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 1)
bob-o-link said 11:26AM on 2-26-2008
I heard you were upset that Rosie O'Donnell left The View. Is that true or just a conspiracy concocted by the US media?
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Deborah said 3:25PM on 3-11-2008
I have legitimate questions. I have an understanding of world politics and wish to ask
about some issues that may benefit all of us.
Deborah
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Elaine said 12:39AM on 3-12-2008
what makes Al Qaeda think that their religion should be everyone's faith?, why did they attack the usa?, and why hasnt Bin Laden been captured by the us government? why do they kill innocent people?, why do they have no regards for their own life's?, how could anyone believe if you kill someone you will go to allah?
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RON BO said 9:24AM on 3-12-2008
How is bins been hide'n doing? We are pleased that he hides like a coward and has no freedom like we do.
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dude said 2:19PM on 3-20-2008
I have a question. Why are you terrorists such dorky losers?
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dude said 2:19PM on 3-20-2008
Why is Francois so stupid? Why doesn't he believe you masterminded 9/11 Francois thinks you are too stupid to do this because you are Arabs. I think you should teach the people of France a lesson.
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roger said 6:45PM on 3-20-2008
Why don't you and osama the assclown strap bombs to yourselves?
Since you think your gonna get 70 virgins..what they didn't tell you is the virgins will be males.
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roger said 6:48PM on 3-20-2008
Donald and Francois=Dummies in the highest manner!
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Nick said 4:25PM on 3-26-2008
Why do so many jerks write and say abolutely nothing intelligent or logical? Would they really expect an answer if they would ask insulting and dumb questions?
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michael yanko said 6:29PM on 4-16-2008
your all cowards,and need to have a car bomb shuved up your ass"s buy the mighty usa!!!!!!
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rudy larez said 8:15PM on 4-16-2008
When you get some one to blow themselves up , why do you take innocent lives with you? Just sit somewhere in a field and show them you can do it all by yourself like the dumb ass dogs you all seem to be.Your mother should of had an abortion before you were born,or dropped on your head to get some sense.
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Paul Sparcello said 12:47PM on 12-17-2007
Al-Zawahri: Can you explain why you and your fellow terrorist do not have enough guts to wear a battle uniform yet are more than willing to cower under a burqa when confronted by "Real Soldiers"?
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Donald Bradshaw said 4:36PM on 12-17-2007
Al-Qaeda is a Mossad-CIA front for the "so-called" global War on Terror. Many United States (in particular) and British banks are funding both sides of the insurgency in the current genocide of innocent Muslim and Islaamic people of the Middle-East. Read "Wrongly Blamed" by Dr. Kaasem Khaleel who understands the "hidden conspirators" behind these orchestrated terrorists attacks (Bali nightclub, London 7-7, Madrid subway, 9-11, etc.). I would ask Mr. Bin-Laden a question, (1) if he was still alive and not dead from lack of US dialysis care and (2) if he wasn't a former assest of the CIA and connected to the Carlye Group Cabal of international weapons, drugs, and other government supported/financed mafia profiteering.
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Bob Chamberlain said 8:19AM on 12-18-2007
Could you please give me your address so that I can mail you a present? You have a lot of friends in the U.S. who would like send presents to you. We will have them sent to you via express mail, we just need to know where to send them. If you will just give us your address we will make sure that you receive them in a timely fashion. Give our best to Mr. Bin-Laden and tell him that we also have a gift for him also if he would like to give us his address.
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bam bam said 3:56PM on 12-18-2007
why do you enjoy killing innocent people, who don't view your ignorance? Why do you feel you are so holy, when your in hiding? Please demonstrate your strength; come out. Wherever you are. Do you feel your god is so strong that he will protect you from your enemies; if you will, then come out you and tell us where your other buddy, bin laden is? Show us how strong your god is..!
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Francois said 10:16AM on 12-24-2007
Hi,
I was curious to know how you reacted when USA accused you of 9/11 eventho its not really you behind it, as many documentaries about that sad day show.
Thnak you.
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