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April 21, 2004 |
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This week's search logs and story rankings prove one thing: CNET users may be rabid fans of the latest technology, but they're willing to wait for a good deal. |
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NEC 525
Exhibit A in the argument that CNET users don't heedlessly traipse after every hot, new technology trend that wafts down the street: the popularity of the NEC 525 in our search logs. It's a darned good phone, according to our reviewers, who awarded it a rating of 8.3 out of 10 (meaning it's very good). But it's not exactly new; our review went up about two months ago. So why the sudden interest? Turns out AT&T is having a supersale on the 525, selling the handset for $150, marked down from its original $350 price tag. Unfortunately, that sale appears to have been a bit too successful, as the 525 is currently out of stock.
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HDTVs for less
Another data point in the CNET-users-are-savvy-shoppers argument: the extraordinary popularity of our roundup of HDTVs that cost around $1,000. The sets we selected range in size from 17 to 32 inches, and they come from Sony, Samsung, and even Dell. According to our reviewers, they vary in quality from fair (the Dell W1700) to very good (the Sony KV-32HS510)--not a dud among them. Though $1,000 isn't chump change, it's apparently the right price for many of you.
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GeForce 6800
Nvidia's GeForce 6800 will neither go on sale nor will we have a full review of it until next month, but you're already searching for it in droves. The 6800 is the first in the next generation of 3D graphics cards. It's also the latest salvo in the ongoing war between Nvidia and archrival ATI for the hearts and minds of PC users--or at least those, such as gamers, who care about top graphics performance. Note that you won't be able to go out and buy a 6800; Nvidia doesn't sell cards, but it provides chip technology to third-party repackagers who then churn out the retail products.
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Spyware
Week in, week out, the top items in our search logs are terms such as spyware, adware, Spybot, and the like. In other words, you're worried about these pesky programs that infiltrate your system, watch where you go online, serve up ads where you least expect them, and otherwise violate your sense of privacy. And you're not alone; PC vendors say spyware is the number one complaint coming in to their customer service centers. What can be done? The FTC recently convened a one-day workshop to discuss the matter--and came up with no concrete recommendations. Congress is considering legal action, which software vendors say could disrupt legitimate apps such as junk-mail filters. Microsoft, of course, says its next service pack for Windows XP will help the problem. And we think it's going to be just as bad as spam if someone doesn't do something now.
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Nikon Coolpix 3100
Sometimes, products pop up in our search logs for no discernible reason. One of this week's prime examples is the Nikon Coolpix 3100. Along with its cousin, the Coolpix 4300, the 3100 has been high in our search logs for a couple of weeks, though both models are about a year old. Granted, buyers of the 4300 (as well as the Coolpix 5700) started getting some spring rebates this month, but there was nothing comparable for the 3100. Again, we ask: Why the sudden spike in interest? We're putting our money on solar flares, but your guess is as good as ours.
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