Vostro 1400 - good/bad deal?

Dell Vostro 1400
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T5470 (1.6GHz, 2MB L2 Cache, 800MHz FSB)
English Operating System Genuine Windows Vista™ Business, English
LCD Panel 14.1 inch Wide Screen XGA LCD Display
Memory 2GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz, 2 Dimm
Video Cards Intel® Integrated Graphics Media Accelerator X3100
Hard Drive 160G 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive
Integrated NIC and Modem Integrated 10/100 Network Card and Modem
Adobe Software Adobe® Acrobat® Reader 7.08
Optical Drive 24X CD Burner/DVD Combo Drive, without Roxio Creator
Sound Card Integrated High Definition Audio
Wireless Networking Cards IntelJ PRO/Wireless 3945 802.11a/g Wi-Fi Mini Card
Camera Integrated 2.0 mega pixel Web Camera
Productivity Software No Microsoft Office
Anti-Virus/Security Suite (Pre-Install) No Anti-Virus/ Security Software
Batteries 56 WHr 6-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery
Hardware Services 1 Year Return to Depot Service and Technical Support
Online Data Storage Dell DataSafe 2.0 Online, No Install
Dell Support DELL SUPPORT 3.4, NO INSTALL
Dell Network Assistant DELL NETWORK ASSISTANT 1.7, NO INSTALL
Dell Support Centre DELL SUPPORT CENTER 1.0 NO INSTALL
Automated PC Tuneup No Dell Automated PC Tune Up Installed
Bluetooth Options Dell Wireless 355 Bluetooth Internal (2.0 + Enhanced Data Rate)

1,401.06 CAD after taxes

Seems a bit steep, or is it just me?

Strange thing: I just configred the same system, less than 12 hours later: $1,378.26 CAD after taxes. What the hell? Why does the price change like this?

 

Colder then hell.

I think I priced out a similar one for about $830 or so + tax

 

Nevr order online, you can always get it cheaper by complaing about the price over the phone, and get upgrades for free.

 

Ok.

How much should I be paying (max) for that system?

 

I would say no more than $1000 CAD

 

Ok, so when I call... how should I handle it?

I'm thinking of just saying it as a matter of fact, saying I can get similar or better system for less, and to see "what they can do for me", since "I don't want to have to not be a Dell customer".

 

Are you considering the 3 year warranty plan (including accidental)? Just curious. To me almost seems worth it, but I definitely understand the argument against it as well.

 

I was going for the bare minimum 1 year one actually.

Would it be wise to go for 3 year?

 

There isn't a word in the english language that can describe how bad of a 'deal' that is.
At that price, you should be able to, at the very least, get a 3 year warranty, a wxga+ screen, the 8x dvd burner, 9 cell battery, and the gforce 8400 upgrade. And i stress 'at the very least'
And the reason for your price difference is because of the laptop config you are selecting. The Dell canada site is retarded. When you click on Vostro, scroll down a bit when you are presented with the preconfigured options, and select the core2duo config. I believe this one leads to a cheaper price.

 

Wow, the site IS retarded. I'm surprised they can get away with this.

I will definitely call in for a deal.

 

OK so what would you say is a good deal for a 2GHz Core 2 Duo 4MB cache, 3 year warranty, X3100 (I don't want the dedicated GPU), 2GB RAM, 160GB HDD, WXGA+, Intel Draft-N wireless card, and Bluetooth?

I'm thinking $1200 after taxes?

Please let me know what is a good deal on the above spec. I don't want to be ripped off when I do call in.

 

not familiar with Canadian prices, but for the states that price is horrible.

 

I'd be amazed if you could get that for $1200. You're probably looking at 1350-1400 since you're going for the T7300. Also, if you don't need Vista Business, you should be able to get about a $60 reduction if you go for Premium. But ask for this AFTER you maximize any bargains from the sales rep.
And since you aren't gettng a dedicated GPU, I'm not entirely sure if you really need to dish out the extra 200 for the T7300 upgrade. I'd assume for non-gaming performance, it isn't much of a speed difference.

 

Yeah go with the Stock 1.6 ghz one. I have an 8400 GS and I STILL went for the 1.6 ghz.

 

The Remote Desktop will come in very handy for me.

So you think I can get it for about $1200 or so if I go for the 1.6GHz Core 2 Duo? If so I will call them tomorrow.

Which 3 year warranty should I go for? The return do depot one I'm assuming...

 

The return to depot is the cheapest and will do you just fine. I believe it takes maybe 2-3 days for them to take it and get it back to you if there's ever a problm.
And yes, I think you can bargain your way to $1200, or at least $1250. Don't mention anything about the warranty until you negotiate a price you like. If it comes out to say $1120 after taxes or something, just tell them you have a limit of $1200 and would like a 3-year warranty with this.

 

I know notebooks usually cost more in Canada and taxes are higher there, but I could have purchased two of the notebooks I have in my sig for the price you posted.

For this config, probably no more than $1100-1200 CAD.

 

damn its not just u dude its everyone lol..... that is just insane

 

They don't just cost more, it's practically robbery here. I wanted to get the HP verve, which was being sold for $999 at best buy in the US, but in Canada's Best Buy it was a whopping $1500 at it's regular price. Even the discounted/clearance price was listed at $1200. Unfortunately for us north of the border, that $1200 was quite the bargain.

 

well, change that processor to T7100 and get a 8400m gs video card. only then you are getting a decent price but still not best. I got the system in my sig with 1 year complete care for $1199 cnd

 

I value battery life and less heat. I'm gonna stick to integrated and save some money.

But thanks for that but of info. I'm gonna use it as an argument for eeking out a ~1100 dollar deal on the system, which I think is plenty fair to be honest.

 

On the phone right now... bartering for $1250 for the system I specified earlier

lol...

EDIT: Ok, got the following for 1250CAD before taxes:

Vostro 1400
14.1 WGXA+ TrueLife
Windows Vista Business
Intel Core 2 Duo T5470
2GB RAM
Intel GMA X3100
6-cell battery
8X DVD+/-RW
integrated webcam
160GB HDD @ 5400rpm
Intel 4965 Draft-N wireless card
Bluetooth
3 year return to depot warranty

I've never really had to barter over the phone (or ever) before, so I hope I did ok. What do you think?

 

It's not terrible. I think it could have been had for max of 1350 after taxes. But as long as you like the price you paid it's no big deal.

 

TBH I agree with you, but I couldn't see it going any lower than what I got it for.

 

Hi, can anyone send me some pics of Vostro 1400? Thanks

 

Hi,

Any tips on how you were able to barter for a lower price with Dell?

Thanks