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)
Judiann said 9:20AM on 8-11-2008
I thought that the opeing ceremonies were the best I'd ever seen. They
were wonderful, and for someone to say anything against them is B.S!!!!
The commentators said that there were 2,008 men moving in unison in
those sequences with the blocks moving like waves in the ocean, and the perfect circles. There were no lines on the floor to tell them where to
stand. They had to be so dedicated to making China look good to the
world, and I think they did just that! BRAVO!!!!!!
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Ken said 2:11PM on 8-11-2008
I concur with everything you said. I was super impressed with the whole of what I saw on TV.
Mary Lou Hein said 2:58PM on 8-11-2008
Double BRAVO! I agree with everything you said.......it was the most awesome, artistic spectacle I've ever seen!
ronbolama said 3:43PM on 8-11-2008
Hey Judiann... You are delusional if you think you are seeing the "real" China. You need to break open your piggy bank and buy a clue... They show us only what they want us to see. We don't see the slave and child labor, the torture of dissidents, and their violent occupation of Tibet. Not to mention the incredibly toxic air the world athletes have to endure. We shouldn't even be over there participating and you are cheering them on? Gimme a break. You must be Chinese or misinformed to leave out so many of the atrocities associated with China. Keep watching, I'm certainly not.
ronbolama said 3:44PM on 8-11-2008
Hey Judiann... You are delusional if you think you are seeing the "real" China. You need to break open your piggy bank and buy a clue... They show us only what they want us to see. We don't see the slave and child labor, the torture of dissidents, and their violent occupation of Tibet. Not to mention the incredibly toxic air the world athletes have to endure. We shouldn't even be over there participating and you are cheering them on? Gimme a break. You must be Chinese or misinformed to leave out so many of the atrocities associated with China. Keep watching, I'm certainly not.
kelly said 6:01PM on 8-11-2008
i agree, the opening ceremonies were incredible! I don't think anyone really cares about 55 seconds... overall, the ENTIRE show was phenomenal!
Martha said 11:47AM on 8-11-2008
I couldn't help but notice...the dancer on top of the blanket tripped up, a "box" was still up when all around him went down, and one pair of the glow sticks during the drums was going circular too soon instead of back and forth. By the time the men in yellow costumes came out I thought I would just die at hundreds, even thousands synchronized...again...let alone having to see another mistake.
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Frank said 3:10PM on 8-11-2008
Thanks for noticing the mistakes Martha. It is always nice to focus on the negitive instead of the positive.
LTCWEST said 5:45PM on 8-11-2008
There WERE lines on the floor..I watched carefully,and at a couple of points when the lighting changed, you could see the gridlines...
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Roger said 2:06PM on 8-11-2008
Is that all you have to do Tim Stevens is sit and see if you can stir somthing up? What difference does it make that it was or was not, it was better than anything you could do ........ loser.l
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dwr50 said 2:06PM on 8-11-2008
Some of the fireworks were faked...for safety reasons.
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Roger said 9:39AM on 8-12-2008
Sooooooooo What. What have you done lately Tim Stevens.
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Sharon said 2:29PM on 8-11-2008
Give me a break! Even if this portion was digitally done, SO WHAT??? It was THE BEST OPENING CEREMONY I HAVE SEEN IN MY LIFETIME AND PROBABLY THE BEST THAT ANY OF US, NO MATTER HOW LONG WE LIVE, WILL EVER SEE. GIVE CHINA ITS PROPS AND STOP LOOKING FOR SOMETHING TO COMPLAIN ABOUT!!!!
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rokprtmike said 4:42PM on 8-11-2008
It is the Chinese anything is possible. They kill their own people and think nothing of it. They are busy showing off and be glad that they got the 2008 Olympics if they didn't we would be at war with them now.
There is a reason they are building an arsenal of nuclear submarines and other advanced military equipment.
I am more concerned with what happens after the Olympics. Every host country has fallen into a recession, which would make sense, after the event is over.
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Jana said 2:26PM on 8-11-2008
So what if that part was fake - it still is the BEST opening ever! The Chinese have done a superb job and still are making these Olympics the best ever. Hats off to them for a SPECTACULAR show!
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Bozzy said 2:29PM on 8-11-2008
SAY WHAT, just have to NIT PICK , the opening ceremony was INDEED SPECTACULAR but of course, some MUST find fatal flaws or perceive them to determine was not so spectacular after all said done and performed...Rather pathetic folks and worth note, the "masterminde" who choregraphed it is a US citizen, one tha thad exited from China and chose US citizenry for artistic freedom and expression. COngratulations to him and all the dedicated effort to provide ALL with a marvelous etertainment 'spectacular", beautifully executed and appreciated by more than the few who are determine to find digrntlements !!!
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David said 2:36PM on 8-11-2008
"SO WHAT" Every motion picture is partially a product of manufactured effects and no one complains because the final product is entertaining. The Chinese gave the world an absolutely magnificent, spectacular experience; a performance that will probably never be equalled. However they managed to create those effects is not the issue; the final result is all that maters. What may turn out to be the greatest result, hopefully, is the possibility of China joining the world commuinity as a fully open and friendly nation.
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hermionesdrawers said 2:37PM on 8-11-2008
Did Azerbaijan make the show in the parade of nations? My daughter is from there and she waited a long time to see them. We had to take a "break" for a few minutes and she thinks they must have come when she was out of the room. She is a little kid and is very disappointed. If they were not shown, does anyone have an idea where a video of the actual parade might become available?
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Patricia said 4:28PM on 8-11-2008
Hermiones...Azerbaijan was in the parade of countries and they were the 111th country to march in. Go to 2008 Summer Olympics national flag bearers at the Wikipedia site.
I'm sorry your daughter didn't see them march in.
Good luck
Terri Ferreira said 4:09PM on 8-11-2008
The Olympics Opening was absolutely spectacular! Very, very impressive. The best...yes...the best.... that we will see in our life time...
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