Worthwhile Tech Products To Put on Your Holiday Shopping List

One of the primary joys of my job is encountering a plethora of new and innovative products. As the Thanksgiving and December holiday season swiftly approaches, it’s that special time of year when I have the opportunity to explore tech products that deserve your attention. While it can be challenging, someone has to do it!

Remember, my thoughts here are not exhaustive reviews but rather initial impressions to encourage you to delve deeper and conduct more research.

Let’s dive in.

HP Envy 34 All-in-One Desktop (2022)

Although the All-in-One (AIO) PC market has mirrored the general decline in the desktop PC market over recent years, the rise of the work-from-home trend during the pandemic has given these convenient, mostly cable-free PCs a second wind. Nonetheless, be aware that AIOs generally offer limited internal upgrade options, which might be a drawback for some power users.

HP is among the few PC manufacturers that consistently rolls out new AIO models annually. The latest version of the HP Envy 34, starting at $1,700, is one of the most elegantly designed models from the Palo Alto-based company.

HP Envy 34 All-in-One Desktop | Image Credit: HP

Aimed primarily at creative professionals, it also serves a wide range of consumers and mainstream SMB users. The HP Envy 34 features a stunning non-glare 5K 34″ display, a mobile HD webcam with an integrated privacy shutter, and impressive performance.

While similarly priced traditional desktops might offer more power, especially in terms of discrete GPU capabilities, the HP Envy 34 stands out for its comprehensive feature set, making it a great value.

Its wireless nature makes it an excellent choice for executive offices, home offices, and dorm rooms, requiring only a power cord as the keyboard and mouse connect via Bluetooth.

On the back of the unit, you’ll find a standard array of ports:

• 4 USB-A ports
• 2 Thunderbolt 4 ports
• Audio jack for headphones/microphones
• HDMI Out
• Gigabit Ethernet

Cable management is simplified with a magnetic clip to keep cords organized, which is a nice touch.

Creative professionals will appreciate the expansive 34″ display, which has a 21:9 aspect ratio and 5K resolution, putting it on par with Apple’s renowned 27″ iMac. The 500 nits brightness level is notably impressive.

All models of the HP Envy 34 come with 5K resolution (5120 x 2160), and the higher-priced versions include advanced, game-friendly Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 discrete graphics.

Another convenient feature is the addition of two more USB-A ports, a media card reader, and a third USB-C port mounted in the stand.

External I/O Ports on the HP Envy 34-c0340t All-in-One Desktop | Image Credit: HP

When outfitted with a high-end Intel i9-1100 processor, Nvidia RTX 3080 discrete graphics, 32 GB of memory, and a 1 TB SSD, the price can soar to $3,430. However, more affordable models are available for under $2,000, making it a great option for remote workers, design-conscious executives, and professional content creators.

If you’re considering an AIO PC, the HP Envy 34 is a stellar choice.

HP Elite Dragonfly G3 Notebook

Thin and light laptops have ruled the PC world since Steve Jobs dramatically unveiled the original MacBook Air at an Apple event in January 2008, setting a new standard for laptop design.

However, over the past 14 years, the PC industry has not remained static. There are now several excellent alternatives to the MacBook Air, including the recently introduced Dell XPS 13 Plus, which allows the entire palm rest to be used as a touchpad.

While no product in this category has achieved perfection, the new HP Elite Dragonfly G3 comes incredibly close. Using it is an absolute delight, thanks to its lightweight, remarkably thin, and elegant design combined with outstanding performance, excellent battery life, and a superior 3:2 display that boosts productivity.

HP Elite Dragonfly G3 Notebook | Image Credit: HP

One of the most significant strengths of the Elite Dragonfly G3 is its exceptional typing experience, unrivaled among thin and light laptops.

Like its predecessors, this new model blends magnesium and aluminum, contributing to the curved “pillow corners” on the display lid and outer base.

Weighing in at just 2.2 pounds, the laptop boasts an executive look and a display that opens effortlessly with one hand. It comes in two classic colors: Slate Blue and Natural Silver.

HP offers multiple screen options for the Elite Dragonfly G3, from multi-touch Full HD+ (1920 x 1280) WLED panels to a single 32K (3000 X 2000) OLED panel for crisper visuals.

Internally, HP opted for Intel’s more energy-efficient 15-watt Core i5 1245U, Core i7 1255U, or Core i7 1256U instead of the new 12th Gen Intel Core P Series, which consumes more watts. This wise choice enhances the Elite Dragonfly’s battery life, which impressively exceeds 14 hours.

HP Elite Dragonfly G3 right-side ports | Image Credit: HP

In terms of security, the Elite Dragonfly supports Windows Hello facial recognition and fingerprint recognition. Personally, I find the fingerprint recognition more practical.

One of the highlights is the sustainability feature of the Elite Dragonfly G3: its external casing incorporates at least 90% recycled magnesium, making it an environmentally friendly choice.

HP Elite Dragonfly G3 front view | Image Credit: HP

The HP Elite Dragonfly G3 stands out as one of the most remarkable laptops I’ve come across. Its “elite” design, robust battery life, extensive feature set, and excellent connectivity options (including Wi-Fi 6E and optional 4G LTE or 5G support) come at a price. A fully loaded model exceeds $3,000, but if you can afford it, you’ll undoubtedly fall in love with the HP Elite Dragonfly G3.

Motorola Q14 Tri-Band Mesh Wi-Fi System (AXE5400)

Many readers of my technology columns know that I’m a big fan of the overall Wi-Fi router trend that has embraced mesh technology over the past several years.

These routers can single-handedly solve one of home users’ biggest connectivity problems: getting reliably strong Wi-Fi coverage throughout the living space.

Mesh routers have been game-changing with many active usages in a typical home, e.g., gaming, streaming, videoconferencing, productivity, etc.

While most consumers still utilize older Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) routers, many companies have been offering faster mesh route iterations based on Wi-Fi 6 or (more recently) Wi-Fi 6E.

Motorola has joined the mesh router party with its offering, the Q14 Tri-Band Mesh Wi-Fi System.

Motorola is playing catch-up to more established players like Linksys, Netgear, and Asus. Despite its late market entry, there’s much to like about the new Q14.

Motorola Q14-Wi-Fi 6E Mesh Router | Image Credit: Motorola

The Q14 enables the 6 GHz wireless band for dramatically increased speed and up to 160 wireless channels that can be used simultaneously. This feature translates to a recognizable increase in the number of Wi-Fi devices used in your home simultaneously without compromising overall performance.

Mesh routers typically consist of the router itself and one or two “satellite” nodes that can extend coverage upwards of 5,000 square feet, which is particularly helpful for people with large properties and require Wi-Fi connectivity for devices outside the home, like security cameras and sensor-based alarms.

Priced at $649 (though you can currently purchase it on Amazon for $500), the Q14 offering sent to me included the router and two nodes, so it afforded maximum Wi-Fi connectivity in my home.

Wrapped in a premium mesh fabric, the router and satellites have a cutting-edge modern design to complement any room. You won’t be embarrassed by having them sit on a bookshelf, desk, or cabinet.

The Motorola Q14 Wi-Fi 6E Mesh System can be displayed with pride as a design element. | Image Credit: Motorola

What sets the Q14 apart from other mesh routers I’ve used is not simply its overall outstanding performance. The router setup is enabled by one of the most intuitive smartphone apps I’ve ever used, and it facilitates parental controls and cybersecurity at no extra cost. The app, designed by Minim, allowed me to set up the Q14 in less than 20 minutes without a hiccup.

Unlike many other companies that have taken a similar app-based approach to product setup, the moto sync app is highly visual and intuitive. It should be noted that Minim holds the exclusive global license to design and manufacture consumer networking products under the Motorola brand. Also, the Q14 is an independent Wi-Fi network and can only mesh with other Q14 routers. It is not a universal extender.

Moto Sync app that powers Motorola Q14 Mesh Wi-Fi 6E Router | Image Credit: Motorola

Several praise-worthy mesh routers are on the market, but the Q14 stands out from a value standpoint. At under $500 for the q14-02, which covers 3,500 square feet, it’s a bargain compared to Netgear’s $1,499 Orbi Quad-band Wi-Fi 6E Mesh System, though the Q14’s technical feature set is more modest.

Regardless, the performance differences will likely be indistinguishable to most mainstream household users, and I’d advise saving the $1,000.

Dell Pro Webcam – WB5023

Last year, Dell impressed many in the tech industry with its stylish 4K Dell Ultrasharp Webcam. Initially priced at $200, it was positioned to appeal to work-from-home users who required superior videoconferencing capability and had scant choices other than Logitech’s 4K Brio Webcam.

Recognizing the market demand for a lower-resolution webcam at a more value-oriented price, Dell recently unveiled its $110 Dell Pro Webcam – WB5023 that provides “good enough” 2K QHD video resolution (1440p/30 fps or 1080p/60 fps), which is more than sufficient for standard videoconferencing.

Dell Pro Webcam WB5023 | Image Credit: Dell

With a 78-degree field of view (FOV), 4X digital zoom, and built-in monitor clip with tripod attachment capability, this webcam, like its 4K predecessor, looks and feels high-quality (even more so than the Logitech 4K Brio) from a hardware standpoint.

It’s probably not the right webcam if you’re creating high-quality video content or require 4K resolution for professionally produced podcasts, but its overall image quality is excellent.

What’s more, unlike the 4K Ultrasharp Webcam, it includes a built-in microphone and more sophisticated features like AI auto-framing that tracks your face and keeps it centered on-screen.

One other critical point: Dell’s webcams, including these models, are optimized for use with Windows PCs. They will work with Macs, but Dell does not provide macOS drivers to tweak webcam settings.

Editor’s Note – Nov. 22, 2022: Dell does provide macOS driver support for its Pro Webcam WB5023 via its Dell Display and Peripheral Manager Application for macOS, which offers comparable functionality to the Windows drivers. The first version of macOS drivers was available when the product launched on August 17, 2022. The latest release for the macOS drivers became available on Nov. 2, 2022, shortly after this article was written and the day before its publication. We apologize for any confusion.

The bottom line is that it’s the ideal budget-friendly webcam that works well, underscoring Dell’s brand reputation for solid value.

Closing Thoughts

Remember that tech product prices above are always a bit of a moving target as we are on the cusp of the holiday season when online retailers likely have promotions that will provide substantial discounts off MSRP.

This point is especially true of Amazon, and the price of an item could vastly differ from one day to the next, so keep that in mind when you’re about to pull the trigger and order these or any other high-tech product.

Happy holiday shopping, everyone!