5 Electronics to Streamline Your Geek’s Life

With thousands of brands and devices on the market, choosing electronic gifts for geeks can be difficult. Before making the purchase, you have to weigh the pros and cons, choose which model is best, and decide whether it’ll actually be useful or just another gadget that’ll be forgotten within a month. From gamers to audiophiles, there are great electronics out there for every kind of geek. Here are some of the hottest geek gifts on the market right now:

1. Kindle Fire

Amazon’s Kindle Fire is the first non-Apple tablet to really gain any traction within the geek community. The Fire’s software is based on Google’s Android operating system, which makes it compatible with most apps in the Android Marketplace. The device features a 7-inch screen, 8 gigabytes of internal storage, and an affordable $200 price tag. While it does not support 3G or 4G data connections, and its internal storage cannot be upgraded, the Fire’s integration with the Amazon ecosystem, including the company’s ebook collection and Instant Video service, makes it a gadget any geek would enjoy.

2. Xbox Kinect

If your geek is a gamer with an Xbox, Microsoft’s $150 Kinect add-on is a perfect gift. The add-on is essentially a motion detector that plugs into the Xbox 360 and allows players to manipulate certain games without using a controller. The player completes various gameplay actions with specific physical movements and gestures. While Xbox Kinect is certainly the future of gaming, many game manufacturers haven’t caught up to the technology just yet, so the game selection is somewhat limited compared to the games available for the Xbox 360 in general. That being said, there are still dozens of games that can take advantage of the Kinect’s technology.

3. Logitech Harmony One

Most home theater systems have several peripherals that each have their own remotes – the audio system, the Blu-ray player, game consoles, the cable box, and the TV itself. Without a universal remote, the coffee table can easily become covered with confusing controllers. Logitech’s Harmony One is the best universal remote on the market. It features a touch screen, backlit buttons, and can control up to 15 devices. At $200, the remote is a little pricey, but if your geek has several remotes and wants a more streamlined home theater experience, the Harmony One will be a perfect gift.

4. Transcend JetFlash 32GB Flash Drive

What geek doesn’t need extra storage every once in a while? Whether it’s for transferring documents from one computer to another, or keep confidential work files backed up and easily-accessible, this 32 gigabyte flash drive is perfect. While a flash drive may not seem like the best gift, it’s a staple for every geek’s gadget collection. While the JetFlash’s plastic body doesn’t feel as sturdy as other models, the drive’s $24 price point makes it hard to pass up.

5. Sennheiser MM 100 Wireless Headphones

The Sennheiser MM 100 wireless headphones are a great gift for audiophiles and gamer geeks. The headphones’ sound quality is excellent, and they can connect to any device that supports Bluetooth, including cell phones, MP3 players, and computers. The MM 100 features over-the-ear headphones with a neckband style for maximum comfort. While the neckband does the job, it feels a little weak, as if it could snap if too much pressure is put on it. The ear pieces themselves also feature controls for volume and song switching. The headphones can be used non-stop for up to 7.5 hours, and support a range of 33 feet. At $150, the Sennheiser MM 100 wireless headphones are a relatively affordable gift for geeks who take in a lot of audio.

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