For serious gamers, choosing the right game console is an important decision. While some people simply use video games as a way to relax and unwind alone or with friends or as a way to keep the kids occupied for a couple of hours a day, others are obsessed. They may spend hours and hours playing particular games and competing against friends or over the Internet.

Game consoles have come a long way from the days of Atari and Pong, and today’s consoles are used for more than just game-playing. They can also be used to download and store music, pictures and other information and they can also be used instead of a DVD or Blu-Ray player.

The Sony Playstation 3 Slim is certainly more than just a game console. Clearly Sony recognized that it was being used as more than just a source of recreational game-playing as within a few months of releasing a 120GB version, they introduced one with a larger 250GB hard drive. This extra space obviously provides more storage room and encourages users to download more content from Sony’s website, making it a win-win for the consumer as well as for Sony.

Apparently, Sony’s incentive in introducing this new version of the Playstation was to boost sales since the previous incarnation’s popularity was lagging behind that of competitor’s like Nintendo Wii and Microsoft Xbox 360. Some people in the industry see this product as Sony’s chance to prove itself as a true player in the gaming console market.

It will obviously take time to see whether Sony will be successful with the launch of this product, but they have already sold millions of units and those numbers are sure to increase as the holiday season approaches and game-loving kids and adults around the world need to have the newest toy.

Purchases of the new Playstation 3 Slim obviously help Sony’s bottom line and they seem to be counting on a lower price point to boost volume of sales. At the same time, Sony will probably see an influx of income as purchasers of the Playstation 3 Slim will need to purchase games that are made specifically for the console. Unfortunately, games that were designed for the Playstation 2 are not compatible with the new version. It remains to be seen whether this will discourage owners of the Playstation 2 from upgrading to the Playstation 3.

It may be worth the upgrade simply for some of the other features of the unit, making it appeal to other family members in addition to the game-lovers. The attractive design ensures that the console is not an eyesore. Even the pickiest design-conscious person may not object to having the Playstation 3 Slim on display in the den. There is no need to hide it away in a cabinet. And, it is thought to be one of the best Blu-Ray Disc players on the market today, suddenly rendering it useful to those family members who simply want to watch a movie.

All in all, the Sony Playstation 3 Slim is sure to bring hours of enjoyment to the entire family and probably anyone who receives it this holiday season will have little to complain about.

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By Anonymous

These days more and more people are trying to replicate the theater experience at home by purchasing home theater systems. When it comes to getting one of these systems, there are a number of options to choose from, and a variety of different types of systems available.

The first thing you will need to decide when choosing home theater systems is whether you would like to purchase each component separately, or whether you would like to get a package (commonly known as a home theater in a box or HTIB). You have more flexibility and it is easier to upgrade your system if you buy each of the components separately. However, it can be a bit difficult to hook everything up and get it working properly. With a home theater in a box the setup is usually very easy. These systems come with the source, amplification and speakers. Sometimes they include a DVD or Blu-Ray player, and sometimes these need to be purchased separately. It is better to stay away from many of the bargain HTIB sets since many of them do not provide quality much better than that you would get with a good TV, though there are a couple that get decent reviews.

It is important that you consider what your requirements are before you start deciding between home theater systems. Do you want a Blu-Ray player or is a DVD player enough for you? You also want to figure out whether you want to have a speaker system with 5, 6, or 7 speakers, and which type of surround sound processing you want your system to support. Most systems support Dolby Digital 5.1 or Dolby Digital EX, though there are other options available as well. These are most commonly included in DVDs though.

Most people won’t bother with getting home theater systems if they have a small TV, or if they do they look into their options for getting a new, large flat screen as well as part of their system. This means they need to figure out whether they want plasma or LCD TVs, or whether they want to just get a separate projector and screen (and if so, what type they want to get). As you can see, there are a lot of decisions involved, so it is best to do your research before making any purchasing decisions.

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By Anonymous

Year 2009 boast a ton of good electronics options for men. The best Christmas gifts for men in 2009 are loaded with plenty of different electronics devices that are sure to impress. Here, we will take a look at the hot categories this year and provide some examples of the hot products in each.

Electronic Gadgets

he first category we will look at is electronic gadgets. These are personal gizmos that all people like, but most guys love. These can be entertainment or business oriented, but all offer a coolness to them that men really like. In 2009, there are some hot cameras and camcorders like the Flip® Ultra HD Camcorder 120 Minutes Black and the Casio SX20IS. There are also attractive gadgets like the Kindle and the new Kindle DX which offer a fantastic wireless reading device. As well cool gifts like the Rubik’s touchcube which provides a pure entertainment toy.

Electronic Appliances

Another popular category is electronic appliances for Christmas gifts for men in 2009. These are the little home appliances that really make life more enjoyable. Popular in 2009 are the espresso makers from Delonghi®. This is an Italian company who has been up an excellent reputation for making great coffee makers and they tout several versions that will be a hit for customers that only vary in price based on their function. These models are the Delonghi EC155, Delonghi BAR32, and Delonghi ESAM3300. Any coffee drinkers will absolutely love the pump driven capabilities of these machines which offer a wonderful crema that cannot be beat. The challenge will be figuring out which one is the best one for them.

Car Electronics

Car Electronics also get a shot in the arm in 2009 thanks to the Viper 5901. This is an amazing product that offers security, safety, and convenience to customers. It offers a keyless entry and car alarm, but what really causes this product to gather a crowd is that it can adjust the air conditioning or heater of your car from a distance. This remote feature is a big hit with customers for its convenience and ease of use.

Home Entertainment Electronics

Finally, we have home entertainment electronics. These are the gift ideas that are what most people think about when they think of electronics like HDTVs, DVD players, and more. In 2009, the value is in with two bargain HDTVs in the Panasonic® TC-P42G10 and the LG® 50PS80. Both perform exceptionally well at a bargain price. However, you will also find a really nice Blu-ray disc player in the LG BD390 and a veritable home entertainment command center with the Pioneer® VSX-819H. Also, if you know of a man who is on the go, they may like the portable HDTV and blu-ray player in the Panasonic® DMP-B15.

All these different electronics combine to make it a great year to be as a there are plenty of high quality Christmas gifts for men in 2009.

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John T. Marshall – I am an avid follower of the newest games, toys, and electronics. Year 2009 is shaping up to be a great year for bargains and …