I want to get my dad a new laptop for Christmas, he needs nothing complicated, web surfing and email, that's it. I just want something that's not a complete piece of crap. I'd prefer a Lenovo anyone know where to get a deal on a basic one? I don't want something that's prone to hardware failure, like i've heard of HP's.

Any suggestions? I'd like to keep to $400-500, and have Windowz 7.

As some incentive I'll send the person who finds the lappy I decide to go with a prize.

 

A prize, eh?

 

Personally I avoid Lenovo (their CS sucks and almost every laptop I order gets cancelled by them or takes em 3 months to ship so I end up cancelling it) at all costs unless I find a crazy crazy deal, but here you go:

http://slickdeals.net/forums/showthread.php?t=1753552

 

I'm a fan of the Acer Aspire Timeline. I've got the 11.6in model and love it but there's 13.3in, 14, and 15 as well. It's plenty powerful and gets insane battery life (8+ hrs)

 

HP mini?

 

Ive got a Lenovo S10-2 netbook. Ive always prefered IBM/Lenovo laptops (I work for IBM, but this isnt bias, I liked their laptops before I worked for them). I think they sell for around $350 but Im honestly not sure.

It does kind of suck having to get an external hard drive, but I usually have things on a USB thumbdrive so its not that big of a deal. Its got an LCD screen, a built in web-cam (I dont use it though), and a rather spacious keyboard. Ive got the standard battery on the S10-2 (I dont think they have an extended battery for it) and it lasts me a solid 5.5-6 hours on a charge on wifi with the screen at half brightness and the battery setting set to max performance. It also comes with XP on it

The S10-2 has the 10" screen, the S12-2 has the 12".

 

Too anyone suggesting netbooks, I guess I should have mentioned he's 65, so that tiny shit won't work. It needs to be 14'' to 15'' screen.

The slick deals link is tempting, but by the time they rape me shipping it here, then convert the rape into canadian I think I can get more for the same $$.

 

Lenovo SL410, $464 USD, Windows 7, 14" screen, free shipping. I just picked one up for my sister.

EDIT - Uggh, now it really does sound like Im trying to sell my company's stuff.

 

I'm sure you'll find what you're looking for here!

http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/17/a...or-around-400/

 

why dont u get him one of those netbooks it cost like $300

 

Did you say waffles??

 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16834114715

 

Fry's Electronic under 400 enjoy.

http://newspaperads.mercurynews.com/...27706287&type=

 

I haven't checked for actual pricing, but...

http://www.lenovo.com/CA/en/

if you're interested in Lenovo.



Their main page shows "Pre-Boxing Day Sales" ends December 21 / "Employee Pricing" / "Free Shipping" ...not sure how much extra of a deal that is though since I haven't looked around.

Unless you find an amazing deal with really low shipping rates to Canada (which still won't eliminate duty), it's probably going to be really expensive to order from the US. Sometimes though, it still ends up cheaper so look around!

 

right? I came in here for a waffle debate....and all I found was broken dreams

 

www.bestbuy.com

 

Acer 15.6" Dual Core Athlon, 3GB ram, 320GB hard drive, WiFi, memory card reader. $449 and according to their web site in stock in Toronto.

http://www.bestbuy.ca/catalog/prodde...gon=&langid=EN

Edit: Crap, forgot to add. Windows 7 Home Premium

 

Waffles?

 

My wife has the single core version of this one she got for $300 and it's been kick a*s so far. I too have an Acer and love it.

 

which is better>?

Intel Graphics Media Accelerator X4500

or

Intel GMA4500MHD

 

I just bought an Acer Aspire 5534 for $350 at walmart. Pretty solid laptop so far and it has Windows 7.

 

Love my Lenovo SL500. Got it for around $500 after all the fatwallet cash back, discounts, etc.

Had it since last Xmas. No issues. Shipped fast too... Definitely would buy a lenovo again.

<--- hates HP/Compaq

 

you got a Lenovo, and it shipped fast?

 

Theres a guy in BM selling a laptop for 430, 15.6 windows 7.


Just a heads up.

 

Was there something about Canadian rape mentioned? That sounds interesting. With maple syrup?

 

Ordered it on 12/16/08, it shipped on 12/19/08, and I had it before Xmas.

I was surprised since I ordered it during the xmas rush...

 

That's my listing, pick-up only .

 

http://dealnews.com/

There are always good deals on there.

 

For Canadian pricing of goods:

www.redflagdeals.com

I am thinking of buying a computer for my wife (laptop) but deals in Canada stink. Thankfully, I live close enough to the border to order from the US and bring it back to Canada. I just have to carefully time it with a vacation (when I'm out of the country for more than 7 days) so I can bring it back duty-free.

Good luck with your search. (I bought a 11.6" Acer netbook with an Atom Z530 processor to travel in Costco in the US ... taxes in, it was less than US$300.)

 

Actually, for the best CANADIAN deals, try:

www.wishabi.ca

The whole point of the site is to list the best Canadian deals!

It will even calculate how much it will cost to buy, pay shipping, pay duty and exchange rates on items from the States so you can really compare costs.

 

www.edealinfo.com

Dell Vostro 1014 Intel Core 2 Duo 14.0" Laptop, 2GB/160GB/Win 7/Webcam » only $499.00

Dell Inspiron 15 Intel Pentium 15.6" Laptop, 3GB/250GB/Win 7/Webcam » only $449.00

Dell Inspiron 15 Intel Pentium 15.6" Laptop, 4GB/320GB/Win 7/Webcam » only $499.00

More here: CLICK ME

For Lenovo

http://www.edealinfo.com/lenovo/

Lenovo Value line G550 Intel Core Duo 15.6" Laptop, 3GB/250GB/Windows 7 » only $503.10

"Lenovo.com is carrying this 15.6" Laptop for $659
There is a $100 instant discount on this item
Apply 10% off coupon code "USPBANNERS" on it
Final Price: $659 - $100 - 10% = $503.10 + Free Shipping
Specs: Intel Core Duo 2.10GHz, 15.6" WXGA, 3GB RAM, 250GB HDD, DL DVD Recordable Drive, Windows 7 Home Premium, 802.11g WLAN!"

 

Thanks for all the help everyone! I ended up ordering a lenovo Ideapad Y550. With the discounts they have on, I had to talk myself out of getting a T or X series for me.



Specs: Was $550 with all the discounts they are offering
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo processor T6600 ( 2.20GHz 800MHz 2MB )
GenuineWindows 7 Home Premium 64
Intel Graphics Media Accelerator X4500
4 GB PC3-8500 DDR3 SDRAM 1066MHz
15.6 " HD Wide LED 1366x768
320GB 5400
DVD Recordable (Dual Layer)
Intel Wireless Wi-Fi Link 5100
Bluetooth Version 2.1 + EDR
Battery 6 Cell Lithium-Ion

 

Looks like a nice system! (and a great gift at that!)

I've got a T410 coming my way in January for work, but I don't know what's inside it yet. I've got my fingers crossed it's at least a Core i5.
SS is using a T500 now and I've got a T60 with T61P guts in it.

 

The Y series is very good. My brother has one. While its a bit heavy, its a great desktop replacement for him.

 

Nice, I was looking at the T410 as well, it's a nice system for sure, I didn't realize it had a multi touch track pad and screen to boot. The preboxing day sale they have on has some really good pricing. Actually at least on the Y550 the same pricing as the links you sent me. I've been talking myself down from a new lappy for the last 2 months or so and this isn't making it any easier. Although I really do want another mac...Thanks for links btw

I guess we'll see what kind of impression Windows 7 gives me. Now to read up on 7 optimization.

 

7 optimization? What's that?

 

Windows 7 optimization, as in, i'm sure there's some tweaks to make it run better than it does out of the box. i.e. turn off crap my 65 year old dad will never use.

 

Besides uninstalling the crapware that comes with a new PC I can't think of anything you'd turn off in Windows7 to make it run faster or if you did turn of would make it run better if anything it'd probably do more harm than good. That's what 7 is all about and why it's gotten such great reviews. Also that's why it runs great on a single core atom processor something Vista could never do. Things that don't need to be on aren't on by default, services that don't need to be started during start up are delayed so as not to slow down boot time. 7 is the opposite of bloated.

 

good to hear. Worthwhile to do a fresh format out of the box though?

 

not really. I didn't but you could if you wanted too but you'd need an OEM install disc from MS. Here's a program I use to uninstall the crapware, it streamlines the decrapifying process. hence why it's called pc decrapifier.

www.pcdecrapifier.com

so when you get the PC you run said program above and check all the shit you want to uninstall and it launches the uninstall app for all the programs one after the other. Then once that's done you go to www.ninite.com and install all software you might want, FF, itunes, chrome, safari, malwarebytes, flash, silverlight, java, ccleaner and most importanly Micrsoft security essentials. Then run CCleaner and run the registry cleaner and call it a day. You'll have a pimped out PC in about 20 minutes!

So again it's

1. pcdecrapifier
2. ninite.com
3. CCleaner
4. ????
5. profit