Let the hive mind of Engadget get that for you.
"I've found myself using my PC for a lot of conversations lately, and I'm also considering recording a podcast to share with anyone who will listen. There are tons of USB headset / microphones out there, and I'm hoping someone has some solid recommendations based on experience. I'll consider both headsets and standalone mics, by the way, but I'd like to keep the bill under $100 if possible. Help!"
Ben, glad you're feeling better. Being a parent of three, some kind of cold or illness is just about perpetual. All it takes is for one to bring it home, and the month-long infection throughout the house begins. :(
The only thing in the podcast that I felt the need to comment on is that I don't understand the hate towards Best Buy.
I deal almost exclusively with three stores in Pennsylvania and Maryland because they're closest to my house or work. The guy who helped me with my HDTV was very knowledgeable and spent almost an hour going over the various differences and showed me the various differences in the Magnolia section. I bought a new refrigerator and my HDTV there. Both were delivered in the first 10 minutes of the delivery windows, and the delivery guys didn't have me sign anything until everything was plugged in, tested, and working. Also, after I bought my HDTV I got $300 back in price-matching over the following 60 days.
I won't go there for computer peripherals unless it's an emergency because NewEgg kicks their ass in prices, but I've never had any problems with BB -- and I spend a ton of money there. Whatever. Maybe I'm just lucky to deal with stores who have competent employees.
John,
I hear you, there is a some great people in the Magnolia section of my local BB, but some of the other people amaze me with the BS they spew. Got in an argument one day with a guy who didn't believe that clear QAM existed. I finally became an a-hole and said, "listen, I write about this stuff for a living, you need to do some research." I did feel bad afterwards, but it aches me to think of all the people who are mis-informed from people like him.
At the same time there are good and bad experiences.
Oh, absolutely. There will always be idiots to match the saints in retail. And I know that people are 10x more likely to complain than to compliment. It just seems that BB gets a verbal smack down everywhere, but I've never run into any situation to join in on that. Oh, well.
Hear, hear! We don't hate BB at all, but we recognize that getting hold of knowledgeable staff there is sometimes a bit of a cointoss. Personally, I wish BB would put more resources behind finding, promoting and keeping the good staff who show initiative in coming up to speed and staying on top of their tech. Magnolia's a step in the right direction, though, for sure.