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.
_thumbnail.jpg "Vintage Keyboards")
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Pat said 5:58PM on 7-13-2008
this has got to be the stupidest thing i've seen.who the hell takes texting that seriously?
Reply
Rick said 8:32PM on 7-13-2008
Dude, if you did something that was stupid and got 50K for it, you wouldnt say that anymore. LOL
Reply
LTCWEST said 7:39AM on 7-17-2008
Recently, I believe on Jay Leno's show, they had two gentlemen who were Morse code experts...they competed against two youngsters..each team was handed a written message to transmit to their teammate..the Morse Code guys WON! Whenever I see someone texting furiously, I wonder what can be so important but secret that you can't TALK to someone about it..
Reply
kyle said 12:27AM on 7-17-2008
People have done worse things to win even less money, just look at Jose Canseco. This guy is a genius compared to him.
Reply
hyperpiz said 1:47PM on 7-17-2008
I just hear that he's running quickly to a GM dealership to buy himself a gas guzzling Tahoe SUV. LOL!!!
Reply
MICHELLE said 2:19PM on 7-17-2008
WELL
I HAVE TO SAY THIS SHOW ROCK'S I LOVE TEXTING ITS FUN I DO ENJOY TYPEING MY FINGER MOVING AND SOMETHING TO DO AND YES ITS A CONNECTION WITH SOME ONE ELES AND YES I DO LIKE THS SHOW AND YES I DO TYPE FAST YA , FAST IS BETTER AND ENJOYABLE TEXTING,AS LONG YOUR FINGER'S DO THE TALKING LOL, YEP ITS A COMPUTER WORLD . TECK WORLD YES INDEED,WELL HE IS A LUCKY GUY, I WOULDNT MIND BEING IN HIS SHOES RIGHT KNOW,TEXT TEXT TEXT, LET YOUR FINGER'S DO THE TALKING, O YA...
Reply
Alice said 3:14PM on 7-17-2008
LTCWEST @ Jul 17th 2008 7:39AM
Recently, I believe on Jay Leno's show, they had two gentlemen who were Morse code experts...they competed against two youngsters..each team was handed a written message to transmit to their teammate..the Morse Code guys WON! Whenever I see someone texting furiously, I wonder what can be so important but secret that you can't TALK to someone about it..
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Reply: Yes, you can watch the 10 minute video on YouTube. Morse Code is the most efficient means of communications there is.
Reply
Phyllis said 3:32PM on 7-17-2008
TEXTING SEEMS STUPID AND MORE DANGEROUS WHILE DRIVING WHEN YOU CAN TALK. DON'T SAY PEOPLE DON'T TRY THIS WHILE DRIVING, I'VE SEEN IT. IT WOULD COME IN HANDY IF YOU WERE HELD CAPTIVE AND COULD NOT SPEAK, THEN IT WOULD BE BENIFICIAL. SPEAKING IS MORE SIMPLE, IF YOU ARE TEXTING THINGS YOU DON'T WANT HEARD THEN YOU PROBABLY SHOULD KEEP IT TO YOURSELF.
Reply
lily said 4:36PM on 7-17-2008
haha..that guy is funny as hell...I love him! lolol
Reply
ted said 4:57PM on 7-17-2008
this is a total disgrace. most kids you can't get them to learn anything in school. but if you add money they'll be the greatest at texting or be a pro at video games and learn something destructive. WE REWARD KIDS FOR THE WRONG THINGS
Reply
ted said 4:58PM on 7-17-2008
PLUS TO ADD TO MY LAST TEXT
THEY'VE GOT A NEW INVENTION CALLED A PHONE
WHY TEXT FAST USE A PHONE DAH
Reply
mikey said 9:40PM on 7-17-2008
getting paid for being addicted to technology and having nothing better to do with your time shows just low are priorities have sunk in this country.
Reply
Scuba Steve said 1:26PM on 7-24-2008
Wow, I didn't know my dad posted on here. Seriously, "all you young whippersnappers with your texty thingamajigs, just use a rotary dial."
The way people communicate is changing, text message usage is skyrocketing because it's quick, private, can be done in class/meetings etc, and allows multiple conversations at once. It's definitely not going away, get used to it.
Reply
jusme said 5:02PM on 7-31-2008
What the hell is your problem people? Texting works for people who are busy that they cannot come to the phone immediately. And why call when all you really want to say is, I'M HERE. Texting is not safe when driving that's why it's not allowed. Don't you know that they actually penalize people caught texting? Texting has been around for about 10 years now in the Philippines and the US has just recently caught on. it worked for us and wouldn't want it otherwise
Reply
bs78 said 7:52AM on 8-05-2008
also i love to text and i have hearing problem and i have kids are deaf and we all text each other and technology is so good these days wow. and i wish i can text more faster .
Joseph said 6:38PM on 7-31-2008
Wow Michelle, stop obsessing, and to you guys that say why text when you can call, well I used to think it was ridiculus but if all you want to say is just a couple words and now that I know how to do it, lol, in case you want to say more, it IS ALOT cheaper to text then to call.
Welcome to the 21st century.
Reply