The Cheapskate

Few people would disagree that TiVo is the ultimate DVR. Here's your chance to scoop up a TiVo HD for just $179.99 shipped (plus service). These are refurbished units, but TiVo gives you the same 30-day money-back guarantee and warranty (one year for parts, 90 days for labor) that they provide with new models. Score!

In case you're unfamiliar with this particular model, it offers up to 20 hours of high-def recording, a pair of HD tuners, and a boatload of cool networking features (like movie downloads from Amazon Unbox and music from Rhapsody). The bummer, of course, is that you have to pay an extra fee for service: $12.95 monthly, $129 annually, or $399 lifetime. Bleh. That's the only thing that's kept TiVo out of Cheapskate Manor.

Still, at least the hardware's cheap: A new TiVo HD would run you $299.99. For more info on this beloved DVR, check out the above video as well as CNET's extensive hands-on review. Thankfully, you don't have to deal with any rebates, but you should probably act quickly if you're interested: I don't expect these will last long.

Get Dell's wee PC for just $99 when you buy a regular notebook.

(Credit: Dell)

Today, Dell launched the much-anticipated Inspiron Mini 9 netbook (a.k.a. mini-note, ultra-note, or whatever we're calling this category). Tomorrow, you'll be able to score one for just $99 with the purchase of a Studio 15, XPS M1530, or XPS M1330 notebook. This according to Dell's own blog.

The Mini joins teeny portables like the Asus Eee PC and Acer Aspire One in offering basic computing in an ultra-light, ultra-compact package. It's available exclusively with Windows XP or Ubuntu Linux and solid-state storage (up to 16GB). CNET hasn't done a full review yet, but gadget site Crave just posted some first impressions.

A few thoughts. First, this obviously isn't an impulse-buy deal, but if you happen to be in the market for a new notebook anyway, it's almost too good to pass up. The Mini starts at $349 (not sure which model is being offering at the $99 price point, but it's a good bet it's the 4GB Ubuntu version), while Dell's Studio line starts at $649. In theory, you can get out the door for as little as $748. Not interested in the Mini? Take it straight to eBay, where you'll probably be able to sell it for close to the list price. Or give it to the kids.

Second, I honestly don't understand the appeal of this whole netbook category. Much as I like to travel light, I don't like cramped keyboards, small screens, and slow performance. That said, for 99 bucks I'm willing to forgive all that. The Mini might be perfect for those times when I just want to do some "light" computing (pun intended).

According to the Dell blog, this deal kicks off at 6 a.m. CT Friday and runs through Tuesday. Think you'll take advantage of it? Hit the comments and tell me why or why not.

Update: Sorry, folks, but it looks like you need to start with at least the $1,048 Studio model to qualify for the $99 Mini. Sigh.

An Xbox 360 Premium for $150 is hard to beat, but it comes without a warranty.

(Credit: Overstock Dealz)

Regular Cheapskate readers know that I love me some Xbox 360--not just because it's a killer gaming console, but also because it's a killer media center extender. In fact, I recently suggested buying an Xbox 360 Core system expressly for its extender capabilities.

But why buy a Core for $170 when you can get an Xbox 360 Premium for $150? Yeah, that's what I'm talkin' bout! There are some catches, however, so read on before you pull the trigger (or, um, click the mouse).

First catch: this is the non-HDMI Xbox 360 Premium, meaning that you'll need to use the included component video cables to make the HDTV connection. (I don't consider that a deal breaker, but some folks insist on HDMI, which is included with newer Xboxes.)

Second catch: you don't get a headset with these units (no big deal, if you're not planning to play games online).

Third catch: shipping will run you about $26, which is kinda steep.

Fourth catch (and the only one that really matters, in my mind): no warranty. The vendor, Overstock Dealz, offers a "14-day guarantee," which essentially protects you from dead-on-arrival units, but otherwise, you're on your own.

As some will undoubtedly note, the 360 has (or had, anyway) a fairly high failure rate, so buying one without a warranty is borderline idiotic. However, because these are refurbished systems, they're arguably in better shape (i.e. more failure-resistant) than new ones.

Agree? Disagree? Hit the Comments--and try to keep it civil, peeps.

(Credit: Woot.com)

Need his-and-hers memory cards? Woot.com has a two-pack of 2GB microSD cards, with SD adapters, for $6.49 plus shipping. As with all Woot deals, this one expires at midnight tonight, and is available while supplies last.

Sorry for the late (and short) post today, but I just got back to town. Even Cheapskates take vacations once in a while! Anyway, these are Kingston cards with lifetime warranties. They're good for cell phones, MP3 players, and other devices that accommodate microSD and/or SD media. Shipping is five bucks, shaking a bit of dew off the deal lily, but it's still a pretty sweet price for a pair of 2GB cards.

Make no mistake: I think the iPod Shuffle (currently $39.99 for a refurbished 1GB model) is a fantastic MP3 player for joggers, gym-goers, and anyone fascinated by tiny electronics. But let's get real: the SanDisk Sansa Clip, which Woot.com has today only for $19.99 (plus $5 shipping), whups the Shuffle at almost every turn. (Note: This is a refurbished model.)

For starters, it has a screen. Granted, it's a very small screen (1 inch), but it does let you choose the song you want to hear--unlike the screen-less Shuffle. Next, it offers 2GB of storage to the Shuffle's 1GB and comes with an FM tuner and voice recorder--two features the Shuffle lacks.

Weighing just under an ounce (!) and measuring 2.2x1.3x0.6 inches, the Clip is incredibly small. To get an idea for how small, watch CNET's Jasmine France take it for a test play in the above video. Meanwhile, you can read CNET's complete, mostly positive review of the Clip.

Think I might just nab one of these myself, as I've been looking for a clip-able player to take running. If you're equally interested, don't wait: Woot's deal expires at the end of the day.

(Credit: Apple)

If you've been waiting to pull the trigger on the "iPhone without the phone," now might be the time. You can get a refurbished 16GB iPod Touch for $269.99 shipped from Buy.com. That's 30 bucks lower than I've seen it anywhere else.

I imagine most of you are familiar with the Touch by now, so I won't waste your time with specs and info--all of which you can find in CNET's review. I will say it's my single favorite gadget of all time, and that if I'm wearing pants, you can bet I'm carrying it with me.

A few caveats. First, Buy.com offers only a 60-day warranty. If you buy a refurb Touch from Apple (currently $299), you get a one-year warranty. Second, plan on spending another $10 for the recent 2.0 software update (which isn't included with Apple's refurbs, either). Finally, rumor has it Apple plans to unveil some new iPods in a couple weeks, and a newer/better Touch could be among them. But none of that changes the fact that this is the best price you can get on a 16GB iPod Touch. I reckon they'll sell out fast, so don't mull for long.

(Credit: Circuit City)

Nothing gets my motor running like a good deal on a Wi-Fi printer. Circuit City has the Lexmark Z1480 color inkjet on sale for $40.96 shipped (plus tax in most states). It's a fairly basic printer, but because it's equipped with Wi-Fi, you can stick it anywhere and not have to worry about yet another snaking cable ruining your office aesthetic.

The Z1480 includes both USB and 802.11g interfaces and runs on Windows and Mac systems. It's a dual-cartridge printer that promises color output at resolutions up to 4800x1200 dpi. A set of replacement cartridges will run you $39.99 if purchased at Circuit City, and I didn't find much better prices online. (Hey, don't get mad at me. That's what ink cartridges cost. Take it up with the manufacturers.)

As I've said before, once you've experienced the thrill of printing wirelessly, you'll never go back to those accursed USB cables. See you in hell, cables!

This FM transmitter for iPods and iPhones has a final cost of $0.

(Credit: Buy.com)

If you want to listen to your iPod or iPhone in your car, you have precious few options. You can spring for a pricey stereo dock that requires pricey installation. You can use one of those tape-deck adapters, assuming your car is old enough to have a tape deck. Or, you can try an FM transmitter, which broadcasts audio from your player to an unused band on your stereo. Buy.com has such a product, the aptly named Av Lab iPod/iPhone FM Transmitter, for free after a mail-in rebate [PDF].

Compatible with most iPod and iPhone models, the transmitter features a backlit LCD and plus/minus buttons for setting its broadcast frequency (anywhere from 87.9 to 107.9). Find an unused frequency on your stereo, set the transmitter accordingly, and presto: your music should come piping through your speakers.

Full disclosure: In my experience, FM transmitters generally suck. But your mileage may vary. And, hey, it's a freebie! After you pay your $14.99 (shipping is free), you get back a check for $15. So you actually pocket a penny. Heck, it's like you're getting paid to buy this! (I know, I know, the stamp...)

DVD camcorders used to cost a small fortune; this one's $170.

(Credit: CNET)

I'm not wild about DVD camcorders (for reasons I'll explain shortly), but there's something to be said for the convenience of capturing video on a disc you can pop into any set-top DVD player. If that sounds appealing, Circuit City has the Panasonic VDR-D210 mini-DVD camcorder on sale for $169.96 with free shipping (plus sales tax in most states).

Though an entry-level camcorder, the VDR-D210 offers some nice features, including a 32X optical zoom, optical image stabilization, a 2.7-inch wide LCD, and a reasonably compact design.

Not bad, right? Right--but be sure to read CNET's review of the VDR-D210 before you pull the trigger. As with all mini-DVD camcorders, you get limited recording time per disc, and there's no easy way to import your video to your PC for editing. But if you want to watch little Johnny's soccer game on the big screen the minute you get home, this is a fine solution. I can remember when DVD camcorders started at around $600, so $170 is a pretty smokin' deal.

Paint .NET offers much of the power of Adobe Photoshop and none of the price.

(Credit: Rick Brewster)

Why spend big bucks on graphics software when you can get many, if not most, of the same features from freeware? Here are three mui-expensive graphics apps and their free counterparts:

• Adobe Illustrator Available for Windows only, Creative Docs .NET (yeah, weird name) is a vector-based graphic design tool for creating illustrations, manuals, flow charts, icons, and the like. It offers advanced features like Bezier curves, styles, convert-to-curves, and curved-path text.
• Adobe Photoshop You've actually got two choices here: GIMP, which is available for all platforms, and Paint.NET, which is Windows-only. Both programs offer powerful, Photoshop-caliber image-editing tools, everything from layers to special effects.
• Corel Draw Want to sketch, draw, paint, etc? In addition to an assortment of "digital brushes" including chalks, charcoals, and pencils, Artweaver offers the usual array of image-editing tools: crop, gradient-fill, transparency, layers, and so on. It also supports (and, in fact, recommends) tablet PCs for a more realistic drawing/painting feel.