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Sunday, May 27, 2012
TECH BUYING GUIDE
Introduction

WIRELESS
Handhelds
Cell Phones
Cell-Phone Extras

COMPUTERS
Laptops
Desktops
Flat Screens
Micro Storage
Lindows

THE DIGITAL HOME
Wired Home
Personal Firewalls
Online Games
Digital Photography




DIGITAL HOME




Archos Jukebox Multimedia 20 (W/photo module)
EDITORS' CHOICE
CNET RATING: 9
DESCRIPTION: Portable Video and Audio Player, MP3, MP3 VBR, AVI, 16 MB, Hard Disk Drive - built-in - 20 GB, MusicMatch Jukebox included, 1 x CompactFlash Card, 1 x SmartMedia Card, 1 x MultiMedia Card, 1 x Lithium Ion, 8 hr est. battery life, Microsoft Windows 98SE/Me/2K/XP, Mac OS 8.6 or higher, Microsoft Windows 98SE/Me/2K/XP, Mac OS 8.6 or higher

GOOD: Multitude of inputs and outputs; can display images and video on a TV; 20GB hard drive; grabs photos from digicams without a PC; transfers files over USB 1.1, USB 2.0, or FireWire; expandable functionality.

BAD: No remote currently available; battery life could be better; USB 2.0 and FireWire cables not included.

BOTTOMLINE: This portable jack-of-all-trades does it all: MP3s, digital photos, and even video.



Apple iPod (10 GB, Windows)
CNET RATING: 8
DESCRIPTION: MP3 player, MP3 (320 Kbps), MP3 (VBR), WAV, AIFF, 10 GB, Hard Disk Drive - built-in - 10 GB, Musicmatch Jukebox Plus included, 1 x IEEE 1394a, 1 x Lithium polymer, 10 hr est. battery life, Windows Me/2000/XP Home/XP Professional

GOOD: Great design; compact; automatically syncs to MusicMatch Plus; superfast FireWire transfers; easy navigation; remote control; carrying case.

BAD: Pricey; can't record voice memos or line-in audio; no FM radio; must manually sync calendar and contact info; must install FireWire card.

BOTTOMLINE: This is the smallest, best-designed hard drive-based MP3 player that you can buy for Windows, but it does have minor compatibility issues.



AudioTron
CNET RATING: 8
GOOD: Clean interface on device and PC; digital-audio output; plays Internet radio; Mac and Linux compatible, robust construction; connects via Ethernet or HPNA.

BAD: Requires live connection with computer; ease of setup varies depending on network configuration; 100-page manual.

BOTTOMLINE: If you're comfortable with tackling a few setup steps, this sub-$500 DAR is a great way to go.



Linksys EtherFast wireless AP
CNET RATING: 7
GOOD: Smooth installation; excellent performance; great phone support.

BAD: Sometimes confusing documentation; lacks a key security feature.

BOTTOMLINE: The Linksys wireless router joins wireless and Ethernet networks with broadband in a well-designed, economical package for SOHO users, but a few flaws in documentation and security pull it up short of perfection.



 Reviews Provided by: CNET.com

DESKTOPS

NOTEBOOKS

HANDHELD/PHONE

PERSONAL FIREWALLS

CAMERAS

DIGITAL HOME

FLAT-PANEL DISPLAYS


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