Why You Can Trust CNET May the Fourth deals that have nothing to do with Star Wars
From the Cheapskate: Yep, it's that day. But you won't catch me saying it. You will catch me offering free Spotify, almost-free Sling TV and lots more!
CNET's Cheapskate scours the Web for great deals on PCs, phones, gadgets and much more. Questions about the Cheapskate blog? Find the answers on our FAQ page. And find more great buys on the CNET Deals page.
Hey, I love Star Wars as much as the next guy. Well, actually, probably a little less. The original movies were part of my childhood and, consequently, they're woven into my DNA. But the prequels? Unwatchable. And "The Force Awakens"? Just not a very good movie, unfortunately.
So, yeah, I'm not taking part in this whole May the Fourth silliness. I'm just over it. I'd rather live long and prosper, if you catch my drift. Though I must give T-Mobile points for its celebratory Google Chrome extension, which turns the AT&T logo into the Death Star.
Free Spotify
Shut up and don't take my money, Spotify!
I've written before about my newfound appreciation for streaming music services, which provide on-demand access to nearly all the music of the world for a pretty low monthly fee.
If you're still juggling MP3s and downloads and the more traditional manner of having a music collection, here's your chance to see why I've made the switch: You can get three months of Spotify Premium for free. The offer is good for new customers and those who have done a 7-day trial, but not those who have already tried Premium or Unlimited.
After that three months, you'll start getting billed $9.99 unless you cancel. I'm betting you won't want to.
Almost-free Sling TV
Heading to Best Buy anytime soon? Maybe to pick up a new laptop, tablet, Roku box or a Fire TV? Here's a deal you might want to check out: Sling TV will give you a $50 Best Buy credit toward the purchase of any Sling TV-compatible device when you prepay for three months of Sling TV.
In other words, spend $60 and you'll get $50 back. So that's like getting three months of Sling TV for $3.33 per month. Or it's like subscribing to Sling TV and getting, say, a Roku Streaming Stick ($49.99) for free. Do the math however you like.
May the VR be with you
If you know me, you know I can't talk for more than five minutes without mentioning VR. It's going to be huge.
For now, your smartphone offers the best ticket to the VR show. All you need is a headset. And if you've got an iPhone 6 or 6 Plus, there's no better deal than this: For a limited time, and while supplies last, Ebay seller Ohbuybuybuy has the VR Box virtual reality headset for $13.98 shipped. It typically sells for around $22 on Amazon.
Features include a head strap and adjustable pupillary distance and focal length -- trust me, you'll need that. Plus, it looks pretty cool. Or as cool as a big, face-obscuring piece of headgear can, anyway.
Don't own a compatible iPhone? There are tons of similar VR headsets that are more universally compatible. Choose one, then prepare for some mind-blowing experiences. (Yeah, I kind of like VR.)
Who says you can't transport a big laptop?
Most backpacks and laptop bags won't accommodate really big laptops. Yes, you can slip the new Samsung Notebook 9 in a satchel. But what about, say, your beloved 17-inch desktop replacement.
This one can: Today only, and while supplies last, Meh has the Targus Drifter II laptop backpack for $25, plus $5 for shipping. Same bag runs $59 on Amazon, where it earned a 4.2-star rating from over 2,000 buyers.
Like all backpacks should, this one has two side pouches for water bottles. (Note to backpack makers: If your bag has zero pouches, I won't buy it. Not even if it comes with a hot-fudge dispenser.) It also has padding and zippered pockets and all the other goodies you'd expect. Oh, and it can hold a 17-inch laptop, in case that wasn't abundantly clear.
They're Mac-tacular!
Calling all Mac users! Ready to cut some cords? For a limited time, TechRabbit is offering the refurbished Apple Wireless Keyboard and Magic Mouse for $64.99 shipped when you apply coupon code CNETAPPLE65 at checkout.
Normally the keyboard runs $60 all by itself. Yes, that's the cost of a new model, but don't fear the refurb. TechRabbit backs these for a full year.
And if you're better-versed in Apple products than me, hit the comments and let us know if the keyboard only works with Macs or if it can be paired with, say, an iPad as well.
Bonus deal: Mother's Day is coming very soon, and Father's Day won't be long after. There's no better gift than a digital photo frame for older parents in particular -- especially a wireless one you can fill with photos from afar. Today only, Amazon has the Nixplay Edge 13-inch Wi-Fi photo frame for $159.98 shipped, a saving of $90. You can also grab the 8-inch model for $84.97, but it has a much lower-resolution screen. Splurge! They're your parents!