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)
ckb316 said 12:16PM on 6-11-2009
I believe that focusing on teen drivers is a form of age discrimination. Why should they receive a harsher punishment when adults may text as often as teens? Where are the statistics saying that all teens text while driving more often than adults who text while driving? Is the trolley driver a teenager? It is my understanding that he is not. So why are the newscasters shifting the attention from adults who text while driving to teens?
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boomer said 5:16PM on 8-29-2007
if texting while driving is "really" that dangerous , why aren't points being assessed to your driving record for violations ? this law is following the same path as the origional seat belt laws -- no points ; just a fine . which shows us that our "whoares" in sacramento are simply using the safety argument to create a new revenue stream . "MOMMY" government at it's best !
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agoodthinker said 11:55PM on 8-29-2007
It's terrible what happened to those girls, but if you think about it, TEXT at a stop light, or stop sign. Not only that I personally don't even have to look at my phone while texting and can do it with one hand. :)
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BikerDave said 2:10PM on 9-03-2007
I was nearly hit and was run off the road by a texting car driver while motorcycling. The same thing has happened numerous times with motorists talking on their cell. Pay attention, hang up and drive. Give us 2 wheelers a break.
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Mark said 3:35PM on 9-03-2007
Another reason for birth control!!! Today, most kids are so selfish, arrogant, and all about me,me,me. Texting while driving is even worse than reading a book while driving. How flippen stupid can a person be?
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John Devine said 9:54PM on 9-03-2007
Why only teenagers? I have a 45 year old daughter who drives ninety on the freeway, no hands on the wheel, swinging across four or five lnes at a time to pass, and tailgates. She does all this while texting and looking at her phone to type. Her mother and I absoluteely refuse to ride with her any more. We need to stay alive so there is someone to bury her. How sad is that?
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MyOpinion said 4:02PM on 11-20-2007
Why are only teenagers stated in this law? What about the other age groups that text behind the wheel?
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Chandra said 7:36PM on 11-25-2007
I think texting while driving should be illegal because it takes the decision away from the drivers. Infact, not everyone is a good driver and at the same level of skill. Yet we all think we're great drivers. Right?! I'd be open to multi tasking but not at the risk of my child's life. So if you text and drive please consider that it's my job to make sure my child makes it home safe. And with all the technology out there... Get a bluetooth and just talk!!!! There are plenty of unlimited calling plans out there that are affordable for kids and parents. Texting should be saved for times when a conversation should be silent. Not every conversation 24/7. It's lame that we even have to enter a blog about how reckless it is for someone to take on such a task. It's not all about YOU, YOU, YOU. What about my 4 year old's safety??? Doesn't that count?
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Dyan said 10:12PM on 11-20-2007
People need to realize that operating a moving vehicle is a responsibility that requires a driver's full attention. It's ridiculous that we have to legislate common sense.
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