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 7)
Galley said 1:13PM on 6-24-2008
There is really no reason why we can't all be driving electric cars within a decade. Battery power should be good enough to cover pretty much anyone's commute.
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Justin said 6:19AM on 6-25-2008
Ummm In Central PA, where I live most everybody has a 30+ mile commute. One charge would not be suffecient. Or how about the people who drive 7 miles in 2 hours (LA, DC, Hampton Roads) Thats not good for them either.
Bob said 8:09AM on 6-25-2008
I drove a solar charged electric to 50-mph in the Keys in the 1980's. I put a high speed golf cart motor into the car that was designed to be use by post office delivery folks. I covered the roof rear and front with 20-amps of PV photovoltaics. Use it for three years, drove it in Tallahasse during Earth Day. Went to work, went fishing with rods strapped to passenger side of car and it was a two seater. I plugged it in like a golf cart each night. Sure I didn't drive it on long trips like on highways with 65-70 mph speedlimits.
But it worked great for general shoppings and going to office, etc.
Now today in 2008 watch for great new, lighter weight batteries and vhoom!
Ken said 11:31AM on 6-25-2008
Everyone driving electric cars... get real, you obviously haven't lived or visited many states have you.
Paula said 11:58AM on 6-25-2008
What about all the millions of people driving old beat-up gas guzzlers because they can't afford another vehicle? Much less a brand new one? It's easy to say "we can all" do this or that, but the fact remains there are many, many people that are barely getting by with what they have now and simply can't afford to make a change, good or bad.
moses said 8:04PM on 6-25-2008
yeah i cant wait for the mountains and i mean mountains of batteries to enter the land fields most of the pollution and fuel consumption is caused by structures how about we fix that first not to mention its an easier task with the new solar inks that cost 1/10 of the price getting ready to hit the market in 2 yrs.
Bazork said 6:22AM on 6-25-2008
I think he'll make another billion. Nobody ever told him it was impossible or that he needed government funding.
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babycakes said 6:27AM on 6-25-2008
This is a very smart man. I'm confident he will come up with something good!!
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westernmdcpl said 6:25AM on 6-25-2008
Ted Kennedy would veto these cars from running on Cape Cod near his home because it would distract from the scenery of his home. He is a big environmentalist except when if comes to him and near his home.
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Greg said 12:01PM on 6-25-2008
Just gotta get in a political jibe, regardless how nonsensical it is. You don't like the idea of electric cars? What about one that could go 100 plus mph for 100 miles? Or, maybe you just don't like anything new?
tbie2 said 10:34AM on 6-25-2008
You have to be kidding.This is not up for a vote in mass.This is the future and everybody will embrace it
Betty said 6:38AM on 6-25-2008
We need more people like this working on eliminating the use of oil completely. Our government and special interests sure aren't going to help us out. The best bet is to quit using oil all together for fuel.
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Steve said 6:49AM on 6-25-2008
Actually, with current battery technology, we already have electric cars that can go 120 miles at up to 80 MPH (not counting the Tesla, which can go faster) and the charge can last up to 4 hours of continues driving.
James Dyson is no crackpot - he's a legitimate inventor. We need more like him working on electric car technology instead of "free energy" wackos who are either deluded or out to make a buck with their scams.
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Paul said 6:53AM on 6-25-2008
I am glad he's moving on. His last product sucked. LOL If anyone can do it he can.
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Alex said 5:57PM on 6-25-2008
you mean $5/ gal. gas... ( I live in so-cal)
goodcoin.weebly.com said 7:17AM on 6-25-2008
Wish I had his smarts. Hope he pulls it off.We need good alternatives to $4/gal
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garyrjas said 7:27AM on 6-25-2008
One charge will be able to get you about 200 miles, the technology is already there. Tesla motors is already doing it now. Dyson will probably make a great car, maybe it will clean itself also.
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Karen said 7:01PM on 6-25-2008
Yes, but Telsa's car is running ~$100K. Cool technology, but what we need is something affordable for it to be meaningful.
Eileen said 10:31PM on 6-25-2008
Heyyyyyyyy.......I love that idea, with three kids the car it would automatically suck up the french fry the moment it hits the floor.....I'm sold on that alone!!!
As far as the solar part....in Michigan, in February......hmmmm...not much sun.......I wonder how employers would feel when people started calling in because it was an overcast day.......
hazegreysteamer said 7:29AM on 6-25-2008
We as a people have been to long dependent on fossil fuels, with the world in the condiction it in, it is time to look more to the future for us and our children and grandchildren. We all need to step up and do something. Solar/sun is there use it.
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