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)
Chester Borland said 5:18PM on 8-18-2008
Via e-mail? What a joke!!!
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Alexa said 6:26PM on 8-18-2008
Chester.......it won't be "via e-mail".It will be via TEXT MESSAGE!!!McCain admits that he is not tech savy....and you just "admitted" that YOU are BASICALLY ILLITERATE.
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Wallers said 6:58PM on 8-18-2008
It`s amazing how low you Obamites are. So the man maybe older and does not know the difference between e-mail or texting. You are just should your arrogance. One reminder, the " older people " turn out to vote more than the younger generation. Keep on with your arrogance attitudes it only hurts your canidate.
John Palazzini said 7:47PM on 8-18-2008
McCainSpace...of as it should've been named...McSAMESpace...is a pathetic excuse for a website. Another dinosaur egg laid by the dinosaur himself.
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John Palazzini said 9:42PM on 8-18-2008
McCainSpace...of as it should've been named...McSAMESpace...is a pathetic excuse for a website. Another dinosaur egg laid by the dinosaur himself.
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Mike D said 11:19AM on 8-19-2008
Wouldn't this upset all his follower. From what I hear they play computer games all day instead of working. The email might interrupt their game
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J said 11:51AM on 8-19-2008
I find it hard to believe that Switched would refer to McCain's space as "laughable". Putting technology before normal human concerns despite the "gee whiz aspects" of cell telephone use is not too smart, in retrospect, and may have dire consequences for the future of this country. Not everything in life these days depends upon the latest gadgetry! That just sound like more sports and athletic "superiority" talk that could limit our ability to make reasonable and sound personal judgements when it comes to really caring about people and things going on in this country and elsewhere! Shame on Switched!
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L3 said 12:28PM on 8-19-2008
Thanks for the article. After reading, I sent the text so that I would be the first to know that B.H.O. is going to pick Biden.
I also followed the McCain link, made a donation, got some McCain support yard signs and bumper stickers, and I emailed the team to request a text messaging network.
I humbly suggest you all do the same.
Respectfully,
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ALASKAN GOP TECHIE said 2:14AM on 8-21-2008
Obviously, the Messiah, BHO, cares so much about Alaska. That's why we can't text the "VP" message to his "special VP number..." Once again, a Lib who wants to tell Alaska and the nation how great he is, and what he will do to Alaska and how unspecifically he'll "Change", without allowing us to communicate to him.
I'll learn McCain's VP choice the old-fashioned way, through the radio or TV or newspaper. After all, my attention span is longer than a text message.
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N R said 9:00PM on 8-21-2008
Obama sends a text message to announce his Vice President Pick.
McCain sends a telegram.
Who is really pushing us forward and who is holding us back?
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