A reader writes: I've decided to get a secondary computer and want to keep it cheap -- but there are so many netbooks and low-priced notebooks on the market that I don't know where to start. I want something reasonably powerful and comfortable to work with. Just tell me what to get! Dearest ...

by Chris Morris on Dec 21st 2009 12:48PM

Comments: 22

digg_url ='http://www.switched.com/2009/11/30/the-10-most-annoying-things-about-facebook/'; Sure, Facebook can be a lot of fun. It's a great way to reconnect with lost friends and to keep up with people on the fringes of your social circle. And as far as workday distractions go, there's ...

by Chris Morris on Nov 30th 2009 1:00PM

Comments: 50

We've all got that person on our list -- the one who's impossible to buy for. They've got everything they need and most of the stuff they want, which makes them a challenge for any gift giver. You could go the gift card route, but it's much more fun to get creative. We dug up 10 of the more unusual ...

by Chris Morris on Nov 26th 2009 1:30PM

Comments: 32

Mickey Mouse is returning to the video game world in a big way. Disney has officially announced 'Epic Mickey,' a new Nintendo Wii game that's aimed at taking the world's most famous mouse back to his roots. Due in late 2010, the in-game Mickey will be a far cry from the character many people are ...

by Chris Morris on Oct 30th 2009 1:34PM

Comments: 41

9. If you're a homebody... Typical subscription plan providers offer networks that extend over the majority of the country, but some prepaid plans focus their coverage on select areas. If yours is one of those areas -- and you don't travel much (or ever) -- it's worth considering going ...

by Chris Morris on Oct 29th 2009 11:57PM

Comments: 0

7. If you travel internationally... While traditional prepaid phones don't work overseas, you can buy a Go-Sim prepaid SIM card for international trips. (They cost $48 at GoSim.com.) It doesn't work in all countries, but when it does function in your destination, it's a great way to stay in ...

by Chris Morris on Oct 29th 2009 11:55PM

Comments: 0

8. If you're a protective parent (or the child of a protective parent)... You want to be able to reach your kids at any time -- or have them call you in an emergency, but you don't want them running up a big bill. With prepaid phones, you can have cellular security with minimal expense. $20 per ...

by Chris Morris on Oct 29th 2009 11:55PM

Comments: 1

2. If you are a cellular hater... ...but still want a phone available when you need it, pre-paid plans are a perfect option, since you can literally pay as you go, rather than add another expense to your monthly bills. If you're a really infrequent user, Boost Mobile offers a pay-as-you go ...

by Chris Morris on Oct 29th 2009 11:54PM

Comments: 0

3. If you don't talk much... If you have a lot of leftover minutes each month on your current subscription plan and they don't roll over, you could be wasting money -- sometimes a lot of it. For example, Verizon offers a basic plan for $40 per month, giving subscribers 450 minutes -- or 7.5 ...

by Chris Morris on Oct 29th 2009 11:53PM

Comments: 3

4. If you talk too much.... On the other hand, if you live on your cell, prepaid might still be worth investigating. Prepaid customers average nearly 2,000 voice minutes per month -- twice as much as those on traditional plans. And they pay less for the unlimited calling, all-inclusive ...

by Chris Morris on Oct 29th 2009 11:53PM

Comments: 5