Compal HEL80 - Discounts

After looking at the e1705 and some sager models, the laptop that has gotten a hold of me is the Compal HEL80. I contacted powernotebooks.com, and the only discount they could offer me was free Arctic Silver 5. I guess they usually discount shipping, but because I live in Chicago, they really couldn't do anything for me in way of a discount except for a 3% discount if I paid by wire transfer. Not sure if I can even pull that off.

Has anyone else had experience with regards to getting discounts on the HEL80? Not sure if this question is in the right section, but with these specs for $1,682, I'd like to pay a little less if possible: Core duo 2.00ghz, 1 gb@667, Geforce Go 7600 256mb, Matte LCD, 100gb/5400, 8xDVD-R Dual Layer, Intel Pro/Wireless, 9cell battery, MS XP, Bluetooth.

I know this is a great laptop, but I'm just trying to save as much $$ as I can. Thanks!

 

Powernotebooks is not the cheapest place you can get a Compal, but from my recent experience, it is the only place you should order a Compal from. If you want to cut cost, you can drop your processor to 1.83 ghz and probably not notice a difference. Just for reference, I configured a HGL30 with simular specs, without an OS for under 1500 ,you may want to check that out. Also keep in mind if you go with dell, add the 7-10% sales tax.

 

clevemont, i understand your situation as i was in your position not too long ago. Powernotebooks is a good reseller (i bought a different notebook from there) for their 24/7 customer service, 3 year warranty, and their presence on this enthusiast site. IMO a laptop is only as good as it's warranty and service, so account for that if you haven't already.

 

I totally agree with Sephiroth on the warranty and service part being key to a good experience.

 

I don't know why you really want too many more discounts, the warranty itself is worth a bunch of money, the same warranty with dell would cost hundreds of dollars.. so now you got yourself a great laptop for $1400

 

To be fair, you can't really compare the E1705 to the HEL80, being that one is a 17" and the other a 15.4". To compare 15s to 15s, you need to look at the Dell E1505, which does cost less overall (and it has a 3-year warranty) but has a vastly inferior video card (Go 7300 vs. Go 7600).

One poster brought up the sales tax issue, and that's important as it will add at least $100 to the price of the Dell that you won't have by getting the system from Powernotebooks.

I personally went back and forth for a while between Dell and Powernotebooks, but it was ultimately the latter's quality of service that made me spend the little extra money. It was well worth it.

 

I completely second this. Powernotebooks has great customer service and the warranties for price cannot be beat by dell. Also, the no-sales-tax is great, you should really consider that as its kinda like a $150 instant rebate (for something that dell offers that you can equate it to).

 

Woah there was no sales tax? And the lappy can come with a 3 year warranty? The deal seems better and better!

 

No sales tax if you buy cross-state or if you are in nevada (which it happens to be located in).

 

not to mention an inferior processor, I noticed in customization you can't get better than a Core Duo 1.66Ghz

 

You can't get better than a T2300 in which system? That seems odd.

 

The T2500 (2.0 GHz) Core Duo is available on both the HEL80 and the E1505.