Best Buy best laptop deal?

Ok well maybe not for sure, but don't completely dismiss.... (not confirmed yet)Confirmed! Sold out online, but instore special still a possibility! No 20 dollars from paypal though (no shipping charges though either!) of course Either way not a bad deal...for a casual user

Acer Extensa® 5230 Technical Specifications

Product Features
From our expanded online assortment; not available in all Best Buy stores
Intel® Celeron® processor 900
Features an 800MHz frontside bus, 1MB L2 cache and 2.2GHz processor speed.
2GB DDR2 memory
For multitasking power, expandable to 4GB.
Multiformat DVD±RW/CD-RW drive with double-layer support
Records up to 8.5GB of data or 4 hours of video using compatible DVD+R DL and DVD-R DL media; also supports DVD-RAM.
15.4" LCD high-brightness widescreen display
With 1280 x 800 resolution and a 16:10 aspect ratio showcases movies and games in stunning clarity.
160GB Serial ATA hard drive (5400 rpm)
Offers spacious storage and fast read/write times.
Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator 4500MHD
For lush graphics. 2 built-in stereo speakers with high-definition audio support.
Built-in webcam with digital microphone
Makes it easy to video chat with family and friends.
3 high-speed USB 2.0 ports
For fast digital video, audio and data transfer.
Built-in 802.11b/g/Draft-N wireless LAN
Wirelessly connect to the Internet.
Built-in 10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet LAN
With RJ-45 connector for quick and easy wired Web connection.
Weighs 6.3 lbs. and measures just 1.7" thin
For portable power.
Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium Edition 64-bit operating system preinstalled
Provides a stable platform for word processing, Web navigation, gaming, media storage and more.
Software package included
With Adobe Reader and more. 60-day trial version of Microsoft Office Professional 2007 also included.
ENERGY STAR qualified
Designed to use less energy and meets strict energy efficiency guidelines set by the Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Department of Energy.
Intel, Pentium, Celeron, Centrino, Core, Viiv, Intel Inside and the Intel Inside logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Intel Corporation or its subsidiaries in the United States and other countries.

249.00 tommorow at Best Buy (not sure if in store or online only) I know the celery drags it down a little, but correct me if I'm wrong... it is upgradable no? I believe it's a penryn... The draft n wifi and built in web cam aint too bad niether.. windows 7 pretty much seals the deal imo...

Here's a link http://nexus404.com/Blog/2009/11/10/best-buy-to-sell-249-acer-laptop-starting-tomorrow-intel-celeron-cpu-15-in-display-2gb-ram-160gb-hdd-windows-7-premium-inside/
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Acer+-+Extensa+Laptop+with+IntelProcessor+-+Black/9632183.p?id=1218134616331&skuId=9632183&st=9632183&cp=1&lp=1&skip=1
oops forgot to mention 20.00 back from paypal.. bringing the grand total to 229.00

 

Woohoo!!! Got one from the local store for my Sister for her birthday! 249.99 plus 5 dollars back from bb for 245!!! Not terribly bad

 

Honestly I would only value that laptop at $200-250 anyway. Even new.
15" are the cheapest laptops, Acers are traditionally low quality and cheap to begin with, and then the specs are pretty hurtin'.
You won't get a laptop cheaper than that, but I think spending the additional $100-$150 on something even slightly better would have been justified.

 

If all you're looking to do is run office, surf the web, etc.. it's a good price!

 

Yeah, I sold some of these today. You'd better only be surfing the web or something, because they are pieces of crap. Much better to save up to about ~450 and get something decent. I hate seeing people buy such outdated technology.

 

Ok maybe my post numbers list me as some uninitiated schmo... let me prove them wrong...

I've been building from the ground up pc's since 2001. Upgrading them since 1998. I've cooked a video card for a laptop back to life and upgraded a laptop cpu. I research my details a lot before making purchases... Now that that's out of the way....

This laptop has wifi draft N (Not just g or b)
This laptop has a 4500mhd Itegrated yes but it's one of the best integrated around in fact computer makers such as Sony and Asus use it Along with Dell and Lenevo (trust me I've checked)
This laptop is not an "aspire" Aspires are cheaply made bargain laptops this one is an ascensia which has a much firmer build quality and puts some of Dells laptops to shame (yes I've researched this as well)
This laptop doesn't have a mem card reader (does anyone use them that much anyways?)
This laptop comes with windows 7 home premium 64 bit edition now heck that's gotta count for something.....

Yes the processor is a celeron, but... it's a 2.2 ghz penryn processor... So it's basically a t6600 with a core disabled!!!! It's not acient technolgy... it's not an I7 but it's note a p4 either!

So just a word to those here who have crapped this deal... It aint a gaming laptop it's not a video or photo editing laptop... it's something a regular college student will do just fine with or someone wanting to do a little "light weight gaming" It will definitly run wow and I've heard it can run team fortress (niether of which is pacman) I also imagine it will do fairly well at running hd movies... So what is it exactly?

Show me one other laptop deal that betters this one (brand new) for basic honest to goodness use and I'll buy it for you!

Otherwise put up or shut up!

 

Just out of curiousity, why would they badge something obviously unfit to carry the name (its a penryn!?) Celeron?

 

Because (as some are aware).

Intel has always had issues with thier naming schemes... Also celeron got a bad rap in the p4 era for having huge l2 cache disparity (128k when most p4's had at least 1 meg) plus oftentimes they'd use 2 generation old core architechture ie using the tualitin for celeron while using prescott for other p4's. That all changed when the celeron d desktop chips arrived. They were still making new p4 prescott mainstream chips when they started making celeron d prescott chips right alongside, grantec with some l2cache disabled, but still more than they'd had in the past. As with many things between desktops and laptops it took longer for these changes to come laptops/notebooks, but if you still doubt look it up on intels site... for that matter I'll post a link! Eitherway this is almost as powerful a processor as certain lower end dual core processors....and twice as powerful as most netbook processors... for 249 I know you won't find any better...

 

It aint a bad deal.
And since the CPU is upgradeable, and it is using the GS45 chipset, you can put a full montevina C2D inside of this.

And the 4500MHD is a quite capable IGP, found on most laptops, up to Dell Latitudes and ThinkPads T series.

 

Finally! Someone who gets it!!! Thanks Serg!

Yes it's fully upgradable... so if you want more processor performance it is addable...

Here is a link http://ark.intel.com/Product.aspx?id=41498 for the information I mentioned (it's called formerly penryn), but it's on the penryn family same core architecture.... One more knock against this laptop (so I don't seem completely biased) doesn't have a svideo out.... (wouldn't have expected hdmi at this price) they could have added svideo rather cheaply though other than that I think it's an exceptional deal for the price...Regular price I found out is 379.00 so it's at least a 130.00 dollars savings and even if that's all it is for the overall price that's a sizelable discount roughly a third (I'd love to see a gateway fx series for 2/3 third of normal price )

Anyways I totally understand there is better faster technology out there... with all luck "my" next laptop will be a quad core I7 with a 380 nvidia go and 8 gigs of ram along with dual 512 gig ssd's (Or at least I can dream) In the meatime my current laptops will doe just fine and this Acer will do my sister just fine for school and just about any other use she requires (certainly not into high end gaming) though she might do some photoshop... I imagine this will handle that fairly well (in most instances)

 

See it this way. You spend 250 on this low-end laptop. Spend 250 on a high-end CPU. You have a 500 dollars high-end laptop with business-like hardware.

Not meant for gaming, nor intense stuff, but at least, for even 600 being a high-end CPU, you beat most laptops on the 600 price range with Pentium CPUs and similar specs.

 

I didn't know the CPU was upgradeable. Most of these low-priced laptops are onboard CPUs, but for $250 and the ability to drop in a C2D later, sounds like a steal. That should probably go in the OP incase it isn't already.

Thanks for the info!

 

I have not heard of soldered CPUs outside of MBPs.
But still, if it is, on raw performance, it eats alive an Atom.

 

I do not believe this laptop has a soldered on chip. However, many of them have a BIOS limitation preventing you from installing anything but a Celeron. And there is so much more than just the CPU. You can't call it a business class laptop because you upgrade the CPU. Business class laptops usually imply much better build materials, which you certainly didn't get in any acer, let alone a 250 dollar one, and they usually have much better support as well.

 

Ok Hep good point....

Support might certainly be an issue... however other than dell I don't know of too many other manufacturers who have what I'd call excellent support... From my perspective pc support is overated anyways... with the wealth of knowledge the internet has I get more answers here than from so called "support people" So while I'll give you that Acer support is shaky at best... I wouldn't consider that alone a deal breaker...
Also since you've never been hands on with this laptop how can you be so sure the build quality is bad? Sure it's mostly plastic, but aren't most these days? Take a look at one in person and I'm sure you'll reconsider! Or continue to be ignorant if you choose...

here is a link to two recent reviews from bestbuy (ok well only reviews really) http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Acer+-+Extensa+Laptop+with+Intel%26%23174%3B+Celeron%26%23174%3B+Processor+-+Black/9632183.p?id=1218134616331&skuId=9632183&AID=10597222&PID=1987080&URL=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bestbuy.com%2Fsite%2FAcer%2B-%2BExtensa%2BLaptop%2Bwith%2BIntel%2526%2523174%253B%2BCeleron%2526%2523174%253B%2BProcessor%2B-%2BBlack%2F9632183.p%3Fid%3D1218134616331%26skuId%3D9632183&ref=39&loc=01#tabbed-customerreviews

Also a review from notebook check http://www.notebookcheck.net/Review-Acer-Extensa-5230E-Notebook.22096.0.html

and read this end quote from the review
"Naturally, you have to trim back expectations in view of such a low budget: Acer principally economizes on the small battery and the display where you have to accept a low resolution, a low brightness and an average illumination. The price pressure is also noticed in the omitted connections that have been veiled with unsightly plastic covers.

But the value for money ratio is more than just okay in other aspects: The given application performance is solid and the manufacturing can boast with its stable case and pleasant, even if not extremely high-end, materials. The keyboard is good despite its somewhat wobbly keys and the notebook is a relief for all sensitive ears because it's so extremely quiet. Acer doesn't make any slip-ups in the temperature development and the loudspeakers are, at least for an occasional use, alright.

Small, nice details, such as the marking of connections on the case's upper side also add to the "good" overall impression."

"

 

Continue to be ignorant? I work professionally as a computer repair technician. I have personally worked on hundreds of Acers and have never held one that had impressive build quality, ever. Not even the Gemstones, which are their higher quality systems. There's a possibility I've even worked on that model, though I don't keep track.

When I say support I really mean to say "warranty." I agree that no manufacturer, even Dell, really have good support in the technical sense, but as far as replacement and repair goes, Acer is one of the last in line for customer satisfaction.

And yes, they're almost all plastic these days, but it should go without saying that there is not just one kind of plastic. Some plastics are much cheaper to make and form, but aren't as durable. Some are far more durable, but take up the price on the system.

I find it very irritating that you would call me ignorant when you do not know anything about me.

Also, quality reviews you found there. MonitorBuyer clearly knows his stuff. Let's take a look at this excerpt:

Wow, so informational. Clearly he knows what to look for in a display.


You can enjoy your purchase, and it's a great knock around laptop for kids who aren't doing anything really; but you didn't get a good deal. You got what you paid for.

 

I'm with Hep on this one. When I called it a piece of crap, I mostly mean't how it was made. Realistically, you can't much cheaper than this. Also, Best Buy reviews aren't worth much, since most customers don't know what they're talking about. This wasn't a good deal, just what you would expect to get for the price.

 

ok ... sorry Hep didn't mean to offend... OK I can see your point about the best buyer reviews... but please don't dismiss yet read this review from notebook check and maybe it will help you see what I see (I've never been an Acer fan either, but this model is making me rethink that view!)

http://www.notebookcheck.net/Review-Acer-Extensa-5230E-Notebook.22096.0.html

I know notebook check might not be the ultimate authority on laptops, but hey thier usually brutaly honest when something's bad.... see what they had to say!

As far as warranty goes I'm not sure what it covers ( or how well acer will respond when needed) but it's supposed to be a 1 year warranty... not great, but certainly not terrible (last Acer I bought then returned only had a 90 day!)

 

Thanks for finding the review. It tells you exactly what we told you, albeit a tad sugar coated. The keyboard has weak spots, the plastic is cheap, the screen had poor contrast ratio and brightness, poor battery life...well you get the idea. Once again, you get what you pay for. I know I was able to tell it was cheap after using it, but then again, I've owned a good laptop before. It does seem like one of the better budget ones though, you could have done worse. At least it wasn't a Compaq...

 

I'm leaving work but I will read this when I get home. I might even check out the laptop next time I'm near a BB.

Don't worry about it, apology accepted. People on forums are willing to say rude things but rarely apologize. Major rep for that.

 

My oh my princess rockstar so sorry to have wasted 5 mins of your life reading that review from notebook check... If you'd taken the time to READ THE ARTICLE from an unbiased stand point you might have noticed that they didn't say cheap plastic.... to the contrary they said it was well built just not high end materials ie brushed aluminum or glossy polished abs plastic... Anywhoo hope you didn't break a nail typing that reply... toodles deary!

To everyone else...

Please don't misunderstand me... I am not a fan of Acer's by any means (I returned an Acer to get a Gateway) But the build quality on this Acer is much better than past ones and don't be decieved by so call people who are stuck on how poor a companies products used to be.... I won't even get them started on the fact that I have a "Belkin" wireless N router which never drops or disconnects... That'd start a real flame war ....
Anyways hope those who got this deal are enjoying it... I'll go back to lurking in the shadows now)

And to Hep

I always apologize when I'm wrong and I understand how things can get heated on message boards ( I tend to be opinionated and honary at times!) but there's no bad blood friend I respect your skills and abilities... and I imagine working with junk can be very frustrating (seeing as how you are fixing others problems). So I totally see your point and for myself I wouldn't have bought it, but for someone who doesn't need a really great laptop I see this as an actually better than decent deal, again that's my opinionated side lol... but I do tend to try to elighten when I can... Anyways thanks for being understanding rep for that!

 

I did read the review, and I am not biased. You seem to be though, which would make sense since your the one who owns it, not me. I really don't care one way or the other. Everything I said was true, and I noticed how you didn't refute my other points, which at least makes me still correct on it being a cheap laptop. Wow, and I didn't even break a nail...

I'd like you to apologize to me for your condescending and sexist tone, you've already been reported.

Toodles deary!

 

Rocker girl what makes you think I'm biased? For one thing if you read I don't own it... it's my sisters for christmas (hasn't been opened yet) I checked it out while at best buy...
Nothing I said (up until the last post) was meant to be offensive towards you... yet all I heard was yea like we told you it's a piece of crap and you got what you paid for...way to pass along goodwill there princess

 

You really think your sexist posts aren't offensive? Your freakin clueless. You bought it for your sister, so you sure as hell own it right now, don't you? I'd say that makes you biased, whether it's for you or not.

 

sexists posts? Want to give me the number of the buss you just through me under.... Until you decided to be mean... I didn't have one sexist comment to make... I only did because I refuse to be talked down to by anyone and since your female... well I know where to strike when the iron's hot...

 

I think we're done here.

 

You betcha!. The thread has deteriorated into bickering so its now closed. If you are interested in the laptop, make a thread in the WNSIB forum(with a completed FAQ).

Thanks for your cooperation.