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.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
tech-free zone said 4:23AM on 3-29-2008
I can almost guarantee a man would find himself kicked out of my bed in two seconds if he showed up with a laptop, cellphone, etc. The only thing worse than bringing one of those items to bed would be to actually use one of them, especially while otherwise engaged in another activity! This unfortunately guy would find himself on the curb posthaste, never to be invited back.
I disagree somewhat with a bedroom TV being a distraction. Sometimes I find the TV to be relaxing and a way to 'slip into something comfortable', i.e. a routine of sorts: watch the news, turn off the TV, have sex, etc. The caveat is the TV is turned off once sex is initiated [or being negotiated, lol] and the TV stays off, unless listening to one of the music selections.
I don't know where the author did his research but I know zero men who would not gladly trade a cell phone, computer, blackberry, etc for sex. In fact, given the proper motivation, I believe most men would give up almost anything for quality sex and not have to think twice about it. I'd be interested in seeing the study results broken down by age group. I'd bet the 35 and older crowd has significantly different stats [more than willing to give up the tekkie gadgets] than the 'younger' crowd.
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jus rhymz said 4:22AM on 3-29-2008
I have not had sex in about 4-5 years. I have 2 laptops, 450 dollar cell phone, tv with cable and dvr in bedroom. If I could give up all that crap for sex with a hot chick I WOULD. My life is miserable and I buy that crap for the same reason people buy crack, weed, booze, TO DISTRACT MY mind from the depressing reality I find myself in since leaving highschool and college and having a crappy job. To be honest, if prostitution was legal and you had to choose between buying a 50 inch plazma at best buy or a 36 double d at BootyBuy, I am sure a hot chick would be selling more then gadgets. I mean what do you think guys are watching on those gadgets? CHICKS.
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Dave Wade said 11:07AM on 3-29-2008
I thought a TV and a porn movie (in the bedroom)
might skew your results....
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doggonemad77 said 9:15PM on 3-30-2008
What no mention on how men use those gadgets to get other women into the bedroom? How they use the gadgets to revert to fantasy sex, instead on working on a real realtionship. My man used his gadgets to downgrade to some useless, whiney helpless bimbo, now Im looking for a guy that uses the gadget God gave him!
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3r1c said 10:38PM on 4-26-2008
i swear gadgets are out to get us!!!
(also the internet and tv)
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Mike said 11:04PM on 4-05-2009
It is a conspiracy from the US government to make sure we are not having too much sex because of the AIDS disease.
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