Traditionalists might balk, but the holiday shopping season is already underway. Skeptical? Head to your local department store and you'll be inundated by Christmas trees and ornaments. Bargain hunters, though, know that the real deals are more than a month away.
Black Friday, traditionally, is when retailers truly slash prices. Early birds can save hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars off of their holiday bills. Switched.com checked with a few elves, who gave a sneak peek at what you can expect deal-wise this year.
Blu-ray Players and Movies: Blu-ray is shaping up to be the biggest door buster of this year's Black Friday. de Grandpre expects at least one retailer will offer a Blu-ray player for just $49. Look for bargains on Blu-ray films as well, with last year's hit titles (such as "Iron Man") to fall as low as $5.
Laptops: With the proliferation of Netbooks this year, it's never been easier to find affordable portable computing, but Dan de Grandpre, CEO of DealNews.com says it will get even cheaper on Black Friday. Look for well-equipped Netbooks to sell for $199 – and basic 15" laptops to go for as little as $249.
HDTVs (Pretty big): The holidays are typically the best time to buy a new TV – and Black Friday is the time to do it. If you're looking for a normal sized set, you're in luck. Piper Jaffrey analyst Mitch Kaiser says he expects to see 32-inch LCD sets for as low as $299. GottaDeal.com is estimating 37-inch plasma and LCD sets will fall to $399 or less.
HDTVs (Really big): Need something bigger? How about a 46-47 inch LCD set for $599 – a 25 percent savings? Or a 52-inch LCD for $999? Dealnews says you can expect both. Plasma deals will be a little harder to come by, but a 50-inch set should run roughly $899.
HD Camcorders: You've wanted to shoot your child's school play in HD for a while, but haven't been able to spring for the pricey camcorder. This might be the year. Low-end, flash-based 720p models could drop as low as $60 (though you won't be able to zoom with those). Expect a high quality 1080p HD camcorder for $349.
GPS: While navigation systems have dramatically expanded their reach this year – even making it onto the iPhone – there's still a market for car-based systems. Dealnews predicts you'll be able to find a no-name entry-level system for $49, while a Garmin or Tom-Tom brand will be as low as $69.
Digital Picture Frames: Showcasing your digital pictures consistently gets cheaper. This year, skip the 7-inch screens and focus on the 8- or 9-inch ones, which should be available on Black Friday for as little as $30.
Monitors: Computer monitors might not be the sexiest of gifts, but they're usually welcomed with open arms – and they'll be cheap this year. Name brand 22-inch LCD models may go for as low as $99, while 24-inch models will drop below $150.
Memory: Don't know anyone who needs a monitor? External hard drives are always popular, since they're an easy way to back-up data. Dealnews expects a 1TB drive to fall as low as $49 this year. Gottadeal is looking for 8GB flash drives to hit $15.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
E. Doss said 3:46PM on 5-03-2007
It makes sense to me that soldiers would be restricted in what they can talk about online. The opportunity to vent or share is like the legal attractive nusiance law that we use to protect children. The soldier does not intend to tell too much but the need to talk, to release pent up energy can result in verbal slippage. Loose lips still sink ships.
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Yvonne Sequera said 7:40PM on 5-03-2007
I understand the campany commanders concern about soldiers blogs. I am the wife of an officer who spent 14 awesome years in the USA Army. I know soldiers need to vent. It is healthy for them to express their inner feelings. I would suggest, that the E-8's and XO's of the battery's read and review the blog's the soldiier has written. Or give them a class on what is and not allowed in a blog. After, all there is freedom of speech in America. That includes the Military. It's stressful enough that they are away from thier family's emotional support. I think taking the blog's away would effect the moral of the troops. I hope that does not occur.
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mary said 3:46PM on 5-14-2007
i think they should have the right to vent it's a natural need to stay healthy. yes i agree they should let our troops know what is ok and not. but they are away from thier loved ones and need to communicate some of the fear and horror the deal with . always supporting our troops.!!stay strong !!
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Natalie said 4:13PM on 5-14-2007
Okay I understand about security and all, but to ban emails is rediculous. I think that soliers should be abled to email family and friends, because that maybe the only way they can communicate with anyone. Some may think that they can keep in touch through the mail but mailing letters from Iraq can take up to 2 and half weeks to get where you want it. Also myspace and YouTube actually gives them some entertainment when they get a chance to enjoy some free time. It's doesn't make them feel secluded and gives them the sense to feel they still know what's going on back in the United States.
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kbart said 4:54PM on 5-14-2007
I am the wife of a soldier and an ex soldier myself. This is good in one way and terrible in another. My Husband is in Iraq, He has trouble getting to a phone most of the time. So emails are one of the few ways that we can talk. So in that way its terrible, now me and my husband will hardly get to talk at all. In the other way though- I have a friend whose husband is also in the Army. He Likes to use myspace to cheat on her while he is in Iraq. So in that way it is good to be restricting them. So I believe that they should still be able to email or blog, and that either a class would be great but the idea that an officer review each soldiers blogs/ emails is unreasonable.. there are just too many soldiers and not enough time for an officer to do such things. I always support our troops! To take away thier ability to talk to thier families and friends would make thier strain a terrible thing to try to deal with. Freedom of speech is supposed to be a given in american citizens, yet now we deny that right to our soldiers who sacrifice more than the average person realizes. They often sacrifice home, family and happiness to make sure that we are safe..shouldnt we at least let them have some thing to help????? Go CAV!!
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Rick Bard said 8:52AM on 5-21-2007
As a former military person, I agree, having some form of contact with friends and family during difficult times is very helpful especially being halfway across the world. When I was in, well email was not invented yet, but letters and such helped alot. But I hear people say freedom of speech, but I was told along time ago while in the military, your only rights are covered under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) and not covered by the Constitution of the United States. Once enlisted in the military, now catch this, You are military or government property! Just something to think about. Check with the lawyers, but this is what I was told many years ago. So freedom of speech is under the Constitution of the United States not the UCMJ. I support the troops 100%, but the right of free speech is not look upon in a positive way in the military, hence "Request permission to speak, Sir!"
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ccibsen446 said 5:30PM on 5-14-2007
Makes sense to me that their web activities are somewhat restricted.
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