Cool stuff: Your 2011 holiday tech gift guide

The two most-hyped shopping days of the year — Black Friday and Cyber Monday — have passed with recording-breaking sales. But did you get all the gifts you need for your family, friends and colleagues? Are you sure?

Don’t fret — Computerworld’s annual gift guide will help you handle all those last-minute gift decisions.

Every year, we poll our readers to find out what types of tech gear they want to give and/or receive for the holidays. But this year, while the top five categories they chose are pretty much the same as in 2010 — tablets, e-readers, smartphones, laptops and HDTVs — the products themselves have changed significantly.

For example, while Apple’s elegant iPhone 4S and iPad 2 still top many gift lists, Android powerhouses such as the Samsung Galaxy Nexus phone and the Asus Eee Pad Transformer Prime tablet are strong contenders. And a new type of tablet has entered the race — e-readers with color touch screens like Amazon’s Kindle Fire have become popular alternatives. We’ve also added a few interesting tech gadgets that we thought could top up any gift list.

As always, we’ve done our best to make our gift guide as useful as possible, especially for those last-minute decisions. Along with descriptions of each item, we’ve included links to product pages, places to shop, product specs, informative videos and, of course, prices. When possible, we’ve included a range of prices as offered by various vendors, but be aware that prices fluctuate, especially at this time of year.

Keep in mind, too, that while we’ve focused on the most up-to-date versions of these products, you can often save a chunk of change by opting for earlier models if your gift recipients don’t mind.

Of course, if you have a suggestion for a holiday tech gift that you don’t see here, feel free to add it in our Comments section. And most important — have a wonderful holiday season!

Tablets and e-readers take the spotlight

As exciting as it was in 2010 with the introduction of the original iPad, the tablet market has gotten red-hot this year. The Android side of the aisle has become crowded with interesting possibilities, including the Asus Eee Pad Transformer Prime, the Motorola Xoom, new 7.0-, 8.9- and 10.1-in. versions of the Samsung Galaxy Tab and a host of other competitors. Earlier this year, Apple countered with a nicely upgraded version of its market leader, the Apple iPad 2.

But the most revolutionary additions this year may have been the new 7-in. Android-based color touchscreen e-readers introduced by Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Kobo. Consumers who don’t need a higher-end tablet can use these smaller, less-expensive but more limited Wi-Fi devices to read, watch videos and surf the Web.

Best iOS tablet: Apple iPad 2

Although Apple’s second-generation tablet, the iPad 2, is almost nine months old now, it still remains the best of this year’s bunch of tablets. With a dual-core processor, a bright and sharp 9.7-in. LED-backlit touchscreen, dual cameras for Wi-Fi-based video chats, and battery life of 10 hours on a charge, the iPad 2 offers everything you need in a tablet.

Weighing in at just over 1.3 lb., the iPad 2 is easy to carry around. And it’s thin — just a third of an inch thick — meaning it rarely feels bulky or unwieldy when in use. Let’s face it — the iPad 2 is something you’ll want to show off. In his Computerworld review, Michael deAgonia says:

There’s no side lip like the previous iPad had, and the result is a beautifully sleek unibody design. It’s hard to believe devices will become thinner than this. Of course, they will, but for now: wow. The thinner iPad is easier to hold, and the aluminum body — in concert with the oil-resistant oleophobic coated glass — gives it a sturdy, luxurious feel. (Read the full review.)

Best of all, you can choose from more than 140,000 apps built specifically for the iPad 2. In fact, the breadth of applications is what makes this device so popular: It’s so “immersive” that it becomes whatever app you’re using. It’s an e-reader that also allows you to surf the Web, a gaming device that also lets you check e-mail, record music, watch digital videos and TV shows and carry on video chats using FaceTime.

Apple offers two different models (Wi-Fi or Wi-Fi + 3G), each with three levels of storage (16GB, 32GB or 64GB). In the past, I’d have suggested getting as much storage as you can, but now that Apple has rolled out iCloud, which lets you sync and download your movies, music and photos as needed, you can get by with less. (Most people skip the version with 3G, since you have to get a data plan with Verizon or AT&T, adding monthly fees).

As an added treat, be sure to get the $39 Smart Cover, which attaches to the iPad 2 using magnets, folds up to become an ad hoc stand and unfolds to provide some protection for the screen.

— Ken Mingis

iPad 2 from Apple Inc.

Street price: $499-$690 (16GB), $598.88-$599.99 (32GB)

Tech specs  |  Product video  |  Store locator  |  Phone: (800) MY-APPLE

Summary: Despite improved competition, Apple’s iPad 2 still leads the pack for its masterful marriage of hardware and software.

Best Android tablet: Asus Eee Pad Transformer Prime

Sometimes it’s hard to buy a gift for a friend or relative because you just don’t know what they really want. Take the keyboard controversy, for example — would your giftee be happy with a high-end touch-screen tablet, or is a hardware keyboard a necessity?

Fear not. The 1.3-lb. Asus Transformer Prime is not only the latest, slickest and possibly fastest Android tablet available today, but it offers an optional keyboard dock that neatly transforms it into an Android-based laptop.

Computerworld’s JR Raphael got a first look at the Transformer, and reports:

With the dock attached, the Transformer Prime looks and acts like a high-end laptop. The top half — the actual tablet — swings up and down like a lid and closes to form what functions as a single-piece unit. This thing really looks phenomenal and feels good to hold. Plus, with the dock connected, you gain a full-sized USB 2.0 port, a full-sized SD card slot, and an additional battery that can tack an extra six hours of usage onto your tablet. Not too shabby. (Read the full review.)

Not that the Transformer Prime is any kind of slouch without the keyboard. This is the first quad-core tablet — it uses the Nvidia Tegra 3 processor — which means vastly improved performance over the previous Tegra 2 chip. In addition to that, the device boasts a micro-HDMI port, a microSD card slot, an 8-megapixel back-facing camera and a 1.2mp front-facing camera. Its 10.1-in. multi-touch display offers 1280 x 800 resolution along with the resilience of Gorilla Glass.

And it’s good looking — at 10.35 x 7.11 x 0.33 in., it rivals the Apple iPad and Samsung Galaxy Tab for slim good looks. The tablet weighs a mere 1.29 lb., and when added to the keyboard dock’s 1.18 lb., the entire package still only comes to a little under 2.5 lb. — as light as a netbook but with the typing ease and power of a full notebook and the multimedia pizzazz of a high-end tablet.

The Asus Transformer is expected to ship later this month (current ship date is December 19), and will cost $499 for a 32GB model and $599 for a 64GB model — less than either a Galaxy Pad 10.1 (about $630 for a 32GB model) or an iPad 2 (about $600 for a 32GB model). The Transformer’s keyboard will cost an additional $149.

In other words, the Asus Eee Pad Transformer Prime has become the Android tablet to get and to give.

You might also like: The Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 offers an amazingly bright 1280 x 800 HD TFT display, front- and back-facing cameras, Android’s Honeycomb OS and an elegant, slim profile that’s only 0.34 in. thick. A Wi-Fi model costs $499.99 (16GB) or $599.99 (32GB); there are also several 3G models available. And if 10.1 in. is a bit too large for your gift recipient, you can look at the less expensive 8.9-in. and 7-in. versions as well.

— Barbara Krasnoff

Eee Pad Transformer Prime from Asustek

Street price: $499.00 (16GB)

Tech specs  |  Product video  |  Store locator

Summary: The Asus Eee Pad Transformer Prime is powerful, thin, feature-filled and offers a very handy optional keyboard dock. What else could you want from a tablet?

Best e-reader/tablet: Amazon Kindle Fire

If you thought the iPad 2 created a stir, that’s nothing compared to what happened when the new 7-in. color e-readers hit the market. Introduced in the fall of 2011, these Wi-Fi devices offer sharp, bright touchscreens ideal for either watching videos or reading. And their direct associations with booksellers and media services make them ideal for mobile entertainment.

If you want to give somebody a tablet without spending $500 or more, these high-end e-readers cost a couple of hundred dollars less than larger, more fully featured devices like the iPad 2 and Transformer Prime. There are some limitations — for example, the e-readers lack Bluetooth connectivity and cameras, and use limited versions of Android — but they’re excellent as lightweight mobile media devices.

We went back and forth on which of the two front runners to recommend as the best gift purchase. Both Amazon’s Kindle Fire and Barnes & Noble’s Nook Tablet offer 1024 x 600 displays, Wi-Fi connectivity, their own app stores for use with the Android Gingerbread OS and a large selection of e-books.  The Nook Tablet, which costs $50 more than the Kindle Fire, also offers more memory (1GB to the Fire’s 512MB), additional internal storage (16GB to the Fire’s 8GB, although only 1GB of the Nook’s storage can be used for non-B&N content) and a microSD slot.

However, the Kindle Fire won by a nose, not only because of its lower price and free cloud storage, but because it is part of Amazon’s impressive ecosystem of e-books, Amazon apps and streaming video content through the Amazon Prime service.  

If you buy from Amazon — or know somebody who does — the Kindle Fire definitely goes to the top of the gift list.

You might also like: Barnes & Noble’s Nook Tablet ($249) is also an excellent choice for its better hardware, especially if your giftee is not already invested in Amazon’s universe.

— Barbara Krasnoff

Kindle Fire from Amazon

Price: $199

Tech specs  |  Product video

Summary: The Kindle Fire offers Amazon fans a great way to read, watch and surf on a lightweight Android-based tablet for half of what a full-featured tablet costs.

Best basic e-reader: Barnes & Noble Nook Simple Touch

Not only did the major e-reader vendors introduce those 7-in. color e-book readers, but they revamped their existing e-ink devices, lowered the cost, and made these e-readers the perfect gift for the bookworm on your list. Again, the major players here are very similar: Amazon’s Kindle Touch, the Nook Simple Touch and the Kobo Touch.

All three of these Wi-Fi-only devices have easy-to-read 6-in. monochrome e-ink touchscreens, internal storage (3GB for the Kindle, 1GB plus a microSD card for the Nook and the Kobo) and long battery life (since the e-ink displays are very easy on the battery). And all cost $99 (well, the Kobo is actually $99.99) unless you want a 3G version of the Kindle Touch for another $50.

In this case, however, we went with the Nook Simple Touch as the leader in the field, not only because it offers a slot for a microSD card (which the Kindle does not), but because its $99 product comes without advertising of any kind, while both the Nook and the Kobo use advertising on their home screens and “sleep” screens. (Both have more expensive versions that leave out the ads.)

As Melissa J. Perenson says in her PC World review:

At $99, the Nook Simple Touch is competitively priced, and a bargain compared with other touchscreen e-ink e-readers, which only achieve this price by adding advertisements to the home screen and lock screen. Nook wins favor for its interface and touch navigation. Those factors, coupled with its light weight and long battery life rating, make Nook a solid choice. (Read the full review.)

We also like the fact that the Nook has standardized on the popular ePub format for its e-books rather than using a proprietary format. And it’s simply a nice product.

You might also like: Amazon’s Kindle Touch ($99 with ads, $139 without) is a fine e-reader, especially for those who are graduating from one of the earlier Kindle devices. And the Kobo Touch ($99.99 with ads, $129.99 without) offers a good interface along with a built-in social network through its Kobo Pulse service; its Reading Life feature, which offers stats about your reading activities, could be a good motivator for young readers.

— Barbara Krasnoff

Nook Simple Touch from Barnes & Noble

Price: $99

Tech specs  |  Product video  |  Store Locator  |  Phone: (800) THE-BOOK (843-2665)

Summary: The Nook Simple Touch offers a comfortable 6-in. e-ink display along with a nice interface, a good price and Barnes & Noble’s extensive collection of books.

Smartphones keep getting better

You would have thought that things would have settled down somewhat on the smartphone front by now, wouldn’t you? Yet the market is hotter than ever, and would-be buyers are constantly being bombarded by the Next Big Thing.

Contented Apple iPhone owners were lured to upgrade to the new iPhone 4S by Siri, the sometimes snarky “personal assistant” that comes with it. Meanwhile, new and exciting Android phones are being introduced nearly every week — although hardcore enthusiasts have been holding out for the Samsung Galaxy Nexus, which is rumored to be shipping within the next two weeks and comes equipped with Ice Cream Sandwich, the latest version of the Android OS.

So which makes the best holiday gift? Well, if the iPhone 4S or Galaxy Nexus doesn’t attract you, we’ve also got some phones that we can recommend for high style or low price. At least one of these should be perfect for the phone-fan on your gift list.

Best iOS phone: Apple iPhone 4S

Although the iPhone 4S looks just like its predecessor, the latest smartphone from Apple is the only one to offer Siri, the voice-controlled “personal assistant” that allows you to make appointments, search the Web for answers and set personal reminders by voice alone. The 4S, which Apple released in September, also has a faster dual-core processor (the same one used in the iPad 2) and a higher resolution 8-megapixel camera that takes full 1080p hi-def video.

The top-end model offers 64GB of storage, which is enough space to hold a large digital library of music, photos, music videos and TV shows. The iPhone 4S also has a redesigned antenna for better reception and fewer dropped calls.

But really, the main reason to get the 4S instead of the iPhone 4 (which is still available) is so your gift recipient can use Siri. As Computerworld reviewer Michael deAgonia says:

Siri is Apple’s first attempt at voice-activated artificial intelligence on a commercial device. What does that mean? It means simply that you can tell your phone what to do, and it will just do it. No doubt other smartphone owners are saying, “Hey, my phone can accept voice commands, too.” Trust me, not like this. (Read the full review.)

You can interact with Siri using common phrases and questions, and she (it?) will respond in kind. Rather than using stilted language to phrase your query, just tell Siri “I’m hungry.” You’ll get back a list of local restaurants. Or ask whether it’s going to snow, and Siri will tell you based on your location, along with a more detailed forecast. Siri also takes dictation, allowing you to send text messages just by speaking the message out loud. In short, Siri — via the iPhone 4S — can revolutionize how we use our phones.

You might also like: The Apple iPhone 4 costs a reasonable $99 for an 8GB model. If you think your giftee can get by with that little storage and can live without Siri and a higher-resolution camera, the iPhone 4 is a less expensive alternative.

— Ken Mingis

iPhone 4S from Apple

Price: $199 (16GB), $299 (32GB), $399 (64GB)

Tech specs   |  Product video   |  Store locator  |  Phone: (800) MY-APPLE

Summary: With the addition of Siri voice control, the new iPhone 4S speaks for itself.

Best Android phone: Samsung Galaxy Nexus

OK, we admit it: Our top Android phone pick isn’t even available in the U.S. yet, and we’re not exactly sure when it will be. But Samsung’s Galaxy Nexus is Android at its finest, and it’s worth waiting for.

The Galaxy Nexus, due to launch on Verizon Wireless this month, is the first device to run Google’s new Android 4.0 (a.k.a. Ice Cream Sandwich) release. It’s also one of just a few phones that’ll use a pure version of the software, with no manufacturer-added skins or bloatware. That means the Galaxy Nexus will always be first in line for future Android upgrades and will avoid the waiting and uncertainty that frequently plague other Android devices.

Software aside, the Galaxy Nexus is a sleek and powerful gadget with plenty of appealing qualities. The handset features a brilliant 4.65-in. display tucked into a slim and lightweight body. Unlike past Android phones, the Nexus has no physical buttons, relying instead on Ice Cream Sandwich’s new on-screen navigation system.

The Galaxy Nexus is fast, too: It packs a 1.2GHz dual-core processor and a full gigabyte of RAM. The phone provides smooth home screen swiping, near-instant app-loading and top-notch performance — even with heavy-duty multitasking and resource-intensive game use.

I summed it up in my Computerworld review:

I test a lot of Android phones, and I’m not exaggerating when I say the Galaxy Nexus delivers the fastest and most reliable performance I’ve encountered. The phone’s processing power deserves some of the credit, but I suspect a good portion also belongs to the improvements made in Ice Cream Sandwich and the tight-knit hardware-software integration that comes along with Google’s involvement on the development level. That’s always been a benefit of the Nexus line of devices, and the Galaxy Nexus is no exception. (Read the full review.)

The Galaxy Nexus has a 5-megapixel front-facing camera with zero shutter lag and a 1.3-megapixel front-facing camera for video chat, which is natively available via Google’s cross-platform Google Talk service.

Bottom line: For a top-of-the-line, cutting-edge smartphone experience, the Galaxy Nexus is a tough gift to beat — even if you have to issue a temporary rain check for it.

You might also like: The Samsung Galaxy S II ($199.99 with a two-year contract) is a standout 4G Android 2.3 phone with great design and impressive performance. AT&T and Sprint have different but equally appealing models; T-Mobile also offers a version of the device, but its model has some unfortunate flaws that put it a solid step below the others.

— JR Raphael

Galaxy Nexus from Samsung

Street price: Not available at press time

Tech specs   |  Product video

Summary: The Samsung Galaxy Nexus is the phone for those who take their Android straight, with a side of Ice Cream Sandwich.

Most stylish Android phone: Motorola Droid Razr

When it comes to sheer tech sexiness, Motorola’s Droid Razr is an undeniable object of desire. The Droid Razr, available for $300 with a two-year contract from Verizon Wireless, is as thin as smartphones get right now — a mere 0.3 in. — and features a sturdy stainless steel and Kevlar fiber-based body. The material is water-repellent and has scratch-resistant Corning Gorilla Glass on its front. If the Droid Razr were a liquor, it’d definitely be sitting on the top shelf.

This gadget isn’t just about looks, though: In addition to its stylish appearance, the Droid Razr has the 1.2GHz dual-core processor and 1GB of RAM that are quickly becoming the standard for high-end Android devices. It has an 8-megapixel rear-facing camera with 1080p high-definition video capture as well as a lower-resolution front-facing camera for video chat. And speaking of high definition, the Droid Razr boasts a 4.3-in. screen that offers both excellent visuals and power-saving potential.

As Computerworld reviewer Dan Rosenbaum explains:

One way Motorola expects to save power is by using a Super AMOLED display, which is something that has previously been seen only on Samsung phones. These beautiful screens are thin, light and power-stingy — three things that were clearly design goals of the Razr. (Read the full review.)

Motorola has loaded the Razr up with specialized software, including an app that lets you wirelessly stream multimedia content from your PC to your phone. The phone also comes with Moto’s new “Smart Actions” utility, which provides customization of location-based settings and a host of security tools for the business-minded buyer.

The Droid Razr may not have the “pure Google” benefit the Galaxy Nexus possesses — the phone ships with Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) and is expected to receive a modified version of Android 4.0 early next year — but it is without a doubt a drool-worthy Android device. For many smartphone users, this will be the must-have gadget of the season.

You might also like: The HTC Rezound ($299.99 from Verizon with two-year contract) combines looks and power with ear-thumping audio, thanks to HTC’s new partnership with Beats by Dre. The phone features Beats Audio digital signal processing and comes with a set of Beats Audio headphones, making it an ideal gift for any music-loving phone fan.

— JR Raphael

Droid Razr from Motorola Mobility

Retail price: $199.99 – $299.99

Tech Specs   |  Product video   |  Store locator  |  Phone: (800) 922-0204

Summary: The Droid Razr’s sleek, incredibly slim profile and top-level features makes it one of this year’s most stylish and desirable smartphones.

Best budget Android phone: Samsung Infuse 4G

If you want to buy a good Android smartphone without breaking the bank, the Samsung Infuse 4G is an excellent option. Available for $49.99 with a two-year contract from AT&T, the Samsung Infuse offers high-quality hardware and good midrange performance at a very reasonable cost.

The Infuse features a 4.5-in. Super AMOLED Plus display — the same screen that’s won seemingly endless praise in the Galaxy S II line of devices for its crisp images and bold, brilliant colors. The phone has a super-thin profile, too, helping to create a polished and attractive overall package.

Computerworld reviewer Dan Rosenbaum calls the Infuse a “lightweight heavyweight,” noting:

Samsung’s phones sometimes feel flimsy because they’re so light. Not so much with the Infuse. The feeling of solidness is helped by a highly textured back cover, which might be necessary to keep a phone this size from popping out of your hand. (Read the full review.)

The Infuse doesn’t have the same processing power as its higher-end smartphone siblings; rather, it runs on a single-core 1.2GHz CPU along with 512MB of RAM. For power users who really push their phones to the max, this setup may prove insufficient compared to today’s top-of-the-line standards — but for casual phone users looking for a good basic experience, the Infuse’s electronic engine should more than suffice.

The Infuse has an 8-megapixel rear-facing camera and 1.3-megapixel front-facing camera. It ships with a Samsung-modified version of Android 2.2 (Froyo), though AT&T has promised it’ll be upgraded at least to Android 2.3 (Gingerbread).

You might also like: The LG G2x ($99.99 with a two-year contract from T-Mobile) offers superb midrange performance in a pleasingly sleek design. It runs a relatively unmodified version of Google’s Android 2.3 software — a plus for people who prefer avoiding the manufacturer-added skins. The HTC EVO 4G ($99.99 with two-year contract from Sprint) is Sprint’s flagship phone from last year, and though it’s behind current high-end devices in terms of specs, it was hugely popular for a reason. A year later, it’s a great buy for the budget-conscious smartphone shopper.

— JR Raphael

Infuse 4G from Samsung

Price: $49.99

Tech specs  |  Product video   |  Store locator  |  Phone: (888) 987-HELP (4357)

Summary: The $49.99 Samsung Infuse 4G offers solid smartphone technology at a nice price.

Laptops they’ll love

A well-designed, well-made notebook computer makes a delightful gift (and perhaps an item for your own wishlist?), offering shiny new tech that’s both beautiful and highly practical. But it’s not a present to be bought on a whim; you need to suit the laptop to the recipient’s needs — and to your own wallet. With that in mind, we’re recommending both Mac and Windows laptops in a range of styles, sizes and prices to help you get the most bang for your buck.

Ultraslim, ultrasexy ultraportables

For the utmost in portability, a tablet (possibly paired with a wireless keyboard for iOS or Android) is hard to beat. But while tablets are great for media consumption, they’re not the best tools for getting real work done. Cheap, underpowered netbooks won’t get you far, either.

That’s where the MacBook Air and its Windows counterparts come in. These sleek, stylish machines are less than an inch thick and weigh about 3 lb. or less, while offering comfortable keyboards and crisp displays. And with up-to-date processors and healthy amounts of RAM, they’re powerful enough to do whatever you need them to on the road — though they’re not quite as fast as many full-sized machines.

Other tradeoffs come with a slim profile, including the lack of an optical drive, a non-removable battery, a skimpy array of ports and connectors, and integrated graphics, which may not be able to keep up with intense games or multimedia as well as a dedicated graphics system. And while their solid-state flash storage is mostly a plus — it gives ultraportables a speed boost and is more durable than a traditional spinning hard-disk drive — it also reduces the amount of onboard storage.

If your favorite gift recipient wants a perfect combination of portability, power and packaging, you can’t do better than these ultraslim, ultrasexy and — fair warning — somewhat pricy laptops. The machines we’re recommending are available in both netbook-size 11.6-in. models and 13.3-in. models for those who need a bit more screen real estate.

Mac: Apple MacBook Air

When the Air debuted in January 2008, it was expensive, underpowered and jaw-droppingly gorgeous. Since then it has retained its good looks, come down in price and steadily packed more power into its thin but strong unibody aluminum frame.

Starting at $999, the Air comes in four basic models: The two 11.6-in. versions offer 64GB and 128GB of storage, respectively, while the two 13.3-in. versions are available with 128GB or 256GB of storage. In all cases, that’s onboard flash storage mounted directly to the logic board, which is noticeably speedier and more energy-efficient than an HDD.

The current generation of Airs retains the striking “wedge” design of last year’s models, tapering from 0.68 in. down to just 0.11 in. at the thinnest point. Also carried over are the sharp, high-resolution display (1366 x 768 native resolution on the 11-in. models and 1440 x 900 on the 13-in. models); large, glass-coated trackpad; full-size chiclet keyboard; 802.11n Wi-Fi support; FaceTime webcam; SD card slot (13-in. models only); dual USB 2.0 ports; and headphone and microphone jacks.

At 2.4 lb. for the smaller models and just under 3 lb. for the larger, the new Airs are about an ounce heavier than before. Although Apple claims the same battery life as its previous models (up to 5 hours for the 11-in. and up to 7 hours for the 13-in.), Macworld actually found a slight improvement over last year’s models during its rigorous battery tests.

There have been some big improvements as well, including the inclusion of 4GB of RAM on all but the entry-level 11-in. model (if you opt for that one, we advise bumping up the RAM to 4GB); a high-speed Thunderbolt port (which is backward-compatible with older Mini DisplayPort cables); Bluetooth 4.0 support and backlighting on the keyboard. The most notable upgrade is the addition of Intel’s ultra-low-voltage “Sandy Bridge” CPUs, which provide a significant performance boost. In his review of the entry-level 13-in. Air, Computerworld‘s Mac editor Ken Mingis notes that it scored 5,452 on the Geekbench benchmarking app, up from a score of 2,678 for the equivalent model from 2010. He writes:

The upshot: The Air is no longer a stylish but underpowered laptop. You can have your cake (a lightweight laptop) and eat it too (with speeds in the same ballpark as low-end MacBook Pro models). (Read the full review.)

The 11-in. Airs come with a dual-core 1.6GHz Intel Core i5 processor, while the 13-in. models include a dual-core 1.7GHz Core i5. All models can be configured with a 1.8GHz Intel Core i7, but Mingis believes that many people won’t notice the difference in everyday use. For most users, he says, the sweet spot will be the $1,299 13-in. model with 1.7GHz Core i5, 4GB RAM and 128GB storage.

The new MacBook Airs also benefit from Apple’s latest operating system, OS X Lion. Mingis notes that although he’s always preferred larger screens, Lion’s expanded trackpad gestures and support for full-screen apps make it so easy to navigate among multiple screens on the Air that the small display feels “practically expansive.”

The Air defined the ultrathin notebook category nearly four years ago, and with continuous smart improvements in the meantime, it is still the slim and stylish laptop to beat.

— Valerie Potter

MacBook Air from Apple Inc.

Street price: $940 – $1,018 (64GB 11.6-in.), $1,139 – $1,170 (128GB 11.6-in.), $1,235 – $1,400 (128GB 13.3-in.), $1,498 – $1,624 (256GB 13.3-in.), or configure at Apple site

Tech specs  |  Store locator  |  Phone: (800) MY APPLE

Summary: Speedy Intel Sandy Bridge processors, a Thunderbolt port and OS X Lion keep the MacBook Air on top of the ultraslim heap.

Windows: Asus Zenbook UX21E and UX31E

In the world of ultraslim laptops, Windows machines have always played second fiddle to Apple’s MacBook Air. But a new breed of thin and light computer called the Ultrabook PC could change that. Driven by Intel, which has invested $300 million toward their development, today’s Ultrabooks use the latest Sandy Bridge chips with integrated Intel graphics, and most follow a few general guidelines (download PDF) such as being less than 0.8 in. thick, offering fast startup and wake times, and delivering 5 to 8 hours of battery life.

The current leader of the Ultrabook pack is the Asus Zenbook. With a unibody aluminum chassis, full-size chiclet keyboard and a sleek design that tapers from 0.8 in. thick at the back to 0.12 in. at the front edge, the Zenbook looks a lot like the MacBook Air. The Zenbook, however, really stands out with an eye-popping brushed-metal pattern.

The UX21E model, which starts at $999, offers an 11.6-in. display and weighs in at 2.4 lb. The entry-level version includes a 64GB SSD and a dual-core 1.6GHz Intel Core i5; the next level up is $1,199 for a 128GB SSD and 1.8GHz Core i7. Both offer 4GB of RAM and a 1366 x 768 native resolution.

The UX31E model weighs 2.9 lb. and offers a bright, crisp 13.3-in. display with 1600 x 900 native resolution, something not often seen in a 13-in. laptop. It comes in three configurations, all with 4GB of RAM: $1,099 for a 128GB SSD and a dual-core 1.7GHz Intel Core i5 CPU, $1,349 for 256GB SSD and the same Core i5 processor; and $1,499 for a 256GB SSD and 1.8GHz Core i7 processor.

How does all that hardware stack up? Very well: The UX31E beat out several larger ultraportables in PC World‘s performance tests. The Zenbook also performs well in multimedia playback, and its Bang & Olufsen ICEpower speakers provide excellent sound. And as Computerworld reviewer Brian Nadel notes:

The Zenbook has another ace up its sleeve: its Power4Gear Hybrid software lets you tune the system’s performance and battery life to suit what you need it to do. There are four settings, including High Performance, Entertainment, Quiet Office and Battery Saving, but you can tweak them further by changing individual settings. (Read the full review.)

Even in Battery Saving mode, however, Nadel found that the Zenbook lasted only around 4 hours in his admittedly rigorous battery tests. Some reviewers have also noted problems with the Zenbook’s touchpad, but a driver update seems to have solved most of those problems. (Still, it might not be a bad idea to throw in a mouse.)

All Zenbook models come with Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit and support Bluetooth 4.0 and 802.11n Wi-Fi. There’s also one USB 3.0, one USB 2.0, one audio in/out, one Micro HDMI and one mini-VGA port, as well as an SD card reader on the UX31E only.

If your giftee prefers Windows machines to Macs, the Zenbook offers a sleek, stylish alternative. And although the 11-in. Apple and Asus models cost about the same, the 13-in. Zenbook UX31E starts at $200 less than the very similar 13-in. MacBook Air.

You might also like: Looking for something even snazzier? Consider the 11.6-in. or 13.3-in. Samsung Series 9 laptop, which offers over-the-top styling in a striking curvy enclosure made from a space-age aluminum alloy called Duralumin. But be warned: Starting at $1,199 for the 11-in. model and $1,649 for the 13-in., it’ll cost you.

If you’re on a tight budget, take a look at the 11.6-in. HP Pavilion dm1z. Weighing a relatively heavy 3.5 lb. and equipped with an HDD rather than flash storage, it’s not in the same class as the rest of these machines, but it starts at just $380 and runs circles around netbooks of the same size.

— Valerie Potter

Zenbook UX21E and Zenbook UX31E from ASUSTeK Computer Inc.

Street price: $965 – $1,205 (UX21E with Core i5), $1,150 – $1,390 (UX21E with Core i7),

$1,062 – $1,137 (UX31E with Core i5),  $1,398 – $1,674 (UX31E with Core i7)

Tech specs: UX21 and UX31  |  Where to buy

Summary: With a gorgeous brushed-aluminum exterior, solid performance and a few nice extras such as Bang & Olufsen speakers, the Asus Zenbook is a compelling ultraslim option.

All-purpose performers

If your giftee needs a laptop with a larger screen and more power — not to mention an optical drive — but that’s still not too heavy to carry around, a midsize all-purpose laptop is your best bet. We like 14- and 15-in. models for their balance of viewability and portability.

Mac: 15-in. Apple MacBook Pro

“If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” seems to be Apple’s mantra for the design of its MacBook Pro line, which has remained the same for several years now. That’s not a bad thing — clean lines and a strong unibody construction have long been hallmarks of the series, as have a slender profile (less than an inch thick), an expansive multitouch glass trackpad and a backlit chiclet keyboard. And the 1440 x 900 LED-backlit display on the 15.4-in. MacBook Pro is as crisp, bright and gorgeous as ever.

But inside the aluminum chassis, Apple has quietly added several key improvements, most notably Intel’s second-generation Core i-series processors, built on the Sandy Bridge architecture. In the 15-inch models, that means the latest quad-core Core i7 CPUs at basic clock speeds of 2.2, 2.4 or 2.5GHz and Turbo Boost speeds of up to 3.5GHz.

As Computerworld’s Ken Mingis explains, however, there’s more to Sandy Bridge processors than clock speeds:

The biggest advance is that everything is integrated in one place: the processor itself, the Intel integrated graphics, the memory controller and cache. That allows the sum to work faster than the parts. And Intel’s Hyper-Threading technology adds even more speed: It allows two threads of work to run at the same time across four cores, essentially giving you four real processor cores and four virtual processor cores. (Read the full review.)

The entry-level 15-in. model is $1,799 and includes a 500GB, 5400rpm HDD; a 2.2GHz quad-core Intel Core i7 processor; 4GB of RAM and an AMD Radeon HD 6750M GPU with 512MB of memory. The higher-end model starts at $2,199 for a 750GB, 5400rpm HDD; 2.4GHz quad-core Core i7 CPU; 4GB of RAM and an AMD Radeon HD 6770M GPU with 1GB of memory.

Those dedicated Radeon graphics processors, for intensive graphics work, are in addition to the integrated Intel HD Graphics 3000 subsystem, which handles most tasks and uses less energy. You don’t need to switch between the integrated and dedicated graphics; the system knows what’s needed and switches automatically.

You can upgrade the RAM on either model to 8GB and the storage to a 750GB, 7200rpm HDD or a 128GB, 256GB or 512GB SSD, and the higher-end model can be upgraded with a 2.5GHz quad-core Core i7 processor. Be careful, though: Opting for the highest level of all these upgrades brings the price up to a shocking $3,749.

More about laptops »

The 15-in. MacBook Pro, which tips the scales at 5.6 lb., includes a new webcam that records at 720p HD and works with Apple’s FaceTime app for Mac, which means you can video-chat with iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch owners running FaceTime as well.

Also new is a high-speed Thunderbolt port in place of the Mini DisplayPort. The other ports and connectors are slightly skimpy for an all-purpose machine: two USB 2.0 ports, a FireWire 800 port, an Ethernet port, audio in, audio out and an SD card slot. There’s an 8x slot-loading SuperDrive for optical discs, but no Blu-ray support. For battery life, expect a reasonable 5 to 6 hours for everyday tasks.

All of this adds up to a powerhouse laptop that can easily handle a variety of computing tasks at home, in the office and on the road.

You might also like: If your gift recipient uses an external display most of the time (and thus doesn’t need as much screen real estate in a laptop), consider Apple’s 13-in. MacBook Pro, which starts at $1,199. You’ll get a dual-core Sandy Bridge CPU instead of quad-core, plus lesser graphics capabilities and screen resolution, but you can save hundreds of dollars and shave a pound off the weight by opting for the smaller size.

One final note: (Unsubstantiated) rumor has it that Apple will begin shipping a 15-in. MacBook Air in the first quarter of 2012. With midrange components inside, it’s likely to be a bit more affordable than the 15-in. MacBook Pro. The question is, will your gift recipient be happy getting an I.O.U. for a theoretical future laptop?

— Valerie Potter

15-in. MacBook Pro from Apple Inc.

Street price: $1,698 – $1,939 (entry-level), $2,020 – $2,230 (higher-end), or  configure at Apple site

Tech specs  |  Store locator  |  Phone: (800) MY APPLE

Summary: The 15-in. MacBook Pro stuffs some serious hardware into a modestly sized, well-designed package.

Windows: HP Pavilion dv6t

At 5.8 lb. and slightly more than 1.2-in. thick in places, HP’s Pavilion dv6t won’t win any thin-and-light awards, but it hides its bulk well with gentle curves and a classy dark umber finish on its aluminum housing.

The dv6t’s bright, crisp 15.6-in. LED-backlit display handles video well, according to PC World reviewer Loyd Case:

Video playback quality is quite strong. WMV high-def clips looked sharp, with nicely saturated colors. DVD upscaling to the native 1366 by 768 resolution was clean, with little visible edge enhancement or noise. The laptop ships with Intel WiDi (Wireless Display) client software, but you’ll need to buy the box that attaches to your HDTV separately. (Read the full review.)

The dv6t offers some nice extras built in, such as a fingerprint reader, an HD webcam and four speakers backed by Beats Audio software that pump out excellent sound. There’s a good array of ports and connectors including two USB 3.0 and two USB 2.0 ports; one port each for Ethernet, VGA and HDMI; an SD card slot; and one audio in and two audio out jacks.

The laptop comes standard with Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit (Professional and Ultimate editions also available), a SuperMulti 8X optical drive and 802.11n Wi-Fi support. Two omissions that may annoy you: Bluetooth is not supported by default (although you can add it for $15) and the keyboard is not backlit.

Like the MacBook Pro, the Pavilion dv6t includes Intel’s second-generation Core i-series CPUs with Sandy Bridge technology, which boosts performance and battery life. But most of the dv6t models include dual-core Core i3, i5 and i7 chips that are less powerful than the quad-core i7s found in the 15-in. MacBook Pro. On the plus side, the lower-end dv6t models are much, much less expensive than MacBook Pros.

The dv6t’s plethora of configuration options can be a bit overwhelming. The basic edition begins at $579 and includes a 2.2GHz dual-core Core i3 processor; integrated Intel HD Graphics 3000; 6GB of RAM and a 640GB, 5400rpm HDD — but you can upgrade all those options in many levels all the way up to a 2.5GHz dual-core Core i5 CPU; a discrete Radeon HD 6770M GPU with 2GB of memory; 16GB of RAM and a 160GB SSD for about $1,950.

The dv6t Select Edition starts at $699 for a 2.4GHz dual-core Core i5 processor; integrated Intel HD Graphics 3000; 8GB of RAM and a 750GB, 5400rpm HDD. Most of its configuration options overlap those of the basic edition, but you can boost the processor up to a 2.7GHz dual-core Core i7.

Finally, there’s the dv6t Quad Edition, which starts at $799 for a 2.2GHz quad-core Core i7 CPU; a discrete Radeon HD 6490M GPU with 1GB of memory; 8GB of RAM and a 750GB, 5400rpm HDD. That one can be configured up to a 2.3GHz quad-core Core i7; a Radeon HD 6770M GPU with 2GB of memory; 16GB of RAM and a 160GB SSD for about $2,075.

Other options, available on all models, include a full-HD 1920 x 1080 display ($150 extra), a Blu-ray player ($75) or writer ($150), and a longer-lasting 9-cell battery ($30).

In other words, although the dv6t starts out cheap, it can quickly get expensive if you upgrade the components or opt for other add-ons. PC World‘s Case recommends the version he tested, with dual-core 2.3GHz Core i5 CPU; 6GB of RAM; Radeon HD 6490M graphics chip and 640GB, 5400rpm HDD. “At $800, this configuration of the dv6 seems to hit a sweet spot,” he says.

You might also like: Another all-purpose all-star is the striking 15.6-in. Acer Aspire TimelineX 5830TG, which starts at $800 and offers excellent battery life and such niceties as an Nvidia GeForce GT 520M GPU with automatic graphics switching (see PC World‘s review). It’s also available in less expensive 14-in. and 13-in. models if your gift recipient doesn’t need all the screen space of a 15-incher.

— Valerie Potter

Pavilion dv6t from Hewlett-Packard Co.

Street price: $580 – $1,500 (depending on configuration) or configure at HP site

Tech specs  |  Where to buy  |  Phone: (888) 999-4747

Summary: With solid performance and some nice extras, the highly configurable HP Pavilion dv6t is a good all-around machine for a range of budgets.

Extravagant entertainers

For watching multimedia or gaming, you just can’t beat a huge 17-in. HD display with native 1920 x 1080 resolution, powered by a fast quad-core processor and a high-end discrete graphics chip to keep up with all the action. Great audio is also a plus, as is 3D support for some folks.

These multimedia monsters don’t come cheap, and at 6.5 lb. minimum, they’re not easy to carry around. But who cares when videos and games look this good?

Mac: 17-in. Apple MacBook Pro

What is there to say about the 17-in. MacBook Pro that hasn’t been said before? This year’s model has the same slender lines, the same strong unibody aluminum chassis, and the same sharp, bright, richly colored, LED-backlit, native 1920 x 1200 glossy display that’s been wowing its owners for years.

(Don’t like glossy screens? You can opt for a matte anti-glare screen for an extra $50.)

As with its smaller brethren, the new stuff is mostly on the inside: Intel Sandy Bridge chips with integrated Intel HD Graphics 3000, plus a discrete AMD Radeon HD 6770M graphics processor with 1GB of GDDR5 memory and automatic graphics switching to drive that beautiful display. These changes brought significant jumps (in some cases more than double) over the prior model’s scores in Macworld‘s rigorous speed, graphics and battery life tests.

The current 17-in. MacBook Pro also has the new HD webcam found in the 15-in. models, as well as the new Thunderbolt port. What’s that all about? Computerworld‘s Ken Mingis elaborates:

Thunderbolt is sort of like USB on steroids (it’s as much as 20 times faster than USB 2.0, 12 times faster than FireWire 800 and more than twice as fast as USB 3.0) because it delivers 10Gbit/sec throughput in both directions. That’s serious data transfer speed. (Read the full review.)

Because Thunderbolt is based on DisplayPort technology, it looks just like the old Mini DisplayPort that it replaces and supports any device with a Mini DisplayPort adapter. Which is a good thing, because at this stage there aren’t many Thunderbolt devices available. This is more of an enhancement for the future than a current benefit.

There are also three USB 2.0 ports, a FireWire 800 port, an Ethernet port, audio in, audio out and an ExpressCard/34 slot. The laptop supports 802.11n Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.0, and it provides an 8x SuperDrive for optical discs, but once again Apple has omitted support for Blu-ray.

The 17-in. MacBook Pro starts at $2,499. You can upgrade its 2.4GHz quad-core Core i7 CPU to 2.5GHz; the included 4GB of RAM to 8GB; and the standard 750GB, 5400rpm HDD to a 128GB, 256GB or 512GB SSD. We’re not even going to tell you how expensive the highest configuration is — if you have to ask, you can’t afford it.

— Valerie Potter

17-in. MacBook Pro from Apple Inc.

Street price: $2,349 – $2,693 or  configure at Apple site

Tech specs  |  Store locator  |  Phone: (800) MY APPLE

Summary: If money is no object, the gorgeous 17-in. MacBook Pro delivers a world-class multimedia experience.

Windows: Dell XPS 17

Dell’s XPS 17 laptop features a bright, clear glossy 17-in. LED-backlit display, and its 22W JBL speakers deliver excellent audio quality. Like the MacBook Pro, the XPS 17 has been updated with Intel Sandy Bridge chips for greatly improved performance.

But be careful when shopping: The highly configurable XPS 17 line starts with an $899 model that comes with midrange components and a display that doesn’t support full 1080p HD. This is not the version to get for the best multimedia experience.

We suggest starting with the preset $1,400 configuration, which includes a 2.2GHz quad-core Core i7 processor; 8GB of RAM; dual 500GB, 7200rpm HDDs (for a total of 1TB of storage); an Nvidia GeForce 555M GPU with 3GB memory; a 1920 x 1080 full HD display with HD webcam and a Blu-ray Disc player/burner. You can adjust from there if, say, you want to add more RAM, a faster processor, a TV tuner and/or a 256GB SSD. If you want 3D capabilities, start with the preset $1,500 configuration, which is exactly the same as the $1,400 configuration except it includes a 1920 x 1080 3D display with a 120Hz refresh rate, plus a pair of Nvidia 3D Vision glasses.

PC World reviewer Loyd Case was impressed with his tricked-out XPS 17 3D test model:

Overall, the Dell XPS 17 3D offers superb performance in standard desktop apps. Gaming performance is pretty good, too, though you’ll want to scale back the resolution a bit and dial down the graphics features for best results, particularly in newer games. The new display looks very good, and stereoscopic Blu-ray movies are spectacular, if you’re into them. (Read the full review.)

The XPS 17 ships with Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit and offers a typical array of ports and connectors for a device this size: two USB 3.0 ports, two USB 2.0 ports, an Ethernet port, one audio in and two audio out jacks, an SD card reader, and both HDMI and Mini DisplayPort connectors. Bluetooth 3.0, 802.11n Wi-Fi and WiMax are also supported, as is Intel WiDi on the non-3D display.

If you make sure to get the full HD display, the GeForce 555M video card, a quad-core Core i7 processor and, optionally, the Blu-ray player, the XPS 17 will be sure to delight the multimedia fan on your list.

You might also like: If you’re looking for a machine that can handle fast-action, graphically rich gaming in addition to HD video, 3D and Blu-ray, check out the Asus G74SX. Starting at around $1,800, this nearly 10-lb. monster offers a stellar screen, crisp audio and an understated, living-room-friendly design.

— Valerie Potter

XPS 17 from Dell Inc.

Street price: $1,400 – $3,000 (for versions with quad-core Core i7; prices vary depending on configuration)

Tech specs  |  Store locator  |  Phone: 877-717-3355

Summary: With the right configuration, the Dell XPS 17 is a multimedia powerhouse.

HDTVs: Smarter and less expensive

If you’re looking for an HDTV, both you and your gift’s recipient are in luck. Prices are down compared to last year for both plasma and LED-based LCD models, and there are more high-end Internet options than ever.

You’re also not alone. TVs were the most popular electronics items purchased on Black Friday this year, thanks in part to lower prices that some are predicting will hold through February.

So, which to buy? Plasmas still rule for watching in dark rooms and for viewing pretty much any kind of movie. But if you’re a CNN addict or your TV must reside in a more light-filled space, you might want to consider an LCD model instead.

And yes, of course that’s a dramatic over-simplification. Given the money and bragging rights at stake here, it is well worth taking the time to do your own research to find out what’s right for you. There are many factors to consider, from contrast ratio and refresh rate to viewing angle, viewing distance and how large a room you’ll be tricking out with the HDTV.

A larger number isn’t necessarily better, either; even the most expensive models can have some funky on-screen vibrations or other problems, especially above 240Hz refresh rates. So it really pays to know what you’re getting.

And a word to you Apple fans: Analyst Gene Munster is absolutely convinced that the company will launch an official TV, not just another set-top box, in time for the 2012 holiday season. He suggested recently that the Apple version will be amazing enough to make it worthwhile to hold off buying any new TVs until it debuts. (He also said the Apple TV will likely be twice as expensive as any other comparable set, but it will naturally play well with Apple iGadgets.)

In the meantime, here some worthwhile prospects to check out.

Samsung UN46D8000 46-in. 1080p 3D LED TV

This all-round performer earned one of PC World‘s highest ratings in its most recent HDTV roundup. Its 46-in. 1080p full HD screen delivers great colors, with fabulous image quality and brightness. Its sound is also very good; the only downer is it’s more expensive than other similarly sized units.

The set itself is slim good-looker, as PC World‘s Yardena Arar explains:

With its Series 8 models, Samsung can lay claim to one of the skinniest bezels in the business: less than 0.25 inch between the edge of the 46-inch UN46D8000YF and its 1080p LED-backlit LCD panel. And because the bezel is mostly clear, with a silvery edge, the set’s image seems to occupy its entire surface. (Read the full review.)

Features are plentiful: 3D support with two included pairs of active-shutter glasses, Wi-Fi, a Web browser, an optional webcam and a two-sided remote that features a QWERTY keyboard. Samsung’s bevy of Web apps includes support for Facebook, Twitter, Hulu, Pandora, Netflix and many more via the company’s on-screen “Smart Hub.” You can watch TV as you chat with friends, for instance.

Customers seem to love the UN46D8000 every bit as much as the professional reviewers do: More than 180 people on Amazon have given it four or five stars.

But Arar has a caveat: “If you don’t plan on using its advanced features, you may prefer a less expensive set with good image quality and comparable size.” On the other hand, you can find the UN46D8000 at numerous retail outlets for considerably less than its $2,700 list price, so it pays to shop around. If your pockets are really deep, Samsung also offers this set in larger 55-in., 60-in. and 65-in. models.

— Johanna Ambrosio

UN46D8000 46-in. LCD TV from Samsung

Street price: $1,567 – $2,607

Tech specs  |  Phone: (800) SAMSUNG (726-7864)

Summary: This HDTV has it all — a great picture, wonderful audio and advanced features that a geek could really love.

LG Infinia 50PZ950 50-in. 1080p 3D plasma HDTV

With a 1080p full HD screen, a great 3D experience and all the Web options any techie could possibly want, LG’s 50-in. Infinia has much to recommend it.

If anything, it could be a bit over-the-top with all the features it includes. “Its only disadvantage is that navigating through its hundreds of apps and options can be a bit tricky,” says PC World reviewer Sarah Jacobsson Purewal. (Read the full review.)

But hey, an entire computer industry was built on that premise, so it shouldn’t stop anyone.

Particularly noteworthy on this set is a motion-controlled remote that Purewal compares to a Wii controller, although not as accurate. It supports flicking, rotating and pointing, “and works reasonably well,” she says. The 50PZ950 also includes a regular remote, customizable apps and pretty much anything else you can think of.

The screen is surrounded by a thin black bezel and has a bevy of ports and peripherals. To view anything in 3D, though, you’ll need a pair of active-shutter 3D glasses (the powered type).

But its real strength is all the Internet options you get courtesy of the LG Smart TV platform. Once you’re set up, you can customize the look and feel of the dashboard so it has just what you want on its entry screen. Social media, weather, news, streaming media, sports and other apps are at your fingertips. The set doesn’t come with built-in Wi-Fi, but does include a Wi-Fi dongle.

Customers seem to really love this TV, with around 80% of Amazon posters giving it four or five stars. The PZ950 is also available in a 60-in. model.

— Johanna Ambrosio

Infinia 50PZ950 50-in. plasma TV from LG Electronics

Street price: $1,377 – $2,019

Tech specs  |  Phone: (800) 243-0000

Summary: The LG Infinia 50PZ950’s sleek look and overall picture quality combine with an Internet setup that most desktop computers would be lucky to have.

Vizio Razor XVT3D650SV 65-in. 1080p LED 3D TV

This is just about as top-of-the-line as a TV gets. It also has a top-of-the-line price, at $3,189.99 suggested retail, though you can find it for less if you shop around. At this writing, for instance, Amazon has it for $2,498.00 and RadioShack.com for $3,099.99.

As one of the largest edge-backlit LED models available, this 65-in. stunner features a 120Hz refresh rate, 1080p full HD and surround sound. There’s also a full suite of Internet apps, as well as 802.11n Wi-Fi, social networking, photo uploading options and a Bluetooth-equipped remote with slide-out QWERTY keyboard.

It also delivers “flicker-free” passive 3D that’s up to 50% brighter and causes less eyestrain than other types of 3D screens, Vizio promises. Included are four pairs of 3D glasses that can do double-duty in the local movie theater.

PC World‘s Yardena Arar writes:

If you’ve been waiting for a full-featured, big-screen LCD TV — and by big, I mean 5-feet-plus on the diagonal — that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg, the Vizio XVT3D650SV may well be the answer to your prayers… Only a few years ago an LCD TV this size would easily have set you back more than $5,000. Plus, there’s so much to like about this set — and relatively little to complain about. (Read the full review.)

On the not-so-great side, Arar says, it consumes a fair amount of power for an LED set, and audio is “just adequate.” Other complaints have to do with uneven black levels and some fast-motion strangeness. Nor can customers play their own video, photo and music files on the TV; that media-playback support is still promised in a future firmware update, Vizio says.

And, as with any high-end TV, you need to invest some time to figure out how to fine-tune it to make you happy. For their part, customers weighing in at Amazon seem to be enjoying it, with most giving the unit four or five stars and only a few complaints.

— Johanna Ambrosio

Razor XVT3D650SV 65-in. LED 3D TV from Vizio Inc.

Street price: $1,900 – $3,100

Tech specs  |  Phone: (888) 849-4623

Summary: This is a tremendous HDTV, in all senses of the word; it’s got a gigantic screen, and outsized Web and connectivity options to go along with it.

More great gifts

Hang on, we’re not finished yet. As we do every year, we’ve gathered one last batch of fun and useful products that fall outside our main categories but make excellent — and in some cases quite affordable — holiday gifts for techies.

House of Marley Exodus headphones

There are a lot of good headphones out there — so many that if you’re trying to find a gift for an audiophile, it can be really hard to choose. If you’re looking for a nice balance of audio quality and great style (with a pinch of ecological awareness for flavor), you might want to check out The House of Marley’s line of headphones. Ranging from the $59.99 Positive Vibrations model to the high-end $299.99 Destiny TTR, these headphones feature an organic look using wood, recycled plastics and leather accents.

I tried on a pair of the mid-range Exodus headphones ($149.99) at a trade show recently and was surprised at how comfortable and lightweight they felt. The sound quality was also fine — and Inner|Fidelity reviewer Tyll Hertsens agrees:

The sound quality is shockingly good. I’d say right up with best of $150 sealed on-ear headphones — especially when viewed from the perspective of the intended audience. I auditioned them comparing with the V-Moda V-80, Skullcandy Roc Nation Aviators, Quincy Jones Q460, and Beats Solo. To my ears they fairly easily bested all but the V-Moda, and there it was surprisingly close. (Read the full review.)

If you’re looking for something a bit smaller or less expensive, House of Marley also offers a range of earbuds from $29.99 to $99.99 that offer the same interesting styles and attention to audio excellence.

You might also like: dB Logic’s HP-100 Headphones ($49.95)  and EP-100 Earphones ($34.95) limit sound pressure to 85 decibels based on OSHA guidelines to help users avoid damaging their hearing while still enjoying their music.

— Barbara Krasnoff

Exodus headphones from The House of Marley

Street price: $130 – $150

Tech specs  |  Phone: (888) 251-1076

Summary: House of Marley’s Exodus headphones combine an attractive style, eco-conscious materials and great audio.

Sinch

It’s a universal affliction: No matter how neat and tidy you try to keep the earphone cords for your phone, music player, tablet or other device, they always end up in a tangled mess in the bottom of your bag.

The Sinch is a startlingly simple solution to that problem. In fact, it’s so simple — consisting of nothing more than a half-inch-wide strip of slightly elastic silicone with two strategically placed magnets inside and a hole at one end — that you might elicit a “huh?” reaction when your loved one pulls it from her stocking.

The Sinch’s reinforced hole fits snugly over a standard 3.5mm earphone plug, and the whole thing hangs down unobtrusively behind the phone or other device while the earphones are in use. Then you just wrap the cord around the device and the Sinch together, and lift the magnetized bottom end of the Sinch up to meet its other magnet near the top. The Sinch holds the cord neatly in place even when the device is tossed in a bag.

To store the headphone cord separately from the device, just slide the wrapped-and-Sinched cord off the end of the device, or else wrap the cord around your fingers and the Sinch together. Either way, the Sinch will hold the cord in a tidy, tangle-free coil until it’s needed again.

When you want to use the earphones again, simply give them a little tug to release the cord from the Sinch. It really couldn’t be easier — in fact, it’s far simpler to use than to describe. Available in black or white, the Sinch is pricy at $16, but it beats out other cord-management gadgets with its good looks, ease of use and quick release.

You might also like: If the Sinch’s $16 price tag seems too steep, consider a cheaper cord-management option such as Quirky’s Wrapster. It’s less elegant than the Sinch, but it can be found for about $5 online.

— Valerie Potter

Sinch from Dune Road Design, LLC

Price: $16

Instructions  |  Product video

Summary: Keep earphone cords tidy and tangle-free with the clever Sinch.

Ful Powerbag

You’ve been out of the office all day and need to check in, so you pull out your smartphone. Oops! You forgot to turn off the GPS, the battery drained and now you’ve got maybe five minutes left before you’re out of power. What do you do?

Well, if you’re using a Powerbag backpack or messenger bag, all you do is hook it up to your phone and stop worrying. Powerbags include their own rechargeable batteries (3000mAh or 6000mAh, depending on model) plus four separate hookups: an Apple connector, micro- and mini-USB connectors and a USB port (so that you can connect any devices that have specialized connectors).

You just put your device in the charging pocket at the front of the bag, connect them, and go. You can use the bag for emergency charges, or just to keep your devices topped up when you’re not using them.

An on/off button in the Powerbag’s logo makes sure that you’re not wasting battery power when you’re not charging any of your devices. (You can also use the button to check the battery level.) When you’re back home, simply attach the included A/C adapter to a charging port on the side of the bag to recharge the Powerbag’s battery.

The Powerbags come in a variety of colors and styles, including messenger bags, backpacks, slings and wheeled briefcases; prices on the Powerbag site range from $139.99 to $249.99. Unfortunately, they currently can’t power laptops, but for those who can’t leave home without their tablets, smartphones or cameras, these are the perfect power insurance policy.

— Barbara Krasnoff

Powerbag from Ful

Street price: $86 – $250

Tech specs  |  Product video  |  Where to buy  |  Phone: (888) 251-2026

Summary: Powerbags are the perfect gift for electronic gadget fans who often find themselves in need of a power supply.

Doctor Who Cell Phone Alert Charms

Some of us aren’t ashamed of being Doctor Who fans. In fact, we flaunt it, decorating our homes with models of the Tardis, arguing about which companion we like the best, and loudly proclaiming that fezzes are cool. If, however, you have friends who want to show their dedication to Time Lord lore in a more practical way, give them a Doctor Who Cell Phone Alert Charm.

These handy little devices are a mere 1.75 in. tall so they can hang from a backpack, keychain or zipper. They alert you to an incoming phone call by spinning madly around — you get a choice of a spinning Tardis, Cyberman or Dalek — and flashing tiny lights at the base. What could be more useful when you’re fighting Daleks and can’t hear your smartphone above the screams of “Ex-ter-mi-nate!!”

There is a catch, unfortunately: The charms only work with phones that are on an 800-1600MHz GSM network. But if your friends have phones and service providers that can handle GSM (such as AT&T and T-Mobile), then these snazzy trinkets can ensure they don’t miss those important calls while traveling through time.

— Barbara Krasnoff

Doctor Who Cell Phone Alert Charms from ThinkGeek

Price: $9.99

Tech specs  |  Phone: (888) GEEKSTUFF

Summary: Doctor Who Cell Phone Alert Charms are a great way for Time Lords and their fans to avoid missing calls.

Canon PowerShot SX230 HS digital camera

A compact megazoom camera makes an excellent holiday gift for beginning photographers; these cameras can be had for less than $300, and they offer features and image quality that can’t be matched by the built-in camera on a phone. They’re also appealing for people who already have a high-end digital SLR camera but want a small, inexpensive second camera that they can take everywhere.

There are a number of strong contenders in this space, but our pick is the Canon PowerShot SX230 HS. This 12-megapixel camera features a 14X-optical-zoom lens with superb image stabilization, a sharp and colorful LCD screen with easy-to-navigate menus, and a large array of both automatic settings and manual controls. This year’s model adds 1080p video capture, high-speed shooting and limited in-camera GPS features.

PC World reviewer Tim Moynihan sums it up:

Canon consistently makes some of the best-performing point-and-shoot cameras in our tests, and the PowerShot SX230 HS is no exception. Its image quality puts it among the top tier of 2011’s pocket-megazoom class, and the camera can be as easy to use or as manual-oriented as you want it to be. (Read the full review.)

What’s more, it’s currently a steal, available at a number of online merchants for around $200 — more than a third off the $330 list price.

You might also like: Offering an 18X zoom lens and full automation, the Nikon Coolpix S9100 (widely available for around $270 or less) is an outstanding compact megazoom for casual photographers who want the camera to do most of the work for them but still get great shots. Another great option is the $300 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX9V, which offers top-notch video quality and an array of fun and innovative features.

— Valerie Potter

Canon PowerShot SX230 HS from Canon U.S.A. Inc.

Street price: $197 – $350

Tech specs  |  Product video  |  Where to buy  |  Phone: (800) 652-2666

Summary: The Canon PowerShot SX230 HS delivers 14X zoom and excellent image quality in a compact, affordable package.

Jawbone Era mobile headset

Jawbone has made its reputation on its well-designed and high-quality headsets for mobile phones, and its most recent headset, the Jawbone Era, doesn’t disappoint. The Era offers a variety of features such as noise and wind reduction, automatic volume control and a single multifunction button to keep things simple.

It also has a built-in accelerometer, which makes it possible to use a feature that Jawbone calls ShakeShake — if the headset isn’t in your ear, you can give it two quick shakes to pick up a call (and then, presumably, put it in your ear).  And if you’re wearing the Jawbone and get a call, or are already on the phone and get a second call, you can tap the Era twice to receive or switch calls — thus avoiding the need to spend precious seconds finding and pressing the headset button.

PC World‘s Lex Friedman certainly appreciated this feature:

In fact, the Era’s tapping gesture offers two benefits that I hadn’t anticipated. First, as someone with longer hair, I find that tapping is actually faster than moving my hair out of the way to find the Era’s physical button. Second, by using a gentle tap instead of a button press, I don’t risk jostling the Era out of my ear. That’s not a major issue with the Icon or other earpieces, but it’s nice to be able to avoid the risk completely. (Read the full review.)

One of the Era’s most fun and useful aspects is its ability to download apps via its MyTalk online service. You can decide what kind of voice you’d like to hear (to announce incoming calls, remaining battery life, etc.), access voice-to-text services or try out a number of different audio apps.  And the Era includes A2DP, so you can listen to your favorite music as well as your favorite people.

In short, the Jawbone Era is the perfect gift for anyone who is constantly on the phone, and wants to make that experience as pleasant (and stylish) as possible. The Era lists for $129.99, but can be found for significantly less at many online retailers.

You might also like: The Plantronics Voyager Pro UC headset (which can be found for $111 – $200) offers high-quality audio, the ability to receive calls by simply placing the device in your ear, and a mini USB adapter that lets you also use it for Skype and other computer-based phone services.

— Barbara Krasnoff

Jawbone Era from Jawbone

Street price: $73 – $130 or buy from Jawbone

Tech specs  |  Product video  |  Where to buy  |  Phone: (877) 254-7426

Summary: The Jawbone Era is a well-designed, full-featured mobile phone headset that will suit anyone who is always walking and talking.

Bheestie Bag

We all know that electronics don’t particularly like water — which is unfortunate, since we’re surrounded by it.

Enter the Bheestie Bag: Its sole purpose in life is to dry out wet devices. Inside this silver-colored plastic pouch are two smaller sacs that contain water-absorbing pellets. You just place your phone, camera, MP3 player or other small device inside the pouch (it isn’t big enough for tablets) and seal it up with the Ziploc-style zipper, and the bead sacs will draw the moisture out of the device.

The company recommends leaving devices sealed in the bag overnight to remove everyday moisture left by rain, sweat, general humidity in the air and even the moisture in your breath. You can use the bag again and again for up to a year, according to Bheestie; when the blue beads in the sacs turn white it’s time for a new bag.

But where the bag can come really in handy is for immersion catastrophes. If you drop a phone in the pool, for instance, Bheestie advises immediately drying it off with a towel, removing the battery if possible and leaving it sealed in the bag for 24 to 72 hours. (Note that if a device gets soaked with saltwater, it’s a good idea to get the salt off first by immediately immersing it in fresh water, then proceeding as above.)

Bheestie doesn’t make any guarantees that the bag will revive a waterlogged device, but it did dry out and revive an old LG clamshell phone that I submerged for long enough to get water stuck behind the screen.

Why not just put the device in a bag of rice to dry it out? That method can be effective too, and it costs a lot less than $20. (More advice on drying out your cell phone can be found on wikiHow.) But the Bheestie Bag makes a really useful — perhaps device-saving — gift for college students, frequent travelers and others who may not always have a bag of rice handy.

— Valerie Potter

Bheestie Bag from Bheestie

Street price: $18 – $35 or order from Bheestie

Tips  |  FAQ

Summary: The Bheestie Bag provides a handy, easy way to dry out wet phones and other devices.

Waterfield Designs Tablet Ultimate SleeveCase and iPad Ultimate SleeveCase

It takes a bit of chutzpah to call your tablet holder the “Ultimate SleeveCase,” but in this instance, manufacturer Waterfield Designs may not be all that much off the mark. Its tablet cases are fitted for specific tablets; if your giftee’s particular device isn’t listed, you just send Waterfield Designs the appropriate dimensions and model, and it will send you a case devised specifically for that tablet.

Each SleeveCase is made of ballistic nylon filled with neoprene to cushion any accidental falls; the inside is lined with Ultrasuede to protect your display from any scratches. It closes with a Velcro tab and has an outside pocket for your USB cord or earbuds.

Prices for the Ultimate SleeveCase vary. For Android or Windows-based tablets, cost depends on the size of the tablet you’re buying it for, from $50 for the Nook Simple Touch to $57 for the Toshiba Thrive; you can add the Brown Leather trim for an extra $5. The iPad Ultimate SleeveCase costs $55 for the Lead Iridium trim and $60 for the Brown Leather trim. In either case, you can add a basic shoulder strap for $12 or a more ergonomic padded one for $22.

Whatever type of tablet you’re shopping for, the Ultimate SleeveCase will protect it from scratches, nicks and falls with style.

You might also like: Speck’s $49.95 PixelSkin HD Wrap for iPad 2 not only protects your entire device, but also lets you prop it up at two different heights. It’s the perfect stocking stuffer for the iPad enthusiast in your life.

— Barbara Krasnoff

Tablet Ultimate SleeveCase and iPad Ultimate SleeveCase from Waterfield Designs

Price: $50 – $60

Tech specs  |  Product video

Summary: The Ultimate SleeveCase provides iPads or Android tablets with well-designed and fashionable protection.

Spin It Again

Vinyl record sales may be up, but even the most dedicated fan of analog music can’t exactly take an LP with her on her morning run.  Enter Spin It Again ($35), a Windows program to help bring record and cassette collections into the digital age.

Spin It Again records the output from a record player or tape deck and saves it as 24-bit audio at a sampling rate of 48 to 192 kHz in MP3, OGG, WMA or WAV format (but not AAC or FLAC).  Along the way, Spin It Again can automatically detect breaks in tracks and remove any pops, clicks or background noise, resulting in a conversion that sounds better than the original.  

Not included is the hardware to play the original media; users need to supply their own LP or cassette player that can be connected to the computer or sound card’s line-in or USB port.  An inbuilt “Hookup Wizard” helps users configure this connection.

Those familiar with more complex audio editing software can accomplish the same function with a free program like Audacity, but Spin It Again’s dedicated feature set makes conversion simpler than ever.

You might also like: Griffin Technology’s iMic USB adapter ($39.99) adds audio input and output to Macs that don’t have them; it includes Final Vinyl, software designed for converting LPs to digital formats.

— Ken Gagne

Spin It Again from Acoustica

Street price: $35 – $42 or buy from Acoustica

Online user manual  |  Product videos  |  Phone: (952) 908-4090 (ask for SKU ACTA-31)

Summary: Spin It Again makes it easy to convert classic tunes into a modern format.

Belkin Chef Stand + Stylus

A tablet can be a really handy way to look up and use recipes, but do you really want to expose it to kitchen messes?

That’s where Belkin’s Chef Stand + Stylus comes in. The stand has a nonslip rubber base to hold your tablet upright (and ideally back away from splashing food), while the magnetic stylus, which has its own mini-stand, lets you interact with the tablet without touching it with messy hands.

According to Belkin, the stylus works with any touchscreen, but it can only wake up an iPad 2. The stylus and the stands are washable.

If you know any cooks who like to work from recipes on their iPad 2 or tablet, this could be the ideal gift.

— Valerie Potter

Chef Stand + Stylus from Belkin International Inc.

Street price: $28 – $50

Product video  |  Where to buy  |  Phone: (800) 223-5546

Summary: The Belkin Chef Stand + Stylus helps you interact with a tablet in the kitchen while keeping it clean.

Sonos Play:3 and Bridge

The music revolution wrought by technology has been largely about digitizing music onto computers and portable devices, and about the growth of streaming music services like Pandora and Internet radio. But while digital music is firmly entrenched in the 21st century, speaker technology has largely stayed in the mid-20th.

Sure, you can buy speakers that play Internet radio or music streamed from a computer or mobile device wirelessly. But the $299 Sonos Play:3 speaker, coupled with the company’s Bridge networking device ($49), represents the next step forward for digital music.

This great system lets you stream your entire digital music collection to any place in your house wirelessly, with remarkable sound quality despite a small footprint (5.2 x 10.6 x 6.3 in.) and very light weight (5.7 lb.). You can also stream Spotify, Pandora and countless lesser-known streaming music services, as well as tune in to thousands of Internet radio stations.

Just plug the Bridge into your Wi-Fi router, and it shares the wireless connection with one or many Sonos speakers. You control the speaker either from software on your PC or Mac, or via a free iOS or Android app.

And here’s where it gets really cool: If you have more than one Play:3, each operates independently of the others, so you can listen to blues in the kitchen, classical in the living room and salsa in your office.

So if you’ve got a music lover on your list this year, the Sonos Play:3 and Bridge make a great way to bring their audio system into the 21st century.

You might also like: The $399 Sonos Play:5 speaker is bigger and pricier than the Play:3, and also has richer sound. If you’re willing to spend $100 more for someone who has the extra room, it’s worth a look.

— Preston Gralla

Play:3 and Bridge from Sonos

Price: $299 for Play:3, $49 for Bridge

Tech specs  |  Product video  |  Store locator  |  Phone: (800) 680-2345

Summary: The Sonos Play:3 and Bridge combo wirelessly streams your music collection — and services like Spotify and Pandora — to a great-sounding speaker.

Boogie Board Rip LCD Writing Tablet

We all like to jot down a note now and again, or do a quick sketch, or even just doodle. The Boogie Board Rip LCD Writing Tablet offers your giftee a great way to save notes and sketches to a computer rather than wasting paper.

The Boogie Board is a lightweight (11.5 oz.) device that provides a 9.5-in. pressure-sensitive LCD writing surface on which to doodle or draw using a simple included stylus. Above the writing surface are two buttons: one to erase your image when you’re finished, and the other to save it — either to the Boogie Board’s internal memory (it comes with 8MB) or to an external device as a PDF file (via the included USB connection cable).

This isn’t a perfect solution, especially if your gift recipient likes to create very detailed artwork — some users have complained that the thickness of the lines drawn on the physical board aren’t reflected in the saved PDF file. But for recording quick thoughts and doing simple sketching, the Boogie Board is ideal.

You might also like: If your giftee doesn’t need to save her work, the Boogie Board 8.5 is a great stocking stuffer at $39.95.

— Barbara Krasnoff

Boogie Board Rip LCD Writing Tablet from Improv Electronics

Price: $129.99

Tech specs | Product video | Where to buy | Phone: (855) 224-0888

Summary: The Boogie Board Rip LCD Writing Tablet lets you take notes, doodle and sketch — and then save it to PDF — without muss, fuss or paper.

Zomm Wireless Leash

Is there someone on your gift list who’s always walking out the door without his cell phone? This handy little Bluetooth device may be just what he needs.

Less than two inches across and about half an inch thick, the disc-shaped Zomm Wireless Leash attaches to a keychain that can be easily slipped into a pocket or purse. If it gets too far away from the Bluetooth-enabled phone that it’s paired with (about 30 feet by default, but that’s configurable), the Zomm vibrates, flashes and emits loud beeps, making it very unlikely you’ll forget your phone.

The Zomm also works as a decent speakerphone for hands-free calling when clipped to a car’s visor, and it has a panic button feature that sounds an alarm when you press and hold it for 10 seconds; hold it down longer and it calls 911.

Available in black, white or pink, the basic Wireless Leash lists for $90, but you can find it cheaper online. There’s also the Zomm Wireless Leash Plus, which costs $10 more and works with the free myZomm App for Android or iOS to help you keep track of all kinds of objects besides your phone.

The Zomm does have some downsides: Leaving it paired with a phone can be a drain on the phone’s battery, and it’s easy to forget to turn the Zomm off when its distance alarm isn’t needed — for instance, when leaving your phone at your desk to attend a meeting. But for someone who has a bad habit of leaving expensive phones behind, it could really save the day.

— Valerie Potter

Zomm Wireless Leash from Zomm LLC

Street price: $70 – $85

Tech specs  |  Product videos  |  Phone: (888) 821-0888

Summary: The handy Zomm Wireless Leash keeps you from leaving your phone behind.

Striiv

There are a number of digital devices out there meant to encourage those of us who do a lot of sitting and computing to move around and get fit. Last year, our gift guide featured the FitBit, a small padded paperclip-type device that records your activities and downloads it to a website.

For more immediate feedback, there’s the Striiv, a tiny, lightweight device with a 2-in. color touch display that tracks the number of steps you take and stairs you climb throughout the day. At any time, you can find out how you’re doing compared to your daily average or to your maximums for the last week or last month.

The Striiv also tries to push its users to move more. As you earn energy points, you can use them to populate a fantasy landscape with creatures, plants and buildings. You can also take part in a virtual walkathon and donate to one of three charitable causes (according to its literature, Striiv has partnered with an organization called GlobalGiving for this purpose). And you can set yourself challenges such as a number of stairs to climb in 15 minutes, or a number of miles to walk in 30 minutes.

Striiv shipped in October 2011 and still has a few glitches, mainly involving the software it uses to sync with a computer (so you can register your charitable contribution), which is still in beta and singularly uninformative. But on the whole, this is a really fun and informative way to help someone you care about get motivated to get moving.

— Barbara Krasnoff

Striiv from Striiv Inc.

Price: $99

Tech specs  |  Product video

Summary: If somebody in your life needs to get up and get moving, Striiv is a fun and convenient digital motivation tool.

iGo Charge Anywhere

Know someone who needs to keep two or more mobile devices charged when they travel? The iGo Charge Anywhere can provide juice to two devices simultaneously via its dual USB ports, and with an array of available adapter tips that plug into those ports, it’s compatible with thousands of phones and other small devices (check for specific devices here).

Big deal! At least a dozen other (less expensive) universal chargers can do the same thing.

But the Charge Anywhere stands out from the crowd for a couple of reasons. It includes a 1800mAh battery so you can charge your device even when you’re away from an outlet — which, of course, is inevitably when your battery dies. And it’s light (3.8 oz.) and compact (just 2.28 x 2.52 x 1.46 in.) with plug blades that fold in, so it’s easy to carry around everywhere.

Note: The iGo site, which lists the Charge Anywhere at $40, says it’s currently out of stock, but it’s widely available at online retailers for around $32. You get one free adapter tip (plus the two USB ports) with the charger; additional tips range from $7.50 to $13.

For someone who’s always on the go, the Charge Anywhere makes a very handy stocking stuffer.

You might also like: For something a bit more upscale, how about the AViiQ Portable Charging Station? This $80 charger houses a four-port USB hub in a slender zip-up case; USB cables stay inside in an orderly, clutter-free fashion.

— Valerie Potter

Charge Anywhere from iGo

Street price: $32 – $50

Tech specs  |  Phone: (888) 205-0093

Summary: The iGo Charge Anywhere keeps mobile devices charged even away from an outlet.