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 2)
Benjamin Wright said 9:55PM on 4-08-2008
Terrence: As robots become more common, legal issues will arise. Contracts will be one tool for regulating robot bad behavior or unwanted spying. http://hack-igations.blogspot.com/2008/01/robot-surveillance-contracts.html --Ben
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Les said 2:10AM on 4-09-2008
I'm sorry...........what am I missing here? I thought they had robots all along.
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Web said 8:56AM on 4-09-2008
That picture is of Number 5 from that 80's movie with Akky Sheedy. He is still outrunning the law? Working in Japan.
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Robbin Stoddard said 2:57PM on 4-09-2008
I hope all those out-of-work Japanese don't come here. We are already about to lose our country to electronic technology and illegal aliens....
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Bob Wong said 3:13PM on 4-09-2008
With the decreasing population of Japan, jobs can be replaced by machines. It is the trend all over the world.
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Bill said 3:22PM on 4-09-2008
When all of the Japanese are dead, who is going to get the country?
I will volunteer to help them re-populate if they wish. I like the Japanese.
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"C" said 3:28PM on 4-09-2008
good point Robin! LOL
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JUSTPICKY said 3:43PM on 4-09-2008
OVERNIGHT , YOUR JOB WILL BE GONE ......
JUST BE PREPARED ..IF ROBOTS NOT ALL GOING TO TAKE IT , THEN THE MEXICANS AND OTHER FORIEGNERS WILL STEAL YOUR JOB ......
WHEN YOU DON'T EXPECT IT ........
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Kent said 3:45PM on 4-09-2008
Japan - land of mass vending machines, robots, affecionados for automation - is declining in population. They had a net loss of 60,000 people in 2006 due to low birthrates. They are not prepared to promote guest worker programs and immigration for the purpose of filling the gap. Therefore, robots are partial solutions to their population plight.
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YOU'RE OUT OF LUCK FOR A JOB , MATTER OF TIME said 3:47PM on 4-09-2008
THERE'S OVER 7.3 MILLION PEOPLE IN USA OUT OF A JOB , THERE'S LESS THAN 4 MILLION JOBS AVAILABLE, SO WHERE IS EVERYONE ELSE GOING TO FOUND A JOB?????
MAYBE IF THE MEXICANS GO BACK BACK TO MEXICO , MAYBE THERE'S GOING TO BE A JOB FOR THE "TRUE AMERICANS " .......WE CAN'T FORGET MILLIONS OF FOREIGNERS FROM OTHER COUNTRIES ARE STEALING THE JOBS TOO ...........
COMPANIES ARE SELLING THERE OWN COUNTRY OUT ( USA ) , THEY'RE TRAITORS ....GET RID OF N.A.P.T.A .............
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paul said 3:59PM on 4-09-2008
If anyone is looking for work I hear the farmers in Colorado could use farm laborers due to a shortage of immigrant labor
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G. COLE said 4:05PM on 4-09-2008
TO ROBBIN STODDARD -
YOU WATCH TOO MUCH OF 'LOU DOBBS'
['INDEPENDENT' MY BUTT] AND ALL THE OTHER
LIBERALS WHO CLAIM THE SKY IS FALLING BECAUSE
BUSH AND CHENEY HATE US ALL. IF THINGS ARE
SO DOGGONE GRIM, WHY HASN'T OUR DEMOCRATIC CONGRESS BAILED US OUT ?
JERGCOLE@AOL.COM
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trp said 4:28PM on 4-09-2008
maybe we can send some of the illegal aliens to Japan since they need them more than us.
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Pete said 4:11PM on 4-09-2008
I've already been put out of a job by a device called a "Rabbit." My wife bought this thing at a sex shop and I've not had sex (with her) in almost a year.
However, when one door closes another one opens up. THANK GOD!!
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james carter said 4:45PM on 4-09-2008
thats what we need more people out of work next it will happen here when ceos learn they do not have to pay wages,health care,retirement to robots and they can screw the working man even more and put more money in their offshore acts. the working people are screwed again they think wrong they will need power to run robots and we will pull the plug. no power for robots
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jdrabe said 4:42PM on 4-09-2008
the bushies wont be happy until they have destroyed every single last decent paying job in america.
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Valerie said 4:52PM on 4-09-2008
Pete says:
I've already been put out of a job by a device called a "Rabbit." My wife bought this thing at a sex shop and I've not had sex (with her) in almost a year.
However, when one door closes another one opens up. THANK GOD!!
04/09/08 4:11 PM
____________________________________
LMAO Pete. You can thank Sex and the City for that. How's that working out?
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G. COLE said 5:04PM on 4-09-2008
HEY 'MATTER OF TIME', I AGREE THAT ILLEGAL ALIENS ARE A PROBLEM, BUT JUST 'WHO' ARE THESE 'TRUE AMERICANS' YOU REFER TO. PEOPLE
CONTENT TO LIVE OFF WELFARE AND EAT ORIOS ALL DAY, OR THE PEOPLE STILL LIVING IN THE 80's
WAITING FOR PRODUCTION-LINE JOBS TO COME BACK,
OR IS IT THE TYPICAL OVER-SPENDING HOUSEWIFE
[OR HUSBAND] MAKING $60,000 A YEAR AND JUST CAN'T MAKE ENDS MEET BECAUSE OF THAT LOWDOWN PRESIDENT OF OURS?!
DON'T WORRY FOLKS, BARRACK AND OR HILLARY WILL MAKE ALL OUR DREAMS COME TRUE.
[FORGET THE FACT THEY ARE 'PROVEN' LIARS]
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Vivi said 5:05PM on 4-09-2008
Pete: I knew you'd find someone. A man always does.
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hele said 5:21PM on 4-09-2008
In a land of Robot's....people will pay, for touch...human touch and connections
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