Smart Christmas Gift Guide

Need some smart gift ideas to fill Santa's stockings this Christmas but your techno-gadget knowledge lets you down? For those of us struggling to understand the difference between a Wii and a DSI; a netbook and a notebook, here's an easy reference guide.

Netbook

No it's not just a misspelling, but you'd be forgiven for getting notebook and netbook confused. They both have similar functions, but a netbook has a smaller screen (ranges between 9 and 10 inches), is light-weight and usually costs less than a notebook.

Netbooks are predominantly geared towards those requiring an Internet connection on the go (hence the name netbook), and their compact size makes them ideal for travel.

If you are interested in games or heavy duty programs that need high quality graphics, then a notebook is your best bet. If you try and expand your netbook to do all this, you will find it won't run as efficiently as a notebook.

External hard drive

This is a stylish addition to any computer that is getting choked with an ever-growing collection of files. Think of it as buying a shoe rack when your shoes no longer fit the cupboard!

An external hard drive sits outside the computer in its own enclosure, connected to the computer via high-speed interface cable. The interface cable allows the external hard drive to communicate with the computer so that data may be passed back and forth. It provides a place outside the computer for you to store large volumes of files.

Sensitive documents, large music files, DVD images, movies, disk images, and even a backup of the contents of your main internal hard drive, can all be kept securely and safely on an external hard drive. It's also a simple way to transfer huge files back and forth from work to home or between your desktop and laptop.

You can buy portable or desktop hard drives in a range of colours and designs, with many models taking up no more space than a paperback novel.

Multi function printer

For the price of a restaurant meal you can buy a multi function printer that prints, as well as scans and photocopies. Not much bigger than a regular desktop printer, this machine can print a document from a computer; print directly from the scanner; or act as a standalone photocopier. Some models have a modem for faxing.

Also known as all-in-one printers, they are perfect for the home-office or for printing digital photos.

Nintendo DS

When it comes to handheld game consoles, Nintendo's DS is the latest kid on the block, sharing the market with Sony;s PlayStation Portable. Just to cause maximum confusion, there are three DS consoles - the DS, DS Lite and the DSi. The DS is the original, followed by the DS Lite and the newly released DSi. The older, larger model is discontinued and improved upon by the newer models, which are slimmer, have brighter screen colours and longer battery life. The DSi has a built-in camera, web browser, SD memory card slot and a downloadable game service over Nintendo Wi-Fi.

And the difference between the DS and PlayStation? The only obvious difference is the use of a pen stylus and microphone for a lot of the DS games, which isn't the case for PlayStation. Other than that, it's all down to personal preference.

DS games are sold separately to the console and start from around $30 each.

Sony Playstation (PSP and PS3)

The Sony PSP (PlayStation Portable) is a handheld gaming system and PS3 is a home system that has features such as gaming, watching videos, listening to music, browsing the web and storing music and videos.

The PS3 is a high-definition gaming system for those who are serious about their fast-paced action games. It also has a built-in Blu-ray player so you can play Blu-ray discs, DVDs and CDs as well as use it as a media centre in your lounge room.

PlayStation games are sold separately, starting from around $50 each. Be sure to check they have cross-format compatibility (i.e., can be played on either PSP or PS3).

Nintendo Wii

Imagine having a game of tennis in your living room minus the racquet, net or ball. With a Wii game on the screen and a Wii remote (aka the Wiimote) in your hand, you'll work up a sweat and feel like you are playing for real.

Thanks largely thanks to the motion-sensing Wii remote, you can play virtual sports such as tennis, boxing and cycling. If playing tennis, you actually swing the remote as you would a real tennis racquet, or if cycling, you cycle your arms and lean from side to side as if on a bike.

Wii is not about hardcore gaming, but it does lend itself well to families and new gamers.

Wii games are sold separately and start from around $25.

Xbox 360

The Xbox 360 is the second video game console produced by Microsoft, and the successor to the Xbox.

The new model allows players to compete online and download content such as arcade games, game demos, trailers, TV shows, and movies. It supports a huge library of popular high-definition games and can be linked to your home network and used with media devices such as video cameras.

There are several different Xbox 360s that vary according to storage capacity and A/V capabilities, as well as price (Xbox 360 Elite is considered the premium system).

iPod

Let's face it; unless you've been living under a rock you will have heard of the iPod. But what you might not know is the amazing array of models the iPod comes in - Shuffle, Nano, Classic, Touch - designed to suit all tastes and budgets. The features are pretty impressive - e.g., built-in video camera, portable game player, voice-over (it can speak up the names of songs, artists and playlists), plus the simple interface and scroll wheel which means that you don't have to be from Generation Y to learn how to use it!

The first touch screen iPod, the iPod touch, is the first model to support internet access, and it aligns with the touch screen features of the iPhone (see below).

MP3 Players

The iPod is a specific brand of MP3 player, but there are many other MP3 players on the market that have the same function (i.e., transfer and play music from your computer or CD) and many of the same features.

If you are buying a mass market MP3 player, rather than an iPod, you won't have to use the Apple iTunes software to transfer music.

MP3 Docking station

An MP3 docking station is just one of many different accessories you can buy for your MP3 player. It is basically used to turn your portable music device into a home stereo system - with speakers built in that allow your stored music to be heard throughout the room. Many docking stations can also re-charge the MP3 player as it rests in the docking cradle.

Though an MP3 docking station may not be available for all brands and models of MP3 players, many do have compatible docking stations available.

Smart phone

These high-tech phones allow you to listen to MP3s, use GPS, video conference, access the internet, switch between documents and check email.
Perhaps the most well known of these, the iPhone by Apple, is a combination of mobile phone and iPod.

You can send text and visual voicemail (allows you to select messages in whatever order you want); watch and download music, photos and video; send emails and browse the web. The phone's touch screen acts as a virtual keyboard, allowing you to complete a number of tasks at once like making a phone call, emailing a photo and surfing the web (over a WiFi or 3G connection).