Best Christmas gifts 2012 guide
Whether you're looking to cure yourself this Xmas or want some motivation when purchasing for others, we've curved up enough technical kit to complete a number of tights.
While some people appreciate Amazon or iTunes coupons (they're completely excellent presents), buy one of the 50 presents detailed in the following webpages and they'll know you've put some believed into the choice.
We've protected a variety of costs, and consist of a excellent few concepts at the reduced end of the cost variety for these cash-strapped periods. If you can't manage a new laptop, why not opt for a existing such as Belkin's CushDesk, which will make an current laptop that much more relaxed to use.
However, if you've got a bit more money to invest, there are a lot of choices such as notebooks, pills, camcorders and game playing PCs. We've done most of the effort for you: all you need do is select the wrap document.
1. Best Christmas gifts: under £25
SanDisk Cruzer Fit - £15
sandisk.co.uk
Everyone needs a USB flash drive, and they don't come any smaller
than the Cruzer Fit. Even this 32GB version (the highest capacity in the
range) is affordable, and it's small enough to be permanently left in a
USB port. It's ideal for a laptop, tablet or even a car stereo, where
you don't want a long drive sticking out. Alternatively, it's perfect
for carrying everywhere with you – you can even hang it around your
neck, thanks to a built-in lanyard loop.
See all storage reviews.
Griffin Stylus - £12
griffintechnology.com
Smartphones and tablets are becoming ubiquitous, so chances are you
know someone with at least one touchscreen device. Griffin's basic
stylus is great for drawing, sketching or writing on capacitive screens,
and it's an ideal gift for anyone obsessed with Draw Something, or
keeping fingerprints from their screen. The integrated clip attaches to a
pocket. There's no built-in pen, though, so if you want a dual-purpose
stylus/pen, try the Incipio Inscribe Dual Ink.
Gelaskins - £10
gelaskins.com
Personalising your gadgets is easy, thanks to the thousands of
available cases for just about every model of smartphone, tablet and
e-reader. Gelaskins add to your device scratch-protection and, since
they're less than 1mm thick, you can still use a standard case. There's a
huge range of designs, plus you can download matching wallpaper for
your smartphone or tablet.
Sony USB Portable Power Supply - £15
sony.co.uk
Just about all gadgets charge via a USB cable, so this battery pack
is ideal for emergency top-ups. It's small enough to carry in a bag or
pocket. All you need is a USB cable, and you can connect the Portable
Power Supply to charge a smartphone, tablet or an e-reader on the move. The 2,000mAh battery can charge an iPhone to almost 100 percent.
Belkin CushDesk - £20
belkin.co.uk
Using a laptop on your lap is convenient, but it might not be the
best idea for your health. Some laptops become dangerously hot in use,
and you can develop neck- or wrist strain from adopting an awkward
typing position. The CushDesk goes a long way to solving both problems,
with a cushioned base and a hard top on which to rest laptops with
screens up to around 16in. It's available in a variety of colours.
E-volve Touchscreen Gloves - £13
theaccessoriescrowd.com
These one-size-fits-all gloves will keep your hands warm this winter,
but won't prevent you using your smartphone or tablet's capacitive
touchscreen. Thanks to conductive fibres woven into the fingertips, the
E-volve gloves allow you to carry on playing Angry Birds without
freezing off your digits.
Targus Defcon CL - £25
targus.com/uk
Plenty of tech kit has a Kensington-style lock slot, yet most people
don't take advantage of the added security it can provide. The Defcon CL
has a combination lock, so there are no keys to lose – you just need to
remember the code. Provided that the cable is looped around or through
an immovable object that a thief can't simply steal, the Defcon CL is a
good deterrent.
Xbox 360 Wireless gaming receiver - £20
amazon.co.uk
Ever wished you could use your Xbox wireless controller to play games
on your PC or laptop? Well, now you can, thanks to this USB receiver.
Simply plug it in and install the software, then press the connect
button to link your controller with your PC. It works with other Xbox
360 wireless accessories, too, including the Racing Wheel, and has a
30ft range. The receiver supports up to four controllers (and headsets)
for multiplayer games.
Belkin Micro Car Charger - £15
amazon.co.uk
Most cars do not have a USB charging port, but you can add one by
popping an adaptor into your vehicle's 12V socket. Belkin's Micro Car
Charger provides 5V at 2.1A, so it will charge almost all USB devices.
If you need a second USB port, try Scosche's Revolt C2, which costs
around £20.
Aquapac - £20
store.aquapac.net
Electronic
gadgets don't play nicely with water, so it's worth protecting your
gear if it's in danger of getting wet. Waterproof Aquapacs are available
for phones, e-readers, cameras, tablets and MP3 players. Aquapacs allow
you to answer your phone or interact with a touchscreen, and even take
underwater photos with a standard camera.
Breffo Spiderpodium - £15
Breffo.com
This flexible stand can be bent into all sorts of shapes to hold in
place your smartphone, camera or other small gadget. Its eight legs are
sufficient for clinging on to both your device and another object. A
larger version, the Spiderpodium Tablet, costs around £20 and is
suitable for holding a tablet.
USB cup warmer - £9
firebox.com
It's the age-old problem: you've got far more USB ports on your PC
than you have peripherals to plug in. What a waste. This USB cup warmer
could be the perfect solution, also able to stop your coffee getting
cold before you've had a chance to drink it. The gadget makes clever use
of USB power to heat a small element to 40ºC, so your beverage should
be drinkable even an hour after it was made.
Belkin 4-Port Flexible USB Hub - £18
belkin.co.uk
Laptops, especially netbooks and Ultrabooks, tend to be rather short
on USB ports. To get more ports you need a hub. Belkin's Flexible hub
has three USB 2.0 ports for connecting printers, mice, keyboards, USB
disks and other peripherals. The fourth 'port' is a Micro-/Mini-USB
connector, which lets you hook up a variety of smartphones and other
gadgets. There's enough power to charge most smartphones, but not
tablets.
Sculpteo 3DP cases - £20
3dpcase.com
The best gifts are the ones you make yourself. You can create an
iPhone case using the free 3DPCase app, which will be printed in 3D and
shipped within a few days. There are several basic designs, which you
can customise at will. The Free-Hand case, for example, profiles two
faces in your photos and cuts them out of the case's rear.
Tag: Best Christmas gifts 2012 guide
The popular icicle lights look great on homes with flat eves and few
peaks. LED lights are a bit more expensive, but are much more durable;
they are a must for icicle lights.
Different color combinations can be used to decorate your home. This
home is decorated with clear, red, and green C9 lights. Light colors
that reflect the tones of your house always enhance the beauty of the
holiday display.
