Dell 4150 Options.. Time to make the jump... to something else!

[ZeroBurn]

plan on snagging a Dell Inspiron 4150 before the deal expires tomm, should I have any concerns?

it'll be a 1.7ghz / 14.1" XGA / 512mb / 16mb ATI / 30gb / Floppy / CDRW setup for about $1225 after everything (tax, shipping, coupons). the only thing i'm not quite sure about is the SXGA+ 14.1" for $200 more. that's a chunk of change i'm afraid i'm just not going to be able to afford, but i'm also afraid that i might regret now having it after a year or so when the prices on them drop.

i don't have any need for firewire or USB2.0 (i don't think so at least), and i figure the 2 free pc slots will be good for expandability.

 

[Darien]

Sounds good. Personally, I find anything beyond 1024 x 768 on < 15" rather small. Hopefully the standard XGA display will be good enough.

You might be able to shave off a few bucks with RAM and buy it from Crucial than from Dell?

 

[RossMAN]

You're getting the FREE RAM upgrade from 256MB to 512MB RAM instead of the $100 rebate, right?

I still think that SXGA displays are beautiful but does it warrant an extra $200? No. XGA is just fine but try and visualize something for me, 1024x768 on a 17" CRT that's what it looks like. Make sure to buy using a major credit card such as a Visa, MasterCard or Amex which gives you an extra 1 year of extended warranty coverage for FREE.

Also consider getting the floppy thing for $20.

 

[ZeroBurn]

Originally posted by: RossMAN
You're getting the FREE RAM upgrade from 256MB to 512MB RAM instead of the $100 rebate, right?

I still think that SXGA displays are beautiful but does it warrant an extra $200? No. XGA is just fine but try and visualize something for me, 1024x768 on a 17" CRT that's what it looks like. Make sure to buy using a major credit card such as a Visa, MasterCard or Amex which gives you an extra 1 year of extended warranty coverage for FREE.

Also consider getting the floppy thing for $20.

Thanks Ross, I was hoping this thread would attract you like the Bat Signal. I figure if it's approved by the big Ross you can't go wrong.

I threw the floppy in there (i'd feel stupid having typed a paper at campus and realizing i wouldn't be able to print it).

Checked out my roomate's monitor, he's got a Viewsonic 17" A70 and 1024x768 looks like it's got just enough desktop space. Everything's easy to read. The resolution feels good, but is there anything regarding brightness/pixel depth i should be concerned about?

I would save about $25 i think if i went with the rebate, and it's just not worth the hassle. I wasn't going to before, but I'll plop it on a Visa now. Thanks! I feel a lot more confident now

 

[dc]

cdrw or cdrw/dvd combo?

if it's cdrw/dvd, is it the 4150se?
i placed my order for the 4150se friday night, still no order number or status update from dell. lol.

 

[dc]

shoot, wish i had the stackable 10% now instead of last week. could've gotten the laptop for slightly more(~$60), but no rebate worries.

 

[ZeroBurn]

i don't think it's the SE, it's just the 4150. what's the difference ?

it's just the cdrw, the dvd would be +$80, still on the line about that one...

 

[ZeroBurn]

now that i think about it i will get the dvd/cdrw combo. i figure dvd is pretty much standard, besides i could always tvout it and use it as a portable dvd player.

total will be $1311.12 after taxes and coupons, to include the cdrw/dvd combo and floppy.

 

[RossMAN]

Here's a great deal on the Dell Inspiron 4150 but I'd be extremely cautious and weary because I have a hunch that you may not receive the $400 rebate.

Instead I'd go the route that you did (which offers a $100 rebate but don't accept it, just get your RAM upgraded to 512MB for free).

 

[ZeroBurn]

$137 more but no rebates.... i think i'll go with that

thanks though

 

[RossMAN]

Originally posted by: ZeroBurn
$137 more but no rebates.... i think i'll go with that

thanks though

That's what I would do because 1) I hate mailing in rebates and 2) there's always that chance it will not be honored which is frankly not worth it.

Best of luck with your purchase!

 

[ElFenix]

Originally posted by: dc
cdrw or cdrw/dvd combo?

if it's cdrw/dvd, is it the 4150se?
i placed my order for the 4150se friday night, still no order number or status update from dell. lol.

call, your order was probably never entered if you went online to do it. 800-999-3355 x43784 is probably it. see if you're in the system.

 

[PeeluckyDuckee]

I considered a 14" XGA when I bought mine, but wanted something bigger and went with a 15" SXGA+ instead, never regretted it. XGA doesn't show a lot of desktop space, even on a 14", I'll end up having to scroll left and right on web pages, and that is annoying. With SXGA+ I can always interpolate to 1024 if I wish, it's not as bad as it used to be on older models. Get an extra battery if you're going to be running around with the laptop much.

 

[ZeroBurn]

Originally posted by: PeeluckyDuckee
I considered a 14" XGA when I bought mine, but wanted something bigger and went with a 15" SXGA+ instead, never regretted it. XGA doesn't show a lot of desktop space, even on a 14", I'll end up having to scroll left and right on web pages, and that is annoying. With SXGA+ I can always interpolate to 1024 if I wish, it's not as bad as it used to be on older models. Get an extra battery if you're going to be running around with the laptop much.

if the desktop space is equiv to 1024x768 on a 17" monitor i think that's fine for me. i'd love a 15" sxga but the price premium's more than i can bare, and besides i'm going for as light as possible also. i won't be luggin' the laptop around that much, but maybe on a later date i'll go for an extra battery.

 

[Maverick]

dude you're getting a dell!

sorry someone had to say it

 

[RossMAN]

Originally posted by: ZeroBurn

Originally posted by: PeeluckyDuckee
I considered a 14" XGA when I bought mine, but wanted something bigger and went with a 15" SXGA+ instead, never regretted it. XGA doesn't show a lot of desktop space, even on a 14", I'll end up having to scroll left and right on web pages, and that is annoying. With SXGA+ I can always interpolate to 1024 if I wish, it's not as bad as it used to be on older models. Get an extra battery if you're going to be running around with the laptop much.

if the desktop space is equiv to 1024x768 on a 17" monitor i think that's fine for me. i'd love a 15" sxga but the price premium's more than i can bare, and besides i'm going for as light as possible also. i won't be luggin' the laptop around that much, but maybe on a later date i'll go for an extra battery.

Perhaps I should clarify my previous statements. The resolution appears to be almost identical to a 17" CRT at 1024x768 but the desktop space is NOT since a 17" has a viewable screen of around 15". A 14" XGA LCD is slightly less, maybe 1" - 2". I wish I could afford a 15" SXGA but it just costs way to much ($200+) and it adds to the overall weight and bulge of the laptop.

 

[ElFenix]

Originally posted by: RossMAN

Originally posted by: ZeroBurn

Originally posted by: PeeluckyDuckee
I considered a 14" XGA when I bought mine, but wanted something bigger and went with a 15" SXGA+ instead, never regretted it. XGA doesn't show a lot of desktop space, even on a 14", I'll end up having to scroll left and right on web pages, and that is annoying. With SXGA+ I can always interpolate to 1024 if I wish, it's not as bad as it used to be on older models. Get an extra battery if you're going to be running around with the laptop much.

if the desktop space is equiv to 1024x768 on a 17" monitor i think that's fine for me. i'd love a 15" sxga but the price premium's more than i can bare, and besides i'm going for as light as possible also. i won't be luggin' the laptop around that much, but maybe on a later date i'll go for an extra battery.

Perhaps I should clarify my previous statements. The resolution appears to be almost identical to a 17" CRT at 1024x768 but the desktop space is NOT since a 17" has a viewable screen of around 15". A 14" XGA LCD is slightly less, maybe 1" - 2". I wish I could afford a 15" SXGA but it just costs way to much ($200+) and it adds to the overall weight and bulge of the laptop.

actually its that while the desktop area in terms of pixels is the same its that you can't read any of the tiny-arse text since its the same number of pixels on a 16" vs 14" screen.

 

[ZeroBurn]

ack, i tried checking out but the coupon's not quite working.

i saw some huge deals on FW regarding lappies from staples, which carries the Compaq 1500T as well. does anyone know how much those weigh? i'd like to stock to 6lbs or under, they also have the HP ZT1000 series which i think is under 6lbs. maybe i'll end up going for one of those if i can't get this dell purchase to go through. doh

although on the bright side maybe i'll be able to get a 15" SXGA with either the compaq or hp.

 

[RossMAN]

Originally posted by: ZeroBurn
i saw some huge deals on FW regarding lappies from staples, which carries the Compaq 1500T as well.

I would LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE to have a Compaq Presario 1500T but cannot find any FW HD threads on it. What's the thread title?

 

[ZeroBurn]

RossMAN- the HP deals are all from staples, there's a new $300 off coupon with a combinable $30 coupon, and $50 instore coupon. free luggage on top of that, and a $100 rebate. i looked around and staples also carries the 1500T so it looks like you should be able to just grab that instead of the HP.

here's a quick configuration i pulled up:

Compaq 1500T Config:
Celeron 1.4ghz
15" SXGA+
256mb DDR 2 DIMMs
20gb
DVD
66 WHr battery

$1,417 before any coupons/tax, etc. if i'm doing my math right, should be a little over $1k, dependent on taxes and how successful you are with the $50 coupon. i figure you can pick up a CDRW for $100 (usb2 or firewire). 30gb option is $52, and 512mb DDR option is over $200. might be worthwhile to drop the 256mb 2 DIMMs to 1 DIMM for $55 so you can pick up another 256mb later on.

staples reports it's 6.2lbs, but i don't know how accurate that is.

 

[RossMAN]

I just spec'd out a Compaq Presario 1500T from Staples.com for $1,417 + $75 shipping.

So if my Ferengi math is correct if I order online it would be:
$1417
+$75 shipping
-$300 coupon
-$30 coupon
-$100 MIR
===============
$1,062

Is that right?

 

[RossMAN]

Ok if it weren't for the Staples $300 and $30 and $50 coupons, CostCo.com would be $103 cheaper for the exact same specs with shipping included ... plus CostCo has a better return policy.

But if the $300/$30/$50 coupons work then Staples clearly has the better deal.

I wonder if the P4 1.5 is worth the $75 over the Celery 1.4? I'd be concerned about battery life (opted for the 66 wHR) and heat which I think the Celery would be better suited for.

 

[ZeroBurn]

sounds good to me, although i'm a little worried about sales tax. even so it seems like a better deal then the dell

 

[RossMAN]

Well the Dell 4150 deal was from Dell Small Business, right? They charge sales tax to almost all states, don't they?

 

[ZeroBurn]

Originally posted by: RossMAN
Ok if it weren't for the Staples $300 and $30 and $50 coupons, CostCo.com would be $103 cheaper for the exact same specs with shipping included ... plus CostCo has a better return policy.

But if the $300/$30/$50 coupons work then Staples clearly has the better deal.

I wonder if the P4 1.5 is worth the $75 over the Celery 1.4? I'd be concerned about battery life (opted for the 66 wHR) and heat which I think the Celery would be better suited for.

i don't know about the $50, that's just icing on the icing i think the other two coupons should work fine, the $300 came out just today i believe. i was a little worried about the overheating myself, which is why i think i'm opting for the celery (i don't plan on doing any hardcore computing that will require the extra cycles). is there a possibility of swapping out the cpu sometime in the future?

i'm sure the 1500T is more suited for expansion than the dell though.