Insta360 Link 2 Webcam
The Insta360 Link 2 ($199) is the most extraordinary webcam I've ever used. First, it gets all the basics done right. The picture is stunning at resolutions up to 4k with HDR and good low light level performance. The microphone is more than adequate and the noise reduction extraordinary. But, there is so much more to the Link. It has a built in motor, so that it can track you as you move about the room. If you want it to try to keep your whole body in the picture, or perhaps just your torso or head, it can do that, too! The software is great; you can even view the image, control the position of the camera, and change settings on your smartphone. If you don't need the motor-powered capabilities, the Insta360 Link 2C comes in at $50 dollars less, but is otherwise just about identical, while delivering as-good-as-or-better performance than many more expensive cameras.
Insta360 X5 Camera
The Insta360 X5 ($549) camera is an action camera that can capture a full 360 degree sphere all around you. You can view and edit the images into regular rectangular "flat" aspect ratios, or give the user the ability to look around in a complete circle. A magical bit of software removes the (optional, but highly recommended) monopod from view. Use a longer monopod and it can get shots from above that almost look like a drone took them. The perfect second camera to take on vacation. I also love putting it into the middle of a family gathering and getting everyone's interaction at one time. It can also be used to capture videos of kids who are shy to appear on camera, as they don't know you are focusing it on them.
ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X
Maybe you want to take your games on the go, or maybe your PC is a bit underperforming, or (gasp) you daily drive a Mac so don't have access to so many of the best games (despite Apple's attempts to close the gap). Or, maybe you are the parent of a teenager who is lobbying for a $5000 computer so he can "game". All of these are valid reasons to consider adding a hand-held gaming platform to your holiday list.
Until recently the SteamDeck was the only option, and given the company's dominant status in the market, the unsurprisingly good integration of its gaming ecosystem to the device, and its above average compatibility with so many games, both the SteamDeck 2 and SteamDeck OLED remain solid choices. But there are now alternatives.
Xbox gamers now can play many of their games (as well as many from the Steam, Epic, and other on-line stores) on their handheld with the ROG Xbox Ally ($599) and ROG Xbox Ally X. These devices are not portable versions of the Xbox, despite the branding, but are instead portable Windows 11 computers with the built-in thumb sticks, triggers, and buttons you'd expect to find on a game controller. Running in, or perhaps more accurately, alongside a special version of Windows 11 is a very slick Xbox interface that lets you play Xbox Play Anywhere, Xbox Game Pass, Xbox Cloud Gaming, and Xbox Remote Play titles. Keep in mind that there are some Xbox games that won't play on it at all:
- Native console games: The ROG XBox Ally is a PC and cannot run games that are exclusive to an Xbox console unless they are also available on PC (like through the Xbox app) or are played via cloud streaming or remote play.
- Physical disc games: The device has no disc drive, so physical games cannot be played directly.
Also, you have to adjust your expectations (and game settings) to match the limitations of the hardware. There are many games the ROG Xbox Ally can play at a decent frame rate with lowered settings, but there are other, more modern, cutting-edge games that will chug on the device, if they run at all. I haven't tested the ROG Xbox Ally X, which has a more memory, storage and the latest and greatest in modern mobile gaming processors, but needless to say, the more demanding you are as a gamer (wanting the highest frame rate, for instance) the more it makes sense to invest in the higher priced system, if you can even find one. Checking Microcenter, Amazon, and Wal-mart as of this writing showed none of the higher end model in stock, and precious few of the ASUS ROG Xbox Ally.
Airpods Pro 3
I splurged on a pair of Airpods Pro 3, the flagship buds from Apple. I wanted all the bells and whistle including the built-in heartbeat monitor for the gym. I haven't traveled enough since I bought them to try out the translation mode in a "real world" setting, so I will report back on that later. In the meantime, the active noise cancelling (paired with the small size of the buds) has me using them not only at my desk, but as a sleep-aid in the noisy city. Sometimes these buds do their best job when there is no music playing, just near silence. Their audio performance has taken some dings in other reviews, but I find them pleasant to listen to at length without substantial ear fatigue. The spatial audio is much improved, so much so that I sometimes take them out just to be sure I have them on - the sound is just so "real". There are less expensive earbuds (including a few from Apple), but for comfort, fit, noise cancellation, and sound, I couldn't find a better pair.
Mac mini computer and Accessories
The Mac mini (from $599) is my gadget of the year. Yes, technically it was announced last year at this time, but most didn’t get their hands on it until the new year. The storage on the base model is so small that for nearly any user I would suggest starting with one of the models with at least 512 GB of storage.
As has been amply documented over since launch, the price for upgraded models is disproportionate to the relative value of the base configuration. But, consider that neither the RAM nor the internal storage of the Mac mini is upgradable once you’ve purchased it. Even at $799 or $999 M4 models are compelling choices given the power they pack. Keep in mind you’re going to need a monitor, keyboard, and mouse, all sold separately in addition to the computer.
Whether you get a Mac or a PC you should be backing up. OWC’s line of fast SSDs are a solid choice. Each is a superbly crafted radiator of aluminum housing a thunderbolt 4 SSD with speeds up to 3151 MBPS. Speed counts with external drives. Let’s say you need to restore a backup. SSDs can cut the time it takes to restore from days and hours with conventional spinning hard disks to hours and minutes.
OWC has models from 1 terabyte all the way to 8. Your backup drive should be bigger than your system drive to accommodate multiple backups.
If you were fortunate enough to snag a machine that supports thunderbolt 5, the ACASIS 80Gps Thunderbolt 5 enclosure is among the fastest on the market. Note, this price is for the enclosure only. You’ll need to supply your own SSD. Pricey, yes, but with speeds up to double that of Thunderbolt 4, the power user in your life will thank you.
One of the annoying trends in computing over the past few years is the diminishing number of ports you’ll find on most machines. The MacBook Air and the Microsoft Surface Pro 11 have have only two Thunderbolt 4 ports apiece,
The solution is a docking station. With one cable your computer suddenly has all the ports you need. If you’ve got a Thunderbolt 5 equipped computer, like the Mac mini with the M4 Pro chip you can take advantage of the higher speeds of a similarly equipped dock. Using Anker Prime TB5 Docking Station ($399) I can connect my Mac Studio to multiple monitors, read SD cards with the built-in reader, plug-in my audio, reach the network over the 2.5Gb Ethernet port, and even charge my laptop or iPad. Thanks to Thunderbolt 5, my external 8TB drive operates at speeds comparable to the internal drive on the computer.
If you don't need Thunderbolt 5 speed you can save a fair amount of money by matching your computer with a Thunderbolt 4 dock. OWC's Thunderbolt Go Dock ($199) gives you 11 expansion ports, including a 90w port for charging your laptop, 2.5 Gb ethernet port, two Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C) Ports; one USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C Port up to 10Gb/s with USB 2.0/3.0 backwards compatibility; two USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A Ports up to 10Gb/s with USB 2.0/3.0 backwards compatibility; one USB 2.0 Port; an HDMI Port; and a 3.5mm Stereo Audio Output Port. It also has an SD card reader.
One thing I like about both these stations is that they do not require an external power brick cluttering up the desk. Nevertheless, neither is particularly portable; both are pretty heavy but could be thrown in a bag if needed. The Anker station is a bit more stylish, looking like an RGB equiped Mac mini in size and shape.
Fellow Stagg EKG Electric Kettle
The Fellow Stagg EKG Electric Kettle (from $179) may seem out of place in this list of computer and audio equipment. Yet, of all the equipment I've tested and used this year, this pot has elevated my coffee, and with it my whole day. It is beautiful to behold, lovely to touch, does what it promises, and does it well. What more can I ask from a gadget? I've written it up more fully, here.
