More dramatic and significant things go down in this movie than any of its predecessors, and the stakes are higher than ever. The creators have been tasked with a practically impossible challenge, as fans of the beloved J.K. Rowling book series desperately want the movies to capture the magic of the books as closely as possible. Alas, the point at which one accepts that these two mediums are very different is the point at which one can truly enjoy these brilliant adaptations. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is no exception: it may be the best film yet. For those who have not read the book, nail-biting entertainment is guaranteed. For those who have, the movie does it justice. The key dramatic scenes, including the cave and the shocking twist in the final chapter, are executed very well. It does a perfect job of setting up the two-part grand finale that is to follow. --Jordan Thompson' border='0'> - $12.99 new from $9.00 used from $8.30
The sixth installment of the Harry Potter series begins right where The Order of the Phoenix left off. The wizarding world is rocked by the news that "He Who Must Not Be Named" has truly returned, and the audience finally knows that Harry is "the Chosen One"--the only wizard who can defeat Lord Voldemort in the end. Dark forces loom around every corner, and now regularly attempt to penetrate the protected walls of Hogwarts School. This is no longer the fun and fascinating world of magic from the first few books—it's dark, dangerous, and scary.

Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) suspects Draco Malfoy (Tom Felton) to be a new Death Eater recruit on a special mission for the Dark Lord. In the meantime, Professor Dumbledore (Michael Gambon) seems to have finally removed the shroud of secrecy from Harry about the dark path that lies ahead, and instead provides private lessons to get him prepared. It's in these intriguing scenes that the dark past of Tom Riddle (a.k.a. Voldemort) is finally revealed. The actors cast as the different young versions of Riddle (Hero Fiennes-Tiffin and Frank Dillane) do an eerily fantastic job of portraying the villain as a child. While the previous movies' many new characters could be slightly overwhelming, only one new key character is introduced this time: Professor Horace Slughorn (with a spot-on performance by Jim Broadbent). Within his mind he holds a key secret in the battle to defeat the Dark Lord, and Harry is tasked by Dumbledore to uncover a memory about Voldemort's darkest weapon--the Horcrux. Despite the long list of distractions, Harry, Ron (Rupert Grint), and Hermione (Emma Watson) still try to focus on being teenagers, and audiences will enjoy the budding awkward romances. All of the actors have developed nicely, giving their most convincing performances to date.

More dramatic and significant things go down in this movie than any of its predecessors, and the stakes are higher than ever. The creators have been tasked with a practically impossible challenge, as fans of the beloved J.K. Rowling book series desperately want the movies to capture the magic of the books as closely as possible. Alas, the point at which one accepts that these two mediums are very different is the point at which one can truly enjoy these brilliant adaptations. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is no exception: it may be the best film yet. For those who have not read the book, nail-biting entertainment is guaranteed. For those who have, the movie does it justice. The key dramatic scenes, including the cave and the shocking twist in the final chapter, are executed very well. It does a perfect job of setting up the two-part grand finale that is to follow. --Jordan Thompson

• Intel Atom N450 processor
  1.6GHz, 667MHz Front Side Bus, 512KB L2 Cache)
• 1GB DDR2 system memory (expandable to 2GB)
  Enough memory to handle today's most memory-hungry applications
• 160GB 5400 rpm SATA hard drive
  Store your photos, music, videos, documents and more with plenty of storage space to spare
• Wired Ethernet, Wireless WiFi
  Connect to a broadband modem with 10/100 Fast Ethernet LAN, or connect wirelessly to a WiFi network or hotspot with Acer InviLink Nplify 802.11b/g/Draft-N Wi-Fi Certified
• 10.1" diagonal WSVGA CrystalBrite LED-backlit widescreen display
  1024 x 600 resolution; Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 3150 with 64MB of dedicated video memory

  Additional Features

• Built-in Webcam with built-in digital microphone
• Multi-in-1 digital media card reader
• 3 x USB 2.0 ports, 1 x VGA port, 1 x Headphone/Speaker/Line-Out jack, 1 x Microphone jack, 1 x RJ-45 port, 1 x Kensington Lock Slot
• 6-cell rechargeable lithium-ion battery (up to 8 hours battery life)
• AC power supply included
• High-Definition audio support with 2 built-in stereo spe' border='0'> - $269.99 new from $266.69 used from $255.00
  Acer Aspire One AO532h 10.1" Netbook Features

  Acer redefines mobile connectivity with the Aspire One AO532h, a revolutionary Netbook packed with fun, powerful features to connect you to the world and enrich your mobile life. With a 10.1" LED-backlit display, comfortable typing keyboard and Windows 7 Starter, it has never been easier to browse the Internet, check email, share photos, chat over webcam, keep up with your social networks and enjoy a variety of entertainment wherever you are.

  The Aspire One AO532h Netbook is only 1" thin and weighs just over 2.5 pounds, yet the keyboard is 93% standard size with large keys for better typing.This portable Netbook features a 6-cell battery that fits flush into the chassis, further streamlining the Netbook's look and providing up to 8 hours cable-free battery life on a single charge!

  Key Features & Benefits:

  • Intel Atom N450 processor
    1.6GHz, 667MHz Front Side Bus, 512KB L2 Cache)
  • 1GB DDR2 system memory (expandable to 2GB)
    Enough memory to handle today's most memory-hungry applications
  • 160GB 5400 rpm SATA hard drive
    Store your photos, music, videos, documents and more with plenty of storage space to spare
  • Wired Ethernet, Wireless WiFi
    Connect to a broadband modem with 10/100 Fast Ethernet LAN, or connect wirelessly to a WiFi network or hotspot with Acer InviLink Nplify 802.11b/g/Draft-N Wi-Fi Certified
  • 10.1" diagonal WSVGA CrystalBrite LED-backlit widescreen display
    1024 x 600 resolution; Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 3150 with 64MB of dedicated video memory

    Additional Features

  • Built-in Webcam with built-in digital microphone
  • Multi-in-1 digital media card reader
  • 3 x USB 2.0 ports, 1 x VGA port, 1 x Headphone/Speaker/Line-Out jack, 1 x Microphone jack, 1 x RJ-45 port, 1 x Kensington Lock Slot
  • 6-cell rechargeable lithium-ion battery (up to 8 hours battery life)
  • AC power supply included
  • High-Definition audio support with 2 built-in stereo spe

    ---

    show more
    acer ao532h-2588... life... acer... ao532h-2588...

Missions vary in scope and are effectively framed with dialogue, chapter screens, and in-mission exposition. Multiplayer games are also very well represented by Blizzard's own free Battle.net service. If you'd rather play over a local area network, StarCraft will generously "spawn" up to seven copies so your friends can join in.

In keeping with StarCraft's groundbreaking design, Brood War presents you with three sides of a galactic conflict. Scheming humans, insidious Zerg, and proud Protoss collide again, with stunning new cinematics setting the stage. Old friends and foes and ominous new arrivals give the story a breakneck pace, while a handful of additions to each race's arsenal makes for tense battles. Brood War also features stellar new environments and ambient art, as well as more than 100 additional multiplayer maps.

Some missions require a bit of finesse, breaking the resource-gathering routine while making good use of the new units. Humans now have Valkyrie missile frigates as well as medics who automatically try to heal your grunts. New for the Zerg air force is the acid-spewing Devourer; the new Lurker unit provides heavy-duty (under)ground support. Along with the Corsair fighter, the Protoss reenter the fray with Dark Templar, which can merge to form the devastating Dark Archon. Unfortunately, units old and new still suffer from weak artificial intelligence in path finding.

Real-time strategy games don't get any more epic or any more satisfying. --Jack Gardiner' border='0'> - $19.09 new from $12.49 used from $9.89
The full versions of StarCraft and the acclaimed expansion pack Brood War, as well as complete strategy guides for each, make StarCraft: Battle Chest a treasure chest for real-time strategy fans.

Instead of two similarly powered enemies facing off, the three distinct races in StarCraft have unique capabilities and strategies. Everyone still competes in the RTS genre's typical race for resources, but that's the only shared trait. Terrans can move their bulky mechanized bases as necessary, while the reptilian Zerg grow their colonies and warriors from mutating larvae. Meanwhile, the noble Protoss warp in equipment from their home world using psionic powers.

Not only does game maker Blizzard juggle the races' playability and match it with superb art and sound effects, it also weaves together an engrossing three-act plot. Early on, as a Terran magistrate, you spend a breathtaking 30 minutes defending against a Zerg onslaught. As the story unfolds around you, you'll experience the Zerg's hive mentality and decipher the mysterious Protoss by the game's dramatic conclusion.

Missions vary in scope and are effectively framed with dialogue, chapter screens, and in-mission exposition. Multiplayer games are also very well represented by Blizzard's own free Battle.net service. If you'd rather play over a local area network, StarCraft will generously "spawn" up to seven copies so your friends can join in.

In keeping with StarCraft's groundbreaking design, Brood War presents you with three sides of a galactic conflict. Scheming humans, insidious Zerg, and proud Protoss collide again, with stunning new cinematics setting the stage. Old friends and foes and ominous new arrivals give the story a breakneck pace, while a handful of additions to each race's arsenal makes for tense battles. Brood War also features stellar new environments and ambient art, as well as more than 100 additional multiplayer maps.

Some missions require a bit of finesse, breaking the resource-gathering routine while making good use of the new units. Humans now have Valkyrie missile frigates as well as medics who automatically try to heal your grunts. New for the Zerg air force is the acid-spewing Devourer; the new Lurker unit provides heavy-duty (under)ground support. Along with the Corsair fighter, the Protoss reenter the fray with Dark Templar, which can merge to form the devastating Dark Archon. Unfortunately, units old and new still suffer from weak artificial intelligence in path finding.

Real-time strategy games don't get any more epic or any more satisfying. --Jack Gardiner

The return of Commander Shepard. View larger.

A new cast of characters. View larger.

Along with familiar faces from the past. View larger.

New damage and dialogue systems. View larger.

Collector's Edition bonus items. View larger.

Integration with original game. View larger.

Accompanying this main character are a number of preset supporting characters that the player can direct and develop relationships with, which again, will alter the outcome of the story. All the characters from the original game make an appearance in Mass Effect 2, but the immediate characters surrounding Commander Shepard are new. Additional new features that players can expect to experience include new alien races; a more realistic damage system; a new heavy weapons system allowing for maximum damage; a regenerative health system; a dramatic increase in the number of character animations available to Shepard; and updates to the dialogue mechanic used when conversing with NPCs.

Integration with the Original Mass Effect
Mass Effect 2 allows players of the original Mass Effect game to import save games to continue the story of their own Commander Shepard. In doing this, the decisions that were made in the first game will affect the events of the second game. In addition, characters from the first game will return, as long as they were not killed off by the player in the first game. On the other hand, new players coming to the series for the first time in Mass Effect 2 will start a brand-new character, discover the events of the previous games as they progress and embark on a thrilling stand-alone adventure that does not require the previous game for play.

Key Features

• Futuristic Weapons - Choose from 19 different weapons, including devastating heavy weapons that can end a battle in seconds.
• Elite Specialists - Recruit up to a dozen of the galaxy's most dangerous operatives to help you in your mission. Train and equip your team to survive insurmountable odds.
• Explore the Galaxy - Scan planets to uncover unique secret missions in the Mass Effect universe.
• Integration with Original Mass Effect - Players of the first Mass Effect can import save games to continue the story of their own Commander Shepard. New players will find a thrilling stand-alone adventure awaits them, a polished and action packed journey that surpasses the first game in nearly every possible way.
• Intense Third-Person Combat - Increased intensity with precision shooter controls to let you control the action and overcome insurmountable odds.
• New Damage System - New location based damage system allows for targeting of key weak points, blasting off limbs, igniting enemies, or crippling and disabling enemy troops.
• Character Customization - Choose a player class, customize your appearance, and tailor your own abilities and strengths. As you progress, so do Shepard’s abilities.
• Improved Dialogue Mechanic - Improved NPC conversation system where Commander Shepard can take matters into your own hands – interrupting or using force to get the answer required.

Mass Effect 2 Collector's Edition for PC Includes: Mass Effect 2 software 48-page hardcover art book Limited edition Mass Effect Redemption #1 comic book Exclusive in-game Collectors’ Edition weapon and armor Bonus DVD with behind-the-scenes and making-of videos Limited edition Cerberus Network card granting access to bonus content

System Requirements: