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)
Sinatran said 3:13PM on 10-28-2008
Maybe you should make notice that your control panel must be in 'classic view' in order to access 'automatic updates'. I'm sure it's possible to reach your 'automatic updates' without being in classic view, but it sure beats having to look around for it. (This refers to Windows XP 2000, not sure if it applies to the other window versions.)
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jpackerfan42 said 3:43PM on 10-28-2008
About three weeks ago my computer started bringing up security updates for windows saying things like "your infected with a virus download this now" after awhile of clicking no i started getting random pop ups all the time and other things saying i had a virus. After that every once in a while my computer wont load my account (I have windows xp) and i have to log off then log back in. If anyone else is experiencing this problem and knows how to fix it tell me please.
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Robert said 6:52PM on 10-28-2008
Please tell me also as I have the same problem.
Clifton said 7:27PM on 10-28-2008
This is not a virus, this is spy or mal ware. GET A FIRE WALL NOW AS WELL AS spybot or lavasoft's adaware remover. This will remove and block future attacks.
T.J.Price said 7:51AM on 11-01-2008
It sounds like you have been hit with a virus named Antivirus 2008 or 09. Google it and they will recomend a fix but it does not work. I spent 3 days, with a tech in my home, who could not remove it. Finally contacted "Plum Choice" and after 65 minutes of working with them, it was gone.It attacks your registery and goes through your entire computer. My antivirus programs never detected it.
Terry said 8:00AM on 11-01-2008
Sounds like you ran into the same one I did. Got it off a link to celebity porn link from aol. You know like sex scene for brittney, sure you can get it else where, but thats where I got it. It's one nasty bugger, ran every thing I had at it, whatever you do DON'T, link on to the popup it gives you, just makes it worse. Clifton is right it is a malware, & very difficult to get rid of. adaware will recognize it but, I was still running adaware 7, & it wouldn't get rid of it. It took over my desktop & I had a wierd looking devilish thing in a red backround, on my desktop. It will also come up on your auto startups, so if you try to take it ot it just comes back. Even if you disable it in the auto startups, it still comes back,in the auto starups, thae longer you have it the worse it gets. I wasn't running all the protective software i normally do. This was my second comput in the kitchen. Seeing as how it was only a 13 gig, I just gave up & tossed it & put new one in. You might have to fdisk (if you know how ) & load your OS all over again. My advice to you & others out there, ( & I've tried them all) Get Zone alarm (at least their free firewall) & better antivirus & firewall. For the money it's the best out there. update to the free adaware 8 (free one) they also have sytem mechanics 8 now, I'm still running 6, & that still helps. Then try regure cure. it's better than register mechanic. I don't claim to know it all, but what i do know might help. Email me & I'll try to help. Also Call your email people, & tell them not to open any email from you until you get back to them on phone. That's another way this thing travels!! Lots of luck! Terry
ron said 11:23AM on 11-01-2008
i had this problem. it was called antivirus 2008 and wouldn't even let me go to web sites to try and download any security programs.
i almost had to wipe out system and start over.
then my friend downloaded a malware program to a cd.
the computer let me load the program and i ran it according to there directions and it wiped out all traces of the anti 2008.
this has been a major problem and they have been working on it for a long time.
good luck
Charlie said 3:31PM on 11-06-2008
The best thing is to use Norton Ghost or call your support center and let them send you a recovery disc (if you dont have one) Then erase all files.
After installing the recovery disc your computer usually adjust itself to the day you first bought it.(Make sure you do not use the internet at this point) Then install an up to date network security suite. CA Norton or any other brand will work. Cost? about $50.00 but its worth it
Clifton said 7:11PM on 10-28-2008
To access auto updates on almost all Windows OS's. Do the following, start,windows update. Click it on the update page on the right will be a reverse link that says turn on automatic updates. Click it and follow any instructions given.
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arroyo said 7:17PM on 10-28-2008
Do this steps.
1;go to programs
2: click on accesories
3:click on system tools
4:click on system restore
5:select to restore your pc to an early time.
6:on the calendar ,select a day, when the pc was working fine.(no virus) and click next.
Thats it.
good luck
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Lou said 8:01AM on 11-01-2008
When you do this, do you lose any/all work that's been done since that time? For example: New docs created in Word
Thanks
Clifton said 7:23PM on 10-28-2008
To get out of classic view in control panel do this to make folders look like a Web page
Open Folder Options in Control Panel.
On the General tab, under Web View, click Enable Web content in folders.
Notes
To open a Control Panel item, click Start, point to Settings, click Control Panel, and then double-click the appropriate icon. Or, in Windows Explorer, click Tools, and then click Folder Options.
When you use Web view, descriptive and hyperlink text appears on the left side of the folder window.
To turn off Web view in folders, click Use Windows classic folders.Which is classic view.
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dsmith said 8:23AM on 11-01-2008
I lag about 10 sec. in AOL chat rooms. Anyone know how to fix that. Thank You
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LorettaL said 12:41PM on 11-01-2008
Yikes, I was also hit w/giant popup called Antivirus 2008 & 2009 a couple months ago. Unfortunately, Firewall was not on then. It is now & I got extra spyware/adware/popup program. It's good, but can't repair some of the damage. Altho we now access our AOL thru IE, it tries to open partially on it's own!!!Big pain--havgfe to use Task Mgr. to get rid of it.
Would like to use Restore, but also wondering if I will lose new stuff!?
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Bane_Majik said 10:35AM on 11-01-2008
There a quite a few different Malware/Spyware out there that are just like Antivirus 08 & 09. They are fake antivirus programs that wreck havoc on your PC. Some of them change your homepage and don't even allow you access to the internet or it is very limited. Some others just open up fake virus alerts every couple minutes and mess with your Windows security console to try and get you to buy there fake program and steal your money. Most of these also try and download more spyware along with virus onto your PC in the background.
The best way to prevent this from happening is to not click on popups when searching the internet that tell you that your infected with a virus or need to scan for one. Also stay away from nasty unsafe sights, such as a lot of porn sights.
The easiest and most painless way to remove 99% of these programs is to install and program called Malwarebytes. This is a free Malware remover that can be used for free and downloaded from www.download.com. Once installed update all definitions and then run a full scan. Remove everything that Malwarebytes detects and then reboot your PC. Once your PC is back up download and and run Ad-Aware 2008 which can also be used free and downloaded from www.download.com. Update the definitions for Ad-Aware 2008 and run a full scan. Remove everything that Ad-Aware finds and you should then be clean as a whistle. There are a couple more programs out there that will work but most of them you need to pay for such as Spy Hunter. I prefer to stick with the free, reliable, and easy to use programs myself.
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D Johnson said 7:26PM on 11-02-2008
I encountered a vicious problem from a try before you buy antivirus. What a mistake. This can be a very difficult problem to repair so your only protection is to completely back up your computer. I urgently recommend ACRONIS for absolute, complete backup protection.
One of the most vicious tricks that can render your computer TOTALLY, is the simple removal of a file called MSVCR71.DLL In most cases, one would have to reinsall the entire operating system including all files. The comments above apply to Microsoft XP
Do what you want with this information... but don't even "think" that I will send ANYONE my password, including you.
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tanman105 said 7:43PM on 11-01-2008
The Windows Restore [as mentioned], usually works. But there are times whan it will NOT let you restore to a safe time, then you're screwed. The best kept secrect on the planet is Norton's "GO BACK". It has saved myself and many I know from disaster. The System Works version in the past use to include it. It may be a stand alone purchase today due to it's popularity. At the moment you "can feel" something go might be wrong while online, GO BACK!
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Will said 9:12PM on 11-01-2008
As for the download antivirus scam...there is a way to beat it....there are 2 files that work together...you have to have one activated in task manager and the other on screen in windows/system 32....you have to delete both almost simaltaneously....google this fix-all for a better detailed explanation....it worked immediately...
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tony said 3:52PM on 11-03-2008
if any one can tell me the name of the person or persons that started this eastern europe virus stuff just post it here so i can call in an old favor and have those individuals dispatched at once.
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ldixonm said 4:12PM on 11-06-2008
I have a solution for everyone who has experienced critical data loss whether it be through a virus or because of theft. I started using BackupMAX (https://www.backupmax.com/) a couple of weeks ago. They pretty much offer the same features as every other solution out there, except this product has a security suite that is awesome! I had my laptop stolen a couple of days ago and all I had to do was call their support desk and they were able to locate my laptop without even needing a gps! $79 per year was definitely worth it. I don't know the technicalities behind all that, all i know is that not only was my data safe, but i was able to retrieve my data physically. I would recommend it to anyone.
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