Save a few bucks on a D820

So the Latitude D820 is probably the most reliable laptop Dell makes, so it is no surprise that it is one of their most expensive. It may not mean much to anyone, but if you are planning on buying a D820 with a dvd-r/rw drive you've probably noticed that it is quite an expensive upgrade ($129). Also, you've probably noticed that the upgrade includes the drive and two (in my case, unwanted) extra software features to go with it. Today I found that there is a way to cut this cost to about $90 and not get the unwanted software.

When customizing the computer, do not upgrade the optical drive, then simply buy the dvd drive from dell (to ensure that it fits properly) for $89.60 (it's on sale this week, it's normally $99.56)

here's the link for the drive:
http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/...rives&RPU=1&page=DellPartsProductListing.aspx

hope this helps somebody

 

Great tip. Technical question, being a Devil's advocate:

Shipping is free with the D820 but you pay tax. You pay tax but shipping is free for now. You save $25 give or take some change.

Additionally, you put the drive in yourself which is easy enough but you have to configure it with drivers. If it works, life is great. If it doesn't you have to call technical support. Time is money and money is lost. The margin gets smaller. Given the price of the machine being around $2k give or take a couple hundren dollars. This is less than 1% of the cost. Is it worth the $25, now?

 

I'm not sure I understand your question, It sounds like your asking about problems installing drivers for an optical drive?

I don't see how anyone could have problems installing drivers for an optical drive being as how the drivers come prebuilt within the windows OS and there's nothing you'd have to install in the first place. Other than burning software which is also prebuilt in XP or DVD codecs which will come with the DVD drive and is a fool proof no brainer to set up.

 

Like I said, it's just a way to save a few bucks...if i can come up with a way to dramatically cut the price of this computer, NBR will be the first place I go. Like esoterica said, installing the optical drive is as easy as pushing a button to release the old drive, sliding the new one in, and windows takes care of the rest. Also, some weeks Dell runs 30% off accessories coupons, which will increase the savings slightly. It may only save you $30, but fo rme thats a year's worth of porn subscriptions

 

True. But in most cases that money is a monthly fee.

Murphy's law has led to 'potential' for things to go wrong was my point. I realize that this is a modular drive that is plug and play since I almost deactivated it when I was disconnecting the Thumb drive and External HD.