Luke warm Compaq900Z Mobile athlon thoroughbred 1500 notebook for 724 + taxUpdate:link to AMD notebook discussion forum

[Dragon9]

i did a similar deal on a compaq lappy at radio shack in which i signed up for a radio shack card with 1 year interest free and charged the lappy on that.

does anyone know if there is a staples credit card (with no interest for 1 year) that i can sign up for?

 

[IgoByte]

OK, once more I'm confused...

Is this deal still available and if so, where should I purchase the notebook? Could anyone give me the details please, whether here or by PM.

 

[Tot]

Go to staples

and configure from there




Thanks FOR the link

 

[BlackCatt]

Okay, just found another $100 MIR.
I went to new staples to try to get the $200 instant (no luck :-() but while I was there they had several copies of a $100 MIR for the laptops printed out. I was looking at one, and noticed the expire date was 02/23/2003 not 10/12/02 like the one listed on their website.

Unfortunately this is another Compaq MIR, along with the original MIR. So it will be extra hard to get both of them. In fact the new one specifically says "This offer may not be combined with the Comaq Presario Summer 2002 Notebook PC offer or the Built For You 2002 Notebook summer savings offer" the latter of which is the MIR listed on staples.com.

The good news hopefully is that the news is true that Staples will have their own $150 MIR next week and we can then combine that one and this new one.

I know, I know... you want links...
Old Rebate
New Rebate after much searching...

 

[badluck]

BlackCatt:

In the "old" rebate, the 900Z is listed as a notebook that you can purchase and qualify for the rebate....on the "new" rebate, the 900Z isn't.

I might not have read it right though??????



Thanks for trying though......

 

[BlackCatt]

badluck, I noticed that also... however it does say after listing all the models..."including all Presario Built For You Notebook PC Systems"

Also, this is the rebate they were handing people at staples for the 900z, so there should be NO problem using it for that model.

 

[Dragon9]

i did a similar deal on a compaq lappy at radio shack in which i signed up for a radio shack card with 1 year interest free and charged the lappy on that.

does anyone know if there is a staples credit card (with no interest for 1 year) that i can sign up for?

 

[dentrapment]

The 1500T and the 900Z uses the same components except for the motherboard. The 900Z is better priced but the AMD CPU causes a lot of problem before in the 700 Series so I wouldn't recommend you purchasing it. The 1500T is a solid machine but there's still a lot of bugs need to be work out. The 900Z is so new that we haven't even found all the bugs in it yet. Wait a few months if u can until all the new model bugs are worked out. Trust me on this because I work with these everyday. I can tell you how I know but I'll have to kill you afterward.

Originally posted by: Bfavre444
I did look at the 1500T with the P4. Though I like AMDs better, I don't mind getting P4s. But in this case where the cpus are mobile, the P4 has 2 speed modes with SpeedStep. The 2.2Ghz on the P4 only runs at 2.2GHz on AC power, and switches to 1.2GHz on battery power. So I'm gonna have to go with the 900Z with the Athlon 2000 since AMD PowerNow adjusts clock speed smoothly and has many more steps than just 2 steps of the P4.

So instead of running at 1.2GHz on battery for the P4, the Athlon 2000 will be able to run at for example 1200, 1400, 1500, 1800, 2000 on battery power depending on the application.

However, firewire and USB 2.0 on the 1500T do look tempting. (if only it used the Athlon!!)

 

[RossMAN]

Originally posted by: dentrapment
The 1500T and the 900Z uses the same components except for the motherboard. The 900Z is better priced but the AMD CPU causes a lot of problem before in the 700 Series so I wouldn't recommend you purchasing it. The 1500T is a solid machine but there's still a lot of bugs need to be work out. The 900Z is so new that we haven't even found all the bugs in it yet. Wait a few months if u can until all the new model bugs are worked out. Trust me on this because I work with these everyday. I can tell you how I know but I'll have to kill you afterward.

Originally posted by: Bfavre444
I did look at the 1500T with the P4. Though I like AMDs better, I don't mind getting P4s. But in this case where the cpus are mobile, the P4 has 2 speed modes with SpeedStep. The 2.2Ghz on the P4 only runs at 2.2GHz on AC power, and switches to 1.2GHz on battery power. So I'm gonna have to go with the 900Z with the Athlon 2000 since AMD PowerNow adjusts clock speed smoothly and has many more steps than just 2 steps of the P4.

So instead of running at 1.2GHz on battery for the P4, the Athlon 2000 will be able to run at for example 1200, 1400, 1500, 1800, 2000 on battery power depending on the application.

However, firewire and USB 2.0 on the 1500T do look tempting. (if only it used the Athlon!!)

I bought the 1500T with 1.4 Celeron-M, upgraded to 15.0" SXGA and 66 WHr battery ... what kind of bugs do the current 1500T's have?

Thanks.

 

[Bfavre444]

But the P4-M reduces cpu speed to 63% of original speed, when on battery.

 

[Tot]

Originally posted by: dentrapment
The 1500T and the 900Z uses the same components except for the motherboard. The 900Z is better priced but the AMD CPU causes a lot of problem before in the 700 Series so I wouldn't recommend you purchasing it. The 1500T is a solid machine but there's still a lot of bugs need to be work out. The 900Z is so new that we haven't even found all the bugs in it yet. Wait a few months if u can until all the new model bugs are worked out. Trust me on this because I work with these everyday. I can tell you how I know but I'll have to kill you afterward.

Hi dentrapment,

Welcome to Anandtech, that would be your first post with your current account I supposed. Anyway, if you would care to elaborate on what particular problems the 700 series AMD cpu notebook have for consumers when it first came out, I am sure alot of use would be more advised. I am sure that if you could somehow link us to some of the sources of problems on the internet forums or compaq's tech support that discusses about all those problem we would also appreciate it too. And as far as those bugs that you mentioned for the 700Z, did compaq provide a sufficient patch for them or just decide to tell the owners of those notebook to go around the problem.
As far as your comment on, having to kill Bfavre444(figuratively I hope) if you tell him how you know about those bugs, why not just tell us what specific bugs are those notebooks currently being plagued with.

If you are a compaq engineer, who cant leak out any secrets regarding compaq's top secret bug solving team for notebooks, its amazing that you took the risk to warn us about buying these notebooks. We appreciate it.

Btw: could you pass the message to compaq CEO Fiona, that if she ever release a notebook that is half developed full of bugs and expects the consumers to be guinea pigs for them, she is then as bad as those coorporate rascal.

Peace out


Once again Rossman beats me to it. Argghhhh.

 

[succubiss]

Thanks for the heads up on this deal!

I helped my friend score at newark staples (off mowry).

The manager knew about this deal and she was adamant that the $75 fee was non negotiable and actually went to the customization company. however, we did get in on all the other coupons:

$1250 (after 15" upgrade, $75 shipping, and $6 worth of packing tape)
-$300 (off $1099 online)
-$30 (off $150 online)
-$50 (off $300 instore)
+67 tax

the first 2 coupons worked at the kiosk, and the 3rd worked at the checkout.

$938 out the door, with a $100 rebate coming.
We're very happy. Thanks.

 

[Tot]

Ok.

Now that we got most of the work done. Its time to talk about the notebook itself. I took a trip to local stores to check out the 900 series laptop. I was not impressed by the particular notebook that they have in BB it looks dusty and old and like as if its been there for ages. And when I got to compusa, they had a out of the box 900 on display, they have not even power it up yet. So I had to help them out. Anyway that was as far as I got to. The computer looks really cool when it is clean and new. The multiport was smaller then I thought.(wonder whether we can put a regular PC card in there.)

The only thing that made the PC a slight problem is the touch pad. Its like a caved down touch pad, dirts and other junk will difinately get into the seams that surrounds the touch pad. So that is a minus.

As far as usage, performance ect I didnt have much chance to do so. No graphic software such as photoshop, movie editor kind of software on the computer. In any case look at anandtech review and another forum for more info.





AMD proccesor based notebook discussion 900Z, 4101 ect AMD processor based notebook forum 900Z 4101 ect

 

[technoteaser]

Because of your power saving bushiftf I bought AMD 900 Now I regret that I could have bought HP Pav 5000 P4 for the same price. I am going to return mine and get a new one on monday

Originally posted by: Bfavre444
I did look at the 1500T with the P4. Though I like AMDs better, I don't mind getting P4s. But in this case where the cpus are mobile, the P4 has 2 speed modes with SpeedStep. The 2.2Ghz on the P4 only runs at 2.2GHz on AC power, and switches to 1.2GHz on battery power. So I'm gonna have to go with the 900Z with the Athlon 2000 since AMD PowerNow adjusts clock speed smoothly and has many more steps than just 2 steps of the P4.

So instead of running at 1.2GHz on battery for the P4, the Athlon 2000 will be able to run at for example 1200, 1400, 1500, 1800, 2000 on battery power depending on the application.

However, firewire and USB 2.0 on the 1500T do look tempting. (if only it used the Athlon!!)

 

[JerryP]

Thanks for this great deal. I bought the 900Z w/15" SXGA upgrade. Used the $300 coupon and two $30 coupons (1 printable). Plus got the 5" B/W TV for free w/coupon. Local Staples store agreed to subtract $75 shipping. Cost me $933 w/tax. Subtract another $100 w/Compaq rebate found on the Staples website to lower it to $833. And my wife just wanted a portable DVD player for $799 plus tax!!!

 

[Tot]

OMG. I cannot believe that people actually thank me, and some actually got alittle pissed.

In anycase, what makes this forum great is all the people working for each other to find the best deal at that moment. And lots of time
a better deal will difinately crop up. But as long as you are happy to save some bucks, cheaper then retail at least, then this place will always serve you well. As for super hot deal, I too hope that one of these days I get them too.

Hope that all of you get your notebook and rebate promptly.

Post back when you get the notebook. Tell us how you like it.

 

[Bfavre444]

Just ordered one today. Went to Towson, MD staples. Went to kiosk and applied $300 and $30 and then did $50 at checkout. Also the tech guy behind the counter did my order and was really nice and waived the $75 shipping. He waived it without me asking. He even wanted to ship it free to my mailbox, but then found out that they could only get it to the store. Anyway, that's $380 off at the store which is exactly what I wanted and expected and then will do the compaq MIR soon. The tech guy even said "you know, that's a great deal. I might get one for myself."

technoteaser, why did you return your 900z because of AMD's powernow? Why is it bullsh*t? It's certainly better than the 2 steps of P4's Speedstep.


By the way, where is the old Compaq 10/12 rebate?!! The pdf of the 10/12 is a dead link now. I want to use the 10/12 Compaq MIR because it specifically works for BTOs. The new Compaq MIR is mostly for retail models, and at the bottom states for BTO models. So anyone save the 10/12 MIR pdf?

 

[badluck]

I got one as well....can't wait to get it. I'll post here as soon as I do with more info.

Now we need a hot deal on some more RAM.....

Maybe a external CD-RW

and.....maybe even a faster HD. heh......

 

[dentrapment]

Originally posted by: Tot

Originally posted by: dentrapment
The 1500T and the 900Z uses the same components except for the motherboard. The 900Z is better priced but the AMD CPU causes a lot of problem before in the 700 Series so I wouldn't recommend you purchasing it. The 1500T is a solid machine but there's still a lot of bugs need to be work out. The 900Z is so new that we haven't even found all the bugs in it yet. Wait a few months if u can until all the new model bugs are worked out. Trust me on this because I work with these everyday. I can tell you how I know but I'll have to kill you afterward.

Hi dentrapment,

Welcome to Anandtech, that would be your first post with your current account I supposed. Anyway, if you would care to elaborate on what particular problems the 700 series AMD cpu notebook have for consumers when it first came out, I am sure alot of use would be more advised. I am sure that if you could somehow link us to some of the sources of problems on the internet forums or compaq's tech support that discusses about all those problem we would also appreciate it too. And as far as those bugs that you mentioned for the 700Z, did compaq provide a sufficient patch for them or just decide to tell the owners of those notebook to go around the problem.
As far as your comment on, having to kill Bfavre444(figuratively I hope) if you tell him how you know about those bugs, why not just tell us what specific bugs are those notebooks currently being plagued with.

If you are a compaq engineer, who cant leak out any secrets regarding compaq's top secret bug solving team for notebooks, its amazing that you took the risk to warn us about buying these notebooks. We appreciate it.

Btw: could you pass the message to compaq CEO Fiona, that if she ever release a notebook that is half developed full of bugs and expects the consumers to be guinea pigs for them, she is then as bad as those coorporate rascal.

Peace out


Once again Rossman beats me to it. Argghhhh.

Compaq and HP are not the only one that come out with notebooks with problem... Toshiba is getting sue for some of their products... Those bugs are minor and effect probably less than 1% of the notebooks out there so you guys shouldn't concern too much.

 

[deanm11]

The new $150 Staples rebate excludes BTO.

http://www.staplesrebates.com/weblogic/rebateshq/staples/searchPromotionsByManufacturer


Can anyone PM or email me the $30 coupon? I tried to have it emailed to me twice
and it didn't work.

Thanks

 

[badluck]

Can anyone PM or email me the $30 coupon? I tried to have it emailed to me twice

When I ordered mine, it made me get my order past $1249 for the $30 to work. What error message did you get when you entered it?

 

[Peetoeng]

Would just spell it out exactly what the problems are! This is Anandtech forum, we are not computer noob.

Otherwise, you can say the same line about, say, a new
twinkie with, "I am not gonna buy that newly introduced twinkie untill they figure out the bugs."

Originally posted by: dentrapment

Originally posted by: Tot

Originally posted by: dentrapment
The 1500T and the 900Z uses the same components except for the motherboard. The 900Z is better priced but the AMD CPU causes a lot of problem before in the 700 Series so I wouldn't recommend you purchasing it. The 1500T is a solid machine but there's still a lot of bugs need to be work out. The 900Z is so new that we haven't even found all the bugs in it yet. Wait a few months if u can until all the new model bugs are worked out. Trust me on this because I work with these everyday. I can tell you how I know but I'll have to kill you afterward.

Hi dentrapment,

Welcome to Anandtech, that would be your first post with your current account I supposed. Anyway, if you would care to elaborate on what particular problems the 700 series AMD cpu notebook have for consumers when it first came out, I am sure alot of use would be more advised. I am sure that if you could somehow link us to some of the sources of problems on the internet forums or compaq's tech support that discusses about all those problem we would also appreciate it too. And as far as those bugs that you mentioned for the 700Z, did compaq provide a sufficient patch for them or just decide to tell the owners of those notebook to go around the problem.
As far as your comment on, having to kill Bfavre444(figuratively I hope) if you tell him how you know about those bugs, why not just tell us what specific bugs are those notebooks currently being plagued with.

If you are a compaq engineer, who cant leak out any secrets regarding compaq's top secret bug solving team for notebooks, its amazing that you took the risk to warn us about buying these notebooks. We appreciate it.

Btw: could you pass the message to compaq CEO Fiona, that if she ever release a notebook that is half developed full of bugs and expects the consumers to be guinea pigs for them, she is then as bad as those coorporate rascal.

Peace out


Once again Rossman beats me to it. Argghhhh.

Compaq and HP are not the only one that come out with notebooks with problem... Toshiba is getting sue for some of their products... Those bugs are minor and effect probably less than 1% of the notebooks out there so you guys shouldn't concern too much.

 

[deanm11]

badluck, I never got to the point of having a $30 coupon/code in hand...you are supposed to type
in your email address to get it sent to you (or actually your friend), but I never got it..
I did try the $50 at the Staples kiosk, but it wouldn't combine with the $300 BTO rebate ...
The $50 says not combinable, but you can do it at the register?

When you do get the cart finished at the kiosk, what do you do next to go pay at the register?

 

[lowtek]

I just got in on this deal at the Bellevue, WA Staples today. Wow, the store was understaffed.

The sales person showed me how to use the kiosk and it printed out the full price of the laptop (before $300 coupon and before free shipping), and when I brought it to the cashier, the cashier entered the coupon code to get $300 off, then gave me free shipping after confirming with the manager. (I tried to do the $50 off $500 printable coupon, but the sales person tried to enter it at the kiosk and it was 'already used' so I didn't try any harder -- I didn't try any other coupons).

I just got an Order Confirmation email from Staples and it actually shows a bizarre order total *without* the $300 coupon & free shipping taken into account (web site Order Status shows the same). I'm guessing that I can ignore this since the price at the Staples register was correct.

Compaq 900Z Athlon 1500+ with 15" SXGA+, 40GB drive, DVD-ROM, 256MB RAM, XP Home:
$1404 system
-$75 free shipping
-$300 Build Your Own coupon
=====
$1029
+$90 tax
=====
$1119
-$100 Compaq rebate
=====
$1019 pretty good deal to me for big screen, big hard drive, relatively big memory

What's the tip to check on the shipping status/arrival? (I remember reading some tips in one of those 10,000 post threads...)

Spencer

 

[badluck]

lowtek

Congrats on your new laptop! I can't wait to get mine as well.

Stick to the price you signed for on the receipt. That is the amount you will get charged. I had a similar incident. The $50 off was supposed to be used at the cashier, not the kiosk. FYI. I suggest that you go back and try to get the extra $50 off. Just give it to the cashier and see if they will take it. I used it with no problems.

You can check the tracking str8 from the e-mail you received from Staples.