The Best of Black Friday 2010   by Jeff Wang

The Best of Black Friday 2010

Black Friday is one of the busiest shopping days of the year. And no wonder: this is the day that retailers start moving full force into the Christmas/holiday season.

Instead of sifting through endless store ads to get to the meaty stuff, have a seat and keep reading as we delve into the biggest deals of 2010.

Clothing

40% Off Everything, 6-10 am (Express)

While Express coupons can be found from time to time, none can match the sheer power of a 40% discount. The caveat: the sale is only from 6 to 10 am.

Computers

Compaq 10.1″ Netbook w/ Intel Atom Processor, 1GB RAM, 160GB HD, Windows 7 Starter – $149 (Best Buy)

A standard netbook for an extra low price, this ultraportable Compaq should be able to handle web browsing and Flash fine, but don’t expect to play World of Warcraft on it.

2TB Western Digital Elements Desktop Hard Drive – $69 (Target)

Target is selling a gargantuan 2 terabyte hard drive (Western Digital) for a mere $69. Or, for the same price, you can opt for the 1 terabyte portable drive, essentially the same internal drive with an enclosure.

Logitech M310 Wireless Optical Mouse – $5 (Office Depot)

Need a cheap mouse for the holidays? Look no further than Office Depot, where you can snag this $20 mouse for only $5 (with a rebate, unfortunately – make sure you fill it out!)

Home

Kenmore White High Efficiency 4.0 cu/ft Front Load Washer and 7.3 cu/ft Dryer – $600 (Sears)

A smoking deal on a washer and dryer combo. Word on the street is that this Kenmore is actually a rebadged Samsung (that’s a good thing). Either way, it’s a 57% discount from the retail price, and while no one wants to brag they bought a washer and dryer on Black Friday, this deal is just too good to pass up. 4 per store (unknown whether that means 4 pairs, or 2 pairs/4 total per store) so get there early.

48-Pack of AA Alkaline Batteries – $6 (Lowes)

Grab an extra-large pack of 48 double A batteries from Lowes and you’ll be set for the next three years.

Werner 4″ Fiberglass Stepladder – $19 (Lowes)

Maybe you didn’t watch Step Up 3D. That’s okay, we didn’t either. But don’t feel left out, because you’ll be stepping-up all day with this Werner stepladder. Only $19 at Lowes.

Electronics

Barnes & Noble Nook WiFi eReader – $99 (Best Buy)

Not a fan of the Kindle, or want some touch control on your eReader? Best Buy is selling the Nook for only $99.

Kindle 2 – $89 (Amazon)

Amazon’s second-generation eReader continues to astound and confound readers looking for the cheapest price. Sold refurbished for $109 several months ago, Amazon’s Black Friday sale will feature the Kindle 2 for $89, making it the lowest-priced device on the block.

8GB iPod Touch 4th Gen with $50 Walmart Gift Card – $225 (Walmart)

The best deal around for the iPod Touch 8GB. You’re buying it for retail price, but with a $50 Walmart gift card thrown in, it’s worth it.

Video Games

Xbox 360 Slim 4GB Console + $50 Target Gift Card – $199 (Target)

Got Kinect but no Xbox? Good thing Target’s around to give you the best deal so far for a 360: a 4GB Xbox for only $199, with a $50 gift card.

Fallout: New Vegas (PS3 or Xbox 360) – $34.99 (Kmart)

Considering that Fallout has been released for a little over a month, we feel that the $34.99 is a small price to pay to explore the post-apocolyptic wasteland known as New Vegas.

Video

Smallville, All Seasons (DVD, each) – $10 (Best Buy)

Life is rough, man. Clark Kent knows. The struggle between alien and human, good and evil, cheap and expensive – is documented on eight seasons worth of Smallville, now on DVD for $10 each at Best Buy.

Emerson 32″ 720p 60Hz LCD HDTV – $198 (Walmart)

Might you be in the market for a cheap bedroom TV? Walmart, as always, has you covered, with this 32″ Emerson LCD. For $198, it’s hard to go wrong.

Westinghouse 40″ 1080p 60Hz LCD HDTV – $298 (Target)

Not to be outdone, Target is one-upping Walmart with a better LCD HDTV for a better price: $298. This one you might actually be able to put in the living room.

About the Author

Jeff Wang is an author, blogger, and occassional karaoke singer. He runs randomlygifted, a website aimed at shoppers looking for unique gift ideas.