What to Get that Geek?
When you need to gift a friend or relative that you feel is a “geek” (a person very obsessed with computers and technology), then you may find yourself in a bit of a pickle…unless you are also a geek. Where do you start and what can you get as a present?
Most important is to know the individual’s geeky likes and dislikes. If your giftee is registered with gyftit.com even better! You have a trove of information about their likes and dislikes to work from. He or she will be impressed and grateful you took the time and effort to find something special just for them.
Not all geeks are science fiction fans but we bet that most are, so also look for related info as to what other hobbies, characters, films and books they may like. Is the individual a Star Trek or a Star Wars fan — or both? There are many sci fi products out there but it would be a shame if you end up buying a Star Wars gift for a devoted Trekkie.
Go online and you’ll find a large variety of products from T-shirts, toys, collectible comics, related gadgets, and even actual film scripts. If you manage to find a collectible such as a personally signed item, then you have a fantastic gift.
Geeks are devoted to their computers and totally married to one of today’s two main platforms. We have the Apple users and their love of the iPhone, iPad and, of course, the iMac — basically anything Apple. Windows users are just as fanatic and also claim that their computers are the best at game playing. Some gift suggestions could be any handy computer accessory (of course, a new computer or iPhone would be great).
Let’s not forget the Xbox, Playstation and Wii consoles with their myriad of games. These days there is a trend for gamers to go “retro”. Old games have found new life and some geeks just love playing on those early versions — hardware and all. If you could get your hands on an old Atari console with “Pong” or a Nintento NES Classic, you may just give them the best gift they could ever imagine
- 3D printers are getting cheaper by the day, why not one of these?
- Virtual reality glasses and helmets are also interesting.
- Drones are becoming more and more popular, but avoid the cheap versions. Those that are good are expensive and hard to find (but well worth the price). It’s not a good gift if it crashes and burns.
- Geeks like to tinker and in the process sometimes things go wrong. Computer repair kits or a kit to build one from scratch are great ideas as a gift. A good example is the inexpensive Raspberry Pi Zero
Here are some websites with gift ideas that are unique and perfect for the geek. From From Hongkiat 50 Awesome Gifts Ideas for Geeks and Nerds. Two more like this one thisiswhyimbroke with 100+ Amazing Gifts For Geeks That Satisfy Every Geeky Genre Imaginable, and from PC magazine Geeky Gifts for the Nerd in Your Life.
Get it from amazon.ca in Canada and in the US from amazon.com.
Get it from amazon.com.
Get it from amazon.ca and amazon.com.
Get it from uncommon goods
Get it from thegadgetflow
Copy these prompts. Paste them into your favorite AI application. Get more information.
Platform-Specific Gifts (Apple vs. Windows).
"What are the best unique tech accessories for Apple users who already own an iPhone, iPad, and Mac?"
"What are the must-have accessories for a high-end Windows gaming PC setup?"
"Gift ideas for someone who loves both Apple hardware and PC gaming."
Retro and Nostalgia Gaming
"Where can I find authentic refurbished Atari 2600 consoles with Pong?"
"What is the difference between the original Nintendo NES and the NES Classic Edition, and which is better for a collector?"
"List of rare and valuable retro video games that make a good investment gift."
"Modern TVs vs. CRT TVs for retro gaming: What adapter do I need to make an old console work?"
Psychology of Color in Flowers
"Is there psychological research on how receiving certain flower colors affects mood or perception?"
High-Tech & Expensive Gadgets
"Best beginner-friendly 3D printers under $500 for a hobbyist."
"What are the top-rated high-end VR headsets available in 2024/2025?"
"Best drones for adults with high-quality cameras that won't crash easily."
"Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W project ideas for beginners."
Geeky Apparel & Humor
"Funny computer science themed t-shirts that aren't cringey."
"Best places to buy officially licensed Star Trek vs. Star Wars apparel."
"Where to find 'I Will Not Fix Your Computer' merchandise that looks high quality?"
Specific Products Mentioned
"PhoneSoap sanitizer reviews: Does it actually charge devices effectively?"
"Blue Yeti X World of Warcraft Edition vs standard Blue Yeti: What is the difference?"
"PCB Lamp 16 color changing desk lamp alternatives."
Sci-Fi Fandom Deep Dives
"How to tell if someone is a Trekkie or a Star Wars fan based on their other hobbies."
"Authentic signed movie memorabilia: How to verify if a signature is real before buying."
"Best Star Trek collectibles under $100."
The "Tinkerer" & DIY Gifts
"Essential tools to include in a professional computer repair kit."
"What is the difference between a Raspberry Pi and an Arduino for a beginner?"
"DIY electronics kit recommendations for adults."
General Geek Gift Research
"Review of Hongkiat's 50 Awesome Gifts for Geeks: Which ones are actually worth it?"
"Underrated geek gifts on thisiswhyimbroke.com."
The "Tinkerer" & DIY Gifts
"PC Magazine’s top geeky gifts of the year.""
Some suggested AI sites are: ChatGPT, Claude.ai, Perplexity.ai, Deepseek and others.
By JM Pietron
Photo Credits: See Acknowledgements