My latest article at Forbes.com, about affordable high-definition televisions with cutting-edge features, ran today. In it, I talk about a few ways that consumers can pick up a current LCD or plasma television that has great features without spending too much money. This typically entails opting for a smaller display size, choosing plasma over LCD, or avoiding excessive or unnecessary specifications. Features you might expect to be premiums, like LED backlighting or Internet capabilities, are actually quite attainable, and large-screen sizes aren’t entirely out of the question for the budget-minded shopper.

My article on great HDTVs for going back to school ran today at Forbes.com. I talk about the best televisions for specific environments, from cramped dorm rooms to larger common areas and off-campus apartments, as well as discuss how to find the best prices and save money and space by going with a convergence set that combines both the HDTV and a home video player (either DVD or Blu-ray disc) in one convenient unit. I also mention a couple of “connected” TVs that have some advanced Internet capabilities that might be appealing to college students.

My most recent article at Forbes.com, Online Video on a Budget, ran today. It’s part of a larger special section about online video.

It’s a simple roundup of ten high-definition pocket camcorders, from established models like the Flip UltraHD to newer offerings like the Kodak Zi8 and Samsung U10. The latter two are the first 1080p high-definition pocket camcorders on the market. Yeah, they won’t be as powerful as a true 1080p camcorder, but it’s enough to help them stand out among the crowd. I should have a Zi8 on hand very soon for review. If it’s anything like the Zx1 is, then it has a promising future.

My article on the best bets for Blu-ray disc players ran today at Forbes.com. The market seems to be separating into three camps: budget, streaming-capable, and home theater component.

The budget camp is being led by Vizio’s sub-$200 BD player, as they seek to dominate yet another vertical with their bargain-basement prices and clever retail placement. Mid-range runs from $299 to $399 and is starting to include fun features like Internet streaming from Netflix and Wi-Fi capabilities. The high-end ($400+) is geared toward audiophiles and videophiles looking for a fancy piece of equipment (like the Samsung BD-P4600 or Oppo BDP-83, seen above) to complement their surround sound, home theater setup.

My article on the best laptops for business travelers ran today at Forbes.com.

In it, I talk about striking a balance between portability, performance, durability, battery life, security, and price. The laptops detailed in the piece are all excellent choices for business travelers, however each one has a particular strength which will make it better for some than for others.

Update 6.23.09: There seems to be some concern (read: whining) from Mac fans in the comments at Forbes.com that my article overlooks Apple’s MacBook laptops. This is not the case; an Apple MacBook Air is featured in the accompanying slideshow.

I think part of the problem rests in the article’s title, which implies that it is some sort of comprehensive list. It was intended to be a how-to guide, and the laptops mentioned within are merely examples that fulfill the individual criteria (performance, portability, security, longevity, etc) being discussed. Were it my decision, I would have probably named the piece “How To Find the Best Laptop for Business Travelers.” The absence of the MacBook in the body of the text is not intended as a slight.

That said, I’m not a huge fan of the MacBook line, owing to a few negative personal experiences that included multiple fatal malfunctions which required significant repairs. While they are attractive and capable laptops, I’m not sold on their durability or reliability, and I find their price tags exorbitant.

My latest Forbes.com article, detailing the best summer vacation cameras, ran today.

I mostly talk about the different varieties of tough, durable cameras, ones with waterproof, shockproof, and dust/sandproof bodies that can withstand a lot of abuse. There’s a lot of variance between models, not just aesthetically, but with their limits. Some can handle more than others, and it takes a little looking to find out exactly what each is capable of. The Panasonic TS1 (pictured) is probably my favorite of the bunch, blending a tough, attractive case with great photo quality and HD video.

My article on great GPS gifts for this summer ran today at Forbes.com.

I like GPS receivers, but ultimately, I think they’re probably an intermediate technology. With navigation capabilities coming to cell phones and other devices (even cameras and camcorders), it seems like the standalone GPS receiver is probably not going to be viable entity for much longer. They’ll most likely suffer a fate similar to that of the Palm Pilot.

My article on how to bring online streaming video into your living room ran today at Forbes.com.

The Internet-enabled TVs from LG and Vizio are the most enticing things on the horizon, I think. I’ve been using the MediaMall’s PlayOn software with my PS3, and it’s been pretty great (if a little buggy). Having Hulu, YouTube, and Amazon VOD available right on my HDTV has really enhanced the viewing experience. Lots of fresh, on-demand content to keep me entertained. I think this could be very bad news for cable providers insisting on high fees for bloated channel packages.

My latest Forbes.com feature, HD Camcorders For Any Budget, ran today.

It’s a general survey of high-definition camcorders, running from low-end models like the Flip Mino HD ($229) all the way up to the expensive and excellent Panasonic TM300 ($1,300). Of particular note is how digital cameras are beginning to emerge as a mid-price option for HD video recording. I’m still not sold on relatively affordable HD cams like the Mino HD or the Creative Vado HD.

They’re still too expensive for such stripped-down devices, and the lack of image stabilization is a serious flaw that limits their potential.