$350 off Dell Vostro coupon!!! (ends 7/29)

[DominionSeraph]

I'm not sure what you're talking about. You can get the 2400 + U2311h for about the same as an i5-2500 with a lesser monitor. Here's how:

NOTE: The standard config comes with a DVD-ROM, not a burner. You're going to regret that purchase, so watch out for it. Also, I included 4GB above for two reasons - puts you over the $899 mark, and it's actually a usable config out the door. With 2GB, I don't consider it a good system to use, so not your best bet for a family member, etc. All you guys paying $70 extra for the 2500 are getting ripped off. The CPU is only worth about $15 more at retail, and in a system like this, you'll never, ever notice the difference between the two CPUs.

At this point, I think that most people have a SATA burner sitting in their house somewhere. You can get one for $19 shipped anyway. And with the price of RAM at Newegg AND the fact that Dell isn't filling up the Vostro's slots with 4x sticks, I don't see a reason to use RAM to bump up the price to hit the coupon limit.
The processor is the only component here that can't be cheaply upgraded with straight addition. (There's no way to purchase 300MHz for it.) RAM, you can upgrade with a 2x4GB kit for only $50 and have 10GB instead of your 4GB, meaning Windows 7 will likely be able to keep every program you use in RAM with Superfetch, negating pretty much any need for a SSD. A DVD-RW adds to the DVD-ROM, giving you two drives allowing you to directly copy disks.

My configuration is more "computer geek" since it requires modification, while yours is the better "generic computer for Mom and Dad that I just want to unbox and forget about it" build. Since this is a computer enthusiast website, I went with the better overall computer for the buck, even though it requires tinkering.
i5 2500 with 10GB beats i5 2400 with 4GB, so I suggested that route.

 

[Termie]

At this point, I think that most people have a SATA burner sitting in their house somewhere. You can get one for $19 shipped anyway. And with the price of RAM at Newegg AND the fact that Dell isn't filling up the Vostro's slots with 4x sticks, I don't see a reason to use RAM to bump up the price to hit the coupon limit.
The processor is the only component here that can't be cheaply upgraded with straight addition. (There's no way to purchase 300MHz for it.) RAM, you can upgrade with a 2x4GB kit for only $50 and have 10GB instead of your 4GB, meaning Windows 7 will likely be able to keep every program you use in RAM with Superfetch, negating pretty much any need for a SSD. A DVD-RW adds to the DVD-ROM, giving you two drives allowing you to directly copy disks.

My configuration is more "computer geek" since it requires modification, while yours is the better "generic computer for Mom and Dad that I just want to unbox and forget about it" build. Since this is a computer enthusiast website, I went with the better overall computer for the buck, even though it requires tinkering.
i5 2500 with 10GB beats i5 2400 with 4GB, so I suggested that route.

That makes sense...but enthusiasts don't buy Dells.

 

[qliveur]

OP's right. Get the better CPU. The other stuff is much cheaper elsewhere.

 

[shortylickens]

Its weird TRYING to spend 899 on a computer. I've been looking to upgrade my mom for years but can never find exactly what I want for a reasonable price. Now I have to think the other way and deliberately go high.

 

[shortylickens]

Oh, I just remembered why I never look at Dells site.
Cuz its a god damn butt ugly mess trying to configure a system for purchase.
Not to mention all their options suck. The system I'm looking at right now doesnt allow for changes in CPU, RAM, or hard drive. WTF?

Most of the so-called "options" are for how many crappy over priced printer accessories I wanna add on.
Shame, 350 bucks is awesome.

 

[sciencewhiz]

Oh, I just remembered why I never look at Dells site.
Cuz its a god damn butt ugly mess trying to configure a system for purchase.
Not to mention all their options suck. The system I'm looking at right now doesnt allow for changes in CPU, RAM, or hard drive. WTF?

For the 460, start with the lowest priced one ($549), that seems to have the most options. You can then try to play around with the other ones to see if you can get it a little cheaper.

 

[qliveur]

Oh, I just remembered why I never look at Dells site.
Cuz its a god damn butt ugly mess trying to configure a system for purchase.
Not to mention all their options suck. The system I'm looking at right now doesnt allow for changes in CPU, RAM, or hard drive. WTF?

Most of the so-called "options" are for how many crappy over priced printer accessories I wanna add on.
Shame, 350 bucks is awesome.

I'd just go with the OP's config. It looks to me like he's worked out the best bang for the buck.

Wait for a memory sale and throw that in there along with a cheap video card if you don't like Intel GPUs and, maybe, one of those <$1/GB Kingston SSDs and you're set.

 

[RaistlinZ]

Toss in this G.Skill 8GB DDR3 1333 for $49.99 shipped and you'll be good to go. :biggrin:

No point paying the $60.00 to upgrade from 2GB to 4GB from Dell.

 

[pmanipole]

got one for sale in sale thread.

great machine