In June's "All-Star Tech Stores," Christopher Null quotes a consumer as saying, "You can spend an endless amount of time obsessing over which product to get.... But you're making a more
To be truly informed, we would need an accurate and full picture of each company's track record for successful rebate redemption (sometimes so complicated that it ensures lack of fulfillment), for customer service (the hassle isn't always worth the money you might save), and for the difficulty level of its return policies (the policies can seem acceptable until you have to use them).
While your review gave us some insight into the "top ten" stores, I would recommend the following Web site for a more extensive list: www.resellerratings.com. Also, by typing in a store's name, you may discover a user rating and the comments of other buyers.
I was disappointed at the omission of Provantage.com from the list of online tech retailers in your study. Operating out of Ohio for more than 20 years, Provantage is top-drawer in all the rated categories.
I was surprised that TigerDirect fared so well in your report. This online retailer's prices are competitive, but only after you figure in the rebates. Unfortunately, the company uses a rebate service that seems to have a history of making rebates complicated and then rejecting them.
The sidebar "Rebates Get Easier to Collect" does not mention that most companies will not send rebates to post office boxes--a detail usually not made explicit at the time of purchase either in the store or online. People have valid reasons for using post office boxes, and I think they should not be penalized for having one.
In June's "Never Call Tech Support Again!" the section "Has the PC gone silent?" might have suggested that readers check whether Windows Audio service has been enabled (set to automatic).
Months ago, my Creative SoundBlaster Live card quit working. I tried everything in the book to fix the problem (including all the suggestions of Creative's support), but nothing worked. Finally I called Microsoft. My problem was cured when we turned Windows Audio service on. No one knows why it went off, but it did.
Here's another useful (and low-tech) tip. Twice a year, disconnect the power cord from your computer and open the case. Vacuum out the dust bunnies (with a minivacuum), and make sure no dirt is blocking the case ventilation holes under the front panel. Use a clean, dry toothbrush to clean the dirt off the blades of the fans and the heat sink on the CPU. This will keep your PC from overheating and make the fan quieter.
What was Eric Butterfield smoking [Top 5 Digital Cameras, June]?
Ranking the Canon EOS 30D third in this lineup of digital SLRs and behind the Canon EOS Digital Rebel XT defies common sense--the 30D is a semiprofessional-to-professional camera.
We have an XT and a 30D; you rate both as having Superior image quality and the new Olympus EVolt E-500 with Very Good image quality--but which gets the top of the chart? The E-500!
You write: "The E-500 offers 15 scene modes; most digital SLRs we've tested have less than half as many"--for a good reason. SLRs are not for people who have no idea what an f-stop is; they should be reviewed under different criteria.
To compare a Nikon D200 to any of the other cameras listed is like comparing apples to oranges.
None of the other four have the professional build and feature set that the Nikon D200 has (only the Canon 30D comes even close)--yet you placed the Nikon D200 at number five.
In his June Gadget Freak, Dan Tynan suggests items for a home theater system. He left out one important--albeit expensive--item.
At the CES show in Las Vegas early this year, the Guitammer company exhibited a low-frequency-effect device for home theaters. It is a very large electromagnet that slips under your furniture and connects to your subwoofer.
When the bass goes off, your furniture shakes--it's just like a ride at Disneyland. If the movie has earthquakes, bombs, or spaceships going by, you will really feel it. It makes even a bad movie good. You need never go out to a theater again.
Editors of PC World
