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)
Zip said 7:39PM on 6-23-2008
On robot lovers. Most of us are average looking. Men want a super model, but can't have her. Andriod lovers gives every sexual human being, including ladies, the ability to enjoy physical love with a very sexy and good looking partner, that will increase their self esteem. It allows having a partner that is always ready and never says no. At least that's the theory. Ever seen CHERRY 2000? It gives you an idea what an andriod lover might be like. It certainly might be effective birth control and slow down venerial diseases. We could become a race of singles, that only reproduce in the lab.
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groo said 9:18PM on 6-23-2008
They wont be cheap,only the stupid rich will breed in labs...the stupid poor will still breed like rabbits.
And who would buy a used one?
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quandmeme said 11:40PM on 6-23-2008
Evolution is selecting against white educated affluent secular liberals. Survival of the fittest?
Kc said 12:19AM on 6-24-2008
Not when the fittest ensure the survival of the weakest above their own.
KilgoreTrout said 7:45AM on 6-24-2008
Oh my God, now my dishwasher will get anotherone of her ususual jelousy fits
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Zip said 4:02PM on 7-22-2008
They'll be like advanced animated dolls, using synthetic skin, with internal CPU's and full body movement that can talk, smile, move their eyes - which are stereo cameras to help find you, make emotions, and understand language. They can flex every natural joint just like a human, or grip...but can only sit up or roll around on the bed. They cannot walk...which is a more advanced feature. Not that's a bad thing...but I'll bet only the more expensive models will be able to stand and walk around the house while interacting with guests, or can put on their own clothes, or do the laundry, etc. No cables btw...it's wireless for off local andoid computing. Since they'll be designed to mimic a human lover as closely as possible...they'll sell for as much as a car. You don't divorce your andriod, you just pull its memory chip, disinfect it...and sell it as refurbrished to those less fortunate to buy new. In a rich single person's home, it will look like Hugh Hefner's, with sexy adriods all around. They will pass a law on HOW MANY you can own, to avoid andriod armies, etc. Boon, side industry? Victoria Secret.
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Zip said 4:18PM on 7-22-2008
Just a typo mention. I noticed I probably misspelled android. (sorry) Just to let ya know I noticed, and it's not out of ignorance. Sometimes I don't notice without bi-focals.
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