FYNG Bells, Oh Eldenbaum, All I need for Christmas is Half Life 3, Jingle Spells – it is December and the standard Christmas carols are resounding by way of the holy Pointmmo halls. Most of us have been good all yr, have mentioned please and thanks and now hope that there’s a package deal or two underneath the Christmas tree for us too. We requested our tech editors what was on the prime of their want lists. And the solutions could not be extra diversified.
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Fitbit Sense 2 towards the house workplace grind
Sandra: This yr I’ve change into very conscious of 1 factor: I hardly transfer in any respect throughout my working hours within the house workplace. I do not go to work, I do not even go to the bakery or go for a stroll with my imaginary canine – even earlier than that was extra nice with Nintendogs. But sitting in entrance of my PC for eight hours after which gaming for an additional 4 or 5 is not essentially good for my well being – and I discover that. I should be continually reminded to train and drink sufficient, which is the place I see potential with a smartwatch.
For my Android cellphone, the Fairphone 4, I would like just a little watch to maintain monitor of me like its Tamagotchi. That’s the place the Fitbit Sense 2, launched this yr, turns out to be useful for me. For me, it provides essentially the most worth with its large characteristic set and that I can obtain milestones per day á la Animal Crossing and get rewarded. ECG, sleep evaluation, step monitoring, Google Maps – I hope that this can allow me to attain a greater work-life stability!
- High variety of features and functions
- Robust and with long battery life
- Somewhat fewer functions than, for example, Apple Watch
Fractal Design mini ITX case for tinkering
Nils: I like my present mini-ITX PC with Fractal Design’s Node 202 case. Not solely is it good and compact, nevertheless it’s additionally barely audible. But trying on the new Ridge case, I’m itching to construct a brand new PC with it. Have a take a look at it your self within the trailer:
For maybe the chicest console-sized PC but – Fractal Design unveils new Ridge mini-ITX case
Admittedly, assembling such compact fashions is loads “frumpier” than a classic-sized case for ATX motherboards. But that makes the entire thing extra interesting on the similar time, as a result of it’s much less trivial to seek out the optimum answer to your personal {hardware}.
Speaking of “personal {hardware}”: Since my PC is nearly 4 years outdated by now, there may be greater than sufficient room for upgrading, even other than the case. I do not want a lot efficiency for games, as a result of I primarily play the frugal League of Legends. However, I’ve been enhancing movies increasingly more often these days, and a CPU with as many cores as potential, a quick PCIe 4.0 SSD and extra RAM would undoubtedly turn out to be useful.
Reason tells me that I do not essentially want a brand new PC. But I do take pleasure in selecting new parts and putting in them myself – and that is one thing you are able to do each 4 years. Sooner or later, I’ll undoubtedly use the Ridge case – until an (even) fancier various seems by then.
- You can even accommodate an RTX 4090
- Chic, timeless design and good workmanship
- Fancy cable management
Balcony energy station for all: photo voltaic money with financial savings operate
Frederic: Do you understand this? When requested what I want to have, I all the time fall into the inside battle between “I have already got the whole lot and others want it greater than I do” and “the whole lot I would love can be a lot too costly for a present”. In the top, nonetheless, there may be one subject that has notably aroused my enthusiasm this yr: Balcony Power Plants.
Not solely did I speak about it with colleagues, acquaintances or our woods and meadows electrician and researched tens of hours, however I additionally made the choice that photo voltaic would go on the roof of our home. A balcony energy plant saves vitality prices, is environmentally pleasant and is a worthwhile funding, particularly for somebody like me who works loads within the house workplace.
Up to 200€ a yr left in my pockets isn’t unrealistic. Fortunately, one half of the roof faces southwest, so inserting it there faucets fairly a little bit of solar. Thankfully, balcony energy vegetation at the moment are additionally considerably cheaper in winter as a result of decrease demand. So if you wish to do one thing good for your self, the setting and your pockets, you might be welcome to place a number of photo voltaic panels underneath the Christmas tree.
- High material quality and long warranty (JA Solar)
- WiFi Inverter Hoymiles HM-600
- No attachments for solar modules included
Logitech G733 headset towards cable litter
Simon: The yr 2022 was absolutely underneath the zodiac signal of wi-fi headphones for me. While the tangle of cables in my jacket pocket has in some way been a part of my life for the reason that days of my first MP3 participant, it was about six months in the past that I found, with appreciable delay, simply how a lot high quality of life Bluetooth headphones really deliver with them.
After the Corona years left their mark on me and I wanted to get again into form, I made a decision to purchase wi-fi earbuds to get me going with some appropriate acoustics. On the cabinets of my native MediaMarkt, my selection fell on the cheap JBL Wave 200 Earbuds.
From then on, I might hearken to my favourite podcasts whereas cooking, to the enjoyable sounds of rain whereas falling asleep, or spur myself on to new athletic feats with the assistance of the Doom soundtrack.
For my favourite pastime, I additionally desire a wi-fi gaming headset so I can discuss to my Discord or TeamSpeak buddies even whereas I’m making espresso or getting some contemporary air on my balcony.
- Extremely comfortable thanks to lightweight construction
- Great sound and long battery life
- Bluetooth range could be higher
Microsoft Surface Pro 9 for work and pleasure
Sören: I would not have thought it potential only a few months in the past, however since my overview of the Surface Pro 9, I’ve fallen head over heels in love with the hybrid sequence from Microsoft once more! So a lot in order that I’ll open my pockets myself after returning my rental gadget and put a replica underneath my Christmas tree.
Why, why, why – to seek out out intimately, you’ll be able to learn by way of my overview outfitted with some Christmas tea and some cookies. However, there will probably be one distinction in my personal buy: Instead of the high-powered Core i7 mannequin, the cheaper variant with Core i5 will most likely be sufficient for me. The notebook-tablet hybrid performs excellently even on this configuration.
Besides, I’ll have the funds for left over to purchase a keyboard and pen. Without these – sadly costly – equipment, working with the Surface Pro 9 is barely half as a lot enjoyable. Who is aware of, possibly I’ll lastly be capable of enhance my horrible handwriting, though…that ship has most likely lastly sailed!
- Great display
- Quality workmanship
- Not quite cheap
A dream of an OLED gaming monitor
Nele: Yes, the 42-OLED inch could also be a bit “excessive” and in addition method too costly for me, however we’re speaking about needs right here and one continues to be allowed to dream. I had this gaming monitor as a take a look at gadget for a few month and a half and nonetheless pine after it a bit. Especially once I take a look at my very own outdated monitor, which has a nasty, bouncing contact on the energy connector on the again. Turning it on, and even shifting it, looks like stepping on Thor’s toes each time, as a result of it acknowledges each improper transfer with a crackle of electrical energy. In quick: It’s a matter of time earlier than I (urgently) want a brand new gaming monitor, as a result of each take a look at monitor has to return to the producer sooner or later.
Since my finances for the specified Asus ROG Swift OLED PG42UQ is unlikely to be sufficient, I’m already in search of options. A distant management just like the Asus ROG Swift OLED PG42UQ can be actually nice, for instance. And a equally excessive viewing angle stability and shade constancy, glare-free, 4K, G-Sync, low enter lag, quick response time, good audio system, adequate brightness (I additionally like to depart the blinds up generally) and no less than 32 inches. But low-cost, please. Can’t be that arduous, proper?
Alternatively, the Asus ROG Strix XG438Q would even be good and even round 1,000 Euros cheaper than the Asus ROG Swift PG42UQ. Lol, what sort of sums these are … Even if shopping for isn’t an choice for me, wishing that works.
- Gigantic picture thanks to OLED display
- Great equipment, strong range of functions
- Price is as gigantic as the picture
This gamepad has haunted me for years!
Maximilian: I’ve been this controller time and again for the reason that first era after which in the end do not buy it. Because the conventional controller can also be sufficient and nonetheless works completely. But the temptation stays, as a result of who was allowed to carry the controller in his palms, which instantly feels the worth in comparison with the unique.
Due to the rubberized grips, it feels higher and extra slip-proof than the naked plastic of the conventional Xbox controller. I additionally personally like the upper weight in comparison with the unique. One cause for that is the built-in battery, which lasts as much as 40 hours. A charging station can also be included, on which you’ll place the pad if you find yourself not gaming. It robotically slides into the appropriate place by way of magnet for charging. You wouldn’t have to fumble with cables anymore and wouldn’t have to fret about inserting the pad within the improper place.
But by far one of the best factor about it’s the configurability. You can select from completely different thumbsticks in numerous shapes and heights and alter them very simply. You also can exchange the directional pad with a spherical stick very quickly. But that is not all! You can alter the resistance of the sticks and set how far the triggers could be pressed. If the prevailing buttons aren’t sufficient, you’ll be able to connect as much as 4 “pedals” on the again, which you’ll simply attain along with your center or ring finger.
All of this is not needed for gaming, however needs are additionally there to deal with your self to one thing you do not essentially want, however completely need. Maybe the controller will find yourself underneath my tree this yr.
