Ask Lemmy
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A nice set of security bit tools could be a nice gift.
One of those plug in things that replaces cans of compressed air.
Basic soldering kit if they expressed interest in the hobby
3D print something custom for them
A gooseneck lamp
A fancy IR tv remote control
A usb-rechargeable green laser with diffraction grating on top.
You can get a cheap gopro-clone action cam for about $25 not including the SD card. It might be awful though!
I have a UV flashlight that I got in that price range I think, and they're super fun. Yup wouldn't believe what you can see with them.
My favourite party trick is showing people how many fillings they have in their teeth (Normal teeth are purple, but fillings are bright cyan, or maybe the other way around)
If they don't already have one, then a wireless mouse or keyboard. You may need to avoid the brand names to get under that price.
A shelf (like one for the countertop or wall or to put on floor) to put stuff on. A soft animal (like a kramig from IKEA). A rice cooker (who doesn't like coming home with food ready).
Honestly in that price range, I'd stick to something simpler, cheap mice can feel like garbage.
But you can get a really nice mousepad for 25 bucks
Is Kramig the next Blahaj?
Is this free crowdsourcing ideas that are going to be regurgitated into a PCmag article or something?
If you're up for doing work and going bargain hunting for broken keyboards to salvage parts from then you could make a macro-pad(there are other designs besides 4x4, but I like this one). Instantly gives way way more than $25 value with minimal spending.
I like making keyboards otherwise, and you can get a nice set of keycap under your price limit if you're willing to buy from Aliexpress. Or maybe a couple of artisan keycaps.
You can get magsafe attachments for a phone or tablet. You can get a wallet or kickstand attachment. Phone cases can be decent gifts too.
I buy all my electronics secondhand now and there's great value to be had. If you're ok with gifting used things in excellent condition, then I recently got a couple of top tier game controllers for a bit more than your budget (Flydigi Vader 4 Pro for £26 and a Gamesir Cyclone 2 for £28). Also needed an extra set of speakers for my garage gym and got a secondhand Logitech x230 speaker 2.1 system for £22 and it punches way above its weight.
Depends on what your friends are interested in. I would be very happy with a gift of a gigabit switch.
USB C chargers are always handy, and you can get a branded 65W PD laptop charger within your budget on eBay.
If they have a Steam Deck or something then there are plenty of accessories (holders, stands, cases, etc).
Remote with keyboard and wand mouse would be pretty cheap.
Chinese mice from AliExpress are now top tier. Or could get a cheap trackball if preferred.
A FLIRC USB dongle is $25 and makes your TV IR remote work with your media PC.
Is this free crowdsourcing ideas that are going to be regurgitated into a PCmag article or something?
Close! OP said this:
Going to make a video of it for my YT channel this week too.
https://lemmy.world/comment/26635664
Personally I think it's pretty underhand to ask this of the community without being upfront about their intentions in the post.
Share your list!
Sure!
- Combo USB Charger / Phone Stand
- Mobile Power Bank
- Motion-Activated Night Light for Toilet
- Waterproof Phone Pouch
- Smart Plug
- Webcam Privacy Slider
- Keychain Key Locator
- Talking Alarm Clock
- Personal Alarm
- Fake Virus Screen Cover Prank
Going to make a video of it for my YT channel this week too.
Wurkkos FC11C flashlight with Nichia 519A emitter in 4000k color temperature. An exciting color like orange or green! Should be about $20 direct from their site. (Always on "sale").
This will introduce them to the world of high power/beautiful/fun flashlights. If they are inclined, it can be a rabbit hole that leads to modding your own "hosts" with fancy LEDs and custom firmware etc.
for anyone with a phone supporting qi2, a magnetic power bank is super handy
$25 without tax and shipping, sadly.
Nothing to do with anything really, but did you know that the existence of locks goes back to ancient times and they used to be made of wood?
Cool, til!
Yes.
A small power bank. The small ones have gotten pretty good.
I got a MagSafe charger with a built-in ~~piezoelectric~~ Peltier cooler to offset the heat generated during wireless charging.
It’s not just a fan, it actually gets cold.
If it actually gets cold, sounds more like a thermoelectric cooler (TEC/Peltier cooler) instead of piezoelectric.
God I love Lemmy nerds.
Not even kidding. Thank you for the extra info.
Oops, thanks for the correction.
Sounds like a great feature for lengthening battery life. (If I understand this correctly.)
Yes, exactly. I was skeptical at first, but the one I got works really well.
Downside is it uses a bit more energy, and also hard to find at $25.
You seen that new BT-16?
Also, how about a USB dongle that displays power, voltage and current?
Novelty Flash Drives, they're always fun to see and normally the last flash drive anyone uses.
You can get some really decent wireless headphones for about that range, fantastic for kids who might not be trusted with higher price options.
USB to Everything Adapter so they never have to find that one cord again.
A personalized mousepad with a really ridiculous photo of you or some equally absurd image.
Back in highschool, I had a pared down Ubuntu bootable on a flash drive I wore around as a necklace. Had a few small games, some modding utilities, and an sftp to my laptop at home. The boot for most the computers was unlocked and I convinced a handful of teachers to let me boot it up to get things from home or play games when I had free time.
I always thought it'd be cool to make some of those with a pre-built chat room, Minecraft or a bunch of emulators. Then hand them out to the gang on novelty drives. Sort of a secret digital clubhouse they can carry around.
I got a couple people CYD ESP32s, some were set up as pentesters, and one as a bit coin miner. They were all a big hit.
I did a search for one and the first article that came up was from HowToGeek about all the projects one can do with these devices. Thanks for the neat suggestion!
CYD ESP32
Oh... COOL.
Novelty Flash Drives, they're always fun to see and normally the last flash drive anyone uses.
You can get some really decent wireless headphones for about that range, fantastic for kids who might not be trusted with higher price options.
USB to Everything Adapter so they never have to find that one cord again.
A personalized mousepad with a really ridiculous photo of you or some equally absurd image.
Back in highschool, I had a pared down Ubuntu bootable on a flash drive I wore around as a necklace. Had a few small games, some modding utilities, and an sftp to my laptop at home. The boot for most the computers was unlocked and I convinced a handful of teachers to let me boot it up to get things from home or play games when I had free time.
I always thought it'd be cool to make some of those with a pre-built chat room, Minecraft or a bunch of emulators. Then hand them out to the gang on novelty drives. Sort of a secret digital clubhouse they can carry around.