Super Hot: 17" Compaq A909US Laptop $399 Clearance @ Staples (in-store only)

[Kaido]

Very quick video showing the laptop running Hackintosh:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BSIvocLfN2g

Tested working:
Windows Vista (Home Premium & Ultimate SP1)
Windows XP Professional SP2 (see page 3 of this thread for instructions)
OS X (Kalyway 10.5.2)

How to find it:
Call and ask your local Staples to look up if they have SKU 729360. Make sure they physically check because these are often not on display in the store and are sometimes returned as damages but are not updated in the computer system. If they don't have any left, but do have a display model, they can sell it to you for 10% off because it is a Clearance item. If they simply have none in stock, ask them to check to see if they can find it in another store. They have an AS/400 system that is linked to other stores in their area, which shows stock status for all stores. Also, they are allowed to reserve an item for ONE day, so if they have one, have them put your name on it and be sure to drive down and pick it up that same day.

Upgradable parts:
-Cheap 2gb SODIMM ($36.99 + shipped) - Upgradable to 4GB (2x2GB)
-Any 2.5" SATA hard drive (7200rpm up to 320gb, 5400rpm up to 500gb)

Pricing:
1.) $399.50 - A909US on clearance at Staples
2.) $30 instant off - latest Staples mini-catalog (front cover, cut-out coupon)
3.) $30 MIR - via Compaq (PDF Form)
4.) Additional bundle rebates (printers and so on)
5.) 20% Laptop Accessories from Staples (buy any 3 laptop accessories or more, get 20% off ALL purchased laptop accessories - mouse, software, mousepad, canned air, keyboard, USB hub, extended warranty, accidental damage warranty, bag, backpack, surge protector, UPS battery backup, laptop cooling pad, car inverter, headphones, etc.) * not valid on printers

Just picked this one up. I also used my $30 coupon that came with the latest Staples mini-catalog, so it was $369 out the door plus taxes. It's on clearance, so YMMV. Model is "Compaq Presario A909US". Specs:

-32-bit Vista Home Premium (includes Media Center)
-17" Gossy 1440x900 WXGA+ widescreen
-1.6ghz Intel Pentium Dual-Core T2330 processor
-2gb RAM (2x1gb)
-120gb 5400rpm hard drive
-Dual-Layer DVD burner with Lightscribe
-802.11b/g wifi (with on/off button above keypad)

-Keyboard plus Numpad
-Built-in Webcam
-Built-in Microphone
-Front Headphone jack
-Front Mic Jack
-3 USB 2.0 ports
-6-cell battery
-5-in-1 card reader (SD, MS/Pro, MMC, XD)
-Ethernet and RJ-45 jack (phone line)
-S-video and VGA video output ports
-Thin design (1.76" thick, feels thin and light for a 17")
-Lightweight (6.8 pounds, easy to hold with one hand!)

Note: This laptop does not have (1) integrated Bluetooth, (2) a Firewire port, and (3) a PCMCIA or ExpressCard slot. You cannot upgrade to Firewire via an expansion slot because there is no expansion slot. Of course, if you're into digital video you're probably not going to be using a laptop with an X3100 anyway

 

[jjmIII]

Do you have an item # ???

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: jjmIII
Do you have an item # ???

SKU 729360

Remember it's in-store only since it's a clearance item. Call and ask your local store if it's in-stock. If not, they can check other store's stock from their AS/400 system so you don't have to call around.

 

[FDF12389]

Thanks

 

[Syringer]

Any ideas if it's compatible with Windows XP? I really want this but hate Vista--and that would definitely be a dealbreaker.

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: Syringer
Any ideas if it's compatible with Windows XP? I really want this but hate Vista--and that would definitely be a dealbreaker.

I'm going to be installing XP later today, I'll let you know!

 

[Kaido]

The speakers are surprisingly awesome...the best I've ever heard on ANY laptop. They are Altec Lansing brand.

 

[freshspace]

Holy molly, this is hotter than the 15.4inch model that was on sale for 399. This has an intel chip and 2gigs of memory

 

[Kaido]

Sold out in the Hartford area now.

 

[JEKYLL]

Seems to be gone in Ohio/KY/IN area. If anyone comes across an extra I would be interested in getting one at this deal if anyone would be kind enough.

LMK

Thanks-JEK

 

[Kaido]

OS X works great on it! I used Kalyway 10.5.2 Intel-AMD edition and selected the Intel X3100 as my graphics card. It looks like the only thing that isn't recognized is the Wifi card, which is a simple swap with a compatible card from eBay.

Boy that made my day

 

[imported_Husky55]

Sold out in Old Saybrook, CT or it does not exist. Clerk is clueless.

 

[allisolm]

Called and was told none show up at all in our district - whatever that encompasses. Tallahassee is my location.

 

[johnnobts]

i bought 2 already, have one on hold nearby (Mobile, AL and PAscagoula, MS)

 

[freshspace]

Thanks for the great deal. I purchased one from a store in New Jersey. This turned out to be a great graduation present for my nephew. It is so much bigger than the 15.4incher that I bought a few weeks ago. I was so tempted to keep the 17incher and give the smaller one to my nephew, but there was something about an unopened box that made it a better present.

 

[Kaido]

There is a thread on the Compaq A909US over at the InsanelyMac forums:

http://forum.insanelymac.com/index.php?showtopic=108034

Runs OS X pretty dang well! Installation is straightforward and all of the basics work (speakers, video, dvd, wifi, ethernet, trackpad and keyboard, both cores, etc.). Webcam and headphone jack/mic jack don't work, but a USB webcam and USB sound card would solve those problems. Also if you press "Alt+Q" during Leopard setup when it asks for your Apple ID, you can just skip that entire section and go straight to creating your account!

I will be trying Windows XP Professional SP2 later today. There are no XP drivers on Compaq's site, but the hardware is very common (Intel X3100, Conexant HD-Audio, etc.) so I shouldn't have any problems with it. I'll whip up a driver package and post it here if I'm successful.

Also, a slightly more powerful version of this laptop (1.73ghz cpu, 3gb ram, 160gb hdd) is available at Best Buy for $749 under the model name of "A931NR". Still a steal if you're planning on using OS X on it - the cheapest new 13" MacBook is $1099 and only comes with 1gb of ram and a 120gb hard drive.

 

[mshan]

delete

(didn't see Kaido had already linked rebates)

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: mshan
delete

(didn't see Kaido had already linked rebates)

Oh I was just about to post a thank-you reply to your post - I added the rebates thanks to you! hehe

Also, Staples has a 20% off any 3+ laptop accessories deal going on. That means that if you buy any 3 laptop-related accessories (other than a Printer), you will get 20% off of ALL of them. For example:

Mouse
Mousepad
Keyboard
Headphones
Microphone
Surge Protector
UPS battery backup
Car inverter
Laptop bag
Laptop backpack
Software (ANY software, including Office 2007 or Adobe CS3)
Canned Air
Extended Warranty
Accidental Damage Warranty

I am not a big fan of extended warranties, but if you have the cash to burn, Staples has a really excellent new warranty called the Accidental Damage plan. It's expensive, but if you spill a drink on your laptop, leave it on the roof of your car and accidentally run over it, whatever - they will fix or replace your laptop for whatever period of time you purchase the warranty for (2 or 3 years). The warranty starts the day you buy the laptop. If the laptop is beyond repair, they simply issue you a Staples cash card for the purchase amount.

 

[mshan]

How does the screen look, and how silent is the laptop (fan and notebook hard drive)?

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: mshan
How does the screen look, and how silent is the laptop (fan and notebook hard drive)?

The screen is surprisingly good. When I say good, I mean good - I'm a video nut and I like excellent-quality displays. It has a very good level of brightness without being washed out. Typically Compaq laptops are pieces of crap, but this one seems to be very nice. I'll post a quick Youtube vid on my lunchbreak here in a few minutes to give you an idea of how it looks. The fans are pretty quiet...even at max they are quieter than my Mac Mini is.

 

[mshan]

Is that $30 off coupon catalog in the front of the store, or is it something that is mailed to you as a Staples Rewards member?

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: mshan
Is that $30 off coupon catalog in the front of the store, or is it something that is mailed to you as a Staples Rewards member?

It's something that is mailed to you, but I'm not a Rewards member. It was just one of those small catalogs you get every week. I also had a $30 off coupon card that was mailed to me, but it said it didn't apply to computers so I had to use the coupon from the catalog. I'd take a picture of it, but I already cut it out and threw away the magazine.

 

[Kaido]

I uploaded a quick video here: (some ATOT humor included )

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BSIvocLfN2g

My camera has a short video feature, but it's not all that great at capturing monitors, so the laptop's screen looks a little on the bright side. But you get the idea - it DOES work! You can hear the fans spin up when it starts, it goes down after it's booted. Even at max it's not very loud, in fact it is one of the quietest laptops I've owned (quieter than a 13" MacBook, but not as quiet as my last 15" MacBook Pro with the Santa Rosa chip). I open Safari, Address Book, and iCal in the video (hard to tell because of the glare).

 

[allisolm]

Oh, thanks! I was sad that there were none in my area. Now that you have provided additional rebates that bring the price down even more, I am moving away from sadness and towards depression. Glad some of you were able to get these. I, unfortunately, am forced to wait for the next deal. Sniffle, sniffle...

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: allisolm
Oh, thanks! I was sad that there were none in my area. Now that you have provided additional rebates that bring the price down even more, I am moving away from sadness and towards depression. Glad some of you were able to get these. I, unfortunately, am forced to wait for the next deal. Sniffle, sniffle...

Best Buy has it on sale for $749 and includes a whopping 3 gigs of ram as well as a 1.73ghz dual-core Pentium and 160gb hard drive - still a pretty smashing deal, especially if you plan on running OS X. Alternatively you can check eBay or Craigslist for a good deal. If I can find one in my area again, I'll shoot you a pm!