Compiled by Ciara O'Brien

Grado RS1i

$695

One for serious music fans, the Grado RS1i headphones are hard to beat. And with a price tag that runs into hundreds of euro, you’d expect nothing less.

On the outside, the headphones have a leather band and handcrafted mahogany earpieces, setting these headphones apart from the standard audio fare.

But it’s not a case of style over substance; the RS1i model packs a lot of technology in to justify its price tag. Upgraded dynamic transducers, open-backed cups – jargon aside, the end result is great sound quality that will appeal to audiophiles.

The open design means you don’t cut yourself off from the outside world, which can be both a good and a bad thing - you can still hear some noise, but you may not want to.

Still, it won’t take away from the fact that these are some great quality headphones.

www.gradolabs.com

Otterbox Commuter case for iPhone4

€34.95

Smartphones may look good, but mobile phones will only stand up to a certain amount of abuse – scratches, bumps, the odd sprinkle of water – before it takes its toll. The best way to protect them is to invest in a decent case, but this can also make the phones bulky. Otterbox has come up with a case that will protect your phone without making it impossible to carry in your pocket. The Commuter case combines a silicon skin with a polycarbonate shell to protect your phone – in this instance, an iPhone 4. There’s plugs to ensure all the ports remain covered but that can be removed when needed, and a protective film for your phone’s screen. It adds a little extra bulk, but nothing the phone can’t carry off.

www.otterbox.com

Samsung Q330 notebook

From €699

Samsung’s latest range of notebooks are now available in Ireland. The Q Series includes the compact, lightweight Q330, designed for mobility without sacrificing performance, with a little style thrown in.

Powered by Intel’s i3 and i5 processors, the notebook can be used for both business and entertainment. With a bright 13.3-inch high-definition LED display, the device has a hybrid graphic feature that alternates graphic modes between the Intel HD Graphic card and the NVIDIA GeForce 310M. This saves power, and because it is LED, the screen uses less power than other technologies. The hard drive is also substantial, at 320GB. It also includes Bluetooth 3.0 and wifi for wireless connections.

www.samsung.ie