The holiday season is fast approaching in many parts of the world, which means gift givers will soon be compiling their shopping lists. This year, though, the emphasis is likely to be on frugality — thanks to economies around the world that are weak and getting weaker. But never fear: Tech gifts are available in all price categories, and less expensive does not have to mean less interesting or less fun. In fact, searching for low-priced tech products that will make a big impact as gifts just might lead you to look at products that are too often overlooked. Read on for some ideas.LITTLE THINGS MEAN A LOT
The market for tech accessories — everything from notebook computer stands to USB flash drives — is huge. There’s good reason, too: the little add-ons often add up to greater productivity or more fun. That’s good news for frugal gift givers because tech accessories are often inexpensive.
Almost every computer user can benefit from a wide variety of low-cost accessories that few go out and buy themselves. CD and DVD sleeves or jewel cases, for instance, are almost universally in demand, since an unprotected writable CD or DVD is almost destined to be scratched beyond repair. Similarly, a CD or DVD carrying case may come in handy — and is similarly priced.
Staying on the theme of protection, protective keyboard covers can keep bread crumbs and drinks from fouling up a keyboard. LCD cleaning kits, too, will always come in handy — and they’ll prevent your computer-using gift recipient from resorting to cleaning an LCD with potentially harmful chemicals or paper towels that can leave scratches. Rosewill makes a good LCD cleaning kit, which comes with an ample amount of liquid as well as a soft foam applicator, for under US$30.
Notebook computer users can often benefit from little gadgets that make computing on the road more comfortable — or more fun. In the more comfortable category, consider giving a wireless notebook mouse. Microsoft’s Notebook Optical Mouse 3000, for example, is small, comfortable, and can be found for as little as US$15 online. For just a bit more, you can give a notebook user the gift of live images with a Webcam designed to clip onto a laptop’s screen. Logitech’s QuickCam for Notebooks retails for just under US$30 online, and the Microsoft LifeCam NX costs just a couple of US dollars more. Both make Web chats via notebook a reality.
For portable storage, USB flash drives have been a great idea for several years, and these tiny devices have only gotten larger in capacity and cheaper in price — great for cost-saving gifts. One gigabyte models are widely available online for US$5 — often even less — and 2 gigabyte flash drives are just a couple of US dollars more.
Also, subscriptions to technology magazines or subscription-only tech Web sites are a sure-fire hit for tech buffs — and subscriptions are inexpensive. Buy a single issue for wrapping, or a gift card, and include a note about the subscription.
For kids, games for computers or gaming consoles are always a hit. A stroll through your local computer store’s gaming section or at a popular online retailer will tell you what’s hot this year for particular age groups. Games generally run from US$40 to US$60, but game compilations of older titles are also packed with fun and can be purchased for much, much less.
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