Gift Guide for Dads and Grads

Not sure what to give Dad or the recent Grad? Gathered here are some great gifts guaranteed to please high tech dads and grads alike.

State of the Art PC
Any Dad or Grad would love the latest state of the art PC – just introduced from Intel is its Pentium 4 and Intel 875P chipset technology.

The top of the line Gateway 700XL features the latest processor and chipset from Intel (codenamed Canterwood). The 700XL features the Intel Pentium 4 processor running at 3 GHz with Hyper-Threading (which allows brain chip to crunch two instructions at once for faster saving and transferring of files), a 800 front side bus for great gaming and multi-media entertainment and a server technology called “RAID” that gets two hard drives running in tandem. This helps squeeze down wait time when you’re loading and saving large files (like photos, video and music).

The system is very easy to use, so it’s great even for first time users who want to transfer their home video of graduation ceremonies or weddings from VHS to DVD, or for editing and adding special effects to their home movies. But if you feel more comfortable getting instruction, Gateway offers classes on digital video to help people get started.

The 700XL PC also features a 400GB hard drive, all the latest video creation and editing software, a DVD recorder and ports to connect a digital camcorder.

Base price for the 700XL is a pricey $3,500, but Hyper-Threading technology is available this week for the first time in PCs as far down as the $1,200 range.

www.intel.com
www.gateway.com

Kenwood Here2Anywhere
Looking for a new Father's Day gift idea this year? Kenwood’s new Here2Anywhere is a portable tuner for SIRIUS Satellite. The pocket-size device travels easily and connects via docking cradles to any mobile, home, or PC sound system.

Here2Anywhere (model number KTC-H2A1) can store and recall the names of up to 24 songs and artists heard on any of SIRIUS's music streams for later recall and display. (Perfect for when you hear that great new song for the first time.)

Here2Anywere provides a menu that lets listeners scroll through and see what is currently playing on any music stream before selecting to hear it. Listeners can search for music by category as well as by channel number. $99.95. Docking cradles are $69.95. Subscriptions to SIRIUS are $12.95 per month. www.kenwoodusa.com

Sony DPP-EX5 Photo Printer
With more than 50% of U.S. households expected to have a digital camera by 2006 (Gartner Dataquest), it is likely you already have one at home, but are a bit confused as to what to do with the images once they’re captured. With Sony’s new DPP-EX5 digital photo printer, anyone can turn their digital pictures into customized postcards, calendars or even stickers without a computer. The DPP-EX5 fits easily right next to your TV --just plug in the printer to the TV and edit, personalize and print your photos – no computer needed!

Plus, never worry about running out of paper before you run out of ribbon. Sony's photo paper comes with an equal amount of paper to ribbon so when you run out of one, you run out of the other. A pack of 25 4x6 prints and ribbon is available for about $17.

The DPP-E5 is available now for about $200. www.sony.com

Palm Zire 71
PDAs are always popular for the Grad or Dad. Palms latest Zire 71 is a virtual smorgasbord of features including camera, mp3 and video player – play video games or listen to audio books. Best of all, the Zire 71 retains Palm’s classic features for when your Grad or Dad has to get down to business. $299, or trade in any number of PDAs and get a $50 rebate. www.palm.com

Tumi Large Phone and PDA Organizer
For busy dads on the go, Tumi’s new Large Phone and PDA Organizer is the perfect executive accessory for traveling light. Carry by hand into a meeting, or slip it into your tote, brief or carry-on. Secure zip-around closure. Features: 5" x 7" pad of paper, pen pocket and card pockets. $175. www.tumi.com

High tech, high drain devices need batteries
The high tech gifts you’re giving Dad this Father’s Day demand improved power source. Energizer e² batteries have been specially designed to meet the power needs of these devices.

Energizer is bringing out another round of improvements that will mean even longer lasting power in high tech devices -- and if you are giving Dad a digital camera, you will want to supply him with e² lithium AA batteries. They are the longest lasting AA batteries in the world in digital cameras, lasting 5 times longer than ordinary batteries. www.energizer.com

Ogio Boss Hogg
This is the Cadillac of golf bags, and just like the Duke boys, your playing partners won't know what hit them when the Boss Hogg takes the course. A veritable sheriff of the links, this bag cops an attitude. Features include a Patent pending Woode club management system, Oversized padded single shoulder strap, Large back boot with two zippered entrances, Ball pocket with tiered dual compartments, Four zippered accessory pockets, Rain hood and integrated umbrella sleeve, Fleece-lined valuables pocket, Patented three ball “Test Tube”, Tuck-away shoulder strap garage, Integrated trunk handle. $195. www.ogio.com

AOL Instant Greetings
Low on cash? AOL has just announced its Instant Greetings technology which allows you to send e-greetings to Dads, Grads and other celebrations – best of all it’s free.

Sending e-greetings to celebrate things like Father's Day and Graduation is becoming a growing trend- 25% of AOL members are active users of online greetings, sending three million online greetings each month. And with the launch of a new feature called Instant Greetings, e-greetings are taken to the next level.

There are more than 150 Instant Greetings available, which are free for AOL members and as easy as sending an instant message. The recipient gets a small window that pops up asking if they want to accept the message, and then the Instant Greeting appears immediately on their screen with animation and sound.

Available at AOL Keyword: Instant Greetings, they can be sent to both AOL members and AIM users, and if the recipient is not online, you can send them via e-mail.