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.
Siblings fight all the time, sure. And nowadays, the disputes tend to center around the family gadgets -- anything from control of the TV remote to whose turn it is on the Wii. Most of the time, it doesn't escalate beyond a few gentle pushes or shoves, or perhaps some shed tears. A recent argument between brothers over a computer, though, ended in shocking tragedy. 
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
luismedina said 8:58AM on 10-31-2009
GOD what is going on with those kid is very scare because GOD telling everyone wake up and help those kids teached then how to compartir with others.
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ME said 9:26AM on 10-31-2009
What the hell is the world coming to?
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P Cost said 7:53PM on 10-31-2009
Desensitized to violence, but trained in weapons and tactics daily, are we surprised?
mrtfrog1135 said 4:49PM on 10-31-2009
The Year 2012, or APOCALYPSE now!!
fmrdrv said 10:55PM on 10-31-2009
HEAVEN OR HELL, THE CHOICE IS YOURS. IF IM WRONG NO PROBLEM
IF IM RIGHT YOU WILL ETIRNITY IN HELL TO DWELL ON IT!!
joehayesii said 10:34AM on 10-31-2009
You guys need to stop putting this s=== how there. The more this type of
stupid reasoning is shown...the more tempting it is to say, 'why not?'
Everybody else is doing it.......and you put this under technology?
A murder?
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tana green said 4:46PM on 10-31-2009
It was over a computer. Just a code word that bumps the story into Tech, nhi.
Can't be shocked anymore said 10:47AM on 10-31-2009
Florida mayor Scott Brook plans to hold a town hall meeting in order to discuss youth violence.
______________________________________________
Sure, that'll fix it.
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minia37 said 11:11AM on 10-31-2009
I have a 12 year old who is having serious issues with all these new "energy drinks". They make him extremely hyper, manic, and agressive. He stops after getting in trouble, but then goes back to them. I think they are highly addictive. In his social circles it is also considered cool to drink them. I was shocked to find out that the local ice cream truck sells them along with their popsicles and cones to the kids! Obviously I'm not trying to say this is what happened with these brothers, the article just made me think, because my son gets beligerent and domineering while "on" these drinks. Our friend who is a sheriff says these drinks are becoming a real problem. Just something to think about. Thanks.
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John Stow said 11:43AM on 10-31-2009
Again, where are the parents? Why do children, yes ages 15 and 14 are still children, allowed to run amuk. Don't parents these days care? Apparently not. If you don't want to raise the children, don't have them. I hate it when children misbehave and the parents are not held accountable. They should be arrested.
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Shawn Bushway said 4:33PM on 10-31-2009
You can't be that stupid or are you? Kids can't be in the privacy of their own rooms with the parents being right on top of them? It sounds like the brothers had the typical relationship brothers often have and that one crossed the line. What would you have done differently - search their room daily for weapons, not allow them to have the pc or make every decision for them? Rather than throw out a criticism lets hear your ideas - I'm sure we'll be impressed with your genius.
Rusty Razor said 12:04PM on 10-31-2009
This story's as old as Cain and Able.
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bobpell said 12:18PM on 10-31-2009
They had computers back then? I learn something new every day.
alyssa said 2:56PM on 10-31-2009
Of course, because before Obama was in office nothing like this had ever happened before, right? Right.
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jbjg24m said 3:02PM on 10-31-2009
idiot!
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benny slipp said 3:33PM on 10-31-2009
Does it get any worse in America... we will never win another war!
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Shawn Bushway said 4:31PM on 10-31-2009
Do us all a favor - don't breed! To suggest that this is Obama's fault is to suggest that every killing under the Bush administration was his fault. Or are you stupid enough to suggest that there were no killings like this under Bush? Oh wait, the killings that did take place were in anticipation of Obama's presidency before he even knew he was going to run. It's too bad that your father didn't teach you more after all that time spent bouncing on his lap. PS: I never read responses so I won't read your comeback though I'm sure it won't be smarter than the initial post.
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Kemetica said 5:02PM on 10-31-2009
GET OVER IT!! OBAMA IS YOUR LEADER>>STOP BLAMING EVERY DANG ON THING ON OBAMA>...DANG ON ITT!!
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TanyaGrnr said 5:07PM on 10-31-2009
Media should all be banned from "reporting" violence under these type of circumstances. Kids learn this type of behavior from "reports", gossip, television, games, ect., exposure. If children could be isolated from this type of violence, then almost none would show this degree of violence toward each other. We all need to learn...... stop talking, showing, thinking, or feeling this element in any capasity, in our physical, emotional, and psychological, day-to-day lives.
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William Morrow said 10:17AM on 11-02-2009
Tanya, I agree. Freedom to media might best be saved for adults. Children have always had a tough time telling reality from fantasy, and so it might not be a bad idea to censor CHILDREN from these type of violent reports, internet privacy and possibly even "freedom of speech". Maybe those rights should be earned, right along with the right to drive and the right to drink. If parents failed at protecting their children, then maybe they should suffer the consequences just like they would if their child drank or drove a car before it was legal.