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 5)
Brian2008 said 3:48AM on 12-11-2008
At Japan, the video game capital of the world, to find that the link between video games and violence is overstated.
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Brian
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Brian2008 said 3:50AM on 12-11-2008
At Japan, the video game capital of the world, to find that the link between video games and violence is overstated.
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Brian
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Reverend Silversun said 12:40PM on 11-26-2007
It is not the vehicle itself that is the most danger, it is the content of that vehicle. Have you ever come across something you had never had any experience with before? Did the experience have an effect on you? Coming in contact with violence- something some of us, especially young people, have not come in contact with before, has an effect on them. We should not have violence in the world at all- nor should we promote and subsidize something so negative in nature as violence. Guns don't kill people- people kill people is the thinking here and it is as wrong as it gets. Take away the vehicle and you have no way of exposing and disseminating the message or thought to others. Grow up soon- if you, or someone you care about, is ever personally involved with violence, your attitude will change. Expand your mind.
love and Light, reverend silversun
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Kristinna said 8:27PM on 11-27-2007
I have a 7 yr old son who has and xbox 360. He plays some games rated for T because even ninja turtles are rated T, but if there is any guns or people on people violence he is not allowed to play. He knows this and will even read the back to see if it has guns and if it does he puts it back and says, "I can't have this game because it has guns, I can only have laser weapons like buzz lightyear." Spiderman is the only exception of guns and there is absolutly no blood, just the bad man shooting in the air till spidy wraps him up. For years I didn't even let my children watch Tom and Jerry because of the violence, however, if the parent teaches the child right from wrong, a simple cartoon is not going to make a difference. Parents need to step up and educate their children in what is real and fake and good and evil. Just like the controversy of the new movie coming out "the golden compas" It looks like a good movie and my son wants to see it. I will probably take him because even though the story was written by an athiest, my son is strong in his faith of God and no movie will change that. He has seen all the Harry Potter films and has never attempted in flying on a broomstick or even pretended to do magic. So, I believe that the only children who do bad things and are blaming video games is due to poor parenting on allowing a child too young to play them. Mature ratings say 17 yrs and older... Parents step up and make sure you are watching what your kids are doing. My son has friends with M games and he will not play and will come tell me and ask why they can and he cant. When I explain that the game has people hurting people he looses interest and understands. I am not a perfect parent, just an involved one.
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ncaawalt said 8:40PM on 11-27-2007
hey rev lick ma balls i never once ever thought about hurting someone else because i played gta or halo or unreal tournament nor man hunt and manhunt2 and both the columbine shooting games on the internet an a hell of alot more so whoever you know or is that stupid or pathetic to copy a game is just ridculously stupid so either your a pycho who needs to go to therapy obviously the name speaks for its self but , or whomever you know is f*cked up in the head seriously
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hahaha said 8:40PM on 11-27-2007
ight srry my mistake krisstina is freakin looney and controlling ur son is 17 and is a sissy how many times he come home beat up let me guess you lost count hahaha
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Jayne said 5:59PM on 11-29-2007
BULLS**T! I have seen a huge difference in my childrens' behavior since playing video games with violence. Their impulsiveness and inability to control their anger had excellerated when they'd been exposed to this. I yanked the game immediately and within 3 days, they returned to their sweet old selves.
THIS STUDY IS TOTALLY BIAS AND A BUNCH OF CRAP!
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Ryuuku said 8:43PM on 11-27-2007
NO LINK BETWEEN VIOLENT VIDEO GAMES AND VIOLENCE NUB READ IT
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sherwood said 8:44PM on 11-27-2007
i wont deny the fact that games are more violent than when i was younger.pac man and donkey kong were the rage back then. and i play all sorts of games still. But, that dosnt make me want to go out and kill a bunch of people any more than i want to jump barrels thown by a crazed gorrilla. i rember back then conservitive christians were picking on dungons and dragons or ozzy osborne for the misdeeds of someone. what i think is america needs a wake up call that people need to take responsability for themselves and not pull some bullcrap excuse out of their butts.
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Joe said 8:50PM on 11-27-2007
I have always allowed my children to play video games of their choosing. I have no regrets. Both boys are non-violent anti-killing, anti-war with no aggression either in, or outside the home. The hand eye coordination learned from such games has allowed both to become gifted musicians with advanced computer skills. I watched Bugs Bunny and Road Runner where I learn to appreciate classical music and learned communication skills. Don't kill the messenger.
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Chris said 8:57PM on 11-27-2007
It's about time somebody started to prove the theory of violent video games creating violent people wrong. I played violent video games constantly growing up, as did my younger brothers (we still do actually)...none of us have shown any violent behavior. All of our friends played them...none of them are violent. I've actually found games to be a good way to relieve stress and release pent up aggression. Personally, I'd rather my kids take their anger out on a video game character than a fellow person. It just takes a parent who's interested enough in their children to stop for a second and remind them that it's just a video game and not to repeat anything in real life.
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Adam said 9:06PM on 11-27-2007
I have been playing M rated games for 7 years(ever since I was six,oh that would make it eight years)and I have never thought of beating up someone.in fact my family has a history of short tempers and video games help me calm down.instead of getting mad and go killing someone I play vieo games and rip someone in half or fry them to a crisp.it lets me get rid of my anger and helps my gaming skiils.its a win-win situation.(in all reasoning pacman is the most violent video game.In GTA or Manhunt2 I dont remember being able to eat people.)
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Dont believe Jayne said 9:09PM on 11-27-2007
Jayne, First of all, i Doubt you even have a child, second of all, using bulls**t as a word is just as bad as letting your "kid" play an m rated game, and third of all, i am not beliveing anyone who cant even spell Accelerated right. Have fun raising your "kid".
BTW: Immediately and with in three days???????
Did you do it immediately or within three days? make up your mind!
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Chuck said 9:09PM on 11-27-2007
The comment "guns dont kill people, people kill people" is right on the money. No matter what you ban, a person will find something to use to kill another, if he is so inclined. Taking my means of defense(guns)away from me isn't the answer. Do something to the ones who are violent.
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Kris said 9:31PM on 11-27-2007
Judging from the tone of some of the comments of parents here, I'd say look to your own impulsiveness and inability to control your temper or speak with civility. It's a far more likely explanation for your kids' having trouble doing the same than their playing video games.
A well adjusted child with good role models for dealing with anger and aggressive feelings is not going to turn violent just from playing video games. As with anything, exercise common sense. You know your children and their personal limits best.
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Fangz-chan said 4:32PM on 2-10-2008
YES! FINALLY!
Someone who doesn't blame the games!
Being a gamer, this study makes me very happy.
Now GO and DISPROVE video game addiction to be a mental issue, or whatever it was.
Besides, blaming the game is a stupid thing to do thus making you stupid.
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A friend said 9:11PM on 11-27-2007
Jayne,
While games may have something to do with your children's behavior, judging from your reaction to a mere news article you might also want to work on your own anger issues.
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Jayne says:
BULLS**T! I have seen a huge difference in my childrens' behavior since playing video games with violence. Their impulsiveness and inability to control their anger had excellerated when they'd been exposed to this. I yanked the game immediately and within 3 days, they returned to their sweet old selves.
THIS STUDY IS TOTALLY BIAS AND A BUNCH OF CRAP!
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Mike said 9:13PM on 11-27-2007
Youth violence comes from psychoactive drugs and lack of discipline.
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alvin mccrorey said 9:14PM on 11-27-2007
Parents it isn't the games. It is the lack of supervision and disapline when children need it most. Too many parents want to be their childrens BEST FRIEND. That is a bunch of B***S***. You are the adult parent that needs to teach your children that violence is not accepted. You the parent should be the parent and let their friends be other children. Do your job as a parent and don't dump the responsibility of good disipline to others.
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To "A Friend" said 9:16PM on 11-27-2007
Hey A Friend, i like you, but Jayne freaks me out
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