10 low-tech gifts for high-tech people

I can’t be the only person who has problems finding enough USB plugs to charge all my devices. Kill four birds with one stone and grab a USB wall charger with multiple slots for charging multiple devices.

They’re pretty easy to locate, and you'll never have to wait and swap out cables again.

The Urban Shelf is a small, folding shelf that provides a handy, transportable surface for your gadgets. One section slides underneath a mattress or sofa cushion, while the other extends into a tray table with an edge to prevent items from rolling off, as well as two cord holders to keep charging cables in place.

You can also fold the shelf into a pyramid shape to make it double as a tablet stand.

Cords, cables, wires, and plugs can become a jumbled mess in a bag.

Get it together with various cord wraps, such as this one from Kikkerland, available in small, medium, and large, as well as a variety of colors (in case you need to color-code your cables). By far, this is the best $5 I’ve spent recently!

An essential item for people who travel often, a privacy filter placed on your laptop screen keeps your view clear while obstructing the peripheral view of your display, preventing your seatmate from sharing your movie or snooping on your research.

It’s a simple way to make sure your computing stays private, even in public spaces.

Computers are filthy. Help your friends extend the life of their tech by buying them some cleaning cloths or putty.

Endust makes wipes specifically for electronics, LCD screens, and computers, and Cyber Clean makes a putty that you can simply press and lift to clean gunk out of your keyboard.

Smartphones are battery hogs, so it’s worthwhile to invest in a spare battery pack or even a case with battery power built right in, such as one of Mophie’s popular Juice Packs.

Mophie also makes battery packs as small as a keychain that can give your electronics an extra boost when they need more juice.

Never forget your wallet or your phone again by combining the two with a smartphone wallet case.

Q Card Case is a popular option that can hold cash, cards, and IDs while protecting your smartphone. One caveat: You definitely do not want to misplace this case!

To take a good photo, you need ample lighting and a steady hand. Let Joby help you with the latter with its super-adaptable tripod, the GripTight GorillaPod.

The flexible legs of the GripTight GorillaPod can twist and bend to secure your camera or smartphone in place, as well as act as a traditional tripod.

Laptops are not always comfortable to hold on your lap for long periods of time: The battery can get warm, and you can block the fans.

Avoid the problem by investing in a simple lap desk, which allows air to flow through the fans and can prevent you from overheating your machine—and your legs.

You can’t go wrong with a docking station—especially one that can hold and charge multiple devices.

Just think: How easy would it be to set down your tablet, smartphone, MP3 player, or camera in one location and have each device charged and ready when you pick it up?