Gadgetry and tech has evolved heavily over the last few decade. We now have things called TiVos, NetFlix and Blu-ray for a start. There’s a be-bewildering array of items and gadgets you could buy for your lounge to make it the ultimate tech room, such as a costly media center, huge 3D TV and a Mac Mini to power it all. So we’ve done all the mental work for you and picked the 5 products you should look into upgrading immediately.

LED TV

If you want a future proof tv-unit, then look at getting an LED back-lit LCD TV. These have really come down in price recently, to reasonable levels for a TV. LED back-lighting offers a superior band of colors, including rich blacks and makes for a great viewing experience. Aim for something over 40 inches and you should be able to keep the telly for at least 5 years. 3D is just a little too new and costly right now and with TV’s only just beginning to make their way onto the market that don’t require the use of glasses, their practicality is questionable. Remember, the TV is the viewing portal for your whole set-up, so don’t scrimp and always buy the best you can afford now.

Amazing graphics and deep colors from an LED TV top off any tech lounge set-up.

Mac Mini

The recent update of the Mac Mini has made it even more perfect as a media computer. Thanks to (finally) support for HDMI, the Mac Mini can output high quality HD Graphics to your TV – whether that be a film for all the family to watch or surfing the news on a morning. Though not particularly cheap, a lot of the software to enable the Mini for use as an entertainment system is. There are also several iPhone apps that allow you to make the iPhone into a wireless mouse or remote and similar are offered for the iPad. This is a great looking system that is right at home at the heart of any tech lounge.

Tech Couch

ARTANOVA of Switzerland offer a rather pricey (think $15k) super-tech couch, complete with two monitors and a PC. It does appear to be running Windows Vista in the screenshot, but don’t let that put you off. There’s not a lot known about physical specs, but some sits have suggested it probably has a touch screen monitor set-up, some input ports down the outside of both monitors – which are retractable into your armrest. The ultimate way to work in your lounge, or reply to mails. Can’t afford $15k though?

iPad & accessories

An iPad is fast becoming a major player in the home tech set-up arena. Think about, using the Apple AV cable set-up, you can send video and audio out to your TV and external speakers. You can read email, websites and books – and even carry out some word processing via Pages for iPad. All you need is a stand, a keyboard if you plan on any serious typing work and the various connectors from Apple. Who wouldn’t want to watch a surfing dog on their HD TV?

Surround Sound System

Why spend large amounts on upgrading your visuals if you ignore audio? A good surround sound system can be picked up for less than $500 now. CNET recommends the Samsung HTC6500. These speakers will boost the sound quality from your TV and offer an involving movie watching experience. You really do feel as though your in the water with Jaws or sat on the deck of the Enterprise next to young James Kirk.