Sunday the 2nd of September is the other big day this year. Father’s Day that is. So how best to demonstrate the enormity of your love and gratitude to him?
Well, there are many, many ways. But one sure fire way is to give him an impressively expensive gift. Here are a round dozen suggestions. Don’t worry if these are too pricey … some of them are extremely pricey! Come back in a few days for our next “Father’s Day Gift Guide – for the more affordable Dad”.
Jura S8 automatic coffee machine – $2,650
What more could he ask for? A full-on gadget that delivers a tasteful and uplifting beverage! The Jura coffee machine uses a computer to deliver the finest coffee, all the way from beans to your dad’s Espresso cup. It can dole out the right temperature water for his tea, or do a latte topping for his coffee. And there’s not a capsule in sight.
Our reviewer reckons the standard settings were just about perfect and that it’ll pay for itself in a year.
Read the GadgetGuy review here.
ASUS ZenBook S notebook computer – we’re not sure on the pricing, but it’s worth it
So, Windows computers are all pretty much the same, eh? Your dad won’t think so once he gets his hands on this very special gift from you. Screen? Our review says that the 4K touchscreen is “without peer”. And talk about slim and light. It’s just 1.05 kilograms in weight and 12.9mm thick. That’s a hair over half an inch in dad’s language.
And it’s got the important stuff, like two Thunderbolt 3 ports, and a choice of memory, storage and processor options. It’s not all just shiny good looks though. It also passes the MIL-STD 810G drop test.
Read the GadgetGuy review here.
Sennheiser HD 820 – $3,499
Does your dad love his music? Does he appreciate quality sound? Do you dislike his music? Then why not kill all three birds with one stone this Father’s Day? The Sennheiser HD 820 headphones deliver music quality to a level rarely achieved. And they do it privately, thanks to their closed back design.
While you’re at it, you could consider the companion Sennheiser HDV 820 headphone amplifier.
We loved these headphones. Read the GadgetGuy review here.
Sony Alpha7 III digital camera – $3,099
Mirrorless cameras are taking over the photography world. And the Japanese consumer electronics giants seem to be trying to do the same with their mirrorless offerings. Sony’s Alpha range of cameras is of killer quality and excellent versatility.
The Sony Alpha7 III has a first class full-frame 24.2-megapixel sensor and a great set of features. These include UltraHD video to 60 frames per second, five-axis optical image stabilisation and Direct Manual Focus, so you can tweak the autofocus.
The price above is for the camera body alone. If he doesn’t already have a few compatible Sony E-Mount lenses, rope in other family members to get them for him.
Read the GadgetGuy review here.
Apple MacBook Pro 15-inch – $3,499
Many of us here at GadgetGuy are Windows people, but I have to say I still love a MacBook Pro. Sure, we do occasionally note their “issues”. But it’s not about what we want, or what you want. It’s about what your dad wants.
There are 13-inch models of the MacBook Pro. But your dad will want the bigger screen and some decent processing power. There’s a choice of Intel core processors and sizes of solid state drives. Mac still doesn’t have a touchscreen, but more and more applications now support its Touch Bar.
Read the GadgetGuy review here. Read about the latest models here.
Volvo XC40 SUV – $47,990 to $57,990
Volvo has been leading the way with compact, smart SUVs. We drove the newest model, the Volvo XC40, a few months ago. And we know exactly what we’d like our loving children to give us for Father’s Day.
Okay, fifty grand might be stretching the expenses for some, but think of how he’ll feel. Especially while driving down the highway in “Dynamic” mode, just like the proper boy racer. And it’ll help keep him safe, too, with Pilot Assist, smart anti-lock brakes, blind spot warnings, “hill start assist”, “hill descent control” and airbags everywhere.
Read the GadgetGuy impressions here.
LG OLED65C8 TV – $6,399
OLED TVs are no longer exclusively from LG. We’ve also been impressed with models from Sony and Panasonic. But the OLED panels all come from LG anyway, and it has the best smart TV interface around, so that’s what we’re sticking with.
Why OLED? Because they’re the best and that’s all there is to it. Start with the slimmest panel (we measured this model at just 3.5mm thick!) Then there’s the best colour and the best black levels.
Too much money? Too big? How about the 55-inch version ($4099). Too small perhaps? There’s a mighty 77-inch version for $14,999.
Read the GadgetGuy review here.
Lenovo Yoga 920 (14) convertible computer – $1,899 to $2,999
When our Ray Shaw reviewed this Windows 10 computer last month, he concluded that the “Lenovo 920 (14) represents all that is right in the world of ultra-light, ultra-slim, laptops.” It’s a convertible, with a 360-degree hinge. Use it tablet style. Use it tent style.
Versatility doesn’t mean it lacks for power. There are Core i7 and Core i5 options, 8GB and 16GB memory options, 512GB and 256GB NVMe storage options. And two (count them!) Thunderbolt 3 ports. The 13.9-inch touch screen comes in UHD and FHD versions.
Get your cash-strapped brother or sister to buy him the optional Active Pen so dad can indulge his inner artist come Father’s Day.
Read the GadgetGuy review here.
iPhone X – $1,579 or $1,829
Fact is, we’re mostly Androids around here. But this isn’t about us. This is about your dad. Does he use an iPhone? Could it do with an upgrade? Well, the biggest and best iPhone right now is the iPhone X. (New models will probably be launched soon after Father’s Day.)
It is certainly a thing of beauty and features the best tech Apple has yet to offer. The 5.8-inch screen is in the now standard 18:9 aspect ratio and has almost no bezel around its edge. The phone runs Apple’s latest A11 Bionic processor. It’s available with 64GB or 256GB storage.
Read the GadgetGuy hands-on impressions here, and see our unboxing here.
Intel NUC 8 Kit – from $1403.05
“Some assembly required,” are words beloved by dads on Father’s Day. Combine that with the raw, brutal power of a Core i7 computer, optimised for gaming and virtual reality, and you have just about any Dad’s dream.
A NUC is a small computer designated by Intel as the “Next Unit of Computing”. Small, but as powerful as a desktop. Dad’s fun comes with putting the parts together. Or you can buy him a barebones kit and let him choose the bits.
And once he’s done, he’ll have a fine computer to use into the future.
Read the GadgetGuy review of one model here.
Oppo Find X – Likely around $1,200
If dad’s already an Android man, don’t inflict an iPhone on him. He’ll likely just get frustrated. Instead, upgrade him to the newest Android on the market, the Oppo Find X. Oppo has carved out quite a chunk of the market with its high-value phones. With the Find X, it is pushing hard into the premium end of the market.
It looks gorgeous, with an incredible 93.8% screen to body ratio. That screen – 6.42 inches of it – uses class-leading AMOLED technology. The twin cameras pop up from the top of the phone when needed.
Read the GadgetGuy hands-on here and some more details here.
HP Spectre x360 convertible computer – from $2,198
As usual with Windows notebook computers, there is a range of options. The model we’ve been spending a lot of time with lately packs a Core i7-8550U, 16GB of RAM and a 512GB PCI NVMe solid state drive. It has the must-have for any modern premium notebook: two Thunderbolt 3 ports.
The touch sensitive full HD screen supports an HP active mouse in addition to your fingers. And it’s covered with Corning Gorilla Glass for protection. We are particularly keen on the blisteringly fast SSD. It managed read speeds of up to 2,545MB/s.
