nc8430 - possible to negotiate with HP on price?

I've decided on buying the nc8430. However I want to customize it because none of the preconfigured sets have exactly the pieces I want. I read in the review on NR that the reviewer called them up (small biz division) and they gave him a 12.5% discount when he asked for one. Is this normal policy? Can I just call and have them offer this to me? Is there anything special I need to know, or anything special to say?

Thanks!

 

What is missing from the config you want?

 

I was originally looking at this config:

http://h10010.www1.hp.com/wwpc/us/e...-89315-321838-f1-1839150-1839197-3254487.html

However, I want 1GB RAM on 1 Dimm so that I can add another one. That config is 2 dimms. Also, I wanted to change the 5400rpm HD to 7200rpm.

Any ideas?

 

Hi,

I don't know about the pricing issue, but there seems to be an extremely long lead time on CTO systems. I ordered one online on 20OCT, and the expected delivery date is 26NOV. I was contacted by an HP representative who essentially said they may be able to get me a pre-configured system by mid-November if that would work better for me. At this point, you may be better off purchasing from a reseller which has one of these machines in stock -- I'm thinking of trying to cancel my order with HP and doing the same if I can.

 

They won't change around the specs on a preconfigured model, but they MIGHT do something for you if you call in. I had some shipping issues and a few delays, so the rep went with a preconfigured to still get it to me by my originally promised ship date.

Since you are facing a similar delay wtdoor, I would suggest you try calling into a rep and (be nice about it) mention that you're concerned with a delay on the first CTO, and heard from us that some of the preconfigured models will ship sooner, but you don't want to pay more than your current order (since that woudn't make much sense). No guarantees, but they might do something.

To Amberite: keep in mind that if the preconfigured does initially cost more, it might be CHEAPER to buy the lesser model and 2 1GB sticks than buying the more expensive one and 1GB. Shop NewEgg to find RAM that'll work...name brand quality ram should be fine. Same thing with the hard drive.

EDIT: Come to think of it...
Your model is $1799
2x1GB RAM...about $200 or so
7200RPM (100GB)...about $150 or so
TOTAL: $2149

Closest Preconfig: $2249 (click the price link on that nc8430 review)
1GB RAM...about $100
TOTAL: $2349

AFAIK, the nc8430 T7400 is the only model that comes with 1GB (1DIMM) & 7200RPM. But, unless HP can give you a deal on the second nc8430 listed above (and you might want to tell them about it being cheaper to upgrade aftermarket if you wish)...I would stick with the one you have and upgrade. Just call and be nice...

 

It depends on what rep you get and how they feel that day.

 

night_2004,

Thanks for the advice; I should have stated that the HP reps I've been contacted by have been very nice, helpful, and professional. I'll keep working with them to see if I can get a similar system to the one I spec'd within a reasonable timeframe, but that may not be possible. I think what I may end up doing is something along the lines of what you suggested -- purchasing the pre-config system from CDW or PCMALL, purchasing a RAM upgrade, and purchasing a copy of MS Office.

FWIW, this site and the information here has been very helpful while figuring out what to purchase -- thanks!

Regards ....

 

I too would recommend doing what Night 2004 says by going ahead and getting the preconfigured model and just upgrading RAM and such in the aftermarket. That is cheaper anyway (and faster) and on top of that you have the original RAM and 5400RPM hard drive that you could sell on Ebay. Sounds like a great deal to me.

 

Yea, I agree. Thanks, night, sounds like a good idea. I thought maybe HP would do something for me, but being able to get it faster is worth a lot to me. And as lappy said I could always sell the parts on ebay.

BTW, night, do you have any other revelations or insights since your review, now that you've had the laptop longer?

Also, these 2 RAMs would fit fine in the HP, right?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820220078
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820145012

I've heard more about Corsair, but the Patriot chip seems to have more and better reviews?

 

I'd get the Patriot of those two choices...ValueSelect is Corsair's weaker RAM I believe. Stick with quality.

Here's what I can say, and if you're looking for more on a particular thing feel free to ask:

1) Stick with HPs X1600 drivers...I had a nasty issue with the screen resolution changing when I came out of standby and I couldn't take it. The HP drivers don't hurt performance noticeably at all (50 points out of almost 4000 in 3dMark05 and no hit in Oblivion).
2) The HP Recovery DVDs are actually USEFUL for a change...definitely useful (I ended up torching my Windows install already and that program definitely saved me some time)
3) If you are a student (like me), consider getting a secondary battery IF you expect long hauls without AC. Right now that's my primary concern for when I get back to college next semester (and have a three hour lab where I might need the computer). Underclocking, PowerPlay, and NHC can only buy me a little extra time...but I still can't top ~3:15 with moderate usage.
4) I don't regret spending a small fortune (~$2400 w/docking station) on this notebook at all... . Even if I do buy another battery!
5) USB Hubs are your friend...3 USB ports isn't enough sometimes. That's why I have my docking station.
6) The speakers are pretty loud to me...so are any earphones...so I turn them down. Most of the time I have it at 5-10%...but I am pretty sensitive to loud sounds so take this one with a grain of salt.
7) I haven't had a single problem yet with this machine (other than my driver issue that was my fault...and a torched XP...also my fault).
8) When you don't game, and you have PowerPlay set for the slowest speed...this notebook is surprisingly quiet to me.

For the most part, I've been playing Oblivion to my heart's content but I still cannot push my temperature levels past 75-80C (and that's a good thing). NHC can't read the temps correctly (it overestimates), so I had to disable NHC's ACPI functionality so that it wouldn't shut down my computer in the middle of gaming. I monitor temps with Everest Home Edition, but I'm not worried at all about it.

 

i agree if they are in a good mood they might help you, i called a hp sales rep before i decided to purchase a notebook she was very helpful. but i think she was chinese and her head set wasnt working properly. but i think you could work out some rebates or something if your a good talker, she was set on getting me to buy something right then so maybe if you say you dont want to then get around to the rebate qustion or what not they might hook u up with a extra one i dunno.

 

Night, thanks so much for all your help. It sounds like this is a great laptop. I just bought mine from CostCentral for $1749 (no shipping or tax) and I cant wait to get it

I'll keep in mind what you said about the X1600 drivers. Usually I use omega drivers, so I'll definitely watch out for that if I see any problems.

This site is great. I've learned a lot in the past week and would have never bought this laptop had I not come here (I would have probably gone with a far inferior dell!).

 

Congrats on your purchase! I picked up the same one a couple of weeks ago, when they had it for $1670 - their raising the price so much just goes to show how popular it is...

 

...and I can understand why...nc8430: hidden gem of the gamer's world!