Vostro V13 or Latitude 13

The vostro v13 is $509 and the latitude 13 is $549. Both have the same amount of memory 2GB both use the Intel Core 2 solo and both have a 250GB 7200 rpm drive and 802.11N wireless...6 cell battery as well..

 

They're the same thing. If you're debating between two equally spec'ed units, get the cheaper one. Or see if the more expensive one offers extra services (ie longer warranty, etc) and decide accordingly.

 

Great for the help commander Actually I just noticed that the Latitude one from the Dell outlet will also come with a external dvd burner so its $569 with a core 2 duo cpu as well. I think I will go with the latitude one...

 

Now if I could only find a coupon code to lower the price just a bit...

 

Just camp that thread in notebook/tech bargains. They'll come around eventually.

 

The latitude comes with Citrix installed, what is that? Can I delete that?

 

Well, $399 for the cheapest V13, down from $449, does seem like a comparative value. My guess is that Dell is trying to move out the old Ubuntu 9.04 before the Ubuntu 10.10 launch.

 

1. Sign up for promo emails from the Small Business Outlet. Be aware that it takes a while till they send the first coupon.

2. Follow Dell Outlet and Dell Small Business on Twitter. They announce coupons regularly (~once a week at least).

3. Follow the forums on one of the deals sites, like Fatwallet. There is a subforum for computers, which makes it easy to check.

4. Follow the Dell coupons thread here on NBR.

While I was shopping, I learned that some coupon codes are limited to a maximum number of systems sold (for example, the Twitter feed with the code will say it's good until xx/2010 or 500 systems), some are specific to the recipient (i.e., once it's used once, it won't work again), and some will work universally.

Most of the coupon codes I saw, and the one I got by email (which finally led to my purchase ) were for the Latitude line. Not sure why, maybe I just noticed them more because that's the line I was interested in. In any case, keep in mind that the V13 and the Latitude 13 are the same system. I think the case finish might vary a bit - IIRC, the Latitude has a deeper gray chassis. But the specs and the "featured systems" configurations are identical.

Some non-Outlet coupons offer a discount off systems configured over $xxx. That means a discount off the starting price, not whatever is the “special of the day.” Sometimes you can get a pretty good deal if you configure a system for a little more than you intended just to get over the minimum threshold so you can apply the coupon.

 

I've never sensed that Dell is really pushing Linux. I love the OS but I think Dell might be looking to dump the back log of Linux V13's. They had the opportunity to upgrade them to Ubuntu 10.04 but never did.

In any event the V13's are an awesome little laptop. They are well built, look stylish and cost peanuts for what you get.

 

It seems as though the only difference is the lid.