Last-Minute Tech Gifts Under $100 at Micro Center
The clock is ticking, but it’s not too late to grab some affordable, useful tech gifts. I've selected a grab bag of personal picks all under $100 that cover gaming 3D printing, and more, including several I use all the time.
Photo: Dan Ackerman Magigoo 3D Printing Adhesive Pen
Photo: Dan Ackerman I've been 3D-printing for many years, but this simple tube of Magigoo liquid adhesive has literally changed my life. Unlike glue sticks or painter’s tape, it applies cleanly, keeps prints securely anchored, and releases easily once the build plate cools. It’s especially handy in less-than-ideal setups -- my Bambu A1 printer sits near a drafty window, and this has reduced my print failures almost entirely.
Crucial X9 Pro 1TB External SSD (USB 3.2 Gen 2)
Photo: Dan Ackerman Everybody needs more storage. I’m currently using the Crucial X9 1TB drive with my new 256GB M4 Mac Mini to offload large game installation files and big video projects. It's got 1,050 MB/s read and write speeds over USB 3.2, is small enough to live on a 3D-printed shelf behind my display, and costs under $65 right now.
RiiTek X8 Mini Wireless Keyboard with Touchpad Combo
Photo: Dan Ackerman This handy mini-keyboard includes a tiny touchpad and is ideal for controlling a gaming PC from the couch. I use one of these with the gaming laptop currently hooked up to my 77-inch LG OLED TV to navigate Steam menus and Windows 11 from a distance, because high-end PC performance is always going to beat dedicated living room consoles. The touchpad is just big enough and the backlit keys are easy to see at night, making this an essential accessory for couch-based computing.
Apple HomePod Mini
Raspberry Pi 5
Sometimes you don't need the biggest or most-powerful computer -- in fact, you might want the exact opposite. The Raspberry Pi 5 is the latest iteration of this versatile microcomputer used by hobbyists to build all kinds of projects, from retro gaming consoles to smart home controllers. It's perfect for tinkerers and has an endless array of aftermarket add-ons from keyboards to screens to wireless antennas, but it all starts here with the $70 central unit.
These gifts will deliver some holiday cheer for less, and make someone's gaming, 3D printing, PC/MAC or music setup even better. And for more ideas, check out our other Micro Center News gift guides or drop by your local Micro Center store for expert advice.
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Micro Center Editor-in-Chief Dan Ackerman is a veteran tech reporter and has served as Editor-in-Chief of Gizmodo and Editorial Director at CNET. He's been testing and reviewing laptops and other consumer tech for almost 20 years and is the author of The Tetris Effect, a Cold War history of the world's most influential video game. Contact Dan at dackerman@microcenter.com.
