Why You Can Trust CNET Get a refurbished Roku 3 for $62.95
It's the original Roku 3, not the newest version, but it's still one of the best media streamers on the planet.
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Look, media streamers are practically a dime a dozen these days. You can routinely find Google's Chromecast for $20-$25, while Amazon's Fire TV Stick offers great value at $39.99. So why buy a Roku 3 for $62.95?
I'll get to that in a minute. In the meantime, Groupon has the refurbished Roku 3 streaming media player for $62.95 shipped. This is, of course, for a limited time, and while supplies last. That price includes a 6-foot HDMI cable -- not a huge value-add, but certainly convenient in that you don't have to hunt one down separately.
The Roku 3 is/was Roku's top-tier streaming box. There's a newer version available, one that incorporates voice search and various shortcut buttons, but the original still has its merits.
For one thing, it's quick -- much quicker than any older or lower-tier Roku you might be using. Menus are snappier, services load faster.
But the best feature by far, the one still not emulated by any other streamer? The headphone-friendly remote. Just pop in the included earbuds (or your favorite pair) for private listening. There's a reason this is commonly referred to as a "marriage-saver."
The Roku 3 also offers virtually unparalleled connectivity in the form of an Ethernet port (for Wi-Fi-challenged environments) and microSD slot (for added game/channel storage -- though I'm hard-pressed to imagine ever needing that).
There are definitely streaming options for less. But I daresay that headphone jack alone is worth spending more. Your thoughts?
Bonus deal: Game time! Google Play is having a sale on over 20 popular games, with prices cut by up to 90 percent. Telltale's Game of Thrones: 60 cents. The dazzling Limbo: 99 cents. The equally dazzling Monument Valley: also 99 cents. Great chance to stock up on some premium titles for decidedly non-premium prices!
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Bonus deal No. 3: If you like the idea of a Chromebook -- a lightweight, inexpensive laptop that's good for email, Web browsing and other basic stuff -- but prefer the familiarity and versatility of Windows, head to Woot. Today only, and while supplies last, they've got the refurbished Asus EeeBook X205TA 11.6-inch laptop for $129.99, plus $5 for shipping.