Advice for Studio 15 Configuration?

Using a student discount, i went through a laptop with these specs. I'll be a freshman in the fall.

Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T9600 (2.8GHz/1066Mhz FSB/6MB cache) The only option
Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium Edition SP1, 64-Bit
3 yr In-home Service after remote diagnosis + Complete Care+LoJack No one year options
15.6” Full High Definition (1080p) High Brightness LED Display with TrueLife™ and Camera/Facial Reco
4GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 at 800MHz Only option
Size: 500GB SATA Hard Drive (5400RPM) Only option
McAfee 36 month Forced to get

Starting Price $2,024
Instant Savings $461
Subtotal $1,563

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

What is the automated PC tune up?
Is the processor speed (2.8GHz) really gonna benefit me at all?

I don't need the 500 gigs of memory. I don't need McAfee for 36 months. I'd rather get a one year warranty and upgrade as I go (it's cheaper). What should I do?

 

In my opinion. If you're just getting a laptop for school work. And you're looking to spend THAT much. Get a Macbook or a Macbook Pro.

Better battery life, lighter/more compact with the same screen real-estate.

And dont say I'm a mac fanboy. Because I myself own a Studio 1555 Dell. I just dont believe they're worth the price tag once you exceed $1000.

 

Where are you ordering from? Seems like you're very limited to your options and will be paying too much for options you won't need or want.

 

If you start from the Dell University page, the first offer for the Studio 1555 is an extremely high-end preselected configuration, with only the T9600 processor and most other maximum options.

If you scroll down the page without clicking on that Studio 15 offer, you'll see another Studio 15 starting at $800 or thereabouts; this option gives you more choice as to what you want.

 

I know that other pages give me more options. But that gives me the STUDENT DISCOUNT. I don't see any way else to get a discount which is why I'm asking you guys here. The 25% coupon stuff doesn't seem to work at all.

Anyone? and does anyone know of other offers then?

 

No, the $829 model I posted IS an EPP exclusive deal. Log in to delluniversity.com, and click the Full Catalogue link. This presents a page with several exclusive deals, including that super high-end Studio 15 at the top of the page. Scroll down, and in the center of the bottom row, is another, cheaper, EPP exclusive Studio 15.

 

Thanks Shroom!

 

Any time.

 

Okay, I called Dell in order to ask about using a 25% off coupon on the Studio 15

My specs now are
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo P8600 (2.4GHz/1066Mhz FSB/3MB cache)
15.6” Full High Definition (1080p) High Brightness LED Display with TrueLife™ and Camera
4GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 at 800MHz
Size: 500GB SATA Hard Drive (5400RPM)
I actually wanted 7200RPM but that option was eliminated
512MB ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4570
McAfee 15 month comes with it

With the cooling stand, this starting price is $1691. My Sub Total is $1,231.50

The basic wireless card is Dell Wireless 1397 802.11g Half Mini-Card. I don't know much about that, is that okay or should I get a different one? Is the RPM a big deal?

 

Your specs are the same as the one I ordered. Except I have the black lit keyboard and no McAfee subscription and 1 year limited warranty. My sub total was $1185 and after a 25% discount it ended up being $888 before tax.

I'm upgrading my wireless myself to the Intel Wifi Link 5300 though, its a lot cheaper just to buy it off ebay than upgrading through Dell. They go for about $20 right now. The basic wireless will work just fine. The 5300 will be faster and give you better range and also allow you to create a personal network for device/file sharing.

The RPM shouldn't be a big deal unless you do things that will require it. Booting, virus scanning, defragging will be faster, but unless you need it for graphics design, video editing, some intensive gaming etc. you should be fine with a 5400 rpm drive.

 

I have the back lit keyboard as well as a 2 year warranty with complete care. I just didn't mention that. Where did you get your deal from? You paid $888 for the same exact specs?

This is the best I've managed to come across. I can't apply the 25% off without getting McAfee and 500 gigs of memory (which is unneeded)