Blog Archives for 2011

Last night, Netflix announced it will be splitting its DVD and streaming services even further by creating two separate brands: Netflix and Qwikster. This will supposedly improve both services, but does it change your opinion regarding this summer's controversial price hike? Take our poll to weigh in!

The kids have already started school, and the next major shopping holiday on your radar is, probably, Black Friday. But there's still time to focus on other worthy shopping goals — like rethinking your child's knapsack. Everything a kid touches has a short life span, so it makes sense here, more so than in any other area of your life, to focus on being eco-friendly. Green Dad Lou Carlozo has six tips to bring savings and the environment together under one schoolhouse roof.

If you like the sound of a Caribbean-style party with historic flare, consider taking a trip to the Dominican Republic. We've rounded up deals for various hotels and activities that will bring the tropical destination within financial reach.

Ever found an item on a merchant website that requires a rebate, then found that same item sold by the same merchant through eBay or Amazon? Sometimes, the latter listing won't include mention of the rebate; does that mean it won't apply? Laura Heller has the skinny on this and other rebate redemption issues.

At the end of a long work day, everyone needs to unwind, and there's no better way to do that than with a good movie or hilarious video. Consider boosting your entertainment system with one of our Blu-ray disc player or media receiver deals.

We see great deals on men's dress shoes all the time, but just because you found a style for cheap doesn't mean you should treat them like any old pair of sneakers. Leather shoes require proper care if you want your deal to hold up for years to come. Luckily, we have the tips and products you need to keep them shining.

Green Dad is back with more eco-friendly products that save energy and money in the long run. Some such products don't pan out, but others, like these air conditioners and programmable thermostats, offer valuable energy savings.

If you're looking to keep the summer party going during those cooler, start-of-fall nights, consider taking a trip out to New Orleans. We've rounded up deals for various hotels and activities that will bring the Big Easy within financial reach.

Once the dominant smartphone platform in the U.S., Research in Motion's humble BlackBerry now finds itself in grave danger of becoming extinct, as both Apple and Google continue to swallow its market share. To find out just how severe RIM's drop in popularity has become, we analyzed our past BlackBerry deals — and the results are not good.

Here's the chance to get your hands on home theater electronics that will blow you away. From Dolby 7.1 surround sound systems and refurbished all-in-one remotes, we've gathered up five deals for superior entertainment at home.

We frequently see daily deal sites that offer credits to online wine stores (like a $70 credit to Wine.com for $30, for example), and it's hard not to think they're an indisputable deal. But are the wines on these sites good deals to begin with, even when you factor in shipping costs? What about when your credit runs out? We talked to an expert and searched the dealnews archives to find out.

If you scored a deal on a high-quality digital camera recently, that's great! But as you go forth with your fancy new device, keep in mind that there's more to optimizing your photo-taking experience than remembering to keep your finger off the lens. Be sure to check out our roundup of some hot deals on camera accessories that will bring your pictures to the next level.

Last week, Lenovo released details about its Lenovo IdeaPad A1 7" WiFi Android Tablet, including the price tag: The device will only cost $199 for an 8GB model. Knowing how well the HP TouchPad sold once the prices were slashed to something more affordable, could the A1 experience a similar popularity once it's released? And does this mean other manufacturers will follow the lead with similar pricing for Internet tablets?

With white sandy beaches that seemingly extend into the horizon, Mexico is a tropical paradise right in our own backyard. Best of all, there's an abundance of vacation packages for every budget, regardless of which area you choose to visit.

Many of us own so much stuff that figuring out ways to simplify, store, and condense should rank as a top priority. This week, Green Dad Lou Carlozo looks at some handy deals that streamline storage and simplify living and working spaces.

From drill sets to sanders, get the tools you need to finally tend to those lingering, unfinished home repair projects around the house. Our roundup of tool deals and sales includes options from Lowe's, Home Depot, and more.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

The Borders CEO sent out a farewell to its customers last night, citing the reasons for the bookseller's demise. The note came just in time for today's liquidation sales, which take up to 40% off in-store — just as we predicted, although that's not a good thing in terms of deals. Click here to read more about the sales, as well as the CEO's email in its entirety.

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.

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.

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.