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 5)
Tommie said 8:51AM on 1-09-2009
you say not to use caps but what about all the older ones who has problems in seeing such small words, we mean no harm only we cannot see small letters thank you
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Gary said 2:45PM on 1-09-2009
I AGREE TOMMIE. WHO THINKS UP THIS RIDICULOUS STUFF? I HAVE PROBLEMS SEEING AND HAVE THE LIMITED USE OF ONE ARM DUE TO M.S. . I THINK THESE PEOPLE NEED TO RE-THINK THEIR THINKING AND STOP PICKING ON PEOPLE. IT'S JUST A WAY OF COMMUNICATING. I ASSUME THERE KIDS ARE VERY PROPER!!!
YVONNE said 12:19PM on 1-09-2009
SO RIGHT. I AM LEGALLY BLIND, AND CAN ONLY DO THE CAPS. A LOT OF US OUT THERE.
SO IF I AM RUDE, SO BE IT.
OTHERWISE NO COMPUTER IF I USE SMALL LETTERS.
Carole said 12:28PM on 1-09-2009
If someone has a problem seeing then reply, type, increase font...it doesn't have to be in caps...you can also bold it for more presence on the page.
Ron, La Mesa, CA said 2:28PM on 1-09-2009
Tommie,
The regular-size of type-face in most e-mails is 10-point. You CAN change it when SENDING it OR after receiving e-mails.
Click and drag the e-mail to a "Write e-mail" box, and while it is still highlighted, click on the button (usually at the top-left) to re-Size the type-face up to 12-pt, 14-pt, 18-pt or LARGER.
It's easy to do, and can be done RELATIVELY QUICKLY.
GOOD LUCK,
Ron
Frog Price said 10:11AM on 1-19-2009
The Difference in all caps and different size fonts are two separate things. Different fonts also are easier to read.
All caps type is not standard and that is why it is harder to read.
Peace,
Frog Price
Leeds, AL
Ivy said 8:53AM on 1-09-2009
I think I've got another one for the list. At a concert last evening, a college student, after hearing the specified request that cell phones, etc., be turned off, and cameras or audio taping equipment not be used, pulled out her camera phone and proceeded to take at least two pictures during a soloist's performance. Just because it isn't simply a camera does not exclude it from the boundaries of proper decorum.
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Sabrina said 9:41AM on 1-09-2009
I enjoyed your article and agree with you 100% on all counts. As for Tommie, I have to bring a magnifying glass to the supermarket to read labels, so I understand where you're coming from and have a suggestion. Experiment with your font sizes. I promise it will help.
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ken said 7:52AM on 1-10-2009
GARY
I AGREE WITH YOU ,I WOULD RATHER BE ABLE TO SEE IT CLEAR.AS FAR AS RUDE /I WILL BE THAT IS A BUNCH OF BULLCRAP...
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MIKE said 10:54AM on 1-09-2009
HERE IS AN EXAMPLE WHERE WE HAVE TO "GIVE IN" WHEN WE DON'T WANT TOO....I ALWAYS TEXT AND WANT TEXT IN LARGE LETTERS SO I CAN SEE THE DAMN MESSAGE....HOW IS IT POSSIBLE THAT LARGE LETTERS "MEANS" ANGER OR A TIRADE ???? WHO COMES UP WITH THESE STUPID IDEAS ???IF I TYPE TO SMALL, AM I TEXTING "SOFTLY" ???? PRETTY STUPID CONCEPT FOR THE WRITTEN WORD, NOT THE SPOKEN WORD, DON'T YOU THINK !!!
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SS03CO said 2:51PM on 1-09-2009
I HAVE TO AGREE, MIKE. IT SHOULDN'T MATTER HOW YOU TYPE IT. ITS ALL IN THE WORDING AND HOW IT IS SAID THAT MAKES A STATEMENT RUDE. ALL CAPS IS EASIER TO READ THAN LOWER CASE. ITS A STUPID RULE AND ITS NOT DOES'NT EVEN HAVE CONCRETE STANDINGS OR STATED LAW. OTHERWISE THOSE OF US WOULD BE PURSICUTED IN "CYBER WORLD".
SS03CO said 3:00PM on 1-09-2009
REWRITE:
I HAVE TO AGREE, MIKE. IT SHOULDN'T MATTER HOW YOU TYPE IT. ITS ALL IN THE WORDING AND HOW IT IS SAID THAT MAKES A STATEMENT RUDE. ALL CAPS IS EASIER TO READ THAN LOWER CASE. ITS A STUPID RULE AND IT DOESN'T EVEN HAVE CONCRETE STANDINGS OR EVEN A STATED LAW. OTHERWISE THOSE OF US WOULD BE PURSICUTED IN "CYBER WORLD".
Ann said 5:12PM on 1-11-2009
I have to disagree with you when you say that typing in all caps is easier to read. If that were the case, then books and all other printed materials would be also written in all caps. When did we, as a civilization, begin to disregard the rules of proper grammar and speech?
DOT said 11:06AM on 1-09-2009
I HAVE MACULAR DEGENERATION AND HAVE TROUBLE SEEING SO I WILL CONTINUE TO USE LARGE PRINT. I'M IN A STUDY WITH BARNES JEWISH HOSPITAL CALLED ARDS 2. SO FAR MY VISION HAS STAYED THE SAME SINCE I HAVE BEEN ON THE MEDICATION.
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TEDDY said 11:06AM on 1-09-2009
I AGREE WITH YOU TOMMY. I USE CAPS BECAUSE ITS EASIER FOR ME TO SEE. I DONT LISTEN TO THIS ETIQUETE STUFF.(ITS SO STUPID)
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maureen said 11:20AM on 1-09-2009
I have to aree with al th ones here. I mean who thinks anger right away with caps. I think it more rude to actually critize people for how they do an email. The people who think tese manners up shoule really think of the fast paced world today and that it isn't always easy to do emails etc right away. I do however think it is rude to take calls in resturants when others are TRYING to relax. They do not want to her about others problems there,,, go outside and talk. It is just as bad as bringing a screaming baby to the movies. People invent these gadgets and them complain about how they are used. Personally I think he camera phone is wrong t invades privacy to people.
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Nancy said 8:03PM on 1-09-2009
I AGREE WITH MOST OF YA! I like getting my emails in all caps. ANGER DOES NOT SHOW THRU BY HOW LARGE THE PRINT IS. It shows in the manner in which you state your message.
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LEONARD TERRAL said 11:26AM on 1-09-2009
GOTTA AGREE WITH ALL WHO SAY THAT BITCHING ABOUT CAPS IS ONE HUGE CROCK OF S**T
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maureen said 11:31AM on 1-09-2009
Tommie I agree wth you. What is worse is to actually tell someone in a blog or internet that they sould not use caps. I think that is really rude. The kids get on there and write stuff and can not spell properly and they are critized for that or adults who are handicapped that are critized on line is just wrong. Have some patience and compassion for what you do not know about the person before emailing a nasty comment about them people.
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CB said 11:30AM on 1-09-2009
HA! I USE CAPS OFF AND ON AND I DON'T THINK ANYONE THINKS IT'S RUDE TO USE 'EM. FOR SOME OF US, IT'S HARD ENOUGH TO READ SMALL LETTERS. WHO COMES UP WITH THIS JUNK OF DO'S AND DON'TS FOR USE OF A COMPUTER?
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