Gadget gifts under (US)$500
Posted on December 15, 2008 by Maggie James
Okay… CNet.com’s 2008 top ten gadget gift ideas for under (US)$500 was bound to include smart phones, netbook mini PCs, pocket camcorders, GPS units and MP3 players.
But there’s also a programmable power bar that saves juice and bucks. And what about an eco-friendly keyboard and mouse cased in resilient yet stylish bamboo?
Or a tiny, wearable video cam? Or a pocket uploader that automatically posts your YouTube footage? Or a pocket projector to help you share the pics and vids on your camera or pocket player?
Even if there’s nothing there that specifically fills the bill for the problem-gift gadget fan on your holiday list, it should at least provide some inspiration for your inevitable trip to the electronics store…
December 16th, 2008 at 13:19
I am trying to find the eco-friendly keyboard & mouse cased in bamboo. I have tried to search MSI Computer website without success. Does anyone know where I can find these online. I have found a few websites that have different bamboo keyboards/mouse but they are overseas and out of stock.
December 16th, 2008 at 15:20
I’ve checked… As far as I can tell, the keyboard and mouse have been discontinued by MSI… Not sure why… But there’s a link to the manufacturer’s own Web site in Japan:
http://www.google.com/translate?u=http://www.links.co/html/press/news_takekyel.html&langpair=ja|en&hl=en&ie=UTF8
Alas — puzzlingly — there appear to be no current North American vendors or distributors for these products…
December 16th, 2008 at 16:22
Thank you for your response. The link above does not work for me. I will keep looking. I was excited to see this product as it would be perfect for my 80 year old father in law who is a tree farmer and loves to grow bamboo. And as luck would have it, he is in the market for a new keyboard and mouse for his laptop…
December 16th, 2008 at 17:05
Hey Maggie
Yea, I’m not sure who the manufacturer is supposed to be. A quick Google search for MSI Computers gives me http://www.msicomputer.com but it they dont appear to sell peripherals.
Nikki
The link Maggie provided:
Translated Page
or if you can read Japanese:
http://www.links.co.jp/html/press2/news_takekyel.html
December 16th, 2008 at 17:24
Oh, BTW
The logo on the keyboard and mouse is Micro Innovations
I checked their site but found nothing
December 19th, 2008 at 12:14
That bamboo keyboard is freakin’ awesome! And gorgeous. But I think the $500 price limit on that list is a bit out of reach for most, especially given the state of the economy.
I’d say most people are looking for gifts that are 1/10th that much for most people on their list this year. Here’s one list of tech gifts under $50 from Degeeked.com: http://www.degeeked.com/answers/detail/top-10-tech-gifts-under-50-for-2008
Speaking of eco-friendly stuff, DeGeeked also has a cool list of tech gifts for environmentalists that includes a personal wind turbine! Who knew you could get one of those! http://www.degeeked.com/answers/detail/top-10-tech-gifts-for-environmentalists-2008
BTW, do you guys know of any other lists in the cheaper (sub $100 range?). I’m looking to create a list of lists of that sort. Thanks.
January 4th, 2009 at 13:05
Folks: I stumbled upon this keyboard on macmall\’s website, price is listed at $29.50. Currently, they list it as out of stock.