Don’s Holiday Buyers Guide
- A quick hands-on preview: The Microsoft Surface 3 Pro - June 19, 2014
- Hands-on Review: The Dell Venue 8 Pro - June 9, 2014
- Product Alert: Dell Laptop XPS 13 [Developer’s Edition] - April 7, 2014
Tis’ certainly is the season for some fun tech gadgets and toys, wrapped with ribbons and bows, placed carefully under the Christmas tree. There are just so many options to choose from, the task of picking out the perfect gift can often be a bit daunting. To be of some help, I asked each of our Senior Technologists to share their own thoughts and perspective on this topic — be sure to read both Adam and Dayrl’s Gift Ideas below.
To start my own guide, I thought it best to share some of some “Tech Consumer 101” which has always helped guide me to a happier experience and peace-of-mind:
- Purchase from a reputable retailer, big-box or online
- Stick to the main brands, imitation products are usually lacking something important
- While you don’t need to break the bank, don’t target the cheapest product either.
- Figure out First the intended use/need for the device. This will truly help you pick the right product
- My wife always laughs at me about this one, but I always try to get boxes that are un-opened and in good condition (lacking dents, scrapes, or holes)
With these guidelines established, let’s move on to some product recommendations.
Tablets: Top three choices
- Apple iPad Mini
- Apple IPad Air
- Google Nexus 7
Depending on one’s current mobile device or computer, this will provide some direction as to which tablet would best suit your needs. It is suggested, but not required, to stay within the same ‘App Ecosystem’ to keep things simple (read: iPhone to iPad, Android phone to Android Tablet). Two great alternatives based on both price and function: The Amazon Kindle Fire HDX and the Nook HD (or HD+).
Time Magazine’s Top Gadget of 2013
This is a very easy recommendation – The Google Chromecast. For $35, this device turns any TV (HDMI port required) into a streaming media center. As Time magazine shares;
“Instead of trying to do everything …this thumb-sized gizmo does one thing, does it as simply as possible and does it for the impulse-purchase price of $35.”
Lots of companies have built devices to do this; Chromecast is the first one that gets it right.”
By using a cellphone, tablet, or computer, a user is able to control the Chromecast Unit (not much bigger than a usb memory stick) which then streams content directly from the internet via Apps like Netflix, Hulu, Pandora, YouTube and Google Music. More services and features are scheduled to launch this next year.
Game Console Recommendation: Sony Playstation 4
Truth be told, if games are your thing, you can’t go wrong in purchasing either the Playstation 4 or the XBox One. Your choice might be dictated based on the exclusive games/franchises designed for each system. That being said, the Playstation 4 definitely holds a few advantages over the XBox One, including: starting price, power, design, and functionality. Plenty of reviews and comparisons are available on the web but the general theme shared by most, Sony stayed focus on the purpose and functionality of the device and in setting the right tone for game enthusiast from day one.
I could spend the entire year giving holiday tech advice but that would leave little time to enjoy Christmas for myself. Please be sure to check out the other advice and insights shared by Daryl and Adam. Best of luck with your Holiday Shopping.
Merry Christmas to all, and to all a Good Night.