Get a Hisense 11.6-inch Chromebook for $99.99
From the Cheapskate: It's a refurb, but it's also the first sub-$100 Chromebook I've seen. Just one problem: This deal won't last long.
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Yesterday, in my roundup of the best tech deals of 2015, I mentioned Lenovo's $200 IdeaPad 100s -- and its $165 Chromebook counterpart. Amazing buys, both -- but nothing compared with this.
For a limited time, and while supplies last, Groupon has the refurbished Hisense C11 11.6-inch Chromebook for $99.99 shipped. If memory serves, that's the first time I've seen a Chromebook (or, for that matter, any laptop) priced under $100.
Note the "while supplies last" part. I have no idea what kind of inventory is available. Groupon might have 5,000 of these or it might have five. Either way, here's hoping you'll be able to get one before they're gone. (If not, don't fret -- deals like these tend to come around again.)
As someone who continues to rely on a laptop but increasingly dislikes Windows, I have a lot of affection for Chromebooks. They're just about ideal for people who already spend most of their computer time in a Web browser -- and, let's face it, you can accomplish quite a lot that way.
Meanwhile, say goodbye to viruses and spyware, Blue Screens of Death, gradual performance degradation, driver nonsense and other longstanding Windows hassles.
For a middle- or high-school student in particular, it's really hard to beat a Chromebook. Especially at this price.
CNET reviewed the C11 earlier in 2015 and found it a "cheap Chromebook that cuts the right corners," meaning although it suffers from tinny speakers and narrow viewing angles, it's fast enough and comfortable enough for its intended purposes.
Meanwhile, over at Walmart (once the exclusive seller of this model), over 100 buyers collectively rated it 4.3 stars out of 5. I think the only real issue here is that it's a refurb, meaning you get a 90-day warranty. Your thoughts?
Bonus deal: Open for debate: Any monitor that's larger than 24 inches is actually too large if it has a 1,920x1,080 maximum resolution. I disagree, and if you agree with my disagreement, check this out: Adorama has the LG 27MP36HQ 27-inch LED monitor for $134.99 shipped. That's after redeeming a $35 mail-in rebate. I don't think I've ever seen a monitor this big for a price this small.
Bonus deal No. 2: Game time! The Humble Square Enix Bundle 3 gives you a whopping 15 games for just $8.99. (You can pay less for a lower tier, but why would you?) Highlights include Just Cause and Just Cause 2 (along with a coupon for 20 percent off the just-released Just Cause 3), lots and lots of Tomb Raider, and Hitman Absolution Elite Edition. A portion of the proceeds benefits charity, so feel free to pay a bit more than the $8.99 asking price.