Good Deal on vostro 1500?

Hi,

I just got a vostro 1500 from dell outlet with following config:

Intel Core 2 Duo T7300 (2.0GHz, 4MB L2 Cache, 800MHz FSB)
15.4 WXGA Notebook Screen Display with TrueLife
Genuine Windows Vista Home Basic
256MB NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT
2 GB DDR2 SDRAM 667MHz (2 DIMMs)
120 GB SATA Hard Drive (5400 RPM)
8X DVD +/- RW w/dbl layer write capability

It cost me $779 before taxes. Is this a good deal. It s a scratch and dent model.

Also, will this be able to play most games available now comfortably? will it continue to play games released over the next couple of years?

 

I have a pretty similar laptop from Acer, you have a little better Proccessor though. and i only have Geforce 7600

and for what i can remember it played HL2 pretty well. But i tried bioshock on recently, and it was kinda sucky. but i think yours will do nicely, or at least better. Is the 256MB NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT supported by dx10?

 

yes it is supported. i bought it primarily becoz of the video card .. i wanted a good card. however i didnt want to spend more than $700 but still nded up paying more

that said.. if this works for the next 3 years or so.. ill be happy

 

ive tried the bioshock demo on my vostro 1500 with more or less same config as yours. i can tell you it runs graet with most of the nice features turned on enjoy your new laptop!

 

How in the world did you manage to get that spec for 780$. I got the same spec but a C2D T5470 and an 80gig drive for 750$.

 

i said it is scratch and bent . thats whyit was less.

 

Oh, missed that. So how much it is scratched and bent?!??

 

For laptops all you have to worry about are scratches on the machine - usually its on the lid or bottom of the notebook. Dent's only apply to the desktop machines that have a metal case that CAN be dented. If the plastic is cracked on a laptop unit they actually will replace the entire piece.

 

My first post here.

After watching the sales, researching user opinions and looking at the competition, I ordered a 1500 today, at regular price.

Then I saw this thread, and remembered that I didn't check the Outlet before ordering a new one. Sure enough, the Outlet had a scratch & dent 1500 similar to above. The differences were the 2.0 C2D with 4MB cache, a 160GB drive, XP Pro vs XP home, and the WSXGA+ (1680x1050) display for $80 less than my weaker configuration.

So, I cancelled my order, and picked up the refurb.

We'll see how it goes. I only need this machine to work well for a year. But, I'll be using it at the South Pole. Literally. So, I need an entertainment system that will keep on chugging. Hardware-wise, at least (I can reload 'Doze down there if I need to).

When I get back (in 2009), I'll get the new octo-core Mac PowerBook, or whatever is the shizzle then.

 

BoulderGeek,

Was yours scratch and dent? How much did it cost? Did you get the 8600 card or 8400?

Can anyone answer my other questions:

Is this a good deal?

and

Will this be able to play most games available now comfortably? will it continue to play games released over the next couple of years?

 

Well, this is just my opinion. But, I have 20 years of IT industry experience, and have worked on a lot of machines.

Yeah, for what you paid and what you got, you got a smokin' deal, IMHO.

I paid $949 (pre-tax) for nearly the same thing, but adding the high-end 1680x1050 display, A/G wireless, webcam.

1 Vostro 1500 Notebook: Intel Core 2 Duo T7300 (2.0GHz, 4MB L2 Cache, 800MHz FSB)
1 90W AC Adapter
1 8X DVD +/- RW w/dbl layer write capability
1 Windows XP Professional Operating System Software CD
1 3945 802.11a/g Wireless Mini Card
1 15.4 inch WSXGA+ Notebook Screen with TrueLife
1 Integrated 2.0 Mega Pixel Web Camera
1 160 GB SATA Hard Drive (5400RPM)
1 Genuine Windows XP Pro
1 2 GB DDR2 SDRAM 667MHz (2 DIMMs)
1 6 Cell Primary Battery
1 256MB NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT


I would easily have bought your machine, and may have preferred it. I spec'd my system out at $1700 before automagic Dell "savings." ~$1350 at today's price.

I think that the meaningful items are the C2D CPU with 4MB cache and the 8600GT. I want to play games, run films well, and have a rugged, all-purpose entertainment and Net access system. All of this for a grand seems pretty acceptable.

So, yes, I think that you got a fine deal, and should enjoy it. I haven't played games on it (haven't reveiced it yet), but my main gaming rig has a GeForce 6800GT, and I would think that this set up will play every game that doesn't exceed Bioshock's requirements. So, that should future-proof you for a bit. I just want it to work until 2009.