Tech Shopping deals...

[quote author="Daedalus" date=1250692332]This is the IHB. I'm waiting till 2012, when I can pick these things up for 40% less. ;)</blockquote>


and they are on clearance because the technology is so yesterday? :)
 
I know this is probably a dumb question, but... Can you buy a flat panel tv that doesn't need some kind of fancy wiring in the wall to set up? I thought they had TV's that were like the flat panel monitors with a little stand that were around $300 today. I went to the Fry's website and couldn't find anything like it. I need a TV for my mom's room and I need it to take up very little space, but I don't want to have some crazy wiring done to the wall in the bedroom. She doesn't see so good, so I'm thinking 17" is the minimum. Is there a skinny 17" or larger that can just sit on top of a dresser and be picked up for under $300? And if so, where should I buy it?
 
[quote author="irvine_home_owner" date=1250688360]



<strong>Samsung 46" 120hz LED TV: $1699</strong>



<a href="http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=9238835&type=product&id=1218065985439">http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=9238835&type=product&id=1218065985439</a>



That's LED... not LCD. Thinner, lighter and more energy efficient than LCD TVs... and it wasn't too long ago that this was $2699. Competing 120hz LCD TVs are around this price so getting LED is a deal.



If you want just an inexpensive name brand LCD, watch the Fry's ads on the weekends. For the last few months they have been advertising a 46" "Major Name Brand" TV for $899 as a 1-day sale. A couple of times it was a Sony Bravia (which I ended up getting) but lately it's been a Samsung (the BEST LCD TV IMO). Had I not got the Sony a few months ago, I would have definitely got the Sammy. $899 is the kind of price you pay for no-name brands like Dynex... so if you see it... you should definitely buy it.</blockquote>


No that is a standard LCD with LED edge lighting (i.e. a TV with poor picture quality). The Panasonic G10 series is a much better value due to the vastly superior picture quality.
 
[quote author="QH Renter" date=1251282203][quote author="irvine_home_owner" date=1250688360]



<strong>Samsung 46" 120hz LED TV: $1699</strong>



<a href="http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=9238835&type=product&id=1218065985439">http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=9238835&type=product&id=1218065985439</a>



That's LED... not LCD. Thinner, lighter and more energy efficient than LCD TVs... and it wasn't too long ago that this was $2699. Competing 120hz LCD TVs are around this price so getting LED is a deal.



If you want just an inexpensive name brand LCD, watch the Fry's ads on the weekends. For the last few months they have been advertising a 46" "Major Name Brand" TV for $899 as a 1-day sale. A couple of times it was a Sony Bravia (which I ended up getting) but lately it's been a Samsung (the BEST LCD TV IMO). Had I not got the Sony a few months ago, I would have definitely got the Sammy. $899 is the kind of price you pay for no-name brands like Dynex... so if you see it... you should definitely buy it.</blockquote>


No that is a standard LCD with LED edge lighting (i.e. a TV with poor picture quality). The Panasonic G10 series is a much better value due to the vastly superior picture quality.</blockquote>
Yes... it is LED lighted but the picture is really good, nice contrast ratio, 120hz and fast refresh rate. It looks better to me than LCDs (which to me has a good picture quality) and the thin form factor makes it really a good candidate to hang on the wall.



Just don't expect good sound from it.



Sharp also just came out recently with their LED flat panels.



The Panny you mention is plasma and while the picture is nice, the weight, heat and power usage just isn't worth it to me. We could get into the whole plasma vs. LCD quality debate but there are many other sites that go into that.
 
[quote author="stepping_up" date=1251282172]I know this is probably a dumb question, but... Can you buy a flat panel tv that doesn't need some kind of fancy wiring in the wall to set up? I thought they had TV's that were like the flat panel monitors with a little stand that were around $300 today. I went to the Fry's website and couldn't find anything like it. I need a TV for my mom's room and I need it to take up very little space, but I don't want to have some crazy wiring done to the wall in the bedroom. She doesn't see so good, so I'm thinking 17" is the minimum. Is there a skinny 17" or larger that can just sit on top of a dresser and be picked up for under $300? And if so, where should I buy it?</blockquote>
Yes there are:



There are offbrands like Dynex at Best Buy (I'm told they are made by LG):

<a href="http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=9135385&type=product&id=1218054461986">http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=9135385&type=product&id=1218054461986</a>

That's a 19" for $179.99.



Target has some too:

<a href="http://www.target.com/Vizio-Class-LCD-720P-HDTV/dp/B001QW1ONI/ref=sc_qi_detailbutton?ie=UTF8&pf_rd_r=0CRDY5Q1NW7P8D4F6G7R&pf_rd_p=465357931&pf_rd_i=B001QW1ONI&pf_rd_s=bottom-6&pf_rd_m=A1VC38T7YXB528&pf_rd_t=5101">http://www.target.com/Vizio-Class-LCD-720P-HDTV/dp/B001QW1ONI/ref=sc_qi_detailbutton?ie=UTF8&pf_rd_r=0CRDY5Q1NW7P8D4F6G7R&pf_rd_p=465357931&pf_rd_i=B001QW1ONI&pf_rd_s=bottom-6&pf_rd_m=A1VC38T7YXB528&pf_rd_t=5101</a>

Vizio for $199.99.
 
Today's Fry's (Saturday, Aug 29) 1-day deal is a major brand 47" <strong>120hz</strong> LCD for $899.



I looked it up:



<a href="http://www.frys.com/product/5915054">http://www.frys.com/product/5915054</a>



It's an LG TV and it has internet connectivity that allows you to use their widgets with certain sites like YouTube, Yahoo and Netflix.



Just the fact that it's 120hz and a major name brand for $899 makes it a pretty good deal.
 
I picked up a 40'' Samsung 1080p through Amazon today for $839 no tax no ship. It also comes with a free blu-ray player.



I know I know, it's not the 120hz, but i have one that i'll be watching sports on, so I think i'll be ok.
 
Samsung 52" in today's newspaper ad for $1199 at Fry's.



Online it's $1600+, but I would try to buy it there, do in-store pick-up, bring in the ad and get a price adjust:



<a href="http://www.frys.com/product/5861293">http://www.frys.com/product/5861293</a>



This is a really good deal.
 
how old is that model?



when I was shopping last xmas, I think I was looking at the 750 or 850 then, 10 months ago, for only slightly more.
 
That's the 550 which was last season's model (it has Touch of Color) so it's only a 60hz LCD.



I'm not sure where you were finding a 750/850 for slightly more 10 months ago because this the lowest I've seen a 52" Samsung in about 2 years. In fact... this is low for any brand name 52" TV.



I just did a search on the 750 and the lowest I could find online was about $1450, from Amazon it's $1750 and BestBuy is $2000+. At BestBuy, the lowest 52" is a Toshiba at $1299.



FWIW: I will only buy a big screen LCD like this from Amazon or a local major chain store or warehouse store. I've heard too many horror stories about online electronic stores based in NY and at least I can get extended warranties from the local chain/warehouse. I just find it interesting that most times, the chain sale prices beat the warehouse store more often than not.
 
[quote author="irvine_home_owner" date=1255137349]That's the 550 which was last season's model (it has Touch of Color) so it's only a 60hz LCD.



I'm not sure where you were finding a 750/850 for slightly more 10 months ago because this the lowest I've seen a 52" Samsung in about 2 years. In fact... this is low for any brand name 52" TV.



I just did a search on the 750 and the lowest I could find online was about $1450, from Amazon it's $1750 and BestBuy is $2000+. At BestBuy, the lowest 52" is a Toshiba at $1299.



FWIW: I will only buy a big screen LCD like this from Amazon or a local major chain store or warehouse store. I've heard too many horror stories about online electronic stores based in NY and at least I can get extended warranties from the local chain/warehouse. I just find it interesting that most times, the chain sale prices beat the warehouse store more often than not.</blockquote>


Have you heard any horror stories about Newegg? I've never bought a big sized item from them just lots and lots of computer parts and their delivery has been awesome everytime. I think they are also going public soon.
 
The best way is to go to this site



<a href="http://salescircular.com/">Sales Circular</a>



They pull up competing ads so you know what most prices are. I don't belive Fry's is in there though.



Also don't forget about Micros Center since it is local. <a href="http://www.microcenter.com/">Micro center</a>



I got my SLR camera there and they were $100 less then anywrhere else.
 
I think for computer parts and the like, many of the online stores are fine. My reference to Fry's/BestBuy/Costco/Sam's/Amazon is only for big LCD TVs only because there is some type of recourse if it's DOA or problems spring up in 30 days (6 months for warehouse stores).



And yes, Micro Center occasionally has good deals on many things, including LCD TVs.



Some people still like to buy things in-person... and for many things... that's me.
 
I have 2 words for purchasing a Large LCD.

Vizio and Costco.



Also Note:

Vizio is based here in Irvine.

Costco Executive Member Card = "Cash Back".
 
I own two Vizios... although they're decent bang for the buck... when you get to 46" or higher... you really need to go with one of the three S brands (IMO... the order would be Samsung, Sony then Sharp).
 
I brought two Vizios. One of them won't turn on, and I call the customer service, figure that it is a simple power supply issue that can be fix cheaply. They never return my call, so after about a week, I return it to Costco and got a full refund. It was before Costco get smart and does not allow return after 90 days.
 
I've actually asked some Costco return employees about which models get returned the most and they said Vizio are by far the most returned. They told me at more than half of the returend TV's are Vizio's and the Sharp, Sony, Samsung, and Panasonics are few and far between.



I second that for Costco.



Double up executive membership with this <a href="http://personal.fidelity.com/products/checking/content/amex_rewards_card.shtml.cvsr?refpr=CMGTOC006">AMEX</a> and you get 4% cash back :)
 
Today's Fry's ad has a 1-day sale on TWO 120hz Samsungs (630 series):



52" $1299

46" $999



I would try to use BestBuy to price match that or the deal I posted yesterday (but they only carry both 52" models, not the 46").



Prices are going down... I'm holding out for either the 46" LED to get below $1000 or the 55" LED to get below $1500.
 
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