LET'S face it - we won't be squeezing through the mob of shoppers and risking the possibility of catching a flu bug if not for one thing: Cheap deals.

For most tech geeks, the PC Show is where mega names like Sony, Microsoft and Creative offer their latest playthings at rock-bottom prices.

How low can the prices go? How does $99 sound for a pair of music speakers? Read on for some of the best deals.

Below $100

Creative Xmod

$99 (usual price $139) with free ZEN USB Power Adapter worth $39; booth: A1801

FOR the music-lovin' iPod totin' crowd, the Creative Xmod creates a cinematic experience right in your living room. Great for users who want to immerse themselves in the bomb blasts and gunshots of the Iron Man movie.

Microsoft Wireless Laser Mouse 7000

$89.90 (usual price $99); booth: B1875/A1836/ A1821/A1830

GIVE your hand some tender loving care with Microsoft's latest wireless mouse.

Shaped to fit the shape of your palm, it lets you work for long hours without the wrist-aches.

It also connects to your laptop wirelessly and lets you power up certain computer programmes with just one click.

Below $200

Aztech V500DS PC-less Skype Dect Phone

$199 (usual price $199) with free Golla pouch worth $15.90; booth: B1849a

SKYPE is the cheapest way to make international calls. But having to power up the PC every time you want to chat with your loved one is a hassle.

The V500DS has a built-in Skype function that lets you make regular landline and Skype calls without the need for a PC.

The Skype user contact list is also displayed on its 1.5-inch colour screen, letting users scroll through their contacts easily.

Shure SE210

$199 (usual price $239) with free CD and T-shirt; booth: B1807

WANT to blast your eardrums with some Guns N' Roses? Try the Shure SE210 earphones.

Armed with a large driver unit and sound enhancers, this baby belts out studio quality audio.

The expandable foam earbuds also mould to fit the shape of your ears, blocking out unwanted ambient noise.

Below $300

Packard Bell Compasseo 370 GPS navigation device

$299 (usual price: $499) with free Singapore and Malaysia maps; booth: B1819

THIS GPS device helps you find your destination. Its built-in interactive maps and instructions let you know exactly where to turn.

Tailored for Singaporeans, the device also warns you when an ERP gantry is lurking nearby or when there are speed cameras hiding around a corner.

This article was first published in Digital Life, The Straits Times on Jun 10, 2008.