Education Prices - Different States?

[Redmumba]

I'm currently living in Virginia, and on the IBM education site, they have some REALLY great deals on Thinkpads. However, I'm attending college out of state (NY), which doesn't have nearly the selection that Virginia currently has. How exactly do they validate what state you order from?

Also, is it possible to customize some of the parts on the education models? Many of them have the 80gb 5400, but I'm interested in the 60gb 7200. I'm guessing this can't be changed, but I have no idea. Same goes for the RAM. I'd rather get 256mb and upgrade myself.

Thanks for everybody's help (you've already been a great help just be scouring the forums )

EDIT: Just noting, there's a GREAT deal on here... The 23737XU (normally $3,449) is going for $2,149. From what I've read on these forums, this isn't that uncommon, but I'm still impressed.

[jtreble]

Redmumba,

It's been my experience that SUNY has some of the best EDU pricing going. To "roll your own" EDU laptop you need to get to,
https://www-03.ibm.com/lenovo/shop/pers ... ookie=true

and select "THINKPAD T SERIES-EXPRESS CTO" but you normally need to click through from "Education" on the home page to see the proper EDU pricing. SUNY also has their own page at,
http://www.pc.ibm.com/us/suny.html

that you should also look at. IME, there is absolutely no logic or consistency in IBM's EDU pricing. .

[Redmumba]

Well, so far, VA's edu prices still beat out SUNY's. Either way, though, I'm not going to any of the SUNY/CUNY schools, so I'd be out of luck anyway. I just found out I have to have the laptops by July 11th, so I'll probably be ordering 23737XU through Virginia's educational section...

[emorphien]

IME, there is absolutely no logic or consistency in IBM's EDU pricing. .

I'm going to have to quote this for the great truth contained in your statement.

[Redmumba]

Haha, yeah, I've noticed the same thing. I'm just glad I live in a state that gives good discounts (That one I'm getting is 38% off the regular price!). And to tell you the truth, I thought Virginia's discounts were going to be crappy compared to New York's....