The Cheapskate

The TrendNet TEW-632BRP.

(Credit: TrendNet)

Looking for super-fast wireless router for your home at a low price?

Buy.com has the TrendNet TEW-632BRP for $24.99 with free shipping, a 64 percent savings off the $70 list price and a good $30 off the lowest closest retailer price we could find.

This four-port switch features 128-bit encryption, DMZ port, NAT support, 64-bit encryption, auto-uplink (auto MDI/MDI-X), dynamic DNS server, MAC address filtering, URL filtering, IP address filtering, MIMO technology, and virtual server support.

CNET hasn't reviewed this router, but Google product reviewers gave it 4 and a half stars out of 5, with many noting that installation was a breeze.

The router has an indoor maximum range of 330 feet and supports 802.11 standards b, g, and n (second draft). And at four times faster than that g router you are still using, this little router is likely to serve your wireless needs for years to come.

The $20 802.11n router: You're not likely to find a lower price.

(Credit: Netgear)

If your wireless router doesn't have the muscle to reach all corners of the house, or you need a faster connection for copying files and streaming videos, it might be time to consider an upgrade.

Newegg has refurbished Netgear WNR2000 802.11n Draft 2.0 routers for $19.99 (shipping will run you a mere $1.99).

In case you're unfamiliar with it, the "new" Wi-Fi protocol (which seems forever destined to be known as Draft-N) delivers better range and faster throughput speeds than 802.11g.

The WNR2000 is backward compatible with older Wi-Fi hardware and comes with four Ethernet ports, two internal antennas, and the usual raft of security features.

Keep in mind that unless you have 802.11n adapters for the PCs in your house, you may not reap the full benefits of the router--but you'll still enjoy better range and, based on my experiences, faster wireless connections, even if you have 802.11b/g gear. (Make sure to download the latest firmware updates from Netgear.)

CNET hasn't reviewed the WNR2000, but the user comments on Newegg's product page are mostly positive. And over at Amazon, it averages four stars out of five. That's pretty impressive, as even high-end routers often get crummy reviews.

The WNR2000 has a list price of $79.99, so you're saving quite a bit by opting for a refurbished unit. It does have only a 90-day warranty, but what is there to break? Either it works or it doesn't. I think it's a steal, and at this price, I suspect they won't last.

Cut the cord! The Brother HL-2170W is a compact Wi-Fi laser printer.

(Credit: Brother)

Remember the other day when I said some deals require you to jump through a few hoops? Here's one that's definitely worth it: Staples has the refurbished Brother HL-2170W Wi-Fi laser printer for $49.99.

Now, before you post a comment telling me the product page says $69.99, let's address the hoops.

First, that $69.99 price is after a $30 mail-in rebate, which comes in the form of a $30 prepaid Visa debit card. It's more or less the same as cash, but it's still a rebate. (At least with Staples it's a pretty safe bet you'll get your money.)

Second, and here's where it gets a tad tricky, you have to add something else to your order so you can apply one of these $20-off coupon codes (provided courtesy of DealNews).

I recommend this box of 100 paper clips for 79 cents. (If you find a cheaper "filler" item, name it in the comments.)

So, to recap: You add the printer to your cart, then add a dirt-cheap item to bump your total over $100. Then you apply one of the aforementioned coupon codes, which subtracts $20 from the order. Finally, you get the $30 Visa card in 4-6 weeks.

What's that? The printer? Oh, right. I've written about the HL-2170W before, back when it was a deal at $70. So hit that link if you want the full details.

Short version: I own this printer, love this printer, and will never buy another non-Wi-Fi printer. How about you?

Most iPod/iPhone speaker docks come up short in the bass department. If you like your tunes thumpin', I've got just the solution: Buy.com has the Philips Docking Entertainment System DC912 for $79.99 shipped. Normal price? $179.99.

Before I get into the details, I need to point out the big "but." No, it's not, "but there's a rebate." And, no, it's not, "but it's a refurb." (It's new.)

The DC912 is $79.99, but you need to pay with PayPal to get that price. For me that's not an issue: I routinely sell stuff on eBay to fund my PayPal account, which I then use for stuff just like this.

If you don't have an account, the dock will run you $109.99--still a pretty solid deal considering the list price.

So, what's the big deal about the DC912? For starters, check the photo: It's sweet-looking! Love that silvery flat-panel design. You can use the stand or mount the dock on a wall using an included bracket.

Cooler still, it comes with a standalone subwoofer. A wireless subwoofer. Combined with the dock, it churns out a seriously impressive 100 watts of audio power.

The unit also includes a remote, an FM tuner with 20 programmable presets, and an aux jack in case you want to connect a non-iPod player. It can even play MP3s and WMAs stored on USB drives and SD/MMC cards.

As you'll discover in the above video review, CNET didn't love the DC912's audio quality. However, the user reviews on Amazon as well as Buy.com's product page tell a different story: 4.5 stars out of 5 across the board. (Users tend to be less persnickety about audio quality than professional reviewers.)

A note to iPhone owners: You can use DC912, but you'll have to switch to Airplane Mode to avoid interference.

My daughter is about to become the crazy-happy owner of a refurbished 8GB iPod Nano Touch ($179 from the Apple Store). Might just have to spring for one of these to go with it.

The Tritton AX BlueStream stereo Bluetooth headset isn't completely wireless.

In honor of today's release of iPhone OS 3.0, which promises to add stereo Bluetooth capabilities to iPhones and iPod Touches, here's a selection of headsets to pair with your soon-to-be wire-free devices:

Buy.com has the Tritton AX BlueStream Bluetooth headset for $28.99 shipped.

Bear in mind that this is a headset, meaning it includes an inline microphone and an OLED display that shows volume, Caller ID, and music-playback status. Unfortunately, that means it involves wires, which some might say defeats the purpose of stereo Bluetooth.

For those folks, Buy.com has the Motorola S805 Bluetooth stereo headphones for $29.99 shipped. These are more-traditional, over-the-ear 'phones, suitable for kicking back in your favorite chair.

The Motorola S805 Bluetooth headphones are perfect for kicking back--but not for phone calls.

In between the two lies the Bluetrek ST1 Bluetooth stereo headset ($34 shipped from TigerDirect), which combines earbuds with a slightly dorky-looking behind-the-neck frame. Could be good for jogging, the gym, etc.

Though there's no immediate evidence of a microphone, the ST1 does indeed have one, so you can use it to make and take calls. In fact, its feature list is pretty extensive, making this the headset to beat of the three.

Of course, all the models should work with any stereo Bluetooth-compatible device. Which style suits you best?

Look ma, no wires! The Brother HL-2170W prints wirelessly across your Wi-Fi network.

(Credit: CNET)

Happiness is a wireless printer. Seriously. I just beamed a document to the Wi-Fi laser in my closet, and I've never been happier. (Says a lot about my psyche, huh?)

Anyway, Staples has the recertified Brother HL-2170W laser printer for $69.98 shipped. That's pretty fantastic, given the printer's $149.99 list price.

Two catches. First, it's a refurb. But according to the Staples product page, you get a full one-year warranty from Brother, so that's hardly a catch at all. Second, that price is after a $30 mail-in rebate, which actually comes in the form of a Visa debit card.

Me, I have no problem with that. But I know some buyers detest rebates, so I'll understand if you want to give this a pass. Before you click away, however, I gotta profess my love for this printer: the Brother HL-2170W is the very model sitting in my aforementioned closet.

Yep, I own one. (Paid way more than $70, too. Dangit!) And, as I've said here many times before, Wi-Fi printers kick butt. You can stick 'em anywhere there's an electrical outlet and a decent signal from your router.

The impressively compact HL-2170W fits nearly any nook or cranny, yet it sports a 250-sheet paper tray and churns out nearly 18 pages per minute. That's according to CNET's review of the HL-2170W, which includes about a dozen user ratings: 4 stars out of 5 on average.

Consumables? I paid about $39 for my last toner cartridge, though I've since seen them selling for as little as $30. That's about as good as it gets for any laser printer.

Maybe I'm overselling this a bit, but the HL-2170W has been a great little printer for my home office, and I'm loving it at this price (yes, even with the rebate). If you're in the market, this is hard to pass up!

See you in hell, USB cables! The Lexmark X6675 multifunction works over Wi-Fi.

(Credit: Buy.com)

Multifunction printers are insanely handy. You can make copies--color copies--without having to run to Kinko's. You can send faxes like it's 1995. You can scan documents for electronic storage. Oh, and you can print.

Indeed, the only thing better than a multifunction printer is a wireless multifunction printer, one you can stick in a corner, a closet, or wherever. Like, say, the Lexmark X6675, which Buy.com has for $85.99 shipped.

These are new units, not refurbs, and you don't have to monkey with any rebates. Nor do you need an Ethernet or USB cable (though it does support USB connections), as the X6675 works over Wi-Fi.

No mere entry-level all-in-one, the X6675 boasts some solid specs, including 25-page-per-minute black printing and 18-ppm color. It can print photos directly from a memory card and documents from a USB drive, and it can scan straight to the latter. It also features a 25-page auto document feeder for scanning and copying.

Unfortunately, the X6675 lacks an LCD for previewing photos and the like before printing. That's my only real complaint, as it reduces the unit's functionality as a standalone photo printer.

Still, you know how much I love wireless printers, and this would be pretty ideal for a home or small office. Nearly 30 users on Buy.com rated it 4.5 stars out of 5--a damn good average. The Lexmark lists for $150, so you're getting quite the deal.

A Draft-N router for only $25? That's a rare find indeed.

(Credit: Netgear)

If your wireless router doesn't have the muscle to reach all corners of the house, or you need faster throughput for copying files and streaming videos, it might be time to consider an upgrade. Newegg has refurbished Netgear WNR2000 802.11n Draft 2.0 routers for $24.99. Use coupon code SHIPNETGEAR to get free shipping.

For those unfamiliar with it, the "new" 802.11 Wi-Fi standard (which seems forever destined to be known as Draft-N) promises better range and faster throughput. The WNR2000 is backward-compatible with older 802.11 hardware and comes with four Ethernet ports, two internal antennas, and the usual raft of security features.

Keep in mind that unless you have 802.11n adapters for the PCs in your house, you may not reap the full benefits of the router--but you'll still enjoy better range and, I suspect, faster wireless connections, even if you have 802.11b or g hardware.

CNET hasn't reviewed the WNR2000, but over at Amazon it averages four stars out of five. That's pretty impressive, as even high-end routers often get crummy reviews.

The WNR2000 has a list price of $79.99, so you're saving quite a bit by opting for a refurb. It does have only a 90-day warranty, but what is there to break? Either it works or it doesn't. Personally, I think it's a steal. And at this price, I guarantee they won't last.

The MoGo Mouse BT stows away in a PC Card slot for easy carrying and charging.

(Credit: Newton Peripherals)

Show of hands: who likes notebook touch pads? Thought so. That's why a mouse is essential gear. Of course, it's one more thing to remember to bring along, one more thing taking up space in your bag, and one more thing with batteries to die at the most inopportune times.

Enter the ingenious MoGo Mouse BT, which operates wirelessly via Bluetooth and docks inside your notebook's PC Card slot--where it also recharges. How smart is that?

Buy.com has the MoGo Mouse BT for $29.99 shipped, a pretty substantial savings over the $79.99 list price. It's new, too--not a refurb.

CNET hasn't reviewed the MoGo, but a dozen-plus Buy.com buyers rated it 4.5 stars on average. Just keep in mind that it lacks both a scroll wheel and a middle button, and it doesn't come with a Bluetooth adapter for those notebooks that lack integrated Bluetooth.

If you can live with those limitations and have a PC Card (aka PCMCIA) slot sitting around doing nothing, this looks like an ideal way to fill it.

Thanks to reader Mike for recommending the MoGo!