the ignition so the tester can collect the car's information.
Next, take the tool inside and plug it into your computer via a USB cable. The information is downloaded to the CarMD Web site, which produces a report on what's probably wrong with your car and what needs to be done to fix it. If you're not near your computer or need a faster response, the tester provides color-coded LED lights to show the car's health status: green, the car's running normally; yellow, there's a possible problem; red, service is required.
One caveat is that CarMD works only on vehicles made since 1996, when onboard computers became standard. At $90, it's a handy device to keep in the glove compartment for a road trip. It could also be useful for a quick check of a used car you or someone you know is thinking of buying.
-- Marian Prokop
Digicams
We really want one of the cameras below this year. We've been so good!
Digital SLR camera: Nikon D80
This is the year of affordable, high-performance digital SLRs, with several impressive models hovering around the thousand-dollar mark. But Nikon has hit the market sweet spot with its D80.
Nikon has built so much into the 10-megapixel D80 that some reviewers wonder if it will cannibalize sales of the pricier D200. The D80 ($880 - $990, body only) features a large 2.5-in. viewing LCD (up from 2 in. in the older D70), along with the image processing capabilities of more expensive Nikon models. It's got 11-area autofocus, customizable menus, the ability to do multiple exposures in one image, just 80 milliseconds of shutter lag, 3-frames-per-second continuous shooting, 0.18-sec. power-up time and ISO settings from 100 (shooting in bright light) to 1600 (low light).
There are also substantial in-camera editing capabilities, such as cropping and red-eye correction. Those features may sound unnecessary if you download your photos to a PC and edit, but they can be surprisingly handy when showing off your in-camera pictures right away.
If you've already got lenses for an older Nikon camera (either digital SLR or film), they'll work on the D80 as well. If you don't have a lens, Nikon's new 18-135mm offering is the $300 "kit lens" usually recommended with the D80. An even better option is the AF-S VR DX, offering 18-200mm capability and vibration reduction, which allows handheld shooting in lower light. At $750 or so it's a substantial added expense, but it's a great multipurpose lens for those who are serious about their photography. Alas, it's unavailable just about everywhere right now because demand is heavy and supplies are limited.
Honorable mention: For those who might not need all the customization and features of the D80, the 10-megapixel Canon Digital Rebel XTi is a less expensive ($725 - $800, body only) and highly popular option. It offers a "self-cleaning" sensor to protect against dust and is somewhat smaller and lighter than the Nikon D80.
-- Sharon Machlis
Subcompact digital camera: Canon PowerShot SD800 IS
Do you know cameras? If you do, you'll be agog at all the power the Canon SD800 IS delivers in a svelte form factor. "Cool" is something that fits easily in your pocket -- and does all the things this camera does. Forget Sony and Casio; this is it!
The SD800 IS is a 7.1-megapixel subcompact camera with a 2.5-in. LCD that uses SD, SDHC or MMC memory. It has 3.8x optical zoom and 4x digital zoom. The focal length is the 35mm-SLR-equivalent of 28mm-105mm. It also offers image stabilization, which is especially useful for this camera's excellent video capabilities.
This model was just introduced in October, and it includes all the latest bells and whistles, including Canon's latest image processor, support for ISO 1600, PictBridge and USB 2.0.
Many subcompact digital cameras make video an afterthought. Not the SD800 IS. The IS stands for image stabilization, for starters. It has a widescreen mode, for another. And it supports 60-frames-per-second QVGA (320- by 240-pixel resolution) as well as 30-fps standard VGA (640- by 480-pixel) video.
One of our editors bought the SD800 IS for himself, and another bought it as a holiday gift for his wife. So we're putting our money where our mouths are. At $340 - $400, the SD800IS isn't among the less expensive subcompact digital cameras, but it's clearly among the very best. To us, it's tops.
Honorable mention: For a great value in a compact digital camera, check out the 8-megapixel Canon PowerShot A630 ($225 - $275). Although it has fewer bells and whistles, it takes excellent pictures and acceptable video. It's quite a bit larger than the SD800 IS, though; it's not really a pocket camera. But, then, it's quite a bit less expensive too.
-- Scot Finnie
Digital camcorder: Sony HDR-SR1 Handycam
The new Sony HDR-SR1 raises the bar in cool camcorder features by combining high-definition (HD) video recording with hard disk drive storage. Never before have these two advancements been available in the same model.
HD is the wave of the future, and this baby lets you get onboard in style with up to 1,080 lines of horizontal resolution. And the hard disk drive storage lets you do away with those pesky tapes and discs. The 30GB disk lets you store up to four hours of HD video (You also have the option of recording standard-definition video).
The key word for the HDR-SR1 is "new." Sony uses a new HD format, called AVCHD, to compress and store the video. This lets you burn the HD video onto standard DVD discs and play them in an AVCHD-compatible player, rather than having to choose between the dueling Blu-ray and HD-DVD burners. One caveat: because AVCHD is so new, choices of software for editing and playing the resulting .m2ts files are extremely limited right now. The camera comes with software for basic editing and viewing on a PC.
The HDR-SR1 also uses a new sensor technology, CMOS, instead of the traditional CCD. Sony claims its CMOS sensor technology is better than the older CCD for a variety of reasons, such as lower power consumption, which means longer battery life.
But wait, there's more! This cool camcorder includes Dolby 5.1 channel audio recording, a 3.5-in.-wide LCD display with touch-panel controls, a Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar Lens, 4.0-megapixel still image recording to Memory Stick Duo media and image stabilization, among other features. Connection choices to a PC or TV include HDMI, USB 2.0, component and composite.
The sleek black-and-chrome design feels good in your hands, and the controls are easy to learn and use. You have the option of operating many of the controls from the LCD touch panel or from the hardware.
Available for about $1,200 to $1,500, this unit is sure to elicit many "oohs" and "aahs" when it's unwrapped at holiday time.
-- David Ramel
Home theater heaven
Let's be honest -- the "gifts" on this page are really things you're likely to get for yourself. Or perhaps they'll be a family present that you just happen to spend a lot of time with. Either way, you're going to love your living room.
Large-screen plasma HDTV: 50-in. Panasonic TH-50PX60U
Plasma rules. There's just no other widescreen HDTV technology that delivers saturated colors like plasma. The big news this year is that plasma is getting a little less expensive.
There really wasn't much difficulty in picking the best plasma buy this season. It's the 50-in. Panasonic TH-50PX60U, which we found in retail stores on the East Coast for $2,300 on sale (and it's cheaper online). If you sit close to your TV, buy the similar 42-in. TH-42PX60U instead. For most people's needs, bigger is better. You just don't want something so big your head is swiveling back and forth.
The TH-50PX60U supports 480p, 780p, and 1080i. Most HD cable TV is 720p. For right here, right now, this is the widescreen that delivers what you need for HDTV and nothing you don't need, at a savings over last year of at least $1,000.
Next year, plasma sets will probably support the much better image quality of the 1080p standard. If you're big on DVDs and you're willing to shell out for a DVR that supports 1080p, there could be a distinct advantage to a widescreen 1080p HDTV.
Another trade-off for all HDTV sets is that they don't do the best job with standard TV. Believe that, because it's true. On plasmas, the edges between color areas may appear to be a little blotchy or vaguely jaggy. Another way to say it is that the lines aren't sharp. So it depends on how many HD channels are available to you, and what you tend to watch.
But one thing's sure: If you're into HD and saving money, this is the one to get.
-- Scot Finnie
Large-screen LCD HDTV: 46-in. Sony Bravia KDL-46XBR2
Wow! Large-screen LCDs have come a long way over the past year. We put Sony's Bravia 46-in. LCD KDL-46XBR2 through two separate comparisons with plasma, comparing both conventional and HDTV content. Here's what we found: When displaying HD 720p content over cable, the Sony is only a quarter-notch below the best plasmas (such as the Panasonic TH-50PX60U). That's very good company indeed.
The problem with LCDs is their tendency to pixelate high-definition images. You're suddenly conscious of the tiny squares that make up the image you're looking at. It may last only a second or two, but it's jarring. With its current crop of LCDs, Sony appears to have nearly vanquished this problem. Part of the improvement is the higher 1920- by 1,080-pixel resolution 1080p sets deliver. But there's more to it than that, and it's a good thing.
Another strength of the KDL-46XBR2 is its brightness. That helps the Sony deliver slightly better standard TV picture quality than plasmas we've compared it with. Technically a 1080p LCD has a tad more to overcome when rendering standard TV than a 720p plasma. But it's all in the conversion algorithms each maker uses. LCD's problem with converting standard TV seems to be muddy colors and a loss of crispness.
Oddly, if you're into DVDs, that's the HD medium that will more quickly support the 1080p standard that most of the better LCDs are offering this season. Watching 1080p video played on a 1080p DVR to a 1080p LCD is a transforming experience; it leaves 720p high-def cable TV on a plasma screen far back in the dust.
Of course, next year, plasma HDTVs will probably be available in 1080p. The question is, how much of the future do you want to buy? LCDs are more expensive too.
Some advantages of LCDs you might not hear about at Best Buy or its ilk are that they use less power, throw off less heat and weigh less. LCD is also a far more proven technology when it comes to reliability. We don't know how long plasma TVs will really last in the real world. That's a test in the making.
Confused? You can't go wrong with either of the HDTVs in the Cool Stuff Gift Guide. And the Sony KDL-46XBR2 (available online from $2,650 to $3,800) is an excellent choice.
-- Scot Finnie
High-definition media center: Lux Dual HD
If you want to make the leap to high definition but you're having a hard time deciding between HD-DVD and Blu-ray (after all, who wants to get caught with the equivalent of a Betamax system?), VidaBox has you covered. And then some.
Built inside a nearly silent, rack-mountable case enclosure, the dual-HD Lux media center uses Microsoft's Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 to deliver a next-generation home theater that can replace your DVD player, audio receiver and TiVo. The system includes SPDIF optical and coaxial audio outputs for Dolby Digital and DTS sound, and it supports up to 1080p high-definition video output. Dual analog and dual HD tuners allow you to record multiple broadcasts at the same time.
At the core of the Lux lies one of AMD's dual-core Athlon X2 processors (either the 3800+, the 4200+, or the 4600+). The system includes 750GB of storage standard, but you can customize it all the way up to a whopping 3.75TB.
This system isn't cheap -- it starts at $3,500 and goes up significantly from there. Want the full 3.75TB? Tack on $2,900 to the base price. And those tandem HD-DVD and Blu-ray drives will cost you, too -- add another $1,400 to the basic model. But isn't that very special someone on your gift list worth it?
-- George Jones
Home-theater-in-a-box: Samsung HT-TQ85
For years, audiophiles have turned up their noses at the concept of home theater in a box, but for hundreds of thousands of consumers, the affordability and ease of use of these full-fledged audio-video systems has been difficult to bypass. The reality is that these days, there's not much compromise in sound quality for these systems.
Samsung's HT-TQ85 system is a sterling example of the convenience and extremely high quality HTIB systems offer. With four sleek main speakers (and an option for wireless rear speakers), a center channel, a subwoofer, and a receiver/five-disc changer, this is truly a plug-and-play solution. At around $500, it's a steal.
The sound quality of CDs and DVDs is stunning -- we've heard this system in action, and wow. The sleek, modern looks don't hurt, either.
-- George Jones
Family fun
Who says video games have to be all about pointless violence? Try these hot games and gaming systems that the whole family will enjoy.
Console gaming system: Nintendo Wii
With Microsoft and Sony attempting to outmuscle each other -- and consumers' pocketbooks -- with over-the-top (and admittedly drool-worthy) system specs in the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 game consoles, it would be easy to overlook Nintendo's brand-new Wii next-gen gaming system this holiday season. That would be a mistake.
The Nintendo Wii ($249) is a decidedly unconventional gaming system. Instead of high-powered 3-D graphics and over-the-top processing power, Nintendo is focusing on the gaming experience. To wit, the Wii features a novel, immersive control scheme. If, for example, you're playing a tennis game, you don't press buttons or flip a joystick to swing the racket -- you actually swing the controller itself. The result is a gaming system the whole family will want to play.
Honorable mention: If you're looking for a more traditional, hard-core gaming experience, we recommend Microsoft's Xbox 360 ($400). It has a much bigger library of games and excellent online services. And with limited numbers of Sony PSP units available, it's not like you're going to get your hands on a PS3 anyway.
-- George Jones
Console game: Guitar Hero II
If you missed the first Guitar Hero, you missed the gaming phenomenon of the year. The premise is simple: You plug the bundled 1/3-scale plastic guitar into your Sony PlayStation 2 and rock out to your favorite classic rock songs.
As in the original game, Guitar Hero II lets you hook up a second guitar controller to the game, but in the current version, one player can play lead guitar while another plays the bass. This year's game ($73-$80) includes all-new songs, and they come from more genres than classic rock -- this year's selection ranges from Skynrd to the Police to Nirvana. Rock on!
-- George Jones
PC games for the whole family
Want to know which computer games offer the most family-friendly fun this year? Here's a handful of games that appeal to a variety of tastes and offer hours of fascinating gameplay.
Sid Meier's Railroads: Call us old-fashioned, but there's something about developing and maintaining a working rail company that makes us extremely happy. Thankfully, Railroads ($35-$40) allows us to do just that. This is one of the sleeper hits of the year.
Space Empires V: This is one of those underground strategy games that you can play for years. The premise is simple: Over a number of turns you expand your empire from a single planet to a galactic empire. Develop new technologies, engage the AI in diplomacy and try to rule the universe ($40).
Flight Simulator X: Microsoft's latest incarnation of Flight Simulator ($40-$47) is visually astonishing. If you're into flying planes sans bullets and missiles, this is a great bet.
Sid Meier's Civilization IV: An ultra-addictive strategic blend of empire- and world-building, Civ IV ($45-$50) isn't just one of the best games of the year; it's one of the best games of all time. If you like your gaming to entail deep strategic thinking, this is for you. And if you already have Civ IV, make sure to check out the recently released Warlords add-on.
-- George Jones
Cool computing
For a present that will keep on giving long after faddish items lose their luster, consider a new computer -- the true thinking person's gift.
Desktop computer: iMac Core 2 Duo
We can't in good conscience recommend buying a Windows PC this holiday season. With the consumer versions of Windows Vista shipping in late January of 2007, the Windows world is simply too up in the air right now. Sure, you can buy an XP machine with a Vista upgrade coupon, but do you really want to buy someone a gift that requires installing a new operating system in a month or two? We didn't think so.
Instead, why not give your loved one a space-saving, multimedia-savvy, user-friendly computer that offers the best out-of-box experience of any consumer system on the market? The models in Apple's gorgeous iMac line, ranging from $999 to $1,999, house the computer's guts inside svelte 17-in., 20-in. or stunning 24-inch widescreen displays. The Mac OS X Tiger operating system is visually appealing and easy for even beginners to master, and the included iLife software suite provides all the tools you need to organize your photos, burn CDs and DVDs, create blogs and podcasts, and more.
All that style is backed by the power and efficiency of Intel's Core 2 Duo processor, and all iMacs except the bottom-line model offer speeds of 2.0 GHz or faster, at least 1GB of memory, an 8x double-layer SuperDrive for playing and burning CDs and DVDs, and an ATI Radeon X1600 or better graphics processor. For the best balance of price, features and display size, go for the 20-in. model. If price is no object, it's the 24-in. model all the way.
No other desktop computer comes close to the iMac's beauty and elegance. If you're looking for a truly tasteful gift this year, the iMac is it.
-- Valerie Potter
Laptop computer: MacBook Pro
Why buy one laptop when you can get two for virtually the same price? We're talking, of course, about Apple's high-stylin', aluminum-clad MacBook Pro ($1,999 to $2,799), which not only runs Mac OS X, but -- with the help of free software from Apple -- does Windows, too. Even better, it's ready for Windows Vista when that operating system ships to consumers early in 2007.
Apple does just about the best industrial design in the computer industry, and the top-of-the-line MacBook Pro is a prime example. The 17-in. model is lightweight at just 6.8 lbs., offers a widescreen LCD display -- pick glossy or matte -- that packs a resolution of 1,680 by 1,050 pixels, runs almost silently and is just an inch high when the lid is closed. But when it comes to features and technology, the MacBook Pro is a heavyweight. Just look at the specs for the 17-in. model: superfast 2.33-GHz Core 2 Duo processor? Check. 160GB hard drive? Check. 2GB of RAM? Check. SuperDrive that burns both CDs and DVDs? Check. Built-in webcam, wireless networking and remote control? Check, check and check. You get the picture.
If portability or price is a concern, you can opt for the smaller 15-in. MacBook Pro. It's almost as well outfitted as its big brother -- and you can save yourself up to $800 in the process.
Best of all, the MacBook Pro comes complete with all the software you (or the very lucky person on your gift list who's getting a MacBook Pro) will need to edit movies, handle digital photos, surf the Web, tackle e-mail and carry on video chats with friends and family. Sure, you can buy Office for Mac and work on it, too. Or you can run Windows if you really have to. But chances are that once you've played around with -- we mean worked with -- Mac OS X, you won't be spending much time in the Windows world anymore.
-- Ken Mingis
Gaming laptop: Alienware Aurora m9700
Because we're talking gaming, we're going to loosen our ties and allow ourselves the temporary extravagance of using the term bad ass. Honestly, that's the only term that comes to mind when describing Alienware's newest gaming laptop cum desktop replacement: the Aurora m9700.
The system's key specification that makes it most appropriate for gaming is its innovative use of a tandem SLI graphics configuration. This means it links together two separate high-powered 512MB nVidia GeForce Go 7900 GS mobile graphics chips for double the 3-D graphics power. That's an astonishing 1GB of graphics power -- in a laptop.
By itself, this configuration eliminates the disappointing absence of Intel's stellar Core 2 Duo processor. The truth is that if you're buying a laptop for gaming, the processor is less important than the 3-D capabilities. Rounding out the specs are the capability for a 400GB SATA Raid 0 arrangement, a 17-in. screen, and a 17-in. display. The system starts at $1,449.
Bad ass. Bad ass. Bad ass. Whew! We're glad we got that out of our system.
-- George Jones
Home office help
Many of us make the mistake of using subpar equipment in our home offices. Save your loved ones from this fate with a few well-chosen office tools.
Wireless mouse: Logitech VX Revolution
Selecting a wireless mouse can be a very frustrating experience. A Computerworld editor recently bought three of them on successive days, returning each of them the next day -- whereupon she gave up on wireless mice. The entire affair is very subjective experience, to be sure. But after lots of hands-on testing, we've found the perfect wireless mouse for typical business and home use.
Logitech's VX Revolution is a dual-laser wireless mouse with a flywheel-style scroll wheel that can also be set to click, click, click like conventional scroll wheels. The wheel works great in both settings, and the flywheel is perfect for long-scrolling pages. The VX Revolution's dual laser is more accurate and more forgiving on uneven surfaces than earlier dual lasers we've used.
This mouse offers the standard five buttons plus zoom in, zoom out, and search; it also scrolls left and right with the scroll wheel. The built-in search button lets you highlight a word on a Web page and click it to search with your operating system's search facility or with Web-based search engines. The accompanying USB stick is very small and slips into a door at the back of the unit. Press a button and it pops out again.
Like many Logitech mice, this one feels great in your hand. But the single best feature of the VX Revolution is its overall size. It's a small desktop mouse or a large travel mouse. That makes it the ideal size for people who want to use this mouse all the time. Surprisingly, the small size doesn't hurt the ergonomic feel. It's a little ingenious in that regard.
We could find no downsides at all to the VX Revolution ($55-$75). Logitech has perfected the dual-laser genre.
Honorable mention: If you're looking for full-desktop-size wireless mouse with fewer bells and whistles, Logitech's MX 610 is a good choice. It feels great in your hand, has five buttons, comes in a left-handed version, and costs less ($45-$60). Just don't expect all the software notification LEDs to work.
-- Scot Finnie
External hard drive: Iomega Rev 70GB
For the person who has infinite data storage needs, the Rev 70GB removable hard drive from Iomega won't disappoint. This slim drive comes with a removable cartridge that holds 70GB. Not enough, you say? Not to worry -- when a cartridge gets full, just pop it out and insert another. The cartridges can be labeled and stored just like any tape cartridge, but the Rev 70 blows tape out of the water with its backup and restore speeds -- 30MB/sec., 10 times faster than DDS-4 tape cartridges.
The Rev 70, compatible with both PCs and Macs, lets you store movies, music, photos and documents -- and manage them all with slick drag-and-drop functionality. The drive is plug-and-play and connects via USB 2.0 (there's also an ATAPI bare-drive model). It comes with 2:1 compression software, password protection and encryption, and includes EMC's Retrospect Express software for backup and disaster recovery -- though you can also use CA's BrightStor ARCserve or Symantec's Backup Exec software. There's a three-year warranty on the drive and a five-year warranty on disk cartridges.
While the Rev 70GB drive has a suggested retail price of $599, we found it for as low as $410 online. Replacement cartridges run from $56 to $65, or $200 to $230 for a four-pack.
-- Lucas Mearian
Personal server: Mirra Sync and Share
Equal parts home network server, data synchronizer and data protector, Seagate's new network storage product is a perfect gift for the geek in your life -- even if that geek is you. The Mirra Sync and Share Personal Server connects to a router and provides easy access to a centralized network storage drive that can be accessed via a home wired or wireless network and -- get this -- via the Internet.
This device is the only network-attached storage drive we've encountered that is capable of synchronizing data across multiple PCs. If you're like us and have a desktop and laptop upstairs and a second desktop downstairs, this is a huge benefit. Not only will you be able to sync up important work files from multiple locations, but you'll also be able to keep your photos, music and other media libraries up to date.
The Sync and Share is available in 320GB ($435-$500) and 500GB ($520-$600) sizes. High-powered network file protection and the ability to restore data to failed drives round out what is an excellent network package.
-- George Jones
Wireless office headset system: Plantronics CS70
This year, give your special someone freedom -- the freedom to roam about while on a land line phone. The CS70 Wireless Office Headset System, which you can find from $220-$340, is Plantronics' deluxe model. The cornerstone of the set is the headset piece. It's comfortable enough to wear all day, fits easily and sounds great.
The system also includes a charging base and a handset lifter. Yes, a handset lifter. We used to think they were silly, but their usefulness becomes clear once you've used them a few times. Pressing the answer button on the side of the headset activates the lift and answers the phone; pressing again conveniently drops the handset back into the cradle.
But what makes this product stand out is the clear sound. This wireless device has superior interference rejection and is good for about 300 feet. If you like to move while you talk, you'll appreciate the long leash.
-- Yuval Kossovsky
Weird and wacky
Enough with the serious presents; these gifts just wanna have fun.
Most obnoxious iPod gear: iKaraoke
The iKaraoke from Griffin Technology is a magic microphone that turns your iPod into a karaoke bar -- just add alcohol. IKaraoke ($50) plays music from your existing collection, with the lead vocals faded out, through your home stereo system.
Buttons on the microphone let you pause, scan, temporarily allow the original vocals or improve the sound with reverb -- the iKaraoke does it all. The removal of the vocals isn't perfect, but close enough. Connect it to your stereo with the included cable via its wireless FM-radio option. It works with the Apple iPod 4G, 5G, Mini and Nano.
While the iKaraoke wasn't yet available for purchase at press time, a Griffin representative assured us that it will be available at your local Apple Store or major electronics retailer in mid-December.
-- Mike Elgan
Best wacky USB drives: Mimobots
There are few things that satisfy a tech geek's fetish for the sublimely odd than USB flash drives in funny shapes. Ask and ye shall receive: Mimoco has a line of flash drives called Mimobots that are modeled after pop icons and other, less identifiable characters. A single USB drive form factor (teddy-bearish in shape) is used to create a variety of Mimobots, whose heads pop off to reveal a USB 2.0 connector.
The Star Wars series includes Chewbacca, Darth Vader and an Imperial Stormtrooper. There's also a 1950s series, complete with Elvis and Betty Lou (think of the Pink Ladies from Grease), an artist series, and a line of core Mimobots.
The limited edition Mimobot drives -- only 3,500 units will be made -- come in 1GB, 2GB and 4GB capacities and range in price from $80 to $170. The drives will ship with bonus material, including Star Wars wallpaper, videos and sound bites.
Honorable mention: Think food is art? How about technology? Well, SolidAlliance has created an entire line of SushiDisk flash drives that resemble everything from sashimi to a California roll. The flash drives cost from $99 to $269, but they come with only 128MB to 1GB of memory. Still, there's nothing like a piece of raw tuna hanging from your USB port to draw attention.
-- Lucas Mearian
Coolest tech toy: Spy video car
Remote-controlled toy cars have been around for decades, but none like this one. The Wild Planet Spy Video Car's on-car video camera and head-mounted LCD viewer let you see the action from the car's point of view. You don't even need to see the car to control it -- you can navigate with the camera, as shown in the car's TV ad.
The car is quiet, so you can sneak up on people and spy on them. Incredibly, it has infrared night vision, which doesn't emit any visible light to tip off your victim. Adjust the camera's angle to look up, straight ahead or anywhere you like. The light, handheld remote-control unit controls the car from up to 75 feet away.
The Spy Video Car uses 12 AA batteries and goes for $140 direct from Wild Planet, but it's available at Target and Toys R Us for $99 during the month of December. It's the perfect gift for the little spy on your holiday list.
-- Mike Elgan
Most useful USB-powered gadget: USB Roll-Up Piano
Brando's USB Roll-Up Piano plugs into your PC, turning it into an electronic piano and synthesizer. The 49-key piano keyboard is 29 in. by 7 in., plus a control unit that's 8.5 by 3.5 by 1.25 in. Roll it up and stuff it in your pocket. Let's see you do that with a Steinway.
The $46 piano features 136 instruments (eight of them percussion), six tones, 100 prerecorded rhythms, a built-in metronome and even tone effects such as vibrato and portamento. You can record what you play and use the piano software's learning mode to practice. All programming and sounds are activated with the Windows XP-only software. Power comes through the USB cable -- no batteries required.
-- Mike Elgan
Five under $50
So, what about the people on your list you don't necessarily want to spend lots of money on? Try these nifty presents on for size.
Color-Call Caller ID System
From Brookstone comes the Color-Call Caller ID System ($30). You have to think about this one for a moment, because at first blush it just seems like a weird gadget. But consider how convenient it'll be to glance across the room during the ballgame and immediately know that it's the office calling so there's no need to miss the next play.
Sadly, only four colors are available, but you can store 100 numbers, so in a way it's a Caller ID categorization device. Make your friends green, your kids blue, your co-workers purple and your spouse red. If a stranger calls, you get scrolling colors.
There's also a three-line LCD display so that you'll know exactly who is on the other end of the line before you pick up. (Obviously, your phone line must have a Caller ID service enabled for the device to work.)
-- Peter Smith
iPod Radio Remote
Apple's iPod Radio Remote ($37-$49) solves two problems at once. First, it adds a remote to your iPod, allowing you to switch tracks and adjust volume while your iPod stays safely tucked away in a pocket or bag. Second, it adds an FM tuner to the iPod.
The device draws power from the iPod, so there're no additional batteries or cords to worry about. The iPod itself displays the station information and supports RDS (Radio Data System), which means if the station you're tuned into supports it, track information also appears on the iPod's display.
As a bonus, the device comes with a new pair of Apple earphones with a shorter cable than normal to account for the length of the Remote's cable.
-- Peter Smith
Aleratec DVD/CD Disc Repair Plus
We all know by now that CDs and DVDs aren't as indestructible as the manufacturers claimed back in the day. If you know someone with a lot of scratched old discs that refuse to play properly, do them a big favor and give them the Aleratec DVD/CD Disc Repair Plus.
This self-contained unit ($25-$40) is about the size of a portable CD player and uses three sets of interchangeable plastic wheels that perform disc cleaning, basic repair polishing or heavy-duty polishing. You install the appropriate cleaning wheels, depending on the condition of the CD or DVD disc you want to repair. Once the wheels are installed, you click the "repair" button and the repair cycle runs on its own for about three minutes. If the repair wheels can't fix the problem, you can attack the damage with the heavy-duty pink buffing wheels.
So, does it actually work? You bet. The repair wheels completely fixed our beloved Bruce Springsteen Greatest Hits CD, which skipped badly on "The River." Our DVD of the charming movie The Station Agent, which was so badly scarred that it skipped to the next scene every couple of minutes, required the use of the buffing wheels. After one cleaning cycle with the pink buffing wheels and one cycle with the normal repair wheels, the DVD worked like new.
We've used the machine to fix several other damaged discs with great results. The manufacturer says the machine works on all CDs and DVDs, including video game, music, data and movie discs, but it can't repair deep scratches that reach the data layer or that damage the label side of the disc.
-- Todd R. Weiss
Lexar 1GB JumpDrive Mercury Flash Drive
The tech in your life might already have a USB flash drive (sometimes called a thumbdrive), but you know the old saying: "You can never be too thin or have too much portable storage space."
Honestly, most flash drives are fairly similar. The Lexar 1GB JumpDrive Mercury Flash Drive ($48-$49) is interesting because it has a capacity meter. You can tell at a glance if the thing is almost filled up, without plugging it into a machine.
The drive comes with Secure II software to encrypt and digitally shred files (Windows XP or Mac OS X 10.3+ required). Portable applications are becoming more and more common, so not only can you back up your data on a flash drive these days, but you can take your apps with you, too.
-- Peter Smith
Wireless Weather Forecaster
If there's one thing the popularity of WeatherBug and various other desktop weather applets has shown, it's that techies love meteorology. The Oregon Scientific Wireless Weather Forecaster ($30-$45) combines alarm clock functions with all the weather data you'll need to be properly equipped to face the day.
The time is set automatically by contacting the atomic clock in Fort Collins, Colo., assuming it's within range of its signal. What's the range? Two thousand miles. That alone is enough to excite any self-respecting techie.
Data is gathered from outside via a wireless sensor with a 100-foot range. (The Forecaster supports up to three sensors. You can buy additional sensors separately.) In addition to getting indoor and outdoor temperatures (-22F to 140F) and a weather forecast, you can check the phase of the moon and get alerts if the temperature is approaching freezing -- just in time to cover the vegetable garden.