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 2)
Robin said 8:23PM on 9-04-2008
Nice to see a story about gaming with a positive outlook. Yes, I know the violence in games is outrageous at times, but come on, unless your children are sheltered, they are going to see worse in the news. I have not had to censor many games for any of my kids, and you know what? They know those games are not real, they know to not judge real life by them, and they are also very well behaved children and well adjusted. I believe that if children or adults are affected by those games in a way that they cannot distinguish reality from tv, then there is an issue that needs to be addressed with a psychiatrist. I think those people need to be supervised in more than just their gaming time.
Robin momma of 5 cool kids...
Great job to that 11 year old girl for her help with her family, what a cool young lady!!!!
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moby said 9:06PM on 9-04-2008
but robin, why would you want your cool children to play violent video games anyway even if they can distinguish real from not real? that just doesn't sound real to me....
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Diane said 9:41PM on 9-04-2008
Psst...An 11-year-old girl is not a teenager.
Why was an 11-year-old allowed to play Grand Theft Auto anyway?
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DEIDRE said 10:48PM on 9-04-2008
GET A GRIP DIANE IM SURE AS 11 YOU DID THINGS YOU WERENT SUPPOSED TO DO..LETS LOOK AT THE SUBJECT AT HAND..IT IS A POSITIVE OUTLOOK FOR THE GAME AND SHE REMEMBERED THE RIGHT THINGS ABOUT IT...SO WHAT SHE IS 11 AND PLAYING THE GAME...I KNOW A THREE YEAR OLD WHO PLAYS THE Wii!!!
mandy said 8:00PM on 9-05-2008
Obviously this 11 year old was better suited to play the game since she learned something from it. Maybe her parents made that parenting choice because they knew that individual child could handle it.
Katie said 9:43PM on 9-04-2008
OK, anybody that can sit and defend a child playing Grand Theft Auto is simply as warped as this game is. My brother allows my nephew to play it so I have had the opportunity to watch the entire game, and I have to admit that it is down right offensive and disgusting, and it takes quit a bit to offend me. If such violence is your idea of entertainment I would have to question your values. So it kills me how people will say that they let their kids play it and how well adjusted they are, that remains to be seen...
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HappyMama said 9:44PM on 9-04-2008
Um, is an 11 y/o really considered a teenager these days? *grin*
Great story, tho.
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Marie said 9:51PM on 9-04-2008
Streator is in Illinois, not Ontario!
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Jennifer said 10:35PM on 9-04-2008
So, there can't possibly be another town named Streator, is that what you're saying Marie? lol What ignorance!
ScotinMilwa said 8:42AM on 9-05-2008
Streator is in Illinois, not Ontario! That Right! Blame it on Canada ha Ha!
SKW said 10:35PM on 9-04-2008
Hey, ever think she might have learned that by watching an older family member play the game?
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Briesa said 11:00PM on 9-04-2008
First off, GTA is a disgusting game, in my opinion, but only for the sleazy actions and options. There's nothing wrong with violence. It's actually a wonderful way to relieve stress. If you play just to use a rocket launcher, or perhaps a flame thrower, I'm all for it.
For another thing, children are growing up a lot faster these days. It's no big deal that an 11 year old plays GTA. Games, movies, music. All just entertainment, something to enjoy. I have my opinions about what's good entertainment and what isn't, just like anyone else, and everyone is entitled to their own opinion. Just because their opinion is different from yours is no reason to shoot them down, or belittle them.
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L. said 11:09PM on 9-04-2008
Uh, not to bring down the positive mood, but my sister is much younger than 11, and haven't we all been "taught" in a sense from movies and media that ANY vehicle after a serious accident can possibly catch fire and explode? I've never even touched GTA, but I know this too.
Personally I think it's silly to tie the two together since it seems like such a common-sense tidbit. I was half expecting the article to say something along the lines of how she was OUTSIDE the car and needed to break in to save her family... then that might make more sense if it was tied to GTA, haha.
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DONALD said 11:58PM on 9-04-2008
nag nag nag, be glad every ones alright! go gta! if your a gamer you can understand it, if not, dont try to, you just need to get into the games to appreciate them.
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Carrie said 12:30AM on 9-05-2008
I have a 4 children 17-22.The eldest is a boy.They grew up playing cowboy and indians.My son was a fan of horror movies Chuckie,Texas Chainsaw.(they are considered comedy)They played grand theft auto.Two are in college.The eldest works fulltime and is a fully functional healthy young man with one girlfriend.I am not a grandmother I have never had to bail a child out of jail.Only one time have I recieved a call of come get me mom Ive been drinking.(a prom night)My children are well liked and respected by adults and peers alike.On the other hand I have a sister who's kids were protected from everything (LIFE) they are lost.So you folks can miss me me with all the judgement.
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Elia said 1:16PM on 9-05-2008
Thought, I don't believe for a second that game was the reason she saved her family, the point is, she did. Even as I am typing this, I must say. I find it hilarious in a very...sick way.... that we "americans", you know..the ones suppossed to stand together, pick something like this, of all things, just to fight over. We can talk about games, clothes, music etc.. being the cause of problems today. But, my friends, think again. Of all the positive things to be doing, we are all going in search of a fight.
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Emily said 1:12AM on 9-05-2008
Honestly, people. Don't you have anything better to do than criticize someone's parenting over a video game? How their family works and is run is really no one's business but theirs. I believe the point of this article was to praise a child for remembering something important and using it to save her family. Who cares where she learned it?
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Teresa said 2:12AM on 9-05-2008
GTA Is a terrible game for adults exspecially an 11 year old.. I am sure something she saw on t.v. saved her family. I woud not give that game so much credit.. Good job little girl good job....But throw the game away.... God bless you and your family....
Teresa
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Uncla Al said 4:07AM on 9-05-2008
I'm an old geezer. We didn't have video games when I was a kid so we played Army. We shot the hell out of each other, threw bombs etc. Sure, it wasn't as realistic as todays games but our mindset was the same, and todays kids DO know that they are playing a GAME!
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Nancy said 5:16AM on 9-05-2008
I have to agree with Robin. I have 2 boys ages 16 (almost 17) and 11 and the game of the moment is World of Warcraft. Sometimes they play stuff that is more violent but they know it's just for play. My kids are not violent and my older son is not out getting drunk every weekend. They don't like to hear about "real life" violence - it's scary for them.
Whether it was the game or not, whether playing the game enabled her to put herself into character and go through the motions, she did a great job!
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