Black Friday's dirty secrets: How to shop through the clutter 黑色星期五的秘密：如何在混亂中購物
There's no shortage of tech deals to choose from this holiday season. The hard part is figuring out what to buy.在這個節慶裡，絕對少不了採買科技產品的選項，最困難的部分在於釐清要買什麼。
Just looking at the specs -- 4K UHD TVs, 1080p displays,
quad-core processors -- is enough to give you a holiday hangover.
僅看規格—4K UHD電視、解析度1080p、四核心處理器—這足以讓你的這個假日暈頭轉向。
Considering the sheer number of items on sale starting this
week -- Walmart alone has 11 TV deals -- you'll want to be an informed shopper.
想想看這週開始特賣的總項目數—僅是沃爾瑪就有11種電視特價—你會希望你是個情報充足的購物者。
According to the Consumer Electronics Association, TVs and
laptops top the list of what shoppers will look for this holiday season,
followed by smartphones, video games, tablets and headphones.
根據美國消費電子產品協會，在這個節慶裡，電視與筆電為消費者清單裡最想買的物品，接續為智慧手機、電動遊戲、平板與耳機。
To make it easier, we've rounded up what you should keep in
mind -- and other tips, like where to buy the cheapest Apple (AAPL, Tech30) products --
before reaching for your wallet.
為了讓一切變得更簡單，我們整理了你應該要銘記在心的事項—還有其他小技巧，像是你可以在哪裡買到最便宜的產品—在你掏錢之前。
TVs 電視
About 98% of U.S. households own a TV -- and the average
house has three. When you're shopping for a new one, first consider where it
will go and why you want it. Will it be your flagship set in the living room,
or is it destined for the guest bedroom or kitchen?
大約有98%的美國家庭擁有一台電視—而平均一個家有三台，當你在買新的電視時，第一，要想想看它會被放到哪和為什麼你想要新電視，它會是你放在客廳的主電視嗎？還是命中註定要放在客房或是廚房？
The living room: If you want all the new bells and whistles, consider a 4K
display, also known as Ultra HD. This means the resolution -- 3,840 by 2,160
pixels -- is four times that of an HDTV. You'll get a super crisp picture and
be ahead of the trend.
放客廳：如果你想要最先進功能的電視，考慮一台4K顯示的，也被稱為超高畫質。這代表解析度（resolution）--3,840 x 2,160像素—是高畫質電視的四倍，你能夠看非常清晰的畫面，領先趨勢走在前端。
"We're excited 4K TVs will finally see significant discounts, but shoppers
should know that options for 4K content are still limited," said Benjamin
Glaser, editor at DealNews.
「我們很興奮4K電視終於有明顯的折扣了，但是消費者應該要知道4K解析度內容的選擇仍然有限。」DealNews 網站編輯Benjamin Glaser表示。
You'll still be able to watch TV on a stunning display, but
most entertainment companies aren't yet producing content specific for a 4K
TV's resolution.
你仍然可以看到電視令人驚豔的顯示效果，但大多數娛樂公司仍未製作出能配合4K電視解析度的內容規格。
Beyond display, keep these specs on your radar: Smart capability
-- so you can stream content from the web -- and HDMI ports, if you're planning
to connect other devices to it. The price points will be dictated by these
features, as well as screen size.
除了顯示效果之外，你的雷達也需要留意這些規格：自我監控分析回報功能（Smart capability），你可以從網站中串流內容；還有HDMI槽，如果你打算要連接其他的設備。價格將會由這些特色主宰，還有螢幕大小。
Your second TV: You can still find solid 4K options for less money. Walmart is
offering a 43-inch 4K Ultra HD Smart TV for $199.
你的第二台電視：你仍然可以找到比較省錢的純4K顯示選項，沃爾瑪現正販售一台43吋的4K超高畫質智能電視，只要199美元。
Standard HDTVs are very affordable this season, too. Smaller
HDTVs (32 inches) can get you even closer to $100.
標準的高畫質電視在這一季都比較不貴，小一點的高畫質電視（32吋）甚至接近100美元。
Laptops 筆電
You may know off the bat whether you want a Windows, Mac or
Google Chrome operating system, but the options within any of those are vast.
The three things you need to decide on are screen size, hard drive space and computer
processing capability.
你或許已經很明確的知道，你想要的是Windows、Mac或是Google Chrome的作業系統，但是在這些系統之中，還是有很多選項。你要根據螢幕大小、硬碟空間與電腦處理能力這三件事來做決定。
Size: If you'll be
lugging it around often, you might want a smaller 11-inch or 13-inch laptop.
15-inch laptops are great for the home or power users.
大小：如果你會常常提著它到處走，你可能會想要一個小一點11吋或是13吋的筆電，15吋的筆電很適合在家裡使用或是超級用戶。
Brands: If you're
a student or just want a computer to surf the web at night, go for a Google
Chromebook. These cloud-based computers, which run on Google apps (like Google
Docs and Sheets), can cost less than $200. But they're limited, with no hard
drive space.
品牌：如果你是一個學生，或是只是想要晚上用電腦來上網的人，可以去買一台Google Chromebook，這些以雲端為基礎的電腦，可以操作Google的應用程式（像是Google文件和試算表）價錢不超過200美元，但它們具有沒有硬碟空間的限制。
If you plan to edit photos or video, look elsewhere. Some
retailers are offering discounts on MacBook Air laptops -- Best Buy is selling
the 13-inch MacBook Air for $999 -- but don't expect major deals around Apple's
more powerful MacBook Pro line.
如果你打算用來編輯照片或影片，就得看看別的，一些零售商提供Macbook Air筆電的折扣—Best Buy13吋的Macbook Air賣999美元—但別期待主要折扣項目中會有Apple更強大的Macbook Pro商品線。
Processor: According
to Glaser, the best value this year is for 15-inch laptops with Skylake or
Broadwell Intel processors for about $300.
處理器：根據Glaser表示，今年價值最高的是搭配Skylake或是Broadwell的Intel處理器15吋的筆電，只要約300美元。
"There is a more current Intel processor (Kaby Lake),
but it is mostly in high-end laptops that will be less affordable, and also
more powerful than most users need," he said.
「最近有更多Intel處理器（Kaby Lake）但是大多用在高端筆電，價格比較不親民，功能也超過大多數使用者的需求」他說。
If you'll be using a computer for gaming or heavy-duty work,
you'll want a dual-core or quad-core processor. Each core performs tasks, so a
dual-core processor can handle two tasks at a time -- like browsing the web and
downloading a file simultaneously -- while a quad-core can handle four and
offer better performance.
如果你會用電腦來玩遊戲或是高負荷的作業，你會想要一台雙核心的處理器，可以同時處理兩項任務—像是同時瀏覽網頁及下載檔案—而一台四核心的可以處理四件工作，並提供更好的效能。
Hard drives: The MacBook line starts in the 256 GB range -- perfect for the
average user. If you're into editing photos and video, opt for something
bigger, like 500 GB or even 1 TB.
硬體：MacBook產品線最低規格為256GB—對於一般用戶來說很完美，如果你喜歡編輯照片及影片，選擇更大的容量，像是500GB或甚至是1TB。
Display: If you'll
be streaming a lot of Netflix, go for a crisp high-resolution screen (1080p).
But sometimes display quality isn't a priority.
顯示：如果你會使用Netflix串流影音，買一個高解析度螢幕（1080p）但有時候顯示品質並不是先決條件。
"You don't go out looking for a Chromebook with 4K
resolution because those laptops attract a different audience. Price and
portability is more important," Shawn DuBravac, chief economist at the
Consumer Electronics Association, told CNNMoney.
「你不會去找一台4K解析度的Chromebook，因為這些筆電是吸引不同的族群，價格和可攜帶性比較重要」消費電子產品協會經濟學家Shawn DuBravac告訴CNNMoney。
That said, 720p is still a good display option for the
average consumer.
這也說明，對於普遍的消費者而言，720p仍然是螢幕顯示的一個好選擇。
Gaming consoles and VR headsets
遊戲機與虛擬實境頭戴耳機
Sony and Microsoft have rolled out incremental system
updates and complimentary accessories to hold people over until their next big
console launch, likely in two years. For example, Sony is touting its new
PlayStation VR set -- which has been in high demand -- to work alongside its
existing PS4 or a new PS Pro consoles.
Sony和微軟推出增值系統更新及免費的配件，讓人們可以使用到下一代新的遊戲機上市，很有可能於兩年內，舉例而言，Sony強打它的新PlayStation VR套裝—目前相當熱賣—與它們現存的產品PS4或新的PS Pro遊戲機能夠搭配使用。
But the best value you'll find this year is with bundles --
a combo package that often includes games, gift cards and other accessories,
like controllers -- when you purchase a PS4 Slim and the Xbox One S.
但是你會發現當你購買一個PS4 Slim和Xbox One S，今年最超值的是買一整包—一個包含遊戲、禮物卡及其他配件像是遙控感的組合包裝—。
"Older generation consoles will be cheaper, but not by
much," Glaser said. "Budget-minded gamers should not pre-order the
Playstation Pro or wait for Microsoft's Project Scorpio, as it will still be
quite some time until they see significant discounts."
「老一代的遊戲機會比較便宜，但是沒有便宜很多」Glaser表示「重視預算的玩家不應該預訂Playstation
Pro或是等微軟的Project Scorpio，因為若要等到可觀的折扣，還得等很長一段時間。」
Virtual reality headsets have been slow to hit the
mainstream, but there are a ton of new and affordable options to introduce people.
Google Daydream View is a solid consideration at $79, while the Samsung Gear
($60 as a standalone product) often comes bundled with phone purchases.
虛擬實境頭戴耳機要成為主流還有一段距離，但還有許多新的、便宜的選項要推廣給大眾，人們常常會連同手機一起購入三星的Gear（獨立產品售價為60美元），要花79美元來購買Google Daydream View的確需要多方面的考慮。
Other tips 其他小技巧
--The Apple Store doesn't typically offer steep sales around
the holidays, but it'll often throw in iTunes credit or Beats headphones with a
purchase. Other retailers, such as Best Buy, Walmart and Target, do frequently discount
Apple devices, while also offering gift cards and other incentives. (Target is
offering a $250 gift card with an iPhone purchase this year).
--蘋果商店一般在節慶時，不提供大幅的折扣，但是它常常有購買就送iTunes額度或是Beat耳機的活動，其他零售商，像是Best Buy、沃爾瑪和Target，常常在蘋果設備上提供折扣，但也會提供禮物卡或其他誘因（Target今年購買iPhone就送250美元禮物卡）。
--Be aware of return policies. Some companies offer returns
for only 15 or 30 days, while others extend it into the new year.
--注意退貨政策，有些公司僅僅提供15至30天的退貨期限，而也有些會延長到隔年。
--A lot of gift cards are given around the holidays, so stores
often roll out big savings in January and February. You may want to cash in on
those cards then.
--節慶會發送很多禮物卡，所以商店通常會在一月和二月推出大特價，你或許會想花很多錢在這些卡上。
--If you see something you want, get
it. "Retailers are pretty lean on inventory this year across the board,"
DuBravac said. "If you find a good deal, take advantage of it. Things will
sell out."
--如果你看到你想要的，就買，「今年零售商都很依賴存貨，」DuBravac表示「如果你找到一個好價格，就好好地賺一筆，東西總有一天會賣完。」
--Some retailers are vague about
product details and models. For example, there are three generations of the Apple Watch -- the "original", the
Series 1 and the Series 2 -- so make sure you're getting the one you want, even
if a store doesn't say which model is on sale. "If you see an Apple Watch
for an unbelievable price, it is probably the original, which has a slower
processor," Glaser said.
--有些零售商所提供的產品細節與畸形很模糊，舉例來說，Apple Watch有三代—「最原始」的系列1和系列2—所以要確定你買的是你想要的，甚至如果一家商店不說是哪一個型號在特價，「如果你看到超低價的Apple Watch，它很有可能是較慢處理器的原始版。」Glaser表示。
--Some companies release old products under new serial
numbers just for the holidays, he added. "This means there may be no
reviews or price comparisons available. We saw this from Roku last year."
Overall, the best way to survive holiday shopping is to do
your research ahead of time: Compare prices, research the trends and know what
you want.
--有些公司會在新產品序號中發行一些舊產品，僅僅是為了假期，他補充「這代表可能會沒有評價或是可以比較的價格，我們可以從去年的Roku看到」整體來說，在假期購物中最好的生存方式就是提前調查：比價、調查趨勢和知道你想要什麼。
"You should also stick to your shopping list,"
Glaser said. "This has the added benefit of helping you avoid impulse buys."
「你也應該要堅守你的購物清單」Glaser表示「這是幫助你免於購物衝動的額外好處。」
