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.
We knew it was coming. We really, really knew it was coming. But you can never be quite sure of these things until the company itself confirms, and that's exactly what Sony has finally done. The consumer electronics giant has announced that the U.S. is officially going to get the new 40-gigabyte PlayStation 3 model on November 2 priced at $399.99. The model forgoes PlayStation 2 backwards-compatibility in favor of a cheap(er) price, but still comes in $50 higher than the most common version of Microsoft's Xbox 360, and $150 more than Nintendo's Wii (assuming you can find one). 
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 6)
player said 12:25AM on 2-16-2008
i have all the ps consoles including the psp i just dont have a ps3 and i am getting 1. So what if they cant play ps2 games keep your ps2!!! ps2 doesnt play most of the ps1 game
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chutt185 said 2:38PM on 10-18-2007
sorry sony. microsoft has u crushed with a much better gaming system
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BearsFan99 said 2:42PM on 10-18-2007
As of now, 71% of almost 600 people said they would not buy a PS3. What will Sony do now? FYI, I'm a Nintendo fan.
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Tiffany said 2:51PM on 10-18-2007
I just rather keep my 60GB Because at least it plays PS2 and PS1 games. Wouldn't want the 40GB if it don't play PS2 games.
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Darlene Miller said 2:55PM on 10-18-2007
you know what, I am not impressed. The company is trying to profit off of the over stock of the P3 version that excludes you from playing P2 games. Then they come out with the P3 version that allows the play of P2 on its' system which is still priced entirely too high. I have always believed in product loyality, but there is a point I will not cross, and that point is thinking you are doing me a favor: that I am somewhat lucky that you guys put p3 on the market as if there is no competition.
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sarah shoop said 2:54PM on 10-18-2007
Ok, first of all 399 is no bargain considering it won't play the 50 or so games i have for ps2, and honestly with games at around 60 a peice dont you think they could cut a little slack on the price of the console? Gaming has become a very, very expensive hobby. Would love to get the PS3 but will have to buy used maybe next year.
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sarah shoop said 2:58PM on 10-18-2007
Oh and bearsfan you are right, GO NINTENO!!
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Adrian Ravelo said 3:17PM on 10-18-2007
Sony needs to hire new upper management! They just keep making mistakes. I'm available :)
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jack said 3:15PM on 10-18-2007
If it doesn't play PS2 games what good is it? I should buy all new games?
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connie said 3:20PM on 10-18-2007
Geez people do you not read the article in full before you post your comment??? If you did then you would have seen that the PS3 will play the PS2 games.... so stop griping about it.
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SARSVET said 3:27PM on 10-18-2007
Sorry sony! I addicted to XBOX 360:-P
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Gary said 3:52PM on 10-18-2007
This version will fail!!!!
Why would anyone in their right mind buy a system that can't play the PS1 and PS2 games. Sony is heading for failure and I hope it hits hard just in time for the holidays!!!!
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Gary said 3:50PM on 10-18-2007
Connie:
Your wrong. You did not read it yourself then. The new version will NOT BE backwards-compatibile.
Everyone is correct but YOU!!!!
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I read it.... said 3:30PM on 10-18-2007
Actually Connie had you read the whole article you would've seen that the cheaper version would forgo the PS2 backwards compatability (won't PS2 games). Only the more expensive models, will have the capability to play the older games: as they already do that...
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drac said 3:37PM on 10-18-2007
so it forgoes backwards cap and refuses to play ps2 games...which are highly advance and detailed....I still say the ps3 was rushed and not needed..neither was the 360....but they wanted to match nintendo's upcoming wii release
in any event..the pc [personal computer] still offers better graphics and even the ability to play ps2/ps1 games...so I guess you can just buy a ps2 controller for your puter and d/l an emulator for ps2/1 games to work
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j said 3:39PM on 10-18-2007
Nintendo Wii owns xbox and playstation...enough said.
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imfrom908 said 3:41PM on 10-18-2007
two words: halo 3
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wadda said 3:42PM on 10-18-2007
Co Connie you must not have read what people are talking about the new 40g ps3 that is being released for 399 does not play ps2 games it is the 80 g for 499 that has this feature
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sony all bad said 3:49PM on 10-18-2007
Yeah i noticed sony tryin too get over when my god of war 2 game for ps2 wouldnt even work in a ps2 system? and they said my system was defective but it played all other up to date games EX: ea's black and scarface. Then i noticed God of war was made by SONY!!!!! Man they are gettin shady i never liked microsoft because i was sony loyal but now with halo 3 ive been converted. Thanks bill gates for keepin gameing fun and affordable.
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Sam said 2:54PM on 10-19-2007
Sony is now first learning it made crucial mistakes. First the Runmble feature. Now its realizing $500.00-$600.00 was too high considering most of the same games can be played on a less expensive system with better graphics and better online experience. The Xbox live interface is soo much better looking than PS3 AND The experience is awesome and still 50.00 cheaper than ps3 oh and it has backwards compatibility with older xbox games.
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