Good deal for R61?

I'm not sure if this is really a good deal for this R61 to go ahead and order it right away. I'm getting the R61 for a family member but wont be seeing them to give it to them until mid march, but if it's too good to miss then I'll just order now (+ it might take some time to ship). I haven't been following the market for quite some time, so not really sure how this Lenovo sale compares to waht they usually offer!

Specs:
R61
14" Wide XGA
T8100 (2.1GHz penryn)
1GB Ram
80GB 5400RPM HDD
CD-RW/DVD-ROM Combo
ThinkPad 11a/b/g Wi-Fi
6-cell battery
Vista Home Basic (I'll be installing WinXP on it, so saving money on basic)

Total: $ 646.96 (before tax) + free shipping
Ordering thru "Member Purchase Program participants" and using an extra coupon for an extra 10% saving.

Lenovo currently have 30% off R61 that expires tomorrow (Feb. 4), that's why I'm trying to make a fast decision.

Thanx for the help!

 

Try just configuring it with XP, easier in the long run..

Overall though, thats pretty good.

 

That looks like a good deal to me. Great gift qwester.

Good choice to install Windows XP too. (use my guide )

 

SkeeteRX8, for an extra $50 to get XP pro, I'd rather do it myself since I have a license for XP pro anyway ... I'll use the saved $$$ towards towards an extra 1GB of Ram

Arkit3kt, "(use my guide )" ... saw that and will be using it ... thanx

One more question ... I just noticed that an LCD screen (L220X) that I wanted and was waiting for, is available for cheaper when ordered with the R61, but it's currently unavailable and they say it might delay order more than 4 weeks. It's relatively new and I already know its not available anywhere at this time, but I kind of find it weird that they would delay the R61 just for the screen. It's not like they ship in one package!
So does Lenovo REALLY delay the whole order just because an accessory is currently not available?!? (I'll probably have to call them up tomorrow morning)

 

The actuality of a delay is really a hit or miss with Lenovo. Many people have received their laptops very quickly (even sometimes just two days after order) when picking a supposed delaying accessory or upgrade while some people had to wait weeks whether they chose a delayed option or not.

I'm sure you'll receive the laptop before mid-march for sure though.

 

30% off???? do you mind sharing??? Im looking to get one too

 

You'll get the 30% off automatically when you configure thru Lenovo's page.
As for the extra savings, I am ordering thru the Member Purchase Program participants which gives you an extra 5% and there is also another coupon that will give you another 10%. It's listed on the page linked above (coupon code = USXTRIPLESAVINGS).
The 30% expires Feb. 4
The 10% expires Feb. 18