17 Gifts Geeks REALLY Want for Christmas
Every year, I peruse geek gift guides in search of gift ideas for my husband. Most lists don’t seem to have a good grasp of what geeks really want. For example, I don’t know too many geeks that truly want a freakin’ binary clock. Yet, it’s always included on the holiday geek gift lists.
So, I’ve set out to create the ultimate geek gift guide. I know that not all geeks are the same. But the following gifts are ones that you’d have a hard time going wrong with. We start off in expensive fantasy land and end with stocking stuffers. Happy shopping.
Canon EOS 5D Mark II 21.1MP Full Frame CMOS Digital SLR Camera
Captures both still photographs and video footage. Even Saturday Night Live has been using this (and the 7D) to shoot some of its programming.
Available at Amazon, B&H Photo, Best Buy and the like for around $2700. That’s just for the camera body. You’ll need to shell out more for the lenses. Yeah, I know, dreamland. Do not, I repeat, do not get this and leave your geek lens-less.
LG LED-LCD TV
Your geek probably has an HDTV, but they probably won’t mind replacing it with an LED-LCD HDTV from LG. This baby is super-thin and features an 2 million-to-one dynamic constrast ratio (yes, that’s good). You’ll get a 24p Real Cinema mode and a 16:9 widescreen aspect ratio (yes, still good). It has a USB port, is ENERGY STAR qualified. The features go on and on.
Available at Best Buy. Starts at $1999 for 47″
Crucial M225 2.5″ Solid-State Drive, 256GB
This will make your geek’s computer super-fast, which will make them super happy. Unlike the hard drive that came with your geek’s computer, a solid-state drive has no moving parts, making it quieter, cooler, and more durable.
Available at Crucial.com for $799
Drobo
Drobo is a hard-drive system that backs up data on computers. This is great for storing media files and protecting digital photos. If the computer crashes, the files are safe. Just know this thing has won a ton of awards and accolades from very techie people. Options start at $399.
Available at the online Drobo Store.
Anything from Bose
From noise-canceling headphones to earbuds to the SoundDock portable digital music system, you can’t go wrong giving a Bose gift to a geek. Bose offers amazing sound quality, the perfect way for geeks to listen to music or podcasts while they’re working or hobbying.
Available from major retailers such as Target and Amazon – as well as Bose’s online store. Products begin at $99.
Apple TV
This little box will allow your geek to purchase movies and TV shows without all the clutter of DVD cases sitting around. Plus, the Apple TV streams podcasts, can connect with iTunes and play music easily through your home entertainment system. It can be controlled with the free Remote App on the iPhone or iPod Touch, as well.
Available at the Apple Store for $229.
Media Players
These are similar to the Apple TV, but without the iTunes. Many of them are much more affordable, with some starting at $99. Basically, these media players will play the video, audio, etc. from your computer on your television and through your home entertainment audio system.
Available at electronics retailers.
Blu-ray Player
If you’re geek doesn’t make a whole lotta dough, s/he may have been putting off buying a Blu-ray player until the prices dropped. Now, you can find them for as low as $128 for a Magnovox at Walmart and $119 for a JVC (factory refurbished) at Best Buy. If you’re willing to brave the crowds the day after Christmas, Walmart is dropping the price on that Magnavox to $78.
Available at any place or site that sells electronics.
e-Reader
e-Readers are devices specifically designed to read books electronically. The screen is specially designed to reduce glare, which makes reading electronic books far more delightful than reading them on most laptops or mobile phones. However, you need to be diligent if you want to buy this for your geek. It’s up in the air whether two of the most anticipated e-Readers, Barnes and Noble’s new Nook and Sony’s New Daily Edition Reader, will be available in time. If they are, you’ll need to act quick when they do become available since there’s so much interest in the devices. If your geek prefers a Kindle or one of the existing Sony device, you’ll have some more leeway, as they’re available right now.
Gift Cards
Get your geek a gift card s/he can actually use on Christmas day. For example, an Amazon.com gift card can be used anytime. Your geek can be downloading mp3s, movies, e-books and using them on Christmas day. You can even buy an electronic gift card, which arrives in their email. If you can’t arrange for which day the e-card is sent, simply buy it on Christmas Eve or Christmas morning. iTunes gift cards are another great idea – just be sure your geek uses an Apple product such as an iPhone or iPod.
Available at online retailers.
Wacom Bamboo Pen and Touch Fun Small Tablet
This tablet allows both finger and pen gestures and can act as a touchpad for both desktops and laptops. It’s great for writing by hand or creating art in a digital manner. But it can be used to navigate, browse, scroll, and zoom. Be sure to ge the Pen and Touch Tablet. Wacom sells pen-only tablets, but they’re not as versatile.
Available at Amazon, Best Buy, and the Wacom eStore for $99 (pssst. at the time of this post, Amazon was having a sale on this item).
Callpod Chargepod
Chances are your geek has a bunch of gadgets, and those gadgets need charging. Make it easier to refuel those batteries with the Chargepod. Your geek can charge his/her digital camera, mobile phone, and personal gaming devices all at the same time.
Available from Amazon for $99.95 (on sale at the time of this post for just $29.95)
Sodastream Jet Starter Kit
Geeks live on caffeine. They code with one hand and hold a caffeinated beverage in the other. Let them hack their own soda concoctions with this nifty soda making gadget.
Available from Amazon for $99.95 (on sale at the time of this post for just $79).
Handstands Original Sticky Pad
The Sticky Pad is designed to prevent devices from slipping. It’s great in the car or on the desk at work. Just place your mobile phone or mp3 player on it and it stays. No glue or anything permanent.
Available at Amazon.com for $8.99.
USB Keyboard Vacuum
This is a handy way to keep a computer keyboard clean. It’s amazing how easily they pick up food crumbs, dust, hair, etc. This little handy device is powered by the computer’s USB port and helps maintain one of your geek’s most prized possessions.
Available at The Container Store for $4.99.
Mountain Dew Fridge Pack
Frugal geeks understand that their loved ones have a hard time at Christmas. They drool over high-priced televisions and gadgets that just aren’t practical without saving up for months at a time or maxing out the credit card. Thankfully, most geeks are low-maintenance realists. They do know how to enjoy the simple things in life. Stock up on their favorite caffeinated beverage and it at least saves them a trip to the grocery store for a week (ok, a couple of days).
Available at convenience stores, Walmart, Target, and grocery stores for about 5 bucks.
Bacon Salt
For some reason, geeks love Bacon. So let them shake a little bacon on everything they like to eat with this Bacon Salt.
Available from ThinkGeek.com for $4.99.
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