6 Great Gifts for Computer Consultants

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It’s that time of year again, where we take the time to try to find the perfect gift for the one’s we love!  Well, if you have a computer tech on your list, or you’re a tech looking for things to put on your own list, here are some ideas for great geeky gifts.

First, be sure to check out my list from a couple of years ago, most of the items are still available and would still make great gifts: 10 Affordable Gifts for the Computer Tech on Your List (2008).

My list this year runs the gamete from practical to downright insane.  Therefore, you should be able to find the perfect gift for the needs and personality of the recipient.

ASUS Transformer

The ultimate cool gadget for this season is the ASUS Transformer.  It’s the first tablet/laptop hybrid that got it right, in my opinion.  You can carry the tablet around by itself.  It runs the latest tablet-friendly version of Android and has specs that match or exceed the iPad on the hardware side.
Check out what’s under the hood:

• Nvidia Tegra 3 quad-core processor
• Android 4.0, Ice Cream Sandwich (ships with Honeycomb, first tablet to get upgraded)
• Super IPS+ display (1280×800) with Corning Gorilla Glass
• 8MP rear camera (F2.4 aperture), 1.2MP front camera
• 1 GB memory; 32/64 GB storage; microSD slot; microHDMI port
• 12 hour battery life
• Dimensions: 263 x 180.8 x 8.3 mm; 586 g (10.35 x 7.11 x 0.32 inches; 1.29 lbs.)

But where this baby really shines is in it’s detachable keyboard.  Snap it on and you have a very functional android-based laptop.  The keyboard dock adds functionality like USB ports and a track pad.

This is a wonderfully versatile gadget that will come in handy for any computer consultant out in the field.

The Computer Business Kit v2

I recently reviewed the latest revision of this useful bundle and gave it a rave review.  This computer business kit comes chock full of goodies to help you take your computer business up a notch.

The contents will save you the time of creating all the forms and documents you need from scratch.  It also contains a ton of discounts on leading products for techs.

The kit includes:

• 30+ Legal and Business Documents
• 37 Marketing Templates
• List of Suppliers in the USA, UK, Canada and Australia
• List of Computer Recyclers in the USA, UK, Canada and Australia
• Discounts for many leading Computer Business Products (savings on these products can be greater than the cost of the Kit)

Although you can’t stuff this in a stocking, it’s still the most practical gift you can give the computer business owner on your list.  Get your copy from the website here: Computer Business Kit v2

All-In-One Hard Drive Dock

 This portable All-in-on HDD Docking Station is a dream out in the field for repair techs.  Often you’ll need to transfer files from one computer to another, or you’ll need to access a hard drive that has been ravaged by a virus or blue screen errors.  Simply take the hard drive out and put it in this dock, it accepts small and large sizes of IDE or SATA hard drives.  You can connect it to another computer via USB and it will look like an external drive.

Even better, this unit comes with built in CF, SD, XD, and microSD slots so there will be no storage transfer issue you can’t handle.  Plus, for what it’s worth, the black glossy case with red accents gives it major style points.

This same company also makes this device with twin drive bays, so you can clone one drive to another, regardless of drive type.

The Steve Jobs Book

Like him or hate him, Steve Jobs shaped the era of personal computing in big ways.  His biography, written by Walter Isaacson and released shortly after his death, chronicles his life in a very detailed fashion.  From working with Steve Wozniack in his parent’s garage to his fall from, and later return to, grace as CEO of  Apple, this book covers it all.

Whether or not you’re a fan of Apple computer, this book is a nostalgic walk through geek history with the man who was at the forefront. It’s a must read for all computer techs.

PC Dice

This is a fun novelty stocking stuffer brought to you by the man who wrote Computer Business Lessons Learned, Dan Hand.

Don’t leave your computer diagnosis up to chance…let the roll of the dice do it for you.  For those truly perplexing problems, this is your answer.  One dice tells you the OS, the other dice tells you the problem component, and the third dice give you the prognosis.

Not really practical, PC Repair Dice are still a fun stocking stuffer for the fledgling computer support tech on your list.

 Computer Geek Parking

Even less piratical than the PC Repair Dice, this silly sign is a great way to add a bit of humor to your repair shop.  Put it over your work bench, or better yet, mount it outside in front of your employee parking space!

I thought I’d leave you all on this funny note and wish you a happy and healthy holiday season!  Take a break from your business and spend time with friends and family.  I’ll be doing the same, and will see you after Christmas with some big news.  Until then, here’s to your success!

Related posts:

1. 10 Affordable Gifts For The Computer Tech On Your List
2. The Computer Guy’s Corner #1
3. 7 Things To Look For In A Small Business Bank…Plus: What Bank Did I Choose?
4. Business Name Blues: Part 3, Make it legal
5. Top 10 Podcasts for Computer Techs
6. 5 Ultra-cheap Advertising Methods For The Part-Time Business Owner
7. Book Review: Computer Repair Business Lessons Learned
8. Top 10 Reasons To Be Nice To Your Computer Guy
9. Book Review: Start Your Own Computer Business
10. The Chuck Effect: Computer Nerds Finally Have A Worthy Spokesman