TECH TOOLS, 2 WAYS

The Latest Top Tech Tools

Tuesday, Oct 19, 2010, 12:00 AM | Subscribe to the magazine

Source Article: The Latest Top Tech Tools

E-READER Save: AMAZON KINDLE The new 8.5-ounce Kindle forgoes splashy graphics, banking instead on its antiglare e-ink display, 3,500-book capacity, and ability to run for up to a month on a single charge. amazon.com, $139.
E-READER Splurge: APPLE IPAD Consider it the ultimate in-flight entertainment device. Movies, music, video games, and a library's worth of book titles: Apple's 16-gigabyte touch-screen tablet delivers it all in full color. apple.com, $499.
NOISE-CANCELING HEADPHONES Save: AUDIO-TECHNICA ATH-ANC3 A solid starter set, these headphones shut out up to 90 percent of ambient noise and come with three sizes of earbuds—our favorite old-school way to block sound. shopaudiotechnica.com, $100.
NOISE-CANCELING HEADPHONES Splurge: SONY MDR-NC300D When you're staring down a red-eye that's crawling with infants, every decibel counts, and that's why Sony's 98.4 percent noise reduction elevates this item to a higher plane. sonystyle.com, $300.
DSLR CAMERA Save: NIKON D3100 Part camera, part teacher, this 14.2-megapixel DSLR has a guide mode that displays the technical specs of each shot, so you can learn to replicate the best results on your own. shop.nikonusa.com, $600.
DSLR CAMERA Splurge: CANON EOS REBEL T2I For a professional-quality camera, the 18-megapixel T2i couldn't be less intimidating, thanks to intuitive controls and a screen that automatically dims when you opt to use the viewfinder. usa.canon.com, $900.
GPS Save: TOMTOM EASE Basic directions don't need to cost a fortune. TomTom's nearly four-inch-wide dash-top device distills GPS to its essential function—getting you where you need to go—and keeps the price low. tomtom.com, $119.
GPS Splurge: GARMIN NÜVI 3790T Finally, a GPS that lets you talk back. The 3790T's speech-recognition feature (example: "Go home") makes navigation safer and easier on solo road trips. buy.garmin.com, $450.