Black Friday computer deals not so hot

Where are all the computer deals? We started flipping through the Black Friday sites and circulars in search of tempting laptops, desktops, and netbooks. The results? It’s a mixed bag.

You’ll have to work hard to find the best deals. Our favorite so far? The Sony VGN-NW235F/W that will be on sale Friday at Best Buy. Normally priced at $999, on Friday limited quantities will be available for $399. But you’ll need a ticket to be eligible to make this purchase.

Best Buy will also have a $197 HP laptop with a 15.6-inch display. It uses a Celeron processor, which is a lesser performer than the processors used in most laptops. If you're interested in this one, think of it as a netbook-like performer in a larger laptop package. Actually, at that price it’s a pretty good deal for the kids or the grandparents.

Here are Best Buy’s instructions for getting a ticket:

Each store will decide when to hand out tickets in the two hours before store opening. Stores base their decisions on multiple factors, including the length of the line, the weather, and store personnel levels. Tickets will be handed out until they are gone. Lines tend to form early, and Best Buy is unable to guarantee that all customers will receive a ticket.

My local Best Buy opens at 5 a.m. You do the math—don’t bother going to bed.

New Ratings of laptop, netbook, and desktop computers

The new iMac, now in our Ratings.

The holiday shopping season is about to hit hyperspeed, and as you’d expect, there’s news to report on computers of every stripe. Our new computer Ratings (available to subscribers) should help you sort things out, but before you start shopping, here are a few things you need to know.

First, our Ratings include a range of computers—laptops, netbooks, and desktops—most of which run Windows 7, the latest iteration of Microsoft’s operating system. Two days before Microsoft introduced Windows 7, Apple debuted several new Macs, including a big-screen 27-inch iMac.

Next, don’t expect a big performance boost from Windows 7. Compared to Vista computers, Windows 7 systems didn’t perform any better or worse. But the good news is, Windows 7 systems don’t necessarily cost more than Vista laptops or desktops.

Here’s a look at the news from each category.

Netbooks. We added eight new Windows 7 models to our netbook Ratings, including two with 11.6-inch screens. The others have 10.1-inch displays, and run Windows 7 Starter, a version of Windows 7 that doesn’t include the Aero 3D interface. We didn’t find any notable differences between Windows 7 Starter and XP netbooks, although the Windows 7 systems showed a slight performance hit but a slight gain in battery life. Our advice is to make your buying decision based not on the operating system, but on ergonomics, battery life, and price.

Phishing scams hit Xbox Live

Screen grab of the phony Xbox Live page. (Click to enlarge.)

If you’ve got an Xbox, or are planning to buy one this holiday season, you should know that Xbox is the latest platform to be victimized by phishers, according to security software maker F-Secure.

Victims are first conned by a YouTube video claiming to give away free Xbox Live memberships and Microsoft points (which are the equivalent of money in the Xbox world). You’re told to go to a Web site where you have to enter, of course, your Xbox Live gamer tag, password, and e-mail address. F-Secure’s blog points out that, while the Web site looks authentic, it’s got a country code from East Timor.

If you know anything about phishing, you know what happens next—your Xbox identity is up for sale. The more software you’ve got on your Live account, and the higher your gamerscore, the more valuable your Xbox identity. Don’t be taken in by phony deals, and never give away your password to an unknown Web site.

Think you can spot a cleverly disguised phishing scam? Take our quiz and find out. —Donna Tapellini

First impressions: Dell Studio 17 PC

When Windows 7 was released on October 22, many computer models were discontinued and replaced by new ones equipped with the new operating system. We’re now testing a sizable group of desktops, laptops, and netbooks for inclusion in our upcoming computer Ratings (available to subscribers only).

For now, we can report findings for some models that are still being tested, starting with the Dell Studio 17, a 17-inch laptop.

The Dell Studio 17 retails at Best Buy for $780. With a Core 2 Duo processor and 4GB of memory, and a 500GB hard drive, performance was very good. It should be able to handle just about any task, although we don’t recommend it for 3D gaming. Battery life was better than average for a 17-inch laptop, at 4.25 hours. At 7.2 lbs., it’s not very heavy for its size.

You’d expect a generous keyboard on a 17-inch laptop, and that’s what you get. But there’s some give when you type, resulting in a squishy feel. The touchpad is large and easy to maneuver on, and it supports multitouch technology so you can use hand gestures to scroll and zoom, among other things.

Sony Recall: Not Batteries This Time, But AC Adapters

Sony announced a recall of AC adapters for certain all-in-one VAIO desktops due to potential shock hazards. The adapter model number is VGP-AC19V17. It was sold after September 2007 with these systems: VGC-LT; VGC-JS240; VGC-JS250; VGC-JS270; and VGC-JS290.

The adapter was also sold with notebook docking stations after September 2005. The docking stations are model numbers VGP-PRBX1 and VGP-PRFE1.

The company is replacing the adapters with new ones. You’ll find more information on Sony’s Web site, where you can also confirm whether your specific adapter is affected. (Unplug it if it’s on the list.) You can also call 877-361-4481 for more information. —Donna Tapellini

From the Windows 7 launch: Touch technology is a prominent feature

VP Brad Brooks showcasing content running on 17 devices from one Windows 7 PC. (Click to enlarge.)

After starting the Windows 7 launch here in New York with a cutesy moment—Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer presenting Kylie, of Win7 TV-commercial fame, with a pink laptop—Ballmer and company moved right into a demonstration of the new OS’s top features. (See our related post: "Windows 7: To upgrade or not to upgrade")

Touch technology plays a big role in Windows 7, and is likely to result in a wide range of new products from manufacturers. For example, Microsoft this morning announced a new app from Amazon that will let you read your Kindle content on a Windows 7 computer. Thanks to touchscreen capabilities, you can scroll through e-books using multitouch finger gestures.

With Windows 7, Windows Media Center also gains touch-based features. Microsoft’s vice president of consumer marketing, Brad Brooks, demoed the results of a deal with CBS that will let you watch any show from the TV network on your PC. Scroll through and choose the shows using, you guessed it, your computer’s touchscreen.

In one of the launch’s “that‘s kinda cool” moments, Brooks fed music, photos, and video to 17 different pieces of equipment—several TVs, an Onkyo receiver, a digital picture frame, and an xBox 360-connected TV—all from one Windows 7 PC, all at the same time. (See image above.)

Keep an eye on our blog over the next days and weeks as we bring you news on product launches surrounding Windows 7. If you're interested in buying it, see how to buy it (legally) for under $120.
—Donna Tapellini

Apple updates iMac, MacBook, and mini: Coincidence or challenge?

Just about 48 hours before Microsoft is set to release Windows 7, its new operating system, Apple grabs the spotlight with the launch of new iMac desktops, new versions of the Mac mini, and an updated MacBook laptop.

The new iMacs start at $1,199 with a 3.06GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, but are also available with i5 or i7 processors. New display sizes are 21.5 inches and 27 inches. The base model also comes with 4GB of RAM and a 500GB hard drive.

The popular 13-inch MacBook now uses an LED-backlit display like that on the MacBook Pro, as well as a unibody design for lighter weight. It’s $999 with a 2.26GHz Core 2 Duo processor, 2GB of memory, and a 250GB hard drive.

The Mac mini has also been updated, with two models available. One includes a 2.26GHz Core 2 Duo processor,  2GB of memory, and a 160GB hard drive for $599. The higher-end version is $799 and has a 2.53GHz Core 2 Duo, 4GB of memory, and a 320GB hard drive. Don’t forget that you’ll need to add your own monitor, keyboard, mouse, and external speakers. —Donna Tapellini