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.
We've talked about viruses hitting Facebook before, but it seems they're getting a little more serious now. A new one is making the rounds, W32.Koobface.A, which not only installs itself into the background on your PC, but takes over your profile on the site and sends itself to all your friends!
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Jrzy said 12:55PM on 10-24-2008
Why do ppl do this? What is their point to make a virus to mess with ppls stuff...I can just see them now 40something living in mom and dad's basement with black plastic on their windows and a ton of comicbooks and gutted computer parts all over.
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Chaz said 8:15PM on 10-25-2008
Why mess with these guys that cause harm to other peoples computers?Put them behind bars for 20 years and the rest will listen up and will think twice about sending out viruses. They are an iminent danger to this country and need to be dealt with harshsly.
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Meghan said 8:19PM on 10-27-2008
Can anyone help me remove this virus? The one with the video link...the most recent one. I have run malicious sw removal, updated norton antivrus, etc...changed my password twice on facebook and then finally disabled my account. Do I need to take my laptop to a pro to have it removed?? Please help! thanks so much!!
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Court said 2:18AM on 10-29-2008
I'm with Meghan. Someone PLEASE help me remove this stinkin' virus!!!! Thanks.
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K-OS said 9:24PM on 10-29-2008
To Meghan and Court. You should try www.geekstogo.com or www.bleepingcomputer.com it's free computer help, but you can donate. I'm sure you can also get some expert advice on which is better, MAC or PC.
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robert Wall said 7:14AM on 11-04-2008
Let's ask a differant question. How much should a bank robber have to steal before he should have to face the death penalty? How many people loose their jobs, homes families -commit suicide because of the afore mentioned. Think before you answer for yourself! Think of what the identity thieves, hackers virus makers really steal from people.Billions of dollars of lost revenue for companies (concievably 100s of thousands of good paying jobs), millions of hours wasted away from your family (in front of a screen), wasting gas running to the computer shop. Time better spent say maybe volunteering at our local school or parent teacher organization. What about the genius of these people being used to make others lives better -not to mention their own?Not only do they walk free - but our joker lawmakers fine them in a country with no debtors prison - look at Oj simpson for Petes sake.
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Chaz said 10:51PM on 11-04-2008
IF Obama get in,trust me,things will definetly get worse. Aw,what the hell,you'll see.
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Lee said 8:35PM on 11-18-2008
Um....President-elect Obama DID get in, you moron.
Frank said 8:12PM on 12-04-2008
Well if there werent any viruses, then there would be no need for anti-virus software. Who do you think is responsible for viruses?
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tracey said 8:40AM on 1-03-2009
please can you tell me how to rid this facebk virus? they have cloned my mobile contracts also home phone bill, n even got into my sky account and blocked me usining my own account. now even my bank!!! fuk sake why dont these fukin sad greedy bastards, get a paid honest job like the rest of us!! they are even itercepting my calls to any company they recognise my number ringing!! and try to get onformation from me about my account this is going to be an epidemic! it seems its an update virus!! anyone have advice plse! they,v blocked my drive off and have the cheek to be an administrator ,, arseholes!! they should be putting their talents to good use for the country!! not ripping it off!! but it seems the ones doing it to me are from foreighn climates shall we say!!
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