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Best Washer: LG WM2050C

Posted on July 4, 2010 by admin.

Consumer Reports rated the LG WM2050C 4.0-cu.-ft.-capacity front-load washer ($610; shown with compatible gas dryer DLG2051W) a “Best Buy.” Reviews on Amazon.com agree, with one reviewer summing it up: “great washer, great value, highly recommended!” The LG minimizes vibration thanks to a TrueBalance anti-vibration system, produces no odor due to standing water in the door seal, and is energy- and water-efficient. It holds a lot of clothes, gets them very clean, and is quiet.

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Best Digital Camera: Canon PowerShot S90

Posted on July 4, 2010 by admin.

Need a compact digital camera? There is simply nothing that compares to this compact Canon PowerShot S90 ($350) digital camera on the market today. It’s perfect for taking those “self-portraits” that are sweeping the Facebook market today. The pictures produced by this camera put my digital SLR from 2008, the Olympus EVOLT E-420, to shame. Highly recommended.

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Best GPS: Motorola Motonav TN765T

Posted on July 4, 2010 by admin.

Those of us who still bemoan the hasty departure of German GPS brand Navigon, have had no option to replace their current units until now. The new Motorola Motonav TN765T ($275) has taken the market by storm with its large 5.1-inch screen, stunning graphics, superb GUI and free lifetime traffic. While I still get great use from my Navigon 7200T, this is the must-get GPS right now.

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Best Blu-ray Player: Oppo BDP-80

Posted on July 4, 2010 by admin.

Aficionados love the new lower-cost, Blu-ray player from Oppo, the Oppo BDP-80 ($290). Its sibling, the Oppo BDP-83, has received rave reviews from those in the know. The BDP-80 model is also a universal player that handles SACD and DVD-Audio discs for those who still own those formats. Besides being versatile, the BDP-80 is fast, a big advantage over slower players that dot the HDTV landscape.

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Best LCD TV: Samsung UN46B8500

Posted on July 4, 2010 by admin.

Every day, I’m completely mesmerized this HDTV set. The Samsung UN46B8500 ($2,040) delivers a simply stunning, super-sharp picture quality with spectacular color. And its full-LED-backlighting technology is better than the latest generations from both Samsung and Sony, which are largely edge-lit. From the moment you hear the B8500’s start-up chime, you know you’re in for a special treat.

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Best MFP: Canon Pixma MX870

Posted on July 4, 2010 by admin.

CNET rates the Canon Pixma MX870 ($150) tops among multi-function printers (MFP), only dinging it for producing small specks on photos. Don’t know about you, but MFPs are more often used for scanning, faxing and printing travel itineraries. And that’s when the Canon shines. It’s also very easy to set-up as a network printer, either via Ethernet or wireless. And wireless is the big trend in all things computer. One day, a Wi-Fi chip will be embedded in just about all electronics devices.

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Best Digital SLR: Canon EOS Rebel T2i

Posted on July 4, 2010 by admin.

Digital SLRs are hot. The Canon EOS Rebel T2i ($1,070 with 18-55mm zoom) is the best of the lot, particularly at its price point. Best part: HD video shot with this camera will simply blow you away. Consumers like convergence devices and the newest Rebel delivers in spades: large, three-inch wide screen, improved ergonomics, 14-bit DIGIC 4 image processor for superior pictures and full 1080p HD recording. Very popular and hard to get.

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Best Road Bike

Posted on July 8, 2009 by admin.

Highly rated by cognoscenti biking publications, the Schwinn Peloton Comp ($2,000) road bike is a great all-around choice for both comfort and performance. The Peloton Comp features a full-carbon frame and Shimano 105 shifters and front derailleur, plus an Ultegra rear derailleur. Designed for high-mileage rides, the Peloton Comp has a taller head tube for maximum comfort and comes in four sizes: S, M, L and XL.

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Best Two-Seat Convertible

Posted on July 6, 2009 by admin.

The new 2009 BMW Z4 ($45,750 - $51,650) was designed by two women. No wonder the new Z4 appears lean yet voluptuous. Besides the revamped styling, the new Z4 has a very welcome retractable hard top. The top of the line sDrive35i has a 300-horsepower, 3.0-liter twin-turbo six, and an optional seven-speed, dual-clutch automatic transmission that can be paddle-shifted via the steering-wheel.

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Best iPhone Case

Posted on July 5, 2009 by admin.

Making sure your iPhone doesn’t get scratched is no easy task. Online forums endlessly debate hundreds of iPhone cases. Unfortunately, picking a “best one” is simply not possible, since each user has differing needs. So we’ve decided to list some of the highest buzz cases, plus our favorite one.

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Best Smartphone

Posted on June 19, 2009 by admin.

The Apple iPhone 3GS. What else is there to say? Best interface and surfing experience, and now super-fast too. Best-stocked app store, featuring more than 50,000 apps. But the icing on the iPhone 3GS cake is its stellar video capability, that new voice control and, OK, cut and paste.

The iPhone wins because the [...]

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Best Notebook Computer

Posted on June 8, 2009 by admin.

The aluminum Apple MacBook ($1,500) is unquestionably the best laptop on the market today. Apple has done a superb job creating what is not only a great-looking computer, but one that feels solid, brick-like in fact. And now that it is once again equipped with a FireWire port and also gains an SD slot, this package is complete.

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Best Bluetooth Headset

Posted on April 23, 2009 by admin.

The new Aliph Jawbone Prime ($130) Bluetooth headset offers improved noise suppression, a better fit, all enhanced by four EARCANDY colors. What makes the Jawbone unique is its reliance on a sensor that uses the jawbone to dampen spurious noise. The first Jawbone received rave reviews when it was released three years ago, primarily due to its superb sound quality and eye-catching design. The new Jawbone is 50% smaller than the original and far superior.

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Best Pro Camcorder

Posted on February 8, 2009 by admin.

RED the company that changed the rules of the HD camcorder business has launched a new line of RED Epic and Scarlet modular cameras ($3,750 - $53,000), designed to let you flexibly configure the right gear by combining a “Brain” ranging from 3K to 28K pixels and then adding lenses and other modules to create a totally customized camera.

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Best Peppermill

Posted on February 8, 2009 by admin.

The best peppermill does not hail from France, as you might suspect. No, it’s made right here in the fabulous U.S.A. Just like its tech counterparts, the nine-inch Magnum Plus ($45) comes in “pro black” and is the easiest and fastest high-capacity peppermill you can buy. Perfectly balanced, it grinds pepper almost effortlessly, something no self-respecting cook can do without.

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Best Camcorder

Posted on January 5, 2009 by admin.

The Canon VIXIA HV40 ($835) doesn’t have a hard drive or SSD, but produces super-sharp HD video in 1440×900 format. Until there’s an easier way to deal with the huge files HD produces, tape remains the most flexible storage medium.

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Best AV Receiver

Posted on November 26, 2008 by admin.

After thorough research, the Denon AVR-2809CI ($1,200) receives our vote as the best AV receiver. Denon is a very popular brand among the audiophile inner circle and the Denon AVR-2809CI proves why. Its uncluttered design is complemented by four HDMI inputs, a videophile minimum these days.

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Best HD Radio Tuner

Posted on November 25, 2008 by admin.

The Sony XDR-F1HD ($87 online) could well be the best radio tuner, at any price, says CNET. Unfortunately, even our recommended, state-of-the-art AV receiver, the Denon AVR-2809CI, does not have a built-in HD tuner, so the Sony XDR-F1HD is the best – and least expensive – way to add HD radio capability to any stereo system.

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Best Laptop Bag

Posted on October 9, 2008 by admin.

The Tom Bihn Checkpoint Flyer ($220 plus extra-cost strap) features 10-plus gear pockets but lies flat, so your laptop does not obstruct the view of TSA scanners. The Checkpoint Flyer is one of the first laptop bags that can pass through U.S. airport security without having to be opened to remove one’s laptop, and it’s available in three sizes and color combinations.

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Best Media Player

Posted on September 9, 2008 by admin.

On October 17, 2001, Apple launched the iPod to mixed reviews. With more than 206 million iPods sold, the critics have been silenced. What makes the iPod line such a hit is its superior ease of use and iTunes store integration. The iPod Nano ($149; 8GB) continues Apple’s innovation streak, and is the best portable music player on the market today.

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