Cool Mac stuff: What to give for the holidays
Computerworld - With the holiday season in full swing -- and knowing that some Mac-heads can often be difficult to buy for -- I've decided to offer some gift ideas for the Mac geek in your life.
First, here are the obvious choices:
A new iMac G5, iBook, PowerBook, Power Mac or eMac. New computers are always appreciated as holiday gifts, and the all-in-one iMac G5 has remained popular since its introduction in September. Who wouldn't want a G5 chip in a slim-line white enclosure, complete with 17-in. or 20-in. LCD screen? And the top-of-the-line iMac G5 (see story) goes for just $1,899. Looking for portability? You can go entry-level with a 12-in. iBook for $999, or move up the Apple food chain to the 17-in. PowerBook, which tops out at $2,799 (see story).
If you've just got to have a G5, but need more expandability than the iMac offers, Apple's Power Macs run the gamut from the single-processor 1.8-GHz model for $1,499 to the top-end dual 2.5-GHz model at $2,999 (see story). Be forewarned, though, the priciest Power Mac is still in short supply if you're looking to get something quickly. Easier to find: The all-in-one eMac, which makes a perfect gift for school-age children or perhaps grandparents wondering what this Internet thing is all about. Prices start at $799.
Stocking-stuffer note: No matter which Mac you buy, get extra RAM. The gift-getter will thank you.
iPods. Would you like that iPod with photo storage capabilities? Snag a new iPodPhoto, $499 and $599 for the 40GB and 60GB models, respectively. Just want one for the music? There's the traditional white iPod, which starts at $299. Don't forget the special black-and-red U2 edition for the U2 fans in the household. And there's the almost-too-popular $249 iPod mini, which offers a plethora of color choices for music-loving family members. Best of all, their size makes them the perfect stocking stuffer.
Shopping alert: iPod minis are notoriously hard to find right now, except at the Apple Store. So check around at various retailers first and buy soon.
.Mac membership. Many users can appreciate the tools that come with a .Mac membership, particularly those who aren't up to creating Web pages or Web-based photo albums on their own. For $99, a .Mac membership makes sharing photos a snap, plus you get a cool .mac e-mail address, 250MB of online storage, free Virex software and a host of other freebies. It's ideal for the Mac-fan with almost everything.
iTunes gift cards. Give the gift of music,


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