Lidl Laptop

Lump · 04-08-2005 12:11PM #1

Has anyone got any info on the important specs of this laptop. I'm in the UK, but my dad is looking to buy it. I think it's decent, but don't want to advise him, with out actually knowing!

Link: http://www.lidl.ie/ie/index.nsf/pages/c.o.oow.20050808.p.Notebook

Thanks,

John

CTU_Agent · 04-08-2005 12:17PM

Spec is as follows:

Model
Targa Traveller 826T 3000+
Processor
AMD® Turion® 64 MT32 with AMD PowerNow!® technology
Software
Microsoft® Windows® XP Home Edition*
Microsoft® Works Suite 2005*
Microsoft® Plus! package*
Pinnacle Studio SE*
Cyberlink Power Cinema*
SAD Audio Jack*
Ahead Sipps* VoIP internet telephony
Ahead NERO 6 OEM Suite*
eTrust Antivirus*
DivX Co
RAM
1024 MB DDR-RAM, extendable up to 2 GB, in total 2x 200 Pin SO-DIMM slots
Display
15,4" WXGA TFT (16:10 format)
Physical resolution: ergonomic 1280 x 800
Graphics
ATI® Mobility® Radeon® X700 - 128 MB DDR memory
DirectX 9 compatible, Powerplay functionality, DVD playback hardware decoding, supports pixel and Vertexshader 2.0
Hard disk
80 GB hard disk Samsung® with 5400 RPM

PIONEER® Double Layer Multinorm DVD+R DL, DVD+R/RW, DVD-R/RW and CD-R/RW drive
Write:
4 speed DVD+R DL
8 speed DVD+R
8 speed DVD+RW
8 speed DVD-R
6 speed DVD-RW
24 speed CD-RW
24 speed CD-R
Read: 24x CD, 8x DVD, 6x DVD+R DL, 2 x DVD RAM
Audio-System
AC 97 compatible, 5.1 6 channel Dolby Surround Sound through optional SPDIF
Stereo loudspeakers
PCMCIA
PC card standard compatible, Card Bus support, 1x Type-II-PC-Card
Bus types
4 x USB 2.0, 1x Firewire (IEEE 1394), Mic-In/ Speaker-Out, 1 x 15 pin external monitor, 1 x S-Video Out,

Modem (RJ11), LAN (RJ45), 1 x PCMCIA TYP II, 4-in-1 Card Reader
Communication
Bluetooth, WirelessLAN** MSI Mini PCI 802.11g 54 Mbit incl. antenna, 56K V.90 modem, 10/100 MBit LAN

(prepared for network and DSL)
Keyboard
19 mm keys, Windows® keys, splashproof contacts
Pointing device
Capacitive, wear-free touchpad with scroll surface
Optical USB mouse
Power supply
100-V to 240-V power pack (90 Watt) with automatic voltage adjustment, intelligent Li-Ion rechargeable

battery, mains independent operation: up to 2.5 h (depending on the application)
Energy management
APM 1.2 & ACPI 2.0 Suspend / Resume Modus
Dimensions (WxHxD) mm
355 x 31 x 255 mm
Weight
2.8 kg including rechargeable battery
Scope of delivery
DVB-T digital and analog TV card with radio tuner, antenna, remote control, stereo headset, USB

mouse, power pack, DVD software drivers with recovery function, practical service manual, lithium ion rechargeable

battery, modem cable + adapter, SPDIF adapter, scart connection cable, PCMCIA compact flash adapter for CF1, CF2

and IBM®/Hitachi® Microdrives®
Accessories (optional)
SO-DIMM modules: 512MB and 1 GB, additional lithium ion rechargeable battery, additional power pack, ext.

floppy drive
Warranty
2 years incl. pick-up and return service (6 months on the rechargeable battery)
Security
Two-level password, Kensington lock

The above information is not legally binding. The technical data is according
to the dealer's specifications. No liability and guarantee for erroneous
entrys and images.

snappieT · 04-08-2005 04:03PM

I don't think anyone will be able to surpass the info in that post.

Did you mention it can add 1+1?

Stephen · 04-08-2005 04:46PM

Looks very good indeed - in fact very similarly specced to the Aldi one from May (i bought one of those). Most of the parts are equivalent -
Lidl Targa vs Aldi Gericom
Lidl AMD Turion 3000+ vs Aldi Intel centrino 1.73ghz
Both with 1 gig of ram
same size screen
Lidl ATI X700 128MB vs Aldi nVidia 6600go 128MB
Lidl 80gb HD vs Aldi 100gb HD
both have card readers, dvd burners, bluetooth, integrated 10/100/1000 LAN, modem, wireless, usb, firewire, cardbus DVB-T cards, 2 year warranty etc - same price too.

I'd buy one if I didn't get the Aldi one in May tbh.

Lump · 04-08-2005 05:44PM

Thanks

jm2k · 04-08-2005 06:58PM

Don't know if the specs are the same but there's a laptop in lidl for ~€1300 in the north, anyone have any more info on this?

http://www.lidl.ie/ie/index_ni.nsf/pages/c.o.oow.20050808.p.Notebook

woody · 04-08-2005 09:09PM

checked in newry tis the same one for 200 less we defo live in rip of ireland

bogman · 05-08-2005 01:31AM

That will be 300€ cheaper in Germany, interesting to see the NI price, might be tempted
Charles

Stephen · 05-08-2005 09:11AM

The different VAT rates between here and there may have something to do with it.

Alun · 05-08-2005 09:13AM

Stephen wrote:

The different VAT rates between here and there may have something to do with it.

For the UK it's 17.5% versus our 21%. It makes a small difference, but not that much.

woody · 05-08-2005 09:28AM

Stephen wrote:

The different VAT rates between here and there may have something to do with it.

That would make a marginal difference but not 200 or 300 Euro's.

It is true we are ripped off even at Aldi/Lidl compared to elsewhere

The_Bullman · 05-08-2005 10:52PM

Would lidl in Newry take euro's or would I have to get sterling? They don't take credit cards do they?

As I'm a newb to lidl - is there a limited stock in store? If so how early would I have to get in the queue before the store opens?

woody · 06-08-2005 09:16AM

sterling dude, best to go up and check

mmm12 · 06-08-2005 11:51AM

but is 1499 good value for the laptop ?

Stephen · 06-08-2005 02:26PM

Yeah. Try to spec out an equivalent one on the Dell site (i know they don't do AMD's but pick, say, a centrino 1.7ghz) and see what it comes to.

I just did it there, and it cost over €2200 with a much lesser graphics card (ATI X300), and all other specs as close as possible to the Lidl one.

mmm12 · 06-08-2005 08:37PM

good stuff. and is there any diff between the amd and intel processor ? think i might buy, although the brand name is unknown ?

Celticfire · 06-08-2005 08:42PM

http://www.targa.co.uk/

ghost26ie · 06-08-2005 11:51PM

have a targa pc and laptop and neither have givin me single day of hassle. great spec for such price. agree with stephen, try and spec it anywhere else and see what price u get.

savemejebus · 07-08-2005 12:33AM

also have targa laptop from LIDL, low battery life (hour and a half) on mine but other than that no problems. Great machine (shame i don't use it more)

The_Bullman · 07-08-2005 05:40PM

People have been saying that the laptop in lidl in the north is cheaper. I checked this out today but it is a different laptop and a slightly lower spec. The one for sale in Newry is a targa 811 3000+

johnnyboy4711 · 08-08-2005 06:39PM

899.00 GBP
United Kingdom Pounds = 1,299.08 EUR
Euro
200 to be precise!!!
what u reckon?
johnnyboy4711

apologies not same spec!!!!

Phibsboro · 15-08-2005 10:51AM

Hi,

I recommended this laptop to my dad and he bought one on Sat. I went to set it up for him lat night and the keyboard doesn't work! The machine will turn on and go through the initial XP set up, but the keyboard is dead - can't type anything into the setup screen (for example when you are asked for the user name) and caps lock/num lock do not toggle the led indicators. All very annoying!

So, the question - the yoke came with details to do a pick up under warranty but given that it is only 2 days old I am tempted just to return it to the shop for an immediate replacement - anyone know what my rights are here? Can I ask for a replacement?

Thanks,
C

cormie · 15-08-2005 10:59AM

I think Lidl and Aldi operate a very good returns service, go back to the store and there should be no problem, I returned my faulty Aldi laptop 7 months after I bought it to Aldi, they said they would give me a refund 30 seconds into me telling them about it :eek:

Stephen · 15-08-2005 11:08AM

Yeah, their return policies are usually brilliant. One thing though, which I have noticed with Dell Latitude laptops: We use a lot of these in work, and sometimes when booting (usually just after we install Windows on them), it may take a while for the keyboard to actually do anything once it gets to the login screen. After 30 seconds or so of sitting there at the login screen, it just... works.
Maybe its something similar with the Targa?

Phibsboro · 15-08-2005 01:15PM

I fear not, unfortunately. I was staring at the thing in amazement for several minutes

plus of course numerous re-boots, reading the manual from back to front etc. etc. So it back to the shop this evening - wish me luck

cormie · 15-08-2005 01:37PM

Good luck! Could you pick me up some grapes and a pint of low fat milk while your there please?

Phibsboro · 15-08-2005 10:02PM

So, they wouldn't exchange it (or indeed refund it!). A most peculiar situation. A very nice guy called Anthony (who actually remembered my Dad buying it off him on Saturday) explained that their policy was that I had to call Targa to get a replacement. This effectively meant replacing it under the warranty with what may be a repair, may be a new laptop. I wasn't happy with this for a two day old 1500 euro laptop that was DOA so I told the guy that if he couldn't replace it for me now I wanted an immediate refund. He happened to be on the phone to one of the other managers (a whole chest of chickens had been left on defrost all day - someone was in for it

) and the other manager told him to call what I presumed was an area manager. The area manager could not be contacted and eventually I agreed that Anthony would take my number and call me when his manager got in touch. No word pre 9pm closing time so I assume I wouldn't hear anything until the morning.

I think if it wasn't for the guy's calm and reasonable way of handling the situation, I would have hit the roof. It is a complete cop out to tell me to call Targa for a DOA unit - that policy is fine if its 6 months down the road, but not two days. Also, when I mentioned I wanted a refund he said the store wasn't able to do cash refunds of that size - it would actually have been a laser refund. Given that they only take cash/laser I'm not sure what would have been involved in me actually getting my money back. I guess I'll find out tomorrow if they can't come up with a replacement unit.

So, at the moment I regret having recommended this to my father. I think the store should do an exchange given they have other ones in stock and to be honest, I think they will do this tomorrow. And if this is the case, they should have every duty manager authorised to do it and not let down some customers because the area manager couldn't be contacted.

More tomorrow

C

cormie · 15-08-2005 11:03PM

Interesting, when I went to Aldi with mine (7 months after I bought it) I walked in with the laptop on, formatting the HD to erase my info, the laptop was on and the manager who didn't really know allot about computers just came out and I just had to say I've been having a few problems with it and out comes €1,300 cash, I paid €1,299.99 for it, profited a cent too. Great service from Aldi. Hopefully Lidl will sort you the same way. I got a doa laptop, I'm using it now but it still has a sound problem and I have to go to the manufacturer:(

OFDM · 16-08-2005 02:44AM

Phibsboro wrote:

So, they wouldn't exchange it (or indeed refund it!).

If you are sold faulty goods then you are entitled to a refund. Smack them with the small claims court if you have to.

jor el · 16-08-2005 10:25AM

Exactly, you were sold a faulty product so you are entitled to a refund or replacement immediatly, no BS from the manager should be accepted. Since they still have some left (what store is this, I thought the laptops usually sell out pretty quickly) there should be no reason why they don't replace it right now.

On a side note, did your dad pay for this in cash or by Laser? I only ask because I know my Laser card has a maximum transaction limit of €300 for some reason, which wouldn't be much use if I was trying to get something like one of these laptops.

cormie · 16-08-2005 10:44AM

I posted a thread on this issue, I got my laptop and the sound was dodgey, after links to different parts of the law. The conclusion is that Lidl do not have to replace it until it is confirmed by the manufacturer to be faulty. This means it has to go back to the manufacturer to be declared faulty, you are then entitled to a refund/replacement. It would be easier and probably quicker to get on the phone to Targa and see what the story with returns/repairs is and then see what time frame Lidl give you, I haven't got around to arranging it yet, but my laptop will be going directly back to the manufacturer for repair. They offer a collect and return service which is handy, still though, I'll be without the laptop for about 3 days. Something I really don't want to do :mad:

It was declared that anything more on the part of the retailer is just "better" customer service than they are liable for. Hopefully you will get sorted by them though without having to go through to the manufacturer.

Lidl Laptop

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