Need A Deal On An Ultra-Portable Laptop

[pedagogue]

My laptop AND server both just died today....leaving me with NO computer. I am now in the market for an ultra-portable laptop (12.1" <5-6lb) for $1500 or less. I am not opposed to something slightly larger...but it has to be from a major manufacturer (NOT Compaq or HP), have atleast a 2 or 3 yr warranty, and NOT suck. :)

I have poked around FW, Anandtech, Gotapex.com, and Slickdeals.net and haven't found much (that is still valid). I was hoping for a great 4th of july sale. I would LOVE to have a 700m (dell) or Sony Vaio. I know Dell has been running $750 off $1500 deals...but I'm not sure if that is just limited to their standard (bulky) laptops. The toshiba ultra portables are nice too (Satellite I think?)

Any help would be GREATLY appreciated. I haven't been around much in HD lately...though I use to be active when it was Other Bargains a few years ago....so I hope I don't get flamed for requesting some help.

-pedagogue

[hvlien]

If you're in a rush to get a notebook, try using this coupon code B?MMRMGLWPVDFC for the 700m. It's a 35% off code for $999 Inspiron notebooks. I have a 700m and absolutely love it. I hope I helped you out.

[pedagogue]

I can't get that to work. Right now they have a 20% off for it.

It seems that my two options for the 700m:

$300 MIR

OR

20% off

Am I doing this wrong?

Any idea if the $750 off $1500 will be back in the next few weeks?

-pedagogue

[hvlien]

They have their $750 off deals pretty often now. Pretty much every other week or so, but when they do offer the $750 off the $1499 deals, they usually pad the configurations with their 3 year warranty and you can't remove it.

I just tried the code and it works for me. Are you going to the Dell Home or Dell Business? This code works for Dell home. I'm sure you already know this, but the 35% off coupon will override any other discounts that Dell might give you.

Depending on which configuration you decide, the only things I'd recommend upgrading are the hi-capacity battery upgrade ($59) and the standard warranty. It looks like their standard warranty is just 90 days now, so an upgrade to a year for $29 isn't too bad. Memory can be had much cheaper elsewhere and a hard drive upgrade might or might not be worth the money to you depending on how much work you want to do after you get the notebook.

Depending on whether you absolutely need the notebook ASAP or if you're willing to wait, keep an eye on this (http://www.notebookforums.com/forumdisplay.php?f=104) webpage . They post Dell coupons every week. Good luck.

[Thespian68]

[QUOTE=hvlien]They have their $750 off deals pretty often now. Pretty much every other week or so, but when they do offer the $750 off the $1499 deals, they usually pad the configurations with their 3 year warranty and you can't remove it.

I would agree with this comment (re: padding), and that negates a lot of the 750 off coupon. However, if you try a few combinations, and also hop on the deal early, I found sometimes Dell doesnt jack the base prices once the coupon goes into play. It seems there may be a small window once the coupon goes live yet the prices arent hiked up. I was able to score a nicely equipped Inspiron 6000 (1.6 Pentium M, 512 Meg, 40 Gig, Wireless B/G, DVD burner and 3 yr on site) for 850 two weeks ago. I did try out combinations using the 9100 and 700 models, and was able to get similarly decent prices. And a friend has a 700, loves it. The 12.1" screen took a little getting used to he said, but he loves the low weight, and the battery life is quite good.

[Lateralus]

The 700m rules, get 256 MB RAM and then buy a 1 Gig chip fron newegg. :up: Sweet!

[pedagogue]

The 700m rules, get 256 MB RAM and then buy a 1 Gig chip fron newegg. :up: Sweet!

That is exactly what I"m planning on doing.

crucial has a 1 gig stick for $131. I haven't checked newegg yet.

I think I can get the 700m around $1200 after MIR and a $400 off coupon. (I got the 3 year warranty. I usually don't....but after having my compaq die a month or two after my 1 yr warranty was up....I would rather spend the extra 250 or so for the 3 year)

hvlien: I am looking at HD prices now....trying to figure out if the upgrade is worth it. My laptop is mostly for surfing the web. I will have a file server up and running in a bit that will do the heavy lifting and storage.

-pedagogue

[pedagogue]

Inspiron 700m
Intel® Pentium® M Processor 725 (1.60 GHz/400MHz FSB)12.1-in WXGA, Microsoft® Windows® XP Home Unit Price $1,775.00

Dell Home Customers: 35% off select Inspirons over $999! (- $621.25)

Catalog Number: 29
Module Description Show Details
Inspiron 700m Intel® Pentium® M Processor 725 (1.60 GHz/400MHz FSB)12.1-in WXGA
Operating System Microsoft® Windows® XP Home
Memory 256MB DDR SDRAM 1 Dimm (will get 1 gig from newegg/crucial for $120-$130)
Hard Drive 60 GB Hard Drive (Upgraded from the 40GB for $49)
Network Adapters Integrated Network Card
Modem Internal 56K Modem
Adobe Software Adobe® Acrobat® Reader 6.0
CD ROM/DVD ROM 24X CD Burner/DVD Combo Drive
Wireless Networking Card FREE!Intel® PRO/Wireless 2915 Internal Wireless (802.11 a/b/g, 54Mbps)
Office Productivity Software (Pre-Installed) Microsoft Office Basic - Includes Outlook, Word, Excel, ($149.00 Upgrade)
Security Software No Security Subscription
Digital Music Musicmatch® Jukebox Basic
Primary Battery FREE 64MB Dell USB Memory Key w/ 8-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery(65 WHr)
Limited Warranty, Services and Support 3Yr Ltd Warr,At-Home Service,and Tech Support plus Nights and Weekends ($269 Upgrade....this is worth it to me. I never get extended warranties...but I am because of previous problems with laptops)
Dial-Up Internet Access 6 Months America Online Internet Access Included
Digital Imaging or Digital Photography Photo Album™ SE Basic
Miscellaneous Award Winning Service & Support
Financial Software No QuickBooks package selected- Includes limited use trial
Dell Media Experience Dell Media Experience™ with Remote Control

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dell Photo All-In-One Printer 922 Qty 1
Dell Photo All-in-One Printer 922 Unit Price $35.00
SPECIAL OFFER!!!

Sub-total $1,188.75

Shipping & Handling $61.00

Shipping & Handling Discount -$42.00

Tax $71.32

Total Price $1,279.07 (No rebates needed)

Can I find Office 2003 OEM online for less? ($149)

If I remove the 3 year warranty it is $1k...but then it is only 90 days...WTF?!

-pedagogue

[OlsonNet]

If you can wait, Dell typically has their "holy grail" $750 off $1499 coupon that is good on any configuration every 3 months towards the end of their fiscal quarter. The next time that would happen is around July 18-21. There is a good chance it will be back.

[namlook]

HP/Compaq consumer laptops might not be that great but their business models are pretty good. I have an NC4000 and love it. It has a 3 year warranty, a full size keyboard and weighs only 3.5 lbs. Bought it July 2004 with 1.6 Ghz Pentium-M, 1 GB ram, 40 GB 5400 rpm drive, external DVD/CD-RW for $1199. You can attach a second battery to double battery life.

[Lateralus]

I got my 1 Gig stick from Newegg, there were a lot of reviews that said how well this RAM worked with the 700m; and I have to agree.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820155111

If you can wait for the $750.00 coupon go ahead, but get in to the deal early as they tend to raise prices as the sale goes on.

[pedagogue]

*edit*

I was saying that I went with a deal I found on FW...then I clicked on your link...and it was the same RAM...oops. It got good reviews for compatibility with the laptop.

I'll have over a gig of RAM now..which will be great. What is the battery life of your 700? I read a bunch of reviews and people complained about it...2.25-2.50 hours. I'm not sure if that is the standard battery, or the extended life.

-pedagogue

[hvlien]

Using the extended battery life on my 700m gives me roughly 4 hours with wi-fi on and the screen at about 30-40% brightness. I used to get about 5 hours when I first got the notebook, but then I upgraded the hard drive to an 80gb 5400RPM, so I'm thinking it probably effects the battery life a little. The standard battery life gives you about 2 to 2.5 hours, so for me the extended battery was definately worth the extra money.

$150 for Office Basic is a little high though. If you or someone in your household is in school and or is a faculty member, you would technically be permitted to install Office Standard 2003 for Students and Teachers. It also allows to you do 3 installs and it also gives you PowerPoint in addition to Word, Excel and Outlook.

[pedagogue]

That's what I heard. I looked into buying is seperately, and it was quite a bit more expensive if I remember correctly. Eh, I'll see how it goes without powerpoint.