Lenovo IdeaPad Z580 Laptop: Core i5 3210M 2.5GHz, 8GB DDR3, 750GB HDD, 15.6" 1366x768 LED, Intel HD 4000, WiFi N, 6-cell, Win 7 Prem $400 after $100 rebate + Free Shipping (Student

For those looking for feedback on the laptop, here are my observations:

1. The laptop is fast. 3rd gen i5 is good. HDD is slower at 5400 RPM, so I will get a cheap SSD to replace it. I really don't need more than 120 GB on a laptop.
2. I don't have problems with the viewing angles. I find it sufficient for a $400 laptop.
3. The touchpad seems to be fine when I used it. Some people might think its a little touchy and I can see that. I prefer to use a mouse anyways, so I will most likely deactivate the touchpad. However, it wasn't bad. I have had much worse.
4. Not too much bloatware to remove, which is a good thing.
5. I like the finish on it. Metalic feel, feels solid. Many laptops have plasticy lids at this price range, this one feels more substantial, if you understand what I mean.

I think for $$$$, its probably the deal to compare all others to for back to school, like what many others have said. is it the best laptop? of course not, but its probably the best value so far for the summer. I like it, its responsive and its cheaper than the Gen2 i5's which makes this a winner.

Anyone think the accidental coverage ($200) is worth getting? Was thinking about it but that'll make it $650 otd. I used Amex for extra year but it's not for accidental.

Yesterday started tax free weekend in TN. I made it to Staples by 8am and they sold the last one to the person right in front of me. I spoke with the manager to see about other stores, and they we're also all sold out. He mentioned trying to get other stores to price match.

From there I hit up Best Buy, Office Depot, and Office Max. Zero luck.

It seems according to the sales guys I spoke with that this was a Laptop specially designed and sold for Staples. There was a similar model (z580) at one of the stores, but it didn't have the same specs (6gb RAM).

This was a great deal for those who got it.

my store actually got more in the late afternoon today. i wasn't able to grab one this morning but was able to snag one in the evening.. so check stock again and you may luck out!

Amy one of you who buy this want to sell me ur hdd after you put in the sad?

Quote from Superocean : Amy one of you who buy this want to sell me ur hdd after you put in the sad?

I will prolly stick with the sad drive for now, its not as perky or energetic as a happy drive, but it gets the job done.

those of u who have this...is your fan always on? the fan on mine is always on....anyway to fix this?

Quote from nottrollin : I don't think the issue is the rebate.I think it's whether you'll be able to enter the coupon code (57162) online or not.It says valid in Staples stores only.I'm waiting for my neighbor kid to wake up so he and his ID can go to staples with me.I asked yesterday,they said that was fine.(Today he's my nephew) Also,this is a semi repost (from eh.pgss yesterday when the $100 off coupon came out),but apparently this weekend is tax-free in a lot of states,so it may be worth it to wait.

Dude I love your enthusiam with your "nephew". Thats awesome that you got some kickass neighbors that are cool with that. Enjoy your laptop!

Quote from harryk387 : those of u who have this...is your fan always on? the fan on mine is always on....anyway to fix this?

I have not heard my fan yet. There are 3 different fan or cooling setting. I do not remember exactly but yours may be set for high performance cooling. Check out the users guide.

When I purchase laptop inside the store I'll get visa card?

Folks,

I live in US but I am doing a Post Graduate diploma in IT(Distance Learning) from a Foreign School. I showed my student ID and the store rep. scanned the SKU 354025 (Microsoft Student) and printed me a Rebate Redemption Form (12-96391).

I couldn't find any information that says what kind of student id is not ok? I am planning to mail in the rebate with the student id copy but concerned that if the rebate guy chooses to not accept it, I won't be able to return the laptop as most probably it would be more that 14 days.

What do you guys suggest?

Thanks

Quote from nidnav : Folks, I live in US but I am doing a Post Graduate diploma in IT(Distance Learning) from a Foreign School. I showed my student ID and the store rep. scanned the SKU 354025 (Microsoft Student) and printed me a Rebate Redemption Form (12-96391). I couldn't find any information that says what kind of student id is not ok? I am planning to mail in the rebate with the student id copy but concerned that if the rebate guy chooses to not accept it, I won't be able to return the laptop as most probably it would be more that 14 days. What do you guys suggest? Thanks

if you have the rebate form printed, you don't need to send a copy of your ID. and you can do the rebate online, no need to post it out!

Quote from eh.pgss : if you have the rebate form printed, you don't need to send a copy of your ID. and you can do the rebate online, no need to post it out!

Thanks.

Is is better to mail in the rebate form or do it online. I want to avoid sending the id copy.

Is this the correct rebate link for the store purchased item.

https://www.stapleseasyrebates.co...plash.html

If you are having mouse issues
-update
*the trackpad seems to work MUCH better when you use the gestures with fingers separated from one another. I am taking at least 1 finger with apart. I really have to make an effort as I use a Logitech Marathon runner which has a large angle for comfort and you have to place your hand directly on/over the pad so it can scenes your fingers (my hand is not use to this at all and my left hand works better than my right due to mouse usage). i am use to apple ingenuity and was under the impression this idea/popularity would be transferred to the trackpad. NOPE go to spread them fingers and it works!

*called lenovo to see if this was covered under warranty;it was. they basically said they don't cover drops/human errors, but will fix software and hardware issues ie screen goes out/flickering. they can send techs to you or use their remote system 123recovery.com

*Long story short tech was pretty much useless ie reading off a script and not actually helping with the problem. i only encountered my solution by myself through fiddling with the trackpad

*Lenovo's solution; update the drivers. http://support.lenovo.com/en_US/r...D=HT073553

*Here comes the interesting part the website shows Touchpad Driver (Synaptics, Crypress) for Microsoft Windows 7 being released on 09 April 2012. The version number is 15.3.33.0/2.3.7.30

*You can check your version by going to start>mouse>second to last or last tap. The info i got from there was trackpad ver 15.3.33 synaptics clickpad v8.0 synaptics porting device v15.3.33 10Nov11 Downloaded the new drivers, installed and it still shows 10Nov11. So either the website dates are wrong or their firmware sucks. The tech could not answer my question and kept reading the script.

*While on the phone I registered my product and asked for the manufacture date for my specific model if he could tell me. He said it was built on May 6/2012. I don't know/didnt ask if he got the information on all levenoz580's or mine specifically.

hopefully this helps some of you with trackpad issues; has anyone gone through and checked current firmware to the website? lets work through these problems together