E1705 with 35% Promotion a good deal?

Hey, I have finally decided on the Dell E1705 because where I am going to college is a Dell authorized service center so I can get it repaired on campus if necessary. Also, I will be getting insurance through state farm for accidental damage/theft.

I have been waiting since graduation for Dell prices to drop and for special promotions. For Forth of July, Dell is offering 35% off. I wanted to check with you guys if this was a good deal, or if I wait longer I can get a better price. Thanks for your help!



Inspiron E1705 Intel® Core™ Duo Processor T2400 (1.83GHz/667MHz FSB)

Genuine Windows® XP Media Center Edition 2005

17 inch UltraSharp™ Wide Screen UXGA Display with TrueLife™

Memory 2GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 533MHz

Video Card 256MB NVIDIA® GeForce™ Go 7900 GS

Hard Drive 80GB 7200RPM SATA Hard Drive

Network Card Integrated 10/100 Network Card and Modem

8x CD/DVD burner (DVD+/-RW) with double-layer DVD+R write capability

Sound Options Integrated Audio

Intel PRO/Wireless 3945 802.11a/g Mini Card (54Mbps)
Office Software (not included in Windows XP) Microsoft Office Basic - Includes Word, Excel, and Outlook email

Primary Battery 80 WHr 9-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery

Hardware Warranty 2Yr Ltd Warranty, 2Yr At-Home Service, and 2Yr HW Warranty Support

Operating System Re-Installation CD Genuine Windows® XP Media Center 2005 Edition re-installation CD

TOTAL:$1,814.80+ Tax etc. = $1,938.41

 

Is the total with our without the coupon? It just seems a little high to be with the coupon.

 

Looks like a great system! I'm getting one just like that. How sure are you that Dell is offering 35% off for the 4th of July sales?

 

go to dell.com - the 35% off is on their highest configured systems for each model.

 

Ahhhh! Yeah I saw that, I didnt think it was part of their 4th of July sales though

 

Southern Girl, does it seem a bit high? The E1705 before came configured with the UXGA+ screen and the 9 cell battery - with the 35% offer I had to add it in. However, I am able to get a 7200RPM hard drive and 2GB of RAM (same price if I bought it from NewEgg). I don't know though that’s why I'm asking you guys! If necessary, I can wait, but I can only assume that everyone will start buying laptops in August and thus drive the price up (yes I will be majoring in economics...) Thanks for your help!

 

That's the best you'll probably get. Dell doesn't issue 35%+ very often. I've seen them do it a few times, but it is a rare occasion.

It is a bit high still, but you are getting good specs at least. You probably won't find a better deal than that. I was just surprised that it went from 999 to 1999.

 

Jim,

My system, which is much like yours will cost me around $1250 with the $750 off coupon. When they give you a choice as to which Dell Inspiron E1705 to customize, I chose the second one from the right. The only thing I would say is different is that yours comes with McAfee Security Center with VirusScan, Firewall, Spyware Removal, 24-months and Microsoft Office Basic - Includes Word, Excel, and Outlook email, and another year of warranty. If you really need all of that then go for it. Otherwise you can just download a free anti-virus like AVG which works fine and buy Microsoft Office Basic aftermarket for a cheaper price. I hope I helped with your decision, good luck!

Justin.

 

Justin, you are very right. My college provides free anti-virus and I already have office xp! What was your configuration that you got for $1250?? Thats a great price!

The config I listed above without office and anti-virus is still $1,867.16 with tax etc. What am I doing wrong?

 

Try customizing from this link: http://configure.us.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?c=us&cs=19&l=en&oc=E1705S2&s=dhs

After customizing apply this coupon X$HBBDHNTM1502 to subtract $750 from the total cost. Make sure the price before you apply the coupon is $1999+. That should work .

This is my config:

Intel® Core™ Duo Processor T2400 (1.83GHz/667MHz FSB)
Genuine Windows® XP Media Center Edition 2005
Genuine Windows® XP Media Center 2005 Edition re-installation CD
17 inch UltraSharp™ Wide Screen UXGA Display with TrueLife™
1GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 533MHz
80GB 7200RPM SATA Hard Drive
256MB NVIDIA® GeForce™ Go 7900 GS
Integrated Sound Blaster® Audigy™ HD Software Edition

I will upgrade the RAM aftermarket and install a free anti-virus (debating whether to install AVG or this other freebie).

Justin.

 

Ok, hopefully for the last time....BIG thanks to Justin thus far.

Intel® Core™ Duo Processor T2400 (1.83GHz/667MHz FSB)
Genuine Windows® XP Media Center Edition 2005
17 inch UltraSharp™ Wide Screen UXGA Display with TrueLife™
1GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 533MHz
256MB NVIDIA® GeForce™ Go 7900 GS
80GB 7200RPM SATA Hard Drive
Network Card Integrated 10/100 Network Card and Modem
Adobe Software Adobe® Acrobat® Reader 6.0
8x CD/DVD burner (DVD+/-RW) with double-layer DVD+R write capability
Integrated Sound Blaster® Audigy™ HD Software Edition
Intel PRO/Wireless 3945 802.11a/g Mini Card (54Mbps)
No productivity suite- Corel WordPerfect word processor only
No Security Subscription
80 WHr 9-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery
2Yr Ltd Warranty, 2Yr At-Home Service, and 2Yr HW Warranty Support
Dial-Up Internet Access 6 Months of America Online Membership Included
Genuine Windows® XP Media Center 2005 Edition re-installation CD
Dell Digital Entertainment Starter Entertainment Pack - Basic digital Music, Photo and Game experience
All this for $1,570.00+Tax = $1,679.90

the only differences between your system and mine is the DVD-RW (+40), 9 Cell Batters (+79), and the 2 yr warranty (+128) = $247...sounds right?

 

Yeah, that looks like a better deal right there. Glad I could help. I'm actually upgrading some of the stuff on my system since a friend of mine gave me a 35% off coupon.

Justin.

 

Hey, if you choose the 1GB option, what exactly is the configuration? Is it 512MBX2 or 1GBX1. Thanks!

 

I believe its 512MBX2. Did you purchase that configuration in your last post btw?

 

No, I havn't ordered it yet. Even though I am paying for it, my parents insist on playing "review board" so it will take some convincing. I see, however, you did order yours. Also, do you know if dual channel works if the memory is different sizes? I was thinking of getting 512MB then adding a 1GB.