In the fickle world of the tech enthusiast, where favourite gadgets come and go, the test of time is the only sure way for a device to prove its mettle. So we asked real gadget lovers to show us the products they can't live without.
Name
Dale Smith
Occupation
Co-founder of Article 10 design agency
Location
Didcot, Oxfordshire
WHY I CAN'T LIVE WITHOUT MY
Sennheiser PXC 300 headphones
Why did you buy it?
With a long daily commute to London, I have a fair amount of time on my hands, so I tend to either flip open the laptop and work on the train or play games or listen to music on the Tube. I needed some headphones to suit both of these functions.
What does it do for you?
The noise cancellation cuts out a massive percentage of background noise so the sound quality is superb and the headphone volume can be kept at a minimum so it doesn't annoy other commuters.
Would you recommend it to others? Why?
I'd definitely recommend them to anyone who commutes or travels a lot. They're a nice portable size (about the size of the 80s foam headphones) and very reasonable price-wise.
Name
Dale Smith
What I do
Co-founder of Article 10 design agency
Where I live
Didcot, Oxfordshire
Outside Interests
Board sports, mountaineering, travel, computer gaming, movies and music
If you could design and create your ultimate product, what would it be?
A babel fish -- not the Internet thing, a proper electrical, stick-it-in-your-ear, language translation device, like in Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
What tech insider secret do you find most useful?
Although it's tempting to buy one of the big brand names, a little research often reveals products of superior quality and better value from specialist manufacturers
Do you have three you can't live without? Click here
