Looking for the ultimate techie gift this year? Check this out if you have one on your list (or if you are one yourself). From smartphones to laptops, these suggestions will make a geek's holiday truly bright.
In this guide we take a look at smartphones, laptops and notebooks, tablet PCs and digital cameras and provide product reviews and user opinions.
In this holiday guide:
Smartphones
These little mobile computing wonders are a sure bet -- whether as a gift for someone else -- or yourself!
Digital photographic equipment means everyone can take stellar shots -- sure to bring a smile to the face of shutterbugs and photo recluses alike.
As portable computers continue to grow in power and drop in price, this device will please any techie from age 9 to 99.
Promoting ease-of-use and a truly interactive experience, the latest in portable computers is a sure-fire winner for the biggest tech-geek in your social network.
Smartphones
Apple iPhone
The iPhone is
Apple's combination smartphone and iPod. This device supports the iTunes music service, and it
sports 8 GB of built-in storage.It's real claim to fame, though, is its innovative user interface
based entirely around its touchscreen.
Palm Centro
The Palm Centro
is the second device from this company using a new smaller and lighter design. Nevertheless, it
still includes a full keyboard and a 320 by 320 pixel touchscreen. This Palm OS device runs on
Sprint's CDMA network, and supports this carrier's high-speed EV-DO wireless network.
AT&T Tilt
The AT&T
Tilt is a Windows Mobile 6 smartphone with an innovative shape. When its screen is slid aside to
expose the QWERTY keyboard, it flips up at an angle, making the device look something like a mini
laptop. It also includes 3G support, a 3 MP camera, and a GPS receiver.
View more smartphones and read reviews and user opinions before you shop.
Digital cameras
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T200
The Sony
T200 is a follow-up model on the T100 as the flagship model of the ultra-slim T series cameras.
The T200 offers 8 megapixel resolution, a 3 inch touch-screen LCD, 5x optical zoom with image
stabilization, and HD output.
Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ3
This 7
megapixel successor to the TZ1 sports a 10x optical zoom with image stabilization in a relatively
compact form factor. Panasonic has added new features, like Intelligent ISO control and a new
imaging processor for better performance. It also sports a 3 inch screen and has quick
operation.
Nikon Coolpix P5100
The
latest advanced point and shoot from Nikon gives you a 12.1 megapixel resolution, 3.5x optical zoom
with image stabilization, and 2.5 inch LCD. A full set of shooting modes helps target this camera
at pros looking for a compact, or someone looking to upgrade a better-equipped point and shoot.
View more digital cameras and read the product reviews and user opinions before you open your wallet.
Laptops and notebooks
Dell Vostro 1500
The Dell
Vostro 1500 is much like the Inspiron 1520 -- it has a 15.4" display, the same build and for the
most part the same port configuration. However, it is aimed at business users and is therefore all
black in its looks. You can also configure it with Windows XP. The Vostro 1500 comes with the
latest Intel Santa Rosa platform.
Lenovo ThinkPad T61
The
ThinkPad T61 was released in May and is still holding strong on the most popular charts. The T61
sports the new Intel Santa Rosa (Centrino Duo) platform
and improves upon the popular T60 by offering an even sturdier build and extra port options.
Sony VAIO SZ
Performance
in a small package, that sums up the Sony VAIO SZ. The bright glossy 13.3" display is powered by
dedicated graphics and the Intel Santa Rosa platform for an extra performance boost. Sony recently
released the VAIO SZ6 series.
View more laptops and notebooks and read laptop product reviews and user opinions before you make that purchase for the geek on your holiday list.
Tablet PCs
HP Pavilion tx1000
The HP
Pavilion tx1000 is a Tablet PC notebook convertible. HP refers to it as an entertainment notebook
that includes media control buttons, dual headphone jacks, a touch screen that works with any
stylus or your fingertip and a new high-gloss finished 12.1" screen. It's powered by an AMD Turion
X2 processor, which provides enough power for watching movies or listening to music. Visit
Lenovo (IBM) ThinkPad vX61 Tablet PC
The ThinkPad
X61 Tablet PC is a 12.1" tablet that has a Core 2 Duo processor built from the Santa Rosa platform
and Intel GMA X3100 graphics. Only weighing in at 3.8-pounds this mighty tablet has a solid chassis
and design, making it ideal for students or mobile professionals. It still maintains that same
matte black appearance as its predecessor, the ThinkPad X60.
Dell Latitude XT Tablet PC
Dell's first
Tablet PC has already made its way onto our "Top 10 list" and it hasn't even been released yet.
Those users eagerly awaiting can expect the Latitude Tablet PC to be modeled after Dell's popular
Latitude line-up of notebooks, which comes as no surprise. It is supposed to be extremely
lightweight, have a 12.1" widescreen display and be based off Intel's Santa Rosa platform.
View more tablet PCs and read up on product reviews and user opinions before you spend serious cash on your geek.
This was first published in November 2007