Features Archives for 2011

8 Tips For Getting the Best Deal on a Used Small Appliance

By Lou Carlozo, Green Dad columnist for dealnews

In today's disposable society, it's all too easy to toss a small appliance once it's past its prime. But many of those dejected items often still have life in them! In this week's Green Dad column, Lou Carlozo gives you eight tips for finding the best deals on used small appliances.

Published July 22, 2011

Dear Steve Jobs: The Mac mini Is Crap

By Jeff Somogyi, dealnews Media Editor

This week, Apple set the world aflame when it released its latest Sandy Bridge–equipped Mac mini.

OK, not really. Because, honestly, who knows what to do with a mini anyway? Inside, we cast a critical eye on the tiny system, as well as posit some potential uses. (Don't read the title though if you want to be surprised by our findings.)

Published July 22, 2011

Friday Funnies: We Wrote Some Funny Things. Read Them and Laugh!

Throughout the week we try to sprinkle a bit of humor among our usually-serious deals. (It's like adding spice to a soup ... or fairy dust to an animated british child.) Did you see all the jokes we posted this week? If not, we've collected them all in our Friday Funnies roundup!

Published July 22, 2011

Ultraportable Laptop Battle: Apple MacBook Air vs. Samsung Series 9

Apple's just-released MacBook Air and the forthcoming Samsung Series 9 Laptop are two of the sharpest-looking ultraportable notebooks around. Yet despite their similar profiles and price points, they're sporting completely different innards. Or are they? We list both systems side-by-side to find out which laptop is more deserving of your hard-earned cash.

Published July 21, 2011

The Best and Worst As Seen On TV Products

By Mitch Lipka, dealnews contributor

With their lofty claims and amazingly energetic salesmen, "As Seen on TV" products are often quite intriguing. But the question always is, do they work? Mitch Lipka lists the five products that are worth the money — and the five you should probably reconsider.

Published July 21, 2011

Battle: Is the New Apple MacBook Air Worth the Upgrade?

The MacBook Air, Apple's sexiest system, has figuratively received a fresh new coat of paint. But are the spec bumps and new operating system enough to justify an upgrade? We compare last year's entry-level model with today's to find out.

Published July 20, 2011

Commodity Prices on the Rise, and Target Set to Follow?

By Laura Heller, dealnews contributor

Commodity prices for key items, including food, are on the rise due to increased operating expenses; Target, for example, raised prices on apparel in the spring and is set to do the same this fall. (All the more reason to turn to dealnews, eh?) Laura Heller details what consumers can expect from retailers in the coming months.

Published July 20, 2011

Why You Should Skip This Weekend's Liquidation Sales at Borders

By Lindsay Sakraida, dealnews Features Director

When news spread that Borders was shuttering its remaining 399 stores, opportunist shoppers likely began rubbing their hands together in eager anticipation for liquidation sales. But even though "liquidation" implies rock-bottom prices, dealnews research shows that the discounts you'll eventually see probably won't be worth your time — and in some cases, they may be higher than what Borders offered just weeks before.

Published July 19, 2011

Deals for the Great Outdoors: Choosing the Perfect Family-Size Tent

By Tom Barlow, dealnews contributor

There's a lot you can't control during a family camping vacation — the weather, your child's temperament — but you can certainly ensure that you have with you the ideal tent for your needs. Tom Barlow details the features you should consider when buying a family-size tent, and we've sprinkled his tips with our own deals so that you save money in the process.

Published July 19, 2011

How Does LED Backlighting Affect LCD HDTV Image Quality (and Your Wallet)?

By Alfred Poor, dealnews contributor

LEDs have taken over as backlights for notebooks and other mobile devices, and they’re now found in many LCD HDTVs. But what effect does the technology have on picture quality, energy performance, and your budget? Alfred Poor explains what the benefits are to paying for LED backlights.

Published July 18, 2011

Rumor Roundup: iPhone 6? Facebook Music? Zune Movie Streaming?

By Jeff Somogyi, dealnews Media Editor

We deal with cold, hard facts all day. Wouldn't it be nice to delve into uncertainty? We think so! That's why we scour the Internet for the wildest tech rumors we can find. Then we package them together and present them to you as our Rumor Roundup. So, c'mon in and leave credibility at the door!

Published July 18, 2011

8 Expert Tips For Finding a Good Deal On a Used Large Appliance

By Lou Carlozo, Green Dad columnist for dealnews

Time for a new refrigerator? Think again before you buy brand-new. Many appliances are built to stand the test of time, so you can find yourself a bargain if you opt for used. Our Green Dad columnist Lou Carlozo talks to an expert and gives us eight tips on how to find a great deal on used large appliances.

Published July 15, 2011

Friday Funnies: Jokes Are Made, Laughs Are Had

As that guy in that movie* sang, "Make 'em laugh! Make 'em Laugh!" Well, throughout the week we try to do just that. Did you see all the jokes we posted this week in our usually serious deals? If not, we've put them all in our Friday Funnies roundup!

*The Joker in "The Dark Knight"

Published July 15, 2011

How to Deal with Bad Customer Service

By Mitch Lipka, dealnews writer

Many companies are quick to respond when a customer's shopping experience goes awry, but occasionally you may encounter a particularly difficult vendor. Mitch Lipka outlines the steps you need to take to escalate your customer service complaint when you're facing a merchant that's unwilling to help.

Published July 13, 2011

When Bulk Buys Aren't Better Deals: Look Online Before Shopping In-Store

Conventional wisdom may say that buying in bulk from warehouse stores is always the better deal, but dedicated deal shoppers (that’s you) can find greater value in local supermarkets on an item-by-item basis. Laura Heller explains when bulk doesn't cut it, and how to scout out these in-store deals online.

Published July 12, 2011

Gone Fishin': Assembling Your First Freshwater Tackle Box

By Tom Barlow, dealnews contributor

You may be tempted to spend these summer days fishing by the water, peacefully waiting to reel in a hard-earned catch. But if you aren't equipped for it, where to begin? Tom Barlow details how to assemble a basic tackle box for freshwater fishing. And being dealnews, we grabbed a few selections at lowest-we-could-find prices to get your started.

Published July 12, 2011

A Primer on HDTV Refresh Rates: Is the Bigger Number Always Better?

By Alfred Poor, dealnews contributor

If you've ever wondered whether 240Hz is all that much better than 60Hz or 120Hz — or if you bashfully live unaware of what a Hertz is at all — then it's time you read our primer on refresh rates. Alfred Poor breaks down the technology so you know exactly what you're buying, and whether faster is always worth the extra money.

Published July 11, 2011

Rumor Roundup: iPad Plus? Facebook fees? iPod touch 3G?

By Jeff Somogyi, dealnews writer

Rumors don't tell us anything important, but they sure are fun to read. For instance, are you at all interested to know about the next iPad? Or about what Facebook has planned? How about what Google is up to? If so, c'mon in and read our latest Rumor Roundup! It has the answers to these questions ... and more!

Published July 11, 2011

Friday Funnies: May We Interest You in Some Laughs?

Did you know that, every now and again, we slip a little gag, joke, or off-beat reference into our otherwise "just the facts, ma'am" deal write-ups? (After all, all work and no play made that guy in that movie go crazy*.) Maybe you've seen one or two, but over the last week there were a bunch of 'em! To make sure you don't miss a single one, we've rounded them up in our weekly Friday Funnies! Now go enjoy them!

*"Free Willy"

Published July 8, 2011

8 Lawn Care Tips to Go Green and Save Money at the Same Time

By Lou Carlozo, Green Dad columnist for dealnews

Contrary to what a certain Muppet may tell you, sometimes being green is easy — especially if it means saving money. Eco-friendly practices don't always need to diminish your funds, and this week Green Dad columnist Lou Carlozo gives us the mow-down on how to keep your lawn looking great while minimizing its impact on both the earth and your wallet.

Published July 8, 2011

What You Get for Your Money With The Best Android Smartphone Deals

Not every Android phone is created equal, and with so many options to choose from, picking the right model isn't always simple. To help you differentiate your Gingerbreads from your Thunderbolts, we've looked at the hottest Android smartphones in our archives and sorted them by their feature list — with some insight on what you can expect to pay.

Published July 7, 2011

The One Gadget To Rule Them All: 5 Devices that Smartphones Have Replaced

Think a smartphone is expensive? With all the premium features now found in the new handsets, you might actually wind up saving money in the long run by not having to buy several other gadgets. Inside, we explain why a smartphone is the one gadget to rule them all.

Published July 7, 2011

How to Get 5% More When Selling a Used Car: It’s All in the Details

By Tom Barlow, dealnews contributor

The trade-in value for used cars is at an all-time high, so it’s the ideal time to consider selling. But before you hit the market, dealnews shows you how to squeeze even more money out of your used car with some simple detailing. Tom Barlow has all the, uh, details.

Published July 6, 2011

The Best and Worst Things to Buy in July

By Beth Pinsker, with contributions from Louis Ramirez

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 Black Friday–themed sales to airfare discounts galore, here’s our guide on what to buy in July.

Published July 5, 2011

Rumors: iPad 3 in October? Facebook is awesome?

By Jeff Somogyi, dealnews writer

Rumors don't tell us anything important, but they sure are fun to read. For instance, are you at all interested to know about the next iPad? Or about what Facebook has planned? If so, c'mon in and read our latest Rumor Roundup! It has the answer to these questions and more! Enjoy!

Published July 5, 2011

Friday Funnies: May we interest you in some laughs?

Did you know that, every now and again, we slip a little gag, joke, or off-beat reference into our otherwise "just the facts, ma'am" deal write-ups? (After all, all work and no play made that guy in that movie go crazy*.) Maybe you've seen one or two, but over the last week there were a bunch of 'em! To make sure you don't miss a single one, we've rounded them up in our weekly Friday Funnies! Now go enjoy them!

*"Pinocchio"

Published July 1, 2011

The Beef on Grills and Equipment For The Fourth of July Weekend

By Lou Carlozo, Green Dad columnist for dealnews

With the long Fourth of July Weekend coming up, you'll want to know the beef on grills. Our Green Dad columnist and resident grilling expert Lou Carlozo breaks down the deals on grills and equipment, to get you prepared for a sizzling Fourth celebration.

Published July 1, 2011

How to Choose the Right HDMI Cable

By Alfred Poor, dealnews contributor

If you go shopping for a 6' HDMI cable, you'll find them priced from $1 to more than $100. Alfred Poor breaks down the choices for you and helps you get the cable you need at the price that you want.

Published June 30, 2011

Why iPhone Still Has More Apps Than Android

By Laura Heller, dealnews writer

In both the U.S. and international markets, Android is the most prominent smartphone OS. So why does iPhone have a better, larger selection of apps at its disposal? dealnews discovers that it's just not as easy or profitable to develop apps for Android.

Published June 29, 2011

Satisfy Your Driving Ambition to Golf With Driver Deals

By Tom Barlow, dealnews contributor

To start golfing, any old set of clubs will do, but if you start pursuing the fine art of the sport, then you'll need to upgrade your equipment. Here's how to choose wisely, not only considering the type of clubs you buy, but also their price.

Published June 28, 2011

Rumors: iPhone 5 is a major update? Facebook music?

By Jeff Somogyi, dealnews writer

Rumors don't tell us anything important, but they sure are fun to read. For instance, are you at all interested to know about the next iPhone? Or about what Facebook has planned? If so, c'mon in and read our latest Rumor Roundup! It has the answer to these questions and more! Enjoy!

Published June 27, 2011

Are Plasma TVs Making a Comeback?

By Alfred Poor, dealnews contributor

LCD technology dominates HDTVs, but plasma has posted recent gains. Alfred Poor looks into the factors behind plasma's improved sales and the forecasts for the future.

Published June 27, 2011

Sorting Kitchen Must-Haves from Must-Avoids

By Lou Carlozo, Green Dad columnist for dealnews

Is your kitchen full of small appliances and gadgets, some of which you can't live without and some of which you never use? Our Green Dad columnist, Lou Carlozo delves into this tangled web, and sorts out the bargains from the busts, the must-haves from the money traps.

Published June 24, 2011

Reviewers Name Best and Worst Shoe Buying Sites

By Mitch Lipka, dealnews writer

When it comes to buying shoes online, you can't do much of a try-on. So consumer advocate Mitch Lipka turned to his friends at SiteJabber.com, an independent site that collects feedback good and bad on web sites, for a look at the online shoe stores worth stopping by and those you ought to run away from as fast as you can.

Published June 23, 2011

OS Battle: Windows 8 versus Mac OS X Lion

By Louis Ramirez, dealnews senior feature writer

The Mac versus Windows debate is about to heat up again. Both Microsoft and Apple have next-generation operating systems in the works. So how well does Windows 8 stack up with OS X Lion and does Windows 8 have what it takes to win over new users (and keep current users from switching)? We compare a few key features to find out.

Published June 22, 2011

How Much GPS Can You Get for Your Buck?

By Tom Barlow, dealnews contributor

Driving around your own town, you might stick up your nose at using a GPS, but if you're going on any adventures this summer you might want to give them a second thought, or think about upgrading what you already have. Here's a guide to the latest features and what they cost.

Published June 21, 2011

Don't Trust the Specs on TV Contrast Ratios

By Alfred Poor, dealnews contributor

Contrast ratio is possibly the most important performance feature for an HDTV. Alfred Poor explains why you can't use the manufacturer's specifications to evaluate it.

Published June 20, 2011

The Top 5 Best (and Worst) Companies For Customer Service

By Mitch Lipka, dealnews writer

Customer service isn't dead … yet. Not happy with a product? Not everyone will keep you on hold indefinitely. And some will even answer your email within the hour. Others still have a lot to learn when it comes to keeping their customers happy. Our Consumer Ally reporter Mitch Lipka talks to a survey company who rated the companies, and tells us his findings.

Published June 15, 2011

Get the Most Value Out of Your Luggage Deal

By Tom Barlow, dealnews contributor

If you travel, you've seen the sad result of inadequate luggage, with clothes and other personal items strewn on the baggage carousel. You can avoid such embarrassment and inconvenience by getting the right bag, but sometimes it can be hard to tell what's a good value and what's just cheap. We've got a run-down of how to get the most value for your investment in a travel bag.

Published June 14, 2011

Celebrate Flag Day (and Prep for the 4th of July 2011) With Patriotic Apparel

By Lindsay Sakraida, dealnews staff writer

Admit it. Flag Day is the step child of American holidays. You don't get a day off from work, there are no fireworks to celebrate, and it's frequently in the middle of the week, which makes 3-day weekend celebrations near impossible. But, we here at dealnews like to think of Flag Day as a sort of pregame for the upcoming 4th of July. Which means, it's time to stock up on uber patriotic memorabilia!

Published June 14, 2011

How Much Do You Really Know About Your HDMI Cables?

By Alfred Poor, dealnews contributor

Do you know the difference between HDMI 1.3 and 1.4 and 1.4a? Alfred Poor reveals some facts about this common connection that may surprise you.

Published June 13, 2011

8 Ways to Give to Better to Dad

By Lou Carlozo, Green Dad columnist for dealnews

Smart consumer culture rocks, but consumer waste and needless purchases made from some dim sense of obligation definitely don’t. So behold some advice from Green Dad columnist Lou Carlozo for a making the most of Father’s Day and other gift-giving holidays with gifts that matter and hit the heart.

Published June 10, 2011

How to Keep Your Data Safe From Hacking in the Cloud

By Mitch Lipka, dealnews writer

The burgeoning world of cloud computing got more crowded and more cool with the addition of Apple's iCloud, but it also got a lot more dangerous. As consumers race to upload their data, what about the safety issues? Big companies are getting hacked left and right, so you need to read what consumer advocate Mitch Lipka has found out about keeping yourself in the cloud.

Published June 9, 2011

A Father's Day Gift Cost-Per-Use Analysis

By Lindsay Sakraida, dealnews staff writer

While we here at dealnews are big fans of inexpensive purchases, we're also concerned about long-term value. For example, a $10 shirt is a steal, but if you never wear it, it's just $10 down the drain. So, while our readers prepare to shell out some dough for Father's Day, we decided to run a little cost-per-use analysis of some potential gifts to see which options stretch your dollar the most.

Published June 9, 2011

Battle: Google Android Market vs. Amazon Appstore for Android Apps

By Louis Ramirez, dealnews senior feature writer

Purchasing apps isn't what it used to be — especially if you're an Android user. With the introduction of Amazon's Appstore, Android users now have two major stores from which to purchase apps. But how does the latter stack up with Google's Market, and which store, if any, offers the best deals? We compared the two stores to find out.

Published June 8, 2011

10 Father's Day Gift Ideas for the Car Guy in Your Life

By Tom Barlow, dealnews contributor

Got a car guy on your Father's Day list? It can be daunting to try to pick out something for this discerning group; not just any gadget or trinket will do. Don't worry, just use our shopping list of 10 great gift ideas for car lovers and you'll be the Cadillac of gift-givers.

Published June 7, 2011

Rumors: No iPhone Rumors? Sony Acquisitions? Kanye West?

By Jeff Somogyi, dealnews writer

Where are all the iPhone Rumors? Why is Kanye West in Paris? Which company is Sony looking to buy? If the answers to any of these questions are something you would like to know, then step inside our latest Rumor Roundup! (As always, the correctness of our answers is dubious.)

Published June 6, 2011

How Much of a Power Hog is Your Flat Screen TV?

By Alfred Poor, dealnews contributor

The EPA is coming out with a new Energy Star label for HDTVs. Alfred Poor tells you the surprising details about how much electricity they consume, and what new changes are coming to make them more energy efficient.

Published June 6, 2011

Infographic: How We're Spending Our Disposable Income

By Beth Pinsker, Editorial Director of dealnews

While dismal job creation news has been the big headline this week, there is some good news out there. Our friends at Milo.com have dug through some data and found out that incomes are up over the first three months of the year. And with people making more, they're spending more. So what are they spending on? See a cool infographic of the data.

Published June 4, 2011

Show Your Team Spirit by Saving on Sports Memorabilia and Apparel

By Lindsay Sakraida, dealnews staff writer

Sports can make people do funny things, like wear body paint on a naked chest in the middle of November. Sports fans are also willing to spend large sums of their hard-earned cash on memorabilia that will unequivocally declare their support for their chosen team or athlete. And now with our deals, they can save money in the process.

Published June 2, 2011