SVZ131190X Standard is an amazing deal

Did anyone else see this?

Full-voltage Ivy Bridge i5
1080p
8 gb ram
128 gb SSD
No PMD
$1599

Really good option for people who want the Z but don't want to spend $2000+.

 

I thought this was standard price for a while...

But if you're a student, you get 3% off (which is about $50) and a free PS3 w/ FREEPS3. You live in Oregon? so that's an automatic 10% off

In any case, i'd go for a Sandy Bridge Z2 since Amazon was trying to get rid of them... a pretty well specced out one for $2000. Also there was just a 25% off Sony outlet last week, you could've probably found a good deal then

 

I just noticed that in Canada the base SVZ13 CTO config has 256GB SSD and costs only C$1549.99. This is with 4GB RAM and 900p display (8GB RAM is C$100, 1080p display is C$50), but it is still a very good price.

 

I'm not actually in the market myself (next device will be a Win 8 convertible tablet, most likely an Asus because they've got a couple generations of Transformer experience under their belt already), just noticed it today and it seemed like a good deal. A lot more machine than the MBP 13 for a few hundred more instead of hundreds and hundreds more.

 

If you want PMD, the SB Z2 clearance will be slightly cheaper. If you are not interested in PMD, then IB VZ11 is better.

 

One thing to be careful about: if you get a Z2 make sure it is SATA III for the SSD because some of the early ones were SATA II. I'm pretty sure the SVZ/IB models are all SATA II, but I guess you should confirm this as well.

Just an aside, but it never ceases to amaze me how fast technology advances and how much more power you can buy today vs. as little as 6 months ago, for the same or lower price. I dont' know which is best:

1) SB closeouts as low as $500 for an SA, though with its issues, an amazingly powerful machine for the price of a 16GB wifi iPad! No doubt similar bargains with other SB close outs.

2) New IB releases such as the one referenced by Mitlov in the OP

3) Waiting, as Mitlov is, for W8 IB models that will have convertibility, touch screen, likely IPS, 1080p, such as models announced by Asus (also the Lenovo Yoga, though it is 900p, still looks like an awesome machine, coming out as soon as W8 goes.commercial), for $1,000 or less

4) Same as # 3, but ARM-based W8 convertible tablets, that will have the same screen and keyboard as the x86/Intel-based models, but nearly half the price due to the much lower cost of cpu chipset. However, I've read that these kinds of devices may face a disadvantage in the market because at present Microsoft says they will charge the same for a W8 license on an ARM cpu machine as on an x86. For many, the same basic machine but with ARM cpu and Android will fit the bill, and they will definitely sell for $500-$600.

It's so rewarding to be a technology enthusiast these days!