I own a lot of Apple devices, but I am convinced that the Surface Pro III from Microsoft is the best hybrid tablet/laptop device on the market. It takes the typical tablet device to the next level. With its fast performance and seamless graphics and the touch screen features of Windows 8.1 Pro, plus Office 365, this is a powerful business machine. You can transfer files via a full-size USB port. The 9 hours of battery life sure beats the 3.5 hours I typically get with my MacBook Air. It weighs just 1.76 pounds and is super thin. It’s the perfect device to take with you on business travel and the kickstand feature makes it convenient to work on the plane, at your desk, or at your local coffee shop. The device starts at $799.00 retail, but to get the speed and memory you need to operate your business, plan on spending around $1,399.00. Be sure to price shop before you buy.
If you are interested in becoming a YouTube superstar, I have the device for you. The Canon VIXIA Mini X is an awesome and affordable handheld video camera. One of the more important elements of a great video is good audio and lighting. This prosumer video camera has one of the highest audio and video qualities I’ve seen on the market in this price point. It includes a large, built-in stereo microphone for clear recording with minimal background noise. It records in 1920 x 1080 HD format in both MP4 and AVCHD (60i) formats. It has a built-in stand, which is great for selfie video shoots, and one-touch switching between wide and close-up modes. It also has a built-in electronic image stabilizer to help reduce camera shake during handheld shoots and built-in Wi-Fi functions to support live remote streaming. I first saw this camera overseas, and I immediately got one when I got back to the states. It retails for $399.00, but there are many deals out there this holiday season.
When it comes to getting the right smartphone, you can’t go wrong with an Android, and if you are going to go android you need Samsung Galaxy S 5. I love this phone. The 16-mega pixel camera lets you take pictures with ease, and the 1080p 5.1-inch, HD display give you a perfect viewing no matter where you are. And as the mother of an 8 year old who loves to grab my phone, I really appreciate the parental control feature, and the fingerprint scanner, saves me time from dealing with yet another passcode. With the right data package you could run your small business and your life from this cellphone. Visit your local wireless provider or big box retailer for deals this holiday.
If you’re getting a new phone, you may need a new wireless Bluetooth headset. The one I use is the Plantronics Voyager Edge, and I really like it. It’s a sleek Bluetooth earpiece, with “smart” features, so the headset knows when it’s being worn, and uses voice commands so you can leave your phone in your purse instead of fumbling for it when a call comes in. It comes in black, white and grey, and comes with a charging case that offers another 10 hours of battery life, in addition to the headset’s 6 hours of talk time. The Voyager Edge retails for $129.99.
If you have a home office or small business location, you need a great color printer. One of the best I’ve seen on the market is the HP Officejet Pro X. I’ve tested many of the printers, and this machine performs like a laser printer and costs half as much. You can actually program it to print your calendar each morning before your arrive at your office. It prints up to 70 pages per minute and you can add a 2nd optional 500-sheet tray, which means you can print high volumes with fewer interruptions. It’s also easy to print from a smartphone or tablet from virtually anywhere through several mobile printing solutions. The HP Officejet Pro X Series is available starting at $449.00 for the single function printer and $649.00 for the multifunction printer.
“Gift Box With Blank Tag” courtesy of Master isolated images / freedigitalphotos.net