Thinking about getting computers for cheap? Then consider getting refurbished ones. Not only are they a whole lot cheaper, but a lot of refurbished gadgets still come with warranties. And while these items are considered “used,” Microsoft enforces several quality control rules that are applied to the refurbishment process, to ensure that the electronics are free from defects and can still perform competently.

When buying a refurbished computer, be sure to go to an authorized refurbisher. As previously mentioned, Microsoft has certain standards when it comes to refurbishing, so you should make sure that you’re doing business with someone’s who’s official and certified.

How to Buy a Refurbished PC

The guys at Microsoft gave a lot useful tips in their Authorized Refurbished guide that you can view here. According to Microsoft, “A refurbished PC sold by a Microsoft Authorized Refurbisher or MAR has been cleaned of prior data, updated as needed with minor repairs or replacement of components, tested, and has genuine Microsoft Windows operating software installed on it so it is ready for a new owner.”

The first piece of advice that they gave was to “Ask the seller how the PC was refurbished.” While there a number of different ways to refurbish a PC, Microsoft has approved certain standards and practices that MARs must adhere to. Additionally, whoever refurbished the PC should also follow certain systems for data wiping and reporting, and should also conform to the standards of the Department of Defense.

However, if you come across someone who’s not an authorized refurbisher, then be sure to ask the following questions to determine if  the PC was refurbished properly.

- “Who does the refurbishing and what are their standards and policies?”

- “What process is used to make sure the hard drive data has been wiped and the hard drive is virus free?

- “Where did the pre-owned PC come from and has it been upgraded with any new or used parts?”

- “What is their equipment disposal policy and are they environmentally responsible?”

Another great tip from Microsoft is to “Ask if genuine operating system software is installed.” When buying from a MAR, be sure to look for the original Certificate of Authenticity (COA) that should be attached to the PC when it was newly purchased. Additionally, you should also look for a SPECIALLY DESIGNED Windows COA for the refurbished items. The refurbished PC COA should have the MAR’s name, as well as a unique product key, product name, and a statement that reads, “For Use on Refurbished PC Only—No Commercial Value—For Authentication Purposes Only.”

Last (but certainly not the least,) when buying a refurbished PC, “Find out if you get any support, warranty, or other services.” Even if a MAR has completely complied with all above-mentioned standards, unexpected problems can still arise with your machine. This is why it’s best to find out if it comes with any sort of warranty or coverage. Be sure to ask the following questions before finalizing the sale:

- “Does the PC have a warranty, and if so, what does the warranty cover?”

- “What is the return policy?”

- “What is the return or failure rate of the PCs they sell?”

- “Do the offer technical support and is it free or fee-based?”

If you get the PC from a MAR, you’ll be able to access a free web-based operating system support from Microsoft. You can still purchase additional support on top of this, so be sure to contact the company if you need additional benefits.

Image credit: kjarrett on Flickr

You can’t really put a price on fond and once-in-a-lifetime moments, but if there’s one thing that you CAN budget, it’s HOW you capture these priceless memories. Most people on a budget aren’t looking for big fancy cameras worth hundreds, if not thousands of dollars. If you’re the type who’s looking for a simple, affordable (but decent) point-and-shoot camera, then you’re in luck.

Below is a list of cheap cameras that still rank high in reviews, despite their price.

1. Nikon Coolpix S570 – The Coolpix series has been around for quite some time now, and for good reason.  (No, it isn’t Ashton Kutcher.) Not only is it affordable, with a starting price of $74.99, but it’s also proven to be one of best designed cameras in the market. According to CNET, the Nikon Coolpix S570 “is a solid camera” with respectable lens specifications and nice wide-angle lens with 5x zoom for people who really want to get close. The camera is recommended for landscapes and still photographs, and has been found to do well for portraits and pedestrian shooting.

2. Kodak EasyShare M580 – Users are praising this device because of its wide lens (28mm equivalent) with an 8x zoom. It has an image sensor type of 14 mega pixels, and it also has a 3-inch LCD, which is pretty huge for its category. Don’t let these “big” features fool you though, because the Kodak EasyShare M580 is still very compact, being only 4 inches wide, 2.3 inch tall, and 1 inch deep. It’s also pfairly easy to navigate, so you won’t’ have a lot of trouble customizing its settings. The Kodak EasyShare M580 is available at several websites, with a starting price of $79.99.

3. Canon PowerShot A1200 – Despite being labeled as “slow” at times, the Canon PowerShot A1200 is still a worthy contender in the compact digicam market. According to its CNET review, the device is great when shooting still subjects and can produce vibrant and sharp photos at and below ISO 200. The site furthers that, “at ISO 400, a sensitivity regularly used for shooting indoors without flash, photos get softer-looking, but noise and noise suppression are well balanced making 4×6 prints possible.” If you’re looking for a decent point-and-shoot camera that’s easy on the budget, be sure to check out this camera. Pricing starts at $87.00.

4. Casio Exilim EX-Z16 – Looking for a cheap but stylish camera? Then this device could shoot up to the top of your list. The Casio Exilim EX-716 isn’t just all about style, though. According to About.com, this device, albeit being inexpensive, still has a sharp and bright LCD without the screen glare that’s usually found in other cheap cameras. It has a resolution of 12.1 megapixels, has a 2.7-inch LCD, and can produce fairly high-quality photos in decent lighting. Planning to get one? Pricing starts at $69.00

5. Fujifilm FinePix JV200 – For a camera with a starting price of just $84.98, this device sure is packed with a lot of cool features. The Fujifilm FinePix JV200 has a 14-megapixel CCD sensor and 2.7-inch, 230K-resolution LCD. It also allows you to shoot HD video at 720p HD and share it on any HD-ready TV. When it comes to taking photos, Fuji threw in a few cool features including Smile/Blink detection, Red-eye romaval, and i-Flash Intelligent Flash that controls the flash level for a given exposure. It also has a Motion Panorama Mode that “automatically stitches up to three shots to create a panoramic picture.”

Image credit: Shermeee on Flickr

Whether you’re looking for everyday-wear jewelry or some bling for special occasions such as weddings, exclusive events, or romantic dates (hey, Valentine’s Day is just around the corner), it pays to know where to shop. A lot of jewelry retailers have outrageously high prices that can leave people with the feeling that they can’t get a decent rock for a good price. However, great deals on jewelry and watches are just around the corner (sometimes literally). You don’t have to shell out tens of thousands of dollars for lovely rings, bracelets, or watches. Simply widen your horizons and think outside the box and you’ll find great bling for low prices. Not sure where to start? Here are few ideas:

1. Wholesale Websites – A quick Google search for “wholesale jewelry and watches” will lead you to a bunch of great websites that offer precious items at cheap rates. Banggood.com for instance, a wholesale based in China, has a wide selection of watches and jewelry with prices starting at less than a dollar! Additionally, the more items you buy, the lower the cost. For instance, one of their products, a copper crown pocket watch has a unit price of $2.99. However, buy 3, 5, or 10 units and the price will go down to $2.70, $2.61, and $2.54, respectively. Of course, a lot of wholesale websites are based overseas, so minimal shipping and custom charges may apply.

2. Jewelry District – Not comfortable with dealing with wholesale sellers online? Don’t worry, they exist in the “real” world as well. In Los Angeles, for example, there’s an area in Downtown called the Jewelry or “Diamond” District wherein several jewelry stores sell their items a wholesale prices. The great thing about this place is that customers can see and touch jewelry for themselves before making a purchase. Trying to determine which shops should you go to and which stores could possibly rip you off? It would be helpful to ask an experienced friend to accompany you. When inside a store, also ask the staff about the business (i.e. how long have they been in business, where they get their items etc.) Better yet, why not bring an independent appraiser with you? That way, you can really know if you’re purchasing the real thing. Does your city have a jewelry district of its own? Make it a point to head over there. You never know what you’re going to find.

3. Neighborhood Jewelry Shops – Every neighborhood has a “jewelry shop around the corner,” and you should really consider paying yours a visit. A lot of independent jewelry stores offer items at prices far below retail. Then there’s the loyalty factor. If you have already an independent jeweler of choice, then be sure to consistently go to them when it comes to your jewelry needs. Let them clean your jewelry on a regular basis. Refer friends. Window shop every once in a while. Once they get familiar with you, they’ll be more inclined to give you a discount.

Indeed, when it comes to affordable jewelry and watches, know that there are a lot of hidden gems out there. It may take some digging, but that effort will surely pay off once you find great pieces that actually agree with your budget.

Image credit: Etereal9 on Flickr

Missed the boat on Cyber Monday? Don’t fret! The CheapStuff Team surfed around the web in search of best laptop deals out there.

So was the search a success? You bet. Below are some great bargains on laptops, with discounts as high as $400! If you like what you see, be sure to grab ‘em quick, because these deals are not going to last.

1. Dell Inspiron Dell Inspiron 17R 17.3-in Intel 2nd Gen Core i7 Quad-core Laptop w/6GB RAM & 2GB NVIDIA Graphics – $824.99 from $1,293.99 (You save $469)

This 17-inch notebook got raving reviews for its vibrant and bright display. It’s equipped with a 1600 x 900 screen with a second generation Intel Core i5-2410M CPU, as well Nvidia GeForce GT525M graphics card—great for gamers! It also has a Blu-ray player for those who want to watch their movies in super high quality even when they’re on the go. Want to personalize it? You can swap out the lid for a color or design of your choice.

2. Toshiba Satellite L750 15-inch – $399.99

Described as “eye catching” by CNET, this device received a rating of 8.3. The L750 boasts of an AMD Quad-Core A6-3400M, Radeon HD 6520G. In non-techie terms, that’s a pretty decent processor, especially for its price now. In terms of storage, the laptop has a perfectly respectable 640GB internal hard drive, and 4GB of DDR3 memory. CNET tested device’s battery by disabling all battery-saving measures, setting up the screen to its brightest, and playing a full-screen video on loop the whole time. The result? 3 hours and 42 minutes. Not too shabby, don’t you think?

3. HP dv4t 14-inch – $499.99 from $599.99 (You save $150)

According to LaptopMag.com, the HP dv4t is a “notebook designed for entertainment seekers who want to stay productive and amused on the go.” It has responsive touchscreen controls and comes with MediaSmart, a software that allows users to quickly get to their photos, videos, and music. The downside?  It apparently has a relatively thick design, and a not-so-stellar battery life. If you can get around that issue though, this notebook proves that it delivers good  value for its price.

4. Acer Aspire S3 Ultrabook 13-inch – $799.99 from $899.99 (Save $100)

This Ultrabook may not have the sleekest design of all, with majority of the device being plastic, but according to Ars Technica, “it’s a solid performer with a good keyboard and trackpad, and great battery life—a combination that’s been a rare find so far.” If you’re looking for a responsive trackpad that supports multi-touch functions, then you’re going to love this device. It allows two-finger scrolling as well as pinch to zoom. Additionally, it’s pretty easy to type on  and doesn’t put a lot of stress into your fingers. Its display fares well even with sunlight, and is evenly lit albeit “cool, blue cast to it.” In terms of power, this laptop has a great battery life that can last up 6 hours of continuous battery life and a 50 days of standby.

Image credit: Môsieur J. [version 5.9a] on Flickr

Food and wine are common presents during the holiday season. It’s quite a courteous move to attend a party with a bottle of wine or some sort of food in hand. However, if you find yourself getting invited to way too many parties this season, it could be a budget nightmare. The good news is, finding cheap food and wine is pretty simple, as long as you know where to look.

Wine

Regarding wines on a budget, the Cheap Stuff Team consulted Oprah for her picks of “Terrific Wines $15 and Under”.

Giving a present to someone who’s environmentally conscious? Check out French Rabbit 2006 Chardonnay-Sauvignon. This White wine comes in “Petit” 250-milliliter cartons that have 10% of a carbon footprint of a glass bottle. The wine has flavors of peaches and apricots plus a nice fruity finish. Pair it with fresh salad or grilled tuna. ($11 per four-pack)

In the reds category, Altano 2006 is a top pick. Considered as one of the top Portuguese wines for its price, its described as downright “sexy.” Not bad for 8 bucks a bottle. Pair it with pizza or chili.

For Rose, Oprah.com recommends Bonny Doon 2007 “Vin Gris De Cigare”. Hailing from Randall Grahm of California, it “tastes like unsweetened raspberry candy and has the balance and the medium body to enliven everything from Thanksgiving turkey to a grilled pork chop.” ($15)

Searching for sparkling wine? Check out Mionetto (Nonvintage) Prosecco Brut, an Itallian sparkling wine that light and could serve as a great base for a mimosa.

Food

When giving food presents, you can always stick to traditional gift baskets. Online stores such as Harry and David, Mrs. Fields, GiftBaskets.com, etc., provide wide selections of gift baskets. Before selecting a final gift basket though, be sure to scout around for coupons and promotions. For instance, if you’re shopping at Harry and David, a quick Google search for “Harry and David coupons” should give you results containing discount codes, if they’re available. Remember, it’s the holiday season, so chances are, the food basket industry is keen to providing seasonal promos.

Gift baskets are usually filled with assorted fruits, wines, snacks, and sweets that will surely satisfy the appetite of the recipient. Nonetheless, if you happen to be giving a present to someone who’s committed to healthy eating (even on the holidays), be sure to select a basket that’s all-fruit. These types of gift baskets do tend to run out during gift-giving season, so if you really want to find a fruity present, try heading over to Edible Arrangements. The store offers gorgeous fruit baskets arranged in unique designs that actually resemble bouquets of flowers! According to the company’s website, their all-natural fruit gift baskets are “inspired by flower bouquets that are made from the freshest fruits.” Edible Arrangements contain a variety of fruits including strawberries, pineapples, cantaloupe, melons, apples, bananas and a whole lot more.

One minor caveat though: When purchasing gift baskets online, be sure to check every item before finalizing a sale. Always be mindful of the taste and health concerns of the recipient. The last thing you want to do is give a present that he or she is allergic to. Also check the website’s shipping schedule as well as its return policy, just to be on the safe side.

If you’re planning to go local, check your neighborhood florist, as some of them may offer gift baskets as well.

But whichever type of gift basket you choose, or wherever you buy it, be sure to add a personal touch to it. A hand-written and thoughtful note should do the trick.

Image credit: mothernaturebeauty on Flickr

Thanksgiving is over and that could only mean one thing: holiday shopping is bound to be in full effect. Millions of people spanning the country will be bombarding stores over the next three and a half weeks, looking for gifts for all their loved ones. Some of the most popular items such as clothes, electronics or gift cards are going to fly off shelves in a hurry. Another item will as well; something the kids want. As any parent knows, children love toys. During the holiday season, toy stores are packed, sometimes from wall to wall, with parents trying to get their kids that toy they saw in the book, or that toy they couldn’t have weeks ago. However, as a parent, you also want to be able to get the most out of your money. So, how do you go about saving money and making your kid happy? Here are some ideas.

Ads are given out with weekly newspapers and these should be your go-to guides for all holiday shopping needs. Also, ads for toy stores such as Toys R Us are available, usually within their yearly Holiday Big Book. These ads list plenty of cheap toys that parents can get for a fraction of the cost they saw it for before. Deals are common around the holidays, offering percentages off certain items and buy one get one specials, and toys are no exception.

Online shopping sites are also another way to find quality toys for a great price. Many websites such as Amazon or eToys.com will provide specials and deals as well. The trick is finding them. Sometimes it’s easy as searching for cheap toys; other times may require multiple sites in order to find the right price for the item you want. Online websites for actual companies like Wal-Mart or Target will also provide their ads online, along with specific “Online Only” deals for items during the holidays.

There are tons of places that provide good quality toys for cheap, depending on your budget of course. Sometimes they come in the form of little ‘hole-in-the-wall’ stores that are not associated with chain brands. Stores like these often sell their items for fewer prices, but still have high quality toys. Finding these places could be tricky, but it’s not something an internet search would not be able to help you find.

There’s no denying the fact that holiday shopping can be a strenuous task. Going out into a giant crowd of people on the search for just a few items doesn’t seem like a very fun time. However, there are ways to make your task go by just a bit smoother. First off, know what you’re going to get and know the stores that have it. For toys, many retails stores will carry it. So secondly, find the stores that are less inhabited, leaving you with fewer worries, and people, to deal with. Finally, always remember to find the best deal. There’s nothing like saving money around the holidays. Shop smart!

Image credit: Richard Moross on flickr

Finding cheap appliances is always a challenge. You need to strike a balance between quality and cost; after all, you wouldn’t want a cheap refrigerator or stove that’s going to break down in a year, but at the same time, buying overpriced appliances that will to send you Debtville isn’t a good idea either. The key is to do ample research before making a purchase. Scout around online stores and retailers in your area, and check out their selection, staff, and of course, prices. Be sure to ask your friends and neighbors and see where they got the appliances in their homes. Also consider recent surveys and consumer reports from sites and organizations.

ConsumerReports.org for instance, recently published their findings about customer satisfaction with regards to appliance stores.

According to survey results from the Consumer Reports National Research Center, not a single retailer was able to provide all of the following at the same time: reasonable prices, good selection, trained help, and a smooth shopping experience. Indeed, no one store truly “has it all.” Still though, some retailers did better than others. Check out their verdicts below:

Abt Electronics – In the sea of mediocre appliance stores, ConsumerReports.org stated that Abt Electronics is “some cause for hope.” This retailer, along with other independent local stores received top marks in terms of price from shoppers who purchased a major appliance. The store is based in Chicago, but you can also order appliances online.

Abt Electronics was established way back in 1936. Back then, the store was called “Abt Radio” because it only sold small electronics. However, in the succeeding years, the electronics store grew to a major electronics and appliance store occupying 37 acres in Glenview, IL and employing over 1000 people. Abt currently operates 60 large delivery trucks, 45 custom installation trucks, and more than 100 service vans.

Amazon – Now this is a retailer that needs no introduction. Amazon.com was rated highly by consumers when it came to reasonable prices of small appliances as well as for having a huge selection. This of course, comes as no surprise as Amazon practically dominates the online market. The website, which started as an online store for books, steadily became the leading online retailer for shoppers.  As of 2010, it employed 37,700 employees, and had revenue of $34.204 billion.

Costco – Apparently, this wholesale giant also ranked high when it comes to reasonably priced small appliances. Costco Wholesale Corporation is well-known for its international chain of membership warehouses where consumers are able to buy items at lower prices. According to its company profile, “The warehouses are designed to help small-to-medium-sized businesses reduce costs in purchasing for resale and for everyday business use. Individuals may also purchase for their personal needs.

Clearly, when it comes to finding cheap appliances, it looks like big box stores and chains are trailing behind smaller retailers. Of course, this doesn’t mean that you should totally disregard the big chains. Survey results from Consumer Reports indicate that Best Buy-owned Pacific Sales was praised for having a wide selection, and Lowe’s as well as Sears scored above average when it comes to staff and customer service. These stores may not have the cheapest prices on a regular day, but be sure to check them out during their sales, because you just might get a great deal on your appliances.

Whether you want to entertained, comforted, or you’re in it for the “bonding sessions,” a movie night is a great activity that never gets old. Not only is it a great stress reliever, but one of the best things about a movie marathon is the fact that practically anyone can enjoy it. You can do it with your friends, spouse, or even the whole family. However, with the state of the economy weighing down on most consumers, it’s pretty sad to see that  some families or groups have brought movie nights to the chopping board. This isn’t that surprising though; after all, frequenting the cinemas can get pretty expensive (and don’t even get started on the price of food in theaters).

If you’re one of those who cringe at the thought of spending 11 bucks at the movies, then perhaps you should explore other more cost-effective ways to be able to watch movies for cheap. Check out the suggestions below. Each option has its own set of pros and cons, and certain choices may only work for some. Either way, evaluate your movie-watching habits and see what works best for you.

Redbox – Redbox lets customers rent new-releases for extremely low prices. Users can rent discs for as low as a dollar a day, and with Redbox kiosks located at thousands of locations, it proves to be a very convenient way for users to get their hands on the latest releases. If you happen to be at a grocery store or a gas station, check to see if there’s a Redbox kiosk in the area, and pick up a great movie on the way home.

SwapADVD – Got a bunch of DVDs at home that are just accumulating dust? Then consider signing up with SwapADVD.com, a great online service that enables user to swap DVDs online and save money in the process. If you have original, playable DVDs that you do not wish to keep, post the titles to your “DVD Tower” on SwapADVD.com. Once you’ve posted 10 titles, you’ll earn 1 gift credit that will enable you to start swapping. After that, you’ll be able to receive more credits by sending out discs to other members. When another member requests a DVD from you, the site will notify you via email, and you’ll be in charge of mailing out the DVD to the requestor, and once it is received, you’ll be able to earn a credit. You will need to pay for postage when you send out DVDs, but it does even out, because when you request a DVD, you won’t have to pay anything, except 1 credit. You can do whatever you want with the DVDs that you receive. You can choose to keep them, or swap them again, once you’re done watching.

Netflix, Hulu, Amazon – These options are for you if you’re the type who spends a lot of time online and you want to keep it that way. Each of these services vary in terms of prices and offers, and it all depends on the types of movies and shows that you like, and how often you watch them.

Albeit the immense amount of bad press that Netflix got due to them raising their prices, the company still offers good value IF you make it worth it. Netflix offers unlimited movies and TV episodes to watch instantly online for $7.99 a month.

Hulu is another service that enables users to watch movies and TV shows online. It has a free service that lets you watch up to five recent episodes of season shows from networks like Fox, CBS, and more. Hulu also has a paid subscription called Hulu Plus, which gives users access to all current episodes of several shows for 7.99 a month.

Amazon – The online retailer is offering free unlimited streaming of over 5,000 movies and TV shows as part of the Amazon Prime membership that costs $79 per year. If you’re already a loyal Amazon customer, and do most of your shopping there, then consider upgrading your account to Amazon Prime.

Image credit: dcJohn on Flickr

The holidays are finally here, which means that people’s calendars are probably filled with parties, gatherings, and shopping sprees. If you’re the ultimate social butterfly with all these different events lined up, then chances are, you’ll be running back and forth all over the city to attend all your engagements, which can get a little stressful and even ruin your holiday mood.  This season, do yourself a favor and get a reliable GPS sidekick to direct you to through this busy time of the year. Need help picking one? That’s what CheapStuff.com is here for. This blog post will discuss the top-rated GPS devices in the market. Oh, but do keep in mind that while these items are highly-rated, it doesn’t mean that they come with high price tags too. Check out the CheapStuff website and see if you can get these electronics for cheap!

Now, some people might think that all GPS devices are the same; you type in your destination, and the device will dictate directions to get there. And while that is indeed the basic function of all GPS navigators, it’s important to note that different models widely vary in features, size, connectivity, and price. When shopping for a GPS navigator, don’t just go for the cheapest model or the shiniest one on the shelf. Do your research first. You don’t want to pay for features that you won’t use, but at the same time, you don’t want to waste your money on a device with extremely limited functionality.

Below are some of the most popular models from the top GPS navigator brands in the industry: TomTom, Garmin, and Magellan. Read up on these models and get an idea on which device best suits your needs.

1. TomTom GO Live 1535M – As what its name indicates, this GO Live device offers Live services, including HD Traffic, weather forecasts, and fuel prices. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. The TomTom Go LIVE also integrates with search apps like Yelp, Expedia, Trip Advisor, and Google, which means that users will be able to it to find establishments in the area AND read up on reviews about these places. It also integrates with Twitter (yes, you read that right) to allow users to tweet their ETA and location to their followers.

2. Garmin Nuvi 3790T – Looking for something sleek, shiny, and light-weight? Then the Garmin Nuvi 3790T could be the navigator for you. According to CNET, “Garmin has essentially solidified the 3790T’s spot as the sexiest dedicated GPS device you can buy.” This car navigator goes beyond good looks, though. One of its key features is its voice command and hands-free capability (plus Bluetooth) that allows drivers to communicate while keeping their hands on the wheel. Its touchscreen is also very responsive and even has multitouch commands. However, it may not be very convenient if you intend to wear gloves in this cold season, because its screen requires direct skin contact.

3. Magellan RoadMate 5175T-LM – The most popular feature of this device would be the TourDirector which lets you check out local attractions, organize itineraries, and make the most out of your travel time. It’s perfect for trying to find things to do in an unfamiliar city. It also has Wi-Fi connectivity that lets users surf the net. The downside though, according to CNET, is that “Destinations in the TourDirector can only be viewed based on proximity, not rating or popularity.”

Image credit: zipckr on Flickr

For centuries, music has continued to inspire, console, and motivate people. Even today, in spite of all the changes and developments that the world has gone through, the power of music remains intact. Sure, ways to obtain and consume music have definitely evolved, but its effect on people hasn’t changed one bit.

The great thing about living in this day and age is that there are so many ways to access your favorite tunes; mp3 players are a crowd favorite because these gadgets are portable and can store huge amounts of music. If you’re looking for a new handy mp3 player, check out the suggestions below. The price range for each one may vary, so be sure to scour the CheapStuff website for some good deals on cheap electronics.

1. Apple Products – Of course, Apple is going to be on the top of the list. This company revolutionized how people listen to music and paved the way for sleeker and more functional mp3 players. The iTunes store that allows people to purchase individual songs and albums at affordable prices served as a “win-win” for both consumers and the music industry.

Their music players include:

iPod Touch – Should this nifty gadget even be called an mp3 player? Aside from storing thousands of songs, the iPod Touch also has the FaceTime feature that allows you to video call your contacts, and it can record video in full HD. Moreover, it gives you access to the App Store where you can download various games and apps. Awesome, right?

iPod Classic – The iPod Classic is for the purists—those who want a no-frills mp3 player. This particular electronic device has a storage capacity of 160 GB which roughly translates to 40,000 songs, 200 hours of video, or 25,000 photos. Whew.

iPod Nano – This is recommended for people who like listening to music while they’re working out. Aside from storing and playing your songs, the iPod Nano also has a Fitness feature with a built-in accelerometer that allows you to track your steps, distance, pace, and time. Best of all the Nano is actually made for being on the go. “It’s portable and wearable, which makes it runnable, walkable, and workoutable.”

iPod Shuffle – Don’t let its size fool you, because this thing is chock full of great features. Aside from surprising you with your tunes, the iPod Shuffle actually talks to you. Yep, if you want to find out the title and artist of a particular song, it can tell you with just a push of a button. It also has a “Genius” feature that compiles songs that will go great together.

2. Zune HD – Don’t underestimate Microsoft’s Zune music player, as it can also provide users with an exceptional video and music experience. It has a 3.3 inch touchscreen, together with a brilliant OLED display, HD radio tuner, movie rentals, subscription music integration, and a long battery life to brag about. It also has an HD video out that lets users watch HD movies and TV shows, and shop from the Zune Marketplace all from a big screen HDTV.

3. SanDisk Sansa Clip Zip – This music player is one of the best bargains that you’ll find in the market. For under $50, you get a device that plays most audio formats, plays and records FM radio stations, and a built in microphone that allows it to function as a voice recorder. Oh, and it also has room for more files via microSD. If you’re not looking for anything too fancy or graphic-y in terms of user interface, then the SanDisk Sansa Clip Zip will suit you just fine.