Laptop decision help - AGAIN!!! Specs? Models?

I posted a question on 3/14 and received a lot of useful input -- thanks to everyone who responded to my frustrated cry for help [ ]
Stuff happened, putting my purchase on the backburner temporarily.......[ ]
Now that months have gone by, Dell has updated a few things, and I'm almost back to where I began. The following is what my mother (she doesn't really know a lot about specs, etc..., but wants me to hurry up and buy before something else comes up to swallow my money).
Would anyone of you fine folks mind taking a look and tell me what you think I should change, upgrade, etc.. Or if there is another dell model you recommend and the specs? I need to decide by end of business today, or be forced to wait another week. To me, I obviously don't need some of what is included below, but some of it is part of the package. Below the below, I included what I think is a link to my original post on 3/14. Help! Please! I'm at the end of my rope! AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!
What I may be looking at now:
SYSTEM COMPONENTS
Inspiron 700M Qty 1
Intel® Pentium® M Processor 725 (1.60 GHz/400MHz FSB)12.1-in WXGA, Microsoft® Windows® XP Home Unit Price $2,281.00
Dell EPP/FSS Customers: Save 20% off select Inspiron 700M systems!
Limited Time Offer! View Details
- $456.20

Catalog Number: 23

-Inspiron 700m Intel® Pentium® M Processor 725 (1.60 GHz/400MHz FSB)12.1-in WXGA
-Operating System: Microsoft® Windows® XP Home
-Memory: 512MB DDR SDRAM 2 Dimms
-Hard Drive: 60 GB Hard Drive
-Network Adapters: Integrated Network Card
-Modem: Internal 56K Modem
-Adobe Software Adobe® Acrobat® Reader 6.0
-CD ROM/DVD ROM 24X CD Burner/DVD Combo Drive
-Wireless Intel® PRO/Wireless 2200 Internal Wireless (802.11 b/g, 54Mbps)
-Office Productivity Software: (Pre-Installed) Microsoft Works Suite 2005 - Includes Word 2002, Streets & Trips 2005
-Security Software: Promotional security package with service
-Digital Music Musicmatch® Jukebox Basic
-Primary Battery: 65 WHr 8-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery
-Limited Warranty, Services and Support SAVE $200 (After rebate) Consumer PLATINUM Service Plan
-Dial-Up Internet Access: 6 Months Earthlink
-Digital Imaging or Digital Photography: Photo Album™ SE Basic
-Financial Software: No QuickBooks package selected- Includes limited use trial
-Dell Media Experience Dell™ Media Experience

TOTAL:$1,824.80

Additional Discounts and Coupons:
Dell program members receive 12% off systems priced $1600 and up with 3/4 yr At-Home service. Congratulations, you are receiving the maximum member discount. -$218.98
Total Price
Sub-total $1,605.82

Thank you for taking advantage of your member purchase plan!
Free Ground Shipping on select Inspirons! Limited Time Only!
Total Price
Sub-total $1,605.82
Shipping & Handling --
Tax --
State Environmental Fee --
More Info
Total Price

Original post:

http://www.notebookreview.com/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=13417&SearchTerms=need

Thank you in advance for your input!

 

I would wait a few more weeks for a 750 off 1499 coupon if I were you. Other than that, you specs look good, but I recommend reducing the RAM to 256, and get a dvd burner.

 

I'd either wait for a Dell coupon, don't worry there is one coming soon, or get a better laptop like the Fujitsu s6231. For the kind of money you are going to be giving Dell, you could get a nicely configured s6231. The Fujitsu is superior to the Dell in almost every way except it is not widescreen. There are new sealed in the box 700Ms on eBay right now selling for almost half what you are going to for the 700M now. Good Luck.






I was robbed by a sweet little old lady on a motorized cart and I didn't even see it coming.

-Lloyd Christmas


Thinkpad T42:
* 1.8Ghz Pentium M * 1.5GB Memory * 60GB Hitachi 7200RPM * 15" SXGA+ Flexview * NEC ND-6500A * Win 2k *

 

Thanks, you guys. I really appreciate the input. Obviously I didn't make my deadline [ ]. Wow - the heads up on 750 off the 700? That's a pretty sweet deal - thanks [ ]. Less ram - what's your reason (so I can sound like I know my stuff when I'm asked [ ] ). I started looking closer at the 9300 today, only because it's got so much and can do a lot with digital pics and home movie editing, etc... I'm at the point now [xx(] where I'd give up the light weight and smaller size of the 700, just to FINALLY get something I'm almost perfectly happy with.
Looking at the Fujitsu, just from my first run at customizing it, it seems more expensive than the 700 w/coupons (I also get 20% off with an Employee something or other coupon) but that's not to say it hasn't sparked my interest - Would you be able to easily toss me something comparable to what I'm looking at with the 700 or 9300 with Dell? If not, don't worry about it. I still think you guys are great for helping me out. Thanks...[ ]

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by vagitus

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by leftfoot

 

The 700m and the I9300 are two entirely different beasts. Personally, while the I9300 is a fantastic deal with coupons, I wouldn't get the 700m even with coupons -- I think there are better similiar notebooks for the price. The Fujitsu is a viable option, you might also want to take a look at the huge selection of well-built barebone models out there -- like Asus, etc.

The I9300 on the other hand, with the right coupons it's by far the best available deal in terms of price/performance.

If you don't mind lugging it around, or if you don't really need to lug your laptop around that much -- I'd say you can get a powerful base-model I9300 for about $1600, and add the extra stuff (mainly memory) later and cheaper.

cheers,

yass

 

EPP is currently running a 33% off coupon. It is valid until 6/16/05. If you are an epp customer and registered for their e-mail notices you should have received the coupon. If you take a three or four year waranty you will get an additional 12% off for a total savings of 41% off. That doesn't include any extras Dell may be running such as free shipping or a 100.00 discount on the waranty.
That is a much better deal than the 750.00 off coupon if you are buying a more expensive system.

 

i figured this out 4 myself a few days ago rite b4 the $750 coupon expired[ ]

6/14-Ordered Inspiron 9300 wit:1.86 GHZ Pentium M | 512 MB DDR RAM | 80 GB hard drive | 256 NVidia GeForce Go 6800
6/29: Expected Shipping

 

Can anyone use the EPP code? If I sign up now can I probably won't get the email...

$750 is 41% of $1829 so the price would have to be higher than to make it a better deal. Also, how much more is the 3 year warranty, I heard they offer incentives to buy it later, if you dont take it at time of purchase.

Also, I haven't seen any 4 lb notebooks with 700m specs for under $1000. With the $750 this is doable on the 700m with a pretty well configured system. Fujitsu - more $$$, HP/Compaq heavier, Averatec 4265 $999 at Staples pretty sweet but Dell better brand name.

 

jwardell - thanks for your post. Seeing the discounts put together like that helped a lot.

LuckMC11 - any chance you'll be receiving it b4 6/29? Would you mind sharing what all your configs. are?

jmsnyc - I'm not sure about who can/can't use the epp. I do remember that when I signed up, I got whatever the current email coupon was right away. I can't seem to get the 700m down below $1000 (even if assuming I'll have the -$750 to use).

cheers, yass - helped my idealistic mind return to reality. And if I can configure it properly, I just might be going with the 9300. I've just got to figure out what I can get cheaper later and what I absolutely don't need - i.e, network cards, bluetooth, etc..

left & vagitus - i appreciate the input.

Thanks!

 

Thanks for all of the insight. I'm now working on configuring the 9300 so that with coupons, etc... I hope to get it down to about $1500. Any suggestions are welcomed and always appreciated.

Also, checking out Fujitsu's s6231 (thanks zazonz), although with the next epp coupon (when will another one come out?), Dell may be the sweeter deal to go with.

If I do get the 9300, I'd even more want to have a super-portable, not as hi-specs., but don't know where to start - handhelds? blackberry? Dell?...
Maybe an easier choosing situation for me, IF I'm already going to have the bells and whistles on the notebook.

 

You are never going to make the 9300 super-portable cause it gonna weigh around eight pounds cause of the larger screen. Some suggesions for upgrades are Hitachi 7200RPM hard drive, DVD burner, glossy WUXGA screen and larger nine cell battery. The nine cell will add a little weight but because the 17" screen drains the battery quickly you might want to consider it. Good Luck.






I was robbed by a sweet little old lady on a motorized cart and I didn't even see it coming.

-Lloyd Christmas


Thinkpad T42:
* 1.8Ghz Pentium M * 1.5GB Memory * 60GB Hitachi 7200RPM * 15" SXGA+ Flexview * NEC ND-6500A * Win 2k *

 

You will be happy if you get a 9300 as long as you understand how big it is. It is still portable, but nowhere near “Ultra Portable”

the 9300 I have is described below. I ordered mine with 256MB of Memory and then ordered 1 gig from Newegg.com. It was a much less expensive that way. The way I ordered mine from Dell (with coupons) I paid $1500. And then another $100 or so for the memory. I couldn't be happier. One piece of advice is to definitely get the 6800 Go video card. That video card is what makes the 9300 so great. You can get the 1.6GHz processor and be completely happy. If I had it to do over again I would have saved $200 and just gotten the 1.6GHz. The 7200 RPM HHD is also worth the extra in my opinion. I also got the better battery, and I am very pleased with battery life. I get around 4 hours with normal use.

Tim




Dell Inspiron 9300, Pentium M 1.86GHz, 1GB 533MHz DDR2, 256MB nVidia GeForce Go 6800, 17" LG WUXGA+, 60GB HDD (7200rpm), DVD+-RW