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Cabe Atwell’s “A Holiday Gift Guide that Will Change Your Life” is a personal 2024 holiday gift list for engineers, programmers, and makers. Published by Electronic Design on December 17, 2024, it ranges from backup and design tools to books and retro gaming. Its through-line is to choose something that helps the recipient build, learn, or enjoy a hobby—not simply to buy the most expensive tool.
What kind of gift guide is it?
Atwell presents the recommendations as ideas for gifts to give an engineer or maker—or to buy for oneself. It is a first-person recommendation list, not a product test or a current buying guide. His preferences and experience explain why particular items made the list, but the article does not establish current prices, availability, licensing, or specifications.
The broader Electronic Design 2024 engineers’ gift-guide index frames the collection for engineers and programmers. Atwell’s own article is a varied list rather than a ranking: the right choice depends on what the recipient already owns and what they like to do.
Back up the projects and files that matter
Atwell’s most personal recommendation begins with a data-loss story. He says two mirrored 8-TB hard drives appeared to fail after he changed his PC’s power supplies. Although he assumed the mirror protected him, his attempted controller-board repair did not recover the data, and he ultimately used a data-recovery company.
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He says the experience prompted him to adopt the 3-2-1 backup approach: keep three copies of data, use two different formats on site, and keep one copy remotely. Atwell named Backblaze as the remote service he chose and praised its storage and version-history features as described at the time. Those comments reflect his 2024 article, not a statement of the service’s current plans or terms.
Choose design software for the recipient’s work
Atwell distinguishes 2D drafting from 3D CAD and professional use from hobby projects. His software mentions are suggestions from his article, not a current comparison of features or licenses.
| Need | Atwell’s perspective and named options |
|---|---|
| 2D drafting | He says he had recommended DraftSight but used its last free version. He considered the article-era price of $300 per year too high for his purposes and names LibreCAD and FreeCAD as alternatives. |
| 3D CAD | He says SolidWorks is his professional preference. For hobby use, he mentions a Maker version he understood to cost $50 per year, along with FreeCAD, TinkerCAD, Fusion 360, and SketchUp. |
The prices and product terms above are Atwell’s article-era descriptions; they should not be treated as current offers. For a gift, first check whether the recipient needs professional capabilities, is learning CAD, or already has a preferred workflow.
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For 3D printing, value usable results over endless setup
Atwell’s printer advice centers on reducing setup and tinkering. In his words, “I always say, ‘Don’t build a project before building your projects.’” He favors an enclosed print area, which he says can reduce the effects of drafts, temperature changes, and dust during longer prints.
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Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →He names the Tiertime Up Box+ as a turnkey printer he had recommended and says his own printer at the time was an older QIDI model. He describes the QIDI X-Plus 3 as a comparable option, citing features such as auto-calibration and a heated bed. He also notes that its filament sits outside the print area and can absorb moisture. As possible workarounds, he mentions a separate printer enclosure, heat, desiccant, or air filtration. These are his 2024 observations, not verified current specifications or safety guidance; confirm model details with the manufacturer before buying.
For circuit projects, consider the whole path from design to build
For printed circuit board design, Atwell says he previously suggested Autodesk Eagle but found its article-era price too high. He names KiCad EDA and EasyEDA as free alternatives that he considers robust for many circuits and useful for learning PCB workflows. For fabrication, he says OSHPARK is his preferred service.
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For breadboards and perfboards, he suggests trying a layout virtually with Fritzing before building it physically. Atwell described Fritzing’s executable as available through a donation he understood to be $10, with building from its GitHub repository as another route. These are historical descriptions; check each project or service for current access, pricing, and terms.
Small tools that support everyday bench work
Atwell recommends a caliper that can measure in both imperial and metric units. He prefers a dial model to a digital one because he finds replacing digital-caliper batteries inconvenient. That is a personal preference, not a finding that dial calipers are more accurate.
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A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11He also suggests keeping several inexpensive multimeters available for quick voltage, resistance, and continuity checks. His recommendation is about convenience for routine checks, not a safety or accuracy comparison. His humorous “$7” example is not a current price, and a low-cost meter should not be assumed suitable for every measurement or electrical hazard.
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- 【 Compact Screwdriver Set 】This small screwdriver repair tool kit shaped like a container, allowing multiple sets to be stacked. 160 common magnetic bits are built into the 4 partitions for easy access and won't fall out. Each bit is marked with standard or inch markings for quick identification of the screwdriver tip you need. Also included are straight and curved ESD tweezers, opening picks, crowbars, extension shaft, bit adaptors, suction cup for easy screen removal and easy carrying.
- 【 Durable Screwdriver Repair Kit 】This screwdriver bit set features replaceable chrome vanadium tool steel bits (HRC52) with a phosphated surface for durability, precision, and non-destructive repair of electronic devices. The tips storage box, made of high-strength ABS plastic, is drop-resistant. It includes 2 square magnets on each corner for secure closure. Or use the golden latch to attach the sticky notes or fridge magnet to the 4 round magnets on the outer surface as a reminder or decoration.
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Give a development board the recipient does not already have
Rather than choose a board in isolation, Atwell’s rule is to consider what the recipient already owns and what they might want to explore next. His examples are a Raspberry Pi for someone who has an Arduino, or a Micro:bit 2 for someone with a BeagleBone. The generations and availability of boards can change, so check compatibility and current product details before purchasing.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Books for building circuits or reading for pleasure
Atwell suggests a collected annual best-short-science-fiction anthology for readers who enjoy the genre. For hands-on electronics, he names his book Essential 555 IC: Design, Configure, and Create Clever Circuits, which he describes as project-based instruction that moves from simpler to more complex 555 timer projects. He also mentions Alix Paultre’s Cyberchild and Return of the Falcon, a novel Atwell edited.
Atwell says he had asked his publisher for a discount code for his book. That was a promotion discussed in the 2024 article and should not be assumed to remain active.
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A retro console for someone who likes old games
Atwell closes with the Atari 7800+, which he highlights for HDMI output, wireless controllers, and compatibility with Atari 2600 and 7800 cartridges, as well as support for new or reissued games. He sees its appeal in nostalgia and family play. These are article-era product claims; check an authoritative current product listing for the specific console’s bundle and compatibility.
How to use the list when choosing a gift
The guide is most useful as a menu of different ways to support an engineer’s interests, not as a single ranked shortlist. Match the type of gift to the recipient’s projects and working style:
Quick Recap
- For someone who depends on project files: consider whether their backup routine includes an off-site copy.
- For a CAD learner or practitioner: distinguish hobby learning from professional work, and check current software terms.
- For a maker who prints parts: weigh setup effort and enclosure needs against the recipient’s willingness to maintain and adjust a printer.
- For electronics projects: consider whether the next useful step is PCB design, fabrication, breadboarding, measurement, or a new development board.
- For a personal-interest gift: choose a technical book, science-fiction anthology, or retro-gaming option that fits the recipient rather than their job title alone.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
