Get a Windows 7 laptop for $399.99 shipped

You wouldn't know to look at it, but this $400 laptop is among the first to come with Windows 7.

(Credit: CompUSA)

The Windows 7 systems are coming! The Windows 7 systems are coming! One if by laptop, two if by... Um. Hmm.

As you may possibly have heard by now, the new OS drops this Thursday, October 22. But starting today, you can preorder a 15.6-inch MSI A5000 laptop with Windows 7 for $399.99 shipped.

This is one of the best configurations I've seen at this price, with one small exception: the processor.

It's a 1.8GHz dual-core Celeron T3000. Normally I wouldn't go near a Celeron with a 10-foot pole, but I've seen Windows 7 run at a sprightly clip even on Atom-powered netbooks, so the A5000 should be a decent enough performer.

The rest of the specs look rock-solid: 3GB of RAM, a 250GB hard drive, 802.11n Wi-Fi, and a SuperMulti DVD drive. It even has an HDMI port for connecting an external display, just in case the 15.6-inch, 720p LCD isn't doing it for you.

And, drum roll...Windows 7 Home Premium. I'm not as wild about the OS as some of my fellow technologists, but it's definitely an improvement over XP. That's right: XP.

Perhaps best of all, the MSI A5000 is backed by a three-year warranty--a real rarity these days. And in a $400 notebook!

CompUSA doesn't say when these "preorders" will ship, but obviously it'll be Thursday at the latest. If you're in the market for a new PC and you've been waiting for Windows 7, wait no longer.

[ywkhgqo]

that three year warranty is ridiculously nice. just saying

Looks like a nice laptop.
Does it support XP Mode?

[rickbroida]

I don't see why it wouldn't.

[deniceels]

XP mode is only on VT support processor, which celeron, specifically for this, doesn't have.

http://ark.intel.com/Product.aspx?id=40738&code=t3000

[j_a_s_p_e_r]

I've heard so many people complain about programs on XP, I have yet to find an XP program that I could not run on Vista. Scratch that, I found one, but it was made for windows 95 (one of those multimedia CD ROM programs, good times [sarcastic laugh]).

Windows 7 Professional has the added benefit of having an XP virtual machine available WITH an XP license included. I don't need it, but it may be worth it to get pro over premium. HOWEVER, as deniceels noted the processor needs to support virtual machine mode. You can probably run some other virtual machine software, but you will need to cough up for an XP license... which sucks.

[deniceels]

@Jasper: Agree somehow with older programmes, which I do encounter problems, especially my good old Red Alert original... LoL... but otherwise, I am using win7RC and have no problems installing programmes meant for XP, exception for some utilities, which, as usual, have newer version meant for Win7.

I'll stick to dual-boot for occasional remiscence of the old days (always wanting to reinstall win3.11, BeOS, Win95 but I just never have enough harddisk space left due to lotsa of graphics n mp3 files I've converted or created).

[GeekBoy]

I had a lot of XP programs that would not run on Vista before service pack one came out

[superaznman]

xp mode is only available on professional and ultimate editions...

[deniceels]

Good steal at that price for 3year warranty, especially if one doesn't need to be concerned running XP-based programmes. Furthermore... 15.6"!?!!!??? that IS one HUGE screen (from my own point of view). Sadly, I'm more on the lookout for 13-inchers... due to weight+screen size.

[Firehazel]

true. I want something even smaller, like 11.6 inches or 12.1 inches.

[dwill77]

I like the warranty and the price! http://www.regallakeland.com/

[andnowyouknow]

Rick,

Your blog is great, read it daily. FYI, I believe that CompUSA, Circuit City and Tiger Direct are all owned by the same company. How ironic all three have the same deal with the same image and the same type font.

TigerDirect
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-Details.asp?EdpNo=5254391&sku=M455-15600&srkey=MSI%20A5000-026US%20Notebook%20PC

Compusa
http://www.compusa.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=5254391&sku=M455-15600

Circuitcity.com
http://www.circuitcity.com/applications/searchtools/item-Details.asp?EdpNo=5254391&sku=M455-15600&srkey=MSI%20A5000-026US%20Notebook%20PC%20-%20Intel%20Celeron%20Dual-Core%20T3000

...and now you know.

[rickbroida]

Yep, right you are: different companies, same owner.

[kenshabby]

Staples weekly ad has a Compaq notebook on sale for $380. Subtract another $75 if you trade in a functioning netbook or notebook with XP or Vista (according to a local salesperson.)

* Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
* AMD Athlon? II Dual-Core Processor for Notebook PCs M300
* 3GB installed memory
* 250GB hard drive
* LightScribe SuperMulti 8X DVDñR/RW with Double Layer Support
* 15.6" Diagonal High Definition HP BrightView Display (1366x768)
* HP Imprint finish & HP Webcam with integrated microphone
* Built-in wireless WLAN 802.11b/g wirelessly connects to the Internet
* 5-in-1 integrated Digital Media Reader
* 101-key compatible with full size keyboard with integrated numeric keypad
* 6-Cell Lithium-Ion battery; Battery Life up to 4.25 hours
* Dimensions 14.89" (L) x 9.93" (D) x 1.38" (min H) -1.62" (max H) (5.90lbs)
* 1 year warranty

http://www.staples.com/office/supplies/StaplesProductDisplay?&storeId=10001&langId=-1&catalogId=10051&partNumber=828743&cmArea=CIRCULAR

[AdamWP95]

Any guess at battery life for browsing (no video)? Office apps? Playing a DVD?

[moneyrules]

Im keeping my XP

[chazzbodejazzbo]

Uhh I am pretty tech illiterate but why HDMI without Blue Ray?Guess so many monitors and HDTV's have HDMI.As a audio and video guy I'd like to see a Blue Ray and and graphic chip to support 1080P for another $200 (or am I dreaming??????).The rest of the computer would support this I think.
Chazz

[wirelesscaller]

Hdmi is for convenience connectivity, you don't need blue ray to enjoy it since you can with a wireless keyboard and mouse enjoy surfing the net on your hdtv using the laptop as a computer. This should allow you to watch hulu, youtube, etc on a larger screen than your laptop as well pay for services like netflicks, amazon, etc. I think blue ray is a niche product, until they bring their prices down more in terms of players and media there are plenty of online materials to keep it a niche product.

[YaHa96]

damn. there's nothing like this in Indonesia.

[rpvitiello]

allot of the new computer monitors use HDMI as the digital connection instead of DVI to the computer, so makes sense to move to HDMI. You are finally getting to the point where there is no difference between a "LCD TV" and an "LCD computer Monitor" It's the same basic thing, so might as well move to the same standards and connections on the 2.

[deepen05]

good deal, but 15.6 is too big for me. I am currently using a 14.1" gateway from last year. I want to sell it and go for either another 14.1" or a 13.3." if anybody sees any deals on anything in that price range with those specs or better, then it would be great.

[Dan7637]

now if you could find a netbook for under $120 on amazon

[lotusseed]

does anyone know if this laptop will be able to play games? specifically, sims 3. i want it for my daughter - it sounds perfect for her school work, price is right, but she needs the all important game playing too.

if not, comparable suggestions? thanks.

[wirelesscaller]

Why not get her a desktop if she wants to play games? Both the laptop and many of the dual/quad core laptops will meet this requirement (for about $450 you can get this quad core Gateway SX2800-01 that can http://reviews.cnet.com/desktops/gateway-sx2800-01/4505-3118_7-33699400.html?autoplay=true&tag=rtcol;relnews).

[lotusseed]

she needs a laptop to lug around with her.

are you saying that this $399 laptop would work? would it be real slow or anything negative?

thanks.

[C-Lo89]

Wow, this deal sounds pretty amazing. Sure the processor may not be the best, but the rest of the specs look simply phenomenal: 3GB of RAM, 15.6 in. 720 HD display, 1.3mp webcam, plays HD DVD's, Windows 7 Home Premium, and 3 Year warranty!! Dang, pretty niceee package for the price. I'm glad i waited to get a pc til windows 7 came out. Perfect timing. I'm getting this for sure. As far as the processor is concerned, what's the heaviest multitasking it can support? FYI, i use the computer just for doing hw, browsing the internet, communicating with people, watching videos/shows, watching movies, etc.. nothing too heavy.

[chazzbodejazzbo]

That Compaq creams the $329 15" Toshiba recently reviewed which has little more than a slightly better than Atom Netbook specs.Considering Win7 will not require the large amount of RAM that Vista has I feel bad for those who have to hassle with upgrade to & (if they bought it late enough) and especially for those who paid for lesser hardware and didn't get upgrade option.Again Vista seems like ME another "bring it out even though it's crap" MS product.Not every reviewer is ga ga over 7 but many say it's time for us XP diehards to jump.Now power on cheap or Netbook uber portability for about same money.To above unless your going to game my IT pro buddy said it will do the homework,web browsing easily and get by as a audio/video Wifi deck though it won't perform the latter tasks as speedily as a $600-700 deck.But gaming he say's is probably out and really requires a hundred or two more

[chazzbodejazzbo]

That Compaq creams the $329 15" Toshiba recently reviewed which has little more than a slightly better than Atom Netbook specs.Considering Win7 will not require the large amount of RAM that Vista has I feel bad for those who have to hassle with upgrade to & (if they bought it late enough) and especially for those who paid for lesser hardware and didn't get upgrade option.Again Vista seems like ME another "bring it out even though it's crap" MS product.Not every reviewer is ga ga over 7 but many say it's time for us XP diehards to jump.Now power on cheap or Netbook uber portability for about same money.To above unless your going to game my IT pro buddy said it will do the homework,web browsing easily and get by as a audio/video Wifi deck though it won't perform the latter tasks as speedily as a $600-700 deck.But gaming he say's is probably out and really requires a hundred or two more
Oh that M300 AMD
http://products.amd.com/en-us/NotebookCPUDetail.aspx?id=583&f1=&f2=&f3=&f4=&f5=&f6=&f7=&f8=&f9=

[dimegirl72]

I bought this computer and it is great. NO TAX ,NO SHIPPING 3 year FREE warranty!!webcam,HDMI,dvd burner,and a game button.
I waited close to a year to find a computer like this. This computer is super fast and is comparable to a 7-$800.00 system. The keys are nice and firm,not cheap where the numbers wear off.
I am glad i woke up and bought it at 3 am in the morning because when I woke up it was totally sold out.
Lets hope this deal will come out again before x-mas,heck with waiting in a Best Buy line when you can get this for a much better deal the stores THE DOOR BUSTER.
i bought it at Tiger Direct. Tiger direct is tax free and has a 2 dollar handling fee.
No matter what computer laptop u buy today you must have webcam,HDMi,dvd burner or you paid money for a outdated computer...
Save and wait until you can buy a computer that dis not outdated like a VCR tape.