Earlier this month, the PCMag staff disclosed which tech gadgets they'd spent their hard-earned cash on this year. But we're not made of money over here, and there are some gizmos that we'd love for someone else to buy us. Here's our list of the devices we've been lusting after and hope to unwrap this holiday season. Check it out, and let us know your must-have gifts in the comments below.
Will Greenwald, Senior Analyst
What I Want: Razer Blade Stealth, PlayStation VR
I'm always open to getting new electronics, but in terms of big items that would be great gifts, two come to mind: the Razer Blade Stealth and the PlayStation VR. I was impressed by PS VR and think it's the most accessible tethered VR system available, but the price tag is still pretty high to just jump into. As for the Razer Blade Stealth, a slim gaming notebook that can work with the optional Razer Core GPU could free up a lot of room in my apartment and possibly offer even more power than my current desktop. It's tempting.
Sascha Segan, Lead Analyst
What I Want: New MacBook Pro
My wife is an artist, and she works on a steadily deteriorating old MacBook Pro. I mean, this thing is falling apart. The F4 key has been replaced by Scotch tape, the hard drive is perpetually full, and one of its little rubber feet has fallen off. I'd love to get her a top-of-the-line, fully kitted-out new MacBook Pro, with the most powerful possible Intel processor and a full terabyte of SSD storage. That would speed up her Photoshop color-correction in a big way.
Evan Dashevsky, Features Editor
What I Want: Smart light bulbs
I think 2017 will be the year I finally jump into the connected lighting game. Prices have come down and options have expanded. I would like the power to not only create a full spectrum of lighting, but to place lighting on a timer (great for when I'm away or about to return home) or even have it react to a notification, like a Twitter mention.
Eric Griffith, Features Editor
What I Want: Microsoft Surface Book 2
I wasn't really in the market for a laptop when the Microsoft Surface Book came out in 2015. But I liked it. Now, I'm in the market for a system that will be not only my new laptop, but will replace my aging desktop system with the dual monitors. And I think the not-yet-announced hybrid Microsoft Surface Book 2 is going to be it. That's right; not the current updated Surface Book, which did little more than power up the base configuration with a Core i7 processor. I'm waiting for the full Kaby Lake refresh and Windows 10 Creators Update, which could be well into 2017.
There is something about the combination of power (with dual batteries), a screen that comes off to serve as a touch-screen tablet, full keyboard, and the knowledge that a Microsoft system will come without Windows 10 gummed up by shovel-ware that targets my techno-lust. Yet knowing another refresh is probably imminent stays my hand. Only then (if the reviews are good) will I get one, along with the dock that would allow it to run dual external monitors.
Stephanie Mlot, Reporter
What I Want: JBL Charge 3
Whether hosting friends for a dinner party or manically dancing around the apartment to the Frozen soundtrack, music is a big part of my life. So I've been searching for the right (and right-priced) portable speaker for ages, and think I've found the one. The JBL Charge 3 earned a four-star "excellent" rating from PCMag, and comes in a range of colors for me to agonize over. (Black, blue, gray, red, or teal? Help!)
Joel Santo Domingo, Lead Analyst
What I Want: Bragi Dash
I have a pair of "wireless" Bluetooth headphones, namely the JayBird BlueBuds X, but they still have a neck-strap-style cord between them. If they totally seal my ears, the Bragi Dash will be a welcome addition to my daily commute. Either that, or I'll wait for the Doppler Labs Here One to ship as a real product.
Carol Mangis, Managing Editor, PC Magazine Digital Edition
What I Want: Canon EOS 7D Mark II
I'm an amateur photographer, but have been practicing hard. I'm more than ready to take the next step and upgrade from my Canon Rebel T2i. Since I've invested in Canon lenses, I want to stay with the brand, and the EOS 7D Mark II looks amazing. It got an Editors' Choice and a score of 4.5 from our photography analyst Jim Fisher for pro-level video recording, and a frame that's "built like a tank."
Tom Brant, Reporter
What I Want: Lian Li Standing Desk
Ever since CES, I've been wistfully eyeing the Lian Li standing desk that doubles as a computer case ($1,499). I don't spend a lot of time building PCs, but I do spend a lot of time standing up while I type. So this desk would be the most useful product for me out of Lian Li's outlandish lineup, which also includes a case shaped like a miniature super yacht. Now I just need to cough up the dough and find someone to stuff the desk with components for me.
Alex Colon, Managing Editor for Consumer Electronics
What I Want: June Intelligent Oven
I love to cook, but it can be a lot of work. And most nights I just don't have the time to dedicate to trying new recipes or experimenting with a new cooking technique. That's why I want a June Intelligent Oven this year. Thanks to a number of built-in sensors, it automatically knows what you're cooking and how long to cook it for as soon you place it inside. That should make for plenty of delicious, foolproof, and easy dinners than can be arranged on a sheet pan ahead of time and tossed in the oven when I get home. It's sort of like a TV dinner, only with fresh meat and veggies and without the weird brownie in the middle.
Jose Ruiz, Production Designer
What I Want: Memento Smart Frame
I take hundreds of pictures every week. I don't have wall space to constantly print and frame, and I don't want to flood everyone's social feeds all the time. So I'm always looking for alternative ways to display my pictures at home. I currently have the Nixplay Seed, which is great, but the Memento smart frame would be perfect for the living room.
For more, check out PCMag's roundup of the The Best Products of 2016 and Cool Gadget Gifts. And for a trip down memory lane, check out the products we wanted in 2015.