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.
It was reported earlier this month that United States officials were blaming Chinese forces for an infiltration into Pentagon-based computers, a hacking that resulted in an internal network crashing for more than a week. 
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Derek said 12:21PM on 9-14-2007
Instead of spending all those resources trying to muzzle its own citizens, perhaps China should divert that energy to tracking down hackers.
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basbleu said 12:29PM on 9-14-2007
Why does the media think China is lying...when our media is the biggest fabricator of facts. I believe that hackers went into the Chinese system, I doubt that China went into the Pentagon system, I am glad that China controls the Internet, I am sorry that nobody in our coutry takes the time or energy to propose some control over the garbage we find on the Internet. China 1 - USA 0
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phoenix arizona insurance broker, company, agent said 1:07PM on 9-14-2007
What a crazy world, huh. That's why you need to believe in God, keep your eyes upon him and your faith rooted there.
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RORY said 12:52PM on 9-14-2007
CHINA IS WHAT IT WILL ALWAYS BE AND MR CLINTON MADE SURE OF THAT IN HIS 2ND PRESIDENCY! HE TOOK BILLIONS FROM THEM IN EXCHANGE FOR NUCLEAR TECNOLOGY! WHAT A GREAT GUY! HE SHOULD HAVE BEEN TRIED FOR TREASON AND HUNG BY HIS BALLS!
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S said 5:26PM on 9-14-2007
basbleu....you truly are an idiot if you actually believe that claptrap you spouted. You doubt that China hacked the Pentagon (i guess all those special deals with algore finally ran out so they had to do what they do best..hack) while making the Chinese govt as being angels? Pathetic.
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brittishbiker@aol.com said 5:21AM on 9-15-2007
We have a bigger threat than the arabs will ever be it is China. But we feed there war machines with every dollar we send there. So buy more asian made cars and T.V,s we can snub out this country called the united states.
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Marc said 8:27AM on 9-15-2007
basbleu....You think government control over the internet it good??????? Maybe they can tell you what time to take a poop in the morning too. As for myself I have enough intelligence to filter my own internet. It's sad that you dont,you need "BIG BROTHER".
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Richard said 5:24PM on 9-15-2007
basbleu You love the red Chinese don't you you traitor. You are another America hating vomit licking scumbag. Move to China you loser, let them spy on your movements asshole.
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Richard said 5:32PM on 9-15-2007
basbleu, Its scum like you who need watching. Its excrement like you who would sell your Country out for a small price, I hope you are the first one to suffer if we are attacked.
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Matthew Moses said 8:32AM on 9-16-2007
Basbleu, I love the irony of your statement. American media may be biased, but it is also independent. There is no independent media in China. And since you loathe the "garbage" on the internet why don't you show a level of maturity and simply ignore it as well as tolerate it since if there were no audience for said content people wouldn't put it up.
And as to the guy who says simply accepting God into your life helps to ease the problems of the world, then I suggest you hurry down to the courthouse to defend Warren Jeffs. Using religion as a benchmark rather than thinking for yourself is simply the same mindless ultra-conservative system China has with a different facade.
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bojangles said 1:36PM on 9-16-2007
this is so pointless. this stuff happens all the time. and china is not a military threat guys. look up the facts. Or at least not now. And hell, why get riled up? china hacks, U.S.A hacks, we hack, thats the world. get used to it
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Exiter said 7:05PM on 9-16-2007
Bottom line as an AMERICAN,when it comes to china,I think we all need to keep a close eye on them to say the least because they actually believe their balls are getting bigger by the hour.I dont know about you but I'm not going to stand for any sort of shady activity especially at a time when they feel like theres more for them to prove.
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Lissa said 10:37PM on 9-18-2007
Actually hacking into the pentagon is a big deal. Unfortunately any smart 19 computer whiz can do it if he has time and equipment. Anything that can be built can be broken into. It is just a matter of how much time it will take. The US government uses 168 bit encryption and allows us only 128 bit encryption so the general public doesnt have experience breaking through that level of protection. Unfortunately, naughty hackers have access to 168 bit and other high level security protocals. All you need is one underpaid - pissed off ex-government employee or a fired security expert from some small company with a government contract and you have problems.
I am more worried about the fact that China blew up one of their "old" satelites from the ground. They "got away" with it because it was their equipment. But it raises the question: Why are they flexing their might, i.e. the ability to do war in space, and two, what would happen if someone "hacked " into their system and blew up some more satelites? All heck would break loose without satelites.... tv, cable, cell phone, computers, gps, intercontinental communication, etc.
Guess thats a question for another blog... I have no beef with the Chinese people per say. I hope their governing body knows that they will be in trouble without us Americans. We buy their stuff the crap and the not so crap... People talk about America alot but the American citizen bears the burden of supporting the world. Our businesses, our technology, our hard earned cash,our soldiers...
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David said 12:31AM on 9-19-2007
Why not believe China? That their pet foods are pure and unadulterated? That their toys are lead-free? When China is embarrassed, they lie, lie, lie.
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