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 3)
Lindsay said 10:35AM on 3-16-2009
If you are not hiding anything, why are you chasing someone out? If you are here to learn and share knowledge..why did you have to chase her out? If you were doing something legal ..you wouldnt care if she was there...
You met in a public convention hall..as in anyone can be there
Just so you know hackers..you only brought attention to yourself..by doing that. When you publicly humilate someone in that aspect. You will only bring more attention to yourselves..not very smart..I thought you guys were so smart....
Its only a matter of time before you are back in your basement having meetings while playin xbox live..hiding from the real world....
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jay said 1:54PM on 8-06-2007
First, FIRST!!!
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Will said 2:21AM on 8-07-2007
Oh, sure...send an attractive blonde to a hackers convention...SHE won't stand out. Brilliant.
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Will said 3:05PM on 8-06-2007
Oh, sure...send an attractive blonde to a hackers convention...SHE won't stand out. Brilliant.
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EagleSpeak said 10:11PM on 8-06-2007
awesome awesome awesome
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Chairman Meow said 9:16PM on 8-06-2007
Because all hackers are overweight, acne-ridden mongoloids.
There mistake was in sending a reporter. If you want to get the inside scoop without fear of being caught, don't send someone well-established and bound to be picked up as soon as the name is seen on the guest list or her face is seen in the crowd; send Steve from IT or the mail girl.
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WILL said 4:47PM on 8-06-2007
HAHAHAHAA THAT WAS FUNNY WILL
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sassy said 6:03PM on 8-06-2007
I agree veejaybee. Nice point.
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me said 6:05PM on 8-06-2007
why is a hacker convention even allowed? don't we arrest people that hack into computers? i bet those geeks aren't so tough when THEY'RE walking alone.
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Rob said 6:07PM on 8-06-2007
She was doing her job, not hurting anyone...regardless...the people "escorting her out" acted like jerks. Yes, some will say that some journalists and photographers act like jerks sometimes too. Will the reporters be more careful/smarter next time, sure they will. Taking a pic of the reporter and saying it's for those helpless predator's...please...Grow Up! The people making the comments sounded like high school goobers! Glad they got their 5 minutes of fame-idiots!
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Jules said 6:11PM on 8-06-2007
Methinks she didn't much care for being on the receiving end of the scrutiny. Most amusing!
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The Phantom said 8:54PM on 8-06-2007
Dan Rather getting punched at the 1968 Democratic Convention - now THAT'S getting attacked.
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Yvonne said 6:11PM on 8-06-2007
What a bunch of immature jerks chasing this woman. I be they don't have any girlfriends.
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david said 6:20PM on 8-06-2007
To bad she didn't hit the wall at over one hundred miles per hour trying to escape like Diana did. ITs our right to know what she was doing there. ITs our right to know who she was sleeping with. Its our right to know what she spent her money on. Its our right to know what her political views are. ITs our right to know what kind of plastic surgery she has had. IT is our right to know who here friends are. I demand to know what size her breasts are. I demand to know who she slept with while she was there. I demand to know who paid her salary, for her hair bleach and I must know what kind of drugs she used. ITs our right to know!
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Trish said 6:27PM on 8-06-2007
Am I supposed to believe that she is the bad guy here??? Sure seems like it.
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Judy said 6:40PM on 8-06-2007
What a bunch of freaks and nerds. Huh Huh!!
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Chris said 6:51PM on 8-06-2007
I have a solution to the whole so called hacker problem....
Make stronger hacker laws...it's as easy as that...then hackers will think twice before they think about messing with anyone else again.
example:Put them in jail for twice as long.
These hackers have been getting away with to much lately..it's time to put an end this BS!
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Paula said 7:06PM on 8-06-2007
I don't blame the people at the conference for escorting her out. They are within their rights to require reporters to obtain a press pass. Hackers also have the right to assemble. After all, so does the KKK and I find hackers a little less threatening than the KKK.However, the woman was only doing her job and I did not find the way she was hassled and humiliated the least bit amusing. Those guys thought they were real funny abusing a woman alone. Shame on them! If they want respect they should give it to others in return. I would have found it funny if the poor woman had maced them. Would have served them right.
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Willie Carr, Jr. said 11:43PM on 8-06-2007
I agree with those who question why a Hacker's convention is even allowed. Hacking is illegal, why were no law enforcement agencies there with paddy wagons?
As for there being no attack on the reporter because she was not physically touched, that is bogus.I'm 6'3" and 315 lbs, and I'll bet if I invaded the space of any of you who think that was not an attack, you'd run screaming bloody murder, and not just walk away as the reporter did.
The bible says that the power of life and death is in the tongue. Anyone who thinks that a bunch of men yelling and following a lone woman reporter is not an attack is either naive, or dishonest. If she was your daughter, sister, mother, or friend, perhaps you'd feel differently.
As for those of you who have the skills to be hackers, why not try hacking into some of the terrorist groups that our esteemed leaders have spawned around the world, with their assinine policies? Do something to benefit the vast majority of honest working people who are over taxed, over worked, and over burdened.
For those of you who condone the behavior of theame if the convention was of pedophiles like NAMBLA (North America Man & Boy Lovers Association)?
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X_line said 2:26AM on 10-18-2008
NERDS!!! OK.. 1) Who the hell chases away a good looking woman like that.. The only way they'd be interested in her is if she had a keyboard attached to her or was a part of Warcraft or some crap.. 2) Yes there is a negative spin on Hackers.. Gee.. Wonder why.. Just maybe if ya'll didn't try breaking into things you have no right to see.. Stealing personal information.. 3) If they had nothing to hide and weren't doing anything wrong or planning on doing something wrong then why where they so quick to get her out of there.. Hmm.. I'm no Rocket Scientist but last time I check people tend to freak out like that when they know they're caught.. If you're a "Hacker" and don't want us displayed in a negative light STOP DOING THINGS THAT ARE ILLEAGAL AND WRONG!! DUH!!!
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