Saturday, November 29, 2008

Consumer Reports releases electronics buyer's guide

Consumer Reports releases electronics buyer's guideJust in time for Black Friday shoppers, Consumer Reports has released its guide to recommended electronics gifts, with Apple receiving several nods from the list. The independent non-profit organization tests and rates products, and has set up a web page grouping ratings for HDTVs, digital cameras, blu-ray disk players and more. Each section highlights best values and highest rated performers and links to full reviews of the products.

Some other products covered in the guide include MP3 players, GPS units, notebook computers and digital picture frames. Each section offers links to buyers' guides and advice on how to choose a product and in some cases buyers guide videos as well. The guide also gives advice on what features are the most important to consider and which features may be overkill.

Apple's MacBook ($1300) and MacBook Pro ($2000) both saw attention from Consumer Reports, with the publication highlighting the glass multitouch trackpads, and says the company offer the "best technical support."

The list also dubs Apple's second generation iPod touch the best MP3 player on the market. The claim is backed by the introduction of a built-in speaker and volume control, as well as increased battery life, but was lamented for its non-removable battery, and lack of AC adaptor.

Some of the featured items include 37 inch HDTVs from Best Buy brand Insignia (Insignia NS-LCD37-09, $680) and Toshiba (Toshiba 37CV510U, $730), a Sony blu-ray player (Sony BDP-S550, $330) and notebooks like the Sony Vaio VGN-Z540 at $1800.

Black Friday sales mark the high-point of the holiday shopping season, with numerous sales starting online Thursday and in stores Friday early in the morning.

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