Need Advice: purchase of a Z2 with a "blemish"

I've got a dilemma - but it's the good kind!

I have use of a Z22 Core i7, 8GB, 256GB, sheet battery gold (my soft spot) and I can buy it for $1,000! (or not). The catch(es):

1) It doesn't have a PMD - for me, that's a positive! (as long as the price reflects it, and I think it does.)

2) It's in really primo condition EXCEPT - there is a very small crack on the right side in between the power port and the USB. It's very small and doesn't effect performance of either port, but it isactually pushed-in a tiny bit, looks like the thin plastic - excuse me, cahbon fibah! - side piece took a fairly mild hit from a small but hard object.

Are the sides of the Z2 very weak and susceptible to this kind of thing? Is there a way to replace the the side piece without getting an entire new casing for the top half of the Z2? I don't see any seams where you can just replace the side piece.

Is it still worth $1,000 if it performs and benchmarks fine (so far it does)? Should I offer less?

Thanks.

 

There are some similarly priced Z2s on eBay around the $1.3-1.5k mark with PMD.

Not to mention you could also get a Zenbook with 1080p IPS display around $1-1.4k as well.

For the above closer to $1.4k for 8GB RAM/256GB spec.

If the crack is on the right side, I think that's connected to the bottom plate which should be easily replaceable. In the Z2, I think the motherboard and other stuff is stuck under the keyboard, unlike in the Z1.

 

Thanks, I've been thinking about all of those options as well. The key, however, is specs (vs. the low end Z2s on eBay w/PMD and vs. Zenbook) :

1) SV cpu
2) 8GB (as yet haven't seen Zenbook w/8GB)
3) 256GB SATA III 800 Mb/s Seq. Read (more than 50% of ZB's have very slow Sandisk SSDs)
4) Battery life - no alternative comes close to Z2/SV w/sheet

I had my heart set on the Zenbook but between high cost/limited availability (for now) of top configuration, limited battery life and quality issues I've lost some enthusiasm, 600 nit IPS - with lightbleed but so what - or not!

Your great news about replacing the damaged part pretty much clinches it for me - though I have to find out if it's $400 anyway!

I'd love to hear other inputs too!

 

You would need to find the single piece bottom plate if you want a replacement. It's pretty easy to take it down (compared to VPC-Z or VGN-Z). Good luck finding that gold part, though. Since it's the entire bottom plate, I think the price would be north of $300 at least.

 

If its the bottom plate, the replacement cost is 250. Just snatch it up and use it. This way your not worried about damaging your Z in mint condition.

My wife likes her gold Z.

 

Thanks for the great input. I think you're both right about the price of a bottom/side plate in gold, if I could find it which I have not yet. But they sell a black one here for $95 and I think it will look fine - a one-of-a-kind "hybrid!"

All agree keeping this at this price a better choice than going for a new 4GB/128GB new one on eBay for $1,300 or an Asus Zenbook for $1,499?

My wife likes her gold Z.[/QUOTE]

 

Thought I would update this issue:

1) a replacement bottom/side plate is between $87 - $209 and the difference between the two is not yet clear. Will start with the $87 version and go from there.

2) The seller took $300 (!) off the $1,000) price on this unit. So, we're talking $700 for a high spec Z22 (see specs below) with a small crack near the power port, or perhaps $800 to have it entirely like new, admittedly without that, er, appendage known as PMD. My Z13 is easily worth more.

3) Not only does this Z2 look great, it's passing benchmarks with flying colors. Me = happy

PS: how long does it take to get used to the tiny right shift key? It's driving me mad!

Thanks again for all your inputs, especially MikjoA, who has done this part replacement and told me where to find it and the ins and outs of installing. +1