Get a 15.6-inch Asus laptop for $249.99 shipped
It even has a few frills, like a graphics-friendly AMD processor and an LED-backlit screen. Plus, it's new, not refurbished.
You'll forgive a little nepotism, right? I think so, once you get a load of this deal.
While supplies last, CNET Marketplace has the Asus X54L-BBK2 15.6-inch laptop for $249.99 shipped (plus sales tax where applicable) when you use coupon code CNETSALE. Amazingly, it's new, not refurbished.
Note: The code is not working at the moment. I'm looking into it. Stay tuned.
Update No. 2: Code is fixed! Deal should be back up momentarily.
It's also more than up to the task of handling everyday computing. The X54L-BBK2 features an AMD A4-3305M processor, which is roughly comparable to Intel's Core i3 but with much better integrated graphics. That works for me, as most entry-level laptops have weak graphics subsystems. Here you've got some horsepower.
The rest of the specs read about like you'd expect: 4GB of RAM, a 15.6-inch LED-backlit screen, a 320GB hard drive, and your basic multiformat optical drive. There's also a Webcam, of course, plus Windows 7 Home Premium.
So, yeah, a pretty basic entry-level laptop, but with better-than-average graphics and an LED-backlit screen. And because it's new, you get a full one-year warranty.
Pretty basic, but pretty good: some 61 Best Buy customers rated the X54L-BBK2 4.3 stars out of 5 on average. And from what I hear around the water cooler, Asus has a reputation for making some of the best PC hardware out there.
I've seen systems like this at $300, but $250? Almost never. Especially not new. Although this CNET exclusive is scheduled to run through October 15, I suspect it will sell out long before then. If you're in the market for a bargain-basement laptop, this is without question one of the best deals I've seen.
Bonus deal: Blu-ray players are so cheap nowadays. (All together, now: "How cheap are they?!!") Blu-ray players are so cheap, Wal-Mart has the refurbished Toshiba BDX2250KU with Wi-Fi for $49.88 with free in-store pickup (plus sales tax, natch). It not only spins those shiny Blu-ray platters, but also streams media from the likes of Netflix, Pandora, and YouTube. The warranty: a fairly standard 90 days.
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