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Best holiday gifts to keep family and friends connected

You want to stay close to your friends and family? These are the best networking products that not only make great gifts but also help everybody stay well-connected despite the physical distance.

Dong Ngo
CNET editor Dong Ngo has been involved with technology since 2000, starting with testing gadgets and writing code for CNET Labs' benchmarks. He now manages CNET San Francisco Labs, reviews 3D printers, networking/storage devices, and also writes about other topics from online security to new gadgets and how technology impacts the life of people around the world.
Dong Ngo
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1 of 11 Dong Ngo/CNET

Netgear Nighthawk AC1900 Smart Wi-Fi Router (R7000)

The R7000 is the latest from Netgear and is the best the networking vendor has to offer general consumers to date. This new router offers stellar Wi-Fi speeds, superfast network storage performance (when coupled with an external hard drive), and a host of great features. It also comes with support for third-party firmware, making it the best gift for your geeky friend who wants a powerful device to tinker with.

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2 of 11 Dong Ngo/CNET

Asus RT-AC68U Dual-band Wireless-AC1900 Gigabit Router

The Asus RT-AC68U redefines "cutting-edge." It's currently the fastest Wi-Fi router on the market and also comes with a host of useful features. If a friend of yours wants a Wi-Fi router that has it all, this is the ultimate gift.

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3 of 11 Dong Ngo/CNET

Motorola SBG6782-AC Surfboard eXtreme Cable Modem

The Motorola SBG6782 is the only modem/router combo device on this list, and it will make a great gift because both the modem and the router parts are top-notch. The device's coaxial port also works as a MoCA connector, making it a great deal and an excellent present for a cable Internet subscriber.

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4 of 11 Dong Ngo

Apple AirPort Extreme Base Station

The Apple AirPort Extreme Base Station could make a great gift just on its looks alone. And it's not a bad router, either.

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5 of 11 Dong Ngo/CNET

Linksys PLEK500 Powerline AV2 Gigabit Network Adapter Kit

The PLEK500 is Linksys' easy-to-use power line adapter kit; it's perfect for any friend who needs to extend his or her wired network but still wants it to be fast.

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6 of 11 Dong Ngo/CNET

Netgear Zing

The Zing is Netgear's first step into cellular mobile hot spots, and it does its job well. In fact the only thing that holds it back is Sprint's 4G LTE service, which is still sparse. But if you live or travel within Sprint's coverage, the Zing will definitely offer you the best Sprint has to offer, and will make a great mobile companion that keeps you connected with up to 10 Wi-Fi-enabled mobile devices when you're out and about.

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7 of 11 Dong Ngo/CNET

Apple AirPort Time Capsule

This is the latest Time Capsule from Apple, and like the new AirPort Extreme, it makes a great-looking gift. On the inside, however, the device is the best Time Capsule to date, with great Wi-Fi and storage performance. This is an easy gift recommendation for those who own a few Apple computers, especially one of those new 802.11ac-enabled MacBook Airs.

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8 of 11 Dong Ngo/CNET

Trendnet TEW-812DRU AC1750 Dual Band Wireless Router

The Trendnet TEW-812DRU is a frills-free 802.11ac router that's also one of the most affordable on the market. The router offers great Wi-Fi range, fast data rates, and a very stable Wi-Fi signal. It'll make a great present for somebody who just needs a reliable and fast Wi-Fi network.

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9 of 11 Dong Ngo/CNET

Trendnet Powerline 500 AV Nano Adapter

Tiny, fast, and extremely affordable, costing just around $30 for two units, the Trendnet Powerline 500 AV Nano Adapter is a perfect gift for anybody who wants to quickly extend his or her wired network in the home without having to run network cables.

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10 of 11 Dong Ngo/CNET

Actiontec 500 Mbps Powerline Network Adapter Kit

The Actiontec 500 Mbps Powerline Network Adapter Kit is another great power line gift choice thanks to its great speed, ease of use, and affordability.

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11 of 11 Dong Ngo/CNET

Samsung LTE HotSpot Pro

T-Mobile's Samsung LTE HotSport Pro is the first cellular mobile router on the market that also works as a juice pack, and delivers in both roles. The device makes an excellent gift for anybody who's in need of bringing both fast Internet and extra battery life on the go, which is most of us these days.

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