Best time to purchase Thinkpads?

[ducky2802]

Hi,

Im wondering in general, whens the best time to purchase thinkpads; not necessarily the latest and greatest, but rather, high performance for the dollar. Case in point, it seemed to me that this past december, there were ALOT of very good thinkpads being sold for very attractive prices. I was broke, otherwise I would have jumped on an x60/x61, which fully loaded with 3 year warranty would have been hundreds less than current prices. In fact, current prices seem pretty high compared to just a month ago.

In any event, does that mean that august back to school sales or december holiday shopping are in general, better times of the year to purchase computers? Or is it when new technology comes out that the previous stock of machines are price cut???

[ora410]

You answered your own question already. Don't you think so?

If you are short of $ or you just need to use a computer for the Internet and office works, then why don't you consider buying a T4x? It's still good for value.

Here, eBay.au, T40 is around AU$400. T41-T42 are AU$500-600.

[ducky2802]

I dont think I answered my own question! But I dont know!!! Because right now, the new penryn chips are coming out and lenovo prices seem higher than they were the past summer, when santa rosa was still in the works. Granted, we are getting increased performance, but still, christmas season last year seemed to have some very low prices I have not seen for thinkpads!

I like the T4x but Im leaning to the newer 6x models as most of my thinkpad accessories are 6x specific.

Anyways, anyone else can comment on pricing trends?

[ajkula66]

The best pricing trend is: decide what you want to spend, and wait for the right occasion-from Lenovo, here, craiglist or fleabay. It's as simple as that.

Just my $0.02, obviously.

[pianowizard]

Sale events on lenovo.com have been unpredictable. The best things to do are, start saving money right now to ensure you'll have enough funds the next time there's a huge sale, and to check coupon sites (e.g. one of our sponsors, eCoupons) several times a week.

[ZaZ]

Nobody here has a crystal ball. There's no set time when it is generally better or worse to buy. As noted the sales come when they come. Lenovo isn't going to share that information with anyone here. Getting the absolute best price is a difficult game to play because at some point the notebook you just bought is going to sell for less. XPBargains is a good site which gives information on all the sale prices from the past which will give you an idea of when prices are relatively low in the future. When it goes into your acceptable price range, then buy.

http://www.xpbargains.com/best_deal.php ... _deals.htm

[ducky2802]

Thanks Fred! I didnt know about that site and it really is interesting to look at the prices over the past year or so. Thanks a bunch everyone for the advice!

[lifrancis]

I can't tell you the best time to buy. But, the worst time to buy a laptop is July and August (when students are getting ready to start college). That is just the Law of Supply and Demand.

[ducky2802]

hahaha... I remember buying in july a few years ago. Youre right, one of worst time to buy as just a few weeks ater, no new updates at all, put price dropped ALOT!