Compaq Athlon X2 Laptop Back At Staples, 3-1-09 - 3-7-09.

[Harvey]

Staples is again offering the version Compaq laptop they had a few weeks ago for $399.99 after $30 Easy Rebate, which can be claimed online, instead of by mail.

Compaq Presario CQ60-210US
$399.98 After $30 Easy Rebate
SKU: 773768

AMD Athlon X2 QL-62 2.0G
2GB RAM
250GB hard drive
15.6" screen
DVD super Multi
media reader
Vista Home Premium

More recently, they offered essentially the same machine with 4GB of RAM and a burner not spec'd with LightScribe as model CQ60-212US for the same price. This is the version with 2GB of RAM. It's still a great machine for the price, and if you need it, you can bump it to 4GB whenever you find the next deal 2 x 2 GB sticks of RAM.

Specs from HP/Compaq:.

Product Name: CQ60-210US
Product Number: NB275UA#ABA

For those who prefer XP, XP driver info from HP forums. AFIK, the only incorrect listing or bad link on the page is for the Realtek USB 2.0 Card Reader Driver because the driver from forum list, version 3.0.1.4, has been replaced by ver. V6.0.6000.81 from realtek.com. I found the same driver version on HP/Compaq's site, but their version only lists Vista while Realtek's is spec'd for XP, as well.

HP/Compaq no longer includes a restore disk set with their machines. Instead, the system allows you to burn ONE set of restore DVD's or CD's. It requires three blank DVD's or 11 - 12 CD's. If you intend to do this, as always, the FIRST thing you should do is burn the restore disk set so you can return the machine to its original setup if you need it or if you later want to give/sell it to someone else.

See Allisolm's previous HD threads about this machine and the CQ60-212US for more discussion and comments from those who bought these machines.

The lingering side question I've had is whether this machine could be converted to a Hackintosh. Post on up if you have that info.

< UPDATE >

I phoned Staples online sales line. The CSR directed me to enter the SKU in the search window, which took me to this page, which says:

In store only special order

He said that means, the way to get it is to go to your local store and order it either for in-store pickup or delivery to your address.

The ad still comes up on page 4 of their weekly special listing. I pointed out to him that no such limitation appears in their ad, and when you click the item, the detail page includes links labeled Shop online and Add to Shopping List, which imply that you should be able to order it online.

I suggested he should report this discrepancy to his supervisor because, to me, that sounds like an unambiguous offer to sell the machine online. I'll give them credit for a possible error in the ad, but they should update it.

 

[jlee]

I might have to jump on this...have been debating a netbook, but for an extra $100..

 

[Terabyte]

I hate how they stopped including restore cd's. Instead, they let us burn ONLY ONE SET of restore cd's...

 

[jlee]

Originally posted by: Terabyte
I hate how they stopped including restore cd's. Instead, they let us burn ONLY ONE SET of restore cd's...

That's not much different than them just giving you only one set of restore CDs and not permitting you to burn them, is it? Except for the cost of the media, anyway.

I'll burn a set, then ISO them to my external HD..

 

[Harvey]

Originally posted by: Terabyte

I hate how they stopped including restore cd's. Instead, they let us burn ONLY ONE SET of restore cd's...

This is a relatively minor concern. If you don't burn your set, or they're destroyed, faulty, etc., HP/Compaq doesn't charge a lot for a replacement set, possibly less than $30. They can do this because they're not selling you the OS. The license comes with the machine, and the key is on that sticker on the bottom of the machine so they're only selling you the mechanical means to restore the OS you already own.

Originally posted by: JLee

I'll burn a set, then ISO them to my external HD..

Another possiblity would be to use Acronis True Image to clone the drive before you ever turn it on. If it works, you could then restore the drive, including the ability to burn another set of restore disks.

 

[nomadh]

Its cool that they make you burn your own restore set. That way you can find out immediately that your burner is a total piece of garbage Don't know this model specifically but all the last few low end laptop burners have been horrendous..... then they usually break. If this does better let us know.

 

[Lanyap]

Originally posted by: Terabyte
I hate how they stopped including restore cd's. Instead, they let us burn ONLY ONE SET of restore cd's...

I encountered this with Lenovo. Supposedly it's a licensing requirement from MS that they only allow one copy to be made. I bought a desktop from the Lenovo outlet that did not come with a burner so I pursued getting the recovery discs. Lenovo wanted $50+ for a 2 DVD set. I complained and talked to a few people there. My complaint was that they sold a PC configuration that did not have a way to burn a recovery disc so they should provide a recovery disc for little or no cost. One tech support guy told me to burn extra copies from the original burned copy. He said MS will not let them do it but the user could.

 

[hans007]

Originally posted by: Lanyap

Originally posted by: Terabyte
I hate how they stopped including restore cd's. Instead, they let us burn ONLY ONE SET of restore cd's...

I encountered this with Lenovo. Supposedly it's a licensing requirement from MS that they only allow one copy to be made. I bought a desktop from the Lenovo outlet that did not come with a burner so I pursued getting the recovery discs. Lenovo wanted $50+ for a 2 DVD set. I complained and talked to a few people there. My complaint was that they sold a PC configuration that did not have a way to burn a recovery disc so they should provide a recovery disc for little or no cost. One tech support guy told me to burn extra copies from the original burned copy. He said MS will not let them do it but the user could.

the reason they do this is because of refurbished machines for one thing

A lot of refurbished machines do not come with an OS . But they still have the license "tattoo" as it is called in the bios, but the COAs are stripped off.

If you had tons of copies of the restores, it would still work.

 

[ericb]

Is this an advertised special or unofficial special? I've looked at the sneak peak for next week's ad and there around no compaq laptops for sale anywhere in the ad.

 

[Harvey]

Originally posted by: ericb

Is this an advertised special or unofficial special? I've looked at the sneak peak for next week's ad and there around no compaq laptops for sale anywhere in the ad.

Yep. Don't forget to click the Sneak Peak tab to view next week's ad. Check page 4, bottom left of center, under the desktop and monitor, next to the 17" laptop for $699.98.

 

[ericb]

Originally posted by: Harvey

Originally posted by: ericb

Is this an advertised special or unofficial special? I've looked at the sneak peak for next week's ad and there around no compaq laptops for sale anywhere in the ad.

Yep. Don't forget to click the Sneak Peak tab to view next week's ad. Check page 4, bottom left of center, under the desktop and monitor, next to the 17" laptop for $699.98.

Not there for me. Only a HP and Dell laptop on page 4. No compaq listed anywhere in the 6 pages. Regional deal?

 

[bryanW1995]

link?

 

[Harvey]

Originally posted by: ericb

Not there for me. Only a HP and Dell laptop on page 4. No compaq listed anywhere in the 6 pages. Regional deal?

It shouldn't be. The ad is on Staples main site. Clear your cookies, and try entering a different zipcode to see if it comes up for you. 91403 is Van Nuys - Sherman Oaks, Ca.

It may also be available online starting Sunday.

Originally posted by: bryanW1995

link?

Can't post a direct link. It's javascript. Staples. Click Weekly Ad in the upper right corner, and click Sneak Peek to see ad for 1-1 - 1-7.

 

[ericb]

No good. I have a HP DV7-1232 for $699 and a Dell Inspiron 15 for $549 on page 4 in the VA/NC area. Same thing if I change the zip to 91403. Confirmed it's the sneak peek for 3/1-3/7. Closest I have is a $449 Acer on the page 1.

No go after clearing cookies and trying in IE and firefox. It's just a different ad for me for some reason.

I may just have to wait for Sunday's paper and check the paper ad.

 

[balloonshark]

I set my sisters up a while back and it takes a loooong time to burn the recovery cd's. I think it was between 2-3 hours. Definitely keep the power cord connected while making the cd's.

The CQ60-210US seems like a nice machine, but the 4GB version would be better.

 

[jlee]

Originally posted by: balloonshark
I set my sisters up a while back and it takes a loooong time to burn the recovery cd's. I think it was between 2-3 hours. Definitely keep the power cord connected while making the cd's.

The CQ60-210US seems like a nice machine, but the 4GB version would be better.

RAM is cheap- I missed out on the last one..I might pick this up.

 

[balloonshark]

Originally posted by: JLee

Originally posted by: balloonshark
I set my sisters up a while back and it takes a loooong time to burn the recovery cd's. I think it was between 2-3 hours. Definitely keep the power cord connected while making the cd's.

The CQ60-210US seems like a nice machine, but the 4GB version would be better.

RAM is cheap- I missed out on the last one..I might pick this up.

I know, but so is she :laugh:. I hope I didn't come off as criticizing this machine. She really loves it and I wouldn't mind having one myself. The only reason I mentioned the 4GB version is because it was the same price when it was on sale.

 

[allisolm]

Originally posted by: ericb
No good. I have a HP DV7-1232 for $699 and a Dell Inspiron 15 for $549 on page 4 in the VA/NC area. Same thing if I change the zip to 91403. Confirmed it's the sneak peek for 3/1-3/7. Closest I have is a $449 Acer on the page 1.

No go after clearing cookies and trying in IE and firefox. It's just a different ad for me for some reason.

I may just have to wait for Sunday's paper and check the paper ad.

This is so weird. When I started, the Sneak Peek for my location showed the $399 Compaq. I switched to a NC zip and, sure enough, it's not there. Switched to Van Nuys and - not there either. Switched back to MY location and it's gone. It shows what is listed above. Wild.

 

[Thump553]

Here in CT I'm showing a Dell 15 Inspiron T3400 for $550 in the spot Harvey mentioned instead of this deal.

 

[JC]

Not showing in my ad either (93446).

Just as well, since I missed out on the 4GB lappy for $399, I settled on an IBM T43 refurb for $289 shipped from Buy.com.

 

[jlee]

Odd.

I still have it (03766)...
staples.jpg

 

[Harvey]

Here's an even more weird one - I just went back to the Staples ad, and it didn't even ask for a zipcode. It went directly to the ad, and the Compaq CQ-210US is still there.

All I can suggest is that you call your local store, tomorrow, and ask for SKU #773768.

Good luck to all.

 

[jlee]

I showed up less than ten minutes after the store opened- they had one, and didn't recall selling any others.

:Q

Any recommendations on what I should use (free) to image the drive?

 

[ra990]

Weird, my store didn't have one nor did they confirm the price mentioned here.

 

[Harvey]

Originally posted by: JLee
I showed up less than ten minutes after the store opened- they had one, and didn't recall selling any others.

Congratulations. That's one more than zero and probably as many as you'll need for a few days. :thumbsup:

Any recommendations on what I should use (free) to image the drive?

~ Reply deleted. Offer for free copy of Acronis True Image 10 has expired.