All posts in: Report Updates

Why you shouldn't diet like a celebrity

Health & Beauty
By Lisa Maloney on February 7, 2012 in

Too skinny celebs on the red carpet

While researching our report on the best weight-loss programs, we learned that the key to keeping weight off is making sustainable, long-term changes. If you don't address -- and adjust -- the habits that put the weight on in the first place, it'll just come right back. Still, it's hard to resist the lure of celebrity diets, plans that promise to help you quickly, easily shed the pounds and look just as glamorous as the stars. But these fad diets usually don't live up to their promises; here are just a few reasons why.

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Laser printers: What's the real cost per page?

Computers & Internet
By Christina Lindsay on January 31, 2012 in

laser printer

When buying a printer, you have to think about ongoing costs of printing in addition to the price of the printer itself. Manufacturers offer cost per page estimates, and some of the reviews that we researched as we updated our monochrome laser printer report work out real life estimates. However, calculating the cost is not as straightforward as simply dividing the cost of the toner cartridge by the number of pages the manufacturer says it can print . To obtain an accurate running cost, you need to think first about what you'll be printing.

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Choosing tools for the not-so-paperless office

Computers & Internet
By Amy Livingston on January 20, 2012 in

Messy desk

It's been over 35 years since the term "paperless office" first appeared in print, yet the paperless office is still far from a reality. Sure, we now keep a variety of material--from financial records to photographs--in electronic form, but that doesn't seem to have reduced our need for hard copies. This means that for the typical home office, a printer is still a key piece of equipment. Some may also need a scanner, for converting hard copies to electronic form, and a copier, for making duplicates of all those papers. Fortunately, a multifunction printer, or MFP, can combine all those pieces of equipment in one--in some cases, with a fax machine thrown in for good measure.

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Treadmill maintenance 101

Fitness & Sports
By Lisa Maloney on January 20, 2012 in

Elephant on Treadmill

Treadmills are like dogs: They thrive on regular attention. In fact, if you don't give your treadmill the care it needs -- that is, preventative maintenance -- you may even void the warranty. We queried two industry experts to find out how to keep your fitness investment running for a long time.

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Conversation starters: Quirky iPod docks

Electronics
By Lisa Maloney on January 19, 2012 in

Julius Dance Machine iPod dock

With so many iPod speakers on the market, manufacturers sometimes turn to extreme, even kooky, designs to make their products stand out. These models didn't make it into our recently updated iPod speakers report, but caught our eye because of their unusual looks. 

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Drink to your health: The verdict on juice and weight loss

Kitchen & Food
By Erin Renzas on January 16, 2012 in

Juice made from wheat grass.

Ever since Jack LaLanne and his Power Juicer popped into our late night infomercial programming, juicing your own fruits and vegetables has sounded like the perfect way to help shed a few of those extra pounds around the middle.

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Snow blowers 101: How to tell which type suits your driveway

Home & Garden
By Saralyn Chesnut on January 12, 2012 in

Snow Blower

If you're in the market for a new snow blower, you're in luck. According to ConsumerReports.org, the latest models are "bigger, better, and friendlier" than ever, and competition among big-box retailers has driven prices down.  Depending on your needs, you can expect to spend anywhere from about $100 to over $1,500.

How much you'll need to spend depends primarily on how much snow you get and how large an area you need to clear. For a small area like a patio or deck covered with an inch or so of snow, an electric snow shovel may be enough, and you can buy a good one for $100 or less. However, for heavier jobs, your choices include an electric or gas single-stage snow blower, or a gas-fueled two-stage model.

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If your smartphone shoots video, do you really need a pocket camcorder?

Electronics
By Tara Tuckwiller on January 9, 2012 in

camcorder

Can you just skip the pocket camcorder and shoot HD videos with your smartphone or point-and-shoot camera? Sure, experts say -- but with a pocket camcorder, you'll shoot better video and have an easier time doing it.

One exception: The iPhone 4S (*Est. $200 and up with contract) brings full 1080p HD video to the smartphone world, and testers say it looks great. The top-rated pocket camcorder in our latest report on HD camcorders, the Samsung HMX-W200 (*Est. $145), still beats the iPhone 4S for pure video-shooting performance at CamcorderInfo.com, but the iPhone 4S has plenty of other tricks up its sleeve -- most importantly, its always-on wireless Internet connection, so you can instantly share your videos. Pocket camcorders can't share anything until you plug them into an Internet-connected computer.

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Sparkling drink recipes to ring in the New Year

Kitchen & Food
By Kelly Anne Fitzpatrick on December 27, 2011 in

Champage cocktails on a tray

There's no need to save the bubbly until the clock strikes midnight this New Year's Eve. A signature Champagne cocktail will make your celebration instantly more festive. And stay tuned tomorrow for a bunch of non-alcoholic suggestions.

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Don't burn cash: A space heater may help you save on your heating costs

Home & Garden
By Lori Soard on December 24, 2011 in

$100 on fire

Torn between keeping your home warm and reducing heating bills? Unfortunately, when the temperatures drop, heating costs rise. Even cranking the thermostat up by a single degree can cost 5% more. The US Department of Energy estimates that about 56% of the average home's energy bill is spent on heating and cooling. In addition, the U.S. Energy Information Administration predicts a .69/gallon rise in home heating costs over last year's prices. Because of rising costs, many consumers are looking for alternative ways to heat their homes this winter. A space heater is one option to save you from burning your cash.

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