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.
All good things must come to an end. Now, it look like that axiom will soon apply to Hulu, too. According to Broadcasting & Cable, the site could charge for some of its content as soon as 2010. At least, that's what News Corp. Deputy Chairman Chase Carey said at a recent business summit. "I think a free model is a very difficult way to capture the value of our content," he said. "...[Hulu] needs to evolve to have a meaningful subscription model as part of its business."
_thumbnail.jpg "Vintage Keyboards")
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
NoAndThen said 2:39PM on 10-23-2009
So basically, are the days of Hulu ending? I wouldn't pay ANYTHING for Hulu. Period. The whole point is instant convenience, which I easily have with my home server.
Reply
blizardwizards said 3:23PM on 10-23-2009
we stopped watching t.v.,,, we can stop watching hulu...and if they start charging per gig for our internet,we won't be online anymore either.
Reply
Mike said 3:28PM on 10-23-2009
The advertising dollars are enough, they just want more. Greed, funny thing huh?? Its like a parasite that kills its host and then it dies too because there's no more blood to suck. Bubbeye Hulu. You're no big loss.
Reply
Sekinu2 said 3:40PM on 10-23-2009
well Ill stop using hulu if it becomes a pay to use site only. i can see offering an upgrade where shows like HBO and showtime series can be viewed or if shows can be viewed the same day they play on tv with full libraries of entire seasons for a small fee like $4.99 a month and then have the basic site as is now remain free with commercial revenue
Reply
blazineric said 3:42PM on 10-23-2009
does News corp own Hulu?
If they do, or even if they dont, this is 100% a GREED decision. TV has exsisted for VERY LONG for FREE via AD SUPPORT!!!
AND. does anyone realize they currenlty pay for a subscription model WITH ADs???? is called cable, satilite, fios,, you name it....your getting double screwed.
FIGHT BACK!!!
Reply
crazydmp said 3:44PM on 10-23-2009
yes, the more advertising, the less I return the sites.
Advertising is killing the TV and Internet. When are
THEY going to get it ???? I heard Facebook is getting
BIGGER ads. WOW big mistake !!!!!!
I'd pay 10.00 a month just to have NO ADS AT ALL
Reply
warhammer667 said 5:43PM on 10-23-2009
I wouldnt pay a cent for hulu,dont these bast@#ds make enough money off us already?? I have only watched it occasionally,and if i wanted to dvr these programs,i could. FOR FREE
Reply
colcam said 6:55PM on 10-23-2009
Limited advert, limited cost for target shows? That's a business plan that makes sense, and when I looked at HULU the business revenue plan just did not make sense to me-- there are greater costs involved than most people realize, and it isn't a gravy train. What we need is NOT an "internet only" system, but one that allows spooling of HD signals at the base cost, DVD and/or Blu-Ray storage of the show at a higher cost--- so drive failures or upgrades don't wipe your paid for content.
The times, they be a'changing, they be.
.
Reply