Cello virtuoso Tina Guo performs ‘Deck the Halls’ – and records it on her iMac-based home studio

Cello virtuoso Tina Guo performs ‘Deck the Halls’ – and records it on her iMac-based home studio

Here’s a really fun, unusual version of the holiday classic, as performed by the lovely Tina Guo. Guo is a versatile musician, equally at home playing classical or heavy metal. She’s contributed to motion picture, television, and video game scores, and recently completed a tour as a featured soloist in Cirque Du Soleil’s Michael Jackson “The Immortal” World Tour.

She’s just finished A Cello Christmas, an album of holiday songs (including this one), which will be available December 11th. It was recorded on her iMac-based home studio using Apple’s Logic Pro X software.

We hope you enjoy this fresh breath of holiday ‘aire.’

Download Connecting Point’s 2014 Holiday Gift Guide

Connecting Point Holiday Gift Guide 2014 (cover)The perfect gifts for you and yours. Browse the entire Apple product line (except iPhone), complete with color photos, descriptions, and prices. You’ll find just what you’re looking for, all in one place: Connecting Point, your local, independent Apple Specialist.

Stop by our store to pick up a copy, or download it to your computer. (Requires Adobe Reader or Preview to open. File size 12.8MB.)

Deal of the Week | Dec. 5th, 2014: IOGEAR USB Card Reader/Writer for $9.99

IOGEAR USB Card Reader-Writer for $9.99 at Connecting PointYou’d be hard pressed to find a more compact digital media card reader than this one. It looks like a small flash drive, but the two tiny slots along one edge accept SD, MicroSD, and MMC cards.

This is a great addition to any road warrior’s “go bag.” It’ll allow fast, painless transfer of data, photos, videos, and more to and from any computer with a USB port. It’s compatible with USB 1.1, 2.0, and 3.0. It works with Mac and PC systems. And it’s green. (That last factoid may be somewhat less important than those preceding it.)

This reader/writer is made by industry leader IOGEAR, with all the quality and reliability that implies. It normally sells for 20 bucks, but all week long (while supplies last) we’re letting them go for a mere $9.99.

Learn all about this week’s cool Deal here.

Deal of the Week | Nov. 28th, 2014: ‘Civil War’ Mouse Pads for $1.99

Ducks vs. Beavers - Civil War mouse pads for $1.99Oregon State Beavers vs. Oregon Ducks. It’s the annual Civil War football game, a rivalry stretching back to 1894 (!!!). And tomorrow they battle again, at Reser Stadium in Corvallis, for the 118th time.

This aquatic animal series is currently 61-46-10 in favor of the Ducks. Oregonians have embraced this fierce competition, and proponents of both teams display their loyalty in all kinds of ways.

So why not show your true colors – with a mouse pad? This week’s Deal offers both Ducks and Beavers versions for just $1.99 each – a big savings off their usual $5.99 price.

Learn all about this week’s cool Deal here.

Forget “Black Friday.” It’s MAC Friday…at Connecting Point! | Nov. 28th, 2014

Mac Friday 2014 t Connecting Point Computer Centers

So what’s cooking at Connecting Point on Black Friday?

Teaser for Black Friday 2014 at Connecting PointWe’re getting LOTS of calls at both our Bend and Medford stores, asking what we’ve got cooking for Black Friday. Unfortunately, you would need a Double Secret Probation Top Level One Security Clearance for us to tell you. We can say this: You’ll find all the details in the Thanksgiving Day editions of the Bend Bulletin and the Medford Mail Tribune. We’ll be posting it on our website, and on Facebook. And it’s going to be HOT.

But there will be additional promotions, in the form of contests, giveaways, special deals, and more that won’t be in the ads. In order to hear about them, you’ll need to keep your eyes on either the Connecting Point (Bend, OR) or the Connecting Point (Medford, OR) Facebook page (pick the one closest to you). We’ll also be posting the same info to our Twitter feed. Giveaways and special deals will require you to be present in person, but we promise to give you plenty (20-30 minutes) of advance warning before each one. Follow us…to save and WIN!

Deal of the Week | Nov. 21st, 2014: Six-foot HDMI cable for $3.99

Six-foot high-quality HDMI cable M/M for $3.99 at Connecting PointIf a cable isn’t rated HDMI 1.3a Category 2, then it’s not full 1080P. This cable is, and thus is perfect for the latest high-refresh-rate HDTV’s, Play Station 3, Blu-ray players, HD DVD players, XBOX, and audio systems that support Dolby Surround Sound and TRUE HD Surround Sound.

The latest revision for HDMI doubles the bandwidth of the original, and has opened the door for a host of potential new advancements in Home Theatre Audio/Video performance. New features such a “Deep Color,” higher color gamut, and high resolution, multi-channel audio formats like Dolby True HD and DTS HD Master Audio will make higher bandwidth demands than ever before. Equipment manufacturers are bringing out new devices to take advantage of these new features. You’ll want to be ready.

And fortunately, “being ready” doesn’t mean “being broke.” These cables are normally 20 bucks, but all this week (or at least while supplies last), they’re a steal at $3.99.

Learn all about this week’s cool Deal here.

Deal of the Week | Nov. 14th, 2014: Flexible-Neck Five-LED USB Computer Light for $9.99

Flexible-Neck Five-LED USB Computer Light for $9.99Let there be light – anywhere, any time. This cool USB-powered light boasts five super-bright LEDs that offer dual output: one side shines bright white light that illuminates the surface of your keyboard, while the other side emits a soft blue light that is easy on the eyes in low-light situations.

This device features a flexible eight-inch neck and is bus-powered; just plug it into any open USB port – and light up the night!

Learn all about this week’s cool Deal right here.