Last Minute Notebook Gift Guide

I’ve put together a gift guide for people who’ve waited until the last minute to buy a notebook for Christmas. The good news is there’s plenty of places to buy a notebook in time to get it under your Christmas tree. One of the limitations is you’ll have to choose from pre-configured systems and it’s very rare to find highly-configured notebooks at retail. Several manufacturers are offering free express shipping so you can get your notebook by Christmas eve. If you’ve got a patient loved one it might be worth giving him/her a gift certificate as all of the major notebook manufacturers will be announcing new models at CES 2009 on January 7 ,2009. This means the current models will be even cheaper next month or they’ll be able to get the a newer model.

Amazon.com

I order everything from computers and gadgets to mac and cheese from Amazon.com because their pricing is great and they always deliver thanks to their amazing fulfillment organization. Amazon.com has a huge selection of netbooks and notebooks. To search for notebooks on Amazon.com that you need to be delivered by Christmas eve, be sure to choose “Amazon Prime” from the “Shipping Options” menu on the left side of the screen to filter out everything that can’t ship immediately.

Amazon.com has all of the current MacBooks on sale for $40 to $120 off retail. You can save even more than that if you get a previous generation MacBook.

If you’re shopping for a netbook (small low-cost computer), Amazon.com has a great selection. Last time I checked they had 40 netbooks available for Christmas delivery.

Amazon also has a ton of Toshiba, HP and Sony notebooks with good discounts. If you’re looking for an entertainment notebook check out the Sony VAIO FW270J ($1,075 after $154 discount), which has a 16.4-inch display, 320GB and Blu-ray player.

The only way to save on Apple.com (besides taking advantage of the free express shipping option) is to visit Apple.com’s refurbished and clearance store. Apple refurbished products are good as new and they are significantly cheaper than new ones. The only downside is you get a brown box instead of the full-color box new MacBooks come in. You can get a MacBook Air for $1,149 or a MacBook Pro for $1,349.

Apple

Apple retail stores typically have the full range of MacBooks available except for the most highly configured models.The online Apple Store is guaranteeing next-day delivery if you order before 10AM PST on 12/23. You have to select from pre-configured systems, but the cool thing here is that Apple’s offering free express shipping on all MacBook orders. They aren’t offering any discounts, but this shipping offer is a great deal.

Best Buy

Best Buy has thousands of retail locations, which means there’s probably one within a couple of miles of you. They have a full selection of Dell, HP, Toshiba, Sony and Apple notebooks. You can do all of your research online, order it online and either express shipped to the receipient or pick it up within an hour at your nearest store (depending on availability). The cutoff time for Express shipping is 11am ET on 12/23.

Best Buy has a very good selection of notebooks at BestBuy.com and dozens of notebooks to choose from at its retail locations. Best Buy charges a 15% restocking fee if you open the box, so make sure it’s what your loved one wants before he/she opens the box. Also, be sure to say NO to Best Buy’s extended warranties (they’re overpriced and they won’t necessairly replace your system with the right system if it dies).

Take a look at the HP Pavilion dv3510nr (a Best Buy exclusive) for $1,099. The Dv3510nr is a 13-inch notebook that has a backlit keyboard and a bronze imprint design. It’s configured well and the design is really nice. The Toshiba E105-S1402 is a 14-inch notebook that I like form Best Buy that’s also $1,099. Best Buy has several Dell Inspiron and Studio notebooks on sale for the holidays. Stock varies by store, but Dell notebooks come in a wide variety of colors, which is great if your kids are fanatical about their favorite colors. If you need to buy Microsoft Office Home and Student Edition you get an $80 discount off MSRP when you buy a notebook from Best Buy.

Costco

This big-box retailer has a limited selection of notebooks and the stock varies from store to store. The best reason to buy your loved one a notebook from Costco is that they have the most liberal electronics return policy of any brick and mortar store I know of. You can return any notebook for a full refund within 90 days. Instead of trying to sell you an over-priced extended warranty Costco automatically doubles the manufacturer’s warranty.

If you want to pick up an HP Mini, dv5, dv4, dv7, Gateway M-Series or basic accessories Costco’s an excellent choice. Their prices are fair, which means you’ll get a discount compared to suggested retail prices, but it won’t be as low if you were to use a manufacturer’s coupon online. Another downside is Costco is almost 100% self service, which means you need to your homework before you buy.

Dell

It’s too late to order anything from Dell.com for Christmas delivery. Your only option is to order a gift card or wait for 1/5/09 for Dell to ship your notebook. My advice is to buy a Dell from Sam’s Club, Best Buy or another reseller. Best Buy is offering $150 off Dells through 12/27.

Dell is revamping their entire notebook lineup at CES 2009 (first week of the new year) and it’s worth waiting as the new systems will have significantly better graphics and a completely new design.

HP

HP.com has 23 notebooks that can be shipped in time for Christmas. HP is offering free two-day shipping through Monday for Christams-eve delivery.

The HP Mini 1035nr ($449) is my favorite netbook and what I’ve been carrying around lately. My top pick from the pre-configured Quick Ship models is the HP HDX 16-1140us, which has 4GB of memory, a 500GB hard drive, a high-performance GPU for better video game and graphics performance and a roomy 16-inch display.

MacMall

If you want a MacBook you should check out MacMall, which is guaranteeing Christmas eve delivery as long as you order before 8PM PST on Tuesday 12/22. They have some deep discounts on previous generation MacBooks, MacBook Pros and MacBook Airs. If your loved one wants a MacBook, but doesn’t care about having the latest specs you can save hundreds of dollars and get a free printer. If they want the latest MacBook you can save at least $100 and still get the free printer and Parallels.

SonyStyle.com

Sony’s Online store has free two-day shipping on pre-configured VAIO notebooks through Monday. Sony has “good, better, best” configurations on each of its notebook series to fit your budget. If you’re set on getting a Sony VAIO I recommend ordering it online instead of going to a retail Sony Style store because SonyStyle.com has a better return policy. You can open the box and return it within 30 days (they’re even more forgiving during the holidays if you’re nice to the service rep) if you order it online or over the phone. If you buy and return a notebook at the physical SonyStyle store at your local mall you’ll be stuck with a 15% restocking fee.