Best tech gadgets of 2010
Our take on the tech you should give
By Peter Wolchak
October 13, 2010
October 13, 2010
One of the best parts of publishing Backbone is we get to evaluate (okay, play with) all the hottest devices. Here is quick-hit list of this year’s top gadgets for giving.
Notebooks: Forget processor speed, RAM, even hard drive size. With the exception of true bargain-basement models, new laptops have enough power for the average user. Instead, consider weight and screen size, keyboard and touchpad quality, and appearance and colour choice. Combine those and then buy the model you can afford.
My favourite notebook this year is the Lenovo T410s: great build quality and an excellent keyboard and touchpad. It’s expensive at $1,700, but you’ll like it.
E-book readers: The best dedicated e-book device on the market is the new Amazon Kindle, and specifically the cellular version. Its $50 premium over the Wi-Fi-only model is a one-time fee: there’s no monthly cost. Possible contenders include updated readers from Sony and Kobo; I haven’t had a chance to try them yet, but I would be surprised to see them surpass the Kindle given their specs.
Tablet computers: If you want to give a tablet this year, buy an iPad. Apple sold three million in 80 days and those people seem happy. But if you can wrestle down the tablet impulse I actually advise waiting for iPad 2.0. Apple will deliver significant improvements when it launches the next version, not the least of which—I bet—will be two cameras.
Portable media player: iPod nano or an iPod touch. Sorry everyone else, this one is no contest.
Bluetooth headphones: The Nokia BH-905 is another easy recommendation. Great sound and cordless Bluetooth functionality are the pros; the $300 price is a con, but you are getting value for those dollars.
Internet sticks: All the major wireless providers offer USB keys that plug into a notebook and deliver cell-based Internet access, and the prices are pretty much equivalent. The hardware plus the monthly data fee make a great gift.
Radio plus the Web: The units are a little too expensive but the sound and functionality of Logitech’s Squeezebox lineup are excellent. These Internet radios have Wi-Fi built in, they can be controlled from a PC and—when coupled with a $50 Slacker Radio subscription—they deliver an excellent music experience.
TV plus the Web: Netflix, the much-loved American TV and movie service, launched in Canada in September. The unveiling was hamstrung by the company’s bizarre decision to fill its launch-day crowd with paid actors (“Ooh, I just love Netflix,” etc.) but don’t let that blind you to the value: in Canada, users can stream unlimited movies and TV shows for $7.99 a month. Yes, the selection is limited, but watch a few episodes or a couple of movies per month and you’re ahead of the DVD-rental game. And the Netflix lineup will get better.
I haven’t tried the new Apple TV yet but at $120 for the box and $5.99 for first-run movie rentals, the price is certainly right.
3D TV: I know it’s sexy, but I simply cannot recommend this technology yet. It’s pricey, there isn’t a lot of optimized content and a couple of years are needed to boost the quality. Hold off on this one for a while.
Peter Wolchak
Editor
pwolchak@backbonemag.com
You may be interested in: Kobo review by Glen Farrelly
Notebooks: Forget processor speed, RAM, even hard drive size. With the exception of true bargain-basement models, new laptops have enough power for the average user. Instead, consider weight and screen size, keyboard and touchpad quality, and appearance and colour choice. Combine those and then buy the model you can afford.
My favourite notebook this year is the Lenovo T410s: great build quality and an excellent keyboard and touchpad. It’s expensive at $1,700, but you’ll like it.
E-book readers: The best dedicated e-book device on the market is the new Amazon Kindle, and specifically the cellular version. Its $50 premium over the Wi-Fi-only model is a one-time fee: there’s no monthly cost. Possible contenders include updated readers from Sony and Kobo; I haven’t had a chance to try them yet, but I would be surprised to see them surpass the Kindle given their specs.
Tablet computers: If you want to give a tablet this year, buy an iPad. Apple sold three million in 80 days and those people seem happy. But if you can wrestle down the tablet impulse I actually advise waiting for iPad 2.0. Apple will deliver significant improvements when it launches the next version, not the least of which—I bet—will be two cameras.
Portable media player: iPod nano or an iPod touch. Sorry everyone else, this one is no contest.
Bluetooth headphones: The Nokia BH-905 is another easy recommendation. Great sound and cordless Bluetooth functionality are the pros; the $300 price is a con, but you are getting value for those dollars.
Internet sticks: All the major wireless providers offer USB keys that plug into a notebook and deliver cell-based Internet access, and the prices are pretty much equivalent. The hardware plus the monthly data fee make a great gift.
Radio plus the Web: The units are a little too expensive but the sound and functionality of Logitech’s Squeezebox lineup are excellent. These Internet radios have Wi-Fi built in, they can be controlled from a PC and—when coupled with a $50 Slacker Radio subscription—they deliver an excellent music experience.
TV plus the Web: Netflix, the much-loved American TV and movie service, launched in Canada in September. The unveiling was hamstrung by the company’s bizarre decision to fill its launch-day crowd with paid actors (“Ooh, I just love Netflix,” etc.) but don’t let that blind you to the value: in Canada, users can stream unlimited movies and TV shows for $7.99 a month. Yes, the selection is limited, but watch a few episodes or a couple of movies per month and you’re ahead of the DVD-rental game. And the Netflix lineup will get better.
I haven’t tried the new Apple TV yet but at $120 for the box and $5.99 for first-run movie rentals, the price is certainly right.
3D TV: I know it’s sexy, but I simply cannot recommend this technology yet. It’s pricey, there isn’t a lot of optimized content and a couple of years are needed to boost the quality. Hold off on this one for a while.
Peter Wolchak Editor
pwolchak@backbonemag.com
You may be interested in: Kobo review by Glen Farrelly
