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 3)
Omi said 6:42AM on 8-06-2009
I hate them. They creep the crap out of me.
Palm has done a good job of being fairly appleesque, until these effin creepy ads came out.
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Doz said 10:42AM on 8-06-2009
I agree, they creeped me into waiting for the touch pro 2 to release, whenever that may be.
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califbus said 7:53AM on 8-07-2009
My answer is simple -- NO.
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garypglass said 8:24AM on 8-07-2009
I didn't know what these ads were for. I always fast forward or change the channel because of the creepy person.
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brebelone said 9:00AM on 8-07-2009
noooooooooooooooooooooooo
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GPUPPY1 said 8:05PM on 8-07-2009
These ads are boring and bland. They're also annoying because they're on ALL THE TIME. Mute buttons rule!
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howelljd2 said 9:38AM on 8-07-2009
I HATE the palm pre ads....I am not a violent person, but I just want to smack her in her smug face. There's NOTHING about these ads that makes me want to buy their product--they only make me want to turn the channel, which I do.
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hotbox530 said 9:37AM on 8-07-2009
The ads are so creepy and subtly disturbing, I keep thinking they're for the Sci-Fi channel. Sorry the SYFY channel.
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Chris said 10:07AM on 8-07-2009
While I'm not in the market for a Palm Pre, I do like the ads. It's refreshing to see a commercial which doesn't just pander to the vidiot generation who live their lives as one continuous stream of interruptions.
By no means am I an "old fogey", but I do pine for the days of commercial jingles instead of using overwhelming CGI as a means to hook customers on a particular product.
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metalmom37 said 10:58AM on 8-07-2009
I whole heartedly agree that those commercials are just weird. I hate them worse than the "Chad" ads from Altell. I do not feel motivated in the least to own a Palm Pre
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Cathleen Condren said 11:00AM on 8-07-2009
Whenever these come on I freak out! The lady is really creepy and I honestly don't care about what you think of reincarnation and "going with the flow". If the ad comes on too much I might get nightmares of her voice...
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peacelovecaity said 11:01AM on 8-07-2009
is this all aol has to write about?
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Deliah said 11:06AM on 8-07-2009
That's it? Go Green! lol Sorry, couldn't resist. I mean, come one, background picture of little puffy trees, and blue skys, and clouds, and a girl with plain hair and face like a 16th century madonna, no smile, likes she's stoned, no pizzazz or excitement; just plain zzzzzzzz.
It's a Liberal's view of life. Eurphoric, idealistic, out of touch with realty. lazy and childish.
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joshlsmith said 2:57PM on 8-07-2009
Only a conservative would somehow try to find a way to insult the opposing political party over a commercial that has nothing to do with politics.
Archalias said 11:13AM on 8-07-2009
I kind of like them. I think too many things today are far too overdone just for the sake of being overplayed. It's nice to see something simple.
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a guy said 11:27AM on 8-07-2009
That woman's voice is creepy, I'll give you that. But those aren't the worst ads on TV today. That title has to belong the ads that Progressive Insurance airs. That woman (and effeminate male) in those ads are so annoying that I change the channel every time they come on.
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uhgetoveritx said 11:37AM on 8-07-2009
they're sooooooooooooooo annoying and wierd!
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sshanaxoxo32 said 11:37AM on 8-07-2009
when i first saw that i thought it was really creepy. the lady's voice is kinds scary. i dont like that commercial.
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Dave said 11:42AM on 8-07-2009
Well, the ad may be weird, but I totally get what they're trying to get at... Most electronics these days are glitchy as %&#* and they lag, do something you don't want, or some other idiotic thing. Like, when was the last time you had a cell phone that did great at being a phone? When was the last time that your computer moved along fluidly without lags and interruptions and glitches? Yup, I totally get it. Wouldn't buy one of those things, though. I'll carry my laptop or Zune for other stuff, and leave my cell for just making calls. That cancer-causing high-frequency GSM-based technology is scary, anyway.
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Cerria said 11:42AM on 8-07-2009
I agree howelljd2, I always hated this ad.
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