z71v ordering question

So I'm about to take the plunge and order the z71v, but had a final question...

Some resellers give you the option of having it shipped w/o any RAM. Has anyone done this? Do they still install XP (putting in their own RAM for the installation, and then taking it out)?

If ordering a system w/o RAM means they don't install XP, is XP hard to install/configure on a completely new system? I'm reasonably tech-savvy, but just haven't done a completely fresh system install before.

Am I just pinching pennies since going from no RAM to a 512MB stick of Samsung/Infineon on my system is $100 and going from no RAM to a 256MB stick of Samsung/Infineon is about $80?

Looking to order in next hour, so any input is valued.

Thanks.

 

Most of the notebook builders I've seen like Proportable or DiscountLaptops seem to price the memory reasonably. Plus they tend to use name brands which usually costs a little more. XP is not hard to install. Put the disc in and it will prompt you for everything it needs. When it is done you have to install the drivers which should come on a disc with the laptop and any applications you want/need. You just have adjust the boot order so it looks to boot from the optical drive first. You can usually change that in the BIOS.

 

errr... just about anyone who's not in coma can install WinXP.

setting up, optimizing and securing it is a completely different thing of course

 

yeh, pretty much. most reputable resellers aren't raking you over the coals on stuff like memory. not the way Dell does at least.

 

You mean a 1gig stick of RAM isn't $400?

way to go dell....

 

The guy acually offered to have me buy the RAM elsewhere and ship it to him for installation. Got 2 GBs of Kingston from Newegg (I know.. probably overkill) on the way to him. I guess I could have saved a bit more buying XP on Ebay or something, but don't want to push it too far.

BTW, anyone bought Office XP on Ebay? Am I correct in assuming that ALL original MS Office CDs have to have a COA and hologram? One of the Ebay guys tried to tell me that OEM versions of Office XP don't have holograms...

Thanks for the replies.

 

Read description carefully. Could email and ask if unclear. Might want to try older version to save a few bucks like 2000.

 

why on earth would you waste money on Microcrap Office ?

http://www.openoffice.org/

 

Openoffice is chill but not yet sufficient for larger projects.

When openoffice has a few more worked out, has solid commenting and mark-up capability on par with word, is supporting by Endnote or a similar type of program, I'll use it.

Also...MS Office cost me $10 here at school.

 

You can buy office on ebay but it has to come with the holo. A few years back there was a whole judgement against dell's branded office disks. In other words you can buy a office disk with coa that is branded and sold for a dell and sell it as new for any other computer. So ebay is a great place for cheap LEGAL miscrosfot products......I think.......

 

that's very swell... I guess... it's just that I was replying to someone else, who's in a different situation, probably doesn't need those features (?), is pinching pennies, and doesn't get to buy M$ Office for $10,-

 

I have you beat. At my university I get WindowsXP, Windows2003 (all versions), Office 2003, Visual Studio .NET 2003, and a few others for free! It's some microsoft education thing, which is very nice and convenient!

If I was a joe blow user though, I couldn't afford microsoft software; it's way too over priced.

 

me beat ? I think you meant 'laytonbaker' right ?

and which uni would that be, UBC/SFU or did you go out of town ?

 

haha. The best one, of course UBC