Buying Tips for Camera’s

ISO
ISO is a rating to show the camera's results in much lower light level. High ISO sensitivity, up to 3200, means you'll be able to get beautiful, atmospheric photography without needing to use flash. Low light levels is one of the most frequent causes of unsuccessful shots so a high ISO level can mean more of your shots come out better.

Digital and optical zoom
Most digital cameras have 2 types of zoom: optical zoom and digital zoom. Use them together to get really close shots. Optical zoom gets you closer to the action without losing any picture quality. Most digital cameras have 3x optical zoom, camera’s with 12x optical zoom are available
Digital zoom takes a section of the image on the sensor, and uses it as the whole image. You can use digital zoom after you have taken the shot.

Image Stabilizer
Image stabilization features helps eliminate "shake" and make it easier to take crisp, clear photos when you can't use a tripod. And since it's optical, there is no loss of image quality.

Output/Connectivity DV out
Also known as a fire wire connection. DV out lets you transfer footage to your TV or PC. PictBridge™: is a new standard for direct USB printing from digital cameras to printers without the use of a computer. USB: A connection that allows for fast connection and transfer of photos or movies to your PC or laptop.

Buying Tips for Refrigerator

Fast freeze
This technology is designed to freeze the food quickly, retaining more of the nutrients as well as preserving the texture and taste.

Auto defrost fridges
The auto defrost feature automatically regulates the inside temperature of the fridge. This prevents the build up of frost, so you won’t need to thaw it out. Remember that your fridge freezer has to work harder to maintain it’s temperature if you open and close the doors often.

Reversible doors
You can change the doors so that they open from the left or from the right. This allows for easier access and gives you more freedom over where you position your fridge freezer.

Anti-bacterial coating
Also known as bacteria guard, Microban or Hygiene +. Often added to the walls and doors of some fridges, this helps to prevent bacterial growth and helps keep food fresher for longer.

Buying Tips for Laptop

Security Features
If you will carry Laptops to areas which are theft prone or you have sensitive data, please consider security features of the hardware.

Graphics cards
Graphics cards enhance your laptops display. Look for one with built-in memory if you’re into gaming.

Processor Speed
The processor speed is normally made up of GHz, MHz FSB and Cache. The bigger the number, the better.

Upgrade ability
Watch out for laptops that have onboard components that can't be upgraded, remember that networking technology is always improving you PC has to be upgradeable.

Warranties & Support
Look for local or international warranty and resources for either quick repair or replacement. Purchasing additional warranty coverage and getting 24/7 support are also good options. Ask us about the Max Electronics Extended Warranty scheme.

Buying Tips for Washing Machine

Sensor Washing
Sensor washing technology takes all the guessing out of washing your clothes. It senses the weight and dirtiness of each wash load. It then determines the best water levels, length of the cycle, temperature, method of wash and spin speed for that load. This means minimum wear and tear and the most efficient wash.

Anti crease option
The drum turns intermittently at the end of a programme. This prevents your washing from getting folded or creased, which makes ironing easier. The drum can be accessed at any time during this period.

Energy & Water efficiency
Washing machine wastes more energy and water than any other home appliance. An energy and water efficient machine saves 30-75% on operating costs, cut water use by 50%

Spin Speed
The spin speed determines how much water is drained from the wash load. Most of our washing machines have a maximum spin speed of between 1200 and 1800. The higher the spin speed, the more water is drained out - that means less drying time.

Buying Tips for Vacuum Cleaner

Watts under the hood?
The power of a vacuum cleaner depends on its motor power and the amount of air suction it has. Both are measured in watts – the higher the wattage, the more powerful the cleaner is which results in cleaner carpets and floors. Look for models with 1200 watts or more.

Wet & Dry cleaners
These nifty cleaners will vacuum and clean your floors. Have you spilled something on the carpet? A wet & dry cleaner will mop it up in a flash. Some even go as far as shampooing the carpet for you.

Root cyclone™ technology
This technology captures microscopic particles while the HEPA filter with Bactisafe™ screen traps and kills bacteria and mould.

Power Jet technology
Jets of water penetrate the fibers in the carpet while a static brush bar loosens and lifts embedded stains and dirt.

Buying Tips for LCD’s

Resolution
There are six primary resolutions that the best LCD HDTVs can display: 480i, 480p, 720p, 960p, 1080i, and 1080p. 1080p is the clearest, most vivid picture of all the resolutions

Aspect ratio
All HDTV units have a wide screen aspect ratio. When looking for the best LCD HDTV, you will have to choose between 16:9 ratio and 16:10. 16:9 is the most common, and is the same aspect ratio that movies are shown in a theater.

Contrast ratio
Of the Dynamic & True contrast ratio, True contrast ratio is more accurate. The higher this number is, the better: brighter whites, darker blacks, and everything in between more vibrant and accurate. The true contrast ratio of the best LCD HDTVs will be at least 1000:1.

Response time
All the best LCD HDTVs have a 8ms response time or lower. If the response time of LCD is less than 8ms, great, if it is greater, find another unit to look at.

Buying Tips for MP3

Radio
For an even greater variety of music, select an MP3 with radio. It's sure to stand you in good stead if you're getting bored with the same old tracks.

Battery type and life
Players come either with throwaway batteries or rechargeable ones. Check battery life carefully. If you travel a lot, you may want a longer battery life.

File formats
Most MP3 players can play other audio file formats as well. Other file formats include AAC (the default format used by iPods), WMA (Microsoft's technology) and Atrac (Sony's audio compression technology).

Entertainment
Many MP3 players come loaded with video games which is a great way to while away your commute.

Wi-fi
The latest iPod, the iPod touch, is wi-fi enabled so you can browse the web with Safari or search, preview, buy and download songs directly from iTunes onto your player.

Buying Tips for Mobiles

Microbrowser
This lets you surf the wireless Web. If your phone features a WAP (Wireless Access Protocol) browser, it's optimised to view sites configured to display on small, mobile devices. Not all sites, however, are made for WAP browsing.

Bluetooth and infrared
Both features let you wirelessly connect with external devices. A phone with an infrared port allows information to be exchange wirelessly with PDAs or PCs. In addition, you can use Bluetooth to connect to a wireless headset.

Multimedia options
Some features to look for include MP3 support, FM radio, and polyphonic ring tones. 3G handsets also support streaming video and videoconferencing. However, you'll to have a 3G service in your area.

Accessories and add-ons
What's available, and what's important to you? Just make sure it's specifically designed for your phone of choice. If no games and applications are on the phone, can you get them?

Buying Tips for Microwave Oven

Get the power
buy the highest-power microwave you can find. Higher watts equals faster cooking. Tests show that wimpy 700-watt models can take as much as twice as long to do the same heating as 1,150-watt competitors.

Convection
A means of cooking that involves circulating hot air around foods. It may be used alone or combined with microwave cooking to add speed to the cooking process. This method allows even browning and crisping of foods.

Automatic Sensors
Automatic sensors, the newest of microwave technologies, determine if food is done by measuring vapors in the oven. Once a sensor has sounded, the oven automatically shuts off.

Turntable
It is critical to have a revolving glass plate or turntable inside your oven to ensure even cooking. Otherwise, you will need to stop the microwave several times and turn the food by hand. Most mid- and full-size microwaves have removable turntables. Some new versions also have rectangular trays that slide back and forth.