N81Vp-C1, $1199 @ Frys... good deal?

I've heard about people snagging this laptop last spring for 700 or 800 bucks after discounts and this and that, so I feel like I've missed the boat here.. Even so, my heart is still pretty much set on this laptop. Only question is where (and when) to buy. I can wait a few weeks if it means saving more, but not months.

I've been checking prices everywhere and Frys seems to be the cheapest I have found so far (even cheaper than the online stores, surprisingly).

What do you guys think? Should I go for it? It's worth it for me to pay a little more and buy it at a brick and mortar store, considering I can get it immediately and returns/repair will not be too much of a hassle. Not only that, they are also offering a free upgrade to Windows 7 when it comes out!

 

Wow that laptop was 700 or 800 bucks? ... Recently I've been looking at that laptop... what a shame. Makes me feel like I don't want it anymore lol.

 

N80 was ~800, not N81.
(N80 has an older graphics card and slower processor than the vp-c1)
AFAIK, the cheapest that N81Vp-c1 has *ever* gotten was $1150, at J&R's.
(J&R's offers them for $1250, but has $100 rebate once in a while - I've seen it happen twice so far.)
N81Vg however is $900 at newegg after 100 rebate, which ends in a few more days.
Vg has a slower processor and graphics card than vp, AND it has the CTRL/Fn keyboard layout as opposed to Fn/CTRL. Unforunately Vg does not have bluetooth.

 

An N81Vp-D1 is due for a release. Nothing new there except a better processor.

 

Yea I believe it was the n80 you are referring too. What people did was they went on live.com to get a cash back thing from certain sellers. One had it up on ebay so they found an ebay coupon too and it ended up costing between 700-800.

 

I think gentech has it for the same price. You have the added bonus of being able to change some parts before it's shipped, which is nice.

Any idea when the D1 is coming? I know it was delayed, but anyone know a rough ballpark figure?

 

Ah, my mistake.. it must have been the N80, then. That makes me feel a little better about shelling out $1200 for this laptop . Good call on the gentechpc price, I don't know how I missed that. Looks like the windows 7 upgrade is being done through Asus.

Also I did see the thread on the D1, and it has me curious. I probably wouldn't buy it if it's just a better processor though, unless the price ends up being the same. I'm planning on upgrading the processor once the warranty runs out anyway.

 

I'm curious about what processor they plan to put in that thing. There really aren't many options that are better, lol. Maybe a p9700/9800? And hopefully the price will be the same.

 

when is that one coming out?

 

bummer... Just went to Frys, and the sales guy told me they had completely sold out of all Asus laptops over a month ago, they weren't expecting to get any more in, and NO, they would not special order one for me. So I asked him what would happen if I ordered it online because it said it was available for pickup, and he said they would get an order ticket for it and try to find it, but in my case I would be SOL because they do not have them in stock. As I was walking away, he said "hey!", so I turned around... "While you're here, would you like to apply for a Frys card?"... I should have told him to F off.

Do these guys want to sell laptops or what??

 

N81Vp-C1 is not $900 at newegg. It's 1,300.

And sorry to hear that biggles.

 

yes, i know that.
if you look carefully, i was talking abt the Vg, not Vp since that is the most comparable to the n80 mentioned in the thread

 

No worries . I ended up ordering through gentech. It's actually better this way because I'll still get the windows 7 upgrade, plus I'll save $100 on sales tax, AND it qualifies for the accidental damage warranty. They do free ground shipping too, but I figured I'll spend a little of the money I saved on air shipment so I can hopefully get it before next week when my vacation ends.

I guess I was excited about the prospect of walking into the store and walking out with a laptop in my hands, but I'm glad it worked out this way instead. In fact, they just called me to confirm the order even though I placed it late in the day, so I'll take that as a good sign.

 

how much did u get it at gentech. I'm thinking to buy this laptop too. Do they allow you to config it like better graphic card for example?

 

It's $1199 currently at gentech. The gpu is limited to the 4670, but you CAN upgrade the cpu and a few other items before they ship it. If the D1 doesn't come in a week or two, I'm probably just going to buy the C1 at gentech.

That sucks about Fry's. Asus has like 50 models out there, including their netbooks. How the hell can they be completely out of Asus models and not have any coming in AND not willing to order one for you. That's pretty messed up.

 

Yeah, maybe it was just this location. Or maybe they don't make as much commission on Asus (especially Eee), so the sales guy got ticked off about it and decided to brush me off. I guess I could have tried talking to someone else later, but after my first attempt it was already starting to make more sense to buy online.

Anyway, with my luck the D1 should be announced as soon as my 'outdated' C1 arrives.

 

I have one more question. How about the dead pixel warranty? Will they exchange the new one for me when i happen got dead pixel on my screen? What is so good about d1 version? My budget around 1000 to 1200 should i wait for d1 or get this? I hope this laptop can run starcraft II and diablo III smoothy. Thank you for help and sorry for my ultra F english.

 

this link goes to the N81Vp product page on gentech, which shows all of the upgrade options:
http://1toppc.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=N81Vp-C1&Category_Code=

The free Asus warranty is 30 day "zero bright dot". As I understand it, that means they will replace the panel if a pixel is stuck on. If the pixel is stuck off (dark), then I don't think they will replace it. Or you can pay more for gentech's 1 year dead pixel warranty.

oops, didn't see your edit... None of us really know what the D1 is yet, just that it is probably based on the same design as the C1. As far as I know, there's not a lot that could be better, besides the CPU and graphics card. And the C1 can run Crysis smoothly, so I'm very sure it can run starcraft and diablo (when they release, that is). :yes:

 

Thank you for million. When you get ur laptop post a short review about it

 

Will Gentech upgrades void the warranty?

 

Since GT is the reseller of Asus, i don't think it will void warranty when they upgrade ur comp.

 

Anyone know whether Frys will stock the upcoming model N81Vp-D1???

 

newegg.com has put up an open box price for the N81 series, both the Vp and the Vg. so for those of you that don't mind refurbished/ open box machines, these are great deals. the open box brings the N81Vp down under the 4-digit mark.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834220510R