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.
According to the FBI, cyber-terrorists pose a massive threat to the United States. How great a threat you ask? Well they place the prospect of a 'cybergeddon' just behind that of WMD's and atomic war. Ok, so we have your attention...
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
amanda said 10:24AM on 1-12-2009
I believe something like this could happen to the usa. we are a country whose financial system is ran fully by computers via intra/internet connections. It's truly amazing that this hasn't happened yet. And if it happened now with the country's financial system so weakened, imagine what would happen? then again, don't.
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Loyd said 10:05PM on 1-07-2009
If and when it does happen, you better hang on to your azz. It will make the movies seem like a walk in the park.
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Michael said 9:06AM on 1-08-2009
Doom and Gloom, Panic and Fear. That's what people and the media thrive on apparently.
Yeah yeah, this is possible. But you know what . . . we will continue on living IMO.
I don't know. Maybe because I trust in God and don't get scared over things like this, I should consider those who don't have security in God and understand that they indeed do get so scared over these thoughts and possibilities.
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Master Shake said 9:27AM on 1-08-2009
Other countries have no need to bring down the United States, because you are ALREADY DOING IT TO YOURSELVES better than any "terrorist" could possibly hope to achieve! Given the way you are going, you'll be a Third World police state within another couple of years. Like Obama just said - thing are going to get a LOT worse. What he failed to mention (so far) is that they aren't going to get better again in your lifetime (if ever.) Instead of spending on new technology, you chose to blow up barren stretches of desert wasteland with mountains of million dollar bombs. Smooth move.
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Not a white guy said 9:50AM on 1-08-2009
I wonder if this will happy before or after the robots take over...
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