Get a powerline Ethernet kit for $19.99
That blows previous deals out of the water. The TrendNet kit uses your existing electrical wiring to ferry Ethernet from here to there.
Having Wi-Fi troubles? I've been there. Sometimes you just can't get a signal to go where you need it to go--like from the router in the basement to the bedroom two floors up.
If you like drills and impossibly tight spaces, you can always run some Ethernet cable through walls, floors, and ceilings. It's effective, but also a major pain in the keister.
A much easier option is to use a power-line networking kit, which takes advantage of your home's existing electrical wiring. It's a simple, plug-and-play solution.
And usually an expensive one. Power-line kits often sell for $100 or more. But today, and while supplies last, TigerDirect has the TrendNet TPL-303E2K Powerline AV Adapter Kit for $19.99, plus $5.49 for shipping. That's after applying coupon code SSA55294 at checkout, which cuts a whopping $40 off the regular price.
Update: TigerDirect is now showing "only available in store," which means the deal is effectively sold out. I assure you it wasn't that way when I wrote about it earlier this morning. Sorry about that! But do check back later, as TigerDirect sometimes makes more inventory available. (This would be a good time to check out the Cheapskate FAQ.
This blows away other deals I've seen on these kits. This one is new, not refurbished, and you don't have to mess around with any rebates.
In case you're not familiar with powerline Ethernet, it works like this: you plug one adapter into an electrical outlet near your router, then connect it to your router with the included Ethernet cable. Then you plug the other into an outlet near the computer that needs network access, and run its cable into the computer's Ethernet port. That's it, you're done.
You can buy additional adapters if you need connectivity in additional rooms.
The TPL-303E2K promises data transfer rates of up to 200Mbps--good enough for streaming HD video. The user reviews on TigerDirect are mostly positive; one recommends skipping the included configuration software, and I'll second that. This should be a plug-and-play solution, with no software or drivers required.
For 25 bucks out the door, this is definitely a faster and easier alternative to running Ethernet cable through your walls and floors. I'm a big, big fan.
Bonus deal: Want to dip a toe into the wonderful world of solid-state drives? Newegg has the Patriot Torqx 2 64GB SATA II SSD for $49.99 shipped. That's after redeeming a $25 mail-in rebate (PDF), which comes in the form of a prepaid Amex card. You've got until tomorrow to qualify for the rebate. With it, this is the lowest price I've seen on a 64GB SSD. (I recently paid twice as much for one, sob.)