So you’ve got a fancy new computer, with all the bits, bytes, and Hertz you could ever need or want

So you’ve got a fancy new computer, with all the bits, bytes, and Hertz you could ever need or want. It’s probably very pretty and very powerful. But the real question is, how are you using that computer? Surely you don’t have a $2 USB keyboard, nor a $50 bargain-basement special LCD monitor.

We’ve espoused the benefits of a quality display a number of times in these deal hunting chronicles. Not only is a quality display important, but for the serious computer worker (or enthusiast, for that matter) multiple displays are an incredible benefit. For every bit of added enjoyment and multi-tasking efficiency you get with a quality display, it is practically doubled with a second display.

Working with multiple data sources, comparing two pieces of content, or even just having a second screen to hold the secondary things like email, IMs, and the like is extremely useful to most any computer user. Running dual monitors does add clutter to the desktop, and the added cable management challenges are unavoidable, but with a package like we have here today you can keep clutter to a minimum and score a sweet deal.

This bundle takes two of Dell’s most popular monitors, the UltraSharp U2412M, and bundles them with an adjustable stand. The monitors are top notch pieces of kit, serving up 1920×1200 resolution on a gorgeous 24-inch IPS LCD panel. They will connect to nearly any video sources via VGA, DVI, and DisplayPort and even have a four port USB hub built-in. DVI and VGA cables are included in this bundle as well.

The stand normally runs around $100, while the monitors are can sometimes be found for $300 on sale, effectively giving you the stand for free in this bundle priced at $594.99 with free shipping. The UltraSharp monitors even have their usual and oustanding 3 year warranty, complete with advance exchange and bright pixel guarantee.

    Two Dell UltraSharp U2412M IPS Monitors with stand for $594.99 + free shipping (reg. $699.99 | use coupon 6DBNK$ZJLR$L4J)

Our other top deals:

    Nexus 7 16GB Android 4.2 Tablet (refurbished) for $152.10 + free shipping (reg. $199.99 | ends soon)
    Apple MacBook Pro 13.3″ Retina Display Core i5 Notebook w/ 256GB SSD for $1,499 + free shipping (reg. $1,999)

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Solid State Drives have been some of the hottest products of 2012

Solid State Drives have been some of the hottest products of 2012, where we saw prices tumble down to levels that make them affordable for nearly anyone. Prices have generally stabilized right now, with entry-level 120GB models starting around $80 and going up to $150 for top-of-the-line performance models. Even the large 500GB+ SSDs have dropped in price significantly, to well below the $1 per GB mark.

Today’s deal is not only a good price for a 120GB SSD, but a great price for what is actually a long-life, enterprise-class model. Solid state drives offer both varying levels of performance and longevity. Flash memory can be programmed and erased only a certain number of times before it loses its capability to store any data. Most consumer-grade SSDs are warrantied for 3,000 to 5,000 program/erase cycles and utilize either triple level cell (TLC) or multi-level cell (MLC) type flash memory chips.

True enterprise-class SSDs use single level cell (SLC) chips, which provide a massive 100,000 P/E cycles that are necessary for the extremely intensive environments of high utilization servers. PNY’s Prevail Elite, a not very well known manufacturer in the SSD game, uses enterprise-grade MLC chips that are good for 10,000 P/E cycles. While heavy users might need to be concerned about the longevity of their consumer-grade SSDs after the warranty runs out, that will never be an issue with the Prevail Elite.

Backing up the 10,000 P/E lifecycle of their flash chips, PNY offers a total of 5 years of warranty, though you must register on their website. Being a newer, less-known model, there aren’t many reviews on the Prevail Elite yet, but the folks over at The SSD Review got their mitts on one and came away impressed.

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PC bundles are some of the favorite deals amongst us deal hunters.

PC bundles are some of the favorite deals amongst us deal hunters. Manufacturers are very motivated to make bundles a great value for consumers, since they are able to move more product in a single transaction and at a bit lower cost than trying to sell their inventory individually.

Bundles are especially nice when it comes to computers because you typically get everything needed to be up and running in a single purchase. Desktop PCs, while offering the best bang for your buck among all other form factors, do need a few more pieces to be up and running, like a monitor, keyboard, and mouse.

Dell’s Vostro 470 mini tower is aimed at small business users, which means it has some additions that benefit any user. It starts with a powerful 3rd gen Core i5 processor, speeding through all your tasks with its quad cores, 4GB of DDR3 RAM, and a 500GB hard drive. This model is also upgraded with an NVIDIA GeForce GT 620 graphics card, ensuring you won’t ever be bogged down by multiple displays, HD video playback, and the like.

Wireless-N and Bluetooth 4.0 are standard, along with USB 3.0, HDMI video output, a media card reader, and even Gigabit Ethernet. Yes, you even get the keyboard and mouse included at no extra cost. Dell includes a 15 month subscription to Titanium Internet Security to boot.

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Desktop PCs may not be the sexiest pieces of technology

Desktop PCs may not be the sexiest pieces of technology, but let’s not kid ourselves: they offer a huge amount of bang for your buck. You get more performance, features, and longevity out of your components with a desktop than any other type of computer, even if they aren’t as exciting (or portable).

Our deal today embodies this. It may not be pretty, but it will get the job done and then some. Dell’s Optiplex lineup is designed for corporate use, ensuring it will last through years of constant use and abuse. The components are all easily accessible for replacement or upgrading and you will be able to find replacement parts for years to come; corporations can’t cope with the twice a year update cycle most consumer PCs see, so parts have to be around for a while longer with business models.

The Optiplex 3010 is a pretty slim mini tower chassis, with our model coming equipped with a 3rd gen Core i5 quad-core processor, 4GB of RAM, and 500GB hard drive. Intel’s 3rd gen platform, known as Ivy Bridge, offers a serious performance for the dollar and you won’t find anything this machine won’t handle outside of extensive 3D work or more number crunching than NASA.

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There have been convertible tablet PCs in one form or another for years now

There have been convertible tablet PCs in one form or another for years now, but slate-only versions were never practical due to the plain and simple fact that Windows was never very suitable for touch interaction. This has all changed with the introduction of Windows 8 and now consumers have the opportunity to carry around a full-fledged PC experience in a very similar form factor as their Android or iOS tablets.

Dell’s Latitude 10 is one of these new tablets and, being part of the Latitude line, is designed for business users. Inside, it is powered by one of Intel’s latest Atom dual-core processors, giving sufficient performance to handle the full-fledged PC version of Windows 8 and your typical office and web tasks. While Windows RT, Android, or iOS may be suitable for some users, many of us still need the full Windows experience.

The 10.1-inch display supports multi-touch and sports HD resolution, with a layer of Gorilla Glass ensuring added durability. It even has a mix of the ports and connectivity you find in both PCs and tablets, including a full-size USB port, full-size SD card slot, micro-USB for charging, and mini-HDMI video out.

One thing we really like about the Latitude 10 over nearly any other mobile device on the market is its removable battery, making it easy to extend run-time and replace a worn out unit. An optional docking station allows you to hook up a keyboard, mouse, monitor, and other peripherals when at your desk.

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