Why You Can Trust CNET Get an HP Spectre 13T-3000 Ultrabook for $874.99
This top-rated touchscreen laptop normally sells for $999.99. And you can sweeten the deal a little further with a cashback service.
As a general rule I try to steer Cheapskate readers toward bargain-basement laptops, the kind that sell in the $300-to-$400 range. Those are great for many folks, but I'm sure there are users who need (or want) something a little higher end. An Ultrabook, for example.
Like this one: For a limited time, HP has the Spectre 13T-3000 13.3-inch Ultrabook for $874.99, shipped. That's after applying coupon code GET125 at checkout.
Want to get it for even less? Head to Ebates before hitting HP. The cashback service is currently offering 3 percent back on purchases from HP Home. That brings your total down to $848.75, though keep in mind it'll take up to 90 days before you can claim that rebate. (Not familiar with cashback services? I've got you covered.)
The Spectre 13T-3000 is about as loaded as Ultrabooks come, and it's a looker to boot. Inside its thin aluminum casing lurks a 1.6GHz Intel Core i5-4200u processor, 4GB of RAM, a 128GB SSD, and a 1080p touchscreen. This last pairs nicely with Windows 8.1 (which is no doubt upgradeable to Windows 8.1 Update).
I'll let CNET's review of the Spectre fill you in on all the other pertinent details. Suffice it to say, the verdict was very positive, even at the $999.99 list price. Take note of the extra praise heaped on the keyboard, an item many users overlook when evaluating laptops. This one is backlit (a feature I didn't know how much I liked until I had it) and ranks "especially good, very well-balanced and leaving little dead space on the system interior." Also praised (and rightly so): the extralarge touchpad and excellent battery life.
Even at $848.75, this is a pricey piece of hardware, and therefore not for everyone. But for those who have a little extra in the laptop budget and want a system that's thin, light, and powerful, this is a deal worth considering.
Bonus deal: The ZeroChroma Solo is an adhesive-mounted stand for iPads and other large tablets. It pivots for both portrait and landscape viewing and supports multiple display angles. Price: $34.99. But over at Amazon, while supplies last, you can score a ZeroChroma Solo for just $4.99.
The only catch? This is an "add-on item," meaning you have to buy at least $25' worth of other stuff at the same time. In other words, you can't buy just the stand. But if you're filling your cart anyway, why not toss one of these in?