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.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
dj said 12:41PM on 10-19-2007
" nobody buys these things"? Ha HA famous last words. remember when that was said about the cassette and for the 8track.. then the cd for the cassette. just wait and mark my words. I just purchased a new car stereo and specifically wanted one with the usb port for my playlists. its awesome. the new generation is a high tech gen.
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truaxhig said 2:21PM on 10-22-2007
The Strong Hold that the Huge Record Corporations have had for decades has tightened its grip . You can bet the main thing about these devices is added security software to prevent duplication . This may work for awhile until some 15 year old hacks it . Just remember, The United Rebel Alliance of Independant Artist (URAIA) will always Prevail!!!!!!! See these sites for more : http://hosstheboss.com
http://truaxband.com/
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R. L. said 3:17PM on 10-22-2007
These are a backward step in storage. The 8 tracks came and went because the size of 8 tracks for storage and the auto reverse systems in the cassettes gave them the contiuous play of the 8 track only easier to store. The CD could hold more and has clearer music as well and are easier to store than the cassette. All of these moves were an improvement for the consumer.A bracelet with one album just won't make it for long.as small box size containers for massive music collections these USB's are a step up but as a wist band they are a step bacward for the consumer....People will begin to want to cut the wist band part off so thay can be put with other chips in a carying case type box for that media... They may sell at concerts to wear like the tea shirts do but will not get far in the other marketing outlets... in music and electronics smaller is better and for music large amounts in smaller packages is the future. The fact that these chips can be erased by accident can be a down side as well, compaired to the laser disc.....
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K E E P E R said 4:24PM on 10-22-2007
O-K ... well well well ... is it possible that Mr Terrence O'Brien is actually using reverse psychology in his article, which then would be a disguised advertising for the USB music port? Hum, I wonder... let's just think about it... Potentially how many people can access this page since its link is on AOL today?
Now that i read it, what I remember is that USB music is becoming avail and that telling us we won't use it might be the best way to make us try it.
Smart, but we're smart 1/2 ! Tell us the truth Mr O'Brien ... was there a little bribe in the deal for even serving us the artists names, the brands AND the companies putting this product on the market? ;-)) (you can give your opinion about a new product without mentionning any of that)
I don't mind the selling of records, i do that myself, but I like total honesty, transparency and disclosure in business - the big names have the means to do their own ads (also to bribe journalists sadly) So, just swear it wasn't the case, and we'll forgive you for telling us what to buy and from whom.
KEEPER
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