by Dan Ackerman December 1, 2013 8:19 PM PST (Credit: Sarah Tew/CNET) While Black Friday 2013 had its fair share of deals on PCs, Macs, and tablets, the Monday after is feeling a bit thin by comparison. Maybe it's because holiday shoppers have been tuned in since early the previous week and throughout the weekend, or that the whole idea of a separate event called Cyber Monday is simply outdated (who even says "cyber" any more?). Cyber Monday 2013: The best deals (UPDATED) 1-2 of 17 Scroll Left Scroll Right Keeping that in mind, I've scoured the big online retailers and deal sites looking for Monday bargains that are worth a serious look. Unfortunately, most of the laptops I've seen are older systems with last-generation CPUs at minor discounts, or else bottom-of-the-barrel stuff with low-power Celeron and Pentium CPUs. A few deal did stand out, however. Here are the best laptop and tablet deals I've found for Cyber Monday. Your finds and suggestions are welcome in the comments section below. Asus T100 This well-reviewed small-screen convertible is a good deal at its usual $349 price, but the Microsoft Store has it for $299 (currently showing as sold out online, but you may have better luck in physical stores). Microsoft Surface RT The original 32GB version of the Windows RT Surface tablet is a steal at $199 at BestBuy, even if you're dubious of the entire Windows RT idea. Dell XPS 12 This flip-screen convertible is one of the best ways to switch between a laptop and tablet on the fly. This $799 discounted version at Amazon has a last-gen Intel Core i5 CPU, so you give up some battery life, but the design is still great. Acer Aspire E1 This was already the least-expensive laptop with a new fourth-generation Core i5 processor, at around $500. Now a handful of retailers, including Amazon and Newegg, now have it for $429. Just note that it lacks a touch screen. Lenovo IdeaCentre Flex 20 This 20-inch tabletop PC is half an all-in-one desktop PC and half a mega-tablet. It's part of the second wave of these systems, and is thankfully thinner and lighter than some of a back-breaking early versions. It's currently $749, which is $100 off, at BestBuy, and that's especially noteworthy as it's a very recent release. Dell Venue 8 Pro It's not much of a discount, but the new 8-inch Dell Venue Windows 8 tablet, which I liked a lot, is $30 off, down to $269, at OfficeMax.
(Credit: Sarah Tew/CNET)
While Black Friday 2013 had its fair share of deals on PCs, Macs, and tablets, the Monday after is feeling a bit thin by comparison. Maybe it's because holiday shoppers have been tuned in since early the previous week and throughout the weekend, or that the whole idea of a separate event called Cyber Monday is simply outdated (who even says "cyber" any more?).
Keeping that in mind, I've scoured the big online retailers and deal sites looking for Monday bargains that are worth a serious look. Unfortunately, most of the laptops I've seen are older systems with last-generation CPUs at minor discounts, or else bottom-of-the-barrel stuff with low-power Celeron and Pentium CPUs.
A few deal did stand out, however. Here are the best laptop and tablet deals I've found for Cyber Monday. Your finds and suggestions are welcome in the comments section below.
Asus T100
This well-reviewed small-screen convertible is a good deal at its usual $349 price, but the Microsoft Store has it for $299 (currently showing as sold out online, but you may have better luck in physical stores).
Microsoft Surface RT
The original 32GB version of the Windows RT Surface tablet is a steal at $199 at BestBuy, even if you're dubious of the entire Windows RT idea.
Dell XPS 12
This flip-screen convertible is one of the best ways to switch between a laptop and tablet on the fly. This $799 discounted version at Amazon has a last-gen Intel Core i5 CPU, so you give up some battery life, but the design is still great.
Acer Aspire E1
This was already the least-expensive laptop with a new fourth-generation Core i5 processor, at around $500. Now a handful of retailers, including Amazon and Newegg, now have it for $429. Just note that it lacks a touch screen.
Lenovo IdeaCentre Flex 20
This 20-inch tabletop PC is half an all-in-one desktop PC and half a mega-tablet. It's part of the second wave of these systems, and is thankfully thinner and lighter than some of a back-breaking early versions. It's currently $749, which is $100 off, at BestBuy, and that's especially noteworthy as it's a very recent release.
Dell Venue 8 Pro
It's not much of a discount, but the new 8-inch Dell Venue Windows 8 tablet, which I liked a lot, is $30 off, down to $269, at OfficeMax.
