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)
BOO said 4:38PM on 12-17-2008
DEC 17 08
Hi,
I a Senior Citizen, what is the difference between a LCD and a PLASMA TV?
Which has a longer life span and less repairs?
I would like to buy a big screen TV for the Living Rm which is 16-1/2 ft long and 10-1/2 wide. Has UBS, can use as a Monitor, clear, bright picture. CAN hook up for watching photos, recorded DVD's. AND, can Swivel from side to side.
PRICE RANGE UP TO $1,400, less is better.
Have any suggestions for this senior?
ALSO, I have a Sony TV (2000). I have it on Surround Sound. WHY is it that I can hear it better in the back rooms then I sitting a few feet away in the living room?
Thank you
Hathor38@aol.com
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Mrgreen said 5:06PM on 12-17-2008
This is at Walmart for $925.00 and at Circuit City for $949.00.
Carol said 5:34PM on 12-17-2008
I have both a plasma and an LCD and really like them both although, for simple television and movie viewing, I personally STRONGLY prefer the plamsa. It's really about your personal preference and how you intend to use it: for games or for simple viewing.
See this link: It's VERY helpful...just scroll down a little and it will list advantages and disadvantages.
http://hometheater.about.com/od/lcdtvfaqs/f/lcdfaq2.htm
paul said 9:16PM on 12-19-2008
as for LCD or Plasma; LCD if for a more lit room and Plasma is for a darker room. As for life span they are pretty close in timeframe. You gotta decide how much light is the room where the tv will be if its a pretty bright like natural light then go with LCD if it will be dark or little natural light then Plasma. Most LCD or Plasma has a input for computer now days. As for size you want it to be 1.5 times distance to screen size. aka if you are 5ft away from TV then you want a 40 inch but ideal size is 42" because its resolution would produce to smoothest image. I would recommend you looking for a 1080p and 120hz also with 4ms reponse time or smaller. There are always great deal around like tigerdirect, buy, secondact (if shipping if free) You usually can find great deal online but look at the shipping cost. As for sound its all in the connection and speaker settings. Hope that help explain things alittle.
robbie said 4:08PM on 12-28-2008
as for paul's post above,
he says "1.5 times the distance from the tv, aka 5 feet would mean a 40" tv or ideally a 42" "
I can't see how that formula works?????
And if it even does, ya mean if your 10feet away from tv, it should be a 80" or larger???
Don't make any LOGICAL sense!
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Bill said 11:56AM on 12-31-2008
You guys are forgetting that you can build a homemade 1080p video projector for under $1000. You can also build a 100" projector screen for under $40 or buy a good quality 150" pull down for under $200.
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