buyers guide
Latest
Distro Issue 54 arrives with the complete Engadget back to school guide!
Well, friends, back to school season is in full swing. For some, it's a time of great sorrow, but for others it's a glorious time that usually means some new tech is on the way to combat the year's upcoming workload. Lucky for all of those in the latter group, the folks here at Engadget HQ have done our homework and compiled our picks in 14 different categories for your buying reference. In this issue of our weekly, we give you the full rundown on what to look for when you're in the midst of your back to school gadget shopping. As you might expect, some of the usual suspects are here as well for your weekend reading exploits -- including a closer look at the Wacom Cintiq 24HD touch, hands-on with a few of Gamescom's gadgets and a list of "Rec Reading" for the end of this seven-day period. Don't wait any longer, though. Hit your link of choice below to grab an end of summer guide of your very own. Distro Issue 54 PDF Distro in the iTunes App Store Distro in the Google Play Store Distro APK (for sideloading) Like Distro on Facebook Follow Distro on Twitter
Engadget's back to school guide 2012: accessories
Welcome to Engadget's back to school guide! The end of summer vacation isn't nearly as much fun as the weeks that come before, but a chance to update your tech tools likely helps to ease the pain. Today, we've got a slew of accessories -- and you can head to the back to school hub to see the rest of the product guides as they're added throughout the month. Be sure to keep checking back -- at the end of the month we'll be giving away a ton of the gear featured in our guides -- and hit up the hub page right here! Sure, you may need ultraportables and such to get the bulk of your work done, but you also need a few add-ons to make tasks just a bit easier. In this installment of the back to school guide, we'll offer a collection of accessories that will do just that. From extra batteries to external hard drives and peripherals, what you'll find here should help you get through a day of back-to-back classes, without the need to worry about losing all those term papers if something goes wrong with the SSD. Of course, not all of these are meant to aid in serious, head-down studies. We also tackle a few options for keeping fit and iPad-powered study breaks, too. So head on past the break for the rundown on a gadget stash that'll help you ease back into the flow of things this fall.
Engadget's back to school guide 2012: portable audio
Welcome to Engadget's back to school guide! The end of summer vacation isn't nearly as much fun as the weeks that come before, but a chance to update your tech tools likely helps to ease the pain. Today, we're taking our audio with us -- and you can head to the back to school hub to see the rest of the product guides as they're added throughout the month. Be sure to keep checking back -- at the end of the month we'll be giving away a ton of the gear featured in our guides -- and hit up the hub page right here! With all of the studying and on-campus traveling you're about to delve into, sometimes adding a bit of music to your step can spice up those mundane times in your daily routine. That's why we've rounded up a selection of portable speakers and headphones that'll not only help you rock out whenever the mood strikes, but also go a step further by letting you take phone calls without skipping a beat. It may not be audiophile-grade gear in the official sense, but it won't matter when you're enjoying good sound just about anywhere your smartphone-connected life takes you.
Engadget's back to school guide 2012: digital cameras
Welcome to Engadget's back to school guide! The end of summer vacation isn't nearly as much fun as the weeks that come before, but a chance to update your tech tools likely helps to ease the pain. Today, we've got our optical viewfinders set firmly on digital cameras -- and you can head to the back to school hub to see the rest of the product guides as they're added throughout the month. Be sure to keep checking back -- at the end of the month we'll be giving away a ton of the gear featured in our guides -- and hit up the hub page right here! Your smartphone can take pictures, you say? Well, sure it can, but try snapping away at a frat party -- you're likely to walk away with a blurry mess. Your Facebook friends and future employers deserve an accurate account of those glory days, and you'll need a proper snapper to get the job done. College is as good a time as any to learn responsibility, but don't expect to walk out of the experience with all your gear unscathed. To that end, freshmen should look long and hard at our point-and-shoot picks, which include models that you won't be afraid to toss around, or drop in the jungle juice. After that come the mirrorless ILCs, which should satisfy the more advanced photogs in the bunch, followed by our digital SLR picks, which, sadly, may be out of reach of all but photography majors and deep-pocketed private school types. Finally, you'll have yet another opportunity to enter our fantastic giveaway at the bottom of the page, just after the break.
Engadget's back to school guide 2012: HDTV
Welcome to Engadget's back to school guide! The end of summer vacation isn't nearly as much fun as the weeks that come before, but a chance to update your tech tools likely helps to ease the pain. Today, we're settling down in front of a few of our favorite HDTVs, but you can head to the back to school hub to see the rest of the product guides as they're added throughout the month. Be sure to keep checking back -- at the end of the series we'll be giving away a ton of the gear featured in our guides -- and hit up the hub page right here! Students today can catch high-quality video on a variety of screens -- computers, phones and tablets are probably always within reach -- but nothing can truly replace a TV's role as the center of entertainment. Whether it's a quick Madden or Call of Duty session, inviting a friend over to catch a flick or just zoning out after class, having the proper setup makes all the difference, and there are plenty of options at every price point. Of course, walking into any big-box electronics store to peer down aisles of seemingly identical flat screens could drive anyone mad before they ever step on campus, so we've narrowed down the list for you, and even suggested a few other items to plug into those HDTVs. Expanding feature sets and universal pricing have raised average prices a bit over last year, but we can find something to fit whether your budget ranges from a couple of hundred to a couple of thousand dollars.
Engadget's back to school guide 2012: gaming
Welcome to Engadget's back to school guide! The end of summer vacation isn't nearly as much fun as the weeks that come before, but a chance to update your tech tools likely helps to ease the pain. Today, we're getting our game on -- and you can head to the back to school hub to see the rest of the product guides as they're added throughout the month. Be sure to keep checking back -- at the end of the month we'll be giving away a ton of the gear featured in our guides -- and hit up the hub page right here! It's time to balance out that daily grind at school with some well-deserved leisure. Fortunately, many of our choices walk that fine line between work and play -- if you're willing to stump up some more cash beyond a normal laptop, you could get something capable of handling the latest PC titles. Some of our other choices may be a harder sell in the education stakes, but we all need some stress relief, right? And with bigger consoles nearing the end of their life cycles, there's never been a more wallet-friendly time to get involved. Jump in after the break for our favorite gaming choices. If all your money's been earmarked for learnin', then you should certainly enter our sweepstakes. Leave a comment after the break for a chance to win, and visit our giveaway page for all the details.
Engadget's back to school guide 2012: mainstream laptops
Welcome to Engadget's back to school guide! The end of summer vacation isn't nearly as much fun as the weeks that come before, but a chance to update your tech tools likely helps to ease the pain. Today we're getting down to the very important business of helping you sift through laptops, and you can always head to the back to school hub to see the rest of the product guides as they're added throughout the month. Be sure to keep checking back -- at the end of the month we'll be giving away a ton of the gear featured in our guides -- and hit up the hub page right here! Freshman year of college may no longer be the gateway to the magical world of laptop ownership, but even if you already have a notebook, who can resist a new machine in the spirit of starting fresh when September rolls around? Whether you're looking for a Core i5 companion to get you through semesters of paper-writing, Facebooking and WoWing, or a super-sleek centerpiece to your bare-bones dorm, there's a vast playing field of machines to choose from. While sifting through the countless options would surely get you back in the academic research frame of mind, it's a daunting task. We're here to take some of the work off your plate with nine solid mainstream laptops that should satisfy every budget.
Engadget's back to school guide 2012: e-readers
Welcome to Engadget's back to school guide! The end of summer vacation isn't nearly as much fun as the weeks that come before, but a chance to update your tech tools likely helps to ease the pain. Today, we're flippin' through the pages on our e-readers -- and you can head to the back to school hub to see the rest of the product guides as they're added throughout the month. Be sure to keep checking back -- at the end of the month we'll be giving away a ton of the gear featured in our guides -- and hit up the hub page right here! Most of us are still walking around hunchbacked from years of carrying heavy textbooks in our overstuffed backpacks. Thankfully, an e-reader can significantly lighten the loads for students everywhere. Sure, we've still got a ways to go before electronic devices can replace textbooks altogether, but in the long run, they could significantly impact the postures of backpack wearers all over. Jump past the break for our recommendations, and another opportunity to enter our back to school giveaway. Simply leave a comment at the bottom to be entered to win, and head over to our giveaway page for more details.
Engadget's back to school guide 2012: ultraportables
Welcome to Engadget's back to school guide! The end of summer vacation isn't nearly as much fun as the weeks that come before, but a chance to update your tech tools likely helps to ease the pain. Today we're getting down to the very important business of helping you sift through laptops -- and you can head to the back to school hub to see the rest of the product guides as they're added throughout the month. Be sure to keep checking back -- at the end of August we'll be giving away a ton of the gear featured in our guides -- you can hit up the hub page right here! Given their roots -- luxury machines like the original MacBook Air ($1,800) and last year's Samsung Series 9 ($1,649) -- you'd be forgiven if you initially dismissed Ultrabooks as being too extravagant for a college-bound student. Thankfully, though, prices have sunk so low that you can now find a thin, fast, ultraportable laptop for as little as $700. The only problem, perhaps, is a paradox of choice: the selection is already crowded with dozens of contenders, and there are 100-some-odd more models in the pipeline, according to Intel. Fortunately for you, dear readers, we've had the chance to handle or even review many of them, and were able to whittle down the offerings to a handful of promising contenders. Whether you're prepared to spend $750 or $1,400, we have something that'll fit the bill.
Engadget's back to school guide 2012: tablets
Welcome to Engadget's back to school guide! The end of summer vacation isn't nearly as much fun as the weeks that come before, but a chance to update your tech tools likely helps to ease the pain. Today, we're leaning back with our tablets -- and you can head to the back to school hub to see the rest of the product guides as they're added throughout the month. Be sure to keep checking back -- at the end of August we'll be giving away a ton of the gear featured in our guides -- you can hit up the hub page right here! Your back may be straining from the textbooks, laptop, gym gear and lunch in that dangling overstuffed messenger, but you're still gonna want to save room for one more item -- a tablet. After all, while you can surf, tweet, play games and watch video from your other devices, there's nothing like doing it from a simple glass window that sits in the palm of your hand. As the hardware gets more powerful, these devices are rapidly becoming versatile enough to let you justify leaving the laptop at home on less-intensive days, so why not check out our picks of the finest devices you should be using and abusing before, during and after class.
Engadget's back to school guide 2012
<div style="text-align:center;"><a href="http://www.engadget.com/backtoschool2012"><img alt="Engadget's back to school guide 2012" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2012/08/eng-bts-logo.jpeg"/> </a></div><p>Welcome to Engadget's back to school hub for 2012! With the payment plan locked in for tuition and fees, you're now free to spend on the fun stuff, and we're here to help! Throughout August, we'll be posting three guides each week, covering all of the categories you see represented below. Whether you're dropping a few grand or pinching pennies when it comes to tech, we've got the gear for you. Each guide includes three sections, organized by price, letting you make the best picks while staying within budget. Then, after after you see the very last guide go live at the end of the month, we'll be drawing the names of 15 lucky readers -- each will head back to campus this fall with a <a href="http://www.engadget.com/2012/08/06/back-to-school-giveaway/">bag of gadgets</a> stuffed to the brim! For now, click on over to our available category pages, and stay tuned for those to come -- identified by a faded graphic for now.</p><center> <table border="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="text-align:center;"> <a href="http://www.engadget.com/2012/08/22/back-to-school-guide-accessories/"><img alt="DNP Engadget's back to school guide 2012" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2012/07/accessories-1343166374.jpg"/></a></td> <td style="text-align:center;"> <a href="http://www.engadget.com/2012/08/27/back-to-school-guide-bags-and-cases/"><img alt="DNP Engadget's back to school guide 2012" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2012/07/timbuk2-1343159092.jpg"/></a></td> <td style="text-align:center;"> <a href="http://www.engadget.com/2012/08/17/back-to-school-guide-digital-cameras/"><img alt="DNP Engadget's back to school guide 2012" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2012/07/dsc-rx100.jpg"/></a></td> <td style="text-align:center;"> <a href="http://www.engadget.com/2012/08/24/back-to-school-guide-speaker-docks/"><img alt="DNP Engadget's back to school guide 2012" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2012/07/dock.jpg"/></a></td> </tr> <tr> <td style="text-align:center;"> <h5> <a href="http://www.engadget.com/2012/08/22/back-to-school-guide-accessories/">Accessories</a></h5> </td> <td style="text-align:center;"> <h5> <a href="http://www.engadget.com/2012/08/27/back-to-school-guide-bags-and-cases/">Bags and Cases</a></h5> </td> <td style="text-align:center;"> <h5> <a href="http://www.engadget.com/2012/08/17/back-to-school-guide-digital-cameras/">Cameras</a></h5> </td> <td style="text-align:center;"> <h5> <a href="http://www.engadget.com/2012/08/24/back-to-school-guide-speaker-docks/">Docks</a></h5> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <font color="white">.</font></td> <td> <font color="white">.</font></td> <td> <font color="white">.</font></td> <td> <font color="white">.</font></td> </tr> <tr> <td style="text-align:center;"> <a href="http://www.engadget.com/2012/08/09/back-to-school-guide-e-readers/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2011/07/bts2011nook.jpg"/></a></td> <td style="text-align:center;"> <a href="http://www.engadget.com/2012/08/31/back-to-school-guide-fun-stuff/"><img alt="DNP Engadget's back to school guide 2012" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2012/07/flyingalarmclock.jpg"/></a></td> <td style="text-align:center;"> <a href="http://www.engadget.com/2012/08/13/back-to-school-guide-gaming/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2011/07/bts2011sony-playstation-vita.jpg"/></a></td> <td style="text-align:center;"> <a href="http://www.engadget.com/2012/08/15/back-to-school-guide-hdtv/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2011/07/bts2011tv.jpg"/></a></td> </tr> <tr> <td style="text-align:center;"> <h5> <a href="http://www.engadget.com/2012/08/09/back-to-school-guide-e-readers/">E-readers</a></h5> </td> <td style="text-align:center;"> <h5> <a href="http://www.engadget.com/2012/08/31/back-to-school-guide-fun-stuff/">Fun Stuff!</a></h5> </td> <td style="text-align:center;"> <h5> <a href="http://www.engadget.com/2012/08/13/back-to-school-guide-gaming/">Gaming</a></h5> </td> <td style="text-align:center;"> <h5> <a href="http://www.engadget.com/2012/08/15/back-to-school-guide-hdtv/">HDTV</a></h5> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <font color="white">.</font></td> <td> <font color="white">.</font></td> <td> <font color="white">.</font></td> <td> <font color="white">.</font></td> </tr> <tr> <td style="text-align:center;"> <a href="http://www.engadget.com/2012/08/10/back-to-school-guide-laptops/"><img alt="DNP Engadget's back to school guide 2012" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2012/07/hp-envy.jpg"/></a></td> <td style="text-align:center;"> <a href="http://www.engadget.com/2012/08/20/back-to-school-guide-portable-audio/"><img alt="DNP Engadget's back to school guide 2012" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2012/07/aiaiai-capital-concrete-grey.jpg"/></a></td> <td style="text-align:center;"> <a href="http://www.engadget.com/2012/08/29/back-to-school-guide-printers/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2011/07/bts2011printer.jpg"/></a></td> <td style="text-align:center;"> <a href="http://www.engadget.com/2012/08/06/back-to-school-guide-smartphones/"><img alt="DNP Engadget's back to school guide 2012" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2012/07/samsung-galaxy-s-iii-1.jpg"/></a></td> </tr> <tr> <td style="text-align:center;"> <h5> <a href="http://www.engadget.com/2012/08/10/back-to-school-guide-laptops/">Laptops</a></h5> </td> <td style="text-align:center;"> <h5> <a href="http://www.engadget.com/2012/08/20/back-to-school-guide-portable-audio/">Portable Audio</a></h5> </td> <td style="text-align:center;"> <h5> <a href="http://www.engadget.com/2012/08/29/back-to-school-guide-printers/">Printers</a></h5> </td> <td style="text-align:center;"> <h5> <a href="http://www.engadget.com/2012/08/06/back-to-school-guide-smartphones/">Smartphones</a></h5> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <font color="white">.</font></td> <td> <font color="white">.</font></td> <td> <font color="white">.</font></td> <td> <font color="white">.</font></td> </tr> <tr> <td style="text-align:center;"> </td> <td style="text-align:center;"> <a href="http://www.engadget.com/2012/08/07/back-to-school-guide-tablets/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2011/07/bts2011tablet.jpg"/></a></td> <td style="text-align:center;"> <a href="http://www.engadget.com/2012/08/08/back-to-school-guide-ultraportables/"><img alt="DNP Engadget's back to school guide 2012" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2012/07/acer-aspire-s5-ultrabook-1.jpg"/></a></td> <td style="text-align:center;"> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="text-align:center;"> <h5> </h5> </td> <td style="text-align:center;"> <h5> <a href="http://www.engadget.com/2012/08/07/back-to-school-guide-tablets/">Tablets</a></h5> </td> <td style="text-align:center;"> <h5> <a href="http://www.engadget.com/2012/08/08/back-to-school-guide-ultraportables/">Ultraportables</a></h5> </td> <td style="text-align:center;"> <h5> </h5> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table></center>
Engadget's back to school guide 2012: smartphones
Welcome to Engadget's back to school guide! The end of summer vacation isn't nearly as much fun as the weeks that come before, but a chance to update your tech tools likely helps to ease the pain. Today, we're tapping away on our brand-new smartphones -- and you can head to the back to school hub to see the rest of the product guides as they're added throughout the month. Be sure to keep checking back -- at the end of August we'll be giving away a ton of the gear featured in our guides -- you can hit up the hub page right here! It's a good time to be a student. Last year, there were some solid picks, but it was still very clear that those willing to scrimp and save a little longer had a much better experience. This year, it's a people's revolution. Thanks to cutthroat competition, there are some exceptional phones out there, even for those of you hoping to avoid eating ramen noodles for a month. Software has taken a leap forward too, with many phones now offering a vital way to remember when that term paper is due... or to procrastinate at the pub. We have nine choices of phones in our shortlist, spread out across three categories to serve everyone from the I-just-need-a-phone freshman to the overloaded doctoral candidate. While you're eying the selection, don't forget to enter our giveaway and potentially ease the burden -- who knows, you may get a phone you want rather than the one dictated by your student loan.
Engadget's back to school 2012 sweepstakes: win one of 15 gadget-filled bags!
Ready to pack away the swim trunks and sunscreen and head back to school? If you're a lucky winner of our annual back to school sweepstakes, you'll surely be itching to make the return to campus. With last year's contest deemed an incredible success, we're stepping up the offering for 2012, adding higher-end devices in almost every category. There's an Ultrabook from HP, Sony's new mirrorless camera and a Samsung Galaxy S III, just to name a few. If your name is drawn, we'll be shipping you an overstuffed Engadget-branded Timbuk2 messenger bag, filled with prizes worth more than $3,000 in all. And to increase your chances of winning, we'll be giving away a total of 15 identical bags! That means 15 laptops, 15 cameras, 15 smartphones and 15 very happy Engadget readers. So what are you waiting for? Jump past the break to see the prizes, and be sure to enter in the comments below, and another 14 times on each of our back to school category pages, launching throughout the month.
Engadget's smartphone buyer's guide: summer 2012 edition
Despite the sweltering heat waves, our spirits are high at Engadget, and for good reason: it's time for our summer edition of the smartphone buyer's guide. Here, you'll find our top recommendations for the best smartphones across several US carriers, along with the best QWERTY and budget alternatives. In many ways, it's now easier than ever to find a world-class smartphone, but unless you've developed a strong brand preference, choosing one is likely more difficult than ever before. It's no secret that the HTC One X and Samsung Galaxy S III have firmly cemented themselves as the premier smartphones of the day, but if you're torn between the two, we'll reveal our preference in this latest installment. Summertime also brought a bit of a shock, as Microsoft revealed that Windows Phone 8 apps won't be compatible with the current generation of Windows Phone hardware. For this reason, we've excluded all Windows Phone handsets from consideration in the latest buyer's guide. While the future of Microsoft's mobile platform looks incredibly bright, a purchase now would guarantee obsolescence in the short-term. Instead, all prospective Windows Phone purchasers must wait for the next generation of handsets to become available -- you'll regret it otherwise. Naturally, there is no shortage of rumors surrounding the next Apple iPhone, and given the handset's current lack of LTE connectivity, the iPhone 4S is certainly showing its age. While cautious purchasers may choose to bide their time, the iPhone remains top-notch in many other respects, and its arrival at a number of prepaid carriers brought a breath of fresh air to an otherwise stagnant environment. If you're curious to see how it all unfolded -- and we know you are -- join us after the break, where we round up the very best smartphones of the season.
Engadget's tablet buyer's guide: summer 2012 edition
Time flies, doesn't it? It seems like only yesterday that we were just putting the final touches on our spring tablet buyer's guide, and here we are, updating it for a new season. This time, the sun is out and the trousers are getting shorter, which can mean only one thing -- yep, it's the summer edition! Even if the weather isn't so lovely where you are, or you're still wearing long pants, there should be something in here to tickle your technical fancy. Not least because we've seen at least one major player enter the foray, along with some other strong contenders. So, how has that changed the line up? Head on past the break to find out, but before you dive in to the cool refreshing water, remember you can visit our review hub all year round. Surf's up!
Engadget's summer gear guide 2012
<p style="text-align:center;"><a href="http://www.engadget.com/2012/06/01/2012-summer-gear-guide/"><img alt="Engadget's summer gear guide 2012" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2012/06/sgg600.jpg" style="margin:4px;width:600px;height:175px;"/> </a></p><p>It's that time of the year once again, friends. As you make your recreation and travel plans for the upcoming balmy weather, we're sure you're looking to snag a few new gadgets. Who doesn't like to take the latest and greatest camera or smartphone with 'em on that trip to Yellowstone? Well, we're looking to offer some help navigating the vast expanse that is the world of gadgetry. Here, you'll find the hub of our <a href="http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/25/distro-issue-summer-gear-guide/">Summer Gear Guide</a> -- think of it as the Grand Central Station for all your warm-weather tech suggestions. From this library of sorts, you'll be able to navigate easily to the category of your choice for a quick read on our gear favorites this season. So, what are you waiting for? It certainly isn't going to get any cooler out for a few months. Grab a glass of lemonade and head out on the porch before perusing our picks --- all accessible through the list of links below.</p><p></p><center> <br /> <table border="0" style="width:630px;height:281px;"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="text-align:center;vertical-align:middle;"> <a href="http://www.engadget.com/2012/06/01/laptop-buyers-guide/"><img alt="Image" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2012/06/samsung-notebook-series-9-12.jpg" style="margin:4px;width:129px;height:88px;"/></a></td> <td style="text-align:center;vertical-align:middle;"> <a href="http://www.engadget.com/2012/06/01/tablet-buyers-guide/"><img alt="Image" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2012/06/iphotoipadwhiteeditprint.jpg" style="margin:4px;width:120px;height:93px;"/></a></td> <td style="text-align:center;vertical-align:middle;"> <a href="http://www.engadget.com/2012/06/01/smartphone-buyers-guide/"><img alt="Image" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2012/06/international-version-of-the-htc-one-x-screams-loudly-with-its-quad-core-nvidia-tegra-3-cpu-2.jpg" style="margin:4px;width:120px;height:91px;"/></a></td> <td style="text-align:center;vertical-align:middle;"> <a href="http://www.engadget.com/2012/06/01/portable-audio-buyers-guide/"><img alt="Image" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2012/06/bigjambox-hires-001.jpg" style="margin:4px;width:120px;height:54px;"/></a></td> </tr> <tr> <td style="text-align:center;vertical-align:middle;"> <h5> <a href="http://www.engadget.com/2012/06/01/laptop-buyers-guide/">Laptops</a></h5> </td> <td style="text-align:center;vertical-align:middle;"> <h5> <a href="http://www.engadget.com/2012/06/01/tablet-buyers-guide/">Tablets</a></h5> </td> <td style="text-align:center;vertical-align:middle;"> <h5> <a href="http://www.engadget.com/2012/06/01/smartphone-buyers-guide/">Smartphones</a></h5> </td> <td style="text-align:center;vertical-align:middle;"> <h5> <a href="http://www.engadget.com/2012/06/01/portable-audio-buyers-guide/">Portable Audio</a></h5> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <font color="white">.</font></td> <td> <font color="white">.</font></td> <td> <font color="white">.</font></td> <td> <font color="white">.</font></td> </tr> <tr> <td style="text-align:center;vertical-align:middle;"> <a href="http://www.engadget.com/2012/06/01/desktop-buyers-guide/"><img alt="Image" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2012/06/10imac27photo.jpg" style="margin:4px;width:120px;height:111px;"/></a></td> <td style="text-align:center;vertical-align:middle;"> <a href="http://www.engadget.com/2012/06/01/camera-buyers-guide/"><img alt="Image" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2012/06/d51001855front.jpg" style="margin:4px;width:120px;height:93px;"/></a></td> <td style="text-align:center;vertical-align:middle;"> <a href="http://www.engadget.com/2012/06/01/home-entertainment-buyers-guide/"><img alt="Image" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2012/06/tivopremierexl4rfwremote300rgb2011.jpg" style="margin:4px;width:120px;height:39px;"/></a></td> <td style="text-align:center;vertical-align:middle;"> <a href="http://www.engadget.com/2012/06/01/dock-buyers-guide/"><img alt="Image" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2012/06/jbl-onbeat-xtreme-bild-rid.jpg" style="margin:4px;width:120px;height:89px;"/></a></td> </tr> <tr> <td style="text-align:center;vertical-align:middle;"> <h5> <a href="http://www.engadget.com/2012/06/01/desktop-buyers-guide/">Desktops</a></h5> </td> <td style="text-align:center;vertical-align:middle;"> <h5> <a href="http://www.engadget.com/2012/06/01/camera-buyers-guide/">Cameras</a></h5> </td> <td style="text-align:center;vertical-align:middle;"> <h5> <a href="http://www.engadget.com/2012/06/01/home-entertainment-buyers-guide/">Home Entertainment</a></h5> </td> <td style="text-align:center;vertical-align:middle;"> <h5> <a href="http://www.engadget.com/2012/06/01/dock-buyers-guide/">Docks</a></h5> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <font color="white">.</font></td> <td> <font color="white">.</font></td> <td> <font color="white">.</font></td> <td> <font color="white">.</font></td> </tr> <tr> <td style="text-align:center;vertical-align:middle;"> <a href="http://www.engadget.com/2012/06/01/gaming-buyers-guide/"><img alt="Image" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2012/06/geforcegtx6903qtr.jpg" style="margin:4px;width:120px;height:102px;"/></a></td> <td style="text-align:center;vertical-align:middle;"> <a href="http://www.engadget.com/2012/06/01/bags-and-cases-buyers-guide/"><img alt="Image" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2012/06/432-4-7141frontcmyk.jpg" style="margin:4px;width:87px;height:120px;"/></a></td> <td style="text-align:center;vertical-align:middle;"> <a href="http://www.engadget.com/2012/06/01/e-reader-buyers-guide/"><img alt="Image" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2012/06/01nstglfront.jpg" style="margin:4px;width:92px;height:120px;"/></a></td> <td style="text-align:center;vertical-align:middle;"> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="text-align:center;vertical-align:middle;"> <h5> <a href="http://www.engadget.com/2012/06/01/gaming-buyers-guide/">Gaming</a></h5> </td> <td style="text-align:center;vertical-align:middle;"> <h5> <a href="http://www.engadget.com/2012/06/01/bags-and-cases-buyers-guide/">Bags & Cases</a></h5> </td> <td style="text-align:center;vertical-align:middle;"> <h5> <a href="http://www.engadget.com/2012/06/01/e-reader-buyers-guide/">E-readers</a></h5> </td> <td style="text-align:center;vertical-align:middle;"> <h5> </h5> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table></center><p></p>
Engadget's summer gear guide 2012: e-readers
In the interest of keeping cool this summer, we've put together a list of the hottest products out right now. From smartphones to e-readers and everything in between, there's no time like the present to re-up that post-spring-cleaning stash. So grab a popsicle or a cold one and dive in -- the water's just right. Summer is coming. Time to relax by the pool with a good book -- though, judging by what's on your reading list this year, perhaps it's time to go for the anonymity of an e-reader. No one needs to know how you've been slogging through Fifty Shades of Grey for the past two months, right? Thankfully, there's no better time to buy one of these devices -- there's plenty of choices and, thanks to competition, some seriously good deals. One thing all of these readers have in common: E Ink displays -- way better for reading out in the summertime sun than their LCD counterparts. So let's not delay that warm weather reading list any longer. Head on past the break to see our picks.
Engadget's summer gear guide 2012: bags & cases
In the interest of keeping cool this summer, we've put together a list of the hottest products out right now. From smartphones to e-readers and everything in between, there's no time like the present to re-up that post-spring-cleaning stash. So grab a popsicle or a cold one and dive in -- the water's just right. Sure, you'll want to snag some new tech candy for your summer mountain expedition or ocean excursion. But once you splurge for that new gadgetry, you'll need something to keep it safe for the duration of your travels. Whether it's a go-to rucksack to carry your mobile workstation or added protection for that shiny, new GoPro camera, we've got you covered. In this portion of the Summer Gear Guide, we'll take a look at the bags and cases that will cradle your valuables -- and perhaps even enhance their utility. Read on to view our seasonal recommendations.
Engadget's summer gear guide 2012: docks
In the interest of keeping cool this summer, we've put together a list of the hottest products out right now. From smartphones to e-readers and everything in between, there's no time like the present to re-up that post-spring-cleaning stash. So grab a popsicle or a cold one and dive in -- the water's just right. So, you've got a new fancy-pants smartphone and filled it up with pictures, movies and music. That's great for when you're on the train and all, but sometimes you'll want to share your music with the world (whether they like it or not) and this is where docks come in. If you've done even the quickest of web searches for one, you'll have no-doubt been dazzled by the sheer amount of choices. They literally come in all shapes and sizes, and with prices to match. Good thing we made this summer buyer's guide to help you make your mind up then. Follow us past the break as we sort out our selections.
Engadget's summer gear guide 2012: home entertainment
In the interest of keeping cool this summer, we've put together a list of the hottest products out right now. From smartphones to e-readers and everything in between, there's no time like the present to re-up that post-spring-cleaning stash. So grab a popsicle or a cold one and dive in -- the water's just right. Forget heading outside to battle the sun, bugs and whatever other dangers may lurk in the wild -- we'll be inside near the TV. Of course, the summer programming schedule can often leave something to be desired, so we'll have to take that into account in our hardware suggestions going into the break. Also key is access to our preferred programming wherever it might be, broadcast or online. So, which devices are absolute must-have's to keep you chilling where the AC blows through October and beyond? Check past the break to find out.
