The Cheapskate

Practice safe browsing with ZoneAlarm ForceField, and get it free (today only)

ZoneAlarm ForceField is a new security utility that promises bulletproof protection against browser-related threats. It normally sells for $29.95, but Check Point Software is offering it absolutely free, today only, as part of a Patch Tuesday promotion.

The software relies on a technique called "virtual browsing" to protect your PC against unauthorized downloads, malware installations, phishers, keyloggers, and the like. It also promises total privacy by erasing the (virtual) browser's cache, cookies, history, and passwords. According to Check Point, the program won't interfere with any existing security software you might already have.

I haven't … Read more

Cheapskate Roundup: Three sweet deals for under 50 bucks

It's Try-Something-New Tuesday here at Cheapskate Central, so instead of one deal, I'm bringing you three, three, three!

Buy.com has new Samsung ML-2510 monochrome laser printers for just $43.94 shipped! Yes, there's a rebate, and it's a big 'un. But, still, what an incredible deal on a laser that cranks out 25 pages per minute. SuperMediaStore.com has a Super Talent 4GB USB flash drive for $11.99 shipped. Use coupon code SUPER40 at checkout to get the discount. Newegg has a 320GB Seagate Barracuda SATA hard drive for $49.99 shipped--today only! … Read more

Get a Magellan GPS for $78.99 shipped (after rebate)

Ladies and gents, we have a new low. Buy.com has the refurbished Magellan Maestro 3100 GPS for just $78.99 shipped. Granted, that's the price after a $20 mail-in rebate, but it's still the best deal on an automotive navigation system I've seen yet.

The Maestro 3100 offers a 3.5-inch touchscreen, 2D and 3D map views, 750,000 points of interest, and multi-destination trip planning. That's about it in the feature department, however: Don't expect text-to-speech capabilities, a media player, or any other advanced options. This is a system designed to navigate you … Read more

Return of the $179.99 22-inch LCD monitor -- now rebate-free!

You know I'm all about big monitors for small monies. Buy.com has the Soyo DYLM2284 22-inch widescreen LCD on sale for $179.99. Oh, but it's a refurb, right? Wrong. So there's a big ol' rebate, then? Nope. But surely there's an exorbitant shipping charge? Nah. This is a new monitor, and $179.99 is your out-the-door price. Score!

This is the same Soyo that was selling for $199 plus shipping back in April, proving once again that cheap things come to those who wait. It has VGA and DVI inputs, built-in speakers, a 5ms … Read more

Get an 8GB Creative Zen player for $89.99 shipped (yep, it smokes the iPod nano too)

The last time I posted about the 8GB Creative Zen media player, it was $150. Now you can pick one up (new) for just $89.99 shipped--10 bucks less than the price of a refurbished, 4GB iPod nano. Now, lest you think I'm dumping on Apple or something (the suggestion did arise after last Thursday's post about the Sansa), let me explain why this is by far the better buy.

The Zen has a larger screen (2.5 inches), an FM tuner, twice the storage, and an SD card slot for adding even more storage. (Care for … Read more

Rip and burn Blu-ray and DVD discs with free StarBurn software, today only

If you're looking for a Nero-like utility that can rip, burn, and author just about any kind of optical media, look no further: StarBurn v.10 supports everything from CD-R to DVD+RW to Blu-ray, and it's free--today only--from Giveaway of the Day.

Interestingly, there's a freeware version of StarBurn that's available every day, but the Giveaway-of-the-Day version includes features found only in the $495 Network Edition--namely, DVD and Blu-ray decrypters and network burning capabilities. While StarBurn doesn't actually copy protected BDs and DVDs, it can create image files (ISOs) from them, which you can … Read more

Send free voice-to-text messages from your cell phone with Jott

You know the old trick of leaving yourself a voice-mail reminder? Jott does that idea one better, turning your message into text that's delivered via e-mail. All you do is call Jott from your cell phone, then say your piece. The service transcribes your message and sends it to your inbox.

But that's just the tip of the Jott iceberg. By setting up an address book on the Jott site, you can also have messages delivered (via e-mail and/or text message) to friends, family members, co-workers, etc. You can "Jott" a new entry to your … Read more

Sansa MP3 player smokes iPod nano for $39.99 shipped

A refurbished 4GB iPod nano will run you $99. A refurbished 4GB SanDisk Sansa e260 will run you $39.99--shipped, no rebates--at Buy.com. End of post!

Well, okay, maybe you need more incentive than a $60 savings. The e260 features a microSD slot for adding more storage, an FM tuner/recorder, a voice recorder, subscription-service compatibility, and a removable battery. The iPod nano features, well, none of those.

CNET lurved the e260, awarding it 4 stars out of 5. I have the virtually identical e280, and apart from its so-so scroll wheel and buttons, it's an excellent … Read more

Print on the cheap with ultra-compact HP LaserJet P1005, $50

Need a tiny laser printer for your tiny den, dorm room, or office? The HP LaserJet P1005 is about as compact as they come, measuring just 14 inches by 9 inches by 8 inches. HP sells them for $129.99, but Newegg is letting 'em go for just $49.99 (plus $9.99 for shipping).

This is a 600-dpi laser that churns out 15 pages per minute. It has a 150-sheet input tray and a USB interface (cable not included). It's compatible with Windows and Mac systems. HP supplies a starter toner cartridge that should yield about 750 pages; … Read more