15.4-inch Gateway ML6230 going for $300?

Sure, for $300 you could get your order in for a minuscule Eee PC or cross your fingers while calling dibs on a Medison Celebrity, or you could just stroll into your nearest Best Buy and hope for the best. According to a recent circular, the big box retailer is offering up a 15.4-inch Gateway ML6230 for just $299.99 sans rebates, but it has been noted that not every Best Buy location is apt to honor the price. Nevertheless, stores that are participating will be giving the first ten buyers to dash in for one a Vista-equipped lappie with a 1.6GHz Intel Celeron M 520 processor, 512MB of RAM, 80GB of HDD space, a DVD burner, multicard reader, 802.11b/g, and a basic array of ports that includes S-Video, FireWire, four USB 2.0 jacks, audio in / out and Ethernet. Hurry up, stocks are likely dwindling.

[Via CNET]

[Eufouria @ Oct 8th 2007 10:14PM]

Don't buy Gateways.

[dlewis23 @ Oct 8th 2007 10:16PM]

Don't buy this notebook. There is NO DVD BURNER. i bought one on sunday and there was no dvd burner but they say it in there ad. And now bestbuy will not take it back with out the 15% restocking fee, so i am disputing it with my credit card

[sames89305 @ Oct 8th 2007 10:20PM]

your complaining because a 300 dollar computer doesnt have a DVD burner? That is pretty sad.

Even if it is a mis-print for 300 it is not bad.

[2ASquared @ Oct 8th 2007 10:28PM]

That'll teach you to buy anything at Best Buy. I worked there (well, Geek Squad) for a year, and I couldn't believe how unethical the place is.

[adster @ Oct 8th 2007 11:33PM]

hey dlewis,

Head over to FatWallet in the Deal Discussion forum. there is a long conversation about this and the result seems to be they are allowing the return without a restocking fee and if you opt to keep it they will send you a $50 giftcard.

Worth a shot!

[eric bonwit @ Oct 9th 2007 1:28AM]

Actually, the ad indicates that it DOES have a DVD burner.

[Cash @ Oct 9th 2007 1:29AM]

Yeah that's a typo in just that ad. They have been selling for 349.00 at my local BB for a week now, and the circular in this and last week's sunday paper listed it correctly as a dvd-rom/cd-rw.

For 300-350 bucks though, how can you complain about a lack of DVD burner? They had a pyramid stack of them so obviously they are trying to push out old stock to make way for the new penryns coming out in a month. I snagged one because it was a bargain for me and is perfect for college and travel. If it breaks or is stolen, it won't sting nearly as much. Besides, I've got my Core 2 Quad desktop for games, encoding and burning. I just need the lappy for web access and spreadsheets, both of which it can do with no problems.

[Matt @ Oct 9th 2007 12:15PM]

This is no misprint, the notebook is indeed $299 in select markets, and $349 in other markets. According to anecdotal evidence on the Fatwallet message boards, the $299 price point is valid in the New York City area, but not in the rest of the country. I picked one up in Central New Jersey -- slightly closer to NYC than Philly, where its reportedly $349 -- for the $299 price.

Anyway, I haven't had time to set it up to see how it runs. If its painfully slow with Vista after I add a gig of memory, then I'll simply install Ubuntu. Really, you can't go wrong at $299 -- even without the DVD burner.

[Tom @ Oct 16th 2007 12:55AM]

It also states on label on laptop that it has DVD/CD-RW combo drive!! ad or no ad

[john @ Oct 8th 2007 10:19PM]

Hey! I bet you can install 3rd party apps!!

[rock99rock @ Oct 8th 2007 11:35PM]

fyi.... there = their

[dlewis23 @ Oct 8th 2007 10:23PM]

I am complaining because they said it did. In there Sunday Ad, on there website, and the guy i talked to also said it did. So I was lied to by 3 things. And now they want me to pay 15% for there mistake.

[Christian P @ Oct 8th 2007 10:23PM]

yaa no DVD burner. misprint. i work at best buy in computers. goodluck finding it. they are all gone.

[dlewis23 @ Oct 8th 2007 10:25PM]

Thats a big misprint. Your website says it too. And now im stuck bestbuy wont take it back with out the 15% restocking fee.

[john @ Oct 8th 2007 11:17PM]

BestBuy are liars. Thank for your 'internal' web site with inflated prices.
BestBuy SUCKS.

[Macinjosh @ Oct 8th 2007 10:51PM]

Wait, arent they required to honor the ad. Even IF its a misprint, they should give you something or at the very least, wave the restocking fee. Thats bullshit.

[dlewis23 @ Oct 8th 2007 11:26PM]

I would think they would but they are not. So i'm having to take this up with my credit card company now. Its total BS

[Skon @ Oct 9th 2007 1:16AM]

I've allways understood it to be the law that if the add says one thing and you get something else of lesser value that they have to honour it. If they do not then it's considered a 'bait and switch' scam and they can be prosecuted. Of course I'm not a lawyer so I could be wrong. I have had simular experiance in the past with a used car lot it was 6 cyl engine insted of 8.... stupid me not to check something so obvious. All the paperwork said it was an 8 cylinder engine. Well I just stopped into a lawyers office once I found that out only to get a business card. ;-> Went to the dealer and said "so your running a 'bait and switch' scam here huh?" Well your choices are to give me what I paid for, refund me $xxxx.xx -or- you could contact my lawyer." Handed them the lawyers card and promply I received the exact amount I'd reqested as a refund. Should have asked for more. I know I'd try the same thing with Best Buy if I'd gotten one of those laptops. It's worth a try.

Regards,
Skon

[JHosche @ Oct 9th 2007 2:42PM]

I think I recall in every edition of the Best Buy ads - there is some sort of disclaimer about ad misprints to cover their butts (on the back page of the ad in fine print it reads "Best Buy is not responsible for typographical or pricing errors in this ad").

[nxtiak @ Oct 8th 2007 10:55PM]

Vista... Celery... 512mg... OMG... I wonder how slow that computer is!

[John @ Oct 9th 2007 12:01AM]

Actually, I remember hearing that some of the Celeron M processors had evolved to the point of being basic Core Duo processors. The RAM is likely that unit's biggest problem (unless you want it for anything beyond word proc, email, some music, etc.). Can't remember if they're actually dual core, but for someone who just wants a working unit, this isn't too bad (except that it's a Gateway...).

[lyl545646 @ Oct 8th 2007 11:16PM]

don't worry it's only Vista Basic, no fancy graphics...

[michael @ Oct 8th 2007 11:27PM]

I wonder why they even offer Vista Basic. It's like the Xbox 360 Core - you'd have better luck for going the above option.

Plus as cheap as this sounds, cheap computers don't always work well. Users get frustrated, and look at getting Macs, which is kind of sad, considering there are better PC's out there. This is true, by the way.

So I'd rather pay for quality, and not let myself down later.

[Galley @ Oct 9th 2007 8:48AM]

My cheap bastard of a friend bought a laptop similar to that for his wife. How slow? Molasses in winter slow.

[Jugomugo @ Oct 9th 2007 9:09AM]

Just back it down to WinXP.

[Ryan Smith @ Oct 8th 2007 11:16PM]

That's almost exactly like my laptop except a Toshiba that I got at Office Depot over 6 months ago for $350. There are always deals like this. I don't see how this is important enough for Engadget, that's what techbargains.com is for.

[kthung @ Oct 8th 2007 11:22PM]

LOL how sad is it that this laptop is about as good as my desktop right now? The only difference is windows xp and vista basic

[crackcorn @ Oct 8th 2007 11:32PM]

Yeah i have the same setup, only an Compaq and has a DVD burner.. not sure it that gateway can be expanded to 2gig, like my compaq.. But anyways, that combo with vista sucks! the 1st thing i did was load xp back on it.. it took like 4-5 minutes from the time you hit the power button loading vista.. so diffently think about xp if you have a copy! and i paid like $100 more that too, which that sucks, should of waited...

[pg5of16 @ Oct 8th 2007 11:33PM]

If I'm not mistaken, you can get a Eee PC for 270 dollars.

[Walter Maldonado @ Oct 8th 2007 11:42PM]

Watch when Black Friday comes around.... and that's less than 2 months from now...

[Scott @ Oct 9th 2007 2:28AM]

Ah, that reminds me! I've been working in retail for 13 years, and just recently quit. I always had to work on that day and haven't been able to participate in any of the Black Friday deals for a long time. I don't think I can stay unemployed just for that though ;)

[JoN @ Oct 8th 2007 11:46PM]

way more then 10 in stock in my store... not sure about the return issues with regard to the misprint on specs... i would assume most store managers would take care of that for you - it doesnt seem un-reasonable.

[hn333 @ Oct 8th 2007 11:56PM]

Don't trust Bestbuy

[Alex @ Oct 9th 2007 12:10AM]

Get a mac.

[White_Pheonix @ Oct 9th 2007 12:16AM]

Build your own computer, you conformist pigs!

[AJ @ Oct 9th 2007 12:22AM]

@White_Phoenix:

Build your own LAPTOP?

[Skon @ Oct 9th 2007 1:17AM]

Amen White_Phoenix! You get what you want and it's cost effective. I just helped a freind put together a rig with the fastest quad core Intel offers, dual 768MB SLI nVidia video, 8GB RAM and 10K RPM 150GB 16MB buffer SATA drives in a striped array for the OS and apps and a slower 300GB SATA for data and 500GB SATA external for backing everything up. Oh and a high end ASUS motherboard. Don't remember the model but has dual NIC's, 8 USB, Firewire etc. Also a huge $50 Zalman heatsink/cpu fan and a $200 CoolerMaster Case and a 1000wat P.S. and WinXP Pro 64bit. All told it ran just over $4,000. He does 3D Studio MAX. Very happy man now. (I'm starting to watch his house so if he goes on vacation... =) I've checked out simular setups prebuilt and they all run more then $7k but don't have as nice a case, powersupply, and motherboard. The case for example two 6inch fans that suck in air at the bottom of the case and two of the same for exaust at the top AND 2 more 6inch exaust at the back. Even with all that it hardly makes a sound!

AJ,
If you do a search for OEM laptop components and do some real digging you can find supplyers that offer all the components for genaric OEM laptops that get assembled and rebranded by scads of companys you see in Computer Shopper etc. They generaly don't sell to individuals, only to companys, but you can get a DBA and a tax number and thus buy from them. I wouldn't advise it because it will most likely cost to much if you don't buy the parts in bulk. It's been a while since I've priced the DIY laptop packages so this may have changed. A few years ago (Yikes! It's been 8 years, seems like 1 or 2) I worked for a company that built some and customised both the hardware and software for use in semi trucks. They intergrated all of the companys bills of ladeing, logs, truck and trailer GPS's, and pre-existing computer systems used for finding and accepting new loads while on the road etc. When I checked prices on the parts buying just one laptop kit it cost more then buying one at the time even with no OS. But some employees would pre-pay and tack theres onto a company order and that was very cost efective. That company was great that way. Any computer equiptment you wanted you just had to wait untill an order was going in.

You all can tell I've been up for 3 days because my posts tend to meander and get way to long......

Regards,
Skon

[chris @ Oct 9th 2007 4:57AM]

@AJ - Hey, I built my own laptop!

www.chrisfenton.com

[edgore @ Oct 9th 2007 12:39AM]

That would totally get you this - http://www.boingboing.net/2007/10/07/one-laptop-per-prost.html

[Bard @ Oct 9th 2007 1:00AM]

Best Buy is good if you know what you're getting into. Buyer beware still applies.

That being said, I actually found a great deal on the computer I'm on now at Best Buy: Toshiba Satellite A135 w/Pentium Dual Core, 80 gig HD, Vista basic (grrr), DVD R/RW w/the 17 inch widescreen for $438 out the door. Downside was the paltry 512 megs of RAM, but the nice screen made up for the extra 33 bucks for a full gig stick.

If you're willing to take the risk, you can sometimes make out well. Besides, it's a $300 laptop!!! Unlike some geeks on here who think a computer under 2000 bucks is too below them, some of the rest of the population wouldn't ever even consider a laptop because they cost a chunk of change.

[Kevdogia @ Oct 9th 2007 1:30AM]

You have to be kidding me.

A $299 notebook computer with no stupid mail in rebates and you are complaining that it doesn't have a DVD-burner?

I bet you expect to play WoW on it too.

Seriously, you get what you pay for.

[Grant @ Oct 9th 2007 2:43AM]

wait,
so your saying it DOESN'T play WOW?
what a rip-off!!!

[Prime @ Oct 9th 2007 8:52AM]

Wow. I didn't know this was news. Our local BB has been selling this laptop at this price for the last two weeks, misprinted sales ad or no sales add at all...

[dlewis23 @ Oct 9th 2007 12:19PM]

that is a misprint. there is no DVD burner but it says there is.


I added another 1GB to mine and did a fresh install of vista, and it runs real nice and fast now. They put way to much crap on it.

[David @ Oct 9th 2007 1:02PM]

i just called around to try and pick one up for my mom but they're all sold out around me.

[Jenky @ Oct 9th 2007 3:51PM]

Just went to the Austin, TX BB on Mopac. They have them there for $349 with a disclaimer that it doesn't have a DUAL LAYER DVD burner. The model on display did have a DVDRW on it. Tempting to get for my 7 year old...but I'm waiting for the Black Friday deals...

[Angelo @ Oct 14th 2007 1:59PM]

dlewis23, I would be willing to buy the laptop back from you for my business. Put it on ebay.

[Clayton Hallmark @ Oct 19th 2007 1:10PM]

Just buy the Asus Eee for $299.

It is easier to carry, easier to use, and

R-E-V-O-L-U-T-I-O-N-A-R-Y !!.

It is a truly modern machne that is instant-on. Remember the olden days of TV when it took several minutes to turn a set on? That's where other computers are now.

Remember the history of computers? The first one (at AT&T) had gates made of relays. The Eee is the first widely distributed computer that goes beyond the electromechanical era. As I said, get a modern machine.

Help the Commodity Computer movement. If all goes well, we soon will see computers like the Eee for $50 and like the Gateway for $100-$150. Help make a market for this. Get a Eee.

[Alan @ Oct 21st 2007 5:27PM]

My wife and I just took advantage of this deal. $349 each for laptops for both of us. We bought her a better Gateway a few months ago and the DVD drive, PC card slot, and USB bus all took a dump within those months. Forget the fancy features. These computers run better than any used $350 P3 or P4 notebook out there. My wife bought hers yesterday and we went in to buy mine today. Store tried to sell us one that had already been messed with by GeekSquad, tried to make us pay an extra $129 for some spyware protection package. We told them to give us a $349 notebook or we walk. I'm typing on it now on McDonald's Wi-Fi and it's great! Couldn't be happier for the price, and hope they both run for 2-3 years and then we can look at something nicer and give these to our girls for school use.