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Netbook prices:
Best Buy: $99.99 to $4,648.60
Newegg: $299.99 to $698.99 ($229.99 referb)
Circuit city: $319.99 to $629.99
Target: $242.99 to $599.99
Walmart: $278.00 to $632.00

Unfortunately I bought my PS3 in 2007 at a now non-existent Circuit City.

Not entirely.

First let me state that I really like windows media center for windows 7. ok so here is what I use. I bought a Nettop pc modded it and hooked it up as a HTCP here is the details. here is the computer I started with http://www.circuitcity.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=5384442&CatId=2313 the First thing I did was to replace the Hdd with a 1Tb Barracuda with 3 partitions 2 50 GB and the rest on the third it now dual boots WIndows 7 Home Premium 32 bit and Mythbuntu 32 bit each on a 50 GB drive, the remaining partition is used for media storage. it is hooked up via the HDMI to my 54 in visio lcd. I use a wireless key board with a track pad(like a laptop) for navigation and the screen is so big it is easily viewed from my recliner. her eit the key board http://www.circuitcity.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=5645706&CatId=537

First let me state that I really like windows media center for windows 7. ok so here is what I use. I bought a Nettop pc modded it and hooked it up as a HTCP here is the details. here is the computer I started with http://www.circuitcity.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=5384442&CatId=2313 the First thing I did was to replace the Hdd with a 1Tb Barracuda with 3 partitions 2 50 GB and the rest on the third it now dual boots WIndows 7 Home Premium 32 bit and Mythbuntu 32 bit each on a 50 GB drive, the remaining partition is used for media storage. it is hooked up via the HDMI to my 54 in visio lcd. I use a wireless key board with a track pad(like a laptop) for navigation and the screen is so big it is easily viewed from my recliner. her eit the key board http://www.circuitcity.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=5645706&CatId=537

Were you a customer of circuit city? Did you give your email address at the store? or Did you have an online account with them? If you do not want your personal data be transferred to systemax you need to opt out by June 9

See the following for the opt out page

http://mail.circuitcity.com/p/Circuit_City_Backup/cc_web_optout

see the following for more information about opting out

http://www.circuitcity.com/sectors/opt-outv2.asp

Were you a customer of circuit city? Did you give your email address at the store? or Did you have an online account with them? If you do not want your personal data be transferred to systemax you need to opt out by June 9

See the following for the opt out page

http://mail.circuitcity.com/p/Circuit_City_Backup/cc_web_optout

see the following for more information about opting out

http://www.circuitcity.com/sectors/opt-outv2.asp

Really worked well for these guys, and of course these guys, too. Sounds like a great idea to apply to more retailers. I wonder, can I buy an extended warranty on a case of pens from Office Depot as well? Damned things keep breaking on me.... And how about these? They might break, too.

It was bad customer experience that killed Circuit City.

No it wasn't! It says right on their website that "the economic climate is so poor that we have no choice other than liquidation." They closed because of the economy and not because they're a pack of incompetent jackasses. Unless they meant the economic climate in their tundra-like boardroom, perhaps.

According to http://www.circuitcity.com/closed.html their extended warranties aren't affected by the closure.

According to Circuit City's new homepage, CC's Canadian operations "will continue" and "are not affected by the liquidation of Circuit City's U.S. operations."

Sorry to be the bearer or bad news, but:
http://www.circuitcity.com/closed.html

No, our Canadian operations will continue. They are not affected by the liquidation of Circuit City's U.S. operations.

Meh..Any gamer will tell you that to fly you need a good joystick. I wonder what the flight attendants would think if they say me setting up a wireless gaming joystick on the tray in front of me. http://www.circuitcity.com/ccd/productDetail.do?oid=74920&om_keycode=4

Normal people like to write to their hard disk.

a PC with 6GB of RAM for $999? Really? That's funny, I don't see a shop by option for 6GB.

My iFavorite is the iBUYPOWER gaming system. At least they're blunt about it.

Which is something that we won't see for at least a year--possibly longer.

I am not so sure about that. I just purchased a Sharp Aquos TV and it comes with a free Sharp Blu-Ray player. Check it out at Circuit City for example. I think the format war is very close to a conclusion. I am still interested to pick up an HD-DVD player to get my five free movies, though.

You pointed to the OLPC; how many of those are being purchased by JQP? And how many compared to the other outlets? How about all 5 desktops at Circuit City for under $500, all pre-configured with Windows? The only two sub-$500 laptops at Circuit City come pre-loaded with Windows? How about all 9 sub-$500 desktops at Best Buy? Or the two laptops at Best Buy that have a decently sized screen, both coming with Windows? Take a look at Staples, Office Depot, Office Max. All the outlets have low-cost computers and all of them already come with Windows.

Yeah, the OLPC? Intel and Microsoft have a competing unit as well. I read the TFA, I just also happened to read a few other things that made me see the article for what it is - a wish to see 2008 as the "year of Linux because it's cheaper!", when the reality points to Windows still dominating all the consumer market niches...

You pointed to the OLPC; how many of those are being purchased by JQP? And how many compared to the other outlets? How about all 5 desktops at Circuit City for under $500, all pre-configured with Windows? The only two sub-$500 laptops at Circuit City come pre-loaded with Windows? How about all 9 sub-$500 desktops at Best Buy? Or the two laptops at Best Buy that have a decently sized screen, both coming with Windows? Take a look at Staples, Office Depot, Office Max. All the outlets have low-cost computers and all of them already come with Windows.

Yeah, the OLPC? Intel and Microsoft have a competing unit as well. I read the TFA, I just also happened to read a few other things that made me see the article for what it is - a wish to see 2008 as the "year of Linux because it's cheaper!", when the reality points to Windows still dominating all the consumer market niches...

"Anyone concerned about security doesn't use a wireless keyboard....Durrrr"

Except it's getting to the point that you can't even buy a wired keyboard. Check out circuit city, of the 57 keyboards they offer, 25 are wireless or bluetooth, and most of the wired keyboards are the cheap crappy kind. It also doesn't help when some of them act like "up to 100 ft. range with no line-of-sight limitations" is a good thing, as if anyone needs to type something while the screen's in another room.

They should come with warnings on the label like cigarettes, or stores should put up warnings in front of the wireless keyboards.

I suppose I'm lucky I still have a few of the old Lite-On IR compact keyboards with built-in thumb mouse for HTPCs. Works great from across the room and the keyboard doesn't need to be pointed directly at the receiver for it to work, but at least being IR it still requires line-of-sight. They stopped making them a few years back when RF took off and now they're extremely rare. I bought 20 of them in '03 for less than $20 each and sold most of them in '05 for $60+ each.

I'm actually in the market for a new keyboard so I'm glad this was brought up, I'll definitely focus on wired keyboards.

"Anyone concerned about security doesn't use a wireless keyboard....Durrrr"

Except it's getting to the point that you can't even buy a wired keyboard. Check out circuit city, of the 57 keyboards they offer, 25 are wireless or bluetooth, and most of the wired keyboards are the cheap crappy kind. It also doesn't help when some of them act like "up to 100 ft. range with no line-of-sight limitations" is a good thing, as if anyone needs to type something while the screen's in another room.

They should come with warnings on the label like cigarettes, or stores should put up warnings in front of the wireless keyboards.

I suppose I'm lucky I still have a few of the old Lite-On IR compact keyboards with built-in thumb mouse for HTPCs. Works great from across the room and the keyboard doesn't need to be pointed directly at the receiver for it to work, but at least being IR it still requires line-of-sight. They stopped making them a few years back when RF took off and now they're extremely rare. I bought 20 of them in '03 for less than $20 each and sold most of them in '05 for $60+ each.

I'm actually in the market for a new keyboard so I'm glad this was brought up, I'll definitely focus on wired keyboards.

Well that was fast, 1TB drives for less than $300. We can now welcome our new unforgetful overlords. $289.99 $279.99 $279.99

Watching TV wasn't mentioned in the requirements; if he does, there's always Hulu, Joost, Youtube, or any of a million other sites on every band of the ethical spectrum that's just as accessible from his laptop. Or, he could hook up an 85$ HDTV Tuner and never miss a beat.

Holding out for what, may I ask?

The 52" 1080i Rear Projection RCA is $700 at your local Walmart.

The 47" 1080p Vizio LCD $1600.

The 1080p 60" Sony SXRD Rear Projection set $2100 at Circuit City.
xvYCC color, 120 Hz refresh. PC and 3 HDMI 1.3 inputs, etc.,etc.

Another thing, pretty tangential, that occurs to me is that forced conversion to digital TV will probably cause more civic unrest than anything else the US government has done lately

Try counting the number of small dish/big dish TVRO antennas in the outer suburbs and rural areas. Well, heck, try counting the number of dishes in the inner city.

A close look at the silly lawyer letter reveals that is comes from the "Dozier Law Firm". The name seems apt. Their web site at http://www.cybertriallawyer.com include a YouTube video on the front page. Let us hope that they have the correct release for that. Of course, I would encourage eveyone to take a look at their web site, for informational purposes only of course! It is also worth noting that one of their people has the nickname 'Bull'. I guess I will continue my profound dislike of BestBuy. Their loss is Circuit City's gain.

Would something like This product placed in homes surrounding say a public library with free wifi be legal? How far can you repeat a signal?

This is not an endorsement of a brand or anything, just the quickest link I could find. This would shift some of the burden to the townsfolk, but maybe the city could provide rebates to people within certain neighborhoods to have these installed?

Well, a quick check of Circuit City's website reveals that Joe Six-pack probably pays about $30 for a USB cable right now. The new cables are probably going to be ludicrously expensive. Or perhaps the price will stay at $30 since I'd think people would catch on to the scam when a USB cable costs more than their printer...

But, I can't go to Best Buy or Wal-Mart and buy a $100 tuner off the shelf.

No, but you can go to Best Buy or Circuit City and buy a $180 tuner off the shelf.

Best Buy's product page

Circuit City's product page

There seems to be only one of these on the market right now. It's an ATSC/ClearQAM tuner from Samsung, and it comes equipped with video outputs for HDMI, component, composite (x2), and s-video. Audio outs are in the form of RCA L/R and TOSLink. It also has an antenna passthrough. It gets pretty good reviews from the enthusiast sites (News for TV-heads, stuff that matters?), and I'd go so far as to say you should probably get one of these if you don't already get ATSC TV in your home.

For the record, no, I don't work for any of the affiliated parties here, nor do I own one of these boxes (though after reading some of the reviews, I might within the week!).

"...an accessory gmail account to keep the important stuff."

Unless they can't access gmail from school.

100 mB virtual lockers? What are they, zip drives from 1995? 2 gig flash drives are $20. Why the measly 100 megs?

After reading this, I stopped what I was doing and decided to write a letter to Circuit City, letting them know that my next purchase won't be with them (I was thinking about spending 3k this year to replace my ancient TV and get a home theater). Write them at http://www.circuitcity.com/cs_customer_email.jsp?c =1 and let them know what you think. I think it's absurd to spend huge quantities of money (generally in the thousands) and deal with mediocre prices, idiot minimum-wage workers, and harassment.

Best Buy in Lincoln Park, IL did something like this to me once. I waited 40 minutes in line to return a home theater kit (big box w/ many parts) Because the dimwit teenager at the door didn't give me a sticker, one of the assistant managers (think Farva from SuperTroopers) seized my box and told me that I'd be arrested for shoplifting. I presented them with my receipt and he told me "stop playing games." I tried calmly explaining many times that I've been waiting in line to return this crappy home theater unit, but he accused me of buying one the day before, walking into the store w/ nothing but the receipt, taking one (apparently opening & unwrapping the 20+ components, untying the 10 cables or so, putting batteries in the remote, etc), and trying to return the unbought, yet opened, one. I tried to be nice and tell him that there was a mixup and explained to him that when I walked in I went from the door to the customer service line and have been patiently waiting to return the defective home theater system (amp, dvd player, + 5 speakers & cables) the entire time. He kept accusing me of playing "mind games," to quote him. After awhile, I told him to check his surveillance tapes and he told me he was unable to do so. Eventually, I called 911 on them and the police officers took my side and told them to either demonstrate that I was shoplifting or to handle my return.

In the end, they gave me a crappy $50 gift card and dirty looks. The manager kept using that "there's a lot of thieves this time of year" crap and talking to me like I was a criminal who just got away with stealing their merchandise. I regret not telling him off and telling him to focus on the thieves and not harassing their legitimate customers in the most inept way possible (I was more concerned about getting back to work since I did this on my lunch break). I did nothing wrong. I did nothing unusual. I even was wearing business causal clothes (I was in my late 20s, working at a yuppie job, behaving like a typical Lincoln Park yuppie). I don't care about their mistake. I'm really angry at their arrogance and ineptitude in handling the situation. I even sympathize with them not wanting their stuff stolen. However, if you're going to accuse me of stealing, at least do the effort to determine if I'm actually stealing. The store manager, the one who talked to me like I was a master thief who just pulled off another caper, kept ranting about the hid who was supposed to put a sticker on my box, who wasn't at his desk when I walked in, blaming the whole thing on him.

I called their corporate office and let them know. Last I heard, the assistant manager was fired. I don't wish for anyone to go through what I went through.

Probably not the best solution, but there is a third-party solution available that allows people to use any PS2 controller on the PS3. I know I picked mine up specifically for the GH game coming out tomorrow.

Umm, maybe you haven't checked, but HD ready TVs can be had for as low as $200 these days: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Sub mit=ENE&N=2102640411+4018&name=%24200+-+%24300
If your not working so many jobs that you dont have time to read /. you can afford an HDTV, even if its not a big one. The price went back up, but my roommate and I just split this Hitachi 55" TV, which we got for 899 from Circuit City right before the 4th of July. The picture quality on SD and HD content is amazing. Its only 720p but still looks great, and the price was impossible to turn down. So I would definitely say at this point, anyone can get an HD tv. Getting HD content to watch is another story though, and maybe more expensive than the TVs now.

"It's one or the other."

Yeah, that would be like Sony trying to sell a system that could play played both children's movies and porno.

Given how huge Microsoft is, I'm not sure why they can't cover more than one market. Games like Viva Pinata prove that the 360 can render "cute" as well as "gore". ;)

Domestic Segment

By the end of February, the company expects to close seven domestic Superstores. The stores generated $71 million in revenue during the twelve months ended December 31, 2006. These stores either are cash flow negative or are very low-volume, low-cash flow stores with older formats that are being closed for brand image reasons. Separately, in February, the company will close one Superstore in advance of opening a replacement store in the first quarter of fiscal 2008. ...

International Segment

The international segment plans to close approximately 62 under-performing company-owned stores.

Note that before the promotion, the HD-A2 could be bought for $350 (free shipping) at Amazon.com. It seems that they raised their pre-rebate price back up to MSRP ($400) for this promotional period. I think it's safe to assume the price will be back at $350 (without rebate) after June 16. That's still significantly cheaper than a standalone Blu-ray player. To me, that's still too much to waste (for either format) when this stupid format war has barely even started.

At any rate, Circuit City is selling one for $300. That is cheaper than any standalone Blu-Ray player I've seen out there.

I cant even get it from a DISTRIBUTOR for that cheap. Distributor pricing is still in the 30s-40s for a no-name.

Here are some references to back up the range I'm describing:

If you can get one for under $10 (3 or 6 foot)...but them!!

Here is the "Contact Us" link:

      http://www.circuitcity.com/cs_customer_email.jsp?c =1

I wrote...

"Your plan to save money by firing your highest paid sales staff has backfired; at least in regards to all of my future potential purchases from Circuit City.

Just wanted to let you know that I will not be shopping at your store BECAUSE of the firings."

Ironically, I feel the same way about the PS3. The Playstation controller is based on the SNES design , and in the PS1 era they had the analogs bolted on mid-life. It's a 10 year old design that is suited best for 2D games, not 3D. This is why I wasn't upset for the Wii Classic controller. It is a superior design for the retro titles that are pretty much 2D prior to the N64. For the N64 games, I use a wavebird.

There is a reason why Microsoft, Nintendo, and Sega put the analog in the primary position. For 3D games it offers superior control in a position that's comfortable. (IE: That's where it belongs.)

Heh. That TV you linked is only 19". For $100 less, you could get a 27" SDTV, with over 200% more screen area for 4:3 content and over 66% more screen area for 16:9 content - that is, you could get a new TV for the living room, and move the living room set into the bedroom. HDTV is still a luxury for people with too much money on their hands.

If you can't spend the 349$ on a new HDTV, how could you spend 600$ on a new console?

Also, you're too quick to dismiss the people-waiting-for-Wiis phenomenon. I talked to a Nintendo rep today at Gamestop. He claimed that places like Target and Wal-Mart are routinely receiving Wiis during the week and are holding them for weekend sales to coincide with their Sunday advertising circulars. He suggested that if you want a Wii, go wait outside one of these stores on a Sunday morning. The Target manager said the same thing. You can complain all you want about them being "assholes", but as the Nintendo rep put it, "We can't tell them how to run their stores". It's a fact of life - one which you seem a little out of touch with...

Wow, no. You can get a 32" 720p LCD for about $600.

Here's one for a little under $600.

Here's one for a little over $600.

Here's another is you prefer to walk into a B&M and get it.

Even if your limit is around $400, you can get this 27" for $419.

I think that what you would find (if you could do the research) is that there are localized pockets where the PS3 is (absolutely) sold out, and localized pockets where the PS3 has a massive overstock, but in general the PS3 is available if you're ready to look for it. In fact you have been able to order a PS3 online for a couple of weeks now (with free shipping) implies that the Quantity Supplied essentially matches the Quantity Demanded.

Try again mate, from your link: Circuit City

They have been instock for nearly a week now. They DO sell bundles (including one for resistance + a controller for $10 off the price, and that is actualy a rather good bundle in my mind).

PS3 is choking up atm. If mroe games get released, it can still make a good come back, but it is down to "wait and see"

Here yah go

PS3 for $599.99

ATM no one seems to have the Wii instock (a few places had them as late as yesterday, but only game bundles).

If you are tryign to track down systems then:
buy wii, from techbargains
buy PS3, from techbargains
Wii Tracker
PS3 Finder (same people as wii tracker)

enjoy.

Buy a 60 GB unit from CircuitCity.com. If you don't like Circuit City, how about Fry's? Or maybe you prefer a Gamestop Bundle?

The PS3, despite shipping a paltry 400,000 units to the US before Christmas and maybe another 400,000 since (and that's being generous) has already intersected the Supply and Demand curves. They are freely available to anybody who wants one yet they remain in stock for long periods of time, sitting in warehouses and on store shelves.

How's that for data?

No, of course not. why?

Because Sony has not made as many PS3s as Nintendo has made Wiis. Rather simple isn't it?
Are we surprised that the 360 is tanking? nope, because it doesn't apeal to the japanese market (and it does not have the fanbase that Nintendo and Sony have).

The real question is how will the number end up once sony gets production going at a decent speed?

Other peopel have pointed out (and after research I now have to agree) that the PS3 isn't selling in the USA (if any one wants ot buy a PS3, Circuit City has 60gig versions in stock). Yet is is still a chalange (though not impossible) to buy a Wii despite much higher production levels.