computer deals, end of year 2009

[haven]

Post end-of-year technology deals here!

As always, retailers are lowering prices on technology items to boost
sales at the end of the year. Many of the sales are one-day-only, with
limited stock, and sometimes are not available online.

Here's an example: Target has a $199 deal on an attractive Acer netbook,
The sale starts Sunday, 11/22/2009 when the stores open.

[EDIT: SOLD OUT AT MOST STORES NOW]

Acer AOD250-1165
available in-store only, $199

Intel Atom N270 1.60 GHz processor
Intel 945GSE Express chipset
Intel GMA 950 graphics
1 GB RAM
160 GB 5400 rpm hard drive
10.1 inch 1024 x 600 display
3 cell battery (about 3 hours runtime)
Windows XP SP3 OS

includes
3 USB ports
10/100 Mb wired LAN
802.11 B/G wireless LAN
built-in webcam
VGA video out port
multi-gesture touchpad
protective zippered neoprene sleeve

dimensions 10.2 x 7.2 x 1 inch
weight 2.4 lbs

Reviews of this model
http://www.laptopmag.com/review/laptops/acer-aspire-one-aod250.aspx
http://reviews.cnet.com/laptops/acer-aspire-one-d250/4505-3121_7-33676723.html

This computer was state of the art in early 2009. The keyboard is wide
and easy to use for touch typing. The screen shows colors brightly. And
the screen tilts open about 150 degrees, much farther than comparable
Dell or HP models. This makes the netbook easier to use when standing
at a counter (seaside bar in Cabo, anyone?).

Windows XP has proven to be slightly faster, and offers slightly longer
battery life than Windows 7 does, when running on the same hardware.

The 3 hour battery can be limiting. A 6 hour battery is available for $60.

Better netbook deals:
There are rumors of a $150 netbook from OfficeMax on Black Friday
(the day after Thanksgiving), but no confirmation at this writing.

 

[haven]

Gateway 10.1 inch netbook, $230

Here's a Gateway netbook, very similar to the Acer listed above. (The Gateway brand is owned by Acer.) The price is $230 at Best Buy. The $30 extra buys a larger battery, good for at least 6 hours of computing.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Gateway...8130491532&skuId=9605125&st=9605125&cp=1&lp=1

This item is available in Best Buy stores, and can be ordered online today.

 

[haven]

This next deal is an extremely limited, get-up-at-2am-to-get-in-line sort of Black Friday offer: A $450 HP laptop for $197 at Best Buy.

A few details:
Processor: Intel Celeron 900
(a new model, at least twice as fast as the Atom processors in netbooks)
Graphics: Intel 4500M
RAM: 2 GB
Disk: 160 GB, 7200 rpm
Optical Drive: read/write DVD
Display: 15.6" 1366 x 768 resolution
OS: Windows 7 Home Premium

Read the details here:
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/null/9617193.p?id=1218131714579&skuId=9617193

Each Best Buy is supposed to get at least 5 of these laptops. The stores
often give out tickets to purchase the "doorbuster" items offered on Black
Friday to the people in line waiting for the store to open. So if you want one,
get to the store very early.

 

[haven]

If you want to stay home and order a Celeron laptop like the Acer model listed above, Walmart is selling a similarly equipped HP model for $298. It's available online here, starting Friday.
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=13228466

 

[dieselcruiserhead]

I don't have the time to post it but there are some killer tomorrow only deals from Dell, for example a netbook for $189. It was via their email blast a day or two ago...

 

[haven]

WalMart is advertising an intriguing laptop from eMachines (a brand owned by Acer).
Price is $198, in-store only starting Friday AM, quantities limited.

Specifications include:
AMD Athlon 64 Processor TF-20 single core CPU
-- 1.6GHz speed, a 667MHz system bus, and 512KB L2 cache
-- similar to Intel Atom N270
ATI Radeon HD 3200 Graphics
-- shares memory with the CPU
-- supposed to be capable of HD movie playback (hence the HD in the name)
2GB of RAM, 667MHz DDR2 expandable to 4GB
160GB SATA hard drive 5400 rpm
Double-Layer DVD burner
15.6" 1366x768 High-Brightness Display
Windows 7 Home Premium
weighs about 6 lbs.
6 Cell battery lasts about 2.5 hours

eMachines does not have the best reputation for build quality. But
WalMart has a good return policy for computers, allowing you to use
the machine for 15 days before returning it. Most vendors won't give
you a refund if you just open the box. Also, for holiday gift-giving, the
return date is moved to 15 days after Dec 25th. (Ask at the store to make
sure.)

This machine is impressive for less than $200. Just shows what a
volume buyer like WalMart can do to lower prices.

 

[haven]

If you're shopping for a desktop replacement laptop, consider this $400 Toshiba from Best Buy. Again, you have to get in line early for a chance to buy one.

Toshiba Satellite laptop with 16 inch screen
Model: L505-S5984
Intel® Core 2 Duo processor T6500
3GB DDR3 memory
250GB hard drive
DVD±RW drive
16" 1366x768 widescreen
6-cell lithium-ion battery
Windows 7 Home Premium

Toshiba offers this model on its website for $620
http://laptops.toshiba.com/laptops/satellite/L500/L505-S5984

 

[haven]

"tomorrow only deals from Dell, for example a netbook for $189"

Thanks Andre. I also read that Bing.com will be offering cash-back rebates of 15% or 20% on items purchased through the Dell online store on Friday.

Dell sells lots of products that aren't directly related to computing. One item I'm keeping an eye on is the new Canon S90 point and shoot camera. Retail price is $429. Dell is offering it for $399 today. A 20% cash back rebate would make the price $343, or maybe even $320.

Dear Santa, I've been a good boy this year...

 

[haven]

Bing.com Cash Back "Holiday Gold Rush" promotion

Microsoft is promoting its Bing.com web search site by offering cash back on purchases made through Bing. The promotion runs from Thursday, Nov 26 through Weds, December 2, 2009.

To get the Cash Back, you have to
-- create a Windows Live ID with Bing.com,
-- use the ID to log in at the Cash Back home page http://www.bing.com/cashback/
-- choose the store where you want to shop http://discoverbing.com/giftguides/merchants.html?fbid=78K5p4E4ebM
-- the cash back will be available about 60 days after you make the purchase

"Holiday Gold Rush" cash back percentages are available at these popular web sites:

Here are a few merchants participating in the "Holiday Gold Rush":

Newegg 10% cash back, based on the purchase price

Barnes & Noble 14% (I don't know if this will work with the "Nook" e-reader)

WalMart 15%

Dell 20%

HP 20%

Lenovo 20%

Eastbay 25%

eBags.com 30%

 

[VicHanson]

If you don't live near a Big Box store, or don't like standing in line, Buy.com often has some good deals on computers and all kinds of other items, esp. electronics and cameras. They send out 2 or 3 emails a week with their specials, almost all of which have free shipping and no sales tax unless you live in California.

In today's black friday offerings:

HP Pavilion p6157c Desktop, AMD Phenom X4 9650
2.3GHz, 7GB, 750GB, DVD±RW/DVD-RAM, GeForce 9100,
Windows Vista Home Premium - Factory Refurbished
SAVE 50%
FREE BUDGET SHIPPING
Buy.com price: $399.99
List price: $799.99
http://www.buy.com/prod/HP-Pavilion-p6157c-Desktop-Refurbished/q/loc/101/213324060.html?adid=17992

I bought an HP laptop from them about a year ago, refurbished, looked like new and works great! The warranty is only 90 days though.

Vic

 

[VicHanson]

Buy.com specials today:

Acer AOD250-1116 Netbook, Intel Atom N270, 1GB,
160GB, 10.1” WSVGA, Crystal Eye Webcam, 802.11b/g
Wireless LAN, Windows XP Home Edition - Refurbished
http://www.buy.com/prod/acer-aod250-1116-red-netbook-intel-atom-processor-n270-1gb-160gb-10-1/q/loc/101/213323964.html?adid=17580
$239.99

HP Presario CQ60-420US Notebook, Intel Pentium
2GHz, 3072MB, 250GB, 15.6" Display, 8X DVD±R/RW,
Windows Vista Home Premium - Factory Refurbished
http://www.buy.com/prod/hp-presario-cq60-420us-notebook-intel-pentium-t4200-2-00-3072mb-250gb/q/loc/101/213360096.html?adid=17580
$399.99

HP Pavilion G70-460US Notebook, Intel Core 2 Duo,
3072MB, 320GB, 17" Display, 8X DVD±R/RW, Webcam,
Windows Vista Home Premium - Factory Refurbished
http://www.buy.com/prod/hp-pavilion-g70-460us-notebook-intel-core-2-duo-processor-t6500-3072mb/q/loc/101/213360097.html?adid=17580
$499.99

Gateway MD7330u Laptop Intel Pentium T4200 2GHz,
15.6" HD Ultrabright Wide, 3GB, 320GB HDD, Webcam,
HDMI, 802.11 Draft-N, Windows Vista Home Premium
http://www.buy.com/prod/gateway-md7330u-laptop-intel-pentium-t4200-2-0ghz-15-6-hd-ultrabright/q/loc/101/212634346.html?adid=17580
$429.95

All with free shipping.