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)
Master Shake said 7:48AM on 1-26-2009
It is not fair to blame parents for buying toys for children that are heavily marketed. Try having a child in the US and seeing what they are bombarded with from THAT perspective. The ultimate problem is that America created an economy where both parents now have to work. There are very few homes in which a mother can stay home and really take care of children.
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Jason said 9:01AM on 1-26-2009
Master Shake Said: "There are very few homes in which a mother can stay home and really take care of children." Sexist scum! This isn't 1940, Beaver Cleaver! Dads should have every right moms do! The ultimate problem is that America created an economy where NEITHER parent can be home with the children. Apparently you aren't aware that either parent can be a caregiver.
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Billy said 9:07AM on 1-26-2009
This is what happens when women have children too close to menopause.
But really, these people need to pick their battles. Trust me, I own this game and it is suitable for all ages
If only they could find something better to do with their time, like HEY! : get outside, go to work, PLAY VIDEO GAMES!
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Seth said 9:16PM on 4-26-2009
this game is NOT going to get kids to be violent! So are people now saying that children are gunna dress up with their underwear outside of their pants and beat up people who they think are bad guys?
oh thats very convincing.
I'm a teenager so i'm pretty sure i know the ACTUAL answer to this.
Kids dont take video games as role models unless they're VERY deprived of siblings, parents, or friends! all you have to do is give them someone to idolize and that sort of thing wouldn't happen.
Take this for instance: im the youngest person in my family, in whole. i have no cousins, and only 2 brothers. i never got violent when i played Mortal kombat, grand theft auto, or even wrestling. now i play games where you run around and shoot peoples heads in half and cut their arms off! im still not "violent"
i think the whole THEORY is just stupid.
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