Desktop Computers

Now that many homes have multiple PCs - desktops, laptops, netbooks - it's getting very expensive to try to upgrade a whole household.  That's where family discounts come in. Anti-virus...

Now that many homes have multiple PCs - desktops, laptops, netbooks - it's getting very expensive to try to upgrade a whole household.  That's where family discounts come in.

Anti-virus software companies were among the first to offer deals where you can buy the software once and legally use it on more than one (commonly up to 3) computer.  That means the whole house could share the cost of one purchase.

More recently Microsoft has begun to offer a similar deal for their software, first with Windows 7 and now with Office 2010 Home and Student.  You need to look for the packages labeled "Family Pack" to get the deal.

The benefit of this approach is obvious: upgrade 3 computers for the price of about 1 1/2.  In the case of Windows 7, that meant paying just $150 for 3 computers instead of $120 apiece.  That's up to $210 in savings! In fact, since it costs only a little more than the price for just 1 computer, it's still cheap to pay for a Family Pack even if you just have two machines. 

Be sure to read desktop reviews so you'll understand the pros & cons of a particular desktop and to give you an overall sense of what's available. Based on that, make an informed choice about what...

Be sure to read desktop reviews so you'll understand the pros & cons of a particular desktop and to give you an overall sense of what's available. Based on that, make an informed choice about what you need and what fits your budget. For a professional assessment, visit CNet, ConsumerSearch, Consumer Reports (you can also find copies of the magazine at your local library), or Top Ten Reviews. For reviews with a focus on "cheap" desktops try Cheapism. For a more personal perspective, look up a specific desktop model on Amazon and read the client reviews. You can always ask a more tech savvy friend or colleague for input too.

Just as you should read reviews to determine the best desktop for your needs and budget, be sure to do the same for software. There is no shortage of options available and you can easily spend...

Just as you should read reviews to determine the best desktop for your needs and budget, be sure to do the same for software. There is no shortage of options available and you can easily spend thousands of additional dollars. For example: if you're just doing the occasional home movie, you could spend a thousand dollars on Final Cut Pro, but iMovie or a similar cheap/free program should be sufficient. The LOZO: buying fewer programs translates to a lower bill.

If you have an old PC, see if it's possible to prolong its life or do an upgrade on it before you buy a totally new machine. Sometimes, adding more memory, upgrading the operating system or...

If you have an old PC, see if it's possible to prolong its life or do an upgrade on it before you buy a totally new machine. Sometimes, adding more memory, upgrading the operating system or unloading years worth of accumulated junk can extend an older computer's lifespan and hold off the hefty cost of getting a new one. A lot of factors influence whether this is an option, so be sure to research whether or not this makes sense for you. To get you started, here's an article that will help you assess whether it's time to upgrade or replace your PC.

These three tips will put you ahead of the virtual pack for your online shopping!

Tip #1: Fill your cart (or list) in advance! With doorbusters online you need to buy fast to get in before...

These three tips will put you ahead of the virtual pack for your online shopping!

Tip #1: Fill your cart (or list) in advance!

With doorbusters online you need to buy fast to get in before the inventory runs out. Save time by filling your online shopping cart in advance of the sale, and setting up an account with your address & payment info. If you can't add the item to your cart, trying creating a shopping list instead. Check back in once the sale goes live, and the prices should update automatically. Now you can checkout in the virtual express lane!

Filling your cart is also a great way to find sales you might not have even known about. Add any items you have your eye on, then see if the price changes in your favor!

Tip #2: Don't forget cash back & coupons!

In the mad rush to visit each online stores, you might leave some easy cash on the table. Before you visit the site, use one of these links to access your stores. You'll still get all of the same deals, plus a bonus cash back rebate automatically posted to your Ebates account after you purchase.

Here are quick cash back links to three popular stores: Walmart, Best Buy, Sears.
Find all cash back offers here.

And not to sound like a broken record, but ALWAYS USE A COUPON!

Find all the latest coupons here.

Tip #3: Sign up for alerts!

One great way to find out when your treasured item is online and ready for purchase is to setup an email alert (you can find a link on individual product pages of many online stores). Sign up for alerts for all of the doorbuster and other hot deals you're after and get notified when it's available. It's not a perfect system - sometimes the alerts can be delayed by crucial minutes - but a nice alternative if you'd rather not spend hours refreshing the pages by hand!

Happy Thanksgiving, and Happy Shopping!

Holiday discounts have been around for weeks, and the terms “Black Friday” and “Cyber Monday” have been more than a little overused this year. We expect this to continue with promotions like...

Holiday discounts have been around for weeks, and the terms “Black Friday” and “Cyber Monday” have been more than a little overused this year. We expect this to continue with promotions like “the return of BF/CM” deals, right through the Christmas holiday.

All that said, you can still expect to find some new deals on the upcoming “real” Cyber Monday—the Monday following Thanksgiving—when online stores offer deals to e-shoppers who still have some things left on their list.

This is our complete guide to getting the best Cyber Monday deals, including classic tips that'll save you money year-round and some tips specifically for Cyber Monday.

Part two of our guide to Black Friday, covering everything you need to know to get the best deals with the least possible hassle. Whether you're planning to hit the stores or shop online from the...

Part two of our guide to Black Friday, covering everything you need to know to get the best deals with the least possible hassle. Whether you're planning to hit the stores or shop online from the comfort of your home, we've got the tips that'll help you save time and money.

Part one of our collection of Black Friday tips will give you all you need to know to prepare for the biggest shopping day of the year, including access to tons of pre-Black Friday deals that you can...

Part one of our collection of Black Friday tips will give you all you need to know to prepare for the biggest shopping day of the year, including access to tons of pre-Black Friday deals that you can start taking advantage of even weeks before the big day!

We'll give you the LOZO so you can get the best possible value with the least possible hassle.

PriceWatch's price tracking service for all types of RAM for PCs and Macs. They provide a memory advisor tool so you can figure out what type of RAM you need for your computer. They search many...

PriceWatch's price tracking service for all types of RAM for PCs and Macs. They provide a memory advisor tool so you can figure out what type of RAM you need for your computer. They search many different retailers and provide options, sorted by price, for where you can buy the cheapest RAM right now. Other price tracking services include Ramseeker and dealram, but neither seemed to track as many retailers or as many types of RAM.

From Buxr.com on 05/21/13 Enjoy immersive visuals with this Lenovo IdeaPad N580 - 59371992 laptop that features a 15.6" high-definition display and Intel® HD graphics for brilliant on-screen...

From Buxr.com on 05/21/13

Enjoy immersive visuals with this Lenovo IdeaPad N580 - 59371992 laptop that features a 15.6" high-definition display and Intel® HD graphics for brilliant on-screen images. An Intel® Pentium® processor elevates multitasking capabilities.

What's Included
Lenovo IdeaPad 15.6" Laptop - 4GB Memory - 500GB Hard Drive
6-cell battery
Software: Evernote; PowerDVD Metro; Power2Go and more
Owner's manual

From Buxr.com on 05/21/13 Enjoy immersive visuals with this Lenovo IdeaPad N580 - 59371992 laptop that features a 15.6" high-definition display and Intel® HD graphics for brilliant on-screen...

From Buxr.com on 05/21/13

Enjoy immersive visuals with this Lenovo IdeaPad N580 - 59371992 laptop that features a 15.6" high-definition display and Intel® HD graphics for brilliant on-screen images. An Intel® Pentium® processor elevates multitasking capabilities.

What's Included
Lenovo IdeaPad 15.6" Laptop - 4GB Memory - 500GB Hard Drive
6-cell battery
Software: Evernote; PowerDVD Metro; Power2Go and more
Owner's manual

From Buxr.com on 05/20/13 Tablet/Netbook Slipcase; accommodates netbooks with up to 10.2" screen sizes Durable construction; guarantees outstanding protection against environmental damages.

From Buxr.com on 05/20/13

Tablet/Netbook Slipcase; accommodates netbooks with up to 10.2" screen sizes
Durable construction; guarantees outstanding protection against environmental damages.
How to Get the deal: Order from store and save on shipping

From Buxr.com on 05/20/13 Tablet/Netbook Slipcase; accommodates netbooks with up to 10.2" screen sizes Durable construction; guarantees outstanding protection against environmental damages.

From Buxr.com on 05/20/13

Tablet/Netbook Slipcase; accommodates netbooks with up to 10.2" screen sizes
Durable construction; guarantees outstanding protection against environmental damages.
How to Get the deal: Order from store and save on shipping