compilation of HOT laptop deals at FS/BB

[leof]

i've sifted through the new FS/BB sales this week, and they seem to full of some great offers. in addition to the sale price, they are offering various bonuses such as a free printer and discounted productivity software.
here's my compiled list of the best offers.
i apologize because i realize that the $599 HP and the $399 Acer already have their own dedicated threads, however, i hope that some benefit from a broader view of the sales this weekend.

acer AS9410-4541 $799
17" wxga+
core duo t2450
2gb ram
160gb 5400rpm hd
nvidia 7300
webcam/mic
http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?sku_id=0665000FS10089814&catid=25316&logon=&langid=EN

HP DV6426CA $899
15.4"
core duo t2450
2gb ram
200gb 4200rpm hd
webcam/mic
12 cell battery
http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?sku_id=0665000FS10090023&catid=25315&logon=&langid=EN

Toshiba A200-AH7 $799
15.4"
core duo t2450
2gb ram
160gb 5400rpm
webcam/mic
http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?sku_id=0665000FS10089650&catid=25315&logon=&langid=EN

Toshiba U300-NS1 $799
13.3"
core duo t2080
1gb ram
160gb 5400rpm
webcam/imc
4.6 lbs
http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=0665000FS10089667&catid=

Acer
14"
celeron m 520 AS3680-2576 $399
512 ram
80gb 5400 rpm
http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=0665000FS10089803&catid=

HP DV2404 $599
14"
AMD athlong TK 53
1gb ram
160gb hd
webcam/mic
http://www.bestbuy.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?sku_id=0926INGFS10090166&logon=&langid=EN

HP TX1218 $1099
12" touchscreen and convertible
amd athlon tl58
1gb ram
160gb hd
bluetooth
http://www.bestbuy.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?sku_id=0926INGFS10090511&catid=20356&logon=&langid=EN

Compaq Presario (F565CA) $449.99
15"
sempron 2500+ 1.8 ghz
512 ram
Link

Acer Aspire AS3050-1092 $399.99
14"
amd sempron 3500+ 1.8ghz
512 ram
Link

with a few of these, you can pricematch staples and apply coupons for additional savings.
gl.

updated. thanks guys.

[xwar]

Got my sister a HP DV6426CA, it's one sweet little laptop for the price.

[theshowman]

I was very excited to pickup a Toshiba U300 from Staples yesterday.
It had a very good impression on me when I first opened it, as it is stylish, thin, light, and all around, a very seemingly nice system with decent specs.

Nonetheless, the excitement led itself to a major disappointment (once again with Toshiba) as I started using the system:
- 1 dead pixel
- strange digitized/interference noise during startup
- space bar doesn't work
- tap on pad intermittently responds
- can't connect to my wireless lan (damn Atheros chipset again)
- recurring FAN on/off issue that I had with a previous Toshiba laptop (which I returned for the very same reason) to which I must add that in my experience with over 30 laptops in the past year (courtesy of RFD and being a deal junkie), I've never really had to this extent on any laptop
- palm rest gets hot, and if you happen to touch the grill for the heatsink on the side of the laptop, be ready for a nice burn mark.

Unfortunately, the good looks just doesn't cut it for me. It is going back to Staples.

[Formula1]

There's also the Dell Laptop in this thread to make your shopping decisions more difficult.
http://www.redflagdeals.com/forums/showthread.php?t=481778

Option 1 (http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/click?id=CAqD7bLWUPI&offerid=130350.596131117&type=10&subid=)
Option 2 (http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/click?id=CAqD7bLWUPI&offerid=130350.603475287&type=10&subid=)

[smuPoker]

I bought the Toshiba A200-AH7 a month and a half ago from FS and the price was $899. Missed the 30 day price guarantee by a few weeks, but I have no complaints about this laptop.

[mystery]

The DV2404CA is a 6-cell, not a 12-cell.

[B40]

The DV2404CA is a 6-cell, not a 12-cell.

It's sold out anyways...

[Formula1]

You missed this laptop from FS

Compaq Presario AMD Sempron Processor 3500+ 1.8GHz Laptop (F565CA)
$449.99
Link (http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?sku_id=0665000FS10090301&catid=25315&logon=&langid=EN)


There's also this Acer from BB.

Acer Aspire AS3050-1092 14.1" AMD Sempron 3500+ 1.8GHz
$399.99
Link (http://www.bestbuy.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?sku_id=0926INGFS10089347&catid=20354&logon=&langid=EN)

[B40]

You missed this laptop from FS

Compaq Presario AMD Sempron Processor 3500+ 1.8GHz Laptop (F565CA)
$449.99
Link (http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?sku_id=0665000FS10090301&catid=25315&logon=&langid=EN)



I was looking at that one earlier... too bad it comes with Vista. If it came with XP I'd buy it.

[leof]

updated.

[arnyk]

17" Acer loooks pretty hot - dad wants a bigger screen cuz the eye sight's goin'.

**Ahh crap...it's got Vista. :/

[leof]

17" Acer loooks pretty hot - dad wants a bigger screen cuz the eye sight's goin'.

**Ahh crap...it's got Vista. :/

vista is great for simple users. unless he's a tech junkie, he probably wouldn't notice a big difference between xp and vista.
regardless, every laptop sold through mainstream retail locations has vista. in canada, only lenovo and dell seem to offer xp.

[Formula1]

So do any of these cheaper notebooks come with any kind of recovery discs to reinstall Windows or do you have to create your own?

[leof]

i'm pretty sure you have to create your own. that is the reality of consumer grade laptops.

[Carebear]

So do any of these cheaper notebooks come with any kind of recovery discs to reinstall Windows or do you have to create your own?

I picked up the HP2404CA last week, and can confirm that it does not come with recovery disks. You have to create your own (which is a one-time shot on HP), or use their back-up drive if you have to reinstall.

For the average user, Vista isn't too different from XP. My only sore point about HP is that it preloaded Vongo, which isn't even available in Canada, so now I have to figure out how to uninstall it. Apparently, I've heard that it's not as simple to do as a straight uninstall using Windows' control panel.

[Mellow D]

There is also the HP DV2412CA at Future Shop on for $649, instore only but not online. It is exactly the same as the HP DV2404CA except that it has a 12-cell battery instead of a 6-cell.

My only sore point about HP is that it preloaded Vongo, which isn't even available in Canada, so now I have to figure out how to uninstall it. Apparently, I've heard that it's not as simple to do as a straight uninstall using Windows' control panel.

First link after googling "uninstall vongo":

http://forums.cnet.com/5208-7587_102-0.html?forumID=69&threadID=201778&messageID=2163108

[tacopower]

I went to a Futureshop to check out as many of these as I could, but every single one appears to have a glossy screen. Does anyone know if FS can order non-glossy variants?

(I'm using them for a lot of photoshop work and find using glossy screens in studios and public places less than optimal.)

[bdragon]

So do any of these cheaper notebooks come with any kind of recovery discs to reinstall Windows or do you have to create your own?

We got FS to make recovery disks for, I believe $50.00 extra. This includes 2 DVDs with all the updates etc. for the HP notebook so you can just recover. Haven't been tested though. It took an extra 2 hours after pickup time. You can do this yourself, but would have to goto to web to get all the updates before you should make the disks yourself.

[mystery]

We got FS to make recovery disks for, I believe $50.00 extra. This includes 2 DVDs with all the updates etc. for the HP notebook so you can just recover. Haven't been tested though. It took an extra 2 hours after pickup time. You can do this yourself, but would have to goto to web to get all the updates before you should make the disks yourself.

I would have done it for you for $20.00. The process is so simple I can't believe they charge $50 for it. BTW, AFAIK, updates are not applied to the recovery partition, from which the recovery disks are created. Even if they were, once more updates come out, you'd have to update after recovery anyways.

Oh, and their other scam about selling you anti-virus software, don't get it either.

Most notebooks come with 60 or 90 day free subscription to Norton Security. If you don't mind the resources it uses, you can try it out. But I recommend people download the free AVAST software which uses less resources and is supposed to be quite good.

[Snowy]

Acronis True Image 10 $39.99 (http://www.staples.ca/ENG/Catalog/cat_sku.asp?CatIds=83%2C305%2C319,320&webid=671971&affixedcode=WW)
Make as many backups of your PC as you want then :)
My suggestion is to make one before first boot of ANY machine :)

From then on you could just do incremental backups each time you install applications to your machine :)

[reza1217]

Just wondering, laptop this days don't come with recovery disc anymore? My last purchase was in 2004 and it did came with one.

[dinb]

There is a recovery partition on the HDD on my HP laptop, but I will need to figure out how to make an actual DVD.

[Nraja]

wondering if i could get some ur expert opinions...

im looking for a laptop between $400-700. between 13-15", and would prefer not to get an acer.

Could someone tell me which out of all of these deals (including the Dell ones) should i get?? Im looking to buy pretty much right now

Thanks in advance!!!!

[Snowy]

Would like to add:
HP DV6042CA $599 in store (http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=0665000FS10090527&catid=)
I'm pretty sure this is right as DV6402 is the one with the Celeron processor and the specs match what I saw (note no web cam in this model but a 15.4" screen and a slightly higher Vista mark over the 14.1" similar spec models

[Carebear]

There is also the HP DV2412CA at Future Shop on for $649, instore only but not online. It is exactly the same as the HP DV2404CA except that it has a 12-cell battery instead of a 6-cell.



First link after googling "uninstall vongo":

http://forums.cnet.com/5208-7587_102-0.html?forumID=69&threadID=201778&messageID=2163108

Thanks for the link, Mellow D. I'll check it out when I have a spare moment.

[dan17]

Futureshop has gone and changed prices now...I checked 2 of them

A200-AH7 now 899 instead of 799 (as listed on page 1)
DV6426CA now 1099 instead of 899 (as listed on page 1)

I saw them at the other prices last night but I guess they changed them today.

...Figures

[emanuel]

I was very excited to pickup a Toshiba U300 from Staples yesterday.
It had a very good impression on me when I first opened it, as it is stylish, thin, light, and all around, a very seemingly nice system with decent specs.


Hi, I just bought the same laptop (open box at FS). I really like the portability, the screen is good too. I like the "aluminum" keys on the keyboard. But the keyboard is flexing when hitting keys. No perfect computer... except for a MacBook Pro $$$ :)

Yes the fan is starting and stopping often under Vista. But I managed to install Mac OS X on it :) and the fan is so quiet now.

Too bad Toshiba lost a client because they can't release a patch for Vista.

[dealtaker]

Hi, I just bought the same laptop (open box at FS). I really like the portability, the screen is good too. I like the "aluminum" keys on the keyboard. But the keyboard is flexing when hitting keys. No perfect computer... except for a MacBook Pro $$$ :)

Yes the fan is starting and stopping often under Vista. But I managed to install Mac OS X on it :) and the fan is so quiet now.

Too bad Toshiba lost a client because they can't release a patch for Vista.
How exactly did Toshiba lose a client? You bought the laptop and you paid for the windows license didn't you?

[donjuancarlos]

I bought an Acer 3050 from BB for $399 a few weeks ago.

It's great--now that I put Windows XP on it. 512 MB of RAM is just not enough to get a smooth Vista experience.

I use it for surfing the net, word processing, and such and have no complaints.

Frankly, I'm not a huge fan of Vista in its current incarnation. I have it on my loaded gaming rig (for DX10 games), and it is unnecessarily slow on startup and other simple tasks, such as copying files.

For those of you considering other options (Nraja!), such as Dell Vostro, be aware that spending a few extra hundred dollars gets you the following:

1) Much better battery life (especially with the 9-cell). I barely get 2 hours, but a 15" Dell will give you 3.5 h+ on a regular battery (with Aero turned off) with a 9-cell battery will get you over 5.

2) Dells are made with magnesium alloy cases, which makes them far more durable. If I drop my Acer, I'm a dead man.

3) You may actually get warranty service with a Dell.

If you are going with Vista, don't buy a system with an older graphics processor on it, like the Intel GMA 950 of ATI Xpress 200. They are just too slow for vista. Look for ones with the Intel X3100 or ATI 1100 or above

I understood this when I bought my Acer. But you know, $400. :)

[Pr0metheus]

I bought an Acer 3050 from BB for $399 a few weeks ago.

It's great--now that I put Windows XP on it. 512 MB of RAM is just not enough to get a smooth Vista experience.

I use it for surfing the net, word processing, and such and have no complaints.

Frankly, I'm not a huge fan of Vista in its current incarnation. I have it on my loaded gaming rig (for DX10 games), and it is unnecessarily slow on startup and other simple tasks, such as copying files.

For those of you considering other options (Nraja!), such as Dell Vostro, be aware that spending a few extra hundred dollars gets you the following:

1) Much better battery life (especially with the 9-cell). I barely get 2 hours, but a 15" Dell will give you 3.5 h+ on a regular battery (with Aero turned off) with a 9-cell battery will get you over 5.

2) Dells are made with magnesium alloy cases, which makes them far more durable. If I drop my Acer, I'm a dead man.

3) You may actually get warranty service with a Dell.

If you are going with Vista, don't buy a system with an older graphics processor on it, like the Intel GMA 950 of ATI Xpress 200. They are just too slow for vista. Look for ones with the Intel X3100 or ATI 1100 or above

I understood this when I bought my Acer. But you know, $400. :)

I've installed XP on it as well, but can't get the sound working properly (it echoes horribly for some reason). Probably the wrong driver installed, but I can't find the XP driver on Acer's site.

[rayl]

I've installed XP on it as well, but can't get the sound working properly (it echoes horribly for some reason). Probably the wrong driver installed, but I can't find the XP driver on Acer's site.

You can try this driver.
ftp://ftp.work.acer-euro.com/notebook/aspire_3050/driver/Atheros_WLAN_XB63_Driver_5.1.1.9_XP.zip
download hotfix from MS for HD audio:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=74AD4188-3131-429C-8FCB-F7B3B0FD3D86&displaylang=en

[cdencore]

I went to a Futureshop to check out as many of these as I could, but every single one appears to have a glossy screen. Does anyone know if FS can order non-glossy variants?

(I'm using them for a lot of photoshop work and find using glossy screens in studios and public places less than optimal.)

Glossy screen are awful for most serious business users. My Dell glossy screen was so bad with reflections that I had to return it. Lenovo seems to be the only major vendor that still carries matte screens. I am planning to order one of their ThinkPad models although I wish they had a 17" model.