Would you get a Dell from Walmart?

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=11979393

Hope that the link works, if not it's t he one 'bundle' setup they have for $498 right now. Would you buy from Walmart? I would love to get one for that price, and no I am still waiting to pay off the desktop before getting another system. I won't be able to make it in time for this sale of course but it bears asking, would you get a inspiron from Walmart?

It says:

Specifications

Intel?? Celeron?? Dual Core T3000
1.9GHz, 800MHz FSB, 1MB cache Processor

3GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 800MHz, expandable to 4GB
3GB of memory to handle today's memory-hungry applications

250 GB Hard Drive
Store up to 71,000 photos, up to 62,000 songs, up to 30 hours of HD video and more

CD/DVD Writer (DVD+/-RW)
Play and create CD's and DVD's with the CD/DVD burner

Wireless WiFi & Wired Ethernet
Connect to a broadband modem with 10/100Mbps Ethernet or Wireless connect to a WiFi signal or hotspot with built-in 802.11 b/g

15.6" Glossy High-Definition Widescreen Display
Intel?? Graphics Media Accelerator 4500MHD integrated graphics

Additional Features

7-in-1 Media Card Reader
USB 2.0 (3), VGA Video Output, ExpressCard 34mm Slot, Inegrated Dual Digital Array Microphone, Headphone Jack, Microphone Jack
6-cell battery (up to 4.5 hours)
Dell Online Backup 2GB for 1 year
Dell Remote Access, free basic service

Software

Genuine Windows Vista ?? Home Premium with Service Pack 1
Microsoft Works (Microsoft Word not included)
McAfee SecurityCenter with anti-virus, anti-spyware, firewall, 30-Days
Adobe Acrobat Reader
Roxio Creator Dell Edition

Support and Warranty

1-Year Return to Depot with 24/7 Technical Support

(And then it mentioned this aspect of the deal)

This product qualifies for Microsoft Windows 7 Tech Guarantee. Purchase this PC today and Upgrade to Windows 7 Home Premium Edition for Free (Shipping and Handling Fee's may apply. Product to ship in late October). To learn more about the Upgrade instructions and fee's Click here. To learn more about Microsoft Windows 7 Click here

 

You can get a better deal (and better specs) ordering from Dell-

Here are two deals:

$524- LINK
2.1GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T6500
15.6" WLED Display (retail versions have the inferior CCFL-backlit display)
9-cell Battery
*all other specs match the one from Walmart

$429- LINK
2.0GHz Intel Pentium Dual Core T4200
15.6" WLED Display
1-Year Warranty with In-Home Service (vs. mailing it in for repair)

BOTH of those prices include Windows Vista Home Premium AND the same Windows 7 FREE Upgrade as Walmart! NOTE- Do not buy one with Vista Home Basic because it is ineligible for the Free Upgrade program!

 

Wow! Thanks allfiredup! Those are two sweet deals! Hopefully they will have something like that when I am ready to buy towards year's end. Like around November.

 

No problem! Feel free to send me a PM when you get ready to buy. I'll be glad to let you know about any deals they have at that time.

The frustrating thing about Dell is that there are multiple deals scattered across their website and some of them aren't easy to find! Beyond that, there are deal codes in catalogs, newpaper ads, etc that get you a great deal (both of the ones I posted were from a catalog). But I'm a bargain hunter (aka- tightwad) and like to help other folks on here save money whenever I can!

One final note- It's my understanding that Dell's support for retail purchases (from a Walmart, Best Buy, Staples, etc.) is worse than ones ordered direct. Besides, the best part of ordering a Dell is that you get to pick and choose features that you want. For anyone wanting a Dell, I highly recommend buying it directly from Dell!

 

Agreed. The only reason I would ever buy a new Dell from anywhere but Dell would be if I needed it quickly.

 

Pamster..do you have access to Dell EPP? You can even get great savings there when your ready to purchase.

Cin

 

What's a EPP? I know I can use my mom's preferred account thing to order it and make the payments myself like I did for the desktop. Is that what an EPP is Cin?

Thanks allfiredup! I will definitely PM you when I am looking at purchasing because I agree, it's darn tough finding the deals on their website! I am hoping I'll be lucky and get a working lappy and not run into the trouble some other members here have. I definitely will get it from the main Dell site when I'm ready since I don't want to deal with crappier support then what they normally offer to customers who buy directly from them.

 

It's Dell Employee Purchase Program. You get discounts depending on what the school/employer/govt. affiliation is you are connected with.
You can use your Dell DPA on that and save up to an additional 4% off your purchase. Most time the EPP discount is 7% + any additional savings the EPP site is having!

Cin

 

There's a secret that gets you far better service- tech support reps in the U.S., support reps that actually know something about computers and might even help, faster turn-around time if you do have to send it for service.....buy from Dell's Business division instead of the Home (consumer) site!

Their entry-level model line is called Vostro. They have the 13.3" Vostro 1320 and 15.4" Vostro 1520, both of which they often run on special for under $550 with solid specs! Just something to think about- LINK

I've been so much happier dealing with the business division folks...it's like the two divisions are two entirely different companies....

 

Thanks for the links allfiredup, I think you've sold me on the vostro, the one thing I am worried about from reading the 16 reviews on the 1520 is the left palm rest getting hotter then 103 degrees. Did you run into this yourself or do you just have the Latitude?

ETA: I have played around on Dell's small business area and it doesn't look like you get a CD/DVD burner on either the Vostro or Latitude, is that true? If so then I am back to the inspiron 15. :-/

 

Even the base Vostro 1520 has the 8x DVD-RW (CD/DVD Read/Write). The base Latitudes have a standard CD-RW (CD Read/Write & DVD-Read only) but can be upgraded to DVD-RW.

The hard drive is located below the left wrist rest area. The heat problem is probably on models with 7200rpm hard drives. The regular 5400rpm drives should run cooler.

 

Cool that makes me feel MUCH better about it, thanks for the great info! THose were the only two things holding me back. Glad I haven't bought yet. Plenty of time to get a good deal.