TechRadar Christmas Wishlist 2014
The weather outside is about to turn frightful, but our articles this year have been mostly delightful so we're relatively certain we've made it onto Santa's 'nice' list.
It's that time of year again where the TechRadar team rummages through their Christmas crackers and tells the world which tech-tastic pressies they'd like to find in their stockings (before you question our choices you should know that some of us have really large stockings). We think we got that round the right way.
Patrick Goss Global Editor-in-Chief
Alienware Alpha
Oculus Rift! GTA V first person! Steam Machines! PC Gaming is back baby! And as much as I'm desperate to dust off my old tower PC, contact the electricity company to warn them about the size of the pre-caring-about-global-warming graphics card it has and recalibrating my mouse, my wife would probably be a little happier with something a little less, well, room-sized.
But it's okay, because Alienware's Alpha may be waiting eagerly for the arrival of the official Steam Machine code, but with all the dials turned up to 11, it may just be enough to scratch that gaming itch that consoles just can't quite reach.
iPad Air 2
I've worked with the legendarily hard-to-please TechRadar mobiles guru Gareth Beavis for so many years I'm pretty much the best in the business at reading the signs of when he's grudgingly impressed. So I definitely sat up straight and took notice when his normally rock-like demeanour cracked a little as he described Apple's iPad Air 2.
Thing is, I already have and love an iPad Air so it is entirely unnecessary for me to have its successor and I should be saving my Santa-dollars for the iPad Air 3. But that's a year away and I really want it, however insane that sounds.
Sony KD-65X9005B 4K television
While we're talking about insanity, I'm not mad enough to think that Santa's pockets are anywhere near deep enough to arrange for a 4K TV to be propping up my tree, but Sony's X9005B is just pretty enough to make me consider holding a reindeer for ransom.
It might not fit in my house, of course, but that's what moving is for right?
Grand Theft Auto V
Apparently I've used up my pointless Half Life 3 wishes for the year/decade so I'll just have to plump for GTA V.
Despite what the TechRadar team thinks, I'm not a fan of hovering behind people dictating what they do, so I'm keen to get me a little bit of first-person sandbox adventuring.
Marc Chacksfield Tech Content Team Lead
Samsung Galaxy Note 4
The iPhone 6 is the closest I've got from switching allegiance from Android to iOS but the Galaxy Note 4 made me change my mind. I like the fact that Samsung has stopped adding inches to the screen, instead have focused on improving the screen resolution and things like the camera.
And the new S Pen functionality (the ability to 'cut' things from the web and add to notes is inspired) means that I would actually start using the S Pen.
iPad Air 2
Where I always choose Android for phones, I am an avid tablet user and nothing can compare to the iPad. I love my iPad Air, but the Air 2 has raised the bar in terms of screen clarity (even in direct sunshine) and it's now even lighter.
Couple that with a better battery and this is a must buy.
i-box Slix
2014 saw a glut of Bluetooth speakers so to stand out manufacturers had to offer something that little bit different.
Enter the i-box Slix. Its USP, other than its tractor track-like design, is that you can have two Slix speakers linked up for true stereo sound. That and they are small enough to fit into your pocket and can take a hosing down, thanks to their IPX5 rating.
GTA V for PS4
I wasn't going to double dip with any remastered PlayStation games but GTA V's first-person mode has swung it for me.
The graphics look superb too, which means Trevor's choice of vest looks even grubbier than it did on the PS3 version. Looks aside, though, it's great to Rockstar offering something different and not just the same game with a lick of paint.
Hugh Langley UK News Editor
Xbox One
Like a lot of people, I've been to-ing and fro-ing between the two next-gen consoles, but now that I've had time to weigh up both titans I've decided that the Xbox is the One for me.
After a shaky start, the Xbox One has turned into the true media hub it was always meant to be, and while Kinect still isn't where it should be, it's added some genuinely neat features to a handful of games so far. Plus, Forza Horizon 2 is awesome.
Moto 360
This time last year I wasn't convinced that the smartwatch would ever become a thing people would actually buy. To be honest, I'm still a little skeptical, but the Moto 360 is one of the few wearables to give me hope.
As a lover of traditional round-faced watches, Motorola's already bested the Apple Watch in my eyes. It might not be a perfect circle, but the 360 is exactly what a smartwatch should be: a nice watch that happens to have some cool tech inside it.
Tidal subscription
As an audiophile, there were only seconds between the launch of Tidal's hi-res streaming service and the moment I was clicking the subscribe button. I took it for a week's trial and absolutely loved it (nb: you'll need high quality headphones to get the proper experience).
The only problem is the price: £20 is too much to pay each month for music, even if it does sound better than Spotify.
Super Smash Bros. for Wii U
I've already killed many an hour on Super Smash Bros. for 3DS, so it would be a shame to waste all that effort, right?
Having become a bit of a pro with Villager, I can't wait to take the fight to the big screen. Those trees aren't going to cut themselves down.
Santa baby, stick these presents under the tree
John McCann Phones and Tablets Deputy Editor
PlayStation 4
My PS3 has served me well but the draw of the next generation has now grown too big for me to ignore.
I've always been a PlayStation guy, owning all the consoles from the original PSX, so I was never going to go down the Xbox route. First person GTA V for PS4? Sign up.
LG G Watch R
Smartwatches are still finding their feet in the market, and battery life still leaves a lot to be desired, but the G Watch R is comfortably my favourite offering of the year.
The fact it actually looks like a watch is a huge draw for me and Android Wear is improving. Beam me up, Scotty.
Alienware 17
My home desktop is dead, so I need a new machine and rather than taking up space with a chunky tower the Alienware 17 laptop fits the bill nicely.
Impressive specs and a screen to match it's got everything I want, including an illuminated keyboard.
GTA V
Hardly a surprise. Yes I've completed the game on PS3, but the promise of improved graphics, more traffic and of course first person mode means I can't wait to head back to Los Santos.
Pete Dreyer Lifestyle and Wearables Writer
Urbanears x Marc by Marc Jacobs
Urbanears has always been reasonably fashion forward, minimalist and decent sounding. This Marc Jacobs collab is a thing of beauty, and still doesn't break the bank. Finally a designer x headphone collaboration I can get on board with.
PS4 White
Why are new colours so hard to ignore? 'Arctic White' has me sold, even though there's feasibly nothing I ACTUALLY need a PS4 for until The Order 1886 appears at the end of next year.
Nvidia Shield Tablet
£300 for an ultra-powerful tablet that you can play pretty much anything on via a nice streaming service? If the Nvidia Shield Tablet really works, I'm in. And the vent probably doubles as a hair dryer after half an hour too.
TOG Gyuto Chef's Knife
The copper layers in the knife blade aren't just pretty, but antimicrobial too. Japanese knives are ridiculously sharp, and this one will probably stay that way - it's almost too pretty to use.
Rod Lawton UK Cameras Editor
Panasonic LX100
The sensor of a compact system camera in the body of a high-end compact, traditional external shutter speed and aperture controls, a fast Leica zoom lens, an electronic viewfinder and 4K video too. The Panasonic LX100 shouldn't even be possible.
Google Nik Collection
Google bought out Nik Software's image-editing plug-ins, bundled them as a single product and dropped the price. Superb black and white, simple HDR, fabulous effects filters and now with Analog Efex Pro for great retro film looks.
Billingham Hadley shoulder bag (small)
Nice but pricey, Billingham bags have a reputation for style and longevity. The new Sage and Tan trim looks smart. Perfect for a small DSLR kit or CSC, an extra lens and assorted accessories in the front pockets.
Santa Claus is coming to TechRadar
Joe Osborne US Senior Editor
Wii U Extended Battery
Between new Mario Kart tracks and karts, Super Smash Bros. and Captain Toad's Treasure Tracker, I'll be playing my Wii U a lot this winter.
And since I live in a one bedroom apartment with my fiancee, I'll be staring at the GamePad and plugging it in every hour or so. If only the GamePad simply came packing a bigger battery.
iPhone 6
I can't count the amount of times that, between numbered iPhone releases, an Android phone has tugged me away from iOS hard. But there's something about iOS at 4.7 inches that's pulling me right on back. Oh, and the hundreds I've spent in the App Store over the past seven years – that too.
TCL Roku TV (48-inch)
While I don't play games on it much these days, my current RCA (yes, they're still around) unit is showing its age already. And since I don't have cable, this 48-inch, Roku-infused, 1080p LED panel with a 120Hz refresh rate for less than $500 has readily replaced the sugar plum fairies dancing in my head.
World of Warcraft: Warlords of Draenor
Yes, I'll be playing an expansion to a 10-year-old MMO game this winter and throughout 2015. After the weird tone and ill-fit setting of Mists of Pandaria, Blizzard has once again successfully dug its claws into me deep with this go around. I'm in this one for the long haul – I've simply come to accept it.
Cameron Faulkner US Assistant Editor
Nintendo Wii U Gamepad High Capacity Battery
The Wii U is currently my favorite console. I have many rosy things to say about it, but one flaw usually mars my experience: the Wii U gamepad's horrendous battery life. That's why for Christmas, I want the Wii U Gamepad High Capacity Battery.
Pressy
With touchscreen technology taking over, physical buttons are an endangered feature. With Pressy, I can now have a physical button that does anything I want it to. It plugs right into the headphone jack and can be programmed to take an instant camera shot, launch an app, and much more.
GeForce GTX 970 Graphics Card
In all honesty, I'll be waiting a year or two for the price of the GeForce GTX 970 Grapics Card to come down, but a guy can dream. Maybe when Half-Life 3 comes out I'll be able to rock it above 1080p resolution, with all the fancy graphical features at their highest.
Dragon Age Inquisition
Sequels tend to have the odds of success pitted against them. Coming off of Dragon Age 2, which many agree was a bruise on the series, I'm excited to try DA: I, especially hearing that it's BioWare's best in years.
Sophia Tong US Editor-in-Chief
Super Smash Bros. GameCube Adapter
I'm not even asking for the new Super Smash Bros. on Wii U for Christmas. I can pick that up anywhere.
What I'd really like is the GameCube controller adapter so I can use my old controllers to play the game. But as of right now, this $20 adapter is nowhere to be found.
Microsoft Band
I know that fitness bands aren't going to lose weight for you; you need to put in the effort. I lost 10lbs (and gained it all back) with my Fitbit Flex but I always wished it could tell me the time. Ahh, Microsoft, it was as though you were reading my mind!
Canon 6D
I'm been wanting a full frame SLR for a long time, and I think the time right for someone to get me a Canon 6D. It's cheaper than the Canon 5D Mark II, which I had been pining for and I don't really need the Mark III. And it's "only" $1,899. What a bargain!
All I want for Christmas is...
Michelle Fitzsimmons US Managing Editor
Chromecast
Few things would delight me more than finding this little black brick in my stocking. There's just something fun about Chromecast; it's delightfully simple and can fit in your pocket, yet it offers a smorgasbord of entertainment choices. I know people who own three of them – here's hoping Santa saved one for me.
iPhone 6 Plus
A couple recently asked me to snap a picture of them at an indoor sporting event. They handed me a large-screened phone, one I assumed belonged to the Android family.
The picture came out brilliantly despite the horrible lighting, and when I commented on the quality, the couple replied, "iPhone 6 Plus." I was smitten.
Bose QuietComfort 25
I spend 80% of my day hunched over a keyboard, pounding out articles or compiling budget reports. What gets me through dull tasks (or pumps me up during breaking news) is tunes pulsing through my headphones. Alas, I've yet to find the perfect pair, but the Bose QuietComfort 25 may be just what I've been looking for.
NHL 15
A big gamer I am not, yet I can't stop thinking about NHL 15. I know, it's no Halo, but as someone who daydreams of deking out Datsyuk, the chance to play as my favorite players is irresistible. The spays of ice, painted goalies' masks and crowd noise add elements of realism that bring the game to life.
Matt Swider US Phones and Tablets Editor
iPad Air 2
I opted for the iPhone 6 and now have "phablet envy" since many people I know opted for the larger iPhone 6 Plus. What's the best way to correct that? Spring for the even bigger iPad Air 2, of course. The 9.7-inch laminated display running iOS 8 is exactly what I need to stay productive. At least that's what I'm telling myself and Santa.
Basis Peak
I found last year's Basis Carbon Steel Edition to be the smartest fitness tracker around, and the newly announced Basis Peak looks to be even smarter. It combines motivational workout goals with smartwatch functionality so that I have less reason to take it off and veg out. Just in time for my New Year's Resolutions.
LiveScribe Echo smartpen
My phone, tablet and watch are smart, so why not my pen? LiveScribe Echo spits out normal ink on microdotted paper while simultaneously recording the sound around you. Going back and tapping what you wrote down in your notes shifts the audio back to that moment in time. It's an interactive timeline that's great for journalists and CES 2015. The Echo model, unlike the newer LiveScribe 3, is less complicated and better for my needs.
Mario Kart 8
What's more dangerous than driving around in the snow this time of year? Driving with Mario and friends. That's exactly why Mario Kart 8 for Wii U is on my wish list. Classic weapons like turtle shells and bananas make anti-gravity racing even more of a hoot. Plus, I can't pass up playing as The Legend of Zelda's Link, who was released as downloadable content this month.
Lily Prasuethsut US Associate Editor
Origin Chronos Z
What's a better machine to play GTA V on than the practically perfect, pre-built Origin Chronos Z? This gaming PC is one of the beefiest on the market, and it's all packed into a space saving case. Sure, I could wrangle up the parts separately, but why bother when Origin has one for me all wrapped up and ready to go?
Logitech G910 Orion Spark
I've always been a fan of Logitech – the products never fail me. That's why I'd love to get the G910 Orion Spark keyboard. It's a beautiful piece of the PC puzzle I've been wanting for a long time. It's everything I've wanted in one keyboard – comfy raised keys, detailed customization of colors and functions without being too complicated and so much more.
BenQ XL2720Z
The combination of a 1 millisecond response time and low price tag makes me want the BenQ XL2720Z right this minute. The resolution doesn't sound like anything special but the 27-incher sounds good enough for me after I blow all my money on the actual PC itself.
GTA V for PC
Steam says "early 2015" so I'm hoping that means GTA V will release for the PC right after the holidays...or least a month later. Regardless, it's going to happen! It will definitely be worth to wait with improved graphics and the promise of a whole new game thanks to first person mode.
Nick Pino US Associate Editor
Samsung PNF8500 Plasma TV
Little known Nick Pino factoid: I'm a man of few regrets. The only two memories that will haunt me forever are not bringing a resume to my first job interview and, worse, not buying a plasma TV in their heyday a few years back. The Samsung PNF8500 is my last shot of righting that wrong.
Nintendo Wii U
Don't get me wrong, I love my PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. (I think I'm contractually obligated to after writing the massive year one review updates last month...) But nothing brings me that nostalgic sense of childhood joy like a Nintendo system, and the Wii U is the best one since the N64.
Microsoft Surface Pro 3 Tablet
Until I find a way to wall-mount a TV to my ceiling without the potential of it falling and crushing me in my sleep, I'm in desperate need of a way to watch Netflix in bed. Basically I need a tablet, and the one that seems tailor-fit for me is the Surface Pro 3.
Dragon Age: Inquisition
I get why everyone freaked out over Dragon Age 2 - it was different. Combat was slower and Hawk felt a bit cookie-cutter. Whatever everyone else thought of it, though, I loved it. I have high expectations for Inquisition and, from what I hear, it delivers on each and every one of them.