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)
Ron Buckles said 11:38AM on 1-31-2008
Oh, I don't know. I didn't think it was so bad. She's obviously a feminist and her blog was way more interesting than the other "worst blogs". At least she has something to say, even if it is a little to the left. So what? I like the left.
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LPM said 12:33AM on 1-31-2008
cool article, horrible blogs
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Ike said 6:59AM on 2-03-2008
MajMac says:
Roseanne Barr should be committed... she has no right to walk the streets and make any comments about anyone or anything. Her defamation of our national anthem a few years ago disqualified her from any rights as an American citizen.
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That's right! If someone disrespects a symbol of the USA, lock 'em up and take away their rights!If you make fun of the President, you're getting the chair, you bastard!USA! USA!
It's called the First Amendment, pal, and bad taste is still not against the law! Don't like her? Don't read her blog. That's how it works, as of today.Ain't America grand?
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MajMac said 7:11AM on 2-03-2008
Hey Ike...
Just like you and Roseanne and the rest of the assholes in the world... many people have died for their rights to act like idiots and say stupid things. And guess what... I also have that right... so live with it!!!
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red said 7:41AM on 2-03-2008
barr is nothing but a piece of shit.....pereiod
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Mike said 9:22AM on 2-03-2008
Roseanne has the right to express herself just like anyone else and I have the right since my ancestor fought in the Revolutionary War and was brought into this country as an indentured servant, my ancestors have fought in every war this country has been involved. Ike can you say the same? Bet you can't, frankly I am tired of listening to the right wing with it's arrogant idea that they are the only ones who have done anything for this country. I do not like this president nor the vice president, they care only for the greedy rich and the CEO's and Oil Barons and what is worse????????NEITHER BUSH NOR CHENEY EVER SERVED IN A WAR ZONE!! By the way the right talks they should not be permitted an opinion.
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michelle said 7:53AM on 2-03-2008
Roseanne and Rosie should get together and compare stories! Roseanne is the most vulgar, disgusting, and not to mention nasty woman that ever lived. I just cannot stomach her at all! She thinks she is a bag of chips and more(get my drift)?
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Sandie said 7:59AM on 2-03-2008
I really love Roseanne Barr and she really has a great spsirit. I just think that at times she does not know hwere the comdey ends and she begins. Celebrity Bloggs are just the same as other Bloggs and just because they a celebrities does not mean we should automatically assume thay have anything super intelligent to say, There is no director or writters on theses Bloggs after all.
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KFK said 8:10AM on 2-03-2008
The most vulgar, disgusting, and nasty people are apparently not Roseanne Barr but the people who are posting on this.
I am continually amazed and shocked at the vitriolic poison and downright hate that is so prevalent among so many of the AOL users here.
Its enough to make one feel very hopeless about the state of our society.
Don't you people know that the way you speak about others has little to do with the other person, and all to do about what's inside you.
Please, get some therapy instead of directing your hate towards others.
I'm so sick of others hatred stinking up our environment.
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angie said 8:10AM on 2-03-2008
im not sure if this is a comment or not its just so funny to read all this from people who can'teven spell.
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Charlie said 8:19AM on 2-03-2008
Roseanne's 15 minutes have been up for years. I can't imagine anyone finding any ramblings she can produce to be entertaining. Never seeing her again would be a most wonderful gift.
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YIKES DYKES said 8:18AM on 2-03-2008
DO PARENTS COMMIT THEIR CHILDREN TO A CRUEL AND INHUMAN LIFESTYLE ONCE THEY NAME THEIR DAUGHTER "ROSIE"? BARR-O'DONNELL ARE 2 EXAMPLES. AM I WRONG???
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Joe said 8:36AM on 2-03-2008
I like the new look,I always liked her......Then I just like women with money,,,,
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Terri said 8:48AM on 2-03-2008
I think Roseanne's Bog was great! all she did was speak her mind, and what you can't deal with that? Thats what is wrong with this world these day's , and No I don't want HD clinton as pres, but if it has to be a dem then yeah I would would choose her, Obama will not support our Flag, our country! He had muslim background, and I beieve it's always there
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**Dawn** said 9:47AM on 2-04-2008
This picture of Roseanne looks great!
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spinster said 8:57AM on 2-03-2008
you need to include a link to Roseanne's blog. If AOL gave it a thumbs down she must have had something intelligent to say in her blog.
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Sebastian Papa said 9:02AM on 2-03-2008
no comment
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Sebastian Papa said 9:07AM on 2-04-2008
no comment
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Cathy Bevill said 9:03AM on 2-03-2008
I like Rosanne, Hate Rosie O'Donnell.
I am a Democrat who will vote for Hillary
Celebrities have no more intellect than normal mortals, prone to mistakes.
Some of the people you have listed I no nothing about and don't really care...
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marsha said 9:03AM on 2-03-2008
i for one will always love her, i loved her show, it was the frist show of that kind, i till this day wished i had come back like she did. and there has not been a storng woman sitcom since,woman who stand on there own!!
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