Why You Can Trust CNET Get a Star Trek Schematic Illuminated Display for $29.99
Normally $49.99, this cool desktop or nightstand accessory includes both Original Series and Next Generation designs. Plus: three bonus deals!
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Want want want.
Can we get our geek on for a minute?
I love me some "Star Trek." Like, not quite enough to go to conventions, but I'm thoroughly familiar with all the movies and series. I've read a lot of the books, built Enterprise models, played Trek videogames. I rank "The Wrath of Khan" as one of the top sci-fi movies ever made and (prepare for a shock) consider "Voyager" to be the best series since the original.
And because today was a little light on the tech-deal side, I just had to share this: For a limited time, and while supplies last, ThinkGeek (which has the best stuff) has the Star Trek Schematic Illuminated Display on sale for $29.99, plus $5.95 for shipping. Regular price: $49.99.
Obviously this is something nobody needs, but, man, do I want one. It's nerd-ware of the finest order. I want it for my desk. Actually, I want it for my nightstand -- and, believe it or not, Mrs. Cheapskate would probably tolerate it, because she's extremely cool and a "Star Trek" fan herself. Sayyyy...Mother's Day is coming up....
The thing comes with two acrylic plates -- an NCC-1701 and an NCC-1701-D, otherwise known as Original Series and Next Generation Enterprises. The plates measure 10.5 inches across, so a decent size. The LEDs that light the plates can cycle through seven different colors or stay fixed on a single one.
And there you go! Sometimes you just gotta geek out. Don't worry, I'll have more drones and Bluetooth speakers for you soon. (I kid, I kid. Except of course you know it's true.)
Five "standard" USB and one USB Type-C!
Bonus deal: Every home, office and home office needs a charging station, a hub where phones, tablets and other devices go to juice up. And if you have a newer device, you might need a Type-C port. Ta-daa: For a limited time, and while supplies last, Jelly Comb (via Amazon) has the Jelly Comb 6-port USB Desktop Charging Station for $7.99. That's after applying coupon code L98RJ7B4 at checkout. Shipping is free for Prime subscribers.
Of the six ports, five are standard USB; one is USB Type-C. They're all "smart," able to identify what kind of device is plugged in and deliver amps accordingly. Note that one reviewer challenged whether the Type-C port was functioning correctly, but read the response from another user.
By the way, this deal first appeared yesterday; I have no idea how long the promo code will be active. And if supplies run out, you may see this from a different seller, in which case the code won't work.
Bonus deal No. 2: Much to my amazement, Daily Steals still has the refurbished (and discontinued) Pebble smartwatch for $18 shipped with promo code CLASSICPBLDS. Only the black and red versions are left. If you ordered one of these a few weeks ago, no doubt you've received it by now -- so let your fellow readers know how it worked out! Good condition? Working well? Happy with purchase?
Bonus deal No. 3: After I shared the $39.99 Amazon Fire tablet deal yesterday, several readers correctly pointed out that the Fire HD 8 is also on sale -- for $69.99. It's faster than the Fire, with a slightly larger and higher-resolution screen, plus two speakers instead of one. On the other hand, it's $30 more. My question for you: Which would you choose? There's just something soooo compelling about a $40 tablet, even though my brain knows the HD 8 is the smarter buy.