Apple iPhone 4S

The iPhone 4S is an obvious choice for a holiday wish list this year. The device comes with a dual-core processor, 8-megapixel camera, support for Siri, Apples new voice-activated virtual personal assistant and, perhaps most importantly, it still retails for $199 for shoppers willing to buy an iPhone along with a two-year service contract. The iPhone 4S is still the top smartphone on the market.

Folks hoping to get their hands on a cheap tablet this year should opt for the Amazon Kindle Fire. The device features a 7-inch display and runs a modified version of Android unique to Amazon. Best of all, it only costs $199, making it another top choice in this roundup.

The tablet is unarguably the top slate on the market and at $499 is worth the price. It comes with a 9.7-inch display, a dual-core processor and support for Apples FaceTime video-chatting service. And just in case consumers want to surf the Web while away from a WiFi network, they can buy a 3G-capable version of the iPad 2 to do so.

Like the Amazon Kindle Fire, the Barnes & Noble Nook Tablet is designed to provide consumers with a cheap entry-level tablet. The Android-based device comes with a 7-inch display and 16GB of on-board storage. Plus, with its support for the Barnes & Noble e-book store, it will likely replace the e-readers some owners are currently using. Not bad for just $249.

Those customers who arent so keen on buying the iPhone 4S should consider adding the Samsung Galaxy X II to their holiday wish lists. The device features a 4.3-inch screen and support for 4G networks. Best of all, it features a design that, most would agree, is quite close to matching the iPhone 4S.

The New Motorola Droid RAZR has made some waves ever since it was announced, and for good reason. The device comes with 4G connectivity. It allows users to stream content from their PC to the handset and has both a front- and rear-facing camera. Make no mistake, Motorola used the RAZR branding for a reason: It thinks this device can be a hit, and it might just be right.

The Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 is arguably the best alternative to the iPad 2 on the market. The device features a 10.1-inch screen and runs Android. Just in case customers want to connect to wireless networks, the tablet features 4G connectivity. But if those specs dont impress consumers, consider that Apple feels its such a threat to its iPad that its trying to have the device banned from being sold around the world, citing patent infringement.

Since not everyone is looking to get their hands on an iOS- or Android-based device, choosing the Windows Phone 7-equipped HTC Titan might be a worthwhile choice. The device features a 1.5GHz processor and a huge 4.7-inch display. Although the 16GB of onboard memory isnt so appealing, the devices design is. The Titan is the best Windows Phone 7-based device on store shelves right now.

The Motorola Droid Bionic is another one of those solid, well-built smartphones that will appeal to holiday shoppers looking for customers seeking a solid Android-based unit. It comes with a 4.3-inch display, 4G support and the ability to share that connection with up to five other devices through its mobile hotspot feature. That said, beware that it costs $249.99 with a two-year agreement.

If there is a common theme across the many devices included in this roundup, its that they all come with touch-screens and no physical keyboards. However, not all customers are looking for that. So for smartphone shoppers who must have a keyboard, the best idea is the Research In Motion BlackBerry Bold. That device, while not very forward-thinking, should suit the fancy of those who dont want to get caught up in next-generation touch-screen devices.