The LG Splendor

Like the Optimus L7, the Splendor runs on Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, sports an impressive 4.3-inch screen, and has decent battery life. In addition, the Splendor has a faster 1GHz processor than its global counterpart, making it a breeze to handle. And while it isn't NFC-enabled, I'm willing to go without this novel piece of technology if it means getting more reliable performance.

The advantage: 

U.S. Cellular's LG Splendor is an Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich device with a zippy processor, a bright display, and a thin build.

The unfavorable:
The Splendor's 3G data speeds are slow, its output speaker is poor, and its camera quality is mediocre.

The offer:
The LG Splendor doesn't have the fastest network connection, but it's an affordable and snappy handset that's loaded with Android 4.0 and a swift CPU.

The HP slides out

The new HP x2401 24-inch-diagonal LED backlit monitor has an 11-millimeter profile encased in a glossy black-piano finish and brushed-metal case.

Sporting a resolution of 1920x1080, it taps MVA (multidomain vertical alignment) to deliver good viewing angles and 5,000:1 and 10,000,000:1 static and dynamic contrast ratios, respectively.

DisplayPort and HDMI ports are built in. And wall mounting is also possible.

The x2401 follows the ultrathin x2301 23-inch display announced last year.

Both a consumer and business version will be offered. The consumer HP x2401 starts at $249 and is expected to be available in the United States on Nov. 7. The commercial version, the L2401x, starts at $259 and is expected to be available worldwide on Nov. 5.

The Sonos Connect

The Sonos Connect resembles the larger Connect:Amp with the same squat shape, but instead of the two-tone color scheme the Connect opts for a simpler, and arguably more attractive, all-white design. The device sits on blue rubber feet, which offers some isolation from the outside world.

The advantage: 

The Sonos Connect brings the Sonos ecosystem to users who don't want a standalone speaker system. Setup is incredibly easy, and the software apps are effortless. Sound quality is good, and the digital output means it can be even better. The analog input means the system can stream analog components around your house.
The unfavorable: 

There are other components in the Sonos range that beat it for sound quality. If you're not using it as part of a multiroom setup, it's somewhat pricey for what it does.
The offer: 

The Sonos Connect brings effortless wireless media streaming to existing hi-fi owners, but it's not the first Sonos system we'd recommend.

The Vizio E320i-A0

The 32-inch LED-based LCD, which Vizio says will cost about $300 at Wal-Mart and Costco when it goes on sale in October, is the cheapest smart TV I know about (at press time the online price shows as $370 from Vizio directly). That's about $50 more than the Toshiba 32C120U, but once you add a Roku or other device that price advantage evaporates. And in a bedroom setting where a TV this size is most at home, there's usually less room for external boxes, and less budget to add the universal remotes that make using such boxes just as easy as an integrated smart TV.
The advantage: 

The Vizio E320i-A0 32-inch LED-based LCD TV is a superb value, bringing Smart TV and solid picture quality in the same price range as many small TVs with neither. The Smart content selection is excellent and responsiveness was very good. Image-quality highlights include relatively deep black levels and good color. With its thin bezel, the set has a more compact, sleeker look than competitors.

The unfavorable: 

The Vizio's picture falls short of some entry-level TVs', with subpar shadow detail, and shows some discoloration in dark areas. Its Smart TV interface design seems a bit dated.

The offer: 

For people seeking integrated Smart features, the Vizio E320i-A0 is the strongest value we've seen yet among 32-inch TVs.

The LG 50PA6500

LG's cheapest 1080p plasma does some things right, particularly colors, and some not-so right, the worst being LCD-like black levels that lead to a less "present" picture. The LG PA6500's biggest problem, though, is that its competition is too good. At 50 inches, the entry-level

Samsung E450 is cheaper and a better performer despite its lower resolution; if you insist on 1080p, the slightly more expensive

Panasonic U50 is the way to go. Meanwhile the 60-inch PA6500 is among the least expensive TVs you can buy at that size, but we'd still recommend paying extra for the much better picture quality of theSamsung PN60E550.

The advantage: 

The LG PA6500 is an inexpensive plasma with natural-looking colors and solid bright-room quality. Image processing is a highlight, with correct 24p response mating well with the full 1080p resolution. This LG has a living-room-friendly appearance and it's easy to use as well.

The Amazon Kindle Fire

Amazon has completely redesigned the Kindle Fire's interface. It's sleeker, more streamlined, and feels more mature, eschewing the toy like quality the original had. Fonts are sharper and light and dark images feel more contrasted thanks to the new interface's darker tone. The carousel interface is still here, but scrolls faster and smoother, with app icons rendered in less pixely forms. Apps can be removed from the carousel at will and/or added to favorites, which appear at the bottom of the screen, negating the need to scroll through your entire catalog to find the app you want.

The advantage:
The Kindle Fire (2012) improves on its predecessor in three key ways: faster performance, a better interface with cool new features, and a significant price reduction.
The unfavorable: 
Designwise it's the same Fire from 2011 with no HD video support, no camera, no HDMI, no storage expansion, and no volume buttons.
The offer: 

The Kindle Fire (2012) takes it up a notch in value, but is tethered to the same design oversights of the original.