ZDNet's 2009 Holiday Tech Gift Guide
If you're looking for tech gift ideas, look no further than ZDNet's 2009 Holiday Gift Guide.
We've tapped our crack crew of product experts to help you find the year’s best gadgets, from laptops and cameras to televisions and phones.
Looking for top netbooks? We've got them. Searching for the perfect camcorder for Dad? We've got that, too. We've got GPS navigation devices, e-book readers, MP3 players, desktop computer hardware components and even the year's best iPhone apps. (Yes, there's a list for that.)
Be sure to check back between now and the holidays, as we’ll keep adding more lists between now and then.
Happy gadget shopping… and happy holidays. - The Editors
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Computers Best laptops
Now that Windows 7 and Mac OS X Snow Leopard have arrived, there's no better time to buy a shiny new laptop for work or play. Here are John Morris' favorites.
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Computers Top netbooks
Netbooks are hotter than ever in 2009, with more sizes and colors to choose from than ever before. But which one to buy? Here are John Morris' favorites.
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Computers Best desktops
Desktops dead? Far from it! Your home's multimedia center is thinner, lighter and more affordable than ever. Here are John Morris' favorites.
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Digital Cameras Top digital SLR cameras
Prices are dropping on digital SLR cameras, and it's easier than ever to upgrade from a point-and-shoot. Here are Janice Chen's favorite dSLRs of 2009.
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Digital Cameras Best point-and-shoot pocket cameras
Compact point-and-shoot cameras are more capable than ever before. Here are Rachel King's favorite pocket models of 2009.
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Digital Video Top digital camcorders
Next year could be one for the history books. So how are you going to record it? (Hint: In high-definition.) Here are Rachel King's top five camcorders for under $300.
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E-book readers Top e-book readers
The e-reader is this year's hottest portable gadget, hands down. Here are Matthew Miller's highlights.
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MP3 players Top portable media players
Apple's iPod may be the leader in portable music, but there's more value on the market to be found. Here are Matthew Miller's top picks for portable media and MP3 players.
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HDTVs Best HDTVs of the year
Prices are lower than ever on thin, high-definition televisions. How low can you go? Sean Portnoy has five picks for all budgets.
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Home Theater Best Blu-ray players
It's time to retire your old DVD player and upgrade to a Blu-ray player. Which one to choose? Sean Portnoy has the answer.
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Smartphones Smartphone picks
The smartphone has emerged as a pocket powerhouse. Here are Matthew Miller's favorites.
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Cell Phones Cell phone picks
If you want to make an impact, get everyone on your family plan a new phone. Which models, you ask? Matthew Miller has the answers.
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GPS navigation Best GPS navigation devices
Stay on course on the way to family holiday get-togethers with a new, more-capable-than-ever personal GPS navigation device. Here are Matthew Miller's picks.
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Bluetooth headsets Best Bluetooth headsets
Know someone who needs to make phone calls but keep their hands warm this winter? A Bluetooth headset might do the trick. This year's crop sound better than ever. Here are Andrew Nusca's picks.
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Hardware Top hardware components
Give your old desktop system a facelift...or take your powerhouse computer to a whole new level. Here is Adrian Kingsley-Hughes' guide to this year's best hardware components.
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Apple Best iPhone & iPod touch apps of 2009
When it comes to mobile apps, the Apple iPhone and iPod touch are king. Here are this year's best apps available in the App Store, according to Jason D. O'Grady.
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Education Best gadgets for students
College students may not have more than leftover pizza and an unfinished Bud Light to their names, but there are electronic devices that they simply can't do without. Here are Christopher Dawson's picks.
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TechRepublic TechRepublic's Geek Gift Guide 2009
From computers and accessories to home theater and mobile, TechRepublic's Geekend blog has the IT crowd covered. Check it out!
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Black Friday Special: Nov. 27, 2009 Black Friday '09: Deals, steals & specials guide
Are you ready for the pre-dawn rush of Black Friday? If not, here is Andrew Nusca's ultimate cheat sheet to this year's gadget deals n' steals this Friday.
Featured Reviews
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Sony Reader Touch Edition
The Reader Touch Edition is sleeker than the Kindle and easy to use. It's capable of storing thousands of electronic books and is both Windows and Mac compatible.
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Vizio SV470XVT 47-inch LCD HDTV
A great choice for LCD TV bargain hunters who want 120Hz processing.
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Motorola Droid (Verizon Wireless)
The most powerful and fastest Google Android device to date, the Droid offers Verizon customers a smartphone that rivals other touchscreen devices on the market.
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Apple MacBook (polycarbonate unibody; fall 2009)
Apple's latest version of the popular $999 white MacBook gets an upscale makeover, while keeping the price the same. It's a strong alternative to the more expensive Pro line, if you can live without extras such as an SD card slot.
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Nikon D5000 digital SLR camera
The Nikon D5000 digital SLR camera delivers a nice feature set, speedy performance, and great photo quality for the money.
Featured Videos
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The month ahead: Will Droid do damage to the iPhone's mojo?
ZDNet correspondent Sumi Das and senior editor Sam Diaz discuss the new Droid phone set to release in early November. Diaz also previews the ...
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Barnes and Noble launches the Nook
David Carnoy takes a first look at Barnes and Noble's new e-reader, the Nook.
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Sony unveils new Windows 7 Vaio PCs
Just in time for the launch of Windows 7, Sony throws a party for the new additions to its Vaio lineup, from touch-screen all-in-ones ...
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Sony announces new Readers 2009 lineup
Sony is offering a trio of new Readers for 2009. In addition to a hands-on look at the Reader Touch Edition and Pocket Edition, ...
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The month ahead: Tech companies set sights on students
As students savor their last weeks of summer vacation, parents are trying to decide which laptop will best suit their kids' needs. ZDNet correspondent ...
Featured Photo Galleries
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Lenovo's Windows 7 lineup of IdeaPad, IdeaCentre PCs dazzle
Lenovo has revealed its new Windows 7-powered lineup of IdeaPad laptop computers and IdeaCentre desktop systems, and the consumer lines are positioned to visually thrill. Here's a look.
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Gallery: E-book e-reader list is growing
With the introduction of Barnes & Noble's Nook, the market for portable devices that allows you to carry thousands of books is becoming crowded.
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Images: The top-10 best-selling PS2 games
Nine years ago today, Sony's PlayStation 2 was released. Over the years, nearly 10,000 titles have been released on the platform. These are the top-ten best-sellers.
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Apple's new iMac is clad in aluminum and glass; multimedia optimized
Apple has revealed its revamped lineup of iMac all-in-one desktop computers in 21.5-inch and 27-inch sizes. The new systems offer edge-to-edge glass displays and many multimedia-centric features in a slimmer design. Here's a look.
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Pure Digital Flip MinoHD pocket camcorder sports new design, larger screen, more capacity
The second generation of Pure Digital's Flip MinoHD pocket camcorder sports a fresh design and now matches the larger screen and capacity of its larger sibling, the UltraHD. Here's a look.


