Free analog flat panel AND lower overall price on M4400 if it's 64bit?

I'm looking at the configurators for the 32bit and 64bit Precision M4400s, and the almost the exact same configuration (difference is 64bit has 4gb ram vs. 2gb) costs about $50 less and comes with a free monitor (not really necessary...but getting rid of it doesn't result in any price drop).

Is this an error on Dell's site, or are they actively pushing 64bit and lowering the price of the system overall intentionally?

32bit: http://configure.us.dell.com/dellst...kc=productdetails~workstation_precision_m4400

64bit: http://configure.us.dell.com/dellst...&c=us&l=en&s=bsd&cs=04&m_11=VB61E&mo=11~VB61E

options:
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T9800
Genuine Windows Vista® Ultimate
15.4" UltraSharp™ WUXGA
3 Year Basic Limited Warranty and 3 Year NBD On-Site Service
NVIDIA Quadro FX 770M
4.0GB, DDR2-800 SDRAM (2.0GB for 32 bit model)
250GB Hard Drive, 7200RPM with Free Fall Sensor
8X DVD+/-RW w/Roxio and Cyberlink Power DVD
6 Cell Battery
Intel® WiFi Link 5300
Internal English Backlit Keyboard


64bit: $2,058 + FREE! Dell 19 inch™ 1909WFP Widescreen Flat Panel, Analog
32bit: $2,097

 

The Dell site does weird things. Costs can fluctuate depending upon the link you use. Lower percentage coupons do not like to stack, while the higher ones do. Take advantage of the 64 bit deal while you can.

 

No they are not actively pushing 64 bit OS (why would they ?)
It seems to be a great deal, take advantage of it (is the 1909WFP an ultrasharp monitor ?).
Dell premier does not have this deal.

 

If it were an ultrasharp I would've already bought it. Sadly it's one of their older non-digital flat planels. If it were an ultrasharp I might not even spring for the WUXGA screen. They probably just want to get rid of the older LCD monitors - the same model came free with my parents' new desktop.

EDIT: Also the 64bit link has many more CPU options to choose from, including the P series.

 

well you can always ebay it to subsidise your costs

 

afhstingray do you have any images of what the Precision looks like with the integrated webcam? The Dell site images all seem to be without it...unless it's really well hidden. Also what's that little rectangle a few inches to the right of the touchpad?

EDIT: and some more weirdness on their site-

 

the webcam is really well hidden. its almost exactly like the iSight webcams on the macs.

that rectangle on the touchpad is the symbol for the contactless smartcard reader, which is located below the palmrest. basically its an RFID reader for authentication. you probably wont use it.

im not sure about the bluetooth thingy, i have the dell 370 bluetooth card, its useful and works well. its 2.1+EDR

i dont have the WWAN option for cellular wireless installed, because i always use my windows mobile based phone as a cellular modem via bluetooth

 

hm, I can't imagine that smart card reader being useful for anything
when I was in college we had those chips on our ID cards, they were used for a few vending machines on campus (and that's it) for about two years, but then cancelled...maybe someone found a way to add money to them using something similar

I'm thinking of getting the bluetooth since it's only $15 more and I plan on picking up a Palm Pre in a few months to replace my ancient cell phone, I imagine it has Bluetooth synch. WWAN isn't something I've ever been interested in, as I pretty much never take my PC out of my house. The reason I prefer a notebook to a desktop is the much lower noise/heat/dust/etc.

 

palm pre isnt supposed to be synced to the computer, the concept is you store data in the cloud.

i dont think you have a choice about the contactless smartcard reader and the smartcard reader. i think both of them come standard.

its mainly for high security network access etc etc

 

Really? Most of the Palm devices I've owned over the years have had bluetooth synching ability - which I've never been able to use.