stationchief

That be my southern twang kickin' in. DOH! I did it again, didn't I?

74 days, or 1797 hours, or 107,827 minutes, or 6,469,710 seconds 'til Black Friday! Can I get a WOOT! WOOT! in the house?!

That's almost funny!

Ahem. That's a netbook, not a laptop. Sheesh! I got a lotta work to do to teach these people.

I noticed that as well. And that's the one I want the most.

Heh! I'll be sure to squeeze that in there somehow. I can see the techs at Best Buy shakin' their heads as the consumer argues 'But I don't want a notebook! I said I want a LAPTOP!!'

I noticed that as well. All the 2009 items vanished and now are just placeholders for the future 2010 items. In the past they gave us a one-page listing of all the past items. I'm sure all the 2009 items are archived somewhere. Brad knows where.

That's the same one that was mentioned earlier, and the one we're talkin' about avoiding. OK, if anyone's considerin' one of these uber-cheap mini netbooks that range around the $98 price tag, please read the specs very carefully. A few key features that should tip ya off about it are the 'Windows CE' OS (it will not run standard Windows programs), ARM processor (again, a processor that's designed for cellphones and PDAs and not for programs you'd find on your desktop/laptop), 4 GB Flash Memory (this is not memory as in terms of computer memory, this is flash memory used in place of a hard drive for storin' software), and 64-128 MB RAM (ever try to do anythin' on a PC with that little memory?) just to name a few. These will not run standard Windows programs (most don't let'cha install your own software anyways), or run Flash or Shockwave online content (no online gaming, but there is a lite version that allows ya to view some YouTube content) among other issues. Now, if you're lookin' for a netbook that can do all that, look for ones with either Windows XP/Windows 7 Starter/Linux as it's OS, at least 1 GB of memory, an Atom processor, and maybe a brand name you've heard of before. Those are the ones that've been bouncin' around the $200-300 price tag recently. But don't worry. I'm pretty certain they'll drop way down for BF. I'm not sayin' those mini netbooks are completely worthless. Just don't want anyone suddenly surprised when ya find out ya can't do anythin' with it that ya wanted it to do. Ya get what'cha pay for. At least, until BF. Hmm. Maybe I should write up a guide to all these mini-netbooks, netbooks, laptops, and desktops that're gonna be commin' out. Just a lil' somethin' to help everyone decide what's best. Might be a good idea.

Sometimes just the fun of campin' out and the excitement of the lines once ya get inside makes it all worth it. Also gotta think about just how badly ya need that laptop or HDTV. I've heard stories around the net of fist fights over the last video game system or the last laptop, but most stores in my area have security and prevent things from gettin' that heated. But goin' to BF sales pregnant might be a whole different story altogether. Guess it all depend if some of the sales you'll find out about are gonna make it worth it to you and if you're prepared enough for it. Oh, and ya misspelled the word 'the' in your thread title. Yes, I'm very nit-picky.

For a starter netbook, it's OK. It can browse simple web pages and email, and that's about it. But ya mentioned wantin' your DD to play games on nick.com (Nick Arcade/Nick Jr). I noticed they require both Adobe Shockwave and Flash to play those games. The $98 netbook with Windows CE is iffy, at best, to be able to play Flash or Shockwave content. Ya might be able to find a lite version of those Adobe plugins, but she still might not be able to play games on that site. Think of browsin' web sites on Window CE netbooks like tryin' to browse usin' a cellphone web browser. It'd be pretty stripped down. Not to mention ya won't be able to install your own programs like educational software and kids games. Just tryin' to let'cha know what you're in for with that mini netbook, Ya get what'cha pay for.

All depends what'cha gonna use it for. If ya need somethin' to play online games on or want to install your own software on it, then I suggest ya wait 'till the better netbooks become cheaper.

There's usually Cyber Monday after the BF weekend. Most major chains have christmas sales and specials. But as far as electronics and hot gadgets, I don't think ya can beat the BF deals.

Definitely more, since I didn't spend squat last year. I'll actually be spendin' more at this year's BF than any other BF I've been to.

Not unless the educational games are played via the internet without any sort of Flash content required. Although it does come with some sort of Office type program to write with. Your best bet would probably be to get a regular netbook (one with an Atom processor and Windows XP or 7 starter). They usually run about twice as much as the $99 cheapo's, but they're more worth it. That way the dd can do homework, educational games, and even use the webcam to yap with friends on most models.

On the regular netbooks (Window XP/7 starter) you sure can. I'd actually recommend OpenOffice as it's less resource hungry. As for the mini netbooks (Windows CE/Google/Android OS) the answer is no. Perhaps Google docs as it's internet based, but ya can't install any software on those.

Is the BF GD site still cellphone browser compatible? Could maybe use that.

Is Brad playing? I think he forgot to vote.

I say Ace Hardware. Kmart might get in early, but those other three ya mentioned in the poll are usually among the last ads to be found.

Just thought I'd chime in one more time here. Folks, make ABSOLUTELY sure the item ya wanna price match in the ad matches the item ya wanna price match it with, includin' the exact model number. Walmart and Best Buy are notorious for havin' HP/Compaq laptops and other HDTVs in their ads that have model numbers that end in either 'wm' fo WalMart or 'b' for BB. Those you won't be able to PM anywhere because the model numbers won't match up. If it doesn't state any store specific model number, you're good.

Good to hear soo many people have been able to take advantage of PM-ing and avoidin' all the line headaches. But, then again, what's fun about BF if ya don't camp out overnite? We'll have to see exactly what the corporate dudes/dudettes at Walmart do this year. From what I understand everyone's been tryin' to cut down on the PM-ing for BF. Whether they allow it or not may have more to do with your specific store and the management there. But, as I said before, don't expect too many cheap laptops or cheap HDTVs unless you're a line camper. Stores are tricky to make sure ya can't get the hot items by PM. BTW ... just outta curiosity, does anyone know if Walmart allows PM-ing of BF items found online?

Don't like the shuffle or nano. They make a nice overpriced MP3 player, but I'd rather have the touch so I can use it for more than just music.

If I remember correctly from previous years, they usually keep the same prices out the door but they either throw in a gift card of a handful of games/accessories with it. Superbuldles are common and very likely. But I sure hope ya bring your campin' gear.

Anybody got the instructions for this? Perhaps a link to last year's?

Keep in mind there are major differences with name brand netbooks that usually run $200-300 and these 'pocket organizers', as I affectionately call 'em, with a generic name that run $100 or less. The cheap mini netbooks with either Windows CE (the one from 6th Avenue Electronics) or Google OS will have wifi and will get'cha on the net and email, but don't expect to do anythin' with Adobe Flash (Youtube, online games, etc), install any programs, nor use a webcam/mic. Only full blown netbooks will allow ya to do all that. But the popularity of these mini netbooks for around $100 leads me to believe may see one or two as a doorbuster for even cheaper. It'll be interesting to see just how low these things can go.

I can just imagine ... "If y'all can run 'n tell this, I don and got yo doorbuster!"