Consumer Reports articles from March 2003

Consumer Reports archives from March 2003

Accounting reform; watching the watchdogs.
March 1, 2003... In the three years since the stock market peaked in March 2000, investors have lost more than $7 trillion in stock value. A major cause has been the corporate accounting scandals at Enron, WorldCom, and other high-profile companies, which have...

Eeny, meeny, miney, motion compensation.(Memo to Members)
March 1, 2003... "Because it's there" may be a perfectly good reason to climb the highest mountain in the world, but it doesn't really justify spending $4 on a box of disposable cutting sheets. They're supposed to act as a temporary kitchen cutting board, but...

Kava: a supplement to avoid.(Health Alert)
March 1, 2003... The case against kava, one of the top-selling herbal supplements, has picked up momentum. Noting its association with liver damage, doctors--including CONSUMER REPORTS' own medical experts--have for some time advised people to use kava (also...

Polara: a cool electric range. Literally.(Product Test)
March 1, 2003... You couldn't necessarily tell from the Ratings of electric ranges on page 52, but the new Whirlpool Polara is pretty special. Although it ranked last among the electric smoothtop ranges we tested, the Polara is still very good overall--and...

New auto-safety laws are en route.(On the Road)
March 1, 2003... Several major auto-safety initiatives will take effect later this year, under provisions of the TREAD Act of 2000. The law, officially the Transportation Recall Enhancement, Accountability and Documentation Act, is a direct result of the...

Cutting sheets don't cut it.(Product Test)
March 1, 2003... Saran Disposable Cutting Sheets claim to "absorb the germy mess left behind when cutting raw meat, poultry, fish, and much more," thereby reducing the amount of cleanup you have to do in the kitchen. Think of the Cutting Sheets as a...

The big picture; the essential guide to TV equipment and services.(Buyers Guide)(Cover Story)
March 1, 2003... Flip through an ad circular from any consumer-electronics store and you'll see a dizzying array of TVs, everything from flat displays that perch on a tabletop to spacious wall-mounted panels and huge floor-standing projection TVs. Prices vary...

Cable or satellite?(television sets)(includes related information on satellite, high-definition, and connecting the set)(Buyers Guide)
March 1, 2003... As you've probably gleaned from TV commercials and the offers flooding your mailbox, the cable and satellite companies are pushing services that promise a broad selection of programming plus enhanced picture and sound quality. So even if you're...

High time for HD? Falling prices make high-definition TV more attractive than ever.(Product/Service Evaluation)
March 1, 2003... For the best at-home viewing, a high-definition television (HDTV) is the way to go. These digital sets can display sharp, lifelike images that will surpass anything you'll see on a regular analog TV. You'll get the best picture quality when...

Big-screen bonanza.(rear-projection television)(Product/Service Evaluation)
March 1, 2003... If you're thinking of super-sizing your TV set, there's good news: Prices of jumbo sets are coming down to earth. You can buy a digital rear-projection TV with a 50-inch or larger screen and high-definition (HD) capability for $1,700, and an...

Regular televisions.(ratings, repair history, and brand information)(Product/Service Evaluation)
March 1, 2003... While their digital siblings can dazzle you with high-definition images, conventional analog TVs--the kind you've been watching for years--can deliver outstanding performance for less. Don't worry that an analog set you buy now will be...

DVD recorders; these machines copy as well as play, but you may want to wait before buying.(Product/Service Evaluation)
March 1, 2003... Recorders may be the final nail in the coffin for VCRs. Besides playing video and music discs, the four we tested from Panasonic, Philips, and Pioneer allow you to copy TV programs and home videos onto DVDs. They also "time-shift," letting you...

DVD players.(includes ratings, and information on connections)(Product/Service Evaluation)
March 1, 2003... A DVD recorder is still a hefty investment, but some play-only machines now cost about the same as VCRs. Case in point: the $60 Mintek DVD-1600 (shown above, right).While this new name in players lacks the familiarity of a Panasonic or Sony, it...

The stealth fat.(trans fat in foods)(includes related sampling of specific foods, and labeling information)
March 1, 2003... Many seemingly heart-healthy foods, made with vegetable oils containing little saturated fat and no cholesterol, harbor the most heart-unfriendly fat of all: trans fat, which currently isn't labeled. While meat and dairy products naturally...

Mutual funds: their 5 best-kept secrets.
March 1, 2003... A public company is an open book--albeit one written in CPA-speak. In its annual report and in mountains of other public information, investors can find a wealth of details, from currency hedges to the CEO's compensation and perks. You...

Where to invest now.(Mutual Funds 2003)
March 1, 2003... Grief over your stock-market losses has followed a familiar pattern. First there was denial: The markets were sure to come back. Then there was anger: Those *@!#@*% dot-con artists and sneaky CFOs! Next came bargaining: A new hot tip was sure...

Tonic in a teapot.(Tea)(includes related information on teapots, on tea preparation, and on green tea testing )
March 1, 2003... Americans are beginning to realize what Eastern cultures have known for thousands of years: Tea is good for what ails you. But the ancients could not have imagined all the possible benefits from the leaves of Camellia sinensis--a white-flowered...

Portable power.(laptop computers)(Product/Service Evaluation)
March 1, 2003... You can buy a powerful desktop computer for as little as $600. So it may seem surprising that a growing number of computer buyers--20 percent in 2002 compared with 10 percent three years ago--favor laptops, though they cost hundreds more. ...

Electric and gas ranges.(Product Updates)(Product/Service Evaluation)
March 1, 2003... WHAT'S NEW More higher-priced models. While still a small part of the market, $1,000-plus ranges are a fast-growing segment. Our nine newly tested models cost about $1,400 to $4,000 and include four dual-fuel ranges. Manufacturers say...

Dollars and sense; some small sedans are a good value, but look for more than a low price.(includes related testing and ratings information)(Product/Service Evaluation)
March 1, 2003... There are several good reasons to buy a small sedan. They are easy to maneuver in tight spots, they typically provide very good fuel economy, and they're relatively inexpensive. The best models also provide ample power, efficient interior...