If your nana is like mine, then she is adamant about not jumping into the 21st century and is convinced that computers are too complicated for her to bother with. And if you are scratching your head wondering just what would please her this Christmas, you might want to hear about this:

A new computer called SimplicITy helps people over the age of 60 who have never before used PCs or the Internet experience the simple pleasures of chatting, social networking, online gaming, online shopping, online dating perhaps if she is single.

The simplified desktop opens to a bare bone screen called Square One that is designed not to overwhelm. It displays just six clickable buttons that will direct users to basic tasks such as e-mail, chat, browse the web, store photos and write short documents. Each machine is pre-loaded with 17 video tutorials from television presenter Valerie Singleton. Grandma will never have to worry her pretty head about login screening or drop down menus. If she has a problem she can just go ‘back to Square One’ and start all over again. Moreover she can make new friends as all SimplicITy users with an eldy.org address will be able to chat to each other via the “chat” button.

Each machine is built on a Linux operating system. Users can replace the SimplicITy desktop with a standard Linux desktop if they feel confident enough to move on.

The made-to-order computer can be ordered by mail and takes two weeks from request to delivery. You can order the PC from SimplicITy website, using your PayPal account.

Source: BBCNews

Verbatim 160GB External HardDrive: $61.16

Iomega UltraMax Hard Drive with 500GB Memory: $118.99

Shop thought a variety of discount external hard drives at Smarter.com.

Because sometimes you just want to keep your information secure.

Western Digital’s Elements 1TB USB 2.0 external hard drive will do just that and make it easy for you, too, by arriving pre-formatted and ready to plug-and-play via USB. Compatible with PC or Mac, desktop or notebook, that’s a terabyte of backup capability. That’s equal to over 800 hours of DVDs or 370,000 photo images. Songs? Um… a lot.

Disk Speed: 7200
Transfer Speed: 480 Mbps

Get it at Newegg and receive free shipping and a free gift with select purchases. No code required.

Find more external hard drives at Smarter.com.

Dell XPS One: From $1,317

From Dell and (PRODUCT) RED, the XPS One desktop comes with a 20-inch widescreen display, an Intel Core 2 Duo E4500 processor, and super sassy red color.

This affordable desktop computer comes with wireless keyboard and mouse, MS Office Home and Student 2007, 2GB dual channel DDR2 SDRAM (667MHz - 2 DIMMs), 250GB serial ATA 3gb/s hard drive, 8x DVD/CD burner, and integrated speakers.  Take a break from work and enjoy the hybrid analog/digital TV tuner with remote control.

The system also includes Adobe Elements Studio, one year of Dell’s DataSafe Online Backup that makes restoration easy by backing up your system to a remote data storage site, and six months of free dail-up Internet access included in the price.  It can be further customized by you when you order with add-ons like wireless, webcams, warranties and environmental options like planting a tree to support reforestation.

The Windows Vista system is an Ultimate (PRODUCT) RED OS version, with the power, security and mobility of Vista enhanced with (PRODUCT) RED features like wallpapers, gadgets and unique screen savers you won’t find anywhere else.

And the karmic bonus, $80 from this sale goes to the Global Fund to help fight AIDS in Africa.  You can feel a little better about your workday while you click away on your XPS One knowing that the $80 pays for more than six months of antiretroviral treatment for one person.

With free shipping from Dell and a $40 rebate, this desktop makes everyone smile.  No code required but the rebate expires September 26, 2009.

Find more affordable desktop computers at Smarter.com.

NEC’s CRV43 desktop monitor with 32:10 aspect ratio at a 2880 x 800 pixel resolution offers incomparable viewing experience and unprecedented screen immersion.  The curved screen increases productivity, while decreasing frustration that creeps up due to frantic eye movements when trying to follow rapidly fluid screen displays.  Its sizzling looks (gotta love the curves!) come with a price tag of $7999 but in this case you pay for both beauty and brains.  CRV43 has been designed as a perfect display for those applications requiring lightning-fast 0.02 millisecond response time, much wider field of view(42.8” monitor), greater dynamic range and wide color gamut.  Other enhanced features include:

• Eliminates bezel and screen gap issues
• No data or window interference
• Taskbar extended natively
• Easy setup with one input
• Single link DVI-D input
• HDMI 1.3 input
• USB 2.0 connectivity
• Front panel controls
• On screen display (OSD) and software-based GUI enabling advanced display control options

The NEC CRV43 curved display is backed by a 3-year parts and labor warranty including the backlight and will be available for July 2009 shipment.

Find at Smarter.com:  Shop for more desktop monitors.

For the small business on a budget seeking an affordable computer, the Visionman TSI-1NG700 Tower Server is a great match.  Easy to install and configure, this tower has plenty of expansion room.  Additional hard drives, processors and memory can be added to customize your system, which also means as your business grows, it can grow with you.

The Western Digital hard drives are known in the industry for their speed and dependability.   The Intel Pentium Dual Core processor has a very low thermal overhead while maintaining the efficiency it’s known for.  The operating system is sold separately, allowing you to further customize your system.

Specs:
· Pentium Dual Core E2180 Processor
· 2GB Dual Channel DDR2-800
· Dual Western Digital 250GB SATA-II Hard Drives
· Asus P5N73-AM Motherboard
· 16X DVD-ROM
· nVidia GeForce 7050 Onboard Video
· AC ’97 8-Channel Audio
· 3.5” Floppy Drive
· RAID 1 Preconfigured
· Integrated 10/100 LAN
· (2) USB 2.0 Ports
· WOL, WOR, PXE Supported

Get it at Unbeatable Sale before August 15, 2009 and save 15% off $75 or more with code: dadbeglad

Find at Smarter.com:  Shop for affordable computers and tower servers.

Kinda cool…

New in the gadget gaming world, this handy-dandy item might be a solution for WoW partiers everywhere.   Just announced last week, it’s like the gamer version of the scrapbooking tote…

Don’t laugh… I have one.   In black… okay, go ahead, laugh.

What?   I’m a multifaceted hobbyist.

For about grand, you too can dominate at your next LAN party without unplugging your tower and lugging your setup over to your friend’s place or risking total annihilation if you slam on the brakes and send it flying forward…ouch.

That’s always the problem, schlepping monitor and case out the door and then finding enough table space for everyone to set up their systems and still have crucial arm’s length access to chip-n-dip.  Yeah, yeah, you could use a laptop.  It’s lighter and less trouble to transport, but sometimes it’s just not enough power to support the habit.

From iBUYPOWER.com:

“BUYPOWER Launches LAN Warrior – Small-Form Factor PCBuilt for LAN Party Battles

iBUYPOWER announced its first small form factor (SFF) system – LAN Warrior. Unlike previous attempts at SFF gaming systems, the LAN Warrior offers enough firepower to stand toe-to-toe with even the most advanced gaming systems, with room for up to two full-sized dual slot video cards, up to 24GB of Triple Channel DDR3, and a 1000W power supply.

Enthusiasts will appreciate the LAN Warrior’s overclocking features and the SupremeFX X-Fi solution, which enhances the gaming experience with realistic sound effects. iBUYPOWER also includes a carrying strap and harness system for taking the LAN Warrior on the road.”

The liquid cooled Core-i7 based LAN Warrior has room for two dual slot video cards and up to 24GB of DDR 3.

LAN Warrior specs:  Intel Core i7 920, 940 or 965, up to 24GB RAM, ASUS Rampage Gene II X58 motherboard, up to 2 NVIDIA GeForce GTX 295 or 2 ATI Radeon 4870×2, up to 4 HDD with up to 6TB capacity, 1000W power supply, Wi-fi, NZXT Rogue case design, and keeps its cool with up to 5x 120mm ventilation fans.

So there you have it, for the gamer on the go. They say it’s just as powerful as systems twice it’s size… so, anyone want to spot me $1,000?

Image Source: engadget.com

If you’re looking to save a few hundred dollars on a new desktop, then look no further. We have just the right coupons for you.

First, you can save $200 off any Dell Inspiron desktop priced at $999 or more.

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To check out more deals and discounts for Dell on Smarter.com, click here.

To go to Dell.com, click here.

Whether you’re looking for an Inspiron desktop or an Inspiron laptop, we have two exclusive coupon codes that are set to expire in three days.

First, save $250 on an Inspiron desktop that is priced at $999 or above. Dell’s Inspirons series has always been a popular favorite for the home and college life, so check out all the different models they have to offer.

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Not in the mood for a desktop? Then how about an Inspiron laptop?

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Enter in this coupon code during checkout for the appropriate Dell Inspiron notebook: KJH3JB4KDNFLMP

Both Dell coupons expire September 11th.

To check out more Dell coupons on Smarter.com, click here.

To go to Dell.com, click here.

For a modest $300 million, Microsoft is going to launch their new commercial campaign starring Jerry Seinfeld and Bill Gates. Seinfeld’s share is set to be around $10 million. Not bad for just standing there for a few seconds, blabbing about a computer and trying to brainwash viewers into thinking Vista is NOT annoying.

With Apple’s share of the PC world rising, Microsoft’s campaign is to be based on “Windows, Not Walls” and stressing the need to “break down barriers that prevent people and ideas from connecting.” It’s also going to try and help reverse people’s negative opinion on Windows Vista. Good luck with that.

I’m curious to see what Microsoft has up their sleeve with the Gates and Seinfeld combo. Seinfeld sure has the upper hand on Justin Long in star power. Hmm, maybe they should do a celebrity death match, like claymation, with Seinfeld and Gates teaming up against Long from Apple. Wait, Long needs a partner.

How about the old Dell dude? From the looks of things, he appears to be in need of a new gig. And at the end of the match, for some reason I see Gates coming out on top. Maybe he’s pelting the two dudes with iPhones or something, while Seinfeld chews on an iMac with his huge teeth.

Source: Engadget

Photo Source.