“Let’s start with a fun fact about Black Friday,” says NCRA Technology Committee Chair Suzanne Trimble, RPR, CRR. “In the United Arab Emirates, they refer to it as ‘Yellow Friday,’ while in Wales, it’s called ‘Dydd Gwener y Gwario Gwirion,’ which translates to ‘Silly Spending Friday.’”
Whether the spending is silly or not, if you’re looking for a deal, the Technology Committee has done some digging for you.
COMPUTERS
Trimble notes that, if you are looking for a computer, you don’t need to wait. Most manufacturers already have their Black Friday deals on their websites. Here are a few of the most popular brands:
Lenovo – https://www.lenovo.com/us/en/d/deals/doorbusters/?IPromoID=LEN944203
ASUS – https://www.asus.com/us/site/BlackFriday-CyberMonday-Sale/
Dell – https://www.dell.com/en-us/shop/black-friday-deals
HP – https://www.hp.com/us-en/shop/slp/black-friday-sale
Microsoft – https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/store/b/black-friday
(Don’t know what to buy? A May 2022 JCR article, Computer recommendations for CAT software, walked members through the steps of what to consider to pick a computer that works with your software.)
SOFTWARE
Speaking of software, Tech Committee member Debbie Kriegshauser, FAPR, RMR, CRR, CRC, CLVS, notes that Advantage Software is running a deal on Eclipse and AccuCap software as well as a laptop, which they configure specifically for reporters. “I have purchased several computers from Advantage Software and have been very pleased every time, especially when they load all the user files and the dictionary onto it for me and test everything out,” says Kriegshauser. “I receive it and go right to work!”
Stenograph is offering deals on several steno machines throughout the month.
OFFICE EQUIPMENT
Kriegshauser also suggested that Office Depot has “great deals on office chairs as well as desks, many $100 off. If you bundle a chair with a desk, you could save up to $500. They also have great deals on printers. I’ve purchased several printers from Office Depot and have been satisfied.” [Ed. Note: NCRA members can get discounts with ODP Business Solutions, including Office Depot, through the NCRA Saving Center; be sure to sign up!)
Cindy Tachell, RPR, CRR, another NCRA Technology Committee member, suggested the “Insignia Universal 90W Laptop Charger; it also comes with a USB-C adapter. It’s perfect for an extra charger in a reporter’s briefcase.” This deal is through Best Buy: Insignia Universal 90W Laptop Charger Black NS-PWLC591.
Another Tachell recommendation is the Hyper HyperDrive Next 10 Port USB C Hub, 4K HDMI, Ethernet, 2 USB C, 2 USB A, microSD/SD, travel dock for MacBook/PC Midnight Blue HD4005GL, also available at Best Buy. “Hopefully this hub has every port that a reporter could want.”
For all those laptops and accoutrements, you might need a commuter backpack to carry them in. Tachell recommended two: The SWISSGEAR Bloom Laptop Backpack in Purple (available directly through the company) and the Samsonite Elevation Plus Backpack – Recyclex® RPET Body Fabric With Quick-Access Stash Pocket – Expands 1.5inches – AirTag™ Holder – Laptop Pouch – Cypress Green: Electronics (from Amazon.com).
A LITTLE OF THIS AND THAT
Another Tech Committee member, Merilee S. Johnson RDR, CRR, CRC, said: “The newest trend in tech that I’m seeing is the Stream Deck, which is a small screen remote and you can customize each key to quickly access apps and platforms. It’s designed for creators but is a fun gadget.”
Johnson also suggested the Shokz headphones, saying, “These are cool because they’re not earbuds and rest over your ears.”
One last cool buy – this one from NCRA Director Lynette Mueller, FAPR, RDR, CRR, who serves as the Board liaison for the Technology Committee: “I thought this was a great deal for reporters in areas where traditional access is limited. We have Starlink for when we travel, and it works great!”
*By using these and other Amazon links provided in this article, NCRA is eligible to make a small commission to help further our cause.
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