$750 for thinkpad 1842STU (r50e) +512 ram good deal?

Newegg has a sale on the Think pad r50e 1842STU for $750 with free shipping. They also include a free stick of 512 mb notebook ram. is this a good deal? It's for my mother who basically needs a standard notebook... internet, some bookkeeping and maybe movies/tv.

link: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16834146098

Here are the specs:

Brand ThinkPad
Series R50e
Model 1842STU
General
Operating System Windows XP Professional
CPU Type 1 x Intel Pentium M Processor 725
Screen 15.0 XGA TFT
Memory Size 256MB
Hard Disk 40GB
Optical Drive CD-RW/DVD-ROM Combo
Graphics Card Integrated Intel Extreme Graphics 2
Video Memory shared memory
Communication Modem, LAN and WLAN
Card slot 1 Type I/II or 1 Type III
Dimensions 13.1"W x 10.6"D x 1.5"H
Weight 6.2lbs
CPU
CPU Type Pentium M
CPU Speed 725(1.6GHz)
CPU FSB 400MHz
CPU Cache 2MB
Operating Systems
Operating System Windows XP Professional
Display
Screen Size 15.0"
Display Type XGA
Resolution 1024 × 768
Graphics
GPU/VPU Intel Extreme Graphics 2
Video Memory Shared 64MB
Graphic Type Integrated Card
Hard Drive
HD Capacity 40GB
HD RPM 4200rpm
Memory
Memory Size 256MB
Max Memory Supported 2GB
Optical Drive
Optical Drive Type DVD/CD-RW Combo
Optical Drive Interface Integrated
Optical Drive Spec Write Speed: 24X CD-R; 10X CD-RW;
Read Speed: 24X CD-ROM; 8X DVD-ROM
Communications
Modem V.92 56K
LAN 10/100Mbps
WLAN 802.11b/g Wireless LAN
Ports
Card Slot 1 Type I/II or 1 Type III
USB 2
Video Port 1 x VGA
Audio Ports Headphone/Line out, Microphone/Line in
Audio
Audio Integrated Sound card
Speaker Internal Speakers
Input Device
Keyboard Full size with Keyboard light
Trackpoint TrackPoint with "Press-to-Select"
Power
AC Adapter 72 watt
Battery 6-cell lithium ion
Physical spec
Dimensions 13.1"W x 10.6"D x 1.5"H
Weight 6.2lbs
Features
Software Included Adobe Acrobat Reader;ThinkVantage Access Connections
Norton AntiVirus 2004 with 90 days of virus definition upgrades;PC Doctor diagnostics;ThinkVantage Rescue and Recovery with Rapid Restore
Access program
Warranty
Manufacturer Warranty 1 Year Limited

 

I was just looking at this same one yesterday. I think for a Thinkpad it is an awesome deal. The only thing questionable is newegg's dead pixel policy. 7+ dead pixels, then you warrant a replacement, but I'm guessthing you can use Lenovo's warranty for this, and they are more leniet on their dead pixel policy, but otherwise this is a great deal and it comes with an extra 512 stick of RAM that you know works. But in short for someone who is gonna use it for basic things as you said, it is perfectly great.

 

Lenovo has the 1842STU for a hundred dollars more ($849) and that's without the additional stick of memory. So it really depends on whether you like Newegg.

I am curious what you mean by the "tv" in "movies/tv".

 

A ThinkPad is a very well built notebook, definitely worth the money. That machine is perfectly fine for normal usage. Pentium M is nice for less heat + battery life.

But, as posted, there is the question of Newegg...I've heard both good and bad things about ordering notebooks from them, and their return policy sucks. Check that out before you buy.

 

i deal with newegg about every week... i love them and have never had any trouble with them... perhaps their notebooks are different?

 

ahreno:

I have not dealt with Newegg, so let me apologize for giving you bad vibes about them. By no means was I saying anything bad about the quality of the product they sell.

All I know is that posters have complained that Newegg puts the entire warranty burden on the manufacturer.

Compare this with Best Buy (who I am not standing up for, mind you) whereby they do accept returns, perform service, etc.

 

i also have a thinkpad for myself (t42) and have dealt with IBM support. they were simply aweesome. very friendly, very helpful. So i guess this is a good price, and i will be placing my order.

 

I was going to post it. I never see a brand new IBM that cheap, 6.2lbs is not heavy at all compare to old R series. Plus you will have an extra 512mb ram makes it 700+ mb.

 

it's a very good deal, you are right that NewEgg puts any return burden on the manufacturer for a faulty unit, but if it's IBM then I wouldn't be too concerned as they'd handle things just fine, they have a very well established, mature and well respected customer support/tech support system.

I've used NewEgg for smaller things, under $100, but not a notebook -- I've never had problems using them.

 

Would this be good for a college student? It is for my sister and I tried to suggest a dell 9300 like I have, but she doesn't want a 17" screen since she will be carrying it around and doesn't care about an upgraded video card. It needs to be durable and be able to handle being carried around all the time which is why I am leaning towards an ibm.

 

Sounds like a very good deal for this Thinkpad!! However I do not see anywhere where it says they will throw in a free 512 stick. Could someone show me where, or confirm that they have removed that bonus.

Thanks!

 

6.2 pounds is a lot to be carrying around day in and day out. If your sister's intentions are to have something to bring everywhere, she might get tired of lugging that around after a month. That being said, if she can put up with the weight then yes, $750 is a pretty good deal.

 

I bought one of these for my wife for Christmas, should arrive shortly.

I'll post a review of it after Christmas (if someone doesn't beat me to it).