Why You Can Trust CNET Get a refurbished Google Pixelbook hybrid for $600
That's $400 off what you'd pay for a new one, making this overpriced Chromebook a lot more affordable. Plus: Upgrade an old laptop with a 240GB SSD for $31!
Although the pen isn't included, the 2-in-1 Pixelbook offers a lot of Chromebook power.
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Pixel pusher
On to business! Have you often wondered whether your next laptop should be a Chromebook? Maybe you've had your eye on Google's Pixelbook , a premium model with a decidedly premium price.
Today, you can save a whopping 40 percent -- provided you don't mind going the refurb route. For a limited time, and while supplies last, Best Buy has the certified-refurbished Google Pixelbook 12.3 for $599.99 shipped (plus tax). Regular price: $999.
I'm sure I'm not alone in thinking, "$1,000 for a Chromebook? Um, no." Because Chromebooks are supposed to be cheap, right? Indeed, many an entry-level model can be had for $200-300.
But the Pixelbook is anything but entry-level; it's as well-appointed as many premium Windows laptops . You get an Intel Core i5 processor, 8GB of RAM, a 128GB solid-state drive and 12.3-inch touchscreen.
That screen delivers an impressive 2,400 by 1,600 pixels, and it resides on a 360-degree hinge, meaning the Pixelbook can handle tablet mode, tent mode and all that. Alas, taking a page from Microsoft , Google doesn't supply the Pixelbook Pen; that'll run you another $100.
I haven't used one of these myself, so I'll turn you over to CNET's Pixelbook review. Verdict: "A great everyday work machine," but hard to justify at $1,000.
Much easier to justify, perhaps, at $600? The catch, of course, is that because it's a refurb, you get only a 90-day warranty. Assuming you can live with that, this a premium Chromebook (thin, light, powerful) with a mid-range price tag.
Your thoughts?
Add this blazing-fast drive for a measly $31.
Bonus deal: If you're still trying to squeeze some extra life from your existing laptop, consider the best upgrade in the history of upgrades: a solid-state drive (SSD).
Like this one: For a limited time, and while supplies last, the Kingston A400 240GB SATA3 SSD is just $31.35 when you click the onscreen coupon. Regular price: $40.
To use this, you'll have to make sure your laptop can accommodate a drive of this size (and interface). Most likely it'll mean replacing your existing drive, which means you'll have to clone it first -- and Kingston doesn't supply the necessary cables or software.
But with a little online research (or a knowledgeable friend), you can accomplish that for cheap or even free. Trust me when I say, once you go SSD, you'll never go back. The performance difference is that big.
Read More: All the latest Best Buy coupons
Read More: All the latest Amazon coupons
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