notebooks

For anyone who's actually trying to save money (what a concept, right?), today is going to be a tough one. I've got five -- count 'em, five -- deals, each one better than the last.

As always, these are available while supplies last -- and supplies don't always last long. They're in stock as of this morning, and the prices are accurate as of this morning. That is all.

1. Acer ultrabook So I'm thinking about a new laptop. The one I'm using now is OK, but has a smaller screen (11.6 inches) … Read more

I've never been more tempted to buy a Mac than I am at this very moment. As you know from my recent rant, I'm none too pleased with Windows at the moment, and I've long considered the MacBook Air one of the most drool-worthy laptops on the planet.

Ah, but the "Apple tax" was always a little too steep for me. I just couldn't justify spending $1,000 for a laptop, even one so supersexy. Today, however, I might just pull the trigger.

Today only, and while supplies last, Best Buy has the Apple MacBook Air model MD223LL/A for $799.99 shipped (… Read more

I'm about to start packing for CES, which kicks off next week in Las Vegas, and I'm having a devil of a time deciding what tech to bring.

My phone, sure, but what else? Do I go laptop or tablet? If I choose laptop, am I better off with a convertible? If I choose tablet, do I want something as large as an iPad, or would I be happier with something more pocket-friendly -- a phablet, perhaps?

These are common questions nowadays as the lines between mobile devices grow ever blurrier. We want a screen, obviously, but what … Read more

Happy Free Shipping Day, fellow cheapskates. Nearly 1,700 online merchants are offering "free delivery by Christmas Eve," so today might be the ideal day to finish up your holiday shopping.

That said, lots of stores offer free shipping every day, and I have no doubt we'll see lots of other "free shipping in time for Christmas" offers in the days to come, so don't fret too much if you miss FSD.

Today I couldn't decide on a single deal, so instead I rounded up a bunch of good stuff -- a little … Read more

Ready to put your pokey old laptop out to pasture? Ready to embrace the, um, revolutionary new operating system that is Windows 8? Two birds, one stone.

Today only, and while supplies last, OfficeMax has the HP Pavilion G6-2228nr 15.6-inch laptop for $329.99 shipped (plus sales tax where applicable). That's a full $120 off the regular price, and $20 less than it sold for on Black Friday!

Update: D'oh! Sold out already, at least online. But I recommend checking back throughout the day, as OfficeMax may free up more inventory. I've seen it happen.

The … Read more

Here's what I've learned recently: My 11.6-inch HP Pavilion dm1z is too small. My 18.4-inch Acer Aspire is too big. I need a laptop that's right in the middle, one that's slim and light enough to be portable, but large and powerful enough to handle my daily workload.

I think I've found it. For a limited time, you can get the Lenovo IdeaPad U410 ultrabook in sapphire blue for $649 shipped (plus sales tax where applicable). That's after applying coupon code USPU42F1011 at checkout. It normally sells for $969.

Why the steep … Read more

I don't want to alarm you, but the clock is ticking.

The Windows clock, I mean. Microsoft's new operating system debuts October 26. This means that very soon thereafter, any new Windows laptop or desktop you want to buy will come with Windows 8.

Let me be blunt: As a desktop operating system, Windows 8 blows. It's completely unintuitive. It forces you to relearn the simplest tasks, like how to shut down your PC. (No, seriously; there's no more Start menu, so to shut down, you have to venture into the Settings menu. Seriously.) And from … Read more

I know a lot of deals sold out quickly this week, but there were plenty of "evergreen" goodies that are still available, including the name-your-own-price e-book bundle, free 15GB cloud-storage account, and $20 Skype credit with one-month Netflix trial.

Oh, and don't forget the awesome freebie for trick-or-treaters.

I mention all that as a preface to today's deal, which has an equally high sellout risk as yesterday's gone-in-a-flash laptop: Today only, and while supplies last, 1SaleADay has the HP ENVY 6-1014NR 15.6-inch ultra-slim laptop for $399.99, plus $4.99 for shipping. It's … Read more

You'll forgive a little nepotism, right? I think so, once you get a load of this deal.

While supplies last, CNET Marketplace has the Asus X54L-BBK2 15.6-inch laptop for $249.99 shipped (plus sales tax where applicable) when you use coupon code CNETSALE. Amazingly, it's new, not refurbished.

Note: The code is not working at the moment. I'm looking into it. Stay tuned.

Update No. 2: Code is fixed! Deal should be back up momentarily.

It's also more than up to the task of handling everyday computing. The X54L-BBK2 features an AMD A4-3305M processor, which … Read more