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 3)
Joan said 12:14AM on 10-29-2008
Any comments on "kitchensinks.n0t" certificate popping up in Google? It's mentioned in the Google discussions. Thank you.
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janet said 4:47PM on 10-28-2008
this was hard to post..4rth try ..but here goes..I need help..I just got a new vistas window puter..aol said it crashed after using my aol 9.0 optimized disc for over three weeks)? because it isnt compatible with vistas and they have to send (10 days) a 9.0vr disc..well I couldnt wait for all that i need my mail, so i did a system restore and it sorta works, but then I get, and I am not that puter literate a flashing bar with a accept or cancel opt..from hprupdate.exe.0CH9EAA1_22F0_4F4_BFEE_7C...hewlet packard..in the details it said cfiles permission digital imaging product how do I know what this is? an update from HP or excet or decline? also setting popups is confusing to me..can anyone help? I cant afford to fix new puter....also someone at compac said that didnt make any sense that aol wasnt compatible with vistas..and then someone else said you can never goet rid of aol completely???
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Kevin Espeseth said 6:32PM on 10-28-2008
Janet, look for a "free to try" program called Tune Up (usually found on "ZD.net"). It can usually correct the registry problems between Microsoft and AOL (personally I blame Microsoft, "Apple" doesn't seem to have these complications).
Then reboot about 4 times...
Jennifer A. said 7:08PM on 10-28-2008
I got Vista 1/08, and yeah it's not compatible with a lot of what you're used to. Just be vigilent about whether your emails are actually delivered. Most will send just fine, but some wont.
Vista has a flaw, and if you take it back to the store-- most fixes are free. AFTER you tell them you know some Vista models have flaws.
One tip, NEVER go for the Norton updates... seems only the store can do it. Ive taken my vista in 2 times, (yeah after paying like $1,600) and both times I was at home trying to update security.
Personally, I think these computers are designed to pull dollars out of your house, constantly. Seems to be the American way.
sosec said 1:32PM on 10-29-2008
Restore The System Back from The Hidden Partition on The Drive. You Will Lose Your data Hope You have Backed Up Recently. This Will Atleast Get You Going again. Use explorer And Go To AOls Site Manually You wont Have Any problems doing it That Way
Jackie said 1:35PM on 11-01-2008
I believe what AOl meant was that after three weeks the free program disk expired. You need to purchase AOL. I get it for only $12.00 per month. I have Vista and am not having any problems with the system at all.
Sometimes AOl gives you long and complicated remedy's which are not necessary. I would re install a new AOL disk; free at your computer store or office store. Sometimes the disk is faulty. I found this to be true once.
Not to worry Vista is good.
RColli6983 said 8:14PM on 11-01-2008
My daughter has Vista and free Aol. You don't need the disk. open your browser and make Aol your home page. This is if you have DSL, not dial up. Download Mozilla Firefox at mozilla.com. It's better than Explorer. We couldn't use Explorer with vista. Always not responding. Mozilla Firefox saved her computer. I like McAfee better than Norton plus there are a lot of free programs you can download to help with security.
rob said 1:56PM on 11-02-2008
get a mac!!!!!
MARY said 11:01AM on 12-03-2008
AOL IS COMPATIBLE WITH VISTA I HAVE THE SAME OPERATING SYSTEM AND THE SAME AOL. MINE WORKS FINE
rodney greene said 1:04PM on 1-21-2009
I just got a peek of windows vista opperating system, it is built on 32bt same as xp, xp home, xp pro, this os system is crap and bill gates knows this, your pc should be able to run windows xp, xp pro, i suggest you change os system and get rid of vista, if your pc is new, call back to get the os changed, any body got vista should get rid of it, i have all the windows os systems and have picked them all apart, if you dont want less problems, the stick with vista
janet said 5:21PM on 1-21-2009
thanks for info..motherboard completely shot and now am renting a vista too...till old new one is sent back fixed...they said gee this only happens to 1-100,000 people grrr.how do i call and ask them to change it...now the news does say vista is done.
warrior said 5:04PM on 10-28-2008
Go to http://daol.aol.com/software/91/ and download the AOL version specific for Windows Vista.
And you can go ahead and accept the HprbUpdate.exe ---it's an update to a device that you have plugged to your computer; more likely it's a All-In-One printer.
So just accept it and you will be good.
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janet said 5:26PM on 10-28-2008
ty warrior..then why do they say they have to mail it? lol...and should i uninstall the 9.0 optimized first? i lost all my favs too gr
janet said 5:17PM on 10-28-2008
ty warrior, so why do they have to mail it to me? and i lost all my favs..should i uninstall the 9.0 optimized first?
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Always Pissed off said 5:47PM on 10-28-2008
yes, uninstall the incompatible AOL version to eliminate any future AOL issues that may/could arise.
If they have to mail the update to you, let them; still check whether you can download the update or updated driver from their website.
Also, google search for a vista driver for your printer. I'm using a HP non-vista compatible color photo printer with an older printer driver and all prints are great.
Lew said 6:03PM on 10-28-2008
get rid of the AOL software (it slows your computer down miserably) and just use www.aol.com you will be much better off with the online system rather than putting their junk software on your machine...believe me I used to work for them
Clifton said 6:43PM on 10-28-2008
Janet put the cd in the driver, when it starts to run, cancel it. Then double left click on my computer. Then right click on the driver the cd is in. Then left click on explore. Then find install or setup. It will look like a comp. monitor with a box in front of it. Then right click it and go to properties, left click on it. Now at the top find the "compatibility" tab. Now left click it.Find the "run this program in compatibility with" box and check it, the drop down menu under it will change to white. Now click the drop down arrow and high lite the Windows operating system or up to Windows XP that you last ran this program on. Then click apply and then ok. Now on what you right clicked to open the properties window you now double left click, the program should install and run as if it was under the operating system you chose, while actually running on your present system. NOTE;This can be done with even the oldest games and programs as long as their install or setup program can be accessed. Windows XP and Vista are the only Windows systems with the compatibility program built in.Good luck clif69v@yahoo.com...Thats all.
warrior said 6:11PM on 10-28-2008
No problem Janet.
They want to mail it to you because they think you don't have an internet connection to get it yourself.
The same thing happened to my friend and she waited for ever without getting that CD from them. Finally, she took her computer to BestBuy and they loaded it up on it.
But the best thing for you to do is go to that link and download it from there.
Go ahead and un-install 9.0 optimized and then get the Vista one from the link and you should be good.
Your favs should still be there as long as you did not erase them.
I hope your issue gets resolved :)
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janet said 6:41PM on 10-28-2008
man this is wild..says current user is be1st2@aol.com now in my comments place..LEW how in the world do i go online and put in browser www.aol.com? if i cant get online..ow my head hurts but thanks evryone for help
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Clifton said 6:57PM on 10-28-2008
Warrior, this is Clifton did you read my reply. If so and you are using XP or Vista try it with an old program or game you like. Let me know if you have any trouble.
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