Comments on: Avi Greengart’s Last Minute Mostly Non-Obvious Tech Holiday Gift Guide 2007

By: Reuven Spolter

Reuven Spolter — Sun, 30 Dec 2007 17:09:08 +0000

While I certainly understand the need for a wireless mouse, I have yet to understand why most companies make a travel mouse that requires a separate usb dongle, and not a regular bluetooth mouse. I’ve been using a kensington 72271 for a few months now, and I love it. It works flawlessly, I don’t have to attach a separate dongle (which even if not bulky is a pain).
Regarding power strips, I tried something different. I went to Lowes and bought a small three-plug power adapted. It’s smaller than anything I found at the computer store, weighs less, and best of all, costs around 2 bucks.

By: Jeremy Toeman

Jeremy Toeman — Thu, 27 Dec 2007 16:58:34 +0000

I *too* use the Monster to-go… I’m on the 4-port. Love the moment of asking someone to share their outlet at an airport and they look at the strip with a “I need to get one of those!” expressions.

re: Shure - I stand by this company personally, at every produce/pricepoint. I have used the e2c’s, e4c’s, e5c’s, es500’s, and se420’s. They are all great. I’ve also tried the Etymotic’s which I liked as well. Pick your price point, then buy whatever fits. Much better than the cheapo noise reductions from Sony and others

By: Avi Greengart

Avi Greengart — Wed, 26 Dec 2007 22:24:14 +0000

@Dave - the iPod touch does not have an email client (at all). The iPhone’s mail client hasn’t had any significant changes that I’m aware of.

re: $500 Shure - I try to cover a range of price points in my gift guide, and while I admit that $499 *is* a lot of money to pay when there are decent alternatives starting around $99, I can readily hear the difference between the SE530’s and less expensive models. What’s more, the differences are especially pronounced when listening in real world conditions to compressed music files on MP3 players and musicphones.

By: Dave Zatz

Dave Zatz — Wed, 26 Dec 2007 14:45:45 +0000

I also travel with a portable Monster Outlets To Go. As you say, they’re perfect for hotels and airports (and making new friends). Though I always warn folks that they’re not true surge protectors. I gave the 4 port one to a work buddy, and travel with the smaller 3 porter in my backpack.

I love my Shures, but no way would I recommend or purchase a *$500* set of headphones. That’s insane. Mine came in somewhere around $75.

I haven’t been following along closely to the iPod Touch - did they enable the mail client yet? Both the Touch and iPhone are so sexy, I feel them calling me.

Netflix gift sub is a great idea. Don’t know why I never thought about it. I’ll get my mom one right now. (She already got her first gift, a TomTom GPS a few weeks ago which she’s yet to use…)

By: Avi Greengart

Avi Greengart — Tue, 25 Dec 2007 00:35:31 +0000

@Ricky - At $179, the N800 is a real bargain for anyone technical enough to use it (I still don’t feel that the UI has been fully consumer-proofed). The N810 is even more capable, but its price point ($479) is not connected in any way to reality.

-avi

By: Ricky Cadden

Ricky Cadden — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 23:28:57 +0000

Also important to know is that the Nokia N800 Internet Tablet is down to $179 at Buy.com, since the newer N810 came out. You can also find it under $250 at other shops, as well.

By: tivoboy

tivoboy — Sat, 22 Dec 2007 23:44:44 +0000

I have to say, the VX nano is nice, I just ordered one for 29.99$ AR from staples, or was it best buy.