Consoles and handheld gaming devices
The holiday season is usually met with indecision, headaches and a flurry of last-minute shopping as you frantically try to balance life (because it never gives you a break) with finding the perfect gift for your favorite people.
To help you survive the winter madness, TechRadar has put together a neat little list of the best tech goodies you can get, so you can spend more time knocking back eggnog while watching faces of the people you love light up with joy as they receive an awesome present from you.
After all, that’s what the holidays are about right? Having a good time with great people, and giving something to get that smile and squeal of excitement.
So happy holidays from all of us at TechRadar and get some shopping done with our techtastic and gamerific 2013 Holiday Gift Guide!
Consoles and handhelds
The console war between gaming veterans Sony and Microsoft has been amplified this year with the upcoming release of two new next-gen consoles. Other gaming names refuse to be left out though, and have entered their machines into the console race for a chance to sit in your living rooms.
PlayStation 4
First up on our list is the Sony PlayStation 4. The system boasts great features like free streaming and recording and the PS4 is more developer-friendly – meaning the list of games will continue to grow allowing more variety.
Along with making gamers as happy as possible, the console has big ambitions to be the most affordable, high-end gaming machine on the market and it looks like the company’s hard work is paying off since demand for the PS4 is off the charts.
With its $ 399 price tag – the PlayStation Eye will be sold separately for a mere $ 59.99 – it’s no surprise pre-orders filled up and nearly disappeared before its Nov. 15 launch date.
However, Sony claims there should be enough to go around as the holidays draw closer, so be on the look out as this machine will be gone before you know it.
Check out the PS4 Dualshock 4 hands on.
Xbox One
Microsoft’s Xbox One is the other crazy popular (and much more controversial) console. Selling for $ 499, it’s a bit pricier than its opposition – but the Kinect comes included with the whole package.
The new One console wants to be your one-stop entertainment solution for the living room by integrating live TV, games, movies and web services such as Skype, all controlled using Kinect’s improved voice recognition features.
By getting one person an Xbox One for gaming, you’re also picking up a whole entertainment system for the entire family.
Microsoft says with Skype and SkyDrive functions, the system would also make a great platform for businesses.
Essentially, the One is a multipurpose console that could be given to anyone, so you really can’t go wrong picking one these guys up.
Check out the Xbox One Gamepad hands on
Mad Catz Mojo
Mad Catz is a first time contender in the console war with its Android powered Mojo.
More of a mini console, or "micro-console" to be specific, the Mojo still packs a veritable amount of power which of course means your wallet will be giving up some moolah – $ 250 to be exact.
The Mojo comes pre-loaded with TegraZone, Google Play and remains an open platform that will be compatible with various mobile games from several different storefronts.
Read the full Mad Catz Mojo hands on.
2DS
Thanks to its affordability and durable looking build, the $ 130 Nintendo 2DS is sure to be a hit with parents looking for a handheld for the younger gamers.
The 2DS serves as an introductory gaming system and is definitely geared towards families with multiple kids who all want a handheld.
The 2DS’s more expensive predecessors are already a popular bunch and with popular Nintendo-only games like Pokemon and Mario, you really can’t go wrong picking up a 2DS.
5 things Nintendo’s Hiroshi Yamauchi gave to gaming
Holiday Gift Guide: Mobile phones
Do you know someone in your life who really needs to get rid of their half broken phone? You know, the one with the cracked screen, shoddy battery life and missing on/off button?
With all the great choices available on the market, maybe it’s time you help them out and send a little holiday smartphone cheer.
iPhone 5S
The iPhone 5S is probably the hottest phone out there (or in the top five at least) and would make a great gift for the Apple fanatic in your life.
Unlike the iPhone 4S, it actually feels like you’re getting a brand new phone thanks to the addition of Touch ID, new camera, better battery life and faster guts all around.
Boasting new color choices – black, space grey, gold – the iPhone 5S sales start at $ 199.99 on a two-year contract.
Here’s where you can get the iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C
iPhone 5C
If you’re looking for something a bit more flashy, Apple’s neon array of iPhone 5C‘s is your best bet.
Hate it or love it, we think its still has a spot on our holiday gift guide. Some feel the phone is a bit childish and cheap because of the colors and its polycarbonate exterior.
But if you know someone desperate for an iPhone 5 but can’t afford it, you really can’t go wrong picking up the 5C since they’re essentially the same phone with a few upgraded tweaks here and there.
Starting off at a low $ 99 on a two-year contract from most carriers also means you’ll still be able to buy more than one person gifts. Huzzah!
Not sure which iPhone to give? TechRadar can help with that
Moto X
Another popular handset this year, the Moto X debuted to a hesitant crowd but has proven itself to be a great compact, stylish handset with decent specs and good battery life.
Plus it’s polycarbonate like the iPhone 5C which makes it less prone to scratches and scuffs.
Oh, and it likes to talk to you. (Not as creepy as it sounds, we promise.) You can speak to your phone at will, using the phrase "OK, Google Now" and the phone will respond only to your specific voice.
The Moto X starts off at $ 199.99 on a two-year contract for the 16GB version.
All the places you can get the Moto X
HTC One
The HTC One released earlier this year but definitely remains a top dog in the phone arena.
It’s full HD screen crammed into 4.7-inches, which brings a 468ppi – making everything you’re looking at crisp, clean and swoon worthy. On top of that there’s a CPU and RAM combo that is barely bettered, a more-than-enough 32GB of storage and top-end Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and 3G/4G LTE connections.
The HTC One is without a doubt the best phone from the Taiwanese firm, and is currently selling for $ 199 with two year contract
Read the full HTC One review
Samsung Galaxy Note 3
The latest and greatest from Samsung, the Galaxy Note 3 is a fantastic device, but decidedly not for everyone thanks in part to its hugeness.
It’s not going to have the broad appeal of the Galaxy S4, nor catch the eye of the fashion-conscious iPhone 5S purchaser.
But for those with Apple-fatigue and actually would prefer a larger screen (maybe the business types you know?), the 5.7-inches of full HD, 1080 x 1920 Super AMOLED display makes the Galaxy Note 3 is the perfect choice. Just be wary that the big phone means it’ll cost you big bucks – around $ 299 to be exact.
Is the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 better than the Galaxy Note 2? Find out here!
Holiday Gift Guide: Tablets
Almost everyone has a tablet nowadays, so why not pick one up for the person in your life who doesn’t have one?
Tablets are more portable and lightweight than laptops but provide the extra screen surface a smartphone can’t. Our holiday gift guide wouldn’t be complete without the busload of new tablets that came out this year especially since they all seem to be better than the next one, specs-wise and price wise (we wouldn’t be surprised if you got one for yourself).
New Nexus 7
Google’s earlier Asus-made Nexus 7 was already an amazing compact tablet so it’s no wonder the new Nexus 7 is also a dream.
With a low starting price, great battery life, powerful performance and beautiful HD screen it hurdles right over the expensive less impressive iPad mini – and for just a little more money, it offers greater functionality than a Kindle Fire HD.
The 16GB or 32GB go for a mere $ 229 and $ 269 respectively, with an LTE version selling for $ 300.
The old Nexus versus the new Nexus in case you were wondering
iPad mini 2 with Retina display
The iPad mini was missing one little thing to really compete with Google’s Nexus 7 powerhouse, and with the newest iteration from Apple, it looks like the search engine giant will have a worthy Cupertino 7-incher.
Actually, the iPad mini 2 measures in at 7.9-inches, exactly the same size as the year-old iPad mini, but the display comes with a resolution boost of 2048 x 1536 meaning that it has a Full HD display. This doubles the original iPad mini’s 163ppi to 326ppi.
With the Retina technology on board, the new iPad mini comes with a resolution of 2048 x 1536 meaning that it has a Full HD display. This doubles the original iPad mini’s 163ppi to 326ppi.
Hmm, which is better: the iPad mini or the iPad mini 2 with Retina display?
Surface Pro 2
Microsoft’s latest tablet seems pretty much the same as the previous iteration but in actuality, the 10.6-inch Surface Pro 2 is much more powerful.
The added upgrades really can’t be ignored especially if you’re looking to get a Windows 8.1 device. Running Intel’s latest i5 Haswell chip gives it some appreciated speed and battery life making it almost as quick as an Ultrabook.
The $ 899 price is steep, especially for a tab, but someone in your life would probably greatly appreciate this well-made machine over its bulkier, even more expensive counterparts.
Does Windows 8.1 make the new Surface Pro 2 worth getting?
Kindle Fire HDX
If you know someone looking to upgrade their Kindle, Amazon has a new line of tablets out: the Kindle Fire HDX with a new Fire OS 3.0 called Mojito.
Confused about the "HDX" part of the name? Apparently, it’s Amazon’s Retina display-beating tablets with the 7-inch variety boasting 323 ppi in its 1920 x 1200 resolution screen and the 8.9-inch tablet touting 339 ppi in its 2560 x 1600 resolution screen.
Coming in 16GB, 32GB and 64GB, with Wi-Fi only or 4G-enabled, there’s plenty to pick from.
Pricing for the 7-inch HDX will start at $ 229 for the 16GB Wi-Fi only option, while the 8.9 HDX will start at $ 379 for the same configuration.
Maybe Amazon’s newest Kindle Paperwhite is better for your recipient?
iPad Air
Apple hater or Apple lover, you know the iPad Air is going to be a major seller this year which is why it’s definitely on our holiday gift guide.
We really can’t blame the Apple fans in your life for desperately wanting an iPad Air tablet though – it’s 20% thinner at just 7.5mm, which is a whopping 2.2mm thinner than the outgoing iPad 4 and more than a millimeter thinner than Google’s Nexus 10 or Nokia’s 2520.
You can pick up this faster, lighter, slim-bezeled beauty from a variety of places starting at $ 499 for a 16BG Wi-Fi only model, where 32GB costs $ 599, 64GB is $ 699 and the 128GB for a hefty $ 799.
If you want a little cellular data with your Wi-Fi connection, you’ll have to dish up to $ 620 for 16GB, $ 729 for 32GB, $ 829 for 64GB and $ 929 for 128GB.
10 things you should know about the Apple iPad Air
Holiday Gift Guide: Grab bag
If you managed to get the big gifts out of the way and want something else to add to the pile, our holiday gift guide also includes a grab bag of sorts for you to sift through and maybe find a few stocking stuffers (albeit a few listed here are pricey so they could actually be a bigger gift).
Or perhaps you’ll find a few accessories and peripherals for the tech and gamer people in your life who already have it all.
Chrome Sentinel Backpack
A new backpack for all the goodies you’ve just bought would be the icing on the cake for your recipient.
The Chrome Sentinel is a tad expensive at $ 130, but it’s comfortable (albeit a little small), super-sturdy, weatherproof and guaranteed to last a long time.
Timbuk2 Power Q Backpack
Another well-known brand for being durable and long lasting, Timbuk2′s Power Q Backpack is just that and a little bit more.
What makes it really standout is the inclusion of the Joey T1 Power Supply which allows for two on-the-go smartphone charges if there’s no outlet nearby.
The Power Q also has plenty of pockets to spare but again like the Chrome, the bag itself is on the smaller side which is something to consider since the $ 199 price tag is kind of hefty.
Creative Sound Blaster EVO Zx
Though the Creative Sound Blaster EVO Zx headset is for the PC, we’re sure you know at least one PC gamer who would appreciate new headphones, especially since they get better every year.
Creative Sound Blaster is a known presence in computer audio and has been making headphones for awhile now. They aren’t always perfect, but you’ll get decent sound quality from the EVO Zx.
If this pair isn’t up to your standards, there are plenty of other gaming headset options out there to choose from.
Bose QuietComfort 20i
Bose QuietComfort 20i (with the "i" standing for the Apple version) in-ear headphones are definitely a must for the audiophile in your life, if you have $ 300 to spend.
But heart attack inducing price aside, you really get what you pay for – amazing noise canceling tech and incredible sound added to the fact that the QuietComfort 20i is also really quite comfortable.
There’s also the neat "Aware Mode" feature which is designed to help you be able to hear important things that the noise canceling may drown out.
Chromecast
Google’s Chromecast has been a popular little guy since its launch, and shows no signs of stopping thanks to app additions and compatibility with both Android and iOS devices.
Great for anyone who loves to Netflix, Hulu Plus, YouTube, etc., but wants to watch on a bigger screen without paying for a set-top box (or console), the $ 35 dongle is practically a steal.
The Chromecast goes up against Apple TV: which is better?
TechRadar: Gaming news
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