The precursor to the gift-giving season that is this hallowed Friday seems to be now inexorably tied to the industry I cover: consumer technology and gadgets

1. November 24, 2011
batteryfast.co.uk
2011 Black Friday : How To Shopping Like A
Geek
2011 Black Friday : How To Shopping Like A Geek
Tablets
CloudTag: Black Friday , shopping , geek , Acer
al10b31 laptop battery , Canon nb-4l camera bat-
tery , Dell batteries for inspiron 1545
If you’re like most Americans, your holiday shopping
bonanza officially starts Friday, Nov. 25. Or as it’s
more commonly known: Black Friday.
The precursor to the gift-giving season that is this
hallowed Friday seems to be now inexorably tied
to the industry I cover: consumer technology and
gadgets. Perhaps 30 years ago, the shopping masses
were more concerned with gifts of ties, mixers and
Mattel toys — but now they seem to only have eyes
http://www.batteryfast.co.uk/battery-technology/2011-black-friday-how-to-shopping-like-a-geek/
for the battery-powered, pluggable and 3G-connec- 2011 was the year of tablet glut, as PC makers pushed
ted. When I thought of my column this week, I won- heaps of iPad-like slates onto store shelves. Although
dered how I might provide some service to those many of these tablets were too expensive at launch,
brave souls who will risk being trampled — literally and not as refined as the iPad, Black Friday changes
— in pursuit of a great deal. How could I aid those the equation. For one day, tablets with unique fea-
in need … of savings? tures and capabilities can be had for cheap. Here
are some of the most noteworthy Black Friday tablet
I’ve decided to write a primer — a crash course of deals of 2011, and whether they’re worth braving
sorts — on what I might buy (and what I’ll definitely the crowds and the lines.
avoid) when you’re in the trenches this weekend.
You don’t have to take my suggestions, of course. For Black Friday, Apple has cut the price of its iPad 2
But they could save your life. from $499 to $458, but that still pales in comparison
to Amazon’s Kindle Fire price tag of $199. You’ll be
able to do more with the iPad, but for that cost, you
could get two Fires and still have money left over
for a nice lunch. Either of these will delight, though
the iPad 2 will probably be slightly more delightful.
Verizon is offering the Motorola Xoom for the very
low price of $199.99, but be forewarned — that’s
with a two-year contract.
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2. November 24, 2011
batteryfast.co.uk
2011 Black Friday : How To Shopping Like A Geek
Whatever you do, don’t go for the bargain basement Cameras
Android tablets. If you think you’re getting a deal
on a $99 tablet, think again. They’ll only break your
heart.
Top 5 Tablets for Holidays
Laptops
Everyone is moving toward the portable, the lug-
gable, the untethered. Only specialists are really ant-
sy for a big desktop system. If you’ve got kids headed
off to school, youngsters who need a homework
companion or a busy spouse — you want some kind
of laptop.
If you’ve got some cash to spend, you can’t go wrong
with Apple’s latest MacBook Airs. The starting price Believe it or not, people still need regular old came-
has been cut for Black Friday, and you can pick one ras, and there are lots of deals to be had out there.
up starting at $898, which is dirt cheap by Apple
standards. The super-thin laptop has enough hor- If you want a simple point-and-shoot, Amazon is
http://www.batteryfast.co.uk/battery-technology/2011-black-friday-how-to-shopping-like-a-geek/
sepower and battery life to keep things going even offering the excellent Panasonic DMC-ZS9 (which has
on a busy day, and if you absolutely must run Win- a Leica lens) for $179, or you can grab the Sony Cy-
dows, the Air can do double duty. If you want a ber-shot DSC-W570 from Wal-Mart for $99. If you’re
pure Windows experience, you can get a massive looking for mega-zoom power, you can pick up the
HP Pavilion 17.3-inch laptop with a Blu-ray drive beefy Nikon L105 (which has 15x zoom) for $99 as
for $499 at Sam’s Club. It’s a bit large for my taste, well. Want to get a decent DSLR for someone? Why
but I’m guessing someone you know would love it. not pick up the Canon EOS Rebel T3 (with a zoom
lens) for $479.99.
If you’re looking for something absurdly affordable
(and tiny), Target will sell you an Acer Aspire One In case you missed the memo, Flip video cameras
10.1-inch netbook for $175. That’s probably a door- and their ilk are mostly on the way out. Check to
buster, so please be safe. see if your potential giftee has a newer smartphone
or a small point-and-shoot they like to carry, and
A word of warning. You may be tempted to buy remember that something like an iPod touch can
someone in your life the $74.99 Sylvania Android do decent video shooting, and lots more.
netbook being sold at Toys R Us. Do not do it, unless
destroying someone’s holiday dream is your idea Extend Camera’s Battery Life
of fun.
Top 5 Great Laptops
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3. November 24, 2011
batteryfast.co.uk
2011 Black Friday : How To Shopping Like A Geek
The best of the rest
There are always great TV deals this time of year.
Wal-Mart has a 40-inch Emerson for $248, though I
would also consider the 42-inch Sharp LC42SV49U
which is selling for an absurdly low $199 at Best Buy.
Neither one of these is going to be the finest set you
can buy, but they’re both ultra-cheap.
If you want something that’s a bit more high-end, the
$599 50-inch, plasma Panasonic TC-P50S30 would
be an excellent choice.
There are plenty of options, no question, but at the
end of the day the best advice I can give is this: Of-
ten with consumer electronics, you actually do get
what you pay for. Instead of digging purely for the
cheapest deals, you should consider the capabili-
ties and features of what you buy. In the long run,
you’ll end up getting far more bang for your buck,
even if you don’t fill every stocking with a bundle
http://www.batteryfast.co.uk/battery-technology/2011-black-friday-how-to-shopping-like-a-geek/
of gadgetry.
But most of all, keep calm out there. No good deal is
worth putting your safety in jeopardy. Unless iPad
2s go on sale for half price.
See Also: Various Computer Shopping Tips Help
You Selecting A New Computer
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