HOWTO: Get a Fully Customizable ThinkPad for Cheap

I just ordered a Z61t with the following specs:

14" WXGA, CORE 2 DUO T5500, Fingerprint reader, Intel GMA 950, Integrated webcam, Bluetooth, 4 CELL battery, single 1GB DIMM, Atheros a/b/g, 60GB 5400 RPM HD, DVD-ROM/CD-RW, XP Home.

This build costs $1,159.00 through Lenovo's Holiday Sale. I got it for $924.10!!

The following method got me a great price but more importantly allowed maximal customization.

Here's how:

1.) Go to http://www.lenovo.com/shop/deals/usstudents. The current sale there owns the Holiday sale. Read http://www.fatwallet.com/t/18/673902/ and http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=89240 if you just want pre-configured ThinkPad. Read on if you want to configure your own.

2.) Go to Products->ThinkPad notebooks. Select the series of ThinkPad you want and click "Let me build it"

3.) Choose your screen and processor then click 'Customize'.

4.) Customize! Note that you can get a 1GB DIMM for $99. You won't see it until you add to the cart but it's true. It must be a glitch...capitalize b4 Lenovo fixes it!

Additional note: Let's take the Z series "Let me build it" page as an example. Assume you want a Z61T with a WXGA+ screen. Well you will notice that only one is listed combined with an integrated camera and the T7200. Well what if I don't want to pay for integrated camera or such a high end CPU? Well go back to the home page ( http://www.lenovo.com/shop/deals/usstudents) you can search items by part number on the right hand frame. This takes some trial and error but basically you need to find the part number for the screen/case/processor combo you want. For the Z series these parts start with "9440D"...so search that. You will see all the combinations of screen, CPU, etc. And bingo you will see that you infact can get a WXGA+ screen without an integrate camera and a T5500 CPU! Sweeet!!

Customization rules!

Revision 1.0. Please provide feedback.

Sorry...US shipments only. I'm a Canadian resident but I'm having it shipped to my cousin in Boston and will get it from him. I'll pay GST at the border...don't care...still dirt cheap!

CWF

 

You don't need to pay GST at the border.
Just leave the box there and act like its your personal laptop


Also.. Can anyone help me find a T7200 (Core2duo 2.0GHz) w/ 14.1" SXGA?

 

What's the deal on the warranty and what not? What should you pick to get the 3 years and 1 year battery that seems to be the norm?

 

the T60 should satisfy this nicely... or do you mean model #s?

 

Sorry I was unclear, I meant model number.

makeitcount - I think all of those have a 3year warranty with 1year on battery. But its best to call them and find out.

 

It seems to be working. The lowest speced SXGA+ T60 is equipped with the X1400. Select it and the type number is 2613HDU.
Find "2613HDU" in the address box and force it to be "2613HCU" and you get the X1300. It is sort of a back door.

 

Wierd.. I did a search and couldn't find 2613hdu or 2613hcu

 

2613HCU has a base price of $852. 1GB memory costs $100 and a three-year depot warranty ~$100. The total comes to be ~$1,050. Once in the shopping cart, there is
~$40 of mysterious discount.

But no free shipping ($20 extra) and Fatwallet Cash Back (%7) does not work.

 

What the heck..Do we really have to pay extra for the power adapter?

 

i assume that's for an EXTRA ac adapter

 

Where did you find 2613HCU?

 

On the ThinkPad Let me Build It page, select the first radio box

T60, Intel Core 2 Duo T5500 1.66GHz, 14.1" SXGA+, 128MB ATI Mobility Radeon X1400

and on the next page where you do configuration, there is the type number 2613HDU, which is also in the browser address box.

 

Hey guys I dont know if I should order it, can I order it tonight and then cancel tomorrow just in case? Because I would feel better about ordering this if I call that number on the Lenovo students webpage, or is this a glitch that I have to take advantage of right now before they fix it?

So im assuming that power adaptar is for an extra. Whats wifi wireless upgradable and bluetooth? Does that just mean its wifi ready and I have to upgrade it to a card, or will it support wifi as is?

THANKS!!!

 

I think Im going crazy or something. I cant find the ThinkPad Let me Build It page that you are talking about.

 

Copied and pasted from the top:

"1.) Go to http://www.lenovo.com/shop/deals/usstudents.

2.) Go to Products->ThinkPad notebooks. Select the series of ThinkPad you want and click "Let me build it""

 

Thanks I found it!
OMG IM SO BLIND!!

What is the final configured product that you have? and the price?

Im looknigh for T7200 / 1.5GB / 14.1 SXGA / 60GB

 

So has this deal always been here? If so I dont have to rush to order.

 

A few weeks ago I checked the customization page, the CPUs were Core Duos and the SXGA+ models started at over $1,000. Right now it is a major deal, maybe comparable to the just expired Holiday Sale
(not the current Holiday Sale) that everyone was talking about.

 

I am ordering the following system tomorrow:
Core 2 Duo 2GHz / 14" SXGA / 2GB RAM / 60GB / 8x DVD / 9 Cell battery

Price will be between 1400 - 1600 +tax +ship, depending on warranty.
(will be 1yr depot, 3yr depot, or 3yr protection)

 

That's the glitch I was talking about. It occurs only when you select a single 1GB DIMM. A single 512MB DIMM is $90 and 1GB is $99...that's definitely an error.

Your best choice is to make the build, add it to your cart, and then go "Save as quote". You can then email the quote to you and then call the rep the and
refer to the quote you got. They say the quotes are valid for 30 days and I'm sure the rep won't pick up on the glitch...they just look at the quote and would be glad to add their ID to it so they get the commission.

 

Where is the save as quote option? (Sorry, I am blind today!)

 

cwf, what do you mean by a memory pricing "glitch"?

This is on the T customization page:

256 MB (1 NonParity DDR2 SDRAM SoDIMM)
512 MB (1 NonParity DDR2 SDRAM SoDIMM) [add $28.00]
768 MB (2 NonParity DDR2 SDRAM SoDIMM) [add $72.00]
1 GB (1 NonParity DDR2 SDRAM SoDIMM) [add $100.00]
1.25 GB (2 NonParity DDR2 SDRAM SoDIMM) [add $144.00]
1.5 GB (2 NonParity DDR2 SDRAM SoDIMM) [add $172.00]
2 GB (2 NonParity DDR2 SDRAM SoDIMM) [add $244.00]
2 GB (1 NonParity DDR2 SDRAM SoDIMM) [add $1,076.00]
4 GB (2 NonParity DDR2 SDRAM SoDIMM) [add $2,196.00]

 

Add to Cart->Checkout->Sign in (if you haven't already)->Continue->Save as quote

It is on page "Checkout 2/2"

Those are the "real" prices. Once you've added the build to your cart you will see that 1GB is only charged as $99. That has to be a mistake. Cuz before you go to the cart the running tally at the top has added $100 but then the cart "magically" has a lower value. The "magic" occurs due to the RAM price...try any other RAM amount and it will not "magically" lower.

 

I see. A $885 base configuration with 1GB, 1.5GB, 2GB memory comes to be $985, $1,057, $1,129 and in the cart, the prices are $940, $1,030, $1,039. 1.5 GB costs $90 more than 1 GB, and $9 less than 2 GB.

I think something similar is going on under Holiday Sale. Maybe it is a glitch.

 

That sounds like a major glitch, only $9 to go from 1.5GB to 2GB.

 

QUESTION!
What if I am not a student at a US university or an alumni??
LOL I completely overlooked that fact!

I am a student at a Canadian university which does not have any affiliation to IBM/Lenovo.

 

If you read fatWallet and such, there is a saying: "Don't call about a deal."

 

Same here dude...student at UBC. I don't think they'll look into it...

 

To Canadian Uni students: are you ordering and getting it delivered to someone in the U.S.?

 

same here

 

Only if I knew someone

 

I am ordering it and getting it delivered to my uncle.

But I also doubt they will look into that.

 

They have no problem delivering it to where you want in the US. It could be a gift for all they care. Just make sure that you add your Uncle's address as an alternative shipping address on the credit card that you used to order. This is needed for verification.

 

So, we in Canada, unless it is delivered to a U.S. address, cannot order a machine under any of these specials?

 

im configuring the 14" basic no camera no mic z61t.
1) Does it have wifi it says wifi already? Or do I have to add the $25 option
2) It comes with a power AC cord, I dont have to add that separately?

Anyone tried this with fatwallets 7% off?

 

Don't worry about the student thing! They will take your word for it!
Unfortunately I couldn't order my laptop today because I forgot my uncle's address at home and by the time i got home it was too late to call lenovo!
ARGHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

You'll have to wait until Monday.

 

Nnoooooooooooo!!!!!!
Ssssssttttttteeeeeeelllllllllllllllllaaaaaaa!!!

 

This deal is awesome! But... I'm trying to configure Z61t Black with WXGA+ (1440x900) and there seem to be no such combination (( WXGA+ comes only with titanium and integrated web camera. I can configure black and WXGA+ on regular Lenovo site. Any idea how I get the same configuration through students/alumni site?

Thanks!

 

try calling the order in, they can't offer every possible config on their site, but you should be able to specifically order the unit you want.

 

Thanks zachtib. I'd rather not call them because I'm not a student. But I might give it a try... Do they even check?

 

No they dont check.
Just say your a student if your student-ish age, or say your an alumni if your a little older

 

We need even just a fraction of this special here in Canada.

 

Its funny I just bought the z61t yesterday using this. And how u guys are talking about canada. The sales rep is in Canada, canada email address and everything. I dont know if all their sales force is in Canada or just a few, but they should offer the sale there.

 

Thank You ashkonj, now if Lenovo only had that insight. Hmm, if you talk to the rep on the phone again, or via e-mail, tell him there is someone in Canada who will buy the machine through HIM/HER right away if they can do a good deal, and priced/spec'd like the US models are.

 

hmm...no t60p with IPS

 

This method would save me $80, but only Verizon WWAN is available through that customization.

 

Yeah! In addition to them not listing it in the customization screen, I tried putting in a machine # from the nonstudent store, and the student store said not found. What's up with that?