2010 Gadget Gift-Giving Guide

There are also additional tech toys and tools in the online version of this article at www.cpata.com/go/3123. So come on and help spread a little gadgety cheer this holiday season, but also make sure you get out of the office, unplug for awhile, and spend some quality off-line time with your actual, real-life, in-person, non-digital friends and family.

Happy Holidays from all of us at The CPA & NSA Technology Advisor!

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What’s Better than a ScanSnap? A Free ScanSnap!

With all the hype about the digital office, workflow optimization, tax document automation, etc… you surely have a scanner (or several) in your office. But do you have a mobile full-color scanner? One small enough to take with you when at a client office or traveling? How about one that can instantly create your choice of PDFs, Excel or Word documents and includes document management and business card scanning software? The Fujitsu ScanSnap S1300 does all that, plus it has a 10-page automatic document feeder, can scan up to eight double-sided pages per minute and works with PCs and Macs. To top off the convenience meter, the ScanSnap can get its power from either a USB cable or an AC adapter. At $295, it’s a great deal; but for one of our readers it will be even better… (See box to learn how you can win a free ScanSnap S1300.)

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BUSINESS FIRST

Safe & Secure

There’s backup, and then there’s protection. Backing up data can keep it safe from IT failures and some hazards, but if it’s backed up on an external hard drive in your office, it may fall victim to the same disaster that makes you need it. But not with the ioSafe SoloPRO, a superfast USB 3.0 external hard drive that helps automate data backup functions and recovery, but also adds active airflow cooling, plus protection against fire (up to 1,550 degrees), and against water damage (up to 10 feet for 72 hours). If that weren’t enough, there’s also added theft protection in the form of a Kensington security slot and anti-theft tab for bolting it down to any surface. This “Super Safe” is also immune to Kryptonite. From $249 (www.iosafe.com)

All Together Now

In the age of the “paperless office,” printing may be getting a bad rap, but it remains an important and central function for professional businesses. And the quality of the materials you print and deliver to clients, prospects, partners and others is a part of how you project the professionalism of your firm. The Epson WorkForce 635 is the ultimate all-in-one device, providing fast, high-quality duplex printing, professional copying and high-resolution scanning, plus PC fax and wireless connectivity. The system also includes a 250 sheet paper tray, and for scanning it offers a 30-page auto document feeder, speeding the tasks of copying, scanning and faxing one- and two-sided originals. $229 (www.epson.com)

Backing Up When You’re on the Go

Backing up the data on your computers is important, whether you’re in your office or mobile, and two new “mobile memory solutions” from Lexar make it easier than ever. Where traditional backup solutions can be complex and prone to user error, the Echo ZE and Echo SE automatically keep your important files backed up onto a pocketable, memory stick-sized device that packs a whole lot more punch. The devices, available in capacities from 8GB to 128GB, include a program that immediately starts to encrypt and backup your data when you plug it into a USB port, and it keeps continually backing it up as long as it’s plugged in. You can also easily restore previous file versions, and it helps to prevent accidental overwrites. Both Echos support PC and Mac computers. From $49 (www.lexar.com)

Powerful Projection Performance

When it comes time to put your PowerPoint deck, images or other files on the screen for everybody to see, the Epson EX7200 can help you do it with style, power and cost-effectiveness. The projector offers widescreen performance at up to 1280×800 resolution, plus 2600 lumens of light output for brilliant true-to-life color even in well-lit boardrooms. The system connects to your laptop via a simple USB connector, with no other setup required. You can even use it without a computer, sharing images and other files from USB flash thumb drives. (www.epson.com)

Does Your PC Need a Tune-Up?

Most people have their car periodically serviced, but few routinely do the same for the PC. If your computer is taking longer to start up, suffers from mysterious errors or crashes, your Internet is sluggish or you’re having problems loading programs or media, it may not be a big bad virus, it may just be time to have System Mechanic from iolo Technologies take a look “under the hood.” The software quickly runs more than 200 critical tests to discover what’s decreasing your system’s performance. $39.95 (www.iolo.com)

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FOR THE ROAD WARRIOR

Speed Your Way through the TSA

Whether you’re traveling on business or pleasure, if you’re bringing along your laptop, you’ll want to protect it. And what better way than with the Checkthrough Executive Brief from Skooba Design. The sleek and smoothly contoured case meets the “checkpoint friendly” requirements of the TSA, which can help you spend less time going through airport security. Other cool features include almost two dozen pockets and compartments, including the Doc Pocket ticket/passport holder, a divided file section, key ring, USB thumb drive caddy and more tools for the airborne road warrior. From $149 (www.skoobadesign.com)

Is Your Laptop Chillin?

Whether you’ve got the hottest, newest PC or Mac laptop, or one a few years older, it’s important to keep it cool … literally. The Travel Chill Mat from Targus can be used on a table, your lap or any other surface to help prevent your portable computer from overheating. With dual fans that provide ventilation to disperse heat, the device has soft neoprene material that cushions the device and also offers comfort for the user. The Chill Mat is powered simply by plugging in the USB cord to your laptop, and it fits easily in a laptop case. $29.99 (www.targus.com)

Share Your Mobility! (on photo, please remove writing)

On the go, and have multiple devices or colleagues and friends who need wireless access? The new mobile MWR211 wireless router from ZyXEL gives mobile pros convenient, portable and secure Internet access that can be used with wired and 3G devices. The on-the-go router includes a built-in firewall and anti-DoS attack shield, and can support an unlimited number of friends and colleagues with any number of gadgets. It also includes a built-in rechargeable battery for times when wired power isn’t available. $114.99 (www.us.zyxel.com)

Protecting Your Computer & the Earth

If you’re all about the three Rs of “reduce, re-use and recycle,” then you need to check out the environmentally conscious line of bags from EcoGear, which has several options for laptops, travel, kids, backpacks … even sleeping bags. For the mobile business pro, the Tiger II features airport security friendly features, with internal padding, organizer pockets, lined pouches and magnetic closures. But unlike other travel bags, the Tiger II is PVC-free, toxin-free and has no toxic dyes or materials. From $69 (www.ecogear-products.com)

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MORE MOBILE MO-JO

Take This Drive

While netbooks are trendy and portable, most have achieved their mini size by forgoing DVD drives. Samsung is to the rescue, though, with the sleek and slender new SE-S084D DVD Writer. A perfect companion to laptops and netbooks, it’s the lightest and thinnest portable optical drive in the world, and it accommodates the lifestyles of mobile business professionals. It is available in seven colors and works with Windows 7 and Mac OS computers. From $69.99 (www.samsung.com)

Flexibility for Your Digital Life

Portability is power, and the ability to quickly and easily manage backups, encrypt files and securely transfer even the largest of files is a necessity in business and personal life. The new GoFlex ultra-portable hard drive from Seagate lets users extend their digital life anywhere they go, whether for work or pleasure. The system is PC and Mac compatible and offers a unique modular format that includes a cable system with adapters that can be quickly swapped out to support USB 2.0, USB 3.0,
eSATA or FireWire connections. You can even shuttle data between PCs and Macs without reformatting. GoFlex can also be paired with a GoFlex TV HD media player or the GoFlex Net media sharing device for enhanced media experience. It’s available in a variety of colors and capacities up to 1TB. From $89.99 (www.seagate.com)

Reach Out & See Someone in Full HD

Sometimes, the weary road warrior gets homesick. When you can’t get back to tuck your kids in, or perhaps not travelling is keeping you from distant family and friends during the holidays, the Logitech HD Pro Webcam C910 gives the next best thing to being there. With full 1080p high-definition video and full stereo audio, plus auto-focus and light correction features, this wonderful webcam has the power to warm hearts and sooth the “time zone” separation blues. The HD Pro is designed to work with Skype, Yahoo! Messenger, Windows Live Messenger and Logitech Vid HD. Oh yeah, it’s also good for meetings. $99 (www.logitech.com)

Must-Have for iPads

If you’re one of the cool kids with an iPad, then don’t be left empty handed … add this awesome Targus Stylus for iPad. It’s great for jotting down notes, drawing or simply turning a page, the Stylus has a durable rubber tip that’s friendly to your iPad’s surface and makes it easy to type and draw accurately and comfortably. It requires no power, no batteries and no software, which means it’s ready to go right out of the box. $14.99 (www.targus.com)

Keep Your Fingers Flying

Winter’s here, and if you’re somewhere chilly you’ll want to wear gloves. But you also want to be able to use your gadgets, and with touch-screens and tiny keyboards, your fingers aren’t quite as precise with layers of fabric or leather in the way. But with Freehands Gloves from 3M, you can keep your hands cozy and still let your fingers fly across screens and buttons unobstructed. The tips of the index and thumbs flip back to expose these digits, letting you quickly text, dial, email or game. There’s even a version with a liner that has conductive tips on all five digits for iPad addicts. Freehands are available in multiple colors and styles for men and women, including knits, rag wool, eco-friendly fleece and waterproof Thinsulate. From $16 (www.freehands.com)

Guard Your Gadgets

You love your gadgets, but every time you put them in your pocket or handbag they come in contact with key chains and other objects, which can scratch their once perfect surfaces. They deserve to stay scratch-free. And they can, with BodyGuardz. Created from the same indestructible material that shields automobiles from abrasive elements, BodyGuardz is a thin, transparent film that protects devices like mobile phones such as iPhones, BlackBerrys, Palms and Androids, plus MP3 players, portable gaming systems, cameras and GPS units, and without the need for bulky cases. The protective films are available in sizes specifically designed for hundreds of devices. From $14.95 (www.bodyguardz.com)

KICK BACK & RELAX

The Media Center, Mastered

If you really want to make a digital entertainment guru excited, then look no further than the WD TV Live Hub from Western Digital. As the only portable HD network media player with a built-in 1 Terabyte hard drive, it allows you to enjoy movies, music, video, Internet content and personal media on any connected TV screen and computer on a home network. It’s like a DVR but with so much more, allowing users to directly download rentals from Netflix and Blockbuster, access social networking and picture-sharing sites, and even easily transfer files from PCs, Macs, thumb drives and cameras into the shared folders. $199 (www.wdtvlive.com or www.BestBuy.com)

Soft & Hardcovers for Digital Readers

Blending protection with style, the Hardback Folio for the Amazon Kindle and Kindle DX, from Acme Made, is a book-like protective cover that features a removable, custom-molded silicone skin. The outer cover is crafted with classic book linen, providing the authentic feel of a hardcover book, while the silicone skin utilizes ButtonDown technology, allowing the eReader to be easily and securely buttoned into the cover and quickly removed for convenience. For the road warrior, Acme Made offers the Slick Case for the Kindle, Sony eReaders and Barnes & Noble Nook, offering a compact case with zippered water- and stain-resistant protection. There’s also the Skinny Sleeve, which is available for a variety of eReaders plus the iPad. It’s the thinnest sleeve for mobile devices, featuring a sewn-in protective screen and protective neoprene sheath. $19.99 to $49.99 (www.acmemade.com)

Pump Up The Volume

Unimpressed by the limited audio capabilities of the speakers you use with your mobile devices? Not enough bass? Check out the WOWee ONE Gel Speaker, a revolutionary new pocket-sized, rechargeable speaker and subwoofer combo that delivers room-filling sound from your phone, MP3 player, laptop and other gadgets. The WOWee One turns whatever object it is put on (desk, chair, table, floor, car, box, window, cooler, etc.) into a dynamic subwoofer that works with the unit’s built-in speaker for hours of big sound that will surprise you for its size. $79 (www.woweeone.com)

Precious Memories

The days of print photographs are pretty much done, but that doesn’t mean you can’t share pictures of your grandkids, children, family vacations or other events with your real-life (and in-person) friends. The new Portable Digital Photo Album from Digital Foci is the perfect “family brag book,” with a soft leather-like case, an 8” LCD screen and 4GB internal memory. This is the modern way of storing and sharing your cherished pictures. It can store thousands of images in virtually all formats. $189 (www.digitalfoci.com)