But what if money wasn’t an obstacle? What would you buy then? You’d probably consider laptops that never even popped on your radar before – like the five listed here.

Sony Vaio Z

The Sony Vaio Z has always been the company’s super-high-end ultraportable. It’s basically a “halo product” that shows what Sony’s engineers are capable of when they’re given a large budget to work with.

At first glance, the hardware specs don’t seem that impressive. The Sony Vaio Z comes standard with a Core i5-2410M processor, 4GB of RAM and a 128GB solid state drive. All of that can be had for a fraction of the price. What makes the Z expensive is the fact all of this has been crammed into a chassis .66 inches thick that weighs just 2.57 pounds. And Sony did this before Intel started making a big deal about ultrabooks.

Pricing starts at $1,999, but if that isn’t expensive enough for you, Sony offers the Signature Collection. These usually offer unique styling and always offer insane hardware. One model, priced at $4,499, upgrades the Z to a 1080p display, a Core i7 dual core processor and a 512GB solid state drive.

Lenovo ThinkPad T420s

You don’t hear much coming from Lenovo about the ThinkPad T series these days. The company has been working on a lot of other new models which have taken the limelight away from this stalwart of the company’s lineup.

That’s a shame, because there’s still good laptops in the T series – and some expensive ones. The T420s, which is a thin-and-light version of the standard T420, starts at $1,149. For that you receive a Core i5 processor, 4GB of RAM and a 320GB mechanical hard drive.

But if you can spend as much as you’d like, that’s not the one you want. No, you want the T420s with the solid state drive, the Core i7 dual core processor and an optional extended life battery that can fit into the slot normally occupied by the removable optical drive. Configured like this you’re looking at a lofty $1,959 price tag – and it’s worth every penny.

Alienware M18X

When it comes to customized gaming laptops, it’s hard to beat Alienware. And when it comes to Alienware, it’s hard to beat the M18x. This is the company’s fastest, biggest and most expensive laptop.

In base guise, it’s only $1,999. You’ll want the fully upgraded model, however, that starts at $3,299 and includes dual graphics. But why stop there?

Load the M18x with an Intel Extreme Edition quad-core processor. Upgrade the dual video cards to a pair of Nvidia GTX 580Ms. Improve the solid state drive to a 512GB monster. Now you’re looking at one of the most powerful laptops ever sold, along with a price tag of $4,974.

If you’d like to tip the system over $5,000, just for kicks, pick the dual layer Blu-Ray drive.

Panasonic Toughbook C1

What? Panasonic makes laptops?

Yes, they do. But you won’t usually see them in stores because they’re not built for the average consumer. Panasonic calls its laptops Toughbooks, and they’re specifically geared for users who need a laptop that can survive extreme environments.

The C1 is the company’s most accessible model, and one of the few a consumer could potentially find a use for. It’s a 12.1” convertible tablet weighs 3.28 pounds. Most models are powered by Core i5 processors and an optional solid state drive.

Specifications aren’t what this laptop is about, however. It’s about features like hot-swappable twin battery design. It’s about resistance to falls up to 30 feet. It’s about the weird but effective ergonomic strap that can be attached to the bottom, making the laptop easier to hold with one hand.

Price? It can vary a bit because Panasonic does not sell laptops directly but instead relies on third-party resellers. Typically you’ll have to pay $2,500 for a base model and over $3,000 for one with all the goodies.

Dell Precision M6600

Deciding which mobile workstation would make this list was a tough call. They’re all expensive, they’re all nice, and they’re all way more than your average person would ever need.

Ultimately, I decided on the M6600. Why? Three hard drives. If you have money to burn you can buy a Dell Precision M6600 with 1.5 terabytes of solid state storage. That will set you back $3,670 for the drives alone.

The other options are nothing to laugh at. Dell’s UltraSharp 1080p mobile displays are available, and they’re beautiful. You can also pick Nvidia Quadro 5010M graphics and quad-core Intel Extreme Edition processors. It’s not hard to price a M6600 over ten grand if you want all the goodies.

Conclusion

This list isn’t about expense just for the sake of it. It is about dream machines – computers that are absurdly powerful, rugged, beautiful or all three, but also priced well outside the average person’s budget. If you have a suggestion that you think would fit this list, let us know in the comments.

But perhaps you simply aren’t willing to accept a contract, however, or simply don’t use much mobile data or many cell minutes. If that’s the case, a pre-paid phone makes a lot of sense even when compared to a non-contract monthly plan. So what are the best options?

T-Mobile

T-Mobile offers numerous pre-paid plans including monthly, daily and pay-as-you-go options. You can also purchase smartphones directly from T-Mobile even if you just want a pay-as-you-go option.

For those looking for the cream of the crop, Samsung’s Galaxy S (available refurbished) and the T-Mobile Sidekick are the best options. The Galaxy S is a solid flagship 4” Android smartphone, while the T-Mobile Sidekick is the perfect phone for frequent texters. Both phones are over $300, however.

A more affordable option is the LG Optimus T, which typically costs $179.99. CNET called it one of the best entry-level smartphones due to its combination of performance and affordability. The 3.2” touchscreen is small by the standards of today’s flagship phones, but it works well enough.

AT&T GoPhone

Pickings are slimmer at AT&T, which offers prepaid under the brand name of GoPhone. Plan options are not bad, however, and include monthly, daily and pay-by-the-minute options.

The best phone option is certainly the Samsung Captivate, an aging 4” Android smartphone that still appears reasonably modern. It’s nearly $500, however, which is a difficult price to pay for hardware that’s not cutting edge.

Unfortunately, there are not any affordable smartphone options sold for pre-paid users. The $349.99 Palm Pixi is the least expensive offering, but spending that much for a device with limited future support seems dubious. You’ll want to look at another carrier if you want a solid but inexpensive pre-paid smartphone.

Verizon

You’ll only find monthly and daily pre-paid plans at Verzion, and if you go for the monthly unlimited or daily plan, your phone selection is reduced to “basic phones” – either flip-phones or feature phones. This is obviously not going to be acceptable to many geeks.

The only way to grab a decent phone is to select a monthly 3G plan. If you do that, you’ll be able to select from a number of quality options including the Droid X2, the Droid 3, and the Xperia Play. Prices aren’t outrageous, either – the Play is about $250 and the Droid X2 is just a hair under $300. This is arguably the best selection of off-contract phones available directly from a carrier.

However, you’ll be paying for a monthly minute allowance regardless of how often you use them. If you want to go pre-paid because you don’t use many minutes or much mobile data, these plans aren’t going to save you any money.

Boost Mobile

Created specifically as a low-cost, no-contract carrier, Boost Mobile offers a number of plans with monthly, daily and pay-as-you-go options. However, the pay-as-your-go and standard monthly options lock you into basic and feature phones. You need to go for a daily or Android/BlackBerry monthly plan to obtain a smartphone.

Unfortunately the phone options aren’t going to blow you away. There’s only a few smartphones to choose from regardless of plan, the best being the Samsung Transformer Ultra, an Android 2.3 phone with a slide-out keyboard and an okay display size of 3.5 inches. This will set you back $229.99.

Less expensive is the Samsung Galaxy Prevail, is $149.99. But you’re downgraded to Android 2.2, have to do with a 3.2” touchscreen, and don’t receive a keyboard. Though this phone is decent for the price, but the LG Optimus T available through T-Mobile is better.

Virgin Mobile

This low-cost carrier only offers no-contract monthly plans. Virgin Mobile’s PayLo plan is the least expensive, offering 1,500 minutes for $30/month, but the phone choices are terrible.

If you go with a regular plan, however, you can buy some of the best value-oriented Android phones on the market. These include the LG Optimus Slider for $199.99 and the LG Optimus V for $129.99. Rates are good for the plans, as well.

Other Options

Notably missing from this comparison is Sprint. I could not find any pre-paid options for the carrier. This is probably because they own Boost Mobile and have a contract with Virgin Mobile allowing the smaller carrier access to Sprint’s network.

Depending on where you live, there may be a regional carrier offering additional prepaid smartphones. In my area, for example, we have Cricket Wireless. These options are worth looking at before buying, but check customer reviews of the service.

Another option worth considering is the purchase of a used or new off-contract phone through a third party. Though this is often the most expensive way to obtain a phone, you can use that phone on any network supported by the phone’s cellular radio without signing up for a contract. You might even be able to use it on a daily or per-minute basis. Call the carriers you’re considering to make sure the phone you want to use is compatible with their network and pre-paid plans.

Yet IPS also comes at a price, and as the technology has filtered down to less expensive monitors, some disadvantages have been exaggerated. The decision to buy an IPS monitor for your next display is no longer as clear.

Ghosting/Blurring

A common problem among LCD displays of every type, ghosting or blurring is essentially what it sounds like. It’s an image defect that causes objects moving on-screen to leave a unwanted trail behind. Both terms refer to the same problem.

Ghosting is a possible issue on almost all modern monitors and HDTVs, but it’s particularly prevalent on IPS panels. High-end displays usually do a good job of taming the problem through the use of high-quality panels and through the use of firmware features that compensate for blur.

In cheaper monitors these features may not be available, or are of much lower quality. Reviews mention this frequently, but you can see it yourself by visiting your local electronics retailer. Your sensitivity to this effect may vary, so it’s a good idea to check it out for yourself.

Not every cheap IPS monitor suffers from this effect equally. For example, the LG Flatron IPS226V has received some praise for its particularly good response times and lack of ghosting. It’s currently an exception, however – many other options, including other LG monitors, have been cited as having moderate to major ghosting issues.

Image Quality Isn’t Guaranteed

To most geeks, IPS panel means awesome. End of story. That’s not really the case though.

There is no disputing that a display using IPS will have some advantages over TN. A wider color gamut is usually available, and display angles are almost always significantly better. However, these two benefits are all you can count on. Everything else is up in the air. Backlight quality depends on the types of lighting elements used and their location. Colors are impacted by the display’s finish, the backlight, and other factors.

The details are where cheap IPS displays from companies like LG and ASUS tend to fall short. Take the LG Flatron D2342P as an example. Though equipped with an IPS panel, it falls short of the best TN monitors in image quality. LG made a big deal of its new IPS monitors at CES 2011, and I’m sure the first round of geeks who bought them thought they were getting an awesome deal – but it turns out it actually is possible to make IPS look inferior to TN.

Lack Of Features

When you stuff an expensive panel into a display that is supposed to sell for between $200 and $300, something has to give. And usually that something is connectivity, build quality, or both.

Take the ASUS ML239H as an example. For about $189.99 you can have IPS, but you can’t have DVI (you’ll need to use an adapter). You also only receive swivel and tilt adjustments, there’s no VESA mount support, and there are no built-in speakers.

There’s also a lot of backlight bleed. Remember what I was saying about quality?

To be fair, you don’t usually find height adjustment on cheap TN monitors, either. It is common to find at least three video inputs for that price, however. Speakers are also common. By going cheap in your quest for IPS, you’re sacrificing features that you may need more than you think.

Conclusion

When the latest wave of inexpensive monitors boasting IPS became available in 2011, I was hopeful that we were beginning to see a new revolution in inexpensive monitors. Instead, buyers received what they paid for – cheap displays. Sure, viewing angles were better, but that was the only consistent benefit. These inexpensive displays were often lacking in other areas.

If you want to buy IPS, you should do it right the first time. Remember, monitors tend to be a durable purchase. Usually they’ll last at least five years, and some kick around for ten or more. In addition, they are not quickly made obsolete. Save your pennies and buy a high-quality, expensive monitor instead of a budget model. You’ll thank yourself over the coming years.

I’ve come up with a few geek gift ideas below, but be sure to check out the comments for even more suggestions.

Flash Drives…

Even in the age of Dropbox and the cloud, flash drives are immensely useful. They remain an easy way to move data from machine to machine, and are the perfect home for portable software. You can even fill them with live CDs for booting.

Everyone needs a good flash drive, and now they’re cheaper than ever. It’s not hard to find 16GB drives for under $20, and smaller drives cost even less.

Stuff those stockings with storage!

…With Software!

Do you want to enhance your flash drive gift? Why not fill it with free software? Check out our best of Windows, Mac and Linux pages and fill your flash drives with your free favorites. It’s a great way to introduce non-geek friends to your favorite free programs, and even better – it’s free.

Oh, and don’t forget to add some of our free technology manuals to that drive.

Nintendo Selects

Say what you want about Nintendo (Dave certainly has), but they still make some great games. If you know someone with a Wii who still hasn’t played through Twilight Princess or Super Mario Galaxy, this Christmas is a perfect time to correct that because these games and others are now only $20.

Strong Bad’s Cool Game For Attractive People

You know Strong Bad, the real main character of HomeStarRunner, the one remaining reason to keep Flash installed on your computer. The only problem with this site is that there has been no new content for years.

Worry not. If you and your friends haven’t played Strong Bad’s Cool Game For Attractive People, there are hours of Strong-Bad related entertainment you’ve missed out on. It’s the perfect gift for anyone going through Strong Bad withdrawal, and is only $30 online (though you can find the boxed set for less if you search!)

Apple’s Refurb Store

Looking for something a little higher end? You should really check out Apple’s refurbished store. You’ll find all of Apple’s products here, warrantied, just a little cheaper. If you’re buying a really nice gift for a loved one look here first.

Sure, you’ll almost certainly be spending a lot. But it’s a lot less than buying retail – sometimes $300 less – with a lot less risk than buying used – Apple’s one year warranty applies.

Flip HD Cameras

Do you know a would-be viral star who still uses their webcam? Change that with the Flip HD, the pocket-sized camera that records great footage. I found several of these online for $50, which is great value considering the quality of the device. I guess smartphones are pushing them out of the market…

Please, Share More!

Can you think of other affordably awesome geek gifts? If so, please share them below. We all need a little Christmas shopping help this time of the year, so spread your knowledge. I’ll be around to chat!

Don’t forget to make your purchases on the evening of December 24th to ensure a proper surprise on Christmas morning (you might also need to remind the recipient to check their inbox, of course).

Garage Band ($5)

It really doesn’t matter if you’re buying for a male, female, child, teen or adult because they’re guaranteed hours of enjoyment from Garage Band and will be literally singing your praises all day for gracing their device with such an essential piece of software.

No, really – if you know someone with an iPhone or iPad who doesn’t have Garage Band then you owe it to them to spend the $5 on making their device better. Making music is as fun, simple or complex as you want it to be and… I could go on, but we’ll have an article all about it up soon.

Also consider: iMaschine ($5) – This groove sketchpad from the mighty Native Instruments is ideal for anyone with an interest in electronic music or creating interesting beats. It comes with a ton of samples to get you started and was recently updated with bug fixes, making it more stable than ever. Read our full review.

djay – iPad ($19.99) / iPhone & iPod Touch ($9.99)

Probably the most “serious” DJ app for the iOS platform, djay comes in both iPhone and iPad flavours. At the time of writing there are massive reductions (up to 90%) on both apps so if you’re lucky you might score a cheap but powerful gift.

djay allows complete access to your iTunes library and makes mixing it all together easy and fun. Considering this is the best app of it’s kind on the platform it’s no surprise to see features like BPM matching, realistic scratching and visual waveforms included in the price.

Also consider: Loopy (iPhone, $2.99) / Loopy HD (iPad, $7.99) – As the name would suggest Loopy is designed to build loops by layering up samples. The app is very simple to learn but will also please the more experienced out there with a rich set of features.

Golfscape GPS Rangefinder ($19.99)

Dad likes golf? Don’t fancy buying him yet more boring golfing accessories? Good – cheer him up this year with augmented reality! That’s exactly what Golfscape GPS Rangefinder utilises in order to improve your game.

The app comes ready-to-go on around 37,000 golf courses worldwide and uses GPS in order to help players plan their shots by detecting distance to the hole. Simply point your phone at the hole you’re playing and you’ll get distance information to the front, centre and back of the green as well notices about hazards.

Also consider: Golfshot GPS ($29.99) – Everything you see above but with aerial shots of the golf course you’re playing and “TouchPoint” technology. This essentially allows you to plan a route to the hole by touching a point on the map and displaying the distance between that point and the green. Serious golf stuff.

Infinity Blade 2 ($7.49)

The sequel to one of the prettiest smartphone games of all time, Infinity Blade II is a feast for eyes and thumbs alike. Featuring tweaked, slightly sharper graphics than its last outing and the same swordplay that convinced so many first time round, Infinity Blade II continues the story and refines the formula further.

Also consider: Batman Arkham City Lockdown ($6.49) – Hot off the heels of the recent console release, the latest handheld Batman game will have you touring Arkham City, taking out bad guys and encountering a slew of classic Batman characters and villains along the way.

Chrono Trigger ($9.99)

The SNES classic has finally made it onto the App Store, complete with original 16-bit graphics and an overhauled touch interface. Whilst original graphics might seem “lazy” to some, I’m of the opinion that this is how the game should be enjoyed.

Ideal for anyone who considers themselves a fan of the RPG genre, Chrono Trigger is a classic story-driven adventure that has aged surprisingly well.

Also consider:  Final Fantasy ($8.99) – If JRPGs are the order of the day then the original Final Fantasy iOS conversion should probably see a mention. The story might be nearly 25 years old, but this reinvented iOS version is perfect for those who missed the original.

Scribblenauts Remix ($2.99)

Scribblenauts was originally a Nintendo DS game where puzzles had to be solved by introducing items, people and anything you can think of into the scene by simply typing it in. The updated iOS version not only contains new levels, but has another trick up its sleeve for 4S owners: Siri.

That means instead of having to type you can now bark instructions at your phone instead. Scribblenauts offers multiple ways to play, features tons of levels and of course comes with a Sandbox mode which is perfect for making God fight Cthulu during an earthquake or anything else you can think of.

Also consider: Minecraft – Pocket Edition ($7.49) – If creating worlds is the order of the day then it doesn’t come much more painstaking than Minecraft. This pocket edition features 36 different blocks and local multiplayer play as well as the usual single player fun.

Conclusion

That’s all for holiday app ideas this year folks. If you’ve got any apps of your own, any you’re hoping to receive or any that you’re thinking of buying for others then do share them in the comments below. Together we can get through Christmas shopping hell!

Do you own any of these apps? What do you think? Buying them for anyone else this year? Fill us in below, in the comments.

Is your mind sprinting in the wild, scouring for gift ideas? Here’s an item to consider – mugs. Why mugs? Well, why not? They can be fun gifts that won’t cost you a house, and can be for anyone. Not only that, there are some truly ingenious and imaginative mug designs that have surfaced in the past couple of years and are definitely worth a look.

We have gathered some of the coolest mugs you’ve probably never seen before (OK, maybe you have) that can be excellent gifts.

Ctrl-Alt-Delete Cup Set [$11.99 On ThinkGeek]

Guilty of using your computer too much? Show your addition to your computer with this black set of cups. When turned up, these cute, dishwasher-safe cups made from plastic can each hold up to 8oz of your favorite hot or cold drink.

The set measures 10.5’’ long, 4’’ wide and 2.75’’ tall.

Self-Stirring Mug [$18.99 On ThinkGeek, £9.59 On Firebox]

Do you know anyone who perceives coffee or tea as his or her daily must-have concoction without fail? Of course you do. Then this mug will probably present itself as a great little gift without a doubt, that is, unless your buddy drinks it black. This $18.99 (excluding shipping) stainless steel mug holds a plastic spinning disk that operates (thanks to two AAA batteries, not included) when you press a button on the handle. If you’re in the UK, you can order from Firebox, which offers a similar mug for £9.59 (excluding shipping).

Tetris Heat Changing Mug [£6.99, Roughly $9.37, On Firebox]

For Tetris enthusiasts, this mug reveals a game in its beginning stages when cold. When hot, more of a full game is revealed along with scores and all.

The only con about this mug would be that it’s not microwave- or dishwasher-safe.

Big Mouth Toys Toilet Mug [$11.99 On Amazon]

Here’s a gag gift that’s bound to incite a few chuckles. This is a hand-painted, toilet bowl-shaped ceramic coffee mug that’s suitable for dishwasher use and can hold up to 12 oz of liquid, though to be honest, since I have a weaker stomach, I think it’d do better as a centerpiece instead of an actual mug. However, these customer images from the Amazon product page beg to differ.

Be sure to read the full buyer reviews on Amazon to see the reactions customers have given.

Rubik’s Cube Mug [$12.99 On ThinkGeek, $9.13 On Amazon]

I first saw this on ThinkGeek but since it’s out of stock till 12/10, I’m linking to a similar product on Amazon that has the same dimensions. The pre-solved Rubik’s cube-shaped mug is 3’’ on each side and features a curved drinking area to ease how you drink, considering it might be challenging to sip out of a cube.

Camera Lens Mug [$14.99 On ThinkGeek, $19.95 On Amazon]

This camera lens-shaped mug doesn’t just look great. It can fool your friends easily. It’s currently out of stock on ThinkGeek (though it’s supposed to be back in stock at the end of this month), which is why I’ve listed a similar product from Amazon. The latter can hold up to 16oz of liquid and is washable by hand only. If you’re looking for an insulated mug of the same shape, be sure to check out alternative products from Amazon, like this $49 version that can come with a soft travel bag.

Chalk Talk Chalkboard Coffee Mug [$8.99 From Vat19]

Do you have a friend who is a teacher? This mug might remind him or her of more work, but it’s undeniably a fun mug from Vat19. Vat19 is my new favorite YouTube channel that pumps out loads of witty infommercials, basically, without any of the corny elements that distinguishes TV ads. The ceramic mug itself can hold up to 12oz of liquid, is dishwasher- and microwave-safe and has an erasable surface, of course. And for those worried that chalk dust might go into the liquid, the awesome Vat19 product page says that this shouldn’t happen unless you’re writing on the inside of the cup.

Laboratory Beaker Mug [Starting At $12.99 On ThinkGeek]

Here’s another teacher-friendly gift mug that can easily suit science buffs as well. The glass beaker can hold up to 400ml of liquid, acid, etc. If you’re so inclined, you can also check out this other Cocktail Chemistry Set which comes with flasks and test tubes for your adult drinks.

Fred & Friends Stacked Ceramic 12-Ounce Mug [$10.50 On Amazon]

This glossy mug not only has got the good looks of 3 cups, it’s also a cute and unique gift for anyone with a collection of tea cups.

The single mug can hold 12oz of liquid, whether it’s hot or cold.

Face Mug [$18 On UncommonGoods]

Snack lovers, and lazy people in general, rejoice! There’s a cool new way to lug around your dose of coffee along with a cookie or two.

You might just start using this mug to carry everything for you, donuts even (don’t tell me I didn’t warn you).

Have you seen some absurd but ultra-creative geeky mug that’s not on this list? Let us know in the comments!

Image Credit: emdot

We all know Christmas isn’t just about giving and receiving gifts, but finding that unique present you know that special someone is going to love makes you feel warm and fuzzy on the inside. Here are some far-out unique gadget gift ideas that even the nerdiest of nerds should love!

Pandora Handheld

Here’s a unique gift, though I’ve got a bit of a confession to make before everyone rushes out and buys one. At present the Pandora is in the pre-order stage, and probably won’t be shipping till January, possibly February.

Never mind, because if you think someone would love a tiny, handheld Linux PC that tears through games it’ll be worth the wait – because that’s exactly what the Pandora is. Using an open, community-developed distributon of Linux, the Pandora has been built with 43-key QWERTY keyboard, Nintendo DS-style game controls and a resistive touchscreen (complete with stylus) to boot.

The unit itself is similar in design to Nintendo’s handheld, except it functions as a fully operable PC and is the perfect platform for emulation. I’ve personally wanted one of these since watching Stuart Ashen’s review (YouTube video, below) in which he puts it through its paces, playing all manner of arcade and console classics with a battery life that outshines the 3DS.

The Pandora comes with nearly everything you could ever want from such a machine including an SD card slot, USB 2.0 and serious grunt under the hood (full technical specifications can be found here). The lucky recipient might have to wait a bit, but your €375 (or €445 for EU customers, inc 19% VAT) will be well spent when the beast arrives.

Wicked Lasers

Pretty much the closest thing you can get to a real-life Lightsaber, Wicked Lasers are a company that specialize in creating unbelievably powerful (and legal) lasers. I’m honestly not that sure what you’d use the products supplied by Wicked Lasers for, but you can’t argue that it’s not a unique gift.

The most powerful model, the Spyder III Arctic, is recognised as the most powerful handheld laser in the world. It takes a rechargeable battery, has 9 modes of operation and can quite literally burn through most combustible material – all for US$299.

Be warned – these are not toys. They are highly dangerous and could cause serious injury to eyes or skin if misused. They sure do look fun, though…

Note: These products are illegal in some countries, so if you’re seriously thinking of dropping $300 on a laser at least check you won’t go to jail first.

Starter Kit for Arduino

Are you looking for a gift for someone who likes to tinker with electronics? Does this person have a drawer full of cables, circuit boards and books on programming? Then an Arduino Starter Kit might just make their Christmas wish-list this year, and doesn’t cost the earth either.

James jumped at the chance to write this MakeUseOf article all about Arduino, explaining the general aim of the project and roughly what’s achievable. Put simply, Arduino is a somewhat-revolutionary device that can be programmed to do all sorts of different things.

Both software and hardware is open source, and the programming aspect has been simplified so that anyone with a passing interest can have a go. If you do end up buying that special someone an Arduino Starter Kit then don’t forget to check back in at MakeUseOf where we’ll have a series of guides and tutorials online soon.

Maschine

The first of two musical gift solutions, Maschine is a dedicated hardware groove sequencer that interfaces with your PC for an old-meets-new approach to building complex beats and rhythms. Those of you with an iPhone might have noticed iMaschine, an app that aims to bring Maschine-like qualities to iOS, but for those who are serious about music an app just can’t compare to a physical pad.

Developed by Native Instruments, the company who bought you Traktor and Komplete, the Maschine has multiple uses including groove sequencing, sampling and even performing live. The unit itself is compatible with both Windows and OS X machines and comes with more than 6GB of samples to get started.

Those of you who have been busily tapping out beats on your iPhone can finally put them to use on your computer, tweaking and continuing your work at your desk. There’s a lot of fun to be had with a Maschine, though it doesn’t come cheap at US$669 for the full version. Check out the video below to really see what the professionals can do with this expensive but awesome box of fun.

KORG Monotron & microKORG

Two analogue synthesizer solutions – one for the hobbyist, one for the musician. I actually bought the original Monotron a few months ago and can testify that it’s a fantastic palm-sized synthesizer that can be used to generate some bone-shaking noises whilst retaining pocket-sized portability. What’s more these little babies are cheap, and the basic model will only set you back about US$60.

Two more Monotron models have been released, the Duo and Delay, and you can check out the differences between them here. All models feature standard 3.5mm connections that handle both input and output and are the perfect introduction to the world of analogue synthesizers – though I’d recommend using a stylus (not supplied) for accuracy.

The microKORG is a completely different kettle of fish, providing far more functionality thanks to a 37-key mini keyboard, programmable presets, a microphone complete with vocoder, effects and delays for anyone with an interest in warm, fuzzy analogue synth. As you’d expect the microKORG costs considerably more, but at around US$400 it’s not a bad deal and should provide hours and hours of fun.

Conclusion

Hopefully these rather unique and unusual gifts will give you some ideas whilst shopping around for gifts this holiday season. If you’ve got any similar ideas that might help fellow shoppers out then don’t hesitate in adding them in the comments selection below.

Will you be buying any of the items on this list this year? Any unique gadgets that caught your eye? What on earth would you use a high-powered laser for? Confess, below.

Image Credit: Intro (Shutterstock), Pandora Handheld, Arctic S3 Laser, KORG Synthesizers

Who cares about those? They’re not thin, they don’t run apps (usually), and they’re made by companies like HP, which as a brand, is every bit as interesting as Tupperware.

Yet most people with a computer need to at least have a printer, and there have been advancements in printer technology over the past few years. You don’t need to put up with a lazy old printer that constantly jams. There are better options available.

Best Cheap InkJet Printer: HP Deskjet 3050

Looking for a basic InkJet printer that’s cheap, yet capable of printing text and photos at an adequate level of quality? You’ll probably want to pick up the HP Deskjet 3050, which can be had for as little as $35.

For that, you receive a printer that includes Wi-Fi support and a scanner. Make no mistake – this is not a particularly quick printer, nor is it capable of providing great quality. You are getting what you pay for. But if you only need a printer for occasional, simple printing tasks like a document or a family photo that will be posted on the refrigerator rather than framed, this is an inexpensive solution.

Best Cheap Laser Printer: Brother HL2270DW

Though most consumers prefer inkjets, laser has its place, particularly among home office users. They’re quicker and usually less expensive to operate, which translates to a printer ideal for churning out pages in mass quantities.

Enter the Brother HL2270DW. This $89.99 printer can churn out almost 20 pages per minute, which is much quicker than your average consumer inkjet. It also includes wireless connectivity and can print 1,000 pages on the default toner cartridge before needing replacement.

The downside? It’s monochrome. That’s not at all unusual among laser printers and it underlines what this printer is built for.

Best Overall All-In-One Printer (Print & Scan): Canon Pixma MG6120

This one was a bit of a tough call. Choices like the Epson Workforce 845 and more expensive Canon Pixma MG8120 are solid, but flooding in Thailand has cut off supply of some printers, causing rising prices and limited availability.

So we come to the Pixma MG6120. This all-in-one printer inkjet offers just about everything you could desire. It has duplex printing, a 3-inch LCD with touch input, a scan resolution of 4800×4800 dpi, and Wi-Fi connectivity with support for printing from mobile devices. Considering the price of about $115 on Amazon, this is an impressive array of features.

The only problem is one typical of inkjet printers – ink costs. If you print frequently, this will become an expensive printer quickly. But there’s no inkjet printer for which that isn’t true, and laser all-in-ones aren’t great solutions for many users because of lower image quality and higher pricing for similar features.

Best Overall Laser Printer: Dell 1355cn

It should be noted that the subtext of this recommendation is “for consumers”.  There are plenty of color laser printers available, but many of them are gigantic, expensive machines really intended for a business rather than a home office.

The Dell 1355cn is recommended because it’s an exception. Starting at $199.99, and small enough to fit on a (large) desk, this laser printer provides all the benefits of its kind. It is quick to print, offers relatively low cost-per-page, and can handle large projects with ease thanks to an expanse paper tray and recommended duty cycle of up to 30,000 pages per month.

There are some downsides. The $199.99 version doesn’t offer Wi-Fi printing, and while a scanner is included, it’s nothing special (equivalent to the much less expensive Pixma MG6120). Still, these aren’t bad sacrifices to make, as the alternative is to deal with the high cost of an inkjet or throw down $400-$800 for a high-end laser printer.

Best Stand-Alone Scanner: Epson Perfection V300

Yes, independent scanners still exist. The inclusion of scanners on most modern printers has nearly driven stand-alone scanners to extinction, but there are still some available.

Of these, the best is probably the Epson Perfection V300. This quick but simple scanner offers a resolution of 4800×9600 dpi and can easily turn documents into PDF files. It also includes the ability to scan 35mm negatives, which is a cool (albeit niche) feature.

For most consumers, the scanner on an all-in-one printer will work just as well, but the Epson Perfection V300 does provide a high optical resolution for just $75, which is much less than the typical all-in-one offering similar scanner quality.

Conclusion

When considering these recommendations, keep in mind that printer and scanner products often exist in families. For example, if you can’t find an Epson Perfection V300 at your local store, an Epson Perfection V330 is almost identical (a few meager extras are thrown in) and will probably cost only a little extra.

If I were to just pick one product out of all of these for your average home user, it’d be the Canon Pixma MG6120. Though ink costs can be high, it offers a lot of features at a low price and has excellent print quality.

Do you agree or disagree with the selections here? Let us know in the comments.

This article explores several compelling arguments why you should avoid cheap junk and opt for high quality, green and sustainable gifts instead, regardless of the size of your wallet.

For A Better Consciousness

Cheap junk is typically made somewhere in Asia. Not only does the low price indicate that these products were probably produced by adults and possibly children working for starvation wages, it also speaks volumes about the quality and safety you can expect. In the worst case, the products are contaminated with hazardous substances.

While the situation has been improving, particularly in China, it is still serious enough for The New York Times to regularly add stories to its subject category on Consumer Safety and China. Are these the presents you want to gift your loved ones? How does that reflect on you?

There is another aspect to this. Since the economic crisis in 2008, the United States has gone through a major depression and millions of people have lost their jobs. Yes, consumption can temporarily contribute to the stabilization of the economy. However, this only works if you purchase products created and/or manufactured in the United States, i.e. products that secure American jobs.

Moreover, studies on greenhouse gas emissions have revealed that large cargo ships are some of the worst offenders in terms of atmospheric pollution. According to an article published in the Daily Mail in 2009, it takes only 16 ships to create as much [sulfur] pollution as all the cars in the world. There are hundreds of these ships crossing the world’s oceans and they carry products from Asia to North America and Europe. Goods produced close to where you live, however, are transported by rail or trucks, leading to a significant reduction of the pollution associated with transport.

For Better Quality

Products made in Asia aren’t always bad. In fact, some of the most innovative and high quality brands are from Japan (Sony), South Korea (Samsung), and Singapore (Creative). Quality products last longer, come with better service, and in the best cases can be returned to the manufacturer for repair or recycling.

Greenpeace recently released its Guide to Greener Electronics. The report shows that two American brands, HP and Dell, head the list, followed by Nokia (Finland), Apple (USA), and Philips (Netherlands). Why should you bother? Well, ‘green’ electronics typically consume less energy and thus save you money. Besides, these companies have adopted sustainable operations, leading to less environmental pollution and less toxic products, among other things.

You can download the guide from Greenpeace.

For The Future

When you buy a product, you don’t just consume, you also support values. If I asked you to entertain the thought of supporting poor wages, child labor, poor working conditions, contaminated products, environmental pollution, waste of natural resources, and an ever increasing mountain of trash that will take hundreds of years to decompose, how would you feel? Most people are disgusted by these ideas. If you don’t want to contribute to those issues, you have to change the way you consume.

Buy products produced locally, support companies that make an effort to become sustainable (green), stop buying physical products and switch to services instead. Better yet, stop buying stuff altogether and start using what you already have, for example your skills. You will spend less money and you will spend more time with your loved ones.

Finally, let’s conclude this article with a story. It is winter after all, the perfect season for storytelling. This is the Story of Stuff…

Conclusion

When you go out to shop for deals this Friday or Christmas gifts throughout December, ask yourself twice what you are going to buy. Is this a safe gift? How long will it last? How badly does it contribute to pollution? And how will it reflect on myself?

If you need some advice for buying green gifts, have a look at these articles:

• Green Gift Guide: The Green Geek
• Great green gifts that do good 12/11
• How to Buy a Green PC
• How to Buy Green (and Not Get Fooled)
• Use the Internet to Go Green

What presents are you planning to buy this year?

Image credits: Kary1974, egd, Kookkai_nak

There are plenty of drives available, but most of us only need one or two, so let’s narrow down the choices and see which are really worth your money.

Best Budget Drive: Seagate 500GB Portable External Drive

This simple, portable hard drive offers 500GB of storage for a price of about $60 at most online retailers.

Features are few. The drive is a slower 5,400 RPM model, and USB 2.0 is the only connection option. With that said, this drive is quite portable, as it weighs about 160 grams and is under .7 inches (or 18mm) thick.

You’ll receive better value for your money if you pay a bit more, but if enhanced connectivity or better drive speeds are not a concern to you, this simple option will do the job.

Best Massive Drive: Seagate GoFlex 4TB External Drive

There are many options for people who want over a terabyte of space, but most are specialty solutions that become extremely expensive. At $249.99, this 4TB option manages to offer jaw-dropping capacity without a wallet-shattering price tag.

It’s more than just a big lug of a drive, however. It offers USB 3.0 as standard, and optional FireWire or USB 2.0 adapters can be purchased if desired (though I don’t know why you’d want to downgrade to USB 2.0). It’s compatible with both Windows and Mac OS X. And as if that weren’t enough, it’s a pretty fast drive, as well.

Yes, the price tag of $249.99 may sound like a lot, but you actually receive far more capacity per dollar than you would with the budget-minded 500GB Seagate drive previously recommended.

Best Backup Drive: Clickfree C6 Portable External Drive

All external drives are excellent ways to back up data, but not all drives make it equally easy to do so. One company that’s long had a leg up on the competition in this area is Clickfree, which ships its hard drives with custom firmware and software designed to make backing data easy.

The C6 even has the ability to image an entire PC hard drive, including the operating system, which means a computer can be completely restored from this drive if anything tragic happens to it. Otherwise, the Clickfree C6 is a fairly typical portable drive. It’s thin, it’s light, and it offers USB 3.0 as its sole connectivity option.

You do pay for the convenience of this drive. The 1TB portable version is $139.99, which is a fair bit more expensive than similarly equipped drive with less impressive (or any) backup features. Also, Mac users should be warned that this drive is allergic to computers designed in California.

Best Durable Drive: ioSafe Rugged Portable (Any Size) External Drive

Most of us will never place our external hard drives under much stress. Maybe the cat will tip it over – and that’s about it. Yet external drives are appealing to some people because of their portability, and if you are indeed going to be moving your data all over the globe, in a range of conditions, you’ll want a drive that won’t go belly-up.

That drive is the ioSafe Rugged Portable. Machined out of aluminum or titanium (depending on the version), this drive is watertight, chemical resistant and encases the mechanical drive itself in a shock housing that reduces the severity of impacts. The company that built it has even shown a demonstration video in which the drive was shot with a 12-gauge shotgun and survived.

It’s available in two capacities – 500GB or 1TB. Varying “Data Recovery Services” are offered by ioSafe to retrieve your data at no charge if the drive should somehow break. Mac users will have to purchase a version specific to that operating system. They’ll probably want to but don’t have to. There are USB 3.0 and FireWire 800 versions available, both of which will also work with a USB 2.0 connection and so can be used on both Macs and PCs.

All of the ioSafe drives are expensive, but did you think for a moment that a shotgun-proof external drive would be cheap?

Conclusion

External hard drives may not receive the attention of tablets or smartphones, but there have been huge improvements in their quality over the years. Drives like the ioSafe Rugged Portable are stunningly durable, while the capacity of the Seagate GoFlex 4TB should satisfy even readers addicted to torrenting HD videos.

Do you think there’s a drive that should have been listed here? Let us know in the comments!