FCOM: My Holiday Wish List

I’ve based this partially on what’s hot in the market and…
Let’s be real… what I secretly wish I would find under my tree from Mrs. Claus.

That’s right Mrs. Claus. She's agreed to come over and help.

(I mean, have you seen Mrs. Claus lately?!)

Okay, I've broken my list down by category and by wallet size:
Rich: You're paid, have won the lotto or have a Sugar Mommy or Daddy.
Not so Rich: Pretty much affordable and...
Honorable Mentions: For some really cool stuff that may or may not fit in the above 2 categories.I didn't include prices as I believe that shopping around can benefit great results. Plus. That's my job man.

Category: HDTV 's
Rich: The Pioneer Kuro PDP-5080 HD

This TV has been rated as pretty much the top of the heap by many high fidelity & gadget mags.
Not so Rich: The Vizio P50HDTV

Vizio has been the #1 seller of large screen HDTV’s in the U.S for most of 2007 and their owners are said to be very happy.

Category: Mp3/Video Player's
Rich: The 16gb iPod Touch

Yea, I know, $400 clams, is a lot of clams, but this thing is nyce!.
Not so Rich: The 4gb Zune Original

Did you hear about the guy who proposed to his girlfriend with one? And she said yes???
http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/man-uses-zune-to-propose/man-proposes-to-girlfriend-using-zune-glenn-medeiros-cheese-and-love-331149.php

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Category: Mobile Phones
Kinda Rich: iPhone

I know, I know! I just did a review and said I wouldn't get it yet. But if somebody actually gave this to me? Are you kidding??

Not so Rich: Not. It's an iPhone or nothing man.

Honorable Mention(s): The Samsung Armani P520

and the Motorola A1200

Category: GPS Navigation Systems
Rich: Tom Tom GO 920T

Not so Rich: Garmin Nuvi 200

Category: Digital Cameras
Rich: Nikon D80 DSLR

Not so Rich: Nikon Coolpix S51c

Category: Laptops / Notebooks
Rich: Apple MacBook Pro

Not so Rich: Asus Eee PC

Yea, these $299 Linux laptops have been flyin' off the shelves.

Category: Desktop Computers
Rich: HP Blackbird

Aimed at “modders” and other people who treat their PCs like hot rods, these machines are markedly customizable, set up for fast gut-switching upgrades without tools.
and the 24" Apple iMac (Tie)

Power & Beauty
Not so Rich: Apple Mac Mini

Simple & Unobstrusive

Category: High Tech Cars (Small/Midsize Coupes & Sportscars) (Really) Rich: Audi R8

The 2008 Audi R8's unique mechanical layout, high-tech content, everyday drivability, and original style make it an intriguing exotic for those seeking more than just raw performance.
Rich: Infiniti G37 Coupe & G35 Sedan

Still Kinda Rich: Honda Civic Si Coupe & Sedan (I mean if you can afford to just buy a whip for Xmas...)

Category: High Tech Cars (Luxury)
Rich: Lexus LS 600h (Hybrid)

Not so Rich: Cadillac CTS

Honorable Mention: Chrysler 300 (Pimpmoble Wanna Be Edition)

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Category: High Tech Small SUV's
Rich: Acura RDX

Not so Rich: Mitsubishi Outlander

Despite the unfortunate name, this may be Mitsubishi's saving grace (along with the Lancer Evolution X).

Category: High Tech Midsize SUV's
Rich: Acura MDX

and the Lexus RX (Tie)

Not so Rich: Toyota Highlander

Toyota (Lexus) sells hybrid versions of both the Highlander & the RX.

Category: High Tech Large SUV's
Rich: Audi Q7

Also available with Turbocharged Direct Injection Diesel (shown).
Not so Rich: GMC Yukon

Also available with a 2 mode hybrid.

Category: Books
Rich: Playboy - The Complete Centerfolds

Not high tech but come on! I had to include it.

Not so Rich: Jesse James & His Beautiful Machines

A collection of Mr. Jesse James-Bullock's (as in Sandra) fantastic mechanical artwork.

Category: DVD's
Rich: The Wire (Complete Collection)

Not so Rich: Live Free or Die Hard – the Unrated Version

Great high tech movie fun.

(Note: Also Bladerunner - The Final Cut is a great choice for a nostalgic sci-fi fan like myself.)

Category: Watches
Rich: TAG Heuer Aquaracer Calibre S Chronograph Watch

Titanic-DNA Watch (Tie)

Yes, that Titanic. What you see is actually metal from the hull of the sunken wreck.
Not so Rich: Casio G-shock DW5025B-7V Watch

Honorable Mention: The Timberland HT2

I like this watch (hint!).

Category: Gadgets
Rich: The Amazon Kindle Portable Book Reader

and the Sony Portable Reader (Tie)

I know I prefer real books too, but these things seem to be selling. However the DRM (Digital Rights Management) which disables an owners ability to share is proving to be a sticking point. In other words...

'No! You can't borrow my book.'
Not So Rich: Western Digital My Book External Hard Drives

and the LaCie Hard Disks by Neil Poulton (Tie)

Not so Rich: Ambient Forecasting Umbrella

But if you have this umbrella.. you probably already know what the weather is. Whatever, I think weather related gadgets are waaay kool.

Honorable mention: Digital Picture Frame & Weather Station by Frontgate

See?

The only thing here that I have left off are the video game consoles.

I mean they were last years hype product. And plus it seems that these go the way of preference anyway, right? With a whole lot of XBox360 fans switching over from PS3 and the the little underdog (read cheaper) NintendoWii blew them both away in sales.

Do I really need to recommend one?

Okay.

XBox360 (w/the HD player), PS3, Wii.. in that order. Happy!?

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Well, I'm off to the Caribbean to spend some time with my family for the holiday's. Hmm. Warm weather and beaches. Niiiice.

Have a Happy Holiday!