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)
Jeff said 1:23PM on 9-08-2009
Bill Wyman isn't even in the Rolling Stones. He quit about 15 year ago after he married a 20 year old chick when he was in his 50's.
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DrunkJack said 1:32PM on 9-08-2009
Why anyone would play these games is beyond me, unless you're 12 or something it's just as cheap to pick up a real guitar. They seem to he created entirely by people who have never picked up an instrument, the characters on screen seem to have just picked up a guitar for the first time, their movements are awkward and show none of the grace of real players. It's ugly.
Don't even get me started on the dumbed down child sized controllers. Yet adults play these things. Do they realize how STUPID they look playing them? They look like fools playing kiddy guitars with brightly colored buttons.
As for the bands making money from it, good for them, fools and money should be parted.
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Joe said 1:38PM on 9-08-2009
Oh good lord, this old debate again?
Ugh. Take it from me, I've taken the time to learn the bass guitar.
Its a game, A GAME. Not even a simulation. Thats like saying "Dance, Dance Revolution" is a travesty to dancing.
Just like "DDR", "Guitar Hero" and "Rock Band" is a pattern game. The controllers are shaped like the instrument to represent the beats and melodies you are matching the pattern to.
Those that REALLY think they are REALLY rockstars by playing this are immature children, that is it.
And when "DJ Hero" comes out in October, they will not think they can really DJ, but maybe it will inspire people to become one. And if it does, more power to them, doesn't lessen the value of the game nor being a DJ in real life.
And if GH or RB do the same with instruments, again, does not devalue the instrument nor the game. In that case congratulations to Neversoft, Activision, and/or Harmonix for inspiring a new generation of rock musicians!
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pnut166 said 2:22PM on 9-08-2009
I completely agree. "Instant gratification"???? How about teaching hard work, study, and practice, and the rich personal reward that comes with those things????? For the cost of a game system, parents can go out and buy an instrument instead! Dream of being a "rock star" ??? You`ll never be one playing with a toy guitar with a flipper on it!
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tedzeplin said 3:38PM on 9-08-2009
They are right. Almost NO ONE who plays guitar hero/rock band will EVER
learn a real instrument.. Even though the bar chords needed to play most of those songs is very simple (two fingers for most of Black Sabbath, ACDC, etc)
The parents who buy these toys NEVER can play a musical instrument and
frequently don't think there's much difference between mastering a video game
and learning a musical instrument. No kids in my neighborhood who play ANY
video game, much less guitar hero will ever show the dedication needed to master
a real instrument (that is, "get to the next level")
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jedivideomike said 4:58PM on 9-08-2009
There is good and bad about these games, the good being that a whole generation of kids who are being totally ripped off by the current generation of wimpy faceless corporate safe bands and artists, get to hear some real music.
I have had teens ask me about AC DC and the like, which they had never heard before the games came out. . so thats the good.
The bad is exactly what is stated above, these kids are not learning to play, and that means another generation without any bands like the Beatles, the Stones or even freaking Foghat. My fav band is Cheap Trick, and i guarantee that they actually play their own instruments, and still kick ass, and the lads are all pushing 60....
Maybe someday we will see a rockband band on tour, playing Carry on Wayward Son like they wrote it, with a whole world full of people who forgot who Kansas is... i give it 3 more years...
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tomonet.alex said 8:00PM on 9-08-2009
I used to consider playing guitar, but never really wanted to. But then one day I played guitar hero on the PS2...
Now i'm taking lessons.
These games inspired me to play guitar.
Stick that in your juice box and suck it.
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lockheede said 10:03PM on 9-08-2009
Hmmm...funny then that instrument sales are up because of these "foolish" games. And not every person who plays these games have the time or the dexterity to get to be even a reasonably competent player.
The guys who created both Guitar Hero and Rock Band (Harmonix) are musicians, not to mention a good portion of their staff, so I think they've picked up instruments before.
Don't people realize how STUPID they sound complaining about thIngs they dislike that they've proably never even tried?
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Joe ToxiC said 10:03AM on 9-10-2009
Relax, it's only a game. I started playing "real" instruments a mere six years ago when I turned 40. Bought Rock Band for family gift and it's a gas. I have all the real instruments, but if kids don't want to learn the real stuff, it's still fun. Plus, the kids get to learn the classics from the 70s and 80s and the older blokes like me get to hear the newer tunes. A friend who plays kick-a guitar and a coworker who doesn't play but digs pop culture both suggested Rock Band. No regrets and since I dig the Beatles the RB format for me was the right decision. Guitar Hero or Rock Band, subtle differences but it's all the the same and it's only a game. Remember, yeah you could get a real instrument for $249 but will that include microphone, guitar, bass and drums. RB and GH games are good.
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Vern said 11:38AM on 10-27-2009
I've heard most of these arguments before. I want to start out by saying I actually play guitar & bass. I also can hold my own on the drums for short spurts. The fact of the matter is that these are games. That said they need to be somewhat simplified in order for someone who does not actually play these instruments to have fun. They are not intended to to be instructional devices.
I am a fan of both the RB & GH franchises. I enjoy playing them with my family & friends. Heck with the newer GH games my six year old can now play with me in beginner mode. Although these are games there is something I've noticed. Specifically with the GH drum set. When you play on expert.... you might as well be playing the friggan drums for real, it's that similar. I've watched my 14 year old brother progress & he is now AMAZING on the sticks.
The other thing I've noticed is there is an amazing amount of basic guitar theory put into these games. The timing, hammer on & pull offs, basic par cord structure... these are all used in these games. I am no musical genius... it did take hard work & dedication to get where I am today playing real guitars. Think of all the kids who started to learn to play guitar & quit out of frustration. If they had access to these games they very well might have learned the a fore mentioned basics from the game, with the instant feeling of accomplishment to spur them on allowing them to transition to the real instrument.
Looking down on people who enjoy games like this due to smug short sightedness or personal preference is not ok. See it for what it is... a game. See it for what it can be a launching pad for learning musical timing & instrumental basics. But please don't call people stupid or silly because you don't like the game or concept.
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