If you’re like me and have 4 roommates in one duplex, or just like things to be frozen and need extra room for those frozen things (excluding baby heads), a 5 cubic foot chest freezer from GE is the ticket. Pick it up for $199 from Home Depot.
Wow! Is this ever cool. For only $250, you must get a Slingbox which is one of the coolest tv accessories around. The way it works is you connect it to your tv or dvr and to your internet connection (or local area network). Then you can watch shows on your computer.
It works incredibly well. Even over the internet. The quality and speed is great. Talk about nice for people who travel a lot! Also a good way to watch content from the dvr in another room of the house, bring it up on your laptop. Even connect your laptop to another tv.
The player supports full remote capabilities over your tv and dvr. It is really impressive.
Avoid at all costs spending any money with or even allowing the Geek Squad to touch your computer!
Geek Squad recently acquired by Best Buy is a rip off! You will not get resolution to your problem. You will be over charged despite the lack of resolution!
Additionally, it seems that according to the Geek Squad the best (and possibly only) way to fix a computer problem is to reformat your hard drive. Which they will do for you after backing up your system for a ridiculous price. Check out the kid next door. He knows just as much, will work cheap and only gets paid for results.
My pick for Episode 7 of Money Well Spent for under $250 is a Cordless Dewalt Sawsall.
Under $250 Recommendation:
AppleŽ AirPort Express 802.11g Wireless Base Station M9470LL/A
$129.99
AppleŽ Airport Express Stereo Connection Kit with Monster Cables M9573LL/A
$49.99
Reason:
The Airport Express is an easy way to extend your existing network with wireless or additional wireless access. Additionally it is a good way of getting mp3s to play through your stereo using Itunes.
I’m generally a proponent of the component home stereo system, but this week I have a cheap fix for a bedroom lacking surround sound. The Sony 5.1 channel 600 watt home theatre system with 6 speakers is only $199 at Best Buy. Watch your favorite Chuck Norris movies in surround sound before bed!
My pick for Episode 6 of Money Well Spent for under $250 is a Leafblower to pick up all the leaves.
Under $250 Recommendation:
Not so much a recommendation, but rather a question, the Ipod Nano or the Ipod Mini.
Reason / Discussion:
Well, I don’t know the answer. Do you need the extra small device, was the Ipod Mini too big? Is for the same price an extra 2 gig (in the Ipod Mini 6 gig) worth buying a discontinued device?
My pick for Episode 4 of Money Well Spent for under $250 is the Soundblaster Xfi new sound card from Creative.
Under $250.00 Recommendation:
Maxtore One Touch II External HDD
Reason:
I have been using Maxtor’s external drives for quite some time now. Overall, they are reliable. Their performance is good. Many feature both usb and firewire connectivity. Additionally, who doesn’t need more space? Why not make it portable.
The slight premium of the Maxtor drives over many alternatives is small and in my opinion worth it.