I think this is a fairly hot deal, but it takes a little work.
The laptop is a Compaq Presario 1722. It's not one of those cheap 700 series with the rounded edges.. this one looks just like the 2800 series, and has pretty good reviews.
Edit Updated Specs (Staples has it wrong!):
Processor Intel® Pentium® III-M processor 1.13 GHz featuring Intel® SpeedStepTM Technology
512KB L2 On-Chip Cache Memory
256 MB 133 MHz SyncDRAM upgradeable to 1GB
Hard Drive 20.0 GB hard drive
DVD/CD-RW Combo Drive (Hot swappable, FutureBay) Drive speeds of 4X CDR, 4X CD-RW, 6X DVD-ROM, 24X CD-ROM
(to clear up the confusion) Display 14.1" XGA Display Graphics ATI Mobility Radeon M6 Graphics with 8 MB dedicated video memory 4X AGP for enhanced video, graphics and 3D performance Enhanced DVD playback and 3D performance Maximum internal resoltion of up to 1024 x 768 x 16M; with external monitor - 1280 x 1024 non-interlaced 24-bit color provides up to 16M brilliant colors Video player (AVI, MPEG2 and others)
S-Video TV-Out MPEG2 full-motion video playback
Modem 56K ITU V.90 PCI modem
Networking 10/100 BaseT Ethernet Port
Battery/Power Supply High-capacity LiIon battery
Diskette Drive 3.5" 1.44 MB diskette drive (Hot swappable)
I/O Interfaces Two (2) USB connector Parallel SPP/ECP standard Interface; (DB25 connector) RJ-11 modem jack RJ-45 ethernet jack S-Video TV-Out Two audio ports (headphone/speaker out, microphone in) IEEE 1394 digital video port External VGA monitor port QuikDock connector Expansion Slots One (1) Type II PC Card slot with support for 32-bit CardBus Security
Here's what you do. Call Staples, 1-800-3STAPLE, and tell them you want to pricematch item #479641. (link)
You're going to pricematch it with Outpost.com, item #3217041.
Here's the tricky part--you cannot get to the Outpost listing by navigating the site or searching for the laptop name/item number. The only way to get to it is to type in the URL. So when you call, make sure you cell the CSR this URL:
http://shop3.outpost.com/product/3217041/
They should be able to get to it. If Staples gives you a hard time, hang up and call back. The systems from both retailers are the same preconfigured models made by Compaq for distribution in the US. Eventually the pricematch should work. Keep trying! (This worked for me the first time, though I tried it before this post).
Here's the math:
Staples ($1699.98) - Outpost ($1149.90) = 550.08. 550.08 x 110% pricematch = $605.09
$1699.98 - $605.09 = $1094.89 sub-total.
EDIT! Even hotter! There's a $100 rebate on this system if you purchase by June 29th (Saturday). link
1094.89 - $100 = $994.89 sub-total!
Your final cost will vary depending on shipping & tax. Mine came out to be $1179.20; your mileage will vary.
N.B. Outpost is currently offering free shipping on all orders >$500. Mention this to the CSR, and they should give you free ground shipping as well. There's a link for this off www.outpost.com if the CSR doesn't believe you.
Good Luck.
The laptop is a Compaq Presario 1722. It's not one of those cheap 700 series with the rounded edges.. this one looks just like the 2800 series, and has pretty good reviews.
Edit Updated Specs (Staples has it wrong!):
Processor Intel® Pentium® III-M processor 1.13 GHz featuring Intel® SpeedStepTM Technology
512KB L2 On-Chip Cache Memory
256 MB 133 MHz SyncDRAM upgradeable to 1GB
Hard Drive 20.0 GB hard drive
DVD/CD-RW Combo Drive (Hot swappable, FutureBay) Drive speeds of 4X CDR, 4X CD-RW, 6X DVD-ROM, 24X CD-ROM
(to clear up the confusion) Display 14.1" XGA Display Graphics ATI Mobility Radeon M6 Graphics with 8 MB dedicated video memory 4X AGP for enhanced video, graphics and 3D performance Enhanced DVD playback and 3D performance Maximum internal resoltion of up to 1024 x 768 x 16M; with external monitor - 1280 x 1024 non-interlaced 24-bit color provides up to 16M brilliant colors Video player (AVI, MPEG2 and others)
S-Video TV-Out MPEG2 full-motion video playback
Modem 56K ITU V.90 PCI modem
Networking 10/100 BaseT Ethernet Port
Battery/Power Supply High-capacity LiIon battery
Diskette Drive 3.5" 1.44 MB diskette drive (Hot swappable)
I/O Interfaces Two (2) USB connector Parallel SPP/ECP standard Interface; (DB25 connector) RJ-11 modem jack RJ-45 ethernet jack S-Video TV-Out Two audio ports (headphone/speaker out, microphone in) IEEE 1394 digital video port External VGA monitor port QuikDock connector Expansion Slots One (1) Type II PC Card slot with support for 32-bit CardBus Security
Here's what you do. Call Staples, 1-800-3STAPLE, and tell them you want to pricematch item #479641. (link)
You're going to pricematch it with Outpost.com, item #3217041.
Here's the tricky part--you cannot get to the Outpost listing by navigating the site or searching for the laptop name/item number. The only way to get to it is to type in the URL. So when you call, make sure you cell the CSR this URL:
http://shop3.outpost.com/product/3217041/
They should be able to get to it. If Staples gives you a hard time, hang up and call back. The systems from both retailers are the same preconfigured models made by Compaq for distribution in the US. Eventually the pricematch should work. Keep trying! (This worked for me the first time, though I tried it before this post).
Here's the math:
Staples ($1699.98) - Outpost ($1149.90) = 550.08. 550.08 x 110% pricematch = $605.09
$1699.98 - $605.09 = $1094.89 sub-total.
EDIT! Even hotter! There's a $100 rebate on this system if you purchase by June 29th (Saturday). link
1094.89 - $100 = $994.89 sub-total!
Your final cost will vary depending on shipping & tax. Mine came out to be $1179.20; your mileage will vary.
N.B. Outpost is currently offering free shipping on all orders >$500. Mention this to the CSR, and they should give you free ground shipping as well. There's a link for this off www.outpost.com if the CSR doesn't believe you.
Good Luck.