Even though we posted Dell coupons the other day, Dell just sent us new discounts which we want to pass along before they go away.

• $150 off Dimension E520 desktops
• $300 off select Inspiron E1705 notebooks
• $250 off select Inspiron E1405 notebooks
• $100 off select Inspiron E1505 notebooks

As reported everywhere, Microsoft has officially announced the launch of Zune, a music and entertainment platform which includes portable media players and a content download service (Zune Marketplace). Expected to arrive just before the holiday shopping season (at TBD price), the first Zune device is a 30GB digital media player built by Toshiba which includes WiFi, an FM tuner, and a 3-inch screen. Every Zune device comes preloaded with content from several labels including Virgin, Sub Pop, and Astralwerks. Zune comes in three colors: black, brown, and white.

Zune Marketplace is an application which works like iTunes or Napster in allowing you to manage your existing content (music, movies, and photos) while buying new content from the service. Content can be purchased a la carte or through the Zune Pass subscription service.

Sharing and community are key components in the Zune product line. Using a wireless connection, Zune users can share some of the full-length tracks with friends who also have a Zune. You can listen to any shared track three times over three days. If you like it, you can flag it and the device will purchase it from the Zune Marketplace.

At launch, you will be able to purchase several Zune accessories including a Car Pack to enable integration into your car, a Home Pack which will include a dock with wireless remote and various cables, and a Travel Pack which will include premium earphones, a remote control, and a bag.

Update: Video of real Zune in action (very cool):

Dell has just released three significant coupons for Inspiron Notebooks and Dimension Desktops. Hurry because these coupons apply to a limited number of systems and will expire when all are sold or 9/21/06 (whichever is earlier). Please make sure you read all the terms and conditions.

• $200 off select Inspiron notebooks over $999, not including XPS systems
  Click here and use coupon code: LSBQWXRXWGSWFQ
• $300 off select Inspiron notebooks over $1499, not including XPS systems
  Click here and use coupon code: R1V?DH7D6B48DD
• 20% off select Dimension E510 over $1049, not including XPS systems
  Click here and use coupon code: 1G$RRRTN34RX35

iPod Video
Apple announced the 6th generation iPod which will be similar to the current iPod Video but with several major upgrades. The 60GB iPod is being replaced by a new 80GB iPod. Prices are also dropping as the 30GB will retail for $249 and the new 80GB will retails for $349. Additionally:

• The screen will be 60% brighter (as if the current screen wasn’t great already)
• Battery life was upped from 4 to 6.5 hours
• Includes games such as Tetris, Pac-Man, Mini Golf, Texas Hold ‘Em, Mahjong, and Bejeweled
• Additional games can be downloaded from iTunes for $5
• Instant search will make it easier to find tracks

iPod Nano
Also changing is the new second generation iPod Nano which is now available in colors (black, blue, green, and pink) and aluminum. Pricing and sizes are as follows: 2GB Nano (aluminum) for $149, 4GB (colors) for $199, and 8GB (black) for $249.

iPod Shuffle
The new second generation 1GB iPod Shuffle comes in an aluminum case and includes a built in clip. Oh, and it’s the size of a stamp. It’s the smallest MP3 player on the market. Priced at $79 it will include a dock and the new earbuds.

iPod Accessories
Even iPod accessories are seeing a change. The ubiquitous earbuds have changed a bit and the power charger is 40% smaller.

Dell’s excellent UltraSharp 2407WFP 24-inch Widescreen Flat Panel LCD Monitor with Height Adjustable Stand and its predecessor continue to receive praise for combining screen size and quality at an affordable price. Maximum PC was so impressed by the quality and value that it chose to include two of these in its annual “Dream Machine”. From now until 9/13, you can buy the Dell 2407WFP for $719.10 (10% off).

As you can see in the image above, the Dell 2407WFP comes in a clean and slim form on an adjustable stand and is loaded with additional functionality such built-in portable media readers that handle 9 different card formats, picture-in-picture, and 4-port USB 2.0 hub. Coming in at a large 1920×1200 pixels, the Dell 2407WFP includes Analog, DVI-D, S-Video, Composite, and Component connectors.

$719.10 is a good price which you can only find at Dell (unless you buy secondhand on eBay). If 24-inch is too big for you, consider the Dell UltraSharp 2007WFP 20.1-inch Widescreen Flat Panel LCD Monitor with Height Adjustable Stand which is currently on sale for $373.15

Since we’re on the subject of Dell, here are a few more useful coupons and discounts that you may want to use (all expire on 9/13 so make sure you read all the terms and conditions):

• 15% off select 15-inch, 17-inch, and 20-inch flat panel monitors
• 20% off select Inspiron™ E1705 notebooks
• 10% off select Inspiron™ E1505 notebooks
• 19% off select Dimension™ E510 desktops
• 17% off select Dimension™ E310 desktops

Apple recently announced new and exciting changes to its popular iMac lineup. Leading off is the new 24-inch widescreen LCD iMac which starts off with a 2.16GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, 1920×1200 resolution, 1GB memory, 250GB Serial ATA hard drive, 8x double-layer SuperDrive (DVD+R DL, DVD±RW, CD-RW), NVIDIA GeForce 7300 GT with 128MB GDDR3 memory, built-in AirPort Extreme and Bluetooth 2.0, and Apple Remote. Additionally, Apple has upgraded its 17-inch and 20-inch models to also include the new Intel Core 2 Duo processors (with speeds ranging from 1.83GHz to 2.16GHz).

With prices for the new 24-inch iMac starting at $1,999, I think many potential shoppers who were concerned about the cost of a Mac Pro plus 23-inch screen, will find this new iMac to be a great solution at a good price. Avoid the lines and supply limitations at your local Apple store by customizing and ordering one online today (plus free shipping).

Buy a Mac get a free iPod nano. That’s right, you can get a free iPod nano (after mail-in rebate) if you buy a new education-discounted MacBook, MacBook Pro, Mac Pro, or Power Mac G5 by September 16, 2006. You have to prove you are a student to get the discount and the rebate. The $179 rebate can be applied towards other iPods although you will have to make up the difference.

Here’s how to do it:

1. Buy a new MacBook, MacBook Pro, Mac Pro, or Power Mac G5.

2. Purchase any iPod with a qualifying Mac and get up to $179 back after mail-in rebate.

3. After you receive your products, start your rebate online for fastest processing. Or download and mail the rebate form.

Amazon.com officially launched its first full digital store with the debut of the Amazon Unbox Video Downloads Store. The concept is pretty simple — download the Amazon Unbox Video Player and then go to to the Amazon Unbox Video Downloads Store and download the videos of your choice (see Amazon graphic below).

Some highlights from the Frequently Asked Questions:

• Videos will play on computers identified in the “RemoteLoad” pull-down menu when you make a purchase (so you can play on multiple PCs but only select ones.
• Amazon Unbox video downloads are not compatible with Apple / Macintosh hardware and computer systems and iPods.
• One hour of programming is roughly equal to one gigabyte (1 GB) of file space on your computer.
• Amazon Unbox only plays files downloaded from Amazon.com. Each download includes two .wmv files (one main file containing the video and a preview file) and a .amzn file (smaller format file optimized for mobile devices). You cannot use Amazon Unbox to play video files downloaded from other vendors.
• You can store your downloaded files on a DVD or other removable computer storage. However, any DVDs that you burn with Amazon Unbox files will not be readable by a DVD player.
• When you choose to rent an Amazon Unbox video, your access to view the file is limited by the rental term (usually 30 days). After you begin playing an Amazon Unbox Video, you will have 24 hours to complete viewing it. After these expiration times, the Amazon Unbox Video will automatically be deleted from your computer and Your Media Library.
• Puchased videos do not expire. You can download a purchased file onto 2 different PCs at one time and each PC can transfer the file to one portable video device.
• Current supported portable video devices (PlayForSure): Creative Zen Vision: M, Creative Zen Vision, Toshiba Gigabeat S, Archos AV 500, Archos AV 700, and iRiver PMC.

The current selection of movies is pretty interesting and includes some favorites such as Office Space, Walk the Line, The Matrix, and Everything is Illuminated.

In the TV category, Amazon Unbox offers shows from: A&E, Adult Swim, Animal Planet, BBC, The Biography Channel, Cartoon Network, CBS, Comedy Central, Discovery Channel, E!, Fine Living, FOX, Fuel, FX, Hanna-Barbera, HGTV, The History Channel, Logo, MTV, MTV2, The N, Nickelodeon, PBS, Speed, The Travel Channel, and VH1. That means you can download 24, South Park, CSI: Miami and some of our favorites including Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations, Mythbusters, and Chappelle Show: Uncensored.

Unbox also offers titles from several international sources including BBC (UK), KBS (Korea), and Bandai Anime (Japan).

To celebrate the opening of our new Amazon Unbox Video Downloads store, Amazon is offering a $1.99 instant rebate on your first purchase or rental (most TV shows are available for purchase at $1.99)