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 2)
cleo said 3:27PM on 2-18-2009
If you are driving and talking/texting, you are endangering not only your life, but my life too. There is no way in hell that any should disagree with this law. Now they need to turn their attention to adults who not only speed, but they use cell phones at the same time. If you are suicidal, stayat home and practice killing yourselves. While I'm on the road with you, don't do things do endager both out lives.
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dhdspray said 3:04PM on 9-14-2007
FINALLY!!!! ADULTS SHOULD BE NEXT ??? THERE JUST AS BAD
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Ruth Vaida said 3:01PM on 9-14-2007
I am 68 years old and have had more close calls with adults on the phone running stop signs etc.
Lets ban all cell phone use while driving,if you need to talk pull over to the side of the road!
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Cecilia said 4:53PM on 9-14-2007
I agree and support this decision. I've been observing that about 75% of the people driving in the city are talking on cellular phone during day time. It became cheaper or even free to call from mobiles, but I didn't think about people "texting" while driving! I believe that all states should do the same and ban cell from not only teens, but also from adults while driving.
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Z. Chambers said 3:05PM on 10-12-2007
I will not converse with a calling party who is calling from a cellphone while driving. I always ask "are you driving and talking?" If they say "Yes", I reply "Call me when you are NOT driving" and then I hang up. Anyone who uses a cellphone while driving is endangering themselves and others. Headsets, boom mikes, bluetooth, does not eliminate the risks. My opinion, don't like that, tough!
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mike hylton said 10:49PM on 11-19-2007
please mr goverment keep me safe,, tell me what i can and can not do, im to dumb to take care of myself,,, your giving them to much power people!!!! they will abuse it
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pat said 4:30AM on 11-22-2007
Just shows most can't do more than one thing at once.
They should ban poeple from using there phone while driving. They don't pay atention to the road. Lane change without looking they just look forward only and don't pay attention what is beside and behind them.
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Mariam said 11:07AM on 11-22-2007
I SOO AGREE I MEAN HELLO ITS UR LIFE SO TEXTING SOMEONE IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN UR LIFE?? OMG THATS SO DUMB I TOTALLY AGREE WITH BANNING CELL PHONES FOR TEENS WHILE DRIVING :)
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Ken said 12:19PM on 11-22-2007
For Mike Hylton and others with similar views on the subject... it's not your precious little butt that I'm concerned about. People talking on cell phones are a hazzard to others on the roads. I have had many close calls from cell phone talkers not paying attention to their driving. All cell phone use while driving should be prohibited in the interest of innocent parties.
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jag1149 said 9:25AM on 11-24-2007
I can't believe they only made the fine $ 20.00. Those kids could care less about the money. Now if the fine was a $ 1000.00 then maybe the would listen
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CLARATITLER said 10:05AM on 11-24-2007
MY GRANDSON WAS KILLED HALLOWEEN NIGHT WHILE HIS FRIEND WAS TALKING ON A CELL PHONE& TRYING TO DRIVE. STILL HAVING A HARD TIME DEALING WITH IT . HIS FRIEND LIVED & MY GRANDSON WAS A PASSENGER& HE DIED. THEY HIT A TREE.
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Vicki Trussell said 10:35AM on 11-24-2007
It is not just teenagers but the adults too. Driving and talking on the phone even if it is hands free is DANGEROUS and should be banned. Are people really that stupid that they think only teenagers are text messaging. Give me a break!!
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T.J.Davis said 11:24AM on 11-24-2007
No one and I mean No one, should be able to use a cell phone or watch TV while driving. The fine should not be a slap on the wrist either.
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Lulu said 11:02PM on 11-24-2007
I just hope all states ban cell phone use while driving, not just for teens but also for adults. When will people wake up?! Is it an ego thing or what? "Look at me - I am so important I must be reachable at all times!".
Not only do we have to contend with drivers speeding and cutting in and out of lanes, now they do it while yakking on the phone!
www.biglulu.com
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Cab said 11:33PM on 11-24-2007
How can the police give tickets for doing the same thing, talking on their cell phones?
Watch and you will see.
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Cab said 11:32PM on 11-24-2007
Its not just the teens talking on the cell phone, its the police, truckers, business people,
The states who have the laws are not enforceing them at least not in my town.
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Jim Brai said 5:16AM on 11-25-2007
BULLSHIT!! I bought a cell phone so that i could talk on the move. Sending text messages is just plain STUPID but there's NO WAY that I' going to pull off the road to TALK. I can TALK to people inthe car with me, I can listen to the radio or other people in the car, and I can TALK on a two-way radio. If those dumbassed cops can talk on radios and cellphones while driving SO CAN I. I'm a hell of a lot more intelligent than any cop. And I seem to be a member of a rare group of people. I'm one of those rare people who can walk and chew gum at the same time. Anti cell phone people canKISS MY ASS!!
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shelly kalnitsky said 9:08AM on 11-26-2007
Using a cell phone while driving is one dangerous aspect of cell phone use.However usage of cell phones in general may lead to serious health effects especially among teens and children whose brain tissues are still developing. Visit www.cprnews.com, a reporting site on cell phone dangers with over 140 studies under world news.
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Jen said 2:45PM on 11-27-2007
I agree the fine should be more than $20!!!!!!! A fine is supposed to be a deterrent. Who cares about $20 or $50 bucks??
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Ronnie Green said 7:52AM on 11-28-2007
Think about it.How do you react to bad or upseting news on the phone, or in an emotional argument with some one, there is no way you can be watching the road with safty in mind.
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