Holiday Gift Guide 2008: Mid-range Apples that won't break the bank
![jason-d-ogrady.jpg](https://www.zdnet.com/a/img/resize/6fa2620d5ec52b0e82d5cf31ef1e9f4f95dff145/2014/07/22/59e04b7a-1175-11e4-9732-00505685119a/jason-d-ogrady.jpg?auto=webp&fit=crop&frame=1&height=192&width=192)
What can you say that hasn't already been said about the iPhone? It's a do everything, communication/entertainment device with a touchscreen and a dead simple interface. Since the App Store opened there's now over 5,000 applications to choose from making the iPhone pretty much unstoppable.
The only caveat is the network, make sure that AT&T has acceptable coverage (both phone and 3G) in your area before signing on the two-year line. If you can live with AT&T the iPhone 3G is hard to live without. So while it's not perfect, it's pretty darned close and getting better with every update.
Price: $199 (8GB) $299 (16GB)
[Read the review] [Compare to the competition]
It's also perfect for anyone waiting for a 2-year mobile phone contract with another carrier to expire. The 2G "iTouch" is thinner than the previous model and has external volume controls, Nike+ integration and on-the-fly genius playlist. Plus it's $100 cheaper than before making it a no-brainer.
Price: US$229 (8GB), $299 (16GB), and $399 (32GB)
[Read the review] [Check prices]
Chumby is more than a digital photo frame and a great alarm clock (you can wake up to the podcast of the NY Times) it even streams music courtesy of Pandora. And although it works on the nightstand, resist the urge. It's even better in the kitchen or bathroom.
Price: US$199 (pearl or varsity blue), US$179 (black or latte)
[Read my hands-on] [Read the review] [check prices]
Because Apple didn't make the iPhone battery removable they created a cottage industry for third-party iPhone batteries. Unlike the iPhone battery from Richard Solo (which hangs off the bottom) the Mophie Juice Pack for the iPhone 3G is two devices in one: an extended battery and an iPhone case. The combination iPhone 3G case and embedded battery is perfect for power users that need the extra juice all the time.
Price: US$99.95
[Read the review] [Vendor page] [Compare to the competition]
Rev. A EV-DO is capable of downloading at 600–1400kbps and uploading at 500–800 kbps. The USB727 is compatible with all devices that support the Type A USB interface and comes with a nice Mac OS X driver. The 727 also has a feature not found on other EV-DO modems: an integrated microSD slot supporting up to 4GB cards.
Price: US$29 (after $50 rebate, requires 2-year agreement)
[Read the review] [check prices] [Vendor page]
The miniStack v.2.5 combines a powered FireWire 400 and USB 2.0 hub and a 7200RPM SATA hard drive (up to 1.0TB) in a convenient package. The single best feature is the side-mounted USB and FireWire ports (right) which make it easy to connect devices and drives without having to climb into the depths of your entertainment center.
Price: US$105 (80GB) $230 (1TB)
[Read my review] [Vendor page]
FastMac U-Charge battery charger
The FastMac U-Charge battery charger is a must have accessory if you regularly use a second MacBook battery and want to keep it topped off. It looks like an AC adaptor with a special charger tail that connects to the contacts on Apple batteries.
It charges all 10.8 volt Apple batteries produced since 1999 including the iBook, PowerBook, MacBook and MacBook Pro. They also offer a 14.4 volt U-Charge that works with the iBook clamshell, PowerBook G4 Titanium, and iBook G3/G4 14-inch.
Price: US$69.95