$499
While AV monster Bose gets all the desktop audio system love, small-ish North Andover, Mass Cambridge SoundWorks continues to offer excellent AV performance at far cheaper prices. This year I like the SoundWorks i765 all-in-one entertainment system. Usually these desktop do 'em alls are the techno equivalent of the buffet at Caesar's Palace -- lots of food, but ... ? However, the i765 has game. The unit not only has a CD player, radio, and DVD player, but it also has a very nicely done iPod dock. Sound quality is also rounder and fuller than the similar Bose. For the technophobe looking for better media quality, it's tough to beat the i765.