These Are A Few Of My Favorite Things: Gadgets!

• iPad Mini. I bought both the new Ipad (4th Gen) and the iPad Mini the day they came out. I have to admit that I’ve used the Mini way more. Its small size is perfect for travel, reading and quick web browsing needs. Pair it with a slim back cover and the Smart Cover and you preserve the uber weightlessness of this gorgeous device. Buy the largest storage size you can afford, and only include the 4G if your phone doesn’t support tethering/hotspot capabilities. 
• iPad. They just get better and better. The newest one, the 4th generation, is both fast and breathtaking. The display is beyond anything else you will see. Text/fonts, pictures, web pages… all stunning. All current iPads boast front and rear cameras for Facetime, pictures and videos. iMessage is also a standard app on all current iPads (iOS6 required.)
• iPhone 5. And you thought the Retina display couldn’t get better? Now you have more of it. Wow. It’s so thin too, and lighter than its predecessor. Amazing. Buy a cover immediately to preserve your device from little scratches. 4G/LTE also makes this one amazing phone.
• iPhone 4S. If you don’t have an iPhone 5 I sure hope you have the next best phone… its older sibling.
• Samsung Galaxy S III. If you have to own an Android, or prefer no-contract phone companies (like MetroPCS), this is the phone for you. It’s huge though, so unless you have big pockets, or carry a purse, this will be cumbersome. Bright and detailed display, fast processing, fantastic camera pictures, tethering/Hotspot, and 4G make this the front runner without question. MetroPCS has an unlimited 4G plan for $55/month (as of this post), thus the best deal for an uber phone and unlimited 4G data.
• Arctic p311 (bluetooth headphones). These are great for personal media listening. Easy to pair, light and comfy, not expensive, and USB rechargeable make them a great pair for around the house. They don’t have noise cancellation so I don’t recommend them for traveling.
• Sony MDRNC22/PIN (noise canceling earbuds.) Like most, they use batteries and can use them quickly if not shut off. But their noise cancellation is excellent, and the earbud design is so comfortable. I use these when I travel international so I can sleep. The larger headphones make sleeping uncomfortable. They are for medium size ears. Also, I use them to watch movies and listen to music only while traveling. Some complain about their tone quality… my two pairs have been fine, perfect even. I don’t play anything too loud though.
• MacBook Pro. I’ve had several, including two MB Airs, and couldn’t recommend them more to anyone looking for a laptop. Their speed, ease of use, reliability, graphics, lightness and over-all fun make them the perfect choice. Yes, they are expensive, but used ones come on the market (via Craigslist) all the time. Most who own Apple Laptops keep them in immaculate condition (sans teenagers), so look for a year old model and save yourself a bit. Don’t be surprised though to see the price drop by a mere $100-$200… they hold their value very well. The new Retina display models are gorgeous, but only come with solid state drives… which means smaller amount of storage for your buck. If it will be your only machine I’d recommend either an external hard drive coupled with it, or a regular MacBook Pro.
• iMac 27″. OMG. I don’t even know where to start. You can configure this puppy to have 3.4GHz quad-core i7, 32G RAM, 3TB drive that includes a solid state drive, Nvidia Gforce 2G, with a wireless trackpad and keyboard. All that goodness hidden inside this svelte reduced-glare 27″ screen. Not an impulse purchase though… wait times average four weeks. Fine.. stop reading here, order one, and come back… I’ll wait.
• Back? Good… congrats on your new iMac. Mine’s due at the end of the year… OMG. 😉
• Apple TV. This black box has brought TV into a new realm for me. We got rid of cable almost two years ago and have never looked back. Using Netflix, iTunes and other digital content, we can share this library with the entire house. Also, with your Mac computer, you can leverage your TV as an “air” monitor. Very cool.
• PlayStation 3. I like this console more for its Blue-ray and network server capabilities. It also has Netflix and web browsing available. As for gaming… it’s a personal choice. My hubby and I like both PS3 and Xbox. My son prefers the Xbox (console-wise.) Since we defer to his games we play a lot more Xbox.
• Blendtec Blender. I love this thing. It makes the very best smoothies and frozen drinks. Ice is mere snow when it’s done. Fruit is puree, soft and sweet. You will end up eating/drinking far more healthy simply because everything is so palatable. I had the Vitamix too and prefer the Blendtec due to its many pre-set options and five-sided pitcher. Easy to clean as well.
• Breville BOX650XL 1800 watt Toaster Oven. This thing is the bomb! We got it as a wedding gift and use it every single day. My husband no longer uses a toaster since this toasts even large pieces of bread evenly every time. Pizza, cookies, pies, small chickens, finger foods, etc. It bakes, toasts, broils, etc. Easy to clean and very modern. Use your oven a whole lot less with this addition!
• Cuisinart CPK17 (electric kettle.) Perfect temperature every time, for every type of beverage. Also has a “keep warm” feature for refills. Another morning staple.
• Keurig B70 Platinum. Drink coffee? This machine makes the perfect cup, every time. You have a huge selection of coffees, or can get a reusable filter and make your own. Love it!
• Conair Extreme Hand-Held Steamer. Worked wonderfully on my wedding dress. Need I say more? 😉
• Oregon Scientific RM313PNA Self-Setting Atomic Clock. It also projects the time on the ceiling with soft red numerals. Easy to read above you yet no bothersome glow. Always the right time too. Sweet!

 

I could go on for hours. If you have a specific product need feel free to ask; it’s likely I’ll have a tried and true recommendation! Merry Christmas 🙂

 

Coming up next… Technology Management and Career favorites!