Tech Tools: More Bang for Your Bucks

Vizio CA24T-A4 All-in-One Desktop PC ($1,249, walmart.com)

A pricey “bargain,” but hear us out: Not only is this a touch-screen Windows 8 computer, but it has the capability and resolution to move anywhere and moonlight as a darn-fine TV, with a surprisingly good speaker system tucked inside the display.

Nest Learning Thermostat ($249, store.nest.com)

There’s a vague resemblance to HAL from 2001: A Space Odyssey, but this smart thermostat is far more, um, user-friendly. It learns your temperature preferences, then times and adjusts your home’s energy needs automatically. Depending on the size of your home, it could cut your energy bills in half.

Droid DNA by HTC ($199.99 with contract, verizonwireless.com)

No, this isn’t just another $200 phone. That’s a 5-inch display—a full inch larger than the iPhone 5’s—filling a niche between tablet and phone. The 1080p screen gives it the highest-resolution, largest display on a phone yet. Why pay for both when one device has the screen to get the job done?

Pioneer A3 ($399, PioneerElectronics.com)

Stream audio from your smartphone, tablet or computer without having to connect any cables or access a Wi-Fi network with this wireless speaker. It’s also water-resistant, portable and rechargeable, which eliminates the need for annoying D-cell batteries.