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.
_thumbnail.jpg "Vintage Keyboards")
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
jessica said 12:10AM on 6-28-2008
yoooo i have facebook and hey dummy heads, you have to go through your settings, and SET everything private in order for it to not be seen by people you arent friends with. if you dont, ehh anyone can see yoo shitttt! get da facts straighttt yo
Reply
Lisa said 1:15AM on 6-28-2008
When you go on Facebook you can search for anyone's name/profile, and if their name (in the search results) is in blue, thier profile is public, if it is black, it is private and you have to be added as a friend to see anything on that profile, minus their friend list. But you cannot read their profile, see pics, etc. unless added as a friend
Reply
Jim said 8:58AM on 6-28-2008
So the chick got trashed, big hairy deal. I am glad she felt good enough about her life to get toasted. I am also feeling for her when she wakes up. OOOOhh my head.
Reply
heyehy said 12:09AM on 8-20-2008
wow, people are really ignorant and naive because although someone's page might be private you can still view pics. I'm not sure how many ways you can, but if you're friends(1) with someone who has a friend(2) whose page is private, you can still view that friend's(2) pictures. because under your news feed, your friend(1) being tagged in friend's(2) allows you to view friend(2) pictures.
Reply
Nina said 3:12PM on 12-16-2008
Facebook doesn't seem all that private with so many ways to get stuff out onto the web. It's a dangerous world children. Be mindful how you live.
Reply
Lindsay said 8:27PM on 11-17-2007
I don't get it, I thought Facebook was password protected. How did it get cracked?
Reply
cameraangel16 said 9:26PM on 11-17-2007
it didnt get cracked...if photos on facebook are "public" and you are tagged in them, it means that anyone can search your name and see them. you have to make your profile private and make sure your photo albums are marked "friends only" and untag yourself from any...unsavory...pictures your friends might post of you.
Reply
kerstin said 12:49AM on 11-18-2007
I'm sorry, but Facebook pictures are NOT public. I have an account and I know that no one can see my pictures that are on there. Nor could I see the pictures of my friends before I added them, so something is up with people finding pictures of people on there and posting them elsewhere...
Reply
sam said 1:37AM on 11-18-2007
I'm sorry Kerstin, anything posted on the internet is really available to anyone. Top secret and private do not exist in internet world, be wise ya'all.
Reply
steve said 2:24AM on 11-18-2007
sam's a fag
Reply
Kass said 11:16AM on 11-18-2007
umm facebook fotos ARE PRIVATE. no one can see them unless ur a friend or in the network, i have everything protected that i dont want the world to kno, u can blockc it right down to only u can see it, obviously she needs to be more careful who is her friend on fb. u can even limit individual friends views on ur profil so they cant see certain pictures, and its against facebook policy to take picture and post it without permission, so u can untag a photo or report abuse. the system is fool proof u gotta learn how to use it
Reply
BMommy said 5:36AM on 11-18-2007
Ok, the internet is not a private place, but that really is regardless. Does anyone really think these pictures portrays a young woman who is interested in much else besides drinking and sex? Whatever happened to morals and chastity? Where are the good examples for little girls to look up to? I thought the women who were these pageant winners were supposed to be doing good in our society during their reigns, not partying up just because they are of legal drinking age. I don't think it's becoming of her crown, but I know no one will take it away either. Our society has gotten too relaxed in our acceptance of things like this. As a whole, nothing more than this is expected of a young woman and yet we wonder why they end up raped. Gee. I wonder. Show it off and then try to say it got taken. Her example is one that young women would do well to stay away from. Just my 2 cents.
Reply