Alkit
Camera
222 Park Ave. So., at 18th St.
212-674-1515
820 Third Ave., at 50th St.
212-832-2101
830 Seventh Ave., at 53rd St.
212-262-2424
alkit.com
If you’re looking for a pro-level, state- of-the-art
35-mm. or digital camera to document your kids’ wonder
years, you’ll find it here. This year’s hot digital
models are the Canon EOS-10D SLR ($1,379.95) and the Canon
PowerShot S410 ($349.95). Don’t worry if your artistic
ambitions are directed more toward photo albums than gallery
walls: The knowledgeable sales staff welcomes amateurs.
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Kids get a jump on the digital age at
Apple's sleek Soho store. (Photo Credit: Kristine Larsen) |
Apple
Store SoHo
103 Prince St., at Greene St.
212-226-3126
apple.com/retail/soho/
The glass staircase and translucent walkway are the showstoppers
in this gorgeously designed space that offers visitors the
complete line of Macintosh computers (desktops from $799,
portables from $1,099), iPod minis (from $249), accessories,
digital cameras (from $149), and camcorders (from $399). Repairs
and free interactive workshops are also available, and there’s
a kids’ section. While you’re there, inquire about
Apple Camp, a free summer program that teaches kids how to
make movies, photo albums, and music.
Bang
& Olufsen
952 Madison Ave., at 75th St.
212-879-6161
927 Broadway, near 21st St.
212-388-9792
330 Columbus Ave., near 75th St.
212-501-0926
bang-olufsen.com
Most of B&O’s minimalist, upmarket Danish stereo systems
are designed to hang on your wall like art. There’s
a serene, very adult atmosphere at all three locations, but
the sleek gadgets will fascinate budding technophiles. The
BeoCenter 2 is a double-winged brushed aluminum integrated
audio and video music system with CD, DVD, radio, and MP3
playback functions (around $4,100).
B&H
Photo-Video
420 Ninth Ave., at 34th St.
800-606-6969
bhphotovideo.com
You might not want to bring the kids along to tramp through
the high-end equipment displays, but if you’re looking
for a wide selection of camera and video equipment, unbeatable
prices, and a deeply knowledgeable sales crew, you can do
no better than B&H. Amateurs will find a staggering array
of point-and-shoots, many for less than $100.
Best
Buy
Call 888-237-8289 for store locations
bestbuy.com
We like this popular national electronics chain for its competitive
pricing on a wide range of home-entertainment products. Digital
cameras start at around $100, flat-panel plasma and LCD televisions
at around $500, and notebook computers at around $1,000. Also
check out the massive selection of CDs and DVDs at some of
the lowest prices around.
Circuit
City
Call 800-843-2489 for store locations
circuitcity.com
On weekends, this brightly lit chain store is packed with
moms and dads with kids in tow. Besides an impressive selection
of very affordable CDs and DVDs, Circuit City offers computers
($399.99 and up) and digital cameras ($129.99 and up), alongside
just about any other electronics you’re looking for.
Compact-Impact
21 Ave. B., at 2nd St.
212-677-0500
compact-impact.com
Kiho Shin’s eccentric selection of loopy, amusing tech
gear immediately disarms, and ranges from bizarre-chic (a
solar-powered potted “plant” that charges on your
window sill during the day and emits an LED glow all night,
$128) to Jetsonian-practical (vacuum cleaners and massage
balls that plug into the USB port of your computer, starting
at $20). Shin personally imports products from Japan that
are suitable for New York’s crammed living spaces.
Cosmophonic
Sound
1622 First Ave., near 84th St.
212-734-0459
cosmophonic.com
An authorized repair shop for more than 35 companies (including
Marantz and Yamaha), Cosmophonic can find parts for and fix
almost anything, from turntables from the forties, fifties,
and sixties to the latest DVD player. They’ve got three
sound rooms to tickle your eardrums with maximum quality.
Fujitsu plasma- screen TVs start at $4,900; Marantz CD players
run $249 to $2,000.
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