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General discussion

Toshiba has stopped selling M30! Which one to choose now?

Sep 10, 2004 7:24AM PDT

After much research last month I had decided to buy a Toshiba M30. I had to wait for my student loan and now that I finally have the money, Toshiba says they will no longer produce the M30 because they can't keep up with demand!! Now I don't know what to do and could use a little advice. Here is the original configuration I had come up with:

Pentium M 725; Intel PRO/Wireless 2200BG, 10/100 Ethernet LAN, i.LINK prot, NVIDIA GeForce FX Go5200 graphics with 64MB; 60GB HDD (4200rpm); 15.4 Wide Screen XGA; 512 MB RAM; XP Pro; DVD/CD-RW.

This came to $1569. I added the 3 year warranty special for $199. I need to spend $2000 or less for a light notebook similar to the M30 with a 3 year warranty. What is similar with good reviews. The fact that this has actually upset me just makes me mad. Help!

Chris

Discussion is locked

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Re: Toshiba has stopped selling M30! Which one to choose now
Sep 10, 2004 10:14AM PDT

I assume you were trying to get the Toshiba M30 via their custom order website (which had a 10% discount). Retail, it is actually called an M35 and they have had some good sales on the M35S456 -- they have had it at Best Buy, Circuit City or Compusa at times for 1799 after rebate (retail is 1999).

That model is fully loaded so it may be higher than you were considering as it has the multiformat DVD burner which is $200 more than a CD-RW/DVD ROM.

But it does have the new Trubrite LCD.

M35S456

Pentium M 735 Dothan (2mb L2 system cache)
512mb RAM PC2700
80 gb 4200 hard drive
54g/b wi-fi
64mb dedicated RAM Nvidia
multiformat DVD burner (DVD + or -) and CD burner
Trubrite XGA LCD

You are in luck if you don't want to find this one on a good price at retail (Compusa had it for 1799 after rebates last).

The nearly identical HPZT3000/Compaq X1000 twins (I chose this over the Toshiba M35S320 back when it did not have the Trubrite LCD) now has the HPBriteview XGA LCD option at HPshopping -- this is the same high contrast XGA 15.4" widescreen as the Toshiba Trubrite.
This was not available on these models until this week so the Toshiba had an advantage but not now. In the past, the HP DVD burner was DVD + only but check the specs now.

The HPZT3000 series now (6.5 pounds to Toshiba M35 6.2 but it runs much cooler than the Toshiba -- The M35 gets hot around the touchpad and in the bottom rear) has a $100 instant rebate, $100 custom order rebate and free DVD ROM to CD-RW/DVD ROM upgrade.

Especially if you don't need a DVD burner you will come out way ahead on the HP.

But if you want the DVD burner everything else you need is on the Toshiba M35S456.

See X1000forums.com for configuration options and discounts (for Compaq X1000 or HPZT3000 -- the HP has the better discounts right now and both are the same except the HP is all black and a few minor details on the touchpad and speakers (Harmon Kardon instead of JBL on Compaq).

I really like my X1360US Compaq and the only regret I had was not getting the Toshiba Trubrite screen but now you can order the HPBriteview LCD XGA for only $50 more than the standard XGA.

If ordering custom, get 256mb RAM 1 stick and add 512mb RAM yourself for much less ($60 last week at Fry's Electronics after rebate for PC2700 Kingston 512mb notebook RAM).

Also, make sure you get 64mb video RAM (standard on Toshiba M35S456) dedicated at least as that is not upgradeable later.

And, consider getting a 5400rpm hard drive instead of a 4200 if ordering custom as it is 50% faster in hard drive seek time (only $25 more on HPZT3000 over 60gb 4200 hard drive)

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Re: Toshiba has stopped selling M30! Which one to choose now
Sep 10, 2004 10:20AM PDT

There is more good news for you with HP for the HPZT3000.

If you are a college student you can get an additional 6% APP student discount on any HP/Compaq model. This is in addition to the $100 instant discount and $100 custom order rebate I just mentioned (on the order screen it states $50 rebate but you can find the $100 custom order one instead on page 1 of hpshopping under mail in rebates for HPnotebooks (good through 12/1/04).

Many people ordering these notebooks get down close to $1000 after all the discounts -- expecially if you order less RAM upfront (and that is with the 5400 60gb hard drive, 64mb dedicated video, Pentium M 1.6 735 Dothan processor, CD-RW/DVD ROM drive (free upgrade from DVD ROM), etc.

go to X1000forums.com and learn about all the discounts and order specs (even if you don't order one of these).

And, as I stated, the XGA HPBriteview Screen (very similar to Sony Xbrite or Toshiba Trubrite) is now available for custom order only (not retail yet).

One more thing..........you can order the notebook for 1 year no interest financing from HPshopping. Thus, keep your funds and pay it off in one year with no penalty.

How can you lose here ?

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Re: Toshiba has stopped selling M30! Which one to choose now
Sep 10, 2004 12:16PM PDT

Thank you so much for your help. You are right, I can't lose and I do think I will go with the zt3000. I'm even going to save some money for a better system. Wish I had asked you a month ago! Appreciate your assistance and expertise.

Chris

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Re: Toshiba has stopped selling M30! Which one to choose now
Sep 10, 2004 12:43PM PDT

Actually, the $100 instant rebate only appeared recently so order quickly if you want that (end of back to school).

Also, the HP Briteview LCD option did not appear until this week also.

However, I have a Compaq X1360US (same as HPZT3000 series except cosmetics) and I am happy with it.

I would like to have that Briteview LCD though !!!

Make sure you find the $100 custom order rebate instead of the $50 rebate posted on the hpshopping order screen.

See X1000forums.com for all the details as well as all other issues (bios updates, etc.) with these notebooks.