Buying a netbook; where for a good deal?

[goofieslonglostsis]

This being the budget board, I've got good hope some of you can help me out.

I'm looking into getting a notebook. Since we'll be going to WDW in a couple of weeks, I checked some prices on amazon.com with our prices. Turns out netbooks tend to have the same price or around that, but switch the € for a $,-. Or; cheaper to buy in the US than back home. So, I'm thinking about buying one while in the US. Thing is, I want to use it for some things during the trip, so don't have the full 3 weeks to go and search for some good deals.

Which stores and/or sites would you guys recommend I keep an eye on for a good deal, moneywise and qualitywise? We'll be hitting a WalMart Superstore and the Florida Mall for this trip and probably also a couple of outlets like Prime and Premium. For websites, I'ld check them out before flying down and thus ordering right before leaving home (don't have internet until getting the netbook ). I know about amazon.com , ofcourse WalMart , and bestbuy. Are those good places to start? Which others should I have a look at? Basically; HELP! I'm a nitwit when it comes to electronical shopping in the US.

 

[a1tinkfans]

Target has them...we recently bought 2...Acer....was on sale 199.

 

[yenanh00]

Netbook are ranging from 149-300. I would try to look at best buy.

 

[dawson5]

To check the prices of brick&mortar stores for while you are in Florida, go to


www.salescircular.com

Choose Florida.

The first section (top left) there is a link for netbooks. It should tell you who has advertised netbooks for the week in their circulars. This is a good guide, but it doesn't give every single store. Where I live, we never get Meijer or ABC warehouse on there.

If you have the time now, possibly look at sale ads for electronic stores near disney to see if they have listed most and what ones might be missing and you'll know if it is comprehensive or not.

Good luck.

(ETA: this should be updated usually after noon EST on Sunday. If you travel to Disney on a Saturday, the prices usually start on Sunday.)

(ETA 2: Call your financial institution if you do decide to order and have shipped to Disney while you are there. They might flag it as being stolen and you won't end up with your netbook. If you do order online, look at Newegg.com and sign up for their newsletter. It usually comes on Tuesdays, they usually have great sale prices.)

 

[goofieslonglostsis]

Wow, thanks all for the great tips! I'm writing all of them down. Actually, going to check them out all right now to get myself familiar with them all.


Dawson; good to tell me about the cc-company! For us it fortunately isn't any problem at all -they're used to me doing this -, but it never hurts to repeat and repeat that info.

 

[Zerosinthecloset]

Mwave.com and Excaliber.com sometimes have pretty good deals. Mwave currently has a 10 inch Asus EEEPC for $199, with free shipping.

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

Check the Dell Outlet site for previously ordered new or refurbished netbooks which carry the same warranty as new. They are already built so they ship immediately. You can have them shipped to your resort with your credit card's approval. There may be 15% off deals right about now, too.

 

[goofieslonglostsis]

Again thanks for the replies! Going to check all of the options mentioned, really appreciate it.

Actually stumbled upon mwave.com in my search. Unfortunately they don't want to ship to the resort as my cc billing address will still be a European one. Oh well.

 

[zetachi]

Amazon usually has the best prices that will beat walmart/kmart/target. Check out Newegg.com for good prices and good user reviews.

There are a number of PC forums that have netbook categories for reviews.

pcper.com/reviews.php?s=8\

anandtech.com/tag/mobile

hardforum.com/forumdisplay.php?f=73

 

[csharpwv]

I went through this same thing last year - and honestly I ended up buying a used MacBook. While I spent twice what I had set out to spend - I have twice the computer and it's good for everything I need it for - plus more. Netbooks are great if you are only going to use them to take notes in class or to access e-mail. In all reality the screen is so small that it's even tough to read some websites on. I kind the keyboard very hard to use - I am accidentally bump keys that I don't mean to - hit two keys when I meant to hit one etc etc.

They are great for very light internet usage - but other than that - they are too small to do anything beyond that - BUT - that's my opinion!

I Love my MacBook - it's perfect - and since I picked it up used less than a year after it was purchased - I was still able to extend the warranty.

 

[Buckimom]

I bought one for my daughter at MicroCenter in Columbus..but they do have an online site as well..we got an HP for 189.00 at Christmas last year. The sales men was very helpful and fully understood what our need was and didn't try to upsell me..which was nice.