Christmas shopping can be a real challenge. Picking gifts for friends and relatives isn’t always as easy as you’d think, especially when you’re on a student type budget.
Thankfully, there are lots of options when it comes to cheap and useful tech. This year take a look at some handy personal tech devices while doing your holiday shopping, and consider some of these gadgets as gift ideas.
Chargers: Your phone battery is about to die, but there’s no place to plug it in. It’s a pinch we’ve all been in a few times and portable chargers provide the perfect solution.
Battery powered emergency chargers are portable, fast, and compatible with most smart phones. No outlet needed, just plug in and charge. Best of all, they’re easy to find for under $10.
Security Keys: It’s tough to keep track of the millions of passwords needed for websites and accounts. USB security keys, like those made by Yubico, stores login information after a single entry, as well as adding a two-factor authentication system that helps encrypt information and keep your accounts safer.
When in use these keys remember your logins for you, allowing you to log onto your accounts with a simple click. Keys range in price according to storage size and additional features, but basic keys are easy to find for $20 or less.
Keyboards: Touch screen devices are commonplace and their portable nature often makes them a go-to. However, touch screens can prove difficult when it comes to typing.
Wireless, Bluetooth keyboards run as low as $20, and can hook up to tablets and smart phones, providing smoother typing and allowing you to work wherever you want.
Projectors: Projectors are undeniably fun tech, and now you can buy a portable, wireless, projector for your smart phone.
Cat videos or feature films — everything is better on a big screen and simple projectors, like the Grommet, allow you to project videos larger using a cardboard housing unit and simple glass lens. It’s quirky, low cost, and makes a great gift.
DIY Computers: Those with die-hard techies in their lives might want to check out the Raspberry Pi.
These tiny, single-board computers are a great starter for those interested in coding or programming of all sorts. The Pi plugs into a TV and only needs a keyboard for operation and can be used or a variety of electronics projects.
Better yet, the Raspberry Pi Foundation is a charity that helps promote tech literacy among children, so the $35 price tag is going to a good cause.