Better to buy after X-Mas?

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umdenken · #1 Post by **umdenken** » Tue Dec 21, 2004 3:40 pm

Hi,

I'm about to buy a T42. My Compaq m700 gave up the ghost a month ago, and not having a laptop has been hurting.

But, logic tells me that this is the worst time to buy something new, if one can wait.

Any comments? From previous years, is there a tendency for there to be after-Xmas price reductions or sales?

Thanks!

IR0NMAN · #2 Post by **IR0NMAN** » Tue Dec 21, 2004 4:15 pm

IBM will announce T43 on January 15th, so you might want to wait a little bit... see this thread for more information.

texasdiver · #3 Post by **texasdiver** » Tue Dec 21, 2004 5:42 pm

I doubt Christmas makes much difference for business items like thinkpads. IBM doesn't build up huge inventories in anticipation of the Christmas retail season and then unload the surplus afterwards. Rather, that's what mall shops do for retail items like clothing.

I suspect that computer sale prices probably get better at the end of each quarterly reporting period as companies try to pump up their sales numbers for their quarterly reports. Dell had a mammoth sale back in October that was intended to do this.

Also, when new models come out, the older ones are generally discounted as they try to get rid of older inventory. But IBM seems to be doing that now with some of their current sales as they know that once they release the T43, the older T42 models will be harder to sell.

That said, I've found that you can always find a better price by waiting. Sooner or later there is always something cheaper and better in the computer world. So my practice is to drive my current machines until I can no longer tolerate them and then just buy new. I write this from a 4-year old Dell Inspiron 5000 that has a cracked plastic body and a keyboard that is starting to come detached from the frame. It's time for a new machine so I'm taking advantage of IBM's current sale and have a new T42p 2372HVU on order for $2299

umdenken · #4 Post by **umdenken** » Tue Dec 21, 2004 5:49 pm

texasdiver wrote:I doubt Christmas makes much difference for business items like thinkpads. IBM doesn't build up huge inventories in anticipation of the Christmas retail season and then unload the surplus afterwards. Rather, that's what mall shops do for retail items like clothing.

Makes a lot of sense. Thanks!

#5 Post by **BillMorrow** » Wed Dec 22, 2004 4:12 am

IBM tries to pump up sales at the EOQ..

and

i have some stock at sale prices now..

Champ · #6 Post by **Champ** » Wed Dec 22, 2004 10:09 am

Bill's prices are pretty good so if you even wait till T43 i'm sure he'll get you a good deal on the new merchandise

#7 Post by **BillMorrow** » Wed Dec 22, 2004 12:27 pm

at this point, nothing is certain after the 31st..

texasdiver · #8 Post by **texasdiver** » Wed Dec 22, 2004 1:18 pm

If you need a computer, buy one now. There are plenty of good deals available today.

When the T43 machines finally come out next year you can probably be assured of two things: (1) long waits and limited availability for the new models when they are first released, and (2) premium prices.

And there's no guarantee that the older models will be any cheaper than today. Besides, if you are buying one for business purposes, if you invoice it before January 1 you can write it off this year's taxes.

umdenken · #9 Post by **umdenken** » Wed Dec 22, 2004 1:32 pm

texasdiver wrote: Besides, if you are buying one for business purposes, if you invoice it before January 1 you can write it off this year's taxes.

This is actually a big motivation for me, too. I just can't decide between 14.1/15" and R/T. (IE, would I really be tweaked by the R's extra 1lb? Would the extra .9 inches really make a difference to me after 4 hours in front of the screen?)

And currently for me, $2000 sounds like a hell of a lot of money.

I've researched the products _extensively_, but it's not a substitute for actually working with them and carrying one around.

MichaelMeier · #10 Post by **MichaelMeier** » Wed Dec 22, 2004 1:37 pm

#11 Post by **BillMorrow** » Wed Dec 22, 2004 2:39 pm

umdenken wrote:I've researched the products _extensively_, but it's not a substitute for actually working with them and carrying one around.

well, you can take yourself to a local computer mart and look at h/p and compaq displays..
if you can ignore the flash and blinking neon on some of them you can get a "feel" for the display SIZE and resolution..
14 vs. 15 inch displays..
at least you will have that much more info..

FWIW, WalMart is now selling $500 Linux laptops..

umdenken · #12 Post by **umdenken** » Wed Dec 22, 2004 2:51 pm

morrow wrote:FWIW, WalMart is now selling $500 Linux laptops..

Those are cute. Unfortunately, my main criteria is that the laptop have SXGA+ or better resolution. I'm a software developer, and must have that to use my tools.

The big problem for me is that IBM's pricing structure pairs the 15" SXGA & UXGA screens w/ top of the line processors and HW. So, bumping up to a higher resolution or screen size is at least ~$900 extra.

In a Dell or HP, though, resolution is mostly like any other feature: $50 will move you up to the next resolution. Yeah, so I _could_ get a $1200 Dell Latitude D505 which would have UXGA and weigh <= 6 lbs, but the quality / support issue scares me off.

#13 Post by **BillMorrow** » Thu Dec 23, 2004 12:43 pm

was not suggesting you actually BUY a walmart laptop, just making an observation..

IRT display size vs. cost..
the UXGA is more than the SXGA+..
no doubt, but have you shopped the TABOOK..??

ibm hides all their thinkpad models and only seem to push the very top and the "express" (read lowest cost) models..
there is a HUGE number of other models..

the best for price now are the 2373M1U and N1U models..
i try to carry some of the top end middle and a few lower end just to cover the market..

EOQ will get some price softening and faster delivery..
then buying anything between EOQ and mid january will be the same..
price wise..

technology prices always seem to soften over time as new stuff comes online..

JD24 · #14 Post by **JD24** » Thu Dec 23, 2004 1:58 pm

I'm not familiar with the word EOQ what does it mean?

fargusmax · #15 Post by **fargusmax** » Thu Dec 23, 2004 2:05 pm

JD24 wrote:I'm not familiar with the word EOQ what does it mean?

I believe EOQ means "End of Quarter".

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