-
Website
http://consumerismcommentary.com/ -
Original page
http://www.consumerismcommentary.com/2006/10/24/circuit-city-wouldnt-allow-me-buy-the-computer-i-wanted/ -
Subscribe
All Comments -
Community
-
-
Top Commenters
-
Popular Threads
Kensington has a pretty nice one that is a USB numeric pad/calculator.
17" (1680x1050) display
2.33 core 2 duo
2gb RAM
160gb drive (faster 100gb drive for $100 less)
$2800 - $2700 with small, quick drive
Now that it's out, I've got to decide if I'm actually going to buy it. That's how it always works. I have these grand plans to purchase things, but when it comes time to do so, it's hard for me to pull the trigger...
In 2004, I went to Best Buy to buy one of the first 64bit laptops. I found the right laptop at the right price and it even had a $200 rebate.
I asked the sales clerk for the laptop but before he would give me the laptop he asked if I wanted an extended warranty.
"No" I said.
"How about joining BestBuy poing club?" he asked.
"No, I just want the laptop and go" I replied.
"You'll need anti-virus for your laptop" he says as he reached for a box of McAfee.
"I don't need that I just want the laptop" I said.
"Do you have high speed internet?" he asked.
"I just want the laptop, can I speak to a manager" I responded with agitated voice.
"Sir, there are some serious legal issues if I don't tell you about these things" he whimpered.
Manager comes over.
"I just want to buy this laptop and nothing else" I said to him.
"He's just doing his job telling you about some great products that you might need with your laptop" manager says.
"Can you ring me up?" I ask with menacing grin.
"Sure" manager takes laptop and scans it.
Needless to say that I have yet to step in a Best Buy now for two years and I won't for at least another 3. They are on my five year ban list of companies that I boycott for horrible service.
The education discount brings that 17-incher down to $2,599. Thrown in an $80 copy of Parallels software, and you can run windows in a virtual machine simultaneously. Which allows you to run quicken and other select apps when you want without any risk of you computer dying on you due to spyware, virus, or windows developing it's own crashing problems.
An important factor to consider when buying a laptop is the service behind it. Especially if you are not technically inclinded and even if you are technically inclined. We all know what the brand name reputations are and I all can say is that the support I've received from Sager and Discount Laptops has been equal if not better than that.
I'd also like not to *pay* for software, which I may or may not have done since (or before) registering WWIV for $25 in 1991.
I've been waiting for the Core 2 Duo to be available in the MacBook. Now I'm just trying to figure out what configuration to get!
Decided to throw it in the trash bought a Dell great system, latest technology on it, tough and service i have received is excellent.
Last year I ordered a laptop from Lenovo (formerly IBM) and went the custom configuration route. They also offer pre-packaged configurations (like what you find in a store) for those who are in a hurry. There's usually an online deal going, too. Sometimes pre-packaged is more economical but only if one meets your exact requirements. My stuff arrived in about 3 weeks.
I've been totally impressed with Lenovo's service, and have taken full advantage of the warranty to learn more about the OS. They partner with local hardware companies for service, and their partner replaced my sticky CD/DVD drive with no hassles (other than leaving it for a week).
You can also look at Amazon. the dv9040 you mentioned is 1699 before rebate. 1524 after. No tax, no shipping.
Right now can get a Dell e1705 w/core 2 duo @ 2gig, 2gig ram, 120gb hd, 8x cd/dvd writer, integrated wireless & bluetooth, 17" wuxga, upgraded 80w battery for $1312
Add an external keypad for 10 key and you're set for well under budget. Don't compromise on the resolution - if you're going 17" you'll want WUXGA on the monitor. WXGA is marginal for 15" IMHO, and unaccaptable at 17"
Different people have different needs. You even say so yourself. If I don't compromise on WUXGA resolution, it can easiy cost that much.
I don't write about saving every possible penny like you might see on other personal finance blogs because that's not my philosophy...
I completely understand not pinching every penny. Quality gear is worth paying for, but you shouldn't overpay either.
I'll check up on the Dell -- I didn't look at their website in the last few weeks after originally seeing their prices were much higher than anyone else's. The number pad isn't the deciding factor, I'm looking mainly at the RAM, processor to an extent, and resolution.
All right, I just checked. Configured similarly to the HP (ie., using quality parts like NVIDIA rather than ATI Mobility, 2GB DDR SDRAM at 667 MHz instead of 1GB at 500 MHz), it's several hundred dollars more than the HP. The price difference is probably due to Dell's WUXGA vs. HP's WSXGA+.
I prefer the quality parts because I'm already familiar with the problems with ATI Mobility and I do want the computer to last five years.
I'll wait. I would have liked to have one before leaving for California over Thanksgiving. I'm not going to pay $2,500... $1,500 to $2,000 should get me the system I want, but I just might have to wait a few more weeks.
My company offers a small discount for Dell products, but ebates has similar discounts for HP and other manufacturers and retailers...