Some Dell Latitude Questions

I've got three questions. I apologize if they have been discussed, but I've done a few searches and I'm failing to find the answers.

1.I can always find great coupon codes for the Inspiron. Are there any coupon codes for Latitudes out there?

2.When configuring my dell laptop, I have the option between Vista "with media" and Vista "no media". What is "media"? Is that just bloatware? BTW, I want Ultimate.

3.Also, when configuring the laptop. I only want 512mb RAM. I want to add my own RAM (to save money) after I get it. However, I get the pop-up that says if I don't "correct" this and upgrade to 1GB or more it will delay my shipping, but it looks like it will let me check out this way. I'm sure others have done this. Did you get a call or anything telling you you had to upgrade the RAM? Did it delay your shipping?

 

2. With media means you get the installation DVD for Vista, without, well you don't get it so I recommend selecting with media.

 

1. Not that I know of, but with whatever promotions they offer on the site you get a reasonable price. Call a sales rep, and they might add a "special" discount if they think that will convince you to buy it, then ask for them to send you a quote.

2. "Media" means the CD - so Vista with 'media' is Vista pre-installed with a Vista CD as well. (I asked the same question, and thats the answer a sales rep gave me )

3. Advice: buy 1gb of memory on one stick. This won't delay your shipping (which is very frustrating), and all you then need to do is buy a 1gb stick yourself. You do save by buying your own memory, but honestly I'd pay the $30 to make sure my system isn't delayed by like 2 months.

 

So a Vista installation CD is not included or even an option for an Inspiron laptop?

 

That'd be rather lame. I'd like an OS disk.

 

Call a rep and ask. Seriously. Be pushy. Tell them you won't buy it without a Vista DVD.

 

My biggest complaint about the Latitude line is the lack of a Vista Home Premium option. Even when you call a rep they don't seem to have any idea about it. Oddly enough though, I just went through the Dell University page to look at the Latitudes, and right there it says in order to make your PC Vista Premium Ready, configure your Dell with 1GB RAM and an ATI or Nvidia graphics card. And yet there is no option through that page for the NVS 140M or Home Premium. Very wishy-washy on Dell's part. I think I'll call them.

 

Not to argue, but why do you really want Vista Home Premium? I've generally heard that 'home' versions of Microsoft products are inferior to the 'professional/business' versions. Correct me if I'm wrong.

 

I just noticed that the exact same Latitude D830 configuration is 4250 cheaper on the "small business" site as opposed to the "medium & large business" site.

this is my configuration:

Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T7500 (2.20GHz) 4M L2 Cache, 800Mhz Dual Core
Genuine Windows Vista™ Ultimate, with media
15.4 inch Wide Screen WSXGA+ LCD Panel
1.0GB, DDR2-667 SDRAM, 2 DIMMS
80GB Hard Drive, 9.5MM, 5400RPM
8X DVD+/-RW w/ Roxio Creator Dell Edition Digital Media for Vista Ultimate
256MB NVIDIA® Quadro NVS 140M™
Intel® 4965 802.11a/g/n Dual-Band Mini Card
BLUETOOTH WIRELESS Dell Wireless® 360 Bluetooth Module for Vista
Touchpad with UPEK® Fingerprint Reader
9 Cell Primary Battery
90W A/C Adapter
3 Year Limited Warranty plus 3 Year Mail-in Service
US - System Documentation, Power Cord
Internal Keyboard Internal English Keyboard

Am I missing something? The warranty is the same too.
What is the advantage in buying from the "Med. Lrg. business" site?

 

I suppose if you're a large business, Dell may offer you certain benefits or discounts when buying in bulk. But if not, I have no idea why the medium/large business prices should be so much more.

From what I have read about Vista, the Home options are different from prior versions. Home Basic is very limiting, but Home Premium offers all of the extra media and visual features. If not a business user, it seems the price of Vista Business or Ultimate is unnecessarily expensive.