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.
_thumbnail.jpg "Vintage Keyboards")
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 8)
el maestro said 2:00PM on 3-20-2008
"Which, apparently, didn't seem all that appealing to him."
Your remark was pathetically and needlessly snide. Get help.
Reply
Ken said 2:14PM on 3-20-2008
"Which, apparently, didn't seem all that appealing to him."
You need to consider a career in the food service industry. How's that appeal to you, you insensitive prick?
Reply
danastev924 said 2:47PM on 3-20-2008
Hey SHamoon, maybe your time when you may need to move into a convelescent home will come in a few decades. When it does, lets hope you don't have the same thoughts this older gentleman had in his mind. I think alot of the people who read your story may think otherwise for your fate
Reply
Ted said 3:41PM on 3-20-2008
Well thats certainly one way to get a bang out of life.
Reply
Hod said 3:35PM on 3-20-2008
Ever been in one of those smelly rest homes? I don't blame him for not wanting to live there. Maybe this should be a wake up call for all the people who run these smelly outfits.
Reply
Charyse D Hamilton said 8:37PM on 3-20-2008
It is sad that this man was driven to suicide because his "family" wanted him to move into a "rest home" which is nothing less than a torture home for the elderly. They are mistreated in these facilities, no wonder he didn't want to go. I would never subject my mother or father to such a thing.
My heart goes out to him and I hope his family humbles themselves and does not try this with another elderly member of their family.
Reply
Candi said 8:53PM on 3-20-2008
He must of not have been that helpless to set this machine up.
Reply
Sara said 8:55PM on 3-20-2008
I wonder..If we could bring him back now and ask him if he preferred being dead he might change his mind..He must have still been fairly on the ball to search the web, order something then construct it so he could have accomplished some more good in his life even if just online helping others
Reply
Scott said 8:57PM on 3-20-2008
Ouch!!
Reply
Bobby said 9:01PM on 3-20-2008
Is civilization slipping a notch or is it just my imagination?
Reply
Marie Noguerole said 10:08PM on 3-20-2008
Maybe now his family can divy his possessions and move into his property too. Sounds like they didn't want to be bothered with the old man. God help us all as we get older from the "vultures" who hover over us waiting for us to die.
Reply
Tigerlillyflies said 9:25PM on 3-20-2008
Well I'll tell you one thing I have worked at a few nursing homes and a retirement home and found alot of mistreatment going on in them.I foe one would not move in one nor would I ask a relative to move in one they treat people like trash.My heart goes out to the guy who thought it was his only choice,and I hope his family realizes it was because of their badgering him to leave his home the only place he felt secure.
Reply
Alan W. said 9:16PM on 3-20-2008
bobby, make that a BIG notch!
Reply
HoofHearted? said 9:14PM on 3-20-2008
Ok Evan( writer of article) you little pecker; how cold can you be to end the story like that....?
Go find a job that will allow you to be the douchebag you are without subjecting us to it!
your a freak.
Reply
Mike said 9:14PM on 3-20-2008
I wouldn't blame the robot. It's not that he was an evil robot, he was just doing as he was programmed. My couisin was killed by evil robots and those robots need to be punished.
Reply
dan said 9:17PM on 3-20-2008
ALEX your an AHOLE all you do is run from story to story to post your vomit. Get a life you scumbag spamer. Or is paris YOUR favorite hole
Reply
Bryan said 8:09PM on 3-21-2008
I love the "driven to suicide" comment. That shows the state of our society when even an act like suicide is blamed on someone else.
Reply
Tom said 9:32PM on 3-20-2008
Wouldn't it be a lot simpler and painlessn to just take an overdose of sleeping pills, turn on the gas, leave the care running in the garage etc.
Reply
MeanLisa said 9:42PM on 3-20-2008
Ken says:"Which, apparently, didn't seem all that appealing to him."
You need to consider a career in the food service industry. How's that appeal to you, you insensitive prick?
OMG I'M FREAKING DYING HERE!
Reply
luv4ya333 said 8:54PM on 4-02-2008
"Which, apparently, didn't seem all that appealing to him."
Suicide is very touchy topic so next time you right about something serious choose more constructive words
Reply