Replacing RAM and Hard Drive

I’m getting a new Laptop for myself, around Christmas time.
I’m thinking about something like this when DELL runs one of there $700 off of any Inspiron over $1500 deal again.

DELL Inspiron 9300

Processor: Intel Pentium M 740 1.73 GHz
Operating System: Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition
Display: 17 inch UltraSharp Wide Screen UXGA with TrueLife
Memory: 512MB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM
Hard Drive: 60GB 4200RPM
Optical Drive: 24X CD Burner/DVD Combo Drive
Wireless Network Card: Intel PRO/Wireless 2200 802.11 b/g 54bps
Video Card: 256MB NVIDA GeForce Go 6800
Battery: 9-cell Lithium Ion with 128MB Memory Key
$1,803.00

There’s just one problem, I also want 1GB of RAM, and a 60GB 7200RPM Hard Drive.
DELL is charging $90 for a GB of RAM and $98 for a 60GB 7200RPM Hard Drive.
So I was thinking about getting them somewhere else, if it’s cheaper. Anyone have any Recommendations?

 

Simple, wait for a deal that upgrades the memory as well, along with the coupon. Like I did.

 

I would get the memory from newegg. They have 1gb (1 stick) for around 100. I would just get the HDD from Dell. I haven't found any place that has the 7200 cheaper, but at the same time I haven't looked that much.

If it matters, the HDD should be 5400, not 4200. They upgraded to 5400 a few months ago, but have yet to update their website. I haven't heard of anyone getting the 4200 since May.

SG

 

Dell is supposed to be curtailing there use of coupons which doesn't make sense cause at normal they are as much as ThinkPads, Fujitsu or Asus without the quality. 7200RPM drives are expensive right now. I don't know that it is worth to upgrade. Maybe they'll come down in price by then. Last Christmas the 7200RPM drives were going for around $125 on Dell. Good Luck.

 

I think when you say "without the quality" that is a bit wrong, I think Dell is better than many other makers in most parts, apart from the fact that the case for the Inpsiron models could be a bit more tougher. Other than that I think the performance and quality of the stuff inside is just as good if not better is some cases, than other makers.

Even at full price Dell machines are usually always better value than other models on the market with the same specs.

We also use IBM notebooks at my work, after a years use they still get the same marks on the case than any other notebook.

What do you rate as quality, the shell of the notebook. Maybe so, but I do not expect to bash my machine around, and if it does get dropped and does break, the 3 year warranty will solve that (plus even with the warranty, it's still better value than IBM's and other models of similar specs.

My friend spent $4500 Aus on an Acer Fararri, and my I9300 even without coupons would be still cheaper and best his machine in performance for a fraction of the cost.

 

I think one can make an argument for Dell on the cost to specs ratio, but they are not as well built as some other makers at least not the ones I have seen. I owned a 700m. It was so plasticky, I sent it back. You could hold it on both sides and twist the case. Ask our moderator SouthernGirl about the quality of her 9300. I don't think Dell is the only one doing this. Notebooks today are not as well built as they were. More consumers are buying them and they generally pay less for notebooks. A mid-level Dell 6000 cost $1200. For a few bucks more I can get a ThinkPad with a magnesium case, great keyboard, tech support where they speak my language natively, etc. That is where I’m putting my money. If you are happy with your 700m I think that is great.

 

All comes down to each his own. My question would be though, if I wanted the same size and spec on say an IBM, the machine would at least cost me $2000 more in my Aussie dollars, and that would be with the Dell at full price and no discounts.

I can understand your views on the 700m, mine though feels very strong, and I tried to twist it around and did not get much movement. And I still find it hard to understand why people want notebooks built like tanks. Why would someone spend $3000 on a well built notebook and want to feel as though they can bash it around.

As for the quality of the I9300, once again mine has not had one problem, and once again find the same spec machine from another maker where it will not cost you three times more money than the dell.

Apart from the case on the inspirons, the rest is quality, want a hard case, get a lattitude, still way cheaper than most other makers.

You mention IBM so I will make comment on that, for me IBM have been one of the most overpriced machines since the company began. You pay a premium on the name and not all the time on th machine for what you get.

But in the end to each his own.

 

I do want to add, do not get me wrong, the fact that if I had spare money to buy an IBM with the specs I wanted that I would do so, and if money was no option I would have a fujitsu notebook if any. But I am not willing to spend the same amount of money that I did on the Dell to get an bottom of the barrel IBM model. And not willing to spend 2 or 3 times more to get the same Spec IBM that my Dell is.

That is my main gripe

 

I'll take a Dell Inspiron 9300 over fujitsu or IBM any day. IBM and fujitsu are well built but no one can beat Dell IMO for quality price and service. XPS line is here to prove that IBM and fujitsu are second classes.

Sorry, but I will only buy Dell for the rest of my adult life. So will the rest of the world.

9300 is my 6th Dell laptop. All have served me well.

 

LOL, i know what this is going to turn into. I can see the future! Dell does have good notebooks, i have one myself, but fujitsu has what i think, more quality, and the business man look.

 

Now I agree the I9300 is a powerful machine, I have one I love it, and it kicks just about all other notewbooks, especially when you get the 6800 card etc. But for Biz use and quality of the built, Fujitsu I rank as the best. Everything in their top of the line notebook range is the best.

In my opinion making quality everything Fujitsu beat all by a mile.

 

I can't speak to pricing where you are at cause I haven't been west of California, but here ThinkPads aren't much more that more than Dells when they are regularly priced. When Dell is offerning 40% and $750 off left and right I think they become much more attractive. They are not as well built as some others that has been my experience. The Latitudes are better than the Inspirons.

 

IBM are very expensive here