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 1)
homi said 4:34PM on 7-11-2008
this is pretty stupid article
what difference does it make
if war breaksout, you have thousands of missiles fired from one side and few bombs from other and hell will break loose
oil will go up to 300 +
Middle East on fire
you guys are talking about a photo
If you think Iran will back out, I say they won't
Israel can't fight Iran. They are too small
their forces are not that many
it would be an air war
missiles against missles
then US has to step in
with stretched armed foreces
Don't think there is a magic in it
Iranians will fight in Iraq, Afghanistan, Lebonan, and the golf
So can we afford this?
Or are we better to stay with diplomacy?
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Adam Gerwin said 10:08PM on 7-11-2008
Does anybody think Bush might nuke Iran? Seems far-fetched, given that we don't want them having nukes. But, with Bush running out of time before he leaves office, might he do something that stupid? Is it really that impossible to imagine?
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TONY said 10:22PM on 7-11-2008
IRAN TOSSING NUKES AROUND THE MID EAST......CAN WE AFFORD THAT NO...SO I SAY HIT THEM NOW
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smeagol8 said 11:08PM on 7-11-2008
If Iran gets nukes, they WILL use them on Israel. Israel already HAS nukes: If WE don't stop Iran from getting nukes, what do you think Israel MUST do?
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MS.DIAMONDPRINC3SS said 2:16AM on 7-12-2008
you guys do not think your like in a small box are something you have Iran building Nukes whats wrong with that the U.S has them China Russia England who else doesn't thats a big country thats just like there defense like every country but we don't wont them to have them so we can take over them.....were not listening to what Israel is saying they said if they find out Iran has Nukes there going to blow it up they wont to start a war you don't see China blowing us up for having them I'm from the U.S but are country are just big bullies in I'm sick of it
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mike said 12:10PM on 7-13-2008
your an idiot. iran would kill everyone for power if they got nukes. what are you 5?
Terry said 4:11AM on 7-12-2008
Seems like the site is anti-iranian...
They didn't present their opinion as a speculation, they presented it as a hard fact!?
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W. B. Wilhite said 10:40AM on 7-12-2008
So... only three out of four missles will fly. And of that, how many will hit their target? Now then, if they launch a thousand missles, only a few will hit their intended target, right? I feel better already. Thank you. I wonder about the payloads, though. Tell me a little more about that.
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M00dybl00s said 10:54AM on 7-12-2008
Maybe they're ALL photoshopped?
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John Maszka said 7:27PM on 7-12-2008
What Iran needs more than anything right now is something to lose. We've backed it into a corner and given it few options. Iran needs to be plugged into the global economy. Once its people are engaged economically, and it will have plenty of internal motivation to play better with others.
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Iran Is Scared said 9:31AM on 7-14-2008
Iran's missile tests are strictly for the purpose of propaganda and posturing for a war that they simply have no chance of winning.
Israel will spank Iran if hostilities commence.
Currently, there are two US NAVY AIRCRAFT CARRIER BATTLE GROUPS operating in the Persian Gulf. D'Jya ever notice how the Iranian Navy doesn't board US Vessels? They can't. The US NAVY is capable of delivering unbelievable firepower if need be.
Ahmadinejad knows this, and he is scared.
Iran reminds me of a skinny drunk guy who talks himself into provoking a fight that he has no chance of winning...
If Obama is elected, Iran's posturing will turn to action as they become emboldened by the same type of weakness that prevailed during the Jimmy Carter Administration.
Carter made Amadinejad in 1979-1980.
McCain? McCain scares the hell out of our enemies.
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dick said 4:46PM on 7-12-2008
i'm not worried...4 years of jimmy carter II will be followed by 16 years of republicans in the white house...goofy really can't do too much damage.
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Jill Pines said 10:17PM on 7-12-2008
Mr. O'Brein,
Please,as a supposed "journalist", refrain from using phrases such as 'some how". Additionally, the assessment of how it was "cut-and-pasted" is incorrect. Please limit your comments to areas of "expertice".....if there are any.
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bruno said 6:06AM on 7-13-2008
O B A M A '08:"Positive Social Change We Can Believe In, Because Quality Matters"
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