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 4)
Robert Edwards said 12:42PM on 9-20-2007
There isn't that sense of family there was when people had many kids and most stayed close to home after they grew up. People find a need to connect to Someone and there is always someone online to connect to.
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Andy said 1:53PM on 9-20-2007
Just of opposite, I go and get it over with then get on the net.
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Tater Salad said 2:08PM on 9-20-2007
Hummmmm let's see.. My wife or the internet.....
Come on this is what is makeing this country a bunch of brainless idiots!!
Duhhh wait honey I am looking up somthing on google, or Oh wait dear I am looking at teenagers on myspace....
Perversion and foolishness. Get off the computer spend time with your wife and kids!!
It is time to bring back some good old fashion family values, Bring God back into the picture and start being a powerful country again.
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G.L. said 1:16PM on 9-22-2007
I love the internet so much because it allows me to contsantly stay in touch with what's going on around the world.Where as with getting all of the news fom t.v. or the radio,you have to listen to a lot of "news crap " that you're not interested in until they finally start talking about something that you do want to hear about.With the net I can "cut the crap".
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Lee said 7:26PM on 9-22-2007
Sex is the most over-rated act on the face of the earth. It's about hormones and nature wanting us to reproduce. Sadly, our country is still backward about talking about birth control and safe-sex practices. China is the only country who really is serious about limiting population growth. It's great to think less sex is happening because people are on the internet.
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Geegee Davis said 8:19PM on 9-22-2007
It isn't just sex that gets neglected. It is work, homework, yard work, house work, pets, and family life that is neglected because of the internet. It tears families apart and causes divorce, child neglect.. It has really a two sided sword. You can gain also kinds of info on the internet.. but you can lose out on life. I know, because I did.
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N.A. said 8:22PM on 9-22-2007
Hmm lets do it the easy way and have sex while on the internet.
You already know that you pay to watch it, so why not have people pay to watch you?
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Geegee Davis said 8:21PM on 9-22-2007
Sorry for the typos I just made,, but you get the idea, don't you ?? I sure hope so.
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CHRIS said 8:26PM on 9-22-2007
WOMEN ARE JUST BORING THEY GET OLD AND UGLY WHO WANTS THE SAME STUFF OVER AND OVER DAY AFTER DAY .THEY JUST WANT TO BE SERVICED WELL HEY WE WANNA B SERVICED ,HOW BOUT THAT DAMMIT
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RonKrise said 8:55PM on 9-22-2007
I have been telling people this for years and only now are studies proving my statments. I guarantee that in 200 yrs, the white race will disappear---not because of race riots, disease, gangs, divorce, etc. but because the white male is more interested in the internet than intercourse. Laugh if you will...but I know personally of marital strife caused by this.
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CHRIS said 8:35PM on 9-22-2007
LOL THAT WAS FUNNY
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Jeff Wayne- Patrick Russell said 11:46PM on 9-22-2007
a poem-
`A SAILOR OF COLD SHOWERS
LOUD SPEAKER SOUNDS:
"There's no swimming in the Heavy Waters,
No singing in the Acid Rain"*
The Acid Rain
Your brain on I-Porn
How waterproof is your I-Pod?
Another Sailor, yes
of Cold Showers
A Sailor and his bride
Alive
Remember, alongside
the Admiral's Ship
That setting port
from San Diego Port,
yes, maybe Virginia
Maryland...
On some Kissing
Dancing, oh
too dance with you
A Home- land Love
Dancing, Kissing
Making Amore'
Love for you
Sailor on
Returning American shores
A Sailor and his
Bride
He carries painted photographs
American home- made portraits
Writes her,
Writes her, night and
Bunk- days
What Hours?
Sea?
Writes?
The American Stamp
Air- mail, I know you'll
Thank them
Air- men.
The Liberty- Freedom Stamp
*Neil Peart
by the Chantilcleer Poet
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EBZ said 9:07PM on 9-22-2007
This survey is most likely BS. Who in their right mind would pick the internet over GOOD SEX?! Sex can be bad or good....now if it's bad or alright sex GO FIND good sex but don't pick the internet over good sex. lol No one should settle for bad sex but this article seems hmmmm interesting.
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M said 9:06PM on 9-22-2007
Don't you think the intenet is for your own good and keeps you from getting AIDS?
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Ken said 9:16PM on 9-22-2007
Well, I beg to differ with the majority above...I'd take "the deed" any day, any hour, any minute over the internet & I would do my level best to make her happy!!!!!
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Mike said 9:19PM on 9-22-2007
Hmm, 76% say they have never turned down sex for the internet. Maybe the internet keeps husbands at home instead of the bar?
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Mike said 9:17PM on 9-22-2007
HMMM. 76% say they have never turned down sex for the internet, Maybe the internet is keeping husbands at home instead of the bar?
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me said 9:28PM on 9-22-2007
I want to date Ken... :)
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Arch said 9:41PM on 9-22-2007
With 80% of all websites dedicated to some type of porn, I would submit that to many Americans the internet IS sex.
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everet said 9:47PM on 9-22-2007
tater salad maybe it is the wife not a man U R A discrimator (clown)
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