Non-tech

Not everybody wants a technological toy or gadget for Christmas though, obviously. Sometime it’s much more important to be able to put your feet up, relax and not have to worry about blue screens, driver conflicts and DRM.

To that end then, we’ve got a few bits and bobs here which should help keep your inner geek satisfied without requiring a huge amount of OS tweaks or fiddling with the graphics settings. Nobody likes that stuff 24/7. Except for us.

So, whether you like to relax with a nice book, a game of cards with some friends or you just like to set yourself down in a big bean bag, close your eyes and fall asleep faster than Tim on the train home then we're pretty sure we've got something to suit you.

Below we’ve got a breakdown of some of our favourite bits of non-tech gear and time-wasters. Check them out and be sure to let us know if you’ve got items of your own to recommend in the forums.

Sumo Omni

UK Price: £99.00 (inc. VAT)
US Price: $149.00 (ex. Tax)
Full Review Here

It’s not often we take a look at furniture, but we were happy to make an exception for the Sumo Omni beanbag. Or Harry was anyway.

What makes the Omni so great is its sheer size and durability. Measuring in at 4.5”x5.5” is sure to dominate any living room, but we think it’s going to look best plomped in front of a pimped-out rig or new games console.

Ideal for gaming in and with easily enough room for two people to splitscreen from, the Omni is perfectly suited to replace your usual office chair thanks to its height, while the hard-wearing fabric ensures that it can take all the punishment you might want to throw at it. It’s an unusual buy, but a worthy one that’ll demand immediate kudos from all your friends.

If you want to you can check out the full review to find out more info, but be warned that it contains yet more pictures of Harry in compromising positions...

Zombie Fluxx

UK Price: £7.50 (inc. VAT)
US Price: $20.99 (ex. Tax)
Full Review Here

Of course, just because you’re taking a break from your computer doesn’t mean that you have to stop gaming. Not with games like Zombie Fluxx on hand anyway which should provide a decent fix of multiplayer zombie action, just in case you’re unable to play Left 4 Dead.

With rules that change every time a card is played, it’s impossible to tell how long a game of Zombie Fluxx might go on for but that’s one of the joys of the game. Just like in a zombie movie, nothing in Fluxx ever goes to plan and much of the joy comes from watching your friends fail rather than winning yourself.

Of course, when you do win it’s still a massive rush as Zombie Fluxx requires an equal mix of tactics and luck to get anywhere, with players often having to guess what their opponents might do next. There really aren’t many other card games that are this unique, clever and immediately playable – making this a great game for everyone. Check out our Zombie Fluxx review for a better explanation of the game.

Masters of Doom

UK Price: £8.99 (inc. VAT)
US Price: $10.99 (ex. Tax)
Full Review Here

If you’re all gamed out though and want to put your feet up with a good book instead though then this is something you should be able to get your head around straight away. Written by David Kushner, Masters of Doom is the history of PC stalwart id Software, telling the story of how John Carmack and John Romero both rose and fell in the eyes of gamers.

Starting way back when PCs were only just on the rise, Kushner fills readers in on how exactly id Software was formed in those halcyon days of Commander Keen and Dangerous Dave. From there the book charts the story of Wolfenstein, Quake and the well-known split between Carmack and Romero that resulted in the latter being mostly ejected from the industry. Daikatana? Ugh.

Filled with interesting side-stories that explain an awful lot about the company, such as the original origins of Quake and the dreadful conditions the team worked in when they first launched, Masters of Doom is an essential read - which is exactly what we said in the full review too!

Did you get any cool presents this year, or was your Christmas a totally dull and depressing affair? Let us know in the forums.