Laptops Hindustan Times Zenith laptop!

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shr1k

Contributor
I won some SMS contest with the Hindustan Times, for which they're giving away laptops. :D

Recently, they called me and and asked me to show up at their office (I'm in Mumbai) on 26th June, between 11 a.m and 5 p.m with photopies of PAN card and residence proof, and a demand draft for Rs.6180 as 'gift tax'.

The female who called up had absolutely no idea what they were giving away as prizes, and just asked me to come and collect the laptop. When I asked for the brand, she did say that it might be Zenith, but had no clue as to the model name or number, and asked me to come on that day with all the requisite stuff, and see for myself. So, assuming a 30% gift tax rate, it worked out to a lappie priced at Rs.20k. BTW, this female that the laptop was worth Rs.30k in the market.

Now comes the hard part: figuring out what model they're giving me! I'd really want to know the specs of what I should be getting. The Zenith website is terrible! Can anyone shed light on this? What piece could they possibly be giving me that ranges from 20-30k? And most importantly, given that the general impression around here of Zenith laptops is that of general crappiness, is it worth spending that 6k-odd at all, in picking up this 'gift'?? :S :huh:
 
Nikhil said:
Pick it up for 6k and sell it for 16k. It might be worth 20k and you still make a profit of 10k.
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OMG!!! :O

Are these the words from the same Nikhil who posted these???
If at work, you do very well and you deserve a raise/promotion, what would you prefer ?

1). Only money Give me the raise and be done with it

2). A slight raise but also being appreciated in front of all the other employees at the AGM or some sort of meeting.
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So that query was intended for pun aint??? :annoyed:

On a serious note, Nikhil's right;

The laptop being brand new, u can try selling it [even in TE!! :ohyeah:] at a slightly lower price sans the warranty or u may keep it urself if u feel u can put it to some use; :)
 
use that as a download rig re...

or even as back up if [God forbids] ur main rig goes kaput .. or say ur optical drive conks off.

But yea, if u already have another rig, then u wd be mch better selling that zenith off for a decent amount.
 
I dont think there's anything wrong in selling a brand new laptop worth 20-25k for 15-16k ..even if the person has won the laptop as a prize or gift.

in the end both the seller and buyer will be benefited :)

so get hold of whatever youve won .by paying 6k..cause it was your luck \ right answer for the question that made you win the prize ..and yeah not to forget 3.rs spend on SMS'in the answer :P .

PS: if possible try to get information regarding the warranty they are providing with the product ..it will help you if you are selling it or even if you keep it

any new laptop for 6k ..isnt bad :)
 
gannu said:
OMG!!! :O

Are these the words from the same Nikhil who posted these???

So that query was intended for pun aint??? :annoyed:

On a serious note, Nikhil's right;

The laptop being brand new, u can try selling it [even in TE!! :ohyeah:] at a slightly lower price sans the warranty or u may keep it urself if u feel u can put it to some use; :)
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That query was serious. It is quite ridiculous of you to compare the two situations.
 
Thanks all for your replies!

Selling it off is not really an option 'cos my sister wants to use it (since I already have one of my own) I just generally wanted to know if Zenith is considered waaaay too crappy for any amount of money.. My sister would throw a fit if her school-work went kaput some day..

Addendum: If it comes loaded with Vista (which it most likely will), what are my options to *legally* drop XP Pro on it, without having to buy it? Is there some sort of official downgrade (upgrade, really..) I can do..?

p.s: @Neotheone

I am afraid that is a very "unusual" first post, to say the least.
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I'm not sure, so may I ask why..?

p.p.s: You ppl rock! TE is like Slashdot on steroids!
 
all official xp support has probably ended...or will end soon...don remember the date but it was supposed to be in june...

you know the only other option...
 
stellarhopper said:
all official xp support has probably ended...or will end soon...don remember the date but it was supposed to be in june...

you know the only other option...
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FUD :no:

Xp support has not ended. Will continue for another couple of years :P

What has ended is sales of Xp to newer customers. If this laptop was manufactured before june u never know what they bundled to save price ;)

For 6k, any type of laptop is worth it man. If ur sis doesnt like it, sell it, add another 10k or something, and get a good laptop of your choice. U ll still make money off it :ohyeah:
 
shr1k said:
I'm not sure, so may I ask why..?
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Hey ....don't take that too seriously dude,I guess i didn't exactly use the right words either...... just that one would have expected a little introduction and all.....anyways ,welcome to TE .

And yes just go for this laptop.... as said earlier, you can always sell it off and go for a better model if you don't like it......or even keep the cash.
 
Chill, Neotheone, didn't take it seriously. In fact, looked for a non-serious way to ask you that :D And I'm not very comfortable with intros (which would explain my pathetic dating record :ohyeah: )

Yeah, taking all the advice and getting the laptop..will bring up this thread again after I collect the piece from HT. I just REALLY needed to hear people say that any kind of laptop is acceptable for 6k..

Thanks again, folks (BTW, is there a specific mode of address for TE people? Like ppl on /. are called Slashdotters..?)
 
For 20k u may expect a typical config with Celeron M processor, 512MB RAM, 80gig HDD, 15.4" WXGA and mostly based on a VIA chipset. They might've skimped on Wifi/bluetooth/webcam n carry bag, but still worth paying 6k for it.

Havent seen any laptop at 20k price coming preloaded with Vista. And even if it were, it surely wudnt be Vista Business. And legally, there is no downgrade from Vista versions to equivalent XP versions. However, if you making a purchase of 25 numbers or more, then you may buy Vista license and preload the system with XP, after quite some paperwork. For individual licenses, i doubt if there is a downgrade available. Call up MS support (1800-11-1100) and find out.
 
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