Mouse Clix

By: Hobie Lunin

A Mixed list of Holiday Gift Pix by Mouse Clix, Redux

Yes, back again by popular demand. I made a list of last minute gifts for the computer person in your life last year and here it is again, updated of course. It is probably best to ask the recipient what is on their wish list, but most of the items listed below will always be welcome.

The hottest software right now is Windows XP. The up-date (from Win 98) is just under $100. You might want to see if it is on their Holiday Gift List, as some people are not quite ready to get it. Or try the Best Buy on-line sweeps at the web site: gifts.bestbuy.com with up to $10,000 gift cards for your favorite gift recipient. Good luck! And a Gift Card at any store selling computer merchandise will be appreciated.

Also at Best Buy, a new computer complete with 1 year of ISP for $450 after rebates. They are also offering the free ISP deal with any Notebook (laptop computer). At OfficeMax, a $200 digital camera with 2.3 Mega pixels seems like an excellent deal to me. In addition, at the same store, a CD wallet filled with 48 CD-Rs for $10 seems like a great stocking stuffer, as well as a Digital camera that takes Polaroid pix simultaneously for $300!

A Compaq laptop at Circuit City for $999.99 is about as low as you can get for a new Laptop these days, although a careful check of remanufactured ones on the Internet can save about 1/3 of this price and result in a good purchase.

If your favorite computer person has been complaining how slow their connection to the Internet is, surprise them with a cable connection. They will thank you for years to come. Call Comcast or visit Radio Shack, or almost any electronics chain store for the details.

Another thought is to provide a larger monitor for that favorite person on your list. 17” monitors are as low as $159 (at Wal-Mart) and for those who really want to make an impression, a “17” flat panel monitor is selling for just under $500 at Staples. And at the same chain, an HP Computer complete with Windows XP and 17” Monitor for $800 including 128MB RAM, 40 GB Hard Drive, comes with one year of Internet Service and Printer (after rebates). Sounds perfect for someone who has been wishing for a computer.

For that certain person who has a scanner on his holiday list, Staples has Memorex for under $20 after rebates. Or a scanner, color printer and copier all in one for just under $100. In addition, here is something new, prepaid Internet access for less than 2 cents a minute. Refill minutes are even lower. These are by a company called Slingshot. They are convenient for almost anyone and especially for those who need access from a number of locations with their laptop. Another new item is a $200 shopping spree when you sign up for 24 months of MSN Internet access. Offering to pay a few months of Internet service is another way to make someone happy.

A labeling kit will be handy for a devotee of music who is generating his or her own disks on their computer, and is $15.00 after rebates at Staples. And for those who do not want to be wired to their desktop, a cordless keyboard and mouse package is $70.

If your favorite computer person lives a distance away, enhance your on-line chats with a web cam that has a built in microphone at about $20 for each of you. Almost as good as being in the same room.

A 50 pack of CD-Rs for those making their own audio CD’s is only $10 while a Sony 3.3 Mega Pixel digital camera that records on CD-RW or CD-R is just 100 times that at $1000. Just pop the disk in a CD-ROM to see the photos.

A computer desk with slide out keyboard drawer at K-Mart, or one with a hutch for $99.99 at the same store. An executive office pneumatically adjustable armchair is $80 at Ames. Also at K-Mart, an HP digital camera for under $130. At Wal-Mart there is a printer (Lexmark) for just under $50, and if you are running out of your Holiday gift budget, there are a number of software titles you can buy at CompUSA that are free after savings and rebates.

Other handy and welcome items for any computer buff are screen wipes, floppies (they come 10 in a pack as a minimum), regular printing paper and photo (glossy or matte) for the digital photo enthusiast. A color cartridge for their printer (or even two, as they sell them in pairs at many stores) will be welcome. A paper cutter is handy if they are into making their own cards. Glue sticks are also great for the creative types. Fun items like kits to make magnetic business cards, photo calendars, photo mouse pads and the like will probably be welcome as well. A printer stand that has drawers for paper and miscellaneous items will help the computer operator keep their work place neat. These are available at most places that sell computers.

Lastly, here are a few clearance items with low prices at Ames. A corner computer center with built in bookcase for $79. A high back executive type chair in fabric for $69 and one with a leather seat and back at $49.

Whatever you get for your computer fan will surely be appreciated. There is nothing more fun than messing around with computers and it is especially so if you have some new “stuff” to play with!

Hobie Lunin is a Computer Instructor and Consultant. He can be reached at mouseclix2@yahoo.com

Previous articles can be seen at http://mouseclix.tripod.com and there is information there about free computer lessons with the author of these articles. These are open to students of any age or skill.