Auspicious Deals

2005-11-17T18:23:00.001-08:00

Newegg Tradein Center - Powered by Dealtree.com: "Trade-in your old technology for a newegg.com gift certificate!

Get cash for your working pre-owned products making your next newegg.com purchase even more affordable

Getting Started

It is easy! Follow these four easy steps:

* Step 1 -- Register for a Trade-In account and log in to the Trade-In Center.
* Step 2 -- Select the appropriate trade-in estimator and receive an instant estimate.
* Step 3 -- Print a prepaid shipping label and ship your items to our trade-in warehouse.
* Step 4 -- 7 days after receipt of the item we send you a newegg.com gift certificate via email

Got a large quantity of items you want to trade for a newegg.com gift certificate?
please complete a Quantity Estimate Request for a corporate trade-in estimate."

2005-11-17T18:23:00.000-08:00

digg / deals: "Comp USA Printable Coupon ... Cost 7%

stratmancj submitted by stratmancj 4 hours 21 minutes ago (via http://image.compusa.com/retai...)

go get some good deals"

2005-11-15T07:01:00.001-08:00

digg / deals

2005-11-15T07:01:00.000-08:00

digg / deals

2005-11-04T07:17:00.000-08:00

digg / deals: "1500 Free Microsoft eBooks

randybruder submitted by randybruder 9 days ago (via http://www.mslit.com/default.a...)

Everything from pocket dictionarys, to 'The Time Machine' by H. G. Wells."

2005-10-03T08:01:00.000-07:00

digg / deals: "200GB Seagate - $49 at CompUSA

jakv5 submitted by jakv5 20 hours 44 minutes ago (via http://www.compusa.com/product...)

200GB, 7200RPM, Internal ATA/100 Hard Drive after $30 instant and $60 mail in rebates."

2005-09-30T20:18:00.000-07:00

digg / gaming: "Costco now selling XBOX 360 Bundle for $479.99!

JDOG submitted by JDOG 21 hours 59 minutes ago (via http://www.costco.com/Browse/P...)

Premium Console Bundle, Hard Drive, Two Wireless Controllers, Play & Charge, Project Gotham Racing...all for $479.99!"

2005-09-30T20:17:00.000-07:00

digg / deals: "Costco Now Selling Replacement Batteries for Ipods

Pharoah6905 submitted by Pharoah6905 20 hours 7 minutes ago (via http://www.costco.com/Browse/P...)

Believe it or not, Costco is now selling replacement batteries for the Ipod."

2005-09-29T09:39:00.000-07:00

BetaNews | $100 Laptop Close To Reality: "$100 Laptop Close To Reality
By Ed Oswald, BetaNews
September 28, 2005, 5:19 PM

MIT's $100 LaptopThe Massachusetts Institute of Technology says it is close to making available a laptop for developing markets that would cost around $100 USD. At a minimum the computer would feature a color screen, Wi-Fi, a 500MHz processor, and 1GB of flash memory.

The unit would even be able to generate power on it own through the use of a hand crank, making it useful even in areas where electricity is not readily available. Developing countries would be able to buy a laptop for every child, allowing new educational opportunities previously thought impossible.

'If you take any world problem, any issue on the planet, the solution to that problem certainly includes education,' Nicholas Negroponte, founder of MIT's Media Lab, told attendees of Technology Review's Emerging Technology Conference. 'In education, the roadblock is the laptop.'

When first announced in January of this year, the project received corporate backing from AMD, Brightstar, News Corp., and Red Hat Linux.

Brazil, Thailand and Egypt have already expressed interest in purchasing up to a million units each, with several other countries inquiring about the program, Negroponte says.

MIT educational researchers say the computers would help students in math, planning and reasoning skills. Plus, with a connection to the Internet, students would be able to interact with the broader world community.

'I think there is good reason to believe that if everything were open, fewer bad things could happen,' MIT educational theorist Seymour Papert told the MIT Technology Review. 'So give everyone the tools to observe and communicate what is happening.'

Several prototypes have been made, but researchers are still working on ways to get the retail cost of the unit down to $100 USD, and even lower in the future. One possible solution for a cheaper yet effective screen was to use the same technology found in today's portable DVD players.

Negroponte remains committed to the project until its successful completion, calling it 'the most important thing I've ever done in my life.'"

2005-09-29T09:34:00.000-07:00

BetaNews | DivX Offers Video Software for Free: "DivX Offers Video Software for Free
By Nate Mook, BetaNews
September 29, 2005, 11:42 AM

DivX is taking a page from Opera's playbook, celebrating its fifth anniversary by giving away its $19.99 DivX Create Bundle at no cost. The package features tools for the creation of DivX video files, including encoders and the ability to make interactive menus with the DivX Media Format.

The free Create Bundle offer is valid only for one day, and requires an e-mail address that will be sent the DivX registration code. The code is not a trial and will never expire, the company says. As DivX 6 is not yet available for Mac, only Windows 2000 and XP users can take advantage of the deal."

2005-09-25T20:59:00.000-07:00

digg / technology: "LED bulbs: a bright idea?

Next time you screw in a cheap incandescent light bulb, ask yourself this: Do you ride a horse to work? Still churning your own butter?"

2005-09-25T20:57:00.000-07:00

digg / deals: "100 gb Maxtor Hard Drives for $20

Maxtor� L01P100 100GB Internal ATA Hard Drive, 7200 RPM, cost $99 but with two $40 MIR its amazingly $20, but mail in rebates sucks but its worth the wait."

2005-09-25T20:56:00.000-07:00

digg / deals: "1gb iPod Shuffles for $99

JRod1918 submitted by JRod1918 16 hours 24 minutes ago (via http://www.staples.com/webapp/...)

Staples is selling the 1gb iPod Shuffle for $99 after instant savings. No waiting for mail-in rebates. Good until October 8."

2005-09-22T07:04:00.000-07:00

digg / deals: "$200 26' widescreen flatscreen TV

oneMadRssn submitted by oneMadRssn 21 hours 9 minutes ago (via http://www.outlet.philips.com/...)

the deal speaks for itself...not HD"

2005-09-19T07:34:00.000-07:00

digg / deals: "Brand New $150 iPod Mini's At Costco

Speakerboxxx submitted by Speakerboxxx 23 hours 52 minutes ago (via http://www.costco.com/Browse/P...)

Discontinued and on clearance. Costco.com has the Apple Mini 4GB iPods (2nd Generation) for $150 shipping for Costco Club Members."

2005-09-10T14:24:00.000-07:00

BetaNews | Beta Test Comic Book Creation Software: "Beta Test Comic Book Creation Software
By Nate Mook, BetaNews
September 9, 2005, 4:41 PM

Centercode is seeking beta testers for a new software application that automates the creation of comic books compete with bubble text using in-game screenshots, family photos, sports and other pictures. The test is open to users with Windows XP or Windows 2000 SP4.

Testers are recommended to have experience using graphical editing or layout software. Benefits for those who apply include priority selection on future Centercode beta tests as well as hardware and software incentives. More information and signup details can be found on the Centercode Callout."

2005-09-05T16:30:00.001-07:00

Project Gutenberg Audio eBooks - Project Gutenberg: "Project Gutenberg Audio eBooks

Project Gutenberg makes audio eBooks available for some of the same great literature available in plain text. Thanks to Mike Eschman for most computer-generated eBooks, to AudioBooksForFree.com for our Arthur Conan Doyle series of human readings, and to LiteralSystems.org for work on new readings by volunteers.

Our listings are divided into two categories. We are actively adding new audio eBooks read by people, primarily through work by LiteralSystems.org. However, we have stopped adding computer-generated eBooks. Instead, we are working on methods to automatically make computer-generated eBooks on demand (that is, by choosing options, then getting the file within a short time)."

2005-09-05T16:30:00.000-07:00

digg / deals: "160GB Hitachi Hard Drive for $29.99 after rebates. That's about 19 cents/GB

JibberJabber submitted by JibberJabber 1 day 10 hours ago (via http://www.compusa.com/product...)

Cheap! CompUSA has a great deal on the Hitachi Deskstar 7K250 160GB, 7200RPM, ATA/100 Hard Drive. Savings and rebates end 9/10/05."

2005-09-02T10:12:00.000-07:00

BetaNews | Apple Cancels 30-Day Mac Mini Promo: "Apple Cancels 30-Day Mac Mini Promo
By Nate Mook, BetaNews
September 1, 2005, 10:22 AM

Less than one day after announcing that purchasers of a Mac Mini can return the system within 30 days for a full refund, Apple has quietly pulled the plug on the promotion. It's not clear why the offer was removed, but as of Thursday morning there was no trace of its existence.

The promotion was being offered solely through Apple's online store, and was seemingly aimed at attracting Windows users who may be hesitant about switching platforms. 'We’re so confident you'll love your new Mac mini, we'll let you test drive it for 30 days with no risk,' the promotion said.

Apple said the Mac Mini and accessories such as a keyboard and mouse must be returned 'in their original, unmarked packaging, including any accessories, manuals, documentation, and registration cards that shipped with them' for a full refund.

It's unlikely that Apple was overwhelmed with refunds after one day, but some speculated that the promotion might have gone live without proper executive approval. Apple sales personnel confirmed the deal was dropped, but had no information as to why.

The Mac Mini debuted in January with a price tag of $499 USD at the low end. The system was targeted at potential Mac converts who were hesitant to purchase an expensive G5 Power Mac. Users can plug in their own monitor and keyboard, keeping costs low.

October 31 was the originally scheduled cut-off date for the promotion."

2005-08-30T21:47:00.000-07:00

digg / apple: "Apple Wants You To Try a Mac Mini for Free for 30 Days

the_mole1314 submitted by the_mole1314 11 hours 19 minutes ago (via http://store.apple.com/1-800-M...)

Yes, you read that right, yep, Apple is offering a 30 day money back guarantee on the Mac mini. Good if you want to try a unit out."

2005-08-30T21:46:00.000-07:00

Time To Go Solar? - Forbes.com: "Time To Go Solar?
Ashlea Ebeling, 08.17.05, 6:00 AM ET"
NEW YORK - In the new energy law, the U.S. Congress lavished tax breaks on its usual fossil-fuel favorites--there's $1.6 billion in tax credits for new coal technology, $1 billion for gas distribution lines, another $1 billion for oil and gas exploration costs, $400 million for oil refineries and so on.

But the solar energy industry is betting its comparatively tiny share of the energy bill spoils will be enough to jump-start the industry.

The cost of the solar tax breaks to the U.S. Treasury--less than $52 million out of a $14.5 billion energy package--may seem trifling. But the handout shows that Washington supports solar and should encourage more states to offer breaks too, solar supporters say.

"For anybody who has ever considered installing a solar system, Washington is telling you to do it now," says Rhone Resch, president of the Solar Energy Industries Association in Washington, D.C. That's good news for solar equipment manufacturers like General Electric (nyse: GE - news - people ) and Evergreen Solar (nasdaq: ESLR - news - people ).

The law both increases tax credits for commercial solar installations and offers individual home owners a credit for the first time in 20 years. (An earlier personal-use solar credit was in effect from 1979 to 1985.)

Interested in claiming a credit? Act fast. To hold down the projected cost, Congress authorized the solar credits for only two years--from Jan. 1, 2006, through Dec. 31, 2007.

Under the new law, businesses that buy solar equipment can claim a federal tax credit equal to 30% of the equipment's cost, with no dollar limit on how big the credit can be. (In 2008, the credit reverts back to today's 10% of cost level.)

Companies such as FedEx (nyse: FDX - news - people ) and Johnson & Johnson (nyse: JNJ - news - people ) that have already installed solar systems on some properties, and have made a commitment toward adding more, are likely to pick up the pace, predicts Resch. "The federal incentives by themselves will not create a market for solar energy, but when combined with state incentives, you reach the economic tipping point to make it work," he adds.

Home owners get a more limited credit. They can put in a photovoltaic system (those are the roof panels that take in energy from the sun and turn it into electricity) and/or a solar-powered hot water system (for hot water heaters, radiant floors or radiators), and get a federal tax credit worth 30% of the systems' cost, up to a credit of $2,000 per system. There are a couple of catches. The heating system can't be for a pool or hot tub. And the federal credit applies to the net system cost after any state incentives.

The good part is that this new federal break is a credit--not a deduction--meaning it reduces your tax bill directly, dollar for dollar. So if you install both eligible solar systems in your house, you can knock $4,000 off your federal tax bill. And if you have more credit than you owe in tax, you can carry it over and use it to defray your next year's federal tax bill.

Meanwhile, states are adding or increasing their solar energy incentives. The subsidies include low-interest loan programs, sales tax exemptions and property tax exemptions for additional property value due to the installation of solar equipment. But you get the most bang for your solar buck from direct state rebates and tax credits.

In Connecticut, for example, since last October, home owners can get up to $25,000 back from the state, up to $5 per watt for a maximum five-kilowatt photovoltaic system. (That's a pretty generous subsidy considering that the typical home photovoltaic system costs $8 per watt installed.) New York just passed an increase in its solar tax credits, effective Jan.1, 2006. The cap for New York's 25% credit will rise to $5,000, up from $3,750--and that's in addition to utility rebates, which offset system costs by 40% to 70%.

Then there's California, home to most of last year's 90 megawatts of solar projects. When the state legislature returns to work on Sept. 15, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's Million Solar Roofs legislation will be back on the agenda. The goal: adding 3,000 megawatts of solar energy by 2018, primarily by providing $2.80-per-watt rebates.

In the meantime, the solar industry is preparing to lobby to extend the federal breaks beyond the two-year window. "We're not trying to be a subsidized industry forever," says Resch, "but without longer-term incentives that provide market stability, we won't see manufacturing grow substantially in the U.S."

2005-08-30T06:23:00.000-07:00

BetaNews | Microsoft to Give Away Free Xbox 360s: "Microsoft to Give Away Free Xbox 360s
By Ed Oswald, BetaNews
August 29, 2005, 6:09 PM

Microsoft launched its 'Every 10 Minutes' campaign on Monday, promising to give away more than 9,000 Xbox 360s over a nine-week period. To play, codes found underneath the caps of Mountain Dew, Pepsi and Sierra Mist bottles are entered into a player's account on the contest Web site.

The consoles will be shipped overnight on the Saturday before the Xbox 360 launches. Winners of the promotion would also be able to select one of two games: 'Madden NFL 06' or 'Need for Speed Most Wanted.' The contest will end on November 15, 2005, indicating the Xbox 360 will launch toward the end of the month."

2005-06-30T07:47:00.000-07:00

digg / deals: "Buy a Mac, Get a free iPod
Apple is giving away an iPod mini (any color), or $179.00 rebate on any bigger iPod when you buy a Mac as an educator, or student. iBook CD 12' models excluded. The offer ends on 09/24/2005. A pretty decent deal considering it's a potential $479.00 discount."

2005-06-29T07:23:00.000-07:00

digg / deals: "Dell UltraSharp 1905FP 19' LCD $299
Dell Home has the Dell UltraSharp 1905FP 19' Height Adjustable Digital LCD for $479 $21 extra to reach $500 - 25% off 1905FP code RJSSH7T?9FVBSL [Exp 6/30, 3.5k] - $60 off $500 code QDPXS41JXSDGST. Plus shipping."

2005-06-25T07:45:00.000-07:00

digg / deals: "802.11g 54mbps D-Link Router for $5
D-Link DI-524 IEEE 802.11b/g, 802.3 Wireless Router up to 54Mbps Data Rates 1x10/100M WAN; 4x10/100M LAN."

2005-06-24T07:12:00.000-07:00

BetaNews | Gateway Debuts $599 Media Center PC: "Gateway Debuts $599 Media Center PC
By Ed Oswald, BetaNews
June 23, 2005, 10:20 AM

Gateway late Wednesday announced the availability of a low-cost PC equipped with Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 through its recently acquired eMachines product line. The desktop computer, which will sell for $599 and is available now in retail stores, is the cheapest Media Center PC to date.

The company says it is targeting the back-to-school crowd with the eMachines T6520, as well as offering three other low cost non-Media Center systems starting at $339 USD.

While the computer may be cheap, it still carries many of the features of its higher-priced competitors. The T6520 includes an AMD Athlon 64 3400 processor with 1 GB of DDR SDRAM, and a 200GB hard drive. The system utilizes the new ATI Radeon Xpress 200 platform, which has received rave reviews by tech outlets.

For portable media, the system includes an 8-in-1 media reader, and both a rewritable dual-layer DVD drive and CD-ROM drive.

At $599, the eMachines Media Center PC comes in at same price as the recently announced Nvidia 7800GXT graphics card, which was also launched Wednesday. An equivalent system from Dell equipped with Windows Media Center Edition 2005 would cost nearly $200 more than the eMachines T6520.

All the new PCs include software and a free three-month membership to America Online. Microsoft Works and Money will come standard with the machines; however, the company will also provide a 60-day trial version of Microsoft Word Student and Teacher Edition with the PC.

Gateway acquired the eMachines brand in early 2004, replacing the company's cow-themed retail brand after closing all of its brick-and-mortar locations due to poor sales."

2005-06-20T21:05:00.000-07:00

AnandTech: Price Guides June 2005: Motherboards: "Price Guides June 2005: Motherboards

Manufacturer: Various
Author: Kristopher Kubicki

This week we have some awesome deals on AMD and Intel motherboards. It wouldn't be a Price Guide if we didn't throw in our weekly reminder to give the RealTime Price Engine a try, so stop what you're doing and test it out! Do you like product alerts, buy recommendations and trend information for CPUs, memory, motherboards and lots of other computer products? Of course you do, that's why you're reading a Price Guide! RTPE has all these neat features and many more, so give it a try and send us some feedback."