What I really want this Christmas is a 30-ish inch LCD TV. Early this year I was so happy to finally get my 43-inch projection set out of storage. IMO it was the best sub-$2000 set available in the Spring of 2001, but now I have limited quarters and would like to put the space it occupies to better use.
Dell’s regular mailings are what started this desire, but aside from their Advanced Exchange program I couldn’t find anything to differentiate Dell LCD TVs from no-name models that cost 25% less. I love Dell — we have like six Dell PCs in my family, and I paid for five of them — but I’m not going to subsidize their PC business by over-spending on Consumer Electronics products.
Top brands like the Sharp AQUOS are out. As much as I appreciate the quality, style, and top-tier features like dual HD tuners and CableCARD, I can’t bring myself to spend $3500 on a television.
If I could live with myself for spending that much money I would be shopping for a non-EDTV Plasma set, Costco.com has a Hyundai 50-inch 720p unit that is an absolute steal at $3000. That is so damned tempting, need to stop looking outside the budget I decided upon…
Right now I’m leaning towards Syntax. Black Friday sales and rebates had their 30-inch model going for $1200-$1300 delivered, my sweet spot, but… I decided to hold out. They’ve got a 32-inch set that is supposed to start shipping before Christmas, with a better panel and an MSRP of $1999 — which I suspect will equal a $1500 selling price. I’m “downgrading” from a 43-inch set, every extra inch really counts…
There’s no need to rush. The holiday shopping season has barely started, and I suspect that I will forgive myself if my Christmas present to myself doesn’t arrive until February 1st.
