Cure your $99 Zune envy with a $99 Creative Zen Vision:M
(Credit:
Creative)
Too late, you missed 'em. The supply of $99 original Zunes dried up over Long Black Weekend, probably for good. But all is not lost: You can still score a 30GB media player without spending triple digits. I'm talking about the Creative Zen Vision:M, which looks like a chunky iPod Video but has a few aces up its reconditioned sleeve.
The player sports a 2.5-inch screen, FM radio tuner, and voice recorder (even the Zune doesn't have that). It supports podcasts and can sync with Outlook. It's also compatible with music-subscription services like Napster and Rhapsody, so you can fill it to the brim with tunes for $15 monthly.
Here's where you really get to score bragging rights over your Zune-toting brethren: The Zen can play movies and TV shows purchased from Amazon Unbox and Walmart. The Zune's pretty much music-only at this point.
The Zen Vision:M will run you $99.99; shipping's free!
Rick Broida, a technology writer for nearly 20 years, is the author of more than a dozen books. In addition to writing CNET's The Cheapskate blog, he oversees BNET's Business Hacks. Rick is a member of the CNET Blog Network and is not an employee of CBS Interactive. Disclosure. Deals found on The Cheapskate are subject to availability, expiration, and other terms determined by sellers. Follow Rick on Twitter at cheapskateblog. 
