Last-Minute Holiday Gift Picks from Micro Center Experts

MicroCenterOfficial

For some great last-minute gifts for the tech fan in your life, we turned to the expert Champions at Micro Center stores for ideas that go beyond the usual laptops, desktops and build-your-own PC section. Here’s what they recommend. 

Dreamear Atari Pocket Player and Pimoroni PicoSystem

If you’re looking for a gift for the gamer on your list that won’t break the bank, I’ve got two great suggestions for you. First is the Dreamgear Atari Pocket Player. The Pocket Player gives you access to a wide range of classic Atari games on a full color screen, portably. This neat device includes 100 video games built in, including acclaimed titles like Asteroids and Centipede. With the built-in speakers and USB C charging capability, the Pocket Player delivers a fun, ready-to-play experience for only $39.99, making it a fantastic stocking stuffer.

If your list includes someone who craves a more advanced, customizable experience, the Pimoroni PicoSystem (362939) is a small, gaming handheld built around a Raspberry Pi. The PicoSystem features a full aluminum body with a high-quality D-pad, a 240 x 240 IPS screen, and a USB-C port.

The Picosystem uses a Pi RP2040 chip and is extremely programable, making it ideal for helping anyone learn to create games. The more experienced coder will be able to use C++ to write games, but novices have the option to use other platforms like MicroPython or CircuitPython. At $67.99, PicoSystem is a great gift for gamers and aspiring developers alike.  --Harry Green

See the Dreamgear Atari Pocket Player at Micro Center

See the Pimoroni PicoSystem at Micro Center 

Robotime DIY Models

Models don’t always have to be big robots or made of blocks. Robotime offers a wide range of wooden models that look great everywhere in the house.

From the gorgeous Cathy’s Flower House to mechanical Starry Night Orrery Music Box, these models are designed to fit on bookshelves and desktops, so there’s no worry that they’ll be “too big” to put together.

Robotime’s models are ready to be built out of the box, with all parts and even the required tools included. No need to run out to the store to buy a pair of cutters just to start building. Some, like the Holiday Garden House kit, even feature built-in lighting to highlight the ornate details of the model. 

See Robotime DIY Models at Micro Center 

BEACN Mic

In the world of microphones and audio setups, there are tens of thousands of possible combinations of mics, mixers, and interfaces. For the average user, having multiple audio devices on their desk just to get a mic running seems like a stretch. BEACN offers the best of both worlds with this USB microphone, saving desk space and money.

The BEACN Mic brings a lot to the table, including built-in voice processing, an amazing suite of software, and a 300-ohm DAC. What caught my attention was the noise filtering, somewhat similar to AI tools like NVIDIA’s RTX Voice, but without the latency and drop in quality. 

Another huge thing that I like is the ability to fine tune the EQ, compression, and noise gate to make the mic sound great with your voice. Everyone’s voice is different, and everyone’s voice sounds different through different microphones. Regardless of the type of voice you have, BEACN gives you the instruments to get you sounding your best. --Ryen Bothur

See the BEACN Mic at Micro Center 

JBL Go 3 Portable Waterproof Speaker

JBL is known for high-quality, great-sounding speakers and the Go 3 is no exception. The Go 3 is built with portability in mind, with the whole speaker taking up less than 5 inches of space. It also comes with a carabiner-style bag hook, so you can lace it through your backpack or laptop bag and forget about it. The Go 3 is even IP67 waterproof, so no need to worry if it starts to rain or you take an accidental dip while kayaking. 

If you’re looking for a gift for the music lover in your life (or maybe yourself), the JBL Go 3 is a great option. Choose from Red, Blue, and Black models then get out there and enjoy a life with music that goes where you do. 

See the JBL Go 3 at Micro Center

AQiA lightbulb

Smart lightbulbs are the easiest smart home upgrade and have the most immediate impact, with lots of very visible customization options. AQiA’s smart bulbs have a full RGB spectrum, to light your room with different colors whenever the mood strikes you. 

The best part of a smart bulb is the ability to use all the features remotely: turn it on or off, change the color, or dim the light with a phone app or even your voice through popular voice assistants. The AQiA smart bulb is compatible with both Google Home and Amazon Alexa. At under $10, this is a perfect add-on gift or stocking stuffer. 

See the AQiA Smart Bulb at Micro Center

For more great holiday gift suggestions, see all the deals see all the best Holiday Savings deals at Micro Center.

Rye_Bread

The JBL Go 3 is actually on my list of gifts to buy some relatives this year! Great option :)

w8deywins

I was just looking at the Pimoroni Atari handheld yesterday! Seems like a fun raspberry pico project for the holidays! 

tbarggs

Smart Lightbulbs are always a great gift, I love mine, but I have become quite dependent on them lol.

Vladdy

I use the AQiA smart plugs. Works great. Thanks for sharing.

-V

Connorcade

I’ve heard a lot of great things about the BEACN Mics. Super stylish and gives great sound quality especially compared to its more expensive competitors.

ChaosDTV

the pocket player is such a cool gift

TreBouncee

🔥🔥

ricardo_ortega

JBLs always have reputation with their speakers and how great the quality they offer on them