Handheld Electronics
Buying Guide
We need them, we want them – portable electronics devices are flying off the store shelves and into the hands of consumers. But how do we make sure we're getting our money's worth?
Whether you're spending $50 or $500 on handheld electronics, don't get sucked in by gadget hype. Think about the features you need, the needs you want to satisfy and the satisfaction you'll get from a product that looks great and functions exactly how you want. Get in on the technology trend, but do it smartly. Check out our tips on the hottest handheld electronics you want, and the features you should be looking for.
Family Use
If every member of your family doesn't already have a cell phone, chances are they want one. It could be a good time to buy in bulk – often, cell phone providers will give you a deal if you're buying more than one handset, particularly if they're all made by the same company. Be sure to ask about Family Plan service packages as well. If you sign your family up together, you could receive free calling between the cell phones.
Another family-friendly handheld electronic is digital camcorders. Instead of bulky tapes, you can now choose between hard drive–based models or those with flash memory. Hard drive is convenient, given that you won't have to worry about using memory cards, but flash memory makes it easy to transfer your files to your computer or to your TV. Two features you'll definitely want to look for in a camcorder: a larger flip LCD screen and high definition. Both are worth the extra investment.
Business Use
Whether you're in business for yourself or with a company, PDAs and Smartphones are your handheld electronic must-haves. While big names like BlackBerry and iPhone come to mind, you might want to consider lesser-known brands such as HTC or Palm. Often, their features are equally as good, if not better, and you could save some money.
When choosing a Smartphone or PDA, the first thing you'll want to look into is the service package. Make sure the carrier you sign on with has flexible data options to meet your budget and needs. If you intend to live on your PDA, you'll also want to think about memory. If what's built in is not enough, look for a device with external memory options and make sure they're well-known methods, such as an SD or mini SD card.
Student Use
Students are handheld electronics magnates, but not every student has Bluetooth headphones. With cell phones doubling as mp3 players, many students are skipping the iPod altogether, and now they can skip headphone hassles as well. When looking for Bluetooth headphones, you'll want to go with a trusted brand, but the next biggest issue is comfort. Consider ear bud, wraparound or traditional forms with extra padding for a more personalized fit.
A no-brainer for every student? Point-and-shoot digital cameras to capture college life. Just be sure to choose a model small enough to fit in a pocket or purse, and make it a fun color to up the cool factor. But don't sacrifice quality - keep the megapixel count above 3 and make sure you get a big memory card.
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