Suggestions / comments for SXPS16 order

I'm looking for a desktop replacement, screen size 16-17". It has to be light enough to carry around and not obnoxious to the point where it would embarrass me at work -- i.e. no Sager, Asus, or Alienware.

Best choices seem to be the Apple MBP17 and SXPS16. Sony FW also but that model's technology is somewhat dated. I'm not much of an OSx fan and plan on using Windows 7. Given the questionable native hardware support of the MBP under Widnows, and the high price of the Macbook, I think the Dell the best choice.

This is the best deal I can find on a fairly loaded SXPS16. Got it through EPP website. Any suggestions or comments on pricing ? Any chance of doing significantly better going through online chat or telephone ? I don't want to waste a lot of time to save another $20...

P8700
4GB Dual Channel DDR3
RGBLED LCD (1920x1080)
RADEON™ HD 4670 – 1GB
256GB Solid State Drive
BluRay Disc Combo (DVD/CD read/write + BD read)
Intel® 5300 WLAN Wireless-N (3x3) Mini Card
Bluetooth Module (2.1+EDR)
9 + 6 Cell Batteries
$50 Dell Promo Gift Card

Total $1900 (exluding shipping & tax)

My thoughts:

P8700 will probably be sufficient, could always upgrade myself to P9600 or P9700 for the extra 3MB cache and slightly higher clock while keeping the TDP in the 25-28w range.

4GB ram is plenty

RGB & 4670 are no-brainers

256GB SSD seems to be a good deal as these sell for at least $600, and upgrade from HDD was only $325. I'll get a 500gb 7200rpm external drive for $100 or so. The Samsung MLC drive sounds pretty good; the high end SLC drives from Intel are too small and expensive right now.

I don't really need the Blu Ray Combo drive but it was only a $49 upcharge... maybe I'll watch movies on it when I'm on vacation.

9 cell battery will increase run time and probably improve heat dissipation by raising the bottom. I can use the 6 cell at work and other times when it will be plugged in.

 

Looks good. For the CPU, unless you're playing games such as GTA IV or Supreme Commander, or doing video rendering, your CPU should be sufficient. Upgrading won't yield much (if any) improvement if you aren't playing CPU intensive games or running softwar that can utilize the CPU for its number crunching abilities. What's the warranty like? If you can downgrade the memory to 1GB, it might be cheaper to buy a kit from Newegg...

 

You look like you're set. Nothing wrong with that configuration, and you have done your homework.

Don't know how to shave anymore off of that besides calling it in with a sales rep and trying to get some $$$ shaved off the price. If you're on the hook, sometimes they'll cave to wrap it up for you.

 

Thanks. Seems like 4gb is the minimum memory they are offering right now. In the past I have always ordered the cheapest RAM option and got what I wanted from the Egg.

I did have the cheapest 2yr warranty on that configuration.

I'll probably call just to see if a rep can save me a little. Even free shipping would be appreciated. Looks like free shipping is typical for Dell Home but not EPP.

 

Rethinking the Dell 256G SSD. Rumor is Intel's new models (based on the 34mm parts) are about to be released. Offerings apparently include a 320gb model. Probably will be expensive but may be the same cost as the current 256G SSD, and the existing models may have a sharp drop in price.

 

That is true, but the price drops are speculation. The new ones might be just as expensive, but the old ones might get a little cheaper. In all, a 256 Samsung is a quality SSD.

 

The Samsung drive is <$2/GB, the Intel will be ~$3/GB. Factoring in the size difference too, you can easily expect it to be double the price. Right now the Intel 160GB is more expensive than the Samsung 256GB drive, even if the 320GB were to replace the 160GB in price, it would remain a lot more costly.

 

Very true. May be worth ordering the Samsung 256 at Dell's nice price, could always resell it on Ebay if the new Intel drive is significantly better. I think the Samsung is supposed to be a pretty good performer, except for random write times. Anyone know if the OEM drive Dell is selling is the same as what Corsair is using in the P256?

 

They are the same drive. The Corsair P256 is exactly the same as the Samsung drive from Dell on the inside.