Electronics Buying Guides

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Modern consumer electronics will really let freedom ring as you take your audio favorites just about anywhere! From personal iPods and MP3 players to car audio to home theaters, thisread more about audio

Think of your average car trip. After hitting the open road, you turn on the radio to catch the weather and traffic reports. An iPod keeps you entertained and a cell phone keeps you in…read more about batteries

Magnetic tape came first, followed by floppy disks, then compact discs and now flash drives. Like the rest of the electronics industry, computer storage media has changed so fastread more about blank media

Are you looking for an upgrade to make to your home theater? If you're still using a DVD player, then now may be the right time for you to upgrade to Blu-ray, especially because Blu-ray players are now more affordable than ever…read more about blu ray

If you like entertainment, then you'll love Blu-ray movies. Vivid picture, clear audio and loads of bonus features make Blu-ray discs the unbeatable way to enjoy your favorite films, concerts, TV series, cartoons and more…read more about blu ray movies

Whether you're an amateur, enthusiast or professional, you can probably appreciate the value of recording your own videos. From documenting personal memories to creating your own movies, the possibilities are limitless…read more about camcorders

Do you cruise the "Ventura Highway" or "Get Your Kicks (On Route 66)?" Does your daily commute feel like the "Endless Highway?" Maybe you just have a bit of "White Line Fever" which can…read more about car audio

Not long ago, music lovers on the move were limited to what they could find on their car radios. Today's electronics provide audio and video options to suit every desire and every budget. Knowing a few key facts will help you shop…read more about car stereos

Car trips are great, but they can be long and hard on small children (and those among us with the attention span of a small child). Today's electronics provide audio and video options to make those road trips a lot less stressful for everybody…read more about car video

With the growth of other types of media, CD manufacturers are doing more and more to make their products stand out. With all the different types of music CD packaging, it can be difficult to keep them and all their characteristics straight…read more of the CD packaging types fact sheet

The cell phone industry is complicated because customers' needs are so complicated. It's sometimes hard to imagine that only 15 years ago, cell phones were rare. At the same time, with so…read more about cell phones

It's easy to feel overwhelmed by the whirlwind of numbers, abbreviations and technical terms when buying computer equipment. But it doesn't have to be so intimidating. Our computerread more about computers

Every computer user has watched their latest computer gradually fade from its original glory; new applications demand more horsepower, storage requirements increase and your old powerhouse gets bogged down by the new workloads that you place upon it…read more about computer hardware

Most computers work very well on their own--they're designed to work alone. When an application needs more power than solo electronics can muster, or when computer users need to share data, networking makes it…read more about computer networking

The need for computer security is as great today as it's ever been. When it comes to keeping your data secure and protecting your personal information, it's as important to make the right choices as it is to have the right tools…read more about computer security

When telephones were first invented, you had to be right there at the wall to use them. Today's electronics allow cordless phone users to carry a cordless phone around and use it anywhere in the house…read more about computer servers

Computers have changed how we do virtually everything (no pun intended). Electronics are now vital to every business and most homes. In fact, most businesses and many homes have several computers…read more about cordless phones

Digital cameras are the latest innovation in a photographic tradition stretching back over 150 years. Commercially viable film cameras ("Daguerreotypes") were invented in the early 19th…read more about digital cameras

When cameras and optics entered the electronics age in the 1980s, everything about photography changed. Among the newest consumer electronics options are new ways digital pictures can be displayed…read more about digital picture frames

From parties to clubs to weddings and more, the DJ can be the center of the action, if not at least the center of the music. Are you looking to try your hand at being the DJ? Get the right gear and you can make it happen! Whether you're an aspiring professional DJ or just an enthusiastic audiophile,…read more about dj equipment

DVDs are the best thing to happen to watching movies at home since microwave popcorn. DVD-formatted movies played on a DVD player provide a clearer picture than the old …read more about dvd players

Laser pointers are small devices that produce lasers which are usually used in boardroom or classroom situations. These useful electronics use a small beam of light to highlight things of interest. Like their name suggests, they use lasers to…read more for FAQs about laser pointers

Are you thinking about switching to Blu-ray but you're not sure what it's all about? A little research can help you make the most of any new technology, and you're sure to have some questions about making the switch to Blu-ray…read more for FAQs about switching to blu-ray

There are few things more common in offices (home or commercial) than fax machines. From the Latin "factus simile" ("to make a copy"), early models were also called 'telefacsimile' or…read more about fax machines

Among serious computer users, there are several types of computer systems, sometimes called "flavors": family, media, office, home theater and gaming. If computer games are your flavor, your electronics collection will need computer hardware and computer accessories that are equal to the games being put on the market…read more about fax machines

The Global Positioning System was created by the US Department of Defense to answer the second most important question an army has: "Where are we?" Today, GPS satellites orbit the…read more about gps

Kilobytes, megabytes, gigabytes, now terabytes. Floppy disks, hard disks, now flash drives. You may wonder what's coming next! Hard drives are a standard feature…read more about hard drives

A new dawn has broken. The world is quickly adapting to high-definition media; entertainment will never be the same. And yet, there you are, still trying to program your VCR clock. Fast-forwarding to the latest technologies can be overwhelming, but there's no need to panic…read more about HDTVs

So, you're thinking about new headphones. This is a great plan. These audio accessories allow you to watch television in bed while your …read more about headphones

Anyone can enjoy the movie theater experience at home. Your home theater may be as simple as a television with a DVD player and some good speakers or as elaborate as the setup at your local movie house…read more about home theaters

Satellite radio is a very popular medium for listening to commercial-free music while you drive in your car. Many new model cars come with the satellite equipment as a part of the audio system, but if your current vehicle doesn't have satellite radio…read more about how to add satellite radio to your car audio system

Installing an internal hard drive is often a more complex procedure than most computer users are comfortable with. If you need extra storage space but don't want to crack open your computer's case, buy an external hard drive instead…read more about how to buy external hard drives

It's great to have your portable music players, digital cameras and other audio and video equipment with you when you're on the road, but these devices are typically battery-powered. What happens when the battery runs out…read more about how to charge your USB devices while in your car

Whenever your computer needs to perform calculations it relies on the central processing unit (CPU), often referred to simply as the processor. When the CPU is in operation it generates heat, so it must rely on computer components such as a CPU fan and heat sink…read more about how to choose a CPU fan

If you need to access your email or work on a spreadsheet from any location then nothing beats a portable notebook or laptop computer. Many brands and models of notebook computers are available with many different features…read more about how to choose a notebook computer

A portable DVD player allows you to watch DVD movies on the go, which can be great for long car trips or plane rides where a movie is the perfect way to pass the time or just for watching a movie any place where you want to be comfortable…read more about how to choose a portable dvd player

One of the great things about high-definition television sets is that they are flat enough to mount easily on a wall. This can save a lot of space in your living room or bedroom that formerly would have been taken up by a giant tube television…read more about how to choose a tv wall mount

A video game console is an exciting addition to your home theater. Once you have made the decision to enrich your life with a video game console, the inevitable question is, which one do you choose? Selecting a gaming platform can be quite a challenge these days, with so many great options available…read more about how to choose a video game console

Ever since its release in 2006, the Nintendo Wii has been popular with people from all age groups. With its sleek design, unique gameplay and wide range of hardware and accessories, the Nintendo Wii system has raised the market's interest in video game consoles…read more about how to choose accessories for your nintendo wii

When you're looking to add a new hard drive to your computer, you have the choice of adding an internal hard drive or an external hard drive. Internal hard drives are installed inside your computer, and external hard drives are…read more about how to choose between an internal and external hard drive

Over time and through normal use, your laptop computer is eventually going to become dirty. Whether you just have a dusty laptop or someone has spilled something sticky on the keyboard, cleaning your laptop is a fairly simple process…read more about how to clean a laptop computer

Computer monitors are definitely an important part of your desk setup, so it is essential to keep them clean. Improper care can lead to screen damage, eyestrain and difficulty in viewing photos and text as they were meant to be displayed…read more about how to clean your computer monitor

High-quality camcorders let you easily create crystal clear video, whether you are recording home movies or making your own theatrical production. Modern camcorders have a surprising amount of different options available that may make one particular camcorder much more useful to you…read more about how to compare camcorders

A laptop computer is a perfect solution for the computer user on the go. Comparing laptop computers can be frustrating and time consuming if you aren't aware of which features to look out for…read more about how to compare laptop computers

Anyone with a high-end television and home theater setup is probably familiar with component video cables. They are the red, green and blue A/V cables that connect a device like a DVD player to a television…read more about how to compare component video cables

You don't need a desktop computer to use a printer. Even the most basic laptop will connect to a PC printer in a simple and easy way. The process is as simple as connecting both devices together using the right cable. By following just a few simple steps, you can have your printer up and running in no time…read more about how to connect a laptop to a pc printer

Having the right speaker set-up changes your PC from a business tool to a viable home theater system. Whether you need a pair of speakers for hearing online audio or you want a full seven-speaker surround-sound system with a subwoofer…read more about how to connect PC speakers

Loading photos onto your computer from your digital camera is a snap once you know the appropriate steps. Follow this tutorial and you will be able to connect any digital camera to any USB-enabled computer…read more about how to connect your digital camera to your computer

Once you've purchased your new DVD player or Blu-ray player, you'll still need to connect it to your home theater system. If your home theater system includes an AV receiver, then you'll want to connect your DVD or Blu-ray player to that receiver; otherwise…read more about how to connect your dvd player to your home theater

Rating systems used to be so simple. Everyone understands the standard film industry rating system, and each rating is carefully described before the movie begins. Video games are different. They come in individualized packages, and gaming sessions can go on for hours on end, making it difficult for a parent to determine how appropriate a game actually is…read more about how to interpret video game ratings

For any avid computer user who eats near their computer equipment, has animals that shed or just plain hasn't kept good care of their keyboard, this guide will help you have it clean and looking like new in 10 minutes or less…read more about how to keep your computer keyboard clean

FThe computer mouse is one of the easiest pieces of computer equipment to get dirty, causing it to function improperly. Fortunately, it's just as easy to clean and have working like the day you bought it. Follow the steps below for a step-by-step guide to cleaning your mouse in just a few short minutes…read more about how to keep your computer's mouse clean

There are two kinds of hackers in the world: Those who access your computer just because they can and those who do it because they are thieves. Regardless of the intruder's intentions…read more about how to keep your computer safe from hackers

Many people's computers have become central to their lives. Unfortunately, these computers are also vulnerable to attack from a variety of sources, with viruses being one of the most malicious and troublesome. A virus may be written simply to try to damage the files on your computer, or it may act as a way for a hacker to access your computer…read more about how to keep your computer safe from viruses

Lens filters are a great way to enhance your photographs before they ever touch the computer. While there are many types of photo filters to choose from, this article will help you decide which type of lens filter to try with your digital camera…read more about how to pick a filter to use with your digital camera

Lens filters are a great way to enhance your photographs before they ever touch the computer. While there are many types of photo filters to choose from, this article will help you decide which type of lens filter to try with your digital camera…read more about how to pick a home theater receiver

Perhaps you've heard that RAID can be used to increase the performance of your hard drives. Or perhaps you've heard that you can use RAID to increase the reliability of your hard drives. Both of these are possible, thanks to the various ways that you can use RAID in your computer…read more about how to keep your pick a raid level for your hard drive

Movie reviews are a great way to determine the importance of a film, its impact on viewers and whether or not it is worth a watch. Moreover, millions of people depend on movie reviews to give them a good idea of what to expect when they see a film…read more about how to review movies

Getting an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) for your computer is always a good investment. Anyone who has ever had a computer system damaged irreparably by a power surge, brownout or other electrical mishap knows the value of protecting your electronics…read more about how to select an uninterruptible power supply

If you lost your television signal when TV stations converted to the all-digital format, then you probably need a digital converter box, sometimes called an ATSC tuner. Once you have that box, you still need to connect it to your existing television and antenna…read more about how to set up a dtv box on an older tv

When computers started coming with USB interfaces, it quickly became easier than ever to connect new peripherals to your computer. Of course, it's not too difficult to use up all of the available USB interfaces on your computer. Fortunately, a device called a USB hub can let you connect even more USB devices to your computer by letting multiple USB devices share a single USB connection on your computer…read more about how to use a usb hub

An Overstock.com inkjet printer is an excellent, economical add-on for your personal home office or small business computers. Inkjet printers work by firing ink through tiny pin…read more about ink cartridges

Everyone with a computer could use a printer; after all, would you really consider your home computer system to be complete without one? Whether you want to print out your digital photos, print out some homework or print out a hard-copy of a presentation for work, having a printer to go with your computer is a necessity…read more about inkjet printers

The world was forever changed on October 23, 2001. That was the day Apple released the first iPods. Oh sure, there were other MP3 players and digital music players for sale before…read more about iPods

It's been over a decade since the first MP3 players and iPods hit the market. For some people, they've replaced all other audio and video players (radios, CDs, photo albums) for day-to-day use…read more about iPod and MP3 accessories

They haven't quite reached the same level as those do-anything machines from science fiction films, but laptop computers have come a long way since they…read more about laptops

Laser printers have long been the standard for high-speed printing at top-notch quality. Many offices feature a large laser printer to handle the enormous capacity requirements that businesses place on their printers…read more about laser printers

Options in electronics have exploded over the past decade, with so many 3-letter acronyms, your local consumer electronics store looks like the directory of a federal office building. New…read more about LCD TV's

For many people, their collection of electronics has been growing and sprawling out for years, and now they have numerous televisions and monitors in their house, with a separate speaker system for each. If you're one of those people, you may want to consolidate your electronics into a single media center…read more about media centers

Commercially viable film cameras ("Daguerreotypes") were invented in the early 19th Century and became an overnight sensation, or as overnight a sensation as one could be when …read more about memory cards

Your desktop computer would be useless without a monitor. And just like the computers they connect to, computer monitors vary greatly in cost and design. This guide will…read more about monitors

There isn't much that changes faster than the world of iPods and MP3players -- a fact which can make shopping for digital audio electronics a daunting task. This MP3 player buying guide will…read more about mp3 players

If you like your computers to be highly compact and incredibly portable, you'll want to take a look at a netbook. Netbooks aren't much different from other laptops except that they're designed to be remarkably small and light and to have a longer battery life. To achieve this, netbooks have…read more about netbooks

An organized person used to have a calendar, an address book, a notebook and probably several file folders of various things filling up their briefcase or handbag. Today, they have the…read more about pda's

The electronics revolution has opened up new photography possibilities for hobbyists and casual users. Digital cameras now match film cameras on quality but allow shutterbugs to do much more with their photos. If you're just getting into digital cameras, this photography buying guide will help you…read more about photography

Congratulations, your photo album has entered the digital electronics age as you convert film photos to digital pictures using a slide and film scanner.…read more about photo printers

Printers vary almost as much as the messages they reproduce- a fact which might confuse you about what to buy. The following buying guide will help you find the right…read more about printers

Projectors have uses in business and education as well as in home theaters. Since televisions are among the fastest changing electronics, this projector buying guide shows some of the latest options available, so you'll know how toread more about projectors

Once you move beyond the simplest computer networking, you may find that you need a router to connect the various devices that you need to be able to communicate or simply to create separation between different parts of the network.…read more about routers

The world is going digital, and many of us need documents and images in digital form or they can't be used to their fullest potential. Others need some digital files or the like to…read more about scanners

Without software, computers are just so much silicon and plastic. Software brings electronics to life: An operating system is the computer software that operates your laptop computer or desktop computer…read more about software

A sound card takes audio and converts it to computer-compatible data and translates digital files into music or sound effects. From the beeps of the first video games to the surround sound of modern DVDs and 3-D games…read more about sound cards

The world is going digital, and many of us need documents and images in digital form or they can't be used to their fullest potential. Others need some digital files or the like to…read more about speakers

The ways people listen to music are constantly evolving. Portable music players are more popular than ever. For many, the computer has become the center of their music world. And what car doesn't at least have a radio in it? Of course, the home stereo is still a great choice…read more about stereos

Cell phones haven't quite taken over yet, and it's safe to say they won't completely take over land-line telephones for a long time. A regular telephone is dependable and clear. But then…read more about telephones

Your options in electronics have exploded over the past decade. Home entertainment store listings are now so full of acronyms -- CD, CRT, DLP, DVD, HDTV, LCD -- you might think it was…read more about televisions

Choosing a receiver for your home theater system can seem like a daunting task with all the options available today. Not only are there seemingly limitless options, but price ranges vary widely and features are so numerous that it can seem difficult to know where to begin…read more for tips on choosing a home theater receiver

When you're gaming, sound can turn an ordinary gaming experience into an incredibly immersive experience. Games nowadays can create a tremendous array of sounds that will add to your gaming experience. So, is your computer's sound card up to the task…read more for tips on choosing a great sound card for gaming

You have your home theater system set up, but the picture isn't as sharp as you'd like, and the sound isn't loud or clear enough. Fortunately, there are some steps you can take…read more for tips on getting the best picture and sound quality

The convenience of wireless networking has made it incredibly popular. However, some people don't recognize the potential security risks. If you neglect to add any security to your wireless network, your computers may be visible to people nearbyn…read more for tips on making a wireless network more secure

No doubt you've heard people brag about the extraordinarily powerful video card (or, sometimes, cards) in their computer. The graphics may be impressive, but what about the high price tag? While it's impossible to avoid…read more for tips on saving money on a great video card for gaming

When it comes to connecting a DVD player to a home theater system, most people will use the best video connection available. But do they also make sure to use the best audio connection available…read more for tips on audio connections from DVD players to home theater

Upgrading to high definition (HD) can be tricky if you don't know what to look for. Making the switch starts with a high-definition TV, but you'll also want things like movies and TV shows for you and your family to enjoy. Of course, you want to avoid buying something just based on word of mouth alone; research your purchase and you'll be sure to get the most for your money…read more for tips on upgrading to high definition

If you have a computer case, then you'll want to consider some on-the-go accessories. There are several devices that can be used anywhere and fit right into your laptop case. The following…read more about the top 5 on-the-go computer accessories

One of life's greatest annoyances is poor reception during your favorite TV show. Getting up repeatedly from your comfy couch to adjust the antenna is a pain…read more about tv antennas

Television mounts have been around for years, keeping TVs up out of the way. The new flat-panel televisions have only increased television placement possibilities…read more about tv mounts

Before cameras, if you wanted a picture, you hired a painter. The video cards in today's computers are the modern equivalent; they are…read more about video cards

Video games have come a long way since Pong, where two players hit a white dot across a television screen. Incredible graphics, killer soundtracks and online game playing have made…read more about video game systems