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.
Toyota is already dominating the world's automotive scene in terms of sales, as well as leading the green vehicle scene thanks to its still rather trendy hybrid Prius. But the Japanese auto maker must be getting bored. Since nobody can seem to compete with it on the vehicular front, the company is moving into new markets: high-end, designer wheelchair sales with its new i-Real three-wheeled chair. 
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Stedler said 5:58PM on 10-25-2008
Not really comparable to the Segway, as the segway ballances on 2 wheels mounted side by side. People complain to much, saying the Segway or this is just another thing to make people (americans fat)
I myself have used a segway for almost 3 years and can honestly say I weigh close to 45lbs lighter since before I started riding my Seg.
It gives me a lot more mobility than I had before when I was limping around on a cane. Now that I have the Segway, I'm a lot more active and I feel a lot healthier.
Just spent a week on vacation wandering around Orlando and before the segway it would'nt have been possible. Withoughtbeing stuck in a chair of some kind.
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paddle pusher said 2:16PM on 10-25-2007
another neat Idea that is not practical, no one wants to see a 20MPH 3 wheel-wheelchair, Look our WAL-MART SHOPPERS.
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kristyn said 10:36AM on 10-26-2007
This is just another thing to make America fatter. Heres an idea: WALK! unless you cant for whatever reason, but for the lazy people, walk.
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C said 4:14PM on 10-26-2007
OH I GET SO ANGRY READING THE DUMB SELF ABSORBED POSTINGS OF PEOPLE. CARTS IN STORES ARE FOR DISABLED. READ UP ON THE ADA MEANING OF THIS TERM. IT IS NOT FUN OR LAZINESS FOR MANY WHO NEED SUCH DEVICES. I THINK ITS A GREAT INNOVATION THOUGH TOO LARGE AND BULKY. BUT TOYOTAIS ON RIGHT TRACK
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