Now that we've drooled over the Top 10 Gadgets for the Filthy Rich, it's time to stop playing Trump and return to this thing called "reality." This decidedly thriftier zone isn't such a bad place, since there are plenty of gadgets out there priced for the everyman (and his poorer cousin, the college student). And inexpensive isn't the same a cheap. Shopping on the discount side of tech doesn't necessarily mean you have to compromise on your gadgets' features, as our frugal selections prove. A couple of our listmakers have price tags that aren't exactly in discount-bin territory, but when you consider the value you're getting for your dollar, they're big-time bargains in their categories. So proudly empty the loose change in your pockets and click on the jump to see what you can do with it.

It is possible to get an iPod for less than a hundred bucks, even with tax. As Apple's most affordable MP3 player, the iPod shuffle is an extremely stripped-down version of the bestselling iPod. Gone missing is a display, making it impossible to navigate beyond forward and back, and options for playback are limited to repeat all and random. Still, the stick-of-gum-size player holds 512 MB worth of music — or about 120 songs — all organized in iTunes and then loaded by plugging the shuffle directly into a USB port. An included lanyard, skip-free play (thanks to a lack of moving mechanical parts), and its near-weightlessness make it ideal for gym rats and those without pockets alike. Price: $69

Whether your PC games need more oomph or your MP3 player needs a home away from your pocket, a 2.1-channel speaker system is an affordable alternative to a second stereo for the computer room. Logitech's THX-certified Z-2300 pairs a compact subwoofer pumping out bigger-than-it-looks bass with two stylish speakers for 200 watts of total power — plenty to get your games, music, or DVDs blasting. Price: $100

Before sticker shock sets in on this one, keep in mind that most retailers mark budget camcorders down considerably from their manufacturer's suggested retail prices — as much as 30% — so you could probably score the compact Elura 100 for even less than the price listed below. Few other camcorders offer so much for so little: a 20X optical zoom, widescreen recording, and image stabilization all set it apart from all other cams in the sub-$600 price range. Ultimately, a camcorder is only as good as the video it captures, and in that regard the Elura 100 is a great deal. Price: $499

With all the hype surrounding plasma TVs these days, it's easy to forget that you can get a lot more bang for your buck by going with a rear-projection set. Case in point: This 52-inch HDTV monitor from RCA costs a third of what a comparably sized plasma does (and you don't even want to know how much a 50-inch LCD would run you). And while it's not technically an "HDTV," the absent HD tuner saves you money and won't be missed so long as you're getting your HD programming via cable or satellite. A slew of inputs — DVI for next-gen high-definition discs among them — round out a big, beautiful package. Price: $999

Long considered the makers of Sony knockoffs, Coby lately refashioned itself as more than just "the brand drugstores carry" and has earned respect for its quality inexpensive electronics — like its portable DVD players. This 7-incher plays MP3 and music CDs (and CD-RWs) as well as DVDs, and even comes with a car charger and outputs for plugging it into the TV in your hotel room. Best of all, Amazon is selling it for just $105, which is less than a six-month subscription to Netflix. Price: $170

As with speakers, cell phones, and sushi, you get what you pay for when it comes to headphones. So ditch the freebies that came with your MP3 player and upgrade to a pair that actually sound good. Sony's in-ear headphones come with three sizes of silicone earbuds to ensure a tight fit — a necessity for comfort and sound isolation. Sure, you could pay two to three times as much for some other in-ear buds, but unless you've cranked up your MP3 files to audiophile sizes, you won't miss anything with these. Price: $50

Yes, there are cheaper desktop replacements than the Dell Inspiron 6400, but how many of them have 15-inch widescreen displays? And if you were to buy one of those, do you really think the guy from the discount electronics store who sold it to you will respond to your distraught voicemail when a flashing Chinese symbol replaces your usual startup screen? $700 buys you an entry-level notebook sporting Intel's Core Duo processor as well as a 40-GB hard drive, a CD burner/DVD combo drive, built-in Wi-Fi — and peace of mind. (An extra $100 even gets you an ATI graphics card for enhanced visuals, handy for games.) Price: $699

With very few exceptions, standalone DVD players don't cost more than $100. All the more reason to spend a few bucks more than you would on the no-name player Wal-Mart is practically giving away for a reliable, good-looking component like Philips' do-it-all 642/37. In addition to the discs most players can handle (DVD, CD, MP3-CD, JPEG), this supports DVD+R/RW and discs burned with DivX and MPEG-4 video, meaning you can watch those 100% legal video downloads on your big-screen TV. Price: $55

For most amateur shutterbugs, a digital camera capable of taking 4-megapixel snapshots is better than sufficient, as images of this resolution can be printed out as large as 11 x 17 inches without noticeable pixilation. (3-megapixel pics make for fine 4 x 6's, by the way.) The 4-megapixel FE-100, then, is a better-than-fine entry-level digicam, packing the usual features and a 2.8X optical zoom into a compact, easy-to-use body. Sure, at 1.5 inches, the LCD is a bit on the diminutive side, but with the money you save buying this guy you can afford a few memory cards and photo-printing paper — so snap away. Price: $150

Sign up for TiVo, and this 80-hour digital video recorder (DVR) is yours free. Yes, it sounds too cliché to be true, but the "no-money-down" pricing scheme is a good deal, so go ahead and sign up for a year or three (for as little as $16.95 a month), since you won't be able to live without it once you've gotten used to it. TiVo's Series2 DVRs even have the ability to connect to your network for remote scheduling and transferring programming to your PC — in case you want to catch up on last night's Sopranos on the way to work before someone spoils it for you at the coffee machine. Price: free with TiVo service

— Matt Schneiderman