Sony's XEL-1 OLED TV spotted at Sam's Club for $1,748

You can order up Sony's XEL-1 OLED TV from SonyStyle.com right now for $2,499.99 and hope that it ships by tomorrow. Or, you can waltz on down to your local Sam's Club, plunk down for a membership and walk out with the previously mentioned set for just $1,748.51. We can't say for sure if these units are available at Clubs nationwide just yet, but that's a comparatively delicious price for those in the market for an ultra-small, ultrathin OLED TV. Anyone care to guess how cheap this thing will be on Black Friday?

[Thanks, Vishal]

[grull27 @ Aug 5th 2008 1:52PM]

Always low prices! ;)

[Ignatius @ Aug 5th 2008 1:53PM]

Always insane prices.

[steve @ Aug 6th 2008 4:02AM]

*Slaps back pocket twice*

[MMisterio @ Aug 5th 2008 1:53PM]

but can it display Crysis in 1080p?

[fieldcar @ Aug 5th 2008 1:57PM]

It sure could.... It sure could... IF IT WASNT 960x540!!!!

[matjet @ Aug 5th 2008 9:39PM]

it says on the sign "1080p".

[fieldcar @ Aug 5th 2008 1:53PM]

Ultra thin huh? This thing reminds me of a fat guy with a small head.

[Alex @ Aug 5th 2008 1:53PM]

Saw this TV on CES. Not impressed at all. Sure the blacks are the deepest I've seen. But the performance on the color blue is sub-par and the life of the screen is just ridiculous.

BTW, 1st post!

[TRAFFICBLOWS @ Aug 5th 2008 2:02PM]

ummm yeah, more like 1 + 4

[Andrew @ Aug 5th 2008 2:28PM]

Hey now, it IS the first post, plus/minus 10% which is the industry standard.

[Alex @ Aug 5th 2008 2:39PM]

Lol, the Internet at work went down for about a minute after I commented. Doh!

[NHAnimator @ Aug 5th 2008 3:09PM]

(original)

[macserv @ Aug 5th 2008 4:40PM]

You're a douche and you're nuts... the picture is nothing short of stunning.

[alllrighty then @ Aug 5th 2008 1:55PM]

And get a free eye exam for your $1700 11 inch TV!

[youknowme @ Aug 5th 2008 2:01PM]

Thats a blast. You really might need one though.

[Denver_80203 @ Aug 5th 2008 1:55PM]

Or you could just buy a laptop with a larger screen. Is it really THAT much better?

[Onouris @ Aug 5th 2008 3:40PM]

Well it is. By a long way. But the size and the price aren't.

[OneLove @ Aug 5th 2008 1:57PM]

epic fail!

[James Jones @ Aug 5th 2008 1:59PM]

its for the same suckers that buy anything that says "HD"

[fieldcar @ Aug 5th 2008 2:02PM]

Reminds me of a friend that bought the 1st gen DLP's advertising 1080P... how sad was he to see that he maxed out at 1080i on his inputs.

[Tim @ Aug 5th 2008 2:01PM]

Anyone else confused why a high-end Sony TV is at Sam's Club of all places?

[Tim @ Aug 5th 2008 2:05PM]

Like, really...
"Hey honey, get that 3-gallon jug of mayo and 10lbs box of rice-krispy treats... Oooooh this teevee sure is purdy...."

[Arjun @ Aug 5th 2008 2:06PM]

Personally, I'll take a Vizio over Sony...but Sam's club has got everything. Usually they have damn good brands...And Costco is even better.

[The Dude @ Aug 5th 2008 2:19PM]

"Gee, paw. Dis sure wud make a gud weddin' present fur mah shotgun weddin' to mah cuzin Sue! Better'n dat grill dat can handle 8 o' de fattest possums you ever did see. Whooooo-wee! I'z gunna luv watchin' Nascar on dis here tee-vee. We're reg'sturd at Sam's Club everehbuddy!"

[Lowest Ranked @ Aug 5th 2008 2:43PM]

Dude, you are overwelmingly good at that, its almost concerning.

[The Dude @ Aug 5th 2008 3:06PM]

Clearly I underestimated the amount of hicks who frequent Engadget and would take offense. Either that or Sam's Club shoppers are touchy about being equated with the hick stereotype. Probably the latter. Regardless, this here city slicker is sorry. I was just kidding. Kind of. Maybe.

@Lowest Ranked:
There's no cause for concern. The Dude's parody was just that; no personal experience or self-portrayal here.

[Esteban @ Aug 5th 2008 3:42PM]

@The Dude

Explain to me again why you care so much about what people on the internet "rate" your comments?

[The Dude @ Aug 5th 2008 4:55PM]

@Esteban:
1. Explain "again?" There was a first time?
2. I do not care. You need to refine your ability to assess sincerity.

[o29 @ Aug 5th 2008 5:24PM]

@The Dude:

You forgot the third possibility which is,

C) Your comment was entirely devoid at humor.

Yeah, I think it might be that one.

[xcrunk @ Aug 5th 2008 2:02PM]

@one lump

dude...that is such cool talk. I need to learn how to speak like that.

Yah...EPIC FAIL MAN. So COOL.

[EricLMcCormick @ Aug 5th 2008 2:04PM]

No way and I paying that price for an 11" TV which I just paid that for a 50" which takes up the same depth(with stand).

Maybe pimp my ride can waste some money sticking one of these things in the truck so you can play PS3 in the parking lot of 7-11 while you chill with your peeps.

[fieldcar @ Aug 5th 2008 2:06PM]

Lol @ sams club sales tag... 1080P... lies! I wouldn't mind this thing for a cool $250.

[wgarth @ Aug 5th 2008 2:12PM]

Based on the two retail price points of "full" retail @ $2499 and "club" retail of $1748, I would not expect a Black Friday price below the $1748. If 'regular' invoice price is around $1625, what incentive does any retailer have to sell this on Black Friday for zero profit? How many feet would they actually drive into the store? That's what Black Friday is all about!

[Christopher @ Aug 5th 2008 10:54PM]

What incentive to they have selling anything on Black Friday for a ridicules price, to get people in the store.

[kris @ Aug 5th 2008 2:19PM]

How is "crunk" any better? "epic fail" wasn't created by some low-rent rapper somewhere.

[diode3diode @ Aug 5th 2008 2:23PM]

I saw this in the Metreon building in SF and this thing is heavy, at least 10 lbs. The good news is that its like CRT screens and its viewable at different angles, you don't get that darkening screen like in LCDs (when viewed from an angle).

[Arsonism @ Aug 5th 2008 3:03PM]

According to the Sony Site, it only weighs half that, 1.9kg.

[diode3diode @ Aug 5th 2008 6:20PM]

The screen part is light yes, but the base is heavy. I remember it had that sign that said "do not touch" but I went ahead and try and feel the weight anyway. Maybe it's not 10 lbs exactly but it's heavy enough that the technology is not there yet for it to be incorporated into a laptop (which I am wishing for).

[kinshadow @ Aug 5th 2008 2:27PM]

"Anyone care to guess how cheap this thing will be on Black Friday?"

I don't know, but I can guarantee you it will require a mail-in-rebate.

[Iridium @ Aug 5th 2008 2:30PM]

Don't knock the XEL-1 unless you've seen it. It has the best picture of any TV by far. The life of the screen is an easy 10 years or more with normal viewing.

Yes it is small and overpriced but the XEL-1 is an overpriced executive toy, not a mainstream set. Lawyers and CEOs are buying these things like candy for thier desks. $2500 is pocket change for the type that buy this. $1,700 makes it a no brainer purchase. These guys will check a box for $6500 massage seats on thier car.

Sam's will sell every unit they can get thier hands on. In fact at $1700 they are losing out on a good $300 that they could still charge.

[JayVe @ Aug 5th 2008 3:29PM]

Sorry, I call bullshit on the claims that the Sony OLED TV has a very long lifespan. Sony's global consumer electronics division, said it was true that OLED's total lifespan is lower than current flat panel technologies

[ds @ Aug 5th 2008 3:31PM]

Lawyers and CEOs are buying these like candy for their desks?? Seriously wtf why?

I am a tech guy so I'm impressed and interested in the tech, but lawyers and CEOs generally know shit about tech, and I can't imagine them being impressed or enjoying watching anything on a screen half the size of the LCD already on their desk.

[Dee @ Aug 5th 2008 2:46PM]

Whoever would pay over $1700 for an 11" LCD definitely has more money than they need.

If you are such a person, could you send some my way...

[simon @ Aug 5th 2008 2:53PM]

OK I'll say the obvious...
Dude, it's NOT and LCD! It's an OLED, and when you see one live it is truely amazing. Alas too rich for my blood.

[Dee @ Aug 7th 2008 12:25AM]

my bad...

Whoever would pay over $1700 for an 11" OLED definitely has more money than they need.

If you are such a person, could you send some my way...

[turtlesoup @ Aug 5th 2008 2:48PM]

Does it come with it's own magnifying glass or is that an extra accessory?

[agroupofletters @ Aug 5th 2008 8:56PM]

Well, it's so sony, so yes, but not just any magnifying glass will do. You will have to buy their special Magnifying pro duo which costs 4x as much as a regular one with no added benefits!

[vileta2 @ Aug 5th 2008 3:03PM]

You suck Jon, I hate your YouTube reviews.

What now.

[Kevin @ Aug 5th 2008 3:13PM]

While the price seems over the top, I won't poop this party. It's just good to see OLED TVs (along with LED backlit LCDs) in stores. I will let early adopters grab them now and happily purchase one when the price drops low enough.

[ShadowKain @ Aug 5th 2008 3:14PM]

I kno its a new advancement in technology, but I'll pass. I'd rather have a large LCD for less. But, I find it quite funny that in a years time, the price will be down by 50%... XD...then I laugh at those early adopters...same way I laughed at the people who paid insane prices for the Q6600 when I paid a little under 300 for it for being patient :)