Features Archives for 2011

Each month, we analyze the dealnews archives from the past few years to glean information that might arm readers with useful advice on how to shop in the coming weeks. From Labor Day sales to airfare deals, here's our guide on the best and worst things to buy in September.

The dealnews Podcast proudly presents Episode 176. This week, our panel discusses the resignation of Steve Jobs, the future of Apple (including an Apple HDTV rumor), the future of webOS, Amazon's tablet, insidious product placement, and more.

Click here for links to the topics discussed in this week's show.

Camping in the fall can be a delight, but at the end of the day, your comfort depends on picking the right sleeping bag for the weather and your needs. How do you make the right choice? Tom Barlow has the factors you should consider, and some deals to make the purchase even easier.

You might think fitting your laptop with a solid state drive (SSD) is a luxury, but the truth is — it's not. We dug into the dealnews archives and discovered that prices on both 64GB and 128GB SSD drives have seen significant price cuts since last summer. So if SSD drives are now ripe for the picking, what prices can you expect?

It's bag-to-school time — and that's no typo, deal lovers. No matter your carrying needs, the bag's the thing. Find great deals on bags, backpacks, and other travel gear just in time for fall.

So you stumbled across a website selling $200 iPads, but you're not familiar with the vendor — and the site's animated gifs and midi theme song aren't filling you with confidence. What do you do? Keep yourself protected from scammers and fraud by implementing these investigative steps that the editors of dealnews use every day.

Each week, the Internet churns out so many technology rumors that it might be hard for you to sort through them all. As a public service to you, we've created our Rumor Roundup. We put all the important consumer rumors in one place, for your convenience. Then we add a dash of snark, to liven things up a bit. Enjoy!

With hurricane Irene around the corner, Lou Carlozo reminds us of the crucial items everyone should have in order to combat emergencies, including first aid kits, extra batteries for cell phones, and more.

If you're planning a vacation, you've probably already found yourself a great deal on airfare and accommodations. (You read dealnews, after all.) But what about those exhilarating city-specific activities and scrumptious must-eats that make vacationing all the more memorable? With the birth of local deal sites, you can now unearth savings in other areas of your trip — and we have the tips you need to effectively integrate those deals into your trip.

LCD TVs have become the format of choice for flat-screen TV buyers, but they've yet to give plasma TVs their final death blow. And that's a good thing because when it comes to pricing on big-screen sets, plasma TVs trounce their LCD competitors with better savings. We took a look at the past year's TV deals to find out where the real savings are.

Netflix is set to change its pricing tiers next week, and many grumbling customers are considering dropping service (if they haven't already). But is there actually a better alternative for what Netflix provides? We compare the merchant to the other available streaming options to see who offers the best value.

The dealnews Podcast proudly presents Episode 175. Our panel discusses Fox piracy, deadly television, HP's killing of WebOS and the Touchpad, slacking to be more productive, and more.

Choose your favorite way to listen:
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Direct download it

(And don't forget to check out our Shownotes for links to the topics discussed in this week's show.)

Your staid beige sedan doesn't reflect your sparkly personality, you say? dealnews has you covered. Our own Tom Barlow offers some stellar deals to spice up your ride, from a pistol shift knob to a Star Trek musical horn.

A smartphone may be easy for taking pictures, but if you've been longing for crisper, more complex images, then check out the Samsung digital camera we found at an all-time low. Then, stick around for our roundup of the top photo-related offers we've listed on the site recently, to make use of your shiny new toy.

Last Thursday, HP announced that it will no longer produce webOS devices, and many have speculated that the manufacturer will eventually ditch its entire PC business. But dealnews CEO Daniel de Grandpre thinks that this is an epic mistake. Inside, he details how HP can come back from the brink and carve out a better PC brand.

Amazon's new textbook rental service offers an opportunity for students to save big bucks on college books, but that's only if they can find the titles they need. Laura Heller searched for books from three actual reading lists for this fall, and the results were not good. So before you snatch up an eBook reader thinking it'll save you money in the long run on discounted titles, read on.

There's no arguing that Apple's iPad is the most desirable Internet tablet on the market right now (if you exclude the recent rush to snag a cheap HP TouchPad), but just because everyone wants one doesn't mean everyone is happy to shell out the cash. We've got the top five iPad alternatives, and, conveniently, most of them have been available at all-time lows recently. So it just might be a good time to go alternative.

Once a week, we scour the Internet looking for the latest rumors about consumer technology. (You know, iPhones, iPads, iPods, Apple ... oh, and one or two other companies, too!) The results of this search are compiled in our Rumor Roundup, where we make fun of them with extreme snark. It's the kind of thing you've come to expect of us. Enjoy!

The HP TouchPad is no more. That's bad news for the webOS-based Internet tablet, but good news for bargain hunters, who are licking their lips at the chance to score an aggressive deal on an iPad alternative. But what kind of discount can you expect and how soon?

There are many ways to make a refrigerator (including an EnergyStar model) more energy efficient, which means saving more green for your wallet. Lou Carlozo gives us eight easy tips to help you cut back on the juice.

Happy people like to tell you that it takes more muscles to frown than it does to laugh. So why not relax your face by reading our Friday Funnies? It's a collection of our deals from the past week that include a joke or humorous element. We do it all for you! Enjoy!

While a smartphone can easily be used for navigational purposes, many people still desire one of today's stand-alone GPS devices, which are jam-packed with features. But which ones do you really need? Inside, we list what premiums you should consider springing for when making a purchase.

The dealnews Podcast proudly presents Episode 174. Our panel discusses Google's acquisition of Motorola Mobility, Netflix "Just For Kids", Kindle Cloud Reader, eBook price-fixing, extreme couponing, and more.

Choose your favorite way to listen:
Subscribe via iTunes
Subscribe via Zune Marketplace
See our RSS feed
Direct download it

(And don't forget to check out our Shownotes for links to the topics discussed in this week's show.)

If you need a new pair of headphones, but you can't tell the difference between your Sennheisers and your Shures, then check out our inside look at five headphone deals recently listed on the site. Audio and recording junkie Lou Carlozo details what about each pair should make you sit up and listen.

The dealnews staff writers and editors are among the site's biggest fans. (For proof, just count how many of us "like" dealnews on Facebook.) That's because we're constantly getting good deals while we work, and as a result, each of us has made at least one purchase that was so spectacular, we wanted to scream it from the rooftops. But in lieu of rooftop-hopping, we've opted to share the stories of our proudest purchases here. Got one of your own?

Buying a new smartphone shouldn't be a major expense. In fact, it shouldn't be an expense at all. Our dealnews archives show that months after a phone's release, you can snag that same handset for free (contract and data plans required). But which smartphones hit the $0 mark the fastest, and is it ever possible to get an iPhone for free? We tracked past deals on popular handsets to predict how long before some of today's hottest models are handed out for free.

Once a week, we scour the Internet looking for the latest rumors about consumer technology. (You know, iPhones, iPads, iPods, Apple ... oh, and one or two other companies, too!) The results of this search are compiled in our Rumor Roundup and made fun of with extreme snark. It's the kind of thing you've come to expect of us. Enjoy!

You want to be environmentally-savvy, but you also want to be smart with your green — the stuff in your wallet, that is. Our Green Dad columnist Lou Carlozo takes a look at five energy-saving products and determines whether they'll actually save you money in the long run.

There are two things that separate us from the animals: Opposable thumbs and the ability to laugh. (Though several times when we've visited the zoo we could swear the penguins were laughing at us.) Show your superiority to the lower beasts by reading our Friday Funnies! It's a collection of the deals from this week which we've added a dash of humor to. Enjoy!

When it comes to buying a back-to-school laptop for a college-bound kid, naturally you'll want to choose a model that will last all four years. But does splurging on a high-end system ensure that they'll have a working laptop through graduation, or can a budget option provide the same guarantee? We explore the various factors to consider when walking the delicate balance between budget-friendly deals and lasting value.

With all the nuanced variations to consider when selecting a suit, a shopper might understandably feel skittish about buying one online. But there are countless opportunities to save money by doing just that, so dealnews has created this how-to guide to take the guesswork out of online suit shopping.

Shiny gadgets and affordable pricing rarely go hand-in-hand, which is why dealnews leaves no stone unturned in search of a great deal. But ever wonder how the Internet's tech elite find their deals? We asked some of our favorite tech editors — from Engadget, CNET, and more — to share their money-saving strategies with us.

College students are perpetually strapped for cash, but that doesn't mean your kids need to become schooled in Dumpster Diving 101 just to furnish their apartment. We've rounded up some of the best budget-friendly furniture deals from our site to keep them comfortable in their campus abodes.

Amazon just dropped the price on its refurbished Kindle 3 eBook reader, and TechCrunch believes this signals the impending release of the next generation. So should you cancel your plans for the Kindle 3 and wait for the upgraded model?

Once a week, we scour the Internet looking for the latest rumors about consumer technology. The results of that search are rounded up here, in our Rumor Roundup. To make them palatable, we throw in a dash of humor and a handful of snark. Enjoy!

This weekend, shoppers in 11 different states will have the opportunity to pay zero sales tax on select items. If you're one of those lucky consumers, are you planning on making any special purchases to take advantage of the discount?

Cultivating an eco-friendly life can be a massive undertaking, but sometimes it's the small improvements in our daily lives that make the greatest difference. dealnews Green Dad columnist Lou Carlozo offers six simple ways to help the environment (while saving money) by saying: Don't buy that, get this!

Some say that laughter is the best medicine. Others say that penicillin is. Who's right? The world may never know. But one thing is for certain: It doesn't hurt to laugh — except if you have Snarfitis, a rare but serious disease in which laughing causes milk to come out your nose. For the rest of you, enjoy our Friday Funnies. It's like 100cc's of fun, injected right into your eyeballs!

August marks the start of back-to-school season, and with it come dozens of sales. But when it comes to laptops — one of the most coveted back-to-school items — what sort of deals can you expect this month? dealnews broke it down by category to make your shopping experience a little easier (and less expensive).

Nobody wants bad service or (even worse) to become the victim of scammers or fraud. Sometimes it's impossible to avoid, but shoppers can always try to learn from the frustrations of others.

dealnews readers can start by reading Mitch Lipka's report on a recently-released list of the top 10 consumer complaints for 2010. And as an added bonus, Lipka details some tips on how to avoid looking like that angry gentleman to the left.

Experts are predicting that bacon prices will reach all-time highs this month, which is great for pigs — but terrible for pig-eaters. So, with tongue planted firmly in our bacon-packed cheek (jowl?), we present items to get you through the great bacon recession of 2011.

Ever feel like you're being taken for a ride whenever you hand over a large sum of cash for a car maintenance procedure that takes a matter of minutes? Tom Barlow details five simple car repairs that even a novice can do at home with just a little time and a few specialized tools.

Each month, we analyze the dealnews archives from the past few years to glean information that might arm readers with useful advice on how to shop in the coming weeks. From swimwear and shoes to back-to-school deals galore, here's our guide on the best and worst things to buy in August.

We serve our readers cold, hard facts all day, so wouldn't it be nice to delve into a bit of uncertainty? (We're pretty sure we would, but we're a bit uncertain ourselves.) Well, we found a mess 'o rumors scattered throughout the Internet for just this purpose. Read our Rumor Roundup and enjoy the uncertainty of the future.

The heat can sometimes make us do illogical things, like stand in front of the refrigerator with the door open until the machinery overheats.

But instead of losing your head, check out our Green Dad columnist Lou Carlozo's list of seven eco-friendly ways to keep your cool during this endless summer. Many of his tips will save you money and give your air conditioner a much-needed rest.

From time to time, we slip a little gag, joke, or off-beat reference into our deals. (After all, all work and no play made that guy in that movie go crazy*.) Maybe you've seen one or two, but did you see them all? Double check by reading our weekly Friday Funnies!

*"Mary Poppins"

Prices on Blu-ray disc players have dropped significantly since their debut, but what's the magic price point you should look for when shopping around? We looked at every Blu-ray disc player deal we've listed in the past year to find out.

There are few things more delightful than seeing your dog's response to the question, "Wanna go for a ride?" (Said in a very high-pitched voice of course.) But an unrestrained pet in the car can be dangerous, so Tom Barlow has some tips and deals to keep Fido (or Severus, or Chewbacca... we're all nerds here, right?) safe on the road.

Last week, we adamantly advised against shopping the Borders liquidation sales, and this week we have proof that the store-closing discounts are not only mediocre — but 76% of the items we checked are priced higher than last week. Plus, we found better deals online for almost every title.