Buying Guides

• Notebooks - May 7, 2008
  How to Buy a Laptop When purchasing a laptop you want to make sure to get a good value as well as a purchase that you can maximize for as long as possible.
• Cell Phones - September 14, 2007
  How to Buy a Mobile Phone Here's an overview of the technology now available, the product options, and how well and far the devices can travel.
• Desktop PCs - September 12, 2007
  How to Buy a Desktop PC With so many factors to consider, deciding which desktop PC to buy can be a real challenge. From components to software to accessories, new PCs offer a bewildering array of choices. Here's some help from the collective knowledge of our editors and Test Center analysts.
• DVD Drives & Media - August 1, 2007
  How to Buy a Rewritable DVD Drive All the talk about the next wave of optical formats--Blu-ray Disc and HD DVD--might make you think that the venerable DVD-Rewritable drive is passe. Not so fast: DVD burners remain a vastly less expensive option for writing discs than those costly new formats. Plus, you can get superior performance from a dedicated DVD burner. Here's what you should consider when making a purchase.
• Hard Drives - July 23, 2007
  How to Buy a Hard Drive Your PC's internal hard drive is a real workhorse--the most critical component of your system after the CPU and memory. The hard drive is the hub where your operating system, programs, and data are stored and accessed--making a purchase is an important decision.
• DVD Technology - June 27, 2007
  How to Buy a DVD Recorder Want to make your own DVDs? No question the discs have it tapes beat for quality and convenience. Here's what you need to know before you buy.
• Digital Cameras - June 27, 2007
  How to Buy a Digital Camera Digital photography keeps getting better with higher resolution, more sophisticated controls, and better technology. From resolution to storage and from exposure control to white balance, we'll explain the digital camera terms you need to know.
• Printers - June 15, 2007
  How to Buy a Printer Printers may not be as glamorous as the latest tiny gadget, but that trusty, dust-covered workhouse in the corner is the machine people depend on. No matter which kind of printer you're looking for--inkjet, monochrome laser, color laser or a multifunction device--here's the information you need to make a well-informed purchase.
• Digital Camcorders - May 7, 2007
  How to Buy a Digital Camcorder Digital camcorders make shooting video and editing it on your computer a breeze. You can create movies and output them to tape or DVD, or post them on the Web. Whether you want to record your CEO showcasing a new product or send remote co-workers scenes from the holiday party, this guide will teach you what you need to know before you buy.
• Monitors - November 1, 2006
  How to Buy a Monitor
• Motherboards - May 31, 2006
  How to Buy a Motherboard

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