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.
Computing giant Microsoft and retail overlord Wal-Mart have been named in a lawsuit stemming from the death of an infant boy. The suit claims that a faulty Xbox 360 power adapter caused an electrical fire, killing the boy. Since Wal-Mart sold the unit, it too is named along with the adapter's manufacturer. 
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
William Bischoff said 8:12PM on 1-28-2008
The amount of money listed is just a legal formality. The "in excess of $50,000" will be a A LOT IN EXCESS OF $50,000. How in the world is Walmart in any way responsible for this? If there had ALREADY BEEN A RECALL and Walmart continued to sell the item, maybe, but NOT IN THIS CASE. Toys are sold with AGE GROUP designations too. That is especially important in the case of Electrical units. WHAT IS AN "INFANT" DOING ANYWHERE NEAR A TOY LIKE THIS? I think the parents are looking to assuage their own guilt because of their own NEGLIGENCE.
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CR84 said 8:47AM on 1-30-2008
Wal mart is "the" major player in US economy. They have forced out smaller busineses to become the impire that they are. It is absolutely their responsibility to "make sure" safe products are passed on to the consummer. If I am the judge, Wal Mart not only pays, but sets aside funds to be appropriated for future tragedies.
CR84
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DisneyMan said 4:41PM on 8-04-2008
So sad. A child too. I think that walmart should pay $1,000,000 AND go bankrupt
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Jay said 11:50PM on 12-12-2008
There's alot of information missing here. We all know how easily adapters break but how exactly did it start the fire? Was it surrounded by paper or clothes? Where was it at? In the baby's room? I say baby cuz that's what a small infant is, usually under 3yrs old. Was the infant chewing, like they do, on the wire in that room? It is truly sad whenever someone dies, much less a small child or baby. What does suing Wal-Mart have to do with it? How many things would you buy if you walked into a store and EVERY BOX was already opened to make sure there was nothing wrong with the products inside? Just ridiculous. And someone was mentioning if others always disconnect their games. Well, maybe most don't but should. Everyone knows how warm an adapter gets when you leave it plugged in which was apparently done sine they obviously weren't playing the game when the fire occurred. I don't believe any adapter is meant to be plugged in 24/7. But in any case I definitely wouldn't leave adapters for things I'm not using in the sockets nonstop with a baby or small child in the house and I'm sure the parents didn't expect or want this to happen but they have a big part og the responsibility here. Would you leave a car running in the garage all night in an attached garage & hope nothing happens just beacause the door is cracked open? Of course not!
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Jay said 11:55PM on 12-12-2008
One other thought. Were there NO smoke alarms? it's one thing when your an adult and decide to take your own chances by taking out the battery cause smoke from the kitchen or shower steam makes them go off. It's another to risk someone else's health bydeciding the same for them.
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Um... said 7:50AM on 5-26-2007
yea if an xbox started a fire in my house and killed my child, I'd go right to friggin' town on that company, I'd take them for everything they had, that's ridiculous, a child's life and they have to state excess of 50,000 ? that's a child, who will never live... wth?
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FYI: said 8:12PM on 7-07-2007
Note to Time Stevens and "Um" in regards to the statement: The family is asking for damages "in excess of $50,000."
This is a legality which must be mentioned in the lawsuit. A certain thresholds, the litigants may move the legal matter to another jurisdiction (such as federal court). A precise monetary amount is not always given; a jury can determine whatever amount it sees fit for punitive damages.
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h.j Chheung said 9:46AM on 7-23-2007
The case should be published after legal determination for all to see what truely had happended.
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hottie1122445 said 10:15PM on 8-02-2007
this is horrable and an outrage this frigen child died and there has to be a lawsaut if i where walmart i would give the freaken family the money.thanks to them this innnicont child will not be able to see the rest of its life.that is such a horrable thing.my love goes out to that family.may he or she rest in peace.
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fernando said 12:24PM on 8-05-2007
We should be aware that nothing in this world is safe. The procducts of which we speake are sold for a purpose and that purpose to make money, not save lives. Therefore, any cornor that can be cut to make that extra money; will be cut and the end result could be someones life.
I have always kelpt a strong eye on products like these and kelpt even a closer eye on my children while they used them.
I ask that you do the same.
Fernando Perez Sr
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mdr said 9:31AM on 8-06-2007
I agree it's very tragic, but how is it WalMart's fault? If you want to sue the manufacturer for their faulty product, fine. Don't people realize that every time they broaden their lawsuit to include companies that sell the products they are only hurting themselves and other consumers. Prices are continually raised due to lawsuits that are inappropriately filed against innocent parties and frivolous lawsuits (this one is NOT frivolous, but it shouldn't include them). This is a very tragic accident. I am sorry for the family but again, how is it WalMarts fault?
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happyaddict10 said 2:00AM on 8-09-2007
If this were my child i'd be asking "in excess" of 50 million at least.
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uhmazing said 6:19PM on 8-08-2007
hahaha that kid deserved it. whoever was wasting their time playing the dumb xbox shoulda unplugged it when they were done. its no one's fault. its just one kid. their's plenty more. where were the parents?
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Reca said 8:14PM on 8-08-2007
$50,000 is nothing compared to losing a child! Talk about a low-ball amount that is a slap in the face that shows just how much both companies care! This family lost their child and their home and they these companies actually think that $50,000 will make their problem go away! Tells you what they think of their customers.
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Reca said 4:08PM on 8-09-2007
Reply to Uhmazing! You are so un amazing need to learn to read. When was it the last time you saw and infant playing Xbox? How often do you unplug all the gagets you play with when you are done?
You need to learn to understand what you are reading.
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Reca said 8:13PM on 8-08-2007
$50,000 is nothing compared to losing a child! Talk about a low-ball amount that is a slap in the face that shows just how much both companies care! This family lost their child and their home and they these companies actually think that $50,000 will make their problem go away! Tells you what they think of their customers.
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Sea said 11:49PM on 9-07-2007
that is so sad to hear about the childs death ("R.I.P little one") no matter how much money the family may get over this "it will NEVER be enough"
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browncyb said 11:54AM on 10-19-2007
Uh-mazing. NOT!!!! I can imagine u somewhere attempting to milk a pig or something. Stop yourself. A child, is a child. How dare u say such a thing. Despite all that you "ain't" -- bless you anyway and my prayers to the family
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Mik Brady said 4:02PM on 11-29-2007
Uhmazing - your uncool. shut the hell up
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Deviant said 4:32PM on 11-29-2007
Where were the parents? They should have been taking care of the kid, but now they're conveniently there to sue? If my kid died because of this I wouldn't go around blaming Wal-Mart because of someone I should have been looking after.....Oh, and most of you people should learn to use proper grammar.
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