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)
Seth said 2:09PM on 7-27-2007
I remember when pagers first came out hearing the saying, "Only doctors and drug dealers need to be on call." Basically meaning, everyone should get over themselves and realize that making yourself that available is uncalled for. Same goes for emails. It's just people tyring to make themselves feel more "plugged in" and therefore important. The 2007 version of keeping up with the Jones'
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Marie said 3:23PM on 8-06-2007
I don't get up in the middle of the nite to check my e-mail...i think the teens are the ones who are most addicted....i will wake up @ 3am & there is my 13 yr old on the computer...with my space, xanga, etc, teens these days dont know how good they have it!!!
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Marie said 3:29PM on 8-06-2007
No wonder, more spas are adding sleep disorder solutions to their spa menus.
It isn't just e-mails, it is the RSS feeds and the information that keeps you on top of what is going on in your industry, business trends, personal interests. Why spend time reading a newspaper, when you can have the top news sent to you and already screened based on your preferences.
it is the information age. However, when you go to the spa leave your cell phones, computers, e-mails, text messages off and in the locker room, at some point you need to relax, rest, and recuperate. The need is demonstrated wit the new spa services coming up to treat blackberry thumb. http://www.spavelous.com will help you to find the spa that is right for you to repair those tired eyes and fingers.
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Beachbum said 3:44PM on 8-06-2007
Sleeping with your cell phone? You must not have a mate, mate. I think there is a lonliness issue and when you sleep with your phone, you're indeed having a huge sleep-over with all your on-line friends. I like sleeping. I just turn my phone off and turn on the zzzzzz's.
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SANDY said 4:20PM on 8-06-2007
its just another way of communication, i would rather drop an email, than get stuck on the phone for a long lenght of time, and as far as checking emails in the middle of the night, not me....however thats why i left my ex fiance Joe of 8 years, when a man gets up to check emails in the middle of the night, you can bet he is waiting to hear from someone and not looking for a weather report .two years later..i see him checking at un-godly hours, i say to myself...my stomach would be in a knot if i was still there, he is so addicted and the computer hasmade it so much easier for all the cheaters.
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billswife606 said 6:07PM on 8-06-2007
i check mine in the middle of the night but my husband works nights so i stay up at night to sleep with him during the day. it is not like i lay with my computer on just to listen for them. but i do have many accounts. for different reasons.my family gets one address, my friends get another address, i have one for business and have one just for my kids to contact me, and one for my husband to contact me.i also have one in my maiden name for people i went to school with who contact me so they don't have to remember my married name. and my husband has my passwords to all of them
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Lord Plye Wood said 7:13PM on 8-06-2007
Where's San Jose on that chart? After all, it's the capital of Silicon Valley.
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