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?
Instead, for exercising, I recommend an 
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