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 4)
Arthur Lamarche said 2:20PM on 8-01-2008
I am sure that the inventor of the Segway "Dean Kamen" will be closely looking for any type of Patent Infringements on this one.
Will be interesting to see if Toyota can ever legally market this in the U.S.
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Yakamoto said 11:05AM on 8-02-2008
Yes, I am sure Toyota may or will not be able to sell this product on US soil. The Segway idea has been stolen. So sad. US ideas have enriched Japanese.
ItsBridget said 2:19PM on 8-01-2008
Well, just another tool to aid in obesity!! Walk, people!!
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Al said 10:03PM on 8-02-2008
Very well said, I couldn't agree more!
However, if people get TOO obese from these things, the wheels or motor will break from the weight overload anyway. Then they'll have no alternative but to lose weight.
Dave said 2:28PM on 8-01-2008
These things have always scared me. Screaming down a sidewalk here in Los Angeles, they are as silent as a bicycle but not as stable in an emergency. I asked my doctor, who is an elderly Japanese gentleman, about these about a year ago. We were standing in his office hallway looking outside when two of them went by in a blur. He grinned and said "You know, I'm from Japan, but I'd be the first one to say they should call them Kamakazis instead of Segways."
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s. perry said 2:26PM on 8-01-2008
I love Toyota products... so reliable!
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Renaldo said 4:15PM on 8-01-2008
What's the point?
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jme said 2:46PM on 8-01-2008
Tall about lazy... !
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elaine said 2:51PM on 8-01-2008
WOW!!! this is the last thing America needs....in case you havent heard, we are the FATEST country....Americans need to WALK....
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Jordan said 3:52PM on 8-01-2008
Australia is dumbass
Richard said 3:08PM on 8-01-2008
"WOW!!! this is the last thing America needs....in case you havent heard, we are the FATEST country....Americans need to WALK...."
People also criticize our educational system. Proper grammar, spelling, and sentence structure are important as well.
rich said 3:04PM on 8-01-2008
I think they created this to see how stupid the American People really are. I am sure we willnot disappoint them. Guard your groin guys.
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Richie said 3:11PM on 8-01-2008
What a bunch of cynical turds you are. How about the practical use of being able to go farther then if just walking and NOT taking the car? How about seniors who can not walk that far and would need the aid? Everyone is always looking for the downside of something rather then the positives. That is just as much a problem in America as obesity. People always looking for an excuse, cop out or reason too sue someone. Only 1 out of 7 comments so far were positive. You people need a life check.
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rich said 3:13PM on 8-01-2008
But 4 out of eigh posts are by Riches.......... LAZY LAZY LAZY. What is the weight limit for this unit? Do they have a hefty? Wonder if it comes with a side car for your briefcase? Just a thought here..... Why do I see so many of you order half a cow at a fast food place and you make yourselves think you are doing a good job with your diet because you order a Diet drink? I do not think you are. Not when it takes half a tank of gas to drive around to the other side of you. WALK WALK WALK WALK WALK.
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sailorgirl88 said 7:35PM on 8-02-2008
lol. hefty... that's a good one. you made a really good point!
P. Smith said 3:27PM on 8-01-2008
Useless for healthy people. Handicapped people don't use this kind of thing. If you can stand, you can walk. Ridiculous and a limited usage of this type of thing. Are they trying to make legs obsolete. We need to walk more in this country. We are the most obese country in the world.
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williehart said 4:22PM on 8-01-2008
Get a clue. Just because you can stand does not mean you can walk. You need a bit of enlightenment there P. Smith. This would be a Godsend for a friend of mine that has a back problem that makes walking a problem but she could use this! You need to back up a bit and rethink your thought!!
LD said 5:14PM on 8-01-2008
There are many medical conditions where it is possible to stand but walking is much more difficult. This device would give some independence to people like myself who would like to get out more but are unable to walk for long distances due to orthopedic problems resulting from a car accident. I can walk but not for long distances with this devise I could go to the park again or the mall or sightseeing in D.C. Get real, there is more diversity than the so called able bodied and the obese. Don't be so narrow minded.
elfriede said 6:53PM on 8-01-2008
If you can stand, you can walk? How wrong you are! People have numerous problems with their backs or legs. By the way, I'm 65 years old, and walk to and from the bus station to get to work - almost 2 miles each way. Yes, even now, when the temperature is in the mid 90s...How do you get to work?
dawn said 4:08AM on 8-02-2008
JUST IMAGINE AN ELDERLY PERSON WHO IS NOT EVEN ALLOWED TO DRIVE RIDE AROUND TOWN ON ONE OF THESE, SLOW COORDINATION, BAD VISION AND HEARING, BRITTLE BONES. I THINK THEY SHOULD HAVE THEIR OWN LANE AND YOU NEED A LICENSE TO DRIVE.
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