Dream big: our 2002 executive holiday shopping guide goes berserk - Connection: Executive Toys Special

Latin Trade, Dec, 2002 by Greg Brown

The whole world is tightening the belt back yet another notch, but not us. Christmas is about peace on earth, good will and all that, but it also about going out and spending some dough. Most everything on our list this year is at the top of its category. Meaning you could buy something pretty darn good for less (and probably should). But what's the point of the gift-giving season, if not to go all the way? So, here goes, from plasma TVs to space travel, our executive gift guide for 2002. Happy shopping.

Bentley Continental GT

Luxury sedan

US$160,000

www.bentleymotors.com

We, for one, do not believe for a minute that a global economic meltdown ought to slow down production of cars so big and fast you literally can't drive them on most of the world's highways. Not when they look this good. Try a 500 British-horsepower engine, twin-turbo on a four-seater with all-wheel drive. Volkswagen owns Bentley, but this beast of a car was designed and will be built in Crewe, England. It tops out at 290 kilometers per hour, hitting 100 kph in five seconds, says Bentley, or about as long as it took you to read this line. All the rest--retro-future aerodynamics, six-speed gearbox, seating for four--seems like a mere afterthought once you realize how fast, and big, this thing is. Hyundai makes a nice sedan for about $10,000, but somehow it seems like settling for less, you know?

Cannondale R3000

Road bike

US$4,199

www.cannondale.com

Even standing still it looks fast, Cannondale comes back to the cutting edge of bike technology. The new-generation Optimo tubing (15% stronger than conventional aluminum alloys) allows for a stronger and lighter frame: the soul of a racing machine. Reacts effortlessly to any input on the pedals. The bike hugged the ground on turns, not losing any thrust on even pavement. The ride is just a tad harsh on uneven tarmac, but the pure exhilaration of taking a corner at full blast with total confidence is worth it. You could spend less--one-tenth the price puts you on a decent starter bike--but put this 16-pound racer between your legs and there's no looking back.

Apple iPod

Digital music player

US$499

www.apple.com/ipod

Design is the strong suit of this memory-hefty music device. Strip off the headphones, and what you have left is a powerful 20-gigabyte memory device encased in a very slick chrome and-white-plastic shell. A joyously simple wheel on the face maneuvers easily through thousands of digital tunes. You could buy an MP3 player with plenty of memory (although not 20 gigs) for less than $100, but it wouldn't be as nifty. Surprisingly, Apple, the choice of arts professionals, chose text menus--black-and-white text to boot--for the iPod. Never fear: Apple is rumored to be working on a personal digital assistant based on the Pod technology, and that almost certainly will involve color graphics--and play MP3s anyway.

Space Adventures

Space travel training

US$200,000

www.spaceadventures.com

Space camp for (rich) grownups. Fourteens day of rigorous medical checks, zerogravity training--how does pulling 8 Gs sound after an overseas trip to Russia's Star City space center--and then a couple of spins in a MiG fighter jet for good measure. Okay, you get a nifty flight suit, and five-star hotel stay and interpreters and such. But remember, if you toss your cookies in the simulator, it could be lights out for your launch. Oh, the $200,000 only covers training--you'll need $20 million for lift-off, so be sure you can handle the pressure, and you can write the big check. The folks at Space Adventures got wealthy U.S. citizen-astronaut Dennis Tito into the ether, so maybe you're next. Or maybe you could take that 200 large and just buy a nice farmhouse in the French countryside.

Sony DCR-PC120BT

Digital video camera

US$2,200

www.sonystyle.com

There are a lot of handy little video cameras out there, but this one took the cake. First, just because it's small and light, about 465 grams with battery and tape included. It records digital video to tape, makes short videos that can be sent through e-mail and takes digital photos, too. Photographers will appreciate the Carl Zeiss lens and 1 Ox optical zoom. If your computer is ready to talk wirelessly using Bluetooth technology, this camera is ready to talk back, sending images straight to the hard drive for editing. You could buy a better camera, but most of those cost twice as much and only add things documentary filmmakers might care about. Cheaper? There's plenty, but not this slick...

Alienware Area 51m

Laptop computer/game console

US$2,866

www.alienware.com

Woof! A high-speed processor, high-resolution screen, three-dimensional audio and every bell and whistle in-between. Built for serious gamers and video editors, this laptop has some serious guns. Multiple ports and swappable bays for plugging in accessories will keep arts or media pros happy, while processing power is certainly enough for any business application you care to throw at it. At around 4.2 kilos, this would strain any commuter's back; Alienware sells it with a special padded backpack. All that processing firepower and fans keeping things cool means the battery drains in just under three hours. If you don't edit video and find gaming a bit juvenile for your screen time, there are plenty of powerful portables that weigh less and run longer on a single charge. You can buy a good work laptop for $500 now. But why? You have monsters to zap.