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 3)
none of your biz said 4:59PM on 2-21-2008
while they are at it, they should ban tail gating to..........they are the worst in TN
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john c said 5:31PM on 2-21-2008
i think it is about time that the cell phone texting should be banned while driving. i also feel they should go one step further, no talking on cell phones while driving. if you can not wait to talk hire a driver or start walking. let's make driving a little bit safer.
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Bob said 6:18PM on 2-21-2008
God above, what next, let me guess, ooh that's right, another law hahahahaha You are not paying attention to traffic, you are not focused on what you are doing. Already a law for this nonsense. You are driving while being distracted.. Let me guess what could be next..... outlawing someone changing their radio and or cd's while driving
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james carter said 12:45AM on 2-22-2008
yeah for tn.how about rest of states make fines bigger new york could have to go with cell phone use law they donot enforce as cops are on phone and texting.
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DAVID said 7:20AM on 2-22-2008
Good for Tennessee!! Now if the entire country would do this, as well as ban the use of a cell phone while a vehicle is in motion, perhaps we could cut down on the unnecessary carnage on our hiways caused by this stupidity.
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Steve said 2:18PM on 2-24-2008
Just a comment in general. My cell phone is a phone. Thats it. I've never once in my life text messaged nor have I sent a picture by cell phone, I only talk with it. Since people still send messages and pictures to me I had verizon wireless disable both features. I could'nt do it if I wanted to. Parents that pay the bill... make your kids safer. Have it disabled.
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Silver Thread said 2:22PM on 2-24-2008
Get ready for more nuisance laws. How do you make laws that relate to common sense? No pickin your nose. No blowing your nose while driving. How about scratching your ass. You know the wild hair thing? Our law makers are out of hand and people have just lost their common sense. Wake up folks we're all in this together! Don't be an idiot!
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smashedbobnopant said 2:26PM on 2-24-2008
In new jersey starting March 1st the cops can pull you over just for texting or talking on your cell phone without a handsfree device... And their fine is $100
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Jack said 2:28PM on 2-24-2008
It is also veru distracting driving with kids fighting in the backseat. Are they going to "OUTLAW" that soon too?
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Ellie said 3:17PM on 2-24-2008
Great idea in theory, but not in practice. NY banned talking on cell phones while driving without a hands-free device a few years ago. To this day, it's still not uncommon to see people on the phone while they drive. *shrug* It would be nice if people had the common sense to keep their hands on the wheel and their minds on the road while they drive, but unfortunately, a million and a half laws couldn't achieve that. You can (theoretically) keep people from engaging in some activities while driving that are distracting, but you can't have any control over where their minds wander while driving.
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Missy said 2:52PM on 2-24-2008
Its about time.Cell phones should be banned from all cars everywhere.
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jmeslacr said 2:58PM on 2-24-2008
To all of you people who are bitching about this being a control thing, how about you paying for the acidents that are caused by these IDIOTS.
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Barry said 3:06PM on 2-24-2008
A law that should be made is that a cop who pulls you over for texting while driving has the right to smack you upside your head and confiscate the phone until your court date. Sadly, these 'nuisance' laws neem to be made because too many people are too stupid to figure it out on their own.
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badday said 3:28PM on 2-24-2008
Whatever happened to common sense? Is $60 going to stop someone from risking a wreck from texting? Not likely! They will probably keep on doing whatever until someone gets killed...then whine about it. The rich kids will cry over the $60 and get someone they know to get them out of paying it. The poor kids will get a wrap sheet and end up with 3 strikes...The state is just doing it for more revenue along with the red light cameras.
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CECIL said 3:33PM on 2-24-2008
ALL I CAN SAY IS GREAT, GREAT, GREAT, GREAT GREAT AND HOPE OTHER STATES FOLLOW!!!!!!!!!
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John said 3:33PM on 2-24-2008
First, as for cops: they do what they want, because they won't ticket each other, be it cell phones, speeding, running red lights. Unfortunately, we DO need this law, along with one to prohibit emailing, Watching TV, using a computer, reading the paper or putting on makeup while driving.
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Bobby1254 said 10:38PM on 6-01-2009
What gets me is before there was cell phones and text messaging, what was the excuse for stupid drivers? No matter what law is past there will always be stupid drivers. Lets face it, some people should NEVER be allowed to drive with or without cell phone or any other distractive things in life like breathing that cause them to be horrible drivers...
GO VOLS!!!
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maria said 3:48PM on 2-24-2008
i didnt know it wasnt illegal in all states yet. new mexico has outlawed both texting and talking on a cell phone (with hands free headsets being the exception). its about darn time!
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Norma said 4:31PM on 2-24-2008
WISH THEY WOULD DO THAT AND TALKING ON CELL PHONES WHILE DRIVING IN CALIFORNIA. IF IS A GREAT HAZARD ESPECIALY IN TRAFIC AND WHEN IS IT NOT A LOT OF TRAFIC HERE.
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earth mama said 4:14PM on 2-24-2008
Well that was a no-brainer... just good old common sense, which is not so common anymore.
What did people do before cell phones and texting?
We're talking the last 10 or more years... we must not have had a life then lolol..
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