cheapest notebook prices?

[Soundguy]

I'm looking for a cheap. new, notebook computer to use as my 'out of office' go-between for when I'm not at work or home.

I just got a used (very new) ibm thinkpad for my wife, and was impressed at the increased 'productivity' it has allowed her, as she can plop down anywhere and get a little work done...

I've heard rumors of $ 4XX laptops.. do they really exist?

I know if there is a good computer deal out there.. you guys will know about it.

Soundguy

 

[RoyJackson]

Try Tiger Direct.com

Can't say I've seen $400 laptops, but they have had $599 "specials"

 

[jwstewar]

Don't know if they still have the deal going or not, but we got the kids a laptop for Christmas for $359 from MicroCenter. It is an AMD Sempron 1.4 gig, 256 MB RAM, 15" screen, DVD-ROM/CD-RW drive, 40 gig HD, modem, Ethernet, and 4 USB ports. I was a little disappointed that it didn't have wireless built in. But for <$20 a USB dongle will take car of that. The item is originally $699, they had it on sale for $659. There were 2) $100 rebates. Then if you signed up for their credit card because you purchased it the same day they gave you "reward" points for another $100 and since you spent more than $499 you get 6 or 12 months 0% interest. I've played around with it while setting it up for them. Seems to be an OK laptop. I was a little skeptical otherwise I would've had my wife pick me one up too. This still seems like too nice of a laptop for 4 and 5 year olds. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

They don't have an FL locations, but you can buy online from them. MicroCenter

 

[Nasty135]

Hey Soundguy, Since you didn't specify a brand It looks like Dell has some of the best prices going about now and if your patient you can find some discount incentives from time to time in the form of a "promotional offer" which will knock off a few more dollars...really kinda hard to beat. Good Luck & Happy New Year to ALL!!! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Edit: Don't know if your aware but there is a website that collects info about all types of computing and electronics listing them according to your criteria , Its called pricewatch , Check'em out

 

[hunterridgefarm]

Soundguy,
My company just purchase 2 Dell Inspiron 6000's for myself and the salesman that workes for me. I have used mine for about a year and have had no problems. I think the company paid $1500-$1700 for each. They are listed on the Dell sight Nasty135 posted.

 

[Hakim]

Here are several of the best sites for good deals...

http://www.techbargains.com/

http://www.stealdeals.net/

http://www.fatwallet.com/news/

We also like to check http://www.newegg.com

Some really great deals can be had if you spend some time on these sites. I have heard of Dell laptops for as low as $100 after rebates and coupons.

Happy Hunting!

 

[Nasty135]

Hakim, When we buy our components for our own computers we pretty much always buy from Newegg (good prices), But our machines are fairly spunky for the graphics intensive gaming action /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif maybe I'll grow up Oneday!! we can always Hope...

 

[tjkadar]

Don't be afraid to go after refurb laptops too. Dell has some pretty good deals on a refurb and they come with warranties.

 

[EddieWalker]

I'll second Hakim's reckomendation of newegg.com I just bought a Epson picture mate photo printer for Steph's Xmas gift from them. Free shipping and ten dollars cheaper than Sam's club. Fast service, good emails to keep me updated and the best price I could find.

I've had a string of bad luck with anything made by HP and won't give them any more of my business. Dell has been good to me and I'd buy from them again. Gateway seems to be a hit or miss. I've never owned one, but friends have and most wouldn't buy another.

Good luck,
Eddie

 

[riptides]

Most major brands have red tag sales. The HP site is having one now.

HP refurb laptop

In addition, the major box stores may have models that are being discontinued on sale, or units with parts missing. PLUS, you will find PEOPLE support, and extended manufacturer support through a box store. Note too WHO sells at box stores. And if their people show up at those stores. THAT should tell you something.


And in addition to refurbs, HP offers new HP and Compaq notebooks too.

Compaq laptops

Added Compaq link
-Mike Z. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Spencer]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">(
I've heard rumors of $ 4XX laptops.. do they really exist?
Soundguy )</font>

I was in Wal-Mart the other day when they made an announcement over the speaker system. They said they had one HP laptop for $398.

I rushed over there to see what the heck was going on. What had happended was that they had a few of these to sell on the morning after Thanksgiving. One of those promotional items to get everybody to line up for hours in the cold before they opened the doors. Anyway, one person got there early after Thanksgiving and put this HP laptop on layaway. I don't know if they will only hold these things for so long or if the person came back and said they didn't want it, but either way, they decided to announce it for sale over the speaker system. I didn't have long to decide if I wanted it or not because other people started showing up to buy it. I was the first one there so I went ahead and bought it.

HP Pavillion ze2308
Mobile AMD Semprom 2800+ Processor w/ AMD Power Now
1.6Ghz, 128KB l2 Cache
XP Home Edition SP2
256MB 333MHz DDR SDram
40 GB Hard Drive
24x DVD Rom/ CD-RW Combo Drive
54g 802.11b/g WLAN
15" XGA TFT Screen
ATI Radeon Xpress video card
2 USB ports
S-Video Out


It seems like a fine laptop so far. I don't know much about AMD, but for $398 I figured I couldn't go too wrong. I need to send my current laptop in for some warranty work and this will be a back-up to use during that process as well as whenever else it is needed.

Spence

 

[Glenn9643]

Looks to me like you got a deal Spencer!
I've used AMD CPU's for about 10 years now, and always felt they gave more for the $$$.
Hope it gives you good service.

 

[TresCrows]

I have an AMD Athlon 64 Mobile. It is a good unit. This lap top is an Averatec 6200series with movie player, wireless, lot's of USB ports and all that, not a cheapo really but not as expensive as the top shelf stuff, 60G HD but it has more capability in most ways than a pretty nice Dell desk top downstairs. AMD is certainly not a reason not to buy a computer. I saw those 400 dollar deals, your right, they are nice, it was a special to get people in and they only had a very few.Glad you got it. Good luck with it. I love my lap top, that is all I can say, so much nicer than hunkering down in the basement with the big ol' Dell. J

 

[AB4D]

I have the same HP Pavillion ze2308wm as Spence. My wife and I picked up one each at Wal-Mart the day after Thanksgiving, but the price that day was $379.00 /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif. On Ebay people are getting $450.00-$500.00+ for these computers. The computer works great for web browsing. I used to have to go to the basement everytime I wanted to get on the internet, but because the laptop has built in wi-fi capablilty, it connects easily to my wireless router. I can now go anywhere in the house while I'm on the net. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

Jim