SXPS 16 for design student?

As an incoming freshman majoring in Design, I've been looking into the SXPS 16 because of its RGBLED screen. I found three different deals on the system (there are more, of course, but they don't seem as good of a deal) and configured them. Are these specs suitable? Are there some I don't need, or some worth upgrading?

All are eligible for the Windows 7 upgrade.

1. Educational Purchase Program: $2258 - $419 instant savings - 7% EPP discount = $1710.27
   - Intel® Core™ 2 Duo P8700 (3MB cache/2.53GHz/1066Mhz FSB) [+$125 to upgrade to T9550 (6MB cache/2.66GHz/1066Mhz FSB)]
   - Genuine Windows Vista® Ultimate Edition 64-bit [-$150 to downgrade to Vista Home Premium]
   - Obsidian Black with Leather Accent
   - 4GB Dual Channel DDR3 SDRAM at 1067MHz (2 Dimms) [+$390 to upgrade to 6GB, better to upgrade myself??]
   - Edge-to-Edge FullHD Widescreen 16.0 inch RGBLED LCD (1920x1080) W/2.0 MP
   - ATI Mobility RADEON™ HD 4670 – 1GB [-$100 to downgrade to ATI Mobility RADEON® HD 3670 - 512MB]
   - 500GB 7200 RPM SATA Hard Drive [-$50 to downgrade to 320 GB]
   - Integrated Gigabit (10/100/1000) Network Card
   - Adobe® Acrobat® Reader 9, Multiple Languages
   - BluRay Disc Combo (DVD/CD read/write + BD read) Slot Load Drive [lowest available, otherwise I wouldn't have included BluRay]
   - High Definition Audio 2.0
   - Intel® 5100 WLAN Wireless-N (1x2) Half Mini Card [+$45 to upgrade to Intel® 5300 WLAN Wireless-N (3x3) Mini Card OR Intel 5300 Ultimate-N Half Mini Card (3x3) with MyWiFi--what's the difference? More options available as well but more expensive]
   - Microsoft Office Ultimate 2007 [-$90 to downgrade to MS Works; I think this is actually pretty good considering MS Office Home and Student somehow costs more in the package]
   - No Security [was thinking I'd install AVG or something; Norton, Trend Micro, and McAfee 15-month available for no charge, but will this just end up clogging the computer?]
   - 6-cell Battery [+$90 for an extra 9-cell battery, will I need it?]
   - 3 yr In-home Service after remote diagnosis + Complete Care
   - Dell Online Backup 2GB for 1 year
   - Dell Wireless 370 Bluetooth Module (2.1+EDR) [-$20 for no Bluetooth]
   
   
2. Home/Home Office Deal 1 - exp. July 2: $2053 - $294 instant savings - $35 off = $1724 + free shipping
   Differences from #1 - these are the cheapest/lowest options possible with the package
   - 8X DVD+/- RW(DVD/CD read/write) Slot Load Drive [downgrade]
   - Intel 5300 Ultimate-N Half Mini Card (3x3) with MyWiFi [upgrade]
   - Microsoft® Works 9 [downgrade]
   - 2Yr Ltd Hardware Warranty, InHome Service after Remote Diagnosis [downgrade]
   - Dell Remote Access, free basic service [upgrade, this isn't listed with #1]
   - McAfee 24 month [upgrade]
   
   
3. Home/Home Office Deal 2 - exp. November 5: $2053 - $404 instant savings = $1649 + free shipping
   Differences from #1 - these are the cheapest/lowest options possible with the package
   - 8X DVD+/- RW(DVD/CD read/write) Slot Load Drive [downgrade]
   - Intel® 5300 WLAN Wireless-N (3x3) Mini Card [upgrade]
   - Microsoft® Works 9 [downgrade]
   - 2Yr Ltd Hardware Warranty, InHome Service after Remote Diagnosis [downgrade]
   - Dell Online Backup 5GB for 1 year [upgrade]
   - Dell Remote Access, free basic service [upgrade]

Which of these are best? Also, is there any way for me to drive these prices down further? I heard some people get additional discounts by calling Dell; how does that work?

A big THANKS to all who help!

 

They're all around the same price, so I would recommend the top configuration for the blu-ray and 3 year warranty.

 

Go with option one, it's got the best balance of everything.

 

Heh, your #1 option is somewhat similar to my SXPS 13 configuration minus the RGBLED and GPU. I would suggest it over your other two configurations. With the GPU upgrade, I suppose the SXPS 16 can now be considered a good "gamer" laptop.

 

Thank you for the replies!

With that said and done, are there any specs worth the upgrade (or not worth it, for that matter)?
And does anyone have info on ways I can get more discounts? It's still quite expensive for me, unfortunately. Ideally, I'd like it to cost ~$1500, but if that's not possible, then so be it.

 

If you have proof of being a student, ditch Office 2007 from Dell and buy it through Microsoft for 60$. It is a downloadable single file setup (retail version), and license key. Easy, cheap, and painless.

http://www.microsoft.com/student/discounts/theultimatesteal-us/default.aspx

Two other things - do you need Bluetooth? If you're getting it just in case, I suggest ditching that, and buying a module off E-bay or something when you do get a device that uses it.

Also, I bought an XPS 1530 with 6 and 9 cell batteries, and have only found that I use one of them. If you want to be fairly mobile, you may be able to save some money by getting just the 9 cell.

 

Wow, thanks so much for the link! =D Just a question: is the backup DVD necessary?

No, I don't need Bluetooth, and yeah, I left it there just in case since it was relatively inexpensive, haha. Thanks for the heads up though; I'll get rid of that.

Unfortunately, there's no choice to swap the 6 cell with the 9 cell. If I do choose to get the 9 cell, it will be an extra battery.

 

Do you really need Vista Ultimate?

 

http://www.anandtech.com/mobile/showdoc.aspx?i=3540&p=12

the review above says it's a TN panel with good color gamut... bad news is that it's TN...

think you could skimp on some of the features, and get a nice $200 22" IPS panel to dock with... 22" > 16", and how often will you draw 'on the go'?

gimme a few minutes and lemme find the best deal for you... dell outlet seems nice and cheap too

// don't think you need the BluRay... for editing, i'm guessing a decent CPU/GPU/memory/HDD is enough... warranty, 3 years just in case

i see Dell EPP has $1350, Blu RAy,P8700, Vista Home Pre, 320GB, 4GB, 3670 HD,... find Microsoft Office for students for $60(outside or from your school, or use OpenOffice)

or $1468, same as above but no BluRay, 500GB 7200rpm, 4670HD

you might want to get higher GPU for rendering... think photoshop/autopano giga has some GPU support...

 

+1. I really see that as a waste. Unless you REALLY want it, I'd suggest just going with Home Premium and then spending that money towards a Windows 7 license (be it Home Premium, Business, or Ultimate) if you want an OS upgrade. If you need Ultimate's features you can also just run the Windows 7 RC in the mean time. I mean, you can pre-order a Windows 7 Professional Upgrade license for $50 less.

 

Speaking of that, is Dell doing the Free Upgrade deal yet? The program kicked off last week, but it is still up to the individual OEM to participate. If Dell has jumped in on the offer (it is worth asking), you'll be given a free upgrade to Windows 7 when it comes out.

 

Yes Dell has already started the free Windows 7 upgrade. It went into effect on the 26th of June.

 

Yeah, as stated in the first post, these are eligible for the Windows 7 upgrade, sooo I just thought it would be nice to get Windows 7 Ultimate for $150, heh.

Well, I'd prefer not to limit myself to drawing in my dorm room... and I haven't been able to find an IPS monitor at that price. Maybe I'm not looking in the right places.
yeah I'd ditch the BluRay too, but it isn't an option for that first configuration. I also looked around in Dell Outlet, but none of them have the 4670.

Do you guys suggest the LoJack add-on for $20, or is it not worth it?

 

I'm still pretty sure you can live on VHP without the features of Ultimate just fine . . .

I'm majoring in computer engineering and I don't really miss anything that is not there, seriously . . .

But that's just my 2 cents. The choice is yours.

 

http://forums.slickdeals.net/showthread.php?sduid=354428&t=1421537
http://forums.slickdeals.net/showthread.php?sduid=354428&t=1328251

(yeah, the deals are dead, but you just have to create an account over there and put in a deal alert for monitor / IPS...)

try to play around with ALL the configs... the lower configs give you more choice, but eventually may cost the same, cheaper, or more expensive than a higher config... just keep trying.... get the best config you have, and call/chat dell... they sometimes give you a better price...

dell outlet too... keep refreshing because they put in stuff all the time

lojack... it's kinda useless, but why not? $20 is an okay price

 

haha you're slowly dissuading me... if I can't get the system at a price I like, I'll switch to VHP.

It doesn't seem like Dell's selling that monitor anymore. =/ I found it on Amazon but at a much higher price.
Well, I went back and tried to find as many different configs as I could, and here's what I got (these are all EPP, couldn't get any good ones with Dell Home; the 7% discount hasn't been applied to the prices yet):

All these configs have C2D P8700; Vista Ultimate; 4GB RAM; 500GB 7200 RPM SATA; HD 4670 1GB; Intel 5100 WLAN 1x2; HD Audio 2.0; no MS Office or security; and RGBLED.

$1599 + $100 Dell gift card (found an identical system earlier for $1669 + only $50 gift card):
- 8X DVD+/- RW(DVD/CD read/write) Slot Load Drive
- 2Yr Ltd Hardware Warranty, InHome Service after Remote Diagnosis

$1699:
- 8X DVD+/- RW(DVD/CD read/write) Slot Load Drive
- 2 yr In-home Service after remote diagnosis + Complete Care

$1729:
- BluRay Disc Combo (DVD/CD read/write + BD read) Slot Load Drive
- 3 yr In-home Service after remote diagnosis + Complete Care

The differing warranties are keeping me from just going with the cheapest option... the last config has 1 year more than the first, with Complete Care too.
When I call Dell, do I just straight out ask them for a discount or something?
And I checked Dell Outlet again; still no 4670, and it seems like a whole bunch got snatched up. =o

 

Usually giving them a reason to discount your purchase will give a better chance at success (e.g. another OEM is offering you a cheaper price, you have some reason to avoid Dell, etc.). I didn't realize the W7 free upgrade period already began. Does this mean people will be upgraded to corresponding versions for free (i.e. Home Premium -> Home Premium, Ultimate to Ultimate, Business -> Professional, etc.)?

 

ah. Then I'd have to find an OEM that has something comparable to that but cheaper? hmm.
Yeah, they'll match your copy of Windows 7 with your version of Vista.

 

for the warranty, i think some configs allow you to add on to 3 or 4 year, or add on complete care....

i have complete care on my xps, like it(used it several times to replace some components..... keyboard w/ water split on, dropped laptop with hinge broken...) though SXPS's warranty service may not be as 'premium' as the original XPS warranty

just keep checking dell outlet when you can, add then to cart (you have 15 minutes to decide before the system automatically takes it out)...

just call/chat dell, say you got "xxx config" at this price, can you do better... if one rep can't do better, try again... each rep has certain leeway to their price, or adding on freebees



well, i currently see something with hte same specs you have(your first deal three posts above)

1580 for bluray +500gb 7200rpm + 4 yr warranty+complete lojack, though vista home premium

remove bluetooth for $20 if you want... vista ultimate isn't worth it

(this is what i hate and love about dell... they have so many configs, but you can spend some time to find the cheapest one... if you want this config, PM me your email and i'll send you the cart link.. then you can call dell up and try to get an even cheaper one)

 

Dunno how long it'll take for the 4670 to pop up in Dell Outlet... hopefully soon.
So basically tell them my config+price, and ask if they can bring the price down?

That's actually the link I used for the $1729 configuration, haha.

 

Drop Vista Ultimate, it will be useless. If you are a student you can usually get it for VERY cheap anyways. Around $10 from your university or if your university doesn't offer it, get it from here for $65
http://www.microsoft.com/student/discounts/theultimatesteal-us/default.aspx

 

I would not recommend it at all. Not to sound like a fanboy, but make the stretch to a Macbook.

 

Ewwww . But THOSE are made by Apple!

 

It's more about Windows 7 than Vista, but I guess I'll get rid of it anyway to make it more affordable.

Care to elaborate? I considered getting a MBP, but they are way more expensive. =/

 

No reason to go to the Macbook. WAY more expensive and the only thing better is the battery life. If it is THAT important to you and a spare battery is unacceptable, go for it.

 

Yeah, unless there's some compelling reason that justifies the price increase, I'm probably not gonna get a Mac. That reminds me... I should add a 9 cell battery to the config now. Apparently the SXPS only has so-so battery life, so an extra battery will be useful. +$80

 

I think the screen quality would be a deal breaker with those.

 

Are they that much worse than an SXPS?

Quick question: Can I get better deals by calling or chatting, or does it not matter?

 

I'd say the phone is always the way to go. If you need the laptop by a certain date I suggest ensuring they get your order right though (via an e-mail quote) XD.

 

All right, thanks for the advice!