PHOTO BY TAKA/FOR TIME DIGITAL


2000 Buyer's Guide

Whether you're surfing the Web or wandering the mega-mall, we can help you choose the right gift at the right price, for just about anyone.

First, here's what not to buy: Friendly Machines' $700 android lawn mower, the $35,000 Ferrari F355 Challenge video-game arcade or the Floating Artificial Sun, available from Hammacher Schlemmer for $4,500.

Far too many of today's high-tech gizmos are more remarkable than they are useful. But you won't find any of them in our holiday buyer's guide. As we pored over the year's technological marvels, "practicality" was our watchword. We decided to recommend no gadget unless it was reasonably easy to use; no toy unless we had fun playing with it ourselves; and nothing whatsoever that was beyond the financial resources of most of our readers. We also made our annual choice for Machine of the Year (it was harder than ever this time) so you'd know which digital gadgets are really changing the world. Oh, and one more thing: as you wrap up your holiday shopping, don't forget to buy a little something for yourself. We did that, too.

Continue > >