Tax Time Sale - 15.6" Asus Core i5-480m, Blu-Ray,1GB Graphics,640GB, $797 @ MLN Online & Instore

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• 

  Hirokuro on 27/05/2011 - 13:48

  +2

  Not really a good deal for a 1st generation i5 especially since you can get a 2nd gen i5 (with better specs overall) for an additional $100:

  http://dicksmith.com.au/product/XC7829/hp-pavilion-dv6-6023t…

  There are also 2nd i3's with dedicated graphics floating around going for ~$600.

  If you want to go off the same price, this machine from office-works beats it by miles in regards to graphics power, weight, 4usb ports, lightscribe and esata not to mention it's much more modifiable i.e. can replace keyboard to back-lit, can fit 1TB 12.5mm drives, can change LCD to 1080p, etc etc.

  Edit: Also, you should factor in postage considering most people don't live in Vic :) making the ASUS unit around $830 or so

  • 

    ozhunter on 27/05/2011 - 14:35

    Mln did include the postage in the description. Of course its gonna cost more if you get delivered. just because most people can't get it instore doesn't mean he should be advertising it as $830.

    • 

      Hirokuro on 27/05/2011 - 14:49

      Forgot to post the machine from OW: http://www.officeworks.com.au/retail/products/Technology/Com…

      • 

        Store Repfastandthecurious @ MLN on 27/05/2011 - 16:37

        Hirokuro, We have the exact same machine in Acer, for $100 less, and a similarily speced Acer, we sold for $596 2 weeks ago. How is any of this comparable or relevent?
        I dont see how that HP is any good at all, you can't compare in this way, your way of comparring is not accurate every brand has a different chasis and brand premium.
        http://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/43581

        I think that HP is not a bargain at all at that price, our price in Acer was about 18% less. So if your going to compare HP to Asus, I am going to compare Acer to HP, frankly Acer has a much better failure rate than HP anyway.

  • 

    Store Repfastandthecurious @ MLN on 27/05/2011 - 16:14

    +1

    $899 for a core i5 with no blu ray is the normal price, plus its HP, this is the standard price on this model.
    The processor price difference on a Gen 2 and Gen 1 is very minimal. The chasis cost on a HP and Asus is miles apart.
    All HP's are this price.

    Postage costs are relevent to you and not to everybody. I am not going to advertise the price including postage, becuase the price does not include postage and not everyone always has to pay postage. Its a postage cost, its extra and its clearly advertised.

    • 

      Hirokuro on 27/05/2011 - 17:38

      Well the HP is a 2nd gen i5 vs the Asus first gen i5, it has a much better integrated graphics chip not to mention a much faster GPU (which will run circles around the low range ATI found in the asus). The HP DV6 also has the beats stereo system which provides a much better overall sound quality than the bass lacking altec lansing.

      Not to mention, a disassemble/maintenance upgrade manual is also provided free of charge with the HP, Asus does not provide such a thing. Chassis wise, the Asus is a tacky glossy brown plastic (which of course if you don't know already is Asus's budget model and hence cheap parts with only 1yr mf warranty) compared with HP's aluminum chassis which prevents hairline scratches and fingerprints. So overall the quality on the HP should be onpar if not better than the Asus. Also (like I mentioned in this and another post) the HP Dv6 has more features than the Asus.

      In regards to the processors….:
      Actually the processing difference between the first gen and second gen is quite large. I have no idea why you would suggest otherwise. For instance a 2nd Gen Core i3 (found in ~$600 notebooks) is overall better than every first gen i5. Then it comes to the integrated chips embedded in the CPU which there is a dramatic difference in performance. However, like all cpu's it depends entirely on what you are doing where you'll notice the difference or not. For most users they probably wont. :)

      • 

        Store Repfastandthecurious @ MLN on 27/05/2011 - 17:44

        HiroKuro
        I dont know which HP your comparring, one is first Gen and the other is Second Gen, We have cheaper machines in both models by around $100-200 in Acer anyway,
        please refer to my below posts for when making comparrisons.
        Your only taking one aspect of a machine you value.
        We can build a second Gen i7 notebook for $799 with nothing else in it, doesnt mean its a good deal.

        One fact is though, Asus has the best reliabilty rate, much better than HP, which actually has the worst, and Apply sits in the middle. I think, and the stats show Asus is the best when it comes to failure rates. Opinions on what you like here are making you think the same machine according to you (even thogh specs are different) in HP for $100 more, is a better deal. I think 13% more for a processor in a less reliable chasis with no blu-ray which is around 5—7% more again, are more relevent in this case.

        Again this comparri
        son is not something you can compare, I think my reasoning below is enough to explain why.

        If you like HP more or less, that's great, but this is a good price for an Asus and that's a normal price for a HP. This is fact.

      • 

        Hirokuro on 27/05/2011 - 18:24

        Quote MLN: "Asus has the best reliability rate, HP has the worst"

        I have no idea where you are getting your stats from (I hope it's not from an unreliable source such as the one at square trade >.>). How do you know which one is the most reliable and which isn't? Do you have secret intelligence at both HP and Asus to work out how many units are returned due to fault? Of course not, don't be silly. Also if you are using a statistics from a retail store such as the one at square trade there are many factors that they haven't factored into the statistics making it obscure and highly inaccurate.

        Quote "Again this comparriiii"

        Um like I mentioned, you have to look at the system as a whole (especially on the non-user replaceable components) not just based on one part.

        Quote: "If you like HP that's great"

        MLN, I don't have any particular 'favourite' between any notebook brand.

        I was actually comparing it to the 2nd gen, but apart from the CPU, it can be also compared to the first gen too.

      • 

        A Banana4scale on 27/05/2011 - 23:32

        Not only squaretrade but
        PC world

        For that money, it's a good deal. I wouldn't touch an HP/Acer even if if had diamonds studded in it. By the way Beats are $hit as well. Friends don't let friends buy Dr Dre ;)

      • 

        StewBalls on 28/05/2011 - 15:08

        Spawnpoint, I'll definitely agree with you on HP, the machines themselves are often flawed & the service from HP Aust is just appalling!

        I'll beg to differ on Acer though, I've got a couple, as do several friends. Our office uses them & we have negligible dramas. They ain't always the prettiest, but bang for buck they're ahead of the pack. Don't forget, Acer is one of the largest manufacturers in the world, they make components for many other system builders. I can't tell you just how many of the old reliable HP desktop systems I used to open for upgrades back in the day & found an Acer mobo!

        When it comes to laptops, a hell of a lot of people who don't know any better often mistake cosmetics for build quality, I've always found Acer laptops quite reliable, and I'd have no hesitation in buying one…certainly over HP.

        Here's why: the BIG difference is that when there is a rare problem Acer Aust just fixes it!!! No arguments, no dramas, no delay, denial or stalling tactics like HP; they just send a courier, pick it up & send it back (usually inside a 7-10 day period) fixed…period!

      • 

        A Banana4scale on 29/05/2011 - 02:05

        @Stewballs

        Personally I have used an Acer maybe 1-2 weeks but didn't like it, keyboard was flimsy. Have seen friend's acer break many times over one year hence I'll am wary but HP Home and Business have f***ed me so many times it reminds me of that South Park ipad episode.

• 

  pks on 27/05/2011 - 13:54

  -6

  Worst customer service ever.

  • 

    Hirokuro on 27/05/2011 - 13:57

    -1

    Not necessarily true. In my opinion MLN has 'good' customer service… but let's try and not get side tracked…

    Edit: you should also specifiy what type of i5 it is in your title i.e. i5-480 or 1st gen i5. ——— Very sly of you MLN ;)

    Hoping a mod can change it to:

    15.6" Asus Core i5-480m, Blu-Ray,1GBGraphics, 4GB, 640GB, $797 @ MLN Online & Instore

    or

    15.6" Asus Core i5 1st gen, Blu-Ray,1GBGraphics, 4GB, 640GB, $797 @ MLN Online & Instore

    • 

      Store Repfastandthecurious @ MLN on 27/05/2011 - 16:09

      +3

      Guys its a Core i5, its no different to what it was before, processor model is there, plus it has a blu ray, drive the other notebooks you are comparring it too, dont have this, and are first Gen anyway, plus thats a HP notebook which is cheaper than Asus anyway.
      Lenovo Edge notebooks are cheap anyway, we have First Gen Core I3 for $550 in store.
      and second Gen i5s for $750 dollars as well.
      Doesnt mean much with out 1GB dedicated graphics plus its a 6370 GPU.
      There is nothing special about the e520 edge, thats the going price at any Lenovo reseller, visit our store and you will see for yourself.
      Calling me sly for advertising it the way it is, is not on, thats what its called a Core i5 processor, I couldnt fit the model number, so to edit the titel I had to take the RAM out,
      so how is that even relevent.
      If you bothered to read the processor number, all the information is there.
      No need to make such untasteful accusations. I take personel offence to being called sly.
      Punch any lenovo edge into google, staticice, or visit any top Lenovo dealer, thats the going rate, same with HP.
      If your going to pick 2 specs and make comparisons based on that, nothing will ever be a bargain.
      example, it has 4GB ram and 500GB hdd so does this other $400 computer, you cant pick and choose the 2 specs that are only relevent to you, add $100 to the sell price and then say its better value, because its unfair and untrue.

      • 

        Hirokuro on 27/05/2011 - 18:00

        Read my comments above in regards to the quality difference between these 2 units.

        Quote MLN "you can't pick and choose 2 specs".

        Of course not (and that was a stupid example. With RAM and HDDs (not to mention DVD/Bluray drives) you can upgrade those anytime and price will eventually drop. What's more important is the GPU, Processor and other non-user upgradable parts that will determine if it's a worthwhile bargain or not.

        But you have to look at the PC as a whole to see whether it's a bargain that will suit you. In regards to brand preference it's obviously of personal choice, one may have terrible experience with either Asus or HP (… it looks like you prefer Asus). I have used both brands along with Toshiba and have found all of them to be reliable.

        Quote MLN "HP is cheaper than Asus anyways"
        Okay HP and Lenovo is cheaper than Asus what's your point?

        In regards to the GPU power found in the Lenovo, if you take a look at the benchmarks you will see the sandy-bridge GPU is almost on par with the 6370 however it falters back 'slightly' due to the 1GB of dedicated memory in the dedicated GPU. But by saying that, the dedicated GPU uses alot more power than that of the Intel's IGPU.

      • 

        Store Repfastandthecurious @ MLN on 27/05/2011 - 18:16

        +1

        Hirkuro
        your now saying a machine that is usually always cheaper than Asus, for similar specs at $100 more is more of a bargain?

    • 

      dasher86 on 27/05/2011 - 16:21

      Any astute buyer will look in the description and see for themselves whether or not it is a 1st gen or 2nd gen.

      The deal itself - not going to neg or positive…
      I picked up a Toshiba similar specs to this (L650/0k4) Blu Ray Drive and Discrete Graphics for $700 a few weeks ago.

      • 

        dasher86 on 27/05/2011 - 16:37

        wow are now selling toshiba L650/0K4 FOR $799
        https://shop.1wow.com.au/productcart/pc/TOSHIBA-L650-0K4-BR-…

      • 

        Store Repfastandthecurious @ MLN on 27/05/2011 - 16:45

        And we have similar machines to this L650 for less than $600 as well in other brands, these are not white box custom built PC's

      • 

        dasher86 on 27/05/2011 - 16:57

        @ MLN can you link me to the similar laptops for under $600, i am thinking of purchasing one for my GF. Thanks =)

      • 

        Store Repfastandthecurious @ MLN on 27/05/2011 - 17:06

        dasher86,
        we have the following deals going on at any time, I only pick what I think suits ozbargain. So there are always other deals happening
        at any one time we have over 120 different laptops physically in stock, I gaurantee something will suit you. We have the follwoing promotions running all the time as well.

        MLN Deal of the week, (every week)
        MLN Secret Sales, (from time to time)
        MLN 4 Day Deals, (twice a week every week.)
        MLN Overstock Deals. (all the time)
        MLN catalogue sales (about every 4-6 weeks) one is running now our tax time sale.
        Clearance deals as well (usually more aged products end up here)

        I recommend you sign up to our MLN Deal Alerts on our web site (www.mln.com.au) to know what's happening, I only post 2 deals a week here on ozbargain that I cherry pick. At any one time a least 20-30 special deals are live at MLN.

        Also remember the MLN Online & Instore price is the Same Low Price.

        so you can always go instore and ask about what deal is currently running also. You can also just check online and then go instore. The only deal that are usually only online are the clearance deals, as these products tend to be older models and we usually dont have enough to even supply the stores with.

    • 

      Store Repfastandthecurious @ MLN on 27/05/2011 - 18:10

      delete

• 

  wonderland on 27/05/2011 - 14:05

  +5

  lenovo edge e520 is selling well below $700 delivered, with 2nd gen i5.

  • 

    chocolope on 27/05/2011 - 14:22

    -1

    +1

  • 

    Store Repfastandthecurious @ MLN on 27/05/2011 - 16:17

    +1

    We have Lenovo second gen machines in store for less than this with graphics, I dont think $700 is a good price for it at all, the edge is Lenovos entry level thinkpad and the going price is around $749 anyway for an edge machine, I hardly think at $700 its a good buy, you can get many second Gen entry level i5's for this price. We cleared our 1st Gen i5 edges for around $500 and the normal price was $749 anyway. MLN is a Gold store partner for Lenovo.
    http://shopap.lenovo.com/SEUILibrary/controller/e/auweb/Leno…

    You have to compare the same products with the same thing.
    $700 is not a good price for an edge, its the normal price.
    http://www.staticice.com.au/cgi-bin/search.cgi?q=lenovo+edge…
    Look for yourselves,

    Find a core i5 asus with same specs and blu ray.
    You need to compare the same products with the same thing, the exact same spec Apple Ipad you can buy in viewsonic for around 50% less.

    • 

      StewBalls on 27/05/2011 - 17:06

      +5

      Welcome to Harris Farm Markets, erm I mean OzBargain…where the art of comparing apples to oranges has gone from the sublime to the ridiculous! This is one of my big bug-bears with this community.

      It doesn't matter what brand you post, there'll always be someone who reckons brand X is cheaper, better, faster, sexier or more expensive but still better, possibly from Dealextreme for Focalprice!!! :p

      I agree with the OP, find the same spec, model & brand at a better price; or a damn good rationale for why this is otherwise negworthy; or do the decent thing & retract the neg guys!

    • 

      wonderland on 27/05/2011 - 17:09

      +1

      yup $700 is not a good buy nowadays for i5 15" laptops , so i can't see why your asus laptop selling at $797 is a bargain.

      • 

        Store Repfastandthecurious @ MLN on 27/05/2011 - 17:13

        thank wonderland, unfortunately the links and proof I have shown you, clearly shows otherwise, while I value your opinion, for these specs at this price, I still beleive in an Asus this is really good value considering its a lot less than what it was 3 weeks ago, and we were selling a lot of them back then.

        The edge at $700 is pretty normal, so is the HP for $799 and $899
        an Asus with these specs at this price is not.

        Asus has the highest selling average sale price in all PC brands.

      • 

        wonderland on 27/05/2011 - 17:23

        the edge at $700 is of comparable specification to your asus model, with the exception that lenovo offers 2nd gen i5 and asus offer blueray player, in fact the edge offers 10% discount from time to time (such as tonight's ecoupon), and edge price include free delivery as well.

      • 

        Store Repfastandthecurious @ MLN on 27/05/2011 - 17:33

        +1

        wonderland,
        the edge is a 14" machine if I am not mistaken, which is an unpopular chasis size in Australia that represents less than 2% overall sales, while its the most popular size in Asia.
        Your saying a Ford car with a 2 litre engine should be comparred to a Toyota with a 2 litre engine and they should be the same price.
        I am saying they cannot be comparred as a Toyota with a 2 litre engine is different to a Ford with a 2 Litre engine, and I am also saying that Ford at this price is normal.

        Now this does not mean Toyota = Asus and Lenovo = Ford. Its just an example. Its really up to you what you value, but you can't make comparrisons like that.
        Apple notebooks have the exact same guts as a PC and are 2 - 3 times the price for the same hardware.

        The fact is this Lenovo at around $700 is pretty normal, like a Ford at $19,999 with a 2 litre engine is normal. The fact the car may have some type of new shared common engine with Toyota is only one aspect of the overall deal. Or else nobody would pay 3 X for an Apple or 10 times the amount for a Mercedes, there is more to it than that.

        An Asus at this price is not normal, a Lenovo edge at this price is. They are not comparable.

        edit: I love Lenovo too, don't get me wrong, they make some of the best machines.

      • 

        wonderland on 27/05/2011 - 17:51

        mln,
        i think you have made some mistake, maybe mln only deals with ideapad, not thinkpad.
        thinkpad edge e520 is 15.6" screen
        thinkpad edge e420 is 14" screen
        to my understanding, lenovo to asus is as ford to holden.
        i could only say asus is overpriced.

      • 

        Store Repfastandthecurious @ MLN on 27/05/2011 - 17:57

        +2

        wonderland I have not made a mistake,
        we sell Lenovo edge in store, We Sell the entire Lenovo range.
        like I said, if you visit one of our stores, you can see for yourself, I said this several posts before, we do not offer the full edge range online. This edge can be obtained or ordered in store at any time at this price.

        Again you may think Asus is overpriced, as I may think Holdens are overpriced, but the reality is, I am not talking about what is overpriced I am talking about what a good price for an Asus is.

        An Asus at this price is a good price.
        A Lenovo edge at this price is normal.

        The fact you think one brand is overpriced does not determine if that model is a bargain or not, or else if there was a 50% off sale on Apple, it would still be overpriced according to me, but it would be a really good price for an Apple.

      • 

        wonderland on 27/05/2011 - 18:08

        mln,
        i see your reasoning now, mistaken edge e520 as 14" is not a mistake.
        i wish you can offer us a good bargain on lenovo edge soonest.

    • 

      Hirokuro on 27/05/2011 - 18:09

      Here we go again :/

      $700 for a 2nd gen i5 is an excellent price. If you need a bluray rom, they only cost ~$80 and very easy to install. Besides both are entry level models.

      MLN Quote: "Find a core i5 with same specs and bluray"

      Actually I did happen to find one but for $60 more with better specs! This one comes with a 2nd gen i5 instead of a first gen and a Sandybridge IGPU vs the integrated GMAHD. Everything else is the same.

      (take a look on staticice)
      http://www.staticice.com.au/cgi-bin/search.cgi?q=asus+i5+blu…

      • 

        Store Repfastandthecurious @ MLN on 27/05/2011 - 18:15

        +1

        You do realise all those models dont have dedicated graphics?
        this makes my deal a bargain according to this.
        You need to spend $200 to have the same spec in Gen 2 as a minimum and I bet a lot of them are not even in stock.

      • 

        Store Repfastandthecurious @ MLN on 27/05/2011 - 18:19

        +1

        Hirkuro
        we have many second Gen i5 with no graphics and blue ray on the way, which will be less than this in the coming weeks, if you watch our deals we have already done it for less than this price already anyway with second Gen i5's, you need to compare apples with apples, not apples with oranges, or apples with pcs.

        Have a great weekend guys,
        I am off!

      • 

        StewBalls on 27/05/2011 - 19:37

        +2

        Hirokuro: MLN Quote: "Find a core i5 with same specs and bluray"

        That's not a quote Hiro, that's a misquote! MLN actually said: "Find a core i5 asus with same specs and blu ray."

        Honestly mate, you don't normally carry on like this…is someone else on your keyboard or what???

• 

  justtoreply on 27/05/2011 - 17:07

  +6

  If holding true to "what is a bargain", the question is whether this is the cheapest available price for this model.

  The question isn't whether there is a better deal available. Even considering that I dont find this unit appealing myself, and that I WOULD find these comments and comparisons very useful if I was going to buy a laptop, there shouldn't be neg votes. It just means you keep your money, buy something else and don't vote.

  Otherwise the only brand laptop we could advertise here would be Acer :/

  • 

    justtoreply on 27/05/2011 - 17:08

    +6

    Oh and +1 to the rep for dealing with these responses.

    I can imagine it now, in the job description: "ozbargain rep for mln"
    Rep accepts job and asks "whats that, sounds kinda cool?"
    mln management smiles wryly

• 

  Pylgrim on 28/05/2011 - 01:20

  I got a very cheap Asus from MLN a year and a half ago. I'd go for this one, if mine wasn't still good to go for another year :)

• 

  ozf1 on 28/05/2011 - 10:42

  Hi REP from your previous deal posted ($584.00).

  ozf1 11 hours 17 min ago
  Hey, REP since you take/consider requests (from Ozbargain post)

  Hirokuro 23 hours 18 min ago
  please provide us a good deal on the DV6-2119tx :D

  MLN 23 hours 3 min ago
  I'll make a request, what would be a good deal to you on this?
  Please be realistic, and I will see what I can do.

  Although this is not for a laptop, what prices are you doing on a SATA 750GB internal HDD 2.5" 9.5mm? best I can find is 109.00(are you able to do sub $100.00?) or 58.00 at a store-not advertised price for the WD 500GB version…. just asking?

  I will most probably come in to buy this laptop, on the weekend at either Vic.Market or Richmond. I 'd love to buy the HDD from you at the same time.

  Cheers

  reply votes report

  spawnpoint 11 hours 6 min ago
  Yeah I think Rep should do bundle deals as well, that would be very nice for future laptop buyers

  • 

    Store Repfastandthecurious @ MLN on 28/05/2011 - 11:49

    +1

    Hi Ozfi,
    I can't quote individual parts, you will need to visit a store, if you wish to bargain I recommend you go in store.
    If you guys want me to try to get a deal happening on a specific product for everyone to be listed here on ozbargain, I can try to see what I can do. For a hard drive or part you will need to go in store.
    Also it needs to be something a lot of people are interested in for me to be able to justify it and it must be a complete product and something MLN carries in stock. example, laptop, netbook, tablet, monitor, external hardrive etc.

    It's just an idea I am trying.

• 

  ozf1 on 28/05/2011 - 12:12

  Cheers, where are you at Vic. Maket or Richmond, I am hoping to come in later today.

  • 

    Store Repfastandthecurious @ MLN on 28/05/2011 - 12:28

    I am not really based at any store, I am part of the head office team.