Are you using a VPN? You should be, especially if you frequently connect to public Wi-Fi networks on your phone, tablet or laptop. There are free options out there, but I agree with ZDNet’s David Gewirtz that free VPNs are not a risk worth taking. Fortunately, a VPN doesn’t have to be expensive — at …

Calling all students, teachers and people weary of Windows hassles: Is it time to consider a Chromebook? Let’s see if this deal can convince you: For a limited time, and while supplies last, Best Buy has the second-gen Lenovo 100E 11.6-inch Chromebook for $99 — a price that includes three free months of Disney Plus. It normally runs $159, and it was …

Whoa. I was excited about this deal when I first ran it last week — but as of this morning it’s better still. Everything I look for in a laptop can be found right here. Thin and light: check. Solid-state storage: check. Backlit keyboard: yep. Truth be told, I’d already been eyeballing the Lenovo IdeaPad 730S before this deal came …

During Sunday’s Super Bowl, you’ll see a lot of commercials — some good, some bad, all insanely expensive. But you won’t see one for wireless carrier Mint Mobile. That’s because new owner Ryan Reynolds — yes, that Ryan Reynolds — decided to put his money to better use. According to a full-page ad (an “announcemint”) in New York Times last …

Recently I told you about a free phone-service plan from TextNow. It doesn’t include data, but it does let you make unlimited calls and send unlimited text messages. All you need is the right phone to go with it, namely one that works on Sprint’s network. If you don’t have one sitting in a drawer, here’s an extremely affordable option: …

Tired of hunching over your laptop? Consider connecting a desktop monitor, something that will give you a larger screen and, potentially, more ergonomic setup. Amazon has a bunch of monitors (and laptops) on sale today, with one notable standout: The Sceptre E225W-19203R 22-inch LED monitor for $64.99 — an all-time-low price. See it at Amazon This isn’t some crummy low-end …

Earlier this month, CNET’s David Carnoy praised Amazon’s first-ever true-wireless earbuds, the Echo Buds, but suggested you “wait for a sale.” Because while he liked the hands-free Alexa features and Bose-powered noise reduction — the latter putting the Echo Buds on the same playing field as Apple’s AirPods Pro — he felt the sweet spot would be more like $99. …

Santa did not bring me the one thing I asked for last month: The DJI Mavic Mini. Which I get, because the quadcopter didn’t budge as much as a buck below its $399 list price. Even Santa has his limits. Finally, though, finally there’s a deal to be had — with a catch. For a limited time, and while supplies …

If you’ve resisted signing up for a Target RedCard because you didn’t want yet another piece of plastic in your wallet, this might be the time to reconsider. Between now and Feb. 2, if you apply and get approved, you’ll receive a credit good for $25 off a future purchase of $25 or more. That’s in addition to a 5% …

Don’t want a full-on smartwatch, do want a way to track your exercise, heart rate and sleep? Today only, and while supplies last, Amazon has the Fitbit Inspire HR fitness tracker for $69.95. It normally sells for $30 more — this ties the all-time low price, which was last seen on Black Friday. See it at Amazon This is Fitbit’s …