len_mullen

I don't believe in karma, but I do believe in paying for what you take, so I would (and actually have on several occasions) return the item and make amends.

No more integrated video for me. I just added an 8600gts plus 2g of ram to my 6112a for $20 AR. They also have a Thermaltake 500w PS for $35 AR. If you missed out on the hp PC, check out the SR5610F for $350. Not amazing deals just great prices on very good desktop computers. PS EVGA has a 'step up' program that allows you to upgrade your card to a more powerful card down the road.

One of our BF traditions (though it's not an annual event by any means) is to blast off to Jefferson New Hampshire when I get home. There is a theme park called Santa's Village and it opens for Christmas Time. The first weekend of Christmas Time happens to be the long Thanksgiving weekend. We drive up Friday when I return from shopping, arriving in time to check in. Then we take a dip in the pool and eat supper right at the Cabot Motor Inn and Restaurant. After supper, we head to Santa's Village. If you go in late in the afternoon, they give you a ticket for the next day -- which means no waiting when the crowds show up. We spend a couple hours in the park then head back to the Cabot (less than a mile away). Next day, we spend as much time as we like at the park before crashing for a second night. The following morning, we have breakfast, take one last swim, then head for home. It's a great way to start the Christmas season.

Aren't we already seeing better deals? Plenty of people have bought and rave about lesser brand and bare bones TVs, but they don't look as good to me (I picked a 720p plasma over a 1080p lcd). If you're hoping to snag a cheap set on BF, visit the stores now to make sure you will be happy sitting in front of it. So far (I know, one flier), I think pre-BF deals are better.

I have the PN50A450. It has the same specs as the PN50A400, so maybe Sears gets a special part number? Anyway my Samsung 50" 720p plasma looks great. No motion problems on sports (watched the Pats this Sunday). Blu-ray is breathtaking. I had hoped to see better BF prices on TVs (I paid $977 for this set plus a 1200w 5.1 HTIB inc upconverting 5 disk dvd player and will be getting $50 cash back from Best Buy -- shipped free). So, I don't think you will need to wait in line for a deal like this, I do like/recommend the set. Looks like it is going on sale at CC for $930 after code 3LAF35ZAA5 (can't confirm, site is updating). Can't stand in line for $30. For people concerned about 720p vs 1080p, I urge you to use your eyes, but here is some professional analysis of the value of 1080p... http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-6449_7-6810011-1.html 120hz lcd... http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-6449_7-6810011-1.html and the obligatory lcd vs plasma... http://www.cnet.com/1990-7874_1-5108443-2.html?tag=rb_content;rb_mtx There's lots more out there, but plasma looks better at the same price point, lcd is better in a brightly lit room, and 1080p only matters when you are *very* close.

Not under $30, but here is a $50 AIO shipped free.

Or you can get the PSU and 8600gt from newegg. You have to stomach a little rebate risk/hassle, but the AR price is $55

Here, in fact, is a good deal on an 8600gt from newegg.

I have 8600gt cards in my gaming PCs right now. I paid $85 ea for these a year ago and that's still a pretty good deal. Video cards change very quickly and their prices plummet whenever something new comes out. Games lag video cards because game makers want to sell to the masses not just the thousand people with the latest, greatest card. When my kids want a game that does not do well on the 8600, I'll upgrade their cards and trickle these cards down to my other systems. The 9400gt is not quite as good at the 8600gt, but it's very good compared to the cards people looking to buy a new PC on this thread are currently running. I was looking for something that was good but cheap and this fits the bill. I was also looking at something that could be added to the Fry's cart. The 9400gt keeps the system price under $400 while providing a great gaming experience. We can shop for better video cards if you are willing to leave frys and maybe suffer additional shipping. I do like Thermaltake PSUs and 500w or 600w is plenty.

After crapping all over my hp refurbs, I suppose I should not be posting this, but I like the HPs just the same and it looks like they solved the heat problem the same way I plan to -- by adding an exhaust fan at the bottom of the case. - Price $299.99 - Operating System: Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium - CPU: Athlon 64 X2 (W) 5600+ 2.8 GHz (89W) - Memory: 3 GB PC2-6400 MB/sec - Hard Drive: 500 GB SATA 3G (3.0 Gb/sec), 7200 rpm - Optical Drive: 16X DVD(+/-)R/RW 12X RAM (+/-)R DL LightScribe - Network: 56K modem, 10/100 ethernet - Warranty: 90 Days - Expansion slots * PCI One (None available) * PCI Express x16 One (One available) * PCI Express x1 Two (Two available) Link to manual for the curious I'd still get the 9400gt video card and the thermaltake PSU. This is a terrific gaming PC for $400.

Marcaster we talked about GPS deals last year and I grabbed a Navigon with traffic from Staples. I'm very happy with it and have purchased a second unit. IMHO, this was *the* steak if the season. We pulled a camper from New Hampshire to Pennsylvania through Ohio to Niagara Falls then home via Upstate New York without benefit of maps. Thanks for your help last year. Here's to hoping everyone else gets a GPS this year!

What printer are you looking for? Staples is running good deals on AIOs and if you trade in an old printer towards a new HP, you get $30 in rewards.

My three Vista Desktops are two HP refurbs and an emachine. One of each has upgraded video and all have upgraded power supplies. I've had to remove the heat sink from the cpu on BOTH HPs to apply thermal grease due to overheating (especially when encoding video, which I do a lot). The emachine achieves the same benchmarks while running a more efficient cpu and does not get hot at all. All three came in terrific cases that are easy to open and work on. The HP case opens without tools. The biggest difference between the two machines is that on the HP, expansion cards sit between the psu and the cpu. On the emachine, the expansion cards sit at the bottom of the case. I believe this is the reason the emachine runs cooler. No doubt I would pick the emachine (T5254) over the hp (a6112n). It is more efficient, produces less heat, and dissipates the heat better due to its superior design. One more point. If you get to look inside the computer before buying, besides making sure it is a 'standard' configuration, notice how the cpu is cooled. Heat sinks don't fail, so the bigger the sink the less likely a failed fan will shut you down. I'd favor configurations where the path from the cpu to the psu is vertical and unobstructed (heat rises and good PSUs suck hot air out of your case).

I had to look up toontown's requirements. They aren't that steep. It is a 'massively multiplayer online game' so your internet connection may be responsible for the lag you are experience. Look at the known issues, too. Make sure you have the latest updates for your OS (directx esp) and your video card installed. This guy solved a lag problem by switching browsers. You may want to check to see what programs and processes you have running when you play. good luck!

I like Gateways too. As well as eMachines. That ad is confusing to me. Is that refurbished? Expect less warranty in that case. The integrated video is not good enough for a serious gamer. Expect to spend another hundred to address that shortcoming. Otherwise, very nice.

Gotcha. This one... Sharp 46" Widescreen 1080p LCD HDTV $899.99 Might want to check the amazon.com reviews if you are a game player... The reason why i gave this a 2 star rating is because I'm into video games and I play my xbox 360 on this tv a lot and there's a very annoying "blink out" whenever playing a game above 480p. Seems like a good price, though. Best sale price was $999.99 in July. I was hoping to see 46" TVs at $700 -- call me an optimist Not sure I'd pay for 1080p at 46" but I'd have to see the set close up. As with all LCDs, if you like sports, see what fast motion looks like before pulling the trigger. Current Sears deal that you might want to check out... Samsung 40 in. (Diagonal) Class LCD Full HD (1080p) Television $799.99 I'm not saying this is not a good deal -- just nothing I'd stand in line for hours to get.

I thought all the TVs were pretty expensive -- for BF. Despite the funky model number (PN50A400), that 50" 720p samsung looks like the same tv Best Buy has had on special lately. For $40 more I got a htib and free shipping without waiting in line.

Ace is the one given to him. It doesn't look scanned -- looks like it was downloaded from a web page. Also, the Sears ad is the exact same scan as on another BF site and that site does not have an Ace scan. Do I get a t-shirt for that, Brad?

select the Discover tab then Sony Outlet -- the offer will be on the right.

How much would you perform this service for? Anyone that could afford to pay me doesn't need door busters.

$1100 for a 46" lcd seems expensive to me. The reviews on Amazon are good and their sale price is $1400, so, if that's what you want, it sounds like a good deal. Make sure you see it in person before buying.

I'm disappointed by the TV prices. Hope the other merchants can do better.

You're welcome. Hit the B&Ms in advance of BF to touch all of these. I'm sure you'll agree that 8.9 inches is just too small (for a computer screen, anyway).

that would be a terrible choice. it is suitable to checking email and surfing the web, but underpowered for anything more. the small screen and keyboard would make homework more painful than tradition requires. you should be able to get a standard laptop for $300 come BF. hang tight and watch these forums for recommendations. also, consider a desktop. generally, i favor a desktop over a laptop at the same price point when mobility is not an issue.

No misses. The hit was the Navigon 2100 with lifetime traffic for $100 from staples. Love this and bought a second unit later in the year.