are Dells bargins really bargins?

I have been looking to get a notebook computer (so I am new to all this) and have been reading all the forums and have narrowed my search to possibly an HP or DELL machine.

Now that i have been figuring out what features I want there is some question as to being sucked into these weekly special sale bargins that tend to make us all in a frenzy about getting a note book. I mean I almost bought a DELL machine just becase they had a big %25 off all notebooks... but lucky for my pocket book I slept on it and went to HP to see what they had.

I priced out an inspiron 700m at dell VS. hp dv1000... i get the same specs on both but dell is $350 more than hp. Dell always has coupons which tend to bring the price almost down to what hp is already at with out sales and rebates.

Is Dell inflating their prices and then having %25 coupons every two weeks just to make it seem like you are getting a great deal?

DELL:
700M
12.1-in WXGA, Microsoft® Windows® XP Home
Intel® Pentium® M Processor 725
512MB DDR
30GB Hard Drive
24X CD-RW/DVD
802.11a/b/g, 54Mbps
Microsoft Office Basic
Unit Price $1,785.00

HP:
dv1000
14.0" WXGA Widescreen
Intel(R) Pentium(R) M Processor 725
512MB DDR SDRAM
60GB Hard Drive
DVD/CD-RW Combo Drive
802.11BG WLAN
Microsoft(R) Office 2003 Basic
price $1,423.00

whats up with that... DELL is $362 more for the what is about the same machine. These prices are before any rebates and discounts. Also the HP machine comes with a 6-1 memory card reader.
Both companies offer free shipping.

hmmmm.

 

That's exactly what Dell is doing, it's all advertising gimmick. Once in a great while they reaqlly do have a true deal, like last week with their 1 day $750 off coupon. Each week or should I say every few days a new Dell is being offered at Dell and after applying the coupon the price is in line with what everyone else has, so I would say that yes they do inflate their normal price somewhat and using the "deal/sale" coupons brings it back in line with the marketplace. Anyhow I would say go with the HP as their quality is pretty good while the quality of Dell's ntebooks has been ranked right near the bottom for the past two plus years.

Jack

"They who would give up an essential liberty for temporary security, deserve neither liberty or security" (Ben Franklin)
http://pbase.com/joneill

 

The DV1000 is more in line with the Dell 600m. The 700m is supposed to be adecent machine with bad battery life and a tiny keyboard. It gets good reviews otherwise on quality of build and screen. It is a smaller footprint.

The 600m doesn't have the brightview/crystal clear screen. Doesn't have a firewire port. It also has questionable build quality, gets hot, flimsy keyboard, poor screen, and of course shodding Dell customer support.

The Dv1000 has a better screen, much better construction, doesn;t get hot unless you lay it on the sofa or bed, as the fan vent is on the bottom.

 

Well if you're after the dell 700m

Head over to ebay.. you can still pick them up for $1000-$1100..
The resellers of the the "Big" coupons from dell.

that should even out your decision for you.

 

I am also leaning towards the DV1000. However, I came across the following statement in Business Week:

"If you're looking for a powerful but low-cost laptop, it may be worth waiting until early next year. Intel is slashing the price of its mobile Pentium M and Celeron M chips and laptop makers plan to drop the desktop processors. The results will be lighter notebooks with better battery life."

I don't follow chip developments. Can anyone confirm and if true, do you think the savings are worth waiting for?

 

I dont think theres going to be a big change from now to next year you have to think about this intel just put out the 775 desktop processor and the dothan notebook processor so i dont thunk theres going to be any big changes in 2 months. I buddy was looking at allthe new stuff thats coming and thats out thats why he said screw it and got the addict ninja.
http://www.addictpc.com/index.php?crn=124&rn=523&action=show_detail

 

You can always wait or so till next year to see if they would cut down the cost of these processor, but for the price of the dv1000 and compaq v2000, you pretty much won't regret making the purchase since after all the coupons and rebates, it would still be fairly cheap when compared with other laptops of similar specs. For price and quality, you won't regret the purchase. Good Luck

thietlong