Syber News

Wal-Mart's been advertising this Saturday Special for a few days, and the special is limited to today, November 8th, while supplies last. The deal sounds attractive, a Compaq Presario CQ50-139WM laptop, 15.4" screen, 160 GB HD, 2 GB RAM for $298. However, nowhere can I find detailed specs on the laptop, which annoys me.

For one thing, it's possibly one of those tactics to get you into the store, and hope that you buy something else, when you can't find what you wanted. After all, the stores opened at 8 AM local time, and for something like this, they might sell out in minutes.

Also, the name Compaq Presario CQ50-139WM --- the WM implies a Wal-Mart special. At this price, that might mean a slower CPU and other different components. It might even mean a Linux OS instead of Windows. While someone like me might reformat and install Windows, the normal end user might be stuck.

Assuming it's some variant of the C50Z series, however, there's the possibility the specs might be similar to this:

CPU: The C50Z comes with an AMD Sempron SI-40 (2.0GHz) CPU as its minimal configuration; I'd figure on this rather than the higher performance Athlon or Turion CPU.

OS: Windows Vista Home Basis is default, but for Wal-Mart, I'd figure on Linux. Either that or they're taking a loss on this model (possible, to attract customers).

Wireless: B/G and N are available, but for this model, I'd figure the cheaper B/G.

Hard Drive: interestingly, the 160 GB HD is the "middle" choice among three for the C50Z. It's possible the WM model will have a 4,200 RPM drive instead of a 5,400 RPM drive (translation: slower = cheaper).

I'm not such what else they can skimp on without totally revamping the laptop. They could swap out the graphics card, but this is already an integrated graphics card, so probably not.

If you're thinking of buying one, take a technophile with you. Even at $298, he/she could keep you from wasting your time.

So, have any of you readers managed to get your hands on a Compaq Presario CQ50-139WM? Or were they all sold out before you could blink? Do you have the detailed specs?