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Practical Tech Gifts for Every User Tech gifts present a challenge because everyone has different levels of expertise, and different things they like to do. This guide gives some of the best tech items out there for the full range of people.
TABLETS
FOR THE MEDIA JUNKIE: KINDLE FIRE HDX
FOR PRODUCTIVITY: MICROSOFT SURFACE PRO 2
If you need a tablet that you can get some work done on, the Surface Pro 2 is probably your safest bet. It has a detachable keyboard, and runs the full version of Windows 8, so you can use all your productivity apps like Word and Excel. But like the Kindle, it doesn’t have the kind of app variety you’ll find on an iPad. Starting at $899. microsoft.com
COURTESY OF APPLE
FOR APP JUNKIES: IPAD MINI WITH RETINA DISPLAY
For the tablet that will do fun, the iPad wins because of the bounty of offerings in the App store. Many tablets now have great displays, and though the iPad does probably win for aesthetics, the real strength is in all the cool and entertaining things you can do on it. Of course, you can also use it for reading and movies. Starting at $399. apple.com
COURTESY OF MICROSOFT
LAPTOPS
For the person who just wants to consume media like books, movies, and TV shows, as well as do some web browsing, the Kindle Fire will deliver. With a brilliant screen, lightweight design, and integrated customer service, this is a great tablet, but the downside is the lack of apps and games on the Amazon platform. Starting at $229. amazon.com
COURTESY OF AMAZON
BEST FOR GRAPHICS: ASUS N550 JV
For the one who wants to play the latest games with incredible graphics or watch high-definition videos, the ASUS N550 JV is a solid, relatively affordable option. It has a great hi-definition display, a quad-speaker sound system developed with Bang & Olufsen, and a powerful processor. This one can pretty much do it all. Starting at $939.93. xoticpc.com COURTESY OF ASUS
BEST HYBRID: HP ENVY 15
If you need to get a laptop for a student or someone who will use it for work, the HP ENVY will provide all you need. It’s a hybrid—meaning its screen is a touchscreen, like a tablet— so you have the best of both worlds. Now that Microsoft has worked out the kinks of Windows 8, this is a viable, exciting new direction for laptops. Starting at $899. shopping.hp.com
COURTESY OF HP
COURTESY OF ACER
BEST BASIC: ACER C720 CHROMEBOOK
For the person who just needs the basics, such as email, web browsing, and maybe video chatting (think grandma), a Chromebook is a perfect choice. Because it uses Google’s web-based Chrome OS, it’s immune to viruses, so you don’t have to worry about maintenance. There are several manufacturers making Chromebooks, but the Acer is a strong choice. Starting at $249.99. amazon.com