OK, now considering a T400 order...

So, I was considering a T61 from the outlet, ( http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=317389 ), but have been informed that the unit I ordered has already been shipped on another order and so my order must be cancelled. I was looking through other models on the outlet but also did up another T400 config via CPP. Given a price difference of only about $225 and that the T400 is the newer model, I am now considering a T400 order. Here are the two configs:

CPP T400 - $814.01 + tax
Intel Core 2 Duo Processor P8400 (2.26GHz 1066MHz 3MBL2) 25W1
Genuine Windows Vista Home Basic12
14.1 WXGA+ TFT, w/ CCFL Backlight
Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 4500MHD
2 GB PC3-8500 DDR3 SDRAM 1067MHz SODIMM Memory (1 DIMM)8
UltraNav (TrackPoint and TouchPad)
80 GB Hard Disk Drive, 5400rpm4
DVD Recordable 8x Max Dual Layer, Ultrabay Slim (Serial ATA)5
No Bluetooth
Intel WiFi Link 5100 (AGN)10
Integrated Mobile Broadband upgradable
4 cell Li-Ion Battery60
7417: 1 Year Depot Warranty - TopSeller7
**would also purchase more RAM, probably 2gb from newegg - $60 to $80


Outlet T61 - $577.08 + tax
Processor - Intel® Core™2 Duo processor T8100 (2.10 GHz, 3MB L2, 800 MHz FSB)
Operating System - Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium 32
Screen - 14.1 WXGA TFT
Memory - 1 GB PC2-5300 DDR2 SDRAM 667MHz SODIMM Memory
Hard Drive - 80 GB Hard Disk Drive, 5400rpm
Optical Storage - CD-RW/DVD-ROM Combo 24X/24X/24X/8X Max, Ultrabay Slim
Wireless - Intel® Wireless WiFi Link 4965AGN (supporting Centrino Pro)
Warranty - Std 1 Yr Warranty
Battery - 4 cell Li-Ion Battery
Features - UltraNav (TrackPoint and TouchPad)
Bluetooth - Bluetooth w/ antenna
Video Card - Intel GMA X3100 GM965
**would also purchase another 2gb RAM from newegg to put in this machine - $30


Comments? I much prefer the price point of the T61, but I could drop the price of the T400 another $60 if I forego the DVDRW and get just a CDRW/DVD drive instead. My desktop system has a perfectly good DVD burner anyway. Also, ignore the versions of Vista...they really don't matter. I am not really a PC gamer. (That's what the PS3 and Wii are for; about the only thing I might want to try to play on the laptop is Civ IV.)

 

T400 should do better on battery, faster processor, twice the memory, is DDR3 memory, higher res screen, newer, better gfx card.

all that for 225? I would do it.

 

Yeah, I would drop the DVD burner personally. I have one in my machine and the only time I have used it was to make the recovery media(3 DVDs instead of 9 CDRs, so what?). Flash drives have become so big and cheap that I do all my file transfers with them now.

 

And I can borrow one from work to put in the T400 long enough to do that.

edit: I am leaning towards dropping the DVD burner and updating to the LED screen.

 

That seems like a good plan (LED screens are brighter and more efficient than CCFL). I would recommend you get the 6 or 9 cell battery if you plan on working away from a desk though. It is liberating to have 5+ hours of battery life, and you just won't get that with the 4 cell.

The graphics processor in the T400 is also much better than the one in the T61. The x4500 is able to accelerate decoding of HD video, while the x3100 cannot. This will allow you to play back high quality videos on battery without any problem (the T61 can do it, but the processor will have to work harder and reduce battery life).

 

I'm glad I read this post. I was also considering picking up a T61 (refurb) from the outlet, although the one I was considering was about $700. It doesn't make any sense not to spend the couple extra hundred dollars to get a new T400, especially with the sales that will be coming up soon around the holidays.

 

I guess my only dilemma at the moment is whether to order today using CPP and a coupon for 5% off OR wait until Black Friday weekend to see if a better coupon is available. What is the best coupon that has shown up in the past that worked with CPP? 10%? more?

 

It's not just a coupon it's the price drop/discount whichever you want to take a look at it. For example, the T500 price dropped $250 about a week ago. However, I feel that the T400 prices on CPP has been stable for the last month or so. I haven't seen any coupons for the T-series on CPP till now and I've been following it closely for the last 2 months.

I did however created a quote yesterday using the coupon for the T500. I configured the same thing again today with the same specs and the coupon and it got more expensive by $60.

 

It appears that they raised their prices during this "24 hour sale". I was hoping I could maybe jump on one myself, but I think I will hang out a little longer to see if I can get a deal or some sort of price drop...

 

Actually, on the CPP site prices have not gone up. I've been watching them for a few weeks. The base T400 is still starting at $712 as it has for a while and the lcd and memory option prices have not changed.

 

I beg to differ. The price actually went up on CPP compared to yesterday. I created a quote for T400 on 10/21 with a Subtotal of $2023 with a sale price of $1234.80. Here is the exact same configuration today on CPP with the 'discount'. Subtotal of $2023 and a sale price of $1237.90.

This 'SALE' is not actually a sale as it is more expensive than before. The more I think about it the more unethical it seems. This wasn't the case yesterday.

 

I stand corrected. I hadn't logged in today to check. The base price on the integrated video T400 went from 712 to 747. I have a saved cart from yesterday, but I may wait a few more weeks.

 

Agreed, it is very disappointing to see them do this "sale".

 

Yeah it's better to wait but I would suggest getting a price quote. Go through the checkout process and instead of paying just create the quote. It's valid for 30 days and it protects you if the price ever do go up or if the CPP is no longer valid etc.

 

Yes, I'll do so in future. I went to the saved cart and hit "open cart" and the price updated to today's higher price. So, I'll definitely be waiting at this point and see what happens in the next few weeks.

 

what coupon are you using to get 5% off the cpp price?

 

On the CPP page (the page after you've put in the code), click on the "Additional Savings" link in the right hand column. IIRC, it is USE48HOURSALE. Unfortunate that they raised prices.