Every year, normal people have a hell of a time trying to give their geeky friends and family the perfect Christmas gift. To help with that, we here at GeekOut try to give you an idea of what to get them. Using our super powers of consumerism, we’ve put this list of stuff we’d love to get this year. You’re welcome.
HPN says:
For your resident computer nerd, I’d go for a solid state drive. They’re cheaper now and it’s the easiest way to give slightly-aging devices a speed boost. Prices are +/-PhP4k for a 120GB drive, +/-PhP8k for a 240GB one. True, a 1TB traditional/platter drive costs +/-PhP3k only but if you pair a small-ish SSD (for the OS and apps) with a bigger platter drive for other files you’d be set for a couple of years. You can grab one at your friendly computer shop but for the best prices you better check the PC shops in/around Gilmore. TipidPC is also a good resource, just deal with the reputable sellers.
For audiophiles, Rock-it Sound’s R20 is a steal at less than PhP2k. A single balanced-armature in-ear monitor (IEM), it’s brighter than its twin from another mother, the MEElec A151 (they share the same audio drivers but have a different sound profile) and its more expensive sibling R30. Sound profile is bright, energetic, and emphasizes the upper mids; the soundstage is decent and still gives the user an impression of height, depth, separation and position. To audition (yes, as in take one out of its box, plug in your audio player and listen to it) and buy one, check out Egghead Audiohub over at Robinson’s Galleria.
Barbie says:
For your friend who still says “Winter is coming” every time the boss calls you into his office: A Feast of Ice and Fire: The Official Game of Thrones Companion Cookbook. Because with all the effort that George RR Martin put into the detail of the meals all his characters enjoyed, it might as well have been a gorier version of a The Lifestyle Channel made for TV movie, and because it just feels cool to chow down on something medieval once in a while. It’s available from Amazon, ranging from a Kindle version ($13.84) to a hardbound version ($25.44 plus shipping).
Slangards says:
Have someone in your life who grew up on 80’s cartoons? Here are some great gift suggestions.
Available at 80’s Tees, $65 (about P3,000 before shipping)
If you put this under the tree, your guy will love you like Orko loved Dree Elle. If he knows who Dree Elle was, then you’ll probably score extra points. If he doesn’t, then you can also get one of the others they offer on the site based on whatever franchise he’s particularly geeky about: Optimus Prime, Voltron, Iron Man, Captain America, Wolverine, Batman, Boba Fett, Snake Eyes, Finn from Adventure Time, or my favorite right now, Shredder from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Price vary a few dollars depending on how elaborate the extra parts are.
Hasbro Masterpiece Soundwave 5 Cassette set
Toys ‘R’ Us Philippines, P8,000 (approx.)
The Masterpiece line is a specialty line for adult collectors featuring larger scale Transformers figures with designs based closely on the characters’ appearance in the original cartoons, increased articulation, more accessories, and high end finishing. This one comes with all 5 cassettes, which were previously available separately in Japan.
Transformers Generations Titan Class Metroplex with Autobot Scamper
St. Francis Square (1st Flr) or Greenhills, P12,000 (approx.)
This toy is amazing. Based off the video game model for the character in the game Transformers: Fall of Cybertron, which was in turn based off the model from the original cartoon, the thing stands 2’ tall. If you’ve played the game, then you know that that’s too short by far, but damn! this thing is amazing.
Order online at WasabiToys.com, P2,080
For video game geeks who played in the 80/90’s. Zelda has been a big part of gaming since that first gold cartridge was stuck into the original Nintendo Entertainment System, so it’s hero, the elfin Link, is pretty easy to recognize. Figma is one of those Japanese lines that make high quality figures, and they did a bang up job on this one.
SHFiguarts: Iron Man - War Machine
Order online at WasabiToys.com, P2,950
SHFiguarts is another Japanese toy line with high quality collectibles. They recently put out a couple of figures based on Iron Man 2 in a scale pretty close to that of Marvel Legends. The line is made by Bandai, the makers of all those Gundam kits, so you know this thing is crazy on the details. I actually prefer this to my Walmart War Machine.
Mark says:
One of the newest Sci-fi franchises out there hasn’t even been around for a full year and it has already made a huge following and this may be the first of many merchandise lines. Plus those figures look good!
7” Pacific Rim Action Figures Series 1
Last seen at Filbar’s priced at around P1,000
Get off the consoles and get your game on with real people this Christmas. Tabletop gaming is a great way to strengthen relationships or, in this case, break them. The Game of Thrones board game and expansion packs are loads of fun for you and your barkada. It costs P2,450 at Comic Odyssey, Fully Booked, Fort Bonifacio. Expansion packs are sold at 700 each.
Bim says:
Iron Man Gauntlet Flash Drives
Quick! What's the one thing you already have a buttload of but still can't have enough? That's right - flash drives! Admit it, you and everyone you know have at least 4 flash drives, all 8GB and higher. And it's the perfect gift, too. You can give a unique one and it'd still be appreciated. It won't hurt if you load it up with some awesome content, too. If your giftee is an Iron Man fan, he'll go crazy for this.
Saw one at a stall in the new wing of Glorietta, on the 3rd floor. They sell all sorts of USB drives. They even have minion ones. The Iron Man gauntlet drive goes for Php900 for 8GB. They feel solid and that thumb is a ball joint. The joints will go loose eventually, but I don't see it as a deal breaker.
For comic book fans, you could give them one of the best and most critically acclaimed graphic novels to ever come from our shores. Trese: Book of Murders is a collection of the first three Trese books, but in regular comic book size and hardbound. They go for P950 at National Book Store, or you could buy them online here.
If you wanna splurge a little, give that special geek in your life the ultimate PC gaming audio experience with the Razer Tiamat 7.1.
The headset supports simulated 7.1 surround sound, as long as your giftee's rig can churn it out. I've tried one on and it is ridiculously comfortable. Based on my personal experience with headphones, it doesn't seem like this one would end up hurting your ears over extended use. You can adjust the volume with a handy controller along the cable. And while, yes, there are better headphones out there, this is certainly one of the coolest looking.
These bad boys go for P8,000 to P8,500 at TipidPC.
Intel sent over their gift guide, and I thought it'd be a good idea to pick out some items from their press release and put them here, because yes, these would make kick ass gifts.
ASUS Transformer Book T100
Is it a tablet? Is it a laptop? Why not both? These things are available at ASUS stores.
2 in 1 tablet with a detachable keyboard, transforming the device from a 10-inch tablet to a laptop
10.1” HD IPS display with multi-touch capabilities
Thin and light design weighing in at only 1.2 lbs. in tablet mode
The detachable keyboard dock includes a USB 3.0 SuperSpeed Port for quick file transfers
Estimated 11 hours of battery life
OS: Windows 8.1
Powered by the Intel® Atom™ Bay Trail-T Z3740 Quad Core processor
Starting at P23,995
Lenovo Yoga 2 Pro
While this isn't the cheaper version Yoga 10.1 that I want to grab in the next 6 months or so, it's still a pretty good bang for your buck.
Super-high resolution QHD + multi-touch display flips back to 360 degrees to offer four different usage models: Laptop, Tablet, Stand and Tent
Up to 9 hours of battery life
OS: Windows 8.1
Powered by the 4th generation Intel® Core™ processor
Starting at P74,995
Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 10.1
This is my next choice as my go-to tablet for comic book reading and general media consumption. If you know anyone looking for something like that, this is affordable enough to justify the purchase. And heed my advice, getting these devices at official Samsung stores is always cheaper.
Display is 10.1” wide and under 1.2 lbs. for maximum mobility
Estimated 8 hours of battery life
OS: Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean
Powered by the 1.6 GHz dual core Intel® Atom™ Z2560 SoC processor
Starting at P16,995
Nikki says:
Don't Panic Towel
Take a page out of Douglas Adam's book and give the gift of "the best advice to humanity".
Standard white towels go for around P100 in department stores, and embroidering will cost about P5 per character. That's P150 to get each of your favorite hitchhikers ready for intergalactic travel (or Towel Day).
Blue Meth Candy
Have friends who can't quite get over Breaking Bad? Extend their pain and suffering with a bag of delicious, legal Blue Meth Candy.
Pretty basic stuff to work with so damage will be less than P100 for 20 1/2 ounce servings. Find out how to D.I.Y. here.
Mass Effect N7 Leggings
Bad ass is sewn into the very fabric of the Mass Effect N7 leggings. Perfect for the FemShep in your life, the Wet Look Leggings hugs curves and stuns like a laser gun. +20 Resistance to All Elements; Critical Hit On Chance up by 3%
Order from Black Milk Clothing.
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There's our gift guide for 2013! Happy shopping and have a merry Christmas!
- GeekOut Boys and Girls