Last-minute shopping for dad? Here's what I'd buy

Another Father's Day  is upon us, and you must be wondering what to give dear old dad. Mom seems to get all the love, while dad suffers with socks, ties and aftershave for Christmas that he doesn't need; he gets not much better on his special day. Why not make this year really memorable for dad and plunk down some serious dough on a last-minute present that will keep his arms (and wallet) open to you for years?

I've selected a short-list of presents that dad will die for -- and hopefully not for real because you bought him something so nice (keep the receipt just in case).

Fujifilm FinePix X100. It's the digital camera to die for, and you might expire trying to find one last minute. Most camera stores struggle to keep any in stock for more than five or 10 minutes. This is one handsome camera that harkens back to 1950's-era rangefinders. There's retro-style but modern features nicely hidden. "The joke is that you know you are carrying the very latest, cutting-edge, $1,200 semiprofessional camera, but passers-by think you're the last Luddite film buff in America," David Pogue writes in his X100 review for the New York Times.

The X100 packs a fixed f/2 lens (dad can get into shape by being the telephoto); 12-megapixel APS-C sensor -- like the one in dSLRs but in compact body (X100 measures 26.5mm wide by 74.4mm high by 53.9mm deep and weighs 445 grams -- that's 5  x 2.9  x 2.1 inches and 15.7 ounces); external controls; a real viewfinder (no squinting at a LCD panel in bright sunlight); near silent shutter; 720p video recording and more.

The X100 is no cheap purchase at $1,199.99 -- if you can find it. DigitalRev in Hong Kong has the X100 in stock, you'll pay more -- $1,385 -- but shipping is fast. I ordered the matching LC-X 100 leather case late Wednesday afternoon, and it arrived yesterday. That's right, just two days. Just tell dad you've got a special present coming from Asia and it was delayed in shipping.

Samsung Series 9. This beautiful, svelte laptop is one fine-looking Windows 7 machine -- and it puts down Apple's MacBook Air with better features. But you will pay dearly for them. The Series 9 comes in two screen sizes, 11.6-inches and 13.3 inches (not coincidently like MacBook Air). Quick specs:

11.6-inch model: 1.33GHz Intel Core i3-380UM processor; 11.6-inch LED backlit display with 1366 x 768 resolution, 2GB DDR3 memory, 64GB solid-state drive, webcam, Bluetooth, WiFi "n", one USB 3.0 port, two USB 2 ports, mini-HDMI port, MicroSD reader, 4-cell battery, and Windows 7 Home Premium. The laptop measures 297.18 x 198.12 x 16.51 mm (11.7 x 7.8 x 0.65 inches) and weighs 1.04kg (2.88 pounds). Price: $1,149.

13.3-inch model: 1.4GHz Intel Core i5-2537M processor; 13.3-inch LED backlit display with 1366 x 768 resolution, 4GB DDR3 memory, 128GB solid-state drive, webcam, Bluetooth, WiFi "n", two each USB 3 and USB 2 ports, mini-HDMI port, MicroSD reader, 6-cell battery and Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit. The laptop measures 327.66 x 226.06 x 16.25 mm (12.9 x 8.9 x 0.64 inches) and weighs 1.3kg (2.88pounds). Price: $1,499.

Now, if dad is a Mac guy, then you'll have to consider the Air instead, which ranges in price from $999 to 1,599.

Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 WiFi. Dad doesn't want an iPad. He needs Android 3.1 glory. The Tab 10.1 is for men who like to tinker. That's because there aren't lots of native apps for v3.1, aka Honeycomb; the desktops support live content (via widgets); and the operating system is more customizable than Apple's iOS. Honeycomb's appearance is masculine, swathed in black, dark grey and blue. It's a black-tie event. The hardware has style, too, with dimensions that are different from iPad 2. The Galaxy Tab 10.1 is taller and narrower in portrait mode.

Quick specs: 10.1-inch capacitive touchscreen with 1280 x 800 resolution; 1GHz dual-core processor; 16GB storage; microSD slot expands storage up to 32GB; 3-megapixel rear-facing camera with LED flash and 2-megapixel front-facing camera; 720p video recording; 1080p video playback (at 30 frames per second); WiFi N; Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR; accelerometer; ambient light sensor; digital compass; gyroscope; and Android 3.1.

However, as I will explain in my forthcoming "second impressions" review, Tab 10.1 falls short on video. If you're dad is a video junkie, the Samsung tablet isn't for him. Adobe Flash is supported, but video options are skimpy. The hardware is plenty capable, but not the software. Hulu and Netflix don't work, nor do the Google Videos or Samsung Media Hub apps. Amazon Instant Videos play nicely, but there are some rendering issues for accessing full-screen and other controls in landscape mode.

Galaxy Tab 10.1 is perfect for anyone using Google services, like Gmail, Calendar or Contacts. But if your dad is an Apple junkie or metrosexual, he might prefer iPad more. Prices are nearly identical  -- just 99 cents more for Tab 10.1, based on storage and wireless options: $499.99 (16GB); 599.99 (32GB). Like the FinePix X100, you may not be able to get the Tab 10.1 for dad's day, ordering from Amazon or Best Buy.

Nespresso CitiZ Automatic Espresso Maker (and Milk Frother). You don't spend enough time with dear old dad. Why not meet him for coffee -- at home! You'll want to come over every day to drink his espresso. The Nepresso CitiZ espresso maker is highly rated on Amazon and elsewhere. It makes one cup at a time, which gives you more time to catch up with dad while you both await your brew.

The machine comes in black, red and silver -- and you'll pay more for silver or red (that's the one I like). This is a cheaper gift than the others (but still plenty pricey for a coffee maker), and you're more likely to walk into a store and walk out with one. The espresso machine's street price is $349.99 but is available for less, particularly the black model.