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 11)
davidb said 1:57PM on 3-21-2008
It is already extraordinarily annoying having to listen to those selfish, self-absorbed people who talk until the second the door is closed (and often thereafter until the flight attendant threatens removal) prattle on at a decibel level intended to ensure that anyone within earshot can hear their travails; imagine listening to the same individuals blithely continue their claptrap at the expense of those around them, heedless and uncaring, reveling in callous disregard of others as they pursue their small-minded, supercilious conversations. If these people truly were so important that they actually needed to use their cell phone on an airline flight, they'd have their own jet. Otherwise, I define them for what they are: selfish poseurs who need a life more than a portable. Keep cells off of US commercial flights!!!
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KDholakia said 2:16PM on 3-21-2008
Its about time! I always knew there no danger in making cell call in the air. I remember years ago, It was no problem making call on a plane. I guess they realized they can't sell us $1 a minute calls. I would fly any airline that would offer WiFi internet and cell calling.
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Deanna Matz said 2:29PM on 3-21-2008
davidb, thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!!!!!!!
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eddie haynes said 2:31PM on 3-21-2008
Hope that othere carriers will not permit this piece of folly. People usually talk louder when they use a cell phone and to endure some inane converstion for the duration of flight ..no matter how long.. is inexcusable.NO CELL PHONE CALLS IN FLIGHT..thanks
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Keith said 6:16AM on 3-23-2008
I would never fly an airline that allows people to talk on thier cell phones, its irritating enough to have them everywhere else...........
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Wolfster said 6:24AM on 3-23-2008
Sure, let people use cell phones on planes. But also give fellow passengers the right, if someone is making a non-life-and-death call, to pound them in the face with their own cell phones til their stupid ears bleed. That seems fair.
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JBJG24M said 6:35AM on 3-23-2008
THINK THAT THEY SHOULD BAN CELL PHONES IN RESTURANTS! ESPCIALLY WHILE DRIVING ALSO!!
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John Arakelian said 6:39AM on 3-23-2008
I am a private pilot and use my cell while in the air. It does not effect any of the planes functions.
AS far as people being annoyed by people using cell phones I think that they have nothing better to do than to complain. Today it is cell Phones, tomorrow it is the price of Gas They are Professional complainers
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Sooze said 3:20PM on 3-23-2008
DavidB--THANK YOU! I could not have said it better. And Wolfster-- I love your response as well!
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Ken Stammen said 7:55AM on 3-23-2008
Luckily for me, I dont have to travel much. In fact I dont even have to be around many people at all, even while working. People suck!
If I were on a flight and some self absorbed idiot was disterbing me with constant jabber, I would be the guy who made national headline for JAMBING THE FRIGGIN THING UP THEIR YING-YANG!
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Lyn said 11:03AM on 3-23-2008
I think it would be rude to use cell phones on the planes. People do seem to talk louder than usual, plus there are people trying to sleep, read and possibly get some paper work done before getting to their next destination which might be another business meeting somewhere. If you're on an especially long trip and you've just drifted off to sleep and you hear someone laughing and talking on the phone next to you, I feel that is very disrespectful. However, text messaging would be fine.
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kathy said 8:16AM on 3-23-2008
I would rather people talk on their own cell phone than spending hours trying to talk to me. I don't know these people, I will never see them again and I don't want to get to know them. I think it is just as annoying to have someone trying to make conversation with when I am trying to read or sleep during a flight. I would love to be able to use my computer on line on a flight, or let my family know how I am doing. Besides, the batteries wouldn't last an entire flight anyway.
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ron allen said 8:18AM on 3-23-2008
Text ok, I agree with first poster, if you want to see air rage in a plane let the phones work. I would rather have smoker next to me as they are quiet than cell phone user.
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w643081 said 5:27PM on 3-23-2008
This all because of obama and the blacks!... who like to annoy the rest of us just for fun!
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Ronnie said 8:24AM on 3-23-2008
There is nothing more annoying than an overweight slob standing,blocking the path to your seat,than an overweight slob blocking the path to your seat,talking on a cell phone,telling there friends that they are on the plane and bla bla bla bla. Its amazing how they look when they return to their seat,sit and find it soaked and your fast asleep. ;-)
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captjoelk said 8:32AM on 3-23-2008
If any airline I fly with starts allowing cell phone call use in the air, I'm going start bringing one of those compressed air horns. They're not going to hear ANYTHING after that.
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Jeanette Antokal said 11:03AM on 3-23-2008
Please No Cell Phones on planes - let there be email, wifi whatever, but nothing that allows people to talk the entire flight, because guaranteed the plane will become extremely noisy. Not only will a few people talk the entire time, they will talk loudly over the engine noise and even louder if they are near someone else making a call. The few will make the flight extremely uncomfortable for the majority.
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Frank said 8:53AM on 3-23-2008
Sing Sing Sing
I plan on singing very loud in the direction of anyone talking on the phone. If they have the right to talk, I have the right to sing and my voice is aweful and will be much more annoying than they are.
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John Bonnet said 11:41PM on 3-23-2008
No Pillows or blankets. Buy your own bologna sandwich on board or worse yet, encourage people to bring their own bags of food in from the food court. Pay extra for more leg room or an exit row seat. I can live with all that, I hate it but I'll live with it. But, if my airline allow some guy sitting next to me to yell into his cell phone from Newark to Las Angeles, I will, without any doubt, find a different carrier. I fly out of Newark Liberty Airport almost every week, almost alway on Continental. They still offer food, pillows, blankets and alike. I can only hope that they don't screw up their really good service by allowing cell phones to be used at 37,000 feet.
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Sherri said 8:56AM on 3-23-2008
Wow...........u guys are really on a roll here..I think most people use their laptops and cell phones just to make time pass........I woud love a wifi connection, and with earphones, it would bother no one..
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