Get a Seagate Expansion 3TB USB 3.0 hard drive for $99.99
It may not be the fastest drive in its class or have the best warranty, but that price is hard to beat. Plus: two bonus deals!
I don't know what's going on with hard-drive prices lately, except that they're getting more awesome by the day.
To wit: While supplies last (and I'm concerned they won't last long), Newegg has the Seagate Expansion STBV3000100 3TB USB 3.0 hard drive for $99.99 shipped. Surprisingly, there's no coupon code needed to get this deal, which would run you about $20 more elsewhere.
The aptly named Expansion is a fairly boring-looking black slab stocked with a 3TB drive. Seagate doesn't specify the rotational speed, but I'll wager my weight in doughnuts it's 5,400rpm. There are faster drives out there, yes, but assuming you plug this into a USB 3.0 port (it's backward-compatible if you don't have one), it'll still blow the doors off any USB 2.0 drive you're currently using. And I daresay that speed is more than sufficient for most backup or storage expansion needs you might have.
In terms of features, this is a pretty bare-bones drive in that Seagate doesn't supply any backup or other utility software. Windows 7 and Windows 8 have some decent backup tools built right in, and there are any number of free backup utilities you can get if those aren't getting the job done to your liking.
Seagate backs the drive with a one-year warranty, which is my only real complaint. (I've seen other models with two or even three years of coverage.) Interestingly, Newegg offers a one-year warranty extension for $9.99, which might be worth considering. (Alternately, I think if you pay with an American Express or certain other credit cards, you get your warranty doubled anyway.)
Ultimately, if you're looking for tons of external storage with a modern (meaning, USB 3.0) interface and crazy-low price, this should fit the bill. I promise it was still in stock as of 9 a.m. ET, but I can't guarantee it'll last the rest of the morning. Hence, two bonus deals to help salve any sellout wounds.
Bonus deal: If you've never played Tiny Wings (iOS), you're missing out on one of the all-time great mobile games. Now's your chance to rectify that for free. For a limited time, you can get Tiny Wings and Tiny Wings HD for free. (Just click the big green Visit Site button to get through to the App Store.) They're normally priced at $0.99 and $2.99, respectively.
Bonus deal No. 2: Ultrabook goodness! While supplies last, Dealfisher has the Acer Aspire S7 11.6-inch touch-screen laptop for $699.99 shipped. It's new, not refurbished, and it sells elsewhere for at least $900. Specs include a Core i5 processor, 128GB solid-state drive (SSD), and 1,920x1,080-pixel display resolution, all in a 2.7-pound package. I tend to prefer a slightly larger screen, but this is still one of the most drool-worthy ultrabook deals I've seen.
Deals found on The Cheapskate are subject to availability, expiration, and other terms determined by sellers.
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