GamePro?s Gift Guide 2003: Gifts Under $100
- December 01, 2003 15:48 PM PST
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For under a c-note, you can go wireless, choose your systems, or enhance your Xbox experience.
Samsung a530 with Verizon Get it Now! service
There's plenty of cell phones with gaming capabilities out there, but a clear favorite of the GamePro editors was the shiny gold Samsun a530. It's small, has dual color displays, is GPS capable, and features the customizable content of Verizon's Get It Now! service. Most packages from cell phone retailers include the second battery, stand alone charger, and carry clip, but deals will vary . The phone has a very solid feel with a thick build. The directional buttons and keys have a good feel that makes playing games on them quite comfortable. Battery life is a bit short if you prefer lots of talking, but considerably longer if you mostly text message or game on it.
$159.99 | Verizon | www.verizonwireless.com
Neoya X2VGA High Definition VGA Pack
Don?t you hate having a cool gaming feature you can?t use? The fact is most Xbox owners don?t own fancy HDTVs that display the maximum screen resolution for their system, which makes Neoya?s X2VGA High Definition VGA Pack a neat solution for folks who happen to own a VGA monitor (which is anyone who owns a PC). This device plugs into the Xbox like a normal AV cable but outputs the signal to a VGA port. Connect a monitor and some external speakers, and you?re done. There are several other brands that promise the same performance as the X2VGA, but this is the first one we?ve encountered that truly delivers crisp, high-definition pictures. The only two snags are games that don?t support at least 480p look terrible and there?s a chance your monitor?s resolution can cause some screen ratio issues. The latter problem is more common with the sleek new LCD monitors that tend to force the picture size smaller than you?d like. Overall, this is an impressive piece of tech that is ideal for those demanding a great picture without upgrading their TV.
$64.95 | Neoya X2VGA High Definition VGA Pack| x2vga.com
Pelican System Selector Pro
This is the system selector of your dreams. This is the system selector of the gods. This is as if someone said, ?What would you like in a system selector?? and you named every crazy, top-shelf thing that came to mind and then someone replied, ?Okay.? It?s kinda ridiculous: seven inputs, each with jacks for composite, S-video, and (are you sitting down?) component cables. Three of the seven also feature optical audio and Ethernet ports. They all lead to one massive output area with everything. The unit comes with 13 pre-printed, backlit faceplates with consoles and components on them-just pop the ?PlayStation 2? title over the appropriate button and your system has a slick, professional look. The unit is sized to fit in perfectly with your other home entertainment components, and it?s available in silver
or black. Simply freakin? awesome. Tons of inputs, every connector a modern gamer needs, gorgeous looks...who wouldn?t want this as a gift?
$99.95 |Pelican System Selector Pro | pelicanperformance.com
Nyko Wireless NetExtender
It?s a common problem: You want to get your consoles online, but they?re in a different room from the Internet jack and your loved ones don?t take kindly to you stringing Ethernet cables around the house. Nyko?s NetExtender solves the problem nicely: plug in one RF-based unit at the Internet source (as well as an AC outlet) and plug the other into an AC outlet and your console. Ta da-
instant, hassle-free wireless online access without paying an arm and a leg, and with absolutely no setup problems-it?s truly plug-and-play with no installation whatsoever. The NetExtender has a maximum range of 100 feet, encrypts your transmitted data for security, works through floors and walls (which will likely cut the signal to 50 feet, but that?s still pretty good), and isn?t fazed by hubs or routers-it works with whatever system you?re currently running. The package even comes with Ethernet cables. It doesn?t get any easier than this.
$99.99 | Nyko Wireless NetExtender | nyko.com
Gifts Under $10 | Gifts Under $20 | Gifts Under $30 | Gifts Under $50 | Gifts Under $100
Gifts Over $100 | The Gift of Broadband | Gifts for Gamers Who?ve Got Everything
