The outlet is making me crazy

I'm trying to take advantage of the current 20% off outlet coupon and purchase an E6500 but I can't figure out how sort the search so I come up with my required config.

Back-lit keyboard

WXGA+ 1440x900 led screen

Intel graphics accelerator

Color = black

Hard drive = 80 or 160 sata 5400 rpm

Webcam

No fingerprint reader

Memory = 2

Dell 1397 wireless card

Not so concerned about the rest of the stuff.

It looks like one just has to page through all the pages in the listings and open each detail box to get this info?

This is going to take me awhile I guess. When does the coupon expire?

Thanks

 

Actually I've found the trick: just sort them by price from high to low. It seems like all the expensive ones have the back-lit keyboard and the higher res screen. Look for this one: 0GC6P615
The problem is that it doesn't the wireless card that you want but it has everything else.

 

I know what you mean. The first time I searched for a configuration I wanted, I gave up after a few minutes because I was starting to get a headache. Dell really needs to update their search feature. One option that you can consider is calling Dell Phone Sales and have them look for you. Most likely they will let you use the coupon over the phone. One word of caution, if there is two system with the same configure, but different prices, they might offer the more expensive one.

edit
Sale ends 5/1

 

Dell assumes that their customers are low tech, and that Dell KNOWS what is best for them.

Some of the builds that they have make no sense. For example, I found many high end CPUs with N wireless, large fast hard drive, etc, in a Laptop with the integrated Video. Why waste all the better stuff on a kludge Video? Additionally, Dell doesn't use the topshelf components that are currently available, their parts are always a bit dated.

 

Or maybe some customers (like me) want good performance without a power-guzzling CPU. Intel's integrated graphics are fine if people don't need 3D performance with the adverse side-effects that it brings.

John

 

Yeah, the Outlet search functions really suck. When I was looking for my refurbished E6400, I basically went through about three-fourths of their stock... one effin unit at a time. As far as I know, there's really no other practical (more practical) way to go about it.

If you're still having a hard time finding the unit you want, try just getting the features you want that are hard to or impossible to upgrade. The GPU, backlit keyboard, webcam, finger print reader, etc. Then you can upgrade and/or change the HDD, memory, wifi, etc. yourself.

 

You should all be glad to have access to an outlet at all really...i can't do the same over here and it would save me LOADS of money if i could.

 

It is rather annoying to manually search through the inventory, but at the least we can pick up great notebooks for a great price.

 

Yes, the reason that I think integrated video would be better for me is I'm concerned with the noise and heat complaints I see on this forum. I'm not concerned at all with power savings as this laptop will be plugged in most of the time.

I don't know if these are valid concerns or not.

 

Yes, the Intel graphics runs cooler and quieter. I have both and I prefer Intel over Nvidia.

To simplify your search, you can first decide what you must have. Let's say you have to have a DVD burner. Then you filter the search for that. Next you can click on video card and sort the list so that those with Intel are on top. This way you can probably eliminate 3/4 of the laptops quickly.