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Best Geek Gifts

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by Erik Eckel 1 view

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What are the best gifts for technology enthusiasts this year? Here's my take on the five items that should be on each techie's wish list:

1. Apple PowerBook.
2. 30GB iPod.
3. Das Keyboard.
4. Ambient Orb.
5. Fisher Original AG7 Space Pen.

What's your top five list look like?

77 replies

by jdgretz

1. Canon 1Ds Mark II w/EF 17-44 USM and EF 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6L IS USM lenses

2. Epson Stylus Pro 9800 Professional Edition printer

3. Prepaid T-1 service

4. MSA MILLENNIUM 12-String Steel Guitar

5. XM Portable Radio

jdg

by gsg

When I ask for stuff, I get the blank deer-in-the-headlights look, then on Christmas morning, I get everything but what I asked for. This year, after listing my wants, I ended with, "You know... forget it, just get me gift cards to ". The relief in their faces tells me that I'll probably get my gift cards.

by nodnarb

Das Keyboard has to be the worst gift idea of the season. Really, you are paying $80 for an old IBM keyboard from the late 80s to early 90s that someone spray painted black. Whoever sells these just made a nice looking website and wrote some jargon to make them look cool. Go find one of these old keyboards lying in some closet somewhere and take a closer look. They are almost exactly the same. I have two that I'll paint and sell you for $50 each. A real bargain! ;-)

by maecuff

For the male geeks in my department, I bought a little gun that shoots ninjas over cubible walls, a travel mug that says "no, I will not fix your computer" and an airzooka (which is the coolest toy EVER). For my geek son, I bought a hoodie that has what looks like a college emblem with the letters STFU on the front. And the female geeks in my department are getting knock off purses from Chinatown.

by ahm

Well, as a female geek, I'd MUCH rather have the travel mug or the ninja gun. I hate carrying a purse to begin with, and a purse is normally a personal selection. Sorry - go for the unisex gifts!

by maecuff

But I've worked with these people for a long time, we're a close knit group. I'm pretty sure I've chosen wisely..

by oz_media

I think I'll buy the girls in admin, boxes of condoms. Girls and guys can both enjoy them, both need them and should always use them, and you never know the hint just may work out well for me too.

by jamjar_42

A little gun that shoots ninjas over cubicle walls? What a great idea!! Id be grateful if you'd tell me where i can get one of those, i can picture the fun now!

by jamesrl

The former Prime Minister of Canada went to St. Francis Xaxier University or ST.FX U.

James

by gralfus

I like the stuff they have at Edmund Scientific: http://www.scientificsonline.com
way too much to list here.

Another great site full of gadgets and really cool science experiments (for the Mr. Wizard crowd):
http://www.stevespanglerscience.com/

I did the pop-can crushing experiment at home. It is a really impressive demonstration of atmospheric pressure.

And for the retro real Mr. Wizard, go to http://www.mrwizardstudios.com/

For geeks being harassed by aliens:
http://www.stopabductions.com/
Since I've worn mine, I haven't been harassed by aliens, so it must work.

by puppybreath

I saw your post regarding the helmets to stop alien abductions. I made mine immediately and I don't hear the voices any more. I'm free! I'm free! Thanks so much for setting me free!

by alangeek

1. After reading lots of poor reviews, I'm leery of buying one, but if someone were to give me a ColdHeat soldering device, I'd like to try it out. I suspect that it has limited uses, but for certain things it should work well, provided the user understands how it works and how to use it.

2. A QX5 microscope to replace the QX3 I have.

3. Any of the brainteaser puzzles at Bits & Pieces, especially the metal ones.

by binarypc

Ok, I can go with the Apple PowerBook, but here's a few more I would add to my list.

1. Acer Ferrari 4000
2. Palm TX or Life Drive
3. 1GB SD/USB Card
4. 36" LCD TV (w/ Media Center PC)
5. 30GB iPod - Video
6. USB Aquarium
7. Oh yeah... Fantastic Four DVD ;-)

by lori

1. iRobot Roomba Discovery
2. iTech Bluetooth Virtual Keyboard
3. 5.6" LCD Digital Photo Frame
4. More x10 light switches and cameras

by jdclyde

And it was the first thing I thought of when I saw the heading for this discussion even before opening it.

I ALWAYS get stuff from there, for gifts and otherwise.

My boys LOVE the shirts I have gotten them from there for Christmas last year. (killer coding ninja monkeys, and the "halfling and a dragaon")

by maecuff

Bought the little magnet men with the bendy arms and legs for me for my birthday last year. They've been a big hit with everyone. I can't tell you how many times I get in my office and find that someone has arranged them in some sort of obscene position.

by jdclyde

Anyone know of a decent MP3 player, with at least 256M that isn't overly expensive?

As I have twins, I will have to buy TWO of them, so an Ipod is NOT what I am looking for.

Thanks!

by jdclyde

how much is it? They don't even list that? And not available at all? Poor me.

Why would you tease me like this? :p

by bfilmfan

Being a movie fan, I think these are the coolest geek gifts for the holidays:

The Lament Configuration replica (And I mean this is cool, plus it would be fun to leave in your office and then ask the person that visits and picks it up and plays with it do they know there will be Hell to pay...)

http://www.pyramid-gallery.com/LamentConfig.html

12" Leatherface doll!

http://store.dolltv.com/le12dofrtech.html

He Who Kills! (I mean EVERYONE that EVER saw Trilogy of Terror HAS to have this one!)

http://www.majesticstudiosinc.com/zuni.html

And if you have have about $637,000 dollars (US) that you simply MUST use, might I recommend the ULTIMATE GEEK GIFT, The MACH 5!!!

http://www.driveamach5.com/index.php?id=6

Also available, the Shooting Star, Racer X's ride:

http://www.driveamach5.com/index.php?id=7

Note if you get the Mach 5, every femme fatale geekette on TR, is gonna wanna go out to dinner....

by jdclyde

to describe.

The Lament Configuration is so sweet! Just can't see $125 for a non-working puzzle to he11? Someday!

only 100 mach 5's. Wonder what they will go for?

did you see the new Monty Pyton box set is out?
http://tinyurl.com/dhk3x

by stargazerr

are the only two sites I live by .... Oh and I need to check my email to be able to breathe too :D

A question, though, I am in the UK.Is there a UK site for this stuff?? As you might have guessed, I dont like the customs part :)

]:)

by jdclyde

the only thing they have in the UK is rain and beer. Hope your getting more of the second than the first! :p

by stargazerr

We have Harry Potter too ....

There never was a more wonderful tool to shut the kids up ...

]:)

by jdclyde

Give them a nice polo (BLACK) with the Tech Republic logo on it or a nice Tech Republic coffee mug.

Oops! I forgot. They won't sell us that stuff! :O

by jdclyde

that isn't what Santa has planned for his naughty girl this year..... ]:) :x

But that does seem like a good idea. I wonder why no one has EVER asked them before about a TR shop? (cough cough) I KNOW LOTS of people that would dig this, (including me) but nooooooo. I think Erik is just keeping all of the goodies for himself!

by gadgetgirl

rephrase that one - quick!

don't put phrases like "wonderful tool" into discussions involving JD, it get's him over excited!

:p

GG

by stargazerr

why he is so busy that he isnt able to type :^O

To jd : jd, it isnt a "wonderful tool"...It is "pretty hard" to shut the kids up without it :p

]:)

by jdclyde

than to watch the two of you with this "wonderful tool"! ]:) Oh that is a visual! WOO WOO! A [b]HARD[/b] wonderful tool too! Better yet!

Oh my, oh my.

(Has Mambo run from the room yet? :8} )

by stargazerr

he is blushing in a corner somewhere ...

We are on the lookout ... People, Mambo is a species which is found underneath a red glow .. Kindly keep your eyes open ...

Whoever finds Mambo (also goes by the name of 'Lamkin') will be rewarded "wonderfully"

]:)

by gadgetgirl

Black Silk teddy
Midnite blue basque with suspenders and matching thong
Balconesque bra (no, I'm not putting the size on here!)
Red and black crotchless nix
Matching peephole bra
Love cuffs
Love balls
Nurses outfit
Chambermaids outfit

well, if DM WAS here, he's sure to have gone now!

So the other item was a Rampant Rabbit, but I had to wait till he left, first, I didn't want him doing his beacon impression again....

;\

GG

by jdclyde

Did I mention "country girls" favorite Halloween costume is a french maid? ;\ Her mom doesn't like it though. "It is too short!"

Sounds good to me!

And GG, I expect you to try each and every one of your presents on in front of that hidden web cam I installed in your bedroom! ]:)

by gadgetgirl

my little school uniform? I think you'd like that. Now, where did you say the camera was? I've forgotten which post of the four poster bed you said you'd install it on......

Don't think the nuns outfit would do that much for you, (it's not habit forming! haha!) even though there's nothing worn underneath, it does tend to take a long time to remove.....especially the wimple.....

:D :x

GG

by gadgetgirl

because after that remark, he [b] will [/b] be dead when I get my hands on him.

I'll tear him limb from limb; I'll hang, draw and quarter him; I'll rip him to shreds....

oh.

Hang on.

He's bigger than me.

Ok - I'll bring myself to my full height and head butt you in the kneecaps...or other associated areas....

You're dead jd. I have decreed this.

X-(

GG

by jdclyde

that the original title wasn't an accident? There is NO WAY that YOU could have EVER written THAT to ME without KNOWING how it would be taken? :x

by jdclyde

suppose to read directly into what you typed? ?:|

At least when you said they "have " you, you didn't include "repeatedly" or "frequently"? :O

Are you going to TRY to tell me that I took this wrong? I have re-read this multiple times, and no matter how many times I do, I feel the need to go to the bathroom and then take a nap? ]:)

:x :x :x :x :x

by attackcomputerwhiz

I want a 60" LCD HDTV with a VGA monitor input with the highest resolution I can get.

My daughter wants the hoodie she saw in the "bullseye" store that has built-in headphones and a pocket to put her MP3 player. She also wants me to upgrade her PC again. I may just build her a new one and take the current one to refit as a media PC.

(For the person asking about MP3 players, depending on how young the kids are, get a CD player that plays MP3s and WMAs and offer to convert all their regular CDs so they can have all their music on one CD. Works just fine for a 7- or 8-year old whose parents really might not want to spend all their time syncing Disney songs.)

by maecuff

Wouldn't a gift of condoms be a little mean? What would they use them for? Makeshift pocket protectors? You'd have to forgo the lubricated ones, they'd just ruin their shirts..

by zlitocook

Like a 24 volt cordless drill I want and the compleat set of SG1 Atlantis, wait the second could be considered geeky.
Ok heres the list
1. 300 gig sata drive
2. light scribe cd/dvd burner (it burns your label on the media)
3. the new 40 gig ipod with the iboom box.
4. 2.4 ghz wireless with night vision (portable, you can hide it in a button ect.)
5. any thing that still lets my get my music and files for free.

by toolman2010

1. new bumper for small truck - $645 (US)

www.shrockworks.com

2. Winch for new bumper - $800

4. a job with benefits

5. An iriver H10 mp3 player - got one for my birthday but my daughter kidnapped it.

by Erik Eckel

Erik's not holding out... TechRepublic items have become scarce.

You may be in luck, though. I'm hearing rumor the "biggest TechRepublic tchotchke giveaway ever" (US only due to legal issues) is imminent.

by jdclyde

I can deal with the idea of a giveaway, but the part of you calling me dearest has me kind of creeped out... :^O

Oh, and I wasn't looking for "givaways" but a store to purchase goodies. serious about that shirt Idea!

Thanks for the update!

by stargazerr

I am going to be very corny and stomp my feet Erik ...You have been warned

You need to ship those goods outside US too ... how about having a shop where we can buy stuff and pay for postage and duty ...

]:)

by gadgetgirl

(oh, and us_g - seconded!)

you're keeping us Brits out again! Not to mention your favourite Aussie (Col) and his mates.

This is just toooooo much.

All you Yanks get the goodies....I bet you even have a back door so the Canucks can get their goodies, too.

Hmmmph.

Miffed.

For that, Erik, your Christmas card is NOT in the post.

Unless, of course, you explain your legal issues to me, at once, immediately, if not sooner.

(and don't try to pull the wool - legal issues are a part of my daily life in here!)

"I await your prompt reply" !!

GG

by jdclyde

that he called ME dearest and not you! :p

Yanks get the goodies because we DESERVE them! Ask OZ! :^O

And OZ is also a BIG fan of that back door..... (at least that is what I got out of his last exchange with MARK) :D

by Erik Eckel

The TR staff would go to jail if we violated international sweepstakes laws! Then we'd have to draft our content from prison cells. There'd be no more fresh fruit!

by jdclyde

to address first? Start at the bottom I always say!

As it comes?

Swallow?

Another way of taking it?

I had something really good half posted, until I remembered poor Erik is trying to run a legit descussion about Gifts and such, so I refrained. But if you know me, and you use your imagination you can fill in the blanks!

]:)

by gadgetgirl

but not because he called you dearest (I'd really be worrying now if I were you!) but because yet again, the Pond is the "catch net" of "legal issues"

I wonder what percentage of TR-ers are NOT from the US??

It's not really fair if 100% of your goodies are only able to be sent to 50% of your members!

(sorry there were so many DE's in there....it's been one of those dodgy days!)

I'd heard about Oz.....there are a few very worried people out there now....especially Mark!!

:D

GG

by gadgetgirl

So that's your weak and feeble excuse, is it?

So, how about setting up a TR office over here, then? Then you could do a UK sweepstake, without violating any laws...and if you did, we DO have fresh fruit in our prisons!

Hmm. I was thinking of looking for a new job in the new year anyway..... :p

oh, the things you have to do to get a TR freebie in this world.....

:D

GG

(thanks for trying, anyway!)

by stargazerr

Then like GG says...set up an office in the UK ..

I am already fuming about thinkgeek not having an office in the UK ...

]:)

by jaqui

the treaties between Canada and the us would let us Canucks be eligible!!

by jdclyde

I am pretty sure I read somewhere that you aren't suppose to dilute the chances of Americans recieving free goodies for any reason whether it is legal or not!

But don't worry, I will send you a nice pic of me with my pile of loot! :D

by innocent_bystander

Hi,

I'm just starting to search for the ideal keyboard. We've got two MS bluetooth high-end keyboards and keys are starting to stick on both.

I'm looking for the best feel, and it doesn't have to be wireless. I don't want to get an ergonomic keyboard because I don't want to lose my standard keyboard chops.

Also, anyone know if the new home/end/delete/page-up/page-down configuration is going to be the new standard?

Thanks

by Erik Eckel

I don't know about the new standard (that's a good question), but I purchased a matching Logitech keyboard mouse combo (MX 3000 Laser) earlier this year, and I've been very happy with it.

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