Why You Can Trust CNET Get a Toshiba Blu-ray player for $29.97
It's a refurb, and it doesn't do Wi-Fi out of the box, but that's still a smokin' deal on a streaming-friendly set-top.
Blu-ray players are notoriously unreliable. Check the user reviews for just about any model and you'll see any number of "died after a week!" and "died after two months!" comments. It's the unfortunate nature of the beast, I guess.
So call me maybe crazy, but why not keep a spare on hand just in case your primary player croaks -- which will invariably happen just as you and the kids are sitting down to watch "The Avengers." That way, boom, you just swap in the backup and dry everyone's tears.
And who's going to balk at a $30 backup? While supplies last, TigerDirect has the refurbished Toshiba BDX2150 Blu-ray player for $29.97 shipped. That's after applying coupon code GLB70408 at checkout and redeeming a $5 mail-in rebate (PDF).
Update: Well, dang it, story of my life this week: It's sold out. But check back throughout the day in case TigerDirect adds more inventory. Been known to happen!
Even without the rebate, $34.97 is a pretty amazing price on a Blu-ray player that can stream Netflix, Pandora, Vudu, and YouTube. The BDX2150 also does the usual Blu-ray stuff like DVD upconversion and BD-Live 2.0.
To take advantage of any online features, however, you'll need a wired Ethernet connection to your router. The BDX2150 is merely "Wi-Fi ready," meaning if you want to go wireless, you'll need the Toshiba WLM-10NB1 Wi-Fi adapter. List price: $49.99. Fail.
Also, because this is a refurb, it comes with a 90-day warranty. At the very least you'll want to unpack it and make sure it's working before you give it a spot on the bench.
Hey, for 30 bucks, a few compromises are to be expected. But whether you're looking for a primary Blu-ray player or a spare, this is a Black Friday-caliber deal -- and on a Thursday, no less!
Bonus deal: Calling all iPhone 4 owners! While supplies last, AmazonLocal has a customized iPhone case for $15 shipped. Customized how? Upload your favorite photo of the kids, the dog, or whatever, and Picture It On Canvas will turn it into a case. Mrs. Cheapskate has one, and it constantly draws oohs and ahhs from friends and strangers alike. This custom job normally sells for $34.95.
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