February 23, 2012

Where to Buy the Latest Gadgets

Future Shop, Halifax, Nova Scotia

Image via Wikipedia

Best Buy’s name is synonymous with gadgetry, and this retailer is probably the biggest name among the big box stores. Some areas of the U.S. also have Fry’s Home Electronics and CompUSA. In Canada, consumer electronics are the core business of Future Shop. Look up which stores are near you with Canada 411. It’s worth doing some comparison shopping at several big boxes. The stores rotate special pricing offers, so you may want to wait until the store near you marks down your gadget of choice.

Discount Chains

Rather than wait for the sales, head over to Wal-Mart and Target. Both stores sell electronics. Unless you want something that’s highly specialized or customized, check out the products and prices at these stores. You might find the gadget you want at a discount price.

Online Retailers

Do your homework if you’re going to shop online, and see which site has the best price. Shop at web-only retailers such as Amazon, but don’t neglect websites for big box stores and discount retailers. These companies often offer more products and different discounts online than in their brick-and-mortar stores.

Specialty and Local Shops

Usually, when you walk by an Apple Store, it’s crowded. People seem to love getting their hands on the products. Cell phone retailers such as AT&T let you try out smartphones in person. Don’t overlook the importance of visiting a local mom-and-pop electronics store that may carry highly specialized inventory. These are few and far between, but if there’s one in your community, make a stop there.

Will Tablets be Popular in 2012?

Behold the iPad in All Its Glory.

Image via Wikipedia

The idea of a tablet PC — a small but powerful computer with a touch screen — has been around since 2001. It’s only been in the last few years with the emergence of Apple’s iPad that the tablet has gained popularity.

As with all new technology, the competition is fierce among the top companies. That is likely to mean lower prices on websites like Offers.com as more and more companies decide to enter the tablet market.

But do people really need another gadget? What makes a tablet any better than a notebook computer or an Internet enabled cell phone?

There are a lot of good reasons to consider a tablet PC:

  • You can use the tablet as a desktop PC if you want because it’s capable of running the same software you use on your computer.  Instead of using a mouse, you just touch the screen to open and close applications.
  • You can use the tablet just as you would any other laptop.
  • You can “write” notes on the touch screen using a stylus and then later use software to convert your scribbles into a digital file. You can also draw on the screen with your finger.
  • The tablet surfs the Internet and makes it easy because you can just swipe the screen with a finger to scroll, even while in bed, because the tablet doesn’t have to be on a flat surface.

No one can really predict whether any particular new technology will succeed or not, but Microsoft has announced plans to launch its new tablet in 2012,  just in time for back to school.

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Refurbished Phones

A refurbished cell phone is one that has been used, but restored to perfect working condition. You may find that spending $200 on a phone is simply too expensive and you would rather purchase a refurbished phone. It’s not like getting a hand-me-down from a friend, but they can come in like-new condition, some with minor scratches, but the amount of use will be almost completely unnoticable, and there are many benefits of purchasing one.

Why Do Companies Sell Refurbished Phones?

Companies sell refurbished phones for many reasons. Because it’s like recycling a phone, this can cut down on the production costs and be more eco-friendly. It’s much more cost-effective for a company to fix a phone than to completely construct a new one, meaning it costs you less to buy a used one than to save up money for a brand new one.

Why Buy One?

Most people buy these phones if their contract isn’t ready for an upgrade. Because they are more affordable than a brand new one, they will buy a refurbished phone until they can get an upgrade. Some people start out with refurbished phones because they are more affordable and more eco-friendly.

Benefits Of Buying a Refurbished Phone

Some people may find it ridiculous to buy a used phone rather than a new one, but there are many benefits to buying a used phone. Some benefits include:

  • Most come with warranties that you can’t get with a new cell phone.
  • The quality is the same as a new phone.
  • It’s much more affordable.
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