The December 2009 Consumer Reports is out, with the magazine's guide to the best new gadgets and places to buy them. Some reactions:
* Best online stores to shop for electronics: JR.com only ranked no. 7. I think it deserves higher. The online retailer offers competitive prices. And in most cases (unlike some other e-tailers), it doesn't charge a restocking fee if you don't like what you bought.
* Best netbook: The Samsung N120 is no. 1 on the list. Couldn't agree more. I looked at lots of netbooks before I bought this one. Love its comfortable keyboard and long battery life.
* Digital cameras: The Canon PowerShot SX200 IS only earned the no. 7 slot among superzoom cameras. Totally disagree. This is an excellent camera that takes fabulous pictures. Its low light mode works so well, I rarely use the flash.
BTW: The magazine also includes reviews of paper towels and AA batteries and recommends chardonnay in a box, which brings Maggie Smith in The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie to mind. In the movie, Smith plays a flamboyant teacher with little use for practicality. One of her students was going on and on about something tedious and pratical she loved. Smith, struggling to say something encouraging, replied: "For those who like that sort of thing...that is the sort of thing that they like." Let's put Dame Maggie's face on the box of wine, shall we?
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