Must Read: Mint 15: Today's best Linux desktop (Review)

Topic: Tech Industry

The anti-gift gallery: what not to buy and why

Summary: While everyone's busy telling you what to buy this holiday season, here's a list of some of the hottest gifts this year -- and why you might want to consider NOT buying them!

Stephen Chapman

By for SEO Whistleblower |

 |  Image 7 of 10

Beats Audio Headphones

Unless you're looking to peacock it out a bit and show people that you've got ~$200 to blow on a set of headphones, then you're better off looking at headphones that are more capable than these, yet cost easily half the price. "Beats Audio" anything simply means you're getting an enhanced low end with your music. Depending on the genres of music you listen to, Beats Audio has the potential to leave the listener pining away for highs and mids -- well, those of us who are audiophiles, at least.

Seriously, skip these and pick up something like the Klipsch Image S4 in-ear ear buds. They're more than half the price of Beats headphones and they sound ridiculously amazing for sub-$100 headphones!

Source: Beats Audio Headphones

Need gadgets or gift ideas? Check out the following galleries!

  • Thumbnail 1
  • Thumbnail 2
  • Thumbnail 3
  • Thumbnail 4
  • Thumbnail 5
  • Thumbnail 6
  • Thumbnail 7
  • Thumbnail 8
  • Thumbnail 9
  • Thumbnail 10

Topics: Tech Industry, Apple, Google, HTC, iPad, Microsoft, Windows 8

Kick off your day with ZDNet's daily email newsletter. It's the freshest tech news and opinion, served hot. Get it.

Related Stories

Talkback

20 comments
Log in or register to join the discussion

  • Surface... and iPad

    Quote : "A Windows RT Surface is half the cost of a Windows 8 Pro Surface, but it's also at least half as functional"

    Thanks for reminding us that an iPad is also half as functional as an iMac... so we should not buy any iPads at all.

    For the vast majority of people, a computing device can be described has a way to access emails or Skype, a way to access the Internet with a browser, a way to be entertained with games and movies and a way to work using Office. In that sense, the 499$ Surface rt is a good tablet because it matches all the criteria.

    You obviously didn’t get windows 8 did you? Don’t try to convince yourself that you are right by post such a list. It’s on a portable device with a touch screen that Windows 8 makes all is sense.
    gbouchard99@...
    Reply 4 Votes

  • I had to laugh

    "iPad mini as though it's a marvelous feat that we all must worship with our wallets. "

    Made me think of that Simpsons episod, when Steve Mobbs comes on screen ready to make an announcement.
    William Farrel
    Reply 2 Votes

    • Though in all fairness I can't find anything wrong with the items mentioned

      short of the headphones, Camera, and wearable display.

      The rest would make fine gifts.
      William Farrel
      Reply 3 Votes

      • Fine gifts indeed

        As in, if I was given one, I probably wouldn't throw it out or regift it. However, none are gifts that I am likely to give (unless you count gifting myself with Win 8)
        jvitous
        Reply Vote

      • An Android fan does like MS or Apple

        Was it a shock?
        Bruizer
        Reply Vote

  • Not me

    Surface RT, iPad Mini, and Wii U are my most wanted Christmas gifts this year. I can't believe you hit basically everything I would love to receive this year on a list of things not to buy. I would have liked a Windows 8 upgrade for my PC as well, but I already purchased that one myself (and I've been very happy with it).
    chefgon
    Reply 1 Vote

  • Why Not to Buy Windows 8 Pro

    I was happy with Win7, but Windows 8 is a little bit faster, so I don't feel let down by it, even though I still use standard desktop apps 99% of the time.

    You'll get used to the start screen in about a week, and after that you probably won't think twice about it. Basically it's the same as the old start menu, just bigger.

    At the moment, if you're on Win7 there's really no reason I can think of to upgrade, but I suspect that when Microsoft releases Windows9 we'll start to see compelling reasons to upgrade.
    timventura
    Reply 1 Vote

  • You know, when you buy a gift, you aren't supposed to

    get what YOU like, you're supposed to get what the RECIPIENT would like.
    baggins_z
    Reply 1 Vote

    • Right...

      I might have spoken directly to the reader in some cases, but those with gift intentions are still left with points to walk away with.
      StephenChapman
      Reply 1 Vote

  • IF you stuck giving a Surface make sure you give them

    the sales receipt so they can make the return easyier. That's how Loverock Davidson is handeling the potential Sufaces situtation.
    Linux_Lives
    Reply 1 Vote

    • And if you give them an iPad, make sure to give them the sales receipt AND

      directions to the Apple store, so they can find it when they go to return it, since the iOS maps would likely place the Apple store in the middle of a river or highway.
      William Farrel
      Reply 4 Votes

      • Touche

        I did chuckle with that one.
        John Zern
        Reply 1 Vote

  • What do you like exactly?

    You don't like the iPad Mini, you don't like Windows8 Pro, you don't like Andoid whatever, etc. What do you like exactly? I hate to say that, but what a useless post!!! No wonder you have so few comments to it!
    Eleutherios
    Reply Vote

    • More than just descriptions.

      The point of this wasn't to demonstrate 10 things I, personally, do not like; it was to demonstrate reasons that people might want to consider when they find any one (or more) of the ten things herein interesting. And if you take the time to read my descriptions, you'll see I give love to my Droid DNA (Android-powered), the iPad 4, the Wii U, the PS Vita, and more.
      StephenChapman
      Reply Vote

    • Re: you don't like Andoid whatever, etc.

      Not sure where you get that idea.
      ldo17
      Reply 1 Vote

  • All of us would have different lists

    but I do agree with you on Win 8 and the Surface. We were fast forwarding through a Surface commercial and my wife asked ( in the way people ask when they are fishing for gift ideas) if I would like One. I made it clear that I wouldn't. I am not an MS basher (though I am a Ballmer basher). I use MS products every day. Win 8 seems to bring out a visceral hate in otherwise calm well adjusted people. It is a complete reboot of the windows user experience. I understand the rationale for updating Windows to work across multiple devices and to better reflect computer usage in a mobile touch screen world. The implementation is so horrific that I cannot see how it made it past any credible design review. For the record, my tech toy request for the holiday is a galaxy note II. I have the S III but I am passing that down to the wife.
    krossbow
    Reply Vote

  • Surface RT is a good buy

    Combined with the Windows RT remote desktop app I believe the RT version is a very attractive device. It is like the media has decided the Surface is bad, for me it is the best and most versatile device I have ever owned.
    MicrosoftBroiler
    Reply 1 Vote

  • You can't blame this on the media

    While most people have never used a Surface, Win 8 (including the various preview editions) has been around long enough for the tech crowd to have used it on different platforms and on different applications. Test driving software, talking to users, and writing about their experiences is what the media tech writers do. If they are slamming it, it isn't always because they have a pro-Apple or pro-Linux bias. Win 8 is a weak product and the reviews reflect that.
    krossbow
    Reply Vote

  • Well, the tech media asked for it

    "Apple iPad mini"

    LOL. The tech media clamored for this thing.

    And now, it's not so good after all?

    Just goes to show that the tech media is frankly out of touch with reality.
    CobraA1
    Reply Vote

  • Great article, but do you know what it needs?

    A View All button so everything loads in one page in a single column.

    Dang, another interesting looking article I am not going to see...
    michaellashinsky@...
    Reply Vote
CNET Join | Log In | Privacy | Cookies Close