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)
JBS5022 said 5:22PM on 9-05-2009
Much to the dismay of Many who claim to be Christians, this murder was done by God. Yep, God has two personalities...He says of Himself In the Bible at Isaiah Chapter 45 verse 7: " I FORM THE LIGHT AND I CREATE DARKNESS, I MAKE PEACE AND I CREATE EVIL, I THE LORD DO ALL THESE ". God is no different than you and I. He gets frustrated with people and gets his relief by killing them. He puts murder in the minds of those who kill, and they kill. Many People think satan does this...well yes satan carries out God's commands, but only once gives the okay. Jesus is declared as God's Right Hand, the Prince of Peace, that God created, and satan is God's left Hand, The Prince of Darkness and evil, they are both personalities of God their Father by His Spirit within them. So He elevated this man's mind and his heart into killing this woman for " seeing another man " and commiting adultry...The Bible declares that satan walks about like a roaring lion seeking who he can devour. Yes satan does, spiritually in the body soul and mind of murderers. Because God has chosen that person for satan's army and given satan permission to allow that person to kill. Just like Judas Iscariot that was called and chosen before hand to kill Jesus for thirty pieces of silver, " Did not I choose you twelve, and one of you is a devil". That devil was chosen before by God, to kill Jesus by selling him for thirty pieces of silver. Like it or not, believe it or not, God hires satan to kill with. Anger and Violence run hand and hand..both are the attributes of God Almighty. Read the old testament and see for yourself....and being saved does not prevent someone from being killed....believe that. I know what murder is all about because I was declared to be murderer, in a court of law, by a jury of my peers. Sentenced to 50 years in prison for it, I'm now a street trustee on parole. I still wear that Parole Ball and Chain....and as far as the State is concerned, I'm still a funky prisoner. With a liberty of parole...still a murderer that they allowed to laeve their prison..after I served 21 years inside. I went in at 33 at 54....I am 63 now....
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compasiva said 6:42PM on 9-05-2009
Does it comfort you to believe that god chose your actions, and gave satan permission to carry out that act of violence through you? It would seem that would make the burden of taking a human life through violence an easier burden the bear. It also conveniently absolves you of any moral responsibility, and thus spiritual accountability, for your own decisions and actions.
Mbammie1 said 11:53AM on 9-06-2009
Wow, that was one interesting and poignant story of your life Mr. You had a lot of time to think things out in prison especially with the good book at hand.
I don't know. Religion, the Bible and such is quite confusing to me. But, you sure did make it interesting with your thoughts on the subject of good vs evil and the Almighty God pulling the strings.
Keep the faith, I guess, no matter how you see fit.
invisiblemojo said 12:41PM on 9-06-2009
jbs5022, shut your mouth you are a moron
bobby said 1:38PM on 9-06-2009
dumb when you went in, and dumber when you came out. nice way to waste your life. basically, you killed yourself.
DarkLight said 9:35PM on 9-05-2009
Don't feed the troll.
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JeffnChicago said 12:52PM on 9-06-2009
Wow, that was one interesting and poignant story of your life Mr. JBS0522. You had a lot of free-time to think things out in prison especially with the good book at hand.
I don't know. Religion, the Bible and such is quite confusing to me. But, you sure did make it interesting with your thoughts on the subject of good vs evil and the Almighty God pulling the strings.
Keep the faith, I guess, no matter how you see fit. I mean who exactly knows the truth as religion is all about 'faith' is it not? So, never mind those who make fun of you as they do not know the truth, either.
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