Since we can’t stop raving about the Logitech Harmony 880 Remote Control, we’re happy to pass along a couple of great deals which we hope may push some of you to finally upgrade. As a reminder, the 880 is a fully programmable universal remote control with a color screen and a charging dock. Thanks to a built in USB port, the 880 can sync with Logitech’s online programming application which contains codes for 150,000 devices, meaning no need for you to create manual macros.

Enough of the talk, now to the great deals. Amazon is selling the 880 for $153.99 and they are offering a $30 rebate if you purchase between 11/28 and 12/4. From what we can see, this is by far the lowest price on the market for a new 880. If you’re not crazy about rebates, consider eCost, which is selling the remote for $149 and you can save $10 by using Google Checkout. If you choose the eCost route, you may want to hurry because supplies are limited.

Links:  

• Amazon: Logitech Harmony 880 Remote Control — $123.88 ($153.99 – $30 Rebate)
• eCost: Logitech Harmony 880 Remote Control — $139.00 ($149.00 – $10 Coupon)

Looks like Microsoft’s much maligned Zune may have done better this week than most of us expected. During it’s launch week, the Zune captured a 9% market share and a 13% dollar spent share in the portable media player market. These numbers may not seem high (consider iPod dominated at 63% and 72.5%) but they do mean that for this initial period, the Zune became the number 2 device behind the iPod. Before Microsoft execs pop the Champagne, they should remember that this was the product launch week so interest and promotions gave the product a boost.

If you’re interested in buying a Zune, so far it appears as if eCost wins the price battle with the brown and black Zunes in stock for $233.99 and the white Zune for $229.99. Don’t forget to use and get another $10 off. Amazon is a close second with all three colors selling for $239.99.

Links:  

• Microsoft Zune on eCost: $219.99 ($229.99 – $10 Google Checkout Coupon)
• Microsoft Zune on Amazon: $239.99

The A-Data PD2 4GB USB 2.0 Flash Drive is available from eCost for $44 (after coupon and rebate) or from NewEgg for $47 (after rebate). The PD2 is a small removable USB 2.0 flash drive measuring approximately 2.74″ x 0.67″ x 0.39″ and weighing a mere 0.35 ounces. It’s a plug-and-play device that works driver-less in Windows XP, Mac OSX, and even Linux.

Here is a comparison of the best deals for this product:

Links:  

• A-Data PD2 4GB USB 2.0 Flash Drive at eCost (Rebate and coupon expire 10/31/06)
• A-Data PD2 4GB USB 2.0 Flash Drive at NewEgg (Rebate expires 11/10/06)

There are only 4 days left in ‘s $10 off $30 coupon which you can use in many online stores (see list/links below). If you are not familiar with , it’s an alternative payment system (like PayPal) which retailers are adding to their existing checkout. We’ve already tried it and found it to be quick and easy. Act soon as this coupon expires 10/31/06.

To take advantage of this coupon, click on store link below, add items to your cart, and click on

Links to Participating Stores:  

There are only 7 days left to use the Google Checkout $10 Coupon on orders of $30 or more at eCost. To redeem this coupon, click here and use Google Checkout to complete your purchase.

Link:  $10 Coupon on orders of $30 or more at eCost (expires 10/31/06)

Last week we told you about a great price on Toshiba’s XA1 HD-DVD Player. That player has a little brother and we found it at an even more affordable $395 on eCost.

The Toshiba A1 HD-DVD Player outputs HD resolutions of 720p or 1080i for both HD-DVDs and standard DVDs (upconvert) using its HDMI output. Other ports include S-Video, Composite, Coax Digital, Optical, Component, USB, and Ethernet. Audio playback uses built in multi-channel decoders for Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD (2ch), DTS and DTS-HD.

If you are ready to move up to the next level of digital entertainment, this may be a good affordable entry point.

Link: Toshiba A1 HD-DVD Player on eCost

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.

eCost is encouraging its customers to use the new Google Checkout system. To do so, they are offering $10 off orders of more than $30 if you use Google Checkout when purchasing a product. Use coupon code: ecost10 (case sensitive). This offer expires 8/31/06.