In a sign that computer maker Hewlett-Packard Corp. (NYSE: HPQ) isn't sitting on its laurels as the world's largest PC manufacturer, the company announced over 50 new products yesterday. This was HP's largest announcement from its Personal Storage Group (PSG) division ever in terms of quantity of products introduced.

HP also introduced the world's thinnest laptop computer, in a swipe at Apple Inc.'s (NASDAQ: AAPL) MacBook Air. Probably the most important announcement was that HP's professional and consumer-level laptop PCs were all going to be refreshed. A similar move about 18 months ago in its consumer laptop designs and retail partnerships helped push HP past competitor Dell Inc. (NASDAQ: DELL) as the largest PC manufacturer in the world, and now it's upping the game again by getting all-new designs to market at all the relevant screen sizes (14", 15" and 17").

With Taiwanese competitor Acer selling a ton of laptop PCs recently and Dell resurgent on the consumer side of its business (including retail availability), HP definitely does not want to cede any of the market share it has that has helped it become the largest overall global PC maker. The company currently has 35%+ of the consumer laptop PC market, and with all-news designs coming soon, it may be able to keep hold of that number. But Acer and Dell, the second and third-largest makers of laptop PCs, sure won't make it easy.

Looking for an inexpensive but functional and possibly fully-loaded laptop or desktop computer this holiday season? Whether it's for the kids or a very nice gift for someone else (maybe even yourself), there will be some incredible bargains this Friday (and Saturday in most cases) at some of the larger retailers of PCs: CompUSA, Best Buy, and Circuit City.

Although some special deals require rebates, cellular activations, and other gimmicks for the lowest "advertised price", the wait may be worth it regardless. That's what Black Friday is for, right? As laptop computers have come down dramatically in price in recent years, this year's Black Friday deals on laptops especially should get millions of bargain hunters salivating like crazy.

With that said, below are some of the deals on laptops and a few desktop PCs as well. Of course, read the fine print once you do see the ads to see how many hoops you have to jump through to get some of these prices -- things like subletting your apartment and selling an ownership stake in all your cars. Just kidding.

CompUSA
Compaq 15.4" widescreen laptop -- $199
eMachines Windows Media Center PC -- $99
HP Media Center laptop with dual-core CPU -- $549

Circuit City
Acer 15.4" laptop with dual-core CPU -- $599
Compaq 15.4" widescreen laptop -- $99

Best Buy
HP 15.4" widescreen laptop with Core Solo CPU -- $379
Compaq desktop PC with 15" LCD monitor -- $399

Wal-Mart
Compaq desktop PC with 17" LCD monitor and printer -- $588
Compaq notebook PC with printer and external speakers -- $698
No mention of a $199 laptop here -- at least, not yet. Stay tuned for Thursday's ads, though. Although a Wal-Mart executive hinted at a $199 Black Friday laptop recently, Wal-Mart may be keeping that under very secret wraps for now.