Get a year of Backblaze cloud backup for $25
That's half off the regular price for this highly automated service, which works with Windows and Mac PCs and includes laptop location-tracking.
A wise man once told me there are two kinds of computer users: those who have lost data and those who will. In other words, it's not matter of if, but when.
For many folks the simplest solution is a cloud-based backup service that archives just your critical stuff: documents, music, photos, and the like. Set it, forget it, and enjoy some PC peace of mind.
Typically such a setup will run you $50-$60 per year. If you're not ready to commit to that kind of expense, here's a cheaper point of entry: You can get a one-year subscription to the Backblaze backup service for $25 when you apply coupon code cheapskate at checkout. That's half off the regular price and, as you've probably guessed, a Cheapskate exclusive!
This offer is good through tomorrow, Jan. 28. Update: And it's good for new customers only.
Backblaze competes with the likes of Carbonite and Mozy, offering continuous, automated backup of all your data. Like Carbonite, Backblaze gives you unlimited space. And its client software (available for Windows and Mac) will automatically sift through your hard drive to find all your backup-worthy data, thus eliminating a lot of the usual backup hassles.
Another perk: Backblaze includes a location-tracking option that can help you recover a lost or stolen laptop. (Once you do, call the police; vigilante justice is never as fun as it looks on TV.)
If and when the time comes that you need to restore your data, you can download it all, of course -- but Backblaze can also ship you all your files on a flash drive or external hard drive (for an added fee).
As an added bonus for iOS users, the Backblaze app lets you access and even retrieve files via your iPhone or iPad. (Yo, Backblaze! How about some love for the Android crowd?)
If you're not already archiving your stuff to a cloud service, it's hard to beat 25 bucks for a full year. Personally, I don't care what backup service you use, as long as you use something. Data loss happens, as far too many people discover the hard way each and every day.
Bonus deal: Say hello to Moto Monday! If you've been eyeballing an unlocked Motorola Moto X, you can save $100 via a special coupon code. What's so special about it? Motorola will make it available from 12-1 p.m. PT (3-4 p.m. ET) today only via this registration form. The form itself will be available only during that hour (it's blank right now), and I'll be surprised if Motorola's servers survive the promotion. But it's worth a try if you want a Moto X for as little as $299.99. (Of course, you can already get it for that price from Republic Wireless.)
Bonus deal No. 2: If you missed the $169 Surface RT tablet last week, it's back -- this time at $179. Again, quantities are no doubt limited, and you don't get a keyboard, though if you scroll down a bit you'll see the Touch Cover Keyboard for a fairly reasonable $39.99. Much as I have my issues with Windows RT, this is a pretty sweet deal on a powerful tablet.
Deals found on The Cheapskate are subject to availability, expiration, and other terms determined by sellers.
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