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 2)
CraziestGadgets.com said 1:31AM on 8-27-2008
dude, he's steve f'n jobs.. he can do whatever the hell he wants short of bumping into woz's parked segway.
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John Willaford said 1:25PM on 8-27-2008
The man needs to drink some protein shakes, something.
Whey Protein? Soy even...
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showlowpatrick said 8:19AM on 8-28-2008
I have never figured out the reason handicapped drivers are even allowed to drive. I have seen more perfectly able people get "handicap" license plates for no reason at all. They simply get them from a Doctor. I have asked them. The answer is usually " I know the Doctor " !! These people and the Doctors should be heavily fined, starting at $2500 for the first ticket !! Real handicapped people can't drive anyway. At 55 I enjoy the walk and save my car from damage.
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Brenda Zajac said 8:51AM on 8-28-2008
You must be a real jerk and obviously don't know any disABLEd people. I was paralyzed in an accident 28 years ago and have been driving all 28 years since and NEVER had an accident. Someday WHEN (and I'm sure it's a matter of time) you will know someone who is unfortunate to become disabled and still has the guts to look adversity in the face and continue to live in spite of all the people in the world with attitudes such as yours.
Julia said 9:29AM on 8-28-2008
I agree that doctor's should be held accountable for helping people commit fraud. But the local police in my town don't seem to care about punishing people who display either altered or counterfeit placards. They would rather not spend any time helping people with mobility impairments. And most of them will probably vote for Obama, too! They pretend to care about people. But I don't believe that they do.
AmyB said 9:48AM on 8-28-2008
That is not always the case, I have a handicap placecard because I have Multiple Sclerosis. I use it when I am having a flare up, and don't use it when I feel ok. To a "regular" person, I would look fine getting out of my car too, but my legs get numb and it is hard to walk long distances. Not that there are not people who abuse the system, but not everyone who looks "fine" really is and you just never know. I know before I needed my tag, I thought the same when I wuld see people walking using a handicap plate, but now I understand!
Matt said 11:34AM on 8-28-2008
Patrick, I completely agree with you... handicapped people should not be allowed to drive. In fact, I think they should just be put to death so that we don't have to look at them.
Seriously, you tool, my mom has Parkinsons and she has a handicapped parking permit. Walking long distances is challenging for her so it helps to be able to park near the entrance to whatever business she is visiting. Likewise, when I drive her to appointments I use her parking permit so that she doesn't have to walk so far.
I hope that concept is not too complex for your small brain to understand.
Mickey said 11:56AM on 8-28-2008
I really can't believe your stupidity! Handicap can be anything from a bad heart, You can't see that, to a missing leg, which you can see. I am handicap. You can't see my handicap until I try to walk or stand for any length of time. I am 57 and was hit by a drunk driver doing over 50 mph when he hit me, I was at a stop behind other cars! My spine was injured. You can't see that either.I also have a bad heart. According to you, all handicap people should stay home and die. We are not allowed to have a life. Yes we can still drive and most likely are the safest drivers on the road. You are a complete idiot in my opinion if that really matters to anyone. I really don't care. But if I catch people like you parking in handicap places you will find out just how angry it makes me! I don't spare my language when that happens.
Leslie said 8:58PM on 9-04-2008
You obviously are very nieve regarding handicap individuals. I am a 51 year old female with MS, attending a local university to obtain my BA. Only 18 more credits and I can graduate. Thank goodness I can still drive. But I will tell you my walking is not good at all and is getting worse. I use a cane for now, and am not able to walk long distances. Thank goodness for handicap parking spaces. In addition to going to school, I do go to the grocery store (and use the cart as a crutch), and only small trips to do any other shopping. A huge pet peeve of mine is seeing individuals who are not handicapped park there because they are simply too lazy to walk, or as they say, "I'm in a hurry" or "I'm only going to be a minute.". I would give anything to be able to walk effortlessly to wherever I was going, but these are the cards I've been dealt. It's just sad to see some individuals with the gift of mobility with an attitude such as yours. Be thankful and get rid of the attitude!
Mikewheels312 said 9:29AM on 8-28-2008
I GET REALLY UPSET WHENEVER I SEE A CAR PARKED IN A HANDICAPPED PARKING SPACE, AND IT DOESN'T HAVE A HANDICAPPED PLACARD ON ITS REAR-VIEW MIRROR!!!!!! STEVE JOBS NEEDS TO LOSE HIS DRIVING PRIVILEGES FOR THE REST OF HIS LIFE!!!!!!!!!!
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mesaman said 10:18AM on 8-28-2008
So, does this mean you are angry?
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James said 10:53AM on 8-28-2008
Handi-Capped Spaces were supposed to be set apart for "WHEEL CHAIR" Access - they were to simply be wider and closer to the entrance to lessen the chances of getting run over by idiots who can't see - (ask any Motorcyclist or Bicyclist about the Blind Drivers) - Lets face it all the others are FAKING IT - for Gods Sake if your BUTT can make it through the 2 Square Mile Mega Walmart, Shopping for Hours, the few extra feet you would have to walk by using a regular parking space should have absolutely NO DANG EFFECT at all. No Wheel Chair or Walker or Powered Chair NO HANDI-CAPPED Parking Permit PERIOD!!!!!
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aerospacemajor said 11:57AM on 8-28-2008
I have never understood why some people do not seem to care about the law and--more importanly--OBEYING it. I guess it's just selfishness or arrogance. Why else would someone think that laws are not meant for THEM? After all, even NATURE has laws; why is it so unreasonable for humans to have laws, too, to make things safer, fairer or just?
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brainslug said 11:11AM on 8-28-2008
Ask any motor cyclist about WHAT? They should be more aware of CARS on the road and NOT hang around in a drivers blind spot (remember driver's ed, folks?). If they do, then they are just asking for trouble.
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Dan said 11:37AM on 8-28-2008
The worse offenders are those that have the placard allowing them to park in the spots, and leave the handicapped person waiting in the car while they go and do their business. Those that have a legitimate need for the spot should be the first to not abuse it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Mickey said 12:06PM on 8-28-2008
James, I want to thank you for letting everyone know what a total idiot you are. People like you USED to make me angry, now I just smile and thank God I am not an idiot like you. Some day, maybe you will end up having to use a handicap space for real. Only then you will know what hell it is to have to use this space. By the way, I have a lic. Plate, I don't need to use a hang tag to park there. I paid extra so I would not forget to put the place card in the mirror. It amazes me how many idiots think I still need a place card with my lic. plate! So James, go look in the mirror, you will see what an idiot looks like!
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b-evans said 12:55PM on 8-28-2008
People who say, "Real handicapped people can't drive anyway," are living proof that the vacuous minds of this country need to be removed from the streets and locked away for the good of society. They simply have no concept of reality. The reality is that handicapped parking is provided for those who have great difficulty WALKING to and from remote parking spots.
Is there abuse? You bet there is. Abuse by anal orifices who think (and usually do) get away with parking in handicapped spots. Personally, I think it great fun to have these cars towed away, WITH a $400 citation.
Wanna know the biggest abusers as a a group? College and professional athletes who get their team docs to sign the application forms. Not long ago, the *entire* UCLA basketball team was caught, each having a handicapped placard. Yes, there should be greater enforcement, but it also would require the courts to come down hard on those who fraudulently abuse the handicapped system. Alas, when they don't enforce serious crime, there is little expectation anything will be done.
As far as Steve Job goes, because of his history of pancreatic cancer, he might well legitimately be entitled to a handicapped placard if it has drained the energy and stamina needed for prolonged walking. If not, Palo Alto PD should be towing the sucker.
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Christopher Burns said 1:34PM on 8-28-2008
FYI, this is an extremely old story; kind of legendary in its continuity, actually.
For those of you who do not live near the Apple Campus (as I do), Jobs has been parking this way since the early days of Apple. One story I've heard is that during the "Think Different" ad campaign years ago, someone put a cardboard placard on his card that read "Park Different."
He doesn't care, and neither should you all. There haven't ever been any issues with disabled people being inconvenienced or put out in any way because of this.
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justPat said 1:14PM on 8-28-2008
My mother had a handicap license due to MG. She also Had a box of business cards stating "I watched as you raced into this spot, cutting me off. I watched as you rushed into the store. Yours must be a mental handicap as you don't appear to have physical problems." She would leave these under the wiper blades of the offenders. Hopefully it made someone change their ways.
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michael norman said 1:15PM on 8-28-2008
I'll nominate most CEOs to IOD status--"Immediate Organ Donor"--but come on, folks. Pancreatic cancer? Christ, the treatments alone can leave you feeling ill beyond words, nauseated, aching...cut the guy some slack. And just FYI: Apple ain't Enron, Exxon, the Cosa Nostra or Republican Party.
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