To buy a flashy new ultra-thin framed 3D TV or not: Like many consumers over the holiday buying hustle, I struggled with that question. I finally gave in and decided to buy one. That decision was not an impulse-only submission, however. I was toying for a while with replacing my aging 42-inch plasma HD “dumb” TV set and finally bought a 55-inch 3D smart TV. In making that choice, I relied on the product-research skills my years of hands-on product testing of computers, mobile gear and software taught me. Ultimately, two factors were the deal makers — price and features. 
