Is this a good DELL deal?

Hi, first off, I'm not computer savvy at all. I built a DELL inspiron 1525 at dell.com with 2.16GHz/677MHz, 3G RAM, 120G hard drive, and 3 years warranty plus the $$ off 'cuz of the ten days sale and student discount, I can get this computer for $927 plus tax and shipping. Is that a good deal?
I really need a new laptop... for end of semester papers and everything. But I'm also tempted to hold on it and wait till Black Friday and Cyber Monday to see if the deal can get better.
Today is the last day of the 10 days sale on dell.com though. I thought maybe I should ask in case the deal I can get now is a really good deal and I don't have to wait...

Any opinion and/or suggestion is very much appreciated! Thanks so much in advance!

 

I dont like the 1525. Maybe lower the processor a bit and get a larger hard drive (larger = faster too) and maybe move to thestudio line.

 

Try using a dell coupon to lower the price, or you could try hp.
Please fill out the faq in the "What Notebook Should I Buy?" section so we can give better advice.

 

Wow you guys are lightning fast! Thanks! I'll fill out the "what notebook should I buy" section!

 

EXPIRING Dell Outlet Coupon Code 20% off Refurb Inspiron 1525 & Studio 15 Laptops $500+, Oct. 23 11 AM

Dell Outlet is offering this coupon code. $19.99 Shipping.

20% off Refurbished Dell Inspiron 1525 & Studio 15 Laptops $500+ Coupon
Code: 9GZXPXSXXWPT0B (Exp 10/24 or after 1000 uses)

Stock changes during business hours, so refresh every 15 minutes to see new inventory.

dont buy 1525 or xps 1530, studio 15 with wled screen is preety good.

 

Thanks Nomoredell. What about Latitude you suggested, especially compared to Studio 15? I checked and I could get a Latitude E5500 for $931, including tax and shipping. It has intel core 2 duo T7250 2Ghz 800Mhz, 2G RAM, 160G hard drive and 3 year warranty. Is that a good deal?
Also, do you know if dell.com will have big sale after thanksgiving? Is it worth the wait...?
Thanks!!!

 

Nah. Those aren't good deals.

http://www.dell.com/content/topics/segtopic.aspx/days_of_deals?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs

Check out the XPS.

 

Hi Leon, thanks for the suggestion. I looked up XPS. They are beautiful. But I can't build anything that includes tax and shipping, intel core 2 duo T7250 2Ghz 800Mhz, 2G RAM, 160G hard drive and 3 year warranty in less than $1000... which is my budget...
Any other suggestion?

 

15% off on any refurbished Latitude Laptop or Tablet with this coupon! QXSPKDG5Q0LVTD

 

Hi, thanks for all your input. But whenever I try to use the coupon, an error message always turns up and tells me that there's something wrong with the coupon or what I want to use it for... I'm confused.
I tried it with studio 15 and latitude D6600

 

What about ebay? Great deals going on there! lol

 

These are great deals.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=9050279&type=product&id=1218012519873

http://www.notebookreview.com/deals/

 

I wonder if you can still use the coupon if you already applied ten days sale and student discount..

 

mmm not a good deal.

 

For $928, DELL Small Business has a FAR better laptop that deserves a serious look- the DELL Latitude E5500. The Latitude series is designed to hold up to frequent travel and heavy use and even the occasional (accidental) drop or fall. For a student, it's a great choice that should easily last thru four years of school! The Latitude E5500 also features newer processor, graphics and wireless technology than the Inspiron 1525, so it is an overall better performer, too!

Here's a link- http://www.dell.com/content/products/productdetails.aspx/laptop_latitude_e5500?c=us&cs=04&l=en&s=bsd

The link above takes you to a page with three different E5500 configurations showing. Select the second one, with a starting price of $829. Unfortunately, Dell doesn't offer Windows Vista Home Premium on this model, so the only viable option is to upgrade to Vista Business (from Vista Home Basic). Vista Business and Vista Business with XP Downgrade both cost $99, so I'd suggest choosing the one with the XP Downgrade. XP Professional will be installed on the laptop when it ships, but you'lll also get a DVD with Vista Business if you want to upgrade at some point in the future.

So, below the $829 model, click on "With XP for $99". That makes the total $928 and tehn you can add any options or upgrades that fit your needs and/or budget.

For $928, here's what is included-

DELL Latitude E5500
2.0GHz Intel T7250 processor
Windows Vista Business Bonus, with XP Downgrade (media for both included)
15.4" WXGA display
Intel GMA X4500 graphics
2GB DDR2-800 RAM
Dell Touchpad
160GB 5400rpm Hard Drive
8X DVD RW
Dell Wireless 1397-G
6-cell Battery
3-YEAR Limited Warranty Coverage

Hope this helps!

 

What do you need this laptop for? ANYTHING with integrated graphics will be a joke for games. If all you need is something that runs Word and Firefox, it's okay, but you can do a LOT cheaper.

Otherwise for around that price you can get something that's at least marginally competent for running games (at least not completely outside the realm of possibility).

I would also not look at the Latitudes. IMO they're rip offs for normal consumers. From Dell in a "cheaper" system in that size, all I'd look at is the Studio 15 or XPS 1530 (until it's upgrade/replacement comes out).

The 1530's GPU is very low end, but still massively better than integrated.

 

Similarly equipped, the Latitude E6500 is approximately $130 more than a Studio 15 notebook. The Latitude has a magnesium alloy chassis and LCD brace for substantially more protection from falls and drops, spill resistant keyboard, shock-resistant hard drive and it only weighs 5.2 pounds compared to the Studio 15's 6.1 pounds.

For an average user, a Latitude might not be the best choice, but for a student- it's an EXCELLENT option! Latitudes (and ThinkPads) are far more durable and well-constructed than average consumer-oriented laptops. They can cope with being taken to class every day and even survive an accidental drop that would destroy lesser laptops! The Latitude's 3-year warranty adds to its appeal and value as does the availbility of XP Pro.

One other option hasn't been mentioned yet, the Dell Vostro 1510. It's closely related to the Inspiron 1525, but is sold as the entry level model in Dell's Small Business line.

For $901, see these specs for a Vostro 1510 with 3-year warranty

Vostro 1510
2.0GHz Intel T5870
Vista Home Premium
WXGA 15.4" display
3GB RAM
250GB HD
DVD RW
Intel X3100 graphics
Intel 4965AGN wireless
6-cell Battery
3-Year Warranty with Next Business Day OnSite Repairs

 

Hi!!! Thank you all so much for your reply. Sorry I haven't been responsive 'cuz for a while I couldn't find my original post anymore... :S

So let me answer a few questions being asked earlier.
1. I don't do gaming on my computer at all. I need the computer for WORD, EXCELL, some statistical softwares (i.e., SPSS), internet surfing, music and video, especially when I have all these running at the same time. Therefore, a fast computer will be my priority concern 'cuz my old laptop is too slow to even run more than 2 tasks at one time.
2. I do carry my computer to school and back home daily so... preferably, it's kinda light but considering my budget and needs, I would value performance over weight.
3. I like Vista (is that weird?) so... I hope it comes with Vista, however, if it comes with XP preinstalled but also with a Vista CD, I think I can install the Vista OS by myself.
4. I don't really know computer well but I do hope that it'll last at least 3 years with good performance (i.e., still pretty fast by the end of the 3rd year), and through the research I've done, it feels like I need an intel core 2 duo processor with at least 2.0Ghz/667Mhz, a 3G RAM, 100+ hard drive.. and the 3 year warranty is just so I'll be helped when some hardware/parts break down. But I'm not sure if that's enough for my needs or too much?

Ok, before I bore you guys with long-winded mumbling, I'll stop here. Again, thanks for all your postings and please continue to help me~!!! Thanks so much!!!

 

For what you're doing, as long as you've got a Core 2 or Athlon x2/Turon and enough RAM, you'll be completely fine.

If I had those requirements I'd probably want a Studio 15 with an LED backlit screen and the (low end) ATi GPU, but really ANYTHING should suit you just fine in terms of performance, size, etc.

Be sure to configure it with Blu Ray if you like movies/shows though.

 

Hi Wolfpup, thanks for the quick response. I have a quick (and probably dumb) question though... what is "(low end) ATi GPU?" When I configure a laptop at dell.com (or buying it from whoever), what is the part that corresponds to that? Thanks!!!

 

(low end) ATI GPU is ATI Radeon 3450 HD, which is suitable for some office/multimedia jobs, and that would be completely Ok for you.

 

Whoops, yeah, I never saw that response for some reason

 

Heheh. That was a dumb question to begin with. I did some research on it and figured it out. Thanks anyway though.

I really need to whine about this, so please humor me: buying a laptop is a stressful experience~~~~~~~

 

Yeah, it really is! It's so hard to find one that meets all your needs too. SOOOO much easier buying a desktop