Holiday Shopping Tips and FAQ
With the holiday shopping season descending upon the nation, news outlets and blogs alike have been set ablaze with the latest deals. What’s worth getting though? Here’s a few tidbits, tips, and thoughts for this year’s holiday!
Should I get an iPad?
- Short answer, no. If you’ve waited this long to get one, chances are you can wait a little bit longer. Given Apple’s yearly refresh cycles for their products, it’s near certain that we’ll see an updated iPad (and a price drop for the existing model) by April, with an announcement as early as January. Features of this new iPad are still anyone’s guess, but some top predictions include a front-facing camera and a sharper display.
Should I buy a 3-D TV?
- 3-D is getting forced upon the market, whether we like it or not. Fortunately the costs of a 3-D set aren’t significantly higher than a regular TV. We’re still a year or two off from seeing 3-D really hit the mainstream market. Still, if you are on the market for a new TV regardless and have a little extra to spend, 3-D might be worth looking into.
Is it a good time to buy an HDTV?
- Yes. In anticipation of slower sales this year, TVs have dropped in price. Check out the Panasonic 32″ 1080p Viera LCD for $380. You can’t really go wrong with any of the major brands. Most of the discounted TVs are the 60Hz models. Is it really worth the extra dough for a 120Hz or 240Hz model? You’ll notice differences as you move up, especially from the 60Hz to the 120Hz. Unless you have the extra cash and want the latest in your entertainment system, the lower options work just as well. Also, don’t be fooled by those upsells of “premium” cables! They may claim to work better on 120Hz or 1080p, but countless tests have shown that all these cables work the same. The big box retailers tend to sell the most expensive of cables. Do your cable shopping online – HDMI cables (or any cables for that matter) should not cost over $10.
Which e-book reader should I get?
- Between the Kindle, Nook, and iPad, e-books have become one of the big items for 2010. The Amazon Kindle is your best bet. Amazon has the largest collection of books, clearly beating out the competition. It’s also the most versatile, as the Kindle app is also available on iPhone, Android, PC, etc. It is the most limited among the readers out there, using black/white e-ink while the Nook and iPad offer robust color displays. If you do have a child, the iPad might be worth considering, for both color books and interactive children’s apps/games. *Note: On Black Friday (11/26), Amazon is offering the older model for $89! Amazon Facebook
Should I get a Kinect/Move?
- No. In both cases, it’s simply way too early to tell if there’ll be enough support from third party developers. The Playstation Move follows the footsteps of the Wii, offering wireless controllers that track your movement. It’s nothing groundbreaking, but the 1:1 tracking looks promising for gaming. The Kinect has become the new Wii, as the latest item to get your parents, aunts, and younger siblings dancing, swinging, and jumping to some family friendly games. There doesn’t seem to be much for the hardcore gamer, but it’s definitely a new experience for everyone. Then again, that was said about the Wii which now is slowly collecting dust on the shelf.
Should I get a PS3 or an Xbox 360?
- There’s a few factors to consider if you’re deciding on which console to get. For the most part, most major games can be found on both platforms, so unless you have to get the latest Halo or Gran Turismo, the gaming library isn’t as much of a factor as it used to be. If you’re a fan of multiplayer, however, definitely look to where your friends are as there isn’t cross-platform multiplayer. If you’re a big entertainment enthusiast, the PS3 is the better choice with Blu-ray, Hulu Plus, and Neflix streaming (at 1080p and 5.1 surround sound) support.
Top Shopping Apps
- Here’s a few links to some lists of apps for all your shopping needs. Personally, I’m a big fan of CNET’s Scan & Shop (for Android), which in a recent field test did a better job finding the lowest price compared to Google’s Shopper app (which is still a solid app nonetheless).
