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)
angel said 3:44PM on 10-26-2007
I have full confidence that Britney will overcome her current catastrophe and be back on her game soon. So what, she had a bad year... who amongst us hasn't? Living with K-Fed couldnt have been that easy.
We are all entitled to a couple mini-breakdowns in our adult lives, even Britney. It's just a shame hers are happening in front of our eyes. She will be back on top soon and just in time to say: howdoyalikeme, now? ; )
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June said 4:06PM on 10-26-2007
I thnk the whole lot of them ars just sick in the head--The all act like their one sandwich short of a picnic- Isnt there any star's there in Holly that aren't full of drugs or alcohol- Whold hate to think I had to depend on that stuff to stay alive - all these stars act like they own the world and cn doas they please- Why be Daddy;s and Mothers- Pity the babies- - june
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J.A. McKimmy said 4:03PM on 10-26-2007
Frankly, I never gave a damn about Spears anyway! I'm sick of the media giving her all the attention when there are many IMPORTANT issues to cover, i.e., Bush and that stupid war he got us into, fires burning acres of land and killing our beautiful wild life, hoping to get a new President willing to care about the seniors and disabled, etc. As far as Spears goes--I wish she WOULD just GO!
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CatzMeow said 4:05PM on 10-26-2007
Britney has had more than a mini breakdown. Unfortunately she won't turn herself around at this time and hope she will in the near future. Bad way to get publicity.
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brod26113 said 4:09PM on 10-26-2007
Too bad for Britney. She had more than a mini breakdown and not that I truly care, I hope she turns her life around before it's too late. She probably would if the media would stop giving her all that free publicity.
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Richard Smith said 4:15PM on 10-26-2007
Britney is a 'has been' who needs to recognize that her time in the spotlight is over. She needs to concentrate her time in rehab and therapy and learn to become a real mother.
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heidismith1996 said 4:24PM on 10-26-2007
To june, there are stars in hollywood who aren't addicted to drugs. Look at Zac Efron. Enough said. P.S. britney spears is a total loser though.
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LJs said 4:26PM on 10-26-2007
Now's she in the same weight class as Rosie & she's even dumber than Courtney , some how I should feel sorry for her, instead I love watching the useless scum come apart. Pathetic is the only word that some up what this talentless slut has become.
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david said 4:35PM on 10-26-2007
i think it is very disturbing that everyone has so many opinions on what amounts to be. oh forget it sad little people with sad little lives.
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looch said 4:52PM on 10-26-2007
And now she gets her lips puffed up. how sick is that. Instead of worrying about her two babies shes worried about her nasty lips. Oh well
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Colleen said 5:19PM on 10-26-2007
Well, Britney... you wanted him, you got him. Ha!
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tx said 5:17PM on 10-26-2007
She will eventually show up as a headline on the 11pm news - Spears, children die in DUI accident; Spears behind the wheel!
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Dlls TX said 5:28PM on 10-26-2007
She is so tired, including the media that feeds on this. Don't care for her never will again, she's White Trash, trash trash!!
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shir said 6:15PM on 10-26-2007
Brit The Train Wreck Queen HAS made a comeback. She does something more stupid than the last almost every day. Keep it up girl. We love it!
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Chris Calvin said 5:30PM on 10-26-2007
I think Britney needs to GO. She needs to get out of the limelight, become a "NORMAL" person, as normal as she can be anywan, stop trying to get attention, and GROW UP. It's very sad her attempt for attention. She needs help, professional help.
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eV said 5:40PM on 10-26-2007
I agree with you, Chris. She needs serious help. I am pretty certain, that she suffers from postpartum depression in addition to all the other issues. It seems that the girl does not have a true friend, who would listen and tell her the truth with love.
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Andrew said 5:48PM on 10-26-2007
It's hard to believe that just a few years ago, Britney was a pretty, sweet, and sexy "virgin until marriage" - I never saw any particular talent in her, though. Her singing voice is just awful, like a croak. She could dance, but I never listen to singers for the dance moves. She had it all, and snapped. Now we can't take our eyes off her because everyone loves to watch a train wreck. I don't see her having a significant, permanent comeback as a singer, even if she solves all her many issues. Maybe she'll find another way to regain fame (versus infamy), a la Paula Abdua through choreography and now, of course, Idol.
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Rick said 6:09PM on 10-26-2007
Britney has officially gone mental. She stopped wearing panties, shaved her head, and shes a drugged up sucky mom. She needs to stop getting attention because she doesnt deserve it. People need to stop giving attention to drugged up losers like Spears and Lindsay Lohan because thats all they want, they wallow in it. We need to look up to the REAL celebrities, like Kate Beckinsale and Will Ferral
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DON said 6:11PM on 10-26-2007
I am so sick of reading about all these sick, self absorbed little people. Not just Britney. I'm talking about, Paris and Lindsey and Rosie and Courtney and the donald. Why should any of us care what these retards think or do? If the media would just ignore them, they would go away.
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TIFFY said 6:13PM on 10-26-2007
BRITTANY HAS ALWAYS BEEN PATHETIC... And with
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