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)
wow said 7:05AM on 1-09-2009
Tech Ed
Heck Ya it is a plauge we all have in the new world of Talk to Me
What I really feel, is this! get off your stupid phone while driving
Sure the ease of communications has us all by the love handles
but at what cost? Life? inconsideration to others?
And most important above all! yes you got it but I don't
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Jim Maggard said 9:37AM on 1-09-2009
Talking on one's cell phone while pooping, driving, eating, or engaging in a business tranaction?????
My worst pet peeve is a cashier who wont dis-connect while dealing with you paying your bill, whatever that may be for, your burger or your gas!
Simzee said 8:53AM on 1-09-2009
What ever makes people talk on their phones while sitting on a public toilet shyting or peeing? EWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW. Then they DO NOT wash hands either.
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conor said 5:31PM on 1-28-2009
I DO NOT PEE ON MY HANDS!
joe said 4:19PM on 1-09-2009
IS ALL CAPS RUDE LIKE BREAKING WIND OR PICKING YOUR NOSE OR IS IT RUDE BY MAKING IT EASY TO READ. WHAT A DUMNA-------
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CB said 11:41AM on 1-09-2009
Now, this is something I can't do. Talk on cell phone, drive and make a order at the same time. But, then I don't care what people think and sure tired of these 'experts' telling us all what to do or what to think. Talk about being controlling.
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trefighter2334 said 12:07PM on 1-09-2009
Idiots.
Most of you people are obviously computer illiterate know-nothings (proving this piece of the article OOOH so true).
If you'd hang around enough forums or chat rooms on the internet you'd pick up some key facts about internet life:
- TYPING IS CAPS IS YELLING. It is rude. Do not do it, nooblets.
- The "caps rule" isn't a rule. You can yell all the time in real life too. No one can stop you! You're just an idiot.
Drive by any forum of your choice and start yell'n your ass off in all caps, and make sure you gimmie a link so I can watch what happens :D
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hairgal99 said 12:39PM on 1-09-2009
I agree with you. This forum is about 'Etiqutte' and people just don't 'get it'. Lotsa lazy-ass retards out there who probably SOUND just as stupid as they WRITE!
Paula said 6:48PM on 1-09-2009
Couldn't agree with you MORE! Thanks! The article IS called
"Tech ETIQUETTE'...which means manners of expectations!
Certain behaviors DO come across a certain way. It does depend on context too, but if one is just plain LAZY to type upper/lower case, than fine, be lazy. If yoru blind, then get stronger glasses! (people, you CAN increase your font size on here, you know...look at your bottom right screen!)
Like momma always said, "There's no excuse for poor manners (or poor grammer, for that matter!!!!!!)"
julie said 12:13PM on 1-09-2009
Some people take the "you shouldn't be on the phone" thing too far in the opposite direction too. If i am in line or sitting at a restaurant or something, talking on the phone it is no different than talking to someone in line or at the table with you. You pause talking to your friend or your dinner conversation to order, pay, etc. just as you pause a phone conversation. There are plenty of people sitting in restaurants talking to someone 3' away who talk louder than most people do on a cell phone. I think the major reason people dont like others on cell phones (other than the random cell phone shouter who IS obnoxous) is because people are nosey and dont like to be able to hear only one side of a conversation.
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kris said 12:47PM on 1-09-2009
ugh, when I worked retail I HATED when people would come through my line talking on the cell phone.. I would try to greet them and they would look at me like I was being rude! it made me so mad, I would charge them twice for some items... hahaha
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Kristina said 1:05PM on 1-09-2009
What's the big deal....the fast food people don't speak English anyway. They can't understand your order or what you're saying on the phone.
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Paula said 6:20PM on 1-09-2009
Yeh, try waxing someones eyebrows while they are checking & responding to texts! What a pain-in-the-ass!
Bottom line, there's a time & a place for EVERYTHING! don't be RUDE people!
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