Top LCD TVs Under $400

Any self-respecting technology junkie has been on both sides of the following conversation many times over the course of his or her obsession: "Hey, so I just saw that the new [cheap LCD TV or multidisc DVD player or 100-GB laptop] is out. I'm going to buy one right now!" "Dude, you should wait six months or a year. The prices on the [cheap LCD TV or multidisc DVD player or 100-GB laptop] will be, like, 75% less."

Fair enough. But now that the LCD TV market-introduction period is well past, you may be asking yourself, "What sort of cheap LCD TV sets can I find out there? And how?" Naturally, as with any sort of technology, prices are falling. However, as techies have also learned, "cheap LCD TV" does not necessarily equal "good LCD TV." In this, perhaps more than any other technological field, buyers should beware.

The Samsung offers the LN-R1550 portable LCD TV model number; this LCD TV is a mere 15 inches but with mighty LCD resolution. The Samsung portable LCD TV can be hung by wall brackets or can ride the pivoting base, and this portable LCD TV includes the full audio and video input range. A twenty-five millisecond response time is reported in this portable LCD TV, essentially reducing blurring to near nothingness. At under $400, you can take the plunge with this portable LCD TV.

Polaroid's FCM-0700A is noteworthy in good cheap LCD TVs. Called the portable LCD TV that goes "under-the-cabinet," this miniscule seven-incher is both an inexpensive portable LCD TV and a way to dip toes into the portable LCD TV lake. This portable LCD TV sells for $200 or less at Target outlets. For that price, you could enliven more than one room with LCD TV.

The Audiovox VE700 might also make a good choice in portable LCD TV. Not quite as portable as the Polaroid portable LCD TV, the Audiovox portable LCD TV is made for cabinet-underside mounting, thereby making this portable LCD TV presumably perfect for anyone obsessed with, say, The Cooking Network or "Iron Chef." On Amazon.com, this LCD TV goes for about $200.

You want a less expensive LCD TV? Try the Casio EV-4500 portable LCD TV. Replete with desktop stand, this seemingly impossibly teeny-weeny four-inch portable LCD TV is under $150 from Amazon.com dealers such as Best Distributor and Deal Zone.

Spending less than $150 on LCD TV is still possible, though some searching may be necessary. The Axion portable LCD TV model numbered ACN-5507 rests comfortably in $100-$150 range. Check out the hip retro-futuristic look. Sure the picture on this portable LCD TV looks just as crystal clear as any portable LCD TV (and every LCD TV, really), but under $150, cheap LCD TV sets become harder and harder to find. For the persevering, the Axion ACN-5507 can be had for $100-$150. The selling point here is the retro futuristic look; this cheap LCD TV looks like something out of "The Jetsons" with its swell ovular shape and putting on some old-time science-fiction is made doubly fun on this ovular portable LCD TV. Hey, it's a great excuse to break out those Doctor Who DVDs…

Normally, this reviewer would be urging caution before running out and blowing a wad on a "cheap LCD TV." With prices like these, though, why wait? Cheap LCD TV sets are multiplying, if anything, so now is better than ever to plunge into the LCD world. See you in the future.