HP, Best Buy team on Windows 7 'home makeover'

These days, getting a PC for $1,200 is no big deal. Even two PCs for that price is pretty run of the mill.

Starting on Thursday, though, Best Buy will offer for that price a "PC Home Makeover" that includes three PCs--a laptop, desktop and Netbook--as well as a monitor and router. Even in-home Geek Squad set-up is included.

It's one of those screaming deals, that Windows Vice President Tami Reller was referring to when she spoke with CNET News last week. The deal is set to be officially announced on Thursday, although details of the offer were noted on Best Buy's Web site.

The package includes an HP Slimline desktop (model s5212y), an 18;.5-inch monitor, HP mini Netbook as well as a "media-savvy" laptop (model G60-535DX) along with a Netgear 802.11-G router and in-home setup of each of the components.

Microsoft's price advantage vis-a-vis Apple is among the things the company is looking to highlight as it launches Windows 7 on Thursday.

Ahead of Windows 7 launch, Apple on Tuesday announced a fall lineup that includes refreshed Mac Mini, MacBook, and iMacs, but keeps Apple in largely its traditional price range.

PC makers meanwhile, are showing off Windows 7 models ranging from inexpensive Netbooks to high-end gaming models that can fetch several thousand dollars. The notebook category, in particular, is broadening with products that are both cheaper and less pricey than traditional notebooks and yet feature bigger screens than a Netbook.

Nearly every PC maker also has at least one touch-screen all-in-one, with many offering touch-screen laptops as well.

CNET News is live in New York and we'll have tons of stuff from here, including live coverage of the festivities Thursday with CEO Steve Ballmer. Plus, if you still have lingering questions, let me know and I'll try to get answers.

[Super2online]

If this deal included touch screens I would be the first in line. However, since it's not, I will have to think about it. Great deal though!

[Random_Walk]

Dude - I wouldn;t let Geek Squad so much as look at a computer I owned, let alone tear into the thing.

[WinNoMo]

More proof that Win7 is Vista reheated:

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Microsofts-naming-math-Vista-apf-3101037715.html?x=0&.v=1

[Super2online]

Dude, I never said a word about the Geak Squad coming into my house and touching anything. Have you heard of passing on options? There ya go! Nuf said.

[Super2online]

@WinNoMo - I don't need any of your proof. I've been running Windows 7 since the first public betas. I was also a Windows 7 Party recipient which I received 5 days ago. I'm very happy with the performance and the improvements. Take all the swipes you want. There's nothing you can say that will stop the coming tidal wave of adoption. Have a nice day!

[ikramerica--2008]

All this will do is cause frustration in the family, as everyone comments on how slow and unreliable Windows 7 is, when it's really due to this crappy hardware they are buying. Pentiums for everyone. But at least it has a "SPEEDY" g-wireless router, though that's fine as most buyers of this bundle won't need -N speeds anyway. Just advertising it as "SPEEDY" is silly. And too bad the slimline desktop doesn't have wireless built in, as for many who live in apartments, the place they want to put the computer won't be so near the place where the cable comes out of the wall.

[Vegaman_Dan]

@Random_Walk:

Looks like you need to apologize to Super2Online. It would be the adult and responsible thing to do in this case.

@WinNoMo:

You know, you can play that number naming game all sorts of ways. If we go with the logic you present, that would mean that Apple hasn't released a new operating system since OS X first came out... YEARS ago. Now obviously that's not the case, but it is how just looking at numbers for versions can deceive you.

[Random_Walk]

@Dan: You must be joking. How about to put away the faux indignation and actually read for once?

[CupertinoBill]

Wow, what is the retail value of such a deal? Where are the specs on these beauties. Quad core? duo? What version of Win7? Ultimate on the desktop? Got to go see these. I wonder what the profit margin is for HP and Bestbuy here. Seems like they are giving these away. Gotta sell my APPL pronto.

[Random_Walk]

"Quad core? duo?"

The CPUs are as cheap as humanly possible that can still carry the spec titles:
E5300 (desktop)
T4300 (laptop)
Atom N270 (netbook)

...with low-end RAM (all DDR2 - 3GB w/ 1GB on the netbook), 802.11 b/g max, 320GB HDD's (betting 5200 RPM at best - and the netbook has a 160GB one), and only Intel-based onboard video. See also...

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=9999117800050002&type=product&id=pcmprd117900050002

...for the list.

--

"What version of Win7?"

The cheapest one they could offer: "Home Premium" on the laptop and desktop.

I'm betting they're also packed to the rafters with HP's crapware.

--

Also, a caveat from the site: "This package price will no longer be valid if you return one of the items." - which means if you return one, you get to pay a crapload of money for the privilege, or as Best Buy puts it: "While you will be refunded the discounted price of each bundle item you return, you will be required to pay the difference between each remaining item's bundle price and its non-discounted price on the date of your bundle purchase."

--

"I wonder what the profit margin is for HP and Bestbuy here. "

See above. ;)

--

Long story short - a "home makeover" it is not, and I'm betting that you'll need that Geek Squad 'service' just to nurse them along after a year or two. Joe Sixpack will be fooled easily enough, but anyone with any smarts would be better served to avoid falling into the trap of buying a bucket of yesterday's hardware just because it's a "bundle".

[kojacked]

Lots of guesses in there Random... Even if some are correct this is still a great deal.

5400 RPM drives in laptops are still quite common. You typically have to break $700 before you get anything faster (or give up somthing like RAM)

On the return issue what would you expect? A foot massage? It's a bundle.

BTW they describe it as a "Home" makeover so the "Home Premium" version of Win 7 is just fine. People don't need business features found in Pro like domains at home when they can setup homegroups instead.

And lastly I'd take Geek Squad over your advice any day. Like anything people have to do the homework and compare what's offered to what they need and avoid taking advise from haters like you. If people didn't need to make such comparisons then Linux on the desktop would have certainly taken off by now. :)

[Random_Walk]

"Even if some are correct"

Only the 5400 RPM disks and the HP crapware are guesses. The rest came straight off of Best Buy's page (referenced). If you have an issue with that, go take it up with them.

"And lastly I'd take Geek Squad over your advice any day"

I'm sure you would - and you (like the average user) will end up paying dearly for the privilege.

[Random_Walk]

PS: apparently this little bundle won't work for those looking to upgrade from XP, because as referenced elsewhere:

"Don't complain if your new comps can't run XP Mode due to lack of processor virtualization."

The laptop can't do VT (hence, no XP Mode): http://ark.intel.com/ProductCollection.aspx?series=41612

The desktop may or may not be able to do it, depending on which rev of E5300 it is:
http://ark.intel.com/Product.aspx?id=35300#specs (Best buy doesn't say).

The netbook? Nope: http://ark.intel.com/ProductCollection.aspx?familyId=29035

So... how is this a big bargain again?

[madeinttown]

PC - 2.5GHz Pentium
Laptop - 2.1GHz Pentium

[Rolker]

For peope that are looking for a PC, laptop, wireless, this is a great offer. Most people should do just fine with the specs, unless they're gamers.
This offer is great, and a good way to help people move to Win 7. Lets hope Win 7 delivers what people are claiming and promising.

[Super2online]

@Random_Walk - For someone who considers himself informed, you have a lot of learning to do. Over 99% of the world out there "is" Joe Sixpack, as you refer to them. The vast majority of these users are sporting older hardware then this ad references, so this would be a great upgrade for them at a resonable price. While some corporations and middle tier businesses may have an issue with older applications and need XP mode, the vast majority of consumers do not. They have long since upgraded. This ad is targeted at them, not businesses. Businesses that would have these issues do not buy at Best Buy.

Do yourself a favor and get a life. If that doesn't sound appealing to you, try looking real hard in the mirror to locate the person you could be. If that doesn't work either, I will have to refer you to your local library where you can find lots of books that may lead you to the source of anguish and suggest some useful remedies.

[Random_Walk]

"Over 99% of the world out there "is" Joe Sixpack, as you refer to them"

That's precisely the problem.

They'll buy it thinking "oh, Windows 7 can run all the apps I have now - Microsoft even said so on that CNN tech show!" and happily shell out four figures for the bundle.

Then they get it home... and realize that no, they need something called "XP Mode" to run all the stuff they have and love (why? Because there's no way any company can possibly test everything against Windows 7 - especially if the app maker is dead, merged, disinterested, or otherwise out of business). So then Joe buys the upgraded versions of the OS which has XP Mode, only to discover that XP Mode doesn't work... because the hardware doesn't quite support it (though maybe the desktop does...) They discover this only after spending gobs of money on upgrades, and/or gobs of time at Geek Squad. So, they try to return one or more of the machines to get an upgraded bit of hardware (the laptop most likely), only to discover that it will cost them a mint to do so.

So, being ignorant of hardware and feeling angry at having bought at least two more Microsoft OS licenses, what's the first thing their family and friends hear? That either HP or Windows 7 sucks, or both - it can't possibly be their fault for not doing the research, or from at least asking the right questions before purchase (which the sales droids at Best Buy won't give complete answers to anyway, what with fat commissions being tasty and all).

"The vast majority of these users are sporting older hardware then this ad references"

...which has no bearing on the points made. After all, a 2010 Kia is newer than a 2003 Porsche. Poorly-built is still poorly-built.

"Do yourself a favor and get a life."

Ah - the last refuge of someone who can't form a coherent rebuttal: ad hominem.

I appreciate the offer and all, but I'm more interested in keeping the family/friend tech support calls to a minimum so I can enjoy the life I do have.

[Vegaman_Dan]

@Random_Walk:

Wow. You've sunk to new levels of ineptness there. Reading comprehension at an an all time low as well.

I don't even know where to start on how many mistakes you've made on this one. The amount of FUD and misinformation you just spewed is staggering. There really are not enough hours in the day to even attempt it.
Just.... wow.

[Super2online]

@Random_Walk - You didn't look in the mirror did you? That's a shame. I was really hoping you would realize your mistakes and man up. But that's ok, it's alright, you can work through it. I can accept baby steps as long as you're headed in the right direction. Try again tomorrow. I be right here.

[Renegade Knight]

Even using the cheap end of the HP line that's not a bad deal. All that or a MacBook. Choices, Choices.

[Random_Walk]

When the bonus arrives in a couple of months? The MacBook. And to be fair? If I were a Windows fan, it would be a Dell Adamo instead.

At least that way I wouldn't fall into the trap of helping HP and Best Buy clear out their unsold hardware under confiscatory deals (and Geek Squad... blecch).

[ikramerica--2008]

Actually, a MacBook and the monitor for the same price. ;)

[Vegaman_Dan]

The idea of getting a Macbook and monitor for that price isn't a bad one at all. That will work great to have three people all using them at the same time. The Mac can do that you know.

Also, you can take the Macbook to three different physical places at once- you can have it at home, at the job, and even with your kids at college at the same time. The Mac can do that. It travels through diminensional rifts to be in three places at once.

One of the better things about it is how you can take it into Best Buy and get a replacement machine right there, same day- Oops, sorry, the Macbook *can't* do that. It's usually a 1-2 week turnaround time and your data will be lost on the hard drive when you get it back so you have to start over.

Yeah.... what was the value of the Macbook again?

Sheesh. Move along trolls. Go back and peddle your stuff elsewhere.

[Rob_N]

Saw this in the store Monday. Looks interesting, even if it's a slower wireless G router (I'm upgrading my home network to a mixed G/N, on different frequencies, so I'd just skip the router and the Geek Squad setup -- maybe they'd knock $100 off?).

[dragonsky1]

Probably not. It's a package deal and has to be rung out as such to get the $1199 price. Price individually these items top $2k, and Best Buy is more than likely getting reimbursed by HP for it.

[anonymuos]

Don't complain if your new comps can't run XP Mode due to lack of processor virtualization.

[Vegaman_Dan]

Considering XP mode is used for businesses in backwards compatibility and doesn't apply to consumer users or their applications, I don't think this is an issue at all. It's like warning people that that subcompact car doesn't have a 10 yard dump on the back so you better watch out hauling gravel in your Honda.

[Random_Walk]

"and doesn't apply to consumer users or their applications"

Wanna bet? I'm willing to wager that consumers have an even wider variety of applications than business does, and there's no way possible for Microsoft to have tested them all.

[jwilson00m1]

".....is broadening with products that are both cheaper and less pricey than traditional notebooks and yet feature bigger screens than a Netbook....."

So, is that redundant or are you trying to say that the build quality is poorer?

[ikramerica--2008]

Yes, they are less pricey and more cheaply made.

[juliojorgeortiz]

This is actually a good deal whether you like it or hate it for a family wanting/needing news PCs and a new Windows OS for a good value.

[zeroplane]

I would instead build my own computer using this hardware.

COOLER MASTER HAF 932 RC-932-KKN1-GP Black Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case - Retail
Model #:RC-932-KKN1-GP
$139.99

ASUS M4A79T Deluxe AM3 DDR3 AMD 790FX ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
Model #:M4A79T Deluxe
$188.99

SAPPHIRE 100270SR Radeon HD 4850 X2 2GB 512-bit (256-bit x 2) GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card
Model #:100270SR
$263.20

SILVERSTONE ST75F 750W ATX 12V 2.2 & EPS 12V SLI Ready Modular Active PFC Power Supply
Model #:ST75F
$149.98

AMD Phenom II X4 810 2.6GHz Socket AM3 95W Quad-Core Processor Model HDX810WFGIBOX
Model #:HDX810WFGIBOX
$142.99

CORSAIR XMS3 DHX 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TW3X4G1600C9DHX
Model #:TW3X4G1600C9DHX
$90.98

2 Western Digital Caviar Black WD5001AALS 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5
Model #:WD5001AALS
$57.00 ($114.00)

LG 22X DVD±R DVD Burner Black SATA Model GH22NS30
Model #:GH22NS30
$17.93

COOLER MASTER Hyper Z600 RR-600-LBU1-GP CPU Cooler
Model #:RR-600-LBU1-GP
$44.99

Saitek PZ30AU Black USB Standard Eclipse Keyboard - Retail
Model #:PZ30AU
$37.99

RAZER Copperhead Tempest Blue 1 x Wheel USB Wired Laser Gaming Mouse
Model #:RZ01-00050100-R2M1
$60.49

Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit 1-Pack for System Builders - OEM
Model #: GLC-00736
$189.99

Hardware Sub-Total: $1194.53
With Windows 7: $1384.52

And maybe you want to throw in a monitor too?

Acer X203H bd Black 20" 16:9 5ms Widescreen LCD Monitor - Retail
Model #: ET.DX3HP.001
$129.99

Grand Total: $1324.52 ($1524.51)

So check out the spec compared to what the retail chains are pushing.

[AppleSuxLeo]

That would get me a low-end Mac book !

[shellcodes_coder]

yup :) Windows 7 will rule!!

[jtjt145]

How much more could we even save, without the damn Windoze installed on the darn things?

[The_happy_switcher]

Win7 coming out tomorrow:
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_pNJFZtinpKY/St9s-B_yFLI/AAAAAAAAFvI/XK7wTSL31eg/s1600-h/elephant5.jpg

[Vegaman_Dan]

And I'll be installing it on my Mac.

Doesn't that just eat tat your soul, THS? I'm going to use an Apple product for Windows. And you know what? Both Apple and Microsoft get money as a result.

[badmojo42]

@ Vegaman_Dan - actually no it does not eat at my soul. you only prove that Mac can't do everything you need. I on the other hand, have never needed a Mac, for anything... :) but thanks for helping push the numbers on how many copies of Win7 sell.

[ywkhgqo]

badmojo, vegaman_dan has long been a proponent of everyone just **** and use what they like.
He is usually defending microsoft though, because mac people tend to be rather touchy

[wiimonkeyn]

The desktop and the laptop both have vt. Most hp products do... up to at least 3 years ago.

[queticomn]

Make a purchace from Best Buy, *bahahah*

They are not the Best Buy for one. The geek squad knows jack? *haha* 2. Cnet the walking bilboard for Best Buy being paid off buy Best Buy more then likley. 3.

There are many other retailters to choose from besides junk buy, T@RGET, Walmart*, OfficeMax, OfficeDeopt, MicroCenter (the best in my opinion), $earS, Frye's, ect...

Best Buy does not even carry many computer accessories in their stores now, such as a good selection of GFX cards, Tv Tuners, Memory, Networking ect. Then if your lucky to find an accessories for a computer there, its a selection maybe from 2 brand names...

[Vegaman_Dan]

That's a nice thing about choice. You don't have to use the Geek Squad. You are free to have anyone work on the machine- or work on it yourself. It's an open market.

Try that on a Mac. Whoops- you just voided the warranty.

[Dan7637]

people stop bit**ing about this, at least cnet gave you a heads up

no one is forcing you to buy it

[Random_Walk]

"no one is forcing you to buy it"

...but tech-ignorant friends/family may well force a few of us to support it.

[Vegaman_Dan]

!@Random_Walk:

You don't have to support it either. Give it a rest.

[Random_Walk]

Ah - argument by bald assertion. Must be nice, Dan.

[LLIB_SETAG]

Legacy PC / HP POC PCs that NOBADY wants anymore & should just be smashed & recycled with the "new & improved" Vista 2.0 / Win 7 OS...

Lipstick on a pig.

Nothing to see here...keep moving people.

[Vegaman_Dan]

You could buy all those up and put Linux on them and still save a bunch of money....

.... or is Linux too good to run on a PC? Hmmmmmm?

[badmojo42]

actually everything runs on a PC. remember, we all use the same hardware now. :) yes your Mac is a PC. Does that eat at your soul??? sorry had to :)

[LLIB_SETAG]

@Badwinmoho: ALL OS runs on Macs too ( Windows, Unix, Linux & OSX )
just in case you were too much being stuck in past with legacy POS WinPCs.

Wintard : PC = Personal Computer you know like the ones Apple has made millions of & Microsoft had made...ZERO.

[FF2009]

screw W7....Ubuntu 9.10 is round the corner and is all free :)

[badmojo42]

I like Ubuntu, and will put it on my T61.

[Vegaman_Dan]

From a marketing standpoint, this is a good deal to refresh an entire household of machines for a family. Not a bad deal at all.

Of course, some will say you should have Linux. And you know what- you are free to do that.

Others will push they should buy a Mac. They are free to do that too if they want. It's purely up to the consumer.

But then that's the whole point here, isn't it? Fair and open competition. Linux boxes are out there for sale. Those box makers are free to try to sell their stuff at Best Buy if they want as well. Apple is already in Best Buy. Let everyone put out their products and have the consumers vote with their money. They will pick what they want. If one company has a better deal than the others, then that's just the way it is. Apple could compete by dropping the price of their products by hundreds of dollars to entice people to buy. Linux could get installed on some name brand systems at a price point to make those enticing.

It really is an open market.

[casanegro]

No thanks, Best Buy. Even if there's a dozen PeaCees included in the bundle, that's still just $1199 worth of Windoze 7 virus-infected crap.

I'm sticking to my ever-reliable MacBook.

[mechengineer1400]

Low, low, low-end gear. Specs on the desktop are quite reasonable - for running XP. With Win 7 and all the worthless trash that HP is paid to install and set to run at startup this machine will run slower than XP on an old P3-1000 designed for Windows 98.
Personally, I would NEVER buy any name brand PC. Unless all you ever wish to do is surf the Net and run Word (just reformat and reinstall XP on your old one - you'll think it's a new machine) have one of the many small PC shops build a gamer's level machine exceeding the recommended specs for Ultimate (if you can't run Ultimate, why switch from XP?) - then Aero will work properly, you won't be saddled with crapware, and the power to run emerging multitouch apps will be available. Plus, the machine will outlast and outperform probably 3 sucessive big-box-store PC's as custom-builts ARE upgradeable.

See, you're missing the point. This deal is FOR those that don't play games. There are individuals that don't need an incredibly high end computer to play games. This comment isn't directed directly at you mechengineer, but for all the apparent "wisdom" that everyone on this board seems to exude, you're missing the point that these PC's will serve the purpose that some families will need it for. For example, my parents are looking for a new computer, and with the addition of the laptop, it seems to be a reasonable deal. I have a high end laptop I use for work and gaming, and that's fine. The guy higher up is touting the computer he would build, but it's what HE wants, not what everyone else does, and to be that arrogant to subvert the needs of non-computer obsessed individuals is unfortunate. Before anyone actually goes to bash the deal, think about it from the perspective of the individuals who it is actually geared towards.

[shellcodes_coder]

Windows 7 will rule!!