How To Make The Most Of Apple’s Black Friday Sale

If you’ve got someone on your shopping list that’s hoping to find a shiny new iPhone, iPad or MacBook in their stocking, pay attention: Apple has announced a one-day Black Friday sale on some of its hottest products.

Now, don’t get too excited. Apple hasn’t announced specific sale prices yet, but chances are good that these aren’t the “doorbuster” sale prices you’ll see on Friday at some of your local retail stores. When Apple’s run Black Friday sales in the past, the discounts have been relatively modest: In 2011, the sale prices included $11 off a $118 iPod nano; $41 off a $458 iPad 2; $101 off an $898 MacBook Air; and and $101 off a $1098 iMac.

Still, saving 10% on a thousand-dollar computer is nothing to scoff at –and since Apple’s offering free shipping for online orders, you won’t even need to leave the comfort of your home.

To get in on the action, you either must shop at the Apple Online Store  after midnight PST on Friday, November 23, or visit an Apple Retail Store near you. Most locations will be opening early and closing late, so check your with your local stores for details. The sales end at close of business on Friday — or 11:59 PST if you’re shopping online.

But if you’re really looking for big savings on an Apple product, your best bet may be to hit the big box stores.

Best Buy is offering discounts on Apple products that include $40-60 off the iPad and iPad 2; $10 off the AppleTV; $175 off a 13.3″ 4GB MacBook Air; and $165 off a 13.3″ 4GB MacBook Pro. They’re also selling $100 pre-paid iTunes cards for just $80 –and offering a free $50 Best Buy Gift Card with your purchase of a 32GB iPod Touch.

Wal-Mart Stores will offer a deal where if you buy the 16GB WiFi iPad 2 for $399, you get a free $75 Wal-Mart gift card with your purchase. The store will also be selling the 16GB iPod Touch for $195, but that’s only a $4 savings.

Target will be serving up $20 gift cards if you buy a 16GB iPod Nano; $40 gift cards if you buy a 16GB iPod Touch; $60 gift cards if you buy any iPad; and $100 gift cards if you buy a iPhone 4 or 4S for Virgin Mobile.

If you prefer shopping online, Amazon.com collects a variety of discounts on Apple products from different sellers, and the company is running short term “Lightning Deals” on all kinds of products.

You can now pre-order my book, Of Dice and Men: The Story of Dungeons & Dragons and The People Who Play It, or follow me on Twitter, Facebook and Google +.

Catherine Oxenberg Jennifer Connelly