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9.0 out of 10
Intimus 522D-PT Powered Tower Speaker Pair
Three-way tower speakers with integrated powered woofer; excellent sound for music and movies; sounds big, even with low-powered receivers; gorgeous, furniture-grade finishes; risk-free 30-day in-home trial. Full Review
8.8 out of 10
KEF KHT-3005 (black)
The KEF KHT-3005 is one compact, beautifully designed speaker package with solid aluminum satellites that feature unique driver technology to produce incredible clarity. Meanwhile, the equally astounding dual 10-inch, 250-watt powered subwoofer delivers ultradeep bass. Full Review
8.8 out of 10
KEF KHT-3005 (silver)
The KEF KHT-3005 is one compact, beautifully designed speaker package with solid aluminum satellites that feature unique driver technology to produce incredible clarity. Meanwhile, the equally astounding dual 10-inch, 250-watt powered subwoofer delivers ultradeep bass. Full Review
8.7 out of 10
Logitech Squeezebox Duet
Network digital audio system includes excellent wireless remote with color screen and scroll wheel control; supports Wi-Fi and Ethernet home networks; compatible with virtually all non-DRM audio file formats, provides access to PC-based music files (on Windows, Mac, and Linux machines) as well as PC-free Internet radio, podcasts, and premium online music services including Rhapsody, Sirius, and Pandora; excellent online account integration; expandable to multiple rooms. Full Review
8.6 out of 10
Sony PlayStation 3 Metal Gear Solid 4 Bundle (80GB)
Swanky design with quiet operation; all games in high-definition; PSP-like easy-to-use interface; plays Profile 2.0 high-definition Blu-ray movies in addition to upscaling standard DVDs; built-in Wi-Fi and flash media reader; 80GB hard drive; online play is free; HDMI output with 1080p support; no external power supply; free online gaming service; plays most PS2 and all PS1 games. Full Review
8.5 out of 10
Microsoft Xbox 360 (20GB)
Superior selection of games, including several console-exclusive titles; all games in high-definition; easy-to-use Dashboard interface; excellent online gaming and communications via Xbox Live; plays hundreds of (but not all) original Xbox titles; doubles as a superior digital media hub and Windows Media Center extender; online Marketplace allows for easy purchases of downloadable full-scale games, mini-games, movies, and TV shows; latest version offers HDMI output with 1080p support. Full Review
8.6 out of 10
Wi-Ex zBoost YX510-PCS-CEL cell phone signal extender
The Wi-Ex zBoost YX510-PCS-CEL significantly boosts your cell phone reception and is easy to operate. Also, it uses a wireless connection to your phone. Full Review
8.6 out of 10
Turbo Charge Tc2 portable cell phone charger
The Turbo Charge Tc2 portable cell phone charger successfully delivers emergency power to your cell phone. It's easy to use and comes with a couple of surprising features. Full Review
8.3 out of 10
LG VX6000 (Verizon Wireless)
Compact and stylish; impressive battery life; solid audio quality; sharp color screen; built-in camera; USB ready; affordable. Full Review
9.3 out of 10
Canon EOS 1D Mark III
Extremely fast, 10-megapixel continuous shooting; very low noise; highly customizable; well-designed body with weather sealing; 3-inch LCD; abundant optional accessories. Full Review
9.3 out of 10
Nikon D3 (body only)
Full-frame sensor; well designed, pro-level weather-sealed body; very low noise, even at extremely high ISOs; fast. Full Review
9.0 out of 10
Canon EOS-1D Mark II N
Combination of fast drive mode and high resolution; large buffer; highly customizable; saves custom camera setups to media, supports cards greater than 2GB. Full Review
9.1 out of 10
HP Pavilion Slimline S3330f
Outstanding price-to-feature ratio; Blu-ray/HD DVD combo drive; small, flexible case; great performance thanks to a speedy dual-core AMD CPU Full Review
8.7 out of 10
Dell XPS 630
Fastest gaming performance in its price category (mostly); distinctive chassis; lots of expandability; Nvidia software makes overclocking easy. Full Review
8.5 out of 10
Apple iMac (24-inch, 2.8GHz)
A minor specification update results in some significant performance gains; graphics upgrade an option on this 24-inch model; sleek, polished design didn't receive an update, but we won't start clamoring for a new design until the current one is at least 12 months old. Full Review
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Bill @ Jul 9th 2008 9:17AM
When someone asks me for advice on a DSLR purchase, I usually ask them how they plan to use it. My next question is what they realistically expect to spend over the next few years for lenses to support their camera. If they have no intention of spending the money to buy the high dollar image stabilized lenses available for professional DSLRs, then they really have many more choices than the "Big 2" camera companies. For less than $1,000, most people would likely be able to get more camera and lens than they would ever need. Depending on their choice of cameras, they might also end up with one that had image stabilization built into the body.
Carla Yokum @ Jul 9th 2008 11:55AM
What kind of DSLR camera do you recommend then? I want one with with stabilization. I want a new camera and do not know very much about them, although I am willing to learn.
Jimmy Weener @ Jul 9th 2008 9:28AM
I have a Kodak easy share z612 it takes great picture,and has a great zoom.The cost was less than $200.00 complete.
complik8td @ Jul 9th 2008 11:30AM
I've been using a Panasonic FZ18 for a few months now. I got it at a great price, and I'm achieving some very nice results with it. This Panasonic model is terrific for those who want (somewhat) DSLR quality images without having to go to that expense. I'd highly recommend it.
artist @ Jul 9th 2008 12:12PM
As a long time SLR user and darkroom photographer who has long since gone digital (Elf subcompact) I must say there is one page of this excellent review I differ with. As my little digital pics exceed the quality of my film experience in sharpness, resolution, noise and particularly exposure latitude. And as my Nikon SLR exceeded by far the quality of the typical amateur snap shooter of yesteryear. The great majority of photographers need no more than one of the current Canon Elf models or similar to fully meet their needs. Incredibly good, creative and technical work is achieved in mass numbers with these little cameras that are affordable. For perfectionists, sure, consider dropping $1-$2,000 on a DSLR with features that require weeks of study to begin to appreciate. But don't count on having that brick with you when you go for that 2 hour picnic or casual outing to the zoo.
This column could simply state that, and have buyers concentrate on the other good points raised in the advice column.
photorit52 @ Jul 9th 2008 12:51PM
i use a kodak z740 and people are amazed at the results i get-- and i have used everything from a kodak 35 , rollei , linhof and deep sea underwater cameras. the phantom has spoken!
Blake @ Jul 9th 2008 12:55PM
Just make sure you don't buy a camera that uses regular batteries because they don't last very long.
I'm looking for a new SLR and saw on http://www.cityskoop.com that Circuit City has a sale on digital cameras
Christina J @ Jul 9th 2008 2:08PM
The most important thing that I look at is the lens. MOST stores, no matter how professional, will sell you used cameras that their employees borrow. You need to open the box and look at the lens. If it has fingerprints on it, DO NOT BUY!!
Alice @ Jul 10th 2008 5:20AM
Voted the post on Digg.
Charles L Svihla @ Jul 10th 2008 10:39PM
Can I use my AE-1 camera interchangeable lenses with your Cannon Digital cameras, would i need to purcchase a SLR camera?