32 inch tv needed

[fsdj222]

I'm trying to find a 32inch tv for a good price around black friday. I'm deciding between Samsung and Sony. (LG maybe, but I'm trying to narrow down the search).

I need it for my bedroom, I want to be able to connect the TV to my laptop to watch movies/shows, I want a good price for it especially. Other than that, I can't find other pressing needs for the TV.

Any recommendations? BTW, where can I find info on the differences between the models of Samsung and Sony.

Do you think the prices will drop for TVs since circuit city is going bankrupt, and the demand for consumer electronics will decrease given the economic conditions? Thanks.

 

[sivart]

for the non-primary TV in your house, I would also consider Vizio Plasma's as they use LG panels inside. (32" is about $500 right now with no special deals)

 

[krotchy]

For 32" size, neither Sony or Samsung make a 120Hz panel so that discussion doesn't even need to come up.

You are basically left choosing between 720p and 1080p. For Computer use I find 1080p to be better, but for video viewing the difference will be negligible from more than 4 feet or so at 32". I personally prefer Samsung over Sony because both companies use Samsung panels, however Sony likes to charge more for pretty much the same specs.

Choices in 32 for Samsung should be the 350, 450 and 550 (or 540 from Costco which is a glossy 450 basically). The 650 in 32" is identical to the 550 but more expensive and comes with red touch of color bezel which isnt worth the cost.

350, 450 and 540 are 720p, 550 is 1080p.

One major question is what kind of output does your laptop have? If it is DVI or HDMI you are set as you can buy a DVI-> HDMI or HDMI->HDMI cable for hooking up your laptop. If it is a VGA output, check the resolutions the TV's can handle via VGA. Some can't do bigger than 1024x768 from VGA and personally I think it looks terrible when that is the case. (As an aside, buy cables ahead of time at monoprice.com, don't get suckered into monster or whatever from BestBuy/CircuitCity)

 

[fsdj222]

Which kinds of cables do I know to get from Monoprice? Where can I get the Samsunf for 350?!?!

This is the laptop I have:

ThinkPad R61 - 1 Year Depot Warranty
12/10/2007**


Intel® Core? 2 Duo T7500 (2.2GHz 800MHz 4MBL2) [1]
Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium [12]
14.1 WXGA TFT
NVIDIA Quadro NVS 140M (128MB)
2 GB PC2-5300 DDR2 SDRAM 667MHz SODIMM Memory (2 DIMM) [8]
UltraNav (TrackPoint and TouchPad)
80GB Hard Disk Drive, 5400rpm [4]
DVD Recordable 8x Max Dual Layer, Ultrabay Enhanced [5]
Intel PRO/Wireless 3945ABG [10]
7 cell Li-Ion Battery [60]
7742: 1 Year Depot Warranty - Express [7]


Processor [1]

Intel® Core? 2 Duo T7500 (2.2GHz 800MHz 4MBL2)


Operating system [12]

Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium


Operating system language

Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium - US English


Display type

14.1 WXGA TFT


System graphics

NVIDIA Quadro NVS 140M (128MB)


Total memory [8]

2 GB PC2-5300 DDR2 SDRAM 667MHz SODIMM Memory (2 DIMM)


Keyboard

Keyboard US English


Pointing Device

UltraNav (TrackPoint and TouchPad)


Hard Drive [4]

80GB Hard Disk Drive, 5400rpm


Optical device [5]

DVD Recordable 8x Max Dual Layer, Ultrabay Enhanced


Wireless cards [10]

Intel PRO/Wireless 3945ABG


Battery [60]

7 cell Li-Ion Battery


Power cord

Country Pack North America


Language Pack

Language Pack US English

 

[fsdj222]

Lenovo ThinkPad R61 Average for mainstream category
Video VGA-out VGA-out, S-Video
Audio Stereo speakers, headphone/microphone jacks Stereo speakers, headphone/microphone jacks
Data Three USB 2.0 ports, a mini-FireWire, and a mulitformat memory card reader Four USB 2.0 ports, a mini-FireWire, and a multiformat memory card reader
Expansion PC Card and Express card slots PC Card slot
Networking Modem, Ethernet, 802.11 a/g/n Wi-Fi Modem, Ethernet, 802.11 a/b/g Wi-Fi, optional Bluetooth
Optical drive DVD burner DVD burner

More info on that model fyi

 

[krotchy]

The model # was the 350=(35LNA350) I have never seen that particular TV for $350 though, sorry for the confusion.

I am at work at the moment so I cant pop through a manual, but since you have a laptop with VGA out and not DVI/HDMI check whatever TV you buy to make sure it can take 1366x768 or 1920x1080 via VGA since that is what your laptop does. This is probably your biggest req.

 

[Oyeve]

I have the samsung LNA330 and love it. Got it a few months ago and it looks great for my HD needs including my PC. Got it for 600. Dont know if its cheaper now but its serving me well.