Customization coming to Canada

I just wanted to pass some news along to the users of this forum.

Recently I have been in contact with a Lenovo Rep in Canada and asked him about customization. Apparently the customization option will be launched on Nov. 19th, 2007 and they are currently training on the use of the new system.

I figure some of you might find this information useful.

Greg

 

Damn, that would be awesome news. Awesome...I would consider getting one in the summer .

 

This is definitely great news and a smart move on Lenovo's part. I hope they take this opportunity to get their prices in line with the current exchange rate.

 

Awesome! Definitely boosts the likelihood that I would buy a Lenovo instead of a Dell. Configuration is Dell's main strongpoint.

Now, if only they got some stores to carry Lenovo's. In Atlantic Canda, there are no stores at all that have Lenovo's on display, and Lenovo's are so rare I have never seen one anywhere. The stores listed on Lenovo's website are either out-of-business, or have no stores or no stock. Kinda makes it hard to decide whether I could see myself carrying a T61 instead of a Vostro. Lenovo should make a deal with Staples Canada or Future Shop before Dell does.

Fuzzy

 

Staples in Calgary was carrying Lenovos for a while...I imagine all of the Staples out West were carrying them at least. That was actually the first time I had seen a Lenovo product in the flesh. Staples only had the z60t and z60m. I ended up buying the z60t direct from Lenovo in the USA though because it was cheaper. The staples computer nerd was terrible though...

Staples guy: The only thing about these Lenovos is that they are built by the Chinese government.
Me: What are you talking about? Lenovo is a Chinese company that recently purchased IBM.
Staples guy: ...well in any case, you will definitely want to purchase a service plan for it.
Me: But it already comes with a 3-year warranty from the manufacturer!
Staples guy: ......
Me: (walking out of Staples)

PS: That dialogue is not an exageration.

 

Lenovo did not purchase IBM. They were making ThinkPads before they bought the division from IBM.
It's a funny dialog though .

 

Whoops that was an error in my writing...I meant to say that Lenovo purchased the PC division, not the whole of IBM lol.

I couldn't believe the ignorance in his statement that Lenovo PCs are made by the Chinese government. What a clown...

 

Isnt the CEO of Lenovo some white guy now? Lenovo started out as a Chinese small company that expanded into what it is today. Other than some shareholders, most of it is based in US now I believe.

It's great that they will offer customization, but what about the price? Will it be comparable to the US?

 

Apparently the prices will not be in line with the US prices because of differences in obtaining the computers between the two markets. Sounds like some fancy BSing to me. They did lower the prices of the computers listed on their main page by $50 bucks. Doesn't make a huge difference, but a step in the right direction.

 

This is awesome news! I've been waiting for months for this to rumor to finally come true.

The Chinese government owns about 30% of Lenovo through a holding company which makes them the largest shareholder. So in effect you can say the company is controlled by the Chinese government. (source: Lenovo Group Investors fact sheet)

 

Wouldn't the government need 51% of the shares to "control" the company?

 

That is true in a theoretical sense, but with large corporations such as Lenovo the largest owner of voting shares controls the company in a practical sense. When you own 30% of a company this size like Chinese government does then you have a very strong control of the company. Bill Gates only owns 10% of Microsoft and it's pretty safe to say he is in control there.

Most corporate raiders only need about 10-20% of a big company to take control of it.

 

Well I stand corrected...I guess the Staples employee was correct with his "disparaging" comment on Lenovo notebooks being manufactured by the Chinese government!

 

OOOoo maybe a new Lenovo with a Red Case and 5 yellow stars with a Audi badge will be available soon 2!!!! lol just kidding.

If the Chinese Gov. ownes 30% then you know Lenovo is not going 2 fail as its got a government for finaicial support.

 

Just an update...

customization is not yet available - but we can confirm that it is definitely coming (IMO anyway!)

There have been some subtle changes made to the website since Monday - such as the 'customize and buy' button. Now there is also customization options when you click that button - such as warranty service upgrades, protection services upgrades, and productivity software - but these options only have one radio button ("none"). Obviously there will shortly be a way to select another option other than "none" along with processor, HDD, and maybe even the ultralight screen for the X61s.

I'm glad to see it is happening

 

I've been lurking around the forums for a while but never needed to register until today.

While browsing the Lenovo website early this morning, I was looking at the 3000 series notebooks and for a brief second I saw the Y series notebooks on the site but no longer there now. I think they were in the process of updating the website.

BUT THEN for maybe 1 or 2 minutes, the Lenovo 3000 series had no pricing (I think they were in the middle of the update). I got my friend to save the item to "cart" to test whether the pricing would change. Surprisingly a minute later, the pricing was update and the Y series notebook sign was removed. My friend still has the Lenovo v200 notebook in her 'saved cart' and it still says $0.00.

So this might sound like the stupiest question ever, but if she actually purchased the notebook online for me, what would happen? Would she be charged the full amount or get away with a $0.00 notebook? Or should I call Lenovo and tell them about the pricing error???