Ask Engadget: Best small camera (with good video) under $600?

We know, you were hoping to just glance over today’s hottest articles in the world of consumer electronics, and along comes this: something that actually asks a little of you. Trust us, it’ll be alright, and hey — after you’ve replied, you can send in a question of your own to ask at engadget dawt com.

“The family and I are headed to Walt Disney World in June for the first time. I have a Canon Digital Rebel and a Canon GL1, but really do not want to haul either or both of them to the Magic Kingdom with us. So, the question is: what is the best camera that does great stills and video and is super small? Under 600 bones preferably. Thanks!”

No Rich, thank you for making us all envious. Be sure to take the advice that’ll surely flow in comments below and send us picture postcards while waiting in line to ride the Tower of Terror for the forty-third time. (Seriously, do not miss Tower of Terror.)

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Ask Engadget: Best small camera (with good video) under $600? originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 08 May 2009 00:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ask Engadget: Best 4.3-inch GPS unit?

We know, it’s a little late here on the east coast to be “thinking clearly,” but we (and David) are pleading with you to pull it together in order to contribute. Afterwards, you and your freshened mind can shoot us a question to ask at engadget dawt com.

“I know, it’s a really boring question, but the last time this was asked was 2 years ago. I’m looking for a 4.3-inch GPS unit with decent battery life (so I can walk around with it as well as use it in my car), Bluetooth for making wireless calls, and good voice-recognition. Traffic updates would be a plus, too. I don’t care too much about multimedia functions. Is there anything out there that fits the bill? I hope to hear some advice from the community!”

As do we David, as do we. So, what’s the verdict here, folks? Are connected units worth the monthly surcharge? Sound off below!

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Ask Engadget: Best 4.3-inch GPS unit? originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 01 May 2009 02:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ask Engadget: Best mobile note-taking device?

Like it or not, the spiral bound notebook is going the way of the Dodo. Okay, so maybe that’s absolutely incorrect and totally sensationalistic, but you catch our drift. If not, take a whiff of what reader Allan is cooking:

“My boss is a prolific note taker, filling many spiral bound notebooks with notes. As I deal with more projects, I find myself moving in the same direction. I would love the ability to search my notes, something not available with dead tree software. Is there a simple relatively cheap device that would allow me to take notes (preferably using hand writing), and then search them later? Ideally, I’d like something the size of a small internet tablet, but no smaller than an iPod touch. I’m looking for something far cheaper than a full-blown tablet PC, by the way.”

So, ladder climbers — what’s the deal here? What device would you recommend for wowing that suit in the corner office while making your note taking all the more efficient? When you’re done answering, shoot us a question of your to ask at engadget dawt com.

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Ask Engadget: Best mobile note-taking device? originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 24 Apr 2009 02:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ask Engadget: Best wireless keyboard for living room?

Unbeknown to you, you’ve just stumbled upon this week’s Ask Engadget. If you want to get in on this action, feel free to drop us an inquiry at ask at engadget dawt com. Before you get those gears turning, we’d invite you to chime in on Mitch’s question below:

“With the upcoming release of Ion-based “nettops,” I’ll be in the market to buy one and I’ll also be looking to buy a wireless keyboard and mouse for my living room. Some things I would like to see on the keyboard are prices below $100 and backlit if possible. Media buttons would be nice but aren’t totally necessary. Thanks!”

Timely question, Mitch. Considering that the AspireRevo is just the first of many miniature PCs that’ll undoubtedly be headed to dens across the globe, we figure you’re not alone in wondering about the perfect keyboard to pair with it. So, readers — whatcha got?

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Ask Engadget: Best wireless keyboard for living room? originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 17 Apr 2009 01:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ask Engadget: Best tiny MP3 player for exercise enthusiasts?

No need to twist your dial — you really have just stumbled upon this week’s episode of Ask Engadget. You know, the place where you can send in your question to ask at engadget dawt com and hope to see it plastered for the world to have a think on. This week we’ve got one from J.S., so we’ll let him take it from here:

“The new iPod shuffle is so small you can simply clip it onto your shirt while running or working out. However, I’d never buy it because of two reasons: iTunes and the fact that I’d have to get a new pair of headphones that has the Shuffle controls or use the subpar included ones. So, what’s the best small (close to Shuffle-sized) MP3 player for a gym rat like me that doesn’t require iTunes?”

We’ve no doubt that legions of you fitness freaks can chime in here, so next time you take a breather, drop some knowledge in comments below.

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Ask Engadget: Best tiny MP3 player for exercise enthusiasts? originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 10 Apr 2009 01:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ask Engadget: Best external hard drive enclosure?

No need to check your LCDs, folks — this is happening. This is this week’s rendition of Ask Engadget, and if you’d rather your own question be in this space next week, shoot us a good one at ask at engadget dawt com.

“Like any good geek, I have upgraded my MacBook’s hard disk many times, and have all the old 2.5-inch SATA disks sitting in a pile. I’d like to put them in a case, but the enclosures I see are either very expensive or look hideous and unreliable. I’d love to get some recommendations for dependable, fairly-priced portable enclosures; USB’s a must, but FireWire 400, then FireWire 800 then eSATA would be bonuses, as would any extra features.”

So, HDD upgraders — what kind of case (or cases) did you procure in order to keep using those displaced drives? Any great stories of success / failure? Let us know, would ya?

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Ask Engadget: Best external hard drive enclosure? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 26 Mar 2009 22:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ask Engadget: Best wireless router with USB printing capabilities?

If your low-rate router fails on you, you might as well select a replacement with more utility than the one you’re burying, right? Axel sure thinks so:

“My bargain-basement CompUSA-branded wireless router is finally starting to fail on me, prompting me to buy a new one. I want to get my huge color laser printer (a Konica Magicolor 2400w) off my desk and tucked away next to the router, so I want it to have wireless USB print hub functionality. Gigiabit Ethernet and Draft-N are also necessary here, as I am eventually going to be adding media clients around the house to stream to every TV. Thanks a lot!”

So, there you have it — which wireless router will provide solid, relaiable USB printing while handling the heavy loads of high-def streaming? Think carefully, you wouldn’t want to ruin this guy’s life. Oh, and if you have a question of your own you’d like to see here, send it over to ask at engadget dawt com.

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Ask Engadget: Best wireless router with USB printing capabilities? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 12 Mar 2009 22:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ask Engadget: Best external hard drive under $100?

Ask Engadget is back this week with yet another thoughtful reader-submitted question, and if you’d like your own inquiry to get some face time, just send one in to ask at engadget dawt com. Without further adieu, we’ll let Zach take it from here:

“So I need some extra storage because I’ve been going a little iTunes “crazy” lately and have been downloading gigabytes of albums, podcasts and movies. I’m looking for a reliable hard drive but at the same time, price is a key factor considering not a lot of money is available at the moment. I’m thinking 100GB or more should suffice. I don’t want to get roped into buying a crappy hard drive and have it die on me a week after using it. What’s the best one out there for around $100 or less? Thanks!”

We’ll go out on a limb here and assume he’s looking for USB 2.0 (sorry, FireWire 400), so let loose those opinions!

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Ask Engadget: Best external hard drive under $100? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 05 Mar 2009 22:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ask Engadget: Best first-wave pico projector?

While many pico projectors are still in the oven, quite a few of the early ones have made their way out. We know, 720p versions just have to be around the bend, but since when did you start ditching the first-gen and just waiting around? Check Mark’s question:

“What is the best currently available pico projector? I’m looking for one that supports the greatest number of image / video formats, has the best brightness and contrast ratios, reasonable on-board storage, is good for still and moving images, and has the longest rechargeable battery life. Are there any projectors on the horizon that promise to be sufficiently better than the currently-available models to warrant me waiting for the next wave?”

Go on, early adopters — help this guy out. Do you dig your current pico PJ? Has it lived up to the hype? After sharing your input, feel free to toss us an inquiry of your own at ask at engadget dawt com.

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Ask Engadget: Best first-wave pico projector? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 26 Feb 2009 23:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ask Engadget: Best rugged, waterproof point-and-shoot camera?

In the spirit of winter, we felt that Ben’s recent question about a camera fit for the slopes was just perfect. And if you’d like to toss out a warm and fuzzy question of your own, just send one to ask at engadget dawt com and keep tuning in.

“I’m going skiing over spring break, and I’ve been reading a lot on some of the newer waterproof, rugged cameras. There are just so many out there to choose from, I was wondering what you guys thought about some of the better ones.”

So, what camera should Mr. Ben procure in order to have worry-free shooting days at the slopes? He probably wouldn’t mind one that withstands minor bumps and bangs either, ’cause we all know what inevitably happens the first time down a new double black.

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Ask Engadget: Best rugged, waterproof point-and-shoot camera? originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 21 Feb 2009 04:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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