Just ordered my Dell M1330. Thoughts?

Wanted to upgrade to something compact and sleek. Decided to go with the M1330. Here are the specs and pricing of the order I JUST placed:

-- XPS M1330 --
Intel® Core 2 Duo T8300 (2.4GHz/800Mhz FSB/3MB cache)
Tuxedo Black
3GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz
Slim and Light LED Display with VGA Webcam
128MB NVIDIA® GeForce 8400M GS
320GB SATA Hard Drive (5400RPM)
Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium Edition SP1
CD/DVD burner (DVD+/-RW Drive)
56Whr Lithium Ion Battery (6 cell)
3Yr In-Home Service, Parts + Labor, 24x7 Phone Support
Accidental Damage and LoJack Theft Protection to 3Yr Warr.
Verizon Wireless built-in cellular mobile broadband (EVDO Rev A)
Built-in Bluetooth capability (2.0 EDR)

Sub Total: $2,210.00
Dell Members: -$642.00
Dell EPP 5%: -$78.40
Dell DPA 4%: -$59.58
Warranty 8%: -114.40
Tax: $104.20
GRAND TOTAL: $1,419.82

Will mainly use it for everyday tasks like web browsing, e-mail, office apps, but plan to do some light gaming, nothing too intense.

Ordered through EPP from work, found most of the specs were not changeable. Strangely, it said "Verizon Special" (NOT the company I work for) and it wasn't possible to take out the Verizon Wireless built-in card which I do not plan to use but it doesn't bother me much, hopefully can just turn it off. Decided the 3 yr In-home warranty would be good and added 3 yr Accidental Care for long term peace of mind.

Those of you who have ordered and are familiar with the pricing, what do you guys think of the price I paid? Would be happy if I didn't pay too much more than what most here have or will have to cancel and wait for a good deal to come around. Would also like to hear what others have paid for a similar config. Your opinions are highly requested and greatly appreciated, thanks!

BTW, Est Ship Date is 08/08/2008. Hopefully it comes sooner!

 

got one for the same specs, scratch and dent, 4gb ram, no verizon wireless, and only 1 year warranty ...for 520 less than you did.

so basically you paid 520 more for a brand new comp with an extra two years of warranty & accidental damage.

Frankly, i think you got a steal though.

 

Thanks for your input shaba. I, for some reason, have always stayed away from the outlet after some stories I have heard but at $900 you got one HELL of a deal! Ignoring the mystery Verizon card, I guess the extra 2 yrs of warranty + 3 yrs of accidental should be of an extra $200 and the extra 1G another $20, so you saved about $300 over my cost!

Would love to hear from those that bought new so I can get a better idea. From what shaba has said, I feel I may have paid about $200 too much?

 

no problem jay, but keep in mind...you have to pay a premium for getting a brand new comp vs a scratch and dent, mine wasn't even a normal refurb. pricing something like mine on a normal refurb would have been about 175 MORE than what I paid. Plus I used an outlet coupon.

Trust me, you're getting a great deal...i've been researching new prices for awhile.

 

Trust me, having someone show up to your house for the next three years whenever you have the slightest niche of a problem with your laptop is something that I've fallen in love with!

 

Agreed. Two years from now when that guy's scratch n dent has a problem, he'll wish he got the extended warranty as most electronics don't break in the first year

You got a Great deal, Be Happy and Enjoy it !

 

Two years from now I will have sold mine and bought something 50% faster, 30% lighter, 80% sweeter, probably for 10% less money . . . so, who cares?

If a computer works flawless for the first month, it'll probably last a good long time. We shouldn't have to PAY for customer service. Courtesy and expediency used to be included when people were spending hundreds or thousands of dollars. <end rant>

 

Oh! No. You got the nVidia card! It is better you do the copper mod right away when you get her.

 

Hi!

Congrat's on your 1330 purchase! Look's like your getting a great system! And, it will serve you well for what you will be using it for!

I have the 1530, and have the 3 year at home/onsite, along with the 3-year accidental..I got it because this was my first laptop, and I wanted all my *bases* covered.

I think that you will like having the 3-year at home! I just had to have the Techn. come to my house about a month ago to replace the Motherboard, and everything went well That is where the at-home has it's advantage...They come to you, and you are not w/out your laptop



Cin

 

got my machine(see sig) for $1268 plus tax.... ur machine w/o tax is $1205.... so $40 for a better hard drive(mines 250GB 5400) and a verizon broadband(useless for me ATM... maybe in a few years) for maybe $40 more(less the 4th yr warranty(~$80) and 1GB more ram(~$50, tohugh im running 64bit which can use all 4GB))... its good

 

Thanks for all of your replies guys. I was already excited about getting this laptop but now I'm starting to feel good about the price I paid too. It may not be as good as some of the real killer deals I've read about on here, but still not bad. I'm glad I got the 3yr Accidental Protection and won't be doing the copper mod suggested to make sure I don't lose the warranty, which will cover everything anyway. Also, I just read that the Verizon card option that was included in my system is actually a $150 addition! Wish I could have dropped that from the price I paid!

Thanks again guys, will post my thoughts once I get it and have used it for a couple of days.