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TrustedReviews Christmas List 2008

Author	TrustedReviews Team
Published	27th Nov 2008

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Pioneer Kuro KRP-600A 60in Plasma TV

It was inevitable that one of us would be wishing for Santa to deliver us a Pioneer Kuro this year. As our product of the year last year and our runner up for product of the year this year, so long as one of us wanted a TV, we would be wishing for one of these.

And I do mean 'these' because it doesn't really matter which model I choose, whether it be the range topping 60inch Kuro KRP-600A (which just missed out on our annual awards), or the relatively budget Kuro PDP-LX508D 50in, all are utterly stunning and I'd bend over backwards to get any of them. Of course, being a wish list, I might as well plump for the top dog. So, come Santa, hop to it.

Apple Macbook

If someone had told me at the beginning of this year that I'd be putting an Apple MacBook on my Christmas wish list, I'd have laughed them out of town. I'm a PC man. Always have been. Always will be. Except, I've changed my mind.

Maybe it was the disappointment of Windows Vista, maybe it was my ever decreasing love for games that meant my chief reason for having a PC was disappearing. Or maybe, just maybe, it's because Apple, faultless though it most certainly isn't, has been churning out some consistently good products as of late. A fact which is exemplified by its latest aluminium clad MacBooks. Absolutely every element is there.

For a start, it looks stunning, as our recent Awards attested (though many of you disagree). Indeed, I will take this opportunity to challenge anyone to name a better looking notebook.

That solid aluminium shell should also make it pretty tough - at least in the sense that it'll survive a few knocks and scratches. I'm sure if you spill a cup of coffee on the keyboard it'll go poof just as quickly as previous MacBooks. The footprint and weight are also low enough to make it easily portable.

The performance balance is also spot on with adequate CPUs married to a capable graphics chip that could even permit a bit of light gaming. Most of all, though, what really appeals about these new MacBooks is how complete the package feels. All the extras like multi-touch and iSight are seamlessy integrated into an operating system that quite simply feels light years ahead of the competition.

A Dilapidated House In The Country

A large part of what got me interested in computers and technology stems from my general interest in how things work, how to make things work, and how to make things. I've always been into DIY (thanks for many years of patient tutoring, dad) as well as wood working, electronics, and all manner of other domestically useful things.

Likewise, I've always been interested in good design and I'll happily watch makeover (both house and person) programs just to pick up a few general tips. Indeed, one of my favourite TV programs is Grand Designs, which not only encompasses my interest in form but also addresses my love for good function.

The final influence for my third Christmas wish this year is that I live in a flat in Bracknell yet I'm a lover of the outdoors, whether it be walking up hills, riding round hills, or paddling down hills. So I'm longing to get back out into the fresh country air.

So, right now, if someone could gift me anything, I'd have to ask for a house in the country that I could impart with my own design and handywork. Of course, considering the current economic climate, I may even have a chance of getting one.

Latest 4 of 28 Comments

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Ardjuna said on 2nd December 2008

@Xiphias: Yes, I was thinking of the DreamColour model... but then I'd have to buy an advanced security system to protect it against theft, and I'd never want anyone else... more

Wackywavinginflateablearmflailingtubeman said on 5th December 2008

"For a start, it looks stunning, as our recent Awards attested (though many of you disagree). Indeed, I will take this opportunity to challenge anyone to name a better looking... more

Ardjuna said on 15th December 2008

@Wackywavingetc.etc.: You ARE cruel, Sir :) But I can take it. I've seen worse.

Ohmz said on 30th December 2008

Whoa name change, but I'm back!

I wanted to do an update since I got two things on my list. :D

First off the Zune 120. Amazing piece of kit (OMG, is that a British term?) First impressions were very good, not as nice looking as an iPod, but still good nonetheless.

Build quality is excellent and it feels really nice in the hand. Solid, the glass and aluminum are really nice. Only problem is the glossy black!!!!

The Zune pad is much better to use than the click wheel. It's super intuitive and very responsive. Navgation through the device though is a bit of a pain as it takes too many steps just to play a song. When you start the player you have to select music, than the song and then for some reason you have to press play??? I have no idea why you have to press play after selecting a track, one would think it would just start playing automatically. Kind of annoying. At least the menus are big and bold, really easy to see, and the screen lock feature is a nice addon.

The Wi-Fi is a complete GIMMICK. I have never used it and find it of no interest, Microsoft should have put in stereo bluetooth instead, and noise cancelling.

The screen is big, bright, and beautiful. A joy to use for browsing my music and watching videos; although the only videos I watch are podcasts, don't care much for having my DVDs on there. I'm a little disappointed that the resolution isn't higher. I guess I shouldn't have looked at that iPod Touch before I bought eh!? I was actually contemplating the Touch. but I only had about $300 to spend, so it was a 120GB player versus a 16GB player, hmm....

Don't regret my choice though, although there is one downside to the Zune and that is the sound quality. Now I am not an audiophile my any means and I don't pretend to be, but I can definitly tell the difference between my old Walkman (see: http://tinyurl.com/582p7f) and the Zune. The sound is a bit flat compared to the Walkman. But it will suffice. I'll trade some sound for the massive screen, storage capacity and some other features my old player didn't have.

But one thing about file format suport, turns out the Zune doesn't support Microsofts' own WMA Lossless! Amazing, all my music was ripped to that and then upon syncing, it converted to WMA. Well done Microsoft, well done, *rolls eyes*.

The FM tuner, I'm glad to have you back! Sometimes I just want to listen to the radio for varieties' sake.

Podcast integration is really great as it seperates between video and audio; although I wish I could see them all at a glance.

Now to the software, it's slow at times and buggy at times (maybe time to but a new PC?) But I find it excellent. It's simple to use and keeps everything nice and organized. I haven't checked out the social much because the Marketplace is not here in Canada still!!!!! Wtf Microsoft? Release the player but not the store for it? But it's coming soon, they promise, *rolls eyes again*.

All in all a great player, if not this, almost certainly this http://tinyurl.com/8zy2el. I miss the exceptional sound quality, I really do, but the features make up for it. A good buy for $250.

I hope you guys get it soon over there, it really is nice and a great competitor to the iPod. I am hoping for a TR review sometime next year okay?

P.S. Ardjuna, I'm sure you've seen worse, I've seen Tony Blair in action! ;)

P.S.S. Got faster Internet too!!! Dad finally realised it was cheaper to pay for a faster speed with a 60GB cap than a 2MB plan with a 20GB cap, go figure! Damn caps!

Whoa name change, but I'm back!

I wanted to do an update since I got two things on my list. :D

First off the Zune 120. Amazing piece of kit (OMG... more

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