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Christmas tech: Gift ideas for 2012

Pricey or cheap, but all worth a look.

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A wish list, tech-style

With all the gadgets on the market today, finding the right gift for the tech-minded can be a challenge. We bring to you a list of desirable products, ranging from smartphones to keyboards to solar-covered tablet covers, for tech-lovers of all ages.

iPad mini

Apple's new iPad delivers all the same features as its bigger sister, just in a smaller, more portable package. Great for frequent travelers, the iPad mini measures 7.87in (full-sized iPads measure 9.5in) and is just 0.3 kg. Its smaller frame lets the iPad mini easily slide into purses or briefcases, and users can hold the tablet with just one hand. The only drawback is that the display is a bit of downgrade compared to bigger iPads, but other specs, such as battery life and cameras, are identical. The cheapest iPad mini is $509.

Kindle Fire HD

Amazon's 7in Kindle Fire HD touts specs that give Apple's iPad mini a run for its money and costing nearly $US130 less. The Kindle Fire HD comes equipped with a 1280x800 HD display, dual-driver stereo speakers and dual-antenna wi-fi that, according to Amazon, lets it download content 40 percent faster than the third-generation iPad. The 7in Kindle Fire HD comes in a 16GB model for $US199 and a 32GB model for $US249 - it's not available in Australia, but can be bought on Amazon's US online store.

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Logitech Keyboard Covers

Logitech's ultrathin keyboard cover is essentially two gifts in one, arming your iPad with a secure carrying case and a wireless keyboard. When on the go, the case snaps securely over the tablet, protecting it from any bumps and drops. When it's time for business, the cover can be snapped off and used as a Bluetooth-enabled keyboard, allowing users to quickly type up emails and other documents. It goes for $99.95 and comes in black, white and red. Personalised engravings are also available.

Samsung Galaxy Note II

Can't decide whether to surprise your loved ones this year with a tablet or a smartphone? Give them both with the Samsung Galaxy Note II. Its half-smartphone, half-tablet design makes the Samsung Galaxy Note II stand out from the slew of other mobile devices on the market today. The gadget comes with Google's latest mobile OS - Android 4.1 Jelly Bean - along with 4G support and a 5.5in HD display. Samsung also offers its S Pen stylus along with the Note. It is selling now for $899, and on plans from Optus, Vodafone and Virgin.

Jawbone Jambox

One of the most portable and powerful wireless speakers on the market, Jawbone's Jambox would make a great gift for any tunes-loving tech-head. According to Jawbone, Jambox is one of the few wireless speakers available that's equipped with a pair of proprietary acoustic drivers, letting it deliver a really big sound in a really small package. Jambox is compatible with most Bluetooth-enabled devices, such as iPhones, iPads, iPods, Android smartphones and tablets, and most Macs and PCs. Plus, it weighs under a kilo and gets a solid 10 hours of battery life, making it a great gift for on-the-go music lovers. Jawbone's Jambox speakers come in a variety of designs and colors, most of which start at $229.

GoSmart Clip

Put safety first this holiday season with the GoSmart Clip, a nifty little gadget that lets you attach your smartphone to your car steering wheel so your eyes never have to leave the road. Compatible with iPhones, BlackBerrys and pretty much all other smartphone on the market, the GoSmart Clip securely fastens to steering wheels of all sizes, making GPS navigation and placing phone calls much easier - and safer - while driving. The clip can also be attached to items like shopping carts, baby strollers, beach umbrellas and exercise equipment, and it includes a kickstand for viewing videos hands-free. The GoSmart Clip sells for $24 on Amazon.com.

iPhone 5

For those who didn't join the rush to buy the iPhone 5 the minute it came out, Apple's latest smartphone would make a great gift. Faster, thinner and lighter than previous iPhone models, the iPhone 5 created a frenzy when it was launched in September, and Apple sold more than 5 million within the first three days of availability. So what's all the fuss about? Apart from its more powerful processor and thinner form factor, Apple's latest smartphone also runs iOS 6, Apple's latest mobile software, and includes the same top-notch retina display that debuted with the third-generation iPad. Now that the rush is over, you can get an iPhone 5 at Apple and resellers for $799, and telcos on a variety of plans.

Google Nexus 10

Apple's iPad may rule the tablet market, but that doesn't mean there aren't any worthy competitors out there. Google's Nexus 10, a 10in, Android-based tablet, is one of them - and it sells for almost $100 less than the fourth-generation iPad, letting you save a few bucks at Christmas. And don't worry - its modest price tag doesn't mean sub-par specs. The display on the Nexus 10 actually has more pixels than the fourth-generation iPad's retina display, plus it runs a powerful ARM Cortex 15 dual-core processor. Google offers a 16GB model of the Nexus 10 for $469 and a 32GB version for $569. Apple's comparable iPad starts from $539.

Dell XPS Duo 12

Dell's XPS Duo 12 is one of the most unique form factors touting Microsoft's newest OS. The hybrid PC boasts a half-tablet, half-notebook form factor that lets users pop the screen out of a detachable bezel frame when they want to use the device as a tablet and pop it back in when they want to use it in laptop mode. The XPS Duo 12 is also fully touch-enabled and, according to Dell, has 97 percent more pixels than standard HP displays, making the Windows 8 "Metro UI" pop. The PC starts at $1499.

Clicky keyboard

Remember the days when typing on your PC keyboard meant people in other buildings could hear you? If you look back at those days with fondness and want everyone to know you are typing away, Filco's mechanical or 'clicky' keyboards are for you. Today's keypads just don't offer that loud and tactile feedback. Filco's offering's aren't cheap, but if you have the cash you can buy one of these beauties from AusPCmarket for upwards of $150.

Microsoft Surface

Microsoft Surface is the perfect gift this year for those curious to test run the software giant's first go at a tablet. Running Windows RT, the ARM-specific flavour of Windows 8, Surface is a 10in tablet that comes with an integrated kickstand, allowing users to prop it up to watch movies or browse the web hands-free. It starts at $559 and can be bundled with Microsoft's Touch Cover keyboard for an additional $130 to offer a more laptop-like experience. Another version of Surface, running Windows 8 Pro, is slated to launch in January.

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon ultrabook

Lenovo gave its popular ThinkPad laptop a make-over this year, in the form of its new ThinkPad X1 Carbon ultrabook. It's equipped with the same robust and business-centric functionality that's become synonymous with the ThinkPad brand, but in a much thinner and lighter frame, making it perfect for those in need of a new work notebook. The ThinkPad X1 Carbon ultrabook is a 14in notebook running Intel's Ivy Bridge processors and Microsoft's new Windows 8 OS. It has Lenovo's signature island-style keyboard, complete with its little red tracking ball. The ThinkPad X1 Carbon starts at $1999.

iShower speakers

We've all been caught singing in the shower at least once. So this year, let your loved ones embrace their inner vocalist with iShower's wireless speakers. These fully waterproof, easy-to-install speakers connect via Bluetooth to iPhones, iPods and Android smartphones, providing up to 15 hours of music streaming from up to a 200-foot range. The device, which goes for $149.95 through iWorld, is easily detachable, so it can also be used by the pool or the beach, without having to worry about water damage.

Samsung Galaxy camera

Want a camera that's also a smartphone? Then Samsung's Galaxy camera is your best bet. The camera has the same hardware as Samsung's Galaxy S III smartphone. It runs Android 4.1 Jelly Bean, has a 14MP camera sensor and a 21x optical zoom lens, is 3G and wi-fi capable and has a 4.8in HD display. It's on pre-order sale now at Harvey Norman for $599.

A wish list, tech-style

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Christmas tech: Gift ideas for 2012

Pricey or cheap, but all worth a look.

A wish list, tech-style

iPad mini

Kindle Fire HD

Discovery Bay Atari Arcade for iPad

Logitech Keyboard Covers

Samsung Galaxy Note II

Jawbone Jambox

GoSmart Clip

iPhone 5

Google Nexus 10

Dell XPS Duo 12

Clicky keyboard

Microsoft Surface

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon ultrabook

iShower speakers

Samsung Galaxy camera

A wish list, tech-style

Related articles

TSMC says US tariffs have some impact but AI demand robust

Dell raises annual profit forecast on strong AI server demand

Nvidia to launch cheaper Blackwell AI chip for China after US export curbs, sources say

Most popular tech stories

Westpac pilots AI to analyse inbound call content

Westpac hires CBA's data chief to lead AI, data and digital

Coles merges digital and customer leadership

City of Sydney's HR uplift to help career management

Orica to set new workforce systems live in Australia in July

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Telstra to move away from 'best effort' connectivity, let users tweak attributes

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