Christmas may be a time of giving, but it's also a time for lusting after technology that most of us will never be able to afford, let alone justify buying.
Together with Gadget Show presenter Jon Bentley we tried and tested a range of top-of-the-line gadgets to produce a must-have collection of Christmas presents for the person who has everything - or has just won the lottery.
Phase One IQ280 camera system
The PhaseOne IQ280 camera system combines the IQ280 back with PhaseOne's camera body. It supports lenses from a range of different manufacturers and produces a camera capable of shooting full-frame 80-megapixel photos at an ISO as low as 35 with 13 f-stops for images with a large dynamic range.
Cost: approximately £30,600.
Samuel's thoughts:
The IQ280 can capture details with a very large range, producing images with as much detail in the bright clouds in the sky as the dark shadows of buildings. It makes the PhaseOne arguably one of the best cameras for capturing large landscapes and huge portraits in a studio, although you'll probably need to be a pro to get the best out of it.
Jon's thoughts:
My expectations were high but the IQ280 system exceeded them. The retina-squeezing detail, superb colour reproduction and massive dynamic range create lusciously smooth images. And it's surprisingly easy to use.
Google Glass
Google Glass is one of the first pairs of smartglasses available. A prism mounted in front of the right eye creates a small, transparent screen just inside the wearer's field of view for heads-up information such as emails, directions and for lining up photos or video using a built-in camera.
A small camera tracks the right eye's movement, a microphone picks up voice and sensors track head movement for hands-free use. It can also display notifications from a smartphone, as well as run third-party apps including Star Chart, which overlays star maps on the sky.
Cost: £1,000.
* Google Glass review: useful - but overpriced and socially awkward
Samuel's thoughts:
Glass is a well put together prototype. Notifications for email and messages plus quickly taking photos and video is handy, but it's what users can do with third-party apps that's interesting.
The biggest issue with Glass is the social acceptance of having an obvious gadget strapped to your face. Only approximately 25% of people on London streets, trains and tubes noticed I was wearing them. But people react differently; some are intrigued but most are actively weary of Glass wearers because, rightly or wrongly, of their ability to take photos or videos.
Jon's thoughts:
Google Glass is a significant and contentious product. Even if social decorum means you shy away from actually using it, you can still taste the zeitgeist and sample a slice of gadget history.
Grado PS1000e
The PS1000e headphones are the top of the range from Grado, which has been hand-making high-end headphones and audio equipment since the 1950s in Brooklyn, New York.
They are a high quality open-backed hi-fi headphone designed for personal listening in the home. Their high-efficiency drivers can be powered by a smartphone and have very wide frequency response from five to 50,000Hz (most headphones are limited to 20 to 20,000Hz).
Cost: £1,700.
Samuel's thoughts:
The PS1000e are like super high-end speakers, accentuating details I've never heard in my favourite tracks before. They prove that in some cases you get what you pay for.
But their open-backed design and bulk makes them useless for listening outside of the home, as you can hear the world around you and everyone else can clearly hear your music.
Jon's thoughts:
With their smooth, clean and detailed sound, even when driven by the relatively low-power amplifier in my laptop, these headphones reminded me of a pair of top-notch studio speakers. But you can wear these on your head.
Samsung UE55HU8500 curved 4K TV
The flagship curved ultra high definition 4K TV from Samsung has every bell and whistle under the sun. It has 1,200Hz motion smoothing, dual TV tuners, 3D, an integrated camera and extensive smart TV capabilities, but it is the screen that is the stand-out feature.
The 4K screen has four times the number of pixels as a traditional 1080p full HD television, while the gentle curve is designed to envelope the viewer. The OLED screen also has very dark blacks, bright whites and rich colours for a very vibrant picture.
Cost: £2,300.
Samuel's thoughts:
In my view curved TVs are a gimmick. We've spent years trying to flatten screens and make them thinner, now manufacturers are trying to push curved TVs just because they can. It's the new 3D.
But the 4K OLED screen is fantastic, even when showing standard 1080p content. UHD 4K video still difficult to get hold of, but is now available in limited quantities from the likes of Netflix, if your broadband is faster than 25Mbps. I just wish the screen was flat.
Jon's thoughts:
I think curved screens are better than a gimmick and can make for more involving viewing, especially when you're watching with others. This Samsung has great image quality and surprisingly good sound for a thin TV. The lack of a headphone socket is annoying, though.
R-KAID-R
The R-KAID-R is a step back in time from Swedish design company Love Hultén who built a retro gaming arcade machine out of a Raspberry Pi. The Pi board and 8in screen are mounted in a handmade wooden box, complete with an eight-way joystick, nine classic arcade buttons and a rechargeable battery to take it on the road for up to eight hours.
The arcade machine comes with Cave Story pre-installed but will play thousands of classic games across Mame arcade machines and retro consoles like the Super Nintendo, Atari 2600 and Neo Geo.
Cost: €2,499 (£1,959).
Samuel's thoughts:
The R-KAID-R is an instant nostalgia hit. The joystick, the buttons, the tinny mono speaker all feel the same as I remember from my childhood. But it's missing another stick and buttons - the joy of the arcade, especially games like Street Fighter and Mortal Kombat, was in taking on a friend. Button-bashing versus skill.
Jon's thoughts:
I love the combination of technology and artisan-style craftsmanship. Next I'd like to see a 4K TV in an English oak console or a digital camera with bellows and a black cloth to drape over my head while taking a shot.
Tesla Model S P85
The Tesla Model S is one of the most advanced cars available at the moment. Launched in June in the UK, the all-electric car has a range of up to 312 miles, will do 0-60mph in 4.2 seconds and is big enough to take five adults plus two children in the back.
A network 14 of superchargers across the country, can charge the battery with 170 miles of power in 30 minutes and a full charge in 70 minutes - a full charge at home with an electric car charging point takes between six and eight hours.
Cost: from £50,000, £99,000 as tested.
* Tesla Model S launch: an electric car to answer even Clarkson's objections
Samuel's thoughts:
The Tesla Model S drives like a normal car, just with acceleration that throws you back into the seat. It's easy to drive, quiet, comfortable and the 17in touchscreen is intuitive and useful.
Range anxiety is still there, but the supercharger network means that longer journeys aren't an issue with the right route planning. The Model S shows that the future of electric cars is bright.
Jon's thoughts:
It's the supercar acceleration that's so alluring. Fun, practical, responsible and capable of realistic distances on a charge, it's the perfect car for the forward-thinking, well-heeled technology enthusiast.
27in iMac with retina 5K display
Apple's latest 27in iMac has a 5K retina screen with more than five times the pixels of a standard full HD 1080p TV. Text is pin-sharp, images detail-rich and 4K video can be edited in native resolution with a set of tools on screen.
Cost: from £2,000 as tested.
Samuel's thoughts:
The new iMac is a big step forward for desktop computers. The 5K screen is so sharp it's jaw-dropping. You can see so much detail in massive images it looks like a super-high quality print.
No longer does sitting in front of a desktop monitor feel like looking back in time coming from the crystal clear smartphone and tablet screens.
Jon's thoughts:
The latest iMac is assertively elegant, commandingly powerful, whisper-quiet and well-connected. And Apple's beautiful 27in 5K display is the star of the show. Who says the desktop computer is dead?
* Which is the best tablet for Christmas?
* Six of the best noise-cancelling headphones to silence the commute
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