Best Deal On A Windows 8 Touchscreen Laptop Between 11″ and 13″
Asus 11.6″ Laptop – $450 @ Best Buy stores (Black Friday price; normally $500)
Model: Q200E-BHI3T45
Features: Touchscreen, 500GB hard drive, 4GB RAM, USB 3.0 port, 2.9 lbs, HDMI output, Ethernet port, no Bluetooth
-Although it runs on the previous generation’s Intel i3 processor (Sandy Bridge), it’s a great entry into Windows 8. It’s the least expensive touchscreen-enabled Windows 8 laptop currently available, is lighter than most ultrabooks out there (and same weight as the 13″ MacBook Air), and is a nice balance between a tablet and full-fledged laptop.

Note: Amazon.com has a similar, faster model (X202E-DH31T) for not much more ($518 through Amazon and similar pricing through Amazon resellers). It comes equipped with the newest generation Intel i3 processor (Ivy Bridge) and is Bluetooth-enabled. This one may arguably be a better deal due to those factors alone.

Best Deals On Windows 8 Laptops If You Like Standing on Long Lines Hours Before The Store Opens
Lenovo 15.6″ Laptop – $188 @ Best Buy stores (Black Friday price; normally $400)
Model: G585 – 59345756
Features: Windows 8, 320GB Hard Drive, 2GB RAM, 5.7 lbs, two USB 3.0 ports, no touchscreen, no HDMI output, AMD E-300 Processor)
-A fantastic deal for a new Windows 8 laptop, it will be difficult to find a lower price anywhere else. While it’s a bit heavy and only has 2GB RAM, it is less than $200. Good luck waiting on a line and getting one.

Asus 14″ Laptop – $250 @ Best Buy stores (Black Friday price; normally $500)
Model: X401A-BHPDN37 (Pink), X401A-BHPDN41 (White), X401A-BHPDN39 (Green)
Features: Windows 8, 320GB Hard Drive, 4GB RAM, 4.1 lbs, HDMI output, no touchscreen, available in multiple colors, Intel Pentium B980 processor
-This model is, I think, a much better deal than the Lenovo laptop above. It’s faster, sleeker, lighter, and has more memory. If you happen to have an opportunity to snag one of these while at a Best Buy, it is worth the $62 over the Lenovo deal.

Best Deal On A Refurbished Windows 7 Asus Laptop If You Missed Out On The Above Windows 8 Asus Model
Refurbished Asus 14″ Laptop – $280-300 @ BestBuy.com (check for store inventory)
Models: X401ARF-RPK4 (Pink, $300), X401ARF-RGN4 (Green, $300), X401ARF-RBL (Blue, $280) — The same blue model can be had for $300 new and be eligible for the $15 Windows 8 Pro upgrade if purchased by 1/31/13 (refurbished PCs are not eligible).

Best Deal On An iPad Mini If You Don’t Mind Open-Box (YMMV)
16GB Wi-Fi Black – $307 @ Best Buy stores (normally $329 new)
32GB Wi-FI Black – $400 @ Best Buy stores (normally $429 new)
-With a two-week shipping estimate on all iPad Mini models on the official Apple website, coupled with limited availability in both retail stores and online sites, you may want to check out Best Buy’s open-box models if you want an iPad Mini right now. While casually browsing on the Best Buy “Deals Near Me” site which includes open-box/clearance items at nearby stores, I was able to find several iPad Mini models. Of course, item availability depends on your local Best Buy’s inventory and discount pricing policy.

Best 40″ TV If You Like Standing On Long Lines Hours Before The Store Opens
Toshiba 40″ LCD HDTV (1080p, 60Hz) – $180 @ Best Buy stores (Black Friday price; normally $420)
Model: 40E220U
Features: 1080p, 60Hz, two HDMI Ports

Best 50″ TV If You Like Standing On Long Lines Hours Before The Store Opens
ProScan 50″ LCD HDTV – $288 @ Kmart stores (Black Friday price; normally $700)
Features: 1080p, 60Hz, three HDMI Ports
Model: PLCD5092A
-I can’t remember the last time I went to a Kmart. I think it was around 1990 when I was at a shopping center in Wayne, NJ after begging my parents to buy me a new Gameboy game at the nearby Child World (which eventually turned into Toys “R” Us). Anywho, this is a heck of a deal.

Best Sandwich Grill Deal If You Plan On Using It More Than Once and Not Store It In A Closet Forever After That One Time
Sandwich Grill (SA-PSG01) – $7.99 @ Best Buy stores (Black Friday price; normally $19.99)
Features: Makes awesome grilled sandwiches. Bread, cheese, and enthusiasm not included.

Happy Thanksgiving and Happy Shopping!

Despite reports of checkout issues that were experienced right after the noon ET launch yesterday, the now sold-out 32GB $499 Nexus 10 was snatched up by patient consumers.  However, the 16GB $399 version is still available.  Since the Nexus 10 is currently only available through Google Play, it will need to be shipped to your door.  Using New Jersey as a delivery destination example, let’s compare current price options between the Nexus 10 and its closest Android tablet competitor, the Asus Transfomer Pad Infinity TF700 (retail price of $499).

Nexus 10 (16GB): $442
Asus TF700 (32GB): $428 (or $377 used)

That’s right, the Nexus 10 is not necessarily $100 cheaper than the other top tablets, as it was led to believe when pricing was announced on October 29th.  In fact, it’s $14 more expensive than a new Infinity TF700 (or $65 more than a used one).  The total cost of the 16GB Nexus 10 is $441.90 ($399 tablet + $13.99 Two-Day Shipping + $28.91 tax).  The 32GB Infinity TF700 is available at Amazon for $428 new and ranges from $377 to $389 used from Amazon Warehouse Deals with free shipping and no tax (again, we’re doing a NJ delivery example).  To me, I don’t care what the retail price is; it’s the total dollars coming out of your pocket that matters.

Personally, I don’t mind buying used or open-box tablets either.  As long as there are no scratches/dents/dead pixels and the tablet is generally in good physical shape, I’m fine with using the tablet after a factory reset.  While the Nexus 10 reviews are mostly very positive, it hasn’t been labeled a slam-dunk over others.  Aside from the enhanced screen resolution and timely OS updates, is that worth the extra $14 (especially when it appeared as if there would be a savings of $100)?  Decide for yourself.  Here’s a summary of highlights for each tablet, based on what I’ve gathered from the interwebs:

Nexus 10 (16GB): Highest screen resolution on any tablet, latest Android OS (Jelly Bean 4.2) and timely updates from Google, comfortable design, micro usb charging (although slow)

Infinity TF700 (32GB): Cheaper (based on the above comparison), more on-board storage, expandable microSD storage, brighter screen, crisp 1920 x 1200 resolution, longer battery life, better camera, detachable keyboard dock available (which also adds battery life)

Tough one, right? Yeah, that’s what I thought.

But my experience was a failure.  Five seconds.  That’s all it took.  Upon powering on my brand new Samsung ATIV Smart PC 500T Windows 8 tablet/laptop hybrid, I was greeted with a blue screen.  I’m not talking about the “hey, let’s get ready to set up your new toy” blue screen.  Instead, it was much closer to the infamous blue screen of death, but displayed in the Windows 8 Segoe font, which is really nice and clean, might I add.

“Recovery…Your PC couldn’t start properly.”  After multiple reboots, I managed to get past the blue screen, but I could not get rid of the “Windows could not complete the installation” error dialog box.  Back in the box it went.

I tried.  I gave it a chance.  I know that I probably just got a defect and can exchange it.  But I’m not going to.  I want my money back.  Am I being too harsh?  Darn right, I am.  There are too many other excellent options out there in the similar “large” tablet category — iPad (3rd/4th gen), Nexus 10, Asus Transfomer Pad Infinity, or even my “old” Asus Transformer Prime.  In a cut-throat tablet market (and I hate using the term cut-throat because isn’t everything cut-throat nowadays?), one misstep is enough to go a different route.  The blue screen was that misstep.  It’s too bad.  I was looking forward to using something new and different.  I guess I forgot for a second that, beneath the fresh and smooth Windows 8 look, it’s still a Windows machine.  I got past one blue screen, but I won’t be getting past this experience.

Options are always nice, and size actually does matter for some.  It just depends on how you plan to use it and whether you want to hold it in one hand or not.  Personally, I feel that 7.0 inch tablet screen sizes are a tad small and 9.7/10.1 inch screens are a tad big.  So I sought out to find which tablets fit in between those sizes (7.1 to 9.6 inch range to be more specific) from reputable brands (or at least brands that you’ve heard of).  Here’s what I came up with:

7.7 inch

• Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.7
• Toshiba Excite 7.7

7.9 inch

• Apple iPad Mini

8.0 inch

• Archos 80 Cobalt (release date TBA)
• Archos G9 80 (Turbo Edition available)
• Pantech Element

8.2 inch

• Motorola Droid Xyboard 8.2

8.9/9.0 inch

• Kindle Fire HD 8.9
• Lenovo A2109 (9.0 inch)
• LG G-Slate (8.9 inch)
• Nook HD+ (9.0 inch)
• Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9

9.4 inch

• Sony Tablet S
• Sony Xperia Tablet S

Among this list, I’ve extensively handled just a few of them.  Some quick thoughts on those:

Apple iPad Mini

Good: Very thin and very light, it’s essentially a smaller iPad 2, lower screen resolution not as bad as expected

Bad: Expensive, non-Retina display in a Retina world (and resolution that matches Archos tablets, really?), thin size bezels make it sometimes awkward to hold

Recommended: Yes, if you’re an iOS fan and want a smaller iPad.

Archos G9 80 Turbo

Good: Nice 8 inch screen size, kickstand, microSD expansion

Bad: Suspect build quality, low 1024 x 768 screen resolution, no IPS screen, sluggish performance

Recommended: No.  There are better ways to spend your bills.

Lenovo A2109

Good: Performance (Tegra 3 quad-core goodness), price (was as low as $260 at Best Buy), micro HDMI port, microSD expansion, charges via micro USB

Bad: Non-IPS screen, viewing angles left much to be desired

Recommended: Yes, if a quad-core 9 inch tablet is what you want and you can ignore the non-IPS screen (I couldn’t).

Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9

Good: Lightweight, loud stereo speakers, bright screen, screen size nearly perfect for me, price (was recently $160 used on Cowboom.com)

Bad: Performance, sluggish screen transitions in TouchWiz (although a launcher like Nova Launcher helps), web browsing not smooth, no storage expansion, proprietary charging cable, Jelly Bean 4.1 update likely not happening

Recommend: Yes, it’s a fine tablet for the right price, but it’s an older tablet that isn’t really supported anymore and has outdated specs.  If you want a tablet closer to 2013 technology, look elsewhere.

So what to make of these “in-between” sized tablets…

It’s all about freedom of choice.  With all of these different options out there, it’s up to you which OS and size you prefer, keeping in mind your budget, of course.  There’s something for everybody.  Personally, I’d like to see the 7.7 to 8.2 inch category pick up steam with updated processors and enhanced screen resolutions.  Time will tell.  Even though 7.7 inch Android tablets have existed before the iPad Mini, perhaps the marketing power of Apple will help carve out a different “in-between” tablet category that drives increased competition, and soon my perfect 8.37 inch powerhouse tablet will exist.

BONUS LIST >

Since we’re on the subject of the many tablet sizes available, I’ve noticed that Samsung evidently enjoys experimenting with all sorts of screen sizes on Android devices in attempts to dominate the world.  It’s like the philosophy that if one person can’t fix an issue, call everyone and their dog-sitter at 3 am to get everyone on the conference call to fix the problem, even though most of the people on the call are in management and only one hands-on IT person can fix it anyway.  (Apologies, that’s my IT Systems background coming out, and I’m not quite sure if that analogy even fit at all.)

Here is the unofficial Samsung Android device list (and a ridiculous one, might I add), in order of size (number in name indicates screen size, otherwise as noted; and yes, I realize that there are many more Samsung Android devices not on the list, but wanted to note at least one device per unique screen size):

• Samsung Galaxy Player 3.6 (player)
• Samsung Galaxy Player 4.0 (player)
• Samsung Galaxy S (4.0 inch, multiple phone models)
• Samsung Galaxy Player 4.2 (player)
• Samsung Galaxy S II (4.3 inch, multiple phone models)
• Samsung Droid Charge (4.3 inch, phone)
• Samsung Infuse (4.5 inch, phone)
• Samsung Galaxy Nexus (4.65 inch, phone)
• Samsung Galaxy S III (4.8 inch, phone)
• Samsung Galaxy Player 5.0 (player)
• Samsung Galaxy Note (5.3 inch, phone)
• Samsung Galaxy Note 2 (5.5 inch, phone)
• Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.0 (tablet)
• Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 (tablet)
• Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus (tablet)
• Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.7 (tablet)
• Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9 (tablet)
• Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 (tablet)
• Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 (tablet)
• Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 (tablet)
• Nexus 10 (10.1 inch, tablet)

I guess if anyone will make an 8.37 inch tablet, it’s gotta be Samsung.