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 4)
LimoBarbie said 1:46PM on 1-23-2009
I don't know why anyone would buy this Kindle device. There's a free iPhone application called "Stanza" that downloads entire books to read on the very light and very portable i-phone. I've read 8 books on my iPhone and I can delete them after reading or keep them on the hard drive, Why would I pay $400 for this stupid BIG HEAVY device and then have to buy the books too? It doesn't make sense when I can get the same thing for free with my iPhone. I've had no problems with the application and there are thousands of free titles available through the Stanza application.
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SAM reader said 6:13PM on 1-23-2009
Hi LimoBarbie;
Why Kindle you ask?
1. All those same free out of copyright books are available for Kindle as well.
2. New books are cheaper for Kindle mostly $9.99 or less. Plus there are constant promotions from Amazon with titles from name authors for FREE.
3. The page is BIGGER - more like a paperback.
4. The E-ink is EASY on the eyes.
5. Tiny screens get old fast, once you've spent a day with a Kindle. I read the entire Harry Potter series on my Palm. The difference is incredible.
6. Whispernet purchase and download from Amazon is SLICK.
cougardomme said 12:13PM on 1-24-2009
Hey Sam!
I appreciate you comments, but an iPhone is way different than a palm, I can make the type any size I want and the pages turn with a flick of the finger--super easy--and it picks up right where I left off if I get a call--and EVERY BOOK is free.
Meemo_B said 2:52PM on 1-24-2009
That's okay, LimoBarbie, there's lots of ignorance in the world. Plenty of reasons to buy a Kindle even when one does own an iPhone. My husband loves his iPhone, and did try reading on it. But he's much happier reading on the Kindle I got him for Christmas. Much easier on the eyes and much more content available (including all that free content available through Stanza). Add to that the current, non-public-domain books available from Amazon. Clearly you've never held a Kindle or you wouldn't call it "heavy".
Sissy said 3:46PM on 1-23-2009
I can't stand Oprah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! O - go away already, you're done. Take your millions and retire..... No more O endorsed products. Who actually goes out and buys something just because a celebrity has endorsed it. Pleeeease!!!!
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G said 5:05PM on 1-23-2009
People buy what celebrities say to buy and vote for people celebs say to vote for. That's what got us into this mess. We can't think for oursleves and for some reason, think people with millions of dollars care about our best interest.
PATRICE said 10:37AM on 2-14-2009
WHO READS AN ARTICLE ABOUT SOMEONE THEY "CAN'T STAND"?
Sissy said 11:16PM on 1-23-2009
Patrice- Educated people read everything they can get their hands on. It broadens ones horizons. Just because I can't stand Oprah (and liberal Oprah @ss-sucking morons such as yourself) doesn't mean that I don't keep tabs on what she's up to. Especially since she apparently has so much influence over feeble-minded people that lap up every word coming out of her overpaid mouth. (Who then turn around and vote no less.) Haven't you ever heard the phrase,"Keep your friends close, and your enemies even closer"?
Bobbie said 3:48PM on 1-23-2009
Whatever happened to just reading a regular old book?
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Lorraine said 3:51PM on 1-23-2009
She really needs to retire. She is a very annoying person who is a phony!!!!
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ja ja binks said 6:31PM on 1-23-2009
I CANNOT STAND OPRAH. SHE IS JUST A BIG MOUTH. SHE TAKES HERSELF TOO SERIOUSLY WHILE SHE IS JUST AN INFERIORITY COMPLEX ON THE RUN!!!!!!!!! SHE IS A REAL PHONY AND LOVES HERSELF TO THE POINT OF HYPERBOLE. GO AWAY, OPRAH------------------YOU ARE A REAL PESTY PERSON.
a fan said 4:03PM on 1-23-2009
While I don't have time to watch her show... I still admire Mz O and what she has accomplished. She is a very giving person and I believe she honestly tries to do her very best in everything that she does.
So... all you haters... learn to have compassion and humility... it's not an inherited trait... it is a learned behavior... and obviously... you've yet to learn it.
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Junna Beeone said 4:19PM on 1-23-2009
You are confusing the word "Hate" with "diverse opinions". What's wrong with you, pal? Check out the dictionary and read the meaning of "hate".
smiles935 said 6:54PM on 1-23-2009
If it means I have to like that self centered pig ..then I'll never do that for sure..She is a pesty pig....
Ann said 4:09PM on 1-23-2009
I don't watch OPRAH she is such a phoney. OPRAH talks the talk doesn't walk the walk. For instance, she says she is all into healthy eating and lifestyle, really big on this diet and that, Shes all over the internet you see her NAME INDORSING this diet or that pill or tea and look at her" She is 400 pounds." I also have a thyroid condition and so does my husband and we don't weight 400 pounds between us and our kids. She is a snake oil salewomen reaping the benifits by throwing her name on it. PHONEY, PHONEY, PHONEY
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Ashley said 4:37PM on 1-23-2009
Well there are two types of thyroid conditions. Hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism, one of them produces too much of something and the other produces too little. And people with thyroid conditions can either have a hard time gaining weight or a hard time loosing it. I had hyperthyroidism when I was younger, got treatment for it, and then gained a whole bunch of weight (because I was never eating healthy or working out). I'm not making excuses for Oprah because I dont know her, but some people do end up gaining weight with thyroid conditions.
Oh and I was with my grandma for her chemotherapy and they were playing Oprah in the waiting room and she said she didnt have a thyroid condition anymore so she wont use that as an excuse. But I do agree its hypocritical of her to endorse these healthy lifestyles but not really do any of them.
observer said 7:06PM on 1-23-2009
Ann, well said ! Amen amen amen !!!
KBurns said 7:01PM on 1-23-2009
First of all Oprah is not 400lbs.. she is less then 200lbs, she is 40lbs off her goal weight. SHE IS 50 SOMETHING.. and allowed since you are not her she is allowed to be whatever size she wants.....
and as for all those internet ad's you are seeing are misleading adverstisements. She doe's not endorse any of them. If you believe a 20 word internet Adword, well then I have land to sell you cheap... ;)
If you where to listen to what she said on her show, or even read her Live Your Best Life, you will find she openly talks about her emotional eating, she has said many times, if you see her heavy she is is not dealing with something correctly... So like Jesus once said, those without SIN throw the first stone....
Just what I thought you are human too, don't begrude a person's success, learn from it.... the less time complaining and critizing, other's choices, the less time you get to work on LIVING YOUR BEST LIFE
scorpio9094 said 4:10PM on 1-23-2009
If you really watch what she says and how she behave you would get to know how racist she is. Just as bad as Al Sharpton.
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universalic200 said 4:18PM on 1-23-2009
Racist? lol...youve got to be kiddin me...3/4s of her audience is usually white.. racist? I bet your the racist one...stop playing the race card whenever you see someone who isnt white doing something in the world..