Black Friday Technology Deals, Hey hey Options

[Uronacid]

One of the most difficult things about this (aside from reading though each and every flier) was find a way to organize all of the data I collected. I decided to keep it simple. Categories will be listed in alphabetical order. Each category will contain three sections.

• Best Value: Will contain mid-high quality items at the most fantastic price available and where to find it.
• Least Expensive: Will contain the “bottom of the barrel”, cheapest price available and where to find it.
• Runner Up: The runner up will contain the second best value and where to find it.

As a side note, I have included links to websites if an item is only being sold through that manufacturers website (Such as Dell’s Vostro 1000 laptop.) I have sent all website links via an email. Only one section will differ, the gaming section. Because gaming consoles do not go on sale unless they are bundled with other products. I will try my best to educate you on the differences between the available gaming consoles so that you can come to your own conclusion on which on you would like to buy. I will also include information on some of the better gaming bundles available.

Desktops

• Best Value: Acer Desktop Computer w/ 22" LCD, Core 2 Duo Quad Processor - $999.97
  CompUSA’s has placed upon it’s shelves this amazing Acer desktop bundle. While it’s price tag may look steep, believe me, it’s not. This computer will fulfill your computer needs for years to come. It includes both a top-of-the-line processor and one of top-of-the-line video cards. This PC also comes with 3GB of RAM and a 500GB hard drive. There is only one way to describe this computer, “powerful”. They even include a 22inch widescreen LCD. You should be able to do just about anything with this PC. It is a great deal for those of you looking for a quality desktop computer at a fantastic price. If you’re looking for a less expensive desktop computer, go with the Runner Up.
• Least Expensive: eMachines Desktop with Intel® Celeron® Processor 420, 17" LCD Monitor & Printer- $199.97
  BestBuy is opening their doors with a $200 desktop computer. This computer will run. It’s not going to be extremely slow out of the box, but you will noticeably slower after a few weeks. If you don’t know how to fix your computer on your own then I would suggest against making this purchase. You’re going to spend more time waiting in line to buy this computer than you will enjoying it. The LCD that comes with this computer is worth more than the computer itself. Only buy this as a computer for children to cob up.
• Runner Up: Compaq SR5254X Desktop with 17" Widescreen LCD Monitor & 3-in-1 Printer - $399.97
  Not willing to spend $999.97 to purchase CompUSA’s bundled power house? Come to BestBuy where they’re selling a mid ranged desktop computer bundle for only $400. You won’t feel the hic-ups of Windows Vista, and the price tag won’t break your bank. This is a good buy for anyone who just wants an average desktop computer.

Digital Cameras (Single-lens Reflex a.k.a More Expensive)

• Best Value/Least Expensive: NIKON D40 - $449.99
  Sears is the only retailer that is selling a discounted professional camera on Black Friday. If you’re looking for a fantastic camera that has a super fast shutter speed with amazing image quality, look no further. The NIKON D40 is an entry level professional camera with all the features that someone who what’s to get into photography would need. If you’re looking for a good quality camera at a low price, you won’t be disappointed with this one. (Circuit City is selling the same camera for $200.00 more, but it comes with an extra lens.)

Digital Cameras (Regular)

• Best Value: Kodak EasyShare C613 6.2MP - $69.98
  There are a few stores selling this camera, but Staples sells it ten dollars cheaper than anyone else. It’s a solid camera if you are using the way it was meant to be used. It’s not a high end camera so you can’t expect it to be. This camera is merely the best value. It will get you the biggest bang for your buck. Decent photos for good times with friends and family. If your looking for better pictures, feast your eyes on the runner up who’s price tag is twice as much. This camera is going to sell like hot cakes, so get to staples early.
• Least Expensive: Polaroid a520 5.1MP- $49.99
  Circuit City is selling the Polaroid a520. This camera is very inexpensive, but you get what you pay for. Don’t expect to take any high quality pictures with this camera. I would only recommend this camera for one reason, Children. Buy this camera for your kids so that they don’t break a more expensive one. They won’t know the difference between this and a more expensive camera. It’s all fun to them.
  
• Runner Up: Casio Exlim 7.2 MP - $129.99
  CompUSA is selling Casio Exlim 7.2 MP camera. This camera looks much more sleek than the cameras mentioned above, but the price tag is also more steep. You’ll receive a few more bells and whistles with this camera. Some of them include a larger LCD, snazzy looking chases, higher resolution, and better overall image quality. It is better than the Kodak EasyShare, however it isn’t $60 better.

Laptops

• Best Value: Dell Vostro 1000 - $399.99
  Dell has put out the best value for any laptop being sold this Black Friday, the Vostro 1000. The nicest thing about this deal is that you won’t have to wait in line; instead you’ll buy it on-line. It’s sitting on Dells website as you read. I would suggest picking one up with Windows XP as soon as possible. Another nice thing, this laptop can also come prepackaged with Windows XP. That’s great, because most of the inexpensive laptops can’t handle Vista. This laptop’s Intel core duo processor, DVD-burner, and 1GB of RAM make it this a 2007 Black Friday’s Laptop Best Value.
  link: Sold Out
• Least Expensive: Toshiba A135-S7403 Laptop & Canon 3-in-1 Printer Package - $229.00
  BestBuy is putting out a Toshiba Laptop with Cannon Printer Package for only $229. This is a ridiculously cheap price, but are you going to be happy with your purchase? I highly doubt it. The Toshiba laptop that BestBuy is placing on it’s shelves can barely meet Vista’s minimum requirements. To keep things simple, this laptop is going to run VERY slow. It boasts an Intel Celeron M processor, 512 MB RAM, an 80GB HDD, and a DVD Burner. It fails miserably in comparison to Dell’s Vostro 1000.
• Runner Up: Sony - VAIO T2310 Laptop - $399.99
  BestBuy is also putting out a Sony Vaio for $399.99. This laptop is an awesome deal. Only 15 will be allowed per store, and they will be handing out redeemable tickets to reduce the madness. As far as hardware is concerned, it is equal to the Dell Vostro 1000 mentioned above. This laptop boasts the same specifications as the Dell Vostro 1000, and the only reason this laptop was not given the “Best Value” award was because you have to wait in line and it comes prepackaged with Vista. Vista isn’t an ideal operating system for a computer with these specifications.

MP3 Players:

• Best Value: SanDisk Sansa Clip - $34.99
  BestBuy is placing this 2GB jem on sale as a door buster. You had better be an early bird to pick this one up. There isn’t much to say about this MP3 player other than that it is a solid MP3 player at a great price. These will sell super fast. They hold about 300-500 songs.
• Cheapest Price: Nextar 512MB MP3 Player - $9.99
  Toys R Us is selling this MP3 player. Don’t buy this unless you’re looking for a fun stocking stuffer. They work, but they only hold about 120 songs.
• Runner Up: Microsoft Zune 30GB - $79.99
  Toys R Us is having a Zune sale. They’re selling the Zune for only 79.99, but it’s only for the brown Zune. It’s kind of humorous that no-one wanted the brown Zune… Anyway, now they’re on sale. These are going to sell real fast, the retail price for Zune 30GB is $199.99. They hold about 6,000-7,000 songs.

High Definition Televisions (32” or Less)

• Best Value: Sony 32" Bravia M-Series LCD HDTV- $699.99
  This TV may be a bit more expensive than the other 32” TVs going on sale this Black Friday, but it’s worth the 250$ you’ll be putting into it. The TV has nearly twice the contrast ratio of the other TVs I will mention. I high contrast ratio will give your TV a much brighter picture. Pick this TV up at Circuit City. If you’re looking for a good mid-sized TV at a great price then this is where you’ll find it.
• Least Expensive: Envision 32” 720p LCD HD TV - $449.99
  Staples is selling this TV. I would say it’s a tie between this TV and the runner up. This TV has a higher contrast ratio than the runner up, but you’re taking a risk with a new company. Envision makes this TV, and they haven't been out long. There are no reviews for this TV. As far as Technical specifications go, it’s almost I identical to the runner up.
• Runner Up: Polaroid 32” 720p LCD HD TV - $449.99
  Walmart is selling this TV. It is what it is. A decent HD TV. It’s certainly not one of the better TV’s on the market but you definitely will get your four hundred fifty dollars worth. I find that most of the bad reviews on this TV are from people who purchased the TV and expected too much.

High Definition Televisions (Greater than 32”)

• Best Value: Hitachi 42” HD1080 Plasma TV - $776.99
  Sears has the best value of Black Friday! TV is absolutely incredible. Hitachi is quite possibly the best brand of TV you can buy. I have never seen a TV with these technical specifications at a price so low. Just last week this TV was selling for $1400.00 dollars. This is a high quality TV, and yet it’s so inexpensive. This is incredible. I can’t tell you how good of a deal this is. You don’t even have to wait in line. I have sent you the link to this TV via email. The only way to purchase this TV is through Sear’s website. They will ship it to Sears for free, and you pick it up on the 1st of December. Check it out.
  Link: Sold Out
  
• Least Expensive: Envision 42” 720p LCD HD TV - $749.98
  This TV is on sale at Staples. It’s going to sell pretty fast. It’s specifications tell me it’s not as good a deal as the Runner Up, but after looking at reviews I have found that people are very pleased with this TV. Oddly enough, the 32” version has a better contrast ration.
• Runner Up: Polaroid 42" 1080p LCD HDTV - $798.00
  You can buy this TV at Walmart. According to it’s specifications this TV should be a winner, but according to it’s reviews it’s a real looser. It’s been said that the TV dies after about two months. I would buy a warranty with this television.

[Simba]

Bless you Josh, I'm looking for a laptop that takes XP. I've been looking at Dell but I guess I didn't see this one.

[Uronacid]

Bless you Josh, I'm looking for a laptop that takes XP. I've been looking at Dell but I guess I didn't see this one.

No problem dude. I'll be looking at all the black Friday deals over the course of the next two days. I'll keep you all posted. I only posted this laptop because it's the beset deal I have seen yet.

Cool thanks, but are you only researching dells, or are you doing other brands as well? (toshiba maybe?)

I know that there is a Toshiba laptop of equal power that's priced at around $550 (fairly certain it's Circut City). I just need to find out where it's going to be sold. I would recommend this laptop over that one though. It's a much better deal, and you get more bang for your buck if you buy it with XP installed instead of vista.