ThinkPad X200 with 128GB SSD cheaper than HDD!

Hi guys,

For those who are looking to buy a new laptop I suggest you go to Lenovo website. They made a huge mistake when ordering ThinkPad X200 Ultraportable it gives you an option to select a 128GB SSD $70 cheaper!!!! than regular 80GB hdd. Only for ~$1,500. Only in US thou

Found this article on engadget.com

 

Read what they wrote at the bottom of the page. They wrote that they're not responsible for typing mistakes! Which is stupid, because they're the ones that wrote it in the first place!

 

Indeed you are right ar53nal14. Here's the comment of "Lenovo rep" as he claimed himself so

"Im from lenovo and its not a 128 GB drive, its only the SSD connection on the board which you pay for.
I mean its an "SSD ready" option. You have to buy your SSD by yourself."


Now I imagine how many people would have to cancel their orders in disappointment.

I apologize for false news

 

It would be deceiving the consumers if it is really 'SSD connection' because it does not mention a bit about 128 GB SSD Serial ATA being 'SSD connection.'

Moreover, it's not like Lenovo is shipping out neither Genuine Windows Vista CD or recovery disk so that we could install those on our personally purchased SSD. If not, is it really okay to assume that we will have to install all possible drivers?

 

Let's see how people will end up with their orders. I have strong feeling that they will get these SSDs. Otherwise Lenovo will end up badly by tricking its customers.

 

They will not end up badly as there are hardly any people buying them right now, except those thinking that they will get SSDs (which they will probably not get).

 

It's still early. 2:30 AM here, 5:30 AM Western, 8:30 AM Eastern.. I doubt many people would have seen that deal.

Lenovo customer service opens in 30 minutes, so let's see.

Not really raising my hopes, but hopefully something happens on the good side.

 

price still didn't change

weird

 

I'm guessing because they're closed for business now. They should be opening in about 20 minutes so we'll see. But still weird for big company like them to drag this for long.

 

I should've known for a fact.. why would SSD that use Serial ATA need special connection when you can just plug directly into the hard drive port?

That Lenovo guy is fake.

It's either Lenovo's mistake or they really mean it.

 

From the comments:
"Matt @ Aug 5th 2008 8:38AM

Really? SSDs use a special connector? You sure it's just not...SATA? And SSD connections have a specific drive capacity? Get the hell out of here with your "I'm from Lenovo" retardation."

I must admit I agree with this guy, "I'm from lenovo" cover didn't work.

 

128GB SSD option is off the Lenovo site now, but my order is not cancelled or altered as of now.

 

strangesweet you were to quick I posted the same.

I wonder what's going to happen now with already placed orders.

 

Lomaster, did you place an order?

Anyway, I think I'm going to go to sleep because it's 3 AM here, but I'll keep you guys updated. I should probably wake up in 3-4 hours.

 

Unfortunately no, for I live in Australia. On lenovo.com.au they don't even have X200, only X300 for purchase. If it happened here in Aus there is no doubt I would place an order.

 

Hmm... I don't know. It still says Order in process (I guess they haven't got to my order yet).. but they're not saying anything about this issue either.. so I don't know what will happen.

 

I placed my order right before 8:00am today.

I called Lenovo's sales department around lunch time and dispite trying to understand the guy on the phone (foreigner), I managed to confirm that it was actually a 128GB SSD. I asked about it being a connection and he said "Nope, its the actual SSD." He then put me on hold to confirm and when he came back he said the same thing: definitely a 128GB SSD.

So there is most definitely still hope, but if they change the order now, that means they were wrong on their website and wrong over the phone.

My order, as of 3:30pm, is still in process and I've not received any calls from them.

 

^ That's a good news if it is indeed true. I hope they'll honor 128 GB SSD offer.

There's no such thing as SSD connection. That guy at Engadget confused me for few minutes. It uses same SATA port. So basically if you wanted to, you can plug regular 2.5" SATA hard drives on the same port you plug SSD.

Mine still says in process. It says it takes one business day to approve on FAQ, so let's see what happens.

 

several guys at either engadget posted that they were given a shipping date and confirmation.. so maybe

 

Updates from gizmodo.com

"UPDATE 2: Someone who placed an order and called in to Lenovo has told us that Lenovo will be contacting everyone who went for the SSD and letting them know they won't be getting it, sadly. They will be offering their student discount rate though, which is nice."

 

Oooh, 5%, great. I'm glad I ordered with EPP for 15% off. I downgraded to Vista Basic (because I get Ultimate for $25 through my school) and upgraded to the 6-cell battery and it came out to less than $1199, so I am happy.

 

Thanks for the updated Lomaster.

 

My dad ordred 2...so is this gonna be a fight that you cannot win?e

 

Lenovo Order Status page URL is dead... hmm.

 

Ya, it has been dead for over an hour...

 

SSD time seems to be over, now they sell R400 laptops for $200 in Canada. WTF indeed.

 

And for me it shows:

Looks like another typo

 

Order status is back, but the order is still in process.

 

so they will not honor the 128GB SSD ?

 

They won't. They had a similar error a little while ago. Don't get your hopes up on it or bother fighting it.

 

http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/06/lenovo-x200-128gb-ssd-option-gone-not-being-honored-move-along/

Looks like they're offering free 64GB SSD's instead

Still a freakin good deal if you pulled the trigger.

 

Yes, I can confirm this. I sent in my reply for the 64gig SSD!

 

Nothing is free. It's a website error.

 

Of course nothing is free. But relative to what we expected in regards to purchasing with the 128g SSD for $-70 it is free to the end user...

 

Any review on the Lenovo ThinkPad 64GB Solid State Drive? There is a $600 price difference between the 64GB SSD and 200GB 7200RPM HD.

Thanks,

Sean

 

i didn't order it to fight for it

 

That is a nice "token of appreciation." And even if you dont want a free $3-600 SSD, you can get a 200 GB 7200 RPM drive instead.

 

I think this is just an ingenious marketing ploy by Lenovo. They bought the 64GB SSDs for probably $2-300. They purposefully make the error on the website knowing a lot of people will jump on the deal. And then they offer you the free 64GB. People think they're getting a $900 deal and will be reluctant to cancel their order. Lenovo sales skyrocket.

 

It may be a ploy but lenovo uses SLC SSD not MLC ones. So they are expensive. I have heard that they did this for the x300 launch in Canada. It might be a ploy but I wanted a laptop anyways and this is a nice surprise.

 

I didn't expect Lenovo to do that. I think it's pretty generous of them to offer anything for the error since their site says that they are not responsible for the error.

Maybe there were so many orders for it that offering this made sense.

 

We are contacting you with regard to your recent Lenovo X200 order.

Please note that we recently experienced a web error which caused the price of the 128GB Solid State Drive to be erroneously listed at $0.
Unfortunately, we are unable to honor this pricing; in addition, the part is currently not available.

As a token of appreciation for your patience and understanding, we are pleased to offer you a substitute of either a 64GB Solid State Drive
or a 200GB Hard Disk Drive (7200rpm) free of charge in place of the 128GB Drive.

 

64GB SSD is a great deal IMO if its FOR FREE!

 

Hahaha, I just checked my e-mail.

Is it still possible to change some spec?

BTW, is Turbo memory necessary?

I don't want to go over $1600, so I just want to decide between 8600 or Turbo Memory..

 

Is there any coupon code that works with X200?

I'm going to call Lenovo and change the spec.. but would like to know if there's any that works.

 

Turbo memory doesn't really help all that much...so go with the processor increase if you are trying to decide.

 

So I guess, this will be my final product.

Intel® Core™ 2 Duo processor P8600 (2.4GHz, 3MB L2, 1066MHz FSB))
Genuine Windows Vista Ultimate (I ordered home basic because I have a retail version of Ultimate)
12.1 WXGA (1280x800), 2x2 UltraConnect II antenna, WWAN, Camera
Intel GMA X4500 HD
2 GB PC3-8500 DDR3 SDRAM 1067MHz SODIMM Memory (2 DIMM)
TrackPoint with Fingerprint Reader
64GB Solid State Drive, Serial ATA
5-1 Media Card Reader and Modem
Integrated Bluetooth PAN
Intel WiFi Link 5300 (3x3 AGN)
ThinkPad X200 Series 6 cell Li-Ion Battery
Country Pack North America with Line cord and 65W AC adapter

 

They seem to be very busy right now. Can't make any changes till tomorrow. I just switched from P8400 to P8600 and took off Turbo Memory. I would like to switch from 6 cell to 9 cell, but I don't know yet.

Well, the rep was talking to another rep while I was on the phone and used the s*** word... lol.

 

So for those of you who were able to get the free 64g SSD upgrade...I see my order status with the price changed when they added the 64g SSD. I am now over $2k in price. This is probably just because their system can't add the drive and reflect the price you were originally charged of course...

But it is scary to see the price jump . But at least that means they changed our orders to reflect the selection we wanted regarding the free substitute.

Update: I spoke to a rep and he said that there was a request on the order to a price match. There should not be any issues, but you can call to make yourself feel better .

 

You should directly talk to the representative via phone. He told me the exact thing you told me, but he was able to fix the price of 64GB SSD after he put me on hold for few minutes. So I was able to get the correct price without making any changes or crediting back later.

 

So they are giving away a 64 SSD for free? Wow, can't be good buisness for them...