Where to buy electronics: CR surveys our readers

What do you think the most in-demand electronics products will be during the 2011 holiday-shopping season? We're guessing tablet computers and e-book readers. The next important question: Where should you buy them? Should you go online or stick with walk-in stores—and which have the best selection, prices, quality, and service?

Our survey respondents gave higher scores to online shopping in nearly every respect than they did to shopping at walk-in stores. One major reason is convenience, of course. But some consumers have strong reasons to shop at walk-ins such as mom-and-pop independent stores, warehouse stores like Costco, major electronics retailers, manufacturers' stores (like the Apple Store), and office-supply stores.

In our brand-new December issue, read "Where to buy electronics" to find out how our readers scored the major electronics stores (Ratings available to subscribers), find out the best place for you to shop, and glean some handy shopping tips as well.