We recently purchased a 2GB USB flash drive to backup some of our data. After enjoying the drive for a few days, we realized that there are quite a few options out there and prices (as low as $25) are making these products even more desirable.

After going through the inventory of several major hardware retailers, we have narrowed down to a selection of what we feel are the best values on the market today. We focused on 2GB drives because they are the largest size drive you can buy for under $50. There are great affordable 1GB drives, but the cost to move up from to 2GB is very small.

Samsung 2GB USB 2.0 Flash Drive
$24.99*
* $49.99-$25.00 rebate (expires on 9/30/06)
– Read: 20MB/s
– Write: 10MB/s
Transcend JetFlash 2GB USB Flash Drive
$25.99*
* 45.99-$20.00 rebate (expires on 9/08/06)
Patriot 2GB USB 2.0 Flash Drive
$34.94*
* $44.94-$10.00 rebate (expires 9/15/06)
– Application included for Security Partition
– Dimensions: 73mm x 7mm x 17mm
– Read: 8MB/s
– Write: 5MB/s
Lexar 2GB JumpDrive FireFly USB Flash Drive
$38.00*
* $59.00-$21.00 rebate (expires 9/16/06)
A-Data PD10 2GB USB Flash Drive
$39.99
– Cool rotary/folding design
SANDISK 2GB Cruzer Micro with U3 Technology
$39.99
* $59.99-$20.00 rebate (expires 9/15/06)
– Loaded with the following U3 programs: CruzerSync synchronization tool, SignupShield password manager, SKYPE voice over IP software, AVAST Virus scan
– Dimensions: 57.15mm x 7.94mm x 20.6mm
Corsair 2GB Flash Drive
$41.99*
* $49.99-$8.00 rebate (expires 9/17/06)
– Security application creates password-protected partition
– Read: 19MB/sec
– Write: 13MB/sec

If you want to suggest others, please contact us and we will update this list.

We are finally taking time to talk about Best Buy, which is one of our favorite retailers. Every time we visit their store, we end up picking up something whether it’s printer toner, a PS2 game, a CD, or a TV. We know that many of you have a similar experience so we’re going to provide you with insight into where you can find good sales and promotions at BestBuy.com. We will follow up on this post with some specific product discounts that you won’t want to miss.

• This Week’s Electronics Specials
• This week’s computer and peripheral offers
• This week’s camera, camcorder and printer offers
• This week’s home and appliance offers
• Free shipping offers
• Free shipping on Xbox 360 hardware
• Price drops and savings on select TVs
• New Toshiba 37″ HD LCD TV/DVD combo
• Madden NFL 07 store

CompUSA has always been a favorite around here. As early adopters (at least we think we are), CompUSA was a great place to find the latest gadgets and computer accessories/mods. CompUSA also sells TVs, PCs, laptops, phones, cameras, and more. If you are interested in purchasing anything, please take advantage of free Shipping on orders of $150 or more.

When I think of NBC, I think of Scrubs, The Office, Saturday Night Live, and the Nightly News. What I didn’t know, is that they have a shopping channel. Well, they do so welcome to ShopNBC.

ShopNBC is a home shopping television network broadcasting to 60 million households (not mine, I guess) offering opportunity to purchase jewelry, watches, home decor, computers, electronics, beauty products, and apparel. ShopNBC.com offers all this and online exclusives for you the web shopper. Before you visit the site, you may want to take advantage of several good coupons by clicking on the links below (discount will be applied to your basket at checkout):

– $10 off $99 order

– $20 off $199 order

– $30 off $299 order

– $50 off $499 order

Overstock.com just sent us to very good coupons:

– Take 10% off your entire order (expires 9/30/06)

– Save $10 off any $99 order (expires 9/15/06)

Buy.com has extended its coupons until the end of this month. These coupons are for new customers only, so if you have not tired their store yet, this would be a very good opportunity to buy some great stuff.

– $10 off $175 or more in all stores (new customers only, expires 9/30/06)

– $10 off $150 Coupon in the computer store (new customers only, expires 9/30/06)

– $15 off $200 in the computer, software, home networking, digital camera and electronic stores (new customers only, expires 9/30/06)

– $5 off $50 Coupon in the software Store (new customers only, expires 9/30/06)

– $5 off $50 Coupon in the electronics store (new customers only, expires 9/30/06)

– $5 off the purchase of $50 in the music, movies and games stores (new customers only, expires 9/30/06)

– $10 off $100 Coupon in the bags, sports, and toy stores (new customers only, expires 9/30/06)

For our Canadian visitors, Buy.ca (that’s Buy.com in Canada) is offering 5% off everything at their store. There are some limitations so please read those before using the coupon.

Click here for 5% coupon

We must admit that Sony has taken over our home. From the TV to the PS2 to the sound system to our mobile phones, I’m one step away from getting a Sony tattoo on my forehead (and yes, a member of our universe has an AIBO). So you shouldn’t be surprised with this post which will focus on Sony’s online store – Sony Style.

Sony Style Outlet – We want to point you to the Outlet section of the store because it offers good products at nice discounts and it is in the midst of a quarterly sales event from 8/29 to 9/6 which means 10-50% off regular outlet prices. Make sure to check it out because it’s a great opportunity to buy high quality Sony items at decent prices.

Free Shipping – Sony has just extended its
free shipping offer until the end of September.

Other discounts or interesting products include:

– Save up to $50 on select Sony Digital Cameras, including popular H1, T7, H1, W7, and P200 models

– Get 20% off select VAIO Accessories when you buy a new Sony VAIO Notebook and register it online within 30 days of purchase

– Give the gift of style with Sony Style Gift Cards. Amounts start at $25 up to $1000 and they never expire

– New VAIO® All-in-One TV/PC. Powerful PC tucked behind a slim and stylish LCD TV.

– Sony Rewards – the fastest way to earn Sony Card rewards is at Sony Style. Get $100 card credit after your first purchase.

– Free shipping on everything – extended until 9/30/2006.

– Save 10-50% off regular Outlet prices (9/29/06 – 9/7/06)

Amazon.com is now taking preorders for Microsoft Windows Vista. Considering Amazon lists January 30, 2007 as release date, I would say it’s pretty early. Initially scheduled for a 2006 release, Vista’s debut has already been postponed a few times and Microsoft will miss this years holiday shopping season.

Windows Vista is being released in several flavors ranging in price from $99 for the Basic version to $399 for the Ultimate version. As always, “upgrade” versions are about $100 cheaper. AP is reporting that Goldman Sachs analyst Rick Sherlund told his clients that Amazon’s pricing on the higher-end version was above his forecasts. He also through the product won’t be on the market until March. (Update: Microsoft has confirmed that these prices are official)

Having tested Windows Vista, I was impressed by the look, feel, and quality of the user interface. I think expert Windows users may struggle with the simplification of the the OS (particularly folder and file management) but with some customization, users can quickly regain control. I’m not crazy about the User Accounts Control, but thankfully that can be disabled or limited.

Anyway, If you want to be the coolest kid on the block and lock up your copy of Vista today, here are the links.

Microsoft Windows Vista Home Basic DVD-ROM – $199.00

Microsoft Windows Vista Home Basic Upgrade DVD-ROM – $99.95

Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium DVD-ROM – $239.00

Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium Upgrade DVD-ROM – $159.00

Microsoft Windows Vista Business DVD-ROM – $299.00

Microsoft Windows Vista Business Upgrade DVD-ROM – $199.00

Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate DVD-ROM – $399.00

Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate Upgrade DVD-ROM – $259.00