I’d like to hear you guys expert opinion on buying high tech stuff in the US. We all agree it is much cheaper there, so, here I go:
E Reader: A Kindle? Fire or normal?
Camera: Panasonic GH2 or 3 if out
Decent cell phone: maybe a Blackberry Torch. Does it have to be Samsung to get a decent Android?
Anything else that should be considered?
well, if you want a eReader, get one with ePaper. Otherwise you might as well just get a good tablet, you can install the Amazon kindle app on it anyway. The benefit of eReader is that it doesn’t hurt your eyes from long viewing, at the same time the battery life lasts weeks not hours.
Cameras are almost always cheaper in the US.
As for cell phone, no I don’t believe you have to go Samsung to get a good Android phone. If you do not want to bother with rooting or flashing your phone with custom ROM, then Sony has a couple of excellent new phones, some even comes with shock and water proof capabilities. If those are cheaper in the US, I’d totally get them. Motorola also has decent phone. The newest Motorola phones are from Google and lets you experience Android as Google intended. And if you don’t mind rooting and all that business, HTC phones such as One X has pretty amazing hardware specs.
Good hand-held outdoor off the road GPS? Can’t think of anything right now. Laptops?
So standard Kindle would be OK? As to tablet, everyone says iPad is the way to go. Dunno if there are other alternatives, but I do not like iPad.
I was thinking Fire to make it easier to read my magazines. But in my laptop is OK. My laptop is practically new, so I cannot justify buying another one, but tablet/eReader OK. 
Dunno anything about rooting. 
But we gotta do what we gotta do, for a decent, reliable phone. Will research this.
Thank you very much.
For an eBook reader, you’d want to pick one that can read from many different formats. I don’t know if Kindle can deliver in that aspect. I bought an e-reader some time ago to an UK company, that was both cheap and reliable, it had a 6" e-ink display (perfect for novels) and read many formats (ePUB, PDF, RTF, HTML, TXT…)
The best part is that I could feed it regular text documents, so I could carry with me my own writings (or writings that my friends had sent me). It was very convenient. Besides, if you enjoy reading internet texts (from bloggers or new authors who put their texts for the world to see), this can be a very good alternative. Not to speak of project Gutenberg gutenberg.org/ , which is a reaaaaally good website to check if you have an ebook reader and you like the classics.
Now that you mention that, yes, PDF is a must, I read fanzines and fanpics, mostly are in PDF. Mmm… 
But still, the e-ink is vital.Mmm…
If you’re going to be reading magazines, then you need something with a color screen. The current e-ink screens are all black and white, and they don’t do a good job of displaying PDF files, in my opinion. I’d recommend sticking with your laptop or getting a tablet if you want to look at magazines in electronic form.
I’m also thinking about a tablet for Christmas, but I can’t decide whether to get 7" or 10". I think there will be a lot of product announcements within the next few weeks, so keep a look out for the news coming out in September regarding tablets and e-readers.
The problem is, if you read magazines, comics, or something like that, you need a TFT/LCD/LED/OLED display. E-ink is not fully developed, and magazines look like sh*t there (japanese or B/W comics can be readable, though). Most e-ink displays have only 8-16 levels of gray, and the screens are usually between 5" and 7", which is NOT good for reading a bigger magazine.
If you want to read magazines with photos/pictures, you should consider to pick up a tablet instead. But then, you’ll be sacrificing battery life for the color and a little more screen “real state”.
The alternative is keep on reading your magazines in your laptop, and the books with the e-reader.
[quote=“Blaquesmith”]The problem is, if you read magazines, comics, or something like that, you need a TFT/LCD/LED/OLED display. E-ink is not fully developed, and magazines look like sh*t there (japanese or B/W comics can be readable, though). Most e-ink displays have only 8-16 levels of gray, and the screens are usually between 5" and 7", which is NOT good for reading a bigger magazine.
If you want to read magazines with photos/pictures, you should consider to pick up a tablet instead. But then, you’ll be sacrificing battery life for the color and a little more screen “real state”.
The alternative is keep on reading your magazines in your laptop, and the books with the e-reader.[/quote]
Seems to me that that is the best compromise. Kindle 2nd generation then:
[quote]Recognized File Types
You can purchase and wirelessly download Kindle books, newspapers, magazines, and blogs from the Kindle Store as well as download and read other types of non-DRM text-based content on your Kindle device. You can also play Audible audiobooks or MP3 files. When your Kindle device is connected to a computer via USB, you will see three default folders. Here’s a list of these folders and the file types recognized by Kindle devices:
•Documents: Kindle (.AZW, .AZW1). Text (.TXT), Unprotected Mobipocket (.MOBI, .PRC)
•Audible: Audible (.AA, .AAX)
•Music: MP3 (.MP3)
Mobipocket files must have no Digital Rights Management (DRM) protection applied to be readable on your Kindle device. If you purchased a Mobipocket file from a Mobipocket retailer, you will not be able to open the file on your Kindle device.
EPUB eBooks are not supported on Kindle devices.
Built-in PDF reader for Kindle 2nd Generation devices
Your Kindle 2nd Generation device can display PDF documents without losing the formatting of the original file. Send PDF documents directly to your Kindle device (via your Send-to-Kindle address), or drag and drop PDF files from your computer to your Kindle device via USB. You can also magnify PDFs by viewing them in landscape mode.[/quote]
Hope it is still available/easy to find though. Not much time to dig around.
As for other tablet options other than the iPad…
Google’s new tablet Nexus 7 (can be purchased on google play website), is a great 7" tablet made by Asus. for 200 bucks, if you don’t mind that it doesn’t have a back facing camera, it isn’t a bad option.
Other Asus tablets are pretty decent as well.
here’s a list of best Android tablets from cnet
reviews.cnet.com/best-tablets/be … id-tablets
tech radar’s 15 best android tablet list
techradar.com/news/mobile-co … rld-905504
Personally, I’d love a Nexus 7, or a Asus Transformer Infinity
Now, I should be able to find all this stuff and more at Costco, Target, Walmart, such places, no? I do recall NY has great shopping areas for electronics, but given that I’ll be with the paranoid aunt and the not-on-this-planet-kids, I’d rather focus on people, not things.
For the Nexus 7 you probably have to order it online and have it mailed to you.
Not sure about the others… but I think the selection at Costco will be limited.
For the Nexus 7 you probably have to order it online and have it mailed to you.
Not sure about the others… but I think the selection at Costco will be limited.[/quote]
Mmm, now that’s a problem, as what I am trying to do here is avoid the mailing charges. Mmm, gotta plan this ahead.
Costco here has older stuff, would expect the same from the ones in the US.
Oh, and my brother wants to buy an ultrabook. 
Definetively, cheaper in the US. “Why don’t you bring it with you?! How come it is more expensive?! Don’t you guys have the factories there?!” sigh
In case you haven’t decided yet:
You should check the Nooks, specially the Nook Color, which is android-based and supports a great number of formats: barnesandnoble.com/u/nook/379003208/
It would allow you to read your magazines in color, and it’s much more cheaper than a regular tablet.
Nope, haven’t made my mind up. I will when I have the stuff in my hands. Thanks for the recommendation. 
Ok, this one is a difficult one: my uncle has asked for a new DVD recorder for the TV/video camera.
Last time I went to the ol country, many many years ago, I got him this: liteonit.com/global/index.ph … Itemid=240, a cheapie, no hard disk, non programmable version. On the Internet, I have seen newer, better models, so I thought it would be easy peachy.
Wrong. They do not make this stuff anymore. DVD is a dead technology. There is a 10K LG one, but it is too expensive and furthermore, heavy as hell and I am not dragging that through 6 airports -4 airports to get to the US, 2 to get to the ol country.
So my question is this: is there hope of finding this in the US of A, or is it dead technology there too? Most data I find on the net says 2006 or so, so it seems a bit dated. I know about the new stuff, those boxes you connect directly to the TV or hard disk, but my uncle makes videos of the family parties and makes copies for everyone, and getting him at his age to start using the computer seems a bit challenging. So DVD it is.
Yup, you’ll find it at those places. Call ahead or check online, most store websites will tell you if a particular store has an item in stock.
[quote=“Icon”]Ok, this one is a difficult one: my uncle has asked for a new DVD recorder for the TV/video camera.
Last time I went to the ol country, many many years ago, I got him this: liteonit.com/global/index.ph … Itemid=240, a cheapie, no hard disk, non programmable version. On the Internet, I have seen newer, better models, so I thought it would be easy peachy.
Wrong. They do not make this stuff anymore. DVD is a dead technology. There is a 10K LG one, but it is too expensive and furthermore, heavy as hell and I am not dragging that through 6 airports -4 airports to get to the US, 2 to get to the ol country.
So my question is this: is there hope of finding this in the US of A, or is it dead technology there too? Most data I find on the net says 2006 or so, so it seems a bit dated. I know about the new stuff, those boxes you connect directly to the TV or hard disk, but my uncle makes videos of the family parties and makes copies for everyone, and getting him at his age to start using the computer seems a bit challenging. So DVD it is.[/quote]
Well, in NY you could try Canal street. I don’t know if they make what you want, but if they do someone on Canal street is selling it and six more people are selling cheap knockoffs.
Hope there will still be Best Buy stores when I get to DC then, otherwise, yep, NY Canal street -was thinking Chinatown, too, LOL. If not, sorry uncle. Found a TECO online here, but has no hard disk. More research is due…
Question: since the iPhone 5 is coming out soon, should I bring an iPhone 4S from the US now? I am thinking they will be dirt cheap, with people scrambling to change to the newest, and the market flooded with second hand ones, so a new one would be a bargain, am I right?
To be honest, I am no fan of iWhatever products, but since everyone keeps saying they are the cat’s pajamas… 
[quote=“Icon”]Hope there will still be Best Buy stores when I get to DC then, otherwise, yep, NY Canal street -was thinking Chinatown, too, LOL. If not, sorry uncle. Found a TECO online here, but has no hard disk. More research is due…
Question: since the iPhone 5 is coming out soon, should I bring an iPhone 4S from the US now? I am thinking they will be dirt cheap, with people scrambling to change to the newest, and the market flooded with second hand ones, so a new one would be a bargain, am I right?
To be honest, I am no fan of iWhatever products, but since everyone keeps saying they are the cat’s pajamas… [/quote]
No clue on the pronounElectronics, sorry. Canal street goes right through both Chinatown and Little Italy. You shouldn’t have a problem finding a Best Buy, there are tons of them and other big box electronics stores around the DC/MD/NOVA area.
Thank you. This trip is looking quite an adventure, I may say.
To make things better, there is a Latino Food Festival in DC while we’re there. Food dilemma is solved! :lick: Columbia Heights, hope it is OK.
This my brother and the kids will love
Taste of DC - second Monday in October, this is the largest annual outdoor food and music festival on the east coast, being held at restaurants throughout Washington DC
And germantownoktoberfest.org/
And yes, it has nothing to do with electronics, but then you can’t shop on an empty stomach.
[quote=“Icon”]Thank you. This trip is looking quite an adventure, I may say.
To make things better, there is a Latino Food Festival in DC while we’re there. Food dilemma is solved! :lick: Columbia Heights, hope it is OK.
This my brother and the kids will love
Taste of DC - second Monday in October, this is the largest annual outdoor food and music festival on the east coast, being held at restaurants throughout Washington DC
And germantownoktoberfest.org/
And yes, it has nothing to do with electronics, but then you can’t shop on an empty stomach. [/quote]
Columbia Heights used to be worse but is pretty gentrified/yuppified nowadays, should be fine.
Mainstream music festivals are good plans. Not sure I’d visit local clubs if I didn’t know the area, though.
DC has some pretty good food. I don’t think it compares with some other places I’ve lived but from what I’ve found the best stuff is from random mom and pop type places which you just happen to run across.
Hope you have a great time! 