Top 11 Christmas Gadgets for Geeks

Keeping in mind that Christmas is on our doorstep, we’ve tried to imagine what the coolest gifts would make us happy, and when I say “us”, I mean the geeks. Probably, for many of you, this is not exactly a geek-list, but, let’s say that these Christmas gadgets are for those that are not uber-geeky, but slightly oriented towards consumer technology.

1. Razer Blade Gaming Laptop

Just like all of Razer’s products, this laptop has a really cool name, Blade. It sounds like the cutting edge of science and gaming, and it’s not far from that either. Razer said about the Blade: its “The World’s First True Gaming Laptop”, and they were right! It looks like nothing else, it feels like nothing else and it works like a jet. In order to get really geeky, here are some specs of the Razer Blade:

• 2.8GHz Intel® Core™ i7 Processor
• 8GB 1333MHz DDR3 Memory
• 17.3″ LED Backlit Display (1920×1080)
• NVIDIA GeForce® GT 555M with NVIDIA® Optimus™ Technology
• 2GB Dedicated GDDR5 Video Memory
• Built-in HD Webcam
• Integrated 60Wh Battery
• 320GB 7200rpm SATA HDD
• Wireless Network 802.11 b/g/n Compatible
• 16.81″ (Width) x 10.9″ (Depth) x 0.88″ (Height); 6.97lbs (Weight)

This would make a great idea for a gift this Christmas for any geek, I know I would want one, and at US$2799.99, it’s half the price and twice the fun of Alienware M-17x R3.

2. Cyborg R.A.T. 9

A gamer is only as good as the gear he has. Going by that idea, the Cyborg RAT 9 is a must have for any respectable gamer. It’s true, this is no Razer or SteelSeries, but the guys at Cyborg tried and succeeded in making a gaming mouse worthy to be mentioned. When you look at it, you expect it to go Transformer-like on you and turn into a Decepticon.
The RAT was engineered to be fully customizable: you can adjust the length, height, width and weight. The mouse features some cool tech that really let you improve your game:

• Zero Latency 2.4Ghz Wireless Technology – gives the mouse 1ms response time
• Wireless Receiver/Recharge Dock
• Interchangeable Pinkie grips and Palm rests – 3 of each included in the package
• Custom Weight System – it comes with 5 6-gram weights
• 5600 DPI with 4 custom DPI settings
• Lightweight Metal Chassis for support

Having these improvements over its competitors, the Cyborg R.A.T. 9 is a cool piece of tech for geeks all over the world.

3. Logitech Harmony 650

Tired of having to browse through your remotes when you want to watch some TV or listen to music? The Logitech Harmony 650 is a universal remote (let’s hope that smartphone, the universal all-in-one device, will do that soon) which can control up to 5 devices. The remote is fully programmable over Windows and Mac, just plug in the USB cable that comes in the package, and select the make and model of your devices and it’s done!
Harmony 650 has a color LCD display, and it features TV, Music and Movie buttons. The ergonomics are awesome, it looks cool and starting from $45 it’s a great idea for a gift! Though the programming of the remote is a little hustle, for the average geek, its just a walk in the park.

4. Sony Personal 3D Viewer

This gear is something anyone would like for their entertainment room. The Sony Personal 3D Viewer has dual OLED displays that give an immersive experience to your 3D HD Movie collection like never before, giving the impression of viewing a 150” display with none of the issues associated with regular 3D viewing.
It features 5.1 virtual surround sound provided by Sony’s Virtualphones Technology that you have to hear to believe. They are really comfortable, making you forget you even have them on. So, if you are looking for the perfect gift and happen to have $800 around, Sony’s Personal 3D Viewer is the perfect gift!

5. SpyNet Night Vision Binoculars

For all of you 007 fans out there, this tech toy can bring you one step closer to being a real life James Bond! The SpyNet Night Vision is an Infra Red kit that let’s you walk around in complete darkness without any stumbles or injuries. Here are some features of this Night Vision kit:

• Possibility to see up to 50 feet in complete darkness
• IR technology for binocular night vision
• Eye Width adjustment and Focus adjustment dials
• Four displays: regular, green-tinted, red-tinted, and blue-tinted.
• Short and long range selector switch (long range adds a ring of barely noticeable red led light to enhance range).
• Fits over many small frame glasses
• Neckstrap to keep close at hand (approx 13″ long).
• Flip up lens-cover.
• Augmented reality SpyNet Card included for extra online fun.
• it works on 4 AA

For $70 you can make anyone into a super-secret-agent. It’s lots of fun and a great idea for the Holidays to come.

6. Wi-Fli Smartphone Helicopter

Another version of the iPhone Drones, the Wi-Fli represents tones of fun! Remote control your helicopter via your smartphone, with only a app installed on your iPhone, iPad and Android device. It works at a range of up to 60 feet at a 2.4G frequency and the the helicopter has a build-in 3.7V battery that you have to recharge for 30-60 minutes via an USB cable. It looks to be a fun toy for any age.

7. MicroVision HDMI Laser Pico Projector

I wouldn’t want to have to explain to someone what I’d want for Christmas, but that huge name could be fitted in one simple gesture: plug in a device to your iPhone and project a 100” movie on any surface! I could see this gadget in class-rooms, business meetings (can it rival some bigger projectors?) and in someone’s living room. It’s a cool gadget and it has lots of cool features:

• Resolution: WVGA (848 x 480)
• Brightness: 15 Lumens
• Aspect Ratio: 16:9 Widescreen
• Focus: No user focus adjustment needed. Image is always in focus.
• Refresh Rate: 60 Hz (nominal)
• Color Gamut: >200% NTSC
• Contrast Ratio: >5,000:1
• Throw Ratio: 1:1 (projection distance/image diagonal)
• Image size: 150mm to 2500mm (6″ – 100″)
• Projection distance: 150mm to 2500mm (6″ – 100″)

The only thing I’d like to see in the future is 3D capability (have you ever wondered how 3D without glasses work?)and the possibility to work on any smartphone, but nonetheless, it’s a hot tech gadget in the cold winter nights to come.

8. Cube Laser Virtual Keyboard for iPad & iPhone

iPhones and iPads have a endless amount of gadgets made for them, but this one is one of the most useful out there. Having the possibility to be used with other smartphones and even laptops, the virtual keyboard could be a useful tool if you can’t get the hang of writing on a touchscreen. It gives users the possibility to use their fingers as a mouse and it has a battery life of 150 minutes. Here are some specs for the Virtual Keyboard:

• Projects a full-size laser keyboard onto any flat surface
• Allows the convenience of full-size typing in a tiny form factor
• Connects wirelessly via bluetooth to iPhone, iPad, many Smartphones and most Laptops
• Mouse mode allows you to use your finger as a mouse rather than typing when using with a laptop.
• Rechargeable battery lasts for 150 minutes of continuous typing
• Charges via USB. No drivers to install

9. Rovio Robot

This little guy is one of the coolest robots out there! Rovio is a 3-wheel robot which you can control from anywhere in the world and from anything with a internet connection (smartphone, laptop, pad and even gaming console). Its built-in video camera and microphone lets you interact with the family when you’re away, check the house from anywhere in the world, or even scare the cat to get some laughs.
It’s fully programmable and it has a idiot-proof software, so anyone can use it and with his GPS connectivity, it can roam free in the house and never get lost. Rovio can also “sense” when he is out of battery and he will return to his dock to get charged. The price-tag of $200 makes this little rover a must-have in your letter to Santa this year.

10. LEGO Mindstorms NXT 2.0

Lego has been making gifts for children for many years now, but with this 612 pieces Robot kit, Lego is trying to get to the heart of grown men:

• The intelligent NXT Lego brick features 32-bit microprocessor, a large matrix display
• Three interactive servo motors; four sensors(Ultrasonic Sensor, 2 Touch Sensors and the all-new Color Sensor)
• Color Sensor has triple functionality: Distinguishes colors and light settings, and functions as a lamp
• Easy-to-use software (PC and Mac) with icon-based drag-and-drop programming and 16 fun building and programming challenges
• Four input and 3 output ports, and Bluetooth and USB communication link

The kit contains instructions on how to build 4 different robots so you won’t have a minute to get bored in the winter Holidays.

11. Vuzix iWear

As you may have figured out from the name, iWear is something for iPhone, iPad and iPod users. The gadget doubles as a portable screen you wear on your  head. The integrated headphones make watching movies a blast! It comes in lots of models: for movies, games, wide-screen version, good for everyone’s needs, from the lazy to the gamer!
So, when ever you are bored in class, or just want to watch a movie but you are too lazy to get up from bed and get the remote, the iWear is the thing for you!