Have you been planning to either purchase a new gadget or upgrade your existing gadget wardrobe? This is the time to do it. Monsoon season is here and thanks to the general slowdown, it's been raining discounts at stores: visit any mall, or any online store and you will see loads of discounts and bundle offers. The best deals and prices are mostly region-specific, but we do have loads of advice for you which will help you make a well-informed decision. Inside, you'll find the hottest gadget categories; mobile phones, digicams, camcorders, mp3 players, Flat TVs, desktops, laptops, and home theater systems. Refer to the quick buying tips before or at the store. Or you could just consider our recommendations for each specific category. The index below will help you get started

Choosing from a sea of mobile phones
Choosing the right mobile could be a daunting task, especially when there is such a variety to choose from. There are 400 plus phones available in several form factors (candybar, slider, clamshell) from 20 plus big and small brands (Nokia, Sony Ericsson, LG, Samsung, Spice) that a consumer has to consider while he decides to buy one for himself. Adding more to the confusion is the plethora of features these tiny devices offer-other than making and receiving calls you can use it for clicking images, listening to music (FM and MP3 ), Internet-based services, gaming and what not. Adding to confusion are all the new models which manufactures launch each month, each trying to introduce some new feature. Though this confusion can't be done away with completely, these tips might help in making a wise decision. Begin by asking yourself:

What is my budget?
Fix a budget first. There is a whole wide price range; you can get a handset for as low as Rs 1000 to as high as several lakhs. But you won't wanna burn a hole in your pocket unless you are a fashionista would you? Once you've fixed your budget, you have already restricted yourself to a range and have limited options to choose from.

What are my needs?
To reduce the number of options further, ask yourself what you will do with your mobile handset? Will you use it for listening to music, clicking images or for checking mails? Do you need Office apps on your handset? Other than entry-level handsets, most of the smartphones come with the ability to install more apps and therefore add functionality. While you use all these additinal features?

People buy flashy and expensive handsets for style or as an attempt to impress their peer group. However, they often underutilize their handsets. If there is a feature you won't use or need then why spend money on it? A business phone won't make any sense for a housewife anyways.

So, define your needs and figure out which category of handsets should you look at: camera phones, music phones, smartphones, touchscreens, or all-rounders. Once you've done this, the final filtering process will now begin. Whichever category you choose from, a few must-haves are form factor, sound clarity, comfortable keypad and a god battery life. But what else do you need to look for in each category is mentioned below. Also mentioned at the end are our recommendations for each category.

Camera phones

Looking for a camera phone?
1. Check the lens. Carl Zeiss & Schneider Kreuznach lens matched with better technology and favorable conditions like proper lighting ensures better image quality.
2. A dual LED flash or a Xenon flash ensures that you capture beautiful images even when there is not enough light. If you have to opt between a Xenon or LED, go with Xenon; Xenon is what most of the stand-alone digicams sport.
3. Look out for features such as scene modes, multi-shot, panorama and photo editing support, which'll give your camera phone an edge.
4. Make sure that the phone has enough memory and a powerful (1000 mAh or more) battery. A weak battery or low memory will spoil the experience. Expandable memory is advisable and the minimum that you should get is 2 GB. MicroSD cards are really cheap now and 2 GB will be supported in all phones with a MicroSD slot. Certain phones may even support 8 or 16 GB cards.

Our recommendations:
Sony Ericsson Cybershot 810i (Rs 10,153):
If budget is a constraint, this is the best option. It has a 3.2 MP AF camera with Xenon flash, basic photo editing features and the highlight is the Best Pic mode besides which clicks nine images in a go.

Nokia N86 (Rs 23, 077):
Nokia's first 8 MP camera phone with all basic Nseries offerings; easy media sharing, advanced location based services,

Motorola Motozine Z95 (Rs 15,480):
This one hides a branded 5 MP Kodak camera with Xenon flash in its slim body and has features such as panorama, various shooting modes etc. WiFi and TV-out is another plus.

Music phones

Look for these in a music phone
1. A 3.5mm output is always better. The proprietary headsets which you get with certain phones work perfectly fine, but a 3.5mm output gives you the freedom to replace the standard headsets with better ones from Sennheiser, Creative, Shure, Bose, Monster and many other high end brands.
2. Look for dedicated music keys; it makes navigating through the music menu and scrolling through your song list easier. You can access your playlists, pause, play, and change the track as you do on your PMPs.
3. Check which speakers your phone has. In general, you might use your phone to listen to music via the headset only, but you never know when you get into the party mood and where-especially if friends are around. So, dual stereo speakers which are loud enough should suffice.
4. Audio settings that the phone offers. Settings like equalizer, playlists, stereo widening, and shuffle might help in making the overall experience worthwhile.

Our recommendations:
iPhone 3G(Rs 29,808 for 8GB): It made touchscreens a rage, but for us it is the iconic music phone. You get iPod and mobile phone capabilities in one body. Other specs include 3G , GPS, WiFi and an amazing catalogue of apps.

Samsung Beat DJ (Rs 29,808 for 8GB): Looks great, feels expensive and offers loads of cool music customization effects. And you can even turn your phone into a portable DJ tool using its BeatDJ application.

Nokia XpressMusic 5230 (Rs 9,800 approx): This is the toned down and affordable version of 5800 XpressMusic. It sports a 3.2-inch touchscreen, and comes with Bluetooth, 3.5 mm audio jack microSD card slot, WiFi and built-in GPS.

Touchscreen phones

Look for these in a Touchscsreen phone
1. A haptic and scratch-resistant screen is what you need; without it any touchscreen is useless. Haptic response can't be judged based on the promotions. Either read user reviews over the Internet or visit a store like Reliance Digital or Croma to get a hands-on experience of how your gadget would actually work before you buy it.
2. Powerful battery is something you can't do without in a touchscreen ( 2.8-inch is the basic norm) consumes more power than usual. A Li-ion battery of 1100 mAh or more is suggested.
3. Stylus? Touchscreens are of two types; resistive and capacitive. Resistive touchscreens require slight pressure, and can be activated with your finger or a stylus. Capacitive touchscreens (like the iPhone) are more responsive, but are brittle and will not work with solid objects like a stylus or pen.
4. Check the build quality. What our general observations about most of the touchscreen phones is that most of them come in a flimsier body. Make sure that the one you buy feels solid.

Our recommendations:
LG Arena (Rs 20,288): Haptic touchscreen and killer looks is what it has. Worth mentioning is slick new S-class interface. Also includes 5 MP camera, a 3.5mm jack, FM, and MP3.

Samsung Star 3G (Rs 11,346 approx): An affordable touchcsreen with TouchWiz interface which offers intuitive and easy-to-use navigation. It features a 3 MP camera, FM Radio, MP3 player, and an expandable memory of 8 GB.

Sony Ericsson Xperia X1 ( Rs 35, 481): This touchscreen has got everything from looks to features to performance. It is a Windows Mobile, which comes with a full QWERTY keypad, WiFi, and GPS.

Camera phones

Look for these in a Business phone
1. No reason to skip out on a QWERTY keypad and a bigger display. It makes typing long emails and messages easier. Or else you need to get really comfortable with the T9 dictionary.
2. Check the RAM; yes even mobile handsets come with RAM. Higher RAM makes a business phone fast; if RAM is low the phone will get bogged down when you open several apps on it. Opt for a phone that has a min of
64 MB RAM and a 400 MHz processor.
3. Blackberry support if there, will make your experience worthwhile if your work is dependent on quick emails. It makes sense to opt for a phone which has Blackberry support, if you mail intensively.
4. Check which all apps your phone has support for. Excel, Word, PowerPoint, PDF readers, presentation timers etc enhance a businessmans productivity.

Our recommendations:
Asus P320 ( Rs 10,000): A Windows mobile in a surprisingly small and lightweight body. You will get a 2.6-inch touchscreen, a 200 MHz processor, WiFi, 2 MP camera, and even a GPS receiver.

Nokia E71( Rs 16,346): This phone combines fun with business. It has a full QWERTY keypad and packs in all: WiFi, Bluetooth, quadband, 3G, FM, 3.2 MP camera and a huge 1500 mAh battery.

BlackBerry 8520 (Rs 15,990): This is the cheapest Blackberry available till date. What you get for under 16k is: 2.46” touchscreen, 512 MHz processor, 256 MB flash, WiFi, GPRS/EDGE, 2MP camera and an expandable memory of upto 16 GB.

Camera phones

Look for these in an all rounder phone
1. Multimedia capabilities can't be given a miss. If there is no DivX player or video support, no MP3 player or FM, then you can't call it an all-rounder. Make sure that your device has dual-speaker and a big, bright, and vibrant display screen. A 2.8-inch screen or more would really be great for watching movies.
2. This might sound like a repetition, but a greater battery life is a must. An all-rounder phone whose battery falls flat in just 3-4 hours will kill the experience.
3. Check which all apps your phone has got support for. Word, PDF reader, emailing capabilities, MP3 players, video players, these are some of the essentials that an all-rounder should have.

Our recommendations:
Samsung Jet (Rs 20,673): The highlight of the Jet is the bright 3.1-inch AMOLED touchscreen and beautiful animated menu. It has all the features of a smartphone barring the OS. Task manager, multiple home screens with customization, online widgets, and add-on software.

Nokia N95 (Rs 22,308 for 8GB): It is a Series 60 based slider smartphone which offers a decent mix of multimedia and business capabilities. It comes loaded with a 5 MP camera, WiFI, 8 GB onboard memory, TV-out, WLAN, FM and A-GPS.

HTC Touch Diamond Pro2 (Rs 29,990): A 3.2-inch resistive touchscreen graces the front of this Windows mobile. All controls are intuitively placed, interface is slick and fast, and its feature list is quite impressive. You get a 5 MP camera, WiFi, expandable memory upto 16 GB and Bluetooth.

For the shutterbugs

There are mainly three categories of digital cameras: point & shoot, Prosumer and DSLR. Read on to figure out what all you need to consider before buying one and also which type would suit you the best.

The MP misconception
Most consumers still judge a camera solely by its megapixel (MP) count but the fact is MPs don't matter much. It simply denotes the size of the image that the camera will take. Most point & shoot camera manufacturers just push more megapixels into smaller sensors, which doesn't help image quality. However when it comes to DSLR, the image sensor is much larger, and hence results in better image quality.

Zoom baby zoom
Digital zoom is of no use; it's the optical zoom that matters. Most standard point and shoots and DSLR kit lenses offer 3X optical zoom. Prosumer camera's offer high zoom and manual controls similar to DSLRs. With DSLRs you can buy additional lenses for enhanced functionality.

Stabilization
It is always better to go for a camera that provides optical image stabilization. Initially camcorders used to have this feature but now even digicams have this feature.

Battery life & type
Most cameras use rechargeable Lithium ion batteries, whereas a few use alkaline batteries. If you can choose a camera that uses AA batteries, you can use Ni-MH and buy standard alkalines in an emergency.

Who wants Control?
If you love to click images at random, a point and shoot is for you. In case you like to take images from a long distance and fiddle around a little bit with the exposure and aperture controls, then we suggest a prosumer cam. If you like to control every possible aspect of the image, then go for a DSLR.

Budget
A point and shoot camera is available starting from as low as 4,000 going up to 30,000. Prosumers start at around 10,000 and go as high as 40,000. DSLRs, they start from around 25,000 and go up to lakhs. Choose wisely as per your budget and requirement.

CMOS Vs CCD
A few prosumer cameras are available with CMOS sensors now, which in general are used in DSLRs. However in prosumers, CMOS has not shown good results so far.

Brand Name
The better-known brands in terms of cameras are mainly Canon, Nikon and Sony. However, other brands such as Olympus, Fujifilm and Panasonic have got some excellent offerings too. Stick to better known brands as they have a good service network across the country.

Digicam Recommendations
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS4 (Rs 6,750): The entry-level camera from Panasonic snaps images at 8 MP resolution. It offers 4X optical zoom, image stabilization and has an outstanding battery life.

Kodak Z1015 (Rs 14,999): The Kodak prosumer camera boasts of 15X optical zoom and clicks quality images. It has a resolution of 10 MP with a 28mm wide-angle lens and can even record 720p HD videos.

Canon EOS 450D (Rs 41,000): The compact 12 MP DSLR comes with an 18-55mm IS lens and DIGIC III processor. It shoots at 3.5 fps, has a 3” display with Live view and 9-point wide-area AF system with f/2.8 cross-type centre point.

Lights, Camera, Action!

The 'brand name' game
The brand name does play a significant role while making a decision. Sony, Canon and Samsung have made a decent foothold in the market and are the top choices while selecting a camcorder. After them, brands like JVC, Panasonic etc come in. However this does not mean that Panasonic and JVC have any shortcoming. They have some very good options available for the consumers, so do consider them as well.

HD or Non-HD
HD recording is not exactly the latest thing to be available, but it is still available only in high-end camcorders. With the fall in prices and a large diversity in available models, it has come within the reach of consumers. Unless and until there is a budget restriction, HD camcorder is anyday a better choice .

Recording Formats: the current trend
With hard drives and flash memory getting cheaper, Mini DV cassette camcorders are on the way out. While Mini DV camcorders are digital and allows transfer of footage from a tape to a computer via Firewire port, they are cumbersome to carry around and suffer loss in quality when the tapes are re-used. With flash memory and HDDs, more data can be stored in better quality. Formats like VHS, Hi-8 are still around, but have almost disappeared from the market. DVD camcorders are finding preference due to the main advantage that they write video directly to mini DVDs (8 cm). Sadly, they are still expensive compared to Mini DV or flash memory. Moreover the DVD offer only 30 minutes of recording (versus 60 minutes for Mini DV tapes and easily 2 hours on flash memory, subject to battery backup and available space.)

Other features to be considered:
Optical Zoom: The higher optical zoom, the better. Entry-level camcorders start with 10X ; choose a camera that provides atleast 30X optical zoom.
LCD/Viewfinder: Go for a large LCD with adequate brightness and highest resolution possible. Some camcorders even come with touchscreen viewfinder for ease of use, and this reduces the number of physical buttons on the device.
Expandable Memory: More memory you have, the better. SDHC card slots can be used to expand by another 16GB/
Still Images: Most camcorders take images at VGA or 1.3 MP resolution, some are even click images at a higher resolution. Consider the latter.
Weight: Anything over 400g becomes uncomfortable to carry around.
Video Light/Flash: A built-in video light for low-light shooting is nice to have. It doesn't illuminate very far away, but it's a great help. Same goes for the flash.

Camcorder Recommendations
Samsung SMX-F30BP (Rs 16,900): This lightweight and sleek camcorder uses flash memory and supports SDHC cards. It boasts of 34X optical zoom with a recording resolution of 720 x 480 pixels.

Sony HDR S10E (Rs 39,990): The entry-level full HD video recorder from Sony comes with Face detection and super Steadyshot feature. It has a 15x optical zoom and can click still images of 4 MP and has 40 GB HDD + removable memory stick.

Sony HDR-XR500e (Rs 49,990): The best value for money offering comes with 120 GB hard drive, 12x optical zoom and records in full HD. It can also capture stills at a whooping 12 MP resolution.

Flat Panel Televisions

Size & viewing distance
The ideal screen size of the TV depends on the room you have. Ideally, the screen size should be calculated keeping in mind the viewing distance. Calculating the screen size is quite simple. Multiply the diagonal screen size (in inches) by 1.8, and you will get the optimum viewing distance for your screen in inches. For instance, for a 32 inch screen, the optimum viewing distance is about 5 feet. Putting a television which is too small for a large room, or vice versa will completely ruin the experience.

LCD, LED or plasma?
This is a hotly debated topic; too many technologies, tall claims and such a wide range to choose from. It is generally believed that LCDs are best for up to 42-inch screen sizes and plasmas are better when you go beyond that. But with evolving technologies, this does not hold true anymore. Larger LCDs are performing quite well (despite costing a bomb) while on the other hand, there are some real steals on certain plasmas. Keep in mind that LCDs will perform better in brightly lit rooms and that plasma TVs will be better for sports and fast moving images. Life span for both is about the same. The new kid on the block is the LED TV; an LCD television with LEDs for backlighting. Don't bother spending on LEDs because you think it is something revolutionary. Do take a look at all the LCDs and Plasma screens before you make a choice.

HD ready vs full HD
This is the top question that confuses. Technically, HD ready TVs usually have a panel resolution of either 1366 x 768 pixels or 1024 x 768 pixels, while full HD televisions have a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels. This is how you should break down the choice: if you own or plan to use HD video sources (Xbox 360, Blu-Ray, PS3, upscaling media players, HD sateillte boxes) you should buy a full HD TV. However, if you are certain that the your only source of TV entertainment will be a regular DVD or standard set top box, then an HD Ready TV will do. In fact, standard definition content churned out by the DTH operators will look far better on a lower screen resolution.

Which brand?
Invest your money wisely by sticking to better known brands. Samsung, Sony, Philips, LG, Hitachi and Panasonic are some of the top choices. Apart from initial performance, reliability and panel quality, there are considerations like after sales service and support as well. If you stay with established names, you are more or less guaranteed good service. Don't buy grey market imports or lesser known brands, even if they offer amazing discounts. They might be cheaper, but getting parts or service for them will be a nightmare. Not to mention the non-existant warranty. Be very suspicious of TVs being sold at throw-away prices. They may be refurbished, showroom pieces (hence with most of their panel life over) or discontinued models.

Contrast ratio & response
Contrast ratios don't really make much difference as the brightness levels are open to interpretation and each manufacturer has different methods for measuring it. Contrast ratios also don't matter because the viewing environment also varies. Instead, trust your eyes. Plasma screens generally produce better blacks than LCDs, but the newer LCDs have caught up already. The response time is more important, the lower the better. It is defined as the time taken for a pixel to go from full black to full white. Plasmas have a negligible response time, and LCDs with a response time of less than 8 milliseconds are good (the difference won't be visible to the naked eye). This makes a difference when you're watching sports, watching a fast paced movie sequence or playing games via the console.

Wall-mount or table?
Contrary to popular belief, wall mounted screens cannot be shifted around like paintings. Wall mounting requires a separate wall mount, which is an intricate setup and has to be professionally installed. If you plan to move the television around a bit, we recommend a table top setup. Most screens swivel up to 20 degrees on their bases anyway, and offer convenience and flexibility in case you want to switch their place.

Connectivity Options
With all the video sources we have today , multiple video inputs are a must. Check for all the HDMI, component, composite and PC inputs you need. Newer LCDs can have as many as 10 video inputs. You'll run into a problem if you have more sources that the number of inputs. A new trend is the addition of a USB port; so that you can playback videos, audio files and photos from any USB drive. Also, confirm the availability of a 3.5mm audio out if you plan to connect headphones for personal use.

Ergonomics
Ask these questions before buying; How easy is the operation? Where are the controls on the TV? Are they easily accessible? Are they touch-sensitive or regular buttons? How about the remote control? Are the buttons on the remote clearly marked, or backlit even? Is the remote lightweight and easy to grasp? Some TVs have controls on the top, which makes them inaccessible when the TV is wall mounted. The ports on the back panel should be easy to reach and connect to. The placement of video inputs on the front or side of the TV is important too. These quick inputs allow for temporary connection of a digicam or laptop.

Flat Panel recommendations
Samsung Series6 LCD: This full HD LCD range has screen sizes starting at 22-inches and going up to 55-inches. Prices hover b/w Rs 23k and 300k. The performance is unparalleled in terms of dealing with SD as well as HD content.

LG PQ60 Plasma: Check this out if you do not worship the 'Gods of High Definition'. This range of frameless plasma televisions make sense for someone who will be using it for only standard definition content like cable TV, DTH or IPTV. At Rs 45k for a 42 inch screen, it is a steal.

Sony Bravia V Series: Sony's V-series now has a subtle mixture of HD Ready and full HD televisions ranging from screen sizes between 32 to 52 inches. Costing between Rs 45k and Rs 200k, these are a bit more expensive than their rivals, but the premium gets you really good performance.

HTS: Your Home Entertainer

The Home theatre market has seen quite a few changes in the past year. Other than the standard big systems with lots of messy wires, consumers have the option for wireless as well as soundbar type of home theatre systems. In case you are looking to buy a home theatre system, check out these pointers.

Type to suit
A standard home theatre system in a box includes a DVD player, 5 speakers and 1 woofer, all of which are connected with wires. Wireless systems on the other hand, do not require connecting wires, but may require each speaker to be plugged in a wall outlet for power. Soundbars on the other hand need a good enough place to be kept or mounted under TV for optimum connectivity and output. Check the room in which you plan to install the home theatre. According to the available space and availability of power sockets choose between a standard home theatre, wireless or a soundbar.

Upscaling
Most media available in DVD and from the Internet is in standard definition. This could be 640 x 480 pixel resolution and if played directly on a HDTV leads to pixalization. With HD upscaling, the player simply increases the pixel count to match your HDTV. If you plan to connect your home theatre to an HDTV via HDMI, do not skip on this.

The PMPO factor
Most manufacturers highlight high PMPO output on the box to sell their systems. However, it's not the PMPO that matters but the RMS output. RMS is closer to the actual power output of a system. For a small room, go for a system with a minimum of 200W RMS total.

To USB or not to USB
It is always better to opt for direct USB playback support wherever possible. Some lower end systems skip out on the feature, but a home theatre system is a purchase that does not get upgraded for a couple of years. So it is advisable to get a system which has direct USB playback for photos, music and movies.

Inputs of choice
Check the input and output ports on the home theatre system as per your components. If you plan to connect a standard TV, make sure that the system has composite/component out. For a projector, check for PC connectivity. If you are not restricted by budget make sure that you get HDMI output. HDMI provides the best and easiest way to get digital audio and video output for multimedia content.

Home Theatre Recommendations
Samsung HT-X810T (Rs 44,900): This sexy soundbar comes with a wireless subwoofer, provides 5.1 channel surround sound, Bluetooth audio streaming, Full HD upscaling and DivX USB playback.

DAV-TZ200 (Rs 12,990): This value for money 5.1channel home theatre has DivX USB movie playbak, HDMI output with upscaling and a total 500W RMS output.

Philips HTS3578W/98 (Rs 29,990): This powerful system comes with wireless floor standing rear speakers, has HD upscaling, 1100W RMS output as well as DivX USB movie playback.

A machine or a companion?

Processor Power: While choosing a laptop, the most important thing is to have the right amount of power under the thumb. Processor speeds for notebooks vary between 1.8 GHz and 2.4 GHz. If you need a machine primarily for basic use, a 1.8 GHz (approx) processor will do just fine. However, for office or entertainment use, a higher spec will be better.

The RAM is the energy: The RAM is perhaps the most underrated part of the entire laptop configuration. The more amount of RAM you have at your disposal combined with the processing power, the better it is. RAM helps in quickening the response from applications and can really smoothen out the entire experience if you use multiple applications. If you will be using Windows XP, then 1 GB RAM will ensure smooth working, and 2 GB works well for Vista.

Graphics card: If you are into gaming or need the machine for 3D designing purposes, then a graphics card is extremely essential. If you need to use the machine purely for web browsing and listening to music, then even the integrated graphics will suffice.

Hard drive: The more hard drive space the merrier. Most laptops now come with 250 GB or 320 GB hard drives as standard. However, some manufacturers offer upgrades allowing you to buy the machine with a bigger drive fitted from the factory. High speed Internet connections ensure that we inevitably download more data than we need. Thus, the larger the hard drive space, the more place to store your movie collection, photos and music albums.

Portability: If you're going to be carrying your laptop around a lot, it needs to be light. A laptop under 2.5 kg is going to be portable and won't be a burden. Heaver than 4 kg and the laptop goes into the 'desktop replacement' category.

Screen size: Laptops are available in multiple screen sizes between 10 inches and 17 inches. The smaller the screen size, the more portable it is in terms of weight and dimensions. However, for someone needing the laptop more for entertainment purposes, a 13-incher and above screen size is advisable.

Battery Life: What good is a laptop which runs out of juice before your work is done? The battery life of a laptop depends in factors like processor, screen size and battery size. A 13.1 inch screen, 2 GHz processor and 9-cell battery will offer about 4 hours of battery backup. Buy a bigger or additional battery if you need more power for the road trip. Some devices today come with 8 hour batteries, but have certain compromises.

Laptop Recommendations
Dell Mini 12: Netbooks have become the latest fad, but we hate the tiny (eye straining) screens. Dell offers some respite with a 12-inch screen in a netbook which retails for around Rs 30k and should be the best buy for you if a netbook-like configuration would suffice for you.

HP Pavilion Dv5: If you are looking for a capable notebook, then the DV5 has got both configuration and looks. For Rs 65k, you get a latest nVidia 9600M GT graphics card, Blu-Ray drive, Windows Vista (free upgrade to Windows 7) and 4 GB RAM.

Dell Studio14: This one comes with an option of choosing between 6 colors, a great base configuration, an extremely good price and the ability to customize the configuration as much as you want. At Rs 44k, including graphics card, the Dell Studio14 works well for home as well as business users.

How to buy that perfect desktop?
Computers have become an integral part of our lives. People have started socializing online rather than in reality. Its just not the browsing and office work that people do on computers. They are used for multimedia, gaming and much more. However, which components are essential, branded or assembled etc. are some of the questions which may trouble a first-time buyer. These are some of the things that you should know if you are about to buy one

Branded vs assembled
Branded computers offer a few advantages over assembled ones. They have a better service network; they ship in a complete package i.e with all the components and offer slightly better resale value. However, assembled computers have the advantage of custom components that provide better performance. Also, assembled computers can be updated as and when required, whereas in branded computers, manufacturers do not always provide that option.

Processor & Mother-board
There are just two manufacturers in the market. Intel is gunning for its Core 2 Duo range and AMD's Phenom II series is their current flagshi. Depending upon the budget, it is best to stick to the latest processor series, in case you cannot, then go for and AMD X2 processor. They are much better than the similarly priced Pentium D option. Similarly go for a motherboard that has ample USB ports, atleast one PCIe-x slot for adding a dedicated graphics card and enough SATA ports for connecting hard drives. Most motherboards now come with onboard 7-channel audio so that is not much of an issue.

RAM
Make sure you opt for at least 2 GB of RAM, no matter what. If you want to do heavy-duty gaming or graphics work, then go for 4 GB RAM. Choosing between DDR2 and DDR3 RAM also needs to be considered. DDR3 RAM prices have fallen down drastically, but even now it costs exactly double the DDR2 RAM. And DDR3 motherboards are expensive. So for another 3 months, until prices fall down, we recommend sticking to DDR2 RAM.

Where to see?
Widescreen monitors is the favored amongst the lot, so go for it. As for the display size, you can choose from 17”– 30” depending upon your need and budget. We would suggest going for at least a 19” LCD monitor. Make sure that you choose a monitor with DVI connector port as it provides digital signal rather than analog from the D-sub connector. If you want a multimedia monitor with webcam and speakers, then those are also available readily.

Other components
For other internal components consider the following:

HardDrive: As hard drives have become extremely cheap go for a minimum of 320 GB Sata II hard drive.
Optical Drive: Blu-Ray drives are the future, but they are extremely expensive at the moment, so stick to the standard DVD writer for now.
Computer cabinet & power supply: There is a huge selection to choose from in terms of cabinets. If you are short on cash then go for Intex or Mercury cabinets. However, we recommend that you buy at least a Coolermaster Elite cabinet at Rs 1,800. The Power supply is a crucial component, which many overlook. Go for a branded power supply from Coolermaster or Zebronics. Pick up a power supply as per your desktop's requirement with a minimum of 350W power.
Mouse & Keyboard: As these two are the main input source, they face the maximum wear and tear. Therefore, it is advisable to choose from a good manufacturer. Logitech, Microsoft, iBall, Genius, Intex and Samsung are the ones we recommend. Between wired and wireless connectivity, we would suggest that depending upon your workstation the decision should be made. If there is ample space and you need to move around, then choose a wireless combo; else go for a wired one.

Desktop Recommendations
Intel Core 2 Duo or AMD Phenom II processors
Both these processors are performance oriented and easily available in different variants. Choose from either of the series as per your budget.

LG M197WA (Rs 12,990)
This 19" LD LCD doubles up as a TV. It is HD ready, comes with 2 HDMI ports and 20000:1 Dynamic contrast ratio for optimum display.

CoolerMaster Elite 330 (Rs 1,800)
The Elite is a great looking cabinet at an amazing price. It has screwless design which makes installing compnents like additional hard drives and optical drive a painless process.

Music for your Ears

Singer and songwriter Eric Olsen once said, “Music is what life sounds like”. That is perhaps one of the many reasons that almost everyone has a portable media player now days, the iPod being the one that sets the benchmark. However, there is a large variety available in the market catering to different people's needs. Don't tie yourself down to the iPod. These are of the some major points you should consider before buying a portable entertainment device.

Feed your Need
If you travel a lot, or need it when you hit the gym, a flash-based player would be ideal since they are much smaller and have a longer battery backup. If you want to watch videos on the move, then get a player with a large display (3-inch or larger) and good battery life.

How much space is enough?
For movie and music buffs, whatever amount of storage memory they get may not be enought; but make a choice depending on your need and budget. The thumb rule is that 1 MB of memory will give you approximately one minute of music playback with standard quality files. If you are going to save videos on your device, the amount of space you need will go up dramatically. Music lovers can do with 2-4 GB memory, however if you watch videos, opt for a minimum of 8 GB storage.

Shape & Size
As the key word here is 'portable', the player needs to be slim and lightweight. The weight and form factor of the player is a crucial factor to be considered. A 120 GB GB player will be thicker and heavier than a 4 GB player. You can get players ranging in size from a dice to a remote control.

Display
Players with color displays can also display photographs; of course the larger the screen, the better it is. Few devices also offer a touchscreen or additional features like Wi-Fi (for internet access) and Bluetooth (for file transfer).

Few little extras to track
When going for a player, it's always best to check out extra features it has to offer. Extras usually include FM Radio, voice recording, equalizers and text viewers. Some, like the iPod Touch support the install of additional apps, just like a smartphone (There are over 50,000 apps available for the iPod Touch on the Apple App Store). The device should also support all major file formats.

Also consider the type and variety of accessories that you get in the box. Most devices include earphones and data cable. However some also offer other accessories like a TV-out cable, sport cases, screen protectors.

MP3 Player Recommendations
Creative Zen Stone Plus (Rs 3,699): This little player comes with a 64x64 pixel OLED display. Weighing a mere 27gm, the player includes a 5 band equalizer, stereo FM, voice recorder and even a tiny loudspeaker!

Sandisk Sansa Fuze (Rs 8,999): This PMP has a 1.9” color display and comes with built-in memory of 8 GB, further expandable by SDHC cards to 32 GB. It also has FM, voice recording and plays MP4 videos.

iPod Touch 32GB (Rs 20,000): The second generation iPod Touch has a beautiful 3.5-inch widescreen multitouch display, WiFi connectivity and is even a gaming device; thanks to the tonnes of apps available.

Karan Bajaj, Richa Sharma, Vishal Mathur