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Hewlett-Packard
PhotoSmart 435 At the entry-level position, we highly recommend the Hewlett-Packard PhotoSmart 435. While its is one of the most inexpensive models available on the retail market, this tiny 3.27 MegaPixel camera will not disappoint the average enthusiast and is perfect for first-time digital camera owners. It offers simplistic controls and well designed on screen menus. It also features a 5x digital zoom, a sharp 1.5-inch LCD display, and support for both SD and MMC memory cards. Direct printing to USB HP photo printers is even included.
Canon
PowerShot S50 In the mid-range class, we recommend the Canon PowerShot S50. The S50 delivers all the features most anyone could ever need in a digital camera. This model features an impressive 5 MegaPixel rating and delivers crisp images with its 12x combined zoom capability (3x optical, 4.1x digital). At the hear of the S50 is Canon’s revolutionary DIGIC Imaging Processor, an intelligent chip capable of automatically adjusting focus speed, accuracy, exposure time, and white balance. Simply put, this is “the digital camera” to own right now. Recommended Accessories:
The 300D is the world’s first digital single lens reflex camera priced under $1,000. Film buffs generally shun digital due to film cameras producing higher quality print output than most digital cameras, but the 6 megapixel 300D should change that, and at a very affordable price. Add to that the benefit of changeable lenses and this camera makes for a very appealing total package.
Recommended Accessories:
While stationary images are nice, having the ability to digitally create a movie can be a wonderful experience. Considering it is 2003, it is time to toss the old analog video tape camcorder that often serves little more purpose than to collect dust while setting upon a shelf in the back of a closet. In this digital age we can look towards DVD as the format of choice. The Sony DCR-DVD300 starting at $780 is the latest and great digital camcorder to hit the market, and the consumer response has been quite favorable. The unit can also perform double duty as an impromptu digital camera with the ability to store thousands of images to a single 3-inch DVD-RAM disc.
 Sony
KV-32FS210 32-inch WEGA Television- starting at $654 If you are shopping for a more affordable viewing solution, then look no further than Sony. The Sony KV-32FS210 32-inch WEGA Television is a favorite among ResellerRatings shoppers. Viewers are guaranteed sharp images delivered via the Trinitron tube and three-line digital comb filter. This WEGA unit also offers a 16:9 enhanced mode engineered specifically for watching DVD movies.
Now that you have found have the perfect television for that perfect someone, it is time to address the sound situation. There is only one name to know when shopping for home audio: Bose. The Bose LifeStyle 28 Home Entertainment System packs a serious punch, but you will need to bring along the wallet as well. This system starts at whopping $1980, but you are receiving a true top-quality 5.1 surround sound system complete with receiver, radio tuner, and DVD player. Ear plugs not included!
While Bose may be our favorite, we also know that all but the most insane audiophiles are probably not prepared to drop over $2000 for just a set of home speakers. Accordingly, we recommend looking towards the RCA RTDVD1 System for a cost-effective home audio setup. With prices starting at just $203, this system packs a DVD player, receiver, radio tuner, and 5.1 speaker system into a single bundle. Do not be biased by the lower wattage rating, as the RTDVD1 delivers great mid-range response for bringing out the best in movie dialog.
For the
friend on the go, we recommend tossing in a personal video recorder
as well. The TiVo Series 2 DVR represents our top pick, as this unit
can record upto 80 hours of video with pricing starting at
$225. Other
features include instant replay (great for sports) and convenient
one touch recording. If you seeking the best value for the money,
then you can also look towards a DirecTV
Satellite System. Many of these retail bundles include a TiVo
or similar PVR device. For example, pricing starts at just
$49 after
rebate for Dell's
DirectTV TiVo System.
In today's
age, the analog VCR has been relegated down to being a antiquated
device for diehards not willing to transition to digital video. 2003
is the age of the DVD disc, and nobody does digital video better than
Pioneer. The Pioneer
DVR-810H Recorder/Player supports the popular DVD-R/W format and
sports progressive scan playback and Dolby Digital DTS surround sound
decoding. It also integrates a TiVo recorder with an impressive 102
hours of storage capacity.
No home entertainment system would be complete without a slick gaming console included in the package. If you need a bargain basement deal that is sure to please, then the Nintendo GameCube will fit the bill starting at right under $100. The Sony PlayStation 2 is another excellent gaming console, but expect to pay a premium due to the complexity of the system. Pricing starts at $180. Even though we can not deny the popular of the PS2, we are giving this years top spot to the Microsoft Xbox Holiday Bundle for since it includes two great games: Star Wars: The Clone Wars and Tetris Worlds Online. Armed with the right knowledge, the Xbox can be the definitive toy for the geek in your family.
The RIM Blackberry 7230 is today's most desired telecom device for the person on the go. Who can blame its users? This handheld simply outclasses any cell phone or PDA on the market today. Starting at just $399 after rebates (when purchased with a service plan), the Blackberry 7230 sports a sharp 240x160 color display, backlit QWERTY keyboard, and neat thumb-operated trackball. It includes applications for viewing documents created with Word, Excel, PowerPoint, WordPerfect, and Adobe PDF. Email support is extended to both Microsoft Exchange and Lotus Domino. The 7230 even supports both GSM and GPRS wireless networks, thus allow its users to roam freely about North America, Europe, and Asia Pacific with absolutely no hassle. Simply put, the Blackberry is the ultimate PDA, phone, organizer, handheld; well, we are not sure exactly what it is, but it is cool!
Okay, we understand the Blackberry may be overkill, especially for those not seeking a million-in-one handheld device. In these cases we recommend the Nokia 3650 Cell Phone, available for FREE when purchased with a service plan. However, do not discount the features just because it is a "cell phone." The 3650 includes an integrated digital camera with video capture capabilities, plus it sports a color screen, 3.4MB memory, Bluetooth wireless networking, Java application support, and MP4 video playback. It is also certain to attract much attention from fellow geeks, as this phone has a rather unconventional, rotary-style keypad.
At least in terms of the software available as of December 2003, the Dell Dimension 2400 Desktop PC is all the power you could possibly need, though you may want to drop in a total of 256MB-512MB of RAM for good measure (128MB is included). The Dimension 2400 comes complete with a P4 at 2.53 GHz, an 80GB 7200RPM hard drive, Windows XP Home, a 48x CD-ROM and a 48x CD-RW burner. Super hard core gamers might want to add an ATI Radeon 9800 Pro or similar to this system, but most gamers and everyone else should be ecstatic with the Dimension 2400.
Having enough free space to install new applications, catalog multimedia, and store data is always a concern for PC users. We have witnessed a steep drop in drive prices this years, especially for hard drives and DVD recorders. Western Digital's 250 GB Special Edition HDD takes top honors for 2003 in terms of price and performance. This ultra-quick 7200 RPM drive is available in both ATA-100 and Serial ATA models with pricing starting at $219. Several vendors have also promoted this drive in recent weeks with prices sinking to only $149 after mail-in rebates.
Assuming you have been following along, we are about half way to building a complete system. Now that we have data processing and storage capabilities, we will need to be able to view the information being parsed. Our video card of choice is the ATI Radeon 9800 XT. This is the premier gaming card of today with its impressive 256 MB of onboard memory, full DirectX 9 support, massive memory bandwidth, and unparalleled rendering power. Pricing is high at $450+, but the 9800 XT should be the only video card anyone will need for many month to come. If you seeking a more cost friendly solution, the Radeon 9600 XT starting at just $178 will work nicely for casual gamers.
We suggest taking a close look at the Eizo FlexScan L675 Black 18.1-inch LCD Monitor for $600. These are factory refurbished units, but this model has a manufacturer suggested retail price of $1700 new. A two-year protection plan can be purchased for $37.99 for those concerned about purchasing a refurbished display. While plenty of other LCD displays are available in the same price range, you will be hard pressed to find a sub-$1000 monitor with better engineering and display quality than the L675.
There’s something about the 3-series BMW that can't quite be captured. Maybe it’s the rock solid feel, the way it clings to the road when you fling it around corners, the quality interior or the huge array of features like optional GPS Navigation, heated seats, and Xenon lights. Whatever it is, the 3-series is a coveted car for those with refined taste and a bit of extra cash. At 184hp, the 325i packs enough punch to excite most, but for even more agility and oomph, opt for the 225hp 330i. We’re not the only ones that love this car, the 3-series is on the Car and Driver Magazine 10 Best Cars and Edmunds Most Wanted 2004 lists. And if you want to save $1945 (325i), you can pick up your car in Munich, drive it around (on the autobahn!), and have BMW ship it to the U.S. for free, via BMW’s European Delivery program.
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Dell
Dimension 2400 Desktop
