Watch for Falling Prices!

PC World editors sniff out bargains so you don't have to.

Rafael Sosa

Have you ever bought the latest must-have computer peripheral only to see it on sale two months later for half as much as you paid? Or, how many times have you read PC World's Top Ten lists and thought to yourself, "I gotta have it, but I just know I can get it cheaper if I wait"? It's inevitable. Eventually everything goes on sale. But finding reliable retailers with sale items in stock can be a problem.

That's why PC World has created Deal Watcher, a new weekly newsletter that is devoted to finding the hottest deals on PC World's highest-rated products and points you only to reliable retailers with stock on hand.

Using PC World's Product Finder, editors stake out the prices on everything from PC World's top-rated graphics cards and CD-RWs to the highest-ranking printers and digital cameras. When prices drop below the originally published price, we've got a deal! But we don't stop there. We recommend only those retailers with a Gomez rating of three stars or more who have the product in stock. Only then do we have a deal worthy of Deal Watcher.

Check out a sample of Deal Watcher below, or sign up now.

PC World's Deal Watcher

Each week, we sniff out the hottest deals on some of PC World's highest rated products. All deals are chosen using PC World's Product Finder and are evaluated for price, reseller rating, and stock availability. http://www.pcworld.com/productfinder

May 31, 2001

CD-RW DRIVE

PlexWriter 12/10/32A

The PlexWriter 12/10/32A is one fast drive. Its 10X CD-RW write speed allowed it to write our 100MB test folder very quickly--in a mere 1 minute, 32 seconds. The drive also extracted our 250MB audio file in just 1 minute, 52 seconds. It incorporates Sanyo Electric's Burn-Proof technology to help prevent buffer underruns from ruining discs. Plextor's exclusive AudioFS drivers let you copy audio tracks using the standard Windows interface.

The software bundle includes Adaptec's Easy CD Creator 4.02 and DirectCD 3.01 for mastering and packet-writing. The 12/10/32A's documentation is thorough and concise. Plextor offers a one-year warranty and tech support for 11 hours on weekdays.

One of the best drives for audiophiles, and great for anyone who burns lots of CD-R discs or frequently backs up files to CD-RW.

This drive typically sells for $170 to $200, but at press time we used Product Finder to locate one at CompuPlus for $152.

To buy the PlexWriter 12/10/32A or get more product information, go to Product Finder.

See PC World's review of the PlexWriter 12/10/32A.

Compare prices on other CD-RW drives at Product Finder.

SMALL-OFFICE/HOME-OFFICE SCANNER

Epson Perfection 1240U Photo

Thanks to its superior features and scan quality, the Epson Perfection 1240U Photo remains a leader in our rankings of top SOHO scanners, supplanting the discontinued Epson Perfection 1200S. Although both models feature 1200-by-2400-dpi resolution, the 1240U's 42-bit color depth and three quick-start buttons top the 1200S's 36-bit color and single button. The 1240U sports a button each for scan, copy, and custom, the last of which you can use for tasks like attaching a scanned image to an e-mail client such as Microsoft Exchange or Outlook.

With its bundled transparency adapter, the Perfection 1240U Photo capably targets small-office and home users who regularly scan 35mm film and other translucent materials, as well as standard photo prints.

This scanner typically sells for $269, but at press time we used Product Finder to locate one at MultiWave for $205.

To buy the Epson Perfection 1240U Photo or get more product information, go to Product Finder.

See PC World's review of the Epson Perfection 1240U Photo.

Compare prices on other scanners at Product Finder.

15-INCH LCD MONITOR

SyncMaster 150MP

Whether you prefer CNN or soap operas, this LCD takes a giant step toward convergence with its television tuner, video-in, and picture-in-picture functions. You can switch between a television show, a videotape or DVD, and a computer desktop. Housed in a metallic casing, the SyncMaster 150MP is more attractive than the putty-colored panels we've seen. Even with its integrated speakers, this LCD weighs in at 9.9 pounds, making it light compared with other LCDs. The SyncMaster 150MP, with its extra video functions, would work well for financial analysts who want to keep one eye on the ticker, or for people in any profession who need to switch between desktop applications and other media.

Purchase before June 30, 2001, and receive a $50 mail-in rebate.

To buy the SyncMaster 150MP or get more product information, go to Product Finder.

See PC World's review of the SyncMaster 150MP.

Compare prices on other LCD monitors at Product Finder.

More Product Finder Resources

Shopping for something else? Use PC World's Product Finder to compare prices on:

• Hardware
• Software
• Consumer electronics
• Rebate Center Search for products based on manufacturer rebates.