Get a Windows 7 Netbook for $199.99
This is one of those while-supplies-last deals, so grab this Cyber Monday special while you can. It's a pretty sweet portable PC for the price.
It's been ages since I posted a Netbook deal, in part because the entire product category seems to have stagnated, and in part because prices haven't budged in months.
In honor of Cyber Monday, Office Depot is budging a little: you can get the MSI Wind L1350-436US 10-inch Netbook (blue) for $199.99 shipped (plus sales tax in some states).
Update: Ack! This is already sold out (though try checking back later, as Office Depot may add more stock). Newegg has a similarly equipped Asus Eee PC 1001PX-EU17-BK for $199.99 shipped (no sales tax in most states!), but I fear it won't last much longer. Guess Netbooks are still plenty popular!
Update No. 2: Snap! Now the Newegg deal is sold out as well. OK, let's try this: Microsoft has the Dell Inspiron Mini 1018 bundled with Office Home and Business 2010 for $279.99. Given that Office lists for the same price all by itself, it's like getting the Netbook for free. The Mini 1018 has two notable advantages over the aforementioned Asus and MSI models: a 250GB hard drive and a six-cell battery. Not at all a bad bundle.
Update No. 3: Well, this has officially gotten ridiculous. Sorry, folks, but the Microsoft deal has expired. I'm loathe to put up another Netbook, so let's try this: Buy.com still has that $39.99 Samsung laser printer from last week, and if you pay with Google Checkout, it drops to $34.99. Holy wah! (Don't forget the USB cable; here's one for $2.75 shipped.)
This is a new unit, not a refurb, and that's not a post-rebate price. I mention that because it's the rare sub-$200 Netbook that's not refurbished or rebate-saddled.
The 2.4-pound Wind features an Intel Atom N450 processor, 1GB of RAM, a 10.1-inch screen, and a 160GB hard drive. Because it runs Windows 7 Starter, I wouldn't mind seeing another gig of memory here. Thankfully, there's room to pop in a second RAM stick.
Other noteworthy specs include 802.11n Wi-Fi, three USB ports, a 1.3-megapixel Webcam, and a one-year warranty.
Is this the best Netbook deal I've ever seen? No, but for a mere 200 bucks, you're getting a fully capable, highly portable PC. What's not to like?
Bonus deal: Looking for a great gift for the iPhone/iPod/iPad fan(s) in your life? Check out the App Magnets from Jailbreak Collective. They're $12.99 per set of 18, but for the rest of the day, they're buy-one-get-one-free. (Just add one to your cart and the second appears automatically.) If you order three sets (for a grand total of six), you'll get free shipping with coupon code 3forFREE. Here's my original writeup of the too-cool-for-school App Magnets.
Bonus deal No. 2: OK, this isn't really a deal, more like an opportunity to see me live and "in person." Today, and for the next three Mondays, I'll be appearing on CNET's Holiday Help Desk to discuss--what else--sweet deals! Check it out at 1 p.m. PT.