Top 5 Christmas Gifts for the Apple Fanboy or Fangirl in Your Life

Let me start by saying this is not a shopping list for someone simply interested in Apple computers, iPods, or other Apple products. This list isn't designed to help you decide which iPod to get your 65 year old mom so she can jam out while walking around the mall; there are already plenty of lists for that. This list is for the person who, like my wife, is stuck with an Apple Fanboy that already has every new shiny toy that Steve Jobs and Apple have to offer. This list is for the person is shopping for the Apple "has-it-all." These are the top five things that a Apple Fanboy might not even know they want.

1. Protective Case for the New MacBook

The new MacBook Air is the sexiest device Apple has put out yet. I have the 11.6" model, and it is surprisingly powerful, delightfully fast, and shockingly small. Unfortunately, its unique dimensions have made it difficult to protect and care for. Since its release, I have been on a constant hunt for a protective case for my MacBook Air (I have named it BigSexy), and I think I have finally found the best option.

I purchased The Wayne Leather Padfolio from Bellino so that I could take physical notes on a notepad and look stylish while doing so. It holds a legal pad, notes, and has a great pocket in the front to store flash drives and such. Serendipitously, the inside pocket also holds my 11.6" MacBook Air perfectly. It is my professional MacBook Case. When I sit down in a meeting, unzip my padfolio, and slip a laptop out of the pocket, jaws drop. The cracked, antiqued leather is very masculine and rugged looking, so the entire package doesn't at all embarrass me, and the support it provides my MacBook is outstanding. I bought the padfolio from eBags for under $50.

2. WatchBand for iPod Nano

When the new, clip-on iPod Nano was released, I knew it was the device for me. I have an iPhone for video and filming, and I was looking for something rugged and convenient to run with, so I didn't mind that the new Nano dumped many features of the old Nanos. What I didn't know I needed was a watch band to turn my iPod Nano into a very stylish and sexy watch.

There are many watchband options out there, and to be frank, most of them are hideous. I stumbled onto the perfect solution purely by accident. My daughter was playing with my iPod Nano and clipped it to a leather cuff that I wear on the weekends, and it fit perfectly. Not only did it fit, but it turned the cuff and iPod into a very stately and industrial watch. I searched around and found a few options online. I ended up purchasing one on eBay. Not only is the leather band hand-made, but I was also able to customize it. It is an absolutely fantastic looking combination, and I am sure there will be more commercial options available soon.

3. MacKeeper

I work with both Windows Machines and Macs, so I know my way around both. At home, however, I only have Apple products because I like to save my "working" for my work computers. My home Macs just seem to work. I have to admit, I do miss some of the tweaks and deep system adjustments that I get to do on my Microsoft Windows computers; I know those things can be done on a MacBook, but I never want to dive into "Terminal" when I am away from my cubicle.

MacKeeper, by ZeoBit Software, is a collection of Mac utilities that allows me to tweak, clean, and make some of those adjustments that require deep system knowledge with the click of a mouse. MacKeeper includes a smart uninstaller, system cleaner (for language files and unused PowerPC binaries), data encryption, file viewer, anti-virus, and much more. Heck, MacKeeper even includes a anti-theft program that will trace your computer and take snapshots. The software is currently $39 dollars for a single license, and there are deals to be had on multiple licenses. To be fair, I was a bit turned off because some of the features, included the virus scan and the anti-theft, are annual subscription services, but the core program is a lifetime license. I will have to see about those other utilities before I make a decision about renewing, but for right now, the software works fantastically. With it, I was able to pair my MacBook Air down to about 7GB of programs and system installs. That, in itself, was worth the price.

4. Cheap MobileMe

Your Apple Fan either hates MobileMe or loves it. If he/she hates it, it is because it costs too much, but if it is loved, then your Mac user already has it. Personally, I use it, but I feel that $99 is a rip off. Luckily, Amazon offers MobileMe for deep discounts - often for under $50. My last renewal was purchased for $42. That is a very fair price for what Apple offers in Mobile Me. When it comes to keeping calendar data flawlessly in sync between an iMac, MacBook, and an iPhone, there is no better option. Also, being able to easily share photos and videos from my iMac is a great tool too. If you Apple fan already subscribes to MobileMe, then the cheap buy on Amazon will serve as a full-year renewal.

5.The Glif

For $20, you can have the simplest, most functional, and most elegant iPhone or iPod stand available. Also, you will have access to the most practical tripod mount available for an iDevice. Granted, not everyone is using their iPhone as their primary camera, but most people take photos with it. Mounting it on a tripod was something I was always tempted to do, but never able to accomplish successfully. The Glif is a piece of recyclable, rubberized plastic that slips easily onto your iPhone and attaches it to a tripod via the threaded bolt.

When you are done shooting photos, you can use The Glif to perfectly prop your iPhone or iPod up as a case to view your photos. The Glif can hold the iPhone steady in either landscape or portrait mode, and provides. If you know an iDevice lover, then The Glif is a must-buy.