Gadget enthusiasts come in all shapes and sizes. At one end of the spectrum are people like my cousin, a software programmer who claims to know everything about everything. On the other end are people like my mother, who recently learned how to set her cell phone to vibrate. Regardless of your level of expertise, it’s human nature to salivate over shiny things that go beep-beep. The snow is falling, the Christmas carols are playing on Magic 106.7, and it’s time for this blog to ask:

What gadget do YOU want most for Christmas?

Here are the items on our wish list…

1. Forget about DJ Hero… Instantly turn your spins into mp3’s with this portable USB Turntable by Crossley. Get it at Urban Outfitters on Newbury Street in Boston. $160.

2. It’s probably time to upgrade your laptop bag. Do it in style with this Nixon backpack with a removable laptop sleeve. Find it at Karmaloop on Newbury Street in Boston. $65.

3. If Bose’s noise-cancelling headphones far exceed your budget, here’s a pair by Able Planet that are under $50. On sale at Best Buy on Newbury Street in Boston, at 50% off for $49.99.

4. Upgrade your clunky plastic clock radio with this handsome one by Tivoli Audio. It’s iPod-compatible, too. Get it at Saks at the Prudential Center in Boston. $300.

5. For the iPhone, a leather case AND a lithium-ion battery charger all in one. This is perfect for the traveler (or workaholic) in your life who’s addicted to iPhone apps that drain their iPhone battery (guilty). Exclusively at Neiman Marcus at the Prudential Center, $99.95.

Don’t worry if the holidays have brought you a nasty computer virus or hardware issue on your laptop. While you’re buying gifts at all of these Boston stores, why not stop in at our Newbury Street computer repair location? We’re located at 323 Newbury Street in Boston, MA, on the second floor (right above Sonsie). We can perform virus removal, data recovery, data backup, laptop hardware repair such as LCD replacement and DC jack repair, and software computer repair. Come check out the best company in Boston computer repair services — A+ Mobile PC Doctors.

Now…What gadgets are on YOUR wishlist this year?

The holidays are fast approaching, and if you’re thinking about doing some of your Christmas shopping online this year, you could be at risk for identity theft. False websites, email attachments, even sharing information on Facebook are all ways that a hacker can get your personal information and credit card numbers.

He stole your identity, how could it be so?

When visiting merchant web sites…

• Keep an eye on the URL. Make sure there are no typos, and it doesn’t look…weird. If you’re at www.VictoraisSecret.com, you could be at risk.
• Turn on your browser’s antiphishing protection.

When paying for an item…

• Always use a credit card. Never use a debit card or checking account. Why? If someone steals your credit card number and goes wild, you can usually have those charges taken off. If someone steals your debit card number, they can easily empty your account and you’ll have no way of getting back the money. It CAN happen — it just happened to my best friend’s boyfriend.
• STOP filling out a form if it asks you for your bank account number or Social Security number. These are definite red flags that someone is trying to steal your identity.