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.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Gail said 6:51AM on 6-17-2009
I don't text - prefer voices. I don't Twitter - it is Fritter. Good for Trent...what can anyone say in 140 characters? I read books that have more characters than that in the first sentence. Insane.
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Ed Husar said 11:22AM on 6-17-2009
What can you say in 140 character or less? Well you just said it in 125 characters.
I would say you are a dinosaur. You act like it is one or the other (txt or voice). It is not. A blanket statement to not use something that clearly makes life and work easier is just bone headedness if I ever heard it.
Just my 2 cents.
trendless said 2:46PM on 6-17-2009
I can empathize. It's been said many times before, "the internet is the bathroom wall of modern society." I've abandoned sites/forums/w.h.y. for the very same reason: too much drama. I had been following his twitter account for quite a few months previous to his social networking exit, so I certainly don't know him on any kind of personal level, but someone who is openly/publicly opinionated and inflammatory -- and seems to care as much as Trent Reznor does -- is *always* going to raise the ire of more than a few internet trolls, fanboys and sometimes even the 'common man'. He paints a pretty big target on his own back -- and if you're gonna give, you gotta be able to take.
That's fame though, right? Or at least, it is what people in the public eye often complain about. And if it is indeed true, it is probably a lot of hard work. But for the people who reciprocate (ie fans), whether it's buying albums, attending concerts, or whatever other type of support they throw behind you -- don't give up on them. I would be willing to go out on a limb and say a majority (and maybe a significant one) of the people really enjoyed the interaction.
And, like it has also been said many times before, "the few ruin it for the many."
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rocknroll41 said 11:28AM on 6-21-2009
so he's breaking up his own band (which is a really good band) and will no longer tour,(just realease cd's) and will not promote them and is pushing his fans away by no longer getting online.
sounds like trent is pulling an Axl Rose on us
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