By Fiontain (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
Holidays are here! You know what that means: planes, trains & automobiles. Holiday travel woes makes it easy for the Grinch inside us all to take over. Don’t succumb to the dreaded flight delay without these essential devices aimed directly at distracting yourself, and your most loved ones.
Laptops
Need to be distracted while being super productive? Laptops are the perfect distraction tool from all of holiday madness. No need to feel guilty about bringing one along: They’ve gotten smaller, lighter, more powerful, and a lot cheaper.
Don’t let the word Chromebook fool you: It’s a crackin’ little Laptop/Tablet hybrid that can also do productive stuff. Browse the web and watch those home movies on a crisp High Definition display, and let those holiday blues slide away. Plus, its 10 hour battery life will make sure your juice carries well into your flight.
If Chromebooks aren’t your cup of tea, then Asus has a great compromise machine. Running an Intel Quad-Core Atom processor used in tablets, its not going to light fire on really powerful applications. That doesn’t mean it’s no slouch: Its perfect for browsing the web and streaming video, using Microsoft Office, watching movies, and even a bit of Photoshop here and there. Plus, you benefit with a super light 2.1lb laptop with 13 hour battery life that costs just $199. How’s that for productivity champion?
Want something just as light and long-lasting but with enough mettle to do real work? Apple’s Macbook Air is fantastic for being so portable. Mix up work and play without the compromises of bulk and battery life, able to last up to 13 hours on a single charge.
Durability is important when giving off tech to your kids, and Thinkpads are designed to be practically indestructible while still being easy enough to tote. They’re shockproof, dustproof, and liquid-proof, so you can still do important stuff after little Timmy accidently spilled some soda from his sippy cup.
17” Gaming Laptops
Never leave home without one. A good gaming laptop will play all your favorites for years to come, without ever leaving your couch. They might be a bit of a brick, but who cares when you’re playing Call of Duty online in a crowded airport?
Tablets
When you want to sit back and just watch a movie or read a book, tablets still reign supreme. Tablets are designed for media consumption, and are fantastic choice machines to keep distracting for hours on end.
Samsung Galaxy Tab 4 7” Tablet
Samsung’s kid-friendly tablet is the perfect protection for parents. Powerful enough to slog through a battery of Tablet games, stamina to last the day, and portable enough for all kinds of adventuring.
Apple’s iPad Mini has been one of parent’s favorite distraction devices, and its easy to see why: It’s got a gigantic library of games & apps, enormous battery life, and a wonderful screen to stare at for hours. The new Mini 4 has tons of improvements on an already fantastic machine, including a faster processor and even more batter life. For many, settling for something less is unconscionable.
Want a tablet that can still dish out a PowerPoint like a pro? Microsoft’s Surface 3 has it all: amazing screen, long battery life, plenty of games (including PC ones!), practical, and super stylish. Its compatible with all your favorite Windows applications, and has tons of accessories that can turn it into a laptop or desktop.
Although battery technology has come a long way, its always better to be safer than sorry. These battery packs contain an enormous amount of juice in a tiny frame, enough to keep your phone charged for days. Who needs silly wall outlets?
Sometimes, the best distractions are the most familiar ones. Bring your old DVD’s alongside some popcorn, and have a micro theater wherever you are. Portable DVD players aren’t super exciting machines that can do lots of wiz bang stuff, but you’ll likely not care when your kids are happily watching a marathon of Disney cartoons.
Never worry again about bringing too much stuff. Small, unassuming, and low-power, portable hard drives gives you an amazing amount of storage potential at a small price tag. Who needs a pack full of DVD’s when you can store all your home movies alongside every episode of your favorite shows?
Noise Cancelling Headphones
When noise gets the best of you, make sure you have the proper equipment to block it out. These headphones are designed to be a sonic barrier from the outside world, allowing for easy distraction no matter where you are.
The stalwart choice for those looking to block their surroundings, they are second-to-none in creating a barrier between you and the world’s madness.
Sennheiser PXC 450 Around-Ear Noise Canceling Dynamic Headphones
For those who want superb audio quality while still blocking unwanted noise, look no further.
JVC HANC80 Noise Cancelling Headphones
These JVC’s are an affordable alternative that doesn’t break the bank. They’re a good compromise between the Bose and Sennheiser, bringing decent audio quality and sound isolation. They might not excel as the other two options, but then again they’re 1/4 the cost.
The Holidays are a beautiful time of year where family from across the world came come together in a a time of togetherness. Never let the woes of the Holidays get to you. It’s the best time of year! Let today’s grand advances in technology distract you and your family from stress, and enjoy the Holidays.
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