EPP Prices! Help me enter the Contest!

Well, I previously posted some prices for IBM thinkpads that people could purchase with my Employee Discount. The catch is that I have to provide my personal information for you to be able to buy the machines. My 'friends' & 'family'. There were a lot of responses but I only felt comfortable giving my information to the first 10 people.

To make a long story short: now IBM (Lenovo) is encouraging me to give infomration to my friends. So much so that they are running a contest. For every $5000 dollars purchased via my employee number I get one entry into a contest to win a Thinkpad myself! (up to 5 entries)

I'm nolonger worried about too many people buying laptops, but I still dont want my IBM ID# and Name plastered all over the internet. Post what you are looking for here, and I can give you the price (you buy directly from IBM with my referral information, I dont get a cut, just the possible contest entry). If you are interested in the price, PM me and I will provide you with my information so you can be my "friend" and buy it.

Here are some examples
----------------------
T43 (2687D4U):
Intel® Pentium® M Processor 750 1.86GHz
Microsoft Windows XP Professional
512MB Ram
40GB 5400RPM EIDE HD
Intel PRO/Wireless 2915ABG
64MB ATI Mobility RADEON x300
15.0" 1400x1050 LCD
CD-RW/DVD-ROM Combo
$1,311.75 + tax & shipping


T42 (2378R4U):
Intel® Pentium® M Processor 725 1.60GHz
Microsoft Windows XP Professional
256MB Ram
40GB 5400RPM EIDE HD
Intel PRO/Wireless 2200BG
32MB ATI Mobility RADEON 7500
14.1" 1024x768
CD-RW/DVD-ROM Combo
$974.25 + tax & shipping


R52 (18496V):
Intel Pentium M processor 740 (1.73GHz)
Microsoft Windows XP Professional
512MB Ram
60GB 4200RPM EIDE HD
Intel PRO/Wireless 2200BG
64MB ATI Mobility RADEON x300
15.0" 1024x768 LCD
CD-RW/DVD-ROM Combo
$1,119.20 + tax & shipping


These are just examples. Ask for different configurations and I will put up prices. Even better if you can ask for the specific Part Number, so there is no confusion.


While there is no obligation to buy, I would prefer that only serious buyers (who really intend to purchase @ the EPP price) PM me for my personal information. Thanks. Hope this helps some of you out.

 

LOL, that's funny, I'm sure you'll make a bunch of "friends" here that are willing to help out so to speak. I'm actually interested in the X41...IBM is going to be sending me a loan unit for a month or so, which is really cool, but I'm curious if this is available yet through EPP...there's a site where media can purchase laptops from IBM for $$$ off but, sadly, no X41 is there.

DigitalCameraReview.com | BargainPDA.com | TabletPCReviewSpot.com

 

x41 (252755U): $1,424.25 + tax & shipping (webprice = $1,899.00)
x41 (25286NU): $1,574.25 (wp = $2,099.00)
x41 (25285FU): $1,611.75 (wp = $2,149.00)
x41 (25256NU): $1,799.25 (wp = $2,399.00)
x41 (25256HU): $2,024.25 (wp = $2,699.00)

Availability is listed as 2-4 weeks however. PM me if interested.

 

Can you post prices of X31 and more T42 plz?

------------------
IBM T22

 

Yes, I can feel your friends lining up now!

Brian

www.BargainPDA.com | www.DigitalCameraReview.com | www.NotebookReview.com | www.SpotStop.com | www.TabletPCReviewSpot.com

 

Does not look like they will ship to Canada due to U.S. Export laws. Sorry someone asked this yesteday and I checked on it. Still want prices for T42s and X31's?

 

Again please post replies to THIS thread for price quotes.
PM me for my information when you see something you want to buy. I know that everyone wants to browse, but I would like to keep *some* control of my personal information.

I have sent information to everyone who has PM'd me so far. If you have not received information but you swear you sent me a message, please send me another one! Im only human and I may have missed it.

And yes, I have a whole slew of new friends...[ ]

 

I m looking for a Tinkpad T43 ( mode does not matter)

14"screen with SXGA+, 512MB DDR2,
40 or 60 GB 5400 rpm HD
1.6 or 1.8 processor
ATI Mobility Radeon X300 w/64MB, CDRW/DVD Combo drive, XP Pro, modem, gb Ethernet, 802.11 a/b/g

can you show me the price

Thank You
vincent

 

Trainee,

Are the T43 and T42 models you listed in stock? I'm hoping to be able to get a laptop and have it in hand within the next 2-3 weeks. Will that be possible?

Also, how much more would the T42 be with 512RAM?

Thanks so much!

 

ThinkPad T43 (IBM Think Express Program)
2687D7U
ThinkPad T43 (IBM Think Express Program)
2687D3U
ThinkPad T43 (IBM Think Express Program)
2687D8U

If I can get a couple hundreds discount from you
I would love to help you enter the contest as soon as possible.

 

@Badmintonboy: The least expensive T43 that meets those specs is the 266849U with the EPP price of $1,266.85 (Webprice = $1,949.00).

@mbagirl: Most of the T42s still available come with a base 256mb of ram. You can add to this, so for example boosting the 2378R4U (listed above at $974.25) to 512mb of ram will add $40 to the price ($1,014.25). Availability is listed as "within 2 weeks", but I cant make any promises. I am a mainframe circuit designer, I dont really have anything to do with the laptops, or shipping them or anything like that. Sounds like you are pretty interested, so PM me and I will send you the info.

 

I'm looking for a Thinkpad T42

processor (1.7 or 1.8Ghz)
14.1" TFT active matrix SXGA+ (1400 x 1050),
512MB RAM
40 or 60 GB 5400 rpm HD
ATI MOBILITY RADEON 9600 w/ 64 MB
CDRW/DVD Combo drive
XP Pro
modem
Gigabit Ethernet
IEEE 802.11 a/b/g

Can you show me the price?
Appreciate!

 

trainee, do they have the 2373M3U, 2687D7U, 2687D3U, 2687D8U, 266872U, 2668G1U or 2373M1U?

phpguru

 

Trainee, could you give me EEP price on those three
I really want to get one as soon as possilbe.
thanks a lot.

ThinkPad T43 (IBM Think Express Program)
2687D7U
ThinkPad T43 (IBM Think Express Program)
2687D3U
ThinkPad T43 (IBM Think Express Program)
2687D8U

 

trainee,

could you provide your price for these two models:

2373-3VU t42 pm 735, 512ram, 80gb harddrive, dvr-r, 14.1" sxga+

1871-C1U t43 pm 750, 512ram, 40gb hd, cd-rw/dvd rom, 14.1" xga


thanks.

 

@Badmintonboy: I already PM'd you the info before your last post. If you dont have it please let me know and I will send it again.

@kevinchen2000: No availability on T42's with those kind of specs. Anything like that is being rolled out to internal customers (aka IBM people) right now. Hopefully my ageing T21 will be replaced within the month. Go for a T43?

@milesm: The configurations you asked for were not available. I have not listed all of the available configurations, but see if any of the ones I have listed interest you and PM me.

Everyone else who has PM'd me so far, should have received info now too.

Here are the prices:

T43 2687D7U = $1,486.65 (wp = $1,749.00)
T43 2687D3U = $1,559.20 (wp = $1,949.00)
T43 2687D8U = $1,656.65 (wp = $1,949.00)
T43 266872U = $1,889.25 (wp = $2,519.00)
T43 2668G1U = $2,474.25 (wp = $3,299.00)
2373M3U = NOT AVAILABLE
2373M1U = NOT AVAILABLE
23733VU = NOT AVAILABLE
1871C1U = NOT AVAILABLE

Yes. Some models have greater discounts than others, but I pulled all of the prices straight from the EPP site.

 

Trainee,

Thanks for the PM, however think you might have missed my return PM.
looking for a price on the 2379R8U.

 

Trainee,

I'm interested in ordering. Just making sure you got my email. Not sure if you'll be around since it is a holiday weekend.

Thanks much...

 

i just bought one off EPP myself... im just hoping u know that u can only buy 20 systems per year with epp right? just letting u know trainee

T43p: Pentium M 770 2.13 ghz, 14.1" SXGA+, 1 gb ddr2 ram, 60 gb @ 7200 rpm, DVD+-R, 128 mb Mobility FireGL V3200, Bluetooth, Fingerprint Reader

 

Hi trainee,

i emailed you a while back when i saw your first post, but i never heard back. i'm a grad student and i really need a new laptop--i've had two laptops die on me in the past 16 months. i'm 100% serious about either buying the ThinkPad T43 (IBM Think Express Program)
2687D3U or ThinkPad T43 (IBM Think Express Program) 2687D8U. Could i PLEASE buy one of these through your discount plan?

maybe i don't know how private messages work. my email is onlytemporary at gmail.com

 

@redrunchoy: Yes I know about the limit, its 25 systems actually, and they may extend that for the contest, not sure yet. We still arent there, so keep those requests coming. If I really need to buy a machine after the limit is reached, I will just ask a coworker to help me out. Thanks for the concern though.

@malverd: weve transfered some emails back and forth now so everything should be fine.

@RazorsEdge: If Ive already sent you the EPP information you should be able to find the price yourself. Im getting a lot of requests, so I hope you understand why Im not going to track this one down myself.

@onlytemporary: Ive lost track of PM's from my old post. I have sent the information to your email now so you should see it soon.

@kenno: info sent.

 

I sent you an e-mail through this site, I am not exactly sure if it is the same as a PM.

I am quite certain that I will purchase a Thinkpad, so your information will definitely be useful.

(I thought it better shield my e-mail address... you never the know what is out there today)

 

@donnay: info sent.

Just so everyone knows, I am not sending information to those who contacted me from the old thread. If you have not recieved info yet, my inbox is clean, so send me another message.

 

trainee, is there any chance of getting discounts on the new X41 tablets coming out in June?

 

I was wondering if you received my email~~

All the best!!

 

Same here... Just want to make sure you got my e-mail. I sent it through this system...

Thanks.

 

Ditto for my email through this system... Thanks

 

OK, this is going to be lengthy....sorry.

Yes, all models are available, but you have to call a Lenovo rep.
I ordered a 2373M3U this week under the same "friends" deal offered by another IBM/Lenovo "pal" on another website.
I got 35% off list.
However, I had to call and talk to a rep to get it, it was not listed on the website under T Series models. All models are available according to the rep I placed my order with.

HOWEVER, I AM FINDING THIS CONTEST "curious" to say the least, and am more than a little puzzled by what they are up to.

What Lenovo did, prior to the contest was lower the effective discounts on most of the models, yet still call them "EPP Pricing". However, gone are the up to 50% discounts that used to exist under the former program.

Now, suddenly, Lenovo is making a carnival out of EPP sales, simply to generate revenue, and giving employees chances to win Thinkpads for these sales.

Why...

My guess is this:
The switchover to Lenovo from IBM perhaps has led to a slight (or a large) lull in sales, and Lenovo is looking at anything to generate more quick revenue.

Why don't they simply lower the web-prices more???

I have no idea, but I can tell you this:

Even though I just got a fantastic deal on a 2373M3U, I feel sort of like I have been had.

Why??
Well, I also responded to a similar offer on another website from an IBM/Lenovo employee, saying that he wanted to "repay everyone on the forum" for everything they had done for him by offering us an EPP purchase.

My feeling is that we will see a LOT of these offers from employees appearing on the web and elsewhere over the next months. My understanding is that the "contest" will last into next year.

Again, I am not sure exactly why Lenovo is doing this, in this manner.

At least Trainee is being up front about the contest, whereas my "blood brother" at IBM/Lenovo was not.
However, I notice that he is virtually brand new on this forum, just as my "pal" was elsewhere. I feel that these IBM/Lenovo "buddies" will be coming out of the woodwork on forums very soon.

Why am I ticked off about getting a great deal?
I still can't tell you.

Bottom line:
When something is too good to be true....

BUYER BEWARE!!!

Andrew
Austin, TX


<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by trainee

2373M3U = NOT AVAILABLE
2373M1U = NOT AVAILABLE
23733VU = NOT AVAILABLE
1871C1U = NOT AVAILABLE
<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'></font id='quote'></blockquote id='quote'>

 

Well, I guess I am just happy (thanks, Trainee!!!!).

I needed a new machine like NOW, as I am about to go on a long trip and my current one is a T21 I got in 2000 that is finally giving up the ghost. Anyway, I am a shareholder and had already ordered a 2668-94U T43 (760M 2M chip, SXGA+, 7200 HDD, Wireless ABG, Bluetooth, 15" Flex Screen etc.) on the SPP. With all the delivery delays with the Lenovo sale, I was not going to get my machine on time.

After Trainee gave me his info, I called to get the ONE T series that was in stock at that moment, which was a low level T42 2378-R4U (only had a 725M 1.6 chip and 1 yr warranty) but which was available for less than $1000 -- even after upgrading the warranty to 3 years and getting Office Small Business, I was in for about $1200 for a new, if slightly less supercharged, T42. I will use if for the trip and give it to my wife when I get the T43 after I return.

Not only that, but the EPP rep saw that I had an SPP order out there, and took it on himself without being asked to change to the EPP price from the not as steeply discounted SPP price. The T43 came to just under $2K including getting Office Small Business AND upgrading from the standard 3YR warranty to their "ThinkPlus" program which repairs it if I am the one who breaks it. Trainee -- thanks again! Hope you win your notebook.

As for why they are doing this, well I am sure that the last post was right -- they are hitting a slow spot and need to get some orders booked since they seem to be having such a hard time with deliveries at the momment. But remember, they also have third party retailers out there with existing inventory that I assume needs to be moved at old prices (unless Lenovo is going to have the retailers take a loss or compensate them, neither of which is attractive). It seems to me that this is a way of bumping sales up without having to announce more of a price cut than they already have on existing inventory pending future price cuts.

What we are therefore getting are IBM (Yes, I said IBM, not Lenovo) machines at Dell "discount coupon" prices. The risk, such that it is, is not in the machines once we get them but rather whether Lenovo is going to get its act together if and when we ever need help with a problem and whether they are going to come close to the level of support for drivers, etc. that IBM has. Seems a worthwhile risk to me, but then to each their own.

 

Well, I guess I am just happy (thanks, Trainee!!!!).

I needed a new machine like NOW, as I am about to go on a long trip and my current one is a T21 I got in 2000 that is finally giving up the ghost. Anyway, I am a shareholder and had already ordered a 2668-94U T43 (760M 2M chip, SXGA+, 7200 HDD, Wireless ABG, Bluetooth, 15" Flex Screen etc.) on the SPP. With all the delivery delays with the Lenovo sale, I was not going to get my machine on time.

After Trainee gave me his info, I called to get the ONE T series that was in stock at that moment, which was a low level T42 2378-R4U (only had a 725M 1.6 chip and 1 yr warranty) but which was available for less than $1000 -- even after upgrading the warranty to 3 years and getting Office Small Business, I was in for about $1200 for a new, if slightly less supercharged, T42. I will use if for the trip and give it to my wife when I get the T43 after I return.

Not only that, but the EPP rep saw that I had an SPP order out there, and took it on himself without being asked to change to the EPP price from the not as steeply discounted SPP price. The T43 came to just under $2K including getting Office Small Business AND upgrading from the standard 3YR warranty to their "ThinkPlus" program which repairs it if I am the one who breaks it. Trainee -- thanks again! Hope you win your notebook.

As for why they are doing this, well I am sure that the last post was right -- they are hitting a slow spot and need to get some orders booked since they seem to be having such a hard time with deliveries at the momment. But remember, they also have third party retailers out there with existing inventory that I assume needs to be moved at old prices (unless Lenovo is going to have the retailers take a loss or compensate them, neither of which is attractive). It seems to me that this is a way of bumping sales up without having to announce more of a price cut than they already have on existing inventory pending future price cuts.

What we are therefore getting are IBM (Yes, I said IBM, not Lenovo) machines at Dell "discount coupon" prices. The risk, such that it is, is not in the machines once we get them but rather whether Lenovo is going to get its act together if and when we ever need help with a problem and whether they are going to come close to the level of support for drivers, etc. that IBM has. Seems a worthwhile risk to me, but then to each their own.

 

Well, driver updates I am not sure about.
IBM has always had a VERY thorough website, and it would be tough to keep it up to that level.

However, IBM retained the service and support for Thinkpad in the deal, so the support should be identical for the next few years or more.

Why did IBM retain service and support?
It was one of the few profitable parts of the business.

Andrew
Austin, TX

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by kenno

 

stupid question, what is "PM"?

 

PM = Private mail [ ]

 

Ok I know I have a lot of outstanding messages. I have been swamped at work and Im taking vacation next week.

As for Aamsel's comments I would like to say that Im not trying to twist anyones arm into doing anything. Ive mentioned this a couple of times before: I am a zSeries mainframe circuit designer. Im fairly fresh out of college and have only worked here about 7months. It is not my job to sell notebooks, and I dont get any direct compensation for that. Yes I can now gain entry into a contest which I will have some odds of winning, but if you think all of the work (email handling) and risk (my personal information) is worth an entry into a contest where I *might* win a laptop then you are crazy. Better than a poke in the eye with a sharp stick but really not my motivation. I have lurked here and other sites and I have found notebookreview.com to be my absolute favorite notebook resource. Believe it or not this is the only forum I have offerred this on, becuase I saw it as a contribution I could make.

As for the Lenovo 'pricing' scheme with EPP, Im sure you all know how business works. Lenovo probably wants to try and be competitive in the consumer marketplace without cannibalizing their business sales. Companies like Bank of America really will pay 3k-4k for a Thinkpad because they value the durability. Along with that IBM knows they will have to spend a lot on those companies for repairs if any laptop ever is damaged. Personal users usually take better care of there *own* stuff. I know I do. There will be fewer claims on personal laptops and I would suspect lenovo recognizes that fact. But if you put pricing out there for consumers that is lower than for business then the business's will complain.

I have no reason to believe that the new EPP 'friends & family' isn't a broad new sales strategy or a way of moving some laptops before the fully Lenovo branded machines ship. If someone wants one and I can help them get a lower price then I really don't care. For all the crazy coupon hunting (and EBAY coupon buying!) that DELL makes you do to get a reasonable price, I don't understand why Lenovo would be treated differently.

As for the 50% vs. 35% price savings via EPP, as I said earlier, I havent been here that long. But I have only ever seen deals like that with very specific models that they want to get rid of. Max 2-3 machine types. Actually the pricing after the Lenovo purchase appears to be much better than before, for all but those clearence models.

My note says that the contest will last into August 2005.
I hope I do win a laptop becuase that would be cool. But if I still have quota after that I will continue to offer to help people buy.

 

sent you a PM, trainee. thanks for the chance to get in on such an incredible deal!! i'm planning on picking up a T43.

 

I appreciate your being up front about everything.
I am sorry if I went on far too long with my "analysis" of what I think Lenovo is up to.

I hope you win a laptop!

Andrew
Austin, TX

 

Thanks Trainee for what you are doing! I PM you, so I hope to hear from you soon. Thanks again!

 

Trainee, I hope you receive my pm before you go on vacation. I need to order a T43 right ASAP....thanks and have a great vacation!

 

Okay, well I kinda have a problem now in that I have too many people who have contacted me. I have sent about 15 people info and I have about 100+ in my inbox. So I was trying to think of a way to decide how I would distribute information. I know that not everyone who gets information actually buys a laptop, but I probably only want to distribut the info a maximum of 15 more times. Anyone who emailed my account directly instead of via notebookreview.com is not eligible.

At first I thought, first come first serve, but then I remembered that you can see some information about members here. As I started typing in member names I was pretty dissapointed to see how many people signed up with the forum just to send me a PM. Now I know many people have "lurked" for a long time, but you should atleast sign up! I also received many "I need a laptop SOOOO BADDD! Im a starving student! How cheap can you get this for me?" emails. Also please US only. Now I know my last 2 posts are starting to sound critical, but cmon people.

I'm narrowing down the list but I can honestly say that if you havent been a member of the for atleast 2 weeks, your chances are slight at best. Anyone who didnt meet this requirment but I already sent information...well live and learn. I don't blame anyone for trying to get a good deal but the spirit of this is for notebookreview.com members. I'm sending out new emails right now. If I missed you and you feel you are good participating member please email me again. I'm really just drowning in emails and I probably missed it.

aamsel, I saw you had emailed me as well, but I think you already recieved information from someone else. If you still need information let me know.

 

Hi Trainee, I just sent a pm to you. If you think I signed up for the forum too late, that is ok. I like to lurk most of the time.

messymahoo

 

Please check your PM for an FYI message, thanks.

 

This inbox is Clean! Thank goodness. I have no pending, but we haven't quite reached my EPP limit.

I'm only looking to help out some notebookreview.com members, who aren't just signing up for this information please. This is a great forum, you should sign up and become part of the community, and once you have there is much less of a barrier to making posts.

Sorry, but I only get 25-machines for the year and apparently there is a lot greater demand than I had anticipated. Perhaps aamsel is right, Lenovo should market machines this way.

 

Not sure I see your logic there, since you yourself have only been a member 2 weeks. In fact, you only have two posts other than this EPP deal. Yes, I contacted someone else at IBM. No, I am not entirely happy that I am involved in this "circus" of B.S. "friends and family" sales.

I think I had it pretty accurate from the beginning...Lenovo hit a big sales lull during the switchover from IBM and they are desperate to get their sales volume back up. In fact, after thinking about it more, I don't think that there is any other possible explanation for this "contest".

It does not seem like an impressive way for a big company to go about doing business.

Did everyone who got in on this get a good deal?
We'll find out in a month or so.
If Lenovo substantially drops all of their prices, then no, we didn't get good deals.

We will see.

Andrew
Austin, TX


<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by trainee
...if you havent been a member of the for atleast 2 weeks, your chances are slight at best...<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'></font id='quote'></blockquote id='quote'>

 

aamsel: I was just looking for a way to trim down the list. Yes I probably would be borderline by my own criteria. I dont think that makes my logic flawed; available to everyone until there is too much demand, now available to those who have been here longest.

As I referred to my own experience; joining the forum makes you much more likely to participate in the discussion.

I dont understand why people think that prices lowering over time makes their deals less so. I try and never do that. This is the computer industry and things get cheaper over time. If the majority of people are paying $2000 for something, and you pay $1600 for the same thing and a month later everyone else is paying $1600 for it, then guess what, you paid the same price and have had it for a month longer. Otherwise I have a voodoo1 graphics card, original retail: $299. But Ive got this great deal for you guys: now only $0.99! Amazing! Definetly and extreme example, but with processor performance **STILL** doubling every 18months the value of 1month in the computer industry is much higher than you might initially think.

My question to Lenovo is: where are the widescreen + brightview Thinkpads!

 

We should put everything into perspective here AAMSEL, I do not think we should attack TRAINEE / Lenovo. Actually we should only thank him. Show me how many people are willing to reveal their personal information to complete strangers and help them save some money. Last time I checked we were all begging TRAINEE for the discount not the other way around. If somebody does not like the pricing of Lenovo notebooks simply do not buy them ( I personally was not going to purchase one without a discount). My point here is that we should all thank and respect TRAINEE for what he did, regardless if we received the discount or not.

 

Please read what I wrote.
I did not attack Trainee, in fact I told him that I hope he won a Thinkpad for being honest in this offer.
All I said was that he barely met his own criteria for forum membership, as to who he would give his information to.

However, that is his personal decision.

As for Lenovo, provided they don't lower their prices 10 percent or more within 60 days, this is a good deal.

If they do lower prices 10 percent or more from what they are now, then Educational prices, etc. would be just as low.

Trainee:
As for computer prices dropping over time, yes, of course they will.
However, if they drop 10-15 percent by the time this contest ends, then this was a "sucker" move by Lenovo, purely to stimulate sales.

Unless, of course, these contest prices are even lower themselves by then.

That's all I will say.

As I mentioned, I myself ordered a unit under this "contest" as a "friend and family" through another IBM/Lenovo employee.

My only question is what Lenovo's strategy is here. No attack on Trainee whatsoever.

Andrew
Austin, TX


<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by aero1

 

Trainee...

I myself just came upon this forum a couple days ago while researching the T43 for my daughter heading off to college this fall. I appreciate your offer to save us money on our purchases and understand your method for determining who to help or not...after all, you can not be everything to everybody.

You have a vacation coming up...time to run off and forget about work and computers! Enjoy.

Casey

 

Thanks to all the well wishers.

Aero1: I should have addressed this before; aamsel is by no means attacking me. Actually we are having a pretty interesting discussion going on here. Please remember that text of the forum is very open to personal interpretation. Something that may sound harsh is rarely intended that way. I appreciate the support, but no defense is neccesary.

I don't want to try to speak for Aamsel, but I believe he is playing the devil's advocate here (he did buy a thinkpad through this program after all), and that is almost always a thankless job.

If I get the opportunity to pass on my savings again next year, I will have worked out a much more equitable and organized manner of doing so. Until then, I apologize, but this is the way it went down.

 

Sorry for being so dense, but are you still accepting offers? I typically am not a big forum poster, but I've been browsing NotebookReview for about three weeks now... I swear I must've contributed hundreds of clicks for the T43 on the front page. x_x So are you still open, or just fed up with the whole ideal? >.<

 

Prices for any type of electronics will alway drop over time especially when compared how they improved during the same time. The calculator I bought in the mid-1970's for $180 can be bought today for $10 (I still have that calculator today). Or, what about the 286's that cost over $3,000 with dismal hard drive and memory capacity as compared to today.

And...to top it off, we were making alot less per hour back then so buying a calcular or computer was a major decision.

Today, we are making more per hour, have lower pricing and much more advance technology for the dollar. So if prices on the notebooks drop over the next few months, well that has been the way things have worked for decades. What has been great is the new features today like internet wireless or fingerprint reading that back in the 8088 or 286 days were not thought of...

Years from now we will all look back and cringe at the prices paid for computers today, but will marvel at the new advancements.

The older I get the better I am loving it...

Thanks for listening.

Casey