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)
jamie said 4:24PM on 2-13-2008
truck drivers have been bitching about this for years
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A. Nonymous said 5:27PM on 2-13-2008
Is this texting while driving THAT important that it just can't wait, or, I'll miss my deadline? and then, driving 66 miles per hour and plowing into a line of stopped vehicles in a construction zone and killing someone... I sure hope that text message was worth it!
I hope more states follow West Virginia's lead and implementing $1,000 minimum fine for speeding, and take it a step further, by implementing $1,000 minimum fine for any and all violations incurred by the vehicle owner, and keep increasing these fines for repeat offenders.
My condolences to the friends and family who lost a loved one by this idiot who had to get this text message sent.
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STEVIE said 8:31PM on 2-25-2008
THEY NEED TO FINE PEOPLE AS THOUGH THEY ARE DWI OFFENSES.HERE IN NY PEOPLE ARE DRIVING, TEXTING,AND IVE SEEN PEOPLE NEARLY RUNNING OVER PEOPLE AND INTO THINGS BY PAYING MORE ATTENTION TO THOSE CELL PHONES.THIS HAS TO STOP BEFORE MORE LIVES ARE LOST FOR NOTHING
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mike said 11:08AM on 2-14-2008
Forget paying a fine, thats not a big enough deterrent for some people. Texting while driving should have a minimum sentence of one night in jail. Sadly, I've seen people who are drunk drive better than texters. And at least with talking on the cell phone you could keep your eyes on the road. It might be just me but texting seems like a major offense that should require jail-time.
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:) said 7:07PM on 2-17-2008
omg, hi peoples!
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Lori said 2:56PM on 2-24-2008
I agree - this is a pet peeve of mine- I see them texting, talking without any regard what is going on around them. I beep, they don't even hear me. GET THEM OFF THE ROAD NOW.
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Pauline said 10:07PM on 2-25-2008
what the H--is wrong with lawmakers? Talking on the cell phone while driving is bad enough, but text-messaging!! PLEASE!!The drivers that cause accidents and death should be charged with manslaughter.
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KELLY said 3:03PM on 3-14-2008
TEXTING AND DRIVING IS LIKE DRINKING AND DRIVING DRUNK, YOUR MIND LOOSE FOCUS, BECAUSE YOUR CONCENTRATING ON TEXTING.
KELLY
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Patrick Singer said 10:14AM on 3-20-2008
I saw a teenager a few months ago drive right thru a stop sign coming from a side street and I noticed that she was talking and/or texting on her cell phone and she could not have cared less if she had run over a small child or into another car(she didn't but that is beside my point)Charge the kiddies a $300 flat monthly fee for their cell phone usage and they will cut back asap!
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MYKE said 9:23PM on 3-19-2008
THE MOST SENSIBLE THING TO DO IS PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD DA
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Ann said 9:51PM on 3-19-2008
I so can not believe that legislature has to waist time making a LAW to ban TEXT MESSAGING while DRIVING. Some people really are morons!
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Cindy said 11:23PM on 3-19-2008
The whole judicial system is a joke. My nephew
was killed by a drunk driver which blew a .13
at the station and he only did 1 nite in jail. He hired a big time lawyer and walked on the deal. The DA told us you have to be twice over
the legal limit to be charged with a manslaughter. So he just got a fine and walked.
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Noixx said 12:05AM on 3-20-2008
"(Students Against Destructive Decisions)"
hmmmm, now that's a newer program... Not a bad idea,mabey it will prevent more than this text messaging on the road. What about officers in squad cars, do they type and drive???? OR does the computer go on lock when they put the vehicle into the drive position? My point is this, unless your a civil officer, and have business that requires you to text message, ask your phone service provider if a headset and/or answering service is available for your phone, or a voice and or speakerphone option, so hands free service is available. Then you should be able to talk and drive, or spell and drive. If that service isn't available, or not currently on the market for purchase, go to college and get a degree and figure out how to make that a possible option for people, if you are going to gripe about it. People are going to do as they choose and or as life mandates.
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Corey said 12:54AM on 3-20-2008
PUT THE STUPID CELL PHONE DOWN AND LEARN HOW TO DRIVE. IF YOU KILL SOMEBODY WHILE ON IT THEN YOU SHOULD FACE THE DEATH PENALTY. THANK-YOU ANYBODY DISAGREE????
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An said 1:22PM on 3-21-2008
it's a shame that government has to legislate this point. People just don't have the common sense not to text while driving......
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Harold Fisher said 4:30PM on 3-21-2008
Make it a law you can't use your sell phone or hands free at all.
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lizzfilms said 3:35PM on 6-27-2008
There is a newly released film titled "DISTRACTIONS" that was written and produced by Kevin Craig West of MoBetta Films. This action packed short film is based on the dangers of text messaging while driving, and is complete with an ending that will leave you shocked!!
The trailer of this film can be viewed at:
http://distractionsthemovie.com/trailer.htm
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Sarah said 7:29PM on 6-29-2009
I tried texting while driving once... it's hard! I don't know how people do it...
I think it's stupid though! And I agree what's so important that you cant call them or wait instead of taking your eyes of the road. What a retard I hope they feel rotten about what they did..
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