SONY VGN-BX540 laptop for $1249, trade in a SONY laptop, then get it for $649 after MIR ! Dead for now

Update 10/2/06
Trade Up and Go 3 now available:
http://sony.tradeups.com/LandingPage.aspx?PromotionID=33

For a limited time, you can you can trade in your qualifying notebook and receive at least $400 Cash Back when you purchase a VAIO BX, SZ, TX or UX Series business notebook or trade in a Sony PC and receive a minimum $600 trade. Valid for purchases between September 1, 2006 and November 30, 2006.

Trade-in Cash Back Offer Ends
A working Sony notebook $600.00 November 30, 2006
Any other working notebook $400.00 November 30, 2006

A better deal now if you have a non-Dell laptop. $100 more than the previous rebate. And now $600 trade-up for SONY laptops.


UPDATE 10/05/06
UBMicro has 1 system on their website:
http://www.ubmicro.buffalo.edu/sony-tradeup.php


SONY VGN-BX540 B05
$829 - SOLD OUT


SONY VGN-BX546BW
Intel Pentium M 740 1.73GHz
512MB DDR2 @533MHz (1 DIMM)
80GB Serial ATA 5400RPM
8x DVD+/- Drive
14.1" SXGA 1024x768 EBRITE-ECO Display
10/100 Ethernet, Intel 2200 802.11b/g Wireless, 56K Modem, Bluetooth 2.0
ATI Mobility Radeon X700 256MB Hypermemory
6 Cell Lithium Ion Battery
Ports: 3 USB 2.0, VGA, 1394 FireWire, Memory Stick Media Slot, SD Media Slot
Windows XP Pro SP2
1 Year Depot Warranty
Biometric Fingerprint Sensor, Built-In Camera, Sony Ericsson Akono Headset (HBH-608) BlueTooth Headset

Order #: MOB01616
$1249

And it looks like they aren't selling the spare battery anymore. It's not on their site anymore.

Not enought time for me to edit the whole original post, but click the above link for details on the models they have available and read the whole post. Some good reading.


I just got home from checking out what deals the computer store at my college (University at Buffalo) have. They are running a promotion on the Sony BX540 series laptop. You can get a Sony VGN-BX540 B03 laptop for $249 after you trade in your working Dell laptop.

This ended up being a sweet deal since I have a 5 year old Dell Inspiron 4000 that was reaching the end of its usability.

They have the information on their webpage at:
http://www.ubmicro.buffalo.edu/sony-tradeup.php

The link to the Sony Trade-Up and Go is at:
http://sony.tradeups.com/LandingPage.aspx?PromotionID=25

SONY will give you $500 for any working Dell laptop and $300 for any other working laptop.

I just applied for my trade in and they emailed me a Fed-Ex packing label to ship it to them. They have all the terms on their website.

This makes for a sweet deal for anyone that has an old laptop that is collecting dust and wants to get a cheap new one.

Additional items they have for this laptop:

3 Year On-Site Warranty with 3 Year Accidental Coverage
$299.95
Their part number is WAR00161.


They do not have online shopping, so you will have to fax in an order using their order form:
http://www.ubmicro.buffalo.edu/catalog/sonyorderform.pdf

To Order, print and mail Order Form, or call (716) 645-3554
Shipping will be based on quantity and location. No Sales Tax outside New York State.


Overall, I do like this laptop. I have never owned a SONY before and thought I would try it out. It's quick, light, and the screen quality is great. And I couldn't beat the price. Now to just get my $500 back from SONY


A friend of mine bought one also and is planning on getting a used Dell of eBay to use for the rebate. Good idea for those that don't have an old laptop to trade in.

Added info
If you have a question regarding the trade up program, contact the Sony program. My friend had an ancient Dell with a Pentium 233 and it wasn't on the list. He emailed them with questions of what he would have to send in and they gave him approval in the email.

SONY seems to be lenient regarding what they want you to send them for the rebate. From what I have heard, they really only want the working laptop, ac adapter and battery, and some form of COA.

Contact them with any questions. They replied to my friend very quickly actually. And then send a copy of the email with your trade-up.


Anyone is able to buy this. It is not just limited to UB

UBmicro said that shipping per system will be $20 per system in Continental US.

UPDATE - 8/31/06 Sony Trade-Up Program extended

I just checked Sony's trade up site and they extended it to September 30, 2006.
http://sony.tradeups.com/LandingPage.aspx?PromotionID=25

Trade-in Cash Back Offer Ends
A working Dell notebook $500.00 September 30, 2006
Any other working notebook $300.00 September 30, 2006

bx560 deal $799 at buy .com around $300 with trade


There is another deal where you can get the bx560 at Buy.com. It is a heavier computer though.

The trade up program ends the 31st of august.

jambuckles said: bx560 deal $799 at buy .com around $300 with trade


There is another deal where you can get the bx560 at Buy.com. It is a heavier computer though.

The trade up program ends the 31st of august.

The Buy.com is a REFURB

Will Sony still send the $500 check for a Refurb bought from Buy.com?

Answer: Looks like no, has to be new.

FatFishJeff1 said: jambuckles said: bx560 deal $799 at buy .com around $300 with trade


There is another deal where you can get the bx560 at Buy.com. It is a heavier computer though.

The trade up program ends the 31st of august.

The Buy.com is a REFURB

I bought it. It is a clearance item. The seal was broken on the box but the contents were sealed in original packaging. Sony said it was not a refurb. Market Velocity okayed the purchase receipt, I am just waiting for them to checkout my old Dell system.

TrixSlice said: Will Sony still send the $500 check for a Refurb bought from Buy.com?

My friend asked Sony a few questions about the one he bought from eBay. They answered pretty quickly and he was going to send a copy of the email with the laptop to ensure that they accept his trade.

I'm not sure on the questions he asked, but basically it has to be able to boot into Windows on battery power, have the ac adapter, and certificate of authenticity. I kept everything for my Inspiron 4000, so I don't ahve any issues for the rebate.

My friends laptop was a Pentium 233 with 32mb ram. It wasn't on the list, so he emailed the Sony trade up program and they gave him approval to send it in via email.

IS this just for Buffalo University?
can anyone do this deal?

thanks

As has been said, getting a laptop on eBay can be risky. This has to boot into windows and it needs a coa for the windows installed. I is much easier if you have an old clunker laying around.

andylauiii said: From the sony trade-in website......

"Each Trade-in notebook computer that uses a Microsoft® Windows® operating system must be returned with all appropriate manuals, power cords, batteries, and with a valid Microsoft Certificate of Authenticity for the Windows operating system installed on the notebook. If any of these items are missing when received by Market Velocity, Sony shall have the right to refuse to pay the rebate amount"

if you have a computer that's like...6-7 years old...how would you even have all those manuals and stuff like that with you?? most likely you already threw everything away... just a thought......

I added info to my original post regarding this.

man, that would be sweet. To trade in a $250 B130 from the delloutlet, lol.

dircom said: IS this just for Buffalo University?
can anyone do this deal?

thanks

[deleted]

my Dell has all the illegal copies of like 3ds max, photoshop, word....do you think if I'd get busted if I send it to sony?

batmanoflove said: my Dell has all the illegal copies of like 3ds max, photoshop, word....do you think if I'd get busted if I send it to sony?

That and all your questionable porn will be your undoing

batmanoflove said: my Dell has all the illegal copies of like 3ds max, photoshop, word....do you think if I'd get busted if I send it to sony?

I think you are already busted now . Can't you erase them?

QUICKAVE said:
why has the $500 deal not been listed eariler..

It has come up several times. The problem is that the deal only works on Sony's generally overpriced/somewhat outdated BX line and that you need to jump through a bunch of hoops. Having to get and mail in an old Dell (with accessories and OS) and hope they accept the trade is a deal killer for many people. Most people tend to jump on the things like the $499 Toshiba dual core with burner. It costs more money, but less risk and arguably a better laptop.


Sony's do tend to keep their resale value a bit higher though. They have a following based more on style then anything else.

vickh said: mcwhitman said: k00k said:
Or you could just install a linux distro on it and then send it in.

They told me it had to be some flavor of MS windows. You need a coa and either a restore disk, original windows cd or some other way for them to reinstall windows on the computer. Basically no cracked copies.

The newer dells have the coa glued to the bottom, but for the older ones you may be SOL.

can I send in an original windows 98 CD without a COA? Do they actually try to install it? What do they really do with the old laptop??


I think they really do a clean install. That is the impression I got when I talked to them. They told me they needed a COA. I deleted Windows 2000 from my cpi and put on '98 because that was what the coa I had was for. You don't actually have to have windows installed (they need to be able to install it) I just put it back on to hopefully speed the system checkout process. I think of it as a $500 rebate

nikie707 said: I have a TOSHIABA laptop, the lcd and the power cord is broken but the laptop still workng,do u think sony will let me trade in?

thank you


No...the broken lcd is the deal killer. Everything (but the battery) must be functioning according to Market Velocity.

galaeth said: Staples online has the VGN-BX540-B03 for 1299.98. do you think a PM would be possible or even worthwhile? 10% of the price difference is roughly equal to the tax i'd have to pay at Staples.

I doubt Staples will pricematch a college computer store.

I think they really do a clean install. That is the impression I got when I talked to them. They told me they needed a COA. I deleted Windows 2000 from my cpi and put on '98 because that was what the coa I had was for. You don't actually have to have windows installed (they need to be able to install it) I just put it back on to hopefully speed the system checkout process. I think of it as a $500 rebate

website says to remove windows (see my post above) Wonder if they care if the coa matches the windows cd i'm sending them (95 vs 98). wonder why're they making a big deal about the COA???

vickh said: wonder why're they making a big deal about the COA???

My guess is M$ sue happy lawyers and the fact that Sony has a big M$ oem contract with them. Sony is trying to drum up new business, not upset M$.

As per your other question. They won't be able to do a clean install if the OS disk you give doesn't match the COA.

This is why this deal is hard for some. It is more complicated then a rebate and a lot more $ at stake.

This deal turned out to be hot.

Got my MIR from Velocity a while back and today just got in the mail
the Vista Business upgrade disc for free. I am running XP Pro on my SZ
however and will continue to do so.