LAPTOP Staff Holiday 2011 Wish List: The Gadgets We Want

While our Gadget Guide, which features hundreds of mobile tech gift recommendations, from laptops and tablets to toy helicopters and jetpacks, we wanted to get a bit more personal with you for a moment. So we’ve gathered our wish list items, based on our experience testing and tweaking gadgets year round. If you find yourself out shopping with an extra few bucks in your pocket, and want to grab one of these for us, we won’t stop you. However, these might also help you find just the right gift for the true tech-head in your life. And if our families get the hint, all the better.

Avram Piltch, Online Editorial Director

• Samsung 830 Series SSD – As an SSD lover, this tops my list because it proved to be the fastest SSD around during our most recent rounds of tests. The 830 series carries a highly competitive MSRP of $429 for the 256GB capacity and $229 for the 128GB size, but you can likely find it for less.
• Lenovo ThinkVision LT1421 portable USB monitor – Having been awarded 4.5 stars, it’s safe to say this portable USB monitor is nearly perfect. You can take it anywhere and maintain that two-screen working/playing environment you’re used to. And it’ll only cost you $199.

Anna Attkisson, Managing Editor

• Amazon Kindle Fire – Despite already having an iPad, I would love to get my mitts on this 7″ beauty. My problem with the 10″ slate is its weight and bulk. I believe this puppy’s size and access to great Android content is the way to go.
• UGG Australia Tech Gloves – For just $95, my hands can be cozy, stylish, and still able to operate my phone in the cold.

Michael A. Prospero, Reviews Editor

• Zeal Transcend Z3 – These ski goggles come with a Recon MOD Live heads-up display and cost $549. What’s not to love?
• Photojojo – Want to add professionalism to my iPhone photos with this iPhone lens dial for $249.

Sarah Silbert, Staff Writer

• Roku 2 XS – Samsung TV? Check. Cable? Check. Now I just need Netflix streaming, and this set-top box gives me that—plus new channels for AOL HD, EPIX, Facebook, Major League Soccer, and more.
• Samsung Galaxy Note – I fell in love with this smartphone-tablet hybrid at IFA in Berlin this year. It’s not available stateside yet, but I can still dream of scribbling notes on its beautiful 5.3-inch display.

Daniel Howley, Staff Writer

•  Alienware M18X – It’s got all the power of a top-tier desktop gaming system with all the portability of a refrigerator.

• Verizon Wireless 4G LTE Mobile Hotspot MiFi 4510L – With this at my side, I can pwn noobz in Battlefield 3 on-the-go.

Davey Alba, Staff Writer

• Fujifilm Finepix x100 - A rangefinder-style digital camera, this little guy can take some killer street photos.
• Jawbone Jambox – This 12-ounce box packs an audio punch.

Sherri Smith, Staff Writer

• HP Envy 14 Beats Edition – Great audio quality, snazzy design, and Beats by Dr. Dre Solo headphones included.
• Xbox 360 with Kinect – Gaming, Netflix, and motion-control with voice recognition. Yes, please!

Kenneth Butler, Web Producer/Writer

• Sol Republic Amps HD earbuds – The more bass the better and tangled cords are annoying.
• Motorola ACTV – Would help me prove that I can run beyond making the daily G-train sprint.