Get a refurbished HP Stream 13 for $169.99
For less than the price of a new 11-inch Stream, you can get HP's super-popular laptop in a larger size. The sellout risk is also larger, mind you.
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It seems like just weeks ago that I shared a deal on a refurbished HP Stream 11. (That's because it was just weeks ago.)
If you bought one, you might want to look away, because that deal just got even better: Groupon has the refurbished HP Stream 11 for $119.99 shipped.
But Groupon also has the refurbished HP Stream 13 for $169.99 shipped, in your choice of blue or magenta (whoops! Magenta already sold out), and that's what I've come here to discuss.
See, an 11.6-inch laptop for $119.99 is amazeballs. But that size simply doesn't work for everyone. It's a little cramped, frankly, both screen-wise and keyboard-wise. I think the productivity/portability sweet-spot lands at 13.3 inches, which just happens to be the screen size of the Stream 13.
As I noted a couple weeks ago, the Stream was one of the big PC success stories of 2014, offering a Windows-powered answer to Google's increasingly popular Chromebooks. For as little as $199 (for the smaller model), you could have an adorable little laptop running full-blown Windows.
Speaking of which, the Streams come stocked with Windows 8.1 -- but you can easily upgrade them to Windows 10. (You can even jump the line if you don't want to wait for Microsoft to push out the update.)
I'm going to wrap this up quick because the magenta model sold out literally as I was writing this, and I hope everyone who wants one gets a crack at the blue. If not, well, that Stream 11 is mighty appealing at $119.99 -- and those are still available in both colors. Whichever model you end up with, you get a free year of Office 365 Personal, always a nice addition.
If you already own an HP Stream, in either size, hit the comments and share a review with your fellow cheeps!
Bonus deal: Calling all Mac users! Parallels Desktop lets you run full-blown Windows, but it'll cost you $70. Or not: Newegg has Parallels Desktop 9 for $30, plus $2.99 for shipping, when you apply coupon code EMCAVPA86 at checkout. But wait, there's more: A $30 mail-in rebate (PDF) brings your price down to $0! Oh, and there's even more: When you add Parallels Desktop to your cart, you'll also get Acronis True Image for Mac as an added freebie.
Bonus deal No. 2: Game time! If you enjoy strategy, World War II and commandos, don't pass this up: Steam has Commandos 2: Men of Courage for just 39 cents. It's an older game, but still one of the all-time great tactical action/strategy titles. You won't spend a better 39 cents today, trust me.