Ars Technica’s gift guide for Father’s Day: Give dad some cool things
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$179 is the current price on Amazon, but it's $129 or less from most other retailers (Abt, Best Buy, Costco, Apple itself.)
If you really want one but want to support Ars, maybe ignore the affiliate link, buy from one of the other sellers, take the savings, and...buy an Ars subscription?
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I want to add that I bought my dad a mini-PC recently (not because it's Father's day, but because he mentioned off hand that his computer told him his Windows 10 support is ending).
Considering that it was a pretty low powered Intel N150 machine priced at about $150 bucks, it beats the pants off of his ancient machine (which used to be my computer from right out of school ~15 years ago).
So, that's my suggestion for Father's day.
Considering that it was a pretty low powered Intel N150 machine priced at about $150 bucks, it beats the pants off of his ancient machine (which used to be my computer from right out of school ~15 years ago).
So, that's my suggestion for Father's day.
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I recently transitioned my computing averse parents to a Mac after decades of suggesting it would be easier for them as compared to a PC and it has made my life (as the half baked IT guy in the family) much better.
Good list, would be great to get this about a week in advance to have more time for shopping!
Good list, would be great to get this about a week in advance to have more time for shopping!
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FYI the Apple TV 4k is available for $145 at B&H and not the $200 of Amazon.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1731227-REG/apple_mn893ll_a_apple_tv_4k_3rd.html
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1731227-REG/apple_mn893ll_a_apple_tv_4k_3rd.html
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I own the thermos in the article. It’s great, and I highly recommend it for anyone in tge market for one.
But when I follow the link to Amazon it (correctly) notes that I’ve purchased it before. Following the links shows that it was a 2014 purchase, and I paid $14.99 for it. $56 in 2025 is a rather substantial price increase.
But when I follow the link to Amazon it (correctly) notes that I’ve purchased it before. Following the links shows that it was a 2014 purchase, and I paid $14.99 for it. $56 in 2025 is a rather substantial price increase.
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I mean, how do you compete with "Skullcandy?" Skulls and candy, so edgy!
I remember when Stanley bottles were on the shelves at a liquidating K-Mart, gathering dust at ten bucks, no returns accepted.
Whoever owns the brand took note of the popularity of Yeti and Hydroflask and introduced...colors. Probably did some influencer deals, too, I wouldn't know. The Stanley brand became a whole thing among the youths.
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I bought it for it’s functionality, not trendiness, and its been great.
Someone gifted me a Yeti, something I probably wouldn’t have purchased for myself, and I really like it too. I use it everyday and leave my lighter-gauged vacuum insulated tumbler on the shelf now.
Necessary? No. Really nice? Yes.
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Before anyone else wonders,
View: https://www.reddit.com/r/YetiCoolers/comments/13tk3rs/today_i_learned_that_stanley_drinkwear_is_not_the/
Excelsior!
View: https://www.reddit.com/r/YetiCoolers/comments/13tk3rs/today_i_learned_that_stanley_drinkwear_is_not_the/
Excelsior!
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Fathers get things??? My wife and kids briefly remembering that it is, in fact, Father's Day IS my Father's Day celebration... 
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This sentence “It’s always a good time to give the dad in your life peace of mind through data redundancy.” Is how I know I’m looking at the right gift guide.
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The 86Lux Book Light is also excellent as a light for the Playdate console. Why did they cheap out and make it without any screen light?
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Speakertoanimals
Ars Praefectus
Nice list. For all those kids out there who don't have a father, I'm available for adoption. One or more of everything, please. Including the suggestions in the comments.
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To each their own, of course, but IMO good socks are pretty great too.Enjoy your gadgets.....I'll be getting socks
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Speakertoanimals
Ars Praefectus
I wish I was getting socks.Enjoy your gadgets.....I'll be getting socks
Edit: When I was growing up in the potato-famine part of Klamath County, my parents told me I was lucky I had feet.
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Not for father's day, but my kid gave me an NYT sub and it eliminated me feeling compelled to whine about their paywall. They really do have a great cooking section, and as a Dad thing, when he's with me we do some of the puzzles together over breakfast.
They also were on sale earlier this week, but I do not know if they still are. Check--currently at $60 rather than $75...
They also were on sale earlier this week, but I do not know if they still are. Check--currently at $60 rather than $75...
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The book light meets an immediate need for me, I may buy for myself, since I already asked the kids to get me Moomin Gachapon.
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Great suggestion here! Remember if the news you read isn't behind a paywall, or at least some really annoying ads, then you aren't the customer, you are the product. What does your news company's actual customers want them telling you?
You could also get a Kagi or alternative search engine subscription, for the same reason.
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If your father already has all the stuff he needs, consider giving him the gift of democracy with a donation to anti-fascist causes.
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Great suggestions by why wait so late to publish? Are most Father's day gifts bought so last minute that a list 36 hours before the event is helpful? It's not as if the date of Father's day is a surprise.
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Those sliding Yeti magnetic lids are the best. Hold up to no end, easy to clean, work. You can buy them separately and would probably fit any other cheap insulated tumbler.
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One thing older folks often benefit from is a larger screen. They often don't want to admit that things aren't as clear and sharp compared to 10+ years ago. My dad really liked the 55" 1K LED backlit TV over the older CFL 32" 720P TV he had been using for many years. Same for replacing his older 19" computer screen with a 24" version. Bonus if you buy the thing, you can avoid the worst of the 'Smart' device traps.
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GreenHills
Smack-Fu Master, in training
There are two of them - make sure to get the version with Ethernet and 128GB of storage.
Cheapest storage-upgrade offered by Apple …
Of course an ARS subscription is always another bright idea
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If your dad has an identifiable hobby, support that with a gift card to a store related to that hobby.
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You just broke the first rule!Hopefully the family will be taking me to Arcade Club
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I got a drawing from my son. It shows me chocking him, Simpsons style (why you little...)Enjoy your gadgets.....I'll be getting socks
...
We share the same sort of humor.
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I got dad a pair of boots. Jim Green, designed to be recrafted instead of replaced, but inexpensive enough he'll actually wear them instead of holding them just for special occasions.
But since I'm halfway across the continent on an emergency business trip, he'll get them later.
But since I'm halfway across the continent on an emergency business trip, he'll get them later.
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This is why I get either a Sweetwater or REI gift card every year, and it's always welcome
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The non tech gift for my father just arrived. The variety pack from the Mustard Museum. He generally has good taste.
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Folks with high myopia correction see minified images, which factors into this.
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Nothing wrong with socks as a gift at all! They're expensive, but Darn Tough socks are a gift of socks worth getting excited about... that's usually all I ask for from my kids for Christmas.
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I'm curious why, I have the 64GB on a TV that will never have ethernet nearby and just use it for streaming. Why spend the extra $20 for more memory? As far as I know, the CPU and video support is the same.
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Segway still exists?
I thought one of its executives driving off a cliff would have killed it.
I thought one of its executives driving off a cliff would have killed it.
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