As a recent conver to the Mac world, I would be quite the happy camper if my boxes and stocking were filled with anything Apple.  From iPods to wireless accessories to computers, Apple is truly the gift that keeps giving.  And, as we all know anything Apple related has a definitive style all it’s own - giving techie gifts never looked so good.

For that really special someone on your list, a MacBook or MacBook Pro (for someone really REALLY special) all wrapped up with a bow would make said special someone love you forever. 

RikWuts is a recent convert just like me (I bought my MacBook is October) who says, “I’ve had it for a couple of months and I take it everywhere. Apart from the gorgeous design that beats every other laptop out there, it works great. 10+ apps open at any time, without delays or anything. Cool detail: when you put it to sleep the power light intensity sort of oscillates to create a ‘breathing’ effect. Cool!” 

The great thing about Macs, is that you can run both the Mac OS operating system and Windows for hard core PC users.  And then there are the bells and whistles…”I just got the MacBook Pro 17” and I love it! I also love the built in isight camera” gushes ILovePinkerton, “You can use PhotoBooth to take funny, distorted pics, or just regular pictures. (I’ve spent hours just playing with it). Also, the built in airport is awesome!! I live in LA and I get wireless signals many public places, on campus and even in some apartment buildings.”

 My personal favorite MacBook accessory is the Loft bag from the fine folks at RadTech.  Beyond the cool colors, it is designed to perfectly fit a 13 inch macbook with plenty of pockets to stash cords and a few files and notebooks. VRome agrees with me, “Every laptop needs a good bag. I use this model called Loft for my Macbook. It fits perfectly with good protection on both sides and many pockets for other items. It even comes with a cell phone holder on the strap. And most importantly, it doesn’t look like a normal laptop bag. Radtech makes other models and designs in several colors to fit all laptops.”

And then, there are the iPods.

Typically, I tend not to buy into uber trend corporate/celebrity causes…but everything about the (Red) Campaign just seems to work.  From a purely aesthetic standpoint, the (iPod)Red is simply beautiful.  I mean, would you look at that color??  Plus, you have perfect functionality and a good cause ($10 from every Nano goes to (Project)Red).   And who does like limited edition…anything?

Miumina says it better than I do, “You make choices every day, from the clothes you wear to the music you play. Now making a choice means making a difference. The iPod nano (PRODUCT) RED holds up to 1,000 songs, 25,000 photos, and a little hope. That’s because $10 from every iPod nano (PRODUCT) RED sold goes directly to the Global Fund to fight AIDS in Africa. Which means your iPod nano (PRODUCT) RED sounds good and does good at the same time.” Check out Miumina’s great holiday Hear It list, Oi To The World.

Of course, the new iPod Shuffle is pretty popular too.  And for $79 dollars (that’s like, 3 lattes) you can (rather, your giftee can) hold 1GB of storage space, clip it any where that holds and away you go. How much do I want a shuffle in my stocking?

For iPod accessories, ThisNexters love the Nike + iPod Sport Kit. Of course you have to like running - something I make a decided point NOT to do.  But if I did, I would run my flabbly little legs over the to Nike store and pick me up an iPod kit.

“The Nike + iPod is the greatest invention to running since Nike put the waffles on the bottom of shoes.” Says ThisNexter KelliJam, “I love being able to know my pace, distance, time and calories burned at the push of a button while I am running.” NearlyDown, Billzhou and Gordon like the kit because they can track their running progress, but Staviean thinks there need to be remarks people can add like “pick it up slacker” and “you’re slower than a turtle stuck in peanut butter.”

 So you see now my new obsession with Apple.  See more of my Gift Guide 06: An Apple A Day list at ThisNext.