If your PC is pulling double duty as a media center, I can't speak highly enough of the Logitech Z Cinema speaker system. It's a 2.1-channel surround-sound powerhouse that cranks out 180 watts and comes with a sweet media-center remote.
Originally priced at $300, the Logitech Z Cinema is on sale for just $79.99 from TigerDirect. Shipping runs a hefty $22, but that's understandable; these are hefty speakers!
The system consists of a subwoofer that plugs into a USB port and two desk-friendly satellite speakers. On one of the satellites you'll find both headphone and aux-in jacks, the latter for connecting, say, an MP3 player.
I should note that these are new speakers, not refurbs, and they're covered by a two-year warranty from Logitech. (TigerDirect's product page says 12 months, but it very clearly says two years on Logitech's site.)
CNET hasn't reviewed the Z Cinema, but PC Magazine gave it high marks. Surprisingly, the magazine dinged the remote for being complicated, but I find it very comfortable and intuitive. The volume-control wheel in particular is just awesome.
In short, I adore these speakers. They're perfect for a den or bedroom where the PC serves up music, movies, and the like. And I'm wild about the price; you really are getting a $300 speaker system for just over $100 out the door.
For the unbelievable price of $169.99, you can get a new 24-inch LCD.
(Credit: Asus)I know many of you were bummed about missing the dirt-cheap 24-inch LCD from the other day, which sold out soon after I posted it. Well, like I always say, there's usually a better deal just around the corner.
Case in point: ZipZoomfly has an Asus VH242H 24-inch LCD monitor for $169.99 shipped. That's after a mail-in rebate [PDF], but it's for only $10.
In other words, you can skip the rebate altogether and still get a 24-inch LCD for the same price as the ViewSonic posted Monday.
What's more, the Asus is new, not a refurb! That means you get a stellar three-year warranty on parts and labor.
On the spec front, the VH242H delivers with 1,920x1,080 resolution, a 5ms response time, and an impressive three inputs: VGA, DVI, and HDMI. (Need an HDMI cable to connect this to, say, an Xbox or PS3? Don't forget: You can get one for as little as $3.
The Asus also has built-in speakers, though as with all speaker-equipped monitors, don't expect theater-quality sound. Expect sound somewhere between AM and FM radio.
CNET hasn't reviewed this particular LCD, but if you bop over to Newegg (where it's selling for $187.99 after rebate, incidentally), you'll find hundreds of overwhelmingly positive user reviews.
A few readers have pointed out that ZipZoomfly doesn't cover return-shipping charges on defective products, so if you happen to get a bum unit, you'll have to pay to send it back. I don't consider that a deal-breaker, but it's something to keep in mind.
Even if you skip the rebate, this is a better deal than the one I posted Monday. Consequently, it may sell out, too, so hurry up and get clicking!
Most iPod/iPhone speaker docks come up short in the bass department. If you like your tunes thumpin', I've got just the solution: Buy.com has the Philips Docking Entertainment System DC912 for $79.99 shipped. Normal price? $179.99.
Before I get into the details, I need to point out the big "but." No, it's not, "but there's a rebate." And, no, it's not, "but it's a refurb." (It's new.)
The DC912 is $79.99, but you need to pay with PayPal to get that price. For me that's not an issue: I routinely sell stuff on eBay to fund my PayPal account, which I then use for stuff just like this.
If you don't have an account, the dock will run you $109.99--still a pretty solid deal considering the list price.
So, what's the big deal about the DC912? For starters, check the photo: It's sweet-looking! Love that silvery flat-panel design. You can use the stand or mount the dock on a wall using an included bracket.
Cooler still, it comes with a standalone subwoofer. A wireless subwoofer. Combined with the dock, it churns out a seriously impressive 100 watts of audio power.
The unit also includes a remote, an FM tuner with 20 programmable presets, and an aux jack in case you want to connect a non-iPod player. It can even play MP3s and WMAs stored on USB drives and SD/MMC cards.
As you'll discover in the above video review, CNET didn't love the DC912's audio quality. However, the user reviews on Amazon as well as Buy.com's product page tell a different story: 4.5 stars out of 5 across the board. (Users tend to be less persnickety about audio quality than professional reviewers.)
A note to iPhone owners: You can use DC912, but you'll have to switch to Airplane Mode to avoid interference.
My daughter is about to become the crazy-happy owner of a refurbished 8GB iPod Nano Touch ($179 from the Apple Store). Might just have to spring for one of these to go with it.
I love free stuff, and it seems like each day brings a wealth of new free goodies to the iPhone App Store. Here's a look at five notable apps that won't cost you a cent (at least for now--some are free only temporarily, so get 'em while you can).
- 20! Top Man Things Men Must Know If you can excuse the sexist, unwieldy title, you'll find some undeniably useful information here: how to bandage a wound, perform basic CPR, fix a flat, and so on. (Note to developer: Why not call it 20 Top Things Everyone Should Know?)
- BlueSwap It's not quite PalmPilot-style beaming, but it's close. BlueSwap lets you swap contact information with other iPhone/iPod Touch users. Bluetooth makes it possible, meaning there's no need to use some third-party social network. (I haven't tried this yet, as I'm the only iPhone owner in the immediate vicinity, so if you're able to put it to the test, drop a comment.)
- C.A.R. - Accident Report Nobody likes a fender-bender, but if you absolutely positively must have one, this app will help you manage the details. It's similar to the iWrecked app I wrote about last month, but a little more robust.
- Droste Effect This is better seen than described, so I'll just say that if you like eye candy, you'll find this one visually tasty app. Really cool.
- Space Trader: Moon Madness If you like strategy games of the Lemonade Stand variety, which challenge you to make money rather than blast aliens, you're sure to get a kick out of Space Trader. True to its name, it casts you as a moon-based commodities broker. Buy, sell, profit. Perfect for Ferengi wanna-bes.
This free, sexist app explains the "20! Top Man Things Men Must Know."
This spacious 24-inch LCD features an HDMI interface and built-in speakers.
(Credit: ViewSonic)Still squinting at a 17- or 19-inch monitor? Heck, if you're using a laptop as your primary PC, you might be looking at a mere 15-incher. The horror!
Fortunately, loads of extra screen estate await you: PC Connection has a refurbished ViewSonic VX2433WM 24-inch LCD monitor for $179.95 shipped. (You may have to pay sales tax, which in my neck of the woods comes to about $11.)
It wasn't too long ago that a 22-inch LCD for under $200 was something to crow about, so a 24-incher for even less is mighty impressive. Based on my calculations, that extra two inches works out to about 900 percent more display area. (Why, yes, I was an English major, why do you ask?)
The VX2433WM has all the specs you're likely to want from a big LCD, including 1,920x1,080 resolution (that's 1080p if you're talking in HDTV terms), DVI and HDMI interfaces, a 5ms response time, and built-in speakers.
Are you thinking what I'm thinking? Sure, this would be a great match for a desktop or laptop, but it would also work nicely with a game console or media-center PC.
Because it's a refurb, the warranty expires after 90 days, which is normal (and, to me, acceptable). The couple dozen users reviews on PC Connection average 4.2 stars out of 5, with the main complaint being the mediocre speakers (big surprise).
This is the best price I've seen to date on a 24-inch LCD, so if you want to seriously expand your available workspace (something you'll never regret, trust me), I'd jump on this.
Update: Well, this didn't last long. Looks like PC Connection is already sold out. Sorry for the late post and short-lived deal!
Apple's price on the current-generation 8GB iPod Nano: $149.
J&R's price on the current-generation 8GB iPod Nano: $124.99. Amazingly, that's for a new unit, not a refurb. And there's not a rebate in sight.
The catch? You have just one color option: yellow. (Don't worry, guys: It's a manly looking yellow.) J&R does carry all the other Nano colors, but they're priced at $139.99.
There's probably not much I can say about the Nano that you don't already know. And I've embedded CNET's First Look video if you want a quick overview.
Instead, I thought I'd list a few things you can do with the $25 (er, almost $25) you stand to save:
- Save it for a rainy day. (Plenty of those to go around.)
- Get Michael Jackson's "Thriller" for $9.99 and remember the guy for what he did best.
- Get an unlocked 3G wireless modem card for your laptop for $19.99 (today only).
- Get 5 hours of classical adagios from Amazon MP3 for $2.99.
- Buy one Jamba Juice smoothie, get another one free. Man, I wish there was a Jamba Juice by my house.
Assuming you were planning to buy a Nano anyway, what would you do with an extra 25 smackers?
Whatever the case, J&R says it has limited availability of these spiffy, yellow Nanos, so if you want in on the deal, click fast.
Update: As astute reader ZephyrVolta points out, the Apple Store is currently running a special on refurbished 8GB Nano players (again, 4th-gen): $99 shipped. They carry the same one-year warranty as new models, and they're available in all colors. Much better deal, IMHO!
Drop an extra $12.95 and this TomTom GPS will tell you where to go--as Homer Simpson.
(Credit: TomTom)Update: Sorry, folks, looks like Newegg sold out. That happens with many of the deals I post, so as always, if you see something you like, hurry before it's gone!
The best GPS deals these days fall in the $50-60 range, but sometimes it's worth paying a little extra. Case in point: Newegg has the refurbished TomTom One XL-S wide-screen GPS for $89.99 shipped.
So why is this model worth a few extra bucks? Two words: Homer Simpson. Like many TomTom nav systems, the XL-S lets you install (for a nominal charge) various celebrity voices.
The latest addition is "Simpsons" cast member Dan Castellaneta, who tells you where to go--as Homer.
Need I say more? Well, OK, I'll say more: The XL-S also offers a 4.3-inch touch screen, text-to-speech capabilities, Bluetooth, and an optional traffic-data receiver.
However, it's important to note that text-to-speech isn't available with the celebrity voices--only the built-in computer voice. Thus, Homer says things like, "At the end of the road, turn left," not, "Turn left on Evergreen Terrace."
Also, the Bluetooth capability doesn't afford hands-free calling like on some models. It does, however, allow you to download traffic data via your cell phone, without the need for the aforementioned receiver. (You still need a TomTom PLUS subscription, though.)
I particularly like TomTom's Map Share feature, which lets you make map changes and import changes made by other users. Also, the easy-to-use TomTom Home desktop software helps you update the device, install new voices, plan routes in advance, and so on.
The Homer voice costs $12.95, which I think is quite reasonable. It's optional, of course, and I'll admit the novelty does wear off--in about three years! Seriously, I so dig this that I'm selling the Sony GPS I bought a few months back and moving to the TomTom. You?
Editors' note: This deal has expired. Dell is now selling the PSP 2000 for $159.99 (a $10 savings).
It's rare to find deals on the Sony PlayStation Portable game console, but Dell has a hot one: The PSP 2000 for $109.99 shipped. That's 60 bucks off the regular price.
While this isn't the latest and greatest PSP, it's noteworthy for being slimmer and lighter than the original--and for receiving a CNET Editors' Choice award.
What's nice is that because the PSP's been around for so long, you can now score loads of used games on the cheap. (For example, here's Daxter Greatest Hits for $4.99 and Star Wars: The Force Unleashed for $17.99.)
Of course, perfect as the PSP's screen is for watching movies, Sony's UMD format never caught on (big surprise), so don't expect to find many options there.
There's not much left to say. If you're in the market for a killer portable game console, this is one of the best deals I've seen. But it's available today only, so don't wait if you plan to pull the trigger.
Update: Sold out! Sorry if you missed the deal. As I noted in the above paragraph, this was one day only.
The refurbished Acer Aspire AS5515 is a steal at $299.99.
(Credit: CompUSA)Remember the $350 eMachines laptop from last week? If you don't mind a shorter warranty and smaller hard drive, you can scoop up a refurbished Acer Aspire AS5515 notebook for $299.99. Shipping will run you a mere $1.99.
Usually when I see notebook for under $300, it has a Celeron processor (barf), a Linux OS (fine for some, but not ideal for all), or both.
The Aspire isn't dramatically better in either respect--it has a 1.6GHz single-core AMD Athlon 2650e and Windows Vista Basic--but it should run at a decent clip thanks to its 3GB of DDR2 RAM.
Other noteworthy specs include a 160GB hard drive, 15.4-inch screen, DVD burner, and 6.2-pound travel weight.
In other words, it's an entry-level notebook. And because it's a refurb, it has a 90-day warranty.
But did I mention the $299.99 price tag? Because, seriously, that's a ridiculously good price--especially considering that your average Netbook costs about the same and does a lot less. (Yeah, I went there.)
CompUSA frequently sells out of items like this, so if you're in the market for a new lappie, I would hesitate not one bit.
If you're lucky, you might be able to pocket as much as $200 in profit on your old iPhone.
If you're among those lucky few who are eligible to upgrade to an iPhone 3G S without paying full retail pricing, here's good news: you can sell your old iPhone 3G and walk away with some extra cash.
Let's say you have the 16GB model. A quick check of Craigslist and eBay shows that the going rate for a mint-condition 16GB iPhone 3G is around $400.
Now, it doesn't take a math whiz to figure out that if you buy a 16GB iPhone 3G S for $200, you'll walk away with a $200 profit. Grab the 32GB model and you make $100. Not too shabby, eh?
Of course, with the sudden glut of used iPhones out there, you may have a tough time finding a buyer. If you'd rather not deal with the hassles (and potential wait) of selling to another individual, consider selling to a service.
iPod fix-it shop Rapid Repair, for instance, has an iPhone buyback program that's currently offering $230 for an 8GB iPhone 3G and $270 for the 16GB model. It'll even pick up the cost of shipping.
I also got an online quote from used-gadget buyer NextWorth, which offered about $220 for my 16GB 3G.
Used-gadget buyer NextWorth will give you a decent price for your used iPhone 3G.
Sadly, I'm not eligible for upgrade pricing until 2047, or something ridiculous like that. (Thanks, Apple!) So I haven't been able to put any of these methods to the test. If you have, be sure to leave a comment detailing your experiences.
If you do decide to sell your old iPhone, here's some advice from resident forensics expert Jonathan Zdziarski: 1) Pull the SIM card. The new owner won't be able to use it anyway. 2) Erase the phone by tapping your way into Settings > General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings. Make sure to keep the phone plugged in, as this process can take a couple hours to complete.
