Each holiday season, millions of computers celebrate the holidays isolated and unappreciated for all the hard work they do throughout the year. Whether you just unwrapped a new PC or you're just looking to upgrade your old standby Windows XP or Mac G5 computer, we have the perfect accessories to complement your system.
From replacement keyboards and mice to reduce typing fatigue to aftermarket monitors that increase your workspace and external hard drives for more storage space, these peripherals are a simple and cost-effective way to show your PC the love it deserves.
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There are lots of really good gifts to give and to get this year. We're giving one away in this top 5! But there are also a lot of really bad mistakes you could make. So don't make them. Watch the Top 5, heed the warnings, then come back to this blog and post a comment for a chance to win a Sony Reader touch edition, courtesy of Sony Electronics. It's easy.
So, how do you win this CNET Top 5 giveaway of the Sony Reader touch edition? Let me enumerate the basic rules. Please read them carefully.
Register as a CNET user. Go to the top of this page and hit the "Join CNET" link to start the registration process. If you're already registered, no need to register again.
Leave a comment below. We asked a trivia question in this episode of the Top 5, but you can leave whatever comment you want.
Leave only one comment. You may only enter this specific giveaway once. If you enter more than one comment, you will be automatically disqualified.
Winner will be chosen randomly. Winner will be chosen on or about December 21, 2009. The winner will receive one (1) Sony Reader touch edition. Approximate retail value of prize is $299.95.
If you are chosen, you will be notified via the CNET internal-messaging system. Winners must respond within three days of the end of the contest. If you do not respond within that period, another winner will be chosen.
Entries can be submitted until Friday, December 18, at 5:59:59 p.m. ET.
And here's the disclaimer (sorry for the caps, but rules are rules):
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. MUST BE LEGAL RESIDENT OF ONE OF THE 50 UNITED STATES OR D.C., 18 YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER AT DATE OF ENTRY INTO SWEEPSTAKES. VOID IN PUERTO RICO, ALL U.S. TERRITORIES AND POSSESSIONS AND WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. Sweepstakes ends at 5:59:59 p.m. ET on Friday December 18, 2009. See Official Rules for details.
I know, I know...you're thinking, "really? Another holiday-themed list? Really!" But here's the thing: this one is legen(wait for it)dairy! Or awesome, take your pick. Actually, the selections here could make appropriate gifts for any time of year. the reason I just had to make another one is that I wanted complete creative control over the stuff to be included. No sticking to one category, no price guidelines, heck, no having to include only things that are actually available in the U.S. (Consider yourself warned.) This list includes seven sweet gadgets I'd love to see under my tree or would happily plunk down my own hard-earned cash for, plus two extras "just for kicks." Enjoy.
We spend most of today's show covering holiday gifts you won't want to stuff in the stocking of someone you care about... and a few that you might.
Listen now: Download today's podcast
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EPISODE 164
Necktie for music-loving commuters
Blacksocks — the Sockscription ™
Passive aggressive gifts for tardy geeks
My DNA Fragrance lets you smell like a celebrity
... Read more
If I show up for something on time, it's probably an accident. Some of us just weren't born with internal clocks that sync up with the rest of the world--the gifts in the gallery below are for people who're late for everything.
I was late turning this in, so surely, there's something I missed--toss your own ideas in the comments.
This story originally appeared on Gizmodo.
Editor's note: From now through the end of December, various Crave experts will be sharing their top five (mostly) tech-related wishes for the holiday season. See what we crave, and maybe you'll get some ideas!
1. Cheap storage. I've run out of room for all the photos, music, audio books, and videos I've amassed. I don't need to stream wirelessly or transfer data quickly. I just need a place to throw all those episodes of Spain...On the Road Again that I paid for so might as well keep. For my simple needs, the Western Digital My Book Edition (2TB) external 2-terabyte hard drive looks good. With Raid 0 and 1 support, I can set it up to mirror--use each terabyte to store my stuff in duplicate. Once I fill a terabyte, I can switch to using it as a straight 2-terabyte hard drive. It doesn't have Firewire, but a USB 2.0 connection is fine if it means getting 2 terabytes of storage for about $250.
2. Compact camera. I'm in the opposite boat as Dujmovic. I've been whooping it up with my Canon Rebel XT (literally running out of wall space for my large frame photos). Now I need to replace my elderly Canon PowerShot S100 Digital Elph (only 2.1 megapixels and a tiny 1.5-inch screen). I want a sleek ultracompact with at least 7 megapixels, a 3-inch screen, and video. I'd like the Nikon Coolpix S60, or the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T70 or DSC-W130. If it's on sale, the 10-megapixel Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T700 that comes with 4GB of built-in storage and a cool brushed stainless look would be even better.
3. Donations to Room to Read. While I crave more room in my life for time to read books, others crave the books themselves. A former Microsoft executive left his Redmond life to do something about that. Room to Read is an education-focused charity that helps communities build libraries, schools, local language publishing firms for children's books, computer labs, and scholarship funds. You can choose which country and project you want your money to support.
According to Room to Read, 86 percent of your money goes straight to projects in need. The organization has also been a Motley Fool charity pick for its "long-term, sustainable goals, and transparent, sound finances."
... Read moreEditor's note: From now through the end of December, various Crave contributors will be sharing their top five (mostly) tech-related wishes for the holiday season.
A remarkable computer-generated simulation of what I'd look like if I had any holiday spirit--which I do not.
1. Either a BlackBerry Storm, Samsung Omnia, or Apple iPhone: After getting laughed at one time too many when whipping out my chunky Treo 700P, it's finally time to give in and get a new smartphone. Initially, as a long-time Verizon customer, I was torn between the BlackBerry Storm and the Samsung Omnia. After playing around with both, I wasn't convinced--the Storm's click screen seems like it would get annoying real quick, and the Omnia, despite the rave reviews, just felt sluggish to use, and the low screen resolution made it hard to read text in the Web browser.
Now, I'm also considering making the switch to AT&T and joining the iPhone masses, just on the strength of the interface and general ease-of-use. I use my phone primarily for Web surfing and AIM, not so much for calls, but even so, Verizon's good reputation for service in NYC (and AT&T's less-than-stellar rep) gives me pause. I'm still undecided, so let me know what you think...
2. Flip Video MinoHD: As a one-time film student, I still have the folding chair and tilted beret of a big-screen director in the back of my mind. To help kick off my alternate career as a documentarian in the mold of the Maysles Brothers or Werner Herzog, I'll start with this handheld HD mini-cam.
3. M-Audio Keystation 88: If you're a part-time musician like myself, figuring out how to squeeze the most music-making power out of your gear is always an important topic. There are as many combos of hardware and software, digital and analog equipment out there as there are music styles, but my personal preference is a PC-based ProTools setup. I currently use a Digidesign Mbox and ProTools LE 7.4, with Propellerhead's Reason software ReWired into it for keyboards and sequencing.
If that's all Greek to you, the point is, I've used a variety of different 49-, 61-, and 32-key USB controllers (essentially dummy devices that look like piano keyboards but have no onboard sounds and are used to control music software) over the years, but have never had a full-size 88-key controller. Since they're basically just plastic keys wired to a USB port, they're usually moderately priced, such as this $249 model from M-Audio.
... Read moreEconomy in shambles? Cutting back on expenses? Then a Netbook might be just the thing you need to round out that holiday shopping list. After all, for around $500 (or less), you can give someone the gift of Internet access, e-mail, word processing, music playback, and even online video streaming -- Netbooks do all of these things fairly well.
In this video, we check out the pluses and minuses of the most important Netbooks to arrive since our last Netbook roundup, including the Dell Inspiron Mini 9, the Lenovo S10, the Samsung NC10, the HP Mini 1000, and the Asus N10J.
Even though it was released in the U.S. back in May of this year, Nintendo's Wii Fit looks like it will be especially hard to come by this holiday season. Forbes reports that while Nintendo has finally ramped up production of the Wii console to meet demand, the Wii Fit--a $90 packaged bundle including a bathroom-scale-sized balance board and a game disc--won't be as easy to find.
Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aime tells Forbes, "With Wii hardware, I think we've got a good shot at meeting demand during the holidays...With Wii Fit, I know we'll fall short. That's a product we have consumers lining up for each morning outside of our Nintendo World store."
We checked on eBay and found plenty of Wii Fit packages for sale, mostly between $125-150, so the game is available, albeit at a premium price. Will shoppers still scoop up the $250 Wii console if they can't also get their hands on Wii Fit?
Computer security gets a new meaning in this mockup from Yanko Design, a "Web magazine dedicated to introducing the best modern international design." We can't think of too many people who would risk checking their e-mail on your laptop with this laptop finger trap installed.
The designer calls it "an analog extension is used for deterrence of unsolicited use of your own laptop." We call it the new No. 1 item on our stocking stuffer holiday gift list.
(Credit:
Yanko Design)
(Credit:
Yanko Design)
