Six clicks: Best Black Friday deals in tech
Dell Inspiron 15 laptop
Dell's Black Friday advert reveals that the company is planning to offer PCs at discounted rates. Included within the tech giant's offerings is the Inspiron 15 laptop for $189.99. It isn't the most powerful machine on the planet -- sporting 4GB RAM, Intel Celeron processors and a 500GB hard drive -- but runs Windows 8.1 on the operating system and comes with a 15.1-inch screen. For those seeking a budget laptop to replace an old machine or as a gift for a student, this could be the deal for you.
More Black Friday 2014
- CNET Holiday Gift Guide
- Best Buy deals include $780 MacBook Air
- Target ad leak shows iPad deals that include free gift cards
- Sam's Club deals include $100 off original iPad Air
- Walmart drops original iPad mini price to $199
- Staples: $239 iPad mini 2, $99.99 Asus Windows laptop
- Office Depot & OfficeMax: sub-$200 Windows laptops
- Dell: Sub-$200 Windows 8.1 tablet, laptop, desktop deals
Apple products
Apple often surfaces in the Black Friday and Cyber Monday rushes, and this year is no exception. The iPad mini 2 and MacBook Air are both on offer this year, which not only could suit someone looking for their first tablet, but business users who need a lightweight, powerful laptop for travel.
The iPad mini 2 will be on offer at Staples for $239. In addition, Apple's MacBook Air will be on sale, courtesy of Best Buy. While the range is on offer, the best bargains are the basic 11-inch version for $779.99 -- $120 off -- and the non-retina display MacBook Pro, which comes in at $899.00.
More Black Friday 2014
- CNET Holiday Gift Guide
- Best Buy deals include $780 MacBook Air
- Target ad leak shows iPad deals that include free gift cards
- Sam's Club deals include $100 off original iPad Air
- Walmart drops original iPad mini price to $199
- Staples: $239 iPad mini 2, $99.99 Asus Windows laptop
- Office Depot & OfficeMax: sub-$200 Windows laptops
- Dell: Sub-$200 Windows 8.1 tablet, laptop, desktop deals
Bargain tablets
Bargain tablets can not only make great Christmas gifts, but can also be useful for students and as a basic workplace tool. We're likely to see many different offers this year as the market becomes congested, but some of the top picks and cheapest we know of thanks to advert leaks include a Walmart selection for under $100. In particular, the Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 Lite, on offer for $99, is a robust 7-inch tablet suitable for basic requirements with a 1.2GHz processor, 8GB storage and a 2MP camera.
Walmart is also offering the Misfit activity tracker for $24.
More Black Friday 2014
- CNET Holiday Gift Guide
- Best Buy deals include $780 MacBook Air
- Target ad leak shows iPad deals that include free gift cards
- Sam's Club deals include $100 off original iPad Air
- Walmart drops original iPad mini price to $199
- Staples: $239 iPad mini 2, $99.99 Asus Windows laptop
- Office Depot & OfficeMax: sub-$200 Windows laptops
- Dell: Sub-$200 Windows 8.1 tablet, laptop, desktop deals
Smartphones on a budget
Microsoft, beyond a number of Xbox deals potentially launched to combat rival Sony's popular PlayStation 4, will be offering the Nokia Lumia 635 smartphone free with an AT&T contract. The Lumia model is equipped with a 4.5-inch display, 5MP camera, 8GB storage and runs on the Windows Phone operating system.
See also: AT&T Nokia Lumia 635: Easy to recommend for just $100
More Black Friday 2014
- CNET Holiday Gift Guide
- Best Buy deals include $780 MacBook Air
- Target ad leak shows iPad deals that include free gift cards
- Sam's Club deals include $100 off original iPad Air
- Walmart drops original iPad mini price to $199
- Staples: $239 iPad mini 2, $99.99 Asus Windows laptop
- Office Depot & OfficeMax: sub-$200 Windows laptops
- Dell: Sub-$200 Windows 8.1 tablet, laptop, desktop deals
Canon EOS Rebel T5 DSLR
Sears is offering the Canon EOS Rebel T5, a decent DSLR for $399, a saving of $150. While there's nothing particularly notable about this camera -- most DSLRs in this price range are pretty much the same -- the camera does the job and can be improved with a decent lens. However, for entry-level users and individuals with an interest in photography, this isn't a bad camera to invest in.
More Black Friday 2014
- CNET Holiday Gift Guide
- Best Buy deals include $780 MacBook Air
- Target ad leak shows iPad deals that include free gift cards
- Sam's Club deals include $100 off original iPad Air
- Walmart drops original iPad mini price to $199
- Staples: $239 iPad mini 2, $99.99 Asus Windows laptop
- Office Depot & OfficeMax: sub-$200 Windows laptops
- Dell: Sub-$200 Windows 8.1 tablet, laptop, desktop deals
Tech freebies
Verizon, in partnership with companies including Apple, Amazon and Pandora, is offering wireless customers -- beyond Verizon subscribers -- free gifts ahead of Thanksgiving, and just before the shopping rush starts.
Handed out on November 26, dubbed "Connection Day," you can pick up a range of free and discounted items including:
- 10 free songs and apps from Amazon
- Two free audio books from Audible, or $10 credit
- Free airport Wi-Fi from Boingo, in-flight Wi-Fi from Gogo Technologies and JetBlue
- Access to television shows and movies through Verizon's FiOS app
- Digital downloads of 17 Conde Nast publications, including Vanity Fair, Vogue and Wired
- Free trial of premium music subscription service Pandora One
- Special offers on iTunes
- Verizon Wireless "More Everything" customers: a one-time gift of 1GB in data, and another 1GB on their next billing cycle.
More Black Friday 2014
- CNET Holiday Gift Guide
- Best Buy deals include $780 MacBook Air
- Target ad leak shows iPad deals that include free gift cards
- Sam's Club deals include $100 off original iPad Air
- Walmart drops original iPad mini price to $199
- Staples: $239 iPad mini 2, $99.99 Asus Windows laptop
- Office Depot & OfficeMax: sub-$200 Windows laptops
- Dell: Sub-$200 Windows 8.1 tablet, laptop, desktop deals
- Best Buy Black Friday 2014 laptop, desktop deals include $780 Apple MacBook Air
- Staples Black Friday 2014 deals include $239 Apple iPad mini 2, $99.99 Asus Windows laptop
- Walmart drops original Apple iPad mini price to $199 for Black Friday 2014