xps 1330 good price for config?

Hi, I wanted to know if I was getting a good deal for my configuration of this dell xps 1330. Any advice/suggestions/recommendations would be greatly appreciated!

I am going to use the laptop for school, so I'll be using ms office, internet, and mathematica the most. I may also be doing some CAD work (ProEngineer), but I don't expect to be doing much, so I don't think I need an amazing graphics card or anything. This computer is practically my only source of entertainment so I'll be watching movies and listening to music on it too. I won't be playing games at all, though. I have external speakers, but I would like to have somewhat decent laptop speakers if possible. I'm willing to pay more, but not tons more. I would also like the battery to last a couple hours while watching a movie, for example.

For $1003....

(PRODUCT) RED
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T5750 (2.0GHz/667Mhz FSB/2MB cache)
Genuine Windows Vista ® Home Premium Edition SP1
Standard Display with 2.0 Megapixel Webcam
2GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz
Size: 160GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive
CD/DVD burner (DVD+/-RW Drive)
Intel® Integrated Graphics Media Accelerator 3100
Dell Wireless 1395 802.11g Mini Card
56Whr Lithium Ion Battery (6 cell)
Integrated Sound Blaster Audigy HD Software Edition
1Yr Ltd HW WRTY, InHome Service after Remote Diagnosis, 24x7 Phone
Included 3 GB DataSafe Online Backup for 1Yr

Some questions...
1. Is there a big difference in performance between hard drives with 5400 and 7200 rpm?
2. Is there a noticeable difference between the High Definition Audio 2.0 and the Integrated Sound Blaster Audigy sound cards? It was only $25 more to get the Audigy, so I am doubting whether it is that much better.
3. Does anyone know how much this weighs? I changed the original specs from a 4 to 6 cell battery; how much heavier will that make the machine?
4. Discounts: I'm a student, so do I automatically get a discount or does it depend on my university? Also, I've heard a lot of people talk about EPP discounts...what exactly are those?

Thank you!

 

a) u can get a good config(the same specs as my m1330 in my signature) for $1268+tax.... and that has a 4 yr warranty..... though the GPU problems might worth a call to Dell to possibly downgrade the GPU

-> link... u need to have access to Dell EPP (thru ur college, see www.delluniversity.com)

1) theres not much difference... if u need to save money, skip it
2) the sound upgrades are all SOFTWARE upgrades....
3) it weights just over 4 pounds with 6 cell... its like a feather in my hand
4) if u buy thru Dell EPP< its usually cheaper

EPP = Employee(or Educational) Pricing PRogram... offered at ur company, or at ur college

 

Wow thanks, that is a good deal!

Is the fingerprint scanner something I can get rid of to lower the price?

 

no- its built in

 

EPP is the way to go. I just ordered this m1330 on Sunday:

T8300
4GB Ram
8400M GS
LED
250GB @ 5400 rpm
Intel N wireless
bluetooth
6 cell battery
3 year warranty + accidental

Total Cost $1,089.91 + tax

I did some coupon stacking which most is still available. You just need access to EPP.

 

Upgrade the processor to at least a T8100. Better battery life and performance.

 

You just missed a good deal. You can still get 8% off through EPP, but the extra 5% coupon expired this past Sunday. Still a solid deal however.

 

I don't need the computer until the last week of August when the semester starts, so I am hoping for some back to school offers to help lower the price.

What does T8100/T8300 mean? I was looking at the deal that paper_wastage posted...is it worth $50 extra for T8300 instead of T8100?

 

T8100 is the lowest Penyrn Processor..... its supposed to be OEM-only, meaning that normal conusmrs shouldn't be able to buy it (of course, newegg offers it...)
T8300 is the next level Penyrn Processor.....

Penyrn = a little better power efficient and cooling than the previous generation (T5x00, T7x00)

i would go for teh T8100 if price is a problem... not much diff b/w the T8100 and T8300

you should order soon.... EST ship for m1330 (the deal above) gives september 1st... probably because of parts delay, since the lowest spec m1330 gives 8/8 as EST ship

 

Thanks for the help.

Guess I will be ordering a laptop sooner than I had planned! (I didn't realize that it took so long for them to build and ship.)

 

Hi EcoCoder,

Any way you could share the coupons you stacked to get to that price. Im trying to configure the same system (as yours) through EPP, but the best price I can get is 1299...

Thanks in advance!
-Go

 

I second that request, EcoCoder! I spent quite a bit of time on the EPP website for my school yesterday, but was unable to find anything to lower the price.

 

go this link:

http://slickdeals.net/showthread.php?sduid=354428&t=862663

his deal is the BASIC config (nothing changed) from the above site, but he has a 5% off coupon (that expired last sunday, so no deal for the 5% coupon for you two)....

i got the same deal in early july, with 4 yr warranty, total $1268+tax for my system(in signature)