Deal or NO Deal?? What do you think??

I went around and around with Dell today. Bottom line is they keep insisting deals change almost daily, with a number of things not availble at all, and said the two best package deals they could offer are the two listed below. I also said I would do the automated system, save the cart, and then see what the comparison is. Really giving me some pressure to make up my mind. I can't go beyond 1350.00 comfortably. If these deals are not so hot I can either wait or go with the deal on the Asus M50VM at NewEgg.
What are your thoughts?
Wanted to get back to the rep tonight and say yes or no.

DEAL 1
Quote Number: 452586098

Item Number Quantity Item Description ]


223-5883 1 XPS M1530, Intel Core 2 Duo Processor T8100 (2.1GHz/800MHzFSB, 3M L2 Cache)
313-6439 1 Tuxedo Black Casing XPS M1530
311-7823 1 4GB, DDR2, 667MHz 2 Dimm, for XPS M1530
320-6690 1 15.4 inch Wide Screen WXGA TrueLife LCD with 2.0 MP Camera for XPS M1530
320-6082 1 256MB NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT
341-5865 1 320GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive for XPS M1530
310-9764 1 DELL RESOURCE DVD,BACK-UP, XPSM1530
420-5769 1 Internet Search and Portal
420-6436 1 Vista, PC-Restore, Dim/Insp
420-8566 1 Microsoft Windows Vista SP1 Home Premium Edition, English
420-7590 1 Media Direct 3.5
463-2282 1 Dell Owners Manual installed on your system,click on icon after system set-up to access
420-9100 1 Dell Dock Consumer
420-7622 1 DELL SUPPORT CENTER 2.0
410-1883 1 ADOBE READER 9.0 MULTI- LANGUAGE




Subtotal: $1,444.00
Shipping & Handling: $0.00
Tax: $83.71
Environmental Disposal Fee:
$0.00

Total Price w/Discounts: $1,527.71


DEAL 2
Quote Number: 452586321

Item Number Quantity Item Description


223-5880 1 XPS M1530, Intel Core 2 Duo Processor T8300 (2.4GHz/800MHzFSB, 3M L2 Cache)
313-6439 1 Tuxedo Black Casing XPS M1530
311-7823 1 4GB, DDR2, 667MHz 2 Dimm, for XPS M1530
320-6690 1 15.4 inch Wide Screen WXGA TrueLife LCD with 2.0 MP Camera for XPS M1530
320-6082 1 256MB NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT
341-5865 1 320GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive for XPS M1530
310-9764 1 DELL RESOURCE DVD,BACK-UP, XPSM1530
420-5769 1 Internet Search and Portal
420-6436 1 Vista, PC-Restore, Dim/Insp
420-8566 1 Microsoft Windows Vista SP1 Home Premium Edition, English
420-7590 1 Media Direct 3.5
463-2282 1 Dell Owners Manual installed on your system,click on icon after system set-up to access
420-9100 1 Dell Dock Consumer
420-7622 1 DELL SUPPORT CENTER 2.0
410-1883 1 ADOBE READER 9.0 MULTI- LANGUAGE
313-5820 1 8X DVD+/-RW Slot Load Drive for XPSM1530
420-8183 1 Roxio Creator DE 10
313-5014 1 Integrated Sound Blaster Audigy
430-2450 1 Dell Wireless 1505 Wireless-N Mini-card
410-1839 1 McAfee Security 9.0, 3-Year Subscription
312-0638 1 56 WHr 6-cell Lithium Ion P Primary Battery, for XPS M1530
412-0148 1 No Internet Service Provider Requested
412-1397 1 No Productivity Software requested
412-0360 1 Soft Contracts - Banctec
902-0941 1 Warranty Support,1 Year Extended
950-3338 1 2 Year Limited Warranty
960-8710 1 Warranty Support,Initial Year
988-5608 1 Dell Hardware Warranty PlusOnsite Service, Extended Year(s)
970-2321 1 Type 3- Third Party At HomeService, 24x7 TechnicalSupport, 1 Year Extended
988-5607 1 Dell Hardware Warranty PlusOnsite Service, Initial Year
984-2350 1 Type 3- Third Party At HomeService, 24x7 TechnicalSupport, Initial Year
900-9987 1 Standard On-Site Installation Declined
991-1179 1 LoJack Theft Recovery Service,XPS - 1 Year DHS
420-8655 1 LoJack Theft Recovery Softwarefor Laptops, 1 Year
988-0099 1 To activate your online backupaccount, go to Start, Programs, DataSafe Online
991-9799 1 50GB DATASAFE ONLINE 1.1 FOR SDO/DIM/INS/XPS
420-9328 1 DATASAFE ONLINE 1.1 50GB FOR DIM/INS/XPS
313-5206 1 DELL WRLS 5720 EVDO, Verizon Dell Wireless 5720 EVDO Mini Card for Verizon
430-2566 1 Dell Wirless 355 Bluetooth Module (2.0+EDR)
467-2337 1 Finger Print Reader XPS M1530
310-8628 1 You have chosen a Windows Vista Premium System
310-8319 1 Intel Core 2 Duo Processor
320-6794 1 15.4 inch Black Wide Screen WXGA TrueLife LCD with 2.0 MP Camera for XPS M1530
420-7715 1 Camera Software XPS M1530 2.0MP
410-1196 1 Adobe Pepe,English
* -DISCOUNT/COUPON APPLIED




Subtotal: $1,268.16
Shipping & Handling: $0.00
Tax: $73.15
Environmental Disposal Fee:
$0.00

Total Price w/Discounts: $1,341.31

 

I don't think you posted everything with laptop 1, it seems 1500 is a bit high, option 2 looks way better, especially with better specs and a 3 year warranty.

 

Deal 2. Better Specs and Longer Warranty and Cheaper.

 

I double checked to be sure but that is all the data I was emailed for the first quote.

The rep just sent me another email saying the qoute was good only for 24 hours. I am just not quite sure what to think at this point. I will post the cart deal too in a little bit.

 

Go with deal 2, it looks like the only things that could improve the laptop are bluray or a better processor, both of which you don't need at this point for your price point. DEAL 2 is the one.

 

All,

I've been working with the OP offline with help to optimize his online purchase and maximize discounts. His final config will likely include an LED monitor and Intel wireless card based on collective suggestions from NBR Forum. Knowledge is power - another M1530 about to be ordered

 

All I have to say is that upgrading to a 7200rpm and an LED screen is a must!!

 

FWIW, I'm not tech savy but please enlighten why this HDD is a must? I recognize newer technology and some protection from "klutz" factor by dropping the laptop but other than that aspect, how is $125 add'l cost for 7200 RPM a necessity - especially for non-gamers? BTW, some of us "game" instead with gas powered toys!

 

A 7200rpm is nice and it boots/loads faster, but not worth $125 at all. I cant believe the upgrade is that much!! Its not a nessesity. A 5400rpm is average. A 7200rpm is above, but only worth ~40 in my opinion, not 125!

 

Looks like your all set with Boomers help..so I won't make any suggestions!

Enjoy!

Great...that's nice of you! I'm sure he will like the choice he made with you!

 

Still working on getting the final price. Boomer and Cin have both gone the extra mile in helping me, but for some reason one of my discounts I am supposed to get is not cooperating. I will try again tonight.
Is the laptop noticeably slower with the 5400? I was surprised at the cost difference with the 7200 HD.

 

T500 has 4 gigs of DDR3 ram with the new processors with the faster bus speed at the same 1500 pricepoint. Then there are a slew of other laptops still using 4 gigs of DDR 2 ram but the new processors at the SAME 1500 pricepoint but also have newer GPUs. The dv5t would definitely be as better choice as it's newer faster parts at the same price point.

 

Hey, I am still looking at some options...will get back with you later this am/afternoon (at work now)

Nice points!


Cin

 

I looked up the prices of the components of a XPS laptop and a competing montevina laptop with DDR 3 ram. The XPS comes up to around 700 but lets just say 800-900 to be safe. A competing montevina laptop with DDR3 ram comes in at around 1100 because of the ram and the newer processor. Yet the XPS has been in assembly for a LONG time so the production costs should be lower. Meanwhile these new montevina laptops are getting new mobos, processors, and graphics cards being shipped in, they had to redo the assembly line to put the laptops together most likely, and they have to pay the extra price for the new hardware.
So why is it that the XPS is priced at the SAME pricepoint being a year old hardware than the new montevina laptops? I know some people don't care about new hardware and just need a laptop which is fine but don't get ripped off. Make sure that you are getting a good specced XPS at under 1,250. Otherwise you might as well have gotten newer faster hardware at the same price.

Just a side note. I looked back it seems the pricing for 2 these processors are a little wacko. The 45 nm process is cheaper to manufacture and at sometimes actually undercuts the old processors. The P8400 and P8600 in particular are both cheaper and faster than the T series processors priced near them. It would actually be cheaper for dell to give you a P series processor with lower wattage (for increased battery life) and higher performance. I guess they price their XPS higher to compensate for the fact that they are still trying to get rid of old T series processors that they bought at higher pricepoints.