Why are HP SB notebooks so expensive?

At least they are in HP's side. I will be getting a machine with and Intel T7200 and whatever it takes to get it to 2GB RAM and 160GB HD. I will be buying the upgrades from Newegg (as the OEM builders are expensive). I've configured similar machines from Lenovo, HP SB, and Dell SB:

Intel C2D T7200
1024 MB RAM
80GB HD
7-cell battery
WXGA with camera, stereo, and mic
Vista Business
3-year next business day warranty
Lenovo Z61t: $1550

Cost needed to get desired machine: $150
Final total: $1700


Intel C2D T7200
512MB RAM
60GB HD
9-cell battery
WXGA+
Vista Business
3-year next business day warranty
Dell SB D620: $1200 (with coupon)

Cost needed to get desired machine: $220
Final total: $1420



Intel C2D T7200
512 MB RAM
80GB HD
6-cell battery
WXGA+ screen
Vista Business
3-year next business day warranty
HP nc6400: $1875

Cost needed to get desired machine: $220
Final total: $2100


It is a huge jump from any of the other prices and they are all rounded with taxes and shipping.

 

Yeah I've been doing similar comparisons. What I've found is that HP's SB CTO (configurable) options are always pretty expensive--way more so than the competition. But the pre-configured models can be pretty darn competitive, especially the ones in their "Smart Buy" program.

It's funny, I've been looking at more or less the same models. If you do not need WSGA+, then do a search for nc6400 model RB518UT, which has the T7200 and a 100 RPM drive. You can get a pretty good deal on it, like $1400-1500. Unfortunately there are no nc6400 preconfigured SKUs with WXGA+.

 

Does it have to be a business notebook? I have a DV200T with below specs including Microsoft office 2007 pro for less than $1800 CTO from COSTCO. Probably cheaper now that Santa Rosa is coming out in a few days.

 

I'd rather have a business class notebook as the consumer line keyboards feel childish. The SB machines also tend to feel much sturdier than it's consumer counterpart.