Need laptop for college--Should i buy Studio Xps 16 now?

So i've pretty much decided I want to get the SXPS 16 for college next year, coupled with the 4 year complete care warranty to compensate for the dangers in a dorm room etc. Although I know it is a little big for constant carrying, i think it really wont be too bad, not to mention i think i'm going to get a netbook later in the summer(after ive been working and have more money) to bring to class because that's really enough for notetaking/internet. my 1640 could stay in my dorm room for most of the time and be used for the more intense stuff like casual gaming, photoshop etc.

Anyway, i've been reading about things such as the 4670 possibly coming out for the 1640, and possibly some other updates. right now there is a deal on dell to get 20% off your configuration, which gives me a pretty kickass deal for around $1650 (im capping the price at around $1800, because that is how much i would pay if i ordered a thinkpad through the school.)

The question is, should i order the 1640 with the 20% off deal that ends on 6/4? Or wait to see if there are new upgrades and possibly another sale? I need to have it relatively soon, so i can have it by my orientation (7/20 and 21) and get use to it.

 

If the SXPS is what you *really want* I say go for it.

The thing with Dell deals is that they *come and go*!! Meaning, if you find a good deal now and don't purchase...You never know when that deal is going to appear again. Or, when there will be something close to that.

And, technology is ever changing. You could continue to wait for upgrades..and yet miss out on more incredible deals!

I think, if you know it's what you want...maybe *go for it* now! If you get it, you have 21 days (from date of invoice)..to get to know it a bit, etc.

Also, do you have access to Dell EPP? You might even have greater saving thru EPP


Cin

 

is EPP the education discount?

 

It's the Employee Purchase Plan..and yes, the Education Discount would apply to it (you access thru EPP site)..It's for Employers (Employees), Colleges, Students, Govt. Employees..those that have access. You could check with your school, also!


Cin

 

here's some advice from a college student:

get a netbook(or cheap laptop for in-class use/web browsing), and a desktop for gaming(if you game... otherwise, if your laptop is powerful enough, just get an external screen for the dorm room)....

netbook ~ $300, Desktop ~ $700 and upgradable

i currently have 13.3" 4pound dell m1330... no desktop in dorm room.... graphics card on m1330 is weak, kinda sucks, but can't upgrade... spend $1300 on the laptop, don't feel like wasting more money on a desktop or such... laptop plus 5 books in a comfortable backpack (padded SwissGear...) is fine for a long day(6 hours) walking on campus...

go to www.dell.com/university to see if your school qualifies for EPP

 

And, if you go thru the site, like OP showed it reflects *Member Purchase Program* (par same as EPP)...and you will see any applicable savings on the SXPS 16...the one you want

I forgot to add..student's can get great savings!
I'm in there now on my former schools discount ID, just checking it out~!


Cin

 

o yeah i knew about the university discount, but for some reason, i forgot about it haha. i get an additional 7% off for Stanford, niceee

as for the desktop idea--
that sounds pretty good, except for the pure fact that for times such as vacation, winter break, etc, i would be stuck with the netbook as my main computer, which would be mega lame, not to mention moving a desktop and all the cords and stuff would be a huge hassle every year (moving between dorms, coming home, etc)

 

That's great... I hope you find a great deal!!
Very nice! And, if you pay by Dell DPA...you should be able to get an addtl 4% savings.



Cin

 

DPA?

more letters

 

ya, but u'll be spending (probably) half the amount on something that's more powerful combined...

i was thinking of building a mini-ATX desktop (with J&W MiniX 780G, nvidia 9600 pci-e x16 card.. costs about $500 w/o a monitor/mouse/keyboard)..... not that bad...

DPA = acronym = Dell Preferred Account

its like getting a credit account at Dell... u can pay it off immediately, or sometimes they have 0% financing for a year or something...

 

o. yeah no DPA haha.

i appreciate the money saving advice paper wastage, it is appreciated! However, i havent done much research at all on desktops, while i've been researching a ton about laptops. i have a pretty attractive scholarship for college this year, so i've got a bit of extra cash to use on the mobility aspect. not to mention, it's college. i dont want a laptop that will tempt me to play crysis all night, instead of doing work or partying haha.

 

Stanford? Nice. Good luck over there! I'm sure you going to have lots of fun.

 

thanks man!

So i think i'm pretty set on ordering the laptop with the 20% off deal, and then get a netbook later. it seems like it will be the best mix between mobility and power

 

Oh that's sweet! Please update us on the ESD (Estimated Shipping Date), and the progress of your lappy during production!

And, Netbooks are great! So, portable & convenient!


Cin

 

Can you post a link to the 20% off deal? Just curious.

 

Here is one:

$424 off on this XPS M1530 laptop

Code: ?CW$LX1HPRM3SF
Expires: 2009-06-04 11:59pm CST


Cin