The biggest shopping day of the year is less than a month away and retailers are serving up deals that are steals on a variety of electronics. If you held off this long buying a LCD HDTV, now is the perfect time to make that investment. Last year, 42-inch LCD HDTVs were priced at around $499 to $799 and these same TV’s will sell between $299 and $599 depending on make and specifications.

In order to find these great deals, you will need to really be on your best game by shopping all competitors online. Most of the best deals will be online and in some cases, stores will also offer some aggressive savings, but supplies may be limited so don’t wait until the last minute or you may get shut out.

What should you look for in a 42-inch LCD HDTV? I listed four of the most important features that consumers should look for when purchasing a new LCD HDTV.

• 1080P display – Provides the highest quality progressive-scan picture possible from a high-definition source
• Inputs – at least 1 A/V input, 2 to 3 HDMI ports, 1 PC audio input, 1 USB 2.0 port, and 1 PC port
• 120Hz refresh rate
• Aspect Ratio 4:3 and 16:9

These are the most important specifications and features your HDTV should have to truly enjoy the quality and the ability to hook up other electronic components.

Popular brands to shop for:

• Samsung
• Toshiba
• Sony
• LG

Where to buy LCD HDTVs

Sears offer’s price matching on LCD HDTVs. If you find a lower price on an identical branded item with the same features (in Consumer Electronics identical brand and model number) currently available for sale at another local competitor retail store, Sears will match that price plus, give you 10% of the difference. Learn more about Sears Price Match Plus.

Sears will not provide the additional 10% of the difference. Sears will not price match limited time “Online Only” events, “Special Online Price”, conditional “Online Only Special Offers” on our websites, Sears Outlet, or searsoutlet.com. Only items listed as Sold by Sears or Sold by Kmart are eligible for price matching on our websites.

Best Buy is offering 5% to 25% on select HDTVs. To learn more and to shop for these deals, visit their “On Sale TVs”. Best Buy is also offering big savings on “Open Box” items on select products. These “Open Box” items are for in-store only. To learn more about open box sales click here.

Why wait until Black Friday when you can get great deals right now? Some retailers such as Sears and Wal-Mart are offering lay away. This is a great payment option for consumers who may not have the money to lay out for a new HDTV. You can make payments to pay off your HDTV just in time for the holidays.

Frank Jovine is an employee of Sears Holdings as a Senior Manager of Contractor Recruitment and Communications.

If your computer has clogged vents and fans choked by dust, your computer can overheat. These parts are vital just like the coolant in your car that keeps it from overheating. The vents and fans keep moving air in and out of your computer, but they both collect dust over time.

Many people use canned air to blow dust off a computer’s internal parts which is good and will not cause any damage or risk to your computer. Some computers (desktops) you may need to remove the computer case in order to effectively clean all fans and vents from dust.

Your computer should never be too close to the wall as this will prevent air flow and could cause the computer to overheat. If your PC stopped working, it could be that it’s overheating. If a computer overheats, you could damage the CPU and other internal parts permanently which can cost a lot to repair.

I recommend cleaning vents and fans annually, but if you live in a dusty environment, more frequent cleanings are necessary.

Your computer especially needs to stay cool during the hot summer months just like you do. Keep your computer in the coolest part of your home if you can, if not, make sure to shut your computer down when you’re done using it.

A little home PC maintenance or professional computer hookup will keep your computer running longer and continue to keep you more productive.

Keep cool my friends!

Strong storms have been sweeping across the nation this spring season.  Many storms are a simple nuisance, but when lightning strikes utter disaster can happen.

Lightning damage doesn’t just affect the structure of a person’s home, but it can also seriously mess with some of your favorite and most reliable electronics. Is your PC safe? Be prepared. You certainly don’t want to hear that your PC stopped working.

Lightning damage can come:

• Through power lines
• Through a network cable
• Through the telephone line (roughly 3% of Internet users still use dial-up)

Suggestions:

• Purchase and install a surge protector
• Small businesses: Get surge protectors that offer protection from surges through network cables
• Regularly check your protection equipment to ensure it’s working as intended
• Use a dedicated circuit for your computer – try not to share the power with other devices
• Turn off and disconnect the power cord (and telephone line if you’re on dial-up) during a storm

The odds are if your PC has lightning damage, you’re going to have to open up your wallet. Buy a surge protector to prevent damage and costly repairs or the purchase of a new computer.

The oil companies are all smiles these days and for good reason, gas prices keep rising. There are some economists that say that the world has enough oil for the next 40 years without digging one drop, so why do gas prices continue north? Even the Ministers of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) expressed concern over high oil prices in world oil markets, but reiterated their claim there is no shortage of crude supplies. The biggest reason for the rise in gas prices or at least the one the government and big oil companies want us all to believe is due to the current conflicts with oil rich nations. So whose fault is that? Who said we need to fight every battle?

We can’t change the minds of the big oil companies or any government for that matter, so why not take control of what you spend for a gallon of gas by utilizing information available to you for free. Yes free! I am talking about a combination of community, people like you and me and the web.

How do we go about saving pennies on our next fill up?

There are a few cool sites that provide the latest updates on current gas prices in your area and this information can also be accessed via a Smartphone by downloading an app.

GasBuddy helps you to find the cheapest gas prices in the USA and Canada for free. Just type in your zip code and GasBuddy will show you who selling gas the cheapest. They provide prices for all grades of gas. By using this service I just found a gas station that sells gas 10 cents cheaper than its competitor.

MapQuest provides more than just getting you from point A to point B, the site also can locate the current gas prices in your area. Just type in your address and mouse over the balloon to locate where the cheapest gas is sold.

GasPriceWatch is another service to locate cheap gas prices in your area. Just type in your zip and locate the gas station that provides the cheapest gas.

Gas Price Apps for your Smartphone

GasBuddy App for iPhone, Android and Windows

Fuel Finder for iPhone

If you know other sites and or applications that you use, please share them by commenting.

There are probably many people shopping for laptop deals during the holiday, but getting the best deal might not come with all the bells and whistles that you may need to be more productive. It’s important to know exactly what you are going to use the laptop for.

If you’re a casual user and you only need a laptop for browsing, email and writing, than you don’t need to go out and get the top of the line laptop. If you are a gamer, you will need a powerful processor and video card in order to get the best gaming experience from your laptop.

Best Laptop based on needs

Casual User: The new Intel I Series processors are a must, but for the causal user you only need the I3. The best bet for purchasing a laptop in this class would be the Dell Inspiron 15R. This laptop offers more features for the price than most competitors, combining great audio and rock-solid features for less than $600.

• Processor: Intel^® Core^TM i3 370M (2.4GHz/3MB cache)
• Operating System: Genuine Windows^® 7 Home Premium 64-Bi
• Display: 15.6″ High Definition (720p) LED Display with TrueLife™
• Memory: 6GB³ DDR3 SDRAM at 1333MHz
• Hard Drive: 500GB⁴ hard drive (5400RPM

This laptop has the i3 speed and storage capabilities that will provide the best experience even for those who need a little more. I own this laptop and I am very happy with it overall.

Customize your Dell Inspiron 15R

Power User & Gaming: According to many computer and gaming enthusiasts, the Alienware^® M15x, is one of the most powerful 15″ gaming laptops. To get the power you need for gaming and other heavy workloads you will have to also reach deep in your pocket. The Alienware M15x as is without any add-ons costs $1,449. The base unit comes with the following specs;

• Processor: Intel® Core™ i7 740QM Quad Core Processor, 1.73GHz (2.93GHz Turbo Mode, 6M Cache
• Memory: 4GB Dual Channel Memory (2x 2GB DDR3)
• Video Card: 512MB GDDR3 NVIDIA® GeForce® GT 240M
• Hard Drive: 250GB SATAII 7,200RPM
• LCD Panel: 15.6-inch Wide HD+ 1600×900 (900p) WLED

Available with your choice of advanced NVIDIA and ATI™ Graphics including the NVIDIA 460M GTX graphics processing unit (GPU).

Featuring the latest mobile Intel^® processors, including upgrade options to the Intel^® Core™ i7 940XM Extreme Edition.

Customize your Alienware M15X

When making a purchase in-store or online, it’s best to always opt to pay by credit and not debit. Most criminals have a keen eye for detail and are always on the look out to steal your information (pin).

By using a credit card, the transaction is seamless and secured from a terminal and there’s no need to interact other than to sign the receipt. When you pay by way of debit, you are raising the risk of being a victim of a crime and some banks can’t insure your total purchase.

Look over your shoulder when you are in a grocery store as there are many isles and there could be someone in the next isle scoping out your every move.

The holiday season is when identity thieves come out in droves. That makes it pivotal that consumers keep their debit cards on ice, said Beth Givens, director of the Privacy Rights Clearing House and one of the nation’s foremost experts on keeping your private information private.

Federal law limits your liability for fraudulent transactions on a debit card to $50. But that’s only if you notify your financial institution within two days of discovering the theft.

If you purchase goods online with a credit card and the product arrives damaged or was the wrong product shipped, you can dispute the purchase and stop payment with your financial institution. If you purchase using your debit card, the money is immediately debited from your checking or savings account. It could be an uphill battle to dispute your purchase using a debit card.

Happy and safe shopping during the holiday season!

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We are all looking for that best deal and even though Cyber Monday has passed, you can still get better deals today and probably the rest of the week! I have listed my best tech deals that I found searching the internet.

Computers/Hardware/Software

• PowerEdge T110 Server with Intel Core i3 550 3.2GHz Processor – $329.00 compare at $508.00 Free shipping.
• Asus 15.6″ 2.0Ghz Dual Core Laptop – $399.99 was $559.99 +Free shipping.
• eMachines 1.8GHz AMD Athlon II 160u Desktop Computer – $249 was $349.99.
• Acer G235hAbd 23″ Widescreen LCD Monitor – 1080p, 1920×1080, 16:9, 1000:1 Native, 80000:1 Dynamic, 5ms, VGA, DVI – $139.99.
• D-Link DIR-601 Wireless N 150 Home Router – $19.99 was $67.99.
• Netgear WNR2000 Wireless N Router – 300Mbps, 802.11n, 4-Port, Recertified – $24.99
• Altec Lansing Multimedia Speakers – $48.99 was $68.99 +Free shipping.
• Lenovo Bluetooth Laser Mouse – $16.00 was $39.99 +Free shipping.
• Fantom Drives GreenDrive 1TB eSATA and USB 2.0 Hard Drive – $49.99 was $79.99 +Free shipping.
• Windows 7 Home Premium Upgrade Family Pack and Cisco Wireless N Router – $149.99 +Free shipping.

Home Theater

• LG Ultra Thin 32″ 1080p 100 Hz LED LCD HDTV – $499.99 was $799.99 +Free shipping.
• Vizio 42″ 120Hz 1080p Widescreen LCD HDTV – $499.97
• Pioneer 7-Channel Home Theater Receiver – $299.00 was $499.00 +Free shipping.
• DirecTV RC64 Universal Remote Control – $4.99 was $24.99.

Digital Cameras

• Fujifilm FinePix J40 12 MP Digital Camera with 3X Stabilized Zoom 3″ LCD with 2GB SD Card – $69.00 compare at $192.00 +Free shipping.
• Samsung SL605 EC-SL605ZBPBUS Digital Camera – 12.2 Megapixels, 2.7 LCD, 5x Wideangle Zoom, Black – $79.99.

GPS

• Magellan RoadMate 1424-LM Portable GPS with Lifetime Maps – $99.99 was $179.99.
• TomTom XXL 550T Portable GPS Navigation (5in, Text To Speech, Lifetime Traffic Updates) $129.99 Free Shipping

Smartphone’s/Apps

• Droid Sale with Verizon Sign-Up – 0.01 +Free shipping.
• Samsung Intercept Android Phone for Virgin Mobile for $190 + free shipping
• iPhone App Store Freebies: Orient, Road Hog, ARSoccer, more Free!

Looking to get the home organized? Even though most people frown at the thought of doing housework, many of us don’t feel in control until we know everything is in its place. If you’re looking to get your home organized but aren’t sure how, we have the perfect geek tips that will make the process easier. That’s right – even geeks can keep a clean, organized house and if anything, the process is even simpler!

1. Make a Spreadsheet – You’re no stranger to spreadsheets, and these handy charts are perfect for keeping organized and allow you to see what types of chores need to be done and when. For starters, list all of your household chores on the far left column, such as dusting and vacuuming. Then list the areas of the home that these chores need to be done, as well as how often. Check them off as you go and in no time, your spreadsheet will be your go-to source for keeping organized.

2. Create a Shared Calendar – You’re a geek at heart, which means you’re programmed to work the internet to your advantage. Why not use it to your advantage when keeping organized? Make a shared calendar that allows you to be interactive and share your plans with others. Shared calendars are especially great if you’re splitting household tasks with roommates.

3. Use Desktop Widgets – You were born with the word widget in your vocabulary, and let’s face it, you use them for everything else, right? From keeping updated on emails to checking the weather, desktop widgets are convenient and fun. Why not add a widget that will help you stay on top of your housework as well? You can either design your own widget or use one that already exists. Maybe it’s a countdown to your next big cleaning day, or perhaps it’s a to-do list of your daily chores. Whatever the reason, a desktop widget can help you remember.

4. Virtual Cleaning – Even though you may be wired to think like a geek, it doesn’t mean you all think alike! While some geeks enjoy spreadsheets, others need visualizations. But instead of having to shamefully draw a picture of your home, make a virtual one on your computer. You can either use a high-tech program to make 3D images of your homes interior, or simply make a blueprint. Then, color code which areas need to be cleaned on which days using a color graph.

5. Establish a Game Plan – It’s not just the way you plan to keep organized that’s important. Implementing these strategies is the most difficult part, which is why you need a game plan in place. Determine how you’ll accomplish your tasks, such as by cleaning room by room or cleaning with certain supplies first.

6. Keep Track of Inventory – That’s right, you can’t get your cleaning done if you don’t have the right supplies on hand. In order to maximize time and reduce frustration, be sure to keep inventory of your cleaning supplies. Either add them to your spreadsheet or start a new spreadsheet. List all the supplies you need, including soap, dusting cloths, and glass cleaner. Do a check every few weeks so you know which cleaners you’ll need to pick up at the store.

7. Pop-Up Reminders – People often think that geeks aren’t forgetful, but really, it’s quite the opposite. Fortunately, geeks know how to keep organized a little better than everyone else. Those convenient little pop-up reminders on your computer are perfect for staying on track. Set up reminders for what rooms in the home need to be cleaned each day. These reminders are also great for little things, such as picking up detergent after work.

8. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle – Geeks are creative by nature, which means you can reduce clutter and find new uses for some of your regular trash. For example, try reusing plastic yogurt containers for kids’ stacking toys, to store small beads or trinkets, or to start an herb garden. Check out the lids of yogurt containers, the wrappers of juice boxes, and aluminum cans. Many products can be worth money when recycled properly.

9. Time Management – Geeks are resourceful when it comes to time, which is why you’ll want to get the most done in the shortest amount of time. Designate how much time you want to spend on each task. You can use desktop widgets to help you stay on track, such as digital timers or hourglasses. Another helpful tip is spray cleaners, let them sit, and work on something else in the meantime.

10. Preparation – All this planning sounds great, but it won’t work if you’re not prepared. Have a cleaning belt, caddy, or bucket that you can transport with you, as well as a copy of your spreadsheet. Also keep certain supplies, such as toilet bowl cleaner, in the bathroom for easy reach.

Guest blogger James compares vacuum bags and other appliance consumables at Spares Next Day.

Are you over wired? If you look behind or beneath your computer or home entertainment area, it may look like cords of spaghetti. Don’t worry, there are many of us in the same boat and there’s an easy and cheap way to improve your cable management.

What if something goes wrong and you need to identify the cord to the equipment in question. Could you pinpoint the cord just by looking? You could if you had a labeling system for each cord, cable and or wire. I know that some people use cable harnesses to keep wires and cables together, but that still doesn’t help when you have to locate a bad cord, cable or wire.

Dotz Cord Organizers are the next best thing in cable management. Dotz help keep your wires and cables tidy and identifiable. They come in many different colors and they offer cord straps with labels and cord identifiers.

Dotz are cool and very affordable. Here’s what you get for $7.99 when you purchase the Cord Straps with Labels:

INCLUDED:

• 8 reusable colored cord straps
• 24 ready-to-go punch out icons
• 12 do-it-yourself punch out icons
• A simple reusable cord strap with an easy-to-use locking system

You can choose from a variety of colors.

Visit Dotz Shop to see all of their products.

TechJaws didn’t receive any money or products to promote Dotz.

There’s speculation that the iPad will drop in price by $100 to $200 come Black Friday. There are a couple of reasons why we think this will happen;

1. Competitors popping up left and right (they did that with the original iPhone a few years ago).
2. The new iPad will be launching some time in 2011.

In a previous article written by Nikola Ranguelov, titled “Here is Why a $200 iPad Price Drop Makes Sense.” Nikola hit the nail right on the head when he wrote “This is a way for Apple to stay competitive/have the edge on Blackberry’s newly announced PlayBook rumored to go for around $300-$350 and the Samsung Galaxy Tab rumored to go for around $200-$400 [Source: Engadget]. If a $200 price-drop of the iPad feels too unreal or too unlikely consider this – the 16GB version sells for $499 today … but a complete device tear-down reveals that it only costs Apple around $230 to produce meaning that even at $299 Apple would still be turning a $70 profit with each sale [Source: iSupply].”