Technology’s about a lot more than buying stuff—but let’s be honest, we all love our gadgets. So we’re here to help you find the best of the best—laptops, cameras, phones, and a lot more.
We know you don’t want to blow that paycheck on merely the shiniest, or the the simply newest. So we’ve considered a balance of price, features, reliability—and above all, quality—to make sure you’re choosing a gadget that isn’t just great, but one that’s sensible. We’ve updated our roster of Giz-approved gadgets, and below, you’ll find these picks—the best tech tools 2010 has to offer.
Smartphones
We can geek out all we want, but the best way to choose is a phone is not just by the hardware or the OS, but the phone and the carrier. Here’s the smartphone to pick on each…for now.
• AT&T—Apple iPhone 4
https://gizmodo.com/iphone-4-the-definitive-guide-5557101
• Sprint—HTC Evo
https://gizmodo.com/htc-evo-4g-review-a-war-machine-5554198
• T-Mobile—G2
https://gizmodo.com/t-mobile-g2-review-the-purest-android-experience-you-c-5657802
• Verizon—HTC Incredible
https://gizmodo.com/htc-droid-incredible-review-more-like-impressive-5520071
Computers
• Laptop: 15-inch i7 MacBook Pro, high rez matte screen, or if you go PC, the Toshiba Portégé R700 …a 3lb Core i5
https://gizmodo.com/macbook-pro-15-inch-core-i7-benchmarked-its-so-fast-5516050
• Netbook: This market is commoditized, just buy something on this list or an iPad.
https://gizmodo.com/tested-the-best-new-netbooks-5490111
• Ultraportable: MacBook Air 11-inch
https://gizmodo.com/11-inch-macbook-air-review-a-tiny-miracle-5678421
• 3D Laptop: Asus’ G51Jx 3DE beat out the competition, and has a built-in IR emitter.
https://gizmodo.com/the-ultimate-3d-notebook-showdown-5658107
• Processors: Decide your budget, THEN pick a processor from this list.
https://gizmodo.com/the-fastest-gaming-processors-for-any-budget-5513561
• Desktop Graphics Cards: Anything based on the ATI HD 5970 chipset will be FAAAST, otherwise, decide your budget, THEN pick the card from this list.
https://gizmodo.com/ati-radeon-hd-5970-the-worlds-fastest-graphics-card-5407231
• Mobile Graphics: Anything with Nvidia’s GeForce 400M series will have serious gaming muscle
https://gizmodo.com/nvidias-geforce-400m-series-roids-up-notebook-graphics-5627814
• Router: The Netgear RangeMax V1 emerged victorious from the Ultimate Router Battle
https://gizmodo.com/the-ultimate-router-battle-5675479
• SSD: Kingston’s SNV425-S2 64GB drive stood out by delivering blazing performance on the (relative) cheap.
http://gizmodo.com/5678532/budget-sub+150-solid-state-drive-round+up
Tablets
• Tablet: Apple iPad
• eReader: Amazon Kindle DX
https://gizmodo.com/the-new-kindle-dx-5577065
• Android Tablet: Barnes & Noble Nook Color
https://gizmodo.com/the-nook-color-might-be-a-better-android-tablet-than-we-5675881
Cameras
• Budget dSLR: Canon T2i
https://gizmodo.com/canon-rebel-t2i-review-this-should-be-your-first-dslr-5541310
• Midrange dSLR: Canon 7D
https://gizmodo.com/canon-7d-review-5400595
• ‘Spensive dSLR: Nikon D3s
https://gizmodo.com/nikon-d3s-review-a-light-stalker-5481226
• Point and Shoot: Canon S95 or Canon SD4000…check prices.
https://gizmodo.com/canon-powershot-s95-our-favorite-point-and-shoot-gets-5616665
• Pocket Camcorder: Flip Ultra HD, but only if you don’t already have an iPhone 4. Otherwise, your smartphone’s capturing better video than Flip’s dedicated device—give your pockets some extra space.
https://gizmodo.com/ultimate-pocket-camcorder-comparison-5401862
• Phone Camera: iPhone 4
• Waterproof Camera: Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS2
https://gizmodo.com/panasonic-lumix-dmc-ts2-rugged-camera-the-clumsy-photo-5456903
• Helmet/Sports Camera: GoPro Hero HD and ContourHD Surfboard Mount
https://gizmodo.com/gopro-hero-hd-camera-review-5396576
Home Theater
• 3DTV: Panasonic’sTC-P50VT20 topped the pile in our three-way shootout.
https://gizmodo.com/the-best-3dtv-samsung-un55c7000-vs-panasonic-tc-p50vt2-5501900
• Blu-ray Player: LG BD570 or PS3
https://gizmodo.com/the-best-250-blu-ray-players-reviewed-5537666
• Receiver: Pioneer VSX-1020-K
https://gizmodo.com/pioneers-vsx-1020-k-is-best-550-av-receiver-and-not-on-5485322
• Game Console/Media Extender: Xbox 360
https://gizmodo.com/the-new-xbox-360-fully-detailed-5563153
• Speakers: High quality sound doesn’t need to cost a fortune—turns out there’s a lot of great audio gear out there for less than $2,000. Audioengine’s A5 speakers are $350 a pair, but pack serious sonic punch—and they’re self-powered. Check out the rest of the roundup if you’re looking to splurge a little more.
https://gizmodo.com/the-best-speakers-under-2-000-5639824
