Dilemma - buy D610 through school or Dell.com?

Hey everyone, first post here and i need some advice

I'm starting dental school at NYU in the fall and they're requiring I buy a laptop..they're offering the D610 at their so called "special rate" the problem is it's kind of weak, here's the specs: 1.6ghz, XGA (im assuming intel graphics), 40gb, 512mb, CDRW/DVD+/-RW, winxp pro, and 3 year complete care for $1340

now through dell's small business website which is offering 500 bucks off i was able to configure one much better: 2ghz, SXGA+, radeon x300, 1GB ram, 80gb hd, DVD+/-RW combo drive, and bluetooth module for $1530 after the discount

so i mean it's obviously a no brainer that i can get a superior computer through dell, the only thing is that the school is offering complete care which would cost an extra 248 from dell, but the thing is im going to be living in new york and apparently complete care isn't even available there? so then how can the school even be offering it? so i just don't know what to do, basically the question comes down to what would you do in my situation? oh also this 500 dollar discount expires sunday 7/17 which is tomorrow! thanks a lot!

 

I would go with the one from Dell and just forget about the complete coverage. The complete coverage is good for those who are clumbsy like me . The school probably is providing the complete coverage, not Dell. If you get a good warranty plan, then you should be set as long as you don't spill nothing on your laptop. To me, the mobility plan would be better since it does have next business day on site (eventhough it does include complete coverage). You wouldn't be without your laptop for very long.

We had another thread about warranty awhile back that gave some good ideas. You might be able to find a solution for you situation there. http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=9486

Good Luck,
SG