10 Cool Gifts: Gadgets, Accessories, and Oddities
Wed, December 17, 2008
PC World — Have you finished your holiday shopping? Stuffed your sweetie's stocking? If so, I've got suggestions for ten tech or travel-related products under $300 that would make fun gifts--for you. I mean, really, isn't it time to treat yourself, too?
The ten products I mention here are listed from most to least expensive. By the way, if you're looking for other gift ideas, you'll want to read my review of Pure Digital's new Flip MinoHD pocket high-def camcorder. And last week, I wrote about Logitech's QuickCam Pro for Notebooks. Either gadget would make an ideal holiday gift, too.
1. An Affordable "High-End" GPS
Back in March, I favorably reviewed the Garmin Nuvi 760. Despite some occasionally odd directions--which every GPS system I've tested has given me--I said the Nuvi 760 was "as good as it gets."
At the time, I called the Nuvi 760 a "high-end" portable GPS system. Its list price then was US$750, though you could find it online for as little as $437. I'm happy to report that online prices have fallen even further. Recently, I found the portable navigator for as little as $250.
2. Stylish, Sensible Checkpoint-Friendly Laptop Bag
I've tested nearly a half dozen checkpoint-friendly laptop bags by now. But the one I like the most so far is also the best looking: Tom Bihn's Checkpoint Flyer ($220).
The Checkpoint Flyer is a trifold-style bag. One of its three sections is a removable, padded laptop case. When you buy the bag, you can specify the size of the laptop case you want. If you switch to a bigger or smaller laptop later, you can buy a case ($70) to match its size. The same holds true if you have more than one laptop: Just swap out the case that fits the one you want to take with you. It's a clever design touch, because it gives you more ways to use the same bag.
The designers also managed to add two things I always look for in a laptop bag: a strap that enables it to be attached to a wheeled bag's telescoping handle, and an external pocket that can accommodate a water bottle. Kudos to Tom Bihn for adding these two features, which many checkpoint-friendly bags I've seen so far have omitted.
Checkpoint Flyer is among the more expensive bags of its kind, however. And you'll need to buy a shoulder strap for an additional $20 or $30. But if the frequent flyer on your list--that would be you--needs a new laptop bag and values style and sensible design, this is the one to get.
