Post your back to school deal on laptop/ultrabook here (discussion)

[Coz4k]

I'm looking for an affordable ultrabook for school (law). I have an el cheapo netbook and it might not do it so i want a good looking laptop/ultrabook.

I am currently looking at the Dell XPS 13 and 14 that are quite nice and also to the VAIO T series.

Only thing that stops me from pulling the trigger on the Vaio T is the bottom... its disgusting

http://www.zoneitech.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Sony-Vaio-T-bottom.png


So... On topic -->


I'll start:

Sony back to school offers:

http://store.sony.ca/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ContentDisplayView?hideHeaderFooter=false&storeId=20153&catalogId=100803&langId=200&cmsId=Special_Offers

Sony's offers kinda suck. What manufacturer get best sales year after year ( obviously not apple with their 20-50$ off).

[george__]

Thinkpad X series is a option
Asus Zenbook

[Coz4k]

Yes i took a look at this Asus Zenbook but its too expensive for what it is.

I'd like to keep the price under 900$.

Also, i hate lenovo, acer, hp (the most), Apple (Overpriced stuff) and Gateway if it still exist.

[george__]

That's odd, why?
Lenovo X, T and W series are about as robust and strong as you can get... Aside from the Toughbooks :). You can get a X series through EPP pricing for decent deals...
HP Elitebooks are also very robust and strong... You might be able to snag either T530 or Elitebook for under $900 with decent specs.

I have to say though, Lenovo Thinkpad quality < IBM Thinkpad quality but the cost of IBM Thinkpads were more than Lenovo Thinkpads.

[Coz4k]

The Thinkpad looks like 1990. Thats why i hate it. It is ugly as hell.

http://www.laptopreviews.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_0261-001.jpg

How can someone buy something like this in 2012 ?

[george__]

DUDE!?
LOOKS?
Come on -_-"

They are "sleepers." They don't get "heat" :D. Nobody will steal them. I don't believe you don't want to buy it because you think it is ugly.

And I REALLY hate the back lighted keyboard. So stupid. Why does a Thinkpad T series or W series or X series (business notebooks) need flashy light keyboards :S

[Coz4k]

DUDE!?
LOOKS?
Come on -_-"

They are "sleepers." They don't get "heat" :D. Nobody will steal them. I don't believe you don't want to buy it because you think it is ugly.

And I REALLY hate the back lighted keyboard. So stupid. Why does a Thinkpad T series or W series or X series (business notebooks) need flashy light keyboards :S

If i wanted a Big Bertha i would simply get a Dell Inspiron for half the price of this pure ugliness. lol.

[george__]

If i wanted a Big Bertha i would simply get a Dell Inspiron for half the price of this pure ugliness. lol.

:) You'll regret it. Thinkpads last FOREVER!

[cloakster]

Everyone here will tell you that looks for laptops don't mean ***** , but its your call. The Lenovo Thinkpad series are incredible, especially the T430s if you want portability.

[george__]

Everyone here will tell you that looks for laptops don't mean ***** , but its your call. The Lenovo Thinkpad series are incredible, especially the T430s if you want portability.

Another supporter!
@OP, why do you need laptop that stands out?? I kind of like going to class with T510, everybody thinks I am using old laptop from 1990s, like you said. Thus nobody cares to steeal it but it's loaded with SSD, two batteries, and more :|

edit: Lot of professors use thinkpads... Brownie points :P

[desidealer49]

Thinkpad all the way. Looking old is a bonus, no one will want to steal it :)

[george__]

OP doesn't want Thinkpad

[desidealer49]

OP doesn't want Thinkpad

Yeah just putting my opinion there though. Whatever poison they pick is their headache :)

[teddy.]

HP Elitebooks are also very robust and strong... You might be able to snag either T530 or Elitebook for under $900 with decent specs.

I have to say though, Lenovo Thinkpad quality < IBM Thinkpad quality but the cost of IBM Thinkpads were more than Lenovo Thinkpads.

Your only other choices aside from a Thinkpad is an Elitebook (which I've also heard good things about, though you say you hate HP the most and yea I've worked on some of their consumer models - they're garbage) or one of Dell's business oriented laptops such as the XPS/Latitude.

I use a Thinkpad (Lenovo) and it's nice but can't compare to an IBM Thinkpad...minus the crazy heavy as hell-ness. Brownie points for the fact that nobody will every bother stealing it.

Haven't bought a Sony product since trying to buy a memory card for one of my first phones - god that price dif was ridiculous.

[Coz4k]

so.... any back to school specials ?

[nasa25]

In before retina MBP suggestion.

[globalc]

i would go for the retina mbp

[nasa25]

i would go for the retina mbp

Only $2029 plus tax with the education discount. How can you lose? You can't.

[Coz4k]

Only $2029 plus tax with the education discount. How can you lose? You can't.

lol....

[george__]

That's a pretttty expensive laptop

[globalc]

you guys are morans..sure it costs money, but it works

dealwithit

[george__]

you guys are morans..sure it costs money, but it works

dealwithit

I'll bet you $10 a thinkpad will last longer than a macbook under similar circumstances and cost much less :D

[nasa25]

you guys are morans..sure it costs money, but it works

dealwithit

Don't tread on me dawg. I'm a Mac user. Just trolling a bit tho.

[globalc]

sorry if i was a bit rude there

its just i was at starbucks with my 12 air and the latte i ordered had too much foam on it!!!!

[nasa25]

sorry if i was a bit rude there

its just i was at starbucks with my 12 air and the latte i ordered had too much foam on it!!!!

I feel you - I hate when that happens!

[sky881]

Everyone here will tell you that looks for laptops don't mean ***** , but its your call. The Lenovo Thinkpad series are incredible, especially the T430s if you want portability.[/QUOTE]
Agree.

[berniebennybernard]

Just tell yourself, "***** it, YOLO", and grab the Zenbook.

[nexxco]

I'm looking for an ultrabook too for university. I saw the Acer Aspire S3 for $799 at staples. It's ok if you just want to be able to use it (I think it's definitely better than any regular netbook) and it's pretty think too. But it's not as good as some of the other ultrabooks that have a sole SDD, instead of hybrid... and... it's by Acer... some don't really prefer them...

[kwanyeung20]

buy a Acer AO756 as I recommended! $339 with a dump down version of i3 (Celeron 877) which is not bad! (3x faster than Atom)

Swap in a SSD and upgrade to 8GB ram will make your life happy!

or if you have the money buy Asus Zenbook Prime!

Edit: Just noticed budget is $900, forget the Zenbook

[badh2o]

so.... any back to school specials ?

Maybe the Sony vaio S series or E series is special

[B0000rt]

If i wanted a Big Bertha i would simply get a Dell Inspiron for half the price of this pure ugliness. lol.

Big bertha? How dare you talk about the Thinkpad X1 Carbon like that.

I've had a Thinkpad T400 for over 4 years now, and it's still going strong. Hinges are still very rigid and tight (that's what she said). And this thing has been through hell. My infant son frequently stood on it, pushed it off the table etc.

[george__]

T43 and T23 still kicking. Both are easily 5+ years old now... Both bought brand spanking new.

Batteries on both of them still work (~1 hourish). Keyboard was changed and I also changed the CPU cooler...

Hinges are still very good for their age, the T43 shows very little movement but the T23 is starting to wiggle a bit more.

Not sure about Lenovo's Thinkpad Line...
T510 and I - rough start but I'm liking it.

Initially dead pixels, high pitched whining noises and keyboard flexing (a tiny bit) here and there... Got a free replacement unit / fixed up the flexing with rubber feet and the 2nd unit is fine... Whining noise was never solved. Got free warranty extension from Lenovo for that problem :D... Overall though I paid a lot less for the T510 than the T43 so I can understand quality might have dropped a bit for better price...

Overall, it has survived abuse. Dog jumping on it, dropping it once or twice on bed to floor, spilled tiny bit of water on it etc.

If it lasts as long as the T23... I will be very happy.