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…

7 Responses to Gadget gifts under (US)$500


  1. Nikki
    Dec 16, 2008

    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.


  2. Maggie James
    Dec 16, 2008

    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…


  3. Nikki
    Dec 16, 2008

    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…


  4. Timothy
    Dec 16, 2008

    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


  5. Timothy
    Dec 16, 2008

    Oh, BTW
    The logo on the keyboard and mouse is Micro Innovations

    I checked their site but found nothing


  6. Nicholas Tolson
    Dec 19, 2008

    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.


  7. Mac
    Jan 04, 2009

    Folks: I stumbled upon this keyboard on macmall\’s website, price is listed at $29.50. Currently, they list it as out of stock.

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