2010 Black Friday Tech Predictions Report from dealnews


Rumors of Apple's Black Friday Sale Likely to Disappoint; Consumers Urged to Use Online Deals to Save Upwards of 50 Percent on Top Gifts


As the kick-off to the 2010 holiday shopping season nears, dealnews (www.dealnews.com), "Where Every Day is Black Friday," today announced the release of its 2010 Black Friday Predictions report (available at www.dealnews.com/predictions). Although discounts will be lighter this holiday season compared to 2009, smart consumers can save knowing what to buy and when the best deals will be offered. And while many of this year's most buzzed about items, such as 3D TV and the Apple iPhone 4, may be at the top of wish lists, other big-ticket items, whose online deals are much more significant, will drive the best savings this holiday season.

These findings and more are part of dealnews' 2010 Black Friday Predictions, a report that highlights anticipated holiday gift deals timed for Black Friday, or November 26, 2010. Last year, dealnews released a similar report and achieved more than 80 percent accuracy in predicting many of the shopping season's biggest discounts. Some of the predictions from this year's report include the following:

Apple Products
  • For a third consecutive year, Apple's Black Friday sale is likely to disappoint. With minimal price discounts, shoppers should instead look to shop online and take advantage of the no-minimum free shipping discount likely to be offered.
  • Aside from the iPad and iPhone 4, which will not have deals on Black Friday, select resellers are expected to offer online discounts of up to 10% on the iMac, MacBook and iPod.
Televisions
  • Televisions are always in high demand during the holiday season. On Black Friday, expect 46" and 47" 1080p LCD HDTVs to start at $499 and the larger 55", at $799.
  • For those concerned with specific HDTV brands, timing will be important. Black Friday will bring big discounts on no-name TVs, but consumers will want to wait until December to buy the higher-end brands.
eBook Readers
  • Consumers hoping to get a steal on popular eBook readers during the Black Friday season will be pleased, as both the Nook and Kindle 3G are predicted to start at $129 and $169, respectively. Even better, dealnews expects retailers to offer an eBook bundle credit of at least $50 with the purchase of an eBook reader.
Computers
  • Laptops are also a popular gift, but be cautious of what money will buy. A 10" netbook will start at $179, but for just $20 more, consumers will find discounts for basic notebook PCs. If computing power is important, deals for 16" notebook PCs (with dual core processor and at least 4GB of RAM) will start at $379.
"Each year, it becomes more and more evident that the Black Friday shopping experience is no longer a one-time event; consumers are constantly seeking out the best deals to take advantage of well into December," said Daniel de Grandpre, editor in chief, dealnews. "While we expect discounting to be somewhat lighter from years past, online deals continue to be the best and easiest way to save and dealnews looks forward to helping consumers find those deals and keep more cash in the bank this holiday season."

The dealnews 2010 Black Friday Predictions report also includes buying advice, shopping tips and other projected deals on Blu-ray players, external hard drives, in-store coupons, and other hot tech gifts to help consumers save top dollar this holiday season. To download the full 2010 Black Friday Predictions, visit http://dealnews.com/predictions.

Methodology

For its Black Friday predictions, dealnews uses up to two years of historical data based on deals listed on dealnews.com. Using that data, dealnews extrapolates prices for Black Friday by applying current trends to historical Black Friday price drops. In so doing, the company corrects for anomalies such as outliers, floor effects, and disruptive new technologies that influence pricing trends.

About dealnews

dealnews is the web's leading guide to the best deals on consumer electronics, computers, gadgets, men's apparel, and more. Its mission is to save consumers money by directing them to the best bargains online offered by reputable stores.

Named one of the best services of 2009 by PC World and best shopping site by MSN Money, dealnews relies on a team of expert editors, the collective intelligence of its readers, and proprietary research tools to uncover more than 100 of the web's hottest deals, coupons and sales everyday at the guaranteed lowest prices. In 2009, dealnews readers purchased an estimated $400M in merchandise from vendors listed on the site.

Founded in 1997, dealnews is headquartered in Huntsville, Alabama with an office in New York City. For more information on dealnews, please visit www.dealnews.com.