ZDNet's Ultimate Black Friday 2011 guide to deals and steals

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Summary: Drill down on the latest and greatest gadget deals with our guide to Black Friday 2011.

[Last updated on November 24: Microsoft Store, Sony Store; Panasonic]

Black Friday is almost here!

This year’s Black Friday may fall on November 25, but more and more retailers are starting their sales on Thanksgiving (Nov. 24), and even making some offers exclusive to the weekend. Not only that, but a sneaky few are also splitting their bargains between their brick-and-mortar and online stores.

To help you navigate this increasingly complex, multi-platform shopping extravaganza, we’re sifting every ad from retailers across America for the latest tech deals available to you this year. Where possible, we’ll also make note of the start times and dates so you won’t miss out on those brag-worthy bargains. We’ll be updating this post multiple times a day right up until Turkey Day to serve you all the hottest gadget steals and deals, so be sure to bookmark this page or subscribe to our feed.

But before you rush out to buy the first tech toy you see on sale, here are some quick tips to help you avoid buyer’s remorse:

Read up on ZDNet reviews before splurging on anything. (You never want to buy a gadget just because it’s been marked down.)Always search multiple sites/retailers for the best price (factoring in shipping costs and taxes) for a particular item. It certainly beats driving around to various stores only to find out it’s out-of-stock everywhere, or that you paid too for it when there is a better deal elsewhere.Keep an eye out for the increasingly popular pre-Black Friday sales (Amazon, Walmart, Newegg, Sam’s Club and Target all have them this year) in the event what you’re looking for sells out before the 25th hits.There is a glut of Android tablets and smartphones on the market this year so you may find some sweet deals for them, as long as you don’t mind the build of Android they are running. DealNews is also predicting some competitive prices for 60-inch HDTVs and 15.6-inch laptops this “Black Friday Season” (including Cyber Monday).Apple isn’t known for great deals on Black Friday (or during the holiday season in general) so those items can wait if you’re maxing out your budget.Research/ask about the return/exchange/price match policy before you buy. Many time-sensitive and door crasher items could be final sales so don’t assume you’ll be eligible for a full refund or price match should you find a better deal later.

Note: Items and prices will be published on a rolling basis as we receive the circulars, so be sure to come back regularly and check for new listings. If you think something should be added or a deal isn’t correct/available anymore, please let us know in the TalkBack section and we will update this guide.

Retailers posted so far: Bealls Florida, BJ’s, Costco, Blain’s Farm & Fleet, Fred’s, Gander Mountain, Gordmans, JC Penny, Kohl’s, Marine Corps Exchange, Rite Aid, Hastings, Military BX (AAFES), Cabela’s, Macy’s, Radio Shack, Staples, Walmart (updated in-store/online discounts), Sears Outlet, Office Max, Best Buy, Toys “R” Us, GameStop, Target, Kmart, Sam’s Club, Sears, Office Depot, Best Buy Doorbusters, BestBuy.com (Red Hot Deals), Amazon (new items/prices), Fred Meyer, Target’s Surprise Doorbusters, Newegg; Meijer, hhgregg, Barnes & Noble, Adobe, Kobo, Verizon, AT&T, Microsoft Store, Sony Store, Panasonic

Retailers expected soon: Apple

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Best 5 Black Friday 2011 tablet and e-reader finds

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Summary: You won’t regret buying an Asus Transformer, BlackBerry PlayBook, Toshiba Thrive, HP TouchPad or Barnes & Noble’s Nook Simple Touch Limited Edition this Black Friday.

Let’s face it: you’re shopping for an e-reader or a tablet on Black Friday because you want to get the best bang for your buck and are willing to forgo the latest specs and OS for the savings. You’re simply not going to find something as recently released as the Amazon Kindle Fire on sale on November 25 — at the most you may get a gift card to lessen the sting of paying regular price for the device, but that’s hardly worth fighting Black Friday crowds for. Thankfully, there are better deals out there than mere gift cards, which is why these five e-reader and tablet deals deserve your time and money this Black Friday.

10.1? Asus Eee Pad Transformer 16GB $249.99; $349.98 with Keyboard Dock

With the next-gen quad-core Asus Transformer Prime tablet due in stores any time soon, the current Transformer (TF101) is suddenly quite the steal this Black Friday. Best Buy is pricing the Transformer at just $249.99 or $349.99 with the optional dock, which is basically the same price as the Toshiba Thrive (see below) but with the added functionality of a laptop. As a stand-alone tablet, the 10.1-inch Transformer has a textured back that is less prone to slipping and fingerprints, a micro-SD slot and micro-HDMI port on-board, and runs Android Honeycomb with Flash support. When combined with the keyboard dock, the device gains about 6-7 hours of battery life, 2 USB ports, 1 SD slot and of course physical keys for extensive typing.

7? BlackBerry PlayBook 16GB for $199

Considering the Amazon Kindle Fire only offers 8GB of on-board storage, 512 MB RAM, lacks Bluetooth and cameras, the 7-inch BlackBerry PlayBook makes up for all the Fire’s hardware shortcomings without adding to the pricetag (at least for the 16GB version). For $199, you get 16GB of storage, a great looking and multitasking OS in QNX, a micro-HDMI-out, video chats with a 3-megapixel camera, and can pair your BlackBerry phone to a larger 7? screen. Native BBM email support is coming in the February 2012 update so critics’ last gripe with the tablet should finally be put to rest. Both Best Buy and Staples are marking down their PlayBooks this Black Friday so keep an eye out for it (Staples has the 32GB and 64GB variants for $249 and $399 respectively.)

10.1? Toshiba Thrive Tablet for $349.98

Speaking of Staples, it is also shaving $50 off the 10.1-inch Toshiba Thrive (pictured above), a sleeper hit of a tablet for those looking for more native ports and connectors on their slates that will fit right in with their current tech set-up. Although this model only has 16GB of internal storage, it comes with a  full-size SD slot, USB and HDMI ports and has a removable battery so you can swap in a fresh one when you can’t plug into a socket. The Thrive also runs Honeycomb, which means it has a robust app store out-of-box. While it’s not the cheapest Black Friday tablet out there, it also means you’re not buying into a dead/dying system or an outdated model. (Toshiba’s most recent launch was a 7-incher.)

9.7? HP TouchPad 32GB for $229.99 with accessories $149 with HP Computer Purchase

Updated @ 11:14PM PST: Tipped by @Peter Perry, CompUSA is selling just the 32GB TouchPad (no need to buy a HP computer) but comes with accessories for $229.99. Not only will you be able to bring home one of the few remaining TouchPads around, you’ll also get a Belkin Tablet Desktop Stand, Belkin Tablet Sleeve and a pair of Creative Labs Wireless Bluetooth Speakers. This sale starts at 5:00AM PST in stores only so you want to start lining up now.

HP may be out of all TouchPads, but a couple of retailers like Staples and hhgregg are enticing shoppers this Black Friday with their remaining 32GB units for $149.99 — but only if you buy a HP computer as well. This may make sense if you’re shopping for a laptop or desktop this year and want to gift the TouchPad or vice versa. I personally find all the derision directed at webOS and the increasingly rare TouchPad unwarranted because the device works just fine for basic consumption needs (email, web surfing, music). It sure beats a similarly priced Pandigital or generic-brand me-too tablets that seem to fill Black Friday circulars.

Barnes & Noble’s 6? Nook Simple Touch Limited Edition e-Reader for $79

For one day only this Black Friday, Barnes & Noble will be cutting the price of its 6-inch Nook Simple Touch e-reader by $20 to just $79. The only caveat is that you must drop by your local B&N to get this limited edition device with a white edge (pictured right). Unlike the $99 Amazon Kindle Touch (or the $79 Kindle Wi-Fi for that matter), this Nook Simple Touch has no “annoying ads,” is compatible with ePUB format for library books, plus you can walk into any B&N store to get help on your e-reader and purchases. So if after-market service is important to you, then this the e-reader to get on Friday.

Keep us up to date on the availability of these mobile devices by commenting below.

[Source: CompUSA}

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Gloria Sin is a freelance journalist based in New York City.

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Top 4 Black Friday 2011 video game console steals

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Summary: My video game console picks this Black Friday — the Microsoft Xbox 360 bundle with Halo: Reach & Fable 3, Nintendo 3DS “Zelda” bundle, “Blue” Nintendo Wii and an honorable mention.

There is no better time to be shopping for a video game console as Black Friday; after all, gaming companies are eager to introduce new combinations of hot titles and hardware to help move units before the end of the year. Games, especially recently released titles like Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, just don’t seem to be given as significant discounts because you would pay the stick price as long as you really want to play the game — assuming you already have the system, of course. So which four systems you should zero in on this Black Friday (which is apparently today, even though it’s technically a Thursday)? Here are the deals that standout to me:

Microsoft Xbox 360 250GB bundle with Halo: Reach & Fable 3, $199

There are a number of Xbox 360 bundles on the market this Black Friday but this one with Halo: Reach and Fable 3 offer the best games, for the best sized hard drive, and for the best price. The similarly priced Xbox “Slim” Kinect bundle’s hard drive is a tiny 4GB and doesn’t even include any games! Of course, serious gamers this is the bundle to get; when Sam’s Club Black Friday sale got a head start yesterday, this was the first bundle to sell out. Your remaining retail options: Newegg.com, Best Buy (not sure if it’s still available).

Nintendo 3DS “Zelda” Bundle with The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D, $179.99 or less

Not only is this limited edition bundle (pictured right) making its American debut this Thanksgiving/Black Friday (it was originally only for Europe), it also celebrates the silver anniversary of Nintendo’s Zelda franchise. That is why this 3DS bears golden markings, and includes an updated version of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D, considered by many to be the best video ever made. For a reasonable $179.99 from Best Buy (or for less if you trade in your last-gen DS at GameStop), this box set is bound to become a collector’s item so grab one while you still can — I doubt it will be re-stocked beyond 2011.

Nintendo Wii Console in Blue, $99

Like the 3DS “Zelda” bundle, the Blue Nintendo Wii was originally intended for Europe but is now coming to our shores this Black Friday. Although it is just a standalone system with one Motion Plus controller but no games, at $99, you will have plenty of cash leftover to buy the titles you really want to play (you can probably get most second-hand by now). One thing to note is that this discounted version is not backwards compatible with Game Cube games so it could be a dealbreaker for some. Now that Sam’s Club is all out of this console, you better hope Walmart,com doesn’t run out as well.

Honorable Mention: Atari Flashback 3 with 60 classic games for $24.99

Available from Toys “R” Us and Hastings, the Atari Flashback 3 is a plug-and-play console system complete with two old school joysticks and 60 classic games. According to PriceGrabber, the Atari Flashback 3 was the “Top Toy” for consumers over 30 yesterday so you may just find one under your tree this year.

Note: You’ll notice I did not include a Sony PlayStation 3 bundle in my list because there seems to only be one choice this year — the box set with a 160GB hard drive and Little Big Planet 2 Special Edition and Ratchet and Clank: All 4 One for approximately $199.

Please keep let us know if these deals no long exist or better prices pop up elsewhere in the comments below!

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Gloria Sin is a freelance journalist based in New York City.

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Roundup of online only Black Friday sales

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Gloria Sin is a New York-based freelance journalist who writes about the tech toys that you can't live without for ZDNet. She has little patience for poorly designed user experiences, and is not afraid of opening the guts of her own machines for repair or hacking her gadgets for new uses.

She has written for FastCompany.com, Popular Science, Olympic News Service; she currently covers the startup scene in the Tri-State area for NYConvergence.com.

Prior to ZDNet, Gloria was the online editor for Dance International, and dabbled in web design and social media consulting. When she is offline, you will find her at an ice rink living out her figure skating dreams. Follow her on Twitter.

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Pre-Black Friday deals worth getting now

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Summary: Those shopping for a 160GB Sony PlayStation 3 bundle or a B&N Nook Color are in luck.

Most pre-Black Friday/Thanksgiving ads and sales of tech toys I’ve seen so far have been lackluster, offering minimal savings and therefore little incentive to beat the rush on Black Friday. But a couple of deals have just sprung up that either match or best Black Friday prices, plus they’re available now so no need to test your luck on Friday. Act quickly if these deals match the items on your wishlist because they’re sure to sell out just as quickly.

Walmart’s Sony PlayStation 3 160GB holiday bundle, $199.96

[Updated @ 9:58AM PST: All sold-out!]

This PS3 bundle that includes a copy of Little Big Planet 2 and Ratchet & Clank: All 4 One has been widely advertised in this year’s Black Friday ads for essentially the same that Walmart is offering right now. You will also have the option to ship this bundle home for free, so you won’t even have to leave your chair to grab this deal. If you’ve had your heart set on getting a PS3 this holiday, now is the time to click “Buy.”

Target’s Nook Color with $30 Gift Card, $199

Although there is a newer, faster Nook Tablet on the market, the Nook Color has become the budget Barnes and Noble e-reader/slate at just $199. Retailers have so far been reluctant to offer a deeper discount on the Nook Color this Black Friday, with only Radio Shack and Staples tacking on gift cards between $20 and $25 to sweeten the deal. The fact that Target is dangling a marginally more valuable $30 gift card with the Nook Color makes this a better. This deal is available online now.

What other hot pre-Thanksgiving/Black Friday deals have your spotted? Share with us below and I will update this list.

[Source: Black Friday 2011]

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Gloria Sin is a freelance journalist based in New York City.

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Nintendo 3DS Special Edition Zelda bundle available on Black Friday?

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Summary: Leaked Best Buy and GameStop Black Friday ads reveal the previously Euro-only Zelda 3DS bundle may be heading to our shores November 25.

Image from Black Friday 2011's GameStop ad.

I first spotted the Special Edition ‘Zelda’ Nintendo 3DS bundle when I was putting together ZDNet’s Ultimate BlackFriday 2011 Guide to Steals and Deals last week, but I did not want to confirm until I got the official word from Nintendo. Of course, eagle-eyed ToyBox readers already saw this little gem buried in the GameStop and Best Buy flyers I linked to in my post.

Image from Black Friday 2011's Best Buy ad.

It looks like Kotaku’s sources at Best Buy has just confirmed the limited edition box set is coming to America after all. When the gorgeous gold-on-black 3DS was announced for just the European market last week (due for release on November 25 no less), many gamers in the U. S. were miffed that they were being left out of yet another piece of Nintendo history. (Let’s not even get into all the cool prizes Japanese Club Nintendo members get to win over there.)

As part of Nintendo’s year-long celebration of the Zelda franchise’s 25th anniversary, this 3DS bundle features the handheld console decked with the iconic Zelda trimmings, as well as a copy of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time for the 3DS. (There is also a separate Nintendo Wii bundle featuring a gold Wii-mote for $69.99 that is launching this weekend.)

GameStop is offering the set for $199.99 or a reduced price if you’re willing to trade-in your previous-gen DS (between $99.99 and $129.99), while Best Buy will just charge you a flat rate of $179.99. Considering the stand-alone 3DS is already $169, an extra $10 for a box set that includes a game that is worth $40 is quite a good deal.

At the moment, all signs are pointing to this 3DS bundle debuting in America on Black Friday, which is exactly a week from today. Unless I hear otherwise from Nintendo America, I know where I’ll be lining up to work off my turkey dinner next week. What about you?

[Source: Kotaku via The Verge, Black Friday 2011]

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Gloria Sin is a freelance journalist based in New York City.

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