1520- good deal?

Hi,

I'm new to this forum, and would really like to thank you folks for your excellent info!

I'm planning on purchasing a new laptop for college. Battery life is extremely important. 15.4" screen is a must. The primary use for the machine is web surfing and office applications.

Here's my current configuration. Please let me know if this is a good deal:

Inspiron 1520

- Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T5250 (1.5GHz/667Mhz FSB/2MB cache)
- Genuine Windows ® Vista Home Premium Edition
- Jet Black
- FREE! 2GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 at 667MHz
- Glossy, widescreen 15.4 inch display (1280x800)
- Intel Graphics Media Accelerator X3100
- FREE! 160GB SATA Hard Drive (5400RPM)
- CD / DVD writer (DVD+/-RW Drive)
- High Definition Audio 2.0
- Dell Wireless 1390 802.11g Mini-Card
- 85Whr Lithium Ion Battery (9 cell)
- 1 Yr In-Home Service, Parts + Labor - Next Business Day

Total is $803.52 after 4% discount and $200 student coupon.

Question: Is it true that I can get an additional 2% off (or 4?) if I open a Dell credit card or loan account?

Thanks.

 

Hmm

I'd say yes it is good for web browsing, watching movies and college.

Although probably no gaming...Well counter strike and all that play on any computer, newer games will be slow. I know you didn't state anything about games but thought I would let you know.

How do you get that much discount?

Here in AU we get 3% if we spend up to 2000, and 5% if we spend over 2000...That is the discount, we don't get a 200 off for student etc, that actual 3 and 5% off is the discount that applies to students etc.

And only allowed to use one coupon at a time

 

That's a pretty good price. It's so much cheaper in the US.. here in NZ it's a lot more expensive.

 

The $200 off coupon was given to me when I entered my school e-mail address (UCSC), and the 4% off was automatic. Yes, no gaming...

Thanks.

 

BTW...should I get the glossy screen? And Bluetooth?

 

Bluetooth is EXTREMELY handy...If you can, I would definently go with it.

Glossy screens give you that extra 'oomph', Actually I can't tell the difference.

They do have reflections though, if your sitting in the sun etc, but not enough to make you uncomfortable..

My friend has a glossy screen, we ran a test.. We put a lamp right behind it and lots of other lighting, Seriously we couldn't even see any reflections.

I'd go with the glossy

 

I would get atleast 2years warranty, and maybe the accidental coverage if you are going to lug it around campus?

All the other specs look good for surfing and office apps. But to be honest almost any relatively new systems can handle that sort of thing.

Edit: I got bluetooth so I could use a mouse without the dongle, and mess around with my bluetooth cell phone. See what I can do with it.

 

Yeah, bluetooth mice are really good, and transferring stuff from phone without a USB....

I got 2 years complete cover with mine... Does that include accidental damage? so what happens if I perhaps tip some water on it?

Sorry to take over this thread but I just would like to know...

Also, does complete cover include theft thing? (How would that work anyway)

 

Just to let you know,

It is not as cheap but I just ordered a fully loaded 1520 and here are the specs,

Intel t7300 2.0ghz 4mb cache
2gb ram
256mb graphic card
Bluetooth
Wireless N card
built in camera
vista premium
DVD burner
160gb 5400rpm hard drive
hd screen (1440x900)
...I think thats it,
All for $1113 plus tax (freebies and $350 coupon)

You can get it cheaper if you did not care about the screen or any other $50 upgrade. I think this is a tremendous deal, so for an extra couple of hundred you can get a fully souped machine. But, it does not include any warranties, I do not know how important it is for you. You basically can do everything, including gaming for the next few years on this machine.

But, if you are just going to do some browsing, email, etc. go with the home discount so you can get 160gb hard drive and 2gb of ram at no cost, for an extra $70 bucks.

Hope this helps,

 

safarimark, does your config include any of the warranty packages? How much is the wireless N card than the default card?

 

That's a fine configuration, but I'd really recommend an upgrade to the T7300 to even out the 2GB of RAM and everything else. As for extra percentage off, you can get up to 4% off by using a Dell Preferred Account, but you must inquire about it to the rep!

 

Thanks for the help. Upgrade to T7300? I'd love it, but I think that it'd push me too far over my budget.

Never thought about the Bluetooth mouse thing. I'll definitely get Bluetooth and stay with the glossy screen.

I think I'm going to order over the phone instead. Any tips on getting more $$$ off ?? I heard from another thread that reps are allowed to give an additional $75 off (up to) at their discretion?

 

I spent all day trying to get 4% off for using my dell preferred account. I had no luck with the sales on the phone...they won't do a thing if you use that $350 off coupon. I had better luck online where I got an extra $50 off for paying with my preferred card.

 

How do you get the $50 off for paying with the preferred card?

OK, so I found another coupon code by using the gift registry. Added bluetooth as well.

Now my total is only $774.72

 

You just keep hassling them and eventually someone will give in...I was like " i want to reorder the system i just cancelled along with the $350 coupon and 4% off for ordering with dell preferred account" .....I can give you the email address of the guy who gave me that discount.

 

All done. Thanks for the help guys.

Went ahead and paid $774. When it came to the screen where I entered the credit card #, I was given the option of saving 4% if I opened the Dell Preferred Account. I would've saved an additional $31, but I decided against it as my dad didn't want another credit card. (he was paying)

I guess I'll have to update my signature and post in the Dell sticky thread now.

 

Kia Ora, mate!

Im a california native, but my wife is a Christchurch girl. We got married in Hamilton, NZ in March 2005. Our dual-citizen son was born in Wellington in Feb 2006.

We live in California though.

She's adjusting to the culture shock. We went hiking today and saw a snake, and she flipped out. No snakes in NZ, I guess.

But yeah, electronics are ridiculously expensive in NZ. Everything seemed more expensive there except used cars and houses.

 

hey guys,

my configuration:

SYSTEM COLOR Espresso Brown
PROCESSOR Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T7100 (1.8GHz/800Mhz FSB/2MB cache)
OPERATING SYSTEM Genuine Windows Vista™ Home Premium Edition
DISPLAY Anti-glare, widescreen 15.4 inch display (1280x800)
VIDEO CARD 128MB NVIDIA® GeForce® Go 8400M GS
MEMORY FREE! 2GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 at 667MHz
HARD DRIVE 160G 7200RPM SATA HDD
OPTICAL DRIVE CD / DVD writer (DVD+/-RW Drive)
WIRELESS NETWORKING Intel Next-Gen Wireless-N Mini-card
INTEGRATED WEBCAM Integrated 2.0M Pixel Webcam
BATTERY OPTIONS 85Whr Lithium Ion Battery (9 cell)
SOUND OPTIONS High Definition Audio 2.0

WARRANTY AND SERVICE DellCare Value

including tax and shipping (MI) = $ 1352

Good or not so good. It is 273 off and 3% because of dell carevalue and 8% off the total because I am student. any ideas how I can drop the price?

thanks in advance