X200 tablet multitouch just purchased... seems sold out almost everywhere

Well, thanks everyone on the forums here for helping me with my purchase of a Lenovo X200 tablet with multitouch. Twas here that Mr. Lumpkin explained all that stuff about the different screens (which was critical to my purchase) then the whole Topseller concept (which I had no idea about at the beginning why they were so cheap) that are so much cheaper... the tabooks for figuring out configurations (because the resellers don't list the correct screen information... you HAVE to have the tabook or its impossible to make a reasonable purchase decision)... etc.

All my favorite resellers (portableone, etc.) were sold out of the Topseller models I was interestsed in (and back ordered): 7449AU 7449KU 74499U which were the 270 nit displays... and none seem to be expecting deliveries for a couple of weeks.

I almost bought the cheap 7448 model on the Lenovo site which is currently at $1699 - 10% ecoupon discount (USPRETHINK) - 10% bing cashback with a SL 9400, multitouch 270 nit display, 320 GB 5400 RPM HD, included ultrabase, 3GB RAM before upgrades, 8 cell battery... free shipping but an 18 day wait to deliver (7448 model)

http://shop.lenovo.com/SEUILibrary/...0029F3:&smid=40613917C70A429B991D9A14A566FFAB

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So I finally decided on ebay which I purchased using 8% bing cashback (which was a really, really convoluted process... but it was worth it for $151)

http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-Lenovo-Thin...iewItemQQptZLaptops_Nov05?hash=item2a056fce53

(new) $1899 - 8%, no tax, no shipping, = $1747.

2.13 Ghz SL 9600 6MB cache Centrino 2 Montevino.
12.1" WXGA (1280 x 800) 270 nit LED backlit + enhanced multitouch.
4GB DDR3 PC3-8600 1066 Mhz
500 GB 16MB cache 7200RPM 3GB/s SATA hard drive with active shock protection
5100 wireless internet
5-in-1 card reader
Bluetooth EDR 2.1
Intel 1 x 10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet Port
Integrated FingerPrint Reader Authentication
Microsoft Windows 7 Professional (I hope they installed 64 instead of 32, so I don't have to do a lot of work)
Lithium POLYMER 8-Cell SMART Battery
3 year Lenovo factory warranty (not the "Mack" warranty)

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I think it's the 74494KU with upgraded HD and upgraded RAM, so maybe I overpaid a little?


Problem is that nobody seemed to have the models I wanted, and Lenovo takes so long to deliver a machine. The current 7448 deal of the week seems like a great deal with a 10% Bing cashback on it. Walk out the 270 nit screen multitouch with 8 cell battery, ultrabase, etc. for $1799 or so - 20%. The SL 9400 processor doesn't seem like a huge sacrifice with that kind of deal... add in all the same features and...

From Lenovo, for $1749 (after ecoupon) - 10% Bing = $1574 I'd get the same system as I bought, with an ultrabase ($200 value), but a slower processor and 180 GB less HD space. And free shipping. In retrospect, maybe I should have waited the 18 days.

So I paid $200 extra, lost an ultrabase, and added a little more HD space, get a slightly faster processor, but get it almost 2 weeks sooner. So I overpaid a lot instead. Eek.

 

you'll NEVER be able to tell the difference between an SL9400 and SL9600.   personally, i'd rather have an ultrabase and $200 in my pocket.   the $200 could go toward an SSD.   an SL9400 with an SSD is better than an SL9600 with an HDD any day.

congrats on your purchase either way.   the EMT panel is great.

 

You're right.

The factors that made this purchase were:

1) I'd been told that the Lenovo website deals are never as good as the good reseller prices, but the lenovo deal on the Multitouch with the ultrabase price is comparatively better than any price I've seen from a reseller... especially after an additional 10% off from the ecoupon and 10% off from Bing cashback.

2) All the resellers were sold out of the 7449au, 7449ku, 74499u, and everybody's backordered.

3) Lenovo site says 18 day delivery and the guy on their sales phone line couldn't promise me anything.

4) I was under heavy time pressure (to get it bought, and to get it delivered to me so I can start using, this IS a business purchase for medical practice so really waiting 18 days is no longer an option), and when I priced the Lenovo model for the 50th time, I added in the slim DVD multilayer drive and Office Basic in the pricing without realizing it, so I ended up ballparking the prices after all the discounts closer together than I thought...


Ultimately, I need the machine within a week, so I wouldn't go back on it, but if somebody doesn't need it right away, I think $1574 for the multitouch 270 nit, with 4 GB RAM 320 GB HD, 8 cell battery, and ultrabase included and 3 year depot warranty, free delivery, no tax, too, is a tremendous deal from the Lenovo website. Just have to do the bing and the Ecoupon (USPRETHINK).

 

If you had a time constraint you made the correct decision. Don't fret it.

 

the 280 nit screen equipped thinkpad i ordered reached its shipping destination in exactly 18 days, but the t5 and the x2 are certainly not comparable. i actually ordered an x200 for 25% off but cancelled when i realized it would be outdated before it reached me! i opted for the 280 nit t when i managed to get 35% off.

 

then don't sweat it.   you made a good purchase and bought something to fill a need.   that's wise no matter how you cut it.

on the bright side, you can write a bit more off your taxes.

 

And it's already shipped UPS, same day I ordered it! Have the tracking number, and even with free shipping, I'm getting it tuesday, with 3 days to spare for my first meeting on the EHR system.


The lenovo website deal comes to about 50% off though, so if anybody wants an X200 Tablet multitouch, that's the deal.

 

I think it depends on where you are buying it. In US and canada, from what ive seen, I think thinkpad CTOs are generally cheaper than resellers, especially when you get it with a deal. The problem is the shorter warrenty and the longer delivery time.

 

I think you're right... that top end 7448 was ridiculous... $1570 fully loaded with ultrabase... you kidding me?

Same goes for other models.