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December 17, 2008 9:32 AM PST

Get a dual-core Compaq laptop for $379.99 (after rebates)

by Rick Broida
  • 13 comments

$379.99 buys you an awful lot of notebook.

(Credit: Amazon)

In the market for a new notebook? Office Depot has a humdinger of a deal: a fully loaded dual-core Compaq Presario for $379.99 (after a pair of mail-in rebates--sorry). Shipping is free, but you may have to pay sales tax.

Highlights of this model include a 2GHz Athlon X2 QL-62 processor, 160GB hard drive, a DVD burner, and a 15.4-inch screen. It also has a six-cell battery and 5.8-pound travel weight. You get a one-year warranty and 24-7 toll-free tech support.

In other words, this system has all the computing power most people need, and it's priced, well, about the same as many Netbooks. Which begs the question: why would you buy a Netbook when you can get a full-featured laptop for the same money?

I know, I know: size and weight. If you travel a lot, I can see those being big concerns. Personally, I want the big screen, full-size keyboard, DVD drive, powerful processor, big battery--shall I go on?

Whoops, didn't mean to bring up the old Netbook-versus-notebook debate again. The fact is, this is a rockin' deal on a portable PC. Yeah, you have to deal with a pair of rebates, but $379.99, people!

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About The Cheapskate

The best things in tech are cheap. "The Cheapskate" scours the Web for great deals on PCs, phones, gadgets, and all the other tech stuff that makes life worth living. Send your own cheapskate tips to thecheapskate@gmail.com. Rick is a member of the CNET Blog Network and is not an employee of CNET. Disclosure. Deals found on The Cheapskate are subject to availability, expiration, and other terms determined by sellers.

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