Want to skip the Christmas crowds, or nab a once in a lifetime bargain? Online shopping could be the answer. Tim Dean looks at the glory and the pitfalls.

A bargain can be defined as something for which you pay less than you budgeted for, and for which you get more than you expected. Under those criteria the Sony TRV 250E qualifies as a definite bargain.

Is the bargain in the shop in front of you really all that cheap? Your phone can let you know. Here's how.

How did a vibrant palace of bargains and trust turn into a standoff between buyers and sellers? Part one of our major feature.

Whether you’re buying or selling, there are some great tools that help you make the most of online auctions.

An older LCD. A bargain option, but not one we’d recommend as once we might have

Impressive and free antivirus and antispyware package

It’s now cheaper to produce 802.11n routers than 802.11g routers, paving the way for Australians to switch over to the faster technology

We think this TV is a real bargain - a good few quid cheaper than comparable models and every bit as impressive

Taking great photos in most situations, the DSC-W50 is a bargain at this price.

Four powerful and long-serving Photoshop plug-ins at a cut-down price.

A basic barebones motherboard with a price to match, ASROCK's P4VT8 Pentium 4 motherboard may not be the most feature packed mobo around, but what it lacks in integrated components, it more than makes up for with its bargain basement price tag and practical applications.

When this model was submitted to us with the cost listed above, we assumed it was a mistake. Although returning fairly low real world scores, the 17MA is a bargain.

From Celerons to Core i7s, Semprons to Phenom IIs, David Bayon tests Mainsteam desktop processors and finds the best budget, mid-range and enthusiast (gaming) choice for you.

The choice of keyboard and mouse will depend on the main use for your PC. Those who do large amounts of typing would do well to invest in a high-quality keyboard, while others could get away with a st

The cut-down PS3 costs the same as the Xbox Elite, has lost of its key features and still has that cracking Blu-ray player

Offering bags of gaming power for an attractive price, the GeForce 8600 series is an enticing prospect.

We’ve seen several manufacturers make use of FIC’s Spectra case before, but few have made such a good job of it as Pioneer.

Our full guide to saving cash-saving secrets is here, from how to get discounts on PCs, to SIM only phone contracts, the best DSLR cameras deals, and discount licensing from Adobe, Microsoft and others.