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Expensive Geek Toys Roundup

Posted by michael on from the put-it-on-my-credit-card dept.

An anonymous reader writes "I was recently asked by a coworker to come up with a list of <implied> expensive </implied> and cool gadgets for a VIP. He was interested in anything that was up-and-coming, rare and the usual odd combination of devices (ie. anything with a camera/WiFi that shouldn't have it). I figured that since it was Friday, it may be a good day to see what the /. crew has up their sleeves."

14 of 502 comments (clear)

  1. For the love of god! by addaon · · Score: 5, Funny

    PLEASE do not respond to this article! I can't afford it!

    --

    I've had this sig for three days.
    1. Re:For the love of god! by anotherone · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Here's a tip: Browse thinkgeek to find cool stuff, and then paste the name of said cool stuff into google and buy it for about 20% less elsewhere.

      --
      Username taken, please choose another one.
    2. Re:For the love of god! by Miguelito · · Score: 5, Insightful

      That means you don't have to get the absolute cheapest products available. You have options and you get to vote with your dollars.

      Some of us do. For instance, when I went to upgrade my sound system with a better surround setup, I didn't go to any of the big electronic chains, or huge stereo shops. I went (after a friend recommended them) to a small, family run shop that was actually close to my home and had been around for almost 60 years.

      Not only did were they not pushy salespeople, but they actually *gasp* knew a lot about audio, video, and basically anything having to do with home theaters. It's such a breath of fresh air to do business with them compared to your usual stores.. no lackey salsemen that have no real knowledge of the equipment and push you to buy the more expensive items. These people would even recommend other stores if they didn't meet your needs.

      Personally, I'm always willing to pay more for better service, and better choices. I refuse to shop at places like WalMart (god I hate that place) where it's just massive, crappy stock at cheap prices and some of the dumbest (and slow) people in the world as employees.

      --
      - My favorite error message: xscreensaver, running on an old Sparc 5 w/ 8bit color: bsod: Couldn't allocate color Blue
  2. Lego Mindstorms. by Irvu · · Score: 5, Informative

    Not hideously expensive as things go but the Geekiness factor is astronomical.

  3. Check out Recomendo by Humba · · Score: 5, Informative
    One of the best "Cool Stuff" Blogs out there is Kevin Kelly's Recomendo.


    Not all of it requires a plug, and not all of it meets your "expensive" criteria, but it's full of great, high-quality stuff you didn't know you needed.

    --H

  4. gizmodo by Sleepyguy · · Score: 5, Informative

    check out gizmodo for the newest gadgets

    http://www.gizmodo.com

    _

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    b
  5. Hey now! by CGP314 · · Score: 5, Funny

    I figured that since it was Friday, it may be a good day to see what the /. crew has up their sleeves.

    Are you implying I don't have anything better to do on a Friday night?!

    Well Sir, you are correct.

  6. "Smart" Fridge by kneecarrot · · Score: 5, Interesting
    It's cutting edge and absolutely ridiculous:

    http://www.zdnet.com.au/newstech/enterprise/story/ 0,2000048640,20268993,00.htm

    "Korea's LG Electronics is selling a 26-cubic-foot Multi-Media Refrigerator, with a built-in 15-inch LCD (liquid crystal display) screen for watching TV, surfing the Internet or looking at digital pictures."

    I don't know about the rest of you, but when I go to the fridge to grab a coke, I like to stand there and watch a quick sitcom on a 15" LCD display. Right...

    --

    I always save my last mod point to mod up a good troll. You people are too serious.

    1. Re:"Smart" Fridge by ferreth · · Score: 5, Funny

      I thought it was supposed to be hooked up to a web cam inside the fridge so you could tell if the light was on inside when the fridge was closed.

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      W9x:Thanks for the make-work project Bill.

  7. If you want really expensive ... by paxcirca · · Score: 5, Interesting

    The Neiman Marcus Christmas Catalog has a his/her set of programmable butler robots. The damn things will open the doors and, via their built-in camera, give you a view of your visitors before you get to the door. They also can help you bring in your groceries. They don't give a mention of whether they're able to do a fresh install of Gentoo, though. All this for only ... $400,000.

  8. Heh by zztong · · Score: 5, Funny

    I don't have a product in mind, but I recommend you take 2 weeks and leave no stone unturned in your seach. Make sure you spend time at home in deep contemplation on the issue. Take field trips to see what cool stuff other VIPs are using. Maybe fly to Europe and attend a trade show or two.

    After that, spend 4 weeks writing your report.

    8)

  9. How about an X-Files Lantern ($1800-$4000) by joe_n_bloe · · Score: 5, Informative

    Everyone needs a ruggedized 6 million candlepower flashlight with an adjustable 40 degree wide to 2 degree spot beam ... right? I would certainly accept one as a gift. The only catch is it's just a bit pricey.

  10. easy by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Interesting

    http://www.redcross.com

    A donation in his name.

  11. The best geek gadget of all time. by puppetluva · · Score: 5, Funny

    My ultimate geek gadget would be: a geek.

    Then I can ask the geek to do things like "round up all of the coolest geek gadgets and let me know what they are". I will force my pet geek to address me as a "VIP" and interface with slashdot when they can't ask my questions (which makes me feel like I own many more geeks by proxy).

    I will keep my geek in a cubicle next to my aquarium full of scuba-divers.