On digital cameras check out CNET’s Digital Camera Buying guide, just published this month.  The ads contain many options.

A unique gift: How about a personal GPS device to get you back to your car?  Look at the Bushnell Back Track Personal Location Finder GPS. Best Buy is advertising this for $44.99.  How does it work?  Let’s say you go to the mall, when you park your car you set the way point of your location.  After an hour of walking the mall and getting confused inside, you need to remember where you parked.  When you walk outside, you select your way point and it directs you to the location.  Hikers or campers, when you leave your campsite or car set the way point.  You will always know which direction to go to get back to the car or campsite.

If you have questions about a technical product you are considering send them to mark@usacomputersolutions.com.

Make it a great Sunday, only 10 days til Christmas.

http://www.noradsanta.org/

Desktop PC – 2 of them

1. Staples has a system with a 21.5 in monitor for 599.98 after rebates.  It is a HP  with 6 GB RAM 640 GB hard drive Windows 7 64-bit

2. They also have a HP with out the monitor, but with a bigger hard drive 750GB and more RAM 8GB, with windows 7 64 bit for 599.98 (no rebate) regularly 699.98.  Comparing this to other stores in the ads, this one had a faster processor then the others advertised for 40-50 dollars less.

3rd item – For today and tomorrow only Staples has Microsoft office 2007 Home and Student version on sale for $69.99 ($80 off retail).  This has MS Excel, MS Word, and MS Powerpoint.

and finally for those who need to upgrade their virus protection and you don’t want to try AVG free version, they have Norton Antivirus for $9.99 today and tomorrow only.

Have a great Sunday, just 25 days til Christmas.

The product this morning is from Radio Shack, they have a Gateway 10.1″ Netbook, windows xp home, 1GB ram, 160Gb hard drive for $229.  They say it is a “Pre-Thanksgiving Sale”

Office Depot is advertising a Canon EOS Rebel XS SLP digital camera with a 75-300mm lens for 669.98 in a bundled package.  Looks like SLR’s are coming down in price final.  What’s a SLR digital camera?  The SLR’s are the digital version of the 35mm camera’s 10 years ago with interchangeable lens .  They have been around a long time in a digital form, but they have been expensive.  Many opted for the smaller digital camera’s, but now the price for these are coming down.

Make it a great week and happy thanksgiving.

The purpose of this device is to give the consumer or “road warrior” a compact laptop internet option, while on the move.   It is lightweight, starts fast, and is wireless.  You can check your web- based email (yahoo, gmail, or company webmail), update social network sites, shop, get maps, or read the news.  It is also meant to write letters and do what a full-size laptop or desktop can do, but without the bulk.  The Netbook is NOT designed to store files – its purpose is to access the web.

Have you heard of “Cloud Computing” –  that is what these little laptops do — access your information via web sites.

What You Need To Know About Netbooks?

• They come in 8 to 10 inch sizes.  They do not come with a cd-rom drive.  Think of your “hand-size” when determining which one to buy.  The keyboard is small and comfort should be a consideration.  I recommend that you make an in-person visit to a retailer and see how the NETBOOK actually feels in your hand.
• They come with (up to) a 16GB Solid State Drive or 160GB Hard Drive.  Obviously, the solid state drive has limited storage;  if you plan  to just access the web, then it is a good option with plenty of space.  If you are “road warrior” and you need space for some files, presentations, or music, then you may need more.
• Operating system options include Linux, Windows XP, or now Windows 7 Starter.  If you are looking for a Netbook for this holiday season, I suggest the Windows XP version, with 1GB of RAM since little is known about Windows 7 Starter and its need for resources.  Why not Linux?  Because you probably have no experience using it.  You will be able to surf the web, but the rest of the functions will be new to you.    You already know Windows – stick with what is familiar.

IMPOTANT:   Any files you have saved on the Netbook should be copied onto another PC – a Netbook should not be considered a replacement for a home, office, or larger laptop computer.