First, before you start deciding on cash or credit -- let's get this note of caution out of the way. Most of these deals are just to get you in the door. They're available only for a limited time, and the retailer may have a small number of the product on hand.
So get out the magnifiers and look at the fine print. Things like "minimum 2 per store" could mean there are only a couple of those HDTVs on hand.
Be savvy. Have some backups -- if the Sony screen you want sells out, how about a comparable Samsung? And don't despair if you don't get what you want on Friday. Many of these retailers are desperate, and you're likely to find a good price as the weeks wear down to Christmas and Hanukah.
It does look like we'll be getting a raw deal from Mother Nature. AccuWeather is calling for rain during the early hours on Friday and a wind chill that makes it feel like it's in the 30s.
If you don't want to brave the conditions, don't fret. You can still make a great stab at your shopping list. Many of the in-store deals also are available online, so check the retailer's web site and be prepared with your refresh button and credit card in hand, so you can scoop up what you want before some other guy in his PJs with a quicker trigger finger grabs it. A couple of my favorite sites for tech deals include MicroCenter.com, TigerDirect.com and NewEgg.com -- they've been on Twitter all week with deals, especially on stuff tech-savvy friends will love.
And remember -- the best-looking prices are usually too good to be true. Often, they're not anywhere near the top echelon of TVs or computers, and you'd be better off spending another hundred dollars for something that will perform to a higher level. You may also find less competition for them, too. Do your research before you leave the warm, dry confines of your home so you have some options at hand: on sites like CNET.com you can read professional reviews. Know the terms -- there's a reason that 720p flat-screen is cheaper than the 1080p TV. There's a reason the Celeron-powered laptop is cheaper than the dual-core, even though they both have Intel inside.
Let's get to the good stuff now -- the deals.
Looking for a laptop? The best bang for your buck could be at Best Buy, with a Sony VAIO doorbuster(right). It has a dual-core processor, 4 gigs of RAM, a big hard drive, and a Blu-Ray player -- with a few freebies thrown in for $479. A little cheaper? Check out Walmart's HP for much the same setup, no Blu-Ray and a bigger (17") screen for $398. Want to go even lower? There's a doorbuster eMachines with a little less RAM, a slightly smaller screen, and an AMD chip for $198.
Netbooks, of course, are in a class all their own -- best if your mobile computing needs involve web browsing and word processing. Best Buy has an Intel Atom-powered one with a gig of ram and 160 gigs of storage for $180. Office Depot checking in with an Acer model for $200.
If you want to stuff that stocking with a digital camera, Walmart has a 10 megapixel Sony Cyber-shot with a case at a nice price -- $79. Another decent model, the Nikon CoolPix S203, is at Target for less than $90.
Here's the 411 on GPS: look for a text-to-speech model so you can keep your eyes on the road. Walmart has two such TomToms ranging from $60 to $90. If it's a Garmin you want to give, head to Amazon.com for their $120 nuvi 260W. It ships free with Amazon's Super Saver option.
There are some great values in TVs. If it's a guest room you want to outfit, you could go with a 720p screen. At Target, there's a 32-inch Westinghouse for $246. If you're watching Blu-Ray discs, playing certain gaming systems, or using your TV as a computer monitor, you'll want to move up to 1080p. Walmart has a Sony Bravia 46" for $798 (right). Dell checks in with a 42" Sharp for $599. 32" is a good size for a bedroom. Costco has a 1080p Vizio at that size for $400, after a $60 coupon.
Some retailers are bundling Blu-Ray disc players with their high-end TVs. But if it's a standalone Blu-Ray drive you want, it's amazing how much the price has come down since I got my good Sony last year for a $250 steal. There's a value-priced Vizio for $100 at Costco that's a step up from entry-level. But just $118 at Walmart will get you the Sony BDP-S360 at a $50 savings from regular price.
Video gamers will like the PS3 with a couple bonus games and 'The Dark Knight' on Blu-ray at Walmart for $299 -- if they can get their hands on that doorbuster before they're gone. Look in RadioShack for the Xbox 360 Elite with some extras and a $60 gift card for $300.
One more tip -- get something for yourself!
Happy shopping! Let me know about good deals you grab -- or shopping horror stories (let's hope not!) -- just e-mail bush(at)kyw(dot)com.
Black Friday's Hottest Bargains
KYW's Ian Bush takes you through everything you need to know for the Black Friday shopping bonanza, including the best deals, tips for bargain-hunting, and a detailed AccuWeather forecast.
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