Bean’s Picks: The Best Black Friday Tech Buys
We’ve already told you where to find the deals. Now here are our top picks.
Whether you’re a pro looking for your next upgrade or in search of that perfect gift for a gadget novice, you’ll want to take a look at my selections for the best steals in each gadget category from this year’s Black Friday sales.
Laptops
Asus X205TA 11.6-inch laptop: $99.99 (regularly $249) at Staples
The sub-$100 price makes this portable Asus Windows 8 laptop a perfect pick for either an entry-level or a secondary computer.
Microsoft Surface 2, 32 GB: $299.99 (regularly $449.99) at Best Buy
You’d be hard-pressed to find a better laptop OR full-sized tablet below $299, let alone a device that can actually be either.
Toshiba Satellite S55t 15.6-inch Windows 8 touchscreen laptop with Intel Core i7 processor: $599.99 (regularly $899.99) at Office Depot
A computer with this type of hardware and speed is hardly ever found at a price so low. Power users: Buy, buy, buy!
Tablets
HP Stream 7-inch Windows 8 tablet: $79.99 (regularly $99.99) at Office Depot
Windows is having trouble cracking the tablet market. But at a price this low, there’s no harm in grabbing an HP Stream as a PC companion device.
Apple iPad Air 2: $100 off 16 GB, 64 GB, 128 GB (regular price starting at $499.99) at Best Buy
Grab the best tablet on the market for $100 less. A no-brainer if you need an iPad.
Polaroid 9-inch dual core Android KitKat tablet: $59.99 (regularly $99.99) at Toys ‘R’ Us
An ultra-low-priced Android tablet that offers fair hardware performance and access to Google’s entire Play app store.
Smartphones
LG G3 and LG G Watch package: FREE with two-year contract (LG G3 regularly $99, LG G Watch regularly $229) at RadioShack
Simple: There is just a whole lot of free going on here.
Apple iPhone 6: $99 with two-year contract (regularly $199) at Sam’s Club
This is the lowest price you’ll find on Apple’s iPhone 6 smartphone. Until the iPhone 7 is released, that is.
Samsung Galaxy S5: FREE with two-year contract (regularly $200) at RadioShack
“Free” is the best price you’ll find for the most popular Android smartphone on the market.
Gaming
Xbox One 500 GB console bundle with Assassin’s Creed Unity and Black Flag: $329.99 + $50 Target gift card (regularly $399.99) at Target
You can argue that the PlayStation 4 is the better gaming console, but this Xbox One bundle is still the best bargain of the season.
Wii U with Skylanders SWAP Force game: $199 with Toys ‘R’ Us loyalty card (regularly $299) at Toys ‘R’ Us
Fans of Mario and the gang will, one way or another, eventually find their way to the latest Nintendo gaming console. At this sub-$200 price, I say the time is probably right.
Headphones
LG Tone PRO stereo Bluetooth headset: $49.99 ($79.99) at RadioShack
This Bluetooth headset by LG is super well-rated, and that’s before considering the $30 discount.
Beats by Dre Wireless Headphones: $149 (regularly $279) at Walmart
Because you want to be like LeBron James but don’t have his wallet. So grab these highly rated wireless Beats at more than $100 off the regular price.
JBL in-ear headphones with mic: $14.99 (regularly $29.99) at RadioShack
Grab a pair of quality, brand-name earbuds at the off-name, buy-a-new-pair-every-month price.
Living room
Panasonic 50-inch 1080p HD LED TV: $199.99 (regularly $499.99) at Best Buy
This deal is so crazy that people are already lining up for it. Enough said.
Auvio Bluetooth sound bar with built-in subwoofer: $49.99 (regularly $99.99) at RadioShack
Connect this sound bar to your home entertainment system, and also send music to it wirelessly from your phone, tablet, or computer, all for under $50.
Amazon Fire TV: $74.99 (regularly $99.99) at Best Buy
One of today’s most capable streaming TV boxes/gaming systems can be yours at a 25 percent discount. Good deal.
Toys/kids’ gadgets
RC drone with video camera: $34.99 (regularly $69.99) at RadioShack
Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 7-inch Kids Tablet: $129.99 (regularly $229.99) at Toys ‘R’ Us
Samsung’s Galaxy tablet runs a kid-first software interface and comes in a durable rubber casing, making it perfect fun for them and perfectly carefree for you. Get it here at $100 off.
Razor eSpark electric scooter: $89.99 (regularly $179.99) at Toys ‘R’ Us
At a 50 percent discount, the exciting Razor eSpark will put smiles on both you and your youngster’s faces.
Have questions, comments, or just want to tell me something funny? Email me at danbean@yahoo-inc.com.
