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 2)
The StarThrower said 6:34AM on 2-13-2009
You know, I understand SAYING things in the heat of the moment but how people can TYPE things when they're seriously pissed off is beyond me. The brain and the mouth aren't always connected but the fingers sure are. Every character you type gives you the opportunity to backspace or delete the whole thing except one... the Enter key. Remember what a gift this is! Count to 10 and THINK about what you're doing before hitting it. For sirdavid, it could have saved him a whole load of grief and maybe even his job... although why any self-respecting reporter would work for a rag like the National Post is also beyond me. Maybe his subconscious was telling him he needed a better gig? _smirk_
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Lisa Robinson said 7:36AM on 2-13-2009
My Grandfather always said "never say or write, what you would not sign your name too" sounds like Grandpa had it right even before the internet or instant messaging!
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Michael said 8:07AM on 2-13-2009
This is BIG news, a newspaper reporter got into an argument and said a dirty word!!! Thanks for keeping me abreast on this sizzling story.
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gonzo1 said 9:37AM on 2-13-2009
i absolutely love it , reporters think they can say whatever they want to anybody they want and it's all " fair " . but you say something that rankles one of them and they smear you all over the news medias various outlets . damn good to see one get whats coming to them . he should be made give a very public apology to that woman . just like imus had to when he made an off color comment. but then so should every black journalist and commedian , and actor , and any other black public figure that says anything disparaging about white people.either that or don't expect one in return.
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Nope said 5:41PM on 2-13-2009
You go Gonzo!!!! :)
Maliek said 10:22AM on 2-13-2009
gonzo1, cut the race crap please. This has absolutely nothing to do with it.
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dadashark said 10:45AM on 2-13-2009
This morning we are about to witness the largest socialist power grab in the history of our nation and the liberal editors of AOL talk about crap like this instead!!!!! LOL
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greenwitch said 11:00AM on 2-13-2009
That's why it's in the tech category and not in the nation/world news headlines! People who want to hear celeb crap go to th entertainment section, people who want to hear what's going on in the infinite world of the internet head here
funny said 10:46AM on 2-13-2009
wow, easy to be a tough guy from behind a computer screen... my goodness you think he would have some restraint, being a "professional" and all lol
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Kristie said 10:55AM on 2-13-2009
LOL. What a jack-ass.
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Dawn Lundsrud said 11:33AM on 2-13-2009
"OH MY GOD! HE SWORE!" Who gives a crap if it was the scary "F" word. At least he was letting his anger out and not shoving it deep down inside until one day he beats someone or dies of a heart attack. It's JUST a WORD people, it won't melt your brain if you hear it. I don't know why their making this a big deal and I really don't know why I read the dam story! Ha!
"OH MY GOD! I SWORE!
Happy Valentines Day everyone.
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Apace said 8:31PM on 2-13-2009
It cracks me up that he went to school to become a journalist and the only words he seemed to learn were curse words. I thought journalists were suppose to have a large vocabulary but I see his is very small!!!
rob said 11:37AM on 2-13-2009
shes a jerk too
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Joe E said 12:29PM on 2-13-2009
The Best Part..was the comment on the blog..Grandfather Story..
Don't write it or say it unless you can sign your name to it........
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Feral said 12:34PM on 2-13-2009
LOL. She is a jerk too.
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kat25923 said 12:55PM on 2-13-2009
omg, u guys are seriously hilarious
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John said 1:09PM on 2-13-2009
You tell them Pie Face!!! You got the Crust!!!
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Randi said 2:54PM on 2-13-2009
Positively hilarious. Made himself look just like the king-sized, palpitating douche he is. This will cost you professionally, Dave. Douche.
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del said 4:05PM on 2-13-2009
David should have all of his fingers amputated; and anything he needed to "report" would have to be done using his elbows. As a treat, he should rub shoulders with Imus for a few months, What a pair.
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jb said 5:36PM on 2-13-2009
April..... is the crazy one and she's obviously taunting this guy, then publicizing it. I think we've all had someone that is rude that should be hung out to be dried, but this one just looks like April is ... malicious, mean spirited, and doing power plays and mind games. She's the bigger jerk... poor David was victim and took the bate. Bottom line.... April sucks. Shame on you.
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