These are the 9 tech gifts on everyone’s wish list this year
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The holiday season is finally, really, actually upon us.
This time of year means different things to different people, but for most of us, some gifts will be exchanged.
Insider Picks has put together a number of gift guides to help, ranging from the hyper-specific to the vague.
This tech list is more general. Based on what I've used, and what I've heard friends and family asking for this year. These are higher-end gadgets, but if you've got a really special giftee, I can't see them being disappointed.
Having trouble figuring out what to get people for the holidays? You can check out all of Insider Picks' 2016 gift guides here.
Bang & Olufsen headphones
AmazonThe best headphones — wired or Bluetooth — that I've used come from Beoplay, an offshoot of Bang & Olufsen.
Both provide the music listener with incredibly clear, well-balanced sound. Regardless of what music you listen to, there's a good chance that you'll hear previously unheard subtleties in even your favorite songs. I listen to music for roughly six hours a day, and I couldn't imagine using anything but the H6's (save for when I'm conducting reviews.)
The H8's are similar. They're on-ear headphones rather than over-ear one, and they suffer from some sound degradation compared to their wired sibling. Still, if you want uncompromising sound without wires, the H8 are an excellent choice.
Beoplay H6 Over-Ear Wired Headphones, $278.97
Beoplay H8 Om-Ear Wireless Headphones, $489
A new MacBook Pro
AmazonIf I were to recommend one member of the Apple laptop family, it'd be the new Non-Touchbar MacBook Pro.
It has the same, nicer screen and USB-C ports as its older siblings, but it's more sensibly priced. The touchbar is probably going to be useful in a few years — once developers (and Apple for that matter) figure out exactly what it's useful for.
Yes, you'll still have to buy some dongles to get the most out of this machine (if you're a power user.) If you buy a new computer every five years, then by the next time you buy one all Apple laptops will probably have the touchbar. For now, it's a nice-to-have feature, but this computer hits the power and price sweet spot for higher-end laptops.
Apple MacBook Pro 13" (256GB, No Touchbar), $1,374.99, available at Amazon
A Sony turntable
AmazonSony has tried to bridge the analog and digital divide with their new, high-end turntable, which I used this past summer.
It delivered excellent sound, and its built-in USB port proved to be capable of producing nice-sounding needle drops (the audiophile term for digitized records.) I've digitized over 100 albums over the years; its always been an arcane process full of different moving parts. Sony boils it down to one cable.
I won't say the results are as good as the arcane system, but they're excellent and hassle-free. Of course this turntable can also function as a regular music-playing tool; if you hook it up to your stereo, you'll be treated to some smooth ear candy.
Sony PSHX500 Hi Res USB Turntable, $399.99
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