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.
When you adopt a dog, you expect to drop some cash on things like food, visits to the vet, and maybe chew toys. But one man's best friend drained his bank account in an unexpected way.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Jason said 9:52AM on 10-27-2009
Don't buy an XBox!!!!! They will nickel-and-dime you until the system finally crashes like all else that is Microsoft. There is a $50 per year subscription fee for EVERY XBOX LIVE ACCOUNT even if they are on the same system! Then, you spend a lot of time waiting for game connections or lose the connection in the middle of a game. The optical drives (cd) are garbage and are noisy. The wireless adapter is $100 extra. The storage devices are like $100 extra. As if Microsoft isn't rich enough already. What a ripoff. My next system will be a Playstation 3 because there are no subscription fees, built-in wireless, nice blu-ray drive, etc ...
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Zo said 11:04AM on 10-28-2009
Jason, I am on my second xbox 360. Microsoft was very good about fixing both of my systems. I have a PS3 and a Wii as well. Just because the xbox 360 had problems, does not make it a bad system. It is all about choices and since I love to play video games, I purchase every system that comes out. I do agree that your post was a bit misleading. I purchased a $70 wireless router that I run my laptop, xbox 360, PS3, and my Wii on. You do not have to pay $100 for the microsoft one. I love all of my systems but I do play my xbox 360 more than the others. I don't understand why you would say your next system will be a PS3, are they hard to find in your area? You can walk in any store now and they have them available.
Brian said 9:56AM on 10-27-2009
@Jason --> Finish school, get a job, start buying your own electronics, then judge companies.
Just because your parents won't pay the $3/mo for your XBL subscription doesn't mean the rest of us should suffer the PSN. There's a reason most people who RROD simply buy a new 360.
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J said 10:40AM on 10-27-2009
Hey Jason, how's it going?!
I find your posts stupid and misleading.
The "$50 per year" thing you're talking about is wrong. You don't need to pay that much. You can if you choose, but you don't have to.
You don't need to buy a wireless device or an additional storage device if you don't want to.
It would be nice if Xbox Live Gold were free and all of the games were free, but that's not feasible.
Have fun playing Halo on your PS3. Oh wait, you won't be able to do that.
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Jason said 10:57AM on 10-27-2009
J, I find your comments moronic and gibberish.
Yes, you do have to pay for XBox Live if you want it. Yes, you do have to purchase the wireless adapter if you need it. Yes, it would be nice if everything were free, but that's not my point, so f-u too. I'm not asking for free. I am simply comparing the price and service of the XBox to that of the PS3.
I love Halo. However, Halo 3 is not worth having to pay all of the additional b/s charges associated with XBox and XBox live. See, that's where you're being duped too.
Did I mention that the High-Definition adapter for XBox is an additional fee since it only comes with a low-def component adapter? Did I mention that the wireless controllers don't come with a battery pack and require 2 AA batteries?
PS3 is high def out-of-the-box with rechargeable wireless controllers included.
Yeah, XBox consoles are less expensive, but you'll end up paying substantially more than a PS3.
Did I mention that XBox's HD DVD is obsolete since Blu-Ray?
It's easy to see how a dog can spend money on XBox because that's what everyone else has to do too.
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J said 4:17PM on 10-27-2009
Now I understand why our viewpoints differ: I didn't buy a game console to watch movies.
I do not own a single HD-DVD or Blu-Ray disc. You're right that HD-DVD is now obsolete. When do you predict Blu-Ray will be obsolete? I bought my Xbox to play games -- games I like, such as Halo 3. How many of the games on your PS3 are actually 'high definition'?
I didn't spend extra for a high definition adapter.
It seems like you inflate the cost of an Xbox to the maximum that it could cost. That's one way of looking at it, but hardly a fair assumption.
As for the non-RROD Xbox plagues you guys speak of...it hasn't hit me one bit.
celticwolfsrage said 9:52AM on 10-28-2009
Hey, no offense, but if you want quality, you have to pay for quality. If you can afford it, be thankful that you have the 'choice' to get that kind of stuff. Some don't even consider paying for such things because they just won't fit into our budgets. If you don't like the games, system or prices, ditch them and get something else. Playstation is nice, I guess, but I prefer Nintendo products. Maybe it doesn't have all of the big name games, but the games it does have are pretty good and the systems last forever....at least mine have. Can't afford any live stuff on any system we have, but hey, the games we buy, we play for free as much and as long as we want because they're ours forever.
Maybe you would want to downgrade your game requirements and just enjoy offline ones instead? Cheaper, less headache, no fuss.
Peace.
Jae said 11:50AM on 10-27-2009
Thank you so much for your kind and knowledgeable advice. It took a class action lawsuit against microsoft to make them stop charging people fees to fix defective xbox consoles. Unfortunately, that only covered the rrod, but not all of the other common defects the xbox is known to have. Google it. The truth shall set you free.
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Lee said 6:42AM on 10-28-2009
I've had my xbox for three years and it still works just fine. Maybe you don't take care of yours well, Jason? Having the lights turn red doesn't necessarily mean it's got that ring of death, it could just mean there's a fixable error. Maybe you use your xbox for too many hours at once and it overheats, or your house has a lot of dust in the air and you don't clean it out enough. I don't have xbox live but it really doesn't seem so expensive. I think you'd pay more for an online game like world of warcraft. If I did have it, that 50 a year (or even 150) would be pocket change compared my normal monthly bills.
Anyways, that discussion has nothing to do with the article. I'd be so heated if a dog did that to me! But I guess that's what happens if you're careless around animals. :)
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Donna said 7:16AM on 10-28-2009
If you hate it so much, why do you have 3? You said you are paying for 3 Live subscriptions. That makes no sense to me. If they are that much trouble, why have them? 3????
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hgjoy5 said 7:52AM on 10-28-2009
What does xbox bashing have to do with this dog chewing on the controller? Nothing. This story isnt even true. You cant sign in get to the marketplace screen type in your password and buy the points by chewing on the controller.
Regarding the flame war going on here: I dont think you own an xbox at all. Most xbox owners play them constantly. People I know with playstation what blueray movies mostly. Look at the statistics of how many ps3 games are bought per console. I have had my box RR and I also had a graphic card error and have never paid for a repair yet. I got my box back in 2 weeks each time and a free one month xbox live subsription for my troubles. Im not happy the system fails the way it does, but I love xbox live and its games and it hasnt cost me a penny so I cant complain much.
FYI: all companies are in business for the money. This isnt news.
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chassinCars said 8:00AM on 10-28-2009
most dogs spend well much more than that
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Nicky said 12:46PM on 10-29-2009
LoL @ "Did I mention that the High-Definition adapter for XBox is an additional fee since it only comes with a low-def component adapter? Did I mention that the wireless controllers don't come with a battery pack and require 2 AA batteries?"
eBay = $4 for a made in China HD wire, which works just as good as the $50 crap they'll try to talk you into buying at Radio Shack. I know, because I have one. Pretty sure you can get a decent pair of rechargeable batteries for under 20 bucks, too - or you could try the Nyko rechargeable battery packs which cost 30 bucks for two battery packs at my local GameStop.
Also, who needs 3 accounts? Seems a bit unnecessary if you're going to whine about the price. Stick with one if you're that broke, you'll be fine.
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FOURDOGSLAUGHING said 8:29AM on 10-28-2009
GOOD BOY !
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gr8gabbo said 8:50AM on 10-28-2009
pathetic gamers....get a life
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Kate said 8:56PM on 10-28-2009
amen
Kim said 8:55AM on 10-28-2009
I think this is way too funny. I had a dog who would answer my phone when no one was at home, people loved it.
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wtfdammit94 said 9:36AM on 10-28-2009
FAKE
Cant buy a controller with points
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joann s. said 9:37AM on 10-28-2009
i dont even know what an exbox is....???????.....
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Melissa said 10:27AM on 10-28-2009
Smart dog. Just wait until the big shipment of toys and treats from Petsmart.com shows up.
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