1999 Technology Buyer's Guide

No consumer revolution is complete without well-stocked shelves, and the digital consumer has never been better served--by the boom online in e-commerce and by the huge selection in physical stores. This year's guide is a testament to technology's sophistication in the face of cyber-driven competition and immense demand for products whose prices fall at a giddy pace while their power only grows. Here are our best bets for you right now.

INSIDE

DESKTOPS Macs are back, PCs rev up 90 NOTEBOOKS Ultralight power play 93 HANDHELDS Wireless Web access now 96 CELL PHONES Going digital with care 100 PRINTERS, SCANNERS Sharp and cheap 102 SOFTWARE Utility players and Y2K 105 GAMES The age of total immersion 107 HOME THEATER On the verge of HDTV 110 DIGITAL CAMERAS True sophistication 112